July 2006

Contents Of This Issue:

Quote 

"The difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. The difference between the two is the difference between living fully and just existing."   - Michael E. Gerber

For CedarsUSA.com newsletter by Sanford Holst-
Author of "Phoenicians: Lebanon's Epic Heritage."

Many clubs and organizations in the Lebanese American community have invited me to speak about the discoveries in my book “Phoenicians: Lebanon’s Epic Heritage.” The response from their members has been very warm and in some cases deeply emotional. The House of Lebanon, Lebanese Ladies Cultural Society, and WLCU California Ladies are among the groups which have made this possible. After we discuss the remarkable early history of the Lebanese people which I was able to bring to light, people often ask for their copies of the book to be signed. I am amazed how often people bring several copies which they have gotten for friends and family members, excited to share this view of Lebanon’s wonderful history.

A man in New Jersey received “Phoenicians” from a friend and emailed, “I wanted to commend you on writing a book that I found as much inspirational as it was historical. As a Lebanese with a distinct love for all things Phoenician, I found what little bits of information I would gather from various sources lacked the thread to tie them together, and of course with the tainting of history by those who wrote it, it always seemed to me that the Phoenicians had been short-changed at every opportunity. . . . I found the book inspirational not only for the sense of pride it should instill in most Lebanese as a whole, but for myself personally.”

Last week I presented an academic paper at the World History Association conference, describing important Phoenician contributions to the beautiful Minoan and Greek societies. This is part of my goal to change history books to more honestly reflect the remarkable contributions of the Phoenicians, the early Lebanese people. At the conference, university professors asked many questions, and for the first time some of them began taking real interest in the Phoenicians. The editor of a national magazine requested an article.

In the middle of all this, it is good to see community organizations like CedarsUSA.com spreading the word about Lebanon’s wonderful heritage. I am glad to make a contribution to that worthwhile activity.

Note: We thank Mr. Holst for all his work with many Lebanese clubs and projects and for promoting CedarsUSA.com.
Please click here to find out more about the book and to order a copy.  It makes a great gift.

COPY THIS!
Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America's Best Companies
By Paul Orfalea,
Ann Marsh

A charismatic, heart-warming business memoir that’s filled with life lessons on overcoming obstacles, Copy This! is a book for every business owner looking to grow a company, every manager helping his team perform, every visionary trying to launch a new idea—and for every mother and father of a child suffering from dyslexia or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Because Copy This! is the story of how Paul Orfalea opened a small copy shop called Kinko’s in 1970 and turned it into a $1.5 billion-a-year company, while barely being able to read, write, or sit still through a business meeting.

Here is the story of a dyslexic, hyperactive boy who flunked two grades—yet succeeded in using his learning differences as opportunities, molding the compassionate, unconventional, partner-driven culture that allowed Kinko’s to thrive, and made it, according to Fortune, Forbes, and Mother Jones, one of the best places in America to work. In fourteen chapters narrated with the engaging voice of a born storyteller, Orfalea takes as much pleasure in discussing his shortcomings as he does his successes, and imparts the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way: Manage the environment, not the people. Fail forward. Be “on” your business, not “in” your business. Let your soul catch up with your body. Keep a poker face—and a poker mind. And know when—and how—to walk away. Which Orfalea did in 2000, having made millionaires out of dozens of his friends and partners, after an extraordinary 30-year run.

About the author:
Paul Orfalea founded Kinko’s in 1970 and retired from the company in 2000. He frequently teaches at the University of Southern California and talks to educational and business organizations around the country. Through the Orfalea Family Foundation, Mr. Orfalea supports a broad range of educational initiatives. He lives with his family in Santa Barbara, California.

Little Book of Love Quotes

Compiled by Nina Abi Fadel and Caroline McCabe-Hariz

This book is truly a heart to heart, in that the concepts of love from the hearts of these children will help to save the hearts of other children. For each book sold, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Brave Heart Fund at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) to help provide financial assistance toward surgery and treatment for needy children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

CHD is the most common birth defect and the leading cause of death in the first year of life. CHD is the abnormal development of the heart, and while there are at least 35 types of defects recognized, the primary causes of CHD are still unknown. “No child should die from heart disease because of a lack of funds.” This is the mission statement of the Brave Heart Fund and to date the Fund has helped more than 165 children to receive quality medical care at the AUBMC.

Compilation of THE LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE QUOTES was taken on by Nina Abi Fadel and Caroline McCabe-Hariz of Lebanon who asked 365 children, “What is love?” Their answers vary from humorous and whimsical to passionate and inspirational[1]. Adults can sometimes forget the power and importance of love, and these quotes are a wonderful reminder. These quotes were selected from over 1400 quotes collected over six months.  Beside soliciting help from schools, kids were interviewed at parties, camps, and home.  Kids were asked "What does love mean to you?"  Back came their replies which were delightful, inspiring, charming and from the heart. 

The Brave Heart fund was established at the Children's Heat Center at AUBMC in November 2003 by volunteers whose life have been touched by CHD.  The funds cover the cost of hospitalization and surgery for needy children suffering from CHD irrespective to their sex, race or religion. 

http://revolutionbooksellers.com/index.asp?menu=wp918200515198&page=wp918200515198&prodid=179#LoveQuotes 

Carol McCarthy, Projects Manager
Revolution Booksellers
60 Winter Street    Exeter, NH 03833
Phone: 800-738- 6603  Fax: 603- 772-7204
Email: carol@revolutionbooksellers.com
Website: www.revolutionbooksellers.com

Will The Sun Rise Again 
By Montaha Kochou

An attractive young woman, married with two children, will come face to face with her first love after fourteen years of separation. Her first love story started in her mother land Lebanon, a country that has exotic beauty and was torn by religious war. Will she be able to win the battle between her beliefs and convictions and her desperate need for love and attention? Or, will she follow her burning desire, and lose her kids, husband, pride, and dignity?
Montaha Kochou, an Assyrian in origin, presents to the readers her second novel. A love story that start in Beirut, Lebanon, the bride of Middle East, and ends in the great city of Chicago. It is the episode of a woman who finds herself on the horns of dilemma; torn between her devotion to her family and her burning desire to be with her first love. A rather moral adventure where faithfulness and infidelity meet half way.

This story takes you to moments of romance, suspense, spirituality, crime, mystery, and adventures.  You can read more about the book and find out how to order it on http://www.montahakochou.com/willthesunriseagain.htm. 

This is the second book by Montaha Kochou.  The first on is called Burning Desire.  Please visit www.montahakochou.com to find out more about the author.

Los Angeles-Beirut Sister City Project
This update was sent from the House of Lebanon

Tuesday June 20th 2006, was indeed a memorable day for the Lebanese American Community. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to adopt Beirut as a Sister City. The ceremony in the chambers of the City Council at City Hall was warm and festive. Dr. Joanna Nachef sang beautifully the American and Lebanese Anthems with both flags next to each other.

Council President Eric Garcetti spoke warmly about his official visit to Beirut last year, and congratulated the community for this valuable and historic achievement. He said the goal is to promote understanding and friendship between the residents of these two great cities, and to foster cultural, social, and business exchange.

Councilmember Dennis Zine, a Lebanese American and the architect of this agreement, stood at the podium next to a few of us who delivered speeches thanking the Council on behalf of the community. Councilmember Bill Rosendhal shared with us his warm memories of Beirut in the early 70's. Councilmember Tom LaBonge, who oversees all the Sister Cities programs, agreed with Judge James Kaddo about the considerable contribution of Lebanese Americans to Los Angeles, and he added a few more that he personally knows.

An official delegation of 23, headed by Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Dennis Zine, will be arriving Beirut on June 29, 2006 to officially sign the Agreement. The delegation will meet the top officials of the Lebanese government, and visit the cities of Tripoli, Zahle, Byblos, and Baalbek.

We are grateful for Councilmember Zein for his great effort, his Chief Legislative deputy Brian Perry for organizing the ceremony and the lunch at City Hall, and for Gus Malkoun for organizing the guest list at the ceremony.

Ferris Wehbe is the second arm that made this project successful, with a lot of diligent work. For more details, please visit the web-site: www.labeirut.org

There were a lot of photos taken you can look for them in the next edition of Alo magazine, http://www.alomagazine.com/
also please visit our web-site: www.houseoflebanon.com for the latest updates on our activities.

Philip Habib On New U.S. Postage Stamp

A new U.S. postage stamp series that honors six American diplomats was recently released. Mr. Philip Habib was one of the selected diplomats remembered for their contributions to international relations, peace makers, and humanitarians.

Mr. Philip Habib (1920-1992) was an authority on Southeast Asia and a peace negotiator in the Middle East. He served as an ambassador and political envoy for many years.  He also served as president Reagan's personal representative to the Middle East.  In 1982 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. 

Earlier this year we featured the Khalil Gibran U.S. Postage stamp committee.  The committee needs your help in getting signatures.  Please read the information at the link above.  You can print the signature form and help with this project especially if you have a club or organization with many contacts.  In addition you or your club can write a letter of thanks to the Postmaster for honoring Mr. Habib.
 

American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL)

Uniting American leaders of Lebanese heritage

The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization comprised primarily of prominent and dedicated Americans of Lebanese heritage who share a common interest in Lebanon and the goals of the organization. The unifying goal is to work towards reestablishing a secure, stable, independent, and sovereign Lebanon with full control over all its territory. The ATFL, which is nonsectarian and nonpartisan, encourages the advocacy of the United States Administration, Department of State, and Congress in helping to realize its goals. At all times, the mission and objectives of the ATFL shall be in the best interest of the United States.


ATFL, 2213 M Street, NW., 3rd Flr, Washington, D.C. 20037, T: (202) 223-9333 F: (202) 223-1399.

Events-  Click here for more details

New Links

The following are new links added to the American-Lebanese Links page.  Some of these businesses will be featured in future newsletters.

Website Update

Don't Judge Things Too Quickly

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, the fulfillment of your fall.

Moral lessons:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.  Don't judge life by one difficult season.
 

We hope you enjoyed this issue. Please forward this to your friends and ask them to subscribe to the Cedars-USA free email newsletter. 
If you wish to help or if you have links, resources or articles please email us at info@cedarsusa.com or cedarsusa@yahoo.com.

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