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blur alanon

A new English-speaking support group has been set up in Lausanne to help people deal better with the challenges of living with an alcoholic. The aim of the group is to provide support for the families and friends of problem drinkers, and guide them towards making healthier choices and finding happiness in their lives, regardless of whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.

Part of the international Al-Anon network of associations, the new group has been set up specifically to help the English-speaking community, amongst whom there are alcoholics with families and friends, who are in despair, feel hopeless, and unable to believe that things can ever change.  One Al-Anon member of the group told knowitall.ch, “We want our lives to be different, but nothing we have done has brought about change. We all come to Al-Anon because we want and need help.”

lesbebescover

A new book has just been published outlining everything you need to know about looking after babies between the ages of 0 and 3 years.

Written from the perspective of a young father, Cyril Jost, “L’essentiel sur les bébés” presents a simple and precise overview of key topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, sleep, nappy training, and development.  With the support of more than 80 original infographs and amusing illustrations by another local Dad, Pierre Wazem,  the book attempts to offer “the facts” on babies in a truly non-partisan way, which neither lectures nor pre-judges parents for the choices they make.

Asked why he decided to write this book now, Cyril told knowitall.ch “As a former journalist, now working for a big publishing firm in Lausanne, I have a penchant for “facts” and wrote my first book on economics in 2007.  With the arrival of my 2 daughters, now aged 2 and 4, I looked high and low in the bookstores for an informative book on babies, without all the “tips", “suggestions" and sometimes biased recommendations you get when you become a parent.  However, despite the huge number of books on this subject, nothing satisfied my need for precise, factual information.”

masculin center1

50% discount on specific treatments for knowitall.ch readers before 31 May 2014 (see conditions below)

A new center devoted entirely to the well-being of men has just opened in Geneva.

Located on the Rue du Cendrier, the Masculin Center in Geneva provides a wide range of aesthetic and therapeutic treatments, which have been carefully tailored to the needs of men.  

The new center builds on the success of its sister company in Lausanne, which has been offering treatments to men of all ages since 2001.

Owners, Claudio Bocchia and Yeni Barbosa, told knowitall.ch, “Body care treatments are no longer the preserve of women. Nowadays, men appreciate, just as much as women, the importance of looking after their appearance, and taking time out for themselves when the stresses of everyday life become too much.”

voula dentist

Are you nervous about going to the dentist? Do you worry that you won’t be able to understand the treatment being proposed, when the explanation is in French?

If so, you will be relieved to hear that there are actually many English-speaking dentists practising in this region – you just need to know where to find them!  To help you, we have compiled a List of Recommended Doctors and Healthcare providers, which features well over 30 dentists, most of whom speak English fluently.  Click here to request a copy from us.  

Last month, we were sent details about an English-speaking dentist, Dr. Theophilou, who set up her practice in the centre of Geneva 18 months ago.  Working alongside the orthodontist, Dr. Mastrocola, Dr. Theophilou offers a full dental service including check ups, cleaning, periodontal treatment, oral hygiene, white fillings-composites and inlays, tooth whitening, aesthetic dentistry, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants.  However, it is her special interest in aesthetics and facial rejuvenation, which Dr. Theophilou is keen to talk about to knowitall.ch. She told us,

bathome valerie

Local school teacher and mother of two girls, Valérie Besanceney, has just written her first fictional book for children. Beautifully illustrated by Agnes Loonstra, and published by Summertime Publishing, the book went on sale yesterday for just Fr. 12.- / € 9.99.

Called B at Home: Emma Moves Again, the new 202-page paperback provides a meaningful insight into the experiences of a ten-year-old girl, Emma, and her teddy bear, B, as they embark on another house move.  During the different stages of another relocation, Emma’s search for home takes root. As the chapters alternate between Emma’s and her bear’s point of view, Emma is emotionally torn, whereas B serves as the wiser and more experienced voice of reason.