Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago we met to celebrate the occasion of the Lebanese Independence Day. The turnout was great and the food was especially good, as usual. Many thanks for all who prepared the food, donated the hall, and nurtured the festive atmosphere. A Community Service Award was presented to Moise Khayrallah for his generous support, through the Khayrallah Family Foundation, of the Lebanese American Studies program at NC State University (http://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/akhater/lac/) and of the TLA. Thanks, Moise and Vera.
In addition to an update of the TLA finances, we reviewed the goals for the coming year. These include acquiring a home for the TLA and the Lebanese Educational Center, invigorating the organization by expanding the membership and recruiting and involving younger members, and reaching out to the community through dance and information sharing. If you have not renewed your membership this is the right time for you to do it. Check out our new website (http://www.tlanc.us) and renew your membership online (https://www.tlacnc.org/new-members-application).
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are fast approaching. If you are looking for gift ideas consider giving our cookbook, compiled by Bearta Al-Chacar Powell Authentic Lebanese Cuisine: From our Homes to Yours , It sells for $31.99 from Amazon but at a special price for TLA members it can be purchase for $20 plus $2.50 for mailing. (http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Lebanese-Cuisine-Homes-Yours/dp/1467920894/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354493335&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=lebanse+cookbook+%2B+bearta). Contact Bearta (bearta2@aol.com) for ordering the book(s). Another excellent gift is the DVD Cedars in the Pines that reviews the history of Lebanese immigrants in North Carolina It is available at http://www.talkingnc.com/ceinpid.html.
The Saint Sharbel Church is holding it 8th Annual Christmas Hafli on Saturday Dec. 8 (http://www.marsharbel.org/Pages/Bulletin.aspx http://www.marsharbel.org/Documents/Xmas2012.jpg ). For tickets contact Yvone Najm 919-810-7635 , Fr. Kamil 919-632-4798 , or Doumit Ishaq (dishak@ncdot.gov).
At the end of November, the Third Annual International Beirut Prize honored a number of distinguished individuals who excelled in science and the arts
(http://annahar.com/article.php?t=madaniat&p=1&d=24920). Among the honorees were Dr. Philip Salem for his work on cancer treatment (http://www.pasalem.com/drsalem/), Prof. Edgar Shweiri for his many projects, especially space travel with NASA (http://alfven.princeton.edu/personnel/eyc.htm), and the Caracalla Dance Group (http://www.caracalladance.com/ ).
They make us all proud.
I trust you are enjoying the beautiful North Carolina weather and looking forward to the holidays.
Bisharah Libbus
For the TLA
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Bisharah Libbus, PhD
401 Ironwoods Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
C (919) 771 6567
BLibbus@gmail.com