Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.

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Here’s our weekly roundup:

Munich parents! Got a little one ready to step into the big world of KiTa, Kindergarten, or elementary school? Well, circle March 13th on your calendar because that's the last day to get your ducks—or rather, your kids—in a row for registration (KiTa/Kindergarten and elementary school).

Note: Bit of a slow news week for expats, so check out our bonus news items.

3 bits of news

Olympia Park's latest addition

Coming to the Olympia Park in 2024 is a sports paradise that's going to be the new home for the DEL ice hockey club Red Bull Munich and our very own basketball stars from FC Bayern Munich. This isn't just any sports arena; it's a state-of-the-art, multifunctional venue that's gearing up to host up to 11,500 fans. 

With a drone show, the opening date was announced last Monday, February 19.

The SAP Garden will be throwing its doors wide open on Saturday, September 28. Everyone is invited to come and admire its architectural beauty and innovative design, bringing to mind the iconic tent roofs of the Olympic Stadium. 

The grand opening promises to be nothing short of spectacular, kicking off with an ice hockey showdown between EHC Red Bull Munich and an NHL team. 

And to wrap up the grand opening weekend, on Sunday, September 29, the Bayern basketball players will hit the court for the very first time in their new home.

But the SAP Garden isn't just for the pros. It's a win for community sports too, offering schools, clubs, and the general public access to its facilities, including three ice rinks for public skating. 

Read more here (in German).

Munich's mobility shifts gear

Have you noticed the streets looking a bit different lately? It's not just your imagination. The latest traffic trends are in, and it looks like Munich is taking a big leap towards greener, more sustainable modes of transportation.

Despite our city growing by about three percent and vehicle registrations up by five percent from 2019 to 2023, vehicle traffic actually saw a decrease of around six percent last year. 

What's even more impressive is the spike in cycling, with an astonishing 17 percent increase in bike traffic across the city. It seems even rainy and snowy weather can't dampen Munich's love for two wheels, with a six percent increase in cyclists braving the elements in November and December. And let's not forget public transport, bouncing back to 93 percent of its pre-Covid glory days.

Find out more about this news here (in German).

Online registration for organ donation 

Starting Monday, March 18th, Germany's gearing up to introduce an online registration for organ donations. This digital leap means you can now log your willingness to donate organs (after death) using your identity card with an online function. 

Initially, you'll be able to deposit your declaration of willingness online, and from the beginning of July, hospitals will have access to these declarations. Even better, by the end of September, you can whip out your health insurance app and make your declaration there too. 

The idea behind this reform, decided back in 2020, was to nudge every citizen to ponder over this crucial decision at least once every ten years, especially when they're applying for a passport or ID. The aim? To ensure everyone's informed and has the chance to register their decision directly – be it a yes, or a no. And with the portal being safeguarded against unauthorized snooping, your decision stays just between you and the authorized hospital personnel.

Read in detail here (in German).

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How to invest in real estate to save taxes (especially outside of Munich/Bavaria)?

Hey folks! This is Aazar, I saw this tweet and had no idea how real estate investment can help:

Especially when there is so much cost associated with property managers, real estate commissions, notary fees, renovations, and more, I thought it was a headache.

Until I met Aid (the speaker of this webinar) who showed me how all of this makes sense. I learned how real estate can help you save on taxes and make money for you. He explained it clearly to me. Even if you are not currently investing, I would recommend joining this webinar to learn more about how real estate investing works so that whenever you are ready, you can delve deeper into it.

Learn more & join this webinar for free 

2 upcoming events

Munich's Euro film fest

Get ready to embark on a cinematic adventure that promises to take you through the heart and soul of Central and Eastern Europe without leaving your seat. 

The Mittel Punkt Europa Filmfest is back, lighting up the screens of the Film Museum Munich from Thursday, February 29 to Saturday, March 9. This isn't just any film festival; it's a cultural odyssey showcasing a diverse tapestry of life, stories, and perspectives from our neighbors in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

And, as if the films themselves weren't enough, the festival is sprinkled with special guests and surprises that promise to make your experience even more memorable.

But it's not just about the films. The Mittel Punkt Europa Filmfest invites us to look beyond the screen and engage in a broader conversation about our shared European identity. 

It challenges us to reconsider our notions of ‘center’ and ‘periphery’ and to embrace a more inclusive view of Europe. So, why not take a break from the mundane, grab a friend, and dive into the rich film cultures of our Central and Eastern European neighbors? All films are presented in the original language with English subtitles.

Find more information here. 

General information 

📅  Thursday, February 29 - Saturday, March 9, 2024 

Exotic butterfly exhibit

Now through Sunday, March 17, the aquatic plant house at the Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg transforms into a magical realm where exotic butterflies from the tropics of America and Southeast Asia spread their vibrant wings. 

To make your experience as smooth as a butterfly's flight, entry to this exotic exhibition is now streamlined with admission bands for specific time slots available (only on weekends). 

And, a friendly reminder: to keep our winged friends safe, strollers will have to stay outside the greenhouse.

Learn more here. 

📅  Now through Sunday, March 17, 2024

Wasserpflanzenhaus des Botanischen Gartens

📍 Menzinger Straße 65, 80638 München

Bonus

• MVG is eliminating paper subscription tickets 

• German Bundestag likely to pass cannabis law this week 

• Starkbierfeste in München

• Munich's mountains and tech tempt big banks from Frankfurt 

• Take part in themed meals prepared with local produce

• Fake Freuds : A Self-Help Comedy Show - 25 Feb

• Food & Life - 28 Feb - 3 Mar

• Microsoft to invest €3.3 billion in AI capacities in Germany

• Finest Spirits (Over 18 only) - 23 Feb - 25 Feb 

• Germany now world's third largest economy as Japan loses its spot

• Stand-Up Comedy with Gauri B - 17 March

• Aktzeichnen Afterwork Painting

1 new restaurant/café to try

Finger-licking halal burger - Taste My Burger

Definitely try them, we love it. It’s number 2 on our burger list. The beef is so juicy that it just melts in your mouth.

This is what you are going to say after you try their cheesy beef burgers with homemade sauce.

They serve one of the best beef bacon burgers in Munich.

Vegetarian? No problem. They also serve vegetarian burgers.

What's unique about Taste My Burger is every ingredient is homemade and fresh, from the sauces and patties to the bacon.

One reviewer said:

Pros: 40 different burgers with 40 different flavors, an innovative menu, delicious toppings, and a welcoming owner.

General information

📍 Heßstraße 90, 80797 München

🔗 https://www.tastemyburger.com/menu

Meme of the week 😂

Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

See ya next week!

Aazar, Arlene, Christina, and Heidi