Monthly Mail – February 2012

REMINDERS February 2, 2012 - 15:00 to 18:00 International Career Fair! Grand Selskapslokaler, Ole Bulls plass Map: http://g.co/maps/vkhxg

Do you have a multicultural background, college/university education or completed an apprenticeship, and are seeking a job in Bergen? Visit the International Career Fair 2012 / Internasjonalt Karrieretorg 2012! Participation for job seekers is free of charge.

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE FREE INTERNATIONAL CAREER FAIR HERE... Bergen needs qualified international expertise. With increasing internationalization, businesses are becoming more diverse – they need multicultural and multilingual employees to stay competitive in today’s international business culture. Bring your CV and take the opportunity to meet various businesses and present your knowledge and expertise (List of participating businesses) as well as network and seek career advice and guidance from accomplished industry leaders and mentors.

Coming INN Club meetings… February 8, 2012 - 17:30 - kl 19:30 Grand Selskapslokaler, Ole Bulls Plass

This month INN Bergen presents Sjur Holsen, Political Editor from Bergens Tidende. Sjur will lead a fascinating discussion of how Norway works – it’s social democratic views, cultural and political differences as well as Norway’s position in global politics. Bring your questions and join us for a light meal and a good discussion! Please register for the meeting by sending an e-mail to Gunn Fossen ([email protected])

Wednesday March 14 The INN Bergen March meeting will focus on the Norwegian Tax system and tax rules that apply to foreigners. More details to come later in February/March!

NEWS The Norway Post is a comprehensive English language news site on covering Norwegian related news. It is available on the internet at: www.norwaypost.no/

FEBRUARY EVENTS IN BERGEN Friday, February 3rd, 2012 Jonas Alaska with Odd Martin Skålnes, Det Akademiske Kvarter (The Academic Quarter). It is no exaggeration to call Jonas Alaska one of Norway's current great singer/songwriters. His single, "In the backseat" was a bit hit this summer, getting regular radio play. Alaska was also recently nominated for the Norwegian Grammys in all three (!) Classes - "This year's songwriter," "This year's male artist" and "Newcomer of the Year". Odd Martin Skålnes, as both a vocalist and songwriter in The Alexandria Quartet, has made his mark in both inland and abroad in recent years. Skålnes possesses a number of strong melodies and catchy tunes and his acoustic expression easily draws parallels to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Big Star, as well as Thom Yorke, and Ryan Adams. www.asf.uib.no/

Sunday, February 5, 2012 Kom deg ut-dagen\Get Out Day at Fløysletten Bergen Turlag and Barnas Turlag of Bergen want to give you a taste of outdoor life, and hopefully a taste that gets you hooked! The event is open and free for all and easily accessible by the Fløyen funicular (free between 900-1100). http://www.turistforeningen.no/komdegut/

Etoile NM Brass Championships Simon Reynolds HELHUS Magnhild Øen Nordahl

February 4, 6, 8, & 9th, 2012 L'Etoile, Nordic premiere - Den Nye Opera, Grieghallen La Belle Époque meets Broadway razzle-dazzle in Mark Lamos's production of this rare operatic gem. The stylish staging, inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec, brings his famous can-can girls to life with the effervescent choreography of Seán Curran. L'Etoile (the Star) takes place in a fairytale world full of complexities and absurd comedy. http://www.dennyeopera.no/

February 10 & 11, 2012 NM Brass, Norwegian Championship for Brass Bands, Grieghallen The country's best brass bands will fill Grieghallen to compete for the Norwegian Championship! NM Brass 2012, http://www.grieghallen.no/events/list/

Thursday, February 16th, 2012 Simon Reynolds, Recreativity: The Past in Pastiche, and How to Get Past It, Bergen Kunsthall, Landmark. Britain’s Simon Reynolds is among the absolutely foremost music writers of the past 20 years, with a succession of crucial books on themes like post-punk and club culture. His last book, Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction to its Own Past (Faber & Faber, 2011) appears to have struck a nerve, as he formulates a kind of ‘diagnosis’ of current popular culture. Admission is free! www.kunsthall.no

Saturday, February 18th, 2012 HELHUS, Det Akademiske Kvarter (The Academic Quarter) Helhus is held on Saturdays, where the different rooms are filled with various events. With a fixed admission price of 50 kr, you can take in four events in one night! On February 18th check out: Rumble in Rhodos, Livstid, Bergen Badeklubb and Kjempehøyt! www.asf.uib.no

January 13th – February 26th, 2012 Magnhild Øen Nordahl, Statics, Bergen Kunsthall, No 5 Magnhild Øen Nordahl opens this year’s exhibition programme in NO.5 with a series of new sculptural works. Øen Nordahl works with sculpture and installation where painted wood, concrete and industrial materials are used in precision-built structures based on architectural construction principles, geometry and physics. http://www.kunsthall.no/default_e.asp?k=2&a1=NO.5

OTHER THINGS TO EXPLORE...SKIING OF COURSE! With the wonderful weather we’ve been having it’s the perfect opportunity to check out the local Ski areas. While this list is not exhaustive, if you enjoy cross country (langrennski) or alpine skiing there’s something for everyone!

Useful terms to know: Åpningstider (Hours), Lysløypen (Lighted Trail), Skitog (Ski Train), Åpne Heiser (Open Lifts), Oppdaterte Føremeldinger Skitur (Ski Tours), Billettpriser (Ticket Prices), (Updated Messages), Skiutleie (Ski Rentals), Heiskort (Ski lift Pass), Overnatting (Accomodation), Snørapport (Snow Report), Kveldskjøring (Night Skiing), Skibuss (Ski Bus), Turkart (Tour Map), Løype (Trail), Skiføre (Ski Conditions), Turmat (Trail Food\Snacks), Løypekart (Trail Map), Skiskole (Ski School), Værstasjon (Weather)

Bergen Trails and Ski Areas Both Bergen og Omland Friluftsråd, Skiføre i Bergen og Omegn and Bergen Kommune have a great deal of information about local ski areas and conditions. While the information on these sites is in Norwegian you’ll find some of the information in English below. For a general map of ski areas in the Bergen area visit: www.godtur.no The Bergen Turlag information office in Sentrum is also an excellent resource. (Address: Tverrgaten 4-6 i Marken, Hours: Monday to Friday 1000-1600, Saturday 1000-1400)

 Lighted Trail\Lysløypen at Fløyen. The lighted trail at Fløyen is about 5 km long - the lower course is 3 km long, while the upper slope is slightly less than 2 kilometers. From the top funicular station follow Blåmansveien to cross Halvdan Griegsvei. Follow Halvdan Griegsvei to Lysløypen. It is also possible to ski at Ulriken but it is advisable to check the conditions first (www.byfjellene.no - click on ‘Oppdaterte føremeldinger’) Links: Løypekart Fløyen i Google Maps

 Lighted Trail\Lysløypen at Gullbotn. The lighted trail at the Gullbotn recreation area is only a 30 minute drive from Bergen. Take the E 16 to Trengereid, turn right and follow Route 7 to Samnanger. The longest lap is 3.5 km. It is very popular with families because of the terrain. Links: Brosjyre med kart over lysløypen, Videovisning av løypen på Gullbotn

 Lighted trail\Lysløpen at Frotveit og Totland. The tracks at Totland and Frotveit have been bound together by Grind Åsveien - so that now there is a trail system of over 10 km. Frotveit: From Nesttun follow Osvegen to Kaland. Turn left and follow Bontveitvegen to Frotveit. Totland: From Nesttun follow Hardangerveien to the roundabout at Midtun. Turn right and follow Ulsmågveien until you meet Totlandsveien. Links: Løypekart Totland/Frotveit i Google Maps, Fana IL langrenn sin hjemmeside

 Bydastølen skiing and hiking area in Fusa. The ski area lies opposite Eikelandsosen in Fusa and has 5 km of great cross-country groomed trails. Note: The first kilometer from the parking lot and into the trails are without light, but the remaining 4 km of trails are lit in the evenings. More information about the trail grooming can be found on the website of Hålandsdalen sports club, Hålandsdalen idrettslag.

 Totræna winter park, Samnanger. Totræna winter park is located along the road to Kvitingen of Samnanger municipality. The trail facility has multiple loops, the longest being 5 km. The 3 km loop is lit. The trails are located on a plateau without large swells or hills. Samnanger sports teams prepare and operate the facility.

 Hopsdalen in Lindås. Hopsdalen lies east of Knarvik, in Lindås municipality. Leave the E39 at Leknes and follow signs to Hopsdalen resorts. Parking is at the end of the road. The lighted trail is approx. 3.5 km and is groomed by local clubs. The area is a popular recreation area and is ideal for skiing and sledging with the kids. The car park is also a great base for cross country skiing and hiking in Gladihaug.

Ski Centers  Kvamskogen has between 20 and 60 km of groomed ski trails depending on snow conditions. With few exceptions, you can ski at Kvamskogen all winter - from December to Easter. Links: www2.skiinfo.no/kvamskogen, Kvamskogen tekst, Kvamskogen turkart o Eikedalen skisenter is a great ski resort with a wide range of ski lifts. Here you will find Northern Europe's longest chairlift. Facilities include: ski school, ski rental, and a cafeteria. www.eikedalen.no o Furedalen Alpine has 2 large ski lifts and a children's ski lift. There are 6 ski slopes with a total length of 7.7 km of varying difficulty. In addition to alpine skiing, it is great terrain for snowboarding, cross country and telemark skiing. Facilities include: skiers' café, ski rental and ski school for children and adults on weekends and holidays. http://www2.skiinfo.no/kvamskogen/furedalen.php3

 Voss is one of the most natural snow-reliable ski destinations in Norway. It has two ski centres: Voss Resort and Voss Fjellandsby. The welcome centre of Voss Resort is located near Voss town (approximately 5 kilometres) and Voss Fjellandsby is located in Myrkdalen, a short drive and approximately 25 kilometres from Voss town. www.visitvoss.no/en/

 Geilo is well-known as one of Norway's largest ski resorts. About 91 percent of the area lies more than 900 metre above sea level, giving 1889 km2 of mountain and plateau playground! There are two national parks within the boundaries of Geilo municipality; Hardangervidda National Park and Hallingskarvet National Park. www.geilo.no/en/winter/  You can also check out www.visitnorway.com if you’re planning to explore Norway for your winter ski vacation!

Skibuss\Skitog\Skitur (Ski Bus\Ski Train\Ski Tours)  Tide provides a Skibuss that takes you to either Eikedalen or Furedalen. The bus has several pick up and drop off points; it is recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance. See Skibus-Bergen Note: If you are cross country skiing and do not need a lift pass (heiskort), make sure to choose that option on the online booking form as shown here:http://www.tidereiser.com/upload/images/Tekst_imgs/Fratrekk_heiskort_Skibussen_v2.jpg

 NSB operates train service to some of Norway’s most popular ski resorts like Voss and Geilo. In several places the train stops where the ski slope starts, and there is plenty of room for ski equipment on board! http://www.nsb.no/category4624.html

 Fjord Tours offers packages to Voss Fjellandsby (Myrkdalen), Voss Resort and Geilo. The packages include transportation and day passes to the ski lifts. http://www.fjordtours.com/en/adventure-travel/ski/

Weather and Trail Conditions Snow conditions often vary widely in the Bergen region so check the conditions before you go!  Bergen Kommune's website www.byfjellene.no has updated conditions in the city's mountains, including the lighted trail at Fløyen. Click on ‘Oppdaterte føremeldinger’. Skiføre i Bergen og Omegn is also frequently updated with comments and information about skiing in and around Bergen.  Webkamera Fløyen  Kvamskogen.no – webkamera og oppdatert føreinfo  Skisporet.no has a cross-country trail atlas and frequent condition updates and detailed weather reports.  http://www.yr.no/

Practice your Norwegian & learn new vocabulary by trying out recipes! www.matprat.no Salamisnurrer Salami Rolls En variant av kanelbollen - en A version of cinnamon rolls - a sort of "roll-pizza." A super slags "rulle-pizza". A super lunsj lunch and ‘tour snack’. og turmat.

Ingredients:  8 dl hvetemel Ingredients:  3.5 cups flour  3 dl lunkent vann  250 g salami i biter  300ml lukewarm water  250 g salami, chopped  ½ stk gjær  1 ½ dl tomatpuré  ½ package of yeast  150 ml tomato puree  2 ss olje  2 ts tørket oregano  2 tablespoons oil  2 teaspoons dried oregano  ½ teaspoon salt  3 dl hvitost  ½ teaspoon salt  1 ¼ cups white cheese  ½ teaspoon pepper  ½ teaspoon pepper

Deig: Rør ut gjæren i vannet og tilsett olje, salt og mel. La Dough: Dissolve the yeast in the water and add oil, salt deigen heve til dobbel størrelse på et lunt sted. Kjevle and flour. Let the dough rise until double in size in a warm deigen til en avlang firkant, ca. 30 x 40 cm. place. Roll dough into an oblong square, approx. 30 x 40 cm. Fyll: Smør utover tomatpuré og fordel salami, oregano og ost over. Strø over nykvernet pepper og rull sammen til Filling: Spread the tomato puree, then spread salami, en pølse. oregano and cheese. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and roll into a sausage. Skjær pølsa i ca. 1,5 cm tykke skiver. Legg salamisnurrene på et stekebrett kledt med bakepapir. Dryss over litt ost. Cut the roll into approx. 1.5 cm thick slices. Place Etterhev salamisnurrene i ca. 10 minutter og stek dem på salami rolls on a baking tray lined with baking 225° C i ca. 10 -15 minutter. paper. Sprinkle with some cheese. Let salami rolls rise for about 10 minutes and bake them at 225 ° C for approx. 10 -15 minutes.

Best regards, the INN Club team