Birmingham's World Renown Townsend Hotel to Host Second Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce Spring Networking Event & Business Mixer

UPCOMING EVENT! - The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) is pleased to announce its second Spring Networking Event & Business Mixer will take place at The Corner Bar and the magnificent ballroom located in Birmingham’s world famous Townsend Hotel. The Spring Event II is set for Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

EVERYONE is welcome to attend the Business & Social Event of the Year! Exchange business cards, satisfy your appetite, and network with corporate members, associates and friends! Savor The Townsend Hotel's mouth watering unique hors d'oeuvres, meet with metro-Detroit's movers & shakers, listen to the posh sounds of DJ Matt Aubrey of MTA Productions, and receive fun giveaways and 'sur-prize' gifts - courtesy of our sponsors, when you arrive at The Townsend Hotel's Corner Bar!

Chamber President & CEO John Akouri will present a quick update on upcoming events for 2009 - as you experience great conversation, available specialty drinks at the award winning premium cash bar, socializing & networking. This surely is an event you don't want to miss and EVERYONE IS WELCOME to attend this one-of-a kind event and not-to-miss mixer!

For details and more information please visit www.lebanesechamber.org.

Sixth Annual Art Show to Feature New Works by Lebanese American Artist Stephen Deeb of Art Unbound Studios in Corktown

Stephen Deeb Sixth Annual Art Show
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 7:00pm
1403 Bagley Street, Detroit, MI 48216
For more information or private showing please visit
www.art-unbound.com/gallery.htm

ZAJAL Party with Famous Lebanese Poets to Appear Next Month in Canada

House of Lebanon Announces Second Annual LAF Golf Classic

Mel Gibson Attends Mass with Eastern Rite Bishops at Lebanese Christian Maronite Church; Actor Intrigued by Rite's Use of Aramaic (Language of Jesus)

Akouri Appears on Public Television's Global Connections; Joins A-list of Special Guests Including Casey Kasem, Jon Voight & Elmore Leonard

(BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI)...Fmr. Washington DC Senior Advisor & Capitol Hill Press Secretary John Akouri today made a guest appearance on the award-wining public television program "Global Connections."

The long-running show is a weekly, half-hour series which focuses on international connections between people in Michigan and the rest of the world. Featured guests have appeared from the arts, religion, education, science and politics including TV & Radio personality Casey Kasem, author Elmore Leonard, actor Jon Voight and Cardinal Adam Maida. Additionally, interviews with Opera stars are featured in another award-winning program entitled "Time Out for Opera." The successful television talk shows are hosted by Dr. Jonathan Swift, director of the Center for International Studies at Madonna University in Livonia, who has won numerous awards for the three television shows he hosts and produces. Swift received the Philo Farnsworth Award from the Alliance for Community Media for "Global Connections," "Time Out for Opera" and "Dining Out." All three shows are produced by Swift and Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV). Segments are shot on location at restaurants in "Dining Out," the half-hour show which informs viewers about dining opportunities throughout the metropolitan Detroit area.

As director of Madonna University’s Center for International Studies, Swift oversees affiliations with programs in England, Japan, Poland, Taiwan, and the Peoples Republic of China. He also supervises an International Studies Certificate, which provides Madonna students the opportunity to add a global perspective to their field of study. Since its establishment in 1984, BCTV has grown to become one of the premier community television stations in the nation. Its programs focus on the people, places and events that enrich the lives of the residents of Bloomfield Township and surrounding communities. BCTV produces approximately 500 programs a year including the very first LEBFEST! Lebanese Festival in 2007. BCTV has a highly qualified production staff and a state-of-the-art studio. "Global Connections"and "Time Out for Opera" are aired on Bloomfield Channel 11 and Flint public television station WFUM Channel 28.

Happy Orthodox Easter Sunday, Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

IN PICTURES: International Business, Civic & Academic Leaders Meet, Strategize at 2009 LACC Global Economic Leadership Conference

Mosaic Foundation 12th Annual Benefit Dinner Chaired by First Lady of the Lebanese Embassy in the United States, Gala to Feature Cirque du Soeil Show

(EMBASSY ROW)...Access to clean drinking water is one of the most critical issues of our time. Each year almost two million children die from causes related to a lack of clean water resources, and millions more suffer every day. The 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner will highlight the programs of the Mosaic Foundation Water Initiative, and will help to tell its story through a unique and unforgettable cultural performance.

In 2009 all of the Foundations primary activities will be dedicated to the crucial goal of bringing clean water to those in need. Access to clean water is by far one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, fight disease, and increase the quality of life for those in impoverished regions around the world. On April 28th the story of the world water crisis will come to Washington at the National Building Museum, during an evening celebration with a new, original performance by Cirque du Soleil.

Easter Sunday

Sabbatum Sanctum

GOOD FRIDAY

Holy Thursday

Akouri Receives Sister Melanie Macksoud, Mother Superior at St. Joseph Monastery in Lebanon & Lead Organizer of the Vatican Canonization of St. Rafqa

United States Department of Commerce Extends Appreciation to John Akouri for Continued Support & Efforts

(WASHINGTON, DC)...In a letter received today and addressed to the President & CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce, the United States Department of Commerce hails John Akouri for his involvement with the federal government agency.

"Thank you for your continued cooperation and support with the many programs conducted by the US Census Bureau in the Detroit Region which includes Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia," states the letter.

The Department praises Akouri for the "many ways you have supported our efforts to conduct an accurate and complete Census." In building on and ensuring a long lasting working relationship with the Chamber, the Bureau plans to "explore possible ways to emphasize and promote public cooperation with the Census next year."

Councilman Akouri is a former Washington, DC Press Secretary and Congressional Senior Advisor on Capitol Hill. He is currently serving with the Department of Homeland Security as a member of its Incident Management Team, as well as the United States Army, following his acceptance of a personal request by Major General Thomas P. Bostick to serve on the Grassroots Advisory Board.

Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Akouri Announces 2009 Global Business Leadership Conference

(BIRMINGHAM, MI/USA)...Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Akouri announced today from the organization's headquarters in the United States, a Global Business Leadership Luncheon. The exclusive event is set for Friday, April 17, 2009 and will take place at The Skyline Club on the 28th floor of the Town Center. The theme of this mini-conference is entitled: “Economic Recovery and Development From Beirut to Detroit.” The gathering is expected to draw over 100 participants including: diplomats, dignitaries, business leaders, politicians, academic leaders, media outlets, government officials, civic leaders, financial advisors and non-profit executives. The afternoon reception and luncheon is a private event that will feature accomplished global business leaders. Panelists will meet & greet guests, discuss international commerce and trade, and sit for a question and answer period. The event is sponsored and supported by UBS Peninsula Wealth Management Group and Seikaly & Stewart, P.C. For more information please contact the Chamber directly at 248.320.7300.

Remembering John Paul the Great