nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 144 No. 18, October 30, 2016. Price per copy $2.50
This Week, Page 5
Sweden’s only green haired startup CEO?
Depending on where one hails from across Scandinavia, traditional dress varies in design and pattern, with each region claiming its own style. Learn more about these textiles at the AHSM’s Auxiliary’s Folk Fashion event in Philadelphia on November 5. Events / Page 19
Photo: Jim Richardson/Lindsborg CVB
Sweden, Page 2, 3
Sweden prepares for a stream of new refugees / New law pushes migrants underground / Sweden’s No. 1 export industry continues to grow / Swedish scientist may help solve an American mystery / ABBA is planning a comeback, but it’s not what you’d expect / Housing shortage leaves refugees without housing.
Feature, Page 3
Sweden prepares for a special visit.
Perspectives, Page 4
Reflections on how Swedes and Americans communicate and ... sometimes don’t.
2016 Nobel Prize Laureates
Page 10
Continued on page 8
Dashboard, Page 10, 11
Rudolf trains to play more than just reindeer games/ For the love of Swedish flatbread / Rare bird watchers have a field day in coastal Sweden / Beware the angry moose / A weekend full of candlelight.
Feature, Page 14
The white ships of Sweden led colorful careers across the Atlantic. One of three laureates in chemistry, Bernard L. Feringa of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Photo: University of Groningen
Sveadal battles huge wildfire
On Saturday, Sept. 24, Swedish Americans gathered for dinner to mark the close of the summer season at Sveadal, the beloved cultural heritage and recreation property in the Santa Cruz mountains. With weather in the upper 80s and no rain in the forecast, it was a hot conclusion to a delightful summer. Yet everyone knew that during this fifth year of drought, the foliage was tinder and mature trees even in Sveadal were toppling over from thirst and disease. Sure enough, within hours after everyone left for the season, a wildfire was spotted in the coastal mountain chain, and all week the wildfire grew, threat/ Page 6 ening Sveadal.
Perspectives, Page 11
Living between Russia and the USA...
Page 10
Photo: tunnbrodsakademin.se
As always, the Nobel Prizes are announced in early October. This year announcing the prize for literature came a week later than usual, finishing up the round of announcements in the Nobel award season with some great American surprises. Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. The Nobel Foundation was established, and starting in 1901, prizes have been awarded every year to those who “shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind” in the previous year. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established an additional prize, The Sverig-
Photo: Lisa Öberg/ ullisrudolf.se
Amanda Olson Robison editor@nordstjernan.com
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News Nej, mardrömmen Trump är inte över Gästledare
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 16 oktober, 2016
Border control in Sweden may be extended after November 11 to avoid the untenable situation of last year.
Stream of new refugees
(National) Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces that Sweden must be prepared for a new stream of refugees — those coming from Mosul. Border control in Sweden will remain in place until November 11 and the government has not decided how to proceed after that but says with the fighting in Mosul an argument can be made to extend the conditions of border control. Löfven reiterates his earlier messages that Sweden can not return to the untenable situation of last year.
Sweden prepares humanitarian help
(National) The Iraq and U.S. led coalition to retake the city of Mosul has begun. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström is calling for preparation for what happens after the retaking of the city from IS. She points out that while the Iraqi, French and American special forces had forewarned the civilian population about the attack, there will always be need for mechanisms to help with humanitarian needs.
Migrants go underground after new law
(National) A new law which took effect in June 2016 has caused migrants to simply go into hiding rather than create the desired effect of getting them to leave Sweden. The removal of housing and benefits to those denied asylum was intended to reduce the number of immigrants receiving assistance illegally. Of the 3,200 individuals who have been refused benefits, 250 have left Sweden and 1,150 have disappeared.
Swedish music industry grows
(Entertainment) A new report from the Music Association of Sweden shows that the music industry continues to grow with increased revenue now reaching SEK 9 billion. The report notes that revenues in Sweden and abroad have increased by 40 percent between 2009 and 2015. However, despite the increasing streams of money, not everyone profits. The money often lands on only a few key players, said Linda Portnoff, president of Music Sweden.
Swedish scientist may help solve American case
(Crime) Kirsty Spalding, a scientist at Karolinska Institute, believes she can help solve the case of Steven Avery, who has been in prison in Wisconsin for 10 years and is the subject of the popular Netflix series, Making a Murderer. Spalding, while watching the documentary, joked that she could probably solve the case using the methods she uses at her lab at work. Becoming increasingly interested in the work, she ended up contacting Avery’s lawyer in the U.S. and is now officially on the case. She is currently waiting to find out if she will be allowed to analyze blood stains found at the crime scene.
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
Utgången av USA:s presidentval verkar stå klar: Hillary Clinton har dragit ifrån i spurten mot Vita huset, enligt de flesta mätningar, och försprånget verkar ointagligt för Donald Trump. Detta var temat för åtskilliga krönikor och mediekommentarer i helgen. Det hävdades att det finns en gräns för vad väljarna accepterar även då det gäller en förhärdad populist som Trump. Förhoppningsvis är det så. Men det kan inte uteslutas att ett visst mått av önsketänkande har smugit sig in i de politiska analyserna. I en opinionsmätning som publicerades i söndagens Washington Post ledde Clinton med bara 4 procentenheter. Undersökningen genomfördes efter publiceringen av videon där Trump talar om kvinnor i grovt sexistiska ordalag och under en tid då flera kvinnor offentligt anklagat honom för sexuella övergrepp. “Kontroverserna tycks bara ha haft minimal påverkan på det sammanlagda stödet för honom”, konstaterar tidningen. Samtidigt är det närmast dött lopp mellan Clinton och Trump i den senaste mätningen i LA Times. Visserligen bygger den på en mätmetod vars resultat genomgående har avvikit från de övriga mätningarna, men till saken hör att den metoden hörde till dem som visade sig
vara bäst på att förutspå valresultatet 2012. Läget då var väsentligt annorlunda än dagens, men som LA Times påpekar: “Om det någonsin har funnits ett år då det avvikande skulle kunna vara rätt, så är det i år.” Spurten inför det amerikanska presidentvalet har utvecklats till ett av de besynnerligaste politiska skådespelen i modern tid. I helgen gick Trump ut och föreslog att han och Hillary Clinton borde drogtestas inför den avslutande tv-debatten på onsdag. Det var inga försiktiga antydningar han tog till för att förklara varför: “Jag vet inte vad som händer med henne. I början av förra debatten var hon helt taggad och i slutet var hon alldeles liksom ‘ta mig härifrån’, hon kunde nästan inte ta sig till bilen.” Som om det utspelet inte var bisarrt nog valde Trump att offentligt bemöta de nya vittnesmålen om att han utsatt kvinnor för sexuella övergrepp. Han tillbakavisade anklagelserna med argumentet att de faller på sin egen orimlighet eftersom kvinnorna i fråga är fula. Beteendemönstret går igen – i synen på kvinnor, i synen på sanning, i synen på sig själv. Till raden av lögner och överdrifter lägger Trump nu en ny teori om att alltifrån medierna till regeringen konspirerar för att hindra honom från att bli president. Till och med det faktum att ledande företrädare för Republikanska partiet har
tagit avstånd från honom försöker Trump vända till sin fördel. Han framställer sig i högre grad än någonsin som en utmanare till etablissemanget och en räddning för ett land som enligt 64 procent av de amerikanska väljarna är på väg åt fel håll. Men båda kandidaterna har problem med sitt folkliga genomslag. Enligt Real Clear Politics har bara 36 procent av väljarna en positiv bild av Trump. Motsvarande siffra för Clinton är 43 procent och ingen av dem har större utsikter till förbättringar inför valet. Wikileaks fortsätter att publicera dokument som solkar Hillary Clintons rykte. Avslöjandena har så här långt framstått som möjliga att förlåta mot bakgrund av skandalerna kring Trump. Men det återstår att se vad som kommer och vad det innebär för valdeltagandet när två så impopulära kandidater ställs mot varandra. Lägg därtill USA:s komplicerade valsystem och de återkommande tecknen på att väljarundersökningar underskattar populistiska opinionsvindar. Det är alltjämt för tidigt att säga säkert vem som tar över i Vita huset. Nervositeten kvarstår i världspolitiken. Visst talar vedertagna beräkningar och samband för att nästa president heter Hillary Clinton. Men vem hade, utifrån liknande premisser, på förhand trott att Trump ens skulle bli presidentkandidat? Ännu är den politiska mardrömmen med Donald Trump inte över. I värsta fall har den knappt börjat.
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News in brief. page 3
Pope commemorates Protestant Reformation in Sweden Thousands of Swedes prepare for two days of celebrations with Pope Frances and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It’s the first papal visit in Sweden since 1989 when John Paul II held a mass for 16,000 people in Stockholm’s Globe Arena. Pope Francis is coming to Sweden to mark the joint Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. He will arrive in Malmö on Oct. 31 and be greeted by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and meet the Royal Family. That afternoon and on Tuesday, Nov. 1, which is All Saints’ Day, he will participate in ecumenical prayer services at Lund Cathedral, Malmö Arena and Swedbank stadion. The events will include prayers according to the recently published “Common Prayer,” a jointly-written Catholic and Lutheran liturgical guide prepared for the Reformation anniversary. Most events are open to the public. “It is with joy and expectation that the Church of Sweden welcomes The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church to hold the joint commemoration of the Reformation in Lund,” said Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelén in a statement. “I am very happy that the Pope is coming to Lund and that the Roman Catholic Church together with the Lutheran World Federation open for this exceptional meeting. It’s a step forward for the work of the churches.”
Pope Francis is coming to Sweden: What was in 2014 considered a “best April Fool’s joke” in Sweden is coming true now in 2016. He isn’t coming for advice on hunting from the Swedish king, however - he’s coming to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Abba fans rejoice; Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus could reunite—although, not quite as you’d expect.
Abba planning ‘comeback show’
(Entertainment) Abba fans rejoice! Abba could reunite again on stage, though not quite the way you would expect. Using the latest technology, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus are planning a comeback show — as a hologram. According to Aftonbladet, the show is still in the planning stages as Björn and Benny collect footage from Abba’s world tours in 1977 and 1979 to see if it is possible to create an entire holographic production.
Only half the refugees in Sweden placed
HRH Queen Silvia and Princess Leonore, who visited Pope Francis in Vatican City, Rome in 2015, will meet him again in Lund on Oct. 31, 2016. Photo: kungahuset.se
EU tightens rule for glögg - cause for Swexit? New EU rules have dictated that mulled wine can only contain flavored ingredients from grapes and herbs. As a result, this has made several popular brands of glögg — those containing whiskey and rum — no longer available for sale unless the name is changed. Alcohol content has to be a minimum 7 percent. Spirits made from sugar cane and grain can no longer be considered mulled wine. The new ruling will take effect in December, right before the popular Christmas drink goes on sale. Food historian Edward Blom
Swedish News
feels the whole thing is proof of EU officials ignorance and want, at worst, to see “Swexit” if the proposal is not withdrawn. “We are talking about one of the drinks that meant the most to the Swedish soul. Mulled wine is central to our Lucia and Christmas, which in turn are the year’s most important celebrations. Centuries of Swedish tradition would be crushed by Brussels bureaucrats,” he writes. “... worse than if the EU forced us to change the tint of the Swedish flag.”
Glögg, a classic Swedish drink for the dark month of December and Christmas.
Life made Sweder through NORDSTJERNAN: Call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10, to order.
(National) Sweden has experienced an extreme housing shortage for several years with waiting lists for apartments often lasting 4 to 6 years. So when 22,000 refugees sought housing, it was, of course, hard to come by. Approximately 12,000 of the 22,000 refugees have been placed in housing, but another 30,600 refugees are expected in 2017. Now several municipalities, in a signed letter to the government, are requesting a temporary stop in receiving new arrivals until they are able to better prepare. One example of preparedness would be time required to create modular housing.
Housing prices soar
(Real Estate) Housing prices in Stockholm have hit record highs with the average cost of a condominium in central Stockholm at SEK 91,542 ($10,400) per square meter. And for first time, the average price of a single family home in Sweden is over three million ($340,400). Compared to prices in the last 12 months, increases in Stockholm went up by 2 percent. Central Gothenburg rose 5 percent and Malmö increased by 15 percent.
Teacher crisis finds a solution
(Education) The general lack of teachers in Sweden has been an ongoing issue in the Swedish educational system, but now a new rapid training program is assisting those who wish to be assistants or substitute teachers. The program endeavors not to replace teachers in the classroom but to provide relief for them in making copies, scheduling appointments or providing support in the classroom. The teacher shortage is at odds with the investments on education in upcoming years. According to the Teacher’s Union and the National Union of Teachers, there are not enough qualified teachers to satisfy the governments ambitions.
Princess Christina has leukemia
(National) The Royal Court announced that Princess Christina, youngest sister of the King, is suffering from blood cancer. The diagnosis was made during the autumn and her treatments began this week. Princess Christina was previously diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
The Exchange Rate: $1.00 = SEK 8.83 10.19.2016
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
perspectives. page 4
Similar but not not the same
Conversing with Swedes vs. Americans We’d been roommates for over two months when he stuck his head out from the kitchen where it was his turn to wash the dishes. He said, “I wasn’t trying to listen to your Skype conversation but I realized something. You’re very different when you talk to your American friends.” I thought about this and realized he was right; but the difference had less to do with language and everything to do with conversational styles. To make sure I was right about my hunch, I asked him, “Can you give me an example?” He said, “Well, it’s like you’re more animated and more expressive. You say more things and with more feeling. There’s a difference in your energy, I guess, is the way I would describe it.” If you think that was animated, you should see me in the States! Then I explained. “The thing is, when I talk to my American friends it’s always like the conversation you overheard. The reason for this is that my American friends have a different way of relating to me and I to them than my Swedish friends and I have.” “Can you give me an example?” he asked. “Well, my American friends ask me questions. They know how to listen to what I’m saying, pay attention for things they want to know more about, and then when I’m done speaking, follow up on what I’ve said with more questions. These questions give me the chance to dive deeper into what I want to share and they help me to know that my friends are interested in what I have to say. Conversations like this are more about give
and take. They’re symbiotic in nature.” “How is that different from conversations with me?” he wondered. Realizing he really had no clue about the differences (possibly because one of the things we both cited as primary attractors toward being friends and roommates was our ability to communicate so well), I said, “The key difference is that you don’t ask me questions. Not only do you not ask questions, you also don’t initiate conversation, and if you do, it’s very brief and requires the minimal amount of dialogue. That’s not just you, though,” I assured him. “That’s my experience with every Swedish person I have met.” He blurted out, “Well, I don’t want to be rude!” And that’s when I started grinning and nodding my head. He had just made my point about the key difference between American and Swedish conversational style. Swedes are reluctant to appear nosey. “Exactly!” I exclaimed. “But, to me, when you come home after work and ask, ‘How was your day?’ I tell you it was good, but then you just look at me and don’t ask me anything else. After an awkward pause, I usually then ask you, ‘How was your day?’ at which point you start to tell me about it at length, even if I haven’t asked you any follow up questions.” He stared at me as if I had grown two heads. “But you’re always asking me about things whenever I do stop talking so that’s why
InBox
“But if you don’t tell me anything then how am I supposed to know what to ask?” was his confused response. I just smiled some more and shook my head. “I think it’s a learned habit. I know you
are curious and I know you care, but from my perspective, it doesn’t feel that way, especially when you don’t take an interest by initiating conversation or asking follow up questions. I understand that Swedes value personal space and have a high regard for privacy, so normally I don’t let it get to me and I’ve actually come to value the silence between us when I’m out with my Swedish friends.” “It’s not the same, though, is it?” he asked. “No. It’s not the same at all.” Wherever you are, with an open mind you learn to appreciate, even embrace, the differences, for the similarities humans share far outweigh the differences. Leanne Stewart Leanne Stewart first visited Sweden in 2013, fell in love with the place, the pace and the people and decided to make it her home.
Florida welcomes new priest couple
It gives me and the church council of the Swedish Church in Florida great pleasure to introduce to Nordstjernan readers Florida’s new Swedish priest couple, Michael and Susanne Franzen. Michael and Susanne arrived here in September with 14 years of international experience of work for the Swedish Church Abroad (SKUT) — seven years in California with the remaining years in Spain, most recently on Costa Blanca. The couple has three adult children and three grandchildren. Working out of Scandinavian Church and Center on Flamingo Road in Davie, FL, Michael will be in service as vicar and Susanne as deacon/ assistant. Gerd Persson, Fla.
A reader noticed a mistake in issue 1617’s “Immigrant Footprints” article. Thank you Norma Linden of the Swedish Heritage Museum in Swedesburg, IA, who clarified and wrote: The New Sweden Lutheran Church in New Sweden, IA, built in 1860, is still there. It did not burn down. You can still visit this church as I did this morning (Oct. 7, 2016) and I took the attached photos as proof that the 1860 church building is still there. The Methodist church, however, burned in 2010 and was rebuilt. Perhaps this is what caused the confusion.
The New Sweden Lutheran Church in New Sweden, IA on Oct. 7, 2016. Photo: Norma Linden
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
I tell you more and more. I tell you more things than I do some of my closest friends.” “Yes,” I said gently, “because I ask. If I were to just listen to what you had to say until you were done speaking and then not offer any response, not ask any follow up questions to show I had been actively listening and was interested in what you had to say, that would have been very rude in my eyes. So, whenever you start to share something, I default to my American mode of communication because that’s what I know best.” “So, what kind of conversations do you have with other Americans?” he wondered. “Interactive conversations. Conversations that are mutually beneficial and participatory,” I answered, but I could tell he still wasn’t sure what I meant. “What I’m used to is for someone to follow up the ‘How was your day?’ question with another question or a series of them. When they ask how my day was and I tell them it was good, that’s their cue to know it’s their turn to ask another question. Usually it’s something like, ‘What did you do?’ at which point I would go into further detail. This question and response would go back and forth until I had shared my experiences and it was their turn to tell me about their day. Doing this is how I feel like I am a part of their world and they are a part of mine.”
Michael Franzen: “My vision for Florida is of course to further develop the work my earlier colleagues have started and continue to build the Church of Christ with our basic values of faith, openness and hope, together with the people already here. The way Susanne and I work is based
on presence, to be present in the lives of people, share their way of being, their everyday life, their interests, but with the service as a clear center. Therefore, we also work a lot outside Michael and Susanne the church environ- Franzen ment, in other venues. All the collective SKUT-experience and parish experience of Sweden is something I bring with me to Florida. I think the experience and the skills I have can be beneficial and a joy.”” For more info, see www.svenskakyrkan.se/florida
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feature. page 5
Bicycle baristas of Sweden People often dream of starting their own business. That is, until they start looking at the realities of finding a location and creating the resources to cover the cost of setting up shop, not to mention rent and salaries. But this Swedish company is peddling — and pedaling — Sweden’s favorite drink, and showing the world how to do it. Wheelys, a 2-year-old startup in Stockholm, is living proof that opening your own café is quite feasible. Wheelys launched its first café in 2014 and since then has rolled out close to 600 similar cafés in 65 different countries. (For the record, Starbucks, which started its first international coffee shop in 1996, has 24,000 stores in 70 countries.) But Wheelys is getting there: “We’re growing with three units per day now but have really just begun to explore our huge potential for growth,” company founder and CEO Maria De La Croix said earlier this year. The idea is simple. Inspired by industry disrupters such as Uber or Airbnb, Wheelys wanted to make it easy for young people to start their own café … without a storefront. Technically, it’s more of a bike company, which also happens to involve the sale of caffeinated drinks. The café bikes are inexpensive to run, environmentally friendly, and of course mobile, to allow the café owner to move to where the customers are. It’s part of company lore that the founder’s first bike, much to the chagrin of the stationary competition mentioned earlier in this article, was set up outside one of their coffee houses in Stockholm. Need we say that she ended up selling more coffee than it did?
The two-year old startup is already in 65 countries and growing fast—compared with Starbucks, which after 20 years is in 70 countries.
Tailor made coffee on wheels
The bikes have evolved since the first model, and while the basic original bike at $3000 offered a low-cost way to own your own mobile coffee shop, the latest version allows owners to add crêpes, juices, ice cream and more to the menu. The Wheelys 5 Open Source model is a bit more expensive than previous versions, but at $7,000 it’s still so much cheaper than owning a conventional café and won’t lock you into any long-term contracts, leases or physical locations, so you’re free to set up when and where you can. The carts are cleverly designed with plenty of moving parts and hidden compartments, and the Open Source name is all about allowing the owners to equip their carts as they please. Life as a mobile café owner is made smoother by the newest version café bikes, which include an electric motor, solar power, a sign, a gas stove, an espresso brewer, an air purifier, LED lighting, a roof, a speaker for tunes, WiFi, running water, a sink, smart
The latest Wheelys 5 Open Source model comes loaded with optional add-ons such as juicers, crepe and ice cream makers.
Company founder and President, 27-yearold Maria De La Croix started her company after interviewing for a job at Starbucks she did not get.
displays and more. The stove can run on biogas, the coffee grounds are intended to be recycled into soil cubes, and the company asks that only 100 percent fair trade and organic coffee be sold, and that at least 60 percent of the pastries and other food sold from the bikes is organic. Your ongoing cost will be a franchise fee of roughly $200 per month, which includes branding, discounted supplies, support, advertising, workshops and a host of other benefits. Wheelys participated in the Y Combinator program in Silicon Valley in early 2016 and raised over $2.5 million from such investors as Paul Buchheit (Gmail), Justin Waldron of the gaming company Zynga and others. A later investment round through the online crowd funding at Fundedbyme raised almost an additional $1 million inside of 24 hours, which the company reportedly did not fully accept. Wheelys only has a couple handfuls of people at offices in Stockholm, China and the U.S. The recipe for success is sometimes simple: Create a product that’s innovative,
that breaks the rules and changes things, builds a consistent revenue stream and keeps overhead low. As for the café cart owners, the mobility of their stores enables them to go to where the customers are. How can you beat that? Starbucks, watch out. For more info, see www.wheelyscafe.com
LINGONBERRIES • Fresh Frozen • Preserves www.sturdiwheat.com 1-800-201-9650
Life made Sweder: NORDSTJERNAN Call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10 for your own subscription. October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
The Pacific states. page 6
Sveadal battles California forest fire Preparing for the worst
Ted Olsson ted@nordstjernan.com
The Swedish American Patriotic League and its Sveadal cabin owners gathered at the Clubhouse for the Closing Day Dinner on the last Saturday of September, marking the close of Sveadal’s summer season. The event recognized what it takes to run Sveadal during the summer and on special occasions. Everyone was alerted that next year would be one of substantial transition, since several stalwarts who had given so much to the community would be retiring from their positions to resume their busy lives. So, this would be the year for new volunteers to fill large shoes for the good of the community. Kirsten Baughman, summer manager and member of Sveadal’s Board of Governors, offered an extensive list of gratitude for all the many volunteers who filled their roles this year. Karen Parks, who for many years had handled off-season rentals, would be turning over her duties, as would Kathleen (Poonie) Erikson, who for more than a quarter century had managed the bar and annual presentations of photographic history of the community. As in any organization or large property, it is always remarkable — yet often unnoticed — that so many people are needed to keep an institution vital. It is important to get young people involved early, to mentor them but also have them ready to step in whenever someone can no longer continue at a job. No one that Saturday night imagined how soon the new, younger generation would be called upon to take charge. At this dinner many people were celebrated and thanked for their contributions. Many others were asked to volunteer. Families were recruited to prepare and serve our traditional mid-week dinners. In the spring there would be the usual work weekends to prepare for visitors. In the fall there is always a work weekend to manage the water pipes and hydrant system and make sure the infrastructure is ready. That last exercise, too, was prematurely tested. It was a convivial evening after which people retired to their cabins or drove home to their surrounding cities. Other than half a dozen winter residents, cabin owners locked the doors on their cabins, not to return until next summer or only for special events during the fall and winter.
Fire storm closes in
The stubborn Soberanes wild fire had been raging on the other side of the mountain since July. Many firefighters had been brought in from other counties to battle it, but the coastal range is thickly forested on both sides, thriving on fog from the Pacific Ocean. The grave risk of forest fires is well known throughout the state. The number of fires has been increasing annually as has the acreage burned and the cost of fighting them. The drought had desiccated the ground, the trees, the surrounding vegetation. Although wildlife is hearty in the hills, many animals were moving lower to forage and drink. The creeks and
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
Loma Fire with Sveadal just beyond the spear point on lower right. The point reaching towards Sveadal has been contained but several other areas were not yet contained when going to press.
tributaries were trickling down the watershed. The following Monday afternoon, September 26, the Sveadal community learned from television and radio reports of another fire, sending up social media alerts among us all. A helicopter headed for the Pacific side of the mountain spotted a one-acre fire just beginning near the summit — where stand several wealthy homes and a swarm of radio and television transmission towers, along with vital federal and state emergency communications equipment. Sveadal is located in Uvas Canyon, a heavily forested box canyon flanking Loma Prieta peak, the epicenter of the notorious 1989 earthquake. Santa Clara County’s Uvas Canyon County Park consists of 12,000 acres at the end of Sveadal’s road. Adjacent to the park but on the other side of the creek above and beyond Sveadal, the Open Space association was looking at setting aside property for a wilderness area. And below Sveadal, the four-mile long and winding two-lane Croy Road parallels Uvas Creek and connects at a T-junction with Uvas Road, which is about 10 miles long with very large reservoirs at either end; they are now both quite low. At 1,000 feet above sea level, Sveadal is nestled between two creeks. Alec Creek, a tributary of Uvas Creek, is boulder strewn with tree limbs and other debris scattered along its path from winter torrents. And Swanson Creek gained some fame during the spring when visitors clogged the roads to see its waterfalls. Both lose their potency as summer wears on, though Uvas Creek has never run dry in recorded history. These creeks were important in Sveadal’s founders’ decision of locating the Swedish retreat here. Even then, old burned-out stumps were witness that forest fires had visited this land. And during the preceding 50 years, Sveadal and Uvas Canyon had experienced half a dozen fires. And now the fire that was gorging on the trees was evaporating any water in its path. So, the creek was holding onto its reputation with but a trickle. All the news that night and the next was
The fire seen from the pool, tennis court and old vineyard.
about this Loma Fire which had quickly spread from a couple acres to more than 1.5 square miles along these rugged hills, 30 miles south of San Jose and 10 miles northwest of Morgan Hill, a bedroom community for high-tech companies. The fire quickly created its own weather system and fire cloud over the summit, visible throughout Silicon Valley. The huge cone of smudged smoke encircled at its base by the bright orange-yellow band of flames could be seen as though a volcano were erupting. Hundreds of homes had to be evacuated Monday night and more residents were ordered to leave as the flames continued to spread overnight. The fire was only five percent contained. At this point Cal Fire (the state’s wildfire-fighting agency) and Santa Clara County were also mobilizing all available personnel and equipment to control the fire on hillsides parched by low humidity and surrounding temperatures in the upper 90s. By Tuesday the houses on the ridge had been consumed and the news reports were broadcasting scenes of torched trees and homes turned to ashes along the peak, except for the transmission towers, which stood on a barren spot of the peak.
As they saw the menacing flames rising higher and racing toward them, three local Sveadal couples — the Parks, Baughmans and Masseys — feared for their lives. They had removed all of Sveadal’s historic memorabilia to a safe place, inspected all the cabins and turned off all propane tanks. As they cleared out, they left a poster at the entrance to Sveadal, thanking firefighters and notifying them that everyone had evacuated, together with maps of the community’s cabins and water supplies. The clubhouse was open for them if they needed it. With the fury of the fire getting closer, they took what might be their last look at Sveadal, after almost a century of heritage and devotion. They raced down the four miles of winding canyon road and together looked back, the night sky was flaming orange and the huge fire cloud reflected the fury of the insatiable fire. They had escaped with their lives; the fire fighters had quit for the day, and now these Sveadal couples could only witness the destruction. They had fled to safety but they imagined the wildlife dashing as best they could to outrun the fire illuminated in that smoky night by the fire’s glare. Cal Fire and the sheriff, fearing looting, soon had to limit those entering Croy Road. Emergencies are by nature confusing. PG&E electric utility company sprayed fire retardant on critical utility poles, but a commercial tree cutting service they had hired for the season was determined to earn their fee, fire or no fire, until finally ordered to quit. On Tuesday, with permission from the sheriff and Cal Fire, only Ryan Massey, Sveadal’s “Fire Chief” Rob Green and Steve Peterson, who was in charge of the water system and knew all of the hydrants, were allowed to return. This was fortunate, for while some local Cal Fire crews knew the layout of Sveadal, other visiting firefighters did not have accurate information. The trio was able to inform them that Sveadal was a community of homes, not a campground, and located previous firebreaks on the property as well as hydrants, pumps and other materials. They could also indicate the condition of each cabin and which were defensible. They offered our 50,000 gallons of water in storage bladders and 20,000 in the swimming pool. Later several other Sveadal residents dropped by to help this authorized crew. Another Sveadalian, Eva Brolin Urdiales, a member of the Board of Governors, became extremely important to our efforts. As a biochemistry teacher with military emergency medic training, she became the community’s liaison with all the leaders among the fire and county officials. One of the best aspects of her liaison experience was meeting these leaders who respected her own expertise; they told her one of the most important aspects in fighting a fire is having a face to put with a community — it makes a huge difference in how they fight it. Meeting with them daily at dawn and dusk, she was able to inform them of our efforts and to report back to our governors on the progress of fighting the fire. She met three
All photography courtesy of SAPL/Sveadal
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The sky threatens as the fire creates its own fire clouds and weather.
A Fire tanker drops retardant across the hills.
female firefighters, and she made her own mark at these meetings of the top leaders of the firefighting team. Eva admired how professional the fire command camp was. There are several sets of top state commanders, about 50 to a team, to handle all aspects of the job, both fighting the fire in 24-hour shifts, informing officials and the public. She witnessed that the firefighters’ camp is really a complete city; there is nothing the camp lacks for the fire fighters, for communicating with emergency resources, nor for informing the journalists. All of it professionally managed. She was also impressed with the extent of local, regional, state and federal resources quickly and professionally assembled to manage fighting the fire, although the corollary is that even with all agencies on the management leadership team, we must limit our contact with officials so they can focus on the fire. Of course, our community’s leaders had first-hand knowledge both of the progress of the fire and of the firefight. So, between Eva’s reports from the command center and Ryan’s “fireside chats” onsite, the Sveadal community remained thoroughly informed. The first days established the perimeter of the fire. Fire leaders knew they must protect our rugged canyon. By the time they got to Sveadal, they knew where all of our resources were located. They also knew where they to go to create the firebreaks. Throughout the days and into the nights al-
most a thousand firefighters were battling for every inch of land. They had fire trucks and other equipment wherever passable. Crews with bulldozers and chainsaws cut swaths of barren firebreaks and then set backfires to burn anything near these roads, creating a moat of safety. From their perches on roofs and the clubhouse, our personal ground crew witnessed a dozen planes and helicopters commute continually from reservoirs to douse the fire. The planes could carry 1,200 gallons of water. A flying tanker, carrying 12,000 gallons of fire retardant traversed the mountain, dumping its load on the fire as well as on Sveadal to protect it. One marvels at the pilots and planes circling the flames to drop water or retardant on it, but we don’t often think of how heavy water is (a gallon of water — a bit more than a cubic foot of water — weighs eight pounds; aerial fire tankers fly at about 300-400 feet high; of course water falling from that height will reach a terminal velocity but the mass of the water falling from that height can be crippling).
At the mercy of weather
By Wednesday 300 homes were threatened as the winds battered the fire down the slopes of the canyon on the eastern flank of the Santa Cruz Mountains. By now the fire had grown to 3.5 square miles and was but 10 percent contained. However, some evacuations were lifted as the weather began to aid the firefighters struggling to save hundreds of structures
still in the path of the fire. Soon the fire was 22 percent contained, after charring more than 6 square miles. It was not expected to be extinguished before the next week. Fortunately all day Thursday the fire command ordered the strategic defensive effort of a final huge fire break to be constructed about a mile downwind from that day’s fire. This road would be bulldozed from accessible Nibb’s Knob on one side of the mountain in a broad swath across multiple valleys to the other. Manpower and equipment were deployed, felling everything in their path to cut a two-lane dirt road into the hillside. Then, in a controlled burn, they torched all the underbrush between them and the wildfire, hoping to control the fire well short of this, but if not, this would be the last stand. By the end of the day, they had hewed out this tremendous firebreak.
After nearly a century of heritage and devotion, recent celebrations were followed by two long weeks of dread. By the end of Thursday, the official report stated that the fire had destroyed eight homes and a firefighter was sent to the hospital after a waterdrop hit him and broke his leg. But cooler weather and additional firefighters and equipment joining the battle gave hope that the fire might be controlled by the end of the week, though gusts of wind up to 35mph were forecast for Friday afternoon. By now the fire was 34 percent contained and had consumed 6.5 miles, threatening 325 structures in Santa Clara County.
Whereas the fire had apparently started at a human encampment on a very hot day without much of a breeze, and continued under hot, windless conditions, the forecast for Friday suggested there might be northwest winds, driving the fire further down the various canyons, isolating many fire crews. At night the firefighters must rest, not merely from exhaustion but because the dark of night is too perilous for the personnel. However, through the darkness, the nightwatch tracks the advancing flames. All hoped the cooler weather of night might hamper the fire, but large wildfires such as this create their own weather. As the hot air ascends without water into the night, it chills and can then fall not as rain but rather creating its own windstorm, which can accelerate the flames to new fuel. The firebreaks had been the focus on Thursday, because commanders were so concerned with the wind predicted for the next day. Friday morning realized the fears of the previous day. The forecast north winds did indeed blow and the surrounding weather did not slacken the fire with any hint of rain. Now, having jumped the paved road of Loma Chiquita, the winds turned the fire in a new direction, easterly. Finding fresh stands of timber and kindling, it began to race down Uvas Canyon, outrunning the creek that had carved the canyon. Friday was the scariest day, when the wind drove the fire to consume the tinder and kindling of the hillside together with giant redwoods, oaks, manzanita and laurels. Despite the best efforts of firefighters, the fire jumped upper lines. In four hours it raced more than a mile down Uvas Creek’s canyon, gulping acres by the minute. The heat of the inferno together with the spray of embers torched Continues on page 9
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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2016 Nobel Prize Laureates Continued from page 1
es Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, in memory of Alfred Nobel. The prize amount is now 8 million Swedish krona (about $900,000), to be shared equally between the laureates who win any given prize. The grand awards ceremony takes place every year on the anniversary of Nobel’s death, Dec. 10. The 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Bob Dylan “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” Dylan was born in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota and has made music since he was a teenager; he had a particular passion for American folk music and blues. In addition to his well-known large production of albums, Dylan has published experimental work and has written an autobiography; since the late 1980s, he has toured regularly and has become an icon of American music. Novelist Toni Morrison was the last American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1993. Though his work does not fit into the literary canons of novels, poetry and short stories that are traditionally recognized, the Swedish Academy endorses his lifetime of writing, storytelling and great poetry in the English speaking tradition. He is the first songwriter to win the prestigious award. The 2016 Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström “for their contributions to contract theory.” Hart, born 1948 in London and now professor of economics at Harvard University, and Holmström, born 1949 in Helsinki and now Oliver Hart professor of economics and management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will share the prize for their contributions to the theory of contracts, used to describe and analyze economic acBengt Holmström tivities and transactions. The new theoretical tools created by Hart and Holmström are valuable to the understanding of real-life contracts and institutions, as well as potential pitfalls in contract design. Their analysis of optimal contractual arrangements lays a foundation for designing policies and institutions in many areas, from bankruptcy legislation to political constitutions. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2016 was divided among David J. Thouless, F. Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz “for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
and into energy-filled states in which their movements can be controlled. Molecular machines will most likely be used in the development of things such as new materials, sensors and energy storage systems.
Yoshinori Ohsumi, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan in his laboratory. Photo: Tokyo Institute of Technology
The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi “for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.” Ohsumi, born 1945 in Fukuoka, Japan and now professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology, discovered and elucidated mechanisms underlying autophagy, a fundamental process for degrading and recycling cellular components. Autophagy has been known for over 50 years but its fundamental importance in physiology and medicine was only recognized after Ohsumi’s paradigmshifting research in the 1990s.
Nobel Prize in Literature to Bob Dylan. Above, Dylan, onstage in Victoria-Gasteiz, at the Azkena Rock Festival in June 2010. Photo: Alberto Cabello via Creative Commons
David J. Thouless, F. Duncan M. Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz share the prize in physics.
matter.” Thouless, born 1934 in Bearsden, UK and now professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, and Haldane, born 1951 in London and now professor of physics at Princeton University, as well as Kosterlitz, born 1942 in Aberdeen, UK and now professor of physics at Brown University in Providence, RI, have used advanced mathematical methods to study unusual phases or states of matter, such as superconductors, superfluids or thin magnetic films. Their work uses mathematical insights from the field of topology to describe and explain properties such as superfluidity and superconductivity in thin layers of fluid, and many people are hopeful of future applications in both materials science and electronics.
Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, JeanPierre Sauvage and David J. Thouless (on Page One) share the prize in chemistry.
The 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to professors Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. Sauvage, born 1944 in Paris and now at the National Center for Scientific Research University of Strasbourg, France, Stoddart, born 1942 in Edinburgh, UK and now professor of chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and Feringa, born 1951 in the Netherlands and now professor in organic chemistry at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, together developed the world’s smallest machines. These tiny, artificial muscles and minuscule motors were made by taking molecular systems out of equilibrium’s stalemate
The 2106 Nobel Peace Prize went to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, for his efforts to bring to an end the country’s 50-year civil war. Santos, born 1951 in Bogotá, Colombia, won for his resolute efforts to bring peace in a war that has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people. The Nobel Committee believes President Santos Manuel Santos has brought the conflict significantly closer to a peaceful solution and laid groundwork for the disarmament of the FARC guerrillas and a historic process of national fraternity and reconciliation. After winning the award, Santos announced he will donate the Nobel Prize money to help the victims of the conflict. Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, the Peace Prize is awarded by a Norwegian committee, though no one knows why Alfred Nobel wanted it that way. It could have to do with the fact that at the time Nobel wrote his will, Norway and Sweden were still in union, and with Sweden responsible for all foreign policy, Nobel may have felt the prize might be less subject to political corruption if awarded by Norway. It is also presented separately from the other Nobel prizes on Dec. 10 — in Oslo, in the presence of the Norwegian king.
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Fire burns the hills, the sky is smoky at midday, breathing is hard.
California forest fire ... Continued from page 7
everything in its path. Even the parched timbers that had sequestered carbon and secured the hillsides for a lifetime were set afire, as the flames galloped across the crowns of the trees’ canopy. After the wind was predicted to shift, more firebreaks were created accordingly, leaving two firebreaks guarding Sveadal: One was in the County Park and a second firebreak was just beyond the park. Because of this Eva and the firefighters were confident Sveadal could be saved — and though the broad Nibbs Knob firebreak did not stop the fire, the one at the creek did. This is where the firefighters had to stand fast. At the end, the line held and they were able to stop the fire within barely a mile of Sveadal. The firefighters had saved Sveadal but were now fighting the fire on other fronts. Friday evening’s report claimed that the blaze, which was but 50 percent contained, had razed 4,345 acres, burned 28 structures (including a dozen homes), and threatened an additional 325 structures. Cal Fire battled this wildfire with 2,104 firefighters from all over the state, six air tankers and 16 helicopters. By the weekend the firemap showed that the northern and western perimeters of the fire had been contained, as had the apex of the Uvas Canyon portion of the fire, saving Sveadal at the tip of this spear-point of fire. On the south there remained a relatively small inglenook of fire. And above the Uvas Canyon triangle, a large front, about half the length of the fire was being fought. For all practical purposes the Loma Fire had finally been corralled and Sveadal residents were allowed to return briefly to retrieve cherished belongings as fire trucks rumbled back up the road. The professional term “containment” means a fire is confined behind a border where it might be spreading. Only when the perimeter of the area has both a firebreak (40-feet-wide or four bulldozer blades wide) and an additional burnback of 300 feet of scorched but inflammable earth, is a wildfire considered to be contained. So only when that perim-
eter is complete is the fire claimed to be 100 percent contained. Yet it may take a couple more weeks, as in our case, before the fire is extinguished. And only then can fire investigators go in to discover the cause of the fire. It wasn’t until October 12 that the Loma Fire was declared 100 percent contained. In the next issue, read about the results, records and lessons learned in part 2 of Sveadal battles California forest fire.
XC60 WINTER TRAVEL EXPERIENCE For a limited time, you can go on the vacation of a lifetime traveling in Sweden and Europe, and then we will home ship your “ultimate souvenir,” your new Volvo XC60. We’re offering an “Ultimate Extra” through our Concierge Travel Office, which not only covers round-trip tickets for two to the home of Volvo in Göteborg, Sweden but two nights at the luxurious Hotel Post, airport and hotel transfers, inter-European flights and three nights at a four-star hotel in London, Lisbon or Barcelona. This special package, a value of $2,500 for two is yours by adding a total of $990.00 or $495.00 per person. See your local dealer or go to volvocars.com/us/mybagsarepacked; custom build your new Volvo XC60 with special colors and options only available for our Overseas Delivery Program and at a savings off the U.S. MSRP. Enjoy your new car while in Sweden at a magical time of the year and combine Sweden with a weekend trip to another European metropolis. (Not that we think anything beats Stockholm as a capital destination this time of the year) This special offer is valid on all new XC60 orders placed through OSD from Sept. 7, 2016, with delivery and travel by March 31, 2017. What’s included: • Two nights at the Hotel Post in Göteborg – includes taxes and breakfast • Factory tour and traditional lunch • Private airport and hotel transfer • Inter-European flights* • Three nights at a centrally located four-star hotel – includes taxes and breakfast • Home shipment of your new Volvo XC60 – includes customs duty, port clearance fees and insurance.
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* Flights subject to availability at time of booking. Due to flight schedule and overnight in Copenhagen or London may be necessary – at customer expense. ** One (1) winter package per car order. Packages have a value of $2,500.00 for two persons. *** Hotel Post in Göteborg is two (2) total nights. One night as part of the OSD offer and one additional night as part of the Winter Travel Package. The Overseas Delivery Experience is now also available for customers that order through the S90 Concierge Program. As a friend of Nordstjernan, you are eligible for special service and significant discounts. Contact our A-Plan Plus concierge Daniel Dwyer, daniel.dwyer@volvocars.com or call 201.519.7268 to set up an appointment at the nearest Volvo dealer. Learn more at www.volvocars.com/us/mybagsarepacked.
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
Photo: Jonas Forsberg
Photo: Lisa Öberg/ ullisrudolf.se
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Åsele, Sweden
Åre, Sweden
Reindeer in training—Ulrika Andreasson steps outside in all types of weather to train her animals. And with the holiday season coming soon, it is especially important that her two reindeer, Rudolf and Frost, get their marching practice. Andreasson and her clicker trained reindeer live in Åre and are experts in teaching clicker training to for instance dog owners who want to practice obedience, retrieving (not hunting reindeer!) and much more, without fighting, screaming and pulls on the leash. Their cooperation and work have led to a movie and plenty of Christmas time appearances. Together they train dogs with a click training method used with dolphins to reinforce positive behavior. “Dogs and reindeer, just like humans, perform best when they’re safe and happy.” Rudolf’s first speciality was the Spanish walk. For more info, see www.ullisrudolf.se
For the love of the Swedish flatbread “tunnbröd,” the world’s only flatbread fair was celebrated in Åsele on Oct. 15. Visitors were inspired with tastings, side dishes and bake-offs as wood fired stone oven served up a variety of breads and condiments. Children were treated to theater and games. This year marks the second year of the trade fair which was organized for both indoor and outdoor exhibition cofounded by the Flatbread Academy, Tunnbrödsakademien. The academy earlier this year founded The Day of the Tunnbröd, which will be celebrated the second Saturday of May every year — with the first celebration on May 13, 2017. For more info, see www.tunnbrodsakademin.se Plan to make your own? Go to page 16 for our favorite Swedish flatbread
Azure Tit (Cyanistes cyanus), western Mongolia. Photo: L. Jargal via Wikimedia Commons
HRH Princess Estelle rolls out the tunnbröd she was making for Christmas in 2015. Photo: kungahuset. se
Herr & Fru | Mr. & Mrs. Unusual birds flock to Sweden
A large number of rare birds have arrived on the shores of Sweden due to unusual weather conditions and winds from Siberia. Bird watchers are in their glory. Öland is crowded with bird enthusiasts who have come to see a huge population of Siberian Accentor, sparrows and azure tits. Magnus Hellström of the Öland Bird Observatory estimates that a thousand bird watchers have come to get a glimpse of the azure tit which was last spotted in Sweden 14 years ago.
Leaves blowing ...
Her: “ No one’s close by.”
Her: “ I guess it’s now or never ...”
‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar
A Gift of Nordstjernan Is a gift of shared fun that keeps coming. 800-827-9333
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
In New York In Stockholm In Kiruna Lund In Los Angeles
October 30: Sunrise 7.24 a.m. 7.05 a.m. 7.45 a.m. 7.11 a.m. 7.12 a.m.
Sunset 5.54 p.m. 3.57 p.m. 3.00 p.m. 4.30 p.m. 6.02 p.m.
Her: “Löv [leaves] is in the air!”
November 01 Allhelgonadagen November 02 Tobias November 03 Hubert/Hugo November 04 Sverker November 05 Eugen/Eugenia November 06 Gustav Adolf November 07 Ingegerd/Ingela November 08 Vendela November 09 Teodor/Teodora November 10 Martin/Martina November 11 Mårten November 12 Konrad/Kurt November 13 Kristian/Krister November 14 Emil/Emilia November 15 Leopold November 16 Vibeke/Viveka
Photo:Private, submitted to SVT by a passing driver.
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Göteborg, Sweden
Gothenburg rejects hometown artist —For two years in a row, Gothenburg street artist Joakim Stampe received SEK 4500 ($510) a day to paint city walls in France. Stampe, who is one of the leading performance artists in Sweden, is frequently invited to festivals and events all over the world. He was also invited to paint his imaginative, storytelling art in Korea, Mexico, China, Denmark and Germany. But when painting in Gothenburg, the art he offers for free to his hometown, he is harassed by police, his art is removed by harsh chemicals and his tools confiscated. The paintings, which are hugely popular with the public, are specifically created with water-based paint so they can slowly get washed away by the rain, sun and wind. For more info on the artist, see www.joakimstampe.wix.com/joakim-stampe
October 30
All Saints’ Day traditions
Swedes are celebrating Allhelgonahelgen while Americans observe Halloween the final weekend of October. While Americans are preparing their costumes and Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, Swedes are more likely planning a day off from work, eating together and gathering candles in anticipation of “Allhelgonahelgen” (All Saints’ weekend). Although Halloween is now a secular observance, it shares religious origins with All Saints’ Day traditions: In 731 AD, Nov. 1 became the day to remember saints of the church, eventually recognizing Nov. 2 as a day dedicated to remember all the dead — All Souls’ Day. In Sweden during the 1900s, people began putting lighted candles on the graves of loved ones on All Saints’
“Allhelgonahelgen” is celebrated on the weekend closest to Nov. 1 with candlelight and lanterns at the headstones of loved ones.
Day, and now the entire weekend is a time of reflection and remembrance, with cemeteries full of light from candles and lanterns placed on graves, sometimes in the snow, sometimes under a full moon. Halloween as a celebration never really took off in Sweden.
Haninge, Sweden
Last year we wrote about moose hunting season and the Swedish way of hunting, when 300,000 camouflaged Swedes (including the King) migrate into the forests in early fall. This year, roles got reversed as a moose was seen migrating out of the forest … in pursuit of a human near a supermarket parking lot in Haninge, south of Stockholm. Probably frightened by hunters, the angry moose ran out of the woods and toward a man who managed to scurry up a nearby lamppost, climbing high enough to avoid the moose that cornered him below and looked up at him. Motorists honked at the moose, eventually scaring it away and allowing the man a narrow escape. Neither the man nor the moose were harmed in the unprecedented event that even the victim is laughing over. But knowing it could have ended differently, the local game wardens have ensured that no moose are still in the area. Life on the wire
Sweden target of weekly IT attacks
According to the Civil Contingencies Agency, Sweden is the target of approximately five attacks on information technology each week. The attacks, which the agency considers serious in nature, have closed down an authority’s website or services, or misled or cheated users with false information. Since April, the Civil Contingencies Agency has been collecting information about such disruptions. To date, 131 cases have been reported, seven of which have police alerted.
Sweden is the target of approximately five attacks on information technology each week.
Identity theft on the increase Sweden boasts a high level of transparency among its population but now finds that Identity theft is increasing. According to police, approximately 350 people each day experience ID
theft. While this development concerns police, they admit there is no way for them to investigate these high numbers of crime, nor do they have ideas on how violations can be prevented.
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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Public events at the Royal Palace
a
WOODEN SPOON For all your Christmas gifts and foods. You may order on line or call us to place an order. 972-424-6867
tion, featuring royal wedding dresses, is open to the public at the Royal Palace and gives visitors a unique opportunity to see some favorite gowns from five weddings of the current royal family. This year marked the 40th wedding anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia who were married in Stockholm on June 19, 1976.
SCANDINAVIAN SHOP
To commemorate their anniversary, this exclusive exhibition features dresses worn by Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine, Princess Sofia and Princess Lilian. The dresses are on display through March 12, 2017. Later this month the public can visit the Royal Stables and see all the King’s horses. From Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, from 2-4 p.m. each day, families can take a mini stable tour, take part in a quiz trail for all ages and visit the café, which will be open with free juice and cake for all children. Admission is SEK 50 ($5.50) or free for children under age 6. One tour is offered in English at 3:30; the tour is included in the admission price.
Photo: Kungahuset.se
School-aged children in Sweden have “höstlov” (autumn holiday break) in October, and the Royal Family has a couple ideas for what to do if you’re in Stockholm during the time off. A royal exhibit opened on October 18: Kungliga brudklänningar 1976-2015 (Royal wedding dresses 1976-2015). The exhibi-
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Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding dress on exhibit at the Royal Palace through March 2017. The most beautiful royal bride ever? The Finns voted for Swedish Crown Princess Victoria (who married Daniel on June 19, 2010). Here she is wearing her duchess satin wedding gown designed by Pär Engsheden If you visit Stockholm, go tour Hovstallet, also known as the Royal Mews or Royal Stables of Stockholm’s Royal Palace. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Kungahuset.se
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
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October 9 honors the viking explorer who is believed to be the first recorded Nordic person to have visited North America - in the year 1000. Although the Cleveland Browns were set to lose another game at 1 p.m. that day (of this year), the local Scandinavians were determined to uphold their 15th consecutive year in hosting the annual Leif Erikson Celebration. (After all, he did beat Columbus by somewhat more that 460 years.) Each year, one of the Danish, Norwegian or Swedish organizations takes the lead in arranging the program. And most importantly, the toast. Just to the west of downtown Cleveland, along the banks of the renown Cuyahoga River, and mounted upon a fairly short monument rests a bronze likeness of Leif the Viking, beneath the shadow of a not so antique railroad lift bridge. This year, the Danish Americans were in command of the celebration, led by Minna Mortensen of the Danish Sisterhood. The Norwegian contingent was organized by Catherine McCutcheon and the Swedes by Mary Bergman. In all, the head count recorded 89 attendees. A record. Once we had all gathered before the monument, the Danish ladies circulated among the
Danish emcee Christian Langmack with our mutual ancestor delivers a skål.
the thirsty participants offering akavit with which to toast good ol’ Leif ... but not until Danish emcee Christian Langmack delivered the proverbial congratulatory remarks. Then, finally, “Skål!” Luckily, Shooters Restaurant is located within a dozen or so steps from the monument. Time for lunch, during which Mr. Langmack did a
fabulous reading of the Official Proclamation from the White House, the menu featured Lake Erie perch (excellent!) and Ingemar Svala circulated about taking photographs of the guests. Incidentally, next year, Leif Erickson Day and Columbus Day both fall on October 9. Go figure. Arthur Lustig, Ohio
Photo: Ingemar Svala
Celebrating Leif Erikson Day
November 18 - 19
Swedish Table!
Perfect gift for children Rolf Bergman, past Grand Master of the Vasa Order of America; Swedish Consul Michael Miller, Lynn Miller and Bruce B. Elfvin, Vasa Grand Lodge rep Midwest Region.
Lodge Linné’s 38th Annual
SCANDINAVIAN IMPORT & GIFT SALE
One Day Only SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 10 AM to 3:00 PM Admission Free Salt Brook School 40 Maple Street, New Providence, NJ
Margerita and Bengt Gerborg with a rarely seen seated photographer, Ingemar (“Leif”) Svala.
Linens • Crystal • Pewter • Tomtar • Sweaters Wooden, Paper & Straw Decorations • Kitchen & Housewares Cash and Checks only • Lunch 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM FROM NY: Lincoln Tunnel, Tpk to Exit 14 (Newark Airport). Route 78 & 24 WEST to Summit, Springfield Ave. to Maple St. INFO: Karen Jenshoej (908) 665-1292 or Sandy Olson (973) 479-7873
Zacharius Topelius’s “Läsning för barn” (Reading for Children) series appeared on book shelves from 1856 – 1896. His works are now considered a treasure trove of historical significance, and their emphasis on nature, the simplicity of daily life, spirituality, and morality teaches lessons that are just as relevant and important for readers today. Judith Gustafson has painstakingly translated these classic stories into English, making them available for worldwide enjoyment. Her goal was to present them as authentically as possible, bringing out the meaning, tone, and scriptural message that Topelius originally intended. Reading for children is the perfect collection of stories to be read to or by children. Order should be made through Tate Publishing
www.tatepublishing.com October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
feature. page 14
White beauties across the North Atlantic
Swedish ships’ role in history The first S.S. Stockholm built under the SAL flag was renamed the S.S. Solglimt in 1928, rebuilt as the S.S. Valkokeri thereafter, confiscated by the Germany Navy in 1941, and sunk by the allies in Cherbourg in 1942. The wreck was turned into scrap metal following the war in 1947. The second ship of the same name, the S.S. Stockholm II, had a short life. Built in 1938 by the Italian shipyard CR dell’Adriatico Monfalco, the liner caught fire and was totally destroyed on December 19 of that year. A footnote to this particular vessel is that nearly every launch was accompanied by a champagne-bottle christening by Swedish royalty. A video exists capturing Sweden’s Princess Ingeborg as she cracked a bottle of bubbly on the nose of the Italian-built vessel as it was launched in 1938 – with the chilling background scene of a crowd wearing the fearsome black shirts of Mussolini’s Italian Fascist Party members. Despite the incineration of the Stockholm II, SAL service was not interrupted because the turbine driven luxury liners M.S. Gripsholm (built in 1925) and M.S. Kungsholm (built in 1928) were already in service. Although another ship of the same name was launched under SAL colors in 1966, the first Kungsholm was, during its service days, the largest passenger liner in the Nordic countries. However, for historical accuracy, it must be noted that Broström’s original Kungsholm was a steamship built in 1902 at the Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Ireland. It served the Göteborg line until 1923, after which its name changed to the S.S. Noordam. It was scrapped in 1928. Swedish Army Captain Carl-Eric Beve holds the distinction of being the only Swede on record to have taken three SAL ships. On his way to America, Beve wrote
Many of the Swedish American Line (SAL) White Ships led colorful careers that included much more than glamorous transatlantic travel. his mother from the deck of the second Kungsholm in October 1935. In 1936, he returned to Sweden on the S.S. Drottningholm, only to return to the U.S. again on the Gripsholm. In one of his letters to his mother, written on SAL stationary, Beve noted that a full year’s subscription including U.S. postage for the Swedish-American newspaper Nordstjernan was $2. Winning the title for the most-renamed vessel was the second Gripsholm, which met its fate at the scrap yards as recently as February 2001. Built in 1957 by the Italian firm Ansalo soc per Azioni Genova, it served under the flag of SAL’s fleet until the end of its passenger traffic in 1975. Thereafter, with the dates noted, it was successively named the S.S. Navarino (1975-1983), the S.S. Samantha (1983-1985), the S.S. Regent Sea (1985-1997) and simply the S.S. Sea (19972001). During docking in 1981, the vessel capsized and filled with water. After a year of being foundered at dockside, it was refloated and promptly condemned. Although sold as a wreck, it was nonetheless refitted and put into operation for another 20 years. When the U.S. entered WWII, a number of SAL ships played important roles. The second Kungsholm was conscripted and later purchased by the U.S. Navy. Its fine furnishings unceremoniously ripped out
and its crystal-glass settings from Orrefors removed, the ship was renamed the S.S. John Ericsson and made into a troop transport that carried some 120,000 American GIs into action. Much to the dismay of crewmembers – who were themselves abruptly “detained for the duration” Kungsholm 1. of the war in New York City when the war broke out in 1941, the liner’s luxurious swimming pool was drained and used as a giant potato bin! D u r i n g t h e w a r, t h e Gripsholm and Drottningholm were pressed into service by the U.S. and British Kungsholm 2. Red Cross for the purpose of exchanging German, British and American prisoners of war. They also exchanged Japanese prisoners (and, regrettably, some JapaneseAmerican detainees) for American missionaries, diplomats, nuns, journalists and engineers who had been taken prisoner by the Japanese in southeast Asia. Kungsholm 3. Another series of exchanges, including sending “undesirable” persons back to Sicily and Greece, placed the infamous “Lucky Luciano” among some 900 deportees transported eastward on the Gripsholm. Accounts of around-the-clock poker and craps games include grisly tales of cheaters being knife-scarred and maimed by the toughest among these surly passengers. When normal traffic resumed in 1946 with all three ships, the Gripsholm was seen off by tens of thousands as it left Göteborg and similar crowds when it stopped at Oslo and Copenhagen before embarking on the transatlantic voyage.
A Nordstjernan staff writer visited the third Kungsholm in the 1990s. He related that he experienced a nostalgic moment on board while the ship was anchored in Fort Lauderdale; it was then called the Sea Princess and was owned by the Princess Cruise Line. After spending later years as a luxury floating hotel in the Middle East, and in spite of Swedish efforts to bring her back to Sweden as a permanent floating hotel, she was reportedly and sadly sold for scrap in 2015.
We would like you to join in the fun among old friends & listen to Scandinavian Christmas carols while we serve you great food, coffee & æbleskiver.
2016 2010 OPEN O PEN HOUSE H OUSE
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Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
feature. page 15
Life on board
Images from the ongoing exbibition “America Fever” at the Maritime Museum in Göteborg. For more info, see www.goteborg.se/ wps/portal/sjofartsm
As these images of the 1920s and 1930s depict, the trip over the Atlantic could be an event and an experience in its own right. For anyone who could afford the ticket, the trip allowed for games and play, social life on deck or by the pool and work on your tan on quiet days.
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
feature. page 16 perspectives.
Favorite crispy flatbread Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
Mother Teresa har officiellt blivit förklarad till helgon av den katolska kyrkan. Upphöjelsen till helgon ägde rum den 4 september. Hon föddes i nuvarande Makedonien. Som litet barn hette hon innan hon blev berömd som Mother Teresa, Anjeze Coxhe Bajaxhiu. Redan som mycket ung lämnade hon Makedonien och for till Calcutta. I Calcutta finns och har ofta funnits människor som lever i utsatthet och nöd. Där bildade Teresa ett kloster för att bekämpa nöden. I klostret levde hon till sin död tillsammans med hundra andra vitklädda nunnor. Deras valspråk löd: Kyskhet, fattigdom, lydnad och vilja att hjälpa de allra fattigaste. Säkerligen levde de upp till sina valspråk. De levde i renhet, ödmjukhet och bön samtidigt som de ständigt strävade att hjälpa de allra fattigaste. Det råder ingen tvekan om att Mother Teresa och hennes nunnor gjorde mycket ädelt och gott. Samtidigt sökte de stillhet och värdighet i klostret. De fann glädje i att hjälpa de mest nödlidande. Det finns många bevis på att de genom att leva som de gjorde fick åtskilliga andra människor i att också finna tröst och glädje i att utan egen vinning hjälpa de allra fattigaste. Som vi alla vet är de valspråk som Mother Teresa levde efter inte längre gångbara eller ens särskilt efterföljansvärda för andra. Många ifrågasätter istället det vettiga i att stänga in sig i och meditera i ett kloster. Möjligheterna att hjälpa de allra mest nödlidande är också begränsat med tanke på ett klosters resurser. Åtskilliga tror tvärtom att det är mer givande att slåss på barrikaderna om man skall kunna åstadkomma några väsentliga förbättríngar i samhället. Att ödmjukt dra sig tillbaka i klostermiljö löser enligt deras synsätt inga väsentliga problem. Hårdare nypor och tag behövs.
Att leva gott
Mother Teresa.
De flesta av dagens ungdomar som drivs av ambition att förbättra den värld vi lever i tänker inte i första hand på att gå i kloster. De förstår att åtskilligt måste drastiskt förändras i vår värld om vi skall kunna leva vidare och andas en ren luft. De vill ut och slåss på barrikaderna. De vill påverka myndigheter och beslutsfattare om allt vi borde göra. För att stoppa alla glaciärer och landis från att smälta. Ungdomar med dylika drömmar vill mycket hellre bli språkrör för ett vasst miljöparti än nunnor i ett ödmjukt kloster Lyckligtvis innehåller tillvaron möjligheter för oliktänkande att leva vidare. Både folk av typ Mother Teresa och slagskämpar på barrikaderna behövs om tillvaron skall vara såväl uthärdlig som behaglig. Omgivningen där vi lever består mestadels av beskedligare typer. Snarare än att leva gott är devisen för flertalet ”Det ska va gott att leva”. Om det dröjer alltför länge innan vattnet i Sverige blir badbart vet vi att vi kan resa till Kanarieöarna eller Phuket. På det sättet att leva enligt devisen ”det skall vara gott att leva” får man kanske ut mer av livet än de ödmjuka nunnorna får i sina kloster eller de argsinta världsförbättrarna får på sina barrikader. Så resonerar många. Förmodligen har de rätt. Samtidigt som vi tacksamt noterar allt gott som de mera aktiva medborgarna ägnar sig åt.
“ Olle Wijkströms nyutkomna och rikt illustrerade bok - Min Historia - handlar om hans minnen och möten med alla slags folk från tre kontinenter. Boken innehåller stämningar och möten. Stamhövdingar, presidenter och vanligt folk. Boken kan beställas och betalas via Nordstjernan”
Crispbread is the most Swedish of all breads. No Swede moves abroad without solving the problem of how to find - or make - crispbread. Crispbread is traditionally baked with rye flour. It is either rolled out into thin, flat sheets, as in this recipe, or a special crispbread rolling pin with pegs on it is used to roll out sheets with characteristic holes. Crispbread rounds were made with a hole in the middle so that they could be threaded onto a pole and hung under the roof. They can be stored almost indefinitely due to their very low water content. Dalarna and the bordering area of Värmland are the heart of the crispbread belt. Leksand and Falun have given their names to special types of crispbread, and in Dala-Järna, at the Pyramid bakery, the Egyptian flat bread tradition meets the Swedish.
Thin crispbread
Ingredients: 2 dl (1 cup) milk 50 g (1 3/4 ounces) fresh yeast 4 dl (2 cups) coarse rye flour 1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seed 1 tablespoon salt flakes 4 dl (2 cups) all-purpose flour Directions: 1. Heat the milk to body temperature (37–40˚C/98–102˚F). Add the yeast, stirring until dissolved. Mix in the rye flour, caraway, salt and almost half the all-purpose flour. Knead to form a stiff dough, beginning with a wooden spoon, continuing by hand. 2. Knead in the rest of the flour until the dough is smooth and not sticky. Sprinkle with a little flour and let rise for 30–40
minutes. A pasta machine is useful for rolling thin sheets of dough. Otherwise, sprinkle the work surface with flour first, then place the dough on it and sprinkle the dough with more flour. Roll to a thickness of 1–2 millimeters. 3. Preheat the oven to 225˚C (425˚F). 4. Cut the dough into the desired shape: square, round or even free-form. Bake for 6–8 minutes, turn off the oven and open the door. Remove the crispbread when it is completely dry. Store in a dry and airy place. Yields 4 servings. This is a basic recipe that can be varied with different flavorings. Try seasoning it with thyme, rosemary, lemon zest or fennel, says recipe creator KC Wahlberg. Photo: Bruno Ehrs. Recipe: KC Wallberg from the book “Wonderful Sweden” (ISBN 978-91-534-3873-1)
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SWEDE AMONG THE REDNECKS
PRESENTS THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL
Loved by Rednecks, Bluenecks, Swedes and Americans: “..something any Swedish American will enjoy” … “A humorous look at Swedes and Swedishness” … “[written with] the gift of clarity, humor, pathos, and joy” A book from Nordstjernan, also available on Amazon.
A SC ANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
_________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, November 26, 2016 5:00 p.m. in Viking Hall • Vasa Park, Budd Lake, NJ _________________________________________________________________________________
A humorous collection of essays about growing up, reaching adulthood and maturity on two continents and in two separate cultures.
All night dancing around the Christmas Tree with music provided by Jeanne Widman Anderson and Smorgasbandet with Walter Eriksson, Jr., on Nyckelharpa. Fresh ham dinner, Swedish meatballs and other traditional Scandinavian specialties. Candle-lit ceremony and pageant of Sankta Lucia. A visit from Santa. Cocktail hour begins at 5:00 p.m. with Jul Glogg and cash bar. Reservations only•Seating is limited•Adults $42.50, 17 & under $20.00, 12 & under $15.00, 5 & under free Make checks payable to “Sommardans” and mail to: Kristin Baker, 56 Scandia Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 For additional information call Kristin at 973-691-8637
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Mail order form to: NORDSTJERNAN P.O. Box 1710 New Canaan CT 06840 Or call 1.800.827.9333
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Sommardans is sponsored by NJ District Six V.O.A.
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8/30/16 3:35 PM
Perfect bound, paperback, the ideal companion for the beach or the back yard this summer Please send me ____ book(s) x $16.95 = _______ Incl. S&H (in continental U.S.)
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‘Not my time to die’ The Titanic and the Swedes on board Perfect bound, large size paperback, 296 pages. Richly illustrated. Please send me ____ book(s) x $19.95 = _______
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The 123 Swedes on board made up the third largest ethnic group on the Titanic after the American and the British. The book profiles each of the Swedish passengers; including the 34 survivors... Mail order form to: NORDSTJERNAN P.O. Box 1710 New Canaan CT 06840 Or call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10
October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
local events. page 18
Remember to submit your holiday events at www.nordstjernan.com or, email all information to marianne@nordstjernan.com
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All the recipes you need for a Swedish traditional Christmas, translated for the American household and modified to fit today’s lifestyle. 72 recipes – the perfect book for Christmas!
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Till vardag och fest
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Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
Your paradise realtor of South Florida
local events. page 19
09.30.2016 - 11.11.2016 A Man Called Ove A film written and Directed by Hannes Holm based on the international best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman opens at Laemmle’s Royal (www.laemmle. com/theaters/1); and in other select places, see listings and a trailer, here: http://www.musicboxfilms.com/aman-called-ove-movies-139.php 11.18.2016 11:00 PM - 05:00 PM Norwegian Christmas Fair at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church. Scandinavian Christmas decorations, hand made goods and fresh homemade Norwegian cakes, pastry, and sandwiches. www.sjomannskirken.no/ los-angeles-san-pedro. 310.832.6800
l Colorado
11.04.2016 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM Scandinavian Christmas Fair Scandinavian holiday fair with Scandinavian craft vendors, rosemaling, imports, food, Christmas items, textiles, books. Lunch served 11:30-1:30. 303-232-1700
l Delaware
11.12.2016 07:30 AM - 03:00 PM New Sweden History Conference will examine the nature of and central role played by the Delaware River and Bay in the lives of all inhabitants of the Delaware Valley in the 17th century. Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. 215-389-1776
l Florida
11.13.2016 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM Pot-luck dinner. First meeting and social of the season for those interested in Scandinavian heritage. Nordic Heritage Club of South Florida. 561.737.6476 Continuously The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach promotes trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Sweden and members. See www.sacc-sfl.org
l Illinois
inappropriate” - at the Greenwich Village Comedy Club in New York. Most of the performance is in Swedish and Clayton Fletcher will finish the evening in English. Greenwich Village Comedy Club. 212.777.5233 | www.greenwichvillagecomedyclub.com
10.06.2016 02:00 PM - 11.27.2016 06:00 PM An exhibit of abstract paintings, diptychs and triptychs by the late artist Stuart Allen Carlson of Chicago is open in the first-floor gallery. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org
11.05.2016 01:00 PM - 11.05.2016 02:00 PM Scandinavian Sing-Along at Scandinavia House. 212.779.3587 | www.scandinaviahouse.org
11.02.2016 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Kalmar Nyckel: a 17th century ship in the 21st century Sam Heed, senior historian & director of education of the Kalmar Nyckel (Kalmar Key) Foundation will highlight KEY educational initiatives that have unlocked the potential of the Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel, turning an interesting replica Swedish ship that sails into one of the world’s great educational resources. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org
11.10.2016 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM From Sammy with Love. An exclusive one-night guest appearance of the successful Stockholm produced show with Karl Dyall and Rennie Mirro: FROM SAMMY WITH LOVE, the musical story of the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr, who had many of his most beloved performances at this very venue.
11.03.2016 10:00 AM - 103:00 PM Art Glass Exhibit with Kosta Boda One of the world’s foremost glass artists, Bertil Vallien from Sweden, will be presenting his boat sculpture, Passage, at Sculptures Objects Functional Art + Design Fair (SOFA CHICAGO) with American partner Hawk Galleries. It is the largest, most expensive and mysterious sculpture ever created at Kosta Boda. It is truly an epic art piece, valued at $1 million. Hawk Galleries Booth @sofaexpo 11.05.2016 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM Ruby Gala: Benefit for the Swedish American Swedish New York based artist Siri Berg opens a Museum celebrating its fortieth anniversary solo exhibition, the Art Center’s first, at the Shirley this year. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishameri- Fiterman Center in downtown Manhattan on Nov. 17 canmuseum.org Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Nordic Vendors, live music, guest speak11.13.2016 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM Exploring Your Swedish Roots. Meet one-on-one ers, kids’ station, family friendly games, a with experts for help with genealogy research, live Viking encampment, and “foodie” fun. translations, and more. Call the Museum at 617.795.1914. www.scandicenter.org 773.728.811 to schedule your appointment ($10)
Photo: Stefan Anderson
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
l California
11.17.2016 - 02.04.2017 Swedish artist Siri Berg in solo retrospective at Shirley Fiterman Art Center, “in Color.” not only the most comprehensive showing ever of Siri’s life work, spanning nearly six decades, but also the first Solo Artist exhibition at the Fiterman Art Center. One of the world’s truly great and prolific abstract artists is getting her due.
l Pennsylvania
11.05.2016 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM Folk Fashion: Sweden and Scandinavia Join the ASHM Auxiliary for their annual meeting which includes lunch, a collectibles sale and a fashion show of traditional folk costumes of Sweden and Scandinavia! People with costumes are invited to participate as models and, if they choose, talk about the history of their costumes. For more information, please call the American Swedish Museum at (215) 389-1776.
l New York
11.18.2016 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM Got Glögg? Tasting and Competition of glögg at the museum. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org Continuously Step back in time in historic Bishop Hill. Utopia on the Prairie, then and now. For information call 309-927-3899 or email heritage@bishophill. com. Visit our Website at: www.bishophill.com
l Minnesota
06.18.2016 07:00 PM - 10.18.2016 06:00 PM Quilting Art Today, exhibition featuring creations by Swedish and other artists from the traditional to the abstract.American Swedish Institute. 612.871.4907 | www.asimn.org
l North Dakota
09.24.2016 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM Smorgasbord Nordic Food Festival at the Scandinavian Cultural Center: Tasting stations from
09.30.2016 - 11.11.2016 A Man Called Ove A film written and Directed by Hannes Holm based on the international best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman at the Paris Theatre on 4 W 58th Street (www.theparistheatre.com) and the Angelika Film Center (www.angelikafilmcenter. com). 10.28.2016 06:00 PM - 9:00 PM Opening night of the Nordic International Film Festival; Scandinavia House is pleased to copresent the opening night film, Autumn Fall/ Høst. The festival, which screens new Nordic short and feature films, takes place at Scandinavia House October 28-30, 2016. All NIFF programs are free and open to the public. 11.04.2016 08:00 PM - 10:30 PM It’s never too late to be inappropriate Swedish comedians Anneli Abrahamsson and Malin Appeltofft will perform the show ‘Det är aldrig för sent att bli olämplig’ - “It is never too late to be
Välkommen till
Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers in the streets of Lindsborg for Lucia Day. Photo by National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson whose images have graced many of our pages for coverage from his home town of Lindsborg, Kansas. Courtesy of Lindsborg CVB. l Wisconsin
10.29.2016 01:30 PM - 10.29.2016 04:00 PM The art and life of Anders Zorn. Annual meeting for the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc. Short meeting followed by an introduction to the art and life of Swedish Artist Anders Zorn, (1860-1920). A number of his etchings are in the collections of the Milwaukee Art Museum and have recently been on display. Redemption Lutheran Church, 4057 North Mayfair Rd. (Hwy 100, just north of Capitol Dr.) in Wauwatosa. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc.. 414-352-7890 | www. sahswi.org
Lördag 5 november kl 12.00
Gudstjänst
i House of Sweden, Balboa Park, San Diego. Söndag 6 november kl 11.00
Gudstjänst med kyrklunch Tisdag 15 november, kl.18.30: Bibelsamtal - vi delar måltid och tankar med utgångspunkt i bibeln.
Vi har öppet måndag till fredag kl 9:30 till 15:00 Den mobila passtationen är i Fort Lauderdale den 15-17 november. Kontakta konsulatet för mera information.
18-20 november: Svensk/norsk julbasar i Norska sjömanskyrkan, San Pedro
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October 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
sports. page 20
Frölunda back on warpath
Defender Matt Donovan is one of two American players playing in Göteborg for Frölunda. Photo: Stefan Persson/Bildbyrån
Left: Fans riot in the stands at Tele2 Arena October 17 during the second half of the Djurgården-Hammarby match. Johanna Lundberg/Bildbyrån
Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
It doesn’t seem to matter to defending Swedish and European hockey champions Frölunda what the odds might be. Down two goals in a home-and-home series in the 2016-2017 Champions League? No problem — just blank the opponent 5-0 at home. Get off to a rocky start in the Swedish Hockey League, losing two of four games? No worries — just win four straight to climb within three points of first place. “The guys are ready to play hard to win,” said Indians head coach Roger Rönnberg. “The team spirit has emerged early. This year’s team is playing with the same winning mentality as we had in the past and it feels very good.” Frölunda advanced to the Round of 16 in the Champions League with a 7-3 aggregate win over Belarus club HC Yunost Minsk. After dropping the first game in Minsk 3-2 on October 4, the Indians blanked the Belorussians 5-0 at the Scandinavium in Göteborg on October 11. “We had a strong feeling that we could turn this around,” said forward Patrik Carlsson who had a goal and an assist in the game. “They got the first game pretty much the way they wanted it, but we talked about skating a bit more, bringing more intensity and sticking to our fast pace game plan, and I think we did those things well from the start today.” Lasu staked the Indians to a 1-0 first-period lead before Robin Figren, Joel Lundqvist and Carlsson tallied in the second period to blow the game open. Henrik Tommernes scored the capper in the third. In the following week, Frölunda claimed an overtime win over Färjestad before knocking off Örebro on October 17. Lasu said much of the reason for the Indians’ resurgence after
Nordstjernan, October 30, 2016
their slow start rests with head coach Roger Rönnberg. “Roger has a lot of stuff to do and leaves nothing to chance,” assistant captain Nicklas Lasu said. “It can be trivial things that we players do not think are so important, but for him it is the difference all the time. There are lot of small things, like how to keep the club in its own zone and screen. There is no exception for anyone, everyone has to do this. And it has given the results as well. We are very tough to play.” Almost as important as Rönnberg, who is in his fourth season at the Indians’ helm, are the players the savvy head coach has plucked from North America. Last season, American Ryan Lasch led Frölunda in scoring with 51 points while countryman Joey Crabb, a late-season pickup from Växjö had 7 points in the playoffs. Canadian Spencer Abbott was the team’s third-leading scorer. All are gone. Crabb retired, Abbott signed with American Hockey League club Rockford Icehogs while Lasch jumped to Bern in the Swiss League. To replace them, Rönnberg brought in American Matt Donovan, a defenseman who spent four season bouncing back and forth between the New York Islanders of the NHL and the Bridgeport, Connecticut Sound Tigers in the AHL, and California native Casey Wellman, a Washington Capitals prospect who had 54 points in 2014-15 for the Hershey Bears of the AHL and spent last season with Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. Wellman has already notched a goal and four assists in just six games for Frölunda while Donovan, an Oklahoma native who is an offensive-minded defenseman, has four assists. Donovan also has a reputation as something of a prankster and he quickly learned just how serious Rönnberg is, whether in a game or practice. Donovan recently decided to entertain his teammates by skating in practice with his
padded pants pulled low and his sweater covering his otherwise exposed back side. Ronnberg didn’t like. “Roger just went out and adjusted his equipment — in front of everyone,” Lasu said. “He made an example of him but didn’t yell or anything. He just pulled up the pants and the sweater and made him skate.” Rönnberg said it was simply part of his philosophy. “We don’t leave anything to chance,” he said. “We are careful with everything, from how to tie skates to the players’ hairstyles.” So far, it is certainly working. Frölunda trails the first-place Malmö Redhawks by just four points after 10 games and appears primed to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League after drawing Hertha Berlin in the Round of 16.
Fan-ning the flames of violence
After a spate of game-halting incidents last season involving fans throwing flares onto the pitch, the Swedish Football Association promised a heavy crack down on hooligans. So far, the hooligans are winning. In what is becoming a near-regular occurrence, fans at the Djurgården-Hammarby October 16 match first threw flares onto the field and then tried to storm the pitch, forcing game officials to halt play for more than a half hour as police attempted to restore order. With 10 minutes to play and Hammarby holding a 4-2 lead, a group of fans in the Djurgården end of the stands began lighting, then throwing flares, appearing to target Hammarby goalkeeper Ogmundur Kristinsson. Referee Andreas Ekberg immediately ordered both teams from the field. As the players began to leave, several fans attempted to scale the security fence at the Tele2 Arena, which both
clubs use as their home arena. Officials suspended the match for almost 30 minutes while police officers wearing riot gear removed people from the site of the confrontations. The Hammarby supporters responded by singing the Monty Python comedy song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” When the players returned to the pitch, they finished the game in front of nearly empty stands. Stockholm Police said a number of police reports had been filed, and several people were arrested for rioting outside the arena after leaving the grounds. “We had a riot after the game where six people were arrested. Two colleagues were injured as a result, one had to go to hospital to have a hand injury checked,” Stockholm Police spokesperson Lars Byström told news agency TT. “A report has been prepared on violence against public servants, as well as several reports on breaches of the public order act, to do with what happened in the stadium, the pyrotechnics and people running onto the pitch,” he said. It is third time this season fan violence has stopped a match. In August, a fan assaulted Östersunds goalkeeper Aly Kieta, while last May the SvFF awarded Malmö a 3-0 win over IFK Göteborg after fans at Gamla Ullevi began hurling flares and other projectiles at Malmö players. The violence marred what was otherwise a thrilling weekend in the Allsvenskan as first-place Malmö and second-place IFK Norrköping locked horns in what could be a decisive match. Despite missing stars Anders Christensen and Markus Rosenberg, Malmö outplayed the defending champions to claim a 2-1 win and open a four-point lead atop the standings. The was the fourth in a row for MFF.