Christmasworld Announces Award Winners, Sees Increases in Visitors - Gifts & Decorative Accessories
Thursday, March 15, 2018The further increase in visitor numbers and the higher level of internationality confirm that the world market is at home at Christmasworld in Frankfurt am Main. This completely underscores its role and power of attraction as the world’s leading trade fair for seasonal and festive decorations,” said Julia Uherek, group show director for Consumer Goods Fairs, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.On the visitor side, the level of internationality rose from 59 to 63 percent, while remaining stable on the exhibitor side at a level of 78 percent. After Germany, the top European visitor nations were Italy, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Poland. Large increases were also noted from the USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, China, the Ukraine and Turkey.“Christmasworld is the most important fair in the year for us. We are extremely pleased because we have a very international audience here. Americans, Australians, South Americans, Russians, lots of Italians, and customers from all over Europe come here. The atmosphere in the trade is very positive; people are keen to order. Many order more than before,” said Helmut Schmidt, Weihnachtsland CEO.“There is no place in Europe other than Christmasworld where you can experience the latest trends of the season in such a compact and up-to-date space. The visit to Frankfurt is the most important date in the calendar for German and central European retailers," said Thomas Grothkopp, German Home and Office Association. "Additionally, Paperworld offers not only a huge spectrum of different products but also a high degree of internationality. The specialist trade benefits from this and from the range of products to be found at the concurrent Creativeworld."Visitors and Exhibitors Leave SatisfiedNinety-six percent of visitors said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the range of products and manufacturers, with the overall course of business, and that they achieved their g...http://www.giftsanddec.com/article/550590-christmasworld-announces-award-winners-sees-increases-visitors/
Rethinking evolution: Butterflies came first, flowers came second - Deutsche Welle
Thursday, March 15, 2018Butterfly and moth fossils often remain unrecognized, because they are so rare, says Sonja Wedmann, paleontologist and research associate at the Messel pit near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Wedmann was not involved in the van de Schootbrugge / van Eldijk study. But she explains that because butterfly wings are good at repelling water "they tend to float on a lake instead of sinking to the ground." And that's why such particles tend to quickly decompose rather than fossilizing and remaining intact for millennia to come."Butterfly fossils are always something extraordinary," Wedmann tells DW.Moths and butterflies belong to the same animal order. Moths are simply not as colorfulThe concept of co-evolution on trialUntil now scientists believed that flowering plants evolved first, and were only then followed by butterflies and moths.It seems logical. But the Dutch group's new interpretation of the research suggests the theory is wrong: they say the feeders came first and the plants came second. It's a revolutionary thought that leads Sonja Wedmann to call the study "really special.""How flowering plants evolved from seed-producing plants is one of the big mysteries in evolution," says van de Schootbrugge, "and our discovery opens new doors to this mystery."While flowering plants didn't exist, butterflies and moths probably fed on some non-flowering, seed-producing plants, such as conifers.Maybe – and van de Schootbrugge stresses that it's just a maybe – these plants tried to lock in their nectar, which they need for reproduction, to stop the butterflies and moths feeding on it, and that's possibly how, or why, they evolved into something completely new: flowering plants.That certainly would be a revolution in evolution theory. It would show that – at least in evolution – not everything that appears logical is necessarily true. Where have all the butterflies gone?Delicate creaturesAcross the globe, butterflies are under threat. According to the German Wild Animal Foundation, the number of butterfly and moth species present in Germany has halved over the last 30 years. For diurnal butterflies, that decline is nearer 70 percent. This photo shows Colias hyale, which was selected as Germany's "butterfly of the year" in 2017.Where have all the butterflies gone?Sweet juiceButterflies adore the sweet sap from flowers and blossoms, and enjoy a broad palate. But plant diversity is dwindling, particularly in regions where intensive monoculture agriculture dominates, which leaves little choice for our beloved butterflies.Where have all the butterflies gone?Butterflies don't like pesticidesCrop protection products like herbicides and pesticides destroy biodiversity. Wild herbs, plants or flowers can't survive in areas with monoculture farming. In many parts of Germany, the scarce Swallowtail butterfly pictured here was once a common sight, but has now vanished from the landscape.div class="teaserContentWrap" read...http://www.dw.com/en/rethinking-evolution-butterflies-came-first-flowers-came-second/a-42110188
Changing Customer Demand Calls For New Retail Concepts - PerishableNews
Thursday, December 22, 2016FlorintPosted: Monday, November 28, 2016 at 4:10PM EST With the Floradecora trade fair for fresh flowers and ornamental plants, Christmasworld in Frankfurt am Main is branching out in completely new directions in line with the latest trends in the flower market and trade. This is the response of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH to changing consumer needs because, just like concept and lifestyle stores, which make shopping even easier and more enticing, convenience products are in. However, these developments call for new concepts. As Britta Tröster, Flower and Decorative Plant Product Manager of Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH (AMI), puts it, “Convenience products are also in demand in the plant sector. This is a really recent development and was not even a subject for discussion just five years ago.”
To meet this demand, nurseries are currently working on concepts catering for the new trend and offering, for example, standardised pots with arrangements of plants in matching colours that customers can hang from their balconies with no effort. Thus, Gärtnerei Löwer garden centre offered ‘Fan Pots’ with flowers in the Germ...http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article%3D0056887
Chinese company buys ailing Frankfurt Hahn Airport - Deutsche Welle
Thursday, December 22, 2016The European Commission also has to approve the state's continued involvement in the airport's operation.
The airport is located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) away from Frankfurt am Main. Originally it served as a US military airbase before being converted to commercial use in 1993. Fraport, which operates the international flight hub Frankfurt Airport, sold its share to Rhineland-Palatinate in 2009 for a single euro.
The German state of Hessen, where Frankfurt am Main is located, owns the remaining shares of the airport, about 17 percent. It is already in the "home stretch" of negotiations with SYT about a buyout, which could take place within the coming weeks.
jtm/uhe (AFP, dpa, Reuers)
...http://www.dw.com/en/chinese-company-buys-ailing-frankfurt-hahn-airport/a-19310136
The perfect destination foHere is why Germany is the perfect destination for your next holidayr your holiday! Discover nature in Germany - Emirates Woman
Sunday, January 26, 2020Alps are characterised by green trees and extensive forests.Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: at the corner of the three German states, Bavaria, Hesse and ThuringiaThe Rhôn hills are located in the heart of Germany and offer a wide range of beautiful views! And if you are a fan of athletic activities, you can try gliding, water sports, and indulge in a spot of star gazing.Jasmund National Park Mecklenburg-Western Pomeraniait takes you right along the cliffs and features enough natural treasures for several holidays. White chalk cliffs, lush beech forests and the shimmering blue of the sea. You’ll catch sight of a rare white-tailed eagle circling in the skies, while far below a thousand different species of beetle scuttle through the undergrowth in this landscape of contrasts.Black Forest National Park, Baden-Württemberg, South GermanyPerfect for cleansing your lungs. The remarkable feature of this national park is that some areas have been able to develop for more than 100 years without human intervention. This means that all the animals and plants that are found here live in authentic, natural surroundings.You can use Deutsche Bahn trains all over Germany, where it uses 100% green energy. In addition, you can take the InterCity Express for a unique experience, as it is a high-speed train that connects all major cities in Germany with speeds of up to 300 km / hour, and this is one of the fastest ways to reach between Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne!Check out their Instagram: GermanyTourismAr, and Facebook: Germany Tourism Arabia– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook Media: Supplied...https://emirateswoman.com/germany/
MALHEUR MOVERS: Vale native builds business to make community blossom - malheurenterprise.com
Sunday, January 26, 2020El Campo was once a routine happening in Vale but it declined over time and eventually disappeared. Rodriguez said she remembered going to the carnival as a child and linked up with Todd and Kale Hesse to revive the event.“It was time for our generation to pick it up,” said Rodriguez.Rodriguez said creating small coalitions within the community is crucial. Rodriguez said while she is involved with the community, she is just one of a large number of people who strive to make Vale a great place to live.“These community events only go on because of volunteers,” said Rodriguez. “We are surrounded by a lot of people in this community who like to give.”Rodriguez said her civic involvement can trace its roots to her youth, where she watched members of the community step up and help on a regular basis. Plus, she said, Vale has been good to her.“The community has been amazing to me,” said Rodriguez.Rodriguez and her husband, TJ, both aim to ensure their children, Thomas, Zettie, Tristan and Trent, learn how to give back to their town.Good role models, said Rodriguez, are important. “My parents, they were always giving,” said Rodriguez.The best part of her life and her business, said Rodriguez, is the people.“I get to meet some amazing people and I can go home and be blessed,” said Rodriguez.She said she also likes the variety her shop generates.“Every day there is something very interesting, every day is different,” she said.Letting people down on their orders is her worst fear, said Rodriguez.“That’s hard for me,” she said.Rodriguez said she likes her role as a local businesswoman and a volunteer.“I feel I have to do my job and if that (volunteering) is my job in this world while I am here, I will take that job,” said Rodriguez.News tip? Contact reporter Pat Caldwell: pat@malheurenterprise.com or 541-473-3377. For the latest news, follow the Enterprise on Facebook and Twitter.SUBSCRIBE TO HELP PRODUCE VITAL REPORTING -- For $5 a month, you get breaking news alerts, emailed newsletters and around-the-clock access to our stories. We depend on subscribers to pay for in-depth, accurate news produced by a professional and highly trained staff. Help us grow and get better with your subscription. Sign up HERE.
...https://www.malheurenterprise.com/posts/6546/malheur-movers-vale-native-builds-business-to-make-community-blossom
Shirley A. Grover – Cedar Rapids,formerly Independence – Mix 94.7 KMCH - kmch.com
Sunday, January 26, 2020In her quiet time, she enjoyed reading and flowers.
Mrs. Grover is survived by 2 sons, Mike (Vicky) Grover of Cedar Rapids and Mark (Jason Hesse) Grover of Coralville, Iowa, 2 daughters, Patricia (Keith) Grover of Mountain View, California, and Beth (Danny) Hinde of Cedar Rapids, 2 grandchildren, Travis Grover and Josh Hinde, and 4 great granddaughters.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and 1 brother, Paul.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence. Rev. David Beckman will be the Celebrant. Burial will be in Rowley Cemetery in Rowley. Friends may call for visitation from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23rd , at the White Funeral Home in Independence. On line condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com.
...https://kmch.com/blog/2020/01/21/shirley-a-grover-cedar-rapidsformerly-independence/
Berlin moves to greatly reduce ‘solidarity tax’ for eastern Germany - Euronews
Tuesday, August 20, 2019We'd better invest this money in education and climate protection."Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, parliamentary party and state leader of the SPD in Hesse, also supports Scholz.What is the Soli tax?The solidarity surcharge was introduced in 1991, to help reconstruction of the east following the reunification of Germany in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall.The tax was originally supposed to be in place only for a limited time but became permanent in 1995.Initially, the solidarity rate was 7.5%, but since 1995 it has been 5.5%. In addition, the surcharge has been unlimited since 1995.Contrary to some assumptions, taxpayers in the west and east have to pay the tax.According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2018 the German state received €18.9 billion as a result.Criticism of the billAccording to the Ministry of Finance, single people with an annual gross income of up to €73,874 would not have to pay anything. From €109,451 gross annual wages, the full supplement would have to be paid.Accordingly, a family with two children and an annual income of €221,375 or more would have to pay the full solidarity surcharge. Families earning less than €151,990 gross would be exempt from the solidarity surcharge.If the draft is adopted, German citizens would then have to pay around €10 billion less in tax.Criticism comes from parties outside the coalition. Katja Kipping of Die Linke said that the CDU/CSU and SPD were making politics for the rich with their proposal.FDP General Secretary Linda Teuteberg wrote on Twitter: "The Soli is unconstitutional for everyone from 2020. So it must also be abolished for everyone. Our constitution also applies to those who in reality want tax increases, and there you have to choose the normal procedures and not the back door."Many citizens on social networks are also outraged by the fact that they still have to pay the solidarity surcharge. "The solidarity surcharge was introduced in 1991 for a limited period of one year. I believed that," wrote a user on Twitter.https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/13/berlin-moves-to-greatly-reduce-solidarity-tax-for-eastern-germany