Florida Fundraiser for Wexler Was a Success
The Turkish Times - The fundraising party for Robert Wexler (Rep-D) of Florida took a place in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on October 5th. Turkish-Americans led by new President-elect of ATAA, Vural Cengiz, thanked Hon. Wexler as a friend for his efforts to promote better relations between USA and Republic of Turkey and recognizing the value of an old-time-ally, Turkey.

Hon. Wexler mentioned that there was no pro-Turkey legislation in Washington in the last 30 years due to anti-Turkish lobbying groups. "Turkey's long-time alliance despite this lack of interest for Turkey gives Turkey a very special value," he said. Alliance between Turkey and Israel was also mentioned as a strong factor for the United States in the war against terrorism. Recognizing Turkey's position to support the U.S. in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond was the subject of one of the resolutions Hon. Wexler introduced last month.

Turkish-Americans unanimously support Hon. Wexler in his district and volunteer for his campaign in addition to their financial support.

TURANT Hosted 4th Dallas Turkish Festival
Saduman Gurbuz, TURANT - Since its inception in 1998, Turkish Festival in Dallas, Texas, has created a considerable interest toward Turkish culture among the general public, and this interest has reached its peak with the Fourth Dallas Turkish Festival held on October 5th, 2002. The festival drew in people from the metroplex, neighboring cities, and surrounding states. Without exaggeration, around forty percent of the thousands of visitors who attended this year's festivities were Americans. TURANT owes this increase in attendance to the previous years' successes since the cumulative experience we have gained through the previous years has certainly contributed to this year's excellence.

This year's festival ground was located inside a huge building, The Studios, and that created a grand bazaar atmosphere when the crowd gathered around the food sections and art exhibitions. That Saturday morning when the doors to the festival grounds were opened at eleven o'clock, the guests immediately formed long lines in front of the authentic Turkish food to taste doner, dolma, baklava and borek, which were prepared by the Turkish cooks and volunteers from TURANT. Our resourceful volunteers worked hard around the clock in the previous days. The food line did not subside till the closing time at eleven o'clock at night.

Along with the exhibitions, the Turkish Festival has provided great entertainment to the visitors all day long including the young ones. Everyone enjoyed many hours of an excellent variety of Turkish Folk dances performed by Eskisehir Osmangazi University Folk Dance Group under the directions of Tekin Kockar. The folk dances were enhanced by the group of musicians that Osmangazi University has selected and provided to Dallas Turkish Festival. The musicians and their singer, Deniz Erol, provided a musical feast to the attendees while they were playing and singing popular Turkish "turku"s.

Assistant professor Latife Aktan from Traditional Handicrafts Section of Canakkale University has exhibited the art works and gave a brief lecture about traditional Turkish tile art - for the first time in the USA.

The children enjoyed very much the magician, live animal shows, jump-tent fun, face paintings and karaoke. Having a big and separate area for children had pleased the parents very much who thus enjoyed the festival without worrying about their kids.

At night, AYNA's concert were enjoyed by everyone, young and old, Turkish and American. The audience could sit in their seats. All could not help but dance to the lively music.

Festival has received great attention from the media. Dallas Morning News has printed festival picture in their Sunday issue. Memories 96.7 radio broadcasted Turkish music and festival announcement all week long.

TURANT (Turkish American Association of North Texas) felt very proud to share Turkish culture, art, food and music with the American public, especially when they received positive messages and feedback during and after the festival from various American sources. Additionally, the next generation Turkish Americans has gotten closer to the Turkish culture and people.

Of course, this festival's success fully depended on the hard work of volunteers of TURANT and the support of its sponsors. Turk Tanitma Fonu, Eskisehir Osmangazi Universitesi, ATAA, DFH Network, Memories 96.7, Efes Pilsen, Picasso Travel, Celil Vefali, Kavaklidere Wines, and Washington Turk Turizm Ofisi were the proud sponsors of 4th Dallas Turkish Festival.

Yackley Hopes to Keep Budget Down in Illinois
The Turkish Times - "There is no excuse for the state of Illinois to raise taxes," says John Erder Yackley, candidate for the state house from Chicago's 11th district. "The state budget has increased 50% in the last four years and there is a good chance that Illinois will run a two billion dollar deficit next year. There is so much waste." Yackley is against raising taxes, even though the outgoing governor, George Ryan, says tax increases are inevitable. He has proposed several areas in which the state's goverment could save as much as $4 billion per year.

Yackley, 33, is the official candidate from the Libertarian party, the third major party in the United States. He is also president and CEO of Be Free Investments, an investment management company. Yackley is a former broker and holds a license in commodities trading. An economics graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, he says the state can hold the line without jeopardizing the educational system or services to the elderly and the poor. The 11th House district is predominantly Democratic "and since there is no Republican running, I hope to garner the conservative votes," says Yackley. John speaks German and Turkish fluently. "This may count for something in Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods," said his campaign manager. "We need watchdog candidates like John to keep the politicians in charge honest and frugal."

A native of Chicago, John's mother is an active Turkish American who came to the United States as an exchange student. She is his campaign manager. John's late father was a seasoned politician, having served as state's attorney and circuit judge in central Illinois. His younger sister works as a correspondent for Reuters in Ankara, Turkey, his younger brother works for the Oxford Business Group in Romania.

John's district in Chicago runs between Armitage and Argyle, two miles in from the Lake. Those wanting to help him with his campaign can contact him at www.john@yackley2002.com or call him at 312 266-1389.

DISCLAIMER: This news story should not be construed as an official endorsement of John Yackley’s candidacy by ATAA or The Turkish Times. We are publishing it as a community service.

Friends Remembered Ester Plihal
Leon Levy is awarded
the "Ester Plihal Humanitarian Award"
Oya Bain, Capital Region VP, ATAA, The Turkish Times - The October 6 commemoration held in Washington D.C. was a fund raiser for the Ester Plihal Memorial Educational Fund, organized by the American Turkish Associa-tion of Washington DC (ATA-DC) and American Sephardic Federation. Ester Plihal was a Turkish Sephardic Jew, a community activist and well loved member of both the Turkish and Jewish communities. She has been an ATA-DC Board member for many years where she was very active.

When she passed away in Oct. 2000, an educational fund was established to promote educational programs on Turkey within the Jewish community at large. The fund raiser took place on Sunday Oct 6, to a capacity audience at the Turkish Embassy Residence, hosted by Ambassador Logoglu and Mrs. Logoglu.

More than 140 friends of Ester attended this very special function. The ball room where the film was shown was filled to capacity. Both Turkish and Jewish communities were well represented. Among the VIP attendees were high level officers from the DC government, Maryland General Assembly, Holocaust Museum, a journalist from Fox TV, representatives and directors of Jewish organizations, TUSIAD, Washington Institute, Potomac Institute, American Turkish Council, American Sephardic Federation, Producer/Director of "Desperate Hours", Ataturk Society of America and Turkish diplomats. Leon Levy, internationally known Sephardic Jewish leader, originally from Turkey was awarded the Ester Plihal Humanitarian award. After the ceremony, "Desperate Hours" was introduced by Victoria Barrett, producer and director of the film. Many in the audience watched the film for the first time and were greatly moved. A moment of silence was held for the memory of Muhtar Kent, one of the heroic diplomats in the film, who passed away recently. The film was followed by an elegant dinner.

ATA-DC Board members Gunduz Saner and Patsy Jones, who were in the planning committee actively worked during the event. ATA-DC President Hulya Polat personally supported the fund by a generous donation. As one of the organizing organizations ATA-DC provided financial support to the event. I represented the ATAA and was co-chair of the planning committee.

Plans are underway to screen this important film in the Library of Congress, probably after the holidays.

Fugen Gulertekin Won’t File for Clemency
But will continue to strive to prove her innocence
Bircan Unver, President, FTAA’s "Fugen Gulertekin Support Campaign" Committee - Special to The Turkish Times - Last spring, Fugen Gulertekin wished to apply to the governor of Ohio for clemency, hoping to be released early from prison. As most of you know, she was sentenced to eight years without parole for allegedly harming a child in her home day care center. The prosecution claimed the baby (who is alive and well) suffered from "shaken baby syndrome," and that Fugen was the one who shook the baby. She has now been in prison for four years. Read More

TACAM Kids Enjoy Blast of
a Festival Weekend
Detroit "Children Helping
Children Festival" a success!
Asli Yashin, TACAM Vice President, Special to The Turkish times - OH boy did we, TACAM (Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan) Kids Club have fun this weekend (Oct 12, 13), joining the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit for the "Children Helping Children Festival" on Sunday! Turkey, China, Mexico, Poland, Hawai and some African Countries joined the parade and presented their dance. Children chanted the "Children Helping Children" song, sang the National Anthem and danced to their folkloric dance with their own music. TACAM Kids Club chose Tarkan's Simarik! The audience loved it and we could see people dancing in their chairs...

We are so proud of these Turkish-American youngsters who are keeping their vibrant heritage alive and who took part in this international festival. We have all the intention to be prepared for next year's events. This is free publicity for Turkey and plain "fun in the sun" (although it was raining...)

Thank you parents, thank you children, thank you TACAM, thank you Mine Tasci who provided us with the Turkish Folkloric outfits and her artistic vision, thank you Ali Kaayalp for those beautiful pictures, thank you Nada Dalgamouni (Director of International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit) for inviting Turks to this great event.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR...