FEBRUARY 2008

VOL. 5 ISSUE I 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 2008 

$2 

INSIDE 

A LEG UP 

CN CELEBRATES 

FIFTH YEAR 

THE CHRISTIANS 

OF NINEVEH 

www.chaldeannews.com 

WEARING THE 

BADGE 

CHALDEAN COPS 

WALK THE BEAT 

The Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 102 

Farmington Hills, MI 48302 

PLEASE DELIVER BY FEBRUARY 1, 2008 

PERIODICAL

FEBRUARY 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2008



CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2008 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 5 ISSUE I 

on the cover 

26 WEARING THE BADGE 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO AND JOYCE WISWELL 

Chaldean cops walk the beat 

26 

feature 

32 WE’VE GOT IT COVERED 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

The Chaldean News enters its fifth year 

25 

36 

40 

39 

sports 

36 A LEG UP 

BY STEVE STEIN 

Positive attitude defines 

high school wrestler 

37 SCORING WHEN IT COUNTS 

BY JOE KYRIAKOZA 

CBA victory is clinched in overtime 

39 TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE 


Teen hockey player logs 10,000 miles 

to play in tournament 

departments 

43 

ON THE COVER: 

SOUTHFIELD DETECTIVE 

NICK LOUSSIA AND 

MICHIGAN STATE TROOPER 

PAUL SHUNIA 

PHOTO BY DAVID REED 

8 FROM THE EDITOR 

9 IN OUR VIEW 

10 YOUR LETTERS 

13 NOTEWORTHY 

14 NANA SAYS 

16 CHAI TIME 

19 BOUSHALA 

BY SAWSAN KIZY MLINARCIK 

Chaldean favorites — with a healthy twist 

20 HALHOLE 

25 IRAQ TODAY 

30 RELIGION 

40 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE 

BY KEN MARTEN 

Lolly Ella: A family affair 

43 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 

BY MERVIT BASHI 

‘Iraq’s Other Frontier’ 

showcases Chaldeans 

46 MAKING THE GRADE 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

48 EVENTS 

The Christians of Nineveh 

50 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 


from the EDITOR 

Worth Mentioning 

My brother-in-law is a 

Southfield Lathrup 

cop. His gripping stories 

about his day are often 

comical, especially when he 

stops a Chaldean who has no 

idea the Irish cop is married to 

a Chaldean girl. Sometimes 

they blurt out obscenities in 

Sourath (the only words he 

probably does know) thinking 

he doesn’t understand the language, 

and then they are perplexed 

when he hands over a ticket. 

He has befriended many Chaldeans 

over the years with his combo of 

career and wife. One time he stupefied 

a Chaldean store owner, who also did 

not know his relationship to our community, 

when he told the guy he had 

eaten pacha (stuffed tripe) for 

Christmas — definitely a conversation 

starter for a blue-eyed, blond-hair guy 

talking to Chaldeans. 

While most parents do fear for the 

lives of their children who enter this 

VANESSA 

DENHA- 

GARMO 

EDITOR 

field, my father relished in 

Scott’s career. Yes, he worried 

about him but most of the 

time he enjoyed his regular 

lunches with his son-in-law. 

His conversations about his 

daily routines enthralled my 

dad. The life of a police officer 

is dangerous and admirable. 

They are underpaid and often 

under-appreciated. 

They face danger 

and disrespect on a 

regular basis, yet they do their 

job with pride. 

This month we feature our 

Chaldean police officers who serve in 

various departments across the state. 

In our cover piece you can read about 

their scariest moments and the most 

ridiculous requests made of them. 

Their lives are not devoid of stimulus. 

We feature them to pay tribute to 

their work and dedication. We appreciate 

the departments that recognize the 

importance of having Chaldean representation 

on the force. We diligently tried 

to locate every Chaldean police officer in 

the state, but some did not respond 

despite numerous attempts to interview 

them. We also hope we were working 

off a complete list of names. If we 

missed someone, it was not intentional. 

We encourage you to read our 

cover piece and familiarize yourself 

with our men in blue. Perhaps the next 

time you bump into one of them, you 

will be compelled to express gratitude 

for their choice of profession. If any of 

them happen to pull you over, smile, be 

polite and try not to name drop. 

This month we also bring to you 

someone else who deserves recognition 

and praise — Gabe Sheena, a 

tremendous athlete who not only wrestles 

with spirit and pride but with one 

leg. We can all learn from this kid who 

overcame some major obstacles and 

continued to be “one of the boys” without 

complaint. 

All of us, in one way or another, face 

obstacles and challenges, some more 

significant than others. It is how we 

handle those situations that define our 

character. It is only appropriate for us 

at The Chaldean News to single out 

these individuals whenever possible, 

All of us, in one way or another, face obstacles and 

challenges, some more significant than others. 

so kudos to you Gabe. 

It is also worth mentioning that my 

co-publisher, Martin Manna, often e- 

mails me the latest reports on Iraq. 

Tragically, there have recently been 

several more church bombings. It 

seems like deja vu. What do we do 

with this information? As I sit here writ- 

FROM THE EDITOR 

Continued on page 9 


in our VIEW 

A Call to Duty 

FROM THE EDITOR 

Continued from page 8 

ing this editorial, I receive the latest 

update, six churches bombed over the 

last two weeks, which is major news. 

However, we have seemed to cover 

Iraq in depth and to what seems extreme 

exhaustion. How can we ignore this significant 

piece of information yet cover it 

without sounding redundant? We do not 

dismiss this tragedy. Regardless of how 

difficult it is to report, we give you the latest 

news on our homeland in our Iraq 

Today section. 

We bring you news that can’t go 

unreported and stories that can’t go 

untold. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

Some men are born for the public. Nature 

by fitting them for service of the human 

race on a broad scale has stamped them 

with the evidence of her destination and 

their duty. 

— President Thomas Jefferson in a letter to 

future President James Monroe 

This month’s cover features a 

wonderful story on police officers 

of Chaldean descent. Many of 

you will be surprised at the numbers of 

young men and women aspiring to 

careers in law enforcement. And why 

not? For decades, if not centuries, law 

enforcement has been a respected 

field of work from providing security in 

big cities to settling disputes in remote 

villages around the world. 

Police swear an oath to the 

Constitution of the United States, to 

their state and to their municipality. 

They put their lives on the line every 

day for the safety and security of their 

communities which, in the first place, is 

the raison d’etre of government. In the 

days of our founding, there was no 

more noble pursuit. 

But today in the Chaldean community, 

some parents discourage their children 

from pursuing careers in public 

service. They will ask questions like, 

“How are you going to make a living on 

an entry-level government salary and 

how will you support a family?” “No one 

will marry you,” they might tell their 18- 

year-old. But a husband who is a police 

officer with character and dignity should 

be more important than a big house and 

a five-carat diamond. We should ask 

ourselves about our priorities. 

The stakes are not small. French 

Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

said, “As soon as public service ceases 

to be the chief business of the citizens, 

and they would rather serve with 

their money than with their persons, 

the State [or in our case, the community] 

is not far from its fall.” 

The financial sacrifice involved is a 

source of honor, not shame. Many 

young officers are also entrepreneurs on 

the side and that is good. But we ought 

to support these men and women in the 

professions they choose because we as 

a community owe a debt of gratitude to 

this country. We have a duty to give 

back and one way is to encourage our 

young people to consider public service. 

Men and women who choose police 

careers are responding to a call. Their 

jobs should be held in very high regard 

along the lines of doctors and lawyers. 

Their sacrifice is on par with that of our 

priests. As discussed in these pages, 

they represent the very best of what our 

community has to offer. 

Correction 

The Chaldean Federation of America 

reports that erroneous information was 

given in the January issue (“Eyewitness 

Account: Christian refugees stuck in 

limbo”). The number of religious minority 

refugees admitted into the United States in 

December was 200-250 people, according 

to Executive Director Joe Kassab. 


your LETTERS 

Both Sides Now 

This is in response to the “Where is 

the Outrage?” (December 2007) and 

then the “Life Cut Short” (January 

2008) letters written in support of 

Arvin Hermiz, who was killed by 

Southfield Police. I would like to start 

by saying that I have been a trooper 

with the Michigan State Police for 18 

years. I am not involved in the investigation, 

nor do I have any knowledge 

about the case then what I have read 

in the local newspapers. In no way 

have the state police or any other 

department sanctioned this letter. 

This is my personal view. 

After reading the letters, it was 

clear that some members of the 

Chaldean Community and the 

Southfield Police were unfairly 

attacked. The prospective I bring will 

be from a police officer’s point of 

view. Police are sometimes put in 

positions where there can be no winners. 

A life and death decision usually 

has to be made in a split second. I 

can tell you firsthand that no police 

officer wants to be in this position. If 

you are unfortunate enough to have 

been in this position, your actions will 

be scrutinized by supervisors, prosecutors, 

local government and the public. 

In the meantime, the police officer 

and his family are left in limbo for 

months. Who in their right mind would 

want to go through that? 

Arvin was stopped by the police 

and at some point attempted to drive 

off. He drives in the direction of the 

police officer. This is where the dispute 

comes in. Does the police officer 

stand there and hope the driver 

doesn’t steer into him? This would be 

an easy decision if the police could 

read minds. The officer decides the 

only way to protect himself is to eliminate 

the threat. Any time a person 

drives away from a stop like that, the 

police have to assume the worst. It 

is very easy to blame the police, but I 

believe in personal responsibility for 

your actions. The truth is, the police 

did not make the decision, Arvin 

Hermiz did. 

Where do we draw the line? At the 

very least, Arvin Hermiz was attempting 

to flee the police. As you know, 

police chases are very dangerous and 

sometimes deadly. I have seen officers 

and innocent people killed in 

chases. Is this suddenly acceptable 

behavior for Chaldeans? I hope not. 

In the last letter published, the 

writer states that Arvin was unarmed 

and there should have been no reason 

for the police to use a weapon. This 

baffles me since more police officers 

are killed by cars then gunfire. We 

buried two troopers within the last 

four years that were struck by cars 

when standing outside their vehicle. I 

wonder if the letter writer has ever 

seen a person struck by a car. I have, 

and I can tell you that a car can kill just 

as easily as a bullet. Speaking of bullets, 

there was no way the police 

would have known the driver and passenger 

were unarmed, or what they 

were planning when the car accelerated. 

There are many Chaldean police 

officers today. I wonder what these 

same people would be saying if the 

circumstances were reversed and the 

police officer was Chaldean and the 

driver was white. Would you want 

your father, brother, or cousin put in 

this situation? Think about it, because 

it is bound to happen. Unlike most 

jobs, you go to work hoping that you 

make it through the shift alive. 

Now think about this. Are we going 

to defend any Chaldean regardless of 

the situation, like many other minorities, 

or are we going to have a higher 

standard? Are we going to condone 

bad behavior, or continue being lawabiding 

citizens? These are the questions 

you have to ask yourself. 

In closing, I would like to give my 

condolences to the family. This letter 

was not meant to hurt them in any 

way. After reading the letters in The 

Chaldean News, I felt it was my obligation 

to let people see why this could 

have happened. I hope this will help 

people look at both sides of the story 

before making a decision on how they 

feel. 

– Paul Shunia 

Lake Orion 

Letters to the editor are welcome. 

Please keep your letter to less than 

500 words and include your city. 

The Chaldean News reserves the 

right to edit letters for clarity and 

length. Submit your letter via email to 

info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: 

The Chaldean News, Letters to the 

Editor, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Ste. 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 


EDITOR IN CHIEF 

MANAGING EDITOR 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News LLC 

EDITORIAL 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

CIRCULATION 

CLASSIFIEDS 

SALES REPRESENTATIVES 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

SALES 

Interlink Media 


Joyce Wiswell 

Mervit Bashi 

Joe Kyriakoza 

Ken Marten 

Sawsan Kizy Mlinarcik 

Steve Stein 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Joseph Sesi 

Nora Bahrou Downs 

David Reed 

Paul Alraihani 

Paul Alraihani 

Joyce Wiswell 

Marisa Comaianni 

Brenda Koza 

Lisy Starr 

MANAGERS 


Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

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NOTEworthy 

Discrimination Case 

Continues 

A hearing is scheduled for January 30-31 (after press 

time) in the civil rights discrimination case of Mazyn 

Barash, a Chaldean man who claims he suffered 

derogatory treatment at his job. 

Barash, of Farmington Hills, was employed as a 

bus mechanic with SMART (Suburban Mobility 

Authority for Regional Transportation). He claims that 

upon the start of the Iraq War in March 2003 he 

began being harassed on the job, including called 

names like “rag head” and “towel head,” being asked 

where his camel was, hearing “kill all Iraqis” and 

receiving threatening letters. He was also subjected 

to offensive drawings and cartoons ridiculing his ethnicity. 

Barash, 50, left the job in 2004. 

In 2006, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission 

(MDRC) ruled in favor of Barash, finding that SMART 

“unlawfully discriminated against [Barash] by denying 

him the enjoyment of civil rights guaranteed by the constitution 

and laws of the State of Michigan and the United 

States of America.” The agency ruled that SMART owed 

lost wages and benefits as well as monetary compensation 

for “humiliation, extreme embarrassment, extreme 

emotional distress and mental anguish.” However, 

SMART ignored the ruling so the case is 

now being heard by the MDRC. 

Shenandoah Names 

New Board 

New directors and officers have been 

named to the Shenandoah Country 

Club board. Neb Mekani is the new 

president, John Loussia is vice president, 

Jason Alkamano is treasurer, and 

Frank Konja is secretary. Rounding out 

the board of directors are immediate 

past president Michael Sarafa, Dounia 

Senawi, Kars Zair, Ronnie Jamal and John Kello. 

Newspaper Extols Chaldeans 

An estimated 12,000 Chaldeans immigrating to 

Southeast Michigan this year should be welcomed 

“with open arms,” said an editorial in the January 20 

edition of the Oakland Press. 

“As a group, Chaldeans are a close-knit, hardworking 

people. They have proved to be industrious 

entrepreneurs and an asset to any community in which 

they reside,” said the editorial in part. “They are known 

to be very family-oriented and take care of their own. 

They would be model citizens and could provide a 

needed population shot in the arm for Southeast 

Michigan and the state. The immigrants should be a 

welcome addition to any city in the region.” 

View the complete editorial on our website, 

www.chaldeannews.com. 

CFA Opens Western Offices 

The Chaldean Federation of America has opened 

offices in Arizona and California to provide services 

including immigration assistance and social services 

for residents in those areas. 

CFA now has an office in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Amir Sitto has been chosen as board chair. The 

address is: 6816 E. Cactus Road, Scottsdale, AZ 

85254; (480) 998-2034. 

Chaldeans 

March for Life 

Students from Brother Rice and 

Catholic Central high schools, along 

with members of the Eastern Catholic 

Re-evangelization Center and other 

concerned Chaldeans, were among 

some 200,000 people who participated 

in the March for Life Rally in 

Washington, DC on January 22. 

EJ Jonna, a theology professor 

at Brother Rice, said he brought 13 

students to the rally, held to mark 

the 35th anniversary of Roe v. 

Wade, the Supreme Court case that 

legalized abortion. He hopes to 

bring 50 students next year. 

Jonna said the event was inspiring. 

“To be surrounded by a million 

youth who stand up for their faith is 

unbelievable,” he said. “The whole 

message of life is really resounding.” 

In the San Diego area, a CFA office has opened in 

conjunction with Chaldean Middle Eastern Social 

Services. Ghassan Shathia chairs the board. The 

address is: 343 E. Main, Suite 201, El Cajon, CA 

92020; (619) 631-7400. 

Learn more at www.chaldeanfederation.org. 

Women Win Teaching Honors 

Melody Arabo and Theresa 

Dabish Sitto have each been 

named Teacher of the Year for 

their schools in the Walled 

Lake Consolidated District for 

the 2007-2008 school year. 

Arabo is in her sixth year as 

a third-grade teacher at Keith 

Elementary. She holds a 

Bachelor’s in Elementary 

Education and a Master’s in 

Curriculum and Teaching from 

Michigan State University. 

Arabo was also one of two 

finalists for the District 

Elementary Teacher of the Year award. 

Sitto of Pleasant Lake Elementary has been a 

Bilingual Resource Teacher in Walled Lake for the 

past 16 years, and has taught for almost three 

decades. Five years ago she was 

also trained as a Reading Recovery 

Teacher, so she teaches English 

Language Learners as well as 

Reading Recovery. A graduate of 

Mercy College, Wayne State and 

Oakland University, she holds a 

Master’s of Education and a 

Bilingual Endorsement in Chaldean 

Studies, as well as a Reading 

Recovery Certification. 

Melody Arabo and Theresa Dabish Sitto 

Chaldean Chamber 

Foundation Scores 

Large Grant 

The Chaldean Chamber Foundation 

has been awarded $150,000 from the 

Michigan Department of Community Health. The foundation 

will disperse the funds to other community groups 

including the Chaldean Federation of America and 

Chaldean Cultural Center, expected to open its museum 

this fall. State Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) was 

instrumental in helping to acquire the funds. 

Local Christians marched against abortion in Washington D.C. 

New Rules Help Iraqis 

Iraqi beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant 

visa petitions (known as I-130s) have been designated 

individuals who may be granted direct access 

to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The 

Chaldean Federation of America lobbied for the 

change, which may speed up entry into the U.S. for 

Iraqi refugees. Those seeking to move to the U.S. can 

now choose immigrant visa processing, refugee processing, 

or both. 

Learn more from the CFA at www.chaldeanfederation.org. 

Daoud Receives 

Major Award 

Tarik Daoud has received one of 

the first-ever National Awards for 

Citizen Diplomacy. The award, 

given by the Iowa-based U.S. 

Center for Citizen Diplomacy, recognizes 

recipients for promoting Tarik Daoud 

cross-cultural understanding 

around the world. 

Daoud was recognized for his wok with the 

International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit 

and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. He 

will be honored, along 

with five other recipients, 

at a ceremony 

in Washington, DC. 

Daoud is the chairman 

and owner of Al Long 

Ford in Warren. 

Israel 

Named a 

Best Doc 

Dr. Nejla Israel, M.D. 

was featured in Vital 

Magazine’s 2008 Best 

Doctors list. She also 

recently received the 

prestigious 2007 

Wayne State School of Medicine Teaching Award. She 

is a clinical faculty member at the Wayne State Medical 

School and an assistant professor at Wayne State 

University’s Department of Family Medicine and Public 

Health Sciences. Israel is an active member at the 

Mother of God Church in Southfield. 

Thomas Roe, assistant dean of clinical education at 

WSU’s School of Medicine, congratulates Nejla Israel. 


NOTEworthy 

Christopher, Paul, Donnovan and John Shaya surround their mother and fellow 

UM grad, Sandy Saffar-Shaya. 

Henry Ford West 

Bloomfield Relocates 

Some Services 

Several services currently located in 

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital 

are re-locating to the new Henry Ford 

Medical Center — Columbus in Novi. 

The relocation will allow patients to 

receive services during construction of 

the new hospital. Henry Ford Medical 

Center — Columbus is located at 39450 

W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, at Haggerty. 

Behavioral Health Services is now 

open at the Columbus location. 

Patients will begin receiving additional 

services in the new building, according 

to the following tentative schedule: 

Opening February 4: Allergy, Colon and 

Rectal Surgery, Gastroenterology, 

Nephrology, Pulmonary Medicine and 

Sleep Medicine. Opening February 25: 

Occupational Therapy, Plastic Surgery 

and Physical Therapy. Opening March 3 

is the Mohs Clinic. 

Patients should confirm the location 

of their next appointments in advance 

by calling (248) 661-4100. 

People 

Eman H. Jajonie-Daman has been 

named a magistrate in the 46th District 

Court in Southfield. She and her husband, 

Namir Daman, have a law firm 

in Southfield. 

After 17 years at Sommers 

Schwartz, Jay G. Yasso has joined the 

law firm of Hertz Schram in Bloomfield 

Mom’s Turn 

At the age of 59, Sandy Saffar-Shaya of 

Bloomfield Hills graduated from the 

University of Michigan in December with 

a B.A. in History. The mother of four 

grown sons — Donnovan, Paul, John 

and Christopher — achieved the feat in 

four years with academic honors, graduating 

Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 

GPA, including membership in the Phi 

Beta Kappa Honor Society and the Phi 

Alpha Theta History Honor Society. 

“Now I can go to Michigan Stadium’s 

Big House and cheer alongside my alumni 

sons as an alumna myself,” she said. 

Hills. In addition to business, 

real estate and litigation 

issues, Yasso also 

handles entertainment law. 

Matthew Yousif has 

been named to the 

Dean’s List at Albion 

College for the fall 

semester. A sophomore 

majoring in chemistry, he 

is the son of Neal and 

Hana Yousif of West 

Bloomfield. 

Randall S. Sarafa has 

been elected vice president 

of the Undergraduate 

Jay G. Yasso 

Matthew 

Yousif 

Council at Harvard University. 

Previously, Sarafa was the council’s 

Finance Committee chair. A junior 

majoring in social studies, he plans to 

NANA says 

Break an egg on a new 

house or kill a live turkey to 

take away the curses. 

If you bite your nails, they’ll 

grow in your stomach. 

If you have a dream about 

someone you love dying, it 

means he or she will live longer. 

Thanks to all who shared their 

Nana-isms. Keep them coming to 

info@chaldeannews.com, or write 

to The Chaldean News, 30095 

Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 

enter the legal field. He is the son of 

Nazar and Faten Sarafa. After winning 

the election, Sarafa kept a campaign 

promise to take an icy plunge in 

Boston’s Charles River in December 

with members of the Alaska Klub. 

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK 



CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT FEBRUARY 2008 

[Friday, February 1] 

Valentine’s Family Fun Night: Karaoke, 

an obstacle course, moonwalk and 

other family-friendly fun at Shenandoah 

Country Club. Tickets are $22 adults, 

$15 kids. 6-9 p.m., members only. Call 

Michelle, (248) 454-1932. 

[Sunday, February 3] 

Super Bowl Party: 3rd annual party, 

open to those ages 14 and older, at 

Shenandoah Country Club runs from 

5:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Cash bar and buffet 

dinner. Tickets are $30 in advance 

and $40 at the door; non-members welcome. 

Call Michelle, (248) 454-1932. 

[Tuesday, February 5] 

Surviving the Michigan Economy: 

Networking event explores how to beat 

the odds locally to accelerate the 

state’s economic growth. Sponsored 

by the Detroit District Council of the 

Urban Land Institute. $55 non-members. 

7:30 a.m., Centerpoint Marriott, 

Pontiac. (800) 321-5011. 

[Tuesday, February 5] 

Improving Your Existing Business 

the Right Way the First Time: A seminar 

for existing businesses looking to 

increase profitability, improve employee 

issues and find funding for growth. 

Sponsored by Business Success 

Group LLC. 8:30 a.m., Liberty 

Center, 110 W. Big Beaver, Troy. $49. 

(248) 434-5330. 

[Thursday, February 7] 

Go Red for Women Luncheon: More 

than 700 Metro Detroit women come 

together to help fight heart disease in 

women. Presented by the 

American Heart Association. 9 

a.m., Detroit Marriott at the 

Renaissance Center. $150. (248) 

936-5825. 

[Friday, February 8 – 

Sunday, February 10] 

Motown Winter Blast: It’s the 

fourth year for the popular outdoor 

festival, which includes a giant 

snow slide, ice sculptures, marshmallow 

roasting, live music, a 

Michigan film festival, and more. 

Downtown Detroit in the Campus 

Martius area (Woodward and Fort). 


Chaldean Valentine’s Night: Dinner, a 

cash bar and music from Ameed Asmaro 

and the Al-Shams Band at Shenandoah 

Country Club. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 

$50 members, $60 non-members. Make 

reservations by February 11 by calling 

Michelle, (248) 454-1932. 


Industry Outlook/State of the City: 

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick meets 

with the Chaldean American Chamber 

of Commerce to discuss a new partnership 

between Chaldean store owners 

and the City of Detroit. 7 p.m., 

Shenandoah Country Club. RSVP to 

the chamber, (248) 538-3700 or lkalou@chaldeanchamber.com. 

[Sunday, February 24] 

Wine Tasting: Third annual event with 

wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music 

benefits Leader Dogs for the Blind. 6 

p.m., Cinq, 419 S. Main Street, Royal 

Oak. $60. (248) 651-9011. 

Please let us know what is going on in 

the community. Send your information to 

The Chaldean News, Editorial 

Department, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Ste. 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 




oushala 

Chaldean favorites — with a healthy twist BY SAWSAN KIZY MLINARCIK 

Every Chaldean knows rizza and 

maraca — it’s the food of our 

ancestors and truly the perfect 

meal, providing everything from carbohydrates 

for energy to protein for 

our muscles, eyes and hair to vegetables 

for vitamins and minerals. It’s 

good food, but can be made in ways 

that are even better for your health. 

Traditionally, oil is used in 

making rizza — but it really 

doesn’t require any. Did you 

know that in most Asian 

countries, where people 

have long been regarded as 

thinner built and quite healthy, they 

don’t add any oil to their rice at all? 

Give it a try and see how you like it. 

It’s a step that can save you hundreds 

of calories per week. 

While on the subject of rice, have 

you ever tried brown or long-grain wild 

rice? These are whole grain in nature, 

literally meaning the “whole grain” is 

left intact. Today, most of us know 

white rice as our staple food, but years 

ago only brown rice existed. 

White rice grew in popularity 

when food producers began to mill 

the grain in order to remove its bran 

and germ, leaving only the 

endosperm intact. This was mainly 

done to extend the shelf life as the 

removed parts contain natural oils 

that can go rancid after a few 

months. However, brown rice is the 

better choice because it contains 

higher levels of nutrients, fiber and 

protein. It also encourages smaller 

portion sizes as it allows you to feel 

full faster. 

There are a few things to remember 

when preparing brown rice. 

Because the outer shell is still on the 

grain, it will take twice as long to 

cook and require almost twice the 

liquid as whited rice. It can be tricky 

to get it just right, not too hard or too 

mushy, so bring a lot of patience. 

Maraca is a great dish packed 

with flavor and nutrition. It also contains 

really high levels of the antioxidant 

lycopene, which has been 

shown to reduce the risk of various 

cancers such as prostate cancer. 

Traditionally, oil is used in making rizza — 

but it really doesn’t require any. 

Maracas can vary greatly, however 

— not just in what they contain, but 

in just how healthy they are. 

When choosing the meat for your 

maraca, go with a leaner cut like sirloin 

or round. Sirloin is more tender, 

but round is cheaper so pick your 

battle — more money or longer stewing. 

Either way, you have a nice, lean 

meat that won’t add too much saturated 

fat to your dish. 

You don’t need a lot of meat in 

your food to make it taste good. 

Your plate should have around four to 

five ounces of meat and the rest 

should consist of carbohydrates and 

vegetables. Frozen or fresh vegetables 

both work very well because 

they contain high levels of nutrients. 

How you flavor your food can also 

have a big impact on your health. 

Hypertension is becoming a growing 

concern for our community, but many 

Chaldean mothers still use regular 

table salt in their dishes. Experts tell 

us that the average healthy adult 

should get between 1500 and 2300 

mg of sodium per day. Kosher or sea 

salts contain more than 100 mg less 

sodium per serving than iodized salt. 

Give them a try, but note that they are 

usually considered more mild in flavor 

so your food may not taste as salty. 

Most chefs, however, prefer them. 

Keep in mind, every little step we 

take today can lead to better tomorrows 

for ourselves and our families. 


HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Logan Nather 

Big sisters Lauren and Brooke 

proudly announce the arrival 

of their little prince, Logan 

Nather Hamama. Logan was 

born on July 16, 2007 weighing 

6 lbs. and 10 oz. Proud 

parents are Nate and Heather 

Hamama. Excited grandparents 

are Nadeem & Patricia 

Zoma and Louis & Amel 

Hamama. 

Gabriella Grace 

All of God’s grace in one 

sweet face! God has blessed 

Nick and Lisa Gappy the third 

time around. Selma and 

Dominic are proud to 

announce the birth of their 

new baby sister, Gabriella 

Grace. She was born on July 

9, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. She 

weighed 9 lbs., 6 oz. and 

measured 21 inches long. 

Gabriella is the sixth grandchild 

for Daoud & Lamia 

Gappy and the fifth for 

Mowaffaq & Latifa Ousachi. 

May God bless them with 

more. 

Aleena Evelyn 

Peter and Olivia Mona are 

blessed with the birth of their 

third child. Big brothers 

Connor and Kyle are exited to 

announce the arrival of their 

baby sister, Aleena Evelyn. 

She was born on August 13, 

2007 weighing 8 lbs., 12 oz. 

and measuring 22 inches. 

Aleena is the fifth grandchild 

for Showkat & Evelyn Mona 

and the sixth for Shabib & Raja 

Sesi. Godparents are Uncle 

Paul Mona and soon-to-be 

Aunt Hilda Murado. 

Kaitlyn Marie 

Big brother Jayden is proud to 

announce the birth of his 

beautiful baby sister, Kaitlyn 

Marie. She was born on June 

22, 2007 weighing 7 lbs., 14 

oz. and measuring 19.5 inches 

long. Blessed parents are 

Robert & Raghad Matti. 

Kaitlyn is the fifth grandchild 

for Naim & Jolet Matti and the 

19th for Hermiz & Sabria 

Konja. Godparents are 

Anthony Konja and Ashley 

Bahoura. 

Logan Nather 

Gabriella Grace 

Aleena Evelyn 

Kaitlyn Marie 


[Births] 

Angelina and 

Paulina 

Frank and Elvia Ankawi are 

proud to announce the birth of 

their twin daughters, Paulina 

Rose and Angelina Alexis. The 

beautiful girls were born at the 

University of Michigan 

Hospital on October 19, 2007 

at 9:43 a.m. (Paulina) and 

9:45 a.m. (Angelina). Paulina 

weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz. and 

measured 18.5 inches long. 

Angelina weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz. 

and measured 18 3/8 inches 

long. We are now blessed 

with three healthy daughters. 

Loving grandparents are Tarik 

& Muna Ankawi and Leo & 

Ofelia Garcia. Proud godparents 

are Jared Ankawi and 

Vanessa Garcia for Paulina 

and Danny Ankawi and 

Michelle Yasso for Angelina. 

Landon Luke 

Ashton and Jordan are proud 

to announce the birth of their 

beautiful baby brother, Landon 

Luke. He was born on July 15, 

2007 at 11:50 a.m., weighing 

7 lbs., 9 oz. and measuring 20 

inches. Proud parents are 

Luke and Dawn Samona. 

Landon is the 22nd grandchild 

for Jamila & the late Giorguis 

Samona and the 12th for 

Salman & Muntaha Yono. 

Proud godfather is Travis 

Samona. 

Angelina and Paulina 

Landon Luke 

Drs. Purcell, Sayegh & Zimny 

*Board Certified Family Medicine Specialists 

Marissa Marie 

God has blessed David and 

Noor Arafat with the birth of 

their first child, Marissa Marie, 

on October 10, 2007. She 

weighed in at 7 lbs., 2 oz. and 

measured 21 inches. 

Marissa is the fifth grandchild 

of Widad & the late Sami 

Arafat and the first for Saad & 

Wafa Benny. Godparents are 

Lara & Joey Benny. 

SHARE YOUR 

JOY 

Marissa Marie 

WITH 

THE 

COMMUNITY J 

Announcements for births, engagements, weddings and milestone anniversaries 

(50 years and above) are published free of charge for paid subscribers. 

All events must have occurred within one year. E-mail the text and a 

photo as a jpeg attachment to: info@chaldeannews.com, or mail to The 

Chaldean News, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 

Include your name, address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit 

all entries. Sorry, we do not publish poems or return photos. 

N 

Novi Rd. 

Kelly Purcell, D.O. 

Family Medicine 

5 

Anthony J. Sayegh, D.O. 


Matthew C. Zimny, D.O. 


*Specializing in All Aspects of Pediatric, Adult, 

and Geriatric Medicine including... 

• Annual Physicals 

• School/Sports Physicals 

• Gynecologic Care 

• Sick Visits 

*Same Day Appointments Available* 

W Maple Rd. 

14 Mile Rd. 

 

13 Mile Rd. 

12 Mile Rd. 

696 

Halsted Rd. 

BEAUMONT MEDICAL STAFF MEMBERS 

39630 14 Mile Rd. in Newberry Square (Hiller’s Shopping Center) 

(248) 960-3727 

*For your convenience, evening and weekend hours are available 

1229490 


HALHOLE! 

Jaylen 

Junior and Jordan Jarbo are 

happy to announce the birth of 

their baby brother Jaylen. 

Jaylen was born on November 

29, 2007 at 2:16 p.m. weighing 

7 lbs. and 5 oz., measuring 

20 inches. Proud parents 

are Jason and Shala Jarbo. 

Jaylen is the 17th grandchild 

of Najib and Habiba Jarbo and 

the ninth for Korkess and 

Maryam Sesi. Godparents 

are Devin and Hala Sesi. 

Colin 

A little bit of heaven, drifted 

down from above … Colin 

Asker was born on October 3, 

2007 weighing in at 6 lbs., 7 

oz. and measuring 19 inches. 

Loving parents are Marvin and 

Arlean Asker. Colin is the first 

grandchild of Nazar & Athmar 

Azzo and the third for Adil & 

Layla Asker. Godparents are 

Laura Azzo and Johnny 

Brikho. 

[Engagement] 

Danny and 

Melinda 

Yousif & Esther Hamama are 

proud to announce the 

engagement of their son, 

Danny to Melinda, daughter of 

Muna & the late Samuel 

Youkhanna. The couple is 

planning a July 2008 wedding. 

They are truly blessed to 

share this joyous time with all 

their friends and family. 

[Wedding] 

Sally and Joey 

Sally and Joey began their 

new life together on October 

14, 2007. Joey is the son of 

Albert & Ikhlas Kejbou, and 

Sally is the daughter of Dr. 

Nisreen & the late Dr. Jamal 

Murad. The sacrament of 

marriage took place at Mother 

of God Church, followed with 

a reception at Penna’s of 

Sterling Heights. The couple 

honeymooned in the French 

Polynesian islands of Tahiti, 

Moorea and Bora Bora. Joey 

is a practicing attorney and 

Sally will graduate from medical 

school in May 2008. May 

God bless them and grant 

them a wonderful life together! 

Jaylen 

Colin 

Danny and Melinda 

Sally and Joey 




IRAQ today 

Wave of Bombings Hit Churches 

Awave of violence hit Christian 

churches in Iraq in January, the 

most recent on January 17 as 

of press time. 

That day, a car bomb exploded 

outside a Chaldean church in Mosul, 

slightly injuring two people. The 

booby-trapped car was discovered 

parked outside the Immaculate Virgin 

Chaldean Church in the Al-Shiffa district 

of the city and detonated as 

security personnel evacuated the 

area, police chief General Abdel 

Karim Khalaf al-Juburi told the 

Australian Broadcasting Service. 

A police officer and a little girl 

were wounded in the blast. No worshippers 

were in the church at the 

time of the explosion, although church 

windows, the front door and a wall 

around the church grounds were 

damaged. The attack was the second 

on the church, which has been 

closed since the first attack about two 

years ago. 

The week before saw a chain of 

attacks against churches. On January 

6, a bomb exploded outside St. 

George’s Anglican Church in 

Baghdad, destroying its rear 

entrance. Within five minutes of the 

attack, militants also bombed 

Malkeits Orthodox Church and a 

Chaldean convent in the Zafaraniya 

area of Baghdad. Church leaders 

reported that six people were wounded 

in the blasts, which took place on 

Epiphany, also celebrated as 

Christmas Eve in the Eastern liturgical 

calendar. 

At the same time in Mosul, 

bombers struck two churches as 

well as a Catholic bishops’ center 

recently converted to an orphanage. 

Inside the orphanage at the time of 

the explosion were 30 young girls, all 

under 12 years old. None were hurt 

but damage in the area was extensive. 

In Mosul’s Ancient Assyrian 

Church of the East, at least four people 

were wounded, one seriously, 

when a parked car exploded as a 

service was about to begin. 

Bombers struck again January 9, 

hitting a Chaldean Church and a 

Syriac Church, both in Kirkuk. There 

were no injuries. 

Following those attacks, Emanuel 

Youkhana, an Assyrian Orthodox priest in 

northern Iraq, told WORLD: “It’s a message 

to us that so-called improved security is no 

security for Iraq’s minorities.” 

Christians did not have to wait long to 

actually read the writing on the wall. On 

January 5, a hand-painted warning appeared 

in Arabic on the wall of a Catholic church in 

“It’s a message 

to us that 

so-called 

improved 

security is no 

security for 

Iraq’s 

minorities.” 

– EMANUEL YOUKHANA, 

ASSYRIAN ORTHODOX 

PRIEST 

Mosul. It warned 

Christians not to 

attend the church 

and asked them to 

leave Mosul. At the 

same church, Fr. 

Raghid Kanni and 

three church deacons 

were murdered 

one year ago. 

Christians living in 

Mosul also received 

individual warning letters 

the day before the 

January 6 attacks. 

Composed in rough 

script, the letters 

claimed to be from “Al 

Qaeda Organization in 

Islamic State of Iraq.” 

They warned “infidel Christians that if you don’t 

believe in Allah and his messenger Muhammad 

son of Abdullah (Allah’s prayers and peace be 

upon him) and if you don’t leave your places, all 

of you will be slaughtered in three days.” 

After examining the warning letters, Fr. 

Youkhana said he doubted that they came 

from larger, well-organized jihadi groups. But 

whoever sent the letters obviously shares the 

larger groups’ extremist ideology and should 

be taken seriously, he said, since they were 

able to pull off the attacks, or coordinate with 

those who did. 

Chaldean Archbishop Faraj Rahoo told 

ankawa.com news service that the government 

must recognize that the bombings are 

part of a plan to drive Christians out of Iraq. 

“We have been living in Iraq before Islam, but 

those strangers who came to the city are causing 

the kidnappings and bombings and trying 

to sow sedition in the hearts of Iraqis,” he said. 

Since 2004 approximately 40 churches 

have been bombed, with no claims of responsibility 

by militant groups. Most have taken 

place in largely Sunni sectors, causing 

church leaders to suspect Al Qaeda in Iraq. 

“When Christians have been the target of 

killings and kidnappings, we know it can also 

be the work of criminal gangs, but when it 

comes to bombs and churches, this is terrorism,” 

said Youkhana. “And there is no easier 

place to bomb than a church.” 

The Associated Press and the Assyrian 

International News Agency contributed 

to this report. 

Men inspect the 

damage after two car 

bombs exploded in 

Kirkuk on January 9. 


JASON ABRO, 33 

Detective, Macomb 

County Sheriff’s 

Department 

Years on force: 8 

Most memorable 

moment: Working on 

the homicide case of 

Marilou Johnson 

(stabbed in the summer 

of 2007), which is still in court proceedings. 

It has been a lengthy investigation 

and it’s still ongoing. 

Hardest part: It’s a dangerous job and 

we put our lives on the line every day. 

When I put on my coat and shoes, I 

don’t know whether I’m coming back. 

Most rewarding part: Going home at the 

end of the night knowing I have helped 

someone, that I have somehow impacted 

society or the citizens I work for. 

What makes a good cop: Honesty, 

integrity and doing the right thing all 

the time. We need more Chaldeans 

involved in police work; there are not 

enough for the population we have. 

Most outrageous favor: “I got a 

ticket, is there anything you can do for 

me?” I direct them to get an attorney. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: The 

Untouchables, which shows how 

detectives and law enforcement used 

in the work in the day. 

ANONYMOUS, 32 

Undercover narcotics officer 


Biggest worry: Not coming home to my 

family at night. There are many reasons 

this could happen, the worst of course 

being shot and/or killed on the job. 

Most outrageous favor: Someone 

asked me to give them all the weed 

(marijuana) I confiscate so they can 

smoke it instead of having to buy it. 

Another person asked me to give 

them all the drugs I collect from raids 

so he can sell them and make a profit. 

Of course I turned down both offers! 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: First 

48 because it is very realistic. 

JOSEPH HADDAD, 39 

Just promoted to 

sergeant, Troy Police 

Department (also a 

Command Sergeant 

Major in the Army 

Reserve) 


(10 in Troy, 4 in 

Hamtramck) 

Most memorable moment: Listening 

in on a conversation in Arabic where 

the individuals thought I did not understand, 

during which they planned to 

shoot another individual. Following a 

search, we discovered a loaded .45 

caliber semiautomatic pistol in their 

possession. The homicide was thwart- 

POLICE 


wearing the badge 

They may wear different uniforms, 

patrol different neighborhoods 

and hold various 

titles but they share many commonalities 

as police officers: They’re not 

in it for the money, they had to convince 

their parents to support their 

decision, and they love what they do. 

The life of a cop is filled with 

uncertainty but Chaldean officers are 

proud to have taken an oath to 

uphold the law, fully understanding 

they are often in harm’s way. 

There are a growing number of 

Chaldean police officers in departments 

across the state including a 

state trooper, an undercover cop, several 

detectives and sheriff deputies. 

Nick Loussia, a lieutenant for the 

Southfield Police Department, is the 

highest-ranking Chaldean cop in 

Michigan. He worked his way up the 

ranks from patrol officer and was a 

detective, part of the undercover unit, 

a member of the Special Response 

Team and a sergeant. 

His duties entail being the department’s 

media spokesperson, 

training officers, 

handling equipment, 

conducting the background 

process and 

coordinating homeland 

security initiatives. 

“What attracted me 

to law enforcement was 

being able to make a difference 

in the community,” 

said Loussia. He recognizes that 

owning your own business is admirable 

and requires dedication and hard work 

but adds, “It is good for the community 

at-large to see that Chaldeans have 

expanded into other fields.” 

Entering the police force is not a 

field many parents easily embrace. 

“My mom was dead set against it,” 

said Loussia. “She is great now; when 

I became a detective she was thrilled 

that I would be off the streets.” 

With 29 years under his belt, Fred 

Yono of Van Buren Township Police 

Chaldean cops walk the beat 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO AND JOYCE WISWELL 

DID YOU 

KNOW? 

These Chaldean women 

are all former cops: 

Nora Bahrou Downs, 

Keego Harbor Police 

Sana Brihko, Detroit Police 

Jane Shallal, Detroit Police 

is the most-experienced Chaldean 

cop. “I’m happy as a working sergeant,” 

he said. “I do what I expect 

my boys to do. A lot of people want to 

go into law enforcement but family 

reasons keep them out.” 

After befriending police officers who 

frequented his father’s liquor store in 

White Lake Township, Paul Shunia 

began doing ride-alongs once a week. It 

didn’t take much time for him to enroll 

in the highly regarded Michigan State 

Police Academy in Lansing. Today, 

Shunia has 18 years as a Michigan State 

Trooper. 

“I wanted the 

best,” said Shunia. “If 

I didn’t end up a State 

Trooper I would probably 

be running my 

dad’s store.” 

In the life of a 

police officer, there is no average day. 

Shunia patrols all of Oakland County 

and half of Macomb County and as a 

state trooper, is responsible for several 

townships. “When I was younger, I felt 

invincible,” said Shunia. “I did not realize 

how dangerous my job really was.” 

A simple traffic stop can turn deadly 

as officers have no idea who or what 

they may be dealing with “You have to 

remember that anything can go from 

bad to worse in a split second,” Shunia 

said. “You can’t hesitate to make a decision. 

More than 25 percent of police 

officers are killed with their own gun.” 

A 32-year-old narcotics undercover 

police officer in a city’s vice unit is 

also no stranger to danger. His focus is 

getting as many drug dealers off the 

street as possible and keeping the 

streets safe. “My favorite is the thrill 

of raiding homes,” said the cop, whose 

identity can not be revealed. “Not 

knowing what’s behind the door 

you’re breaking down, what’s going to 

happen from one day to the next. The 

thrill of the unknown in my job is 

very exciting to me.” 

For police officers, each new day 

Southfield Detective Nick Loussia and Michigan State Trooper Paul Shunia 

brings a new episode. “One day I 

might be buying drugs from drug dealers 

on the street, doing a raid, following 

people all around, picking up 

hookers, working with informants, 

hanging out at the bar to find out 

information such as who is selling 

drugs, watching for any liquor violations,” 

said the undercover cop. 

Despite the danger and relatively 

low pay, all insist they’d have it no 

other way. 

“You really have to have a passion 

for the job because there isn’t a ton of 

money in it,” said the undercover cop. 

“Chaldeans like to be very wealthy. 

You will live good, but will never be 

wealthy.” 

The Chaldean News made every effort to 

contact every Chaldean police officer. We 

apologize to anyone overlooked. 

PHOTO BY DAVID REED 


The hospital you’ve always imagined 

is coming. 

We’re building the new Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital 

The future of medicine will soon begin. As a recognized center of 

excellence in cancer care, orthopaedics, heart disease and more, our 

West Bloomfield medical center has served our community for over 

thirty years. During construction of the new West Bloomfield Hospital, 

you can trust that we’ll continue to offer the latest treatment and 

comprehensive care you’ve come to expect from Henry Ford. 

Go to henryford.com to see our new hospital or 

to make an appointment. 


POLICE 


ed and never had I felt so grateful for 

the second language skills taught to me 

by my parents. 

The hardest part: Not letting what you 

see and experience negatively affect 

your outlook on society as a whole. We 

just so happen to be in a position where 

we see many people at their worst. 

What makes a good cop: Those who 

truly believe integrity cannot be compromised. 

Most outrageous favor: A group of 

UCLA cheerleaders asked me to give 

them a ride in my patrol car to their hotel 

and join them for a night of partying. I 

did not partake for many reasons but it 

was flattering and at the same time, a 

good story. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Cop 

Land, because the good cops prevailed 

and the bad ones were exposed. 

ZENA SAMONA DAILEY, 26 

Officer, Clarkston 

Police Department 

Years on force: 4 (1 

with Clarkston, 3 with 

Pontiac) 

What attracted you to 

law enforcement: I 

wanted to help people 

and I didn’t want to sit 

at a desk all day. 

Most memorable moment: I was doing 

a Click It or Ticket detail when an older 

Pontiac resident flagged me down. She 

had an oxygen tank but the valve was 

turned off and she couldn’t get any. I 

turned it on for her and she was so 

happy. I’ve done more exciting things 

but that was the best feeling; she was 

so sweet. 

Most rewarding part: People are so 

thankful when you arrive to help them. 

And I like being a role model to little 

kids; they really look up to you. 

What makes a good cop: Good intuition, 

being quick on your feet and being 

compassionate and patient. 

Most outrageous favor: Someone 

asked me to run a license plate to find 

out where someone lives. I didn’t do it. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Reno 

911 is funny but obviously not realistic. 

LARRY HAILO, 47 

Patrolman, Orchard Lake 



Why Chaldeans are 

attracted to law 

enforcement: They’re 

no different from any 

other culture. I think 

it’s a personal interest 

one develops. Another factor may be 

that it is different from many years of 

working retail. 

Most rewarding: Every shift can bring a 

new challenge no matter how many 

years you have been a police officer. 

Being able to capture and see criminals 

prosecuted, as is being there and helping 

someone when they are desperate, 

is extremely rewarding personally. I also 

believe I am serving the Lord while performing 

the duties of this profession and 

that is very gratifying. 

What makes a good cop: I believe honesty 

and integrity speak volumes. 

Most outrageous favor: People have 

told me after stopping them for a DUI, 

“I’ll give you anything you want if you 

just take me home.” I tell them, “I’m 

going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Cops is 

the closest to real police work. 

BASSAM HAKIM, 39 

Officer, Detroit Police 

Department (Currently 

spending one year in Iraq 

as an International Police 

Officer) 


Most rewarding part: 

Helping people every 

day who need it and knowing that I did 

something positive at work. 

The hardest part: Seeing little children 

be victimized. 

Why Chaldeans are attracted to law 

enforcement: The position of authority, 

respect and the excitement of the profession. 

Most outrageous favor: A woman 

called in and said, “I am a Detroit resident 

and I am stuck in Toledo, Ohio. 

Can you send a car to pick me up?” I 

almost fell out of my seat from not 

laughing out loud. I kept it professional 

and explained to her that we are not a 

taxi service. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Lethal 

Weapon series 

JASSIN HAKIM, 29 

Officer, Sterling Heights Police Department 

Years on force: 9 (4 with Sterling 

Heights and 5 with Detroit) 

Most memorable moment: On March 

5, 2002 while working in Detroit, my 

partner and I responded to a “shots 

fired” call. A man stated he was a private 

investigator and was being shot at 

by an unknown suspect. Just as soon 

as we found that out, we were greeted 

by several shots from an AK-47. My 

partner and I were pinned behind our 

vehicle for an hour and a half and 

exchanged more than 100 rounds with 

the suspect. By the grace of God we 

made it out alive; unfortunately the suspect 

did not. 

The hardest part: You see how ugly 

and sad the world really is. Most people 

are blind to what actually happens in this 

world. 

Most rewarding thing: When you go 

home at night you know that you have 

just helped out a complete stranger 

when they had no one else to turn to, 

and that the city you work in is that 

much safer because a criminal may have 

seen you drive past and made him think 

twice about committing a crime. For 

me it’s personal because I grew up in 

Sterling Heights, so to help the city and 

residents makes me feel good. 

Biggest favor asked: “Can you get my 

cousin out of jail?” 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: 

The Shield 

GHESSAN ISTEFAN, 29 

Officer, Detroit Police 

Department’s 

Southwestern Division 

Years on force: 6.5 

What attracted you 

to law enforcement: I 

love to help people 

and what better way 

to do that than to be a police officer. 

Most memorable moment: In 2003, I 

received a life-saving medal for saving a 

woman trying to kill herself by jumping 

from a bridge onto the I-96 highway. 

The hardest part: The danger of working 

in Detroit. It’s exciting and frightening 

at the same time. 

Most rewarding thing: To see the 

happy faces of all the people we help 

who really need us, and the recognition 

we receive from people who really know 

how tough our job is for what little 

money we make. 

What makes a good cop: Being a people 

person. If you’re not into saying hello 

to anyone, you’re in the wrong job. 


Untouchables 

NADER JAMIL, 30 

Patrol officer and SWAT Team member, 

Inkster Police Department 

Years on force: 8 (7 in Inkster, 1 as a 

Wayne County Sheriff) 

Most memorable moment: Just recently 

we chased a guy who stole a car, then 

tracked his footprints in the snow into a 

condemned vacant house. It was falling 

apart so much we could see inside it, but 

he was hiding. I said, “Let me see your 

hands,” and he sticks his hands out — I 

was just bluffing! Then he fell (through 

the rotted floor) into the basement. 

The hardest part: We have to work every 

holiday and no matter how cold it is out 

there, you’re out there. The media blows 

up the bad things you do and never talks 

about the good things. We have to make 

decisions within a matter of seconds. I’d 

rather be judged by six than carried by six. 

Most rewarding: Looking at people’s 

faces when they see me patrol the 

POLICE 



POLICE 


streets, they wave and thank us for what 

we’re doing. It really means a lot. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Bad 

Boys because it’s funny. 

RONNIE KARJO, 38 

Officer, Inkster Police 

Department 


with Inkster, also worked 

for Royal Oak Township 

and Memphis) 

What attracted you to 

law enforcement: 

Something my mother will never understand 

— it’s what I’ve always wanted to 

do. I get a lot of joy from helping those 

who can’t defend or help themselves. 

Most memorable moment: A few months 

ago I received a call of two men with guns 

attempting to enter a home. I got there at 

1:30 a.m. and saw the homeowner shooting 

with an AK-47. I ordered him to drop 

the gun and he did, but it took a minute or 

two for backup to come. One victim 

ended up dying. I was recommended for a 

medal of commemoration for this incident 

— it could have turned out real bad. 

The hardest part: Every day you go to 

work, you might not make it home. I’ve 

been shot at many times, stabbed and 

run over by a car. 

What makes a good cop: Chaldeans 

approach me about this all the time. I tell 

them they can’t get into trouble — stay 

in school and have no arrests. Ninetynine 

percent of being a good cop is 

common sense — if you have that, you 

can get through anything. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Third 

Watch because it’s pretty accurate. 

DERIK KASSAB, 27 

Detective, West Bloomfield 


Years on Force: 5 

Future aspirations: 

Making sergeant one 

day. I’m halfway 

through my master’s in 

criminal justice. 

Most memorable moment: Making 

detective and being selected for the 

Special Response Team, which handles 

high-risk search warrants and hostage 

situations (similar to a SWAT Team). 

Hardest part: Being both Chaldean and 

working in West Bloomfield, making 

sure you step back when Chaldeans are 

involved. Some people expect you to 

treat them differently because they and 

you are Chaldean. 

What makes a good cop: It’s the type 

of job where you’re going to get 

slapped in the face metaphorically — 

you see the worst of people and death 

in the worst way. You need to step out 

of it and not get emotionally attached. 

People think it is all brawn and no 

brains, but your biggest tool is your 

mouth and how you use it. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Bad 

Boys because it’s so unrealistic, it’s 

entertaining. 

NICK LOUSSIA, 44 

Lieutenant, Southfield 




moment: The one that 

really stands out was 

when I had a year on 

the job and we happened 

to be in the parking lot of a mall 

when an armed robbery occurred. The 

bad guys fled in a Mustang and we were 

chasing them, then the passenger waved 

a semi-automatic and started firing shots. 

It was right out of a movie. Then they 

jumped the embankment and went down 

to the freeway. They crashed and there 

was a foot pursuit. It was amazing that no 

one was hurt. We recovered the stolen 

property and got the guys. 

Most outrageous favor: When I first 

became a cop, anytime a Chaldean was 

pulled over in Southfield he or she 

would say, “Hey, do you know Nick? 

He’s my cousin.” It got to be so ridiculous 

that some officers made tee-shirts 

that read, “Yes, I know Nick Loussia.” 


Untouchables 

RAFID MAYA, 41 

Police officer, Southfield 



with Southfield, 4 with 

Detroit) 


moment: When my 

father, Ghazi, pinned 

my badge on me when I began with 

Southfield. 

What attracted you to police work: The 

majority of my friends growing up on 

Seven Mile weren’t doing the right thing 

— half got killed the other half ended up 

going to jail. My aspirations were higher 

than theirs. I felt I could benefit society 

by assisting against crime and helping 

each individual. It’s a calling from God. 

Most rewarding part: Every day I wake 

up and it’s a new adventure. That one 

person I help out might then be able to 

go out and change the world. 

What makes a good cop: My main 

thing is faith; you wake up with it and 

that’s what keeps you strong. 

Most outrageous favor: Friends ask me 

for a police escort in Southfield so they 

don’t have to stop at the red lights. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: It’s a tossup 

between Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. 

SCOTT SHAMOUN, 36 

Detective, Farmington 

Hills Police Department 



moment: Two years ago 

I responded to a car in a 

tree on 14 Mile Road. 

When I arrived, a man 

frantically yelled, “I killed her.” I looked over 

my shoulder and there she was, an elderly 

woman lying there unresponsive. I called for 

help and began CPR, but she was dead. 

When I went to her house to inform her 

loved ones, I noticed wedding anniversary 

invitations for her and her husband to be 

celebrated the next month. 

Most rewarding part: It’s a feeling of 

accomplishment: helping people with a 

broken-down automobile, giving advice 

in domestic situations, saving someone’s 

life, stopping a speeder going 100 mph 

in a school zone, delivering a baby and 

all the joy it brings. 

Hardest part: Not letting your emotions 

get in the way of doing your job. You 

have to be strong at the moment you’re 

trying to help or save a life. 

Most outrageous favor: I responded to 

an accident involving two elderly 

Chaldean women, who were at fault. 

They were speaking Chaldean to one 

another and decided one of them would 

fake a heart attack to avoid a ticket. I 

explained to them I understood what they 

said. They were very embarrassed, but 

one still had the nerve to ask me to help 

them out because I am also Chaldean. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Serpicio 

PAUL SHUNIA, 41 

Trooper, Michigan State 

Police (Stationed at Metro 

North in Oak Park) 

Years on the force: 18 


moment: Graduating 

from the MSP Training 

Academy. They run it 

like a Marine boot camp. It’s extremely 

hard; 30 percent don’t make it. 

Most rewarding part: As an accident 

investigator, doing a good investigation 

and getting good results. I’m guessing 

there are more than 400 fatal accidents 

I’ve been involved with. 

Advice for aspiring cops: You’ve got to 

want to do it for yourself, not to impress 

friends of family, or you’re not going to make 

it. And you have to be in top, top physical 

shape for the academy. I worked out 

every day for two years before the academy 

and I wasn’t even close to prepared. 

What makes a good cop: Patience. 

Just because someone runs up and 

accuses someone of doing something, 

you have to listen to both sides of the 

story. You can’t rush to judgment. 

Most outrageous favor: I stopped a 

Chaldean guy for speeding and he told 

me he knew Trooper Shunia. I told that 

I too knew Trooper Shunia. The fact is, 

the guy did not know me, he only knew 

my name. The traffic stop didn’t work 

out so well for him. 

POLICE 



RELIGION 

PLACES OF PRAYER 

THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES 

St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese 

25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033, 248-351-0440 

Mar (Bishop) Ibrahim N. Ibrahim 

www.chaldeandiocese.org 

MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; 248-356-0565 

RECTOR: Rev. Manuel Boji 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Wisam Matti 

MASS SCHEDULE: Weekdays except Tuesday, 10 a.m.; 

Tuesday, St. Anthony prayer at 5 p.m. followed by mass at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 5:15 p.m. 

in English; Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English, 12 noon in Chaldean 

SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

310 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48203, 

313-368-6214 

PASTOR: Rev. Jacob Yasso 

MASS SCHEDULE: Friday, 6 p.m. in Chaldean, 

Sunday 11 a.m. in Chaldean 

MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

24010 Coolidge Hwy, Oak Park, MI 48237, 248-547-4648 

PASTOR: Rev. Stephen Kallabat 

PAROCHIAL VICARS: Rev. Fadi Habib Khalaf, Rev. Suleiman Denha 

MASS SCHEDULE: Weekday masses at 12 noon. 

Sunday 10 a.m. in Sourath and Arabic; 12:30 p.m. in Sourath 

CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT 

ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

2442 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083, 248-528-3676 

PASTOR: Msgr. Zouhair Toma (Kejbou) 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Ayad J. Hanna (Knanjaro) 

MASS SCHEDULE: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturday, 5 p.m. in English and 

Chaldean; Sunday, 8 a.m. in Chaldean, 9:30 a.m. in Arabic, 11 a.m. in English, 

12:30 p.m. in Chaldean 

ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST 

4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; 586-825-0290 

RECTOR: Fr. Benjamin Benjamin 

MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday, 9 a.m. Assyrian; noon Assyrian and English 

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 248-788-2460 

PASTOR: Rev. Frank Kalabat 

Rev. Emanuel Rayes (retired) 

PAROCHIAL VICAR: Rev. Jirgus Abrahim 

MASS SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. in Sourath, Saturday 5 p.m. in English, 

Sunday 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Sourath 

ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH 

2560 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48335, 248-478-0835 

PASTOR: Rev. Toma Behnama 

MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday 12 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m. 

All masses are in Syriac, Arabic and English 

ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI; (586) 254-7221 

PASTOR: Rev. Emanuel Hana Isho Shaleta 

ASSISTANT PASTOR: Rev. Basel Yaldo 

MASS SCHEDULE: Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10:30 a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 

2 p.m. in Arabic; baptisms, 3 p.m. on Sundays. Weekdays 10 a.m. in Chaldean; 

Beginning September 1: Saturday mass, 5 p.m. 

POLICE 


Favorite cop movie/TV show: Beverly 

Hills Cop is still funny to me. 

JAY YALDOO, 35 

Deputy Sheriff, Oakland 


Department 



moment: Receiving the 

2005 MADD award for 

arresting the most 

drunk drivers. I arrested more than 100 

that year. I can just look at a car and 

say, that guy is drunk. 

The hardest part: Sometimes you have 

to make tough, tough decisions, like 

arresting someone when you don’t want 

to. Especially when there are children of 

drunk drivers in the back seat — how to 

explain why you’re taking their mom to 

jail? 

Most rewarding part: It feels good 

when you go home at night and you 

know you made a difference, such as 

finding a runaway or an elderly person 

who wandered away. I love it every day 

and I’m on the motorcycle unit in the 

summer. I think, they pay me to ride! 

Most outrageous favor: Chaldeans are 

always asking me to get rid of tickets. 

One guy asked if I could go on the computer 

and erase his points. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Bad Boys 

ALBERT YASSO, 

40 

Sergeant, Detroit Police 

Department 



moment: I was six 

months out of the academy when I was 

outside a house, guarding the door where 

a barricaded gunman inside had killed his 

ex-girlfriend. Her body was on the front 

lawn. He ended up surrendering. 

The hardest part: A police officer is 

generally the first one on a scene and 

we see some very sad things. 

Sometimes you have to say, “Lord, I 

don’t know why you let this happen but I 

have to trust in your judgment.” But 

good works are supposed to be hard 

and stressful — if it was an easy job 

everyone would be doing it. 

What attracted you to law enforcement: 

I wanted to help people. Being a 

religious family, my parents realized I 

was doing a good thing and grudgingly 

accepted it. 

Most outrageous favor: During the fireworks 

show, the roads are all blocked 

going into downtown. Once a Chaldean 

called and asked me to open the streets 

for him as he drove up. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Robocop 

because people think it’s funny to call 

me that. 

FRED YONO, 53 

Sergeant in charge of the 

Traffic Bureau, Van 

Buren Township Police 

Department 



moment: We had a call 

about 10 years ago about a car on fire on 

the I-94. We got two kids out of the car. If 

we didn’t get there on time, they would 

have never gotten out. 

The hardest part: Dealing with fatal 

accidents with kids involved. It’s the 

worst thing you can see. 

Most rewarding part: I arrested more than 

200 drunk drivers in one year. If I save one 

life by giving a speeding ticket, I’ve accomplished 

a lot by slowing people down. 

What makes a good cop: You have to 

have common sense. You can have all the 

education you want but you won’t be a 

good cop if you have no common sense. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: Cops. 

It’s the real thing — exactly what we do 

out there. 

YASSIR ZORA, 29 

Deputy, Corrections 

Department, Oakland 


Department 


(two with OC and 

five with Detroit) 


moment: The first week on the job 

while working in Detroit, they called 

for a Chaldean-speaking officer. A guy 

was stuck in his car near Seven Mile 

and no one could understand a word 

he was saying. I went to the hospital 

with him and called his family. 

The hardest part: I had a 5-year-old 

child die in my arms after being hit by 

a car. The good thing was that his 

organs were donated. 

Most rewarding part: Helping people 

out. Once a Chaldean in a clinic was 

having pain but didn’t speak any 

English, so I translated. That made my 

day. It’s my personal gratification if I 

get the chance to help one Chaldean 

family. Chaldeans from Iraq treat law 

enforcement differently; maybe I can 

help change it so they are not afraid of 

police officers. 

Favorite cop movie/TV show: I used 

to watch Cops when I was younger.


CHALDEAN 

NEWS 

THE 

COVERS 

2004-2007 

FEBRUARY 2004 

MARCH 2004 MAY 2004 

APRIL 04 

The community’s 

newest church, St. 

George in Shelby 

Township, opened 

Christmas 2004. Its four 

masses each Sunday 

draw some 2,000 worshippers. 

A total of $6 

million is owned to pay 

off the construction 

loans — a $32,000 

monthly payment on 

$4.5 million of that 

amount pays little more 

than interest. Church 

officials hope to build a 

social hall and space 

for Catechism classes, 

but “there’s no way that 

will happen in the near 

future,” said Fr. 

Emanuel Shaleta. 

APRIL 2004 

SEPTEMBER 2004 


After the August 1, 2004 

coordinated bombings 

on five Chaldean churches 

in Iraq, we asked, 

“what now?” 

Unfortunately, there’s 

been little good news for 

Iraq’s Christians in the 

years since. The Assyrian 

International News 

Agency says that 40 

Assyrian/Chaldean/ 

Syriac churches have 

been bombed in Iraq 

since June 26, 2004. 

Mid-January saw a wave 

of bombings aimed at 

churches and even a 

Chaldean orphanage. 

Pre-war Iraq had 1.2 

million Christians and 

it’s estimated that only 

400,000 have fled, making 

an Iraq without 

Christians a very 

real possibility. 

NOVEMBER 2004 

2004 

JUNE 2004 JULY 2004 AUGUST 2004 OCTOBER 2004 DECEMBER 2004 

NOVEMBER 2004 

Bucking the community trend 

towards secrecy in health 

matters, three breast cancer 

survivors bravely bared all 

about their illness. Sadly, 

Nedal (Kalabat) Squillace lost 

her battle on November 1, 

2005 at the age of 46. 

Happily, Rhonda (George) 

Lawrencelle and Venus 

Sadek — are doing just fine. 


JUNE 2005 JANUARY 2005 FEBRUARY 2005 MARCH 2005 

JUNE 2005 

Deadly Detroit was the 

sad focus of a cover 

story that highlighted 

the many Chaldeans 

who have died violently, 

mostly while working at 

their stores in the city. 

The past few years have 

seen a drop in deadly 

violence, but store owners, 

including Clint 

Kassab of Luxor Liquor, 

still complain of poor 

response time from the 

police. Like many of his 

colleagues, Kassab has 

hired a security guard 

to keep the store safe 

during high-traffic times 

like weekends and the 

holidays. 

NOVEMBER 2005 

APRIL 2005 MAY 2005 JULY 2005 

2005 

DECEMBER 2005 

DECEMBER 2005 

Detroit Mayor Kwame 

Kilpatrick’s efforts to 

improve the city’s relationship 

with Chaldean 

business owners have 

been mostly successful, 

with the mayor attending 

a number of 

Chaldean Chamber 

events. In fact, he’ll 

meet again with the 

chamber on February 21 

at Shenandoah Country 

Club to discuss a new 

partnership between 

Chaldean store owners 

and the City of Detroit. 

Kilpatrick has said the 

city must support and 

reward those businesses 

that invest and stay 

in the city — but recent 

scandals may overshadow 

that message. 

AUGUST 2005 

NOVEMBER 2005 

Many readers asked what 

they could do after reading 

about the heartbreaking 

plight of Iraqi orphans, 

who can’t be legally adopted 

under a law by Saddam 

Hussein. No much has 

changed; the new Iraqi 

government hasn’t 

addressed the law and 

there seems to be little 

sense of urgency to do so. 

SEPTEMBER 2005 OCTOBER 2005 


JANUARY 2006 FEBRUARY 2006 APRIL 2006 

2006 

MARCH 2006 JUNE 2006 

JULY 2006 AUGUST 2006 

MAY 2006 

APRIL 2006 

Diane Dickow D’Agostini, chief justice of the 48th District Court, made news when she refused to go along with a 

plan in which judges reduce sentences when the county jail became overcrowded. Now the matter is out of her 

hands — the state legislature has passed a law, effective this month, that grants early releases to inmates when a 

jail is 95 percent full. Detractors call it a Get Out of Jail Free card. “This change in law is disappointing to me as a 

resident, a mother and in my role as a judge. It sends a terrible message to people who break the law, that being 

— the jail is full so you can be released without paying your debt to society and the crime victim,” said D’Agostini. 

“Our community deserves to have safety without compromise.” 

MAY 2006 

Many were upset by new rules that eliminated such 

traditions as the funeral procession. Community members 

are slowly coming to terms with the new rules, 

reports Southfield Funeral Home Owner Jerry Yono, 

but proposed guidelines on visitations have gone 

nowhere. “They come in and they take over,” Yono 

said of visitors who come to pay their respects and 

often stay for hours. “There are still a lot of older people 

who are adverse to change.” 

SEPTEMBER 2006 OCTOBER 2006 NOVEMBER 2006 DECEMBER 2006 


JANUARY 2007 

FEBRUARY 2007 APRIL 2007 

MARCH 2007 

MAY 2007 

MARCH 2007 

High hopes greeted the 

election season but 

local Chaldean candidates 

were shut out on 

Election Day: Richard 

Sulaka for mayor of 

Warren, Johnny Oram 

for Farmington Hills City 

Council and Robert 

Kakos for Southfield 

City Council. And, after 

a strong showing in the 

August 2006 primary 

election for state representative, 

Mark Abbo 

suffered a shocking loss 

in that November’s general 

election, a victim of 

the “anti-Republican 

tsunami” that swept 

throughout the country. 

2007 

SEPTEMBER 2007 JUNE 2007 

JULY 2007 


The first Chaldean war 

refugees arrived in 

Metro Detroit on August 

1, the start of what 

many hoped would be a 

large wave of Iraqi religious 

minorities. But, 

according to the 

Chaldean Federation of 

America, only 1,608 

Iraqi refugees were 

admitted into the U.S. 

in fiscal year 2007 — 

despite promises of 

7,000 by the Bush 

Administration. Now the 

CFA is advocating that 

the government speed 

up the process to meet 

this year’s quota of 

12,000 refugees by 

September 30, 2008. 

AUGUST 2007 

OCTOBER 2007 

NOVEMBER 2007 

DECEMBER 2007 

JANUARY 2008 


sports 

Wrestler Gabe 

Sheena is one of 

Brother Rice’s 

top wrestlers. 

Gabe Sheena wrestles on one leg, but he 

doesn’t consider that a handicap. Neither 

does his Birmingham Brother Rice High 

School wrestling coach nor anyone else in the 

Brother Rice wrestling family. 

“If you want to use the word ‘special’ with 

regards to Gabe, what’s special about him is the 

way he conducts himself,” said Brother Rice coach 

Ray Kossakowski. 

“It isn’t a miracle that Gabe is able to wrestle. 

God decided losing a leg was Gabe’s cross to bear 

in life, so Gabe uses his other God-given abilities. 

Gabe is the only guy on our team who doesn’t 

complain about doing wind sprints.” 

Brother Rice president John Birney, father of 

wrestler Pat Birney, can’t say enough about 

Sheena’s perpetually positive attitude. 

“The only time I’ve seen Gabe mope is after 

he’s lost a match,” Birney said. 

Sheena, a junior, is in his third season in the 

Brother Rice wrestling program. Even though 

he lost much of his left leg to an amputation 

Jan. 6, 2000 — the day before his ninth birthday 

— Sheena has never lost his determination 

a leg up 

Positive attitude defines high school wrestler 


to succeed and live life to the fullest. 

Besides being one of the top wrestlers at 

Brother Rice, Sheena is 3.8 grade-point average 

student at a school that’s renowned for its tough 

academics. 

Sheena is considering becoming an orthopedic 

surgeon. Last summer, he traveled to Chicago to 

attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on 

Medicine, a conference that introduces outstanding 

high school students to the medical field. 

Sheena has a very personal reason for his career 

choice. It was osteosarcoma (bone cancer) that 

cost him much of his left leg on that January day 

eight years ago at Memorial Sloan-Kettering 

Cancer Center in New York City. 

“If I was an orthopedic surgeon, I’d be able to 

relate to kids who are facing the same thing I 

faced,” Sheena, 16, said. “Or maybe I’d find a cure 

or another way of attacking cancer.” 

Sheena’s wrestling career at Brother Rice got 

off to a slow start. Like many freshman wrestlers, 

he took his lumps. Wearing his prosthetic, Sheena 

finished 2-14 in junior varsity matches. 

Sheena wrestled without the prosthetic in practices 

late in the season and he seemed to wrestle 

better, so he decided to go without it as a sophomore. 

That turned out to be a great idea. Sheena 

finished 26-24 last season for the Brother Rice varsity 

team in the 125-pound weight class, including 

an impressive second-place finish in the Catholic 

League tournament. 

Sheena, the No. 4 seed at 125 pounds, upset 

No. 1 seed Tom Cada of Riverview Gabriel 

Richard 18-9 in the tournament semifinals. Cada 

had pinned Sheena earlier in the season, so the 

victory gave Sheena some sweet revenge. 

“The prosthetic made Gabe slower and reduced 

his leverage. There’s no way to compete in 

wrestling with those drawbacks,” said Joe Sheena, 

Gabe’s father. “Gabe is much lower to the mat 

now, which causes problems for his opponents.” 

Sheena also is getting some extra coaching. For 

the past year, he’s been working with Matt Kluff of 

Sudden Victory Wrestling to develop strategies 

that take advantage of his physical situation. 

No extra coaching is needed when it comes to 

Sheena’s mental attitude on the mat. 

“Gabe is super competitive ... always has been,” 

Joe Sheena said. “He’s your typical first-born type 

A kid. When he wrestles, he’s nasty.” 

A nasty injury — four micro-fractures in his 

spine — sidelined Sheena for four months last 

summer and fall. He began wrestling only a couple 

weeks before Brother Rice started practicing and 

he got off to a slow start this season, but he went 

7-4 after he dropped from 135 to 130 pounds. 

Sheena hopes to wrestle at 125 pounds again 

before the season ends. That would get him back 

on track toward his ultimate wrestling goal. 

“I really want to wrestle in college,” Sheena 

said. “Wrestling is my passion.” 

Sheena decided to give wrestling a try after 

talking with former University of Michigan 

wrestling stars Josh and Ryan Chrella and attending 

a wrestling camp at U-M the summer before he 

entered Brother Rice. 

Sheena and the Chrella brothers share the 

same personal trainer. 

“I needed to do something to stay in shape,” 

Sheena said. “I was getting kind of chubby back 

then. I think I weighed about 150 pounds.” 

The Sheena family lives in Bloomfield 

Township. Joe and Fadia Sheena also have a son 

Joseph, 15, a Brother Rice sophomore, and a 

daughter Brooke, 12, a seventh-grader at Holy 

Name School in Birmingham. 

“Gabe has the perfect family for dealing with 

what’s happened to him,” Birney said. “They have 

been so supportive.” 


scoring when it counts 

CBA victory is clinched in overtime 

BY JOE KYRIAKOZA 

Haithem Sarafa’s team of wily 

veterans found their legs and 

their shot when it counted 

most — in overtime of the championship 

game of the Chaldean 

Basketball Association’s Fall 2007 

season. Led by Safaa “Big Dog” 

Kasawa’s 20 points — including eight 

in the extra period — Sarafa’s team 

topped Tom Kyriakoza’s squad by a 

final score of 44-35 on December 17 

at Shenandoah Country Club. 

Sarafa’s team finished the regular 

season with a 5-5 record, and won all 

three playoff games to finish 8-5 and 

end their season on a five-game winning 

streak. 

The turning point in the game 

occurred with about five minutes 

remaining, when an altercation 

between Ghanim Kizy and Kasawa 

resulted in ejections of Kizy and Omar 

Taki, who came to Kasawa’s defense. 

With technical free throws and the 

ensuing possession, Sarafa’s team 

went ahead by six points. 

Helping Kyriakoza’s team mount a 

comeback in the closing minutes 

were the heroics of Mike Zeer, who 

drilled two difficult 3-point shots to 

put his team up by one with 16 seconds 

left. On the next possession Al 

Kattola was fouled and made one of 

The championship 

team: 

Omar Taki 

(left), Al 

Kattola, Chris 

Abbo, Haithem 

Sarafa, Neil 

Ammori, Safaa 

Kasawa and 

Wasim Somo. 

two free throws to tie 

the game and send it 

into overtime. 

In overtime it was 

all Big Dog, as he hit 

two quick buckets in 

the paint, and followed 

it up with four free throws. 

Sarafa’s team solidified the victory by 

holding Kyriakoza’s team scoreless in 

the extra period. 

Following Kasawa in the scoring 

column was Neil Ammori and Taki 

each with eight, followed by Kattola 

with five. Kyriakoza’s team was led by 

Marvin Yeldo with 18 points and Zeer 

with 11. Kyriakoza finished with a 

record of 7-6. 

The Winter 2008 CBA season 

began on January 14 at 

Shenandoah. 



sports 

to russia with love 

Teen hockey player logs 10,000 miles to play in tournament 


When Justin Kammo started 

playing travel hockey a few 

years ago, he had no idea 

how far he’d be traveling. 

The 15-year-old Utica High School 

sophomore and his teammates on the 

Macomb Mavericks Midget A travel 

squad journeyed to Klin, Russia, in 

December to compete in the inaugural 

Valeri Kharlamov International Memorial 

Tournament at Klin’s new ice rink. 

Klin is 53 miles northwest of 

Moscow. Its history dates to 1317, but 

Kammo was just as excited about hockey 

as history during the nearly 10,000- 

mile round trip. It was Kammo’s first trip 

outside North America. 

“It was fun visiting a new country 

and learning about its culture, of course, 

but it also was fun experiencing a different 

style of hockey,” Kammo said. “The 

teams we faced in Russia play a more 

wide-open game than the North 

American style.” 

Away from the Klin rink, Kammo got 

a glimpse of the simple life led by many 

Russian citizens, and he dealt with days 

when the sun set at about 3 p.m. But 

there was one tasty reminder of home. 

“The best food in Russia was at 

McDonald’s,” Kammo said. “In fact, 

their McDonald’s food is better than it 

is here.” 

Kammo didn’t have any problems getting time 

off from school to go on the nine-day trip. He’s an 

honor student at Utica. 

“Justin took a couple of tests early, and his teachers 

gave him homework to do while he was gone,” 

said Holly Kammo, Justin’s mother. 

Time was set aside each day in Russia for 

Mavericks players to do their homework. The players 

also had time for sightseeing and shopping, and 

they skated at a temporary ice rink constructed in 

Moscow’s Red Square. 

Justin Kammo 

Kammo can’t get enough ice time. 

“I love hockey. Hockey is my life,” said Kammo, a 

6-foot, 170-pounder who’s been playing the game since 

he was 3 and hopes someday to play in the NHL. 

Mavericks team manager Bob Stralko said 

Kammo, the Mavericks’ captain, plays hockey likes 

he loves it. 

“Justin is a fireball, one of the most dynamic 

players on our team. He never stops when he’s on 

the ice,” Stralko said. “There’s no question that 

Justin is one of our team leaders.” 

The Mavericks went 3-3 in the seven-team tournament 

in Klin. The other teams came from Belarus, 

Estonia, Russia and Ukraine. One of the 

Mavericks’ victories was an 8-3 thumping 

of the Russia Olympic Reserve Team. 

“If you would have told us before we 

left that we’d tie for third place in the 

tournament we would have been happy,” 

Stralko said. “But after winning three of 

our first four games and playing incredible 

hockey, we lost our last two games against 

teams we should have beaten. I think we 

just ran out of gas.” 

The Mavericks’ 34-person traveling 

party included 19 players, 13 parents (one 

was Justin’s father, Mike Kammo), Coach 

Bob Hall and interpreter/guide Sergey 

Petrovskiy, a former Russian figure skater 

who now lives in Washington Township 

and is a figure skating coach. 

Petrovskiy was instrumental in putting 

the trip together. Even with his help, it 

wasn’t easy. 

Trip preparations began in March and 

Petrovskiy had friends in Russia working 

with him, but the Mavericks didn’t obtain 

their mandatory sports visas from Russia’s 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via the 

Russian embassy in Washington, D.C.) 

until two days before the team left Detroit 

for Moscow. 

Cost for the trip was $1,400 per person 

for transportation, lodging and food. The 

team handled tournament fees. 

Enough money was raised through a benefit golf 

outing and other fund-raisers so that participating 

families didn’t have to fork over any funds. 

That was good news for Mike and Holly Kammo, 

who also have two daughters, Sabrena, 17, and 

Sesilia, 7. The family lives in Sterling Heights. 

The Mavericks are one of several travel teams 

sponsored by the Macomb Hockey Club, which is 

based at Suburban Ice-Macomb in Macomb 

Township. The Midget A team of 15- and 16-yearolds 

plays in the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey 

League. 


ECONOMICS & enterprise 

Lolly Ella: A family affair 

BY KEN MARTEN 

Sibling rivalry doesn’t exist 

among the four Strauch sisters. 

In fact, they get on well enough 

to run a business together. 

Along with mom Janet Mansoor- 

Strauch, the sisters own Lolly Ella, a 

costume jewelry boutique in the West 

Bloomfield Plaza. Lolly Ella celebrated 

its two-year anniversary in November. 

“We always wanted to open a family 

business,” said Erica, who at 33 is 

the oldest sister. “We get along well 

and have a great camaraderie. It’s a lot 

of teamwork and it’s not for everybody, 

but it’s for us.” 

Erica’s other sisters and business 

partners are identical twins Michelle 

and Danielle, 30, and Pamela, 27. 

“It’s totally amazing working with 

four daughters,” Janet said. “We all 

bring something different to the table. 

Everyone has a creative backbone, I 

guess you could say.” 

Lolly Ella is a family affair in more 

ways than one. The boutique’s name is 

a tribute to the daughters’ grandmothers, 

Lolly and Eleanor, and their greatgrandma, 

Stella. “Ella” is Eleanor and 

Stella combined. 

All three matriarchs are deceased 

and honored with their photos hanging 

behind the store’s cash register. 

Several pieces of their furniture have 

been incorporated into jewelry displays. 

“They were very inspirational in all 

my daughters’ lives,” Janet said. 

Lolly Ella offers a wide range of costume 

jewelry that stems from the memory 

of grandmothers, mother and 

daughters shopping together and 

being able to find age-suitable pieces 

for all three generations at the same 

store. The daughters recall their grandmas 

and great-grandma as “fashionistas” 

of their generations, ever mindful 

of the Great Depression’s economic 

lessons. 

“We cherish the times when we all 

went out as a group and shopped 

together,” Erica said. “You can look 

fabulous without 

spending a lot of 

money. That’s the 

whole concept of 

costume jewelry.” 

Most items at 

Lolly Ella are priced 

at less than $30 — 

excepting a few 

“evening items.” 

Pamela, who has a degree in merchandising 

and has taught business 

classes at Madonna and Wayne State 

universities, said her sisters are her 

best friends. 

“We have a special relationship,” 

Pamela said. “I wouldn’t want to be in 

business with anyone else. We have 

our moments, but everyone is allowed 

to express their opinion.” 

Janet’s husband, Dan, is a retired 

electrician who also has a hand in Lolly 

Ella — he helped remodel the space 

before it opened and helps construct 

displays. 

Erica, Michelle, Danielle and Pamela Strauch, with 

their mom, Janet Mansoor-Strauch 

have a 

HEART 

On Saturday, February 2, 

Lolly Ella will participate in 

The Heart Truth’s Red Dress 

Project, which raises awareness 

and urges women to 

guard against heart disease. 

Part of the proceeds from 

sales that day will be donated 

to the charity. 



ART & entertainment 

‘Iraq’s Other Frontier’ 

showcases Chaldeans 

BY MERVIT BASHI 

Themes ranging from the horror of 

war to the simplicity of everyday 

life were expressed in a variety of 

media at the first-ever Iraqi Cultural 

Week art show at Madonna University. 

“The Other Frontier of Iraq: Works by 

Contemporary Iraqi Artists” ran January 

16-23 at the university campus in Livonia. 

The exhibit, open to all Iraqi artists but 

mainly featuring the work of Chaldeans 

across various media, was a collaboration 

between Madonna 

University, the Iraqi Artists 

Association (IAA) and 

Mesopotamia Art Gallery. 

The show was one aspect 

of Iraqi Cultural Week, which 

was intended to increase 

awareness and understanding 

of the people, art and culture 

of Iraq through traditional music, poetry 

and art. Contemporary Chaldean 

artwork included digital media, mixed 

media and acrylic on canvas. 

The art illustrated the everyday voice 

that resonates despite what today’s 

news media conveys almost exclusively 

in terms of terrorism, bombings and violent 

extremists. The exhibit portrayed 

the thoughts of Iraqi artists amidst war 

but not only focused on war. 

The event provided a sampling of 

contemporary Iraqi art as well as a taste 

of historical art and culture from the 

The show was one aspect of 

Iraqi Cultural Week, intended 

to increase awareness and 

understanding. 

region. Traditional Iraqi music (including 

the unique and rare Baghdadian form 

of music), poetry readings and a lecture 

by featured artist Amer Hanna 

Above: Memories by Zuhair Shaaoun Top right: Confession by Paul Batou 

FEATURED 

ARTISTS 

Amer Hanna Fatuhi, USA 

Burhan Saleh Kirkukly, Holland 

Farouk Kaspaules, Canada 

Mazin Elia, Iraq 

Nadwa Qaragholi, USA 

Paul Batou, USA 

Ziad M. Haider, (1954 — 2006) 

Zuhair Shaaouni, USA 

Fatuhi rounded out the week. 

Signifying the contemporary nature 

of his art, “I work with very different, nontraditional 

materials,” said Fatuhi, who 

owns the Mesopotamia Art Gallery in 

Ferndale. He describes his work specifically 

as postmodernism. 

Sculpture by Mazin Elia, using wood 

to focus on the female form, exudes the 

maternal essence of the culture. Wood 

is a challenging sculpting material to 

work with, but as evident by his flowing 

figures, Elia succeeds. 

Various books and writings were 

also on display and in some cases on 

sale. The books represented a cross 

section of plays, novels, history and 

much more by Chaldean authors. For 

instance, on view was Akitu, a traditional 

play about the Chaldean Babylonian 

New Year festival, by Chaldean author 

and playwright Marshal Garmo. 

Weam Namou’s novels, including 

The Feminine Art, were displayed. 

Describing her work as a novelist and 

screenwriter, “They are true life stories 

of Iraqis living everyday life during 

war,” Namou said. “When we talk to 

our relatives in Iraq, the war is not 

what we discuss each time we call. 

Sometimes it may not even come up.” 

Educational books such as 

Chaldean for Kids by Margaret 

Shamoun and Melody Arabo focused 

on preserving the ancient spoken language 

of Chaldeans. In this same vein 

is the Chaldean Reading Book by 

Mary Yousif, revised by Fr. Jacob Yasso 

and illustrated and designed by Amer 

Hanna Fatuhi. The text emphasizes the 

pride of carrying on the language. 

Assyrian-Chaldean artist Paul 

Batou’s poetry was on display, in 

addition to his paintings in the exhibit. 

My Last Thoughts on Iraq is an 

anthology of his poems, which are a 

compilation of his memories and 

experiences. 

For more information visit 

www.iraqiartists.org or 

www.mesopotamiaartgallery.com. 


Above: Memories by Zuhair Shaaoun Top right: Confession by Paul Batou 


Foster Swift: Putting Clients First 

When Foster, Swift, Collins & 

Smith, P.C. approached 

Paul Asker to join the law 

firm, in typical fashion he did lots of 

homework. “Besides researching the 

firm, I asked other attorneys who I 

respect what they thought,” he said. 

“Every one of them said they’re excellent 

attorneys — and great people 

too.” 

Since joining Foster Swift in June 

2007 as a shareholder, Asker is happy 

to report that he shares the same opinion. 

“To be respected as incredibly 

competent and also well-liked is rare in 

Paul Asker 

the legal community,” he said. “But that 

describes everyone here.” 

Joining forces with Foster Swift 

increases Asker’s competitive advantage. 

The firm dates to 1902 and is one 

of the largest firms in Michigan. It has 

over 200 employees and true statewide 

reach. Asker is in the 

Farmington Hills office; 

other locations are in 

Lansing, Grand Rapids and 

Detroit. Foster Swift is 

organized into nine primary 

practice groups: Business 

and Corporate; Commercial 

Litigation; Real Estate, Banking and 

Finance; Trusts and Estates; Benefits 

and Employment Relations; Health 

Care; General Litigation; Administrative 

and Municipal; and Workers’ 

Compensation. 

Asker, an attorney for 17 years, 

specializes in complex commercial litigation. 

Unlike many attorneys who only 

concentrate on one side of an issue, he 

enjoys sitting on both sides of the aisle. 

“I represent plaintiffs and defendants, 

employers and employees,” he said. 

“That’s an exception to the general 

rule. But attorneys who only represent 

one side limit their understanding of a 

dispute. To best resolve an issue, you 

have to understand both sides.” 

Seeing all sides of a situation is the 

key to Asker’s accomplishments on 

behalf of his clients. “The key to success 

is not to be reactive,” he said, 

“but to have a strategy first and then 

implement it.” 

Gary Perlmuter 

Asker prides himself on understanding 

his clients’ businesses and 

problems very well. This takes time 

and most attorneys are too rushed to 

bother. But, he said, “this is necessary 

to reach the creative solutions that 

make the client money and end their 

costly problems as quickly as possible.” 

A board member of the Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce, 

Asker admires his fellow Chaldeans’ 

intelligence and work ethic. But, he 

said, business owners could be doing 

much more to help and preserve their 

success. 

“Chaldeans are very good at creating 

wealth; it’s in their DNA,” he said. 

“They are less focused on protecting or 

preserving that wealth-making machinery. 

That’s where good, trained professionals 

like accountants, financial planners 

and attorneys are needed.” 

Many Chaldeans avoid attorneys 

until a problem arises. “They think 

attorneys are too expensive,” Asker 

said. “But a good attorney makes the 

client money. They anticipate and 

avoid problems and come up with creative 

solutions that add value.” 

For example, many Chaldean family-owned 

businesses have no 

succession plan. “People always 

talk about personal estate plans, 

which is a good start, but businesses 

need a succession plan 

as well,” Asker said. “Without 

one, bad things can happen — 

the wealth-making machine ultimately 

goes to unintended people 

like competitors or disgruntled 

employees.” 

Asker recommends plans that 

allow key employees or family 

members to buy into a business, a 

route that offers many advantages. 

Those allowed to invest will 

be happy to stay and grow the 

company rather than leave and 

open a competing business, he 

noted. “It’s win-win. And the person 

who built the business can 

maintain stability, reward valued 

employees and benefit financially.” 

Gary Perlmuter also joined Foster 

Swift as a shareholder with Asker. 

They had been partners at their former 

firm, Asker, Clos & Perlmuter, P.C., for 

over 10 years prior to merging their 

practices with Foster Swift. “Our 

clients now get the resources of a larger 

firm, with all the benefits of a smaller 

firm,” said Perlmuter. “There are 22 

The firm dates to 1902 and is one of the largest 

firms in Michigan. It has over 200 employees and 

true state-wide reach. 

attorneys in our Farmington Hills office, 

the remaining 80 attorneys are in our 

Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit 

offices. We can provide local personal 

attention, with state-wide reach,” 

according to Perlmuter. 

Foster Swift has more than twice as 

many attorneys in its Lansing office 

than any other law firm. This is key to 

Foster Swifts’ reputation as the premier 

governmental regulation law firm. 

“Being so well-known by the Liquor 

Control Commission and other state 

agencies benefits our clients. If you 

have an issue with the state government, 

chances are we now have an 

expert in the area. That’s why we 

joined the firm,” said Perlmuter. 

Asker and Perlmuter work jointly on 

client matters most of the time. “We 

each have different strengths that compliment 

each other,” said Perlmuter. 

They work together on how to attack a 

new matter. Perlmuter specializes in 

business transactions, such as buying 

and selling businesses, while Asker 

specializes in business litigation. 

“I was very fortunate to find Gary 17 

years ago and even more fortunate to 

have found Foster Swift,” said Asker. 

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. 

32300 Northwestern Highway, Suite 230 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334-1571 

(248) 538-6324 

PAsker@FosterSwift.com 

www.FosterSwift.com 

WHAT IF’S 

FOR CHALDEAN 

BUSINESS 

OWNERS 

If you’re wondering the answers 

to any of the following, it’s time 

to see an attorney. 

What If … 

• My partner or I die? What would 

happen to my business and my 

family? 

• My partner and I have fundamental 

disagreements about the business? 

Could we resolve them 

without destroying the business? 

• My business is sued? Are my 

personal assets in jeopardy? 

• I die, how can my family reduce 

or eliminate estate and income 

taxes? 

• Am I doing all I can to avoid 

employment claims? 

• Someone I have an agreement 

with wants to change the terms? 

Can they do that after we agreed? 

ADVERTISEMENT


making the GRADE 

Maye Kattula: 

Opening 

minds 

Maye Kattula has 

her share of 

Chaldean friends, 

but she steers away from 

cliques. 

“Chaldeans generally 

just want to hang out 

with other Chaldeans 

because they feel more 

comfortable,” she said. 

“But if you’re limited to 

just sticking with Chaldeans, you’re 

hurting yourself. When you get out of 

school, it’s not just going to be 

Chaldeans out there — you’ve got to 

understand everyone’s culture.” 

Understanding others is a big part 

of Maye’s philosophy. She especially 

enjoys the school’s annual Challenge 

Day, in which students learn about one 

another in group settings. “You find out 

that everyone’s life is not what you think 

— it’s not perfect,” she said. “And you 

find out more about yourself.” 

This year, the school offered a new 

club, Be the Change, based on 

Challenge Day. Despite her busy 

schedule, Maye signed 

up. “We promote better 

school spirit and try to 

bring a positive vibe 

throughout the school — 

and the community,” she 

said. 

Other activities for the 

16-year-old include 

Junior Class vice president, 

public relations officer 

for SADD (Students 

Against Destructive 

Decisions), officer for 

Freshman Mentors and 

the National Honor 

Society. A dancer for 11 

years, Maye also loves being part of the 

school’s dance team. 

Maye’s mother, Sue Kattula, is well 

known in Sterling Heights as a member 

of the Warren Consolidated Board of 

Education. “Everyone says, ‘oh, you’re 

Sue’s daughter,’ — but I want to be 

known as Maye Kattula,” she says. 

VITAL STATS 

NAME: Maye Kattula 

AGE: 16 

YEAR: Junior 

SCHOOL: Sterling Heights High School 

CAREER GOAL: Working with Children 

PARENTS: Majid and Sue Kattula 

Fady Cholagh: 

Following 

his passion 

As an active member 

of nine of his 

school’s 11 organizations, 

Fady Cholagh 

often gets the same 

question: How do you fit 

it all in? 

“I just find the time,” 

Fady said. “When you 

have a passion you just 

want to do it. And it 

keeps me out of trouble — not that I’m 

a troubled kid or anything.” 

Fady, a senior at Sterling Heights 

High School, didn’t begin to get 

involved until his junior year and now 

seems to be making up for lost time. 

Among his many activities are Class 

Council, Student Senate, SADD 

(Students Against Destructive 

Decisions), the student marketing 

group DECA, Mentoring and the 

National Honor Society. 

If forced to pick just one activity, 

Fady said it would be Leadership 

Class, which runs activities such a 

Homecoming (Fady was in charge of 

the 900-plus tickets 

sold), Prom and a 

Christmas party for the 

school’s mentally disabled 

students. His 

Chaldean heritage 

comes in handy as the 

person in charge of 

tending to the snack 

machine every other day 

— a venture that brings 

in some $250 a week 

for Leadership activities. 

“My uncle owns 

stores and that has 

helped me understand 

pricing,” Fady said. 

Fady has a 3.5 grade-point average 

and hopes to raise that to 3.7 by year’s 

end. He has some good advice for his 

fellow Chaldean students. “Don’t try to 

act tough — just be happy with who 

you are,” he said. “You don’t have to 

impress anyone else.” 

VITAL STATS 

NAME: Fady Cholagh 

AGE: 18 

YEAR: Senior 

SCHOOL: Sterling Heights High 

School 

CAREER GOAL: Computer Engineering 

PARENTS: Iman and Samir Cholagh 


Shimoun, Yaldo & Associates: 

Your CPA Firm of Today and the Future 

Another tax filing season is upon 

us! The late year Tax Code 

changes passed by Congress 

will affect certain taxpayers this 

upcoming season. Most taxpayers 

began filing their 2007 tax returns electronically 

on January 11, 2008. As 

many as 13.5 million taxpayers who 

use the five forms related to the 

Alternative Minimum Tax legislation will 

have to wait to file tax returns until the 

IRS completes the reprogramming of 

its systems for the new law. The IRS 

has targeted February 11, 2008 as the 

potential starting date for taxpayers to 

begin submitting the five related 

returns affected by the legislation. 

Returns that include the following 

forms should not be filed 

until February 11, 2008: 

• Form 8863, Education 

Credits 

• Form 5695, Residential 

Energy Credits 

• Schedule 2, Form 1040A, 

Child and Dependent Care 

Expenses Form 1040A filers 

• Form 8396, Mortgage 

Interest Credit 

• Form 8859, District of 

Columbia First-Time Homebuyer 

Credit 

The February date allows the 

IRS enough time to update and 

test its systems to accommodate 

the changes without major disruptions 

to other operations related to the tax 

season. 

The continuing changes in the 

Federal Tax Code and especially the 

new Michigan Business Tax, which 

became effective January 1, 2008, 

require many individuals and businesses 

to seek the professional expertise of 

accounting firms such as Shimoun, 

Yaldo & Associates to guide them 

through these difficult changes. 

“We at Shimoun, Yaldo & 

Associates have put together a team of 

accounting professionals who are 

qualified to provide our clients with the 

most up-to-date professional advice,” 

said Sal Shimoun. 

“We go through continuing education 

each year to remain current with 

the ongoing tax law changes,” said Al 

Yaldo. 

Together, Sal Shimoun and Al Yaldo 

offer more than 40 years of professional 

experience in accounting and taxation. 

Their knowledge and expertise, 

along with their strong supporting professional 

staff, has made the firm 

become very reputable amongst the 

many Certified Public Accounting firms 

in the region. 

“We strive to provide the proper 

guidance and professional advice to 

assist our clients with their accounting 

and tax needs,” said Al Yaldo. 

Shimoun, Yaldo & Associates also 

offers: accounting and compilation 

services, real estate and business 

investment analysis, payroll check 

preparation and services, financial projections 

and forecasts, personal financial 

statements, assistance with processing 

business loan applications, 

and notary public. They also provide 

support in Federal and State Audits for 

“We strive to provide 

the proper guidance 

and professional advice 

to assist our clients 

with their accounting 

and tax needs.” 

PHOTO BY NORA BAHROU-DOWNS 

Al Yaldo and Sal 

Shimoun have more 

than 40 years of 

combined experience 

– AL YALDO 

businesses and individuals. The firm 

also prepares Anti Money Laundering 

Programs and handles Compliance 

Audits for businesses that are classified 

as Money Services Business. 

Over the years, the firm has established 

relationships with many banks and 

financial institutions to aid their clients 

with their business and individual financing 

needs and other banking services. 

Al Yaldo serves as a director on the 

Bank of Michigan Board of Directors. 

In addition to their busy schedules, 

Sal and Al are active members of the 

Chaldean American Chamber of 

Commerce and have officially overseen 

that group’s elections since 

inception. Sal has served on the 

Associated Food and Petroleum 

Dealer’s Finance Committee for the 

past several years. 

“We pride ourselves in providing 

quality and professional service to our 

clients. We have been successful 

because of their continued support 

and we thank them for being our best 

source of referral,” said Sal Shimoun. 

Please call (248) 851-7900 to make an 

appointment. Shimoun, Yaldo & 

Associates is located at 30101 

Northwestern Highway, Suite 330, in 

Farmington Hills (just north of Inkster). 

TAX TIPS 

• E-File your returns to eliminate 

errors and expedite your refunds. 

• Make your IRA contribution by 

April 15, 2008 to be deducted for 

2007. The maximum contribution is 

$4,000 for 2007. For those 50 

years of age and over, the additional 

catch-up contribution is $1,000. 

• If you need to file an extension 

and you owe money, you must pay 

the amount owed or face penalties. 

An extension of time to file is NOT 

an extension of time to pay. 

• The business mileage rate for 

2007 is $ .485 per mile. 

• Worker classification as Employee 

or Independent Contractor is made 

under a Common Law Test according 

to Treasury regulations. The 

IRS has developed a list of 20 factors 

that may be examined in determining 

whether an employeremployee 

relationship exists. 

• When a shareholder-employee of 

an S-Corporation provides services 

to the S-Corporation, reasonable 

compensation generally needs to be 

paid. This compensation is subject 

to employment taxes (payroll taxes). 

• On Monday, December 3, 2007, 

Public Act 145 of 2007 became 

law. It repealed the much-hated 

Use Tax on Services and made significant 

changes to the Michigan 

Business Tax, which has replaced 

the Michigan Single Business Tax 

effective January 1, 2008. 

ADVERTISEMENT 


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celebrate your community. 

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STRATHMORE SUB, 

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Complete and mail this subscription form, along with a check 

made payable to: The Chaldean News, Attn: Subscriptions 

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PHONE: 248-355-4850 



PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

event 

1 

2 

christians of nineveh 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

Despite dangerous conditions, Italian filmmaker Elisabetta Valgiusti has traveled 

to Iraq three times to report on conditions of the nation’s Christians. The filmmaker 

screened her documentary, Christians of Nineveh, at Shenandoah Country 

Club on January 4. Valgiusti, who spent several days in town meeting with community 

leaders, heads Salva I Monasteri, an organization devoted to bringing 

attention to the plight of Christians in places such as Iraq and Kosovo. She hopes 

to help create a coordination center for the safeguarding of Christian culture and 

monuments. A devout Catholic, she said she has little funds to continue her work. 

“This is something I didn’t choose,” she said of her cause. “It chose me.” 

3 

4 6 

5 

1. Watching the film 

2. Elisabetta Valgiusti 

3. Mike Razoky and Sabah Hermiz (Summa) 

4. Dhia Babbie and Sam Kassab 

5. Catholic University professor Shawqi Talia 

6. The filmmaker with Dave Nona

FEBRUARY 2008

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