MARCH 2008

VOL. 4 ISSUE II 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY MARCH 2008 

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CONTENTS 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 4 ISSUE II 

MARCH 2008 

the wedding guide 

27 YOU GOTTA HAVE CLASS 

BY OMAR BINNO 

Pre-marital instruction helps couples thrive 

28 SOME DECORUM PLEASE 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

Churches are asking brides to tone it down 

25 

31 LET’S HALHOLE 


Younger generation embraces tradition 

32 HIDE IT WITH FLOWERS 

BY LAWRENCE YALDO AND ANDREW KEINA 

Practical tips for wedding day disasters 

59 

35 WHAT’S HOT? 

BY NATASHA DADO AND JOYCE WISWELL 

Wedding supplies share their secrets 

44 LOVE IRAQI STYLE 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Weddings from the homeland can be elaborate affairs 

56 68 

ON THE COVER: 

CHRIS AND SUNNY ABBO 

OF WEST BLOOMFIELD. 

PHOTO BY IVAN YOUSIF 

features 

61 READY FOR THEIR CLOSE UP 

BY JEREMY HULL 

Chaldeans shine on YouTube 

59 CASA: TEENS WITH A PURPOSE 


North Farmington High starts new group 

departments 

10 FROM THE EDITOR 

12 IN OUR VIEW 

15 NOTEWORTHY 

15 NANA SAYS 

18 HALHOLE 

24 CHAI TIME 

49 IRAQ TODAY 

52 RELIGION 

52 OBITUARIES 

54 THE DOCTOR IS IN 

BY DUNIA KARANA ZEBARI, PH.D 

Economic recession can hurt minds, too 

56 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISE 


Spotlight on new businesses 

59 MAKING THE GRADE 


Perrin Atisha: Sharing faith 

64 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 

67 EVENTS 

AFDP Dinner 

Family Fun Night at Shenandoah 

Valentine’s Day 




from the EDITOR 

A Wedding Story: Nightmares in the midst of dreams 

On the morning of 

my sister Stephanie’s 

wedding my dad was 

nowhere to be found. We 

woke, brewed coffee and 

found his car gone. We repeatedly 

called his cell phone but 

there was no answer. After 

more than an hour of panic, he 

walked into the house with a 

smile on his face and his typical 

cheerful mood. 

“Dad, where have you 

been?” I asked in an irritated voice. 

“Church,” he replied as if I had no right 

to question. Where else would he be? 

“Church, for what? We are going to 

a full mass in a few hours.” 

“I had to pray for something else,” 

he said. 

“What would that be?” 

He looked at me with serious eyes 

and said, “Four girls down, three to go. 

You’re next; I had to pray that you find 

a husband.” 

VANESSA 

DENHA- 

GARMO 

EDITOR 

Of course, he died before I 

walked down the aisle. 

However, the unexpected 

events of the day continued to 

expose themselves that 

Sunday. After I left for the 

salon for my hair and makeup, 

my dad called minutes later to 

tell me that the rental place 

had given him a women’s tux. 

“WHAT?” I shouted on the 

phone. 

After hearing the panic in 

my voice, he told me not to worry, he 

would have it under control. I found out 

later that he traveled to several tuxedo 

rental shops to find them all closed. 

Then he remembered he knew a 

Chaldean guy in the business and 

begged him to open his store. The man 

was able to fit my father with a coat, 

cummerbund and tie but not pants. He 

compromised and wore a black pair of 

slacks. No one knew the difference. 

A sigh of relief came over me as the 

maid of honor who was charged with 

making sure the bride didn’t experience 

any stress. 

We arrived at the church, 

Marygrove College Chapel in Detroit. 

Stephanie and all of her bridesmaids 

did last-minute hair and makeup 

touchups in the bridal room while waiting 

for the summons. Time passed and 

we were now 15 minutes past the 

scheduled time of the ceremony. We 

didn’t understand the delay. 

My dad walked in with a worried 

look on his face. He was joined by a 

nun. She looked at Stephanie and said, 

“We have a little problem.” 

Stephanie replied in a nervous 

voice, “Is Scott here?” referring to her 

soon-to-be husband. 

That was not the issue, explained 

Sister. She went on to tell us not to get 

upset, but the priest was not there. My 

father said in his calm, fatherly 

demeanor, “Don’t worry.” 

After nearly 30 minutes behind 

schedule, my father had an idea. Our 

Chaldean priest, Fr. Emanuel, was 

invited to do the blessings in 

Sourath. Although he was unprepared 

to do the entire service, he 

gladly obliged. While Scott vowed to 

love and honor his wife, Stephanie 

vowed to love, obey, do her wifely 

duties, cook, clean and have babies. 

It was sweet and comical; the most 

important thing was that they wed. 

Anything can happen on your 

wedding day. Of course, it is the one 

comment every bride hears as the 

days approach. Stephanie never 

broke a sweat, raised her voice and 

never showed any signs of panic. 

She was the image of the glowing 

bride and enjoyed every moment of 

her day. 

This issue is our annual wedding 

guide. This year we feature horror sto- 

FROM THE EDITOR 

Continued on page 11 


Left, Souriya and Sabri Denha, wed in Iraq in 1957. Right, Vanessa Denha-Garmo with Ameed and the Al-Shams, a popular wedding band. 

FROM THE EDITOR 

Continued from page 10 

ries – and their solutions – from wedding 

planners Lawrence Yaldo and 

Andrew Keina, who take the approach 

of the title of very popular book, “Don’t 

Sweat the Small Stuff.” No matter what 

goes wrong, because something 

always does, don’t let it ruin your day. 

We also include a photo essay featuring 

a day in the life of the bride and 

groom. We include couples from all 

over Metro Detroit who have gotten 

married over the past few years. We 

send out a special thank you to photographers 

Wilson Sarkis and Ivan 

Yousif for providing us with the photos 

and to the couples for their permission 

to use them. 

Weddings are a joyous time, something 

the bride dreams about for years 

prior to the actual day. 

My parents married in Iraq in1957. 

It was Thanksgiving Day here in the 

United States. This issue we track the 

wedding stories of four couples who 

married in our homeland over the past 

few decades. 

It is also fitting that we include a 

Valentine’s celebration at Shenandoah 

this past February 14. Dozens of couples 

belly danced and kougaged (a 

Chaldean dance) the night away as 

Ameed Asmaro and the Al Shams 

Band bedazzled the crowd. 

Regardless of where you marry or 

what happens, cherish the moment, 

honor the vows. And thank God for 

blessing the day. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vdenha@chaldeannews.com 


in our VIEW 

With weddings, less is more 

This month, The Chaldean News 

presents its annual wedding 

issue. As wedding season 

approaches, brides, grooms and wedding 

planners are busy selecting flowers, 

linens, rings and menus. It is a fun 

and exciting time for many young couples. 

It should be one of the most 

important and happy days of their lives. 

Much has been said and written 

about the extravagances of our weddings 

with tens of thousands of dollars 

being spent on decorations, flowers and 

diamond wedding rings. There is certainly 

nothing wrong with a family spending 

their own money the way they choose 

on such a special occasion. There is 

also nothing wrong with trying to be different 

or unique. But the one-upmanship 

that has taken hold of our weddings is an 

unfortunate circumstance. It is even 

worse if it cannot be afforded. 

There seems to be a concerted 

effort to “out do” the last wedding on 

the theory that bigger and more is better. 

The money being spent on elaborate 

centerpieces is especially troublesome 

because most of it gets tossed 

out in the garbage the same night. 

Wedding dresses are in the same category. 

They will be boxed and stored 

and most likely never seen again. 

Some young grooms are forced to use 

credit cards or other debt to pay for 

five-carat rings — sometimes an 

unseemly sight on young brides. 

Times are tough. Many people’s businesses 

are hurting. Some people can no 

longer afford their homes. Recent national 

statistics site Michigan with the highest 

rate of foreclosures in the country and 

Detroit was ranked the most miserable 

place to live. Chaldeans are not immune 

from these effects. People should be conscientious 

about the environment they are 

in when they are planning a wedding. 

Elegance, grace and dignity will always 

outshine the materialism. 

Everyone deserves the kind of wedding 

they want and can afford. 

However, at the end of the wedding 

day, what is important is that two 

young people are joined in a holy matrimony 

in the eyes of God and the law 

with their loved ones as witnesses. It 

is the first day of the rest of their lives 

together. Nothing else will matter or be 

remembered. 


PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

MANAGING EDITOR 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

EDITORIAL 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

CIRCULATION 

CLASSIFIEDS 

INTERN 

SALES REPRESENTATIVES 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

SALES 

Interlink Media 


Joyce Wiswell 

Omar Binno 

Natasha Dado 

Jeremy Hull 

Andrew Keina 

Lawrence Yaldo 

Dunia Karana Zebari 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Joseph Sesi 

Nora Bahrou Downs 

David Reed 

Paul Alraihani 

Paul Alraihani 

Joyce Wiswell 

Natasha Dado 

Marisa Comaianni 

Brenda Koza 

Lisy Starr 

MANAGERS 


Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

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NOTEworthy 

PHOTO BY DAVID REED 

Left: Fred Delly 

passes the hammer 

of AFPD chairmanship 

to Chris Zebari 

at the association’s 

annual dinner in 

January. 

NANA says 

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK 

Hanna Named to 

Women’s Board 

Zebari new 

AFPD Chair 

Chris Zebari has been elected the new 

chairman of the Associated Food and 

Petroleum Dealers. 

Zebari, 46, is currently employed at 

Lipari Foods in Warren. He has 

worked in family-owned stores since 

he was a child and was previously the 

first Chaldean in a management role at 

the Pepsi Bottling Group. He has been 

involved with the AFPD since 1988 

and has served as membership director, 

board member, secretary, treasurer 

and vice chairman. 

“Being chairman is all about the 

membership of this great organization,” 

Zebari said. “It is about being heard.” 

New Scholarship 

Honors Bernadette 

Sarafa 

The North Farmington/West Bloomfield 

(NFWB) Baseball/Softball League 

for Youth has launched the NFWB/ 

Bernadette Sarafa Memorial Scholarship. 

Sarafa was tragically killed in an 

accident in June 2006 

when a car hit her 

while she was picking 

grape leaves on the 

side of the road. The 

mother of five children 

and 13 grandchildren, 

she was married 

for nearly 50 years 

to Karim Sarafa. She 

was involved in various 

Bernadette 

Sarafa 

charity work and was well known for 

her Middle Eastern cooking skills. 

“The scholarship is named for her 

because of the volunteer work that her 

son, Haithem K. Sarafa, has contributed 

to NFWB Baseball/Softball 

over the past 10 years,” said Bernie 

Rubenstein, NFWB president. 

NFWB is contributing $1,000 per 

year for the scholarships and the 

Sarafa family is matching every year’s 

contribution. Funds will be used to 

award scholarships of no less than 

$500 to eligible high school seniors 

entering a four-year college or vocational 

school and who have participated 

in the NFWB Baseball/Softball 

League for a minimum of four years. 

High School seniors can go to 

http://www.nfwb.com for eligibility and 

application requirements, or call 

League Secretary/Administrator Janet 

Warsh at (248) 865-6392 for more 

information on the scholarship. 

Completed applications must be postmarked 

by May 15, 2008. 

Yatooma 

Making News in 

Kilpatrick Saga 

Birmingham attorney Norman Yatooma 

is making news these days in relation to 

the text messaging scandal plaguing 

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. 

Yatooma represents Jonathan 

Bond, the teenage son of exotic 

dancer Tamara “Strawberry” Greene, 

who was shot to death in April 2003. 

Greene is said to have performed at a 

long-rumored, but never proven wild 

party at the mayor’s Manoogian 

Mansion in 2002. 

The lawsuit alleges that the police 

investigation into the homicide was 

derailed for political purposes and that 

Bond was denied his constitutional 

right to access the courts. 

Yatooma has subpoenaed a variety 

of documents, including satellite positioning 

records from SkyTel, Detroit’s 

pager company, that show where city 

employees were at the time of 

Greene’s death. She was shot with a 

.40-caliber Glock, the handgun used 

by Detroit police officers. 

Yatooma’s lawsuit, first filed in 

2005, gained little attention until the 

recent text scandal that showed that 

Kilpatrick and his chief of staff, 

Christine Beatty, had a long-denied 

romantic affair. 

The controversy has raised concerns 

about how long text messages – 

a favorite form of communication in the 

Chaldean community – last. In general, 

text messages are not stored, though 

experts advise to never text or e-mail 

something you wouldn’t want to see 

made public. In the mayor’s case, the 

SkyTel messages were stored 

because they were issued on cityowned 

devices. 

Sandra Hanna has been appointed to 

the new Women’s Commission of 

Oakland County. She represents 

District 17, which consists of Beverly 

Hills, Franklin, Bingham Farms, sections 

of West 

Bloomfield, Bloomfield 

and Southfield. 

The Oakland County 

Board of Commissioners 

created the Women’s 

Commission, which 

met for the first time on 

January 30. Its purpose 

is to survey the 

status of women in 

Sandra Hanna 

Oakland County, assess their special 

needs and suggest ways and methods 

to meet those needs. 

Hanna, a chemist with NSF 

International, serves as secretary on 

the board of directors of the Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce. 

Second Helpings 

for Popular 

Cookbook 

Samira Yako Cholagh’s popular cookbook, 

“Treasured Middle Eastern 

Cookbook” is back by popular 

demand. The book sold out after 3,000 

copies were bought, but a reprint has 

just been completed. 

Cholagh is also at work on a third 

book, which should be complete in a year. 

The Treasured Middle Eastern 

Cookbook, first released 10 years ago, 

has some 400 recipes. The new edition 

includes minor revisions and 

touchups. It is available for $29.95 via 

www.treasuredmiddleeasterncookbook.com. 

Iraqi Translators 

‘Betrayed’ 

“Betrayed,” a play by George Packer 

about Iraqi interpreters who risked 

their lives to help the U.S. military, is 

playing in New York City through 

March 16. 

The play is based on Packer’s interviews 

in Baghdad with interpreters 

who feel abandoned by the U.S. after 

risking their lives as translators. It tells 

the story of three young Iraqis who 

interpret for the U.S. government but 

receive little protection in return. The 

New York Times give the play a favorable 

review, lauding its “sharp dramatic 

impact and a plain-spoken beauty.” 

“Betrayed” is playing at the Culture 

Project in SoHo. Call (212) 925-1900 

for tickets and information. 

Never wear a ring on your 

ring finger if you’re not married 

— you can jinx it and have an 

awful marriage (or none at all). 

Do the sign of the cross 

when you hear an ambulance 

or pass a church or cemetery. 

It’s good luck when a bird 

poops on your car. 

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. 

Walking for 

Breast Cancer 

Samantha Garmo of Waterford is putting 

together a team called “Chaldeans 

for a Cure” for a breast cancer walk in 

September. 

The Susan G. Komen For the Cure 

three-day walk takes place September 

26-28 and encompasses a 60-mile 

walk in Southeast Michigan. Each 

walker must be at least 16 years old 

and have medical insurance. Walkers 

less than 18 must be accompanied by 

a parent or legal guardian. Each walker 

must raise a minimum of $2,200. 

“I have high hopes for this and 

anticipate raising money above and 

beyond the minimum amounts,” said 

Garmo. “With such a supportive and 

close-knit community, I truly believe 

our possibilities are endless.” 

Learn more by calling Garmo at 

(248) 755-0247 or writing samanthagarmo@aol.com. 

Brochure Helps 

with Tax Prep 

A new brochure, “Top 10 Questions to 

Ask a Tax Preparer,” is available from 

the Michigan Association of Certified 

Public Accountants (MACPA), along 

with the Accounting Aid Society 

(AAS), Association of Latino 

Professionals in Finance and 

Accounting and State Representative 

Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit). 

The brochure is designed as a 

guide to assist taxpayers in finding the 

NOTEWORTHY 



NOTEWORTHY 


right professionals to help them with 

tax preparation. 

“It is unfortunate that some people 

have chosen to prey on those who are 

not as familiar with tax information and 

laws,” said Tobocman in a statement. 

“This brochure is an important step 

towards educating taxpayers, helping 

them find qualified tax professionals 

and ensuring that they receive the tax 

dollars they deserve.” 

Created in both English and 

Spanish, the brochure has been created 

to assist low-income individuals and 

new immigrants who are most at risk of 

not receiving the proper counseling on 

personal tax issues. Included is a glossary 

of important words and legal information 

to know; whom to contact if 

there is suspicion of fraudulent, 

improper or criminal tax preparation; 

questions to ask a tax preparer and 

tips, hints and warning signs to be 

aware of. 

Download the brochure at 

www.michcpa.org (public resources 

section) or call (248) 267-3700 and ask 

for Sarah Krueger. CPA ambassadors 

are available to come 

and speak to organizations 

about the campaign and tax 

issues. Contact the MACPA at 

(248) 267-3700 to schedule. 

Granholm 

Signs Driver’s 

License Law 

A bill that allows legal immigrants 

temporarily living in 

Michigan to resume getting driver’s 

licenses was signed on 

February 15 by Governor 

Jennifer Granholm. 

The legislation amends the 

Michigan Vehicle Code to 

address concerns raised by 

Michigan businesses and foreign 

governments regarding 

an opinion issued by state 

Attorney General Mike Cox on 

December 27, 2007. Cox had 

determined that only permanent 

residents may obtain a driver’s 

license in Michigan and that 

individuals living here legally, 

but on a temporary basis, must 

be denied a license. That opinion 

led to a decision by the secretary 

of state to require firsttime 

applicants for a Michigan 

driver’s license to prove they 

have established a permanent 

legal residence in Michigan. 

Illegal immigrants still will be 

unable to get driver’s licenses 

under the revamped policy. 

People 

Adil Y. Arabbo, M.D., has been 

appointed Chief of Family Practice at 

Huron Valley Sinai Hospital. He 

received his medical degree from 

Adil Y. Arabbo, M.D. 

Lance T. Denha 

Sabah Garmo 

Nawal McKay 

you know you’re 

CHALDEAN if… 

You arrive one or two 

hours late to a party and 

think it’s normal. 

You’re standing next to the 

largest suitcases at the airport. 

You talk for an hour at 

the front door when leaving 

someone’s house. 

Share your ideas! E-mail 

info@chaldeannews.com or write 

to The Chaldean News, 

30095 Northwestern Highway, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 

Wayne State University School of 

Medicine and completed his residency 

within the Detroit Medical Center and 

the DMC Sinai-Grace Family Practice 

Program. He is board certified in 

Family Medicine and maintains 

his office in Commerce. 

Arabbo, who has a special 

interest and experience in 

gerontology, is fluent in 

Chaldean and Arabic. 

Lance T. Denha has joined 

the Southfield firm of Kupelian 

Ormond & Magy, P.C. He will 

work in the business and 

bankruptcy law practice 

areas. Prior to joining the firm, 

Denha worked in business 

and corporate law where he 

advised companies in business 

formation and planning. 

A member of the State Bar of 

Michigan, State Bar of 

Florida, American Bar 

Association and Chaldean 

American Bar Association, 

Denha is licensed to practice 

law in Michigan and Florida. 

Sabah Garmo joined TFC 

Associates in Farmington 

Hills as a life, auto, health 

and general disability insurance 

agent. Garmo has 

more than 20 years of experience 

as an insurance agent. 

Nawal McKay has 

received a 2008 Friend of 

Diversity Award from Walled 

Lake Consolidated Schools. 

She is an English Language 

Learner para-educator at 

Maple Elementary. The award 

was presented at the school 

district’s ninth annual Dr. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Celebration in January. 

Carol Loussia has started a new 

business. She has begun selling Gold 

Canyon items, which include scented 

candles, body and home products. 

She is one of more than 25,000 independent 

demonstrators across North 

America who hold home parties to 

showcase and sell the products. 



HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Noah Luke 

Precious is he and oh, so 

sweet; tiny little hands and 

adorable feet, given 

to us from God above, the 

answer to a hundred prayers, 

the reason for a 

thousand smiles, the beginning 

of a million memories. 

First-time parents 

Miaad & Julie Manna are 

proud to announce the arrival 

of their son, Noah Luke 

Manna, born on November 

16, 2007 at 5:10 p.m. Noah 

weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. and 

was 21 inches long. He is the 

fourth grandchild to Abed & 

Nasra Manna and the eighth 

to Salwa & the late Karim 

Marougi Kattula. First-time 

godfather is Uncle Wisam 

Manna. 

Blake James 

Sophia is excited to announce 

her new baby brother, Blake 

James. Born on November 6, 

2007 at 12:22 a.m., he 

weighed 8 pounds and was 

20 inches. Proud parents are 

James and Sahrob Jabero. 

Blake is the fourth grandchild 

for Mary Jabero & the late 

Nouri Jabero and the 12th 

grandchild for Farid & Azhar 

Jabiro. 

Gabriella Faithe 

Big sisters Briana, Raquel and 

Izabella are excited by the 

arrival of their sister, Gabriella 

Faithe. She was born on 

November 14, 2007 at 12:29 

p.m. weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. 

and measuring 20 inches. 

Proud parents are Larry and 

Karyn Putrus. Gabriella is the 

seventh grandchild for Lewis 

& Amera Putrus and the fourth 

grandchild for Douglas & 

Sharon Edgington. May God 

bless her always! 

Lucas Rany 

Boy o’ boy, our little bundle of 

joy has finally arrived. Lucas 

Rany Shammami was born at 

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on 

November 4, 2007 at 8:33 

p.m. weighing 7 lb., 2 oz. This 

gift was sent to first-time 

proud parents Rany and Eva 

Shammami. Lucas is also the 

first-born grandchild to Samir 

& Mithal Tueni and Yasir & 

Anna Shammami. 

Noah Luke 

Blake James 

Gabriella Faithe 

Lucas Rany 


Drs. Purcell, Sayegh & Zimny 

*Board Certified Family Medicine Specialists 

Lily Suad 

God has blessed Wijdan and 

Caroline Hanna with the birth of 

their first child, Lily Suad, on 

January 14, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. 

She weighed 10 lbs., 10 oz. 

and measured 21 3/4 inches. 

Lily is the third grandchild for 

Abid & the late Su’ad Hanna 

and the 11th for Nedhal & the 

late Louis Kamoo. Godparents 

are Kais Alexander and Linda 

Alkammo. 

Isabella Suad 

Marla is proud to announce the 

birth of her beautiful baby sister, 

Isabella Suad. She was born on 

December 20, 2007 weighing 8 

lbs, 6 oz. and measuring 21 

inches. Proud parents are 

Tommy and Tanya Mansour. 

Isabella is the sixth grandchild 

for Najib & Amira Shayeena 

(Mansour) and the fourth grandchild 

for Habib & Ibtissam Yono. 

[Engagements] 

Derek and Vanessa 

Derek Haddad & Vanessa Shallal 

became engaged on December 

22, 2007. The engagement party 

took place at Farmington Hills 

Manor. Derek is the son of Sahir 

& Abtesam Haddad and Vanessa 

is the daughter of Yousif & Ikhlas 

Shallal. Vanessa recently graduated 

from Oakland University 

with a teaching certificate and 

Derek is a business owner. They 

plan to wed in the fall of 2008. 

Angham and Nelson 

Najib & Jalila Gappy are proud 

to announce the engagement of 

their last daughter, Angham 

Gappy, to Nelson Brikho, son of 

Wadi & Nidhal Brikho. They celebrated 

their beautiful engagement 

at Farmington Manor with 

close family and friends on 

January 3, 2008. Their engagement 

was blessed by Father 

Jerjis Ibrahim. Nelson graduated 

from Oakland University with a 

BS in mechanical engineering 

and works as an engineer for 

Honeywell. Angham graduated 

from Wayne State University 

with a minor in Biology and a 

bachelor’s degree in nutrition. 

She works as a certified nutritionist 

for Advanced Nutritional 

Solutions, practicing homeopathic 

nutrition. Their wedding 

will be in July 2008. They both 

pray to have a wonderful and 

blessed life together. 

Lily Suad 

Isabella Suad 

Derek and Vanessa 

Angham and Nelson 

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! 

Noor and Ziad 

Faraj & Balsam Dally are proud 

to announce the engagement of 

their son, Ziad to Noor, daughter 

of Mouayed & Nadia 

Kaskorkis. Ziad surprised 

Noor by proposing to her outside 

of the restaurant where 

they had their first date. The 

two then went inside to celebrate 

with a small group of family 

and friends who were in on 

the surprise. The couple is 

planning to marry in September 

2008 at St. Thomas with a 

reception following at 

Shenandoah Country Club. 

Noor and Ziad 

Jason and Joanne 

Noel & Faieza Jajou Essak are 

proud to announce the engagement 

of their daughter, Joanne, 

to Jason, son of Shannon & 

Daniel Flewelling. Family and 

friends will fly to Hawaii in 

October 2008 for the wedding 

in Maui. 

Melanie and 

Matthew 

We are proud to announce 

the engagement of Melanie 

Kalla to Matthew Zoma. 

Melanie is the daughter of 

Nazar & Munkida Kalla. 

Matthew is the son of 

Nadeem & Patricia Zoma. 

The wedding will take place in 

September 2008 at St. 

Thomas Church followed by a 

reception at Shenandoah 

Country Club. The couple is 

planning a honeymoon to 

Europe. 

[Weddings] 

Kavin & Crystal 

Thair & Nancy Nafso are 

proud to announce the marriage 

of their son, Kavin, to 

Crystal, daughter of Tarik & 

Neran Taieb. The happy 

couple exchanged vows on 

July 15, 2007 at St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church 

with a reception following at 


The best man was the 

groom’s cousin, Nason 

Kassab, and the maid of 

honor was the bride’s cousin, 

Evon Najor. The newlyweds 

celebrated with a honeymoon 

in Paris and Dubai to begin 

their romantic journey of lifelong 

wedded bliss. 

Jason and Joanne 

Melanie and Matthew 

Kavin & Crystal 




HALHOLE! 

Amanda and Daron 

Jalal & Sabria Lossia would 

like to announce the marriage 

of their son, Daron, to 

Amanda, daughter of Francis 

& Suaad Sinawe. The couple 

was married on November 18, 

2007, at Mother of God 

Church with a reception at 

Penna’s of Sterling Heights. 

They honeymooned in Hawaii 

and Las Vegas. 

Congratulations and God 

bless the new couple! 

Roger and Reem 

Roger and Reem exchanged 

vows in the sacrament of marriage 

on April 21, 2007. 

Roger is the son on Sabah & 

Nawal Toma. Reem is the 

daughter of Sahira & the late 

Dhafer Mansoor. The ceremony 

took place at St. Thomas 

Chaldean Catholic Church, 

and the couple danced the 

night away with friends and 

family at Shenandoah Country 

Club. Roger’s brother, Mark, 

was the best man and Deana 

Mansoor, Reem’s cousin, was 

maid of honor. The newlyweds 

celebrated with a honeymoon 

in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 

and Las Vegas. Roger is a 

physician specializing in otolaryngology, 

head and neck 

surgery while Reem works as 

a physician of physical medicine 

and rehabilitation. 

Dalya and Suhail 

Dr. Suhail Mati Alnaqash, son 

of Sanhareeb & Mamm 

Alnaqash, exchanged vows of 

love in the sacrament of marriage 

to Dalya Al-Sheikh, 

daughter of Hana & the late 

Nadhim Al-Sheikh, on 

September 9, 2007. The ceremony 

took place at St. 

Thomas Chaldean Catholic 

Church with a reception at 


The best man was the 

groom’s brother, Zaid, and the 

maid of honor was the bride’s 

sister, Heidi. Suhail is a dentist 

and Dalya is a pharmacist. 

The newlyweds celebrated 

their honeymoon in Hawaii. 

Amanda and Daron 

Roger and Reem 

Dalya and Suhail 

SHARE YOUR 

JOY 

WITH 

THE 

COMMUNITY! 

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. 


CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT MARCH 2008 

[Saturday, March 1] 

Heart of the Lakes Gala: Dinner, 

dancing, entertainment and a silent 

auction benefits Huron Valley-Sinai 

Hospital. Presented by the Lakes 

Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets 

are $55. Begins at 6 p.m. at 

Shenandoah Country Club. (248) 

624-2826 or 

jo@lakesareachamber.com. 

[Wednesday, March 5] 

Small Business Seminar: Roundtable 

discussion on how to fund your business 

growth in today’s market. Cost 

is $15 members, $30 non-members. 

Runs from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Detroit 

Regional Chamber. (313) 596-0392 

or kgaines@detroitchamber.com. 

[Thursday, March 6] 

Ladies Kon-Kan Tournament: Dinner 

buffet at 7 p.m. followed by the tournament 

at 8 p.m. for female members 

ages 21 and up of Shenandoah 

Country Club. Tickets are $100. 

Michelle, (248) 454-1932. 


I’m Every Woman Expo: The 

Michigan Association for Female 

Entrepreneurs presents a day of 

exhibits, interactive workshops and 

more from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is 

$12. St. George Cathedral Cultural 

Center, Southfield. (248) 809-2117 or 

mafedetroit@aol.com. 

[Sunday, March 9] 

Dearborn Women’s Expo: More than 

100 exhibits ranging from health and 

beauty to home improvement to benefit 

the Children’s Leukemia 

Foundation of Michigan. Show hours 

are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission is $3; 

free for kids under 12. Ford 

Community & Performing Arts Center, 

15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn. 

www.showforwomen.com. 

[Tuesday, March 11] 

Industry Outlook: The latest news 

and developments in the restaurant 

industry from the experts who know. 

Presented by the Chaldean 

American Chamber of 

Commerce. (248) 538-3700 

or www.chaldeanchamber.com. 

7:30-9:30 a.m., Detroit Institute of Art. 

Tickets range from $100 to $1,000. 

(248) 557-2510 or scene@candbscene.com. 

[Thursday, March 13] 

Sleep Better: Mini workshop teaches 

you to snooze without medications 

and wake up feeling relaxed and 

refreshed. 4-6 p.m., $35. Presented 

by Inforum at The Community House, 

Birmingham. (877) 633-3500. 

[Thursday, March 13 – 

STEVE ACHO to perform at 

Shenandoah Country Club 

[Friday, March 28 – 

Sunday, March 30] 

NCAA Basketball: The Midwest 

Regionals take place at Ford Field 

in Detroit. Prices include several 

games and range from $45-$150. 

(248) 645-6666. 

[Friday, April 4] 

Steve Acho Live: Full-band concert 

featuring singer/songwriter Steve Acho 

benefits the Chaldean Federation of 

America Refugee Initiative. 7:30 p.m., 

BOBBY BLUE BLAND to perform 

at the Motor City Blues Festival 


Motor City Blues Festival: Enjoy blues 

music from the D at the Detroit Opera 

House at 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets 

are $43.50-$75. (313) 237-7464. 


South Oakland Business Expo: 

Exhibits from members of the Berkley, 

Clawson, Ferndale, Madison 

Heights/Hazel Park and Royal Oak 

chambers of commerce, followed by 

an after-hours networking event. Runs 

from 1-6 p.m. at the Royal Oak 

Farmer’s Market. (248) 547-4000. 


Women’s Power Breakfast: 15th 

annual event raises awareness and 

funds for the hungry with guest speaker 

Vicki B. Escarra of America’s 

Second Harvest. Presented by 

Gleaners Community Food Bank. 

[Sunday, March 16] 

Spring Boating Expo: 16th annual 

show has the latest watercraft and 

accessories from 150 vendors. 

Admission is $10 adults, free for 

kids under 12. Rock Financial 

Showplace, Novi. 

[Friday, March 14 

Poker Tournament: Dinner, cash bar 

and cards begin at 8 p.m. for members 

of Shenandoah Country Club. 

Must be 21 or older to play. $25 

entrance fee, $200 buy in. Michelle, 

(248) 454-1932. 

Shenandoah Country Club’s Mixed 

Grille. Tickets are $50. (877) 763- 

7849 or www.neptix.com. 

[Friday, April 11] 

Chaldean Chamber: The Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce’s 

Annual Awards Dinner, now in its 

fifth year at Shenandoah Country 

Club, is always a sellout. Visit 

www.chaldeanchamber.com for 

details, or call (248) 538-3700. 

Please let us know what is going on in the community. 

Send your information to The Chaldean 

News, Editorial Department, 30095 Northwestern 

Highway, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

Email us at info@chaldeannews.com 

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Sunny Abbo of 

West Bloomfield 

gets ready for her 

big entrance. 

PHOTO BY IVAN YOUSIF 


YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED! IT’S AN EXCITING TIME FILLED WITH PROMISE, LOVE, HOPE – AND A MILLION DETAILS. 

TURN THE PAGE FOR THE LATEST IN TRENDS AND TIPS — WITH A NOD TO TIME-HONORED TRADITIONS — 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR WEDDING THE DAY YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMT ABOUT. HAPPY PLANNING! 



Alex and Linetta 

Marouf of Troy 

said the classes 

helped prepare 

them for 

marriage. 

you gotta 

have class 

Pre-marital instruction 

helps couples thrive 

BY OMAR BINNO 

Marriage is a lifelong commitment that 

entails loving each other through good 

times as well as bad. 

The Chaldean Archdiocese wants to 

make sure couples understand that, so they require 

engaged couples who are to be married in a 

Chaldean church complete its Marriage and Family 

Planning course. The classes take place the first 

three Thursdays of each month and are mandatory 

in order for the church to grant an official marriage. 

Those who struggle with English are offered private 

sessions in Arabic or Chaldean. 

“The classes are held at Mother of God in 

Southfield and St. Joseph Church in Troy,” said Fr. 

Stephan Kallabat of Mar Addai in Oak Park. 

Mother of God in Southfield holds the classes during 

the odd months for parishioners who live on the 

West Side of Southeast Michigan while St. Joseph 

in Troy holds them during the even months for 

those on the East Side. 

Fr. Kallabat and Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim have 

conducted the classes since their inception nearly 

15 years ago. The first lecture is given by Bishop 

Ibrahim, the second by Fr. Kallabat and the final 

one by Janan Senawi, the Archdiocese’s director of 

Chaldean Family Counseling. 

“The classes cover all aspects of human life 

between a couple — including liturgical, social, 

psychological and spiritual — and Christianity’s 

role within their lives,” Fr. Kallabat said. 

“I’ve handled the final lectures of the classes for 

the last five years,” Senawi said. “We cover comprehensive 

topics like the difference between contract 

and covenant marriages, family of origin, communication, 

commitment, common values, sacrifice 

and in-laws, just to name a few.” 

Troy newlyweds Alex Marouf and his wife 

Linetta said the classes were highly beneficial in 

helping them understand what lies within the commitment 

of marriage. 

“I appreciated how the points of marriage were 

presented in a very realistic sense as opposed to getting 

carried away with the excitement or disillusionment 

of it,” said Marouf. “For example, the simple 

question ‘Why are you getting married?’ proved 

to be thought-provoking for many. When reflecting 

on that answer, it is certain that one will feel 

more or less confident about his or her reasons.” 

Marouf had such a positive experience with the 

class that he believes it should expand beyond the 

three sessions. 

“I think it actually would be more beneficial for 

people to have this experience at an earlier stage in 

life — perhaps even before one gets into a relationship 

rather than just before the actual marriage 

date,” Marouf said. “We can apply such useful 

knowledge to our lives earlier than most may 

think.” 

Fr. Kallabat and Senawi share this sentiment, 

and believe that the four hours in which the class is 

taught are not nearly enough to cover all the topics 

of the course adequately. The church will possibly 

come up with an expanded version in the near 

future, said Senawi, noting that many Roman 

Catholic churches require at least 12 hours of 

instruction. 

“We need many more hours than this to teach 

what we want to teach thoroughly and to explore 

even more topics than the ones we already discuss,” 

said Fr. Kallabat. 

Senawi agrees. “While some couples may feel 

that what we teach is good enough and others may 

think that keeping a marriage happy is mere common 

sense, others feel that the classes need to be 

more comprehensive,” she said. “Personally I feel 

that we can offer a lot more in the form of other 

topics such as faith-based relationships, personality 

traits, attitudes and expectations, intimacy, sexuality, 

financial responsibility, parenting of children 

and much more.” 


“TWO SOULS WITH BUT A SINGLE THOUGHT, TWO HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE.” – FREDRICH HALM 


some decorum please 

Churches are asking brides to tone it down 

When it comes to planning 

a wedding, how much is 

too much? Chaldean 

churches are grappling with that issue 

as an increasing number of weddings 

become larger and more elaborate. 

Dismayed with giant bridal parties 

of as many as 14 attendants on each 

side, Fr. Frank Kalabat has asked couples 

marrying at St. Thomas in West 

Bloomfield to limit themselves 

to four bridesmaids 

and groomsmen. 

“There have been a few 

‘yeas,” but mostly ‘nays,’” 

Fr. Kalabat said of the policy 

he adopted about five 

months ago. “I’m getting a 

lot of pressure to go back 

to the old way.” 

Fr. Kalabat is not unsympathetic 

to the family demands put on the 

wedding couple, but said it’s time 

for a change. “It’s more about them 

concentrating on more important 

things like saying ‘I do’ and spending 

the rest of their lives doing,” he 

said. “Not, who do I put in, who do 

I not put in, and family pressure 

like, how dare you take only three 

out of seven cousins?” 

Church leaders fret that couples 

can lose focus, concentrating so 

much on the wedding that they’re 

forgetting about the marriage. 

“The whole mission of the 

church is to move people’s focus 

beyond the physical and material to 

the spiritual,” said Fr. Kalabat. “It’s 

been getting too extreme. Change 

needs to start somewhere; this is one 

little thing but it becomes an opportunity 

to talk to the couple and say, 


Fr. Manuel Boji 

‘where is your concentration?’” 

St. Joseph in Troy is not limiting 

wedding parties, but Msgr. Zouhair 

Toma (Kejbou) asks attendants in 

large parties to sit in the front pew 

during the service, leaving only the 

best man and maid of honor at the 

couple’s side. “Preserve the dignity of 

the celebration,” he advised. 

“Some of these elaborate and 

meaningless arrangements 

people are throwing to 

show off,” said Msgr. Toma. 

“Don’t steal the light from 

what is actually happening 

– placing your love in front 

of the altar to be blessed in 

the eyes of the church.” 

Another pet peeve is too 

much skin shown by brides 

and their attendants. “There needs 

to be more respect in my estimation,” 

said Fr. Manuel Boji of Mother 

of God in Southfield. “I ask them to 

dress properly for church.” 

Fr. Kalabat jokingly said he asks 

brides to show only their eyes. In 

reality, he does not want to see cleavage, 

bare shoulders or exposed backs. 

Such requests can fall on deaf ears, so 

St. Thomas is taking a harder stand. 

“Now I tell them, if you don’t 

wear a shawl we will provide one — 

even if it doesn’t match your dress,” 

said Fr. Kalabat, adding with a 

chuckle, “That scares them.” 

St. Joseph also discourages revealing 

dress. “No spaghetti straps” 

declares a sign at the entrance. 

“We want to preserve the dignity 

and self respect of all the people in 

there,” said Msgr. Toma. “This is not 

a fashion parade.” 


“LOVE IS FRIENDSHIP SET ON FIRE.” – JEREMY TAYLOR 




let’s halhole! 

Younger generation embraces tradition 


PHOTO BY WILSON SARKIS 

When Avita Bacall 

got married a year 

and a half ago, her 

grandmother let 

loose with a giant trill – better 

known to members of the 

Chaldean community as the 

halhole. 

“She said, ‘I can’t help 

myself, it comes from the heart. 

It’s an overcoming of joy,’” 

recalled Bacall, 24, of 

Waterford. 

Bacall didn’t mind – in fact, 

she loves the halhole, that 

shrill, high-pitched sound of 

happiness women make (which 

usually startles any non- 

Chaldeans in attendance). 

“It is used to celebrate 

happy occasions,” said 

Josephine Sarafa, executive 

director of the Chaldean 

Cultural Center. “At funerals, 

it’s more of a wailing sound.” 

The halhole, which many 

learn as young girls from their 

mothers, grandmothers and 

aunts, started to die out locally 

in the 1950s as immigrants 

embraced American ways. But 

since the mid-1960s, the halhole 

has reemerged as a 

favorite wedding tradition, 

Sarafa said. 

“After 1965 when thousands 

of Chaldeans came from 

Iraq all the old traditions were 

reinforced by the newcomers,” 

she said. “It has become a 

resurgent tradition.” 

Nadine Rabban, 56, said she 

wishes she’d learned the sound 

as a girl. “My mother and aunt 

did it at my wedding 22 years 

ago but I never learned,” said 

the Novi resident. “Now my 

daughters try it. It’s a great tradition 

and if I had learned it when 

I was younger, I would do it.” 

Younger generations are also 

Alia Shango is feted by a zeffa band as she leaves her parents’ home. 

starting to embrace other traditions 

from Iraq, Sarafa said, 

including a henna party and 

the throwing of sweets onto 

the bride. Bacall’s wedding day 

featured the tabul (drum) and 

zarna (flute). 

“The groom’s mom and other 

females come and literally take 

the bride from her home,” 

Bacall said. “I loved it, and it 

sparked a lot of emotions of 

back home with my grandparents 

and my dad.” 

Margueritte Esshaki of Cass 

Lake is one of the community’s 

best-known halholers. “I have 

good breath,” said the 70-yearold. 

“I can go for a long time 

and do it very high.” 

Esshaki wins prizes at bridal 

showers for her trilling skills, 

but said she refrains at weddings. 

“With the men 

there, it’s a little different,” 

she admitted. 

Some church leaders 

are asking women to 

refrain from the halhole 

during marriage ceremonies, 

saying it’s 

become too competitive 

of who can do it the 

loudest or longest. 

“Do it outside all you 

want, but don’t cut off 

the prayers,” said Fr. 

Frank Kalabat of St. 

Thomas. “Keep a serene 

and prayerful atmosphere 

in the church.” 

Rather than forbid it 

outright, Fr. Kalabat asks celebrants 

to wait until the couple is 

introduced as husband and wife. 

“Then you can take out your 

frustration,” he laughed, “and 

let all that pent-up halhole 

out.” 


“GIVE ALL TO LOVE; OBEY THY HEART.” 

– RALPH WALDO EMERSON 


hide it with flowers 

Practical tips for wedding day disasters 

BY LAWRENCE YALDO AND ANDREW KEINA 

Weddings are sacred events that 

everyone hopes will be perfect. 

Hiring a wedding professional to assist 

you through the plethora of available 

big day options can ward off most wedding day 

problems. Unfortunately, even the most wellplanned 

events can be fraught with lastminute 

emergencies. 

Here are a few wedding day disasters and 

simple suggestions on how to fix them. 

ACHES AND PAINS 

Wedding day jitters and nervous stomachs are 

normal. However, physical ailments can ruin 

a wedding. A little foresight can make the difference 

between a wonderful wedding and a 

miserable one. Making sure your wedding 

planner or a bridesmaid has an emergency bag 

of medicine is a great idea. 

Ibuprofen and aspirin are great for last-minute 

aches and pains. Benadryl is a life-saver if a relative 

or member of the wedding party has an allergic reaction 

to food or flowers. Nausea and upset stomach 

can be eased with antacids, soda crackers and ginger 

ale. Smelling salts are also handy if someone faints. 

While every bride wants to look her most svelte 

on the big day, please remember to eat a small meal 

before the wedding. Eating will give you the energy 

to make it through the ceremony and reception. 

CAKE CATASTROPHES 

While a damaged cake is a problem only a pastry 

chef can fix, it can be a simple problem to disguise. 

Fresh flowers can hide myriad flaws. Simply place 

Lawrence Yaldo and Andrew Keina 

fresh flowers on top of the damaged part of the cake 

and no one will ever know there was a problem. 

Always ask your florist to leave any extra blooms 

at the reception. Having additional flowers will not 

only help with cake catastrophes but will be available 

in case an extra bouquet or boutonnière needs 

to be made. 

HORRIFYING HAIRDOS 

While nothing can substitute for having a hair 

rehearsal with a professional, small changes can 

turn a hair don’t into a hair do. Even if you have a 

stylist, having a bridesmaid keep a fully stocked bag 

with a hairbrush, comb, hairspray, curling iron and 

bobby pins is important. If the weather is humid or 

windy, being able to fix hair problems can make you 

feel you look your best. 

It is also important not to make 

major color or cut decisions within a 

week or two before the big day. If you 

hate the changes, you may not be able 

to have them fixed in time for the 

wedding. 

DRESS DRAMAS 

Problems with your gown do not have 

to ruin your big day. Torn bustles, 

broken straps and ripped sleeves can 

be fixed with a needle and thread. 

Always keep a small sewing kit with 

safety pins nearby. 

Fabric cleansing wipes and club 

soda are indispensable in removing 

dirt and other stains. Oily food stains 

can sometimes be helped with baby 

powder. Blot, but do not rub, the stained portion of 

the fabric with a clean cloth. Merely sprinkle the 

stain with talcum powder, then wait a few minutes 

before brushing off. Talcum powder and white 

chalk can also be used to cover stains. 

Remember to have clear nail polish on hand. It 

stops tears in stockings from getting larger, and can 

also be used to reapply loose rhinestones or beads. 

Most importantly, accept that minor problems 

will arise – they will be resolved. Getting married is 

a once-in-a-lifetime event. What matters most is the 

covenant you are making with the one you love. 

Have a positive attitude and enjoy your day. 

Lawrence Yaldo and Andrew Keina are co-owners of Top That 

Table, Inc., a full-service event design and luxury linen rental 

company located in Madison Heights. Call 248 345 4718. 


“WHERE LOVE IS CONCERNED, TOO MUCH IS NOT EVEN ENOUGH.” 

– PIERRE DE BEAUMARCHAIS 



Marvin and 

Ronda Sawa of 

Macomb Township 



“NOBODY HAS EVER MEASURED, NOT EVEN POETS, HOW MUCH 


WHAT’S 

HOT? 

WHAT’S 

NOT? 

SOME HELPFUL 

TIPS 

FROM THE 

EXPERTS 

BRUNCH SHOWERS 

Brunch is becoming more popular 

for bridal showers, with stuffed 

French toast, quiche and 

mimosas. They start about 11 

a.m. and end about 3 p.m. 

– CARRIE GRIFFIN, 

HOSTESS AND EVENT PLANNER 

JEREMY, KEEGO HARBOR 

FULL BALLGOWNS 

Brides are looking for very nice, 

full ballgown-style skirts. That 

look is back in with a drop waist 

with a fitted bodice. They are also 

going with gold tones or a hint of 

color as an accent. For veils, it’s 

fingertip and sheer, with lots of 

detailing to match the gown. 

– FAYE KONJA, OWNER 

KONJA’S BRIDAL, BERKLEY 

LOOKING NATURAL 

Everyone is looking for that candid, 

natural look. People want a 

little more fun and don’t want 

their photos to be all stiff. We 

have a lot more fun with our couples, 

which makes them relaxed 

and creates a natural look and 

feel in their pictures. 

– PAUNCH KALIA, 

PHOTOGRAPHER AND OWNER 

EVERLASTING MOMENTS, 

BIRMINGHAM 

THE HEART CAN HOLD.” 

– ZELDA FITZGERALD 


Allen and Nora 

Husanyo of Arizona 



“ L O V E I S T H E P A R T O F U S T H A T I S R E A L . ” – G E R A L D 


WHAT’S 

HOT? 

WHAT’S 

NOT? 

FINE-ART PHOTO BOOKS 

What’s hot are unique fine-art photo 

books. They can be as large as 10 by 15 

inches and have very thick pages. The 

photos take up the whole page with no 

borders. Some couples also get smaller-sized 

ones made for their parents. 

– WILSON SARKIS, OWNER 

WILSON SARKIS PHOTOGRAPHY, 

FARMINGTON HILLS 

BASIC BUSTIERS 

The latest lingerie trends have not 

changed. Brides continue to wear the 

basic bustier that flatters their figure 

as well as their dream dress. 

– ELIZABETH HARP, OWNER 

HARP’S LINGERIE, BIRMINGHAM 

BIG-SCREEN TVS 

One wedding featured luxurious bigscreen 

TVs in the corners of the hall. 

This gave wedding guests the 

opportunity to view the bride and 

groom as well as other guests 

throughout the reception. 

– KOLA GOJCAJ, OWNER, IMPERIAL HOUSE, 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP 

MICRO PAVE DIAMONDS 

The latest trend in bridal jewelry is a 

micro pave diamond. Its name is 

derived from its small size. Trends in 

engagement rings include estate 

pieces, including 

18-carat white gold and platinum. In 

Europe and the U.S., white gold and 

platinum have dominated over 

the traditional yellow gold. 

– VAHAY, MANAGER, FREDRICKS JEWELERS, 

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 

J A M P O L S K Y 


Alia and Chris Shango of 

Shelby Township were 

married at St. George 

by Frs. Jirjus Abrahim 

and Manuel Boji. 


WHAT’S 

HOT? 

WHAT’S 

NOT? 

THEMED FOOD STATIONS 

We are doing a lot more food stations instead of a 

regular buffet or sit-down dinner; it encourages 

guests to mingle in a little more of a fun atmosphere. 

We’re also doing a lot of themed stations to 

fit the seasons, like ice cream for summer or soup 

or fondue for winter. In the fall, instead of a chocolate 

fountain we’ll have a caramel fountain with 

apples. Signature drinks are also big, like naming a 

martini that has special meaning to the bride and 

groom. People are making their wedding a really 

personal event. 

– TAWNYA JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING 

THE INN AT ST. JOHN, PLYMOUTH 


“LOVE IS NOT A WEAKNESS. IT IS STRONG. ONLY THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE 


POCKET INVITATIONS 

A lot of people like the pocket invitations. 

They open up and there is a pocket inside 

for a reception or RSVP card or directions. 

Also, Chaldeans need to know to order their 

invitations four months before the wedding 

because you’re supposed to send them out 

six to eight weeks in advance. 

– TANYA KATTULA, OWNER 

INVITES & BEYOND, STERLING HEIGHTS 

Line dancing at 

the wedding of 

Paul and Dawna 

Alraihani of 

Rochester 

CAN CONTAIN IT.” 

– BORIS PASTERNAK 


WHAT’S 

HOT? 

WHAT’S 

NOT? 

KEEP THE DATE 

Today’s contemporary bride is giving 

her guest an early wedding invitation 

with Keep the Date invites. Keep the 

Dates can be anything from a magnet 

to a scratch-off lottery ticket that is 

given to guests six months prior to the 

wedding. Keep the Dates serve the 

purpose of reminding guests of the 

special upcoming event. 

– AMY BERMAN, OWNER 

A LASTING IMPRESSION, NOVI 

Nick Ammori 

(second from left) 

is toasted by his 

groomsmen on his 

wedding to Jennifer. 


Randall and 

Jennifer Denha 

of West Bloomfield 


SEQUINS TO LACE 

The application of sequins to lace is 

very popular. Today’s bride is drawn to 

a dress that is very full with pickup. 

Destination brides who travel out of 

state go for a soft chiffon material and 

a dress that’s close to the body such as 

the mermaid style. 

– PIERA SBROCCA, 

ALESSANDRA BRIDAL & 

FORMAL WEAR, WARREN 

ELEGANT LOOK 

When it comes to hair and makeup 

today’s contemporary brides strive for 

a natural and elegant look. This 

includes subtle lips and a dramatic 

smoky eye. Brides are also undergoing 

relaxing treatments that make their 

honeymoon all the more manageable 

by saving them time. 

– LENA ARAFAT, HAIR DRESSER 

AND MAKEUP ARTIST 

BLUSH SALON, WALLED LAKE 

SIMPLICITY 

I would say the 

hottest trend is 

simply simplicity. 

The more simple 

the more beautiful. 

– MIKE DAHER, 

PRESIDENT 

SWEET DREAMS, 

WARREN 

MONOGRAM LIGHTING 

Monogram lighting gives character to the reception 

by incorporating colors like pink and blue 

into the walls and the couple’s names on the 

floor, head table or any desired location. Photo 

booths are definitely a big trend and provide 

guest with a great deal of fun and memories. 

– KIMBERLY BURNETTE, OWNER 

MUSIC BOX PRODUCTIONS, 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP 


“LOVE COMFORTETH LIKE SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN.” 

– WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 



WHAT’S 

HOT? 

WHAT’S 

NOT? 

Doraid and Farrah 

Markus of West Bloomfield 


HALL DECOR 

The future bride and groom are placing a lot of emphasis 

on hall decor. We’re seeing a great deal of candy 

tables. With the usage of theatrical lighting guests can 

view the bride and groom’s initials on the dance floor. 

– DIEDRE STEMMELEN, GENERAL SALES MANAGER 

LAUREL MANOR, LIVONIA 

PALLADIUM 

The hottest thing is a member of platinum family 

called palladium, a very rare and lustrous white metal. 

It’s unique in that it is extremely durable and is tarnish 

resistant; it gives the appearance and feeling of 

platinum but it’s not as expensive. People should 

remember that when they’re buying an engagement 

ring it becomes an heirloom for the family. You need 

to know who you’re buying the ring from and that 

they will be there when you go back. 

– STEVE TAPPER, OWNER 

TAPPER’S JEWELRY, WEST BLOOMFIELD AND NOVI 

HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO 

High definition video is the thing. The quality is 10 

times better than standard definition, which is what 

we’ve been watching the past 30 years. With HD 

coming to all TVs in February 2009, this is the year 

everybody should convert. 

– IVAN YOUSIF, OWNER 

FUTUREWAVE IMAGES, ROYAL OAK 

SUPER SIZE EVERYTHING 

The bigger the better! High-demand products include 

bigger pendants and watches composed of steel and 

diamonds. Micro pave diamonds are definitely in 

high demand. 

– JASON GREISDORF, OWNER 

GREIS JEWELERS, FARMINGTON HILLS 


“THE HEART CAN DO ANYTHING.” – MOLIERE 



love iraqi style 

Weddings from the homeland can be elaborate affairs 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Awedding is a wedding? So you think. 

In Iraq, not only is how the couples 

happen to marry an untold story, but 

each celebration plays out in its own 

special way. 

“There is not much difference in the 

actual liturgy in Iraq opposed to here in 

America,” said Fr. Manuel Boji. “However, 

the celebration can last for days there. 

Sometimes they go for a week.” Each day 

of celebrations vary in tradition and flare. 

In some traditional weddings, more 

common a generation ago, the entire 

event would last days – starting out with a 

proposal, Chaldean style. A few people 

from the groom’s family would go the girl’s 

home and ask for her hand in marriage. If 

the girl’s family agrees, the groom’s family 

claps and halholes. 

Next, a priest would bless the engagement. 

In some villages years ago, only the 

groom’s family would celebrate while for 

the bride’s family it was almost a time of 

sadness because they were losing a daughter. 

After the engagement, a date was set 

for the actual nuptials — often just days 

after the couple engaged. 

The preparations began. Women of the homes 

would prepare the wedding; they sewed colorful 

cloths at home and wore only their best garments 

and jewelry. One of the celebratory days before the 

actual exchange of vows was loukma (bread) day. 

They would bake bread and gather family and friends 

to enjoy. The bread was a pizza-size flat loaf flavored 

Karim and Najat Dado, 1973 

with sesame and other seasonings. While it baked, 

the women sang songs, halholed and rejoiced. 

The day of the henna (dying of the hands) 

would occur a day or two before the actual wedding. 

It is a sign of making the wedding colorful and joyful 

— dressing up the day. Family members put 

henna in the palm of their hands, then wrap the 

hand in a cloth and go to sleep, awaking 

with a colorful design. The grooms’ family 

visited the bride’s home with henna and 

candy. The bride would get the henna first 

and the entire groom’s family would also 

get the henna, but not the brides’ family. 

In some towns some families would take 

dolma (stuffed grape leaves) to the henna. 

The night before the wedding, families 

would sing, drink and enjoy mezza (light 

appetizers) and arak (liquor). In the morning, 

entire towns sometimes went to the 

mass. On some occasions, only a few members 

of the bride’s family attended the mass. 

After that, all the guests would lead the 

bride and groom around town with musicians 

playing tabul (drums). They’d even 

venture to the outskirts of town, landing in 

a big field where they sang and danced. 

In the evening, all returned home to 

eat, drink and have mezza. The celebration 

continued to the next morning. The 

next day, close friends and family members 

of the groom took food to his family 

to continue the celebrations. All day, they 

sang, danced, drank and rejoiced. This 

continued to the third day; finally by that 

night the wedding celebrations wound down. 

Exhausted and overjoyed, life then began for the 

married couple. 

Here’s a glance at four weddings from the homeland. 

LOVE IRAQI STYLE 



“THE LOVE WE GIVE AWAY IS THE ONLY LOVE WE KEEP.” 

– ELBERT HUBBARD 



LOVE IRAQI STYLE 


NAJAT AND KARIM DADO, 1973 

Najat Kenaya found out she was to marry just 

four hours before she vowed to do so inside a 

church in Basra. 

“I had no idea who he was or what he looked 

like,” she recalled. 

The short notice didn’t allow the bride to plan or 

even pick out her own dress. “There were no flowers, 

no cake, no live music — just a tape and people 

singing,” she said. “I wore my mother-in-law’s ring 

and my husband wore his dad’s ring because there 

The two married at St. Joseph in Baghdad in an 

hour and a half ceremony conducted by Mar 

Emmanuel Delly. About 250 people attended. 

Mary, 29 at the time, had met George, 42, 

through mutual friends; the couple knew each other 

only about three weeks before the wedding. 

After an eight-day honeymoon in Basra, 

Mary’s family had a small welcome-home gathering. 

Not long after, they left Iraq and spent 43 

days in Cairo, Egypt, before landing in America. 

They have three children. 

‘We did not have big weddings at that time. We had a 

ceremony at the church and we went to a hall where people 

socialized for a couple of hours.’ – IKHLAS ROMAYA 

Mary and George Sesi Farah and Manar Saffar Ikhlas and Abdulmeseh Romaya 

IKHLAS AND ABDULMESEH ROMAYA, 1967 

When Ikhlas and Abdulmeseh Romaya married in 

1967, the wedding was much different than those 

Ikhlas works on today as a florist. “We only had pop 

and cake at the reception,” she said. “We did not 

have big weddings at that time. We had a ceremony 

at the church and we went to a hall where people 

socialized for a couple of hours.” 

Romaya dressed in a suit and Ikhlas wore a traditional 

wedding gown and carried a bouquet, the 

only flowers at the wedding. The ceremony in a 

church in Baghdad took place 10 days after the couple 

had met. Those arranged marriages, common in 

the baby-boomer and older generations, are now 

near a thing of the past. 

While a big band usually welcome the newly 

married couple in their own rendition of a zeffa 

(entrance dance), the Romayas celebrated their 

nuptials with the sound of chatting voices void of 

music and dance. They honeymooned for five days 

in Basra. Today, the Romayas have four kids and 

will soon welcome their eighth grandchild. 

wasn’t a jeweler open.” Najat even wore a wedding 

dress being made for another woman. 

Despite the rush to wed, there are no regrets. Najat 

and Karim are happily married and live in Marysville. 

The have four kids and five granddaughters. 

GEORGE AND MARY SESI, 1976 

When Mary Kajy married George Sesi in Baghdad, she 

was still mourning the death of her older brother Fareet. 

“We didn’t really have a party because of my 

brother,” she said. “We had a small gathering with 

no music or any type of celebratory traditions at a 

social hall next to the church.” 

MANAR AND FARAH SAFFAR, 2007 

More than 1,500 people danced in the streets of 

Alquosh last year to celebrate the nuptials of 

Manar, 29 and Farah, 25. 

Manar said his wedding was much similar to one 

celebrated in America with live music, a wedding 

cake and the bride in a white wedding gown. 

Manar, an instructor at Dohuk University, wore a 

suit while most grooms in the United States wear 

tuxedos. The hall was decorated with flowers much 

like the décor of parties here in the U.S. 

“The wedding day was so exciting,” said Manar. 

“It was a huge party and it lasted nine hours.” 


“LOVE IS THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUL.” – ST. AUGUSTINE 




IRAQ today 

‘Council of Christians’ to be established 

BY JOHN PONTIFEX 

Aleading Archbishop from Iraq 

has received backing from the 

country’s president to set up a 

“Council of Christians” to address key 

challenges threatening the church’s 

survival in their ancient homeland. 

Determined to shore up confidence 

among Christians after January’s wave 

of attacks on church buildings across 

the country, Archbishop Louis Sako is 

putting the finishing touches to a 30- 

member committee tasked with helping 

the faithful to secure their place in 

Iraq’s future. 

Speaking from Iraq in an interview 

with the Catholic charity Aid to the 

Church in Need (CIN), Archbishop 

Sako said that as the council’s acting 

president, he had received express 

support for the plan from Iraq’s 

President Jalal Talabani. 

With a remit covering Kirkuk, the 

northern city where Mgr. Sako is 

Archbishop, the council breaks new 

ecumenical ground, bringing together 

representatives from five key Christian 

denominations — Chaldeans, 

Assyrians, Armenians, Syrian 

Orthodox and Catholics. 

Broken up into committees tackling 

key issues, the council will examine 

social, cultural and interfaith relations, 

backed up by a press office to promote 

awareness of its activity and involvement 

from outside groups. 

“For too long, the Christians have 

struggled to get their views heard in 

the main debates of the day because 

so often they don’t speak with one 

voice,” Archbishop Sako told CAN. 

“The main purpose is that Christians 

should have a united front. If we have 

demands, we should present them 

together. We should not be separated 

and thereby enfeebled.” 

The Archbishop said that a lack of 

unity compounded the problem of 

Christians living as a minority of just 

12,000 in a city of one million. 

Archbishop Sako, an outspoken 

critic of a scheme to create a so-called 

“safe haven” for Iraq Christians in the 

Nineveh Plains outside Mosul, said the 

Council would address topical issues 

in a way that complements the work of 

Catholics and Orthodox across the 

party divide. 

Archbishop Sako, who said his 

council presidency was strictly temporary, 

went on: “The risk is that the political 

parties will not accept the council. 

They think we may try to replace them. 

This is not our goal at all.” 

He went on, “The problem is that 

ASSOCIATED PRESS 

The U.N. refugee agency is welcoming 

a decision by Lebanese 

authorities to regularize the status 

of hundreds of Iraqi refugees considered 

illegal in the country. 

During the week of February 17, the 

government started to give Iraqis who 

entered Lebanon illegally or overstayed 

their visas a three-month period to 

legalize their status. 

An announcement posted on the 

website of Lebanon’s General Security 

Department urged Arab and foreign 

nationals whose residency contradicts 

the law or who entered the country illegally 

to visit the department’s offices to 

resolve their situation. It also said they 

would be granted a year’s stay or 

ordered to leave the country. 

The Office of the U.N. High 

the Christians do not feel part of the 

political process — that their views are 

not being represented as well as they 

could be. They are tired. They feel 

hopeless and disappointed because 

they do not know how long it will take 

for the situation to be stabilized.” 

‘The risk is that 

the political parties 

will not accept 

the council.’ 

– ARCHBISHOP SAKO 

Lebanese eases up on refugees 

Archbishop Sako said having a 

stake in the country’s future was key to 

the faithful rebuilding confidence. 

He added: “We have good relations 

with so many groups of people in 

Kirkuk. They appreciate what we do. 

We need to realize that our presence is 

not about how many there are of us but 

how we are behaving and what we are 

saying.” 

The Archbishop said that he hoped 

the scheme would prove successful 

enough to be adopted across the 

country, leading to the creation of a 

national council of Christians. 

Reprinted courtesy of the Assyrian 

International News Agency, www.aina.org. 

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 

said this decision would benefit thousands 

of Iraqi refugees in Lebanon and 

would lead to the release of hundreds 

from detention. 

In a statement issued February 20, 

the refugee group said it will support 

the release process and provide assistance 

to those released from detention 

and to their families, as well as provide 

legal aid to Iraqis who wish to meet the 

regularization requirements. 

“The Lebanese decision benefiting 

Iraqi refugees is of particular significance 

given that it has been taken during 

a time when the country has been 

facing political turmoil and volatile 

security. This is a courageous decision,’’ 

said Stephane Jaquemet, the 

UNHCR representative in Lebanon. 

Jaquemet added that UNHCR’s priority 

over the next few months will be to 

assist the detainees upon release. 

“After several months of detention, 

many of them will be destitute,’’ he said. 

Unlike other Arab countries, 

Lebanon has adopted a policy of 

arresting Iraqis who are in the country 

illegally. Often they are kept jailed 

beyond their original sentences until 

they agree to return home. About 77 

percent of the roughly 50,000 Iraqis in 

Lebanon have entered the country illegally, 

the Danish Refugee Council estimated 

in a survey late last month. 

The Lebanese policy has raised an 

outcry from human rights groups. In 

October 2007, up to 584 Iraqis were in 

detention in Lebanon because of their 

irregular status. Many of them had 

served their sentences but were still 

being arbitrarily detained. 



Bank of 

Michigan: 

Working for 

Business 

Times are tough in Michigan, but 

don’t tell that to the folks at the 

Bank of Michigan in Farmington 

Hills. While many financial institutions 

are struggling, the Bank of Michigan 

was named the fastest-growing bank 

in Southeast Michigan by Crain’s 

Detroit Business in June 2007. 

“We’ve doubled our growth in each of 

our three years,” said President 

Michael G. Sarafa. “I attribute that to 

the fact that a growing number of people 

are comfortable banking with us. 

We’ve become a destination of 

choice.” 

Bank of Michigan’s Commercial 

Loan Department is especially thriving. 

Loan specialists embrace the 

mission of making available a variety 

of loan products specifically designed 

for business, be it business financing, 

working capital, capital expenditures 

or real estate loans. 

As a preferred Small Business 

Administration (SBA) Lender, Bank of 

Michigan is uniquely positioned to 

help the entrepreneur. Benefits of 

Bank of Michigan’s SBA loans 

include longer maturities than most 

bank loans; smaller down payments; 

longer terms; no balloon payments; 

no covenants; multiple interest rate 

options (floating, adjustable or fixed) 

and — perhaps most importantly — 

fast credit approval. 

“With an SBA loan, qualifying criteria 

are generally more flexible than 

conventional loans,” Sarafa noted. 

SBA programs offered at the Bank 

of Michigan include SBA 7(a), which 

provide funds for a variety of business 

services; SBA 504 for purchasing 

real estate or equipment, generally 

for projects of more than 

$500,000; and the Low Doc Program 

for loan requests under $150,000. 

Loans can be made as high as $2 

million and fixed rates are available 

for up to seven years — a schedule 

that offers great peace of mind in 

these uncertain economic times. 

For commercial real estate, the 

Bank of Michigan offers a fixed rate 

for an initial term of up to 60 months 

and amortization schedules of up to 

Pictured from left: Cindy Jensen (Commercial Lender), Tom Linden (Chief Credit Officer), Lydia Bahoura (Credit Analyst), 

Michael Sarafa (President) and Barry Boozan (Commercial Lender). 

25 years depending on property type. 

Of course, any bank is only as 

good as the people behind it. Sarafa 

is proud of his Commercial Lending 

team. 

Chief Credit Officer Tom Linden 

has a vast amount of experience in 

small business underwriting. “He is 

very prudent,” Sarafa said, “but also 

very creative.” 

Commercial Lender Cindy Jensen, 

who joined Bank of Michigan after 

more than 30 years experience at 

Michigan National Bank and its various 

successors, “is probably the 

most experienced small business 

lender in the entire state,” Sarafa 

said. 

Barry Boozan, also a Commercial 

Lender, has created a niche specialty 

working with healthcare providers as 

well as other professional services. 

“Barry has a substantial credit background 

and a strong focus on customer 

service and going the extra 

mile to get a deal done,” Sarafa said. 

Credit Analyst Lydia Bahoura 

helps prepare the loan packages and 

financial spreadsheets and keep the 

files updated. “She is the gatekeeper 

for the loan department,” Sarafa 

added. 

The team is led by Sarafa. 

“Mike has been a great asset to 

the bank since he moved from vice 

chairman of the board to President 

and CEO at the beginning of 2006,” 

said Michael George, chairman of the 

Chaldean Federation of America and 

an advisor to the bank. “Mike is 

always out and about at community 

events, he understands financing and 

has a good sense of judgment,” he 

continued. 

Indeed, Sarafa is deeply ingrained 

in the Chaldean community, having 

just completed two terms as president 

of the Chaldean Iraqi American 

Association of Michigan (CIAAM), 

where he still serves as a board 

member. 

Attorney Burt Kassab, vice chairman 

of the Bank of Michigan board, 

said Sarafa’s former work as executive 

director of the Associated Food 

and Petroleum Dealers puts him 

squarely in the corner of small businesses. 

“Mike has a deep understanding 

and awareness of the needs of small 

business owners,” Kassab said. “The 

bank has done well under his leadership.” 

The Bank of Michigan offers all the 

benefits of a small institution — 

backed with the security of the considerable 

assets of Capitol Bancorp 

Limited, a $5-billion publicly traded 

corporation. Although technically a 

bank holding company, Capitol 

Bancorp considers itself in the bank 

development business because it is 

an active, proactive and dynamic partner 

with the banks. 

Besides Michigan, Capitol 

Bancorp’s affiliate banks are located 

in 16 states, including California, 

Texas and New York. Plans are 

underway to expand into additional 

markets. 

“It’s the perfect combination,” 

Sarafa says. “We’re a small, community 

bank where everyone knows your 

name and is dedicated to helping 

your business succeed with the 

utmost of professionalism and confidentiality. 

Capitol Bancorp gives us 

the financial muscle and stability that 

is crucial in today’s economy.” 

Times may be tough, but the 

Commercial Lending Department at 

the Bank of Michigan is ready to help. 

“We are poised to continue to 

make good loans to qualified borrowers,” 

Sarafa said. “When the dust 

settles from this housing bust and 

general economic downturn, the 

Bank of Michigan will not only be 

standing but thriving as well.” 

Bank of Michigan 

30095 Northwestern Highway 

Farmington Hills, MI 

(248) 865-1300 

www.bankofmi.com 

BE PREPARED 

Seeking a business loan? Bring 

along the following information to 

ease the process and see quick 

results: 

• Personal and business tax returns 

for the past two to three years 

• Updated and signed personal 

financial statements 

• Business plans and projections 

• For real estate loans, appraisals, 

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work and legal descriptions 

ADVERTISEMENT 


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. 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: Weekdays, 10 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10 a.m. 

in Arabic, 11:30 a.m. in English, 1 p.m. in Chaldean. Baptisms: 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. 

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 

obituaries 

Victoria Mona-Arabo 

Born on July 1, 1923, Victoria Mona- 

Arabo departed this life peacefully 

on a day dedicated to the 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, the first 

Friday of the month, May 4, 

2007. This devotion, together 

with a deep love for the 

Blessed Virgin Mary through 

her daily recitation of the 

rosary and lit candles, deepened 

Victoria’s faith in our Lord 

and Savior. 

Victoria lost her beloved 

husband David S. Arabo and 

became a widow in the prime of her life 

after God called him home at the 

young age of 49. Her faith in God sustained 

her to be both mother and father 

to her children, whom she raised with 

tender love and devotion. 

Victoria was a deeply compassionate, 

loving, kind and gentle soul. Her 

hospitality was well-known among her 

family and neighborhood friends. She 

always greeted with love and warmth 

those who entered her home. In fact, 

her home was the central gathering 

place for her friends and neighbors to 

partake of her hospitality. She was 

known for her exceptional culinary 

Victoria Mona-Arabo 

skills and consistently cooked delicious 

meals, two of which, karee m’tabagh 

and yellow rice, were often requested 

favorites during family gatherings. 

She never turned down a 

request to help anyone and 

did so with a charity born 

from love for Jesus. She 

always said, “I do this for 

Jesus.” Many acquaintances 

were saddened to hear of her 

loss and it comforted her children 

to know that they recognized 

her genuine goodness. 

Victoria is survived by her 

beloved children, Edmond (Wafa), 

Emile, Mona (Luigi) Cervi and 

Jacqueline; her grandchildren, 

Claudio, Marco and Fabio Cervi and 

Venus, David, Jennifer and Emile 

Arabo; and her brother, Ghazi. She 

was preceded in death by her beloved 

husband David S. Arabo, her parents 

Jirjis and Naima Mona, her twin brothers 

Nasser and Edward Mona, and her 

infant son Ayad, our angel in heaven. 

Mom, we thank you for being a loving, 

devoted and selfless mother who 

guided us in the Christian way of life. 

The good life you lived is your legacy to 

us. We think about you and send our 

prayers to God throughout the day for 

you. You left us so quickly and without 

you, our lives will never be the same. 

We miss you so much. You are truly in 

our hearts forever. 

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her 

and may she rest in peace. May her 

soul and the souls of all the faithful 

departed through the mercy of God 

rest in peace. Amen. 

Ellen Georgis Deddeh 

Heaven gained an angel the day Ellen 

Georgis Deddeh was laid to rest on 

February 13, 2008. She was born on 

September 12, 1919. She 

was in and out of the hospital 

for many months until she 

couldn’t fight anymore. Now 

she is smiling down on us with 

her husband, Elias, playing 

cards and laughing like we 

remember her. 

Whether young or old, 

Ellen had a way of touching 

people’s lives that is unexplainable. 

She was the glue 

Ellen Georgis 

Deddeh 

that held the family together. She was 

a person that thought of others before 

herself. Everyone who met her, be it 

friends of her grandchildren or people 

in the hospital, called her Nana. She 

truly was everyone’s Nana. 

Ellen was a widow at a young age 

but you could never tell. She lived 

every day to the fullest. She loved to 

go out and socialize among the relatives. 

She would be the first to go and 

the last to leave. Everyone enjoyed 

being in her company. 

She is survived by her sister, Violet 

Metti; six children, Nidhal Bodiya, 

Madiha (Munib Murad), Kamal 

(Khalida), Raja, Riadh (Lulu) and Fatin 

Kouza; 13 grandchildren, Karen 

(Roger), Anita, Dina (Paul), Allen, 

David (Mae), Brian, Claude, Robert 

(Melody), Lian (Phil), Lydia, 

Candace, Alana and Connie; 

and seven great-grandchildren, 

Eric, Nicole, Alex, 

Matthew, James, Kaylee and 

Brooke. 

We miss her terribly but 

know she is in a better place 

looking down on us. Not a 

day will go by where we don’t 

think of her. All the tears in the 

world cannot mend our broken 

hearts. Mama, Nana, Big Nana, 

we love you and wait for the day to see 

you again. 



the DOCTOR is in 

Economic recession can hurt minds, too BY DUNIA KARANA ZEBARI, PH.D 

Most of us have been 

discussing concerns 

with today’s struggling 

local economy. It is quite disheartening, 

for example, to see 

some of our great minds graduate 

from our state colleges 

and universities only to have to 

seek work outside of Michigan. 

This state’s economic 

woes continue to have ramifications 

for businesses in retail, 

restaurants, real estate, personal 

care and entertainment. And it 

doesn’t just affect our bank accounts 

— financial struggles can be a real 

challenge to our mental wellbeing. 

Imagine a father, the sole caretaker 

of his wife and children, either losing 

his job or seeing his business significantly 

slow down. He may experience 

many negative reactions including feelings 

of anxiety, low or depressed mood, 

feelings of guilt, helplessness and a 

decline in self-esteem and self-worth. 

Moreover, these changes in mood 

and feelings will likely affect this man’s 

DUNIA 

KARANA 

ZEBARI, 

PH.D 

relationship with his wife and 

children. A typical disagreement 

(which most couples 

experience in their marriage) 

that often gets resolved rather 

quickly might escalate into 

something more serious, since 

the husband’s stressors hinder 

his ability to effectively communicate 

and solve marital issues. 

Furthermore, his children 

will likely feel their father’s 

uneasiness and change in 

mood and they might in turn experience 

psychological distress. I recently 

conducted a psychological evaluation 

for a school-aged girl who was performing 

significantly below her grade 

level. I concluded that the girl’s poor 

school performance is a result of 

ongoing stress at home related to 

financial insecurity as well as the 

resulting marital conflict. 

These examples depict some of the 

reactions and ripple effects that people 

may experience during significant economic 

decline. It is important to know 

that these reactions are common. But 

while feelings of helplessness, a 

depressed mood and anxiety are often 

temporary and short-lasting, in some 

cases these symptoms may be prolonged 

and can lead to more serious 

psychological problems. 

Environmental stressors such as 

economic recession can be a trigger to 

a psychological disorder, especially if 

there has been a family history of problems 

such as major depressive disorder 

and anxiety. These stressors may 

also trigger issues that have not been 

worked through or a disorder in remission 

— such as alcohol and drug 

dependence — may resurface due to 

these environmental stressors. 

Dunia Karana Zebari, Ph.D., is a practicing 

clinical psychologist specializing in 

assessment and psychotherapy with children, 

adolescents and adults. She is especially 

interested in families requiring special 

attention during crises such as divorce and 

parental loss. Call (248) 594-5979, ext. 

23, or e-mail info@psychassets.com. 

MANAGE THOSE 

STRESSORS 

Try these tips, but remember: It is 

important to seek professional 

consultation when you feel that 

your problems have persisted for 

several weeks or more. 

• Find ways to relax your mind 

and body — something as simple 

as sitting down and taking a deep 

breath can help manage some of 

the stress. 

• Attempt to get a good night’s 

sleep. People who are able to 

sleep six to eight hours a night 

consistently report a rested body, 

less stressed mind and an 

improved ability to solve problems. 

• Plan time to talk with loved ones 

or concerned people in your community; 

these people can help you 

sort through your thoughts and 

emotions. 



ECONOMICS & enterprise 

Community Welcomes New Businesses 


Say It With Fruit 

When Bahaa Jajjo Kachi added unique 

fresh fruit bouquets to his deli in 

Madison Heights, they flew off the 

shelves. When they starting outselling 

the rest of his stock, he closed the 

store to concentrate full-time on the 

items. 

Kachi created his first fruit bouquet 

last spring for a girlfriend. “She loved it 

– I’ve never seen someone so excited,” 

he said. “Then for Mother’s Day I made 

them for my sisters, and from that point 

on I’ve been doing more and more.” 

The bouquets of fresh fruit shaped 

into flowers, hearts, butterflies and 

stars are not only nice to look at, 

they’re healthy to eat too. Prices 

range from $22-$125, and delivery 

starts at $15. 

Kachi Kreations is operated out of 

Kachi’s Shelby Township home for 

now, but he hopes to open a shop in 

Royal Oak. Additional stores and franchises 

are also in his long-range plans. 

Kachi, a former banquet chef at 

Great Oaks Country Club, has provided 

fruit bouquets for engagement parties, 

baby showers, birthdays, communions 

and office parties. Customers 

often buy one large bouquet for show 

and offer a fruit tray (which he also 

supplies) for guests to nibble on. 

“It’s a conversation piece,” Kachi 

says. “I’m not just selling fruit – I’m selling 

class.” 

Visit www.kachikreations.com or 

call (586) 843-7848. 

Louay and Vince Nona 

at Market Village’s 

grand opening. 

Bahaa Jajjo Kachi 

shows off a 

“kreation” crafted 

for a recent 

Chaldean American 

Chamber of 

Commerce event. 

PHOTO BY DAVID REED 


It Takes a Village 

Gourmet grocery shoppers in the Novi 

area have a new venue to browse: 

Market Village on Grand River Avenue. 

The store, owned by Louay and 

Vince Nona, celebrated its grand opening 

on February 5 with an open house. 

Louay owns Parkway Foods in 

Detroit and Vince, his son, owns Vinery 

in Dearborn Heights. The Market 

Village, however, is uncharted territory 

for the family. 

“This is something completely new 

to us,” said Vince. “The trend in the 

industry is to go a little more upscale 

with more prepared and gourmet 

foods. It’s a very comforting place to 

shop, with the ambience of being a 

nice, homey place.” 

The store totals 8,300 square feet 

and carries fresh and organic produce, 

an upscale meat department, a wide 

variety of specialty gourmet cheeses, 

liquor, a large wine selection and specialty 

craft and imported beers, as well 

as some Spartan private label goods. 

“We’re a full-scale market with a little 

bit of everything,” Vince said. 

The Nonas expect to sell a lot of 

prepared food at Market Village. 

“People are so busy they don’t have 

time to cook anymore,” said Vince. 

“They can come to a place like ours 

and get a full meal for their families.” 

Market Village is located at 41430 Grand 

River Avenue in Novi. Call (248) 348-0401. 

Shabby Chic 

A new “shabby chic” boutique 

has been added to 

Skinthetics Laser Hair 

Removal & Skin Care 

Center in West Bloomfield. 

Shoppers can find designer 

active wear, photo 

albums, jewelry, candles, 

gifts and more. Skinthetics 

has also added new services 

including cellulite reduction 

and custom facials. 

The business, owned by 

Farrah Barbat and Anita 

Sesi, is located at 6421 

Orchard Lake Road; call 

(248) 855-6668. 


celebrate your community. 

subscribe today. 

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making the GRADE 

Perrin Atisha: 

Sharing faith 

Perrin Atisha believes in 

spreading the good word. 

“We’re Chaldeans,” he said. 

“We should proclaim our faith to 

other people.” 

Not a typical sentiment from a 15- 

year-old, but Perrin is not a typical 

teen. The Bloomfield Hills resident has 

a deep faith that may steer him towards 

the priesthood one day. 

“I want to be a religious minister,” 

he said. “Now, no one really listens 

because I’m just one person, but 

sometimes people listen to and give 

more respect to priests. I want to help 

bring the Chaldean community higher 

and want people to be more involved.” 

Perrin said if he does choose the 

priesthood, he doesn’t think forsaking 

a wife and children will be too difficult. 

“When you become a priest you 

become a community and have all 

these children of God who are a part of 

you,” he said. “You get love from the 

community.” 


Perrin is active in St. Mary’s Youth 

Group and acts as a lector at mass. He 

also teaches catechism and is a deacon 

at St. Thomas. To become more 

involved at school, he joined the Key 

Club, a service organization for high 

school students. He has a 4.0 gradepoint 

average. 

Perrin would like to start another 

club for the 30 or so Chaldean students 

at St. Mary’s. “We could get 

together once a week or once a month 

and talk about things,” he said. “So 

many kids my age drink or do drugs. I 

want them to know that someone 

cares about them, and it is God.” 

Vital Stats 

Name: Perrin Atisha 

Age: 15 

Year: Sophomore 

School: St. Mary’s Prep, West 

Bloomfield 

Career Goal: Religious ministry 

Parents: Steve and Ibtihal Atisha 

CASA: Teens 

with a purpose 


It can be difficult to hold the attention of 

teenagers, but seminary student Matthew 

Zetouna had no trouble captivating his 

audience at a recent after-school meeting of 

the Chaldean American Student Association 

(CASA) at North Farmington High School. 

Zetouna, 23, kept the students riveted as 

he told about some past poor choices he made 

before deciding to devote his life to God. 

“You are made with so much potential. Don’t 

take that for granted and give your talents back 

to the Lord,” said the future priest. “You guys 

are the future of the church and so am I.” 

Zetouna was a guest speaker for one of 

CASA’s biweekly meetings, which attract as 

many as 50 Chaldean students. The group just 

started last fall thanks to the efforts of Vadia 

Delly, the school’s only Chaldean teacher. 

“We focus on going to college and doing 

really well academically,” Delly said. “The kids 

seem really into it, especially the freshmen.” 

Christine Marogi, a senior, is one of the 

group’s five leaders. “We discuss our culture, 

our society, our religion and race,” she 

said. “We also tutor and do fundraisers for 

the refugees.” 

Senior Michael Sheena said he jumped at 

the chance to join CASA. “I was excited 

when I heard about it,” he said. “We are 

treated differently from other groups, and this 

helps kids act better.” 

Many of the students in the group said 

they often feel they’re up against misconceptions. 

“Some teachers have a certain stereotype 

against us,” said Andrew Maizi, a junior and 

CASA leader. “But the stereotype is true a lot 

– a lot of kids do mess around.” 

“People think we don’t really care – and a 

lot don’t because they are not really motivated,” 

agreed Blanard Jarbo, a senior and 

leader. 

Another leader, junior Fadi Odish, said 

CASA can help change that. “We’re trying to 

help other Chaldeans get together and make 

better choices – improve our grades, our 

reputations and our success rate,” he said. 

Marogi said CASA also helps to show 

that Chaldean girls like to get involved in 

school activities. But not all of her friends are 

interested. 

“I try to encourage them to open their 

eyes and give it a chance,” she said. 

Delly’s contract as a part-time Spanish 

instructor is up this month, but she vows to 

figure out a way to keep the group going in 

her absence. 

Sophomore Vania Halabou, also a leader, 

is all for it. “It’s a great group,” she said. 

“This brings us all closer together.” 

CASA teens crowd 

around guest speaker 

Matthew Zetouna 

(wearing a blue shirt in 

the back row) and 

teacher Vadia Delly 

(wearing a black shirt 

in the center row). 



eady for their close up 

Chaldeans shine on YouTube 

BY JEREMY HULL 

The artist Andy Warhol famously noted that 

each person enjoys 15 minutes of fame 

throughout his or her life. Since 2005, the 

video sharing website YouTube has increased individuals’ 

star power ten-fold. People virtually 

unknown one day can be transformed into Internet 

celebrities the next after uploading an entertaining 

video clip. According to The Wall Street Journal, 

2.5 billon videos were watched in June of 2006 

alone, and a search for “*” — a commonly used 

character in wholesale searches — currently yields 

more than 72 millon videos. 

Besides showcasing one’s abilities for billons 

of faceless web users, YouTube has served as a 

site to share…anything. But unlike most of the 

Internet, YouTube prohibits nudity in any form, 

so it’s relatively safer than a random Google 

search (which in fact owns YouTube following a 

sale in 2006). 

Whether they are celebrating their heritage 

and religion through music, comedy, protest or 

pageantry, Chaldeans — particularly throughout 

Metro Detroit — are well represented on 

YouTube. The following are just a small number 

of the more than 1,200 videos involving 

Chaldeans on the popular video sharing site. 

IRAQ’S SOCCER VICTORY 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKb_30snNiE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9WTQ1Sj8II 

After Iraq — whose only World Cup appearance 

was in 1986 — defeated three-time Asian Cup 

champions Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 victory in the 

2007 Asian Soccer Finals, Metro Detroit 

Chaldeans took to the streets in jubilation. Iraq 

joins the United States, Brazil, Italy and host South 

Africa at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. The 

first video listed details joyous soccer fans along 

Ryan Road in Sterling Heights following Iraq’s victory. 

The second video includes highlights from 

Fox TV News on the Iraqi team’s struggle. 

MAR DELLY’S ELEVATION 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhMMM_UwEZY 

To the great delight of the community, Pope 

Benedict XVI announced last October that he 

would make Mar Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of 

Babylon, a Cardinal. This video chronicles his elevation 

to the College of Cardinals in the consistory 

at St. Peter’s Basilica on November 24, 2007. 

During his 42 years as a bishop, Cardinal 

Delly’s contributions include the College of 

Babylon as a philosophy and theology institution, 

several Chaldean religious 

journals and publications, and 

the building of many churches 

in and outside of Iraq. Being elevated 

by the Pope helped shed 

worldwide light on the plight of 

Iraq’s Christians. 

Clockwise 

from top left: 

Mar Delly’s 

elevation; 

Rally for Peace 

in Southfield; 

A history 

of Iraq 

RALLY FOR PEACE IN SOUTHFIELD 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dde0BkLmI48 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dde0BkLmI48 

These two videos chronicle the June 2007 peace 

rally at the Southfield Civic Center to draw attention 

to the persecution of Iraqi Christians. Rally supporters 

donned red to symbolize the innocent blood 

shed by men, women and children being persecuted 

for their religion. Rally speakers included community 

leaders, activists and political leaders. The first 

video shows several highlights from the rally to the 

tune of Lenny Kravitz’s “Give Us Peace,” while the 

second includes speeches from the rally’s organizers. 

COMPOSER RAED GEORGE 

AND THE HISTORY OF IRAQ 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCTc9iI4ufE 

Many Chaldeans will feel longing for their homeland 

while viewing this slideshow depicting the 

YOU TUBE 



CHALDEAN REAL WORLD – PARTS I-III 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_RD5x9UKs 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gznRlyarTY 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWw6Ms5R6SM& 

feature=related 

Since its introduction to YouTube a year ago, the 

first video depicting seven Chaldeans living together 

in Metro Detroit has collected more than 22,000 

hits. The initial videos follow Patrice, Fadi, Jason, 

Clockwise 

from top left: 

My Cuzins’ 

Comedy Show; 

Assyrian 

Martyr’s Day; 

Crowning of 

Miss Chaldean; 

The Wacky 

Iraqi 

Gristina, Jalila, Saad and Vince 

meeting one another and then in 

true reality show fashion … putting 

each other down out of earshot. 

Rumors persist if the West 

Bloomfield and Southfield residents 

are truly strangers, or if the show is 

complete fiction. 

ASSYRIAN MARTYR’S DAY 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=37k8C74INVk 

On August 10, 1933, following the creation of a 

new Iraqi state, General Bakr Sidqi led Iraq’s 

new army to the village of Simmele, where he 

promised the Assyrians there would no retribution 

if they surrendered their weapons. After the 

Assyrians agreed, more than 3,000 of them were 

massacred over a three-day period. This stirring 

video tribute to those murdered includes several 

disturbing images. 

YOU TUBE 


history and beauty of Iraq through photographs. 

The background music is composed by Chaldean 

singer and songwriter Raed George, an Iraqi musician 

who began his musical career composing 

musical tracks for the Iraqi National Radio Station 

in 1989. In 1997, George’s music won the golden 

medal of International Cairo Radio and Television 

Festival for best Arabic Audio Track of the Year. 

MY CUZINS’ COMEDY SHOW 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh7xPCqxkVg 

Created by Paul Jonna and Brian Yono, My Cuzins’ 

Comedy Show packed local comedy clubs like 

Mark Ridley’s in Royal Oak and JD’s in Southfield 

before landing on The Second City’s stage in Novi 

last spring. With a cast of Chaldean, Indian and 

African-American actors, the show pokes multicultural 

fun with sketches like “Chaldean Night 

Live” and a new concept of Bluetooth technology. 

This selected video is merely a preview, so 

search for other “Cuzin” clips on YouTube to 

watch Jonna and Yono yuck it up with local 

comedians including Saurin Choksi, Candace 

Joy Dickow, Ashley Jolagh and Vivi Jonal. 

CROWNING OF MISS CHALDEAN 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmbeUZ6smmQ 

Held at Royal Oak Music Theatre in March of 

2007, the first Miss Chaldean Beauty Pageant 

featured 13 contestants from all over Metro 

Detroit vying for the chance to wear the celebratory 

tiara and receive the triumphant bouquet 

of roses. Chanell Hana won the crown. 

THE WACKY IRAQI 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=66s7O0tb8lc 

Born Nibras Joseph Abboud/Kasmihkah and 

called “America’s Funniest Iraqi,” Detroit-bred 

comedian Joey Nibras combines controversial 

subjects with humor to entertain and educate 

audiences about Middle Eastern culture. 

S U B S C R I B E ! 

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classified listings 

HELP WANTED 

PART-TIME NANNY 

A loving nanny for a playful 3 1/2 

and 2 year old. Must be reliable, 

honest, non-smoker, and have 

experience with kids. Must speak 

English. Transportation required. 

Sterling Heights area. Full days on 

Tuesday and Saturdays. Minimum 

20 hrs. Please call Amanda at 

(248) 227-0903. 

BLUSH SALON 

Experienced hairstylists needed. 

Please call to set up an interview. 

Contact Blush Salon at 

(248) 960-7499 

BUSINESSES FOR SALE 

EXCLUSIVE WIRELESS RETAILER 

Newly remodeled store at a great 

location in Las Vegas. Absentee 

owner. Net $60K. For sale $100K. 

Call Brandon, (702) 768-9654. 

BUSINESSES FOR SALE 

SMOKERS SHOP-PARTY STORE 

Owner opens only 

24 hrs a week, closed Sat, 

Sun & all holidays. Bldg. over 

3500 sq ft. beer and wine. 

16-door, walk-in cooler. 

$239,900. Call Adam Saffar 

of Re/Max Partners at 248-224-5273. 

LIQUOR-PIZZA STORE 

IN SAN DIEGO. CA. 

2, 750 sq.ft store, 8000 sq ft lot. 

$45,000 gross per month. New 

owner can increase business by 

adding Western Union, Check 

cashing and more. Business only 

$499,000 K + Inventory or with 

Property 1.45 million. Call Ruben 

Miller at 619-322-7094. 

VINEYARD/WINERY FOR SALE 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN, 10 

acres, w/4 acres of mature vines, 

producing award-winning wines, 

all equipment and 2 wine tasting 

rooms. A 3 bedrm. ranch home. 

Contact Bob Norcross, Realtor, 

810-648-2803. 

HOUSE FOR SALE 

CASS LAKEFRONT HOUSE 

2,200 sq. ft. Newlyweds relocating. 

Sale/Lease. 3 Bdrms, 2 Bath, Den, 

1st Laundry. Lot 50 x 160. Sub off 

Cake Lake Rd. By owner, Don 

248-342-1313. First $649,900 or 

Leasew/option. 

CONDO FOR RENT 

SOUTHFIELD CONDO FOR RENT 

12/NWST. 1590 sq. ft. Complete 

remodel in 2000. 2-3 BR, 2 full 

baths. Close to church and fwys. 

Furniture/appliances included. 

$1250/month. Call Natalie, 

248-701-2926. 

CONDO FOR SALE 

ATTN: REAL ESTATE INVESTORS 

2004 Florida rental condo, current 

tenant signed til 01-09. 3 miles 

from ocean, 5 colleges/universities 

within 20 minutes. Motivated seller. 

$162,900. 586-557-7472. 


PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

event 

1 2 

valentine’s day 

3 

PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWNS 

Members of Shenandoah Country Club donned their finest to 

celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 with a dinner dance. 

4 

1. James and Vivian Khames and Mark 

and Nicole Seman 

2. Hekmat and Bushra Galozi, wed 

in 1964, were the couple married 

the longest at the event. 

3. Karla Mekani, Karrie Rabban and Leila Kello 

4. Najib Samona, Salman Konja, 

Sedki Sadek, Neb Mekani, Fasil 

Arabo, Sam Dallo and John Denha 

5. Jason Alkamano surprises his wife Jennifer 

with a rose and a kiss 

6. Mariann Sarafa, Monica George, Michelle 

Lutfy and Grace Jonna (standing) 

More photos can be found at 


5 6 


event 

1. Miranda Namou, Jenna Atchu 

and Ashley Jabero 

2. Jason Abro 

3. Jim and Annabella Akouri 

4. Madeline Boji and Jessica Rabban 

5. Daniel Kassab 

6. Cortney McKay (front) and 

her cousins, Anthony, Andrew 

and Johnathan McKay 

7. Miranda Thuwaini, Haley 

Rabban and Alanna Jonna 

8. Georgia Sheena and 

Yasmeen Sarafa 

2 



1 3 

family fun night 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

5 

Members of Shenandoah Country Club celebrated an early Valentine’s Day 

on February 1 with a night of family-friendly fun. 

6 

7 

4 

8 



event 

2 

1 

3 

AFPD annual dinner 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

Penna’s of Sterling Heights was transformed into a mini Las Vegas on 

January 25 for the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers Dinner. The 92nd 

annual event celebrated the life of the late Frank Arcori, past chairman. 

4 

5 

6 

7 

1. A full house 

2. Richard and Giovanna Sulaka 

3. Sophia Maroof and Nicole Seman 

4. Leann Arcori and Sam Dallo 

5. AFPD President Jane Shallal 

6. Diane and Johnny Karmo 

7. Samir Shoukri, Eddie Foumia and 

Nadir Orow at the blackjack table 

8. Leann, Angela, Frankie Jr., Lamia 

and Marisa Arcori 

9. Mario Seman, Frankie Arcori Jr. 

and Martino Seman 

8 9

MARCH 2008

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