The German Blog
Connecting Germans in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area
The German Blog
4th of July celebrations in the DFW area
July 3, 2008 - Kaboom Town Fireworks Display (Addison, TX)
Addison’s most explosive party of the year. The dazzling 30-minute fireworks show is choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast. The nationally-recognized fireworks show can be seen from anywhere in Addison, including the Addison Circle Park watching party, many of Addison’s 170 restaurants, 22 hotels and more. Plus there is great food, live music and spectacular historic warplane fly-bys. Rated one of the top places to watch fireworks in the country by the American Pyrotechnics Association, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. For more information please visit us online at www.addisontexas.net
July 3, 2008 - Annual Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration (Farmers Branch, TX)
"The Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration will be held on July 3, 2008 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Gates Open at 6:30 p.m. Musical Concert by The Emerald City Band at 8:00 p.m. Free Admission; Low-level Fireworks at Approximately 9:35 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call 972 406-0184 or visit www.farmersbranch.info
July 3 & 4, 2008 - Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration (Grand Prairie, TX)
Enjoy two full days of exciting live Thoroughbred racing and fun activities for the whole family including pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, games, clowns, and more followed by our 20-minute fireworks spectacular presented by The City of Grand Prairie, Ford, 99.5 The Wolf, and 92.5 Lone Star. Our Grandstand Gates will open at 3 p.m., our first live race begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks will begin after the last live race both days. While you are here, enjoy live music on our Courtyard of Champions stage by Dallas Unlimited on Thursday and Memphis Soul Live on Friday. Details may be found at www.lonestarpark.com
July 4, 2008 - Star Spangled 4th (Garland, TX)
It's a Celebration at the City of Garland's annual Star Spangled Fourth festival! This year's event will feature crafters, festival food, exhibits, children and family activities, a car show and local and nationally recognized entertainment on stage from noon until midnight. In addition, there will be a tribute to our national heroes, a spectacular fireworks display and much more. Star Spangled Fourth is a patriotic extravanza not to be missed. For more information, please visit www.starspangledfourth.com
July 4, 2008 - Dr Pepper Snapple Group FAIR PARK FOURTH (Dallas, TX)
Get excited for the ultimate Fourth of July celebration in North Texas at the Dr Pepper Snapple Group FAIR PARK FOURTH on Friday, July 4, 2008, from 5 – 10 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature a state-of-the-art national-class fireworks show that will be the largest in North Texas and will rank as one of America’s top 20 Fourth of July fireworks shows! Also planned is a patriotic program featuring the Dallas Wind Symphony, free admission to all the museums, musical performances and plenty of Fourth of July food favorites! The event is free and open to the public. The fireworks will be synchronized to choreographed music with live broadcast on WRR 101.1 FM. Viewing areas with sound will be located in the park along the Esplanade, Lagoon, Cotton Bowl Plaza and Big Tex Circle. Attendees are invited to bring in lawn chairs, blankets and picnic-type foods. Concessions will be available for sale. Details at www.fairpark.org
July 4, 2008 - 43rd Annual 4th of July Parade (Arlington, TX)
The Arlington 4th of July Association would like to welcome you to the largest Independence Day Parade in Texas. The parade is an annual event and consists of generally 150 entries. The number of spectators over the years has ranged from of 5,000 to 70,000. Parade entries include marching bands to exotic automobiles, military color guards to clowns, and dignitaries to unique presentations. Of course, the parade has a distinguished assortment of floats. Some floats are professionally built, but many are the proud results of individual ingenuity by local organizations and businesses. There is even an Award Ceremony after the parade at Knapp Heritage Park to recognize excellence within each of several categories. We hope that you will join us for the 43rd annual parade on Friday, July 4th at 9:00 a.m., for the 2008 edition of USA's Independence Day Parade in downtown Arlington. For more information, visit www.arlington4th.com
Jul. 4, 2008 - Liberty By The Lake July 4th Celebration (The Colony, TX)
Liberty By The Lake is back and better than ever! Bring out the whole family and celebrate America's freedom in The Colony - Texas style! With numerous events throughout the day, there really is something for everyone. This year Liberty by the Lake will be host to the 2008 R5Water-XRacing Tour, one of the countries up and coming personal watercraft racing circuits! Be sure to visit www.r5waterxracing.com for more details. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30pm on July 4th. The shoot site for this year’s show will be from the tip of the Stewart Peninsula Golf Course, making Stewart Creek Park the prime viewing area for the show. The fireworks will be shot right over Lake Lewisville, creating a beautiful display of colors. The fireworks are choreographed to festive music that will be broadcast at the park. Details at www.ci.the-colony.tx.us
Jul. 4, 2008 - City of Frisco’s 7th Annual Frisco Freedom Fest (Frisco, TX)
Frisco Freedom Fest marks its seventh year as the city's premier, signature event! Just like the community, Frisco's July 4th celebration continues to grow! The family favorite’ Party in the Plaza’, a soccer match between FC Dallas and the KC Wizards – plus the biggest fireworks extravaganza in North Texas and the MOTOWN sounds of five time, Grammy award winning “The Temptations” are the star attractions of this year’s Frisco Freedom Fest 2008! For more information, please visit Frisco online at www.friscofreedomfest.org
Jul. 4, 2008 - 26th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza Over Lake Grapevine (Grapevine, TX)
26th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza – 9:30 p.m. – Grapevine Lake. On July 4 at 9:30 p.m., find your spot and stake a claim near Lake Grapevine. Be prepared to be astonished by the fireworks spectacular, which can be viewed from any lakeside location as well as several other spots throughout Grapevine. Admission is free. Details at www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
Jul. 4, 2008 - Celebrate an "All American Fourth" with the City of Plano (Plano, TX)
Bring the whole family out to enjoy and evening of spectacular FIREWORKS celebrating Independence Day! Limited concessions will be available on site. Free parking available at Collin County Community College and First United Methodist Church of Plano. Tune in to KLAK 97.5 for simulcast of the fireworks show. For more info, please visit www.planoparks.org.Location: Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve at 2801 Spring Creek Parkway
Impressions of the Euro Cup final game at the Bavarian Grill in Plano, Texas
What a great atmosphere.
Also, click this link and see some great impressions directly from the public viewings in Germany
http://www.bild.de/BILD/video/clip/no-pre-roll/2008/06/danke-jungs,templateId=renderBuehne.html
YECnetting monthly Happy Hour
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States North Texas Chapter invites you to our
YECnetting (Young Executive Community) organized by the GACC NTX YEC Commitee
Meet international people in the Dallas area and make new business contacts.
Intended for Dallas Young Executives and International Professionals, but also the young at heart.
When: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Cafe Rembrandt
703 McKinney Ave Box 92 Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 468-0073
More info: caferembrandtdallas.com
Please RSVP to the GACC NTX YEC Chair, Christina Stoll-Shewmaker at cshewmaker@wonderlandeurotours.com
Successful Wine Tasting Event
Organized by the GACC NTX YEC Committee 
The YEC group organized the first Fundamentals of Wine Tasting with a Wine Instructor at Premier Wines of Plano, Texas on June 18, 2008.Approximately 23 wine lovers attended this event, where they were able to learn interesting facts about various wines from different countries
ADDISON’S “CINEMA IN THE CIRCLE” - Outdoors
Another outdoor event that might be of interest: Pack up your family, friends and a blanket to enjoy some of Hollywood’s finest flicks outdoors in Addison Circle Park June 28 and July 3.
Cinema in the Circle presents free movies on a big screen from
9:00 p.m. to midnight on June 28, 08 – and a 10 p.m. showing after the famed Addison Kaboom Town!® fireworks show on July 3, 08.
Cinema in the Circle specifics:
What: Pack up your family, friends and a blanket to enjoy some of the best sports stories to hit the big screen.
When: June 28, 2008 9 pm Rocky July 3, 2008 10 pm Rudy (after the Addison Kaboom Town!® Fireworks)
Where: Addison Circle Park – Bowl Stage (7/3 showing at Ellipse) 4970 Addison Circle Drive Addison, TX 75001
Tickets: This is a FREE event. Food Available: Bring your own picnic, or purchase food and beverages right in Addison Circle Park!
For additional information phone 1-800-ADDISON or visit the event website at: www.addisontexas.net
Beantragung deutscher Reisepaesse in USA
Deutsche Reisepässe
Die zuständige deutsche Auslandsvertretung in den USA stellt an deutsche Staatsangehörige mit Wohnsitz in den USA auf Antrag Reisepässe (sog. Europapässe) aus. Für Kinder mit deutscher Staatsangehörigkeit unter 12 Jahren kann an Stelle eines Reisepasses auch ein Kinderreisepass ausgestellt werden.
Seit dem 01.11.2007 ist ein neues Passgesetz in Kraft. Dieses sieht vor, dass in deutschen Reisepässen auch Fingerabdrücke auf einem Chip gespeichert werden müssen. Hiervon sind alle Antragsteller betroffen, die das 6. Lebensjahr vollendet haben.
Es wird daher zwingend erforderlich, dass Sie bei der Beantragung bei der für Sie zuständigen Auslandsvertretung persönlich vorsprechen. Reisepassanträge, die per Post eingehen, können daher nicht mehr bearbeitet werden.
Mehr Information: http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/consular_services/consular_services_en.html
Have you ever thought that the traditional "all-American" barbecue food originated in Germany?
You'll likely be surprised to know that many foods Americans associate with tailgates, picnics and barbecues actually originated in Germany.
Here are the most prominent examples:
While the history of the hamburger is somewhat shrouded in mystery and there are several popular version circulating, a popular version traces North America’s favorite fast food back to Germany. The story goes that Otto Kuasw, a cook in Hamburg (hence the name), created a sandwich in 1891 with a thin, fried patty of mild beef sausage. He topped it with a fried egg and placed it all between two slices of buttered bread. This sandwich became popular among the soldiers who visited the port city. And when the soldiers traveled to the New York ports, they told the restaurant owners about their favorite "Deutsches Beefsteak" sandwich. This eventually came to be known as the hamburger.
Next up another American favorite: the hot dog.
The German forefather to the American hot dog, the Frankfurter, looks back on a long history. It was created in 1487, five years before Christopher Columbus set sail to discover the new world. The name of this mild, finely ground sausage link is attributed to yet another German city, Frankfurt, where it first gained popularity. In the 1860s, German immigrants began selling "franks" with rolls and sauerkraut from pushcarts in New York City. And in 1871, Charles Feltman, a German-American butcher, opened the first Coney Island hot dog stand, putting the links in a long bun. Since that time, hot dogs have become standard fare at summer barbecues and baseball parks across the country.
Source: www.germanfoods.org Newsletter
Here are the most prominent examples:
While the history of the hamburger is somewhat shrouded in mystery and there are several popular version circulating, a popular version traces North America’s favorite fast food back to Germany. The story goes that Otto Kuasw, a cook in Hamburg (hence the name), created a sandwich in 1891 with a thin, fried patty of mild beef sausage. He topped it with a fried egg and placed it all between two slices of buttered bread. This sandwich became popular among the soldiers who visited the port city. And when the soldiers traveled to the New York ports, they told the restaurant owners about their favorite "Deutsches Beefsteak" sandwich. This eventually came to be known as the hamburger. Next up another American favorite: the hot dog. The German forefather to the American hot dog, the Frankfurter, looks back on a long history. It was created in 1487, five years before Christopher Columbus set sail to discover the new world. The name of this mild, finely ground sausage link is attributed to yet another German city, Frankfurt, where it first gained popularity. In the 1860s, German immigrants began selling "franks" with rolls and sauerkraut from pushcarts in New York City. And in 1871, Charles Feltman, a German-American butcher, opened the first Coney Island hot dog stand, putting the links in a long bun. Since that time, hot dogs have become standard fare at summer barbecues and baseball parks across the country.
Source: www.germanfoods.org Newsletter
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany attends meeting of various North Texas German groups
Picture from left to right:
James M. Hogue - President, Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education & Tolerance
Andreas K. Bremer, Director, American Council on Germany, Texas Warburg Chapter
Dr. Klaus Scharioth, German Ambassador to the United States
Elliott Dlin, Executive Director, Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education & Tolerance
Rainer Münzel, General Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Houston
Dallas, June 3rd, 2008
Ambassador Dr. Klaus Scharioth, accompanied by General Consul Rainer Münzel and Honorary Consul William Hart visited Dallas and spoke to members of the German community and their organizations at the open house "Showcase - Germany in Texas" .
Though the function had to be held at a weekday afternoon, it was well attended by approx. 100 Germans and Germany-interested attendees in the audience. Various German organizations presented their activities, spoke about the current offerings and their history. In addition all of the attending organizations had colorful and inviting information prepared, which was dislayed in booths with materials and give aways.
The event served to inform the Ambassador about the scope of acitvities of the German organizations, but also to invite all attendees to consider taking advantage of some of the many offerings that these organizations are making here to this community. The presentations reached from a set of traditional "Schuhplattler-Movements" to soliciting registrations for the new German International School, which currently being planned to be opened by this fall. The event was considered by many of the attendees a large success and a wonderful way to bring the community closer to each other!
Andreas K. Bremer Director of the American Council on German
Contact and Disclaimer
www.thegermanblog.com is a private website/blog to host information for people with an interest in Germany and German culture and is a resource for Germans working and living in the DFW area.
The information contained in this web site, and its associated web sites is provided as a service to the Internet community, for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal or financial advice. We try to provide quality information, but we make no guarantees, promises or claims about the precision, accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site and its associated sites.
If you would like to post something of interest to the German community in the DFW area on www.thegermanblog.com, please feel free to send an email to: Christina Stoll-Shewmaker cshewmaker@wonderlandeurotours.com
The information contained in this web site, and its associated web sites is provided as a service to the Internet community, for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal or financial advice. We try to provide quality information, but we make no guarantees, promises or claims about the precision, accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site and its associated sites.
If you would like to post something of interest to the German community in the DFW area on www.thegermanblog.com, please feel free to send an email to: Christina Stoll-Shewmaker cshewmaker@wonderlandeurotours.com
Introducing the North Texas Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States
Texas and especially the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex have been and continue to be a major trading partner of Germany.
To find out more about some of the future and past events, please visit the website:
http://www.gaccsouth.com/en/chapters/north-texas/
Are you looking for an opportunity to introduce your organization to the German-American business community in North Texas?
- Do you want to meet members of the local European community?
- Are you ready to volunteer your time to help grow the North Texas chapter?
- Would you like to sponsor one of the upcoming events?
Please contact Traute H. Malhotra, the North Texas Chapter Director at GACC(at)THMrealty.com
or 972.437.5705.