Berlin Notes

Friday, March 9, 2007

The city of Berlin has just launched a freely available Google Earth extension service enabling users to see many of the city's buildings in true three dimensional form.

The project's homepage is here. To enable Berlin 3D you need to download the .kmz file available from this link. 

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Most blogs about Berlin are written by humans, but one exception is disgustingly cute polar bear baby Knut, who at the tender age of just three months is already posting regularly to his own blog on local TV channel RBB's website. Even if you don't read German, the pictures speak a thousand words.

Link: http://blog.rbb-online.de/roller/knut/

For more cute baby polar bear images including videos, check out this page: http://www.rbb-online.de/knut/

Update: Knut can now be visited at the Zoo daily between 11am and 1pm. He won't be with the other polar bears; instead you can see Knut at the spectacled bears' home (Brillenbärfreianlage).

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Most blogs about Berlin are written by humans, but one exception is disgustingly cute polar bear baby Knut, who at the tender age of just three months is already posting regularly to his own blog on local TV channel RBB's website. Even if you don't read German, the pictures speak a thousand words.

Link: http://blog.rbb-online.de/roller/knut/

For more cute baby polar bear images including videos, check out this page: http://www.rbb-online.de/knut/

Update: Knut can now be visited at the Zoo daily between 11am and 1pm. He won't be with the other polar bears; instead you can see Knut at the spectacled bears' home (Brillenbärfreianlage).

Thursday, March 8, 2007

March 8th is Frauentag, or more precisely "Internationaler Frauentag" (International Women's Day). It's not an official event, but there's usually a few political happenings throughout the city as well as the usual platitudes from the politicos. The SPD will be handing out roses in various locations throughout Berlin (e.g. 5pm at the Schönhauser Allee Arcaden under the slogan "Frauen verdienen mehr" ("Women deserve / earn more").

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Following replacement of a century-old bridge (we reported), the U2 will be reconnected between Gleisdreieck and Nollendorfplatz on March 19. Work was originally scheduled for completion in December 2006, but problems with the construction of the new bridge caused the completion date to be put back. 

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

If you receive your TV in Berlin via digital terrestrial broadcasts (DVB-T), you'll have noticed (like I did just now) that the BBC World television channel is no longer available. This is apparently a decision taken by the BBC and means no English-language channel is available via free-to-air TV in Berlin and Brandenburg anymore.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

"English Events in Berlin" (link) are hosting their regular Language Party (aka "Boat Party") on Wednesday 7th March from 7pm onwards. Entry is just €1 and homemade hummus is available for early guests. The party is a great place to meet people from all over the world and form new language partnerships.

Location is the moored hostel ship Eastern Comfort close to Schlesisches Tor / Warschauer Straße - see their website or our information page for details on how to get there.

Monday, March 5, 2007

Café Sala del Popolo in Prenzlauer Berg is offering informal German conversation classes on two evenings this month (Tue. March 13th and Tue. March 27th from 7.30pm - 9pm). The classes will be led by a professional German teacher. The topic on the 13th will be: "Sind die Deutschen wirklich humorlos", and on the 27th German history as taught in the GDR will be the subject. The fee of €10  includes a coffee or a glass of wine. Anyone interested is requested to contact Allison of Sala del Popolo or leave a reply on here.

Monday, March 5, 2007

The Berlin Half-Marathon 2007 will take place on April 1, 2007 (registration is open until March 16th). Over 20,000 runners are expected to take part on the very flat course which takes in many of Berlin's tourist attractions.

Official details here; registration for the Berlin half-marathon 2007 here.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Dutch internet pharmacist DocMorris - who are aiming to shake up the tightly regulated German medicine retail market with competitive prices on drugs - are opening their first partner Apotheke in Berlin's Pankow district on Monday. This will be the Concept-Apotheke, located at Florastraße 44.

(General information on pharmacies in Berlin)