European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 3, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sgt. 1st class Brian Thornton checks out the Mode military quarters Quot living room at the a fix it shop in Baum older West Germany. A amps Lynda Davidson making housing it Tore liable by Peggy Davidson Kaiserslautern Bureau there s no place like Home. But government quarters Are usually nothing like a Home. For people living in the Baum older military Community that s changing. The opening of a revamped a fix it store makes it possible for families living in government quarters and soldiers living in the Barracks to add a personal touch to their Homes. They can change Wall color from Basic White to peach Light Coral beige or Light Blue. As a matter of fact the store does t even carry White anymore said sgt. 1st class Dario Vielma noncommissioned officer in charge of the a fix it store. If customers done to like the colors available at the store they can Purchase one of the housing office approved pastel colors from the Exchange. The store offers More than just paint to help housing residents refinish and refurbish government quarters that have been used by the . Military in Baum older for More than 45 years it sponsors self help classes. And to give customers ideas of what is possible in government quarters the store showcases a Sample apartment and Barracks Day room. Signs Promise that a your Day room or apartment can look like this Quot the Sample apartment demonstrates decorative touches such As wallpaper Borders Stencilling designs and Quot Feather duster Quot painting techniques. Sgt. Jonathon Day 4th in 29th Field arty said that he visits the store at least once a month. Quot whenever something needs fixing Quot Day said he drops in. Inside the store a former movie theater Row after Row of shelves Are filled with brooms hoses Light fixtures paints paint rollers and trays Towel Racks sink stoppers toilet seats rakes and More. Like the local hardware store Back Home Baum \ def s store has More than 1,000 items. Unlike the store Back Home customers done to have to pay for self help items they get at the store. They must Only Sian for them. Y a i think it la help Quot said maj. Michael Smith commander of the 520th personnel services co at Baum older who was at the store to look around for supplies for his unit and his quarters. Customers can also recommend supplies they wish to see in the store. One Section of shelves holds no supplies but slips of paper and pencils under signs which ask Quot any suggestions Quot Vielma said that customers have asked for everything from polyurethane wooden floor sealant to Light dimmer switches. Though the store a Zwil probably not carry the polyurethane several of the requested items Are already on the shelves and others have been ordered. Paint remover is now in Stock. Bathtub faucets for the newer quarters and Light Dir Rymers have been ordered Vielma said. To help customers make minor repairs efficiently and correctly the store has the full time assistance of a plumber an electrician and a Carpenter. This Spring the Carpenter was Busy cutting Wood to build picnic tables. Each table was then sent to a unit or building representative As a kit which unit members put together As self help projects Vielma said. The Carpenter can also help design other projects for residents who have an idea and a rough sketch of what Page 14 the stars and stripes they want. These projects include anything from bookshelves to a chair railing around a room. The stores electrician Michael Hauch is available to make repairs in Homes or offices. Quot when they have a problem we make a service order drive to the apartment and fix it Quot said Hauch. He cautioned against do it yourself electrical repairs which can be dangerous unless one knows what he is doing. Even changing a fuse can be dangerous said Hauch who in addition to changing fuses tracks Down Short circuits mends faulty wiring and installs chandeliers and Light fixtures. Udo Strumm the store s plumber also makes House Calls. There a no typical problem he said Quot Ever time another thing Quot from Leaky faucets to running toilets. Before beginning any improvement projects in their government quarters or work areas customers must attend one of the store s self help classes which Are offered twice monthly. They then sign a contract with the j self help store pick up the supplies they need and use what they have Learned to Spruce up their quarters. If they follow these procedures when they leave they will not be required to change the decor Back to its original appearance. The classes teach simple Home repairs such As replacing toilet seats and sink faucets. Participants also learn How to hang pictures and they Are encouraged to use the store As often As they need. The More the residents use the store the better the condition of the quarters Vielma said. Both the classes and the new store Are getting More business Vielma said. At the old location self help workers saw five to 10 customers per Day. Now he said 45 to 50 people come in to browse and to look for new ideas. A so v tuesday july