Follow the illustrated fireplace advice of the Swiss energy and environment office to enjoy a perfect fire at home: light it from the top! This limits the bad smoke that pollutes the air you’re breathing. First pile untreated dry wood that has been brought to room temperature, then top it with small sticks of fire starters and light your fire as you would a candle, keeping the flames on top. More advice on the website, in French and German only.
The Know-it-all Passport book, which comes out every two years, provides a substantial collection of addresses and information about where to find things in the Lake Geneva region. It’s now part of a larger offer, with the web site providing information and calendars for activities, events, and local businesses, with companies invited to submit their own information.
The book began life as a guide for mothers in the area, written by Lisa Cirieco, who grew up in Geneva in an American family. It has been expanded over the years and a special strength, also reflected on the web site, is some of the smaller community groups and activities that are hard to find elsewhere.
The Swiss postal service, La Poste, bissued the Basel Carnival commemorative stamp 5 January 2009. You can order them online, in English. Great for collectors, or even as easy gifts for non-philatelists: these are particularly charming stamps. Background story on GenevaLunch
The US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva is keeping step with the rapid pace of change at the White House, publishing a daily “Transition” newsletter that is one of the best ways to track what is going on, who is saying what in the US government. Contact the Mission to subscribe.
American Citizens Abroad, based in Geneva, is a non-partisan group that fights for and protects the interests of US citizens overseas. It has an excellent page of information on voting options for Americans, a helpful guide through the fuzzy maze that is the US voting system. There is a link to the new non-partisan group Overseas Vote Foundation, which helps register voters and has an overseas citizens online help desk.
English-language guide to Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France areas, by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman.
Sixth edition, 2009/2010 published August 2008.
A wealth of practical information and tips for your cultural life, expanded from earlier versions that were aimed primarily at parents: 40 chapters, maps, bookmarks, 652 pages.
An online marketplace where companies or individuals with common interests connect to buy and sell local services such as babysitting, cleaning and classes. Opened in April 2008; functions in French and English.
Online and telephone shopping offered by Lehner-Versand. Without having to leave your desk, you can purchase basic clothing and household items. Available in French, Italian and German only.
