In the Huddle: John Landwehr's Next Play

Sign Up For Partner City Trip to Germany in September

It's a trip you'll never forget. Our Partner City Muenchberg, Germany, will once again roll out the red carpet for Jefferson City visitors in September. Call Colleen Taylor at Midwest Travel 635-3995 for pricing and the exact schedule and itinerary, but here's a summary.

We'll depart September 12 and arrive in Berlin. Mayor Thomas Fein has already scheduled a private tour of the Bundestag (State House) and a reception at the Bavarian Embassy. We will spend two days seeing the sights in Berlin and then travel south to Bavaria, spending a night in Dresden. Then we'll enjoy four days in our partner city, a small town of 12,000. It's the week of their Stadfest -- like our sidewalk sale days. We'll take side trips to the beautiful countryside and neighboring historical and cultural sites.

Then we'll take the Romantic Road through southern Germany and visit Rothenberg ("the Walled City") and depart from Munich on September 20.

Some of the folks who made the trip four years ago are coming along, but there is room for new friends who want to take advantage of this unique way to see Germany.

Kolb & Rollins: Statewide Recognition For JCMO Project

Wednesday two local gentlemen will receive statewide recognition for their local redevelopment project. Larry Kolb and Steve Rollins will join just a handful of other honorees at the Rotunda at 11:30 to accept a Preservation Honor Award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation for their work on Dunklin Street.

Here's the takeway: Preservation must make economic sense and engage developers who have the skill sets to make it work. And it helps to have a community that's ready to step up to the plate.

Long Awaited EIS Corridor Study is "Final"

With little fanfare a major hurdle in planning the city's future was announced as being in its final stage. The name is a mouthful. The Whitton Expressway Final Environmental Impact Statement has been published and is only subject to a comment period ending February 7 -- and a few more desks to cross. The study is required prior to any state or federal funding for improvements.

It's significant since it depicts the "guts" of Jefferson City's transportation future, including Clark Avenue roundabouts, the interchange at Lafayette leading to MSP and Lincoln University, and how to move traffic through Old Munichberg efficiently without making it an island separate from the central business district. If you're into redevelopment, this is required reading.  

 

Maybe they should call it "New Town."

Monday night the City Council will get a shot of home grown redevelopment moonshine when they study the Report on Revitalization of Old Town. Elected officials, city staff and voters are starting to realize that we will either facilitate redevelopment of the older parts of town, or learn how to deal with the consequences. Stay tuned. This is hopefully just the preview. 

Very "Fein" Muenchberg Idea for Last Minute Shoppers

Accents at 615 Jefferson Street teamed up with Fraas Scarves manufactured in Muenchberg to make some really special scarves available for the season. Our Partner City is rightfully proud of their textile tradition and we're glad to have some products close at hand. 

Great friend Thomas Fein is the very "fine" mayor/burgermeister there. Could not resist the pun.

Muenchberg Friends Coming Labor Day Weekend

Several great community events with our Partner City friends are in the works. Here's a sneak preview. Mark your calendars. Check out this very fine Bavarian City on the web.

Friday, September 3 Welcome at the Capitol steps at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 4       Dunklin Street Dance / Munichberg Dedication 5:30 p.m.

Monday, September 6        Farewell Community BBQ at McClung at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

Old Munichberg Has a Corner on History

Dr. Walter Schroeder was the Master of Ceremonies at the Dedication of the Old Munichberg Association's dedication of the beautiful mini-plaza at the corner of Jefferson and Dunklin. About sixty attendees gathered in the mid-morning heat to witness the unveiling. Dozens of memorial bricks have been installed, and more available. Proceeds go to initial costs and ongoing maintenance.

 

 

(New) Old Munichberg Monument Is Coming Along

The Northeast corner of Dunklin and Jefferson will never be the same. The Old Munichberg Association will be granted an easement (if I get around to drafting it) for a permanent marker celebrating the Bavarian roots of the South Side. 

Commemorative bricks and pavers are hot items. The corner will also hold The Stone transported from Muenchberg last year as a Partner City gift.

 

East Side Business Sign Recognizes Historic Bonds

The last day of our visit in Partner City Muenchberg in 2007, Mayor Thomas Fein was glad to show the Jefferson City tag on his city's welcome sign. 

We're pleased that the first official entrance sign to Jefferson City, sponsored by the East Side Business Association, now reciprocates the compliment.

  

Muenchberg Friends Will Return in September

Our friends in Partner City Muenchberg Germany are planning a trip to Jefferson City over the Labor Day Weekend in September. This is a photo of the last time we saw them, taken from the back of our bus as we left their beautiful town on a cool morning in October, 2007. There were a few misty eyes in both groups. It's hard to describe how close you can feel to people you just met and who live so far away.

Our informal planning group is starting to think about some fun things to do during the visit.