The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 5 #15 by Consultancy Market Media

vol. 5 #15 – 21 August 2012

The Sentinel Amsterdam

Integrity, heart, humour

feature

TRIPPING DAYS

LANDING JANA’S ON PLANET COLOGNE BASS PERSPECTIVES LIFESTYLES TRAVEL OPINION

review TECHNOLOGY ART FILM

MUSIC TRENDS RECOMMENDED SPORT

Contents

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photos/illustrations that are subject to copyright. If you consider your copyright to have been infringed, please contact us at sentinelpost@gmail.com.

CONTENTS

In this issue feature

P. 04 TRIPPING DAYS

Planet bass

p. 12 review

50° 57’ N 6° 58’ E

Berlin

‘Amsterdam can reflect just about anywhere in the world’

perspectives

‘Clärchens Ballhaus, a place that doesn’t fit into any category ‘

p.54 sport

Unfair employment

P. 52

p. 80 more:

The Gold Room

‘Workers from all over Europe came to the Netherlands to fill the vacancies Dutch people couldn’t fill’

culture Parade 2012

p. 36

Café Review ‘t Nieuwe Diep

p. 40

star beer guide Gower Gold

p. 56

RECOMMENDED

p.58

Spotted p. 60 Where is this in Amsterdam? Film Review: Room 2c p. 60

ColoPHon The Sentinel Amsterdam e-mail: sentinelpost@gmail.com website: www.thesentinel.eu Contributors: Nadia Liefmeyer , Magenta Tuunes, Antonia Egon, Simon Owusu, David King, Dirkje Bakker-Pierre and Simon Joseph

Editors – Gary Rudland & Denson Pierre Design, realisation and form – Andrei Barburas & No-Office.nl Webmaster – www.sio-bytes.tumblr.com Webhost – Amsterjammin.com

Trends A fashion of (s)ports

p. 62

Technology TechBit: Sio-Bytes

p. 66

Sport On the volley

p. 68

feature

Planet bass â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It was all about Jamaica; not just the sheer electricity of Boltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

feature

‘The first restaurant of this flavour in the Netherlands’

By Denson Pierre

Amsterdam can reflect just about anywhere in the world, from one day to the next, it seems. On 5 August it was all about Jamaica; not just the sheer electricity of Bolt on the Olympic track but an overall celebration of the culture and pride of the Caribbean nation. The occasion was the fully engaging celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence from Great Britain. The happening was organised and hosted by Rose of Planet Rose Caribbean Restaurant (http://www.planetrose.info/ index.html). This is said to have been the first restaurant of this flavour in the Netherlands and, over the years, it has come to define the cuisine here, especially through Jamaican specialities. Indeed, Planet Rose has progressed so well that it can now proudly display a 9+ review rating, awarded by Amsterdam’s other recognised reviewer of affordable, quality food and dining, Johannes van Dam. Johannes is a meat lover and, as such, you will surely appreciate his opinion when you try the perennial Planet Rose favourite, Jerk chicken. Truth be told, The Sentinel would prefer to point you to the Ital menu, as this is closer to what soul food is all about, but that can wait for another report. For the day itself, Rose managed to gain one of those increasingly elusive licenses to erect a bouncy castle for the kids

and to play louder than conversation-level music, blaring out into the Amsterdam West neighbourhood. It was, of course, all about post-independence beat music, ranging from rocksteady and ska to speaker-busting reggae. With a full complement of DJs (special mention to Daddy Fridge and Daddy Yush), singers and a drumologist’s one-man orchestra, it turned out to be a proper Caribbean session. As it turned out, those who came to sample the celebration menu also found themselves driven to the dining-area-cumdancefloor by the pulsating riddims Jamaica can claim as its gift to world culture. This was an excellent alternative event and Amsterdam should have more of these authentic happenings, rather than the confused, ‘ghetto’ versions that South East Amsterdam tends to stage and which usually have very little to do with a Caribbean vibe, beyond the superficial, predominant skin colour and bass-led beats. The Caribbean, for those who can afford it, is perhaps the best part of the world to visit for good times and an easily accessible culture. Thank goodness for Planet Rose in Amsterdam, as those who find her and her team won’t just lick their plates clean but will get a taste of relaxation and friendliness, while learning that Jamaica is much more than the marketing brand it has become. Happy 50th anniversary to the Jamaican people!

‘It was, of course, all about post-independence beat music, ranging from rocksteady and ska to speaker-busting reggae’

feature

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;An excellent alternative event and Amsterdam should have more of these authentic happeningsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

05 07

feature

05 09

feature

‘Those who find her and her team won’t just lick their plates clean but will get a taste of relaxation and friendliness‘

classifieds sport

classifieds

Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises. That’s Mechelen. Hospitable and honourable. That’s the people of Mechelen. Come and experience the city’s urban charms for yourself.

tripping days

Jana’s Cologne ‘It seems that when Germans make a plan they stick to it meticulously!’

tripping days

‘The mood of the residents is confident, relaxed and businesslike, when business is what fuels everything that is tangible in modern living’ By Denson Pierre

When it comes to long-term planning, I am very much a man who lives in the moment. I am not known for planning things so far ahead they can only leave room for perfection. Jana is my only female German friend I consider worthy of that title away from Facebook, where the term can be diluted to mean ‘reasonable acquaintance’, at times. We got to know each other during the time she lived and worked here in the Netherlands, some five years ago, and she moved back to Germany 2.5 years ago. She had been inviting me to come over to Cologne for some time, to get a feeling for why she loved it there so much. I have just returned from four days spent in one of the great old cities of Europe with an industrially romantic backdrop of the mighty Rhine, which is a massive, very busy, working waterway, in spite of its natural beauty.

tripping days

‘Jana’s patch has not yet turned into the characterless pit of trendy and posing middle classers De Pijp seems to have become’ To understand Jana’s level of unrelenting organisation, about which I tease her whenever we have contact, I should mention that the trip was agreed in May. Yes, May! Apparently, Jana had more than four months already planned-out, including weekends, and it seems that when Germans make a plan they stick to it meticulously! I now have even greater respect and admiration for this national characteristic or stereotype. The simple 2 hour 15 minute journey on the German-engineered NS ICE HighSpeed train from Amsterdam to Cologne Central (Ubf) is like time travel. Not in the lazy manner Hollywood tries to program us into believing can only happen with the right leading man and woman and a ridiculous plot, but travel back to a time just five years ago, when most mature economies in Europe were so effervescent. In Cologne (and Germany), it is as if there hasn’t been the same economic strife and physical bruising that has pained my eyes and heart throughout the many cities I have happened to visit over the past four years. The mood of the residents is confident, relaxed and businesslike, when business is what fuels everything that is tangible in modern living. This creates an instantly happy city. With this immediate impression, it was time to head out and see how Amsterdam matches up, in terms of being recommended for an activity filled, yet cultured and chilled, weekend break.

In order to make this comparison (as you will see from some of the photos), I felt obliged to look at Amsterdam’s own central transport hub and all its nearing completion or just completed structural work, illuminated by brilliant, warm, summer morning sunshine. This has been a rare sight and feeling in Dutch summers of recent years, so I was happy to be carrying a camera. From Cologne Central to Jana’s neighbourhood of Südstadt (District South), which I liken to Amsterdam’s De Pijp (19971999 vintage), in terms of feel, blend of businesses, affordable housing, and a certain lack of pretentiousness displayed by members of its community, who may well, in fact, be very high income earners. Jana’s patch has not yet turned into the characterless pit of trendy and posing middle classers De Pijp seems to have become. Cologne is alive with smiling folk, polite hospitality and customer service-geared staff. Prices may not be dramatically less than those here but the difference is that, with wages on the rise and the economy remaining stimulated and in growth, those prices must feel comfortable for Cologne residents. Over a long weekend spent criss-crossing the city on various outings, I can honestly say that I saw just one frontline, prime location standing empty and looking for new tenants. Businesses are being patronised and things roll along in what has become an alien manner in most places. Even here in Amsterdam, ‘to

‘Here in Amsterdam, ‘to rent’, ‘clearance sale’ and ‘moving out’ signs are becoming far too common throughout the city’s various business sectors’

tripping days

‘Kolsch, the local, trade-protected name for lager beer made within the confines of greater Cologne, is affordably available’

rent’, ‘clearance sale’ and ‘moving out’ signs are becoming far too common throughout the city’s various business sectors (not to mention all those heavily German invested/ owned but forever 70% empty skyscrapers in Zuider Amstel and Sloterdijk). Recreation is pleasant in Cologne. Kolsch, the local, tradeprotected name for lager beer made within the confines of greater Cologne, is affordably available in glasses traditionally the size of what we would call a fluitje. There is a reasonably heavy tourist presence in the city on a sunny weekend and the only people I observed drinking large measures of kolsch from half litre, or even larger measured, glasses were the English tourists, who were most likely in the city for a friendly football match. Kolsch is class-A lager and refreshing as can be. It was evident, though, that a high proportion of beer lovers were opting for the tall and tastier ‘white’ and cloudier specialities, imported from other regions of Germany with that tradition and a wider variety of beer types. This could also have been an aberration, as the white beers are also citrus flavoured and this tells the brain that they are thirst quenching (the 2.00pm temperatures over the days I spent in Cologne were 24˚C, 26˚C and 28˚C). Maybe these conditions also contributed towards the great

number of women, including Jana, choosing for wine or the typically German wienschlosser (wine with water added). So, great food, lovely drinks, fun people, loads of activities, museums and cultural options consistent with a very old city, classy sporting facilities, an English-language cinema (I saw ‘Prometheus’, again, not even subtitled in German!), a river and promenade, not costing a cent for relaxation or exercise, and most importantly, everything seems to work. Not as a clichéd take on the German nation but a reality. Given that all these things do work and the residents are not outwardly stressed about their economic situation, you would be wise to plan a trip to Cologne and experience some joy in a time of difficulty for most across the continent. Thank you, Jana, and no doubt I will see you there again soon. Not even the Neo-Nazi rally held across in Viereck, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, over the same weekend could detract from the positive role of Germany in Europe. And it is great to see the economy there continuing to grow, despite the malaise almost everywhere else. It must really be all in the planning. http://womensrun.runnersworld.de/bericht-koeln/7-159laeuferinnen-beim-women-s-run-koeln-2012.277061.htm

‘You would be wise to plan a trip to Cologne and experience some joy in a time of difficulty for most across the continent’

tripping days

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Day segments and rates: PR: 08:00-12:30hrs / AG: 13:30-16:30hrs / UE: 17:30-21:30hrs All sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult. Group size upper limit = 8. Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25%. Family package rates are negotiable.

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perspectives

‘The Dutch language was not required and still is not for many’

‘In 2010 the Belastingdienst (Inland Revenue) was ordered to discontinue the practice of offering information in English’

perspectives

Spreek je Nederlands of niet? Unfair employment By Valeria Scimia

Around 10 years ago, or thereabouts, tax concessions led to a considerable number of multinational companies moving their headquarters to Amsterdam. Many workers from all over Europe came to the Netherlands to fill the vacancies Dutch people couldn’t fill, since usually English plus another (non-Dutch) European language was what was required to work in these companies. Many German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Nordic, and Central and Eastern European people relocated to Amsterdam, to work in their own languages (plus English). The Dutch language was not required and still is not for many of these jobs, such as call-centre agents in international companies like Booking or Stream. Most of these full-time employees are not even provided with a Dutch course by the companies. European Union citizens are not required to take the inburgering (naturalisation) test and the English language is deemed more than adequate, since it is spoken effortlessly at almost all institutions. Between 2000 and 2010 the Netherlands needed all the internationals it could get working here, paying taxes and increasing business with their home countries through their language support. Just like that, however, in 2010 the Belastingdienst (Inland Revenue) was ordered to discontinue the practice of offering information in English, forcing

many businesses to re-adjust. Since the economic crisis began, in 2008, many international companies have been closing and/or relocating to cheaper countries, leaving many unemployed people behind to sort out their own unemployment benefit. This is not such a bad fate, since the Netherlands has premium unemployment benefits. However, it is now very difficult for people who don’t speak Dutch to exercise their rights, given that institutions like the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen) refuse to deliver information in English over the telephone. Funnily enough, the UWV does have an English version of its site that provides complete information to European citizens working in the Netherlands (see link below). Nevertheless, I cannot find any government statement that prohibits the UWV from providing information in English. It makes little sense for them to refuse to provide information in English to newly unemployed Europeans (or any other legally resident international) who have paid their taxes and have the right to receive information on Dutch unemployment regulations from the designated offices. Many international residents who find themselves having to call the UWV have even been told to ask someone in the street and have them speak in Dutch over the phone. This is a very uncomfortable situation for anyone who has just gone through a dismissal. I find it almost outrageous, from a humanistic point of view, that a civil service should suggest using ‘someone in the street’ to translate someone else’s personal circumstances. This is not a fair way to treat the many people who, for years, have paid heavily into the

‘Send them on a paid Dutch course before shutting the door in their face’

perspectives

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;People can then learn their European employment rights without needing to search many caves to find themâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

perspectives

‘Now, because the unemployment rate is increasing, they’re trashing international workers, claiming the Dutch territory for Dutch employees only’ system and deserve the same unemployment rights. There should be a solution available to these people. At least send them on a paid Dutch course before shutting the door in their face. Personally, I have learned some Dutch over the years, because I am curious, but it was never actually required during my 12 years of employment. I agree that speaking Dutch would make it easier for the newly unemployed to become employed again, but shouldn’t they be provided with an intensive course to attain the necessary level of Dutch to find a new job? There might be many other solutions but, for now, the focus should be on the way employees of governmental institutions provide information to legal residents. Many of the mainly European former employees find themselves having to leave the Netherlands to get a new job. Since many of these people have dedicated their prime years to working in this foreign country, they should also receive assistance in relocating, either from their former companies or the CWI. EU information on conditions for receiving Dutch unemployment benefit when moving back to your own country of permanent residence, for example, should be provided in English at the UWV and Belastingdienst. People can then learn their European employment rights without needing to search many caves to find them. Especially now that all of Europe is suffering from economic crisis and many people are moving from country to country, there should be extra support for workers who have invested time and money in building the Europe of today. It’s too easy to say, “Spreek je Nederlands of niet?” when the same Dutch people have benefitted from all the international workers over the past ten years. Now, because the unemployment rate is increasing, they’re trashing international workers, claiming the Dutch territory for Dutch employees only. This is fine, but they must assume at least part of the responsi-

bility for creating the situation we’re all in and, instead of acting like raging bulls against the non-natives, implement a smooth transition to employ Dutch nationals first and relocate international workers within the Netherlands or elsewhere. This is a call for all native Dutch residents to understand how much they have gained from international workers and treat them with a little more respect. It’s a call for human rights, normally so well maintained in this country. What is happening to the Netherlands? When did it lose its tolerance and openness? I hope someone will pick this up and update the information systems, making it possible for former employees to at least get to know their rights, help them, teach them, educate them in the new economic situation facing the Netherlands and Europe. And for the people who are treated badly by civil servants refusing to speak English, remember to be prepared: check the institution’s website before calling, check if it has information in English and, if they do, whether they are obliged to speak to you in English. If that person is not able to speak English, ask for someone else or keep calling until someone else picks up and speaks to you. Dutch people say you have to demand what you want, so remember this is part of their culture. You may not get what you ask for and expect unless you are prepared to enter into a little battle to get what you want. It’s a bit of a struggle but that’s how you get the important things in life; they never come easy. You must help yourself because, at this point, the Dutch people are in a panic and cannot really even help themselves. So help them to help you by providing the best information you can and politely asking for your rights. They cannot simply deny them. CWI in English: https://www.werk.nl/werk_nl/werknemer/

‘This is a call for all native Dutch residents to understand how much they have gained from international workers and treat them with a little more respect’

CLASSIFIEDS

culture

Parade 2012 By Denson Pierre

Every summer, since 1990, Martin Luther Kingpark has hosted the Parade: a riotous mix of fringe theatre, circus and other off-beat acts, as part of a full event space, with wacky bars and traditional and unusual eats to keep visitors entertained for long periods. During its first couple of seasons, it was free to enter but it has reached the point of popularity and demand that justifies charging a modest â&#x201A;Ź6 entry fee. It is well worth a visit, come rain or shine, and the bonus for those with kids is that it remains free entry before 4.00pm during the week. Not many of the podiums are open at that time and you only have until 26 August to take advantage of this healthy dose of fun. www.deparade.nl

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It was free to enter but it has reached the point of popularity and demand that justifies chargingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

culture

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Square and Wenceslas Square. After a decade in the Czech market this Marriott flagship property represents a symbol of superior and dedicated service combined with local know how and expertise. The hotel interior was recently renovated; its rooms and suites now offer even more comfort and luxury. All 293 spacious guest rooms are fully equipped with high speed wired and wi-fi internet, personal safe, mini-bar, satellite TV with LCD screens, movies and music on demand, voice mail, data ports, individual climate control and a comfortable working area.

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classifieds

review

Welcome to Cl채rchens Ballhaus

review

‘This magical place is a multi-dimensional joy in the summer season, starting with its garden’

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

Auguststraße 24 10117 Berlin

Is it a restaurant, a bar, a disco or a time capsule? No, it’s Clärchens Ballhaus, a place that doesn’t fit into any category of this, all of a sudden, very ordinary world in which we live. Berlin is a city that never stops surprising you. There are so many places to visit in this largerthan-life metropolis (especially when arriving from our cosy little village of Amsterdam); you can’t help coming back to them, time and again. One of these and perhaps the best, since it never becomes boring, has been around for ages and will hopefully remain for a long time to come. Clärchens Ballhaus transports its guests into a state of open-eyed dreaming (without the use of drugs). This magical place is a multi-dimensional joy in the summer season, starting with its garden. On this particularly lovely, warm and sunny day the huge flowery garden was completely packed with people eating and waiters running around with sweat streaming off their brows. Situated at the heart of the old centre of Berlin, it makes you feel as if you are visiting some old aunt who really enjoys tending her garden. The coloured lights and flowering shrubs and bushes give it a very festive and laid-back feel. You just totally relax into your seat, which is a good thing because it is so busy that it can be pretty hard to catch one of the quite characteristic waiters’ attention (I am not going to reveal any more than this; you will simply have to go there and experience it yourself).

ordered, it is a short wait before your food is served. As a starter, we had a huge bowl of the lushest, juiciest and freshest olives we had ever seen or tasted in our lives. They could have just been picked from a hidden grove just beyond the old garden walls. The salad that followed consisted of a huge pile of fresh, soft salad leaves, topped by a mountain of cantharel mushrooms, all super fresh, simple and full of great taste. The wood-burning-oven-baked pizza I had as a main course was equally impressive; fresh, crispy and simply yummy. Eating this fresh, homely food while sat outside on a silky warm summer’s evening was pure enjoyment and I can’t wait to go back for more. When you are finished dining, at around 9.00 pm, and have a relaxed mind and body, it’s time to enter the Ballhaus. On Wednesday evenings you will be consumed by the world of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and swing music. The glittering curtains along the walls, the huge disco ball scattering light throughout the huge, authentic, old ballroom, the fantastic German white beer and all the people dancing the night away make this an experience that is hard to adequately describe. It is full of people swinging around to the enthusing music, all dressed up for a dance party, as if it really was the ‘50s or ‘60s. Huge skirts, flowery prints, big hair; it’s all there and it’s all dancing and jumping around, and sometimes even being tossed around in the air. People of all ages, types and dancing skills are getting into the mood, with everyone going for it like there is no tomorrow. It takes only seconds to become totally enthralled by this special place. Be sure to visit the Ballhaus when you are in Berlin, especially on a Wednesday, which is Swing night. Enjoy!

The menu features simple, traditional German dishes and some Italian food and pizzas. The portions that rush past are huge, fresh and tasty looking. Luckily, once you have

‘Coloured lights and flowering shrubs and bushes give it a very festive and laid-back feel’

review

‘On Wednesday evenings you will be consumed by the world of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and swing music’

review

‘Huge skirts, flowery prints, big hair; it’s all there and it’s all dancing and jumping around, and sometimes even being tossed around in the air’

cafe/bar review

distillery ‘t Nieuwe Diep ‘Amsterdam has a new, highly atmospheric, must-do hospitality address for those in the know’

cafe/bar review

By Denson Pierre

Flevopark 13 Amsterdam Oost

City gem Hope springs eternal in Amsterdam, it seems. During the most recent hot summer Friday, I stumbled upon a treat of a place in an area not visited for a few years. A relaxing cycle tour of East Amsterdam took my wife and I around and into Flevopark. Having lived nearby for many years in the past, I felt I knew the park and its many jewels reasonably well. Imagine my surprise, then, when a little turn off one of the pleasure pathways brought us to the gate of a gin distillery and selected guest drinks cafĂŠ (proeflokaal) housed in one of the listed buildings nestled on the edge of the park!

With a main terrace overlooking a large pond, in the midst of heavily green, secluding foliage, Amsterdam has a new, highly atmospheric, must-do hospitality address for those in the know. It really is a lovely place and immediately makes you feel like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on holiday in some remote village, rather than just a very short walk from the tram line 7 terminal. The prices charged for various high quality drinks will also cause you to pinch yourself. They are exceptionally affordable, given the great selection, and include their speciality, distilled on site. Grab the chance to visit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t Nieuw Diep on a summery afternoon. It is the most outstanding new find of the 2012 warm period and proves that Amsterdam still has the ability to surprise. www.nwediep.nl

cafe/bar review

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The most outstanding new find of the 2012 warm periodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

cafe/bar review

star beer guide

The Sentinel Star beer guide By Denson Pierre

Gower Gold (4.5% A.B.V.) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This brightly coloured and aromatic special goes down like vitamin enhanced waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; An ideal summertime beer. This brightly coloured and aromatic special goes down like vitamin enhanced water when served freshly pulled from the tap. It is a thirst quencher and the clarity affording citrus flavour effect shoots down the back of your throat and around your taste buds, making this South Wales newcomer feel like an old sunny day friend saying hello again. Gower Gold is brewed by The Gower Brewery, Swansea, South Wales, UK.

AMSTERDAM Amsterdam, Red Light District 01.08.12

R ecommended

We find the best, most fun, most typical, exciting, or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you; an easy way to feel like a local.

9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

5 75 - Fax 033 454 35 79 Connoisseurs Delight To Be Seen and -Tasted mproef@eurogifts.nl : www.eurogifts.nl

Cafe Tisfris Cafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks, funky pillars and terrace. Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for “yummy” refreshments.

59 Fun, Drinking & Music

ORDERNUMMER: 60 ARTIKELNUMMER: 65

Opera Prima Patisserie Bistro Traiteur The best place in town for lunch, exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering, both private and corporate!

Mulligans Irish Music Bar Amsterdam’s best address for live Irish music: Five (5) nights a week! Check our agenda for upcoming sessions.

St. Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdam Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdam www.tisfris.nl www.operaprima.nl

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdam www.mulligans.nl

To Be Seen and Tasted

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Cafe restaurant Edel Cafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch, dinner or to simply enjoy a drink. Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam.

Incanto Incanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen. Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance. The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines.

Café Kostverloren Café Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon, an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room. During summer there is a large, sunny terrace and during winter, an open fireplace!

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdam www.edelamsterdam.nl

Amstel 2 Amsterdam www.restaurant-incanto.nl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdam www.cafekostverloren.nl

Fun, Drinking & Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Neighbourhood cosy

Café Oporto Café Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam ‘brown cafe’. Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike, they offer televised sports, wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits.

Planet Rose Planet Rose is the first Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands, which specializes in Jamaican cuisine. The menu features a daily changing selection of Jamaican/ Caribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole experience while dining with them!

Vibes Café Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon, an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room. During summer there is a large, sunny terrace and during winter, an open fireplace!

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdam www.cafeoporto.net/home

Amstel 2 Amsterdam www.restaurant-incanto.nl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdam www.wix.com/vibes137/vibes

SPOTTED

Where is this in Amsterdam? Answer to: sentinelpost@gmail.com

Film review

Room 2c film By David King

Glory (1989) Set during the American Civil War, an unsettled and slightly prejudiced young captain is placed in charge of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, comprised of white infantrymen and a mixture of black volunteers and slaves. The two groups set about working out their differences before contesting one of the bloodiest battles of the entire conflict. Denzel Washington is at his finest, as his first Oscar statuette attests.

Room 2c film By dpmotions

Man on the Moon (1999) This may come to be regarded as the only role in which Jim Carey cannot be accused of overacting, since he portrays a genuinely oddball comedian/actor from his preceding generation. The bizarre story of Andy Kaufman is retold in this biographical film and it is as unsettlingly funny as he was perplexing. You may well laugh and then cry during this movie.

trends

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In third place (Bronze): Great Britain In second place (Silver): The United States of America In first place (Gold): Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

trends

A fashion of s(p)orts

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

Ralph Lauren designed the rather preppy outfits for the USA Olympians. Although the design didn’t receive much critique, it had members of congress fuming, because the stylish red, white and blue-themed garments were made in China. Two of their many quotes were, “I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again,” and “If they have to wear nothing but a singlet that says USA on it, painted by hand, then that’s what they should wear”. The choice caused a major uproar and kept people talking for a long time. There was also some controversy in Great Britain, although in this case it was about the design. Stella McCartney’s Team GB kit received a lot of criticism due to the virtual omission of the colour red (the outfits feature shades of blue shaped in a stylised version of the Union flag). One of the headlines on the subject was: “Oh no, they’ve turned the Union flag blue!” The internet was burning hot with comments and critique like: “Massive fail!!!! These are not our national colours!!!! Did someone not get the memo?” Even less of a success was the shapeless, bright pink and purple outfits that volunteers had to wear during the games. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, even ‘apologized’ for

the uniforms the Olympic volunteers had to wear. Greeting some of the 8,000 ‘London Ambassadors’ he said, “What do you think of the uniform? It’s quite striking, isn’t it? I hope you don’t feel too ridiculous.” Another country to falter remarkably in the development of its athletes’ outfits was Spain. With the country being virtually bankrupt, its Olympic committee decided to save some money and ordered free uniforms from a Russian firm named Bosco. They are so incredibly style-less that a lot of Spain’s Olympians actually protested against wearing the clothes, which have become the laughing stock of the entire country. One of the athletes tweeted: “At home trying on the Olympic clothes. Best I don’t comment”. Spanish officials acknowledge that they chose the outfits because they were free. Online comments on the disastrous designs include the suggestion that they make the athletes look like pizza delivery boys and that they could have been inspired by World Championship Wrestling star, Hulk Hogan. In the ranking of countries in terms of failure with their Olympic outfits we present the following results: In third place (Bronze): Great Britain In second place (Silver): The United States of America In first place (Gold): Spain So, yet another medal for the Brits even if is it only a bronze and the Spanish run off with the gold this time. Congratulations Spain!

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TechBit: Sio-Bytes

General patents ‘Samsung spies managed to steal secret plans to Apple’s ultimate weapons’

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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... We are living in a time of patent wars. Apple spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Samsung Empire with their music device, the iPod. During the battles, Samsung spies managed to steal secret plans to Apple’s ultimate weapons, the iPhone and iPad, a smartphone and tablet with enough power to dominate an entire industry… Pursued by Apple lawyers, Samsung’s designers race home aboard their starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save their profit margins and restore freedom to the smartphone market... In the patent battle of the decade, Apple is seeking US$ 2.5 billion in damages from Samsung, which it claims has violated Apple’s patent rights by creating devices in the likeness of Apple iPhones and iPads. By Wikipedia’s definition, “a patent is a form of intellectual property that consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to an inventor, for a limited period of time, in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention”.

‘Ideas might not be shared and could be lost, possibly forever’ Patents promote innovation, by allowing inventors the exclusive right to generate income from their ideas for a limited period, following which anyone can use that patent to create their own inventions. Without patents, inventors would keep their ideas secret, for fear of them being stolen, so only they could capitalise on them. If they failed to patent them, those ideas might not be shared and could be lost, possibly forever. Since patents are in the public domain, an open forum for innovation and sharing is established and originators of game-changing ideas are rewarded. Inventors can license their ideas to someone else, if they wish, and claim royalties for the use of their invention. After the patent expires, others can capitalise on those ideas, ensuring continuing innovation. Therefore, some might say patents are good, while others disagree; hence the Apple vs Samsung trial. The crux of the argument is that patents give one company sole control of an innovating technology that can revolutionise an industry to the detriment of others. Samsung believes the intellectual property patented by Apple is preventing other companies from innovating, since they are required to license Apple technology; technology that Samsung believes should be a de facto standard, such as the iPhone’s ‘slide to unlock’ feature. Samsung argues that this is the standard way all smartphones should be unlocked and, since it is very popular, that Apple should not be allowed to ‘own’ this feature and license it to other companies at a price, or prevent other companies from using it. The same goes for

the look and feel of iPhones and iPads, and the touchscreen multi-gesture features they utilise. Apple argues that it was the originator of those ideas and should therefore be able to capitalise on them. Everyone else should invest time and effort in creating their own industry changing ideas, rather than simply copying Apple’s ideas because the iPhone and iPad are very popular and almost synonymous with the words smartphones and tablets. Both sides make compelling arguments but it all boils down to this: if Apple did not make the iPhone, would the smartphones of today have evolved from those that existed before the iPhone’s launch? Apple believes that the mobile phones of the time were on a different trajectory and that the iPhone changed this trajectory with its touchscreen and multi-finger gestures, among other key features. Samsung’s copycat strategy prior to the iPhone’s release is very telling. At the time, one of the most popular pre-iPhone corporate smartphones was the Blackberry. Samsung then released the BlackJack phone, which in name (BlackJack vs. Black-Berry), form and functionality was very similar (surprise, surprise) to the Blackberry. Nokia had their popular consumer phone, the Nokia 6500, which was very similar to the later Samsung U800. One could be drawn to the conclusion that Samsung had simply looked at the two most popular phones from the two biggest manufacturers of the day and had ripped them off. Enter the iPhone and, true to form, after its release, Samsung released its ‘iPhone’. Apple is not opposed to patents and innovation, but to blatant copying. This is not only limited to the phones and tablets but also stretches to their packaging, cabling and advertising, which Samsung has also mimicked. Samsung has unashamedly made its own smartphone, based on Apple’s iPhone. The trial has highlighted confidential documents and internal Samsung memos, which made its strategy clear: copy the iPhone. There were internal emails from JK Shin, Samsung’s head of mobile communications, instructing his team to “make something like the iPhone”. Also “directions for improvement” documents instructed Samsung’s designers to lift design elements from Apple but to remove elements that would give a strong impression that Samsung had copied the iPhone. With such compelling evidence against Samsung, which has almost conceded that it did wholeheartedly copy the iPhone, the company has changed the tone of its argument. Samsung is now of the position that everyone copied from everyone else and that Apple is just as guilty of copying. This is where the battle is currently being fought. If Samsung can prove that Apple has innovated by copying other companies’ ideas for their iPhones and iPads, then Samsung cannot be sued for doing the same with Apple’s smartphones. A weak defence but the trial continues. Stay tuned for the sequel and to see if the Apple Empire Strikes Back!

‘Everyone else should invest time and effort in creating their own industry changing ideas’

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On The Volley ‘Most days of the week, it’s fair to say, I experienced frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts’

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‘At this early stage in my rehab, I’m already asking myself, why on earth am I doing this?’

A focal point By Simon Joseph

For the past few weeks, instead of reading the football news and gossip columns on the BBC’s website and in the English newspapers every morning, as I would normally do, I’ve been turning my attention elsewhere. The official website for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) says that “OCD is a serious anxietyrelated condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts that are often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges.” This got me thinking. In the past, my focus on football incorporated so much more than just watching Football Focus. But since I hardly ever went to games anymore, I used to watch Spurs in the pub on a big screen, listen to them live on the radio, record Match of the Day and watch them later, and follow them on live text commentary on my smartphone. On Saturdays I would juggle a combination of all of the above while experiencing heart palpitations and biting my fingernails to the quick. All of this was tremendously nerve-racking, causing extremely anxious moments. So, whatever way you look at it, following Spurs week in, week out – watching them notch up 25 shots on target without scoring a single goal, after going one-nil down in the opening minutes due to a hopeless lack of concentration – definitely amounts to a serious anxietyrelated condition. Most days of the week, it’s fair to say, I experienced frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts. Can we keep hold of Modric? Will Lennon manage to stay fit this season? Can we beat the Woolwich Arsenal? Can we beat Wigan? Will our away form improve? Where would we be in the league if we could turn all of our draws into wins? How many points can we get out of the next three fixtures? How many points can we total for the season? Will that be enough for a topfour finish… ad infinitum? These obsessional thoughts were often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges, such as reading all the news, blogs and forums on every official and unofficial Spurs website; studying the fixtures list intently 10 to 15 times

a day, every day, and trying to work out our best possible position in the league after the weekend’s games. Checking Lawro’s predictions when they first appear on the BBC website; checking them again a few hours later; checking them again just before kick-off and comparing them after the games. Checking live scores in all the Premier League matches every few minutes during games; and all of this when I should have been working or being a parent and partner. There are several ways to recover from obsessive, compulsive behaviour and addiction; one that isn’t recommended by the OCD website is to go cold turkey. So, without following the advice of any professionals, that’s exactly what I did. On 2 July I vowed to kick the habit. At this early stage in my rehab, I’m already asking myself, why on earth am I doing this? And what on earth am I going to do for the next 11 months? One thing I did to keep myself occupied was to go and see my first 3D film of the modern era. It wasn’t an experience I’ll be repeating in a hurry. Sitting there in the dark for a couple of hours with sunglasses on, watching buildings and super heroes come flying towards me was no match for watching a ball flying between the posts. However, it was after the film, in a pub near the cinema, where I found a possible contender as a permanent distraction – live music. A young prodigy named Quinn Bachand and his plucky sister, Qristina, enchanted the audience with some very spirited Celtic folk music. But having enjoyed watching them play for well over ninety minutes, I still couldn’t see myself sitting there, with the same dedication, week in, week out, for the next 11 months… A few days later and I find myself twiddling my thumbs, looking for a focal point. Where do I go from here? The OCD website recommends anti-depressants.

‘All of this when I should have been working or being a parent and partner’

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The Gold Room By Denson Pierre

In a game like the FFG-CL, there is little room for speculation over potentially key players, if there is any doubt about them hitting the floor running and being first team regulars for their clubs. In most cases, the points separating the eventual champion from second place can be counted on one hand (and last season it was a dead heat!), even after nine long months of competition. On Sunday 12 August, I travelled to the stadium of FC Cologne for a high-intensity, pre-season match against Arsenal FC. This was essentially a scouting mission but it turned out to be an emotional experience. I had underestimated the level of impassioned involvement and interest there would be in the game, among both the locals and the travelling fans. Some 32,500 spectators crowded this FIFA/UEFA 5-star stadium to see an already departed and a possibly soon to depart player take the field to raucous reactions from their respective blocks of fans. Robin van Persie, a player most revered in this Gold Room and elsewhere, was to be making his final appearance in an Arsenal shirt during this match, after seven full seasons. He was given a gentle run out with 19 minutes to go, after his team had completed the necessary scoring (0-4). There were the hints at the nicely angled runs and a few classy touches, but the most remarkable thing about his appear-

ance was how it was received by the travelling fans. Having barely stirred themselves to politely applaud his entry into the game, they let rip with a barrage of boos and whistles directed at him in the only moment he wandered into the quadrant directly in front of his once-adoring minions. This was shocking, especially since the home fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reaction to their dearly departed local son, who is now on Arsenalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books (and scored twice in the game), could not have contrasted more greatly. Lukas Podolski is a pin-up boy of German football. His story is fetching and Cologne FC and the fans in attendance clearly adore him. Having been born in Poland (his grandparents were from a part of Poland that was once German territory), he grew up in Cologne, where he made a name and career for himself as a top talent from a very young age. Now he has moved to Arsenal and the question is whether he can cut it in the Premier League, given his up-and-down club career, which took him from the heights of Bayern Munich to the pits of Cologne being relegated last season. Arsene Wenger knows a thing or two about incorporating highly technical, if not necessarily world-beating, players into his teams. FFG-CL managers are torn between waiting to see if he settles and gambling on Podolski getting off to a flying start with his power-forward style of play. What is certain is that Van Persie was better off making sure he was at another club before the transfer window closed, as the bridges between him and the Arsenal fans appears to have been burnt and washed away.

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