Stimmung Stunde Blog

JS Online: Astronaut love gone awry makes perfect Valentine's tale for TV news

2007-02-07T22:19:00.001-06:00

JS Online: Astronaut love gone awry makes perfect Valentine's tale for TV news: "SPINNING THE DIAL: The 'Stimmung Stunde' ('Happy Hour') German music show wraps up a 17-year run on March 31. Host Tim Kretschmann says time constraints are ending the show, which airs at 10 a.m. Saturdays on WJYI-AM (1340). 'Continental Showcase' continues its German music offerings at 1 p.m. Saturdays on WJYI."

Germany Has Become as Rich in Dance as France is in Cheeses

2006-08-29T22:40:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

Dancers from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America are strutting their stuff this month at a Berlin festival that exemplifies how a country better known for Brecht, Bauhaus and Expressionism has become one of the most dance-obsessed nations on earth.

"Tanz im August" (Dance in August) kicked off on August 17 and comes to a close on September 2. The biggest international dance festival in Germany and one of the longest anywhere, it is showcasing 24 performances, including 13 German premieres and one grand premiere, according to organizers TanzWerkstatt Berlin and Hebbel am Ufer. The pieces from 15 countries were selected to showcase current trends on the international modern dance scene.

The Berlin festival is part of a wave of dance fever sweeping across Germany, including festivals, congresses and symposia taking place on a regular basis, according to the August 12-18 edition of The Economist. To further foster this artistic flowering, the Federal Cultural Foundation in June started up a scheme whereby nine cities will share a total of €12.5 million ($16 million) over five years to develop dance.

As The Economist puts it, there is something for everyone in today's German dance scene: "The sheer variety of dance, from the most modern, and sometimes frankly audience-unfriendly, work, to the standard works such as 'Giselle', 'Swan Lake', 'La Bayadère' and 'Romeo and Juliet', make Germany, perhaps unexpectedly, as rich in dance as France is in cheeses."

American choreographers make their mark

But it was not always so: Unlike countries such as France, Britain or Russia, the history of ballet is fragmented in Germany, which has historically lacked a central court with a unifying royal family to support a ballet company based in a capital city's opera house. Today, most German cities have a full-time dance company resident in the main opera house or state theatre.

Many of these German companies have been run by outsiders from as nearby as Switzerland and as far afield as South Africa - and the United States. William Forsythe, an American choreographer who has been in charge since last year of his own privately sponsored company in Germany, built up a formidable repertoire over two decades as director of Ballett Frankfurt before it was disbanded in 2004. And Milwaukee-born John Neumeier took over the Hamburg City Ballet in 1973. Now in his mid-60s, he is credited with bringing the company an international following.

Pina Bausch is still the first lady of "Tanztheater"

Among German choreographers, Pina Bausch stands out as an international phenomenon. In 1973, the then 33-year-old dancer took over the directorship of Wuppertal's ballet and has staged about one show a year ever since. Many of her works, which combine beautiful ensemble dancing with crazy solos often involving surprise elements such as disrobing, lighting a candle or setting a newspaper on fire, are now considered modern-dance classics.

Bausch is the first lady of "Tanztheater" (dance theatre), which has prewar roots and relies more on unfamiliar movements and bodily improvisation than pre-ordained steps. It was explained thusly in Dance Magazine in 1984 by Roland Langer, a keen observer of Bausch's work: "'Tanztheater' refers to a performance form that combines dance, speaking, singing and chanting, conventional theatre and the use of props, set, and costumes in one amalgam…It has been described as a new twist on an old form: German Expressionism."

A need to dance

Berlin's "Tanz im August", which began in 1988, has been run since 2004 by André Thériault, one of four artistic directors of this year's event. He emphasizes that dancers and choreographers flocked to the German capital in the early 1990s, drawn by the attractive international working environment, low living costs and the city's renewed avant-garde reputation. Three-quarters of Germany's independent dance companies are now located in Berlin, according to The Economist.

"There is a need to dance here," Thériault told the London-based international newsweekly. "Germany is very strong on the spoken word. In the performing fields, it has a vigorous intellectual culture but traditionally not one that is good with the body. The opposite of speaking is not to speak: that is, to move. That, broadly, is what Germany has discovered in the last ten years."

Links:

Tanz im August

German Farmer Living High off the Hog after Switching from Pork to Solar Energy

2006-08-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

Could solar energy solve U.S. energy problems? German laws promoting renewable energy might show us how it can be done. The New York Times reported last week about a German farmer who successfully transformed a struggling pig farm into a solar energy plan with help from renewable energy subsidies. When Heiner Gärtner inherited his father’s 200 acre pig farm in Bavarian Buttenwiesen four years ago, he faced a difficult economic choice. With pork prices falling in the face of competition from other countries, he considered selling the farm that his great grandfather established. However, a 2004 law that guaranteed minimum prices per kilowatt-hour for solar energy that were up to three times the market made it possible for Gärtner to keep his farm and make a profit. Fields that used to yield corn, wheat, and barely now produce electricity – the fruit of 10,050 photovoltaic panels.

7.2 million square meters of solar panels were installed last year in Germany

At full capacity, Gärtner estimates that his farm could supply electricity for the entire village of Buttenwiesen, which has about 7,000 residents. Currently, however, the city only buys electricity to meet peak demand. Still, the solar farm brings in revenues of over $600,000 annually, which will allow him to repay the loans for $5 million in start up costs in about 15 years and keep his family’s farm.

Gärtner built his solar farm while the German solar industry was experiencing rapid expansion. Thanks in part to the Renewable Energy Sources Act of 2000, this industry has seen annual growth rates of between thirty and forty percent since 1999. In 2005, Germany became the global leader in the solar energy market, with over 7.2 million square meters of solar collectors installed that year.

Although solar energy only accounts for about 0.1 percent of Germany’s energy use today, it is an important element of Germany’s renewable energy plan. It’s also just one element of Gärtner’s plan. He kept his 1,000 pigs and uses their waste to fuel a biogas plant that generates electricity. As he told the New York Times, “One of the criticisms of solar energy is that it is unpredictable because the sun doesn’t always shine. This is completely predictable.”

Source: The Week in Germany

American Oktoberfest: Cincinnati, Ohio

2006-07-31T19:26:00.000-05:00

According to the 2000 census, more than four in 10 Ohioans claim German ancestry. But go to Cincinnati, known to the German-American community as Zincinnati, and the proportion rises to one half. Along with Milwaukee and St. Louis, Cincinnati forms part of the “German triangle” of German-Americana.

The sister city Cincinnati, home to the largest U.S. Oktoberfest, is Munich.

What began in 1788 with the arrival of Major Benjamin Steitz (Stites) and Matthias Denmann and continued with the Danube Swabian immigration of the 1950's, flourishes today as a vibrant pride in German-American heritage. Cincinnati boasts more than 20 German-American societies, a bilingual school, a German language newspaper, a sprawling May festival, and the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, Cincinnati’s sister city.

The “elbow” formed by the Miami and Erie Canal, nicknamed the “Rhine,” now forms the Central Parkway, the spine of the city that splits the city in half. The area known today as “over-the-Rhine” was once the German district.

Of all the buildings in Over-the-Rhine, the one that expresses the German-American love for culture and learning and the arts is the Germania building, with a statue of a women who embodies Germany, with books, a globe, and a palette at her feet. During the Anti-German sentiment of World War I, she was renamed “Columbia” and draped with a black cape.
But the most impressive embodiment of German culture in Cincinnati, is by far, its annual Oktoberfest, where 80,500 bratwurst, 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 56,000 sausages, and 24,000 potato pancakes are consumed each year.

Source: The Week in Germany

German heritage Texas style: New Braunfels

2006-07-31T19:25:00.001-05:00

New Braunfels, Texas, wears its German heritage on its sleeve. A proud mishmash of both Texas grit and German gemütlichkeit, it was founded by Prussian Prinz Karl of Solms Braunfels on Good Friday in 1845. The prince had been negotiating with authorities to bring German immigrants to the area.

A local folk festival serves the best in Bratwurst.

New Braunfels, known as the "City of a Prince," had a major impact upon the immediate area as well as opening West Texas to a civilized economy. The many artisans and craftsmen among the 6,000 settlers generated industry and commerce for the entire central Texas area. In addition to economic growth this early colony brought religion, organized public education, and other socioeconomic benefits to the area.

But it wasn’t until the 1960’s that New Braunfels began to recognize the value and actively promote its German heritage. Determined to preserve the remaining German sites in the city, historians set out to revitalize the Sophienburg Museum and Archives, the Ferdinand Lindheimer Home, Conservation Plaza, and the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture, all of which were of vital import to the German community.

Source: The Week in Germany

The “German Athens:” Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2006-07-31T19:25:00.000-05:00

The government of Wisconsin played an active role in attracting German immigrants to the state. In 1852, Wisconsin established a Commission of Immigration with a resident commissioner in New York whose duty it was to distribute pamphlets extolling Wisconsin's attributes.

This lovely card invites German immigrants to join the Milwaukee Turnverein.

Disbanded in 1855, it was re-established in 1867 during the second great wave of German immigration. But the greatest motivation for German settlers was the firsthand accounts of friends and family members who attested to the quality of their new lives in the state, where land was relatively easy to come by and the German community had firmly established itself.

German organizations and clubs were instrumental in creating a German consciousness in Wisconsin. Much of German social life revolved around the many musical and athletic societies, freedom of thought organizations, horticultural societies, cultural clubs, socialist groups, and religious organizations.

A strong German-language press and the informal institution of the beer hall also played key roles in keeping with the traditions of the homeland while assimilating to their new home. All of these gave Milwaukee the nickname “the German Athens.”

One of these was the Turnverein, or Turner Society, a group suppressed by then prince Metternich of Austria because it focused on an atmosphere of congenial, lively debate. The Turners, who were primarily gymnasts but also interested in disseminating political theory, became active in many German-American communities. Milwaukee’s Turnverein is perhaps the most famous.

Today, Milwaukee citizens play an active part in revitalizing and celebrating German culture in their city. Milwaukee is now home to the largest German Fest in the United States, in its 25th year in 2005.

Source: The Week in Germany

German Fest Milwaukee kicks off today

2006-07-31T19:24:00.000-05:00

Thousands will converge on the Milwaukee shore of Lake Michigan this Friday for the kick-off of the largest German Fest in the United States. The festival, celebrating its 26th year, runs through Sunday, July 30.

German food is authentic and tasty at the German Fest.

The Milwaukee German Fest has been a staple of summer fun for a quarter of a century, having become one of the most important cultural events for the German-American community in the Midwest.

Wisconsin, along with Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, comprise an area of the Midwest with the highest concentration of German ancestry in the country. In these states, as many as one half of all people claim German heritage.

But the visitors who flock to Milwaukee in celebration of German culture are not necessarily German-Americans in search of their roots. Visitors of all stripes come to enjoy a unique mix of food, drink and fun.

Coordinated by several area German-American associations and staffed by 3,000 volunteers, the festival attracts most of its visitors from out of town.

After days filled with beer, parades, dances, and activities for children, each evening ends with a fireworks display with Lake Michigan as its backdrop. On Sunday, the program concludes with a performance of Carmina Burana by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Authentic German foods such as Bratwurst, Strudel and Sauerkraut are prepared fresh each day, with over 20,000 Bratwursts and 10,000 pounds of potatoes and sauerkraut to be consumed over the course of the three-day festival. A wine-tasting will offer the best in imported German wines, while 35,000 pieces of pastry from Torten to Strudel will fulfill the German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen.

On ten entertainment stages, eleven European bands and twelve musical and dance groups from Wisconsin will perform, among them the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, yodeler Edith Prock, the Schlossberg Quintet, and Die Sandler.

The largest selection of German goods outside of Germany will be at the festival this year, including fabulous displays of imported German gifts and one-of-a-kind collectibles in a European market setting.

Festival organizers will also raffle off several grand prizes, including a car, continental airline tickets from Midwest Airlines and a selection of wine from a local German wine distributor.

Source: The Week in Germany

Widespread praise following World Cup

2006-07-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

Germany has won the hearts of millions of people around the world thanks to its spectacularly successful soccer World Cup.

All told, an estimated two million foreign visitors traveled to Germany during the month-long soccer extravaganza with matches in 12 cities including Berlin, Dortmund, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich. dpa photo

British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke for many when he said that the tournament had “exceeded all expectations” and helped Germany change its image abroad for the better.

"The old clichés have been replaced by a new, positive and more fair image of Germany," Blair said in a column for the Bild am Sonntag tabloid.

In the United States, Americans called and wrote the German Embassy to convey their thanks, with one soccer fan from New York saying: “Germany should be very proud of the amazing show it put on for the rest of the world.”

All told, an estimated two million foreign visitors traveled to Germany during the month-long soccer extravaganza with matches in 12 cities including Berlin, Dortmund, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich.

Nine in ten would recommend Germany as a tourist destination, according to a survey by Germany’s DZT tourism board, while more than 93% said that they felt welcome in Germany — indisputable proof that the tournament lived up to its motto: "A time to make friends.”

"All the feedback we've had from our 30 representative offices around the world has been positive and enthusiastic too," tourist board chief executive Petra Hedorfer said in a statement. "There is tremendous enthusiasm for 'Destination Germany' all over the world."

Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile thanked Germans for their “incredible enthusiasm and hospitality” and said that ordinary citizens had been their country’s best ambassadors.

"You are real ambassadors for our nation," Merkel wrote in an open letter. "That is the best advertisement for our country."

Links:

Germans take pride in World Cup run despite loss (from Germany Info

Supermodel Schiffer touts Germany in New York campaign

2006-07-15T17:01:00.000-05:00

Claudia Schiffer's model smile is beckoning New York commuters to discover a new side of Germany as part of a landmark campaign underway at the city's Grand Central Station.

Schiffer: "It's an honor for me to participate in the 'Invest in Germany — Land of Ideas' initiative." Photo courtesy Land of Ideas

The Düsseldorf-born supermodel is the star attraction of a series of posters hanging throughout the famed station.

They picture Schiffer, wrapped only in a German flag, alongside taglines such as: "Come on over to my place," "Invest in Germany, boys" or "Get your hands on a German supermodel."

It is all part of the "Land of Ideas" campaign, which is seeking to introduce people across the globe to a Germany that is innovative, modern, open to the rest of the world — and also a great place to do business.

"It's an honor for me to participate in the 'Invest in Germany — Land of Ideas' initiative," Schiffer said in a statement.

"I think it's the least I can do for a country that has shown me so much support — not only by giving me a language and an identity as well as nearly perfect social, economic and political circumstances, but also by allowing me to grow up in a creative atmosphere.

"Germany has given the world so much more than beer and punctuality. If I can help spread this message to investors across the world, I'm happy to do it."

According to several recent surveys, many investors have already heard the message loud and clear.

In fact, Germany ranks as the most attractive business location in Europe and the third-most attractive worldwide, according to a June survey of international business executives by Ernst & Young, the accountants.

Europe's largest economy won particular praise for its state-of-the-art transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, high-tech research and development labs, well-trained workforce and large domestic market.

Schiffer's posters will be on view at Grand Central Station until the end of the month.

Links:

Land of Ideas

Invest in Germany

Tim Kretschmann recognized on OnMilwaukee.com

2006-06-20T18:48:00.000-05:00

OnMilwaukee.com recognized founder of TKPNPodcast.com and host of the PageantCast and local radio program, the Stimmung Stunde, as one of the "100 Milwaukeeans you need to know." Check it out on http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/100people2.html

All of us over here would like to thank OnMilwaukee.com for this mention and the mention last year (Kretschmann's radio hour helps maintain German traditions) and wish them continued success.

Germany advance to round of 16

2006-06-17T07:52:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

Substitutes Oliver Neuville and David Odonkor combined to score a last-gasp winner over ten-man Poland on Wednesday, clinching a place for host nation Germany in the World Cup's second-round knockout stage.

Oliver Neuville celebrates after scoring the winner in Germany's 1-0 victory over Poland. dpa photo

The stunning 1-0 victory in front of a 70,000-strong crowd in Dortmund's cavernous Westphalenstadion ended Germany's ten-year dry spell against its European rivals in the final stages of a tournament —and sparked elation across the country.

Germany , looking for a second successive win in Group A following last Friday's 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, missed a handful of chances before Neuville scored in the second minute of stoppage time, latching onto Odonkor's cross.

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said was proud of his team for a deserved win.

"I am proud of the team, the way they kept trying to force the goal," he said. "The result was thoroughly deserved as we kept our rhythm and our tempo. In the end, with our opponents down to ten men, we chased after the goal and it paid off."

Neuville, though, said Germany should have made more of its chances.

"I am not a hero — we should have scored more," he said. "I missed a great chance ten minutes earlier. Thank God it worked out as I got an important goal a minute before the end."

Just as it looked like Germany would have to settle for a scoreless draw, Neuville grabbed the winner. dpa photo

Germany now top Group A after two victories from two matches, but Klinsmann said a win in the final group stage game against Ecuador in Berlin on June 20 is essential — even though Ecuador's 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Thursday ensured Germany's place in the second round.

"We will enjoy this win and focus on Ecuador," he said. "We want to finish on top of this group."

Winning the group would likely allow Germany to avoid a possible second-round matchup with England, which beat the hosts 5-1 the last time the two sides played in Germany, in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup.

Yet whether Germany meets England, Sweden or Paraguay in the second round, Klinsmann said the team could count on a tide of home support.

"We've got the support of the fans behind us and the atmosphere in the country is fantastic," he said. "They want to make things happen and the team will give their all for them. It is a big party."

Links:

Play by play: Germany beats Poland in cliff-hanger (from Germany Info)

	Interview: World Cup a time for fun and friendship, says Ambassador The one million international soccer fans expected to attend the World Cup in Germany can expect a hearty welcome — and a fun, festival-like atmosphere, Germany's Ambassador to the United States, Klaus Scharioth, has said.

	Huge fests offer party atmosphere to ticketless fans Even soccer fans without a ticket are flocking to Germany to soak up the party atmosphere of the World Cup at huge fan fests in towns and cities across the country.

	Environment a World Cup winner Germany is set to stage the most environmentally-friendly World Cup ever, with plans to limit waste, promote public transport and curb emissions of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

	U.S. team enjoys warm welcome in Hamburg From U.S. expats and tourists to star-struck German school kids decked out in American flag t-shirts, a crowd of 1,000 people cheered on the U.S. soccer team at its first and only public practice ahead of the World Cup.

	Harness the magic of soccer, urges Annan UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged people around the world to harness the magic of soccer for the greater good, saying the World Cup being hosted by Germany has the potential to bring people and nations together.

Schlager singer/songwriter Deutscher dead

2006-06-17T07:48:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

Germany last week said goodbye to pop legend Drafi Deutscher, a singer known as much for his infectious melodies as for his gossip-page scandals.

Deutscher created a cult hit with "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht."

Deutscher, 60, died of acute heart failure last Friday at a clinic in Frankfurt after lying in a coma for several weeks. He had been in poor health since suffering two heart attacks in 1998.

Born in Berlin in 1946, Deutscher led a life out of a fairy tale, beginning with a childhood in which he was shuffled around between foster homes. As a teenager, he lived for a time in a homeless shelter before a scout discovered him at a talent contest in 1963.

Deutscher had a couple of hits long before he turned twenty, but his big breakthrough occurred in 1965 when his now standard "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht," went to number one on the pop charts.

That song that experienced a second wave of popularity in the Schlager revival of the late 1990s, also appearing on U.S. hit charts under the title "Marble Breaks and Iron Bends," making Deutscher the first German pop singer to have a hit across the pond.

In the decades that followed, Deutscher took a step back from the limelight, concentrating on composing and songwriting to advance the careers of Tina Rainford with "Silver Bird" in 1976 and "Fly Away Pretty Flamingo" by Peggy March. He made a star out of Italian singer Bino with the song "Mama Leone."

In later years, he made headlines for a messy divorce from his second wife Isabell Varell and for neglecting to pay his taxes, but he continued to produce hits, sometimes under as many as twenty different pseudonyms.

Obituaries in German newspapers remembered Deutscher as a man committed to his music, whose hits — love them or hate them — are perennial party hits.

"First comes the music, after that nothing for a long time," he once said.

Museum exhibitions take on soccer, for kicks

2006-06-17T07:46:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

Germany's museum landscape is awash with exhibitions celebrating the many facets of soccer in German life, from the sport's ability to build bridges between people and cultures to the integral role played by the referee as arbiter. Several major German cities are doing their part to support the idea that soccer is as much culture as it is sport.

Soccer Globe at the Pariser Platz at Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Image courtesy of 3deluxe

Lit up by some 20,000 LEDs lights, Germany's Soccer Globe has become one of the most popular soccer destinations outside of the 12 World Cup stadiums. Designed to resemble a regulation soccer ball — with 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal panels — the Football Globe is a museum featuring interactive games, virtual installations and panoramic projector shows. Exhibits inside give fans the chance to take the referee's whistle, meet the stars, test their virtual shooting prowess and feel the roller-coaster emotions of fans all around the world.

"Is the ball round?" at the Technische Sammlung Dresden

This interactive exhibition, geared towards kids ages 5 though 12, introduces young people to aspects of soccer they might not have been familiar with through hands-on experiments. Among other parallels between soccer and the worlds of politics, science, and culture, "Is the Ball Round" shows visitors to the Technische Sammlung Dresden how a good understanding of physics makes it easier for a young player to control the ball.

"Goal! Soccer and Television," at the Berlin Museum for Film and Television

The first- ever temporary exhibition hosted by the German Film Museum is "Goal! Soccer and Television." The multimedia presentation strings together archival footage of Germany's most exciting soccer matches over the past few decades and asks how the popularity of soccer as a sport has changed the way we watch television.

"Soccer: One Game — Many Worlds" at the Munich City Museum

This exhibition looks at how various cultures around the world interpret, play, and watch a soccer game. The sport's implications for world politics and the ways in which it reflects a particular society, "One Game — Many Worlds" is said to be an exhibition "for those who love soccer and those who hate soccer."

"Lord of the Rules — The Soccer Referee" at the Leipzig City History Museum

The first ever exhibition to focus on the role of the referee in soccer also looks at the development of rules of the game throughout the sport's history. The multimedia presentation traces the history of refereeing from its beginnings in ancient Greece and introduces visitors to some of the top names among the men and women who make the calls.

"The World Language of Soccer," at the Gasteig cultural center, Munich

The photography exhibition "The World Language of Soccer" is on the last leg of its dozen-country tour, introducing audiences around the world to a series of graceful mid-motion shots while depicting soccer as a sport that unites nations and connects people across cultures. "The World Language of Soccer" has already made stops at 143 Goethe Institut cultural centers in 77 countries around the world.

"A Heart is Not a Soccer Ball" by the Berlin theater group "RambaZamba/Sonnenuhr, August 1-4 at the Berlin Kesselhaus

Staged by one of the most innovative and engaging theater troupes working today, "A Heart is Not a Soccer Ball" imagines what would happen to a group of people who prepare for a soccer tournament, only to discover that the ball has gone missing.

"Theater Sport — World Cup" at the Munich Volkstheater June 26-July 7

As part of the official World Cup cultural program, the Munich Volkstheater will kick off a marathon of improvisational theater involving 16 teams from around the world in a program called "Theater Sport — World Cup." The festival will kick off in Munich June 26 and will see 55 matches in all in Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Goettingen, Halle, Hamburg, Hanover, and Nuremberg.

New research finds possible health benefit in beer

2006-06-17T07:44:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

One of the main ingredients found in the hops used to make beer may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to a new study. In the meantime, German brewers have already developed a new brew featuring a higher amount of the substance.

Drink to your health! Visitors to the Oktoberfest taking a swill.

Oregon State University researchers announced early this week that the compound xanthohumol inhibits a specific protein in the cells along the surface of the prostate gland. In doing so, it prevents the protein from signaling uncontrolled cell growth that often leads to cancer.

"Xanthohumol is one of the more significant compounds for cancer chemoprevention that we have studied," said Fred Stevens, a researcher with the Oregon State Linus Pauling Institute. "The published literature and research on its properties are just exploding at this point, and there's a great deal of interest."

The new research is further evidence in a series of studies that links xanthohumol to lower instances cancer and cell growth in rats.

Unfortunately, researchers estimate that people would have to drink as many as 17 beers to acquire enough of the substance for it to make a difference.

"We can't say that drinking beer will help prevent cancer," Stevens said.

Still, the substance's cancer-fighting properties could be developed into a successful nutritional additive or supplement, they say.

Some domestic U.S. beers already have higher levels of these compounds than others, especially porter, stout and ale brews.

German brewers aim to make beer healthier

German brewers in the meantime have developed what may soon be marketed as healthy beer — or beer with higher concentrations of xanthohumol.

Working with the Weihenstephan brewery, the oldest brewery in the world, researchers at the Technical University of Munich have brewed a new beer, called "Xan," which contains from ten to thirty times as much xanthohumol as traditional brews. Brewed according to Germany's strict beer purity standards, Xan went on sale in May — but at a cost 80% higher than the competition.

Still, many more studies need to be completed before companies can bring products containing high levels of the compound, according to Dr. Clarissa Gerhaeuser from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.

"These were all cell culture tests — in the human body, the result could end up completely different."

Links:

Oregon State University

Weihenstephan Brewery

Germany Info iPod Giveaway!

2006-06-17T07:43:00.000-05:00

You don't have to score a goal to be a winner in this contest.

Just subscribe to one — or all — of our Germany Info newsletters:

The Week in Germany (News from Germany, in English)
Deutschland Nachrichten (News from Germany, in German)
Germany in Class (News and information for teachers, in English)

As a NEW subscriber between June 19 and July 9, you could win an iPod Nano!

Germany Info will choose at random three people who subscribed during this period and award them a super-slick black iPod Nano inscribed with www.germany.info.

One entry per household. Employees or dependants of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany are ineligible.

SOURCE: The Week In Germany

An eye for trouble disguised as a nose for news

2006-06-13T20:26:00.000-05:00

By Mike Moore

Maybe I'll have to start carrying a badge. I'll need to take off a couple of days to perfect flipping it open and shut in one fluid motion.

Don't want anybody mixing me up with Jeff. "Jeff from the Journal" is how the caller introduced himself when he dialed up a couple of contestants from the recent Miss ChocolateFest pageant.

There are a few blind spots in my view of the newsroom, but I'm fairly sure nobody by that name snuck in and commandeered a computer here. Yes, he could've meant that other paper, but he didn't.

The guy wasn't a local at all. A few of his questions made that clear.

"The girls could tell he didn't know what he was talking about," said Caitlin Morrall, who won the pageant last year and got involved in coaching this time.

Street smarts and good looks? I'd develop a twitch while interviewing women like that.

Except it wasn't the caller's professional polish that prompted the contestants and their families to get off the line. It was the kinds of questions he asked. I don't recall a chapter on "Uncomfortable Prying" in the Newswriting 101 textbook.

"He knows a lot of information about these girls that he would've had to do a lot of digging to get," Morrall said.

While she's never received one of those calls, this sounds to her like the same guy who strikes up conversations with her at pageants. That one's a regular on the circuit, although not a welcome one.

Morrall said the guy sometimes asks her for an autograph, although on those occasions he wants to be called Chris. Starting to sound like a Vegas commercial, eh? "It doesn't harm anyone. It's just odd," Morrall said, though she does wonder how far he'll go.

It might yet harm the caller himself. Detective Sgt. Bret Maus said, if Burlington city police can connect the pageant stalker to the local calls, the guy could be charged. Until they're sure, it's not fair for me to name him.

I don't need a name to flog him with my keyboard. Go pretend to be someone else, buddy. It's bad enough you're creeping people out. Leave us journalists out of it. We're still busy trying to finish off the ghost of Jayson Blair. (That silver bullet has to be in the filing cabinet somewhere.) Besides, you're killing the aura. Real writers just sit back and wait for the women to come running. Making sure to trim their fingernails every few weeks while they're waiting, of course.

If you're going to pose as a reporter, there are more productive ways to do it. One online message board suggests posing as a member of the press to get access to your favorite celebrity.

Better yet, you'll find all the curves you can handle with the free access to scientific charts and journals.

Just know your limits. There's a movie scheduled to come out soon called "Black Dahlia," about a grisly murder in the 1940s. Rumor was the victim, an aspiring actress, had been posing as a reporter to get access to murder cases.

However tame the pageant hound has been, Maus said Oshkosh police appreciated the heads-up so they can try to prevent the man from bothering anyone at the Miss Wisconsin event later this month. Morrall will compete for that title.

I'm trusting, after these intrusions, everyone can still distinguish a nose for news from an eye for trouble.

Mike Moore's local news column runs three days a week. He can be reached at (262) 631-1724 or by e-mail at: mike.moore@lee.net

SOURCE

Chancellor launches weekly "podcast"

2006-06-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

In what is believed to be a first among world leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel has begun "podcasting" her wit and wisdom via downloadable video clips.

The weekly podcast, called "Die Kanzlerin direkt," or "The Chancellor Direct," will typically feature Merkel's thoughts on political topics.

"New technologies like this are fascinating, and not just to young people," Merkel said in launching her inaugural podcast on Thursday. "I also get a kick out of them."

The new clips, available for free from the German leader's bundeskanzlerin.de website and Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes music store, can be played either on a computer or, more typically, Apple's ubiquitous iPod portable music player.

The idea is "to be true to the original democratic principle and make information available to everyone so that they can form their own opinions," government spokesperson Thomas Steg told reporters.

The weekly podcast, called "Die Kanzlerin direkt," or "The Chancellor Direct," will typically feature Merkel's thoughts on political topics.

In the debut video, however, Merkel muses on the soccer World Cup that opens Friday in Munich and runs through July 9.

"We're coming down to the wire. The World Cup kick-off is immediately ahead of us," she says. "Millions of people have been waiting for this moment — not only here in Germany, but everywhere in the world.

"All of our players are highly motivated and I am firmly convinced they will give their very best. And we should as well. You know, the fans are something like a twelfth man on the field.

"We all want to show that Germany is capable of putting in a top-class performance."

Merkel said Germany was looking forward to welcoming an expected one million international guests at the tournament. "We want to show them what this widely diverse country has to offer," she added. "Both in sporting and cultural terms."

The World Cup is the most-watched global event and runs through to the final on July 9 in Berlin. The tournament's 64 matches will be held in 12 cities across the country.

Since taking office in November, Merkel, a physicist by training, has worked to increase Germany's profile as a high-tech hub. Besides launching her weekly podcasts, she has increased funding for research and development.

Links:

Germany.info podacts (from Germany Info)

bundeskanzlerin.de

German-built space lab arrives in U.S.

2006-06-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

The German-built Columbus space laboratory — Europe's biggest single contribution to the International Space Station — has arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for one last pit stop on its way to a final destination in the inky depths of space.

Columbus is scheduled to be flown aboard a space shuttle to the station in the second half of 2007.

The lab, which took ten years to complete, will allow researchers to conduct a broad range of scientific experiments in the weightlessness of orbit.

"We made Columbus today so that tomorrow we can find answers to questions we today do not even know," said Alan Thirkettle, from the European Space Agency (ESA), at a ceremony marking the module's arrival in Florida last Friday.

Columbus is scheduled to be flown aboard a space shuttle to the station in the second half of 2007. Once in orbit, its operations will be managed from the new Columbus Control Center in the Munich suburb of Oberpfaffenhofen.

The cylindrical, 26-foot-long module was built by EADS Space Transportation in the northern port city of Bremen at a cost of approximately $1 billion.

It provides enough space for three crew members to conduct experiments under zero-gravity conditions.

In the laboratory, scientists can carry out investigations in all disciplines of basic research such as biotechnology, medicine and materials science as well as experiments in applied technology projects.

German astronaut Thomas Reiter will spend several months aboard the International Space Station. NASA photo

In a separate development in Germany's efforts to unlock the mystery and wonder of space, officials said German astronaut Thomas Reiter is about to become the first European to live and work on the International Space Station (ISS) on a long-duration mission.

Reiter will reach the ISS on a space shuttle flight currently planned for July, with his return to Earth scheduled for February, the ESA said in a statement.

It will be Reiter's second long-duration mission on board a space station, following his six-month stay on the Russian Mir ten years ago.

"I am confident that this mission will give Europe a lot of operational experience and scientific results which will further prepare us for the exciting and challenging times ahead," he said.

Links:

Merkel touts aerospace industry on high-tech tour (from Germany Info)

European Space Agency

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

Huge fests offer party atmosphere to ticketless fans

2006-06-09T19:09:00.000-05:00

Even soccer fans without a ticket are flocking to Germany to soak up the party atmosphere of the World Cup at huge fan fests in towns and cities across the country.

Germany's open-air fan fests are expected to attract up to eight million people, more than double the number expected to attend the 64 matches themselves. dpa photo

The massive open-air gatherings in the 12 World Cup host cities — from Hamburg in the north to Munich in the south and Leipzig in the east to Cologne in the west — will feature live broadcasts of matches on big screens, giving German fans and their international guests a chance to experience the thrill and magic of soccer together.

According to conservative estimates, the fan fests will attract up to eight million people, more than double the number expected to attend the 64 matches themselves.

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The fun kicked off on Wednesday in Berlin, where the area around the Brandenburg Gate has been transformed into an open-air "fan-mile" with enough room to accommodate 100,000 people.

The German capital has set up a 180-square-foot screen at the famed gate itself, as well as three additional screens along the length of the Tiergarten, Berlin's answer to Central Park. It is also offering diversions like beach volleyball.

The other 11 host cities have their own unique plans, with some offering artificial beaches with cocktail bars and others massage tents for tired fans.

In Cologne, a city that stands out for its friendly townsfolk and enthusiastic soccer fans, the festivities will center on the cafe-ringed Heumarkt, or Haymarket, but another huge screen will also show games right next to the Koelner Dom, the city's imposing Gothic cathedral.

Not to be outdone, the Northern city of Hamburg is planning to host up to 50,000 people at a time in a "fan city" the size of 11 soccer fields, located close to the city's harbor.

The historic eastern German city of Leipzig has meanwhile set aside space for up to 10,000 fans on Augustusplatz, near the city's opera house. Another 5,000 fans can follow the action from an area near of the landmark Gewandhaus concert hall.

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

The Old German Beer Hall named one of two venues in the Nation

2006-06-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

May 26, 2006- For the first time in history Hofbräu Munich Brewery will bring its
Summer Beer to America and Milwaukee’s Old German Beer Hall is proud to announce
that it has been named one of two places in the entire nation to offer the beer. To
commemorate the event, Mayor Tom Barrett will drive the spigot into the first barrel ever
tapped in the USA on June 13th, 2006.

Prior to the upcoming keg tapping, the summer beer was a seasonal specialty found in the
beer gardens of Munich. Brewed with hot summer days in mind, it is a light, aromatic
beer enjoyed well chilled in half-liter steins by the citizens of Bavaria. Unfiltered and
bottom fermented, the Summer Beer is naturally cloudy and carries a rich creamy head.

Hans Weissgerber III is the indelible force behind this new generation of German
Heritage. As one of his chief goals in opening The Old German Beer Hall (located at
1009 N. Old Third World Street), Hans and his team want to remind Milwaukeeans how
fun Germans and their culture truly are. After all, Milwaukee is "the most German city
in all of America." The Old German Beer Hall will also unveil the Hofbrauhaus Mural
and traditional benches and bar stools recently shipped in from Oktoberfest in Munich.

Festivities will begin at 5:00pm with the official tapping at 5:30pm. Following the
official keg tapping with all the pomp and ceremony benefiting so significant an event,
free beer will flow and Milwaukee’s Brew City Polka Kings will perform live!
So come and discover how MUCH fun German culture truly is by experiencing
Milwaukee’s only traditional beer hall.

For more information visit: www.oldgermanbeerhall.com.

Mobile TV in German debut

2006-06-02T18:58:00.000-05:00

Germany's largest cell phone companies have launched trials of a service broadcasting live digital television to the tiny screens of specially-equipped mobile phones.

Germans are excited about the prospect of watching TV on their phones. dpa photo

Select customers of T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2 and E-Plus can choose from among the 16 television and radio programs, including broadcasts of the upcoming soccer World Cup, news agency dpa reported.

Germany is the second country in the world, after South Korea, where mobile TV services have become available.

The pilot broadcasts are only available in four cities — Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Hanover — and will only run through August 31.

The service uses a technology called DVB-H (digital video broadcasting, handheld) to compress regular TV programs to fit on tiny screens — and display them without draining too much of the devices' battery power.

Phones capable of receiving television pictures are set to go on sale next year, with monthly charges likely ranging from $7 to $19, according to a spokesman for phone operator T-Mobile.

DVB-H is expected to be launched later this year in Finland, Italy and New York City. Electronics manufacturers hope that watching TV will become the next "essential" feature in mobile phones and other portable devices.

Links:

DVB-H

Source: The Week in Germany

How do I love thee, Germany, let me count the ways

2006-06-02T18:56:00.000-05:00

From supermodel Heidi Klum and Bavarian-born Pope Benedict XVI to Birkenstock sandals and Bratwurst sausages, there are at least 250 reasons to love Germany, according a new book.

Supermodel Heidi Klum: One of 250 reasons to love Germany. dpa photo

The book, called "The Best of Germany," also includes entries on garden gnomes, Munich's Oktoberfest, high-speed autobahn highways, aging crooner Udo Juergens and even plastic wall-plugs.

Its publisher, Florian Langenscheidt, said the book aims to spark an "emotional turnaround" in Germany as it prepares to welcome an expected one million international guests at the soccer World Cup kicking off June 9.

"Whenever they are abroad, Germans are always talking about a lack of innovation, high taxes and the ageing population," Langenscheidt told Reuters. "But the people you talk to say, 'For us, Germany is still paradise.'"

"This contrast made me think of producing the book," he continued. "It doesn't say what we should be doing — but rather celebrates what is good in Germany."

Yet the book isn't only meant for domestic consumption.

An English-language version of 527-page guide will also be handed out to journalists arriving in Germany to cover the World Cup, while hundreds more copies will be sent out to German embassies and cultural centers around the world.

The 250-strong list was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of prominent Germans, including soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, television newswoman Sabine Christiansen and former Siemens CEO Heinrich von Pierer.

Interestingly, it includes only events and people who have made their mark after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, with publisher Langenscheidt arguing that there is no need to "dwell on the past."

Accordingly, Chancellor Angela Merkel, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn are included in the book, while Goethe, Schiller and Beethoven don't make the cut.

Bavarian-born Pope Benedict XVI made the cut as well. dpa photo

The entries on Germany's proudest moments, too, refer only to events that took place after reunification — and include author Guenther Grass winning the Nobel Prize for literature and Boris "Boom Boom" Becker's first victory at Wimbledon.

"The Best of Germany" comes on the coattails of another high-profile effort to promote Germany among Germans, last year's enormous "Du Bist Deutschland" (You Are Germany) campaign.

With a budget of $36 million, "Du Bist Deutschland" sought to spread good cheer through posters, newspaper advertisements and a television commercial set to the tune of the bittersweet piano theme of the 1994 hit "Forest Gump."

A separate advertising drive "Germany — A Land of Ideas," is meanwhile seeking to polish Germany's image abroad.

Links:

New ad campaign aims to boost German spirits (from Germany Info)

Germany — Land of Ideas

Source: The Week in Germany

Happy Memorial Day!

2006-05-29T09:03:00.000-05:00

I may be on the radio, but I don't agree with a lot of stuff I hear on it anymore.

I was driving around a little this morning and heard an announcer say "What is there to celebrate? War?"

I have a feeling this guy was hugged enough as a child. I was. And I understand.

I understand what it is to be grateful to the people that protect you. That keep you from the evil in the world. The gatekeepers that ensure our country enjoys the freedom that allows me to write this statement disagreeing with people in our media.

There should be a day where we celebrate the sacrifice of the brave people that have gone off to war to protect the people and ideals on this country.

I don't know about you, but I have to put out the flag.

Summer in Oshkosh is full of music and events

2006-05-29T08:31:00.000-05:00

By Amanda M. Wimmer
of The Northwestern

If anyone thought the summer of 2006 would be a letdown for Oshkosh after the highly anticipated opening of the Leach Amphitheater last year, they'd better think twice.

Not only has the Leach grown into a well-respected musical venue booking major national acts, the community will be cutting the ribbon on another major summer project next month: A new state-of-the art water park.

Not bad considering the likes of Toby Keith and Gretchen Wilson will be headlining Country USA in Oshkosh later in June followed by a legendary group kicking off a truly global gathering in Sawdust City: The Beach Boys at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2006 in July.

Sandwiched in-between, a new Miss Wisconsin will be crowned, the biggest Christian music acts will descend on the city and outdoor enthusiasts will see and sample everything under the sun.

...more...

Source: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060528/OSH0101/605280390/1128/OSHnews

Labicki crowned Miss Burlington

2006-05-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

BURLINGTON — Michelle Labicki is the new Miss Burlington after winning the annual competition at ChocolateFest Saturday afternoon. Stephanie Zito was the first runner-up.

Three others competed for the crown: Katelyn Winers, Elizabeth Kojis and Paige Kuhn. Weiners was the ad campaign winner and Kojis received the congeniality award.

Labicki will represent Burlington at the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June 2007; Caitlin Morrall, last year’s Miss Burlington, will represent the city in next month’s competition.

Labicki performed a ballet on pointe for her talent presentation. Her community service platform is “Seatbelt Safety.” She attends Milwaukee Area Technical College and hopes to major in fine arts in dance and minor in business. She will receive a $500 scholarship, a crown, flowers and the chance to represent Burlington at the 2007 Miss Wisconsin Pageant.

Source: http://www.journaltimes.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=5894

New Bible translation to use "fair language"

2006-05-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

A group of Protestant theologians is working on a new German version of the Bible purged of its gender and anti-Semitic biases.

Called "The Bible in Fair Language," the new translation will be presented this fall at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest meeting of publishers and booksellers in the world.

A book historian leafs through a copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

Not since Martin Luther meticulously translated the Holy Scriptures into vernacular German has a new translation of the Bible sparked so much interest. The five-year project led by a group of 42 women and 10 men aims to make the texts accessible in easily comprehensible, contemporary language.

"Justice is the main topic of the Bible," theologian Claudia Janssen told Deutsche Welle. "And we're trying to do justice to the topic in our translation. For us, that justice has different aspects: We wanted to do justice to the text and the language about the sexes."

"We are used to speaking about God in the masculine," says Frank Cruesemann, an Old Testament expert and professor of theology involved in the project. In the new translation, however, a feminine God receives equal treatment.

Translating the Bible to reflect modern standards of gender neutrality will make the "Fair Language Bible" especially accessible for women, the group says.

Creators of the "Fair Language Bible" have also replaced the antiquated terms "maidservant" and "serf" with "slave," as well as using concepts more easily understood by contemporary reading audiences.

The group of translators has made every attempt to purge previous editions of the Bible of any anti-Semitism.

According to the theologians involved in the project, the new translation is not meant to compete with other translations but is intended to co-exist with other interpretations of the original text.

Source: The Week in Germany

Tupperware on show at Germany's MARTa museum

2006-05-26T21:40:00.000-05:00

The storage containers with the distinctive burping seal have gone on show at Germany's newest modern art museum as "Tupperware. Transparent" opened in the northern town of Herford this week.

Image courtesy of Tupperware.

The exhibition displays the fascinating development of the first air and water-tight plastic containers, designed by Earl Silas Tupper, beginning with the discovery of the durable hard plastic 60 years ago through to the still-popular Tupperware parties of today.

Based on a previous exhibition in Gent, Switzerland, the Herford show combines an exhibition on the Tupperware phenomenon with a display of contemporary art projects, sculpture, and video art featuring the ubiquitous containers.

"Tupperware is just as much a phenomenon as Pop Art — and followed the same societal development," says Jan Hoet, artistic director of Herford's MARTa Museum.

In Germany alone, an estimated 1.5 million Tupperware parties take place each year, bringing homemakers together for fun and shopping.

Historians consider Tupperware parties, based on direct marketing among friends, to be a major force of empowerment among women who returned to the home after working in factories during World War II.

The subject is a fitting one for one of Germany's most popular new museums, the MARTa Museum, whose acronym stands for "Moebel" (furniture), Art, and "Ambiente" (ambiance).

Popularly called "Germany's Guggenheim," the Frank Gehry-designed building, with the architect's distinctive sail-like roof, opened to the public just over a year ago and permanently houses the collection of German publisher Karl Kerber, in addition to hosting regular traveling exhibitions.

"Tupperware. Transparent" is open through June 25.

Links:

MARTa Herford

Gehry's MARTa museum opens in northern hamlet (from Germany Info)

Source: The Week in Germany

Smart shirts unveiled at textile conference

2006-05-26T21:39:00.000-05:00

Over 260 exhibitors met at the "Functional Textiles" conference this week in the southern German city of Augsburg

to discuss a new generation of clothing and bedding that will do far more than just cover people up.

Among the products poised to revolutionize the way we live are T-shirts that can monitor the heart rate of cardiac patients.

The shirts feature electronic sensors that send EKG and breathing rate data directly from the body, notifying doctors if the rates become dangerous for the patient.

In the world of cosmetics and wellness, German companies are developing shirts that release sunscreen and vitamin E while they are worn.

The products are based on breakthroughs in nanotechnology that allow so-called "nano-capsules" to be woven into the fabric, delivering skin-saving lotions to the wearer through five washes.

Also presented at the textile conference was a "smart bed" which can administer medications to its occupant during sleep.

New textile products can also be used in therapies for people suffering from skin irritations and illnesses or to regulate blood sugar among diabetics, conference participants said..

The conference brought together several German industry leaders, including Bayer MaterialScience, Degussa, Falke, Salzmann, and the universities of Gent, Erlangen-Nuremberg, and Dresden.

Links:

Functional Textiles

Source: The Week in Germany

My video was just added to You Tube!

2006-05-25T19:41:00.000-05:00

Check out the Captain Catastrophe film on You Tube:

Or go to link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05q3vlN2RQ0

For those of you still wondering if it really is medicinal . . .

2006-05-21T12:48:00.000-05:00

Nascar Crunches Numbers and Joins Stats Race

2006-05-21T08:24:00.000-05:00

By VIV BERNSTEIN

Published: May 21, 2006

CONCORD, N.C., May 20 — Through nearly 25 years of racing in Nascar's premier series, Mark Martin has competed against an all-star list of champion drivers from Dale Earnhardt to Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough.

Skip to next paragraph

Doug Benc/Getty Images

Tony Stewart, the defending Nextel Cup champion, is second in overall points but is the leader with 110.1 points in the driver rating, one of the new statistics kept by Nascar.

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But ask Martin to name the best he has ever chased, and he mentions none of them.

"Tony Stewart," Martin said Tuesday during a telephone conference call with reporters. "He's just the man, in my opinion."

Martin has no statistics to back up his choice, no numbers to quantify Stewart's talent and dominance beyond the 25 career victories and 2 points titles since joining Nascar's Cup Series in 1999 after winning the Indy Racing League title.

But Nascar has come up with a statistic that may prove Martin is right, at least among today's Cup competitors. It is the driver rating, a ranking based on eight factors from speed to finish. Nascar officials want it to become the equivalent of the quarterback rating in football, a ranking that goes beyond victories and points to consider all the factors that make some drivers better than others.

This season, the series has been offering driver rating with a package of new statistics from quality passes to top closers, a chart of drivers who make up the most places in the final 10 percent of races.

"Everyone knows who won the race; this helps talk about how the race was won," Ramsey Poston, Nascar's managing director for corporate communications, said of the new statistical package during a telephone interview last week. "This sport is certainly more than just making left turns. This sport is about strategy, it's about speed, it's about performance.

"We wanted a rating that measured something more than just the number of races any driver wins, and I think we've captured that."

For years, Nascar had no way to accurately track drivers on each lap to make those measurements. But two years ago, officials eliminated a rule allowing drivers to race back to the start-finish line when yellow flags come out during races. Instead, Nascar froze the running order immediately.

Officials then needed a way to determine everyone's place, so scoring loops were installed at every track. Thin wires were embedded in the surface, and transponders relay data to scoring officials during races.

What resulted, beyond the placements needed during caution periods, was a mass of raw data from each race that no one knew what to do with.

"I said, 'Let's get out and talk to these houses of geeks,' " Poston said.

Last summer, Nascar approached Stats LLC and other sports statistics companies to find a way to use the data produced by the scoring loops.

Stefan Kretschmann, systems manager for commercial products for Stats LLC, had been a rabid Nascar fan since 2003. But he said he was frustrated by the lack of statistics.

"I was just amazed there was so little information actually available," he said.

So Kretschmann, 34, devised his own statistics. And Stats LLC won the contract after Kretschmann showed what kinds of statistics could be based on the raw data. He developed a box score that included green-flag passes, fastest laps, consecutive laps with a pass, consecutive passes without being passed, passes on the backstretch, in turns and so on.

But the driver rating is the most crucial number. Produced through trial and error, it is derived from a formula that includes victories, finishes, top-15 finishes, average running position while on the lead lap, average speed under green, fastest lap, leader of the most laps and lead-lap finish. The categories are weighted, and the maximum point total is 150.

By that formula, Martin is right. Stewart is No. 1 in the driver rating through the Dodge Charger 500, which was run May 13 at Darlington, S.C., although Jimmie Johnson is the points leader and leads all drivers with 3 victories in 11 races this season. Saturday's nonpoints All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway will not count toward the driver rating.

Stewart, the defending Nextel Cup champion, has one victory and is second in points behind Johnson. But Stewart has 110.1 points in the driver rating, followed by Matt Kenseth (107.1), Greg Biffle (103.2) and Johnson (102.5).

Biffle is 14th in the points standings, but his rating reflects his dominance during races in which he failed to finish in the top five.

Other oddities of the rating system: Dale Jarrett is 12th in points but 26th in driver rating. The formula penalizes Jarrett for not running consistently among the leaders in each race. But Jarrett also ranks second among closers; he moves up nearly three places in the last 10 percent of each race. That perhaps helps to explain his position in the points standings.

No statistic can fully capture the intangible factors that make drivers like Stewart stand out. Martin's judgment was based in part on Stewart's ability to win in all kinds of racecars, not only stock cars.

Just as quarterback rating does not determine the Super Bowl winners — see Peyton Manning — driver rating will not decide the winner of this year's Chase for the Nextel Cup.

"I don't think you'll ever be able to pinpoint it and say that this race or this set of circumstances equaled the best driver," Johnson said. "There are just too many variables in our sport. To really pinpoint one is tough."

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/sports/othersports/21nascar.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

New Berlin station is Europe's largest rail hub

2006-05-20T19:21:00.000-05:00

dpa photo

Germany will next week open Europe's largest railway hub, a vast glass-and-steel station whose platforms offer panoramic views of the heart of reunited Berlin — from the historic Reichstag parliament building to the modern Federal Chancellery.

The German capital's 1.9-million-square-foot Hauptbahnhof, or main station, links the north and south of the once-divided city with its east and west for the first time.

It is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily, with almost 1,100 long-distance, regional and local trains passing through — one every 90 seconds.

The $850-million, five-level station has been nearly 15 years in the making. Planning began in 1991 just after the formal reunification of communist East and democratic West Germany, and construction took eight years.

Berlin's first-ever central station, the Hauptbahnhof will handle long-distance trains that currently stop at Zoo station in the west and Ostbahnhof in the east.

Each day, 1,100 long-distance, regional and local trains will pass through the new station — one every 90 seconds. dpa photo

Some 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the station's ceremonial grand opening on May 26.

It will include a spectacular lightshow and an address by Chancellor Angela Merkel, followed by a large party on May 27 before the station goes into operation on May 28.

The new Hauptbahnhof will face its first big test in June, when Germany hosts the soccer World Cup. Several games will be played in Berlin and nearby Leipzig, and officials expect thousands of international visitors to pass through the new station.

Links:

Hauptbahnhof Berlin

Source: The Week in Germany

German center struggles in rising sea of development

2006-05-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

Soaring property taxes force cultural group to consider changes for land in Glendale

By MARIE ROHDE
mrohde@journalsentinel.com

Posted: May 18, 2006

Glendale - Barb Kletzke's feet ached. The heels of the traditional Bavarian trachten shoes worn for the schuhplattler were a little too tall for comfort.

Preserving German Culture

Photo/Rick Wood

Workers walk the grounds of the Bavarian Inn on Wednesday, preparing the picnic areas, dance hall and soccer fields for spring festivals. The property is home to the Bavarian Inn, Old Heidelberg Park and several soccer fields.

Photo/Benny Sieu

Nick Unora, 5, tries to keep pace at a schuhplattler last week with the B.G.T.V. D'lustig'n Wendlstoana Bavarian dancing club at the Bavarian Inn.

15-acre property

$57,000: Price that German group paid for land in 1943.
6 million: Assessed value of land today.
$135,527: The groups tax bill in 2006.

Quotable

We created an island in Glendale that was something of a foreign country where you could speak your language and practice your customs.

- John Klingseisen,
president of United German Societies

So she kicked off the dancing shoes and put on a pair of clogs while watching a half-dozen men slap their thighs and heels as their partners twirled to the music of a German-made accordion at the Bavarian complex.

"I grew up in La Crosse and my mom and dad spoke German," said Kletzke, who now lives on the west side of Waukesha. "We came here for Oktoberfest, and I thought this is culture worth preserving."

Preserving and sharing that culture has long been the goal of the United German Societies, the umbrella organization for five area German fraternal organizations. But change is in the air, because preserving its land is becoming very expensive.

The 15-acre property just west of I-43 and south of Silver Spring Drive that the fraternal organization bought for $57,000 in 1943 is now assessed at $6 million, and the Bavarians had to borrow money to pay their $135,527 tax bill for 2006.

"We're struggling to stay alive," said John Klingseisen, president of the umbrella group. The property is home to the Bavarian Inn, a popular restaurant open to the public; Old Heidelberg Park, site of the annual Oktoberfest celebration in September; and several soccer fields used by 800 players, including an adult team that has won national championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

"Our number one choice would be to stay where we're at, but that may not be possible," Klingseisen said. "Our next choice would be to relocate on this property and have some of the rest of the land redeveloped. The worst-case scenario would be for us to relocate somewhere else."

Faced with the economic realities, the Bavarian group issued a request May 5 for developers to make proposals for redeveloping the property.

City of Glendale officials said that even before the club asked for development proposals, half a dozen developers had made inquiries about what could be built on the property.

No matter what option is chosen, diners can rest assured that not a single meal of sauerbraten will be missed nor will any of the scores of soccer games be called off for any reason other than rain: Nothing will be razed until a replacement is ready, Klingseisen said.

"We are definitely here to stay," said Klingseisen. "Nothing will happen until we have facilities."

Indeed, the future of the fraternal organization seems to be virtually guaranteed, despite declining membership in all of the groups except the soccer club.

John Jentz, a reference librarian at Marquette University who has studied and written extensively on German migration to this country, said many of the German immigrants who settled throughout the United States share one characteristic.

"They had a proclivity for buying property," Jentz said. "The first thing the Germans would do was buy a hall that would serve as a community center. Then they'd buy land for a soccer field. Well, a lot of that land is now in places where the value has accrued, and some of these organizations are sitting on gold mines."

The oldest of the local Bavarian groups, a singing club, was formed in 1895. The most recent was the soccer club, which was formed in 1929.

In the 1930s, the seven German groups bought a house on the east side of Port Washington Road, now the site of a motel. They also leased some of what was then farmland across the street, the group's current location.

"We came here because it was inexpensive land," Klingseisen said. "We created an island in Glendale that was something of a foreign country where you could speak your language and practice your customs."

In 1967, the Bavarians built the Bavarian Inn, a 21,000-square-foot building that looks like it was lifted from the Alps and plopped down on the 15-acre property at 700 W. Lexington Blvd. The groups went out on a limb, spending $600,000 on the building and $400,000 to furnish it, said Guenther Behre, a volunteer in charge of buildings and grounds.

Maintenance and upkeep is largely done by volunteers. Taxes and other expenses are paid by the proceeds of the restaurant and by special events such as the popular Oktoberfest. Taxes escalated in the early 1990s, and the Bavarians have unsuccessfully challenged Glendale's assessments. When the Bavarians complained about the city's $6 million assessment of their property, the city offered to buy it for that price, an offer that was declined.

The neighboring 8-acre property is owned by Manpower Inc., a Fortune 500 company that announced late last year that it was relocating to Milwaukee. At the time Glendale made its offer to the Bavarians, Manpower was still considering staying in Glendale.

"We planned on offering to sell the property to Manpower for their expansion," City Administrator Richard Maslowski said. "But if Manpower decided to move, the city understood that the property could still be developed."

The city will have considerable control over the development of both parcels, Maslowski said. It will be a mixed-use development that will likely include housing and commercial firms and possibly some office space, he said. The city is optimistic that the value of development will exceed the current value of Manpower and the Bavarian Inn, he said.

One developer asked the city if it would consider development of another parcel of land - a city-owned 13.8-acre parcel at 2500 W. Bender Road, a former landfill.

There's no debate over what the German group wants to do.

"We want to stay in Glendale," Klingseisen said. "We've been here a long time, and we think we fit into the city's long-term vision of being a community with European flavor."

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=425120

'Pioneer Princess' sets sail for Fond du Lac

2006-05-17T18:46:00.000-05:00

Longtime Pioneer Resort tour boat sold

By Alex Hummel and jeff bollier
of The Northwestern

Oshkosh is no longer home port for the "Pioneer Princess."

The Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau bought the large tour boat from the owners of Oshkosh's dormant Pioneer Resort and Marina, where the Pioneer Princess had been tied up for years.

The 49-passenger excursion boat will now drop anchor and launch from a channel in the city of Fond du Lac's Lakeside Park.

"I feel bad about the demise of several of the Oshkosh (hotel) properties, but I believe Oshkosh will rebound in a very short period of time," said Michael Schmal, CEO of the Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This isn't like it's taking it away. This is like a daughter getting married and moving to the other end of town, as far as I'm concerned."

Schmal said his agency used Fond du Lac room tax revenue to purchase the boat.

"We have been looking for a number of years at increasing the number of attractions in Fond du Lac or reasons for people to come to Fond du Lac, visit and stay over night," he said, noting the bureau's hopes to bolster motorcoach tourism.

"It just gives people another reason to come to Central Wisconsin," Schmal said, citing the "lure of the lake."

"With the cost of fuel being what it is, I truly believe that people are going to be making trips that are a little closer to home this year."

The sale of the Pioneer Princess means there's one less service at the Pioneer resort, which has been closed for close to two years now. A land-use dispute between the Department of Natural Resources and Pioneer owner Decade Properties Inc. has been resolved, but the legal snarl delayed Decade's one-time-estimated $20 million redevelopment of the property.

Sean O'Connell, manager of the Pioneer Marina, said the resort's restaurant, tiki bar and banquet facilities will remain closed for the season.

"I don't believe anything's going to be open on this island this summer except our marina operations," O'Connell said.

The property owners were not available for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Schmal wouldn't disclose the Pioneer Princess's selling price. He did say a name change is likely for the boat.

"We'll probably put 'Fond du Lac' or 'City of Fond du Lac' in front of the 'Princess,'" he said. "… Lord only knows what it will be."

The Pioneer Princess still appears in the "Boat Tour" section of Wisconsin's 2006 state tourism "Spring and Summer Recreation Guide." In the large brochure, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Pioneer about a ride, even though the Oshkosh resort site's buildings are either closed or cleared.

The Miss Wisconsin Pageant annually uses the Pioneer Princess for its week-long lineup of events in Oshkosh.

However, pageant organizers said Schmal was an organization official and they didn't expect any scheduling hiccups because of the boat's sale.

Alex Hummel: (920) 426-6669 or ahummel@thenorthwestern.com. Jeff Bollier: (920) 426-6688 or jbollier@thenorthwestern.com.

Source: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060517/OSH0101/605170424/1128/OSHnews

The World's biggest Football and "Miss World Cup" at Europa-Park

2006-05-11T18:59:00.000-05:00

Germany – and of course also Germany’s biggest theme park – is caught by the fever of this year’s Football World Cup!

With the new attraction “Arena of Football – Be Part of It!”, the biggest football of the world and the "Miss WM election", Europa-Park offers unique family entertainment on the occasion of this spectacular sports event.

Record-breaking: Europa-Park proudly presents the “World’s biggest Football” in World Cup design. Moreover, the visitors can discover fantastic worlds of adventure with more than 100 attractions and fascinating shows. No other tourist destination in Germany offers more fun and entertainment for all age groups.

Located right next to Europe's highest and tallest roller coaster Silver Star, the World's biggest Football with an absolutely stunning height of 43 metres welcomes the visitors of Europa-Park!

Since its debut in 1989 the dark indoor coaster Eurosat not only is one of Europa-Park's top rides, but - because of its modern design in the shape of a 43 metre high silver sphere - also a very popular background for souvenir photos in the French themed area. In 2006 this visual appeal has been taken to new heights with the design of the original colour scheme of the World Cup ball.

The new look of the Eurosat coaster is created through a 16,500 sqft mantle of polyester web weighting 6 tons! Theoretically this giant ball could hold 8.5 million real footballs inside. A stunning sight dominating Europa-Park's skyline!

NEW: Election for "Miss WM"

In the year of the Football World Cup Europa-Park organised for the first time the election of the “Miss WM” in cooperation with the Miss Germany Corporation. 32 beautiful young ladies from all countries participating in the Football World Cup compete for the title of “Miss WM”, which is given to one of them by an international jury of football players.

Date of the election for the “Miss WM” is june, 01 2006

Moreover, the visitors can discover fantastic worlds of adventure with more than 100 attractions and fascinating shows. No other tourist destination in Germany offers more fun and entertainment for all age groups.

Source: http://www.german-news.de/news/news+article.storyid+1987.htm

Merkel touts aerospace industry on high-tech tour

2006-05-08T13:44:00.000-05:00

Chancellor Angela Merkel this week highlighted the vibrancy of Germany's aerospace industry at ceremonies marking the completion of a high-tech space lab and the laying of the foundation stone of an aircraft engine maintenance facility.

The Columbus space laboratory — Europe's biggest single contribution to the International Space Station. bpa photo

In the northern port city of Bremen, Merkel Tuesday celebrated the successful completion of the Columbus space laboratory — Europe's biggest single contribution to the International Space Station.

The lab, which will allow researchers to conduct a broad range of scientific experiments in the weightlessness of orbit, provides impressive proof of the German aerospace industry's engineering prowess, Merkel said.

"It is a small, but important sector where a country like Germany, which is known as a land of high technology and cutting-edge science, stands up very, very well," she said.

The lab, which took 10 years to complete, will be shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida, later this the month, and is scheduled to be flown aboard a space shuttle to the station in the second half of 2007.

Once in orbit, the module's operations will be managed from the new Columbus Control Center built outside of Munich in Oberpfaffenhofen.

Later the same day, Merkel's high-tech tour continued as she traveled to the eastern German state of Thuringia to mark the laying of the foundation stone for an a new jet engine repair facility being built by German air carrier Lufthansa and British jet engine maker Rolls-Royce.

Merkel: "The fact that Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa have chosen to locate in Arnstadt underscores the international competitiveness of [Germany's eastern states]."

Together with Thuringia governor Dieter Althaus, Merkel emphasized the importance of the state-of-the-art installation for the industrial future of Thuringia and Germany.

"The fact that Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa have chosen to locate in Arnstadt underscores the international competitiveness of [Germany's eastern states]," Merkel said.

Rolls Royce chose the town of Arnstadt, which lies about 150 miles northeast of Lufthansa's main Frankfurt hub, in 2004, calling it "a location that could offer the best in logistics, a competitive cost structure and the potential for high-quality manpower."

German leaders cheered the move, which is expected to create hundreds of high-paying jobs in a region where unemployment stands at more than 15%.

The new facility will begin operations in April 2007 with some 300 full-time employees engaged in the maintenance of large Rolls-Royce jet engines, as for example used in the world's largest civil aircraft — the Airbus A380, the company said in a statement.

Source: The Week in Germany

Europe Day celebrations set for next week

2006-05-08T13:43:00.000-05:00

People in towns and cities in Germany, Europe and the wider world will next week celebrate Europe Day, a time to reflect on the ongoing effort to unite Europe peacefully after generations of division and conflict.

Graphic courtesy European Union

The May 9 holiday commemorates then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman's historic 1950 declaration calling on France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation."

This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration," is considered the first step toward the creation of what is now the European Union.

Today, Europe Day has come to symbolize European unity — and over 50 years of peace and prosperity. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

The day will also be observed at various occasions taking place across the United States.

In Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, for example, European ambassadors will celebrate by teaching students about the European Union at 26 public and private area schools.

They will also provide classroom materials for both teachers and students, including maps of the European Union's 25 member states, historical posters and interactive resources.

Source: The Week in Germany

In case you get this e-mail going around

2006-05-02T16:22:00.000-05:00

Parkade
Claim: Photographs show automobiles tightly packed in a compact German parking garage.

Status: Real pictures; inaccurate description.

Examples: [Collected via e-mail, 2006]

German Parking Garage

This is pretty amazing! Can you imagine how all this operates? How do they lock each car in its cubicle for safety. WHO CARES. NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND COULD GET IN THERE.

Talk about German efficiency! The two photos below were taken at a new parking garage in Munich. The actual space that the facility occupies is approximately only 20% of a comparable facility with the traditional design that is used primarily in the US. Not only is the German structure less expensive to build, but vehicles are also "retrieved" in less time and without the potential of being damaged by an attendant.

Origins: The photographs displayed above are real, and compact, multi-story parking structures can indeed be found in some Germany cities (such as Dresden), but in this case the two don't go together.

The structure pictured here is not a public parking garage, but rather a storage facility for newly-manufactured automobiles. It's an inside view of one of the 20-story Car Towers at Volkswagen's Autostadt facility in Wolfsburg, Germany, which is sort of a cross between a Volkswagen showcase and theme park. Visitors can take in the shops, restaurants, and cinemas, as well as enjoying automobile-themed attractions such as the virtual CarDesign Studio and the All-Terrain Course.

If you visit Autostadt, the high point of your day might be taking delivery of a brand-new Volkswagen automobile. This is the part where a Car Tower like the one pictured above comes into play:

Your new car is waiting!

Anyone considering buying a new car usually does a lot of careful research before coming to the realization: this is it! At Autostadt, we think the moment in which you receive your new car should be just as special. And this is exactly what we offer. At Autostadt, collecting your new car is an event in itself. The best idea is to begin that special day with a relaxing trip to Autostadt followed by a tour until the big moment arrives: In a fully automated procedure, your new car is brought down to you from one of the 20-story Car Towers. Large signboards in the Customer Center show you when your turn has come. Then, you're handed the keys, your picture is taken, the glass doors open and your brand-new car appears. You're all set to go.

Last updated: 25 April 2006

Commemorative Maibock Tapping

2006-04-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

Be good to yourself and come welcome Summer at The Old German Beer Hall with the tradition of tapping the Maibock beer! Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest will drive the spigot into a barrel of Maibock beer on Thursday, April 27, 2006.

Each Spring, invited guests, business professionals, and dignitaries gather for this annual event.
By tradition, the first barrel of Maibock is tapped at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany during the last week of April. It’s a way to tune up for the merry month of May.

Adding to the importance of this occasion, is that Maibock beer from the Hofbräu has been voted number one in the world. The success story of Munich's oldest bock beer began in 1614. The powerfully aromatic flavor Hofbräu Maibock has for centuries been among the high points of the beer-lover’s calendar.

This year Milwaukee will experience its first Maibock barrel tapping. Festivities will begin at 6:00pm on April 27th . Following official Maibock keg tapping with all the pomp and ceremony benefiting so significant an event, will be live music by Larry Way!

Hans Weissgerber III is the indelible force behind this new generation of German Heritage. As one of his chief goals in opening The Old German Beer Hall (located at 1009 N. Old Third World Street), Hans and his team want to remind Milwaukeeans how fun Germans and their culture truly are. After all, Milwaukee is "the most German city in all of America."

So come and discover how MUCH fun German culture truly is by experiencing this new, traditional beer hall. Come enjoy the Maibock celebration!

For more information visit: www.oldgermanbeerhall.com.

World Cup trophy embarks on German tour

2006-04-14T11:22:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

The World Cup trophy has begun an unprecedented 3,107-mile road trip through Germany, offering fans a unique chance to get up close and personal with soccer's most coveted prize.

The tour kicked off Monday in the southern city of Freiburg, where excited fans waited for up to 30 minutes to get a glimpse of the 18-carat trophy. dpa photo

The trophy, which was crafted by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga and first used for the 1974 World Cup when Germany won the title at home, will make 21 stops around the country, including at all of the 12 host cities for the June 9-July 9 tournament

2006 FIFA World Cup™

Click above to visit Germany's 12 Host Cities of 2006 FIFA World Cup™. From Hamburg to Munich, there are so many things to be discovered!

World Cup 2006 in Germany
From the German government

Soccer in Germany
From the German Foreign Office

Official World Cup site
From FIFA

German Tourist Office
Start planning your trip now!

"We are bringing the Holy Grail of world soccer to the fans," said tournament spokesperson Gerd Graus.

The tour kicked off Monday in the southern city of Freiburg, where excited fans waited for up to 30 minutes to get a glimpse of the 18-carat trophy that will be presented to the captain of the winning team in soccer's main event.

Soccer officials said the tour was arranged to acknowledge fans and thank the many volunteers involved in the game and the tournament.

Until recently, the original World Cup trophy was seen only rarely at official events such as the preliminary and final draws, the World Cup opener and final, or at the winning team's reception upon returning home.

When France and Japan staged similar road shows in 1998 and 2002, only a duplicate trophy was put on show while the real deal remained locked in a bank vault.

This year, though, the trophy toured the world between Jan. 6 and April 10, stopping in 29 countries. The current German leg of the tour will run until May 26 in Hamburg.

Links:

Soccer match a "time to make friends" at Embassy (from Germany Info)

For World Cup, Germans give themselves a friendly reminder (from Germany Info)

Germans do most for "mental fitness" among Europeans

2006-04-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

People living in Germany are more likely than their European neighbors to do mental training exercises and brain teasers to boost memory and brain power, according to a new study

Sudoku puzzles are immensely popular in Germany, no surprise considering Germans' penchant for mind teasers. dpa photo

The survey of 2,500 respondents in Germany, Italy, Great Britain, France, and Spain found that 40.6% of all Germans have done mental exercises, about twice as many as in other European nations, dpa news agency reported.

Germans were found to remember appointments better than others and could easily recall what they had to eat for dinner two nights earlier. They were less successful at remembering people's faces and PIN codes.

Still, around 72% of all Germans say they suffer from memory loss, and many approach their fears of shrinking brain power proactively.

Activities Germans do to retain their mental fitness include reading (78%), calculation (63%), and logic puzzles (more than half). Only 0.6% reported doing absolutely nothing to retain mental fitness.

The study, sponsored by Nintendo and conducted by the Hamburg-based marketing firm Ipsos, precedes the launch of "Brain Jogging," a new game that promises to help people boost their memory power.

Links:

Germans and Dutch called brainiest Europeans (Germany Info)

Society fights for accurate beer pours as "Starkbierzeit" winds down

2006-04-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

Anyone who has been to a beer garden in Germany knows that the people who idle there for hours take the accuracy of their pours seriously. But that thick line on the mug meant to standardize the amount of beer a patron gets hasn't made the "Society Against Dishonest Pouring" any less popular — or necessary.

"Badly poured beers are among the largest problems in beer gardens, restaurants, and at the Oktoberfest," the society notes on its website.

The accuracy of German engineering spills over into the beer world. dpa photo

The SADP estimates that beer maids who pour just a finger's width less of beer cheat patrons out of 4.2 million Eur worth of beer at Munich's annual Oktoberfest alone.

But the group isn't just looking out for beer drinkers at the world's largest beer festival. At any single beer event in Bavaria, the society has as many as 20 pouring experts making the rounds to assure drinkers of nothing less than a perfect pour.

With 4,000 members, the group includes major beer brewers as well as Munich Mayor Christian Ude and Bavarian governor Edmund Stoiber. It was initiated in 1899 to assure beer drinkers the right amount of drink for their money, but its current incarnation was created in 1970.

The society has also launched a campaign against the steadily rising price of beer and a now defunct EU plan to harmonize beer taxes across the 25-member bloc, calling the brew a "diet staple" that is excluded from unwarranted price hikes.

"If these price increases go through, there will be an uproar," said Jan-Ulrich Bittlinger, a Society Against Dishonest Pouring representative.

Members also gather every first and third Tuesday in the Munich's most famous center-city beer hall, the Hofbraeuhaus.

Starkbierfest winding down

Members from the Munich-based organization have been on call in recent weeks as festivals throughout Bavaria celebrate "Starkbierzeit," or "strong beer time." The last two weeks of March and the end of Lent finds swillers in beer gardens and cellar bars delighting in Bock beer that has alcohol content of 7.6%.

Originally brewed during the end of Lent by Bavarian monks in the 17th century, "Starkbier" is now celebrated by nearly all of Munich's major breweries in a festival kicked off by keg-tapping ceremonies.

The barely-publicized two week event, centered around the Paulaner brewery, is a much-loved local tradition and the end to what Bavarians call the "fifth season." It may be slower-paced and less touristy than the Oktoberfest, but that doesn't make the beer maids working there any more intent on a perfect pour, society members say.

Links:

Verein Gegen Betruegerisches Einschenken

Essen wins title European cultural capital 2010

2006-04-14T11:19:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

The northern German city of Essen was Tuesday named European cultural capital for 2010, beating out the eastern German city Goerlitz in a race that pitted industrial chic against historical small-town charm.

Fireworks illuminate the "Zollverein," one of the former mines that has been turned into a cultural center in Essen. Image courtesy of city of Essen.

"We have found that Essen's proposal was a hair's breadth better than that of Goerlitz and that it went to the interests of all of Europe," said media mogul Sir Jeremy Isaacs, head of a seven-member jury.

Essen joins the two German cities that have already had the honor, capital Berlin (1988) and "cradle of classical German civilization" Weimar (1999), which has seen an increase of 12.7% in tourism since it was honored.

People in Essen were jubilant on the day of the announcement, citing the recognition of their city's culture and the tourism windfall and as the source of their joy.

"We are all happy to have taken this huge step," said Essen Mayor Wolfgang Reiniger, adding that the decision "confirmed that we are a region that has done great things."

Essen launched its campaign in the name of the entire Ruhr River Valley, focusing on its transformation from a gritty industrial behemoth to a center of arts and culture.

The city is perhaps best known in the cultural sector for its world-renowned philharmonic orchestra, but in recent years has made a name for itself in the contemporary art world by transforming its languishing steel and coal mines into art museums and culture centers.

The "Long Night of Industrial Culture" at the Zollverein. Image courtesy of city of Essen

Essen will need an estimated 48 million Eur ($58 million) for the cultural programs it plans for 2010, far more than the 500,000 Eur ($606,000) the European Union allots to each of the three host cities that will hold the honor cultural capital in 2010.

Following a policy set to begin with the dual hosts Austria and Lithuania in 2009, Essen will share the role of cultural capital with the Hungarian city of Pécs, which will represent the 10 new member states that joined the union in May, 2005.

In a separate contest, Istanbul triumphed over the Ukrainian city of Kiev in the race for European cultural capital located outside of the geographic confines of the European Union.

Goerlitz's campaign with its neighbor city Zgorzelec, located in Poland, focused on its role symbolizing the European Union's embrace of its newest members and the large-scale restoration of formerly communist cities.

Graciously offering Essen the support of his city, Goerlitz Mayor Joachim Paulick and Zgorzelec Mayor Miroslaw Fiedrowicz didn't exclude a future shared candidacy for their two cities. Poland, after all, gets to pick its cultural capital in 2016.

Goerlitz officials later in the week called their city the "moral champion" of the race, saying that the friendship between the two cities would continue to grow far beyond the contest for cultural capital.

Links:

City Profile: Essen (from Germany Info)

Essen and Goerlitz finalists in European Cultural Capital race (from Germany Info)

Munich woman wins Germany's first-ever podcast award

2006-04-14T11:17:00.000-05:00

The first-ever award for a German podcast went to "Sleepless in Munich," an audio diary distributed by a 29-year-old German woman whose musings on life have a cult following of several thousand listeners.

Larissa Vassilian, whose nom d'podcast is Annik Rubens, received a special distinction at the first annual congress of Germany's largest podcast club honoring her as a pioneer in the field and recognizing the independent — and unpaid — broadcasting that she does with "Sleepless."

The award was one of several podcasting prizes bestowed at a ceremony held at the Munich State Opera last weekend.

Vassilian's work in podcasting — the distribution of audio or video files over the internet — has given her a reputation in the field as an expert eager to share her knowledge.

"I want people to stuff their mp3 players full of podcasts, talk about them, even make their own," she said in an interview with the Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

Although she works fulltime as a journalist and runs "Sleepless in Munich" as a hobby, she is confident that the future of podcasting is bright, thanks in part to the differences between podcasting and "real journalism."

"I think people are looking for authenticity," Vassilian told the SZ. "My cat can purr into the microphone, I can misspeak without having to cut it out."

Vassilian won the top prize at an awards ceremony that also recognized the best podcasts in field such as culture, books, music and travel.

Other German-language podcasts to win awards were Wolfgang Tischer's "Literature Café," a literary podcast, Alwxander Wunschel's podcast on surveys, the music podcast "Chillerstadt" by Markus Kaes, and the travel podcast "Chicks on Tour" by Rickie Kinnen and Tina Frank.

Links:

Schlaflos in Muenchen

Wolfgang Tischer mit dem "Literatur-Café"

Alexander Wunschel Podcast-Umfrage

Music podcast - Markus Kaes "Chillerstadt"

Rickie Kinnen and Tina Frank, "Chicks on Tour"

German roads 56 times safer

2006-04-11T16:20:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

Germany this week marked the 100th anniversary of national statistics on road traffic with new figures demonstrating that — despite a massive increase in traffic — driving today is much safer than it was a century ago.

Driving is safer today than in 1906, experts have concluded. bpa photo

In fact, drivers were 56 times more likely to be killed on the roads 100 years ago than in 2005, according experts at the Wiesbaden-based Federal Statistics Office who dusted off the country's inaugural road safety figures for the long-awaited centennial celebrations.

In 1906 — 20 years after the automobile was patented by German engineer Karl Benz — the number of vehicles registered in Germany stood at just 27,026.

Yet in the same year, officials recorded 4,864 traffic accidents in which 145 people were killed and 2,419 injured.

Since then, the number of vehicles registered in Germany has grown to over 56.3 million, a 2,083-fold increase, but road deaths have risen only 37-fold, the office said.

"This is a positive development to which official data, through its ongoing reporting and analysis of accidents, has made a contribution," the office said in a press release.

Last year, 5,362 people were killed on Germany's roads, down sharply from a peak of 21,332 in 1970.

Links:

Federal Statistics Office

Bust of German-American war hero newest Embassy attraction

2006-04-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

A marble bust of Prussian-born Revolutionary War general Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben has found a new home on the grounds of the German Embassy in northwest Washington, DC.

Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, aka Baron von Steuben. Embassy photo

The German Orphan Home Foundation of the District of Columbia donated the statue to the Embassy, which found a place for the handsome bust adjacent to the former ambassadorial residence where receptions and other events are held throughout the year.

Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, known in this country as Baron von Steuben, became a leader of the American Revolution.

Born in Magdeburg, Prussia, on November 15, 1730, he was a soldier by profession.

He offered his services to the Continental Congress, saying he wanted to "serve a nation engaged in the noble work of defending its rights and liberties," and by 1778 joined General George Washington at Valley Forge.

At the Continental Army's winter camp, Steuben taught the American soldiers the value of discipline, with his methods and principles credited with helping to shape the military system.

As the first inspector general of the army, Steuben held the rank of major general. He was granted U.S. citizenship after the war. He died in Steubenville, New York, on November 22, 1794.

Today, numerous German-American communities celebrate Steuben Day in September with festivals and parades, with the largest held every year in New York City.

The 8-foot 6-inches 3,000-pound marble bust and pedestal were created in 1868-70 by Jacques Jouvenal (1829-1905), a native of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, who came to America in the early 1850s.

Several of Jouvenal's sculpted works are now located in the United States Capitol.

Links:

Third International Conference on Early Warning

Kids win in sale of pope's Volkswagen

2006-04-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: The Week in Germany

The German man who last year gained a heavenly fortune through the sale of a Volkswagen hatchback once owned by Pope Benedict XVI has used part of his unexpected financial windfall to benefit sick children.

Halbe purchased a four-door hatchback with 46,600 miles on the clock from his local VW dealer for just under $13,000 before discovering that the car once belonged to the man who now leads the world's 1bn Roman Catholics. dpa photo

Benjamin Halbe of the western German city of Olpe donated about $18,000 to help start the Hoffnungsschimmer (Glimmer of Hope) foundation which works to brighten the lives of terminally and seriously ill kids, the Hanover daily Neue Presse reported this week.

Halbe, 22, told the paper he was looking to provide "long-term help" to the less fortunate.

Last year, Halbe turned a profit of nearly $220,000 on the sale of a six-year-old grey Golf with registration papers showing its last-known owner as "Josef [sic] Cardinal Ratzinger."

Halbe had purchased the four-door hatchback with 75,000 km (46,600 miles) on the clock from his local VW dealer for just under $13,000 before discovering that the car once belonged to the man who now leads the world's 1bn Roman Catholics when its registration papers arrived.

The student's discrete VW dealer had divulged few details about the vehicle's history, noting only the car — which went under the hammer for a quarter of a million dollars in a sale that attracted more than eight million hits on eBay — had proven "blessedly" reliable.

The car was thought to have been imported from Germany to Rome and back again by the Pope's private secretary, who hails from Siegen, the same North Rhine Westphalia town where the VW dealer is located.

Today, Halbe, who has transitioned from student life to a position in industrial management, still drives a used Golf, but is in the dark about any previous owners. "I told the dealer: I don't even want to know," he said.

Links:

Hoffnungsschimmer Foundation

In unusual auction, it's snowing, snowing — gone!

2006-04-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

An enterprising German village walloped by blizzards this winter found a silver lining in the unusual weather by putting some of its snow on the auction block to benefit cancer-stricken children.

Steinach Mayor Maria Greiner shows off the town's snow: "Impeccably white, soft, without any signs of use, fresh from above." dpa photo

Steinach, a picturesque tourist town of 4,800 in the eastern German state of Thuringia just north of the Bavarian border, saw a truckload of its snow go under the hammer this week for 1,420 euros ($1,700) amid brisk Internet bidding.

The mastermind behind the auction, jovial Mayor Maria Greiner, announced the winning bid, which came from a mail order clothes company in Frankfurt, before a crowd of hundreds of residents gathered for an auction-themed party in the village's handsome main square.

With snow piled high around the village, Greiner had decided to place an advertisement on eBay's German site calling for bids on "snow, impeccably white, soft, without any signs of use, fresh from above."

The idea, she said, was to do something good for charity by appealing to people's sense of humor. And by all accounts, the stunt has paid off in spades, raising a total of more than 4,000 Eur ($4,800) for child cancer charities.

The auction has also focused the world's attention on Steinach, the self-proclaimed "town of wells" nestled in the rolling hills of the lush Thuringia Forest.

"It was completely by chance, like so much in life," Mayer Griener said of her idea, "But it was worth its weight in gold."

Links:

Steinach

German women urged to date a dozen on quest for "the one"

2006-04-02T17:23:00.000-05:00

Source: The Week in Germany

The 13th time could be the charm for German women looking for long-term relationships, according to a study by the Humboldt University of Berlin for the women's magazine Brigitte.

dpa photo

"Our calculations show that women who have tested the waters with twelve potential life partners have a really good idea of what they are looking for in a person," said psychologist Lars Penke, who worked on the study.

The study gathered the responses of women who have dated a dozen or more men on their path to the right partner, and asked them to judge their previous dates on the basis of criteria such as humor, appearance, intelligence and social status.

On average, German women didn't have a firm idea of the relative importance of each of these criteria to them until after dating well over a dozen people.

The lesson to be gleaned from all these dates? "It's worth spending a lot of time looking for the right partner," says Dr. Peter Todd, a researcher in evolutionary psychology at the Max-Planck Institute who was also involved in the study.

Links:

Would-be German parents wait for right partner, better economy (from Germany Info)

German-made gadgets at CeBIT

2006-04-01T17:30:00.000-06:00

Source: The Week in Germany

From a carpet that knows when it should be vacuumed to a car radio that talks back to drivers, German-made innovations made a splash this week at CeBIT, the world's largest high-tech trade fair.

With "SmartWeb" technology, tomorrow's car radios will talk with drivers. Photo courtesy bundesregierung.de

Over 40 of the most promising German-made breakthroughs were on display at "Mensch, Technik, Interaktion" ("Man, Technology, Interaction") — an exhibition mounted by the German government to highlight the success of its grant programs.

They included "SmartWeb," a voice-controlled system that allows people on the go to access information on the Internet quickly and easily without as much as a keyboard.

With the system, which was developed by Siemens in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute research laboratories, tomorrow's drivers can ask their cars for all sorts of information — the location of a cheap gas stations or nearby restaurant, for example.

"SmartWeb" automatically searches the Internet for the information and then announces it findings over the radio.

While it may seem simple, the technology is supported by advanced software that is capable of breaking down spoken sentences into semantic units that can be understood by a computer.

"SmartWeb" is expected to go to market in about ten years' time

If the "SmartWeb"-equipped car of the future ever breaks down, another German-made innovation promises to show mechanics how to fix it.

"Augmented reality" glasses promise to make even the most complicated repair dilemma a cinch. Photo courtesy bundesregierung.de

"Augmented reality" glasses developed by Siemens and BMW provide information and instructions on fitting and removing parts in increasingly complex automotive systems — even providing remote visual support from an off-site expert for the toughest of repair dilemmas.

Foreign visitors to the Olympic Games in Beijing can meanwhile expect to benefit from another new gadget.

The "Compass 2008" system developed by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Fraunhofer Institute helps visitors navigate the Chinese metropolis and pick out the right dish in its restaurants.

It includes a "taxi dialog" module that finds street or place names in the visitor's language and then says them in Chinese, while a "smart dining" module helps visitors make sense of Chinese-language menus.

CeBIT wouldn't be complete without a German-made robot. Photo courtesy bundesregierung.de

Robots, too, were on hand at the show, including models capable of recognizing and responding to natural language, movements and even human faces.

Yet while experts at the University of Karlsruhe and the Fraunhofer Institute reckon that interactive service robots will become commonplace in a few years, less complicated robotic systems could find their way into households even sooner.

One example is a vacuum cleaning robot developed by Vorwerk for a "smart floor" equipped with sensors that guide the device straight to dirty spots.

Links:

Gadgets galore at CeBIT high-tech fair (from Germany Info)

CeBIT

Germans and Dutch called brainiest Europeans

2006-04-01T14:53:00.000-06:00

A controversial British psychologist this week claimed that the Germans and the Dutch are the smartest Europeans.

Albert Einstein was estimated to have an IQ of 160, far above average in any nation.

Dr. Richard Lynn of the University of Ulster said the two nations top the intelligence league table with an average IQ of 107, followed by Poles (106), Swedish (104), and Italians (102).

IQ, or intelligence quotient, tests are designed to measure the general intelligence of an individual compared to other people with the same age.

They have always sparked controversy, particularly among psychologists who point to cultural biases built into the tests that favor Western test-takers.

Just last year, Lynn made headlines when he claimed that the average male IQ is five points higher than the average female IQ. His colleagues in the field, however, saw inconsistencies in the studies used to compile the data.

Lynn believes his most recent study could provide evidence of a link between climate differences and brain size.

"The early human beings in northerly areas had to survive during cold winters when there were no plant foods and they were forced to hunt big game," Lynn told the Times of London.

"The main environmental influence on IQ is diet, and people in southeast Europe would have had less of the proteins, minerals and vitamins provided by meat which are essential for brain development," he added.

German intelligence researchers refused to endorse the study's findings, though, with most citing longer periods of mandatory schooling, not diet, as a main reason for the IQ differences.

Source: The Week In Germany

JS Online:'Idol' means good news for Fox 6

2006-04-01T14:45:00.000-06:00

JS Online:'Idol' means good news for Fox 6: ". . . . The 'Stimmung Stunde' German music show airs the first part of an interview with Klaus Gurschler, leader of Die Psayrer, one of Germany's top folk music groups, on its next show at 10 a.m. Saturday on WJYI-AM (1340)."

Germans to get sneak peak at future of TV

2006-03-31T18:08:00.000-06:00

Source: The Week in Germany

People in ten German cities could be among the first in the world to get sneak peak at the future of television thanks to a partnership between Germany's largest phone company and Microsoft.

Deutsche Telekom announced Tuesday that it will use Microsoft's Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) software to deliver next-generation interactive TV services beginning in mid-2006.

The service will be carried on Telekom's supercharged "VDSL" broadband network, which offers speeds roughly 30 times faster than standard DSL connections in the United States.

It will offer regular TV programs as well as advanced television services including high-definition programs, digital video recording and video on demand.

Viewers will also be able to interact with television programs — for example to vote, access sports scores and league tables or participate in sweepstakes.

"IPTV delivered via VDSL will enable better, more service oriented, more interactive and, above all, more customized television," a Telekom spokesperson said.

The service will initially be available to customers in just ten of the largest German cities — including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich — but Telekom hopes to expand the service to subscribers to an additional 40 German cities by 2007.

By then, Telekom hopes to have one million subscribers for the service.

Links:

Deutsche Telekom

Miss Beloit crown passes to Siekierski

2006-03-27T21:22:00.000-06:00

Staff photo by Kyle R. Morris
Miss Beloit 2006, Sara Siekierski, was crowned Saturday night by 2005 winner Kayleigh Brancamp during the Miss Beloit pageant held at Beloit Memorial High School.

The 2006 Miss Beloit Pageant theme was “a little bit country, a little bit rock'n roll,” but Saturday night, Sara Siekierski was every bit royalty.

The annual pageant began with the contestants in cowboy hats, and in the end it was Siekierski who wore the Miss Beloit crown.

A visibly stunned Siekierski threw her hands over her face as Miss Beloit 2005 Kayleigh Brancamp pinned on the tiara. The sophomore at University of Wisconsin - Rock County was already glowing, just having been named Miss Congeniality along with fellow contestant Sha-Nita Rhea.

As the lights dimmed and fans filed out of the Beloit Memorial High School Theater, Siekierski was surrounded by the 10 other young women contestants, all graciously offering their hugs and congratulations.

“I'm in shock,” she gasped. “I'm so happy.”

The talent during the night had ranged from gymnastic tumbles to vocal solos and Siekierski acknowledged she was up against a lot of accomplished women.

“The competition was just excellent,” she said.

After an opening performance of the National Anthem by Miss Beloit Pageant President Eddie Farr and a welcome from emcee Gregory Bridges, the Miss Beloit contestants performed an ensemble dance number - a mix of country line dancing and rock ‘n roll swing.

Then it was on to the competition when the ladies exhibited their swim wear and then changed for the talent portion of the contest.

Fans in the packed auditorium encouraged them with cheers. Contestant Brittany Andrews' younger brother, Max, wore a shirt that read “good luck sissy,” and her best friend Nicole Oates was confident she would do well.

Vickie Cole was at the pageant to support her niece, Sha-Nita Rhea, and her cousin, Darneeshia Lana'e McShan.

“I'm rootin' for everybody,” she laughed.

Farr, who worked with the women in preparation for the big night, was perhaps the proudest.

“It was a lot of work, but I was willing to do it,” he said, adding that the girls were “absolutely wonderful” to work with.

“They got along very well,” he said.

Siekierski sang “On My Own,” from the musical drama Les Miserables. Shontia Croft performed a theatrical solo selection from “Miss Celie's Blues.” Jaimie Goecks performed a dramatic monologue excerpted from “Our Town.” Naomi Martindale demonstrated cheerleading. Michelle Belke tap danced to “Mambo No. 5.” Darneeshia McShan sang “The One I Gave My Heart To.” Sha-Nita Rhea sang “Reflection.” Lindy Treptow performed “Amazing Grace” on the clarinet. Brittany Andrews did a gymnastic routine. LaFonda Richardson performed a hip-hop number. Portia Hunter recited the poem “Phenomenal Woman.”

The women then reappeared in their radiant evening gowns to answer questions about their advocacy platforms. They mentioned such issues as teen pregnancy, violence, cancer research and animal abuse.

Siekierski's platform is prevention of underage drinking - a stance she will develop for the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June.

Saturday's contest was punctuated by appearances from other Wisconsin royalty, including, among others, Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, who performed two piano solos and Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen, Tonya Popowski, who gave a baton twirling performance. A few former Miss Beloits, including Miss Beloit 2004 Megan Hendee, also crossed the stage.

Brancamp sang two solos and then gave her farewell, in which she reflected upon her experience at the Miss Wisconsin pageant and thanked Beloit for a great year as its queen.

A troupe of future Miss Beloits from Rising Star Dance Studio performed to “I Believe.”

The evening culminated in the crowing of the winner. Bridges reminded all of the young women of their worth and accomplishments, saying they were all winners that night.

The fourth runner up was Belke; third runner up was Rhea, second runner up was Richardson and first runner up was Treptow.

Andrews won the award for most ads sold for the pageant's brochure. Belke won an award for most pageant tickets sold. The Billy Amundsen Scholarship, sponsored by Bryden Motors and Miss Beloit 1990 and former Miss Wisconsin Stephanie Klett, went to Treptow.

The $200 talent award went to Siekierski; the non-finalist talent award went to Hunter and Andrews; the non-finalist interview award went to Hunter; the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit award went to Treptow; the chairman's award Goecks.

As young women were whisked away to the coronation ceremony, Siekierski's supporters were glowing with pride.

Parents Mark and Sue Siekierski and Sara's brother Dan were accompanied by aunts and uncles and others in cheering for her.

“I'm crying, I'm happy,” Sue said. “This is just a (great) year for her.”

Posted: Monday, Mar 27, 2006 - 11:46:32 am CST
By Rebekah Danaher
Daily News staff writer
Source: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2006/03/27/news/news04.txt

World Cup mobility master plan nears completion

2006-03-23T17:29:00.000-06:00

Source: The Week in Germany

A multi-billion dollar project to upgrade Germany's famous autobahn roadways and high-speed intercity trains in time for the soccer World Cup taking place in 12 German cities this summer is nearing completion, officials said this week.

Traffic will flow freely as Germany welcomes World Cup visitors from around the world this summer, officials have predicted. dpa photo

"Streets, railways, train stations and bus stops have gained a new luster," said Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee. "We can be proud of a considerable accomplishment."

Along with tournament organizing committee head Franz Beckenbauer, railway chief Hartmut Mehdorn and Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit, Tiefensee was in the German capital to brief reporters on preparations for the month-long soccer extravaganza, which is expected to attract upwards of three million visitors.

Officials have worked for five years on a master plan that included spending 3.7bn Eur ($4.5bn) on improvements to an already state-of-the-art transportation network.

As part of the plan, some 230 miles of new roadways were built, said Tiefensee, while more than 800 million Eur ($960 million) were spent on improvements to local thoroughfares in the World Cup host cities, which include Berlin, Munich, Hanover, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Stuttgart.

Germany's rail network, too, got a facelift for the huge event.

Deutsche Bahn chief Helmut Mehdorn said that train links between a number of cities, including those that connect Hamburg and Berlin, have been revamped, drastically cutting journey times.

Main stations including those in Nuremberg, Cologne and Leipzig have been renovated, while an entirely new main station is due to open in Berlin just in time for the tournament.

"We want at least half of the fans to travel to the games with us," said Mehdorn. "It is only that way that we can reach our environmental goal — to hold the first climate-neutral World Cup."

Indeed, the World Cup mobility master plan emphasizes the use of public transportation, which — in a tournament first — will be free to ticket holders on match days.

Links:

For World Cup, Germans give themselves a friendly reminder (from Germany Info)

Soccer great Beckenbauer welcomes U.S. fans (from Germany Info)

Soccer fan fests to host millions (from Germany Info)

New ambassador meets President Bush

2006-03-18T17:27:00.000-06:00

Source: The Week In Germany

Dr. Klaus Scharioth, former State Secretary of the Foreign Office, is the new German Ambassador in Washington. He presented his credentials to President George W. Bush at the White House on Monday, March 13.

Scharioth, right, with President Bush. White House photo

“We Germans feel a special bond with the United States, particularly through the friendship between our two nations but also through our partnership in the North Atlantic Alliance; we share common values and interests,” Ambassador Scharioth said in his written address to President Bush.

Germany and America know that freedom and justice must be earned and defended anew each day, Ambassador Scharioth said. He thanked the United States for its major contribution to German unification and the spread of peace and democracy in Europe.

“Today, the United States and the Europeans are together engaged in promoting human rights, the rule of law, and democracy also in other parts of the world. The hunger for freedom and justice is universal — but the roads leading there and the shape of freedom and right can differ greatly.

“For the Federal Republic of Germany, European integration and transatlantic partnership are the pillars of its foreign policy and thus complementary goals. ‘More Europe’ is key to a strong partnership between Europe and America that is equal to the future tasks; it is key to a vital transatlantic alliance.”

Germany and America have worked together in the Balkans, in Afghanistan, supporting democracy in Ukraine, and breaking up the global network of terrorism and fighting the causes of militant fanaticism, Scharioth said.

Both nations face similar challenges domestically and globally. “Together, we face new global challenges, be it in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fighting diseases, or protecting the climate.

The scourge of organized crime and the modern plague of human-trafficking also are problems that no one can solve alone. Germany will do its part to help solve these problems.”

A career diplomat, Scharioth is no stranger to the United States. As a 20-year-old, after fulfilling his German military service, he studied for a year at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho, before studying law in Bonn and Freiburg, Germany, and in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1968 to 1973.

Scharioth then returned to the United States for graduate and Ph.D. studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as at Harvard Law School and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Scharioth entered the German Foreign Service in 1976, going on to significant posts at Foreign Office headquarters, including the State Secretary’s office, Policy Planning Staff, International Law Division, head of the Foreign Minister’s office, head of the Political Directorate-General and Political Director.

Alternating with his work at headquarters in Germany were foreign assignments in Ecuador and at the UN in New York, where he also served as vice-chairman of the United Nations Legal and Charter Committees.

At NATO in Brussels, Scharioth was the director of the private office of NATO Secretary-General Solana, as well as his two predecessors Woerner and Claes, from 1993 to 1996.

In 2002, Scharioth was appointed State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, serving as one of the two highest-ranking civil servants and overseeing the divisions responsible for political matters, Europe, security policy, the United Nations and global issues.

“I look forward with joy and optimism to the task of fostering relations between our two nations,” said Scharioth, who now succeeds Wolfgang Ischinger as German Ambassador in Washington.

I'm having a great time!

2006-03-18T11:49:00.000-06:00

I have the stunning Michelle Smukowski and her mother in the studio today and we're having a blast. Wait til you hear these IDs.

PageantCast.com website open

2006-03-13T16:15:00.000-06:00

The internet’s only podcast regarding beauty pageants just made another stride toward their goal of making reliable beauty pageant news readily available: they have officially launched their website at http://www.pageantcast.com.

The website has links to important pageant webpages and includes many ways to listen to the PageantCast podcast.

The PageantCast has already interviewed such pageant celebrities as Miss USA, Miss Galaxy, Miss International and the Beauties of America. New programs generally come out weekly.

Podcasts are time-shifted radio programs distributed on the internet. They can be listened to online or downloaded. Using a program such as Apple’s iTunes, podcasts can be automatically subscribed to so new content is delivered directly to your computer. All TKPN podcasts are free of charge.

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Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, returns to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006

2006-03-09T18:35:00.000-06:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, returns to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006

Our good friend and reigning Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, will return to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006. Tracy has come to our program more often than any other guest in the history of the program.

There's a good reason for this. Simply, she's great!

Tracy will be relating behind-the-scenes stories about competing at Miss America this year in Las Vegas. It was truly historic as it was the first Miss America competition held outside of Atlantic City in its long history.

Be sure to tune in on March 11th for our interview with Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005!

You can listen to the Stimmung Stunde every Saturday morning, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on WJYI, 1340 am. The website at http://www.stimmungstunde.com will feature followup stories and interview cuts.

For more information, contact Tim Kretschmann at 414/327-9887.

New exclusive photos of our German Pope

2006-03-07T19:50:00.000-06:00

Floats and fun at German Carnival

2006-03-06T16:56:00.000-06:00

Source: The Week in Germany

Not even snow flurries could put a damper on this week's "Karneval" festivities across the Rhineland region of Germany, where thousands of revelers donned colorful costumes and filled the streets for traditional Rose Monday processions.

Carneval floats traditionally poke fun at politicians, including this one in which German Chancellor Angela Merkel is portrayed as a character from the animated hit "The Incredibles." dpa photo

Cologne, Mainz, Duesseldorf and Bonn were a few of the western cities brought to a stand-still by the raucous celebrations that are also known as Fastnacht, Fasching or Fosnat.

Even the German capital Berlin saw its share of outlandish costumes and beer-swilling — mainly among civil servants uprooted from Carnival-crazed Bonn, the country's former administrative capital — during a well-attended parade last Sunday.

In Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city and self-proclaimed Carnival capital, some 1.3 million people were on hand for festivities that got underway at 11 minutes to 11 a.m. on Monday.

The huge crowds danced and sang as marching bands blared and an estimated 150 tons of candy rained down from 96 giant floats along a 4-mile parade route through the city center.

Many of those floats poked fun at politicians, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was portrayed as a character from the animated hit "The Incredibles."

Other floats featured an irreverent take at the bird flu crisis in northern Germany and the World Cup soccer tournament that kicks off in Munich on June 9.

The German carnival is a version of the Mardi Gras festivals held in different parts of the world, including New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro.

It is rooted in the spring celebrations of pre-Christian times, when people wore masks to scare away the evil spirits of winter and welcomed the rebirth of nature with singing and dancing.

Later, in the Roman period, festivals were characterized by wanton raillery and unbridled freedom, and habitually caused a temporary breakdown of law and order. Historians believe that this spirit has fed into the contemporary "Crazy Season."

Today Carnival is also very much a Roman Catholic tradition, representing, as it does, the season of feasting before the fasting period leading up to Easter.

Links:

Carnival Special: Germany's (crazy) fifth season

DCS Jaegers photos up

2006-03-05T11:53:00.000-06:00

The DCS Jaeger photo gallery is now up!

You may have seen the DCS Jaeger tabletopper at some of the local events around town. If you haven't seen the DCS Jaeger tabletopper, this is your opportunity to see this magnificent piece of art up close and personal.

Uwe Brunn, the designer of the DCS Jaeger tabletopper, proudly stepped by the Kretschmann South Manor to show off the artwork.

The art includes their new mascot lovingly called "Joe."

Be sure to step by to see exclusive pictures of the christening of this object of excitement.

Miss Oshkosh Photo Gallery now up!

2006-03-05T07:21:00.000-06:00

Our photos from the 2006 Miss Oshkosh pageant are now available at our Webshots gallery.

Hope you like 'em!

Preparing for the Oscars...

2006-02-23T21:31:00.000-06:00

I thought you'd like this funny Star Wars version of Brokeback Mountain

Ashley Spingola, Miss Milwaukee 2006, to be interviewed on April 22, 2006

2006-02-15T17:52:00.000-06:00

Ashley Spingola, Miss Milwaukee 2006, will be our guest on the April 22 Stimmung Stunde. Ashley is a wonderful dancer and holds the distinction of being a young lady I judged at this year's competition!

It should be a lot of fun and she is a great communicator. Make sure to tune in.

The original Numa Numa video

2006-02-14T21:59:00.000-06:00

Sarah Seegert, Miss West Allis, to interview on program April 8, 2006

2006-02-14T21:51:00.000-06:00

Sarah Seegert, Miss West Allis 2006, is coming to the Stimmung Stunde on April 8, 2006. Her platform is "My Mourning Place" and she is a top-notch singer. We'll have more info up on our main page soon--so stay tuned!

Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, returns to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006

2006-01-28T08:08:00.000-06:00

Good friend of the show, Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, is returning to the program on March 11, 2006 to relate stories of what it was like to participate in the Miss America 2006 competition. This was truly a historic year because this was the first time in the history of the event that it was held outside of Atlantic City. Along with the move to Las Vegas, it was also exciting because this time it would be on a new network, CMT, that garnered it's largest viewership ever with the event.

Pretty exciting all around, I'd say.

Tracy has always been a wonderful guest and we can't wait to pull back the curtain and learn more about this iconic event.

Leipzig exhibition traces 50 years of rock 'n' roll in Germany

2006-01-24T17:53:00.000-06:00

A new interactive, multimedia exhibition at the Leipzig Historical Forum is investigating the role rock music played among young people growing up in communist East Germany.

Organized by the Foundation Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, "Youth and Music in Germany" looks at the parallels between youth in East and West Germany and the effects of various types of post-war music on relations between youth culture and government authorities.

American and British rock icons imported to Germany naturally get top billing in the exhibition, especially Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. For most people growing up in West Germany, these bands were more a part of their young lives than home-grown rockers.

Across Germany, rock music captured the feelings of younger generations who felt misunderstood by their parents.

In the East, rock's role as a type of revolt against communism also provoked leaders who found the "import of the west" decadent.

"Rock!" begins its chronicle with the King himself, in 1958, the year that Elvis Presley completed a tour of military duty in Germany. It follows the influence of the Beatles, who toured Germany heavily even before they became famous, the Stones, the Comets, the Who, and on to the German bands such as BAP, Pankow, and die Toten Hosen.

Alongside audio exhibitions, visitors learn about the various measures authorities took to try to control the phenomenon, such as a 1972 general ban of rock festivals in West German Bavaria.

One room of the exhibition invites visitors to watch old episodes of the popular West German TV series "Rockpalast," while another space brings together rock music memorabilia collected by young East and West Germans.

With its focus on youth culture and its roots in revolt, rock 'n' roll seems a perfect topic for the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum to address. The forum is devoted to documenting and investigating the history of opposition in the East German regime through a museum, a documentation center and a foundation.

"Rock! Youth and Music in Germany," funded in part by the Federal Center of Political Education, runs through April 17.

Source: The Week in Germany

Food, fun and farming at Berlin's Green Week

2006-01-24T17:52:00.000-06:00

The world's largest food and agriculture fair has this year grown even larger as a record number of exhibitors present an appetizing mixture of agricultural demonstrations and free samples in the German capital.

German President Horst Koehler, left, inspects a block of Bavarian cheese during a tour of Berlin's International Green Week. bpa photo

Berlin's International Green Week, running though January 22, is one of the most important international trade fairs for the food, agriculture and horticulture industries.

This year, it features more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 50 countries.

They include first-time exhibitors Kazakhstan and Mongolia, long-time attendees the Netherlands, France and Austria as well as partner country Russia, which has mounted the largest-ever display by an international exhibitor.

Around two-thirds of the exhibitors hail from Germany, though, prompting officials to draw a connection between the farming and food industries and the country's economic well-being.

According to figures from the DBV industry association, sales by the German food industry in 2005 totaled 134bn Eur ($162bn), making it the fourth-largest branch of German industry after the automotive, chemical and engineering sectors.

Yet trade visitors from the so-called "agribusiness" sector aren't the only ones who have been itching to taste test the thousands of beers, wines, sausages and various organic goods on hand in Berlin since the show opened last Thursday.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of consumers attend the event, which began in 1926 as a local produce mart but now features exhibits on everything from wellness travel and physical fitness to modern farming methods.

The Green Week also has plenty of attractions for anyone with an interest in animals. Over 10,000 domestic pets are on display, as are hundreds of cattle, horses and sheep.

Source: The Week in Germany

Whale cadaver attracts Berlin crowds

2006-01-24T17:51:00.000-06:00

Hundreds of Berliners have a whale of a tale to tell after catching a glimpse of a 20-ton dead whale dumped outside the German capital's Japanese Embassy on Thursday by environmental activists.

"You don't get whales coming to Berlin too often." dpa photo

Bemused onlookers, including several school groups, lined up to view the 56-foot cadaver of a fin whale that had been deposited by Greenpeace activists in a protest against Japan's whaling policies.

"You don't get whales coming to Berlin too often," noted a police spokesperson in an interview with Reuters news agency.

The whale in question had been found beached on Germany's Baltic coast last week and was en route to the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, where it is due to undergo an autopsy, before the Greenpeace activists transporting it made an unscheduled pit-stop in Berlin.

Harald Benke, the Oceanographic Museum's head, said he had initially been upset that the whale had been hijacked for political purposes but that he eventually forgave the group.

"This fin whale in Berlin did more to combat whaling than a lot of words," he said.

The International Whaling Commission imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986, but Japan has continued hunting the giant mammal for what it says are scientific purposes.

Source: The Week in Germany

Klum touts sauerkraut soup on "Tyra"

2006-01-24T17:50:00.000-06:00

Supermodel Heidi Klum is once again touting the epicurean pleasures of her homeland. In an interview with model-turned-talk show host Tyra Banks of the "Tyra Banks Show," Klum offered audience members the recipe for her grandmother's sauerkraut soup.

"It looks kind of nasty, but it tastes delicious!" Klum told Banks.

Heidi Klum snacking on a gummy bear. dpa photo

A native of the tiny northern German town of Bergisch-Gladbach, Klum is famous for her television reality show "Project Runway" as well as her work as a model for Victoria's Secret and a spokesperson for the 2006 soccer World Cup in Germany.

Klum was also in the headlines for giving birth to her second child and appearing on the runway in New York just six weeks later.

Her grandmother's sauerkraut soup, she says, is a family secret — and her favorite food. The recipe calls for three cans of sauerkraut, pork or beef, onions, mushrooms, ketchup, vegetable bullion and other ingredients to taste.

The recipe is also available on the website for the Tyra Banks show.

Sauerkraut has experienced something of a comeback in recent years as U.S. top chefs find ever more creative ways to incorporate the tangy cabbage into gourmet meals.

Nutritionists laud it as a health food and an excellent source of both Vitamin C and the lactobacilli bacteria found in yogurts. Sauerkraut has long been a staple of cuisine in northern European climes.

Find out more about introducing German specialties into your culinary life at Germanfoods.org.

Source: The Week in Germany

MISS WISCONSIN, HHS GRAD, SEEKS MISS AMERICA TITLE

2006-01-14T16:09:00.000-06:00

MISS WISCONSIN, HHS GRAD,
SEEKS MISS AMERICA TITLE

January 11, 2006

Tracy Gest

Hamilton High School's own Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, has qualified for the Miss America contest, which will be held Jan. 21 in Las Vegas.

The 20-year-old Gest, who graduated from Hamilton in 2003, won the Miss Wisconsin title June 25 in Oshkosh from a field of 23 contestants on her first attempt.

She also won the preliminary swimsuit contest earlier in the year, and plans to use her 12 years' experience playing piano in the talent portion of the Miss America pageant.

Now a junior at Carroll College in Waukesha, she still lives in Menomonee Falls with her parents, Tammy and Edward Gest.

She left for Las Vegas yesterday and is scheduled to appear on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" on Jan. 10.

The Miss America pageant will be televised from the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas on the Country Music cable channel. This year is the first time in the competition's 84-year history that it has not been held in Atlantic City.

Source: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15902012&BRD=1401&PAG=461&dept_id=173345&rfi=6

Check out TKPN on Channel 18!

2006-01-09T16:55:00.000-06:00

Go to the TKPN website now!

For a limited time, we have the TKPN appearance on the Channel 18 news posted on our site! It was a great piece and we thank them for bringing podcasting to the attention of people all around Milwaukee.

Why are you still reading this? Get over there!

JS Online: Center a bit off-center on 'Blitz'

2006-01-05T21:37:00.000-06:00

JS Online: Center a bit off-center on 'Blitz': ". . Tim Kretschmann, host of the 'Stimmung Stunde' German music show at 10 a.m. Saturdays on WJYI-AM (1340), is launching what he calls a 'network' of podcasts at www.tkpnpodcast.com/. . . ."

I found this Card Trick and thought it was great!

2006-01-05T20:12:00.000-06:00

More Card Tricks
Funny Video Found @ GKKO.COM

TKPN featured on local TV news

2006-01-04T17:48:00.000-06:00

My new podcast network, http://www.tkpnpodcast.com, is being featured TONIGHT on WVTV, Channel 18 news! Tune in at 9:00 p.m. and look for both of our smiling faces!

More about podcasting

2006-01-03T19:00:00.000-06:00

What is podcasting? Podcasting is a feed with audio files on the internet. It is the new way of broadcasting audio for the future. You can download the shows or listen to them live on the web.

What is TKPN? TKPN is a collection of three of the finest podcasts currently produced. All originate from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can connect to all of these programs from our website:
http://www.tkpnpodcast.com

What’s the easiest way to get started? On the TKPN webpage, look over the available programs and click on the links to their Podcast Pickle page. Podcast Pickle provides an in-browser player function that allows for easy listening on the Web.

What if I really like this podcast stuff? Time to get a podcast subscription aggregator like Juice or the ever-popular iTunes. To subscribe to a program, simply download the free iTunes application and click on the proper link the webpage
http://www.tkpnpodcast.com

Stimmung Stunde (Podcast Edition)
In Southeastern Wisconsin, tune in every Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. to WJYI, 1340 AM for the best in German music and German-American community news. We're Milwaukee's best source of German music and we're proud of it! We're the home of Milwaukee's German community--and we like our schlager like our lager; light and frothy and never bitter!

Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean
Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean is a podcast that will focus on crime prevention, scam alerts, safety tips and, to lighten the mood from time to time, stupid criminal stories.

We encourage other podcasts to insert this 3 minute program into their podcast. Simply let us know and thanks for spreading the word!

PageantCast
Commentary, Interviews and News related to Beauty Pageants in the U.S.A. We discuss the ever changing face of pageants in this country and give exposure to the wonderfully talented young women that participate in pageants.

COMMENT LINE: 206-339-TKPN (8576)

WWW.TKPNPODCAST.COM opens world of podcasting to Milwaukee

2006-01-03T18:59:00.000-06:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
WWW.TKPNPODCAST.COM opens world of podcasting to Milwaukee

Podcasting was recently named “2005 Word of the Year” by the New Oxford American Dictionary. Local radio hobbyist Tim Kretschmann launched TKPN in response with a suite of community based programming.

To learn about podcasts and listen to his programming, one can visit his website www.tkpnpodcast.com. The site includes links to e-mail the programming creators, listen to the programming and even subscribe directly in iTunes.

His programs, “Stimmung Stunde” (Milwaukee’s German-American community), “Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean” (Crime Prevention tips and Dumb Criminal stories), and the “PageantCast” (beauty pageant news and interviews) are also available at www.podcastpickle.com--but the easiest way to find them all and their associated show notes is at the new website www.tkpnpodcast.com.

He has also opened a comment line at 1-206-339-TKPN (8576) for listeners reviews and comments to go with the new website.

For more information, contact Tim Kretschmann at 414/327-9887.

Local Radio Hobbyist launches Podcast Network

2006-01-03T18:58:00.000-06:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Local Radio Hobbyist launches Podcast Network

Tim Kretschmann, a West Allis broadcaster who produces the local German radio program "Stimmung Stunde" on WJYI (1340 AM) every Saturday from 10-11 a.m, announces that he is launching TKPN (Tim Kretschmann Podcasting Network). Podcasts are special internet radio programs that can be downloaded and listened to on your computer or MP3 player. (Podcasting was recently named “2005 Word of the Year” by the New Oxford American Dictionary.)

He has been producing a podcast version of his radio program "Stimmung Stunde" so volksmusik fans in Germany could listen to some of the exciting interviews with German recording artists lately. The program discusses local German-American events, international news and even some German language podsafe music. Each program is approximately 30 minutes long.

He has added two additional programs to his network with the new programs "PageantCast" and "Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean."

Just as the "Stimmung Stunde" examines the local German-American community, "PageantCast" explores the world of beauty pageants. On his local program, Tim has interviewed many beauty pageant contestants and has found this world quite interesting. He has decided to share his new interest with the world with this exclusive program. Each program is approximately 30 minutes long.

"Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean" is hosted by local police officer and national crime prevention specialist JD Dhein. Each three minute episode features a crime prevention or safety tip, a scam alert or a stupid criminal story. These programs are designed to be short enough for other podcasters to insert in their program (in fact, it has already been picked up inside the "Stimmung Stunde" podcast).

To subscribe to any or all of these fine programs, go to the TKPN website at: http://www.stimmungstunde.com/TKPN. There are brief descriptions of each program and links to instantly subscribe through iTunes or listen to the programs right through your standard WWW browser.

For more information, contact Tim Kretschmann at 414/327-9887.

Chicago Tribune | `Podcast' is lexicon's Word of the Year

2005-12-28T17:25:00.000-06:00

Chicago Tribune | `Podcast' is lexicon's Word of the Year: "`Podcast' is lexicon's Word of the Year
`Podcast' is lexicon's Word of the Year

By Nathan Bierma
Special to the Tribune
Published December 28, 2005

The editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary have validated the sudden spread of podcasting by naming "podcast" the Word of the Year for 2005.

"Podcast," defined as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player," will be added to the next edition of the New Oxford American Dictionary.

The word originated as a play on the word "broadcast" using the name of Apple's popular handheld digital music player, the iPod.

Apple's iPod made its debut in the fall of 2001, but podcasts didn't come of age until last year. As late as the fall of 2004, according to the Toronto Star, a Google Internet search for "podcast" returned zero results, and Google asked, "Did you mean: broadcast?"

One year later, Googling "podcast" turns up over 77 million results.

"Podcast was considered for inclusion last year, but we found that not enough people were using it, or were even familiar with the concept," said Erin McKean, the New Oxford American's Chicago-based editor-in-chief, in a statement. "This year it's a completely different story. The word has finally caught up with the rest of the iPod phenomenon."

Today, Apple's iTunes Music Store and Web sites such as Podcast.net and Podcastalley.com offer for download thousands of podcasts from sources ranging from National Public Radio to amateur talk-show hosts in their living rooms.

The "pod" in "iPod" suggests Apple's device is small and compact but chock full of good contents, like a pea pod. The word "pod" began as "cod" in Old English, meaning "the husk or outer covering of any fruit or seed." The "pod" spelling isn't recorded until 1688, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

(The "pod" that comes from the Greek word for "foot," as in "podiatrist" and "tripod," is unrelated.)

Trading a C for a P

Dictionaries list the origin of the word "pod" as obscure or unknown.

Etymologists say the letter "P" gradually replaced the word "C" in "cod," but they aren't sure why. Anatoly Liberman, author of "Word Origins and How We Know Them" (Oxford University Press, 312 pages, $25), says people may have favored the "P" in "pod" because it matched the sound of "pea," which is often paired with "pod." More subtly, Liberman says, "pod" might have emerged because it sounded similar to words such as "pad," "pudge," "pot" and "pudding." "Numerous English words referring to swollen objects, protrusion, and the like have the structure P + Vowel + Consonant," Liberman writes by e-mail. This sound structure, he says, may have "suggested fatness to the speakers of Germanic [languages]."

If Liberman is right, and "pod" did emerge in English because it sounded similar to words meaning "fat" or "full," then it would be ironic that Apple markets products in the iPod line that are distinctive for their thinness.

Not all word watchers agreed that "podcast" was the word of the year for 2005. The editors of Webster's New World College Dictionary named "infosnacking" as their word of the year, defining it as the practice of browsing the Web at work for scores, headlines and personal e-mail.

"It's a strange choice," wrote Michael Quinion in his World Wide Words newsletter (www.worldwidewords.org). "Few of us have come across it and it certainly hasn't gained the public visibility that makes it a defining word of 2005."

Other nominees

The American Dialect Society waits until the year is over to name its own word of the year. It will meet in Albuquerque on Jan. 6 to vote from a list of nominees such as "nuclear option" (referring to extreme tactics in the U.S. Senate); "refugee" (a controversial word for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina; "evacuee" became preferred); "spim" (spam sent by instant message); and "jump the couch" (to display frenzied, erratic behavior, as Tom Cruise did this year on "Oprah").

Merriam-Webster chooses its word of the year based on what people look up the most on its Web site (www.merriam-webster.com) -- not counting perennials such as "affect" and "effect." This year the most-searched-for word was "integrity," which Merriam-Webster defines as "firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility." While every year brings its share of scandals, this year's intense political rhetoric and controversies may have given "integrity" a boost.

"We're not sure how to account for the increase in interest in this particular word, except that people do often look up the meanings of words that have special significance to current events and issues," said Merriam-Webster President John Morse in a statement.

Disney Leads Strong Theme Park Year

2005-12-26T00:40:00.000-06:00

Source: local6.com - News - Disney Leads Strong Theme Park Year

Disney Leads Strong Theme Park Year

POSTED: 10:47 pm EST December 25, 2005

UPDATED: 11:09 pm EST December 25, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Powered by strong investment in new rides, the 50th anniversary of Disneyland and a hurricane season that bypassed the theme park capital of Orlando, attendance at North America's 50 most popular amusement parks rose 4.2 percent in 2005.An estimated 176 million visitors went to North America's most popular parks, according to an annual survey to be released Monday by the trade publication Amusement Business and the research firm Economics Research Associates.Worldwide, amusement park attendance increased 2.2 percent to 253 million visitors in 2005.Neither a rainy spring in California nor a parade of destructive hurricanes in the southeast slowed down growth in the $10 billion industry, which had strong momentum from last year, the first year attendance had increased since the Sept. 11 attacks hobbled the U.S. tourism and travel industry.Most major parks don't release their attendance figures, but the Amusement Business numbers are considered the most reliable estimates in the industry.Those parks that acquired new rides in 2005 saw their investments pay off while those parks that had an off-year in their capital investment cycle, for the most part, experienced attendance dips, said James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business.Universal's two parks in Orlando, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures, each saw declines of 8 1/2 percent, while Universal Studios Hollywood had an attendance dip of 6 percent. All three parks came off strong attendance increases in 2004 and the parks in 2005 didn't introduce an excitement-generating thrill ride comparable to 2004's Revenge of the Mummy ride."There was an appetite and sometimes you don't want to miss out on that when there is that appetite, if you're in a rebound kind of year," Zoltak said. "Universal was left a little flat-footed because they did their big Revenge of the Mummy rollout the year before."Tom Schroder, a Universal spokesman, said 2004's highflying attendance figures were a tough act to follow."The bar was raised so incredibly high for us by spectacular attendance in 2004, combined with a very competitive environment to higher gas prices," Schroder said. "2005 was just slightly less great than 2004."Amusement Business also said a worldwide marketing juggernaut highlighting the 50th anniversary of Disneyland at Disney's parks around the world may also have siphoned off some attendance at the Universal parks.Disney's four parks in Florida and two parks in California benefited from the celebration with new rides, stage shows and parades. The Florida parks had attendance increases of between 5 percent and 6 1/2 percent, while Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, Calif. respectively saw growth of 8 1/2 percent and 3.6 percent.The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, with 16.1 million visitors, and Disneyland in California, with 14.5 million visitors, were not only the two most visited parks in North America in 2005, but they were the best-attended parks in the world. In North America, the remaining top 5 spots were filled out with Disney's other Florida parks: Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom.Disney parks in the United States, Japan and France took up the top eight spots in attendance worldwide."We think that certainly the 50th anniversary of Disneyland has resonated with consumers, not just here in California but really all over the world," said Lisa Haines, vice president of strategic communications at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.Six Flags Inc., which invested $135 million in new rides around the nation for the 2005 season, was rewarded with a 5.7 percent increase across the chain, according to Amusement Business. The opening of a water park at its Six Flags Great America park in Gurnee, Ill. helped boost attendance by 24 percent."They did very well in their most populace markets," Zoltak said.Anheuser Busch-owned parks saw sharp increases at locations with new thrill rides. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay added the Sheikra ride this year and saw an attendance boost of 5.1 percent, while Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. added the DarKastle thrill ride and had 8.3 percent jump.Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Parks unit had a chainwide increase of 2.2 percent.The Cedar Fair parks saw attendance rise 1.6 percent. But its California-based Knott's Berry Farm park declined 3 percent, mainly because of a rainy first quarter, and its flagship Cedar Point park in Ohio declined 2 percent, despite the introduction of the maXair ride.Cedar Point planned to lower admission prices by $5 a ticket, a counterintuitive move in an industry that annually raises its prices. The goal is to have more people go through the turnstiles in a market that has struggled economically with layoffs in the automotive industry, said Brian Witherow, a Cedar Fair vice president. The Sandusky, Ohio-based park's three biggest markets are Detroit, Cleveland and Toledo."Clearly, we can't control things like gas prices and unemployment rates in our core market ... but one thing we can control is the admission price," Witherow said.In 2006, the ownership of two prominent park chains could change hands. Viacom has said its Paramount Parks unit is for sale, and Six Flags put itself on the auction block following a contentious proxy battle led by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder that led to the ouster of two top executives."I think we're going to move into a period of some interesting mergers and acquisitions in 2006," Zoltak said.

TKPN launched!

2005-12-25T12:48:00.000-06:00

We're proud to announce that the podcast activities of our little group have been successful enough that we are now formallizing our activities with the TKPN (Tim Kretschmann Podcast Network). Our podcasts, Stimmung Stunde, Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean, and the new, red hot PageantCast, have joined forces to become TKPN. TKPN records in my front room studio and generally releases its content on Mondays.

We are currently working on putting together an easy to use webpage at our Stimmung Stunde website so it will be easy for you to keep track of all our additional content.

People interested in contributing content to any or all of these podcasts should contact me at tim@stimmungstunde.com.

If you haven't already tried listening to our podcast shows--things have just got a lot easier!!

Santa house calls a beloved tradition

2005-12-23T21:25:00.000-06:00

Thousands of German students will don red suits and white beards before they descend on German households this Christmas in a tradition that enchants kids and provides moms and dads with a brief moment of respite from holiday stress.

Santas on parade. dpa photo

For nearly 50 years, student Santas have been making house calls just after dark on Christmas Eve, when presents are opened in Germany and across much of Europe.

Families can book the visits through companies that specialize in providing professional yuletide help.

Depending on advance arrangements, the Santas come bearing presents and sometimes even the Christmas tree.

In past years, upwards of 800 Santas have served more than 10,000 families in Berlin alone, according to figures from a large placement agency.

The job is demanding, with each Santa calling on an average of 12 families over the course of just four hours, normally between 3pm and 7pm.

The responsibility weighs heavy on the shoulders of many a novice Santa.

"I wouldn't have thought that there was so much to bear in mind," 23-year-old Markus Schulz told the newsweekly Spiegel.

Helpfully, Santas are provided with orientation training by their agency employers, who also ensure the suitability of a would-be Saint Nick's costume and issue him or her with an official ID card.

Prospective Santas learn that jeans and tennis shoes are strictly verboten and that mobile phones should be switched to quiet mode while on duty.

Other tips include inquiring about who has been naughty and nice well ahead of each visit as well as agreeing in advance on the number of packages to be carried.

In the interest of providing all their clients with consistent service, Santas are also advised to limit poetry recitals to ten stanzas and to pass on the schnapps traditionally offered as a holiday toast.

Santas can earn upwards of 400 Eur ($530) over the course of four hours for their troubles — but they must provide their own costumes.

Links:

Germany Info Advent Calendar

Source: The Week in Germany

Papal birthplace to become museum

2005-12-23T21:24:00.000-06:00

A home in the tiny Bavarian village of Marktl on the birch-lined River Inn will become a museum devoted to the life of its onetime inhabitant, Pope Benedict XVI.

The Bavarian gem also known as the "Pope House." dpa photo

Benedict XVI was born in an apartment of the building, once a police station, to parents named Mary and Joseph on Easter Eve 78 years ago.

The home has become a pilgrimage site for devout Catholics since the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was called to the papacy in April, 2005.

Claudia Dandl, the current owner, put the gabled, two-story house on Marktl's handsome main square up for sale shortly thereafter, saying she "wanted her private life back."

She isn’t the first to profit from papal memorabilia.

In May, a student sold a Volkswagen Golf on an internet auction site. It was acquired by the Texas-based online casino, which plans to showcase "the divine car" together with a grilled-cheese sandwich said to bear the image of the Virgin Mary to raise money for charity.

But though the winning price for the “Popemobile” reached 188,939 Eur ($224,084) in frenzied bidding, Ms. Dandl had no intention of starting a price war among Pope fans.

The Catholic Church, she said, is her preferred buyer.

Funds for the purchase will be raised by the Archdiocese of Munich, where Ratzinger was once Archbishop, and other sources. The Diocese of Passau will run and maintain the museum.

Real estate agent Victoria Rauh meanwhile is hopeful that the deal will be sealed by December 24, providing "good news for devout Catholics around the world at Christmastime."

There was no word on when the museum is expected to open.

Links:

Papal birthplace celebrates native son (from Germany Info)

German student cashes in on ex-popemobile (from Germany Info)

Source: The Week in Germany

Starweihnacht broadcast

2005-12-22T13:27:00.000-06:00

There will be a Starweihnacht broadcast on the Computer on December 24 at 11 am. I know we are all going to be busy on Saturday, but I thought I would let you all know about this.
It will be on http://www.blogger.com/www.tw1.at and just click live stream.
Here is a link to a little sample of it (10min), in case you cannot get to the computer.
mms://web384.vbox-01.inode.at/videos/sw492005/starweihnacht.wmv

Merry Christmas everyone.

CMT releases MAO website

2005-12-20T23:26:00.000-06:00

Days before it was expected (December 27th was the rumored release date), CMT has released their full Miss America website. Check it out at http://www.cmt.com/shows/events/miss_america/2006/.

They have 5 photos of each candidate and a biography on the website along with information about the broadcast. Take a look around and enjoy!

Good-bye GERMAN TV... Hello DW-TV!

2005-12-18T15:10:00.000-06:00

A special announcement from your friends at DW-TV

Interested in News from Germany and Europe?

Discover Deutsche Welle's international television service DW-TV, which will launch on January 1, 2006.

DW-TV is your news, information and cultural broadcaster from Germany, bringing you the latest in politics, business, arts, sports and social issues. Entertainment that informs and information that is balanced — providing news you will not find anywhere else in North America. At the heart of Europe, from the German capital Berlin, DW-TV covers the latest events and developments in Europe from its Berlin, Brussels, and Moscow offices.

From January 1, 2006, DW-TV will replace GERMAN TV. Unfortunately, U.S. revenue for GERMAN TV did not permit financially independent production and programming, and the German Committee on Cultural and Media Affairs is discontinuing further tax-based funding of GERMAN TV. However, this does not affect DW-TV and we hope you will enjoy watching DW-TV programming full time.

DW-TV offers a schedule ideally suited to bilingual U.S.-households, bringing you information and entertainment around the clock, alternating hourly between English and German. So, from January onwards you do not need German language skills to watch German television.

At the top of every hour is DW-TV's "Journal" newscast, followed by business news and the latest European stock prices as well as in-depth coverage of the day's top story.

DW-TV's clear program schedule offers expert round-the-clock news and information as well as a variety of attractive programming. Every day viewers can tune into programs about the worlds of politics, business, science, culture, sports - for example the soccer show "Bundesliga Kick off!" - as well as shows about the movies, pop music, the world of automobiles and Germany as a major travel destination.

DW-TV's daily lifestyle show "euromaxx" has the latest in fashion and design plus culinary creations from Europe's top chefs.

"In Focus" on DW-TV delivers demanding, fast-moving documentaries and features reports on key issues of our time and stories about unique personalities and stirring adventures presented in a lively and compelling manner.

In January 2006, GERMAN TV customers can test-watch DW-TV via cable or satellite free of charge. We are sure you will be convinced of its value. For more information and for everyone interested in getting News from Germany and Europe, please visit us on the Internet at www.german.tv or call us at 1-877-777-DWTV.

Frequently Asked Questions on the transition from GERMAN TV to DW-TV

Q: Why will GERMAN TV be discontinued on December 31, 2005, when the nearly 20,000 subscribers show that there is substantial interest in a German-language program in the US?

A: We would have preferred to continue GERMAN TV as part of DW-TV programming in the United States. Unfortunately, there weren't enough subscribers to continue broadcasting GERMAN TV since the subscription fees didn't cover associated costs and expenditures. For that reason, the German parliament decided against further subsidies for this media project. This action means the end of GERMAN TV.

Q: What will happen to GERMAN TV subscribers now? Will they have to make do without German-language programming and only be able to watch a test pattern starting January 2006?

A: No. I can reassure our current subscribers in that regard. We were able to work out a solution to this problem with our American distribution partners. Effective January 2006, Deutsche Welle will be offering 24-hour programming in both German and English. Some of these programs are already familiar to many PBS-viewers, foremost the news broadcasts — particularly, the English- language "Journal" which is widely distributed throughout the United States. In this way, people interested in Germany or Europe will be able to receive 24-hour, around-the-clock news and informative programs. We consider this an improvement!

Q: Does that mean that current GERMAN TV subscribers will have to do without murder mysteries, entertainment or children's programs?

A: That is unfortunately the case. The Deutsche Welle programs are considerably different from the entertainment-oriented GERMAN TV programs. But you will be able to find entertainment and life-style programming on Deutsche Welle as well, e.g. "Euromaxx" and the music magazine "PopXport". Additionally, Deutsche Welle is negotiating with its partners, ARD and ZDF, to be able to incorporate some of their popular entertainment programs into DW-TV in the near future.

From my point of view, some programming disadvantages for GERMAN TV subscribers will be balanced by the fact that the hourly language switch from German to English at DW-TV has positive effects for the many bilingual TV households in the US. It will also be an add-on value for U.S. citizens interested in Germany such as former GI's or German language students of High Schools and Colleges. There will be a trial period free of charge in the month of January 2006 with DISH Network and Time Warner in New York.

Source: The Week in Germany

Tim's opinion: This is not good. All the great German TV music programming is now lost.

Wonders that never cease: German sites on new “Seven Wonders” list

2005-12-18T15:09:00.000-06:00

Break out all your old travel albums and recall your wonder for all things German! A Swiss filmmaker has set out to give the famed list of the Seven World Wonders of the World a long overdue update. Visitors to a new website can submit their nominations or vote for one of hundreds of suggested Wonders. Eight German sites have made it onto the list, making Germany one of the top seven countries represented.

The Next Wonder?		Current rank	Description
	Aachen Cathedral	25	This golden oldie was built during the reign of Charlemagne around 800 — and is Germany's top-ranked site.
	Brandenburg Gate	93	This site of the 1989 mass reunion between East and West Berlin stands as a symbol for a unified Germany.
	Cologne Cathedral	39	This famous dual-spired Gothic cathedral recently hosted Pope Benedict XVI this year.
	Deutsches Museum, Munich	79	An engineer's idea of heaven, the venerable Deutsches Museum pays homage to German ingenuity.
	Dresden Frauenkirche	44	Rebuilt beginning in 1995 and reconsecrated in 2005, this German wonder speaks of reconciliation.
	Goeltzschtal Bridge, Vogtland	37	This four-story, brick structure, built between 1846 and 1851, has bridged its way into the top half of the list.
	Neuschwanstein Castle, Fuessen	35	A perennial favorite German tourist attraction, Neuschwanstein was built to feed the whims of a mad Bavarian King.
	Olympic Stadium, Munich	50	Host to the 1972 Olympics, its space-age style recalls Spiderman — if he could shoot steel from his wrists.

Find out if your favorite site is on the list and vote by visiting the Seven New Wonders Foundation homepage.

Links:

Seven Wonders Foundation

Source: The Week in Germany

German-American Cultural Center to reflect tradition and values

2005-12-18T15:07:00.000-06:00

Over the next year, a cultural landmark in downtown Washington's bustling historic business district will be restored to become the new National German-American Cultural Center — the only heritage site in the United States dedicated exclusively to contributions and achievements of all German-speaking Americans and their descendents. The Center will be opened in spring 2007.

Located between the White House and the Capitol, historic Hockemeyer Hall will provide a permanent home where the legacy of German-speaking Americans will live on amid continuing discussion, study and development of ideas about German-speaking Americans.

"The National German American Cultural Center will not be a museum or exhibit hall in the traditional physical sense — with static displays and musty collections," explained Bern E. Deichmann, President of the United German-American Committee which is spearheading the project.

"We purposely chose the term Cultural Center or Zentrum to emphasize the tremendous variety of information and programs that will be available to the public. It also reflects the great location in the heart of our Nation's Capital."

Built by John Hockemeyer, a German immigrant who settled permanently in Washington D.C. after serving in the Union Army in the Civil War, Hockemeyer Hall was completed in 1888. Hockemeyer owned and operated grocery stores, invested in real estate, and became one of the city's prominent businessmen.

Hockemeyer was also leader in a number of organizations in Washington's German community.

Located at 719 Sixth Street, NW, the townhouse was in the hub of Washington's principal business and shopping district in the 19th and 20th centuries where Washington's German community had an enormous impact and presence.

After its restoration, Hockemeyer Hall will provide three floors of exhibit and meeting space.

On the first floor, the National German American Cultural Center will offer visitors interactive kiosks and computers to research their German-speaking ancestors, access historical documents, or offer their own personal memoirs.

The second floor provides ample space for rotating exhibits, presentations, and cultural events. A conference room, as well as administrative offices, which will house our national headquarters, will be located on the third floor.

The Center will:

Tell the story of German-speaking immigrants in America
Showcase the extraordinary contributions and achievements of German-speaking Americans
Serve as an important resource for information about life and culture in German-speaking communities throughout the United States

A key feature will be its comprehensive online database, a well-organized point of access for reliable, interactive, librarian-selected Internet resources about Americans of Germans-speaking ancestry.

This "virtual" library will provide one-stop shopping for researchers, educators, students, and the general public in the United States and around the world.

"We'll be the GO TO people for everything German American, Austrian American, and Swiss American," an UGAC spokesperson said.

Those interested in finding out more about the German-American Committee's work to preserve the past and build for the future can call 1 (866) 868-8422.

Links:

United German-American Committee

Source: The Week In Germany

Germany well-liked, key U.S. ally: Poll

2005-12-18T15:05:00.000-06:00

Americans have a positive image of Germany, according to a wide-ranging German Embassy-sponsored survey of over 1,000 Americans.

dpa photo

Germany is considered one of the four most important international partners of the United States, according to the poll, which was conducted independently by the research firm Frank N. Magid Associates.

Nearly half of respondents described Germany as a key U.S. ally, while 43% said they had an excellent or good impression of Germany in general.

"The results of our survey reflect the broad common ground and close relations between Americans and Germans," Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger said on releasing the results.

The survey also pointed to some areas where there is room for improvement, Ischinger noted.

While 36% of Americans recognize Germany as an important partner in the fight against international terrorism, less than 20% of respondents were aware of Germany's key role in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, according to the results.

Links:

Survey: Germany’s Image Among US Americans 2005 (from Germany Info)

Source: The Week In Germany

JS Online: Weblog

2005-12-16T19:30:00.000-06:00

JS Online: Weblog: "Some Weinacht tunes

If you're looking for a something different from the mainstream Christmas music coming out of Milwaukee's four all-holiday formats: WOKY-AM (920), WMYX-FM (99.1), WRIT-FM (95.7) and WFZH-FM (105.3), Robert Deglau is offering ethnic music that's both local and foreign today on his 'Continental Showcase' on WJYI-AM (1340).

He'll be playing cuts from the new CD 'Weihnachtlich gl?nzet der Wald' over the next two Saturdays at 1 p.m. The album comes from the local Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt group.Right-click to get URL suitable for linking"

JS Online: Family channels a pre-emptive move

2005-12-16T19:26:00.000-06:00

JS Online: Family channels a pre-emptive move: "Robert Deglau plays more of the locally produced Christmas CD 'Weihnachtlich gl?nzet der Wald' by Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt on his 'Continental Showcase' at 1 p.m. Saturday on WJYI-AM (1340). You can get more information on the group at www.ptfusa.org."

Miss Wisconsin attends WINTERDAZE

2005-12-13T18:45:00.000-06:00

Miss Wisconsin attends WINTERDAZE

Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, rode in the annual WINTERDAZE parade on Thursday evening in Menomonie. Prior to the festivities, she joined area royalty from neighboring communities for a reception at the Visitors Center. Joel Becker/Dunn County News

By Deb Anderson, Variety Editor

Menomonie got the royal treatment on Thursday evening. During the WINTERDAZE celebration, Miss Wisconsin, Tracy Gest, rode in the annual parade and also met with other reigning ambassadors from neighboring communities.

Representatives came from Spring Valley, Elmwood, Durand and Boyceville to join Miss Wisconsin for a reception held at the Visitors Center before riding in the parade. Attending were Miss Spring Valley, Emily Aamodt, and her court, Princess Sara Spilde and Princess Randie Hollerud; Boyceville's Queen Stephanie Retz, First Princess Amber Harnisch, Second Princess Amanda Leach, Junior Miss Princess Kennedy Hellmann and Junior Miss Princess Kia Schaffer; Durand's Queen Britany Bauer, Princess Gina Hoyt, Princess Angie Klein and Princess Megan Weinzirl; and Miss Elmwood, Kayla Bowell, and her court, First Princess Amanda Lecheler and Second Princess Sarah Howe.

While enjoying refreshments, the young women took turns posing for pictures with Miss Wisconsin. They also used the opportunity to ask a lot of questions, of the visiting celebrity - one in particular involved her gown. Gest told them her stardust blue dress was actually a prom dress she was glad to wear more than once.

A 20-year-old from Men-omonee Falls, Gest is heading for warmer climes soon. She will travel to Las Vegas next month to compete for the Miss America pageant on Jan. 21, where her talent will be playing the piano.

With 12 years of music experience to her credit, Gest is an accomplished classical pianist. In April, she released a CD, “Keys to a Cure,” with all proceeds slated for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Because of her father's diabetes, the ADA, she says, has been her platform all along. She continues to work for the association and speaks on its behalf in numerous venues.

Gest, a college sophomore, who has been reigning as Miss Wisconsin since June, is taking a year off from her education to fulfill her duties. She hopes to return to Carroll College in Waukesha, where she will resume her studies. Majoring in communications, she said she is aiming for a career in journalism, public relations or broadcasting.

SOURCE: http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2005/12/12/artent/ae01.txt

CMT Goes VOD

2005-12-06T18:24:00.000-06:00

CMT Goes VOD

By David Cohen 12/6/2005 5:41:00 PM

Country Music Television is entering the video-on-demand arena Friday.

The network said it will launch its VOD offering on Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. systems.

CMT’s VOD fare will include spotlights on country stars and music specials, as well as original series including past seasons of Cowboy U and Popularity Contest.

In addition, CMT will exclusively debut one-minute profiles of each of the 2006 Miss America contestants via Comcast On Demand and Comcast.net (www.comcast.net) starting Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Comcast High-Speed Internet subscribers will also be able to view exclusive Miss America content, vote for their favorite contestant and enter to win a trip to see the 2007 Miss America Pageant.

The 2006 Miss America Pageant will air live from Las Vegas on CMT Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. (EST/PST).

“The Miss America 2006 campaign is a perfect example of how programmers can use customized on-demand and online content to help promote their linear programming,” Comcast On Demand vice president and general manager Page Thompson said in a prepared statement.

“By partnering with our distributors and providing additional CMT content to our consumers through VOD, millions of fans will have even more ways to stay connected to their favorite country music and artists,” MTV Networks senior VP of affiliate marketing Jessica Heacock said in a prepared statement.

Source: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6289427.html?display=Breaking+News

U.S. German Christmas markets ring in the holiday season

2005-12-02T20:56:00.000-06:00

Last week, we told you about the German Christmas market tradition. This week, we'd like to give you an overview of the many reincarnations of the tradition that are kicking off the holiday season right here in the United States.

Chicago's Christmas market is the largest in the United States. Photo courtesy German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest

Chicago, IL (Through December 22)

The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is the largest and most renowned Christmas market in the United States, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors from around the Chicagoland area, from both coasts and from around the world. The tenth annual market also celebrates the city's friendship with its German sister city Nuremburg, home to one of Germany's most famous traditional Christmas markets.

Bethlehem, PA (December 1-4, 8-11, 15-18)

This Christkindlmarket, located in Bethlehem's historic downtown district, is a heartwarming holiday event for the whole family featuring live holiday music, great food, children's rides and old St. Nicholas. It features an amazing array of exquisite gifts and fine arts and crafts, from jewelry to hand-made quilts.

Tulsa, OK (December 2-4)

The Tulsa Christkindl Market, sponsored by the German-American Society of Tulsa, comes again to the Gast Center. Visit the many seasonal booths while enjoying traditional German food, beverage and music.

Fredericksburg, TX (December 2-4)

Part of Fredericksburg's larger Christmas celebration is "Weihnachten," a local Christmas market with traditional flair drawing on the community's strong German-American ties. A Christmas tree forest, tons of activities for kids, live entertainment, shopping and authentic German foods create a festive holiday mood right in the heart of town. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a Santa workshop as well as a gingerbread house display and contest.

Mifflinburg, PA (December 8-10)

Mifflinburg's version of an authentic Christmas market, inspired by the 700-year-old traditional German Christkindlmarkt, is a festive event prepared by various churches, organizations, schools, and residents. For three days, Mifflinburg's Market Street is lined with festive outdoor huts featuring unique handmade crafts and traditional Christkindl treats.

Leavenworth, WA (December 3-4, 10 11, 7-18)

Visitors come back year after year for this famous Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival, held in America's most famous "Bavarian Village." Fridays, the town is in darkness awaiting Saturday's festivities. The aroma of food booths and roasting chestnuts fills the air; holiday music from the gazebo encircles the village while youngsters sled in the park; holiday personalities stroll the streets; Santa, St. Nick and Father Christmas provide photo opportunities — and sleigh rides are minutes away. At dusk, everyone gathers to sing "Silent Night" and witness the lighting of the village as it is transformed into a magical wonderland of lights.

Hermann, MO (December 10-11)

Enjoy German Christmas traditions and meet the characters from Grimm's fairytale "Hansel and Gretel" as well as Father Christmas. Kids and parents can do arts and crafts, enjoy culinary offerings, literature and music of the holiday season.

Akron, OH (through December 31)

Akron's Christkindlmarket recalls a tradition in cities throughout Germany and the city's strong German-American ties. Vendors from Akron's sister city of Chemnitz will offer handcrafted wares and specialty food and beverages from Germany.

Dayton, OH (December 9-11)

Celebrate Christmas the German way at the three-day Dayton Christmas Market. There will be various craft vendors presenting Longaberger baskets, roasted almonds, stained glass items, German children's books and much more. The Christmas Market will also feature authentic German food, photos with St. Nikolaus, a Christmas raffle and daily Christmas entertainment.

Austin, TX (December 3)

Come and join us on this special Saturday to celebrate some German Christmas traditions. There will be authentic German Food as well as typical Christmas cookies and Stollen, a festive Christmas cake.

Elkhart, WI (December 2-12)

Elkhart offers its traditional German Christkindlmarket, featuring European and regional vendors displaying hand-carved wooden toys, blown glass ornaments and giftware. Visitors come for the evergreens and delectable European cuisine but stay for jolly old Saint Nicholas.

Cologne cathedral likely to shed red-list status

2005-12-02T20:55:00.000-06:00

The Cologne Cathedral

Threats to remove Cologne's awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral from the UNESCO list of world heritage sites look unlikely to materialize now that city planners are rethinking plans to allow the construction of several skyscrapers nearby.

The plans, which called for three 30-story towers to be built on the opposite side of the Rhine River, will be reassessed, state building minister Oliver Wittke announced earlier this week.

UNESCO, the world culture organization, had threatened to remove the cathedral from its prestigious list unless plans for the high-rise buildings were scrapped.

UNESCO welcomed the step towards a solution to a problem that has hung high in the public debate for over a year. "We see this as very accommodating," said Dieter Offenhauesser, head of the German UNESCO delegation.

The new building project would have obscured views of the city's most important cultural landmark, according to the UNESCO committee.

With great anticipation, city officials had watched the proceedings of the most recent UNESCO conference, held last summer in South Africa. The body had threatened to remove the building entirely from its list of World Heritage Sites should the building project go through.

Instead, UNESCO officials decided to send a clear message to Cologne by keeping the cathedral on its red list of endangered cultural sites, jump-starting talks with builders that eventually capped the project at 197 feet.

The cathedral's two towering spires alone measure 515 feet.

UNESCO first recognized the cathedral as a world heritage site in 1996, praising it as an "exceptional work of human creative genius, constructed over more than six centuries and a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe."

Begun in 1248, construction of the Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. Successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to original construction plans.

Source: The Week in Germany

Our friend, Tracy Gest, in the newspaper again

2005-12-01T17:28:00.000-06:00

Get ready for the Holiday Stroll and parade Friday

By Nathan Falk, Leader Reporter

Enjoy an evening of fun on Shawano’s historic Main Street for the 11th Annual Holiday Stroll, set for Friday from 3:30 to 9 p.m.

The highlight of the evening — the Shawano Country Chamber Ambassadors’ Santa Parade — will begin at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the Ambassadors’ float at the end of the parade. The parade will begin at Elizabeth and Main Street and proceed north to Green Bay Street. The route will continue west on Green Bay Street to Washington Street, ending at the former Franklin School lot (200 block of S. Washington Street.)

“We are scheduled for 75 entries including the middle and high school marching bands, and Miss Wisconsin Tracy Gest, but we expect more before the parade day,” said Laura Braatz, tourism coordinator for the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce.

New this year is an outstanding Santa Parade traveling trophy, sponsored by the Shawano Leader, Braatz said.

The parade is always a hit, especially for children.

“This is an action-packed parade — it will be really exciting,” said Braatz. “Many businesses and organizations put a lot of time into this parade. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on the Shawano Country Chamber Ambassador float at the end of the parade. Over half the entries are either playing recorded music or having live music as part of their float.”

The Holiday Stroll will officially begin with the opening of the Santa House and Festival of Trees at 4 p.m. Santa will visit with children from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and then again after the parade until 9 p.m. at The Well, 136 S. Main St. The Festival of Trees will be held at 135 S. Main St. (H&R Block) and will remain open Friday until 9 p.m.

Another treat are the horse-drawn wagon rides, which have been a real hit.

“Last year, more than 800 horse-drawn wagon rides were given after the parade until all the people who came for rides had their chance,” said Charlene Helms, who is heading up this year’s event for the Shawano Downtown Business Association.

Each child who visits the Santa House at The Well will receive a Shawano Lion’s treat bag and can register to win prizes. Pictures with Santa will be taken by Lakeshore Photography of Shawano if you wish, and children can drop off or pick up coloring contest entries. The prize drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 12

Among the activities:

— The Shawano Medical Center Auxiliary will present the Love-Lights tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at the Rehabilitation Center, 116 N. Main St.

— Carolers and local musicians will be in stores and on the street beginning at 4 p.m. Friday. Keynote School of Music will have students in many downtown stores.

— Horse-drawn wagon rides following the parade, beginning at the Shawano Medical Center Rehabilitative Center parking lot.

— Pine Manor Health Care Center will present a live manger scene on Dec. 2, next to the Crescent Pitcher Show on South Main. The Crescent Pitcher Show will give away free hot chocolate and cider and will have their kitchen open.

— A silent auction at the Tree House (H & R Block building) begins at noon on Dec. 2 and ends Dec. 11 during regular business hours of Generations. Proceeds will go to the 5th Annual Christmas Crusade for Children.

— The Disabled American Veterans will sell chili, hot dogs, and refreshments at the Civic Center during the stroll.

— The Civic Center gift shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and feature unique handcrafted items by area senior citizens.

— The Shawano 4-H Skate Board Club will be selling brats and burgers in front of Angie’s Main Caf/ where Angie will serve free toasted marshmallows.

— Bult’s Bakery invites “young” bakers to decorate a half-dozen cookies and take them home to treat Santa, or themselves, between 4 and 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Bult’s will also have holiday goodies to sample during the Holiday Stroll.

— Cookie walk at Daily Grind from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, sponsored by the United Methodist Women.

— Strollers can decorate an ornament at Mojo Electronics, 129 S. Main St., from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Local businesses will be offering their own goodies and specials throughout the Stroll. Children age 12 years and under can register to win grand prizes (a $50 value), this year donated by Generations and Body Essentials. Children can register to win at the Santa House on Friday, Dec. 2; the Festival of Trees on Saturday, Dec. 3 and at the Lunch with Santa Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11.

The Festival of Trees will also be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11. The Festival of Trees will also be open to the public during most regular business hours Monday through Friday, Dec. 5-9. The Festival of Trees is open any time Generations is open. There will be live music on Dec. 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11 and maybe more.

Source: The Shawano Leader

Podcast 008 now available

2005-11-27T16:32:00.000-06:00

http://www.archive.org/download/StimmungStundePodcast008112805/Podcast_008.mp3

The Stimmung Stunde podcast features German-American news from Milwaukee. This episode features an exclusive interview with Hansi of Feller Feller discussing their brand new Christmas CD release.

Forums and calendar are down!

2005-11-27T10:10:00.000-06:00

We are experiencing a momentary glitch with our Apache servers that is causing our forum and calendar to go down. Our provider has been alerted and they are working on it now!

Stimmung Stunde Blog

JS Online: Astronaut love gone awry makes perfect Valentine's tale for TV news

Germany Has Become as Rich in Dance as France is in Cheeses

German Farmer Living High off the Hog after Switching from Pork to Solar Energy

American Oktoberfest: Cincinnati, Ohio

German heritage Texas style: New Braunfels

The “German Athens:” Milwaukee, Wisconsin

German Fest Milwaukee kicks off today

Widespread praise following World Cup

Supermodel Schiffer touts Germany in New York campaign

Tim Kretschmann recognized on OnMilwaukee.com

Germany advance to round of 16

Schlager singer/songwriter Deutscher dead

Museum exhibitions take on soccer, for kicks

New research finds possible health benefit in beer

Germany Info iPod Giveaway!

An eye for trouble disguised as a nose for news

Chancellor launches weekly "podcast"

German-built space lab arrives in U.S.

Huge fests offer party atmosphere to ticketless fans

The Old German Beer Hall named one of two venues in the Nation

Mobile TV in German debut

How do I love thee, Germany, let me count the ways

Happy Memorial Day!

Summer in Oshkosh is full of music and events

Labicki crowned Miss Burlington

New Bible translation to use "fair language"

Tupperware on show at Germany's MARTa museum

Smart shirts unveiled at textile conference

My video was just added to You Tube!

For those of you still wondering if it really is medicinal . . .

Nascar Crunches Numbers and Joins Stats Race

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Soaring property taxes force cultural group to consider changes for land in Glendale

By MARIE ROHDEmrohde@journalsentinel.com

Posted: May 18, 2006

'Pioneer Princess' sets sail for Fond du Lac

The World's biggest Football and "Miss World Cup" at Europa-Park

Merkel touts aerospace industry on high-tech tour

Europe Day celebrations set for next week

In case you get this e-mail going around

Commemorative Maibock Tapping

World Cup trophy embarks on German tour

Germans do most for "mental fitness" among Europeans

Society fights for accurate beer pours as "Starkbierzeit" winds down

Essen wins title European cultural capital 2010

Munich woman wins Germany's first-ever podcast award

German roads 56 times safer

Bust of German-American war hero newest Embassy attraction

Kids win in sale of pope's Volkswagen

In unusual auction, it's snowing, snowing — gone!

German women urged to date a dozen on quest for "the one"

German-made gadgets at CeBIT

Germans and Dutch called brainiest Europeans

JS Online:'Idol' means good news for Fox 6

Germans to get sneak peak at future of TV

Miss Beloit crown passes to Siekierski

World Cup mobility master plan nears completion

New ambassador meets President Bush

I'm having a great time!

PageantCast.com website open

Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, returns to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006

New exclusive photos of our German Pope

Floats and fun at German Carnival

DCS Jaegers photos up

Miss Oshkosh Photo Gallery now up!

Preparing for the Oscars...

Ashley Spingola, Miss Milwaukee 2006, to be interviewed on April 22, 2006

The original Numa Numa video

Sarah Seegert, Miss West Allis, to interview on program April 8, 2006

Tracy Gest, Miss Wisconsin 2005, returns to the Stimmung Stunde on March 11, 2006

Leipzig exhibition traces 50 years of rock 'n' roll in Germany

Food, fun and farming at Berlin's Green Week

Whale cadaver attracts Berlin crowds

By MARIE ROHDE
mrohde@journalsentinel.com