JULY 2008

VOL. 5 ISSUE VI 

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY JULY 2008 

$2 

INSIDE 

GARDENS OF DELIGHT 

A CHALDEAN CONVERT 

THE RESTAURANT SCENE 

www.chaldeannews.com 

BAD 

BETS 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

GAMBLING THEIR 

LIVES AWAY 

The Chaldean News 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334 

PLEASE DELIVER BY JULY 1, 2008 

PERIODICAL

JULY 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 3

4 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2008



CONTENTS 

THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 5 ISSUE VI 

on the cover 

29 BAD BETS 

BY JOYCE WISWELL 

Community members gambling their lives away 

JULY 2008 

features 

15 MORE ABOUT US 

Further results from the Chaldean Household Survey 

20 POSH B’SHLAMA, 

SUPERINTENDENT FABER 

BY CRYSTAL KASSAB JABIRO 

Beloved educator retires from West Bloomfield Schools 

29 

23 A FESTIVE SUMMER 

BY ERIC YOUNAN 

Chaldeans celebrate heritage at special events 

20 

24 

24 HOW DO THEIR GARDENS GROW? 


Area Chaldeans take to the soil 

27 THE LORD’S TIME 

BY CAROLINE M. BACALL 

Kairos retreats make a difference for youth 

33 FINDING FAMILY 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Former foster child is welcomed into a Chaldean home 

37 ‘LITTLE BAGHDAD’ 

THRIVES IN SWEDEN 

BY JENNIFER CARLILE 

Sodertalje is home to Iraqi Christians 

31 

departments 

8 FROM THE EDITOR 

9 IN OUR VIEW 

10 YOUR LETTERS 

13 GUEST COLUMN 

BY BASIL BACALL 

One year later, 

Adopt-A-Refugee Family 

program offers hope 

14 NOTEWORTHY 

44 

14 NANA SAYS 

14 YOU KNOW YOU’RE 

CHALDEAN IF … 

16 CHAI TIME 

19 HALHOLE 

39 KIDS CORNER 


Spice Up Your Lazy, Hazy Summer 

sports 

34 SPORTS ROUNDUP 

BY STEVE STEIN 

40 THE CHALDEAN PALATE 


Italia Fresca and the Bayside Grille 

42 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS 

44 EVENTS 

Chaldean Commencement 

Father’s Day Dinner 


from the EDITOR 

Gambling on … 

In my nearly four years of 

marriage, my husband and I 

have been on two casinorelated 

trips — one to Vegas 

and one at Niagara Falls. I 

cringed every time I lost at the 

slots or on the tables. My husband 

won in Niagara Falls; in 

fact he won enough to cover 

the trip. In Vegas, we were not 

so lucky. 

Gambling was never an 

interest of mine. I play Koun 

Kan (the Chaldean-style card game) 

but if I lose more than $20, I am not 

happy. I am not a good Koun Kan player, 

so needless to say, I don’t play 

much. I have other vices — gambling is 

not one of them. I work way too hard to 

lose my money in a matter of minutes. 

My husband loves playing the lottery. 

He has so many similar traits to 

my father that at times I get a little 

freaked out. Like my father, my husband 

likes to play the numbers and 

thankfully just like my dad, Ronnie 

VANESSA 

DENHA- 

GARMO 

EDITOR 

knows his limits. He bets a 

couple of dollars a week, has 

his favorite numbers. 

Unfortunately, just like my 

dad, he has not won. 

I can understand how 

gamblers get sucked into the 

excitement. It can be a nailbiting, 

adrenal-pumping situation 

but it is only fun when you 

win. Unfortunately, the odds 

are not in your favor. 

This month we feature 

gambling as our cover story. We are 

saddened to report that this is becoming 

a tremendous problem in the community 

— families are losing their 

homes and businesses, and their credit 

is tanking. 

These desperate times force people 

to reach for desperate measures, 

so we have community members playing 

cards, betting at race tracks, playing 

the lottery and heading to the casinos 

several times a week. 

It is safe to say these members of 

our community are taking a big gamble 

on their life savings. We not only report 

the facts but we offer some help. We 

are providing sources and tips that we 

hope will help problem gamblers stop 

or at least slow down their pace, cut 

their losses and move on. 

We know that these tough economic 

times are the worst time to start 

These desperate 

times force people to 

reach for desperate 

measures. 

rolling the dice. We need to hold onto 

our savings and think about becoming 

frugal. If you have a family member 

who is living on the edge, we hope you 

will get them some help. Reading 

Joyce Wiswell’s story this month may 

hit very close to home for some of you. 

Gambling can be a stress releaser 

for many people. With the help of a 

therapist, you may find other ways to 

cope with boredom and stress. One 

way some people find solace is to garden. 

This month, we visited with some 

members outside their homes as they 

showed off their talents. We have flowers 

and vegetables that fill yards 

across the tri-county area. We highlight 

just a few of them. 

The problems some people face 

may be unthinkable to others. I had the 

opportunity to meet a very bright and 

caring young woman last month. We 

chatted over coffee about her life and 

being rescued by a Chaldean family. 

Melissa Siirila is barely in her 20s and 

has lived through more heartache and 

pain then most of us will in a lifetime. 

An orphan at 12, she now lives with the 

Shamas family, who welcomed her into 

their modest home two years ago. 

This is what charitable giving is all 

about. However, the Shamas family 

didn’t look at helping Siirila as charity; 

instead they viewed it as gaining a family 

member who they love. They gambled 

on something a little different — 

on a stranger — who they now call 

daughter, sister and fiancé. Needless 

to say, they won. 

Alaha Imid Koullen 

(God Be With Us All) 

Vanessa Denha-Garmo 

vdenha@chaldeannews.com 


in our VIEW 

Gambling wreaks havoc on community 

First, the state introduced a lottery. 

It expanded from instant tickets 

to a daily game; then to twice 

daily; then to a lotto drawing and then 

to a multi-state mega drawing. Then 

came the casinos, first to Windsor then 

three to Detroit. The three in Detroit 

got bigger and fancier. Next came the 

mass popularization of Texas hold ‘emstyle 

poker in homes, at clubs, for the 

young and old, rich and poor. Add all 

this to the age-old sports betting. 

The proliferation of gambling in 

Michigan over the last 10-20 years is a 

scourge on the general populous and 

Chaldeans in particular. While most 

people gamble responsibly, an important 

minority do not. In those cases, 

families are being broken up, businesses 

ruined and homes repossessed. 

Gambling losses are more prevalent 

on individual tax returns than at any 

other time in history. 

Some men play poker multiple 

times per week while bills are left 

unpaid. Some Chaldean women are 

regular daytime patrons of the four 

local major casinos. Unable to break 

their habit, stories abound about personal 

bankruptcies, family fallouts and 

mental breakdowns. Family members, 

who were previously willing to 

try to help, cut off all ties. Some 

storeowners raid their own cash registers 

to head to the casinos midday. 

Like the many who work 60-80 hours 

a week, they’re stuck in the store and 

can fall victim to their own lottery 

machines, sometimes playing hundreds 

of dollars a day. Sunday football 

booking has expanded to hockey, 

soccer and even the Olympics. 

These kinds of stories are happening 

every day. The bad habits they represent 

often turn into addictions. The 

consequences can be grave not only 

for those involved but the community 

as well. Vendor, supplier, bank and 

home mortgagor receivables are all 

taking second priority over gambling 

debt. Money that formerly went to 

schools, clubs, churches and other 

charitable organizations is being 

preyed upon by casinos. Tens of thousands 

of dollars are changing hands 

weekly across the poker table as the 

losers have to dip into their savings or 

businesses to recover from a big loss 

the night before. 

Awareness, education and programmatic 

services are badly lacking. 

There is a pervasiveness that begs for 

The consequences can be grave not only for those involved but the 

community as well. Vendor, supplier, bank and home mortgagor 

receivables are all taking second priority over gambling debt. 

action, deserves outrage and beckons 

for help. Our children are growing up 

with the idea that gambling is okay and, 

in some cases, are being taught that it 

is part of our culture. Yet the community 

is mostly silent. 

This issue of the Chaldean News 

aims to help end the silence. 

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 


your LETTERS 

By the Students 

For the Students 

The Chaldean American Student 

Association (CASA) has been 

changed to the Student Organization 

of Chaldean Americans (SOCA). 

Some questions have arisen regarding 

this change, and as an office holder 

since 2004, I would like to provide further 

insight into our decision. 

Initially established in 1993 at the 

University of Michigan-Dearborn, 

CASA has served as a binding force 

for Chaldean students in their efforts to 

provide community service and in 

building a network of friends. Recently, 

we were approached by an individual 

who aims to take credit for the years of 

hard work that thousands of our members 

have contributed in order to make 

CASA what it is today. 

This individual, who has never had 

any affiliation with CASA, secretly registered 

for the name legally under the 

state of Michigan without our consent 

or knowledge, in an attempt to hijack 

CASA. This individual attempted to 

entice us with grant money in an effort 

to lure our members into allowing his 

takeover. After countless appeals to 

leave us be, this individual has uncompromisingly 

rejected our pleas. After a 

long process of deliberation, where we 

spoke to our Chaldean leaders, conducted 

countless meetings with mediators, 

and have exhausted all other 

options, we have come to the decision 

to change our name and start off fresh. 

With this decision has come some 

criticism, as was expected. “Why not 

accept his help?” “Why are you abandoning 

your years of hard work?” “Why 

not just give in?” While these questions 

contain some validity, it seems that 

there is a critical point missing. 

CASA’s mission had absolutely 

nothing to do with petitioning for grants. 

It was to create a sense of home away 

from home, so that we as students can 

grow and mature into adults who will 

become true leaders and continue to 

give back to our community. What we 

all need to understand is that the beauty 

of CASA was in its simplicity. As 

everyone must know, where there is 

money, peace cannot be found. 

After dropping CASA and embracing 

the name SOCA, it seems that we 

are being criticized for our unwillingness 

to accept the turn of events which 

has placed this stranger into demanding 

to be a self-imposed leader amidst 

our family of members. It seems that 

we are being criticized for our determination 

to be free of the evils that come 

with money. It seems that we are being 

criticized for our will to remain 

autonomous and self-reliant. It seems 

that we are being criticized for remaining 

liberated from dictates of a “leader” 

who does not know that SOCA stands 

for love and family, not for money. We, 

the students, are SOCA. We, the hard 

working, sweat-bearing, tear-shedding 

Chaldean youth, who have dedicated 

countless hours, generosity and devotion 

beyond measure, are SOCA. We, 

the leaders of tomorrow, are SOCA. 

We are capable and competent to 

pave the way to success, as we have 

done once before, through our hard 

work and with the grace of God on our 

side. SOCA is, was, and always will be 

a student-based organization, run by 

the students for the students. 

– Madana Hermiz 

Vice President 

Oakland University SOCA 

A Founder Weighs In 

As a co-founder of the first CASA at U 

of M-Dearborn in 1993, I am disappointed 

that one of our own community 

members would take a name that 

has permeated throughout the 

Chaldean community for 15 years and 

make it his own [CASA Controversy, 

June 2008]. While legally he had the 

right, morally and ethically I feel it was 

inappropriate to do so without consulting 

with the current CASA chapters in 

a professional and respectful manner. 

I am also deeply saddened that 

the CASA members have voted to 

change their name to avoid links to 

[Robert] Kakos’ organization. It’s a 

name that I recall “kicking around” 

with my friend, Fred Ayar, at the U- 

Mall. A name many worked so hard 

to build. CASA was proudly built on 

the premise of education. We spoke 

to Chaldeans at several high schools 

and encouraged them to go to college 

and we gave out scholarships at 

CFA’s Commencements. Hundreds 

of students have continued the legacy 

that was established in the early 

‘90s, and for Robert Kakos to take 

the name away is a shame. But 

despite my disappointment with this 

decision, it is a decision that was 

voted upon democratically and I must 

respect that. 

Shame also lies in the way he and 

his friend Steve Jajoune attacked the 

writer for the article in a chain of rude 

and disrespectful e-mails sent out to 

various community members. Robert 

Kakos was given the opportunity to 

comment for the story numerous 

times, but it was his choice to decline. 

Hiding behind e-mails is not only cowardly 

but highly unprofessional, especially 

for someone who is supposedly 

doing this for the good of the 

Chaldean community. The article is 

defended by many as well-written and 

totally fair. 

– Zeina (Kassab) Sharak 

Commerce Township 


Bring in the New 

An open letter to CASA Presidents: 

I am writing to your group with my independent 

opinion. 

As an alumnus of Oakland 

University where the student body has 

seen two Chaldean presidents, I witnessed 

our community succeed at 

such a major level of education and 

organization. This success could not 

be obtained without the unconditional 

support of the Chaldean students. 

Our generation has and will accomplish 

many independent achievements. 

We, first- and second-generation 

Chaldean Americans, have had access 

to resources set forth by our parents 

and community. The resources I mention 

are limited due to the fact that our 

community has not worked together to 

pool them. This is the major issue our 

generation has to address. 

The independent Chaldean mentality 

has to change, and CASA changing 

its name is a product of this. The 

democratic structure is at work for the 

current CASA presidents, and your 

decisions are made at a majority consensus. 

However, the so-called dilemma 

that is attributed to the state of the 

current CASA needs to be reexamined. 

This is a perfect example of how our 

community has failed our generation. If 

we are not open to ideas and do not 

welcome the pooling of our resources, 

we will struggle as a community. 

I agree that the sequence of events 

made by [Robert] Kakos seemed 

shady, but he is onto something good. I 

am sure the former CASA with a new 

name can accomplish the same, but if 

you implement a new CASA, we are 

back to square one. The federal recognition 

he has created is just a minor step 

to what we can accomplish as a community 

working together. All this nonsense 

can be clarified in legal terms 

with legally structured agreements and 

proper accounting, with CPA-signed 

federal and state reporting, and a 

secure internal control system. 

We need to work together as a 

community, and an agreement with the 

new CASA should be set in writing. 

Our generation needs to change from 

the old and bring in the new, working 

together as one structure. 

– Kiar Gamsho 

Bloomfield Hills 

Battling Misconceptions 

Just finished reading your column on 

Chaldeans and I just loved it! [From 

the Editor, Chaldeans: Who Are We? 

June 2008] When I read the part of 

what other students in your Wayne 

State class thought of Chaldeans, it 

was quite sad to hear what they think of 

us. I love the way you represent 

Chaldeans. 

– Fay Samona 

Marysville 

PUBLISHED BY 

The Chaldean News, LLC 

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GUEST column 

One year later, Adopt-A-Refugee 

Family program offers hope 

Often overlooked in 

media coverage of the 

Iraq War is the plight 

of the nation’s indigenous 

population – Christians and 

other religious minorities. 

Facing religious persecution, 

kidnappings and murder, more 

than 50,000 families have 

been forced from their homeland 

into neighboring countries. 

Considered “refugees,” 

they are left with no other 

choice than to seek safety 

anywhere they can. There 

they live a squalid existence, unable to 

work legally and send their children to 

school. Some mothers have turned to 

prostitution in a desperate attempt to 

keep their children fed. Food, water 

and other basic necessities have 

become exceedingly scarce. Entire 

families are homeless, hungry and desperate. 

Thanks to the Chaldean Federation 

of America (CFA) and the Adopt-a- 

Refugee Family program, an increasing 

number of families have hope. The 

program, launched in July 2007, allows 

concerned Chaldeans to directly help 

Iraqi refugees. Thanks to an anonymous 

benefactor who pays all administrative 

costs, the CFA guarantees that 

100 percent of donations go directly to 

the family. 

I’m happy to provide a report of the 

program’s first year. As of June, the 

program has “adopted” more than 

1,650 refugees and hopes to adopt at 

least 4,000 refugees by the end of 

2008. The funds collected are sent 

overseas on a monthly basis. A total of 

$500,000 has been pledged in which 

$180,000 has been sent overseas and 

an additional $320,000 has been committed 

by our generous supporters in 

the Chaldean community. 

Anyone can adopt a refugee family 

– a first-grade class, a family, a church 

group, a bowling league or even a 

prayer group. The donors are encouraged 

to keep in touch with their family 

by postcards and letters. Donors can 

see the progress that the family makes 

as they adapt to their new lives. 

The following is a quick overview of 

how the program works: 

1) A donor family in the United 

States will commit to adopting a 

refugee family in Jordan, Syria, 

Lebanon or Turkey. 

2) The Jesuits in one of those countries 

provide us with a list of refugee 

families ranked from those most in 

need of help first. 

BASIL 

BACALL 

SPECIAL TO 

THE CHALDEAN 

NEWS 

3) The Adopt-a-Refugee 

Family program matches the 

donor families with the 

refugee families according to 

supply and demand. 

4) After the match is done 

the donor family sends an 

average of $100 to $150 a 

month to the Adopt-a- 

Refugee-Family program. 

The Adopt-a-Refugee Family 

program wires 100 percent of 

the money to the Jesuits (or 

other approved organizations) 

in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and 

Turkey. 

5) The Jesuits forward 100 percent 

of the money to the respective families. 

6) The refugee family must sign a 

receipt of receiving the Refugee- 

Family money. They are provided a 

stamped postcard addressed to the 

donor family acknowledging the donation 

was received on such date for 

such month (kind of a thank you note). 

The card is mailed by the Jesuit 

organization to the Adopt-a-Refugee 

Family program and then forwarded to 

the donors here in the U.S. 

This process completes the circle 

and lets the donor family feel good 

about 100 percent of the money 

being received. This starts a very 

special relationship between the two 

families during these very difficult 

times. And it will bring the whole 

Chaldean community closer at a time 

when we all need it. 

Life has changed for all Christians 

but is particularly heartbreaking for the 

refugees. These once proud and selfsufficient 

doctors, lawyers, teachers 

and business owners no longer have a 

country to call home. Many fled Iraq 

with only the clothes on their backs 

and now languish in Jordan and Syria 

where they cannot work, attend school 

or receive medical care. The eventual 

goal is to resettle in another country, a 

process that takes years. To date, 

there are still about 700,000 displaced 

Iraqis who are in need of help. We’re 

only scratching the surface. 

Thanks to the Adopt-a-Refugee 

Family program, these families have 

some hope. It only takes one big heart 

to spread the love and generosity that 

keeps them moving towards the future. 

We need your help. For volunteer 

opportunities, more information, or to 

make a donation today, visit 

www.adoptarefugeefamily.org. 

Hotelier Basil Bacall is chairman of the 

CFA’s Adopt-a-Refugee-Family program. 

Visit www.chaldeannews.com 


NOTEworthy 

Bagel Bonanza 

After selling a lot of bagels – a thousand 

dollars’ worth, in fact – the St. 

Regis Student Council donated the 

profits to the Chaldean American 

Ladies of Charity. Pictured are the 

club’s officers with CALC’s Clair 

Konja: Vice President Jolene Jaddou 

(left), Treasurer Janine Yasso, 

Secretary Anthony Shallal and 

President Eric Denha. 

CALC Elects 

New Officers 

Sally Najor has been elected the new 

president of the Chaldean American 

Ladies of Charity (CALC). LeeAnn 

Kirma will serve as vice president, Rita 

Foumia as treasurer, and Gloria 

Kassab as secretary. 

Board members are Margaret 

Butti, Julie Garmo, Renee Yaldo, 

Nida Samona and Jane Shallal. 

Inventor 

Does It Again 

When Josephine Elizabeth Fermanian’s 

son, Roman, refused to take PediaLyte 

when he was sick, she began concocting 

alternatives. The result is 

PediaOrganic, a natural drink formulated 

to contain appropriate levels of 

electrolytes, water, and carbohydrates 

to maintain proper hydration. 

“We tested PediaOrganic up 

against natural brands and all 40 children 

chose PediaOrganic,” reported 

Fermanian, who also developed a 

green cleaning product called Germs 

Begone several years ago. 

“Finally, an oral electrolyte drink that 

kids actually want to drink,” Fermanian 

says of her new product, which contains 

no artificial ingredients. 

PediaOrganic, which costs about $7.99 

for 32 ounces, is available locally at Mills 

Pharmacy in Birmingham, Plum Market 

in Bloomfield, Good Food in Troy and 

On the Road 

with the CN 

These ladies would never dream of traveling 

without their favorite magazine. 

Pictured in front of the famed Blue Mosque 

in Istanbul, Turkey, on a recent journey 

overseas are Kim Shallal (left), Mia 

Sturm, Carmen Shallal Yonan, Marcine 

Karmo, Anita Bodiya, Celia Shallal, 

Caroline Shallal and Sheila Esshaki. 

Share your vacation photos with The 

Chaldean News! Send a picture featuring 

the magazine and a famous landmark (if 

possible) to info@chaldeannews.com, or 

30095 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 

Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 

Warren Sav-More Prescriptions in 

Farmington Hills, among other stores. 

Fermanian is also in talks with Whole 

Foods and Wal-Mart. Learn more at 

www.pediaorganic.com. 

Sterling Heights 

Makes the List 

What do Sterling Heights and Honolulu 

have in common? Both made the list of 

100 Best Places to Raise a Family by 

Best Life magazine. 

NANA says 

Throwing hot water outside 

when someone leaves for a 

vacation means good luck and 

a safe arrival back home. 

When you get the hiccups 

it means you’re growing taller. 

Thanks to all who shared their 

Nana-isms. Keep them coming to 

info@chaldeannews.com, or write 

to The Chaldean News, 30095 

Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, 


Sterling Heights, which has a large 

Chaldean presence, ranked 95th. Other 

Michigan cities on the list are Ann Arbor 

(30th place) and Grand Rapids (35). 

The magazine used data from a 

number of statistical agencies and 

looked at safe places to raise children, 

schools, test scores, museums, parks, 

housing and commute times. 

Denha Joins 

Wayne County 

Valerie Denha has been appointed by 

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano 

as an Executive in the 

Management and 

Budget department. 

She will be working on 

various strategic initiatives, 

including business 

enterprise development 

for the County 

Executive’s Office. Valerie Denha 

Denha has her Master 

of Business Administration from the 

University of Michigan, Ross School of 

Business in Ann Arbor. She is the daughter 

of Michael and Nedal Denha. 

ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT MICK 

you know you’re 

CHALDEAN if… 

LA Insurance 

Prevails at 

Golf Outing 

You own a gold 

cross necklace. 

You play cards 

‘till the break of dawn. 

You never run out 

of rizza (rice). 

Share your ideas! E-mail 

info@chaldeannews.com or write 

to The Chaldean News, 

30095 Northwestern Highway, 


It was a full house at Shenandoah 

Country Club for the Fifth Annual 

Golf Outing of the Chaldean 

American Chamber of Commerce’s 

Chaldean Foundation on June 19. 

Once again, the event was a sell-out 

with 144 golfers – and once again, as 

they have for every single year of the 

outing, the team from L.A. Insurance 

had the best score. Pictured are the 

winners contemplating a putt: Todd 

Moore (left), Sam Yono, Jr., Joseph 

Sitto and Brian Najor.

More About Us 

More results from the Chaldean Household Survey, conducted by the 

United Way and Walsh College, became available after press time. 

Here are some more interesting facts about Metro Detroit’s 

Chaldean-American community. 

MEDIAN 

HOUSING 

VALUE 

BUSINESS 

OWNERSHIP 

CHALDEAN 

COMMUNITY 

$339,100 

U.S. NATIONAL 

AVERAGE: 

$185,200* 

*As of 2006, the most recent number available. 

The survey’s 1,498 respondents own: 

351 convenience stores (19.9%) 

334 rental properties/real estate 

holdings (18.9%) 

138 supermarkets (7.8%) 

128 gas stations (7.3%) 

110 cell phone stores (6.2%) 

91 hotels (5.2%) 

44 restaurants (2.5%) 

42 insurance companies (2.4%) 

Other business types, coming in small 

numbers, include contracting/construction, 

pizza shops, wholesale businesses, law 

offices, accounting firms, hair salons and 

real estate agencies. 

CHURCH 

ATTENDANCE 

Regularly 59.4% 

Occasionally 33.4% 

Holidays 7% 

Do not attend 0.1% 

For comparison, 55 percent of Catholics 

and 44 percent of the general adult population 

attend church on a typical weekend, 

according to the Barna Group. 

CHURCHES 

FREQUENTED 

St. Thomas 44% 

Mother of God 22.1% 

St. George 14.5% 

St. Joseph 14.1% 

Mar Addai 4.9% 

St. Toma Syriac 0.7% 

Sacred Heart 0.4% 

Other 23.9% 

Includes Shrine of the Little Flower, 

St. Hugo in the Hills, 

Prince of Peace, St. Fabian 

HEALTH 

MATTERS 

CORRECTION 

The survey respondents reported 

someone in their household having: 

High Blood Pressure 64.8% 

Diabetes 37.6% 

Heart Disease 19.4% 

Cancer 17.8% 

Colitis 5.2% 

Crohn’s Disease 3.4% 

Incorrect information was supplied with the 

initial survey results. The statement that 95% 

of Chaldeans come from Telkaif, Iraq, is false. 


CHAI time 

CHALDEANS CONNECTING 

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT JULY 2008 

[Wednesday, July 2] 

Cigars: The Chaldean Cigar Club 

enjoys “Smokandoah” with cocktails, 

free appetizers and stogies beginning 

at 6:30 p.m. at Shenandoah Country 

Club. Non-members are welcome with 

a member. 

[Wednesday, July 2 – 

Sunday, July 6] 

Comerica Cityfest: Large summer festival, 

formerly known as Tastefest, includes 

music, food and culture in Detroit’s New 

Center (West Grand Boulevard between 

Cass and Third avenues). 

www.newcenter.com/cityfest/2008 

[Friday, July 11 – 


APBA Gold Cup: Hydroplane races 

along the Detroit River draw scores of 

people each year. Bring a picnic or buy 

food on-site. General admission is $15 

for all three days; kids 12 and under 

free. Viewing from Waterworks 

Grandstands is free on Friday. 

Memorial Annex Park and 

Chrysler/Henderson Park, 

Detroit. (586) 774 – 0980 

or www.gold-cup.com. 

[Thursday, July 17 – 


Concert of Colors: 16th 

annual musical festival has 

acts from a variety of 

nations and genres. 

Admission is free. 

Cityfest 

has 

something 

for 

everyone 

including 

a George 

Clinton 

concert 

and 

skateboard 

demos. 

Presented by ACCESS (Arab 

Community Center for 

Economic and Social Services). 

Max M. Fisher Music Theater, 

Detroit. View a schedule at 

www.accesscommunity.org. 

[Saturday, July 19 – 


Arab & Chaldean Festival: 

37th annual festival 

showcases Middle 

Eastern food, music, 

fashion, art and culture. 

Hart Plaza, Detroit. 

View a schedule at 

www.arabandchaldeanfestival.com. 

[Thursday, July 24] 

American Idols Live: 

Concert with the top 10 

finalists from the seventh 

season of the popular 

TV show. 7 p.m., Joe 

Louis Arena, Detroit. 

(248) 645-6666. 

[Saturday, July 26 – 


Orchard Lake Fine Art Show: Juried 

show with some 150 artists, some 

making their only Midwest appearance. 

Orchard Lake Schools, corner of 

Indian Trail and Commerce Roads. 

www.hotworks.org. 

[Saturday, July 26] 

Dinner Reception: Los Angeles 

Chapter of the Assyrian Aid Society 

presents a dinner dance with keynote 

speaker Edward Odisho and music by 

Ashur Betsargis. Courtyard Marriott 

Hotel, Sherman Oaks, California. 

(818) 624-1025 or (661) 312-6712. 

[Saturday, August 9 – 

Sunday, August 10] 

Chaldean Festival: Third Annual 

Chaldean Festival, presented by the 

Chaldean Chamber Foundation, takes 

place at Southfield’s Civic Center along 

Evergreen Road. Live music, food, games 

for kids, vendors and more. (248) 538- 

3700 or www.chaldeanchamber.com. 




HALHOLE! 

[Births] 

Ashton Joseph 

Our hearts are filled with happiness, 

our lives are filled with love, 

we have the baby boy we have 

been dreaming of. Ashton Joseph 

Delly was born on April 29, 2008 at 

8:49 a.m. at Royal Oak Beaumont 

Hospital. He weighed 6 lbs., 9 oz. 

and measured 20 inches. Firsttime 

parents are Namir and Melody 

Delly. Ashton is the first grandchild 

for Bahir & Sanaa Bahoora and the 

10th for Shamoon & Nazhat Delly. 

Godparents are John Delly and 

Mandi Bahoora. 

Celeste Anne 

Marcus and Lourdes Arabo welcome 

their new sister to the family, 

Celeste Anne. She was a 2 lb., 

12 oz. miracle who was born at 29 

weeks on September 15, 2007. 

Proud parents are Zaid and 

Renadah Arabo. Grandparents 

are Amer & Niran Karmo and 

Linda & the late Wisam Arabo. 

Joseph Robert 

God has blessed us with our first 

child. Joseph Robert Shelide was 

born on February 13, 2008 weighing 

8 lbs., 6 oz. and measuring 21 

inches long. Blessed parents are 

Robert and Renee (Sesi) Shelide. 

Loving grandparents are Elaine 

Stiller and Hanaa Sesi. Joseph 

was baptized at Mother of God 

Church by godparents James 

Colbeck and Rebecca Sesi. 

Jake Thomas 

Marvin and Sommer announce 

with love the birth of their first 

child, Jake Thomas Yono, born on 

March 2, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. He 

weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz. and measured 

21 inches long. Jake is the 

third grandchild to Munim & 

Sudad Yono and the first grandchild 

to Salman & Yazdan Kassab. 

Godparents are his Aunt Heather 

Kassab and Uncle Marcus Yono. 

Ashton Joseph 

Celeste Anne 

Joseph Robert 

Jake Thomas 

Engagement 

Natalie and Chris 

Christopher Abro and Natalie 

Bashi are happy to announce their 

engagement. On his 23rd birthday 

Natalie planned a surprise dinner 

for Chris but the surprise was 

really on her when he got on his 

right knee and proposed on camera. 

They plan on having their 

wedding in late April 2009. 

Natalie and Chris 


posh b’shlama, 

superintendent faber 

Beloved educator retires from West Bloomfield Schools 


Henry Ford once said, “Anyone 

who stops learning is old, 

whether at 20 or 80. Anyone 

who keeps learning stays young.” 

It seems like learning has done wonders 

for 61-years-young Gary Faber, 

Ph.D. The superintendent of West 

Bloomfield Schools is retiring after 

nearly 40 years in education. 

After graduating from Detroit’s 

Henry Ford High School, Faber attended 

Wayne State for his undergraduate 

and graduate work. In 1978, he 

obtained a Doctorate of Education in 

Curriculum and Secondary Supervision 

& Leadership. Five years later, he 

became principal at West 

Bloomfield High School. 

He had never heard of 

Chaldeans until he got 

there. 

The 1980s proved to be 

a whirlwind of cultural disasters 

at the high school. 

Minority groups, including 

Chaldeans, were just 

emerging. There was an 

air of tension and misunderstanding 

at WBHS, the 

only high school in the township. 

While there were many fights — 

and even more rumors about fights — 

Faber was especially concerned with 

the students’ sense of self-worth. 

People did not understand each other 

and the kids were not feeling good 

about themselves, he said. 

At first, many of the parents were new 

immigrants whose main concern was 

economic stability. Education was not 

always a top priority. While some kids 

were studious and college-bound, most 

were working at the family business with 

Gary Faber, Ph.D. 

the expectation that they 

would continue past graduation. 

This was especially 

consistent with males, 

while females depended 

more on marriage than a 

college diploma. 

As principal, Faber 

provided sensitivity 

training to the faculty so they could be 

more nurturing and sympathetic to the 

needs of their diverse populations like 

Chaldeans. Then the plan was to 

address the entire student body. 

“We tried to make diversity something 

that was an ongoing part of our 

culture,” said Faber. “We didn’t want to 

do it just once.” 

Faber and his staff provided students 

with opportunities to learn about one 

another in different ways. Many 

Chaldean students attended symposiums, 

listened to guest speakers, and 

PHOTO BY DAVID REED 

made their way through a “boot campstyle” 

retreat at Camp Tamarack. 

Rodney Gappy was one of those 

kids. Gappy, now 35, and his friend, 

Martin Manna, worked closely with 

Faber on diversity issues. While they 

were a little resistant, they saw that 

his intentions to help Chaldeans get 

along with the rest of the student 

body were sincere. In particular, 

Chaldeans used to fight with the 

“punk rockers,” Manna recalled. “Dr. 

Faber sat us all down and spoke 

frankly about where we were all coming 

from,” he said. “Then he made us 

meet weekly. It helped us develop 

respect and understanding for one 

another.” 

“It made it easier to coexist with 

each other on a daily basis at school,” 

Gappy agreed. 

SUPERINTENDENT 

continued on page 26 

Gary Faber 

delivers an 

address at a 

graduation 

ceremony. 

A LARGE 

COMMUNITY 

PRESENCE 

As superintendent of 

the West Bloomfield 

School District, Gary 

Faber oversaw one of 

the largest numbers of 

Chaldean employees in 

any school district, 

including: 

SUPPORT STAFF 

Najla Albanna 

Victoria Gabbara 

Ola Jabero 

Nissreen Jamil 

Suzan Karmo 

Amal Kassab 

Janan Kassab 

Vinos Kassab 

Stephanie Nafso 

Nancy Putrus 

Muna Samona 

Claudia Sitto 

Suham Somo 

Mayada Yaldo 

Renee Yousif 

TEACHERS 

Mary Ann Ayar 

Jeremy Denha 

May Denha 

Wafa Farrington 

Brenda Gappy 

Bridgette Gumma 

Talia Hanna 

Mervet Ismail 

Crystal Jabiro 

Harrison Kakos 

Connie Shallal-Johnston 

SOCIAL WORKER 

Sommer Yono 




St. Joseph Festival 

July 20 

2-8 p.m. 

Knights of Columbus Picnic 

Grounds, Shelby Township 

21 Mile Road between Van Dyke 

and Schoenherr 

(248) 528-3676 

a festive summer 

Chaldeans celebrate 

heritage at special events 

BY ERIC YOUNAN 

Every year, Chaldean Americans 

in Metro Detroit enjoy an abundance 

of variety when it comes to 

summer festivals. From the grand 

festival in Southfield to church 

picnics, this year’s lineup boasts a 

wide range of activities for all ages. 

Here are a few worth noting. 

This eighth annual festival 

features a raffle, pizza and 

Middle Eastern food from 

Allos Café. Games for the 

kids include a Moon Walk, 

slide, dunk tank and volleyball. 

Local singers Thiah 

Shina, Munther Fahmi, Salam 

Kakka, Firas Hanna and 

Layalina Band will provide 

the musical entertainment. 

Admission is $10 per car. 

Arab Chaldean Festival 

July 19-20 

Noon-Midnight 

Hart Plaza, Downtown Detroit 

(248) 960-9956 

www.arabandchaldeanfestival.com 

The oldest Arab and Chaldean 

festival in North America celebrates 

its 37th anniversary this 

year. Special cultural exhibits 

include the history of Arab 

medicine, Arab calligraphy, the 

History of Yemen, folklore customs, 

a fashion show and 

Chaldean gifts to the world. 

This year’s festival will also 

include the Fourth Annual 

Children’s Fair, which features 

arts, crafts, games, and fun for 

the entire family. 

Chaldean Festival 

August 9-10 

2-10 p.m. 

Southfield Civic Center Lawn 

Evergreen Road 

(248) 538-3700 

Now in its third year, the 

Chaldean Festival presented 

by the Chaldean Chamber 

Foundation and the City of 

Southfield offers a variety of 

activities, dancing, arts & 

crafts and live music. There 

are also more than 100 food 

and merchant booths and lots 

of activities to keep kids 

happy. Proceeds from the gala 

benefit the Chaldean 

Chamber Foundation, a 

501(c) 3 non-profit charity. 


1 

how do 

their 

gardens 

grow? 

Area Chaldeans 

take to the soil 


THE SECRET GARDEN 

When The Chaldean News 

asked a well-known community 

member to share his gardens 

with our readers, he agreed only 

if we promised not to use his 

name. The request seemed a bit 

over the top – until we saw what 

he so carefully guards. While he 

loves to entertain, “Mr. X” does 

not like unannounced visitors – 

a frequent problem as word 

spreads about his spectacular 

yard. 

The man bought his house 

three years ago and went to work 

transforming its large yard into a 

slice of paradise. The terraced gardens 

contain all sorts of surprises – a 

pet cemetery complete with handcrafted, 

wrought-iron headstones; a 

special area for potting plants and 

another to nurse sick ones back to 

health; a formal dining room with 

3 4 5 

1. Plush lounge chairs – and the occasional hammock – abound. 2. The yard encompasses more than an acre of themed areas tucked into nooks 

3. “Mr. X” surveys his kingdom. The previous homeowner had not used the built-in pool for nine years. It’s now filled with saltwater, which is easier 

4. Stone steps lead up to the “Sanctuary,” a mystical-looking area with comfortable seating and fabric walls. 

5. Just added this year, the “Room of Fire” will include three layers of curtains that can be drawn for privacy. 

walls of white curtains. The homeowner 

does virtually all the work 

himself, including keeping weeds 

away from his hundreds and hundreds 

of flowers. 

“This is my tranquility,” said the 

man about his astounding gardens. “I 

talk to the plants and they talk back 

to me. They’re very happy — there’s 

nothing wilted or dying.” 

GROWING, GROWING, GROWING 

Sabri Kirma is a popular guy come 

harvest time. With nearly 100 tomato 

plants and another 80 producing 

cucumbers in his West Bloomfield 

backyard, he has lots to share with 

friends and neighbors each year. 

Kirma, 70, never tried his hand at 

gardening until he sold his Detroit 

liquor store and retired six years ago. 

His natural green thumb means the 

garden gets larger every year, and 

also includes eggplant, bell peppers, 

beans squash, zucchini, parsley, 

sweet chard, garlic and chives. Some 

varieties are from seeds brought from 

visitors from Iraq. 

The entire garden is enclosed in 

a 6-foot-high fence to keep the deer 

out (one year they polished off all 


2 

PHOTOS BY DAVID REED 

6 

Peter Kattula grows cucumber, 

eggplant, pepper, squash and 

tomatoes each year in his 

garden in Sterling Heights 

(foreground). Behind him are 

the gardens of other neighbors; 

note the grape leaves that 

virtually always signal a Chaldean 

household. At the right is the 

drainage ditch maintained by 

Macomb County. 

and crannies on a variety of terraces. 

to keep clean. 

90 of his bell pepper plants), and 

Kirma and his children rigged up a 

sprinkler system to keep the plants 

watered. 

Keeping the garden is a full-time 

job. “I’m out here more than 40 

hours a week,” Kirma said. “All day 

I’m back here, taking care of this, 

GARDENS 

Continued on page 26 


GARDENS 

Continued from page 25 

taking care of that, pulling weeds out. I get a little 

tired but it feels good too.” 

Kirma enjoys the fruits of his labors. “I eat 8, 10, 

12 tomatoes a day,” he said. “And cucumber and 

tomato salad is my favorite.” 

Wife Najibah freezes the leftovers – including 

some 300 tomatoes – each year so the family can 

always enjoy fresh produce. “She cooks with them 

and it’s just like fresh,” said Kirma. 

Kirma swears the garden will not see further additions. 

“This,” he said sweeping his arm, “is big enough!” 

VEGETABLES FOR ALL 

The homes along Dickson and Stephanie roads in 

Sterling Heights all have something in common – 

a large no-man’s land beyond their back gates with 

a deep drainage ditch that accommodates runoff in 

case of heavy rains. The grassy land sits mostly still 

and silent – until the neighborhood’s Chaldeans 

converge onto their gardens. 

Macomb County takes care of 

mowing the grass along the common 

area, but requires homeowners to tend 

to 15 feet out from their fence lines. 

“You can tell which house has 

Chaldeans – they’re the ones with 

the grape leaves along the fence,” 

said Sue Kattula as she walked 

through her back gate with a visitor. 

Kattula’s subdivision, just built in 

2000, is home to many Chaldean 

families. At least half have taken 

advantage of their “bonus” space to 

plant large vegetable gardens. The 

process is about much more than supplying 

fresh produce, Kattula said. 

“The cool thing is the socialization,” 

she said. “Everyone is out here 

in the evening working in their gardens 

and talking.” 

Kattula plants flowers in her yard 

and said that’s enough. 

“All the gardens are so huge and 

everyone ends up giving so many vegetables 

away,” she noted. “I don’t have 

to plant, because my neighbors do.” 

Clockwise 

from top: 

Sabri Kirma 

spends hours 

digging in 

the soil 

each week. 

This owl works 

on a motion 

detector to 

scare away 

birds – but 

Kirma said 

they come 

anyway. 

Rows and 

rows of tomato 

plants grow 

in the sun. 


SUPERINTENDENT 

continued from page 20 

Over time, Faber observed a generational 

shift in the attitudes of his 

Chaldean students, even through his 

tenure as superintendent since 2002. 

Now, many of WBHS’ Chaldean 

parents have completed high 

school (and college) in America, 

and those moms and dads set rigid 

academic and behavioral expectations 

for their kids. They know 

what it is like, and they want their 

children to fare as well — and even 

better — than they did. 

“Dr. Faber has always been supportive. 

He knows how difficult it 

is for newcomers, and he has high 

expectations for them,” said Talia 

Hanna, WBHS’ English as a 

Second Language teacher. About 

60 of WBHS’s 2,000 students are 

Chaldean refugees who are trying 

to catch up to their American 

counterparts since they have 

missed much schooling. 

Faber said he hopes more 

Chaldean families will enroll their 

kids in pre-school, full-day kindergarten, 

and even summer camps. 

“The kids that have these experiences 

are more ready for school,” 

he said. 

Faber will now work as an educational 

consultant with a Michiganbased 

firm — while also having the 

time to work on his golf game. 

When one walks into WBHS 

and sees “Shlama” (Welcome) on 

the wall in Soureth (and 50 other 

languages), it is clear that Faber’s 

mission to educate all children 

continues to resonate. Twenty-five 

years later, almost all Chaldean students 

graduate from WBHS, go on 

to college and lead successful lives. 

That was his expectation all 

along. 


the lord’s time 

Kairos retreats make a difference for youth 

Whether one has been involved with 

church-related activities on a daily 

basis or barely attends Sunday mass, 

the Kairos Young Adult youth retreats have a 

remarkable impact on participants. This year’s 

event, held June 12-15, was no exception. 

Kairos Young Adult VI, presented by the 

E.C.R.C., included young adults ages 18 to 24 at 

the Columbiere Retreat Center in Clarkston. 

The idea of Kairos was initiated by Fr. Frank 

Kalabat of St. Thomas Parish and Thane Hall, who 

teaches at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield 

Hills. The retreats are approved by Bishop Ibrahim 

Ibrahim. The idea is to instill and build on the 

BY CAROLINE M. BACALL 

Catholic faith for those who wish to have a deeper 

understanding of something that their heritage is 

strongly connected to — solid Catholic faith. 

“Every year, it gets better and better … it is not 

something that’s forced anymore,” said Nancy 

Mezy, director and coordinator of Kairos. 

Troy resident Amir Jr. Hallac, 23, heard about 

Kairos through friends and decided to register in 

hope of getting some direction in his life. “I wanted 

to know who I was,” he said. The retreat helped 

him reach his goal, he said. “I know myself now.” 

Retreat organizers request that specific activities 

be kept confidential so future participants enter the 

experience with an open mind. But it’s safe to say 

that those who attend deeply appreciate the retreat. 

Nineteen-year-old Danielle Kello of West 

Bloomfield heard about Kairos through friends who 

talked about the positive influence it had on their 

lives. She signed up, but was skeptical. “I wasn’t 

sure what to expect,” she said. But by the last day of 

the retreat, Kello said she was inspired. 

“It definitely brought me closer to my religion,” 

she said. “It taught me to not only trust those 

around me, but to trust more in the Lord as well.” 

Crystal Shamoon, 22 and a resident of Sterling 

Heights, also heard about the retreat through word of 

mouth. She described it as an “amazing experience.” 

“The activities were done in creative ways that 

got the message across,” said Shamoon. 

Assyrian/Chaldean John Isaac, 21, was born in 

Baghdad, then moved to London at age 7. Three 

years ago, he relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona. He 

and his brother, Joseph, were enrolled in the retreat 

as a surprise while visiting their aunt in Michigan. 

John said he entered the retreat with distant faith 

for the past three years, but left with confidence. “I 

could say that I’m a true Christian now,” he said. 

Another participant, 18-year-old Veronica Jamil 

of Farmington Hills, describes Kairos as “one big 

family.” She said it was an eye-opener to faith, people 

and different perspectives, and that she 

affirmed, “God works in His ways.” 

To participate in a Kairos retreat, contact the E.C.R.C. 

at (248) 538-9903 or visit www.ecrc.us. 



ad 

Mike Sarafa is concerned. As president of the Bank 

of Michigan, he believes that compulsive gambling 

is taking a rising toll on the Chaldean community. 

“People have literally lost their stores and their homes 

at the Detroit casinos,” says Sarafa, the former president of 

CIAAM (the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of 

Michigan). “Poker, the lottery and sports gambling are also 

taking their toll.” 

Sarafa is far from the only person sounding the alarm. 

“I have treated a couple compulsive gamblers in the 

community – but I have seen a lot more of it,” said Iklas 

Bashi, LPC, a therapist in private practice. “It is so detrimental 

to the family unit – that is the saddest thing of all, 

as is the case with any addiction. It takes control over you.” 

Chaldeans are hardly unique; the state Department of 

Community Health estimates that 300,000 Michigan residents 

are problem gamblers. Two-thirds of these people 

live in Detroit or the suburbs. According to the 

Department of Community Health, the most common 

bets 

Community 

members 

gambling their 

lives away 


type of problem gambling is lottery 

(50.6 percent), followed by casinos 

(34 percent). 

Many worry about the fact that so 

many Chaldeans can easily put their 

hands on large amounts of cash. 

“When you have access to money 

it works against you as far as the healing 

process,” Bashi said. “It’s why 

gambling continues to be a problem 

in the community.” 

Store owners face a particular 

challenge. 

“They’re staring at the cash all day 

and it’s very easy for them to put it in 

their pocket, drive downtown and 

play some blackjack instead of making 

a deposit in the bank,” said 

Sarafa. “Or they play the lottery in 

exorbitant amounts that they can’t 

cover. They short their own register 

rather than the lottery’s so they don’t 

lose their license.” 

Sarafa said potential problem 

gamblers can be spotted by vendors, 

creditors and business partners. “In 

today's economic environment, people 

are less willing to tolerate this 

behavior. People who lose their selfcontrol 

when it comes to managing 

their own money are likely to make 

poor business partners, borrowers or 

customers,” Sarafa said. “It affects the 

entire economic chain of events.” 

STARTING YOUNG 

With the community’s habit of card playing at family gatherings, 

Sarafa is especially worried about the younger generation. 

“Grade-school kids are growing up in an environment 

where gambling is almost condoned,” he said. “They see 

their parents do it and as soon as they have money in their 

pocket, they also start to play for money.” 

Bashi agreed. “Families have gambling parties as a form 

of connecting so it is going from one generation to the 

next. This contributes to the fact that the problem is not 

going away any time soon.” 

Bashi tells the story of one community man in his 20s who 

traveled to Las Vegas with some friends. After losing a hefty 

amount of cash, he called his father – who wired over 

$30,000 more so he could keep playing. She’s also seen young 

adults in debt to bookies for sports wagers. “Their life is being 

GAMBLING 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

TWENTY 

QUESTIONS 

Did you ever lose time from 

work or school due 

to gambling? 

Has gambling ever made 

your home life unhappy? 

Did gambling affect 

your reputation? 

Have you ever felt remorse 

after gambling? 

Did you ever gamble to 

get money with which to 

pay debts or otherwise 

solve financial difficulties? 

Did gambling cause a 

decrease in your ambition 

or efficiency? 

After losing did you feel you 

must return as soon as possible 

and win back your 

losses? 

After a win did you have a 

strong urge to return and 

win more? 

Did you often gamble until 

your last dollar was gone? 

Did you ever borrow to 

finance your gambling? 

Have you ever sold anything 

to finance gambling? 

Were you reluctant to use 

“gambling money” for normal 

expenditures? 

Did gambling make you 

careless of the welfare of 

yourself or your family? 

Did you ever gamble longer 

than you had planned? 

Have you ever gambled to 

escape worry, trouble, boredom 

or loneliness? 

Have you ever committed, 

or considered committing, 

an illegal act to finance 

gambling? 

Did gambling cause you to 

have difficulty in sleeping? 

Do arguments, disappointments 

or frustrations create 

within you an urge to gamble? 

Did you ever have an urge 

to celebrate any good fortune 

by a few hours of gambling? 

Have you ever considered self 

destruction or suicide as a 

result of your gambling? 

Most compulsive gamblers 

will answer YES to at least 

seven of these questions. 

— Courtesy Gamblers Anonymous 

(www.gamblersanonymous.org) 


GAMBLING 


threatened,” she said. “It’s like a scene out of the 

Godfather or the Sopranos.” 

A culture that often emphasizes material goods 

is partly to blame, Bashi said. 

“It seems with Chaldeans, the way they show 

their love is buying their children expensive cars 

and gifts. Parents think they can buy their love and 

affection,” Bashi said. “But children need limits, 

and one way to show love is to set limits.” 

A SPIRITUAL THREAT 

Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, of St. Aloysius in Detroit said 

problem gambling is “common knowledge” in both 

the Chaldean and Arab communities. 

“People gamble because they are empty,” he said. 

“Gambling distracts us from our emptiness and 

Jesus, who alone can fulfill our lives.” 

Fr. Alex said gambling can be a problem despite 

people’s religious faith. 

“A lot of Christians compartmentalize their lives 

and have this whole other sector,” he said. “They are 

not really embracing the inconsistency of spending 

thousands of dollars but not really helping poor people, 

or having responsible spending habits.” 

The Bible gives many examples to steer clear of 

games of chance, said Fr. Alex, including John 19:24, 

in which the Roman soldiers play dice to see who 

will win Jesus’ garment as he lay dying on the cross. 

“I could quote Jesus until I’m blue in the face 

where He says money is the root of evil,” said Fr. 

Alex. “But most Christians ignore the New 

Testament, which is absolutely clean and consistent 

that money is a potential spiritual threat to our livelihood 

and salvation. There is no question about this.” 

A 65-year-old Chaldean woman from West 

Bloomfield, who asked not to be named, said she 

admitted to Fr. Alex in Confession that she was 

playing slot machines more than she should. 

“I’d always been against the casinos but a friend 

came from California and wanted to go,” she said. 

“Then I started going about three times a week, and 

I went to Las Vegas twice in one year. It got a little 

bit heavy so I said, what am I doing?” 

Fr. Alex supplied the woman, who declined to 

total up her losses, with literature and has advised 

her to stop gambling – with mixed results. 

AREA GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS 

MICHIGAN 

HOTLINE 

NUMBER: 

(888) 844-2891 

MONDAY 

Bloomfield Hills Gamblers 

Anonymous (G.A.) 

7:30 p.m. 

Beautiful Savior 

Lutheran Church 

5631 N. Adams 

(North of Long Lake) 

Open Step Meeting 

Livonia G.A. 

7:30 p.m. 

Marian Professional Building 

14555 Laven 

(South entrance St. Mary’s 

Hospital, 4th floor, 

Classroom 11) 

TUESDAY 

Birmingham G.A. 

8 p.m. 

Embury United 

Methodist Church 

1803 E. 14 Mile Road 

Closed Meeting 

Detroit G.A. 

Noon 

Sibley House 

976 E. Jefferson 

Choir Room of Church 

(access through side 

door from parking lot) 

Step Meeting 

WEDNESDAY 

Warren G.A. 

8 p.m. 

Peace Lutheran Church 


West Bloomfield G.A. 

7:30 p.m. 

Maple Grove Clinic 

6773 W. Maple 

(2nd building, back entrance) 

THURSDAY 

Detroit G.A. 

7:30 p.m. 

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 

24699 Grand River 

(South of 7 Mile) 

Open Step Meeting 

Detroit G.A. 

Noon 

Sibley House 



(enter through side door 

from parking lot) 

Open Meeting 

Warren G.A. 

7:30 p.m. 

Christ Lutheran Church 

32300 Schoenherr Road 

Open/Step Meeting 

FRIDAY 

Dearborn Heights G.A. 

7:30 p.m. 

Salvation Army Church 

26700 W. Warren 

Open Meeting 

‘A lot of Christians compartmentalize their lives…They are 

not really embracing the inconsistency of spending thousands 

of dollars but not really helping poor people, or having 

responsible spending habits.’ – FR. ALEX KRATZ 

“In six to eight months I’ve only been to the casino 

once or twice,” she said. “When everyone is going, it’s 

hard to stay away. I see it, it runs in my family. 

Everyone either plays cards at their house or they go to 

the casino. There is always gambling with Chaldeans.” 

SHAME AND EMBARRASMENT 

Denise Phillips, LMSW, a psychotherapist with an 

office in Bloomfield, specializes in treating problem 

gamblers. 

“When I meet clients they have tried a number 

of ways to cut back, like putting their money under 

the floor mat in their car at the casino or leaving 

their credit cards at home. But when they lose they 

go and get them back,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of 

people try in their own way to control it, but eventually 

they have to work toward total abstinence.” 

Like other addicts, often gamblers don’t seek 

help until they are in a crisis, Phillips said. 

Warren G.A. 

7 p.m. 

Renaissance Unity Church 


Open Meeting 

SATURDAY 

Detroit G.A. 

7 p.m. 

Sibley House 



(access through side door 

from parking lot) 

Open Meeting 

Warren G.A. 

10 a.m. 

Renaissance Unity Church 


Open/Step Meeting 

SUNDAY 

Brighton G.A. 

6 p.m. 

St. Patrick Catholic Church 

711 Rickets Road 

Open Meeting 

Lincoln Park G.A. 

5 p.m. 

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 

1325 Champaign 

(Corner of Fort Street) 

Open Meeting 

CLOSED MEETING: 

ONLY THOSE WITH A GAMBLING PROBLEM AND 

HAVE A DESIRE TO STOP GAMBLING MAY ATTEND. 

OPEN MEETING: 

SPOUSES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE GAMBLER 

ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND OBSERVE. 

STEP MEETING: 

FOLLOWS THE 12-STEP PROGRAM. 

“A gambler feels a lot of shame and embarrassment 

about their behavior,” she noted. “People know 

a lot about substance abuse issues but with gambling 

the feeling is, you should be able to just stop. They 

face a lot of judgment in the community so they keep 

the secret. People look at it as a moral issue, but it is 

an emotional illness that can be treated.” 

Problem gamblers are treated with private therapy 

and/or peer support groups. Gamblers Anonymous, a 

12-step program, holds several meetings each day (see 

box) and welcomes newcomers. “The only requirement 

for membership is a desire to stop gambling,” 

says its website (www.gamblersanonymous.org). The 

organization emphasizes that returning to “normal” 

levels of gambling is not an option; compulsives must 

give it up 100 percent for success. 

“The very first step is realizing your helplessness 

and admitting your reliance to God,” said Bashi. 

“Especially for us with our Catholic faith, I see so 

much success when the idea of faith is put in there.” 

Bashi takes some comfort in the fact that the 

issue is becoming more out in the open. 

“People are starting to become a lot more aware 

that there is a problem,” she said. “But I would guess 

the majority are still suffering in silence, and only 

their immediate family knows how extensive the 

problem is.” 


Call Nancy Allen at 248-343-9538 or Nejad Enustun at 248-866-8263 or 

click www.comcastchamber.com 



finding family 

Former foster child is welcomed into a Chaldean home 

Although Melissa Siirila has Italian and 

German blood running through her veins, 

she has the Chaldean culture in her heart. 

A foster child at the age of 12, Siirila does not have 

close ties to her birth family but she feels at home in 

the house of a Chaldean family. 

She is learning to speak both Arabic and 

Aramaic. She greets friends and family by kissing 

on both cheeks, a Chaldean cultural tradition. She 

is learning to cook Chaldean cuisine like hammath 

kebi (meat and cracked wheat) and dolma 

(stuffed grape leaves). She attends English mass at 

Mother of God every Sunday, was baptized in the 

Chaldean Eastern Rite, and spent one year in catechism 

through the Chaldean church. In fact, she 

proudly states that she was the first adult Fr. 

Manuel Boji ever baptized. 

Her warm blue eyes confirm what her mouth 

speaks; she has deep faith and love for God. “I 

always felt good about church,” said Siirila. “My 

family life was broken and at church I felt whole.” 

BY VANESSA DENHA-GARMO 

Jeff Shamas and his father, Edmond, visit with 

Melissa Siirila. Jeff and Melissa plan to be married. 

The 20-year-old nursing student now lives in 

Southfield with the Shamas family who opened 

their hearts and doors to her two years ago, just one 

year after she aged out of the foster care system. 

Siirila was born in Royal Oak but lived most of 

her life in northern Michigan. She was shuffled 

around to four different foster families after her 

mother gave up parental rights to four children. 

It was while living with her last foster family 

that Siirila began to attend church regularly. “They 

are Christian and very involved in their church, 

said Siirila. “When I returned back to the Detroit 

area, I felt lost.” 

She rented an apartment with two roommates. 

Aching for belonging, Siirila found a 

Christian church and began to attend 

Bible study. However, it was when she 

decided to hang out and get a slice of 

pizza once a week at Happy’s Pizza on 

Michigan Avenue that her life turned 

around. The rest of the week she 

worked two jobs — mornings at 

McDonald’s and evenings at a Coney 

Island in Dearborn. 

“Jeff, the owner, asked me what religion 

I was,” said Siirila. “I said that I 

did not know. He then asked me what 

I was reading and told me that I should 

not be reading these books, but needed 

to go to a Catholic church.” 

Over several months, Siirila told her story to 

Jeff Shamas. 

Siirila has lived through what most teenage 

girls only see unfold in a Hollywood movie. She 

PHOTO BY RAMIZ ROMAYA 

FINDING FAMILY 



SPORTS 

Whitney Sarkis 

guards the goal 

in Marian’s 

Catholic League 

championship 

game against 

Ladywood. 

PHOTO BY WILSON SARKIS 

are very few bobbles or misplays when Whitney gets 

her hands on a ball. Whitney jumps very well for 

her height (5-foot-5) and she judges high shots 

well, unlike many female goalies. She’s also very 

strong mentally.” 

Sarkis’ No. 1 soccer goal is to play for an NCAA 

Division I team. Brodsky thinks she has the athleticism 

to play at that level, and Sarkis is confident 

she has the necessary skills. 

“Yea, I’m short, so I have to make myself bigger 

on the soccer field,” she said. “I’ve worked hard on 

my jumping, and knowing when to jump. Timing 

on jumps is so important, especially on corner 

kicks.” 

Boston University, UCLA and several area colleges 

have expressed an interest in Sarkis, who is 

leaning toward going out of state. 

“I’d like to see what’s out there,” she said, “but 

I’ll go where opportunity knocks.” 

Sarkis is completing her club soccer career this 

summer on the Vardar U18 girls “A” team, which is 

competing in several tournaments attended by college 

recruiters. 

sports roundup 

BY STEVE STEIN 

A GOALIE WITH HIGH GOALS 

Whitney Sarkis is a great soccer goalie. Someday, 

she hopes to be a great lawyer. She sees a common 

thread between the two seemingly different jobs. 

“As a goalie, it’s important that your teammates 

trust in you and have confidence in you,” Sarkis 

said. “That’s the same kind of relationship a lawyer 

must have with a client, right?” 

There’s no doubt that Sarkis’ Birmingham 

Marian High School teammates believe in her. 

After being named to the Michigan High School 

Soccer Coaches Association’s Division 2 All-State 

Team as a sophomore in 2007, Sarkis was even 

more outstanding this spring in her junior season. 

She allowed only eight goals in 19 games and she 

posted 12 shutouts as Marian finished 16-1-2 

against its typically brutal schedule. 

Marian’s lone loss was a very tough one to 

swallow. The Mustangs fell 1-0 in overtime to 

eventual Division 2 state runner-up Bloomfield 

Hills Lahser in a district opener. Like any goalie 

with a tough mental makeup, Sarkis quickly 

shook off the disappointing defeat and way-tooearly 

exit from the state tournament. 

“That was a horrible way to end the season, of 

course, but we went undefeated during the regular 

season and won the Catholic League championship,” 

she said. “Those are great accomplishments.” 

Sarkis isn’t the first member of her family to be a 

big name in area high school soccer circles. Her 

brother Welson Sarkis was an outstanding midfielder 

at Birmingham Brother Rice who was named to 

the coaches association’s Dream Team when he was 

a senior in 2005. He has since played professionally 

in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. 

“I can’t explain how important it has been for 

me to have a family member who has achieved so 

much success in soccer and is so knowledgeable 

about the game,” Whitney said. “My brother and I 

also have kind of a sibling rivalry going. I want to 

do more in soccer than him.” 

Marian Coach Barry Brodsky can tick off several 

reasons why Sarkis is such a superb goalie. 

“She’s an intelligent player, and she has great 

foot skills and great hands,” Brodsky said. “There 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOEY 

After a teammate made — 

or missed — a free throw, 

Joey Hamama was there 

with a high five. During a 

break in the action, Joey 

always gathered his teammates 

around him for a pep 

talk or quick strategy session. 

If a teammate hadn’t 

made a basket in the game, 

Joey did his best to get that 

teammate the ball for a 

shot at the hoop. 

Joey Hamama is 

a real team player 

It was this kind of selfless play from the best 

player on the Dawgs ages 12-and-under team in the 

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan 

Detroit’s Kenny Goldman Basketball League that 

earned Joey a Player of the Year Award from the Jr. 

NBA/Jr. WNBA program. 

The Walled Lake Geisler Middle School eighthgrader 

was one of only 25 boys from across the 

country who earned the honor. 

“When I read the criteria for the award, I knew 

Joey was a natural fit,” said Joey’s coach, Jeremy 

Brandt, who nominated him for the award. 

Joey said being a good teammate is important to 

him. 

“I want to let my teammates know that I trust 

them,” he said. 




‘little baghdad’ 

thrives in sweden 

Sodertalje is home to Iraqi Christians 

BY JENNIFER CARLILE 

In the lakeside town of Sodertalje, 

Sweden, once best known as the 

home of tennis hero Bjorn Borg, 

neighborhoods nicknamed “Little 

Baghdad” and “Mesopotalje” now echo 

with arguments over Chaldean and 

Assyrian soccer. Along the city’s treelined 

waterfront, young Iraqi families 

and groups of older men chat in Arabic, 

enjoying long summer evenings. 

“Everyone here is Iraqi,” said a grocer 

at the main supermarket in Ronna, 

a neighborhood of tenement-style 

housing blocks, where two to three 

families often crowd into one-family 

apartments. 

Change has come to Sweden 

because of the Iraq war, driven by an 

open-arms refugee policy and word of 

mouth in Iraq. Most of the 2 million 

externally displaced Iraqis are living in 

Syria and Jordan, but Sweden tops the 

list of Western nations that have 

offered a haven. 

In 2007, Iraqi citizens claimed asylum 

in 89 countries, with almost half 

those claims — 18,600 — reported in 

Sweden, the U.N. refugee agency 

reported this week. And Sodertalje, a 

city of 83,000 people, took in more 

Iraqis than the United States and 

Canada combined. 

The welcome approach to the 

refugees has been a point of pride to 

Swedes, who were opposed to the 

Iraq war. But the unyielding flow is taking 

its toll and the country is slashing 

the number of asylum approvals. 

Since the start of the war in March 

2003, Iraqi Christians fleeing persecution 

from Islamic militants have set out 

with Sodertalje in mind, with around 

100 arriving each month, according to 

officials. A community of Chaldeans 

and Assyrians has existed here since 

the late 1960s, but its numbers 

increased rapidly as more Iraqis sought 

protection among friends and relatives. 

“Everyone in Iraq knows it’s the 

country of refuge, safety and kindness,” 

said Nagiba Daud, who spoke 

after prayers at Johannes Chaldean 

Catholic Church. 

The city boasts two successful 

Chaldean and Assyrian soccer teams (as 

well as at least one all-Iraqi high school 

team), an Iraqi Christian 

satellite television station, 

and Chaldean and Syriac 

churches. The churches 

are a haven in immigrant 

neighborhoods that offer 

a startling contrast to the 

chaotic street life of 

Baghdad and Mosul, 

even before the destruction 

and violence of the 

war. 

In Ronna, nondescript 

tenement buildings 

are surrounded by grassland 

and highways. 

There are no restaurants, 

movie theaters or even 

fast-food outlets. 

Harrowing Memories 

The Iraqi congregation of Johannes 

Church has swollen from around 650 

families before the war to around 

1,000, forcing Sunday worshippers to 

watch the packed service on television 

screens set up in the basement. 

Dozens also come daily to pray, kneeling 

before a statue of the Virgin Mary 

and fingering prayer beads as they 

recite verses in Aramaic and Arabic. 

Many have painful memories of violence 

and intimidation in Iraq. 

“Someone I don’t know put a letter 

under my door, saying we had to leave 

the house in 24 hours or all the people in 

the house would be killed,” said Daud, a 

former seamstress, as she described 

her family’s flight from Baghdad. 

She now may be forced to move 

again. Despite providing photos of her 

burned-down home to Swedish authorities, 

she and her sons have recently 

had their asylum claim rejected. 

“It would be better if they killed me 

and my family now than if they send us 

back to Iraq,” she said. 

Daud is a victim of the hardening 

attitudes in Sweden toward the 

refugees. After repeated appeals for 

other nations — notably the United 

States and the EU nations — to share 

the burden, Sweden changed its asylum 

requirements. 

In July 2007, Sweden’s Supreme 

Court decided that armed conflict had 

Evan Mamo, left, who plays on an all-Iraqi high school soccer team, 

is seen during half time at a game in Sodertalje. The 18-year-old came 

to Sweden a year and a half ago from Baghdad, without his family. 

ended in Iraq. Since then, asylum has 

only been granted to those who can 

prove that they were singled out for persecution, 

not by the region they hail from 

or their religion. Since the law changed, 

“the approval rate has dropped from 

about 80 percent to 20 percent,” said 

Mikael Ribbenvik, head of Asylum 

Reception and Detention at the 

Migration Board, a government agency. 

“When we deny people, we have 

the responsibility to return the people 

to their country — and we are currently 

returning people to Iraq,” he said. 

Those who accept a “voluntary 

return” are given a plane ticket and reestablishment 

funds. Those who do 

not are forcefully returned by the 

police. In 2007, 854 Iraqis were “voluntarily 

returned” to Iraq, up from 197 

the previous year. Figures were not 

available for involuntary returns. 

In a recent report, Amnesty 

International said Sweden’s change of 

heart had resulted in Iraqis being forcibly 

returned to areas still considered very 

dangerous. The human rights organization 

also accused world governments of 

using terms such as “voluntary returns” 

for political gain, and said some 

refugees “are making this decision as 

they feel they have no other option.” 

Left in Limbo 

Thousands who arrived since the law 

changed have been left in limbo. 

“When I came to Sweden I had a little 

money to give my family, but now it’s 

all gone,” said Dawood Yousif. 

After paying $50,000 to men holding 

his brother hostage in Baghdad, 

and $15,000 for false papers to get to 

Sweden, “I thought I could get permission 

to stay here and bring my family 

over in about three or four months,” 

said the 48-year-old former photo librarian. 

“But it has taken so long I’ve had to 

borrow money from relatives to send to 

my wife and kids in Syria,” he said, 

adding that he has never seen his 7- 

month-old son, who was 

PHOTO BY JORGEN HILDEBRANDT/MSNBC.COM 

born in exile. 

Single adults here receive 

a stipend of 71 kroners 

($11.75) a day, but in a country 

where a McDonald’s meal 

costs roughly $10 and use of 

a public toilet nearly $1, the 

allotment isn’t much to live on. 

Meantime, Sweden has 

stepped up its appeals, urging 

the United States to 

accept more responsibility 

for Iraqi refugees. 

“Every country has a 

humanitarian obligation to 

respond to the situation apart 

from the politics, but there’s 

no doubt in my mind that the 

[Iraq war] coalition partners bear 

special responsibility in this,” 

said Kathleen Newland, co-founder of 

the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute 

in Washington, D.C., adding that more 

assistance should also be given to the 

Middle Eastern countries shouldering the 

heaviest refugee burden. 

Under fire for its response to the crisis, 

the United States took in a record 

number of Iraqis in May, more than 

1,000, according to the Bush administration. 

But, even if it meets its goal to 

increase its yearly intake to 12,000, from 

just 1,608 in 2007, it will have taken in 

just two-thirds of the number that 

applied for asylum in Sweden last year. 

Praying for Peace 

The vast majority of Iraqis who have 

arrived in Sweden since 2003 say they 

plan to return home, but no one can 

say when it will be safe. 

“Iraq is finished,” said Yousif, the 

asylum seeker. 

A deacon at St. John’s Church, 

Slewa Kalka, took a more positive 

view. “It will be a free land,” he said, 

“but we don’t know when.” 

“It was very beautiful, we had a very 

good life in Iraq, but wars all the time 

destroyed it all,” his wife Jamila said, as 

they recounted the deadly conflicts with 

Iran, Kuwait, and the U.S.-led invasion. 

“We pray every day for peace in 

Iraq,” Kalka said. 

Reprinted with permission from 

www.msnbc.com. 



KIDS corner 

Spice Up 

Your 

Lazy, 

Hazy 

Summer 


Hey kids! Clip out this page 

and hang it on the refrigerator 

for all sorts of ideas to pass 

the time this summer. 

RED OAKS WATERPARK 


Madison Heights 

(248) 585-6990 

http://www.oakgov.com/parksrec/ppark/red.html 

HOURS 

July: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily 

August: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily 

COST 

$16 general; $12 for residents of Oakland County 

(must show ID); $10 for kids under 43 inches; $8 for 

residents of Oakland County 

Red Oaks Waterpark is a cool place to cool off with 

the giant Triple Tum waterslide, a lazy river for tubing, 

and, best of all, the wave pool. Little ones love the 

playground with water jets, slides, bubbler jets and a 

giant tipping bucket. You can also learn to swim here. 

WATERFORD OAKS WATERPARK 

1702 Scott Lake Road 

(Between Dixie Highway 

and Watkins Lake Road) 

Waterford 

(248) 858-0918 

http://www.oakgov.com/parksrec/ppark/waterford_wp.html 

HOURS 

July: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily 

August: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily 

COST 

$16 general; $12 for residents of Oakland County 

(must show ID); $10 for kids under 43 inches; $8 for 

residents of Oakland County 

You’ll feel like you’re in the tropics at this waterpark 

complete with the Big Bucket water playground and 

the Slidewinder Body Slide. Don’t miss the wave 

pool and the Ragin’ Rapids group raft ride, which 

starts three stories high and ends with a crazy big 

splash. They have swim lessons here too. 

INFLATABLE PLANET FAMILY FUN ZONE 

7370 Highland Rd 

Waterford, MI 48327 

(248) 666-3000 

www.extremefun.us 

HOURS 

Friday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Toddler Time 

5-7 p.m. Family Fun Night 

COST 

$5.50 per child (adults free) 

This nifty spot is mainly for private parties but you 

can come on Fridays to enjoy an “inflatable fantasy 

land” where you can jump, hop and slide on all 

kinds of contraptions. There’s also a game room and 

café. Toddler Time is for kids ages 5 and under. 

Family Night is open to all ages, but only kids 12 

and younger are allowed in the inflatable arena. Be 

sure to wear socks or you can’t play! 

BAYOU ADVENTURE 

AT JOE DUMARS’ FIELDHOUSE 

45300 Mound Road 

Shelby Township 

(586) 731-3080 

www.joedumarsfieldhouse.com 

HOURS 

Monday-Friday: Miniature golf: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

All other attractions: 4 -10 p.m. 

Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 

COST 

$6 per activity 

You probably know Joe Dumars’ as the place to play 

everything from basketball to floor hockey. But have you 

seen the indoor Bayou Adventure? The giant structure, 

designed to resemble a Louisiana swamp, has miniature 

golf, laser tag, bungee trampoline, a high ropes 

course, climbing wall, mini bowling and slot cars. 

THE HENRY FORD & GREENFIELD VILLAGE 

20900 Oakwood Blvd. 

Dearborn 

(313) 982-6001 

IMAX: (313) 271-1570 

www.hfmgv.org 

HOURS 

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily 

COST 

Museum: $14 adults, $13 seniors (62+), 

$10 kids ages 5-12 

Greenfield Village: $20 adults, $19 seniors, 

$14 kids ages 5-12; $10 unlimited daily ride pass 

IMAX: $10-$11.75 ages 13 and up, 

$9-$10.75 seniors, $8.50-$9.75 kids 12 and under 

If you ever visited the Henry Ford on a school field 

trip, you know how amazing it is. There’s tons to do 

and see, including eating in the wacky, hot dogshaped 

Wienermobile Café or seeing a movie on the 

giant IMAX screen. And it’s easy to spend a whole 

day at Greenfield Village, where you can ride antique 

cars, trains and even a colorful carousel. 

NEW DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER 

5020 John R Street (at Warren Avenue) 

Detroit 

(313) 577-8400 

www.detroitsciencecenter.org 

HOURS 

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

COST 

Packages start at $12.95 adults, $11.95 for seniors 

(60+) and kids ages 2-12. 

There’s so much going on at the Science Center you’ll 

never want to leave. Choose from hands-on laboratories, 

live science stage shows, the planetarium and 

Michigan’s only IMAX Dome – just for starters! Bring 

along your little brother or sister for Kids Town, a brandnew, 

permanent gallery for children ages 5 and under. 


the chaldean PALATE 


These new 

spots are hot 


ITALIA FRESCA: 

Scrumptious treats from a Chaldean chef 

I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Italia 

Fresca in West Bloomfield, except that it would be 

fresh Italian food. Sure, Chaldean guys can eat 

Italian, but can they cook it? 

The teal and stone walls were actually soothing and 

while facing a mural of the Italian countryside, I felt very 

comfortable. The dining room holds about 70 people 

but the high ceilings made it appear so much bigger. I 

wasn’t all too enamored of the plain black leather 

chairs or the paper table coverings, but I sat down with 

an open mind since it just opened in February. 

While reviewing the seemingly tasty selections on 

the overwhelming menu, John the waiter brought a 

bread basket. I’m still attempting to shed my postbaby 

weight, but I had to give it a try it. Well, if you 

call four rolls trying… 

The bread was heavenly, and you could tell that it 

was just freshly baked. For an appetizer, John suggested 

the “Suppli al Telephno,” deep-fried risotto 

with marinara and mozzarella. I had never heard of it 

before, but it was something different than the usual 

calamari and bruschetta, which were also on the 

menu. The suppli looked like three fried kubbas, and 

were so tantalizing and different, that I had to stop 

myself so I can eat my dinner. 

As an avid soup lover, I made sure to get the 

Chicken & Wild Rice. It was so thick and flavorful 

that I’d go there again just to eat it. Then I was served 

my signature dinner, Pollo Fresca — two grilled chicken 

breasts topped with artichokes, crushed tomatoes, 

portabella mushrooms, spinach and a garlic relish. 

The green beans were just right — not too firm 

or too tender. The meal was absolutely fabulous. 

I devoured their delectable Cannoli for dessert 

and loved the crunch of the slivered almonds on the 

ends. Overall it was a pleasant experience. The food 

was reasonably priced and the service was excellent. 

They also offer paninis, strombolis, and build-yourown 

pizza with the usual toppings, and some unique 

ones like zucchini and grilled eggplant. 

So can Chaldean men cook Italian? But of 

Top row: The Bayside Grille is just the place to watch sports. At right, owner John Semma stands in front of the 

outdoor patio. Lower row: Partners Wafa Kurkour and Sam Sharkas toast to the success of Italia Fresca, whose 

dining room is shown at the right. 

course! Chef Sam Sharkas, who owns Italia Fresca 

with his sister-in-law Wafa Kurkour, has been cooking 

since the mid 1980s, and even worked at Andiamo 

for 18 years. He never finished the culinary program 

he started at Oakland Community College in 1986, 

but learned techniques on the job at Larco’s and 

Andiamo. He credits Mike Larco and Aldo Altrovini 

for instilling in him the passion to be a great chef. 

Italia Fresca is located at 4111 Orchard Lake (at the corner 

of Pontiac Trail) and is open for lunch and dinner. Log 

onto www.italiafresca.net or call (248) 855-1259. 

BAYSIDE GRILLE: 

A welcome addition to the waterfront 

John and Juliana Semma recently opened Bayside 

Sports Grille and Bar, located on the breezy shores of 

Walled Lake. From the outside, it looks like it belongs 

on Key West, but it’s a nice change from the ordinary 

plaza Coney Islands. 

Bayside has an extensive menu, full-service bar, 

a dance floor, a patio overlooking the water, and live 

bands on the weekends. The cool sports motif 

boasts many jerseys and pictures of athletes and 

stadiums. I lost count of the big (and small) screen 

plasmas, perfect for Detroit sports buffs who love 

to watch multiple games while sipping beer and 

liquor. I love to sit on the patio, where you’re right 

on top of the water. 

My favorite is the Chicken Siciliano Sandwich. It’s 

deliciously rolled in Italian breadcrumbs, smothered 

with the cheese of your choice — I chose Swiss — 

and served on a Kaiser bun. The lemony zip sauce is 

a complement to the awesomely seasoned fries. 

The Chaldean-owned promotions group Limelight 

Entertainment sometimes throws parties at Bayside 

on Saturday nights, which attracts loads of people, 

mostly in their twenties. It’s not a raucous crowd — 

they just come to chill, have a drink and mingle. At 

29, I thought I could still hang. And I did. 

Bayside Sports Grille is located 142 E. Walled Lake Drive 

(at the corner of Pontiac Trail) and open for lunch and 

dinner. Call (248) 669-3322. 

FINDING FAMILY 


was sexually abused by her mother’s 

boyfriend. Lost and alone and living 

in Detroit, she dabbled in drugs and 

alcohol. One night she was beaten 

and robbed by a man she later found 

out was tipped off by her roommates, 

who knew she had saved 

nearly $3,000 that was stashed in 

the apartment. 

“I was so ashamed,” she said. “I did 

not want to be that person who drank 

and who did drugs. I did not want a 

life like the one I was living.” 

“It was shocking at first to hear 

her story,” said Jeff Shamas. “I was 

sad. Then I saw this good person 

inside reaching out for help. I wanted 

to help her.” 

Some members of the community 

were apprehensive when they heard 

about the Shamas family opening 

their home to a complete stranger. 

“People are people and as long as you 

have faith, it doesn’t matter if you 

are Chaldean, Mexican, Italian. We 

are all God’s children,” said Shamas. 

Shamas proposed marriage to 

Siirila. When it was time to meet his 

mother, she had butterflies. “I was so 

nervous and at first did not want to 

go,” said Siirila. She eventually did 

and Shamas encouraged Siirila to 

call Fr. Boji at Mother of God. 

“When I first met Fr. Boji, I just 

broke down crying,” she recalled. “He 

asked me why I wanted to become a 

Chaldean Catholic and he told me 

that I had to go through catechism for 

a few weeks. I lasted almost a year and 

my Catechism teacher, Hannah 

Kashat, became my godmother. Fr. 

Boji has been so good to me. I look at 

him like a father. He still calls me 

once in a while to check on me.” 

Siirila has been living with the 

Shamas family for the past two years. 

She goes to bingo with Nawal 

Shamas and church every Sunday 

with the entire family. 

“I love her like a daughter,” said 

Nawal, the mother of three boys. 

“As if she is one of my own.” 

“They are my family,” said Siirila. 

“I love them.” 



classified listings 

HOUSES FOR SALE 

A FULL-TIME SITTER NEEDED 

Monday-Friday in our Commerce 

home for our 2-year-old and newborn. 

Must be fluent in English 

with experience/reliable transportation. 

Please contact Rana, 

248-217-4797. 

BUSINESSES FOR SALE 

EXCLUSIVE T-MOBILE 

KIOSK 4 SALE 

Located in busy mall. Averages 120 

activations monthly, collects approx. 

$18-20K in monthly bill payments. 

Seller motivated. Please call (248) 

830-1865 to negotiate price. 

TUBBY’S FOR SALE 

Downtown Detroit Tubby’s franchise 

for sale, next to Holiday Inn Express, 

close to Cobo Hall, Federal Building 

and many businesses. Great location 

with great potential. Call Frank at 

(248) 932-1700. 

VIDEO AND PHOTO SERVICES 

MOMENTS IN FOCUS 

PRODUCTIONS 

Video and photo services for special 

events such as baptisms, communions, 

engagements, baby/wedding 

showers, and more. 

Commercials for local businesses 

and/or services. Please contact 

Ranah @ (586) 381-3813. 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 

DO YOU WANT TO START 

MAKING BIG MONEY? 

ARE YOU SICK OF 

YOUR DAY JOB? 

Open up a Upscale Jewelry Pawn 

Shop. I Have a 30 Year Proven 

Record. I Was Written Up On CNN, 

ABC, NBC, CBS, And Other Major 

Newspapers. At 50 Years Old I Sold 

My Store And Semi Retired, With 

My Help, You Will Be Successful. 

Everything Written Above Can Be 

Documented. I Will Not Let You 

Fail. For Further Info Go To 

normangornbein.com or 

call (248) 421-8642 

HOUSE FOR SALE 

SMALL 3 BEDROOM 

RANCH HOME 

with pole barn on 80 acres, beautiful 

rolling hills and pond backing up to 

Tyrone Golf Course. Located in 

Fenton, Michigan, on Linden Road 

near Center Road. For additional information 

call Paula at 248-515-7043. 

MUSIC 

LOOKING TO FIND A 

MALE AND FEMALE SINGER 

and put together a band for live performances. 

Musicians wanted are: 

Bass Player, Drummer, and Guitarist. 

Band will write and record original 

material, and will perform cover 

songs by artists like: Journey, 

Chicago, Phil Collins, Matchbox 20, 

Kelly Clarkston, Mariah Carey, and 

Evanescence, to name a few. 

Contact Omar at 

omarbinno@gmail.com for more info. 

CEMETARY LOTS 

HOLY SEPLUCHER MAUSOLEUM 

3 plots available, 1 single, 2 dbl. 

Lady of Fatima Room. $8K for 

single, $15K for double. Eye and 

ground level. (248) 939-2563. 

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS 

PROFESSIONALS 


PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS 


event 

1 2 

chaldean 

commencement 

6 


The 2008 Chaldean Commencement 

was held in June 12 at Southfield’s 

Millennium Center. This was the 

26th year where Chaldean high 

school and college graduates were 

honored. The event was sponsored, 

as always, by the Chaldean 

Federation of America, this year 

with help from the six local 

CASAs (Chaldean American 

Student Association) – now known 

as SOCA (Student Organization 

of Chaldean Americans). 

44 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2008 

10 

1. Zena Marrugi 

2. Andrew Gasso 

3. Patrick Setto sings 

the national anthem 

4. A timeless message 

5. Darlene Kakos and 

Hayman Matti 

6. Glad grads 

7. Tamara Rabban and 

Ansam Salem 

8. Mawlood Tobia 

9. Steve Yousif is flanked 

by Randa Konja, Reem 

Kajy, Stephany Kesto, 

Raghda Konja, Maryam 

Yousif and Raghad Kajy 

10. Happy smiles! 

11. Grads from West 

Bloomfield High with 

their tutor, Claudia Sitto

3 

7 

4 

5 

AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS GO TO… 

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS 

Mario Admon, L’Anse Creuse High School North 

Elizabeth Alkatib, Andover High School 

Candice Ammori, Cranbrook Kingswood 

Paul Al-Attar, Notre Dame Preparatory 

Terra Attisha, Walled Lake Western 

Shaina Kalasho, Marian High School 

Jacqueline Kittel, Mercy High School 

Katrina Elise Lutfy, Marian High School 

Valerie Nafso, West Bloomfield High School 

Tamara Rabban, Southfield Lathrup High School 

Diana Zaituna, Lahser High School 

Donovan Zerki, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 

CASA SCHOLARSHIPS 

Summar Abboo, Marian High School 

Matthew Acho, Andover High School 

Matthew Acho, Brother Rice High School 

Megan Hakim, Marian High School 

Stephanie Jalaba, Groves High School 

Nora Youkhana, Rochester High School 

Anthony Yousif, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 

SPECIAL TALENT SCHOLARSHIPS 

Gabrielle Gorges, Ferndale High School 

Miranda Katty, Walled Lake Western High School 

Sarah Nabaty, Novi High School 

ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS 

Natalie Koza, Walled Lake Central 

Kristin Mattia, Eisenhower High School 

Anita Yono, Walled Lake Western 

NEWCOMER SCHOLARSHIPS 

Bashar Brikho, Sterling Heights High School 

Rifat Dallo, Sterling Heights High School 

Basim Kareem, Warren Mott High School 

Ragheed Zelfa, West Bloomfield High School 

11 

8 

9 


event 

1 2 

3 

5 

happy 

father’s 

day 

4 


Members of Mother of 

God Chaldean Catholic 

Church gathered to 

celebrate the community’s 

dads for Father’s Day. 

The fun took place at 

the Farmington Manor 

on June 13. 

1. Fiaza and Louis Haisha with their daughters, Ahlam, Iman, Ikhlas and Amal 

2. Dalia and Ziad Battah are expecting their first child soon 

3. The fathers in the crowd stand to applause 

4. Parish Council President Raad Kashat 

5. Salim and Ikram Attisha 

6. Dancing up a storm 

6

JULY 2008

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