Jan / Feb / Mar 2009

Contents Of This Issue:

Quote

People come in different types.  Those who hate and destroy, and those who love and create. 
To this latter group this website is dedicated. 

(Not sure who is the author of this quote it came from a medical book in Spanish)

Featured Book:  Lifestyle Makeover for Diabetics and Pre-Diabetis.

In this issue of Cedars we are highlighting the story of another successful American-Lebanese Pharmacist George Tohme. Pharmacist Tohme is an
independent contractor pharmacist in the state of Texas.   Tohme is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, PA in 1987. He is certified in diabetes
and cholesterol management, smoking cessation, nutrition guidance, and a certified personal trainer. He is a lifestyle makeover expert and conquered
his own 17-year battle with obesity. He is the author of Lifestyle Makeover For Diabetics and Pre-Diabetics (Published 11/08).  In addition to the book,
other ebooks are available on www.lifestylemakeoverebook.com.  These include: Lifestyle Makeover for All Couch Potatoes, Lifestyle Makeover for All Tobacco Users, Lifestyle Makeover: Defeat High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure, Lifestyle Makeover: Sex, Stress, and Alcohol. 

The Lifestyle Makeover mission is to help people defeat chronic diseases and obesity permanently in 6 weeks or sooner. A lifestyle makeover process will
help people make small simultaneous steps and bring under control all aspects of chronic deadly conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol,
high blood pressure and heart disease.

According to the CDC Over 190 million adults and children (63% of the US population) are obese and overweight, over 110 million are walking with partially blocked arteries, over 160 million have blood pressure and pre-blood pressure, over 81 million have diabetes and pre-diabetes and over 50 million are
smokers. Also, according to the CDC 1.7 million die every year from cardio-vascular diseases caused only by THREE PREVENTABLE CAUSES: obesity,
physical inactivity and smoking.

Within only six weeks people will be able to gradually shift course from a deadly collision with premature death caused by these chronic diseases to the
safe haven of a natural lifespan and best quality of life as a result of either preventing, bringing under control or reversing those deadly conditions. During
those six weeks people will learn how to start new favorable habits, how to make balanced food and activity choices, stop smoking, lose weight without
ever dieting again, manage stress and maintain those favorable balanced actions for a lifetime.

During a 22-year pharmacy practice Tohme helped tens of thousands defeat chronic diseases and as a result he created the Lifestyle Makeover process
which has been enabling people in any household or any organization whether for profit or not to defeat those chronic deadly diseases. Testimonials
can be heard at the following website www.LifestyleMakeoverEbook.com

 Note: If you have a contact such as a medical company or center who would be interested in large numbers of the book we would appreciate your
help as the author can provide deep discounts and will donate a certain percentage to Cedars USA.  For more information please contact the author.
Please mention our website. This would be a win-win situation for patients, buyers, and our website.

SEAL Annual Report

Social and Economic Action for Lebanon celebrated an important milestone in 2008, with over 50 projects funded since inception.
Below is a brief summary.  Click here to read the full report or visit their site at www.seal-usa.org.

Featured Organization:  Lebanese Renaissance Foundation    www.lrfusa.org

ABOUT US

We are an independent civil society group whose members are drawn from all religious denominations, who, through our professional activities,
have been engaged in efforts aimed at preserving the core values of the Cedar Revolution. We strongly believe that the Lebanese private sector
and Diaspora are uniquely positioned to positively influence Lebanon’s rebuilding process, through the planning, governance and tools at the disposal
of the Lebanon Renaissance Foundation.

The Lebanon Renaissance Foundation, Inc. was established in Washington DC, under 501C3 status as a Public Charity. The Foundation aims to reach
its objectives through producing and communicating high quality insights and recommendations related to political, social and economic affairs,
communication capabilities, combined with support offered to an array of NGOs and civil society initiatives to facilitate social, political and cultural
change and high impact socio-economic projects consistent with the Foundation's objectives.

These objectives can be achieved through a joint governance structure between the Lebanese Diaspora, the Lebanese private sector and Lebanese
civil society, with far sighted and practical initiatives, with the tools to carry them out, underpinned by a culture of transparency.

MISSION
The Lebanon Renaissance Foundation is working towards ensuring that Lebanon progresses into a free, democratic and open society, fully integrated
into the global economy, while providing people with choices for their way of life, under the rule of law. LRF aims at exerting consistent positive
influence on future Lebanese political, social and economic policies, as well as on relevant international stakeholders.


PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
- To work towards neutralizing Lebanon from regional conflicts, and increasing awareness of its role in anchoring peace and tolerance in the Middle East.
- To foster a new generation of Lebanese leaders, to supplant those groomed by political instability, and to help steer the Lebanese scene away from
  sectarianism and clientelism.
- To encourage initiatives aimed at strengthening democracy and transparency in Lebanon, identify and support high impact development programs
  targeting poverty and promote education.
- To engage the private sector and the Diaspora in the rebuilding process through governance, planning and tools at the disposal of the Foundation.
- To seek support from key nations and international institutions who meet the Foundation’s objectives and to enlist public support for these objectives.

House of Lebanon News

Lebanese Collegiate Network Annual Gathering

In 2008, we gathered in the presence of Washington D.C.’s great national landmarks to kick off the Lebanese Collegiate Network’s (LCN) convention.
To continue our tradition, we invite you to join us at the 2009 LCN Convention under the bright sunshine of Los Angeles.  The LCN is proud to announce
that the Lebanese Student Association of the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona is the 2009 host of the LCN Convention. The convention
will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 27 & 28. Please register today at www.mylcn.org/LCN09.  

The convention's primary purpose is to develop students, alumni and University Lebanese Clubs professionally and academically.  It's also a great
opportunity to have fun!  What better place to celebrate than in Los Angeles?  Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, several beaches and excellent
tourist sites.  We encourage all out-of-state travelers to arrive a few days early and/or stay a few days extra and enjoy the scenic landmarks of LA. 

A preliminary schedule can be found at www.mylcn.org/LCN09. Most events are scheduled for Saturday March 28. To end the convention, the Most
outstanding ULC Award and the Academic Excellence & Heritage Award will be given out during the Awards Dinner.  Help us reach our goal of 100
Lebanese students from 20 different universities by registering today!

LA Cedars Rotary Club News  

Below please find a brief update.  For more details visit their website at www.lacedarsrotary.org

New projects request:
Aramoun Library : cost 20,000
Projects request from the Hollywood Club.  The Hollywood Club is seeking $1,000.00 for
Hammana Mammography machine
The project is to provide an Affinity Mammography Equipment system a complete set for examination. Dispensary Hammana Health Center provides
low cost medical services (3.50 US$ per consultation.) to about 4000 people in the Upper Metn Area of the city Hammana , Lebanon . The Center is in
desperate need for the Affinity Mammography Equipments due to the high number of patients that the center cares for.
The Rotary intends to supply this equipment with this Matching Grant.

Projects done to date
Medical Equipment to Ain-Ebel Hospital in the south of Lebanon - $64,700
Ambulance to the Red Cross in Choueifat Sahel Aley - $29,699
81 Motorized Wheelchairs for the Lebanese Army - $70,146
3 Land Mine-Detection Dogs for the Lebanese Army, to help detect the mines in the fields in Lebanon - $60,000
Assistance to the injured landmine victims in the form of medical care and education  $58,000
Cooperation with 11 of the 20 Rotary Clubs in Lebanon; our goal is to work with all 20 to help fund projects all over Lebanon.

House of Lebanon Young Professionals Calendar of Events 2009

Date: February 21, 2009          Event: Trip to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
Date: April 7, 2009                 Event: Career Night
Date: May 21, 2009                 Event: Social Mixer (Los Angeles Restaurant)
Date: TBA                              Event: HOL Picnic Volleyball Tournament
Date: August 8, 2009               Event: HOL Beach Day and Hike in Laguna Beach
Date: October 18, 2009           Event: Lebanese American Foundation Banquet
Date: November 7, 2009          Event: HOL YP Banquet
Date: December 3, 2009          Event: Feeding the Homeless

email  holyoungprofessionals@gmail.com    or call   818-300-3695
 

Valentine's day party: Las Vegas

Red Party at the Palacio Destino.  Feb 14th 7:00 pm to 1:00 am.
For more info call 813-679-5985 Amy Nasser or Elias El Khoury
or Chantalle Daccache    rchahayed@cos.net   702-280-7940 cell

American Lebanese Engineering Society Event

Dear ALES members and friends,
 
On behalf of the American Lebanese Engineering Society, we are happy to invite you to our Annual Dinner. For this year's event, we are
honored to have Dr. Joseph Aoun, President of Northeastern University, as the keynote speaker.  (Event Flyer)
 
The dinner will be held on:
Saturday, February 21th, 2009
At Byblos Restaurant
678 Washington St.
Norwood, MA
Tel: (781) 762-8998
Cocktails at 7:00 PM, Dinner at 8:00 PM
Tickets are $65 per person, includes appetizers, main course, desserts, coffee.
 
As seating is limited and the event is in great demand we encourage you to reserve your tickets ASAP. Please confirm your attendance by
calling Mr. Mike Hajjar at 617 448 2058 or emailing to mhajjar@verizon.net.
 
Proceeds from the event and raffle will go towards the scholarship fund and for general organization's activities. Two scholarship awards
for the amount of $1000 each will be presented during the event.
 
Thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at the event.
Sincerely,
Hani Al-Dayaa
On behalf of the organizing committee

Oriental Nostalgia Art Exhibit

Renowned Lebanese painter Fouad Tomb held an exhibit of oil paintings entitled Oriental Nostalgia on January 10th and 11th in Los Angeles.
This show is his first in the United States. 

Oriental Nostalgia is a collection of 29 oil paintings that illustrate middle-eastern portraits and sceneries.  "After immigrating to Canada in
1990, I quickly developed a nostalgia for the orient, I believe many of those who leave their homeland share the same feeling" said
Fouad Tomb.  "The warm colors and hospitable expressions I used were to represent the melancholy I felt for Lebanon."  Rembrandt,
Monet and Cezanne influenced the artist. 

Born in 1951, Mr. Fouad Tomb, was raised in an artistic atmosphere since his childhood.  He used to accompany his father, the celebrated
painter Maroun Tomb, to the heart of the gorgeous Lebanese nature where he painted the landscapes.  Growing up in this atmosphere led
Fouad to later study at UQAM University and other specialized academies in Montereal and Los Angeles.

In 1994, after 20 years abroad, Fouad returned to Lebanon to open a fine art school.  That same year, a first branch was inaugurated in
Kfarhbab under the name of "Arts & Renaissance" and was followed in 1998 by a second branch in Sin El-Fil.  The two schools have taught
over 2000 students of all ages of which many are now artists that exhibit solo.  Over the years, Fouad Tomb participated in group art
shows and exhibited in more than 20 shows in Canada, France, Lebanon, Qatar and UAE.  He was awarded many recognitions including the
title of one of the hundred Lebanese personalities in the 2006 book "Pioneers from Lebanon."

Cedars USA congratulates Mr. Tomb for his successful exhibit in the USA.
His work can be featured on his website www.fouadtomb.com. 
For more information email info@arts-renaissance.com

Featured Website Hadaya Lebanon  www.hadayalebanon.com

Find your elegant and unique gift at HadayaLebanon.com and send it from anywhere in the planet to your relatives, friends, lovers and all dear
ones in Lebanon for all special occasions and events. Enjoy our highest quality items and reduced prices ever found on the Internet!

Whether you live inside or outside Lebanon, you can use hadayalebanon.com to send flowers, chocolates, cakes, jewelry, Faux Bijoux,
Teddy Bears and many other gifts to Lebanon.

Here is a news clip about the website http://hadayalebanon.com/playvideo.php

Cedars Island Project

Noor International' is about to present the development of a Universal Investment Project called 'Lebanon's Cedar
Island' that will be constructed in the Sea.  Very Impressive www.cedarsisland.com
 

Shakira opens fifth school

While the rest of us hold our hands out for gifts on our birthdays, Shakira did something far more generous on hers.  She celebrated her
32nd by opening a school in her hometown of Barranquilla in Colombia.  She says that the school, which counts with a student body of 1500,
is a dream come true for her since she has longed to do this since she was 15 years old.

Last week the multiple Grammy winner dedicated a $6 million school sponsored by her foundation, Piez Descalzos, which means bare foot.
The 140,000 square foot school will cater to 1,800 students and is the 5th to be built by the singer-songwriter's foundation. 

Inspirational Story

Don't wait for ideal circumstances to take action, that may never come.
Here is an inspirational story about an 11 year old boy dying wish to feed the homeless which mobilized many into action.

Cedars USA Business Cards

We are in the process of printing the business card below.  We would love for you to distribute at your events.
They are made of high quality paper and make a great addition to your event.  We would appreciate it if you
can distribute or place at the tables during your dinner events.

                               Front                                                                          Back

Email from a reader- Aitanit Information

Hello,

My name is Linda Homenick........my grandmother Nazera Dagdick was from the small village of Aitanit aka
Aytanit aka Aitaneet etc......she was born in the late 1800's and came to Canada as a young girl with her parents Abraham and Mary, as well as 3 brothers and 1 sister. My grandfather (George) who was also her cousin came from Beirut........his name too was Dagdick. His father was Elias (Abraham's brother) and their father's name was George as well. We think he may have originated in Beirut. That is as far back as we were able to trace. .

However, I am digressing. I understand Aitanit.......... is in West Becca, but I have not been able to locate that region on any map of Lebanon that I have found. I have looked for the village under all the spellings I can think of.

We are planning a family reunion this August (2009) and wish to know where exactly in Lebanon the village is located ............ we would like to have  a map to trace our ancestors to the present day family.

I really would appreciate if you could help with this 'search'.........thank you, Linda Homenick (nee Dagdick)

Haifa Wehbe Video Clips for your enjoyment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckz1LwkSMgU&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuhlkVPJRo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvv7bHo_bL0&feature=related

Notes and Disclaimer
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-  Help
   If you wish to help or if you have links, resources, news about your community,  articles promoting excellence and community service please email us.
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   Email us at:  cedarsusa@yahoo.com or info@cedarsusa.com

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