Swiss Watch Maker to Compete with Apple Announced at Baselworld; Criminal Violence Down; Scams and Fraud, UP; Flying Concierege Concept Descends on Basel; SBB Murals Undergo Restoration

In an effort to participate in the Smart Watch craze unleashed by the american company Apple, the Swiss Watchmaker Tag Heuer announced at the Basel World Watch and Jewelry show that it has teamed with Google and Intel to produce a smart watch of its own.  The head of the watchmaker, Jean Claude Biver said he expected the watch to be on store shelves by the end of 2015.  Mr. Biver went on to say at a Basel world press conference that "silicon Valley and switzerland are going to conguer the market for the connected smart watch".  When pressed about specifics on price and functions, Mr Biver remained vague emphasizing that he wanted customers and competition to be surprised.  In a joint statement by Intel, Google and Tag Heuer the companies would only elaborate that "the partnership signifies a new era of collaboration between swiss watchmakers and silicon valley, brining together each company's respective expertise in luxury watchmaking, software and hardware."   *********************************************   2014 proved to be an improving year for crime reduction in Basel over all.  The total 21485 Penal Code offenses which were recorded by the Public Prosecutor's office in the Canton of Basel Stadt was 11% lower than the tally for 2013.  However, the overall decline, which is largely attributable to the reduction in violent crimes, was more than offset by growth in property crimes.  More than 15000 of such crimes were recorded, where most were frauds, where the criminals used the internet to steal from their victims.  Deputy Criminal Chief Hans Ammann Lauded the results for illustrating effective enforcement and the lack of surprises in terms of growth for any particular category of crimes in the city.  In addition, 2014 criminal statistics revealed that youth offenses were the lowest in a decade.   *********************************************

Basel Tourism Director Daniel Egloff went on record last week to introduce a new concept for the city to make a good impression on its visitors.  Trumpeting the old saw, "there is no second chance to make a good first impression" Mr. Egloff described how Flying Concierges will be recruited from the local population to volunteer during the many global conferences and highly visited christmas and summer holidays that Basel hosts.  The volunteers would provide local tips and information which are not necessarily available in tourist guides.  Stationed at highly trafficked areas, the volunteers would be positioned in teams of two and would wear identifying paraphernalia bearing the "ask me, i'm a local" phrase.  Mr. Egloff encouraged those over the age of 18 and with fluency in at least two of the local languages to apply on line at the Basel Tourism office website.  Applicants will be reviewed by program director Ann Müller, who will use a "speed dating" process to select the finalists that will get to participate.  It is intended for the program to have its premiere this June 16, at the Art Basel international art Fair.

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You may have noticed the scaffolding that now surrounds the large painted image of Lucerne in the main hall of the SBB railway station in central Basel.  The image, which was painted in 1927 by the swiss artist Ernst Hodel, is one of the largest murals in Switzerland.  Over the years however, the pollution of the city and the trains have left their mark on the artwork and have caused the paint to peel, and the canvas to crack.  The restoration began in early March and is expected to continue into May of this year at a total cost of 100,000 CHF, which will also cover the cost of restoration to the other 4 murals in the main hall.  The restoration is intended to start an ongoing effort to maintain the historic landmarks in and around the SBB to be carried out by a team of expert restorers.  In the future, the murals will be monitored and necessary remediation will occur every five years.