Local news translated - Aug. 22, 2025

Graphic by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

Host Nation Update, Aug. 22, 2025

Construction site on the Fildern, the B27 near Stuttgart will remain closed for this long

A construction site on the B27 has been causing traffic jams during rush hour since the beginning of the week. The road is being repaired between Bonlanden and the airport, which is why only one lane is available in this area in the direction of Stuttgart. Anyone wondering how long they can expect their journey time to be extended will have to be patient for a little longer. Before construction began, the work was expected to be completed by September 10 at the latest, which would mean that the road would be open again in time for the end of the summer holidays on September 13. In response to an inquiry from our newspaper, the responsible Esslingen District Office stated that, as things stand, the planned completion date remains unchanged. Esslingen District Office advises: Stay on the B27 – even in traffic jams

The Esslingen District Office advises motorists traveling from Tübingen to Stuttgart to stay on the B27 and not to switch to alternative routes. According to the district office, local detours have been set up for road users who want to use one of the closed exits or entrances. If you'd rather avoid the affected section of the B27 altogether, you can switch to the L1 185 at Neuenhaus im Aichtal and then drive towards Stuttgart via Waldenbuch, Steinenbronn, and Leinfelden. Whether this actually saves time depends on the traffic situation along the route. If many drivers switch to the alternative route, the potential time savings could quickly fade. (SN, Aug 21)

Opening of the Stuttgart Weindorf (Wine Village) has begun – Strobl and Nopper taste the first drop

The right to the first sip belongs to the Minister of the Interior and the Mayor. With a rosé from the Stuttgart winery, with the first sip out of the oversized glass.

“Today we all drink to the health of the ladies,” he said. Because they are indispensable as winegrowers, landladies, and wine princesses.” Strobl immediately quoted Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “Ohne Wein und ohne Weiber, der Teufel stiehlt die Leiber” (“Without wine and without women, the devil takes our bodies.” )

And because it's not only in “our little pub” that the most important people are the landlords, they were all allowed to come on stage and show themselves. One of them had a second, very big appearance. Buddy Putler sang the Württemberg anthem. The 400 guests stood as they accompanied him: “Count Im Bart, you are the richest, your land bears precious stones!” As a Württemberger, you really have to leave it at that, there's no more to it. But as a pious wish for the next 16 days of the wine village, we would like to refer to the Beatles: “Here comes the sun!”

Stuttgart Wine Village - Opening Hours

The Wine Village in downtown Stuttgart opens on Thursday, August 21 at 11:30 a.m. and closes on Saturday, September 6 at midnight. It is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight.

Ostfildern – Fireworks “Flaming Stars” Aug 22 - 24

Every summer, the world's best pyrotechnicians bring the stars down from the sky for you at “Flammende Sterne” (Flaming Stars). For three dazzling nights, the sky above Scharnhauser Park Ostfildern becomes a canvas – and the fireworks teams become artists painting fiery images on it.

When? August 22-24, 6 p.m. to midnight each day

Where? Scharnhauser Park Ostfildern

Who is competing in the 2025 competition?

Pyro Mx (Mexico) – Friday

Nihonbashi Marutamaya Co. Ltd (Japan) – Saturday

Højen & Magic Fyrværkeri ApS (Denmark) – Sunday

Festival address: Scharnhauser Park Ostfildern

(coming from the south: Kreuzbrunnenstraße, coming from the north: Bonhoefferstraße)

Your entry ticket is also your travel ticket with public transportation

It's a good idea to buy tickets online in advance. You may save yourself the wait at the ticket office, but above all, you'll have your bus and train ticket included.

Go to: flammende-sterne.de and click on the arrow: “tickets gibts hier” (It takes you to cd-kartenservie.de where you can purchase individual tickets or tickets for all three days. The tickets are valid on the day of the event throughout the entire Stuttgart Transport Association (VVS) network. So, if possible, leave your car at home and use public transportation! The most convenient way to get to the Flammende Sterne event site is by public transportation. Flammende Sterne tickets are valid for travel to and from the VVS transport association. The U7 and U8 subway lines run to Ostfildern and have three stops directly adjacent to the event site: “Parksiedlung,” “Scharnhauser Park,” and “Kreuzbrunnen.” The railway operator is expecting a high number of visitors and is preparing for this by increasing capacity.

And if you don't live directly on the rail network, drive to a P&R parking lot for the lines mentioned; the train will take you comfortably to the event site—and back.

Park & Ride parking lots Are you traveling by car? Then use one of the numerous Park & Ride parking lots along the light rail line and take the train for the last few meters to Scharnhauser Park! You'll save yourself the hassle of finding a parking space and paying parking fees.

Parking is available directly at the tram stops;

also in the parking garage at the academy (Ofi-Nellingen), in the parking garage at the state sports school (Ofi-Ruit), and

at the parking lot at the Ludwig-Jahn-Halle (Ofi-Nellingen).

Degerloch Park and Ride. (ticket info, Aug)

“Wilhelma” Zoo in Stuttgart – Claws, teeth, fur – experience the world of predators up close

Many different predators can be seen at the Wilhelma Zoo. Amur tigers have also recently moved into their new enclosure. According to the Stuttgart Zoo, this Sunday's action day will focus on this species, which has already made some headlines this year: for example, with the spectacled bears. Spectacled bear Hubärt from Austria spent several weeks visiting his fellow bear Suyana. According to the zoo, it remains to be seen whether his visit was successful and whether there will be offspring.

In April, a little snow leopard cub was born, and Cheetah Niara gave birth to six cubs. Since mid-July, the approximately 5,000-square-meter enclosure for the world's largest cat, the Amur tiger, has also been attracting a lot of interest at Wilhelma. Visitors can see male Amazar and female Noia, who are also expected have little ones to preserve their endangered species.

During the theme day, visitors will learn that the world of predators is much more diverse than they might think. This includes foxes, wolves, hyenas, and small predators such as meerkats and weasels. On this special day at the Wilhelma School from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., zoo educators will explain what all predators have in common and what distinguishes them from other carnivores such as sharks, birds of prey, and crocodiles. Real claws and teeth help visitors understand what makes a predator, what it eats, and how it hunts. Jaguar and leopard skins will also be on display. Young and old alike can match fur patterns to the corresponding big cats and try to find the often perfectly camouflaged animals in pictures. Wilhelma: Action Group for Species Protection presents cheetah project The Action Group for Species Protection is presenting a conservation project for the spotted hunters in Namibia at the cheetah enclosure in the northern part of Wilhelma: there, farm animals are repeatedly killed by cheetahs. For this reason, they are being specifically hunted. The Cheetah Conservation Fund trains and places herd protection dogs. According to the information provided, these dogs are successfully helping to ensure that cheetahs hardly ever approach farm animals anymore. Wilhelma and its support association contribute 25,000 euros annually to this project. Participation in the Predators Theme Day is free for all visitors and included in the admission price. SN, Aug 22.

Local news translated – Aug. 22, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

USAG Stuttgart recognizes Antiterrorism Awareness Month with reminder to stay vigilant

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is observing the 16th Army-wide Antiterrorism Awareness Month this August to encourage all personnel and their families to stay informed and be vigilant against potential threats.Read More

Local news translated – Aug. 20, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Stuttgart Theatre Center releases its 2025–2026 Season

The Stuttgart Theatre Center is excited to present its 2025–2026 season.Read More

Local news translated – Aug. 13, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Kelley and Robinson Barracks APO customers must use Patch and Panzer for outgoing mail

Effective Aug. 18, 2025, the Kelley Barracks Army Post Office and the Robinson Barracks Army Post Office will no longer offer postal finance services (outgoing mail).Read More

USAG Stuttgart conducting protection exercise

USAG Stuttgart will soon conduct a force protection exercise that may impact services and cause delays at installation gates. Follow garrison platforms, including the Citizen, for updates, and observe strict operations security.Read More

Photo by U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

Parking restrictions and noise advisory for upcoming AFRICOM Change of Command ceremony

By USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs U.S. Africa Command will host a Change of Command ceremony on Kelley Barracks next week. During this time, parking may be extremely limited. Additionally, areas around Kelley Barracks may experience loud noise but there is no need to be alarmed. See the following announcement forRead More

USAG Stuttgart's Independence Day celebration, organized by Stuttgart Family & MWR, is a marquee special event for the Stuttgart military community. Photo by Stuttgart Family & MWR

Share your opinion on when to host next year’s Independence Day Celebration

Stuttgart Family & MWR is requesting your help in planning next year’s Fourth of July festivities. Take this quick survey.Read More

Places available for Capital City Visitation Program Dec. 8

Sign up now to attend the Capital City Visitation Tour. The CCVP is a special no-cost tour which provides community members the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Stuttgart, the host nation political system, and the development of the postwar relationship between the U.S. and Germany.Read More

Local news translated – Aug. 5, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Hundestrand Epplesee in Rheinstetten is 10 out 10 recommended by our furry family member. Photo by Dayna E. Rowden, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

End of summer day trips you can take in under 90 minutes from Stuttgart

There’s still some time left to squeeze in at least one more summer adventure. These close-to-home spots are the perfect place to make memories that will carry you and your family happily into the fall. Read More

Limited package drop-off available on Kelley Barracks starting July 30

Limited package drop-off service will be available at the Kelley Barracks Army Post Office beginning July 30.Read More

ICE system down until further notice

The Interactive Customer Evaluation System (ICE) is experiencing a system wide outage. At this time, there is no estimate on when the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) will have it available again.Read More

Main line S-bahn tunnel closed in Stuttgart from July 26 to Sept. 6

The Stuttgart S-Bahn’s central trunk route and tunnel will be closed from July 26 through September 6. Replacement bus services and an alternate route network will be in effect during the closure. Use mobile apps for routing public transit journeys to find the most current connections available.Read More

Gas Prices

23 Aug 2025

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.555	$.0939	+
Super	$4.124	$1.1089	+
Super Plus	$4.479	$1.183	+
Diesel	$4.242	$1.121	+

Currency Exchange Rates

25 Aug 2025

One Dollar buys:

Euro: € 0.8408

Pound: £ 0.7246

Other currency rates, not available at the Community Bank:

Czech Krone:	Kč 21.16
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 48.42
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 340.90
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.39
Polish Zloty:	zł 3.67
Turkish Lira:	₵ 40.8490

Rates provided courtesy Community Bank

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Local news translated - Aug. 22, 2025

Host Nation Update, Aug. 22, 2025