AMFE – USA/

Dr. Leana Sapunxhiu, OD is a licensed Doctor of Optometry dedicated to providing comprehensive vision care and improving patients’ quality of life through personalized treatment. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, where she gained a strong foundation in ocular disease management, binocular vision disorders, low vision care, specialty contact lenses, and primary eye care through diverse clinical rotations.

Dr. Sapunxhiu is passionate about helping patients with their visual needs, from everyday comfort to more complex ocular conditions. She believes that empowering individuals with knowledge about their eye health fosters better outcomes and strengthens patient trust. Her clinical interests focus on the diagnosis and management of ocular disease and glaucoma, where she is committed to advancing patient care and promoting long-term visual health.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Sapunxhiu enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, experiences that broaden her perspective and inspire curiosity about different approaches to health care. She actively engages in community initiatives, with a particular dedication to providing vision care for children with autism in Kosovo. This reflects her commitment to expanding access to eye health for underserved and vulnerable populations.

Dedicated, compassionate, and patient-focused, Dr. Sapunxhiu strives to make a meaningful difference in every patient’s life.

Me kënaqësi të madhe ju ftojmë të bashkoheni me ne në festivalin i 33-të shqiptar – 𝐴𝑘𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑡𝑖 𝑚ë 𝑖 𝑚𝑎𝑑ℎ 𝑘𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑞𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑟 𝑛ë 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑘ë!

Mirë se vini në këtë mbrëmje të paharrueshme plot pasion për kulturën dhe traditat tona.

𝐉𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐫ë𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐦 𝐦𝐞 𝐳𝐞𝐦ë𝐫!

Për Bileta Kontaktoni:

Ndreke Tonaj – (646) 261-3536

Mark Berishaj – (914) 557-5010

Lumi Rudaj – (914) 830-1019

Petrit Grishaj – (347) 736-7099

Gjergj Paloka – (646) 226-1457

Tony Boga – (917) 807-0290

by Mara Dresner – “Rocky Hill LIFE”
Contributing Writer/

When Nazim “Noli” Salihu was growing up, he had a dream of being on television. “I was playing as a young kid. I’d play with a camera. I’d be playing with a microphone. I’d be playing like I was a TV host,” he recalled. Salihu was born in Kosovo. He spent time in a refugee camp in Macedonia before coming to the United States and took the first steps toward achieving his long-time dream during the COVID-19 pandemic when he began podcasting on Facebook and YouTube.

“My idea was to present my culture and tradition and to highlight successful people,” he said. With encouragement from clients of his Noli Hair Salon, he decided to contact Rocky Hill Community Television to get some information about transitioning to a television show. When he called the main number he reached volunteer Michael O’Toole. “It’s an interesting story. Michael O’Toole said, ‘I never answer this phone. I accidentally answered this phone,’” Salihu said. “I told him I’d like to come see the studio. He said ‘come right now,’ so I went right away. I could feel something going through my body. This was something I could see myself doing.”

While Salihu was nervous about whether O’Toole would want to do the show, he wasn’t in suspense for long. “He told me right away, do it,” the host said. “The Noli Show” was born. They typically record one show a week, sometimes two. Guests have included writers, actors, entrepreneurs, heritage experts, singers, dancers and other notables. “I pick a date and talk to Michael,” Salihu said. O’Toole then gets to work on creating a flyer for each show, including researching each guest. “I’m so impressed with [Michael’s] intelligence. Guests will say, ‘Noli did such a great text for us.’ It’s Michael who’s impressing them. I say ‘Michael O’Toole did this.’ I’m very thankful to him and everybody who’s on the team here,” Salihu said.

Except for two, all of the shows have been record in the Albanian language. Each runs about 35 to 40 minutes. “We’d love if we could find someone to help us with translation [to English],” Salihu said. “We haven’t found a source that is affordable,” O’Toole said. Salihu’s interview topics range from the serious to the more lighthearted. He has interviewed Fitim B. Krasniqi about the Liberation War in Kosovo; the Balla Brothers, who performed on “America’s Got Talent” and Paulin Mernacaj, with whom he discussed Albanian heritage and patriotism.

About two years ago Salihu became an advisor for culture and art for the Vatra the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, which has about 1,600 members. The Vatra, which means hearth, is an association of Albanian-Americans that was created in 1912.
“I was driving to New York and the president to the Vatra, Elmi Berisha, called me on my phone. I had met him before, one time, two times. He said ‘do you want you to come upstate to my office?’ I have a cousin back home whose name is Elmi Berisha,” said Salihu, who was at first confused about with whom he was speaking.

“He said ‘why are you being so goofy?’” Once they straightened out which Elmi Berisha was calling, Salihu went to the Vatra office, where he was appointed to the position of culture and art advisor. “He said from today to tomorrow, you will be a different person, a more well-known person,” Salihu said. “A reporter came and said congratulations. After two minutes they sent pictures all over the world. I cannot handle, I started crying.” He said there are approximately 600,000 Albanians in the United States including a quarter million between New York and Boston. Salihu’s guests frequently come to the Rocky Hill studio from New York and he often goes into the city for various Vatra responsibilities.

Sokol Paja, editor-in-chief of the Dielli newspaper, the official organ of the Vatra Federation, praised Salihu and “The Noli Show” for their “high professionalism, dedication and commitment to promoting and supporting the activities of the Albanian community in America. His work is excellent. He is an asset to our community and the Vatra Federation. “Noli has promoted and broadcasted the events of the Albanian community in America. He has directly influenced the promotion of national art and culture and Albanian talents in America,” Paja added. “Noli has been a bridge between Albanian artists in America, Kosovo and Albania. Noli has also created a voice for the Albanian community in America.”

Salihu’s reach now goes far beyond Rocky Hill. After each show is recorded it’s uploaded to TVALB and NIMI TV. “Last month we had 1 million views through TVALB,” he said. His work with the Vatra Federation has brought him greater visibility and it’s also put Rocky Hill on the map. “There have been a number of guests from New York City,” O’Toole said. “They’re driving two hours to do a 35-minute show and then two hours back.” Despite his on-camera success, Salihu continues to work at his eponymous salon. “The salon is going great,” he said. “The show is more in the evening. During the day I cut hair.”

Salihu and O’Toole are highly supportive of one another. “Michael prepares everything. I just need to start the show on time. Everything is prepared. It goes so easy. I’ve never had a problem. We do good things together. I’m happy,” Salihu said.
“Noli is very involved with the community. He volunteers his services for seniors. He doesn’t do it for recognition. He does it because he wants to do it,” O’Toole noted. Salihu also offered free haircuts to veterans for about a decade. O’Toole has learned a lot about the Albanian community by working on the show. “They’re all immigrants. They have an appreciation for being American. They still maintain their Albanian roots and culture but they’re very much focused on being American,” he said. “They love America and being American. That’s powerful. And we’ve exposed Rocky Hill Community TV to everything from politics to arts,” he said. “Although I still don’t know what they’re saying,” O’Toole added with a chuckle. For Salihu, it’s a long way from pretending to talk into a microphone as a young boy. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be here,” he said. “This is my dream come true.” RHL.

Një festë e fjalës, kulturës dhe bashkimit kombëtar.

Albanian American Women’s Organization. Motrat Qiriazi. NYC Non profit

Their generosity truly shows how powerful it is when we come together to make a difference for families that have received a cancer diagnosis. Thank you for believing in our noble Mission.

The Albanian American Women’s Organization (AAWO) works to lift the spirit, status and voice of Albanian women, girls and Albanian families so they can fully participate in all aspects of life, by becoming stronger, and more resilient, in overcoming the years of war, government oppression and tradition that have pushed them down and to the margins of society.

AAWO hopes to strengthen the bonds between Albanian American women and their sisters all over the world. We believe and cherish that all human beings in this world, regardless of gender, race, nation, or religion deserve an equal opportunity in life… There is a need felt to give a voice to young Albanian women and youth and to listen and learn about their struggles and their ideas for a better future. Therefore, AAWO explores the role of women and young people also in creating “a culture of peace,” during their integration into the American mainstream society.

Take your seat

https://www.zeffy.com/…/tick…/afc-6-th-anniversary-party

Kemi mare nje Mbeshtetje te Nivelit te Arte nga shoqata Motrat Qiriazi ne NY

Bujaria e tyre tregon vërtet sa te fuqishem jemi kur bashkohemi për të bërë një ndryshim për familjet që kanë marrë një diagnozë kanceri. Faleminderit që besoni në misionin tonë fisnik.

Organizata e Grave Shqiptaro-Amerikane (AAWO) punon për të ngritur shpirtin, statusin dhe zërin e grave, vajzave dhe familjeve shqiptare, në mënyrë që ato të marrin pjesë plotësisht në të gjitha aspektet e jetës, duke u bërë më të forta dhe më të qëndrueshme në përballimin e viteve të luftës, shtypjes qeveritare dhe traditave që i kanë shtyrë drejt margjinave të shoqërisë.

AAWO synon të forcojë lidhjet midis grave shqiptaro-amerikane dhe motrave të tyre në mbarë botën. Ne besojmë dhe vlerësojmë thellësisht se të gjithë njerëzit në këtë botë, pavarësisht gjinisë, racës, kombësisë apo fesë, meritojnë një mundësi të barabartë në jetë. Ndjehet një nevojë për t’u dhënë zë vajzave dhe të rinjve shqiptarë, për të dëgjuar dhe mësuar nga sfidat dhe idetë e tyre për një të ardhme më të mirë. Prandaj, AAWO eksploron edhe rolin e grave dhe të rinjve në krijimin e “një kulture paqeje”, gjatë procesit të tyre të integrimit në shoqërinë amerikane.