DANK National Blog » Darlene – Journal Editor

How’s this for an engineering feat?

Darlene - Journal Editor — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:46:54 +0000

GERMAN PARKING GARAGE in Munich, Germany

This is pretty amazing! Can you imagine how all this operates? How do they lock each car in it’s cubicle for safety?

Who cares!

No one in their right mind could get in your car. But believe me, the Germans will lock their car.

The 2 photos were taken at a new parking garage in Munich. The actual space that the facility occupies is only 20% of a comparable facility of the traditional design used in the US.

Not only is the German structure less expensive to build, but vehicles are also retrieved in less time and without the potential of being damaged by an attendant.

Update: As Tricia pointed out in the comments, this is an urban legend. The images are real, and in a sense it is stall a parking garage. What is shown is a 20-story tower in Volkswagen’s Autostadt, where the cars to be purchased are stored. When a person purchases their vehicle, the car is taken from one of these cubby holes and brought down to the new owner. Maybe we should have saved this for April Fools Day

Swim If You Dare!

Darlene - Journal Editor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:47:50 +0000

Not everybody was equally pleased about swimming in the freezing water, as almost 90 brave amateur athletes met to show off their stamina in a winter swim challenge on the river Elbe in Dresden, on Sunday, February 7.

Berlinale Celebrates with 400 Films

Darlene - Journal Editor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:35:37 +0000

“The birthday cake of nearly 400 films has been baked,” announces festival director Dieter Kosslick. The 60th Berlin International Film Festival begins on 11 February. The flurry of flashbulbs, the red carpet, the film stars: the Berlinale promises ten days of great cinema in the German capital. The 60th birthday of the festival, which first saw the light of the film world in 1951, is also being celebrated by Hollywood greats like director Martin Scorsese, who is presenting his new film Shutter Island with the two actors Leonardo de Caprio and Ben Kingsley.

The Berlinale is being opened with a world premiere from China. Wang Quan’an – the Chinese auteur film-maker of the younger generation who won a Golden Bear three years ago with Tuya’s Marriage – is presenting his new film Apart Together (Tuan Yuan). A total of 26 films from 18 countries, including 18 world premieres, will be shown as part of the Berlinale competition. At the Berlinale Palast 20 films will be competing for the Golden Bear for the best film and the Silver Bear in other categories. This year three German films will also be competing for the coveted awards.

Once again the international jury of the 60th Berlin Film Festival includes prominent members: German director Werner Herzog, one of the most influential auteur film-makers, is in the chair and will be joined, among others, by Hollywood star Renée Zellweger, Italian director and author Francesca Comencini and writer Nuruddin Farah from Somalia in making the decisions on who will receive the Golden and Silver Bears.

One highlight of Berlinale 2010 will be a spectacular premiere: the restored original version of the silent film Metropolis by Fritz Lang. This 1927 classic, which set new standards in cinematic art worldwide, returns to the screen at the Friedrichspalast in Berlin on 12 February – and will also be projected live at the Brandenburg Gate.

Germany in good form ahead of Olympics

Darlene - Journal Editor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:32:22 +0000

The German ski-jumping team showed that they are in fine form ahead of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, which open on February 12, when they won a team World Cup event at home in Willingen on Saturday 6 February.

Michael Neumayer, Pascal Bodmer, Martin Schmitt and Michael Uhrmann secured Germany’s first victory since January 2005 with 965.5 points, beating Norway into second place.

German coach Werner Schuster said that the victory was very important for his side. “That was excellent. I have to pay my team a compliment. We can now fly to the Olympics full of confidence.”

Uhrmann was the best of the German team with two leaps of 141.5 metres. “That was as I imagine it to be and I really enjoyed the competition.”

Austria, who finished third on the day, won the overall Team-Tour to take home 100,000 euro (136,000 US-Dollars) in prize money.

Source: dpa

Pajama Party Festivities

Darlene - Journal Editor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:14:10 +0000

After the Saturday Gala Ball, delegates made it back to their rooms to change into more comfortable attire. Off with the shoes, out of the gown, and into some comfy pajamas or what ever one may sleep in. Some of the delegates were shy at first but after a few beers and some lively singing, everyone let their hair down and had a great time. For those who missed it, some of the evening will be kept private for only those who attended.

Father-In-Law, Dick Sonnichsen with President Bill Fuchs

Cheers

Fun, Fun, Fun, away from the kids.

Music for those who still can sing.

Former president Ernst Ott drinks & sings with wife Alexandra and friends.

Two pajama virgins and a pro.

Keeping a bald head warm.

Eva gets another smooch of appreciation.

Fun, laughter and singing into the wee hours of the morning.

Eva, National Executive Secretary, gets a little lovingfrom Bill Schimidt.

50th Anniversary Gala Ball Celebration

Darlene - Journal Editor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:10:51 +0000

Delegates, guests and dignitaries were dressed to kill as the evening festivities got under way. The emcee welcomed everyone and then invited Bill Schimidt, President of DANK South, Mayor Jim Holland of Frankfort , Consul General Onno Hückmann and National President Bill Fuchs forward to bring greetings and congratulations to all present. The line at the bar was constant and the dance floor was full.

Bill Schimidt - DANK South President

Consul General Onno Hückmann

DANK National President Bill Fuchs

Linda Voit and Erik Wittmann

What a great looking group! Dressed to kill.

Catching the presidents ear over a nice cold beer.

The night is still young, let's party.

Saturday Election Roundup

Darlene - Journal Editor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:09:45 +0000

The Presidency was again uncontested and Bill Fuchs was unanimously re-elected. After the votes were counted Erik Wittmann and Donna Lippert were re-elected to the positions of Vice-President. Beverly Pochatko was uncontested for the position of Secretary and Maria Thompson was uncontested for the position of Treasurer, both are expected to serve for the next two years.

After the elections, Werner Juretzko, who witnessed the end of World War II, described his activities as a US spy in East Germany, the difficult and dangerous tasks, the life which lead him into the newly created Soviet-occupied zone and finally his arrest. He talked about the Secret Police and the interrogation methods used against the captured young men.

Delegates still hard at work

The newly elected board.

Werner Juretzko talks about his life as a US spy in East Germany

Send Holiday Greetings

Darlene - Journal Editor — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Christmas is a time for festivities and celebrations. It’s a time to celebrate happiness with friends and family. It’s a time to spread joy and good cheer and bring smiles to faces. Place an ad in the Journal to wish your friends, family, club members, and loved ones a Merry Christmas and fill their hearts with warmth and joy. Your ad will also help us offset the ever increasing expenses of publishing the Journal. We make it easy for you to send special holiday greetings to your friends, relatives, members, customers, and colleagues this festive season. Select from the collection displayed and tell us the design you want along with your personal greeting. Small ads are a $20.00 donation and large ads a $35.00 donation.

Send the ad information along with your check to:
DANK National Executive Office
4740N Western Ave. Suite 206
Chicago, IL 60625-2013.

If you would like to send your own holiday greeting, please send it to us in the correct size as a pdf file attachment to Darlene@goldenfoxpro.com. The holiday paper will be sent out by November 20th, just in time to convey your holiday wishes during this wonderful season. If the person you are sending greetings to is not a DANK member and you would like them to see your seasons greetings, include their name and address with your order and we’ll send them a complimentary copy of the German-American Journal holiday addition. The reason for this holiday season is to spread goodwill to everyone. Show support for the German-American Journal, and DANK, by making someone’s holiday special.

View PDF Order Form

Celebrating at DANK Chicago

Darlene - Journal Editor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:15:42 +0000

The evening was filled with excitement at DANK Chicago as they opened the doors to their newly renovated 4th floor exhibition hall. Champagne was flowing and people from all walks of life mingled together celebrating the German Cultural Centers new addition, “Lost German in Chicago.

Even though Chicago did not win the 2016 Olympic bid there were many reasons to celebrate at the DANKHaus. Most all of the DANKHaus floors were open to the public showcasing the many banquet rooms, offices and other German organizations that call a portion of the DANKHaus home.

One of the evenings highlights was celebrating the 50 years of DANK Chicago’s contributions to this great city. There were even a few members that remembered the first days of DANK’s existence. The evening was then set off with a golden balloon drop and then the dancing began.

Refreshments were provided by sponsors in the surrounding neighborhood.

DANK Chicago president, Dagmar Freiberger, congratulates 4 members on reaching their 50th anniversary of DANK.

Dank National President, Bill Fuchs, presents Dagmar Freiberger with a plaque recognizing the many accomplishments DANK Chicago has had over the past 50 years.

DANK Chicago Opens Chicago Exhibit

Darlene - Journal Editor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:53:17 +0000

After a year of planning, grant writing, donation and hands on dedication, DANK Chicago opened the 4th floor of the DANK Haus to the public displaying their “Lost German Chicago” exhibit.

"Lost German Chicago" Grand Opening

"Lost German Chicago" One of many showcases

"Lost German Chicago" Onlookers mesmerized by the exhibit.