Host Nation Update, March 13, 2023
Air traffic strike – These flights are canceled on Monday in Stuttgart
In the collective bargaining dispute in the public sector, the Verdi union plans to paralyze the airports in Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen and Hanover on Monday. Stuttgart Airport is not directly affected this time, unlike during a strike action in mid-February. However, no planes will take off from Stuttgart in the direction of the airports that are on strike, and no planes bound for Stuttgart will take off from there.
According to a spokeswoman for Flughafengesellschaft Stuttgart (FSG), the strike will also involve cancellations at Stuttgart’s Manfred Rommel Airport. The route to and from Berlin, which remains the most frequently flown domestic connection from Stuttgart, is affected with a total of twelve flights. Both the six flights to the German capital and the six flights from Berlin to Stuttgart will be cancelled. Travelers from Stuttgart to Hamburg or in the opposite direction will also have to reschedule on Monday. The five outbound and five return flights are canceled. Bremen is not on the flight schedule of Manfred Rommel Airport on Mondays, and there are no flights at all to Hanover. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Mar 13)
Weather in Baden-Württemberg – Spring-like temperatures after stormy weekend
After a stormy and rainy weekend, it will be spring-like in the state at the start of the new week. The temperatures climb noticeably. The German Weather Service (DWD) expects highs of 15 degrees in the mountains to 22 degrees on the Rhine. In addition, a moderate to fresh wind from the southwest with strong to gale-force gusts should blow. In the mountains, the meteorologists expected local squalls, in exposed areas in the Black Forest even hurricane-like gusts were possible.
On Monday morning, it would initially be cloudy and rainy, then the sun would appear in many places. Towards evening, some heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to move across Baden-Württemberg from Alsace. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Mar 13)
Stuttgart wants to extend outdoor gastronomy
The city government wants to continue to grant gastronomic businesses the benefits granted during the COVID pandemic in the form of additional space for outdoor catering. Their proposal to allow the generous placement of tables and chairs in public parking areas, sidewalks, squares and in pedestrian zones, in a trial period until March 2025, is expected to gain majority support in the Urban Development and Technology Committee and the City Council this week, as the former permit was only valid until the end of 2022. Previously, the permit for the occupation of outdoor spaces was also valid in the cold season. The extended period for restaurateurs also benefits the city: although around 30,000 euros in parking fees could be lost, as the space would be occupied, however, the city would benefit from additional administration fees that the restaurateurs would have to pay. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Mar 13)
Furniture discounter “POCO” collects first aid kits for Ukraine with a discount on purchases
Poco is supporting a nationwide fundraising campaign for wound and bandage materials for the benefit of Ukraine and is providing collection points in its stores for this purpose. Starting Monday, March 13, first-aid kits can be handed in as donations at the 126 Poco locations. Also at the Böblingen store in Talstraße 7. Together with the local association “Children need our help”, Vitali Berestyan is organizing a new fundraising campaign in which the 126 stores of the furniture discounter are also helping out. The campaign is also looking for expired first-aid kits that are no longer allowed to be carried in cars. What is no longer sufficient for road traffic according to the fine catalog is by no means unusable: Berestyan checks the donated first-aid kits, prepares them and then takes them to Ukraine, where they help save lives in any place. Poco has volunteered to be a collection point for the campaign throughout the country. Starting on March 13, a cage box for the first-aid kits will be available at the customer information desk of every store. Those who donate a first-aid kit can purchase a new one on the spot at a 50 percent discount. (BB.heute.de, March 13, 2023)
French market Bon appétit, Ludwigsburg!
Admirers of French delicacies can rejoice: From March 15 to 18, the merchants of the French Market will once again set up their stalls in Ludwigsburg’s town hall courtyard. Eight market vendors will once again offer culinary delights from the land of gourmets during the four days – hopefully without a spring storm like the one in February last year, when the tents were swept away and support stands were knocked down during the market’s premiere in Ludwigsburg. The market traders, who travel directly from France every week to present French markets in Germany throughout the year, offer culinary delights from the neighboring country and awaken vacation memories in many a visitor: Tarte flambée fresh from the oven, cheese and sausage specialties such as air-dried hams and donkey salami, make shopping a delightful experience alongside pâtés, terrines, olives, Provençal nougat or macarons, as well as wine, crémant and champagne. The dealers offer their customers samples of almost everything before they buy. Some visitors are happy to bring out their French skills, almost automatically. Even non-edible items such as Provençal soaps or lavender sachets are on offer. The French market is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on each of the four days. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Mar 13)