Turkish Kids with Leukemia enjoy Internet, thanks to TAEF
The Turkish Times - Turkish American Educational Foundation (TAEF) completes another project, this time for children with leukemia, in Izmir Turkey. Prof. Bahar Karaoglan of Ege University contacted Nuray E. Fuller and told her that a class for children with leukemia was opened in a near by hospital which was no more than an empty room with absolutely nothing to offer to students. So TAEF, with the approval of its Board of Directors, sent them funds to provide them with Internet connected PC’s, school supplies, toys and Dr. Karaoglan did the rest. Now, children have a class in which they can learn technology, Internet and have fun.

Arizona Team "Turkiye" Second in Tempe League
The Turkish Times - After Turkey national team's great success by having third place in world cup-2002, one of the Arizona team "Turkiye" got another success by having second place in Tempe soccer league.

During the league, Turkiye played very well , unfortunately, in the final game on Sunday, Turkiye was lost against an army team, Luke Falcons, 4-2.

The president of the Turkish American Association of Arizona and the midfield player of the team, Cumali, said "he is very proud of what the team has achieved". He added "there is a very strong relationships between USA and Turkey governments and this kind sport activities will serve to establish this good relationships between the communities as well". True to the name of the organization -- Turkish American Association -- half of the team players is Turkish and the other half is American. The sweeper, David, said " he is very happy playing in Turkish team, and Turkish people is so friendly." The captain Ugur said " the players of the team were all students, and it was very hard to keep pace of school studying and the sport success at the same time". Let's congratulate to Turkiye team for contributing friendship and having success at the same time as they were greeted by all Turkish and American members of TAAAZ 's supporters. Visit TAAAZ web site www.taaaz.org

Anatolia FC - Peace Through Soccer
The Turkish Times - Anatolia FC (www.anatoliafc.com) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Turkish American friendship through organized soccer at the community level. Founded by Washington lawyers, Gunay Evinch and David Saltzman, in September 2000, today Anatolia FC boasts more than 40 Turkish American local soccer players and a popular following.

Anatolia FC currently manages two soccer teams in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area. Anatolia FC Maryland, directed by midfielder Gunay Evinch, has competed in the Southern Maryland Soccer League since Fall 2000. Anatolia FC DC, directed by midfielder Ugur Celik, has competed in the Washington International Soccer League since Fall 2001. Over the past three seasons, Anatolia MD has climbed from fourth to second place in their division of ten teams, whereas Anatolia DC won their division championship in their first season ever. The average age on both teams is 27.

Anatolia FC receives funding from private sources. Sponsors this season include The Bethesda Tailor and George Salon. As soon as tax exempt status is granted to Anatolia FC, all donations will be tax-deductible. The law firm of Saltzman & Evinch provides all legal and communications support.

All local Turkish American soccer teams throughout the United States who have played at least one season in their local soccer leagues are welcome to contact Anatolia FC for membership and support.

Make sure to visit the other important Turkish soccer site by Ahmet Turgut: www.turkishsoccer.net

Meze: "The Meditteranean Taste"
"Turkish tradition of family, friends,
and just plain camaraderie over a bowl of corba"
Asli Omur, Special to The Turkish Times- Another cold, breezy and damp afternoon in Kirkland, located about seven miles outside the frenetic movement of Seattle. Inside a cozy cafe called Meze, it feels like a lazy Turkish summer day. The sunlight streams in from the large windows, an incessant chatter of Turkish and English intertwining with a pop song in the background can elevate one to oblivion. More

Ayda Halker Helps Turkish Efforts to Cure Autism
ODER Conference set for March 2003 needs Turkish-American sponsors and donors
The Turkish Times - Ayda Halker, a local ATA-DC member and daughter of Armagan and Sevim Sanver (long time ATAA and ATA-DC volunteers and leaders) is on her way to Turkey to attend a conference on autism in Izmir, Turkey. Ayda has a 9 year old daughter with autism and she is very active in the local and national autism community, serving on the boards of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of Cure Autism Now (based in Los Angeles) and Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (a Service provider in Rockville, MD). She also consults part-time in the Program Development area for the Autism Society of America, the leading national autism advocacy organization headquartered in Bethesda, MD. She also has her own website, AutismOnline.org, where she sells autism related books and educational items to families all over the world and donates the proceeds to a different cause each quarter.

Ayda has been making contacts in the past few years to contact autism support groups in Turkey to share her knowledge on the latest educational treatments for autistic children, something the Turkish community desperately needs in Turkey. She spoke at a conference put on by the Marmara Universite Vakfi Anne Baba Destek Grubu at the Divan Otel in Istanbul in 1999. She saw how parents were so desperate for educational treatment information, that upon her return, she wrote a book on state-of-the art autism treatment in Turkish. She is now in close contact with ODER (Otistik Cocuklar Koruma ve Yonlendirme Dernegi) of Izmir, a nonprofit group led by parents, an organization she has found that is contributing to efforts in Turkey to understand and hopefully to cure autism, like providing free information on their website, an online free e-mail bulletin for families, and parent networking through the internet. Their most recent effort includes an educational conference for special education teachers both public and private, scheduled for March, 2003. Dr. Selvi Borazanci Persson will be conducting the training. She is offering her time and services at no cost to ODER.

Ayda is going to donate 300 copies of her book to ODER for distribution at the March conference. She is also going to attend the conference. ODER has asked her to be a future speaker at their next conference. Ayda is hoping the US Turkish community will take an interest in these efforts and donate towards the following:

1) Matching donations to match her contribution from her website proceeds to help the conference organizers pay for the conference.

2) Approximately $300 to cover the cost of shipping her books to Izmir in advance of the conference.

3) Sponsorship towards her airfare to attend the March conference.

If anyone would like more information or to help this effort, please contact Ayda at info@autismonline.org