The new Journal is now available...

The new Journal published by the German American Society of Portland is now available. You can read it at http://germanamerican.org/newsletters.htm. Enjoy!

German Play on August 4th, 2009 @ Lewis & Clark College

This sounds like it will be a great event...this was just received :) - Would you please let me know if this was fun? It certainly sounds great. We will be camping and therefore will not be in PDX :(

The Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik, America's premier summer institute for German Studies and German language immersion for over half a century, invites you to its annual theater production on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00 pm --- an original production, "Ich liebe mein Handy...und dich auch." -- in the Fir Acres Theater Complex on the campus of Lewis and Clark College. The play is in German and we hope that you will invite all of your friends and students to attend---admission is free, any donations gladly accepted!

Professor Steven Fuller
German and International Studies.
PSU Director --- Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik (DSaP)
fullers@pdx.edu

PS. For information about the Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik, please visit our website: www.summer.pdx.edu/dsap

Ich liebe mein Handy?.und dich auch: A one-act Cabaret-inspired piece in German by the Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik Theater Troupe

Technology allows for communication at alarmingly fast speeds. Gadgets can accomplish work faster and more efficiently than ever before. But what about our personal lives? What about love? Is it possible for two people to find love in a society that relies on websites, text messaging, and quick fixes? Maybe???

Summer Time = Fun at Mt. Hood National Forest

Is the "summer time" theme getting boring? Oh, well there will still be a couple more ;) Mt. Hood National Forest really is fun any time of year. Sking, snow shoeing, cross country skying in the winter, and wonderful hiking in the summer. You just have to love the area we live in, that is if you love nature ;)

I pretty much spent the entire weekend in the National Forest. On Saturday a group of German women took the Ramon Falls hike. Somewhat like in Germany but yet very different. It is one of the most popular hikes because it is so close to Portland, and also very moderate. It is a 7.1 mile loop. The south side is along a picturesque creek where you would expect fairies, and the north side is somewhat barren. There is an elevation gain of about 1,000 ft., so I really would not recommend this hike for little children. I said a couple of sentences ago, that it is very similar to Germany and you know what? We saw another large group of German's en route, and I read that the Austrians of Portland went hiking "Wandertag" today, Sunday. Do you know where they went? Yup, also to Ramona Falls. It must be the all German hiking spot ;) If you would like to check it out here is the link http://www.oregon.com/hiking/ramona_falls.cfm. There is a picture of Ramona Falls on the site, and you know what? The falls really do look like that. Just amazing...

So I went hiking with girlfriends yesterday, and today we took a family trip out to the Wildwood Recreation area in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Again, just wonderful and I like to take nice walks on Sunday's. Nothing "German" happened...we did not meet any other Germans, but at the fish viewing area a boy asked me whether I spoke a different language to my kids. I said "yes" he then asked whether it was "Japanese", and I then told him that it was "German". It was quite cute. Here is the link for the Wildwood Recreation Area. That is just a fun all around family place http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/files/brochures/Wildwood_brochure07.pdf.

Summertime = Farmer's Market Time

Who does not love summer. Sunshine, flowers, fruits, and veggies are abundant here in Portland. I just love it, and going to the farmer's market to me is like a celebration of the season. They are so fun, there is music, dancing, food, and of course the highlights of local seasonal fruits, veggies. We went to the Eastbank Market on Thursday and there was even a vendor selling fresh fish. In so many ways Portland is so similar to Germany, yet so different. Tuttlingen has markets twice a week in the spring and summer, but I have yet to see a band and dancing there :) Here are some links, http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/, Hollywood Farmer's Market http://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/, Montavilla (East Side neighborhood) Market http://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/, Sellwood http://www.morelandfarmersmarket.org, to name a few. Check this link for a listing of markets throughout the State of Oregon http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/directory.html. Enjoy!

Summertime = Campingtime

Last year was my first time camping in Oregon, OK I admit in the United States and you know what? I LOVE it...quite fantastic. We really like tent camping and this year we also discovered Yurt Camping. Wow, is that great!!! It is very, very, very rustic but there is electricity, a table, two chairs, a bunk bed, and a futon. Plus a fire-pit, and picnic bench. Very nice. Oregon State Park calls it "camping lite" and yes it is true. Here is a link to the site describing Yurts...http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/rustic.shtml#RUSTIC_YURTS. It is somewhat, remotely, similar to camping with a rented tent. For example, we travelled to France before from the United States and stayed on a campground in an already set up tent. That tent had cots, but different to the Yurt it also had a camping stove, utensils, bedding, etc. So yes, similar but oh so different.

This time we went to Champoeg for the All American, or should I say Oregonian, experience. Great, great campground. It is a "State Heritage Area" and it is easy to imagine what it must have been like for the early settlers. Plus it is less than an hour drive away from Portland. Check it out...here is the link to the park. http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_113.php Happy camping :)))

Call for Entries: Photo Exhibit 2009

I would like to pass this along to everybody... The German American Society of Portland is calling for entries for a 2009 Photo Exhibit on the topic "After the Wall - Changes in a German Landscape".

The German American Society of Portland will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the "Mauerfall" in November 2009 by offering a week of cultural activities. Part of this diverse cultural program will be the planned photo exhibit "After the Wall - Changes in a German Landscape". The photo exhibit will be shown at Portland City Hall.

We are looking for digital images that we can print in a 16x20 format. We are less interested in technical perfection (although that is welcome!) and more interested in images that represent the changes, challenges and achievements resulting from re-unification. Landscapes, Cityscapes, portraits and, of course, images of the wall or its remnants are all welcome.

If you are interested to submit your photographs please follow the attached submission guidelines and send your work to info@germanamerican.org, with Photo exhibit in the subject header.

Deadline is August 30, 2009.

Submission Guidelines

2009 Photo Exhibit

After the Wall

Changes in a German Landscape

The German American Society is seeking photographs for an exhibition at Portland City Hall to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall in November. We are particularly interested in images that depict changes in Berlin and the former East German States over the last two decades, as well as photographs that reveal glimpses of the political upheaval following reunification on both sides of the country.

• COPYRIGHT: The copyright remains with the photographer, although by entering you authorize the German American Society to print, frame and show the images in the exhibit without compensation

· ELIGIBILITY: Open to amateur and professional photographers of all nationalities

· SUBMISSION: All photos must be submitted in a digital form by email or on a CD. Mailed CD's cannot be returned. There is no maximum file size for photo submissions on a CD. E-mailed photos should be in JPEG format with a file size of 3 MB or smaller per email. The final dpi needs to support 16x20 prints.

· RESTRICTIONS: you may submit up to five (5) photos

• ENTRY DEADLINE: August 30, 2009

To submit photos, please mail to info@germanamerican.org

German American Society

7901 SE Division St.

Portland, OR 97206

Please include your name, address, city, state, zip code, daytime phone number, email and description of your photo including where and when the photo was taken.

We will print and frame the selected works at our cost and announce the chosen images on our website. Depending on interest, the exhibit might travel to other German organizations in the country.

Mt. Angel Strassenfest - Streetfair July 11, 2009

Mount Angel Celebrates Oregon's 150^th Birthday with an "Old World" Strassenfest (Street Fair) this Saturday, July 11. Enjoy a wide variety of activities from 11 AM to 4 PM. Don't miss out on any of the fun.

11AM Dedication of Oktoberfest village entry signs – corner Wilco Highway & Academy Streets

10:30-3:30 Motorcycle Cruise-in – downtown – awards

Noon 150 Miles for 150 Years – races arrive – sausage time

Noon-4PM Historic Display at Mount Angel Library

Noon-4PM Scavenger Hunt – prizes

1PM Accordions at the Gazebo

2PM Bonnet and Dress Fashion Show at the Gazebo

3PM Square Dancers on Garfield Street

ON GOING EVENTS

Ø Merchant Street Sales

Ø Sausages & other treats

Ø Woodcarving demonstrations

Ø Coloring books for the kids

Ø Glockenspiel performances

Ø Old time music

Ø 150 Specials at restaurants & pubs

Info Booth in front of City Hall

It's summer time...Berry Picking

I just love summer. Walking around barefoot, kids running around in their summer dresses with dirty feet, long evenings, sunny days, camping, and berry picking time. Honestly, I am quite sad that we are not going to Germany later on this summer but then again this is the time of year to be in Oregon. Plus, it really is just like home just different. Well, this slogan really cuts both ways, right?!

When I thought about this entry earlier today I wanted to give it the title "Ode to Oregon" well a little over the top, is it not?! In any case I just LOVE Oregon, and Portland. Many reasons including that it just feels so much like Europe. The scenery, the abundance of fruits, veggies, nuts and I can see that the earlier settlers must have seen this as the place where "milk and honey flows". OK - I think that I may get a little carried away :) In any case, topic "Berry Picking". This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. We like to go out to Sauvie Island which is so close to the city yet feels like a totally different world. There are a ton of different "U-Pick" Places on the island. There is Kruger's Farm (http://www.krugersfarm.com/), Sauvie Island Farm (http://www.sauvieislandfarms.com/) just to name a couple. Check out Sauvie Island at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauvie_Island.

Our favorite U-Pick on Sauvie Island is Sauvie Island Farms. In June we picked Strawberries. Enough for eating plus I made six jars of jam. Today we went again and picked Blueberries, and Raspberries. One note, I did not really eat Blueberries in Germany nor in Chicago. Never have I tasted and seen Blueberries like the Oregon berries. Huge, sweet, just so wonderful. - Oh, and the Raspberries we picked today? They are also huge, sweet and yummy. Today we had a total of 12 lbs. of berries, and we will have to go back...

So yes, I love Portland and Oregon with all my heart. It is my home, just like Germany and both places are so alike in so many ways, but yet so far apart...OK, guess I better call it a night :)

Lufthansa to end non-stop flight to PDX

The sad news was in the Oregonian yesterday.  Lufthansa is ending it's non-stop service between Frankfurt and PDX. They may bring it back next year....so maybe if we ALL complain we can get them to change their mind and they will cancel the Seattle flight instead?  What do you think? Certainly would love to get some feedback from everybody.  Here is the link

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/07/lufthansa_to_end_portlandfrank.html

Happy 4th of July...

Happy Independence Day everybody...the quint-essential all American experience. I hope everybody is having a fun day with lots of BBQ, games, etc. We are certainly looking forward to a fun day with our German friends. I am making a Flag Cake as has become a tradition. So fun, and so good. The recipe is on my other blog, here is the link http://galactopdx.blogspot.com/2008/07/4th-of-july-flag-cake.html

Have a great day, everybody!!!

Timbers vs. Bayern Muenchen II...July 2nd, 2009

Did you go to the game? Belive it or not, we went with the entire family and we had so much fun. We actually sat right next to the "Timber Army" and I thought it was a blast.

I have not been to a soccer game in years and certainly never before in the States. How fun!!! The mascot of the Timbers is "Timber Joey", which is a guy dressed like a logger. He is in front of the stands, swings a chainsaw (really, I am NOT kidding) which is running, and rattles the engine every so often...it is hilarious. On the field there is a big log, and whenever the Timbers score Joey, cuts off a slice from the log. He then "presents" the slice to the audience...people (including my 5-year old) get to touch it and cheer it. It's a trophy...unfortunately (for us) the Timbers won 2:0. So this means, that Joey cut a slice for each person who shot the goal AND a third slice for the goalkeeper. When the game was over, Joey presented the "slices/trophies..." to the players in front of the Timber Army. It was sooooo... loud, but so much fun...

So if you have a chance, go to a Timbers game. Thursdays are great days b/c $2.50/pints (and yes they have IPA), but soda is still $3.75 (!!!), the other great thing is that with general admission you can choose your seat anywhere in the general admission section. So, so fun...