Separated  by  Oceans, United  by  Shweir.com 
Welcome  Mission Statement  Guest Book  Bulletin Board (BB)  Contact info changed
 Great Links  The Daily Motivator  Fireworks over Saha   Lebanon Environment
Boucheries - Building Supplies - Food - Hotels - Grocery Markets - Restaurants - Taxis
< < Birds eye view of Dhour Shweir & surroundings  Links to Recent Articles & Pictures
Celebrating New President & New Era for Lebanon & Khameese Al Jasad picture album by Samar

There are 12 Shweir Groups on Face Book - See how many friends you recognize

Emigrants Fest preliminary Program:  August 1 thru August 16
Read program in Arabic - Need volunteer to translate to English.

Congrats to Weddad & Nabil Matar's Graduate Grandchildren Mathew & Azlyn  in Texas

Hana Roustom Moujaes Archbold Crowned "Queen of Tabbouli" 
At the Annual Spring picnic of the Lebanese American Association - May 31, 2009
She won 2 of 3 Tabbouli Awards, and graciously relinquished one to share w/other contestants
Also word spread fast about Hana's Delicious Kibbeh Nayeh , many enjoyed tasting till she ran out...
Next year:  Tabbouli & Kibbeh Fest & Contest... 

				The Setting
Shweiry Families represented: Archbold, Baaklini, Roustom, Housheimy, Khenaisser, Mapar, Matar, Moujaes, Tabsharani & Walsh Huge cake above courtesy of George Tabsharani

Carole Samaha w/ "Stars On Tour" of  7 U.S. Cities.

On her San Francisco stop, Carole Samaha was warmly welcomed by the Arab and Lebanese American Communities
During her concert, she got her rapidly growing fans jumping to dance by their seats and in corridors even high in the theatre balconies as per above photo.  They chanted encores & crescendos of  "Carole... Carole... Carole..."			Lebanese American Association president Anwar George Kenicer Presented symbolic Key to San Francisco - and a surprise... postcards of Carole's special towns: Khinshara and Shweir & Mount Sunneen in snow. Anwar's grandma was a Samaha - now Carole has distant family in SF
At a special reception at the Arab Cultural & Community Center, (ACCC), she was welcomed by leaders and representatives of Arab Countries and the Lebanese and Shweir contingencies.  She spoke so eloquently and was gracious spending quality time w/hosts and guests.  After the visit to the Center, ACCC president, Sana Saoudi and her family, held a special dinner to welcome Carole and her group at her home overlooking San Francisco and the Bay.   Carole is beautiful, multi talented artist, very bright and a class act.  She is on her way to becoming a Mega Star.  Carole, you make us proud... your fans, country & town's people and distant cousins in SF love you... Come back soon.

Carole, on your next visit to San Francisco, you have an open invitation from the Lebanese and Shweiry community to welcome you and enjoy Sahra jabalieh, kibbeh Naieh and Tabbouli made by the Queen of Tabbouli

There are dozens groups and profiles for Carole Samaha on Face Book, Official and popular are:
Carole Samaha on Face Book  and Carole Samaha popular group on Face Book
and her website:  www.carolesamaha.com

*********************

From Riad Khuneisser: A book was published in 2004 with the name: Historic Trees of Lebanon. One of these trees is the Oak near the Saydeh Church in Shweir. The Age of the tree in the book is 675 years in 2004.

First time in Lebanon - Easter Unification 2009

Easter Unification 2009 special Web page  
Background in Arabic & English by Fr. Mitri Jurdak

New Easter pictures from Silva bou Zaid
Latest link to Pixs and Videos of Good Friday and Hajmeh  

April 18, Link to Good Friday BB Post, 7 video clips & more photos  

Great Video by Tony Mjaes of Easter unification - to Song & Music by Sabbagh bros. posted by Riad

Great Video competition... 7 more videos + 100 pictures... by Shweir Future in Action (SFA)
 This is Historic picture - moment, 1st time ever, Catholic & Orthodox churches Unify Easter


Historic Photo by SFA

Unifying the two Easters in Dhour Shweir Churches web page

Historic Unification of Catholic & Orthodox Easter -
read BB posts & see video clips 

Lets see how many faces do you recognize...

To see more pixs by Riad,and Wissam Khneisser Click here

Please, we need a volunteer to translate so we can share it world wide

4 video clips of the two choirs practice to harmonize united Easter - videos & report by Samar

Message from Riad Khuneiser:  Father Charbel Hajjar, (the Catholic priest in Shweir) announced last Sunday in the church that; starting from this year and the coming years inshallah, Easter will be celebrated in Shweir in all churches at the same time. This decision was taken by the people, the believers and not by high authorities and it was approved by the Catholic archbishop.  The Eid will take place according to the eastern calendar.

************************************

April 1, 2009 - Latest update from Municipality - See notices to & from Ministries

 Ministry of Culture & Antiquities to preserve Shweir natural Beauty

Ministry of Environment decree to Save Shweir

See also Master Plan

Congrats on Marriage of Shweir Volleyball Champion Joseph Elie Nohra & Pascale Pierre Haddad

See more of Shweir's Natural Beauty -  click here to see Photos by Samar & slide show

Imagine change zoning on land as beautiful as this to industrial?!

We, residents and emigrants alike, are Shweir; and its future is our future, she has put her trust in you, in us, to do the right thing.  lets not fail her this time.  Merry Christmas and here is a New Year Resolution for us to adopt:   Keep Shweir and Ain Sindiani Beautiful, it has lost its crown (Burj) and its shoulders (Kasoof) lets make sure she's not going to lose its heart.  - - -  excerpts from our al Mukhtar bil Mahjar, George Matar

Lighting the Darkness
As if the hand of God is pointing us towards the light for a brighter 2009

Photo from Shweir towards Tallet Imad and Sunneen  by Samar Kiame

 Summary meeting update about Shweir Zoning

Baytna Senior & Medical Center Grand Opening - Phase 1 - Dec 27, 2008  4 p.m. Click for more info.

Seniors move to Baytna's New Home Near Dayr Mar Elias Dec 1, 2008

Shweir's Future:  Industrial V. Environmental? 

Read official response from Mayor on Nov 4, 2008 and
Shweir.com open letter & proposal to create an advisory committee for New Master Plan

Shweir.com has received many inquiries about plan to Expand Industrial & Commercial Zone to 300% Shweir Size
between Shweir & Ain Sindyaneh in Nahr Bou Dawoude Valley from Al Sadd Restaurant to Mar Yohanna Monastery.
Important Questions by concerned Shweirys include:  Has Shweir benefited or been harmed by the existence of current Industries? 
IF Shweir's very weak to non existent infrastructure is beyond current capacity, how can it handle Huge Industrial Expansion?
Any studies about:  Roads?  Water & Wastewater?  Pollution?  Impact on Environment, Health & Economy, Tourism? Funding?
How can people learn more about these important issues?  What are the risks and rewards?  Who Benefits?  Who Loses?
What is best for Shweir?  Owners, Residents & those who love Shweir need facts to make informed decisions

In April, 2008, we posted link re: New Master Plan and asked for public comment to support Baladieh's efforts.
Proposed Study leading to New Master Plan - Municipality invites public Comment
Please visit that link and share your comments.  We invite Baladieh to share an update of their efforts.

Editorial Comment:  Information below reflect the overwhelming responses we are receiving from Shweir members and readers.  We will continue to update it as we get more feedback and we look forward to also include updates from the Municipality whenever they choose to share it with us/you. 

Industrial plants are usually built in least desired locations and as far away as practical from residential communities.  The most exclusive and successful communities are those with NO or least heavy industry impact, usually, no more than five 5%.  Values for entire towns & communities are affected:  The less heavy industry, the greater the value. 

Shweir should NOT have heavy industry because:

Lost Arouse al Masayef:  Shweir was famous as best tourism & resort town for 100 years.  Not any more.  Heavy Industry & tourism do not mix.
Setting:  Shweir is in a bowl shaped valley surrounded by hills from 3 sides = Poor Air Circulation will magnify pollution exponentially. 
Pollution:  Heavy industry is known to produce Air, Liquid, Solid, Toxic & Noise pollution that are harmful to environment and residents.
Roads:  Roads are NOT engineered to handle heavy trucks.  Annual damage from heavy trucks and repairs to roads would be far costlier than any benefits the town gets from all heavy industry revenue combined. 
Shortage of Water:  Current Residents do NOT have adequate water and have to buy water 2-3 times a week by the truck loads -
NO Water for Industry:  How can we provide more water for New industry to adequately wash away their waste when there is not enough water for residents?
Wastewater system that does NOT work:  Yes, Shweir has a new waste water system that does NOT work! 
Electric Power Shortage:  Brownouts & blackouts are common occurrences. Consider harvesting wind energy like Mike Sawaya proposes     
Future Growth:  There are currently over 1000 residences that are empty, damaged and/or NOT completed yet.  and if we factor in New construction for residences and/or businesses over the next 5, 10 and 20 years... that could be equivalent to 2000 - 4000 units. Would they get adequate basic infrastructure and services like Roads, Water, Wastewater and electric?  NO

Shweir does not have adequate basic service to current residents, Nor the unfinished units... Nor potential Growth.  Shweir residents would like to see realistic studies of how those who propose expansion of heavy industry plan to solve the failed infrastructure for the residents and businesses first before proposing any expansion of heavy industry.  Unless the intent of some is to put priority on heavy industry ahead of the need of the residents.  Then, we will definitely have a problem and we seriously doubt that the people of Shweir want to have a ghost town on their hands. 

The above are very basic factors... All of which do NOT support heavy industry for Shweir.  Look what a few existing heavy industries caused in harm beyond what Shweir can handle. To pursue more heavy industry, would further destroy the environment, increase pollution, make our town smell to high heaven, the health of residents would be adversely affected, most Emigrants would NOT want to spend their vacation in an industrial setting, and hotels and restaurants would lose lots of business. 

Heavy Industry would significantly reduce the value of land and homes and businesses in the entire region. Do the people of Shweir want to see their town to become an embarrassing example of failure and a town that squandered its unique resources?  Wake up and save Shweir before it is too late.   

The people of Lebanon and Shweir have endured many challenging circumstances over the past few decades including Civil & International Wars, Foreign Occupation, and Dirty Politics.  Majority of Shweirys are very upset about a handful of heavy industries that were allowed to be built or expand as a result of questionable circumstances, misrepresentations, lies or abuse of power over the past 10-20 years.  The people of Shweir want the current Administration to correct past mistakes and to mitigate those heavy industries that are operating beyond the scope or capacity of their licenses, causing significant harm to the environment and/or to the health of Shweir inhabitants who want these industries controlled, minimized and/or shut down. 

Shweir desperately needs to minimize existing heavy industries rather than expand them exponentially. 

We only have one Shweir with a unique setting, views and climate that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world*.  We do NOT want to repeat past mistakes.  Please DO NOT make major decisions about Shweir's Future that are likely to be devastating and irreversible without in depth and unbiased studies and full disclosure and public feedback to reflect Shweir's best interest. 

*  Three places that we know of that come close to Shweir in topography & climate: 
1.  Tomazina in Central Brazil  where there are a large concentration of Choueris, Shweirys some from Merhege and Bouzaid families 
2.  A town in New Zealand where the Corbans and Atayas started their wine industry
3.  "Trois es Pixs" sp?  The three peaks in France near the German border, again in the wine region. 

None of these beautiful places have in their midst the kind heavy industry that Shweir has and propose to expand exponentially. 

There are better alternatives:
IF the proposed plan is about another type of Industry, light industry like WINE Industry, Hotels, Restaurant, Resort and Hospitality industry, cottage industries (home grown businesses), these are ideal for Shweir, then that is a Welcome breath of fresh air.  Yes, with Shweiry engineering, water pumps, we can transform Nahr Abu Dawoude valley into a beautiful area with running water and cascading water falls that would rival al Bardowney.  Add to it Old Souk, Old Tahouneh, Old bridge, to highlight our history and heritage, maintain and bring them to their old glory, add walkways, trails, destination resort, health club... and you will have heaven on earth where people from around the world would want to come visit and stay.  That is the kind of industry Shweir desperately needs. 

Those land owners in that area would benefit far greater, possibly over 1000% greater, by taking the light industry described above that would get overwhelming support than the heavy industry that will be devastating to the town and will be far less profitable for them.  

We urge Shweir leaders and council members to give serious consideration to conduct studies as per recommendations of experts from around the world, share their findings with the public, to reduce and hopefully eliminate as much of the heavy industry and to focus on light industry described above and take steps that would protect the environment, beautify and enhance future success of our treasured town.

Related links:    BB Posts:                  Industrial v. Environment    Recent posts @ Master Plan 
                         Web Pages:              Baladieh                        Mater Plan                     Environment

Let us take a proactive approach, set excellent examples of positive Change and Forward Thinking to make the best of our resources and make Shweir Shine again.  

To what extent Shweiry Emigrants love Shweir?  Here are two examples from Brazil:  << Look at what Jorge Choueire, originally of Bou Zaid family, painted on his car and >>  A rock from Shweir is treasured in a beautiful case at the home of Sami and Beatriz Tabsharani in Sao Paulo, Brazil
*******************************************

2001 Reunion

Alfred Moujaes' Beach House was totally  wiped out, courtesy of IKE in 2008.  It was Birthplace of Shweir on the Beach Reunions and inspiration of the Founding of Shweir.com and the 1st Shweir Library Thank God all are safe. Read Al Mukhtar report and link to past Texas Shweir Reunions.

2000 Shweir  Reunion

Village Day Al Yaoum Al Karawi

Musical Evening by National Conservatory At Saydeh Church August 14
 

Miss Emigrants 2008, Noor Beshara,
19, University student from Batroune

Serene Abd el Noor and Zein el Omr enchant capacity crowd and Light up the skies

Program, Click here  +  Opening Night On BB With links to Photo Albums	Miss Teenage "Sweet 16" Lara Dabani"

   Thanks for Great Team:  Editor, Photographer & Team Leader: Samar Kiamé ***  Writer: Rima Beshara el Rihbany    
Photographers &/or photo editors: Therese Corban Kiamé, Ghinwa, Diala, William & Nagham Moujaes, Youmna Slaybeh, Rami Shallita & Nabila Halaby

An evening with Carol Samaha, click here  

 

Kids Day, August 4 - Report on BB and slide show  
  

A Report on Emigrants Fest On BB With links to Photo Albums  
For more pictures, visit Emigrants Fest Album by Samar 
 

 
Congrats Joe Nohra and your Al Anwar Team - You make us proud.  Click here to visit Al Anwar New web page

Song/Poem written by Rida Hammam ... > > >
the Story of our Town's Road - Issat Tareek Dayaatna -
OK, Nawbeh, (Shweir Music Band)... how about transforming this into a song in memory of Mrs. Hammam?

< < < Shweir Honors Mrs. Rida Hammam naming Ain Hanoote Road in her Memory

Article about Shweir courtesy of Sally Zgheib in Paris, Samih Baaklini in TX and Joseph Zeidan in Ohio

Postcards for Shweir to benefit Community - Sample photos below - Need your input on BB  

Announcing New Restaurant by Shweiry Bishara AbuNakhle: > >
Soy, Best Chinese Cuisine in Middle East in Ain Saadeh 18 minutes by car.
New Website:    www.soychineserestaurant.com 

Mothers' Day Celebration Photo Album by Riad  Peak below

Happy Spring:  Read Samar's article about Spring on BB and see full slide show

Read about the snow storm on the BB and See slide show on Photo Bucket by Samar

 
 
Early February Snow Storm Click her or on picture  Courtesy of Riad

Meeting descendants of Shweir Emigrants in Brazil

To see a complete list of recent updates, click on this Shweir picture below V V V.

*****************

Home • 1922 Guide Book • 7 Hills Studio • Africa • Ain El Assis • Ain Sindyani • Al Mukhtaar Speaks • Announcements • Anwar VolleyBall • Archives • Art - Poetry & Pen • Baladieh • Beer Fest 2003 • Beer Fest 2004 • Biographies • Books • Brazil • Business Network • California • California 2 • Canada • Christina Sawaya • Churches • Al Mukhallis Saha • Community • Community 2 • Contacts • Did you know...? • eCommerce • Education • Emigrant Fest • Environment • Family Tree • Family Tree 2 • Great Links • Hilda's Column • Honorees • Honoring Remebering • Hotels • In Memory of • In Memory of 2 • Lebanon-Misc • Marhata News • Meet our Youth • Memories • Memories 2 • Merege-Merhege-Mirhege • Middle East • Miss Emigrants • Non Profit Orgs • People News • People Photos • Restaurants • Saif oo Terse • Shweir bil Mahjar • Shweir Foundation • Shweir News • Shweir News 2 • Shweir Photos • Shweir Photos 2 • Soy Chinese • Recent Updates • Summer 2001 • Summer 2002 • Summer 2003 • Take Five • Texas • Texas 2 • Travels • Webmaster's Notes • Weddings

Search:   You can search contents on the Shweir.com below by entering key words that you are searching for. 
After you click "Start Search", the page will refresh w/answers but will reopen at top of page. Please scroll down to read results.

Shweir Community Center (SCC) & Library - phone 04-390-295
Open Daily except Sunday 9:30 to 12:30 noon and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.