Ready for some fun in the sun?
Come to the best American Independence Day celebration in Catalunya! Join us to celebrate the 4th of July on Mar Bella beach this year. We’ll be playing beach volleyball, soccer, and frisbee from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Munchies include a cheeseburger with all the fixins* a side salad, chips, a muffin and three drinks (water, soft drinks, or beer) to quench your thirst. For kids we have a children's menu with a reduced price.
*If you are a vegetarian let us know in advance so we can order a special sandwich just for you!
Bring your towel and an umbrella to stretch out on the sand in between games, and don’t forget the sunscreen! Some limited beach chairs and umbrellas will be available but they'll be taken fast so be prepared for sand and sun.
Members
- 20 EUR for Adults (age 12 & up)
- 10 EUR for Children (up to age 11)
Non-Members
- 25 EUR for Adults (age 12 & up)
- 15 EUR for Children (up to age 11)
Sign up today by sending us an email to admin@amersoc.com with the names of those in your party - and ages for the children that will be attending!
NOTE: Anyone showing up at the door who has not registered and paid in advance will have to pay a 5 euro per person administrative fee.
Payment Information:
American Society of Barcelona
Caja de Ingenieros Bank Account Number:
3025 0012 12 1400003696
Planning an event like this is a major undertaking and we need your help. Please sign-up for this event as soon as possible if you know you will be attending. That way we can be certain to have plenty of food, drink and entertainment for everyone.
LOCATION
We will be on the beach immediately next to the Mochima beach bar (with a crab on it) on Mar Bella beach (NOT Nova Mar Bella). The area is located halfway between La Oca restaurant on the beach and the Mar Bella Polideportivo center (large rectangular building on your right).
La Oca restaurant is immediately next to the large circular concrete wheelchair access leading down to the beach.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
By car: take Paseo Garcia Faria (road that runs along the beach) towards the Forum. There are several parking options: (1) The first Mar Bella parking area on your right is for the beach and is free but will likely be full, (2) There is a second parking area at the Mar Bella Polideportivo center and La Oca that is paid but this is often full or closed by the local government (strange but true), so your best bet is (3) immediately after passing the Polideportivo center and after the intersection with Bac de Roda there is a free parking area on your right ... once you enter try to park as far back towards the center of Barcelona as possible (that is take a right after turning into the parking area).
Bicing: There is a Bicing stop next to the wheelchair access ramp, but may be full of bikes.
Metro: The nearest stop is Selva de Mar, about a 15 minute walk.
Buses: Lines 26 or Line 41 run along Paseo Garcia Faria.
Welcome to Barcelona
Kids Easter Party at the Hard Rock Cafe Saturday, April 4, 2009. Thanks to Hard Rock for a great time!
Corporate Sponsors _________________ We'd like to extend a big thanks to all our generous Corporate Sponsors that make it all possible. Recent Events _________________ In mid-January the ASB partnered with the Navy League of the United States, Barcelona Council to welcome the USS Mt Whitney to Barcelona. A few of the crew members shared their experiences with us about life at sea on Wednesday, January 21st at Happy Hour. Then on Saturday, January 24th, in spite of the raging winds and a few resulting complications, we were given a private tour of the USS Mt Whitney. A warm thanks to Commanding Officer Captain Owen P. Honors, XO Doug Harvey and the crew for their gracious hospitality and the unexpected treat of lunch on board. On Saturday, January 17, 2009 the CIDOB foundation hosted the conference “War and Peace in the 21st Century: Russia and the EU - A Keystone Relationship.” The ASB was represented by Tara Shain and Josie Pont. Also in attendance were Victor Horcasitas, President of the Navy League in Barcelona, and Greg Heath, CEO of FXMEA.
Jordi Vaquer
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Upcoming Events4th of July Beach Party!!!
04. Jul 2009
16:00, Mar Bella Beach
Members 20.00 EUR
Nonmembers 25.00 EUR Happy Hour
08. Jul 2009
20:00, Pomarada, Paseo de Gracia, 78, Principal (Metro stop Paseo de Gracia)
Want to speak English, make new friends or see old friends, meet the Board, or get the latest information on all the new events we are working on? Then come to our monthly Happy Hour. No need to register in advance, just show up, all are welcome!
Seminar: US Foreign Policy in the Obama Administration
11. Jul 2009
09:00, Fundació Internacional Olof Palme, c/ Sant Miquel 36, 08911 Badalona
Agenda:
- 9:00 – INAUGURATION: Anna Balletbò i Puig, President of the Fundació Internacional Olof Palme (FIOP) Alexandre Muns Rubiol, Professor of European Integration and International Economic Institutions at l'Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (UPF) - 9:30 - IMPLICATIONS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S FOREIGN POLICY: Alexandre Muns Rubiol, Professor of European Integration and International Economic Institutions at l'Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (UPF) - 10:00 - BIOGRAPHY AND PERSONALITY OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Vicente Palacio, Fundación Alternativas, Madrid - 10:30 - RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA: Albert Farré. Center of African Studies – ISCTE, Lisbon - 11:00 - RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND LATIN AMERICA: Joaquín Roy. Co-Director of the European Union Center of Excellence, Miami-Florida and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at the University of Miami - 11:30 - THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST: Elvira Sánchez, Professor of Contemporary History, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) - 12:00 - BREAK - 12:30 - RELATIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW: Alexandre Muns Rubiol, Professor of European Integration and International Economic Institutions at l'Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (UPF) - 13:00 - RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ASIA: Sean Golden, Director of the Center of International and Intercultural Studies at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) - 13:00 - TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, Speaker to be announced - 14:00 - QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD This event will be held in Castellano. Attendance is 30 Euros. To register for this event please email: area.academica@fiop.net or call: 93 384 51 33 Business Networking Series: Improving Your Presentation Skills
14. Jul 2009
18:30, IES Offices, Ronda Sant Pera 5 (off of Plaza Catalunya just across form the Corte Ingles)
Communication is the common thread that runs throughout the working day and communicating effectively is essential to the success and growth of your business.
While verbal and written communication skills are important, research has shown that nonverbal behaviors make up a large percentage of our daily interpersonal communication. If your nonverbal communication skills aren't effective then it won't matter what you say. So how can you improve? Join us with special guest speaker Jeffrey Breyer in our next Business Networking Seminar to learn how to: present in public with success, capture the attention of your target audience and use non-verbal communication to your advantage. Agenda: -18:30 Registration of guests -18:50 Welcome and Introduction -19:00 Workshop: Improving your presentation skills -19:45 Working in groups and participation. -20:05 Networking, drinks & snacks -20:50 Ending (Building closes at 21:00 SHARP!) Attendees must RSVP by July 10th and pay in advance to reserve a place for this event. IF there is available seating, the American Society is prepared to accept cash payment at the door. However, please be aware that there will be a 5 EUR surcharge per person and, due to limited seating; we cannot guarantee you a place without advance payment. Payment can be made to the American Society by bank transfer; please send a copy of your bank receipt to admin@amersoc.com and you will receive confirmation of your reservation. Jeffrey Breyer has over 20 years experience designing and directing professional development and instructional programs for corporations, universities and governments in North America, Europe and Asia. He works closely with managers and senior executives on sharpening their communication skills, enabling them to become more dynamic and effective leaders. As an executive coach, he helps individuals and teams discover innovative methods for enhancing performance and achieving objectives. Currently Jeffrey serves as a professor and the Assistant Director of the full-time MBA program at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. In addition, he continues to work as a professional development consultant in the private sector with Spanish and international companies.
Members 22.00 EUR
Nonmembers 29.00 EUR Professor Joaquín Roy Book Presentation: "Lisbon Fado: The European Union under Reform"
16. Jul 2009
19:00, European Parliament Office in Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia, 90, 1º
Join us to welcome Professor Joaquín Roy to Barcelona. Prof. Roy, who will be speaking at the July 11th conference on US foreign policy organized by the Olof Palme Foundation, will present to the American Society of Barcelona his newest book “Lisbon Fado: The European Union under Reform.”
Joaquín Roy (Lic. Law, University of Barcelona, Ph.D., Georgetown University), Co-Director, European Union Center of Excellence, Miami-Florida, is Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at the University of Miami. He has published over 200 academic articles and reviews, and he is the author, editor, or co-editor of 25 books, among them “The Reconstruction of Central America: the Role of the European Community,” “The Euro and the Dollar in a Globalized Economy,” “Towards the Completion of Europe: Analysis and Perspectives of the New European Union Enlargement” and “The European Union, fifty years after the Treaty of Rome (March 25, 1957): The EU model in the Americas, Asia and Africa.” He has also published over 1,200 columns and essays in newspapers and magazines. Among his awards is the Encomienda of the Order of Merit bestowed by King Juan Carlos of Spain. Prof. Roy is also President and co-founder of the Spain Study Group (www.spainstudygroup.com), an organization whose sole mission is “the reflection, deep thinking and sharing of basic information and relevant facts, scholarly research and independent opinion on current Spain, its history, and its place in today’s Europe and its relations with the Americas. The tasks of the Group intend to reach beyond stereotypes, superficial analysis, and slanted partisan views.” There will be drinks and pica pica available at the event. Admission is free but attendees must register in advance on the website of the American Society of Barcelona at www.amersoc.com.
Members 0.00 EUR
Nonmembers 0.00 EUR |
Latest NewsDirections to the Independence Day Beach Party, Saturday, July 4th
Ready for the ASB's 4th of July Beach Party?
We are – don’t forget the sunscreen, bring all your favorite beach gear and, most importantly, be ready for fun! We’ve been getting lots of questions about how to get there so we’ve attached below a map of the location. The closest metro stop is Poblenou (yellow line – L4), but it’s still a bit of a walk from there (four long blocks). The bus will get you much closer and you can choose from either Line 26 or Line 41. See you there!
Download: 2009-07-04 July 4 Beach Party Map.pdf
4th of July at Hard Rock Cafe
After hanging out on the beach with the American Society's Fourth of July party, dust of the sand and head over to Hard Rock Cafe. Show your American passport and get a free hot fudge sundae dessert with purchase of a main course. Also, special Budweiser promotion: 4 beers for 5 euros.
Racially Motivated Violence Erupts in East St. Louis, July 1917
Drawn by employment opportunities in wartime industries, between 10,000 and 12,000 African American people left the south for East St. Louis, Illinois in 1916 and 1917 as part of the Great Migration. Many white citizens of East St. Louis were disturbed by this movement, and by the increase in employment of black people in the city's industrial plants.
On July 1, 1917, a rumor spread claiming that a white man had been killed by a black man, and tensions boiled over. The next day, the city of East St. Louis exploded in the worst racial rioting the country had ever seen. Most of the violence -- drive-by shootings, beatings, and arson -- targeted the African American community. The riots raged for nearly a week, leaving nine whites and hundreds of African Americans dead, and property damage estimated at close to $400,000. More than six thousand black citizens, fearing for their lives, fled the city. The carnage was all the more shocking because it occurred only shortly after American's entry into World War I. According to historian Winston James, "You have black troops going off to fight to make the world safe for democracy in April and in July you have black people being murdered in the most wanton and barbaric manner in East St. Louis; children being thrown back into flaming houses, people being boarded up in their houses before they're torched so that they couldn't escape. So even by American standards, East St. Louis was a horror." At the end of a July 8 meeting in Harlem to discuss the violence, Marcus Garvey, recently returned from a year-long speaking tour of the country, asked to say a few words. The crowd stood breathless as Garvey thundered condemnation. "Millions of our people in slavery gave their lives that America might live," he said. "From the labors of these people the country grew in power, until her wealth today is computed above that of any two nations. With all the service that the Negro gave he is still a despised creature in the eyes of white people, for if he were not to them despised, the whites of this country would never allow such outrages as the East St. Louis massacre. ...This is a massacre that will go down in history as one of the bloodiest outrages against mankind for which any class of people could be held guilty." From www.pbs.org Congress Declares Independence
July 2, 1776
The Continental Congress adopts a resolution severing ties with Great Britain although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not approved until July 4. George Washington's General Orders from New York: "The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army -- Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect -- We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country's Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions -- The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny meditated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and shew the whole world, that a Freeman contending for LIBERTY on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 The Declaration of Independence Is Approved by Congress
July 4, 1776
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." The Continental Congress was the government of the thirteen colonies and, later, of the new nation, from 1775-1788. The fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence were well educated, prosperous, and respected in their communities. Merchants, planters, doctors, and lawyers, most were between thirty and fifty years of age (the youngest was twenty-six; the oldest, seventy). All knew that by attaching their names to what the British considered a treasonable document, they risked lives, liberty, and property. As Benjamin Franklin famously remarked to his fellow delegates, "We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Only John Hancock of Massachusetts as President of the Continental Congress and Secretary Charles Thomson signed the first copy on July 4. This was sent immediately to the official printer for Congress to be produced for wide distribution. What subsequently happened to the original is unknown. The majority of the delegates in Congress signed the Declaration in Philadelphia on August 2, 1776. Those who were not present on that day signed during the following months. Most of the members of Congress formally signed the Declaration, but three did not sign at all. From http://research.history.org/ |