A deal is near to sell Cheli’s Chili Bar in Dearborn. The restaurant is owned by former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios.

Cheli’s Chili Bar in Dearborn, owned by former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, is expected to be sold as early as this week, according to people familiar with the restaurant.

If the sale goes through, the restaurant/bar would close and reopen under a new name and theme. Cheli’s employees are being told their last day of work could be as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 20.

The sale of Cheli’s is not unexpected. Chris Chelios has been trying to sell the location since retiring from the Detroit Red Wings. It is not clear what Chelios will do with his Detroit restaurant, located across from Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers.

Cheli’s Chili Bar was once one of the more popular places in Dearborn but over the years it has become just another bar in Dearborn.

If the building sale does go through, we are hopeful the restaurant will be renovated and reopened with something that will spark more interest in downtown west Dearborn.

The Cass Ambassadors, a unique vocal group composed of formerly homeless men, will be the featured performers at an event aimed to help immigrants make a new life in their new home.

The group will share its Old Gospel and Motown favorites as part of a celebration dinner hosted by Justice For Our Neighbors of Southeastern Michigan, the national charitable organization which provides free, high-quality legal immigration services, education and advocacy to those in need.

The concert and strolling dinner, catered by Fuego Mexican Grill of Dearborn, will take place March 2 at Dearborn First United Methodist Church, 22124 Garrison. The dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m.

The event celebrates the group’s third year in operation. Rev. Paul Perez, regional coordinator of JFON-SEMI explains, “Immigration has shot to the top of the national agenda in the past month. It has been at the top of our agenda for three years. As an organization on the frontline we pause to celebrate our success and to look forward to the hope of immigration reform.”

In recognition of advocacy efforts on behalf of immigrants statewide, Steve Tobocman, director of Global Detroit, a regional economic revitalization strategy for the Detroit area focused on immigration and global connections, will be in attendance to accept the Just Neighbor Advocacy Award.

The group employs a full-time immigration attorney who serves clients by appointment at three volunteer-led monthly immigration clinics located in Dearborn, Pontiac and Ypsilanti. In the last three years, it has served more than 300 clients from nearly 70 different countries. For more information on the group and its operations, or to make an appointment, go to www.jfonsemi.org

The Cass Ambassador choir was organized 10 years ago at the urging of Rev. Faith Fowler, executive director of Cass Community Social Services. Says Fowler, “The men volunteer their time and talent. More than that, they offer their stories of struggle, hardship, addiction, institutionalization, etc. and those that depict recovery, community, and mentoring. They serve as ambassadors for the church, Cass Community Social Services and for Christ.”

The event is open to the public. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $30 per person, $5 per child 12 and under, and can be reserved by calling Perez at 1-734-422-0149, or email: paul@jfonsemi.org. Admission to the concert only is $10 per person, children 12 and under free. Admission paid at the door.