Coffee shop offers free java, social venue for teens
As the colder months arrive in Germany this year, finding a warm place
to hang out is something on the minds of many local high school
students.Read More
As the colder months arrive in Germany this year, finding a warm place to hang out is something on the minds of many local high school students.
Teens in U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart don’t need to look further than the new Common Grounds coffee shop, located on Patch Barracks.
“Common Grounds is a fun, friendly environment,” said Kevin Perry, a freshman at Patch High School. “You can chillax with your friends, do homework and drink coffee.”
The coffee shop, located on the third floor of Building 2312, underwent renovations during the summer and opened its doors this past October. It offers free drinks and snacks in a coffee-shop atmosphere.
The cafe is sponsored and run by volunteers working for the local chapel youth group, Common Bond.
“This is something for the students. This is a place where students can come and belong,” said Leah Vanderlaan, Common Bond youth leader and cafe sponsor. “We want to show love, without expecting anything in return.”
For students in the community, the cafe is also a safe alternative place to hang out, she added.
The coffee shop is open on Monday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. for junior high students, Tuesday from 2:30-5:30 p.m., and Friday from 6-10 p.m. for high school students.
Currently, Common Bond offers a variety of free hot and cold drinks, cakes and cookies.
“It’s nice not having to pay for the coffee,” said senior Brandon Cryzter. “You know that [the employees] are doing it out of love.”
Common Grounds also provides opportunities for students to express themselves with open mike nights on the first and last Friday of every month. On these nights, students can perform music, sing or read poetry.
Common Bond volunteers are also +planning to host karaoke and comedy nights in the coming months.
“The people there want the best for those students,” said Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Rickey Moore, part of the garrison Religious Support Office, which helped fund the cafe. “It is a big asset to the youth culture in the area [and] there’s a freedom to it.”
As the colder months arrive in Germany this year, finding a warm place
to hang out is something on the minds of many local high school
students.Read More
Who knew life on the farm could be so complicated — or funny?Read More
Thinking of using a value-added tax relief form to buy a house or buy
your host nation landlord a nice gift? Think again. VAT relief doesn’t
work like that.Read More
Newcomers with children arrive in the Stuttgart military community with
a variety of questions, such as “Where will my child go to school?,”
“Will their classes transfer?” and “Can they still be in the band?.”Read More
The Girl Scouts have been busy this past year.Our focus was to give back to our community through service projects. Read More
The Patch High School wrestling team set out to defend its 2008
European title as it hosted the 2009 season-opening wrestling
tournament Dec. 6.
The results were a resounding team victory (273.5 points) over
Division I rivals Ramstein (216 points) and Wiesbaden (110 points).Read More
For the second time this year, the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Sports
and Fitness Program hosted an Installation Management Command-Europe
Boxing Invitational and for the second time, local first-time, walk-on
boxers stole the show.Read More
Most ski lifts in Baden-Württemberg are situated in the southern part of the Black Forest and the Swabian Albs. Read More
Anna Garland’s parents drink coffee in the morning.Read More
Patch Chapel Dec. 20: Protestant Christmas Music Service, 11 a.m. Dec. 24: Catholic Christmas Eve Children’s Mass, 5 p.m. Dec. 24: Protestant Candlelight Service, 7 p.m. Catholic Christmas Eve Mass, 10 p.m. Dec. 25: Catholic Christmas Day Mass, 9 a.m. Dec. 31: Watch Night Service, 9:30 p.m. Jan. 1: CatholicRead More
Editor’s Note: Do you have a question
you would like to see answered in a future edition of The Citizen? If
so, contact “Ask a JAG” at aaron.lancaster2@eur.army.mil.
Q: I feel behind the curve when it comes to my finances, specifically
in regards to money management, saving for retirement, and taxes. Do
you have any suggestions to help me sort out these difficult issues?Read More
Court closure begins Jan. 11; other dining options offered
Eating out on Patch Barracks can be a hassle. If Dad wants a burger,
the kids prefer Subway and Mom needs a cup of coffee, there’s no “one
stop shop” to get it all done. Instead, the family may have to visit
three separate buildings.Read More
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