SEPTEMBER 2008

VOL. 5 ISSUE VIII 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2008 

$2 

www.chaldeannews.com 

INSIDE 

ECRC'S SPIRITUAL CONFERENCE 

A CHALDEAN KNOCKOUT 

BACK TO SCHOOL 

CULTURAL 

CONTRADICTION 

CHALDEAN GAYS 

STRUGGLE WITH CHURCH 

AND COMMUNITY 

The Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

PERIODICAL 

PLEASE DELIVER BY SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

SEPTEMBER 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2008





CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2008 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 5 ISSUE VIII 

31 

on the cover 

31 CULTURAL CONTRADICTION 

BY CRYSTAL KASSAB JABIRO 

Chaldean gays struggle with church and community 

31 HOMOSEXUALITY: 

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? 

BY CAROLINE M. BACALL 

Community members share their opinions 

33 GUEST COLUMN 

BY IKLAS BASHI 

Homosexuality: Nature or nurture? 

23 

features 

34 VOICES HEARD 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Dinner celebrates refugee program 

40 

37 

37 A SOULFUL EXPERIENCE 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

ECRC presents second spiritual conference 

39 DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION 

BY KEN MARTEN 

Roundabouts may confuse, but they’re safer 

44 

52 

sports 

40 SPORTS ROUNDUP 

BY STEVE STEIN 

departments 

10 FROM THE EDITOR 

12 IN OUR VIEW 

14 YOUR LETTERS 

18 NOTEWORTHY 

20 CHAI TIME 

23 HALHOLE 

26 RELIGION 

27 OBITUARIES 

28 IRAQ TODAY 

43 ECONOMICS 

AND ENTERPRISE 


Lights, camera, location! 

44 THE CHALDEAN PALATE 


Bar Louie, Rice Bowl 

47 KIDS CORNER 

Back to School 

49 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 

50 EVENTS 

Chaldean Festival 

Feast of the Assumption 

Ryder Cup Party 


from the EDITOR 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

EDITORIAL 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Joyce Wiswell 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Caroline M. Bacall 

Iklas Bashi 

Crystal Kassab Jabiro 

Ken Marten 

Steve Stein 

ART & PRODUCTION 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS 

Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative 

Joseph Sesi 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Nora Bahrou Downs 

David Reed 

OPERATIONS 

Interlink Media 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

Paul Alraihani 

CIRCULATION 

Paul Alraihani 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Joyce Wiswell 

SALES 

Interlink Media 

SALES REPRESENTATIVES 

Brenda Koza 

Lisy Starr 

MANAGERS 


Martin Manna 

Michael Sarafa 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $20 PER YEAR 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS • 30095 NORTHWESTERN 

HWY., STE. 102, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 

WWW.CHALDEANNEWS.COM • PH: 248-355-4850 

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

monthly; Issue Date: September, 2008 SUBSCRIPTIONS: 

12 months, $20. PUBLICATION ADDRESS: 30095 

Northwestern Hwy., Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 

48334; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage 

Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “The 

Chaldean News 30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334” 

Out of the closet 

Since the inception of The 

Chaldean News, we 

have been asked numerous 

times to cover a very sensitive 

issue: homosexuality in the 

community. I have been 

stopped at various events, 

received anonymous letters to 

the editor (which we have not 

published due to the anonymity) 

and been called on the phone 

by several people to write something 

about gays in the 

Chaldean community. 

I am a strong believer that using anonymous 

sources lessens your credibility. 

However, in certain circumstances it is 

necessary, though not in the case of anonymous 

letters to the editor. If you want to 

have a voice and express an opinion, then 

put your name to your letter. Otherwise, 

you don’t have the right to say anything. 

However, regarding this very sensitive 

issue that is becoming quite prevalent 

in our community, we decided to 

publish our cover story using anonymous 

sources. We sat on this for 

months before we made the decision. 

One thing I have realized as a copublisher 

and editor-in-chief of this 

newsmagazine is that you will never 

please everyone. We are criticized for 

not publishing enough hard-hitting controversial 

stories — accused of reporting 

on too much “fluff.” Yet, every time we 

write a piece considered edgy or offer 

an opinion that some don’t agree with, 

my phone rings off the hook with angry 

voices at the other end. 

I have no problem publishing letters 

to the editor. People have a right to voice 

their opinion and offer critiques of our 

coverage. In fact, I encourage them. 

However, I recently made an important 

decision; I will no longer worry about 

trying to please everyone. 

VANESSA 

DENHA- 

GARMO 

EDITOR 

I am not going to worry 

about the coward who sends a 

text message around the community 

telling people to boycott 

The Chaldean News because 

we wrote a story about gambling 

problems in the same 

issue in which we published a 

casino ad. We have contracts 

with our clients. We made a 

mistake in placing the ad right 

next to the article. However, 

we cannot just decide not to 

publish an ad one month. True to form, 

we published several letters to the editor 

regarding the gambling issue. 

I am sure this month’s cover story will 

garner the same, if not more, attention. 

We carefully discussed this issue for 

months before we published it. We want 

to thank Fr. Frank for his guidance and 

sound advice about how we covered 

this story. He was instrumental in our 

decision making and his support and 

input is greatly appreciated. 

We realize that this is a very sensitive 

issue in our community. It is the reason 

we allowed our sources to talk to us 

without using their real names. I truly 

believe that in this case, their identities 

need to be protected. Yes, I already can 

imagine the phone calls and letters that 

will come my way once you read this 

issue. I expect and welcome it. I always 

stand by what we publish in The 

Chaldean News. Despite the backlash 

that may come, this story needed to get 

out. It is what we do as journalists and as 

reporters; we cover the issues in the 

community — gays and lesbians fearful 

of coming out. They still live in the 

proverbial closet. I say that not as a joke 

or insult but state that as what we have 

learned after doing our research and 

conducting our interviews. I also want to 

commend Crystal Kassab Jabiro for her 

professionalism and attention to this difficult 

story to tackle at this time in our 

lives as Chaldeans. She gave this piece 

the attention it needed in order to be 

done in the most respectful way. 

As we know, the issue of gays and 

lesbians creeps up in political debates at 

the height of national campaigns. This 

past month, I expected to be part of a 

private meeting with presidential candidate 

John McCain at a fundraiser held at 

Shenandoah. Due to the policies of his 

public relations team, only a handful of 

reporters are allowed at certain events. 

After waiting an hour next to Secret 

Service agents, I felt like I was in trouble; 

they were very polite men and had no 

control over the PR people. In the end, 

they allowed me to attend the luncheon 

to hear him speak but not the one-hour 

meeting with members of our community. 

They sent my photographer home. 

I have covered presidential elections 

including George W. Bush and Bill 

Clinton. Other than having to get Secret 

Service clearance, I never had a problem 

covering any of their events. As a 

press secretary myself and a journalist, I 

found the decision of the McCain public 

relations team odd. Needless to say, we 

will not be including the coverage of 

McCain in this issue that we had hoped 

to bring our readers. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 


vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

Letters to the editor are welcome. 

Please keep your letter to less than 

500 words and include your name and 

city. The Chaldean News reserves the 

right to edit letters for clarity and 

length. Submit your letter via email to 

info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: 

The Chaldean News, Letters to the 

Editor, 30095 Northwestern Highway, 

Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 



in our VIEW 

Don’t ignore the fact that homosexuality 

exists in our community 

The gay issue in the Chaldean 

community has been swept 

under the rug for far too long. 

Men and women who consider themselves 

gay or know that they are gay 

are forced to conceal their true sexual 

orientation to a much larger extent 

than in society in general. 

There is no reason to 

believe that the gay 

Chaldean population is any 

smaller than the population 

as a whole. Yet very few 

Chaldeans are “openly” 

gay. 

Chaldean culture and social 

norms do not allow much sympathy 

for the gay issue. To a large extent, 

the subject is taboo and is not discussed 

in serious ways at homes, 

churches or social clubs. A gay son 

or daughter seems to be a huge 

source of embarrassment for families 

and friends. This is unfortunate and 

also unfair to gay Chaldeans who 

would like to be true to themselves 

and still be accepted by their family, 

friends and community. 

Often the result is loneliness, 

despair and depression. Many gays 

who feel shunned or embarrassed 

turn to drugs and alcohol. They 

know the shame that will come to 

their families if they “come out.” The 

pressure of not wanting to disappoint 

their parents can be overbearing. 

Regardless of one’s position on 

the morality of gay behavior or of 

being gay, one thing is eminently 

clear: the Chaldean community as a 

whole has been a dismal failure in 

dealing with the challenge presented 

by the gay issue. There is no open 

discussion, no communication, no 

acceptance and no reason for a gay 

The Chaldean community as a whole has been 

a dismal failure in dealing with the 

challenge presented by the gay issue. 

person to believe that he or she will 

be treated fairly and with respect. 

We are not suggesting that the 

community needs to condone the gay 

lifestyle. But, rather that the silence 

borne from shame, pride and a false 

sense of machismo gets put aside. 

In its place, we call for open dialogue 

premised on love and understanding 

and an acknowledgement that we are 

all God’s children. In the process, 

hopefully some wounds will heal, 

some families will be brought back 

together and some individuals will 

find inner peace and happiness. 

Clarification 

“A Father Shares His Anguish” (August 

2008) contained an incomplete quote from 

Yousif (Joe) Hermiz, whose son, Arvin, 

was gunned down by Southfield Police on 

September 27, 2007. The entire quote 

reads, “Now I tell you with confidence and 

the utmost certainty, I don’t trust any law 

enforcement agency investigating a law 

enforcement officer using lethal force 

against an ordinary citizen.” 



your LETTERS 

Unbalanced 

I am responding to the articles written 

in the last month’s edition of the 

Chaldean News concerning gas stations 

receiving liquor licenses (August 

2008: “Guest Column: Keep Beer and 

Wine out of Gas Stations” and “A Fill- 

Up and a Six-Pack”). I believe that it is 

both inappropriate and unreasonable to 

criticize the Michigan Liquor Control 

Commission (MLCC) and the AFPD for 

gas stations who have been lawfully 

receiving licenses for beer and wine 

and liquor in their establishments. 

The Michigan Legislature back in the 

‘90s created an exception in the law that 

allowed gas stations in Michigan to obtain 

liquor licenses. The law was originally 

enacted in the ‘90s because of the David 

vs. Goliath situation of having big-box retailers 

such as Wal-Mart, Costco and Meijer 

sell both alcohol and gasoline because 

their lots were big enough to subdivide into 

separate parcels for gas pumps and grocery 

stores, allowing them to skirt any dualuse 

prohibition imposed by cities. The law 

at that time discriminated against owners 

of small stations by giving an unfair edge to 

these larger companies. The box stores 

could sell gasoline to compete against the 

independent retailer, but the independent 

retailer could not sell liquor to compete 

against them. The change in the law was 

an attempt to grant independent stations 

the same ability to sell products that the 

corporate ones enjoy. 

Those who are able to meet certain 

criteria are eligible under Michigan law, 

and have been since the ‘90s, to apply 

for a license. This is no recent phenomenon 

as suggested in the articles and 

has existed long before the current time. 

The service station industry has changed 

dramatically over the years. Many service 

station retailers have now incorporated 

convenience stores into their business 

and have sought to expand their 

business by seeking a benefit under a 

law that may not have been frequently 

used previously. As a result of increased 

expansion of the service station business, 

there has been an increase of 

those seeking out liquor licenses for their 

establishments. The law has not 

changed, however, the industry has. 

License approvals for gas stations, 

however, are contingent on gas stations 

meeting certain requirements. These criteria 

require retailers with gas pumps to 

have an inventory of $250,000 and be 50 

feet away from the building to sell alcohol. 

There’s been no change in the state 

law, and the same criteria in existence 

then are the very ones that licensees and 

the MLCC are subject to today. That 

there may be abuses and manipulation by 

a few retailers should not justify casting a 

taint against all gas station retailers. 

Those few who are doing wrong should 

be held accountable. And the AFPD has 

not “stood idly by” as suggested by those 

in your articles, as the AFPD has earlier 

in this year appeared before the 

Commission to discuss abuses and 

proper enforcement of the law. 

Enforcement action has begun against 

those who will not comply with the law. 

I find that your articles last month were 

distorted and failed to provide a balanced 

analysis of what has occurred in this 

industry and hope that in the future you will 

closely examine articles presented to 

ensure their accuracy and fairness, before 

allowing attacks against commissioners of 

a state agency and a long-established and 

reputable trade association such as ours. 

– Jane Shallal, President 

Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers, 

Farmington Hills 

Common Sense 

I have owned and operated gas stations 

since 1993, and had beer and 

wine at two of them. My licenses were 

grandfathered in due to population from 

years ago and I bought them for that 

very reason. Just recently, we received 

liquor at our present location. 

Twenty years ago, most gas stations 

had auto repair facilities, not convenience 

stores. The industry has since evolved. 

Today, it is a completely different concept. 

Times are changing and gas stations 

are not only convenience stores but 

full markets and fast food restaurants. 

Michigan is only one in a handful of 

states in the country that regulates beer 

and wine and liquor at petroleum sites. 

When Meijer started putting gas stations 

in front of their stores, it devastated the 

independent gas stations. We could not 

compete. In this challenging economic 

time, most of us are scrambling to create 

more revenue to make up for the loss in 

volume and profit on petroleum. 

More than 300 gas stations have 

closed in Michigan in the past three 

years. Due to convenient locations, 

some of us overcame substantial financial 

hurdles created by the Meijer law to 

even the playing field. We received a 

liquor license by purchasing up to 

$250,000 worth of inventory and having 

the 50-foot requirement from the pumps 

— just as it is stated in the Meijer law. 

I do believe that the $250,000 inventory 

requirement should be lowered by at 

least half. However, for anyone to insinuate 

that gas stations that received these licenses 

are dishonest or that the MLCC is 

bending the rules is ridiculous and simply 

unfair. If it is okay for large companies like 

Meijer to compete with us, then it should 

be okay for us to compete with others. 

My local township supported my 

license application at the local level. If 

anyone objects, it should be decided at 

the local level similar to the city of 

Southfield. I had to be half a mile away 

from any other license just the same 

way any other party store does. It does 

not make sense that anyone would 

oppose gas stations getting beer and 

wine, especially members of our own 

community, especially when every pharmacy 

and big-box store like Meijer and 

Costco are already competing with us. 

The AFPD is all inclusive — gas stations, 

party store owners and supermarkets 

— that is what they are all about 

and that is what I am talking about. It’s 

not the AFD anymore. It is the AFPD — 

Associated Food and Petroleum 

Dealers. Everyone has the right to his 

opinion. I am not meaning to insult anyone 

but merely state the facts and offer 

some common-sense perspective. 

– John Abbo, West Bloomfield 

No Sympathy 

Regarding “Retailers cry foul over gas 

station loophole,” excuse me if I don’t 

sympathize with Meijer and other giant 

retailers. Ever since the “Meijer exception” 

was created, Chaldean gas station 

owners have felt the pinch from the extra 

competition. Meijer, Sam’s Club and 

Costco often sell gas at cost or below 

cost. If a gas station owner decides selling 

alcohol might help make up for dwindling 

gas margins and the law gives him 

the license, how is that not fair? 

As long as it is legal, do not blame 

the Chaldean businessman who takes 

advantage of a business opportunity 

that presents itself — that is why our 

community has become successful over 

the years. The Meijers of the world can 

only blame those who made the law. 

– Brent F. Sitto, Bloomfield Hills 

Bring in the Lawmakers 

Even though I am not involved in the 

food and beverage industry, I read with 

great interest Mike Sarafa’s column in 

the August issue (“Keep Beer and 

Wine out of Gas Stations”). 

There are some facts that I agree 

with regarding the granting of an SDM 

and SDD to gas stations. During my 

tenure as a board member and then 

chairman of the AFD in the ‘90s, AFD 

was the lead trade association in advocating 

and lobbying against gas stations 

obtaining beer and wine licenses. 

Joe, and later Mike, Sarafa worked diligently 

with the full support of the board 

of directors, along with our lobbyist 

Kharoub and Associates, to fight and 

defeat several House and Senate bills 

that were introduced almost every year 

to allow the sale of alcohol to gas stations. 

We feared the spread and the 

exception to what was given to the 

Meijer Corporation (The Meijer Bill). 

Again that was in the ‘90s. AFD had 

no members from any oil companies or 

gas stations. Today, things have 

changed industry wide. The Associated 

Food Dealers (AFD) represents a more 

diverse group of retailers since its 

merger with the Ohio Petroleum 

Association. It is now Associated Food 

and Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) and a 

great number of their members own 

and operate gas stations. 

The Michigan Liquor Control 

Commission (MLCC) is not to blame for 

change in the industry, although I question 

the $250,000 inventory ruling and 

the 50-feet distance and the distance 

from another establishment. It doesn’t 

seem it is in compliance (in some cases); 

it is somewhat vague and discretionary. 

In closing, I do however commend 

Mike Sarafa’s courage in writing his column 

for the benefit of the community and 

the industry as a whole. At the same time 

I’d like to acknowledge and support the 

great work of the MLCC under the leadership 

of our own Nida Samona. I agree it is 

a difficult task to implement the rules and 

please everyone. If any change is in order 

it should be at legislatively, with a bill that 

can be more clear in defining the rules and 

the guidelines than the current one. 

– Nabby Yono 

Vice President, Community Relations 

Arab American & Chaldean Council 

MLCC Responds 

As the chair of the Michigan Liquor 

Control Commission (MLCC) I was 

troubled by criticism from the former 

president of the Associated Food 

Dealers (AFD) for the MLCC lawfully 

issuing gas stations licenses for beer, 

wine and liquor in their establishments. 

In the early 1990s the Michigan legislature, 

not the MLCC, created an 

exception for off-premises licenses that 

allowed retailers with gas pumps to 

have an inventory of $250,000 (independent 

retailers without gas pumps 

have no such inventory requirement); 

and for the site of payment and selection 

of alcoholic liquor to be not less 

than 50 feet from the point where motor 

vehicle fuel is dispensed. 

Under the former AFD president’s 

leadership, AFD members approached 

the MLCC many times seeking to make 

the law more lenient or to support new 

laws for gas stations to hold licenses. My 

fellow commissioners and I refused to 

support changes or new laws. We defer 

to the legislature to approve legislation that 

is signed into law by the governor. What 

the MLCC did in issuing licenses to owners/operators 

of motor vehicle fuel pumps 

was not “dishonest” as was suggested. 

Rather, we created boundaries that further 

restricted a license being issued to a gas 

station business until a very precise inventory 

breakdown was met. 

We prohibited pre-paid cards and cigarettes 

from being the primary accounting 

of the $250,000 inventory. The MLCC 

created an inventory breakdown and percentage 

(%) of goods and how many dollars 

($$$) accounted for them. Gas station 

owners sued MLCC in circuit court 

on the restrictions (Blarney Castle Oil Co. 

v MLCC and C-Stores, Inc. v Liquor 

Control Commission). The court agreed 

with the MLCC that these cards have no 

value until purchased. 

As to the breakdown and percentage 

placed on tobacco and other goods 

(Wesco, Inc. v Michigan Liquor Control 

Commission), the MLCC lost this case in 

court. The court held that the MLCC was 

LETTERS 

continued on page 17 




LETTERS 

continued from page 14 

being arbitrary and could not create such 

restrictions and ordered that the applicant 

be licensed! So to write that the MLCC 

was “idly” standing by as this “proliferation 

of gas stations” occurred is simply untruthful! 

I question why the former president of 

the AFD (who is a lawyer) is so quick to 

criticize the MLCC who indeed took 

action, when these matters occurred 

under his leadership and he did nothing! 

I have consistently expounded on 

the value of local governments of gas 

station sites having a voice on the issue 

of gas station owner/operators holding 

licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages 

by creating an ordinance which 

addresses their position. 

Today, gas stations cater to the concept 

of a one-stop shop and offer 

everything from gas, chips, coffee and 

slushes, along with hot food to go! I 

commend the innovative entrepreneurs 

who have had to find new ways of surviving 

in today’s market. In fact, former 

AFD members who opposed the sale 

of alcohol at gas stations are now recognizing 

that it is their only means of 

survival and currently have pending 

applications with the MLCC for their 

gas stations. 

The MLCC welcomes anyone who 

wishes to address this or other topics 

of importance to attend our public 

weekly business meeting. Those meetings 

are held Tuesdays in the General 

Office Building. Please call (517) 322- 

1345 to be placed on the agenda. 

One final thought to this beloved 

community: I believe that our strength 

and success comes not from falsely 

attacking one another to claim victory 

or leadership status, but rather, working 

with one another for the betterment 

of all! As the old Chaldean saying 

goes, ‘it takes two hands to clap’, so 

let us all clap together for a successful 

future for all! 

– Nida Samona, Chair 

Michigan Liquor Control Commission 

Godspeed 

Thank you for including my article in 

The Chaldean News (August 2008, 

“Charting the Possibilities of the 

Future.”) It means a lot to many people 

who genuinely support the efforts 

for unity that we all have been advancing 

for many years. God bless you for 

your work and love of our people. 

– Mar Bawai Soro, San Jose, CA 

Senseless 

I remember reading a bit about Yousif 

Hermiz’ struggle. Today I read the commentary 

(August 2008, “A Father 

Shares His Anguish”) and I noticed 

something odd: “The officer says 

[Arvin] Hermiz attempted to flee the 

scene and aimed his car directly at 

him.” So this was the reason the officer 

shot him? That doesn’t make sense. 

In order to flee the scene, Arvin 

would be driving away from the officer, 

not aiming his car directly at him. So 

not only were the three shots totally 

uncalled for, but they were illogical. The 

officer must have lied in his statement 

to make his argument valid. 

I hope Yousif Hermiz gets what he 

wants. He’s suffered enough. 

– Nadine Ibrahim, Rocklin, CA 

Iraq, Inc. 

My daughter is a U.S. Army adviser to an 

Iraqi battalion on her second deployment. 

My son-in-law is in a Michigan National 

Guard unit that deployed to Iraq several 

months ago. I pray that we resolve Iraq 

before they deploy again. The beauty of 

this concept is that it is a largely self-contained, 

complete, closed-ended, lowcost, 

quick, achievable undertaking with 

little downside risk, one that would not 

offend anyone’s politics nor interfere with 

any ongoing operations. 

The Iraqi people can create Iraq, 

Incorporated and convey to it ownership 

of all Iraq’s petroleum resources. 

Each citizen would own one non-transferable 

share of common stock in Iraq, 

Inc. The shareholders would elect a 

board of directors who would manage 

the company. The company would pay 

quarterly dividends directly to shareholders. 

Shareholders would pay 

taxes. A dynamic would change. The 

flow of money would reverse. Money 

would flow from the people to the government 

rather than flowing from the 

government to the people. 

The immediate advantages would 

be manifold: 

1. End the political impasse about 

how to divide oil revenue among Iraq’s 

competing groups. 

2. Give Iraqi citizens a vested interest 

in stopping the sabotage of 

pipelines. 

3. Give Iraqi citizens more power over 

how their government spends money. 

4. Provide some financial security 

for Iraqi citizens. 

5. Empower Iraqi women. 

6. End suspicion that the United 

States is attempting to exploit Iraqi oil. 

This concept has been favorably 

received, but the general response has 

been that the Iraq government would not 

initiate it. The prospect of a Californiastyle 

national referendum on the issue 

and serious pressure from the United 

States may be enough move those Iraq 

government leaders, who would lose 

significant power as a result of an Iraq, 

Incorporated. I recognize that it is a bold 

move, but it may be a way to resolve the 

current impasse. Seems doable to me; 

certainly less difficult and dangerous 

than what we are doing now. 

There has been some positive news lately 

from Iraq, but we are not out of the woods. 

Things could easily take an ugly turn. 

I urge the Chaldean community to 

assert its leadership to this issue, for 

the sake of Iraq, Iraqi women, 

Chaldeans and the U.S. soldiers who 

will have to deploy to Iraq in the future. 

– Christian S. Miller, Saratoga, CA 


NOTEworthy 

Another 

Winning Year 

Hot Off the Press 

The Chaldeans, a Contemporary 

Portrait of One of Civilization’s Oldest 

Cultures, will be formally unveiled on 

September 25 at a special event at 

Shenandoah Country Club. 

The Chaldean Cultural Center commissioned 

author Bryon Perry to write 

the definitive story of Chaldean culture 

and history. The coffee table book 

begins in Mesopotamia and follows 

Chaldeans up to the present day, 

including profiles of several key community 

members in Metro Detroit. 

The party on September 25 includes 

food, a martini bar and live entertainment. 

Tickets are $100 per person or 

$150 per couple, and include a copy of 

the book, which is priced at $50. 

To purchase the book or buy tickets 

for the party, call the CCC at 

(248) 681-5050. 

Chaldeans Defeated 

in Elections 

August 5, Primary Election Day, did not 

bring good results for three Chaldean 

candidates in Metro Detroit. 

Despite endorsements from three 

major daily newspapers, John 

Kuriakuz lost to Lisa Brown for state 

representative in the 39th District, 

which includes West Bloomfield, 

Commerce and Wolverine Lake. He 

received a total of 3,370 votes for 

41.98 percent. 

“I was disappointed to lose but it 

was my first time running and I was up 

against an opponent who had run 

before,” said the 28-year-old attorney. 

“Endorsements go a long way but 

name recognition is the most important 

thing by far, and my opponent had a lot 

of name recognition.” 

Of the district’s 5,000 registered 

Chaldean voters, only 500 to 600 

turned up at the polls, Kuriakuz said. 

“I think we can do a lot better, and 

this is something we maybe need to 

address as a community,” he said. 

“We would be a much more influential 

community in Michigan if the community 

came out to vote. Now, no politician 

stops to think, ‘what would the 

Chaldean community think of this 

issue?’” 

Kuriakuz said he will pursue public 

service “perhaps through an appointed 

position.” 

In White Lake, brothers Emmanuel 

and Andrew Dabish were defeated in 

their quest for county commissioner of 

the 6th District. Emmanuel ran as a 

Democrat and received 122 votes, or 

8 percent. Andrew, a Republican, got 

249 votes for a total of 6 percent. 

In California, Auday Arabo was 

defeated in his quest for 78th District 

Assembly, despite record-breaking 

fundraising by his campaign. In his 

June primary, Arabo came in third in a 

four-way race, with 15.64 percent of 

the votes. 

Chamber Foundation 

Scores Funding 

The Chaldean Chamber Foundation 

will receive a total of $500,000 from 

the State of Michigan over two years. 

The monies will be allocated to the 

Chaldean Federation of America for 

work in administering and assisting 

newly arrived Iraqi refugees. 

Senator Roger Kahn (R-94th 

District) was instrumental in obtaining 

the funds. 

“I was pleased to do it because 

your community serves a lot of 

refugees and folks in need,” he said. 

“My hope next year is to build off this 

year … It’s not a question of maintaining 

the funding but growing it.” 

Kahn acknowledged taking some 

political heat for his efforts but said, 

“That’s always the case, there’s always 

an upside and a downside.” 

This year’s funding was $150,000 

and next fiscal year, which begins in 

October, will bring $350,000. 

“You have a wonderful community 

of honorable, caring people who look 

after not only their own people but 

other people,” Kahn said. “It’s a 

tremendous example of how we can 

serve people in multiple communities, 

not just our own communities. We 

need more of that in America.” 

A First in California 

Polly Haisha Shamoon, 42, has 

become the first female Chaldean 

judge in the State of California. She 

was one of eight judges appointed by 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to 

the San Diego County Superior Court 

in late July. 

Before joining the 

San Diego Superior 

Court bench, Shamoon 

served as a deputy district 

attorney with the 

San Diego County 

District Attorney’s Office 

for more than 15 years. 

She earned a J.D. degree 

from the University 

Polly Haisha 

Shamoon 

of San Diego School of Law and a 

Bachelor of Arts degree from the same 

university. She is a member of St. Peter 

Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon. 

Simele Massacre 

Recalled 

August 7 marked the 75th anniversary 

of the Simele Massacre. It is believed 

some 3,000 Assyrians were murdered 

by the Iraqi government in systematic 

killings that occurred first in the 

Simele district and then continued 

among 63 Assyrian villages in 

Northern Iraq. 

Eight priests were killed during the 

massacre, including one beheaded 

and another burned alive. Among the 

many atrocities, girls were raped, 

women were made to march naked, 

holy books were used as fuel for burning 

girls and children were run over by 

military cars. 

The term ‘genocide’ was coined by 

direct influence of this massacre. In 

response, the Assyrian American 

National Federation was formed in 

October of that year in New Jersey. 

Mike Sawa (center) has been 

Michigan’s biggest lottery seller for 

the past 11 years. His store, Oak 

Liquor and Wine on West Eight 

Mile in Oak Park, did more than 

$2 million in lottery sales last year. 

Pictured with Sawa are lottery officials 

Ray Ukwuoma and M. Scott 

Bowen. “Maybe people think 

crossing the county line will be 

lucky,” said Sawa, noting that his 

store sits right on the border of 

Oakland and Wayne counties. 

Book Tells How to 

‘Win Iraq’ 

Amer Hanna Fatuhi, director of the 

Iraqi Artists Association, has written a 

handbook, “Winning Iraq,” which provides 

a guide to slang in Iraq. 

Fatuhi, an Iraqi native, said the book 

will familiarize U.S. troops, the 

American people and others who visit 

Iraq on the intricacies of slang usually 

only known to native speakers. The 

book includes dialogues to illustrate 

the differences between standard Arab 

and the slang more commonly used in 

Iraq, as well as a brief history of Iraq 

and its peoples and religions. It also 

includes illustrated face and body parts 

and a rendering of a typical Iraqi 

house. 

Learn more at www.iraqiartists.org 

or www.amerfatuhiart.com. 

A Summer to 

Remember 

While some students spent their summer 

at the beach, Javon Hindo spent her time 

as an intern in the Governor’s Michigan 

Leadership development program. 

“I was lucky enough to be assigned to 

the constituent services division where I 

had daily contact with the citizens of 

Michigan,” said 

Hindo. “I worked to 

address their concerns 

in writing and 

over the phone by 

dispersing the governor’s 

programs 

and opinions on 

Governor Jennifer 

Granholm and 

Javon Hindo. 

current developments. 

I had the 

privilege of attending 

press conferences, 

senate hearings, 

committee 

meetings, and met members of the governor’s 

cabinet, as well as the governor 

herself. It has been an incredible experience 

and I hope to use these tools to pursue 

a career in law.” 

Hindo attends the University of 

Michigan-Dearborn where she majors 

in history and has a psychology minor. 

She resides in Wixom. 


Iraq Fields Small 

Olympics Team 

The Iraqi Olympic team arrived in 

China On August 4, less than a week 

after the country’s ban was reversed. 

As reported in the August issue, the 

International Olympic Committee had 

suspended Iraq over alleged government 

interference in the country’s 

national committee. The decision was 

reversed on July 29, clearing four — 

two rowers and two track and field athletes 

— of the seven Iraqis who originally 

qualified for the Olympics. 

“I’m so happy I am here now,’’ said 

rower Haidar Nozad, who was in men’s 

double sculls with Hamzah Hussein 

Jebur. “I am so excited. It is my dream.’’ 

The other competitors were Haidir 

Nasir in the men’s discus and sprinter Dana 

Hussein, the only woman among the four. 

They were greeted at the airport by 

Iraq’s ambassador to China, Dr. 

Mohammad Sabir Ismail. 

“It’s very important for us to be 

here,’’ he said. 

The athletes knew their medal 

prospects were dim because of the difficulties 

of training in their war-ravaged 

country. Athletes in various sports have 

been kidnapped or killed in Iraq since 

the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled 

Saddam Hussein. 

Hussein’s son Odai, who was in charge 

of sports before 2003, punished poor performers 

with torture or incarceration. 

The IOC allowed Iraq to take part in 

Jason Atcho 

Natalie Koza 

Michelle Atto 

Katrina Lutfy 

the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, 

where it fielded 25 athletes. The soccer 

team made it to the semifinals, prompting 

celebrations throughout the country. 

Iraq has one bronze medal since its 

first appearance at the Summer 

Games in 1948. 

AFPD Awards 

Scholarships 

Thirteen Chaldeans are among the 25 

Michigan students awarded $1,500 

college scholarships by the Associated 

Food and Petroleum Foundation: 

Jason Atcho of Sterling Heights, a 

senior at Central Michigan University; 

Michelle Atto of Bloomfield Hills, a junior 

at the University of Michigan-Ann 

Vincent Dawisha Joseph Dimuzio Caela Hesano Vanar Jaddou Shaina Kalasho 

Jonathan Mansour Jean Najor Diana Zaituna Tabitha Zakar 

Arbor; Vincent Dawisha of West 

Bloomfield, a sophomore at Wayne 

State University (WSU); Joseph 

Dimuzio, a freshman at UM-Ann 

Arbor; Caela Hesano of Farmington 

Hills, a sophomore at UM-Ann Arbor; 

Vanar Jaddou of Dearborn, a sophomore 

at WSU; Shaina Kalasho of 

Sterling Heights, a freshman at WSU; 

Natalie Koza of West Bloomfield; a 

freshman at UM-Ann Arbor; Katrina 

Lutfy of West Bloomfield, a freshman 

at Boston College; Jonathan Mansour 

of Madison Heights, a junior at WSU; 

Jean Najor of Bloomfield Hills, a freshman 

at the University of Kentucky; 

Diana Zaituna of Bloomfield Hills, a 

freshman at UM-Ann Arbor; and 

Tabitha Zakar of Macomb Township, a 

sophomore at Oakland University. 

OU Offers 

Counseling 

Free counseling sessions with graduate 

students at Oakland University are 

available to Michigan residents. 

The Oakland University Counseling 

Center offers free sessions in many 

areas including career counseling, 

mental health, couples, family and 

addictions. The center is open seven 

days a week and offers day and 

evening hours. 

“It is a wonderful program and I 

really hope that people take advantage 

of it,” said Sindel Hamama, a 

graduate student who is obtaining her 

master’s in counseling at OU. 

To sign up, call (248) 370-2633. 

Metro Detroit’s Leaders and Best 

125 

 

90 

 

 

Experience the Dearborn Difference 

 

 


CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT SEPTEMBER 2008 

[Monday, September 1] 

Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats: Last day of the annual 

festival that features restaurants, artists, family fun 

and lots of music. Downtown Pontiac. (248) 344- 

4600 or www.artsbeatseats.com. 


Detroit International Jazz Festival: Six stages offer 

up blues, gospel, R&B and great jazz – and it’s all 

free. This is the last day of the festival. Hart Plaza to 

Campus Martius, downtown Detroit. (313) 447-1248 

or www.detroitjazzfest.com. 

[Wednesday, September 3] 

Cigars: The Chaldean Cigar Club presents 

Smokandoah with cocktails and free appetizers. 6:30 

p.m., Shenandoah Country Club. Non-members welcome 

with a member. 


Pilates: Mat Pilates for men and women led by personal 

trainer Amanda Juncaj begins today and runs 

for six weeks. One-hour class begins at 11:30 a.m., 

Shenandoah Country Club. $80 for members, $100 

for non-members. Tom Kyriakoza, (248) 217-7171. 


Open House: An open house to celebrate National 

Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month takes 

place from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Henry Ford Health 

System’s Maplegrove Center, 6773 West Maple 

Road, in West Bloomfield. The event includes information 

on recovery and other health issues, refreshments, 

chair massages and a ceremony honoring former 

patient Alex Maysura, who is completing a 350- 

mile walk across Michigan to share his personal 

recovery experience. (248) 788-3001. 

[Saturday, September 6] 

Youth Soccer: Eight-week program for boys and 

girls ages 7-12 begins today and occurs each 

Saturday from 12:30-3 p.m. until October 25 at 

Soccer Soccer, 12 Mile Road and Drake. 

Presented by Shenandoah Country Club; fee is 

$75 members, $100 non-members. Call Tom 

Kyriakoza, (248) 217-7171. 


Steve Acho: The Chaldean singer-songwriter performs 

the first-ever concert at the new Tipping Point 

Theater in Northville. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25; call 

(248) 347-0003. 


Arabian Night: Music by Faris Talia and the Harp Band 

at Shenandoah Country Club. Open to members ($15 

entrance fee) and non-members ($25). 8:30 p.m. in the 

Mixed Grille. Ongelia Moore, (248) 454-1932. 

[Saturday, September 13 – Sunday, September 14] 

Art in the Park: 34th annual event includes more 

than 200 artists, live music, food, children’s activities 

and more. Proceeds benefit Common Ground 

Sanctuary. Shain Park, 124 W. Maple, Birmingham. 

www.bbcc.com. 


Bible Study: The Eastern Christian Re-Evangelization 

Center (ECRC) presents “A Journey Through the 

Bible.” The class begins today and runs on Mondays 

from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the ECRC Center at St. 

Ephrem, 4875 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield 

Township. Register by calling (248) 538-9903. 

[Thursday, September 18] 

Industry Outlook: Chaldean American Chamber of 

Commerce focuses on Women in Business. 6 p.m., 

Shenandoah Country Club. (248) 538-3700 or 

www.chaldeanchamber.com. 

[Friday, September 19] 

Faith Night at the Club: The Eastern Christian Re- 

Evangelization Center (ECRC) holds separate gatherings 

for men, women and children at Shenandoah 

Country Club on the third Friday of each month. 

Members and non-members are welcome. Cheese and 

wine is served for adults. 7:30-9 p.m. (248) 454-1932. 


A Taste of Europe: Special event at Detroit’s Eastern 

Market includes information on the market’s history, 

folklore and how migration and immigration influenced 

the area, along with samples of specialty 

foods. 2:30-4:30 p.m., $20 per person. Eastern 

Market is located at 2934 Russell Street. 

www.feetonthestreettours.com. 


Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Friends: 4th annual 

luncheon benefits the Francee & Benson Ford, Jr., 

Breast Cancer & Wellness Center at Henry Ford 

West Bloomfield Hospital. Guest speaker is Geralyn 

Lucas, author of Why I Wore Lipstick to My 

Mastectomy. Shenandoah Country Club. Call for ticket 

prices, (248) 661-7194. 

Clockwise from top: Chrysler Arts, Beats & 

Eats takes place Labor Day weekend in 

Pontiac. Chaldean Cigar Club presents 

Smokandoah on September 3. Steve Acho 

performs in Northville, September 10. 

[Thursday, September 25] 

Book Party: Fundraising event at Shenandoah 

Country Club celebrates the launch of The Chaldeans, 

a coffee-table book written for the Chaldean Cultural 

Center. The evening includes food and an open bar. 

7:30-10 p.m. Tickets, which include a copy of the 

book (a $50 value), are $100 per person or $150 per 

couple. (248) 681-5050. 

[Friday, September 26] 

Concert: Bandoleros with special guest DJ Pannos at 

Shenandoah Country Club. Tickets are $40; VIP 

booths are available for $500. Tickets must be purchased 

in advance. Ongelia Moore, (248) 454-1932. 

[Friday, September 26 – Saturday, September 27] 

Awake, My Soul: Spiritual Awakening Conference 

from the ECRC takes place at St. Joseph Chaldean 

Catholic Church in Troy. (248) 538-9903 or 

www.ecrc.us. (See page 37 for more details.) 

[Friday, September 26 – Saturday, September 27] 

Crush 2008: Wine and food classic benefits the 

Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. Several 

events take place in the area; view a schedule at 

www.crush2008.com. 




HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Alissa Maria 

The Lord has blessed Fadi 

& Sandra Elias with the birth 

of their first child, Alissa Marie 

Elias. She was born on May 

24, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. She 

weighed 5 lbs., 10 oz. and 

was 18 inches long. Proud 

grandparents are Sabah & 

Hiyam Elias and Samir & 

Ibtissam Pattah. 

Logan Elizabeth 

Jimmy & Francesca Lousia are 

proud to announce the birth of 

their first child, Logan Elizabeth. 

Little Logan welcomed herself 

into the world on her parents’ 

first wedding anniversary, May 

26, 2008. She weighed 6 lbs., 

8 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. 

Grandparents are Raad & 

Sandra Lousia, Edward Abbo 

and Elham Abbo. Godparents 

are Tania Abbo and Vino Lousia. 

Sofia Grace 

From her head to her feet, our 

angel is oh so sweet! Ray & 

Linda Bahri are pleased to 

announce the birth of their 

firstborn, Sofia Grace Bahri, 

on May 13, 2008. She 

weighed 7 lbs. even and 

measured 20 inches. Sofia is 

the fifth grandchild for the late 

Jamil & Hasina Bahri, and the 

16th grandchild for Nahida 

Hailo & the late Joseph Hailo. 

Godparents are Larry Hailo 

and Iman Salem. 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth was born on 

July 23, 2008, to first-time parents 

Tony & Anita Bahri. She 

weighed 6 lbs., 7 oz. and was 

20 inches long. Kaitlyn is the 

first grandchild for Said & Esmat 

Najjar and the second for Latif 

Bahri & Ahlam Bahri. 

Godparents are her aunt Sylvia 

Najjar and her uncle Sean Bahri. 

SHARE YOUR 

JOY 

WITH 

THE 

COMMUNITY! 

Announcements are offered free of 

charge to paid subscribers. Please 

email or mail announcements with a 

photo and your address to the 

Chaldean News at: 

vdenha@chaldeannews.com 

Chaldean News; c/o Editor 

Subject: Announcements 

30095 Northwestern, Suite 102, 


Photos are not mailed back. 

Alissa Maria 

Logan Elizabeth 

Sofia Grace 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth 


HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Nikolas Edward 

After waiting four years, Antonio 

is delighted to announce the birth 

of his handsome baby brother, 

Nikolas Edward Hakim. Nikolas 

was born October 30, 2007 at 

7:18 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs., 2 

oz. and measured 20 inches. 

Proud parents are Wail & 

Rebecca Hakim. Nikolas is the 

22nd grandchild for Mikhail & 

Souad Hakim and the second for 

Adil & Karima Jarbo. Nikolas was 

baptized January 6, 2008 by his 

first cousin Michael Hakim and 

his aunt Rachel Jarbo. 

Nikolas Edward 

Hailey Rose 

Gavin and Cassidy are proud to 

introduce the birth of their new 

baby sister Hailey Rose Kassab. 

Hailey was born on December 

28, 2007 to the proud parents 

Ronnie & Karen Kassab. She is 

the fifth grandchild to Habib & 

Samira Kassab and the third 

grandchild for Hikmat & Suham 

Kiryakoza. Hailey is the perfect 

addition to the growing family. 

[Wedding] 

Linda and Robin 

Robin Yono and Linda Murado 

began their lives together on 

April 20, 2008. Robin is the son 

of Imad Yono and Salma Kouza, 

and Linda is the daughter of 

Gilliana & Janet Murado. They 

were married at the St. George 

Chaldean Catholic Church followed 

by a reception at Penna’s 

of Sterling Heights. The couple 

honeymooned in the beautiful 

island of Maui, Hawaii. Robin is 

a practicing attorney and Linda 

will be attending graduate school 

in January. May God bless them 

and grant them a wonderful life 

together. 

Hailey Rose 

Linda and Robin 

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RELIGION 

PLACES OF PRAYER 

CHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT 

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 

CAMP CHALDEAN HOTLINE 

(888) 822-CAMP 

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 

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., 


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 

Abdulahad Bahri 

Abdulahad Bahri 

died on August 9, 

2008 at his home in 

Sterling Heights. He 

was born on July 1, 

1924 in Baghdad. 

Abdulahad was an 

electrician and an Abdulahad Bahri 

owner of various businesses 

throughout his 

life. He was a volunteer and officer for 

more than 20 years for the Knights of 

Columbus as well as a shareholder. He 

was very family-oriented and he took 

great pride in his family. He was a caring 

and loving person. 

Survivors include his wife of more 

than 60 years, Mariam Bahri, as well as 

his eight children, Farouk, Steve, 

Nader, Ibtsam Ammouri, Nidhal 

Hamama, Awatef Kada and Holly 

Shabo. He was predeceased by his 

child, Nizar Bahri, and his siblings, 

Roxy Bahri, Bahria Naimi and Jalila 

Bahri. Surviving siblings are Salem, 

Jalal, Jamal, Hilal, Evenlen and Khalid 

Bahri, and Najiba Shabo. Abdulahad 

also had 26 grandchildren and four 

great-grandchildren. 

Burial is at the Holy Sepulchre 

Cemetery in Southfield. 

Hasina Denha Kallabat 

Very few people 

come into this world 

and leave an indelible 

impression on so 

many as did Hasina 

Denha Kallabat. She 

was born in Telkaif, 

Iraq, on May 10, 

1916, and she had 

one younger sister, 

Hasina Denha 

Kallabat 

Naima. She was married at the young 

age of 12 to Asso Kallabat, and together 

they had 12 children. 

Hasina was extremely devoted to 

both her family and the church. She 

loved spending time with her loved 

ones, and always graciously welcomed 

every person who came into 

her home. She instilled into her children 

the importance of faith and religion. 

She was so devout that for a 

considerable time in her life, she 

attended mass daily. Even in her later 

years, she would attend mass weekly. 

It is this same deep-rooted faith and 

devotion to God that she instilled 

in each of her grandchildren. 

Affectionately, they called her “Yuma” 

and “Aneena,” and she taught them 

how to pray in Soureth as soon as 

they learned to speak. She is remembered 

by her grandchildren as “the 

best rizza maraka cook ever.” Her 

grandchildren loved sleeping over her 

house. They would argue over whose 

turn it was, and would spend the 

weekend being pampered by their 

loving grandmother. 

Hasina will always be remembered 

for her magical hands, which had the 

power to take away pain. When her 

grandchildren were sick, they would 

urge their parents to take them to 

Yuma’s house so that she could massage 

them and make them feel better. 

She was also an avid gardener and took 

much pride in her vegetable garden. 

Hasina was very active in the 

prayer groups at Mother of God 

Church in Southfield for more than 25 

years. Her nephew, Father Sabah 

Kallabat, eulogized her and fondly 

remembered that she organized 

prayer groups before the Sacred 

Heart Church in Detroit opened its 

doors. He urged her loved ones to 

continue to live their lives with her 

sense of faith, and to keep Hasina’s 

memory alive though the prayers she 

loved to recite. 

Hasina Denha Kallabat was the 

start of five living generations, and 

has 130 (and counting) descendants. 

She died peacefully at her 

Southfield residence surrounded by 

her loved ones, just as she had 

wished, on April 22, 2008. She is 

predeceased by her parents, her husband 

Asso Kallabat, sister Naima and 

brother-in-law Abbo Ayar, all of her inlaws, 

and son-in-laws George Al- 

Sheikh and Hermiz Kinaya. She is now 

also joined in heaven by her great 

granddaughter, Sawsan Hajji Bell. 

She leaves behind her beloved 12 

children: Manuel (Nimat), George 

(Maysoon), Hikmat, Isam (Dura), 

Nabil (Nagham), Imad (Suhair), Mary 

Kinaya, Nazhat Kalabat, Souad Al- 

Sheikh, Julia (Nassir) Yaldo, Samira 

(Mansour) Thweni, and Bahira (John) 

Esshaki, as well as her 45 grandchildren, 

64 great-grandchildren, and 

nine great-great grandchildren. 

She will be greatly missed by all 

those whose lives she touched. May 

God rest her soul, and grant her eternal 

peace. 

GUIDELINES FOR OBITUARIES 

Obituaries are printed free of charge for 

members of the community. Include the 

deceased’s date of birth and death, names 

of immediate survivors, and details on his 

or her life. Include a sharp photograph or 

high-resolution picture as a jpeg attachment. 

Please be sure to include your 

phone number in case of questions. Please 

keep the text to 500 words or less; we 

reserve the right to edit for length and/or 

clarity. Mail the information to: Chaldean 

News, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334, or e-mail 

info@chaldeannews.com. 


IRAQ today 

Working the ‘Road of Hell’ 

with Iraq’s Army 

BY SUDARSAN RAGHAVAN 

Hachim Al-Sultan, Iraq/Washington Post 

Over 24 hours, I learned that in this 

place, your next step could easily be 

your last. 

So there I was, with a colleague, staring 

at the gaping hole in the wall. On the other 

side was the school — rigged with explosives, 

we were told. 

In such situations, a moment can seem like 

eternity — more so when you have watched a 

man dying in front of you or when you have 

come close to meeting death yourself. I had 

experienced both, less than 24 hours earlier. 

The day before, I was walking on a dusty, 

rugged strip that local villagers called the 

Road of Hell. I was with Washington Post 

photographer Andrea Bruce and our Iraqi 

translator, Zaid Sabah. On that August day, 

we were embedded with the Iraqi army and 

had arrived with Gen. Ali Ghaidan, their top 

commander in Diyala province. The road was 

clogged with U.S. and Iraqi vehicles. The 

bomb sweepers were working. The sun was 

burning like a furnace. 

Gen. Ghaidan and his entourage walked 

up and down the road. Then he left, leaving 

us with the Iraqi Army’s 1st Division, 3rd 

Battalion. Less than a half hour later, the 

explosions began. There was the detonated 

one, near where Ghaidan stood. Maj. Adil 

Muhammed, the head bomb sweeper, found 

it and quickly disposed of it. 

Then there was the blast nobody expected. 

An American armored bulldozer had run 

over an anti-tank mine in a stretch of road that 

was supposedly clear. Minutes earlier, I had 

walked by that spot a couple of times, contemplating 

whether to interview the American 

soldier seated inside the bulldozer. I didn’t. 

When the explosion happened, Zaid and I 

were about 30 feet away. Andrea was inside 

a Humvee on the other side of the bulldozer. 

My first thought was that Andrea had been 

hit, and later Maj. Muhammed informed us 

that he and his men had thought the same. I 

ran toward the black column of smoke as 

injured Iraqi soldiers emerged. Fortunately, 

Andrea was unharmed. 

“We saw a piece of tire fly into the air, and 

we thought she was killed,” said Sgt. Hassan 

Shegas, 31, another bomb sweeper. 

About an hour later, a white flatbed truck 

drove fast across the barren plains, bouncing 

like a boat on the high seas, heading toward 

the road. In the bed was Nazar Ayed, an Iraqi 

soldier in his 20s. A sniper had shot him. 

When the truck reached the tangle of vehicles 

on the road, Ayed was motionless. His 

feet were yellow from a lack of blood. His comrades 

thought he was dead and left him on the 

stretcher. Ten minutes later, someone noticed 

that his heart was faintly beating and 

informed the Americans. 

As Muhammed and other Iraqis 

watched, a group of U.S. soldiers 

quickly huddled around Ayed, struggling 

to revive him. They inserted an IV 

into his arms and closed his wound. 

Their leader, 1st Lt. Jeffery Wright, 

was not satisfied. The tall, wide-shouldered 

Georgia native urged his men to 

focus on keeping Ayed breathing. 

Two U.S. Blackhawk helicopters 

landed in a patch of sand and shrubs. 

Iraqi and American soldiers carried 

Ayed on a stretcher to the lead aircraft, 

then walked backed in silence, 

covered in dust. He died later. 

At the wall of the school, these memories 

were speeding through my mind, 

mingling with concern of the unknown. 

Andrea was there, too, motionless. 

A few minutes earlier, the last 

remaining residents of this wisp of a village 

that looked like a Spaghetti 

Western set had told us that they had seen 

insurgents walk into the school carrying explosives. 

Muhammed and Shegas had hopped 

over a wall a few feet away, instead of rushing 

through the opening. We thought surely that 

was a sign the school had been mined. 

But then an Iraqi soldier ran through the 

opening and made his way to the school 

buildings. Then Zaid did the same. As he 

walked, he looked back at us. 

Saddam’s 

luxury 

train to 

return to 

service 

BY SAMEER N. YACOUB 

Baghdad/AP 

Saddam Hussein’s private 

luxury train, equipped with 

chandeliers and Italianmade 

curtains, is being put into 

public service next month to help 

ease a train shortage, Iraqi rail 

officials said. 

Motionless, we stared at him. Crazy Iraqi 

translator, I thought. 

“Come on, don’t you want to do your 

reporting?” Zaid asked me. 

Andrea and I looked at each other, our 

pride taking over. 

We stepped into the compound. 

Reprinted courtesy of the Assyrian International 

News Agency, www.aina.org. 

The 23-carriage French-built 

train was kept in a secret location 

for three decades and shielded 

from the widespread looting that 

followed the U.S.-led invasion of 

Iraq in 2003. 

Starting this month, the train will 

ferry passengers between 

Baghdad and the southern city of 

Basra, said Karim al-Tamimi, a 

spokesman for Iraq’s rail system. 

He said the train, which also has 

three locomotives, was moved 

recently from a rail yard in Baghdad 

to the city’s main railway station. 

Saddam used the train only 

once in the late 1970s, shortly after 

becoming president, for a trip to 

Basra, said Khadum Abdul-Wahid, 

the head of the Basra railway 

branch. 

The train’s carriages are airconditioned 

and equipped with TV 

screens, officials said. Windows 

An Iraqi army 

soldier from the 

3rd Battalion, 

2nd Brigade 

5th Iraqi Army 

Division 

are draped with Italian-made curtains 

and chandeliers hang from 

the ceilings. Some compartments 

served as offices, including a 

library, while others were furnished 

as living rooms. The train also has 

several restaurants and luggage 

compartments. 

It was not immediately clear 

whether some of the expensive fixtures 

would be removed before the 

public uses the train. Al-Tamimi 

said the train is in good shape and 

only requires simple maintenance. 

Currently, the Baghdad-Basra 

train runs only once a day, with three 

carriages. Al-Tamimi said railway officials 

are now considering reinstating 

train service between Baghdad to 

the northern city of Mosul. 

Iraq has suffered a train shortage 

because of years of U.N. economic 

sanctions and looting following 

the U.S.-led invasion. 

PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. MARK WOJCIECHOWSKI 




[Chaldean on the Street] 

HOMOSEXUALITY: 

WHAT’S YOUR 

VIEW? 

BY CAROLINE M. BACALL 

Homosexuality is a lightning-rod issue in 

the Chaldean community. Armed with a 

camera, we questioned people at the 

Chaldean Festival in Southfield to share 

their thoughts on the question: Do you 

know of anyone in the Chaldean community 

who is gay and will not “come out?” 

No, I don’t know of anyone. I 

personally don’t believe in 

same-sex marriages or relationships. 

I think it’s their choice of 

living, and they have to live with 

the consequences of those 

choices. 

Janice Shamoun, 27 

Commerce 

I don’t know of anyone who’s in 

the closet, still. I believe every 

person in the world should be 

treated with the same kind of 

respect, but I also don’t think 

we should look at the subject 

with blind eyes. 

Marla Garmo, 24 

Waterford 

Yes, I do know of someone. I 

think it’s weird, because it’s like 

they’re living a double life. I 

don’t think they’ll have lasting 

happiness. Temporary happiness, 

maybe — but lasting happiness, 

it’s not going to happen 

in homosexual relationships.My 

opinion is the same as the 

Vatican: do not treat homosexuals 

any different than you would heterosexuals; 

treat them with love and compassion. 

Joseph Manni, 21 

Sterling Heights 

No, but I think there probably 

are a lot in our community who 

don’t go to church because of 

it. Every time my mom and I 

are in the car, we pray for those 

who left the Chaldean community 

or the church to come 

back. 

Alexa Shaba, 14 

West Bloomfield 

I don’t know of anyone personally, 

but I’ve heard of people 

who won’t come out. I believe 

it’s a choice. I’ll be okay being 

friends with one, but to a limit. I 

wouldn’t curse someone out 

because they’re gay, but it’s 

against Christianity. They need 

to just go by the Lord’s words. 

Fady Tellow, 27 

Farmington Hills 

Janice 

Shamoun 

Marla 

Garmo 

Joseph 

Manni 

Alexa 

Shaba 

Fady Tellow 

cultural 

contradiction 

Chaldean gays struggle with church and community 

It is one of the most taboo topics in the Chaldean 

community — one that people routinely shun. 

Homosexuality is commonly misinterpreted, and 

there’s a whole counterculture of gay Chaldeans lost 

in a community that rejects them. 

To be gay and Chaldean seems like a paradox. 

While only a few Chaldeans admit to their homosexuality, 

most choose to stay in the proverbial closet. 

Men and women alike are looking for acceptance, 

understanding and respect, which they find difficult 

to attain in the Chaldean community. 

According to the Catechism of the Catholic 

Church, the Church’s official teaching, “homosexuality 

refers to relations between men or between 

women who experience an exclusive or predominant 

sexual attraction toward persons of the same 

sex” (2357). Fr. Frank Kalabat, pastor at St. 

Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West 

Bloomfield, said that homosexuality is recognized 

as an attraction and is not necessarily wrong. 

“It’s not a sin to be gay — it’s a sin to engage in 

homosexual acts,” said Fr. Frank. 

The Catechism further states that “homosexual 

acts are intrinsically disordered” (2357), 

meaning that from their very nature, homosexual 

relations are immoral because “they close the 

sexual act to the gift of life [and] do not proceed 

from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity” 

(2357). This means that the sexual act is 

limited to men and women who are married. All 

homosexual acts, just like heterosexual acts outside 

of marriage — including extramarital affairs 

— are insincere and morally wrong, according to 

the Catechism. 

The Chaldean News spent months researching 

this article and was unable to find even one 

Chaldean homosexual willing to have his or her real 

name used. In fact, despite numerous letters and 

e-mails from gay Chaldeans exhorting the Chaldean 

News to cover this topic, we could only get two gay 


people to speak to us for this piece, and they insisted 

on being anonymous. 

When “Tony” was 18, he was in a horrible car accident. 

This made him reexamine his life, and he realized 

that he needed to live honestly. He no longer 

wanted to feel hindered by the truth that he is gay. 

Tony first noticed his attraction to males when he 

was about 12. Puberty is already a trying time for a 

middle-schooler and this made him feel even more 

uncomfortable, he said, but he couldn’t help it. 

“In the back of my head I learned I can’t be gay 

because of my background,” said Tony. “I was in 

denial. I didn’t know what to think. I had to tell 

someone because I was living a double life.” 

Tony first came out to his siblings when he was 

19. They were wary but showed support to their 

brother. Before he could tell his parents, they confronted 

him after a close family friend asked about 

their son’s sexuality. When Tony admitted to being 

gay, his parents told him to gather his belongings and 

leave the house. 

“It’s really disappointing to want unconditional 

love and not receive it,” said Tony. “I really wanted 

their support.” 

Tony also lost his friends. While a few claimed 

they were okay with his homosexuality, they slowly 

started disappearing. He had to start fresh by creating 

new friendships. 

Looking for support, Tony went online and 

researched resources about gays, especially Middle- 

Easterners. He met a gay Arab from the Metro 

Detroit area and they became good friends. Together 

they networked and met many gay Chaldeans and 

Arabs who also felt vulnerable. 

After seeing I Exist, a documentary chronicling 

the struggles and triumphs of gays and lesbians from 

the Middle East, Tony and a few friends were 

inspired to reach out to the gay Middle-Eastern 

CULTURAL CONTRADICTION 

continued on page 32 


Yes. They hide it well. When 

they start accepting themselves 

for who they are, 

that’s it, there’s no going 

back. As a community we 

accept and tolerate it, but 

don’t support it. They are in 

conflict, because it is our 

culture vs. American culture. 

It’s a problem because in America, we 

are living in a no-sin zone; everything is 

acceptable. It can also be the “nature vs. 

nurture” philosophy: the biological perspective 

vs. the environment, and/or society’s 

impact on the person. 

Iman Numan, 50 


No I don’t know of anyone, 

but on online chats or blogs, 

people aren’t afraid to come 

out. They’re open. I don’t 

believe that it’s right but 

because we’re in America, 

they have the freedom to 

practice it. 

Rafed White, 26 


Yes I do. Not just regarding 

the gay community, but it’s 

hard to be different in the 

Chaldean community in general. 

Because of our culture, 

it’s hard to accept someone 

outside of the norm, especially 

from the mindset of the 

older generation. It’s common 

from a Middle-Eastern 

mindset to discredit someone for something 

small, even if they are involved, and 

give back to our church and our community. 

In order for people to accept me as 

a person, I have to accept them first. 

Lawrence Mansour, 19 

Utica 

Yes I do. I would like to take 

the position of the church. 

The Catholic Church teaches 

us that all human beings 

are created in the image and 

likeness of God; therefore, 

we should love all people 

regardless of their lifestyle. 

However, a practicing homosexual 

is living in sin, and 

here I emphasize a practicing one, not 

the person with inclinations only. The 

church encourages them to seek help, 

and we as community members should 

receive them with love and remember 

Christ’s teaching to love the sinner but 

hate the sin. 

Karam Bahnam, 35 

Orchard Lake Village 

No, I don’t. I believe it’s 

important to always be in line 

with the teachings of the 

Catholic Church; that’s the 

first priority. I’m not in a 

position to judge a person, 

but to love them as a brother 

or sister of Christ. 

Veronica Kassab, 22 

Rochester Hills 

Iman 

Numan 

Rafed 

White 

Lawrence 

Mansour 

Karam 

Bahnam 

Veronica 

Kassab 

CULTURAL CONTRADICTION 

continued from page 31 

community. They started a non-profit organization 

called Al GAMEA, the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, 

Bisexual, and Transgender) Association of Middle- 

Eastern Americans. 

“Al GAMEA is an organization that strives to 

create a forum for support, socialization, education 

and awareness, in an area that’s home to the largest 

and most visible Middle Eastern community in the 

country, and to expand internationally via the 

World Wide Web,” says the group’s website 

(www.algamea.org). “In the end our goal is quite 

simply to let people know, we are Middle Eastern. 

We may be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and/or 

Transgender, but we are proud, and we do exist.” 

Through AL GAMEA, Tony has met about 150 

gay Chaldeans. About 15 percent of them are 

women; Tony said they have an especially hard time 

because there is a greater expectation to get married 

and have children the “natural” way. 

This kinship of gay Chaldeans makes Tony and his 

friends want to do something that has never been done 

before: “educate the churches about who we are.” 

But, because the group does not promote chastity, 

it does not follow the tenets of the Catholic 

Church. 

Fr. Frank said trying to educate the Church 

would be detrimental to gay Chaldeans because it 

does not promote what is right, but goes with emotions 

and feelings. Homosexuality is a moral 

absolute, said Fr. Frank, which means that all homosexual 

acts are wrong and sinful. When people 

engage in these acts, they are morally killing themselves, 

he said. 

Tony takes issue with that approach. “We are 

pretending there are no gay Chaldeans,” he said, 

“We don’t create a safe environment for gays. 

They’re living double lives because they don’t want 

to admit it.” 

Being Catholic and Chaldean has added an extra 

dynamic to being gay. Tony said he has been examining 

his faith for quite some time. The former altar 

boy said he “no longer feels comfortable calling 

myself a Catholic.” 

Tony has felt shunned while listening to homilies 

that denounce homosexuality and said a lot of the 

teachings are hypocritical. While he maintains his 

Christianity, Tony is looking into other denominations. 

“Other churches have embraced their people,” 

he said, “but not our Church.” 

While the Catholic Church does not recognize 

or dispute any scientific reason why a person is gay, 

it calls homosexuals to chastity in order to “fulfill 

God’s will in their lives and … to unite to the sacrifice 

of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may 

encounter from their condition” (2358). 

Now 23, Tony continues to live separately from his 

family. His relationship with his parents is unstable 

but he continues to try and build bridges with them. 

He maintains close relationships with his siblings. 

“Gay people want to feel accepted, just like 

straight people,” he said. “Just understand that I’m 

gay. Respect that.” 

The Catechism says that gays “must be accepted 

with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every 

sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should 

be avoided” (2358). 

Tony’s friend “Amanda,” who also requested 

anonymity, agrees with that notion. 

Amanda is a college student in her early 20s who 

realized she was a little “different” in elementary 

school. In her late teens, she came out to some 

members of her family whom she thought would be 

supportive and accepting, and they have been. She 

suspects that her parents know but are in denial – 

they never speak of it. 

“It’s difficult,” she said, “to hide who you are in 

front of people who are closest to you.” 

Amanda lost her best friend after she heard the 

news (she has since apologized) but made new friends 

in college. Her diverse group of friends includes 

Chaldean girls who are liberal and open-minded — 

and some are gay — yet feel a sense of duty to protect 

their families from hearsay and gossip. 

“We all agree that being Chaldean makes it harder 

on us,” said Amanda. “We live in a small community 

and it’s hard to break free from that.” 

Although she was raised a Catholic, Amanda 

never attended church much. She just recently 

learned more about the faith and believes it is beautiful. 

However, she rejects the Church’s stance on 

homosexuality as written in the Catechism. 

“It’s not the word of God to me,” she said. “I have 

my own views.” 

Amanda believes that being a lesbian is merely a 

different lifestyle and that gays are used as a scapegoat 

for society’s bigger problems. She compared 

today’s gay issues to the civil rights matters of the 

1960s. People, she said, fear change. 

“There is a gay Chaldean community,” she said. 

“We’re like everybody else. We’re inhabiting the 

same world.” 

Fr. Frank said Catholics must recognize homosexuals 

as human beings. This is especially difficult in 

familial situations, particularly in the Chaldean 

community. But, Fr. Frank said, parents should put 

limits on relationships with their children who 

engage in homosexual acts. 

His advice: “They are your children. Love them 

but also lead them to God.” 

Amanda wants parents to understand that their 

children cannot help their homosexuality. 

“Don’t make their lives harder,” she said. “The 

fear — and the reality — is even more to handle.” 

Although she has yet to admit her sexual orientation 

to her parents, Amanda said she’d like to live an 

honest life like her friend Tony. 

“I identify as a gay Iraqi-Chaldean-Assyrian- 

American-Christian,” said Tony. “I’m very proud of 

who I am.” 


GUEST column 

Homosexuality: 

Nature or nurture? 

Is being homosexual a choice 

or biological? Are people 

“born that way” or “conditioned 

that way?” There is no 

clear cut answer. Homosexuality 

is a complex phenomenon. 

Some researchers indicate 

biological factors have a direct 

influence on sexual orientation. 

These include genes, brain 

wiring and the prenatal hormonal 

environment. Other 

researchers say that society, 

temperament and environment 

also influence gay and lesbian 

identities. Environmental factors 

include influence of parents, peers 

and experiences. They may also 

include experiences of sexual abuse or 

other traumatic events as well as a disruption 

in gender identity development. 

Among researchers and even among 

homosexual people, there are conflicting 

and varying opinions. There are 

some who admit their orientation to be 

a preference and therefore a choice 

while others feel they have no control. 

What is sexual orientation? The 

American Psychological Association 

(APA) defines it as an enduring emotional, 

romantic, sexual or affectional 

attraction to individuals of a particular 

gender. Biological sex refers to chromosomes 

and sexual organs, gender 

identity to the psychological sense of 

being male or female, and social sex 

role to adherence to cultural norms for 

feminine and masculine behavior. Three 

sexual orientations are commonly recognized: 

“homosexual,” which is attraction 

to individuals of one’s own gender; 

“heterosexual,” defined as attraction to 

individuals of the other gender; or 

“bisexual,” which means attractions to 

members of either gender. Sexual orientation 

is different from sexual behavior 

because it refers to feelings and 

self-concept. Persons may or may not 

express their sexual orientation in their 

behaviors. 

Those who believe homosexuality is 

biological believe it cannot be changed. 

That would mean that we are nothing 

more than our genes and that we are 

responsibility-free regarding our behaviors. 

There is also research that individuals 

wishing to be free from those 

tendencies recovered from them in 

psychotherapy. Reorientation and/or 

reparative therapies assist those who 

wish to explore developing their heterosexual 

potential and minimizing their 

IKLAS 

BASHI 

SPECIAL 

TO THE 

CHALDEAN 

NEWS 

unwanted homosexual attractions. 

In 1997, though, the 

APA took a stance against 

therapy that seeks to turn 

gays from their sexual orientations. 

The group issued a 

statement suggesting that 

attempts to turn homosexuals 

straight may be harmful. 

Psychotherapy is the 

process in which we seek the 

truth about who we are, 

where we’ve been and why 

we do the things we do. It is 

also a process in which we 

seek healing of the emotional 

and psychological wounds we have 

suffered. Although exploring feelings is 

an important part of the therapy 

process, there has been too much 

emphasis on our feelings and not nearly 

enough about using reason and prudence 

as guides for self-direction. Of 

all created things, God gave human 

persons the capacity to reason. 

Feelings are influenced by external circumstances. 

If we act merely on feelings, 

they are likely to change from 

moment to moment and day to day. 

The Courage Apostolate 

(http://couragerc.net) is a spiritual support 

system that assists men and 

women with same-sex attractions in living 

chaste lives in fellowship, truth and 

love. Their website includes testimonies 

of men and women from all over the 

world who felt they had been suffering in 

their homosexuality and found healing. 

Perhaps we don’t have all the 

answers regarding the issue of homosexuality. 

One thing is certain, though, 

in light of our Catholic Chaldean faith. 

If we turn to the Way, the Truth, and the 

Life and participate fully and regularly in 

the Sacraments, He will continually 

renew us through the power of the 

Holy Spirit. 

Finding out where we fit in the 

scheme of things is a universal human 

struggle. Our hope is in the One 

who created us. It is through Him and 

in Him that we find our true identity. 

Iklas Bashi is a Licensed Professional 

Counselor and a National Certified 

Counselor who uses a holistic approach to 

therapy integrating the mental, spiritual, 

emotional and physical self to help clients 

experience healing, especially in affective 

disorders (depression, anxiety) and 

marriage and family problems. 

Contact iklasbashi@sbcglobal.net. 


Dinner attendees pose for a picture. 

After months of supporting 

and helping our refugees, a 

group of Chaldeans met 

some of them at a dinner last month. 

National Wine & Spirits (NWS) 

co-hosted the private dinner with the 

Chaldean American Ladies of 

Charity (CALC) and urged retailers 

attending the event to promote the 

Johnny Walker, Hennessy and 

Belvedere liquor brands. An initiative 

by NWS last year raised approximately 

$67,000 for refugees thanks to 

sales of those brands. The distributor 

hopes to raise $75,000 this year. 

“We donate anywhere from $1-$3 

depending on the brand [per case 

sold],” said Michael Housey, vice 

president and general manager of the 

Classic Brands Division at NWS. 

Since 2006, CALC has been 

working closely with the Chaldean 

Federation of America (CFA) to raise 

money and awareness about the Iraqi 

refugees arriving in America. CFA 

started the Adopt-A-Refugee-Family 

program a year ago, in which families 

here contribute money to refugee 

voices heard 

Dinner celebrates refugee program 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

families overseas. The program works 

with Jesuits in the Middle East to 

identify the refugees and make sure 

that 100 percent of the donations 

reach the refugees. 

Housey heard about the plight of 

the refugees while listening to an 

interview with Bishop Ibrahim 

Ibrahim on a Catholic Radio program 

hosted by Teresa Tomeo. “I wanted to 

do something to help,” he said in a 

speech to the dinner attendees. 

Housey is one of the few non- 

Chaldeans offering support to the 

refugees. “I am hoping more will join 

us. It is beyond nationality. This is a 

human crisis going on and we need to 

help,” he said. 

CALC past president Clair Konja, 

the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, 

introduced current president Sally 

Najor, who made brief remarks; 

Michael J. George, the president of 

the CFA; and Bishop Ibrahim, who 

led the attendees in prayer. She also 

introduced two recent refugee 

arrivals. 

Refugee Sabah A. Lafi talked 

about life in Iraq and in the United 

States. Speaking in Arabic, Lafi said 

America feels like a second home, but 

the challenges are great. Like many 

refugees, he wants to work but cannot 

find anyone to hire him. Many of the 

refugees, like Lafi and his sons, are 

educated but are not certified in the 

United States. He hopes that will 

change. He said that the refugees 

should get the opportunity to pay 

back the people helping them so that 

they can help the next refugee. 

Refugees also have the responsibility 

to assist future refugees, he said. 

Refugee Maan Dalli explained 

how he had a store in Iraq and was 

threatened several times, including a 

threat against him or his family if he 

did not pay $50,000. His shop was 

bombed, rebuilt and bombed again. 

He fled one night and ended up in 

Lebanon. He now lives in Michigan 

with his wife and kids. 

FILM IN THE MAKING 

Paul Jonna, executive producer of a 

documentary in the making, showed 

a seven-minute trailer of the film 

that brought many to tears. 

The shaky voices and powerful 

words tell the stories of pain and torment 

by Iraqis of all ages and backgrounds. 

Speaking in Arabic, they 

relive days, weeks and sometimes 

months in captivity by the insurgents 

in Iraq, detailing hours of 

abuse. 

Jonna and Al Zara had been contemplating 

putting together an 

event or comedy show to benefit the 

Adopt-a-Refugee program. Instead, 

it was suggested that they produce a 

documentary on the refugees. 

Zara serves as executive producer, 

interviewer and translator of the 

film. Zara and Jonna also teamed up 

with Gary Bredow & Per Franchell 

of Big Bang Films, who are directors, 

editors and cinematographers. 

Jonna first heard about the 

refugees at a CALC meeting. “I was 

blown away by the stories of the 

refugees,” he said. “I had heard stories 

before but never from an actual 

refugee. Everyone needs to hear 

these stories first-hand. We wanted 

to create a documentary to inform 

the world that even though the 

refugees are rarely heard from, they 

will not be silenced nor will they be 

forgotten.” 

Jonna sought out the talent of 

Bedrow. “Sometimes, the media 

keeps you sheltered from the truth. 

As a documentary film director, my 


The men behind the upcoming documentary include Razen Kathawa, Paul Jonna and Al Zara. 

goal is to affect lives and give people 

a chance to see into a world they 

would not normally get to see,” 

Bedrow said. “This topic is very 

interesting to me for that reason.” 

“This is a very important message 

that needs to be heard by people all 

over the world,” said Zara. “Our 

Christian brothers and sisters are 

dying every day in Iraq for no reason 

other than their faith. This is where 

our roots are and we need to do 

everything in our power to help 

them get to a safe place and give 

them a hope for a better life. This 

affects us all, even if you’re not 

Chaldean or Christian, because this 

is helping the helpless.” 

The CFA and CALC have led 

the effort to bring awareness about 

the crisis and recruit people to help 

the refugees. Zara said even though 

so much is already being done to 

help, more help is needed — “not 

just financial help, but even helping 

someone get their driver’s license or 

helping to read a letter or taking 

them to church,” he said. “All these 

things will show our refugees that 

there is someone here for them.” 

Although the group has only produced 

seven minutes of the plannedfor 

90-minute film, they have 

already captured the sorrow, pain 

and suffering of these Iraqis. They 

also plan on interviewing government 

officials and members of the 

United Nations. 

“The entire finished project will 

be a demonstration of objectivity on 

the current state of Iraqi refugees,” 

said Bedrow. “We want to show 

exactly what’s happening, increase 

awareness, and motivate individuals 

to get involved, or at least understand 

what is happening.” 

“The film is about untold stories 

of the Iraqi Christians and how they 

were persecuted,” said Zara. “We will 

showcase how they escaped from 

Iraq, how some lost their loved ones, 

and how Christians were and still are 

being treated in Iraq. One thing we 

want everyone to know is that this 

film is by no means biased. We are 

not hiring actors and we’re not 

telling the people we interview what 

to say — it’s a documentary.” 

Both Jonna and Zara said they 

have been humbled by the experience. 

“It is our duty, our right, to make 

sure that they’re not ignored, and no 

matter the evil that has changed 

their lives for the worse, together 

with our brothers and sisters from 

every community we have just as 

much power to change their lives for 

the better,” Jonna said. 

Added Zara, “It has given me a 

new perspective on life and made me 

want to help as much as possible. My 

family and I fled Iraq in 1990 and 

started a new life here in America, so 

interviewing the refugees hit me 

hard.” 



a soulful 

experience 

ECRC presents second 

spiritual conference 


Awake My Soul, a weekend of spiritually 

and renewed commitment to Christ, is 

being offered by the Eastern Catholic Re- 

Evangelization Center (ECRC) September 26-27. 

This is the second time the ECRC is presenting 

its spirituality conference. The last one, in 2006, 

was at St. Thomas in West Bloomfield; this year’s 

event takes place at St. Joseph in Troy. It is sponsored 

by the Chaldean Diocese in Detroit. 

“We felt like we did the West Side but we 

haven’t done the East Side yet,” explained ECRC 

Director Neran Karmo about the venue change. 

Some 2,700 tickets were sold for the 2006 conference, 

and organizers hope for at least 3,500 participants 

this time. The cost is only $10 for both 

days. 

The event kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. and most 

activities that day are in English, including a skit by 

CLC (Chaldeans Loving Christ) and a keynote 

speech by Bishop Daniel Flores of the Archdiocese 

of Detroit. “He is a really good speaker both locally 

and nationally, and he’ll speak about renewing your 

faith,” said Karmo. 

A highlight that night will be a concert by Tony 

Melendez, who has performed before Pope John 

Paul II. Born without arms, Melendez plays the guitar 

with his feet — a profoundly moving sight that 

Karmo says lifts the heart. “He preaches the Gospel 

with his toes,” she said. 

New this year is an outdoor Eucharistic 

Procession led by Msgr. Zouhair Toma (Kejbou) 

beginning at 10 p.m. Friday. Karmo said as many as 

1,000 people will join in the procession along Big 

Beaver Road. “There will be incense and candles, 

and it’s really something to be a part of,” she said. 

Afterwards, the church will be open until 2 or 3 

a.m. for Eucharistic adoration, with priests available 

to hear confessions in English, Arabic and 

Chaldean. 

Saturday begins at 4 p.m. with Mass and 

includes some events in Arabic and Chaldean. 

There will be Faith Group activities for men, 

women, teens and children before a keynote 

speech in Chaldean from Bishop Ibrahim 

Ibrahim. Afterwards, Nabiha Yakbeck, the popular 

singer from Lebanon, performs a concert in 

Arabic. 

The conference has been in the planning stages 

for six or seven months, Karmo said. “There is a 

Tony Melendez, 

who "preaches 

the Gospel with his 

toes," performs on 

September 26. 

great team putting it together,” she said. “We have 

100 volunteers working that weekend.” 

Karmo hopes many in the Chaldean community, 

particularly young people, take advantage of 

the conference. 

This is the opportunity for people to come and 

feel the strength of the community of the faithful,“ 

she said, “and to see that our faith is alive 

and important to us.” 

Learn more at www.ecrc.us or call (248) 538-9903. 



Roundabouts 

will become a 

more common 

sight around 

the state. 

driven to 

distraction 

Roundabouts may confuse, 

but they’re safer 

BY KEN MARTEN 

The summer of 1999 was a “turning point” 

for Metro Detroit motorists. That’s when 

the Road Commission for Oakland County 

opened the first modern roundabout in the region 

at the intersection of Tienken, Washington and 

Runyon roads in Rochester Hills. 

Roundabouts are now becoming commonplace 

around the state – to the befuddlement of many residents. 

The circular intersections have been used in 

Europe for several decades in place of traditional 

signalized and/or signed intersections. Traffic moves 

one way around a central island, and cars entering 

the roundabout yield to those already in it as well as 

those turning off. County road commissions and the 

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) 

have “imported” the concept to replace the traditional 

signalized intersections and the “Michigan 

left.” 

Though they may be driving many local drivers 

crazy, research conducted by the Federal Highway 

Administration and the Insurance Institute for 

Highway Safety shows roundabouts are actually 

much safer. 

“Both found that when a roundabout replaces a 

signalized intersection, they documented a 90-percent 

reduction in fatalities,” said Craig Bryson, public 

information officer for the Road Commission for 

Oakland County (RCOC). “From our point of 

view, that’s huge. It’s those kinds of statistics that 

moved us from opposing them to supporting them 

because at first we were skeptical. What we’ve 

found is that before they’re put in, there’s a lot of 

opposition. There’s this fear of the unknown.” 

Other Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 

statistics reveal that roundabouts result in a 76-percent 

reduction in injury accidents, and a 40-percent 

reduction in pedestrian injuries. Most serious accidents 

such as head-on collisions and broadsides 

occur at signalized intersections, 

Bryson said. 

Tom Vanderbilt is the 

author of the critically 

acclaimed book published 

this summer called Traffic: 

Why We Drive the Way We 

Do. He notes that 50 percent 

of all auto accidents in the 

United States occur at traditional 

intersections – which 

he calls “crash magnets.” In 

roundabouts, there’s no stopping 

and traffic moves at a 

slower pace, and there are no 

left turns to be made across 

oncoming traffic. 

Roundabouts also help 

alleviate rush-hour gridlock. 

“With a signalized intersection, 

50 percent of the 

traffic is stopped at any time,” 

Bryson said. “But roundabouts 

allow for the constant traffic flow. But the 

biggest reason why we like them is because of their 

safety.” 

The RCOC now views roundabouts as a standard 

option whenever it considers improving an 

intersection. 

“Roundabouts are not ideal for every situation, 

like say downtown Royal Oak,” Bryson said. “But 

you have to evaluate every location.” 

There are eight roundabouts in Oakland County 

and about a dozen more are on the construction 

schedule over the next few years. Roundabouts currently 

under construction in Oakland include the 

Grand River/New Hudson Street/Lyon Center 

Drive intersection in Lyon Township, and the 14 

Mile/Farmington Road intersection on the border 

PHOTO COURTESY MDOT PHOTO-LAB 

HOW TO DRIVE A ROUNDABOUT 

• Entering vehicles must yield to traffic already in the roundabout 

and to pedestrians in crosswalks. 

• Traffic in the roundabout always moves counterclockwise. 

• Choose your lane before entering; once in the roundabout, don’t change lanes. 

• Signal with your right turn signal before exiting the roundabout. 

between Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield 

Township. 

Macomb County currently has five, including 

the state’s biggest with three lanes at M-53 and 18 

1/2 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. MDOT is planning 

a roundabout for the M-53 and 26 Mile Road 

intersection in Shelby Township. 

Livingston County has two at U.S. 23 and Lee 

Road near Brighton. Wayne County has just one, 

on Woodward at Campus Martius in downtown 

Detroit. It stands apart from other roundabouts 

because it also has traffic lights. 

Hyassant Najor said she has no trouble negotiating 

the roundabout near her home at 14 Mile and 

Farmington roads and wants to see more of them. 

“It clears up traffic a lot better,” she said. “I just 

wish they’d add them a lot faster.” 


SPORTS roundup 

red rolls to 

victory in 

new league 

BY STEVE STEIN 

The newest Chaldean sports 

league is on a roll. 

Four teams and 38 players 

skated in the inaugural season of the 

Chaldean Roller Hockey League this 

spring and summer, pleasing league 

organizers Kroif Yatoma, 21, and 

Mike Abbo, 19. 

Games were played at the Inline 

Hockey Center in the Jewish 

Community Center of Metropolitan 

Detroit in West Bloomfield. 

“We’re very happy about the 

turnout,” Yatoma said. “We’re looking 

to have at least six teams next year. 

I’ll bet we had 30 people call us about 

the league after the registration deadline.” 

Two women — goalie Bethany 

Neldrett and Monica Yaldoo, both 

veteran roller hockey players — 

1 

Black team was 7-4-2, White was 7-5- 

2, Red was 5-7-2, and Gray was 4-7-2. 

The only team that scored more total 

goals than its opponents was Black, 

which outscored its foes 115-98. 

“Not one game had to be stopped 

by the eight-goal mercy rule, and each 

team tied their first game,” Yatoma 

said. 

On opening night May 7, Black 

and White deadlocked 6-6 and Gray 

players and made them captains of 

the four teams,” Yatoma said. “Then, 

after tryouts, the captains picked their 

teams.” 

The captains were Yatoma (Red), 

Randy Yatooma (White), Justin Alias 

(Black) and Matt Louissa (Gray). 

All four teams made the singleelimination 

playoffs. Red beat Black 

12-9 and White defeated Gray 5-1 in 

the semifinals. Red won the champi- 

goals and three assists to the victory. 

Nicholas Seman poured in five goals 

for White. 

Two goals by Abbo and one apiece 

by Yatoma and Manjo gave Red a 4-1 

lead over White after the first of three 

15-minute periods. 

Three unanswered goals by White 

tied the game 4-4, but Red responded 

with three consecutive goals to move 

in front 7-4 at the end of the second 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

3 4 5 

played in the otherwise all-male 

league. Only about half the league’s 

players also play in the Chaldean 

Hockey League, so there were lots of 

new faces on the Chaldean sports 

scene. Players ranged in age from 16 

to the late 20s. 

The league was ultra competitive, 

and nobody dominated. Including 

regular-season and playoff games, the 

and Red tied 10-10. 

The longest winning streak of the 

season was four games (Black), and 

the longest losing streak was three 

games (Gray, twice.) The biggest margin 

of victory was six goals (Black 10, 

Gray 4.) 

How was that competitive balanced 

achieved? 

“First, we picked four of the best 

onship, beating White 11-8 in the 

title game July 27. 

The league championship trophy 

— which doesn’t have a fancy name 

yet — is on display at Shenandoah 

Country Club. The names of all Red 

players are on the trophy. 

Abbo had six goals and three 

assists for Red in the championship 

game. Ricky Manjo contributed two 

period. Seman scored twice and 

Vidal Denha tallied once during 

White’s comeback. Abbo, Manjo and 

Lawrence Kuza responded with goals 

for Red. 

Each team scored four goals in the 

third period. White didn’t get any 

closer than 9-7. 

Red goalie Justin Shounia made 21 

saves, while Neldrett, the White 


2 

goalie, had 13 saves. 

Upbeat music, public address 

announcements of goals and assists, 

and a championship trophy presentation 

made the night special. 

“There was a great atmosphere in 

there,” Yatoma said. 

Alias was the league’s leading 

scorer with 62 goals and 22 assists for 

84 points. Runner-up Abbo had 55 

goals and 28 assists for 83 points. 

Scenes from the 

championship game: 

1. The Red Team 

celebrates 

2. Zeyad Gumma 

and Kroif Yatoma 

3. Lawrence Kuza, 

Justin Shounia, 

Kroif Yatoma and 

Ricky Manjo 

4. Justin Shounia 

and Ricky Manjo 

embrace victory 

5. Brian Binno 

Yaldoo had three goals and 16 assists. 

Justin Bahoora (Black) was the 

league’s top goalie, with seven wins. 

Neldrett was second with six victories. 

For more information about the league, call 

(248) 667-1508 or send an e-mail to 

CRHL2008@yahoo.com. For statistics on 

the first season, go to www.jccdet.org/ihc, 

then click on Adult Leagues, Spring 

Standings, and Spring Chaldean RHL 

Standings. 

they’re 

knockouts 

Two Chaldean professional boxers 

scored knockouts at the August 7 

“Rumble in Royal Oak,” a boxing 

card held at the Royal Oak Music 

Theatre. 

Welterweight Tommy “T-Gunnz” 

Simaan of West Bloomfield dropped 

Dustin Cooley of Battle Creek at 52 

seconds of the first round to improve 

his record to 3-1 with three knockouts. 

Simaan’s only loss was a twopoint 

decision at Joe Louis Arena in 

2003, his last fight before the bout in 

Royal Oak. He won his first two pro 

fights, both at The Palace. 

Welterweight “Gorgeous” Andre 

Gorges of Windsor sent Eric Rue of 

Battle Creek to the canvas at 1:04 of 

the second round in the opening 

bout of the Royal Oak card. Gorges is 

now 2-0 with two knockouts. 

Simaan started boxing when he 

was 21, then quit seven years later. 

Now 34, married with three sons, 

he’s taken up the sport again after a 

five-year layoff. 

“I wasn’t dedicated the first time. 

I’ve matured, and I’m much more 

dedicated now,” said Simaan, who 

gave up a cell phone business to turn 

to boxing full-time. 

S U B S C R I B E ! 

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ECONOMICS & enterprise 

Lights, 

camera, 

location! 


PHOTO BY BRUCE SHIELDS/AP/THE ANN ARBOR NEWS 

Anarchy in Ann Arbor? No, just a scene from the movie “Youth In Revolt” being filmed 

on July 30. 

Michigan is not seeing many 

growth industries these days, 

but a new film tax incentive has 

made the state a favored locale among 

Hollywood types over the past few 

months. Stargazers have recently 

glimpsed Clint Eastwood in Ferndale, 

Drew Barrymore in Ann Arbor and 

Sigourney Weaver in Royal Oak, all 

featured in films that will be stamped 

“Made in Michigan.” 

Christine Ayar and her partner, 

Rebecca DeBruin, see opportunity in 

the trend. The two have launched 45th 

Parallel Locations to represent properties 

throughout the state to filmmakers 

seeking interesting locations. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of research 

and investigation and made a connection 

with the Michigan Film Office,” 

said Ayar. “That’s where I realized 

there is an opportunity for location 

scouts. We have both lived in Michigan 

all our lives and together we know a lot 

about the state.” 

Michigan’s film incentive, officially 

called the film production credit, offers 

a refundable, assignable tax credit of 

up to 42 percent of the amount of a 

production company’s expenditures in 

producing a film or other media entertainment 

project in that state. The idea 

is to spur local economies by attracting 

lucrative film projects. 

Ayar and DeBruin, who both work 

at Orchard Lake Schools, are compiling 

a comprehensive listing of residential, 

business and commercial properties 

where filmmakers can shoot 

scenes. Some contracts pay as much 

as $10,000 a day, they say, and sometimes 

property owners score permanent 

improvements such as hardwood 

floors in place of existing carpeting. 

The listing is free; 45th Parallel 

charges a percentage of the fee paid 

to owners if their property is used. 

The women are spreading the word 

around Michigan and have also solicited 

the owners of unique and/or picturesque 

sites to join their database. 

“There’s been a little bit of trepidation 

and in some cases they wonder if 

this is a bit of a scam,” admitted 

DeBruin. “But it’s just us saying, heck, 

you’ve got a gorgeous property; let us 

feature it.” 

The women hope people will register 

even their run-of-the-mill houses 

and businesses. 

“The properties don’t have to be 

super-unique,” Ayar said. “No property 

or type of property is off limits. A cool 

warehouse can look like a nightclub, 

and a neat home can be made to look 

like a cathedral. Don’t limit yourself by 

what you think your property could or 

could not look like.” 

The women said they want to showcase 

Michigan’s diverse sites. 

“It is our greatest fear,” said Ayar, 

“that Hollywood will come to Michigan 

and not take advantage of our different 

homes and features.” 

Learn more at www.45thparallel.com. 


the chaldean PALATE 

New spots draw crowds 


Rice Bowl: 

Asian food from 

a Chaldean owner 

If you work in the New Center area in 

Detroit, take a break from the everyday 

pizza place or coney island and check out 

the Rice Bowl Asian Kitchen. It’s located 

on the second floor in the New Center One 

building near the Henry Ford Hospital. 

Like most Chinese restaurants, it’s very 

casual; when you walk in you can grab any 

table you want, but you have to go up to 

the register to order by number. 

My sister-in-law Lisa and I are both on a 

lifestyle change, but it’s not every day we 

eat Asian. We thought the food was pretty 

good. I had a #50, #37 and #70. The 

Chicken Lo Mein was tasty, but the 

Wonton Soup a little too salty. Lisa’s halforder 

of General Tso’s Chicken (#24) was 

really good, as was the Chicken Fried 

Rice that came with it. 

There’s another Rice Bowl in the 

College Park Commons and a new one in 

Zubin Antia and Anthony Marougi man the bar. 

Bar Louie: 

Where 

everybody will 

know your name 

The newest hot spot to hit the 

Fountain Walk in Novi is Bar 

Louie, a Chicago-based franchise. 

It’s all the rage on this 

side of town, and just one great 

big party. 

We heard that our friend 

Anthony Marougi and his buddy 

Zubin Antia were opening it, so 

my husband Mark and I went to 

check it out one Saturday night 

with a couple of friends. Boy, 

was that place packed! The 

lights were low, the music was 

blasting and everyone who was 

not eating was walking around 

and mingling. It was kind of like 

Cheers but bigger and trendier 

– and not everyone knows your 

name yet since it just opened. 

I like that kind of social 

atmosphere, and there were all 

different kinds of people there. 

The décor is a contemporary 

blend of dark brown wood with 

mini aqua tiling on the walls. 

Directly in the center of the 

action is the spacious bar outlined 

with numerous plasma 

TVs, and 40 beers on tap. 

I opted for the Dirty CEO, a 

vodka and olive juice martini 

with three blue cheese-stuffed 

olives. It was strong, so I only 

had one. (When they’re 

watered down, you have to have 

three or four, but not at this 

place.) 

The menu is fairly comparable 

to other bar and grills, but 

they do have some unique 

items. We ordered the 

Hummus, Tabbouli, and Tzatziki 

Platter for an appetizer. The tabbouli 

is not your traditional green 

parsley salad — there was more 

burghul than parsley, yet we 

were intrigued by its kick we 

couldn’t quite figure out. We 

loved it. We used pita bread for 

the hummus and sliced cucumbers 

for the tzatziki, which were 

both delicious. 

Mark got a Louie Burger that 

came with grilled onions, provolone 

and a spicy giardiniera 

sauce — which is like a pickled 

relish — and fries. He killed it. 

I chose the Flat Iron Steak 

with steamed broccoli and 

mashed potatoes. I thought 

the steak could have used more 

salt, but then again, Bar Louie 

had been open only a week and 

like all new businesses, you 

have to give it a chance. 

Nonetheless, I was pleased with 

my selection. 

The chocolate cake we had 

for dessert was a massive slice 

at least eight inches long and six 

inches thick with a pool of raspberry 

sauce. It was divine. 

As the night progressed, 

more and more people were filling 

in. It was a fun crowd of people 

in their late 20s to early 40s. 

Let’s keep it that way; I’m sick of 

seeing my old students at the 

bar. 

Don’t ever say there’s nothing 

to do. You can eat at Bar Louie 

after seeing a late-movie at 

Emagine Theater, before you go 

to MBargo or even on a boring 

Tuesday night. They are open 

from 11 a.m. and serve food until 

2 a.m. It’s family-friendly for 

lunch and dinner, but get a 

babysitter if you want to come 

after 10. That’s when the party 

starts. 

Bar Louie, (248) 662-1100 

The newest Rice Bowl in the Millender Center 

the Millender Center, which is the chain’s 

flagship. I would have gone there if I was 

in the area. Owner Paul Kado and his partner 

Freddy Liu invested $400,000 in 

upgrades there, and it even has a museum. 

The interesting thing about the Rice 

Bowl is there is no fusion of Middle 

Eastern influences at all, like those found 

at Shanghai Kabob or Sweet & Sour Tikka. 

Just because a Chaldean guy owns it 

doesn’t mean he has to stick to his roots. 

Rice Bowl Asian Kitchen, 

(313) 871-7000 




KIDS corner 

It’s school time 

again! You’re 

probably feeling 

excited and maybe 

a little sad that 

summer is over. 

Some kids feel 

nervous or a little 

scared on the first 

day of school 

because of all the 

new things: new 

teachers, new 

friends and maybe 

even a new school. 

Luckily, these “new” 

worries only stick 

around for a little 

while. Let’s find out 

more about going 

back to school. 

THE FIRST DAY 

Most teachers kick off the school year by 

introducing themselves and talking about all 

the stuff you’ll be doing that year. Some teachers 

give students a chance to tell something 

about themselves to the rest of the class. 

When teachers do the talking on the first 

day, they often go over classroom rules so 

you’ll know what’s allowed and what’s not. 

Pay close attention so you’ll know if you need 

to raise your hand to ask a question and what 

the rules are about visiting the restroom. 

You might already know a lot of people in 

your classes on the first day. But it’s a great 

day to make a new friend, so try to say hello 

to kids you know and new ones that you 

don’t. Make the first move and you’ll be glad 

you did and so will your new friend! 

MOVING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL? 

Sixth grade often signals a move to middle 

school or junior high, where you’ll find lockers 

and maybe a homeroom. This is just what it 

sounds like — a classroom you’ll go to each 

morning, kind of like your home in the school. 

In middle school, you might move from classroom 

to classroom for each subject. Your 

teachers know that this is a big change from 

elementary school and will help you adjust. 

Most teachers let you pick your own seat on 

the first day, but by the second or third morning, 

they’ll have mapped out a seating plan. 

It’s a good idea to write down where your seat 

is in your notebook so you don’t forget. 

FEELING GOOD ON DAY ONE 

Seeing friends you haven’t seen in a while 

can make the first day a good one. You also 

can make the day feel special by wearing an 

outfit you like. Maybe you got a great T-shirt 

on vacation, or your new sneakers put a 

spring in your step. If you wear a uniform, 

you might wear a favorite watch or piece of 

jewelry to show your personal style. 

It can make you feel good to be prepared 

and have all the supplies you need. Some 

schools distribute supply lists before the year 

begins, so you can come stocked up on pencils, 

folders and whatever else you’ll be 

needing. Once you’ve covered the basics, 

you might tuck an extra dollar or two in 

your backpack for an emergency (like forgetting 

your lunch money). Or maybe you’d like 

to bring along a book or magazine to read 

while you’re on the bus. 

Whatever you put in your backpack, make 

sure you pack it the night before. This prevents 

the morning panic when you can’t find 

your homework or lunch box. Speaking of 

lunch, that’s something else that can help you 

feel good at school — whether it’s the first day 

or the 100th day. Pack it the night before if 

you don’t like what’s on the menu at the cafeteria. 

Try to include a variety of foods in your 

packed lunch, especially fruits and vegetables. 

GET ORIENTED 

The first day of school is your first chance to 

find your way around a new school, or learn 

the pathways to new classes in your old 

school. It’s a lot to learn in one day, so don’t 

be surprised if you need a reminder or two. 

It might help to write a few notes to yourself, 

so you’ll remember the important stuff, 

like your locker combination and that lunch 

starts at 11:43, not 12:10. Before you know it, 

your fingers will fly as you open your locker 

and you won’t have to check your notes to 

know what time lunch starts! 

A BAD START? 

What if you hate school by the end of day 

one? Teachers recommend giving things 

some time to sort themselves out — once you 

know your way around the building and get 

adjusted to the new routine, you’ll probably 

feel better. If those feelings don’t fade, talk to 

your mom, dad, teacher or school counselor. 

HERE ARE A FEW FINAL 

TIPS FOR A FANTASTIC FIRST DAY: 

• Get enough sleep. 

• Eat a healthy breakfast. 

• Try your best. 

• Develop good work habits, like writing 

down your assignments and turning in your 

homework on time. 

• Take your time with school work. If you 

don’t understand something, ask the teacher. 

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF KIDSHEALTH — KIDSHEALTH.ORG AND TEENSHEALTH.ORG. © 1995-2008. THE NEMOURS FOUNDATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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248-355-4850 

MAGNIFICENT LAKEFRONT HOME 

Over 10,000 sq. ft. 5 BR, 8 full 

and 2 half baths. Built-in pool, 

finished walkout. 120 ft. lake 

frontage. 6 car gar. $1.2 million. 

Cheryl Feldman 248-933-4690 

Real Estate One 

WEST BLOOMFIELD COLONIAL 

3600+ sq ft. granite kitchen 

w/ hardwood floors. High ceilings, 

priv treed lot. Wraparound deck. 

Only $389,000. Howard Novetsky 

248-613-1935 Real Estate One

event 

1 2 3 

5 6 

ryder cup 

party 

8 

PHOTOS BY NORA BAHROU DOWN 

Golfers young and old took to the links at Shenandoah Country Club 

August 1-2 for the annual Chaldean Ryder Cup. The older men crushed the 

young upstarts – but rivalries were forgotten by Saturday night’s big party. 


4 

7 

9 

10 

1. Two-year-old 

Jenna Acho 

2. Domenic 

Belcastro and Nick 

Lossia 

3. Sal & Oliva Kesto 

4. Martin & Monica 

George, Vinos & 

Robert Kassab, 

Lillian & Joe Shallal, 

Julian Jaddou and 

Chriss Karrumi 

5. Leila & Johny 

Kello, Mariann & 

Mike Sarafa and 

Domnita & Mark 

Sheena 

6. JR Kassab, Bruce 

Toma, Todd Moore 

and Joe Sitto 

7. James & Vivian 

Khames and Nicole 

& Mark Seman 

8. Harry Barash, 

Mike Zeer, Steve 

Gappy, Sal Kesto, 

Gabe Zawaideh and 

Maher Sarafa 

9. Ray Putrus and 

Frank Konja 

10. Christina Yono 

and Natalie Haji 


event 

1 

2 

6 

7 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 


3 4 5 

9 

8 

1. Chaldean dancers 

2. An appreciative crowd 

3. Gianni Mikhail 

4. Art browsing 

5. Former world 

champion boxer Tommy 

Hearns and a friend 

6. Big crowds 

7. Elais Kashat 

8 & 9. Dancers clasp hands 

10. Darrian Garmo, 

Daniella Garmo 

and Ann Jarjis 

11. Rami Al-Essa 

12. Happy faces 

13. Cousins Jenna Atchu 

and Austin Hermiz 

14. Majid Zangilou 

15. Brooke Anton 

chaldean festival 


Despite iffy first-day weather, 

thousands of people turned out 

for the Third Annual Chaldean 

Festival held August 9-10 in 

Southfield. Presented by the 

Chaldean Chamber Foundation, 

part of the proceeds benefitted 

St. George Chaldean Catholic 

Church in Shelby Township. 


event 

1 

feast 

of the 

assumption 


Hundreds gathered at Camp 

Chaldean on August 14 for a 

special outdoor Mass in honor of 

the Feast of the Assumption 

of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

SEPTEMBER 2008

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