New Year Edition January 2014 THE CEDAR CONNECTION Published by the Lebanese-American Club of Michigan (LACOM) www.lacom.org / Happy New Year from LACOM! In the light of tragedy, Lebanese resilience always prevails. As we begin the journey of 2014, we hope this is a fresh start to a 365- page book. We hope Lebanon will write a good one. Page 6
LEBANESE RESILIENCE ALWAYS PREVAILS As the world moves into 2014, many people in Lebanon are wondering if they are in for another bloody year, or if it will finally bring peace.
People all over Beirut woke up December 27 to calls and text messages asking if they were safe, after a downtown car bombing killed eight people, including former finance minister Mohamed Chatah. It's a question all Lebanese have grown accustomed to over the years. Those Community Events living abroad ask: "Are you safe?" Those in Lebanon try to reassure them that Hair Cutting Ceremony they are, indeed, safe. Jan 11, 12 for 2013 Newborn Babies at St. Sharbel. Friday's bombing was a targeted hit on Chatah - a member of Lebanon's Call 586-826-9688 for March 14 opposition group - who was known for his criticism of Syria's more info. President Bashar al-Assad and his allies inside Lebanon. Jan 18 Lebanese Student Association 2nd Annual Spillover from the civil war in neighboring Syria is intensifying in Lebanon. Unified Gala. Email But to classify the latest attack that killed Chatah and the others as sectarian [email protected] would be far too simplistic. for tickets. Submit your event for next month’s Friday's bombing took place at the scene of a massive regeneration project, edition! [email protected] spearheaded by former prime minister Rafiq Hariri after the end of Lebanon's Continued on Page 4
Lebanon brings in the New Year (Page 2) Fletcher and Kassis launch #OneLebanon (Page 3) Lebanese Student Association to host 2nd Annual Gala (Page 5)
New Year Edition January 2014
Beirut brings in the New Year Despite growing political tensions and a recent bombing, commemorative fireworks lit up the sky in Downtown Beirut to welcome 2014. According to some Twitter users, a substantially smaller crowd gathered downtown compared to 2013.
The Daily Star says it’s due to Mohammad Chatah’s December 27 assassination. Beirut hotels say the bombing considerably reduced New Year’s reservations. In fact, the Golden Tulip Hotel in Hamra reports a 15% cancellation of New Year reservations within two hours after the explosion.
The cancellations didn’t stop hotels and other venues from the festivities, however. MTV Lebanon hosted a 3- hour live New Year’s Eve television program with Carla Haddad and special guests Yara, Joseph Attieh, Sarah El Hani, Naya, Sabine, Naji El Osta, Nader El Atat, Viviane Mrad, and Rabih Baroud.
On New Year’s Day, the Lebanese National News Agency reported the tragic death of one teen and the injury of four others after stray bullets from celebratory New Year gunfire sent hundreds of people fleeing for cover.
RECIPE CORNER Lebanese Sugared Donuts
Ingredients 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ cup warm water, 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup canola oil, plus canola oil for frying, ¾ cup warm water, and sugar for coating the donuts Instructions 1.) Proof the yeast by dissolving it in ½ cup water with the sugar and letting it activate for about 15 minutes. 2.) Whisk together the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and add the oil and proofed yeast mixture. Slowly work the wet ingredients into the dry, adding the ¾ cup of water slowly. Hold back ¼ cup and add only as necessary. Knead the dough gently for just a couple of minutes. 3.) Coat the dough with about 1 tablespoon of oil, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 2 hours. 4.) Divide the dough into 8-10 balls. Let rise, covered with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, on a lightly floured work surface for 20 minutes. 5.) Fill a medium sauté pan with enough canola oil to reach 1/3 of the way up. Heat over medium high heat until a tiny ball of dough placed in the oil bubbles up immediately. 6.) Stretch three balls of dough at a time into rustic, flat, oblong shapes and poke a hole in the middle. Keep the rest of the dough balls covered to prevent them from drying out and forming a skin. 7.) Fry three donuts at a time, turning over with tongs when deep golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel, and sprinkle immediately2 with sugar and enjoy.
New Year Edition January 2014
‘Lebanon better united than divided’ “Enough corruption and violence,” British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher said earlier this month. “Khalas!” The occasion for the ambassador’s remark was the news conference unveiling “One Lebanon, United for Tomorrow,” a musical event he co-created with Lebanese soprano Tania Kassis. Scheduled for February 1st at the Forum de Beyrouth, the The “One Lebanon” team hopes to raise event aims to be both entertaining and patriotic – to funds for civic outreach programs in schools. demonstrate the solidarity of many celebrities in order, as Kassis put it, to “show the best picture of Lebanon.” Kassis says the idea to stage “One Lebanon” emerged from her desire to celebrate national belonging. The concert was originally scheduled for earlier this year; it was postponed due to the tense situation in the country. Arguably, such expressions of national unity are all the more important since the recent bombings. A single performance event will not change the situation of the country, Fletcher acknowledged, but it can surely provide “a great opportunity to send a powerful message: Lebanon is better united than divided.” British Ambassador to Singer Tania Kassis Lebanon Tom Fletcher Saudi Arabia to provide aid to Lebanon
Saudi Arabia is to provide Lebanon’s military with a $3 billion grant, presumably to help in the fight against terrorism. Lebanese President Michel Sleiman announced the windfall after the funeral of Mohamad Chatah.
Carmen Chammas releases 2014 Horoscope book
Lebanese TV personality and astrologist, Carmen Chammas, recently announced the release of her new book “2014.” Chammas began working at Future TV in 1999 presenting daily horoscope and yearly outlooks. L’Express International named Chammas one of the 100 most influential personalities of Lebanon. For more information about “2014,” visit carmenchammas.tv
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New Year Edition January 2014
Continued from page 1 civil war from 1975-90. The project transformed the area from a combat zone to a hub where families go to walk and shop, and where banks and government offices are located. People of all sects and religions mix there.
But despite the revitalization, the area also holds memories of tragedy: In 2005, Hariri - a friend and colleague of Chatah's - was also killed in a car bombing in the vicinity.
The assassinations in recent months have left many Lebanese with a sense of quiet discomfort, a fear that permeates their once again unpredictable daily lives. Lebanese-American Lebanese have long been known for their resilience in the face of violence of the Month and war. Nevertheless, every assassination leaves behind a lingering unease, as if a countdown has started to the next one. Some Lebanese Jamie Farr was born on July 1, have found their patience is running out. 1934, to parents Jamelia and Samuel Farah. Since his childhood, Farr Christina Khoury, a 35-year-old bank manager, says she plans on leaving loved movies and dreamed of Lebanon for good. someday becoming an actor. In 1954 he landed his first professional acting "I have given up hope. There is no longer a sense of unity among people," gig and was credited as Jameel Farah she said. "The once prevalent ideology of acceptance and co-existence has in the film, but subsequently changed been replaced with one of intolerance and defeatism." his name to something that Hollywood audiences would be Chatah wasn't the only one killed in Friday's attack. Seven other people more able to pronounce and also lost their lives, including Mohammed Chaar, a teenager who remember. happened to be in the area and who died of his wounds the following day. He has become a symbol across Lebanon of innocence caught up in the In 1971, Farr landed a major role as a 1920s gangster in a CBS program, violent struggle for power in the country. but the show was cancelled mid- season. The cancellation was followed by a slow stretch, and Farr claims he was down to one can of tuna in the house when he got a call from a new sitcom called "M*A*S*H." After so many years in film and television, Farr decided to rediscover his theatrical roots, and at the age of 60, he finally made his Broadway debut in the revival of "Guys and Dolls." In 2005, Jamie Farr was recognized as a Comedy Achievement Honoree at the New York Arab-American PHOTO: Chatah was laid to rest alongside Sunni Comedy Festival. statesman Rafik Hariri.
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New Year Edition January 2014
Lebanese Student Association TOP to host 2nd Annual Unified Gala OF THE MONTH The Lebanese Student Associations (LSA) of Wayne State University, University of Michigan Dearborn, University of . @LebAmUniv: Thanks for Michigan Ann Arbor and Oakland University, will host their the holiday wishes. Merry second annual unified gala at the Crystal Gardens banquet hall in Christmas to you as well Southgate, located at 16703 Fort Street. For tickets, email @LACOMNews. [email protected].
. @DominiqueHourani: @LACOMNews Merry Christmas. Michigan is one of my best USA states. Best memories.
. @KhatibRasha: @LACOMNews Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and our beloved Lebanon.
Also, a special thanks to MTV Reporter Joyce Akiki, Journalist Patricia Hachem, Entrepreneur Roula Nahas, Recording Artist Dominque Hourani, MTV anchor Rasha Khatib, LBC reporter Yazbeck Wehbe, and the Lebanese American University for tweeting with us.
And a very special thanks to Majida El Roumi, who was nice enough to share the December Edition of The Cedar Connection with her 372,000 Twitter followers! Thank you!
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New Year Edition January 2014
NEWS IN PHOTOS
Two Lebanese women wave their national flag during a Nancy Ajram and family celebrate show in the bay of Jounieh, near Beirut. Christmas Eve at her Beirut home.
LEFT: Hundreds celebrate the start of 2014 at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, just four days after Mohammad Chatah was killed near the hotel.
RIGHT: Lebanon celebrates New Year during a celebration at the Forum de Beirut. Michel Hayek minutes before making 2014 predictions on MTV Lebanon.
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New Year Edition December 2013
Have a blessed 2014! From the LACOM family to yours, we wish you a healthy and prosperous 2014. We also wish for peace and stability in Lebanon. May the “Paris of the Middle East” continue to shine.
Write for us! Send your article or editorial to [email protected] on or before the 1st of the month!
Thank you! Cedar Connection Published by LACOM The Lebanese-American Club of Michigan Dr. Wissam Shaya – President P.O. Box 1452 Elias Yammine – Vice President Warren, MI 48090 Maurice Farah – Secretary [email protected] Tom Sokol – Treasurer
Naji Chidiac – Board Member PRESS RELEASES: Wissam B. Malouf – Board Member [email protected] Pierre Rechdan – Board Member 248-924-4854 Charlie Kadado – Editor 313-744-3498