German World 10-Year-Anniversary Party A Big Success

German World’s 10th Anniversary Party a Big Success
Emmy-winning TV actor Eric Braeden and Air Berlin helped to raise funds for local German-language schools

On December 9, 2010, German-World.com, Inc., publisher of German World Magazine, hosted its 10-Year Anniversary party at the new Los Angeles Turner Center dedicating the proceeds to the Goethe International Charter School and the German-American School Association in Southern California. The event was sponsored by acclaimed TV star and Emmy-winning actor Eric Braeden as well as the German-American Cultural Society. Thanks to more than 120 paying guests and generous donations by Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, who contributed a roundtrip ticket to Germany for two persons to the raffle, as well as TheDownComforterStore, dentist Dr. Joseph Goodman, Stephanie and Hans Eric Reisch, former publishers of the California Staatszeitung, and many more, German World is able to send more than 2,000 US dollars to the two beneficiaries.

“When I look around”, said German World founder and publisher Petra Schuermann in her welcoming remarks, “I see many familiar faces and many unfamiliar ones. I am very happy that German World’s invitation brought together a completely new mix of people. And that’s exactly what German World strives to achieve: connecting people from all paths of life, initiating new synergies between different groups, and creating a sense of community among each other.”

German-World.com, Inc. was founded on October 10, 2000 by Petra Schuermann, Alexander Hast, and Petra and Reinhold Schwarzwald. While Alexander Hast is still “on board” as German World’s German text editor, Reinhold Schwarzwald, an acclaimed Austrian saxophonist, and Petra Schwarzwald pursued other careers outside of German World. However, the event brought them back together. Alexander Hast was the sound engineer and DJ of the evening, and Reinhold Schwarzwald gave a very memorable performance with his son Kevin. Petra Schwarzwald was one of the VIP guests of the evening.

Guests had traveled from as far as Las Vegas and Sacramento in order to attend the event. German World’s party was also honored by the presence of Austrian Consul General, Dr. Karin Proidl, and the Swiss Consul General Bruno Ryff as well as Austrian trade commissioner Rudolf Thaler and ZfA Language Consultant Frank Duscha. From the German Consulate General, German World was happy to welcome Fahriye Mahrenholz with two guests.

Petra Schuermann also honored Elke Miller, founder of the Goethe International Charter School, as well as Rita Reiff, president of the German-American School Association of Southern California, for their efforts in keeping German as a foreign language alive, a goal that they share with German World.

With long-time German World staff photographer Dina of 4seasons-photography.com and online editor Sonia Laszlo as well as sales manager Hiltrud Altit, editors Nina Wachenfeld and Dr. Cecilia Cloughly, and contributor Christian Thiele, the German World staff was also very well represented. Sadly, art director Claudia Monje, former GW president Nicholas Jaksic, sales manager Gabriele Utz, English language editor Nancy Joyce, staff writer Andreas Fuchs from New York, and graphic designer Anna Maria Furlong were not able to attend.

One of the evening’s highlights was Eric Braeden’s speech, in which he reminded the audience of the many contributions German immigrants made to the United States for more than four centuries and the great achievements of numerous US citizens of German descent. Unfortunately, these historical facts, Braeden pointed out, still go largely unreported by the American mainstream media and he therefore feels very strongly about making every effort to educate the public whenever possible about the close ties of German-Americans and the contributions of German immigrants.

The guests were treated to a dinner buffet partially sponsored by Chalet Edelweiss, Maximilian’s, Continental Sausage and BC International, as well as to live performances by American R&B singer Brett Mikels and Michael Mellon and the acclaimed Austrian artists Reinhold and Kevin Schwarzwald who led the guests in a Christmas sing-along.

Since the new Los Angeles Turner Center features not only a very nicely-sized stage and great sound system but also a lovely dance floor, it did not take much time until a few couples were dancing.

The evening ended on a high note with the drawing of the winner of the round trip ticket on Air Berlin. Consul General Dr. Karin Proidl and Consul General Bruno Ryff assisted with the drawing. Alexandra Strebin, a native of Hamburg, was the lucky winner.

All photos by 4seasons-photography.com