May 2006

Contents Of This Issue:

"Nothing great was every achieved without enthusiasm". - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Events-

Click above for more details on these events.

Los Angeles/Beirut Sister City Committee Inaugural Celebration
May 31 Hollywood California

The Los Angeles/Beirut Sister City project was features last newsletter.  Here is an upcoming event:
What: Join city council president Eric Garacetti and councilmember Dennis P. Zine.
Location:  Sterling Steak House 1429 North Ivar Avernue
RSVP:  alan@labeirut.org  Alan 323-463-1473    Click Flyer for details.

House of Lebanon "Pride of Heritage" event report

We are proud to share with you highlights of the House of Lebanon Annual "Pride of Heritage" Banquet held on May 6th at the Beverly Hills hotel. This is our main annual event where we show our appreciation and gratitude to our donors, supporters and friends.

The theme of the event was Mr. George Hage receiving the second Ray R. Irani "Pride of Heritage" Award. This award is given annually by the House of Lebanon to an individual who best exemplifies those qualities that have distinguished Lebanese Americans - Love of family and country, generosity of spirit, dedication to the community, excellence in business or profession and is supportive to the mission and purposes of the Lebanese American Foundation.

Last year our keynote speaker was President Clinton. This year, we were honored to have Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as our keynote speaker, who delighted the crowd with his presence and speech. The Mayor saluted the success of the Lebanese American community, recognized and embraced the contribution it makes to Los Angeles and declared his full support to building the House of Lebanon in Los Angeles and starting a sister city project between Los Angeles and Beirut. He was most gracious and warm in speaking with all guests that approached him and taking pictures with them.

Dr. Ray Irani, the Honorary Chairman of the LAF, presented the award to Mr. George Hage on behalf of the House of Lebanon. Dr. Irani, the Consul General of Lebanon, Mr. Charbel Wehbi, and the Chairman of the LAF, Dr. Hanna Shammas, mentioned the considerable achievements of Mr. George Hage, including his philanthropic deeds and generosity to Lebanese organizations and his support to building the House of Lebanon.

Mr. George Hage addressed our guests with an impassioned plea that we continue to assist Lebanon in its pursuit of complete independence, freedom, and prosperity. He prompted Lebanese immigrants to unite and seek direct representation in the Lebanese Parliament in order to accomplish this goal.

We are very thankful to our jovial Master of Ceremony, Superior Court Judge James Kaddo, the Co-Chairs of the event Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Karaki and Dr. A. J. Racy and his ensemble for making the event flawless.
 

American-Lebanese Profile- Dr. Henry Zeiter

                   

Dr. Zeiter, Physician/philosopher/author, is one of the nation's foremost eye surgeons. Henry was born in Serhel, five miles from the famous Cedars in the Kadisha Valley, but his family roots were in Stockton, California. That makes him a true American-Lebanese. Dr. Zeiter was featured in our last newsletter for his book "From Lebanon to California".

Henry graduated from high school at age 16.  His father sent him to Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario, where he fell in love with the Great Books and the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Henry transferred to Western Ontario University where he intended to go to medical school. Although he lacked the technical course requirements to be admitted there, the University Registrar gambled that his background as a liberal arts student (he graduated summa cum laude and spoke eight languages) would be sufficient. It was
He excelled in medical school, graduated as a Wunderkind at age 23 and did his residency in Detroit in ophthalmology. In 1962, he relocated to Stockton, California, where he became the founder and president of the Zeiter Eye Clinic Surgicenter.

Henry's innovations in cataract surgery made him famous and soon ophthalmologists from around the country were beating a path to his door to learn about his techniques. Over the next 35 years, he would perform more than 25,000 operations for cataracts, glaucoma, corneal transplants, and other disorders of the eye. He became widely published in refereed journals, belonged to a host of prestigious medical associations.

While he was doing his residency training at a Detroit hospital, he met Carol, a young nurse who was working towards her master's degree in pediatric nursing education. He thought he'd test her mettle by taking her to Verdi's Requiem on their first date. "It turns out she knew more about it than I did," he said.  On that first date, he pronounced, "I'm going to marry you," as a true Lebanese would! She said, "You're crazy - you're not even in love!" Of course they fell in love, and they did marry, and Henry uprooted Carol from her native Detroit to Stockton, where they raised four children.

Together, Henry and Carol have established a Homeless Shelter in their names, and they direct a charitable foundation that provides scholarships for needy students. They were also the driving force behind the Stockton Symphony, the Chorale, the Chamber Music group (which was on its way to bankrupsy, until they undertook to put it back in the black), and they helped bring to Stockton a weekly Maronite Mass. In 1986, Henry was elected to the Board of Governors of Thomas Aquinas College, where he serves as chairman of the Curriculum Committee.

It was an honor to get to know Dr. Zeiter by email.  You can read the full profile and much more information and resources under the profile section or at this link.  Also you can read about his book at  www.xlibris.com/FROMLEBANONTOCALIFORNIA.html.
You can contact the author at this email drhenry@sonic.net.
 

Unique Image, Inc. www.uniqueimageinc.com  or www.alomagazine.com

Unique Image, Inc. is a marketing and print media company in the San Fernando Valley that has developed a brand new publication with a positive media outlet in promoting the achievements of the Mediterranean region and American Middle Eastern communities. ALO Magazine emphasizes culture through lifestyle, and has successfully represented these communities through inspiring stories of determination and strength.

As a company, Unique Image strives to support the community. The company donates a large portion of its proceeds to aid non-profit organizations worldwide, including the Economic Alliance. They also aid in promoting other civic-minded companies and organizations that help the overall community.

Unique Image specializes in exceptional media kits that highlight a company’s identity. They are offering this professional media kit service at a special rate to our members. To find out more about how such a kit can benefit your company, call them at (818) 727-7785.

Amin Sultan

Updates

Inspirational

First I was dying to finish my high school and start college.
And then I was trying to finish college and start working.
Then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow.
But then I was dying to retire.
And now I am dying and suddenly I realized that I forgot to live.

Appreciate your current situation and enjoy each day.
Remember to Live, Love and Laugh.

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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