June 2019 Highlights by AWA Office

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Highlights! JUNE 2019

June 2019/Highlights! PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Two public holidays will ease us into the summer break, so June will be less hectic than May. But there are still many tours, events and activities to keep us occupied at AWA, including a Craft Fair and an Ice Cream Sundae party.

CONTENTS 03 President's Message MEMBERS

04 Welcome/ Club News 05 Profile: Alexis Traina/ Virginia Sheridan

This edition is full of photos and descriptions of the 06 Ambassador's Coffee & AGM Photos events in May, particularly the successful Ambassador’s Coffee and Annual General Meeting at the US ISSUES Ambassador’s Residence. Alexis Traina has already 08 Klinik Florisdorf/ Mary Wagener invited us back next year! The Financial Report, prepared by AWA Auditor Hannes FOOD Miklautsch, offers good news for the first time in many years. See the report summary on page 22. 09 The Eis Age Returns/ Suzanne Orrell I am grateful to volunteers who now regularly submit tour photos for Highlights, particularly Lisa (who managed the group shot after a bout of claustrophobia led to my hasty exit from the Third Man Sewer tour) and Ida (who captured some beautiful shots at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence). To all those submitting photos, please keep in mind that they must be at least 1Mb or they will pixilate on printing.

Although the magazine will take a vacation for July and August, summer activities are still planned! Urte will lead a visit to Laxenburg on 6

August and a picnic in Schönbrunn Park on 27 August. Irene has two bike rides planned, heading out from Neusiedl am See on 23 July and 20 August, and Marina’s annual Summer Luncheon will take place at the Café Landtmann on 8 August at 12:30. Anyone else want to lead an event over the summer? Please get in touch with me soon! Enjoy June in Vienna (or wherever you are)!

Sheila

Correction: In our May issue, the wonderful article "Stepping into the Unknown - My 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan" was written by member Gertraud Wild. Unfortunately, we misprinted her name as "Gertraud Wilder." Many apologies to Traude! Cover Photo: Astute eyes will recognize the colourful tilework of Austrian artist/visionary Hundertwasser. But this structure, a company toilet "hut" located near the dumping area, is only accessible to employees and those taking the plant tour (as did a recent AWA group, story on

HIGHLIGHTS TEAM Editor/Layout Virginia Sheridan/awahighlights@gmail.com Assistant Editor Sheila Hargreaves/sheilahargreaves@a1.net Proofreaders Irene Schlegelmilch, Erin Silangil, Jane Webster Advertising Manager Nadia Di Paola/ 0678 125 2229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com Advertising, Online Design/Membership Erin Silangil /01 966 2925 /spindler.silangil@gmail.com Margarita Randl /01 966 2925 awa@awavienna.com

ACTIVITIES

10 Activities Listing 12 Calendar/ Places, Lectures, Gatherings 14 Tours, Trips, Social Events Listing EXPLORE

16 Go Bezirk: 2nd District, Leopoldstadt 18 Tour Talk/ Sheila Hargreaves, Virginia Sheridan 20 The Road to Mauthausen/ Connie Phlipot 22 Reports: Board & Charity 23 Vienna in June Bis September! Both the AWA Office and Highlights will be on Summer Holiday for July and August. The submission deadline for the September issue is 5 August.

AWA VIENNA IBAN: AT59 1952 0018 0009 23 Highlights is published by AWA Vienna, on a monthly basis from September to June, and is sent to all members. All inquiries should be addressed to: AWA Vienna Attn: Highlights Editor, Singerstrasse 4/11 1010 Vienna All rights to the printed material in Highlights, including advertising and the cover painting/photo, revert to the contributors following the publication. Highlights is printed on chlorine-free paper. ZVR-Zahl 327744193 Eigentümer, Herausgeber und Verleger: AWA Vienna, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien. Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Offenlegung/Herausgeber: Sheila Hargreaves, Krautgartengasse 3A/2/3, Himberg bei Wien Diese Zeitschrift dient dem Zweck, Freunde der American Women’s Association über Aktivitäten der Organisation zu informieren.

MEMBERS

Welcome New Members/Club News

LINDA MOLDOVAN

CHERYL DIVISCHEK

Linda and her husband relocated to Vienna July 2017 from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. After many sleepless nights wondering if they were making the right decision (which meant leaving a great career, close family and wonderful friends behind), they proceeded to pack their bags and make the journey into the unknown. The decision has been a positive one and has opened up the opportunity to live in a new part of the world and make many new international friends.

Originally from South Africa, Cheryl says she is returning to the AWA after a 17-year “sabbatical”! Previously, she has lived in Vienna, Feusisberg (Switzerland) and Johannesburg. A fashion designer by profession, she has also worked as an educator having taught English at Siemens. Cheryl enjoys all forms of outdoor sports, and loves exploring the culinary corners of the planet - but she does not enjoy having her photograph taken, as you can see by the missing visage. If you meet up with a fashionable, food-loving, sporty woman at one of our many club activities, you will know it is Cheryl!

In her spare time Linda enjoys photography, spending time at the gym, hiking, walking, golf, cooking and exploring the majestic sites of Vienna. Living in Vienna has also allowed her to visit many locations throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia along with her husband, Brett. By joining AWA, Linda hopes to expand her activities in Vienna and to network with other women.

Did you know...? You can access the member directory via the AWA website?

It's updated every year, is password-protected and is located in the members-only section. There you can also find current and past issues of Highlights magazines with a link that allows you to share with friends or potential members! Forgot/didn't get the password? Contact the office.

Quiz Night Raises Funds for Charity BY ERIN SILANGIL

Bathroom Breakers, Not British, Peanuts, Orchids, Smarties… a list of candy bars or rock bands, perhaps? No, these were the fun team names chosen by the participants in our first-ever Fundraising Quiz Night! The evening featured Erin as Quiz Mistress, with Urte as Question Creator and Time Master, while Irene and Tobias kept meticulous score. We engaged in a bit of fun competition and, in the process, raised €310 for our charity, Die Möwe. Team Smarties came in second place, followed by team Not British in third, and the winning team was… the Bathroom Breakers! (individually known as Janet Auinger, Lydia Goutas, Doug Shull, his friend Carol, and Frederic Maillard). The team was awarded “Clever” brand prosecco and an “AWA Certified Champion” certificate. Thank you to all the participants and the organisers.

Film Inspires Project

What if the monthly cycle of your body prevented you from leaving the house or going to school or work because you didn’t have access to sanitary pads? This is a dilemma that affects women in developing countries, as a group of AWA members saw clearly when watching the Academy Award-winning short documentary film Period. End of Sentence. The group discussed the issue and a potential project to address it, namely a discreet shoulder bag to carry spare

Frederic, Doug, Lydia, Janet, Carol

Think you could be a winner at the next AWA Quiz Night? Test yourself with a few of the actual questions posed to our tenacious teams: 1. What is the 10th most spoken language worldwide? A) Russian B) Portugese C) German 2. Which of the following groups of people did not invade Ireland? A) Romans B) Normans C) Celts 3. Which city in Europe has the most bridges? A) Venice B) Berlin C) Hamburg (Answers: 1C, 2A, 3C) Neelam, Beverly, Naira, Lizzie, Connie, Laura

pads. The group plans to meet again at the Clubhouse on June 3 at 13:00 to grow the project. Join the conversation and cause by emailing Bev at awafawco@gmail.com.

Alexis Traina, A Splash of Pizzazz BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

Alexis Swanson Traina has a knack for creativity and unconventionality. She wrote a guidebook to California’s Napa Valley that was divided not by location but by personality type (Bohemian, Summer Folk, Bon Vivant...). She’s hosted upscale parties in down-home locations (such as a roadside diner), and has been known to serve caviar on potato chips. And while working as creative director of Swanson Vineyards – the family winery that served $75+ Cabernets in a luxury 18th-century tasting room – she produced the brand Modern House Wines, marketed to the masses in Target department stores for $12.99 a bottle. That line of wines, labeled with cheeky, bold proclamations such as “Expensive” and “Help is Here," was heralded by Oprah Winfrey and praised by wine reviewers as “approachable and relatable,” with a presentation so chic that “no gift-wrapping is necessary.” Or was that a description of Alexis? Indeed, she is so approachable, even when working in an official capacity, that she asks to be called by her first name. As the wife of the US Ambassador to Vienna and the honorary president of the AWA, she hosted our Annual General Meeting and Coffee in May at the Ambassador’s Residence in Hietzing. She personally greeted members on arrival, wearing a relaxed, floor-skimming dress, and spoke amicably and engagingly to the 80 women in attendance. “We celebrated my son’s birthday last night,” she began, indicating the balloons still afloat in another space. “All the furniture was cleared out of this room for today’s event. Only the podium was here, all alone in this big room. Which, of course, was perfect for a group karaoke sing-a-long. I now know this microphone very well,” she added with a mischievous smile. Further evidence of her penchant for panache is written (actually, hand-painted) on the walls - in bright, bold, Jugenstil-meets-Suessville whimsical graphics. “This house reflects our tale of

fantasy in Austria, and we leaned heavily into Klimt. We wanted the house to reflect Austria, but in an American way,” Alexis explained,

adding that she envisioned the Ambassador’s official home in Vienna as a temporary “Pop-up” residence, to which they would bring a “magic bag” of “personal pieces from the past and present to tell a story.” The Residence does feature select works of some of America’s best modern artists and photographers – Andreas Gursky, Cindy Sherman,

PROFILE

Robert Frank – all sourced from the personal collection of Alexis’ husband, Trevor Trainor. Near the entrance foyer, a portrait of a model wrapped in an American flag has additional significance: it was snapped by photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank, Alexis’ sister. (A third Swanson sister, Victoria Beard, is a fashion designer, and the three photogenic sisters are regularly featured in Vogue magazine.) No stranger to taking on challenges, whether fundraising in the wake of Napa Valley fires, penning a book in five months, or redecorating a sevenbedroom home in San Francisco, Alexis struggled with the transition to Vienna. While she knew that the adjustment would not be as easy as a walk in the park, she didn’t anticipate that the family (including Johnny, 11, and Delphina, 10) wouldn’t actually be able to walk in a park – at least not without a security detail. “We boarded the plane in San Francisco as a private family, and landed as the US Ambassador’s family,” explained Alexis.

“Suddenly we had security around us. That was funny and a bit exciting for a few days, but then… not so much.” She was also uncertain about her new role. “I had never been just ‘the spouse’ before. I finally decided that what I needed to do was to lean into the change and be OK with it. I could create my own reality, I could expand my knowledge base. I learned to embrace the pause.” A relatable message for our members too familiar with the challenges of international transition. Raised in California’s Napa Valley by parents who eventually bought a vineyard, Alexis is understandably a fan of California wines. “I love those slurpy, yummy red wines. They are big, brash, in your face – a reflection of Americans.” She had not been fond of white wines, until she drank Grüner Veltliner in Vienna. “Austrian whites are beautiful, elegant and refined at every single price point. A perfect expression of the soil and the crazy weather here.” Official dinners at the Residence serve both California and Austrian wines side by side (perhaps cheekily labeled "Bold" and "Beautiful")? Dionysian diplomacy with a splash of pizzazz.. Perhaps with a little Podium Karoake for fun? The story continues next year... For more on the Residence renovation, see the June edition of Elle Décor magazine, which includies a photo of Alexis in a dress that perfectly matches her geometric painting. Virginia Sheridan is the editor of Highlights..

MEMBERS

U. S. Ambassador's Coffee & AGM

The skies may have been gray, but our hostess was sunny in yellow. And the colourful walls certainly brightened spirits and made an excellent photo background. Alexis Traina, wife of the current U.S. Ambassador to Vienna, welcomed 80 AWA members to the Residence, shared stories of her relocation and life transition, and explained the unique decor that strives to bridge Viennese and American expression. Read more about Alexis and the event in the Profile on page 5 and Board Report on page 22. Enough words: We'll let the photos tell the story... Right: Sheila and Alexis Traina. Did they coordinate outfits in advance? Below: Sheila presents the Annual Report.

Above: Ida Above right: Adelaide, Julia, Sandra Right: Irene Far Right: Teresa and Stephanie

Many thanks to Ida, Lisa, Virginia for taking fantastic photos!

Far Left: Marjeta dons umbrella to step into the gray day.. Below: Mavic, Anthea, Lisa

Left: Souwanit, Marina, Lini, Cheryl, Bridget, Katica, Ami, Delyana. Below: Annick,Rene, Regina, Heike, Marina

Above: Laurie, Kirsten Left: LibuĹ?a, Bahar Above Middle: Erin, Margarita, Hyacinth, Ivy

ISSUES

Klinik Floridsdorf Finally Recovers

BY MARY WAGENER

Vienna has a number of famous hospitals, and their histories have become inseparable from that of the city itself. For instance, the Semmelweis Frauenklinik (closing on 10 June) was named after the physician who initiated the practice of antiseptic handwashing before tending to patients in childbirth. (As a result, fewer woman contracted deadly infections and maternal mortality decreased.) The Otto Wagner Hospital at Steinhof, widely known for its architecture and its Jugendstil church, also houses a pulmonary clinic and hospital for the mentally ill. (An interesting side note: Weird behavior in Vienna often elicited the remark, “Ab nach Steinhof,” or “Off to the insane asylum.”) The new Klinik Floridsdorf (formerly known as Krankenhaus Nord before it was renamed on 1 April) has also achieved a degree of fame and notoriety - though for not-so-noble reasons.

Intended as “state of the art,” it may instead be remembered as one of the most costly and mismanaged healthcare projects in the history of this city. Located in the north of Vienna, this healthcare center was originally projected to cost about €800 million and to open in 2013. Some €1.4 billion and six years later, the center will finally welcome its first patients this month. Cost overruns and accusations of corruption resulted in an investigation and the results, made public in late April, absolved the city government of responsibility for the numerous blunders and delays. The blame fell instead on the management responsible for the operative side. As a result, a special municipal agency is to be set up under the Krankenanstaltenverbund (or KAV, the municipal group under the mayor and city councilor for health and social issues that is responsible for hospitals, care homes and care personnel) for the oversight and cost control of such large projects. The saga of Krankenhaus Nord reads like a blueprint on how not to build a hospital. Vienna first decided to award the contract to a consortium, which was to acquire the building site and subcontract the work. After the KAV received a European Investment Bank credit in 2010, the city (under Mayor Michael Häupl and health councilor Sonja Wehsely) decided to make the project a municipal one. The discarded developer was awarded €9 million for the inconvenience! The completion date was postponed to 2015.

Unfortunately, under municipal control, the project got out of hand. Both the newly named project director and his deputy were distracted with numerous other responsibilities. There was no general contractor, and 250 separate contracts had to be awarded in the course of construction. Two of the major contractors went bankrupt. Moreover, the Austrian architect who won the international competition had no prior experience building a medical facility. How he won the competition ahead of 37 other architects is still not clear. As they say, “mistakes were made" – costly mistakes. Despite all the expensive hiccups, Klinik Floridsdorf – with its 800 beds in single-/doubleoccupancy rooms, sunny open areas and large landscaped grounds – sounds like an ideal place for Vienna’s sick to be treated. And they deserve the best since their taxes paid for this new, costly health center. The new facility will replace the Semmelweis Klinik and the Orthopädische Klinik, both leaving prime properties in the 18th district. (What will become of these?) Parts of the Hietzing Hospital, the Wilhelminenspital and the Otto-Wagner-Spital will also relocate to Floridsdorf. This is in line with the KAV 2030 Plan to consolidate healthcare facilities in the city. In addition to the Allgemeines Krankenhaus (AKH, the university teaching hospital), there will be six municipal hospitals for Vienna – north, south and west – with centralised specialisation departments. In any case, the lessons learned from the misadministration of the Krankenhaus Nord construction should be required reading for KAV future planners and their controllers. History is not destiny. Mary Wagener, an AWA member since 1994, blends her knowledge of local history and politics in her Highlights articles. She leads the monthly book discussion group at her home in the 16th.

The Eis Age Returns

FOOD

BY SUZANNE ORRELL

Austria loves to celebrate the seasons, whether it be for weather, fashion or food, and the start of each is clear. Pussy willows announce spring, heavy scarves warn of winter. I knew ice cream season had arrived when all the Eissalons re-opened their doors, tidied up their patios, prepared their Schanigarten and started scooping cool, creamy treats into cones and cups. Sweets and desserts are ever popular here, but what’s the scoop on why there are so many Eissalons in Vienna? Why is Austria home to the highest number of ice cream salons per person in Europe? Ice cream has a deep-rooted

foothold dating back to the 18th century when “Grforene” (“Frozen”) was introduced at the Limonadenhütten along the Graben. A

newspaper at the time reported that Grforene was such a sensation that 6000 cups were consumed just in the Paradeisgartl (the area of the current Volksgarten). A century or so later, Italian confectioners, emigrating to escape economic hardship, introduced their home brand of a cool treat, which they called gelato. A cool craze was born. Classic Eissalons like Tichy, Eissalon am Schwedenplatz, Demel, Tuchlauben and Zanoni & Zanoni are longstanding favorites. Demel Zuckerbäcker originated as an ice cream parlor in 1786. (Their violet ice cream is a nod to the violet sorbet so loved by Empress Elizabeth that she required it to be prepared fresh during her travels.) Eissalon am Schwedenplatz has been churning out ice cream since 1886. The Tichy family has been operating its salon of the same name since 1952. (They are known for their Eismarillenknödel, a whole apricot engulfed in vanilla ice cream and coated in crushed hazelnuts.) These Eissalons pay close attention to the origins of their ingredients, produce in small batches, and control quality at every step. What is the difference between ice cream and gelato, you might ask? They’re both made using similar ingredients and preparation methods, but the real difference is in the actual mixing process. Ice cream is prepared from a custard base using eggs, cream, milk and sugar. Mixed at a fairly

high speed, it incorporates a lot of air, resulting in a light and fluffy product. Gelato, mixed at a lower speed, contains less air which gives the product a denser structure and more intense flavor. It is also structurally different, made with more milk than cream, and without eggs. Served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, gelato is able to retain its silky texture – but if it’s seriously hot outside, you need to get your licks in quickly before your gelato melts. After painstakingly taste-testing my way through Vienna’s classic Eissalons, I submit a list of my favorites: Eis Greissler: Their “cow to cone” philosophy uses organic milk from their own cows raised in Krumbach. Innovative flavors like pumpkin seed oil and goat cheese usually attract long lines at the door. (Mariahilferstr. 33, 1060, and Rotenturmstraße 14, 1010) Ferrari Gelato: A family-owned shop making intensely flavored gelato in-house. It is very fresh and profoundly tastes like the flavor you’ve ordered. The pistachio was possibly the best I’ve ever tried. (Krugerstr. 9, 1010) Leones Gelato: Another family-owned shop with carefully curated ingredients from suppliers in Austria and Italy. Their small-batch gelato is creamy and flavourful. (Praterstr. 16, 1020, and Lange Gasse 78, 1080) Veganista: Owned and operated by two sisters who make the most delicious and completely vegan ice cream using soy milk and primarily organic ingredients. Because of its lower sugar content, the resulting ice cream is some of the most distinctive I’ve ever tasted. (Neustiftgasse 23, 1070, Taborstr. 15, 1020, Alserbachstr. 5, 1090, and Margaretenstr. 51, 1050) I plan to spend this ice cream season sampling from a few places I haven’t tried yet like Paolo Bortolotti, Gelateria La Romana and Eissalon Mauß. Maybe “eis” see you there. Suzanne Orrell is a trained chef and a food writer. She is passionate about breakfast and pasta, and is frequently seen on AWA tours. She moved here from New Mexico, USA in 2018.

SOCIAL

Weekly/Monthly Activities

CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES

OFFSITE ACTIVITIES

Languages

FLUENT SPANISH CONVERSATION Monday, 3 June at 12:30 Teresa Benet / ftmirella@yahoo.com

Weekly, Wednesdays, after Weekly Cafe Sluka Coffee. During lunch in different local restaurants.

GERMAN FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Tuesdays at 10:30 by arrangement only with Monika Sautner, minimum two members ADVANCED BEGINNERS’ GERMAN CONVERSATION Tuesdays at 10:30 with Mona mona.angel.nilsson@gmail.com GERMAN CONVERSATION A1+ Tuesdays at 12:00 / 01 876 2041/ andrea.s.melchiorre@t-online.de FLUENT FRENCH CONVERSATION Wednesdays 5 June, 12 June at 11:30 with Françoise Delannoy or Antonia Zane ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR LEARNERS Thursdays at 13:00 with Lizzie Haszczyn

Spirituality/Exercise FALUN GONG Wednesdays from 14:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 Nayiri Asvazadurian/ 0650 610 4545 n.asvazadurian@gmail.com BIBLE STUDY Thursdays 6 and 13 June from 10:00-12:00 with Sandy Shaffer: “Genesis for Today” /02243 287 01 / sshaffer@ entrust4.org

Games, Craft & Music AMERICAN MAHJONG Tuesdays at 13:00 CANASTA Wednesdays at 13:00 BOARD GAMES Thursdays at 10:00. Words, Scrabble and numbers for fun. Anne Lugmayer 0699 500 9643 AWA BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Monday, 3 June from 15:00 -16:30 with Stephanie Barrett on guitar.

Your Ad Here (or There)

Promote your Business or Event (or invite a favourite restaurant/service to do so) while supporting AWA. Cost range 30€ to 220€. Contact the office, awa@awavienna.com

FLUENT GERMAN CONVERSATION

Reading & Study

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Tuesday 11 June at 13:00 Monthly group. For our last meeting before the summer break, we will read Penelope Lively’s 1987 Booker Prize-winning novel, Moon Tiger. In the novel, popular British historian Claudia Hampton looks back from her deathbed on her unconventional life and the life-defining experience that took place in Cairo in 1942. The British writer uses several points of view throughout the story, which spans the 20th century in scope. Our group will next meet on Tuesday, 17 September for a discussion of British journalist Richard Bassett’s Last Days in Old Europe: Trieste ’79, Vienna ’85, Prague ‘89. All are welcome! Mary Wagener / mary.l.wagener@gmail.com

Sport & Fitness

SOCIAL TENNIS Weekly, times by arrangement. Reservation required to guarantee the time and court. Contact Urte Paulus to be added to the tennis messenger group: urte.paulus@gmx.at Club & Activity Organisers: Please send photos and an update of your group (latest activity, anecdotes, etc) to awahighlights@gmail.com 0676 676 58 29

Weekly/Monthly Activities WALKS AROUND THE RING Sunday Fitness Walk Sundays, meet at 10:55 for an 11:00 walk in front of the main entrance to the Staatsoper. We walk in the direction of the Bristol Hotel. Leader: Minoo Cassens Tuesday Walk Tuesdays at 10:00 Meet main entrance to the Staatsoper. Leader: Jacqueline Finniss

Wanted: Your Stories, Photos and Ideas! News from AWA groups/outings, travel reviews, Vienna tips, restaurant reviews, potential cover photos... Send inquiries, ideas and submissions to Virginia at awahighlights@gmail.com

Walk, Talk, Tour

Weekly Coffee

SOCIAL

WEEKLY COFFEE AT CAFE SLUKA Weekly, Wednesdays, 10:00 - 12:00 Café Sluka, Weihburggasse 4, 1010 Continues throughout the summer! Weekly Coffee Chair: Gerda Moes, 0676 387 2450 Other hosts: Urte Paulus, 0676 6765829 /Hyacinth Krippner, 0650 554 7156 /Lini Stangl, 0664 179 7031/ Helena Schasché, 0676 331 8626 /Heike Little, 01 789 0199 MAWA (Men of AWA) COFFEE Weekly, Wednesdays 10:30 - 12:00 Cafe Alt Wien, Bäckerstrasse 9, 1010 Continues throughout the summer! Robert Blaukopf/ robert.blaukopf@gmail.com

Tuesday Walkers: Bev, Jacqueline, Jill, Jocelyne

Sunday Fitness: Lisa, Sanna, Rosalyn, Minoo, Sonia

Think the weekly walks are just a stroll around the Ring? Both groups have turned their "out and abouts" into discovery excursions. The Tuesday trek, headed by Jacqueline, takes a planned detour to a church or historical site midpoint, then ends in an interesting coffee spot (or begins there in the case of sudden rain). Minoo's Sunday Fitness walkers meet at the Opera, but then step it up a level by heading farther off to Augarten, the Donaukanal or Prater (do not show up to this group wearing high heels!) Step by step, story by story, friendships develop (as do leg muscles). Join one week or every week - your body and soul will thank you!

Competent, friendly staff will welcome you to our office. We strive for excellence in everything we do, and as a patient you should accept nothing less. Our primary goal is to give you both a great smile and a healthy, long-lasting bite. We are committed to providing the best possible treatment using state-of-the art orthodontics in a caring, friendly environment. Billrothstrasse 58 1190 - Vienna +43 1 36 77 222 smile@claudia-aichinger.com www.claudia-aichinger.com

JUNE CALENDAR

Monday

Tuesday

May 27 12:30 Fluent Spanish Conversation 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group 15:30 Seniors' Afternoon Tea Party

11:00 Schmucksalon at Ciro 12:30 Fluent Spanish Conversation 13:00 Supporting Women Project 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group 15:00 Charity Committee Meeting

24 13:45 Tour of Micheal Fuchs Studio

May 29 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00

04 10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 German for Absolute Beginners 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong 18:00 Prosecco & Popcorn Movie Night

10:30 Health & Wellness Essential Oils 17:00 Happy Hour @ the Marriott

15:30 Seniors Afternoon Tea Party

May 28 10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 German for Absolute Beginners 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong

PFINGSTMONTAG Public Holiday Clubhouse and Shops closed

Wednesday

10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 German for Absolute Beginners 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong 13:00 Book Discussion Group

10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 12:00 Tour of Third Man Museum 13:00 American Mahjong 14:30 Tour of Imperial Hotel

25 10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong

05 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong

10:00 Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation 12.30 AWA Board Meeting 13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong 18:00 Ladies Dining Experience

10:00 Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA Coffee 12:00 Fluent German Conversation 13:00 Canasta 13:00 Senior's Luncheon

26 10:00 Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA Coffee 12:00 Fluent German Conversation 13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong 18:00 MAWA Dinner Night

@ AWA Clubhouse @ Off-Site Location ** By arrangement only

PLACES, LECTURES, GATHERINGS

See pages 10-11, 14-15 for event/activity specifics

Thursday

Friday

May 30 AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Christi Himmelfaht/ Ascension)

May 31

Botanischer Garten

10:30 Singing Group 11:00 Hula Rehearsal

SUNDAY JUNE 2 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

06 10:00 10:00 13:00 14:30 19:00 17:00

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Tour of Vienna University Ladies’ Wine Evening Tour of Botanical Garden

10:00 10:00 12:30 14:00

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Ice Cream Sundae Party

07 10:00-12:00 AWA Charity Craft Fair 14:00 Veggie Vienna- Veganmania

Meeting point: Mechelgasse / Prätoriusgasse entrance to Botanical Garden (near Rennweg) Cost: € 5 for the guided tour

SUNDAY 09 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

12:30 Culinary Experience: Russia 18:00 Art in the Evening SUNDAY 16

11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

FRONLEICHNAM Public Holiday Clubhouse and shops closed

12:30 Monthly Luncheon

SUNDAY 23 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

27 AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSES FOR SUMMER! RE-OPENS MONDAY 2 SEPT 10:00 Board Games 13:00 English Conv for Learners

Thursday, 6 June at 17:00

SUNDAY JUNE 30 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

As summertime has arrived, we hope for a pleasant day and a “fine weather only" outdoor event. Part of the Life Sciences Faculty at the University of Vienna, this Garden has several collections that are crucial for the conservation of endangered species and is also part of a network of twenty European Native Seed banks, botanical gardens and other institutes involved in plant conservation. The Botanical Garden dates back to the reign of Maria Theresia, who initially instructed Robert Laugier in 1754 to create a “Hortus Medicus,” a Baroque-style pharmaceutical garden. Later, Nikolaus von Jaquin, a professor of chemical and botanical sciences, reorganised and restructured the garden. It now presents both a 19th century landscape garden and displays of plants in species and geographic arrangement. Additionally, several smaller areas in the garden show useful plants, succulents, alpine floras and Austrian specialities. About 11,500 species are cultivated at the Botanischer Garten today. Friends and partners welcome! Please sign up by Wednesday, 5 June at awa@awavienna.com, or via Helene Gressenbauer (helene@gressenbauer.org, 0664 920 9807) N.B. Tour will be cancelled if rainy or stormy! Ladies Dining Experience, from left: Christine, Susan, Annick, Renee, Gloria, Heike, Margaret, Marina, Regina.

Tours/Trips/Social Events

EVENTS Sign up for the following tours/trips/social events by sending an email to awa@awavienna.com or by calling the AWA office at 01 9662925 (unless otherwise noted). AWA Clubhouse events located at Singerstr. 4/11,1010. Please show courtesy to tour leaders and participants by arriving on time and calling to cancel when plans have changed. Thank you!

Dining & Drinking PROSECCO & POPCORN MOVIE NIGHT Tuesday, 4 June at 18:00 in the AWA Clubhouse We'll watch Bohemian Rhapsody, a brilliant 2018 film biography about Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the British rock band Queen. Rami Malek truly deserved the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Freddie Mercury. Well worth watching and the perfect sing-along, too! Sign up: by noon, 4 June LADIES’ WINE EVENING: BAR CODE 1842 Thursday, 6 June at 19:00 Karlsplatz 1, 1010 For the last Wine Night before the summer break, we are trying a new location. Join us at the bar, close to the Karlsplatz U-Bahn station, for some relaxing drinks and girl time. Please send apologies if not able to attend after you have replied yes. Sign up: by Monday, 3 June Kristina Musil /awa@awavienna.com VEGGIE VIENNA: VEGANMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL Friday, 7 June 14:00-16:00 Museumsplatz, in front of Museumsquartier, 1070 Let’s get together at this great vegan festival and explore the wonderful and wide variety of food, cosmetics, and clothing stands. Meeting point is in front of the Veganista ice cream stand - a great place to start sampling! Sign up: by Thursday, 6 June LADIES’ DINING EXPERIENCE: REGHINA MARGARITA Wednesday, 12 June at 18:00 Wallnerstr. 4 1010 Join Annick to enjoy the summer evening Italian flavours. Please contact Annick directly by Friday, 7 June europolitan@chello.at /Annick Gauthier / 0699 1968 8173 HAPPY HOUR COCKTAILS: Cascade Bar, Marriott Hotel Monday, 17 June from 17:00 to 19:00 Parkring 12a, 1010 Relaxed socialization with a group of smart, fun women! Hosted by Minoo and Sonja, who have lived around the world and have fabulous stories to share. Two-for-one drink prices and €5 all-you-can-eat buffet available. Bar is located rear lobby level. Toast to life with us - and bring friends! Sign up: by noon on the Monday. SENIORS’ LUNCHEON -Wednesday, 19 June at 13:00 Fromme Helene, Josefstatterstr. 15, 1080 -Thursday, 18 July at Figl’s Grinzingergasse 55, 1190 -Wednesday, 14 August at Servitengasse 7, 1090 Sign up: with Phyllis Wieser directly 01 320 8418 phylliswieser@aon.at

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: ELLA'S FOOD & DRINK Friday, 21 June at 12:30 Judenplatz 9-10, 1010 One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Vienna, the cuisine is modern and light with lots of fish and vegetables. Served with tasteful, high-quality dishes at fair prices. Sign up: by Wednesday, 19 June. AWA contact is Nadia Di Paola / 0678 1252229 MAWA (Men of AWA) DINNER NIGHTS Wednesday, 26 June at 18:00 MAWA (Men of AWA) is the group for spouses of AWA members. New members are especially encouraged! Robert Blaukopf / robert.blaukopf@gmail.com SENIORS´ AFTERNOON TEA PARTY: Grand Hotel Monday, 29 June at 15:30 Kärntner Ring 9, 1010 (1st floor) Lively Ladies meet to chat and exchange views. Sign up: Friday, 26 April directly with Vera Saunders verasaunders@gmx.net / (01) 990 6492 evenings

Culinary Experiences

DINING AROUND THE WORLD: RUSSIA AT NIKOLAY Friday, 14 June at 12:30 Parkring 10, 1010 Russian Cuisine has been influenced by all the surrounding countries from Georgia to Kazakhstan, and Margarita has chosen this restaurant to show this. This modern restaurant has a great lunch selection with typical soups, mains and desserts. Sign up: by Wednesday, 12 June Margarita Randl /awa@awavienna.com /01 966 2925

Charity & Outreach

HAWAIIAN ICE CREAM SUNDAE PARTY Thursday, 13 June 14:0016:00, AWA Clubhouse Get in the swing for an afternoon of tasty ice cream sundaes with lots of different toppings. There will be hula dancing and lots of fun with prizes for the best Hawaiian outfits. Bring along your children too! Money raised is for our charity, Die Möwe. Sign up: by Tuesday, 11 June

Health & Wellness

ESSENTIAL OILS Monday, 17 June at 10:30, AWA Clubhouse Maria Kobzar is an expert on the oils that can improve one’s health. For example, Oregano Oil is a natural antibiotic, Patchouli Oil is great for wrinkles and Peppermint Oil helps with breathing problems. Maria will tell us more! Refreshments included. Sign up: by Thursday, 13 June

Tours/Trips/Social Events Behind the Scenes

SCHMUCKSALON at CIRO JEWELLERY Monday, 3 June at 11:00 Annagasse 3A/8 1010 Managing Partner, Elisabeth Koller-Galler, has invited us to her salon to take refreshments and to see her range of beautiful costume jewellery. The event is free, and friends are welcome. Sign up: by Wednesday, 29 May Sheila Hargreaves awa@awavienna.com /0676 755 9804 TOUR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA Thursday, 6 June at 14:30 Meet in Main Building's Aula, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Another first for me! This is the oldest university in the German-speaking world with 94,000 students. The tour includes the Arcade Court in the shape of a "campo santo," the Main Ceremonial Chamber decorated with copies of the paintings by Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch, and the Large Reading Room of the University Library. Cost depends on the number of participants but will be in the region of €6. Sign up: by Tuesday, 4 June Sheila Hargreaves awa@awavienna.com / 0676 7559 804 TOUR OF THE THIRD MAN MUSEUM Tuesday, 18 June at 12:00 Pressgasse 25, 1040 This Museum has grown very quickly from just one small cellar to a raft of small museum spaces dealing with the famous Hollywood film and how it was made under very difficult circumstances in the immediate postwar period. Also highlights the way of life in Vienna after the war and how the Marshall plan helped the Austrians. Gerhard, our guide, is an enthusiast and is extraordinarily knowledgeable about The Third Man. Cost is €15, but less if more than 10 sign up. Sign up: by Friday,14 June Sheila Hargreaves awa@awavienna.com 0676 7559 804 TOUR OF THE IMPERIAL HOTEL Kaerntner Ring 16, 1010 (meet at Concierge desk) Tuesday, 18 June at 14:30 This amazing hotel, originally Palais Wuerttemberg, was converted to a hotel in 1873 and is full of history. Herr Moser, our guide, has extensive knowledge of events and characters who have stayed there, from Hitler and Mussolini to Queen Elizabeth and Lady Gaga. The tour is free, but we will imbibe a Coffee and sample Imperial Torte afterwards (paid directly by participant)! Sign up: by Thursday, 13 June BEHIND THE SCENES MODERN ART ATELIER MICHAEL FUCHS Monday, 24 June at 13:45 Hermannstr. 12, 3400 Klosterneuburg Michael Fuchs, the son of the famous painter, Ernst Fuchs, moved to Austria in 1970 (after a childhood in the U.S.) to study painting with his father at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. His portraits hang in many U.S. and European cities. Since 1990 he has lived and worked in Klosterneuburg. Minimum of 10 people required for this tour. Public transport: Take U4 until Heiligenstadt , and then Bus 400 until Klosterneuburg. The destination is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. Sign up: by Monday, 10 June. Alexandra Salehi-Vogler / 0699 12543154

Arts & Culture

EVENTS

ART IN THE EVENING: NEPALESE ART NOW @ WELT MUSEUM WIEN Friday, 14 June at 18:00 Heldenplatz, 1010 Meet at museum entrance. Join Ida to see the largest exhibition of contemporary Nepalese art to date, curated with Nepalese artists and the Nepal art council. Its aim is to share the works between Western viewers and the artists. Several of the works depict topics ranging from the 2015 earthquake, to women’s rights and religion. Tickets are €12 (purchased in advance or at the door by attendees). More information at: https://www.weltmuseumwien.at/ausstellungen/nepal-art-now/ Sign up: by Thursday, 13 June Ida Vickers/ awa@awavienna.com

Summer Activities! SUMMER LUNCHEON Thursday, August 8 at 12:30 Cafe Landtmann, Universitätsstrasse 4. Marina Hornasek has, once again, booked the airconditioned Wintergarden (left hand) for our annual AWA Summer getogether. A tasty lunch menu will be available. Seating is limited, so signing up is essential. Sign up: by Friday, 2 August DAY TRIP: CYCLING AT LAKE NEUSIEDL PART 1 Tuesday, 23 July Meet at Neusiedl am See Bahnhof at 10:00 Join us for a day of cycling along the east side of Lake Neusiedl towards Podersdorf. The route is the B10 bike path, away from roads and traffic, and is flat and easy. Plenty of stops for coffee, lunch and ice cream! A train leaves Wien Hauptbahnhof at 9:15 and arrives at Neusiedl am See at 10:00, or it’s a 50-minute drive from Vienna. Plan is to take 16:00 train back to Vienna. Non-cyclists, can relax with Regina in Weiden then join the cyclists for lunch. Sign up: by 16 July with Irene Schlegelmilch at ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net or 06606404410 DAY TRIP: CYCLING AT LAKE NEUSIEDL PART 2 Tuesday, 20 August Meet at Neusiedl am See Bahnhof at 10:00 For Part 2, we’ll be cycling along the west side of Lake Neusiedl towards Purbach. The route is on the B10 bike path, through lots of vineyards, mostly away from roads and traffic. There will be plenty of breaks and, hopefully, Sheila will join us for lunch as she’ll be in Oggau over the summer! A train leaves Wien Hauptbahnhof at 9:15 and arrives at Neusiedl am See at 10:00, or it’s a 50-minute drive from Vienna. Plan is to take 17:00 train back to Vienna. For both trips: Participants can bring bikes on the train or can rent bikes directly at the station in Neusiedl (13€ for a regular bike and 25€ for an e-bike). In case of bad weather we’ll reschedule. Sign up: by 13 August with Irene Schlegelmilch at ireneschlegelmilch@ gmx.net or 06606404410

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Go Bezirk! MEMBER TIPS THE 1020 TIP SQUAD Elizabeth Thomas (ET) 7 months. Loves the “funky, diverse vibrancy” and green. Connie Phlipot (CP) 6 months. Fits in with her active lifestyle and husband's work at UN. Christine Dierickx (CD) 3 years. Loves proximity to great running spots. Lizzie Haszcyn (LH) Enjoys seeing the Riesenrad from her window. Suzanne Orrelll (SO) 14 months. Because it's a Foodie's paradise! Michelle Margeson (MM) 2.5 years. Likes that the 2nd is not overrun with

tourists. Dardis McNamee (DM) 18 years. Lived in 1020 before it was trendy. Erin Silangil (ES) 3 years. Because it's close to and far enough away from her inlaws.

remembrance,” honouring Jews who were murdered during the ●Dianabad pool and sauna, Holocaust and related atrocities. Lilienbrunngasse 7-9. My eightThe stones were meant to be year-old loves the indoor pool raised so walkers would literally with its many attractions, and my stumble over them and be husband and I love the sauna reminded of that history. But with its beautiful historic mosaics. safety ordinances changed that. A lovely escape in the midst of .●MuTH, Augarten. A fabulous the bustling city. ET music venue! A lot less stuffy ●Praterstrasse, near the statue. than the usual music halls with Johann Nepomuk Nestroy was a affordable, attainable tickets. CD 19th century genius of comedic FAVOURITE COFFEE satire comparable to Charles Dickens or Mark Twain. Lovely Balthasar, Praterstr. 38. One of eateries and a gelato shop the best cups of coffee in the city nearby, and in a really cool space with a real on a niceneighborhood vibe. ET weather Cafe Augarten, Obere day, you'll Augartenstr. 1. You can’t beat hear some sipping coffee in a baroque accordion garden. SO players. You can sit on SuperSense, Praterstr. 70. Good the steps of coffee and food in a beautiful the statue, (Venetian-style) building. Tables peopleusually available, no wait. MM watch, and drink clean water Monte Ofelio, Obere from the Jungendstil fountain Augartenstr. 70. A concept store nearby. CD, DM run by two Italian brothers. Good ●Templegasse Contemplation. Italian coffee and sells products Giant white from Italy not found in regular columns grocery stores. ES. commemorate FAVOURITE LUNCH/BRUNCH the Leopoldstadt Temple, burned Cafe Ansari, Praterstr. 15. to the ground I recommend the Georgian by the Nazis on breakfast (for lunch, others love Kristallnacht, the khatschapuri Nov. 10, 1938. cheese-filled Hidden history, elegantly bread there). ET commemorated. Also be sure to look down at your Ramasuri, feet for the Stolpersteine or Praterstr, 19. For “stumbling stones” (also called the blueberry Steinedererinnerung, “stones of pancakes when

I’m missing the taste of home. In the same sweet Platz as Ansari at the far end of Praterstrasse, just before the canal. ET

Leopoldstadt is home to leafy parks, trendy spots, traditional shops, the Vienna Boys' Choir, the Riesenrad, the Karmelitermarkt, the city’s best pizzeria...and some questionable massage parlors. It’s also a veritable book of Jewish history, with monuments attesting to their innovations as well as their expulsions and exterminations. Multi-faceted and bombastic, gourmet and green (sprinkled with a bit of grit), the 1020 is anything but boring! HIDDEN GEMS

Altenberg, Leopoldsgasse 33. Old-fashioned cafe/restaurant, just like grandma’s house. CP CafeTachles, Karmeliterplatz. A lively, charming evening spot serving light food including pierogies. CP Brotzeit Zirkusgasse 9. For a quick Viennese canteen lunch, and Bao Bar, Zollergasse 2. For the Asian buns. MM Tewa, Karmelitermarkt. Brunch that’s a blend of American, Viennese, and Israeli food. It’s also a wine bar. CD Pizza Mari, Leopoldgasse 23A. Often and deservedly named best pizza in Vienna. Woodfired pizzas. We also love the family-run Pizza Quartier in the Karmelitermarkt. LH Schone Perle, Große Pfarrgasse 2. For really friendly service and the most amazing schnitzel. LH Zimmer 37. Karmelitermarkt 37. Off-beat Vegetarian caférestaurant run by a mother-anddaughter duo, cooking up fresh, seasonal “Five Elements” cuisine. On a sunny day, the perfect place to sit outside and watch the bustle. DM Zeytin, Krummbaumgasse 5. It’s a Turkish restaurant/feinkost. I usually order the Oriental platter, with three spreads, bread and falafel, to share. ES

FOR

Leopoldstadt 1020

DRINKS Café Sperlhof, Große Sperlgasse. Very drinkable house wine (homemade soups and snacks also available). Comfy booths and billiard tables, books to take and trade, and a stack of 900 board games. DM Vinothek Müller, Hollandstr. 18. Top Austrian wines. DM SHOPPING Supersense, Praterstraße 70, because of its uniquely singular focus on "analog delicacies." They offer all sorts of interesting workshops, such as printmaking and Polaroid photography. ET Song, Praterstr. 11. I am dreaming of buying a dress at this beautiful clothing store that I walk by each morning. ET Vorgartenmarkt. Located near the river, smaller and less busy than Karmelitermarkt, it has a number of well-stocked shops, a great bakery, the Golden Fish market and several cafes. CP Die Fischerie, Praterstr. 49. A newly opened store specializing in local freshwater fish. The BEST TOUR ●Let's start with a coffee at Balthasar. From there we'll decompress at the Dianabad Sauna for a few hours. We'll have lunch at Cafe Ansari before heading to Augarten for a stroll. Then we'll meander down Taborstrasse, window-shopping along the way. Let's catch an early show at the MuTh -- the Vienna Boys Choir does a 17:00 concert one Friday a month followed by truly outstanding pizza at Pizza Mari. Afterward, we'll have a cocktail at Hammond Bar, home to an internationallyrecognized bartender who creates the most beautiful cocktails with house-infused spirits in a cozy atmosphere. ET ●We’ll go for a run that connects the Donaukanal and Prater, then amble in Augarten, sample some various-aged cheeses at Karmelitermarkt, and maybe poke into a Jewish bakery. CD ●Come on a Saturday. We’ll start

owner is friendly, knowledgeable and speaks good English. They just opened a small bistro as well. CP Shefa, Heinestr. 24. The largest of several kosher stores and bakeries in the district. Look for Middle Eastern/Russian specialities including Balkan/ Central Asian breads. CP Wundertüte, Karmeliterplatz. A carefully curated collection of home goods, personal care items, jewellery and women’s clothing. A great place to treat yourself or pick up a gift. SO Eisendorn, Praterstr. 9. An oldfashioned hardware store, of the type once found in every Grätzl. The shop carries a full line of tools, supplies and equipment. Also an excellent website and online store. DM BEST PARKS/ATHLETIC My family and I spend a lot of time in the Prater. It is perfect for a run, bike ride, or a long

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walk, and has many outstanding playgrounds and picnic spots. ET Augarten. Once around the inner perimeter is about 2.5 km. In the spring/summer, the Bunkerie has a pleasant outdoor cafe and the Porcelain Museum Cafe has outdoor seating as well in season. All in the shadow of the weirdly striking flak towers. CP There's always something interesting/disgusting/fascinating going on on the Donaukanal. I've seen drunk men doing their

business behind trees, a huge beaver chewing a branch on a ledge down by the water, some over-confident graffiti "artists" blessing the city with new art, and have been attacked by hooded crows. MM FAVOURITE HISTORIC FACT ●Strauss put on shows at Dianabad, covering the pool with a stage during the off season. (I learned this on an excellent AWA tour at the Strauss Museum, a small but lovely apartment on Praterstr., where Strauss lived and worked.) ET ●Austrian royalty used Taborstr. to get from the palace to Augarten. SO

at Karmelitermarkt with a coffee at the Coffee Station. Then we’ll tour the market, buy some local produce, cheeses and bread, and eventually walk up to Augarten for a picnic. SO ●Lunch at Cafe Ansari, which has nice Mediterranean/ Georgian dishes. Then have a walk in Augarten, and enjoy coffee at Monte Ofelio afterwards. In the evening, we’d go for beer and “stelze” at Schweizerhaus at the Prater, and then throw it all up on the roller coasters using our unlimited-ride Prater card! ES

●The Karmelitermarkt has always been an area where Orthodox Jews have made their home. LH ●“Leopoldstadt” is named for Leopold I, who expelled the Jews from the district (and the city) in 1670, ordered the synagogue burned and built a Leopoldkirche in its place. DM ● The nickname for the 2nd was once Mazzeinsel (Matzo island) after the traditional bread. ES Live in 8th or the 3rd? Please send your Bezirk tips by August to awahighlights@gmail.com

TOUR TALK

Learning about Bernstein in Wien B Y S H E I L A H A R G R E AV E S

a child, I was fascinated by 18 As the Holocaust and read widely

and Jews, and that the character the Viennese musicians wouldn’t of Maria was to be an immigrant look at Bernstein, but gradually he won them over and kept about Nazi concentration camps. Holocaust survivor. returning as a guest conductor, I did not know, however, that I also had no idea of remaining in Vienna until 1976. a Jewish orchestra in Dachau Bernstein’s connection to But the talented pianist, prolific was forced to play as the victims the Musikverein. In 1967, composer, and energetic walked to the gas chambers. As conductor of orchestras I learned at our tour worldwide was not all of the (now-closed) perfection! On arriving in exhibition of Leonard Vienna, he and his wife Bernstein 1918-1990 lived in the Hotel Sacher, at the Jewish Museum, but they were asked to Bernstein conducted leave as they gave too those who survived many parties. the Holocaust at a concert in Munich, just Interesting exhibit after the war. In 1947, items included photos, he conducted the first newspaper articles, the Israeli Orchestra in Tel Austrian jacket he wore Aviv. “as therapy against The details in the exhibition were a real eyeopener for me and the members of our AWA tour group. I knew that Bernstein had composed West Side Story, a musical whose words are imprinted in my memory, but I had no idea that the original idea for the musical was tension between Catholics

German nationalism” and his conductor’s coat, specially made by a Viennese tailor to accommodate Bernstein’s animated conducting style. The exhibition corresponded with the 100th anniversary of the conductor’s birth.

Bernstein began to work with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and eventually persuaded the resistant musicians to perform all of Mahler’s symphonies. Mahler, a Jew, had his music banned under the Nazis and the director, an SS member, had denounced the Jewish members. Initially

Photo: Leonard Bernstein conducting the first Israeli orchestra in 1948.

Back: Guide, Arlette, Choonai, Franziska, Rosanna, Naira, Nadia. Middle: Yolanda, Rita, Renee, Teresa, Connie, Laura, Cathy. Front: Helen, Maria, Jacqueline, Virginia

Jacqueline, Helen,Teresa.

What Lies Beneath How much would someone have to pay you to walk through Vienna’s sewer system? Believe it or not, an adventurous group of 20 AWA members not only descended to that dark and not-so-sweetsmelling underworld, but also paid for the privilege to do so as part of the Third Man Sewer Tour.

A first-time event for AWA and our intrepid tour organiser, Sheila, it will likely be her last sewer detour due to claustrophobic conditions. Probably for the best as her Birkenstocks weren’t exactly ideal footwear for the slippery slopes. What did we see and learn during our time underground? ●The “Hollywood” entrance, our starting point, was the same spiral stairs used in

BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

Sheila

●Only three items should ●Pink hairnets and white hard hats - not ever be flushed flattering look. down the toilet: ●Actor Orson Welles (who plays Harry water, paper and Lime in The Third Man) refused to film human waste. scenes in the actual sewers. An Austrian Never a cell phone. actor doubled for him in subterranean running scenes. ●All our waste ●Below the Naschmarkt, the Wien River flows downhill to Simmering, the lowest point in Vienna, flows through a huge, dramatically-lit and the site of the wastewater treatment vaulted tunnel. plant. Gravity does the work: no pumps ●All the Third Man sewer scenes were required. shot in one location, made to look like ●If you stretched out Vienna’s extensive more via creative camera angles. sewer network into one 2,500 kilometre ●Austrian crime series Inspector Rex, tunnel, it would reach all the way and Falco’s Jeannie music video were to Cairo. Now that could make an filmed in the sewer tunnels. interesting movie… or tour. the filming of The Third Man in 1949.

Fernwärme: A Breath of Fresh Air

TOUR TALK

BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

Behind the colourful, quirky façade of the Fernwärme in Spittelau, we found efficiency, ingenuity and, yes, energy (as well as the unique structure featured on the cover). No wonder the plant has become the model for “clean and green” trash processing worldwide. Proof of the “clean” can be found just below the gold top of the plant’s prominent tower. There, a pair of falcons nests each year in the pollutant-free atmosphere. This, and the forest on the roof of the truck-dumping area, is an intentional blend of nature that was essential to the philosophy and work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the Austrian artist who gave the building its memorable makeover after a fire in 1987. (Fun fact: The artist's real last name is Stowasser. The pseudonym Hundertwasser means “Peace-Realm 100-Water.”) A parade of bright-orange trash trucks drives through the weighing station to the enormous 7,000-cubic-meter bunker. Here they will dump the junk down concrete chutes to the mountain of Müll inside. We hold our noses, dreading an odious explosion of odors when the bay doors open – only to find that the system is relatively stink-free. Next, we watch the process from the inside (mercifully via a sealed glass room) as workers, staring at video screens and seated in armchairs with joystick controllers, manipulate huge iron claws to mix the

muck and make room for ever-more deliveries (250 trucks, twice a day, five days a week) before the Big Burn on Friday. Talk about a bonfire! Jaw-dropping to see what humans discard daily! Workers have even encountered odd, oversized and-not-so-combustible refuse such as a VW Beetle and “half a cow.” Luckily, even the

non-recyclable plastics added to the trash mix can be incinerated, and the resulting heat produces electricity, while the "residual

energy" is directed to more than a third of the district's heating systems. (AWA President Sheila Hargreaves well knows the benefit of budget “recycled heating” as her former flat in Arsenal was energised in this manner.) After incineration, the only materials remaining are ash and slag (which are mixed with concrete and sold as a building material), and a “filter cake” of heavy metals that is stored in a former salt mine. The plant takes about 250,000 tonnes of waste per year (the equivalent of 20x the the Eiffel Tower weight) and reduces it to just 6,000 tonnes (about 3/5 the Eiffel Tower weight) with no impact on air quality. And energy created along the way. A breath of fresh air, indeed! Tours are free, offered in English and German, and can be arranged via the Wien Energie website.

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The Road to Mauthausen BY CONNIE PHLIPOT

“She wants to go where?” I asked myself when I read my friend’s suggestions for her upcoming visit to Vienna. Mauthausen? A concentration camp memorial on the Danube some 160 kilometers from Vienna? Why would she want to spend one of her four planned days in Vienna — which she had not visited since the 1990s — traveling to and from such a grim site? The Second World War, the Holocaust and the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe shaped my friend’s life. She was born in Communist Poland just a few years after the War, immigrated to the US where her children were born, then returned to her homeland when she retired from her sociology professorship at an American University. She believed that her uncle had

most probably been interned at Mauthausen for his role in the Warsaw Uprising. Now I really understood why we had to go there. I

told her that I would look into the logistics.

Mauthausen’s website and the ÖBB train schedule made it look relatively easy to reach Mauthausen on your own via public transportation. Take a Salzburg-bound train to St. Valentin, then a local train to the town of Mauthausen, and from there take a bus to the memorial site. The first two steps were straightforward, and the hour or so layover in St. Valentin (which smelled curiously like a neglected dog park) gave us a chance to enjoy coffee in a charmingly untrendy cafe. Once in Mauthausen, however, information on the ground was scant. Aided by Google maps and a few educated guesses, we figured out that we needed to take

a bus to Linz. The helpful bus driver told us when to get off the bus, and even jumped off himself to point us in the right direction. The right direction was a steep, winding, 1.5-km walk with just a few signposts along the way. It was late March with its windy, drizzly last gasps of winter weather. We reached the camp, spread out along a plateau above the town, pleased to find a new visitor center with fine toilets (and happy that we had eaten lunch before setting out as the cafe was not yet open). The well-preserved camp is much as one would expect of such a site: rows of grim barracks with signs indicating a washroom, a kitchen and — adjacent to the infirmary that now houses the museum — the gas chambers. We learned from the museum (informational signs included English translations) that the concentration camp was created soon after the Anschluss in 1938, and that the site was chosen due to its proximity to a granite quarry in which the prisoners were forced to work for the benefit of Hitler’s construction projects. The conditions at the camp were among

Concentration Camp Memorial the harshest in the entire system. Prisoners often fell climbing precarious ladders while carrying huge rocks up the cliffs, and while weakened by starvation and 11-hour workdays and tormented by dogs and gun-toting SS guards. Those not fit enough to work were left to die, gassed or used for experiments. As the war progressed, the prisoners were forced to labor in the arms industry concentrated around Linz. Throughout the period, however, the town of Mauthausen continued its existence as a peaceful resort. One exhibit notes that the resort-goers complained about the smell wafting down from the camp. The museum’s focus on individual

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stories underscores the international makeup of the prison population. Prisoners were

transferred from all over the occupied territories, and even included Spanish Republicans who had fled Franco. In all, an estimated 190,000 people from 40 nations were interred at Mauthausen (and the branch Gusen camp) from 19381945; 90,000 died there. The grounds include international memorials. The names of the dead are engraved on black marble slabs in the Room of Remembrance. For easier perusal, several bound copies listing the names are located around the room. I found surnames that were the same as both of my maternal grandparents, though no suggestion that the dead were related to our family. My friend’s uncle was not listed, though family letters make clear that he probably had been in Mauthausen. The next day, my friend and I visited the impressive Wien 1900 exhibit at the Leopold Museum. The last picture on display was a black and white photo of the steps leading to the Mauthausen quarry entitled “Stairs of Death.” That certainly put our journey into perspective. For further information, including a virtual tour, see mauthausen-memorial.org Organised group day trips to the site are possible via tour companies such as Viator. Connie Phlipot is a retired U.S. diplomat and is currently writing a novel based on family history.

Sunday Service: 11:15 Rev. Matthew A. Laferty Sechshauser Straße 56, 1150 Vienna tel: +43 1 895 8175 office@esumc.at I www.esumc.at U4/U6 Längenfeldgasse or 57A Grimmgasse A friendly, caring community with many different nations, cultures, and traditions. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors We offer: - a place for worship, study, growth - an opportunity to find your own ministry - a chance to feel at home - toddler care - a wonderful and fun Sunday School - five choirs and special music - active groups for families, men, women, young adults, prayer and others

The English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna

Board & Charity Reports

REPORTS

AMBASSADOR'S COFFEE/AGM Alexis Swanson Traina, AWA Honorary President and wife of US Ambassador to Vienna Trevor Traina, hosted our Annual General Meeting and coffee in early May at the beautifully remodeled US ambassador residence in Hietzing. Eighty AWA members attended. As I entered, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the newly handpainted walls of Klimt-inspired flowers and symbols. (Pity it will all be painted over when their term is over.) I cannot recall remembering ambassador residence decor before. Mrs. Traina spoke eloquently about her family’s move from California to Vienna, the impact on their lives, and the change in her working status. You can read more about her story and insights in this month’s member profile. I was so impressed with her warmth and empathy. She is an excellent speaker and eminently capable of being the Ambassador! Our 2018 report, prepared by our wonderful auditor, Hannes Miklautsch (who has voluntarily audited our finances for 21 years), reached two major conclusions about our state of affairs: 1. AWA generated an operating surplus in 2018 of €5686.94, the first time in several years as we had been steadily making a loss

of €5,000 every year, eating into our reserves. The surplus was a result of: a. An increase in the membership, b. The willingness of Senior members to pay the new fee of €84 and, most significantly, c. The generosity of members donating to the Clubhouse fund. We can now say that, provided we can keep this up, the Clubhouse is safe! 2. The Highlights magazine created an income of €14,520 from Advertising, thanks to the efforts of Nadia and her team. Now Highlights not only pays for itself, it also contributes to our budget. Those members who pick up their copy or only receive a webissue also contribute to this savings.

CHARITY NEWS

AWA members unanimously approved the 2018 Financial Audit with a show of hands. I concluded the meeting by praising AWA members who were doing a fantastic job organising and participating in activities and events, and were volunteering skills and expertise. New events have been introduced, friends have been encouraged to join. AWA is

already a fantastic club and the addition of new members, younger members and enthusiastic members is making it even better! Bravo to us all!

I also thanked and presented bouquets to Mrs. Traina and Constanze, the Protocols Officer, who arranges all the events at the Residence and is the all-important contact for AWA. Thank you also to Ms. Robin Dunnigan, US Deputy Chief of Staff, who welcomed us to the Residence, and to the hospitality staff who decorated and prepared/ served the delicious canapes and refreshments.

2019 AWA Board

Honorary President: Alexis Traina President: Sheila Hargreaves 0676 755 9804/ sheilahargreaves@a1.net Vice President/Programs: Helene Gressenbauer-Rösner 0664 920 9807/ helene@gressenbauer.org Charity Fundraising: Irene Schlegelmilch 0660 6404410/ awavpfundraising@gmail.com Treasurer: Jillanne Gabler 01 966 2925/ awa.viennatreasurer@gmail.com Secretary: Susan Cole 01 966 2925/ awa@awavienna.com Weekly Coffee: Gerda Moes 0676 387 2450/ gerdamz@gmail.com Internal Communications: Urte Paulus 0676 676 5829/ urte.paulus@gmx.at Membership: Sara 01 966 2925/AWAViennaMembership@gmail.com Webmanager/FAWCO Rep: Beverly Bachmayer 01 966 2925/ awa@awavienna.com Highlights Advertising: Nadia Di Paola 0678 1252229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com Highlights Editor/Layout: Virginia Sheridan awahighlights@gmail.com

the homeless and needy, plus some extra scarves to sell at our charity craft fair in the Autumn. Please drop off any donations of acrylic yarn to the AWA Clubhouse. We are planning to hold monthly knitting and craft sessions in the Fall.

some time with needy mothers and children: to chat with the CONTACT: Irene Schlegelmilch mums, to play with the children, in case of questions. to accompany families on ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net / doctor’s visits, etc. German not 06606404410 essential as many families speak COLLECTION. Please bring some English.Other languages any outdated or foreign money may be useful, too. If you are to our collection box at the AWA DONATION REQUEST: Looking interested, please contact Irene Clubhouse. We already banked (details above). for prizes for our fundraising 140€ from our first batch of Win a Free events such as gift vouchers, exchanged old currency. And the Annual AWA Membership! wine, Prosecco & snacks. Please box is nearly full again! Thank (up to a 96€ value) bring these donations to the you! 2€ per raffle ticket Clubhouse anytime. sold at Clubhouse and at Craft KNITTING PROJECT. We've VOLUNTEERS. Die Möwe, our Fair on 7 June set ourselves a goal to knit 111 2019 (child protection) charity, All funds for Die Mőwe! scarves for Christmas gifts for is seeking volunteers to spend

Vienna in June WIENISSIMO FOOD FESTIVAL 14 and 15 June. Dine in the Augarten, with food and drink served by some of the best local taverns and vintners, all for a donation to the refurbishment of Stephansdom’s organ. https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wienissimo LIVE OPERA ON THE SQUARE Throughout May, June and September. The Staatsoper provides free outdoor screenings of opera and ballet performances. Check the programme on the website. https:// www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en RATHAUS OPENAIR CINEMA 30 June throughout the summer. A variety of films shown on a huge screen in front of the Rathaus. Wide array of food and drinks available from stalls. https://filmfestival-rathausplatz.at/ en/program/ MIDSUMMER EVE CONCERT 20 June. This wonderful free concert, performed by the Wiener Philharmonic Orchestra with Pianist Yuja Wang and Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, is a must for all those new to Vienna. Schloss Schönbrunn, beautifully lit, is a spectacular backdrop. https://www.sommernachtskonzert.at/ INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 11 May to 1 July. The Wiener Konzerthaus will stage its 39th International Music Festival featuring Mozart, Bach, Haydn. https://konzerthaus.at/en/internationalesmusikfest DONAUINSEL FEST 21 to 23 June. Huge acreage of stages with Pop and Rock bands and DJs on the Donauinsel. Free entry, big crowds. www.wien.info/en/lifestyle-scene/danube-island-festival

INFO NUREYEV GALA 2019 28 June, Wiener Staaatsoper. Manuel Legris, the Artistic Director of the Ballet Academy, stages a splendid gala based on Nureyev’s original choreographies. https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/season-tickets/detail/ event/968553309-nurejew-gala-2019/ GRAFENEGG SUMMER CONCERTS/FESTIVAL 14 June to 8 September. Located between Vienna and Wachau Valley (with shuttle buses from Vienna to venue), the open-air arena in Castle Park treats listeners to incredible acoustics and classical concerts in a magnificent setting. https://www.grafenegg.com/en/programm-tickets THE VIENNA FESTIVAL AT THE RATHAUS Throughout June. The Vienna Festival (Festwochen) is dedicated to artistic creation in visual and performing arts. Click the link below to see the schedule of free events. https://www.festwochen.at/en/nc/programme/programme DANUBE VALLEY BOAT TRIPS SUMMER SOLSTICE 21 June. The villages along the Wachau Valley have been celebrating the summer solstice for centuries, with thousands of little lit paper boats on the river and torches in the vineyards. Cruises on that day usually sell out quickly. https://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/

AWA VIENNA OFFICE & CLUBHOUSE: Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien T: (01) 966 29 25 E-mail: awa@awavienna.com www.awavienna.com

OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday, 10:00-16:00 Friday closed OFFICE MANAGERS: Margarita Randl & Erin Silangil

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