The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a classic musical, beloved by children and their parents for generations. The film is perennially popular because it teaches several basic values and deals with many of the issues and fears that children ages 5 - 12 must confront as they mature: what happens if I can’t find my home, what happens if the adults who protect me are powerless against some outside force (Mrs. Gulch, the tornado), etc.

Now back to the question: Do you have any idea where does the name “OZ” comes from in the famous movie “The Wizard of OZ” ?

It’s writer “Frank Baum” named the magic world “OZ” after the alphabetical letters O - Z on the bottom drawer of his file cabinet.

So did you know that one ?

This week’s picture of “Lebanon Picture of the week” was taken by Fady Nammour.

Fady is a fellow Lebanese photographer and blogger that blogs at 961Nerd.com.

You can also find more of Fady’s pictures at his flickr photostream !

Thanks Fady for your contribution and I hope you’ll become a regular.

If you would like to have your picture on shifeshil email it to us at LebPhotos [at] ShiFeshil [dot] com.

According to worldsbestbars.com our of the 100 top bars in the world 2 are in Beirut B-018, ranked 52nd, and Sky bar ranked 1st !

So, for those who have already been there, is it THAT good ? I wonder !

This week’s picture of “Lebanon Picture of the week” is from Charbel.

Charbel is a fellow Lebanese photographer I met on flickr and too this picture in the Valley of Chouwen back in April 2008.

This photo is enough to make me wanna go again there ! Unfortunately the last time I’ve visited Chouwen was more than 10 years ago and I wasn’t yet into photography back then. So Charbel care to go for a ride with me ?

Visit Charbel’s photostream at flickr !

Thanks Charbel ! Your contribution is very precious to us and I wish you’ll become a regular.

If you would like to have your picture on shifeshil email it to us at LebPhotos [at] ShiFeshil [dot] com.

For none Arabic readers it reads “Congratulations for the newly painted wall”

Of course some people might think it is useless and a total waste of money but, for me, it is a piece of art.

I am sure that many have already seen this one but I am sure it is worth re-viewing yet another time.

Here are a few facts that you might have missed about this wonderful ad

• No Tricks: This ad is 100% original no special effects only pure engineering
• Shot 606 times: It took 606 takes to get this one right, it is an ad with more than 3 months in the making
• $6 millions US Dollars: Maybe not the most expensive ad ever but still a nice sum
• 2 out of 6: There are only 6 hand made accord in the world. To make this ad they disassembled 2 of them !!!

Gotta love it !

This week’s picture of “Lebanon Picture of the week” is from Sheila Haddad.

Sheila took this picture in Raouche just last month May 2008. I really love this picture, it looks so natural ! It makes me feel I’m there watching this sunset.

Thanks Sheila ! Your contribution is very precious to us and I wish you’ll become a regular.

If you would like to have your picture on shifeshil email it to us at LebPhotos [at] ShiFeshil [dot] com.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, then you already know about “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”. This book exists only it 7 copies hand written and illustrated by J.K. Rowling. 6 of this 157 pages books were offered to person having closely contributed to writing of the story and the 7th was the only one sold in auction.

That auction took place in December of last year and was won by amazon for some $3.9 Million US dollars making of the last Harry Potter one of the most expensive books ever sold.

Interesting to know that the world record is actually held by “Leonardo Da Vinci’s Codex Leicester” handwritten notebook for the artist that was sold for no one else that Bill Gates for $30.8 Millions US dollars. “Shakespeare’s First Folio“, also handwritten, was sold for $5.1 Million US dollars in auction back in 2006.

More info about the “Tales of Beedle the Bard” auction here