from the EDITOR PHOTOS
from the EDITOR PHOTOS BY DAVID REED Rubbing elbows and hobnobbing One of the things I have always loved about my career is the people I meet. I have had the opportunity to cover both President Clinton and George W. Bush. I have interviewed several U.S. Senators including Ted Kennedy. I chatted about the movie Grease with Olivia Newton-John, got recipes from Chef Emeril Lagasse and advice from Dr. Laura. Those were during my days at WJR. The Chaldean News has also given me the opportunity to meet and greet dignitaries and celebrities — some in our own community. This month we focus on what was going on around town during a busy April. The place to be if you want to be among the “who’s who” of the state has always been Mackinac Island during the annual Leadership Conference. A close second to that event is the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. VANESSA DENHA- GARMO EDITOR The event is always a sell out — attracting nearly 900 people including CEOs of major corporations, elected officials and local celebrities. This year, Mojo of Mojo in the Morning on WKQI (95.5) served as the Master of Ceremonies. I have to say, he has been my favorite emcee of the five years the chamber has held this event. He is the big teddy bear kind of guy you just want to hug — right in the middle of his repertoire of city politics that certainly got a laugh from the crowd. Just like what happens on Mackinac Island, you have the discussions that are stated on the agenda and then you have the side conversations — the back-door deals being made. At that event, we talked to Senator Mike Bishop and my husband asked him if he planned to run for governor. As the press secretary to Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, I knew the senator would not answer that question directly but instead give a public relations answer because now is not the time to announce. However, Brenda Lawrence, mayor of Southfield, did remind me that night she is running for Oakland County Executive. I conversed with recent acquaintances such as Gerard van Grinsven, President and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, and Marilyn Blatnikoff of the CIA. I also met new “bigwigs.” I am a firm believer that networking is a vital key in business and career Vanessa Denha-Garmo with Steve Acho (above) and Mojo. success. It is more about who than what you know in life; add that to being organized and regardless of the business, I believe you can make it work. This month we traveled around town attending several other events, including the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) Shopping Extravaganza, Chaldean Day at the Palace, and Steve Acho in concert with Jim Akouri and Rafat Ita at a fundraiser for the CFA refugee program. I had the pleasure of chatting with old friends, meeting new ones and just having great time. We are so fortunate to have these types of events that attract all kinds of people hosted in our community. FROM THE EDITOR continued on page 9 8 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2008
FROM THE EDITOR continued from page 8 Organizations like the chamber, CALC, CFA and our churches organize functions that enable us to learn new things and meet new people. All of us have the chance to rub elbows and hobnob around town. Take advantage of the opportunity. Increase the network of people in your Blackberry and enjoy one of the many functions, parties and events that happen in our community. Regardless of what you do or who you are, just being Chaldean gives you a social life. There is rarely a dull moment or month void of entertainment. Something is always happening somewhere. Find out what it is and attend. You never know who you will meet. Alaha Imid Koullen (God Be With Us All) Vanessa Denha-Garmo vdenha@chaldeannews.com Corrections “Learning the Hard Way” contained several errors, including the spelling of Cathy Shammas’ name. She is 30 and lives in Royal Oak. “Surviving the Unthinkable” gave the wrong year for the death of Ivan Hannawa. He died in 1995. your LETTERS A Hard Look I first want to thank you for producing this magazine since it is a useful resource in spreading news about the activities happening in our community. There have been many interesting and useful articles throughout the years. I do, however, have a concern in that CN seems to paint a too-rosy picture of our community and seems to ignore the many things that are literally destroying our culture, especially in this country. Take, for instance, our divorce rates that are rising quickly. We seem to care more about having an impressive wedding than whether the couple will actually stay together. Many of our kids are now being raised in singleparent homes because of this growing divorce rate. The serious gambling problem that we have is also doing substantial harm to our people. Go to any of the casinos and look at all the high rollers there — almost all Chaldeans. They gamble their whole paychecks away and then can’t afford to feed their families. Eventually they lose their homes, businesses and marriage because of it. What’s even sadder is the casinos get extra busy on Christmas and Easter by the Chaldeans. What about the drug abuse going on? It seems so many of our young adults are experimenting with marijuana and ecstasy that they are becoming as acceptable as cigarettes and Tylenol. Another problem is the alcohol abuse. There are so many alcoholics that some even show up to church either drunk or stoned after a Saturday night of partying. Look at the many people now selling drugs. They live a life of fast money and fun, but eventually wind up in jail or dead. On top of that, so many in our community are selling illegal drugs that now we’re one of the biggest drug suppliers in Michigan. Where is the outrage? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise in our community also because so many of our women and men are sleeping around with multiple partners with absolutely no shame and think there is no consequence for their actions. It seems the Chaldeans no longer respect themselves or their bodies anymore. The leaders in our community need to take a hard look at what’s really going on in our community and address it or Chaldeans will no longer exist in another 50 years. It’s a shame we managed to last thousands of years and now willingly destroy ourselves over stupidity and greed. Pretending these types of activities are not happening does a disservice to our community. If we do not expose it and suggest strategies to avoid it and better ourselves, than we will never progress as a people and as a culture. Since this magazine’s role is to inform Chaldeans of the news affecting us, then publishing articles on what is hurting us and how to improve ourselves should be part of the role. – Nick Gizi Canton Letters to the editor are welcome. Please keep your letter to less than 500 words and include your city. The Chaldean News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submit your letter via email to info@chaldeannews.com or mail to: The Chaldean News, Letters to the Editor, 30095 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 MAY 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 9
