noteworthy Sanford
noteworthy Sanford Nelson, Trevor George and Blake George take a selfie for the Sharks. Oh the Shark Bites … Trevor and Blake George came away from the Shark Tank with no deal — but with their dignity intact, which is more than many entrepreneurs can say about their experience on the reality television show. The cousins and their partner, Sandford Nelson, appeared on the ABC show November 15 to pitch their iPhone app called Magic Moments (MagicMoments.com). It allows users to take pictures on their phone, print them on items like shirts and coffee mugs, and even sell the images. It was the last point that raised the most skepticism among the Sharks, who were disbelieving that people would actually pay for someone else’s snapshots. “If I could go back I probably would explain it a little better,” said Blake George. While maybe no one wants to buy a cute picture of your dog, people do take many artistic photographs that others would gladly pay for, he said. The men asked the Sharks for 0,000 for a 15 percent investment. George said the figure was misunderstood. “To a normal investor that means a valuation of million, but that is the bare minimum of what we needed to build out our company,” he said. “I knew we asked for a lot of money being pre-revenue, but we need to hire employees, and that money gets spent really fast.” The three Michigan entrepreneurs met with the Sharks for about 50 minutes, which was edited down to 10 for the show. “There was a lot that was cut out. And even some of the conversation we had was cropped and put into different places,” said Blake George. “A lot of Hollywood editing.” Nonetheless, he said, it was a great experience. “We got a lot of exposure on the website, and a lot of people reaching out and saying, ‘those Sharks don’t know what they’re talking about,’” he said. “Our community really reached out to us and that was one of the best things: people saying, ‘we are proud of you.’” Update: IRS Drops Store Forfeiture Another Church! Just hours after the Institute for Justice announced it was joining another civil forfeiture lawsuit in Michigan against the federal government, the IRS filed motions to voluntarily dismiss two forfeiture actions against Detroit-area small-business owners. Terry Dehko of Fraser and Mark Zaniewski of Sterling Heights will each get back all of the money seized without warning from their business’ bank accounts (more than 0,000 in total) by the federal government. Dehko’s daughter, Sandy Thomas, wrote about the family’s plight in our November issue (“Wrongfully Taken by the IRS”). On September 25, Dehko and Thomas, who own Schott’s Supermarket in Fraser, joined with the Institute for Justice to file a constitutional lawsuit challenging the federal government’s use of civil forfeiture. That case seeks a federal court ruling declaring that property owners are entitled to a prompt hearing either before or immediately after their property is seized, andenjoining the federal government from using civil forfeiture without providing such a prompt hearing. Further, the lawsuit asks the court to clarify that it is not illegal for law-abiding businesses to make frequent cash deposits for legitimate business purposes. Like most small-business owners, Terry Dehko and Mark Zaniewski make regular cash deposits at their banks, and that is the sole reason the IRS seized their money. Learn more at ij.org/MIForf. Documentary Studies Pope Francis A documentary on the life and thinking of Pope Francis is now available on DVD at Amazon.com. “Francis: The Pope from the New World” features interviews from around the world, featuring close friends, fellow priests, co-workers, his biographer and the poor of Buenos Aires. Most of the interviews and much of the film were shot on location in Argentina. A trailer and additional information on the documentary are available at popefrancisdocumentary.com. Building Community Explores Holocaust Center All are welcome at the latest Building Community event on December 4. The Holocaust Memorial Center is the site of the gathering for the Jewish and Chaldean communities. Rabbi Josh Bennett of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield will make opening remarks and attendees will tour the exhibits. There will also be a dessert reception. Winter coats, hats, gloves and mittens will be collected for the needy in the Chaldean and Jewish communities. The event, which is free of charge, runs from 6-8:30 p.m. The Holocaust Memorial Center is located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. RSVP to Gail Katz, (248) 978- 6664 or gailkatz@comcast.net. The Chaldean Diocese continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The newest addition is St. Paul Chaldean Catholic Church in Grand Blanc, which celebrated its first mass on November 10. Fr. Ayad Hanna is the pastor. For now, masses are offered daily at 6 p.m. and at 12:30 p.m. On Sundays. Visit their Facebook page: St. Paul Chaldean Parish. We’ll have full details in our January issue. E’rootha Needs Mentors E’rootha is seeking mentors for its 2014 Youth Refugee Mentoring Program, which pairs mature high schoolaged and college-aged mentors with bilingual students in an after-school program. Aspects emphasized include homework help, reading development, and social mentoring. Volunteers are needed not just to become mentors, but big brothers or sisters to refugees at either Utica District’s Jeanette Junior High School or INVEST School. The program launches at both schools on January 8, from 3-4:15 p.m. at Jeanette, and on January 9 from 2-3:15 p.m. at INVEST. Mentors and students will continue to meet on Wednesdays at Jeannette and Thursdays at INVEST until school ends in June. This is a weekly commitment, and regular attendance from mentors is required. Visit Erootha.org/youth_app. Retreat Soothes Abortion Regrets A retreat for people who regret having an abortion is being offered January 3-5 by Rachel’s Vineyard. The organization offers weekend retreats in a nonjudgmental environment for both men and women to reconcile painful postabortion emotions. Similar retreats are planned for May 16-18 and September 5-7. Call Chris at (248) 494-6363 or visit DetroitRachelsVineyard.org. An Apple for Mercy Mercy High School has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013 to 2015 for its integration of technology across the curriculum and school life. The designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple’s vision of exemplary learning environments. People Ziyad I. Hermiz, Business Litigation attorney at Butzel Long, has been named for the second consecutive year to the Super Lawyers — Michigan Rising Stars list as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in Michigan for 2013. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Suzanne Faranso has joined the New York Life Insurance team in Southfield as an agent. Ziyad I. Hermiz Suzanne Faranso 12 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2013
Higher Education Community Bulletin Board Supreme Honor Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Clarence Dass was sworn in to the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. on November 5. Dass now has lifetime access to the building and, as a guest of Justice Antonin Scalia (left), was invited to attend the court’s three oral arguments that day. “It was hard not to be reflective of the landmark cases the Supreme Court has seen over the years and their effects on our community,” he said. Dass is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association and the Chaldean-American Bar Association. Seven Chaldean students were awarded college scholarships from the AFPD Foundation. At the Detroit Athletic Club, the AFPD Foundation presented ,000 in scholarships at the 2013 Joseph D. Sarafa Annual Scholarship Luncheon. A total of 34 students were each awarded a ,500 scholarship. The AFPD Foundation awards academic scholarships to extraordinary students in Michigan and Ohio every year. This year’s Valedictorian Title Sponsor was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The AFPD Foundation’s funding, established with the help from Pepsi and DTE, has awarded more than 0,000 in scholarships. The Chaldean students are Melanie Konja (left), Marissa Kinaya, Chase Zebari, Rena Husaynu, Nicholas Ibrahim and Deion Kathawa. Not pictured is Maureen Gorgaes. Leaders Hanaa Zaya and Renae Arabo of El Cajon, California, were each nominated by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce for the 2013 Woman in Leadership Award. “The Will to Succeed” was the theme for this year’s 11th Annual Luncheon on November 1. Zaya, nominated in the non-profit category, is vice president of the Ladies of Hope Charity Organization. Renae Arabo, nominated in the business category, is chief marketing officer of RJS Law and the chamber’s chair-elect of events. Sweet Ride For the last 20 years, Ruth Sinawi has been Art Van’s top salesperson and part of the chairman’s club, which means she has generated at least .08 million in sales. Somehow, the mother of five also finds the time to mentor and guide new sales associates at Art Van and also volunteers at several local charities. In appreciation, the company awarded Sinawi with a Cadillac last month. Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Send it to Chaldean News, 29850 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, or e-mail info@chaldeannews.com. Orchid laser hair removal & skin care 39720 14 MILE ROAD COMMERCE, MI 48390 CORNER OF 14 & HAGGERTY GRAND OPENING Our Staff: Dr. Sayeg Lika Stella Bayda Natasha Valentina 17 YEARS HAIR REMOVAL EXPERIENCE Services We Offer: Laser Hair Removal Electrolysis Chemical Peel Microdermabrasion Facials Waxing Nails Permanent Make-up Botox and Fillers Laser Classes Gift Certificates Available COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS! 0 FULL BODY FOR ONE YEAR SIX TREATMENTS PAINLESS HIGH-SPEED WITH THE NEW DUET MACHINE Free treatment for new clients. Choose from: WOMEN’S TREATMENT • underarm • bikini • chin • upper lip MEN’S TREATMENT • front or back of neck • cheek • ears Experienced Laser Technician needed. Please call 248-859-2794 or 248-865-7721
