Fun(d) Raising Newest Event: Who does not like cookies?

The Fun(d) raising project is going really well, 2 events occurred so far, the Bowling at Link and the Wordpress tutoring at Rootspace.

The next event will be in Edde Yard - Jbeil on Sunday December 27th, and it is about making cookies yourself, DYI, funnest concept ever, and this is thanks to the famous online tweeple Cooki3man, who well... basically makes & sells cookies, but not in the conventional way! More about him here.

Anyway, meanwhile, with the toys collected from these events and direct door to door (or car to car) toy transfer, and the money made during the events which led us to buy toys, so far these toys have been donated to 2 associations, Mourouj Al Mahabba and ACSAUVEL.

Moreover you can read Global Voices post on Fun(d) Raising here.

Christmas tree in Downtown Beirut

It's one of the new traditions in Lebanon, it is part of Beirut Celebrates series of events. What makes this tree special, is its presence near one of the biggest mosques out there! Now of course we would hope to think sectarianism doesn't exist in Lebanon, but unfortunately a form of it still exists.

Photo courtesy unknown, I received it by email.

2nd Photo courtesy yours truly

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Independece05 to all our readers in Lebanon and abroad.

Christmas celebrated with call for peace

By TARIQ PANJA, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - From soldiers who donned red Santa hats in Afghanistan to devoted worshippers visiting Bethlehem, Christians around the world celebrated Christmas Day with the sobering thoughts of peace and tolerance even as open war flared in Somalia.

In his Christmas Day address at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to conflicts across the globe and greater concern for the poor, the exploited and all who suffer.

Speaking from a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square, the pontiff called for peace in the Middle East, noting in particular the long war between Israel and the Palestinians.

Source: AP

I would like to join hands with the pope and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, may it be full of love, peace and hope.

More Lebanese Christmas creativity

Every year around Christmas time, so many municipalities decorate their towns, and for the past 5 years or so Jdeideh has been doing a great decoration, although I liked the old, they have been doing the below one for the past 3 years maybe. It's nice to see all this christmas spirit everywhere you go in Lebanon, although while you're driving you kinda lose this spirit, we're just crazy drivers!



There is also ABC Dbayeh, which has disguised as a gift this year, it is really creative and draws your attention a kilometer away.

Lebanese Christmas creativity

Alright, we went for a ride today at work during the lunch break, and this is what I saw. It might not be clear, but if you focus, you will see on the 2nd floor, a Santa Claus (mannequin) sending a gift in rope to Mama Claus who is in the 1st floor!

Isn't this creative or what?