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Thứ Ba, 31 tháng 1, 2012
Youth Ambassador Oppty to Travel to Belize This Summer
A quick note to follow up about the latest opportunity to travel abroad with the Youth Ambassador program this summer. The February 12 application deadline is coming soon, so please review the details below and fill out the application soon.
Here's a recap:
Partners of the Americas, through a program funded by the United States Department of State, has created new opportunities for youth to promote mutual understanding between the people of the Caribbean region and the United States, develop a sense of civic responsibility and commitment to community development among youth, build leadership capacity, and foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious and national groups.
Selected youth will travel to Washington, DC and Belize for four weeks from July 10th – August 7th, 2012. While in Belize, youth will learn about local educational systems, participate in community service activities, attend workshops and plan a project to be implemented upon your return to the U.S.
Partners of the Americas will pay all expenses related to travel and participation in the program including fees for passports, domestic and international travel, food and expenses, health insurance, lodging and transportation.
Youth Ambassadors will be accompanied by adult mentors.
As a Youth Ambassador, you will have the opportunity to:
• Gain greater understanding and appreciation of the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Belize, as well as the Caribbean in general.
• Gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the country’s history, values, and beliefs.
• Explore both local and national issues and become involved with or contribute to those causes.
• Develop the skills needed to be a leader in your community.
• Connect to a network of volunteers working throughout the hemisphere.
Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to participate:
1. Be between 15-18 years old at date of travel (July 10th – August 7th)
2. Currently enrolled in a public high school. We strongly encourage Juniors and below to apply.
3. Good academic standing
4. Display leadership qualities
5. Volunteer experience
6. U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien (one parent is a green card holder)
* Strong consideration will be given to youth that have been involved with or volunteered with programs through the Partners chapter in Minnesota.
Applications of eligible candidates will be reviewed and finalists will be contacted by Partners staff for a phone interview. In addition to the above criteria, candidates will be judged on their dedication to service and community, ability to adapt to new situations and environments, and maturity and responsibility. Applications must be submitted by February 12th, 2012. Finalists will be notified by April 4, 2012.
To submit an application, please fill out the following application and submit TWO copies – one hard copy and one electronic – along with the required documentation listed below. Please note: required documentation only needs to be submitted with the hard copy.
Two copies of your completed application form (one electronic, one hard copy);
Form of identification that verifies U.S. citizenship;
A copy of your school registration and school record for 2011-2012;
A letter of recommendation from one of your teachers or the school principal (It is recommended that you also include a letter of recommendation from the Partners Chapter in your state);
A letter of permission from your parents or legal guardian.
Please send electronic applications by February 12, 2012 to Erik Brand, volunteer and president, Minnesota chapter, at erikbrand10@gmail.com or call 612-242-1863 with questions.
The electronic copy to erikbrand10@gmail.com is most important for the deadline.
Hard copies can be mailed to:
Partners of the Americas
Youth Ambassador Program
1424 K Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Thứ Bảy, 28 tháng 1, 2012
Television Show in Uruguay Interviews Member
A local television show in Uruguay interviewed Anna Moore, a volunteer with Minnesota Uruguay Partners, this week. You did great, Anna!
Thứ Sáu, 20 tháng 1, 2012
Duluth B&B ranks among best in the nation
A.G. Thomson House blends history & comfort
Trip Advisor listed Duluth's A.G. Thomson House Bed & Breakfast at the top of its 25 Best B&Bs and Inns in the United States this week. It was among two Midwest winners for the 2012 Travelers' Choice award. Fleur-De-Lys Mansion in St. Louis, Mo., another great choice, also made the cut.
It's a huge honor for A.G. Thomson's owners, Tim and Angie Allen, who make restoring and maintaining a historic mansion look easy. It helps that they have that perfect blend of optimal B&B talent: do-it-yourself remodeling expertise, interior decorating, graciously welcoming personalities and the culinary creativity for special-occasion breakfasts and afternoon treats.
The living room along, with its beautiful shelving, warm reds and a lovely attached porch, could easily grace the cover of a home magazine. The spacious guest rooms also are expertly put together with high-end beds, beautiful linens, cozy nooks, gas fireplaces and a few extras like a sun porch or upper deck access. If you want a little extra privacy and to burrow in for a weekend, they also have suites in the mansion's carriage house.
The Superior Suite in particular ranks among the nicest rooms I've seen while exploring the region's B&Bs. It's more like a private apartment. If you do stay here, be sure to do a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods. Duluth, like Stillwater, Red Wing and Winona, boomed in Victorian times, with millionaires trying to outdo each other with grand, beautiful homes.
You'll likely need to walk off the multi-course breakfast anyway. Guests can eat in the formal dining room or dine privately in their room on entrees such as wild rice quiche, French toast with a wild-rice sausage patty, an egg puff with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes or lemon-blueberry French toast. Extra courses might include a chilled peach and cantaloupe soup with Mascarpone, mango lassi parfait, pistachio and chocolate chunk muffins or white-chocolate and craisin scones.
An example of how gracious and sharing they are: Angie has posted many of the guests' favorite recipes on their website. It's a nice way to bring a little of the B&B experience home and to relive with each tasty bite.
Check out Duluth's other elegant B&Bs
Trip Advisor listed Duluth's A.G. Thomson House Bed & Breakfast at the top of its 25 Best B&Bs and Inns in the United States this week. It was among two Midwest winners for the 2012 Travelers' Choice award. Fleur-De-Lys Mansion in St. Louis, Mo., another great choice, also made the cut.
Angie and Tim Allen |
A.G. Thomson House's living room where guests gather. |
The Superior Suite in particular ranks among the nicest rooms I've seen while exploring the region's B&Bs. It's more like a private apartment. If you do stay here, be sure to do a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods. Duluth, like Stillwater, Red Wing and Winona, boomed in Victorian times, with millionaires trying to outdo each other with grand, beautiful homes.
Lake Superior Suite |
A sweet start to breakfast. |
An example of how gracious and sharing they are: Angie has posted many of the guests' favorite recipes on their website. It's a nice way to bring a little of the B&B experience home and to relive with each tasty bite.
Check out Duluth's other elegant B&Bs
Fireplace at Firelight Inn. |
The downside to yet another national award for A.G. Thomson House is it might get harder to make a reservation, especially during peak months for weddings and anniversaries. If that's the case, take a look at www.duluthbandb.com. There are six other B&Bs in the city. Like the homes they're in and the owners who run them, each has its own appeal.
Artsy fruit at Solglimt. |
Old-home lovers can appreciate the exquisite woodwork and vibrant colors of the Mathew Burrows B&B. Musicians must sing or play a few high notes in Olcott House's music room with perfect acoustics. Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek boasts a grand three-season front porch and beautiful fireplace alcove. The Cotton Mansion and Ellery House round out the elegant, historic choices.
If you prefer modern to historic or need to be on the beach that stretches along Park Point, Solglimt B&B offers another stellar experience with hands-down the best views of Lake Superior.
--Feature & Photos by Lisa Meyers McClintick
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Duluth, MN, USA
Prominent Minnesota Couple Off to Uruguay
An excellent article ran in the Star Tribune yesterday about Doug Johnson, the highly respected head of the St. Paul-based Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), who is off to Uruguay next month to teach this year (hat tip to Connie Roehrich for pointing it out). His spouse, Kathryn Sikkink, a member of our group, is also teaching in Uruguay this semester under a university exchange program. She is the author of the newly published book Justice Cascade, which has received high praise in reviews in the Washington Post and other media outlets. You can order the book on Amazon and many other retailers. Congratulations!
Thứ Năm, 19 tháng 1, 2012
A Tale of Two Cities
The "feels like" temperature (counting the wind) in Minneapolis this morning is 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit; the temperature in Montevideo, Uruguay, counting humidity, is 87 degrees F (about -34 Celsius and +30 Celsius, respectively).
That's 117 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the two places.
[Interesting fact: The two temperature scales converge at about -40 degrees briefly, something that would be fun to see--Uruguayans and Minnesotans could then more easily relate to just how cold it is.]
That's 117 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the two places.
[Interesting fact: The two temperature scales converge at about -40 degrees briefly, something that would be fun to see--Uruguayans and Minnesotans could then more easily relate to just how cold it is.]
Thứ Ba, 17 tháng 1, 2012
Meeting Muhammed Ali & the serendipity of travel
Picking up a scrawny 7-year-old (that would be me) was no effort for legendary boxer Muhammed Ali in 1976. |
"Muhammed Ali's on the plane!"
News like that spreads fast--especially in 1976 near the prime of his career. Muhammed Ali, one of America's greatest sports legends, turns 70 today.
I was only 7 when our paths crossed. He picked me up while greeting passengers on the way to Hawaii. We were moving to Oahu for a year, a rather magical one that meant being the only white kid in the entire third grade and included posing with Jack Lord, star of the original "Hawaii 5-0," on the way to school one morning.
Never knowing who you will meet ranks among the greatest joys of travel. It can be a sports legend such as Muhammed Ali or serendipitous small-world reunions of old friends in unexpected places. I also love the joy getting to know strangers, who open your eyes to lives you'd never imagine, whether it's a bonsai salesperson from Japan or archaeology professor from Africa.
It was pure luck that Muhammed Ali was one of the first people I ever met while traveling. I hope to someday soon make it to Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to learn more about his remarkable career as well as his extensive humanitarian work at the Muhammed Ali Center.
Here's wishing you the joy of good connections as you travel--not just making your plane on time--but celebrating the human experience along the way.
--Lisa Meyers McClintick
Nhãn:
adventure travel,
Kentucky,
Louisville,
Muhammed Ali
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Louisville, KY, USA
Thứ Hai, 16 tháng 1, 2012
Join us on Feb 2 for a seminar on visas for foreign investors
Minnesota-Uruguay Partners is pleased to co-sponsor a seminar exploring how the EB-5 visa program can help serve both foreign investors and Minnesota companies.
The seminar, which is being organized by the American-Israel chamber of commerce and numerous supporting organizations, will take place on February 2 in Minneapolis.
A Seminar on the EB-5 Visa Program
Thursday, February 2, 2012
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Doubletree Hotel (near I-394 and MN 100)
1500 Park Place Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55416
Cost: $15, payable via check at the door to the American Israel Chamber of MN
The discussion promises to highlight ways to mobilize investment capital for the benefit of entrepreneurs across borders. Featured speakers include Robert Aronson, Laura Danielson, George Maxwell and Eric Wille, all top experts in the field.
Thứ Sáu, 13 tháng 1, 2012
Moore family video II
Quick update! The Moore Family's fun video about Montevideo has gone viral in Uruguay, with more than 30,000 hits thus far. It's been picked up by El Observador, a national paper, and Anna Moore has done a television interview over skype about the video, Patrick informs us. The West Central Tribune picked up the story, as did LaRed21, a site in Uruguay. Congratulations all!
Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 1, 2012
Watch trumpeter swans in Park Rapids, Minnesota
No snow needed for winter birdwatching
It may be winter, but Minnesota claims excellent bird-watching with the comeback of trumpeter swans. The biggest flock of trumpeters gathers in Monticello along the Mississippi River, but you also can get close to this flock in Park Rapids which is closer to summer nesting areas.
Take a look at this YouTube video to hear the brassy honks for which they are known and to admire the synchronized swimming of pairs that mate for life.
Check our last year's swan feature for more photos and information on these elegant swans.
Winter also is the best time to spot bald eagles soaring through the air.
It may be winter, but Minnesota claims excellent bird-watching with the comeback of trumpeter swans. The biggest flock of trumpeters gathers in Monticello along the Mississippi River, but you also can get close to this flock in Park Rapids which is closer to summer nesting areas.
Take a look at this YouTube video to hear the brassy honks for which they are known and to admire the synchronized swimming of pairs that mate for life.
Check our last year's swan feature for more photos and information on these elegant swans.
Winter also is the best time to spot bald eagles soaring through the air.
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Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 1, 2012
Fun video from the Moore Family about Montevideo
The Moore Family made a fun video about Montevideo this weekend to share with friends in Uruguay. Looks great everyone!
Thứ Ba, 3 tháng 1, 2012
Member produces album on the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings label
This just in... José Curbelo, a member of Minnesota Uruguay Partners, has co-produced the latest album release on the Smithsonian Institution's Smithsonian Folkways Recordings label.
"Los Gauchos de Roldán: Button Accordion and Bandoneón Music from Northern Uruguay," will be released in the United States on Jan. 31, 2012.
Congratulations José!
Listen to "Como mi suegra" (Like My Mother-in-Law)
Watch a mini-documentary about Los Gauchos de Roldán
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