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Want to teach German in Southern California?

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Kids going to school - California Germans

German American School Association (GASA) is looking for German teachers for their school in San Diego.

The German-American School Association of Southern California, Inc. (GASA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, founded in 1954. GASA offers classroom-based German language programs to children ages 4 – 18 years in its Saturday Schools, ages 3 – 5 years in its Kinderland School. Adult classes are available online.

The Saturday Schools offer classes from 9 am to 12 pm at 10 different campuses throughout the Southland. The Kinderland School offers its program twice weekly from 9 am to 12 pm. GASA’s school year coincides with the public school calendar.

GASA also offers online courses for different age groups during the school year and summer months, and after-school classes at various locations throughout the school year.

Please contact office[at]gasaschool.org to inquire regarding teaching positions available.

All about Music and a Cross-Cultural Experience – Kate Müser and Her First Novel

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Welcome to a new XPAT Spotlight Interview! Today we have a very special guest with us. While she is not a German, Austrian, or Swiss living in California, she has a long connection with CaliforniaGermans!

Her stories on CaliforniaGermans.com gave us some insight into what it means to live as a Californian in Germany! Do you know who we are talking about?

Yes, Kate Müser! After some big changes, which involved moving back to the USA and living in Las Vegas with her young family, she now is back in Germany again and is promoting her first book The Girl with Twenty Fingers.

We are so excited to have her here with us today and can’t wait to catch up and have her introduce her new novel to our readers.

CG: Kate, your book, The Girl with Twenty Fingers, is about a failed concert pianist in Germany. You studied piano performance but didn’t become a concert pianist, and you’ve lived in Germany for many years. Is the book actually about you?

Kate: No! Well, maybe a tiny bit. But actually, no. Or, yes… I mean, of course, it was inspired by many of my experiences, but it is not a memoir or autobiography.

The initial inspiration for the story — the protagonist Sarah meets regularly with an elderly German to play Mozart’s works for piano four hands — was real. More than twenty years ago, shortly after I moved to Germany, I did meet a kind elderly couple with a lovely grand piano. He was a skilled and passionate player and we met every two weeks or so for about a year to play Mozart and other piano duets. He didn’t have a mysterious past, as Herr Steinmann does in my book — at least, not that I know of — but talking with him did teach me a great deal about German history, culture, and language.

Playing piano with my elderly friend also helped me learn that music can be a hobby. I had a degree in piano performance and for me, music had always been more about achieving artistic perfection and less about enjoying the moment. I also had a chip on my shoulder after the recent realization that my plans for a career in music weren’t going to materialize and I needed another perspective.

CG: Mozart is the central composer in the book. Why did you pick Mozart?

Kate: Mozart’s music often sounds easy, but is deceptively difficult. His music is childish at times, but it is very exposed so every mistake is audible! That made him a good composer for Sarah’s bombed degree performance. Plus, Mozart had a strong connection to Munich, which I was able to touch on in the book.

CG: Who should read your book? Why would California Germans readers be interested?

Kate: Anyone who loves music, Mozart, or Munich will hopefully enjoy The Girl with Twenty Fingers. On a bigger level, though, it’s a book about failing royally, dusting yourself off and trying again. I’d like to think that that’s a universal experience. How many of you have been forced to change course and forge a new path at some point in life? Another major theme in the book is cultural identity, and I think, whether you’re a German in California or anyone who’s intimately experienced more than one culture, you’ll be able to relate to the novel.

CG: You have three young children including twins. How did you manage to write a novel during this crazy phase of your life?

Kate: I started the book when my oldest son went from two naps to one predictable nap a day. When I got pregnant with twins shortly after that, I was so exhausted all the time that I had to be horizontal while my toddler was napping, so I continued writing on my phone. By the time they were born, I’d completed about 95% of the first draft. After that, I squeezed in the revisions wherever I could — mostly late at night and almost always on my phone. This novel admittedly cost me a tremendous amount of sleep and a hundred grey hairs — but my need for creative output is really strong and I am very passionate about this book project.

CG: Tell us a little bit about the publishing process.

Kate: It is my first novel and I rewrote the manuscript several times while trying to find my voice. Then I queried dozens of agents and publishers and was really lucky to connect with Blackwater Press. They’re a young, professional, and very motivated publishing house with a high level of expertise in music and strong transatlantic ties. We refined the manuscript together. They got a talented Scottish illustrator, Eilidh Muldoon, to take care of the cover, and publication was set for the anniversary of Mozart’s birth (January 27), which was about four years to the day after I’d typed the first word of the manuscript.

CG: What advice do you have for writers hoping to publish their own novel?

Kate: Read a lot! Even though I love to read and always have, this is hard for me, since I want to spend the little free time I have writing, but I find that every time I do read a novel, it informs my own style in some way. If you aim to publish, do your research. In addition to querying agents, consider a small publishing house that is aligned with your genre and taste. The advantage is that you will be a lot more involved in the publishing process than with a big-name publisher.

CG: You recently spent some time in Las Vegas and have moved back to Munich, where The Girl with Twenty Fingers is set. What do you like about Munich?

Kate: Our kids are now five, three, and three. For us, the decision was about where our kids should go to school and spend the bulk of their childhood. The Munich area offers an amazing combination of nature and world-class infrastructure. We want our kids to get muddy, throw pine cones and be able to go to museums or music lessons if they want to. I mean, Mozart must have jumped in a few puddles when he toured here as a child, right?

CG: What are you currently working on?

Kate: I am putting the finishing touches on the manuscript to my second novel, which is also about forging new paths in music but completely different from The Girl with Twenty Fingers.

CG: Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into your new life as a novel writer, Kate. I am so excited to read your first book! We wish you all the best with your life back in Munich and we can’t wait to find out what your next novel is about.

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READ THE GIRL WITH TWENTY FINGERS

Direct https://www.blackwaterpress.com/product/the-girl-with-twenty-fingers/

Amazon US https://a.co/d/3p8s15G

Amazon UK https://amzn.eu/d/bvzQAmA

Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-girl-with-twenty-fingers-kate-mueser/19038729

CONNECT WITH KATE

katemueser.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sarah’s hope of becoming a concert pianist was shattered when she bombed an important performance of a Mozart concerto. Now in Munich, she feels like an imposter in her job as a food magazine editor. A chance encounter in a music shop leads to a surprising friendship with an elderly widower with a unique grand piano. When they start meeting to play Mozart’s works for four hands, Sarah unravels the mysteries of his war-time past, uproots a musical secret in her own family — and finds the strength to redirect her own future.

Laced with melodies from Mozart and Schumann to Toto and Nena, The Girl with Twenty Fingers will delight readers, while asking the question: Can music change lives? Kate Mueser’s debut novel cracks open notions of failure and second chances, living to the fullest and dying without regrets, and cultural identity and privilege, making it both timeless and urgently relevant to our age.

ABOUT KATE

Kate Mueser was going to become a concert pianist, but instead became a bilingual storyteller with a penchant for music. She spent over a decade working for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, where she reported and presented an award-winning documentary feature on the future of the book and hosted a TV show on German pop music, her own web video series, and a youth radio show. Kate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Indiana University and a Masters Degree in Modern European Studies from Columbia University. A California native, she has spent nearly her entire adult life in Germany, with brief interruptions in New York City and Las Vegas. The Girl with Twenty Fingers is Kate’s debut novel.

Images: ©Kate Müser 1)Kate 2)The Girl with Twenty Fingers Book Cover 3)Nymphenburg Castle in Munich

GASA hosts Maifest at Old World HB

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Come join a German May tradition: “The Maifest”

GASA and the German American League invite you to celebrate this tradition at Old World in Huntington Beach in SoCal on May 7th from 12pm – 5pm.

This celebration generally sees a variety of customs in Germany, from a Maypole decorated so that it shows the particular crafts and history of a region, to a traditional Maypole Dance, or even having the Maypole (Maibaum) stolen by the neighboring villages in an elaborate, sneaky manner. You can read more about this practice in this article from the Schliersee, a town in Southern Bavaria.

You won’t have to worry about any Maypole thefts here in SoCal, but can just enjoy the authentic German fair. Come listen to live music by the German American Brass Band, watch the traditional crowning of the May Queen and Princess, observe Mayfolk dances and have your children work on crafts, and much more.

Details:

What: Maifest/Kinderfest hosted by GASA (German American School Association) and German American League

When: May 7th from 12pm tp 5pm

Where: Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave. , Huntington Beach, CA

Images: ©CaliforniaGermans

Salzburger Nockerl on my Mind – A delicious Austrian Dessert

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Snow dusted California mountain skyline brings back memories of a favorite dish – Salzburger Nockerl

Recent historic winter storms in California brought record snowfall making Southern California mountains, visible from the beach cities, look like luscious ski resorts. Unfortunately what looked so beautiful from the distance of the beaches turned also into a difficult situation for mountain communities that found themselves completely snowed in and cut off.

However, focusing on the picturesque beauty of the white mountains against the impeccable blue Southern California sky, I couldn’t help but be reminded of home and the magnificent alpine scenery that is often visible from Munich or when traveling to Salzburg (Austria.)

Salzburger Nockerl – A heavenly dessert

Salzburger Nockerl

This brings me to one of the famous desserts of Austrian cuisine, Salzburger Nockerl. Have you ever had them? They are the most delicious, fluffy treat of a light and airy dessert I can think of. It’s like tasting a sweet, delicate cloud of air that melts on our tongue. 

It’s not an easy dessert to make in my eyes. Despite the main ingredient being eggs, you should not detect even the slightest taste of egg in this dessert ever! I had many encounters with Salzburger Nockerl throughout my childhood that left me quite unimpressed until I found the absolute perfect version of it at the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg a couple of years ago.

If you want your first impression of the Salzburger Nockerl to be a good one, trust me, this restaurant in the middle of Salzburg is the place to make friends with this heavenly dessert.

You’ll find many places, especially in Salzburg, that will offer the city’s famous dish, but not many have mastered it to perfection like the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. By the way, aside from the Salzburger Nockerl, this restaurant is a must for all gourmets out there. It offers a culinary adventure throughout.

Salzburger Nockerl inspired by the snowy mountain peaks around Salzburg

Before I share some links to a couple of recipes, here is a bit of background on the famous Austrian dessert.

Salzburger Nockerl has a long history and cultural significance in the country, and its unique flavors and textures are closely connected to the snowy landscape and mountains of Salzburg in the winter.

The origins of Salzburger Nockerl, a popular Austrian dessert, are steeped in history and culture. According to legend, the dish was invented by Salome Alt (1568–1633), the concubine of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau in the early 17th century (Wikipedia). Since then, the recipe has been passed down within families and has become a staple dessert in the Salzburg region of Austria. 

The dish is made from a number of ingredients, including eggs, sugar, and vanilla, that are combined to form a light and fluffy soufflé. Traditionally Salzburger Nockerl are served in the shape of three mounds dusted with white powdered sugar that should represent the three snow-capped mountain peaks of the Rainberg, Kapuzinerberg, and Gaisberg mountains that overlook Salzburg.

The traditional recipe also calls for the Salzburger Nockerl to be served with a sweet raspberry sauce, which is symbolic of the sweet and sour experiences of life. In this way, Salzburger Nockerl is more than just a dessert – it is a reflection of the history and culture of Salzburg.

The popularity of Salzburger Nockerl has grown significantly over the years, and today, it is one of the most beloved Austrian desserts. Its origins, however, remain rooted in the Salzburg region. As such, it is a unique and traditional part of the region’s culinary culture and stands as a testament to the region’s rich food history.

Recipe Suggestions for Salzburger Nockerl

I have to admit I have never dared to make Salzburger Nockerl myself, but if you want to give it a try here are a couple of links to explore:

You can find some extensive recipe instructions on tasteatlas.com or check out the recipe, written in German by Claudia Baruanstein, at geschmeidigekoestlichkeiten.at   You need to scroll down for the recipe, but the picture of the Salzburger Nockerl at the beginning of her article looks pretty promising. 

As you can see from the image of the most perfect Salzburger Nockerl below and which I have to order at the St. Peter’s Stiftkulinarium every time I visit Salzburg, the Nockerl are just lightly browned on top. The top should not have a dense ‘crust’, instead a spoon should just easily glide into the fluffy meringue-like creation. 

Have fun exploring! Let me know in the comments if you have tried a good recipe to share.

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Images: ©California Germans & ©St.Peter’s Stift

4 Oscars for German film “Im Westen nichts Neues”

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Germans were celebrating on the night of the Oscars.  “All Quiet on the Western Front” directed by Edward Berger won four Oscars for Best International Film at the 95th Academy Awards ceremony! A historic win as explained in this report by the ‘Tagesschau’.

In addition to being recognized as Best International Feature, the film was acknowledged for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.  

Proud of their Villa Aurora Alumnus is also Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House who congratulate Edward Berger on this amazing success. “We are immensely proud to have had the privilege of hosting Edward as a Villa Aurora Fellow and celebrate the impact of residency programs for the creative process.”

Villa Aurora was honored to celebrate the nine nominations for “All Quiet On the Western Front” past Saturday in the presence of German Minister for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth MdB. Director Edward Berger, together with Nele Müller-Stöfen, was filmmaker-in-residence at Villa Aurora in 2015, a time which he describes as formative in his development and career as a filmmaker.  

Villa Aurora, now a highly renowned interdisciplinary artist residence, was the exile home of writer Lion Feuchtwanger and his wife and collaborator Marta, as well as a center for German and European exiles in Los Angeles. Among the friends and guests of the Feuchtwangers was Erich Maria Remarque, author of the novel “All Quiet On The Western Front.” 

Based on the 1929 novel, the anti-war film “is set during World War I and follows the life of a young German soldier who enlists in the army with his friends. But the realities of war shatter his hopes of becoming a hero and he focuses on his own survival.” (read an interview on abc13)

Congratulations Edward Berger & team!

German Immersion Summer Camp for Kids is Back!

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GASA Summer Camp June 2023 - CaliforniaGermans

Plan for the Summer. It’s Camp Time!

It’s only January, but guess what? It’s never too early to plan for some fun summer activities for your children, especially if we are talking about the German Immersion Summer Camp offered by GASA, the German American School Association of Southern California.

The pandemic had put a sudden stop to this beloved yearly tradition. But it is back!

GASA’s German Immersion Summer Camp for kids
from June 18th – June 24th, 2023.

During seven days and six nights, kids will learn about German history and reenact the “Battle of the Teutoburg Forest”. They can partake in a planned special Hye Katch Do, an art of self-defense class, and learn many useful skills before having fun with zip lining, archery, a soccer clinic, and playing other team sports. Group activities will also include nature hikes, dancing, singing, crafting, and so much more.

Needless to say, there is something for everyone before relaxing and hanging out at the campfire at night.

Best of all is that you don’t need to send your children to Germany to be immersed in speaking German. All activities at the camp are held in German.

Camp Application is now open. Register today!

COST: 7 days and 6 nights at Camp AREV in Frazier Park, CA for $975.00. Each additional child within the same
family is $925.00.

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Image: courtesy of GASA

Tips for Setting Goals in the New Year

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New year resolution - California Germans

A new year has started and I am sure I am not the only one thinking about new year’s resolutions. Too often, however, we don’t spend enough time thinking through what we really want to accomplish or change in this new year and our new year resolutions end up being quite lofty and vague. A better way to see our new year’s resolutions come to fruition might be by setting clear goals.

Setting goals at the start of a new year can be a helpful way to reflect on the past year and think about what we want to achieve in the year ahead. Here are some steps that might help you to set your goals at the start of 2023:

  1. Reflect on the past year: Take some time to think about what you accomplished in 2022 and what you could have done differently. This can help you gain perspective and identify areas for improvement.
  2. Identify your values: Consider what is most important to you and how you want to prioritize your time and energy. Your goals should align with your values.
  3. Set SMART goals: Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and have a timeline. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
  4. Make a plan: Break your goals down into smaller, actionable steps and create a plan for how you will achieve them.
  5. Be realistic: It’s important to be realistic when setting goals. Don’t set goals that are too ambitious or unattainable, as this can lead to frustration and disappointment.
  6. Review and adjust your goals: Make sure to periodically review and adjust your goals as needed. Things may change throughout the year and it’s important to be flexible and adaptable.

We wish you a healthy and happy 2023!

Season’s Greetings

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We wish all our friends, supporters, and followers a Happy Holiday Season!

May these days be filled with moments of peace and joy and laughter. We are excited to see you back in the new year.

Thank you for being part of our CaliforniaGermans community!

Have a fabulous start into 2023!

Happy Holidays – Frohe Weihnachten & Happy New Year – Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

CaliforniaGermans

German Christmas Carol Service in SoCal

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Christmas Carol Service 2022

It’s become a California holiday tradition

Christmas Carol Service at St. Luke’s Lutheran

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in La Mesa is holding a
German Christmas Carol Service on Sunday, 18 December 2022 at 7:00 pm. 
All are invited.

Address:

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
5150 Wilson Street
La Mesa, CA 92942
www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org

Here is how to get there: Map

Weihnachtsmesse am 18. Dezember um 18:00 Uhr

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in La Mesa hält am 18. Dezember 2022
(Sonntag) um 19.00 Uhr wieder einen deutschsprachigen
Weihnachtsgottesdienst. Wie in vorigen Jahren besteht die
Gottesdienstordnung hauptsächlich aus Lesungen und Liedern, die die
Weihnachtsgeschichte erzählen.  Nach dem Gottesdienst gibt es kleine
Erfrischungen.

Sie und Ihre Familie, Freunde, Gemeinde- und Vereinsmitglieder,
Studenten/innen, und Schüler/innen, usw. sind herzlich eingeladen.

Die Adresse der Kirche ist:

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
5150 Wilson Street
La Mesa, CA 92942
www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org

Einen Fahrplan zur Kirche findet man per diesen Link:

http://www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org/maps.php

Are you a German teacher? A High School in SoCal needs YOU.

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Crescenta Valley High School is one of a few high schools in Southern California still offering courses in German. If you know someone or if you are a German teacher, please read the post below.

Glendale Unified School District is looking for a German teacher, who can teach two periods of higher-level German at Crescenta Valley High School.

Glendale Unified offers dual immersion programs in seven languages; six magnet schools focused on technology, world languages, and visual and performing arts; innovative opportunities for dual college enrollment; and a wide variety of Career and Technical Education pathways beginning in middle school. “In Glendale Unified schools we are excelling together to prepare our youth with endless pathways for success!” Learn more at http://www.gusd.net.

The position requires the following credentials:

Applicants must hold a valid California Teaching Credential authorizing service in German. English Learner Authorization: Applicants must also hold a valid English Learner Authorization such as a CLAD, ELA1, ELAM, ELAS, ELAE, or similar authorization for designated English Language Development instruction or integrated instruction to English Learners. Glendale Unified is seeking dynamic educators who exhibit: • Effective skills in working with English Learner (EL) students • Strong pedagogical skills • Breadth of experience in educational technology • Instruction with a 21st Century perspective.

Find the original posting here.

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