News flash

IMCOM-Europe recognizes quality-of-life efforts
The Installation Management Command-Europe recognized garrisons throughout Europe for their outstanding quality-of-life efforts. The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden received three out of the eight nominations in the Secretary of the Army 2010 Quality of Life Awards. USAG Wiesbaden was recognized in the Superior Quality of Life-Large Unit category for its Comprehensive Community Fitness program; in the Quality of Life Partnership category for its efforts in working with the Hessian State Archaeology Agency to preserve Roman ruins; and the Quality of Life Best Practice category for its customer service awards program. “The quality of life awards recognize garrisons that have taken extraordinary initiatives to improve the quality of life of Soldiers, civilian employees and their families and give garrisons the opportunity to share their successes and best practices with other Army organizations,” said David West, IMCOM-Europe Operations Division. IMCOM-Europe nominees will compete against U.S. Army garrisons worldwide at the IMCOM level in San Antonio, Texas. Winners in that competition will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary of the Army. (IMCOM-Europe Public Affairs)

Off-limits club
The Black Sounds Club (aka Club Sounds) on Raiffeisenstr. 19 at 66849 Landstuhl has been declared off-limits to all members of the Kaiserslautern military community. U.S. military members are prohibited from entering or conducting business in the establishment, except as required in the performance of official duties. Personnel entering or doing business with any off-limits entity are subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or other directives as appropriate. U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden officials said members of the Wiesbaden military community visiting the Kaiserslautern area should abide by the off-limits restriction put in place by the Kaiserslautern military community commander.

Exchange Select recall
The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of certain alcohol prep pads, swabs and swabsticks manufactured by the Triad Group. Merchandised under the “Exchange Select” label at various Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard exchanges, as well as veteran’s canteens, the products have been recalled because of concerns about contamination. Military shoppers who purchased Exchange Select alcohol prep pads, swabs or swabsticks are advised to return the recalled product to their nearest exchange for a full refund. (AAFES Public Affairs)

Wiesbaden earthquake
A 3.4-magnitude earthquake shook the Mainz/Wiesbaden area Dec. 23 in the early morning hours, according to local media reports. It was followed several hours later around 7 a.m. with a 2.7-magnitude quake. Neither tremor caused any major damages, although at least one car port was reported to have collapsed in the Wiesbaden area, and many residents reported the effects of the tremor to the German Police.

Passport Cards
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden force protection specialists report that there has been a rash of individuals attempting to enter or be signed into local military installations with the new U.S. Passport Card. They want to remind everyone that the U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but they cannot be used for international travel by air. They are also not an authorized Installation Access Control System type of identification and therefore may not be used to sign into overseas U.S. military installations. (Courtesy of Lee Sulouff, USAG Wiesbaden Antiterrorism/Force Protection officer)

AAFES giveaway
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Dr. Pepper invite military shoppers worldwide to visit their AAFES exchange by Jan. 27 to enter for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The giveaway, valued at $6,000, includes round-trip airfare for two to Las Vegas, three nights in a deluxe hotel and tickets to the show, a reception and post show all-star jam. The drawing will take place in late February. (AAFES Public Affairs)

Closed for inventory
The Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (Ramstein Exchange) will be closed Jan. 27 for inventory. All other establishments within the mall, including the concessions, bookstore, shoppette and restaurants, will be open. (USAG Kaiserslautern Public Affairs)

Stop Loss pay deadline extended to March 4 for eligible individuals
The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to March 4, 2011. The RSLSP was established to compensate for the hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. To apply or for more information visit www.defense.gov/stoploss. (DoD Release)

Product safety recalls
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of BabyLegs baby socks and leg warmers, Zoom buggy cars and dream pillow stars by Kindermusik, Oriental Trading Company ceramic banks, Michaels Stores silver tree tea light candle holders and BB Buggies bad boy buggies. Visit www.cpsc.gov for more information on these and other product safety recalls. (Courtesy of IMCOM-Europe Child, Youth and School Services)

AFRC offers survivor discounts for military families
Armed Forces Recreation Centers are offering discounted rates to military families who have lost a family member in service to the nation. Participating locations include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen; the Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, Korea; the Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii; shades of Green at Walt Disney World in Florida; and the Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club in Virginia Beach, Va. Survivors may sponsor up to three guest rooms at the discounted rate. Some restrictions apply. Visit www.ArmyMWR.com for more information. (FMWRC Public Affairs)