The 14th Annual Dearborn Arab International Festival begins June 19 and runs through June 21.

Visit the largest Arab international festival in the country in the heart of east Dearborn, along Warren Avenue. Join thousands of people who participate from throughout Michigan, the Midwest and Canada to celebrate the wonderful diversity of cultures during this three day event. For more information, click HERE

Visit local Dearborn restaurants during a “Taste of Dearborn” on June 17.

 “Don’t worry about “what’s for dinner” on Wednesday evening, June 17. Instead, invite your friends and join the fun from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce “Taste of Dearborn” event. For just $20 each, you can sample a wide variety of food specialties available at more than 15 area restaurants and cafes in Dearborn. A shuttle van is also available. To sign up visit the Dearborn of Chamber of Commerce by clicking HERE.

Join the City of Dearborn and the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council in commemorating Flag Day, an annual tradition. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at the Henry Ford Centennial Library. As part of the ceremony, U.S. flags no longer fit for service are respectfully burned according to American Legion protocol. Visit www.cityofdearborn.org.

The Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market will enter its second year in downtown Dearborn when it opens the 2009 season this Friday.

The market has a new location this year, moving to the outside of Bryant Library at the corner of Michigan and Mason. For 2009, the market is actually opening six weeks earlier than in 2008, a very good thing in our book, and starting an hour earlier, opening at 8 a.m. and running until 1 p.m. The early start is a smart addition as it should allow more people to stop at the market before heading to work.

There has been a lot of discussion on this website about why the market is on a Friday, rather than a Saturday. We think holding the market on a Friday can be advantageous as many more people work in Dearborn than live, a possible benefit to vendors and it shows off our city to non-residents, too.

We caught up with Joan Reed, market manager for the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market, to have her explain the Friday vs. Saturday choice, as well as all of the other fantastic changes for the 2009 season that we think will make the market an even bigger success.

“The Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market is on Fridays rather than Saturday because last year most vendors who I felt would be right for our Market said Friday was the day most would be available,” Reed said. “Many vendors have been going to other Markets for a number of years on Saturday and some actually do 3 or 4 on Saturdays. Yes, it would be nice to have a Saturday Market but our community needs to support our market on Fridays for the time being.”

In addition to the earlier start time and more visible location along Michigan Avenue, the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market has added the Henry Ford Community College as a sponsor, who will be hosting cooking demonstrations. There also will be music most mid-mornings, children’s activities and more vendors, too.

“We’ll probably average 28 vendors this year versus last year’s 18-22,” Reed said. “The majority will be farmers and food vendors and, like last year, all farmers will only be selling their own Michigan grown products without any ‘middle men.’

“We’re excited to have many new vendors this year, including four new produce vendors. Just a few of our new vendors include Cheekymonkeysfoods with Fair Trade Organic Coffee and Tea, along with organic baked goods; Tracina’s Gourmet Specialties with frozen gnocchi and sauces that are all natural; and Natural Local Food Express with beef and bison products.”

There also will be a variety of other products to select from, including seasonal produce and fruit, honey, meats, breads, cookies, coffee, cheese, soy candles, soaps, pastas, salsas, mustards, flowers, cherry drinks, and pickles.

“The Dearborn Farmers and Artisan’s Market is a great opportunity to purchase fresh, local Michigan products in a convivial setting while enjoying your Dearborn neighbors,” Reed said. “We will have music most weeks mid morning. The Culinary Arts Dept of HFCC will be hosting cooking demonstrations June 12, 2009, with more planned in the future. Children’s Activities will be in conjunction with Bryant Library the first Friday of each month, and we’re looking forward to having the Dearborn Fire Department bring a hook and ladder for the children to enjoy in the latter part of June. Like last year, the Master Gardeners will be present every week to answer questions and provide tips on gardening and landscaping.”

For those wondering about parking, it is available in any of the city lots close to the Market. Cost is free until 9:30 a.m., and the city has agreed to limit the maximum amount charged during the market hours to $1.00 for any time beyond half hour.

We think the Dearborn Farmers & Artisan’s Market is a great addition to Dearborn’s downtown. It’s success will hinge on the participation of all of us here. Here’s to a successful 2009 season!

A vacant building in Dearborn at the corner of Greenfield and Ford Road is now the home of a new Leo’s Coney Island restaurant that will employ some 40 people.

Owner Ken Vlahadamis said more than 400 people applied for the 40 jobs at his restaurant.

The owner of the new Leo’s Coney Island said his restaurant was overwhelmed with more than 400 applications for employment, yet another sign of the critical shape of today’s economy.

The smoke-free restaurant – in the home of a former Baker’s Square – is owned by Ken Vlahadamis, in partnership with Bill Kanellopolous and Tony Gamoloush. As the new implies, the new restaurant will serve the Coney Islands basics such as fries, burgers and Greek salads but it also will include a wide selection of homemade dishes, including Greek specialties, halal meats, breakfast items and a kids menu. Many of the menu selections are available for off-site catering.

“We’re excited about being in Dearborn and partnering with the local community,” said Vlahadamis, who has been in the restaurant business for 12 years. “Our mission, in addition to serving great food, is to support local events and worthwhile causes, so we look forward to meeting our neighbors and learning how we can participate.”

Leo’s Coney Island in Dearborn is located at 5575 Greenfield Road and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
For more information, click HERE or call 313-253-0200.

Some big cats will be out on the links on Monday, June 8, to “roar” their support for the 16th annual Critter Invitational golf outing that benefits the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton, a longtime ambassador of the Friends, will be teeing up and possibly bringing some of his Lions teammates.

For the past six years the Detroit Lions Foundation and Detroit Lions players have been advocates for the Dearborn Animal Shelter. Players and their four-legged family members are featured in the annual Detroit Lions Pet Calendar with all proceeds benefiting the Friends. In addition, players such as George Foster, Ernie Sims, Don Muhlbach, and Stanton attend Friends fund-raisers throughout the year.

“We consider the players and the entire Detroit Lions organization to be part of our extended family,” explains Kelle Sisung, Friends Development Director. “They are always there when we need them. And, considering June is Adopt a Cat Month, it’s terrific that we have some big cats on our team.”

The Critter Invitational will feature several live auction items donated by the Detroit Lions. The first is a VIP package with 4 club tickets to the Lions vs. Washington Redskins game on September 27, 2009, at Ford Field and 4 passes to go down on the field and watch pre-game warm-ups on the Lions’ sideline. The second item is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the Lions vs. St. Louis Rams game on November 1, 2009, in the radio broadcast booth with play-by-play announcer Dan Miller and color analyst Jim Brandstatter.

A very special addition to Critter Invitational 2009 is a chance to have your pet featured on the cover of the 2010 Detroit Lions Pet Calendar. Plus, the winner gets the opportunity to rub elbows with Lions players at the official photo shoot at either Ford Field or the Allen Park training facility. Only 100 tickets will be sold prior to, and at the golf outing. The winner will be announced after the live auction on June 9.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased by calling the Dearborn Animal Shelter at (313) 943-2697 or visiting the Web site at www.DearbornAnimals.org . The $50 donation is tax deductible.

For the third year, the Critter Invitational is sponsored by Norma Wallis, CEO of Livernois Vehicle Development. And, since 2005, the event has been emceed by WJBK Fox 2 sports director Dan Miller, who also serves as honorary chair.

“The Critter Invitational gets better every year,” says Wallis. “On June 8, we’ll have yoga stretching thanks to Sattva Yoga Center and some pretty unique animal-themed golfer challenges, like the Furball Contest! At the end of day, however, it’s all about helping animals who need us.”

The 16th annual Critter Invitational will be held on Monday, June 8, at the Dearborn Country Club, located at 800 N. Military St. in Dearborn, Michigan. Tickets are $225 each and include a round of scramble format golf, golfer’s doggie bag, continental breakfast with a Bloody Mary bar, open beverage cart on the course, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment on the patio before dinner, and a sumptuous dinner buffet with two-hour open bar.

For non-golfers or folks who who are a bit rusty at golf (think us here) you still can support the homeless animals by purchasing tickets to the dinner for $75 each. Both ticket packages include admittance to the silent and live auctions. We have done that a number of times here and it’s a great evening and the food is always great at the Country Club.

The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter is 501C3 non-profit organization. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Friends’ web site at www.DearbornAnimals.org call (313) 943-2697 or drop a note to Kelle Sisung, Friends Development Director at ksisung@aol.com. You may also stop by the Dearborn Animal Shelter, located at 2661 Greenfield Road in Dearborn. It’s a good way to meet some of the volunteers and pet a few of our furry four-legged friends, too.

We realize Dearborn’s Memorial Day parade has now come and gone but two Dearborn High School graduates sent on to us some photographs and video that captured the parade so we wanted to share them with you here again.

Thanks Raad and Mike for capturing for all of us here a look back at Dearborn’s 85th annual Memorial Day Parade.

For a slide show of the parade, please click HERE.

The video is posted below.

Oxford Lanes and NetworkDearborn.com are proud to invite folks in Dearborn to play the Oxford Lanes Online Open.

Another in an ongoing series of addictive Flash games that raise awareness about local business, this all-new interactive game has a terrific grand prize for the highest score during the month of June: A Bowling Party for the winner and 25 friends!

Please visit http://www.networkdearborn.com/bowling/bowling.html  to play, and to find out more details! Play as often as you want, and spread the word to your Dearborn friends and family!

Mark your calendar for June 2. That’s when the Dearborn Historic Aviation Property Owners’ Association and the City of Dearborn will hold a rededication ceremony of Basse Park at 6:30 p.m.

The park, located north of Warren Avenue, between Miller and Manor Roads, was originally dedicated in 1998 in memory of Arthur Basse, a longtime resident and active community leader of Dearborn.

Anne Basse, Arthur’s wife, donated swing sets and a merry-go-round as well as other pieces of equipment when the City dedicated the park in honor of her husband.

At the age of 91, Anne continues to participate in organizations that she and her late husband supported and remains an involved City resident.

Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. will preside at the rededication and a new sign will be installed. Following the rededication, the Aviation Property Owners’ Association will hold a neighborhood meeting at Esper Library, 12929 W. Warren Avenue

Those of you who have lived in Dearborn for sometime will have some great memories of the landmark Dearborn eatery known as the Chambertin.

The restaurant was located on Michigan Avenue in the area now occupied by Kroger (formerly Farmer Jack) at Nowlin, along with a Holiday Inn. We were unable to find any photos of the Chambertin to share here but if you come accross any we’d be happy to post them here for all to see.

At its peak, the restaurant employed some 100 people, which was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

We mention the Chambertin because its founder, Constantine “Gus” Kokas, died Thursday, May 21, 2009. He was 83. His funeral was held Wednesday in Westland and he was buried at the Great Lakes National Cemetery for veterans.

For his full obituary, please click HERE.