Lifestyle

Lifestyle

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Christmas market highlights children
Otterberg offers a children’s Christmas market starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kindergarten and schoolchildren provide the entertaining program with singing, dancing, performing and crafting. A fairy tale land is set up in the historical classroom in the Cafe Alte Apotheke where students and teachers present the magic world of fairies and jugglers. Crafting stars and Christmas decorations is offered in the Kreissparkasse bank. Saturday, Santa Claus and his reindeer make their appearance at 5 p.m., the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band’s Five Star Brass Ensemble performs at 7 p.m. on the stage next to the Abbey Church and throughout the afternoon free wagon rides through the historical part of town are available. The museum in Stadthaus presents nativity scenes. For details, visit www.otterbach-otterberg.de.

Was ist Los? KMC Cultural Highlights – Dec. 11, 2015

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The following is a list of performances and events happening in the KMC and nearby locations. Dates are subject to change. Performing arts: Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern: • “Herzog Blaubarts Burg” and “Der Zwerg,” two operas in German, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. • “Nur noch kurz die Welt retten,” a Europe revue, 8 […]

December 11, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Courtesy photos
A variety of vendors sell organic products and Christmas trees at the Christmas market in the forest Saturday and Sunday.

Christmas market in forest offers organic products, trees

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The forestry information center House of Sustainability, located at Johanniskreuzer Strasse 1, 67705 Trippstadt, invites visitors to a “Romantic Christmas in the forest” from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

December 11, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Photo by claffra/Shutterstock.com

Buying, selling used cars in Germany

by Joerg Moddelmog Kaiserslautern Legal Services Center

Are you thinking about buying a used car downtown, or are you about to sell your car to a fellow service member? Then you might be interested to know that in both cases, the sale and purchase is subject to German law. Therefore, it is good to know what host nation laws say on the subject of warranties and defects.

December 11, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Mark Your Calendar – Dec. 4, 2015

Events »  Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. today at Pulaski Park. After the U.S. Army Garrison tree is lit, stick around for festivities in the park. The celebration will include cookie decorating, a meet and greet with Santa, seasonal treats, live music and holiday cheer. […]

December 4, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

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Medieval Christmas market in St. Wendel
Sankt Wendel holds its Christmas market combined with a medieval market Saturday to Dec. 13. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. A 12-meter-tall Christmas pyramid, life-sized nutcrackers, a miniature village with 200 dwarfs, a big nativity scene and tobbogan run are available. More than 140 little decorated Christmas booths offer arts and crafts, gift ideas and regional culinary specialties. A medieval market features vendors in historical costumes and craftsmen such as basket makers, lantern makers, blacksmiths, potters, turners and soap makers. Jugglers, dancers, singers, musicians and fire-eaters entertain in the streets and on stage. Sankt Wendel is north of Neunkirchen. Parking is available in City-Garage 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.sanktwendel.de.

Was ist Los? KMC Cultural Highlights – Dec. 4, 2015

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The following is a list of performances and events happening in the KMC and nearby locations. Dates are subject to change. Performing arts: Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern: • “Wer hat Angst vor Virginia Wolfe,” Who’s afraid of Virgina Wolfe, a play by Edward Albee, in German, 7:30 p.m. today and 3 p.m. […]

December 4, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

The Kaiserslautern Christmas market presents a nostalgic Ferris wheel next to Stiftskirche through Dec. 23.

Kaiserslautern Christmas market features vendors, musicians

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Through Dec. 23, the Christmas market in Kaiserslautern is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. Sundays. It is set up around Stiftskirche and on Schillerplatz. After the Christmas holidays, it will turn into a New Year’s market from Dec. 27 to 30. The market features more than 40 vendors, food and beverage booths, musical entertainment, a children’s program and various Christmas-related activities.

December 4, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Photo courtesy of the City of Kaiserslautern
Santa Claus and one of his angels visit children and pass out goodies on Santa Claus Day at the Kaiserslautern Christmas market.

Santa Claus brings goodies Saturday night

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

In Germany, it is a tradition for children to place their boots outside their rooms the night of Dec. 5 to have them filled by Santa Claus with candy, cookies, nuts, oranges and little gifts. The following day, Dec. 6, is “Nikolaustag,” or Santa Claus Day.

December 4, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Photos courtesy of TVB Paznaun — Ischgl

Ischgl set for a memorable skiing, ice display

by Thomas Warner Contributing writer

A few hours south of Ramstein at Ischgl, the stage is set for another awesome season of snow, ice and memories to be made. Ischgl, located in Austria, has great restaurants, many apres-ski bars and nightclubs, fabulous shopping and entertainment opportunities at your beck and call.

November 27, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Skiing with the KMC ski clubs

Courtesy of the Kaiserslautern-West Pfalz Ski Club

For many folks, summer is the time to partake in fun outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, biking and barbecues. During the winter months, people can get wrapped up in spending their days bemoaning the cold and dreary winter months. However, wintertime doesn’t have to be this way — if you know where to look and where to go, the cold months in Europe can be just as recreational and exciting as summertime. Lucky for all of us, there are great ski and boarding clubs in the KMC that will help to ensure your winter is far from boring.

November 27, 2015 ×

Lifestyle

Culture shock 101: Coping with a new life, environment

by Megan Finley Contributing writer

Many of us have heard of the term “culture shock.” Culture shock is the disorientation or unfamiliar feeling a person may have when trying to adjust to life in a new place. Symptoms include homesickness, feelings of helplessness or dependency; disorientation; depression or sadness; anger; eating or sleeping disturbances; or critical reactions to the new culture. Here are some helpful tips on how to overcome culture shock.

November 27, 2015 ×