The AWC Berlin Newsletter

The Bear FactsFebruary 2019


 


Dear {Contact_First_Name},

This month the AWC focuses on the cause of ending violence against women and children. This encompasses physical violence, and also economic, political, socio-cultural, environmental and ideological controls that women must overcome. So what are some steps we can take? 


An issue of this magnitude can be overwhelming, but we can all be part of the solution by becoming more informed, speaking out, and supporting causes that change the tide. During our February General Meeting, our very own My-Linh Kunst has offered to help us with the first step by sharing her knowledge on violence against women. This will be followed by a presentation from our 2019 charity, JACK Berlin, whose mission is to help victims of systemic violence. But what about speaking out?

One Billion Rising has organized an event on February 14th, where we can come together and 'speak out' in a positive, motivating way. The event will be held at the Brandenburg Gate and will incorporate music and dance for everybody to join in on. If dancing is not in your comfort zone, you're welcome to join the group and support in your own way. 

I have enjoyed seeing so many of you in January events, and hope to see even more of you next month. Take a look at the February events described below and let us know what you'd like to participate in. 

Love, Janel


Janel Schermerhorn
President, The American Women's Club of Berlin
president@awcberlin.org


 


Welcome, New Members!

Janelle Alexander

Diana Espinosa-Perkul

Petra Korn

Caroline Notzke

Veronica Riffle

Carla Sheath

Maja Stodte

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events below! In the meantime, if you are not already a member of our private members only Facebook group, please request to join "AWC Berlin Members Only PRIVATE" for casual exchanges among AWC members. 




February General Meeting


The AWC invites you to join in ending violence against women. Our February General Meeting will start off with our own My-Linh Kunst, who will share her knowledge on this subject matter, so we are better informed.

Next we will feature Daniela Dachrodt from our 2019 charity, Jack Berlin, to present on Jack’s mission and services, and their plan to expand classroom space. This is your opportunity to hear how AWC’s donations will support women in Berlin who have been victims of violence and oppression.


After a break for drinks and cake, we will preview (and take a stab at) the One Billion Rising dance. This in preparation for the public event to be held at Brandenburg Gate on February 14th. If dancing isn't your thing, you're still welcome to stay and lend support in your own way. 


Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 

When: Monday, February 11, 7-9pm 
Where:  Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Charlottenburg
RSVP: to your eVite (contact president@awcberlin.org with questions)

 


This Spring: Auction of Talents

The American Women's Club of Berlin is hosting the Inaugural Auction of Talents in the Spring of 2019. This is a fundraising event to benefit our 2019 Berlin-based charity: JACK Berlin (www.jack-berlin.org). There will be a live auction of “services/experiences/events” as well as a silent auction of one-off items.  We welcome donations in either category. The event will be open to AWC Berlin members and friends.

ALL of us have a TALENT, so consider donating a cooking class, lunch or dinner for a small group, a theme party, an outing on your boat, a weekend at your second home, a walking tour of your neighborhood or a bike tour on your favorite trail, a coaching session on any topic, a painting workshop, the possibilities are endless. Click here to download the Auction of Talents Donation Form – 2019

If you have a favorite business, consider approaching them for donations, please contact Stephanie for marketing materials.

Please return the completed form to Stephanie Biery: philanthropy@awcberlin.org by 1 March, 2019.

 


February 2019
Calendar of Events


 Daytime Activities

New Members' Coffee 


Wednesday, February 13th
10:30am-12:00pm 

Location: Karen Castellon's home in Zehlendorf

RSVP: membership@awcberlin.org

Welcome to AWC Berlin!  Whether or not you have already had a chance to experience an event, outing, or meeting with our club, this is the perfect opportunity for you to meet other new members.  We hope to see you there!  

See event here in AWC calendar.

One Billion Rising


Thursday, February 14th
4:15pm-6:30pm

Location: Starbucks by Brandenburger Tor, Pariser Platz 4A Berlin Mitte


RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org


One Billion Rising Brandenburger Tor is an epic Dance Demo right in front of the Brandenburg Gate, where thousands of people join to Rise up and end violence against women and girls. Let's all stand together for equality, respect, peace and understanding, in protest against sexual and physical violence, and with a peaceful dance. Every year more and more people come to this event, in the very heart of the capitol of Germany. Be one of the billion this year!

Click here to find details on the AWC calendar.

Recurring Daytime Activities

Kaffee Klatsch West



Friday, February 8th
10:30am-12:00pm

Location: centrally located Park Cafe, Fehrbelliner Pl. 8, 10707 Berlin (at U7/U3 stop)

Kaffee Klatsch is our monthly “Coffee Chat” from 10:30 to 12:00.

Stop by to connect, catch up with old friends or make new ones. No RSVP needed, just show up. There will always be someone there, with whom to chat.

Click
 here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

No RSVP needed, just show up.

Tennis - Beginner to Advanced



Mondays & Thursdays: February 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th and 28th 
10:00am - 12:00pm

RSVP: tennis@awcberlin.org

Join us for tennis – from beginners to advanced.  Our beginners group has lessons with an instructor while intermediate/advanced players play round-robins. You are welcome to contact our Tennis coordinators for more information.

Click here to learn more about this event in the AWC calendar. 
German Conversation


Mondays, Feb 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th,10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Wiener Conditorei at Truman Plaza (Clayallee 175 in Dahlem)
RSVP: 
german@awcberlin.org

Come join us for weekly German conversation over coffee in a safe and judgement-free environment. We always have a good time! Usually we are joined by AWC Berlin members who are native German speakers. Please check the AWC Facebook page or email before heading over, to make sure that someone will be there.  

Click here to learn more about this event in the AWC calendar. 

Creative Writing Practice €80


Tuesdays, Feb 5th, 12th, and 19th, 25th, 10:00am-12:30pm
Cost: 8 wks/€80
RSVP:

writingclass@awcberlin.org

Join this diverse group of writers, whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional. No previous experience necessary!! 

At our weekly gatherings, we apply various writing prompts as springboards to unlock and unleash our authentic voices, and share these writings in an atmosphere of trust and deep listening. Uncover the building blocks of good storytelling and discover the seeds of fuller, more developed pieces - from memoir to fiction. If you've never taken the class before, your first one is free. No classes during school holidays, 

See event here in AWC calendar.


Kaffee Klatsch Ost



Wednesday, February 6th
10:30am-12:00pm

Location: Commonground in the Circus Hotel located at Rosenthaler Str. 1 
Berlin, 10119


Kaffee Klatsch Ost is our Eastside Coffee Chat. Stop by the café in the Circus Hotel to catch up with old friends or even meet new neighbors. If possible please let Rose know you're coming ahead of time, otherwise feel free to just show up last minute to enjoy a cup of coffee and the company of your fellow AWC members. 


Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Travel Bug Forum



Friday, February 8th
10:30am-11:30am

Location: Goldhahn & Sampson at  Wilmersdorfer Straße 102/103 
Charlottenburg, Berlin 10629


Our Travel Group meets monthly to share their passion for seeing the world; globetrotters will gather at the lovely Charlottenburg Goldhahn & Sampson.


This month the travel gurus will be sharing Travel Resources in an age of info overload. If you are interested, join us!

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar, and direct any questions to Kathryn at Kathryn.Neubauer@hotmail.com.


Morning Book Club

Wednesday, February 20th

10:00am-12:00pm

Location: Emi's in suburban Zehlendorf

RSVP: bookclub@awcberlin.org
We'll be discussing Couples by John Updike, the raucous portrayal of 20th century sex in suburbia.
Please bring along something light to share, Emi will have something baked, and beverages.

Open to AWC Berlin members only, except nonmembers may attend once prior to joining.

You can get Emi's address in your members directory copy, or ask for it when RSVPing. 

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

 Evening Activities

February General Meeting


Monday, February 11th
7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Charlottenburg

RSVP: to your eVite 

See featured event above. 

Come learn about violence against women from our very own My-Linh Kunst. This will be followed by a presentation from our 2019 charity, Jack Berlin. After drinks and cake, we'll top the night off with a preview of One Billion Rising. 

Click here to find details on the AWC calendar. 

Let's Be Organized!


Wednesday, February 20th
7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Katrin Voelkner's home in Berlin 10707 

RSVP:kvoelkner@gmail.com


Which paper or digital organizing tools and systems work best for you? Come share your own experiences, methods, and best practices so we can all benefit from shared knowledge, commiseration, and some wine and cheese among friends! 

For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. You will receive the host's address upon RSVPing. 



Recurring Evening Activities

Literature Book Club



Tuesday, February 12th
7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Claudia Tessier's at Märkisches Ufer
RSVP: by emailing bookclub@awcberlin.org

We’ll be discussing The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham.

Please bring a light snack to share. Claudia will provide wine and water.

Open to AWC Berlin members only, except nonmembers may attend once prior to joining.

You can get Claudia's address in your members directory copy, or when RSVPing. 

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Girls Night Out



Tuesday, February 19th
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Malakeh Restaurant at Potsdamer Straße 153 
Berlin, 10783

RSVP:evening@awcberlin.org


Come out for another round of great food and company at Malakeh Restaurant on Potsdamer Str. Renee and Nancy are grateful for this delicious Syrian recommendation from a fellow member. The owner of the restaurant is well-known Syrian television chef Jazmati Malakeh; you can read the story of the Malakehs' journey from war-torn Damascus to Berlin and find more information about this event by clicking here to see it in the AWC calendar.

Picture Cellar of the Akademie der Künste €11-16



Tuesday, February 26th
6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Deutsche Akademie der Künste,  Pariser Platz 4
10117 Berlin

RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org

Secreted away for nearly 30 years, a series of murals created in 1957 and 1958 are newly accessible, and 20 of us are being offered a private tour! The former coal cellars of the Akademie Building on Pariser Platz are filled with wall art painted by Manfred Böttcher, Harald Metzkes, Ernst Schroeder and Horst Zickelbein – former master students at the Deutsche Akademie der Künste – they are the only original remnants in the historic building apart from the exhibition halls. Free and uninhibited scenery populate the walls of the cellar, where the artists were able to experiment with works that could not have otherwise been exhibited.

For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 


 Weekend Activities

Dining Out  



Saturday, February 2nd
7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Pekin Ente Berlin, Voßstraße 1Mitte, 10117 

RSVP:diningout@awcberlin.org

Let's ring in the Chinese New Year together and enjoy the year of the Pig in the most delicious way, at the Restaurant Pekin Ente Berlin

It's located in Mitte between Potsdamer Platz and Friedrichstraße, and serves traditional Beijing and Sichuan dishes including pork, duck, and veg.

Click here to find this event on the AWC calendar.


 






View the AWC February Calendar

 

Join the AWC Berlin

We are a vibrant group of women of all ages and our members come from not only the USA but from other countries around the world. Please spread the word and invite your friends to join!

 


Our LIFE STORIES project is accepting submissions. The LIFE STORIES project, envisioned to become a beautiful published book of stories from our members, was conceived in the Moving Pen writing group and launched in June, 2017. There have been 10 submissions so far. As soon as we have 20, we will look into publication. You don't have to write your life story, just a snap shot, a small story, an experience which has given you knowledge or a realization that you did not have before - therefore answering the prompt, "What I know now that I didn't know then." If you have interest in submitting something, please email Suzy and Janel at lifestories@awcberlin.org by March 30th - you DO NOT need a finished piece, just an idea. Suzy and Janel will work with you to shape your writing. 

 
AWC Berlin has joined FAWCO to get out the Vote! Did you know that only 4% of eligible American voters living overseas vote in the last presidential election? Please REGISTER now – it’s another important year for your voice to be heard. Depending on your voting state, you most likely have to register every year.

AWC Berlin Facebook Policy

The AWC Berlin Private Members Only Facebook group is open to current members only and is a casual, respectful and friendly forum for member announcements (for example, babies! weddings!, etc.), discussion, information and questions regarding AWC-related topics and/or life in Berlin. 

  • Only authorized AWC Berlin events that are already listed on the AWC calendar (website) can be created as an event in our Facebook group.

  • Please do not post charity donation requests or political items not related to the AWC Berlin.

  • You are invited to let us know about your business, but please limit commercial, self-promotional posts to Mondays and be sure to preface your post with MARKETING MONDAY. No comments are allowed on these posts.

  • When in doubt, please contact Janel at president@awcberlin.org.

Thank you for your cooperation!

AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website

 



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