News NETWORK THE WELCOME FROM AWN CO-PRESIDENTS

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MAY 2018 THE NETWORK News AWN COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES Thursday, May 3, 17 UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, May 6 Tuesday, May 8 Thursday, May 10 MONTHLY ACTIVITIES Sundays, May 6, 13 AWN Coffee & Speaker

m. 6, 13, 20, 27 The Club Mondays, Art Club May 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 7, 14, 21, 28 National Theater Studio Monday, May 28 Book Club 1-3 p.m.; 7-9 p.m. Mondays, Golf Clinic May 9 a.m. 7, 14, 21, 28 Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Monday, May 7 Knitting Group 10:30 a.

1 MAY 2018 THE NETWORK News AWN COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES Thursday, May 3, 17 UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, May 6 Tuesday, May 8 Thursday, May 10 MONTHLY ACTIVITIES Sundays, May 6, 13 AWN Coffee & Speaker Series 10 a.m p.m. Khalidiya Palace Hotel Culture Club Explorers: Sheikh Zayed Heritage Centre 10:30 a.m. Newcomers Coffee 10 a.m. Yoga 8:30 a.m. The Studio Sundays, Social Bridge May 1:30-4:30 p.m. 6, 13, 20, 27 The Club Mondays, Art Club May 10 a.m p.m. 7, 14, 21, 28 National Theater Studio Monday, May 28 Book Club 1-3 p.m.; 7-9 p.m. Mondays, Golf Clinic May 9 a.m. 7, 14, 21, 28 Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Monday, May 7 Knitting Group 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cafe de la Paix Wednesdays, Golf Clinic May 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Abu Dhabi Golf Club Wednesdays, Mahjong May 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 The Club WELCOME FROM AWN CO-PRESIDENTS Welcome to our new and current members. Please join us at one of our AWN Coffee and Speakers Series or one of our many activities we have planned throughout the year. AWN is committed to connecting women of all nationalities through friendships, activities and cultural exchanges. Make sure to explore our newsletter and visit our website often for our latest activities, outings and other interesting avenues of support. We have a few changes to the AWN board to share with you. Three of our board members will leaving their current positions at AWN. Susan Foster, our longtime Co-President will be stepping down this month, as she is moving back to the states later this year. Susan has been both an inspiration and champion for AWN. Her caring personality and attention to detail have helped our organization flourish; we will miss her welcoming smile and kind words at all of our meetings and events. Birgitt Adams, a seasoned boad member with many years of experience, was voted in as our new Co-President. Thank you, Birgitt, for helping to further our mission at AWN. Both Sheila Nickels (Treasurer) and Rubina Haider (Explorer s Chair) will be leaving their positions. Sheila s guidance and expertise has played an integral part in the success of AWN s organization and membership. Rubina has transformed our Explorer outings into must do events which have offered a wide array of cultural and epicurean outings. We thank them both for their time and talent. We invite you to say farewell and thank you for their service on May 17th at our regular Coffee and Speaker Series Mornings. Carolyn Neubauer AWN Co-President The information in this newsletter is provided by the American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi as a service to its members. AWN takes no responsibility for the information provided. Please confirm all details with any of the organizations and contacts listed. awn@awnabudhabi.com

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 2 coffee & speaker series MAY COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES Coffee & Speaker Series mornings are held on the first and third Thursday of every month from 10 a.

Arriving in Abu Dhabi over 27 years ago, Fatima, a native of New Jersey, has integrated into the inner circles MAY 3 and lives of her Emirati friends, co-workers and family.

2 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May coffee & speaker series MAY COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES Coffee & Speaker Series mornings are held on the first and third Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon at Khalidiya Palace Hotel. Join us for coffee and friendly conversation with our guest speaker Fatima HP Al Yafei. Arriving in Abu Dhabi over 27 years ago, Fatima, a native of New Jersey, has integrated into the inner circles MAY 3 and lives of her Emirati friends, co-workers and family. Fatima will share some of her personal experiences, give us insight into the Emirati culture and other topics of interests. From her meeting with HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to attending local weddings and social events, Fatima gives us a close-up look at life here in the UAE. On May 17, we welcome Alia Yunis, associate professor, Zayed University, filmmaker, author and journalist. Alia is passionate about the historical and cultural significance of olive oil, which is featured MAY 17 in her latest documentary, The Golden Harvest, ( Alia will share with us the story of olive oil and how she incorporated her passion into this upcoming film. Alia is also the co-founder of the UAE National Film Library, and founder of Zayed University Middle East Film Festival (ZUMEFF), which brings together the best student films from the Middle East. Alia spent many years in Los Angeles as a screenwriter and script analyst for companies such as Village Roadshow Pictures and Miramax. Come and learn about the amazing history and impact olive oil has in the region and in our daily lives. SHUKRAN! Our gratitude to Mike McGrath, General Manager of The Club for entertaining us with tales of his ex-pat adventures in the UAE over the past 30 years. Mike also shared an impressive historical account of The Club, one of Abu Dhabi s first social clubs founded by a group of pioneering ex-pats in Many thanks for their kind invitation to come out and experience The Club firsthand. Hope to see you all there! For more information on The Club, visit: Shukran to Tasleem Sayani, partner at James Berry & Associates, for providing AWN members with an understanding of opportunities and ways to legally protect ourselves and our loved ones regarding inheritance and other legal matters in the UAE. Knowledge is power and we were all empowered thanks to Tasleem s talk at the Thursday, April 19th Speaker & Coffee Series. For more information on your legal rights and responsibilities in the UAE, contact Tasleem at: tasleem@jamesberrylaw.ae or visit

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 3 introducing awn s new co-president MEET OUR NEW CO-PRESIDENT BIRGITT ADAMS My family began their adventure in Abu Dhabi over three years ago.

3 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May introducing awn s new co-president MEET OUR NEW CO-PRESIDENT BIRGITT ADAMS My family began their adventure in Abu Dhabi over three years ago. This is my family s first expat experience. My husband Gary is with Parsons. Our son Nick graduated high school last year and is now studying music in Boston and our son Max is a sophomore at the American Community School. Service is very important to me. It has been how I have combatted loneliness, depression and loss at various times in my life. It has also been a great way to give back, to meet and work with interesting women, and to establish meaningful relationships. I first became involved with AWN when Linda Nagle recruited me as Guide Book Coordinator three years ago. Since then I have worn many hats, including Membership Services Chair, Media Chair and Social Events Chair. AWN has enriched my experience in Abu Dhabi. I have availed myself of many of its wonderful offerings (tennis, bridge, special events, outings, coffee mornings, etc.). I met many of my closest friends at an AWN Coffee Morning! I have so much respect for the leadership of this organization and am excited at the opportunity to now serve as Co-President. culture club CULTURE CLUB The next Culture Club s show and tell, and the last before the summer break, will take place on Sunday, May 6. Our presenters will discuss how to interpret cinema, ancient symbols, and other intriguing topics The venue will be disclosed only during sign-ups. If you are curious about how to read movies, or how to correctly understand an ancient symbol that has been unjustly vilified in recent times, make sure to sign up during the next AWN coffee morning. As usual, your contribution is of great value to us. If you want to share your knowledge on the topic, either about a movie or a universal symbol, don t be shy! Even 5 minutes will do. If possible, bring a picture of the object you want to tell us about. explorers EXPLORERS Upcoming Events Tuesday May 8, 2018 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Museum Time: 10:30a.am We will have a guided tour of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Museum for a fascinating sneak peek into the life of the late Sheikh Zayed, affectionately known as the Father of the Nation. This museum, housed in an Emirati heritage village, is an incredible homage to the man who shaped the nation. A photo gallery of Sheikh Zayed and many visiting regional and international royalty and dignitaries lines the walls of the museum. Taking centre stage are the late President s cherished vehicles - which he often drove through the city without a bodyguard - and gifts he received from all over the world such as stuffed lions and cheetahs.

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 4 explorers EXPLORERS EVENT: TOUR TO MASDAR CITY 28 adventurous and inquisitive ladies headed to Abu Dhabi s green city on April 11th, in anticipation

Feeling the cool breeze at the plaza of the Siemens Middle East Headquarters Building, the first green-certified office building in Abu Dhabi, we began to appreciate the importance of a more

As we learned about passive sustainability strategies, including the use of low carbon concrete and recycled aluminum and steel in construction, we were inspired by the amazing, functional and

4 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May explorers EXPLORERS EVENT: TOUR TO MASDAR CITY 28 adventurous and inquisitive ladies headed to Abu Dhabi s green city on April 11th, in anticipation of Earth Day. Feeling the cool breeze at the plaza of the Siemens Middle East Headquarters Building, the first green-certified office building in Abu Dhabi, we began to appreciate the importance of a more sustainable construction culture. As we learned about passive sustainability strategies, including the use of low carbon concrete and recycled aluminum and steel in construction, we were inspired by the amazing, functional and beautiful advances in urban planning. The combination of modern technology with traditional Arabic architecture could be seen in the design of the Wind Tower in the public square as well as in the terracotta-colored residential buildings. Our knowledgeable tour guide, Michelle, also introduced us to various Masdar global projects, such as wind farms in the United Kingdom, Serbia, Jordan, Seychelles, Samoa, and solar power plants in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. We completed our city tour with a fun and short ride on the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), the famous electric, automated, single-cabin vehicles, followed by a healthy lunch at Skinny Genie, culminating with an amazing chocolate gluten free cake. We are truly thankful for the opportunity to broaden our horizons and learn more about sustainable living. Hopefully, through this experience, we have become empowered to protect our Earth. We have no other spare or replacement planet, we have only this one. And we have to take action. Berta Cáceres, Honduran Human Rights and Environmental Activist

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 5 monthly activities ART CLUB We will continue meeting at the National Theater Studio Marsam Al Hor from 10 am till 1 pm during the Ramadan and the

We happy to announce that we are open to ladies who would like to try painting during the summer months. Please contact any of the coordinators(julia, Marty, Dania) at artclubawn@gmail.

5 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May monthly activities ART CLUB We will continue meeting at the National Theater Studio Marsam Al Hor from 10 am till 1 pm during the Ramadan and the summer months from June thru August. However, there will be no demos or workshops during these period. 20 AED per visit for the use of the facilities. We happy to announce that we are open to ladies who would like to try painting during the summer months. Please contact any of the coordinators(julia, Marty, Dania) at artclubawn@gmail.com SOCIAL BRIDGE The Social Bridge Club meets every Sunday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at The Water Front Suite, located below The Vista restaurant at The Club. We welcome players of all levels. We will continue to meet throughout Ramadan. Our last meeting will be Sunday, June 17, after which we will reconvene in early September (date still to be determined). Bridge lessons are offered periodically and if you are interested in learning to play, please contact the Bridge Coordinator either by at bridgeawn@gmail.com or at a coffee morning!! BOOK CLUB The book selection for Monday, May 28, 2018 is The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. The winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as five other awards, The Sympathizer is the breakthrough novel of the year. With the pace and suspense of a thriller and prose that has been compared to Graham Greene and Saul Bellow, The Sympathizer is a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a man of two minds, a half-french, half-vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon. While building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles he is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. Book group is meeting May 28, 2018 and June 25. The next one is at the end of Aug. We meet on the 4th Monday of the month in various locations and we have two meeting times. Afternoon group meets 1-3 p.m., and Evening group meets 7-9 p.m. You can sign up at the AWN Coffee Mornings or by at bookclubawn@gmail.com. MAHJONG The Mahjong group meets every Wednesday at the Slipway Bar, The Club, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We welcome players of all levels, so even if you haven t played before just come! We would love to teach you. The 45 AED fee covers the entrance to The Club, sandwiches, fruit salad, cookies, coffee, tea and water. Parking is available either inside or outside The Club. If you want to be included on our list please send an to mahjongawn@gmail.com. There will be no Mahjong between end of June to end of August. Our last Mahjong session will be on Wednesday, June 20th. We then take a break for summer and will resume again from Wednesday, August 29th, Have a good summer everyone.

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 6 monthly activities GOLF This month the AWN golf gals had some exciting opportunities to do what we love to do... play golf!

More than 15 of us gathered around and listened to David describe courteous and friendly behavior expected on the courses as well as important information on rules and scoring.

6 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May monthly activities GOLF This month the AWN golf gals had some exciting opportunities to do what we love to do... play golf! On April 15 we attended a Golf Etiquette lesson at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club with our gracious golf coach David Taylor. More than 15 of us gathered around and listened to David describe courteous and friendly behavior expected on the courses as well as important information on rules and scoring. A handout was provided and if you missed the event, the golf coordinators would be happy to it to you. Just let us know. We held another fun event on April 30th, which was well attended with over 20 happy golfers. Also held at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, this day of fun competition was complimented by a lovely brunch and prizes. Thanks to Angela Walmsley for setting up both events, as well as to David Taylor and team for their support. If you haven t tried golf, or just want to get back into the swing of things, consider joining this active, inclusive and happy bunch. The AWN golf group will continue to meet at both the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Golf Club during the summer months. Our schedule will remain the same unless we are advised by the coaches if weather conditions or insufficient players warrant any changes. All players will be notified through the weekly golf clinic if there are any changes. Offering two clinics per week! Join the AWN lady golfers every Monday morning at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, on 19th Street. Intermediate lessons begin at 9 a.m. for one hour followed by a round of play on the 9-hole course (cost 225 AED including VAT). Beginner lessons are held at 9 a.m. (new earlier time) for one hour, followed by a complimentary cup of tea/coffee (cost 120 AED including VAT). Join the AWN lady golfers every Wednesday morning at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas El Nakhl. Intermediate lessons begin at 9 a.m. for one hour followed by a round of play on the 9-hole Garden Course (cost 210 AED plus VAT). Beginner lessons are held at 10:45 a.m. for one hour (cost 110 AED plus VAT).

American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 7 monthly activities TENNIS As we wrap up our tennis season, a huge thank you to all our AWN tennis players and a special shout out to Mo and his

Why not come and join us, to work on your latest knitting project while making new friends. AWN Knitting Group will meet Monday 30th April and 7th May 10.30am - 1.

7 American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May monthly activities TENNIS As we wrap up our tennis season, a huge thank you to all our AWN tennis players and a special shout out to Mo and his amazing team of coaches at Beach Rotana. We hope everyone had fun, made new friends and improved their game. Our next session will begin in October. Look for tennis updates in the AWN September newsletter. KNITTING GROUP AWN Knits for Fun It s fun. Yes it is! We love to knit, it s an integral part of our lives. Every week we look forward to seeing each other s new projects, yarn and progress. We knit things that are interesting and yes, FUN! Why not come and join us, to work on your latest knitting project while making new friends. AWN Knitting Group will meet Monday 30th April and 7th May 10.30am pm, at Cafe De La Paix, Nation Towers. Then we will be taking a break during Ramadan and the summer months, meetings will resume early September. If you plan to attend or would like further information please send an to knitawn@gmail.com.. YOGA We are thrilled to announce that AWN Activities is launching a new Yoga Class! The Yoga Club will meet on Sundays at 8:30 a.m., beginning April 22, at The Studio on the Corniche, in the Khalidiya area (just a few steps away from Third Place Café.) Enjoy an hour of yoga with the special price of 50 AED for AWN members only, no walk-ins. Spaces will be limited so those interested please send an to yogaawn@gmail.com as soon as possible. This will be a pay-as-you-go plan!

introducing awn s activities team WELCOME NEW ACTIVITY COORDINATORS American Women s Network of Abu

Our team has celebrated many special moments within each Club and for this we are very proud!

Year and donating 111 baby blankets to the Red Crescent of Abu Dhabi from our tireless knitters, are

Nothing would have been possible though, if it weren t for our super ladies responsible for each

These special volunteers we had a chance to meet throughout the year as they introduced themselves to

people we have come to know, love and treasure.

gems: from our Golf Club, Patty Hubbard and Jody Smith and from our Social Bridge Club, Fiona Patterson.

These sad departures though, lead to the discovery of some wonderful ladies to join our team.

8 introducing awn s activities team WELCOME NEW ACTIVITY COORDINATORS American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May Another successful year went by for AWN s Activities Program. Our team has celebrated many special moments within each Club and for this we are very proud! Our Ladies Golf team participation to the Pink Ladies Tournament, the crowing of Mahjong Queen of the Year and donating 111 baby blankets to the Red Crescent of Abu Dhabi from our tireless knitters, are only a few of our Clubs accomplishments. Nothing would have been possible though, if it weren t for our super ladies responsible for each individual Club. These special volunteers we had a chance to meet throughout the year as they introduced themselves to all our members. We would like to thank them once more for being the weekly, smiling face of AWN. We owe you all so much!! A hard reality of living in Abu Dhabi is that the time will come that we will have to say goodbye to people we have come to know, love and treasure. The Activities team is no exception and so, with much regret, we bid farewell to a few of our very own gems: from our Golf Club, Patty Hubbard and Jody Smith and from our Social Bridge Club, Fiona Patterson. We miss you all terribly! These sad departures though, lead to the discovery of some wonderful ladies to join our team. So, without further ado let s all welcome: Golf Club Social Bridge Club Angela Wamsley Mimi Prendergast Mimi Rodgers Nicola Loosley Mahjong Club Pamela Sullivan Colleen Miller Shivani Wanchoo Art Club Dania Malki Activities Administrative Asst Lilian Kamal As most of us will be heading back home to escape the Abu Dhabi heat I would like to wish you all a great summer. Please check our newsletter for AWN s Activities summer schedule since some will be in hiatus and others will informally continue. See you all in September!

social events American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May 2018 9 QUIZ NIGHT Our Third Annual Quiz Night

The Club s own quizmaster Mike Greeves orchestrated a delightful evening.

Quiz in My Pants (a team consisting of Maureen and Chris Berry, Shannon Moore and Rob Berry, and Julie

Congratulations Quiz in My Pants and a special thanks to The Club for such a wonderful event!

special and memorable evening on Thursday, April 26.

grounds of the majestic Emirates Palace, 50 of our members and their guests were given the opportunity

9 social events American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May QUIZ NIGHT Our Third Annual Quiz Night was held on Thursday, April 19th at The Club. The Club s own quizmaster Mike Greeves orchestrated a delightful evening. Sixty AWN members and their guests competed for prizes and enjoyed the fine cuisine of The Club. Quiz in My Pants (a team consisting of Maureen and Chris Berry, Shannon Moore and Rob Berry, and Julie and Michael Thurston) were victorious. Congratulations Quiz in My Pants and a special thanks to The Club for such a wonderful event! Philanthropy HELPING WISHES COME TRUE In support of Make-A-Wish, AWN members were treated to a very special and memorable evening on Thursday, April 26. While experiencing the new Hakkasan Terrace, boasting a stylish bar area and overlooking the opulent grounds of the majestic Emirates Palace, 50 of our members and their guests were given the opportunity to support Make-A-Wish and learn about three up-coming wishes to enrich the lives of children with critical illness. We were honored to support such a worthwhile cause, all the while enjoying a magical evening under the stars with wonderful friends. awngeneral@gmail.com AWN - American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi

10 awn volunteers Volunteering with AWN American Women s Network of Abu Dhabi May Interested in finding out more about our organization and how it works? We host Friends of AWN, an informative talk twice a year. We provide an overview of our organization and discuss what opportunities we have available. It s the perfect way to give back. Our next event will be in the fall, after we are back from our summer breaks. We will have sign ups at our coffee morning and speaker series, or you can contact us at awn@gmail.com if you have a specific area of interest. HAPPENINGS IN ABU DHABI CINESPACE MAY 5, 2018 (7:00PM) - MEDITERRANEA Directed by Jonas Carpignano Italy minutes In Italian, French, Arabic English Subtitles (PG) MAY 12, 2018 (7:00PM)- L AVVENTURA (NEW FILM RESTORATION!) Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni Italy minutes In Italian English Subtitles (G) Kathleen CAILLIER Exposition de peintures / Painting Exhibition 9/05/2018-9/06/2018 La Galerie - Alliance Française Dubaï Street 18, Oud Mehta, Dubai FOUNDERS MEMORIAL OPEN TO PUBLIC The Founder s Memorial is a permanent tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. An art installation called The Constellation forms the centrepiece of the memorial. The design by public artist Ralph Helmick comprises 1,300 geometric shapes and 1,000 cables, which create a three-dimensional portrait of the late leader. At night, these shapes will shine like stars, evoking the timelessness of Sheikh Zayed s vision as a guiding light for the UAE people. The site consists of 3.3 hectares of public space for walking and quiet reflection. Landscaped areas have been planted with trees and shrubs indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, and there is an elevated walkway offering views of The Constellation, the Corniche and the Abu Dhabi skyline. RAMADAN AT THE ART HUB Abu Dhabi Art Hub is hosting an exhibition and several talks, all inspired by Ramadan. It ll run for the duration of the Holy Month and will feature 25 different artists showcasing a variety of styles, including painting and photography. The overall theme is how the spirit of Ramadan is celebrated. Abu Dhabi Art Hub, World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, free.

News NETWORK THE WELCOME FROM AWN CO-PRESIDENTS AWN COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES

News NETWORK THE WELCOME FROM AWN CO-PRESIDENTS AWN COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES NOVEMBER 2017 THE NETWORK News HOLIDAY TEA AND COOKIE EXCHANGE PAGE 2 SAVE THE DATE: COUPLES BOWLING NIGHT PAGE 2 AWN COFFEE & SPEAKER SERIES Thursday, AWN Coffee & November 2, 16 Speaker Series 10 a.m.