Aruban Dr. Richard Visser met with Anderson Cooper from CNN’s program 360, in the first of several meetings planned on childhood obesity.

The research conducted by Dr. Richard Visser on childhood obesity, implemented programs such as the Sailboat Food Guide and the eXtreme H Games on Aruba and Visser’s new leadership role which is taking him on new roads with children around the world showing a light at the end of the tunnel for children and their parents.

He is already becoming a household name on the topic of childhood obesity in the United States. His ability to connect with children and to bring about innovations which inspire parent and child to live healthier lives; his methods of direct education and ways of innovating the system to combat childhood obesity are just a few of the points which made Anderson Cooper approach Dr. Visser to exchange ideas on future projects.

Dr. Visser is also the founder of “Fundacion Comunidad cu Vitalidad,” (community with vitality foundation) through which most of the above mentioned projects have been and are executed on the island.

The foundation is following the meetings of Dr. Visser and Anderson Cooper very closely and will keep the community informed.

During the Panamerican Judo Circuit Championships which took place in the Dominican Republic this past weekend Aruban judoka Fiderd Vis confronted other athletes from the region and won bronze for his island. His participation was a great success in all aspects as he also convinced the Panamerican Judo Federation to extend him a special invitation to participate at the Panamerican Games 2007, being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Dominican Republic Championships were really a three competition in one weekend consisting of: the last classification for the Panamerican Games, the Pan-american Circuit and the Carib-bean Champion-ship were battled on the mats.

For Fiderd this championship was of great importance, more so, while eying the Panamerican Games for which he has been training intensively.

On Aruba he is supported by two top trainers, Betto Thiel and Alexis Cardenas, who have given him all the technical support in his preparation.

During the past few months Fiderd has participated at different competitions in preparation for the Games, including the World Cup at Belo Horizonte and the Panamerican Championships in Montreal. He also trained in Sao Paolo, with the Brazilian team for the past two months as part of a special agreement existing among the Olympic Com-mittees of Brazil and Aruba.

The Aruban Olympic Committee (COA) has noticed the dedication, disclipline and seriousness in Fiderd — who has improved considerably in the sport of Judo – and therefore has decided to apply for a special invitation to the Panamerican Sports Organization for him to attend the Panamerican Games. This based on all his merits in Judo. And now all the work of all those involved has been rewarded.

COA is very happy with the news and congratulates Fiderd with the results of a bronze medal at the Panamerican Cricuit and the special invitation to the Panamerican Games.

Thanks to the team of The Westin Aruba Resort, headed by mr. Rob Smith, Franz Sydow, Ramiro and Rona Coster, Aruba is home again to an international and prestigious event, Aruba Wine, Food & Art Festival. Especially the art community is very grateful for the remarkable commitment showed by the team of The Westin during the years to promote the local art movement. This year was no exception; Oranjestad Kunsthuis art foundation and a group of prominent artists living and working on Aruba were invited to present a collective art exhibition in the Ballroom of The Westin Resort. The art exhibition was curated by renowned Aruban artist Gilbert Senchi who also organized the auction which was conducted by local celebrities Fernando Mansur and Maria Silva.

During the gala dinner keen art collectors were presented with selected art pieces. The auction opened with a work of Stan Kuiperi matched by a successful bidding by Martin Molina of the Pelican Nest.

William von Ramshorst of ISA securities effectively added an Eliza Lejeuz piece to his collection. At one point the works of Joseph Miklojcik were heavily disputed by patrons of the arts; Clelia Douglas and Melisa Cavan against the table of Aruba Trading Co. Finally, Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Cavan of the Radisson Spa won the bidding. The highlight of the auction was a beautiful piece by top German artist Carl Rohrig with a controversial bidding by Martin Molina and Shirley Barrow of the Aqua Grill. The dispute was settled behind closed doors at the Casablanca Casino for an undisclosed sum and surrounded by tragedy. Inside information has it that after hanging the art work in their beautiful estate at Tierra del Sol the Barrows, coming back from an afternoon golf, found the piece on the floor “luckily” slightly damaged by the broken glass. It might have to be flown to Germany for restoration yet no confirmation on the insurance policy.

The first work sold at the opening of the exhibition was a local fauna photograph by Roselie Klein to the Sauthoff’s of NY. Other art collectors were Herdy ten Loohuis of Windows on Aruba at the Divi Links and Tina Causey-Escobedo of the prestigious Island Temptation.

Oranjestad Kunsthuis and its talented team is a non profit foundation that offers professional support for; research and experimental studies in the arts, promotions, opportunities and a space in historic downtown to exhibit predominantly artists living and working on Aruba. Its main focus is of contributing to the development and promotion of Aruba’s contemporary art movement. Through this it strives to achieve the enrichment observers and guests with Aruba’s diverse artistic proposals. The foundation is currently working with more than 100 artists and carries more than 300 works of art. It also works with ateliers of reknowned international artists such as: Elvis Lopez, Alida Martinez, Gilbert Senchi, Osaira Muyale, Belinda de Veer, Glenda Heyliger, Eliza Lejuez, Rayan Oduber, Gustave Nouel, Ciro Abath, Stan Kuiperi, Winston Davis, Mo Mohamed, and Anthony Croes, also artists Tep van den Heuvel, Irene Peterson, Heleen Bongers and Mick Miller among others.

The foundation and gallery are located in historic and cultural downtown, between the Museum of National History at Fort Zoutman and City Hall, across the Governor’s office. With its involvement the foundation is also contributing to the revival of historical downtown. It is certainly “a superb meeting place for the arts.” You can also visit their web site at www.oranjestadkunsthuis.org for extensive information on the latest art news and art events on the island.

In a lively celebration held recently at the Old Cunucu House restaurant, Aruba Donkey Sanctuary volunteers and their partners marked the 10th anniversary of the good works being carried out in the protection and care of the island’s donkey population. Foundation Board members Ramon Boekhoudt, Desiree Eldering, Pedro Nunes, Bauke Feenstra, Mimi Medina and Debbie Williams led the event in which toasts were made in appreciation of the approximately 40 volunteers.

“We all share in common a great love of animals,” comments four-year volunteer Esther Melenhorst on the varied backgrounds of the volunteers which include a diverse group of individuals of all ages, and composed of Aruban residents as well as friends from countries including Holland, Mexico and the United States. The combined efforts of volunteers has resulted in the day-to-day care of the donkeys as well as educational and fundraising efforts.

Donkey Sanctuary Vice President Desiree Eldering announced a full schedule of events this year, including a photo contest that is currently ongoing, June 1 - August 31. Budding photographers, from elementary school students through adults, can submit their donkey-themed photos to the Treasure Box Toy Store or Checkpoint Color by September 1. (Checkpoint Color gives a 15% discount for printing your donkey pictures with them.) Winners will be announced during a family day celebration on September 30, in which the general public will be invited to participate. On November 10, a grand scale celebration will be held by the foundation, in raising funds through a dinner, live music and art auction event.

The foundation (referred to as “ Fundacion Salba Nos Buriconan” or the “Save our Donkeys” Foundation) was officially established in 1997. Founding board member Ramon Boekhoudt had, for several years previous, began efforts to safeguard abandoned donkeys, who once provided the main mode of transportation for island residents. He was soon aided in the endeavor by the selfless efforts of leading volunteers including Desiree Eldering, whose contributions ranging from artwork, a children’s book and constant hands-on work, has similarly motivated other volunteers in helping protect the island’s lovable donkeys.

The Santa Lucia-based sanctuary welcomes guests, offering information and a tour of the grounds to interested visitors, who are met with friendly “hee-haws,” warm muzzles and the inquisitive personalities of its approximately 40 donkey residents. More information about the sanctuary and upcoming events is available through the website: www. arubandonkey.org or by contacting Desiree Eldering at (297) 584-1063 or (297) 568-4091.

After being for sale for a number of years Brisas del Mar, the lovely local seafood restaurant in Savaneta has new dynamic owners, Dutch business partners Hans Veenhuysen & Robert Nieland who currently own a number of interests on the island including the popular Delifrance, an always-packed lunch and tea-room which they run in partnership with Ramon Groot Antink of Le Dome Restaurant.

Hans & Robert have been coming to the island for a few years, they even tried to buy the Tattoo party boat in the past, but they finally fell in love with Brisas Del Mar and with the restaurant's local owners and decided to acquire the location, rebuild totally and completely and transform the already magical place overlooking the water into a Spanish-influenced hang-out and a restaurant.

In October, visitors who drive to Savaneta will be rewarded with tranquility and stylishness at a seaside lounge, where they can sip fine wines and nibble on delicious tapas, fresh fish and interesting dishes all day long without ever moving from their comfortable chaises!

Hans & Robert plan going beyond food and offer a total experience, with music and ambiance, under the guidance of Willeke, the hardworking, driven and good-lookin’ lady who already runs Delifrance, which by the way also underwent major renovations, aided by the professional eye of Jani Croes, a local architect/designer/artist who will also help restructure and reposition Brisas Del Mar.

(And while at Delifrance, try the hot apple pie, a la mode, with whipped cream and Vanilla ice cream. It is the real home-made thing, made fresh every day and bears no resemblance to the sugary, commercial stuff you find in other establishments.) Stay tuned to the reopening of Brisas Del Mar who suffered a declining popularity in the past few years, with more and more interesting eateries appearing on Eagle and Palm Beach. But have no fear, happy days are here again, soon.

Pictured here Lynn, a tourist staying at Aruba Beach Club who stopped by for lunch, and promised to come back in October. "It is my favorite place in the whole world," she says. She is pictured here with Willeke, in the under renovations Brisas Del Mar.

Happy Hour at Champions Sports Bar
Special: 2 Bacardi for one and draft beer 3 dollar
When: Thursday July 19th, 2007
Happy Hour from 8-10 PM

During the Happy Hour there is a performance by
Marisela and the Aquarius Band – the best live performance on the island!!!
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 PM

Join the fun and good times at Champions Sports Bar, located at Marriott Ocean Club
(the lower building in between the Marriott Hotel and Marriott Surf Club buildings)