With today's post, I would like to address people who lack a conscience, who get paid to throw away toxic waste in rural areas, where there are homes and water wells. I pay taxes for the government to regulate toxic waste and to take care of this problem, and yet nothing seems to change.
For example, toxic waste sits untended in the backyard of Mrs. Faten Gebril, a wife and a mother, who occupies an apartment in a densely populated building in Khaldeh. From her balcony, she can see the work of a man who goes by the last name of Al Jerdi and who gets paid by people and businesses who want to get rid of their waste. He gladly obliges by dumping this material in Gebril's yard and neighborhood. At the end of the day, this land is not his, and - if he does his job secretly - the waste is no longer his problem
Gebril says, "I am worried about the water we drink, and that we shower with. We tried to complain about this problem to the government. They took him, but he was released a week later." This post is not about glamour; it is about mourning. Al Jerdi is still out there littering, perhaps fatally so.
Gebril is right to worry as illegal dumping can lead to biomagnification, which means that toxins are pooled and strengthened as they work their way up the food chain, from tiny bacteria all the way up to humans. According to environmentalists, there are many safe ways to dispose of toxic waste (here is a practical guide). We should try as much as possible to follow the standard guidelines and not allow toxic waste to lie around and seep into our water.
Wake up people! Protest! Please look around you as the situation is miserable. If you can live with this kind of garbage, then you deserve it. As Voltaire put it, "We must cultivate our own garden."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Wasteandrecycling/DG_10014614
Friday, March 16, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Make The Customer Happy...
Club Of The Week: At Al Mandaloun the music is provided as either live performances or DJ music, and it is superb. The drinks are perfect, and the food tastes great. The venue is an old theater with high ceilings. It can be crowded, and they can take more than their capacity. This is a problem as there is no room to dance even though you have reserved a table. Should you just dance on the table? If you get there too late, you do not have a place to rest your ‘derriere'! Club owners should appreciate that we want to enjoy the music to the fullest, without fearing of losing our seats, so maybe THEY should monitor the crowds.
Mar-Mkhayel, Beirut, reservations required, valet parking, 01-565333, 03- 434333
Restaurant Of The Week: Republic: I love their crab salad!! The breakfast menu is diverse and all YUMMY. Republic has some of the best Arguiles in town. The charcoal is Sendyen, which makes a difference. Television screens are in every corner, for those who love football. The crowd is a mix of all generations, and in the summer, they have a rooftop to die for. The dress code is casual, and the price is right. The hospitality is great; the owners, who are twins, are always circulating to say hello to people. They go shake hands with regulars. Service is good but you need to give it a nudge because the place is usually packed, even though it is open from 10am till 6am. Did I mention you can play backgammon?
Zalka, Mount-Lebanon, reservations best during rush hour, 01-882660
Book Of The Week: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. If you watched the movie, you will enjoy the book much more. I read the book first and was a little disappointed by the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. Many characters and events were omitted and I had hoped the scenes in the book would have moved me more when I saw them in the movie. It is a beautiful read, makes you think, makes you feel, and makes you more of an intellectual - how about that?
Mar-Mkhayel, Beirut, reservations required, valet parking, 01-565333, 03- 434333
Restaurant Of The Week: Republic: I love their crab salad!! The breakfast menu is diverse and all YUMMY. Republic has some of the best Arguiles in town. The charcoal is Sendyen, which makes a difference. Television screens are in every corner, for those who love football. The crowd is a mix of all generations, and in the summer, they have a rooftop to die for. The dress code is casual, and the price is right. The hospitality is great; the owners, who are twins, are always circulating to say hello to people. They go shake hands with regulars. Service is good but you need to give it a nudge because the place is usually packed, even though it is open from 10am till 6am. Did I mention you can play backgammon?
Zalka, Mount-Lebanon, reservations best during rush hour, 01-882660
Book Of The Week: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. If you watched the movie, you will enjoy the book much more. I read the book first and was a little disappointed by the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. Many characters and events were omitted and I had hoped the scenes in the book would have moved me more when I saw them in the movie. It is a beautiful read, makes you think, makes you feel, and makes you more of an intellectual - how about that?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
From "Purple Moon" To A White Mountain...
Club of the week: "Purple Moon" High end in its decor, menu and prices - while it is pricey, it does offer you a quality time. people over there do tend to be older than 21 on average, and the mood does feel a little bit more targeted for the older crowd. The Cuisine is an international one, and "Purple Moon" makes sure to stand out as an upscale bar for uptown people. So make sure you're pocketful of green before you hit town. Address: Moudawar Bldg, Pasteur St. - Beirut (Gemmayzeh area). Telephone 01-444009/10. Fee for 2 people with some food and a drink is 150,000. Valet Parking available, you might need to call and reserve before you go.
Restaurant of the week: "Abd-el wahab", as much as it is not too expensive, the food is exquisitely good. I went there when the plat-du-jour was Mouloukieh, it was scrumptious. Hygiene level is tip top and you are welcomed at the door with a smile. The place has a quiet feel to it, where you can actually hear the people you are with, the service is prompt and accurate, and the atmosphere is very home-like but with people around. Try to reserve before you go, because lunch times and dinner times do tend to be busy, (Valet parking available). Abd-el-Wahab is situated right towards the end of a strip of other restaurants in 51, Abdel Wahab El inglizi Street, Beirut, lebanon. Tel: +961 1 200550/1
Outing of the week: After all this snow, of course those of you who ski will be monitoring the weather, apparently so far, the weather this weekend is going to be cloudy, but if the clouds do change their minds till Saturday, I do suggest the slopes. For those who do not ski, or for families, it is always nice to just pick yourself up, and play a round of throwing snow balls, or let your children make snow angels and snowmen...FUN!!!!
Book of the week: Ummm - I am currently reading "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" by Alexandre Dumas. he is a French writer, wrote so many books Musketeer related, well this is another one of those. "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" is preceding "The Man In The Iron Mask" so better read this one first. It is very descriptive, romantic, has many hints to history, whether in France or Britain, loyal to the period and to the image of chivalry. To those who heard of Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan, and want to hear of them again, well...they are in the book.
Event of the week: To all Fashion Lovers and Party Goers: Head down to "Whisky Mist" Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut. this Thursday for Fashion House with F Vodka Luxury collection as DJ Said Mrad plays Oriental beats! This is your chance to be featured on FTV International and on Radio One. To RSVP call this number: 03-791794
Other Suggestions: This online magazine provides help to brides and grooms by connecting them to vendors, giving them tips about their big day, and providing them with the latest trends. It it THE E-Magazine for weddings, check it out, I love it and I have already had the wedding of my dreams...here it is:
www.yourwedding-lb.com.
RULES PUB: A new pub in Gemayzeh, Beirut. I was there about three weeks ago, it was packed, and they often had events, such as the one I was attending: Barcelona v.s Real on a huge projection screen. My team, Barcelona lost that night, but the atmosphere made up for it, it is a night to remember. Oh, the bar tender there knows how to make a good cocktail, he is not just throwing alcohol around to give you a hint of what you ordered, so Kudos for the bar tender. This Friday, March 2nd, Rules is presenting DJ Tony-C, I am sure you have all heard of him, from MTV, that great dude who makes magic on the Box!!. To reserve: 76-123404. Valet parking available, and BB Pin is: 2624608C.
Restaurant of the week: "Abd-el wahab", as much as it is not too expensive, the food is exquisitely good. I went there when the plat-du-jour was Mouloukieh, it was scrumptious. Hygiene level is tip top and you are welcomed at the door with a smile. The place has a quiet feel to it, where you can actually hear the people you are with, the service is prompt and accurate, and the atmosphere is very home-like but with people around. Try to reserve before you go, because lunch times and dinner times do tend to be busy, (Valet parking available). Abd-el-Wahab is situated right towards the end of a strip of other restaurants in 51, Abdel Wahab El inglizi Street, Beirut, lebanon. Tel: +961 1 200550/1
Outing of the week: After all this snow, of course those of you who ski will be monitoring the weather, apparently so far, the weather this weekend is going to be cloudy, but if the clouds do change their minds till Saturday, I do suggest the slopes. For those who do not ski, or for families, it is always nice to just pick yourself up, and play a round of throwing snow balls, or let your children make snow angels and snowmen...FUN!!!!
Book of the week: Ummm - I am currently reading "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" by Alexandre Dumas. he is a French writer, wrote so many books Musketeer related, well this is another one of those. "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" is preceding "The Man In The Iron Mask" so better read this one first. It is very descriptive, romantic, has many hints to history, whether in France or Britain, loyal to the period and to the image of chivalry. To those who heard of Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan, and want to hear of them again, well...they are in the book.
Event of the week: To all Fashion Lovers and Party Goers: Head down to "Whisky Mist" Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut. this Thursday for Fashion House with F Vodka Luxury collection as DJ Said Mrad plays Oriental beats! This is your chance to be featured on FTV International and on Radio One. To RSVP call this number: 03-791794
Other Suggestions: This online magazine provides help to brides and grooms by connecting them to vendors, giving them tips about their big day, and providing them with the latest trends. It it THE E-Magazine for weddings, check it out, I love it and I have already had the wedding of my dreams...here it is:
www.yourwedding-lb.com.
RULES PUB: A new pub in Gemayzeh, Beirut. I was there about three weeks ago, it was packed, and they often had events, such as the one I was attending: Barcelona v.s Real on a huge projection screen. My team, Barcelona lost that night, but the atmosphere made up for it, it is a night to remember. Oh, the bar tender there knows how to make a good cocktail, he is not just throwing alcohol around to give you a hint of what you ordered, so Kudos for the bar tender. This Friday, March 2nd, Rules is presenting DJ Tony-C, I am sure you have all heard of him, from MTV, that great dude who makes magic on the Box!!. To reserve: 76-123404. Valet parking available, and BB Pin is: 2624608C.
For the first time ever festival of Irish film in Lebanon, Lebanese NGO Nahwa Al Muwatiniya, in association with Metropolis, will screen a series of nine feature length films and twelve short films at the Metropolis Empire Sofil Theatre from February 29 to March 4. Ashrafieh, Lebanon. For more information, please call: + 9611204080
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