Host Nation Update, Sep 20, 2023
Traffic in Stuttgart – New closure of the B 14 at “Schattenring” (the so-called “shadow ring”)
Since the beginning of the summer vacations, the rehabilitation of the B 14 between Schattenring and the Heslacher Tunnel has been ongoing. According to the responsible Stuttgart Regional Council (RPS), the work is fully on schedule despite the illegally applied graffiti that had to be removed during one night. The project, which is divided into several sections, is progressing well and will require the full closure of the Schattenring bridge in the direction of Vaihingen from Wednesday evening.
Currently, the final work in the area of the L 1187 and the shadow ring is still underway. Access and exit from the L 1187/Magstadter Straße and to the B 14 in the direction of Vaihingen should therefore be possible again from Thursday morning, September 21, around 5 am. In addition, the lanes of the B14 on the section between Schattenring and Heslacher Tunnel have been repaired in both directions and are open to traffic again.
In the course of action, the current traffic routing will be dismantled on Wednesday, September 20, starting at 8 p.m., and the traffic routing for the next construction phase will be set up. The Schattenring bridge will be extensively repaired in the direction of Vaihingen until the end of October and will have to be fully closed for this purpose. Traffic can be diverted via the Schattenring traffic circle, so that no separate detour is required. From the end of October until probably mid-November, the Schattenring bridge in the direction of Leonberg/S-West will then be closed, followed by the section between Schattenring and Leonberg/S-West until the beginning of December. According to the RP, the overall measure should be completed by the end of the year. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Sep 20)
Germany and USA – America centers establish new alliance
The German-American cultural institutes in Germany are joining forces to form a new association of German-American Centers (VDAZ). In this way, the twelve partner organizations nationwide aim to strengthen transatlantic relations and German-American understanding. “These centers are a gem. They not only promote the transatlantic partnership, they promote democracy on the ground, for everyone, all year round,” says the German government’s transatlantic coordinator Michael Link (FDP), who is hosting the opening ceremony in the Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on Thursday. Among others, U.S. Ambassador Amy Gutmann is expected to attend. “Particularly in Baden-Württemberg with institutes and centers in Freiburg, Tübingen, Stuttgart and Heidelberg, we are excellently positioned,” the Heilbronn member of the Bundestag continued.
The German-American Centers, most of which are funded by the states and municipalities, offer language courses, cultural and school programs. They usually evolved from the so-called America Houses founded in the 1950s, with which the U.S. wanted to familiarize Germans in the Federal Republic with the culture and values of their country. The cultural institutes are hoping for more synergies from the new merger. “We want to pool resources, develop joint event offerings and also achieve greater visibility nationwide,” says Christiane Pyka, Director of the German-American Center (DAZ) in Stuttgart. With a current annual budget of 730,000 euros and seven employees, the Stuttgart DAZ organizes 210 events a year. The language and school programs in particular, have been greatly expanded in recent years due to high demand. There are other German-American Centers in Kaiserslautern, Kiel, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Saarbrücken. The U.S. and the State Department support the centers with program funds. (Stgt Nachrichten, Sep 20)
VfB Stuttgart (local Stuttgart soccer club) how long it took VfB to get three wins to start
The start of the new Bundesliga (Federal league) season could hardly have gone better for VfB Stuttgart. After four match days, VfB is in fourth place in the rankings with nine points. In addition, the Stuttgart team has the best offense in the league with 14 goals. The only defeat came against Champions League contender RB Leipzig (1:5).
The last time VfB won three of its first four games under coach Matthias Sammer was in the 2004/05 season, when Stuttgart was unbeaten after the first four matchdays and led the table with ten points. VfB finished the season in fifth place with 58 points.
There have been few similarly successful starts to the season in the club’s recent history. Most of the time, VfB found itself in the bottom half of the table after the first four match days. Even in the 2006/07 championship season, VfB was only eleventh after matchday four and had to wait until matchday seven for its third win of the season.(Stgt Nachrichten, Sep 20)
Cannstatt Volksfest – The “Maß” (liter) beer will be more expensive than ever
In 2004, the price in Bad Cannstatt was 7.20 euros. 19 years later, we have arrived at 13.90 euros. That’s what a liter of beer costs at Michael Wilhelmer’s Schwabenbräu tent. The restaurateur says that because of the increased costs for staff, energy, food and drink, he should actually have charged even more. But he didn’t want to go over the sound barrier of 14 euros. Not yet.
In the previous year one paid on the Wasen for the most expensive measure 13,20 euro. The cheapest cost 12.60 euros. There will not be any beer under 13 euro in any of the eight tents (22 September to 8 October). One will pay 13,60 Euros at the Fürstenberg tent, the Hofbräu tent and at “Göckelesmaier. Family Weeber, at “Wasenwirt” tent, is with 13,40 euro the most favorable.
Nina Renoldi follows a different principle at “Almhütte Royal.” Their service is to bring a ten-liter barrel to the table for self-tapping, which costs 125 euro. (this makes 12,50 per liter). The host spokesman Werner Klauss and his brother Dieter want to say only next week, how much they will charge in the Dinkelacker tent. “We are just finishing the menus,” he says. But he also speaks for his colleagues when he says, “Of course, rising prices and wages are affecting us, too.” (Stgt Nachrichten, Sep 13)