haarlemsdagbladMar 21, 2026, 05:27

Top chef Nico Koji Miyahira now prepares meals as a volunteer at Hospice De Heideberg: ‘If I can still contribute to this final stage of life, I want to do that’

Nico Koji Miyahira, a 37-year-old professional chef from Haarlem, has begun volunteering to prepare high-quality meals for residents at Hospice De Heideberg in Santpoort-Noord. Inspired by his childhood experiences in Okinawa, Miyahira aims to contribute to the comfort of guests during their final stage of life through his passion for cooking.

Culture Lifestyle Health Haarlem Netherlands

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Why children should be bored more often: ‘Good for resilience’

As the May holiday approaches, the article highlights the importance of allowing children to experience boredom to help build their resilience and creativity. While many families travel for new stimuli, experts suggest that 'doing nothing' is a crucial part of a child's development.

Alderman wants deposit company to pay for new trash cans

Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren is requesting that deposit return organization Verpact pay ‐8 million for 8,000 new trash cans designed to reduce litter caused by people searching for deposit bottles and cans. While the city argues that high tourism and increased cleanup costs justify the request, Verpact has currently only agreed to a ‐1 million contribution in addition to its existing annual payments. Consequently, the city will initially install 1,000 bins while continuing to negotiate for the full replacement of the city's waste containers.

Beverwijk to seek new mayor as Martijn Smit unexpectedly steps down in September

Martijn Smit, the mayor of Beverwijk, unexpectedly announced his resignation during a city council meeting on Thursday evening. He will officially step down from his position in September, requiring the municipality to begin the search for a successor.

Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (April 24-26)

Haarlem is hosting a variety of events and activities for the weekend of April 24 to 26. The city is preparing for King's Night celebrations, offering residents and visitors several options ranging from quiet outings to lively parties.

Illustrator Eric Coolen (60) looks back on career with new book: ‘If I’d started in my twenties, I’d be burnt out now’

Illustrator Eric Coolen marks his 60th birthday with a new book, "Geen dag zonder lijn," which looks back on his prolific career. The publication details his creative process and his habit of working through the night to produce his art.