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Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe and Noord Holland.

Attention Writers!Enjoy Writing?The Connections Newsletter is seeking volunteer writers who enjoy writing on a theme, informative articles, or opinions they want to share. Interested? Contact us [email protected]

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Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

ConnectingWorlds

Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Alicia Brandt, Massimo Casoni, Vera Carniello, R. Raj, Yasemin and Firat Karaibrahimoglu, Michael James Thomas, Alice Miskin, Steven Forrest, Noemie Leve, Sarah Robinson, Alexandru Dinu, Sergi Llimos, Selina von Perger, Annaclaudia Martini, Jiapeng Hou, James Deighton, Margarita Cabrera .

Welcome New Members!Serv ices :

Jo in Us !You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.Visit: www.connect-int.org

● Immigration services● Home search & set-up● Social events, activities & clubs● Career services● Business events● Books & guides● Information sheets● Knowledge database

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https://twitter.com/@ConnectNH

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ConnectNH/185249751488726

Contact : Publ ica t ion Team:Connect Head Office:Herestraat 106, Room 1.06, 9711LM GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: [email protected] [email protected]: www.connect-int.org

Publisher: Stephanie PoortmanAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaContributers to this issue: Stephanie Poortman, Karen Prowse, Margaret Metsala, Hortense Thompson, Blanca Vergara, Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney.

Interested in advertising in Connections E-Magazine?Advertising Rates per Issue (10 issues per year) : 1/4 Page (12.5 x 9.5 cm) €25,00 1/2 Page (12.5 x 19 cm) €50,00 1 Page (A4 - 21 x 29.7cm) €100,00

Contact [email protected] for more details.

Everything you need to make yourself at home in the Netherlands

UNDERONE ROOF

Connect International has a full membership

PLATINUM:

GOLD:

SILVER:

ASSOCIATES:

Connect’s PartnersHelping to welcome the world

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Connect Noord Holland (Alkmaar):Telephone: 06 25394234Email: [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/ConnectInternational

https://twitter.com/@connectintcwc

Connecting Worlds

Provincie GroningenProvincie FrieslandProvincie Drenthe

N.V. NOMGasTerraGas Unie

ABN AMRO

Nijestee

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OctoberCalendar

October 2014

North Netherlands11 - 19 October 2014Week 42

Mid-Netherlands18 - 26 October 2014Week 43

South Netherlands18 - 26 October 2014Week 43

School Vacation

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OctoberEvents

CONNECT (Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe)

Photo WalkDate: 3 October 2014, 16:00 hrs

Parents Coffee Time Date: 7 October 2014, 10:00 hrs

WordPress 101 Workshop Date: 7 October 2014, 18:30 hrs@ Connect International Office, Herestraat 106, Groningen

Connect for Coffee Date: 10 October 2014, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Parents Coffee Time Date: 14 October 2014, 10:00 hrs

Crafts Club EveningDate: 14 October 2014

Coffee Morning Assen Date: 15 October 2014, 10:30 hrs@ V&D La Place in Assen, Koopmansplein 3

CONNECT Noord Holland(Noord Holland)

CNH Connect for Coffee Date: 10 October 2014, 20:00 hrs@ the home of Sarah B, Alkmaar

CNH Kids & Coffee Date: 15 October 2014, 9:30 hrs@ the home of Sarah B, Alkmaar

Bead Weaving WorkshopDate: 19 October 2014, 14:00 hrs@ Connect International Office

Parents Coffee Time Date: 21 October 2014, 10:00 hrs

Connect for Coffee Date: 24 October 2014, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Parents Coffee Time Date: 28 October 2014, 10:00 hrs

Coffee Morning Assen Date: 29 October 2014, 10:30 hrs@ V&D La Place in Assen, Koopmansplein 3

Crafts ClubDate: 31 October 2014, 10:30 hrs

CNH Book Club Film Night Date: 22 October 2014, 19:45 hrs@ the home of Caroline, Alkmaar

CNH Connect for Coffee Date: 24 October 2014, 20:00 hrs@ the home of Martine, Alkmaar

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ConnectingWorlds

Finally, a dream eight years in the making becomes a reality with the establishment of the International Welcome Center North (IWCN), a one-stop-shop for international people living in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The IWCN will offer services in three areas: government formalities (residence permits and municipal registration); information (practical information and referrals to reliable service providers); and social (a chance to start building a social and/or business network during activities and events) all at one location.

International Welcome Center North opens its doors in November

The International Welcome Center North plans to open its doors on Tuesday 4 November this year in a newly remodeled space on the ground floor of the Gemeente Groningen building on the Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 in Groningen. This means that Connect

Applied Science, UMCG, and Connect International, and is supported by the Provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe and multiple partners through the Partnership Program (reliable companies who offer services to international people) and other clients and supporters (businesses and internationals themselves).

All international residents of the three Northern provinces, both EU and non-EU, are welcome to use the information services and join in on the social activities and events of the International Welcome Center North.

International will be moving office at the end of October and the current office location on the Herestraat 106 will be surrendered on 31 October. Although the visiting address will change, the postal and email addresses and telephone number of Connect International will stay the same.

The International Welcome Center North is a cooperation (samenwerkingsverband, in Dutch) between the founders Gemeente Groningen, IND, University of Groningen, Hanze University of

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ConnectingWorlds

The IWCN will encompass not only these existing services of Connect International but, by working together with the founders, partners and supporters, it plans to cooperate on additional issues, such as expat career support, in order to make the Northern Netherlands an even more attractive place for international employees to come to and stay.

All non-EU/EEA highly-skilled employees from all three Northern provinces may utilize the International Welcome Center North to arrange government formalities, provided that they live in one of the associated municipalities (currently Groningen,

Assen, Emmen, Leeuwarden, Smallingerland (Drachten), Hoogezand-Sappemeer, and Ten Boer) and that their employer is registered as a “recognized sponsor” with the IND. If this is not the case, then they will not be eligible to use the Formalities section of the IWCN. A list of recognized sponsors can be found at: ind.nl/EN/business/public-register.

The International Welcome Center North will apply a fee for the accelerated Formalities service which must be paid either before the appointment or on site. The fees help provide funding for the information and social portions of the IWCN. Should the

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Connecting Worlds

Citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland do not need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands if their stay is based on the EC Treaty. A valid passport (or country ID) from the country of citizenship is enough proof of permission to stay in the Netherlands and thus no registration with the IND is necessary. However, all residents of the Netherlands are required to register with their local Municipality. If EU/EEA or Swiss citizens work for a recognized sponsor and live in one of the associated Municipalities, then they can also use the accelerated procedure to obtain a BSN at the International Welcome Center North. Be aware that a fee will also be assessed for this service.

The International Welcome Center North will be open weekdays at regular hours to receive drop-in visitors, answer questions by phone and email, and provide a warm and informative introduction to the Northern Netherlands. Appointments for formalities must be made in advance and will initially be offered several afternoons per week.

We hope to welcome you all personally to the IWCN on or after 4 November!

highly-skilled employee not wish to pay the fee, then they are advised to use the regular procedure through the IND at one of the nine regional offices and register at their local municipality rather than the Formalities service of the IWCN.

During appointments at the International Welcome Center North, non-EU/EEA highly-skilled employees (and their families) will meet with representatives from the IND and the Municipality. The IND representative will hand out the residence document or place a sticker in the passports of the highly-skilled employees, both of which will allow them to stay and immediately work in the Netherlands. The Municipality representative will issue a BSN during the appointment if the highly-skilled employees live in the municipality of Groningen. If they live in one of the associated municipalities, they will receive their BSN by post at their home address within three days. This is a significant improvement on the 1-6 week time frame it usually takes. The highly-skilled employees can then finish payroll registration at their companies, open a bank account, sign up for health insurance and register for mobile phone subscriptions sooner than previously possible: an enormous advantage in saving time and reducing frustration.

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Connect Workshop Re-visitedby Hortense Thompson

WorkshopRe-visited

performance Grazia won the secret prize packet – supplies to make yet another ring.

If you would also like to be(ad) creative, join us at our next workshop on Sunday, October 19th.

Sunday afternoon, September 14, was a great afternoon to be(ad) creative. Beaders – Gracita, Andrea and Raquel – were joined by newcomers Silvia, Anne-Marie and Grazia. Each eager to learn a new stitch and to make an eye-catching ring. Apprehensively they began. A wave of silence engulfed the room while they diligently worked. As time progressed there were comments about how easy it is to learn the right angle weave. Cheers erupted as, one by one, they completed the ring within the allotted time. First-timer Grazia surprised everyone by making two rings. As reward for her exemplary

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ConnectingBusinesses

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Why Do You Need a Website?by Stephanie Poortman

Like many entrepreneurs and small business owners, you may think your business is too small to benefit from having a website; that your product or services aren't really something that can be sold online; or that a website is not within your budget. While these might all seem like valid points, the fact is, having a website for your business is an absolute essential, no matter what you are selling or what service you are providing.

Today, more and more consumers are using the internet to search for products or services they need. By simply having a website for your small business, you will gain exposure and credibility. Without a website, those potential customers will breeze right past you.

People will look for you onlineSooner or later, someone is going to type your name or business into google. What do you want them to find? Nothing? Or even worse, your competitors’ website? Even if customers don't look for you by name, you want them to find you when they search for your products or services and, if you don't have a website, their chances of finding you are pretty much non-existent. For many people, you might as well not exist if you can't be found with a search engine.

Gain credibilityBefore the internet, most people would turn to the yellow pages when they needed to find an accountant or plumber. If you weren't listed, then it

probably meant your business wasn't credible. Now people turn to the internet for this information instead; a website gives potential customers an opportunity to get to know you and your company a little better and build that trust.

Make a positive first impressionChances are, that for many of your potential customers, their first impression of you will be with your website. And you want it to be a positive one right? A site that looks clean and is easy to navigate makes a big difference to potential customers. Even if you are not selling goods or

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ConnectingBusinesses

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services online, a professional looking website can let your potential customers know that your products and services are quality.

Showcase your business and your messageWhether you have a product to sell or a service to offer, you have a message. Whatever you do or represent, a webpage is a great way to show off your products or services. Posting images of your products to show them off to potential customers, even if you don’t want to sell online; can help to entice customers to make contact with you about how they can purchase your products. Even if your business provides a service, such as plumbing or construction, highlight the services

you can provide with pictures of past projects and show the quality of your work.

You can afford a websiteYou may think a website is outside of your businesses budget, but it doesn't have to be! There are many free resources available that will allow you to set up your website from as little as €50 a year. A WordPress website is the perfect example of this, easy to set up yourself (with a little instruction) and with a wide range of free or low cost templates to give your site a professional look.

So don't let not having a website hold you back!

If you are interested in setting up your own website, you should come to the WordPress 101 workshop, where I will be going over the basics of setting up your own website, creating a professional look and some hints and tips of useful add-ons that can help improve your presence on the internet.

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EntrepreneurFeature

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InformationCenter

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Have you seen this fungus?By Margaret Metsala

During a vacation to Belgium this summer, Margaret and her boyfriend were out walking in woodland area when they came across a very peculiar (and slightly terrifying) ‘thing’ sprouting up out of the ground.

Hans and I didn't know what it was - until I googled images for "red fungus Europe" and there it was, standing out impressively among other red fungi. Once identified as clathrus archeri, Wikipedia gave an interesting sketch of this Australian native that found its way to Europe around the time of the first World War.

Since the 1980's, it has also occurred in the U.S. This beautiful rare fungus attracts flies with a scent of rotting meat which I didn't notice on the afternoon we found it. Perhaps the scent is released at a different time of day or night. This dangerous looking fungus is not poisonous. It can be eaten at the stage before it pops open but the taste is unappetizing.

The picture of this one was taken in the Ardennes. Considered rare, there have been sightings in Drenthe and one was reported last

Clathrus archeri, native to Australia, found near La Roche in the Ardennes

year in Haren, Groningen, according to a link on the Dutch Wikipedia page.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clathrus_archerihttp://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inktviszwam

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ConnectingBusinesses

Money, Meaning and MagicBy Blanca Vergara

Making money meaningfully? That’s the magic of modern entrepreneurship. It’s indeed a great mirror of our spiritual awakening, our relationship with money, our self-worth, our true beliefs on abundance (time, money, love, customers). When we promote a new product, we are promoting ourselves. We’re sticking our neck out, taking a stand for what we believe. There is no logo to hide behind. There is no boss to blame. We are the driving force of our venture.

Entrepreneurship is like constantly trekking the Himalayas: climbing a mighty peak, enjoying the top, controlling the descending path, resting in the valley, preparing for the next climb and doing this over and over again. How to find your smile every single time? How to keep challenging yourself to conquer the next and the next and the next peak?

I have 5 steps to guide your enlightened entrepreneurial quest!

1. Visualize. Every morning connect with the vision of how life will be when you’re enjoying your “top”. Who would you become? How is that “you”? Imagine how you will feel when you reach success. Who you are talking to? What are you wearing? What is the temperature of the room? What colors do you see? What smells do you perceive? Try to make your visualization as sensorial as possible. Observe it all as if it was true now. Feel it as it was so. Experience it as if you were that dream version of yourself. Every day you will receive

new information on details of your project that will ease your decision making. Every day your confidence and certainty on the success of your project will grow. To make your visualization successful it is of utmost importance that you enjoy it! Immerse yourself in your image of success.

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ConnectingBusinesses

2. Upside down planning.Don’t plan with the vision of getting done all that is in your to-do list. Plan up side down. Start with the vision of what you want to see happening in 5 years. Then start thinking backwards. What would need to happen in 4 years, in 2 years, this year, this month, this week, today. You’ll be amazed that the daily actions you end up with will be easy and comfortable. If you really divide the BIG task into tiny manageable steps, you’ll climb the mountain with ease and joy.

3. Ask for help. At some point in your planning, it’s possible that you get stuck on something you don’t know how to do or you don’t want to do. This is the time to create an intention. Others will be able to support you with the things that you’re not good at and still need to be done. More importantly invest yourself in the relevant mentor for you. See in which area of your spiritual boot camp you need help: beliefs, fear, strategy, tactics… Accept that you need help, see your mentor appear in your experience, and take a leap.

4. Take risks / Build new habits. Positive thinking is not enough. If you want other results, you have to take different actions. Not just invest money in a mentor: invest yourself, your time, your courage, and your actions. Take

your mentor´s advice seriously. The only way to build new habits is by taking action. Habits are chronic actions. Keep repeating and repeating and repeating (did I say repeating?) Actions that expand your comfort zone expand your spirit and honor your abundance.

5. Celebrate. Let go of words like “amazing”, “miracle”, “incredible”. When you consistently follow the first 4 steps you’ll see your life and business transform before your very eyes. You’ll be tempted to be surprised. Well! Get used to it! You’re now living your lifework! You should celebrate your successes, but don’t label them impossible. Because they are your new normal. Celebrate it all! Celebrate when your results are different from your expectations. Both if they are above or below your expectations. Celebrate the journey!

So, this is the way I keep my smile every single day. • See it. • Plan it. • Ask for help. • Take new risks. • Celebrate!

Join me! Let’s enjoy this meaningful quest of entrepreneurship with meaning!

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Places to goThings to see

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Hobby Markets in the NorthBy Stephanie Poortman

I am a huge crafter, I love sewing, papercrafts, knitting, crochet, crafty DIY projects. I will give anything crafty a go. During my few years in the Netherlands, I have gathered an expanding list of excellent markets where you can buy handmade products and craft supplies and get a little inspiration!

15 Oct 2014 - Stoffen Spektakel. Large fabric fair at Martiniplaza, Groningen. www.stoffenspektakel.nl

24 - 25 Oct 2014 - Brei- en Haakdagen. Knitting and crochet supplies fair in Zwolle. www.breidag.nl

26 Oct 2014 - Zeldzaam Mooi. Handmade market in Olst. www.zeldzaammooi.com

2 Nov 2014 - Diezijn Leuk (winter). Hobby market on Groningen vismarkt to buy handmade products and supplies. www.diezijn-leuk.nl

8 - 9 Nov 2014 - Sieradenbeurs. Beading faire in Zwolle. www.sieradenbeurs.nl

8 - 9 Nov 2014 - Holy Stitch. Handmade market in an old prison in Leeuwarden. www.holystitch.nl

30 Nov 2014 - Van Onze Tafel. Handmade market in Meppel. www.vanonzetafel.nl

6 - 7 Dec 2014 - Kerstmarkt at Bourtange. Christmas market in Bourtange. www.bourtange.nl

13 - 14 Dec 2014 - Kerstmarkt at Bourtange. Christmas market in Bourtange. www.bourtange.nl

14 Dec 2014 - Art & Craft X-Mas Fair, Andledon, Den Andel.

19 - 21 Dec 2014 - WinterWelVaart. Christmas market along a Groningen canal with lots of boats! www.winterwelvaart.nl

20 Dec 2014 - Kerst Fair Harkstede. Christmas market at Harkstede.

20 - 21 Dec 2014 - Kerstmarkt at Bourtange. Christmas market in Bourtange. www.bourtange.nl

12 - 15 Feb 2015 - Handwerkbeurs. Crafts fair in Zwolle covering almost everything, great for supplies and inspiration. www.handwerkbeurs.nl

27 Feb - 1 Mar 2015 - Hand Hobby Creadagen. Craft supplies fair at TT hall in Assen. www.hand-hobby-creadagen.nl

6 Apr 2015 - Zeldzaam Mooi. Handmade market in Deventer. www.zeldzaammooi.com

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Food for Thought

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Winter WarmersBy Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney

As the warmth of the Indian summer days roll into shorter daylight hours and crisp autumn days, we find ourselves switching gears in the kitchen from light summer salads and BBQ, to soups and heartier comfort foods.

Since we both love exploring our respective local markets and supermarkets, it is common to find us stumbling upon fruits and vegetables that really don’t look that that appetizing, and let’s face it, sometimes downright ugly.

So the question I pose to you, is when

CeleriacAlso known as celery root and knob celery, and one of our favorite ‘Uglies’. While definitely not much to look at from the outside, this little gem, which has a light celery flavor can be eaten raw (after peeling the outside), roasted, used in soups, and even pureed. It’s delicious- and a great addition to any fall meal.

PastinaakOr as many of you may know it- parsnips. These are delicious pureed and used instead of mashed potatoes, are great roasted, and again, added to soups.

you see those ‘Uglies’ while out shopping, do you pass them by based on appearance, or do you even know what some of them are? The old adage, “looks can be deceiving”, definitely holds true with our selected ‘Uglies’ shared below. While they may not be appealing to the eyes, they are pleasing to the palate.

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Food forThought

KoolraapOtherwise known as rutabaga or swede, it is another root vegetable with a multitude of culinary uses. It can be boiled and mashed with other root vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots with a splash of cream, or it can be used in soups, or roasted in the oven.

Butternut squashThis may be a familiar face for many of you- and is found here in Holland under the general name of “pompoen” – so knowing what they look like is a huge plus when searching for them. These are another gem, not only for roasting, but also can be interchanged in recipes that call for pumpkin. So, can’t find pumpkin and craving your favorite pumpkin dish? Look no further. They can be pureed and added not only to your favorite pumpkin recipes, but also favorite soups and sauces.

If you would like to try a recipe incorporating one of the ‘Uglies’ listed above, you may want to try celeriac and sweet potato soup with ginger from Clotilde Dusoulier on her blog, Chocolate and Zucchini,

http://goo.gl/W6bNej. Not only is the blog a favorite to both of us, but her style is so easy. She's not one to spend a lot of money to make glamorous meals...she is thrifty, simple & her dishes come out delish.

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Food forThought

She also has written several books, one of our favorites being “The French Market Cookbook” which offers delicious, yet simple recipes (such as Celeriac and Butternut Soup), along with other delicious seasonal vegetables. It includes many of those oddball veggies, including recipes that feature seaweed.

We hope that this will inspire you to find some new favorites for your autumn menu while you explore the aisles of your supermarkets and local farmers markets. There is so much waiting to be discovered. If you encounter an odd or ‘ugly’ fruit or veggie that you aren’t sure what it is- or what to do with it- Please send us a snapshot to our email address and we’ll get the answer for you. [email protected]

Plus feel free to drop us a line with any other foodie related thoughts or suggestions. We would love to hear from YOU!

Coming next month: Kitchen TalkWondering what we are up to? Well, all we can say is you won’t want to miss it. It’s our chance to hear from YOU and share with your fellow Connections Readers. Curious for more? Check back next month!

For those of you who are like us and are always looking for the next foodie adventure- this website is a gem, Curious Food Lover http://www.curious-food-lover.comfilled with great information and places to explore across the globe.

Tip of the Month

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