American Coordinating Council of Norway Community Guide 2021-2022 ACCN’S 35TH Anniversary Independence Day Celebration is postponed until 2022 . The Empire state building 90 years www.accn.no DIN LEVERANDØR AV AMERIKANSKE MATVARER Oluf Lorentzen er en av Norges fremste Dear Reader importører av amerikanske matvarer til AMERICAN dagligvare- og storhusholdningsmarkedet. -20% Vi fører over 170 produkter med amerikansk TASTE opprinnelse, i mange forskjellige varegrupper. As I write this, the city of Oslo is still forbidding numbers of people gathering for events, even the 17th of May Nå kan du også handle direkte fra oss på celebrations have been cancelled. oluf.no! Bruk rabattkoden “ACCN20” This means that the American Coordinating Council of Norway's 35th Independence Day celebration, in Frogner for 20% på din neste handel! park, will have to be postponed until 2022. The American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) started the planning of this event in February of this year. Many committees were formed, and many volunteers have been working hard, for many months. Hundreds of hours of organization have been in vain. The many elements required for an event of this size have been cancelled: bands, stage & sound, tents, tables, electricity, etc., etc. We are so sorry for this, but we are optimistic and hope to see you in 2022! I would like to thank the ACCN Board for all the hard work: ACCN Event Chair Chrys Hellem, Secretary Elaine Christiansen, Treasurer Karin Mandeville, Raffle Chair Jeanette Førland, Advisors Jan Søderstrøm, Ole Hillestad, & Web Designer Alexander Douglas. In addition, a well-deserved thanks to all our Committee Chair (men/women). The ACCN is an umbrella organization for its ten plus clubs/organizations in addition to private people who enjoy meeting other USA fans. We have no paid employees only volunteers and are non-political, non-profit, non-religious, and a charitable organization. Best wishes to all for the rest of 2021. Stay healthy! Bruce Allen www.accn.no [email protected] Org.nr. 985 565 643 Bruce Allen ACCN Chairman NEMER A KE Editor: Rande Hansen V T S Se hele vårt sortiment Kvalitetsvarer direkte fra Design and Layout: Kristin D. Haanæs Printing: Merkur Grafisk AS Production is carbon-neutral. CO emissions have been compensated for. oluf.no 2 2 COMMUNITY GUIDE 2021 –2022 www.accn.no COMMUNITY GUIDE 2021 –2022 www.accn.no 3 Oluf ACCN annonse A4-05.2021.indd 1 12.05.2021 09:30 Greetings from To My Fellow Americans in Norway City Hall It is my honor and privilege as Chargé d'affaires, ad interim to the Kingdom In Oslo we are privileged to have an American community. The annual of Norway to extend best wishes to Norway’s American community as celebration of the American Independence Day in Frognerparken has we celebrate the United States of America’s 245th Independence Day. become a major and joyful event. In light of the current health situation, and the covid 19 virus, this year, as last year, there will unfortunately be As I reflect on my time serving as Chargé d'affaires, a.i. for the past year, no traditional celebration. I am reminded of my primary responsibility, which is to represent the people of the United States and to strengthen the relationship between In 2021 the covid 19 virus must be addressed by all nations. On behalf the United States and Norway. My priorities are to emphasize our of the City of Oslo I would like to thank the Americans in Oslo, and the steadfast and enduring alliance with Norway; promote shared economic American Coordination Council in Norway, for your participation in our prosperity by pursuing new avenues of trade, investment, and innova- joint efforts to stop the covid 19 virus. tion; and build on our strong historic and people-to-people ties and the shared values held by both our nations. While I personally serve In Norway, as well as in many other European countries, the American as the official representative of the United States to Norway, in a very Declaration of Independence had a profound influence. The American important sense, all of us, as Americans who live here - including all of Constitution inspired – among others, the Norwegians to create a liberal you - serve as ambassadors for our nation ... both in our culture and and modern constitution. in our values every day. Together, we can share more directly our proud American heritage, fostering closer ties with our Norwegian friends and The ties between Norway and America are deep and strong. From about partners. In particular, the American Coordinating Council of Norway is 1850 – 1920, more than 800 000 Norwegians immigrated to the USA. a key partner in furthering this vital U.S.-Norway relationship. I thank Many came from the countryside in Norway, but also from the cities. all of you affiliated with ACCN for the important work you do. Richard H. Riley, Chargé d'affaires, ad interim Marianne Borgen , Mayor of Oslo Today Oslo, like many cities in USA is a multicultural city. Core values such This year has brought with it an unprecedented global challenge in the as tolerance and respect for people from all nations are more important form of the global pandemic – a crisis particularly concerning for expatriate Americans like all of us who have than ever. Despite our declarations and conventions – human rights are still under severe pressure in many family and friends back home. Though the challenges are daunting, I am deeply impressed by the response of parts of the world. the American and Norwegian people as we face this crisis together. Unprecedented challenges often bring forth uncommon courage, and that has been on full display in Norway and the United States - by our first responders, This time of pandemic has shown us the importance of cooperation, togetherness, and respect for human our brave medical professionals, and all who serve our communities. I know we will continue to work together dignity. We need each other, and no one can manage on their own. and support one another in this fight, and that soon we will find our way forward to a brighter tomorrow. My best wishes for the American Independence Day 2021. I wish for you, your families, and your wonderful colleagues a safe journey as we walk together through this un- precedented period in history. Though we are not able to be together this year, I know we will all be celebrating in our hearts. Happy Independence Day from our Embassy family to yours Gratulerer med dagen! 4 COMMUNITY GUIDE 2021 –2022 www.accn.no COMMUNITY GUIDE 2021 –2022 www.accn.no 5 Run-up is arranged, where competitors run up 86 flights, 1,576 stairs. It is the ultimate test of endurance! Turning back Time Empire State Building, 90 Years The Empire State ReBuilding initiative was launched with the goal of re- storing the building to its original splendor, so that it could be preserved for generations to come at a cost of $500 million for the restoration. Every step of the way, the effort honors the vision of its designers and Article by Rande Hansen engineers nearly a century ago. After nearly a century, many of the building’s key design elements, from the lighting and glasswork to the marble interiors, had weathered. As 2021 marks the 90th anniversary of perhaps the most famous skyscraper of all time. a result, some of these defining pieces were in danger of being lost. Hovering over Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets in Manhattan, New York, the Empire State Building has 102 floors and is 381 meters high (443 meters including Today, more the antenna). The building was completed in 1931, just 13 months after construction than 12,000 began, and had a price tag of 45 million dollars. It remained the world’s highest feet of histor- building for 39 years, shoved down to 2nd place after the completion of the first of ic glassware the two towers in the World Trade Center. has been rec- reated with It is estimated that 4 million tourists visit the Empire State Building every year, but Painted glass located in the lobby of the meticulous that number can have been severely reduced after the outbreak of Covid-19. The Empire State Building attention to observation decks are the main attractions. Photographer: Carol M Highsmith, 1946- detail by a Source: Library of Congress team of arti- On the internet, you find many interesting facts about the Empire State. The building sans and historians. Damaged marble has been boasts 6500 windows and 73 elevators. As of 2020 the Empire State is the 7th tallest removed and replaced with new stone. The result is building in New York City, the 9th tallest in the U.S., and the 49th tallest in the world. an ESB experience that’s faithful to the history of the Of the 102 floors, 86 are commercially useable. The peak of the tower, the remaining building. 16 floors, has lighting that can be color-coded to reflect happenings in the city. Among the building’s most striking design artifacts is the vast mural along the Art Deco 24-foot-tall lobby ceiling The building has its own zip code - 10118. On a clear day you have an expansive and corridor murals, painted in metallic silver and gold. view over 5 states, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Mas- It depicts a celestial sky adorned with 23-karat gold stars, sachusetts. It is considered to be the most photographed building in the world. sunbursts, and gears. For decades, it welcomed visitors to Lightening strikes the building an average of 23 times each year! the building – however, in the 1960s, it was painted over and covered with a dropped ceiling.