Our annual holiday party takes place on Wednesday, December 15th. Please note that this is a members-only event (no visitors, please).
Each member brings a holiday food item for the potluck dinner and a wrapped present -- something humorous, inexpensive, and/or used -- for our White Elephant gift exchange. Holiday entertainment will be provided by some of our talented members in the AAUPW Seasonal Choir.
AAUPW Members
**************** Some of the AAUPW members at our 2014 Holiday Party ***************
November 29, 2010
November 4, 2010
November Program Meeting
Our speaker for November will be Diana Graham.
Diana Graham founded the New York based design firm of Diagram Design and Marketing Communications, Inc., which was chosen as one of the top marketing and design firms in the United States in the early 90’s. She was the first recipient of the "Women In Design International Award" and has been creative director and marketing consultant in the real estate, corporate and entertainment fields for numerous Fortune 500 corporations. She has won awards and judged competitions of the Type Directors Club, Art Directors Club, Communication Arts, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and Society of Typographic Arts, Chicago.
A graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts, Diana Graham began her career in 1965. She founded Diana Graham/Graphic Design in 1973, which merged six years later with Frankfurt Balkind Partners.
Ms. Graham is much in demand as a lecturer and has addressed design and marketing organizations and college groups around the world. She lives in Munich and New York.
www.DianaGraham.de
Diana Graham founded the New York based design firm of Diagram Design and Marketing Communications, Inc., which was chosen as one of the top marketing and design firms in the United States in the early 90’s. She was the first recipient of the "Women In Design International Award" and has been creative director and marketing consultant in the real estate, corporate and entertainment fields for numerous Fortune 500 corporations. She has won awards and judged competitions of the Type Directors Club, Art Directors Club, Communication Arts, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and Society of Typographic Arts, Chicago.
A graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts, Diana Graham began her career in 1965. She founded Diana Graham/Graphic Design in 1973, which merged six years later with Frankfurt Balkind Partners.
Ms. Graham is much in demand as a lecturer and has addressed design and marketing organizations and college groups around the world. She lives in Munich and New York.
www.DianaGraham.de
Program Meeting Schedule for the 2010-2011 Year
These are the dates scheduled for our monthly meetings this year.
November 17
November 25 - Thanksgiving Dinner!
December 15 - Holiday Party!
January 19
February 16
March 16
April 13 - Not the third Wednesday!
May 18
June 15 - Walking Tour (tentative date)
November 17
November 25 - Thanksgiving Dinner!
December 15 - Holiday Party!
January 19
February 16
March 16
April 13 - Not the third Wednesday!
May 18
June 15 - Walking Tour (tentative date)
AAUPW Book Club - November
This month’s book club pick is “Audition” by Barbara Walters. She gives us an entertaining look at a full life lived and recounted with humor and honesty. Read about her personal struggles, professional achievements and get an insider's look at some of the interesting people she has interviewed. There will be lively discussion – hope to see you there!
When: Monday, November 8th at 18:30
When: Monday, November 8th at 18:30
AAUPW Book Club: Fall/Winter Reading List
We have an interesting line up for fall/winter 2010-2011 with a good mix of fiction, non-fiction and classics. Here is the list by month:
Oct 2010 ... Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers
Nov 2010 ... Audition, by Barbara Walters
Dec 2010 ... NO MEETING
Jan 2011 ... Jude The Obscure, by Thomas Hardy
Feb 2011 ... The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin
Mar 2011 ... Bright Sided, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Apr 2011 ... Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
Oct 2010 ... Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers
Nov 2010 ... Audition, by Barbara Walters
Dec 2010 ... NO MEETING
Jan 2011 ... Jude The Obscure, by Thomas Hardy
Feb 2011 ... The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin
Mar 2011 ... Bright Sided, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Apr 2011 ... Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
September 30, 2010
October Program Meeting (change of speaker)
Please note that we have had a change of speaker. We're excited to be able to introduce Yan Lavallee, volcanoligist, who had been unable to attend last spring.
Yan Lavallee received his undergraduate degree in Earth and Planetary Science at McGill University in Montreal, a Master in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, and a PhD in Volcanology (2008) at the LMU-Munich. After graduation, he was offered a position of assistant professor in Mineralogy. His current work mainly revolves around the deformation of magma and understanding transition between effusive and explosive eruptions.
In his presentation, he will introduce the Earth and its volcanoes as well as their eruptive styles and discuss some of its effects on human activity. He will then present the different methods used to play with magma in his lab.
We will also be hearing about the Munich Ausländerbeirat (foreign nationals' advisory council) and meeting our Junior Year in Munich scholarship recipient.
Yan Lavallee received his undergraduate degree in Earth and Planetary Science at McGill University in Montreal, a Master in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, and a PhD in Volcanology (2008) at the LMU-Munich. After graduation, he was offered a position of assistant professor in Mineralogy. His current work mainly revolves around the deformation of magma and understanding transition between effusive and explosive eruptions.
In his presentation, he will introduce the Earth and its volcanoes as well as their eruptive styles and discuss some of its effects on human activity. He will then present the different methods used to play with magma in his lab.
We will also be hearing about the Munich Ausländerbeirat (foreign nationals' advisory council) and meeting our Junior Year in Munich scholarship recipient.
AAUPW Book Club - October
This month’s book club pick is “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggars. A harrowing account of one family’s ordeal through Hurricane Katrina. As if losing your house to the devastation wasn’t enough, imagine being suddenly and inexplicably arrested in the aftermath of the hurricane. The book is sweet in its simplicity and the heartfelt story will keep you turning pages and drawing your own conclusions. Come and discuss the book with us on Monday, October 11th 18:30.
September 2, 2010
September Program Meeting
Not only does school start back in September, but it is the beginning of the AAUPW operating year. September is traditionally our get-to-know-you meeting, with lots of time for chatting and catching up on everything. Plus a couple of fun games to break the ice.
We also will have a brief presentation from IMMA (Initiative Münchner Mädchen e.V. - our adopted charity) to let our members know more about what IMMA is, what it does and how we have been and can continue to help.
We also will have a brief presentation from IMMA (Initiative Münchner Mädchen e.V. - our adopted charity) to let our members know more about what IMMA is, what it does and how we have been and can continue to help.
September Book Club
Our Book Club starts their new year on September 6th, when we will be picking the Fall/Winter line-up for 2010/2011. Bring your favorite books that you have either read, or would like to read, and tell us what made them fun for you and how they would make good fodder for discussion. At the ends of the session, all participants vote and we select the next six months of books to read.
Prospective AAUPW members are also welcome to visit the book club.
Prospective AAUPW members are also welcome to visit the book club.
July Meeting - 4th of July Event
Instead of our usual potluck picnic, we celebrated the Fourth of July this year with other Americans and friends of America on the Amerika Haus lawn.
We brought our families. There was live music, as well as games for the kids, barbequed steaks, and other traditional American picnic fare. The AAUPW Seasonal Choir was a big hit, providing a lively medley of songs from the musical, Music Man.
We brought our families. There was live music, as well as games for the kids, barbequed steaks, and other traditional American picnic fare. The AAUPW Seasonal Choir was a big hit, providing a lively medley of songs from the musical, Music Man.
July 6, 2010
June Tour
On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, we enjoyed a wonderful walking (and climbing) tour in English at the Bayerische StaatsBibliothek (Bavarian State Library). We were very interested to visit one of the most important European general libraries which also ranks among the best research libraries on an international scale.
We greatly enjoyed walking through this impressive building with 9,530,000 volumes (total holdings) and 856 reader desks. It was interesting to see two different reading rooms with contrasting characters: the quiet Aventinus Reading Room for scholars to read old books and the more crowded General Reading Room for students and scholars. We saw a facsimile of the world map from 1507, which was the first map to use the name America.
Our tour was not only a “walking tour,” but also a “climbing tour,” since we climbed 7 flights of stairs to better visualize the stacks of books in the library. It was worthwhile to see the books damaged by fire and water that were stored on the 7th floor of the stacks, as well as the damaged books (e.g. a book with acid-containing paper) in the display cases located near the InduPrint copy services company. After seeing these damaged books, we can understand why it is important to digitize the library’s old and new collections to promote long-term preservation. The closing presentation about digitization included innovative robotic scanning technology. The presentation provided insight into the digital and Internet-based services, for example in the areas of electronic journals and the mass digitization of the collections.
With almost 10 million books, about 55,000 current periodicals in printed or electronic form, and more than 93,000 manuscripts, the Bayerische StaatsBibliothek is one of the most important knowledge centers of the world.
May 17, 2010
May Program Meeting
In addition to our all-important AAUPW Board Elections, we are excited to have a speaker who will be talking to us about VOLCANOES! Please plan to come via ground transportation (no airplanes :) please).
Yan Lavallee received his undergraduate degree in Earth and Planetary Science (2001) at McGill University in Montreal and went on to the University of North Dakota for a Master in Space Studies (2003). He crossed the ocean in 2004 and did a PhD in Volcanology (2008) at the LMU-Munich. After graduation, he was offered a position of assistant professor in Mineralogy. His current work mainly revolves around the deformation of magma and understanding transition between effusive and explosive eruptions. In his presentation, he will introduce the Earth and its volcanoes as well as their eruptive styles and discuss some of its effects on human activity. He will then present the different methods used to play with magma in his lab.
Please join us for this informative and timely presentation.
Yan Lavallee received his undergraduate degree in Earth and Planetary Science (2001) at McGill University in Montreal and went on to the University of North Dakota for a Master in Space Studies (2003). He crossed the ocean in 2004 and did a PhD in Volcanology (2008) at the LMU-Munich. After graduation, he was offered a position of assistant professor in Mineralogy. His current work mainly revolves around the deformation of magma and understanding transition between effusive and explosive eruptions. In his presentation, he will introduce the Earth and its volcanoes as well as their eruptive styles and discuss some of its effects on human activity. He will then present the different methods used to play with magma in his lab.
Please join us for this informative and timely presentation.
April 5, 2010
Special April Program Meeting!
April isn't always the cruelest month - just look what's in store for you at our April meeting: We welcome to center stage Rita Loving, opera coach and pianist at the Bavarian State Opera for 20+ years.
Loving brings along varied experience including: intermittent guest contracts at the New York City Opera, faculty work in seminars and opera courses in Bayreuth and Tel Aviv, teaching master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, and performing Gerschwin concerts in Munich and Salzburg. Loving, who has also been an occasional guest at our meetings, will discuss her wonderfully checkered career, and give us a bit of Gerschwin to top it off. So don't miss this very special opportunity to meet this wonderfully talented and versatile life artist and performer!
Loving brings along varied experience including: intermittent guest contracts at the New York City Opera, faculty work in seminars and opera courses in Bayreuth and Tel Aviv, teaching master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, and performing Gerschwin concerts in Munich and Salzburg. Loving, who has also been an occasional guest at our meetings, will discuss her wonderfully checkered career, and give us a bit of Gerschwin to top it off. So don't miss this very special opportunity to meet this wonderfully talented and versatile life artist and performer!
March 16, 2010
March Program Meeting
AAUPW was pleased to welcome as March guest speaker Paul R. Houston, Supervisory Special Agent within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the US Consulate General in Munich.
Houston earned his BA in Political Science and International Business at the University of Iowa and an MA in National Security Policy from the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy. He has done Foreign Service work all over the globe, from Washington, DC to Geneva, Belgrade and Port-au-Prince.Houston will discuss the multifaceted nature of Diplomatic Security, which has provided the Department of State with security and law enforcement for more than 80 years. His work assists the Secretary of State and Foreign Service colleagues to safely implement foreign policy of the United States worldwide. Security programs provide the first line of defense for US diplomatic missions against the threats of terrorist, criminal and technical attacks.The work of Diplomatic Security agents is difficult yet critically important: the threats US diplomatic missions face, particularly from transnational terrorists, are real and growing. Houston and his colleagues work to ensure that the State Department’s missions and responsibilities are carried out successfully and securely. We look forward to what promises to be a very interesting and educational evening.
Houston earned his BA in Political Science and International Business at the University of Iowa and an MA in National Security Policy from the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy. He has done Foreign Service work all over the globe, from Washington, DC to Geneva, Belgrade and Port-au-Prince.Houston will discuss the multifaceted nature of Diplomatic Security, which has provided the Department of State with security and law enforcement for more than 80 years. His work assists the Secretary of State and Foreign Service colleagues to safely implement foreign policy of the United States worldwide. Security programs provide the first line of defense for US diplomatic missions against the threats of terrorist, criminal and technical attacks.The work of Diplomatic Security agents is difficult yet critically important: the threats US diplomatic missions face, particularly from transnational terrorists, are real and growing. Houston and his colleagues work to ensure that the State Department’s missions and responsibilities are carried out successfully and securely. We look forward to what promises to be a very interesting and educational evening.
February 13, 2010
February Program Meeting
The February meeting was held on February 24th (rather than the usual week before) due to the "Fasching" holidays.
Now that German Reunification is celebrating its 20th Anniversary, it is a good time to take a look back and consider the transition over the past two decades. AAUPW was pleased to welcome Colinne S. Bartel from AC Innovation GmbH to speak about German reunification from an East German perspective based on her experience building a cable company in Sachsen from 1993-1998.
Colinne's aim is to get people to look at history from a different perspective, mixing an academic view with personal experiences. No finger pointing but rather, "consider this..." looking at both the positives and the negatives. She will take a look at some of the factors that made reunification difficult, not only from a financial perspective but also psychological.Her company at that time, Kabelmedia, was the fastest growing telecommunications company in Germany in 1995. They acquired 29 companies combined from both East and West Germany in 24 months and it was the first continental European cable IPO. Colinne was responsible for the operational budget of the company.Colinne now owns her own company, AC Innovations, an international investment company that assists small to medium sized companies with expansion and marketing between German-speaking Europe and the US.
Now that German Reunification is celebrating its 20th Anniversary, it is a good time to take a look back and consider the transition over the past two decades. AAUPW was pleased to welcome Colinne S. Bartel from AC Innovation GmbH to speak about German reunification from an East German perspective based on her experience building a cable company in Sachsen from 1993-1998.
Colinne's aim is to get people to look at history from a different perspective, mixing an academic view with personal experiences. No finger pointing but rather, "consider this..." looking at both the positives and the negatives. She will take a look at some of the factors that made reunification difficult, not only from a financial perspective but also psychological.Her company at that time, Kabelmedia, was the fastest growing telecommunications company in Germany in 1995. They acquired 29 companies combined from both East and West Germany in 24 months and it was the first continental European cable IPO. Colinne was responsible for the operational budget of the company.Colinne now owns her own company, AC Innovations, an international investment company that assists small to medium sized companies with expansion and marketing between German-speaking Europe and the US.
February 2, 2010
January Program Meeting
On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Elisa Moolecherry spoke to our group about BeMeTheatre, Munich’s English Language Theatre.
Elisa is the Artistic Director and co-founder of this organization. Born and raised in Toronto, Elisa has been acting professionally for over 15 years in film, in television series and on international stages. On the screen in Germany she has acted with Til Schweiger in the films “Pastewka” and “One Way.”
We appreciated hearing the history of BeMeTheatre – how Elisa co-founded the theatre in Barcelona and eventually moved it to Munich. Elisa co-founded BeMeTheatre with an economist from Holland whom Elisa met in Spanish class. BeMeTheatre faced many obstacles, for example, during the opening night performance of “I, Claudia, (in Barcelona)” someone’s cell phone played “La Bamba,” the curtain fell down prematurely, and a cat walked across the stage. Due to the lack of interest in English language theatre in Barcelona, Elisa relocated the theatre company. She selected Munich, “because of a boy,” who became her husband. BeMeTheatre now performs at the Einstein Kulturzentrum at Max-Weber-Platz in an old beer cellar that was a bomb shelter in WWII.
Our AAUPW members would certainly agree that there is a need for professional English language theatre in Munich. We look forward to seeing future shows performed at BeMeTheatre!
In March 2010 BeMeTheatre will present the critically acclaimed play “My Zinc Bed” by David Hare. For more information about BeMeTheatre, please see the following website: www.BeMeTheatre.com.
At the end of her presentation, Elisa gave a “call to action”, which hopefully will inspire some of our AAUPW members to become involved in BeMeTheatre. Elisa asked our members to contact her if we have any ideas about publicity, housing space for performing artists, or places to distribute posters or postcards advertising the plays. Elisa’s e-mail address is elisa@BeMeTheatre.com.
Elisa is the Artistic Director and co-founder of this organization. Born and raised in Toronto, Elisa has been acting professionally for over 15 years in film, in television series and on international stages. On the screen in Germany she has acted with Til Schweiger in the films “Pastewka” and “One Way.”
We appreciated hearing the history of BeMeTheatre – how Elisa co-founded the theatre in Barcelona and eventually moved it to Munich. Elisa co-founded BeMeTheatre with an economist from Holland whom Elisa met in Spanish class. BeMeTheatre faced many obstacles, for example, during the opening night performance of “I, Claudia, (in Barcelona)” someone’s cell phone played “La Bamba,” the curtain fell down prematurely, and a cat walked across the stage. Due to the lack of interest in English language theatre in Barcelona, Elisa relocated the theatre company. She selected Munich, “because of a boy,” who became her husband. BeMeTheatre now performs at the Einstein Kulturzentrum at Max-Weber-Platz in an old beer cellar that was a bomb shelter in WWII.
Our AAUPW members would certainly agree that there is a need for professional English language theatre in Munich. We look forward to seeing future shows performed at BeMeTheatre!
In March 2010 BeMeTheatre will present the critically acclaimed play “My Zinc Bed” by David Hare. For more information about BeMeTheatre, please see the following website: www.BeMeTheatre.com.
At the end of her presentation, Elisa gave a “call to action”, which hopefully will inspire some of our AAUPW members to become involved in BeMeTheatre. Elisa asked our members to contact her if we have any ideas about publicity, housing space for performing artists, or places to distribute posters or postcards advertising the plays. Elisa’s e-mail address is elisa@BeMeTheatre.com.
January 19, 2010
Holiday Party
What a Party! Once again, the AAUPW Holiday Party proved to be a highlight of the year. We enjoyed an excellent buffet, the choir’s wonderful singing, a lively “speed” White Elephant gift exchange, and collected and wrapped the gifts for residents of IMMA, our sister chartiy.
And most of us will spend 2010 remembering the heavenly deserts – the (still warm) pumpkin pie with whipped cream, the peanut butter cookies, everything chocolate as well as the main dishes – the gorgonzola risotto, the fragrant lentils, the many chicken dishes, including the now traditional Kentucky Fried! Our annual holiday party is just one member benefit that highlights the comaraderie, community and friendship shared by AAUPW members throughout the year.
JOIN US!
AAUPW Annual Thanksgiving Celebration
The Next Best Thing to Being Home
For the second year in a row, AAUPW members and their families celebrated Thanksgiving at a Bavarian restaurant transformed for the occasion. The culinary team did us proud, with a buffet feast boasting American traditionals, some with a Bavarian twist.
The turkey was moist and flavorful, the bread stuffing was delicious, the pureed sweet potatoes were light and fluffy, the broccoli and green beans were tasty, the apple and pumpkin pies were yummy and even the cranberry sauce was almost right this time!
And this year we continued a couple of "instant AAUPW Thanksgiving traditions" established last year. First the teens entertained us with an amusing skit - courtesy of Dave Barry.
Its a tradition you won't want to miss next year!
For the second year in a row, AAUPW members and their families celebrated Thanksgiving at a Bavarian restaurant transformed for the occasion. The culinary team did us proud, with a buffet feast boasting American traditionals, some with a Bavarian twist.
The turkey was moist and flavorful, the bread stuffing was delicious, the pureed sweet potatoes were light and fluffy, the broccoli and green beans were tasty, the apple and pumpkin pies were yummy and even the cranberry sauce was almost right this time!
And this year we continued a couple of "instant AAUPW Thanksgiving traditions" established last year. First the teens entertained us with an amusing skit - courtesy of Dave Barry.
Its a tradition you won't want to miss next year!
AAUPW November Program Meeting
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Hildegard Denninger spoke energetically and enthusiastically to our group about BISS e.V. Frau Denninger is the managing director of the non-profit association BISS e.V. which she transformed into a successful social business. Last year she was awarded the National German service medal (“Bundesverdienstkreuz”) for these efforts.
The mission of BISS is to help people help themselves. BISS is the German abbreviation of “Bürger in sozialen Schwierigkeiten” which means “Citizens in social problems”. BISS gives the homeless and the poor the chance to earn money, and thus find their place in society. It envisions a participatory society in which marginalized groups, such as the unemployed, under-qualified, or younger people without vocational training, are given access to societal resources, such as work, money, education, communication and social networks.
BISS magazine was launched in 1993 and is the oldest street paper in Germany. With BISS, the homeless and the poor have the chance to earn money by selling the magazine of the same name. The buyers can help a homeless person directly. Furthermore, by providing a quality magazine which the vendors are proud to sell, the financial transaction exceeds a charitable donation. For additional information about the BISS magazine, please see the following website: http://www.biss-magazin.de/.
Now Frau Denninger is working on a second BISS project: “Hotel BISS”. This will be a 4-star hotel with 72 rooms in a building that was formerly a women’s prison. (It is located near the Auer Dult grounds.) There, the non-profit organisation BISS will offer vocational training in the hotel business for up to 40 young men and women who would hardly find training elsewhere. We hope that Frau Denninger can raise enough funding to make the Hotel BISS a reality! For more information about Hotel BISS, please see the following website: http://www.hotelbiss.de/.
The mission of BISS is to help people help themselves. BISS is the German abbreviation of “Bürger in sozialen Schwierigkeiten” which means “Citizens in social problems”. BISS gives the homeless and the poor the chance to earn money, and thus find their place in society. It envisions a participatory society in which marginalized groups, such as the unemployed, under-qualified, or younger people without vocational training, are given access to societal resources, such as work, money, education, communication and social networks.
BISS magazine was launched in 1993 and is the oldest street paper in Germany. With BISS, the homeless and the poor have the chance to earn money by selling the magazine of the same name. The buyers can help a homeless person directly. Furthermore, by providing a quality magazine which the vendors are proud to sell, the financial transaction exceeds a charitable donation. For additional information about the BISS magazine, please see the following website: http://www.biss-magazin.de/.
Now Frau Denninger is working on a second BISS project: “Hotel BISS”. This will be a 4-star hotel with 72 rooms in a building that was formerly a women’s prison. (It is located near the Auer Dult grounds.) There, the non-profit organisation BISS will offer vocational training in the hotel business for up to 40 young men and women who would hardly find training elsewhere. We hope that Frau Denninger can raise enough funding to make the Hotel BISS a reality! For more information about Hotel BISS, please see the following website: http://www.hotelbiss.de/.
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