Host Nation Update, July 10, 2023
District of Böblingen Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Citizen Festival: Party Atmosphere and Tropical Temperatures
Böblingen/Sindelfingen. The heat shimmers above the airfield. Hats and caps are almost a requirement, and shaded spots are in high demand, quite literally, “We ordered good weather, always close to body temperature,” explains Böblingen District Administrator Roland Bernhard at the festival’s opening. Now it’s 38 degrees Celsius instead of 37. But still better than rain. The district administrator is visibly proud: “We are a feel-good district.” Here, heaven and earth are quite close together. “How do you see the district’s development over the past 50 years?” asks SZ/BZ publishing director Hans-Jörg Zürn, who is moderating the program on stage. Roland Bernhard describes the past five decades as a success story. The population has skyrocketed from 280,000 to 400,000 residents. The district has developed splendidly, especially in terms of economic strength. “We are proud to be an industrial location. But we are also proud of our cultural landscape,” says Roland Bernhard. Tradition, modernity, and diversity characterize the district. Another strength of the district is the significant voluntary engagement of its citizens: “Approximately every second person is involved in the district,” emphasizes Hans-Jörg Zürn. A dignitary on stage: The district has many peculiarities, including the orchards. And the orchard queen, who is crowned every two years. Currently, Christina Jung from Waldenbuch wears the crown. She has her own orchards and has completed training as an orchard educationist. There are about 40,000 fruit trees in the Böblingen district. (SZBZ, July 10)
Kornwestheim: Nico Lauxmann Becomes the New Lord Mayor
Kornwestheim has elected a new Lord Mayor. Nico Lauxmann received approximately 63 percent of the votes from the residents of Kornwestheim. The majority of the population chose to stay at home. Nico Lauxmann, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will transition from the town hall in Schwieberdingen (Ludwigsburg district) to Kornwestheim. In the third-largest city in the district, he will serve as the head of the city administration for the next eight years. After receiving around 45 percent of the votes in the first round, he reached approximately 63 percent on Sunday. Many Kornwestheim residents chose not to participate in the election. Overall, just over one-third of eligible voters actually cast their ballots. Incumbent Ursula Keck did not seek re-election. A second round of voting was necessary as no candidate had secured more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round. Ursula Keck, who had served as the Lord Mayor of Kornwestheim for 16 years as an independent candidate, decided not to run again. She had previously expressed dissatisfaction with personal attacks and a lack of support in late 2022. (SWR Aktuell)
Wilhelma Zoo Stuttgart: The koalas are finally here
The koalas have arrived at Wilhelma in Stuttgart. Animal keeper Michelle Barnes accompanied the animals on their flight from Australia to Stuttgart. Last Friday, 30 June 2023, the time had finally come: the four koalas, whose enclosure forms the centerpiece of the new Terra Australis at Wilhelma, arrived in Stuttgart. The marsupial quartet from Down Under landed in Frankfurt around midday, where they were welcomed by Wilhelma Director Dr. Thomas Kölpin and two animal keepers. The four koalas made the last leg of the journey to Stuttgart in a special air-conditioned transporter. They were accompanied to the other end of the world by an Australian animal keeper who will stay at the Zoological-Botanical Garden for a few more days to accompany the acclimatization process. The two males Aero and Navy, five and two and a half years old, are half-siblings. They are joined by two female koalas, Scarborough (4 years old) and Auburn (2.5 years old). All four come from the Australian Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the protection and preservation of endangered native species. To this end, it not only initiates conservation projects in its own country, but also releases animals to foreign zoos, where they act as ambassadors to draw attention to their fellow species that are threatened in their native countries. However, strict conditions and husbandry requirements are attached to this: “Koalas are extremely difficult to obtain because they are not easy to keep,” says Dr. Thomas Kölpin. For example, koalas feed exclusively on the leaves and bark of certain eucalyptus species. In the future, a refrigerated truck will bring freshly cut eucalyptus branches from a specialized nursery in Leipzig to Stuttgart twice a week. In order to have reserve food in case of possible delivery failures, Wilhelma had to grow about 100 eucalyptus trees itself in advance. In Germany, koalas can only be seen in three other zoos. The four koalas are now in quarantine behind the scenes for a few more days, then they will be allowed to inspect their new home. “The animals are doing well, they’re just struggling a bit with jet lag,” says precinct manager Thali Bauer. “We’re really happy that it’s working out so well. We’ve been working towards this for so long.” The colleague from Australia is also very enthusiastic about the ambience that Wilhelma has created for the koalas: “She wants to take some ideas home with her,” says Bauer. The new Terra Australis, in which eleven animal species from Down Under will be on display, will be open to everyone from 25 July. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, July 10)
Feasting by the lake in BB – July 19 – July 23
Once again, several of the best chefs from Böblingen and the region offer a varied feast. Almost the entire world will be represented in Böblingen’s pots, pans and plates – excellently prepared, stylishly arranged and attractively served. And the best thing about it: You can determine the order of the courses yourself! It’s the inspiring Mediterranean flair along the two lakes, which offers various ingredients and flavors for the eyes, ears and taste. So “feasting by the lake” means in a nutshell: exquisite specialties and the finest culinary delights! We can enjoy them together with drinks at our lakeside.
The projected program:
Wednesday, July 19: Opening at 5 p.m.
- Entertainment at several stages
- Highlight at 10:30 p.m. musical fireworks
Thursday, July 20:
- Entertainment program at several stages
Friday, July 21
- Starting at noon: lunch menu at the lake
- Entertainment program at several stages
- After show party at “Pille”
Saturday, July 22
- Starting at noon: lunch menu at the lake
- Entertainment program at several stages
- 3 p.m. start of the city run
- 3:30 pm opening of “cycle days”
- After show party at “Pille”
Sunday, July 23
- Starting at 11 a.m. lunch menu at the lake
- Entertainment program at several stages
- 10 a.m. start of the city run
Weather in the Stuttgart region – What the coming days will bring
Swimming pools, ice cream, fans – you have to be well prepared for the heat these days. But what will the weather be like in the coming days? Is cooling in sight? We asked the experts. There can hardly be any talk of cooling. While Monday promises comparatively “cool temperatures” with a maximum of 31 degrees and more clouds, up to 37 degrees are expected in Stuttgart on Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the German Weather Service (DWD). The focus will probably be on the Rhine with 38 degrees. Towards Tuesday evening, the weather in Stuttgart then changes to another extreme. “Towards the evening, widespread heavy thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail and severe squalls will move in, which can last into the night,” says the DWD. Better not to plan a garden party on Tuesday evening. However, the cold front also cools the air somewhat. Thus, from the middle of the week, the maximum temperatures drop to 27 degrees. Only at the weekend it goes then again in the direction of the 30 degrees, whereby the danger for thunderstorms may rise. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, July 10, 2023)