Vol. No. IX, Issue 10

Serving the Franconia Military Community — Ansbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt

Franconia News March 16, 2012

The

This week in the Franconian News … In USAG Ansbach: Spring Fling Bazaar pictures, pg. 4-6; www.ansbach.army.mil In USAG Schweinfurt: Music in Our Schools, pg. 14 www.schweinfurt.army.mil In USAG Bamberg: Obstacle Race, pg. 9 www.bamberg.army.mil

By U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs

HEIDELBERG, Germany -- U.S. Army Europe hosted the annual awards ceremony for the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas in Heidelberg on Mar. 13.

More than 200 units across USAREUR and Installation Man-agement Command-Europe qualified for a unit award for their collective $2.5 million in donations from more than 16,000 do-nors. More than one hundred units qualified for the "platinum"

award which required a $200-average contribution per poten-tial contributor or 85 percent participation.

Special guest speakers for the event included Command Sgts. Maj. David Davenport and Barry Maieritsch, senior enlisted advisors, USAREUR and IMCOM-E, respectively. Many of the charities who benefit from the CFC-O support reintegration programs for service members overseas, as well as other pro-grams for veterans, active duty service members and their families.

Ansbach gets Special Merit Award at CFC Award Ceremony

Director Kathleen Marin, U.S. Army Installation Management Command-European, Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, senior enlisted advisor, USAREUR and Executive Director Victoria Adams, Combined Federal Cam-paign-Overseas presented U.S Army Garrison-Ansbach with the Special Merit Award during the annual CFC Award Ceremony in Heidelberg, Ger-many, Mar. 13. The award is given to one unit and one garrison for display-ing outstanding achievement in the areas of remarkable generosity, excep-

tional participation and extraordinary volunteer spirit.

U.S. Army Photo: USAREUR PAO

The participants from the Franconia Military Community show off their awards

U.S. Army Photo by Elijah Ham

The Franconian News is an authorized electronic newsletter for members of the Department of Defense.

Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department

of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the USAG Ansbach PAO. The

appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute en-

dorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army. Everything advertised in this publication

will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the pur-

chaser, user, or patron.

Col. Kelly J. Lawler, USAG Ansbach Commander

Bianca Sowders, Community Relations Officer/Editor

Cornelia Summers, Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Office — 468-1600 or 0981-183-1600

2 March 16, 2012

“I CAN SAVE MY OWN LIFE!” - DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! The team at USAG Ansbach Army Substance Abuse Program wants you to remember that each individual has the power to

save their own life. A simple decision to have a plan prior to drinking can be the difference between life and death. Having a des-

ignated driver will keep you out of serious career consequences, legal trouble and more importantly, save your life or the lives of

others. Remember that if you decide to drink and drive you not only put yourself at risk, but everyone on the road!

Keep in mind that risks increase when plans

change. In many cases there are situations

where an appointed designated driver has de-

cided that they no longer want to stick to the plan

-at-hand, and they decide to have a drink or two.

Therefore, it is important to designate a driver

that will stick to the plan.

You know your friends!!! If you have buddies

that have difficulty sticking to the plan to be the

designated driver there are other options:

Call a taxi

Contact your NCO, Staff Duty, or Mili-

tary Police

Remember… You booze, you cruise, you lose! There are several consequences one faces when they decide to drink and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. For soldiers it is important to consider that consequences increase. According to Army Regulation 600-85:

POV License Suspension For 3-12 months

Military License Suspension For 3-12

Months

ASAP Referral

Six Points Assessed On Drivers License

Initiation of administrative separation is

man- datory for all Soldiers involved in two seri-ous incidents of alcohol-related misconduct within 12 months.

Authorized on-post TAXI services:

Ansbach: 0981 - 5005 or 0981 - 19410

Illesheim: 09841 - 7200

You can

hand over

your keys or

your life.

Make the

right choice!

Consequences to drinking ANY amount of alcohol and driving in Germany!!! Although the Blood Alcohol Content level for a DUI in Germany is .05, you will still be responsible for ALL fines if you get in an accident with ANY alcohol in your system. .03-.049% BAC (accident) = DUI = Fines & Auto repairs .05-.079% BAC = DUI = Fines up to € 500 .08% BAC = DUI = Fines & Legal fees Up to € 5000

Girls K-12 grade are welcome.

gsansbach@yahoo.com

3 March 16, 2012

Franconia Military Community Renews Army Family Covenant

Maj. Gen. James C. Boozer, USAREUR Deputy Commander, vis-

ited the Franconia Military Community this past week to document

our commitment to the Army Family’s Quality of Life and the Army

Family Covenant.

The original Army Family Covenant (AFC) was signed in 2007; this

resigning ceremony for the Army Family Covenant reconfirmed the

Army’s commitment to improving quality of life for members of the

Ansbach community.

The AFC is the promise that the Army will take care of the well-being

of its Soldiers and Families because of the great sacrifices that they

are making. To keep the promise the Army is addressing a variety

of areas including programs, services, healthcare, housing, educa-

tion and employment opportunities for our community.

Through the commitment to the AFC (and programs such as AFAP)

the Army has made 126 legislative changes, 177 DOD Army policy

changes, and hundreds of improvements to programs and services

since 1983 .

The covenant is built upon five core commitments from Army leader-

ship to:

- Standardize and fund Family programs and services

- Increase accessibility and quality of health care

- Improve Solder and Family housing

- Ensure excellence in child, youth, and school services

- Expand education and employment opportunities for Family

members

Katterbach Movie Theater

FRI MAR 16 – 7 p.m. This Means War (PG-13) 1st Run SAT MAR 17 – 7 p.m. War Horse (PG-13) SUN MAR 18 – 3 p.m. The Muppets (PG) 6 p.m. This Means War (PG-13) 1st Run

Storck Movie Theater

SAT MAR 17 – 4 p.m. War Horse (PG-13) 7 p.m. Act Of Valor (R) 1st Run

SUN MAR 18 – 3 p.m. The Muppets (PG)

This weekend in local theaters …

Maj. Gen. James C. Boozer signs the Army Family

Covenant in the Community Activity Center on Storck

Barracks.

Please pick up after your pet.

All pets on the installation must be on a leash!

4 March 16, 2012

Unique Program teaches German at Illesheim Elementary

Mrs. DeHaan-Weissmann supports the

students with the German Bingo game

Dylan Akina and Megan Distel-

horst teach the snowman game

Jordan Wheeler swats the German colors Jose Rodriguez (right) works the hat making station

Story by Ida DeHaan-Weissmann

Photos by Melissa Richardson

Deutsch macht Spass - meaning German is fun! - is the theme of a German language after school program offered at Illesheim Elementary School (IES). The program is one way IES supports the DoDEA vision of creating learning environments that value other languages and cul-tures; designed and led by Mrs. De Haan-Weissmann, a multi-age teacher at IES, the program helps prepare students for the 21st Century. About 40 percent of the IES students in grades 1-3 participated this year in Mrs. DeHaan-Weissmann’s language immersion program that is based on an interactive approach she developed using music and games that model a variety of German sentences heard in everyday conversation. Since last November students met once a week after school to learn German through songs and games. The language of instruction was German and the students quickly found ways to express their ideas in German. The success of the German language program was celebrated in an extravaganza grand finale event when the students presented and led an hour long German language program for parents and faculty. The IES school gym was filled with 20 different German game centers, where students taught their parents how to play the games they had learned, such as German Bingo, Fly Swatting for Colors in German, and Building a Snowman by Numbers. The children eagerly and proudly spoke German to their parents; the most popular center was a hat fold-ing activity led by Jose Rodriguez, a parent volunteer, who, eager to learn German, was a great help in the club meetings. The children com-pleted their presentation with singing “Auf Wiedersehen.”

5 March 16, 2012

FBLA Award winners from Ans-

bach: Rose Bertram, Kevin

Avila, Reiwan Hussein, Brendan

Teall

FBLA Spring Leadership Conference in Garmisch

Story and Photos by Janet Cook

DATES TO REMEMBER

19 -

23 Terra Nova Makeup Exams

May 12 Prom

School Information: Unit 28614

APO, AE 09177

DSN: 467-2808/2809

CIV: 09802-83 2808/2809

FAX: 09802-1496

EMAIL ABSENCES TO:

AMHS.attendance@eu.dodea.edu

School Website:

http://www.ansb-hs.eu.dodea.edu/

Main Office Hours of Operation:

Monday—Friday, 0730-1600

All DODDS—Europe employees may be reached via the following email format:

firstname.lastname@eu.dodea.edu

Ansbach High School’s Future Business Leaders of America won several awards at the FBLA Spring Leadership Conference held at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. All four attending club members won at least one of their competitions. Be-fore going to the conference, they each took several online tests. Reiwan Hussein and Rose Bertram earned first place in Global Business and Brendan Teall earned first place in Accounting II; Kevin Avila made second place in Computer Problem Solving. Reiwan placed third in Cybersecurity and Rose did the same in Personal Finance. At the conference, they all competed in presentation events. Kevin and Brendan won first place in the Virtual Business Challenge, a computerized retail store game. Reiwan won third place in Public Speaking for 9th and 10th graders by explaining how FBLA can help students develop skills to get and keep great jobs. Rose, Reiwan, and Kevin won first place in the Community Service Project event by explaining Ansbach’s FBLA Christmas service project of collecting canned food. The students also had opportunities to network with other business students and teachers.

FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America - is an organization for middle and high school students that helps them to learn business-related skills, such as public speaking, leadership, and net-working; it encourages them to take and benefit from business and computer classes and pro-motes the American Free Enter-

prise system and good citizenship.

6 March 16, 2012

Spring Bazaar 2012 !!! Photos by Bianca Sowders & Elijah Ham

7 March 16 , 2012

Spring Bazaar 2012 !!! Thanks Ansbach and Illesheim!!!

8 March 16, 2012

Spring Bazaar 2012 !!! ASCC and ISCC ROCK!!!

U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

9 March 16, 2012

U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

10 March 16, 2012

11 March 16, 2012

U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

12 March 16, 2012

U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

13 March 16, 2012

U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt

USAG Schweinfurt Public Affairs Office release SCHWEINFURT, Germany – There will be a town hall meeting with Schweinfurt garrison team members Tue, March 20 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Conn Club on Conn Barracks. Those in the Schweinfurt Community are welcome to come to the open forum. The leadership of USAG Schweinfurt encour-ages maximum attendance and participation for the event, which is slated to involve a question-and-answer portion. The meeting will address concerns on how the garrison will assist the community throughout the closure process. Mem-bers of the community who are unable to attend the meeting will be able to watch the event live by u-streaming it at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/usagschweinfurt Delegates of the directorates will be available with informa-tional tables to directly address your concerns. We would like to encourage all Soldiers, family members, and members of the community to participate by bringing their questions and concerns to the event.

Public Announcement: Town Hall

Story by Staff Sgt. Tyneka René SCHWEINFURT, Germany—The Federal Voting Assistance Program was put in to place to afford United Stated citizens who reside outside of the United States the opportunity to vote in state and federal elections. With state and presidential primary elections fast approaching, the USAG Schweinfurt Voting Assistance Officer, Joy Bearor, wants to be sure that the Schweinfurt community is knowledge-able on the changes that may affect the process of submitting an absentee ballot. Bearor has been the voting assistance officer for USAG Schweinfurt since 2010. According to her, one major change is that every voter has to re-register to vote. The re-registration should be done at least 45 days before the election that the voter desires to participate in. There are two ways this can be done. Voters can obtain a card from their unit level voter registration officer, fill it out and mail it in, or, voters can visit FVAP site and follow directions for federal write-in absentee ballot. For Soldiers who are unsure of which state they can legally vote in, consider whatever state you pay taxes for. Civilians should use the last address they held in the U.S. even if someone else lives there. For more information on changes that may affect absentee vot-ing or information on upcoming elections by state, visit www.fvap.gov

Cast your ballot this year

www.schweinfurt.army.mil

14 March 16, 2012

U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt

SCHWEINFURT, Germany – As Schwein-furt Elementary and Middle School stu-dents, dressed in their character day en-sembles, filed into the assembly on March 2, the atmosphere was electric and the stage was set for a memorable perform-ance by the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) band and chorus. “The event marked the beginning of a month long celebration of ‘Music in Our Schools.’ It helps stress the importance of including music education as part of the total curriculum,” stated DJ Grace, the SEMS chorus teacher. The Music in Our Schools month (MIOSM) helps draw attention to the significance of music education in the schools and com-munity. Music has been instrumental in assisting children’s creativity, literacy and development of life skills. Fifth-grader Ariana Holley was educated on

the skill of public singing. She was selected by the chorus to join them for a song during one of the performances – according to her an exhilarating experience. “I was surprised that out of all the fifth- to eight-graders they picked me. At first I was nervous, but I knew I had to get over it and just sing,” said Ariana. The USAREUR band and chorus is sta-tioned in Heidelberg, Germany, acting as representatives at various official events in addition to supporting community and inter-national relations. This has given them the title of America’s Musical Ambassadors in Europe. The members of the group have been able to travel to several countries during their scheduled tours. “My most memorable places traveled have been England, Serbia, and Romania,” said Sgt. Michael Webb. “Being in the band and chorus has allowed me to play music for the U.S. Army and makes me appreciative

of all my experiences.” Webb has been the group’s keyboardist and pianist for 6 years, making him the most senior member. Most members of the USAREUR band and chorus have been dedicated to their art for a long time. For many of them music has been instrumental in their lives. The drum-mer, Cpl. Jasper Stephens, has been play-ing music ever since he was young. He has been setting the beat for this group since May 2011, which titles him as their newest member. According to Stephens, playing for audiences is the greatest benefit of his job. The exciting performance pumped up stu-dents as well as teachers to sing along to well-known pop songs like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” or Jessie J’s “Price Tag”, mak-ing this concert a unique and fun addition to the Music in our Schools Month pro-gram.

USAREUR band and chorus sets the stage for ‘Music in Our Schools’

Story and photo by Margaret Gotheridge

The USAREUR band and chorus performs for the Schweinfurt Elementary/Middle School March 2. The exciting

performance marked the beginning of “Music in Our Schools” month. The Music in Our Schools month helps

draw attention to the significance of music education in the schools and community.

USAG Ansbach Newsbriefs …..

15 March 16, 2012

DFMWR events…

Old Furniture Sale at

Franconian Inn

Mar. 17 & 18: Everything must go: furniture, TVs, kitchen wares. US dollars, no pets. If not all sold, come back Mar. 24.10-3 p.m., pick up items by 5 p.m. For more information: DSN 467-7014, CIV 09802-83-7014.

Stress & Anger Manage-

ment

Mar. 27 : Manage the tough times and better control your anger. 2-4 p.m., Katterbach ACS. Sign up: DSN 467-2883, CIV 09802-83-2883.

ACS Resilience Academy

Mar. 19-21: This 3-day class is a fun and interactive way to help strengthen communication and tackle life’s challenges. 9-4 p.m. Sign up with Storck Com-munity Service: DSN 467-4555, CIV 09841-83-4555.

Pre-Deployment Planning

for Families

Mar. 21: Tips on how to handle the paperwork and emotional involvement aspects of deploy-ment. 6-8 p.m. Katterbach Movie Theater, Bismarck Kaserne.

ACS Newcomers Orienta-

tion

Mar. 20-22: This 3-day class explores on and off-post oppor-tunities. 8:30-3 p.m. Register at either Katterbach or Storck Army Community Service. Kat-terbach: CIV 09802-83-2883

Daylight Saving Time

in Europe begins on

Sunday – March 25

16 March 16, 2012

USAG Ansbach FMWR events

Was ist los in Franken?

17 March 16, 2012

By Bianca Sowders

Health Fair Franken aktiv & vital in Bamberg

The health fair Franken aktiv & vital takes place in the Stechert

Arena in Bamberg (Forchheimer Straße 15) on March 16 – 18;

here you will find information on wellness and beauty, travels,

sport and healthy diets. The fair is open Friday 2 – 10 p.m., Satur-

day and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Adults pay 6 Euros admission,

family tickets are available for 15 Euros. More information can be

found on www.franken-aktiv-vital.de

Spring Fair and Fest in Würzburg

The annual spring fair in Würzburg offers numerous vendors with

herbs and spices, household goods, pottery or clothing; simulta-

neously the Spring Fest takes place at the Talavera Festplatz.

The fair is open daily until 7 p.m. on March 17 – April 1; the fest

is open daily until 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Satur-

day.

Spring Market in Fürth

The annual spring market in Fürth takes place March 17 – 25 at

the Freiheit downtown. For sale will be leather, steel and wool

products, as well as fruit and vegetables from local farmers. Sun-

day, March 18, is open shop Sunday in Fürth.

Kneipenfestival in Dinkelsbühl

The Kneipenfestival – pub crawl – in Dinkelsbühl happens on

Saturday, March 17 in several locations downtown, starting at

8:30. Purchase one ticket for the evening at one of the

participating pubs and enjoy live music with local artists. For more

information also contact the Touristik Service Dinkelsbühl,

Altrathausplatz 14, at 09851-902440

International Down Syndrom Marathon

Fürth’ s Südstadtpark will once again be the location for a mara-

thon on the International Down Syndrom Day on March 18; be-

sides the classic marathon distance run there will be a half mara-

thon and a six hour relay run. Entertainment with Samba bands

and Cheerleader groups will be available as well. For more infor-

mation contact the Laufclub 21 e.v. at 0911 - 72 05 66 or go to

www.welt-down-syndrom-tag-marathon.de

Spring Market in Herrieden

Herrieden hosts a spring market and open shop Sunday on

March 18, starting at 1 p.m.; available will be clothing, household

goods, leather products and much more.

Randy Newman in Nürnberg

Randy Newman, world famous song writer and musician, comes

to Nürnberg at the Meistersingerhalle (Münchener Straße 21) on

March 19 at 8 p.m.

Ostermarkt in Nürnberg

The annual Easter Market in Nürnberg at the Hauptmarkt takes

place March 23 – April 9; about 80 vendors offer crafts made

from wood and ceramics, household items, books and much

more. The market is open Monday – Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. ,

Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; it is closed on Good Friday, an im-

portant German holiday. Sunday, March 25 is also open shop

Sunday in Nürnberg.

Bryan Adams comes to Nürnberg

Bryan Adams will perform one concert in Nürnberg at the Arena

(Kurt-Leucht-Weg) on March 24 at 8 p.m.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including in-

serts, supplements, and external web links, does not constitute

endorsement of the listed products or services by the U.S. Army.

Clean-Up Day in Ansbach

On Saturday, March 24, the citizens of Ansbach get out and help

clean up their city; whole families participate wielding buckets,

bags and pick-up sticks. The US garrison participates every year

and invites you to help make your surroundings look better and

cleaner. Meet the folks from the environmental division at 8 a.m.

on the access gate parking lot of Bismarck Kaserne; bring gloves

and pick-up tools if available and wear solid footwear to roam the

country side. A free lunch will be provided to participants

afterwards.

18 March 16, 2012

Authorized “On Post” Taxi Service in Ansbach

Telephone numbers: 0981 – 5005 or 0981 – 19410

Ask for a driver with a U.S. Installation Pass and provide the following information:

•Pick up point•Number of passengers•Destination•Name and number•Time of pick up

If traveling to airport, notify the driver of number of passengers and bags

Authorized Taxi Service on

Storck Barracks

Taxi Illesheim : 09841-7200

ask for a driver with a U.S. Installation Pass and provide the

following information:

•Pick up point

•Number of passengers

•Destination

•Name and number

•Time of pick up

If traveling to airport notify the driver of number of

passengers and bags.

19 March 16, 2012

On some bus schedules, you see LBT (Linienbedarfstaxi) written at the very top of the bus times. This means Linienbedarfstaxi and loosely translates to taxi bus as required. The buses at these times only run if you call at least one hour ahead of the schedules time to reserve it. Call the LBT at: 0981-5005 and tell the operator when you want to go, from where (the station) you want to leave, where you’d like to go to (the station); your name and contact information, and then show up at the stop at the time indicated on the schedule.

A new bus schedule has

been in effect in the city of

Ansbach since Dec. 2011.

A current schedule can be

found at http://stwan.de/

index.php?Bus/

Fahplanauskunft&site=77

Changes in city bus system

Brown Container for Food Waste/Organic Material

NOBROWN BIO CONTAINER

KITCHEN waste:

Bones

Coffee grounds / Tea / tea bags

Egg shells

Food scraps

Fruit (peels etc.)

Meat / Fish

Vegetables

YARD Waste:

Branches / Leaves

Bush cuttings

Flowers

Grass / lawn clippings

Plants and weeds

Handling:

Put a few pages newspaper on the

bottom of the container to absorb moisture

and to keep the container clean.

Collect kitchen waste in paper bags or

newspaper to soak up moisture!

Place Bio bin in a shady place.

Keep bio bin closed to avoid odors.

Wash out Bio bin periodically.

Bio

Waste

Do not throw any plastic in the brown container!

Mixing incorrect material will reduce the quality of compost.

The contractor will not empty your bio bin if mixed waste is found in the container.

20 March 16, 2012

Recycling CentersRC Katterbach Bldg # 9024

Mon, Wed, Thu: 8 a.m. – noon & 1 – 5 p.m.Tue: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Fri: 8 a.m. – noon & 1 – 6 p.m.Sat: NEW 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

RC Shipton, Bldg # 8031Open by request

RC Storck Barracksnext to Bldg # 6689

Mon – Wed, Fri: 8 a.m. – noon & 1 – 5 p.m.

Thu: 8 -10 a.m. & 2:30 – 5 p.m.Sat: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Environmental tips