JANUARY 2019

VOL. 15 ISSUE XII 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY JANUARY 2019 

$ 

3 

www.chaldeannews.com 

IT’S LEGAL: 

NOW WHAT? 

MEASURING THE 

AFTERMATH OF 

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MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN 

INSIDE 

A CONVERSATION ABOUT 

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JANUARY 2019 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS JANUARY 2019

CONTENTS JANUARY 2019 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 12 ISSUE XII 

21 

22 

16 

departments 

6 FROM THE EDITOR 

BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO 

Not knowing is a scary place to be 

7 IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS 

BY MICHAEL SARAFA 

8 NOTEWORTHY 

10 CHAI TIME 

12 ECRC CORNER 

14 OBITUARIES 

26 ONE-ON-ONE 


A conversation about religious freedoms 

28 DOCTOR IS IN 

BY JOHNATHON MARKUS 

Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis 

30 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE 

BY ASHOURINA SLEWO 

A taste of Mediterranean in Detroit 

34 CHALDEAN ON THE STREET 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

New Year’s resolutions 

on the cover 

16 IT’S LEGAL: NOW WHAT? 


Measuring the aftermath of the legalization 

of recreational marijuana in Michigan 

features 

19 SECOND IN CHARGE 

AT THE CHAMBER 

BY STEPHEN JONES 

Real estate attorney Paul Jonna takes over as COO 

of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce 

20 SENIOR LIVING 


New apartment complex opening next to Holy Martyrs 

21 HUNGRY FOR HEALTH OR HAREESA? 

YOU DON’T HAVE TO COMPROMISE 

BY HEATHER ELIA 

22 MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS 

BRING FOCUS, DISCIPLINE 

TO SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 

BY PAUL NATINSKY 

24 INFERTILITY: BREAKING THE STIGMA 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

25 100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

ABOUT CHALDEANS 



from the EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Vanessa Denha Garmo 

MANAGING EDITORS 

Denha Media Group Writers 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Ashourina Slewo 

Halim Sheena 

Paul Natinsky 

Bianca Kasawdish 

Stephen Jones 

Heather Elia 

Johnathon Markus 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

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OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

Martin Manna 

CLASSIFIEDS 

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SALES 


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MANAGERS 

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Michael Sarafa 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 PER YEAR 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS 

30095 NORTHWESTERN HWY, SUITE 101 

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM 

PHONE: (248) 851-8600 

Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published 

monthly; Issue Date: January 2019 Subscriptions: 

12 months, $25. Publication Address: 30095 

Northwestern Hwy., Suite 101, Farmington Hills, 

MI 48334; Application to Mail at Periodicals 

Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post 

Office Postmaster: Send address changes to 

“The Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

Not knowing is a scary place to be 

I 

didn’t realize a law could pass and still be confusing 

even to law enforcement until I read 

the recreational marijuana ballot proposal. 

My head was spinning just writing this month’s 

cover story. It’s legal yet, ambiguous; no one is 

certain exactly how to interpret or enforce it. 

At least that is what I discovered in my interviews. 

It is scary because you are dealing with a 

substance that can alter brain development and 

cognitive function. 

There are the supporters and non-supporters 

of the law. We attempted to cover as many angles 

to the story as possible. We looked at it from a legal 

perspective, religious perspective, community 

perspective and business perspective as the law impacts 

various people and organizations. We wanted to understand 

– now that it is legal – what does it mean? 

As a mother and an aunt, I am 

most concerned about the youth 

and the long-term effects on 

them if they use it while their 

brains are still developing. 

After all my interviews, I ended up with a 5,000-word 

article which was ultimately edited down but is still quite 

long; I assure you it’s worth the read. If nothing else, I 

discovered that all of us in some way or another could be 

affected by recreational marijuana becoming legal. 

As a mother and an aunt, I am most concerned about 

the youth and the long-term effects on them if they use it 

while their brains are still developing. 

I am a supporter of medical marijuana. I do believe 

there are valid applications and positive results but I also 

support scientific research of it and proper administration 

of the substance. After all, it is a drug whether it is derived 

from nature or not. 

Just like it took about 10 years to tweak the medical 

VANESSA 

DENHA-GARMO 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

CO-PUBLISHER 

marijuana laws, it may take the same time or 

even longer to solidify recreational marijuana. 

There are still many unknowns at this point. 

We don’t know what we don’t know. That is 

a scary place to be. 

I get the issues raised by law enforcement, 

health professionals and educators. They are 

valid and should be addressed. 

There are many uncertainties in life. When 

something is out of your control, you have to 

take a leap of faith in God that all will turn out 

okay or even better than you hoped. 

However, it’s frustrating to know that there 

could have been some kind of control over this 

law but our leaders failed to do the right thing or that is 

what appears happened in Lansing. The legislature didn’t 

take on the marijuana issue and instead they let the people 

decide and now we ended up with a confusing law. 

We don’t know what we don’t know. As time passes, 

I can only surmise things will come up regarding marijuana 

that have to be addressed after the fact. We will be 

scratching our heads saying, “Oh, we didn’t know!” 

Obviously, marijuana is not the only story worth telling 

this month but it an important one. No doubt each of 

us know someone with a grow house or dispensary. I am 

near certain that this will be a topic of discussion in our 

community for years to come. 

What does this new law really mean? We don’t really 

know. How will it affect our families? We don’t know. What 

will the long-term consequences be? We don’t know. 

And what we don’t know, could harm us. It truly is a 

scary place to be. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vanessa@denhamedia.com 

Follow her on Twitter @vanessadenha 

Follow Chaldean News on Twitter @chaldeannews 

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it’s the LITTLE THINGS 

MICHAEL G. 

SARAFA 

SPECIAL TO THE 

CHALDEAN NEWS 

This past December 

5, mid-morning, 

I made sure my 

schedule was cleared. I 

was intent to watch on 

TV what was sure to be 

a historic occasion—the 

memorial service for President 

George H.W. Bush at 

the Washington National 

Cathedral. It did not disappoint. 

The service was precise, 

elegant and grand but still very 

moving. The eulogists included former 

U.S. Senator Alan Simpson, 

John Meacham, the senior Bush’s 

biographer, former Canadian Prime 

Minister Brian Mulroney and, of 

course, President George W. Bush. 

I was coming of political age during 

the presidency of H.W. Bush. To 

listen to stories from that era was 

fascinating. They included small and 

funny anecdotes as well as epic international 

events. It was the elder 

Bush who presided over the fall of 

the Berlin Wall as the leader of the 

free world. To hear the former Canadian 

Prime Minister talk of 

that era was a reminder of 

a by-gone era of political 

leadership. The leaders of 

the western world included 

President Francois Mitterand 

of France, Chancellor 

Helmut Kohl of 

Germany, and Prime Minister 

Margaret Thatcher of 

Great Britain. With Presidents 

Ronald Raegan and 

his successor George H.W. 

Bush, they stood down the Soviet 

Empire and finessed the reunification 

of Germany, closing the 20th century 

in epic fashion. 

President George H.W Bush’s 

right-hand man and best friend during 

those times, prior to them and 

ever since was James A. Baker. Baker 

was Secretary of State in the Bush 

presidency but was present with the 

elder Bush since the two men were 

in their 30s. It was the preacher’s eulogy 

that Wednesday afternoon that 

caught my attention. 

On the morning before President 

Bush passed away, he had been 

mostly unconscious. But his old 

friend Jim Baker came by the hospital 

as he had done almost every day 

during the last week. President Bush 

perked up. “Where are we going, 

Bake’s,” H.W. asked. 

“We’re going to heaven Mr. President,” 

Baker replied. 

“That’s where I want to go,” Bush 

responded. 

With President Bush barely conscious 

throughout the remainder of 

the day, Baker stood at the foot of 

his bed rubbing his feet. This was 

not a mother and child. It was not a 

husband and wife. One was the Ambassador 

to China and to the United 

Nations and Director of the CIA. He 

went on to become Vice President 

of the United States for eight years 

and President for four. The other was 

Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff and 

Treasury Secretary and one of the 

most successful Secretaries of State 

in modern times. 

But there he was, rubbing the former 

President’s feet on his death bed. 

It was a little thing. 

I was coming of political age during the 

presidency of H.W. Bush. To listen to stories 

from that era was fascinating. They included 

small and funny anecdotes as well as epic 

international events. 

But it was a powerful gesture of 

compassion; a true moment of tenderness; 

and a simple act of genuine 

love between two buddies in the twilight 

of their lives. 

Even amongst two political giants 

of their time, it’s the little things that 

matter in the end. 


noteworthy 

A Priestly Ordination 

Fr. Daniel Shaba and Fr. Peter Patros 

are the newest priests at the Chaldean 

Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter 

the Apostle of San Diego. Fr. Daniel 

and Fr. Peter were ordained alongside 

each other on December 19. 

People’s Choice Winner 

Maysoun Y. Seman, who’s faith inspired artwork graced our cover last month has 

been named People’s Choice Winner for her mixed media artwork titled “Mary and 

Elizabeth – The Visitation” in the Seventh Juried Catholic Arts Exhibition, part of 

a multimedia show of religious-themed art at The Saint Vincent Gallery at Saint 

Vincent College. This award is based solely on ballots cast by visitors to the exhibition 

during its month-long run. 

A total of 44 works by artists from 17 states and three countries were included 

in the unique exhibition where artists worked in mixed media, stainless steel, oil, 

acrylic, photography, watercolor, cast stone, plaster, fabric and others. 

Patrick Tomina 

Saad Abbo 

Eman Jajonie-Daman 

Nahid Elyas, M.D. 

New Board of 

Directors Elected 

The Chaldean American Chamber 

of Commerce hosted their annual 

board elections on Wednesday, 

November 14 at the Shenandoah 

Country Club. This year, 15 chamber 

members ran to fill the seven open 

seats. About 200 members attended 

the event to vote for their next board 

of directors. 

2019 CACC/CCF Board of Directors 

Executive Board 

Chairman: 

Sylvester Sandiha 

Executive Vice Chairman: 

Patrick Tomina 

Vice Chairman: 

Michael Sarafa 

Treasurer: 

Saad Abbo 

Secretary: 

Eman Jajonie-Daman 

Executive Committee Members: 

Nahid Elyas, M.D. 

Joe Hurshe 

Jason Najor 

CACC Directors 

Jason Abro 

Ron Babbie 

Salam Elia 

Caldin Konja 

Michael Romaya 

Anthony Toma 


CHALDEAN 

AMERICAN 

CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE 

BUILDING BUSINESS, COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIPS! 

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce is comprised of 

more than 950 members, representing nearly 4,000 businesses. 

Chaldeans 

contribute 

nearly 

$ 

11 

billion 

annually to 

Michigan’s 

economy* 

20,000+ 

BUSINESSES OWNED IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 

CHALDEANS ARE 

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OF CHALDEAN 

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OWN ONE 

BUSINESS 

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OWN TWO 

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METRO-DETROIT IS HOME TO 

160,000 CHALDEANS 

NEARLY 

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NON-CHALDEAN 

THE CHAMBER 

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MAJOR CONCENTRATION OF INDUSTRIES 

Our members represent a wide range of industries including: 

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FOOD & BEVERAGE 

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GET INVOLVED. GET CONNECTED. GET BUSINESS. 

30095 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY, SUITE 101. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 • 248-851-1200

CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT JANUARY 2019 

Wednesday, January 9 

Fox on the Fairway: “A Fox on the 

Fairway is a charmingly madcap adventure 

about love, life, and man’s 

eternal love affair with … golf.” Running 

from Wednesday, January 9 

through Sunday, February 3, the 

show takes audiences on a hilarious 

romp, which “pulls the rug out from 

underneath the stuffy denizens of a 

private country club.” A Fox on the 

Fairway” is a tribute from Ken Ludwig 

to the great English farces of the 

1930s and 1940s filled with mistaken 

identities, slamming doors, and over 

the top romantic shenanigans. A Fox 

on the Fairway will be shown at the 

Meadow Brook Theatre, Michigan’s 

largest producing theater located on 

the campus of Oakland University. To 

purchase tickets, call 248-377-3300 

or go online to www.ticketmaster.com 

and one guest. Hors d’oeuvres and 

refreshments will be available for 

guests to enjoy. The food and refreshments 

will be featuring a taste of Birmingham 

from local area restaurants. 

For more information about the Quarterly 

Networking Meeting, or to register, 

please email skittle@chaldeanchamber.com 

or register online at 

https://www.chaldeanchamber.com/ 

event/quarterly-networking-meeting/ 

Friday, January 18 

AutoGlow: All are invited to Dream 

Big at the 2019 AutoGlow Friday, January 

18 at Ford Field in Detroit. Benefiting 

the Children’s Center, the night 

to step out is complete with a strolling 

dinner, drinks, and dancing all to help 

the children dream again. Dream Big 

at the AutoGlow, presented by Ford 

Motor Company, will benefit more 

than 7,500 vulnerable children and 

families that the Children’s Center 

supports and helps those children and 

families overcome behavioral, emotional, 

educational, and physical challenges 

so they can heal, grow, and 

dream again. For more information 

or to purchase tickets to this event, 

please call 313-262-1085 or visit 

www.thechildrenscenter.com/autoglow 

stop. Where available, will be taken 

on a guided brewery tour. Everything 

is included in the ticket price. For 

more information about the Meadery 

Bus Tour, call (248) 825-3085 or email 

info@MotorCityBrewTours.com 

Friday, January 25 

Ann Arbor Folk Festival: Get ready 

to find your folk! The annual Ann Arbor 

Folk Festival, a fundraiser for The 

Ark, returns to University of Michigan’s 

Hill Auditorium for two different 

nights of folk and roots music 

on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, 

January 26. The Ark is Michigan’s 

nonprofit home for folk and roots 

music. “Considered one of the top 

music clubs in the world, The Ark is 

renowned for the quality and breadth 

of its programming. The Ark is an 

intimate 400-seat club presenting 

performers ranging from young upand-comers 

to classic figures of the 

folk genre.” For more information 

about the annual Ann Arbor Folk 

Festival or to purchase tickets, visit 

www.theark.org/shows-events/ 

events-workshops/folk-festival 


Pitch Club: Pitch club is a mentoring and 

funding program hosted across the state 

of Michigan. According to their website, 

Pitch Club “has ongoing monthly events 

that provide entrepreneurs the opportunity 

to learn from seasoned entrepreneurs 

and investors. The events are meant to 

educate, network, inspire and provide 

valuable experiences for being investable. 

As part of the events, 3 lucky entrepreneurs 

will receive the opportunity to 

practice their pitch and discuss business 

plan with funding experts, giving them a 

better understanding the mindset of an 

investor. Presenters will be given milestones 

to complete. In addition to guidance 

from our host and guest experts, 

attendees will be given a survey to provide 

additional feedback to the presenters. 

Pitch club will also feature a guest 

keynote who can speak on topics related 

to starting a company, technology, and 

opportunities for entrepreneurs.” This 

Pitch Club event will be hosted Wednesday, 

January 30 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

at Bamboo Detroit. You can find more 

information about Pitch Club by visiting, 

www.PitchClubMI.com 

Monday, January 14 

North American International Auto 

Show Gallery: 2019 marks the thirteenth 

year of the ultra-luxury automotive 

event, The Gallery. This event has 

now become the official kick-off to the 

North American International Auto 

Show. The Gallery will be located at 

MGM Grand Detroit. Guests will experience 

a nearly $10 million collection 

of the most acclaimed automobiles 

the world has to offer, including 

brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, 

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche 

and Rolls Royce, to name just a few. 

The strolling dinner will be available 

form 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and the Car 

Salon will be available form 8:00 to 

11:00 p.m. For more information, or 

to purchase tickets, visit https://naias.com/auto-show/the-gallery/ 


Quarterly Networking Meeting: Join 

the Chaldean American Chamber of 

Commerce for their first Quarterly 

Networking Meeting of the new year! 

The “Fun After 5: Quarterly Networking 

Meeting” will be hosted at the 

Bank of Ann Arbor in Birmingham 

from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This complimentary 

event is open to members 

Saturday, January 19 

Quicken Loans Winter Blast: Experience 

winter in Detroit like you never 

have before with Quicken Loans Winter 

Blast weekends! The traditional 

Winter Blast event has expanded to 

four festival weekends at Campus Martius 

Park in Downtown Detroit. Quicken 

Loans Winter Blast weekends will 

feature winter activities, live entertainment, 

and food from local restaurants 

for the whole family to enjoy. Traditional 

Winter Blast activities will be divided 

up among the four different weekends, 

with many activities appearing during 

each Quicken Loans Winter Blast 

weekend. A deviation from tradition, 

this year, admission to Winter Blast 

weekend is free. For more information 

about Winter Blast weekends, visit 

www.winterblast.com/ 

Saturday, January 19 

Meadery Bus Tour: Join the Motor 

City Brew Tours for their Meadery 

Bus Tour on Saturday, January 

19 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The bus 

tour will take you to three meaderies 

in the metro Detroit area including: B. 

Nektar Meadery, Schramm’s Mead in 

Ferndale, and Cellarmen’s in Hazel 

Park. Tickets for the brew tour are 

priced at $55, participants must be 21 

years or older. The tour ticket includes 

a guided tour, a free Motor City Brew 

Tours gift, water/snacks on the bus, 

and mead samples at each meadery 

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ECRC corner 

New Year’s resolution for Catholics 

BY JEFF KASSAB 

JEFF KASSAB 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

Wow, January 2019 

– time again to 

make those New 

Year’s resolutions and probably 

for many of us, these are 

top on your list: lose weight, 

do better financially, take 

more vacations, get a better 

job, get organized, and 

spend more time with family. 

I’m sure all of us have 

had one of those on our list 

and in reality, how long do 

we really keep them (if we even start 

them at all)? 

If you’re the type of person that 

has a hard time keeping these typical 

New Year’s resolutions, how about 

trying something new this year? How 

about making resolutions that will 

make you become a better Catholic 

in 2019? If we try to become better 

Catholics, in return we will become 

better individuals and be able to 

grow in our faith in this upcoming 

year. Surprisingly, none of these on 

this list are difficult at all. Let’s take a 

look at them. 

Since our smart phone is at our 

hip or in our hands 24/7, this is the 

best place to start. Download Catholic 

apps such as prayer, 

Catholic radio stations, 

Bibles, church locations 

for mass times, Catholic 

podcasts that talk about 

the faith, etc. Keep theses 

apps on the first page of 

your phone, maybe in one 

folder so you can easily access 

them and in your spare 

time you can make use of 

those apps to learn more 

about your faith. 

Once you’ve downloaded the app 

that tells you what time masses are, 

you can start attending one extra 

mass during the week; you will be 

surprised how many churches offer 

masses before you go to work. Shrine 

of the Little Flower has 6:00 am daily 

mass followed by confession every 

day. Our Chaldean Churches and 

ECRC all offer daily masses. You 

will receive many graces and blessings 

just by doing that one thing. 

Consider going to confession 

once a month. Yes, I know it’s difficult 

to go to confession, but once you 

start going, maybe once a month and 

you notice you are committing less 

and less mortal sins, you will want to 

keep going to keep your soul clean 

and in good standing with God. 

Almost every parish and ECRC 

offer some type of bible study or faith 

class. Attend one and read your bible 

daily. The bible is the word of God 

and it is alive and active in our lives 

Almost every parish 

and ECRC offer some 

type of bible study or 

faith class. 

today, but you must allow the word 

of God to be active in your life. Read 

it and live it. 

Daily prayer is a must and the 

best way to pray is the daily rosary. 

The prayer of the rosary is the most 

asked for in the Message of Fatima. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary requested 

in all of her six apparitions to pray 

the rosary every day. Every pope and 

saint in the Catholic church had a 

devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary 

and the rosary. We must remember 

that our ultimate worship and praise 

is to God and God alone, but the 

Mother of Jesus, the second person 

of the blessed Trinity will lead us to 

her son if we are lost. 

If you are like most Catholics and 

only go to church on Sundays just to 

fulfill your obligation, you are missing 

out on many beautiful teachings 

of the faith. Read a book about the 

faith, or the Catechism of the Catholic 

Church, books by popes or saints, 

anything that will help become a 

better Catholic. Go on Amazon and 

type in “Catholic books” and you 

will find many books about the faith 

for a reasonable price. Once you start 

reading about the faith, you will not 

want to stop. 

Find a Patron Saint and learn 

about their lives. Saints are a valuable 

resource to us that have been 

given to us by God. They can help 

you in many aspects of your life. We 

are able to relate to the Saints because 

many of them lived lives like 

ours and were able to achieve heaven 

as we can also achieve heaven. They 

give us hope in Christ. 

Finally, I want to share with you 

something that changed my life forever; 

Eucharistic Adoration. I started 

with 15 minutes a week and fell in 

love with being in the presence of 

our Lord. It did not take me long to 

work up to an hour a week to 3-4 days 

a week. Jesus is waiting there for us to 

come pour out our hearts to him. To 

praise and adore him as did the Magi 

when he was just a baby. Jesus wants 

us to spend at least an hour with him 

a week “So, could you not watch 

with me one hour?” (Mt 26:40). For 

me, the best part of my week besides 

mass is holy hour. Find a chapel near 

you that is open 24 hours and go and 

spend some time with Jesus. 

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

we all want to become better people 

and do better things in life, but it all 

must start with God. He sent us his 

son because He loves us. “For God 

so loved the world that he gave his 

only-begotten Son, that whoever believes 

in him should not perish but 

have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus 

is alive, make him a part of this amazing 

year that is coming up in your 

lives, get to know him, love him, 

pray to him, follow him, but most of 

all let him be the center of your life 

in 2019. 

Jeff Kassab has a BA in Pastoral 

Theology and is on the board of the 

Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization 

Center (ECRC). 


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obituaries 

RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

Issa Mekha Alsafar 

July 1, 1927 – 

December 18, 2018 

Mamosh 

Dawood Yono 

December 01, 1930 - 


Salim Asofi Romaya 

October 6, 1928 – 


Zehoura Sesi Mekani 

February 01, 1937 - 


Sabiha Al Khori 

July 01, 1923 - 


Hani Behnam Elias 

January 28, 1940 - 


Thaerah 

Yaqoob Hakeem 



Marjo Balaky 

July 01, 1939 - 


Shamoon Tomka 

July 01, 1934 - 


Neman (Norman) 

Munther Kashat 

May 25, 1970 - 


Ameera Hanna 

Kiminaia 

May 05, 1933 - 


Samir Hallak 

September 01, 1947 - 


Ameera Al-Katib 

July 01, 1936 - 


Manahil Bashi 

April 02, 1964 - 


Mari Nazi 


Basel Abed Danno 

July 01, 1945 - 


Alyas Ablahad 

Janawer 

July 01, 1927 - 


Joulet Dallo Shamoon 

July 01, 1933 - 


Franko Jajow Issac 

June 14, 1997 - 


Yelda Zaia Jarbou 

July 01, 1934 - 

November 30, 2018 

Violet Elias Shaoni 

July 01, 1930 - 


Samer Fakhoury 

July 06, 1971 - 


Talal Stephen 

May 08, 1944 - 


Najy Al - Tummo 

July 01, 1957 - 


Sami Dano 

March 05, 1939 - 


Layla Marogi Asmar 



Mahir Jaberoo 

April 06, 1990 - 


Julie George Bally 

July 01, 1929 - 


George Arabo 

October 20, 1949 - 


Rami Kakos 

May 20, 1958 - 


Saisil Yaqoob 


Dalaly Shango Yono 

July 01, 1926 - 


Catherine 

Florence Jaboro 

November 10, 1937 - 


Samira Ansara 

January 01, 1936 - 


Keti Gorial 

June 01, 1930 - 



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It’s legal: 

now what? 

Measuring the aftermath of the legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan 


Marijuana is big business and 

it was long before the law 

passed to legalize it on a 

recreational basis. On December 6, 

Michigan became a green state, making 

it the 10th state in the nation to 

legalize marijuana for adult recreational 

use. Even before Michigan’s 

recreational marijuana law went into 

effect, grow houses, dispensaries and 

medical marijuana licenses existed. 

The law is officially known as the 

Michigan Regulation and Taxation 

of Marijuana Act. 

In 2008, the Michigan Compassionate 

Care Initiative, establishing 

a medical cannabis program for 

serious and terminally ill patients, 

was approved by the House but not 

acted upon, and defaulted to a public 

initiative on the November ballot. 

“Prop 1” was approved by 63 percent 

of voters, making Michigan the 13th 

state to legalize medical cannabis. 

With the passage of proposal 1, 

it is not legal for anyone 21 years or 

older to grow, consume, and possess 

marijuana, but not purchase or sell it; 

only those with medical marijuana 

cards can buy more. 

The same goes for growing. If you 

already have plants in your house, 

they are legal to grow and harvest 

for your own use. But buying marijuana 

plants or selling the marijuana 

that you grow is still illegal. It seems 

confusing and it is to many people 

including law enforcement. 

So, it’s now legal but what does 

that really mean? That depends on 

who you ask. 

The Legal Perspective 

This law was decided by a vote of the 

people and right now there is a transitional 

period. “The state has one 

year to come up with the regulatory 

framework for sales of recreational 

marijuana,” said Mike M. Bahoura, 

principal attorney of Bahoura Law 

Group, located in Troy, MI. The firm 

practices almost exclusively in cannabis 

licensing. 

“However, we do know that for 

the first two years after the state 

begins accepting applications for 

recreational sales, only those who 

have been approved to sell medicinal 

marijuana will be allowed to apply to 

sell recreational,” said Bahoura. “In 

other words, if you want to sell recreational 

marijuana in the next couple 

of years, you need to be approved for 

medical marijuana sales first.” 

Law enforcement would agree 

that the law is not yet clear. “We 

as police, don’t decide the laws, we 

enforce them,” said West Bloomfield 

Police Chief Michael Patton. 

“Just because it is legal doesn’t mean 

someone can walk down the street 

on Orchard Lake Road smoking 

marijuana. The medical marijuana 

law was decided 10 years ago and it 

took about ten years for that law to 

be tweaked.” 

Police officers must look at this 

from various angles, including from a 

motor vehicle violation perspective. 

For example, will impaired driving 

be treated similarly to alcohol regulations? 

“God bless America for ballot 

initiatives but there are issues dangling 

and unresolved,” said Patton. 

“The ballot initiative says zero tolerance 

offense yet we are getting 

conflicting reports on what is probable 

cause to arrest.” 

Police are looking at the need for 

a motor vehicle code for marijuana 

use. “If this was done at a legislative 

level, they would have heard these 

issues come up but the legislature 

didn’t want to listen and it became 

a ballot initiative and now these issues 

are coming up after the vote. 

We have unanswered questions and 

issues in limbo.” 

The language on the ballot initiative 

is ambiguous and conflicting. 

“You can’t consume Marijuana 

in public, it reads,” noted the Chief. 

“What does consume mean? Does 

that including smoking or eating a 

brownie with marijuana in it?” 

Under the new law, one can carry 

up to 2.5 ounces as long as they’re 

not at a K-12 school or on federal 

property. In your own home, you can 

store up to 10 ounces and grow up to 

12 plants. 

Chief Patton continued pointing 

out the confusion with the law and 

the issues that are unresolved. “Unless 

the legislature weighs in more, 


we will continue to have unworkable 

parts, too many loop holes,” he said. 

Each city will have the option of 

allowing recreational sales, as they 

do now with medicinal sales. “We 

are hopeful that those municipalities 

who are friendly to cannabis businesses 

will opt-in for recreational 

sales and allow existing provisioning 

centers – commonly referred to as 

dispensaries - to also sell recreational 

marijuana,” said Bahoura. “For the 

Chaldean community members (and 

others) who have been approved for 

medicinal sales, this expands their 

potential customer base from only 

those who have a medical marijuana 

card to anyone who is 21 years or 

older. And so, the economic ramifications 

are significant.” 

The township of West Bloomfield 

has opted out in terms of allowing 

businesses to operate Marijuana 

shops. “We looked at Colorado and 

65 percent of their municipalities 

have opted out,” noted Chief Patton. 

“Although people can share what 

they grow with family and friends, 

how do we regulate or know if they 

are selling it or bartering it?” 

There seems to be a thought 

among cities that if they do not optout 

of recreational sales, then they 

have opted-in by default, however, 

that is not accurate. “A cannabis 

business cannot simply open up shop 

in a city because that city hasn’t officially 

opted-out,” said Bahoura. 

“There are still potential criminal 

issues for selling marijuana without 

the proper licensing. Each municipality 

has the option to opt-in or 

opt-out for medical and recreational 

marijuana. For the municipalities 

that decide to opt-in, the state has 

given them full control over how 

many of each type of license.” 

Chief Patton warns there is no 

quality assurance with the products. 

There are no regulations. This is a major 

concern considering the drug overdoses 

on the rise in the country. “There 

is no one regulating what is actually in 

the marijuana products,” said Patton. 

There have been studies that 

show marijuana is a gateway to other 

drugs including a study shared by the 

National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

“Of the 57 overdoes in the last 4 1/2 

years, we have had 16 fatalities due 

to heroin overdoses in West Bloomfield,” 

he noted. “I don’t have 16 homicides 

or deaths from car crashes. 

Heroin deaths are the second leading 

cause of death in West Bloomfield. 

I realize a majority of people smoking 

Marijuana will not have a negative 

affect or major addictions but it 

doesn’t discount the problems.” 

Law enforcement does expect to 

see a spike in traffic accidents due to 

impaired driving. “We know it will 

spike and perhaps level off but this 

will be an issue,” said Patton. “This is 

not a green light to light up, get high 

and get behind the wheel; It is not 

and I suggest you don’t for your own 

safety and safety of others.” 

Although legal on the state level, 

it is still illegal on the federal level. 

“There is currently no funding from 

the federal government for marijuana 

enforcement at the state level,” 

said Bahoura. “President Trump has 

indicated that he would support removing 

marijuana as a Schedule I 

narcotic, although time will tell if 

that happens with this administration 

or the next. It may take some 

more time, but it seems inevitable.” 

However, businesses can still find 

themselves on the wrong side of the 

law if, for example, they aren’t paying 

their taxes properly or ensuring 

they are in strict compliance with 

the state marijuana laws. “One of the 

major issues with the federal government’s 

stance on the issue is that it 

prevents traditional Banks from accepting 

funds from these businesses 

or to provide much needed financing, 

as some of these endeavors require 

substantial amounts of money 

to get started,” said Bahoura. 

Even a landlord who is simply 

renting space to a marijuana business 

cannot accept any rent that is based 

on a percentage of sales (as is common 

in other lease deals), without 

also going through the same rigorous 

process. All investors will still 

be disclosed, but they would not be 

subject to the same scrutiny as the 

majority owners. 

“I fully support the bill requiring 

the disclosure of criminal incidents 

only in which the applicant has been 

convicted, not simply charged, as is 

required now,” said Bahoura. “Being 

innocent until proven guilty is one 

of the most sacred principles in the 

American criminal justice system. 

Being arrested or charged but never 

convicted should not be held against 

anyone in their application process.” 

Although it is legal to smoke, 

there are still some provisions similar 

to alcohol laws. You must smoke 

in private or in a business zoned for 

smoking, for instance. Don’t expect to 

see people lighting up on the streets; 

just like alcohol, it will be illegal to 

consume marijuana in public. 

In addition, landlords, leaseholders, 

and business owners can prohibit 

smoking pot on their premises but, 

they cannot stop you from possessing 

marijuana or consuming non-smokable 

marijuana products. 

College students who are wanting 

to light up, slow your roll; don’t 

assume you can possess or consume 

marijuana in your dorm room. Many 

universities have drug-free policies 

that can remain in place despite any 

change in state law. 

If you have a medical marijuana 

card and can legally purchase marijuana 

products, there is nothing 

stopping you from giving pot to your 

friends and family. If you want to give 

away extra greenery, you can’t collect 

payment for it. That would be illegal. 

The Business Perspective 

Many extremely successful business 

people are now investing in cannabis. 

“They look at this as an opportunity 

to enter into an industry while 

it is still in its infancy,” said Bahoura. 

“This is appealing for both the experienced 

business person as well as the 

younger generation looking to get 

into their own business for the first 

time. They have done their homework 

and realize that there are significant 

amounts of money they can 

legally make. These new laws have 

really given this industry a sense of 

legitimacy and rightfully so.” 

“I truly am happy about the law 

being passed by the people,” said 

George Brikho. “There are many 

good people who have been punished 

far too long for this plant, this Godgiven 

plant,” he continued quoting 

Genesis 1:29. “Where do we draw 

the line on what the government can 

tell us what to consume and what not 

to consume? Many people are overweight; 

when is the government going 

to intrude on their lives and tell 

them that the amount of food they 

eat is not good for them and it will 

kill them.” 

Recreational retail shops won’t 

open for at least one year. The state 

has until December 6, 2019 to figure 

out licenses and regulations for recreational 

pot shops. 

As a small business owner in the 

gardening industry, Brikho said it 

will affect him in a positive way. “It 

will also affect many of the gardening 

suppliers, as well as steel manufacturers, 

as well as plant food manufacturers 

when they produce products for 

this industry,” he continued. “It will 

also help the government in tax revenue 

so the government’s tax base. 

It has helped me take the talent 

that I have learned from the retail 

business and allowed me to bring it 

to the gardening industry which caters 

to the marijuana growers.” 

Brikho pointed out that Chaldeans 

are entrepreneurial and have 

been since arriving into the United 

States more than a century ago and 

over the last 100 years. “I have never 

met such a hard-working community 

and driven community,” said Brikho. 

“Chaldeans are the pioneers of this 

industry in the state of Michigan. 

Brikho argues that many Chaldeans 

were instrumental in pushing 

the legalization of marijuana. “The 

very people that helps pass all these 

laws are now being disqualified for 

being in the business prior to the 

laws taking effect,” he said. 

Marijuana is more heavily regulated 

than liquor. “It is certainly 

more difficult to obtain a marijuana 

license than it is a liquor license,” 

said Bahoura. “The process of obtaining 

a marijuana license from the 

State is quite rigorous.” 

Each applicant is subjected to a 

very thorough examination of all of 

their personal and business financial 

Although legal on the state level, it is still illegal on the federal 

level. “There is currently no funding from the federal government for 

marijuana enforcement at the state level.” – MIKE M. BAHOURA 

accounts going back three years, as 

well as a thorough vetting of any tax 

delinquencies, litigation history and, 

of course, any criminal history. 

“Time will tell how the industry 

shakes out, but for now, there is 

plenty of opportunity for those trying 

to get into the business, whether it 

is through cultivating or selling, or 

by providing ancillary services to the 

industry, such as security services, 

packaging materials, signage, or web 

development,” noted Bahoura. 

“We did everything in our power 

for the average Michigander to have 

an opportunity to get into this industry 

to be able to provide for their 

family and the future of their families,” 

said Brikho. 

There are many who still protest 

the law and want it changed. The 

law could potentially change, but few 

believe that could happen. When a 

ballot initiative passes, it requires a 

3/4 majority of both the state House 

and Senate to make any changes. 

But that doesn’t mean some legislators 

aren’t trying. A bill has been 

introduced that would make it illegal 

to grow marijuana in your home, 

and would drastically change the tax 

structure established by the law. 

“I know there are some people in 

our community who frown at those 

MARIJUANA continued on page 18 


MARIJUANA continued from page 17 

who own dispensaries or other marijuana 

businesses but then also happen 

to own liquor stores themselves,” 

said Bahoura. “The irony is not lost 

on the rest of us. This industry is 

here to stay, embrace it.” 

The Community Perspective 

There are several groups who strongly 

oppose the law including those 

concerned about it getting into the 

hands of minors. There is great concern 

regarding the impact marijuana 

will have on the youth. “We are very 

disappointed about the law and are 

concerned about youth,” said Lisa 

G. Berkey, executive director of the 

Greater West Bloomfield Community 

Coalition. “We want our kids to 

make wise choices and we know they 

don’t always do that because their 

brains don’t develop until mid-20s.” 

Over the years, there have been 

national campaigns designed to educate 

people against the dangers of 

cigarette smoke. “They have been 

affective,” noted Berkey, “however, 

kids think that smoking cigarettes is 

worse than smoking marijuana. They 

have been taught their entire lives 

that cigarettes cause cancer but they 

don’t think marijuana is dangerous.” 

Although the legal age to consume 

is 21 years old, there is still great 

concern that marijuana will become 

available to tweens and teens. “It is 

harmful for their developing brains,” 

noted Lisa Kaplan, LMSW, CAADC, 

CPC-R, program coordinator-Maplegrove 

Community Education. “It creates 

and worsens depression and anxiety, 

and can cause psychosis.” 

Kaplan also shares the concern of 

police and that people will drive under 

the influence, and cause more traffic 

accidents, injuries and deaths. She also 

does support studies that marijuana use 

leads to other drugs. “There is disagreement 

on whether it is a gateway drug. I 

strongly believe that it is,” said Kaplan. 

“Nobody begins with heroin. After using 

a drug for a period of time a user 

will look for a stronger high and turn 

to other drugs. Tobacco, alcohol and 

marijuana are drugs and we think of 

them as gateway drugs.” 

There are 19 coalitions in Oakland 

County as well as task forces reviewing 

the current law and are waiting 

for more information. “There is 

so much gray area with this law,” 

explained Berkey. “We still don’t 

know enough about the regulations 

but that doesn’t change the dangers 

related to marijuana. We put the cart 

before the horse with this law.” 

Lisa Kaplan is on the board of the 

Greater West Bloomfield Community 

Coalition which has many programs 

designed to educate parents, 

students and school officials on the 

dangers of drugs. 

“Legalization of marijuana sends 

a mixed message to students. Similar 

to alcohol, being legal for adults indicates 

it must not be harmful,” said 

Gerald Hill, Ph.D., superintendent 

of West Bloomfield Schools. “Being 

illegal for youth is something that 

parents need to stress, as possession 

or being under the influence at school 

will bring disciplinary consequences.” 

The mission of the Greater West 

Bloomfield Community Coalition is 

to build community partnerships to 

reduce high risk behaviors including 

alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, 

to help ensure that our youth may 

grow to their greatest potential. 

“The Greater West Bloomfield 

Community Coalition’s “Kids in 

Charge” curriculum, taught by community 

volunteers in our elementary 

schools, will need to be revised/updated,” 

said Dr. Hill. “I’m sure that Parent 

Teacher Organizations (PTOs) 

and social service agencies will be 

requesting and providing educational 

programs on the legalities and health 

issues related to use and abuse.” 

Dr. Hill shares many of the same 

thoughts as others. “The concerns 

include health, mental health and 

safety risks, potential legal consequences 

of using a prohibited substance, 

and another distraction from 

learning,” he said. “I am surprised by 

how easily the proposition passed in 

the November election.” 

It’s not just smoking marijuana 

that poses problems, edibles also create 

significant issues. “There are edibles 

packaged in boxes that look like 

other commercialized treats. Imagine a 

kid taking a marijuana-laced pastry to 

school,” said Berkey. “We are not proactive 

in this country. We are reactive. 

Tobacco started out by being glamorized 

by showing TV stars smoking. But 

when they realized the problems, they 

started educating people on the dangers. 

It is the same with vaping. If they 

regulated in the beginning, maybe our 

kids would not be vaping.” 

Both Kaplan and Berkey highly 

recommend that parents educate 

themselves on the signs and symptoms 

of use. “Do not do the research on the 

computer,” said Kaplan. “Be familiar 

with vapes/electronic cigarettes, wax, 

shatter, and marijuana oils. Take adolescent 

use seriously, as the younger 

a person starts using, the higher the 

likelihood of addiction. Have a zerotolerance 

policy, and give the clear 

message that use is forbidden.” 

The Religious Perspective 

Among those who not just frown 

upon it, but strongly speak against 

recreational marijuana are religious 

leaders. The Chaldean Eparchy of 

Saint Thomas the Apostle of the 

United States issued an official statement 

last month regarding recreational 

marijuana and other drug use 

in the Chaldean community. The 

full statement is on the Chaldean 

News Website. 

“Our Diocese is another voice 

in the church condemning drug use 

outside strict therapeutic reasons,” 

said Fr. Matthew Zetouna. “In particular, 

the church is against the 

legalization of recreational marijuana 

in Michigan for many reasons. 

Wherever marijuana has been legalized, 

it has had a detrimental impact 

and terrible consequences hitting 

the family, hitting the youth, and 

hitting society … In the interest of 

protecting our family, our human 

dignity and our youth, the church is 

very vocal against the legalization of 

recreational marijuana.” 

Fr. Matthew, among many clergy, 

receive numerous phone calls regarding 

drug issues in the community. 

“Have you had to bury a young kid 

who overdoses? Have you had to 

think of the words to give to the family 

looking at you to help them make 

sense of the situation? I am sick of 

burying people who overdose,” said 

Fr. Matthew. “I am terribly sick of it 

and it’s unfortunate that our community 

will hide away instead of getting 

help because of shame on the family.” 

Fr. Matthew urges people to consider 

their moral obligations before 

going into this business. 

“Like anything else you have to 

look at the proper protocols and the 

right way to do things,” said Fr. Matthew. 

“Are you being honest or dishonest? 

Look at your buyers. If your 

buyers are using for strict therapeutic 

reasons and following the norms that 

are given, then it could be morally 

permissible to sell. In that way, it is 

similar to selling alcohol. If your clientele 

is abusing marijuana, then you 

have an obligation to stop selling to 

them. If you know someone is abusing 

it, then you cannot enable them.” 

In recent months, Fr. Matthew 

has heard many arguments, defending 

the use of Marijuana including, 

how is it different from alcohol? “The 

mere fact that an activity is made legal 

by the government does not automatically 

mean that it is morally 

acceptable. Like alcohol, marijuana 

has intoxicating effects, but marijuana 

causes one to experience a “high,” 

often accompanied by grogginess and 

impaired judgement,” he said. 

“If it is used therapeutically, the 

resulting impairment is seen as an 

unintended secondary effect outside 

of the drug’s main beneficial use. In 

other words, if one is using marijuana 

for its intoxicating effects, it is wrong 

for several reasons (like getting 

drunk with alcohol). With alcohol, 

one may justifiably drink it as long as 

the intention and result is not to get 

“buzzed” or intoxicated.” 

“There is no question as to the social 

evils that will increase as marijuana 

usage is continued to be embraced 

as a neutral practice in society,” stated 

the church. “To our young people, 

especially, the normalization of recreational 

marijuana socially is unacceptable. 

Children and families will 

be damaged as a result. Using marijuana 

for adolescents often results in 

significant changes to brain structure 

and cognitive functioning. 

Fr. Matthew reiterated the statement 

with a personal appeal to the 

community. “The reason I didn’t 

touch Marijuana when I was in high 

school is because I value myself too 

much and I didn’t want to lose a fraction 

of who I am. Marijuana is not 

worth the risk of losing who I am, 

my ability to articulate. I encourage 

people to speak up. Encounter Christ 

for encouragement. Ask for help. 

You are all worth it. Your life is too 

valuable to compromise.” 

RESOURCES REFERENCED 

IN THE ARTICLE: 

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2291 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/ 

marijuana-brain.aspx 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana/nida-research-marijuana-cannabinoids 

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/ 

aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy- 

of-Pediatrics-Reaffirms-Opposition-to- 

Legalizing-Marijuana-for-Recreational-or- 

Medical-Use.aspx 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/ 

research-reports/marijuana/marijuanagateway-drug 

www.henryford.com 

*This information does not constitute legal 

advice. If you have questions or are interested 

in entering the cannabis industry, you 

should consult with legal counsel. 


Second in charge 

at the chamber 

Real estate attorney Paul Jonna takes 

over as COO of the Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

DISABILITY 

Attorney Randall Mansour 

Social Security Disability and 

Veterans Benefits Attorneys 

BY STEPHEN JONES 

The Chaldean American 

Chamber of Commerce 

(CACC) and its non-profit 

arm, the Chaldean Community 

Foundation (CCF), added the position 

of Chief Operating Officer to 

its leadership team. Paul Jonna will 

step into the role where he will be 

responsible for managing operations 

and staff. 

The CACC is an organization 

dedicated to maintaining the economic 

vitality of the Chaldean 

American business community, and 

the area’s leading ethnic chamber 

comprised of more than 950 members 

that represent more than 3,500 

businesses. The CCF is a community-based 

human services agency 

that provides social, educational and 

family development services to more 

than 30,000 clients annually, who 

are mostly refugees and recently arrived 

immigrants. The president of 

the CACC/CCF is Martin Manna. 

“It is an honor to join Martin and 

team on a full-time basis and help 

contribute to the long-term goals of 

each organization,” said Jonna. “The 

Chamber and CCF continue to grow 

at an unprecedented rate and next 

year is no different with the groundbreaking 

of a 130-unit low income 

apartment complex and 18,000 

square-foot expansion of the CCF 

building that will include a primary 

care unit and expanded behavioral 

health services.” 

Jonna worked as a staff attorney 

for The Taubman Company, which 

owns, manages and develops superregional 

shopping centers in the U.S. 

and Asia. In this role, Jonna advised 

on legal matters relating to lease 

compliance, litigation and specialty 

leasing. He also recently served on a 

work life culture committee at Taubman, 

where he collaborated with a 

team on improving efficiencies and 

communication in the workplace. 

Prior to his tenure with Taubman, 

Jonna operated a private law 

practice, offering a wide range of real 

estate legal services as well as practical 

business advice. Jonna also served 

as president of The Chaldean American 

Bar Association. Jonna is looking 

forward to bringing the dynamic skill 

set he’s developed through previous 

experiences to the CACC and CCF. 

“This is an amazing opportunity 

for me to utilize my expertise as a 

lawyer, former board member, commercial 

landlord and small business 

owner to help implement the strategic 

initiatives of the Chaldean Chamber 

and the CCF that will benefit future 

generations,” he explained. 

Jonna currently resides in Bloomfield 

Hills, Michigan with his wife 

and three kids ages two, four and 

six. He earned a bachelor’s degree 

in communication from Oakland 

University before earning his J.D. 

with honors from the University of 

Detroit Mercy School of Law. Jonna 

is a high school graduate of Orchard 

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Senior living 

New apartment complex opening next to Holy Martyrs 


Inside Holy Martyrs church last 

November both Fr. Manuel Boji 

and Nohra Hailo offered a sneak 

peek into the new residence being 

built next to the church in Sterling 

Heights. “It is an independent living 

residence,” explained Fr. Boji. “As 

long as one family member is 55 years 

or older, they qualify to rent one of 

the apartments.” 

It’s been a few years since the 

Chaldean Diocese built a senior 

living facility. The first one – Chaldean 

Manor – next to the Mother 

of God Cathedral was built in 2000 

with the second phase being built in 

2002. There are 68 units at Chaldean 

Manor. 

About 50 percent of the 98 units 

next to Holy Martyrs are leased and 

are priced at lower than market value. 

There are both one and two-bedroom 

apartments along with a deluxe room 

that has a bonus room. The units are 

available inside the three-story building 

set to open early 2019. The rooms 

range from 730 square feet to more 

than 800 square feet ranging from 

$750 to $975 a month. Water is included 

in the price. Each apartment 

is equipped with appliances, granite 

countertops, washer and dryer in a 

carpet-free environment. 

“The community here is larger 

than the Southfield Location,” said 

Fr. Boji. “The need is greater here in 

terms of offering a senior living facility. 

We struggled in the beginning at 

the Mother of God Location. It was 

a new concept for us. There was this 

belief that people were abandoning 

the parents when in fact this offers 

more care for them. This does not 

mean the children are not taking 

care of their parents.” 

Hailo, who will be moving her 

office inside the apartment complex 

and running the day-to-day operations, 

already has a variety of activities 

planned for the residents. “We 

are already creating a calendar for 

next year that will have monthly activities 

on it,” she said. “We will host 

cooking classes and exercise classes 

as well as religious classes.” 

The calendar will be passed out 

to residents and displayed inside the 

dining room, Chapel and exercise 

room. The plan is to have activities 

every single day. Hailo has already 

reached out to various members to 

lead some of the activities. 

She is also considering having 

cooking contests like who can make 

the best pot of dolma. “We can have 

so much fun and we plan to create a 

great living environment.” 

The facility is equipped with a 

public kitchen with warming stations 

where events can be held. “We are 

planning for potluck nights where 

each resident cooks a different dish 

and we enjoy a meal together in the 

first-floor kitchen,” said Hailo. 

She also has outside activities 

planned where she hopes to take 

field trips and bus tours such as a tour 

of Churches. “We want to keep our 

families busy and entertained,” she 

said. “We are creating a quality of 

life for them.” Hailo is also considering 

a bus tour to Frankenmuth, for 

instance. 

Currently, there are Chaldeans 

living in Senior Living facilities in 

the area but they are not Chaldean 

owned. “This enables them to engage 

with their own community members. 

They are making new friends,” said 

Fr. Boji. “They can speak the language 

and enjoy our food and feel 

like they are living in one big extended 

family together.” 

In addition to having a shared 

kitchen and exercise room, the facility 

has a chapel. “We plan on celebrating 

mass there, especially in the 

winter when it may be too difficult 

for some residents to walk over to the 

church,” noted Fr. Boji. 

They had a meet and greet scheduled 

for last December and will have 

a ribbon cutting scheduled for this 

year. The grounds also include a 

community garden with a Stations of 

the Cross path. 

A volunteer committee of community 

members with experience 

in the buildings and trades helped 

facilitate the project. The oversite 

committee members included: 

Fr. Manuel Boji, Fr. Andrew 

Seba, Naji Abdal, Fadi Seman, Steve 

Kranjnik, Francis Boji, and Isam 

Yaldo. Architects for the project is 

GAV Associates, Inc. (Ghassan Abdulnoor). 

Construction management 

for the project is provided by K4 

General Contractor, Construction 

Management is Jamal Kalabat and 

Aram Palanjian. 


Hungry for health or 

hareesa? You don’t have 

to compromise 

HEATHER ELIA, R.D.N. 

The holiday season has come to 

an end, and it’s time to begin 

your new year with a fresh start 

focusing on health and wellness. You 

won’t need to compromise your favorite 

foods to meet your health goals. 

It’s all about portion size. 

We often serve our meals family 

style, meaning we lay our food out in 

large serving dishes and help 

ourselves to our favorites. 

When doing this, it’s helpful 

to utilize portion control 

skills, which is in the palm of 

your hands, literally. 

Here’s how to use your 

hand as a visual guide to estimate 

portion size: 

Depending on your hand 

size, your palm is equivalent 

to approximately 

3-4 ounces. This is 

valuable to portion out your 

protein. A palm size of protein 

will contain roughly 21-28 

grams of protein, just enough 

for a meal. Examples of protein 

sources include: Chicken, turkey, 

beef, fish, and eggs. 

Your fist is equivalent to 

approximately 1 cup 

(8 ounces). Use a 

clenched hand to 

measure out your 

favorite non-starchy vegetables 

(examples include: 

asparagus, leafy greens, zucchini, 

mushrooms, turnips/ 

beets, eggplant, cauliflower, 

and broccoli). It’s essential to 

ensure you consume at least 1 

cup (or one fist) of vegetables 

with each meal to reach a recommended 

goal of 2-3 cups of vegetables 

per day. 

Use a cupped hand to assist with 

gauging your carbohydrate intake. A 

cupped hand measures out to approximately 

a ½ cup (4 ounces). Use this to 

help you measure out proper portions 

of carbohydrates like: rice, pasta, beans, 

and lentils. 

Your thumb, from your knuckle 

to the tip, is about 1 ounce. Use it to 

measure out dense foods in you meal 

like; nut butter, olives, or cheese. Use 

just the tip of your thumb to estimate 

portions of calorically dense foods such 

as: butter, coconut oil, or sugar per each 

meal. 

When we eat with our eyes, they 

deceive our mind thinking we are deprived 

of food when, in fact, we aren’t. 

The western food culture and our eating 

habits, leads us to consume almost double 

the recommended individual portion 

size, which is why it’s vital to practice 

mindful eating. This implies eating 

slower and paying attention to what we 

are eating. This will not only make it 

easier to stay in tune with our hunger 

cues, but will also prevent reaching for 

a second plate of dessert, which many 

regret almost instantaneously. 

Speaking of dessert, let’s discuss 

sugar intake. 

Reducing sugar consumption 

doesn’t have to be complicated! It’s 

a gradual process that won’t happen 

overnight, and once you start to cut 

back you’ll soon realize it’s something 

you should have done years ago. Over 

consumption of sugar has proven to 

contribute to health complications 

like: obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, 

cancer, and tooth decay. 

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Drink more water. Cut back on: 

sodas, Due to energy media: 10/16/2018 drinks, lattes, and 

“healthy” smoothies. Opt for sparkling 

flavored water and unsweet- 

Publication: Chaldean News 

ened Run coffee/tea date: November, when December, trying to January satisfy 

your Size: needs. 1/3 page, 4.375 in. w. x 8 in. h. 

Keep sauces on the side. Sauces 

are a common place to find added 

sugars. Instead of having something 

smothered in BBQ sauce, place it on 

the side and mindfully use as little 

as necessary. Try substituting sweet 

sauces with different flavors that 

don’t contain as much sugar, such as: 

mustard, pesto, or fresh chili/herbs. 

Eat whole foods. Processed foods 

habitually use sugar as a filler to bulk 

up products. If you can consume 

food in its whole form, then take advantage 

of it! By doing this, you are 

Tips to cut back on sugar: 

getting Proof: 10/12/18; the full 3:47PM nutritional benefit, 

and also aren’t ingesting unnecessary 

For: additives. Broadway In Try Detroit/Nederlander 

food swapping to 

avoid Detroit processed (Fisher Theatre foods. & others) For example: 

instead Agency: of SMZ reaching advertising for a granola bar, 

opt for mixed nuts/fruits instead. 

Design: Frank Bach, Bach & 

There are several subtle changes 

Associates; Phone 313-822-4303, 

we can make to our eating habits, 

frank@frankbach.com 

and I hope you found these tips helpful. 

Controlling portion size and reducing 

sugar intake is one of the first 

steps toward mindful eating and preventing 

certain diseases. 

Wishing you a HEALTHY New 

Year, with just a HINT of sugar! 

Heather Elia is a Clinical Registered 

Dietitian Nutritionist and Private 

Practice Clinician. She has a passion in 

helping others heal through the power of 

food and nutrition. 


Martial Arts schools 

bring focus, discipline to 

Southeast Michigan 

BY PAUL NATINSKY 

Sam Kas-Mikha 

Martial arts training and 

culture are alive and well 

in Southeast Michigan’s 

Chaldean community thanks to 

competitor/entrepreneurs like Sam 

Kas-Mikha, Jalal J. Dallo and David 

Garmo. 

All three are competitive martial 

arts practitioners in various disciplines 

who have turned their passion 

into a profession and dedicated 

themselves to teaching their art to 

others. 

Kas-Mikha, or “Master Kas” as 

he is known to fans and students has 

retired from competition as a titlewinning 

kickboxer to run the Family 

Karate Academy in Shelby Township. 

Kas-Mikha says he was 37-0 as 

a kickboxer and won eight titles at 

several weight classes. Now in his late 

40s, Kas-Mikha sees himself teaching 

his art “forever.” He earned a junior 

blackbelt as a teenager, and at 48, said 

he is one of the younger 10th degree 

practitioners in his discipline, a feat 

he accomplished in October. 

Martial arts competition is tough, 

but so is building a business around 

teaching the art to others. Kas- 

Mikha bought his business while he 

was in high school after the instructors 

with whom he was training decided 

to close their facility. At first, 

he planned to simply change training 

venues, but soon discovered that at 

17, he was a better fighter than the 

25-year-old proprietor of the training 

facility he was considering. 

A rude awakening ensued when 

Master Kas saw his student census 

drop from 62 to 22 almost immediately 

upon opening up. Today, he is 

still at it training students, ranging 

from a four-year-old child to “Grandma 

Pat,” a septuagenarian whom he 

trains privately. 

Kas-Mikha takes on students for 

the first few weeks and won’t start 

charging them “until they love it,” 

which apparently has not been a 

problem. Permanent students get a 

free uniform and pay $89 per month 

for two classes to start with. Later, a 

kickboxing class is added on a third 

Jalal J. Dallo 

day for those who impress. 

If Master Kas’ path to martial 

arts has been a focused, one-track 

journey, Jalal J. Dallo’s has been the 

merging of two-path route. Dallo is 

an immigration and defense attorney, 

a practitioner of weapons-heavy 

Filipino martial arts and an instructor 

in Boxe Francaise Savate (French 

kickboxing). 

Dallo said he became an attorney 

because of his martial arts 

background. “A true martial artist 

believes in self-defense and the defending 

of others,” he said. Whether 

practicing criminal defense or immigration 

law, Dallo characterizes himself 

as his clients’ “sword and shield.” 

Dallo made his commitment to 

teaching martial arts indelible in 

2014 when he opened Dallo Martial 

Arts in Southfield. Training a student 

body of about 40, Dallo took 

matters into his own hands when he 

found he didn’t like the way his own 

instructor treated students. Dallo, 

41, said he wants to be “a present and 

cultivating teacher” and run a facility 

centered around families. 

David Garmo 

“What sets us apart is my attention 

to detail. When you come into 

my school, you come into a boutique 

school that is very well maintained,” 

said Dallo. 

Dallo’s love of martial arts began 

with a childhood obsession with 

Bruce Lee. When he was young, he 

watched some Bruce Lee movies on 

TV and decided he wanted to do be 

like the famous fighter/actor. “It was 

just a childhood thing that never 

went away,” said Dallo. 

Dallo teaches classes in the evening 

from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and 

plans to open a second location at 

the end of 2019, close to his law 

practice in Sterling Heights. 

David Garmo, 28, has just signed 

the lease on his new business, Assembly 

Jiu Jitsu in Bloomfield Hills. 

Garmo is still in the prime of his 

competitive years and after spending 

the past year in Japan, capping off a 

10-year competitive international 

run at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he shows 

no sign of slowing down. Although, 

he does plan to slowly cut back his 

competition schedule to focus on 

teaching. 

Garmo brought back more than 

just title belts from the orient. He 

plans to offer a tonier approach to 

martial arts than the standard “four 

walls and a mat” set up. A coffee bar, 

hand-painted murals and professional 

interior design will flavor Assembly, 

which is targeted for a March/ 

April opening. 

For $180 per month, Garmo will 

offer training on both days and evenings 

six days a week with a focus 

on beginner students. Garmo will 

bring the benefit of continuing his 

competition to his students. His 

plan includes competing alongside 

his students and organizing participation 

in events where that’s possible. 

All of these martial arts professionals 

fell in love with their art at 

a very young age. But all also insist 

that no one is too old to benefit from 

the discipline, self-respect, confidence 

and fitness that stem from 

practicing martial arts, regardless of 

which of the vast variety of forms 

one chooses. 


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Infertility: breaking the stigma 

BY BIANCA KASAWDISH 

With so many couples struggling 

silently with infertility, 

three women in the 

community shed some light on what 

they went through with having children 

– the ups, the downs, and everything 

in between. In a Mom to Mom 

show hosted by Lisa Denha brought 

by the Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization 

Center (ECRC) and shown 

live on the Chaldean Moms of Metro 

Detroit Facebook page, these women 

shared their stories of infertility and 

how they each managed to find their 

way through faith. 

Kristina Awdish 

After almost eight years of marriage 

and a long journey to conceive, 

Awdish and her husband suffered 

two miscarriages when they found 

she had low progesterone. She then 

had a third miscarriage. 

After seeing a NaProTechnology 

instructor, she learned the method 

and started tracking her symptoms 

for a few months. This Creighton 

Model monitors biomarkers of the 

menstrual and fertility cycle. This 

required her to do blood work often 

and track her levels of progesterone 

which was found not to be as high as 

it should. This required her to then 

take injections of progesterone every 

two weeks to make sure the levels 

were okay. Soon afterwards she was 

given her gift and she and her husband 

welcomed a daughter into the 

world. She is now pregnant with her 

second child. 

“It’s a wonderful thing to want 

children,” she shared. “Having a 

child is not a right. I am undeserving 

and I’ve been trusted with a gift with 

this child.” 

On stigmas within the community 

on IVF and abortion, which is 

on the rise, she shares that there are 

so many other ways that are moral 

and approved by the church. She 

believes we’re all in need of God’s 

grace and we should talk about infertility 

and miscarriage more often. 

On words of advice for other women 

struggling with infertility she states 

“It’s not your fault. Don’t let people 

make you feel guilty.” 

Sandra Kizy 

Kizy got married later in her twenties 

and didn’t rush to have children right 

away. She went the Natural Family 

Planning (NFP) route and, when she 

and her husband were ready to start 

trying to have children, they tried for 

two years. They then decided to see a 

fertility specialist and after many tests, 

bloodwork, and an invasive procedure, 

found she had very severe endometriosis 

after having no symptoms of it. 

“Infertility, in general, is a lot 

more common these days,” she said. 

“Women are pursuing careers, are 

waiting longer to get married, and, 

when they get married, are waiting 

a little longer to have kids for whatever 

reason that may be.” 

During that time she had discussed 

options with her husband, 

one being adoption. She shares that 

she had contacted a woman she was 

referred to about adoption and was 

considering it and praying about it, 

only to learn she was pregnant very 

soon after. Her son is now five and 

she also now has a daughter who is 

three. Wanting to expand their family 

further, Kizy then had a late term 

miscarriage at 20 weeks and is currently 

trying for a third child. 

Dawn Pullis 

After being diagnosed with ovarian 

cancer at just 21 years old and catching 

it at the right time, Pullis was left 

infertile. Through difficulties dating 

in the community and knowing this 

would be a struggle with her future 

partner, she knew adoption would be 

the route they would have to go. After 

marrying and deciding to start a family, 

she and her husband wanted to 

give a home to a child in need rather 

than go another route such as IVF. 

After going through the adoption 

process, Pullis and her husband 

met their daughter when she was just 

a day old. She shares that as soon 

as they met her, they knew she was 

meant to be their child. “God gave 

me the gift of forgetting the struggles 

once my daughter was born. I cherish 

her and appreciate having her more 

than anything,” she said. 

She shares that adoption is a 

blessing, and “It’s as if I gave birth to 

her.” She also shares that she would 

love for her daughter to know as 

much about herself as possible and 

maybe one day she will have contact 

with her birth mother. 

While the journey to motherhood 

is not easy for some, it’s time 

to break the stigma. For all of these 

women and for all women struggling 

with infertility, hold on to the hope 

that what’s meant to be will always 

find a way. 


100 Questions and Answers about Chaldeans 


Working with his students, 

author and Michigan 

State University journalism 

professor, Joe Grimm, has published 

a number of cultural competence 

guides about various cultures. 

His fifteenth and latest guide puts 

the spotlight on the Chaldean community. 

The book, “100 Questions and 

Answers About Chaldeans” came 

on the heels of the raids led by Immigration 

and Customs Enforcement 

(ICE) in June of 2017 that 

lead to the detainment of hundreds 

of community members. These community 

members faced deportation. 

With these massive raids came 

many misunderstandings regarding 

the Chaldean community. It became 

clear to Grimm that a cultural competence 

guide about the community 

was now more important than ever. 

“With people being detained for 

possible deportation, we had to act,” 

explained Grimm. “It is a journalist’s 

job to report relevant information 

when it is needed. We saw this 

guide and these times as our clear 

obligation to serve the public.” 

While the deportations play a 

part in the making of “100 Questions 

and Answers About Chaldeans”, 

Grimm had always planned 

to write this guide about Chaldeans. 

The raids bumped it up on his list of 

guides to write, though. 

“What makes a guide about 

Chaldean American special is that 

this place – southeast Michigan – 

is the heart of Chaldean America. 

That gives our people a tremendous 

advantage and a big responsibility 

to learn what we can locally and to 

share it widely,” said Grimm. 

“Personally, the first peer of non- 

European descent I spent an extended 

time with was a classmate when 

I was a student at St. Bede’s School 

in Southfield. That was more than 

50 years ago. After St. Bede’s, I attended 

Brother Rice High School, 

where I met more Chaldeans. Living 

my whole life in the Detroit area, I 

have known Chaldean Americans 

in many contexts.” 

In order for Grimm’s guides to be 

useful, the process of writing each 

guide is thorough. First, they begin 

by conducting interviews to learn 

what Chaldean Americans to describe 

basic, everyday questions or 

assumptions non-Chaldeans have 

about the community. 

“These can be questions or assumptions 

that Chaldeans hear all 

the time or questions they think 

people really ought to have the answers 

to,” said Grimm. 

In writing these guides, Grimm 

and his students have four ethics. 

They are to be respectful of the people 

they write about, be accurate in 

portraying the identities, be authoritative 

by using solid sources, and be 

accessible. 

The guides are meant to be accessible 

as possible. For this reason, 

the books are made available in 

print and digital at a low cost across 

a number of platforms. 

Grimm and his students then 

edit each other. In addition, they 

solicit critiques at the formative and 

question writing stages as well as at 

the end of the process. 

In this process, several members 

of the Chaldean community 

have had the opportunity to guide 

Grimm and his students. 

“These guides cannot possibly 

be done without help from experts 

in the community. They have been 

kind, knowledgeable and patient 

with us as they explained things or 

corrected our work,” said Grimm. 

“We approached people from many 

perspectives. People we worked 

with directly included Bishop 

Francis Kalabat and Fathers Manuel 

Boji, Pierre Konja and Patrick 

Setto. Others were Vanessa Denha 

Garmo, who advised before the class 

even began and who then visited it. 

Martin Manna has a similarly vital 

role.” 

Other community experts include 

author Jacob Bacall, Mary 

Romaya, Mariann Sarafa and Ann 

Rabban from the Chaldean Cultural 

Center, Zina Salem and Jane 

Shallal of the United Community 

Family Services (Chaldean American 

Ladies of Charity) and even the 

president of the Chaldean Heritage 

Foundation, Tom Alkatib. 

Other notable community members 

assisted, including Judge Diane 

D’Agostini, State Representative 

Klint Kesto, Assistant Metro Editor 

Sally Tato, Margaret Saroki- 

Shamoun, chair of TEACH, and 

Joe Sarafa. Providing several photos 

is Wilson Sarkis. 

Topics covered in “100 Questions 

and Answers About Chaldeans” will 

range from the church, employment 

and entrepreneurship to myths and 

stereotypes in the community. 

“The church is very important 

and not widely understood. The 

church is central. So is family. The 

distinctions of religion, nationality 

and cultural tradition have to 

be explained,” said Grimm. “The 

growth of our Chaldean community 

in terms of education and employment, 

especially entrepreneurship, 

is a real story of success and needs to 

be understood.” 

“Things are not as they were. We 

wanted to examine Chaldeans’ historic 

origins and, of course, contemporary 

history in the United States 

and Iraq. It is both tragic and hopeful.” 

Grimm hopes readers of this 

guide will learn about the flourishing 

Chaldean community of metro Detroit 

and be confident in their interactions 

with Chaldean Americans. 

“It is very simple. We wish to give 

people the confidence to have better 

conversations with Chaldeans,” 

explained Grimm. “We want them 

to feel less afraid that they will ask 

a question that is hurtful or that embarrasses 

them. This is a slim little 

guide and is just a starting point, not 

the whole story.” 

There is not yet a release date 

for “100 Questions and Answers 

About Chaldeans.” When released, 

it will be available for purchase on 

Amazon. 


ONE-on-ONE 

A Conversation about 

about religious freedoms 

The Chaldean News talks 

with Representative in the 

U.S. for the Kurdistan 

Regional Government. 


The Chaldean Community Foundation recently 

organized an International Religious 

Freedom (IRF) roundtable discussion at the 

Chaldean Cultural Center inside the Shenandoah 

Country Club. Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, representative 

in the United States for the Kurdistan Regional 

Government was among the speakers. We 

followed up with her for this one-on-one discussion. 

CN: Why have these roundtable discussions? 

BR: Understanding each other’s perspectives and 

concerns is an important component of tolerance 

and peaceful, respectful coexistence, and so we 

need to continue to listen to each other. Religious 

freedom roundtable discussions like the ones that 

have happened in Washington and Michigan, and 

the one that will happen in Erbil, are great opportunities 

for representatives of different communities 

to deliver their concerns. As a government, it 

is especially important for us to hear the needs and 

concerns of the community. 

CN: Why is in important for the Kurdistan Regional 

Government to work with IRF? 

BR: We will seek any opportunity to engage our 

community, especially minorities, and learn about 

their needs. IRF has developed a unique and hopefully 

productive platform for this. 

CN: What has this group accomplished over the last 

eight years, since its inception? 

BR: We have only worked with IRF since summer 

of 2018, so I can’t speak to their other endeavors. 

But I think that even in this short time, we’ve 

improved contacts and goodwill between KRG 

and civil society organizations. Tolerance and understanding 

between communities are difficult to 

measure, but I think forums like the IRF roundtables 

are very important. 

CN: What have been some of the issues discussed? 

BR: The IRF roundtables operate under Chatham 

House rules, so I can’t give you specifics, but I can 

say that we have very frank discussions about the 

status and future of religious and ethnic minority 

groups in the Kurdistan region. It is a great opportunity 

for me as KRG Representative to listen, to 

learn and to convey my government’s position on 

issues such as faith, genocide and accountability, 

property disputes, political representation and calls 

for self-administration by different groups. 

CN: What action plans have come from the discussions? 

BR: The meetings in the United States were really 

about setting the framework for the roundtable 

meetings in Kurdistan. We hope to see a 

Kurdistan meeting of religious groups early in 

2019. The International Religious Freedom 

Roundtable has said it will support the roundtable 

in Kurdistan. 

CN: What was the purpose of the meeting on 

December 10 at Shenandoah Country Club? 

BR: As always, it was a chance for civil society 

organizations, advocates, and religious leaders to 

share their concerns with each other and with the 

KRG. U.S. government officials were also present 

as observers and members of congress took part. 

CN: What is the hope of bringing the faith-based communities 

together? 

BR: Some of Iraq’s dysfunction comes from the 

distrust and misunderstandings that communities 

have about each other. By bringing them together 

and giving them a forum for their voices to be 

heard, we hope to ultimately bring about greater 

understanding in our society. 

CN: Why does the Kurdistan Region care about religious 

freedoms? 

BR: The people of the Kurdistan Region are from 

many different ethnic and religious backgrounds. 

In Iraq, we have seen how destructive religious intolerance 

can be, and we want to ensure that the 

Kurdistan Region remains a peaceful place for all of 

its inhabitants and citizens. 


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to remind taxpayers about upcoming payments. 

Get Enrolled, Call (313) 224-5990 

Visit Treasurer.WayneCounty.com for more information. To ask a question, please email the Treasurer’s team at 

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the DOCTOR is in 

Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis 

This brief summary of 

Inflammatory Bowel 

Disease is designed 

to help you understand the 

basics of Crohn’s and Ulcerative 

colitis and highlight key 

differences between the two 

and hopefully help you seek 

out a doctor if necessary. 

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory 

condition limited 

strictly to the large intestine 

(colon). The colon is the 

part of the GI tract that reabsorbs 

water and where stool is created. 

The inflammation here is localized 

to the superficial layers of the 

colon. The most common symptoms 

are diarrhea with mucus and/ 

or blood but the pain is typically 

less severe. During a colonoscopy, 

inflammation is typically continuous 

with a clear start and end with 

sparing of the anus. Removing the 

large intestine is curative. 

Crohn’s is also an inflammatory 

disorder which can manifest anywhere 

in the gastrointestinal tract. 

The inflammation here is transmural, 

essentially meaning that it is 

deeper. Thus, inflammation, strictures, 

and fistulae can occur from 

the mouth to the anus. The most 

commonly affected area is the terminal 

ileum, the last part of the 

small intestine prior to transitioning 

to the large intestine. The diarrhea 

here is typically more “porridge 

like” and associated with significant 

pain. Crohn’s is also more commonly 

associated with anal disorders 

including abscesses and fissures. 

On a colonoscopy the inflammation 

is occurs sporadically and at times 

impairs passage of the 

camera. Surgery is reserved 

for removing narrowed 

segments of bowel 

but unfortunately is not 

curative. 

The diarrhea can be 

loose, watery, or bloody 

and occurs over several 

weeks. They can be associated 

with urgency 

(feeling the need to go), 

frequency, pain, weight 

loss, fatigue, anemia, and 

the diarrhea can wake you up from 

sleep. Many patients at the time of 

diagnosis have over 20 bowel movements 

per day! These symptoms 

should prompt you to see a doctor 

as soon as possible. There is a significant 

overlap with irritable bowel 

syndrome which at times can delay 

the diagnosis as patients can have 

both occurring at the same time. 

It should be noted that waking up 

from sleep for a bowel movement is 

almost never considered normal. 

Both of these conditions are 

considered autoimmune disorders 

where the immune system attacks 

the body for unknown and unclear 

reasons. There is a genetic and 

environmental component but the 

trigger has yet to be discovered and 

this is an active area of research. 

The disease can start at any age 

but typically manifests between 15- 

35. Patient with one autoimmune 

disease are also at risk for another 

autoimmune disease. 

The treatment for these conditions 

has progressed rapidly in the 

past 20 years after an initial slow 

start. In the 1950’s the only two 

JOHNATHON 

MARKUS M.D. 


CHALDEAN NEWS 

These conditions 

are life-long and 

require an intimate 

relationship between 

you and your 

gastroenterologist. 

treatments were corticosteroids 

and sulfasalazine. Corticosteroids 

work quickly and effectively but 

their long-term use has been associated 

with diabetes and osteoporosis. 

Sulfasalazine has been largely 

replaced by the aminosalicylates 

such as mesalamine. The 1960’s 

brought us Azathioprine (Imuran) 

and Methotraxate. As a side note, 

if you are a woman on methotrexate, 

you should NOT get pregnant 

as this medication is known to 

cause harm to the fetus. 

The world of inflammatory bowel 

disease changed in 1997 with approval 

of the TNF-alpha inhibitors. 

This one of the first medications 

that was able to place patients in 

deep remission without pain or diarrhea. 

However, these medications 

were not without flaws. Namely, 

many patient’s lost response either 

due to adaptation of the disease or 

creation of antibodies which deactivated 

the medication. There was 

also an increased risk of infections 

and lymphoma. 

Two new medications have been 

approved for the treatment of inflammatory 

bowel disease. Vedolizumab 

(Entyvio) was approved in 

May of 2014 for the treatment of 

both Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis. 

This medication blocks white 

blood cells from entering the GI 

tract. Ustekinumab (Stelara) was 

approved for Crohn’s disease in 

September of 2016 and is now one 

of the most prescribed medications 

for moderate-severe Crohn’s. This 

works by inactivating proteins that 

stimulate inflammation. There is 

minimal cancer, infection, and antibody 

formation with both of these 

medications. Finally, Tofacitinib 

(Xeljanz) was approved to treat UC 

in May of 2018. 

These conditions are life-long 

and require an intimate relationship 

between you and your gastroenterologist. 

Goals of therapy have 

changed over the years with more 

emphasis on aggressively treating 

any inflammation rather than 

symptoms. These conditions are 

associated with increased risks of 

cancer, vitamin deficiencies, and 

infections which further necessitate 

open and clear dialogue between 

you and your doctor. It can 

be scary to think that these disease 

are for life but there is a significant 

amount of hope for those afflicted 

with either of these diseases given 

the vast amount of ongoing research. 

With aggressive care and 

a close relationship with your gastroenterologist 

many of the symptoms 

and complications can now be 

avoided. 

For further information visit the 

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation: 

www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org 

Going Green? 

Read Chaldean News online at 

www.chaldeannews.com 


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ECONOMICS & enterprise 

A taste of Mediterranean in Detroit 

Sahara Restaurant and Grill 

slated to open third location 


Sahara Restaurant and Grill’s 

decades long history has a 

humble beginning on the corner 

of 9 Mile and Woodward in Ferndale. 

Since the inception of their first 

location, co-owners Zeana and Saad 

Attisha – who are also husband and 

wife – have worked to expand. 

Several expansions took place at 

their second location, where several 

family members and even Saad’s parents 

worked alongside him. A West 

Bloomfield location was also opened, 

but closed only four years later. A 

Sterling Heights location came in 

2004 and a Farmington Hills location 

in 2006. 

“He opened more restaurants as 

the desire for more locations grew,” 

Zeana said. 

It was in 2016 that the pair built 

their latest location in Sterling 

Heights. This location was built with 

the idea of drawing in bigger crowds. 

“It was built to accommodate banquet 

parties and corporate events, 

with a full dining area and 4-Season 

patio,” said Zeana. 

This location brings an ambiance 

unlike that of the current Oak Park 

location. From the patio to each 

unique chandelier in the dining area, 

this restaurant lends itself to an evening 

of fine authentic dining. This in 

part due to Zeana’s design as she had 

a hand in the décor. “Much of the décor 

and flooring was imported from 

overseas,” she explained. 

Today, the duo owns Sahara Restaurant 

& Grill in Oak Park, Sahara 

Restaurant & Banquet Center 

in Sterling Heights and Sahara Market 

& Bakery in Warren. With their 

eyes on a fourth location in District 

Detroit along Columbia Street. 

“Oak Park remains popular because 

it’s located in the center, between 

the East and West side,” explained 

Zeana. 

Olympia Development of Michigan 

announced the addition of the 

restaurant to Columbia Street late 

last month. “Olympia entertainment 

proposed a 3rd Sahara in the District 

Detroit near the new amazing Little 

Caesar’s Arena,” said Zeana. “We are 

currently developing the plans and 

menu.” 

Detroiters will be able to enjoy 

the newest addition next year. “We 

will announce our grand opening in 

Detroit when we get closer to the 

ribbon cutting ceremony,” explained 

Zeana. 

The new restaurant menu will include 

classic Sahara favorites in addition 

to new menu items that will 

satisfy the increasing desire for “fresh 

and healthy food options”. On this 

new farm to table menu, gluten free, 

vegetarian, and vegan options will be 

available. 

“Sahara will bring to the new 

restaurant in District Detroit, Mediterranean 

and Middle Eastern food 

and favorites that many people are 

looking forward to,” said Zeana. “It 

will be an exciting new dining destination 

for people to visit when they 

come to downtown Detroit. The favorite 

food items will of course still 

be on the menu, but with the introduction 

of some new items” 

With their new demographic in 

mind, the Attisha’s are working to 

design the new location and cater 

their menu to their new audience. 

During the warmer months, patrons 

will be able to dine outdoors. 

“Each Sahara is unique to its 

demographic location” explained 

Zeana. “We are designing the Sahara 

in District Detroit in a way that we 

feel people coming to downtown 

would like to see and the options 

that they will like. Columbia Street 

will be an exciting place to go.” 

As the community favorite makes 

its way downtown, the Attisha’s 

have the same hope for this location 

as they have had for all other locations: 

to satisfy patrons. 

“Our hope for Sahara in the District 

Detroit is to still be able to offer 

patrons amazing food and good service 

and a beautiful Mediterranean 

location with a well-established history 

in the metro Detroit area,” explained 

Zeana. 

With the new restaurant slowly 

on its way to fruition, the Attisha’s 

are optimistic and excited to be a 

part of the bustling new developments 

in downtown Detroit. 

“The District Detroit is well on 

its way to offering so many amenities 

for so many people to be attracted 

to when coming down to 

the Detroit area,” said Zeana. “It’s 

fun for friends and families, the 

stadiums and arenas with all their 

events going on all year are sure to 

be a welcoming place to go. Sahara 

Restaurant is excited to be a part of 

it all.” 


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info@chaldeannews.com 


BINGHAM FARMS, MI 48025 

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Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. 

Attorneys and Counselors at Law 

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Norman E. Richards (Gene) 

ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW 

The Estate Planning and Elder Law Practice Group at CMDA 

offers a broad range of estate planning services. Each client is 

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brief remarks for events 

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podcasts, on-hold messages and voice-overs 

As an award-winning 

journalist for both 

broadcast and print, 

founder of Denha Media 

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Garmo has an adaptable 

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trained members of her 

team on various writing 

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“You have to know how 

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— Vanessa Denha Garmo 

FREE 30-MINUTE MEDIA MAKE-OVER 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo is offering a free 30-minute consultation for any subscriber to the 

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DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

CELL (248) 925-7773 

TEL (248) 851-1200 

FAX (248) 851-1348 

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MEMBERSHIP MANAGER 


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TEL: (248) 996-8340 CELL: (248) 925-7773 

FAX: (248) 996-8342 

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Twitter: @ChaldeanChamber 

Instagram: @ChaldeanAmericanChamber 

Tell them you saw it in 

the Chaldean News!

chaldean on the STREET 

New year’s resolutions 

BY HALIM SHEENA 

With the New Year finally here, we wanted to know whether people continued to make resolutions. 

We asked members of the community whether or not they made New Year’s resolutions. 

No, I do not set a New Year’s Resolution. I live my life 

day by day because who knows what could happen 

tomorrow. I try to embrace each present moment. 

Happy New Year! 

– Rawnek Yaldo, 47 years old, Shelby Township 

Yes, I try and make New Year’s resolutions every year. 

I write an email to myself using a website every year 

on January 1st with that year’s resolutions. At the end 

of each year I receive that email and am able to look 

back and see the progress I made during the year. 

– Janel Yousif, 18, Shelby Township 

Every year, I make New Year’s resolutions. Around 

this time of the year, I always like to think back on 

what I’ve done and what I can do to be better. My 

resolutions are the push I need to be a better person 

and I try to accomplish them every year :) 

– Melaney Habib, 18, Shelby Township 

Although I set goals for myself throughout the year, the 

new year always represents a fresh start and a new beginning. 

I always make new year resolutions because 

it allows me to look back at the year that passed and 

reflect on what goals I was able to achieve and what 

goals I need to work on. Some goals are big and some 

are small, but making resolutions helps me to begin the 

new year with a positive and hopeful outlook. 

– Linda Mamou, 44, Shelby Township 

Yes, I try to make a New Year’s resolution every year 

because I feel like it’s a great opportunity to push myself 

to accomplish things I failed to do in 2018. Going 

into the new year feels like a fresh start to me, therefore 

I think adding goals will help me make the best of 

the new start. I hope to reach all my New Year’s goals 

and create a positive year. 

– Angelina Narra, 18, Shelby Township 

I make New Year’s resolutions to test myself. I want 

to see how well I can push myself and resist quitting. 

I see beauty in progression, you know? After a while 

you see yourself develop into what you pictured, I 

strive for that. You then become a catalyst for others 

to make a difference in their lives, the most fulfilling 

thing of the process. 

– Saeed Habeb, 22, Shelby Township

JANUARY 2019

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