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Exploring German Christmas Markets

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EXPLORING GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Christmas time is here.  Happiness and cheer. My dear readers, there is no doubt and no denying that It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  Every radio station is blasting at least one Christmas song per hour, houses are loaded with Christmas decorations, and the candy isles in the supermarkets offer various delicious Christmas treats for our indulgence.  

I am a big fan of this season and everything that comes with it, especially the Christmas markets.  And this year, I finally have the opportunity again to travel to Germany during this wonderful time to indulge in lots of mulled wine and crepes with Kinderschokolade (yum).  Needless to say, during this time my healthy eating and fitness are not my main priority, but I do believe in balance and that treating yourself here and there is a necessity.

It’s been a hot minute since I stepped foot onto a German Christmas market, around four years, to be exact (oh my!).  Trust me, if you have ever been, you can relate about how big of a deal that might be. For this year’s trip, I have already mapped out three opportunities to stop by for the occasional mulled wine or sweet treat. [Read more…] about Exploring German Christmas Markets

What’s Next? – Celebrate Spring with German Events

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Check out what’s happening in the German community next!

Its’ Spring and you’ll find festivals and celebrations everywhere inviting you to the outside to enjoy the warmer weather in the company of your friends and family. The German community in CA has been busy to plan some spring events for you. Check them out below:  [Read more…] about What’s Next? – Celebrate Spring with German Events

Happy First of December! Countdown to Christmas has officially started!

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The story of the Advent Calendar

Germans love Christmas. In fact, for Germans, it’s the most important holiday of the year!

Many traditions help us Germans prepare for and enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest, like Saint Nicholas Day on Dec 6th or the four Sundays of Advent, Christmas cookies and much more.

One tradition, however, stands out since it is equally loved by children and adults. The Advent Calendar!

Who doesn’t like a countdown to a highly anticipated event?

Apparently many don’t want to miss it. In places all around the world, one can now find these magic Advent Calendars that hide chocolates or little toys behind their secret doors. Even beer calendars are available or calendars filled with a variety of liquor filled chocolates. The possibilities seem endless…

In the old days, just a beautiful little picture behind a door would make kids happy. Today some Advent Calendars made it even online, published by companies that discovered it as another tool to engage customers.

The first Advent Calendar originated in Germany in 1904 when Gerhard Lang published a simple one as an insert in a newspaper in Stuttgart. It was a raving success! So Lang decided to print a new one every year. The designs became more and more elaborate from calendars that worked like a dial to calendar houses filled with chocolates to even a calendar in Braille for the blind.

But how did he get the idea to make a calendar that would count down the days to Christmas in the first place?

The idea of counting down to Christmas Eve already existed in different ways. Some families used to mark the days to Christmas with chalk on their doors, in other families children were putting one piece of hay every day into a manger in which Baby Jesus would be laid on Christmas Eve.

Gerhard Lange’s mother however handcrafted a calendar for his then little son that would be filled with a little meringue for every day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. That caused a lasting impression and, as an adult, inspired Gerhard Lange to expand on his mother’s idea of an Advent Calendar.

The ‘modern’ Advent Calendar was born and started out to conquer the world in all kinds of variations!

Wir wünschen eine schöne Vorweihnachtszeit!  

Happy Holiday Season!

Images: Pixabay.com

Lantern Parades in California celebrating Saint Martin

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On November 11, Germany traditionally celebrates Saint Martin’s Day. Originally a Catholic holiday to honor the kind Roman soldier, who shared his cloak with a beggar on a freezing winter night, Saint Martin’s Day quickly became a holiday loved by everyone for its festive lantern parades.
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Many German schools and German communities here in California carry on this beloved tradition and invite to their own version of a lantern parade.
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In the following, please find a collection of lantern parades happening in Southern and Northen California.

GPSSD – German Pacific School of San Diego

Sunday, November 5th  
Time: 3:30pm – 6:00pm 
Where: Mission Bay Park, Crown Point North,  3700 Corona Oriente Rd San Diego, CA 92109
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Join GPSSD for a Lantern Fest with BBQ and bonfire at Crowne Point Park in Pacific Beach (North Parking Lot). Mission Bay Park
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The younger kids are invited to go on a traditional lantern walk (5:30pm!!) and sing lantern songs (Laternenlieder).
The older students and everyone, who doesn’t want to go on the walk can just hang out at the fire or at the beach.
The GPSSD Lanternfest has traditionally been a fun and special event and a great opportunity to meet new families. Bring your beach chairs and a dish to share for our half-potluck.
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Contact: germanpacificschool@gmail.com, ph: (858) 461-9118

GermanSchoolCampus – Old World Huntington Beach

Saturday, November 18th  
Time: 4:00 – 7:30pm 
Where: Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
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German School campus and Old World Huntington Beach invite to a festive Lantern Parade around the little village of Old World to celebrate the story of Saint Martin.

Registration is from 4 pm – 5:30 pm during which hot chocolate, coffee and cake and also “Weckmännchen”, a traditional pastry, will be available for purchase.  A short performance, telling the story of Saint Martin, will be followed by the lantern parade starting at 6:15 pm. (Lanterns available for purchase)

This is a festive family event. Stay on after for the lantern contest results and to celebrate the season with Old World’s goulash soup and hot cider.

Contact: GermanSchool campus at (949)285-0829

German American School Association ( GASA)

Saturday, Nov. 18 
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Where: Christus Kirche (First German Methodist Church), 556 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91202
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GASA Lanternfest: GASA teachers and students of GASA Kinderland in Glendale and of the Northridge School will participate in the annual lantern parade at the Christus Kirche (First German United Methodist Church) in Glendale.
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Contact: GASA , Ph: (562) 693-0223
Thursday, Nov. 9th
Time: 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: 475 Pope Street, Menlo Park, California 94025
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Join Alto School for a traditional German St. Martin’s lantern parade, sing-a-long and a shadow theatre performance about the legend of St. Martin. Don’t forget to bring your lantern. The event is organized by the Alto preschool and elementary school.
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Contact: Alto International, Ph: (650) 324-8617
Laternenfest at Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany
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Saturday, November 11  
Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm 
Where:  842 Key Route Boulevard, Albany, CA 94706
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Join us and celebrate the annual German tradition of St. Martin’s Day with Bay Area Kinderstube.

We welcome the season with St. Martin’s Day songs and play, performed by our preschoolers, followed by a magical lantern-procession around the neighborhood – open for everyone to join. Enjoy German staples like Bratwurst, baked goods, mulled wine and much more in a festive atmosphere.

For more information, to purchase admission and food tickets, and to bid on fantastic items online, visit www.kinderstube.org/laternenfest
 
Contact: BAKS Kinderstube, Ph: 510-525-3105

German International School Silicon Valley (GISSV) 

Sunday, Nov 12
Time: 2-6pm
Where: 4 + 5 Funston Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
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The Laternenfest at SF Campus of GISSV started celebrating the wonderful tradition of the lantern parades with the public 3 years ago with their own version and called it Laternenfest. It is an event that our students and community look forward to every year! Friends and the larger Bay Area community are invited to join in the merriment!
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Our event on Sunday, Nov 12  will again offer Lantern making, kids games, face painting and a few special performances by GISSV SF students. And look out for the German food truck and bake sale! It all end ends with an enchanting lantern-lit walk through the Presidio.
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Contact: GISSV SF, Ph: (650) 254-0748

 

German Language School of Marin 

Saturday, Nov 11th
Time: 5:30pm
Where:  2 Locations: Santa Rosa & Novato (see below)
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Laternenfest in Novato and Santa Rosa! Lantern Festival, Music Parade, and Refreshments! For the lantern parade, we’ll meet at the locations below to light our lanterns (with flameless candles) before beginning our parade. Afterwards, we will have hot chocolate and Weckmänner (jumbo bread men) available if desired. The parade is FREE! Only $5 per person if you would like Weckmänner afterward. Everyone is welcome, so bring friends!

In Novato
We will meet on Saturday, November 11 at 5:30pm at Pioneer Park in Novato (map it). Help us plan! Please RSVP to Carolyn Bopp or let us know during school on Saturday if you would like to join us and would like Weckmänner.

In Santa Rosa
We will meet on Saturday, November 11 at 5:30pm at our school campus in Santa Rosa (map it). Please RSVP to Christine Campbell by email or let us know during school on Saturday if you would like to join us and would like Weckmänner.

German American School Palo Alto (GASPA)

Saturday, November 11th  
Time: 5:30 – 8:00pm 
Where: Alto International School Campus (475 Pope Str. Menlo Park)

(Please RSVP)

Join GASPA for its annual St. Martin’s Laternenumzug at the Campus of Alto International School in Menlo Park. The event will start with a shadow play about the legend of St. Martin as well as introduce the traditional lantern songs. Following the play, everyone is invited to join for a walk through the neighborhood with their lit lanterns while singing songs. The parade will end with a final song together in a candlelight circle.

There will be refreshments, which include Martinsmännchen, Frankfurter Sausages, Pretzels, and Hot Cider will be available for sale before and after the parade.

Contact: GASPA, Ph: (650) 520-2346

Tivoli Rainbow Preschool in Los Angeles

Wednesday, November 15th
Lantern parade – More Information to follow. Please contact the school. Ph: (310)301.9147
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Credits: Lantern Image created by Pia Elbe

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Looking back at the 2017 Oktoberfest in Munich – A Report in Pictures

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Auf Wiedersehen Oktoberfest

– A photo of Matthias-Pschorr Strasse from the Bavaria Statue –

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Greetings from the Wiesn!   For more than two hundred years, the Oktoberfest has been the highlight of Munich’s calendar, and is considered the world’s largest folk festival.  This year, the weather has been very cooperative so far, with mostly fair weather greeting the estimated three million visitors to the Theresienwiese in just the first week and a half.  By the end of the 18 days, an estimated 6.2 million visitors enjoyed the Wiesn.

Typical food offerings like Hendl, Brezn, and Spätzle have been abundant, and a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available in many tents.  In the Ochsenbraterei, sixty (60) Ox were already cooked and served by the Fest midpoint (in comparison to 55 by the same time last year), and by the end of the Fest, 127 had been served!

This was my second time auf die Wiesn;  I was out here last year for the marriage of two dear friends, and their celebration coincided with Oktoberfest, so it was practically a requirement that we make a trip to the Wiesn part of my visit.  I immediately knew that I’d be returning again and again, and that I would want to share my experience with others.

A quick tour of the perimeter to get a feel for the Stimmung of the fest revealed the usual revelry and an abundance of souvenirs including the famed Gingerbread Hearts (Lebkuchenherzen).

– One of the more robust offerings of Lebkuchenherzen –
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We then made our way to the Ochsenbraterei for lunch and a Maß, and while the Ochsenbraterei is best known for its meat offerings, there were substantial vegetarian offerings noted on the menu.

– The front entrance to the famed Ochsenbraterei –
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– Interior of the Ochsenbraterei, which seats nearly 6000 people (with another 1600 outside seats) –
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– Rows of empty mugs await filling –
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– Hungry fest-goers are served –
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Our next stop was the Löwenbräu Festzelt, where we enjoyed a bit more food and a change in atmosphere.  Even at 5pm, the mood in the tent was starting to change, but it was almost on cue at 6pm, when the tent felt more crowded, and more and more people began singing and dancing on the benches.  The “Oktoberfest-Barometer” (available via the official Oktoberfest App) can predict when the Wiesn might be busiest, and the App can also inform on how full various tents are.  The App can be downloaded from www.muenchen.de/app .

– The front entrance of the Löwenbrau-Festzelt, which seats 5700 inside and another 2800 outside) –
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 -The interior of the Löwenbräu-Festzelt –
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– A tray of food headed to hungry fest-goers at the Löwenbrau-Festzelt –
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 – Traditional breads, including the giant Breze –
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– Festgoers in Tracht in the Löwenbräu-Festzelt –
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–  The servers working hard to keep everyone happy, with just a few of the estimated 7.5 Million Maß served –
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One of the treats this year was the Oide Wiesn – a traditional and historical corner of the Wiesn.  An estimated 480,000 visitors enjoyed this look back into history as well as the constant cultural performances in the Festzelt Tradition like partnerdances, Schuhplattler Dances, and the Whip cracking (Goasslschnalzer).

– Festzelt Tradition, with a capacity of 5000 inside (and an additional 2700 outside) features a large dance floor for performances –
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– Festzelt Tradition offered more traditional feel and plenty of Tracht –
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– The Alphorn performance was a crowd favorite –
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This year’s Fest ended on 03 October 2017, and I’m already looking forward to kicking off next year’s event on Saturday, 22 September 2018.  For more information about Oktoberfest, you can visit the official site at www.oktoberfest.eu.

Until then, Prost!

All Images: Copyright ©2017 www.splitsecondimaging.com

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Christopher Chin is an accomplished underwater videographer and writer who has traveled extensively and speaks several languages. He studied German at the University of California, Berkeley, and quickly fell in love with the German language, culture and people. In early 2006, Christopher co-founded The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE), and currently serves as its Executive Director.

Christopher is an internationally recognized expert in ocean policy and conservation issues, and has provided valuable and persuasive testimony to various governing and legislative bodies in the U.S. and in Canada, and he has had the privilege of addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations on two separate occasions.

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October 3rd, Germany celebrates "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" – The German National Day

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Today Germany celebrates its National Day, the “Tag der deutschen Einheit” !

Today Germany commemorates the reunification of Germany. After WW II Germany got divided into East and West Germany. A fortified wall made sure that interaction between these two Germanys was limited and especially controlled .

Many Germans never believed that they would ever witness a unified Germany again, but November 9th, 1989 should catch them by surprise.

On this fateful day in history the East German government declared that all East Germans were free to go to the West and visit West Germany and West Berlin. Germany and the world went wild! Impactful, dramatic images of that day still captivate us today.

So why don’t we celebrate our German National Day on November 9th after all?

November 9th happens to be a day for a variety of  historical events in Germany, and not all were such that they should be honored or remembered positively on a day that shall celebrate the National day of Germany .

November 9th was the day on which the German republic was proclaimed in 1918, and it was also a November 9th when Hitler’s first coup in 1923 was defeated. This ominous date however also marks the anniversary of the Reichskristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) in 1938, the day of the first large-scale Nazi-led pogroms against Jews.

November 9th therefore did not seem an appropriate date for the German National Day.

October 3rd was chosen instead since this was the day in 1990 when the formal reunification took place.

October 3rd replaced the date of June 17, which used to be the date for “The Day of German Unity” during the days of the BRD ( The Federal Republic of Germany).

Images: Pixabay.com

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Oktoberfest in Germany Versus California

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OKTOBERFEST IN GERMANY VERSUS CALIFORNIA

For many Germans, the most wonderful time of the year is back – the German Oktoberfest.  For two weeks, from September 16th till October 3rd, people from all over the world will be visiting the most well-known German festival in Munich.  From 1810, when the Oktoberfest was founded until today, the festival has become one of the most popular ones around the world.

Visitors in traditional Trachten (women in Dirndls and men in Lederhosen) can enjoy the atmosphere in various big and small beer tents that serve the notorious Mass, a one liter beer.  I have been to the original Oktoberfest once when I was 18. One of my best friends from High School and I decided to do a road trip to Stuttgart, where my friend had relatives.

Those relatives happened to have plans to visit the Oktoberfest that year, and so they invited us along.  Before that day, I only had caught glimpses and impressions of the festival from magazines and documentaries on TV.  Since I knew that a lot of German celebrities attended the event each year, I was intrigued to check out the hype myself.

My friend’s relatives luckily had a table reserved in the VIP area of one of the beer tents.  Unlike the majority of guests, we weren’t dressed up at all. I can still remember the anticipation I felt walking up to the beer tent, feeling somewhat special due to the fact we wouldn’t have to wait in line like the poor souls who weren’t blessed with a table reservation like us.

But once we entered the sacred inside, I felt a slight breeze of disappointment coming my way.  It was crowded.  It was stuffy.  It was loud.  Don’t get me wrong- of course I knew that there would be a ton of people, which would automatically result in a lot of noise.

But for me, it was just too over the top.  I didn’t catch a glimpse of any hot and poppin’ celebrities because there were none there (I guess our tent wasn’t really a hotspot for the stars) nor did I get into the German folklore music that was blasting out of the speakers.

Once we were seated at our table, I felt a little bit more comfortable since it was way back in the corner of the tent, and we weren’t surrounded by the immense crowds of people. The moment my mood improved for the better was when we decided to get food.

I have always been a foodie, so it was a no brainer for me to give the traditional Munich cuisine a try. I went with one of the typical Bavarian dishes: white sausage with sweet mustard and pretzel.  Once the food was served I started to enjoy the atmosphere a little.

The food was delicious, and I was fascinated by how the Oktoberfest servers managed to carry about ten Mass at the same time while squeezing through the tight crowds.   I personally declined to drink one of the famous one liter beers, but I was impressed by how others were able to chug them down. After a while, my friend and I had soaked in enough of the beer tent experience and decided to partake in the hustle and bustle outside.

Besides the many beer tents, the Oktoberfest also hosted a fair with carnival rides, games, and food booths.  While I am usually a big advocate for these things, I wasn’t feeling it at all that day.  It was just too crowded, and the fact that the side lawns were occupied by drunkards who were passed out on the grass just killed the vibe for us.  We eventually decided to take off and declared the Oktoberfest as a personal no-go.

I never returned to the original event in Germany, but I decided to give an American Oktoberfest in Orange County a chance. This time, I only went with Americans.  And what can I say; I ended up having a blast.  The event started out slow in the beginning, but we had arrived fairly early to avoid the entrance fee, and not many people had showed up yet.

But as the night progressed, the event got busier (not as crazy as the uber-crowded tents in Munich) and my friends and I enjoyed participating in activities such as the chicken dance and the polonaise.  I first was hesitant about joining in the dancing fun until one fellow German guy came up to me and asked me to dance.  It turned out that he was living and working in Irvine, and we had an instant connection.

The rest of the night felt like it was progressing in fast forward.  As they say, time does fly by when you are having fun.  The band that played German folklore kept an upbeat rhythm all night, and games such as beer chug kept the crowd entertained.  My newfound German friend and I enjoyed dancing and talking together, and we later on exchanged information to set up a date aside from the Oktoberfest.

I did return another year, that time with a couple German friends in tow.  They were all a little hesitant of what to think about the Americanized version, but we still had a good time together. As of now, that was the last time I attended any kind of Oktoberfest.  But I hope all of you who are going to the original one in Munich or here in the U.S. are going to have a wonderful time and get to experience this well-known part of German culture if you wish so.

A little fun fact: The term O’ Zapft is translated means “it’s tapped.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, “At noon on the first day of Oktoberfest, the Mayor of Munich traditionally taps the first keg of beer, exclaiming the above phrase, which marks the official opening of the festival,” (http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com)

Images: pixabay.com
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Anne-KathrinAnne-Kathrin Schulte, is a contributor for CaliforniaGermans.com. She writes on her personal experience of the American Dream as well as on working as an au pair in CA. She was born and grew up in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she completed her degree as a state-approved Kindergarten teacher. After her au pair engagement in the US and a quick return to Germany she decided to attend university in California and moved back to the United States. She has been living in Southern California since 2011.

If you would like to contact Anne-Kathrin, please send an email to californiagermans(at)gmail.com and place her name in the subject line.

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O'zapft is! Find Your Oktoberfest in California

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This Saturday, September 16th, it’s official: It’s Oktoberfest Time!

At 12 noon (CET), Munich’s mayor will tap the first Oktoberfest-beer-barrel and exclaim “O’zapft is” !  And the ‘world’s largest beer festival’ can begin!

But you don’t have to fly to Munich to get into Oktoberfest mood. We have quite a few choices to celebrate Oktoberfest here in California, too. If you live in Northern California or Southern California, you for sure will find some Oktoberfest festivity even close by your neighborhood.

We highlighted a few ‘Oktoberfests’, that we thought might peak your interest.  Check them out below!

Souther California

PHOENIX CLUB – Anaheim SoCal

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The Phoenix Club in Anaheim features Orange County’s oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest.  OKTOBERFEST 2017 will take place every weekend Sept 22-Oct 29!

Join the party and enjoy authentic delicious German food (including Schweinshaxen and bread dumpling), Great selection of Imported German beer on tap, Polkas and Prosts in our 12,000 sq. ft. Festzelt and an acre of Biergarten. “We will have you Partying like a German!”

Traditional bands play every day!  Our Schuhplattler perform Saturdays and Sundays. The special events on the first weekend include the Official Keg Tapping Ceremony and the Opening Parade.

SHOOTING GALLERY: Our Phoenix Schützen (traditional air rifle club) will have their rifle range open to the public on Saturdays (6:00 PM) and Sundays (1:00 PM) Oct. 1 – Oct 29.

PONY RIDES: Our Neighbors at the Del Rio Stables and Equestrian Center will host $5.00 Pony Rides for the kids all Sundays in October.·         

Choo-Choo: Sundays are family days, free choo-choo rides noon to 4pm, free balloon artist one noon to 4pm

ADMISSION:  $10  -Adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Phoenix Club members with card $5 –  under 18 enter FREE!

WHEN: Sept. 22 – Oct 29, 2017

WHERE: 1340 S. Sanderson Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Special Music Entertainment: Various bands will perform. The local band The Express Band, Alt Rosenheim Schuhplattler and Goassischalzer from Bavaria, Germany; Musikapelle Rottenbuch from Bavaria, Germany and Odenwäder Dirndljaeger from Bavaria, Germany

Oktoberfest at JEANETTE’s EDELWEISS in Newbury Park

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Jeanette’s Edelweiss is starting Oktoberfest the original way. Like in Munich also here Oktoberfest is rung in by the official tapping of the first beer keg. Instead of the mayor of Munich it will be the Consul General of Germany, Joerg Neumann, who will perform the traditional ceremony on Saturday, September 16 at 4pm.

Oktoberfest Season at Jeanette’s Edelweiss will be from 9/16/17 – 10/29/17 and Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band will play polka and authentic German Oktoberfest tunes. Live Oktoberfest Tunes and International Music with Festmeister Hans & Accordion Diva Gigi will be part of it as well. Prepare yourself for lot’s of dancing, fun & Oktoberfest games and the following seasonal events:

Every FRI & SAT – 5 pm: Munich style Oktoberfest Party with Fun, Games and Live Music by the Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band featuring Festmeister Hans.

Every Sunday 4 pm: Family Fun Oktoberfest. Kids Oktoberfest with Gigi & Festmeister Hans. Games & Fun for the family.

Every Thursday 5 pm: Oktoberfest Party!

Besides Oktoberfest entertainment be ready for a real German culinary feast. Jeanette’s Edelweiss features authentic German cuisines by renowned German Chef Rocco Suckert from Cologne, Germany. Everything from German brats, Schnitzel, Sauberbraten, Ham Hocks, Rouladen and of course Pretzels and Gingerbread hearts can be yours! And you’ll have the choice of 12 imported German beers on draft.

WHEN: Sept.16 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 2160A Newbury Road, Newbury Park

Admission: FREE  – But Advanced Reservations are Recommended!  Reserve your table: info@JeanettesEdelweiss.com (or 805-498-7300).

EL CAJON Oktoberfest – San Diego County’s oldest and most traditional Oktoberfest

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The German American Societies of San Diego invite to their yearly traditional Oktoberfest! Two weekends full of authentic foods and original entertainment.

Come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and a variety of German pastries. There will be  a great selection of German beers and liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family!

Listen to the original group “The Guggenbach-Buam”, who came all the way out from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These talented, entertaining musicians dress in traditional clothing, and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens in Bavaria. Enjoy songs such as the chicken dance, polkas and waltzes, and all the famous beer-drinking tunes. 

Watch traditional folk dancing performances, compete in our numerous games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat your kids to their own Kids’ Zone! Bring your family and friends to El Cajon and experience a real German Oktoberfest!

Admission:   $10 Friday and Saturdays; $5 Sundays.

WHEN:  Sept. 29, 30 and October 1 & October 6, 7 and 8, 2017

WHERE: German American Societies, 1017 S. Mollison Avenue, El Cajon, 92020

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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Oktoberfest at ESTHER’s GERMAN BAKERY in Palo Alto

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Esther’s German Bakery is celebrating  its 10th annual Oktoberfest !

Oktoberfest – Kick off is around noon on Saturday, September 30th.

Outside on the front patio you’ll see the food tent serving the Oktoberfest menu and plenty of tables for trying the seasonal Oktoberfest beers.  If you like more shade, check out our ‘Biergarten’  in the back.

For entertainment Esther’s German Bakery will have a favorite local German band playing festival songs from 3:00 – 8:00pm. Traditional German beer games are on the plan all night long. Come and meet some neighbors and celebrate Oktoberfest the traditional way!

On Sunday, in case you missed Saturday’s main event, the bakery will be hosting their Hangover Brunch. Both the front patio and back biergarten will be open. It’ll be back to the daily menu then, but you’ll still have plenty of seasonal beer choices and tasty German treats, and German music will of course welcome you inside. Make it an Oktoberfest weekend!!!

WHEN: Oktoberfest Day is on Saturday Sept.30 with the ‘Hangover Brunch’ following Oct. 1, 2017

WHERE: 987 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022

Entrance: Free

SCHUG WINERY – SONOMA – The Oktoberfest serving wine!

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Beer is not your thing, but you love wine? Try the Oktoberfest (Wine-Fest) at Schug Winery in Sonoma. Owned by a German family, Schug Winery is proud to invite to an Oktoberfest of their own kind. The winery was founded by Walter Schug, who came to CA in the 60’s to make wine European style.

Overlooking the Sonoma Valley you’ll be sipping Federweißer and enjoy plenty of traditional Oktoberfest entertainment. Get ready for Polka and accordion music, raffles for adults and children, a photo booth, Bean Bag Toss and more, while indulging on German specialties like Zwiebelkuchen, German cucumber salad, potato salad, German apple strudel, sausages, and of course fresh pretzels.

Children will love the Arts & Crafts tables and will go home with a free pumpkin! Special: Polkageist West is lined up for our live music.

WHEN: Sept 30 from 11am- 3:30pm

WHERE: 602 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, CA 95476.

Entrance: $50 (kids 12 and under free!)   – Ticket link : http://www.schugwinery.com/

OAKLAND NATURE FRIENDS – Oktoberfest 2017

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Die Naturfreunde Oakland invite to their yearly Oktoberfest in Oakland on October 1st, 2017!

It’s their biggest festival of the year!  So, get ready for fun Oktoberfest entertainment while taking in stunning views of the Bay area. Authentic German food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Entertainment:

MUSIC & DANCING: The Bajuk Trio with the Schuhplattler Dancers performing a variety of German and Austrian folk dances. Music starts at 1pm. Let your dance out!

OTHER ACTIVITIES: horseshoes | board games | candy roulette | playground | or just lounge in our alpine-style sun chairs soaking up the wunderbaren views of the SF Bay!

ADMISSION: $15 per adult (free for kids under 14). (Discount code “earlybird” available for a limited time.)

BUY TICKETS online or show up early to ensure entry!

PLEASE BRING CASH: Cash is the preferred method of payment. We do not accept debit cards or checks at the Oakland Nature Friends Club on the day of the event. There is no ATM on the premises.

PARKING: Parking in the ONF lot is free but fills up quickly so arrive early. However, there is plenty of additional parking on Joaquin Miller Drive. We provide a free shuttle bus service (1PM to 5PM every 15 minutes) that will drive guests from the intersection of Butters and Joaquin Miller (near the fire station) to the festival grounds and back again. 

MORE OKTOBERFEST:

Placerville Oktoberfest – Sacramento –

Come Dance Zee Polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on Historic Main Street Placerville

Placerville, CA, September 8, 2017—Come dance zee polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on historic Main Street in Placerville on Saturday, September 16th from 3-8pm—presented by the Placerville Downtown Association.

WHEN: September 16th, 2017

Entrance : FREE

Oktoberfest at GACC – German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco 

For the fifth time the German American Chamber of Commerce will bring Germany’s most famous fest to the Bay Area.

Enjoy a night of delicious German food andOktoberfest beer, provided by Ludwig’s German Table.   Blow Musik! will set the right tone with their traditional Bavarian polkas and our headliner Bayern Maiden will rock the house once more!

WHEN: September 28th, 2017, 5pm-10pm
WHERE: Fort Mason, San Francisco

Admission: Buy your ticket online 

 Oktoberfest at Los Lagos Golf Course
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LLGC in partnership with Gordon Biersch is bringing Munich’s famed festival to the San Jose community for all to enjoy!!  Live German music, dancing, traditional food, and beer!
Band: The Deutscher Musikverein  (SFgermanband.org)
WHEN:Saturday, October 14, 2017, 05:00pm – 09:00pm
WHERE: Los Lagos Golf Course, 2995 Tuers Road, San Jose, CA 95121
ADMISSION: $20.00 includes food, 2 beer samplers, and music! Tickets online at www.playloslagos.com under Event Registration.
Enegren Brewing Oktoberfest in Moorpark
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Enegren Brewing Co. features authentic German Food with BIGGER BETTER PRETZELS and German music all day long with the German band Hazelnuss-Das Music .  Make sure to get there early for the official barrel tapping of our Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and to get your limited edition steins!
WHEN: Saturday October 7th: 11am – 10pm
WHERE: 444 Zachary St, #120, Moorpark, CA 93021
ADMISSION: Free

Oktoberfest in Downtown Los Angeles

Oktoberfest DTLA is not your traditional Oktoberfest. You’ll find local breweries and California beers, but you can also still grab an authentic German Beer from Paulaner, the #1 Oktoberfest beer in the world! Food varies from traditional bratwursts and pretzels to Thai-Mexican fusion.  Lot’s of music entertainment: Music ranges from awesome local bands like The Tom Nolan Band and rockabilly groups to beat boxers, with Hazelnuss Das Music band closing both nights to get everyone dancing to some awesome Oktoberfest tunes.

WHEN: October 21 & 22, 2017 (12pm -18pm)

WHERE: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

ADMISSION: General admission is Free, and all ages are welcome. Tasting packages will be available for sale, but you’re free to come and just enjoy the music as well.

Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach

WHEN: Sept. 10 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach

Admission: $7-$25 tickets online or at the door

Oktoberfest at Alpine Village Torrance

WHEN: Sept 8 – Oct 28, 2017

WHERE: 833 W Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502

Admission: $10- $60 tickets online or at the door

Images: Copyright ©All Images are property of the respective organization, Phoenix Club, Jeanette’s Edelweiss, German American Societies of San Diego, Esther’s German Bakery, Schug Winery, Oakland Nature Friends.

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Karneval – Carnival – Fasching in CA

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carnival berlin

How about ‘Karneval’ time in California?

I am not sure about other expats, but since I have moved over here to California, Fasching has moved far away from me. Not that I suddenly became a ‘Faschingsmuffel’ (carnival grouch). No, but no one out here in California celebrates Fasching the way I remember it from Germany.

You can participate in Mardi Gras celebrations in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, but that’s not our German Fasching! Some Italian restaurant recently has taking advantage of this ‘fourth season’, as some call the carnival time in Germany, to push their new menu. But other than a special menu, no Venetian masquerade was offered with it. So, I wonder what food they might promote. A dressed up Pizza perhaps?

Anyway, Fasching is a wonderful tradition in Germany, but really nobody celebrates it here in California the way we are used to, UNLESS you have children or have a lot of German friends, who throw a ‘Karneval’ party.

Luckily some German schools out here try to keep our children in the loop and teach them some German traditions. They put on a fun ‘Faschings Fete’ and teach our children what Fasching is all about. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they even have some delicious Krapfen or Berliner, the official Carnival’s food…and, the real reason I love Fasching!

So, pack up your children  and let them experience some German Fasching out here in CA!

Following are some festivities we could locate. If you hear of some other Faschings parties. Please let us know!

12. February 2017– Kinderkarneval at Phoenix club. A fun filled event for children of all ages at 1:10pm . More information: http://www.thephoenixclub.com/?upcoming-event=kinderkarneval

25. February 2017 – German School Campus in Newport Beach celebrates from 4pm-6pm at the Youth Center Newport Sea Base, 1931 West Coast Why, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Please make a reservation:
                                                                                            Age group: 7 to 18                                                                                                 
GERMAN SCHOOL campus: (949) – 229 – 7389
Email: mail@GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com
Age group: 4 to 6
Ute’s KinderSchule: (949) – 786 – 3877
Email: UtesKinderSchule@gmail.com
For more information: http://germanschoolcampus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/karneval-flyer-2017.pdf

25 February 2017 – The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV)’s East Bay campus invites people of all ages to explore not only a new school location in Emeryville but also celebrate the beloved Karneval tradition with them!
Start out with an Open House at 11 am, then join in the German Family Karneval in the Bay Area at 1pm.
1070 41st Street, Emeryville
11 am – 1 pm: Open House
1 – 5 pm: Karneval
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/GISSV-Family-Karneval-313153975557456/?pnref=story

25 February 2017 – GASA German American School Association’s    will have GASA Board member Susan Navarro and her husband act as this year’s Prinzenpaar of the Anaheim Karnevalsgesellschaft. Please join them at the Prunksitzung in the Pavilion at the Phoenix Club, featuring German satire, comedy, music & dancing, performances by the Prinzengarde, skits, laughter and fun. Saturday evening, at 7 pm, at the Phonenix Club in Anaheim.                    Address: 1340 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806. Admisssion is free.

…and what concerns those delicious Krapfen? We got word that Old World Huntington Beach has fresh ones daily, and Esther’s German Bakery in Los Altos serves them as well!

Helau!

Credits: Pixabay.com

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Saint Martin's Day – Lanterns, 'Weckmänner' and more

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stmartin2015_04

Laterne! Laterne! Sonne, Mond und Sterne…

A ‘Sankt Martin’s Tag’ lantern parade is a beloved tradition for children in Germany. Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11th and I remember it as a day that rang in the joyful winter season that culminates in the year’s most festive celebration, Christmas. As a tasty precursor to all the delicious Christmas cookies, kids are offered “Weckmänner”that day, a pastry that’s made of sweet leavened dough, in the form of a man.

GermanPacificSchool in San Diego and GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach, both had their lantern parades already early this year and they sent us some cool pictures. While GermanSchoolCampus celebrated in Irvine and walked along Woodbridge lake, GermanPacificSchool had its lantern walk on Mission Bay combined with a bonfire on the beach.

To get you in the right holiday mood here in sunny California we have put together a little compilation of Saint Martin’s Day celebrations in SoCal for you! 

If you live in Northern California, watch out for lantern parade happenings this weekend! Two we have listed for you right here:

1 ) German Language School of Marin has its Laternenfest in Novato & Santa Rosa on Saturday, November 12 at 5:30pm!

2 ) Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany has a Laternenfest for all, who live in the Berkeley/San Francisco area on Saturday, November 12 at 4:00pm. (Check out our earlier post on this topic that offers more details on where & when)

Get in the right mood for Saint Martin’s Day with our slide show:

Slide-Show Images: GermanSchoolCampus & GermanPacificSchool
Image: “Kinder beim Martinssingen”, © Superbass / CC-BY-SA-4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Frohe Ostern - Happy Easter - Der Kalte Keller - Eine Gruselgeschichte zu Halloween - "Musikalisch" oder Mord im Konzertsaal - Der Zauberkasten - Mondschein - Gunter (Ein Gedicht) - Der Dieb (Short Story in German) - 'Frühlingserwachen' - Von wegen "Stille der Natur" - "Das Tapfere Schneiderlein" - Fairytale Theater Workshop in German At Phoenix Club Anaheim - Bringing the Purity of German Sausage Making to California - Carina & David of YouBite (Interview) - Visiting OUE Skyspace - Too Much For My Nerves? - "So Ein Theater!" - The latest production by the German Theatre Group of San Diego - Cherishing Her Love for Two Countries While Helping Fellow Expats - Barbara Kempen (Interview) - Born an Expat. Always an Expat. - Tania Stappard, Voice Over Talent & Future Life Coach (Interview) - German Composers Fill the Air - L.A. Phil Concerts in Los Angeles - On the Couch with Sigmund Freud - “Freud’s Last Session” at the Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles - 'The Red Dress' - Politics and Love in Germany Between the Wars - Wahrheit oder Lüge (Ein Gedicht) - Reflecting on Christmas in Germany - Happy New Year! Happy 2019! - The Desire for Adventure Across the Pond made Rita Reiff leave Berlin for California (Interview) - Merry Christmas - Frohe Weihnachten - Exploring German Christmas Markets - Xmas Gift Book Tip #5 - Kurt Tucholsky's Whimsical Stories About the Afterlife - Weihnachten – Die wunderbare Kraft *Merry Christmas * - Die Uhr - The Clock (A Poem) - Xmas Gift Book Tip #3 - Historical Fiction Novel “1918 - Wilhelm und Wilson” - Xmas Gift Book Tip #2 -"Die Insel der Weissen Affen" (Science Fiction) - Xmas Gift Book Tip #4 – A Book for Children, "Tesha Discovers The World" - Hanging in the Swing of Things - The Secret Swing - Following her Husband's Love for California - Claudia Tichy, Writer & Therapist (Interview) - Childhood Memories of a Germany in War - Kindheitserinnerungen aus einem Kriegsdeutschland - Interview with Til Schweiger - Film ‘Head Full Of Honey’ Opens November 30th in L.A. - X-mas Gift Book Tip #1 - The Memoir "Otti Remembers" - Open House at New German Bilingual School for Children in San Francisco - 5 Weeks until Xmas - 5 Ideas for Books to Give as a Gift - Fröhliches Erwachen - Holiday & End of Year Festivities - Lantern Parades & More - FRED - Go Vote! - The Midterms. A Big Deal for California. - Xmas Baking Recipe #4 - Gingerbread 'Leicht Gemacht' - Christmas and the First Sunday of Advent Is Near- Are Your Christmas Cookies Ready? - California Beaches - No alcohol and, please, don't go topless! - Xmas Baking Recipe #3: Bad Ischl Jelly Rings à la Dieter Kermas - Dieter Kermas und sein neuer Roman "Kolja: Liebe im Feindesland". Ein Interview. - Fliehe! - The Rollercoaster of Life brought her to California – InnerWeaving Coach Silvia Schroeder (Interview) - Casting Call for German Speakers to test Skin Care Product - 'Wine, the Elixir of Life' - Continuing a Legacy of German Winemaking in California. (Interview) - Happy German Unity Day! - Oktoberfest - All around the world and right around the corner from you. - German Chamber Music or German Tarot Cards. What's Your Pick? - German Theater Workshop for Kids in SoCal - School is back in session! Viel Glück im neuen Schuljahr. - Travel Life after AirBerlin : Norwegian is the Way to Go - Following Your Dream - A Challenging Experience at Times! (Interview) - How to Stay Fit On a Budget in California - Reaching For The Stars! Hollywood Here I Come. (Interview) - It’s Not Always Just Sunny in California – A Different Perspective (Interview) - What I Learned From Living Seven Years in California - The Captain - A new film by Robert Schwentke on the true story of the Executioner of Emsland - My Top Five Things About Summer in Germany - Trying Out Goat Yoga in Los Angeles - XPAT Spotlight - A New Interview Series Starting this Friday - Watching the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. Versus Germany - What's New? A Short Introduction to Our New Website Layout. - Back At the Happiest Place on Earth - Get a College Education for Free - Study in Germany - Happy Easter with a Classic - "Osterhasi or Nikolausi" - Show Off Your Silverware For The Holidays - Aldi Looks to Expand US Stores to the West Coast With New SoCal Distribution Site - Der Knopf - In Love with ‘The Sun’ featured in the Transitions Lenses Commercial - Ilka Sternberger and Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool celebrate 10th Anniversary - (Interview) - My Dating Experience In The U.S. - It's Time for School - German Preschools in California - A New Look For CaliforniaGermans.com - #VegasStrong - How Do I Raise a Bilingual Child in Germany? - You Know You Are Truly German... - German Summer Camps 2018 - Deutsche Sommerferien in California (Updated) - What's Next? - Celebrate Spring with German Events - The One Time I Filed a Police Report - Did you buy tickets to the NBFF German Spotlight Event? Win a Pair and Go for Free! - My Blind Date with Life – Newport Beach Film Festival German Spotlight 2018 - Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War - What Do You Miss Most About Germany? - Xmas Baking Recipe: Christmas Rum Cake à la Merrill Lyew Emanuel - Happy Mother's Day! - Alles Gute Zum Muttertag! - 'My Blind Date with Life' - Newport Beach Film Fest German Spotlight - German Summer Camps 2018 - Deutsche Sommerferien in California - Save the Date - Newport Beach Film Fest and German Spotlight - Springtime and Easter - Time for Memories - Vorhang auf ! German Theater Group of San Diego invites to "That's Life" - You Know You Live Close to Hollywood When... - A Friendship For A Lifetime - Meet Josie Pepper at the Munich International Airport - Enjoying Ski Week Without The Snow - LUCAS - Eine Geschichte aus der Ritterzeit  - It's Carnival Season. Find your 'Faschings' Party in California - 'Winterende' - Ein Gedicht - Berlin and Beyond Film Festival in San Francisco: Feb 9-15, 2018 - Friendships across the pond - My Wagging Year in Review - 3 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve German Style - It's 'Silvester'! - Zeit (Ein Gedicht) - Weihnachtswunsch (Ein Gedicht) - Silent Night... - Weihnachtseindrücke (Ein Gedicht) - Winteranfang (Ein Gedicht) - Xmas Baking Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms à la Anne-Kathrin - Celebrating Saint Nicholas Day. How did you behave all year? - Happy First of December! Countdown to Christmas has officially started! - INTIMACY - EUSTORY, an International History Competition for German and French Youth to Reflect on Peace - If You Are Going to San Francisco... - Lantern Parades in California celebrating Saint Martin - Halloween, Martin Luther and the Reformation - Halloween Horror Nights - German Interview Partners Needed for ARD/ZDF Report on California Wildfires - Devastating California Wildfires - Here is how you can help - Why Germany Is a Great Place to Have Kids - I Scream, You Scream, Museum of Ice Cream - Looking back at the 2017 Oktoberfest in Munich - A Report in Pictures - Santa Arrived Early This Year, But... Did He Get The Countries Mixed Up? - October 3rd, Germany celebrates "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" - The German National Day - Oktoberfest in Germany Versus California - German Cities with Different Names in English - O'zapft is! Find Your Oktoberfest in California - German Language Instruction for the Youngest Learners - 5 Ways Elections in Germany are Different from US Elections - Last Days of Summer. Catch'em While You Can! - Cake Disaster Part Three - German Summer Camps 2017 in California - A Retrospective - The Tale of the Traveling Cake Continues - Old Masters, Modern or Contemporary Art - Visit LACMA for Free - Body Worlds: PULSE - Getting to Know Your Body Inside Out - You May Have Your Cake, But You Can’t Always Eat It - The Beauty of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) - Beethoven’s Ninth with Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl- July 13 & 18 - MUT - Die Reise - Summertime - Time for German Summer Camps in California - It's Father's Day in the USA - Vatertag in the USA - Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS now open at CaliforniaScienceCenter, Los Angeles - Pfingsten (Pentecost) - A Holiday Observed in Germany - My 13 Years of Integration in Germany in Fast-Forward - Deutsche Auswanderer rund um Los Angeles für ZDF Sendung gesucht - Spice Up Your "Fahrvergnügen" - Go Big & Bold With Color - SPARMASSNAHMEN - "FUTURE OR PAST? CLIMATE POLICY AS DRIVER FOR MODERN ECONOMIES" - Environmental Forum with Barbara Hendricks at Stanford Woods Institute - UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations Invites to a Lecture by Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany - German May Celebrations in California are Underway - Art Sampling in Los Angeles - German Cuisine - Defined by Sausage, Pretzel and Beer? - Happy Easter! - Frohe Ostern! - My Easter Tradition - German Romanticism at San Francisco Symphony - The 2017 German Language Summer Camp Guide for California - How to Drive a Car in Germany - Ein Mord(s)igel - FRANTZ - Movie Release in Los Angeles - March 24 - Adolesco - Your Ticket to the World! - Homage to Alf Lechner - Prominent Contemporary German Steel Sculptor and Family Friend - Practicing German with Siri - Helau and Alaaf – Carnival Tradition in Germany - Das Nagetier - Karneval - Carnival - Fasching in CA - Die waltende Stimme - SOCAL German Day 2017 at UCI - New Year, New Career? - Verpasste Kindheit - Granny Aupair - A Different Take on the Traditional Au Pair Concept - "Fettes Schwein" - A New Food Truck on the Streets of Los Angeles - Schmetterling und Krokodil - Happy New Year - Frohes Neues Jahr! - Frohe Weihnacht - Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays! - Berlin - Our thoughts are with you! - Weihnachtsbäckerei - Part 5: Butterplätzchen - New Language Immersion School in Glendale to Open Fall 2017 - German Speaking Dads of teenage sons needed for TV Commercial - International Celebration of Christmas - Live Nativity Play at Old World Huntington Beach - Weihnachtsbäckerei - Part 4: Coconut Macaroons -Two different ways - Modern Dance Company MAMAZA from Germany presents - "EIFO EFI" - Weihnachtsbäckerei - Part 3: Chocolate Wasp Nests - Weihnachtsbäckerei - Part 2 : Rum Squares - Thanksgiving - German Christmas Cookie Challenge - Weihnachtsplätzchen - Ehrenrettung - Saint Martin's Day - Lanterns, 'Weckmänner' and more - Berliner Rundfunk 91.4 needs 'Berliners' living in California - Flohzirkus - WDR Redaktion "Bustour" sucht Deutsche aus NRW - Short Trip to Key West - So Worth It - Halloween & Saint Martin's Lantern Parades in California - Puzzled By The Trump Phenomenon? - Spring Break 2015 - Believe In Yourself - Following The American Dream - Germans in the USA - Sometimes You Have to Trust Your Gut - 26. Tag der Deutschen Einheit - Germany Celebrates - Der Erste Tag - From Glamping to Camping - Good Things Come to Those Who Hustle - What Doesn't Kill You... - Last Days of Summer - My Internship with CBS - Part Two - My Internship with CBS – Part One - A Personal Lesson in German History - Good-Bye Summer – Hello School - Life Is Not Always All Sunshine - Das Erste Mal Durch Die Mauer - Writing Is My Therapy - Follow Me Around California - Dating in the U.S Part Two - Dating is no Fairy Tale.. The Exception to the Rule - Southern California - Lifestyle Change for the Better - River Trip Gone Wrong - California's Hidden Travel Gems - The River - Finally Home - 21st Century Apartment Hunting - A Match Made in Heaven? A Very Special Internship - Graduating University in the United States - Heckenrose - Roadtrippin’ along the California Coast - Studying In the U.S. Goes Beyond the Classroom - Newport Beach Film Festival - German Spotlight Event - Fun Open House Event at the German School Campus this Saturday - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States – Secret CA Travel Tip - Ticket Give Away for German Spotlight Film & Gala at Newport Beach Film Festival - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States – Back in California Continuing the Dream - German Films At The Newport Beach Film Festival - April 21-28, 2016 - Beethoven Night at the San Francisco Symphony - Ticket Special for all CaliforniaGermans - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States – Finding a Way Back to the U.S. - 17th Annual Newport Beach Film Fest - German Spotlight - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - My Life Back in Germany - Paul der Regenwurm - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - Time to Return to Germany - Frohe Ostern ! - 2016 German Language Summer Camps in California - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - My Time in "The City" - Ein Geschenk des Himmels - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - From the Hills to the City - Easter Party and Easter Egg Hunt in SoCal - Das Vau - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - Making new Friends - DER WASSERSCHADEN - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States – Conquering American Streets - Germany’s Vegan Supermarket To Open First U.S. Store In Portland, Oregon - "Frosch Fritz" - Ein Gedicht für ein Kinderbuch - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - California is Calling - - Kunstverstand - - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States - Au Pair Orientation in New Jersey - Happy Valentine's Day! - Mein Guter Freund - Adventures of a German Au Pair in the United States  - A Dream Come True - Der Verlust - Next up on CaliforniaGermans - Au Pair Adventures - Der Schneemann - Carnival Party at GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach - German guitarist Michael Jost's latest concert composition "CONCIERTO" performing in Venice Beach - Get Your Art Fix in Los Angeles - Controversial book “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler back in print in Germany - Happy New Year - Frohes Neues Jahr - Frohe Weihnachten - Happy Holidays - Bäume leuchtend - Ein Gedicht von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - German Christmas Carol Service - Deutscher Weihnachstgottesdienst in Kalifornien - Der Dezember - Ein Gedicht von Erich Kästner - Weihnachstfeiern für Gross & Klein in California - German Christmas Celebrations for Young & Old - Knecht Rupprecht - It Ain't Christmas Season Without a "Christkindl" Market - Novembersonne - Der Fernsehkoch - "Zu Spät" - St. Martin's Day and Lantern Parades in CA - Altenmorgen - CaliforniaGermans Author Dieter Kermas returns - "Trick or Treat" or "Süßes, sonst gibt's Saures" - Enchanted Halloween Event at Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool, Los Angeles - Looking for California Bavarians - GermanSchoolCampus Opens Up In Newport Beach - Universal Studios - Revisiting SoCal's Famous Theme Park - Zwetschgendatschi Einmal Anders - German Plum Pie with a Twist - German Pacific School San Diego - Open House Saturday 29, 9am-10pm - ALDI and LIDL - Two German Food Discounters Expand in the U.S. Market - Have the Guts to Talk About Your Intestines - Modern Talking comes to Los Angeles in August 2015 - Special Olympics World Games in L.A. in July 2015 need German Speaking Volunteers - German Spotlight Movie at Newport Beach Film Festival - April 28, 2015 - Revisit the hits of the 80's with Modern Talking - Art Lovers in L.A. are in for a Treat - Learning German for Kids in Southern California -NEWS - German speaking German-Americans needed for University Research Project - Dining along the Beach - Restaurants with a View - Get Prepared for Oscar Night - Exploring the Movies in L.A. Exhibitions - Auf der Bergwiese - Eine Schöpferpause für CaliforniaGermans Autor Dieter Kermas - Häuptling Fliegender Bär ( 4. und letzter Teil) - Häuptling Fliegender Bär - (3.Teil) - Häuptling Fliegender Bär (2.Teil) - Häuptling Fliegender Bär (1.Teil) - Happy New Year! Frohes Neues Jahr! - Fall 2015 Enrollment for Tivoli Rainbow Kindergarten in L.A. is starting now - Boldi der Netzgeist - Happy Holidays - Merry Christmas - Frohe Weihnachten - Der Blaue Besucher - German-American Comedy shows in Los Angeles - Das Rätsel - Beautiful Austrian scenery sets the mood in "La Vie Nous Appartient" at the Valley Film Festival on Dec. 14 - Der Fotokarton - Der Hasenbraten - Grenzkontrollstelle Drewitz - 25 Jahre Mauerfall - Commemorating the Fall of the Berlin Wall - Welche Mauer ? - Das Erste Mal Durch Die Mauer - Enchanted Halloween and Lantern Parade for children in L.A. - Im Schatten Der Mauer - Austrian soul-jazz saxophonist Reinhold Schwarzwald performs at Special Olympics Benefit Gala in Newport Coast, October 18th, 2014 - First Spying Drones Were Invented Over 100 Years Ago In Germany - Der Hochsitz - Angekommen - Mein Erstes Du - Germany celebrates German National Day - The Day of German Unity - Herbstwind - Celebrate German National Day, German-American Day and a little Oktoberfest with the German-American League at Alpine Village - "Frosch Fritz" - Ein Gedicht für ein Kinderbuch - "KinderTag" with the German American School Association - Museum of Tolerance in L.A. needs your help for an Immigration Project - “Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves” - Der Bericht - "O'zapft is" in California- Oktoberfest 2014 is Calling - Im Botanischen Garten 1947 - Zwetschgendatschi - Pflaumenkuchen - German Plum Pie - Das Notizbuch - Die Pilzsuche - Als ich im Gefängnis war - Fuchs und Krähe - German-Language TV Channel Opens Up Online Subscriptions For US Audiences - Evolution - Nebelhörner - Erfahrungen einer Leseratte - Germany’s Christoph Kramer Comments About Concussion During World Cup Final - Der Einkauf - German PhD Student Needs German American Interview Partner - Auf der Bergwiese - Zwiegespräch - Summer in California - Let the Adventure Begin - Die Einladung - Honigbrötchen - Gorgonzola - Der Nebel - Mayfaire and Sommerfest - Celebrate with German Schools in SoCal and NoCal - Das Ende Eines Flugtages - German Summer Camps in Southern California - 2014 - Jagdbeute - Mother's Day 2014 - 100th anniversary of the holiday - A Historical View on German-American Culture in the San Francisco Bay Area - Presentation at Stanford University - Der Traum - A Walk through Elizabethan England in California - Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale - "Am Stammtisch" - Die Kannibalen unter uns - CaliforniaGermans wishes Happy Easter with a German Poem ! - 'Spargelzeit' - GACC hosts White Asparagus Gala Dinner in San Francisco - Der Klebepunkt - Last Chance to Travel the Silk Road in Los Angeles - Mordlust - It's Movie Time at Occidental College - Das Frühstück - 'Harmony' a musical about Germany’s "Comedian Harmonists" on stage in Los Angeles - Auf dem Flohmarkt - ALDI Announces 2014 Fan Favorite Foods & Drinks - Gelbe Socken - NDR Reporter Looks for Northern Germans Living in California - Seltsame Tomaten - Fasching In Berlin - German Stories & Poems on CaliforniaGermans - German Immersion Outdoor Science Camp from June 29-July 4, 2014 - Want To Own An Amusement Park? Berlin’s Deserted Kulturpark Hits eBay For $2.2 Million - Faschingskrapfen, A Tasty Carnival's Pastry - Mercedes Takes On Water With the Silver Arrow of the Seas - German Movie Night at Occidental College, Los Angeles - Glendale’s Unified School District Gets Attention With Its Language Immersion Programs - German American Chambers of Commerce first Economic Outlook Event on the West Coast - Welcome 2014 ! - Wishing You Best of Luck & Happiness for 2014 - The "Kiepenkasper" Uwe Spillmann is in Town! - January 11th in San Diego - "HEILIGABEND" - a German Poem - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - When the Snow Falls Wunderbar... - Happy 4th Advent! - Letzte Erinnerungen aus der Berliner Nachkriegszeit - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Was Macht Der Weihnachtsmann im Sommer? - Der Chemieversuch und ein Selbstgebasteltes Radio - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Rattenplage im Nachkriegsberlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - German Movie "Reclaim Your Brain" in Los Angeles - Der Winter ist Da ! - Hollywood Lässt Grüssen - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Happy First Advent ! - Happy Thanksgiving! - Berlin Blockade 1948 - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Practicing German with Siri - Kinderalltag Im Nachkriegs-Berlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - November 11 - Veterans Day, St. Martin's Day, and start of the Carnival Season - Alltagssorgen: Von Lebensmittelmarken, Schwarzmarkt und Eigenanbau - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Welche Mauer ? - The Fall of the Berlin Wall - November 9, 1989 - Berlin-Based Football App Raises Additional $7M in Funding From NYC Union Square Ventures - Berlin Wall Dedication in Mountain View - Jugend im Nachkriegs-Berlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - RAUBZÜGE - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Autumn Fun in Southern California - Apply To Be A Part Of The Youth 4 German Cinema Award Competition & Jury - RUINEN - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Get To Know German Schools in California - Fox Acquires Rights To Air Bundesliga Games In The U.S. Beginning In 2015 - Coca-Cola Seeking German-Americans For Upcoming National TV Commercial - Wieder Zuhause in Berlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program Offers Professional Development Program In Germany - Stationen Auf Der Flucht Nach Berlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - John Kerry Issues Personalized Statement Touching On German Past For German Unity Day - ‘Spoonfuls of Germany’ Cookbook Offers Up A Regional Taste of Germany - Flüchtlingstrecks Auf dem Weg In Richtung "Heimatland" - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - MILKA WORLD in MUNICH - Memories of a Fun German Summer Camp at Big Bear Lake - Ausweisung - Reichsdeutsche Verlassen das Sudetenland (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Deadly Bacteria Found In Waste Water Of Warsteiner Brewery - Erstes Ausweichen nach Westen - Ein Lebensmittelvorratslager Verbirgt Eine Gefährliche Überraschung - Ticket Give-Away for Grönemeyer Concerts in San Francisco and Los Angeles - New German Preschool in Orange County Enrolling Students for 2013/2014 - Dunkle Wolken Ziehen Auf - Ticket Give-Away to Wagner's “Siegfried Idyll” Celebrating His Bicentennial - Alltagsgeschichten oder Omen Einer Unheilvollen Zeit - Google Hopes To Inform Voters In Upcoming German Election With Dedicated Site - Zeichen Einer Neuen Zeit - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Leben in Neustadt - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Herbert Grönemeyer in concert in San Francisco & Los Angeles - "German Design - The Future of Mobility" - Event in Los Angeles - Unbeschwerte Tage in Neustadt - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - Es Begann In Berlin - (Dt. Zeitgeschichte) - New Highlight on L.A.’s Museums Scene - The New Natural History Museum - Update on German Summer Camps for Teens in San Diego - German Apple Crumb Cake - A Fruity Summer Cake Apfel-Streuselkuchen - Fruchtiger Sommerkuchen - Germany Slams U.S. PRISM Program Days Before Obama Makes Return Visit To Berlin - Homeopathy- A Part of German Culture - A Night of Short Films at Villa Aurora - Sunday June 16th, 2013 - UCLA Research Project Seeks Germans living in Southern California for an Interview - Who remembers La Tosca Filmbühne in Los Angeles (1940-1980)? - Summerfest 2013 at GAIS– Circus GAISarotti! - German Immersion Summer Camps in California for Summer 2013 - Richard Wagner’s 200th Birthday - The world is celebrating his Bicentennial - As Richard Wagner's 200 Birthday Nears - Staged Reading of " Richard and Felix - Twilight in Venice" at the Goethe Institut L.A. - May Events in California's German Communities - Deutsche Spargelzeit - German White Asparagus Season : Get the Real Deal in San Francisco! - Win Concert Tickets to Arnold Schoenberg's "Verklärte Nacht" - "Transfigured Night" in L.A. - "Verklärte Nacht " - Schoenberg's Early Masterpiece in Concert in Los Angeles - Villa Aurora - Artists Residence and Cultural Meeting Point in Los Angeles - Berlin Wall is Making Headlines in Berlin, California and the World - Elli Quark To Bring German-Style Quark Cheese To US Stores This Spring - Happy Easter from CaliforniaGermans! - Kräutlsuppe zum Gründonnerstag - German Language Immersion in the Summer - German Summer Camps In CA - David Hasselhoff Throws In His Support For Preserving Remaining Section of Berlin Wall - Deutsche Regionalzeitung sucht nach Kalifornien ausgewanderte Baden-Württemberger für eine Serie - Cook Your Brats On The Go With the Backbrat Bike Grill - World class Tennis in CA - 2013 BNP PARIBAS Open in Indian Wells - Winner of our 500 Likes Milestone Celebration ! - CaliforniaGermans Celebrate 500 Likes on Facebook! - Fasching, Fastnacht, Carnival - Helau! - Groundhog Day, Hedgehogs and the History of Candlemas - Germany Wants Its Gold Back. What Does The Decision Mean For America and the Rest of the World - ‘Kiepenkasper’ - Uwe Spillmann’s Puppetshow Visits San Diego - Orange County Parents get a break with OCI Academy's Parents' Night Out - German Schools in California - Plan Ahead for School Year 2013/14 - Happy New Year - Welcome 2013 ! - Happy New Year with a 'Feuerzangenbowle' - German Party Punch with Sugar Hat - Frohe Weihnacht - Season's Greetings - THE 4TH ADVENT IS HERE AND CHRISTMAS EVE IS NEAR! - Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdienst in SoCal / German Christmas Carol Service - Gluehwein - Mulled Wine : A Christkindl Market Tradition - The best German Christmas Markets on Video - Rum-Balls or Rumkugeln - A Christmas Season Favorite - December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day - 6. Dezember und Nikolausabend ist da! - Christmas Bakery - Peffernüsse, a German Christmas Recipe - 'Adventzeit' and Christmas Season - HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! - Traditional St. Martin's Day Celebrations in SoCal - Sankt Martins Fest in SoCal - The German Designers Behind the Windows 8 Artwork - Germany Celebrates 22 Years of German Unity Day Today - In the Mood for German Cinema - October is German Film Festival Time - German American Friendship Poster Contest Is Now Accepting Submissions For 2013 - Beer Bottle Shortage Occurs in Munich Less Than 2 Weeks Before Oktoberfest - Goethe-Institut Los Angeles Holding “Rockin’ The Wall” Screening with Director & Writer - BMW Brings Its Premium DriveNow Service to the United States - 'Exploratorium' in San Francisco - A Modern Version of the 'Deutsches Museum' - Beat The Heat And Stay Cool With These Cocktail Favorites - Geha Versus Pelikan - Show me your fountain pen and I tell you who you are - Just In Time For Summer ! - Albert Einstein Academies - A German-English Immersion Charter School in San Diego - School is out - Summer is here! - 200 Years of Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales - 200 Jahre Märchen der Brüder Grimm - Bringing the Myth of Cleopatra to Life - Surrealism in SoCal - Diving into Subconscious Worlds - The Challenges Of Raising A Bilingual Child - Happy Easter! - New Logo for CaliforniaGermans - World Class Tennis in California - Indian Wells, a Tennis Lover's Eldorado - Pilates - A Fitness Technique Invented By A German - Los Angeles Art Show 2012 - LACMA - An Adventure In Front of Your Door - Goden Gate Bridge - 75th Anniversary in 2012 - Impressions Of The Last Day Of The Year 2011 - Frohe Weihnacht - Merry Christmas - Holiday Season At The Beach - Adventszeit Am Strand - CaliforniaGermans Community shares L.A. Experience in Pictures - Natural Disasters Ask for Clever Preparedness - Happy First Advent - Einläuten der Weihnachtszeit - UC Berkeley Art Museum Features Two German Artists - Sybille Cohen : Thinking Adventure Only - Settling for a Lifetime - Dia De Los Muertos - Germany on my Mind - An Immigrant’s Reflection on Germany - Berkeley - At the Pulse of Time - Noguchi- California Legacy at Laguna Art Museum - A Little Bit of Germany in the Heart of Berkeley - Surfing in Munich - Design Experience or A Lesson in 'Porsche Design' - French Open men's final - Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer - "Performance in Which Hopefully Nothing Happens" - Dutch Theatre Group in OC - Deutsche Jazzband TRIO ELF im Konzert in Südkalifornien - Alexander Calder at OCMA - Congratulations ! Wir gratulieren ! - Newport Beach Filmfest - Eco Spotlight "This Is Your Ocean : Sharks" - Happy Easter ! - University - USA versus Germany - OSCAR SHORTS : And the Winner was - "The Lost Thing" - Sendung mit der Maus wird 40 Jahre alt! - "The Gruffalo" - Germany's Oscar-nominated animated short - January - Fitness Month of the Year Or 'Winterspeck Muss Weg' - 2011 Rose Parade - Impressions - 2011 - The Rose Parade - Tournament of Roses - German-language Christmas Eve Services in SoCal - December 24th - HAPPY HOLIDAYS - FROEHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN - HAPPY NEW YEAR ! - White Christmas - Just a Bleak Memory? - Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt... - How to Save Money This Winter and Help The Environment - Sankt Martins Tag, Faschings Anfang und Veterans Day - L.A. AUTO SHOW - Green, Electric, Futuristic and Sleek - HALLOWEEN – The Informal Start of Winter And The Holiday Season - Green Homes – A wave of the future or already a reality? - Reunification of Germany/Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands - 20 Jaehriges Jubilaeum - GERMAN FOR KIDS - Muenchner Oktoberfest 2010- 18. September bis 4.Oktober - Schultuete Selbst Gemacht- Last Minute German School Cones - Real Estate Market Surprises This Summer - Southern California - Cool For Kids - Last Chance For Frog Safari - German Networking Opportunities in Southern California - Kids 'Approved' Museum Shows around L.A. - Kindgerechte Ausstellungen in Museen rund um L.A. - Farewell to the OC FAIR - ELEKTRA - Annual Outdoor Theater Production at the Getty Villa - Music And The Arts in Southern California - CaliforniaGermans Weekend Suggestions - Monthly German Mixer meets in Corona del Mar - California Real Estate Market - Are You Confused? You Are Not Alone! - Stars At UCLA - Agassi vs. McEnroe Exhibition Tennis Match - Fun In The Sun - Summer Attractions in Southern California - Soccer World Cup 2010 and Paul The Octopus - Deutschland - One Step Closer To The World Cup 2010 - SOCCER - Ready For Germany's First Match Of Elimination Round - What's new - From German Movie "John Rabe", Bertold Brecht & Beuys to Dinosaurs - World Cup 2010 - Brewery Art Walk 2010 - Art Walks & Film Festivals - A world to experience: LACMA - more than a museum. - August Wilson's "Fences" makes serious theater come alive at South Coast Repertory - Miracle Art Walk in LA & After Party - TODAY - HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! - Christmas Countdown - Los Angeles/Orange County - The Arts In And Around L.A. & OC - December 2009 - Christmas 2009 - A Compilation of Events - Berliner Philharmoniker at Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles - Multimedia Art Project - ReConstructing the Wall - The Berlin Wall and Other Physical Borders - A Discussion at USC Annenberg School for Communication - Opera "Haensel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck in San Diego - "STORM"- German Film Opening November 13th in L.A. - "Festival of Freedom" - 20 Jahre Berliner Mauerfall - "Fest der Freiheit" - Take in a movie or two - AFI Filmfest - Dia de Los Muertos Event at San Juan Capistrano Library - More Art Happenings In and Around L.A. - Fernando Botero at the Bowers Museum - OKTOBERFEST in Muenchen - "OZAPFT is' " - Enjoy the last days at the beach in tan-through swimwear - Huntington Beach Street Fair and Movies at the Pier - The Orange County Fair 2009 - Health Insurance in the US - Hello world!