lmosdal

The market is set for November 23rd and we are looking for a few more local vendors!. You can take a look at the Facebook event here. Or skip right to the table registration here.    We hope it will not be our last market for local handmade items. 

Hi Jeba, no worries. I'm not offended in the least. Certainly adding soundproofing does seem like the best strategy to me. Based on a report from an acoustic engineer who the neighbors engaged, the building material is appropriate for a cafe which stays open until 10pm. Nonetheless, the engineer suggested adding gym mats, buffer walls and acoustic stairwell doors -- all of which we've done at the expense of about 15,000€. These items made a huge difference. One neighbor actually sent us a thank you note after the stairwell doors were installed. Many neighbors really like us -- one couple is suing.    If we're allowed to stay in the space, we'd like to augment the existing soundproofing with an acoustic ceiling. We expect this to cost between 40-50,000€ therefore we would like to be certain that we can stay in the space before we make this kind of investment in a rental property (using public funds). 

Bring your little one (1-4 years) to ELKI Schwabing next Thursday for games, and in-house trick or treating. Tickets here.

Hello once again. Our next big verdict regarding the ability to appeal our case at the state level is being decided in the German Supreme Court on Friday the 13th of December. Simultaneously, we are discussing our proposed change of the Bavarian 'Kinderlärm' law with two state representatives and various other officials in the family center mid-November. By Christmas things could go very right or sadly very wrong for dear ELKI. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts for the better part of the last decade. Additional links to newspaper articles, verdicts and petitions (as well as seasonal happenings at the center) can be found here.

If your interested in getting your toddler or pre-K child dressed up and ready for some in-house games and trick-or-treating, come join ELKI's Halloween Party (tickets in the link). Thanks!

Actually, renting out your apartment (after 6 months probation) and living in a rental is the most financially sound way to invest in property here because you can take your loan interest and some 'Hausgeld' expenses off your taxes. You can't take the interest off your taxes in an owner occupied unit. 

So there were no big decisions. The CSU and SPD reps are going to come round and have a look at the center. Here's the SZ write up. And here's one more link for anyone looking to support the family center and interested in taking in some theater at the Brunnenhof in the Residenz on Monday -- the American Drama Group will be kindly donating the ticket price to us. Tickets here! Thanks.

A mini-update. We've submitted petitions to change the 'Kinderlärm' law which protects Kitas to extend this protection to family centers as well. The petitions are being considered at the state and national level. We'll be discussing the Bavarian petition on Thursday 11.7. at the Landtag. Kind of exciting, I've never been inside. :-) More information here:  www.elki-schwabing.de/news.html

The Schwabing Family Center (ELKI) is proud to sponsor its 17th semi-annual 'Markt für schöne Dinge' from 11am to 5pm this Saturday, November 25th. Located in the pedestrian passage next to HypoVereinsbank on Kurfürstenplatz, this one day event features local Munich artisans. Tables from 20+ your talented neighbors offer up jewelry, textiles, accessories, signed novels (!) and even handmade lotion or preserves. This market supports local startups, cuts your carbon footprint and is by far the least expensive option to sit down and enjoy coffee and cake in Schwabing! :-) Please stop by and support our family center which continues to be plagued by a court case regarding 'Kinderlärm'. If you can't make it and are having those seasonal 'where can I donate' feelings -- have a look at our sponsor page. We look forward to welcoming you to the center and wish to thank all those who have supported us thus far.  Happy Holidays one and all!

The Eltern-Kind-Zentrum Schwabing/Maxvorstadt is a non-profit organization providing early education, childcare, child raising support and health classes, language classes as well as integration opportunities to families in Munich.   In September we moved into a space that was formerly a 'Schlecker Laden' and are now being threatened with a law suit for 'Unterlassung.' The premise is that the unit we rented three months ago is only fit for a shop and not any other purpose according to the internal building code (Teilungserklärung). The law suit is being put forth by 6 neighbors in the building complex who are worried about having families with children in their midst. The city has all but approved our paperwork and sees no reason for us not to open our doors. It is strictly a dispute of the private housing code and the phrase 'Laden.' (The 'Laden' was also previously a 'Büro' -- also not a shop, so there is an existing precedent for a different use in the same space).   We're looking for a pro bono lawyer to take on the case. The groundwork has been done by a well known Munich lawyer who will be representing our landlord and can't, therefore, represent our organization as well. He's agreed to meet with our lawyer and walk through the case, we just need a representative to submit our response before December 17th. As a non-profit organization we can award receipts for the volunteer work which can be deducted from one's taxes (Sachspendebescheinigung).   Please respond quickly via PM with your suggestions. Thank you.   Kind regards, Lara Mosdal, Chair