October 2017

October 2017

Newsletter

of the International Women’s Club in Sofia

Hungarian Bazaar New IWC Executive Board Nominees

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Presidents’ Letter Dear Ladies, I was overwhelmed having over 85 ladies and one gentleman at our IWC September Coffee Morning at the Hilton Hotel. It was really nice to see the members that I've known for the past two years and to meet new ones. Thank you all for coming and a sincere welcome to our new members.

One of my goals as the president of the IWC is to have monthly discussions of relevant topics of common interest as part of Empowering women in our small international community. Addressing women's role in our society, gender equality, health and well-being, balancing work & home, art & fashion. Another goal of mine is to work together as one team, have a social impact in Sofia and inspire others.

Last month, our September guest speaker, Mrs. Nicole Simmons addressed social challenges women face internationally, and shared her own experience with us.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this month we will discuss certain measures we can take in order to prevent breast cancer and share some tips and professional recommendations.

I would like to inform you briefly about certain issues already discussed with the board: 1) The amended IWC Constitution is registered and posted on our website.

2) I met with our lawyers and discussed the Bulgarian membership and the 15% ratio. An email was sent out to our members in reference to the membership fees.

3) As you all know, Claudia Mohite who was elected as the treasurer resigned and left the country, and no Vice President was elected in June. Therefore, as the president I appointed Mrs. Gullett as treasurer, Mrs. Diana Michaels-Christopher Ph.D. as V.P. and Mrs. Metodieva as 2nd V.P. for the purpose of maintaining the workflow of the IWC. Now that September marked our new year, I sent out an email calling for a General Meeting (GM) in November in order to have formal elections of one Treasurer and one Vice President to be registered with the court. Please, if you would like to nominate yourself for one of these positions, do not hesitate to send a short bio about yourself, a picture and the desired position. Goodwill, honesty, dedication, good writing skills, experience and hard work are needed.

4) I would like to have one or even two assistants to each of the registered board members such as a 2nd V.P., an assistant treasurer, assistant Charity Chair and assistants to the Bazaar coordinator.

5) All interested members are welcome to join a new Charity Chair Committee that visits each of our charitable projects and assist the Charity Chair person.

6) Volunteers to form a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) that will be the link between us and the member that needs our attention. If one of you members lose a loved one, get sick, get into a car accident or have a baby ...etc... Then the CLC will check on you by giving you a call, or visiting you, or preparing a meal, or sending a card. The CLC will inform the rest of the members and everyone can volunteer to assist and help.

The preparations for the 23rd IWC CHARITY BAZAAR are on going. Mihaela and I have already started meeting with the many representatives of all the establishments involved with the upcoming Bazaar.

A big thank you to everyone who is helping us and, to Mrs. Raluca Țigău, the Romanian Ambassador's wife & Mrs. Aldona Krajevska, the wife of the Polish Ambassador for hosting our 1st and 2nd IWC Charity Bazaar Stallholders Meeting at their embassies.

Looking forward to a successful year together.

In Friendship,

Lilly White President 2017-2018

Cover image by http://washingtonjewishweek.com

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IWC Executive Board 2017-2018 President Lilly White 0879 119 152 0883 221 961 president@iwc-sofia.org First Vice-President Diana Michaels-Christopher vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org

Treasurer Mary Gullet 0879 506 800 treasurer@iwc-sofia.org

Charity Chairperson Iliana Zlatareva 0893 357585 charity@iwc-sofia.org

Office Manager/ Membership Coordinator Zarina Benoun-Takova 0895 571 813 admin@iwc-sofia.org

Second Vice-President Maya Metodieva secondvicepresident@iwc-sofia.org

Bazaar Coordinator Mihaela Dobre 0879 506 799 c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com

International Women’s Club 67A Postoyanstvo st., 1111 Sofia tel: 02 951 6117 “Like” IWC on Facebook and check our website www.iwc-sofia.org

Club policy Smoking Please note that all IWC Coffee Mornings are non-smoking.

Language Don’t let a lack of fluency in English keep you from attending the monthly coffee mornings and other club activities. Many of our members speak other languages. Remember, we are an international club, and we are here to support you. You’re welcome at any time.

Suggestion Box The suggestion box is always available at the members’ sign-in table. Feel free to write your ideas, concerns, complaints, and suggestions to the IWC Board and drop them in the box. Because you’re important to us, we want to hear from you.

IWC Visitors Policy The IWC doors are open to visitors throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two coffee mornings and two activities prior to applying for membership. A 15 BGN fee is payable upon registration at the sign-in table during the coffee morning. For more information, please contact the Member-ship Coordinator at office@iwc-sofia.org.

Monthly Events Free monthly events are free to guests. Events costing under 20BGN, there is an additional charge of 5BGN. Events costing 21BGN or more, there is an additional charge of 50%.

Monthly Activity Groups Monthly activity groups are free and any charge for guests will be at the discretion of the organiser of the group, a charge may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of Event

IWC Member

Guest

Free Monthly Event

Free

Free

Free Activity Group Event

Free

Paid*

Paid Monthly Event

5-20BGN

+5BGN

Paid Monthly Event

21BGN+

+50%

Member only Event

Open

Closed

Events Charges All events are available to fully paid up members of the IWC. Where there is a cost involved, it will be kept to the very minimum.

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events will be open to guests. Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

these activities without becoming a member.

A deposit is required from all members and guests attending an event with a cost involved. This deposit will be forfeited in the case of non attendance. *Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN.

Use of IWC Logo The Board has established the following policy for the use of the IWC logo and brand name. In order to prevent any misuse.

1.Written Permission must be requested from the Board a minimum of 2 weeks prior to event; 2. The partnering organisation/company should be in good standing in the community; 3. The event should seek to pursue the goals of the IWC; 4. No third-party usage will be permitted. An agreement will be signed between IWC and partner organisation; 5. The Logo may be used only for the agreed event and for specified time period.

Guidelines for Paid Advertisement 1. Priority for any vacant advertising spaces will be given first to IWC members, then to outside advertisers.

2. Advertisers are welcome to run or extend their advertisements for a period of six months. After that time, if there is a waiting list for advertisements of that size, the situation will be reviewed, and priority for available spaces will be given to (a) IWC members; (b) new advertisers; (c) existing advertisers. The same order of priority will apply to smaller ad space that may become available.

3. There is no waiting list for advertisements of a given size, the current advertiser may extend their advertisement for the contract period of their choice.

4. These guidelines may be revised at any time with the agreement of the IWC Board.

5. Paid advertisers are not endorsed by the IWC.

Rules For Announcements From Members 1. Advertisements will be run in two consecutive issues. If the member sends a request to run the advertisement again, it will be extended for a further two issues. After that, the advertisement will be removed. If the member still wishes to include the advertisement after that time, the request will be considered, but placement is not guaranteed.

2. Advertisements must be submitted by members. Members may not submit ads for non-members (e.g., for a friend who is selling a car, etc.).

3. Members may not submit recommendations for businesses. These recommendations may be submitted to the IWC Go To Guide. Businesses are also welcome to purchase advertising in the newsletter.

4.Recommendations for individuals engaged in business (e.g., dentists, hairdressers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

5. Final discretion as to whether to include an announcement rests with the Newsletter Editor.

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We ask members to send all announcements for the newsletter via e-mail. The size of ads should not exceed a single paragraph of five lines. The IWC board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in these announcements.

Please send your contributions to office@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the month.

23rd IWC Charity Bazaar

Dear Ladies, The preparations for the 23rd IWC Charity Bazaar are ongoing. The president and I are working on improving all aspects of the Bazaar, and addressing all your concerns.

We would like to extend a thank you to the Romanian Embassy team, especially to Mrs. RALUCA TIGAU for hosting the 1st Charity Bazaar Stallholders' Meeting on the 26th of September 2017, and for her personal involvement in the IWC Charity Bazaar.

We would also like to thank Mrs. ALDONA KRAJEVSKA who kindly offered to host the 2nd Stallholders' Meeting at the Polish Embassy on the 24th of October 2017.

Wishing all the participants in this year's Bazaar good luck. We truly appreciate your commitment and the hard work you put in to support this event.

If you would like to participate in the organization of this event please feel free to contact me.

Thankfully yours,

Mihaela Dobre IWC 23rd Charity Bazaar co-ordinator International Women's Club mobile: +359 879 506799 e-mail: c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com web: www.iwc-sofia.org 5

WHEN IN BULGARIA The Belogradchik Rocks

The rocks Belogradchik rocks extend around 30 km length, 3 - 5 km width and up to 200 m height. The most magnificent rocks are surrounding Belogradchik : Madonna, The Rider, The Monks, The Student, The Lion, The Bear, Adam and Eva, The Casle. Four kilometres from the town, around Lepenitsa cave, there is another great group of rocks, where the biggest one i called The Dinosaur. Near by village Borovitsa are The Pinestone and The Beestone. From the platform of the famous Stone of Thought you can see an endless view of peaks, rocks, precipices, lush meadows, cool streams and the calm lineaments of Old mountain. Upon this view man becomes wordless. The name of each rock formation is given by the folklore. The flora surrounding Belogradchik rocks includes many rare species typical for the Balkans and written in the Red book of Bulgaria. The animals are represented by imperial eagle, owl, small vulture, black stork, wolf, wild boar, royal slag, deer, dormouse and etc. You can take one of the rambling paths from Belogradchik to the rocks, suitable also for cycling.

Formation In the end of the Palaeozoic era before 230 000 000 in this region stratified sandy and marly rocks. Later they were covered with sea, on the bottom of which laid sand, gravel and clay. As time goes by these materials were connected with sandy-clay solder. That is the way how conglomerates appeared. The reddish color is due to the iron oxides and hydroxides. Like a result from the New Alpine tectonic cycle the complex folded and showed above the surface and the region of Belogradchik got into a large cleft. Over the 6

influence of the water, winds and temperature variations the limestones from these parts destroyed and revealed the cracked conglomerates. In millions of years the nature sculptured from the shapeless stone figures of mythical creatures, people, animals and birds. There were formed also over a hundred cave. These columns of rock generate natural fortress, which was exploited from ancient times.

Legends Every stone here has a history and a legend full of suffering and heroism to explain the incredible stone beauty. Centuries ago between the rocks there was a nunnery. Early every morning the nuns went out to pray to God. The youngest among them – Vitinia couldn't hide under the cassock her unbelievable beauty. The rumour about her beauty spread all over the Roman empire. One day on the Day of Peter when the monastery could be visited Vita met with the roman Antonio. They hided their love from the nuns long time but after an year the fruit of their love saw the light of the day. Child voice filled the monastery with crying. Vita was revealed and faced the strict law of the nuns. They decided to curse her and expel her from the monastery with her child. At that moment from the hill came Antonio riding his white horse. He started begging the nuns not to punish his beloved. Then happened a miracle. Suddenly a storm started, a thunder stroke and the earth shook. The monastery laid in ruins and everything turned in stone – The Monks, The Rider, even Vitinia who turned in Madonna caring her child.

WHEN IN SOFIA Boyana Church Architecture The Boyana Church was built in three stages: in the late 10th and early 11th, the mid-13th, and the mid-19th centuries.

The oldest section (the eastern church) is a small one-apse cross-vaulted church with inbuilt cruciform supports. It was built in the late 10th and early 11th century.

The second section, which adjoins the eastern church, was commissioned by Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava and in the mid-13th century. This building belongs to the two-floor tomb-church type. It consists of a ground-floor family sepulchre with a semi-cylindrical vault and two arcosolia on the north and south walls, and an upper-floor family chapel identical in design to the eastern church.

The exterior is decorated with ceramic ornaments.

The last section was built on donations from the local community in the mid-19th century.

The first layer of frescoes, which originally covered the entire eastern church, dates from the 11th-12th-century. Fragments of those frescoes have been preserved in the lower parts of the apse and the north wall, and in the upper part of the west wall and the south vault.

According to the donor’s inscription on the north wall of the second section, the second layer of frescoes dates from 1259. Those frescoes were painted over the earlier layer by a team of unknown artists, who also decorated the two floors of the building commissioned by Sebastocrator Kaloyan.

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The Boyana Church owes its world fame above all to the frescoes from 1259, which demonstrate the exceptional achievements of mediaeval Bulgarian culture. The majority of the more than 240 figures depicted here display individuality, remarkable psychological insight and vitality. The frescoes follow the canon of icon-painting established by the Seventh Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 787.

The frescoes in the oldest section of the church include a magnificent representation of Christ Pantocrator in the dome. The drum below shows a host of angels, with the Four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - portrayed in the pendentives. Four images of Christ adorn the face of the arches: Christ Emmanuel; Christ, The Ancient of Days; and the acheiropoietic (“made without hands”) Holy Mandylion and Holy Tile. Next come scenes from the Major Feast Days and the Passions of Christ. Among the full-length portrayals of saints in the first tier, there are ten warrior saints. The Virgin Enthroned, surrounded by archangels, is represented in the altar conch. Below are four church fathers: St. Gregory the Theologian, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Patriarch Germanus. The frescoes flanking the altar show the deacons Laurentius, Euplius and Stephen, as well as St. Nicholas, the patron of the ground floor of the church - one of the most popular saints and the patron saint of sailors, merchants and bankers.

The life of St. Nicholas is depicted in 18 scenes in the narthex (the second section of the church). The unknown artist included elements of contemporary life in those scenes, and many of the figures are quite realistic - especially their countenances. The lunette above the entrance of the narthex displays the Virgin and Child, St. Anna and St. Joachim, and Christ Blessing. St. Catherine, St. Marina, St. Theodore the Studite and St. Pachomius are portrayed in the lower tiers on the walls. The south arcosolium features the scene of Christ Disputing with the Doctors, and the north one, the Presentation of the Virgin. Two highly revered Bulgarian saints are also represented in the narthex - St. John of Rila (the oldest surviving representation of the saint) and St. Paraskeva (Petka). The hermit St. Ephraim Syrus appears among the monks portrayed here. The expressive realistic portraits of the donors Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava, and of the Bulgarian Tsar Constantine Asen Tikh and Tsaritsa Irina - painted with precision, extraordinary skill and feeling - are among the oldest portraits of figures from Bulgarian history.

Today the name “Boyana Master” stands for the team of unknown artists who decorated the church and mastered their art in the studios of the Turnovo School of Painting. The frescoes are genuine masterpieces with a flawless technique, psychological depth, complexity and realism. Boyana is the only and the most impressive wholly preserved monument of the Turnovo School of Painting from the 13th century.

According to many leading experts, the world famous frescoes in the Boyana Church played an important role in the development of mediaeval Bulgarian and European painting.

Some parts of the church were overpainted, and the majority of those frescoes have survived to the present day.

The later frescoes include a scene of the Presentation of the Virgin from the 14th century, a portrait of St. Nicholas from the 16th-17th century, and representations of the two patron saints of the Boyana Church - St. Nicholas and St. Panteleimon - from 1882.

Maya Metodieva 8

Ongoing activities you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please contact Sory Jan by e-mail: jansory1@yahoo.fr.

Patchwork Group This group consists of seven members and we are meeting every Monday in the PLUS TOVA café, situated in Marin Drinov 38 st., from 10 am to 12 pm. Teacher of the group is Dusica Trkulja who is showing the making of patchwork. The members of the group have made a patchwork pillow which they would like to show to IWC members during the morning coffee in November. The group will continue again in January 2018 with its classes as in the following few months we will focus on the charity Christmas Bazaar preparations!

Bulgarian Conversation Group Five Native Bulgarian speakers joined to form a conversation group by special request - - just for you to grow and increase and to practice your B U L G A R I A N! Weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday -we meet. Please contact Jane Ewing for location - the teachers/ tutors are all wonderful Bulgarian friends from IWC who you respect and know. Don't be afraid! Come join us!

Zapovyaday!! Contact Jane by e mail: janeaewing@gmail.com.

Book Club

Hiking Club

Members read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively).

We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities. There is a morning meeting once a month on Friday.

For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@yahoo.com.

The hiking group is an energetic group of dedicated hikers who head up to Vitosha and the surrounding mountains every Friday. We usually meet at 9 am at Fantastico in Dragelevtsi. An email is sent to all hikers every Wednesday with more specific plans and this often includes different meeting points. A typical hike will bring us back to our meeting point at 2 or 3. For more information please write to Bistra Karakoleva (biskarakoleva@gmail.com)** NEW

Bridge The bridge group is renewing its playing sessions once a week starting from April as the private bridge club ”King of clubs” is not open during morning hours any more. Interested members are invited to play bridge with us. A place of the meeting will be fixed for each session. There is an English-speaking group and a French-speaking group. For more information contact Diana Kolarova: dianakolarova@yahoo.com, 0888 423 150 or Marieta Neykova: neykova-mp@dir.bg, 0889 84 93 54.

Tennis A group of members are starting to regularly play tennis together. We are of mixed ability and if you wish to join us or get on the regular emailing list then please contact Teodora Petrova on 0888495066 or her email on teodora_p@yahoo.com

English Conversation Group

Tuesday Playgroup

We are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome.

Please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

Mums and dads with babies, toddlers and small children, please come along to our weekly playgroup! We meet every Wednesday at 10am, at someone's home or in a park or play centre. It's a great opportunity to meet new people (some of us have lived in Sofia for many years so are great sources of advice and information too), and for the children to make friends. It's totally free and there is no obligation to host, so please do come and join us! For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Stephanie.Karaolis@gmail.com.

Spanish Conversation Group Everybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to our weekly meetings.

Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if 9

IWC October outings & events Up to 10 guests will be able to touch an examine the fine needle, as well as explain the meaning and symbols behind.

Tuesday, 3rd October 10.30: October Coffee Morning Venue: Capella Restaurant, Park Center Sofia

Thursday, 26th October

Friday, 13th October

12.30: Monthly lunch

Monthly night out – Dinner with jazz singer

Venue: Mondo Lounge Bar and Diner Address: 50, Daskal Stoyan Popandreev str. Boyana.

Unlike many rooftop bars in Sofia, which often have standing places only, Mondo Lounge Bar & Diner has made sure that there is an impressive selection of seating with uninterrupted views of the city. The overall effect is pretty impressive. Mondo has a definite lounge feel to it, laid back and ideal for dinner and groups. There is a mix of nature and industry in the decor, you could still have a great night out. https://www.facebook.com/pg/mondotheloungecoffeebar/

Venue: Morino Club Cost: 15 Lv (for the singer); Dinner: À la carte Address: 1, Macedonia square 20.00 Morino is a restaurant-club in Sofia, famous for its Italian passions, Spanish Tapas & Wine and Stage for live concerts.. Every Friday at Morino is a Jazz Night. Special guest singer will be Camelia Todorova. https://www.facebook.com/Morino.jazz.restaurant/

Thursday, 19th October 19.30: Opera event Venue: La Capella at Sofia Park Center Mall Address: 2, Arsenalski blvd, 3rd floor.

Cost: 65 Lv (wine, light bites, water and program); „Pavarotti Tribute” with famous opera arias and duets which will be performed by the most popular Bulgarian Opera Artists.You will have the pleasure of enjoying the everlasting music classics with a wine selection and bites at the lovely “La Capella” Restaurant. The event is exclusive for IWC members, their family and friends. For tickets email eventiopera@gmail.com or call 0888 558765.

Non IWC events Saturday, 7th October 20.00 Arena Armeec The members of emblematic Bulgarian rock band FSB will get together for their largest concert.

The musicians will mark their 40th anniversary together on stage with a spectacular concert in the Arena Arena Armeec. On October 7 (Saturday), the audience in the biggest hall in Bulgaria will hear the aging and beloved of generations of Bulgarian classics - "After ten years", "High", "No way", "Not so," "I love you here" and many other unforgettable compositions. Tickets for the shattering show are priced from 30 to 70 leva and are already on sale in the Eventim network.

FSB is the only native rock band honored with the highest honors for musical achievements - Grammy. They win the prestigious award for the arrangement of the world-famous hit by José Feliciano

Friday, 20th – Saturday, 21st October 15.00: Hungarikum Festival Friday from 15:00 until 18:00 Saturday from 10:00 until 18:00 Address: Gradska Gradina, 1000 Sofia center You can taste multiple Hungarian delicacies and find fine folk art pieces at the Hungarikum Festival that will open in the heart of Sofia, in „Gradska Gradina” .The IWC will be participating by running the Tombola stall and collecting the proceeds for charity. You wil have the opportunity to purchase your tickets for the IWC 23rd Annual Charity Bazaar.

http://www.eventim.bg/bg/bileti/fsb-sofia-sports-hall-arenaarmeec-457038/event.html

15th September – 26th November Tuesday, 24th October

In the Shadow of the Orient

11.00: Second Stallholders’ meeting

An exhibition presenting artists from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia Venue: Sofia City Art Gallery

Address: Polish Embassy, 47 Khan Krum st.

Tuesday, 24th October 19th September – 22nd October

10.00: Folk costumes exhibition

Iliya Beshkov: Holy and Stresses (Timidness and Frenzy)

Host: Maria Naslednikova Address: private (for members)

Venue: Sofia City Art Gallery

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Hungarikum Festival Have you ever tried the famous “Pick” salami while sipping “pálinka”, followed by „öreglebbencs” and “kürtős kalács” for a desert?

If not, then here comes the opportunity to taste these Hungarian flavors and many more!

You can taste multiple Hungarian delicacies and find fine folk art pieces at the “Hungarikum Festival” that will open in the heart of Sofia, in „Gradska Gradina” on 20 October 2017 at 3 PM and will last until 21 October at 6 PM. The Festival is part of the Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day program and features Hungarian folk music and dance performances that will bring you closer to the nature of Hungarian soul.

Come and try your luck in the raffle that will distribute many prizes!

The “Hungarikum Festival” is brought to you by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia.

For more information about the Hungarikum events please visit http://www.hungarikum.hu/en.

Looking forward to see you at the “Hungarikum Festival” !

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September Monthly Coffee Morning at Hilton Hotel

Over 86 women gathered on September 11th at the Hilton Hotel Sofia. The IWC September guest speaker Mrs. Nicole Simmons spoke to us about many issues women face internationally.

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September Monthly Coffee Morning at Hilton Hotel

..and September birthdays

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September Outings: Nadezhko Social Bakery “Bread is simply unmatched as an image of the important things in life.”

The Bread Houses Network is a non-for-profit association, whose mission is to create and unite centers for community-building, creativity, and social entrepreneurship with the cause to inspire individuals and communities to discover their creative potential and cooperate across all ages, economic opportunities, disabilities and trauma, and ethnic backgrounds – all through unique collective bread-making methods and proven Bread therapy with accompanying art forms and sustainable ecological education.

Nadezhko Social Bakery – Sofia Bread House offers a wide variety of ecological, handmade sourdough breads and different ecological products from Bulgaria. In the bakery we train and employ people from vulnerable groups: orphans, long-term unemployed, mothers of many children. At Nadezhko, we offer diverse special paid programs, and the financial income from our paid services supports: • •

our various social projects regular weekly free Bread therapy sessions with our proven methods helping people with disabilities, orphans, women victims of domestic violence, former prisoners; veterans; elderly homes and hospices; etc.

• regular weekly community baking events for mixed groups fostering social cohesion and integration across all ages and special needs • Ovens for Peace program: uniting refugees and local people to make bread and share their diverse traditions in order to foster the refugees’ local social integration For more information: www.nadezhko.com.

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Vice-president Nomination Dear President, Nomination Committee and IWC Members, My name is Maya Metodieva.

I would like to express my interest in the IWC Vice President position.

I have enjoyed being part of the IWC in the last year.

As an assistant Bazaar coordinator of our main charity event, it was my pleasure to contribute for the successful planning, execution and after-events of the 2016 IWC Charity Bazaar.

I am aware that the Vice Presidential role is important and I am ready and up for this challenge.

A little bit about myself – I`m a business woman, a mother of two boys. I have а Bachelor degree in Economics – Business Administration. Having worked in multicultural and multinational companies and Foreign Embassies in Bulgaria for over 25 years, I have the experience — financial and business knowledge, confidence, decision making and problem solving qualities and effective team work and team management skills combined with my ambitions to bring successful conclusions. My linguistic range covers — English, Bulgarian, Russian and Greek.

I`ve been a Co-founder of Driving school and Transportation company. For the last 5 years I have managed my own Facility Management company, and as a CEO and founder I have the business acumen and the outlook which I believe are important attributes for the Vice Presidential candidate.

As a businesswoman I have some ideas for the kind of social and charity organization the IWC is. I believe that as a team of international ladies we can expand the good work of the club, have fun along the way and be proud of our achievements.

I am looking forward to this opportunity to use my knowledge, motivation and dedication to support such a worthy organization.

I am honored and grateful for the nomination and I thank you all for this opportunity.

Yours sincerely, Maya Metodieva

Treasurer Nomination Hello! My name is Mary Gullett. My husband, Austin, and I moved to Sofia in March of this year where he has started his job as the US Assistant Naval Attachè.

A little bit about me; I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida where I later attended university receiving my bachelors degree in Family and Child Sciences. I married Austin in 2012 and began life in the Navy. We’ve moved from Miami, Virginia Beach, DC to here where we will spend the next 3 years.

While in Virginia Beach I became the Vice President of the Family Readiness Group for the unit my husband was attached. The purpose was to bring families together and to be there for them when our significant others deployed. I enjoy getting to know others and helping out where I’m able. That is why being a part of IWC is important to me and an important way for me to give back my time. I am excited to be a part of the new board and of course to be a part of such an amazing and interesting group of ladies!

Mary Gullett 16

Members News and Announcements

October birthdays

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Lilly White: 5 October th Sunny Stimmler: 12 October th Mihaela Dobre: 16 October th Lynne Godding: 25 October th Sonya Petrova: 30 October

Our center "House of Art & Lang's" offers courses in languages such as: English, Arabic, and Bulgarian all taught in highly professional manners by certified teachers. We provide tutoring for school students to improve their skills in all subjects and homework.

An international artist will be teaching drawing and painting in English, Bulgarian, or Arabic.

House of Arts & Lang's Lozenets, Lyubata str. 19, 1st floor, office No.1, Sofia, Bulgaria +359 888 711 103 Â / Â +359 876 654 447 Facebook page: House of arts & Lang's Site: Â www.houseartlang.com

Birth Announcement Congratulations đ&#x;’? !!

It's a Boyđ&#x;‘ś On the 16th of September, Lina Valtchev and her family welcomed their third child Yakim Valtchev, 3300 kg, 51 cm.

CALL FOR IWC GENERAL MEETING THE BOARD OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB, BULSTAT 121701272 ON THE GROUNDS OF ART. 9 OF THE CONSTITUENT ACT IS CALLING A GENERAL MEETING ON TUESDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:30AM AT CAPELLA PLAY, PARK CENTER SOFIA MALL. 2 ARSENALSKI BLVD. 69, ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 9E OF THE IWC CONSTITUTION, UNDER THE FOLLOWING AGENDA:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Art Lirica Agency would like to invite you to its

* ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD; * MISCELLANEOUS

first edition

„Pavarotti Tribute�

REGISTRATION FOR THE GM WILL START AT 10: 15AM AND WILL END AT 11:00 AM. IF THERE IS NO QUORUM THE GM WILL TAKE PLACE THE SAME DAY AT 12:00NOON IN THE SAME PLACE WITH THE SAME AGENDA. ALL WRITTEN DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SUGGESTED VOTING AGENDA ARE AVAILABLE AT THE IWC OFFICE.

with famous opera arias and duets which will be performed by the most popular Bulgarian Opera Artists.

You will have the pleasure to enjoy the everlasting music classics with a wine selection and bites at the lovely “La Capella� Restaurant.

Hello Ladies, Â Â Â Â Would you like to Lead & Start a new Activity in addition to our Ongoing Activities?

Let us know the type of activity (name and a short description) and who will assist you?

Date: 19th October 2017 (Thursday) Time: 7:30 pm Venue: La Capella, 2, Arsenalski blvd, Sofia Park Center, 3rd floor

Do not hesitate to send me & Lilly White an email at dm-c@operamail.com & president@iwc-sofia.org

You can order tickets on email: eventiopera@gmail.com or on 0888 308858 and 0888 558765

 Diana Michaels-Christopher, Ph.D.  dm-c@operamail.com

Limited seats!

Price: 65.00 BGN 17

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk, such as changing risk factors that are under your control.

The following are steps you can take to lower your risk: Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. Don't smoke. Control your weight. Be physically active. Breast-feed. Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution.

This is a list zod food packed with vitamins, anti-oxidants & anti-inflammatory compounds to Add to Your Diet: Broccoli, Lean fish, Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, Tuna, Carrots, Sweet potatoes, Cantaloupe, Apples, Walnuts, Pomegranates, Flax Seeds, Turmeric, Garlic, Onion, All Berries such as Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries. Green tea and white tea both contain catechins, chemicals that seem to show some benefit in breast cancer prevention.

Despite some controversy, studies show that breast cancer screening with mammography saves lives. It doesn’t help prevent cancer, but it can help find cancer early when it’s most treatable. For most women, regular mammograms can begin at age 40, but specific recommendations vary by age and risk.

If you are age 40 – 44: You can choose to begin yearly mammograms. It is important to talk to a doctor about the risk and benefits of mammograms at these ages.

If you are age 45 – 54: Mammograms are recommended every year.

If you are age 55 or over: Mammograms are recommended every other year. You can choose to continue to have them every year.

Clinical breast exams and self-exams are not recommended may not be the best option, but you should be familiar with your breasts and tell a health care provider right away if you notice any changes in how your breasts look or feel.

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