Holland supermarkets boycotted on rumors of Israel donations

The fighting in Gaza resulted in unexpected collateral damage this week for two discount supermarket chains in Holland, after their Muslim shoppers began boycotting following rumors that the supermarkets are donating to Israel.

In a statement released Tuesday, the two German-based international food giants Aldi and Lidl said the rumors - which circulated in e-mails and even mobile text messages - were false.

From Holland to Holland - de Boer made journey to US in 1956

It was 1956, and de Boer had the challenge of assimilating into his new life here in Holland, coming from my country Holland.

"Immigrants tend to straddle two countries and two cultures," he wrote. "There is a sense of ambivilence toward their adopted country and their country of origin — a sense they belong to both, yet fully to neither ... This feeling of ambivilences grows acutely stronger as I become older.

"But there is also a positive side to that growing ambiguity. As a result of the emigration experience, I have become more of a world citizen by having experienced two different cultures."

De Boer graduated from Michigan State University and Boston University, and pursued a career as a collegiate and professional soccer coach. These days, back in Holland, he has written and published a book called, "Rough Seas: An Immigrant's Journey from Holland to Holland."

He wrote, "The story of my youth, a time capsule from another era that links the past to the present, hopefully will help my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family members who follow to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the immigrant experience."

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Global warming linked to European viral epidemic

The epidemic has been shown to extend to neighboring countries such as France, Germany, Holland and Luxembourg. He said, This animal-borne disease, scarcely known before 1990, has been increasing in incidence in Belgium and Holland with a cyclic pattern, reaching epidemic proportions since 2005.
The fact that the growing combined effect of hotter summer and autumn seasons is matched by the growth of NE in recent years means this epidemic can be considered an effect of global warming.

NE is caused by infection with Puumala virus (PUUV), which is spread by the bank vole, a rodent common throughout most of Europe. The authors believe that warmer weather causes increases in the amount of 'mast', plant seeds from oak and beech trees, that forms the voles� staple diet. This plethora of food results in increases in the vole population and warm summers raise the chances that people will visit the forests where the voles live.

Dutch Hotel expands and invests in the future

He was born in a hotel in Holland, which his parents ran and then later followed in their footsteps by making his mark in the same industry.

He said: “At the moment it is difficult for everybody. You hear about the stores that are closing, like Marks and Spencer. But we haven't noticed it so much in the hotel industry.

“We are pretty sharp at the moment.

“We are already building a new conference centre that will be delivered in April."

All bedrooms at the hotel will be refurbished in a new scheme starting in April, meaning guests can expect even higher standards of comfort during their stay.

As well as the new conference centre at the bottom of flats behind the hotel, there will be a new restaurant, kitchen and bar and the reception area will double in size.

Wenger:"Van Persie is more of a goalscorer than Bergkamp"

The Holland forward is Arsenal's leading scorer with 13 goals, and was named captain for the FA Cup third-round tie against Plymouth.

Wenger believes Van Persie, signed from Feyenoord in May 2004, has started to tap his potential.

"At the start we gave him Dennis Bergkamp as a role model and he is growing into that role very well," said the Arsenal boss.

"He is more of a goalscorer than Dennis and I think he has developed his vision and passing well."

Wenger added: "Robin is passionate about the game."

"He was a little bit sidelined in Holland when we bought him and [during the] first year we observed him when he was more on the bench. In fact, we watched him more in the reserves than in the first team.

"When he arrived here it was a big move for him physically and mentally, however I believe he has survived because of his talent and his intelligence but mainly because of his passion for the game.

The Cake Cart

They claim chocolate sprinkles imported from the Netherlands, although you're not certain how important tiny bits Holland are, in the scheme of things. The organic, locally-grown ingredients, however...The best thing: with no store, there's not much time on the counter. And they bake some interesting cupcakes: "birthday cake," "Far East" (think ginger and lemon), "'sup, Doc?" (a carrot cake homage to Bugs Bunny) and so on.

Just informing you which other food we export, except for cheese.

Four Holland America Ships Adding Family-Style Italian Restaurant

Canaletto, a popular family-style Italian restaurant on Eurodam, is such a star that Holland America has decided to introduce it to four more ships: Oosterdam, Veendam, Noordam and Amsterdam, during planned dry docks scheduled to be completed in early May 2009.

Canaletto comes to life for dinner each evening when a section of the Lido restaurant is transformed into the Italian restaurant. Although reservations will be encouraged, walk-ups will be accommodated and the restaurant is no charge.

The restaurant features cuisine from many regions in Italy, and the menu begins with an antipasti plate with a fresh selection of meats and vegetables chosen nightly by the chef. Soup choices include a traditional Italian minestrone and zuppa di pesci, assorted seafood in a tomato broth.

Holland America plans first circumnavigation of Australia

If you're a Holland America fan you might want to hold off until 2010 when the line offers its first circumnavigation of the continent.

The 34-day voyage out of Sydney will take place aboard the 1,432-passenger Volendam and include visits to 18 ports. It also will include two days of cruising the scenic Great Barrier Reef coastline during daylight hours -- something Holland America says no other premium line offers.

The around-Australia cruise will begin March 14, 2010 and includes overnight stays in Hobart, Perth and Sydney. Other ports of call are Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Exmouth, Darwin, Cairns, Whitsunday Island and Brisbane, Australia.

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In addition, the line says passengers can sign up for an optional add-on tour to Komodo National Park in Indonesia to go searching for one of the fewer than 300 Komodo dragons that live in the region.

Duty of Care on Board Holland America

Many of these people will cruise on Holland America. Holland America is one of the "high end" cruise lines.

Passengers develop the expectation that they deserve more from Holland America. And, quite frankly, they do.

Passenger expectations primarily relate to customer service. But certainly cruise passengers, and particularly those on Holland America should also receive the highest standard of care when it comes to on board and excursion safety.

Many passengers are legally owed the highest standard of care. This applies to passengers on trains, buses, etc. However, the law has evolved in such a way that cruise lines, including Holland America, owe their passengers only an ordinary duty of care.

Duty of care is important because it sets the parameters by which negligence claims are judged.

Sahar heads to Holland

Chelsea forward Ben Sahar has joined Eredivisie side De Graafschap on a six-month loan deal.

The Israel international spent the first half of the season on loan at Portsmouth but he did not have the opportunity to impress.

FC Utrecht had hoped to take Sahar in January but they have now been pipped by Dutch rivals De Graafschap.

De Graafschap are currently languishing in 17th place in the Eredivisie and Sahar will want to help fire them up the table.

The 19-year-old has previously had loan spells in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.