Gas prices near an all-time high
DETROIT — Michigan has the second highest gas prices in the United States, according to AAA. The average price of a gallon of gas here reached $4.23 last week, two cents short of the state’s all-time high record, set in July of 2008.In South Caroline, a gallon of gas was a dollar cheaper than Michigan over the past week. ...Two local Arab American principals celebrate retirement
DEARBORN — Two local Arab American principals celebrated their retirement with ceremonies held at Byblos Banquet Hall recently. Retiring Andrea Awada-Zeaiter, is the first principal and founder of Geer Park Elementary School. She has served the Dearborn Public School System since 1978. Salina Elementary School...Dearborn parking meter stolen
DEARBORN — On Saturday, June 1, two men allegedly stole a parking meter with coins in it on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.A Post Bar employee witnessed a man pick up a large object from the floor and put it in the trunk of a pick-up truck after he had heard a crash in a City parking lot on Michigan Avenue in downtown West...New bill makes teacher job performance primary factor for determining pay
LANSING — The House Education Committee recently introduced a bill that would make teacher performance a factor in determining pay. If passed by the Republican-controlled State House, the number of years on the job, along with advanced degrees would not be considered in determining teacher salaries. Supporters of the bill say a...U.S. Rep. John Dingell officially longest serving member of congress
Dingell.MICHIGAN — Democratic U.S. Representative John Dingell of Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, became the longest serving member in Congress on Friday, June 7. Dingell, 86, is serving his 30th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s cast more than...Hamtramck to celebrate diversity
HAMTRAMCK — Flags representing over 15 countries will be on display on Saturday, June 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Joseph Campau, Hamtramck’s main street. Along with the American flag, other countries that will be represented are Bosnia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Albania, Romania, Armenia, Croatia, Russia, Macedonia,...Dearborn approves 2013-14 fiscal year budget, moves closer to merger with Melvindale
DEARBORN — During the last Dearborn City Council meeting, council members finally approved the budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, with a 7-0 vote. The approval comes after weeks of hearings and revisions. The budget will be adopted on July 1, 2013. Unlike previous years however, only minor changes and additions have been...DTE Energy customers could see monthly bills drop
DTE Energy customers could see their monthly bills decrease noticeably because of the company's renewable energy projects. Average residential bills will decrease by $2.57.The company also announced, on June 5, that its business customers will be paying less, too. Small and medium-sized businesses will save $3.40 to $14.07 on their DTE...50th anniversary commemoration of MLK march down Woodward Avenue
This month, leaders from all religious and cultural backgrounds, along with civil rights organizations, businesses and community members, will walk side-by-side to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's walk down Woodward Avenue in Detroit, after which he delivered his world famous "I have a dream speech,"...How Obama and al-Qaeda became Syrian bedfellows
For a president that is executing Bush’s “war on terror” against al-Qaeda and “its affiliates,” it seems odd that President Obama has targeted the secular Syrian government for “regime change.”Equally odd is that Obama’s strongest military ally on the ground in Syria- the best equipped and effective fighting force against...U.S. militarism in Mideast is radicalizing Iran
Iran was once on a path of liberalization and reform, before the U.S. Military began sowing destruction throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, following the attacks on the United States in 2001.Although now largely forgotten, the last president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), was a liberal-minded reformer who fought for...Arab American presence, history and activism at UM-D
I came to the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus in 1973. As I look over the grade books from the decade after my arrival, very few Arab names appear on those lists. During my first year here (1973-74), not a single one was present. However, when I developed my course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 1979,...
Ficano speaks about career, community and controversy
May 31st, 20130 The Arab American News met with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano Tuesday, at the paper’s office in Dearborn, to discuss with him some issues of interest to the Arab American community in Wayne County. Ficano candidly shared his thoughts on a range of topics, including the controversies that have plagued his administration and...
After 18 years, what’s next for the Arab International Festival?
May 31st, 20130 DEARBORN — The announcement of the cancellation of the 2013 Arab International Festival by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce has now been widely reported and questioned by locals and the media. The decision has drawn plenty of speculation and a wide range of opinions and emotions from community members on whether, or not, the...Home prices increase in the nation and in Dearborn
DEARBORN — Home prices around the country experienced the highest increase, in nearly seven years, during the month of March. In addition, consumer confidence was also at its highest, in five years, during the month of May.The S&P/Case Shiller composite index, which monitors home prices in 20 metropolitan areas, climbed 10.9......
Mayor O’Reilly meets with residents regarding garage use concerns, ordinance
DEARBORN — Last Tuesday, Mayor Jack O'Reilly, along with seven planning commissioners and City Hall staff members, met with residents for a study session to discuss possible alternatives for a planned revision on a garage ordinance that can affect many local families.Garage use became an issue with the City in 2012, when City...
Police close investigation into pressure cooker that distrupted Muslim conference at Adoba Hotel
May 31st, 20130 DEARBORN — The investigation into the pressure cooker discovered in a second floor restroom at the Adoba Hotel has been closed. The pressure cooker contained food remnants and is believed to have been left by a guest who used it to transport food to an event at the hotel. It is unknown whether the pot was left in the restroom......
Beirut, and love, and rain
Nizar Qabbani.Nizar Qabbani was a revolutionary lover, whose powerful poetry was known for its simple language. With aesthetic anger, he wrote verses that dealt with love, politics, nationalism, eroticism and feminism. He once declared love in Arab society as a "prisoner" that needs to be set free. Qabbani was born in Damascus in...Arab Americans create new businesses, boost local economy
The Arab American community continues to contribute to local economic growth in the Dearborn-Dearborn Heights area. Below is a preview of new businesses in town, run by Arab American entrepreneurs, who are looking to build a customer base through positive feedback. The Custard HutThe Custard Hut on Warren Avenue in Dearborn...Federal court approves plan to build Islamic Academy
DEARBORN — A federal judge, this week, ruled to move the case forward on a request to build the Michigan Islamic Academy, an Islamic school, on property owned by the organization, which was previously denied by Pittsfield Township. CAIR-MI filed the lawsuit on behalf of MIA two years ago. Pittsfield Township and the township...HFCC to hold summer sports camps, June 24-25 and July 19-20
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College will hold a 2013 Summer Baseball Camp and a 2013 Lady Hawks Basketball Camp this summer. The 2013 Summer Baseball Camp is Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Papp Park, located at 9350 Westlake (at the corner of Westlake and Wick Road) in Taylor. This camp is......
U.S. News and World Report ranks Crestwood High School among top 50 in Michigan
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Crestwood High School (CHS) recently earned a national ranking by U.S. News and World Report. The school was rated 45th among Michigan high schools. According to its report, only 206 of 826 public high schools in the State ranked nationally, and CHS is 1,629th. The report is based on the 2010-2011 school...Ten Dearborn Public School seniors earn Rotary Club of Dearborn’s Otto J. Rowen Scholarship
DEARBORN — Ten Dearborn high school seniors received scholarships at this year's 25th Annual Otto J. Rowen Awards Banquet in May. Each year the Rotary Club of Dearborn, through the Dearborn Rotary Foundation, honors Dearborn Public School students in up to sixteen categories of vocational disciplines. Candidates are selected......
New plan will save Dearborn Schools over $600,000
DEARBORN — A reorganization plan is expected to save the district over $600,000, according to school officials. The plan is scheduled to take effect July 1, at the start of the district’s fiscal year. Faced with the 12th straight year of budget reductions, and with this year’s possible shortfall approaching $6 million,...
Local McDonald’s stops serving halal meat
May 31st, 20130 DEARBORN — Just one month after the McDonald's Corporation and the Finley Management Company settled a non-halal class action lawsuit for $700,000, the owners of the Dearborn McDonald's, located at 13158 Ford Road, have decided to no longer include halal items on their menu. The Ford Road McDonald's isn’t the only location to......