The U.S. House on Friday voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular “cash for clunkers” car purchase program.
The government was forced to suspend the program Thursday due a quick draining of funds.
Nearly $1 billion set aside for the program, initially expected to last until November, had been used up after only four days of implementation.
The program allows owners of older-model cars and trucks to receive $3,500 or $4,500 toward the purchase of newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles at car dealerships.
Dealers warned on Thursday that the program was running through funds quicker than anticipated. Many said it was becoming too hard to keep track of how many vehicles had been sold.
The program is designed to help the economy and the environment by spurring new car sales
Dearborn Chihuahuas up for adoption
DEARBORN —The 105 Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes found at a house on the 7800 block of Orchard Street in Dearborn should find new homes within the next week after the green light was given for them to be legally adopted.
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A recovering chihuahua at the Dearborn Animal Shelter |
Applications are still being accepted for adoption as well as donations, and the dogs must be micro-chipped and sterilized before given homes.
The dogs were found in Lang’s home on July 23 along with more than 150 deceased dogs. The home was in such bad condition due to animal feces and garbage that city officials are considering demolishing it.
Visit www.dearborn-animals.com for updates.
No primary in Dearborn Heights
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The city of Dearborn Heights will not be holding a primary this coming week due to a lack of candidates. The city will conduct its general elections for mayor, treasurer, clerk, and city council on November 3.
The League of Women Voters plans to hold a forum for the candidates sometime in October.
For mayor, incumbent Daniel Paletko will run unopposed. For treasurer, John J. Riley II will also run unopposed.
City clerk is a two-person race between incumbent S. Judith Dudzinksi and Mario Nesr Fundarski.
The eight candidates for four spots on the city council are Kathleen Abdel-Hak, Ned Apigian, Janet S. Badalow, Thomas Berry, Cynthia Boguslaski, Margaret M. Horvath, James Lynch, and Margaret M. Van Houten.
Badalow, Berry, Horvath, and Van Houten are the incumbents.
ICD to host leadership workshop
DETROIT – On Saturday, August 1 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., a leadership workshop is scheduled at the Islamic Center of Detroit (ICD), 14350 Tireman Street. The training will be led by Mohammad Abbasi, Regional Director for Keller Williams Realty, Greater New York area. The seminar will focus on 16 key ways to become an effective leader at work, home, and in the community.
“The workshop will focus on specific programs and skills for becoming a good leader, such as time management and others,” said Sufian Nabhan, who is president of the ICD.
“ICD management thought these skills were needed for the community, especially for the youth,” Nabhan said.
Registration is still available but seats are limited. For more information, please call: 313.999.4420. The Islamic Center of Detroit is located at 14350 Tireman Street in Detroit between Greenfield and Schaefer Roads near the border of Dearborn. The ICD’s Web site is www.icd-center.org.
Fundraiser for Gaza to be held at AANM
On Saturday, August 1 at 5 p.m., an “ActionGaza Fundraising Gala” will be held at the Arab American National Museum (AANM), 13624 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Funds raised from the event will go towards a humanitarian convoy to Gaza.
The mission of the ActionGaza organization is to “support the plight of the Palestinians living under siege in the Gaza Strip by providing them with humanitarian aid and sustainable resources including medical supplies and equipment, clothing, food an building materials.”
Tickets for the event are $20 and a ticket with t-shirt package can be purchased for $30.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact: info@actionGAZA.org or call Ahmad Hasan at 734.255.7736.
Riverfront festival celebrated Arab, Chaldean culture
By Jessica Barrow
DETROIT — Metro Detroiters experienced Arab and Chaldean music, dancing, art, food and other cultural activities on July 25 and 26 at the 2009 Arab and Chaldean festival in Hart Plaza downtown.
The festival featured performances by artists from all over the world including singer Hussam Al Rassam from Iraq and the Lansing-based Habibi Dancers.
“Arab-Chaldeans are an important part of this mosaic,” said President of the Arab and Chaldean Festival board Jacoub Mansour about ethnic diversity in Michigan.
Recent studies estimate that at least 100,000 Chaldeans and 400,000 Arab Americans reside in Michigan, most of whom are concentrated in Southeast Metro Detroit area.
Established in 1972, it is the longest running Arab and Chaldean cultural event in North America. According to Mansour, people come from as far as Ohio and Canada.
“We are building a bridge between the Arabs and Chaldeans and Americans. We are showing others our culture, food and entertainment,” said Mansour. “Our gallery for instance, we worked on that for months and months.”
The festival’s annual gallery carried themes of Arab medicine, folklore, calligraphy and customs of Chaldean villages in northern Mesopotamia. Visitors also got brochures that taught the Chaldean and Arabic alphabet and had their fortunes read from coffee cups.
According to the organizers, the goal of the festival is, “to celebrate the values and traditions common to all of Detroit’s communties, as well as to celebrate the things which make each of our cultures unique.”
Upcoming Arab American festivals this summer include a Maronite church festival August 6-9 in Warren, the annual Arab American Comedy Show on August 14 and 15 in Dearborn and Lebfest on August 28 and 29 in Northville.
See The Arab American News’ online community calendar for more on all the events.
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