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By Jenn Goeddeke

Jimmy Dowdle

Jimmy Dowdle

WE WISH TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO ALL FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND LOVED ONES OF JIMMY DOWDLE who died from a sudden cardiac event at his home on April 12th.

Dowdle resided in Detroit and was formerly of Battle Creek. He was much loved by his family and a great number of friends. Dowdle’s career in the food, bar and entertainment industry began at the Gaslight Restaurant in Battle Creek. He later moved to Detroit and worked for the Riverfront restaurant, before becoming co-owner of Menjo’s (Detroit). For the past 16 years, he helped manage Danny’s Irish Pub in Ferndale, alongside Dan Reedy (owner). The staff and patrons of Danny’s were all extremely close with him.

Dowdle was outgoing and friendly with a great sense of humor, and a quick wit, plus a talent for lighting up a room with his smile/laughter. He was also very generous and thoughtful towards others. Some of his interests included watching sports; he was a huge U of M football and also Tigers baseball fan. (One of his last outings was the Tigers’ opening day on April 8th, with a group of his close friends). Dowdle also cheered for the Pistons, Red Wings, and Lions teams. He had a diverse taste in music and listened to many bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, and Roxy Music. Fortunately, he had the opportunity to see one of his favorite bands, the Rolling Stones, at Ford Field last November, with one of his longtime best friends, Gary Wagner.

Dowdle loved animals and was a proud pet dad to a rescue dog named Willow. The memorial service was held on April 21st at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Battle Creek. Further celebrations of Dowdle’s life have been organized by Dan Reedy of Danny’s Irish Pub. (Event has passed). Memorial contributions can be made to any local animal shelter, and condolence messages may be sent to: www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

Tim Idzikowski

Tim Idzikowski & his wife, Tracey Kane

TIM IDZIKOWSKI, 36, CO-OWNER OF THE POPULAR DETROIT BBQ COMPANY food truck died in his sleep on April 14th, 2022.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Tim Idzikowski who died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday April 14th. No cause of death has been given. Idzikowski was originally from Fair Haven but resided in Royal Oak. He established the Detroit BBQ Company around 15 years ago, with his brother Zac Idzikowski, and worked full-time as a food truck chef for over a decade. He was also helping his good friend, Kevin Heaney, launch a brand of hot sauce called Man’s Best Friend Sauce Co.

His family stated that he loved cooking even as a child and closely followed The Food Network on TV. His favorite chef was Anthony Bourdain. His food truck was hugely popular at various local outdoor events, including the Pig & Whiskey annual event in Ferndale. Reportedly, this is also where he first met his wife, Tracey Kane, and she was immediately impressed with him. According to all sources, Idzikowski was extremely loyal, kind, and generous to everyone. Kane mentioned that he was also a big animal lover and was an outstanding pet dad to their two dogs, Ruthie and Mo Mo.

A celebration of his life was held on April 20th by his close friend Stephen Roginson, owner of the Batch Brewing Company in Corktown. The family has asked that any donations in his memory be made to Focus Hope or the Detroit Dog Rescue in Detroit, and condolence messages may be sent to www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

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By Lisa Howard

WHEN MICHIGAN-NATIVE MADONNA SANG ABOUT LIVING IN A MATERIAL WORLD, she could have just as easily been singing about living in a concrete world.

The ubiquitous building material is everywhere – driveways, porches, patios, foundations, roads, et cetera. “Concrete is really good ground covering here given our Michigan weather,” says Aaron Davis, owner of Cement Lab Studio. “If it’s laid properly, it can withstand freeze-thaw cycles and heavy winters without moving or shifting.”

It’s also affordable and surprisingly reusable – Aaron points out that when his crew rips out driveways, they take the concrete to a cement-crusher where it’s crushed back into aggregate that’s used again. (Quick vocab lesson: although people tend to use “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably, cement is an ingredient of concrete. Cement plus aggregate plus water equals concrete.)

AARON HAS BEEN WORKING WITH CEMENT AND TILE EVER SINCE HE APPRENTICED to a tile expert at the tender age of 17. Even though he attended college and eventually emerged with an MBA (which came after majoring in music), he decided to pursue a hands-on career instead. Not only does it feel good to do physical labor, he says, it’s rewarding to see the finished projects. Initially, he focused more on redoing kitchens and bathrooms – he has another company called the TileLab – but when Covid-19 hit, outdoor work got a lot more appealing and he started laying more patios and driveways.

Another in-demand concrete job is fixing porches. “I’d need three or four lifetimes to get to all the porches that need repair in Ferndale,” Aaron admits. Part of why porches are a perennial problem for many residents in the area is because houses in Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, and the east side of Ferndale were often built with root cellars that extend beyond the basement and underneath the porch. When that’s the case, extra skill is needed during a repair/rebuild to prevent the underside of the porch from caving into the basement proper.

Along with having the engineering savvy needed for handling finicky jobs, Aaron prides himself on having enough skilled workers on his crews to lay driveways in a single day. “We don’t leave you with a torn-out driveway that you can’t park on for a week. We come with enough manpower to do it in one day flat. Our crew of eight or nine guys shows up at 8:00 A.M. to tear out the old driveway, and then we’re pouring a new one by 11:00 A.M.” This quick turnaround, he says, is what customers tell him they most appreciate about his work.

ANOTHER SERVICE HE LIKES TO OFFER IS PERSONALIZING DRIVEWAYS and patios and whatever else people might want to imprint with their unique signature, whether that’s a handprint or a child’s name. Or a pet’s pawprint – even cats can be persuaded to meander across not-quite-set concrete to create indelible kitty tracks.

Summertime is high season for driveways, but that season vanishes once Michigan’s frost laws come into play in November, a legal aspect of cement work that’s not well known by the public. Frost laws govern seasonal load weight – the restrictions prevent roads already tenderized by frost from becoming more damaged. That means Aaron and his crews can’t haul the amount of cement or stone they’d need to lay a driveway in a single truckload. Translation: have your patio installed between November and April. Smaller jobs aren’t impacted by frost laws, plus lawns become a lot sturdier and it’s easier to get machinery around to the back of a home.

Turns out there is something to be said for Michigan winters!

www.tilelabstudio.com/cementlab-studio | 248.595.6555
tilelabstudio@gmail.com

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By Lisa Howard

PETS AREN’T JUST ANIMALS THEY’RE FAMILY MEMBERS. And family deserves the best!

When Janet Platt first brought home a shih tzu named Maestro, she quickly realized that commercial dog treats were far from the best. Most weren’t even good. It didn’t take her long to start making Maestro treats from scratch, using fresh and mostly meat ingredients.

Other people wanted to feed their furry family members better too, so she opened her first store in Bloomfield Hills in 2012 and called it Maestro’s Dog Haus. Four years later, she opened a second location in Ferndale.

“We have people who stop in almost every day,” says Drew McLenon, the manager at the Ferndale store. “Especially people with puppies. They’ll be out for a walk and come in to get the puppies more socialized and used to being in stores. We love to see them!”

Four-legged visitors are offered treats, while their two-legged companions can browse the day’s freshly made offerings. The chicken chips are the most popular — they’re 100 percent chicken breast that has been dehydrated and baked, resulting in a potato-chip-like texture. For those picky eaters who may shun chicken, exotic choices like emu jerky and dehydrated ostrich necks are available. Drew says those are also excellent picks for pets with allergies or sensitive stomachs since emu and ostrich are hypoallergenic meats.

ONE INGREDIENT THAT YOU WON’T SEE in Maestro’s handcrafted treats are grains. The Maestro bakers do make a handful of items with veggies like sweet potatoes and lentils, but the vast majority of their products are 100 percent meats that have been alternatively baked, dehydrated, and/or freeze-dried.

Their freeze-dried salmon bites are another customer fave, and the bakers also make cupcakes that are also salmon-flavored. Chews and grain-free bones (including peanut, beef, and chicken varieties) are toothsome treats, while the cupcakes and freeze-dried options are soft. Maestro’s also offers four- and five-star commercial kibbles and wet foods.

Along with their edible treats, Maestro’s is stocked with pet toys for dogs and cats. Drew says that aside from getting to meet so many friendly faces (furry and otherwise), finding fun new toys is her favorite part of the job. She has a cat at home, so she’s well aware of how valuable intriguing toys can be.

She knows the cross appeal of Maestro’s treats, too – Kiki, her brown tabby, loves the chicken chips as much as her barking brethren do. And Kiki also gets to enjoy the filler-free cat food that Maestro’s has in the store. Commercial cat food tends to have even more fillers than commercial dog foods, which is all the more puzzling (and distressing) given that cats are obligate carnivores. Many of Maestro’s customers come into the store looking for foods that don’t contain fillers, byproducts or added colors, either because their dog or cat is experiencing chronic health issues like skin disorders or because they just want to improve their pet’s overall health and energy levels.

IN HER FIVE YEARS AT THE FERNDALE STORE, DREW HAS SEEN more and more pet owners come in to make the switch to better quality foods. Being on West Nine Mile just off Woodward, Maestro’s gets tons of foot traffic in their small but well-provisioned shop. (The Bloomfield Hills location is where the bakery is located; it’s more of a stock-up-here store.)

The three-person staff has their hands full, especially during the summertime months when their ever-popular frozen yogurt reappears. Made with raw goat’s milk and offered in an array of pet-favorite flavors like strawberry, beef bone broth, and peanut butter, Maestro’s is an essential stop for any dog and their human!

Maestro’s Dog Haus | 310 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale
248.632.1199 | https://maestrosdoghaus.com

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By Lisa Howard

WITH A 20TH ANNIVERSARY COMING UP IN THE FALL and a grand opening happening on June 11, Luna Calley is one busy lady.

“I need ten of me,” she says. That’s no exaggeration: Luna runs Thru Luna’s Eyes Salon & Healing Arts on top of providing hairdressing services and teaching classes ranging from reiki to meditation. She changed the salon’s name to include Healing Arts two years ago after she had ramped up her class offerings.

And she just opened Luna’s Lemuria in Birmingham, where she sells everything from hair jewelry and wigs to crystals and gemstones. She sells those items in the salon, too, but when the opportunity to snag a new space popped up, she seized it. Now she has ample accommodations for her retail items, classes and hair services.

“We’re always growing and expanding,” Luna says. “New people come in with fresh ideas. We keep up with trends, and do continuing ed for our staff.”

Extensions have gotten really popular, she adds that’s her personal specialty — and that’s a service her salon has long offered. Dreadlocks and creative color are two more of their top niches. Luna has been providing the latter for almost 30 years, dating back to when she co-owned the Dungeon Hair Studio in Clawson.

SHE TOOK A YEAR OFF BETWEEN RUNNING THE DUNGEON and opening Thru Luna’s Eyes and re-immersing herself in the world of hair. Since then, she’s done several hair balls (winning a Best Of award in the process) and worked with designers at various venues to put on her own hair shows.

“The city has grown so much since I first opened!” she says. “There were only a few hair salons back then, and now there are what – 20? But I don’t mind, because we have a different kind of niche. Besides, one of the reasons people come to Ferndale now is because we do have so many salons.”

Although many of her clients are fellow Ferndalians, some come from other states. The reverse also happens — one of Luna’s staff was recently flown out to do dreadlocks. And, perhaps not surprisingly given the salon’s artistic bent, back when the film industry was hard at work in Michigan, her staff was in demand on sets. One actually went with the industry when it decamped and headed back west.

Most of her staff have come and gone throughout the years, Luna says, but her staff has always consisted of people who have created a fun, energetic environment for themselves and their clients. That atmosphere is one of the highlights of Luna’s multi-decade career.

ANOTHER IS SOCIETY’S GROWING ACCEPTANCE OF CREATIVE HAIR. “When I started doing those styles, sometimes certain cuts or colors would cause people to lose their jobs; sometimes schools wouldn’t let students have pink hair or attend prom with certain hair colors. Now, though, society has really embraced the more creative side of hair.”

She points out that even workplaces are more accepting, especially retail establishments and bars and restaurants. That said, she caters to everybody from all walks of life — her slogan is “conservative to alternative.” She caters to Ren Fest goers, too, offering fairy hair and mermaid braids.

That kind of hair art will be showcased during Luna’s 20 anniversary party on September 3rd. Fall will also see her offering crystal and gemstone classes in addition to her movement, meditation and mantra programs. While Luna will still be styling hair, she’s planning on moving more into teaching. Life is too short to not pursue passions! Even if there’s only one of her instead of ten.

513 W. Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale | 248.545.5413 | Facebook

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By Jenn Goeddeke

TOM KATOULA IS THE OUTGOING AND AMBITIOUS OWNER OF PAPA ROMANO’S IN FERNDALE SINCE 2004.

The business has been in operation since 1995, but after taking over Katoula has been determined to keep improving its popularity. Katoula lived in Denmark for ten years and worked as a chef in his own restaurant. He certainly has the experience to run a successful pizzeria. Katoula is a family-oriented man, with all his family living in the USA. Katoula moved to Michigan in 1999.

As with many local businesses, the Covid-19 pandemic created some challenges. Katoula lost five of his long-term employees during the early phase of the pandemic and has had to bridge that gap.

Fortunately, many members of his family stepped in to help. For example, his nephew Kyle helps him manage the store, and his son Marcelo works there part-time. Additionally, some of his friends’ kids work for him also. Katoula commented, “I make them all feel like family – it’s not all about business!”

IMPRESSIVELY, KATOULA NOT ONLY STAYED IN BUSINESS, he also came close to doubling his business from early 2020! Katoula appreciates his staff for their part in the continued success of the Ferndale store. “My family cares about the business and they give the best service to customers.” Being professional at all times is key. Recently, Katoula’s daughter Marci and two nieces, Chanel and Chantel ran the store by themselves on a Sunday. With a smile, Katoula added, “they’re even better than me!”

Katoula loves to excel with fresh ingredients, including all the salads. “They are not the cheapest price, but they are the best quality, and we get great feedback from our customers.” Currently, the number-one seller on the menu is Papa’s Favorite, a combination of a large pizza and Bambino breadsticks. They also offer a full Mr. Pita menu too, and delivery is available to a wide radius.

A large part of Katoula’s business is catering, with favorites being mostaccioli and chicken wings. With his reliable staff and store capacity, he can cater to any group size.

TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, KATOULA HELPS OUT various local organizations, schools, city staff, and charities with donations of food. He mentioned how much he enjoys working in Ferndale because of the “great mix” of people!

740 W Nine Mile Rd in Ferndale | 248.399.0011
M-Th 10:00AM-10:00PM; Fr-Sat 10:00AM-1:00PM; Sun Noon-9:00PM.

WWW.PAPAROMANOS.COM

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By Lisa Howard

Photos by David McNair

WHEN IT COMES TO OPTIMIZING YOUR FURNACE, keep it simple and make sure you change the filter. “Your furnace is no different than your car – if you don’t maintain it, things will go wrong,” says Ari Beyer, owner of Beyer Heating & Cooling.

“When your furnace isn’t producing as much heat as it should be, that’s because you didn’t change the filter.” Aside from that, he warns against doing anything else, pointing out that furnaces aren’t made to be tinkered with by non-professionals. There’s a reason why the filter is on the exterior of the furnace and not nestled into its innards!

In a similar vein, if you have air conditioning, don’t start unscrewing panels and don’t spray it down – you could cause damage to its electrical components. Either sweep debris off of your outdoor unit or call a professional to make sure you’ll be cool and comfortable during the summer months.

HAVING WORKED IN THE HVAC FIELD FOR 26 YEARS, Ari has plenty of climate-control experience under his belt. He initially went to college and got a degree in construction management, but it didn’t take him long to decide to give up working for a builder and join the family business instead. He’s been installing, upgrading, and advising about heating and cooling needs ever since.

“I’m passionate about everything I do in life. I only have one gear, and that’s fifth gear, pedal-to-the-metal. And I like helping people and always being on the go.” He cannot possibly imagine sitting behind a desk, he says. He has 12 employees, some of whom have worked for him for over 20 years, and he loves the fact that no two days are the same.

One of Ari’s other big tips is to replace outdated and under-performing furnaces. If you have a 60-year-old furnace and you’re thinking, “Well, it’s not broken so I won’t fix it,’ know that the math doesn’t work in your favor – if you’re paying $400/month and running your heat for half the year, that’s $2,400 each year. If you spent $4,000 on a new furnace and then had a $100 bill each month, the new furnace would pay for itself in fewer than three years.

ALSO, STEP BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OVERALL HOUSEHOLD SETUP, particularly the trifecta of heat, windows, and insulation. If you can feel gusts of cold air coming in around the edges of your windows, then buying a new furnace isn’t going to do much. If your insulation is ancient (or nonexistent), again, your heating bills will take up a bigger and bigger chunk of your budget.

Now for the good news: The Oakland County Home Improvement Program offers qualified homeowners interest-free loans of up to $18,000 to make needed home repairs, including energy-saving upgrades. Eligible improvements include new windows (and roofs), heating systems, and insulation.

For his part, Ari offers various financing and payment options to help people afford their new furnaces.

WHEN IT COMES TO REPLACING YOUR FURNACE, Ari has two more words of wisdom: Do it. While some people are holding off making that purchase because they think prices will eventually drop back to pre-pandemic levels, that’s not going to happen, Ari says.

Also, know that if you’re shooting for the ‘Mercedes’ of furnaces, it might take a while to arrive. “The Mercedes-end of furnaces are hit-and-miss because they’ve been most affected by pandemic shortages,” he points out. “On the plus side, the ‘Cadillacs’ and ‘Ford Escapes’ are readily available.”

And remember: no matter what kind of furnace you have, change the filter!

1880 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
www.beyerheating.com
248.398.4015

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By Sara Teller

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH “SEEKS TO FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS who embrace the inclusiveness of Jesus’ love for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, social class or age.”

No matter what changes within the congregation throughout the years or in Ferndale-at large, the church remains steadfast in this mission.

Originally founded by three families – the Martins, Shaders and McIntyres – St. Luke’s was formed as a mission church and approved as such by the the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. At first, the congregation met in the basement of the former Board of Education building on 9 Mile. Then, as interest grew, construction of the current building commenced and, after its completion, serving those in need became a primary focus.

“UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE REVEREND JIM MAXWELL, we helped found South Oakland Shelter, a year-round rotating emergency shelter for individuals and families struggling with homelessness,” said current Reverend Clare Hickman. Over the past 14 years, under her direction, St. Luke’s became a beacon of full affirmation of LGBTQ+ people, welcoming those who have been rejected by other churches, and attracting others seeking a loving theology in which to live and raise their children.

Hickman explained, “We can be seen every year at Pride Fest, trying to undo some of the damage the church has done to LGBTQ+ people over the centuries by embodying the good news of God’s love for everyone. We believe in a God who is far larger than we could possibly imagine and seek to create a community that reflects this expansiveness.”

St. Luke’s offers a space for all Ferndalians to gather, worship, ask questions and grow spiritually. Hickman said, “Our life and worship are rooted in ancient liturgy, while also providing space to question and struggle with all the big questions (and lots of small ones too). The Anglican tradition has always had a kind of generous humility, admitting that we cannot know the whole of God, so we should refrain from offering too many absolutes. Because of these things, we are a community of true welcome and healing for those who come through our doors. Through us, God binds up the broken-hearted and gives shelter to those who are lost – and aren’t we all lost, in some way or another?”

IN 2016, ST. LUKE’S PARTNERED WITH OAKRIDGE MANOR SENIOR LIVING CENTER to begin offering a weekly service of music and healing prayers as well as a letter writing ministry. Each year, the church has a big collection of school supplies to help ease the burden on parents and teachers at local schools. It also hosts multiple recovery groups each week and serves as a meeting space for families and groups.

“Just before pandemic, a number of activities were on the calendar, including a board meeting, a graduation party, a concert, and a neighborhood talent show,” Hickman said. “Sadly, they all had to be cancelled. But we are hoping that the barbecue we’ll be throwing on the lawn in August will remind the community that we are here.”

The neighborhood BBQ will be open to the public and held on Saturday, August 20. Other upcoming events include a CROP Walk for World Hunger on Sunday, September 18, and an animal blessing on the lawn, Sunday, September 25 (all are invited!).

Of St. Luke’s overall culture, Hickman said, “We are relaxed and irreverent. We are unruffled by chaos. And we are a bit peculiar.”

To learn more about how the church is serving Ferndale and surrounding communities, attend a weekly service held each Sunday at 10:30 A.M. in-person or via Zoom, visit stlukesferndale.org or call 248.677.1804.

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By Ryan Ennis

AT THE FERNDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY, ED BURNS BECAME MUCH MORE THAN A COMMON FIGURE CIRCULATING AMONG THE BOOKSHELVES AND COMPUTER STATIONS. To its many visitors, he was viewed as an information specialist. Even when his arms were laden with books, DVDs, and other media items, patrons didn’t hesitate approaching him. They knew he would readily put the materials aside to answer reference questions, provide film recommendations, and offer technology support.

What some residents may not have learned about Burn is that his ties to Ferndale began long before he stepped into his role as an adult services librarian, almost 15 years ago. His connection to the city actually started in 1987, when he found an affordable apartment. “The Downtown was a ghost town back then,” he says. “Ferndale has changed so much (during the time) I’ve lived here. I credit the many civic-minded citizens who have worked to improve the quality of life here.”

After establishing himself in the IT field, he further tightened his local ties by purchasing a home on the east end of town in the mid-’90s. While his IT work often led to long hours, he managed to find time to volunteer at the library. Before long, he “got involved with the Friends of the Ferndale Library, and eventually became president of the group,” believing he had found his niche.

AT AGE 50, BURNS EMBARKED ON A NEW VOCATIONAL DIRECTION. Taking a risk, he resigned from his IT job, and increased his library and information science coursework at Wayne State University. Around the same period, his status at the library changed from volunteer to part-time and then to full-time, much to the delight of those with whom he professionally interacted. “I brought a level of technology support to both staff and the public that had been absent,” he says.

Since then, he has held several titles and positions: Adult Services Librarian; Interim Director (twice); and, lastly, Head of Reference and Adult Services. When asked about the high points of his library career, he states: “Anybody who knows me knows how proud I am of our foreign language film collection, which was non-existent before I came on the scene.” Another achievement, as well as a testament to his interpersonal skills, is that “when I was interim director, I didn’t tick off any of my staff enough so that we couldn’t go back to working side-by-side when my tenure was over.”

Challenging times loomed ahead for Burns when the pandemic struck in the late winter of 2020. He found it discouraging that the forced closure of the library meant patrons lost access to its materials and technology. When the Library was finally able to offer services via Zoom (an online video platform), he felt grateful that patrons living and/or working in isolation could have their boredom eased and their needs met. As a silver lining, the start of curbside delivery created a sense of comradery among the staff from different departments who had to work together to gather and package the materials for the patrons to pick up.

According to Burns, the library programs presented via Zoom have been well-attended. Although some patrons have requested that the programs return to being in-person, others still prefer the Zoom format. Burns sees a hybrid of the two as pointing the way to the future. The combining of the two, he feels, will help librarians reach the largest possible audience.

DESPITE SO MANY SUCCESSES, BURNS DECIDED LAST AUGUST THAT HE WAS READY TO RETIRE. “I quietly told Director Jenny Marr first,” he says, “and gradually let the word get out.” He set his retirement date for the spring of 2022. To honor his many years of dedication, his colleagues put on a soiree for him. “A lot of people came,” continues Burns, “And I was glad, because we had a lot of cake. It’s quite something to spend a couple of hours hearing people say kind things about you.”

Reflecting on the past decade and a half, Burns realizes he will miss serving the community. It delighted him when patrons would stop by the reference desk to express their gratitude. They appreciated landing a job after Burns showed them how to upload a résumé to a recruiter’s website, or receiving a good grade on an assignment based on the resources Burns had collected for them. “Helping people,” says Burns, “is by far the most rewarding part of the job,” no matter how big or small their needs are.

Presently, he is celebrating his retirement by spending the summer in Ocean City, New Jersey. “I haven’t been in over 30 years,” Burns says, “and there has been a hole in my heart. I do hope to get a part-time job up on the boardwalk, selling fudge or making T-shirts. Just something so that I’m out there and being part of the summer-at-the-shore scene.”

When Burns comes home after Labor Day, his plans are less certain. Yet, he acknowledges, “You just might occasionally find me back on the reference desk at the Ferndale Library.”

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By Ryan Ennis

IF BRET SCOTT HAD BEEN TOLD AS A CHILD that his destiny was to become a mayor, he would probably have shrugged it off.

He wasn’t interested in standing at a podium and giving long speeches, nor did he care to sit at a desk and go through stacks of papers. Precocious and energetic, he liked figuring out the mechanical aspect of things. Accordingly, his free time was spent playing with LEGOs, model or miniature cars, and other objects with which he could build something or conduct an experiment.

Scott’s mom typically supported his creative endeavors, but some of his undertakings caused her eyebrows to raise with concern. Despite the passing of so many years, Scott says his mom hasn’t forgotten his nerve-wrecking experiments: “She loves to tell the story of how I would put fuses into light sockets just to see what would happen.”

Naturally, she was relieved when his interests graduated to safer ways of figuring out machines or other electrical devices. While still in elementary school, he became skilled at operating computers. He learned how to write programs on a Commodore VIC-20 and a TI 99/4A, two early home computer systems.

Two of his favorite computer games that he was able to reprogram were Pong and Super Breakout. Around the same time, he built a box and installed it on his family’s TV set to get special viewing services before there was cable.

HIS YEARS OF EXPLORING THE WORKINGS OF COMPUTERS and other devices paved the way toward his future career aspirations. As a young adult, he attended GMI (General Motors Institute), and then transferred to Lawrence Tech, where he secured a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and eventually an MBA. His education helped him land jobs at GM, Volkswagen, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

While most of his positions relied heavily on his analytical skills, his appointment at GM to its Diversity Team meant he had to handle issues that were less cut-and-dried. Looking back, he feels pride in what he accomplished while being part of the special group. “The team put a face to some of the concerns that GM’s LGBTQ employees had to deal with,” says Scott. “Like how does a gay couple (traveling for the company) get a room for two when they can’t get married? As Scott wrote and enacted new policies with other team members that increased fairness among the staff, he discovered his achievements benefited him on a personal level: “Chairing GM’s LGBTQ employee resource group helped me feel much more comfortable about being out in my daily life.”

After spending time away from Michigan to live in California and Virginia, Scott returned to Metro Detroit in 2011. He bought a house in Pleasant Ridge, close to Woodward Ave., so that he wouldn’t have to go far to participate in the Dream Cruise and other classic car gatherings. His love for tinkering with and fixing vintage cars was inspired by watching his dad repair collectible vehicles in the shop he once owned. Presently, Scott shares his passion for collectible autos with other enthusiasts through his membership in Lambda, Alpha-Romeo, Lancia, and DeSoto car clubs.

Whether by car or on foot, Scott visits local parks for recreation. It is his enjoyment of them that set the stage for becoming a community activist. In 2013, during an exploration of Gainsboro Park in Pleasant Ridge, he observed that it had fallen into a state of neglect. “The barbecues were in such rough shape that no one would possibly use them for grilling,” recalls Scott, who within days approached the city manager about what could be done to remedy the situation.

While the former city manager was open to discuss it, Scott’s concerns were ultimately not addressed. So, he presented them to members of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council, who recognized he could be a strong advocate for change and encouraged him to run for office as a city commissioner. He ended up winning elections twice, in 2013 and 2017, for seats as a city commissioner. During his consecutive terms, he worked with colleagues to revitalize Gainsboro Park with new play equipment and more eye-pleasing landscaping, along with a new communal fireplace and barbecue pit covered by a pavilion. He also worked with the former city manager to update the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

FUELED BY HIS COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, Scott then directed his focus toward becoming the Mayor of Pleasant Ridge. In 2021, he ran unopposed and became the first openly gay and the first African American mayor in the town’s history. He quickly went to work tackling local issues for the residents. Because of the pandemic, “people are home more and naturally see more,” says Scott. “Living in a small community means that I’m more available to discuss what’s on their minds.” One pressing concern has been the location of marijuana dispensaries in the area. Scott and the city commissioners have responded to residents’ concerns by clarifying through zoning ordinances that these types of facilities should not be opened near homes or schools.

Another worry for residents has been deciding on appropriate and equitable funding sources for improving the city. One detail that Scott has been working on is helping property owners understand how money for water infrastructure is obtained. Scott says that he and the City Commission “formed a Citizens Advisory Committee to study the topic, and they determined that reasonable infrastructure funding could be guaranteed through a property tax millage rate, a flat ready-to-serve charge, and a charge based on the length of home frontage. This recommendation will go to City Commission vote in June and will fund the city-wide replacement of the 100-year-old water supply system.”

WITH HIS PRESENT FULL-TIME JOB AS VICE PRESIDENT of Partnerships at Wejo, a company that helps businesses and governments benefit from connected vehicle data, and his involvement in numerous car clubs, it is easy to imagine that the added pressures of being a mayor would make Scott regret winning the position. “On the contrary,” says Scott. “I’m just blown away that I a mayor. I would like to thank the Pleasant Ridge community for giving me this opportunity.”

Naturally, Scott experiences stress from time to time from juggling so many obligations. When he doesn’t have free time to unwind in his garage and tinker with classic cars, he finds music to be just as soothing. As proof of this: “I’ve sang more in the shower during the last two years than I have in the past fifty-three.”

0 1127

By Sara Teller

TOLY ASHKENAZI IMMIGRATED TO THE U.S. IN THE EARLY 2000s WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. Always ambitious at heart, he immediately secured a job at a family diner, eventually working his way up to running two of Ferndale’s well-known businesses.

“I started waiting tables while attending high school,” Ashkenazi said. “The work was fairly straightforward, and I quickly realized that the pay was based on quality of service. I learned a lot at that job, and it motivated me to try working in other areas of customer service. I stayed at that same diner for a few years, until I got out of high school and heard that a nearby nightclub called Q was looking for a bar-back.”

He had no idea at the time that it would be his ‘big break.’ There, he met Tom Pearlman, of Pearlman Premier Properties, and the rest is history.

“I started working for Tom as a bar-back at Q in 2003,” he explained. “About a year later, Tom started building SOHO and I had the opportunity to work on the construction team. Afterwards, I was offered a position bartending at the newly built SOHO. As time passed, and I got more experience at various aspects of the business, Tom provided me opportunities for advancement and professional development as a leader.”

ASHKENAZI EVENTUALLY BECAME PEARLMAN’S PARTNER, and now he runs SOHO and the 215 West.

“Tom has been an incredible mentor and leader of the organization and I am truly grateful for his partnership,” Ashkenazi said. “He has shown me how to be a successful bar operator and given me a chance to build a career in this industry.”

The feelings are mutual. Pearlman said, “In 35 years in the bar and nightclub business I had never previously brought in a partner. Toly has earned my confidence and trust by his hard work, business sense and integrity.”

Ashkenazi called SOHO “a place where anyone can be themselves, a place of openness, connection and diversity. While the challenges of a busy bar setting can sometimes be overwhelming, it’s still a labor of love and a very fun place to work.”

Of 215 West, he said it would become a support structure for SOHO during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic with more space for social distancing indoors and out. Since that time, it has grown into a flexible community gathering space which, occasionally, hosts parties. Ashkenazi said, “This wasn’t what we set out to do with 215 West in the beginning, but I am happy with the changes and its current trajectory.”

HE IS ALSO A DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) BOARD MEMBER and active with the Ferndale Community Foundation, saying, “The Ferndale community has been amazing. They have been supporting us for years, and especially during the pandemic. They come to our special events, parties, fundraisers, and often stop by just to chat at the bar. I can’t thank the Ferndale community enough for everything they do for all of us here.”

Pearlman said “I was a DDA board member for 12 years and a founding board member of the Ferndale Community Foundation. Toly brings common sense, fiscal responsibility and concern for the community to these organizations. At SOHO and now 215 West we have always felt the responsibility to make every effort to host and sponsor community events and fundraisers.”

Ashkenazi loves getting involved with local events and activities, explaining, “I have been working in Ferndale for close to 20 years. I love the city and sense of community. Serving on these boards gives me the chance to do my part to support the city and the people who live here.”

And, for this, Pearlman can’t thank Ashkenazi enough. He said, “Toly is much more attuned to the needs and requirements of our new generation of patrons and employees. He makes me proud every day to call him a friend and associate.”

For more information about Ashkenazi, SOHO and 215 West, visit @SohoFerndale and @215WestFerndale on Facebook or Instagram or Ferndalesoho.com and 215westferndale.com.

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