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The Registration deadline for this year’s Marathon is October 10. For more information, click [Here].

Before talking about the event, here’s a small introduction on TED and TEDx:

“Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” the TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.” [Link]

I was invited to be a speaker at TEDxLAU this year, on blogging and the Lebanese blogosphere, and I have to say it was one of the most enriching and entertaining events I’ve been to in recent years. I didn’t post about it before because that was the first time I talk in front of such a large audience and I wanted to see how things go. From the feedback I got, everyone loved my presentation and talk but I personally think I could have done better. Nevertheless, I feel bad that I haven’t attended any TED or TEDx event before because it’s a great experience not to be missed. TEDxLAU went on for 5 hours but it felt like half an hour. All speakers were interesting and some of them exceptional!

“Unleash your passion” was TEDxLAU’s theme and it’s refreshing to see we still have people going after their passion in this country and making it all the way to the top despite all the difficulties. I will be dedicating posts to some of them because they truly deserve it and much more.

All in all, I have to thank those behind TEDxLAU, specially my friend Reine, for the invite and the impeccable organization (everything was on time mich 3al lebnené) and encourage all our readers to attend TEDx events in the future.

Picture taken by Horsh Beirut (via Flickr)

I have to partially agree with Beirut’s Beirut Mayor Bilal Hamad that the park should remain closed and well preserved if the authorities don’t have the resources to protect the park from being ruined by visitors or used for political ends. The problem is just like every else in Lebanon, you can get in by bribing those in charge.

A culture and arts festival will open the typically off-limits Horsh Beirut Park free to the public for nearly two weeks, organizers and the Beirut mayor announced Tuesday. Candy and popcorn stands and theater stages will be set up around the pine-tree-lined park for the festival, which starts Thursday and will run until the beginning of October.

Jazz and Lebanese musical groups are scheduled to play and dance groups around the region are slated to perform. And there will be a daily bike trail through the park. [Link]

You can check the full schedule of the festival [Here].

Magnolia Bakery is a bakery opened in 1996 at 401 Bleecker Street, on the corner of West 11th Street in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The bakery is known for its famous dessert treats, including its cupcakes and old-fashioned Depression era icebox cakes. [Wiki]

Magnolia’s first non-US branch was opened in Dubai back in 2010, with the second one expected to be Lebanon’s branch. They are also planning to open in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Morocco.

You can check their website [Here].

Around 100,000 are attending The Pope’s mass that’s being held at Beirut Water Front.

Picture taken by Clement Tannouri via Rania El Khatib

[YouTube]
Californation

Francois from Larabio.com posted a full review on the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert and uploaded some videos he took from the concert. Check them all out [Here]

Beirut/NTSC is spot on. Pope Benedictus XVI is coming next week and we still haven’t figured out a slogan.

It was much easier with John Paul II (“John Paul II We love you” or “Youhanna Boulos el tene, habib el cha3b el lebnene”) but it’s gonna be a hassle with Benedictus XVI. I suppose we can use “Taratata Benoit16″ or “Jeyeen Nsalle wou Nor2ouss kermel Benedictus” lol!

Suggestions anyone?

The car-free day that took place in Achrafieh today between 8 am and 6 pm was a success and we can only hope other cities will follow example. I selected few pictures from the two albums uploaded on Achrafieh2020 website. [Albums]

Edward Maalouf at the Beijing Games in 2008

Edward Maalouf will be the only Lebanese athlete competing at the Paralympic 2012 Games in London. Edward is an exceptional athlete who has received very little support from the Lebanese authorities throughout the years, yet has won 2 Bronze Medals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008.

Edward will be competing in two cycling road events, the Men’s Individual H 2 Time Trial on September 5 [Link] and the Men’s Individual H 2 Road Race on September 7 [Link].

Let’s show him some support and hope he will bring back more medals.

Check out his Facebook Group [Here] and his blog [Here].

Edward Maalouf at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games

NRJ Lebanon posted the below message yesterday on their [Facebook page]:

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, regrettably Sean Paul will not be performing as planned on Aug 25 at the Edde Sands Beach Resort. Sean Paul sends his deepest apologies to his fans and will look to reschedule his trip to Lebanon in the future. GET YOUR TICKET REFUNDED STARTING WEDNESDAY 29TH FROM ANY VIRGIN BRANCH

I heard rumors that RHCP might cancel their upcoming concert in Lebanon but nothing’s confirmed yet. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be performing on September 6th at Beirut Waterfront. [Event]

The concert I am looking forward to attend is Keane on October 13 at the Forum de Beyrouth. To know more about the concert and buy tickets, click [Here].

[YouTube]

We should all support 4 a Cause and non-profit NGOs taking care of the poor and mentally challenged individuals in our Lebanese society.

4 a Cause is a non-profit NGO which was launched in October 2011, to organize various events to help raise awareness and funds to causes and associations in need. This year’s goal is to help out Baitna, a non-profit organization that wants to provide homes for impoverished mentally challenged persons, particularly orphans and those uncared for, with the objective of welcoming them in a family atmosphere. [Baitna.org]

For that purpose, 4 a cause are organizing a concert entitled “Music 4 a Cause” aimed at supporting Baitna. The concert will be held on August 30th, 2012 in Sin el Fil’s cultural and sports center and will include artists such as Joy Fayad, Lazzy Lung, Meen the Band, Mini-B and Underrated.

You can buy tickets at all Librairie Antoine’s branches for 20$ or buy them at the door for 25$.

To read more about the event, click [Here].

Gretta will take part in Round1 of the Women’s 200m scheduled at 21:36 Lebanon time. [Round1]

Update: Gretta did not qualify to the semi-finals and ended 50th. Hard luck and keep up the great efforts! [Results]

The picture in the poster is from Sad Chabrouh. The Chabrouh Dam is visible all the way from Faraya and was inaugurated back in 2007. If you wish to know more on how to participate or the full program, click [Here] and [Here].

I would love to do Kayaking in Lebanon but if it’s just across a calm lake like the Chabrouh lake [Picture], it’s not fun. If you are looking for some fun and crazy kayaking or rafting, you should go to the Assi Club in Hermel. I haven’t been there yet but I hear it’s a lot of fun. [Website]

Billboards in support of the army: Picture taken from BeirutDriveBy

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Lebanon’s most popular pop singers have joined hands to make a song in support of the army. Song is to be released today.

[YouTube]
LeoBurnettBeirut’s ad for the occasion. I like this old one better

[YouTube]
Lebanese Army Commandos Tribute

Israeli (Sometimes Artistic) air show over Lebanon skies, scheduled as a sign of intimidation on every Army Day celebration in Lebanon

[High-Res]

Sheherazade in Baabda is a play performed by the women inmates of Baabda prison, in an attempt to change the way the public perceives prisoners, and let them see them as real people combating stereotypes and misperceptions that limit the prisoner to a sinner, criminal, or loser. [Link]

The play was first shown on the 10th of May in Baabda, and on the 26th of May at Babel theatre. Due to its great success, it will go on in July 2012 at “The Venue” in Beirut Souks. I will provide you with further details later on this week.

The woman behind this project is Lebanese actress and drama therapist Zeina Daccache , founder of the nonprofit organization Catharsis, whose objective is to bring theatre and drama therapy to society. You can read more about her [Here] and watch LBCI’s report [Here].