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Jensen Completes Major Refurbishment Work on Fishing Vessel Bering Defender; Upgrades Make Vessel More Efficient, Optimize it for Work in the Bering Sea.
Jensen Maritime, a Crowley Maritime Corp. company, recently completed a major redesign of the Global Sea-managed fishing vessel Bering Defender. The project, which improved the vessel's efficiency and hold capacity, outfitted it for pollock fishing in the challenging waters of Alaska's Bering Sea. The refurbished fishing boat, formerly named Dona Martita, recently arrived in Seattle after departing the East Coast and transiting the Panama Canal. Global Seas, based in Seattle, is an operator of a diverse fleet of research and fishing vessels.
Initially, Global Seas requested several design changes to the vessel to optimize it for Alaska waters while making it safer, more comfortable and more efficient to operate. Per customer request, Jensen added a shelter deck, two gantry cranes and increased the fish-hold capacity of the vessel. However, an analysis of the vessel by Jensen's expert consultation teams revealed that the Bering Defender would also benefit from the addition of a new bulbous bow and lengthened stern section. Finally, Jensen used the opportunity to completely redesign and expand the crew quarters and pilothouse.
The total design improvements resulted in an increase in the hold capacity by 30 percent with a more efficient vessel that also has a modern and comfortable living arrangement for the crew.
"Our capabilities really shined on this project as we were successful in continually finding ways to improve the efficiency, performance and crew comfort of this vessel for our customer Global Seas," said Johan Sperling, vice president, Jensen. "We always jump at the opportunity to return to our roots by creating and redesigning fishing vessels. Our reputation speaks for itself when it comes to designing boats for the challenging waters in Alaska. We are proud of this accomplishment because we turned a serviceable vessel into one that will stand out among the best in the Alaskan fishing fleet."
Specifically, Jensen's work included the addition of a bulbous bow which has decreased the forward trim, making the vessel safer and more efficient in the water. By adding six feet to the redesigned stern, Jensen was able to smooth the water flow aft, which has improved the Bering Defender's cruising speeds. The new shelter deck allowed the existing winches to be relocated up one deck, giving the vessel additional freeboard for winter operations in Alaska. The fish holds were able to be expanded when the shelter deck was added, thereby increasing the vessel's total capacity. Finally, Jensen removed the existing deckhouse, raised the deck one level and extended the structure the full width of the boat. The pilothouse was also removed and replaced, and now includes a state-of-the-art electronics suite.
Before the redesign, the vessel had been working on the East Coast in support of herring and mackerel fisheries. The Bering Defender underwent construction at Patti Marine Enterprises in Pensacola, Fla., and has now begun work in Alaska.
Seattle-based Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., is a full service naval architecture and marine engineering firm owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation. The company offers a diverse range of consulting, design and engineering services developed from more than 50 years experience working around the world. Jensen is a recognized leader in the design of all types of vessels - particularly workboats, fishing boats and fire boats- and has built a favorable reputation on a long history of successful designs and conversions with close attention to engineering basics. The company's services include detail and conceptual design and engineering, lofting, regulatory and shipyard liaison as well as on-site consulting services and on-location assistance anywhere in the world. Additional information about Jensen may be found on the Internet at www.jensenmaritime.com.
Visit www.crowley.com to learn more about Crowley.
Maritime Today
The Maritime Industry's original and most viewed E-News Service
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Seaspan joined Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada's Minister of National Defense, at an official ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the Halifax-Class Modernization/Frigate
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Mercury Marine is adding a 53,000 square foot manufacturing capacity expansion to its global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisc. The expansion will consist of 45,
Humber tugboat operator SMS Towage has drawn on an old name for the latest addition to its fleet. The new Englishman is the 11th Humber tug to bear the title, in
Shipbuilder Ulstein Verft has launched its first vessel within the renewable energy segment, and also the first with the newly-developed X-STERN hull line design.
Carnival Vista, the new flagship of the fleet of Carnival Cruise Line, brand of the Carnival Group, was delivered today at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone.
European shipowners believe that the three priority areas of the new EU Arctic Policy Communication published by the Commission this week address all topical Arctic matters.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission have adopted a policy proposal that will guide the actions of the European Union in the Arctic region.
Rutter Inc. announced that Viking Ice Consultancy selected the sigma S6 Ice Navigator system for installation on the Magne Viking, the first vessel to comply with


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SingStar Shame - The Gibson Collection
Some people have higher thresholds than others for public humiliation. Some people have none at all. Step forward Ellie.
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St. Augustine Surgery Center: A Snapshot of OSHA Inspections
At the 20th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference on Oct. 25, Stephanie Martin, BSN, RN, CNOR, CASC, administrator of St. Augustine (Fla.) Surgery Center shared her experience with an OSHA inspection.
Ms. Martin has been an ASC administrator since 1998, but she did not have an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection until 2012. On Aug. 14, 2012, the day began as any other. Ms. Martin had a lengthy to-do list and a busy day ahead. At 10 a.m., the OSHA inspector arrived unannounced. Ms. Martin did a quick run through the center to inform everyone that the inspector would be coming through the facility.
The survey began with the verification of the inspector's ID. He had a list of documents he wanted to see, which he took several hours to go through. He then was led on a tour conducted by the clinical coordinator. The inspector took pictures throughout the inspection, carefully examined the sterile supply room, observed the process of sterilization in the decontamination room and even checked each cord on equipment in the center. "I couldn't believe how detailed the survey had been," said Ms. Martin.
The inspector had a long list of documentation requirements, including individual documentation of sharps evaluation. He also noted that an alcohol hand cleaner dispenser was located too near a light switch.
The inspection ended at 3 p.m., but the inspector returned the next day to conduct staff member interviews. He spoke with a PACU nurse, infection control nurse and an additional nurse. He requested the interview be conducted in an entirely private setting.
The final step of the process was the exit interview. Ms. Martin met with the inspector. He reviewed the possible OSHA fines, which can be substantial, but St. Augustine Surgery Center did not receive one.
In Ms. Martin's experience, this survey was one of the most stressful, including CMS and accreditation surveys. "Be prepared for upcoming OSHA updates," Ms. Martin recommended.
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$30,000 bronze Virgin Mary statue stolen from church
NEWPORT BEACH Thieves pried a four-to-five-foot bronze statue of the Virgin Mary off its base at a Newport Beach Catholic church, most likely for its recycling value, Newport Beach police Lt. Craig Fox said.
The statue stolen Friday night depicted the mother of Jesus Christ bent in prayer, and sat in front of the Our Lady Queen of Angels Church sign at the corner of Mar Vista and Domingo drives.
The statue, which was valued at $30,000, was donated about 8 years ago by a Newport Beach resident, a church official said. The statue was created by renowned sculptor Victor Salmones.
"We hope this one-of-a-kind statue is returned very soon and not damaged," Diocese of Orange spokesman Ryan Lilyengren said. "It really is a unique piece of artwork to this parish."
Parts made of valuable metals, such as bronze and copper, are often stolen and taken to metal recycling centers, Lt. Fox said. Parts have included brass caps from city-owned fire hydrants, copper wiring from buildings under construction, and catalytic converters.
The California state Assembly and state Senate passed bills on Aug. 31, AB 844 and SB 691, which require recycling centers to keep records of scrap metal purchases, imposing fines and possible business license revocation if protocol is not followed. The bill also requires those seeking to sell junk metal to provide government-issued identification such as a valid drivers' license and a thumbprint before payment can be issued.
The bills were written in an attempt to deter thieves from stealing such items, and were approved by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Sept. 30.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Newport Beach Police Department at 949-644-3681.
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Malte Visits Malta
I was really excited to finally visit Malta for the first time. It took me just a two-hour flight from Munich, and while getting out of the plane, I could already feel the positive change in temperature. I had left a rainy and cold Munich with barely 7°C to be welcomed by a balmy 22°C.
It's hardly a surprise that Malta received exceptional ratings in our Expat Insider 2015 survey. Malta was placed third in last year's global ranking of the world's best expat destinations, and the lovely weather might have had something to do with that: more than two-thirds of the survey participants absolutely love the Maltese climate, and not a single respondent actually dislikes it.
On my trip to this sunny Mediterranean island, I was accompanied by my comrades from the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 11,000 influential business owners with 157 chapters in 48 countries, including one in Munich. It wasn't the first time that we traveled together: last year, for example, we went on a retreat to Sarajevo, where I also got to visit the InterNations Community in Bosnia.
A Relaxing Start and an Enthusiastic Ambassador
We stayed in Palazzo Villa Rosa in the heart of St. Julian's — around nine kilometers from the capital, Valletta — and it was a brilliant choice of accommodation: the beautiful old mansion with spacious rooms and its own swimming pool was overlooking the scenic St. George's bay, and it was also located within walking distance of the buzzing nightlife district of Paceville.
Before heading off to the event location to meet Maria, our InterNations Ambassador, I had a bit of time to relax at the Intercontinental Beach Club — just a few steps away from the villa — and sip a cold beer in the sun, with a gorgeous view of the beach. Afterwards, I headed off to Tiffany Champagne and Wine Bar in Portomaso, where our event was taking place. It's an old-school type of bar, whose terrace offers a very nice view of the yachting marina.
Maria, who became our InterNations Malta Ambassador in 2014, has been running our local community ever since. She has reliably organized our monthly InterNations Official Events and hasn't missed a single one since she assumed the Ambassador role. Before stepping up to that position, she had been an active InterNations member for seven years, practically since the InterNations Community in Malta was set up. So she's been there from the start!
Maria teaches and researches at the University of Malta in the area of language education, and she enjoys traveling and socializing with people from all over the world, which makes her a perfect fit for our community.
A Fun Event by the Waterfront
In Malta, the dominating sectors seem to be the banking and the online gaming industries. The 425,000-strong population on the island also relies heavily on tourism, including an abundance of language schools for international students, with English being spoken by the majority of the Maltese. All these factors explain why Malta is an attractive destination with a fairly large foreign community for so small an island nation: in 2013, for example, the number of foreign residents grew by over 3,000.
The InterNations Malta Community is flourishing, too: more than 120 members from 34 nations had signed up for the upcoming event and were looking forward to another entertaining evening full of socializing with expats from all over the globe.
At the event, I also met Elaine, an expat from Ireland who used to live in London for 16 years before moving to Malta in 2012. Elaine is not only an avid traveler and an entrepreneur who runs her own business in Malta — she is also an InterNations Group Consul for the Malta Sports & Social Group, as well as the Malta Arts & Culture Group. She was clearly very enthusiastic about the InterNations Community, and we talked about the groups and their activities in Malta. We now have around 20 groups that are very active, such as the ever-popular Malta Dinner Nations Group.
Apart from our Group Consuls, I also had the pleasure of talking to various members from different countries, like Iceland, Ireland, the UK, Australia, Malta, Germany, and Denmark. I was surprised and delighted to run into someone whom I'd previously met at an event in Stockholm last year. It's a really small world indeed!
I officially opened the event with a short speech, in which I thanked Maria, Elaine, and all the other volunteers who help the InterNations Malta Community to grow by regularly organizing great events and activities, and who give our members the opportunity to meet up and socialize. I was also happy to announce that our InterNations mobile app was soon to be launched, and I encouraged the members to share their feedback.
Later that night, after the event, Maria took me and a few other members to Hugo's Lounge, a popular Asian dining place and nightclub near the event location as well as my accommodation — a great end to an eventful day.
Travelling Back in Time in Malta's Streets
The following morning, we met up with Maria for breakfast in Sliema — the town right next to St. Julian's — in Fortizza Bar and Restaurant by the waterfront. The restaurant is located in a very original venue, a former artillery battery from the 19th century. After enjoying a delicious meal, Maria took us on a tour around Valletta and Mdina, the current capital and the former one, two cities full of history.
Valletta goes back to the times of the Order of the Knights of St. John from the 16th century, and the city and its buildings still retain their Baroque character. Mdina — whose name comes from the Arabic word for "city" — was Malta's former capital, first fortified around 700 BC. I noticed how peaceful and picturesque the city was — today it houses fewer than 300 inhabitants.
Along the way, we had the chance to talk about the development of the InterNations Community and how it could grow even further, as well as the challenges she faces when she organizes official events.
After our sightseeing tour, we stopped for dinner at La Dolce Vita, a popular seafood restaurant overlooking Spinola Bay back in St. Julian's. When darkness fell over the sea, we headed over to Floriana to check out the local fireworks festival, which takes place there in April every year. The amazing displays briefly lighting up the night sky were a fitting end to a brief short visit full of highlights.
The following morning I would go back to the airport and return to a cold and unfriendly Munich, but I was resolved to come back to Malta one day. After all, I had only seen a fraction of everything this tiny country has to offer.
(Image credit: Malte Zeeck/InterNations)]]>
Valletta's Old Town: A Walk through History
I found the old town of the capital, Valletta, built by the Order of St. John, a very charming place. Walking uphill and downhill through narrow cobblestone streets full of historical buildings that are hundreds of years old really made me feel as though I'd traveled back in time to the era of the Knights of St. John.
The old town features many significant sights associated with the knights of yore, including the Grandmaster's Palace — or simply Il-Palazz, the Palace — with its famous collection of historical weapons, St. John's Co-Cathedral (more on that slightly strange-sounding name below), and Our Lady of Victories Church.
Fun fact: the area was designed on a grid system, a great example of urban planning in the 16th century, so modern-day tourists still find it easy to navigate and make their way to the most important sights.
The Incredible St. John's Co-Cathedral
If you, too, have been wondering what a co-cathedral is, here's your answer: located right in the center of Valletta, in St John's Square, St John's is actually the second seat of Malta's archbishop, in addition to St Paul's in Mdina. Built by — you've guessed it — the Order of St. John as a church for the Knights of Malta and completed in 1577, the cathedral is definitely a sight to behold.
As I was making my way around the cathedral among the gathering crowds, finding out more about the history of Malta thanks to the audio guide, I couldn't help but stop and gaze at the revamped interior, an impressive example of Maltese Baroque art and architecture, with its marble floors, gold-decorated pillars, and ornate walls.
The cathedral's Oratory is especially famous for housing two works by Caravaggio, particularly the somber painting of The Beheading of St John the Baptist. Rumor has it that the artist created his masterpiece when he fled to Malta after murdering a man in Rome — looking at the painting, which is indeed a bit gory and vaguely disturbing, I could well believe that!
But even without the artwork by Caravaggio, the cathedral would be a truly amazing must-see when you visit Valletta.
Sky-Lights: Malta's Fireworks Tradition
My visit to Malta happened to coincide with the annual fireworks festival in Floriana. This event — now organized by the Ministry for Tourism in its 15th edition — is a yearly spectacle taking place from mid-April to the end of the month, and it's also part of the anniversary celebrations of Malta's accession to the EU.
Since the days of the Order of St John, fireworks have become a Maltese tradition. Over the centuries, gun salutes and other forms of explosives were used to celebrate such major events as the election of a Grand Master of the Knights of St John or that of a new Pope. Now this tradition has turned into an international event that attracts pyrotechnic companies from various countries as well as numerous visitors.
The superb fireworks show surely appeals to everyone's inner child — lots of flashing lights and things that go boom!
Mdina: Malta's Former Capital
This timeless city, surrounded by fortified walls, is another place in Malta where I could travel back into time. Known as the "Noble City", as it was home to numerous noble families over the centuries, it is a city steeped in history — it even used to be Malta's capital before the Knights Hospitaller settled on the island in the 1500s.
When you go to Mdina, you shouldn't miss out on St. Paul's Cathedral, the archdiocese's original seat. Destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century and rebuilt shortly after in the period-typical, sumptuous style, the cathedral impressed me with its extraordinary interior. If Baroque architecture shouldn't be to your taste (it does somewhat resemble a white-and-gold wedding cake, doesn't it?), you could simply take a stroll through Mdina's winding streets to admire the city that is frozen in time.
During my walk it struck me how quiet and tranquil the atmosphere was. It's no wonder Mdina is also nicknamed the "Silent City".
St. Julian's: Bustling Nightlife
St. Julian's, a coastal town just a 15 minutes' drive north of Valletta, is among Malta's most popular tourist destinations, due to its numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. The so-called Paceville district is one of the busiest and most bustling nightlife hubs in Malta, but it mostly caters to party tourists and language students.
If you are looking for a slightly less raucous crowd, check out the area round the Portomaso Marina, where the venues tend to have a more glamorous flair: I really enjoyed the InterNations Official Event at Tiffany Wine & Champagne Bar in the neighborhood!
(Image credit: 1)-4) iStockphoto 5) Malte Zeeck/InterNations)]]>
We'd thus like to share with you what the InterNations Volunteer Consuls have organized to honor our diverse cultural backgrounds and to inspire you.
Embracing Cultural Diversity through Traditional Food
Traditional cooking classes, Asian cuisine, and new superfoods: it's hardly a secret that food cultures are spreading around the globe. While recipe books and the internet are doing a good job at replicating international cuisines, proper traditional food is still best prepared by someone from the culture itself, thanks to family recipes handed down from generation to generation, as well as years of experience.
Rosa Guerrero from the Madrid Volunteer Group therefore set up an Ethiopian dinner at an authentic Ethiopian restaurant to enjoy this very different cuisine and to support the Mzungu Project over a shared dish of spicy stew and injera flatbread. The project, founded by InterNations member José Antonio Ruiz Díez, aims to provide education to children in need in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"People became very committed to the Mzungu Project when the volunteers met José at dinner and saw how passionate he is about his dream to help the underprivileged and to make a difference in the world." Twenty-seven people from ten countries were inspired by José, who actively participated in organizing the dinner with Rosa and who will be using 100% of the funds raised to help build a new school for children in the DRC.
Former Consul Eleana Chatziri from the Barcelona Volunteer Group saw the start of spring as a wonderful opportunity to get together with the members of the InterNations Barcelona Volunteer Group for an international potluck picnic. All the attendees prepared and shared typical national specialties with each other.
Next to indulging in delicious dishes in an outdoor setting, Eleana considered the beginning of spring to be the perfect time for collecting clothing donations, since most of us clean out our closets for a new season. All attendees were encouraged to donate clothing to Arrels Fundació, an organization that helps homeless people in Barcelona to live a decent and dignified life.
The Human Rights Initiative, an organization that both advocates for justice and promotes international human rights, organized an annual holiday party to celebrate the season with the local refugee community.
The Dallas Volunteer Group was invited to join the party, donate goods to people in need, and make the refugees feel welcome and accepted. The event host, Consul Sanjeeb Samanta, and his former fellow Group Consuls came up with the great idea to contribute to the festivities by asking every volunteer to bring a side dish, which was ultimately shared with all the families and guests.
Providing Support to Those Looking for a New Home
Megan Hanna from the Luxembourg Volunteer Group organizes a monthly activity, where InterNations members join her on a four-day trip to the refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk, France. With her "Boots on the Ground" events, Megan and the volunteers support the refugees with various tasks, such as chopping carrots in the kitchen and sorting clothes, that make life at the camp just a little bit easier.
Temenuga Bakalska, Consul of the Munich Volunteer Group, does an incredible job at getting InterNations members together to help support the refugees living in Munich's biggest shelter, the Bayernkaserne, a former army camp. Since the refugees can come to pick up much-needed toiletries and clothing on Saturday, help is essential. The volunteers assist in various tasks, such as sorting donations or handing out the items.
"It's always very motivating to see the efforts that volunteers put into supporting others and the gratitude from those you are helping. Despite the language barrier between volunteers and refugees, this doesn't cause any issues: in the end, there's nothing that a thumbs up or down can't solve! I was very glad for the opportunity to help the many regular volunteers in their work — there's nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on the face of a complete stranger." — Blandine West, former volunteer at the Bayernkaserne.
A former Consul of the Barcelona Volunteer Group, Robert Stars, teamed up with Arrels Fundació, the organization that has been supporting homeless people in Barcelona for as nearly 30 years.
As many of those sleeping rough aren't necessarily from Spain and don't always speak Spanish, the language barrier is the main obstacle to doing efficient work. To address this issue, InterNations volunteers are providing assistance in translating leaflets about various important topics, giving homeless people more guidance and new opportunities.
Soothing Activities to Bond in Dallas, Brussels and Barcelona
Heart House is an organization that provides safety, education and opportunity to refugee and underprivileged children.
Together with the Dallas Volunteer Group, InterNations Consul Sanjeeb Samanta, as well as his former fellow Consuls Doaa and Shalah, organized an activity where each InterNations volunteer got to accompany a refugee kid to the Crow Museum. The Volunteers accompanied the children on a guided tour, attended lunch together, and joined them for an arts and crafts session, which resulted in a big smile on everyone's face — not only for the children, but for the volunteers as well.
The cultural center Omar Khayam in Brussels wishes to create a bond between individuals, build bridges between cultures and give visibility to the cultural and artistic wealth of Syria. Eija Hietala, former Consul of the Brussels Volunteer Group, noticed this organization and invited InterNations members to promote the message of peace, using music and poetry to connect. All funds at the activity were collected in order to benefit Syrian refugees.
Mesmerizing children with new cultures is what happens in the Shanghai Volunteers Group thanks to Group Consul Elena Wang. Immigrant children aged from 10 to 14 get to find more about other countries through singing, dancing, and painting, making it a wonderful and eye-opening experience for them. Elena hosts the activity almost every month and assists the children, together with the volunteers, in playing games and guiding them throughout the afternoon.
"Cultural diversity makes the world a much more interesting place to live in. There's a lot to learn about how other cultures approach life. Diversity shows us that we are all different, yet very similar; at the core of every human being is the need to feel safe, happy, and loved." — Rosa Guerrero, Madrid Volunteer Group Consul
If you'd like to get involved in activities for a good cause, please check if there is a Volunteer Group in your InterNations Community. Every InterNations member can join the group and take part in the activities!
Find out more on our About Page or write to email@example.com.
(Image credit: 1) Wikimedia Commons user Lelaw Wondimu 2)-5) InterNations)]]>
A Very Active Ambassador
Mark — who is half Scottish, half Egyptian — has lived in an impressive twelve countries so far, moving from Dubai to Doha six years ago, where he now works as an advisor to two government offices. He got actively involved in the local InterNations Community more or less immediately and soon took on the position of Doha Ambassador.
For half a dozen years, Mark has been investing a lot of time and energy into organizing local events for InterNations, connecting members in Qatar, answering their questions about life in Doha in general and our community in particular, and simply making life easier for expats in the Middle East.
Mark also acts as a Consul for several of the InterNations Groups in Doha, such as the Professional Networking Group and the InterNations Volunteer Program. For the former, he has organized a series of interesting events with guest speakers on various topics, like internet security or social media marketing.
For the Volunteer Program, he motivated our volunteers in Doha to participate in one of the world's largest "ice bucket challenges" to raise awareness — and funds — for the fight against ALS, a degenerative motor neuron disease, as well as the plight of children in Gaza. Moreover, the InterNations Doha Volunteer Group also supports a local migrant labor camp, for example, by organizing two donation drives with tons of food and essential household items, like fridges.
A Souq from the Arabian Nights
In Mark's spacious white Hummer — one car in Doha's airport parking lot really seemed to be bigger than the next — he took me to the Hilton Hotel on the waterfront, the venue for the upcoming InterNations Official Event. With a splendid view of Doha's skyline as a backdrop, we discussed the growth of InterNations as a global network and especially of the Doha Community. Mark also showed me the videos he has produced himself of various local events, and soon we were talking strategic development of InterNations in Qatar.
The next stop of our mini-tour of the Qatari capital was the port of Doha, which doesn't only offer a lovely panorama of the skyline, but also houses the highly recommended Museum of Islamic Art. A little further inland, we took a stroll through the local Souq Waqif, which was rebuilt, after a devastating fire in 2003, in a deliberately old-fashioned style to attract more visitors and to appeal to tourists' fantasies of the Arabian Nights.
Nevertheless, the souq is more than just a retro-style tourist trap: it's very lively and its many market stalls, cafés, and restaurants are clearly popular among locals, particularly among families with kids. Mark was even to produce a short video of our sightseeing trip through Doha, which he'd show to me on the following day. He's definitely a multimedia kind of guy!
The Perfect Venue for a Mellow Evening in Spring
After exploring some of Doha's famous sights, it was already time for me to head back to the Hilton Hotel, where I had just enough time to squeeze in a shower and a change of clothes before the event started at 20:00. The InterNations Doha Community has as many as 20,000 members, and 180 of them had signed up for the get-together in the highly popular Society Lounge.
The venue was simply amazing — a huge open-air lounge with a great vista of Doha's cityscape and the ocean, a mild breeze from the sea providing the perfect temperatures for an outdoor event. InterNations had booked a large part of the venue exclusively, but the queue at the entrance — where the guests needed to register with an official ID, as is the legal requirement in Doha — was fairly long nonetheless.
While the attendees were still gathering, I used the "warm-up period" of the event for a meet-up with the local media, which Mark had also organized for me. So I gave an interview to SNAP TV, an online TV station, as well as another one to Gulf News, one of the major English-language newspapers in the Persian Gulf region.
Of course, I also got to meet plenty of members — from Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the UK, and many other countries — and several InterNations Group Consuls later that night.
There's Rafif, our Newcomers' Ambassador from Montréal, who provides newly arrived expats and new members of the InterNations Doha Community, with a warm welcome; Rebecca, a US American expat and one of the Consuls running our Volunteer Group, who is keenly interested in animal welfare and therefore supports a rescue shelter for stray dogs with regular activities, and Ekene from Nigeria, who keeps the InterNations members in Doha on their toes by organizing the Corniche Jogging Group.
That night, though, we had a DJ to keep us moving. Most of the guests eventually started dancing along, clearly happy to enjoy themselves outside on such a mellow night. Soon, the rising temperatures won't allow that anymore, and everyone will take refuge in air-conditioned rooms over the summer.
A Day Full of Stark Contrasts
On the following morning, I met up with Rafif and her boyfriend — whom she actually met thanks to InterNations — for breakfast. Rafif, who has worked as a pediatric dentist in Qatar since 2012, told me that she'd made many good friends via InterNations and wanted to "give back" to the Doha Community, which is why she enjoys welcoming new members into the community so much. We discussed some of the challenges inherent in establishing Newcomers' Events in Qatar, particularly in making expat women feel comfortable and truly welcome at our events.
Later on, Mark stopped by to pick me up for the second part of my trip round Doha. That time, it was a day full of stark contrasts. First, we visited the Pearl — an affluent neighborhood with luxury apartments overlooking the sea and numerous yachts swaying gently in the harbor. Afterwards, however, he drove me to the camp for migrant laborers that is supported by the local InterNations Volunteer Group.
Countless hired workers — mostly from India, Nepal, and Pakistan — have to live in a gated camp in the desert outside the capital, about an hour's drive from Doha. Often, these people have left their homes for a better life in Doha, but were promised much more than they actually got upon arrival, where tough working and living conditions awaited them. Stories like theirs are the dark side of international mobility and globalization, and these laborers are separated from the glittering center of the capital by a distance far greater than the dirt road through the desert.
Eventually, we returned to Doha for a late lunch at the Hyatt Hotel, where Mark introduced me to his wife and his two little daughters. After another lively exchange of ideas concerning the future of the Doha Community, I briefly relaxed at my hotel room before my night flight back to Munich, via Kuwait City and Frankfurt, left shortly after midnight.
It was really great to see how well known InterNations is in Qatar — with over 20,000 members and more than 60 InterNations Groups, we have a very prominent status in the Gulf region!
(Image credit: Malte Zeeck/InterNations)]]>
Doha Corniche: Stunning Views at Every Time of Day
One of the first stops on my visit to Doha was the Doha Corniche, which I found to be a lovely place to relax and appreciate the beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere here is relatively calm, with many people going for long walks or bicycle rides along the promenade, which I would recommend to anyone looking for a pleasant way to spend some time away from the busy center of the city.
I would also suggest starting your day early at the Corniche to take in the view of the Doha skyline at dawn and to avoid the hot midday sun, which can especially be a problem in the summer. The Corniche is close to many other sites in Doha, so it is an ideal place to begin your day of sightseeing. One such place of interest, which happens to be on the Corniche, is the Museum of Islamic Art.
Museum of Islamic Art: Impressive Building, Impressive Collection
I really enjoyed my visit to the Museum of Islamic Art. The architecture of the building inside and out is quite impressive to look at, and the museum has a large collection of Islamic art spanning 1,400 years and three different continents.
The collection includes ceramics, glasswork, manuscripts, metalwork, and textiles, with some incredible and well-preserved pieces such as the beautiful tilework cenotaph from Uzbekistan, decorated with poetic lamentations that mourn the departed, and The Book of Kings, which tells the history and myths of the Greater Persian Empire.
The museum is located at one end of the Corniche and features a park on its premises, with some of the best views of the Doha skyline. There is also a museum café on the waterfront with a wide variety of food, late opening hours, and a great vista across the bay.
Had I been to the park in the evening, I imagine it would have been a lovely place to watch the sun set. I would recommend spending some time at the museum, and in the garden afterwards, if you are interested in culture and history.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
From the Museum of Islamic Art, you can take the free shuttle bus to Mathaf (the Arab Museum of Modern Art), a trip of about half an hour. This museum has the largest collection of modern and contemporary Arab art in the region, and it is a must-see if you are a lover of modern art. It is said to be one of a kind, after all.
The museum contains artwork covering all of the past century, both from the Arab world and other areas, such as Turkey and India, with quite a variety on offer here. Traditional paintings of people from the mid-twentieth century hang alongside paintings from just over ten years ago, which are much more modern and conceptual. Moving around the exhibit, you can see a clear progression through the history of the Arab world as the techniques of the artists changed and developed.
Souq Wakif: A Tourist Trap worth the Visit
The Souq Wakif is another place well worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Doha. Trading has taken place here for centuries, with nomads coming here to buy and sell livestock in times gone by.
After much of the site was destroyed by a fire in 2003, the decision was made to restore the souq and turn it into what it is today. Whilst the traditional Arabic style has been created for tourists to make them feel like they are on a movie set, there is still a nice, authentic atmosphere, with many locals shopping there as well. This is one of the most traditional marketplaces in the region and if you are looking for spices, clothes or sweets, you will find it all here.
There is even a falcon souq next door, where you can hold a falcon if you're lucky. There are many falcon shops in this souq and you will even come across a falcon hospital. It is really interesting to see one of the more traditional sides of society in Qatar and to learn a little about falconry from some of the English-speaking shopkeepers.
The hustle and bustle here, along with the sheer variety of goods on offer from the traders in Souq Wakif, will make you wonder if you have stepped back in time.
The Pearl: High-End Shops and Apartments Galore
If you would rather explore a more modern area with designer shops and high-end restaurants, then you should head to The Pearl. This artificial island, just off the coast of Doha's West Bay, is an area created for the wealthy, with high-end apartments overlooking the sea and yachts waiting in the marina.
I didn't spend that long here, but I noticed many different restaurants and bars, which would be nice to visit in the evening for a meal or a few drinks overlooking the Bay of Doha. Businesses on the island are still in the process of opening, but it already feels like a nice place to while away a few hours, and I imagine the apartments here have incredible views over the harbor.
I'd be interested to see what this neighborhood will be like after it is fully completed.
(Image credit: iStockphoto)]]>
Our members in Singapore took the message of World Health Day seriously and organized a rollerblading activity on the east coast of the city. This event didn't only fulfill the goal of keeping the attendees in good shape, but it also provided the fun by finishing at a bar with a good beer (only consumed with moderation, of course!).
A healthy way of life begins with a balanced diet, and our members in Prague were clearly inspired by this tenet. They went in great numbers (more than 270 people registered for the event!) to Etnosevet, one of Prague's fancier vegetarian venues, which even provided our very own DJ for the evening. Sadly, this was also the occasion to say goodbye to our Prague Ambassador Lenka, who's leaving us due to her busy (but hopefully nevertheless healthy!) lifestyle.
The second step to a healthy lifestyle is exercising. Our community in Sydney impressed us with their physical performance on a Sunday morning. In fact, they began their run at 7:30 AM! Surprisingly enough, no attendee thought that this hour must be an April Fool's joke. A big bravo to our Sydney Sports & Leisure Group for keeping Sydney's expats in form!
It is scientifically proven that laughing is good for your health, too, and we know that not all our members are that fond of an early Sunday morning run. For those who tend to prefer fun to fitness, our Ambassadors and Consuls also had plenty of other events in store:
April does not only represent the beginning of (hopefully) sunny weather for the Northern Hemisphere. In the United States, it also represents the end of the tax season, and for 175 of our members in Dallas, getting their dreaded tax return over and done with was certainly worth celebrating. The guests had a lovely evening at the Four Seasons Resort, and we are sure that filing your taxes and having a party afterwards can only make you feel happy. By the way, if you now feel guilty about the partying, the Four Seasons has even set up a special discount for InterNations members who want to join their sports club.
In Barcelona, our community wanted to begin the month of April with a healthy dose of laughter, and we can confidently say "mission accomplished". Nearly 400 members signed up to gather at an art gallery and exchange their best April Fool's stories, a relaxing and fun way to spend the evening.
Who said you can't have fun in Germany? In Munich, members of the local InterNations Community attended a stand-up comedy show by an international trio from Canada, Texas, and Scotland. No need to do crunches when you can train your abs by laughing!
You haven't yet had the opportunity to enjoy April in a healthy and fun way? Don't worry: there are still plenty of possibilities for you to get in some exercise or be the life of the party with the help of our InterNations Communities around the globe.
The members of our Miami Community will explore marine life and enjoy the sun and the sea at this kayak and snorkel activity. If you feel like you have been working (or partying) too hard this month, it's now time to make up for it!
If you want to know what it feels like to be a star, our San Francisco Community is organising a Hollywood theme night that you will never forget! From smiling at the paparazzi at the entrance to walking the red carpet, you can be George Clooney or Jennifer Lawrence for just a day.
Sometimes, after so many days of eating and living healthy, you need to take a short break from your sensible lifestyle, as a sort of "cheat day". Our Beijing Community had the excellent idea of combining great food with great art, so you can at least exercise your imagination. However, please be aware that the art on display is "food art" — you'd better try not to eat it too!
(Image credit: 1) Veronika Sakhno 2) Lenka Mazochova 3) Laura Ribeiro 4) Conrad Ornstein 5) Raquel Beque 6) Matthew Cuerdon)]]>
We said farewell to both our mother/mother-in-law and father/father-in-law in February and March of this year. Their deaths within three weeks of each other have created holes and voids we are slowly learning to nurture and heal.
A "Different" Christmas in 2015
Christmas 2015 was supposed to be a chance to spend some quality time with his parents. Their home is tucked between the vineyards of Baden, home to Germany's classic grape varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gris.
On clear days, we can see as far as the Cathedral in Strasbourg and admire the Vosges Mountains from their expansive living room window. We usually emerged from the mini-apartment on the lower level of their house in our fluffy white bathrobes just as the warm rolls were placed in the bread basket.
The visits felt like vacation at a wellness spa. Our mornings were spent savoring breakfast-brunch complete with fresh fruit and muesli while chatting with our mother/mother-in-law in the Badish-Schwabian dialect, the official family language.
Just before Christmas, my husband had a minor dental procedure. Due to unexpected complications that followed, we decided to stay in Cologne over the holidays and spend the Easter break with them in the Black Forest.
At that time, we could not have even imagined that neither of them would experience Easter 2016.
Balancing Time and Distance: Part and Parcel of Family Life for Expats
My husband and I visited regularly, at least twice a year. From the start of our now 13-year relationship, we have maintained a healthy balance between spending quality time together and time with our families on both sides of the Atlantic.
Given our unique "work-life stage" and the distances between our global family clusters, we manage to carve out time and space to make the most of the eight-hour car trip southbound (to and fro) on the not always so fast-moving Autobahn.
Admittedly, the regular discussions about how we spend our vacation were indeed delicate balancing acts, comparable to advanced crash-courses in international negotiations. Yet, we all knew that scheduling challenges are part and parcel of expat family life.
During the course of our marriage, I had grown close to his parents. They made me feel truly loved and I viewed them more as a second set of parents, rather than as in-laws. Their kindness, openness, and generosity was tangible right from the start. Even as I write this post, my heart feels the void of their absence.
Moving Through the Stages of Loss and Grief
As expats, we have developed the resilience and skills to manage all sorts of change and loss. We have changed jobs, locations, cultures, and languages. The emotion that accompanies many of these changes and losses is grief.
Julie Axelrod's "The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief" is a helpful reminder that bereavement is an individual process. We all work through the stages in different time frames and express each stage with varying intensity. Her article also dispels the myth that the five stages should occur in any specific order.
As my husband and I continue to move through our grieving process, here are a few things I keep in mind:
• There is no "right" or "wrong" way to move through this experience.
• I miss them because I love them.
• Although they have passed away, the love now occupies the space their departure created.
Their deaths also sparked deeper personal reflection and confrontation with my own mortality. With a heightened awareness of death as a part of life, I have clearer intentions and practice more presence with myself, within myself and those in my personal and professional spheres of influence. I have more courage and am more inspired to speak from my heart. I also make the conscious choice to forgive myself and others more quickly, rather than wasting precious time berating myself, being offended or resentful.
I have decided to embrace every opportunity to live in greater alignment and to love and give without fear.
Most importantly, I cherish every day I can spend with the most precious gift my parents-in-law have given to the world: their son, my husband and dear friend.
Monère Renoir Wanner is a global citizen in Cologne. She is an intercultural trainer/coach, image consultant, speaker and university lecturer. In her free time, Monère enjoys French films, Latin music, and Italian cuisine with her husband, Hans.
(Image credit: 1), 3), 4) StockSnap 2) iStock)]]>
Manama's Beaches: Escape the Endless Winter
Bahrain is undoubtedly a hot country, and temperatures can reach more than 50°C during the summer. However, in the winter months (from November to March), the weather is mild and very pleasant. I met quite a few people coming to Manama with their family in winter when Bahrain turns into a perfect vacation spot.
If you, too, want to spend some time at the beach, I very much enjoyed my time at Coral Bay, one of the country's most popular beach clubs: no matter if you are planning to snorkel, go jet-skiing, or just relax in the sun, the Manama Corniche is the place for you.
Bahrain Financial Harbour: A Symbol of Economic Resilience
Bahrain is one of the first countries in the Middle East that literally ran out of oil: though you can still visit the First Oil Well and read the plaque to commemorate this historical discovery, all of its petroleum reserves are now empty.
The Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) district, a new commercial neighborhood located on reclaimed land, is proof of how rapidly the local economy has adapted to this situation. Nowadays, Bahrain's most important industry is finance, and Manama is home to more than 200 banks.
The BFH skyline is impressive, and its twin towers are now a landmark of Manama. I found out that one of the best spots to admire the skyline is from Juffair district, where you'll also come across some expat haunts favored by personnel from the nearby US naval base.
Adliyah District: Where Tradition Meets Modernity
I spent several hours in the Adliyah district, and I was absolutely impressed by its mixture of authenticity and modernity, blending together in interesting ways. There are a lot of excellent restaurants in the area, both traditional and more modern venues. The available food ranges from Lebanese to Turkish and Filipino cuisines, all separated by just a few minutes' walk.
Adliyah features plenty of art galleries, too: however, though a Bahraini friend told me that they are well worth the visit, I unfortunately did not find the time. I did manage to stroll through the souks, though, where you can buy absolutely everything, from socks to Indian saris: do not miss out on paying a visit to this typical Middle Eastern market!
Reef Island: A Man-Made Paradise
The Gulf countries are famous for their man-made islands, and I had the privilege of seeing one of them first-hand: Reef Island. I thought it's rather fascinating to see how Bahrain grows by reclaiming land from the sea and then eventually building entire new districts.
In this case, Reef Island is a luxury property development with its own marina and yacht club — close to the CBD, but still fairly quiet, meant to be a peaceful haven for the uber-wealthy in the center of a booming business capital, with a beautiful view of the city center and the Manama skyline. The island is also destined to become a nightlife hotspot, and you can already try out several new upscale restaurants on its waterfront.
The Bahrain National Museum: Tiny Country, Ancient History
If you are into history rather than luxury, then the Bahrain National Museum is a must see for you. Charmingly enough, the collection also features the former car of the first King of Bahrain, which is in surprisingly good condition. I was already impressed by its ultra-minimalist architecture from the outside. Inside, visitors can learn all about the archaeology and the heritage of Bahrain, as well as the natural history of the region.
History geeks, however, might especially enjoy the tableau depicting a scene from the Epic of Gilgamesh: the 4000-year-old poem from ancient Mesopotamia mentions what is now Bahrain as the "paradise of Dilmun". Perhaps the poets of the Neo-Sumerian Empire have indeed foreseen what Manama's 21st-century property developers are dreaming of…?
(Image credit: iStockphoto)]]>
To attend the spring event in Manama, Bahrain, I had to go on a lengthy journey: my trip from Munich to Manama, via Frankfurt and Dammam, took me about eleven hours. The time difference of another two hours on top meant that I started out at 10:00 and arrived at 23:00. Fortunately, the plane was half-empty, so I could first relax during the flight and then get in a good night's sleep at the hotel.
I was staying at the ART Rotana on Amwaj Island, a neighborhood fully reclaimed from the sea, like so many areas in tiny Bahrain. The InterNations Official Event was to take place at the ART's Asian restaurant and bar the following evening, so I had plenty of time to arrange several meet-ups during the day.
An Entrepreneurial Personality
First, I finally got to know Burak, one of our InterNations Manama Ambassadors, in person. The Turkish expat was already an active member of our community when he still used to live in Moscow, about six years ago. In 2010, when he moved to Bahrain to enjoy a much warmer climate, he immediately checked out the InterNations Community there.
Back then, we only had around 400 members in Bahrain and the get-togethers were also smallish affairs. As we happened to be looking for a new Manama Ambassador at the time, he decided to accept a new challenge. Thanks to working for Ogilvy, one of the world's largest advertising agencies, Burak clearly has lots of experience in spreading the word.
Today, there are over 7,500 InterNations members in Bahrain, and it's generally a very active community with 20 InterNations groups as well. As most of the over 300,000 residents living in Bahrain's capital are expats, Burak — a very entrepreneurial personality — still sees a huge untapped potential for our InterNations Community.
But, even more importantly, he also told me how the role of an InterNations Ambassador has had a positive impact on his own life. Burak has met several close friends through our network and gained valuable business contacts that even led to joint projects. Seeing how our community can directly change people's lives for the better is the best feedback we as founders could get!
A High-End Club High above the City
For 10:30, Burak had kindly arranged the first of my press interviews in Bahrain: Gulf Daily News sent a reporter who's an expat herself, and we extensively discussed InterNations in general, the development of the Manama Community, and particularly the InterNations Volunteer Program.
Afterwards, Burak took me on a tour of Manama, telling me all about the capital and its local community during our sightseeing trip. He showed me the great views of the city and the Persian Gulf from the panorama windows of the Capital Club, one of Bahrain's premier business and social clubs, located on the top floor of a skyscraper in the Financial Harbour district.
The high-end club would also make a great venue for future events, Burak suggested before proceeding to introduce me to its general manager, too. The latter was a Lebanese expat, who told me that both her daughters — living in two completely different cities around the globe — had made good friends and even met their husbands through InterNations. It's a very small world indeed!
A Passionate Advocate for Expatriates
The next stop after the ultra-modern buildings of the BFH neighborhood was an older part of town, full of little shops and restaurants, which had more of a typically Middle Eastern vibe. We'd chosen one of the cozy restaurants, a French-Lebanese place, to have lunch with Hanan, Burak's fellow Manama Ambassador.
An expat from Amman, Jordan, Hanan came to Bahrain about three years ago to pursue an interesting job opportunity in the logistics sector. At one of the local events, she met Burak and was fascinated by the concept of the InterNations Ambassador role. When the growing community became a bit too much for one person to handle, she stepped up to join the Manama Community Team.
Just like Burak, Hanan is a passionate advocate of our mission to make life easier for expats, devoting a lot of time to her position, but she also explained how she's benefitted from InterNations herself. Getting involved in the community meant that she found new friends in an unknown city, took advantage of a new job offer from a German company, and — last but certainly not least — met her South African husband through our network.
A Wide Range of Press Coverage
In the afternoon, there was another interview plus photo shoot coming up. On the outdoor patio of Trader Vic's, the restaurant and lounge of the Ritz-Carlton, a journalist from Ohlala Magazine was waiting for us. Ohlalala is the Vogue of the Middle East, focusing on fashion and lifestyle topics for a female audience from the region. Therefore, my interview partner was especially interested in women in the InterNations Community — Burak could tell her all about our Women Only Group and several women organizing successful activities for various InterNations Groups in Bahrain.
A little later, it was already time to return to the ART Rotana hotel and get ready for the event. Before the get-together officially started, I met up with Burak and Hanan to grab a bite to eat and give two more interviews — one of Bahrain Confidential, an English-language lifestyle magazine, and the other for Gulf Insider, a Bahrain-based publication covering business, finance, and current events, as well as travel, art, and lifestyle round the Persian Gulf.
Another big thank you to Burak, who's really well connected in Bahrain and organized quite a lot of press coverage for my first visit!
A Fun Event with a Familial Ambience
The event itself took place at the WU bar, an Asian fusion lounge featuring an outdoor terrace with great beachside views, with the balmy 25°C being a nice change from the cool and even snowy spring weather in Munich. Over 200 attendees from more than 50 countries came to enjoy the familial atmosphere — expats from Germany, the US, Spain, the UK, Kenya, South Africa, and even some regulars from Dammam, Kobhar, and other Saudi Arabian cities. They often spend their weekends in Manama to experience a richer social life than the restrictions faced by expats in Saudi Arabia will allow.
In a short speech, I got to thank the InterNations Ambassador Team officially for all their commitment and energy, and some of the Group Consuls — like Rebecca and Kevin, who are in the charge of the Manama Board Games Group — had the opportunity to present their activities. I also made a call for action for more InterNations members to get involved and share their passion and interests with other people in the community.
In the course of the evening, plenty of guests approached me with feedback on our official events and activities, as well as on the InterNations website. Everyone was really excited to hear that the first version of an InterNations native app would be coming soon!
Later that night, a few of the members decided to continue the lively event unofficially next door, at the Cellar 59, a popular wine and tapas bar with its own DJ that doesn't close before 2:00 in the morning. Though I really enjoyed the entire day, I basically dropped into bed and slept like a log as soon as I got back to my hotel room.
Fortunately, the car supposed to pick me up and bring me to the airport was only scheduled for noon. Next stop: Doha, Qatar!
(Image credit: InterNations/Malte Zeeck)]]>
InterNations members Rosario, Kalyan, Vanessa, and Lorna took action for a good cause and show us how they helped underprivileged children to get access to books.
Opening a Children's Library in Santiago de Chile
InterNations members in Santiago have been supporting the non-profit initiative "Vision for Chile" for several years. The children living at the "House of Hope" come from a very poor background, and the initiative offers them a safe place to live, especially to girls.
Rosario Maza, InterNations Santiago Volunteer Group Consul, has noticed the importance of books for those children. She organized an InterNations Activity where books were donated in order to open a children's library at Casa Esperanza's Kids Zone.
"Books will always be a good friend for children, not only for the stories you can find in them, but also because you can take them wherever you go and they belong to you."
And that's exactly what it is like! Once the children learn how to read and get a feeling for what all those words mean, reading a book gives them the opportunity to step into another world.
Rosario adds: "I have always thought of reading a book as an honor because someone with more knowledge and experience gave their time to share it. There are many ways to gain wisdom and reading a book is one of them."
Celebrating "Read Across America Day" in Washington, D.C.
Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls on every child in every community to celebrate reading on 2 March, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, born in 1904.
Kalyan Prasad from the Washington Volunteer Group decided to join the initiative and gathered InterNations members of the Washington Volunteer Group to acknowledge the bright personality of Dr. Seuss. The evening was filled with games and a raffle to win prizes, and every attendee donated to the charity initiative First Book.
With the entrance fee of ten USD, four new books for underprivileged children could be bought. So this event ended up being both a fun and generous evening!
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where to go…" — Dr. Seuss, children's books author and illustrator
Fighting Poverty in Zurich and New York
"If every child received an education, 171 million people would be lifted out of poverty" — that claim is made by the international organization Room to Read. Room to Read believes that changing the world starts with educating children.
That was reason enough for Lorna Quinn (InterNations Zurich Volunteer Group) and Vanessa Pranzo (InterNations New York Volunteer Group) to support this wonderful cause and get more people involved. While 23 InterNations members came together for a fundraising dinner in New York, Lorna gathered people at an after-work yoga class in Zurich, where every attendee made it possible to provide one local language book to a child in need.
"To Hell with Death" — Raising Awareness for Sick Teenagers in Munich
On 19 April, Christina Williams and the Munich Volunteer Group Consuls will host the twelfth InterNations Social Impact Night, a new event format for all InterNations members interested in socially relevant topics.
This month's event is dedicated to International Books Day. Kira Brück, a German author, will be the keynote speaker of the evening and share her experience about writing her book Der Tod kann mich mal (To Hell with Death) about twelve seriously ill teenagers who tell stories about their life, their hopes and fears.
If you'd like to get involved in activities for a good cause, please check if there is a Volunteer Group in your InterNations Community. Every InterNations member can join the group and take part in the activities!
Find out more about the InterNations Volunteer Program on our About Page or write to firstname.lastname@example.com.
(Image credit: InterNations)]]>


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Blogs Liberty and Power Quotation of the Week (On Treason)Mar 12, 2010 10:13 am
Quotation of the Week (On Treason)
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Wendy McElroy - 3/12/2010
I need to put this up on Smith's birthday. You're right. Rothbard would only quote those parts of Smith that make him look like a calvinist.
William J. Stepp - 3/4/2010
This quote from Adam Smith, _The Theory of Moral Sentiments_, shows how the State treats treasonable designs compared to most other crimes.
Don't dare have a treasonable conversation.
"As the merit of an unsuccessful attempt to do good seems thus, in the eyes of ungrateful mankind, to be diminished by the miscarriage, so does likewise the demerit of an unsuccessful attempt to do evil. The design to commit a crime, how clearly soever it may be proved, is scarce ever punished with the same severity as the actual commission of it. The case of treason is perhaps the only exception. That crime immediately affecting the being of the government itself, the government is naturally more jealous of it than of any other. In the punishment of treason, the sovereign resents the injuries which are immediately done to himself: in the punishment of other crimes, he resents those which are done to other men. It is his own resentment which he indulges in the one case: it is that of his subjects which by sympathy he enters into in the other. In the first case, therefore, as he judges in his own cause, he is very apt to be more violent and sanguinary in his punishments than the impartial spectator can approve of. His resentment too rises here upon smaller occasions, and does not always, as in other cases, wait for the perpetration of the crime, or even for the attempt to commit it. A treasonable concert, though nothing has been done, or even attempted in consequence of it, nay, a treasonable conversation, is in many countries punished in the same manner as the actual commission of treason. With regard to all other crimes, the mere design, upon which no attempt has followed, is seldom punished at all, and is never punished severely."
This is an insight Rothbard either skipped over or touched on lightly in his essay "The Anatomy of the State," but unfortunately he probably wouldn't have been caught dead quoting Smith.
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LONDON The dollar held at a five-week low and gold headed for its best month in over 1-1/2 years on Friday, after a report that the U.S. Federal Reserve will next week underline its intention to keep interest rates low for a long time.
Setting the dollar on its slippery slope was a Wall Street Journal report that the Fed may debate tweaking its forward guidance message to hammer home its message that it will not be raising rates any time soon.
Against a basket of currencies the greenback was down 0.3 percent at 81.697 with the softness also adding to the upward pressure on the euro, which was at a five-week high following better economic data this week.
A flurry of merger activity helped lift Europe's broad FTSEurofirst 300 share index 0.2 percent as the region's markets opened, while Europe's debt markets saw a largely quiet start to the day.
A 3 percent drop in Tokyo's Nikkei in Asia, however, left world stocks flat overall, capping a slow end to what has otherwise been their strongest month in almost two years.
With both the Fed and the European Central Bank meeting next week, plus some significant political events in Europe, BNP Paribas economist Ken Wattret said investors were likely to remain cautious.
"You look at the equity markets and the data in the U.S. and Europe has been good yet we are flat, so that probably tells you that we have had a good run and there is a bit of a pause going on," he said.
"And next week we have a lot going on so the market is in a bit of a wait-and-see mode."
Talk of the Fed reiterating its supportive stance next week also buoyed gold, seen by investors as a good hedge against potential inflation.
Spot gold edged up to $1,334.6 an ounce to add to the 10 jump it has seen this month, is its best run since January 2012.
(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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StartUpHire is the place to find Analyst-Oracle Production Support jobs. Review the list of Analyst-Oracle Production Support career opportunities to the left. These Analyst-Oracle Production Support jobs represent some of the most rewarding careers available.
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Development East Lansing, MI, United States Do you like being a detective, finding the ?smoking gun?, digging in large data sets to find answers? Production analytics has become one of the most impactful job of our time. It?s Big. We analyze, mine, study, fix and find the3/15/2016 East Lansing, MI Save This Job
Tracking Code 2123 Job Description Primary Responsibilities Engage with the business users at different levels to understand business needs and document the requirements, provide support ? Analyze and evaluate the requirements vis-- -vis long term goals for corporate financial2/22/2016 Redwood City, CA Save This Job
COGS Prod Ops - Providence, RI - Full Time ABOUT RETAIL SOLUTIONS, INC.: Retail Solutions, Inc. ("RSi") develops and delivers a comprehensive suite of award-winning software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that turn Retailer ?downstream data?, such as point-of-sale (POS), supply3/22/2016 Providence, RI Save This Job
Job Location Concord, ON (1 position)/ Redwood City, CA (1 position) Position Type Full-Time/Regular JOB DESCRIPTION ? Support Engineering Analyst (SEA) / Support Engineer The Support Engineering Analyst (SEA) is a direct resource to respond to customer technical inquiries and3/19/2016 Redwood City, CA Save This Job
Company Overview Relypsa, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of polymeric medicines for patients with conditions that are often overlooked and undertreated and can be addressed in the gastrointestinal tract. The3/9/2016 Redwood City, CA Save This Job
Tracking Code P187779 Job Description Summary: The Business Systems Analyst supports Finance, OM, and Pricing, and operates under the direction of the IT Program Manager, to analyze, design, develop, install and maintain business information systems and procedures; assist in the2/11/2016 Chelmsford, MA Save This Job
Tracking Code P187778 Job Description Summary: This position operates under the direction of the IT Program Manager, to analyze, design, develop, install and maintain business information systems and procedures; assist in the total project development process; provide specific2/11/2016 Chelmsford, MA Save This Job
Job ID 2016-1056 # of Openings 1 Job Locations US-OH-Loveland Posted Date 2/10/2016 Category Technical Support More information about this job: Position Description: Systems Analyst / Database Administrator Jenzabar is seeking a Technical/Systems Analyst / DBA for a4/19/2016 Loveland, OH Save This Job
Internal/Actual Title: Integration Support Analyst City: Radnor State: Pennsylvania WHAT WE DO: Storeroom Solutions, Inc. (SSI) is a rapidly growing leader in the areas of MRO (maintenance repair operations) sourcing/management, manufacturing engineering services, and asset data4/6/2016 Radnor, PA Save This Job
Tracking Code 2012104 Job Description PatientKeeper ? a leading provider of healthcare applications for physicians, and one of the Boston Globe?s ?2015 Top Places to Work? ? is now part of HCA, the largest provider of healthcare services in the U.S. With growth comes new3/20/2016 Waltham, MA Save This Job
Job Tracking ID: KTTS-15-091 Location: Ft. Huachuca, AZ Job Type: Full-Time/Regular Date Updated: December 07, 2015 Invite a friend facebook LinkedIn Twitter Email Submit Your ApplicationRefer Someone You Know Job Description: Looking for an experienced system4/6/2016 Ft. Huachuca, AZ Save This Job


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This 1864 3cS NGC Proof 66 Ex: Richmond Collection is part of the Three-Cent Silver, Type 3 series which were struck from 1859-1873. The coin was minted in Philadelphia with a composition of 0.9 silver; 0.1 copper.
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Hashtag: #FashionShow
CedarBridge Academy To Host Fashion Show
[Written by Denise Weekes-Burke] Students of CedarBridge Academy's Graduating Class of 2016 will be showcasing various attire at their fashion show which comes off April 15th and 16th at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.Foreign Language teacher, Ms. Chauntée Thompson, conceptualized the show's... Read more of this article
Francis Patton Primary To Hold Spring Showcase
The Francis Patton Primary School community is getting set to present its Spring Fashion and Talent Showcase, with young students given the opportunity to show their stuff to the public. The event will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Earl Cameron Theatre at City Hall, with doors opening at 5.30pm and the show getting underway at 6.00pm. Advance tickets... Read more of this article
Model Showcases Photos Taken In Bermuda
Colombian model Rosanna Córdoba is presently vacationing on the island and posting photos showcasing a Bermuda backdrop to her almost 200,000 fans on Instagram, with the photos taken in Bermuda attracting over 20,000 "likes" as of this writing. In one update Ms Córdoba said, "I'm having a wonderful day, falling in deep love... Read more of this article
Video: Bermuda Fashion Festival Plans Revealed
Planning for Bermuda Fashion Festival is well underway and this year promises to be a more "elaborate and elegant" week of fashion than ever before, with a range of international and local designers and models to be on hand. International designers who will show their couture and ready-to-wear collections include Thomas LaVone, Katerina... Read more of this article
Speaker & Fashion Icon To Present In Bermuda
Project Runway finalist, Designer Edmond Newton is set to visit Bermuda next month with his personal and professional story of success, combined with a Bermuda-inspired fashion show. The American fashion designer will launch the "I AM" series, by telling his story of success after continual and constant rejections. Edmond auditioned for the popular... Read more of this article
Bermuda Fashion Festival To Host Model Call
The City of Hamilton — which produces the Bermuda Fashion Festival each year — is scouting for models for this year's event, and will be holding a model call later this month. "Bermuda's premier fashion week is July 10 – 16, 2016 and is shaping up to be more of an international event than ever before, with the involvement of... Read more of this article
Photos: Lily Lightbourn Models At LFW
Bermudian model Lily Lightbourn has taken on London Fashion Week [LFW] for the second consecutive year after being selected to model for some of the biggest designers in the industry and subsequently appearing on popular websites and social media platforms, including Vogue UK, Vogue Italia, Cosmopolitan UK, and more.A spokesperson said, "There... Read more of this article
Photos: Lillian Lightbourn Modeling In London
Lillian Lightbourn continues to build her international modeling career, with the Bermudian model gracing the catwalk at the London Fashion Week which is being held from February 19th – 23rd. and is considered one of the most important and influential event in the international style scene. According to the M+P Models website, Ms Lightbourn showcased... Read more of this article
Video: Fashion Show At St. George's Event
The "Lighting of the Town" event was held at King's Square in St. George's on November 28, with the evening including the St. George's Business Fashion Show, with models showing off a number of styles on the catwalk. The overall event included participation by the Salvation Army Divisional Band, Laverne Daniels, and Their Majesties Choristers... Read more of this article
Review & Photo Set #2: BHW Launch Event
[Written by Mikaela Ian Pearman] Imagine this scene: A dimly lit ballroom with white lights, a long white carpet leading to a stage and dozens of young women and men dressed in carnival costumes with soca music blaring from the speakers. That was last night's Bermuda Heroes Weekend Band Launch which featured vibrant colours, sparkly jewels and tons... Read more of this article
Photos: Bermuda Heroes Weekend Launch
The launch weekend for the 2016 Bermuda Heroes Weekend [BHW] got underway last night [Nov 20] at the Hamilton Princess, with guests given the opportunity to view the actual costumes for next year's Parade of Bands, with models showcasing the glamorous attire. The bands set to participate in next year's event include returning bands Party... Read more of this article
Photos & Video: Fashion Show At "Art Walk"
The St. George's Art Walk took place on Sunday afternoon, with the event featuring displays and performances from artists, musicians and dancers; with the east end event also incorporating a fashion show which showcased styles from three local area stores.The featured designer stores included Last Night Boutique, A2Z Fashions and Baubelles, with... Read more of this article


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Chest Radiographic Manifestations of Chronic Granulomatous Dis...RESULTS: Most patients onset in the infantile period and presented with respiratory infections. Four patients were also identified with tuberculosis and 5 with fungal inflammation. CT findings included areas of consolidation (77.8%), ground-glass ... CHEST, 2 hours ago
Making the GRADE: CHEST Updates its Methodology - CHEST, 3 hours ago
One in four patients with COPD suffer from depression - Infrosoft, 1 day ago
Republican candidate Trump names national finance chairman
Supporters of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hold their hands to their chest as the national anthem is played at a campaign rally in Concord, New Hampshire January 18, 2016. Reuters/Gretchen Ertl/File photo WASHINGTON ...Reuters India, 3 hours ago Anguished Republicans wrestle with whether to support Trump Business Insider, 9 hours ago Republicans grapple with whether to back Trump for White House Investing.com, 2 hours ago Trump supporters see Iraqi, Syrian refugees as major threat: report Yahoo! News, 15 hours ago
Bengaluru gives new life to Bong girl with 3.2 kg tumour in chest
Bengaluru: This 16 year old girl lived with a tumour weighing 3.2 kg right in the middle of her chest. The huge tumour compressed one side of her lungs and the heart that further led to deformity of the chest wall. suffered with this for almost six ...Times of India, 11 hours ago Tumor weighing 3.2 kg removed from chest of teen-aged girl United News of India, 2 days ago
Fitness instructor found dead at church had wounds to her head, chest
Investigators say a fitness instructor found dead at a North Texas church had multiple puncture wounds to her head and chest when her body was found. According to a search warrant affidavit obtained Tuesday by KXAS-TV of Fort Worth and Dallas, the ...FOXNews.com, 1 day ago Woman found dead at Texas church had wounds to head, chest Miami Herald, 1 day ago Fitness instructor found dead... DailyNews724.com, 1 day ago Dead at wheel with bullet wound The Telegraph, 1 month ago
SCUFFLE - Husband of municipal ward member allegedly slashes his chest
Contributed by NAMPA / PTI. Bundi, May 4 (PTI) Husband of a municipal ward member allegedly slashed his chest with a shaving blade during a heated argument between him and electricity department officials in Nainwa town of the district, police ...Namibia Press Agency, 1 day ago Husband of municipal ward member allegedly slashes his chest Deccan Chronicle, 1 day ago Inmate tries to flee from custody by slashing himself Business Standard, 3 weeks ago
Healthy rapport
rs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was admitted to New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences with chest congestion and fever last week. Among the party bigwigs who have visited Swaraj are Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister ...Business Standard, 3 days ago Sushma doing well, to be discharged soon: AIIMS Zee News, 3 days ago Sushma Swaraj doing well, to be discharged soon: AIIMS First Post.com, 3 days ago Sushma Swaraj's condition improving, likely to be discharged soon: AIIMS DNA, 1 week ago
Youth who hurled slipper at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar gets bail
The youth arrested for hurling a slipper at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that hit him on his chest was granted bail from police station on Tuesday. City Superintendent of Police Chandan Kushwaha said the accused who also goes by the name Nitish Kumar was ...DNA, 2 days ago Youth who hurled slipper at Nitish gets bail Business Standard, 2 days ago Bihar health sector relapses into 'inefficient' mode HT Syndication, 1 day ago Slipper hurling at Nitish wrong, says Sushil Modi The Hindu, 1 day ago
Saradha scam: Jailed TMC leader Madan Mitra back in hospital for chest pain, breathing issues
Madan Mitra has been jailed for involvement in Saradha scamDNA, 1 week ago Saradha chit fund accused Madan Mitra hospitalised after chest pain Zee News, 1 week ago Jailed Trinamool leader Madan Mitra hospitalised Rediff.com, 1 week ago West Bengal elections 2016: CPI(M) wants EC to keep an eye on Madan Mitra in hospital DNA, 1 week ago
More from: , Prokerala...and 2 other sources
Rise in asthma cases among children worries paediatricians
Asthma has been on the rise among children, city paediatricians and chest physicians have said. Doctors say the major reasons behind the rise are poor hygiene, more intake of junk food and increasing construction work in the city.DNA, 2 days ago Pollution ups asthma risk The Hindu, 16 hours ago Doctors warn city's polluted air major trigger for asthma HT Syndication, 1 day ago Children more vulnerable to asthma attacks: expert The Hindu, 1 day ago
PM Modi visits ailing Suhma Swaraj at AIIMS
Swaraj is currently recovering from fever and chest congestion.DNA, 1 week ago Rahul Gandhi and MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan visit Sushma Swaraj DNA, 6 days ago Rahul, Shivraj visit Swaraj Business Standard, 6 days ago Rahul visits Sushma Swaraj recuperating at AIIMS Rediff.com, 6 days ago
More from: , Business Standard...and 6 other sources
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A PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) allows employers to make one annual payment to cover all the...Read More
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- Broadway musical 'Hamilton' does what it always does - stuns Updated: May-03-16 7:52 pm
NEW YORK - The Tony Awards are being nicknamed this year the "Hamil-Tonys" in recognition that "Hamilton" is the show to beat. That was proven again Tuesday.
- Broadway musical 'Waitress' to launch national tour in 2017 Updated: Apr-25-16 12:21 pm
NEW YORK - The new Broadway musical "Waitress" is packing up its pies and hitting the road.
- Review: Broadway's 'Waitress' has the recipe for success Updated: Apr-24-16 11:23 pm
NEW YORK - The unmistakable smell of baking pies pervades the Brooks Atkinson Theatre at performances of the sweet and savory new musical "Waitress." It's not a trick - there really is a pie baking in the lobby.
- Sara Bareilles writes an original turn-off-your-phone song Updated: Apr-20-16 10:35 am
NEW YORK - Sara Bareilles' songwriting skills are all over the new Broadway musical "Waitress" - even down to the cellphone warning.
- Sara Bareilles and Rebel Wilson to sing 'The Little Mermaid' Updated: Apr-06-16 4:02 pm
NEW YORK - Sara Bareilles, Rebel Wilson, Darren Criss, Norm Lewis, John Stamos, Tituss Burgess will sing along with the film "The Little Mermaid" for a one-night-only event this summer at the Hollywood Bowl.