Ansbach Community Notes — April 15, 2022

Speakers Series – Aviation in Europe focus

The second of three speakers series is 21 Apr at 1730 at Hangar 2 on Katterbach.  The guest speakers Col. John Broam, Col. Patrick Schuck and German Army aviators. The purpose of the speakers series is to discuss the importance of our collective security and the successes of our transatlantic partnership and explain why the Americans are still in Germany and Europe. Register to attend at https://ansbachhometownherald.com/trans-atlantic-partnership-speaker-series/.

Ansbach Bicycle Bazaar

Buy or sell your bicycle at the Ansbach Bicycle Bazaar April 23 from 0800-noon at the Pilipp Furniture Store, Adalbert-Pilipp-Strasse. Deliver bikes to be sold from 0800 to 0900, name the price and the staff will try to sell it. No attendance required and a small fee for listing. If you want to buy a bike, go by and see what is available.

Earth Day at Soldier Lake

DPW Environmental hosts an Earth Day event April 26 at 0900-1300 for children between 2nd and 5th grade. Activities include: honeybees, water wildlife, the forest, energy conservation, fire prevention and much more.  For more information contact DPW Environmental at: DSN 467-3306 OR CIV 09802-83-3306.

Arbor Day Celebration

An Arbor Day celebration will be held April 29 at 3 p.m. at CYS Bldg 9028. Children can help the Garrison plant new trees for a more sustainable future.

FMO Closed for Inventory

The Housing Furnishings Management Office will be closed from 3 – 5 May for mandatory inventories. Please plan accordingly when arranging delivery, pick-up, or exchange of loaner furnishings and appliances as these services can’t be provided during this time. Appliance repair will still be offered by submitting a work request through the established procedures.

Military Spouse Virtual Career Fair

An Online Military Spouse Virtual Career Fair will be held May 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. Connect, network and engage with employers who have immediate job opportunities nationwide, OCONUS and remotely. Virtual engagement and Interviews will be conducted during the event. Employment Development Training Pre-Event is April 21 and 28 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to register, go to https://rmvets.com/spousefair0522

Calling all 2021-2022 College Graduates

USAG Ansbach Education Centers will hold a Graduate Recognition Ceremony for all college graduates for 2021-2022. If you have completed your degree within the last year, you are qualified. Please contact the education centers if you would like to be recognized. Applications are due April 29. The ceremony is May 20 at 10 a.m.

Customs Office Moves to Bismarck

As of 25 April, U.S. Army Customs will be located in Bldg 5843-C room 286 of Bismarck Kaserne on the second floor. An elevator is available. Our Barton Barracks office will remain operational until 28 April. Use Katterbach Main Gate, 91522 Ansbach, Germany to gain access to Bismarck Kaserne. Please call 09641-70-587-5352 with any questions.

Saturday hours added to Katterbach Recycling Center

The Katterbach Recycling Center is adding Saturday once a month to their operating hours. NEW Hours on SATURDAY: 23 April 1000-1500; 21 May  1000-1500; 18 June 1000-1500; 23 July  1000-1500. Closed on Sunday and German holidays. There are no Saturday hours at Storck Barracks.

Official Passport Extension

The Foreign Clearance Guide has been updated to reflect that there has been an extension for the use of a regular passport in lieu of a special issuance passport for official travel for Germany, Korea and Japan. That extension is now until 30 September 2022.

Ansbach Resiliency Games

The USAG Ansbach ACS, ASAP and DFMWR hosts a community-wide event amongst six teams through various family friendly activities and competitions from 7 APR thru 7 JUL at Bismarck and Katterbach Kaserne in order to enhance community cohesion and resiliency through taking an active role in supporting, attending and participating in resiliency games while learning about and accessing garrison programs and services. Go to https://ansbachhometownherald.com/ansbach-resiliency-games/ to find out more about the games and to see the standings.

Travel Freedom — With Lifted COVID Restrictions, Spring and Summer Travel Adventures await

All of us have survived under the shadow of COVID for the past two long years.  Missed opportunities, lost loved ones, and hiding from variants of an unseeable bug has haunted our community, but it appears that this page finally turned.  COVID has become manageable…that is not to say anyone is immune or that it is truly gone.  It is still a very real, and very contagious virus.  One that we each should continue taking precautions to avoid and prevent sharing.  But it is manageable, with vaccinations, pills, hygiene and social distancing, we have come to learn that its spread can be controlled.  More importantly, people through shots and boosters, have proven that having vaccinations prevents the severest outcome; less hospitalizations, and less deaths.  It is not the 100% ‘Solution’ everyone wanted, but it is enough for government’s around the world to lift previous restrictions. It is time to begin taking advantage of this Solution and start planning for the Spring and Summer.  As you do, your Garrison Security Division asks that you to include the Foreign Travel Report (FTR) in your planning process.  A link to the FTR can be found on the front page (bottom middle) of the Ansbach Garrison’s Webpage (https://home.army.mil/ansbach/index.php/), or if you have a Smart Phone, grab an image of the QR Code from our new “CampfireCatTales” ads running on the Garrison’s monitors. https://homeadmin.army.mil/ansbach/application/files/9916/4363/8481/Foreign_Travel_Report-d.pdf

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol abuse is a disease and disorder of the mind; it is much more common than alcoholism. The intake of large alcohol amounts causes personal, social, and business problems. It affects those closest to the person suffering from this disorder. Their children and emotional partners are exposed to stressful situations, putting children at risk to experience social isolation, depression, and alcohol or drug addiction in the future.  Throughout April, ASAP will be set up at multiple locations across the Ansbach Community educating the community on resources available to help those struggling with alcohol abuse.

Autism Awareness Month Events

Each April, we celebrate Autism Awareness month, to promote Acceptance and Awareness. For the month of April there will be an EFMP display table at Exchange. From the comfort of your homes join us for four Virtual Trainings with STOMP/PAVE starting on

1) April 19th 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm: Tricare, ECHO, ABA & Medicaid.

2) April 26th 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Advocacy To learn more about Autism and ask questions we have a Virtual Interactive Workshop on April 15th, from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Presented by Alisa M. Jones, M.A., CCC-SLP (Clinical Competence Certification Speech- Language Pathologist), and Kathleen A. Lowman, M.ED, N.C.S.P (Nationally Certified School Psychologist).

Every Friday will be Light it up Blue! Wear Blue to bring awareness to Autism disorder and Child Abuse prevention. To Learn more please contact Sparkle George, EFMP Manager or Jordy Ovalle EFMP System Naviator for more information at 467-2883.

Plastic Free Month – Only buy fruit and vegetables, which are not wrapped in plastic

Like buying packaged food in bulk, avoid buying pre-packed or pre-weighed fruits and veggies. You know the kind – cling wrapped vegetables on foam trays and the like are unnecessary and wasteful. Instead, choose from the loose section and put them straight in the fruit basket or fridge when you get home. Invest in a reusable mesh bag for fruits and vegetables. Nowadays they are often available in the vegetable section of many stores for little money. Some stores also offer cardboard boxes in the produce department that customers are welcome to use for free. Just check with a sales person next time you shop.

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to learn about the signs of child abuse and how to prevent it. The kickoff will be 1 Apr at 1530 at the Katterbach Child Development Center with a signing of the proclamation and planting of the pinwheel garden. Child Abuse Prevention Month was created because child abuse and neglect was both widespread and too often invisible. “Our children are our future” may be a cliché, but it’s still true that the more adults can have a positive impact on a child’s experiences, the stronger society will be. A safe, stable, and nurturing environment can have a proven positive effect on brain development. Research shows that children who suffer from the prolonged stress of abuse and neglect tend to struggle in their behavioral, physical, and cognitive abilities. The effects of early trauma tend to continue through generations. Together we can end this child abuse.  If you have knowledge of a child that is experience abuse, please call the Military Police at 011. If you are in need of parenting assistance, your USAG Ansbach Family Advocacy Programs offers Scream Free Parenting, Love and Logic, New Parent Support Home Visitation and a plethora of other services designed to meet your  educational childrearing needs. Please call and schedule an appointment today.

Army Family Team Building Classes

ACS is now offering its Level I: Learn, Grow, Lead Army Family Team Building (AFTB) trainings for Soldiers, Civilians, and their Family Members. AFTB is a Family training and readiness program that offers a better understanding of Army culture, as well as provide skills and resources needed to become resilient, self-sufficient, and self-reliant members of the military community. Training includes:

            K1 The Military Life – Learn the challenges of military life

            K2 Military Acronyms and Terms – Learn military specific language, terms, & acronyms

            K3 Chain of Command – Comprehend military structure to include rank and chain of command

            K4 Customs, Courtesies & Traditions – Learn proper military customs, courtesies & protocols

            …and much more!!!

The next training dates are April 25  1830-2030; May 9 0900-1200; May 23 1830-2030. All trainings will be held in the ACS Classroom, BLDG 5817A. To RSVP for training, please contact ACS on DSN (314) 467-2883 or COMM 09802 83 2883