Dear Members,

Welcome back from the summer break. The Giornico Summer Outing went very well thanks to Ruedi Müller’s and Katy Meyer’s organisation. This year, as usual, we have tried to prepare an interesting and varied programme with the traditional dinners, seasonal walks, lectures, coffee mornings, English Film Club films and outings as well as some new events. The lecture programme will include some prominent speakers again. We are also experimenting with some new Library learning activities. The Committee, which has a number of new members this year, looks forward to welcoming you to these events.

Iain Wylie.

September – October 2010 Programme

On Saturday the 4th of September at 10 am in the Club Rooms in Via Rusca there will be a Coffee Morning. The Library will be open at this time. All are welcome.

On Tuesday the 7th of September from 2.30 – 5.30 pm and each subsequent Tuesday, the Library will be open for borrowing and returning books. Members are encouraged to use this excellent Club facility.

On Friday the 10th of September at 6 pm in the Hotel Belvedere there will be Aperitifs hosted by the Club, followed by the Opening Dinner. Didi Rothermann and Marianne Habluetzel have kindly prepared a Photo Review of last seasons’ events, which will be projected during the evening. A menu is enclosed, and members are invited to call 079 789 1310 by Tuesday the 7th of September if planning to join. Please advise your choice of fish or meat.

On Wednesday the 22nd of September at 10.25 am, members are invited to join an Outing to the Botanical Gardens on Brissago Islands. The boat will sail from Locarno at 10.35 am, arriving 11.20 am. A tour of the gardens conducted by an English speaking guide will start at 11.30 am, lasting about an hour. Lunch will then be available in the Palazzo, and the return boat will leave at 2.40 pm. The Group fare for the return boat trip and park entry will be Fr. 30 per head, payable on the day. A fixed menu lunch has been arranged for Fr 25 excl. drinks. The restaurant has asked for numbers 5 days ahead, so to join, please contact Rita Martin on 079 648 1369 by Thursday September 16th.

On Saturday the 25th of September at 5 pm in the brasserie of the Hotel Palma members may meet for Aperitifs. Members buy their own drinks, the hotel supplies snacks. All are welcome to attend.

On Tuesday the 28th of September at 5 pm in the Library there will be a meeting of the English Conversation Group. The topic for discussion will be ‘Can we predict the future?’ introduced by Arne Westphalen. All members are welcome to attend.

On Friday the 1st of October at 6 pm in the Hotel Belvedere there will be a Lecture by the South African Ambassador, H.E. George H. Johannes. Ambassador Johannes will speak about the transition from the Mandela period and the current situation in South Africa. This will be followed by a Speaker's Dinner at 7.45 pm. Members attending the lecture, and whether joining the Ambassador for dinner, please contact 079 789 1310 by Wednesday September the 29th.

On Saturday the 2nd of October at 10 am in the Club Rooms there will be a Coffee Morning. The Library will also be open.

On Saturday the 9th of October at 6 pm in the Club Rooms there will be a Chestnut Roast. This is an enjoyable social evening where the Club provides hot, newly roasted chestnuts and members bring their own liquid refreshment. Please book early with 079 789 1310 to reserve a place, but by October the 7th at the latest.

On Tuesday the 12th of October at 5 pm in the Club Rooms there will be a meeting of the English Conversation Group. The topic will be 'Human rights from East and West' introduced by Ruedi Mueller. All members are welcome to attend.

On Friday the 15th of October at 6.15 pm in the Teatro di Locarno there will be a Film (1) Programme details are not yet available but will be circulated as soon as finalised. Season tickets may be bought by ASCL members at a reduced rate. There is no reduction for single tickets. Members may meet to eat afterwards at the Universo restaurant behind the Theatre. Since some members have found the rear of the restaurant noisy in the past, we have reserved tables in the front bar area this season, which will hopefully be quieter.

On Saturday the 23rd of October at 9.15 am at Tenero station members may meet for the Autumn Walk. Transfer to private cars and drive by motorway to Biasca, then take direction Lucomagno, up the Blenio Valley to Corzoneso (after Dongio, turn left up the hill 3 km). Driving time around 50 minutes. Three walking options are proposed, then return to Corzoneso followed by a local lunch. Option 1.For regular walkers, park in Corzoneso opposite the former Casa Comunale near the church, walk to Cumiasca on meadow, forest and asphalt tracks (about 30min, 130m up). Continue to Leontica on asphalt road (about 15 min, 30m up). Finally to the Romanesque church of S.Carlo in Negretino, one of the most remarkable in Ticino for its location and frescoes. Asphalt road and new luxury path with spectacular suspension footbridge. (about 10 min, 20m lower). Option 2. For those preferring gentler slopes, drive up from Corzoneso to Cumiasca (1.5 km), park on right side just before the village and continue as in option 1 (25 min to S. Carlo Church, 30m up, 20m down). Option 3. For easy-going members, drive from Corzoneso to Leontica, park before or after the church, have a coffee at the Osteria Centrale and wait for the sporty folks. To join, please contact Anton Marti on 079 329 9953 by Friday 22nd October.

On Friday the 29th of October at 6.15 pm in the Teatro di Locarno there will be a Film (2) Members may meet afterwards at the Universo restaurant behind the Theatre.

On Saturday the 30th of October at 5 pm in the Brasserie of the Hotel Palma there will be Aperitifs. Members pay for their own drinks, the hotel provides snacks.

New Members:
The Committee welcomes the following new members whose applications have been approved: Marilen Andrist, Brissago; Fred and Diana Bopp, Minusio; Susanne Brughelly, Contra; Louise Burckhardt, Gordola; Gwen Cavalli-Eastment, Minusio; Susanne Ghiggi, Ascona; Catherine Giudici, Brione s/M; Herbert Grammer, Muralto; Alex Kessler, Tegna; Giovanni Margiasso, S.Antonino; Nicola Martignoni, Quartino; Alain and Roxana Morgantini, Contra; Emanuele Olivotto, Locarno; Heike Pallhuber, Tenero; Colleen Rodgers, Muralto; Siegfried Scherrer, Minusio; René and Sibylle Studer, Biel-Benken/Ticino.

Enclosures:
Treasurer's Report, Opening Dinner Menu, Library New Book List, updated membership-list

Library: it is proposed to start two new activities in connection with the library – a video evening and a book discussion group, each once per month in the Club Rooms. The provisional dates for these in Sept. and Oct. will be Video 7/9 and 5/10, Book Club 14/9 and 19/10. Later dates are shown in the diary. Members will be informed when the start of these activities is confirmed.

For your Diary:

November 2nd:	Library Video
November 6th:	Coffee morning, Book Sale
November 10th:	Lecture
November 12th:	Film (3)
November 16th:	English Conversation
November 18th:	Wine Tasting – Matasci
November 23rd:	Library Book Club
November 26th:	Film (4)
November 27th:	Aperitifs – Palma
December 3rd:	Film (5)
December 4th:	Christmas Dinner
December 7th:	Library Video
December 14th:	Library Book Club

 * General Agency for Locarno.