DEARBORN — A Dearborn man was hit by a 7×8 inch piece of jagged metal from an aircraft Monday while standing outside of his home.
Forty-year-old Wissam Beydoun was walking up the steps when the aluminum object fell from the sky and hit him on the head.

At first, he thought it might have been a bird, but he eventually realized that it was a part of a plane. Beydoun’s house on Beaver Street in Dearborn is underneath a busy flight path leading to Metro Airport .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to investigate the cause of the incident. The aluminum object has a serial number on it that could possibly be used to identify what flight it came from.

New scholarship benefits Dearborn police officers

DEARBORN — Police officers in the city of Dearborn will have the opportunity to further their education at a reduced cost thanks to a new scholarship program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

The partnership between the university and the Dearborn Police Department seeks to expand community ties, facilitate academic access and promote higher education opportunities for police department employees.

“We’re pleased to be working with the University of Michigan-Dearborn to encourage our officers to pursue excellent educational opportunities that ultimately strengthen our department and benefit our residents,” said Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad.

Officers who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees at UM-Dearborn will be eligible for a special scholarship that will provide a credit for 20 percent of their tuition costs and fees each semester.

Prospective students may be admitted to any undergraduate or graduate program the university offers as long as the program’s admission and eligibility criteria are met. UM-Dearborn’s 20 percent tuition credit will work in conjunction with the Dearborn Police Department’s tuition reimbursement program.

“We are delighted to partner with the Dearborn Police Department to provide their officers with an opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UM-Dearborn,” said Kathryn Anderson-Levitt, dean of the campus’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. “This partnership demonstrates the city’s strong commitment to community policing, and will benefit everyone living and working in Dearborn. It’s a great way for UM-Dearborn to continue making this a great metropolitan environment.”

Rights activist moves on

DEARBORN — Executive assistant and project coordinator at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Dearborn, Mariam Habhab will work her last day at the civil rights group’s office on Friday, August 7.

Mariam Habhab

“Mariam’s passion, hardwork and dedication have been instrumental to ADC’s ongoing efforts to uphold civil rights through various programs and initiatives,” said Regional Director Imad Hamad. “Her time at ADC and her presence within the community have been invaluable and she will be sorely missed. Although ADC Michigan is losing a loyal and passionate team member, we at ADC truly wish Ms. Habhab the best of luck as she begins her new endeavor,” he added.
Said Habhab, “It is both passion and loyalty to the cause that have led a dedicated team of four individuals to successfully carry out ADC Michigan’s programs, initiatives, and cases despite the challenges we face. Words are unable to describe how rewarding my experience with ADC has been and I cannot thank ADC enough for the opportunity to have worked for such an amazing organization. I will continue to proudly represent ADC as a devout member and will do my best to support and assist ADC through all of its endeavors.”

Group takes a stand against argileh

DEARBORN — In an effort to educate the public on the dangers of argileh (water pipe, hookah) smoking and mobilize the community into action, ACCESS will host a free public forum entitled “Argileh Use Prevention: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The forum – a unique opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts – will take place from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Byblos Banquet Center, 7258 Chase Road in Dearborn, Michigan.

The forum’s keynote address will be delivered by leading tobacco researcher Dr. Wasim Maziak of the University of Memphis, who will discuss the latest argileh-related research. Also set to appear are Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health and Dr. Talat Danish, medical director of the Wayne County Public Health Department.

The August 13 forum’s primary goal is to rally community members to do their part in prevention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death, claiming the lives of 435,000 Americans annually. The emergence of argileh smoking has deepened the problem. Research estimates that a typical argileh smoking session, which can last 45-80 minutes, is the equivalent of inhaling the smoke produced by more than 100 cigarettes. This statistic is even more startling considering that there has been an increase in use among kids as young as 14.

Those interested in attending the free public forum must register by contacting the ACCESS Substance Abuse Prevention Program at argilehforum@accesscommunity.org or 313.216.2233. Space is limited, RSVP by August 10.

This forum is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Community Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, American Cancer Society, Wayne County Department of Public Health, National Arab American Medical Association, Macomb County Health Department, Arab American and Chaldean Council and SEMCA.

Ramadan services scheduled

DEARBORN — The Islamic Center of America will begin its nightly Ramadan program on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10:00pm. Dua Iftitah and Quranic recitation with Sheikh Mohammed Dbouk will be followed by a lecture presentation by Imam Hassan Qazwini. The ICA has also announcedfamily iftar dinners taking place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week in the holy month of Ramadan. A table of ten will cost $150 and will include appetizers, dinner, fruits and dessert. to reserve call 313.593.0000.

Golf outing to benefit ‘the prize’ for college students

More than 200 golfers are expected to participate in the 84th annual golf outing to support college scholarships and help students attain “the prize.”

The outing is expected to raise $50,000 for the Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation which is coordinating “The Prize Coalition.”

Frank Walkiewicz, Mike Hessen, Sr., Mike Hessen, Jr. and Joe Macksoud of Advantage Sales get ready to tee-off for the 84th annual food industry golf outing co-sponsored by Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation. More than 200 golfers are expected.

“The Prize will help high school students who are accepted into college remain in college,” said Ed Deeb, president of Michigan Food and Beverage Association and the Foundation. “The Prize also helps pay for some miscellaneous expenses, and to help students find intern jobs in the summertime and after graduation help them find permanent jobs in their career field and stay in Michigan.” Deeb said.
The event is being held at the Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Macomb Township, 48787 North Avenue.

MFBA and the Foundation are co-sponsors of the annual Metro Detroit Youth Day which was held last month on the athletic field on Belle Isle. More than 35,000 youngsters participated in various events, sports clinics, entertainment, educational activities and a free lunch courtesy of the food industry.

At that time, 30 college scholarships were presented to graduating high school seniors who were accepted into various colleges, universities and community colleges. In addition, some 20 other students received academic achievement and community service awards.

Deeb said more than 600 college scholarships have been given out to date by the various corporate and organizational sponsors who support Metro Detroit Youth Day.

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