Chaldean News - August 2007

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VOL. 4 ISSUE VII

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INSIDE REFUGEE OVERLOAD IN WARREN? DEATH ON CASS LAKE CHALDEANS AND HEPATITIS

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AUGUST 2007

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CHALDEAN NEWS 5

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CONTENTS

AUGUST 2007

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 3 ISSUE VII

on the cover 32

THE WIND BENEATH HIS WINGS

BY JEREMY HULL

Athlete has a cause – and a goal

features 34

DEATH ON CASS LAKE

BY OMAR BINNO

Drowning stuns community

37

REFUGEE OVERLOAD?

BY JOYCE WISWELL

Warren mayor’s fears spark outrage

38

GIRLS MARCH AS TIMEBOMB TICKS

BY RICHARD ENGEL

Young refugees sell sex in Syria

32

40

FULL STEAM AHEAD

BY KEN MARTEN

Boblo boat to get complete overhaul

43

WONDERS AWAIT

BY MARY SAROKI ROMAYA

A look at the Chaldean Cultural Center

34

40

departments

48

10

FROM THE EDITOR

11

IN OUR VIEW

12

YOUR LETTERS

16

NOTEWORTHY

17

NANA SAYS

BY DR. RHONDA GUMMA AND DR. JASON GUMMA

18

CHAI TIME

20

CALC CORNER

Too Hot to Handle: Preventing Heat Stroke

22

HALHOLE!

28

RELIGION

29

OBITUARIES

31

ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE

BY LOREEN BAHRI

52

44

IN GOOD HEALTH

BY JEREMY HULL

Mixed Bag: Chaldeans Fare Better than Arabs in Hepatitis Study

47

48

THE DOCTOR IS IN

EVENTS First Communion at St. George Peace Rally ChaldoAssyrian Syriac Festival Arab & Chaldean Festival

60

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

Rising to the Challenge: Eastside Video Store Thrives AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 7

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AUGUST 2007

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PUBLISHED BY The Chaldean News LLC

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Vanessa Denha-Garmo Joyce Wiswell Loreen Bahri Omar Binno Richard Engel Jason and Rhonda Gumma Jeremy Hull Ken Marten Mary Saroki Romaya

ART & PRODUCTION Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative Joe Sesi PHOTOGRAPHERS Nora Bahrou Downs David Reed

CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

OPERATIONS Interlink Media Paul Alraihani Paul Alraihani Joyce Wiswell Tiffany Haio

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS CIRCULATION CLASSIFIEDS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

SALES Interlink Media SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Sandra Denha Jolagh SALES REPRESENTATIVE Lisy Starr MANAGERS

Vanessa Denha-Garmo Martin Manna Michael Sarafa

MICHIGAN SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20 PER YEAR THE CHALDEAN NEWS • 26555 EVERGREEN • STE 250 • SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM • PH: 248-355-4850 PUBLICATION: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published monthly; Issue Date: August, 2007 SUBSCRIPTIONS: 12 months, $20. PUBLICATION ADDRESS: 26555 Evergreen, Suite 250, Souithfield, MI 48076; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office" POSTMASTER: Send address changes to "The Chaldean News 26555 Evergreen Road, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076"

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A new life and a new chapter have had many titles in my life — writer, reporter, talk show host, producer, publisher, editor, author, press secretary — but on June 28 I earned the most important title I will ever have — mommy.

I say “earned” because after 23 hours of labor, I feel like I did.

My former colleague, Paul W. Smith of WJR, made note of the many hats I wear, wondering how I managed to have a baby with all that I do. I was flattered he congratulated my husVANESSA band and me on air for the birth drown in a lake. We not only DENHAof our first child, Elayna Grace. report the news story but we GARMO Yes, I tend to carry around a full provide a sidebar on boating EDITOR plate; the truth is I like to be safety. We know that many of busy but no role is more imporour readers either live on laketant than caring for my baby girl. front properties or spend I have been asked by so many peomany hours on the waters during the ple: what will give now that I have a summer. We want you to be safe. child? Nothing, I hope. I just reprioritized The Binno family now mourns a my schedule and my life, putting Elayna great loss. It has been said before but at the top of the list. I will still be press it needs repeating — life truly is short secretary to Wayne County Executive and God’s greatest gift. Now that I Robert Ficano. I will still co-manage and have a child of my own, I can’t bring serve as editor in chief to what I refer to myself to think about the family’s pain. as my professional baby — The Our prayers are with them.

Chaldean News. I will continue to proThe summer months are a time for duce and host my weekly talk show on various activities. As always, we report WDVD and DOUG FM. Hopefully, I will about those events in this newspublish another book. Right now, I start magazine. This month we bring you a new chapter of my life titled: several events including more photos Controlled by a 6-Pound and 20-Inch of Chaldeans rallying for peace in Iraq.

Princess. Nothing is more important This event took place right here in than my daughter and husband.

Metro Detroit. We also have photos In the midst of putting the August issue from Chaldean children participating in together, the circle of life begins for my one of our sacraments — first Holy daughter while I function on little to no Communion. This past summer has sleep. I thank all the readers for their conbeen filled with festivals all around the gratulatory e-mails, notes and phone calls.

Metro area. We have on display in In between changing diapers and these pages photos from the Arab & burping a fed baby, the August issue Chaldean Festival in Detroit as well as came together. You will breeze through the ChaldoAssyrian Syriac Festival in our cover story about a Chaldean athlete Warren. And don’t forget to attend the making waves in the world of kite boardsecond annual Chaldean American ing while raising money for cancer. Writer Chamber of Commerce Chaldean Jeremy Hull tells the story of Joe Bidawid Festival being held in Southfield this and the world record he is set to make. month.

Water sports can be a great deal of In the meantime, I sit here inside my fun and sometimes the perfect way to home office typing away with Elayna spend a hot summer day but being on sleeping on the desk between my arms. one of the many Michigan lakes can also Being a new mom, I now start a new be dangerous, even deadly. Omar Binno chapter in my life while I watch the first reports the facts on what really happened pages of my daughter’s life being written. to his cousin, Ryan Binno, on Cass Lake.

The 22-year-old drowned last month after jumping off a pontoon boat to swim with some friends. He never resurfaced and days later, divers found his body.

Alaha Imid Koullen On average, 100 people die every (God Be With Us All) year on Michigan waters. I am always Vanessa Denha-Garmo so puzzled on how so many people vdenha@chaldeannews.com

I

7/26/07 11:36:33 AM

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in O U R V I E W

r

Fear-mongering and politics in Warren arren Mayor Mark Steenbergh apparently flipped his lid over the possibility of the arrival of Iraqi refugees to the Detroit area. While he has never been known to let the facts interfere with a good political attack, his fear mongering was based on false statistics and a grossly misplaced attempt to exploit misconceptions about Chaldean people of Iraqi descent.

It was also a thinly veiled attack on mayoral candidate Richard Sulaka who hails from Chaldean-Iraqi descent and is a threat to Steenbergh’s soon-toexpire regime. Steenbergh should tread lightly before he plays this political card. His attack should make all immigrants of Catholic faith in Warren shudder. Where would the Italians, Poles, Ukrainians and others be if Mark Steenbergh was mayor of Warren when their families arrived?

But let’s set the record straight.

First, Chaldean refugees will be arriving from Iraq by the dozens, not thou-

W

sands. Community organizations and social services agencies have been preparing for months to help these people as they arrive. Further, the vast majority have near or distant family members here in the Detroit area who will take them in immediately.

Second, last we checked, Warren was not the only city in Michigan or the

Congressman Sander Levin immediately characterized the mayor’s comments as “misleading and inaccurate.”

Steenbergh’s estimate of 16,000 refugees seems to be made up since no one from local, state or federal government has confirmed such a number.

In fact, Levin’s office confirmed that Warren officials have “no basis” for

play politics with a humanitarian crisis in a way that degrades all immigrants.

Thus, as the mayor’s term winds down thanks to term limits, he will join the ranks of politicians from a bygone era who did nothing but sew the seeds of discontent and anger, play on people’s vulnerabilities and attempt to take political advantage a human tragedy.

Rep. Levin’s office confirmed that Warren officials have “no basis” for projecting specific allocation of refugees to a specific community. We are grateful that other elected officials have a dignified, caring and reasonable approach to the issue. only city with a Chaldean presence.

Other likely destinations will include Oak Park, Detroit, Southfield, Shelby Township and West Bloomfield.

Steenbergh’s concern about “a flood of refugees” into Warren smacks of bigotry and injustice.

We are grateful that other elected officials have a dignified, caring and reasonable approach to the issue.

projecting specific allocation of refugees to a specific community.

What, then, was the mayor up to?

One can only surmise that Steenbergh was endeavoring to roll out one of the oldest and dirtiest tricks in politics — fear mongering based on race and ethnicity. This is the approach of a coward, not a leader. The mayor of one of Michigan’s largest cities has decided to

Letters to the editor are welcome.

Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city.

The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 26555 Evergreen, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 11

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your L E T T E R S

None of the Above In response to your article “All One People?” (July 2007), there is a question on unity and which illustration best describes the reader’s point of view. If I must pick from that list, then I pick option C. However, I think it’s unfortunate a fifth option wasn’t illustrated — one that has a large circle called “Christians (aka Surayeh)” with two smaller but equal circles within it, Chaldean and Assyrian, as examples.

Keep up the great work in educating the community. I think you made the right choice in what article needed to be your cover story for July. How can we expect other news stations, papers, etc. to pay attention if we are not setting an example?

Focusing on “titles” (although interesting) seems petty as a cover story when compared to other issues surrounding the world, and especially Christians in Iraq.

– Teresa Soave

One in Christ The terms Chaldean and Assyrian are just labels of territories. I think that the answer to the question is D. I think that even the term Chaldean is overrated in some cases.

Like I’m Telkipnaya, someone else is Alqoshnaya, others might be Babitnaya and more villages. That makes matters even worse in some issues.

Just imagine someone living in West Bloomfield and another in Sterling Heights. What would they mean when they say Eastsider and Westsider? Does it explain 100 percent who they are? Try again if you say yes.

A.

B.

CHALDEAN

CHALDEAN

ASSYRIAN ASSYRIAN

ASSYRIAN

THE UNITY QUESTION: WHICH OF THE ABOVE ILLUSTRATIONS BEST DESCRIBES YOUR POINT OF VIEW?

I would rather be labeled as a Christian descendent as opposed to Chaldean or Assyrian. I’m Chaldean because my parents say I am. And I’m Telkipnaya because my family started from Telkipeh. I’m still confused then to what Chaldean or Assyrian means and what Telkipnaya or Zakhonaya means.

We are all one if we have the same beliefs and the same leader that died and shed His blood for us. If you believe in Christ and His existence I’m one of you. If you don’t believe that then I’m obviously not one of you. That’s an easier description of who I am.

– Marten Brikho

Separate Identity I firmly believe that the identity designation of “Chaldean” should not be

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used interchangeably with “Assyrian.”

Many Assyrians argue that the designation of the Chaldean name is religious, and not cultural. At first, when the Catholic Church gave the Assyrian Catholics the name “Chaldean” in 1553, we shared nearly identical traits in our culture with the other Assyrians. But we are currently living half a millennium after the fact. In those 500 years, Chaldeans have developed their own dialect, traditions and ways. Our culture is directly correlated to our religion, Catholicism. This doesn’t mean that we cannot have a culture to supplement our strong religious values.

In Michigan alone, there are 120,000 Chaldeans. I would venture to guess that 80 percent refuse to denote themselves as Assyrians.

There’s a reason for this choice; we are no longer the same people. Our parents didn’t just decide that we aren’t Assyrians out of thin air.

We’ve acknowledged ourselves as Chaldeans for centuries, and we’ve embraced our culture. It’s ours, and we shouldn’t be willing to compromise it by assimilating into an Assyrian identity. In my 18th year as a Chaldean, I’ve been criticized for not calling myself Assyrian, which isn’t only an identity I don’t associate with, but also a name that will become the end to our culture.

Examine the consequences of Chaldeans accepting ancient relations and identifying themselves as Assyrians. Already, the forced assimilation has occurred in media. A prime example is of the recently martyred Father Ragheed Ganni of Iraq, who was mentioned as an Assyrian priest killed in an Assyrian Church, with no mention of his ties to the Chaldean Catholic Church. Our Chaldean villages, like Telkeppe and Alqosh, are designated as Assyrian villages on the user-edited Wikipedia, which mil-

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lions of users use as a source of reliable information. Our name is being erased, and this systematic and carefully planned Assyrianization (as I call it) will prove to be the end of the Chaldeans. We’ll be remembered historically as the Ancient Chaldeans, and that’s if the history books of the future don’t decide to call us Catholic Assyrians.

Assyrianization is very similar to the Arabization process. The Arab name was forced on us in Iraq. We were forced to speak Arabic, and punished when we spoke our mother tongue. Indeed, history repeats itself, and this time, it’s more subtle. This approach is proving an end to our rich culture, just by simply identifying as an Assyrian. As I’ve already illustrated, there’s so much to a name; it is not just a name.

Hopefully, Assyrian groups will not insist an identity change from the Chaldeans. It is my hope that we can work together, without forcing an identity on anyone else, in order to help our suffering people of Iraq.

We’re related to the Assyrians historically, but we’re no longer the same people. We’re simply Modern Assyrians and Modern Chaldeans.

We’re different. And everyone should assess the consequences of this very important issue before a culture is erased.

– Hadeer Sinawe

Warning Signs Amera Garmo was a 51-year-old healthy woman, until one day her birthmark became deadly. Amera was born with a birthmark on the sole of her right foot. Growing up, I remember seeing the mark at the pool or while she was mopping the floor and I would tell her that she had

a watermelon seed on the bottom of her foot. She’d laugh and say it was only a birthmark or as we say in Chaldean, “shamma.” In September of 2005, she came home from work with a throbbing pain in her leg. The next day we scheduled to see our dermatologist to get a biopsy. Two weeks later we got the news that she had stage 3 melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious of skin cancers.

Our journey began; from that day forward our lives changed dramatically. We began trips back and forth to the University of Michigan and countless second opinions. After several surgeries we started a treatment called Alpha B interpheron in March 2006. The therapy would consist of an injection three times a week for one year. During this time numerous CT scans were done; there were no signs of the cancer. As month 10 rolled around, Mom started getting little blue dots in her right groin area. We went in for a checkup and found there was a reoccurrence.

The news was devastating but I tried to pull myself together and be positive for her.

The moment I got home I got on the Internet and saw how serious stage 4 melanoma is. We then started a different approach of chemotherapy. She would be admitted five days at a time, but no change. Months later we tried radiation to hopefully shrink the tumor but still no luck. Even though these treatments had only a 15 percent chance it would work, I didn’t see why we couldn’t be that 15 percent.

After her long, brave battle with cancer my mom rested at home in her final days with loved ones, and passed away on May 22, 2007. My mom never neglected her yearly physical exams, but somehow this was overlooked. As she would say, “I’ve never taken a pill in my whole life until this.”

The best way each person can help themselves is to check your own body carefully, or if it’s in a place you can’t get to like my mom, have a family member look at it. Examine your skin to check for new moles or changes in moles. If it looks suspicious see a doctor immediately. Early detection is the key to melanoma.

Amera was a wonderful woman who could have had a long life ahead of her. She lived her life with respect among her siblings and as a role model to me and my sister. We will never forget her and dearly miss her.

For more information, go to www.melanoma.com.

– Janel Hamama Amera Garmo’s obituary appears on page 29.

Back to Basics Hundreds of people on Cass Lake, having a good time. Boat after boat, with one tied up next to the other.

Known for a fun weekend event, “Sandbar Sunday” will now be remembered as a tragic loss for many.

Family members, friends and several others within the Chaldean community prayed for a miracle during the search for Ryan Binno. Many helped rescue teams from sunrise til sunset.

On July 10, they discovered his body.

The problem with our culture is that we never think we’ll become a statistic.

Sorry guys and girls, we are just as human as the rest of the world and our chances are just as high as anyone else. The only difference we (the Chaldean community) have is the bond we share. We are all one big family.

When something negative happens, whether it’s an illness or a tragedy, we are all saddened by it. Whether we personally knew the individual or not,

we’re all affected because of the closeness within our culture.

The Chaldean community is not what it once was. Everyone used to help one another, not go against each other. Couples would get married and live by their vows, “’til death do us part.” Now, the “cool” thing is to get divorced. Soon there will be divorce parties. What about the respect for yourself? It isn’t even half of what it used to be, and as each generation comes around, it gets worse and worse.

Life is short enough, enjoy it; don’t do something that risks the chance of shortening it even sooner. Learn from your mistakes the first time. Be positive. Guide others to do what’s right.

Don’t encourage them to do what’s wrong. Enjoy your life … but to an extent. Keep your pride and dignity.

Earn respect for yourself and maintain a positive reputation. Stop taking advantage of your privileges and have self-control. Be a role model, inspire those younger then you. Teach them right from wrong so our younger brothers, sisters, cousins and children don’t have to be raised in a society that’s corrupted any worse then it already is.

God bless your soul Ryan. I will continue to pray for you and your family.

– Jennifer Kiminaia An article on Ryan Binno’s death appears on page 34.

Letters to the editor are welcome.

Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city.

The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 26555 Evergreen, Ste. 250, Southfield, MI 48076

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 13

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Soccer Arena Coming

NOTEworthy

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Pontiac on July 2 for Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The $15-million indoor facility will cover more than 266,000 climate-controlled square feet dedicated to soccer.

Joe Murad (pictured) is one of five owners and Hani Mansour is also involved in the venture.

Completion is expected in November; visit www.ultimatesoccerarenas.com.

Oram Enters Farmington Hills Council Race

New Bishops Named; Synod Boycotted

Johnny Oram has thrown his hat into the ring for Farmington Hills City Council.

“This stems back from long ago; I really am passionate about the pursuit for Johnny Oram public service,” he said. “Now I’m heeding the call.”

Oram, 32, advocates reducing Farmington Hills’ property taxes, which he says are among the highest in the state. “As I’m walking door to door that has been one of the biggest concerns from citizens, especially the most vulnerable — seniors and the disabled,” he said. “As far as business is concerned, we have to work to have a very friendly environment.

Farmington Hills can serve as an example for other municipalities.”

Oram is the president of Altor, Inc., an international firm consulting on strategic business planning development. His clients include both private companies and local, state and governmental units. He founded Altor two years ago after working on the staffs of various Michigan politicians.

Oram declined to reveal his political party. “This is a non-partisan race,” he said. “Partisan politics are dirty, nasty and hurtful.”

Getting elected will be challenging because five people are running for three open seats, including the three incumbents. “I call on all the Chaldeans out there who reside in Farmington Hills to support me on November 6. As a people, we are under-represented,” Oram said. “I want to be part of this new generation to participate in the democratic process.”

Learn more about the campaign at www.johnnyoram2007.com.

To obtain a lawn sign, call (248) 5790657.

Two new bishops were named at the Synod of the Chaldean Church held in June in Baghdad.

Fadi Isho, a monk, was chosen bishop of Erbil, while Monsignor Philip Najib was named bishop for Europe. He was formerly the representative in Italy for Patriarch Emmanuel Delly.

The synod also discussed the issue of safety and security for Iraq’s Christians and the Nineveh Plain proposal.

Several bishops boycotted the

16 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

synod – Mgr. Louis Sako of Kirkuk, Mgr. Rabban al-Qas of Amadiyah and Erbil, Mgr. Petros Hanna Issa AlHarboli of Zakho, Mgr. Mikha Pola Makdassi of Alqosh and Mgr. Antone Audo of Aleppo.

They issued a joint statement urging Mar Delly to postpone the synod so some topics could be first thoroughly studied. They called on Mar Delly to take a “bold position” in regard to the persecution of Christians and to appoint priests for displaced persons at home and abroad instead of assigning them abroad. They also oppose the Nineveh Plain “because the whole Iraq is our homeland and we should live together with our fellow citizens in peace and harmony.”

Chaldean Festival Announces Entertainment Chaldean and American entertainers will present constant music during the 2nd Annual Chaldean Festival on August 4-5 on Southfield’s Civic Center Lawn along Evergreen.

Held in conjunction with the City of Southfield, the event will include a variety of food vendors, a Merchants Row, free health screenings, a dunk tank, and inflatables and attractions for children.

There is also a raffle for a 2007 BMW X5 or $30,000 cash option, for which only 1,100 $100 tickets will be sold.

The drawing is at 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 5; winners need not be present.

Festival hours are noon-10 p.m. both days.

All proceeds benefit the Chaldean Chamber Foundation, a non-profit organization that advances the needs of the Chaldean American community through advocacy, education and charitable giving.

CHALDEAN FESTIVAL

entertainment schedule SATURDAY 1-2 American Music from local musicians 2-3

Intoned Unplugged (American Music)

3-4

Slight Return (American Music)

4-10

Chaldean Singers and Music with: Sabah Abed, Ramy Al Eissa, Munthir Al Kas Mikha, Al Ajrass Al Iraqia, Ameed Asmaro, Khairy Boudagh, Salam Kaka, Raad Kiza, Sawsan Kizy, Bassam Naem, Thamir Romaia, Thair Sabo, Dhia Sheena, Martin Antwan, Omar Jarbour, Simon Rayes, Johnny Sana, Roni Shaooni, Allen Toma and Edward Yousif

Tiny Dancers Do Big Things Five young Chaldean girls scored big at the Kids Artistic Review National Dance Competition held in June in Panama City, Florida.

Alanna Jonna and Haley Rabban, both 10, won first place in Secondary Line Jazz for their performance of

“My Kinda Kiss.” The girls were asked back for the Star Showcase, where they were awarded first place.

Lauren Dabish and Madeline Boji, both 9, won first place for “Working” in their Primary Jazz Division.

Seven-year-old Isabelle Boji took

Second Place for her rendition of “Candy Man” in Primary Line Jazz.

Some 800 dancers from around the United States participated in the competition. The girls all dance at the Dance House in West Bloomfield.

Lauren Dabish (left), Alanna Jonna, Haley Rabban, Madeline Boji and Isabelle Boji (front).

SUNDAY 1-2

American Music from local musicians

2-3

The Troubadours

3-4

Steve Acho with Slight Return

4-10

Chaldean Singers and Music with: Sabah Abed, Ramy Al Eissa, Munthir Al Kas Mikha, Al Ajrass Al Iraqia, Ameed Asmaro, Khairy Boudagh, Salam Kaka, Raad Kiza, Sawsan Kizy, Bassam Naem, Thamir Romaia, Thair Sabo, Dhia Sheena, Martin Antwan, Omar Jarbour, Simon Rayes, Johnny Sana, Roni Shaooni, Allen Toma and Edward Yousif

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St. Joseph’s Healthcare, based in Clinton Township, has become fully owned by Henry Ford Health System. With the transfer of ownership comes a new name: Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals.

Since 1990, Trinity Health and Henry Ford Health System each have owned 50 percent of the former St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Clinton Township. An agreement has been signed in which Trinity Health has transferred its halfinterest in St. Joseph’s to Henry Ford.

Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals is a 435-bed, multi-site system with a comprehensive, acute care hospital in Clinton Township; a specialty hospital in Mt. Clemens; and health centers in Bruce Township, Chesterfield Township and Fraser.

New Business Tax Enacted The Michigan Business Tax has been signed into law, replacing the muchmaligned Single Business Tax. According to the governor’s office, the MBT will cut taxes for more than seven out of 10 Michigan businesses, including both small businesses and Michigan’s major manufacturers. The MBT provides tax credits to companies that locate or create new jobs in Michigan and tax credits for entrepreneurial and R&D activities. It also includes a cut in the personal property tax.

The law takes effect January 1, 2008.

NANA says

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK

New Name for St. Joseph’s Healthcare

If you see a black cat, spit.

If you see a white butterfly, make the sign of the cross.

If a bird flies in your house, someone will pass on. The same is true if your ears are ringing.

Thanks to all who shared their Nana-isms.

Keep them coming to info@chaldeannews.com, or write to The Chaldean News, 26555 Evergreen, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48076.

Cast your vote for the Chaldeanowned businesses by visiting http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/

People

Nida R. Samona of Bloomfield Township has been reappointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to represent Democrats on the Liquor Control Commission.

Her term expires June 12, 2011.

Matthew Yousif has been named to Governor Jennifer Granholm has made Albion College dean’s list for the spring appointments for the Commission on 2007 semester. Students named to the Arab and Chaldean American Affairs.

Dean’s List must achieve a They include Shirley Mann Gray, Terry grade point average of 3.5 or T. Ahwal, Abdulhakem A. Alsadah, above at the completion of the Fay Beydoun, Ahmad Chebbani, semester. A sophomore Hany G. Choulagh, Samir A. majoring in chemistry, he is the Danou, Charlene M. Elder, Haifa son of Neal and Hana Yousif Fakhouri, Hesham E. Gayar, Karen of West Bloomfield.

L. Henry, Alexander H. Isaac, Karen Farmington Hills Re/Max L. Karam, John M. Mackay, Radwan Matthew Yousif Associate Broker Brian S. M. Mardini, Samir W. Mashni, Fatina Yaldoo has been awarded a Masri, Nida R. Samona, George H. Certified Luxury Home Shalhoub, Basel K. Shatara and Marketing Specialist by the George C. Steeh.

Institute for Luxury Home The commission is charged with Marketing. He also received serving in an advisory capacity to the a certificate for completing Brian S. Yaldoo governor, alerting her to pertinent special training to build skills issues within the largest Arab in the marketing of luxury American and Chaldean American homes and estate properties. community outside of the Middle East.

Auto-lab Franchise Management Corporation has announced that the owner of Auto-Lab Belleville, Robert Faranso Robert Faranso, has purShenandoah Country Club’s Golf chased the two Master Franchise terriShop has been nominated as best Golf tories of Orange County and San Store in the annual WDIV Click on Diego, California, as well as the rights Detroit “Best of Detroit” promotion. to put stores inside of seven K-mart Other Chaldean-owned businesslocations in the Los Angeles area. es have also been nominated in variFaranso will move to Orange County ous categories. next month to pursue this venture.

Granholm Appoints Commissioners

Cast a Vote for Shenandoah!

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 17

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C H A I time

CHALDEANS CONNECTING

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT JULY 2007

[Wednesday, August 1] Land Bank/Turbo Program Overview: Wayne County offers financial incentives to property owners who make significant real estate investments in the County. The seminar gives a look at the program. 9-11 a.m. Mexicantown International Welcome Center, 2835 Bagley Avenue, #200, Detroit. Additional seminars will be held on August 8 (Dearborn), August 16 (Canton) August 23 (Grosse Pointe Woods) and August 29 (Detroit). RSVP to Sue Pear at (313) 224-4696.

Avenue, Suite 2500, Detroit. Additional seminars take place in Troy on August 8 and Ann Arbor on August 9. Call (248) 267-3345 for information.

and more. Noon-10 p.m. both days; Southfield Civic Center Lawn. www.chaldeanchamber.com.

(See page 16 for more on the festival.)

[Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 5] Orchard Lake Fine Art Show: Fifth annual event includes food, entertainment, live demonstrations, a youth competition and a juried art show of 140 artists. Orchard Lakes Schools, 3535 Indian Trail (at Commerce), Orchard Lake. www.HotWorks.org.

[Thursday, August 9] Chaldean Chamber Industry Outlook Series: Initial discussion will feature the Wireless Industry as industry leaders present the economic outlook and future opportunities at Shenandoah beginning at 8 p.m. RSVP to Lisa by August 7 at (248)538-3700 or lkalou@chaldeanchamber.com.

Michigan’s New Business Tax: Miller Canfield offers free, informal briefings on the state’s new five-bill tax package. 8 a.m., 150 W. Jefferson

Chaldean Festival: Second annual festival presented by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce includes music, food, crafts, raffles

[Friday, August 10] Around the World: Multicultural festival includes a giant yard sale, face painting and games for

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children, belly dancers, clowns, music, cultural exhibits and more. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Haworth Center for the elderly. 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. Baptist Manor, 30301 W. 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. (248) 539-1526.

[Saturday, August 11] Super Fight: U.S. Super Middleweight Kickboxing World Championship pits Sam “The Cat” Kas-Mikha against Eddie “The Destroyer” Haddad. Andiamo Banquet Center, 7092 14 Mile Road, Warren. $95 includes dinner and open bar; general admission is $45. (586) 939-1111.

[Saturday, August 18] Woodward Dream Cruise: This is the 13th year for the world’s largest one-day celebration of car culture, which attracts more than 1 million visitors and more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles. Official hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. but in reality, the cruising goes on all weekend. www.woodwarddreamcuise.com.

[Wednesday, August 22 – Monday, September 3] Michigan State Fair: Ride the midway, eat an elephant ear, marvel at the giant produce and rock out to free concerts at the annual shindig at the State Fairgrounds on Woodward in Ferndale.

Open daily form 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $5 seniors and kids under 12; parking is an additional $7. View the entertainment schedule at www.michigan.gov/mistatefair.

[Thursday, August 23] Straight Answers about the Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Henry Ford gynecologist Brent Davidson, M.D., answers questions about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine to protect young women and girls. Part of the Hot Topics in Women’s Health series from Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Free, 6:30 p.m. Henry Ford Design Center, Pinewood Industrial Park, 2001 Dallavo Drive, Suite 102, Commerce Township. To register, call (800) 436-7936 or visit www.henryford.com/hottopics.

[Saturday, August 24 – Sunday, August 25] Church Festival: Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church holds its annual family festival.

Volunteers are welcome; e-mail MotherOfGodChurch@yahoo.com.

[Friday, August 31 – Monday, September 3] Detroit International Jazz Festival: 28th annual extravaganza honors the jazz roots of Detroit and Chicago through a friendly challenge between artists from each city. Artists include Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling (performing with the Wayne State Big Band), Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Bettye Lavette, The Miracles, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Ron Carter and Gerald Wilson. Event also features food, kid’s activities, an art show and more. Hart Plaza/Campus Martius. www.detroitjazzfest.com.

Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats: It’s the 10th anniversary for the downtown Pontiac festival with 10 musical stages, 155 fine artists and more than 50 food booths. http://www.artsbeatseats.com/.

AUGUST 2007

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CALC corner

2007 DEDICATED TO

“GUIDING OUR CHILDREN”

NOTE from the PRESIDENT Angels Among Us The CALC has dedicated this year’s activities to “Guiding our Children.” Many of our programs this year seek to build Clair Konja youth skills by providing them with the resources to become effective leaders for positive change in their communities. Our programs help youth develop both personal and interpersonal skills for success in the real world.

Volunteering is a form of community involvement and plays a valuable role in shaping how youth learn to interact with their community and develop the skills, values and sense of empowerment necessary to become active citizens. Two 16-year-old girls, Candice Ammori and Alana Bahoura from CALC’s Empowered Voices Program, determined that volunteering and community service were important. Wanting to make a difference in our community while encouraging other girls their age to enjoy the benefits of service and volunteering, they sought the help of the CALC to start a Chaldean girls youth volunteer group.

Their primary goals were to lead the group while helping other girls in the group form their own leadership skills. This group of young ladies named themselves Chaldean Angels of Charity.

They have a lot of ideas about how they would like to enrich our world and have been contributing their time, energy, talent, creativity and insight towards making the community in which we live a better place.

Our aim here at the CALC is to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

Welcome to our Chaldean Angels of Charity.

20 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

Participants in the Walk-a-thon, including the Chaldean Angels, on July 7

Learning Business Etiquette

Project Venture Plays Ball

Are you polished up on your business etiquette skills?

Dozens of mostly women and some men received some useful tips from a professional last month at Shenandoah Country Club.

Guest Speaker Denise Anne Taylor was trained and certified by The Protocol School of Washington, the nation’s leading protocol and etiquette firm. She taught the audience how to refine business communication skills, demonstrate appropriate business behaviors, conversational skills, non-verbal messages and eye contact in the business arena.

The event was such a success that a second seminar will be added for Dining Etiquette in the fall. There will be limited seating, with tickets sold in advance. Look on the CALC page or website for more information on this exciting event.

More than 40 Project Venture Chaldean youth, dressed in baseball uniforms, played in a seven-inning baseball game on July 12. The game was filled with exciting moments for both teams as they batted and fielded a close game. Parents from both teams showed up to cheer on their children. The Oak Park Power Hitters, who led the game for most innings, were defeated after some strong offense by the D-Star Ballers, which ended with a score of 9-8.

Project Venture is an experiential youth development program that teaches life skills through doing. This year’s Project Venture challenge was to learn to play the “Game of Life” — Baseball. All of the coaches were Chaldeans who helped guide the youth in the game each week over the past few months by teaching them baseball fundamentals.

Baseball is unique in that it can often mirror life itself. “I enjoyed coaching our youth each week. It was great to see them not only develop skills for the game, but also learn their own strengths, the meaning of sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation, the essence of competition, The Chaldean Angels’ first event and qualities that constitute effective was a beautiful expression of faith. leadership,” stated Carl Konja, coach for On June 30, 16 Angels traveled our Detroit Team. “We always talked to together to St. Anthony’s Nursing them about never giving up and working Home in Warren to provide assistogether as a team.” tance and material to Chaldean sen“I think that this experience helped to ior citizens who were then able to stress that team achievements are just make rosaries. The senior citizens as important as individual accomplishshared life stories with the Angels, ment,” declared Jessica Rabban, coach thus breaking language barriers. for the Oak Park Power Hitters.

Nursing home patients were very “The game was great at teaching grateful to witness the generosity of youth that winning is but one goal among the younger generation while many, and we hoped that they learned spurring their own imagination and Angels help elders make rosaries that baseball as in life, wins, losses, hits creativity. While the senior citizens and strikeouts are all but inevitable,” gained a beautiful rosary, the Angels gained respect and love stated Project Venture Facilitator Dahlia Daoud. for the older generation. The Chaldean Angels and CALC Some youth stated, “We never knew about baseball, but thank Bridget Yaldou for leading us in this wonderful activity now we know about it and we enjoy it.” and providing supplies to make the rosaries.

Thank you to all of our wonderful coaches — for Detroit: Carl Konja, Linda Zetouna, Mark Marouki, Matthew Zetouna and Joseph Sesi; and for Oak Park: Yasir Kaskorkis, Brandon Sitto, Mason Yono and Jessica Rabban — who gave of their On July 7, 15 Chaldean Angels participated in a fundraiser time and talent to help youth have fun in a healthy, safe way. held by CALC to benefit Gleaners Food Bank. The Angels We would also like to thank our generous sponsors for all donated $10 each and walked five miles in Drake Park to our equipment and uniforms and other baseball necessities. help stop hunger. While socializing and exercising, the Thank you to our Grand Slammer Sponsors – BNP Media, Angels also gained a sense of pride and realization of the Glory Supermarket, Exclusive Imagery, and the Associated hungry in Metro Detroit. Special thanks to Saher and Cesar Food and Petroleum Dealers. Our Home Run Hitter Yaldoo for the shirts and banners, and to Mark Sarafa from Sponsor was Talk-A-Lot Wireless, and our Base Hitter Absopure for the water, Panera Bread of Farmington Hills Sponsors were United Wireless, Jesus Christ University and and Bloomfield Hills for the bagels, and the AFPD for the Orchard Development. apples and juice.

Chaldean Angels of Charity Debut at Summer Events

Walk-a-thon a success

ADVERTORIAL

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HALHOLE!

[Births]

Elayna Grace The perfect gift from heaven is now on earth. Elayna Grace Garmo entered the world with observant eyes and a loud cry on June 28, 2007, at 8:18 p.m.

Minutes later, she stretched out in her father’s arms at 19 3/4 inches and weighing 5 lbs., 15 oz. She is the first child of Chaldean News Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha-Garmo and her husband, Ronnie Garmo. She is the eighth grandchild of Sabah & Mary Ann Garmo and the 13th grandchild for Souryia Denha & the late Sabri Denha. Elayna was welcomed into the family with hugs and kisses from her aunts and uncles and 19 first cousins in the Garmo and Denha bunch.

Elayna Grace

Jadyn Hyatt Norman and Balsam would like to introduce Julian and Jacob’s little sister, Jadyn Hyatt Cholagh, who was born on June 26, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. in Phoenix, Arizona. She weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz. and measured 20 inches. She is the fourth grandchild for Ramzi & Nawall Cholagh and the 13th grandchild for Hikmat & Nadira Kallabat. The godparents are Lorrine Zoma and Raymond Cholagh.

Jadyn Hyatt

Marie Grace We have a new baby sister, she’s as sweet as can be. We’ll be the best big brothers, you just wait and see! Andrew and Alexander are excited to announce our newest member of the family. Marie Grace was born on February 22, 2007 and weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. Proud parents are Joe and Arlene Mazo.

Marie is the eighth grandchild for Kadri & Nadira Mazo and the sixth grandchild for Sabih & Bushra Nakara.

Marie Grace

Cameron Mahir All of God’s grace in one sweet, little face. On March 23, 2007, God blessed Michael and Nicole Delly with the birth of their first child, Cameron Mahir. He was brought into this life at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital weighing 7 lbs., 1oz. and measuring 20.5 inches long. Cameron is the third grandchild for Nadeem & Patricia Zoma and the second for Hani & Fakhria Delly.

Godparents are Aunty Heather Hamama & Uncle Fadi Delly.

22 CHALDEAN NEWS

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Cameron Mahir

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[Births]

Jayden Joseph We welcome with love our gift from above ... Jayden Joseph Pattah. Born on May 10, 2007 at 10:16 p.m., Jayden weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and measured 21 inches long. First-time proud parents are Clifton and Selvana Pattah.

Jayden is the first grandchild for Sam & Bushra Pattah and the third grandchild for Faraj & Amira Yaldo.

Jayden Joseph

Sam Joseph God has blessed our lives with a precious bundle of joy! Sam Joseph Yatooma was born on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 6:05 a.m. He was a healthy 8 lbs., 5 oz. and 21.5 inches. Firsttime parents are Stewart and Joanne Yatooma. Sam is the seventh grandchild for Sami & Suhaila Yatooma and the second for Fouad & Lamia Sitto. Sammy’s godparents are his Uncle Stephen Yatooma and Aunt Jessica Sitto.

Sam Joseph

Christian Connor Shina is excited to announce the arrival of his baby brother, Christian. Christian came into this world ready to play with his big brother on February 19, 2007. He weighed in at 6 lbs., 9 oz. and he was 21 inches long.

Just as thrilled are parents Sam and Anne Shina. Christian comes in as grandchild No. 31 for Gorgis & Salima Shina and No. 5 for Hussam & Juliette Gamsho.

Christian

SOUTHFIELD PEDIATRIC

Chloe Faith Kayla and Cassidy are happy to announce the birth of their baby sister, Chloe Faith Khamerko.

Chloe was born on April 5, 2007 weighing 7 lbs., 13 oz. and measuring 21 inches. Proud parents are Wisam and Sandy Khamerko. Chloe is the 10th grandchild for Najeeba & the late Habib Khamerko and the fifth for Michael & Sahira Konja.

PHYSICIANS George L. Blum, M.D. Robert M. Blum, D.O. Marshall Blondy, M.D. Chloe Faith

Evening and weekend appointments available

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Carrie Busch, M.D. We participate with the Vaccine for Children Program

Katherine Erlich, M.D.

Isabella Faith Isabella Faith Marougi was born on April 7, 2007, at 7:40 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz. and measured 20 inches. Proud parents are Anthony and Darlene Marougi, and big sister is Melina Grace.

Isabella is the fifth grandchild for Margaret & the late Yousif Najor and the fifth for Joan & the late Salem Marougi. Godparents are Linda Kizi and Mark Marougi.

Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

Southfield Pediatrics West

Ehud Kapen, M.D. Sandhya Patel, M.D. Mara Rubenstein, M.D. Jennifer Supol, D.O.

(248) 661-9100 Southfield Pediatric Physicians, P.C. 31500 Telegraph Rd. Suite 105 Bingham Farms, MI 48025

Stacy Zide, M.D. CHALDEAN SPEAKING

7416 Haggerty Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322

STAFF

(248) 540-8700

Isabella Faith AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 23

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HALHOLE!

rting at Cribs Sta

499

$ eds, ction of B Great sele and Bedding. s er Dress

47705 West Rd., Suite B106, Wixom, MI 48393

248-344-7770

Joseph Jimmy Joseph Jimmy Najor was born on April 30, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. First-time parents are Marvin and Ban Najor.

Joseph is the sixth grandchild (and first grandson) for Margaret & the late Yousif Najor, and the sixth for Jamil & Ghania Aboona.

Godparents are David Najor and Diane Aboona.

Joseph Jimmy

James Francis Proud first-time parents James & Monica Jarjosa are pleased to announce the birth of their son, James Francis Jr. He was born at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital on March 31, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. weighing 6 lbs., 10 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. Jr. is the first grandchild for Khery & Janette Jarjosa and the ninth for Yelda & Zuhaira Sawa. Godparents are his Uncle John and Aunt Niva Jarjosa.

James Francis

[Engagement]

Rivan and Anita Rivan Tella and Anita Shina became engaged on June 29, 2007. Rivan is the son of Ahmad Tella and Sahira Tella, and Anita’s parents are Hanna & Jaklin Shina. The couple plans a June 2008 wedding.

[Weddings]

Rivan and Anita

Daniel and Heather Daniel Zoma and Heather Nasouri were married on April 14, 2007.

The ceremony was at St. Thomas Catholic Church and the reception was held at Shenandoah Country Club. Daniel is the son of Salim & Soham Zoma and Heather is the daughter of Farid & Ibtesam Nasouri. The best man was Duane Karmo, best friend of the groom, and the maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Jena Nasouri.

The couple honeymooned in St. Maarten and Aruba.

Heather and Daniel

Samer and Rania Samer Mattia and Rania Razouki were married on February 17, 2007 at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral. A reception followed at Town and Country Resort. Samer is the son of Samir & Suad Mattia. Rania is the daughter of Fouad & Amira Razouki. Best man was Steve Mattia, brother of the groom; and Rania’s sister, Rawaa Razouki, was maid of honor. The couple enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.

24 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

Samer and Rania

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www.chaldeannews.com

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HALHOLE!

Jeffrey and Amanda Jeffrey Jonna, son of Sundus Jonna & the late Zuhair Jonna, and Amanda Jamil, daughter of Janet Jamil & the late Sabah Jamil, exchanged vows on March 11, 2007 at Mother of God Church. A reception followed at Shenandoah Country Club. David Jonna, Jeffrey’s brother, stood as best man, while Rhonda Jamil, Amanda’s sister, was maid of honor. The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Amanda and Jeffrey

Alvin and Kristin Sobhi & Nawal Semma are proud to announce the marriage of their son Alvin to Kristin, daughter of Riyadh & Najiba Jiddou. The happy couple was married at St. Thomas Church on April 22, 2007 and celebrated afterwards at Shenandoah Country Club. The best man was Randy Yatooma, friend of Alvin; Kristin’s sister, Renee Jiddou, was the maid of honor. The couple enjoyed a tropical honeymoon relaxing in Maui.

Alvin and Kristin

Avita and Timothy Timothy Nafso and Avita Kashat began their lives together on April 20, 2007. They were married at St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church with a reception following at Shenandoah Country Club. The groom’s brother, Tommy Nafso, was the best man and the bride’s first cousin, Candace Atisha, was maid of honor. Timothy is the son of Thamir & Faiza Nafso, and Avita’s parents are Thamir & Ikhlas Kashat. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Drs. Purcell, Sayegh & Zimny *Board Certified Family Medicine Specialists

Avita and Timothy

A Remarkable Milestone

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Sadly, Ablahad died a few weeks later on July 6. His obituary appears on page 29.

*Same Day Appointments Available*

Novi Rd.

Ablahad & Shammama Shallal celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on June 22 at Shenandoah Country Club. The gala party was attended by their children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Some people traveled as far as Texas and Toronto for the event.

Fr. Frank Kalabat gave his blessings at the dinner, and letters of congratulations were received from President Bush, Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Mayor and Council of the City of Royal Oak. The couple was featured in the

Kelly Purcell, D.O. Family Medicine

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AUGUST 2007

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RELIGION

PLACES OF PRAYER THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese 25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033, 248-351-0440 Mar (Bishop) Ibrahim N. Ibrahim www.chaldeandiocese.org MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; 248-356-0565 Rector: Rev. Manuel Boji Parochial Vicar: Rev. Wisam Matti Mass Schedule: Weekdays except Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Tuesday, St. Anthony prayer at 10 a.m.; Saturday, 5:30 p.m.in English Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English, 12 noon in Chaldean SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 310 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48203, 313-368-6214 Pastor: Rev. Jacob Yasso Mass Schedule: Friday, 6 p.m. in Chaldean, Sunday 11 a.m. in Chaldean MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 24010 Coolidge Hwy, Oak Park, MI 48237, 248-547-4648 Pastor: Rev. Stephen Kallabat Parochial Vicar: Rev. Shlaman Denha Mass Schedule: Weekday masses at 12 noon.

Sunday 10 a.m. in Sourath and Arabic; 12:30 p.m. in Sourath ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI; (586) 254-7221 Pastor: Rev. Emanuel Shaleta Assistant Pastor: Fr. Basel Yaldo Mass Schedule: Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10:30 a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 2 p.m. in Arabic; baptisms, 3 p.m. on Sundays Beginning September 1: Saturday mass, 5 p.m.

28 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2442 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083, 248-528-3676 Pastor: Msgr. Zouhair Toma Parochial Vicar: Rev. Ayad Hanna Mass Schedule: Thursday, 6 p.m. in English and Chaldean; Saturday, 6 p.m. in English; Sunday, 8 a.m. in Chaldean, 9:30 a.m. in Arabic, 11 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST 4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; 586-825-0290 Rector: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin Mass Schedule: Sunday, 9 a.m.

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 248-788-2460 Pastor: Rev. Frank Kalabat Rev. Emanuel Rayes (retired) Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jirgus Abrahim Mass Schedule: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. in Sourath, Saturday 5 p.m. in English, Sunday 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Sourath ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH 2560 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48335, 248-478-0835 Pastor: Rev. Toma Behnama Mass Schedule: Sunday 12 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m.

All masses are in Syriac, Arabic and English

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obituaries Sami Faraj Following a long battle with lung cancer, the family of Sami Faraj bid a final farewell to him on May 2, 2007. He was born on September 26, 1932.

Sami was the devoted husband of Salwa, loving father to Sammar and Ammar, and loyal brother to Farook, Nazar, Nabil, Riadh, Aida, and Ramzi (deceased) and their families.

Sami was a beloved, joyful and positive influence on all those who knew him.

His perpetual laugh and jovial personality brought so much happiness to all those around him. He lived a full life, and seemed to have a natural way of making every day a celebration. He took pleasure in the simple joys of life, and spread that attitude to all those who knew him.

His son Sammar wrote the following summation of his full life and read it at the burial ceremony: “The last couple of years were tough for Dad, and while there were many moments during that time that we cherished, there was a lot more to Sami Faraj, to Dad: He was kind. He was caring. He opened his heart and his home to all — and made a tradition of it every Easter and Christmas. He was a great host and loved his home. He loved to cook and loved to watch soap operas. He drank with you and played cards with you. He was a great father to Ammar and Sammar, and taught us countless lessons. He loved

our mother. He was a brother, a cousin, an uncle and a friend. He deserves to rest in peace. Thank you for everything, Dad. We’re going to miss you.”

Amera Dado Garmo Amera Garmo was born on March 1, 1954 in Basra, Iraq.

She became our guardian angel on May 22, 2007.

Amera was a kind, loving and simple woman. Her laughter and smile would light up a room. She was the glue that stuck our family together. She touched the lives of so many people young and old. Her most treasured gifts were her two grandchildren, Noah and Alexa, whom she adored.

She waited patiently with hope for a cure. She never once showed us her pain, which makes her an example of how strong her faith in God was. Her final words were “thank you.” If you knew her you would know that those two words said it all. Amera will be forever missed, but never forgotten. She will be with us in our thoughts, prayers and most importantly, our hearts. We love you Mom. Amera was the wife of the late Hikmat Garmo and she is survived by her two daughters, Janel (Jeffrey Hamama) and Michelle, and her two grandchildren, Noah and Alexa. She was the daughter of the late Yacoub Dado and is survived by her mother Katina; siblings, Habib, Hasib, Basim, Amer, Riath, Thomer,

Mouyaoud, Basima (Kajy) and Nijat (Kenaya); and her in-laws, Najib and Nasser Garmo and Nuhad (Yono).

Khelood Assi Najor Khelood Assi Najor, beloved wife, mother, sister, cousin, and friend to all. She was born on February 3, 1960 and sent to heaven on June 9, 2007, after her strong battle with cancer.

Family was everything to Khelood.

She was a kind cousin, aunt and friend; a loving and caring sister; and most of all the best mom and wife to her family.

She was loved by all from young to old.

Her smile would light up a room.

We will remember her for all the good that she has done for others. She would lend a helping hand to anyone who was in need. She was the kind of person who never wanted to be taken care of; she always wanted to be the one caring for others. She was always the go-to person, no matter what the situation was and sure enough she always had the answer. She has taught us all so much.

Her favorite time of year was spring.

She loved to be outside and garden.

What she loved most was spending time with her family. She enjoyed entertaining and she loved having a full house. She was hard working and took great care of her family.

She fought hard and was strong until her final hours. Her strength and courage

were admired by all. She would comfort others and tell them things would be fine.

Khelood is survived by her husband, Akram Najor; her children, Lisa Najor, Lena (James) Yono and Chris Najor; her brothers, Hikmat Dado, Natheir Dado, Ramzi Dado and the late Maan Dado; and her sisters, Mary Kaskorkis, Suad Dado, Tawetha Najor, Ramzia Najor and Ikhlas Barbat.

Mom, reflecting on memories of the past, the love you gave will always last.

We know that you are now resting in peace and an angel to us you’ll always be. We love you and will keep you in our hearts forever.

Ablahad Yousif Shallal Ablahad Yousif Shallal died peacefully at William Beaumont Hospital on July 6, 2007 at the blessed age of 94.

He was born in Telquef, Iraq. He recently celebrated his 75th wedding anniversary, and is now survived by his wife, Shammama Shallal (Shememta Kalabat); his three sons, Bashir Shallal, Ramon Shallal, and Louis Shallal; and his two daughters, Bushra Jarrah and Lamia Miskena.

Ablahad was the beloved grandfather to 17 wonderful children and great-grandfather to 11 more children.

He was a devout Christian who exemplified humility and kindness and served masses as a deacon regularly in churches in Iraq and Michigan.

AUGUST 2007

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ECONOMICS & enterprise

Rising to the Challenge: Eastside video store thrives

BY LOREEN BAHRI

espite numerous online rental and On Demand cable movie choices, as well as the muscle of national chains like Blockbuster, Ronnie Karmo has successfully risen above the competition for 22 years with Fast Forward Video in Shelby Township.

“The personal attention and the pricing that we give are much, much more competitive than what Blockbuster and Hollywood Video can do,” said Karmo, 44. “With us the overhead is not as much as those major corporations so we are able to beat them with prices.”

The video store was purchased by Karmo’s family in 1985 under the name Video Shack. The store started off in the Auburn Plaza southwest of Dequindre, then expanded to a bigger place on the other side of the plaza when business started taking off in July 1988. It was then renamed Fast Forward.

Fast Forward Video is up against competitors like Blockbuster.com and Netflix.com that offer online

D

rentals with some 80,000 titles to choose from.

Added to the mix is Comcast’s free On Demand service, which allows subscribers to watch films anytime in the comfort of their own homes.

So how has Karmo kept in business with all that competition? “We change with the times,” he said.

Fast Forward advertises constantly. Karmo offers coupons on the back of Hollywood Markets receipts, and has a five games-five days-five dollars package targeted to gamers. Kid’s movies are always free – and so is the popcorn.

Karmo runs his store with the help of manager Dustin Wehrley, 23, and assistant manager Jessica Addison, 20.

Rachel Quinn, a Rochester Hills resident and customer for the past 17 years, is sold on Fast Forward.

“When we go to Blockbuster, it’s not personal and the same person never waits on you. We love Dustin! We

shoot the breeze for like an hour and I can rent three movies for like seven bucks,” she said. “I don’t even think Blockbuster can do that.”

Karmo said a major shakeup in the late 1990s changed the industry when movie prices dropped dramatically from $50-$75 to $10 and less. Retail giants like Wal-Mart, Meijer and Best Buy started to sell movies because it became affordable to carry them.

As people began shifting their attention from renting to buying movies, Karmo began selling movies too, with offers like four DVDs for $20.

Karmo’s interests go beyond the video business. He has a passion for music and is the drummer for funk band Slight Return. The group just released an album called “Corporate Pig” and will perform at the Chaldean Festival in the Southfield Civic Center on August 4-5 at 3 p.m.

Karmo resides in West Bloomfield with his wife, Fadia, and sons Daniel, 1, and Jacob, 3.

“They keep me busy,” he said.

Born in Baghdad, Karmo came to the U.S. when he was 15. He is proud of his Chaldean heritage. “I think that Chaldeans are a very hardworking and successful community,” he said. “I am always proud to say that I am Chaldean.”

Fast Forward Video is located at 2122 Auburn Road in Shelby Township. Call (586) 254-5130.

KARMO’S FLICK PICKS: 1. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION / 2. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS / 3. SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS / 4. DUMB & DUMBER / 5. GOODFELLAS

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 31

PHOTO BY LOREEN BAHRI

Ronnie Karmo (left) chats with assistant manager Jessica Addison while manager Dustin Wehrley checks in DVDs.

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the wind beneat WHAT’S THAT

SPORT? Windsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board, also commonly called a sailboard, usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail.

A windsurfer is steered by the tilting and rotating of the mast and sail as well as tilting and carving the board.

Kiteboarding, also known as kitesurfing and fly surfing, involves using a power kite to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard. The athlete uses a board with foot-straps or bindings and a large controllable kite to propel himself and the board across the water.

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F

or most of his adult life, Joe Bidawid has pursued the waves and wind of the Great Lakes region.

Hailed as the pioneer of high-performance windsurfing and kiteboarding, Bidawid turned a passion for water sports into a successful career as a professional athlete at a young age. Years of competing throughout the Midwest led to national and international competitions, bringing him world-class pro status and the moniker of “Godfather” of Great Lakes kiteboarding.

“My whole thing is, I do what I love, I chase a new feeling, and I never feel like a pioneer, but then you look back and you see that you inspired many people,” said the Farmington Hills resident. “A lot of people refer to me as a ‘Great Lakes waterman,’ and I take pride in that.”

Now at the age of 40, Bidawid will combine his enthusiasm for the Great Lakes with an important cause as he tries to shatter the record around a littleknown sport. During the last two weeks of August, Bidawid will attempt to stand-up paddle board 60-80 miles on Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to Chicago.

His effort isn’t just to take on the record books, but more importantly to raise money and awareness for cancer. Bidawid’s father, Kamal, died in the late 1990s after a long and painful struggle with the disease.

body, and expects its impact to be enormous throughout the Midwest.

“It’s a really attainable thing,” said Bidawid.

“Ironically most of the interest I get is from young kids, because they are just enamored from it and that for me is a real indicator.”

Professional surfer Laird Hamilton established the long-distance record for stand-up paddle boarding last summer when he crossed the English Channel — 17 miles — in six hours. Bidawid expects his attempt to take between 18-24 hours, and will rely on his longtime knowledge of the Great Lakes to see him through to the Windy City.

“I’ve been on the lakes for 20 years and I know the conditions really well,” he said. “Historically, the last two weeks of August provides the calmest weather window, and that’s what I need.”

Bidawid will have a safety boat following five miles behind him in case of an emergency. In addition to wearing a wetsuit, his on-board gear will consist of a satellite telephone, fresh water supply and energy bars. Other than his board and paddle, it’s just Bidawid and the lake.

“My biggest obstacles will be seasickness, cramps and blisters,” he said. “Those are the only things that could cause me to have to stop.”

In order to prepare for the attempt, Bidawid created a rigorous training schedule of padding two to three times a week and strength training in the gym when he’s not on the water. Once every three weeks, Bidawid includes what he calls “constant motion,” in which he works out continuously in the gym for eight hours.

“I talked to a few people who had done this,” he said, “and they told me the best way is to stay in motion and keep using your muscles.”

HULL While his mother, Amina, cannot wait for the day when her son relaxes his strict diet to enjoy her Chaldean cooking, she and his other family members are rallying for him and his cause. Bidawid said he draws inspiration not only from them, but from the entire Chaldean community.

“I’m very proud of my Chaldean heritage, and I really want the young Chaldean people to understand that it doesn’t matter how long they’ve been in this country, you can do anything you want,” he said. “To get where I’m at took the love and support of my family, and I see that as a common thread throughout the Chaldean community. The young people should realize that and use it as a power source.”

ath his wings Athlete has a cause – and a goal

BY JEREMY It was the memory of his father, someone who had always supported Bidawid in his dreams, as well as the letter from a close friend newly diagnosed with cancer, Steve Skillings, that inspired Bidawid to make a significant impact towards cancer research.

“Steve wrote in the letter, ‘If we all chip in and support research in our lifetime, we could see a cure,’” recalled Bidawid. “That statement really motivated me.”

Paddle boards got their start in the Hawaiian Islands several hundred years ago. Similar to the longboards used in surfing, they are slightly longer and utilize a one-sided paddle to create momentum. Introduced to the sport last summer in Hawaii, Bidawid said stand-up paddle boarding provides strength-training benefits for the entire

To learn more about supporting Joe Bidawid’s effort and to donate to the American Cancer Society, visit www.lakemichigancrossing.com.

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 33

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death on cass lake Drowning stuns community

BY OMAR BINNO

I

a t-shirt, with his wallet t was a warm and sunny day, and hunand cell phone in his dreds of boats raced through the tumulback pocket, are tuous waters of Cass Lake. But for the unfounded. Other false family of 22-year-old Ryan Binno of West speculation had several of Bloomfield, July 8 would become a tragic day Ryan's organs dismemof irrevocable loss. bered by snapping turtles.

While on a boat in the middle of the lake, "It was purely accidenBinno and some friends and relatives decided tal," said Toth. "I'm not to go for a swim to cool off. After nearly five surprised that stuff like this minutes, those who had remained on the vesis being said though. Close sel shouted to the swimmers to come back. relatives in cases like this “They had drifted away from the boat and need to feel closure, so I became alarmed,” said Sheila Seman of they start blaming people West Bloomfield, one of the occupants of the and other possible causes." boat. “I started throwing lifejackets out to “I remember talking to them so they could use them while swimming Ryan at about six that back.” evening,” said Raad As the swimmers climbed back on the boat, Binno, Ryan’s father. “He Seman had seen Ryan go underwater a said he’d be home in a moment before. “I screamed to the others that couple hours.”

Ryan had gone down,” she said.

Nearly two hours later, Raad received the news “They were all so fatigued that at “What people don’t that his son was missing, and rushed to the lake first they thought I was joking. with family and relatives. “When we got there and Then they realized I was serious, realize is that the I saw the search that was going on, I knew my son and didn’t know what to do. I water looks inviting, was gone,” Raad said. immediately reached for my but it’s actually cold.

For two more days, authorities continued searching phone and called 911.”

Shortly thereafter, the water This is when fatigue Cass Lake for Binno’s body; it was retrieved on Tuesday at about 4 p.m. Authorities report that the patrol arrived and began searching for Ryan, to no avail. “It was can set in, and causes drowning occurred between 6:30-7 p.m. on July 8.

“Ryan’s death brought back painful memories of a breezy day and the current was the swimmer to not my family’s tragedy,” said Seman, whose brother was strong,” noted Sergeant Dan killed in a car shooting six years ago. “I genuinely Toth of the Oakland County function fully grieve for the Binnos’ loss, and offer my prayers for Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and them.”

Dive Team. “What people don’t physically.”

Binno’s was the fourth drowning death in Metro realize is that the water looks – SERGEANT DAN TOTH, inviting, but it’s actually cold.

OAKLAND COUNTY Detroit in less than a week.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE MARINE “June through August is the highest period for This is when fatigue can set in, UNIT AND DIVE TEAM drownings here in Michigan, with July being the highand causes the swimmer to not est month of the year,” said Toth. “Boating classes have helped cut function fully physically.”

Rumors that the other occupants pushed Binno into the the number of deaths in half. I think that by issuing tickets and water while drunk, or that a scuffle broke out on the boat gaining education through the court system, we can reduce these in which he was thrown into the water wearing jeans and accidents even more.”

BE SAFE ON THE WATER • Learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.

• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.

• Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).

• Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located.

• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts.

Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.

• Enter head first only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating.

Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.

• Alcohol and boating don’t mix.

Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination — more than 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.

• Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.

SOURCE: WWW.REDCROSS.ORG

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the State Department has recently informed the international community that the U.S. can process at most only 2,000 individuals by the end of September 2007,” Levin said in the statement.

“It’s not enough to know what the numbers aren’t, we want to know what they are. Levin doesn’t answer that,” countered Munem.

Munem said other U.S. cities are in a better position to accommodate refugees. “There are

BY JOYCE WISWELL other parts of the country whose economies are thriving far more than ours, James L. Clor, superintendent of arren Mayor Mark Steenbergh is standHouston for example,” he ing firm to statements he made earlier Warren Consolidated Schools, said said. “The mayor has conthis week regarding Iraqi refugees set- he is delighted to welcome the new cerns that people who have Iraqi students, especially at a time tling in Warren. lived here their whole lives “We were told 90 Iraqi refugees are due to arrive when so many people are leaving are having trouble finding very soon with many more to follow,” said Michigan due to the poor economy. gainful employment. So “We are excited about serving Steenbergh in a statement released on July 18. “I’ve how are we going to find been told that these refugees will be given assis- these children. We can handle it Warren Mayor Mark Steenbergh faced tance in locating housing and in learning English. and we do get state aid,” he said. wide criticism following remarks about employment for these indiIraqi refugees. viduals? Will they need to Will the City of Warren receive assistance for the “Quite honestly, our enrollment is burden placed upon our services with so many peo- flat. We have plenty of seats and we’re looking for- go on some sort of public assistance?

“It’s not that we don’t welcome new people comple set to arrive? Will our schools be given assis- ward to serving these kids. We know the hell these families have gone through. How ing in,” he added, “but we are worried about a lot of tance with the need to educate so about being sympathetic to these people over a relatively short period of time.” many more non-English-speaking “These people “The Chaldean community is committed to helppeople?” children?

Clor noted that the school dis- ing the newcomers,” said Dave Nona, chairman of “My biggest concern is where have been driven trict has students who speak 54 the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. the refugees will find employout of their different languages, an “outstand- “These people have been driven out of their homes ment?” continued Steenbergh. ing English as a Second Language because of the situation in Iraq and we as a society “The economy is horrible in homes because program,” and more than 1,800 have some moral responsibility to address this diffiSoutheastern Michigan. Where cult situation. If it is truly a burden on the Warren Chaldean students. are the jobs the refugees will need? of the situation Steenbergh was not available community, we can meet with the mayor and see Longtime Warren residents are in Iraq and we for comment, but his spokesper- what we can do to help with the situation.” having trouble finding jobs. This is Munem said the mayor’s remarks have been disson, Joe Munem, said that all he not the time to add more people to as a society have did was ask legitimate questions. torted. “We think the knee-jerk reactions that this a shrinking pool of employment.” some moral “The mayor has an obligation to was somehow bigoted were utterly contrived and Steenbergh’s remarks raised the 138,000 residents of this com- ridiculous,” he said. “Someone accused him of howls of protest from the responsibility munity to ask these questions,” being anti-Catholic, which I’m sure was a major Chaldean community, and the to address this Munem said. “The mayor is very shock to his priest.”

Chaldean News received numerJoe Kassab, executive director of the Chaldean ous phone calls and e-mails on the difficult situation.” compassionate and understands the plight of what is going on in Federation of America, said Steenbergh is politiciztopic.

“Warren’s mayor is a bigot,” said – DAVE NONA, CHAIRMAN OF Iraq, but the mayor is obligated to ing a humanitarian issue. “We must help these THE CHALDEAN AMERICAN ensure his community is able to refugees out and receive them with open arms Martin Manna, executive director of CHAMBER OF COMMERCE maintain services and not reach a regardless of what the numbers are,” he said. the Chaldean American Chamber Kassab said Warren has nothing to worry about. breaking point by having a large of Commerce. “Steenbergh is just “We have a coalition of many NGOs [non-governtrying to get residents to vote against the Chaldean influx of people coming in.”

Warren’s statement said that the city could expect ment organizations] to provide services to these candidate for mayor, Richard Sulaka.”

Sulaka is Warren’s first Chaldean candidate for that up to two-thirds of 25,000 Iraqi refugees could people called the Chaldean Federation of mayor (Steenbergh is term-limited so cannot run for resettle in Warren and Sterling Heights. On July 18, American Resettlement Committee. We will deal re-election). “It is not a surprise that Mayor U.S. Rep Sander Levin issued a sharply worded state- with the numbers as soon as they come in.

“We know that Chaldeans will never become a Steenbergh would turn a political hardship into a ment about Steenbergh’s comments, calling that burden to anyone,” Kassab added. “If anything, they political ploy,” said Sulaka’s spokesperson, Mark E. information “inaccurate and misleading.”

“While the hope was to re-settle 7,000 this year, will be an asset to this country.”

Gilman.

refugee overload?

Warren mayor’s fears spark outrage

W

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girls march as timebomb ticks Young refugees sell sex in Syria

T

tucked into the top of her tight, lilac he girls circle the stage in a nightsequined dress. Her sister, who says she’s 14, club outside of Damascus, holding chews bubble gum and keeps borrowing the hands in protective pairs as they glasses. She can’t see when she puts them march, always counterclockwise, at the on and waves her hands in front of her, presame slow pace, one unenthusiastic step tending to be blind. It makes the sisters per second.

RICHARD laugh. They are bored circling all night. I It’s 3 a.m., but bright as a hospital ward ENGEL guess they also want to forget where they are. in here. The club owners leave on the fluSPECIAL Maybe it helps if you can’t see. The 14orescent lights so customers can get a good TO THE CHALDEAN year-old also has a mobile phone stuffed into look at what’s for sale. The girls’ faces are NEWS her bra. She pulls it out when men, mostly painted in slashes of pink blush. Their lipstick is drab browns and beiges. They want it that from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, call her over to their way, so it doesn’t distract from their eyes, accented tables to exchange ‘missed calls.’ The men call the with glittering splashes of emerald green and sap- next day and negotiate a price and a meeting place.

There are dozens of clubs just like this on the phire blue. Many girls connect their thin, shaped eyebrows with a black pencil, and have orange and outskirts of Damascus — a red light district built on yellow plastic flowers in their long hair, blackened the slender shoulders of little Iraqi girls in belly with henna. dancing costumes. The girls are nearly all Iraqi One girl, gawky and about 13, has eyeglasses refugees forced into what U.N. relief agencies call

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“survival sex.” The reason why is cold math.

There are 1.4 million Iraqi refugees in Syria.

Syrian laws do not allow Iraqi refugees to work in Syria, which struggles to provide enough jobs for its own citizens. But Iraqi children can often slip under the law, especially if they work on the black market. They work to support their families.

Many were traumatized even before they left Iraq, and had relatives murdered or kidnapped. Now they are forced into prostitution — victims of war, victimized again every night.

Some of the girls we saw also looked very young, perhaps under 6 years old. The club owner told us they were younger sisters or cousins who had come to the club because they couldn’t find babysitters. But the little girls were dressed in tight costumes and gyrated in unbalanced pirouettes. They were apprentices and once on stage, everything has a price.

It is difficult to imagine how these girls will ever recover from the trauma of the war and subsequent exploitation. A senior U.N. official told me the refugee crisis is a “time bomb” in the Middle East waiting to explode, creating rage that is building from Baghdad to the nightclubs of Damascus, rage directed mostly at the United States and its war in Iraq.

Richard Engel is NBC News Middle East Correspondent and Beirut, Lebanon Bureau Chief. Copyright 2007 by MSNBC Interactive News, LLC. Reproduced with permission of MSNBC Interactive News, LLC in the format Magazine via Copyright Clearance Center.

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Top to bottom: Ron Kattoo at the wheel.

The Ste. Claire brings back many memories for Metro Detroiters.

Kattoo and his partners have their work cut out for them.

PHOTOS BY KEN MARTEN

everywhere on the Ste. Claire, and determined that it was 87 coats thick.

Regardless of the Ste. Claire’s condition, scores of families visit the park daily to gawk at the vessel and revel in memories of polished brass and shiny mahogany.

“Everyone loves this boat,” said Kattoo, 39.

“It’s history. It’s memories. It’s really a shot of energy to this region — just to see the smiles of the people when they bring their kids or grandkids down here to look at it. Everybody older than the age of 25 who I talk to has a memory of this ship.”

Kattoo, who lives in Bloomfield Hills, declined to disclose the price that Maximus paid for the Ste. Claire, but he said restoration costs are estimated to be about $5 million. His Maximus associates include Steve Najor, whose family owns Super Land market in Detroit, and a silent partner who wishes to remain anonymous. Pepper Hamilton LLC, a law firm in the Renaissance Center, is handling Maximus’ application for non-profit status as a pro bono matter.

“This boat is my childhood,” Kattoo said. “I remember as a kid – age 9, 10, 11 or 12 – looking over the sides and just being in awe. I can’t believe, 30 years later, that I’m the owner of this icon.”

Maximus’ restoration plans call for the main deck to include four staterooms for private or corporate functions, and a concession stand that will sell Metro Detroit products like Faygo pop, Better Made chips and Kowalski sausage.

The stern will include an entertainment stage. The second deck will be enclosed for year-round functions and include the grand ballroom, along with a bar at the stern. The third deck will be transformed into a glass-enclosed restaurant with open-air seating. On the top deck, which was off-limits to passengers in the old days, the pilothouse will be rebuilt.

Rooftop seats and a screen will be installed to show films.

The original capacity of the Ste. Claire was 2,500.

Maximus’ plans call for a capacity of just 1,500.

While restoration is being done at the Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company in River Rouge, Maximus will seek a permanent home for the Ste. Clair.

“Without a doubt, we’d like to be anywhere along the waterfront between the Belle Isle bridge and the Ambassador Bridge,” Kattoo said.

“If I had my choice, I’d like to be at the foot of Woodward, because that’s where she was [when in service]. The city of Windsor has expressed an interest in having a dock on their side as well. So have some Downriver cities.”

full steam ahead Boblo boat to get complete overhaul

BY KEN MARTEN

M

ost first-time boat owners buy a small craft, learn the ropes of seamanship, then move on to a bigger boat. If Ron Kattoo, M.D., follows that formula, his next craft will have to be a freighter.

A specialist in pulmonary medicine and the associate director of Henry Ford Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in Detroit, Kattoo is also the president of Maximus Corporation. This past spring, Maximus was formed to purchase the treasured Ste. Claire, one of the two renowned “Boblo boats” that once carried folks to the now-defunct island amusement park on the Canadian side of the Detroit River.

“My plans are a three-year restoration project, and then to re-launch her on May 7, 2010,” said Kattoo. “That’s exactly 100 years from the day that she was first launched.”

Maximus plans to convert the 197-foot propellerdriven excursion steamer into a tourist attraction that will cruise local waters as a floating restaurant, nightclub and museum. Now docked at TriCentennial State Park on the Detroit Riverfront just west of Chene Park, the Ste. Claire needs work. Its service since Boblo closed in 1993 was primarily as a haunted ship. As recently as Halloween 2006, the ship was docked in Toledo, its third deck converted into a fright fest to scare young Ohioans.

The craft is seaworthy and the engines are sound, but the passenger decks and just about everything else are in disrepair. The University of Michigan’s Engineering Department analyzed a chip of paint, which is flaking 40 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

The Ste. Claire will be docked at Tri-Centennial State Park until November. Tours are $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Visit http://www.bobloboat.com.

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AUGUST 2007

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wonders await A look at the Chaldean Cultural Center

BY MARY SAROKI ROMAYA

I

magine stepping into an area where you could do all of the following: see what the town center of ancient Babylon was like; touch the stele on which Hammurabi’s Code of Laws were etched; walk into a sacred space and hear the Our Father prayer spoken in Aramaic as Christ would have taught it to His apostles; be transported to Telkaif or other surrounding villages in the early 20th century to witness a bride preparing for her wedding; journey to America and view the New York skyline as early pioneers would have seen it from Ellis Island; feel the pride as CCC Executive Director Josephine Sarafa listens to Kaya Sanan of Xenon talk about computer components at a recent design meeting. you stand inside a grocery store in the 1920s as a Chaldean entrepreneur establishes his place in the Detroit business communi- eastern end of the Shenandoah Country Club in ty; learn what Chaldeans are doing today as they West Bloomfield. There will be five galleries for expand their professional horizons. How is all of visitors to weave through, each housing artifacts, this possible? Welcome to the Chaldean Cultural media, sculpture, text panels, etc. to tell our story Center (CCC), which is scheduled to open in and to support that gallery’s theme.

In the gallery highlighting ancient April 2008.

The state-of-the-art Chaldean Cultural Center Mesopotamia, artifacts will include cylinder seals is presently being developed by a New York design used as ownership and accounting tools. An team that specializes in museum work. The design- authentic replica of the original stele of ers are collaborating with community members to Hammurabi (Code of Laws) is being purchased create a center covering more than 5,000 years of from the Louvre for placement in this gallery.

Chaldean history. The CCC will be located in the Among other items there will be clay tablets and

sculptures of historical figures.

The Faith & Church Gallery will highlight the Aramaic language used in religious ceremonies such as the Chaldean mass, baptisms and wedding rituals. Liturgical manuscripts along with vestments and other church adornments will be displayed.

In Village Life, farming tools, cooking utensils and clothing can be viewed. Religious practices, village customs and dress will be used to show how the Chaldeans maintained their identity as a Christian minority within a larger Islamic culture.

The Journey to America gallery will feature passports, photos, steamer trunks, tickets from passenger liners and other items used as individuals and families migrated from Iraq to America. The story of how and why the Chaldeans came to settle in Detroit will be told. Part of this exhibit will feature an early Chaldean-owned grocery store.

Chaldeans Today will focus on the strength yet diversity of contemporary Chaldeans and display where Chaldeans today are located throughout the world.

The Chaldean Cultural Center will honor the early pioneers who had the strength and adventure to come to a new world. The CCC will let our children, grandchildren and future generations know their legacy and instill pride in being Chaldean. It will also serve as a means to tell our unique history to the larger, non-Chaldean community.

The CCC is currently in the process of designing and building donor wall panels that will be placed on the outer walls. These panels will enable community members to purchase a rectangular stone (granite/marble) in honor of a family member whose name would be engraved on the stone.

There are different levels of contributions, and corporate sponsorships are also available. For further information, call the CCC at (248) 681-5050.

play an active role in the chaldean community SUBSCRIBE TO THE

12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION: $20 I wish to subscribe to the Chaldean News for 12 issues Please fill in your name and address below: Name _________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE MAIL THE FORM, WITH A CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO: THE CHALDEAN NEWS ATTN: SUBSCRIPTIONS 26555 EVERGREEN, SUITE 250, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 PHONE: 248-355-4850 EMAIL: INFO@CHALDEANNEWS.COM WEB: WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM

Address _______________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________ State _____ Zip _____________________ Phone ______________________________ E-mail ________________________________

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 43

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in G O O D H E A LT H

Mixed Bag: Chaldeans fare better than Arabs JEREMY HULL in hepatitis study BY

here was good news and bad news for Chaldeans in a recent study on the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an incurable liver disease that is spread through contact with blood.

While their rate of the disease is slightly higher than the national average, Chaldeans are infected in much lower numbers than their Arab counterparts in Metro Detroit.

While more than 5 percent of Metro Detroit’s Arab population is infected with HCV, Chaldeans are at 2 percent.

The national average is 1.6 percent.

Conducted in May by the Arab American & Chaldean Council (ACC) along with Roche Pharmaceuticals, William Beaumont Hospital’s Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department and Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University, the “HCV Public Awareness & Education Project” tested 484 people in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties throughout a 12month period.

The study’s results, published in the journal “Gastroenterology,” revealed that 26 people tested positive for the virus, or 5.4 percent — triple the national average of 1.6 percent.

According to the ACC’s Monty Fakhouri, an estimated 156,000 to 260,000 Arabs and Chaldeans in the United States are infected with HCV. He noted that while it was startling to see high rates in such a small sampling, the study’s authors were also troubled by how unaware people were of their condition.

“Most of these people had the virus

T

44 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

and did not even know it,” he said.

While the prevalence of HCV among Chaldeans was relatively low at 2 percent, the ACC’s Dr. Evone Barkho cautions against dropping one’s guard against the virus. In 1999, the World Health Organization estimated that 170 million individuals were chronically infected with HCV worldwide, with at least 21.3 million HCV carriers in Eastern Mediterranean countries alone.

“I believe the rates [of HCV] are higher in Iraq because of the sanitation and lack of healthcare,” said Barkho. “I

than seven years, with nearly half being non-English speakers. Lacking the ability to communicate effectively, said Fakhouri, further exacerbates the ability of new immigrants to get tested for HCV and seek treatment for the virus.

“That so many of them are immigrants and newcomers, they are confined and limited to speaking Arabic,” he said.

The study was able to attract such a large segment of metro Detroit’s Chaldean and Arab population because it was heavily advertised through fliers, brochures, websites and

SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS C • 80 percent of people have no signs or symptoms • Jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea

LONG-TERM EFFECTS • • • •

Chronic infection: 55-85 percent of infected persons Chronic liver disease: 70 percent of chronically infected persons Deaths from chronic liver disease: 1-5 percent of infected persons may die Leading indication for liver transplant

SOURCE: NATIONAL CENTER FOR HIV/AIDS, VIRAL HEPATITIS, STD AND TB PREVENTION

am Chaldean and I came from Iraq. I practiced medicine there and I saw how blood was contaminated from using the same syringes.”

The majority who tested positive for HCV in the ACC study were Arabic females, between the ages of 40-59, had less than a high school education and no health insurance. All of the study participants were immigrants who had lived in the United States less

e-mail links. Barkho, however, is worried about the next step for many who tested positive.

“Reaching people to test was so easy,” she said, “but because a lot of people don’t have medical insurance, they are scared of what to do next for treatment.”

Among the ethnic groups who tested positive, the greatest majority were Egyptian males, which could be attrib-

uted to parenteral antischistosomal therapy, a treatment to combat a blood parasite that was given to many Egyptians from the 1920s to 1980s using unsterilized needles and syringes. Another significant factor, Fakhouri said, may involve a traditional tattoo given to specific members of the Egyptian population.

“The Egyptian Coptic people all tend to receive a tattoo in the shape of a cross, and that becomes the most likely mode of contaminated blood transmission,” he said. “Everything boils down to the proper sterilization of needles.”

In addition to using contaminated needles for medication injection or substance abuse, the study noted other risk factors for HCV, including shared personal hygiene such as two people using the same toothbrush or razor blade, as well as relying on folk remedies or untrained medical personnel to assist with healthcare procedures like circumcision or child delivery.

Fakhouri said that the large frequency of HCV among a small ethnic population calls for a wider scope.

“We want to use this as a stepping stone for a much larger health education campaign and to include physicians,” he said. “It would give us an absolute certainty of the prevalence of the population.”

To learn more about HCV testing or treatment and to receive bilingual assistance, contact the ACC at (248)559-1990, or visit the Hepatitis Foundation International at http://www.hepfi.org.

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AUGUST 2007

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the D O C T O R is in

KEEP

Too Hot to Handle: Preventing heat stroke

YOUR COOL

Sometimes being outdoors in the s we enter the dog days of August, keep the dangers of heat stroke in mind. Heat stroke can be fatal in many cases because it happens so quickly — there is not much time to react.

Heat exhaustion often occurs when people who are not well adjusted to heat stay in a hot, humid place. At high temperatures, the body cools itself largely through the evaporation of body fluids by sweating. But when it is very humid, this mechanism does not work properly.

When this is accompanied by an inadequate replacement of fluids, disturbances in the circulation may result that are similar to a mild form of shock.

Without rapid and correct treatment, people may develop a heat stroke – a life-threatening condition.

The cooling system, which is con-

A

with dizziness, confusion or delirium • Flushed, hot and dry skin • Possibly slightly elevated blood pressure at the outset, which falls later • Possibly hyperventilating

S U B S C R I B E !

Take Action!

If you suspect someone is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, take immediate action: RHONDA GUMMA, D.O. • Remove the person from the hot JASON GUMMA, D.O. environment • Remove excess clothing and drinking plenty of water, you will transfer to a shady area dehydrate and stop sweating.

• Apply ice packs Your brain often is not sensitive As with all other medical probenough when you need that much lems, a doctor should be called if you water. It has been said that by the are not sure what is wrong, if you do time you feel thirsty, you’re already not know what to do, if the person is dehydrated. So in the hot weather, not responding, or if their mental stayou have to keep drinking regardless tus begins to deteriorate. Symptoms of how thirsty you feel. of shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain may indicate that It has been said that by the time you feel thirsty, you’re the heat exhaustion is accompaalready dehydrated. So in the hot weather, you have to nied by more serious medical probkeep drinking water regardless of how thirsty you feel. lems.

Suspected heat stroke is a true, life-threatening trolled by the brain, has stopped What to Look Out For medical emergency that can cause working, and the internal temperaSymptoms of heat exhaustion permanent nerve, heart, liver or kidture (105 degrees F or higher) has include: ney problems. If suspected, go to the risen to the point where brain dam• Pale tone with cool, moist skin hospital or call an ambulance as soon age and damage to other internal • Sweating profusely as possible. organs may result. Infants and elder• Feeling faint or collapsing ly people are most likely to have this • Headache, weakness, thirst and Jason D. Gumma, D.O., problem. nausea is an Emergency Medicine Resident Sweat works really well as long as • An elevated temperature — usually through Providence Health System in there is plenty of water in your body more than 100 degrees F — and in Garden City. Rhonda A. Gumma, — it takes water to manufacture increased pulse rate D.O., is a Family Practice Resident sweat. If you run out of water, sweat Heat stroke signs include: through Providence Health System in stops and your body rapidly over• Becoming unconscious or having a Southfield. The couple resides in heats. It is actually extremely easy to markedly abnormal mental status Commerce Township. run out of water, so unless you are

steamy weather is simply unavoidable. Take these steps to protect your health: • Drink more water, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, as these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour.

• Try to rest often in shady areas.

• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen.

• If at all possible, stay indoors in air-conditioning. If your home does not have it, go to a shopping mall or public library — even a few hours spent in air-conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

Other tips include using electric fans, taking a cool shower or bath and wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Never leave anyone – person or animal — in a closed, parked vehicle.

12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION: $20 (MICHIGAN) $30 (OUT OF STATE)

I wish to subscribe to the Chaldean News for 12 issues Please fill in your name and address below: Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________ State _____ Zip _____________________ Phone ______________________________ E-mail _____________________________ PLEASE MAIL THE FORM, WITH A CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO: THE CHALDEAN NEWS ATTN: SUBSCRIPTIONS 26555 EVERGREEN, SUITE 250, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 PHONE: 248-355-4850 WEB: WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM

AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 47

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event

1

2

3

4

first holy communion PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS

There were two masses on July 21 to accommodate the many children who made their First Holy Communion at St. George Chaldean Catholic Church in Shelby Township.

8

6

7

10 48 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

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1. Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim presided over the ceremony.

2. Receiving the sacrament.

3. “Hands together children!”

4. Everyone was on their best behavior.

5. Noor Youkhana, 10, gives a hug to Sister Treiza Yako.

6. Hands and hearts open to God. 7. The Hailo sisters: Sarah, 11, Rebekah, 10, and Hannah, 9.

8. Raid and May Badi with children Dillon, 10, and Devin, 8.

9. Linda Abdaal and Timra Toma, 10.

10. The weather cooperated beautifully.

11. Krystal Hamama, 10, shares her joy with Anthony Dickow, 4.

See more photos on our website, www.chaldeannews.com

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event

1

2

3

rally for peace in iraq PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

4 6

52 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

5 7

Some 1,200 people gathered at the Southfield Civic Center on June 30 to rally for peace and to draw attention to the plight of Christians in Iraq. The event was covered on the local news stations and newspapers.

1. The crowd was estimated at more than 1,200.

2. Ghasaq Misho carries the cross as a crowd follows 3. Azhar Mate shows a picture of Fr. Ragheed Ganni.

His recent murder, along with three deacons, has mobilized Iraqi Christians around the world.

4. Ahiam Zaytoona holds a picture of her brother, Faris, who was killed in Iraq.

5. Jessica Zaitona (left), Rebecca Isho and Sara Yalda 6. Matthew Kakos, holding the Iraqi flag, gets a lift from his uncle, Martin Israeel.

7. Dhai Babbie See more photos on our website, www.chaldeannews.com

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AUGUST 2007

CHALDEAN NEWS 53

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AUGUST 2007

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event

1

2

3

4

ChadoAssyrian Syriac Festival

10

11

PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS

The crowds converged on Warren’s Halmich Park on July 22 to celebrate their Iraqi Christians culture with a day of food, friendship and fun.

12 56 CHALDEAN NEWS

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5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1. Dancing in unison.

2. Elissa Yahya, 4 gets her face painted to mom Mona Yahya’s delight.

3. Warren Police officers M. Milne and S. Showers chat with David Enwyia.

4. Ali El-Khatib, Maysoun Sweis, Bobby Yono and Tommy Yono.

5. Rita Hanna gives her son Angelo, 5, an assist.

6. David Macco, 10.

7. Athir Nagara has his hands full with 3-year-olds Even Nagara and Leone Namo.

8. Ramsin Khoshaba and Romario Georges 9. Warren Mayoral Candidate Richard Sulaka and Kathy Vogt, who is running for Warren City Council.

10. Sue Mancuso of Guardian Angel Home Care.

11. Richard Sulaka, Jr., Michael Sulaka and Derel Bahri.

12. Robert Cohen of the Jewish Community Relations Council See more photos on our website, www.chaldeannews.com

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event

1

arab & chaldean festival PHOTOS BY DAVID REED

2

Hart Plaza in Detroit was the setting for the 36th annual Arab & Chaldean Festival on July 21-22.

Food, dances, cultural exhibits, a fashion show and a children’s fair were among the many activities.

3

1. The Habibi Dancers from Lansing 2. Miss Chaldean Chanell Hana 3. People came from all walks of life 4. The man behind the festival, Dr. Jacob Mansour 5. Festival Chair Noor Allos dances with Zak Essak 6. The crowd gets into the spirit View more pictures on our website, www.chaldeannews.com.

58 CHALDEAN NEWS

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Home has 4 bedrooms, library, living room, dining room, plus 3 full baths & 2 half bath. $1,299,000 (248) 882-9600 CUSTOM BUILT HOME ON UNION LAKE IN WEST BLOOMFIELD 79 ft on the water. Little over 5,000 sq ft. 4 BR, 5 baths, swimming pool, private drive, 3 1/2 car garage. W.B. schools. Many extras! Call 248-755-3739 60 CHALDEAN NEWS

AUGUST 2007

MR. KABOB RESTAURANT seeking full- or part-time hands-on managers. Must have restaurant experience. Please apply in person at Berkley store: 3372 Coolidge.

248-545-8000.

BAKER NEEDED For a market in Sterling Heights.

Must be experienced in Easternstyle bread, meat pies and cheese pies. Call (586) 264 1321.

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

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FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS PAY 6% ROYAL OAK BEER & WINE STORE • Free Standing Store with Lotto & ATM • Completely Re-Furbished with all New Equipment & Coolers • Real Estate is Included in Package Price For More Information: Please call Rob Hibbert (248) 848-4133 34975 W Twelve Mile Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48331 www.friedmanrealestate.com

RETAIL WOMEN’S APPAREL SPECIALTY STORE Prime Bloomfield Hills address.

Same location last 10 years.

Beautiful store in stable location with consistent sales and profitability. Highly recognized name in metro Detroit last 24 years.

Substantial customer following with matching computerized mailing list. Lease expiring.

Turnkey business with training.

Contact Mark at 248-877-2298

HOMESOURCE, REALTORS

®

WEST BLOOMFIELD

WEST BLOOMFIELD

COMMERCE TWP

ENTERTAINER’S DREAM ON 1 GORGEOUS ACRE Custom 4-6BR 5500+ SF home w/ new granite cooks kitchen incl 3 ovens, 8 burners, Sub-Zero & more. Soaring ceilings, wood floors, master retreat w/ spasteam-sauna, WIC in all BRs, billiard room or home theater, too much to list...A must-see!

DON’T BE SHY, MAKE AN OFFER $850,000 ID#2683

ALL DECKED OUT Custom granite kitchen feat built-in appliances, huge family room w/ ornate moldings & built-ins, den, 2-story foyer, formal LR open to DR, hardwood floors, 2 powder rooms on main level, finished bsmt, giant owner’s suite w/ granite vanity & jetted tub. 5BR 2 full & 3 half baths.

REDUCED $50,000! $499,900 ID#2379

GORGEOUS CONDO 1st floor master, largest plan in the complex with brand new maple, stainless & granite kitchen, wood floors, soaring ceilings, finished walkout bsmt backs to nature area w/ 4th full bath, private den w/ bay window, DON’T BE SHY MAKE AN OFFER! $269,900 ID#3657

BLOOMFIELD TWP.

CASS LAKE

LOWER STRAITS LAKE

PRIME 1 ACRE LOT, BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS Beautiful 4BR 2½BA brick ranch w/ gorgeous hardwood floors & new moldings, excellent floor plan w/ living/dining/family room + 3-season room & giant paver patio. Tons of updates, movein ready. REDUCED OVER $40,000! $459,900 ID#3663

PRIME 85’ OF SUNNY SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. Move right in, remodel or start over...the choice is yours. Quiet dead-end street, beautiful neighborhood with no shacks.

3-4BR 3BA 2656 SF current home needs some cosmetic updates but is very livable.

DON’T BE SHY, MAKE AN OFFER $1,000,000 ID#3674

114’ OF ALL-SPORTS LAKE FRONTAGE Gorgeous newer home w/ open floor plan, soaring ceilings and every living space overlooking the water. Granite kitchen, romantic master retreat, quiet deadend street.

Shows like a model. PRICE DROP ALERT! BRING ALL OFFER S $675,000 ID#3677

1-800-NEXT-HOME 248-354-1400 teamhomesource.com

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CONCEPTS IN NEON & SIGNS 313.389.6366

1 9 3 5 0 M E G I N N I T Y • M E LV I N DA L E , M I 4 8 1 2 2

www.conceptsinneon.com

ADVERTISE

FOR AS LITTLE AS $75 IN OUR NEW BUSINESS DIRECTORY SECTION! To place your ad, contact us today!

ALL KINDS OF SIGNS SALES, SERVICE & NEON

PHONE: 248-355-4850 26555 EVERGREEN • STE 250 • SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076

www.chaldeannews.com

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Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers

S.E. Michigan Holiday Beverage Show

Tues. & Wed., September 25 & 26, 2007

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62 CHALDEAN NEWS

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