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The Stefanie Somers Collection “Kiev” earrings from her ready-to-wear collection retailing for $275 nab Catherine’s Zeta-Jones’ style.

Jennifer Aniston, left, wore dangling stunners on the red carpet. The Stefanie Somers Collection captures the look with the “New York Couture” earrings retailing for $449.

Halle Berry, left, didn’t drop the ball with her red carpet look and neither did Stefanie Somers with her “Darien” earrings retailing for $225.

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From one-of-a-kind custom pieces to more affordable retail creations, Stefanie Somers hand tools the finest cut and color Swarovski gem stones into beautiful earrings, bracelets, necklaces and broaches.  Each Stefanie Somers original is the perfect contrast between vintage and modern, sweet and sexy and bold and delicate, and embellished with the brightest and most vibrant colored Swarovski crystal gemstones and cuts, including trending roses, blood reds, purples, blues, oranges, greens and crystal clears.   Available at Stefaniesomers.com and select retailers nationwide with suggested retail prices ranging from $36 to $599. (Couture Collection prices)

ALO Teams with Growing Digital Leader, Magzter, as Radio’s Dynamic Duo Nikki Sixx and Kerri Kasem Grace the Cover

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 19, 2012) ALO, the premier English language magazine about Middle Eastern culture and lifestyle, has joined some of the country’s most popular publications on iTunes with Magzter, the global and digital newsstand accessible by computer or tablet. In this new age of smart devices, mobile phones, iPads and Androids, where hand-held devices can be turned into our personal bookshelves, Magzter enables users to access their favorites. Now, ALO magazine is only a click or two away. This successful merger of print and digital creates access to potential new readers across the globe. Curious readers can also preview the dynamic new issue of ALO on iTunes.

“One of our top goals for 2013 is to enter the digital world in a big way,” says Wafa Kanan, ALO’s publisher and editorial director. “With Magzter’s 3.5 million users around the world, we are pleased that English speaking readers from many nations can now explore and experience the lands and peoples of a region often misunderstood and regularly misrepresented in the popular media.  In addition, we are confident our global digital strategy will provide new opportunities for international advertisers to take advantage of the growing purchasing power of this diverse and increasingly affluent region.

Not beholden to any religious or political viewpoint, ALO has the freedom to address controversial topics with utmost candor. In our current issue, readers dive into a fascinating story by Prof. Mehdi Noorbaksh of Harrisburg University on the Arab Spring, why it erupted and how it will change the world. Rima Fakih, the 2010 Miss USA, takes off the gloves and speculates on the prejudice that may have kept her from taking home the Miss Universe crown in the follow-up competition. Fakih’s unabashed interview takes on the beauty pageant system, America’s unfounded misperceptions of Middle Eastern-Americans and her friendship with the Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump.

In a profound first person account, a post-college Arab-American woman details her life between two worlds as she navigates through life in America while still being bound to traditions and restrictions of her immigrant parents. Noted travel journalist J. Patrick Adams tells how it feels to be an American in Beirut while we also bring stories from Dubai, Cappadocia, Turkey; and Dearborn, Michigan. We bring readers the latest in fashion trends, take you backstage at the Oscars, reveal the mysteries of Lebanese cuisine, and open the door to one of the art world’s best kept secrets.

The cover artists Sixx and Kasem have autographed a limited number of the current print issues for sale. These can be ordered from www.alomagazine.com with proceeds going to aid charitable causes focusing on literature, arts and culture.

ALO magazine appears four times a year and can be downloaded at Magzter for $3.99 per issue.

About ALO Magazine
ALO is the world’s premiere cultural lifestyle magazine. Each captivating high-end issue showcases the many facets of the region’s diverse, dynamic heritage. Our contemporary perspective appeals to and connects with today’s affluent, educated consumer. The magazine strives to be the ultimate source and voice of Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean cultures both in the region and in the diaspora.
Website: www.alomagazine.com

About Magzter
Magzter Inc. is the world’s largest and fastest growing digital self-service newsstand with 3.5 million digital consumers. Magzter enables publishers to offer digital editions of their titles so readers can easily access and enjoy them. Magzter supports formats starting from simple PDFs to fully interactive HTML5 magazines. It is the ideal way to browse, buy and read magazines and books on your tablet or smartphone, whether it’s Apple iOS (iPad/iPhone) or Android (Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Xoom, Dell Streak, Google Nexus-S3, etc.) or just online on the web using your browser at www.magzter.com.

For interviews or further information:
Marianne Nassif
818/727-7785
marianne@uniqueimageinc.com

Kobe vs Messi: Legends on Board – Turkish Airlines

749.00USD roundtrip*
Valid only on TK09 and TK10
Travel Period:
February 4- 24, 2013
7 day advance purchase required
*Fare rules: roundtrip fares including taxes and carrier surcharges. Additional 40USD applies if ticket is purchased at Turkish Airlines city ticket office. Travel must commence by February 24, 2013. Seven day advance purchase required. Tickets must be purchased by February 17, 2013. Additional terms and conditions apply. Fares are not guaranteed until ticketed and are subject to availability and change without notice.
For further information or reservation & ticket requests please visit www.turkishairlines.com or you can call 1-800-874-8875 & 1-310-640-8989 or send an e-mail to reservation.lax@thy.com

My travels have introduced me to many veiled saints, but my connection to Wafa Kanan, who I’ve worked with in Syria, Egypt, and Jordan, remains a secular blessing. Born and raised in a warring Lebanon, she now resides in Los Angeles, the base for the ALO Cultural Foundation, a non-profit charity she founded that funds social and health programs for underserved communities worldwide. The foundation also surgically reconstructs the bodies and faces of children with severe genetic abnormalities and simultaneously nurtures harmony in the Middle East. Kanan makes a difference one child and one case at a time—trusting that loyalty can transform violence.

The word alo is a warm Middle Eastern greeting. This Los Angeles prime-time news segment says it all, and might bring happy tears to your eyes…

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Q. With what’s happening in the Arab world right now (Arab Spring turned Brutal Fall), how are you redirecting ALO’s mission?

A. Each situation requires intense controversial discussion that gives flight to ideological breakthroughs. Similar to my foundation, ALO Magazine (a publication echoing the foundation’s message, www.alomagazine.com) changes with every issue. We build our content to address issues transparently and bridge cross-cultural understanding. What’s happening in the Middle East is no different from what happened in America in the 1900’s, or in Europe centuries ago.

History repeats itself, as the world strives for equality. Unfortunately, equality and its sister—democracy—are sometimes nothing but words. Politicians use them as rhetoric, building on weak foundations. It boils in people’s hearts to breathe free, and when they do breathe again, the opportunists yank them into another cycle of madness. The questions remain: Is there true democracy and equality anywhere? How do you define it internationally?

Q. As Al Qaeda seeks to undermine efforts to build U.S. and Arab relations, do you think it’s possible that the Arab world itself will rise up against such activism?

A. Let’s make it clear first, before I answer this question, that I do not claim to be a political pundit. Personally, I see vital issues that are being missed by both the media and government. People choose to ignore the fact that there is a difference between the policies of a government and the will of the people. Every government has its own supporters and outlaws. Minority groups should have rights and a voice for peaceful, positive change.

We all know how bad news travels fast; controversy sells. This is a huge challenge for Middle Easterners. You must understand the culture of a country and its religious structure, and study its laws to determine the validity of its government. ALO knows that solutions are not resolved by war, but with real development: education, awareness, and social advancement. But it never happens quickly enough.

What happens when a government ignores essential rights for its people? Resentment rises. What happens when the world ignores basic human rights, religion, and history? Revolutions are launched by underground militias in countries that have no other choice but to follow leaders of oppression. Then, greed rules.

Only when all religions and religious leaders begin a true dialogue, while promoting understanding and tolerance, will we rise as one against anyone and anything that destroys humanity.

We should invest our international grants intelligently to bridge the gap and connect people to our common humanity. Violence and war are not the answer. That is why the ALO Cultural Foundation focuses on cultural diplomacy and bridging both sides through philanthropy and involvement—we are connected by our actions and not by our spoken words.

Q. What do most U.S. citizens fail to comprehend about Arab people?

A. If I must categorize, most Westerners have a lack of knowledge about the region. Innocent ignorance that means unfamiliarity with Arabs’ culture, diversity, and customs. In the States, Americans take for granted their lifestyle and independence, and it seems from the surface, they want to run other countries with the same set of values. The Middle East is the source of a 5,000-year-old history that cannot be overpowered by Western methodology or ideology…but rather by contemporary interconnectivity.

Concerned citizens in the U.S. should help change the message sent by the government’s foreign policy, not just the 50 billion dollars changing hands annually. I’m talking about cultural understanding while accepting our differences. Most Arabs face challenges Westerners can’t comprehend. While the majority rules, that majority should be the people and not the government.

Never give up.

* * *

The ALO Cultural Foundation is making a difference; www.alofoundation.org

Wafa Kanan

Interviewer ps—Masterpieces in their own right, the Bible, Qur’an, and Tora were written by folks who believed the world was flat.

Wafa Kanan in action

Author: Bruce Northam

******** Fall Special to Turkey ********
Los Angeles to Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara
Starting from / $798.00 roundtrip*
Applicable Flights: TK09/TK10 only
Sale Period (Ticketing): September 1-15, 2012
Travel Period: November 1-December 6, 2012 and January 10- March 10, 2013