Community Activity
Transcription
Community Activity
s NATO New s 3-7New Community Activity / ts and Tips land: 6 days 8Hin elsinki, Fin On y va: H i nk 10-11 Helsi 5 nights in ight 2015 Summer N arry Potter ek re G Magic of H 12 e th g iencin and Tours, er ps xp ri E T E 13 with SHAP n do on L in 15 Festival 15 April 20 or’s Music ve urope Hon -E nding the lo ll pa A ex ur 14 e Sacré Coe Language ut it st In 16-17 ient Greek r for the Anc predicted fo portunities op b jo e snag one? or M to w 3 ho -2 22 u know unity Choir 2015: Do yo ional Comm cy at the PE Internat A ra H te S li 23 all forms of ng ti ra eb el 24C ection Canadian S l Group ve ra T E SHAP Activities 46 ng SHAPE oi ng O 47 s ce um/Servi 48For ities elfare Activ Morale & W to be You’ve got Stage, Live? on rm fo er 17“P tre’s Joking!” ing Arts Cen PE Perform A ! H ty S vi 9 ra 18-1 . Defies G forming SHREK Jr HAPE Per yers and S la and P E ns P io A at H omin 19-20S l Topper N Arts Schoo 15 Awards 20 e Centre: PE Languag e A H S m 27 am gr ro Summer P r Diary ou Y or F es 28-29 Dat E Trips and Tours AP Day 30-33 SH s’ Discovery Briefings Newcomer on ti ta 34 en ri O s’ Newcomer 35 s & Crafts ium SHAPE Art 37 nce Auditor ia ll A E SHAP 38 h & Fitness Sport, Healt Run 24 hour Fun e a Wish ak ts M ul es 39 iathlon R SACEUR B 39 g Life in rt po S he ycle Club: 40-41 T rnational C ? te In E P A H a Flandrien S es 3 ak -4 m 42 ly What Exact o S ldren sity in Chi 44-45 Obe ce Triad an rm fo ts er P 44 geball Resul CEUR Dod A S 45 3 10-11 18-20 45 Cover photo by Mr. Keith Houin Please like us on https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEMoraleandWelfare?ref=profile SHAPE Community Life Bldg 207, Rm 111A 7010 SHAPE, Belgium Tel: 065/44.49.39 Email: sclmag@live.be Officer-in-Charge Major Theodosios Makris (GRC-A) Chief of MW Operations Support Theodosios.MAKRIS@shape.nato.int Pre-Press & Publishing Specialist Fabienne Leclercq (BEL - Civ) Marketing & Communication Assistant HEATHER TUTTLE (USA - Civ) Guest Columnists MIKE ADUBATO (USA - Civ) Advertising/Sponsorship MARíA JOSÉ TEZANOS (ESP - Civ) Tel: 065/44.4265 Email: maria.tezanos@shape.nato.int Printer ‘t Swarte Schaap, Heerlen NL Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 0800 - 1200 hrs 1300 - 1700 hrs Friday: 0800 - 1200 hrs 1300 - 1500 hrs Deadlines 2015: Submission 18 May 2015 15 June 2015 13 July 2015 Publication 11 June 2015 09 July 2015 13 August 2015 Submission 18 August 2015 14 September 2015 19 October 2015 16 November 2015 Publication 10 September 2015 15 October 2015 12 November 2015 10 December 2015 SHAPE Community Life is an authorised unofficial magazine, published monthly by Base Support Group (BSG), 7010 SHAPE, Belgium. The views expressed in SHAPE Community Life are the sole responsibility of the authors. Acceptance of material does not guarantee publication. The OIC reserves the right to refuse a submission. The OIC reserves the right to edit or shorten any material or article submitted. No liability is accepted for the validity of articles, announcements or advertising appearing in this magazine. Articles must acknowledge all sources used, as the OIC cannot be held responsible for breaches of copyright. SHAPE Community Life cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions which may occur during production. Please Note: any materials submitted with articles (eg: disks, photos), left more than 60 days, will be disposed of. SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 1 Letter SCL EDITOR’S LETTER Dear SHAPIANS, Have you noticed the Fest Tent is up in the shopping area? A big thank you to all of you who contributed to its construction. The Fest Tent heralds the coming of summer and, with it, many important and fun filled events. The commencement of annual summer events has traditionally been the Make-a-Wish 24 hour Fun Run. This year, the event will kick off at the track with a grand start at 1600 on 22 May, and run for 24 hours through the 23rd. You can expect food, music, entertainment, and family fun, as well as witness teamwork, camaraderie, and the generosity of the SHAPE Community. The Sports & Fitness Section have organized this remarkable event every year since 2003, and since then more than 4000 people from the SHAPE community have participated. Teams, nations, groups and individuals all work together to raise funds which are then donated to the “Make A Wish” International Charity Foundation, a charity that grants wishes to critically and terminally ill children. I really hope that you are already registered for the event. In early June you can expect a number of international fêtes to take place in Fest Tent. This year, the Belgian NMR presents the “Taste of Belgium Event - TOBE” on 5 June; the Greek NMR invites you to “Greek Summer Night” on 11 June; and the British NMR celebrates all that is British with the “Brit Fête” on 13 June. All of these events promise flavorful, music filled, and cultural experiences according to their traditions and in their own unique ways. Keep an eye out for additional events coming to the Fest Tent as summer progresses by checking in with our SHAPE2Day website link listed below. What else can you expect this summer? An exciting cultural event will be held on Sunday, 7 June at 1900 hrs, at the Alliance Auditorium (cinema). “The SHAPE SUMMER CONCERT,” a classical music program, will be conducted by the Bruocsella Symphony Orchestra, with guests from the SHAPE Band. This will be a wonderful evening of music, poetry and readings which will add joy to your life and feed your soul with world-class, unforgettable classical music. Tickets are available at MW Ops, (Building 207, Room 117) for 3€, and includes one free beverage. In other exciting community news, the SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center outdid itself at the annual US Army Europe Topper Awards Ceremony which was held on Saturday, April 25, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Mr. Dan Lamorte and his SHAPE Players brought back home seven IMCOM Europe Topper Awards making Topper history! Read all the exciting details in this edition. Don’t forget our SHAPE2DAY Website: http://www.shape2day.com/mw.aspx And please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEMoraleandWelfare Major Theodosios Makris (GRC-A) Chief of MW Operations Support Theodosios.MAKRIS@shape.nato.int 2 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 NATO News 2015 NMR Echelon Birthday Party By DNMR DNK, LtCol Morten Sparrested On Thursday 29 January 2015, the SHAPE National Military Representatives’ (NMR) Echelon celebrated its 64th birthday by hosting a party for all the staff of the 28 NMR offices including spouses, totaling close to 400 people. To recognise the strength and importance of the relationship between SHAPE and the NMR echelon, SHAPE COS General Freers was also invited to the party. The number ‘64’ clearly indicates the NMR Echelon is a rather mature institution and from the very start of SHAPE, which was established 2nd April 1951 at a 67 acre site at Marly-le-Roi (near Rocquencourt), about 10 kilometres west of Paris, the NMRs have been an integral part of the headquarters. The name “National Military Representatives” was specifically chosen to emphasize the military rather than diplomatic character of the offices and to avoid confusion. The 2015 party began at noon when NMR offices started preparing their national stands for the evening. Each NMR is allocated a stand position from which he and his team can present the best in food and drinks from his country, a principle similar to that used not have tried before. At this point it may be worth mentioning that even tastings of shark, whale and reindeer could be found on the table! After three hours of celebrating, socializing and tasting different foods and drinks, the party concluded in good order. Due to the mammoth efforts provided by the nations and the SHAPE Club staff, all planned, arranged and orchestrated by the Deputy NMR Association, yet another NMR Echelon Birthday Party was successfully delivered and enjoyed. All are looking very much forward to the 65th anniversary. Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Stefan Hass for SHAPE Fest, but smaller and indoors! The party itself began at 1630 hrs when the national stands opened for the serving of drinks. At 1700 hrs SHAPE COS General Freers arrived at the party and was met by the Dean of the NMR Echelon - Commodore Frank Sijtsma (NLD-N). After a short opening speech from the Dean, and a short reply from General Freers, the traditional cake-cutting ceremony was done by the two gentlemen in a combined effort, again as a symbol of the close relationship and vital co-operation between SHAPE and the NMR Echelon. After the cake-cutting ceremony the national stands opened to serve their national dishes. The variety of delicious foods and drinks was impressive and very tempting. One of the best things about this event, but also one of the most dangerous factors, is that everything is free, so there is really no excuse for not trying as much as possible; especially the food and drinks you may SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 3 NATO News SHAPE Arts and Crafts 8th annual Patchwork Exhibition By Romana Reimannová (CZE - Civ) The Arts & Crafts Centre held its 8th annual Patchwork Exhibition on 26-27 March 2015. It was an opportunity for students and guests to show the results of their work. Many different projects were on display. It is difficult to predict how successful the Exhibition will be, but every year we are surprised how many people are interested in handcraft. A lot of creativity, imagination and patience go into making a quilt and the results were stunning. For the pictures from exhibition you can look at: From left to right: 2nd place: Mrs.Heli Vehvilainen (FIN), 3th place: Mrs.Lisa Lindsey(USA), instructor: Mrs Romana Reimannová (CZ), 4th place: Mrs. Marianne Manning(USA), 1st place: Mrs. Erika Tamas Péterné(HUN). learning, inspiration and relaxation. If you are afraid about the English, you really don’t be, as if you really would like to learn more about sewing, the language is just secondary thing. Romana Reimannová (CZE) patchwork instructor WWW: romipatch.com e-mail: romana.reimannova@ seznam.cz mob: 493 594 308 http://romir.rajce.idnes.cz/8th_Patchwork_Exhibition_2015/# More than 70 visitors chose the best three projects, which were awarded a prize (provided by A&C Ceramic section, made by Magdalena Mroczek (POL). The Arts & Crafts Centre as well as me are proud to announce the winners: 1st place: Mrs. Erika Tamas Péterné (HUN) project: Orange broken tiles quilt 2nd place: Mrs. Heli Vehvilainen (FIN) project: Sampler quilt 3th place: Mrs. Lisa Lindsey (USA) project: Batics Stars quilt 4th place: Mrs. Marianne Manning (USA) project: Baby quilt It is easy to be exited for this beautiful, warm and colorful hobby. If you have passion and patience … teacher is here for you. If you are interested and need more info, just come to the Patchwork Studio in Arts & Crafts to find a nice, friendly atmosphere for 4 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 NATO News Spanish Feria Saturday, the 25th of April - SHAPIANS enjoyed a fun filled day at the Spanish Feria Courtesy of Spanish NMR Last Saturday, 25 April, the Spanish community celebrated the Spanish Feria in the Events Centre on SHAPE. As in previous years, the “Feria 2015” attracted a huge crowd of Shapians and their families. Photos courtesy Spanish NMR Celebrations started on the evening of Friday 24th with the traditional “Alumbrado” which in simple terms is the switching on of the lights (normally around 25 000 light bulbs). On Saturday 25th the Feria was open from 1100 to 2000 hrs and during the whole day music, tapas, paella and sangria flowed in a festive atmosphere that included several flamenco shows offered by flamenco groups, as well as by the Spanish kids and women. Traditional “Paella” was cooked in the outer area and was well appreciated by all the visitors. Tapas, sangria and rebujito were also available and gave the opportunity to taste some of the national gastronomic specialities of Spain here in SHAPE. The event gave the Spanish community the ability to showcase Spanish culture, as well as reinforce bonds of friendship among the international community here at SHAPE. The day was a huge success and the Spanish Community look forward to meeting you for the Feria 2016. Farewell to Roger Cassez By CPO2 David Coderre, RCN / Food & Beverage – Section Chief On Thursday April 30th, the SHAPE Club bid a fond farewell to its longest serving employee, Mr. Roger Cassez, who provided 40 years of loyal and exemplary services at SHAPE. He started off at the Officers’ Club, now commonly known as the SHAPE Club, in December of 1975 as a waiter. His quiet and shy demeanor were often overshadowed by his jolly laugh and his great sense of humor. In his 40 years at SHAPE he has lived through the countless changes in management and staff, yet he remained respectful, dependable and a strong member of the Food & Beverage Section until his last shift at the SHAPE Club. It is with sadness that his friends, peers and superiors say au revoir to him but with happiness that a respectful career will be rewarded by a well-deserved retirement. On behalf of all the staff at the SHAPE Food & Beverage Section, we wish Roger and Joan, his wife, health and happiness in their new adventures. SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 5 NATO News SIS Students Played “Famis Ludi” And Won An Award By Anaïs Bailly (BEL - Civ) and Muriel Canivez (BEL - Civ) Photos by Fagniart V (civ) and Bouttique Q (civ) On Friday, 13th March 2015, 4th graders of the Latin section of SIS, International section, won the prize Scriptores of the Artes Festival in Huy. The festival is a competition between several schools emphasizing the talents of the students on the theme of the concrete survival of classic Antiquity in their everyday life. After choosing a theme, each school has to write a work, create a promotional object, and an audio-visual show pointing to the links between Antiquity and the present. Artes award, rewarding the development of talents; the PUBlius award, rewarding the promotional object; and the Scriptores award rewarding a quality written work. The fourth award, the Vox Populi, was voted on by the public to one of the show. We saw our efforts rewarded because the jury awarded us the prize Scriptores! So we all left other participants with a smile on our face and armloads of presents.” The theme chosen by the students was: “Famis Ludi”, that is “Hunger Games”. Using the stories from the books, students conceived a file in which they made numerous references to Antiquity. Then, using Latin texts, they developed several big themes common to Antiquity and to this trilogy as the revolt, “panem and circenses.” They also created a promotional object, a badge representing a phoenix; and a show mixing theatre and videos, both intended to be presented to the other schools and to the jury. During this show, the public was in Hell and attended the television program “Famis Ludi”. Five mortal candidates were placed by Hades in an arena and were killing each other until only one was left as the winner. BRONCHART Albéric, CASSATELLA Giulia, DEGAUQUIER Charlène, FIORE Francesca, LIEGEOIS Justine, PIGEON Ilona, VAN ECCKHOUDT Aliénor, VASTOLA Claudia and WINDEN Nikki. Congratulations to the students and to their Latin teachers Mrs BAILLY and Mr FAGNIART! “On Friday, we prepared the room where our presentation was going to take place and after the last rehearsal and some adjustments, we went to see the first two shows. Then, it was our turn and all went really well! After a light lunch to recover from all the emotions, there were two shows presented by other schools and then it was time for all of us to do our part again! Even during the deliberation of the jury, we had no rest out because we played the game Hold On To Your Seats! We ended this very special day with the “so expected” awards ceremony! Four prizes were voted upon by a jury and presented during this ceremony: the Community Connections are made at SHAPE2day.com. Your one stop for all you need and want to know about what is happening on SHAPE! 6 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 NATO News SHAPE Alumnus By Ann Marie van der Heyden (Membre du CAES) On March 11th, 2015, the SHAPE Alumni Organization, the Belgian Primary and Secondary Sections as well as the Italian Section presented to Colonel Flemming, the SHAPE Base Support Group Commander and Major Leahy, Chief, MWR and member of the SHAPE Make-A-Wish Committee, a check of € 3280.79. Once again, the SHAPE International School has exceeded its expectations, increasing 2014 donations by 15%. Peter Pluim, President of CAES (a SIS Alumni association) expresses his sincere gratitude to the key participants of the SHAPE Make a Wish event, Belgian section principal, Mr. Bouttique, Belgian Primary Section Director Mrs Lardinois and Italian Section Mrs. Coppola as well as their staff for their outstanding support. This year’s Make-a-Wish event will take place on May 22nd and 23rd and we encourage all students, parents and friends to come out and participate in this great SHAPE event to help seriously ill children see their dreams come true. See you on the track!!! SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 7 Community Activity Hints and Tips This section is a place for Shapians to share their experiences. If you have any hints or tips to share with the community, please send to sclmag@live.be. Belgium: I’m Stationed Where?? Take it Local - A Challenge to you! One of the hardest adjustments for most to make when arriving in a foreign country where they do not speak the local language is how to find what they need on the local economy: entertainment, groceries, clothing, automobile service, home items, toys, etc… Yes, there is good ol’ Ikea, Carrefour, and for US personnel there is the Commissary and PX at Chievres. What about those who want to have the full Belgian experience and lack the language skills to easily navigate their new surroundings? quite a surprise when I did this one day. The elderly gentleman spoke broken English, and I had poor French - but after about 30 minutes I learned his family had lived in the village for over 90 years, had operated the local butcher shop for about 70 of those years, and that he had the most vast collection of postcards, photos, and news clippings regarding the village and surrounding area. He was also a HUGE fan of the US military newspaper “Stars and Stripes.” It brought him fond memories of his time serving in the Belgian army in Korea. All I can suggest is to DIVE IN!! Don’t worry about making a mistake. In the end, you will love the experiences you create. Afraid to jump in to the local community right away? Start small. Take advantage of the great programs that SHAPE MWR makes available. Many of these events possess a unique international flair, but they will give you the opportunity to talk to folks who have experienced Belgium. You can ask questions, and learn about other’s experiences. Slowly branch out to local events that are well advertised with sign boards along the roads surrounding SHAPE. June will bring many local school and village festivals, and summer brings MANY local events including beer festivals, wine and cheese events, music in the parks, tractor pulls, and so much more. You don’t have to be Belgian to attend and have fun. A good starting point is to visit some of the Expat websites such as: http://www.expatica.com/be http://www.xpats.com http://belgium.angloinfo.com http://cheeseweb.eu http://www.brusselslife.be/en These sites will contain way more information than most will need for a 3 year tour here, but they are in English, and they can help get you general information including maps, news, public holidays, tourism, health system, and events. The next step you can take is to let go of the familiar. What do I mean? Many people feel a strong pull to rely on internet shopping, or streaming television shows & movies, and creating a comfortable bubble of familiarity. Challenge yourself to stop frequenting those places which make it easy for you to get what you need or a looking to purchase. Let me explain. I was intrigued when a new friend of mine made a social media post and labeled it “Commissary Free February.” To my understanding, as new arrivals to Belgium, they committed to shopping predominantly at local stores for one month. I thought this was nothing short of BRILLIANT! A simple, yet effective way to fully immerse yourself in a true international experience. Not only would you sample the local products/ foods, but you are forced to learn language along the way. Next, make an effort to learn the language. You don’t need to aim for fluency. You don’t even have to become uber proficient. Simply learn some basic survival French. It will undoubtedly ease your anxiety when it comes to going out to local shops, and it will help you understand the basics. One or two terms at the Language center on SHAPE is usually a great start! Want to push yourself a bit more? How about all those quaint shops that are sprinkled within our communities? Shops that look like they are in someone’s living room or garage often yield wonderful treasures and surprises. Local restaurants are also a great way to expand your local experiences. If you are a foodie, and love to try new cuisines, this region has no shortage of great places to sample the local foods. Want a cultural experience? Grab a copy of the 365.be magazine or visit the website and pick a place to visit at random. Don’t think about it. Just pick a place and go. We have rarely been disappointed with our outings found in this catalogue. Or what about your neighbors who appear to just be hanging out on their front stoops watching the cars go by? Have you ever waved, or stopped to say hello? I had 8 By Heather Tuttle (USA –Civ) SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Finally, get in touch with your local community. Visit your Maison Communale and check out the advertisements for local events and programs. Many communales offer low cost dance classes, film festivals, music performances, art shows, and film festivals on a regular basis, as well as fitness classes, art classes, and so much more! Recently I have been seeing a lot of English activities in Mons: http://cookwithdanielle.com/events/ http://www.meetup.com/Whats-happening-in-English-in-Mons-Belgium While I have not personally experienced any events listed on these pages, they are certainly worth investigating. I challenge you to attend a local festival, talk to a neighbor, go to your village’s Maison Communale, and visit a local shop this month. You won’t regret it, I promise. Community Activity On y Va - Helsinki, Finland: 6 days 5 nights in Helsinki By Heather Tuttle (USA-Civ) A s we packed for a week in Helsinki, we knew to expect chilly weather, a bit of rain, and a slight chance of snow. The trade off was that we would miss one of the nicest weeks of weather Belgium has seen since last fall. Was it worth it? You bet!! We arrived in Helsinki and I was greeting with the sounds of chirping birds being piped in through the sound system in the airport restroom. Surely this was a good sign of what the week had in store for us! We had booked reservations at a relatively new hotel called Hotel Nordic located near the waterfront on the outskirts of town, but near ferry transport and a 10 step walk to a tram stop. This, we would experience, was a perfect location. We arrived late enough on the first day that once we made our way to the hotel, checked in and had dinner at a local pizza place. We decided it would be best to start our adventures fresh the next day. First stop; the Ateneum Museum. The Ateneum is an Art Museum located in the heart of Helsinki. We were lucky enough to be able to view an exhibition by the renowned Finnish photographer, Ismo Hölttö. Hölttö documented the everyday Finn in their own living environments during the 1960’s-70’s. There is a unique honesty, insight, and beauty in his photos which capture the social history of the Finnish culture at the time. In addition to the Hölttö exhibition, the Ateneum’s collection of works as part of the national gallery is extensive, and impressive. Following a quick visit to the gift shop and a cup of coffee, we were off to walk around the Esplanade in downtown. This stretch of road and park lined with a variety of shops was a lovely way to get a quick taste of the many different shops and restaurants Helsin10 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 ki would have to offer us during the coming week. We walked through to the waterfront at the northern end to see the Presidential Palace of Helsinki. We rode on the Finnair Skywheel, (think London eye, but on a smaller scale), and viewed the city from about the skyline. The views revealed the Uspenski Cathedral as well as the Helsinki Cathedral, as well as the Fortress of Suomenlinna; all locations on our list of places to see whilst in Helsinki. The Uspenski Cathedral was a short walk from the Skywheel. Standing atop a hill near the harbour, it is the largest orthodox church in western Europe. Made of red brick, and donning golden cupolas, it is representative of the Russian influence on Finnish history. It’s ornate interior is well worth the climb to see. A nice walk took us to the Krigsmuseum, a military history museum that documents facts and details about Finland’s military history including wars, uniforms, weapons, and a wide assortment of uniforms and medals. An early dinner at Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki rounded out our day. The next day, we embarked on a tram ride from our hotel and short walk brought us to the Helsinki Cathedral. A symbolic landmark of Finland, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral, and holds historical significance for Finland. Built as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, it is also known as St Nicholas’ Church. The day we visited, the stark white exterior was crisply surrounded by an azure blue sky, and beaming sun shone upon the area. The interior is representative of the simplicity of the Lutheran church as compared to the orthodox. The next day we were off to Tallinn, Estonia by ferry. The tickets were extremely easy to book. Getting to the ferry was super easy, and the journey was a couple hours each way on a rather comfortable ferry. We had grand plans for our day in Tallinn, but quickly realized we wouldn’t have enough time to accomplish it all. In hindsight, an overnight stay there would have been a better plan. Nevertheless, we spent a large part of our day at Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor, Lennu- Community Activity sadam is one of Europe’s premier maritime museums contained within an old Seaplane Hangar that was built to become part of Peter the Great’s naval fortress over 100 years ago. The unique interior, interactive displays, and creative layout invite visitors to envision themselves in the ocean at the depths of the submarines, boats and buoys, where you will learn about everything from ice yachting, to seaplanes, submarines, and the forces of water. Following our visit to Lennusad- am, we walked around the old city of Tallinn and enjoyed the medieval architecture of the buildings, the cobbled roads, checked out the souvenir shops, and visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The orthodox cathedral is located in old town Tallinn across from the parliament building. Ornately decorated within and without, it is representative of the power and dominance of the Russian Empire during the time it was built. then visited the Arabia Museum. It was an enjoyable history of ceramics in Finland. Probably the most interesting part of this visit was seeing the design displays outside of the Fiskers offices. We saw spoons hung from the ceiling, votives creating a rainbow wall, scissors creating a chandelier, and a few other unique creations. Our last day in Helsinki would take us on short a ferry ride from Helsinki to visit the Suomenlinna Fortress 20 minutes away. Suomenlina is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a truly unique monument of military architechture. It has served in defense of Sweden, Russia and Finland, and most interestingly is still inhabited by local residents to this day. Highlights on this leg included visiting the fortress, finding the King’s Gate and the scenery! In a word, it was breathtaking! Overall, Helsinki & Tallinn made for a great week long holiday. Public transport was remarkably easy to navigate. There are enough attractions to pick and choose from that a week is easily filled with a wide variety of activities suitable for the entire family. We continued our walk through Tallinn as we planned our return to the ferry back to Helsinki. It was during this walk we felt that an extra day in Tallinn would have been a good choice. We walked through the old gates to the city wishing we could have see so much more.In hindsight, we would make this leg our journey an overnight stop allowing for two full days in Tallinn. The next day, we embarked on a journey to Arabia! The Arabianranta is a residential part of Helsinki where you can find several shopping outlets of shops known for their works reflective of Finnish design history, culture and traditions; including Arabia Ceramics, Iittala, Fiskars, and Hackman products. The district is also home to many design students, the Museum of Technology, the Power Station Museum, and the Arabia Museum. We shopped a bit at the Iittala outlet, Please visit us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEMoraleandWelfare?ref=profile SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 11 Community Activity Greek Summer Night 2015 Courtesy Greek Summer Night Committee S HAPIANS and Friends! Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the joyful night the Greek Community organizes every year, the famous “Greek Summer Night”. This exciting event will be held on 11 June 2015, starting at 1700hrs, in the SHAPE Fest Tent. It will be a great opportunity to sample and enjoy Greek culture, food and dance, before the schools closure and some of our colleagues depart for their new assignments. During this event we would like to share with you the light hearted, happy atmosphere and all the senses that summer evokes. We are really happy to invite the entire SHAPE community and their families to taste Greek “souvlaki” as well as other traditional delicacies, Greek wines, beers and of course “ouzo” while a live band will bring all of us to a great “kefi” and call for dancing. In addition and as part of the Greek culture, folklore exhibitions by “Lykeio Ellinidon” and our Ladies dance team will contribute to the ethereal summer senses, encouraging all participants to join them dancing the “syrtaki” and various kinds of dances. At the same time, children will be able to enjoy dancing with their schoolmates or playing outside of the tent in a specific playing area. The entrance will be free for everyone! To simplify and facilitate the entrance though, we encourage you to prudently purchase your food/drink tickets in advance so as to avoid waiting in the tickets queue at that day. 12 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 JOIN US and feel the unique Greek Summer Night atmosphere along with your families. DON’T MISS IT!!! Community Activity Experiencing the Magic of Harry Potter in London with SHAPE Trips and Tours, 15 April 2015 By Virginie ZEO (FRA - Civ) O ur trip took place on April 15th 2015 during the Easter break. When I got the idea of organizing this tour. I never thought it would have any interest for me. The targeted customers were serious Harry Potter fans and, of course, children. I’m one of the few people on the planet who hasn’t read the books yet. I have seen some movies, though, and so from that aspect the tour was very interesting. Sincerely, I had a good time with my husband and our 2 children. Seeing the joy in their eyes, watching them take it all in together, and having the opportunity to capture those special moments, it was magic! The Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour is undoubtedly a special place for any Harry Potter fans, but is also an incredible experience for the casual fan of the film series who would like to learn more about how movies are made. In fact, time at the Studio where all eight of the Harry Potter movies were made gives you an amazing and unique opportunity to not only walk where the actors walked, but to see the movie sets first hand. Beyond that, you are treated to an astounding collection of film props, costumes, artifacts, art and graphics, as well as intimate looks at special and creature effects. is also a lot to see. You also might have a refreshment in the Studio Café or Starbucks. Next time we will plan on spending about 4 to 5 hours, especially since this March, with a 20,000ft² expansion, the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾ is included. In fact, the new, permanent section offers a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created as well as giving you the chance to climb aboard the train’s carriage and to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall. For those who want to continue the adventure, HARRY POTTER – THE EXHIBITION – is taking place in PARIS at LA CITE DU CINEMA, until September, 6th 2015. OUR NEXT TRIP TO THE HARRY POTTER STUDIOS WILL BE IN NOVEMBER DURING THE SCHOOL BREAK. Like the movies and most certainly the books, the studio tour is done to perfection. You begin the tour by watching a short movie about the making of the films. Once that is done, the movie screen disappears and you find yourself walking into the Great Hall. You get a short speech here, and then you are set free to explore the rest of the Studio at your leisure. There is so much to see and do, with lots of interactive stations to keep younger fans happy. My only regret, shared by the whole group, is that the recommended 3 hours of visit was not enough. We would have appreciated having at least one more hour to spend some more time in the shop because there SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 13 Community Activity All-Europe Honor’s Music Festival By Vicki Jo Townsend (USA - Civ) A mazing young talent is evidenced repeatedly at SHAPE American High School. One of the most recent activities where young music students excelled was the All-Europe Honor Band and Choir performance held in Wiesbaden, Germany. Four students participated in a week-long program culminating in a marvelous performance in the Kurzhal in the town center of Wiesbaden. The concert featured the Honor Band and Honor Choir with students from all the DoDEA schools in Europe and university conductors from the United rFreddy Townsend, center, performed in the All-Europe Honor Band on clarinet all four years of his high school career. march to Rossini and Gabriel Musella. The choir was directed by Mark Babcock, associate professor of music at Central college in Iowa, while the band conductor was Dr. Mary K. Schneider, director of bands at Eastern Michigan University. Students were able to gain valuable rehearsal and performance skills after a week of instruction from the college professors. The concert culminated in both the choir and the band performing a magnificent and moving tribute to the members of the armed forces. They were given a heart-felt standing ovation for the wonderful program they performed. Of the experience, Freddy Townsend, a four-year attendee exclaimed, “This has been four years of marvelous experiences. I can’t believe it’s over.” rErin Reich, Brigitte Blanchard, Fred Townsend, Charlotte Kennington and Rebecca Dosch, instructor, pose in the magnifical Kurshal in Wiesbaden, Germany. States. Brigitte Blanchard, Erin Reich, Charlotte Kennington, and Freddy Townsend are all members of the American High School music program led by teacher Cary Sand. They have been participating in the music classes at the high school and the local music academies for many years. The auditions were strenuous and stressful, but the opportunity to participate in the honors groups was well worth all the hard work that was required to be accepted. Brigitte, Erin and Charlotte all sang in the honor choir and Freddy played clarinet in the band. The students performed a wide variety of musical styles. The choir sang pieces ranging from W. A. Mozart to a zany piece called “Animal Crackers,” with poetry interspersed by Eric Whitacre. The band played music from a John Philip Sousa rBrigitte Blanchard and Charlotte Kennington(center) rehearse before the Thursday night concert honor’s music festival. Brigitte Blanchard said, “Honors Music Festival was a great opportunity to meet many talented students from schools all over Europe. I really enjoyed working with the guest conductors and staff and performing the closing concert in the beautiful Kurhaus.” Erin Reich stated, “Honors Chorus is a great way to meet students that have the same interests as you from all over Europe. I loved it!” The students will take with them many wonderful memories of their musical experiences and enjoy many years of new ones to come. rErin Reich, second from left, sings soprano in the 2015 honor choir. 14 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 For an article or a SHAPE Events in SHAPE Community Life or www.shape2day.com Call 4939 or email: sclmag@live.be Community Activity Institute Sacré Coeur expanding the love for the Ancient Greek Language By Cpt CHORTARIDI Maria/GRC NMR T his year between 9th and 14th of March in our hostess town, Mons, we welcomed the 27th “Semaine Grecque” (Greek Week), as well as the popular Annual Ancient Greek Competition entitled “Les Rencontres Grecs” (Greek Meetings), both organized by the Catholic Institute Sacré Coeur (Sacred Heart) of Mons. Created in 1989, the “Greek Week” and the “Greek Meetings” aim at the diffusion of the culture and values bequeathed to us by the Ancient Greek Civilization. rStudents of the Institute dancing “Syrtaki” Headed by Director Prof Renier, the Institute regularly invests in humanitarian cultural projects and in innovative programs motivating for the students. It participates in the European project “Comenius” consisting of a cultural and scientific exchange between various European Institutions. Furthermore, its European dimension is highlighted by its membership of the linguistic program ELVIS (EURO LINK virtual international school), merging new technologies to the traditional approaches of education. Moving in this direction, the Professor of Ancient Greek Language of the Sacré Coeur Institute, Mr. Yves Dupuich, in coordination with his colleagues from a school of Larissa (Greece), situated at the foot of the Olympus Mountain, conceived the idea to dramatize and film the Homeric masterpiece “Odyssey”. To this end, they invited other schools from many countries to r“Odyssey” performed by students of the “Sacré Coeur” Institute. attend the European program e-Twinning by composing Homer’s play in several parts, each one in a different language, supported by English subtitles. Thus, the Homeric masterpiece gave the opportunity to numerous students from 20 schools of many European countries to make their acquaintance with the ancient Greek drama. In this context, the well-known “Sacré Coeur” institute, taking advantage of the fact that Mons is the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2015, decided to host a great fest dedicated to the European spirit of Greek civilization. This decision was based on the premise that the love and respect for the Ancient Greek language knows no boundaries. rStudents from Greece on the stage of Sacré Coeur In the framework of the “Greek week” 1000 Belgian “Ancient Greek learner” students along with Greeks student-visitors from the school of Larissa, participated in the three cultural competitions: “the version”, “kalo taxidi” and the “pedestrial rally”. Those activities gave them the opportunity to compete in the field of best knowledge of the ancient Greek language. They worked together in several parts of the competition, met new friends and had the chance to wander around the cultural capital of Europe, seeking signs of the ancient Greek civilization. On the first day of the festivities, visitors had the pleasure of enjoying on the school stage the vibrant sounds of Mezzo Soprano Nikol Konstante who performed a variety of Greek songs. This year’s fest also celebrated the Hellenic roots of theater by performing Homer’s Odyssey in French. The whole project was undertaken by students of the institute who performed the play for two consecutive days with passion, offering the audience remarkable scenes from the ancient past. On the first day of the performance the Greek student-visitors also had the chance to participate. At the end of the play, all kids performed the Zorba the Greek dance “Syrtaki” while parents and guests enjoyed Mikis Theodorakis’ music. rMr Dupuich announcing the winners of the Ancient Greek competition. 16 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 At the end of the “les Rencontres Grecs” competition, GRC NMR was invited to offer the first prize to the winners. Furthermore, several other prizes were offered to the institute by numerous sponsors showing respect for the Community Activity event. The GRC National Military Representative to SHAPE Rear Admiral Spyridon Konidaris would like to express once again a very special thank to Prof. Yves Dupuich, Mrs Renier and all the participants, for making the competition a huge success and helping to spread the ancient Greek language. rGRC NMR Rear Admiral Konidaris Spyridon pays a visit to the Sacré Coeur Institute offering presents and prizes for the winners of the Ancient Greek Competitions. We are also grateful to our community members stepping up to support this event. Félicitations Sacré Coeur! “Perform on Stage, Live? You’ve got to be Joking!” By Sqn Ldr Ian Heath (GBR - RAF) S omehow going to the dentist is one of life’s more daunting prospects (well, it is if you’ve eaten as many sweets and chocolates as I have over the years). You know when you go for treatment, you’re generally calmed by a local anaesthetic and the soothing tones of the dentist? Well, imagine the excruciating pain without analgesia when the drill hits a raw nerve, you hit the ceiling, and you might have an idea of how I’m feeling right now as I contemplate performing in Little Shop of Horrors (14 – 24 May at the Performing Arts Centre). I’d thought about treading the boards for ages but never quite plucked up the courage despite cajoling from Dan Lamorte (MW Theatre Director) and my daughter’s piano teacher, Michelle Howarth (Michelle is Musical Director for the show). Call it self-preservation or sympathy for the audience’s ear drums (we all sound great singing in the bathroom don’t we, maybe some think themselves the next SHAPE ‘X-Factor,’ but doing it live, in front of people is an altogether different proposition). The desire to perform had lain dormant until Michelle delicately asked me to auditions one evening (she actually left me little choice, asking me after my daughter’s piano lesson when we were trying to encourage her to play in front of the school; how could Dad say no and lose face). So with nothing better to do (the mighty Gooners weren’t playing that night), I went along to the theatre and after a rendition of one of the show’s songs and some reading of script, Dan announced “well, you can play a mean,” to which I replied (as his Budget Chief), “I thought you already knew that”. So, here I am cast as Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist and having to sing, abuse the leading lady and man and somehow imitate a cross between Elvis Presley and Steve Martin, no pressure (!) rMembers of the Greek Community of SHAPE surrounding MEZZO SOPRANO Nikol Konstante I say to myself as I frantically try to organise TDY somewhere, anywhere, just get me out of here, as 14 May approaches fast, real fast, Usain Bolt fast. But you know, I don’t need to worry or panic for several reasons. First, I know SHAPIANS are very forgiving and so won’t tease me too much. More seriously, the production team and cast are just great. Dan is a brilliant Director, so much attention to detail and constantly coaching us all on various nuances of performance, and Michelle is a wonderful pianist and vocal coach, constantly enthusiastic and dedicated to the cause. While they might not have quite turned a sow’s ear in to a silk purse, and whilst I may not get an Olivier Award this time around, their support and advice has given me enough confidence to get up on stage (though my ‘Southren Amercan’ accent still needs some work) and at least the audience shouldn’t be watching a version of coco the clown whilst stuffing cotton wool in their ears. Another reason for feeling calmer is my fellow cast members, who really do have genuine talent: Seymour - Romaine Martin (FRA-N) Audrey - Heather Ainsworth (USA-Civ) Ronette - Alice Pells (USA-Civ) Chiffon - Amy Snider (USA-Civ) Ronette - Rhonda Lawson (USA-A) Bernstein, Snip, Luce - Josh Wheelis (USA- Civ) Mushnik - Art Ross (USA-Civ) Plant (Voice) - Tracey Gittins (USA-Civ) Plant (Operator) - Thomas Reich (USA-Civ) And not forgetting: Our choreographer and recent convert to Belgian beer, Brett Harwood, and volunteers from SHAPE Players who have been building the set, sewing costumes together, creating props and without whom the show simply wouldn’t happen. What a great team, always encouraging and singing loudly enough to drown out my voice! So as the first night approaches, I can truthfully say this has been one of the best, most satisfying, confidence building and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever been involved with. Thank you to SHAPE Players for helping to fulfill a long held ambition and PLEASE, come along and enjoy a great performance of Little Shop of Horrors. And you never know, next time you go to the dentist and the drill starts up, you might just be able to have a chuckle to yourself as you recall Orin’s antics which is better than any giggle gas to help you relax. SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 17 Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Performing Arts Centre’s SHREK Jr. Defies Gravity! Provided by SHAPE Players and Stars and Stripe’s “US Army in Europe recognizes best in theater at ‘Toppers’” Vogelweh’s Armstrong’s Club in Kaiserslautern, Germany was the scene of the annual Topper Awards’ show and ceremony, the Army in Europe’s version of Broadway’s glitzy Tony Awards. The event highlights the vibrant theater communities active at military bases throughout Europe, recognizing the dedicated group of mostly volunteer troops, civilians and family members who devote long hours to their craft. Director of a Musical for Mr. Dan LaMorte, Best Supporting Actor for Mr. Zach Simmons, Best Choreography for Ms. Heather Ainsworth and Mr. Dan LaMorte, Best Costume Design for Mr. Dan LaMorte and Best Make Up Design for Charlotte Geehreng and Carol Parcell. (A full list of SHAPE Awards and Nominations is included at the end of this article.) Professional adjudicators critiqued 15 entries over six weeks, traveling to bases in Italy, Belgium and Germany to watch three family shows, six plays and six musicals. The annual Tournament event was created to be a tool to educate and support The 200 nominees were revealed only moments before each award presentation, with names often drawing gasps of excitement. Loud applause erupted when the winner was announced, at times drowning out the presenter. To the delight and surprise of the audience, guest announcers included the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, William Shatner, Chris Pine, Kristin Chenoweth and Jake Gyllenhaal and other big-name stars who read winners names and shared a few words via a recorded video message played on two large stage screens. Photo by Ms. Marie Carey Photo by Ms. Marie Carey The SHAPE Players production of SCENES FROM AMERICAN LIFE received Best Set Design For Mr. Dan LaMorte and 13 additional nominations, whereas the Performing Arts School’s SHREK Jr. won 6 awards and 15 nominations including Best Family Show, Best Photo by Ms. Marie Carey Photo by Ms. Marie Carey Show organizers pulled all the stops, bestowing actors, musicians, makeup artists, costume designers, directors, choreographers, writers, set builders, and the like, with 54 “Toppers,” a golden statuette hoisting a star. Photo by Ms. Shirley Houin A t an evening filled with ‘Stars’ and ‘Young Hopefuls’, the SHAPE Performing Arts School’s production of SHREK Jr. received 6 ‘Topper’ awards making ‘Topper’ history! The SHAPE Performing Arts School, the education program of the SHAPE Players won BEST FAMILY SHOW and 5 other awards for its delightful production. The SHAPE School made history by being the first education program to compete and win at the Installation Command Group Europe Tournament of Plays Awards ceremony. 18 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Morale & Welfare Branch The SHAPE Players’ production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, by Howard Ashman and Adam Menken, based on the science fiction flick of the same name, will open on Thursday, May 14th, for 8 performances. Tickets are now on sale. The revival of DETACHMENTS, by Colleen Dodson, will perform for three performances, Thursday, June 11th, Friday, June 12th and Saturday June 12th at 1930 before it tours to the American Association of Community Theatres National Convention in Grand Rapid, Michigan. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, May 19th! Provided by SHAPE Players and Stars and Stripe’s “US Army in Europe recognizes best in theater at ‘Toppers’” Photo by Ms. Marie Carey the family of volunteers who find recreation and welfare in theatre programming on Europe Army bases. The visiting adjudicators lavished great praise on both productions, which was obvious by the many awards and nominations that, the SHAPE community brought back to Belgium! SHAPE Players and SHAPE Performing Arts School Topper Nominations And Awards 2015 7 AWARDS Best Director of a Musical Dan LaMorte, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Zach Simmons (Donkey), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Choreography Heather Ainsworth and Dan LaMorte, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Performing Arts School Best Costume Design for a Musical Dan LaMorte, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Make-Up for a Musical *Charlotte Geehreng, Carol Parcell ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School * SGT Edward Martin, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Phot by Mr. Martin Greeson Best Family Show ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School SRA Eli Rios, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Supporting Actor in a Play COL Stephen Cain, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Actor in a Play Peter Hofmann, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Set Design for a Play Dan LaMorte, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Actress in a Play Meg Long, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players 28 NOMINATIONS Best Director of a Play Dan LaMorte, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players 13 for SCENES FROM AMERICAN LIFE & 15 for SHREK Jr. Continued on page 20 Best Sound Design for a Play Olivier Galloo, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Stage Properties & Dressing for a Play Emily Ushko and Heather Leiendecker, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Debut Performance in a Play Federica Cerullo, ‘Scenes From American Life’, The SHAPE Players Kristal Casarez, ‘Scenes From American Life’, The SHAPE Players Best Military Performance in a Play CW2 Rebecca McGarry, ‘Scenes From American Life’, The SHAPE Players Phot by Mr. Martin Greeson Phot by Mr. Martin Greeson Best Technical Director of a Play Thomas Reich, ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 19 Morale & Welfare Branch Continued from page 19 Best Play ‘Scenes From American Life’, SHAPE Players Best Hair and Wig Design Nicole Freiberger and Perlita Simmons, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Scenic Artistry Thomas Reich, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Running Crew ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Lighting Design for a Musical Dan LaMorte, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Sound Design for a Musical ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Set Design for a Musical Dan LaMorte, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Stage Properties and Dressing for a Musical Michelle Potkovic and Josh Wheelis, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Perfroming Arts School Best Technical Director for a Musical Thomas Reich, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Musical Director Tracy Gittins, ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Ensemble or Chorus for a Musical ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players Performing Arts School 20 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Outstanding Male Youth in Community Theatre John Manning (Shrek), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Tori Geehreng (Pinocchio), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts Laura Schaefer (Gingy), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Josh Wheelis (Papa Ogre/Bishop), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Y Best Actress in a Musical Anna Yepez (Princess Fiona), ‘Shrek Jr.’, SHAPE Players’ Performing Arts School Community Activity More job opportunities predicted for 2015: Do you know how to snag one? By Maureen McCann (CAN – Civ) Competing in today’s labour market requires more than a résumé and cover letter. It involves in-depth research and solid understanding of the company and the people who will hire you. “63% of recruiters will have higher hiring volumes in 2015.” Linkedin’s 2015 Global Recruiting Trends Report With more opportunities, there comes more competition. As a job seeker, do you understand what hiring managers go through to ensure they hire the right candidate? Let’s peek behind the curtain and see what goes into hiring the right person for the job. Their shoes. Unless you have done some hiring in your career, it’s not easy to put yourself in the shoes of a Human Resources (HR) professional. If someone from HR invites you to an interview they are taking a huge gamble on you being the person you say you are. They base their decision on the needs of the company and they compare these needs to 1) what you claimed in your resumé, and 2) what they found out about you online. They also rely on their instincts to weed out candidates (a skill they have honed throughout their career). HR professionals are not in the business of wasting time on candidates who aren’t serious contenders for their vacancies or where the candidate has spent little to no time addressing how they meet the minimum requirements. Their job is to get the best possible candidate for the company; not to find out how you may grow into the position. As a job seeker it is your job to make their work easier. Up your game. You are busy in your day-to-day work life doing great work, concentrating on what needs to get done and how to get it done efficiently. This makes you a super employee, but not necessarily a good candidate. Take the time and make the investment in getting your career portfolio in shape, before you need it. The five-year old résumé that landed you your current position is no guarantee of securing a new gig. When you send your application to HR remember they see applications from people who have invested countless hours researching and writing their résumés and cover letters. You’re competing with job seekers who not only have their documents professionally crafted, but those who are being professionally coached on how to conduct an effective job search, interview techniques, and how to leverage social media. Today, you have to do more than ever before to convince a hiring manager you’re a worthy candidate. Think like a Hiring Manager. When it comes time to talk about your accomplishments, you get stuck. That’s perfectly normal. You don’t regularly sit down and ask yourself what makes you a great hire. Since you are the only person who will have to answer, “Why should we hire you?” start developing your answers. Take a few moments to ask yourself these questions: 1. What contributions will you make to the company’s bottom-line? 2. An employer will offer a compensation package; what do you offer in return? 3. How will you make the company better, stronger, more efficient? 4. Why should a company hire you instead of all the other qualified candidates? 5. What can/will you do for the organization in the first six months on the job? Nine? Twelve? What do they want from you? Fortune Magazine recently spoke to the hiring managers of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” and shared this advice to applicants: “Assume there are many qualified candidates for the position so help the recruiter and hiring team know you, how you align to [the company’s] culture and mission, and what differentiators you will bring to the team….” – Val Davenport, Director Talent Programs, USAA “The best candidates today “build a bridge” from their backgrounds to the specific job they seek. They align the big questions of the position (the desired outcomes, the key competencies and the key skills) to what they have done in the past.” – Andrew Majoch, Director, U.S. Commercial Staffing, Genentech “Give examples of how you have handled complex problems and situations.” – Elaine Poucher, Recruiting Director, Protiviti 22 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Community Activity “Tailor your story to prove your value and let me know who you are as a person at the same time.” to do great work, impress their customers, bring in revenue, meet objectives, and deliver projects on time and on budget. – Kevin Knapp, Recruiting and Talent Director, the Container Store Competing for a job is seldom a simple task. You need to know how to grab and hold the hiring managers’ attention. It requires an investment of time and energy to get your application noticed. Preparing yourself and your documents with the needs of the hiring manager in mind will help you demonstrate you have what they need. Make it easy for everyone. Make the hiring managers’ decision a simple one. Read, study, and address all of the qualifications listed on the job advertisement. The job ad is literally advertising the key qualifications required for the job applicant. Employers have taken the time to tell you everything they need from an ideal candidate. Use this information to tell them why and how you meet all their requirements. Use specific examples from your career that demonstrate and support each claim. Employers want to know what you can do for them. They want to feel confident in the knowledge they can trust you About the Author: Maureen McCann is the Founder and Owner of ProMotion Career Solutions (www.mypromotion. ca). She is an international award-winning résumé writer and career professional who supports six-figure executives and senior leaders through career transition. Maureen’s work has been published in multiple career-related books and been sought out as a career expert by the Globe and Mail, Yahoo Finance, the Ottawa Citizen, CBC Radio and the Toronto Sun. SHAPE International Community Choir By Vicki Jo Townsend (USA-Civ) “ A lucky group of SHAPE International Community Choir members were fortunate to spend a magnificent day at NATO headquarters in Brussels recently. It was not the more common trip to Brussels. This day was spent in the company of two other choirs from NATO and the truly magical director Geert Vromans. The participants met in the morning and form a joint choir of over 30 members. During the day the choirs studied three pieces of music: a section of a Bach cantata, a hilarious English canon, and last but not least, the James Bond theme. r“Participants for Brussels and SHAPE Choirs enjoy a break from the “Singing from Scratch” workshop sponsored by the NATO Choir.” the SHAPE Club. All singers are welcome and there is no need to be a trained singer or to read music. Come join in the fun! “ rVicki Jo Townsend, Wendi Child, Helen Jones, Alenka Zupanc, Michelle Mullen-Cragg, Karen Soeding and Anja Drangsholt pose during a break in the NATO Choral Workshop at NATO headquarter.” The marvelous direction of Mr. Vromans ensured that the choirs were taught using dance and song and he prepared them to perform the three new songs by 1700 on the same day! After a delicious buffet lunch at NATO headquarters, the choir enjoyed the afternoon polishing their music and then gave a short concert to family and friends. The SHAPE choir members who attended all enthusiastically look forward to next year’s “Singing from Scratch”, as it is called. Anyone wishing to sing with a very diverse, international choir is welcome to join the SHAPE International Community Choir. Rehearsals are from 1900 to 2030 every Wednesday evening in SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 23 Community Activity Celebrating all forms of literacy at the Canadian Section Written by Heather Mace, Canadian Section principal, Emilie Breton, librarian, and Melanie Tremblay, office administrator L iteracy Month at the Canadian Section took shape through a theme called “Branch out with Books”; the month promoted the importance of literacy, in all its forms in the lives of children and adults. A visual display called the Tree of Books kicked off the month where students added “book leaves” writing favourite book titles on each. A Growing Story with a sentence starter “A mysterious tree grew…” traveled to each classroom for its next paragraph. It grew into a 10-page story filled with student creativity and ideas! Mathematical literacy took its place through Day of Pi where students worked together to figure out the circumference of pies baked by our grade 3-4 class, after reading a special story called “Sir Cumference and the First Round Table.” What do cartoons have to do with literacy? The use of comics in the classroom has grown over the last decade. Writing comics creates an avenue for students to develop important skills in reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary building. Comics pair words and pictures to engage readers in literacy in a way that they don’t with traditional books. Often reluctant readers benefit a great deal from learning through comics; readers better comprehend and remember what they read when they have not only words but also accompanying graphics to help them make sense of a written text. Our office administrator, Madame Melanie, also a graphic designer, took time away from the office to work with students. She offered a series of comic workshops and a comic club for students to add to their literacy toolbox. Through graphic images, she worked with students on harder-to-teach concepts such as point of view, engaging plots and writing better dialogue for their characters. Every year, Literacy Month is a new adventure; who knows what next year will bring at the Canadian Section. Teachers share strategies to use when reading with your child: • Point to each word on the page as you read. • Read the title and ask your child to make a prediction. • Take “picture walks” (look at and describe pictures before you read) Photos by Heather Mace • Model your own energy and excitement for reading to your child. • Ask your child questions after reading every book. • Connect reading and writing (have your child draw a picture about the story or dictate a letter to a character). 24 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Community Activity 26 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Language Centre: Summer Programme By Geneviève JOJCZYK Administrative Coordinator SHAPE Language Centre The SHAPE Language Centre will be offering intensive summer courses in: For further information, contact the SHAPE Language Centre, Bldg 211 - Ext. 4971 FRENCH and ENGLISH OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SHAPE COMMUNITY (Minimum Age : 16). (3½ hours per day - 0900 - 1230 hrs - Monday thru Thursday). When: 29 June - 16 July 15 NO REFUNDS OR TRANSFERS CAN BE GIVEN ONCE THE SESSION HAS STARTED. Thank you for your cooperation. Registration: 22 - 26 June 15 Placement Tests: 23 June 15 If you are not a complete beginner, we advise you to take a placement test (call 4971 for an appointment before 23 June). Especially if you are a newcomer, this is a unique opportunity to get a head start in one of the two NATO languages and to make new friends. Moreover, as a newly arrived DEPENDENT, you are entitled to a 50% DISCOUNT ON YOUR FIRST BEGINNER COURSE. This offer is only valid for the first six months following the initial date of arrival in SHAPE. Please note that Summer Courses are an additional service and not a continuation of the regular programme. Therefore we cannot guarantee that a class can be run nor can we determine the level in advance. It will depend on the number and the knowledge of the candidates who apply. Like for the regular programme, a minimum of 7 students at the same level is required to run a class. Enrollments will be taken from 0900 to 1200 hrs and from 1300 to 1530 hrs (Monday thru Thursday) - from 0900 to 1200 hrs and from 1300 to 1400 hrs (Friday). SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 27 Morale & Welfare Branch Dates For Your Diaries SHAPE International Library Art Gallery May / Rita Callebaut and her daughter Mara Vereycken She studied at the academy of arts in Halle and has been working with ceramics for over 30 years. In 2013 she found a new challenge and studied painting with her daughter MARA VEREYCKEN. Rita and Mara have the pleasure to expose some of their first paintings. SHAPE International Library Art Gallery June / Alphonse Deglas Mr. Alphonse Deglas, who is from the town of Enghein, picked up his paint brush more than 35 years ago and the only time he puts it down is when he picks up his guitar or plays with his cats. The Belgian artist will exhibit his work here on SHAPE during the month of June after exhibiting at several venues such as Paris, Honfleur and Lyon in France, where his work is very popular. Mr. Deglas uses a few different styles of painting including fantasy, but his preference is symbolism. “As you can see (from the paintings), I like to incorporate unusual characters, mostly animals, but I really cannot explain why. I have a lot of fun incorporating all these characters into my paintings. The fantasy allows me to let my imagination run wild, while symbolism, which for me is more important, is a way to transmit messages.” This guitar strumming, cat loving artist has also won several awards including the Gold Vermeil from the Academy of International Contemporary Art. 28 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 If you are 18 years old or more and you are looking for a student job on weekends, on evenings or during school holidays, you are invited to contact SCSF Personnel Office by sending your CV to scsf.personnel@skynet.be . SMDs are not concerned by this announcement Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 29 Morale & Welfare Branch 30 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Morale & Welfare Branch Stonehenge with Salisbury & Oxford Saturday to Sunday, 13-14 June SHAPE Community Activity Centre, Building 307 (Library) Phone: 32 (0) 65 44 3884 Fax: 32 (0) 65 84 5154 Email: shapetripsandtours1@gmail.com Website: www.shape2day.com/shapetripsandtours.aspx Office hours: Monday - Thursday 0900-1700 hrs Fridays 0900 - 1530 hrs Closed Saturday, Sunday, and SHAPE Holidays Like us on Facebook! Amsterdam Saturday, 23 May Come along with us for a day in Amsterdam.… Visit the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, sip coffee at the worlds best cafes or enjoy a day of leisure in this beautiful city. Amsterdam is famed for its beautiful canals and outrageous cafes. Whether you’re an art lover, music lover or culture lover– Amsterdam has something just for you! Price: €56, Depart SHAPE: 0630 hrs, Depart Brussels: 0730 hrs, Arrive Brussels: 2300 hrs, Arrive SHAPE: 0000 hrs. London Day 1: We will begin our trip with a visit to Salisbury and its Cathedral, which is a must! It is arguably the finest example of the early English Gothic style of architecture in Britain. One of the four original Magna Cartas is housed at the Cathedral. Spend the rest of your time shopping or pub hopping. Then, head for the mysterious rocks of Stonehenge to marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage site. You will have plenty of free time to explore. Day 2: Discover Oxford, one of the most famous university cities in the world. A great little jewel of architecture and culture. Last day to register: 30 April 2015 Prices: 263 € / pp in a Single Room; 210 € / pp in a Double/ Twin/Triple Room 200 € / child (5-11 yrs) in same room as 2 full paying guests 135 € / child (0-4 yrs) in same room as 2 full paying guests Depart Brussels: 0600 hrs Depart SHAPE: 0700 hrs Arrive SHAPE: 2300 hrs Arrive Brussels: 0000 hrs Saturday, 6 June If you have any interest in museums, galleries, shows, pubs and parks, you will love it! The British Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London, West End Theatre are all high places to see at least once in your life! Furthermore London is a pleasant shopping expedition, from luxury shops such as Harrods, quirky retail outlets like Dover Street Market to gourmet food at the capital’s markets. Convinced? Then let’s go for a day free time in London! Price: €95, Depart Brussels: 0600, Depart SHAPE: 0700hrs, Arrive SHAPE:0100 hrs, Arrive Brussels: 0200 hrs. Phantasia Land, Brühl Germany Saturday, 27 June GREAT FAMILY DAY TRIP, THRILLING RIDES AND SHOWSPhantasia Land is a big amusement park in Bruehl near Cologne, GERMANY. A perfect combination of entertainment and enjoyment all year round for all ages!!! Prices: 102 € ADULTS (12 and up), 80 € CHILDREN (411yrs), €56 (CHILDREN (0-3 yrs), Depart Brussels: 0600 hrs, Depart SHAPE: 0700 hrs, Return SHAPE: 2200 hrs, Return Brussels: 2300 hrs. More destinations to come in the very near future… *These trips are subject to change. Please call our office for more information and pricing. Most trips have Deadlines or Sell Out Quickly, So Don’t Delay in Signing Up! If you would like to make a reservation, please give us a call or stop by our office. SHAPE Trips and Tours Escorts are Not professional tour guides. Thanks for traveling with us!! SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 31 Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Trips and Tours: Plopsaland in the Panne On Monday 04 May we had the chance to visit PLOPSALAND in the Panne on the Belgium coast and we were quite impressed. PLOPSALAND is the home of MAYA THE BEE, WICKY THE VIKING and HEIDI. This is the best park for younger children. It is extremely safe and even has an indoor area which is great in case of rain. As of this year a new swimming pool has been opened, complete with toboggans for the most courageous and a baby pool for the youngest. Of course, the magical waves are also available. 32 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 The inside of the pool is like “WINTER WONDERLAND”.. The park has attractions for all ages and the most fun was the “ANUBIS”. This was THE best rollercoaster ever. Fast, upside down, turning and with a speed of 90 km/hr. You need a strong stomach. Visiting Plopsaland will be a great day for everyone, the youngest under us will have a blast and the not so younger ones will also have a blast. Fun for all ages. DISCOUNTED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT TRIPS AND TOURS OFFICE, BUILDING 307, FOR THE PARK AND THE COMBI TICKET FOR THE PARK AND THE WINTER WONDERLAND SWIMMING POOL. Children under 85 cm are fee, also for the swimming pool. Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Trips and Tours: Play Golf In The Back Yard SHAPE Trips And Tours 2015 Rates Dear Fellow Golfers. Into 2015 we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Together with Mons 2015, we will be also the European Capital of GOLF!!! SHAPE Trips and Tours has started a new partnership with the Mont Garni Golf Club. We have an exciting offer for Membership and Green Fees. After visiting the golf course and seeing the lovely Club House, I was greatly impressed. The golf course is in the beautiful area of Baudour (approx. 20 km from SHAPE). With blooming magnolia trees, flowers and lots of greenery (obviously), it is simply lovely. The clubhouse is charming, and very warm and welcoming. The golf course has a restaurant, with huge windows and a great view of the course. For this exceptional year, we plan a very active program, with prestigious events such as the Belgian leg of the Alps Tour (European Touring Pros Challenge) and the Belgian leg of the European Longest Drive (from 29.06.15 to 04.07.15). For 2015, as club membership you will have some facilities: Federal bicolor card 2015 Free use of practice range Full access at 18 holes championship course Membership 2015 per person: Shape Trips and Tours Discounted cotisation Subscription fee 150 € + access fee on the course 110 € /monthly Welcome gift: a 18 holes green fee for a friend Green fee 2015 per person: Shape Trips and Tours Discounted voucher Week: 40 €/18 holes or 22 €/9 holes Friday: 45 €/18 holes or 28 €/9 holes Week-end: 55 €/18 holes or 32 €/9 holes Remark: the access on the course is limited to golfers with a golf handicap less than 36,0. To all of you we wish you a very nice golfing year at Mont Garni Golf Club. Subscription Membership 2015 per person: Shape Trips and Tours Discounted cotisation All in all, gorgeous. First & last name : ……………………………….................................. Attached is the form for the Membership fee and the Green Fee prices. Handicap : ……………....................................................................... Birthdate : …………/…………/……………….. As you can see, you have different options. You can choose any month of the year to golf, or just a weekend or even only a day. Sexe : O Male These prices are valid until 01 November. After that day, all will be half price. (except membership fee) Address :………………………………………………………………….. Please be aware that access to the golf course is limited to golfers with a handicap less than 36,0. Tickets and membership registration are available at the SHAPE Trips and Tours office. Building 307. (Library building). MONT GARNI is looking forward to welcoming you. O Female Nationality : ……………………………………..................................... ………................................................................................................ Zip Code : ……………………….......................................................... City : ……………………………………................................................ Telephone : .……/………………………………................................... Mobile :…/………………………….…………....................................... Email :…………….……………..…@…………………………….……… Month : May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 33 Morale & Welfare Branch 34 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Morale & Welfare Branch SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 35 Morale & Welfare Branch For Commercial Advertising in SHAPE Community Life Magazine or www.shape2day.com! Contact our Event Planner: María José Tezanos Tel: 065/44.4265 Email: maria.tezanos@shape. nato.int For an article or a SHAPE Event in SHAPE Community Life or www.shape2day.com Call 4939 or email: sclmag@live.be SHAPE Trips and Tours has another new proposal Enjoy an evening of classical music in the Chateau of Chimay. The Chateau is offering these three concerts in the beautiful theatre of the Chateau. See pictures. Trips and Tours has reduced prices for the concert tickets. Please come by our office in building 307 and we will give you a receipt. With this receipt you can go on the day of the concert to the Chateau, show them the receipt and you will pay the reduced price. Of course, you can reserve all two concerts with one receipt already. Bonne soirée au Château. Henriette De Lair Trips and Tours Director Saturday, 30 May at 1930 hrs The theater of the Château de Chimay will provide the framework for a piano recital given by Eliane Reyes. As an early pianist, her professional life took her from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels to the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and from the Mozarteum in Salzburg to the Conservatoire nationale supérieur de Paris. Universally acclaimed for her performances, Eliane Reyes has played as a soloist or in recital on the greatest stages of the world. With a predilection for French music and the German romantics, she will perform during that evening Chopin, Debussy and Ravel works. Defending contemporary authors also remains close to her heart. In addition to her many concert activities, she 36 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 works as a pianist teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Saturday, 27 June at 1930 hrs An extraordinary concert by ‘La Cheville Affolée’ will be performed on the stage of the Château de Chimay. Not less than eight cellos will make the audience vibrate through the warmth and the scale of their sonority. All members of this special company are teachers at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. An extremely varied program made of transcriptions of great sensitivity will make you rediscover Vivaldi, Beethoven, Wagner and Strauss works. The members of ‘La Cheville Affolée’ will be accompanied by the soprano singer Laure Delcampe who will bring more emotion to this concert of high-quality. Morale & Welfare Branch Arts & Crafts Centre SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 37 Morale & Welfare Branch NEW Movies are subject to change Please have a look to www.shape2day.com/cinema.aspx for updates To avoid any delays, please be early. Showings start on time Show Times on Wednesdays Check www.shape2day.com/cinema.aspx for schedule Avengers: Age of Ultron Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi . (PG 13 - 141 min) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo. When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Genre: Action, Comedy. (PG - 94 min) Cast: Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Eduardo Verástegui. After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college. But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers. The Age of Adaline Genre: Drama, Romance. (PG 13 - 112 min) Cast: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford . A young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a man who complicates the eternal life she has settled into. The Longest Ride Genre: Drama, Romance. (PG 13 - 139 min) Cast: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda. After an automobile crash, the lives of a young couple intertwine with a much older man, as he reflects back on a past love. Furious 7 Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller. (PG13 - 137 min) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson. Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother. 38 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 The Woman in Gold Genre: Drama. (PG 13 - 109 min) Cast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl. Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family. For Commercial Advertising in SHAPE Community Life Magazine or www.shape2day.com! Contact our Event Planner: María José Tezanos Tel: 065/44.4265 Email: maria.tezanos@shape.nato.int For an article or a SHAPE Event in SHAPE Community Life or www.shape2day.com Call 4939 or email: sclmag@live.be Sports, Health and Fitness Make a Wish 24 Hour Fun Run The Make-a-Wish 24 Hour Fun Run will take place this year on 22 May starting at 1600 and running for 24 hrs until 1600 on 23 May. The event is open to the SHAPE Community. For further details, contact the Sports and Fitness Section. SACEUR Biathlon Results Photos by Helmut Schneider (DEU - Civ) Photo by Mario Janssen (DEU - AF) By Cpl Laura Jones (GBR) SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 39 Sports, Health and Fitness was to become a team of the past on the first of April. Yes, the team did go broke but the players and coaching staff decided to finish the regular season without being paid. They played through the month of April and almost made it into the play-offs, which would have been quite ironic especially if they gained promotion to the top division. But they fell short and ended the season and their history in 7th place. W ith May comes the end of pretty much every football league in Europe… well, with the exceptions of some of the Scandinavian leagues. This summer is also a non-football summer with the World Cup having been contested last year in Brazil and the European Championship not taking place until next summer in France. So for football fanatics such as myself, it could perhaps be a quiet summer. For fans of proper hockey however, the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship 2015 will be underway for the first half of the month. This year the Czech Republic will be hosting the event with games taking place in both Prague and Ostrava. The tournament’s first game was scheduled for May 1st and pitted Canada against Latvia. I was down in Madrid on the day and there was no television set in a Spanish bar showing ice hockey, so I missed the first week of games. The tournament’s last games will be on May 17th with first the bronze medal game, followed by the clash for the gold medal and bragging rights in the hockey world. There is a very good representation of NATO countries with Canada, Latvia, Germany, France and the hosts in Group A (as well as Sweden, Switzerland and Austria). Group B consists of USA, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia and Denmark (as well as Finland, Russia and Belarus). Of course I’ll be looking for the USA to win it but the defending champions, the Russians, will be hard to be at for anybody. Last year Russia defeated the Finns in the final by a score of 5-2. I’m not feeling very optimistic about our chances however; the USA has only won it twice and the most recent one was before most of us arrived on the planet. I do have a soft spot for Slovakia too. Regardless, it should be a very interesting tournament. You can find more info at www.iihf.com. But back to football… In the last column I wrote what could be classified as an obituary for RAEC Mons, our local team that went bankrupt and 40 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 As a big fan of this team that has meant a lot to me over the past couple of decades, I was not going to miss their very last game of, well, forever. On April 25th the team was hosted by Royal Antwerp FC, another team that is in a bit of financial trouble. The game kicked off at 8 o’clock but I arrived a couple hours earlier, just to find a place to park and also to enjoy the atmosphere. A protest march was also scheduled by the Antwerp fans, who have not been very impressed with the management of their club over the past years. The fans met at a pub and with flags and flares in hand, marched to the stadium singing and chanting, and I was swept along with the crowd. As we made it to the stadium, the gates were opened and the majority of the crowd entered without tickets. The stand where I sat (rather stood; nobody sat in that section) was full of noise and lit up with even more flares for the duration of the game. The Antwerp fans equate their team to an English team, or at least celebrate football the way the English do (minus the banned in England flares, of course). Most of the songs were sung in English with a lot of gusto and, I later discovered, there is no Royal Antwerp Ultras group, like all of the other teams in Belgium have. The stadium, as well as the team, was also a very old one. Royal Antwerp has the matricule #1, so it is the oldest team in Belgium. They were founded back in 1880, 30 years before #44, RAEC Mons. The Bosuil Stadium opened back in 1923 and is one of those old classic stadiums with the wooden benches and old football feel about it. The main stand reminded me of Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham FC in London. To be honest, the game wasn’t a great one. Mons had a player sent off early in the first half so 11 against 10 forces one of the teams to mainly defend their goal. Antwerp did breach the Montois defence just before the half time whistle and the game ended with the 1-0 score line. The evening was all about the atmosphere. The chants were constant and mostly in English. The red flares lit up the stands for most of the game. There was also a bit of crowd trouble. Well, the Antwerp and Mons fans were fine; it was because Sports, Health and Fitness of the fact that security was lacking and a lot of undesirables waltzed into the stadium without tickets. These “gentlemen” dressed in black and some wearing black bandanas to cover their faces only had one thing on their collective mind – violence. Fortunately the Belgian police handled the situation very professionally and sorted these guys out. It was certainly an experience to remember, both enjoyable yet sad. To push the sadness to one side however, I’m off to Madrid where I plan to catch a couple of La Liga games which I will, of course let you know about next time. So until then, enjoy whatever it is you get up to. SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 41 Sports, Health and Fitness SHAPE International Cycle Club: So What Exactly makes a Flandrien? By Rob Van Byk I do believe that I am turning into a Flandrien! I have a T-shirt which says so - therefore it must be true. So what exactly makes a Flandrien? Is it the place of birth? Is it the penchant for Frites and any one of the multitude of beers with a strength that would cause it to be classed as wine elsewhere in the world? Or perhaps it is a language which defies most peoples’ ability to discern more than a single word of any one sentence? For me, a Flandrien is a cyclist - it is not just a lifestyle choice - cycling is part of a true Flandrien’s DNA; but by cycling, I don’t just mean a quick trip to the shops on a nice day to get a loaf of bread. Oh no! A true Flandrien will look out of his or her window in the morning, see that it is grey/windy/raining/snowing/icy/foggy, set their face with a determined smile, make sure that their chain is correctly lubricated and proceed to ride not just in-spite of the weather - but because of it. A true Flandrien relishes this discomfort just think of all those cobbled roads (Pavés)! Why do you think that they choose to ride on these horrific surfaces - indeed, go out of their way to ride the routes? It is because it is tough - it builds the character, toughens the muscles (and softer parts of the body) and hardens the mind - it marks them out as a breed apart amongst amateur cyclists. Now I do not pretend that my newly discovered status makes me a cycling demigod; I am at the beginning of this journey. I first had an inkling of my change to becoming a Flandrien during those dark, gloomy winter days when all I could think of was cycling. Remember the snowfall in December? A minor inconvenience which limited my ride to 90km and a thawing coffee stop that day! Or the persistently cold and icy mornings during January - pah! lower the tyre pressures, watch out for partially melted puddles and make sure that corners are approached at the correct speed - never brake during the bend - and off we go; great practice for bike handling skills. However, I know that I am not yet a true Flandrien because during those dark winter days, when I would return from a ride and take 45 minutes in the shower to thaw out, I did find myself longing for the days when I could ride without the numerous layers of thermal gear; when I could once 42 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 more expose my skin to the (relative Belgian) warmth offered by the Sun. It was with these thoughts in mind, that the traditional pre-season training camp to Majorca kept me enthused during the cold months. Of course, as every self-respecting cyclist knows, you have to train to be fit ahead of a training camp - and so as our departure date in early March drew ever-closer, we saw more and more SICC members joining our merry band of hardy cyclists for weekend rides. Trevor Blagg (AKA Trev’s Tours) had organised the deal of the century - such value that it was probably more expensive to stay home than go and live in a hotel on a warm sunny island for a week. And so it was, that 45 of us departed at some ridiculously early hour on 7th of March, to land in the sunny weather and feel warmth - a sensation that, without hugging a radiator, had been missing from our lives for the preceding 6 months. For those unfamiliar with Majorca, or who only know it because of its reputation as a summer holiday destination for drunken British youths, you have missed a treat. The island is rapidly becoming one of the must-visit destinations for cyclists and triathletes in particular. Team Sky, Lotto Belisol and a host of other pro teams run their own winter training camps on the island and it rivals Tenerife and Lanzarote as a brilliant cycling destination; good roads, scenic climbs, friendly people and excellent food. Our own training camp, rather more modest in comparison to the pro teams, but sufficiently ambitious for us, saw average distances for the week at around 800KM - with one or two hardcore riders exceeding 900KM. For me, there was plenty of fast flat road that allowed high average speeds and offered the opportunity to develop the group’s skills of riding at a 40KM/H pace just 5 centimetres from the real wheel of the person in front. We survived without crashes - but blood pressures were occasion- Sports, Health and Fitness ally raised as a competitive red mist sometimes descended on our peloton! For those who actually enjoy the sight of an uphill stretch ( rather than my own look of concern every time I see a gradient above 6%), the climbs came close to rivalling the Alps - a small group achieved 3000M ascent in a single ride, whilst the mere mortal riders amongst us had to be content with a more modest 2000M; I personally chose to perfect my heavy-breathing/slow speed mountain ascent technique followed by an adrenaline-filled descent during which I took pleasure in overtaking all those that had passed me on the way up. All-in-all, the views, variety of routes and social opportunities made this an essential event; my request for leave next year is already in the diary (6-12 Mar 2016). I even came back with tan lines on my legs and arms - although these were quickly hidden beneath my winter uniform on return to the cold of Belgium. So here I sit, back in Mons; but I am far from down-hearted. The sportive season has started - DVV and Proximus (www. sport.be/cyclingtour/2015/fr and www.proximuscyclingchallenge.be ) are both running their own excellent series of amateur “sportive” events in destinations around our adopted country. On other weekends, many of the local clubs organise their own Events that are then opened to all-comers. It is also the time of the “Spring Classics”. For those unfamiliar, the Classics are the pro-races of legend. In cycling circles, they enjoy almost as high profile as the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta Espana); just about all the notable pros have competed in these races in past years. For us amateurs, there is often the opportunity to pedal in the pros’ tracks during specially organised amateur “sportive” events. The Club has ridden the Gent-Wevelgem (4000 riders), Tour of Flanders (16000 riders) and Paris-Roubaix (4500 riders) in recent weeks - and then took great joy in watching the pros suffer similarly (albeit at higher speed) during their subsequent race on the same courses. The Liege-BastogneLiege beckons at the end of April to complete the trio known as “The Monuments”. Despite the differing characteristics of each event, the one thing that links all is the weather - which is “Flandrien” in its nature: Mud, rain and wind. Maybe it’s the Belgian beer which keeps me coming back - surely the recovery drink of champions. For those tempted to join our group of slightly mad cyclists, then the ideal opportunity to start is to join us on one of our Tuesday group rides. These rides are specifically designed with the newcomer or slightly less-experienced rider in-mind 60km at a very steady average speed of around 25-27km - we promise to look after you - we’ll even stop and help if you get a puncture. The rides depart every Tuesday evening at 1800 from the SHAPE Gymnasium and you can ride a couple of times with us before deciding whether to become a Club member. Finally, to mark my elevation to the status of Flandrien, I have now changed my name - no longer will I respond to my Pen Name of “Bob the Bike”; from now on, I shall be known as Rob van Byk (to my Flemish speaking friends, yes I know that the Flemish for “bike” is “fiets” - but it doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, and, anyway, I’ve not yet graduated to full Flandrien status!) Tot de volgende keer Rob van Byk SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 43 Sports, Health and Fitness Obesity in Children Compiled by Mark Friberg, MD The information in this article was taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics C hildhood obesity is on the rise in the United States. Obesity is usually defined as more than 20 percent above ideal weight for a particular height and age. While the risk of obesity is multifactorial, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive caloric intake are strongly associated with obesity and are among the factors which can be controlled. Many children less than 5 years of age fail to meet the physical activity CDC guideline of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. Some research indicates that 2 to 5 year olds should engage in 2 or more hours per day of physical activity. Young children are not automatically active. Studies show that 3 to 5 year old children spend over 30% of their time awake in sedentary activities. Sedentary activity for young children has been shown to range from 32.8 to 56.3 minutes per hour. Play spent outdoors in this age group seems to yield more active play than when play occurs indoors. One of the first ways teenagers assert their independence is by making their own eating choices. So, it may not come as a surprise that good eating habits are often a problem for teenagers. One way to make sure your teen is consuming a nourishing diet is to have family meals together. This allows parents to control both the quality and quantity of their children’s dietary intake. Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Immediate health effects: • Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5 to 17-yearolds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. • Obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes. • Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Long-term health effects: • Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults. • Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, 44 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Nutrition: Our diets are made up from 3 sources; protein, carbohydrates and fats. Protein and Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram where fats are much higher in calories at 9 calories per gram. Most nutritionists recommend that complex carbohydrates make up 50 to 60 percent of a teenager’s caloric intake. Complex carbohydrates are better than simple sugars. Examples of complex carbohydrates are vegetables and whole grains. Of the three nutrients, we’re least concerned about protein. Not because it isn’t important—50 percent of our body weight is made up of protein—but because adolescents in the United States get twice as much protein as they need. The densest sources of protein include teenage favorites such Performance Triad Tip of the Week: April 27, 2015 We are getting more days of sun than rain…yay! That means you should be able to get out and enjoy this wonderful weather and take your activity outdoors. Belgium has areas where you can take full advantage of the great outdoors. • Go Canoeing or Kayaking! You can go to these locations: o Outrhe River (www.durbuyadventure.be) o Lesse River (www.lessekayaks.be) o River Semois (www.recrealle.be) •F or the more daring adventurist, take it underground! Belgium has a landscape where you can go Caving. •O r perhaps you don’t like Caves…then take a climb! Although Belgium is not at the top of the list for rock climbing, there are areas in the south. •M aybe you want to take it to the sky… try Sky Diving. Whether you are a first time or a seasoned jumper, www.skydivecenterspa.be is the place for you. •W ant a place that has it all? Visit an adventure park such as in Durbuy and Les Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure: ohttp://www.durbuyadventure.be/en/ ohttp://www.lacsdeleaudheure.be/ • I f you would rather stay close to home base then do these activities: o Go outside and play games in the yard or at the park o Take walks after dinner o Go for a bike ride There are plenty of outdoor activities that Belgium has to offer. It is nice out, get out there, explore, and just move!!! Sports, Health and Fitness as beef, chicken, turkey, pork, fish, eggs and cheese. Nutrition experts recommend that fat make up no more than 30 percent of the diet. Some fats are necessary to obtain the fat soluble vitamins. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries. Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. General recommendations are to avoid snacking while watching TV. Maintain less than 2 hours of sedentary time per day (TV, video games and computer). Teens should get at least one hour of good physical activity per day. Mark Friberg, MD The information in this article was taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics SACEUR Dodgeball Results Photo by Mario Janssen (DEU - AF) Photo by Mario Janssen (DEU - AF) Photo by Mario Janssen (DEU - AF) By Cpl Laura Jones (GBR) SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 45 Community Activity head home in time for supper after a glorious day! TRAVEL GROUP members are available every WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY from 1100 – 1300 hrs in the Rendez-Vous. Upcoming Trips: 2015 Amiens & Les Hortillonages (Floating Gardens) Price: €35 Tuesday, June 2nd Come with us to the city that has one of France’s most awe-inspiring Gothic cathedrals (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.) Amiens is also the city where Jules Verne (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days) spent the last two decades of his life. We will arrive in the mostly pedestrianized city centre in the morning and you can choose to visit the Cathedral or Jules Verne’s house or the Picardy Museum or to shop in the city centre, whichever you prefer. Plan to have your lunch at one of the many eateries around town. After lunch the bus will take us to visit Les Hortillonages or Floating Gardens not far from the city centre. Here we will have a guided tour in small 12 person boats, of the 300 hectares of small island gardens criss-crossed by 65 kms. of canals. These flat-bottomed boats have raised prows, which make them look a little like a gondola. We will be able to see the market produce and other plants that grown in this unique community garden. After our 50 minute tour we will have time to grab a quick coffee and then 46 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 Provins Medieval Festival Saturday, June 13 €95 (adult), €70 (5-12 yrs), €50 (2-5yrs) Travel to the heart of one of the world’s greatest medieval festivals: Le Médiévales de Provins. The theme for 2015 is “Childhood and Games in the Middle Ages.” Celebrate Provins’ medieval past, at the time of the famous Champagne Fairs. Historical re-enactments and camps with more than 120 craftsmen; musicians, jesters, and acrobats; workshops, demonstrations, and fire shows; games for all ages. Price includes lunch at the Banquet of Troubadours, in a 12th century vaulted cellar. Between each dish will be “entremets” – the best troubadours of the county will fill you with wonder of a lively show including a medieval storyteller, jugglers, acrobats, diabolists, burlesque scenes and fire-eaters. Paris Thursday, June 18 Price: €35 Spring is a wonderful season to explore Paris! Without the summer crowds, Paris exudes a special atmosphere of elegance, freshness and joie de vivre. Starting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, you will have all day to get to know this great city. Strolling the wide boulevards, wandering along picturesque side streets or squares, you can take in the rich culture and history of France’s capital at your own pace. You can take your pick of Paris’ great variety of museums, like Le Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, as millions of tourists do each year. Enjoy the sidewalk cafes, with their laid-back feel and sophisticated decor or have a plat du jour in one of the many bistros off the beaten track. Mingle with the artists at Montmartre or visit one of the charming markets offering everything from food and drinks to books and antiques in a great variety. Not a dull moment in sight! Hampton Court Palace and Gardens Tuesday June 30 Price: €95 (adults), €85 (under 16), €70 (under 5) If you were a follower of the acclaimed TV series ‘The Tudors’ and want to delve deeper into the culture of that particular historical era, then a visit to Hampton Court Palace in the south of England is a must! Hampton Court, situated in the picturesque county of Surrey was built in 1286. Its most famous owner was the magnificent Tudor King, Henry VIII. It was one of the many homes owned by Henry VIII and none were more important to him, nor more sumptuously decorated by him, than this spectacular palace. Within the palace visitors can discover the magnificence of this former royal residence, which includes the lavish apartments of Henry and his six wives. Other attractions include the Tudor Kitchens, the new Chocolate Kitchens and the many art and furnishings which adorn the palace. Your ticket includes access to the palace, maze and gardens, plus a multi-language audio guide, costumed guided tours, children’s activity trails, entry to a living Tudor world, the Young Henry VIII exhibition and much more. Hampton court boasts an array of restaurants and tea rooms and also provides picnic areas in the palace grounds. We will be spending a full day at Hampton Court Palace and this day is not to be missed. The SHAPE TRAVEL GROUP is a NON-PROFIT activity run entirely by international VOLUNTEERS for SHAPE and NATO ID cardholders and their guests. Contact: Kristi 0486/56.53.71 Shape Travel Group http://www.facebook.com/pages/161916153886915 www.SHAPE2DAY.COM Morale & Welfare – Travel Group Community Activity Ongoing SHAPE Activities Every Tuesday and Thursday (1 April to end of September) SHAPE International Cycling Club 1800 departing from the Main Gym. 50K road bike rides. Tuesday rides are aimed at novices and newcomers and the group is led by a Road Captain who will ensure no one is left behind. You should have a reasonable level of fitness to complete these rides. Thursday rides are faster and hillier for those looking to improve those fitness. For more information email shapecycling@gmail.com or Ext 5763. Every Monday Boy Scout Troop #325 Come to a meeting and check us out! We meet every Monday from 1830-2000 in the Green Gym (second floor) on SHAPE. Contact us at: SHAPETROOP325@gmail.com Every Monday Ladies Golf (SGA) All SGA ladies with a golf handicap are welcome... 1000 hrs Continues through winter subject to weather and course availability at Royal Golf Club du Hainaut, Erbisoeul. If you cannot be there to play, just join us for our noon-chat at 1200 hrs in the club. Contact: Suzanne Keates 0476 914215 or suz_keates@ yahoo.co.uk Every Thursday Top Graders’ Wives Club SHAPE community women, open to all ranks and nationalities, meet together to explore all the delights of Belgium. Contact: Tanja 065/731580 or Linda 065/874375 Every Monday and Tuesday Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) Meets every Monday, 1830-2000 no childcare Meets every Tuesday, 0930-1200, free childcare is provided contact: President, Jennifer Beckett pwoc.shape@gmail.com Every Tuesday SHAPE Bridge Club Informal and duplicate bridge sessions in the SHAPE Club. Contact: Attila Balla 0476.53.71.01 Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Ladies Badminton All standards and nationalities welcome... 0915-1045 hrs Main Gymnasium. Contact: Rocio Rubio, email: rorudi_be@yahoo.es Every Tuesday and Thursday Aquagym 1500-1600 hrs - Swimming pool, FREE! Contact: Christine 065/73.12.49 Every Tuesday and Thursday Kardio Kickboxing 1730 -1830 hrs - Main Gym. High energy martial arts movements: punch, kick & shuffle your way to fitness excellence. All levels of fitness welcome. Contact Paula through Main Gym ext 5325. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday Toastmasters Club Develop your communication and leadership skills. 1830-2030 hrs - SHAPE Club, Pathfinder Room. email: rima_sammouri@hotmail.com or visit http://sites.google. com/site/shapetoastmasters Alcoholics Anonymous “If you drink thats your business, but if you want to stop maybe we can help.” SHAPE Group of Alcoholics Anonymous (English Speaking Meeting). “The only requirement is a desire to stop drinking.” Tuesday evenings from 1900-2000 hours. We meet at the International Baptist Church, Chemin Du Prince, 284; 7050 Jurbise Local 0470-470-790 or AA Bruxelles 0032 (0) 487/35.45.72. Wednesdays, twice monthly Scottish Dancing International group, no previous dance experience necessary. 1930 hrs - SHAPE Chapel Centre. Contact: Mirjam Morrison 065/73.19.44 or Greg Pedlow 065/44.47.49 Every Wednesday morning SHAPE Tennis Club (Ladies only) Ladies tennis, all skills level welcome. Green Gym, Courts A and B. 0930 - 1200 hrs. Contact: Olga Chroni: chrolga@yahoo.gr SHAPE Tennis Association (STA) Are you interested in playing tennis or learning to play tennis? The STA is going to be up and running again in the New Year. Making the most of the 2 indoor and 4 outdoor courts, we will be offering club nights (Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed) and coaching. Membership is open to the entire SHAPE community, both serving and dependants and for all levels from beginner to advanced. To register your interest or for further information please email shapetennis@gmail.com Every Wednesday Infant Massage Class For infants (birth to approx 1 year) and their parents. 1100-1200 hrs - SHAPE Healthcare Facility, 1st floor, social-work conference room. Contact: Fiona Webster 065/44.33.21 Every Friday SHAPE Ladies Bowling League Practice for all levels and skills. 1300 hrs at the Pizza Bowl. Bowling shoes can be rented at the Pizza Bowl for n1. Contact: Vandela Hesse 065/73.08.26 Every Wednesday SHAPE Community Choir From 1900 to 2100 in the SHAPE Club. All singers 14 – adult are welcome to come sing. Email: mojcahribar@yahoo.com for information or just come to a rehearsal. Every 2nd Friday Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Information and Support Group Come to an environment where you will be able to express your grief and share your story with others in similar situations. Contact: Fiona Webster 065/44.33.21 or Sharon McCurdy 065/44.42.74 Wednesdays, bi-weekly at 1900 hrs Hash House Harriers A non-competitive social runnning/ walking club open for everyone. For run details contact: Christine Handal, Tel: Mobile 0471 961156 http://shape-monsh3.com (chrisnehme@ hotmail.com). Every Sunday International Group of Motorcycle Riders Riders meet Sundays mornings at 1000 hrs to start group rides in the local area. All types of motorcycles are welcome. Contact: stephen@stephen.smith1@gmail. com or FB: SHAPE HDC Monthly SHAPE International Women’s Club (SIWC) All women of the SHAPE community are invited to attend. Contact: siwc.info@ymail.com Every Monday Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) Ladies meet for fellowship and bible at SHAPE Chapel at 1000 hrs, Bldg. 353 at 1800 hrs. Childcare is provided in the morning. All books are prrovided. Contact our Parish Coordinator: 065/44.60.19 Every Friday Rosary Warriors Meet at 0915 hrs in the SHAPE Blessed Sacrament Chapel Daily Mass & Sunday Mass Mary Queen of Peace English Speaking Catholic Parish Mass Schedule at SHAPE International Chapel Daily Mass: Wed at 1215 hrs Blesses Sacrament Chapel Thursday’s Mass is ‘Teen Mass and Meal at 1325 hrs in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The new time reflects the high school lunch time. All high school students are welcome. The ladies of Mary Queen of Peace provide a homemade lunch every week for the students attending Mass Sunday Mass: 0900 hrs East Chapel YOGA Classes YOGA classes for all-levels at the SHAPE gym (in the aerobics suite). For more info: Visit SHAPE YOGA on Facebook or contact Maria Sophia at mskontzamanis@gmail.com Dog’s Paradise Inn LUXURIOUS BOARDING for Dogs G Open all year Valerie Sauveur G Air conditioning 28 rue des Panottes G Veterinary control 7830 Thoricourt G Vaccination required 067/45.88.96 G Own pet’s menu www.dogsparadiseinn.be G Video control G English spoken SPECIAL 10% REDUCTION FOR SHAPIANS upon presentation of SHAPE ID SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 47 Community Activity FORUM MISCELLANOUS Gardener services, cut your grass with my lawn mower, trim hedges, spray gravel. Before you move I can collect what you don’t need with my trash container. 0497/76.27.53 Paid Ad 2504 Church of England, Episcopalian, Anglican Services every Sunday at 1015 hrs in the SHAPE Chapel, Bldg 601. All are welcome. For more information call 065/44.56.93. The International Jewish Center offers a weekly educational program in English for children from 10:00am - 12:30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet and befriend other international Jewish children and families. We introduce students to Hebrew, prayer, religious traditions, and the modern Jewish experience. We begin with a Tots class for children from 3 years, and we provide Jewish education through Bar/Bat Mitzvah with an emphasis on creative expression. The school is led by our Israeli Head Teacher and our American Rabbi and staffed by dedicated and experienced teachers. Please contact info@ijc.be or www.ijc.be for more information. Attachment Parenting/Green Families Group Are you a nature loving and/or attachment parenting family? Or trying to be? To meet like-minded people please contact us for more info: rainyplay@gmail. com or 0489/27.41.85) For an article or a SHAPE Events in SHAPE Community Life or www.shape2day.com Call 4939 or email: sclmag@live.be 48 SHAPE Community Life 15 May 2015 SERVICES PCB AUTOMOBILES 065/64.49.00 pcb@belgacom.net New and Used Tax-Free Cars. Dealer for UK Spec RHD Toyota, Lexus, Chrysler, Mazda, Ford Renault, Fiat, Alfa Other Makes and US Specs on Request Car Rental Paid Ad 2292 Garage Rene De Doncker Body repair, mechanical works, painting, etc. Purchases, Sales and Repairs on all models! (Honda, Nissan, Toyota, etc.) I will take you car through technical control ( C.T.) Rue de Brocqueroy 26 7061 Casteau GSM: 0475/738 662 Tel: 065/72 42 70 English (Tim): 065/72.30.35 Paid Ad 2440 GARAGE & CARROSSERIE BRAN Close to S.H.A.P.E (approx 500m) in the direction of Soignies, Mechanical Work, painting, body repair, ... Repair on all makes and models - Specialized in Chrysler/Dodge. We also offer towing services and prepare and pass your vehicle trough the Belgian Annual Technical Inspection. English Spoken Hours: 8.00AM - 6.00PM Monday through Friday Chaussée de Bruxelles, 27 7061 CASTEAU Tel: 065/72.32.33 E-mail: garage_bran@hotmail.com Paid Ad 2467 Emergency Telephone Numbers Emergency number for Shapians 065/44.3333 POOL AUTOS Car Rentals from €26 per day inclusive and €475 per month inclusive. Contact Pool Autos On Tel. 065/72.38.17 (Opposite SHAPE Flags) Paid Ad 2295 For any emergency throughout Europe 112