Peter Hobden was an IT man at the ICRC (International Red Cross) for 25 years but not so long ago and, like many others in these tough economic times, he made a complete career change.

In fairness, he did it well ahead of the global financial crisis, in 2001, and mainly because of a long love affair with images. He set  up his own company, creating calendars for Carouge and Geneva, but in 2005 he turned his hand to painting, taking his love of images to another level.

Some 200 people showed up 3 June for the opening of his new show at the Espace Delafontaine in Carouge.

His work is both familiar because of its everyday Geneva area scenes and taunting, because the richness of the canvases makes you sense that this familiar world hides another, more emotionally coloured one.

Forty of his acrylics on canvas are on display until 13 June at the Espace.

Daily, 15:00-19:00 and Wednesday 15:00-21:00
(or by appointment, tel: +41 79 310 6606
Espace Delafontaine (Galerie de la Ville de Carouge)
Rue Jacques-Dalphin 24, 1227 Carouge
Free entry

More information on Hobden and his art

I’m rarely tempted by auctions and tombolas, despite the fine efforts of the volunteers who put them together. The 27 March auction by American Citizens Abroad falls into a different category, if only for the fine collection of prizes, several of which I’m beginning to covet. Maybe it’s the economy this year, but the idea of winning a prize, ahhhhh, that has appeal.

Details (also on our events calendar)

17th annual Gala Auction
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mandarin Oriental Hôtel du Rhône, Geneva

7:00 pm  Cocktails – cash bar
8:00 pm  Auction with Geoffroy Ader of Sotheby’s
Anne Hornung-Soukup and Andy Sundberg

Reservations by Phone/Fax : +41 (0)22 340 02 33 or info.aca@gmail.com
Credit Cards accepted : American Express, Mastercard, Visa

Auction Items

Marisol Image
Château de Montcaud, Relais et Châteaux, Provence
Park Hotel Grazioli, Rome
Geneva Walking Tour with Marilynn Geiger
Chalet in Verbier for the music festival
4* hotel in Crans Montana
Christa Etienne Bijoux
The Library in English
Village Antiques
Week stay in a villa in the Dominican Republic
Dinner for 6 chez Edie and Rob Wells
American International Women’s Club of Geneva
Hotel Electra Palace, 5*, Athens
Ceramic plate stand by Sandra Nagsamen
Monarch cruise to Greek Isles
Week in chalet in Anzère
Wine from the Domaine de Chatelanat, Perroy
Intersource-internet training with Roland  Crim
Aegean Airlines
Un Petit Mot, Fine papers, cards and stationery
Hotel Divani, Athens
‘Femmes en discussion’ by African artist “66 Ouassa”
Casa San Martino, Tuscany
Chateau du Bagnols, France
Autociel

ACA is still looking for donations: meal in your home, week in chalet, wine, art objects

Photos: top, grains nearing harvest, St Prex and bottom, Tara and a freshly cut Swiss meadow.

I went to bed last night thinking about Sting. I’m probably not the first woman to do that. The man does have appeal. I went to bed thinking about why I deserve free tickets to go see him 16 September in Geneva. I can think of a hundred reasons why, starting with: because I deserve a nice present, no strings attached and no work to get it. It was the end of a long day and I was tired and there are no anniversaries, birthdays or holidays in sight. It’s the slim-pickings season for gifts.

The reason for all this is that glocals.com is giving away two tickets to Police’s 2007 reunion tour, but you have to win a contest by writing why you deserve these tickets. My first reaction to hearing about the contest was that I never win anything, so why bother. Second was: I’m too busy. My mother died a week ago at the fine age of 95 and I will be going home to the US for a family service in two weeks. Work is piling up and everyone is back from vacation, which means more work. Third was: hmmm, but it would be SO nice to hear Sting.

Here’s why: he’s the best icon I can think of for being over-55 and still terrific (sorry, Mick) in every way. He’s smarter, savvier, funnier and it’s just possible his voice is even better than when he came to fame. Good for him! Good for us. He inspired me to tuck an hour’s walk into my overcrowded work day in front of a computer, and I’m the better for it. If he could sing "Roxanne" way back when and give me shivers and do it again years later with "Fields of Gold," there is hope for us all to take a long, slow ride into the sunset in fine form.

Here’s really why it would be so nice to see and hear him: A little girl who has Rett Syndrome, we think, plays a big part in my life. She’s a real jewel, and she’s also a lot of work. In fairness, what child isn’t? But in addition to making life harder for her family, we’ve always worried about her health, and how long she will be with us. Sometimes that gets us down, and everyone in the family has moments where it’s all too much. During one of those I took a walk near Lake Geneva, around the vineyards and through fields with ripening grains. I had to drive to an appointment soon after, and because those fields had given me some peace I drove by them. A small miracle had Sting singing "Fields of Gold" on the radio. I pulled over and dedicated that song to lovely Tara and whenever I hear it I get a rush of golden love for that girl.

Thanks, Sting.

Contest: Glocals web site (used to be GenevaOnline) and it closes today, Wednesday!