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By Jennifer Goeddeke

DETROIT AUTO ELECTRIC (DAE) IS A FLEET SERVICE & MANAGEMENT COMPANY, WITH AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY. I recently visited their facility at 21040 Coolidge in Oak Park and spoke with both Sue Cetnar (office manager) and Shawn Castle (president/operations manager). Despite being under the pressure of a pressing deadline, they both gave me a warm welcome and and considerable time in sharing some details about DAE.

THE COMPANY WAS ORIGINALLY FORMED IN 1937 BY RUSS TILLIT, AND WAS SITUATED ON WARREN AVENUE. A few years later, in 1941, DAE moved to 8040 Livernois. Subsequently, Charles Davidge purchased the company in 1971, and they moved to 8113 W. 8 Mile in 1983. All three of these former locales were in Detroit.

The company focus gradually shifted over the years, from auto maintenance to the maintenance of trucks, trailers and vans. A number of their service features keep customers returning because they go beyond what a typical fleet management company would do. Even though DAE does not own the trucks, Cetnar emphasized that they treat each one as though it directly belonged to them. She described DAE’s basis for its success as centered on excellent customer service, with consistent communication via email or phone.

Every aspect of truck maintenance is conducted in-house, including the electrical and transmission work, with a top-to-bottom check of vehicles during every appointment. Detailed tracking records via specialized software enable the staff to keep customers informed on everything that needs to be checked. Roadside service for their customers is also offered.

DAE HAS MADE SUSTAINABILITY A PRIORITY, IN OFFERING a comprehensive Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system. This greatly lowers the level of emissions and helps substantially with air quality by recirculating and burning off nitrogen oxide fumes. The system also adds to the longevity of the trucks, by efficiently keeping the EGR circuit, oil and fuel systems completely clean. Cetnar added, “we believe in it, and other places charge triple what we do.”

A week before the outbreak of Covid19 in the US, DAE lost its biggest account: Art Van. This cornerstone of Detroit furniture store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and began liquidation sales at its 190 stores. The Art Van account involved the maintenance of over 600 trucks, many of which were just left on DAE’s lot. The whole situation was a big challenge.

Fortunately, the Taylor & Martin auction company offered to help. So they got to work getting the trucks up to full running standards, including the replacement of batteries and other differing degrees of mechanical work.

Quite a few of the trucks’ buyers were located out-of-state. Thus, the entire process needed careful coordination. Just as I was conducting the interview, the deadline for the trucks’ pickup had arrived. Cetnar mentioned their staff had been working around the clock to meet this deadline, “because a sitting truck is a big deal…we needed them to be okay, so we stayed busy!”

DAE kept the costs reasonable, and it turned into a win-win situation all-around. Additionally, a few other companies contacted them for work, including Forgotten Harvest. “They are running trucks massively”, Cetnar added. “It was a great way for DAE to bounce back” she added with a smile.

2021 marks the 50th year anniversary of ownership under Davidge. Cetnar and Castle will be planning a party for customers and guests. Further updates will be posted on their website/social media accounts. We wish them continued success in re-building new accounts, and keeping their fleets in top running condition!

Detroit Auto Electric Fleet Services is located at: 21040 Coolidge
in Oak Park. They can be reached at 248.543.8805. Visit their
interactive website: www.daefleet.com for further information.

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By Sarah Teller
Photos by Bill Gemmell

JOYFUL TOTS CHILDCARE & LEARNING CENTER originally began as an in-home service for school-aged children in 1999.

Four years later, in 2003, when Director Tamara Jefferson decided to expand services to families with babies and toddlers, the business grew quickly and before long it was time to find a new space.

“I was living in Oak Park and knew I had to find a place that was close to home,” Jefferson explained. “We opened our first building in 2007 and a second in 2008. Now we have Joyful Babies, Joyful Tots and Joyful Scholars for children ages 3-5, all in separate buildings.”

Over the past 21 years the company has continued to grow, and most recently Jefferson opened Ology on W. 9 Mile in Oak Park, offering tutoring services and activities for home-schooled, unschooled, private and public school-aged children. Joyful Tots is also set to expand to Roseville in the near future.

WHAT TRULY MAKES THE COMPANY STAND OUT is the staff’s commitment to promoting health and wellness.

“I am a naturopathic doctor,” Jefferson said. “And what I’ve found is that eating a healthy diet really cuts down on illness. In the beginning, we were taking in children with a lot of health issues – everything from thyroid problems to pre-diabetes, some on dialysis. I wanted to do something to help.”

She fondly remembers one child who had significant thyroid problems. The staff gave him avocados and iodine, which he loved, and gradually the dosage of medication he was on was reduced until eventually eliminated altogether. “That was just amazing,” Jefferson recalled, and she credits her dedicated staff for standing behind her efforts.

“We adore our children,” she said. “When parents call and say, ‘We are so grateful to you for what you have taught our children,’ there’s no way to describe that feeling. Brain development, and social and emotional connection is so important. We work to help them become great compassionate leaders. They will one day be in charge of our food supply, our water, our agriculture. We really want to help develop bright young children who are compassionate givers, and we cater to the mind, body and spirit of every child. We even have a karate program here that teaches responsibility and discipline.”

JOYFUL TOTS IS A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and supports many local activities and events through the year.

“We buy and donate gifts to families at the holidays, and the children love it,” Jefferson said. “We do a lot with the City of Oak Park. We help sponsor the Winterfest and Summerfest, daddy/ daughter dances and the BooFest. We were the 2018 Grand Marshal for the business district at the 4th of July parade, and we just sponsored a reading program with the Farmer’s Market.”

She added, “We had our annual graduation ceremony this year at Shepherd Park where families are able to decorate and fly kites. It was a really great turn out.”

THE OUTDOOR CEREMONY ALLOWED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, which Joyful Tots has voluntarily instituted within the center as well in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Temperatures are now taken at the door and a virus vaporizer service cleanses the interior once a week. Jefferson said the facility is focusing on everyone’s safety while ensuring not to instill fear in the children.

Above all, she said the staff is dedicated to the carrying out the center’s mission statement, which is, in part, to “develop life-long learners by offering innovative, full day, year-round, educational early learning and primary programs that address the whole child…as providers of a creative learning environment, we help to instill confidence, self-worth, a healthy lifestyle and good morals.”

For more information on all of Joyful Tots’ programs, please visit joyfultots.com or ologyforkids.com, email joyful@joyfultots.com or call 248.399.4569.

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By Jennifer Goeddeke

EDWARD STENCEL IS THE LIVELY, EXTROVERTED FOUNDER OF THE POPULAR RIVER ROUGE BREWING COMPANY, situated in Royal Oak and opened in May 2015. In 2019, Stencel was awarded a prestigious $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) to open a new brewery. Overall, the MDARD has awarded $1.8 million in grants to 20 projects, with the goal of encouraging private investment in Michigan. And now, before the new year, Stencel is set to open the highly-anticipated Unexpected Craft Brewing Company at 14401 W. 11 Mile Road, in Oak Park.

NATURALLY, STENCEL HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK ensuring the new brewery/tasting room will be ready for its launch!

Stencel has an interesting educational/career background. He attended the U of M in Dearborn, attaining a BA in economics. His initial career was within the automotive industry. Subsequently, Stencel studied to earn a masters in TV and film production and became involved with show/movie production in Hollywood for several years, “from Taco Bell to Star Trek…even Tim Burton movies!” Stencel’s work involved extensive worldwide travel; Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, to name a few.

From early on in his adult life, Stencel describes having a keen interest in beer and brewing. As a young man, he recalls forming a sizeable beer can collection. Throughout his time in the movie industry, Stencel describes, “frequenting quite a few different breweries,” with a particular fondness for darker beers. Back in his home-brewing days, he formulated a Guinness-inspired recipe named: Stencel Stout which became a huge favorite with his friends.

One of Stencel’s favorite breweries was the Intergalactic Brewery in San Diego, owned by a young gentleman called Alex Van Horn. Stencel and Van Horn quickly became good friends to the point where they would often brew together over the weekends, and Van Horn effectively became his hands-on instructor in the art of brewing. Another favorite brew locale was the AleSmith, also in San Diego and owned by Peter Zien. Both Zien and Van Horn became important mentors.

Brewing came naturally to Stencel. From selling some of his own brews through Intergalactic and trying out his own different recipes, he came to realize, “Maybe this is something I can do full-time!”

In the timespan of 2007 to 2010, the movie company Stencel represented struggled financially, so he made the big decision to move back to Michigan. Our governor at that time had created lucrative incentives for the movie industry. But, as Stencel recalls, that all changed fairly quickly.

IT WAS TIME TO MAKE A FULL COMMITMENT to his passion for brewing. So Stencel found a space in Royal Oak and, with the help of some friends and family, it became the River Rouge Brewing Company. But, due to the limited space, Stencel was soon searching for another local space to expand. Finally, in July 2018, Stencel found the current great locale in Oak Park.

With the grand opening any time now, I asked how a night out at Unexpected Craft BC might look. Stencel explained there will be various drinks to choose from, in addition to signature beers, including: wine, cider, hard seltzer and at least 30 different taps. Light snacks will be sold, and he also plans to keep the location “food-truck friendly” for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Additionally, Stencel mentioned he would like to partner-up with local restaurants, in order to provide a greater choice in food items. A further goal is to host some musical entertainment outside, on certain nights. He is a firm believer in the way a brew pub can bring people from all over the world together, as he has already witnessed at his River Rouge BC.

We are looking forward to the opening of this great addition to the city of Oak Park!

The River Rouge Brewing Company is located at 406 E 4th St, Royal Oak.
www.riverrougebrew.com,
248.802.0555

The Unexpected Craft Brewing Company is located at
14401 W. 11 Mile Road, Oak Park and is
set to open before year-end

Edward@riverrougebrew.com

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By Colton Dale

MANY DRIVEN, DEDICATED ENTREPRENEURS WERE PLANNING TO OPEN STORES, RESTAURANTS AND other businesses just before COVID-19.

When the pandemic hit, we were all forced to stay home, effectively halting most commerce, big and small. This, in turn, stopped many prospective business owners from ever opening, putting their hopes and dreams on hold as well as slowing job creation. Other, somewhat luckier entrepreneurs were able to open their ventures just before the novel coronavirus reached American shores, not knowing what was to come.

ONE OF THOSE ENTREPRENEURS IS RANDY HERKOWITZ. In mid-Fall of 2019, before the term COVID-19 was on anyone’s radar, Randy opened up a cool and unique retail store called NerdOut Toys on Nine Mile Rd, near the City’s eastern border with Ferndale. By Christmastime, business was booming.

Randy’s toy shop originated as a hobby. Buying, selling, and collecting vintage and antique toys is a passion that began in his basement but eventually outgrew hobby status. That’s when he knew he needed to look for a brick-and-mortar location nearby that could service other collectors and hobbyists whom he’d built relationships with over the years. He settled on Oak Park because of the location and amenities, as well as his appreciation for the fact that the City has been investing in its commercial corridors. Herkowitz and other nearby business owners are primary beneficiaries of the recently completed Nine Mile Redesign project.

“I think it’s great. It’s centrally-located. It’s near Ferndale, Berkley, Southfield, Detroit. And it’s a very diverse area that’s growing,” Herkowitz said. “The whole transition to Oak Park was great. Everyone was great help. They let me know if there was anything I needed and helped me achieve the goals I wanted to achieve.”

MANY OF THE THINGS YOU FIND AT NERDOUT TOYS WILL BRING YOU FEELINGS of happiness, amusement, and especially nostalgia. From action figures to PEZ dispensers and even a few vinyl records, NerdOut has gained traction as being both a place to regain interest in old toys and hobbies, as well as a place to take a metaphorical walk down memory lane. According to NerdOut’s website, they nerd out on just about everything, including “witches, droids, star fighters, creatures, wizards, supervillains, robots, barbarians, aliens, cyborgs, warriors, monsters, superheroes, spaceships and all other things fantastical!”

On PEZ dispensers in particular, Herkowitz explains “Most of the ones I have are from the ‘90s to the early 2000s. The no-feet stuff from the ‘60s gets really expensive, really hard to get. If it comes in, it just flies off the shelf.” Like so many other items on his shelves, they range in age from several decades old to brand new. Kids and “kids” of any age will undoubtedly find something you like when you walk in.

If you have any familiarity with toy collecting, you probably have heard of Herkowitz. He has a reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable collectors around. He’s hosted several local toy shows and conventions in years past, including one at Go Comedy! Improv Theater in Ferndale.

As with so many others, the pandemic hit Randy and his store hard. Still, he has remained flexible and adaptable in order to weather this storm the best he can. Nevertheless, he and all of Oak Park’s small business owners rely on community members to patronize them in order to stay afloat and continue serving our city and region.

“You gotta shop local, there’s a lot of good stores here and the growth is incredible,” said Herkowitz in closing.

Shop local, support Oak Park’s small businesses, and help grow your local economy! Visit NerdOut Toys at 8106 W Nine Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237. Learn more at www.nerdouttoys.com.

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By Mary Meldrum

ZEANA ATTISHA IS MARRIED TO SAAD ATTISHA, AND THEY OWN THE OAK PARK STAPLE, SAHARA RESTAURANT.

Her husband started the operation in 1980 in Ferndale at 9 Mile and Woodward. He was there for about three or four years before moving to 9 Mile and Coolidge in Oak Park, then moving again in 2010 to 10 Mile. Sahara has been in Oak Park for 36 years and their current location for the last ten years. That is the 40-year history of a local family-owned restaurant.

SAHARA IS VERY WELL-KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY, especially among our Chaldean neighbors. Sahara’s menu features very traditional Mediterranean dishes. Some of the dishes are proprietary, like the stews and some soups.

Saad, his brother and his mom have all worked in the restaurant, and Zeana works there as well.

With a business finance degree, she handles bookkeeping and paperwork and also supervises the staff. After a fire in 2010, she took more of a hands-on role at the restaurant.

She also helped with a campaign to bring liquor licenses to Oak Park, working to get the matter on the ballot. Thanks to her efforts, Sahara now serves beer, wine and liquor, and now anyone can now apply for a liquor license.

This has opened up opportunities for Oak Park; now the city can attract hotels and other restaurants and venues.

ZEANA SAYS THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM RIGHT NOW FOR SAHARA IS THE LACK OF EMPLOYEES.

Their carryout business is still strong. Sahara has restaurants in Oak Park, and one in Sterling Heights for 16 years, and now they are building one in Detroit at the Little Caesars world headquarters building. They used to have a facility in Farmington on 13 and Orchard Lake until 2015.

“Sahara is run off of our special recipes. We have a Sahara Market in Warren, and we go down to Eastern Market for some of our fresh foods.”

THE PANDEMIC HAS PUT A NEW STRAIN ON SAHARA. They have been forced to quickly transform their business. There is no more food-sharing.

Right now, the restaurant can only seat a maximum of ten people at a table.

“A lot of our food was served on trays, but not during COVID-19. Our restaurant took an 80 percent hit at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. A lot of servers have not come back. We have no more than 50 percent capacity right now.”

“I don’t think things will get back to normal until maybe next year.”

Zeana expressed some problems with acquiring coins from her bank, purchasing certain liquors, and hiring new staff. “We have made multiple attempts at ordering certain liquors, and there is a very limited amount of some, like expensive tequila. I am not sure why, but it is a problem.”

Now, they generously donate meals to hospitals, doctors offices, and other healthcare workers!

If you are interested in working at a Sahara restaurant, reach out to them for an interview.

24770 Coolidge Hwy, Oak Park | 248-399-7744

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By Rose Carver

SAM AND BECKY MISURACA ENTERED INTO THEIR RETIREMENT WITH THE CHILDREN in their community in mind. Their organization, Building Beds 4 Kids, serves the Metropolitan Detroit area in building and delivering beds to those in need.

This 501c.3 organization is entirely volunteer-based, and gives a priority to families in the foster-care system, families who have faced homelessness and those who are starting over. Their focus, however, is always on providing beds for children and youth, ages 2-18.

The organization built hundreds of beds last year, despite the couple’s complete lack of carpentry skills, since they are never in short supply of knowledgeable volunteers.

“I’m lucky that I knew what a hammer was,” Sam said. “With the help of volunteers, I have picked up a better understanding of carpentry along the way.”

SAM IS A RETIRED BUSINESSMAN, AND BECKY, A RETIRED NURSE.

“My wife and I have been community volunteers for a long time,” Sam said. “We saw a very large number of kids who didn’t have beds and we said, ‘Okay, we are going to start our own organization.’”

The couple receives requests from community organizations and churches, and said they have given the most support to the Pontiac and Detroit area, where there is the most need.

Because of the pandemic, their altruistic retirement plan has been operating on a much smaller scale. The organization does accept donations, but Sam said there is one very important way community member can support the work that they do: “The best way that people in the community can be involved is to be considerate of their neighbors and help their neighbors,” Sam said.

 

In his humble fashion, Sam says Building Beds 4 Kids operates like a family.

(248) 965-4990 | info@buildingbeds4kids.org

 

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AS FOUNDER, OWNER, AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR, Dr. Paul Benson sets the tone for the Be Well Medical Center. The practice reflects the philosophy that Dr. Benson has developed over the course of 40 years dedicated to his profession and his patients.

Family Practice

As a family medicine practice, Be Well Medical Center provides primary medical care for people of all ages, treating many common conditions from diabetes to high blood pressure, while also maintaining relationships with other health care providers and facilities for people who need more specialized care.

Dr. Benson refers to his practice as “your neighbor-hood medical center with a heart,” because he is committed to the principle that while ideal patient care requires keeping up with the latest relevant advances in medical knowledge, treatments, and technology, it also requires never losing sight of the human side of medicine. A family practitioner especially – who often maintains lifelong relationships with patients, in some cases across multiple generations in a family – needs to manifest virtues including patience, being a good listener, and compassion in order to provide the best care.

Be Well Medical Center offers evening hours four days a week, as well as some Saturday hours for patients’ convenience. Their staff of health care providers and support staff are all highly capable and have been trained by Dr. Benson to reflect his practice’s philosophy.

Helping people live healthier lifestyles, and preventing health problems rather than waiting for them to arise before addressing them, requires good communication between doctor and patient. To facilitate this, Dr. Benson contends, a family practice must create an atmosphere of honesty and trust, where people feel comfortable speaking frankly, asking and answering questions, providing information, admitting concerns and fears, etc., even when it comes to personal and potentially sensitive aspects of their life and health.

Sexual Health

If there is something that sets Dr. Benson and Be Well Medical Center apart from many other family practices, it is his conviction—informed by decades of experience—that sexual health is an under appreciated and underemphasized aspect of health care.

As defined by the World Health Organization, “Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual Dr. Benson refers to his practice as “your health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, [and] the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.”

A family doctor, Dr. Benson contends, must not regard addressing the sexual health of his or her patients as optional or as of minor importance. Not when we live in a time when—just to mention a few relevant and concerning points—there are more than 110 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this country, the lifetime risk of contracting HIV for African American men who have sex with men is approximately 50%, the long-declining rates of gonorrhea and syphilis have in recent years reversed direction and risen, approximately half of all new STIs each year occur among people 24 years of age and younger, and studies show that people tend to drastically underestimate their likelihood of contracting HIV.

Addressing sexual health with one’s patients has multiple components: sexual history discussions, sex education, and STI testing. Dr. Benson maintains that if you are the physician responsible for providing a person’s primary medical care, taking your patient’s sexual history should be as much a routine part of your job as taking their blood pressure or asking about their allergies. A sexual history should be taken on a new patient’s initial visit, whenever the patient receives a routine preventive exam, and whenever there are indications of an STI.

A discussion of sexual health should include educating the patient with current information regarding HIV and other STIs and their prevention, including addressing appropriate condom use with any sexually active patient. Individuals deemed at risk for STIs should be encouraged to get tested regularly, every 3 to 6 months depending on the degree and nature of the risk.

Sexual health is a matter close to Dr. Benson’s heart. He has been on the forefront in the battle against HIV since before the terms “HIV” and “AIDS” even existed. He has seen far too many lives damaged and lives lost as a result of inadequate communication, education, and understanding of risk concerning sexual matters. In addition to being board certified in Family Medicine, he is accredited as an HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Dr. Benson has published extensively in medical journals, has been the principal investigator for many therapeutic drug trials in the HIV field, and is a national speaker on many health-related issues. He has served as President of the St. John Oakland Physicians Organization, as well as of the local Berkley Rotary Club. Dr. Benson’s pledge to the community is that Be Well Medical Center will always be open and welcoming to those of all races, genders, ages, orientations, etc. All people who walk in the door are respected, valued, and accepted as deserving of individualized care.

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OAK PARK IS ALWAYS EAGER TO CELEBRATE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, and you’ll find some of that excellence on display at the City Hall now through October.

It is the work of Markham, a Detroit-based artist who loves and excels in everything from pop art to graffiti, but, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Markham’s work is an embodiment of the independent artistic spirit spanning from music to his extensive exhibition history. However, the latter is merely one aspect of what Markham reveals to us. Whether doing freelance work or making art in his free time to express his relentless creative energy, Markham puts his own unique stamp on everything he does.

His works currently featured in the City Hall exhibit include surreal and fantasy landscapes, as well as a pop-art Beatles montage (the last available in a sold-out series.) The selection of Markham’s work is a step away from what he most commonly shows his viewers. “I paint the visions in my head that intuitively express dark overtones of monsters and uncertainty through a mostly surrealist view,” Markham states. Mostly, his intention is to make us step back and look at how we’ve been dismissive of humanities undesirable qualities. Sometimes he holds the mirror up in a repulsive way, but that is what a lot of Markham’s work does, by reflecting some of the things many of us shy away from.

HOWEVER, HIS INTENTION IN PORTRAYING DISQUIETING THEMES IS NOT TO UPSET THE VIEWER. Part of his vision as an artist is to present topics that are often ignored or shunned by the popular media. By exploring and artistically depicting his feelings on abuse and the media’s exploitation of certain groups of people, for example, he hopes to give voice to the victims whose suffering is often overlooked. This represents the true spirit of using art as a healing force, for the creator, and hopefully for the viewer as well.

It is this fluidity in creative expression that makes Markham’s work what it is. He does not think, “This is a graphic design job so I must follow these rules,” or, “This is a painting so I must do things this certain way.” This disregard for convention is what makes his work unique, as following norms is a surefire way to stay in a safe zone and ensure that artistic output will never approach what it could be if the creative spirit were truly allowed to be free.

His exhibits in Detroit, New York, Venice, and L.A., along with his published works in multiple national publications including The Finger Mag, Propulsion Magazine, Studio Visit Magazine, and Ink and Voices have met with good acceptance.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT MARKHAM FOR YOUR artistic business needs, murals, and more, he can be reached at 586-246-4028 or at markhamartist@outlook.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Instagram at MarkhamArtist, YouTube at Markham|Artist, and markhamartist.com, where his work is also available for purchase.

 

 

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By Jenn Goeddeke

LAURA ROCK IS AN OUTSTANDING LOCAL ACTIVIST/FEMINIST with a passion for passing on her message to others.

Recently elected as a precinct delegate in Oakland County, she has been busy spreading the information on various candidates and encouraging everyone to get involved in local politics: To get out and vote! In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rock teamed up with other volunteers and they made masks for two months solid. Together, they created over 1000 masks and gave them all away. Unfortunately, the project came to a halt after going through three sewing machines.

Rock provides inspiration to others beyond the political arena. Her goals include “finding a middle ground politically so that both parties can work with each other and form compromises. We need to come together as a community, help our neighbors out and make things work better overall.”

Rock is also a recovering addict, a suicide survivor and a liver-transplant recipient (in 2008). Essentially, Rock describes herself as a ‘champion’ for recovering addicts. Her own personal recovery has involved attending support groups (such as AA), and individual therapy plus some psychiatric treatment.

ROCK IS ADAMANT ABOUT REMOVING THE STIGMA IN SOCIETY regarding mental disease and addiction. She is involved in efforts to resolve clashes between mental health issues and the justice system because she firmly believes that many people substitute alcohol and drugs for actual treatment. For some, this may be due to a lack of affordable health care options. Rock is optimistic that many non-violent crimes that hinge on mental health or addiction issues may eventually be decriminalized.

In her spare time, Rock sings in a band called Old Empire. Due to the current pandemic restrictions, the band meets once a week to rehearse via Zoom. Also in the band is Rock’s fiancé, Gabriel Dodson, who is another precinct delegate. They spent 82 days in a row performing songs online, but then, according to Rock, they just “ran out of juice!”

Meanwhile, the band helped raise over $1,700 for Oak Park’s beloved Forgotten Harvest. Additionally, Rock volunteers for a few other projects, including Voices of Michigan, Six Feet Over, Planned Parenthood and Her Choice Advocacy. In Rock’s own words: “I will never stop the conversation regarding justice and reform!”

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By Rose Carver

J&D AUTO IS CELEBRATING THEIR 31ST YEAR OF OPERATION AS ONE of the best-kept secret gems of Oak Park. “I’m a believer,” said customer-service representative Penny White.

“I LOVE KNOWING THAT I’M WORKING IN AN HONEST ENVIRONMENT and not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.”

White, at the front desk, has been in the area for 20 years after moving here from Florida. When her car needed maintenance, she felt uneasy about where she should take it. Her neighbors enthusiastically recommended J&D Auto, and that suggestion changed the course of her career.

Don Hagle, the owner of J&D, has been working on cars since his high school days. Hagle is heavily involved in the Ferndale and Oak Park community as a scout leader, and an active supporter of the Ferndale School District.

“Don is a real community-minded person and he loves what he does,” Penny said.

“He is honest to a fault and just wants everyone to be safe.”

White has always worked in customer service but she wears many hats at J&D, including bookkeeper. Penny firmly believes that without the customer you have nothing.

J&D HAS REMAINED BUSY THROUGHOUT MANY UPS-AND-DOWNS, and the Covid-19 pandemic is no exception. White says that the loyalty of their customers persists.

“We have gone through generations of loyal customers and it is truly amazing,” White said.

Whether it’s a tune-up, an oil change, inspections and more, J&D Auto performs all maintenance, diagnostic, and electrical issues that you will run into with any vehicle. J&D Auto is open Monday through Friday, and they are located at 13051 Capital, Oak Park. Visit their website: JDAutoService.com.

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