GstaadLife

Well, it is not really big news that there are drugs around - but it is nevertheless the biggest drug case in Saanenland and it made it into the newspapers and Stammtische of Saanenland. A 31 year-old has been convicted of selling 1.2kg of cocaine, 9g of MDMA and 820g of marijuana. He was sentenced to three years, two of them on probation, and a fine of SFr 30,000.

The John F Kennedy International School in Saanen, which every year holds summer camps during the school holidays, has reported seven children sick with swine flu symptoms. It has now been confirmed that the children were stricken with the influenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly known as swine flu. Altogether 85 kids are participating in the summer camp in the Mountain Lodge in Schönried. The children who got ill were isolated and received the necessary medical treatment. “In most cases the children were completely recovered by the time the test results are made available”, says headmaster Bill Lovell. At the time of the illnesses there was a deputy physician from Canton Bern present, who has assured that there is no danger and no reason for panic. So far there have been 210 cases of swine flu in Switzerland, 26 of them in the canton of Bern.

Did you know that there are 18 public places where you can barbecue in Gstaad-Saanenland? They are run by Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, don't cost anything, and you do not have to sign up for them in advance. You just have to be the first there. So pack your Bratwurst and head out to one of these beautiful spots: GL.com recommends the ones around Arnensee and Lauenensee.

It all kicked off at the opening weekend a week ago with a brilliant overture marked by mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova’s radiant performance and pianist Hélène Grimaud’s magnificent recital. The Menuhin Festival began the first of seven weeks of music in 2009 in full glory. One event which we're particularly looking forward to takes place this Saturday evening July 25, featuring a grande soirée in honor of the festival’s founder Lord Menuhin on the 10th anniversary of his passing; violinist Daniel Hope (pictured above) performs and directs Menuhin’s Music as well as the world premiere of Unfinished Journey, a work for violin and strings written by French-Lebanese composer Bechara El-Khoury commissioned by the festival. Click here for the full program.

Don't miss this weekend's highlight - the Tour de France, yes France! This hulabaloo of remarkable human endeavor and cutting-edge sports "medicine" is moving through Switzerland on Sunday July 19. They will start in Pontarlier and finish in Verbier passing over 207 km and 2,000 meters in elevation via, among others, Bulle, Rossinière, Les Moulins and up over Col des Mosses to Aigle (see detailed map below). The tour's offical website indicates the caravan will begin through Les Moulins at around 13h21, with the whole spectacle winding down around 15h17. Even if you are not into cycling, this is simply a must see. GL.com recommends the entrecôte ardoise at Le Croix d'Or in Les Moulins for prime viewing and eating. See you there.

Some say it makes Gstaad look like a refugee camp. Others say it makes the Promenade more lively. All we know is it's staying till the end of the tennis tournament. What? The tent on Kapälliplatz! As part of what is know as "Gstaad Alive!", they have decided to leave it there from the beach-volleyball tournament until the tennis and there is quite a lively program that goes with it, ranging from a comedy and fire show on July 18, to presentations, trampolin shows, a silent circus performance, musical performances, and of course the traditional August 1 National Day celebrations. Just one thought: co-opting the Kapälliplatz is one thing, but did they have to nick our name as well? GstaadLife protests... :-)