Graffitti Overruns BaselStadt Cleaning Budget; Basel University Hospital Confirms: Beer Is Good For You; Craft Booze Fest To Light Up Basel; "Slow-Up" Slows Down For Rain

News For 20 September 2016

For the first time in six years, the budget of the Basel Stadt Civil Engineering Department dedicated to the removal of graffitti from private property has been depleted before the year end.  According to an article by the 20 Minutes newspaper, the incidence of unwanted graffiti has increased to the point where there are 90 outstanding orders for the departments cleaners and contractors without the funds to pay for the removal work.  The funds for the cleaning budget come from homeowners who subscribe for the cleaning service and pay a lump sum of 100 CHF per year.  In addition, Cantonal subsidies make up the balance of the annual 250,000 Franc budget.  The city is planning for a larger appropriation for next year's anti-graffiti budget, however homeowners will have to wait until then to see their exterior walls cleaned.

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In a research study released yesterday in the journal Psychopharmacology by Professor Matthias Liechti of the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology department of the Basel University Hospital, it is now proven that beer is good for you and your social life.  The study which focused on the reactions of 60 test subjects, meant to test the effects of alcohol on empathy test-subjects experienced.  The findings suggest that the alcohol contained in the beer increased the desire to socialize, talkativeness, and openness to ideas and new people.  Although, the study has been well received, the Blue Cross organization of Basel criticized its lack of purpose - citing the fact that everyone already knows the effects of alcohol, and that it would legitimize drinking to excess.

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Mark your calendars for the first annual Swiss Craft Spirits Festival which will take place at the Gundeldinger Feld on October 20th and 21st.  Organized by John Nyfeler and Yves Branchi, the festival will feature 22 exhibitors, 17 of which are Swiss based spirits manufacturers, offering over 126 handcrafted brandies and liqueurs.  Some of the enterprises exhibiting are small businesses whose products would otherwise be difficult to find in the marketplace, making it a unique opportunity to sample and find their booze.  Guests will be provided with feedback and voting cards which will allow them to rate their favorites, and vote for Festival winners in various categories. 

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Despite the rain, last Sunday's 10th annual Basel Slow-Up continued without any incidents or cancellation.  Over 20,000 participants ventured out to enjoy the 63km long route that wound through the Dreilander area.  In previous years, the Slow-Up had attracted as many as 65,000 participants when better weather prevailed.  The Basel Slow-Up is the largest of the 19 Slow-Ups in Switzerland, and gets financial support from Swisslos, Migros and the cantons of BaselStadt, Baselland, and Aargau.