Monday, February 25, 2008

 

AARO - US Embassy Schengen Forum - March 3rd

Dear AARO Members,
Please find attached the flyer for a forum on the Schengen visa issues for US citizens next Monday. This event is organized by the US Embassy, all questions and rsvps should be directed to e-mail address given at the bottom of the flyer.


# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/25/2008

Saturday, February 23, 2008

 

AARO - Serbian Situation

Dear AARO Members,
Following the events of Thursday night, during which the US Embassy
in Belgrade was attacked and set on fire, the following notice has
been distributed by the US Embassy in Belgrade:

Warden Notice - SERBIA, Embassy of the United States of America,
Belgrade, February 22, 2008
The US Embassy in Belgrade has ordered the temporary departure for
non-essential American staff and all family members due to the
concern about the safety situation.
The Embassy building will be reopened and essential staff will return
to work when sufficient repairs to the building have been completed
that will ensure safety and security of Embassy staff.
The US Embassy would like to offer any private American citizen
living in Serbia the opportunity to join our police-escorted
departure in your private vehicle. Our convoy will depart Belgrade
Saturday afternoon. To join the convoy to Croatia, U.S. citizens in
Serbia should call +1-202-501-4444
Those wishing to join the convoy are not required to contact us in
advance, but are welcome to call for any further information. U.S.
Citizens or family members concerned for the safety of U.S. Citizens
in Serbia or with an after hours emergency should call 1-888-407-4747
toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S.
and Canada, a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444.
The Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade continues to provide regular
service on commercial carriers.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the
current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings
can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

All U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to
register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State
Department's travel registration web site at https://
travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated
information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or
Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

-------
AARO Prague Members are urged to pass this information on to all
friends and relatives who may be in Serbia at this time.

Both Ambassador Cameron Munter and his wife Marilyn Wyatt are AARO
Prague Members and I'm sure you will all join me in wishing them, as
well as all others affected by this unfortunate state of affairs,
safety and clarity of mind. Ambassador Munter has been praised for
his decisive handling of events, where his mission has necessarily
changed swiftly from one of diplomatic representation, to the
protection of innocent lives.


# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/23/2008

Thursday, February 14, 2008

 

AARO - American Spring Festival

From AARO Member Irina Rybacek, please contact her direct at the e-mail below for all matters regarding the American Spring Festival. Please note this event is being organized by the International Dvorak Society.

Hi AARO Members,
 
Jeremy sent to all of you some basic information on the American Spring Festival last year. This year's festival will start in Brno on April 10, and then will move to Prague, with a highlight event on April 18, when the International Dvořák Society, in cooperation with the Prague Castle Guard and Czech Police Symphonic Band, will present a benefit concert featuring American music in the Spanish Hall at Prague Castle. The Castle Guard are the guys who play at all official ceremonies, and on this occasion they will be in full force, about 60 of them. The program, as you can all see, is very attractive. All three American soloists are top class – I myself heard Lynn Eustis in 2006, and was tremendously impressed.
 
The orchestra performs at no charge, the Spanish Hall has been made available at no charge, and the artists receive token honorariums only. We have over 400 tickets for distribution. We cannot sell them, but are offering them to those individuals and enterprises who would like to support the American Spring Festival. The summary program of this year's festival is enclosed with the announcement. Two days before the concert in the Spanish Hall, The Castle Guard Orchestra and the soloists will present an identical concert in Brno. Seven other American musicians will perform at some 40 chamber concerts in about 30 cities and towns. The festival also includes Master Classes in Brno and Prague, a colloquium on Czech-American Relations at Masaryk University in Brno, and over half a dozen lectures.   
 
We expect a  minimal contribution of 700 Kč in exchange for one ticket to the Spanish Hall concert, but we welcome any contribution above that. Any supporter – most likely not an individual, but rather a company - who will contribute 10 000 Kč or more will be listed as our sponsor in all our printed materials. We will have a detailed brochure with programs for all events by the end of March, and we will also print large posters.
 
Thank you and I look forward to your answer.
 
Irina
 
 
Jiřina Rybáčková
Director of the International Dvořák Society
irybacek@volny.cz
224-250-943
608-370-962

# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/14/2008
 

AARO - 3rd Thursday 21st Feb and other news

Dear AARO Members,

February 3rd Thursday will take place next week, 21st February, from
6pm in Brasserie M, Vladislavova 17, Prague 1. Please join us for a
drink or something to eat in this fine venue - As the name suggests,
Brasserie M is a French Restaurant with a fine menu, superb wines,
Czech beer on tap and a warm, congenial atmosphere supplemented by
excellent service. A daily menu offers a three course meal for 195
czk, served until 11pm.

Check out www.brasseriem.cz for more details.

Vladislavova is right behind Tesco - Trams 21, 22, 9, 18, 6, Metro
Narodni trida

3rd Thursday is an informal gathering for Members to raise issues
pertinent to Americans living overseas, or to introduce to the group
those who may be interested in joining AARO. The event is always
attended by at least one member of the AARO Board. Please note 3rd
Thursday is a pay-your-own event, RSVP is not compulsory but notice
of planned attendance is appreciated in order to ensure that enough
space is reserved.

_______________________

IMPORTANT NOTE: Schengen Zone and tourist visas for US citizens


Two US citizens detained over visa - from Czech Radio
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Czech foreign police have detained two US citizens who have been
in the country for more than three months without securing a visa.
The two Americans have been taken to a holding centre in Postorna and
are to be deported from the country. The two men have reportedly
applied for asylum.

Until the Czech Republic's entry to the Schengen Zone, Americans
could live in the country without a visa, leaving every 90 days to
get a stamp in their passport. As of the end of last December, visa-
less US citizens are only allowed to remain in the country or any
other part of the Schengen area for a maximum of 3 out of six months.

Please contact the Consular Department of the US Embassy for more
information:
www.usembassy.cz
You can also take advantage of the "Ask the Consul" initiative until
Feb 15th, see:
www.usembassy.cz/asktheconsul.html


# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/14/2008

Thursday, February 07, 2008

 

AARO - FW: Concert USA Ensembles

Dear AARO Members,

FYI



Subject: Koncert - USA ensembles
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 09:02:57 +0100

Good morning Mr. Randall,

 

how are you? I hope that everything is going well!

 

I am writing you concerning one cultural event in Prague, which could interests you and maybe your friends and business partners as well...

 

I am working for an incoming travel agency and in the cooperation with one of our business partner, we are organising the concerts of US ensembles (choirs, orchestras...) in Prague and other towns of the Czech Republic. The next concert will take place on 23 February at St. Salvator Church (near the Olt Town Square). The performers are students from North Shore High School, New York. The concert will be compose from the choirs, orchestra and band. I heard the CD of these ensembles and I must say that they are very good!

 

Let me invite you to this concert. In the attachement of this e-mail you will find the invitation, together with the program and the description of the performers.

 

I can imagine that you can visit such a type of event just occasionally, I mean the concert of performers from your country. So I told to myself that I have to inform you about it :-) I would like to ask you to pass this message also to your friends and perhaps the members of AARO....

 

I think that you could enjoy this concert and I will inform you in advance about future concerts in Prague.

 

Have a good day and I hope to see you soon. Best regards,
Lucie

 

Lucie Petrechová
PragInt, Incentive and Travel Agency
Tel: +420 221 416 493, Fax: +420 224 224 246 

  

PragInt s. r. o., Prokopova 9, 130 00 Praha 3  
CZECH REPUBLIC 
ICO: 64941086, DIC: CZ64941086

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

 

www.cultours-europe.com

 

 

Concert

 

North Shore High School Band, Orchestra and Choral Ensembles (USA)

 

Conductors:

Mr. David A. Soto

Ms. Lisa G. Polito

Mr. Michael Kerschner

 

Classical, modern and jazz repertoire

 

Saturday, 23rd February 2008, 5.00 pm

St. Salvator Church, Prague

 

Entrance: Optional

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

North Shore High School Music Department

Long Island, New York

 

The Music Department at North Shore High School is part of a thriving and vibrant arts scene that is well known in the region for excellence and maturity. Band, Orchestra, and Choral ensembles at NSHS consistently receive the highest possible ratings at state music evaluations. Ensembles in the department have traveled to South Carolina, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, and Montreal, Canada. Students may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Jazz Band, Madrigal Singers, Men's Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Drum Line.

 

 

 
  

Lisa G. Polito, Orchestra Director

Mrs. Polito has served as the Orchestra Director at North Shore for 18 years. She was a violinist with La Orquesta Filarmonica de Caracas in Venezuela where she founded and conducted La Orquesta Juvenile de la Filarmonica de Caracas. She has conducted various festivals and also the High School Orchestras on tour to Europe. Mrs. Polito is also certified as an adjudicator, performs with the Island Chamber Symphony and maintains an active private studio. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the Hartt School of Music and her Master of Science in Music Education from C.W.Post.

 

David A. Soto, Band Director

During his 19 years at North Shore, the high school band program has thrived and flourished. Mr. Soto is a French hornist and has played in numerous bands and orchestras. As a conductor, he is recipient of several awards. In the Spring of 2000, Mr. Soto took a leave from North Shore to teach at Hartwick College. Mr. Soto also is active as a guest conductor, maintains a private studio and is a brass adjudicator for the New York State School Music Association.

 

Michael Kerschner, Choral Conductor

Michael Kerschner conducts the North Shore High School Concert Chorale, Women's Ensemble, Madrigal Singers, Men's Ensemble, Vocal Arts Studio and is the music director of the musical productions. Mr. Kerschner is also the artistic Director of the Young New Yorkers' Chorus in Manhattan, and the conductor of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Chorale. He received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas and his B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University. He has taught at the NYSSSA Choral Studies program and at the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University.

 

 

 

 

 

CONCERT

SAINT SALVATOR CHURCH, prague

 

Program

 

CHOIRS

Women's Ensemble

Children Go Where I Send Thee, Am. Gospel....arr. P. Caldwell and S. Ivory

Now is the Month of Maying............................Thomas Morely (1557-1602)

Away from the Roll of the Sea........Allister MacGillivray arr. Diane Loomer

 

Madrigal Singers

Os Justi Meditabitur Sapientian….....…..…….Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Evening Song…………………………......….……….Zoltan Kodaly (1886-1967)

O Nata Lux………….……………..….…......…….….Morten Lauridsen (* 1943)

 

Concert Chorale

Achieved is the Glorious Work, ................ranz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Ave Verum Corpus….……..…...……Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Famine Song…….…………….........…..…………….…………Matthew Culloton

Ezekiel Saw de Wheel, Am. Spiritual…..…arr. William Dawson (1899-1990)

Amani (A Song of Peace)………………........………………………..Jim Papoulis

 

ORCHESTRA

Hoe Down………………………………….…............Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Concerto for Two Violins in d minor....Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Romanian Folk Dances..............…….......……..……Bela Bartok (1881-1945)

Joc Cu Bata, Braul, Pe Loc

Buciumeana, Poarga Romaneasca

Maruntel

Capriol Suite………………………....…………..........Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

Basse Danse, Pavane

Mattachins

Czardas.…………………………….……………..........Vittorio Monti (1868-1922)

Sue's Blues……………………….....………………..........………..…..Thom Sharp

 

BAND

Havendance (1983)…………....….....…...…….....…David R. Holsinger (* 1945)

Theme from New York, New York....John Kander (* 1927) arr. Frank Cofield

American Salute (1943)….……..Morton Gould (1913 -1996) arr. Philip Lang

 

 

Michael Kerschner, Conductor of Choirs

David A. Soto, Conductor of the Orchestra

Lisa Polito, Conductor of the Band

 



# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/07/2008

Friday, February 01, 2008

 

AARO - US Embassy Consular Warden Message

 Dear AARO Members - FYI


From: Prague, ACSPRG [mailto:AcsPrg@state.gov]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 9:32 AM
Subject: Passport Warden Message

 

CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGE
 
Subject: Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and
New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors

 

On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Government will increase its fees for certain U.S. citizen passport services.  For adult applicants renewing a passport, the total fee will increase to $75.  For first-time applicants age 16 and over, the total fee will increase to $100.  The fee for minors under 16 years of age will be $85. 

 

Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of 16 must appear personally with their parents to establish identity, proof of citizenship and proof of relationship.   For parental application permission, both parents must appear together and sign, or one parent may appear to sign and submit the other parent's notarized statement, or one parent may appear, sign, and submit primary evidence of sole authority.  Minors age 16 and 17 may apply in person with their own identification, but for security reasons, parental consent may be required.  If your child does not have identification of their own, a parent will be required to accompany the child and present identification. 

 

Please refer to the Department of State's website at www.travel.state.gov for complete information on all new requirements, including downloadable revised forms that must be used as of February 1,  and the U.S. Embassy website at [[insert Post's website]], for complete U.S. passport application instructions.

 

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy's website [[insert Post's website]] and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.  The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Citizens living and residing in [[insert Country]] are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail or by calling [[post insert]]. This complete message is available on the Embassy's website at [[post insert]].  [[Add any additional post standard closing and contact information]].

 

 





AARO Prague
www.aaroprague.blogspot.com
www.aaro.org/prague

AARO Partner Organisations:
www.praguemonitor.com - The Czech Republic's Daily English-language electronic newspaper.





# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/01/2008
 

AARO - US Embassy Open House - February 12th 5pm

From US Embassy Staff:

The U.S. Embassy is hosting an American Citizens Open House on February 12 from 5 to 7 pm at the American Center (13 Trziste, Mala Strana). All American citizens, especially those resident long term in the Czech Republic, are encouraged to attend. The open house will feature information on passport, notary, and immigration services, as well as updates on the new social security agreement that will impact federal benefits. The Embassy has invited a guest from the Ministry of Interior to answer questions on the new Schengen law, and members of the American Association of Residents Overseas, as well as Democrats and Republicans Abroad, will be on hand to talk about voting and the challenges of living overseas. This is an exciting chance for Americans to meet consular staff, as well as Ambassador Richard Graber.

 

Please see the attached flier from the Embassy and forward on to any Americans who might be interested in our event.

 


# posted by Association of Americans Resident Overseas - CZ @ 2/01/2008

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