March 2014

ICON Meetings:

*Tuesday March 18 in Høvik--NEXT WEEK

  April 29 in Høvik

  May 20 in Høvik

  June 10 Luncheon, details to be confirmed

*Next week's meeting will have an international feel to it, but we need your help.  Our terrific hospitality team has asked for people to bring snacks from their home countries.  As for the meeting itself...Well, as usual we will have lots of fun while bringing up some familiar faces to enlighten us on some of the things that keep us busy in Oslo while we call it home. Some members will talk about Volunteering Opportunities in Oslo and others will talk about how they got employment here. You won't want to miss it!  Also, don't forget about buying your raffle tickets!  We have some great gifts that have been donated for this month's meeting!  

ICON Coffee Morning:

Friday the 29th of March 25 beginning 10:00

Swashbuckler Coffeebar Nr 1

https://foursquare.com/v/swashbuckler-coffeebar-nr1/524304fe11d262c0532d90da

Join us for a good cup of coffee and some even better company!

Meet the Partners Cocktail Party

Saturday the 29th of March

To be hosted at a member's home in Bygdøy

Invitations have already been sent out.

 Please contact 

Ruma at icon.oslo.social@gmail.com or 

Kristine at kristine.vanduffel@yahoo.com

It will be 150 nok per couple, plus a bottle of Cava, Presseco or wine.  If you are feeling extra thirsty, feel free to bring an extra bottle of wine.

SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SPOTS

by payment to:  ICON Account # 7131.11.99433

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Explore Oslo's

Visit to Freia Chocolate Factory!

Tuesday, 1st April @ 9:30 am

Cost is 100 nok.

Numbers are limited, so if you would like to join us, please book your spot with Janet at janet.maybank@gmail.com

A highlight of the tour is the collection of 12 Munch paintings located in the dining hall, but we will also see the production process and sample some chocolate.  You will also have an opportunity to visit the chocolate shop to buy goodies at reduced prices--just in time for Easter!

Activity Coordinator Information, March 2014

A note from Patrizia our Activities Coordinator:

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BEING A COORDINATOR FOR AN ICON ACTIVITY?

Being a coordinator for an ICON activity isn't too difficult;  you just need a lot of enthusiasm and a bit of work.  If you are interested in taking over as coordinator of an existing activity, you need to contact the current coordinator if you want to keep it running the way it has been, or you can make some changes, as well.  

However, if you would like to start a NEW activity, it's a little more complicated but still not difficult.  The first step would be to contact the Activities Coordinator (Patrizia) and explain your plan.  She can then help you organize the new group.  Together, you will prepare the description of the new activity for prospective group participants.  Then, you can work together to build up excitement and recruit members at the monthly ICON meetings, on Facebook, the ICON blog and website.  Once you have your group of interested "groupies" you can plan when and where and how often you will meet.  

To be an ICON activity, with the support of the Activities Coordinator and publicity, ALL YOUR PARTICIPANTS MUST BE PAID MEMBERS OF ICON.  If you choose to enlist members outside of ICON, it will no longer be considered and ICON activity.

If there is a FEE required for participation in a group activity, the coordinator does not necessarily NEED to be an ICON member, but it must be made clear from the beginning that to be advertised as an ICON activity, the paid members of ICON must be given a reduced price over non-ICON participants.  However, this allows the coordinator to enlist outside of ICON.

Please contact icon.oslo.activities@gmail.com

Members' Corner, March 2014

This is NOT one of our photos!  It was this impressive in person, though.

Destination Northern Lights

After reading about Mary's exciting trip last month, I felt compelled to share my family's latest adventure.

Many of our friends had gone to Tromsø to see the Northern Lights, but most of them had come home with stories of "chasing" the Lights into Finland.  Some didn't even get rewarded with a sighting, but they spent a lot of time driving.  So my husband thought that maybe it was because Tromsø is by the coast and subject to more cloud cover.  He set out to find someplace farther inland that was at about the same latitude as the border of Finland.

What he found was, Björkliden, the best kept secret of Sweden.  We flew from Oslo to Narvik, Norway.  From there, we rented a car and drove for a couple of hours to arrive at our cabin at the Fjällby Ski Resort.  At about 8:30 in the evening our first night, we left our cabin by car and drove about 15 minutes down the road to Abisko National Park, home of the Aurora Sky Station.  Here, they outfitted us in warm jumpsuits and boots over our own warm clothes so we wouldn't freeze while experiencing the most spectacular shows Mother Nature has to offer.  We rode a chairlift up to about 3000 feet above sea level.    It took us about 30 minutes to get to the top, where we had a chance to go inside to thaw our toes inside a small gift shop/cafe.  We then braced ourselves to face the cold, but we were oblivious to the weather because the Northern Lights had us in a trance.  We lost all sense of time.  It was just magical.  It reminded me of laying on the ground watching clouds changing, only the colors were amazing.  If you've not seen them, it's really impossible to describe.  It must be experienced.

As far as the resort is concerned, the cabins are not fancy, but we were comfortable.  Our second night we were supposed to do the Northern Lights Dog Sledding Tour, but it was brutally cold and visibility was ZERO.  Thankfully, they were able to reschedule for the next morning.  After all, we'd already seen the lights;  we just wanted to love on some dogs.  The sledding was a neat experience that wasn't nearly as fast-moving as I had feared it would be.  Great fun for everyone.

Of course, there were skiing opportunities for those who are confident to do that sort of thing.  My husband enjoyed both of the cross country trails, as well as all the downhill slopes.  The kids were able to ski, as well.  I chose not to because I didn't have enough confidence yet.

That's pretty much all there is in Björkliden, however.  It doesn't have the cute appeal of Tromsø, but they've got the corner market on the Northern Lights.  So if you need to check this item off your bucket list, I would highly recommend the trip.

:) Jamie

For more information:
http://www.visitabisko.com


To see a stop-action video of the Northern Lights:
*Warning:  If you see this, you'll want to go.
https://vimeo.com/85657307

February 2014

From our Member’s Corner

Mary Schoemann, our Treasurer and her family visited Svalbard this December.  Here is an article on her experience.

Visit to Svalbard by Mary Schoemann

We had entered another world.  Between mid November to February, it is 24 hours of darkness.  Even with the continuous nighttime, there was so much exploring to do there.

Svalbard it known for its polar bears, and the citizens carry guns in case of an attack.  Within the city of Longyearbyen, there is a safe area, the pink zone on the tourist map, where it is safe to walk around without an armed guide.

To travel outside the city of Longyearbyen, it is necessary to hire a guide who is trained to protect you from the polar bears.  For our first adventure outside the city limits, we went dog sledding.  The company picked us up from our hotel and supplied all the warm clothing.  We learned how to set up our dog team and were able to drive our own sleds.  My kids loved the dog sledding experience.  The following day, was our 3 km snowshoe hike up a mountain and onto a glacier to explore a glacier ice cave.  When we reached the cave instead of a walk into a big opening, it was a hole in the ground which we climbed down a 4m ladder into the glacier.  Once we were below it opened up into a cave with tunnels and small areas where we enjoyed coffee, cookies and scary stories.  This was my favorite adventure. Each night we were lucky to enjoy the Northern lights amazing display just a short walk from out hotel.

There is much more to do in Svalbard.  There is snowmobile tours, ski expeditions, taxi tours and in warmer months hiking, boat trips, isfjord safaris, fossil hunting and an abandon Russian mining town to explore.  In any of the seasons, there is a chance to see polar bears.  I was very glad we did not meet one on any of our expeditions.  My family is now looking forward to returning to Svalbard during the Midnight Sun to enjoy the beauty of northern most Norway which we could not see during the Polar Night.

Other important facts to know:
Shopping is tax-free in Svalbard, unlike the rest of Norway.  If you are interested in buying spirits to bring back to Oslo, remember you must show a boarding pass in the local store to purchase liquor.  Do not wait until the airport to purchase alcohol, it was not sold there, and even though you must go through passport control in Oslo you can not purchase spirits tax-free upon your return.  Yes, we did make this mistake.

If anyone has any thing they would like to share on the blog please contact Jamie or Ruma at: icon.oslo.newsletter@gmail.com

Upcoming Events:

COFFEE MORNING: Friday 21st February at 11am at the Theatre Cafe  :  Reviews-Theatercafeen-Oslo

Come and join us at this beautiful historic restaurant in the centre of Oslo. We will meet from 11 and if you wish to stay on for lunch then please do so.

Next ICON Members Meeting: Tuesday 25th February at Frognerseteren at 11am.  http://www.frognerseteren.no/

Enjoy coffee and tea and the most fabulous view over the Fjord..... and for the more adventurous of us...after coffee, our Treasurer has offered to lead a Sledging group (Also known as SLEDDING) on the fun run next to Frognerseteren.  Don’t forget to dress for the occasion!  Sledges and helmets can be hired at the venue! Please meet Mary after coffee if you wish to join the team! Click here for fun video of the Sled Run!

Bowling Night on Thursday February 27^th at 6 PM.

Place: Solli Bowling. http://sollibowling.no/

Please reserve your spot.

Contact Ruma at icon.oslo.social@gmail.com or at

Rumadas0204@gmail.com

 

February Events and News

A note from our Ex ICON President Brigita who moved to Copenhagen:

Hello old friends! 

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks for being so organized and inviting! 

My attempts to join clubs here have been a bit of a shock...no where can I find information on their webpages about monthly meetings (though listed in their description)...but perhaps they don't have them....?! Or no further details about coffee mornings...my list goes on....

Keep up the good work ICON! Others shall aspire to be as great of a club! 

Hugs from Copenhagen!
Brigita 

Coffee morning at Fresco was a lot of fun! 

What better way to meet with friends and make new friends over a cozy cup of coffee or funky juices. Make plans to meet us for the next coffee morning. They are always fun!!

Next Coffee Morning: Theatre Cafe on Friday 21st at 11am

http://www.hotelcontinental.no/restauranter_barer/theatercafeen.aspx

Events in Oslo 

The Events List is a non-profit, community service intended for individuals of the English speaking community in and around Oslo.  All email addresses on the distribution list are kept confidential.  Individuals may receive their own copy of the Events list by sending an email with the word REQUEST in the subject line The Events List is a non-profit, community service intended for individuals of theity in and around Oslo.  All email addresses on the distribution list are kept confidential.  Individuals may receive their own copy of the Events list by sending an email with the word REQUEST in the subject line to: events.list@yahoo.com

Don`t forget: Don`t Miss Out!!

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Upcoming Events in February:

Next ICON Members Meeting: Tuesday 25th February at Frognerseteren at 11 AM.  

http://www.frognerseteren.no/

Enjoy coffee and tea and the most fabulous view over the Fjord..... and for the more adventurous of us...after coffee, our Treasurer has offered to lead a Sledging group (Also known as SLEDDING) on the fun run next to Frognerseteren.  Don’t forget to dress for the occasion!  Sledges and helmets can be hired at the venue! Please meet Mary after coffee if you wish to join the team!

Sledging Team last year!

!

Fun Fun Fun!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/eYbERJyZ9E8

Ladies Bowling Night: Thursday February 27^th at 6 PM.

Place: Solli Bowling. http://sollibowling.no/

Reserve your spot. 

Contact Ruma at 
icon.oslo.social@gmail.com

Mark your Calendars for Other Upcoming Events:

"Meet the Partners Potluck PARTY"  on March 29^th 

To be hosted at a member's home at a Central Location (Bygdoy).

An invitation with detailed information will be sent in March.

ICON Boot Camp at Elixia

This is Open to all members of ICON

Come join us for five session of group personal training - with a mix of cardio and weight resistance training. The exercises are organized so that you can control how hard you work.

Location: Elixia Collesium, Middelthuns Gate 19, 0368 Oslo. Majorstuen metro stop

Dates: starting first Friday of March and running through the first Friday of April: March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4

Time: 10:00-11:15. 

Price: The total price for 10 people is 1300 NOK per person. 

Please reply to Kirstin Reed at kirreed@yahoo.com if you intend to participate. This is a commitment, and they will adjust the price if more people join us. More people = less cost! 

Deadline to register is February 14th

The final price will be sent out and participants can pay to the ICON treasury following 14 February.

ICON UPCOMING EVENTS

ICON MEETING ON TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014, at HØVIK CHURCH

Our first ICON Members Meeting of the New Year is on the 21^st of January at 10 AM. Please come and join us for a fun “New Year`s PARTY” and get to know your fellow members. There will be lots of delicious party food, music, games and a chance to win some fabulous raffle prizes! You are all most welcome to bring friends. 

Other Upcoming Events in January

• Explore Oslo: Kon-Tiki Museum on Bygdoy Friday 24 January at 11 AM. Contact Janet at janet.maybank@gmail.com

·        Special group training session at Elixia Colliseum on 24 January from 10:00 to 11:10 AM. Contact Kirstin at kirreed@yahoo.com

• Movie Night Date and Movie to be decided.   Contact Ruma at icon.oslo.social@gmail.com  

·        Wine Tasting: On Thursday 23 January from 19:00 – 21:00. Top 3 white grape varieties you really need to know! Confirm attendance now at

     jhuseby@brandabout.cl 

     HOST: Denise Hoyle dmhoyle@gmail.com

•     Coffee Morning on Friday 3l January a Fresco's  http://www.fresko.no in Frogner (Frognerveien) from 10am      

Upcoming Events in February 

• Bowling Night: On Thursday February 27.  Mark your calendars; details will be posted later.  Contact Ruma at icon.oslo.social@gmail.com

• POSTPONED - Cookie Exchange party at a member’s home: This event has been postponed due to conflicts with cross country ski lessons and wine tasting. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Dear ICON Members,

Marie Clark Orring and Vivien Black

I hope you have all had a wonderful festive season with your family and friends either in your home country or here in Norway!

The ICON Committee and myself are looking forward to seeing you all at our first meeting of 2014 at Hovik on Tuesday 2lst January, 2014.  Details will be following shortly but be prepared to get in the New Year Party spirit as we kick off the New Year with a fun filled meeting where you can catch up with everyone!

Restaurant at Baerums Werk

The Christmas Lunch was a huge success. I think everyone who was able to attend will agree that once again the Restaurant excelled itself in providing us with a fabulous meal and wonderful surroundings. I have popped up a Rogue`s Gallery below!





Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Christmas Raffle by either donating gifts or buying loads of tickets!  We raised the fantastic
sum of 5600 NOK which is just phenomenal and most gratefully received.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 2lst January, if not before, at a Committee Meeting or Activity.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!

There is going to be a special ICON workout session at the Collesseum Elixia on January 24th at 10am! It`s free and just for ICON members.  Please get in touch with Kirstin Reed to register. There is a limit of 20 spaces. They are hoping to offer a 5 to 10 week session just for ICON members and no membership of Elixia will be required.. A great opportunity to shake of those excess holiday pounds!
Please fill in this form to register: ICON Training Session (FREE)

With best wishes and every happiness for the forthcoming year!

Vivien Black
PRESIDENT