Do you have questions about how to register for the 2020 elections? Would you like to get an early jump on receiving your ballot? What if you have never lived in the US? Or perhaps, you wonder if your absentee vote makes a difference in an election’s outcome?
An estimated 9 million Americans live abroad, and Switzerland is home to about 20,000. Few Americans exercise their right to vote while living outside of the US, but there are good reasons to make the effort. As the 2020 primaries are right around the corner, it’s a good idea to register as soon as possible. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to add voter registration to your annual New Year to-do list, as most states require you to register and request your ballot every year you intend to vote.
Will your vote make a difference?
Absentee votes have decided the outcome in several recent races for federal/gubernatorial office, including Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina (2016), Senator Maggie Hasson of New Hampshire (2016), and Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson (2018).
And, as always, your vote is your voice. If Americans abroad choose not to vote, then issues that directly affect them are not addressed by lawmakers. Double taxation is a perennial issue that many Americans would like to see modified, for example.
When Sandrine and Roxane met, one active for many years with local children's events and the other in the field of entertainment events, the idea of Une Bulle d'Event was born. Une Bulle d'Event offers 2 main products: bespoke parties for children and digital wall games. We asked Sandrine a few questions about what was behind the company.
How did this concept come about?
Approached by the company DIGI-SPORTS, creator of digital wall games, we decided to combine our know-how, complementary styles, and creativity to satisfy demanding customers who are always looking for the next new thing.
What was the biggest obstacle you encountered?
Honestly, we had not had any obstacles to overcome; the bank, and even an association (Grand Annecy Initiative), encouraged us and helped us to make this happen! Once they met with us, they were convinced we were on to a winner and have been a great support. At the moment, we are now trying to reach the French market as well; we both are fortunate to have loyal customers in Switzerland already.
By Fergus Dullaghan
Several years ago my wife was mugged just outside Geneva. It was a terrifying experience for her. The damage wasn’t limited to stolen items and a trip to hospital in the back of an ambulance – it was the aftermath. Months (maybe years) of jumping at shadows, disrupted sleep and anxiety.
As a former professional martial artist, I have wanted to help other women in the area avoid the same fate for a long time. Now, I have the opportunity to do so. To make it accessible I have tried to keep the price as low as possible. I would like to offer some very simple, but highly effective strategies to stay safe if you are ever attacked.
We will cover:
- The anatomy of an attack - understanding how a mugging happens
- The psychology of an attack
- Pattern disruption - how to stop an attack before it begins
- Behavioural habits - maximising your chances of a good outcome if you are attacked
- Instinctive defence - how to survive physically
- The aftermath - being aware that the attack itself is just one part of the process
- How to deepen your knowledge (suggested books, blogs and local training possibilities)
The new Body Pass 2020 discount wellbeing card is back again this year and Cyril has kindly offered one as a competition prize. The addition of 15 new partner centers in the last year and a luxury member card, this makes it the best Body Pass to date!
Body Pass 2020 gives members immediate access to 150 of the best spas, institutes and hair salons in Switzerland and neighboring France – all at half price!
With this valuable pass you can discover a multitude of new treatments offered by the best professionals in the world of wellbeing. Big names included in this year’s line-up of spas include: Le Spa Valmont Kempinski in Geneva, Bain-Bleu, Le Mirador Resort & Spa at Mont Pèlerin, Le Fairmont Montreux Palace, W Verbier, Hotel Royal in Crans-Montana, and Les Sources des Alpes in Loèche-les-Bains.
Make sure to book your seats in the upcoming GAOS show for a fresh rendering of the much-loved children's classic 'The Wind in the Willows'. A musical treat for the whole family.
One of the best-loved works of children’s fiction in English, Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows was first published in 1908. Renew your acquaintance with Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger in this modern-day production by GAOS.
The animals’ adventures take them from the gentle countryside to the ghettos of the inner city. Mole is the newcomer whose education is the thread that runs through the whole story. The animals represent the real world and the turmoils and temptations that face us. As in all Christmas shows, good will triumph over evil!
Follow the animals on this comical modern-day production, scripted by Alan Bennet, where their adventures and misadventures populate the entire story. From an idyllic riverside picnic to a snowy encounter in the Wild Woods, and from poop-pooping in Toad's shiny new motor car to escaping jail!
But watch out for the weasels who plot to take down the protagonists and take over Toad Hall. Will they succeed or does good overcome evil?
