Rotary Christmas Market raises funds for poor
Past
District Governor Peter Malhotra (2nd right) was guest of honour at the
opening ceremony. Seen helping Peter to cut the ribbon are PP Marlies Fritz,
Marianne Bsch Biel, and President Jan Abbink of the Rotary Club Eastern
Seaboard. At left are PE Carl Dyson and PAG Stefan Ryser.
Elfi Seitz
Hugo Gruenig was all smiles when he won the top prize in
the Rotary Club of the Eastern Seaboard’s Christkindl market. Of
course, he did buy 10,000 baht in tickets, so winning was pretty likely.
The Swiss national was one of many who turned up December
4 at the Marriott Pattaya Hotel & Spa for the Rotary fundraiser.
Pratheep Malhotra, past governor of District 3340,
reviewed in his welcoming speech the good deeds done by the Rotary chapter
during the year, noting many commuted far to help the less fortunate. He
thanked everyone who attended to both shop and exhibit their wares.
“You are helping the club and, at the same time, your
poorer fellow countrymen,” Malhotra said.
Steve Ryser, past president and assistant to the
governor, sold champagne while dressed as John Lennon. Other individuals and
companies also donated their time and products to the raffle to raise money.
What
would Christmas be without gingerbread?
Cute
dolls would make great Christmas
presents for the young girls in the family.
The
Father Ray Foundation’s SOS Rice
and other charity projects are well received.
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Holidays celebrated at PCEC weekly meeting
Khun Toy,
Khun Klaus, and Khun Somdej from the Pattaya Orphanage share a lighter moment
after the delightful concert. Many thanks, Pattaya Orphanage!
There was hardly an empty seat in the Amari’s The Tavern
Restaurant when Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg welcomed everyone to the
Sunday, December 12th meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. Everyone was
waiting for Richard to get through the opening announcements so that they could
welcome the children from Pattaya Orphanage.
None of the
orphans were forgotten - all received a gift from Santa, arranged by Santa’s
helper, Judith of PCEC.
Member Richard Smith first introduced Toy from the Orphanage.
She said it was a privilege for the children to be back this year to again sing
Christmas Carols for the Club as they did last year and the year before. She
said the children who range from 7 years in age and upwards were delighted to
give their first performance of the year to the Pattaya City Expats Club after
spending a lot of time practicing.
First to appear were some very cute Thai girls dressed in
traditional costume. They then delighted the audience with their dancing to the
song “Welcome to Siam.”
Then about 45 children in choir robes began to file in.
Accompanied by guitar music, they started with that Christmas favorite, Jingle
Bells. This was followed by Joy to the World, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Hark Now
Hear the Angels Sing, and concluded with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. There
was much applause from the audience to show their appreciation after each song.
Richard Smith then loudly said he thought he heard someone
coming. With a Ho, Ho, Ho and a Merry Christmas, jolly old St Nick arrived with
his white flowing beard and red suit to the amazement of the children. Santa
joined in by leading the choir in another rendition of Jingle Bells. Of course,
he wouldn’t be Santa if he did not have a bag full of goodies. It was so
beautiful watching the smiling children give Santa a wai before receiving their
gift.
While this was being done, Toy briefly mentioned the history
of the Orphanage and their needs so that they can continue helping children.
When the Orphanage was first started by Father Brennan, it was to take care of
children fathered by American servicemen that took their R&R from the Vietnam
War in Thailand. Now, the babies and children at the Orphanage are mostly those
whose parents cannot afford to care for them. She pointed out that the Thai
Government does not provide for these children so the Orphanage works to carry
on Father Brennan’s tradition and care for as many as they can.
Member Judith Edmonds, who had been heading up the effort for
obtaining donations for the Orphanage, announced that the members had donated
the money to buy the gifts for the children being handed out as well as for
others at the Orphanage. Toy said the children will greatly appreciate the
gifts. She also extended an invitation to everyone to visit the Orphanage on
Christmas Day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for free food and drink and to again listen
to the children’s harmonious voices sing Christmas Carols.
After the children left, Richard Silverberg updated everyone
on upcoming events in and around Pattaya and called on David Meador to conduct
the always informative and sometimes humorous Open Forum, where questions about
living in Thailand and Pattaya in particular are asked and answered. Also, a
special thanks to Bill Francis being Jolly St. Nick for the children.
The day the
Angels came.
Santa,
a.k.a. Khun Klaus, doing a last minute whirlwind TQC tour of his workshops
before Christmas, popped down from his factory No 7 in Klong Toey to share the
joy of Christmas with the orphans of Pattaya Orphanage, and Pattaya City Expats.
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Dicey Reilly’s turns on the craic
Cat Brett offers one and all a piece of the huge Dicey Reilly’s 1st
anniversary birthday cake.
Dr. Iain Corness
Dicey Reilly’s Irish pub turned on the ‘craic’ last
weekend at the celebrations for its first anniversary. With plenty of beer
and cheer, manager Cat Brett and his bevy of handmaidens looked after a
large throng all bent on assisting the staff to have a good time (‘craic’ in
Ireland).
With entertainment from Lee Shamrock, ably assisted by
some small children on the tambourines and bells, it was time for
toe-tapping and sing-along with the venue’s most loved ‘Irish’ entertainer
Lee, who played at the opening of Delaney’s Pub at the same site 12 years
ago and has come back for special events ever since.
And there was no doubt that the first birthday for Dicey
Reilly’s was a special event, with Cat Brett cutting a huge birthday cake
which was enjoyed by everyone.
The next important date will be St. Patrick’s Day and Cat Brett already
has some ideas in mind. Get ready for March 17, 2011.
Lee
Shamrock, ably assisted by some small children on the tambourines and bells,
provides the entertainment.
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The Streets are Alive
Festive
customers review the art over a glass of red.
Dr. Iain Corness
In Pattaya, the streets may be alive with the sound of music,
but in Pattayaland Soi 3, Richard Burk and Steve Burke have produced Street
Life, a wonderful amalgam of art gallery, delicatessen, wine bar and restaurant.
This is a concept which is totally unique in this tourist city resort.
Situated where the Richard Burk’s Amor restaurant once
offered the largest menu this side of Shanghai, and next to Steve Burke’s Caf้
New Orleans, Street Life offers a sophistication in wining/dining/deli and art.
It certainly is an art gallery, with the walls of the two
floors entirely covered. In France the Louvre is noted for its artworks - in
Street Life, the art works are even in the ‘loo’. The items are for sale, with a
discreet sticker indicating the price in the bottom left hand corner.
Incidentally, Richard is offering a 25 percent discount on the art works (other
than consignment items) from now until January 15.
The venue is also a 30 seat restaurant, with many of the old
Amor items still there (including my favorite, the iced cucumber soup), but now
there is also a deli menu, with some great sandwiches such as a ‘Seriously
Mature Cheddar Cheese’ and ‘8 inches of Philly Steak’ or ‘Toasted Bagel with a
Schmear’ (which turns out to be spread with cream cheese, for non-New Yorkers)!
The deli section is small, but very comprehensive, and priced
significantly below the general supermarket prices for cheeses, salads and cold
cuts, with items such as Italian imported Campagnolo Salami, Parmigianno
Reggiano and Gorgonzola Dolce.
The outer section is certainly the place to enjoy a wine and
watch the world go by, and with 10 wines available by the glass there is enough
choice.
As Richard said when he showed me over Street Life, “This is
totally new and different for Pattaya,” and I have to agree. The Street Life
website is www.streetlife-pattaya.com, and is well worthwhile perusing.
Street Life
is filled with artwork.
Some of the
exquisite items on display, and for sale, at Street Life.
On the
outside looking in.
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La Scala steps up
Bang Saray’s Italian cuisine
Paolo Nota
receives flowers from members of the Pattaya Mail Media Group. (From left) Elfi
Seitz, Tony Malhotra, Paolo Nota, Rung Malhotra and Werner Kuehr.
Elfi Seitz
La Scala, an Italian trattoria and pizzeria in Bang Saray,
could be a staircase to success for owner Paolo Nota Bedeuten.
The longtime Thailand resident opened La Scala - which
translates to the staircase - following his larger La Dolce Vita restaurant in
Pattaya. The new eatery is cozy but still offers the big taste of his previous
restaurant.
La Scala is easily reached by traveling Sukhumvit Road to
Nangsaree. Turn right and you’ll find it on the right a few hundred meters on.
Pattaya cooks up giant butter cake for HM the King’s birthday
Happy chefs
show off their 149-meter-long cake.
Thanachot Anuwan
Pattaya food groups cooked up a 149-foot cake for HM the
King’s 83rd birthday.
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Pattaya Chef Association
President Surasak Pankluab on Dec. 4 unveiled the 40 cm. by 60 cm. cake, which
stood three inches tall.
Among the contributors to the big butter cake were the Food
and Drink Association of the Eastern Seaboard, regional chefs clubs, the Eastern
Housekeeping Management Club and others.
The cake was cut into 5,999 pieces sold for 39 baht each. Proceeds went to
the Father Ray Foundation.
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