October 4th, 1181, St. Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi, Umbria, Italy as Giovanni Francesco Bernardone born into a family of prosperous silk merchants. He was inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty and renounced his family`s wealth. In 1209 he founded the Friars Minor Franciscan Order.

October 6, 1949, 33-year-old Iva Toguri a.k.a Tokyo Rose was sentenced in San Francisco to 10 years of imprisonment for treason. She had broadcast music and Japanese propaganda to American troops in the Pacific during WWII. She was pardoned by President Gerald Ford in 1977.

October 24, 1861 the first transcontinental telegram in America was sent from San Francisco to Washington, addressed to President Abraham Lincoln from the Chief Justice of California. 3 years prior, the first attempt was made in the form of a congratulation letter from Queen Victoria of UK to then President of the USA, James Buchanan.

October 9 World Post Day is the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.

This year`s theme “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations”.

October 14

World Migratory Bird Day in 2024 will focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds, highlight concerns related to decreasing populations of insects and stress the need for proactive conservation measures. Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions.

October 15 Global Handwashing Day is a global advocacy day for increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Clean hands remain a fundamental defense against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs.

October 31 World Cities Day

The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities addressing challenges of urbanization and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.

Featured film of the Month

The main characters are Lucy and Jane, who have been best friends their entire lives. When Jane receives a new job opportunity and they have to go their separate ways, Lucy embarks on a personal journey of discovery. Their friendship is put to the test as well as her sense of self, on a path she may not be entirely ready to take.

Viewers say that the movie is anchored in an authentically relatable approach to its story of self-discovery, and praise the strong performances by Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno, the latter being a British actress born to Japanese parents in Tokyo.

Flavor of the Month

For the almond frangipane, cream 80 gr of unsalted butter and 80 gr of sugar in a food processor until light and creamy. Add 80 gr of ground almonds and 2 tsp of flour and pulse briefly. Add 1 egg yolk and mix just until you have a smooth cream.

Roll out the pastry sheet into a 25cm square sheet and onto a baking paper-lined baking tray. Lightly mix an egg yolk with a fork and brush it all over pastry with a pastry brush.

Spread a 5 mm thick layer of frangipane inside the border.

Preheat oven to 210°C. Cut the pears into thick wedges, then lightly press into frangipane. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 170°C and cook for another 20 minutes. Carefully brush fruit with syrup or sugar water. Bake for another 5 minutes; pastry should be the colour of toast so that it is really crisp and crunchy.

Serve with ice cream.