Your health is your treasure.

As we all know that smoking is not good for our health. When smoking an arguily/hookah we are not supposed to focus on the smoking aspect but on the social one. We smoke to socialize, we don't socialize to smoke. If you can keep up with these guildelines I provide, you will enjoy the smoking experience more and you will encourage other to join in.

• Never smoke indoor, not even in garage.
• Never smoke alone. Always smoke with friends and socialize.
• Never let children anywhere near you when you smoke.
• Take at least 30-45 seconds between each puffs.
• Never inhale.
• Use mouth piece and offer one to each of your guests.
• Use Stop-Nicotine filter.
• Never pack the tobacco in bowl. Sprinkle it.
• Put your Arguily away in winter.
• Only smoke outside on a nice sunny day. Your ability to do this means that you are not addicted to Nicotine. You can stop smoking anytime you chose.
• Always clean your arguily after every use using appropriate brush with cleaning detergent. This includes: bowl, vase, shaft, hose (yes use leather washable hose, not paper-based hose). If you are using a paper-based hose, throw it away after 15-20 smoking sessions, depending on quality.
• Refill your tobacco bowl or head when you start feeling that the puffing is becoming harsh.
• Change the position of your charcoal on the aluminum cover every 10 minutes.
• Do not smoke Ajami Tobacco. This is the dry tobacco that is so strong and smoked with the charcoal in direct contact on it. No aluminum cover is used.
• Never buy those curved arguily except for display. They are hard to clean and the cleaning brush will not reach some areas.
• Let your charcoal turn into burning red piece before you place it on the aluminum covering the tobacco bowl.
• Do not smoke daily. Control your habit.
• Remember these recommendations and carry them with you anywhere you go and make people aware of the danger of smoke abuse.
• If you have anymore recommendations to add, let me know and I will add to this list.

Lebanese Festival 2006 - Ottawa - July 19 to July 23

Here we go again. Summer 2006 is around the corner and preperation for the annual Lebanese Fun Festival is already underway. The Lebanese Fun Festival that takes place
in the parking lot of the St. Elias Cathedral every year around the celebration of St. Elias feast is by far one of the largest event in Ottawa every summer, and the largest lebanese event in Canada. Over 40,000 people attend the festival, over 400 volunteers and over 100 singers and dancers electrify the big stage and the arguily tent during the 5-days of festivities. Check out the Lebanese Fun Festival new website.

This year's festival is co-chaired by Yolanda Hanna and George Hanna and a committee made up of veterans who contribute to the success of the festival year after year. A large team of volunteers from age of 10 to 90+ years old will be getting ready to give a hand. From food preparation to ground maintenance to tents set-up to getting sponsors and more. Lots of hard work and dedicated effort will be put forward to ensure successful Lebanese Fun Festival. For those who misses Bobby, he will be there but this time with his beautiful fiancée Julie (sorry gals). Our festival evangelist Andre Skaff will also be on hand bugging people to buy raffle tickets, joined by Sam and Madiana who will be running around with her high heels making sure we all got what we want. I also have to warn you about littering the ground, our priest watchful eyes will be watching you from his office above the festival ground.

This year main attraction will be the double-sized Arguily tent with a total capacity of 500 people, and a patio that can seat over 100 people. The Arguily tent is the busiest tent after 8 pm. People from all walk of life come in and enjoy a relaxing time smoking their favourite flavoured tobacco and listen to live music or play backgammon or just socialize. The familiar faces of volunteers like Abu Dany, Ryma, Randa, Julie, Paula and maybe Paul, Diana, George, Wassim, Sarah, Hani, Chadi and others will be back this year to ensure smooth operation, smiling faces and a great smoking experience. Arguily.com will be one of the sponsors and will be providing all Arguilys, accessories and many kind of flavoured tobacco (apple, strawberry, vanilla, coconut, grape, cherry and more).

If you are in Ottawa or driving through Ottawa during this time, make sure you stop by and watch the Lebanese culture in action. If you have kids, they will enjoy the rides and the games available for them. Delicious Lebanese sandwishes will be served from a 40 feet BBQ along with other Lebanese treats like baklawa and maamoul. Don't forget to check out the famous lebanese Saj bread, baked fresh and served with Labneh and cucumber. Also, don't miss Micho's drink bar for your favourite beer. See you all there. Come on out and celebrate the summer with us.