There are a million questions that come up during an international move, and one of the most pressing for families is: Where do I send my kids to school? This is no simple question. Finding and vetting schools and arranging enrollment can be a challenge, and the choice of a school can shape a family’s social life and cultural adjustment.
Canton Referendum On Sunday; Kung Fu Champ Smashes Record; Riehen to Close Coop
News For 20 November 2018
On Sunday, November 25th, the populations of Basel-Stadt and Baselland will vote on a total of five cantonal referenda. First up, will be the up or down vote on the proposed development plans for "Basel Nord" the land, currently undeveloped and bordered by Novartis, a recycling plant and the number 11 tram line is slated to become residential apartments, providing housing for approximately 1500 people, if the plan is approved. In another referendum item, citizens will vote to cap Mandatory Health insurance premiums at 10% of a household's income. Canton residents that are also homeowners, will be looking for a referendum question to pass that would reduce taxes associated with the value of their homes, and finally, a question will be put to the voting population to determine if shops should be allowed to stay open 2 additional hours on Saturdays and holidays.
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Last weekend, the St. Jakobshalle played host to the annual Basel Fitness Expo. Those in attendance got a treat seeing Swiss actor and KungFu master Guido Kessler create a new world record. In 30 seconds, Master Kessler smashed 100 concrete blocks using his bare knuckles. Perhaps driven by adrenaline, when asked about his achievement, Master Kessler said he was already planning a larger smash-a-thon.
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Riehen residents will suffer the closing of their local Coop branch on December 31st. The store serves a community of 3000 people who will now have to choose between trekking to the Eglisee branch of Migros or up to Hieber's in Lörrach. This is only the latest indignity residents have had to suffer, after the year's long construction happening on Lörracherstrasse connecting Riehen to Germany.