nordstjernan Swedish News – from Sweden & America
Published by Swedish News . Volume 142 No. 12, June 30, 2014. Price per copy $2.50
This Week, Page 11
H.R.H. Princess Leonore Lilian Maria christened at Drottningholm Palace Church.
Sweden, Page 2, 3
Bonus for newborns in parts of Sweden / Urban farming continues to grow / Carl Linnaeus—still among the most influential / Ever think about renting a pet? / First female archbishop inaugurated / The Swedish Driver’s License will set you back $2,000 plus.
In Brief, Page 3
‘Keep Sweden Swedish’ used in an OP-Ed recently caused an uproar among politicians and anti-racist media. Find out why.
InBox, Page 3
‘Even’ a Swede can appreciate Fourth of July - Independence Day.
“Studenten” - high school graduation in Sweden. Every year in June roughly 100,000 students graduate from the Swedish Gymnasium and it’s just as big a celebration as, if not bigger than, the U.S. High School graduation. Above: Students at Sundsgymnasiet inVellinge, Sweden. Brief / Page 11
Emil Sergel guest@nordstjernan.com
Majblomman, the 2014 June flower arrived.
Used empty bottles — ketchup, wine, beer and whiskey bottles — are turned into wine glasses, decanters and vases at Hauge Glassworks in Småland.
garbage. The word upcycling was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braun-
Photo: Emil Sergel
We recently reported Sweden ranks high when it comes to collecting and sorting food waste. Reduce, reuse and recycle or reuse, rethink and redesign. That’s the mantra environmentalists fight with in order to take care of our planet. Now add to that upcycle, a procedure where rest material is used to create even better products: Car tires or covers from car seats become shoes, plastic bottles become wine glasses, and vinyl records become fruit bowls. These days upcycling has become fashionable everywhere, in Sweden it started early. According to research, 99 percent of everything we buy turns to garbage within six months. 99 percent. That calls for a change. Upcycling is part of a solution to the problem of our growing mountain of
gart, authors of the book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way Continued on page 5
‘Sweden on the Road’ June 6, 2014 was more than a memorable day in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sweden’s national day was celebrated for five days, beginning on June 5 at San Francisco’s City Hall. There, before an entourage of Swedes and officials including Ambassador Björn Lyrvall and Consul General Barbro Osher, the Swedish flag was unfurled from the front balcony by the city’s chief of protocol, Charlotte Maillard Schultz. Following this opening celebration was a whirlwind of visits and activities for the “Sweden on the Road” bus tour team arranged / Page 13 by the Consulate General and SACC SF/SV.
While going to press preparations were in full swing for Midsummer celebrations all over the U.S. —Solstice arrived early in Ohio. / Page 7
Dashboard, Page 10-11
West Coast shrimp, smögenräkor, are about to become red listed / A highly needed Royal facelift / Fikatrend: Best cafés in Sweden.
Pacific States, Page 14, 15
Sweden Day celebration in Sveadal / Connecting Europe and the U.S. for 60 years.
/ Page 4
Deliciously perfect Swedish Summer Mixes.
Photo: Midsummer 2013, Colorado/ Judy Stover
Upcycling for the future