15. Digital version ‘Going Green ’ March issue by The Underground The Hague

GREEN ISSUE

THE EURASIAN DUTCH

GREEN THE HAGUE

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Issue 15. March/April 2013

The Underground FRE The Hague E ®

Experience The Hague with us! Absorb the cultural and social essence of this diverse city through the eyes of the international community and locals. You are The Underground!

FR EE CO PY

p.7 Art & Nature

p.21Urban Legend

The idea of combining nature and art has fascinated people since the late 60s. Today the environmental art movement keeps rising in popularity. Modern artists engage with nature, delve into people’s understanding of it, and strive to improve ...

Who is Robin de Goede, the man who shows us ‘The city in focus’? Scanning through his biography and reading about his projects, prizes, exhibitions and photos, I feel Robert lingers in some sort of globetrotter vibe ...

p.21 Marloes van Elswijk

Ok, I have to admit my mind was distracted by other events when I arrived to meet Marloes van Elswijk at FAST this Tuesday, so my factual reporting may be looser than a nun’s girdle, but sometimes

through the mist ...

www.theunderground.nl

Topic

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Issue 15. March/April 2013

Welcome

Publisher The Underground is an independent monthly newspaper published by Simone Branson Harper simone@theunderground.nl Phone: + 31 (0) 6- 815 050 49 Koninginnegracht 72 2514 AG Den Haag Full biographies of this month’s contributors can be found online

Advertising rates Start from € 10,- a month Distribution point € 25,- a month sales@theunderground.nl

Email to set up an appointment to discuss different advertising opportunities info@theunderground.nl

Upcoming issues Issue 16 May & June Issue 17 July & August

Letter from the Publisher March used to be the first month of the year heralding in the new and that is what this edition is all about - new beginnings. Together Abroad has tips on how to improve your video interviewing technique, Clare meets local entrepreneurs and we reveal the latest gardening trend – rooftop gardening. We searched the Internet and spotted a remarkable Facebook page ‘City in Focus’, we were curious to find out more about the person behind the story. So, Laura met Robin de Goede in person and was not disappointed, a true hidden gem living in our city! We are happy to announce ‘new beginnings’ for two of our volunteers, Marta Calvet has been offered a job at The Hague Guest Card and Marie Therese Makary has signed her contract with SHELL. Congratulations ladies!!! What has been happening behind the scenes? Our activities on the social media have expanded significantly over the past year and with 10,000 hits a month we have decided to focus more on the website. Due to the workload involved we have made the decision to publish the paper every other month. Not wanting to disappoint our readers we will, however, be printing more pages starting with this issue, which will now hold 32 pages. The improved digital version will continue to offer affordable advertising across the board making it easy for even the smallest of enterprises to promote their services for just E10,- a month. Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank all the contributors, volunteers and interns for all their hard work in helping to inform the international community what a wonderful, fun and fascinating city The Hague really is! Simone Branson Harper simone@theunderground.nl

Issue 18 September & October Issue 19 November & December

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Print: Wegener NieuwsDruk BV

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@undergroundth/ green issue

News & Views

Headlines Top 10 news from The Hague

reporter

Issue 14. February 2013

More people on welfare in the Randstad area. This is the result of a recent investigation conducted by the Centraal Bureau van de Statistiek (CBS), the Netherlands’ main research institution. According to the CBS, the percentage of people in the Randstad receiving an unemployment benefit has risen by 90% between 2008 and 2012. In other areas this number went up by 69%, and over the whole of The Netherlands, by 77%. In simple numbers, of 1,000 persons (15 to 65 years old) 25 received welfare in 2012, compared to 14 in 2008. New train schedule Brussels-The Hague. Two trains a day ensure the connection between Brussels and The Hague from the 18th of February. During weekdays, the train leaves from Brussels South at 6:18 and 18:18, while the departures from The Hague HS are scheduled for 7:29 and 19:29. During the weekend, passengers must change trains in Antwerp. Furthermore, it is expected that after the 10th of March, eight trains will ride between The Hague and Brussels every day.

Rethink the leaf

The Underground meets THE STIG!

Government will play no part in saving The Pier. According to the minister of culture, Jet Bussemaker, The Pier in Scheveningen does not meet the criteria necessary to be declared a national monument. The Christian- democrat party CDA, had made a proposal calling for The Pier to be declared a monument, as it is an influential building with high historical and cultural value. Their proposal was denied due to the many modifications made to the original structure and also the general bad condition of the Pier. The Hague to make film about 200 years of monarchy. The Hague’s city archive and film producer Robin Lutz are working on an educational documentary film pertaining to the past two centuries of Dutch monarchy. Around 200 years ago the Netherlands regained its independence and the royal family of Orange took the throne. The film, due to come out in November, although mainly aimed at school children, will surely be shown in Pathé Buitenhof.

Little Free Library

The Underground reporters Joan Smient & Marketa meet The Stig at Zandvoort. Read more online.

Valkenboskade, The Hague Photo by Vincenzo D’Innella Capano.

Laak Schoon Since 2009 one of the missions for Stichting Aquarius is to clean one river in the Netherlands on International Water Day. In previous years they have taken on Schiedam, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Oude Ijssel. Come join the river clean up on March 22 with various activities starting at 13.00 and concluding at 18.00. There are various routes and starting points throughout The Hague which all finish in Scheveningen. To register: www.stichtingaquarius.nl/inschrijven-2.

A sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world! Little Free Library are building and promoting “Take a book, leave a book” structures that fit in a front yard, by a sidewalk, café shop or park and are just big enough to hold 20-30 books that kids and adults can give and take.

Help a toad cross the road! The Hague Animal Protection Agency is looking for volunteers for the annual toad migration (paddentrek) in The Hague. Would you also like to lend a helping hand? It would cost you a few hours an evening for 6 to 8 weeks. You can register on the website of the Haagse Dierenbescherming or you can request a form by calling (070) 392 42 89.

Car Drives into Suezkade

Winter shelters for homeless close their doors. The extra winter shelters for homeless people in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht closed their doors on the 15th of February due to milder temperatures. Every year, local municipalities, public health organisations and charities provide extra sleeping places for homeless people during periods of frost. Parakeets destroy chestnut trees at the Hofvijver. The birds have so severely damaged six of the 25 chestnut trees at the Hofvijver that they must be cut down. The affected trees pose a safety threat to the surrounding environment. The parakeets bite the buds off the trees, leaving them to produce a lot more energy in order to produce new buds. This process leads to degradation in the tree’s condition, making it vulnerable to diseases.

Suezkade, The Hague

Human Digital Clock More than 1,000 people are needed to take part in the community art project in The Hague called ‘Spuigenoten’. The volunteers will come together to form a human digital clock during the day on Wednesday, 6 March in Theater aan het Spui. To participate in this unique project, pick a time slot and register with a team of friends or colleagues. More information and registration (in Dutch) can be found at www.spuigenoten.nl. Together participants will show their moral support for the theatre in an artistic way. Vision De Vredespark The Freedom Park is planned as a landmark in The Hague, linking the Vredespaleis, the Scheveningse gevangenis and the new Internationale Strafhof. The municipality is encouraging residents to help plan a new, innovative park design and artists to make the plans a reality. Sustainable, international and the arts are key words in the concept development of this incredible project. Once completed, this park will host a multitude of cultural festivals and events throughout the year.

Minna Sun Kim : Underwater Cartoons ©

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By Maxime Zech

I know no better way to do right by the earth than to write about it. It is the only thing that I am capable of doing that goes beyond recycling and avoiding plastic bags etc. To really marvel at the beauty of nature, and to explore it at an entirely different level of humanity. It’s an experience you have with the earth, a little moment that nobody else can touch. So in my little Thoreau ways, I HAVE to do this at least once a year. I have a caravan in Zeeland by the beach. Every now and then I go there by myself for a few weeks. The caravan is to me what Alaska was for Christopher McCandless. It inspires me to reach exquisite levels. Nothing provokes existential mad thinking and inner explosions of pure ecstatic joy than my little slice of solitude. I become a stranger to myself here. A thinking woman. A subdued creature full of love. All my life’s wishes become attainable. My guilt and my troubles go hungry. I thrive off the moods of nature and the inexpressible exultation I feel in the solitude. Unbridled, strong silence is prevalent in this place. I know now what a deafening silence is. But it’s perforated here and there by a distant bird, and the wind that I only seem to notice and love here. In the city, the wind irks the soul and shakes the bones like haunted prayers of drowned men. But here, the wind gallivants through the trees in exuberant gusts of dance-like grace. Each tree a new mistress, each leaf a new fling. Few people let nature lead them out this far. Whether that is because they are unaware of this place or not, I don’t know, and would be ashamed of humanity to say. Every hill that presents itself makes you want to stand atop it, arms akimbo like some frilly-shirted seafarer and claim the land for England. Part of me wishes to be able to bottle just a sliver of this state of mind. But the other part of me knows that if it were too readily available, it would lose its potency. I need the monotonous thrum of the everyday madness of life to be able to fall again, completely and wholly, into nature. In my mind, Kerouac would have written melodic tragedies about this place. No one knows better than my father, whose one and only faithful mistress, God and saviour have been these very dunes. And until the day I die, I will always thank him for sharing it with me so eagerly.

Dog tax stays in The Hague. The tax for dog owners in the city is an important source of income for the local budget and abolishing this tax would lead to a budget deficit. However, paying this tax does benefit dogs and their owners as the tax is used, in part, to purchase dog poop receptacles and vacuums. Hilton The Hague: the best hotel in The Netherlands. The hotel received a rating of 9 out of 10 from visitors who booked via HotelSpecials.nl.

Top 5 to save the planet

Spotted by You

Export medicinal weed to earn 2 million for The Netherlands. According to research led by the sargasso.nl weblog, the export of medicinal weed from The Netherlands has been constantly growing over the last six years. Exported quantities reach between 50 and 60 kilograms a year in countries, such as, Germany, Finland and Italy. The Hague’s Municipal Museum helps out Villa Mondriaan. The Hague-based institution will lend some works from its extensive Mondriaan Collection to the new museum in Winterswijk. Villa Mondriaan is now under construction and is expected to open its doors in May. The museum came into existence through an initiative by Winterswijk locals and will be hosted in the house in which Piet Mondriaan spent his youth.

News & Views

Issue 14. February 2013

@undergroundth

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By Joanna van Bijsterveld

Imagine a world where we do not need to destroy the planet and risk contaminating the water table and oceans because of fossil fuels; a world where we do not cut down ancient rainforests to use trees for disposable paper products (e.g. toilet paper!). A planet where every community has its own source of fuel, eco-friendly biodegradable alternatives to plastics and paper, eco friendly building materials and natural insulation for our homes… even medicine (real medicine that could treat or cure almost anything!). This may seem impossible to imagine, but it has always been possible – with a plant that has become the only illegal plant on our planet! Hemp (Cannabis Sativa).

1. Paper & Cardboard There is absolutely no need for clearing and cutting forests to produce paper products. Hemp regenerates within months; it grows very quickly, which means it is the perfect alternative to produce paper with. Furthermore, paper made from hemp is naturally acid free and therefore does not become yellow or brittle over time. It can be recycled up to 7 times and does not need to be bleached with chlorine as it can be whitened with hydrogen peroxide, which is a safer, natural alternative for the water and soil of our planet. Hemp Trivia: Interestingly, the original (US) declaration of independence was written on hemp paper and earliest dollar bills were made of hemp as well.

2. Fuel & Energy Hemp can be made into fuel in two ways: The oil from the pressed hempseed can be turned into biodiesel. The fermented stalk can be made into ethanol and methanol. Biodiesel is completely biodegradable and a much cleaner fuel for the air. Although hemp is not the ultimate alternative to fuel, hemp fuel can be used in the meantime as it can be used in all existing vehicles today without making any alterations. Both sources of hemp fuel are non-toxic and are completely biodegradable. Hemp can also be used to heat our homes and it produces biomass, which can be converted into charcoal for electricity.

3. Plastics Hemp plastic could completely replace the petrochemical/oil based plastic materials that we are currently using. Plastics made from hemp are a safer, green alternative as they do not contain any dangerous chemicals and are biodegradable.

4. Building Materials

Hemp makes the perfect alternative to the building materials we are currently using and can be used as hempcrete (to replace concrete), fibreboard, stucco, cement blocks and insulation. Not only are hemp building supplies a lot better for the environment but this is a more sustainable,

economic way to build as walls made from hemp are rot free, pest free, mould free and fire resistant. Walls made from hemp last for centuries. Now THAT is sustainable.

5. Clothing & Fabrics

As a fabric, hemp is the optimal choice! It is very resilient and doesn’t wear out. Clothing and blankets made from hemp do not irritate the skin. Hemp material keeps us cool in the heat and warm in the cold (warmer than cotton) and is also naturally fire retardant, therefore clothing, bedding, curtains and carpets made with hemp would not need to be treated with fire repellent chemicals. Growing hemp requires the use of very little or no pesticides and no herbicides and one acre of hemp can produce as much material as approximately two or three acres of hemp is an excellent “industrial” choice for the environment.

Hemp is not only fantastic for the environment, it is incredibly nutritious, so it is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies. Along with magnesium, potassium, dietary fibre and many of the essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need, hemp seeds also contain high amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and are very high in protein, Hemp seeds and hemp oil (available at health-food stores such as Ekoplaza) have a wonderful nutty flavour and can be enjoyed in salads and other dishes. These are only the top 5 ways hemp can be used to quite literally save our planet. There are several more – The documentary Run from The Cure, The Rick Simpson story explores the health benefits of this miraculous plant species when used as medicine, watch Run From the Cure to discover just how incredibly amazing this plant really is.

Question of the Month: #savetheplanet what can we do to save the planet?

Fashion

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Fashion

green fashion Fashio n

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virginia

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@theu

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green is the new black McDon

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d r En n de a v tte Lise .nl rter o und p n re rgro e o i d h n Fas theu te@ liset

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By Lisette van der Ende

NEWS: Fashion journalist Aynouk Tan, is hosting an exposition in the museum Het Huis voor de Beeldcultuur, Breda. She investigates the world of fashion bloggers on Tumblr.com. In the exposition ‘Having a Complete Human Change Meltdown Makeover’ From 15 February to 24 March 2013 MUST SEE: ‘Hand Made” exhibition & SwanMarket Museumnacht Edition Date: March 9, 2013 Location: Museum Boijmans van Beuningen & Aqualiner, Rotterdam TIP: Visit Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in collaboration with lifestyle market: Swan Market. They will take the ‘Hand Made’exposition to another level with a special ‘Handmade’ fair.

By Virginia McDonald

think its fair to say that most people in the Netherlands engage in some kind of conscious consumerism. Whether that be recycling, choosing organic milk or eggs over the regular kind, or looking for the fair trade label on coffee beans. But, to what extent are we conscious consumerists in the way we engage in fashion?

s p i T & s New

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@undergroundth/ fashion-the-hague

According to Milieu Centraal, an estimated 135 million kilos of textile waste is lost in the incinerator each year in Holland, while two thirds of it could have been recycled. The problem is that we have become shopaholics. Instead of spending more and investing in pieces we can wear for a season, a year, or even a decade, we are buying cheap clothing by the armful, that will probably only see a few wears, if any at all. It’s time we start thinking about our fashion footprint and being conscious consumers. As a reformed cheapshopaholic, here are a few tips for being a green fashionista.

Second hand, second hand, second hand. This is probably the easiest, and definitely the most affordable way to reduce your fashion carbon footprint. Not only can you recycle the clothes you don’t wear anymore at Kringloop Winkels, buying second hand clothing is a great way to buy good quality items at a lower price, and to ensure that no one else has what you have. I’ve picked up some fabulous second hand bargains, like a Burberry trench coat for €35, and a Didier Lamarthe handbag for €17,50. With a little time and a lot of patience, second hand shopping can be incredibly rewarding.

Try before you buy In the UK, women spend €750 million yearly on clothes they won’t wear, and one in four spend between €57 and €115 on clothing that is too small, in the hope that it will motivate them to lose weight. Let’s get real, buying clothes a size smaller as motivation to lose weight is not the way to go, you are going to end up feeling down about the fact that it doesn’t fit, and will probably never wear it. Be extra wary of this during sale season; just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it looks good, and it most certainly doesn’t mean you will get a lot of wear out of it. Wasting your money and adding to the millions of kilos of wasted textiles every year is not what fashion is about.

Cost per wear theory A lot of us don’t realise how much money we spend on fashion if most of our wardrobes are made up of small, low cost purchases. How about you add up the cost of all the items in your closet that you don’t wear, I bet the total will shock you, try calculating the actual cost of that pricey item you’ve been wanting but don’t think you can afford. If you buy an elegant, italian leather handbag for €350, chances are you won’t be able to justify buying another one for quite a while, and worn five days out of the week for one year, this cost per wear of this item comes in at less than one euro. Remember, its about quality not quantity, purchase items you will keep for ever.

Go organic Did you know that cotton is considered the world’s ‘dirtiest’ crop? Neither did I, but cotton crops are the heaviest users of harmful pesticides than any other crop. According to the World Health Organisation, three of the most hazardous insecticides to human health are used in cotton crops, Aldicarb, parathion, and methamidopho. Aldicarb is so hazardous it can kill a man with one drop on the skin, yet 16 states in the U.S have reported the appearance of Aldicarb in groundwater from cotton crops. The consequences of these insecticides have been most felt in countries in Africa and Asia where harmful insecticides in cotton crops are common place, causing cancer, asthma and infertility in many cases. Choose organic cotton to ensure that in the future, growers in poorer regions won’t be exposed to these harmful chemicals. Remember that as a consumer, you have the power to change the fashion industry, so ask your favourite shop if they stock organic materials, and if they don’t, ask them to! As the very wise saleswoman at high-end second hand boutique Penny Wise said, “People need to understand that they can invest in fashion.” Don’t fuel big business’ exploitation of workers and the environment in developing countries, and don’t add to the millions of kilos of waste every year in Holland. Think green when you shop and dress, it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

ONLINE SHOP: • modemusthaves.com • wordsfromtheheartshop.nl • zoyou.nl • fashionchick.co.uk fashionchick.nl Job vacancies in fashion: www.moversshakers.nl

• NATA RYZH: The Story of The Hague’s Russian-born Fashion Designer

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By Virginia McDonald

I once again went to visit the Noordwal 18 in The Hague, but this time it was to interview the sweet and bubbly Michelangelo Winklaar. Born in Curaçao and living in Holland since the age of three, Michelangelo developed his love for design at a young age by watching his grandmother, a bridal dress maker, hand beading and embroidering garments. “I liked to watch her work, making everything by hand, and I thought that’s what I want to do. My Grandmother taught me so much about design and making clothing.” It didn’t take long for Michelangelo to start customising and making clothing, and at the age of 12 he began designing clothes for his sister. ‘She was my living mannequin! That continued for eight years, which really pleased her as she was also into self expression.’ Michelangelo continued to work at his passion until he felt the need to learn about the technical aspects of design and enrolled at the Mode Lyceum in Hilversum. ‘My sister was my living mannequin!’

‘My background is very exotic and colourful and I always try to apply it to my designs.’

Mud Jeans win Circle Challenge

online:

michelangelo winklaar haute couture

At the Mode Lyceum Michelangelo’s teachers recognised something special about him and encouraged him to continue to express himself through his designs, which were always quirky and distinctive. Michelangelo then went on to study at the School of Arts in Arnhem, but after being commissioned to make dresses for Miss Curaçao, Miss Italy and Miss Ghana among others, he had to leave school as his work became too demanding. In 2010 Michelangelo got the opportunity to take part in Project Catwalk, but found it difficult to keep up with the fast paced design process needed for the reality show. ‘We had to make a garment in 8 hours and I couldn’t do it. I learnt so much about myself on Project Catwalk.’ Michelangelo learnt that he wasn’t the kind of designer that could design, sew and present a piece within a short amount of time. ‘I not only want the clothing to look good on the outside, but also on the inside, I always want my clothes to feel really great to wear.’

FASHION BLOG: Down to earth Dutch fashionista! www.lizachloe.blogspot.nl

MORE Fashion

Leasing a car, a phone or even a home is nothing new. Leasing your jeans is!

works towards changing the ‘take, make and waste’ attitude.

Mud Jeans is a Dutch brand that has come up with an innovative fashion idea. Everything they produce holds a guarantee of durability. They use biological raw materials and where possible recycled materials. They also make sure that their working conditions are outstanding. In other words Mud Jeans makes fashion with respect towards man and the environment.

How does it work? You choose your favourite model, then size and colour, fill in the form with your details and pay a one-off amount of €20,- (including postage). You then pay a €5,- a month lease cost. After a year there are 3 options, just send them back or for a €7,50 fee you can exchange them for a new model and carry on paying €5,- a month and last but not least you can make 4 extra payments and wear the jeans for as long as you like. The 4 extra payments will be returned as a reduction on your next purchase. As with any leased object the jeans remain the property of the manufacturer.

The idea to lease jeans is catching on fast and was one of the reasons that won them the ‘Circle Challenge’. The circle challenge is an initiative of The Circle Economy, which

Michelangelo blew the roof off Amsterdam Fashion Week, and we weren’t the only ones that noticed. He has been invited to present a collection at both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week. ‘I’m so glad people received the collection well, I was a little nervous because it’s a piece of myself that I’m giving to the world, but in the end everything went really well.’ Michelangelo’s designs are all about expression and empowerment. His last collection showed women wearing intricate metal mouthpieces, which represented the oppression of women in Victorian times. ‘I wanted to illustrate the fact that these women weren’t allowed to talk, but were able to express themselves through their clothing.’ Michelangelo focuses on strong woman, and how far they have come in the last 100 years. His designs are tough, yet very sexy and feminine, and always have a quirky detail. Read more online: www.theunderground.nl We can expect great things from Michelangelo, who will be focusing on designing Haute Couture for now, but ready to wear will be a part of his collections in the future. Michelangelo Winklaar’s designs can be made to order by contacting the designer.

Shopping

Streeters

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Most Wanted

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Leisure

Through the Keyhole: Hotel court garden

vintage stores!

There are plenty of ways to be sustainable. For some, it’s just a habit or way of life. The Underground asks people on the streets of The Hague: How do you make your life more eco-friendly?

Vera Schoof, primary school teacher “I always put a plastic bag in my handbag when I go shopping. That way, I recycle bags and don’t need a new one every time. When I go out, I don’t drive a car, but ride my bicycle or use public transport instead. I always turn off the lights when I leave my house. Oh, and when I go on holiday I turn the heat off and use a timer so it switches on again just before I return.”

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By Lisette van der Ende

Ever since vintage exploded onto the New York City fashion scene, I have been addicted to these fabulous stores. But even for a local citizen, The Hague still has a lot fashion secrets for me. The Underground already uncovered some vintage stores in The Hague last year. Armed with a notebook, a camera and of course a few debit cards, my fashion partner in crime Virginia and I hit the streets to add more fabulous vintage stores The Hague has to offer to that list.

Cute But Wrong Boekhorststraat 10

A. Ndoye, assistant at ICC “It’s very important to me to live an eco-friendly life. I like to help people see how important the environment is and that everyone can make a difference just by recycling and thinking about the environment.”

Cute But Wrong offers a fantastic range of clothes for men and women, with a variety of vintage cowboy boots and leather jackets, as well as blouses, leggings, pants and accessories. In 2011 the two founders decided to make it multifunctional by implementing a hair studio into the store. If you are going to visit this store, make sure you bring somebody along, as Virginia almost passed out when she saw the fabulous bags and clothes Cute But Wrong has to offer. (More info: www.cutebutwrong.nl)

Lola Stola Vintage & Secondhand Fashion Prins Hendrikstraat 161

Jaap van Keulen, composer “I always buy ECO toilet paper. And recycle all my other paper.”

Lola Stola sells diverse original vintage clothing. The sheer amount of vintage clothing and the fantastic shoes the store has to offer will give you the ultimate shop till you drop experience. Along with the clothing advice from shop owner Maureen, you won’t leave the store without finding something original that fits perfectly. (More info: www. lolastola.nl)

Penny Wise Maziestraat 5 Penny Wise has been the premiere second hand designer store in The Hague for over 20 years. In a little side street of the Noordeinde you can find this special store. As the saleslady told us; ‘ Business women regularly donate their designer clothes to the store’. Penny Wise’s high standard

Danielle Thomas, office assistant “I cycle everywhere, which I feel helps. I also recycle paper, bottles, glass and plastic. Instead of turning up the heat at home, I wear a jumper and keep the doors closed. I always turn off the lights when I leave a room. Oh, and I don’t leave the tap running when brushing my teeth!”

for second hand clothing in affordable prices makes this store a must see for vintage lovers. Chanel, Armani, Christian Louboutin and even some show model haute couture dresses from Mart Visser are some of the unique pieces in the collection in this store. (More info: www.pennywise.nl)

Anneke Van Beuningenstraat 50B The trip to Anneke was once again a vintage party! Anneke’s has a broad variety of brand clothing. In the store I was lucky to find myself a Diane Von Furstenberg blouse and a Hugo Boss jacket. ‘Not new, but just as beautiful’, which is the slogan. At Anneke’s you also can find secondhand baby and children clothes. Along with the kindness the customers are treated with visiting Anneke’s is a trip for the whole family. (More info: www.anneketweedehandskleding.nl)

Secondhand Rose Mauritskade 71 You can recognise Secondhand Rose by the bright colours reflected in the shopping window. Secondhand Rose sells colourful prom dresses, casual jumpsuits, neat suits and fur jackets. Secondhand Rose sells good quality clothing, and although I couldn’t succeed finding clothes for twenty somethings, I can imagine that ladies in their mid-fifties will definitely find something great.

International ‘green’ standards with a touch of local hospitality By Anjuly de Geus In a former office building on the Laan van Meerdervoort 96, the first eco designed hotel in The Hague, Hotel Court Garden opened its doors in July 2012. General manager Karel Vandenberghe and owner Achou Zhang passionately share the story behind the realisation of this ‘green’ hotel, the impressive labels the hotel has received and how everything in the hotel is ‘green’ or sustainable. From the headboards to the showers, heating and even the menu, everything in the hotel is recycled, sustainably built, ‘green’ or organic. This has resulted in Court Garden receiving the prestigious European Eco label and international Green Key Gold label, SKAL 100% Organic Food label as well as the Energy label A+ and a declaration of sustainability from the Ministry of Environment. The hotel guests can hire bikes to explore the neighbourhood in a sustainable way and contribute to a good cause at the same time, since all profits of the rentals are donated to a charity that builds schools in Darfur, Africa. And for those who might feel a little overwhelmed by the top of the bill eco design and sustainable options, rest assured, apart from being the first eco designed hotel in The Netherlands, Court Garden has a hospitable atmosphere and friendly staff who will go out

of their way to make your stay worthwhile. Apart from the eco-conscious interior and exterior of the hotel, Karel Vandenberghe and Achou Zhang are also determined to run the Court Garden as sustainably as possible. No printing of papers, reservations are by email and encouragement of employees to use a bicycle or public transport to work are among the ways they run the hotel in as ‘green’ a way as possible. Owner Achou Zhang is a very active board member of the BIZ Zeeheldenkwartier, a committee focused on the revitalisation of businesses in the Zeeheldenkwartier. Achou and her husband also own Hotel Sebel on the Prins Hendrikplein. Her passion for conscious living and the limitations for Hotel Sebel to making the building sustainable, led to the idea of building Court Garden. A wise decision as more and more companies are choosing to accommodate their travelling employees in ‘green’ hotels. Even local non-profits in the nearby Metropole Offices use the hotel for their conferences and board meetings. The Hague has gained a unique hotel with international standards in the Court Garden. With heart for their cause and the effort made to give guests a pleasant, yet ‘green’ stay, Zhang and Vandenberghe have succeeded in making Court Garden one of the top choices for a stay in The Hague.

Online Home & living: •

Each month, Hedwig (Miss Green Fingers) will be offering readers of The Underground her seasonal tips for your garden or balcony. If you have any gardening questions that you would like to ask Hedwig, get in touch!

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Interior designer Hedda Pier has started a new project renovating a farmhouse in the country. She takes us on her journey from the start of the project in October to its completion in March, while sharing some helpful design and DIY tips along the way. Don’t miss Hedda’s suggestions of the best places to find country-chic homeware in The Hague!

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Lucky is currently not living up to her name. Due to her age (11) we are finding it difficult to place her. Lucky is a very gentle, friendly cat, waiting patiently for that special friend to snuggle up to. Are you looking for a sweet and loving companion? Then Lucky’s your girl, she really deserves a warm and safe environment. Contact us for more information.

vintage online: • DRESS UP! Vintage Shopping The Hague

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Community

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Modern family practice Esthetic dentistry General dentistry Mouth Hygiene Crowns, Bridges and Implantology Facings and Lumineers Pedodontics Periodontics Fast appointment in an emergency Open on Saturday mornings Easy to reach by public transport Free parking Multilingual staff

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E-mail: info@pure-esthetics.nl

The Hague’s

our Share y stories! • • • • •

Community

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Fluttering Specks of Green •

By Darina Kozlova

t is sometimes easy to mistake The Hague for a tropical rainforest – that is, if you come across a huge group of noisy bright green birds with red beaks and long pointed tails, chattering away regardless of the weather outside. These are ring-necked parakeets, so called because of the black and pink collars around the necks of the males. Rumour has it that these tropical birds, traditionally native to India and Central Africa, were first brought to Europe by Alexander the Great after one of his campaigns. According to the Netherlands Society for the Protection of Birds, the first ring-necked parakeets in the Netherlands were released from aviaries in the 1960’s. Since then they have taken a fancy to the Dutch parks, estates, gardens and orchards, growing to a population of almost 10,000 birds. The Hague area has one of the biggest populations with close to 5,000 specimens. Their exact number is unknown – although parakeets are not migratory birds, staying in the Netherlands throughout the year, they tend to move around a lot, which makes them difficult to count.

Natural child birth a growing phenomenon •

By Laila Mousa

Natural birth, cloth nappies and organic baby food were the only options for many women hundreds of years ago. Today, women have a multitude of options that include hospitals, disposable nappies and canned baby food. However, more and more women in the Netherlands are choosing to deliver in the comfort of their own home without the use of any medicine or intervention. According to the BBC news, the Netherlands has the highest rate of home births in Europe, where nearly one in every three births occurs at home. Women choose a home birth for various reasons, but Esther Van Oosten’s reasoning is simple. “I chose to have a homebirth, because I see giving birth as something beautiful and natural. I wanted to feel comfortable and safe, and in my opinion, my home is the best place for that,” she said. Esther delivered her son in the comfort of her own home, with a trusted midwife. Mother of three, Saskia Peters-Hagendoorn experienced both home and hospital births. She had a positive home birth experience stating, “It was so nice to be in my own home, under my own shower, and very special that our son was born in our home.” Her first son was born in hospital, but because he didn’t cry right away he was

whisked away from her moments after the birth. Even though they couldn’t find anything wrong with the newborn, Saskia felt she couldn’t trust the hospital. Some women also believe that natural birthing, without the use of any medicines, decreases the need for a caesarean section or other complications. For example, the Netherlands has a very low C-section rate compared to that of the United States. According to OECD iLibrary, c-sections were lowest in the Netherlands, whereas in the United States, the rates are at an all time high, with as many as one in three women requiring a C-section (WebMD). While a growing number of women are choosing home birth over hospital birth, there are still risks involved. Only women with low-risk pregnancies have the option of a home birth. There are times where a home birth doesn’t go as planned, and medical intervention is needed. Luckily, women have access to various medications and hospital care; something they did not have hundreds of years earlier. Despite the risks, Esther’swords are encouraging when she says, “It gives you such a strong feeling as a mother. Your body and mind could do all of this alone. I would certainly choose for a homebirth again.”

Tip! SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURS Duurzameburen.nl (‘Sustainable Neighbours’) is a website for useful information about sustainability in the house. It is an interactive platform where like-minded individuals share their knowledge. This project is an initiative of the organisation for renewable energy (ode). At duurzameburen.nl they organise a lot of activities such as home evaluation for sustainability (‘house greening party’), to weekly elections of the top 10 sustainable neighbourhoods in the Netherlands… A ‘house greening party’ is basically showcasing your home to your neighbours by illustrating what tricks and tactics you apply to save energy, or by letting your house. be evaluated by experts and your neighbours to see how sustainable it is. eventually you get advice on how to go about making your house

Sometimes seen around the Hofvijver in the city centre, the birds are also common to other spots in The Hague. Photographer Stephan de Prouw often takes pictures of the parakeets, sitting on snowy branches in winter or blending in with the green canopies in summer, in the Meer en Bos Park in Bohemen, in Ockenburg or in his home district of Loosduinen. “I quite like these lively birds! They always seem rather happy and I, in turn, am cheered up by the thought of them not only surviving but being so successful in this climate for so many years,” says Stephan. The parakeets owe their success, in part, to local residents that help them find food in the difficult winter months, providing them with peanuts and seeds. In warmer weather parakeets feed on flowers, nectar and fruit, although their feeding habit has earned them the reputation of a messy and picky bird – they often only take a couple of bites before moving on to the next fruit! ©Parakeets in Meer en Bos Park by www.stephandeprouw.com

roofgardens •

By Darina Kozlova

The roofs in The Hague are becoming greener every year, filling up with blossoming field flowers, sedum plants, herbs, vegetables and even fruit trees. People choose to get a ‘green’ roof not only for the aesthetical pleasure of gazing at lavender flowers and cherry trees or the convenience of using home-grown oregano and thyme in their salads. There are numerous other advantages: the plants on the roof reduce noise, secure fine dust and toxic particles, increase the roof durability by protecting it from UV rays, and retain water, preventing the flooding of the city sewer system during heavy rains. In summer green roofs also have a cooling effect – their temperature doesn’t get above 35°C, unlike flat black tarmac roofs, which can heat up to 80-85 °C. The process of getting a green roof is easy enough. Marco Weber, the owner of a green roofing company called Dakdokters, translated as ‘Roof Doctors’, explains

how it is done: ‘It all starts with one call. We make an appointment, and then always check the construction of the roof, its stability, insulation and the watertight layer. Then we discuss the situation with the customer and make an offer, which also includes advice on the green roof installation and future maintenance procedures. After agreeing on all the issues and signing the contract, the rest of the process is quite fast: if the weather is good, we usually install the complete system in one day.’ The green roof is installed in a 3-layer system, with the drainage layer below and loose plants placed in the soil on top. Sometimes the company uses a pre-nursed sedum grass mat, which gives an instant result. Provided your roof is at least 6 square metres and has a slope of not more than 45°, you can apply for a subsidy from the Municipality of The Hague: 25€ per square metre until 1 November 2014. According to Marco, the most popular green roofs in The Hague are ones with solar panels on one side and terraces on the other. These roofs are not only pleasant to the eye, but also help the homeowners save money on energy costs. This March the Dakdokters are getting a green roof on their own company building in Den Hoorn near The Hague. With a large variety of plants, solar panels, terraces and even windmills, it will illustrate all that can be done with a city roof.

Going Green! A call for those who are engaging in going green! In 2012, the Municipality of The Hague set subsidies for individuals, institutions and companies whose area of work is in sustainability. The idea of the grant is to support activities that help the region to save energy or cut down on co2 emissions. The municipality promises “in 2013 and 2014, a budget will become available for the durability of The Hague’s neighbourhoods”. The objective of the Municipality of The Hague is to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions by 2040. For more information please visit: thehague.com

students living sustainably 12

Living sustainably, as a student is not just desirable, but also possible •

By Sofia Lotto Persio

The most sustainable student housing in the Netherlands is in The Hague, right next to Hollands Spoor station and the Haagse Hogeschool. It is a block of orange containers overlooking Weteringplein, where about a hundred students from Leiden University College The Hague (LUC) live. Having learnt about the sustainable student housing competition promoted by UPact one of them decided to apply and involved a few friends. Soon, the larger student community were also involved, with the goal of illustrating that sustainable living, as a student, is not just desirable but also possible. The competition consisted of uploading pictures showing evidence of accomplished challenges of sustainable living. Sanne Nusselder, one of the founders of the Act Aware Committee (AAC), a student organisation of LUC promoting awareness of sustainability issues, who was involved in the competition, explains: “The competition was not merely about living in sustainable housing, but actually making your living situation more sustainable.” The students took part in four challenges: guerrilla gardening, to demonstrate how to make a grey environment greener; cooking an organic dinner for 50 students on World Food Day, to promote awareness of different nutritional issues around the world; a herb planting workshop, to demonstrate how one can grow their own food and herbs at home; and a swap event where students donated and took clothes, books, and kitchen utensils, to recycle materials rather than buying new ones. Besides these projects, the Act Aware group is also working on a compost container in the student building so that organic waste can be recycled to make compost and they have also organised a trolley where students can bring their glass bottles to have them brought to the nearest glass recycling bin, mentions Kavitha Urvasie Selvaraj, chair of the AAC.

Indeed, how can we live sustainably and cheap? Sanne explains that food choices have a large impact on sustainable living. She buys her groceries at the farmer’s market every Wednesday: “As long as you buy seasonal products, they will be inexpensive. Pumpkins, for instance, are really cheap at the moment!” Bente orders a veggie box and shares it with a group of about ten students: each of them pays around €6 and they have their supply for a week. Knowing where to shop is important, so one of Act Aware’s members, Fabian Kemps Verhage, organised a ‘green biking tour’ of The Hague for LUC students, so that everyone could learn where to find sustainable products... or to drink organic beer! (In case you are wondering: it is called Gulpener, and they sell it in a few pubs, including De Paas.) The students know that winning the sustainable housing prize is only one achievement in a long list of things that still need to be done to make universities and student life more sustainable, but they are surely on the right track. For info, suggestions, or anything else, you can contact the students of the Act Aware Committee at actawarecommittee@gmail.com

Good & Green Guide The Hague a ‘lucky’ special 2013 price: € 13,-- incl. shipping in NL (normal price is € 24,90). Orders can be send to info@goodandgreenguides.com referring to this issue of “The Underground”. Graphic by www.djipsblog.blogspot.nl

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Uniting Art and Nature • By Darina Kozlova The idea of combining nature and art has fascinated people since the late 60s. Today the environmental art movement is rising in popularity. Modern artists engage with nature, delve into people’s understanding of it, and strive to improve our relationship with the environment. Whether through massive landscape sculptures, ephemeral creations existing only for a fleeting moment, bio artworks made from living plants, or constructions out of recycled objects, environmental art finds a way to bring its viewers a feeling of harmony with nature. Dutch artist Jeroen Nelemans, currently living in Chicago, explores the relationship between humans and nature in terms of perception. ‘My installation work is designed and intended to be experienced by the individual, perhaps a moment to contemplate’, says Jeroen. His art pieces have both an artificial and natural quality, some quite literally. In his ‘Six Feet Above’ project the viewer is invited to stand on a wooden pedestal within a suspended piece of astroturf with a complex root system underneath, realizing

the ‘floating carpet’ is home to living grass. ‘The sun and water became part of my art practice, allowing grass to grow inside astroturf’, explains Nelemans. ‘The process did not end when the work was brought back into the gallery space. The smell and colour continued to change, through decomposition.’

Those wanting to see some environmental art in The Hague can simply go to the Catsheuvel straat. There, behind the OPCW building, is an environmental sculpture by Hague-born Voebe de Gruyter - a Memorial to Victims of Chemical Weapons. ‘As an artist I worked with landscape architects and together we decided to use a live element in the work: a tree. From there I developed the idea of making three growing trees”, Voebe explains. The 8-meter living maple tree incorporates a symbolic solar-panel tree, collecting people’s glances and powering a webcam through the inhalation and reflection of photons. The video can be seen 24 hours a day on a website, www.thismeldingtree.org, - a virtual tree growing through visitors interacting with it and leaving their traces in the memorial network. ‘When you see the image of the tree live, you can be part of the monument wherever you are!’ says Voebe. Although many ‘green’ artworks are too massive and site-specific to be moved or too short-lived, disappearing after a period of time, there is a way to see them all without having to travel constantly – just visit the free online museum Greenmuseum.org, featuring many environmental art exhibitions from all over the world.

Green the Hague

Pictures of the events were uploaded on the competition’s website to be voted on. The project receiving the most votes were considered by the jury for the prize of €1000. “Other housing projects may have been more sustainable than our orange containers” explains Sanne, “but we had the largest impact, involving more people both in our activities and the promotion of them, and the jury appreciated that. Ultimately, it was their decision to give us the prize.” The students won a total of €1125, which they were planning to invest in the creation of a rooftop garden in LUC’s new building, under construction on the Anna van Buerenplein. The project, however, may not be attainable: “Leiden University has no involvement in the building process, and the building’s constructors are reluctant to add features to the project at this point,” explains Bente Klein, a coordinator of the Act Aware Committee. “So we are looking to invest in another permanent project for future students, as a reminder that it is possible to live sustainably even on a small income.”

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Business

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Business

Issue 15. March/April 2013

gert verdonk CEO: FINE FRESH FOOD

Born December 1957 The Hague Education: Nederlands Lyceum 1975 Employment History- 12.5 yrs Palm oil brokerage company, ran a pub in The Hague with good food and 9 beers on draught Lives in The Hague Why do you do what you do? Things need to change with regard to how we currently eat and source food; it is simply not sustainable. I believe you have to start somewhere yourself. I support regional producers and buy goods in season. What motivates you? To be able to make a difference, to do things better and sell good food and beverages. I also support other businesses and sell Fair Trade coffee, tea, sugar, honey, olive oil, soya milk and chocolate.

video interviews

How did you get interested in this area? The seed was sown in the 80s when I worked for a commodities brokerage. I realised that most businesses were motivated by money and I learnt it is vital to look after all levels of your businesses supply chain. The majority of my clients are female but everyone should be engaged.

The Passport To Your Next Expat Job In the Netherlands by Together Abroad Research tells us that video interviewing is very much on the rise; a report from the Aberdeen Group reveals that while in 2010 only 10% of firms were using video as part of the hiring process, by the end of last year that figure had jumped to 42% and we can expect it to be much higher now. The main reason that companies use video interviewing is to save costs and time as it is a very convenient way to do first round screening of candidates without them coming to the office. But, for international companies, who are recruiting international candidates, video interviews take on a whole new level of importance; they can save the company and candidate considerable travel expenses and travel time as the company can first and second screen candidates and even make job offers on the strength of video interviews. This is why most companies who recruit internationally rely on video interviews as part of their interview process, which means that video interviews are in many ways the passport to your international job – and if you are an overseas applicant looking to secure an international role in the Netherlands, you must master the video interview. And below we have set out several tips on how you can video interview more effectively and land your dream international job.

1. Turn your bedroom/home office into a TV studio You need to optimize the viewing environment for a video interview so that the image that the camera presents to the viewer is of excellent quality. To do this, you need to make sure that the viewing area and room is well illuminated. You can provide extra lighting in the local area around the desk by placing a lamp on the desk in front of you, which should then light up the viewing area. Also, just like in a TV studio, remove all external distractions which means locking the door, (so you are not disturbed), and closing windows and blinds so you are not disturbed by outside sounds.

2. What to wear Make sure to dress as you would in a normal face to face interview which should be formal attire. Also, follow the rules of TV presentation and avoid wearing stripey shirts or clothes with tight woven patterns – as these can create a strange, distracting effect for the interviewer.

3. Prepare the viewing/rresentation area In advance of the interview, set up the viewing area and make sure your upper body appears to be at the centre of the camera’s views and that you are looking directly into the camera. Also, make sure that your desk, (which forms part of the viewing area) appears tidy and ordered. Ensure that the camera is positioned close enough to your face so the interviewer can read your facial expressions as this will aid communication. However, also make sure that the viewer can see your upper torso, arms and hands so that the video interviewer can assess your body language as in a normal interview – which makes for an enriched communication experience 4.

During the interview...

Make sure that you adopt a good posture during the interview which means sitting with back straight and not slouching and make sure that you regularly look into the camera as this appears to the interviewer that you are making eye contact which is an important part of effective interviewing. Finally, we strongly recommend that you use/borrow a good quality, HD camera for the best possible viewing

experience and we also suggest that you practice the video interview in advance with a trusted friend – and ask them for feedback on your performance and the overall presentation.

Francis van der Vorm

Francis van der Vorm CEO gConcepts

Born July 1959 Education: Studied Law at The Open University Employment History- Airforce Officer, Entrepreneur for almost 30 years in sectors including logistics, media, publishing and public relations Lives in Scheveningen Why do you do what you do? I have ambition and a desire to battle the world to create environment friendly transport. I think it is best to work as an entrepreneur and not be connected to the government as this means you can operate without subsidies. What motivates you? Cities can be much more beautiful with electric transport, it’s quieter, and makes the air cleaner. The world’s population has doubled in my lifetime and will double again in the next 50 years. Most people will live in cities going forward and we need to make the cities nice places to live. I am happy to be part of the solution. How did you get interested in this area? I was always interested in electric transport and on a holiday in Italy I noticed lots of pollution in the cities due to cars. 70% of all transport used is in the urban areas where you do not need a vehicle that goes fast. We are working closely with our colleagues in China to improve the specification of the LUV. What does LUV stand for? Light Urban Vehicle. These are a new type of vehicle, in 10-20 years you will find many more in urban areas. They weigh less than 400 kgs, have a 15 kilowatt motor and a maximum speed of 50km an hour. They take 3 passengers (4 including the driver) and are child friendly - they definitely have the fun factor! You can drive them in all European cities and don’t need a taxi license for them, which makes them easier to operate than a standard car. A journey in The Hague... Central Station to Scheveningen would take about 12 minutes in a gCab and cost approximately 13 Euros (our prices are 20% less than a regular taxi). We operate across The Hague and the suburbs with points at Malieveld, Central Station, Scheveningen and The World Trade Centre. Why do you care about this issue? I feel responsible to do something I like being creative and to help find the solution and also to realise the solution. Lots of people can have ideas but to realise them is another thing. What is your most popular product or service? The gCab service that is available in The Hague and Amsterdam on a daily basis. We also run a

courier service. Our vehicles can also be booked for events across the country. Why did you pick this location for your business? I live here How did you meet your team? Most people who work for us approach us rather than the other way round. It is the same with our investors, they see our cabs then get in touch. What do you do for fun? I like sport and go to the gym. I work 100 hours plus a week but I really enjoy my work, being able to realise my dream is great fun. What makes you really happy? When things are realised I am happy and when people around me are happy. I love nature and I live close to the beach. I love the dunes and nature areas. When I need energy I walk for an hour or so to reenergise. It is very important to keep contact with nature, it is hard in a big city but in The Hague it is easier and its why I live in Scheveningen. Who inspires or inspired you? When I drive in the gCab I have lots of contact with people and they inspire me with their compliments and reaction to the vehicles. They also give me ideas and good advice. What were some of the unexpected hurdles you have faced? We have had lots of technical issues with the vehicles as they are not made for heavy duty use and we have to improve them with bigger batteries, stronger construction etc. We work with The Mobility Lab at University of Twente to improve and develop the vehicles. What features/ expansion are you planning? We have 11 vehicles and hope to increase that number this year and are talking with investors. The last 2 years has been our pilot and now we have a programme to upgrade the vehicles and grow our fleet with more points in Amsterdam, The Hague, Schipol and Utrecht. We also have interest from abroad but we want to test everything before we expand too fast. What you wish you had known… Not too be too impatient! Things take time and I like things to happen straight away. Final words... If you want to change the world, take the initiative! With your hat in your hand you can travel the entire country (Dutch proverb) If you like to change the world, take the initiative!

Why do you care about this issue? People need to be aware of where they source their food, for example you need to be careful when buying an everyday staple like milk, many dairies put milk through different processes to prolong its life but taking away many of its natural properties. Our dairy products come from Weerribben Zuivel. My business is 100 % organic with a low carbon footprint. All of my suppliers are local - some online and others come to the organic market in The Hague. Everything I make is homemade, the only thing from a jar is tomato paste. What is your most popular product or service? Our slow juices, spelt sandwiches and wraps and gluten free products. There is never enough time for lunch but our food is tasty and very healthy and many of our customers place their orders in advance so it is ready when they come in.

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We also provide catering for offices and other events. What is a slow juice? A juice that maintains 90% of goodness making it much healthier and with less wastage Why did you pick this location for your business? The rent is not so high and we are surrounded by lots of Ministries, the City Hall and lots of small businesses. We are the second fully organic lunch room in The Hague, Baklust being the first. How did you meet your team? My chef, Farah is my partner and we met through a family connection. My other staff have all walked in and asked for a job- this happens a lot! What do you do for fun? Work. What makes you really happy? Work. Who inspires or inspired you? Me, myself and I. What were some of the unexpected hurdles you have faced? The start was much slower than expected. What features/ expansion are you planning? More shops in ownership and franchise opportunities What you wish you had known… If I had known what sort of customers I would get I would have started my business much earlier. My customers are interested in everything. Is there anything else you would like to add? If you have not tried it already you should try wheatgrass juice. A shot is the equivalent of eating 1 kg of green vegetables and is packed with vitamins A, B12, C, E and K as well as minerals and amino acids.

Special offer to The Underground Readers 25% OFF FOOD on presentation of a copy of The Green Issue OFFER ENDS ON 31st March 2013

Candles Flame Training

Enhance your business-level skills in Windows and the Microsoft Office

William Rumleyvan Gurp

An eye for detail, personalized approach, attention, support and care for each and every one of his students – you just can’t go wrong with William Rumleyvan Gurp! If you are looking for professional training in business-level computer skills look no further than Candles Flame Training. After moving to The Hague in 1997, William developed strong ties to the international community straight away by working for the OPCW – first as an IT specialist, then in the training department, where he developed and deepened his teaching skills. Upon leaving the OPCW in 2011, he decided to keep on doing what he knew best and loved, so he launched his own company, Candles Flame Training (CFT). Candles Flame Training offers custom designed courses for a wide range of IT skills, including Windows based operating systems in a one-on-one setting, group settings or on-site training for larger organizations, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration. CFT also offers mobile classroom training. William’s degree in Business and Computer Information Systems, as well as his 14 years of experience as a professional teacher, enable him to go beyond simple computer skills and explain the benefits of certain applications to maximize efficiency. When teaching, William pays close attention to his students: he makes use of real-life examples and shies away from boring lectures. His approach is letting the students guide the direction of the training through their questions, needs, and skill set. Candles Flame Training is open to any individual seeking to enhance their business-level skills in Windows and the Microsoft Office suite, regardless of their age or professional level. CFT is located in the heart of the city, just a few steps away from the center of the international community.

For more information, contact William at: + 31 (0) 62 27 79 969 www.cftrainingtoday.com info@cftrainingtoday.com

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Culture

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Your Story

71 Issue 15. March/April 2013

The Eurasian Dutch •

By Trix van der Schalk

hen you wander about on the streets of The Hague, you might have noticed the many faces of the Eurasian Dutch. You may have enjoyed a meal at an ‘Indisch restaurant’, seen shops, ‘tokos’, selling Indonesian food products, overheard Asian or half-Asian looking people speaking Dutch together; you may have wondered what the Tong-Tong Fair is. And these are only the immediately observable influences of the ‘Indische Nederlanders’. The people who were born, lived, married, worked and had children in former Nederlands Indië are the people who are referred to as the Indies Dutch. Their offspring who were born here in the Netherlands are also referred to by this term. Nederlands Indië was a Dutch colony from about 1816 until 27 December 1949 and is now known as the Republic of Indonesia. But the actual Dutch presence in this area dates back to the 16th century. Primarily the Dutch were interested in the spices grown in that part of the world, which sold at huge profits in Europe. At the end of the 16th century they set up the United East India Company (VOC). The VOC was extremely powerful and literally ruled the territory. It was granted a charter to wage war, build fortresses, and make treaties across Asia. A capital was established at Batavia (now Jakarta), which became the centre of the VOC’s Asian trading network. To their original monopolies on nutmeg, mace, cloves and cinnamon, the company and later the colonial administration, introduced non-indigenous cash crops like coffee, tea, cacoa, tobacco, rubber, sugar and opium, and safeguarded their commercial interests by taking over surrounding territory.

Joanna’s and Maria’s Story •

Smuggling, the ongoing expense of war, corruption and mismanagement lead to bankruptcy by the end of the 18th century. The company was formally dissolved in 1800 and its colonial possessions in the Indonesian archipelago were nationalised under the Dutch Republic as the Dutch East Indies.

In Canada is a little girl of nine, Maria, Joanna’s daughter. Mother and daughter haven’t seen each other for almost five years – by order of the Canadian government and in part due to irrevocable decisions rendered in Dutch courts. The only contact they are allowed is via Skype – by order of Maria’s father. They see each other and talk for an hour every two weeks. Their story is one where the law has been applied – according to The Hague Convention – without taking any compassionate consideration of the human beings involved. Joanna, who is a Dutch citizen, separated from her Canadian husband before Maria was a year old; she felt threatened by him and was afraid. Once she had officially been granted full custody of Maria, she decided to leave Canada with her little girl and fled to Greece, a country where she felt at home and could speak the language. Mother and daughter later moved to Jordan where they settled down comfortably for 2½ years. From hereon I quote the timeline given to me by Joanna, as her situation cannot be expressed in a more succinct way.

The majority of Dutchmen that repatriated to the Netherlands after and during the Indonesian revolution, 1945 – 1949, are ‘Indisch’ (Eurasian), native to the islands of the Dutch East Indies. This relatively large Eurasian population had developed over a period of 400 years of Dutch presence in the area. Including their second-generation descendants, they are currently the largest foreign-born group in the Netherlands. In 2008, the Dutch Census Bureau for Statistics (CBS) registered 387,000 firstand second-generation Eurasian Dutch living in the Netherlands. Although considered fully assimilated into Dutch society, as the main ethnic minority in the Netherlands, these repatriates have played a pivotal role in introducing elements of Indonesian culture into Dutch mainstream culture.

Have you ever heard of Indorock, a musical genre that originated in the Netherlands in the 1950s and spread throughout Europe? Two famous bands from that time were the Tieleman brothers and the Blue Diamonds. And how about Yvonne Keuls, contemporary author, Wieteke van Dort, actress, comedienne and painter? In coming issues of The Underground, you will be introduced to these people and their work. We will follow the lives and careers of these talented Eurasians and draw a picture of how the Indische Nederlanders have left an indelible impression on their new country.

By Trix van der Schalk

Across from me sits a very attractive petite woman of about 35. She is cheerful and smiles a lot. Her name is Joanna van Bijsterveld. Although she says that she is just an ordinary girl from Amerongen, she is in fact startlingly cosmopolitan and speaks at least three languages fluently, English, Dutch and Greek.

The Dutch colonials formed a privileged upper social class of soldiers, administrators, managers, teachers and pioneers. They lived together with the natives, but had placed themselves at the top of a rigid social and racial caste system. The Dutch East Indies had two legal classes of citizens: European and indigenous. A third class, Foreign Easterners, was added in 1920.

Think of Louis Couperus’ novel ‘The Hidden Force’ (De Stille Kracht) which deals with the enmity felt by the Javanese towards the Dutch colonials, and their bizarre, mysterious vindication. Consider the novel by Douwes Dekker, who wrote ‘Max Havelaar’ under the pseudonym Multatuli. This novel deals with the abusive situation towards East Indies natives in the coffee plantations and the ousting of the main character, Max Havelaar, from Dutch society after making the abuse public. The contemporary novelist who died in 2011, Hella Haasse wrote ‘The Black Lake’ (Oeroeg) dealing with race relations, and ‘The Tea Lords’ (Heren van de Thee) about Dutch family members surreptitiously fighting each other over their competing tea plantations.

#reportertheunderground feedback@theunderground.nl

Request... ‘The organizers of the project, ‘Emerald Traces’ (Sporen van Smaragd), is requesting the general public for amateur film footage of the 1932 unforgettable event, the Indies Exhibition, held in Westbroek Park. In May of this year in the context of ‘Emerald Traces’, the Municipality of The Hague will be holding a retrospective of this Indies Exhibition. Who still has film footage of this exhibition lying forgotten in their attics? The Indonesian archipelago was poetically called the Emerald Cincture when it was still a Dutch colony. It was given this name because of the many hues of green found in nature in the Indies Isles.’

The ‘Museumkaart’ grants free access to all major Dutch museums for one year (special exhibitions excluded). The cards are available at the ticket office of the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag for € 44.95 (plus € 4.95 administration charge).

•

In March 2005, I left Canada with our daughter (I was told no consent was required as I had full custody of Maria, and was even able to add her on my Dutch passport)

•

In December 2007, I was told to seek legal advice in the Netherlands because Maria’s father had managed to have an INTERPOL arrest warrant issued for my extradition, which meant we could not continue to live in Amman, Jordan.

•

In February 2008, we arrived in the Netherlands. Within a few days of our arrival, I was arrested and Maria was placed in temporary foster care while I went to prison.

•

In April 2008, my ex-husband managed to successfully use The Hague Convention to apply for her immediate return to Canada - sadly it was only discovered several months later that he had lied in his application with regards to who actually had custody on the date of the alleged abduction.

•

In September 2008, my ex-husband managed to finalise our divorce in my absence, and without my knowledge and was granted full custody of our daughter.

•

In May 2009, the Supreme Court in the Netherlands finally decided to dismiss the extradition case, thereby acknowledging the fact that I had valid full custody of Maria on the date of our departure from Canada. The dual criminality required for extradition was not fulfilled.

What Joanna has experienced is every parent’s worst nightmare. “It could happen to anyone”, she says. “There should be much more clarity with regards to how The Hague Convention is carried out. More weight should be placed on the responsibility of the central authorities and courts to properly adhere to The Hague Convention, its scope, and their Guide to Good Practice. Far more emphasis needs to be placed on children’s well being and best interests.” On her road to justice, Joanna suggests that perhaps international couples should draw up pre-nuptial agreements about the futures of their unborn children. “Couples draw up agreements about property, finances, inheritance, and who the dog goes to if they break up. Shouldn’t we be realistic about as yet unborn children in the event of divorce? Who should they live with and where; and under which circumstances? We may not want to spoil our romantic notions of each other before we are married, but we have to consider our feelings of rancour if things should go wrong”. Joanna misses Maria more than words could express. But she is not worried about Maria. She is sure that her exhusband and his family love their daughter and that she is well cared for and well adjusted. She no longer harbours any resentment towards him; she has experienced closure and found peace within herself. She is spiritually inclined and neither dwells on the past nor obsesses about the future and is sure that she will see Maria sooner rather than later. Joanna has the following quotation to share with the readers of this article,

“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it…this will miraculously transform your life.” - E c k h a r t T o l l e ’s .

Current situation •

Since April 2008, Maria has neither been allowed to see me nor any other members of her maternal family. Nobody has done anything to protect her interests and rights.

•

Despite an attempt in 2009 to apply for international visitation under The Hague Convention, Maria’s father still refuses to allow me to visit her. Furthermore, he has not withdrawn his charges, which means I risk re-arrest and extradition if I leave the Netherlands. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Surete Quebec arrest warrants have not been withdrawn, despite clearly being based on false information and dubiously modified following my complaint in 2011.

•

Neither INTERPOL, the RCMP, Surete Quebec, nor the Dutch courts have ever properly addressed – or taken responsibility for their mistakes in this case. The Crown Prosecutor has ignored the above-mentioned facts. (Both defenses 284 and 285 in the Criminal Code are clearly applicable here.)

Homes & Living

Issue 15. March/April 2013

Homes & Living

Zeeheldentuin: A City Garden in the Making •

By Laila Mousa

hen you visit the Zeeheldenkwartier, you feel a sense of community that boasts a large multicultural population of approximately 11,000 inhabitants. Just like any other district, the Zeeheldenkwartier has its shops, schools, and restaurants. However, there is something missing. As the cold, dreary winter months come to an end, people look forward to spending more time outdoors. Families navigate towards parks, where they can spend time together. Unlike most neighbourhoods, the Zeeheldenkwartier has little to offer in the way of parks, landscaping, and places for families to gather. Zeeheldentuin is a local, green initiative for a city garden that was raised in 2011 by locals and supported by the Groene Eland, a residents association. The area is in the middle of the Zeeheldenkwartier and was previously a school that burnt to the ground in 2006. Although this neighbourhood attracts many people with its beautiful old, historic buildings, it is lacking a communal area. This could discourage people from moving to the Zeeheldenkwartier. With the creation of the city garden, more families could be interested in moving to the area, resulting in a thriving economic environment. The lot is approximately 1,500 square metres of pure nature. Annette Osinga, one of the initiators, states, “What residents need is obvious: a green and safe oasis in the city. A green place where people can meet in the orchard and kitchen garden.” The garden will have vegetable gardens, a herb and butterfly garden, areas for children to play and picnic benches. It is a place where local flora and fauna can survive in the city.” According to the layout plan, the garden will have four major functions, which include vegetable gardens, orchard grass fields, picnic sites and a nature playground for children. All of which are separate, but flow into each other. Adding to the sustainability of the garden, rainwater from the Haagwonen building will be re-used in the garden. Rainwater will be collected in an underground tank and used throughout the garden. On the basis of 2,500 signatures and overwhelming support from locals, the initiative was put into action. Zeeheldentuin will buy 50% of the plot from the owner, which is Haagwonen, in 2013. Haagwonen will build apartments on the other half and as soon as this is completed the city garden will be created in 2014, allowing residents to look forward to building a brighter future. Osinga states, “The residents are very enthusiastic about the introduction of a kitchen garden and orchard here in the Zeeheldenkwartier.”

VIBOS

Guerrilla Gardening A trend from England has spread across the globe like weeds. Local’ getting their hands dirty and giving their green thumbs a go at reviving unkempt public spots. Since 2012, a group from the uitvinderswijk (Regentessekwartier) have roamed the streets and planted at dozens of sites. They have transformed the grey streets into flourishing neighbourhoods. For more information: info@uitvinderswijk.nl.

Geese Crossing the Road (Laan van Meerdervoort) Concrete, cars and bikes are not a convivial environment for wildlife to travel. In 2012 The Hague started an initiative to create 12 eco zones to link the various green areas of the city, thus facilitating the spread and travel of flora and fauna. Tunnels are dug to enable animals to cross the road. Schenkstrook in Mariahoeve has developed riverbanks and trees to accommodate the rich Dutch wildlife. www.thehague.com

Viktor Samoylov

Are you thinking about renovating your house but the thought of noise, dust and general inconvenience is putting you off? You can forget about all these unpleasant things when working with Viktor Samoylov from VIBOS Europa AG! Originally an electrical engineer, Viktor started the home construction and renovation business after moving to the West following the collapse of the former Soviet Union. He now has about 20 years of experience in the industry. Although he only set up VIBOS with his business partner Jochen Schneider in 2009, Viktor has worked in the region before, first in 1997, for five years, on a restoration contract with Leiden Hospital, then in 2007.

For Sale: Columbusstraat 27. 2561 AA The Hague . Regentessekwartier € 285.000 located near europol. icty. opcw.wtc Phone 070- 346 89 33 for an appointment

Viktor’s company tackles everything and anything related to your home project, from simple routine maintenance to more extensive renovations. You can find many examples on their website. The team has even gone as far as building a house in Noordwijk entirely from scratch! VIBOS strives to assist their customers in making their dream house project come true, by offering professional advice based on their clients’ needs and desires, while delivering high-quality, efficient handiwork. To ensure their clients peace of mind, VIBOS deals with the municipality in order to obtain the necessary planning permits. They maintain a safe and neat work environment and offer insurance claims in case of damage. If clients wish to buy a house, Vibos can also help. Viktor and his team are not only highly skilled professionals but also a friendly and communicative group who always think with their clients to help ensure a smooth transition throughout the renovation process. Languages spoken in this internationally oriented company are English, German and Dutch, and Viktor approximates that their clientele is half Dutch and half international. Should you be in need of home restoration services, you can be sure Viktor will always welcome you with a smile and great advice. For more information contact Viktor: Tel. +31 (0) 6 1 587 6030 www.vibos.eu info@vibos.eu advertorial

Art & Design

Meet the Artisan •

By Lisette van der Ende I Photo Virginia McDonald

OHDEAR! Four different goldsmith designers opened a new jewellery store at the Molenstraat 56 last November. When you first walk into the store you notice this concept is different from an average boutique store. The sources of inspiration and the materials that the designers work with are immediately distinguishable, and the bright, precious stone rings, etched cufflinks, flower bracelets, earrings and even bags, make OHDEAR a candy shop for jewellery lovers. At the back of the store the designers have their open workspace. OHDEAR takes ‘homemade’ jewellery with this unique concept to a whole other level, never seen in The Hague before. As Micha, one of the designers told me: “We don’t design from a piece of paper, most of the time an idea is created during the jewel polish process”. The combination of gold, silver and brightly coloured jewels in affordable prices, is what makes the bijoux of OHDEAR unique and approachable for everybody. Ties from Mrs. Bow Tie will also be soon available in the OHDEAR shop. OHDEAR is certainly worth having a look for both men and women. What You Need to Know: Address: Molenstraat 56, The Hague Open: Monday: 11.00 till 18.00 Tuesday - Friday: 10.00 till 18.00 Saturday: 10.00 till 17.00 Sunday: 13.00 till17.00

Issue 14. February 2013

Must See

Issue 14. February 2013

Art & Design

Urban Legends: robin de goede

Green Advertising

Advertisers innovate by means of communication and are adapting to the new ecological fever that is overtaking modern society. Instead of the usual posters and flyers we are witnessing an increase in green advertising. The use of high pressure water and stencils to “clean” a design on the pavement, sand stamping, ice sculpting or growing moss in a deliberate shape are examples of techniques commonly being applied to produce this sustainable advertising. www.greengraffiti.com, www.freshgreenads.com

For more info: info@ohdearshop.com facebook.com/ohdearshop www.ohdearshop.com

HOUR Notes for Urban Honey •

By Patrícia Pinheiro de Sousa

Since May 2011 Stroom Den Haag has hosted a very peculiar shop. You can buy bikes, clothes, books and other articles. The big difference here being that you can’t pay with cash, debit or credit card. Time/Bank has its own currency. As the initiative’s title indicates, time is the accepted form of payment. In the Time/Bank shop you pay with ‘Hour Notes’, earned earlier by providing a service or helping someone out. These accumulated hours can also be used in various ways including the purchasing of goods. They can be given to someone else or even donated to a communal project. Initiated by Anton Vidokle and Julieta Aranda in 2009, Time/Bank is a project based on the exchange of labour in a worldwide network of participants using a communitybased currency. Inspired on existing time banks this initiative aims at creating an alternative economy where money plays no part. An economy based on ones needs and skills and the possibility of exchange are all founded on a time-based currency.

get insight: The city in focus

Since its start Time/Bank has expanded its branches to various cities such as, New York, Frankfurt, Maastricht, Moscow and Berlin, amongst other places. Besides the institutions that host the initiative, other institutions have joined, offering their support by accepting transactions in Hour notes. In The Netherlands for instance, it is possible to use this currency in cultural institutions such as MU in Eindhoven, the Nutshuis in The Hague, Witte de With and the NAI in Rotterdam and Casco in Utrecht.

•

“The alchemist makes gold from base metal, as a photographer he creates an image out of light. Robin de Goede, this artist of our time, is a kind of inverted alchemist: he creates an endless twilight from a photograph; an image of which the positioning as a nonsite can perhaps be named as between, that is: not here and not there but somewhere indefinable in between.” Philip Peters.

Another project, also supported by Stroom Den Haag and that somehow also makes use of a network for communal organisation is the Honing Bank (Honey Bank). This art project initiated by the French artist Olivier Darné, Emmanuelle Roule and the collective Parti Poétique, has at its central point, a fascination for the honeybee. Divided into two sections - the Queen Bank and the Pollination Room - the project aims at gaining attention for the insect but also to the threatening conditions of our environment. By bringing bees into the city of The Hague, the project employs these insects as a medium in order to reflect issues concerning urban environment. Participants can join the project by becoming small investors, contributing for instance to the development of the Pollination Room or by adopting a hive. Particularly in a Dutch context, where the arts are going through a critical period, projects such as these are in itself instigating ways to think about alternative forms of exchange and self-organisation. More information: www.e-flux.com/timebank/branch/den-haag www.honingbank.nl

By Laura Dragulin | Photos by Robin de Goede

©Time/Store Den Haag; photo: © Stroom Den Haag

But who is Robin de Goede, the man who shows us ‘The City in Focus’. Scanning through his biography and reading about his projects, prizes, exhibitions and photos, I feel Robin lingers in some sort of globetrotter vibe. He’s an artist holding his art inside, expressing himself through the places he’s been. As he characterizes himself, ‘Robin is always looking for an image, feeling, or thought, trying to consciously experience his surroundings and crowd. Most of Robin’s art is in black & white, as if the colours have disappeared from the picture; welcoming a new world, based on his memories: “To me colours

can be very distracting. B&W has a dimension of its own, a certain stillness that creates distance towards any subject”. A photographic journey through The Hague Through his art Robin de Goede, owner of The Hague - City in Focus, aims to reveal a contemporary portrait of some of the city’s most unique characters from the gutter to the stars, without realising that he himself is actually one of these characters. I asked Robin what inspires him and who his muses are. Like any photographer Robin’s creed is unique: “my big time influences are places and people. To be more specific, I am attracted to places with a history, a story, “Genius Loci” so to speak. Also that atmosphere of: ‘something happened here’ or ‘something might happen’ is very appealing to me as a visual artist. With my ‘models’ or ‘human subjects’ it’s the same, I guess.” Inspiring and humble regarding his models and the ceaseless sources of creative power, Robin confesses that he loves to dip into this sea of amazing characters: “Through photography I’ve met so many

©Robin de Gode - City in Focus

interesting personalities and I feel lucky and honoured to have worked with them. By talking to them and looking at them through the camera, I learn and grow both as an artist and person. It all comes together when location and model unite.” Lost in Translation What you might notice if you meet Robin is his Japanese influence and embraced spirit, printed on his skin as well as his art. “I have to admit, I love Japan, but moreover I love to be an alien, a stranger. And this ‘Lost in translation’ thing is what Japan is all about to me” explains the Dutch photographer for The Underground. Robin admits he was lucky to see the many facets of Japan, not only as a tourist but also as a volunteer in the tsunami disaster area. He explored the hidden and magical world of traditional Japanese tattoos and yakuza. Japan is like a wonderland to Robin and he would do anything ‘to pursue this state of mind and its endless creative possibilities’. Like Gerard Fieret and Akbar Simonse, Robin de Goede has his roots and is influenced by The Hague. Read the full interview online: www.theunderground.nl

Marloes van Elswijk

Issue 15. March 2013

Music

music what’s on: All over the world people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on 17 March. St. Patrick is celebrated for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland and 17 March is believed to be the day he died. The wearing of green is a symbol of Ireland’s lush green countryside and the consumption of alcohol comes from an old Irish legend in which St Patrick taught an innkeeper the lesson of generosity.

• By Woody Ok, I have to admit my mind was distracted by other events when I arrived to meet Marloes van Elswijk at FAST this Tuesday, so my factual reporting may be looser than a nun’s girdle, but sometimes through the mist of memory a truer light doth shine. Marloes is a singer/songwriter/surfer/supergirl from Scheveningen, well, originally from the Westland but hey…it’s all flat and near the sea. In her teens, full of smarts and crowned with blue hair, our skateboard femme was hunted down by 2 record labels, was in 3 bands and already had the determination to say to them all this isn’t what “I” want. But what did she want? She didn’t have a clue, but it sure as hell wasn’t a 3-album deal singing someone else’s tunes dressed up like a commercial muppet. It wasn’t playing in a cover band repeating imported American ‘raaaak’ between the speed grown tomatoes of greenhouseville. The C option, sponsored by Roxy, the female surf brand, to surf and sing all the way down the Atlantic coast, now that was literally her ticket out. She lived in France for a couple of years after the tour with a guy, which didn’t work out, so she came back to the flatlands. What did she do, oh naturally, she became the spokeswoman for the “Team Alert” road safety campaign against child deaths on the streets for which she wrote the song “Why?”. Satisfied with that? Nope. Marloes headed for some of the worlds less desirable addresses with Music Mayday, going to Cape Town, Harare, Sao Paulo, visiting the Favelas and shanty towns to give their kids a chance to get a bite of the apple and a slice of the cake. By offering education and self-determination under a musical umbrella the street rats and under-puppies were given a voice and the tools for self-improvement. No dumped down aid, but the opportunity for selfgrowth and a better quality of life within their own communities. The funding was cut.

expats rock night organised by Expats in the hague ‘Expats Rock the Night’ organised by Expats in The Hague was a successful fun-filled evening of music, showcasing various genres. The Paard Café was jam-packed holding a good mixture of internationals and locals. It was a great chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones as well as enjoying some well-established musicians and checking out some new talent. The evening started with Sahil Bahl, an American singer/songwriter playing an acoustic set on the classical guitar. He performed several numbers from his debut album, sharing one about his parents and dedicating another, the only love song he has ever composed, to his wife. Danella Smith is a name to remember. This Namibian singer/songwriter performing with Sahil Bahl and her band astonished the audience with her voice and soulful mix of folk, indie and rock music. Danella not only sings in English but also her native Afrikaans. She has recorded 5 songs with guitarist Karl Petti and hopes to release her own album in March of this year. Big Sur being the final act of the evening was well worth the wait. This musical project led by the talented Spanish musician and guitarist Borja Rojano, together with Estonian guitarist Karl Petti and Hungarian drummer Gabor Lieber played an exquisite set. Borja’s music is greatly influenced by the Canary Islands, where he grew up, as is his debut single The Guy’s a Surfer, which is now available on iTunes and Spotify. A noteworthy fact is that all proceedings from the sales of this number will be donated to the Soul Surfers Foundation.

The Hague is no exception and will be holding an exuberant St. Patrick’s Day Festival on 17 March 2013. The celebrations include an Irish market, dancing and music. St. Patrick’s Day Festival Date: 17 March 2013 Locations: Grote Markt and/or SuperMarkt Time: 12pm- 6.30pm (Grote Markt) and 3pm3am (SuperMarkt) Grote Markt: Irish Market, live music and Irish dancing and SuperMarkt will host Celtic-punk band Circle J on Saturday 16 March 16 and 17 March 2013 in Irish Pubs O’Caseys Location: Noordeinde 140, 2514 GP, The Hague Programme for St. Patrick’s Day: The biggest green party of the year starting at 9am. The Fiddler Location: Riviervismarkt 1, 2513 AM, The Hague Programme for St. Patrick’s Day: The Fiddler will be celebrating with green beer, live traditional Irish music from Mike Bailey and to finish the day rock band Venus Envy.

Prashant Shukla is a member of the board of Expats in The Hague and one of the organisers of this festival. He describes his organisation as a platform providing social, cultural and professional interaction for internationals coming to The Hague whether for work, study or love. This platform also provides the chance of meeting new people, as it is the largest group of its kind in The Netherlands. Prashant’s expectations for the future are very simple and that is to involve more people and organise various

Loes has now quit smoking whilst her boyfriend puts out fires, she’s working in Amsterdam for the Cross Over Dance Company, has her teenage band back together again, and is working on project X, which I know about, but am not at liberty to spill the beans…yet. In 2 weeks the docs say she can surf again after 4 months out from a torn cruciate ligament, party time!!!

EXPAt events 10 year anniversary

She’s like a female Janus, but with 2 nice sides. There’s ambassador/explorer Loes, spreading the word and doing the good deed, and then there’s Music Loes who you can catch wompin’ it up at Fast parties. Not all special people doing special things get the acclaim they deserve. So, thank you Marloes, in a bleak form filled world driven by accountancy and management your wild spirit isn’t unnoticed.

This month our reporters have attended Soulheaven in ‘Het Filmhuis’ , we attended PIP DEN HAAG FAKE LOVE REAL HATE’s party and the Winterfest. See the photos on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheUndergroundTH or go to our website and read the reviews.

Expat Events is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! On this occasion, The Underground takes a peek backstage to meet the team behind this highly successful, non-commercial enterprise. The team bringing Expat Events to life is composed by Edwin and Marco, the original founders, as well as Stanley, all three having worked in international organisations. The newest member, Petra, is an international student studying International Media and Entertainment Management. Expat Events started as a hobby in 2003 when the founders saw a chance of closing the gap between the social and nightlife opportunities for the expat community and the local community. Back then, the expat community was more closed off from the local community and Expat Events wanted to give expats a chance to get together, meet new people, socialize and enjoy themselves. With the support of numerous international organisations and media groups, Expat Events has grown significantly since its creation and has become a well-known name in The Hague’s expat community. In the future, they plan to increase their exposure and seek new opportunities to expand while continuing to organise their regular events. Contact Expat Events at info@expatevents.com

E: info@bouwlust-administratiekantoor.nl T: 015-2135999

Administrative and fiscal services

Administration

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Setting up and management of your bookkeeping. Budget maintenance via monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. We can help you set up your administration which you can manage on your own. We offer periodic checking of your administration. We make up your annual report and account in compliance with all Dutch law and taxation requirements.

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Taxation Matters

Payslips provided for all employees, processing of all tax reports, registration of all employees at the required social services institutions and much more. Maintenance and accurate administration of all legal and union regulations. Proforma salary calculations in order to allow you an indication of the salary costs involved when hiring new personnel.

Registration and administration of all relevant taxation issues pertaining to your company, its staff and current tax legislation.

Advice

Costs

Advice offered on a variety of legal and fiscal issues.

Our rates for bookkeeping matters as well as settling your taxes are 50.64 Euro per hour.

- On starting your own business - On personnel issues - On financing your company - On the structure of your company - And much more...

Advice offered on tax and taxation issues. Guidance and advice during tax audits.

For the yearly reports as well as the additional taxation related work we charge 76.48 per hour. Our rates are indexed at a yearly rate of 3%.

We do not claim to know everything and in some exceptional cases we need to call in the help of specialists. In these very specific cases we will inform you of the reason(s) for calling in a specialist and of the additional costs involved.

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Issue 15. March/April 2013

Wine & Dine

Issue 15. March/April 2013

recipes of the month

SPOTTED

Japanese cuisine represents healthy and smart food to me. When creating recipes for this months green issue I chose to draw on Asian influences that combine classics with a twist. Most of these ingredients can be found at Amazing Oriental on Grote Marktstraat. I hope you enjoy!

EAT Your greens Find out where you can get organic goodness in the city, Helen Preston shares tips on local cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of places in the city that cater to those who prefer to eat organic and local produce whenever possible. Eating seasonal and supporting local agriculture has become something of a trend in recent years and eating attitudes are leaning toward more health awareness and eco-consciousness. This means cafes and restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon to offer their customers good, wholesome meals and treats.

Thankfully for vegetarians dining out or meeting friends for tea isn’t as troublesome as it used to be. Vegetarians used to be stuck with the boring pasta dish on the menu and vegans were just a conundrum for restaurant chefs. Now there is a fair spread of goodies being served up in cafes around town. You just need to know where to find them. So here is a list of recommendations for you; all places either offer vegetarian or organic options on their menu (or both). De Hagedis Waldeck Pyrmontkade 116 (De Grote Pyr) Only open from Wednesday till Saturday, this organic vegetarian restaurant is popular and usually extremely busy so do reserve a table to avoid any disappointment. The menu changes with the season but one of the specialities always on offer is the variety of cheese fondues. Logisch . Maliestraat 9 Restaurant manager Rutger used to help out at his father’s restaurant, at the same location, 20 years ago. Now he has his own place ‘Logisch’ that has been open since May last year and he takes real pride in offering organic meals from local and seasonal produce. Q u i r k y ’s . T a s m a n s t r a a t 1 2 8 Christine and her crew run a lively, homely cafe with plenty on offer for vegetarians. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for special dinner nights with guest chefs from various countries. G r e e n b e a n . Tu r f m a r k t 2 5 0 Lange Voorhout 5/ Bezuidenhoutseweg 65 Freshly made juices and sandwiches using organic produce wherever possible. This chain offers take out but if you want to stay there is unlimited Wi-Fi on offer with your coffee. Kicking Horse Cafe Paagman, Frederik Hendriklaan 217 They use fresh ingredients, offer vegetarian options and their slogan is ‘don’t panic, we’re going organic ”. If you love books and good coffee then you may never leave. Eethuis De Zon Dunne Bierkade 13 If you’re terrible at picking a dish from the menu then this is the place for you, this vegetarian cafe has a daily meal at a fixed price for €10, -. To make it even more convenient the daily is posted on their Facebook page! D e Wa n k e l e Ta f e l . M a u r i t s k a d e 7 9 This place has been running for years and if you’ve seen the size of the kitchen you really have to wonder how they do it! The prices are reasonable but you can’t pay by card so don’t forget to take cash unless you want to end up doing the dishes in that tiny kitchen.

•

Text & Photos by Holly Anderson

Green Tea Dumplings . Makes 15

Lime and Chilli Crème Brulee Makes 4

Dumplings • 4 green tea bags • 2 cups plain flour • Vegetable oil • 125g free range chicken mince • 1 spring onion, finely chopped • 1 tsp finely chopped ginger • 1 tsp finely chopped garlic • 1 tsp light soy sauce • 1 tsp sake • 1 tsp rice wine vinegar • ¼ cup chopped coriander • 1 tsp finely chopped chives • Salt & Pepper

Custard • 300ml cream • 200ml full cream milk • 3 red chillies roughly chopped • 2 free range eggs • 4 freen range eggs yolks • 125g caster sugar • Zest of 2 limes • ½ cup lime juice

Dipping oils • ½ cup vegetable oil • 1 sliced red chilli • 1 spring onion, finely chopped • 1 garlic clove, crushed • Juice of half an orange • 2 tbs rice wine vinegar • 1 tsp finely sliced ginger

Preheat oven to 130°C and lightly grease six small ramekins. Place cream, milk and chillies in a saucepan and heat until steaming over mediumhigh heat. Remove from heat and set aside whilst the chillies infuse.

Bring 1 ½ cups of water to boil then add tea bags and leave to infuse. While still warm, mix the flour and tea together and kneed until smooth and elastic. Cover dough and rest for 30 minutes. For the filling, combine all dumpling ingredients together and season with salt and pepper. For the chilli oil, heat oil, chilli, spring onion, garlic and salt in a small pot and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes. To make the ginger oil, combine rice wine vinegar, orange juice and ginger and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes. To make the dumplings, roll the dough into a log and cut into 30g pieces. Roll until 1mm thick and add a teaspoon of chicken mixture in the centre of the dough. Fold dough over and crimp together using a fork. Shallow fry dumplings on each side on a low heat or until golden and cooked. Serve with oils.

Baklust has new opening hours! Tuesday til Sunday from 10 am til 9 pm

Lime syrup • ½ cup caster sugar • ¼ cup water • Zest of 2 limes

Whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, lime juice and zest in a bowl until light and creamy then gradually pour in the milk. Strain the mixture 2-3 times with a sieve to discard chillies and zest. Pour the custard into the ramekins and place in a deep oven tray. Pour boiling water into the tray until water is halfway up the ramekins. Cover with foil and bake for 40-50 minutes or until custards are set with a little wobble. Allow to cool completely. To make the syrup, place sugar and water in a small pot over low-medium heat until sugar dissolves and bubbles add lime zest then turn off the heat. Sprinkle custards with sugar and using a blow torch or low heat grill caramelise the sugar until golden and set. To serve, place candied lime on top.

Call to make a reservation

070-7532274

www.baklust.nl

Veenkade 19, Den Haag

At Baklust, you can be sure everything is homemade, and only made using the best organic ingredients. We welcome you to enjoy our daily menu and homemade dessert. We also serve organic wine and beer from now on!

TIP! Baklust Veenkade 19 This small but fully organic and vegetarian cafe now also serves evening meals and you can takeaway. Esther and the gang prepare their food with care and attention and true to their name ,they also have superb baked vegan goodies. www.baklust.nl

Events

Issue 14. February 2013

Museum & Art

Cultural Events

Music & Concerts

08 Cirque du Soleil – Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour Date: 8 till 10 March 2013 Time: Fri 20:00, Sat 20:00, Sun 20:00 Place: Ziggo Dome Amsterdam, De Passage 100, 1101 AX

The Artist’s Way introduction Date: 3 March 2013 Time: 13:30 to 16:30 Place: Amsterdam Au Bout du Monde Singel 313 Amsterdam Cost: € 3,95 www.theartistsway.info

The Masterpieces Date: Until 31 March 2013 Time: 09:00 to 18:00 Place: The Rijksmuseum, Jan Luijkenstraat, 1071 CJ Amsterdam Cost: € 10,www.rijksmuseum.nl

Literature Late Night Date: 1 March 2013 Time: Bar open at 21:00, starting at 21:30 Place: Central Library, The Hague Cost: € 2,50 - € 5,00 www.bibliotheekdenhaag.nl/live

Sister Act Date: From 17 March 2013 Time: We,Th,Fr: 20:00, Sa: 15:00, 20:00, Su: 14:30, 19:00 Place: AFAS Circustheater, Den Haag Cost: € 24,99 - € 69,99 euro www.musicals.nl

The Killers Date: 11 March 2013 Time: 20:00 Place: Ziggo Dome, De Passage 100, Amsterdam Cost: € 60,00 - € 70,00 www.thekillersmusic.com

Museum of Bags and Purses Date: 12 March through 5 May Time: 10:00 to 17:00 Place: Herengracht 573, 1017 CD Amsterdam Cost: € 9,www.tassenmuseum.nl

Primrose, Russian Colour Photography Date: Until 3 April 2013 Time: 10:00 to 18:00, Thu-Fri: 10:00 to 21:00 Place: FOAM Photography Museum, Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS Amsterdam Cost: € 8,75 www.foam.org

Cinedans Date: From 1 till 9 March 2013 Time: Place: The EYE Film Institute Netherlands, IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam Cost: € 9,50 - € 8,00 for one show www.cinedans.nl

Live @ De Bakkerswinkel Date: 1 March 2013 Time: Starting at: 16:00 Place: De Bakkersinkel, The Hague, Cost: Free www.debakkerswinkel.nl/denhaag

&ME IN CINEMAS Date: Start Date: 14 March 2013, End Date: 28 March 2013 Place: Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Breda www.andme-thefilm.com

The American Indian: Art and Culture between Myth and Reality Date: Until 14 April 2013 Time: 10:00 to 17:00 Place: Nieuwe Kerk, Dam, 1012 JS Amsterdam Cost: € 15,-

Cook with Vandana Date: 7 March 2013 Time: 18:30 to 22:30 Place: The Hague, Atjehstraat 9, 2585 VG Cost: € 40,www.cookwithvandana.com

The blooming of a tradition – 19101919 Date: 1 March and 20 March Time: 1 March: 20:15 Kavakos, Time: 20 March: 20:15 Place: The Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN Amsterdam Cost: sold out

Exhibition about 18th-century adventurer Date: Until 24 March 2013 Time: 10am-5pm Tue-Fri 12pm-5pm Sat-Sun Place: Historical Museum, The Hague Cost: € 7,www.haagshistorischmuseum.nl

Discover China Town and the Jewish district. Date: 27 March 2013 Time: 14:00 Place: VVV Uitburo, Den Haag Cost: € 9,75 p.p. / € 15,75 / www.residentieontdekkingen.nl

Style/Shoot/Shine at international women’s day! Date: 8 March 2013 Time: 10:00 to 01:00 Place: The International Club, The Hague, Javastraat 26 Cost: € 59,50 www.styleboost.nl

TIP

Dirk Braeckman & Zarina Bhimji Date: Until 31 March 2013 Time: Closed Tu -Sa : 12:00 - 20:00, Su: 12:00 - 18:00 Place: De Appel Arts Centre Prins Hendrikkade 142, 1011 Amsterdam Cost: € 7,00 - € 5,00 www.deappel.nl

EYE&ME Date: From 6 till 26 March 2013 Time: 10:00 to 00:00 Place: EYE, Ijpromenade 1 Amsterdam Cost: Free www.eyefilm.nl/bezoekersinformatie/ contact-en-route

Children Tour in Binnenhof (7-15 years) Date: Every Sunday 1pm Time: Starting at 13:00 Place: Binnenhof, The Hague Cost: € 5,www.prodemos.nl/bezoekerscentrum

The Masterpieces Date: Until 31 March 2013 Time: 09:00 to 18:00 Place: The Rijksmuseum, Jan Luijkenstraat, 1071 CJ Amsterdam Cost: € 10,www.rijksmuseum.nl

22 The Food Film Festival Date: 22 till 24 March 2013 Time: Sun - Tues from 11.00 to 01.00, Fri - Sat from 11.00 to 03.00/04.00 Place: STUDIO/K, Timorplein 62,1094 CC Amsterdam

Moza Mala Date: 2 March 2013 Time: Starting at 21:00 Place: Korzo Theatre, Prinsestraat 42, The Hague Cost: € 12,50 hwww.korzo.nl

McFadden - Webern, Rihm en Schönberg, DoelenKwartet, Claron McFadden Date: 3 March 2013 Time: Starting at 14:30 Place: Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague Costs: Standard fee: € 24,00, youth: € 10,00 www.claronmcfadden.com

14 Lunch concert by students of Royal Conservatorium Date: 14 March 2013 Time: 12:30 Place: Christus Triumfatorkerk, The Hague

27 Lil Wayne Date: 27 March 2012 Time: 20:00 Place: Dome, De Passage 100, Amsterdam Cost: € 60,00 - € 70,00 www.myspace.com/lilwayne

Pub Events

17 St. Patric’s Day Date: 17 March 2013 Time: 12:00 to 18:00 Place: Grote Markt, Den Haag Cost: free www.gmdh.nl

West Coast Big Band Date: 3 March Time: Starting at 14:30 Place: Theater de Tobbe, Voorburg Cost: 10 euros www.westcoastbigband.nl

POP Quiz Date: 28 March 2013 Time: 20:00 to 22:30 Place: O’Sheas Irish Pub, Lijnbaan 37 – 39, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3012 EK Cost: € 3,www.popquizrotterdam.nl

Classifieds Recorder, piano and music theory lessons. Experienced teacher, graduate from the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and The Hague (master degree) Lessons planned according to the student’s needs and wishes. References available. 0634775174 Email: isabelfavilla@gmail. com Harp and Music lessons with Sarah Nichols, a graduate from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in harp and pedagogy. All ages and levels are welcome. Lessons can be in English, French or Spanish. Free trial lesson!! www.sarahnicholsharp.weebly.com Email: nicholsharp@gmail.com Mobile: 06 41 48 32 19

Non-Commercial FREE!!!!!!! Cooking & Food Milk free, sugar free, vegan, nut free, you name it. Mijn Cake bakes deliciousness with organic, fairtrade, local ingredients. Get your piece of Mijn Cake: www. mijncake.nl Delicious top-notch professionally made cakes and other sweet treats for all occasions. Delivery available. Visit www. queeniescakes.com for portfolio & more details. Kristen’s Sweet Treats Custom designed cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats for your special occasions. Please visit www.kristenssweettreats.weebly.com or find me on Facebook.

Courses & Workshops COUNSELLING INTERNATIONAL offers confidential individual counselling, couple therapy or conflict mediation by experienced multilingual professional Els Barkema-Sala, MPhil, MBACP. You may call for a FREE initial telephone consultation or for an appointment and check the website for more information. 071 528 2661 www.counsellinginternational.com Art lessons for adults and children at Studio Jean! Anybody can learn how to draw and paint. www.studiojean.nl Lisa Di Campli offers specialized glass panel design and creation that blends the wishes of the client and the architecture. Many works include kiln-fired glass painting, slumping, fusing. www.dicampliglas. com. Lunch Time Stress-Fix Massage Special!!! From Monday through Friday, between 11am - 2pm. Reduce the stress of your day and join us for lunch! €40 - 45 Minute Lunch Time Massage (Valid 1/3-1/4) By Appointment Only. Contact Claudia Da Silva for more information 06 528 41 898 Claudia@hollistika.com or visit www.Hollistika.com Location: Schelpkade 37- 2514 KB Den Haag Driving lessons given in English or German in the area of the Hague and surrounding towns. Ron Keislair, for information telephone 06 44 302 594 or www.ronkeislair.nl

Issue 15. March/April 2013

friendly helpful feedback to your creative expressions; The Hague, Atelier Kapnos at www.kapnissi.com

836 598 (nataly7909@gmail.com)

Never lost in translation again: Crystal Clear Translations | Kristel Buijinck | www.crystalcleartranslations | kristel@ crystalcleartranslations.nl | 06 41 25 35 26

Holiday Homes

Classifieds

Issue 15. March/April 2013

tising Adver rom f rates

€10,

For rent FOR RENT/Partly furnished. Very nice

Nutrition |Lifestyle | Workshops | Corporate Wellness Programs | Biotherapy | Wellness Travel denhaag.doshapraktijk.nl Want more clients? Small Business Owners get your Free Report from Marketing Coach Stephanie Ward 7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time at www. fireflycoaching.com Free one-hour intake.consultation session Website: www.fitnessmatters.nl 06 16 505 375 First Aid for Parents & Baby-Sitters All topics + pediatric CPR & AED. Official diploma. Course in NL.ENG.FR at your home for max 12 participants. www.vitalefunctiesopleidingen.com.0618835293 Interested in Goal Setting, Dealing with Confidence Issues and.or Overcoming Obstacles & Saboteurs? Join a FREE NLP workshop. More information on www. manueladamant.com.

totally renovated 4 room appartement 85m2 Harstenhoekweg 225, situated at Scheveningen within a 5 minutes walk from the Beach, dunes, public transport and shopping area. Kitchen with oven, cooker, and fridge. Wash and dry machine available. Window view to the dunes. Balkony on the south Side. Price 850,- excl gas/light and electricity. Contact Claudia Aliet: acnaliet71@gmail.com tel: mobile 0614162202 homenumber 070-2116334

Need website, blog, promotional content? Got a book idea? Looking for DutchEnglish translation? Contact Tiffany Jansen tiffanyrjansen@gmail.com. www.tiffanyrjansen.com.

The Arab House of Arts aims to build bridges between East & West by organizing art-related events and activities. More info: ahkunsten.nl or our official Facebook page.

beach of Scheveningen?

advertising photo retouching

Enjoy the salty breeze that strikes through your hair as you ride along the coast . We organise horse riding throughout the whole year for beginners and experienced riders along the beach of Scheveningen.

communication advise

webdesign

www.claracommunicatie.nl

Everything for your home

Handyman Services English speaking maintenance specialist. Carpentry –painting –kitchen.bathroom –minor plumbing. For a free estimate call Ronald 06 55913888 Wish 4 Windows UPVC Windows & Doors Wish 4 Windows is a small family business situated in The Hague. We offer a personal approach and excellent customer service. Our records confirm that 95% of our business is received through recommendations and repeat customers. This shows we must be doing something right! To read what others say about Wish 4 Windows, please see our recommendations. Wish 4 Windows the glazing company you can trust! Contact Peter Harper Phone: 06 412 095 27 www.wish4windows.com

Private art classes for children, at the studio or at the convenience of your home. Please call for more information Park Avenue Art Studio at 06 52190872 or visit www.vandersluis.com

YOGA CLASSES!! All classes require Pre-registration. Group size of 6 students. A small class for a more personalized approach to the practice and build a relationship with your own practice and meet your personal goals. By Appointment Only. Contact Claudia Da Silva for more information 06 528 41 898 * Claudia@hollistika.com or visit www.Hollistika.com

Social Media lessons 1-on-1, with a focus on your needs. Call or SMS Mark 0653577287 for an appointment. email: info@onyourmark.nl hourly rate 15 euro.

Candles Flame Training Helping you with Microsoft Office training

* Offers services in home renovation, maintenance and restoration. * Small Projects, big projects and house restoration including roofing. * Plastering, tiling, painting, bathrooms and carpentry.

ZUMBA in the Statenkwartier! Want to be fit, sexy and exhilarated? Get Latin with me in 2013! Mondays 7pm: the HEALTHIEST HAPPY HOUR ever. Monthly commitment: mafegallegos@ hotmail.com 0648692780

“Rent a BEAMER! Quick, easy and cheap. Only €30,00 a day, for parties, professional presentations or a movienight. Tel. 06 28 14 24 96 or visit www.tuureventverhuur.nl” Skateboarding at Commit Skate School. Lessons at Skatepark Sweatshop in The Hague!! 1 hour lesson 15 Euro! Phone 0616224766 to set up an appointment. Advice for Aspiring Artists. Painters;

Candles Flame training

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Microsoft oﬃce training

Eye See Yo Serving The Hague, Leiden and Delft areas.

Eye See You

For Rent.100m2 -bedroom apartment with big terrace in Williams Park. Located on a quiet street parallel to Fredrickstraat and a hundred meters from Denneweg (10 min walk to Shell, CB&I, and others) it’s a cozy 2-floor apartment with a lovely bright living room and amazing terrace (6X4 meters) available for rent from March 15, 2013. The house was fully renovated 2 years ago. Ideal for a single person, a young couple or a small family. Fully furnished. 1800 Euro.month. For further details please contact: 06 14 836 598 (nataly7909@gmail.com

For sale

Stalhouderij Het Fjordenpaard Jan Lips Overaseweg 158 4836 BC Breda (0031) 06 51382833 www.stalhouderij-hetfjordenpaard.nl info@stalhouderij-hetfjordenpaard.nl

VIBOS Europa AG

Home improvement

Need a professional video production…? Video is a fantastic way to grab attention and spread a message, wether it is for business, events, promotion or personal. We are a team of video professionals who have experience in all forms of video.film production and utilise the best of High Definition video equipment. Interested.. then please get in touch with Mark@rockstonesessions.com Photography Intensive: Immerse yourself in photography for one month to become a better photographer and make the pictures you want. E-mail 2: class@henryarvidsson.com

logo design (digital) newsletters

CORSICA! 4 person holiday-home for rent! For more info contact: isabelle. weber@online.nl

Social Media lessons 1-on-1, with a focus on your needs.Call or SMS Mark 0653577287 for an appointment. email: info@onyourmark.nl hourly rate 15 euro.

horse riding along the

writing paper

FRANCE La Marteille. House in the country. Located near Pompadour.Limousin in France. A lovely get away in the country for 2-4 people.2 bedrooms.2bathrooms. veranda.fully furnished.garden.wood burner. etc. From: € 595,-. Bookings: www. micazu.nl.vakantiehuis.la-marteille-10437.

Always dreamed of

business cards

FREE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION AND REFERENCES AVAILABLE

Contact: Viktor Samoylov & Jochen Schneider Tel: 06 587 60 30 Tel: 071 30 20 207 info@vibos.eu www.vibos.eu

Eye See You Molly Quell Consulting Social Media and Online Marketing Consulting Social Media Strategy and Development Tutorials, Workshops, and Training Website: www.mollyquell.com

www.dutchhandyman.nl, For all your building solutions, Big or Small! Phone: 06-22193299

Hans Brok, klusjesman Handyman, reliable dutch who speaks English, French and German, for maintenance of house, garden and property. Reasonable rates. 0652063629 or hansbrok2000@gmail.com

Networking

BMW X5 for SALE! Due to our family transfer abroad, we have to put for sale our favorite BMW X5 (2001; 3.0ltr; 179,000km). During the last 2 years this car brought us lots of great memories and freedom and in the current condition we believe it is worth 9.990 Euro (Negotiable). For further details please contact: 06 14

For current job vacancies in The Hague & surroundings visit The Underground website: www.theunderground.nl.jobs The Delft Writing Group meets once a month in Delft to share and critique submissions of all types. See www.mollyquell.com/delftwritinggroup/ for more information.

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Issue 15. March/April 2013