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November 2002
Latest
* Persian leap frog
Recent
* Iranian-American TV show
* Multi-religious educational tour
* Umbrella organization
* The World Today
* American tour companies, in Persian
* Public playgrounds
* Iranian-American Women
* Persepolis, USA
* Iranian American Public Library
* The money you spend on weddings
* "Modern-East": For women
* How to write
* Journalism
* Real TV
* Real TV
* Persian Paradise
* Sure investment
* Question class
* Senior citizens
* Film production
* Boarding school
* Chess match
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November 4, 2002
* Persian leap pad
My son Hasan has this leap pad
toy which showed him how to read when he was 3. He is a great reader now at age 4,
but only in English. Knowing that there are some great Iranian software engineers
here in the U.S. and in Iran, why not make some great fun educational toys for the
kids, so they would be able to read, add, subtract in Farsi? Every parent's wish,
right?
Now remember: I said FUN not just some boring dull letters and a few words that
don't get kids excited about learning to read. Check out the leap frog part of the
toy section in stores, you'll see.
-- Sheila Dadvar
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October 29, 2002
* Iranian-American TV show
Dear Iranian Satellite Companies and Watchers,
On the Iranian Satellite channels there are music videos, self-help shows, poetry
readings, debates, and more. Each show "genre" relates to a particular
audience. Until now there has not been a show that relates to everyone alike: young,
middle aged, senior, Iranians speaking little English, or Iranians raised in America
speaking broken Farsi.
I present to you an idea for a show that will breech all of the above-mentioned
barriers. I present to you a show, which I know for fact, will gain instant popularity.
First let me tell you little about myself. My name is Pari Kooshesh. I am a twenty-one
year old student living on the U.S. east coast. I have no political interests whatsoever.
The reason I am interested in helping you develop this program is because I believe
the show could be very versatile. It would be educational, entertaining, humorous,
and very profitable.
The purpose of the episodic show would be to breech barriers between the young
and old, the more Iranian and the more American (of us Iranians).
The core of the show would revolve around an Iranian-American family growing up
in America. The family would consist of a father, a mother, a young daughter (age
5), an older son (age 15), and an older sister (age 22). All characters of the show
would need to know perfect English and at least near-perfect Farsi.
For the mother role I recommend Shohreh Aghdashloo, or someone very similar to
her. I know Shohreh Aghdashloo has a lot of experience playing the sort of role I
am looking for. The mother figure needs to be someone who is very strong, intelligent,
attractive, cultured and very stubborn. Her name should be Maryam.
The father role would need to be a doctor, or some professional field; he would
need to be arrogant, yet loving, ghayrati, yet a bit hypocritical. His name should
be Cyrus Tehrani. The reason I chose Tehrani as the last name was because we'd need
a name that would not have a "religious" or "shah" connotations,
Tehrani is a very common last name and is unbiased.
The young daughter's name should be Roya. She will be entering kindergarten, full
of "naaz" yet sheytooni as well.
The teenager son's name should be Dariush or Darius in English. He will be very
rebellious and a constant source of trouble to his parents. (This will help other
teens and parents of teens "relate" to the show. It can't be all "peachy",
we must show reality in our characters for the audience to relate.)
The oldest daughter's name should be Sheyda. She will be going to college, majoring
in art, (even though her parents want her to be a lawyer or doctor). The ages and
family characteristics will help us target our demographics and further enhance the
show by making people relate to them. Humor: This is a major element of this program.
There are a million ways to bring in comic elements.
Examples:
1. The grandparents from Iran come to visit and bargain for the price of apples
at the grocery store.
2. The father's "ghayrati"-ness towards his wife and daughter will prove
for many laughs. 3. Speech: Half-farsi/half English sentences
4. The mother trying to teach her five years old how to dance Iranian style.
5. The teenage son wants to piece his nose. The father responds "mageh hindi
shodi" borro baba?
I could go on and on listing examples of how the show will be comical. The show
will need to air twice a month on a set day and time. Example: Thursday's at 8:00pm.
It will need to be directed in the same format as American episodic shows. It should
not look like it's a play or a cheap theater production. It will need some sort of
theme song at the beginning serving as a purpose to introduce the premise and characters.
Thank you for reading my ideas. Please contact me if you believe this would be
a good idea.
-- Pari Kooshesh
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October 24, 2002
* Multi-religious educational tour
Join us for a unique educational tour visiting various community centers in Massachusetts
and Maine. We will begin in the morning at the St. George Orthodox Church in West
Roxbury, Mass., to explore the Arab-American community's history and contributions
as well as the history of the church and its memorial library. Then shop at an Arabic/Middle
Eastern store in the area for food and spices before we depart to Maine's Green Acre
Bahai School to spend the rest of the day there.
This Bahai School is one of three major conference centers of the Bahai community
in the United States. It is unique among Bahai conference centers in that it received
a visit in 1912 from Abdulbaha, the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahai Faith.
The campus is located along the banks of the picturesque Piscataqua River and is
surrounded by lush forests and beautiful meadows. It is also known for its historic
Sarah Farmer Inn and charming New England residences.
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2002
Sponsored by the Institute of Near Eastern &
African Studies (INEAS)
INEAS Previous Educational Tours included visits to the Cambridge mosque, Islamic
Center of New England in Sharon, MA., the Maronite Church in Jamaica Plaine, MA.,
the JP African book store in Jamaica Plaine, the Royal Tombs of Ancient Ur at the
Harvard's Sackler Museum and
Argana (Moroccan) Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass.
We intend to visit other mosques in Mass. and nearby States, Jewish temples for Middle
and other Eastern communities, Assyrian/Chaldean and Armenian churches, ethnic restaurants
as well as other museums' activities and exhibits. If you would like to be one of
the stations visited by our tourists, please contact us at the above contact information.
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October 6, 2002
* Umbrella organization
There are hundreds of small and large Iranian organizations throughout America.
But nearly all of them work locally and for their own special interests, ie students,
arts, culture, politics...
There should be a national organization that represents all of them. Something
like the Confederation of Iranian Students, which was able to bring together all
sorts of Iranian opposition groups for a common cause prior to the 1979 revolution.
Ask veterans of the confederation to use their valuable organizational skills
to help form a new national organization with a much broader membership (include
every group, political and non-political).
Have annual meetings and elect a leader who could speak with authority when meeting
American politicians: "I represent 2,000 Iranian-American organizations..."
-- Jahanshah Javid
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October 2, 2002
* The World Today
Americans need to know and understand more about the world -- beyond their own
country and culture. Just like math, science and English, international studies should
be a required class for every student.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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September 23, 2002
* American tour companies, in Persian
I am looking for tour companies that offer bus tours in Farsi for Iranians visiting
the United States. Do you know of any such companies?
We live in San Jose, California, and I would love to send my
parents-in-law (from Iran -- limited English) on a trip where they could see something
new and hear about what they are seeing in their own language.
My husband and I have limited vacation time, so we wouldn't be able to accompany
them.
Thank you for any suggestions you might have! Kheyli mamnun!
-- Suzie Bahmanyar
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September 23, 2002
* Public playgrounds
How about building playgrounds for kids in the rural areas of Iran where there's
no public place to play? This could reduce serious injuries and fatalities among
children who are often run over by cars in the street or on railway tracks.
-- Sheila K
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September 20, 2002
* Iranian-American Women
The Iranian American Women's Society (IAWS) that is a California-based, non-profit,
non-religious, non-political organization, founded in Palos Verdes, California, in
1991. I met the president and some of the active members of this group few days ago.
Their Goals are to preserve and promote Iranian culture and customs, to support
charitable causes and to raise awareness on womenís issues.
They try to find Iranian women and their kids that are in shelters. They house
them and find them job and everything else. It's amazing the number of Iranian women
and their kids that are in these shelters.
IRANIAN AMERICAN WOMANíS SOCIETY
P.O BOX 4084
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA, CA 90274
Tel : (310) 529-7272
-- Azin Shamma
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September 18, 2002
* Persepolis, USA
"Future home of the Iranica Institute"
Please visit iranicainstitute.org.
I will have more info for you in a near future.
Ahmad K. Jabbari
President
Mazda Publishers, Inc.
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September 4, 2002
* Iranian American Public Library
Iranian American Public Library is nonprofit organization dedicated to connect the
community through books, arts, and music. This vision can only be achieved with privated/public
partnership dedicated to literacy and activism for cultural understanding.
Now they need your support. Become a member.
Membership: Students $20.00
General Public $35.00
Membership fees are to provide contributions towards the library's expense and
inventory expansions.
Iranian American public Library
15478 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403
Telephone: 818-906-8890
Please Forward
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September 3, 2002
* The money you spend on weddings
Instead of spending thoudsands and thousands on a wedding party, put your hard-earned
money into a down payment for your future home. Travel with your mate. Or just save
it for your own future. The friends and relatives who love you will understand. They'd
rather see you happy than eat cake.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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August 28, 2002
* "Modern-East": For women
How about a Middle Eastern magazine about women? Something that covers fashion,
technology, art, education, food, social status, legal issues, and progress. Something
intelligent, but entertaining as well. Most women's magazines cover everywhere except
the Mideast. This would be a new, and a refreshing idea. Maybe call it "Modern-East".
-- Sheila K
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August 26, 2002
* How to write
Writing is very easy. Just pick up the pen or sit in front of the computer and
write all and everything you please.
Every one of us has stories. Everything that's happened to you is a story. Whatever
you told the person next to you at last night's party, or over the phone, is a story
you can share in 10 words or 10,000 words.
Imagine you are writing a letter to a good friend; someone you can share your
most intimate thoughts and experiences.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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August 14, 2002
* Journalism
If your children are interested in media studies and communication, encourage
them. We are in dire need people who can communicate effectively and professionally.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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August 8, 2002
* Real TV
We have a long way to go, as far as having an independent professional (I mean
PROFESSIONAL) radio or TV station for Iranians abroad. However there's a
simple, cheap, effective, informative and entertaining alternative.
You can create a popular and financially successful Iranian radio or TV station
by airing recordings of discussions/interviews with real people (not celebrities
or the like).
Bring grandma on radio or TV and let her talk about her life. Bring a 5-year-old
boy who's been born here in the U.S. and ask what Iran means to him. Talk to the
local Iranian grocery shop owner.
Talk to these ordinary people just like you would talk to them in person. Real
people have real stories that are relevant to our lives. Viewers and listeners would
quickly get hooked.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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August 1, 2002
* Persian Paradise
Persian Paradise is a garden of dreams. Will it materialize
in the U.S. someday? The answer is, it depends on how many people will share
the same dream. As an organization PersianParadise will be a non-for-profit Corporation
in California. Currently we absorb all the associated costs of upkeep and maintenance
and programming of the website. Like many other gardens, in order for PersianParadise
to become a reality it has to be supported by at least one major sponsor, either
a person or an organization. As of this moment we have not approached or located
that source yet. But then time is on our side >>> See persianparadise.com
-- Farrokh
A. Ashtiani
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July 30, 2002
* Sure investment
Investing in the Iranian economy is not a bright idea these days. But there's
one investment that is safe and can make a great impact: building schools. Our dollars
go a long way in Iran. With only a few thousand dollars, you and a a small group
of friends can help build a private school that will educate children for generations.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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July 23, 2002
* Question class
Colleges often offer classes on unconventional, non-traditionnal subjects designed
to open the mind. But how about this for high school, or even earlier: A class where
each day the teacher would encourage students to question the validity of a commonly-accepted
idea, norm, practice or behavior -- deconstructing ideas and behavior and challenging
everything we believe in.
The idea is not to destroy a young student's whole outlook on life, but exercising
the brain and learning to question everything accepted as "truth". Teenagers
tend to be rebellious anyway. So why not guide that angst and turn it into something
that would be most useful for the rest of your life?
-- Jahanshah Javid
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July 24, 2002
* Senior citizens
There are many Iranians that soon (very soon) are going to be needing special
care. They are going to be considered senior citizens and there is no way that they
will ever be placed in a nursing home here. I wouldn't put my dog in one of those
places (well I don't have a dog).
My point is Iranians need to create a special place just for them. This place
should have many activities, resources for health insurance, social security, what
can they expect from being citizens. It should be run by Iranians for Iranians.
We have to remember that they left their beloved Iran to be close to their son/daughters.
We must care for them, make them feel welcome here - we have to learn from them.
They are our encyclopedia and resource center. I volunteer to help start this organization.
I am asking you, my dear Iranian friends, to contact me.
I am not Iranian, but my heart belongs to Iran. I can tell you that about six
months ago this nice Iranian Lady was here visiting her son. She was alone in his
house all day. His son had to work. This lady got sick and needed someone to take
care of her. You guess it - she didn't have anyone. Her son didn't know what to do.
He called my neighbor (Iranians) and my neighbor called me (I am a nurse). We
went to her house, took care of her, but my friend had to leave. So I stayed with
this nice lady for a few days (keep in mine my Farsi is poor). Somehow I managed
to communicate with her. Her son is not married, and travels a lot for his business.
Now this is one of many cases that our Babajoon and Mammanjoon are here alone.
We must do something. Let's get started. I am good in fundraisings and I know toghether
we can do it.
Khodaa Haafez ,
Isabel
(Man bache Tehrunam)
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July 23, 2002
* Film production
Why don't we (Iranian-Americans) create a film production company. We seem to
have a whole lot of stories to tell, but we can tweak them to suit the American or
perhaps the global audience. I am sure financial possibilities are abundant. So who's
in?
-- Sheila K
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July 22 2002
* Boarding school
This is more like a wish: A private/non-profit English-Persian co-ed boarding
school for high school students somewhere in the spectacular valleys of northwest
Iran. Or the plains of Hamdan. Somewhere green and hilly.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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July 22 2002
* Chess match
Organize an annual chess match between Iranian and American students/youth. Make
it interactive: allow people to watch every move online. It will be hugely popular
and help relations in the long-run.
-- Jahanshah Javid
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