Bavarian Times Magazine - Edition 05 - December 2014

Edition #5 | December 2013
| www.bavarian-times.com
Bavariantimes
News & Magazine for Grafenwoehr | Vilseck | Hohenfels | Garmisch
r
fo
fr
ee
Christmas Tree Lighting

| Page 5
Safety first for the Bavarian winter

| Page 16
Standing strong

| Page 8
Family Law Cases in German Courts

| Page 31
BmW military Sales
www.Bavarian
motorcars.com
Sheer
driving pleasure
order your dream car

at a dream deal
military/diplomatic pricing.
Where can i take delivery of my new BmW?
European delivery
Stateside delivery
90 day loaners for special order new cars

Many people are put off special ordering a new vehicle because of a long delivery time.
Whats more, Bavarian Motor Cars has now introduced a new complimentary 90-day loaner program
so you now have transportation whilst your new BMW is being built!
trade in progam - Stateside and europe
Trading in your old car with Bavarian Motor Cars is the simplest and most cost effective route to your new BMW.
We make the procedure as easy as possible and will guarantee you the best price for your trade-in.
Wuerzburg
Phone +49 931 27885-891
grafenwoehr gate 6
Phone +49 9641 92404-0
Vilseck
Phone +49 9662 8779
Katterbach
Phone +49 9802 957377
ansbach
Phone +49 981 9700 127
Schweinfurt
Phone +49 9721 67527-0
grafenwoehr gate 3
Phone +49 9641 92606-15
parsberg
Phone +49 9492 6018-634
Frankfurt
Phone +49 69 4036-543
Bamberg
Phone +49 951 9370 500
www.Bavarianmotorcars.com
BmW military Sales authorized agency
| Index
Page 6

Healing Arts program puts Soldiers

at ease
Page 12
Touching base
Page 20
Page 24

Page 46
Animals below the Christmas treeNO
Page 56

Historic, romantic Christmas Market

at Guteneck Castle
Holiday Sharing Program

gives Soldiers a boost
Page 57
Romantic Christmas market at
Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg
Page 27
U.S. Ambassador to Germany tours
Grafenwoehr Training Area
Page 31
Page 33 Drive safely on ice and snow
Page 64
On skis into the new year
Page 65
Delicious Ideas for your Holiday Menu
| Imprint
IMPRINT | Edition #05 | 12/2013, 5th Volume

Publisher:
Medienhaus DER NEUE TAG,
DER NEUE TAG Oberpflzischer Kurier
Druck- und Verlagshaus GmbH,
Weigelstrae 16, 92637 Weiden
Internet: www.oberpfalznetz.de | www.bavarian-times.com
E-Mail: editor@bavarian-times.com
tion require prior written permission. The publisher is not liable

for unsolicited manuscripts and photos.
The Bavarian Times is an unofficial publication that provides coverage of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. All content is used by permission. Visit www.bavariannews.army.mil for news and events in
USAG Bavaria.
Project management: Bastian Zaar

Ads: Rainer Lindner
Contact for Ads: Harald Brckl
E-Mail: harald.brueckl@bavarian-times.com | Phone: 0961/85-290
Sattlergasse 4
92655 Grafenwhr
Editor: Matthias Plankl

Layout: Corinna Romann
Cover picture: Andrey Kiselev_Fotolia.com
Telephone: 09641/3839 or 3866

0700-CARRINGTON
Print: Medienhaus DER NEUE TAG

Circulation: 10.000 copies
Circulation area: Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Hohenfels,
Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
09641/8595
lnfo@carrington.de
Copyright for the content, unless indicated otherwise, lies with

Medienhaus DER NEUE TAG, Weiden. Full and partial reproduc-
web
www.carrington.de
Mail to Editor:
editor@bavarian-times.com
Mo.Thu.: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Fr.: 8 a.m.3 p.m.
Bavarian Times Archive:

http://issuu.com/bavarian-times
Like us on facebook
http://facebook.com/
BavarianTimesMagazine
LL.M. | Rechtsanwltin | German Lawyer
stayintouch
wh yr frnds
TKS is yr
service provider
cable TV | mobile phone | internet | phone
VAT-free services
no minimum contract duration
cost control and easy payment
customer care and billing in English
www.tkscable.com
| Grafenwoehr
Grafenwoehr. On December 3 at 5 p.m., the U.S. Army is

inviting everybody to the tree lighting ceremony at the shopping
center. The military installation can only be accessed by foot
through gate 1.
The children have been looking forward to this event for a long
time. Santa Claus will make the girls and boys eyes sparkle
again when he presents them with a sweet package. Before-
hand, the Christmas tree will be lit and thousands of colorful

lights will shine.
Gingerbread, hot wieners, Glhwein and hot chocolate will also
be served at the event. Food, beverages and the presents for the
children will once again be sponsored by the German-American
Community Council (GACC).
| by Renate Gradl
Our Indian cook spoils you

with original Indian culinary.
Special Highlight:
Lunch menus Monday Saturday
at 5
Car
d pa
ym
ent
We would be pleased to take reservations for company events, birthday parties and more.
Special highlight: lunch menus Monday Saturday.
Wiesenstr 1, 92637 Weiden, Telephone: 0157/30361661
More information: ganesha-weiden.de
OPENING HOURS: 11 am 2 pm
and 5 am 11 pm
Photo Credit: Renate Gradl
Thousands of colorful lights will sparkle
| Vilseck
Photo Credit: Chelsea Bissell, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs
Sgt. Matthew Richey, Bravo Company, Warrior Transition Battalion, puts the finishing touches on his mask during Healing Arts, Oct. 15.
Healing Arts program puts Soldiers at

ease
Healing Arts is not therapy, but it can be very therapeutic, said

Pech. It creates an attitude of this is something I can do outside
of what I normally do.
VILSECK, Germany Spc. Kevin Boelter shifted nervously as he

walked into the room at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, here, Oct. 15. Glancing at the table lined with origami paper,
paints, boxes and masks, he fidgeted, unsure of what to do.
The intent, explained Pech, is to let the Soldiers create freely.
Im not really an artist, announced Boelter of Bravo Company,

Warrior Transition Battalion.
He relaxed once Tammie Pech, assistant station manager of the
Grafenwoehr American Red Cross, suggested he channel his
favorite sports team. Boelter grabbed a mask, some yellow and
blue paint, sat down and intently painted a San Diego Chargersinspired mask.
Boelter and a handful of fellow Bravo Company Soldiers spent
the afternoon creating art as part of the American Red Cross
Healing Arts program, which serves primarily as a stress reliever.
Sun Tanning Studio Grafenwoehr

Winter could be so nice
The Red Cross program focuses on wounded warriors, Soldiers

returning from deployment and those about to deploy. There are
no rules during the session and the Soldiers only receive help or
instruction if they ask for it.
The local Healing Arts series is modeled after a similar program

at Army medical centers like Walter Reed. There, Soldiers recovering from injuries or PTSD use creative arts, such as music,
visual art and writing, as part of their therapy.
Trained counselors work closely with patients, using art to help
them express themselves.
For one exercise, Soldiers paint masks depicting dual personalities. On the inside they paint how they see themselves; the
outside shows the face they portray to the world.
The program in U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria however, lets Soldiers create what they want in a comfortable environment.
Here, its more of a relaxation session, said Pech. We didnt
want to make it into a therapy session. We wanted to make it
fun.
Even Soldiers who come into Healing Arts with doubts loosen up
once they have a paintbrush or pencil in hand. They unwind as
they quietly create and chat.
Some are crafty art enthusiasts with their own oeuvre growing
at home, while others are mixing paint and folding paper cranes
for the first time.
Alte Amberger Str. 35

(200 m to Gate I)
in Grafenwoehr
OPENING HOURS:
Mon Fri
7 a.m. 8 p.m.
Sat/Sun/Public holidays 9 a.m. 8 p.m.
The newness of the experience and the uncertainty is a large

part of the fun for the Soldiers.
Bavarian Times | 6
| Vilseck
Its either going to be a disaster, or it might end up being really cool looking, explained Staff Sgt. Michael Czarnecki, cadre,
WTB, as he brushed silver paint on a mask modeled after The
Terminator.
As he finished his mask, Czarnecki picked it up, laughed, and
put it into the disaster category.
His piece from a previous Healing Arts session, a Happy Anniversary painting that went over well with his wife, was in the
really cool category.
Though the outcome isnt always museum-worthy, the Soldiers
all agreed that the crux of Healing Arts is the artistic intermission
from daily routines.
Boelter, who was initially doubtful that he could make anything,

walked out of Healing Arts intending to hang his Chargers mask
on his wall.
It was actually relaxing, he said. It kind of reminds me of listening to music. Its a different type of coping skill to relax. You
forget about everything. You focus on the song or that painting.
Its concentration.
The next Healing Arts class will be Nov. 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the
Rose Barracks Soldier and Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 165.
The class is held the third Thursday of every month. Contact
the Red Cross at DSN 475-1760, CIV 09641-83-1760 for more
information.
Its naturally relaxing, said Czarnecki. You get to take your top
off, its during the day, theres no emails. Its natural stress relief.
Welcome to Thai Massage
| by Chelsea Bissell,
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs
Spc. Aaron Clark, Bravo Company, Warrior Transition Battalion, paints a Halloween-themed box during Healing Arts, Oct. 15.
SANSUK
in Auerbach
Hot-Stone-Massage
Body-Massage
Herbal-Massage
(= Massage with a stamp of herbs)
Eschenbach
Grafenwhr
A9
Auerbach
Gaissach
military training space
Gmnd
Freihung
Vilseck
Opening Hours: Mo.Fr.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sat.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Untere Vorstadt 9 91275 Auerbach i. d. Oberpfalz

Telephone: 09643/2062662
| Hohenfels
Patricia Hannon, a teacher at Hohenfels Elementary School and breast cancer

survivor, speaks to more than 200 participants at the 5K Breast Cancer Awareness Run in Hohenfels, Oct. 19.
Standing strong
Communally owned enterprise "Hospitals of the county Amberg-Sulzbach"
H ospitals
with human touch

a n d p ro f e s s i o n a l c o m p e t e n c e
As part of the 5K Breast Cancer Awareness Run in Hohenfels,

Oct. 19, Patricia Hannon, a teacher at Hohenfels Elementary
School and breast cancer survivor, gave a speech to more
than 200 participants at the event. The following is an excerpt
from her speech:
Even though I make my living via public speaking every day, I
am actually terrified of speaking publicly to adults.
St. Anna Hospital

Sulzbach - Rosenberg
Nothing I say today will look good on a pink T-shirt. In fact,

Id like to start today with a confession. All those pink gifts
everyone gave me over the past nine months to show solidarity
with the cause -- I had to put them away in a special box, and
theyre only coming out for the first time today.
While going through treatment, they were a reminder to me
of the femininity that I had lost. Once the surgeon cut up my
breast and then my hair fell out, femininity was a concept for
other people to enjoy; it was no longer mine.
St. Johannes Clinic

Auerbach
Its only now, on the other side of treatment, that I can consider
seeing pink as something other than what I am most decidedly
not. I especially like my pink beads; now that the surgeon is
done with me, I certainly wont be getting any at Mardi Gras.
www.kh-as.de
info@kh-as.de
St. Anna Hospital
Sulzbach-Rosenberg
Krankenhausstr. 16
92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg
phone: 0 96 61 / 5 20-0
fax: 0 96 61 / 5 20-2 10
St. Johannes Clinic

Auerbach
Krankenhausstr. 1
91275 Auerbach/OPf.
phone: 0 96 43 / 9 30 - 0
fax: 0 96 43 / 9 30 - 297
Bavarian Times | 8
Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Christopher David, Hohenfels Health Clinic
Furthermore, Im quite sure Im about to disappoint you. I have

no hopeful words today; no uplifting message for you detailing
how cancer was the best thing to ever happen to me.
| Hohenfels
I wasnt at the breast cancer walk in Hohenfels last year. I had

a move scheduled that weekend, and I seemed to be picking
up every little virus that came my way. I was exhausted and
sick yet again. Every weekend seemed to be spent in a futile
attempt to catch up with sleep and laundry.
The littlest things overwhelmed me, and the move loomed large for me. It was that weekend that I realized I could no longer
run a 5K anyhow. At 38, I was officially a shadow of my former
self.
Not that I was passive about this apparent decline in my health.
I ran regularly, I didnt smoke, rarely drank, and ate a very
healthful diet. Over the course of five years, I saw doctors
on three different continents looking for answers to my weak
immune system and girly problems.
I ate brown rice, loads of fruit and veg, lentils, and oats every
day. I discovered running about two years previous and had
lost 20 pounds.
The doctors, using their best diagnostics and experience,
said early menopause. One doctor in Japan told me I had too
much fire. I smiled and told him he didnt know the half of it.
They all told me to relax, stop working so hard, and to wash
my hands. They did their best, based on their diagnostics and
my family history. They understood I was miserable, however,
both doctor and patient understood their diagnostic limitations.
I was simply coming of age, I told myself. My lumpy breasts

were only another Bat Mitzvah gift, much like a good brisket
recipe. But this lump was different. It was hard. I could feel
the ragged edges on the lump, and it hurt.
Being a modern girl, I naturally consulted my girlfriends and
Google rather than a physician. Thank goodness they had
their heads on straight and Google always imagines the
worst.
I looked to my ladies for the comfort they always provided
and suddenly didnt find it. Are you nuts? my girlfriends
said. Get your rear to a gyno!
I begrudgingly obliged, reminding my girlfriends that I had
my last girly appointment, including a clear breast ultrasound, only sixth months previous.
I felt like a total hypochondriac when I made the appointment
and even more embarrassed when I arrived.
The kindly German physician told me I had breast cancer on
Dec. 17. I had just had my 39th birthday. I had told everyone
that it was my last birthday that year, as I didnt plan on
celebrating my 40th.
Now, I hoped that my words hadnt been prophetic and my
39th birthday truly had not been my last.
The language barrier provided some comic relief in the early
days. When I met my breast cancer doctor, he had these
sage words of comfort: Frau Hannon, this will not kill you.
You will just wish you were dead for about six months.
It was this weekend, one year ago, that I found a lump.

I told myself it was just a benign cyst, like many I had had
before. I come from a long line of lumpy, shelf-bosomed Jewish women. Many of my aunts and great-aunts had the same
scares. It was just my turn.
Americans often choose to describe Germans as stoic, and

my analysis would probably not have been any different 10
months ago.
Going to chemo for the first time was scarier than the mater-
Gynaecology & Obstetrics Tricare Primary Care Provider

Dieter Erlbeck Dr. Barbara Lermann Anke Gro Michaela Nrnberger Natalia Neijco Dr. Judith Netz (AiW)
Im Naabtalpark 2-4
93133 Burglengenfeld
Phone: 09471/702620
Dr.-Boecale-Strae 3
92331 Parsberg
Phone: 09492/6001938
Klosterstrae 28
92421 Schwandorf
Phone: 09431/21366
Unterer Markt 3
92507 Nabburg
Phone: 09433/242949
Patient Appointments: 09471/702620 or per mail: ramona.kraus@villavitalis.info

website: www.villavitalis.info
Prenatal diagnostic
3 + 4 D ultra sound
NT measurement
fetal echo cardiography
first trimester screening
high risk pregnancy

cesarean sections
mamma sonogram (breast imaging)
mammography
cycle and hormondiagnostics

midwives office
oncology
urology dynamics
sterility therapy
attending physicans at the Burglengenfeld hospital - medical consultants (operations) at the Amberg hospital an the breast center Amberg a.T. nach 19 Bo
| Hohenfels
nity ward, my only other experience with hospitals. Previously, I had walked into the hospital to bring forth new life.
condescension. I made a promise to myself that if I made it

through this, I would aspire to be more like her.
Now, the sole purpose was death, albeit on a controlled, cellular level.
And this is what Id like to tell anyone listening today: If you

truly wish to help someone in crisis, be like the pudding lady.
I was about to meet the head oncologist, the doctor whose

goal it was to kill a part of me while making sure not to kill me
too much. As the automatic doors opened, I steeled my resolve and reminded myself that I should not expect any warmth
or even kindness from my host nation caregivers.
Its not enough to be surrounded by services or people who

want to help. Truly helping means making a connection, even
with people that might be a world apart. You can give people
a choice on how you will help them, but help them you must.
Imagine my surprise when I found one of the friendliest, most

sincere places Ive ever had the pleasure to visit. It was full of
bawdy laughter.
I was shocked. Why were people looking me in the eye? Why
were they asking me to look at pictures of my children? Why
were even the other patients willing to get so involved?
One would think that in the chemo ward, self-preservation and
emotional protection from vulnerability would be everyones
primary objective. It was only after several weeks that I understood: Everyone here had unlocked the secret to life.
Ill share it with you today, free of charge: All that matters is
love, and you can only get it by giving it. And boy, did they
give it.
I especially enjoyed the putz-frau, or cleaning lady.
Im pretty sure it wasnt in her job description, but every few
hours, she would wheel a cart through and ask each of us
which we would like a pudding cup or a yogurt.
I recognized her tactic from years of working with children.
I call it the non-decision decision. She wasnt asking if we
wanted to eat, she was giving a choice with what we would
eat, and eat we must.
She asked every time with such kindness and sincerity, as
if I was the one doing her the favor that I didnt feel a hint of
After two surgeries, 16 rounds of chemo, and 33 radiation

treatments, I feel the same things today, coming out of cancer, that I did going in: no regrets and lots of gratitude.
My husband and I had already gotten our midlife existential
crisis out of the way. Thats why I was here in Hohenfels, working for DODDS. I didnt hold any regrets about leaving academia. We were already living our lives as we had dreamed
of doing.
In cancer, I didnt find any inspiration to live every moment
in the present; that was a lesson I had been lucky enough to
learn previously.
The gratitude, however, was and remains ramped up in my
life.
When people assumed my tears were from frustration, fear
or pain, their genesis was and is most likely still gratitude.
I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed by the outpouring
of kindness by my administrators, colleagues, friends, family
and students. They all showed me kindness and treated me
with dignity and care.
Id like to give you an example. The day before my second
chemo treatment, when my hair fell out and I felt conspicuous
wearing a scarf, I arrived at school to find many members of
the faculty wearing head-scarves, silently going about their
business.
There was never any condescension, only love and dignity.
Dr. med. Tobias Riedl

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Prenatal Care / Prenatal Diagnosis
www.facebook.com/riedl.obgyn
Tricare Provider
Rossmarkt 13
92224 Amberg
www.dr-riedl.com
mail@dr-riedl.com
Phone 09621/ 23915
| Hohenfels
My bosses, Mr. (Olaf) Zwicker and Mrs. (Ester) Harrison,

showed me kindness by making sure I had whatever I needed
to get the job done and that my students were looked after
by a consistent and loving substitute. My friends arrived with
meals, child care and cookies.
They laughed with me through chemo and made sure to ring
the phone when I least wanted to talk, which turned out to be
when I needed it most.
They brought chocolate, flowers and Cinnabons to my home.
Im humbled and inspired by them every day and I only hope
to pay forward their kindness in my years to come.
Another area where I feel gratitude is my health care. I feel
especially fortunate to have received cancer treatment in a
European country.
When one is looking to find their way, it is often best to get

lost. This is why I believe in and heartily endorse world travel.
The Japanese have a wonderful tradition. When they repair
something that is chipped or cracked, they do so with gold or
another beautiful decorative element. They do not try to cover
the scars, but instead highlight and thus sanctify them.
It is the fight in and of itself that is beautiful and worth honoring. Many of you are walking or running today to honor
someone who struggled and fought.
So, today, together, let us celebrate the fact that there is honor
and wisdom in the chips, cracks and scars of our human porcelain. As a breast cancer survivor, and on behalf of all cancer
patients, I thank you.
Despite what the pundits, lobbyists and talking heads would

have us believe, the rest of the world is not waiting for the
invention of aspirin. My treatment in Amberg would be rivaled
only in the top hospitals of the States, and was expertly supplemented and supported by the Hohenfels Clinic.
| by Patricia Hannon,
Hohenfels Elementary School
No less than eight highly qualified physicians, each experts

in their field, gave me their all. My standing here today is as
much their win as it is mine.
When I look out at a sea of pink-clad women, marching for a
health care cause, I would be remiss if I didnt pay homage to
the women who came before us.
Our mothers burned their bras hoping for equality in health
care. Rosalyn Carter and Betty Ford spoke out, giving the euphemistic long struggle with illness an actual name. The Komen Foundation allowed womens issues to finally become
breast cancer.
I only hope that we can honor their passions for social justice
by having clear, meaningful dialogue about whats best for women, absent of both social stigma and profit incentives during
these turbulent times of high stakes in womens health care.
Prof. Dr. med. Theodor Klotz, MPH

Clinic for Urology, Andrology and Pediatric Urology
Kliniken Nordoberpfalz AG
Tricare
Provider
Treatments/Services:
Prostate Cancer Prevention

Vasectomy
Vasovasostomy
Aging Male
Erectile Dysfunction
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia
Lower Urinary Tract
Symptoms
Hi everybody,
are you looking
for activities
for Kids or yourself?
My name is Sabine Ludewig, im an
occupational therapist, riding therapist and
riding coach.
Some of my offers are pony activities for
babys 8 month, toddlers and older Kids
Riding lessons for children and adults, riding
therapy, kids fun camps, birthday parties and
many more.
Looking forward meeting you!
Sabine Ludewig
Schwand 6
92711 Parkstein-Schwand
Cell: 0176-84259157
s.ludewig79@googlemail.
com
www.therapeutischesreiten-ludewig.de
www.greenvalleyranchschwand.de
Opening Hours:
MondayThursday
Friday
8 a.m.4 p.m.
8 a.m.2.30 p.m.
Sllnerstrae 16 92637 Weiden

Phone: 0961-303-3302 Fax: 0961-303-4405
| Vilseck
Kathy Aydt, deputy garrison commander, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, addresses a group of 20 supervisors from the garrisons Directorate of Public Works during an
employee-initiated Local National Workforce Transformation briefing on Rose Barracks, Oct. 31.
Touching base
VILSECK, Germany Its not common, especially amid the current fiscal situation, for employees to generate more work for
themselves.
But thats exactly what local national employees Hans Dumbach,
Ulli Pfosch and Marga Boese did recently.
Photo Credit: Jeremy S. Buddemeier, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs
The trio planned, coordinated and administered two Local National Workforce Transformation briefings for more than 60 LN
employees at Tower Barracks and Rose Barracks, Oct. 30-31.
The primary goal of the briefings was to ensure fellow LNs have
the opportunity to speak up and contribute to making the garrison a better place to work, and to equip leaders with the right
tools to manage their workforce.
We realized that the LN workforce needs to hear from fellow
LNs where we stand on transformation, what we can do to cope
with the current situation, and how our role working for the U.S.
Army will change in the future, said Dumbach, a Workforce Development specialist at U.S. Army Garrison Bavarias Directorate
of Human Resources.
As the Directorate of Public Works employs a majority of local
nationals at the garrison, Dumbach said it made sense to brief
DPW supervisors first, and have them push the information out
to their employees.
We have to figure out how we can do less, better, but we have to

do that with a deliberate process, and thats where you all come
in, Aydt said to the 20 supervisors in the audience.
She explained the long-term transformation plan for enduring
garrisons in Europe, along with the realities associated with working in a fiscally constrained environment.
The leaders realize we have set expectations up here, but our
purse strings are down here, she said, motioning in the air to
depict the disparity.
Following her briefing, Aydt fielded questions from the audience.
Several of the supervisors questions centered on ways to communicate better with customers about the services DPW provides.
We have to establish what we do in policy so that we can shape
(customers) expectations, Aydt said.
After the question-and-answer session, Dumbach, along with
Pfosch and Boese, who serve as the chief of manpower, USAG
Bavarias DHR, and management-employee relations specialist
at Grafenwoehrs Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, respectively, briefed supervisors on topics such as motivation, team
development, work assignment, conflict management and resiliency.
The next session will be held in Hohenfels, Nov. 4, with another
session planned for the Garmisch community in the near future.
Its important that we have a dialogue with you and give you the
tools to get through challenges that lie ahead, Aydt said.
The plan is to hold briefings for supervisors for the rest of the
garrisons directorates throughout November and December.
Kathy Aydt, deputy garrison commander, USAG Bavaria, opened
the Oct. 31 session at the Multipurpose Room on Rose Barracks.
| by Jeremy S. Buddemeier,
Bavarian Times | 12
| Hohenfels
From right: American Idol finalist Phil

Stacey and Trevor Hager share some
songs at Hohenfels Club Beyond as
part of Anti-Bullying Month, recently.
Phil Stacey croons some tunes at Hohenfels

Stacey said he enjoyed hanging out before the show and getting
to meet many of the Club Beyond youth members.
Staceys song Be good to each other was picked to be part of

the National Bullying Awareness Campaign.
These kids here are special, he said. Im going around talking

bully awareness -- these kids are amazing to each other. They
treat each other with such incredible dignity and respect. This
is more like a congratulations you guys are awesome show.
I feel my job as a singer is part of my job as a human being. Im

supposed to be touching other peoples lives, doing the best I
can to be a positive force in the world, Stacey said.
Stacey has toured with the likes of Taylor Swift and Trace Adkins, but his down-to-earth demeanor earned him many fans at
Hohenfels.
As a Navy veteran, Stacey said he has a passion for the military

community, and was thrilled to be asked to tour across Europe
by Club Beyond and interact with military children.
I got to hang out with them a few hours before they actually did
their performance, and theyre so laid back, so funny, so sarcastic and just a great group of guys, said 16-year-old Mikaela
Strange.
Theyre the leaders of tomorrow, he said. I want to inspire

these guys because theyll go home and theyll be leaders. And
when they say Guys, that isnt right to treat people with disrespect, people are going to listen to them.
The son of a preacher, Stacey grew up in a musical family and

has been singing his whole life.
Music was a way of coming out of my shell, he said.
Known primarily as a contemporary Christian performer, Stacey

said the issue of bullying crosses all denominational boundaries.
No matter what your religious affiliation, or even if you have
none, bully awareness is something we need to talk about, he
said. The problem today is there are more fierce consequences
(to bullying.) Lots of suicides, drug addiction -- because they get
home from school and they see it online.
Stacey sang lead vocals in the Navy Band Southeast, but his
musical career really took off when he missed a friends wedding
while deployed.
He said the only way hed forgive me is if I auditioned for America Idol, Stacey said.
YOUR SPECIAL DEPARTMENT FOR INDIVIDUAL

WISHES AROUND YOUR FURNISHING!
Enormous selection on antique furniture

We restore your own furniture and antiques
Special manufacturing of furniture on request
in new or antique wood
New in our program: Clocks, lamps and a large

variety of small antiques and knick-knacks
Please stop by and visit our display
over 1000 antique furniture available
Schnficht 9 95703 Plberg (near Grafenwoehr post) Phone 09637/470 Fax 09637/1040
www.antikhof-schoenficht.de E-Mail: info@antikhof-schoenficht.de
A N T I K H O F
Photo Credit: Mark Iacampo, U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels Public Affairs
HOHENFELS, Germany Hohenfels Club Beyond welcomed

former American Idol finalist and Navy veteran Phil Stacey for
a free community concert as part of Octobers National AntiBullying Month, recently.
SCHNFICHT
One of 103,000 other hopeful contestants, Stacey waited in line

for 13 hours for his chance to perform. While there, his wife gave
birth, and Stacey said that made all the difference.
Its not about how well you sing, you need a great story, he
said. There were weeks when I was terrible, and people would
vote me through. I guess they were like, Yeah, he just had a
baby, he needs a job.
It was more than a story, though, that carried Stacey through to
the top five of the competition, and he has the record deals to
prove it.
His first album, the self-titled Phil Stacey peaked at number 8
on U.S. Billboards Top Country Albums. His latest album, Into
the Light, reached the 27th spot on U.S. Billboards Top Christian Albums.
Im very fortunate, he said. I love my life.
For Stacey, though, its not about the glitz and glamour.
I just did a stadium show just last week, he said. But I could
get paid $25,000 for a show and it wouldnt be as rewarding as
being with these kids.
Stacey said he also wanted to help draw attention to Club Beyond, the chapel based, community focused program sponsored
by military chaplains as part of the overall Command Religious
Program.
Its a wonderful organization. Sometimes we all need people
to lean on, we need people around us who care about us, and
theyre here. Theyre available for the people in the community
and I want to encourage families to take advantage of their presence, Stacey said.
Students have come in and told us its like family here, that
they can be themselves and its a different atmosphere than they
find anywhere else, said Michelle Hollenbach, Hohenfels Club
Beyond community director. To know we can create that kind of
community for them is really rewarding.
The show was a huge success with Stacey and fellow performer
Trevor Hager interacting with the crowd, answering questions
and encouraging the audience to sing along.
If you dont know the lyrics just make up random syllables. I did
that for a whole season on American Idol and nobody caught
me, joked Stacey to the crowd.
Through the songs, stories and the discussions, Staceys message and genuine caring shone through.
I really loved his stories, and just coming out of this, I feel like
Im a whole new person, said Strange.
| by Mark Iacampo,
U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels Public Affairs
Bavarian Times | 14
| Grafenwoehr
All Saints Day is a celebrated tradition in Germany and involves visiting the graves of deceased family
members.
All Saints Day a holy tradition

The tradition of All Saints Day, however, remains the celebration of choice for Germans.
The chiming of the church bells signals the souls to release

and community members gather at local cemeteries to pay
their respects.
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwoehr invited community

members to witness this sacrament, Nov. 3, with a visit to the
Haag and Langenbruck cemeteries on the Grafenwoehr Training Area and Rose Barracks, respectively.
But the ceremony is more religion than ghosts and goblins. Its
a tribute to holy deities observed by the Catholic Church and a
time to pay homage to the deceased.
Both towns were displaced when the training area expanded

in 1938-39 and the ceremony will bring former residents and
family members on post for the observance.
On Nov. 1, family members visit the graves of deceased relatives, decorating them with flowers and candles that burn well
into the evening. The candles are said to guide the spirits home.
For more information regarding the celebration, call DSN 4758885, 475-7775 or Civ. 09641-83-8885, 09641-83-7775.
All Saints Day is a public holiday in the states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Rheinland-Pfalz, Nordrhein-Westfalen and
Saarland, and began in the year A.D. 825.
| by Molly Hayden,
Known previously as All Hallows (hallow meaning saint or

holy person), the celebration usually began the day before, or
the eve of hallow, which transformed into the term Halloween.
The Halloween as we know it has no roots in Germany, although the influence of the American community has birthed
pockets of towns that began adopting the ritual of costumes
and trick-or-treating in the 1990s.
The ninth in the Insiders Tips for Auslaender series, which

focuses on ways to make the most of your tour in Bavaria.
Look for articles with this tag and email tips or suggestions to bavariannews@gmail.com.
Computer & SmarthPhone

Reparaturen aller Art.
info@fixx-repair.com
www.fixx-repair.com
Prinz-Ludwig-Str. 20
92637 Weiden
Mobil 0151 - 10 280 440
facebook.com/FixxRepair
Photo Credit: Molly Hayden, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The souls of the dead are said to

walk the earth among the living on All Saints Day, celebrated
the day after Halloween.
| grafenwoehr
Pueschel Wolfgang, USAG Bavaria safety specialist, measures a cars tire tread depth to ensure it can perform in freezing rain or snow.

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany With record high temperatures
experienced throughout the summer in Bavaria, it might be
easy to overlook the fact that the winter months are approaching. The fall season is the perfect time to start preparing your
vehicle for safe winter driving.
Windshield wipers and fluid:

Drivers should ensure their vehicles have a good pair of wipers.
Worn out wipers can be a hazard and are not as effective during rain or snowy conditions. It is also important to switch to a
windshield fluid that will not freeze.
The Automotive Skills Centers have the necessary tools, equipment and the skilled staff to assist you with preparing your
vehicle for winter weather. Several components of a vehicle
should be inspected to make your vehicle winter ready.
Lights:
Be sure all of the lights on your vehicle are in working order.
These include the high beams, headlights, day lights, fog lights,
brake lights and tail lights. Properly functioning lights are important so visibility is not affected. Shop staff can advise drivers on how to clean their headlights and headlight covers if
they are yellowed.
de for
n be ma
ents ca
ays
tm
d
in
ri
o
F
App
ays and
d
s
e
n
d
We
Massages in the
Salt grotto
Classic massages with warming salt
Tires:
From about November through March, when snow is expected, drivers must ensure their vehicles have winter tires or all
season M/S (mud and snow) tires in preparation for snow and
ice-covered roads. Winter tires marked with a snowflake have
treads and a rubber mix that help it grip cold roads better than
all-season tires, especially at temperatures below 44 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Inhalation
Manual lympathic drainages
and much more

Private insurance or self-pay patient
Gift coupons
Herrnstr. 15 below the office of Dr. Rtzel

Amberg | & 0 15 20.418 02 99
Bavarian Times | 16
| Grafenwoehr
All season tires with M/S designation on the side are considered acceptable for winter driving, although
not ideal. While all season tires are
allowed, they still might not protect
the driver from getting a ticket for
not having proper winter tires in the
event of an accident.
Drivers should also check the tread
and air pressure on their tires. These two factors determine how much
traction the tires will have to properly
grip the road.
Antifreeze:
In Bavaria, the temperatures during the winter months frequently drop below freezing. The staff at the Automotive Skills Centers can help you check the concentration of the coolant and
antifreeze. It is important to check this periodically, especially
before the winter months when the coolant requires more antifreeze and less water.
Other components:
Check the battery and voltage regulator and ensure the ignition
and thermostat exhaust system are working appropriately. Verify that the heater and defroster in your vehicle are functioning.
Check the brakes and have them adjusted if necessary. Be
sure to switch the vehicles oil to winter weight oil.
Check the weather conditions:
Throughout the winter months it is important to know what
the driving conditions are before you hit the road. Community
members can check the garrison webpage (www.grafenwoehr.
army.mil) for up to date driving conditions.
nonperishable food in your trunk. Having these items in your

vehicle will keep you safe in the event you are trapped in a
storm for a long time.
In addition, its also a good idea to maintain the gas tank at
least half full at all times.
If you are not sure how to check any of these components on
your vehicle, you can visit the Automotive Skills Center and
have a staff member show you how. You can also join us for our
educational workshops on winterization where we invite you to
bring your vehicle for a day dedicated to getting our vehicles
ready for the winter.
Visit FMWRs webpage (www.grafenwoehr.armymwr.com) or
social media sites for updates on upcoming workshops.
Automotive Skills Centers
Tower Barracks, Bldg. 528 DSN 475-6239, CIV 09641-83-6239
Rose Barracks, Bldg. 711 DSN 476-2521, CIV 09662-83-2521
Hohenfels, Bldg. 392 DSN 466-2690, CIV 09472-83-2690
Garmisch, Bldg. 256 DSN 440-3580, CIV 08821-750-3580
For more information, visit USAG Bavarias Facebook page or
call CIV 09641-83-7623.
If you learn that there will be inclement weather, plan your trip
accordingly and consider whether or not you have to drive. If
driving cannot be avoided, be sure to have an ice scraper and
broom in your car, dress warmly and in layers, keep water and
| by Catalina Victoria,
USAG Bavaria Family and MWR Marketing
: Fresh - Perky - Fruity!
Wernberger Delicatessen
Bruno Koch GmbH&Co KG Kolpingstrae 8 92533 Wernberg-Kblitz

Phone 09604/2238 Fax 09604/3196
www.wernberger-champignons.de
White mushrooms and other cultivated mushrooms,

cowberries, honey and jellies from the Oberpfalz
region you can also buy conveniently online.
Mushrooms
different mixes,
also for pizzas and butcheries
gourmet cowberries
Home-made gourmet cowberries made

from wild Nordic berries
We personally serve you Mon-Thur from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1.30 to 4 p.m. and Fri from 8 to 11 a.m.
Our online store www.wernberger-feinkost.de will be open starting Jan. 1, 2014!
Photo Credit: lassedesignen_Fotolia.com
The treads on a tire control the stopping power of the car. Low tread levels can make a vehicle very dangerous to drive and cause
tires to slide. Be sure tires have a tread depth of at least three
millimeters and make sure they are properly inflated. Check
your spare tire for proper inflation as well.
| garmisch
Aryn Lockhart finishes the final event of the German

Truck Pull Championship strapping a 7.9 ton semitruck to her back during the German Truck Pull
Championship held in Chemnitz, Germany, Oct. 11.
Photo Credit: Ina Hofrichter
Strongwoman squares off with a semi

CHEMNITZ, Germany If you told me seven years ago, Id be
strapping a 7.9-ton semi-truck to my back and pulling it 65 feet,
I am certain I would have looked at you as if you should be
committed.
it, but I found the strongman community to be unique. At first

glance it appeared to be a boys club where men would gather
to train and compete while women were little more than accessories.
But thats exactly what I did, here, for the German Truck Pull
Championship. My husband, Matthias, and I competed in this
two-day event, Oct. 11-12, and I was the sole international athlete in a field of eight women and 23 men.
As I began to train for my first womens competition, however, I

had found a connection to the sport. Soon I found myself wondering how much I could lift and how hard I could train, which
led me to my first truck pull competition.
The competition consisted of three events: truck pull with a

harness and no rope, hand-over-hand truck pull, and truck pull
with rope for a distance of 65 feet. The women pulled a 4.6-ton
truck for the first two events and a 7.9 ton truck for the final
event.
The truck pull is a tough competition; its part strength, part

technique and part endurance.
The men pulled the same 7.9-ton truck for the first and second
events, however, the final event brought them face-to-face with
an 18 wheeler weighing 15 tons.
My husband brought me to this sport. He has been competing
in strongman competitions throughout Germany for 17 years.
When he took me to the first competition, I honestly didnt get
Most of us cant strap a big rig onto our backs and do training.
So, I do the best I can training with weights and any other method that gets close to the effect I want to achieve. If Im lucky,
I may get an opportunity to coordinate one opportunity to borrow a truck to test. Thats it. After that, its all luck.
Before the event started my nerves were jangled. I did not know
if I could finish. I was the smallest athlete at only 5 feet 2 inches. My mind was racing.
What if I came all this way and cant move this truck? I thought.
Every Saturday Factory Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Luckily, I got a dry run before the event and harnessed myself
to the 4.6-ton truck. Low and behold, it moved. Now infused
with a bit more confidence, I took a breath.
I needed to keep my technique and move the truck 65 feet.
Successful, I finished the first event in 48.44 seconds.
The second event was taking that same truck and pulling it
hand over hand toward me for 65 feet. Speed, grip strength and
the ability to pull were crucial to success.
Visit us online at
www.Ranger-Jack.com
Rosenthalstrae 6, 92224 Amberg
Phone 09621-7690-475
Bavarian Times | 18
| Garmisch
Aryn Lockhart, with

husband, Matthias
Martin, prepares for
the hand-over-hand
event. Lockhart completed the round in
43 seconds.
Unfortunately, my only training consisted of pulling our station wagon, which,

as you might imagine, is worlds lighter
than the truck. Again, I worried about
the results, but 43 seconds later, I finished event number two.
That truck dwarfed me like the whale in

front of Jonah. I knew we would have
a harness and rope to pull the truck,
but Id never tested this. It was anyones guess if this metal
mammoth was going to move.
The toughest part was just getting it moving. So, strapped
in, I pulled with all of my might and like molasses, it slowly
began to move. With each successive inch, my forearms burned, my legs wiggled like gelatin.
Editors Note: Lockhart is a senior visual information specialist at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security
Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
| by Aryn Lockhart,
Special to the Bavarian News
I had two voices screaming in my head. The first yelled,

Ugh, just stop its soooooo heavy.
The second voice could hear my competitors, my husband,
and the crowd cheering and screaming, Keep going! Push!
Dont give up!
Fortunately, the second voice won out.
I ran out of time after 75 seconds but went 56 feet. I never
gave up. Competitors, friends and others greeted me with
hugs and cheers, hailing my triumph as I made the final
steps.
I placed fifth in my class and seventh overall that day. Five
women and eight men went to the finals in day two. In the
end, I wanted to do my best, but my placement isnt as important to me as the experience.
Seven years later, I still dread training and going to the gym,
but the competitions and the camaraderie are priceless.
Theres something about the crowd and your competitors
cheering you on. Its not about strategizing and mental
games; its simply the strongest athlete wins.
While I may never have imagined I would strap a 16,000-pound
truck to my back, I am grateful for the opportunity to compete
with such stellar athletes while being stationed in Germany.
19 | Bavarian Times
Discover
the dress
!
s
m
a
e
r
d
r
u
o
y
of
English speaking are welcome
You can call us for an appointment
under 0176 96421211
Mrs. Hayes
Photo Credit: Ina Hofrichter
The last event was pulling a 7.9-ton, 18

wheeler cab for 65 feet. This was the
big time.
| Vilseck
Spouses of deployed 2nd Cavalry Regiment Soldiers are picking up the pace by
exercising their way to Afghanistan. So far theyve logged more than 1,000 miles
by swimming, rowing, running and dancing.
Spouses Walk to Afghanistan

in support of troops
VILSECK, Germany How long does it take to travel from
Rose Barracks to a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan?
The families of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd
Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, are well on their way to finding out.
And when they do, well, theyre turning around and coming
back.
Photo Credit: Courtesy photo
Jasmine Tucker, a family readiness group leader for the unit,

organized a Walk to Afghanistan aimed at inspiring spouses
and families to exercise by collectively walking 3,927 miles,
the distance from Vilseck to Afghanistan and back.
Tucker said. Plus, its getting them a taste for fitness while
doing something active thats not competitive.
Weekly mile contributions have ranged from two to 74 miles.
Always full of energy, Tucker serves as a cheerleader to those
who may be disappointed at their weekly totals.
We have a spouse now that emailed that she only did three
miles. I said, By all means, its better than nothing! She was
able to set goals because of it, said Tucker. You can see the
positive changes because of it.
Tucker said spouses run for their mental and physical health,
for some socialization, but also for love.
But its not limited to walking or running; families are swimming, rowing, pedaling, and even dancing their way downrange.
I think they want to shock their husband when they come

home. They want to look their best for them.
Every Wednesday, families send their weekly miles to Tucker,

who keeps both a running total, and the motivation coming.
In one month, FRG families have put in 1,021 miles. Tucker

says they are well on their way to reaching their goal.
This is Tuckers fifth deployment as a military spouse, and

over those years, she witnessed the impact exercise has on
spouses during a long separation.
And when theyve arrived in Afghanistan, theyll be swimming, rowing, running and dancing their way back.
Its something to pull women and families out of their houses,

so they dont dwell alone and inside during a deployment,
| by Caroline Schaeffer,
Special to the Bavarian News
uality
High Q r Kids
n fo
Fashio
g
ppin
sho )
e
e
%
fr
tax- less 19
(
enced
experi aff
t
sales s
tax-free shopping (less 19%)
just bring form AE Form 215-6B
Phone: 09 61/63 49 18 80
| Grafenwoehr
Child, Youth & School Services is restructuring its childcare fee policy in an effort
to standardize costs of services across the Department of Defense and comply
with the school year 2013-2014 DoD Child Development Program Fee Policy. The
new policy will be implemented on Nov. 1.
CYSS adopts new fee policy

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany Its meant to make things simpler,
but there is always an adjustment period.
DOD-wide fee policy and will apply to anyone enrolled in CYSS

programs.
Child, Youth & School Services is restructuring its childcare fee

policy in an effort to standardize costs of services across the Department of Defense and comply with the school year 2013-2014
DoD Child Development Program Fee Policy. The new policy will
be implemented on Nov. 1.
These changes, which began in 2010, will be finalized by 2015.
The purpose is to align the Armys fee structure with the Department of Defenses, said Anita Payne-Landgraf, chief of U.S.
Army Garrison Bavarias CYSS.
The Army subsidizes fees on a sliding fee scale for every family,
regardless of rank, grade or income, and fees are based on total
family income, or TFI.
TFI, according to Payne-Landgraf, includes all family income
and basic allowance for housing. The calculation is based on
a familys total income, (like the name suggests), for instance
if the spouse works or receives any child support or additional
income.
The familys total income puts them into one of 9 categories,
which determines the rate that family pays. In addition, families
with more than one child receive multiple child discounts.
A letter sent out to parents in early October detailed several
changes within the new policy, including an increase in late payment fees and revised parent participation discount guidelines.
However, the changes will impact families in different ways.
According to Payne-Landgraf, the modifications are very individualized. Its not an across-the-board increase; its more of an
adjustment. DOD will make minor modifications each year until
the standardized cost is met. The end result will be a single
21 | Bavarian Times
Comparatively, military families pay much less for childcare than

they would pay in the private sector. According to ChildCare
Aware of America, the average cost of fulltime childcare for an
infant in 2011 ranges from $4,600 in Mississippi to $15,000 in
Massachusetts, regardless of annual income. The Army Family
paid from $2,832 (annual income under $30,000) to $7,368 (average income over $128,000).
For more information, view the policy letter in the link above or
contact Parent Central Service in Rose Barracks DSN: 476-2760,
CIV: 09662 83 2760, Hohenfels DSN 466-4860, CIV: 09472 83
4860 and Garmisch DSN: 440-2248, CIV: 088217 750 2248.
| by Molly Hayden,
Photo Credit: Courtesy photo
Families can expect to see a slight increase or decrease in fees

with a maximum increase of 18 dollars per child per month.
The fees are being phased in over a period of time to reduce the
impact on families, Payne-Landgraf said.
At to r n e ys - At- L A w
your competent partner regarding all legal issues
Attorneys-At-Law
L.ampert, Dr. Graf & Kollegen
Axel Meixner
Karlsplatz 33, 92676 Eschenbach/Opf.
Phone: 0 96 45-9 18 20-0
email: info.eschenbach@lampert-graf.de
Internet: www.lampert-graf.de
offices in in Bayreuth, Kulmbach and eschenbach: Interdisciplinary problems
are handled by our team. Legal advice and appointments are offered at each of our
locations and in our main office
| Health
Pfc. Maria Clasby, a military police

Soldier with 2nd Platoon, 529th
Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, lets a group
of children get a closer look as
she shares a laugh with them at
the Mannheim Library on Benjamin Franklin Village in Mannheim,
Germany, during the weekly after
school reading program sponsored
by the platoon.
that every year more than 31 million Americans say they suffer
from depression. It can affect men, women, the elderly and even
children.
When you hear about depression, you may think to yourself, I
dont know anyone who is depressed. I will never be depressed.
No one around me will ever be depressed. No one I care about
will be impacted by depression.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrienne Killingsworth, 18th MP Brigade, PAO
According to the figures above, though, your spouse, mother, sister, child, grandparent--or even you--could become depressed.
In addition, depression affects not only the individual who is depressed, but can impact families, friends and coworkers.
Courage to seek help,

laughter offer relief
from depression
Depression is one of the most common medical conditions. It
can affect anyone at any time. This year, the Army is joining
organizations and communities across the nation to raise awareness about the dangers of depression. The Armys theme, The
Courage to Seek Help, emphasizes that depression is one of
the most treatable behavioral health conditions. Getting an early
diagnosis and treatment may help reduce the intensity and duration of depression symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an
estimated one in 10 Americans report depression. This means
SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE
our practice is located only 8 km from Grafenwhr and Netzaberg

Emergencies at any time with previous notication by phone
English speaking staff
Many years of experience and specialization in small animals
V.A.T.form is accepted
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 13:00 pm
16:00 pm to 18:30 pm
by appointments
Address:
Lettenstrae 20
92690 Pressath
Phone 09644/300
Fax 09644/306
It may be hard to believe, but one of the most effective ways to

help yourself or someone you love with depression is with laughter. Laughter is such a powerful, inexpensive and dependable
tool that is always available. Did you know that laughter can ease
stress, pain and sadness? There are many other ways laughter
is good for your health:
Laughter helps make you happy. Laughter increases the
release of endorphins, which are the bodys feel-good chemicals that make you feel well and can even relieve pain.
Laughter helps you relax. The harder you laugh the more
muscles you use in your face, arms, legs and stomach.
Using these large muscle groups increases oxygen flow, so
that your muscles relax more efficiently.
Laughter helps you stay healthy. Laughter decreases stress
hormones, helps protect you against infections like a cold
or the flu, and increases your ability to fight off infections.
Laughter makes you smarter. OK, laughter cannot really
make you smarter, but it can boost your memory and learning ability by increasing important brain activity in your cerebral cortex, which controls your higher functioning (now
you are smarter, right?!).
Consider some ways you can incorporate laughter into your life.
The simplest way is to start with a smile--a smile is the beginning
of laughter, and it is contagious. Another easy way to start on
your path to laughter is to simply make a list of things you are
happy about in your life. Another simple idea is to surround yourself with people who laugh and are playful. If you hear laughter,
move towards it--most often, people are happy to share what
they are laughing about because it gives them the opportunity
to laugh again.
Bavarian Times | 22
Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo illustration by Pfc. Paige Pendleton, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAO
| Health
The Army is joining organizations and communities across the nation to raise awareness about the dangers of
depression. The Armys theme, The Courage to Seek
Help, emphasizes that depression is one of the most
treatable behavioral health
conditions.
Some events are clearly not occasions for laughter, but most life
events do not push you towards either laughter or sadness. Most
events fall into the in-between place of simple, ordinary life--this
gives you the choice to be sad, or the choice to laugh. Although
studies do not show that laughter adds years to your life, there is
evidence that laughter will add life to your years!
For those who feel they need more than laughter to deal with
depression, primary care or behavioral healthcare providers can
provide screening and care. The Department of Defense also
offers anonymous behavioral health assessments for Soldiers,
family members and civilians 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
online at www.militarymentalhealth.org.
| by Judith Woodward,
Registered Nurse, Health Promotion Officer,
U.S. Army Public Health Command
Dentists
at Steinwald
Implantology
Oral surgery
Esthetical dental care
Prophylaxis
Periodontics
High-quality dental prostheses
Laser treatment
Own laboratory
3D-X-rays
Half-sleep anesthesia/sedation for
scared patients
Childrens treatment
Daniel von Knippenberg

MSc. Oral Surgery & Implantation
Sandra von Knippenberg

Dr. Dr. Martin Rupprecht
Nice strong teeth mean quality of life

Altenstdter Str. 2 I 92681 Erbendorf I Phone: 09682 - 855 I www.zahnarzt-erbendorf.de
| Grafenwoehr
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Barnard, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USAG Bavaria, hands 25 commissary gift cards to 1st Sgt. Darrell Vargas, Bravo Company,
Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe, as part of the Holiday Sharing Program in USAG Bavaria, Nov. 14.
Holiday Sharing Program gives Soldiers a boost

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany This holiday season, the Chaplains
Office will donate $24,000 worth of commissary gift cards to Soldiers and families in need in U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.
even single income families with four kids who are just struggling,
are eligible for the program, explained Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Barnard, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USAG Bavaria.
The cards, given in $50 increments, are to help Soldiers with tight
budgets pay for their holiday meals. Twenty to 30 cards will be
given to each battalion in the garrison to disburse.
First sergeants disburse the cards to their Soldiers with little fanfare.
The Holiday Sharing Program has been a fixture in USAG Bavaria

for nearly a decade.
Each year, the Chaplains Office works with everyone from battalion
commanders to company first sergeants to generate a list of Soldiers in need that holiday season.
The criteria for who makes it onto the list varies from family to family. Those with Army Emergency Relief loans, debt, a new baby, or
...when you want the quickest &most reliable shipping, call Worldwide
Were on your side.
Ship Cars and Containers to and from the USA
A lot of folks arent willing to ask for help even though they need
it, so we try to do it discretely, said Barnard.
The first set of cards was handed out today to the Bravo Company,
Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe. Of the 57 Soldiers in the unit,
25 will receive the gift cards this month.
Theyre going through trying times, said 1st Sgt. Darrell Vargas,
Bravo Company, WTB-E.
But, the commissary gift cards will help makes the holidays less
stressful and more enjoyable for his Soldiers.
They will get to celebrate Thanksgiving together and take a little
less out of their pockets, he said. Theyre focusing their vouchers
on food so they can buy gifts for the holidays.
The Service Credit Union is also donating $25,750 in commissary
gift cards in November and December.
| by Chelsea Bissell,
OPENING HOURS: MonFri, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
0800-522-6274 or 800-WSA-SHIP (972-7447)
For a free rate request, please email: info@worldwide-ship.de
Visit our Website: www.worldwide-ship.de
Bavarian Times | 24
| Grafenwoehr
Lt. Col. Kyle Reed, commander of the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, pins an award on the individual winner , Capt. Adam Green, from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
Paratroopers, families run to remember

in 24-hour relay
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany Like a dark, evil cloud, 1,200
came down on him and 29 more. They fought for their lives,
but most of them died in the 173rd Airborne.
These lyrics from Big & Richs tribute The 8th of November,
pays homage to the lives that were lost in Vietnam during Operation Hump, as Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade
were ambushed.
Hantak succeeded, completing 16 laps for a total of 67.2 miles, finishing second in the individual category behind Capt.
Adam Greene from Joint Multinational Readiness Center in
Hohenfels with 71 miles.
On my last deployment, my friend Even Batista died right
in front of me; I am running this for him, Hantak said as he
pointed out scars on his legs from that day last year. I want
to earn a spot in the history of the 173rd.
Forty-eight American Soldiers lost their lives that day.
Each year, for the past seven years, the Running of the Herd
commemorates the 1,805 Soldiers from the 173rd Infantry
Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) that have lost their lives in
conflicts from Vietnam to the present day.
This year, Soldiers and families from both the 1st Squadron
(Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, and the 4th Battalion,
319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, showed their support
by running this 24-hour relay in conjunction with the 173rd
IBCTs event at their headquarters in Vicenza, Italy.
Soldiers and families gathered at Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr to continue the tradition for the seventh annual Running
of the Herd.
Both teams and individuals participated, completing as many
four-mile legs as possible during the 24-hour run that began
Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Hantak of Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion,
319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, set out to beat Sgt.
Derek Stutz individual record of 56 miles from the event at
COP Baraki-Barack in 2012.
25 | Bavarian Times
As many runners ran in honor of their fallen comrades, others

had something different on their minds.
First Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiments Bulldog
Troop commander, Capt. Colin Bair ran for his Army family.
Its all about supporting the team and our family over here.
Unit pride is an important part of what we do every day.
Its about everyone coming together and being a part of something bigger than yourself, said 1st Lt. Virgil Smith 1-91st
Cav. Regt. squadron medical officer, who participated in the
event at COP Baraki-Barack in 2012. Last year we put on our
own event in Afghanistan. Everyone finds a way to commemorate the event no matter the circumstances.
And commemorate they did, running a combined total of more
than 3,000 miles over the 24-hour period that ended on the
anniversary of that fateful day in 1965.
Final results:
Team Winner: B Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field
Artillery Regiment 329 miles
Individual Winner: Capt. Adam Greene, JMRC Hohenfels 71
miles.
| by Laura Reutinger,
Photo Credit: Laura Reutinger, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs
Still, 48 years later, there is proof that paratroopers never forget.
Commissaries will soon begin scanning customers Department of Defense ID cards at checkouts. The
Schweinfurt Commissary at Askren
Manor will begin scanning ID cards
Nov. 19, 2013, and the roll-out should
be complete for every other commissary by mid-January 2014. Both
commissaries at U.S. Army garrisons
Ansbach and Bamberg will also begin scanning ID cards, Nov. 19.
Commissaries to start scanning IDs
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt Public Affairs
Fort Lee, Va. (Nov. 14, 2013) Commissaries will soon begin
scanning customers Department of Defense ID cards during
checkout, as the Defense Commissary Agency continues its
pursuit to deliver a 21st century benefit.
The commissary at Fort Lee, Va., became the first store to scan
ID cards, Oct. 22, as the first part of an agency-wide roll-out
to all stores that began Nov. 10, and will be completed by midJanuary.
The Schweinfurt Commissary at Askren Manor will begin scanning ID cards Nov. 19, said store manager Marie Glaser, and
the roll-out should be complete for every other commissary by
mid-January 2014. According to store director Peter Sloan at
the Ansbach Commissary at Urlas Housing and according to
the assistant store director Evelyn Hairston at the Bamberg
Commissary at Warner Barracks, both commissaries will begin
scanning ID cards Nov. 19, as well.
Commissary shoppers are used to showing their ID cards to
establish their eligibility to use the commissary. By scanning
the ID at checkout, DeCA will no longer need to maintain any
personal information on customers in its computer systems,

such as the system used for customers who write checks.
Scanning will also assist in improving the commissary benefit
for all patrons, according to Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and
CEO.
In addition to verifying customers as authorized commissary
patrons, well gain information that will give us a better understanding of our patrons, allowing the agency to provide the
commissary benefit more effectively and efficiently, Jeu said.
Cross-referenced with other DOD data, the scan data will give
DeCA useful information about patron usage, by military service, along with customer demographics that does not identify
specific personal data of an individual. This will eventually help
the agency identify shopping needs and preferences -- information that is essential in todays retail business environment.
It will also allow more accurate reporting to military services on
commissary usage.
The demographic information DeCA will use is strictly limited
to card ID number, rank, military status, branch of service, age,
household size and ZIP codes of residence and duty station.
DeCA will not be using any personal information such as names, addresses or phone numbers.
The methods, processes and information well use will not
compromise our customers privacy, they can be sure of that,
Jeu said. Were putting technology to work to better understand our customers and ensure the commissary benefit continues to remain relevant to them now and in the future.
Your h
r priority
u
o
s
i
h
lt
ea
Marienstrae 6
92224 Amberg
Phone 09621/15269
Fax 09621/33144
information@san-lange.de
www.sanitaetshaus-lange.de
For more information on ID card scanning, visit DeCAs Frequently Asked Questions page on ID card scanning.
| by Defense Commissary Agency Public Affairs Division
TRICARE Europe
Business Spectrum:
Prostheses insets compression hosiery breast dentures

wheelchairs corsages girdles
Bavarian Times | 26
| Grafenwoehr
The Honorable John B. Emerson, left, U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, and his wife, Kimberly
Emerson, speak with Franz Zeilmann, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public Affairs community relations officer, while
visiting the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, Nov. 8. During his visit of the training area the ambassador
toured military displays and spoke with Soldiers, was briefed by the JMTC commander, training facility directors, and
met with local German politicians and representatives.
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The new U.S. Ambassador to

the Federal Republic of Germany, the Honorable John B.
Emerson, toured the facilities of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, here, Nov. 8.
The ambassador, accompanied by his wife, Kimberly Emerson, and a small group of U.S. consular officials, visited JMTC
to meet with local mayors, JMTC leadership as well as U.S.,
NATO and multinational partner Soldiers training at the Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas in the Bavarian Oberpfalz region of Germany.
I really enjoyed visiting these state-of-the-art military training
facilities, which are the biggest and most modern the U.S.
Army has in the world outside the United States, said Ambassador Emerson.
It was especially great seeing firsthand the realistic and valuable training that JMTC provides to tens of thousands of
NATO and partner Soldiers each year in preparation for deployments to Afghanistan and elsewhere.
27 | Bavarian Times
The Honorable John B. Emerson U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of

Germany, and his wife, Kimberly Emerson, meets and speaks with Brig. Gen.
Walter E. Piatt, far right, and Soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment during a tour
of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, Nov. 8.
I also appreciated talking to local Bavarian mayors and officials and having the opportunity to thank them and the Bavarian people, especially those here in Oberpfalz, for being such
wonderful hosts of American forces and their families for more
than 65 years, said the ambassador. We really value our
partnership and relationship with the German people.
Prior to his departure, Emerson met with a delegation of local
German politicians and regional representatives and spoke
with them about the 7th Army JMTCs relationships with the
surrounding communities, as well as JMTCs long history of
environmental protection and stewardship of its training lands
within Germany.
The 7th Army JMTC is the largest training command outside
the continental United States, providing realistic and relevant
training to U.S. Army, joint service, NATO and allied units, and
is a regular venue for some of the largest training exercises for
U.S. and European forces.
| by 7th U.S. Army Joint Multinational Training Command
Public Affairs
Photo Credit: Michael Beaton, Joint Multinational Training Command Public Affairs (2)
U.S. Ambassador to
Germany tours
Grafenwoehr
Training Area
| Grafenwoehr
From left: Col. James Saenz, commander

of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, and USAG
Bavarias Command Sgt. Maj. William Berrios, uncasing the USAG Bavaria colors with
support from the garrison color guard.
Communitys bootprint is now

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria
Grafenwoehr, Germany In an effort to promote solidarity within the Bavaria Military Community, U.S. Army Garrison
Grafenwoehr officially became U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria at a
designation ceremony, here, Sept. 24, outside the Tower Barracks Headquarters Building.
The event was intimate and dignified with Joachim Herrmann,
Bavarian State Minister of the Interior, Kathleen Marin, region
director, Installation Management Command-Europe, and Brig.
Gen. Walter E. Piatt, commander of the 7th U.S. Army Joint
Multinational Training Command, in attendance.
Col. James Saenz, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria,
and USAG Bavarias Command Sgt. Maj. William Berrios, began by casing the USAG Grafenwoehr colors with support from
the garrison color guard. The casing was immediately followed
by the uncasing of the USAG Bavaria colors.
The transition from USAG Grafenwoehr to USAG Bavaria, said

Marin, is much more than just a name change.
We are enshrining an extraordinary legacy while acknowledging the importance of this community, said Marin. IMCOM Europe is preparing for the future today by consolidating,
divesting and investing right here in Europe.
se, said Saenz. Together, we truly will be the Bavaria Military

Community.
Saenz said the key to success throughout the transformation
lies in the empowerment of leaders and the workforce, stressing quality customer service, communicating best practices
and customer expectations. Ensuring Soldiers needs are
being met, both downrange and at home, is also a top priority.
As you look around, you will see we are enabling the Bavaria
Military Community to be ready and resilient, said Saenz.
While the ceremony sought to bring together garrisons in Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels and Garmisch, it also strengthened international relations.
I would like to say how very grateful I am to members of the
German military and government, as well as our community
neighbors, who took time to celebrate this special day with us,
said Saenz, addressing the German dignitaries in attendance.
Everyones presence here today illustrates the close relationships that we have, and will continue to build. You, too, are part
of the Bavaria Military Community.
Herrmann echoed Saenzs sentiment.
Consolidation not only decreases the space between us, it

decreases our costs, our footprint, and it increases our sustainability, she said.
Col. James Saenz, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, said the transition also reflects how U.S. Army Europe and
IMCOM-Europe are streamlining their organizations into more
efficient support structures for a leaner, more adaptable force.
As we transform, it is imperative that we take deliberate steps
to meet the needs of our community across the entire enterpri-
Bavaria has traditionally enjoyed very close relations with our

American friends. Especially here, at the U.S. installation in
Grafenwoehr, which has been under American administration
for almost 70 years, said Herrmann. We enjoy an excellent
partnership that goes above and beyond just military issues.
| by Molly Hayden,
Bavarian Times | 28
| Grafenwoehr
The soldiers of the German Army and the U.S. Army were impressed by the border facilities. Many of them had never experienced the time when the situation at the border was still
life-threatening.
Mdlareuth The divided village on

the former inner German border
The German Military Representative (GMR) and commander of

German troops stationed at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Lt. Col.
Hans-Joachim Gehrlein had invited his soldiers and local American soldiers on an educational trip to Mdlareuth. Soldiers
and civilians from the office of the GMR, Joint Multinational
Training Command (JMTC), 702d Explosive Ordnance Div., and
the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team took part in the trip
which had been organized by OCS cadet Andre Potzler (GMR).
The American delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Walter E. Piatt,
Commanding General, JMTC.
Ingolf Hermann, a former captain of the East German Border
Patrol gave the visitors a tour of the museum. In the museums
auditorium, Hermann explained the history of the small village
of Mdlareuth, located on the border of Thuringia and Bavaria,
which took a very special turn when Germany and with it the village, were divided. The citizens of Mdlareuth became victims
29 | Bavarian Times
of history when their town was first separated by a wooden

fence and since 1966 by a wall. Speaking English perfectly,
Hermann used photos to explain the construction of the border
facilities and spoke in a very personal way about the fate of the
inhabitants of Little Berlin. During a walk along the small border
creek Tannbach, German and American soldiers saw remnants
of the original wall and the reconstruction of the barricades
in the strip of death. Watch towers, observation facilities, wire
fences with spring guns, mine fields and the wall in the strip
of death impressed and and depressed the mostly young soldiers. Herrmann also talked about the access rules governing
the strip of death, the structural organization of the border patrol, the set up of the American border camps which were formerly staffed by soldiers of the 2d US Cavalry Regiment which
is now stationed in Vilseck on Grafenwoehr Training Area. The
German soldiers, stationed at the military installations of the
Border Brigade, were tasked to secure the inner German and
German-Czech border with additional barricades in the event
of deployment.
The group also visited the museum where vehicles of the former border troops are on display and a U.S. Willys Jeep is
parked next to a Trabant of the NPA. Hermann presented Brig.
Gen. Piatt with a miniature black-red-golden boundary post. Piatt, in turn, presented him with his unit coin that now features
the white and blue Bavarian rhombs.
| by Gerald Morgenstern
Photo Credit: Gerald Morgenstern
Grafenwoehr, Germany The Americans called it Little

Berlin, the divided village Mdlareuth on the former line of demarcation. Here, the American units in the border camps, the
German troops from the military installations along the border
and the border guards of East Germanys National Peoples
Army (NPA) were facing each other. German and American soldiers from Grafenwoehr now patrolled as visitors through the
former strip of death and through the German-German museum.
| Grafenwoehr
The Altenweiher Ursprung spring in the impact area of the training area is an idyllic place and a rare hydro-geological peculiarity. Professor Dr. Holger Wei (left) and postgraduate
student Pablo Borges De Amorim (right) found proof that the gas welling up at the Ursprung comes from the volcanic inner mantle of the Earth. Forest rangers Jochen Scharrer and
Heiko Wei (from right to left) accompanied the scientists on their excursion.
The Earth breathes

at the Ursprung spring
Photo Credit: Gerald Morgenstern
Artesian spring and hydrological peculiarity

in the training area
Grafenwoehr / Vilseck, Germany The Altenweiher Ursprung spring is a diamond in the crown jewel Grafenwoehr,
says Professor Dr. Holger Wei. The environmental scientist presented new geological research results: Gases well up from the
artesian spring in the impact area of the training area which partially come from a magma chamber located approx. 30 kilometers
below ground. This is the first scientific proof of a link to the Eger
Rill which runs east of the Franconian Line.
Wei works for the Helmholtz-Center of Environmental Science in
Leipzig. His cousin Heiko Wei, a forest ranger at Grafenwoehr
Training Area, told him about the hydrological peculiarity at the
Ursprung spring. Following their scientific interest, Wei and his
colleagues determined the isotopic composition of the ascending
gases with the help of isotopic mass spectrometry and compared
it to the gases from springs in the Eger Rill and in Thuringia. Pa-
blo Borges De Amorim, a Brazilian postgraduate student at their

department, used a gas sampling pipe to collect six liters of the
scantily ascending gas above the Ursprung spring.
Wei explained the results of his research to members of the
Federal Forest Office, the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, the U.S.
Armys Joint Multinational Training Command, and other interested guests. Taking part in the research were the famous geologists Dr. Karin Bruer, Dr. Gerhard Strauch and Dr. Reiner Stolberg. Of special interest to the scientists were the two helium
isotopes found in the gas which mainly consists of nitrogen and
carbon dioxide. The ratio measured at the Ursprung spring, so
far has only been found in active volcanic areas.
Wei explained that this breath of the earth of volcanic and sub
volcanic origin in the region had previously only been detected at
the mineral springs and mofettes in the Bohemian spas of Karlsbad, Marienbad and Franzensbad. The springs and mofettes are
directly located above the Eger Rill which features magmatic activity at a depth of 30 kilometers. In Schnbronn in the Vogtland
region, 30 kilometers northwest of Bublak, helium gas from volcanic depths was detected whose iso-chemical composition is very
similar to that of the Altenweiher Ursprung spring.
Wei and the other scientists are certain that the Altenweiher
Ursprung is linked to the gas chambers of the Eger Rill and that
gas is welling up from the inner mantel of the Earth. This is the
first proof of such a gas emanation west of the Franconian Line,
the dividing line between the Old and the New Mountains.
| by Gerald Morgenstern
Bavarian Times | 30
| Law

Therefore, some military families have to face separation and divorce with all of its sad und unpleasant side effects. Some of them
even while they are far away from their home, and maybe even
while they are deployed.
A lot of affected spouses do not know that they have the possibility
to have their family situation reviewed by the German legal system
as long as their last joint residence was within Germany and one
of the spouses is still here.
Although they do not have their home of record in Germany but
physically live here, a lot of them with children, U.S. and German
law allows for divorce cases being taken to the German family
court in the district of residence of the parties involved.
International marriages, including those of American families, can
be divorced by the German legal system because the system refers to the laws of the plaintiffs home country and state, and the
German court system divorces U.S. couples in Germany according to American State Laws.
In many cases, it is a lot easier to get in contact with local authorities, judges in court, social workers and lawyers to discuss the
family situation during a separation and/or seek legal assistance.
The German legal system focuses on the well-being of children of
separated spouses and offers a lot of assistance when husbands
and wives do not get along anymore, and the children are in the
middle of the parents fight over them.
Since German courts close to U.S. military installations, such as

the courts in Weiden, Amberg, Neumarkt and Regensburg, are
aware of and adhere to the special regulations set forth in NATO
Status of Forces Agreement, all service of court paperwork, subpoenas and decisions are in accordance with U.S. military law
and, therefore, are affective and acknowledged in the United States and in Germany. Once a case is filed in one court, it cannot be
filed in another court in Germany, or the United States.
After having been served with court paperwork and subpoenaed
by the German le-gal system, it is mandatory for at least one party
to personally appear in court for a divorce hearing in front of a
judge.
If necessary, and in cases of emergency, judges have the right
to make temporary decisions about physical custody, alimony
and support without a hearing and issue a temporary court order
which is executable and valid until a final decision is made.
In 2009, Germany family law changed. Since then, it is mandatory
to be represented by a lawyer in support and alimony cases, as
it has always been mandatory to have a lawyer file for divorce in
family court.
Since being sued for support and a divorce both have great impact on a spouses personal life and financial situation, a lawyer
can assist and advise the client regarding any legal questions. The
lawyer will also accompany his or her client to all court hearings.
If you are in a similar situation, make sure you do not wait until the
last minute to seek out legal services.
Look for more information on that subject in the next edition of
Bavarian Times.
A lot of social workers are almost fluent in English, and if they

are not, they have a translator to assist them with solving family
problems.
Note: The information in this article is provided for general information only and may not be practical under certain circumstances.
In stressful situations like separations and the arguments associated with them, a lot of spouses appreciate the possibility of personal advice from J.A.G. representatives and, if needed, local lawyers who can take their cases to court and represent them there.
| by Jutta Carrington,
LL.M.
31 | Bavarian Times
Photo Credit: Stauke_Fotolia.com
Nowadays, it is common knowledge that a lot of marriages do not

last forever anymore in todays hectic world.
| Cars & Traffic
Equipping your car with the

right tires in the winter time,
should be a given. In some
countries, they are required
by law.
Other countries, other customs
Photo Credit: djd/Deutsche Versicherungswirtschaft/thx
Winter tires: These rules apply in other European countries

(djd/pt). Nothing works without winter tires. Drivers are responsible for having their cars equipped with the right tires
when the roads are winterly or icy. If you violate that, you will
be fined. Similar rules apply in other European countries. If
you travel with your car to the popular winter sports regions
in Austria, Italy, or Switzerland, you should inform yourself
about the rules and regulations beforehand. Almost every
country has its own set of rules.
Rules in the Alpine Region
In order not to endanger himself and others, every driver
should pay attention to having the right tires on the car in the
winter time, says Stephan Schweda, press spokesperson of
the Association of German Insurers (GDV) in Berlin. With winter tires, you are also safe when traveling abroad. Often, different rules apply regionally. Austria, Switzerland and France,
however, do not have a law that requires cars to be equipped
with winter tires.
Everything for drivers and bikes large selection
Popp-Service KG
THE Bike Specialist
In those countries, winter equipment is required for several

roads, such as country and mountain roads. Cars without
winter equipment are prohibited from traveling on these roads
which is shown by the respective road sign, says Schweda.
Apart from putting snow tires on your car, you should also
carry snow chains in your trunk, especially when traveling
into the Alps. Special rules also apply in Italy: Here, winter
tires may be required for certain roads based on the weather
conditions. In the Aosta Valley, for example, snow tires are
required from October 15 to the middle of April the following
year, explains Stephan Schweda.
Winter tires in the northern countries
Many tourists travel to the north in the winter time. Scandinavia lovers should know that winter tires have been required
by law for quite some time in Norway and Sweden. However,
the law does not apply to tourists. That is different in Finland:
Winter tires and year-round tires are required on all streets.
That also applies to tourists, says Schweda. But not all tires
qualify as winter tires. Tires that meet the criteria are marked
M+S (for slush and snow. To ensure that tires function as
desired, they should at least have a tread depth of four millimeters.
By the way: Many European countries such as the Netherlands, Croatia, Great Britain, Ireland and Poland have not
passed any laws regarding winter tires.
Co
95615 MARKTREDWITZ
Waldershofer Str. 22
Phone: 0 92 31/6 22 62
Fax: 0 92 31/6 24 93
Opening hours:
Nikolausse
Open Hou 3
7 Decembe
r 201
TuesdayFriday 9 a.m.1 p.m. and 2 p.m.6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.1 p.m.
Webpage: www.popp-service.com E-Mail: info@popp-service.com
Bavarian Times | 32
If you practice in your warm garage beforehand, putting on snow chains wont be that
difficult when you have to do it in the cold.
If you drive with the wrong tires in the winter, you are not only careless, you also run the
risk of being haevily fined.
Drive safely
on ice and snow
Rulands. If you slow down traffic, or cause an accident, a significantly higher fine will be imposed on drivers. In Germany, both summer and winter tires must also have a minimum
tread depth of 1.6 millimeters by law.
Tip: Prepare your car

for winter
(djd/pt). If you do not prepare your car on time for winter, you
are not only careless, you also run the risk of being fined.
Since 2010, for example, there has been a law in Germany
that requires cars to be equipped with winter tires on their
car, if the weather demands it.
German law stipulates that only M+S tires, or tires with a
snowflake symbol may be driven on icy roads, snow, slush,
ice or frost. If the police catch you with the wrong kind of
tires, drivers will be fined 40 Euro and get a point in the Flensburg Traffic Registry, explains Bridgestone expert Wilfried
Driving into the mountains: Try out your snow chains in

dry conditions
In the alpine regions, snow chains are required by law on
some roads. Therefore, your car should be quipped with them
when you are driving into the mountains. This also applies to
four-wheel-drive vehicles. Although putting on snow tires isnt
as difficult as it used to be, it does require some practive.
In order not to lose too much time during snow and cold
weather, you should test putting them on at home in the warm
garage, says Rulands, advising a dry run.
When traveling in winter, an ice scraper and a hand broom
should always be on board, and you should carry a lockdeicer in your coat pocket or purse. Waterproof, lined gloves
make snow and ice scraping more comfortable. It helps if
you protect your front and rear windshield with cardboard or
foil. This also protects the windshield wipers, adds Rulands.
eumannundpartner.net
Consultation
Selling
Installation
Repairs
CAR TOPS and SEATS from old to new
Spranger- Specialists for individual interior have almost no limitations.
Consultation Selling Installation Repairs

Am Schnbhl 6 92729 Weiherhammer
Phone 09605/3503 Fax 09605/3554 info@l-spranger.de www.l-spranger.de
car-saddler
upholstery
lettering
planing
awnings
Photo Credit: djd/Bridgestone Deutschland/Steve Mann-Photolia.com
Photo Credit: djd/Bridgestone Deutschland/klickerminth-Photolia.com
| Cars & Traffic
With over
30 Years
Automotive
sales
Experience
to offer
Vilseck Location
Krmreuther Strae 2
D-92249 Vilseck
| Cars & Traffic
The BMW 5 Series Sedan

and BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Athletic ability, efficiency, compulsive allure, and innovations designed to enhance the driving experience: the BMW 5 Series has
always contained the signature ingredients of a best-selling BMW
model. Consistently rising sales figures have fortified its position
as a global leader in its class. Now, for the 2014 model year, another new chapter in this success story is poised to begin. Precise
modifications to the design, the addition of a new inline-6 BMW
Advanced Diesel engine for the Sedan, and even more of available equipment all raise the appeal of the BMW 5 Series family a
notch higher.
Design: Developing the Fives signature sporty character.
Fresh contour lines for the surround of the BMW kidney grille and
redesigned lower air intakes reinforce the sporty appearance of
the 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan. The accentuated width of the rear
end is underlined by an extra crease in the apron, as well as slim,
sharply contoured and therefore more striking rear lights.
The 2014 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo receives a modified front
apron exuding presence and solidity. Its redesigned rear end
creates a longer and lower visual impression. A three-dimensional
surface design for the area around the license plate holder and
a chrome strip in the rear apron add further depth to its dynamic
character.
gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart. US EPA figures will be

available closer to the on-sale date. BMWs xDrive intelligent allwheel drive system is also available on the new 535d Sedan.
The top-of-the-line engine of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan now
features an updated V-8 with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology
and BMWs Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology, developing
a monstrous 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
The 5 Series chassis technology which includes a double-wishbone front axle, integral rear axle and Servotronic variable power
steering function has been honed to deliver an unrivalled balance between sporty performance and ride comfort. The BMW
5 Series Gran Turismo comes with standard air suspension, including automatic self-leveling rear suspension. The Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console is standard on all
models. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are systems
unmatched by other players that can be specified as options.
Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start-Stop functionality, and
ECO PRO mode, the suite of standard-fitted BMW EfficientDyna-
Autohaus
Graser GmbH
Xenon Adaptive headlights are fitted as standard on all 5 Series

models, while Adaptive LED Headlights join the options list for
2014. Elsewhere, the side indicator lights are now integrated into
the exterior mirrors. Also new in the BMW 5 Series are the Luxury
Line and Modern Line, in addition to the popular M Sport choice,
each containing select design and equipment features.
Functionality and desirability at new levels.
New details lend further refinement to the premium impression of
the new BMW 5 Series interior and a new layer of functionality.
The Central Display of the standard iDrive operating system is now
bordered in the Sedan by chrome trim. The storage compartments
and cup holders in the center console of these models now have
increased capacity.
A revised rear section increases the luggage capacity of the new
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo by 2.1 cu-ft to 17.7 cu-ft (European
figures, preliminary). New exterior paint colors, light-alloy wheels,
upholstery colors and interior trim elements for all BMW 5 Series
models enhance their appeal and increase the scope for individualization.
Engines: more power, now with the choice of BMW Advanced
Diesel.
The introduction of the 2014 BMW 5 Series family also heralds an
expansion of its engine range. The BMW 535d has been added
as BMWs latest diesel variant in North America. Its inline-6 BMW
Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology
makes 255 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque from
1,500 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures). Simultaneously, the new
BMW 535d Sedan is expected to show substantial fuel efficiency
35 | Bavarian Times
BMW
Authorized Dealer
Driving pleasure.
COME WELL THROUGH AUTUMN AND WINTER

Do you winterize your BMW with the BMW comprehensive winter
check? In order to drive safely even in wintry road conditions.
The Wintercheck includes:
Fault memory interrogation in the diagnostic system,
check of air filter, oil level, engine, coolant level, power
steering, fuel cooler, brake hoses and lines, etc.
9,90
Vehicle Preparation - Exclusive package:

Car wash with active foam and shine drying, cleaning
the interior, window cleaning inside and outside,
cleaning and care of the instrument panel, etc.
189,00
Special Offer: Wiper Blades

We grant you a discount of 10%
on original BMW wiper blades.
Contact us: Phone 09644 9229-12, www.ah-graser.de

Visit us: Eschenbacher Str. 1, D-92690 Pressath
All prices include 19% VAT.
Offer applies until
December 31th, 2013.
Photo Credit: BMW USA
| Cars & Traffic
mics technologies now also includes a coasting mode (which disengages the powertrain while coasting), and the ECO PRO Route
function, which can be selected via the Navigation system. Additionally, updated aerodynamics is a key factor in the latest advances
made by the engineers in the area of fuel efficiency.
Comfort Access system, which allows the tailgate or trunk to be

opened hands-free, has been extended to include a closing mechanism, which means that a movement of the foot under the rear
apron can now be used to prompt the tailgate to close as well as
open.
More innovative than ever: BMW ConnectedDrive.

The galaxy of innovations on the options list borne by BMW ConnectedDrive technology allows the 2014 BMW 5 Series family to
underline its leadership in the areas of connectivity, infotainment,
convenience, and safety. For example, the function of the optional
In addition, the 2014 BMW 5 Series offers customers a new rearseat entertainment system with tablet-style displays, a Harman
Kardon Surround Sound system and a new version of the ambient
light option with a facility which allows the interior lighting to be
alternated in tone between orange and white.
If you are interested in VOLVO, we are your partner of choice. As one

of the largest Volvo dealers in Bavaria and the metropolitan areas of
Munich, Regensburg and Nrnberg, we have a lot of experience!
Our modern repair shops and our highly qualied personnel
guarantee rst-class, fast and reliable service and repairs.
Sales:
New vehicle sales / VOLVO contractual partner
Pre-owned vehicles (half a year- and one year-old, e.g. business
vehicles from Volvo Car Germany)
VOLVO Select Vehicles -- premium pre-owned vehicles with
extended warranty
Inspected pre-owned vehicles with warranty
attractivee nance and leasing offers
Trade-in of pre-owned vehicles
Chassis and car paint:
Chassis repairs
Car paint work based on modern water-based paint techniques
Small repairs of car paint damages
NEW: Volvo-certied glass repairs
Repairs and auto parts sales:
Air conditioning service

Car wash
Car interior detailing
Professional automotive detailing
Electronic chassis frame measuring
Tire seervice
Car parts sales
Volvo Zentrum Amberg
Mileage combined from 5,3 l/100km10,7 l/100 km.

C02-emissions combined from 139 g/km249 g/km (IAW VO/715/2007/EWG).
*Cash price offer for Volvo XC60 03, 100 kW (136 HP).
Autohaus Hofmann GmbH

Kmmersbrucker Strae 6a, 92224 Amberg
Phone: 09621-78230
info@autohaus-hofmann.org
www.volvo-zentrum-amberg.de
https://www.facebook.com/VolvoHofmann
| Cars & Traffic
The range of BMW ConnectedDrive business solutions and driver

assistance systems is more advanced and richer in variety than
ever. The BMW 5 Series enables a scope of intelligent connectivity
unique in the marketplace, allowing it to set the benchmark for incar use of office applications.
Alongside the globally unrivalled Concierge Service for hotel reservations and a selection of other services, BMW ConnectedDrive
also offers an unusually extensive suite of office functions, including internet-based services. The dictation function, for example,
provides a convenient way of entering text for SMS messages and
emails during a journey. The array of search, travel, office and social media services can be accessed via the cars integrated SIM
card or the customers smartphone.
iDrive4.2: Now with touchpad.
The newly-standard iDrive4.2 Navigation system makes use of an
optimized menu display and allows access to Advanced Real Time
Traffic Information. A new iDrive rotary controller with an integrated
touchpad allows the input of characters for destinations, phone
numbers, and other functions within the iDrive4.2 operating system.
Acclaim: BMW 5 Series top ratings, design awards.
The quality and popularity of the BMW 5 Series are reflected in
the host of prizes and distinctions awarded to the members of
the model family around the world. In early 2013 the BMW 5 Se-
ries secured class victory for the third year in succession in

the readers survey The Best Cars conducted by the German
motoring magazine auto, motor und sport. This success came
not long after the BMW 520d EfficientDynamics Edition with BMW
BluePerformance technology had been voted Car of the Future
and awarded the ADAC automobile associations Yellow Angel.
The BMW 5 Series as a whole had been named Germanys favorite car in the same competition in 2011.
In addition to the red dot award, iF Product Design Award and
Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany, the BMW 5
Series has also picked up a notable collection of international distinctions in recognition of its successful exterior design. Beyond
these, the BMW 5 Series has been voted Car of the Year, Best
Car, Premium Car of the Year, Family Car of the Year and
Executive Car of the Year in various countries.
This broad spread of qualities has been recognized with a swathe
of impressive ratings elsewhere as well. German car journal Auto
Bild crowned the BMW 525d Touring Value Champion 2012 on
account of its high value retention in the used car market. The title
had been awarded to the BMW 520d Sedan the previous year.
And the BMW 5 Series emerged from both the Euro NCAP and
the US NCAP crash tests with the highest rating of five stars. It was
also the first vehicle to achieve a 100 per cent score in the Safety
Assist category of the Euro NCAP crash tests. (BMW USA)
THE EXPERT FOR US-CARS
car repair shop
English speaking staff!

Conrad-Rntgen-Strae 30
92637 Weiden
phone: +49 (0)961/482720
info@schneiders-auto-service.de
Opening Hours:
MondayFriday 08:00 17:00
Saturday
09:00 12:00
Franz Schneider
YOU CAN FIND US HERE!
CONRAD RNTGEN STR 30
| Cars & Traffic
2014 Buick Regal in Ashen Gray exterior color and equipped with 18 wheels, sunroof and driver confidence page l and ll.
2014 Buick Regal Boasts More Power,

Greater Efficiency
The revamped 2014 Buick Regal now arriving in dealerships features the sport sedansmost powerful standard engine ever and
increased fuel efficiency.
Photo Credit: General Motors USA
Producing an SAE-rated 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque

from just two liters of displacement, the Regal has more standard
horsepower and torque than the Acura TSX, Audi A4, Lexus IS
250, Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, Volkswagen CC, and Volvo S60.
The new turbo four-cylinder engine incorporates an improved
twin-scroll turbocharger and a host of other advancements that
result in a smoother, quieter engine with improved power and
efficiency.
When compared with the 2013 Regal Turbo, the new 2.0L Turbo produces 18 percent more horsepower and 13 percent more
torque while delivering more miles per gallon. Equipped with its
six-speed automatic transmission, the 2014 Regal gets an EPAestimated 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, an increase of 3
mpg or 17 percent city economy over the 2013 Regal Turbo.
Power and fuel efficiency are typically mutually exclusive, said
Mike Katerberg, chief powertrain engineer. But with our new
2.0L Turbo, we were able to increase both and create one of the
most torque rich and fuel efficient combinations on the market.
Industriestrae 1
92249 VILSECK
Telephone: 0 96 62/7 00 74 47
Telefax: 0 96 62/7 00 74 48
karosserie.koenig@t-online.de
A Wards 10 Best Engine, debuting in the Cadillac ATS, the new

2.0L Turbo is comprised of about 95 percent new parts compared to the outgoing engine. Both powertrains use a cast aluminum cylinder block and direct fuel injection, but enhanced driving
refinement was the goal of the second-generation 2.0L Turbo.
New design elements and components work harmoniously to enrich performance, efficiency, acoustics and durability. Changes
to the new 2.0L Turbo include:
Relocated balance shafts inside of the oil pan help reduce
noise
A two-stage, variable displacement oil pump now located
inside the oil pan contributes to greater fuel efficiency and
reduced noise
A new two-piece oil pan is constructed of aluminum in the
upper section to promote structural rigidity and stamped
steel in the lower for its acoustic dampening
A new cylinder head design that relocates the intake system/throttle body to the firewall side of the engine compartment and positions the exhaust ports on the forward-facing
section of the engine
Proprietary computational fluid dynamics analysis techniques were used to develop an all-new combustion system
Drive A New Car Every 24 Months

OUR
PROGRAM
HAS EXPANDED!
Purchase a new car today.
Well buy it back from you
in 24 months so you can drive
a brand new model.
Only available at
Ask your Sales Representative for details.
Everything is pre-arranged and hassle-free

Youll keep up with the latest technology
and safety features
You wont have to worry about selling
your car overseas
Second vehicle delivered in Germany or Stateside*
Change Cars While Others Are Changing Tires
GRAFENWHR | Im Gewerbepark 1 | 92655 Grafenwhr

SAM CHILDS | (0 96 41) 92 61 41 | schilds@militarycars.com
*Toyota vehicles available through the Drive New Every 2 Program for delivery in Germany only. Vehicles shown are for illustration only, and
may contain optional equipment available at additional cost. Program and guarantees are subject to terms and conditions. Speak to your
sales representative for details. Offered by Auto Exchange Kraftfahrzeug-Handels -GmbH. (AX 8483 Bavarian Stripes)
IS NOW...
militaryautosource.com
| Cars & Traffic
2014 Buick Regal with Light Neutral interior seating with Cocoa accents is offered with Soleil Keisel leather seats and Rhythm wood dcor.
- We sell new and used cars

- We offer repair service for
most car models
- We perform guarantee work
for VW, Seat, Skoda, Audi
- Accessories, tuning
and tire service
- Car body work
We really strived to not only give the customer great performance, but also a smoother, quieter, and more refined engine, all
essential elements in a Buick, said Katerberg.
- Car rental
isch
Engl ing
k
spea ff
sta
In addition to the new standard turbocharged engine, the 2014

Regal turbo models now offer an available advanced all-wheeldrive system with electronic limited-slip differential and HiPer
Strut front suspension for added performance and drivability in
all types of road conditions.
The new Regal sport sedan also features refreshed exterior and
interior styling. It now comes standard with next-generation IntelliLink connectivity including eight-inch color touch display,
leather-appointed seating surfaces with heated front seats, rear
vision camera, and 18-inch alloy wheels. A suite of active safety
technologies including full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert,
Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert is available. (General Motors USA)
Bavarian Times | 40
- Car Insurance
- TV/AU
Inspection
with a higher compression ratio, which also helped boost

efficiency
Dual continuously variable cam phasing with increased authority to maximize low-speed torque and fuel efficiency
An acoustic intake manifold cover with integrated soundabsorbing blanket for improved noise isolation
Structural front engine and camshaft covers are stiffer and
more rigid, contributing to lower engine noise
Premium features including a forged steel crankshaft and an
inverted-tooth camshaft drive chain that enhance durability
and reduce noise
| Cars & Traffic
The Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne concept embraces the adage that less is more. With this performance-oriented concept of the all-new 2014 Silverado regular cab, a reduced curb
weight and the performance of the new 420-horsepower 6.2L V-8 combine for a strong power-to-weight ratio and exhilarating performance.
Silverado Cheyenne Concept:

Mini Mass, Max Performance
The Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne concept vehicle to be unveiled
at the SEMA Show, embraces the adage that less is more. The
performance-oriented version of the all-new 2014 Silverado regular cab combines a reduced curb weight with the performance
of the new 420-horsepower 6.2L V-8 for a strong power-to-weight
ratio and exhilarating performance.
A lowered ride height, a rear stabilizer bar and Brembo carbon

ceramic brakes complement the Cheyenne concepts high-performance character with enhanced handling and braking capability.
The Cheyenne concept explores the performance possibilities
of the all-new Silverado, which is already built on a mass-efficient
layout and delivers a greater balance of performance and efficiency than any other full-size truck in Chevrolets history, said Chris
Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing.
<RXU GHDOHU IRU DOO

\RXU YHKLFOHrV QHHGV
x
x
The unique lightweight features built into the concept vehicle include carbon fiber replacements for the bumpers, tailgate and inner cargo box, shaving approximately 200 pounds from the 4,503
pounds base curb weight of a 5.3L-equipped Silverado regular
cab with a 66 box.
Cheyenne designers matched the form of the lightweight components with their low-mass function. The carbon fiber front bumper
includes racing-inspired ground effects styling complemented by
carbon body-side ground effects while the carbon fiber tailgate
incorporates a spoiler. The hood features a Camaro Z/28-inspired
extractor vent.
x
x
QHZ DQG XVHG FDUV

RULJLQDO SDUWV DQG DFFHVVRULHV
PDQXIDFWXUHUV ZDUUDQW\
WLUHV DQG ZKHHOV
UHSDLUZRUN DQG SDLQWLQJ
HQJOLVFK VSHDNLQJ VWDII
ZH DFFHSW 9$7 IRUPV
The Camaro Z/28 Brembo carbon ceramic brakes save more

weight because the carbon ceramic-matrix rotors are significantly
Service
41 | Bavarian Times
Nutzfahrzeuge
Rosenberger Str. 59 92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg

Phone: 09661-81480 www.autohaus-meister.com
lighter than conventional steel rotors. On the Camaro Z/28, for example, they save more than 20 pounds and it saves un-sprung
weight, too, which enhances driving performance with more immediate and direct handling. The truck rolls on charcoal-painted
19-inch Camaro Z/28 aluminum wheels and high-performance
tires.
The Cheyenne diet removes the trailer hitch, spare tire, interior
center console and some of the sound-deadening material. The
truck also has a lightweight aluminum driveshaft and composite
rear leaf springs.
Lightweighting is a time-honored method of making the most of
a vehicles performance which Chevrolet has demonstrated time
and again with vehicles like the original 2001 Corvette Z06 and
the 2014 Camaro Z/28, said Perry. And like those vehicles, the
Cheyenne complements its lower weight with more horsepower.
The all-new EcoTec3 6.2L V-8 that powers the concept truck is
rated at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque the most power in the light-duty truck segment. Its unavailable in regularproduction Silverado regular cab models, giving the Cheyenne a
65-horsepower and 77 lb-ft boost over the production 5.3L V-8. A
Borla performance exhaust system adds an authoritative note to
the 6.2Ls output.
What remains is the Silverados production six-speed automatic
transmission, which features hill descent control, as well as fuelsaving electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability
control with hill start assist.
Inside, the Cheyennes performance theme is conveyed with Recaro sport seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel, similar to the
steering wheel offered in the Camaro ZL1. Available safety features, including lane departure warning, front and rear park assist
and a rear-vision camera, enhance safety without detracting from
the trucks performance.
All Silverado models feature a fully boxed frame that serves as
the foundation for their strength and capability. The main rails and
major cross members are formed from high-strength steel, providing a rigid base for maximum hauling capability.
Elements such as high-strength steel in the frame and body
structure are found on all production models, while some also
feature aluminum suspension components, contributing to the
Silverados everyday performance. With the Cheyenne concept,
weve taken the low-mass concept to a new level with exciting
results, Perry said.
It is only a concept right now, but we are continually exploring
new ways to give Silverado customers more.
FAST FACT: Cheyenne was introduced as a premium Chevy truck

trim level in 1971. The name also appeared a futuristic 2003 concept vehicle. (General Motors USA)
Bavarian Times | 42
| Cars & Traffic
2014 Volvo XC90 Earns TOP SAFETY

PICK+ in IIHS Crash Tests
Luxury SUV embodies real-life crashworthiness
and Volvos longtime commitment to safety
In a testament to Volvos longtime commitment to passenger

protection, the 2014 Volvo XC90 luxury SUV earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS), the Institutes top safety award.
testing has addressed these crash scenarios because our

commitment to safety is at the core of our values.
To earn TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must pass a series of

crashworthiness evaluations, including the small overlap front
test a real-life scenario that replicates what happens when
the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object.
Good structural performance in the small overlap front test

Low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of high severity
Side torso and side curtain airbags both deployed.
The XC90s structural performance was good in the small
overlap front test, and the drivers space was maintained well,
said IIHS in a released statement. While many vehicles have
had to undergo significant structural changes to earn good ra-
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

DE CAR-CLEANING
NOT ONLY FOR SHIPPING ...
Regensburger Strae 116 (via Dieselstrae)
92224 Amberg
Phone: 09621 / 75646
Mobile: 0151 / 22807288
E-Mail: contact@car-detailing.de
CAR-DETAILING.DE by KFZ-REINIGUNG-WEIDNER Ltd & Co.KG
Photo Credit: Volvo Cars USA
Small overlap collisions at high speeds are often very severe, noted Adam Kopstein, safety and compliance manager for
Volvo Cars of North America. For decades, Volvos research
In its evaluation of the XC90s performance, IIHS noted:
| Cars & Traffic
tings in the small overlap test, the XC90 has had the same
basic platform since 2003.
We offer:
English speaking staff
qualified, from the manufacturer certified
and low cost repair
we only use original parts
we take care of any insurance claims
we accept Visa and MasterCard
we do accept VAT-form
open:
0 pm
- 6.0 pm
0 am
y: 7.0 am - 12.00
a
id
fr
ay 7.30
mond y:
a
saturd
We are
An all-new XC90 will debut at the end of 2014 and go on sale

in early 2015. It will feature Volvos next-generation safety and
driver-support technologies, including Pedestrian Detection in
Darkness and Road Edge and Barrier Detection with Steer Assist.
In a competitive marketplace where every brand tries to stake
its own claim to safety, Volvo continues to affirm our leadership, said Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO
Tony Nicolosi. We very much appreciate the attention IIHS gives to real-life scenarios such as small overlap collisions and
are proud of the XC90s performance.
The XC90 is the third Volvo model to earn the TOP SAFETY
PICK+ accolade since the Institute began testing for small overlap protection in 2012. The 2013 Volvo S60 luxury sedan and
2013 XC60 crossover each earned the prestigious honor during earlier tests. (Volvo Cars USA)
Am Forst 12 92367 Weiden 0961-38 941 0 www.autohausgeuss.de
Bavarian Times | 44
Photo Credit: Volvo Cars USA
For over 45 years we are a licenced dealer for Volvo

and Landrover cars. We have constantly over 120
used cars in our stock - description in English on our
homepage!
Since its launch, Volvos XC90 luxury SUV has won acclaim
from legions of satisfied customers while receiving many
awards internationally. The XC90 upholds a legacy of safety,
such as its pioneering introduction of the worlds first Roll Stability Control.
Photo Credit: Alexandra Amschler (2)
Animals below the Christmas tree NO

A small puppy for the kids because they would really like to
have a dog. The joy on Christmas Eve will be immense! Unfortunately, that joy wont last very long once the daily routine
starts. Every day, the new family member needs several hours
of activities and attention. It does not matter whether homework needs to be done, whether you are sick ,whether it rains,
storms or snows, whether its Grandmas birthday, or if you
have to stay in the office longer -- they need activities every
day! And soon, the joy of the sweet Christmas present is fading
away. Most of the times, such presents are not well thought
through. Many parents think that the child has to take care of
the dog if he or she wants to have one. But children cannot
bear such a huge responsibility alone, especially since children view dogs as a playmate, or a sibling and not as a responsible top dog. So the parents end up having to do the work
and they soon get pretty upset about the hasty dog purchase.
The Christmas story that started so happily, often ends with the
dog being put in the animal shelter, being abandoned, or being
put up inadequately in a room in the house, knowing no

out, no other dogs, wasting away in the house.
run
Animals are living creatures and cannot be returned if you do

not like them anymore. They are looking forward to their new
home and their new family. They are separated from the mother
and their siblings, have to experience a long car ride, and then
they are put in a box and given away. The new family member
is supposed to be a playmate for the kids, a buddy for dad, and
a snuggler for mom. But such dogs only exist as toys. Every
dog breed, or every dog mix has individual character traits.
It takes a lot of time to make the decision for the right dog.
Unfortunately, most people buy by the looks and do not think
about the consequences.
Being alone in the animal shelter must be awful for these animals, and how abandoned must they feel. It must be horrible for
a puppy to be put in yet another, new family where everything is
different from what the dog was just trying to learn, where everything is different again, other people, kids, and impressions.
Most dogs are overwhelmed by that, become timid, pee into the
apartment, or turn into fear biters.
If your friends tell you about such an idea, tell them about the
fate of many animals and make it clear to them that owning a
dog means having a lot of responsibility. If you would like to
own a dog, sit down with your family after Christmas and take
time to thoroughly plan and talk about buying a dog. Everyone
should be able to voice his or her opinion. Every family member
should agree to making the purchase because the new family
member should feel well and welcome. You should be happy
about your animal every day and smile at him.
| by Alexandra Walberer
Bavarian Times | 46
| Christmas
Extreme Christmas decoration features

70,000 lights
Karl-Heinz Eismann has built an entire zoo out of steel
The self-employed locksmith detected his passion 13 years

ago when he started making animals out of steel which he put
in his garden. And how many are currently out there? Eismann
has to think about the answer and starts counting. The answer
is 25 animals and about 25 trees, including a doe and a stag,
a turtle, a camel, two cows, a penguin, and a cat. He has also
created a snail.
On the first Advent Sunday, the lights, around 70,000, are turned on and burn until Jan. 6, Three Kings Day. After switching
to LEDs, the work got easier. But enough effort was put into the
animals. I need about 50 hours for a large animal. The time it
took to create the entire zoo adds up to about 600 hours, says
the steel artist. And what about the cost for the electricity? Enormous, says Eismann. About 3,000 hours altogether. But
he is willing to pay that price because a lot of visitors come to
Htten who do not want to miss this Christmas special. Especially the kids are excited when they see the all the animals,
some of which even move.
The business man already made the news with his house 15 years ago when he put in his 48-ton-roof structure. But Eismann
is not only interested in steel during the Christmas season.
Steel sculptures are on display in his garden all year round.
47 | Bavarian Times
For Easter its rabbits, in the summer cows and scary ghosts
for Halloween.
Starting Dec. 1, the gigantic sea of lights can be admired from
5 - 9 p.m. and watch the whale wave with its fins. But the spectacle is not only a feast for the eyes, its also a culinary event.
Glhwein and childrens punch are served with bratwurst,
French fries, gyros, coffee and gingerbread, along with musical
entertainment. The profit from this slightly different Advent market goes to the animal shelter in Tirschenreuth and the animal
sanctuary Pegnitz. Viewing the Christmas illumination at Fasanenweg in Htten is free. However, donations for the animal
shelter and the animal sanctuary are welcome.
| by Renate Gradl
Htten. This is not a place in the middle of nowhere. Two elephants can be seen here as well as a whale, a giraffe, and even
Nessie. And when it gets dark, they are starting to glow. When
other people put reindeers in their garden during the Christmas
season, Karl-Heinz Eismann in Htten puts out an entire zoo.
| Christmas
Regional Christmas trees

Every year, Germans put up approximately 25 million Christmas
trees in their living rooms during
the Christmas season.
Many of them come from Denmark and have been on a long
journey before they arrive in our living rooms. Its hard to believe, but many of those trees have already been cut in October.
Christmas trees from the Pressather Tannenland tree farm
offer a great alternative. The trees that are grown there have
been awarded the rating from the Northern Upper Palatinate
Nature Park. It guarantees that the trees are fresh because
trees with that label may not be cut before Nov. 25. Additionally,
they must have been produced in an ecological manner.
If you like, you can reserve your tree by the end of November
and then cut it yourself shortly before Christmas. Hand saws
are available. That way, buying your Christmas tree turns into
an exciting experience for the entire family.
The tree expert also offers a specialty: Shared trees, which are
common in the USA, and a lot of American tree species. Such
as the White Fir, or Colorado Fir with its silvery-blue needles
which is very popular in America, or the Douglas
Fir which features the smell of oranges, the
Fraser Fir, or the blue Alpine Fir from the
Rocky Mountains with its soft needles.
Also available is the Blue Spruce which
grows in many beautiful shapes and
whose original home are the states of
Utah and Colorado.
And which tree is the most beautiful Christmas tree?
Normann Fir
Based on sales figures and with
a market share of more than 50%,
the favorite tree in Germany is
the Caucasian Fir. The natural
home of this fir is the Caucasus. Thats were the seeds
for the trees come from that
are grown on large tree farms
in Denmark and Ireland, from where

they are imported
to Germany. They
make up the largest
share of commercially
grown Christmas trees.
The Caucasian Fir grows fairly evenly,
has soft needles and a dark green color.
The life span of its needles is relatively long.
The disadvantage of these tree is that they grow slowly at first
and later very quickly. Therefore, the distance between the upper branches is usually a bit large. They are also pretty expensive.
White Fir or Colorado Fir
Rocky Mountains are the home of the White Fir or Colorado
Fir. It is not very comman in Europe because it requires a lot
of care.
Its advantages are its beauty and the long life span OF ITS
NEEDLES: It features very long, silvery grey needles. With proper care, it grows bushy and full. Its the ideal tree for hot
rooms, or for families who want the tree to last a long time.
Silver Fir or Noble Fir
The American Northwest is also the home of the Silver Fir.
Based on its price, it places first in the beauty contest. Its bluegreen needles and its evenly leveled branches match its name.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to produce and the percentage of
trees that can be sold is rather low. Its branches are popular
for decorating. The long life span of its needles and its aromatic smell are very well-liked.
Blue Spruce
Based on sales figures, the Blue Spruce is the second most
popular tree. It features beautifully blue needles. However, due
to its pointed needles , it has become less popular over the
past years with those who have to decorate the tree. Its needles have a medium life span. But it remains attractive due to its
low cost.
Bavarian Times | 48
| Christmas
Tips for buying and caring for your tree

The domestic Norway Spruce and the Scots Pine have experienced a tremendous loss in popularity despite the fact that
they are very inexpensive. They grow in our forests but are
usually very delicate and have weak branches.
The Pressather Tannenland is located directly at B299 between
Pressath and Grafenwoehr. A visit is worth your while.
Opening hours, starting at the end of November:
Every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 1.30 5 p.m.
as of 1 December, Monday thru Friday, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, go to www.pressather-tannenland.de
1. Buy a local tree, if possible.

2. Different species have different life spans. The
needles of the Colorado fir have the longest life
period. A silver fir keeps its needles longer than a
Caucasian fir. The latter lasts longer than the Korean fir. The needles of the spruce have the shortest
life span.
3. When storing the tree before putting it up, pay attention to the following: Store the tree in a cold,
wind-protected location to ensure it doesnt dry up
too fast.
4. When putting the tree up in the room, pay attention
to the following: Do not put it up in front of a radiator or a tile oven.
| by Gerhard Hsl
What is the difference between a German

and an American Christmas tree?
Heres what he told us: Compared to Germany and Europe,

where the image of the ideal Christmas tree is mostly influenced by the Caucasian fir and the blue spruce, there is much
more diversity in America. Americans prefer totally cone- or
ball-shaped, extremely full and wide trees. Stem and branches
can hardly be seen. He explains that the reason for that is
the fact that sharing trees is common on the large American
Christmas tree farms. Christmas trees are produced following
that ideal.
All trees are cut with a bushwacker into a cone shape multiple
times during the production process. As a result, the trees develop a uniform, cone-shaped, full appearance - similar to an
artificial tree.
49 | Bavarian Times
There are Christmas tree farms in America where trees are

sprayed with a mix of food coloring and glue in October to give
them a beautiful color and prolong the life of the needles.
| by Gerhard Hsl
upon
o
c
t
n
u
disco
20 % for all
lothes
c
s
n
e
childrtaxx free
However, that treatment is not suited for all types of fir trees.
The Caucasian fir, which is so popular here in Germany, has
difficulties outgrowing trimming at the apical shoot, and develops crooks. Well-suited for trimming are the Fraser fir, which
is very common in the United States, the Douglas fir, or the
Colorado fir.
Meanwhile, Ive grown accustomed to the wishes of U.S. customers, asking me to cut the tree top and top row of the branches. At first, I thought that was a joke and prompted me to ask
again, says Hsl.
Gerhard Hsl, our tree expert from the Pressather Tannenland knows the answer. Many Americans who are stationed at
nearby Grafenwoehr Training Area, are his customers.
Sedanstrae 8 92637 Weiden Phone: 0961-4701520

right across from C&A
| Christmas

Burg Dagestein in Vilseck
December 7 and 8, 2013
The enticing smell of baked apples, punch and bees wax candles fills the air when the booths of the Christmas market line
up at Burg Dagestein. Warm candle light illuminates the wares
of the artisans in the barns. Musicians tune their instruments.
Allow us to get you in the mood for Christmas!
Photo Credit: Adolfine Nitschke
Its that time again on December 7 and 8. Many participants

spoil the visitors with hot beverages smelling like Christmas,
sweet and hearty food. And if you are still looking for a Christmas tree, or something small for the table of presents, you will
find it here. Many clubs and artisans offer their goods for sale
in the courtyard and in the barns. Handcrafted goods, felt and
knit ware, wood and gridiron, mangers with accessories, bee
products, liquors, antlers and everything that has to do with
sheep farming.
Children should bring their wish lists. The Christmas post office
in the courtyard accepts them on both days. They will be sent
to the Christ Child in Himmelstadt where they will be answered.
Light tours in the castles tower will also be offered on that
weekend.
ren from St. Josef kindergarten will be accompanied by St.

Nicholas and the night watchman. After the official opening, St.
Nicholas will present gifts to the kids. .
At 6.30 p.m. Dirty Harry will perform unplugged as a duo. Max
Braun (vocals, keyboard) and Dirty Harry Zawrel (lead-vocals,
guitar, bass) will create a very special atmosphere with a trip
through the history of rock music.
On Sunday, December 8, starting at 2 p.m., the Vilseck Music
Club and the tower brass band from Schlicht will put visitors in
the mood for Christmas. Angels will meet at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m.,
the Christ Child and her angels will distribute small presents.
At 7 p.m., the Vilseck night watchman will provide visitors with
some food for thought on their way home when he reads his
traditional New Years saying.
For more information about the booths and the program, go to
www.vilseck.de.
The market starts on Saturday, December 7 at 4.45 p.m. with a

lantern parade from the market square to the castle. The child-
| by Adolfine Nitschke
Romantic Christmas Market

Dagestein Castle, Vilseck
December 7 and 8, 2013
Saturday 4.45 - 9 p.m.
Sunday 2-7 p.m.
The mouth-watering smell of baked apples, punch and bees wax candles fills the air,
traditionally decorated wooden booths are lined up in the historic bailey, warm candle light illuminates
the wares of the artisans in the barns, musicians are tuning their instruments...
Let us put you in the mood for Christmas!
www.vilseck.de
| Christmas
Mine Christmas at the Maffei Mine

Nitzlbuch. For more than ten years, a group of dedicated volunteers has worked hard to bring an old industrial site back to
life. The booster club Maffei Playsd hass transformed the old
Maffei mine into a site for cultural and other events. Currently,
the historic mine buildings are being renovated. To finance that
work, the club invites everyone to one the most beautiful Christmas market in the region on the second weekend of Advent..
Then, thousands of lights illuminate the former mine south of Auerbach. The Mine Christmas attracts the young and the old with
its special flair below the old shaft towers. The northern-style
booths are snow-covered. Nobody can influence the weather
but thee many volunteers who put this special Christmas market
together every year, have been working hard for weeks to make
a Christmas dream come true. At the entrance, men in historic
miner uniforms welcome you.
Here, you will be looking in vain for the regular merchandise of
other Christmas markets. Hand-made treasures made of wood,
metal, felt and wool can be found just like shimmering Tiffany
objects, incense smokers, or bobbin lace pieces. If you continue
to stroll along through the historic buildings, you will pass by
beautifully decorated booths that offer fine jewelry or precious
liqueurs.
Photo Credit: Sabine Wiesent
Christmas trees sparkle in every empty corner, old machines

are glowing in the candle light. Thousands of lanterns create a
festive atmosphere in the normally bare work area. And there
is something new to discover everywhere. A very special, more
than three-meter high, Christmas pyramid is glowing in the darkness, fire baskets spread flaming warmth and a special delicacy
is brewed in the iron kettles.
For the hot miners fire, a brew of liqueur, fresh juices and lots
of sugar, you will leave behind any Glhwein. With the cups in
their hands, visitors can stroll to the show mine. A mine, built like
an original mine, gives an impression of what work was like underground. Here, you will also find beautifully decorated booths
that glow in the shine of the lights.
And because so much looking around makes people hungry, visitors follow the scent of spicy bratwurst, or try the freshly baked
cream flat-cake from the wooden stove. If you prefer hearty food,
you can try the goulash from the aurochs, or crisply roasted wild
boar from the spear, followed by delicious waffles or fruit spears
51 | Bavarian Times
with chocolate from the Sweet Hut for dessert.

Needless to say, the market also offers a great
entertainment program. Choirs sing classic and
modern songs, the brass band plays Christmas
songs, and the Auerbach Christ Child visits the
kids and St. Nicholas has been seen before as
well. There is a special goblin Christmas for
kids in the basement of the mine shaft building
where they can play, do handicrafts, or listen
to stories.
The Mine Christmas is open on Saturday,
December 7 from 1 to 9 p.m. and on
Sunday, December 8 from 1 to 8 p.m.
On Sunday night, the Mine Christmas
traditionally ends with the miners marching in with their torches and a festive prayer.
Entrance bracelets for the Christmas market can be bought for adults and teens, ages
16 and older, for 2 Euro at the Marhabu book
store in Auerbach. Included in the entrance fee
is a bus transfer, a special service offered by the
organizers. On both days, visitors can use the
shuttle bus service from the ZF parking areas in
Auerbachs Industriegebiet-Sd to Maffei. Follow
the signs Auerbach Sd. Signs lead to various
parking areas in the town of Auerbach. From
there, shuttle busses go to the Christmas market
every 15 minutes.
There is no parking at the Christmas market.
But there are also nice walkways that lead to
the mine. The admission fee of 2 Euro for both
days is only used for the upkeep of the Maffei
museum. A bus transfer is also available from
the Neuhaus train station. For information
about the schedule, call CIV 09643- 204 9573,
or go to www.bergwerksweihnacht.de. For
more information about the events and for the
shuttle bus schedules, go to www.bergwerksweihnacht.de.
| by Sabine Wiesent
| Christmas
Large program at the Upper Palatinate

Advent Market on December 7
German-American Opening
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013,

Grafenwhr market square
Market hours: 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Program:
2 p.m.:
German-American opening with Christ child and childrens choir
of the Grafenwhr Elementary School
Music club Klingende Tne,
Grafenwhr city band, Kaltenbrunn Brass Band,
visit by St. Nicholas, Servant Ruprecht and Santa Claus
(children can take pictures with them)
German-American choir The
Encores
Free horse carriage rides,
manger exhibition and wood carving
Large raffle with many prizes

Large assortment of
Christmas goods
Free childrens carousel
2 p.m. 5 p.m. Military and
Cultural Museum open
The entire population is

cordially invited to attend!
7.
The German-American opening with the Christ Child and the

childrens choir of the Grafenwoehr Mi8ddle School will take
place at 2 p.m. Visitors can listen to the music all afternoon, or
simply enjoy it while Christmas shopping. The music club Klingende Tne and the Grafenwoehr City Band will entertain visitors with Christmas music starting at 3 p.m. St. Nicholas, his
servant Ruprecht and Santa Claus are expected to stop by as
well. Children may take photos with them.
Starting at 5.50 p.m. different styles of music will be played. The
German-American choir The Encores will bring international
flair to the Advent Market and at 7 p.m.. the youth group Starkstrom will play rock music.
The large raffle will be a special attraction again this year. Children can ride the childrens carousel, or take rides in the horse
carriage. Adults can take an extensive stroll over the market, looking for Christmas presents while enjoying culinary delicacies.
The large Christmas manger of the carvers association will be a
special eye catcher. Beautiful mangers and the carvers at work
can be seen at the former AOK building. The Grafenwoehr Culture and Military Museum will be open from 2-5 p.m.
| by Renate Gradl
Bavarian Times | 52
Upper Palatinate Advent market
Grafenwoehr . On Saturday, December 7, the goal is to meet

everyones taste -- and that does not only apply to the palate but
also to entertainment. The Upper Palatinate Advent Market in
Grafenwoehr does not only present a large assortment of Christmas goods but also a colorful entertainment program that will
take place on the stage on the market square.
| Christmas
Christmas music, petting zoo

and castle ring fire
Large Christmas market in Kirchenthumbach

on December 7 and 8
Kirchenthumbach. The Christmas market in Kirchenthumbach takes place on the second weekend of Advent and has
become a tradfition. The market starts on December 7 at 5 p.m.
with a service in the candle-lit church and music by the Kirchenthumbach Dreigesang and the church choir. Afterwards,
booths with culinary delicacies on the romantically illuminated
market square invite visitors to linger. The brass group of the
Kirchenthumbach brass band will play Christmas music. At 9
p.m.. the Kirchenthumbach night watchman will perform with
his tower brass players.
On Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m., the market place will transform

into a city of booths with more than 30 vendors. Many local
clubs and artisans will offer their goods and food and beverages to the visitors. Arts and crafts, extraordinary presents,
books, toys, jewelry, paintings, wood carvings, calendars with
local motifs, mangers and much more will be on sale.
The culinary choices are enticing. Schnitzel sandwiches, pizza,
gyros, French fries, fish, grilled specialties, Christmas cookies,
chocolate covered fruits, Glhwein, castle ring fire, childrens
punch will be on sale. St. Nicholas and the Christ child, who
will distribute presents, will also stop by. Children can ride on
ponies, turn the wheel of fortune, or try their luck with the treasure chest- There will be a petting zoo and the manger will be
put up under the Christmas tree. A punch theater will perform
in the Nussstein cellar.
Market visitors will be entertained all afternoon by a diversified music program. The Kirchenthumbach Brass Band and the
youth group of the brass band will provide atmospheric entertainment. The market ends on -Sunday at 7 p.m.
| by Renate Gradl
53 | Bavarian Times
Amberger
Weihnachtsmarkt
28 th christmas market
at the marketplace in Amberg
From November 28 th
to December 23 th
AY
W EDNESD
MONDAY to
m
p
08.0 0
10.0 0 am to
AY
to SATURD
THURSDAY
m
09.0 0 p
10.0 0 am to
SUNDAY
08.0 0 pm
13.0 0 am to
| Christmas
Angels, petting zoo and Snow Cruizer
Eschenbach holds its 9th Christmas market on December 15

Eschenbach. On Sunday, December 15, a Christmas market
will be held below Eschenbachs town hall. It starts at 1 p.m.
At 3 p.m., the Christ Child, accompanied by two angels, will
read the prologue. Visitors can stroll by the many booths and
warm themselves with Glhwein. Bratwurst and steaks, as well
as sweet delicacies, will also be offered.
During the Christmas market, there will be a large variety of musical entertainment. The Eschenbach City Band and the music
school will play Christmas music. The latter will perform in the
foyer of the bank. The American choir from Netzaberg Middle
School and even St. Nicholas will stop by as well. He will bring
a large bag of sweets which he will distribute among the kids.
Needless to say, there will also be a manger with the Holy Family that can be admired.
This year, the Snow Cruizer will be a special highlight and a
lot of fun for the young and the old. Its a hydraulically moved
snow board on which you have to try and stay as long as you
can, much like electric bull riding. A petting zoo and horse
carriage rides with the Christ Child will be offered for the kids.
Eschenbachs night watchman will officially close the Christmas market at 7.30 p.m. The final musical performance of the
market will be a concert by I Bonifaci at 7 p.m. at the church.
| by Renate Gradl
Amberg
winterly
beautiful!
Historic down town

City tours
City museum
City theater
Air Museum
the market square

Christmas Market on
, 2013
Nov. 28 Dec. 23
hlight
City tours in torc
eater
Ambergs world thinter King
W
e
th
of
n
The autum
14
May 23 - June 9, 20
Air Art Location
Amberg
Tourist-Information
Hallplatz 2, 92224 Amberg
Phone: 09621-10239
Mail: tourismus@amberg.de
www.tourismus.amberg.de
Marktweihnacht in
Kaltenbrunn
Kaltenbrunn. Mit der vierten Auflage der Marktweihnacht
wartet die Vereinsgemeinschaft am Sonntag,22.Dezember
(Vierter Advent) auf. Nach dem Ausfall wegen Regen im letzten
Jahr hoffen die Verantwortlichen diesmal wieder auf passendes Wetter. Erstmals stehen zustzlich fnf neue Holzbuden
der Gemeinde zur Verfgung. Erffnung ist um 16 Uhr auf
dem Marktplatz. Die Vereine wollen die Besucher kulinarisch
verwhnen. Des Weiteren werden Deko- und Tpferartikel verkauft. Zwischen 16 und 17 Uhr geht der Nikolaus mit kleinen
Geschenken durch die Reihen. Posaunen kndigen um 18 Uhr
die Auffhrung der Herbergssuche vor lebender Krippe an. Die
amerikanischen Mitbrger auch aus den Nachbarorten sind
willkommen.
| by Siegfried Bock
Bavarian Times | 54
| Christmas
Christmas time in Weiden
Christmas market from November 28 to December 23

Weiden, Germany The historic Weiden Christmas market,
held around the Old Town Hall from November 28 to December
23, 2013, offers a romantic atmosphere that puts you in the spirit of Christmas. The Christmas market entices visitors with its
glamorous, romantically lighted booths and its many Christmas
goods, embedded into the Old Town with its beautiful Renaissance houses, and located around the Old Town Hall on the
Upper Market.
Traditional Christmas decorations, fluffy knit wear, and many
hand-made goods as well as culinary Christmas delicacies and
sweets will bewitch you. Weidens Christmas market will dazzle all your senses. Enjoy hot Glhwein, gingerbread, candy,
or traditional Christmas tree ornaments. You can also enjoy a

childrens carousel, the manager on the market fountain and
the Christmas pyramid.
Opening hours:
Monday Saturday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. 8 p.m.
Christmas music will be played in the music hut in the middle
of the Christmas market on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to
8 p.m.
| by Pro Weiden
| Christmas
Historic, romantic Christmas Market

at Guteneck Castle
This year, a beautiful historic, romantic Christmas market will
be held for the ninth time at Guteneck Castle near Nabburg.
Let us enchant you and take you back to the Middle Ages
on all four Advent weekends (every Saturday and Sunday,
and on the last two weekends also on Friday). On all days.
a vibrant, diverse medieval market place with ancient craftsmanship is waiting for you:
Woodcarvers making Christmas mangers, torch makers,
blacksmiths, knife sharpeners, felt makers, glass makers,
soap stone carvers, bookbinders, candle makers, leather
punchers, bobbin lace makers, potters, tin makers, carpet
weavers, and many more.
A93 and A6. Leave the highway at the Nabburg exit, heading
towards Oberviechtach until you reach Unteraich. When leaving Unteraich, turn right towards Guteneck. Follow the signs
to the castle. For a fee of 2 you can use the parking lots.
1,000 fortified parking spaces are available for visitors.
Dates:
Saturday, November 30, 2013 and Sunday, December 1, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013 and Sunday, December 8, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013, Saturday, December 14, 2013
and Sunday, December 15, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013, Saturday, December 21, 2013
and Sunday, December 22, 2013
Medieval knights will reenact historical camp life.
Photo Credit: Schloss Guteneck
And various booths will offer culinary delights and beverages.

You can enjoy your food and drink in one of our heated rooms
with a seating capacity of 800 1,000 seats.
Parking lots for cars and busses are available.
Shuttle busses run every 20 minutes from the Nabburg railroad station, Nabburg Nordgauhalle (parking lot) and the
commuter parking area (near exit ramp A93). Shuttle bus tariff: 2 per round trip. If you arrive by train, you can use the
shuttle bus for free from Nabburg railroad station when showing your train ticket. If you arrive by car, you take highways
Fridays from 4 - 8 p.m.

Saturdays from 2 - 8 p.m.
Sundays from 11 a.m. 8 p.m.
Admission Fridays: Adults 3,00

Admission Saturdays: Adults 4,00
Admission Sundays: Adults 5,00
Bus groups of 20 people and more pay 3,00 per person
on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free for
children up to the age of 12.
| by Editorial Department
9th historical, romantic
Christmas
Fair
At the Guteneck Castle
Nabburg / upper Palatinate
1st to 4th Advent Saturday & Sunday

on the 3rd and 4th weekend also on Fridays Open: 4 8 p.m.
WWW.SCHLOSS-GUTENECK.DE
Opening hours: Fridays 4-8 p.m. / Saturdays 2-8 p.m. / Sundays 11 a.m. 8 p.m.
Admission: Fridays 3 / Saturdays 4 / Sundays 5
Bus groups of 20 people and more pay 3 per person on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Free admission for children up to the age of 12
| Christmas

Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg
Every year, thousands of visitors come from around the world to escape into the times of horse carriages, noblemen and court ladies.
Protected by the impressive facade of the palace, the courtyard is
lit by thousands if lights, candles, lanterns and torches, and offers a
lovely decked out village with a colorful market in the middle of the
pre-Christmas season. Traditional artisans, ranging from wood turners and blacksmiths to candle makers, manger carvers, felt makers,
glass makers, basket weavers, potters, brush and broom makers,
or the famous hat maker from the cathedral produce their goods
and unique wares in the Christmassy-decorated wooden booths.
Open fires provide warmth and coziness everywhere in the booth
streets. Glhwein specialties are made over the open fires, ranging
from the Frstenkelch to the Prinzentrunk. There is something for
everyones taste. The extraordinary culinary old Bavarian delicacies
and treats, range from boar on the spit to the old Upper Palatinate
Christmas onion. The elegant Caf in the Court Yard in the East
wing, the oldest part of St. Emmeram Palace, offers rest for tired legs.
Visitors can find new strength for new activities in the cafs cozy
warmth, enjoying coffee and cake, or a good Thurn and Taxis beer.
and the surrounding region create a reflectively pleasurable preChristmas atmosphere. Concerts of internationally-known orchestras, choirs and music groups, theme evenings such as the Original
Old-Bavarian Christmas, The Christmas Story, or the Upper Palatinate Forest Christmas provide sophisticated entertainment daily.
Princess Gloria of Thurn and Taxis and her family often casually join
the visitors. At the end of each market day, Silent Night is played
live from the palace balcony by a trumpet player, followed by a closing fanfare.
The high-quality cultural program plays an important role at the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg.
Every evening, excellent singers and musicians from Regensburg
Group discount: Groups of 10 persons receive a free ticket (9+1)
Admission:
Mon Fri
Sat and Sun
Children (6 16 years)
Handicapped visitors
6,00
7,00
2,00
2,00
Revelers Tariff:
Sun Thurs., starting at 8 p.m.
Fri Sat, starting at 9 p.m.
2,50
2,50
Romantic
Christmas market
with traditional artisans
Experience one of
the most beautiful
Christmas markets
of the world!
at the Thurn and Taxis Palace

in Regensburg
to
r
e
b
m
e
v
o
N
8
2
13
0
2
r
e
b
m
e
c
e
23 D
Opening hours:
Sun to Wed, noon to 10 p.m.
Thur to Sat, noon to 11 p.m.
Contact:
Phone: +49-(0)941-280-2180
www.vs-regensburg.de
www.romantischer-weihnachtsmarkt-thurnundtaxis.de
when you bring this ad you will receive a 0.50 discount on the admission. One ad per person on one entry only!
| Christmas
Christmas market
Regensburg - Neupfarrplatz
The vote of an independent jury placed Regensburgs Christmas market among the ten most beautiful Christmas markets
in the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
Documented for the first time in 1796, Regensburgs Christmas market has a centuries-old tradition, being held on the
Neupfarrplatz. Many artisans such as glass makers, potters,
wood carvers, candle makers and many more offer their
goods to the customers and sometimes even produce them
on location.
Culinary delicacies, especially regional specialties such as
blueberry Glhwein from the Bavarian Forest, or apple Glhwein from the Upper Palatinate fruit orchards are just as
popular as the original Regensburg bratwurst, or the grilled
Regensburg sausages which are eaten in a crispy sandwich
with sweet mustard, horseradish and pickles. Needless to
Regensburger Christmas Market
from November 28 to December 23, 2013

on the Neupfarrplatz daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Thurs./Fri./Sat. until 9 p.m.
Oldest Christmas market in Regensburg
Documented for the first time in 1796, Regensburgs Christmas

market has a centuries-old tradition, being held on the
Neupfarrplatz. Artisans wares and culinary delicacies are
displayed and offered in the Christmassy decorated booths.
The vote of an independent jury placed Regensburgs Christmas
market among the ten most beautiful Christmas markets in the
German-speaking region. Its a great experience for the entire
family.
pening
Largoeveomber 29, 2013
N
Friday,
www.christkindl-regensmarkt.de
say, gingerbread, roasted almonds, roasted chestnuts and

other sweet delicacies will be offered as well.
The festively decorated booths and the Christmassy decorated rides for kids are also very popular.
Almost every day there will be performances by the worldfamous Regensburger Domspatzen boys choir, music
schools, choirs, brass bands and groups from abroad on the
stage. Every Wednesday, St. Nicholas stops by for a visit and
presents sweets to the kids.
The Christmas market takes place from November 28 to December 25 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 9 p.m.
ParAsdvbenet wregekend
first
r 29
, Novembe
from FridayDecember 1
to Sunday,
www.burgenweihnachten.de
ristmas
Castle Ch
Live music
Childrens program
Hand-crafted goods
Christmas treats
and much more!
Arts and Crafts
rg ekend
Lupd Abdu
vent we
secon
ecember 7
Saturday, D , December 8
and Sunday
Organizer: City of Parsberg/market town of Lupburg

together with the Tourism Association
Parsberg/Lupburg and the Castle Christmas team
| Christmas
Eventcalender
Amberg
28 Nov.23 Dec: in 92224 Amberg on Marktplatz. Highlights
are daily live performances on the stage, a horse-drawn carriage and a live nativity scene, as well as a special program
for children. Opening hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun.
1 - 8 p.m.
Ansbach
29 Nov.23 Dec: in 91522 Ansbach on Martin-Luther-Platz
(between the two churches in the historic city center). Opening
hours: Mon. thru Thu. 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Fri. 11 a.m. - 8:30
p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Sun. 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Bad Kissingen
29 Nov.24 Dec: in 97688 Bad Kissingen, on Rathausplatz and
all around the city center. Open Mon. through Sat. 10 a.m. - 8
p.m.; Sun. 1 - 8 p.m. Christmas Eve 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The grand
opening on 29 Nov. starts with a festive torchlight parade with
angels and Nikolaus, leading from the Kurpark to the Market
Place. Bad Kissingen is ca. 27 km / 17 miles NW of Schweinfurt.
Bamberg
28 Nov.23 Dec: 96047 Bamberg on Maximiliansplatz.The origins of Bambergs Christmas Market date back to the beginning of the 19th century. Nowadays, around 50 vendors sell a
variety of Christmas articles along with typical delicacies from
the region, such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) and
Frchtebrot (German fruitcake). 14 & 15 Dec: Historical artisan
market in Bamberg at Schloss Geyerswrth (mansion), Geyerswrthstrae1.
Bayreuth
29 Nov.23 Dec: In 95448 Bayreuth along Maximilianstrae
and on Marktplatz (market place). Over 60 stalls are in this
Budenstadt, offering everything from decorations to food. The
grand opening is Fri 30 Nov. at 5 p.m. Regular opening hours:
Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Berchtesgaden
28 Nov.1 Dec./58 Dec./1215 Dec./1724 Dec./2631
Dec: in 83471 Berchtesgaden on Schlossplatz, 155 km
/ 97 miles SE of Munich. Open daily midday - 8 p.m. Christmas
Eve only 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. After Christmas, the market is open
midday - 6 p.m., on 31 Dec. only from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This lovely Christmas market (only GE) in attracts many visitors each
year with a large number of traditional arts and crafts stalls,
rides in horse-drawn carriages, a Christmas tree labyrinth, petting zoo, live nativity plays, guided tours of the historical city
center; and a tower brass band playing on top of the bell tower
of the Stiftskirche church. A very unique event is the visit of
the Buttnmandl and Kramperl on 05 and 06 December, as
well as the Bllerschieen (gun salutes) in the week before
Christmas Eve, daily at 3 p.m.
Dietenhofen
14 & 15 Dec: in 90599 Dietenhofen, at the Heimatmuseum im
Schloss (museum in the mansion), Schloss-Strae 5, 18 km /
11 miles NE of Ansbach. Saturday: 3-8 p.m. Sunday: 1-7 p.m.
59 | Bavarian Times
Dietfurt
17 Nov: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 35 km / 22 miles SW of Hohenfels. Arts
and crafts market at the Schloss (mansion) at Wildenstein 12. This
market offers a diverse program to its visitors. 24 Nov: midday:
Christmas in a Barn and arts and crafts market at the historic
Gasthof Stirzer, Hauptstrae 45. 12 - 15 Dec: in 92345 Dietfurt
on the Marktplatz and held around the famous Chinesenbrunnen,
the fountain in the town center. Varying daily entertainment with
Alphorn blowers, childrens theater, Nikolaus and Christkind.
Dresden
27 Nov. - 24 Dec: Striezelmarkt in 01067 Dresden, Schlossplatz
/ Chiaverigasse.
Erlangen
27 Nov.23 Dec: in 91052 Erlangen around the Neustdter Kirchenplatz and Schlossplatz, 25 km / 15 miles north of Nrnberg.
This Christmas market has a distinct medieval touch, with jugglers, musicians and buffoons. In addition, a fire show attracts all
visitors every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9
p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Freihung
30 Nov: 4 p.m. in 92271 Freihung, 10 km / 6 miles east of Vilseck,
at the fest site am Harranger.
Frth
28 Nov.23 Dec: in 90762 Frth, 10 km / 6 miles west of Nrnberg, at the Frther Freiheit. There are nearly 50 vendors and a
live manger for the young and young at heart. 6 - 15 Dec: The
Altstadt-Weihnacht in Frth on Waagplatz is highly popular because of its authentic character and its exquisite arts and crafts
goods. And the Christmassy magic continues with brass bands,
choirs, illusionists and the night watchmen.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
30 Nov24 Dec: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.: in 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Richard-Strauss-Platz. The market is open on Christmas
Eve 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Gweinstein
14 & 15 Dec: 2 p.m. in 91327 Gweinstein, in the courtyard
behind the stunning basilica on Balthasar-Neumann-Strae 2,
10 km / 6 miles west of Pottenstein, in the beautiful Frnkische
Schweiz. Dont miss the nativity scenes on display along all the
major roads. Recommended parking: public car park behind Pezoldstrae 24; cemetery car park behind the basilica, at Viktorvon-Scheffel-Strae 5
| Christmas
Hirschau
30 Nov & 1 Dec: in 92249
Hirschau, at the Marktplatz.
Hirschau is ca. 14 km / 9 miles SE of Vilseck. Saturday
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday: 2-7
p.m.
Iphofen
7 & 8 Dec: in 97346 Iphofen,
(ca. 11 km / 7 miles SE of Kitzingen) inner city. Opening
hours: Sat. 3 9 p.m. Sun.
11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Traditional
Christmas market around the
Rathaus (town hall) and the
Kirchplatz (church square).
Mnchen
25 Nov. - 23 Dec: 10:30 a.m. 9 p.m. daily. Christkindlmarkt
am Sendlinger Tor in 80336
Munich at the SendlingerTor- Platz. The gate known
as Sendlinger Tor is gently
illuminated by the small but
unique Christkindlmarkt, with
over 40 stalls selling international goods: nativity scenes
from Tyrol and Peru; elegant
baubles with motifs of Austrian Empress Elisabeth (very
popular in Germany) and Bavarian King Ludwig II; Indian
crafts; and much more.
Neustadt an der Waldnaab
1 Dec: 2 - 6 p.m.: in 92660
Neustadt an der Waldnaab,
on Stadtplatz. This Neustadt
is just north of Weiden.
Nrnberg
29 Nov.24 Dec: Christkindlesmarkt in 90403 Nrnberg. All details in English
are available online. The
Christmas Market hours on
29 Nov are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. At
5:30 p.m. is the official grand
opening speech. Daily opening hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. On
Christmas Eve, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Lantern Processions to
the castle is 12 Dec. starting
at Kaiserstrae at 5:45 p.m.,
going via the Main Market
Square, past the City Hall
and St. Sebaldus Church up
to the Castle.
Pottenstein
1 Dec: 1 - 8 p.m. in 91278 Pottenstein. Many attractions await
the visitors, but (arguably) the best will be rides in horse-drawn
carriages through the pretty town. Pottenstein is in the beautiful
Frnkische Schweiz.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
29 Nov.23 Dec: Reiterlesmarkt in 91541 Rothenburg on
Marktplatz, on Grner Markt and Kirchplatz. Grand Opening
on 29 Nov., at 5 p.m. on Marktplatz; Opening hours: Sun. Thu. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Every year
Rothenburg transforms into a winter wonderland. Experience
the enchanting atmosphere at the Reiterlesmarkt Christmas
market. This Market dates back to the 15th century and is one
of the oldest in Germany. Its name refers to an old Teutonic
legend. Before Christianity, the Teutons believed in a rider who
would take care of a deceased persons soul. While the Teutons were afraid of this mystic figure, people in the middle ages
changed their attitude towards this rider, eagerly expecting him
to appear because they saw him as a friendly messenger who
brought gifts to all men on earth. A painting of this famous rider
can be seen on the facade of the city hall. When the market
opens or when the children of the town go on their candlelight
procession, he comes alive again. The Reiterlesmarkt (in English) is always held from last Friday in November to the day
before Christmas Eve.
Schwandorf
Every Thurs.Sun. in Dec: in 92421 Schwandorf on Unterer
Marktplatz, or Lower Market Place. Schwandorf is ca. 45 km
/ 28 miles north of Regensburg. Opening hours: Thursday &
Friday: midday - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday:
midday-8 p.m. 14 & 15 Dec: Oberpflzer Weihnachts-Bauernmarkt in 92421 Schwandorf at the Tierzuchtzentrum, HoherBogen-Str. 10. Local businesses, artisans and farmers have joined forces to organize this traditional, quaint Christmas market
that offers unique and locally produced wares. Open 10 a.m.
- 5 p.m.
Schweinfurt
28 Nov.23 Dec: in 97421 Schweinfurt, Marktplatz. More details should soon be online. There will be a new highlight every
day: visit by the Nrnberger Christkind, Nikolaus (the German
Santa Claus), a Rock Christmas evening, horse-drawn carriages, special Stollen, and much more! On the third advent weekend, an exquisite arts and crafts market is held in the exhibition room of the Altes Rathaus (old city hall). Opening hours:
Monday - Saturday. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sulzbach-Rosenberg
Every Thurs. - Sun. in Dec: in 92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg on
Luitpoldplatz. The market is open Thursday Saturday: 3 - 8
p.m., Sunday: 2 - 8 p.m. Sulzbach-Rosenberg is ca. 20 km /
12.5 miles south of Vilseck.
For more events in your community, find us on the USAG
Bavaria Facebook at www.facebook.com/USAGBavaria or
visit USAG Bavarias website at http://www.grafenwoehr.
army.mil/ and click on the Weekly Newsletter tab.
Bavarian Times | 60
| Travel
Porzellanikon Selb
Due to demonstrations and multimedia presentations, the exhibition is versatile, diversified and descriptive. The department
of technical ceramics is a specialty. An interesting and exciting
presentation provides visitors with a fascinating insight into the
capacity and versatility of a true high-tech material.
Technical ceramics have become an integral part of electronics,
the automotive industry, or other industries. At the Rosenthal-Museum you can take a walk through the history of this world-famous
company, and learn interesting facts about the founder and his
son. Many artists and designers have left their artistic traces in
the products of the past decades. They are a mirror of their time.
Address:
Werner-Schrer-Platz 1
95100 Selb
Phone: 09287-91800-0
Fax: 09287-91800-30
www.porzellanikon.org
info@porzellanikon.org
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. 15 p.m.
and by appointment
Tours by appointment
Kunst,
Technik und
ier Museen
fr museums
Porzellan
Art, technology
andDesign
design| V| Four
porcelain
| by Porzellanikon
Photo Credit: Porzellanikon
The complex and labor-intensive production of the white gold

from past to present is shown at the authentic location, the former
porcelain factory which was founded in 1866. Apart from technoilogy, man plays a decisive role. Therefore, working and living
conditions are also being shown.
Splendour of colours brightness of cultures

An exhibition of contemporary porcelain from Yingge in Taiwan
13 December 2013 to
16 March 2014
Porzellanikon funded by:
Exhibition is funded by:

Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
New Taipei City Yingge
Ceramics Museum
Representation of Taipei in the
Federal Republic of Germany,
Ofce Munich
Opening hours:
Hohenberg
Schirndinger Strae 48 95691 Hohenberg a. d. Eger Phone +49 (0) 92 33. 77 22-11 dpm@porzellanikon.org
www.porzellanikon.org www.facebook.com/porzellanikon
Tuesday to Sunday
10 am - 5 pm
and by appointment,
Tours by appointment (available
also in foreign languages)
| Travel
Danilo Hommel gives a detailed history of Kurt Vonnegut

during his tour in Dresden.
Pilgrims progress:
Finding Vonnegut in Dresden
DRESDEN, Germany If youve never read Kurt Vonneguts

book Slaughterhouse Five let me sum it up for you in three
words -- So it goes.
The story loosely reconstructs Vonneguts time as a World War
II prisoner of war -- with an emphasis on the word loosely.
The satirical novel blends Vonneguts experiences with a science-fiction motif, starring a Soldier named Billy Pilgrim as the
protagonist. Pilgrim sloppily travels through the nonlinear narrative, like a slow-moving bull in a series of China shops, haphazardly creating wakes of negative consequences through
his endless and boring existence.
He is invincible throughout, however, rarely feeling the consequences of his own actions. Simply put, Pilgrim just wont die.
Oh, and hes abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore.
Vonnegut and a handful of other POWs serendipitously survived, housed underground in a former meat locker and slaughterhouse. A placard on the building aptly describes the location
as Schlachthof 5.
Obvious parallels exist between the lives of Pilgrim and Vonnegut. Both were thrown into the Battle of the Bulge soon after
joining the Army; both were immediately taken prisoner behind
German lines and then transferred to a work camp in Dresden.
Unlike Vonnegut, however, Pilgrim begins what the author refers to as shifting.
He jumps through time, living the entirety of his life in random
order. Consequently, he knows when and how his life will end;
he knows his fate and the fate of those in the war.
Pilgrim lives the aftermath of destruction before it happens, yet
remains melancholy.
So it goes.
When Dresden was firebombed on Feb. 13, 1945, much of the
city was destroyed and more than 60,000 citizens perished.
So it goes.
Snow and ice

turn the region around Plberg into a fairytale
world. Regardless whether you like skiing, cross-country skiing or hiking, a vacation in Plberg is a special experience in the winter time as well. We are the home of
manger carving. During the Christmas holidays, you go manger viewing. This year, the
3rd Plberg Manger Walk will be held. Mangers from Plberg are displayed in beautifully decorated windows and can be viewed from thee outside. You run across tradition, old
customs and excellent home-made cooking wherever you go. Tipp: You should definitely
try a Zoigl beer, a beer which is only brewed in our region.
For more info

, go to
www.ploessb
Guest rooms, apartments, vacations on farms certified for babies

and children.
erg.de
| Travel
Slaughterhouse Five (also called

The Childrens Crusade: A DutyDance with Death) is an easy
read, but that doesnt make it simple. Its a disturbingly comedic
endeavor about the inevitability of
war and the effects that follow.
Its the kind of book where much
of the plot lies between the lines,
which, roaming through the streets
of Dresden, is where youll find tour
guide Danilo Hommel.
The tour
Hommel runs the only Kurt Vonnegut-themed tour in the city where
much of the story takes place. For
more than two hours, a small group
of Vonnegut enthusiasts listen to a
brief history of the authors life, followed by a detailed account of the Dresden bombing - why it
happened and the aftermath that followed.
The city offers a suitable background for Hommels liberal storytelling, and the tour takes participants to parts of the city that
might otherwise remain undiscovered.
The tour peaks with a trip to the actual slaughterhouse. The
slaughterhouse itself is merely a drab concrete building, but
worth a view for the sake of paperback nostalgia. It is, after all,
the location that inspired one of the most uniquely poignant war
novels of its time, a tale Vonnegut penned more than 20 years
after he was liberated.
Regardless of your devotion to snarky and historical literature,

Dresden is worth a visit.
After the war, much of the city remained in a state of devastation. Now, it is a rebuilt version of its historic self. The baroque
architecture blends seamlessly with new innovative structures,
creating a unique mix of old and new.
The Elbe River separates the New and Old towns. The New
Town is actually older, as it endured the least bit of destruction
and was rebuilt first. However, it appears newer with its gridlocked rows of concrete, communist-era buildings, tagged with
elaborate works of graffiti.
The Old Town was built with new materials masked by the rubble of its former self to give it that old town feel. The Frauenkirchen, a beautiful church in the center of the Old Town, was
rebuilt meticulously using original pieces placed in the exact
same spots they occupied before the church was leveled.
Reminders of its totalitarian past remain in murals and designs
peppered throughout the city. This, combined with the aforementioned book, reminds tourists of the citys rich and not so
distant past.
63 | Bavarian Times
Across the river from the Old Town, the New Town offers brightly colored buildings and hip art-filled galleries and shops.
Visit Dresden, but if you didnt read Slaughterhouse Five, skip

the tour. Much like this article, you probably wont like it.
So it goes.
| by Molly Hayden,
| Travel
Europes winter sports regions

offer a lot of variety.
On skis into the new year
Winter sports: These destinations pay off in January
Photo Credit: djd/thx
(djd/pt). Along with their good intentions for the new year, many
people wish for a winter vacation that offers an athletic compensation for the weight gained over the holidays. The web
page www.reisemesse.de offers information about where you
can best spend your winter vacation. Just click on Reisestile.
Snow can be guaranteeed in Switzerland and Austria. German
skiing areas, especially those in Bavaria, are popular, especially with families, because they are close by. The Groe Arber mountain in the Bavarian Forest, for example, was given the
Kinderland (childrens World)-Award in 2012.
A lot of variety
Cost and personal fitness play an important role when selecting a vacation destination. Some people are fine with the beginneers slope, others are looking for a downhill run that features a beautiful landscape. If the cost does not matter to you
and you are looking for an athletic challenge, then choose one
of reisemesse.des top three alpine ski areas: First, Les trois
Sand skiing isnt

our business -
Snow skiing is!
Valles, secondly Tignes and Val dIsre in the French part of

the Alps, and thirdly Zermatt in the Swiss canton of Wallis, a
highlight for winteer athletes. Criteria for the selection of these
ski areas, among other things, were the number of ski lifts and
slopes in each town.
Fun for little winteer athletes
If you are not too concerned about the lengths and the levels
of difficulty of the slopes but are looking to spend a nice family
vacation, the Zillertal valley and the nature park region Reutte
in Austria are perfect for you. Small and adult winter sports beginners receive first tips for their downhill run or cross-country
skiing tour. Parents may also go skiing without their kids. If
you contact the local tourist information early, they will book
family-friendly accomodations for you that offer child care. Entertainment is also available at many locations for those days
when you do not want to go skiing. One example is the Fgen
Spa in Zillertal, Austria.
Mehlmeisel
natural
sporty
Planned
fresh
start
season
mber
on Dece 3
01
2
th
13
Gemeinde Mehlmeisel Verkehrsamt

Rathausplatz 95694 Mehlmeisel
Phone 09272-909212 Fax 09272-979-24
Snow-Info: 09272/441
Mehlmeisel Wintersport Oasis in

the Fichtelgebirge
Winter Sports - the Place to be
Modern snow cannons

guarantee snow
3 T-Bar-Lifts with a capacity

of 2750 people/hour
Biggest variety of slopes in

Northern Bavaria.
T
d
T
d
ti
G
U
P
in
| Food & Drink
Christmas Cookies
Recipe tip:
Apricot-Nut-Mountains
(rgz). The second volume of the cook book Natrlich besser

kochen (Healthy Cooking) by Staatl. Fachingen, offers many
recipes to sweeten your Christmas season. Gilthead Royal
on a tomato-basil bed or a vegetarian goulash, for example,
are easier to prepare than you think. Sweet desserts like almond milk rice with filets of oranges and cranberries cause
excitement among amateur cooks and the entire family. The
cook book is available for free in participating stores when
purchasing a case of Fachinger mineral water.
Recipe tip for the Christmas season:

Apricot-Nut-Mountains
Photo Credit: djd/Staatl. Fachingen
Ingredients for approx. 25 cookies:

- 250 grams dried soft apricots, finely diced
- 80 grams cashew nuts, finely chopped
- 75 grams fine oatmeal
- 6 to 7 tablespoons of orange juice
- 25 oblates for baking, 4 centimeters in diameter
- 50 grams white chocolate
- 4 tablespoons pistachios, finely chopped
Preparation:
1. Mix the diced apricots and cashew nuts with the
oatmeal and the orange juice
2. Press a walnut-size amount of dough on the oblates
3. Melt the chocolate in a water bath and apply it
with a brush. Decorate it with pistachios.
Delicious winter recipes such as the Apricot-Nut-Mountains are featured in the

second volume of the Staatl. Fachingen cook book Natrlich besser kochen
(Healthy Cooking).
Bergwirtschaft
Auf dem Mariahilfberg 2 92224 Amberg
Telefon 09621-12248
www.bergwirtschaft-amberg.de
Opening hours, Tuesday through Sunday

9a.m. to 10 p.m.
Home-made cakes,
tarts and cream puffs, also to go!
BruWirt Restaurant and Brewery in Weidens Old Town!
Visit our patio with its beautiful view over the city.
Closed on Mondays.
Traditional dishes and typical Bavarian specialties served fresh from the kitchen
during opening hours. Changing weekly offers and popular monthly promotions.
The
offers high-quality,
home-made
Zoigl
brewed folTraditional dishes
andbrewery
typical Bavarian
specialties served
fresh from
thebeers,
kitchen
the Bavarian
purity
requirements
awarded
with the Gerduring opening lowing
hours. Changing
weekly
offers
and popularand
monthly
promoman DLG food certicate in gold.
tions.
Visit us at the BruWirt
we are looking forward to seeing you!
Gasthausbrauerei Bru Wirt

Unterer Markt 9, 92637 Weiden/Opf
Phone: 0961 48 13 30
info@braeuwirt.de, www.braeuwirt.de
Das Bier, das uns zu Freunden macht

The Erras Family is looking forward to your visit.
| Food & Drink
Serving nougat mousse as your holiday dessert is a delicious alternative to the

classic Mousse au Chocolat.
Festive dessert: Wintermousse Almond Biscuit by Komet, refined with cookie

grumbles.
Delicious Ideas for your Holiday Menu

Fast and easy recipes with a traditional touch
Photo Credit: djd/www.kometpoehle.de
(djd/pt). Good food belongs to Christmas like snow and a

Christmas tree. But a holiday menu usually takes a lot of time.
But do you really want to spend the majority of Christmas Eve
in the kitchen? Better not. If you follow these clever tips, it will
be a relaxing meal for all, to include the cook.
Plan well and save time
Your recipe selections determines how hectic it will get in the
kitchen on Christmas. It is easier to prepare a soup as a starter
than a salad. Serving a carrot-ginger soup, or a potato cream
soup with truffle oil is very suitable for the holidays. A hot starter like that can be prepared the day before and warmed up
on the day of the event. If you are serving meat or venison
as your main course, you can prepare it at 80 degrees centigrade, letting it cook in the oven for several hours. That way,
nothing gets burned, or dries out. That can also be done with
the classic roast goose. If you want to serve fish for Christmas,
firm species such as salmon, sand pike, or haddock are best

for cooking in the oven. Cooking the fish on a bed of filets of
oranges best suits the season. Afterwards, the juice can be
used to create a fine sauce. vegetables can be easily cooked in
a steamer. Most models have two to three baskets that can be
stacked. A positive side effect is that the vegetables can also
be kept warm in a steamer.
Sweet desserts in the twinkling of an eye
A holiday menu requires a fine dessert, such as a light mousse.
The Winter mousse by the brand Komet is new on the market.
This delicious dessert comes in three flavors: Apple-Cinnamon,
Nougat and Almond Biscuit. Preparation is easy: Simply mix
the powder with 250 milliliters of cold milk and beat until fluffy.
Special tip for the holidays: Stack two types of mousse in a
glass after having filled the bottom of the glass with fruit such
as raspberries or cherry sauce. Top with chocolate chips.
Fresh organic food delivered free to your house

Do you remember the taste of a fresh carrot, directly harvested from the field exactly this is
the taste you will enjoy when you get our organic food box together with interesting recipes
and a great customer service.
Enjoy our organic certified food - coming from Hutzelhof and delivered free to your home.
Try our products - right now!
Phone: +49 9665 95015

Fax: +49 9665 95016
Email: info@hutzelhof.de
www.hutzelhof.de
You can call or e-mail to us - or just visit our online shop at www.hutzelhof.de
Our Welcome Gift for New Customers
Subscribe to 6 boxes and get one free of charge!
kokiste
About us
Trans Global Logistics Europe GmbH located in Mainz-Kostheim

was founded in May 2005 to support customers of Trans Global
Auto Logisitcs Inc. located in Grand Prairie, TX, and provide them
with better and additional services.
Due to a global network of agencies andd partner companies, Trans
Global Logisitcs Europe GmbH is able to provide you with comprehensive services regarding all your logistical needs.
World Wide Car Shipping
Domestic Delivery within US and Europe:

Marine Insurance Custom Clearance
Services
World-wide transport of . . .
. . . motor vehicles, aircraft, boats and yachts
. . . construction vehicles and equipment
. . . project- and container load of all kinds
. . . household goods
Trans Global Logistics Europe GmbH

Hochheimer Strae 111 D-55246 Mainz Kostheim
Leave it to us to bring it to you!

For a free offer please contact:
Call 0800-CARSHIP or
info@transglobal-logistics.de
www.transglobal-logistics.eu info@transglobal-logistics.de
+49 (0) 6134 - 2592727

*
0800- 2277447
* free of charge within Germany
Cocktail Bar and Grill
Marktplatz 33 92655 Grafenwhr

Telephone: 09641/454857

Bavarian Times Magazine - Edition 05 - December 2014

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Bavarian Times Magazine - Edition 05 - December 2014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Edition #5 | December 2013

Christmas Tree Lighting

Safety first for the Bavarian winter

Family Law Cases in German Courts

BmW military Sales

order your dream car

90 day loaners for special order new cars

BmW military Sales authorized agency

Healing Arts program puts Soldiers

Animals below the Christmas treeNO

Safety first for the Bavarian winter

Historic, romantic Christmas Market

Holiday Sharing Program

Page 33 Drive safely on ice and snow

On skis into the new year

Delicious Ideas for your Holiday Menu

Family Law Cases in German Courts

IMPRINT | Edition #05 | 12/2013, 5th Volume

tion require prior written permission. The publisher is not liable

Project management: Bastian Zaar

Editor: Matthias Plankl

Telephone: 09641/3839 or 3866

Print: Medienhaus DER NEUE TAG

Copyright for the content, unless indicated otherwise, lies with

Mo.Thu.: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Bavarian Times Archive:

LL.M. | Rechtsanwltin | German Lawyer

cable TV | mobile phone | internet | phone

Grafenwoehr. On December 3 at 5 p.m., the U.S. Army is

hand, the Christmas tree will be lit and thousands of colorful

Our Indian cook spoils you

Special highlight: lunch menus Monday Saturday.

Wiesenstr 1, 92637 Weiden, Telephone: 0157/30361661

More information: ganesha-weiden.de

Photo Credit: Renate Gradl

Thousands of colorful lights will sparkle

Healing Arts program puts Soldiers at

Healing Arts is not therapy, but it can be very therapeutic, said

VILSECK, Germany Spc. Kevin Boelter shifted nervously as he

The intent, explained Pech, is to let the Soldiers create freely.

Im not really an artist, announced Boelter of Bravo Company,

Sun Tanning Studio Grafenwoehr

The Red Cross program focuses on wounded warriors, Soldiers

The local Healing Arts series is modeled after a similar program

Alte Amberger Str. 35

The newness of the experience and the uncertainty is a large

Boelter, who was initially doubtful that he could make anything,

Welcome to Thai Massage

military training space

Opening Hours: Mo.Fr.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Untere Vorstadt 9 91275 Auerbach i. d. Oberpfalz

Patricia Hannon, a teacher at Hohenfels Elementary School and breast cancer

with human touch

As part of the 5K Breast Cancer Awareness Run in Hohenfels,

St. Anna Hospital

Nothing I say today will look good on a pink T-shirt. In fact,

St. Johannes Clinic

St. Johannes Clinic

Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Christopher David, Hohenfels Health Clinic

Furthermore, Im quite sure Im about to disappoint you. I have

I wasnt at the breast cancer walk in Hohenfels last year. I had

I was simply coming of age, I told myself. My lumpy breasts

It was this weekend, one year ago, that I found a lump.

Americans often choose to describe Germans as stoic, and

Gynaecology & Obstetrics Tricare Primary Care Provider

Patient Appointments: 09471/702620 or per mail: ramona.kraus@villavitalis.info

high risk pregnancy