28Jun10_Gazette

The Tour de France is passing by Chièvres Air Base and Caserne Daumerie July 6. Bicycling is a top sport in Belgium and this race will draw many spectators along

the route. Due to the impact of this race, Chièvres Air Base and Caserne Daumerie will be closed for business July 6 from approximately 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

During this time frame, no vehicle will be allowed on or off base, except for emer-gency vehicles. Pedestrian access will be limited to gate 3 on Chièvres Air Base and gate 19 on Caserne Daumerie.

Also, once the roads re-open at approximately 5 p.m., drivers need to be aware that traffic will still be congested in the Soignies, Lens and Chièvres area.

Opening hours on Jul. 6 of select Chièvres Air Base services:PX Closed all day but open on Jul. 5PX-tra Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commissary Closed all day but open on Jul. 5Food Court Burger King - open 8 to 10 a.m.AFCU Closed all day

See a detailed schedule of base services on the Benelux home page. The shuttle bus will run on the holiday schedule July 5 and will stop running between the hours of 11 a.m and 5 p.m. July 6. View the schedule from the Chievres Garrison homep-age (AKO login required).

Approximately 180 racers will participate in the Tour de France, preceded on the route by a publicity caravan of about 200 vehicles that stretch over 20 kilometers. Both the riders and the publicity caravan will be traveling at extremely high speeds and will not stop. Spectators should exercise extreme caution, safety officials recommend.

Monday, June 28, 2010Volume 3, Issue 25

USAG Benelux Col. James Drago will change command to Col. Rick Tillotson at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Chièvres Community Recreation Center. Change in PX/PXtra hoursThe Chièvres Air Base PX and PX-tra have modified their hours on a 60-day trial basis. The PX is now open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and the PX-tra will remain open until 9 p.m. seven days a week. CRC parking lot closureThe parking lot in front of the Chièvres Community Recreation Center will be closed from close of business June 29 through the afternoon of June 30 for the USAG Benelux Change of Command cer-emony. Chièvres gate closureGate 14 on Chièvres Air Base will remain closed for approximately one more week while crews install security upgrades. Gate 1 remains open to regular traffic. Gate 16 is open for deliveries.DPW Self Help StoreThe DPW Self Help Store, located in Bldg 25 will be closed on Satur-days starting July 3 until further notice. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Table of Contents

News ......................................1-6Events & Happenings ...........7-8Community Round-up ..............9

File photo

Tour de France to race through ChièvresUSAG Benelux Public Affairs

U.S. Army file photo of cyclists racing at high speeds through community streets March 6 in Albany, Ga.

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To subscribe, email [email protected]. Col. Francesca ZiembaUSAG BrusselsCommander, Co-Publisher

Bob McElroyUSAG BrusselsPublic Affairs Officer

Staff WritersChristie VanoverSylvia WilliamsSabrina Fermeuse

The Gazette is an unofficial publication published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The Gazette are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of the Army or the USAG Benelux. The Gazette is a free weekly publication distributed via email every Monday. The editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Chièvres Garrison and USAG Brussels Public Affairs Offices. It is published by the Public Affairs Office, Chièvres Garrison, Unit 21419, APO AE 09708. Telephone (0032) 068-27-5419/DSN 361-5419; fax DSN 361-5106. 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 purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army. Submit content or story ideas to [email protected] by Thursday at 3 p.m.

John PaughChièvres GarrisonManager, Co-Publisher

Cis SpookChièvres GarrisonPublic Affairs Officer

EditorKevin Downey

USAG Brussels BOSS beats feet to BarcelonaBy Annie ChambersSpecial to the Gazette

Strolling along the tree-lined pedestrian zone of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, a group of Soldiers took in the bustling outdoor markets and cafés, local merchants and an assortment of unique street performers.

The Soldiers, members of U.S. Army Garrison Brussels Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, visited the north-eastern Spanish city June 18-21.

Crowded around a table inside the Hard Rock Café, they enjoyed Spanish nachos and fajitas. Laughing, taking pic-tures and sampling one another’s food, it's easy to see that this is a tight-knit group.

“As a single Soldier, it’s hard to be away from your family, especially in a whole different country,” says Cpl. Lizette Diaz, who works in the USAG Brussels Health Clinic.

Staff Sgt. Evangelina Villela-Rocha’s husband is stationed in Vilseck, Germany and deployed last week to Afghanistan. Being geographically single is a day-to-day struggle, but Villela-Rocha, who works at NATO, said BOSS events like the Barcelona trip help her to enjoy her time here instead of feeling depressed. Barcelona was her first BOSS trip and she is looking forward to upcoming events.

The weekend was packed with outings to local beaches, Parc Guell, a popular art-filled park overlooking Barcelona, shops on the Ramblas, and even an international Harley Davidson Motorcycle rally.

BOSS members volunteered at the garrison’s Spring Fling and at Steak Night and Tacos and Trivia Night in the 3 Star Recreation Center. Sgt. Floyd Devereaux, Brussels BOSS president, is a volunteer baseball couch and the host of Trivia Night.

Around Europe, BOSS ventured out to a Toby Keith concert in Ramstein, Germany and a UFC Fighter Meet in Manches-ter, England. Soldiers showed no fear at the Death Ride, a

thrilling leap from the top of the Brussels Atomium. During the Memorial Day weekend BOSS members dined

with World War II veterans, attended services at Flanders Field American Cemetery in Waregem and partnered with Chièvres BOSS and SHAPE American School to install flags and clean headstones at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in eastern Belgium.

Diaz said that BOSS will continue to support community events; they may also hold bake sales, raffles and Bingo.

Devereaux would like to see Brussels BOSS interact with the local Belgian community and charities.

“I would like to have camping and kayaking trips in the future, but most importantly we should do what the Soldiers are interested in; after all, this is their program,” Diaz said.

Staff Sgt. Evangelina Villela-Rocha, Cpl. Lizette Diaz and Sgt. Taufaanuu Boyd visit Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain.

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Demonstrations

New official travel office on Chièvres Air BaseBy Sylvia Williams Chièvres Garrison Public Affairs

ZTrak Global Travel now arranges official and leisure travel for the SHAPE and Chièvres community, taking over from Sato Travel May 31.

The travel agency is located on Chièvres Air Base next to the PX-tra.

“We are pleased to be taking over for Sato Travel,” said Stephanie Guerit, Ztrak branch manager. “Right now we can book airline tickets and make car reservations for official and leisure travel. Non-air reservations should be available soon.”

The travel agents remain the same as before, Guerit said, providing continuity of service during the transition.

“The biggest change is that the transaction fees with ZTrak are considerable less than with the previous con-tractor,” said Karen d’Argent, the financial defense travel administrator for DTS, USAG Benelux.

The transaction fee for official travel for instance dropped from $53 to $18.25.

“This means less cost to

the government,” said Steven Cherry, site assistant contract-ing officer representative for the USAG Benelux commercial transportation office.

Entitlements for travelers will not change, he said.

All active reservations made through Sato Travel with no tickets issued prior to the transition are now managed by ZTrak. Reservations made through Sato with tickets is-sued are still handled by Sato.

“All tickets issued before May 31 are still the respon-sibility of Sato Travel for 90 days,” said Cherry. “This includes changes and re-ticketing.”

Ztrak also provides an online tool to facilitate ad-ditional travel search capabil-ity at http://ztrakglobal.com/official-travel.html.

The access password can be requested from the travel office on the air base. How-

ever, this tool does not allow making reservations.

“When customers call to book an official travel or lei-sure trip, we need to know travelling dates, destination, last name, first name, middle name as shown on passport and date of birth,” said Guerit. “Customers can make reser-vations even if orders are not received yet. But in this case it will be tentative booking subject to order verification.”

Cherry recommends cus-tomers report any possible concerns as soon as pos-sible in order to do a thor-ough evaluation on the new contractor’s service.

Customers can submit concerns by calling DSN 361-6571 or civilian 068-27-6571.

Ztrak is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers can contact the office via phone at DSN 361-5783, civilian 068-657125 or 068-657119 or e-mail [email protected].

Sato Travel can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].

Stephanie Guerit makes travel arrangements using the new booking sys-tem in the Ztrak Global Travel office on Chièvres Air Base.

Benelux Soldier retires after 20 years of serviceBy Sylvia Williams Chièvres Garrison Public Affairs

After spending 20 years in the Army, Sgt. 1st Class Mohammad I. Tabassum proudly held the U.S. flag for the last time in uniform at his retirement cer-emony June 24.

“His sense of loyalty and level of re-spect are among the highest displayed by any Soldier within the HHC,” said Capt. Eric Kuenke, company commander, HHC, USAG Benelux.

Tabassum’s contributions to the Army include deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and employing his linguistic abilities.

Tabassum completes his service as an operations sergeant in the Headquarters Company, the garrison senior human resources sergeant, and the retirement services officer for USAG Benelux.

Lt. Col. Francisco Rivera, director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Se-curity, USAG Benelux, thanked him for 20 years of faithful service.

Rivera explained that Tabassum wasn’t an ordinary man.

“He’s a man of strong religious believe, strong principals, a man of honor,” he said and saluted him.

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USAREUR announces next step in its transformationBy Bruce Anderson USAREUR Public Affairs Office

HEIDELBERG, Germany—The Depart-ment of Defense and U.S. Army Europe announced June 23 several base clo-sures and associated force structure changes. These actions represent the next steps in U.S. Army in Europe’s ongoing transformation process.

Between now and December 2015, U.S. Army in Europe is scheduled to close 22 installations in the Heidel-berg/Mannheim area and one in Gies-sen, and prepare them for return to the German federal government. The installations are no longer needed because of ongoing transformation and consolidation efforts.

As part of the transformation process, most of the units and organizations currently stationed in the Heidelberg and Mannheim areas will relocate. The USAREUR headquarters is expected to begin moving to Wiesbaden in fis-cal year 12 and be finished by Octo-ber 2014. Installation Management Command-Europe’s headquarters will move during the same time period.

“These actions support the DOD global posture plan, the U.S. European Command theater posture plan, and the U.S. Army’s transformation, and are necessary to ensure USAREUR has the right force in the right place to meet mission requirements,” said Brig. Gen. Allen Batschelet, USAREUR’s chief of operations. “Over the past several years, we’ve modernized our force, including creating the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, integrating the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, transform-ing our airborne forces into the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, and transforming the 21st Theater Sustain-ment Command. We’re modernizing our force and consolidating onto Main Operating Bases to be more effective and more efficient.

“This announcement represents significant change for many of our Soldiers, employees, and their Family members,” Batschelet continued. “We know this is going to create challenges for them, but I can assure you that Army in Europe leaders are committed

to keeping the Army in Europe com-munity informed during this process, and ensuring that services and quality of life are maintained at the highest level possible.”

This portion of USAREUR’s transfor-mation is a complex military operation involving at least 70 distinct unit ac-tions. Because of the complexity, and to set the conditions for the final move-ments and closures, these actions will be completed in three phases.

Throughout all three phases, medical and other quality of life services will continue to be adjusted to meet the needs of the community. Department of Defense Schools officials will assess school programs and facilities to best adjust their support as enrollments decrease. Family housing in the af-fected installations will be vacated by attrition, and the garrison will direct new assignments within the Mannheim/Heidelberg footprint as appropriate.

Phase 1 has already begun, and is largely focused on the Mannheim com-munity and its tenant units. USAREUR anticipates a 50 percent reduction of the Mannheim garrison population by the summer of 2010. Units from Taylor, Tompkins and Hammonds barracks will consolidate mostly on Coleman and Spinelli barracks, as well as a small enclave at Sullivan/Funari/Benjamin Franklin Village housing area.

IMCOM-Europe expects to inactivate U.S. Army Garrison Heidelberg by the end of June 2010, followed by the inac-tivation of USAG Mannheim by the end of May 2011. Although these garrisons are scheduled to be inactivated, qual-ity of life support will continue and be adjusted over time as the population decreases. USAG Baden-Württemberg will provide garrison support for remain-ing units until it is inactivated by the end of September 2014.

The Schwetzingen Training Area and the Mannheim Class III Point are ex-pected to be returned to the host nation in the summer of 2010. Hammonds and Taylor barracks are expected to be returned by December 2010.

Phase 2, which begins in October 2011 and ends in December 2014, continues the focus on the Mannheim community and also sees one Heidel-berg-based unit, the 529th Military Police Company, beginning its move to Wiesbaden. By summer 2012, most of the Soldier population in Mannheim will have departed. The Sullivan/Fu-nari/Benjamin Franklin Village housing area enclave will be vacated, and is expected to be returned to the host nation by the end of 2014.

By December 2014, all remaining Mannheim units are expected to be consolidated on Coleman or Spinelli Barracks, and will rely on USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg for quality of life support.

Phase 3, which begins in 2012, fo-cuses on the relocation or inactivation of remaining Heidelberg and Mannheim units, and ends by December 2015 when all personnel have departed and the installations are returned to the German federal government.

This phase includes the moves of the USAREUR and IMCOM-E headquar-ters, and associated units. While this transformation announcement is not related to the recent Quadrennial Defense Review recommendations, the QDR has an impact. If the QDR recommendations are implemented and Headquarters, V Corps remains in theater, it will also relocate to Wi-esbaden by October 2014.

The changes will decrease the U.S. Army’s total population in Germany by approximately 7,500 U.S. personnel – 1,500 Soldiers, 1,500 U.S. civilian employees, and an estimated 4,500 Family members, as well as 1,045 local national employees. In addition, approximately 3,500 Soldiers, Family members and U.S. and local national employees will be affected by unit moves to locations within Germany that have not yet been finalized. In Italy, the return of a transportation platoon based in Vicenza to the United States will result in the decrease of approximately 50 Soldiers and 70 Family members.

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BELGIAN NEWS First electric charging center in Wallonia

The first charging station for electric cars in Wallonia recently opened at Imagipark in Ghlin. Another one opened soon after in the commercial area at Froyennes. These stations allow for drivers of electric cars or bicycles to charge their battery while they are shopping or going to the movies. Within 30 minutes, the battery has charged up to 70% of its capacity. Only fifteen electric cars have been sold in Belgium so far this year. Although these figures may seem low, they represent a fifteen fold increase on the sales figures for the whole of 2009.1 in 2 Belgians takes medicine

More than 50 percent of the Belgian population has taken medicine during the past two weeks. That's according to figures released by the national Public Health Service. The figures mean a 24 percent increase compared to 10 years ago.Police raid Catholic Church HQ in child sex probe

Police raided Belgium's Catholic Church HQ last Thursday and seized computer files at the home of its top cardinal over the last 20 years amid fresh accusations of child sex abuse by priests. A spokesman for Brussels prosecutors said that the action followed a string of accusations "denouncing abuse of minors committed by a certain number of Church figures."Belgium before the European Court of Justice

The European Commission has hauled Belgium before the European Court of Justice for a second time. Europe is taking the legal action against Belgium as the country’s three regions failed to meet EU waste water purification standards. Belgium first appeared before the European Court of Justice to defend the country’s record on waste water purification six years ago. Belgium already has to pay a fine of between three and sixty million Euros, regardless of whether new purification plants are able to be opened quickly. This is the first time ever that Belgium has been fined for failing to implement EU regulations. A 1991 EU directive rules that urban areas and towns with a population greater than 10,000 had until 1998 to install basic purification facilities for waste water.Fire destroys 22 buses in depot in Charleroi

In Charleroi, a fire has destroyed 22 buses of the Walloon public transport company TEC last Wednesday. It is not clear yet what caused the fire.

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During the June 11 Headquarters Headquarters De-tachment USAG Brussels change of command ceremo-ny Sgt. 1st Class David Giddens (center) relinquished responsibility for the first sergeant’s job to Staff Sgt. Wesley Henderson. Giddens has been reassigned to Fort Riley, Kan. Also shown is Spc. Mark Seabolt (right) and Staff Sgt. Jarvis Clark (behind Giddens).

New NCO leadership

HEIDELBERG, Germany – Installation Management Command-Europe officials announced that garrisons across Europe have until July 22 to submit entries for the 2010 Lean Six Sigma Excel-lence Awards Program.

“The intent of LEAP is to recognize Army organizations and practitioners that have demonstrated excellence in Continuous Process Improvement and Lean Six Sigma capabilities,” said David Reed IMCOM-Europe operations division. “The competition represents a great opportunity for garrisons to showcase their work.”

Reed explained that the program also provides a mechanism to share CPI/LSS best practices and lessons learned across the Army. IMCOM-Europe officials will review nomination packages within theater for forwarding to the subsequent IMCOM and Army competitions.

The three award categories include:•Organizational Deployment Awards (ODA. This award

recognizes LSS deployment excellence at the organi-zational level.

•Project Team Awards (PTA). This award recognizes the outstanding contribution and results of individual LSS project teams.

•Enterprise Level Project Sponsor Award (EPSA). This award recognizes the outstanding contribution and re-sults performed by a Project Sponsor of an Enterprise Level MBB LSS DMAIC project.

Garrison DPTMS offices will receive instructions detailing awards criteria and submission requirements, said Reed. Individuals with questions about the program or nomination process may contact officials at DSN 361-5071.

“It’s very important for agencies involved in CPI/LSS to prepare and submit nomination packets because this awards program is a way for us to demonstrate not only IMCOM’s focus on being trusted stewards of resources, but also the Army’s commitment,” said Reed.

Installation Management Command was recognized at the Pentagon for continued successful Lean Six Sigma imple-mentation and received the Organizational Deployment Award as part of the 2009 Army Lean Six Sigma Excellence Awards Program.

Deadline nears for Lean Six Sigma Excellence AwardsIMCOM-Europe Public Affairs

Sunday worship service scheduleSHAPE/Chièvres area9 a.m. – Catholic Mass at SHAPE chapel9 a.m. – Liturgical Protestant (Lutheran, Missouri Synod) at Daumerie chapel11:45 a.m. – Contemporary Protestant service at SHAPE chapel

Daily Catholic MassEach Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. at the Daumerie American Chapel and Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at the SHAPE Chapel.

Brussels area10:30 a.m. – Protestant service at Chausée de Louvain 13, St. Stevens, Woluwe

Submit ballot requestsWire reports

Military and overseas voters should submit a ballot request for the June, July and August state prima-ries. Primary elections are on the following dates:

June 22 Utah July 20 Georgia July 27 Oklahoma Aug. 3 Kansas, Michigan, Missouri Aug. 5 Tennessee Aug. 10 Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota Aug. 17 Washington, Wyoming Aug. 24 Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Vermont Aug. 28 Louisiana (1st Party Congressional)All members of the U.S. Uniformed Services, their

family members and citizens residing outside the U.S. who are residents from these states and have not yet submitted a registration and ballot request for the 2010 calendar year, should do so as soon as possible.

The FPCA ballot application and instructions for the above states are available at www.fvap.gov/FPCA.

ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEKOVERSEAS CITIZENS VOTERS WEEKJUNE 28-JULY 7

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COMMUNITY EVENTS 29 June - 1 July•Historical animations at the Grand Sablon in Brussels. Experience a Medieval village. Combatting knights,

fire-eaters, storytellers, a forge, initiation to archery, crossbow competitions and an exhibition on the evolu-tion in time of the armor. For additional information, visit www.ommegang.be.

•Ommegang on the Brussels Grand'Place. More than 1,400 performers dressed in authentic historic costumes, horses, coaches and giants take part in the spectacle. Yearly colorful pageant on Brussels’ Grand'Place com-memorates a celebration in honor of Emperor Charles V in the 16th century. The Ommegang takes place on both days at 9 p.m. The procession starts at the Sablon at 8:50 p.m. and ends at the Grand'Place where the show starts at 9 p.m. To book a seat, call 070/66-06-01. For further information, visit www.ommegang.be.

July 1 - 4•Rock Werchter Festival. This is the 36th edition of this rock festival held in the Flemish Brabant. For de-

tailed schedule and tickets, visit www.rockwerchter.be. Featured artists include Green Day, Paramore, Jack Johnson, P!NK, The Ting Tings, Pearl Jam, Them Crooked Vultures and many more.

2 July•Flea market and fair for collectors in Ath, in the Zoning des Primevères. Open from 2 to 10 p.m.

2 - 4 July•American Days in Lessines, on Ancien Chemin d’Ollignies. Country concert at 8 p.m. on July 2. Rock

concer t on July 3. American cars parade July 4. Entrance fee is €8 for the weekend.•International Tuning Show in Ciney, at Ciney Expo on Rue du Marché Couvert. Open day and night from 8

p.m. July 2 until 6 p.m. July 4. Entrance fee is €10.2 July - 22 August•Brussels beach, on Quai des Péniches. Free entrance through Place Sainctelette and Rue de la

Dyle. Lined up along the canal are over a kilometer of beaches, water spor ts and straw huts serving up speciality food and drinks from all over the world. Spor t, music and activities for kids. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Free entrance and enter tainment. For more information, visit www.bruxelleslesbains.be.

3 July•Motorbike ride for 150 km in Soignies. Gathering and registration at 8 a.m. at the Soignies Fire

Department on 72 Rue de la Senne. Departs at 10 a.m. Participation fee is €15, including breakfast, lunch packet and bbq.

3 – 4 July•WWII event in Grand-Reng (21 km southeast of Mons). Free entrance. Features ceremony honoring WWII

victims, BBQ, re-enactors and authentic equipment and vehicle displays•Yearly Windmill Fest at Ostiches (Ath area). Features draught horse contest, farm products and flea market,

sample beer tasting, hot air balloon launching and fireworks.4 July•Volksmarch for 20, 10 or 5 km in Casteau. Departs from 5B Rue Saint Antoine from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.•Mountain bike ride for 50 or 30 km in Jurbise. Departs from Rue du Moustier from 8 to 11 a.m. Participa-

tion fee is €3. 4, 11, 18 and 25 July•Les Collégiades (organ concerts) in Mons. A series of organ concer ts taking place every Sunday of

July at 6 p.m. in the collegiate church of Sainte-Waudru in Mons. This program exists for more than 15 years and stands for quality music and per formers. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. No prior registration needed. Entrance fee is €9. Free entrance for young under 14.

6 July•Tour de France – This year, the famous bicycle race will travel right past Chièvres Air Base and Caserne

Daumerie. On July 6, it will cover a distance of 213 km from Wanze through Namur, Sombreffe, Nivelles, Braine-le-Comte, Soignies, Lombise, Lens, Chièvres (N56 and into Chièvres on Grand’Rue), Tongre-Saint-Martin, Ligne, Barry and into France up to Arenberg.

10 July•Flea market (200 booths) in Mons, in Domaine d’Epinlieu, Chemin Cense Gain. Open from 7 a.m.

to 4 p.m.•Flea market in Obourg (Mons area), on Rue de l’Empire. Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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•Brosella Folk and Jazz in Brussels, at the Théâtre de Verdure, on Avenue de l 'Atomium. Twenty open-air concer ts. Many enter tainments for kids. Free event. Concer ts star t at 3 p.m. on both days. For full program, visit www.brosella.be

•Flea market (100 booths) in Mons, in Quar tier du Trieu. Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.11 July•Volksmarch for 20, 10 or 5 km in St-Symphorien (Mons area). Departs from 7 Rue A. Cler fayt from

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.•Flea market in Mons, on the Imagipark parking area. Open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.•Flea market (200 booths) in Nivelles, on the main square. Open from 7 a.m. t 4 p.m.•Tractor pulling in Silly. Competition star ts at 11 a.m.

SHAPE TRIPS & TOURS For information on the trips below,

call DSN 423-3884 or CIV 065-44-3883.

•Paris with optional dinner and show at the Moulin Rouge, July 3. Spend the day exploring the city of lights. Take a boat cruise on the Seine River, visit the Eiffel Tower, or see the Mona Lisa at the world famous Louvre. Don't miss dinner and show at the Moulin Rouge. Only 25 seats available for the Moulin Rouge *Adults only for the Moulin Rouge* Departs SHAPE at 11 a.m. Returns to SHAPE at 3 a.m. Price is €35 bus ride only, trip and show €175, includes French Cancan meal and half bottle of champagne.

•Amsterdam and Dutch Windmills, July 3. Our first stop will be the UNESCO world heritage site Kinderdijk, famed for its many windmills and beautiful setting. Zaanse Schans is a popular destination for visitors in search of a bit of Oud Holland (Old Holland). The last stop is Amsterdam for dinner and exploring the city. Price is 45 Euro. Departs SHAPE at 6:30 a.m. and returns at midnight.

Musical Night at Beloeil - August 21 Starting at 6 p.m. at the Château de Beloeil. Some thirty musical pro-grams will be presented four times during the evening for a total of 120 concerts and 350 artists. Event concludes with fireworks at 11:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are at €33. As tickets sell out fast, purchase them now by calling 070-22-2007 or e-mail to [email protected].

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•Dour Festival in Dour (Mons area), on Site de la Machine à Feu. July 15 – 18. European alternative music event for music lovers. Several stages and a camping. Bands and festival-goers from all over Europe gather at Dour every summer. More than 140,000 spectators gathered last year. Pre-sale tickets are €93 for a four-day pass (€110 camping included) and €45 for a one day pass (€55 camping included). Detailed program and reservations on www.dourfestival.be.

Get Benelux news and important garrison information on the Benelux homepage

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View and download Benelux photos on flickr

Eric Daniel

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Chièvres/SHAPE29 June•SHAPE Property Disposal Sale. An auction of 21 former SHAPE fleet vehicles. Call DSN 423-4253 or civilian

065-44-4253 for more information.•Playgroup sponsored by ACS New Parent Support Program. From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Prime Time Grill

on Daumerie. Parents and their children (0-3 years) play together in a group setting. No pre-registration is required. Open to all U.S., SHAPE and NATO ID cardholders. For information, call NPSP at DSN 423-4274 or civilian 065-44-4274.

•Coffee Connection - Join us for a cup of coffee, friendly conversation and find out more about living in Bel-gium. Class is offered for newcomers from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Chièvres Army Lodge Breakfast Room.

•Preschool Story Time - Preschoolers get a head start on early reading skills with stories, finger plays and songs. Meet every Tuesday from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the SHAPE International Library. Everyone is welcome. No registration required. For information, call DSN 423-5631 or civilian 065-44-5631.

29 - 30 June•SHAPE Newcomers Orientation Course. Two half-day programs beginning at 9 a.m to help newcomers from

both SHAPE and Chièvres become more accustomed with their new environment. The course consists of ori-entation briefs and a bus tour of the local area, followed by a guided visit of downtown Mons and a welcome ceremony at the Town Hall hosted by the City of Mons. For more information, contact the SHAPE Headquarters Support Group Host Nation Liaison Officer at 423-3339. Register through the Shape2Day website http://www.shape2day.com/register.aspx.

30 June •Chièvres Outdoor Recreation - Local bike ride starts at 6 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center. If needed,

you can get a bike from Outdoor Recreation located at the Community Recreation Center. For more informa-tion, call DSN 361-6268 or civilian 068-27-6268.

•SHAPE Alcoholics Anonymous Group. The English-speaking group meets Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at the SHAPE International Chapel, Bldg. 601, Room 51. For more information, contact DSN 423-2474 or civilian 065-44-2474.

1 July•Grandma's Attic open late. The thrif t shop on Chièvres will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Normal

hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call DSN 361-5219 or civilian 068-27-5219 for more information.•Infant Massage Class - Co-sponsored by SHAPE WIC Overseas and Army Community Services. Learn

soothing and stress relieving techniques from certified instructors. Open to all U.S., NATO and SHAPE ID cardholders. Meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Healthcare Facility in the EDIS Playroom on SHAPE. For more information, call ACS at DSN 423-4274.

•Chièvres Outdoor Recreation - Trip to the indoor climbing facility Face Nord. Departure at 6 p.m. at the Chièvres Community Recreation Center, returning by 10 p.m. Transportation $5, climbing fee varies with equipment needs from 8 to 15 euro.

•Belgian Public Warning System Test. The Belgian civil protection authorities will test electronic warning systems between 8:45 and 10:15 a.m. The tests will be conducted in Ath, Seneffe, Feluy, Saint- Ghislain, Tertre, Ghlin and Brussels.

3 July •American Independence Day Celebration - The festivities take place in the fest tent, the parking lot and

the area next to the GB on SHAPE. The celebration of America's 234th birthday begins at noon and features live music, carnival rides, entertainment, activities, food, beverages and closes with fireworks at 11 p.m.

Register now•Girls' Volleyball Camp July 30 - Aug. 1. The camp for girls in grades 9-12 runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

with overnights. A $30.00 non-refundable deposit must accompany registration by June 30. The Remaining balance is due the first day of camp. For more information and price packages, contact DSN 361-6268 or civilian 068-27-6268.

•“Voyage to Book Island” reading program. Sign up to read four to six books of your choice, keep a log of your progress and earn prizes at the library. Registration for the Summer Reading Program begins now. For more information, please call the library at DSN 423-5631/Civilian 065-44-5631.

Employment•Andrews Federal Credit Union on Chièvres Air Base is looking for a branch manager, senior teller, member

service representative, and teller positions. To apply visit www.andrewsfcu.org and look under “Career Opportunities.”