Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Belvoir Briefs

Survey sent
Fort Belvoir family housing residents will soon receive “HQ, DA Army Survey.“ The survey’s purpose is to allow residents to provide feedback on how well their on-post housing needs are being met.
Information provided will help Residential Communities Initiative make better decisions on how to allocate limited housing dollars and will help guide future commercial partners provide services and facilities important to families living here.
Answers posted to the survey are strictly confidential. No personal data will be tabulated and the survey will not identify the family or the residence where they live.
More information is available from Raisa Pines, Residential Communities Liaison Office, 703-805-0034.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt
The Fort Belvoir Community Center hosts breakfast with the Easter Bunny Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m.
Parents may want to bring cameras for pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $7 per person, ages 3 and up.
An Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. The hunt is free and tickets are not required.
Seats are limited. Tickets are available at the center. More information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

Easter Buffet at the O’ Club
The Officers’ Club offers an Easter Brunch Sunday. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost for members is $27.95 and non-members pay $29.95. The cost for children 7 to 12 years is $12.50, and children 6 and younger eat for free.
Advance reservations are required by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 600.

A Night of Laughs
The Community Club and PSR Entertainment present a Comedy Show and DJ Friday.  Doors open at 8 p.m.; show time is at 9 p.m., followed by an after party from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets are available at the community center or club.
More information is available by calling 703-805-8471.
Reimbursement location change
There has been a location change for Wednesday’s disbursement of Metro Checks. The location is the Fairfax Room of Belvoir Community Center, Bldg. 1200, Taylor Road.
Directions are available from Willie Evans, 703-805-3714.

Naturalization and citizenship info
Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer Army Community Services hosting an information session on naturalization and citizenship, presented by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. A representative will available to answer questions about gaining citizenship, immigration visas, filling out N-400 and more.
The session is conducted Tuesday at Belvoir’s ACS from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3436 or 5058.

Holocaust Museum trip
The Fort Belvoir Installation Commander, in conjunction with the equal opportunity and chaplains offices have a trip to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.,  April 24.
The trip and museum tour are free and includes Henry Greenbaum, a Holocaust survivor, who will share his experiences at the museum. 
Busses depart the chapel parking lot, on the corner of 12th Street and Belvoir Road, at 9:30 a.m. and return at 1:30 p.m.
RSVP by April 17 to reserve a seat.
The museum has a café or people who attend may bring a bag lunch.
Information is available through Master Sgt. Ernest Murray Jr., , 703-805-2288/5383. 

Hearts Apart
Hearts Apart is for all spouses, male and female, whose sponsor is deployed, geographically separated, on an unaccompanied tour or extended TDY. Army Community Service provides a support group setting for activities, resources, and for networking during sponsors’ absences.
Free on-site childcare and dinner are provided. The next group meeting is April 16, at ACS from 6 to 8 p.m.
More information is available from Tammye Braddy, 703-805-3436/5058 or via e-mail to .

Annual cleanup
Belvoir participates in the Annual Route One Cleanup April 25.
Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers can sign in and get reflective vests, trash bags and assignment.
Volunteers should dress in appropriate civilian attire, including comfortable shoes and gloves.
Refreshments provided after registration. The cleanup is from 8 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers should gather in the Community Center parking lot.
Sign up via e-mail to Pauline Hunter, .

Yard sale throughout housing
The Villages at Belvoir have a post-wide yard sale, throughout all of its 15 villages, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18. Residents with questions may contact their community management office.
All residents can sell. The event is open to everyone.

Yard sale II
Parents from the North Post Child Development Center will use the facility’s parking lot to participate in the Post-Wide Yard Sale April 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The NPCDC is across the street from the Belvoir Elementary School and next to Lewis Village Housing area, 5925 Meeres Road, Bldg. 1745.

Logistics workshop, conference
AMC’s Logistics Support Activity and the Council of Logistics Engineering Professionals have a 2009 Life Cycle Logistics Tools Workshop and User’s Group Conference and Seminar, May 12 to 14.
The workshop, at the Holiday Inn, downtown Huntsville, Ala., is expected to draw more than 200 logistics professionals.
More information and registration is available from logisticsengineers.org. Fees are $199, which includes lunches all three days. Registrations taken before Friday get a discount and CLEP members can save an additional 10 percent.

SHAPE Officers Association
Active-duty, retired officers or civilian equivalents who served at SHAPE, its subordinate commands or NATO, are invited to join the SHAPE Officers Association. The U.S. Chapter of SOA hosts luncheons and guest speakers in the D.C. area, golf outings and an annual formal dinner.
Members include some who served when SHAPE was in Paris, before its current location, Belgium.
The group welcomes new members or those who want to rejoin. More information is available from Jack Haas, 703-699-0746, ; or John Craig, 202-863-2306, .

Monthly family readiness classes
The Mobilization/Deployment and Family Readiness Program holds monthly classes as follows:
First Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Family Readiness Group Roundtable for all FRG leaders, unit commanders and first sergeants and FRG volunteers.
Second Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, Pre-Deployment Class, preparing for upcoming deployments and learning resources for Soldiers, DoD civilians and family members.
Third Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, Reintegration Class, preparing for return or adjusting as a family after the return, what to expect and resources to help, for Soldiers, DoD civilians and family members.
Third Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon, FRG Essentials Class, FRG volunteers or unit commands needing information on starting or revitalizing an FRG.
All classes are in the ACS Classroom, Bldg. 200, Belvoir Road.
More information and registration is available by calling 703-805-5683 or 703-805-4590.

Fashion show luncheon
The Army Officers’ Wives’ Club of the Greater Washington Area hosts a “Spring into Style” Fashion Show and Luncheon April 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Koran Ballroom at the Fort Myer Officers’ Club.
Members will model some of the latest fashions and style experts will be on hand to demonstrate ways to coordinate, accessorize and build a versatile wardrobe.
The luncheon costs $20. Reservations must be made by mail, with checks made out to AOWCGWA and received by noon Friday to Jill Hoffman, 2609 Military Road, Arlington, Va., 22207.
Information is available by calling 703-243-4592 or via e-mail to .

Enlisted Spouses Club recruiting
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouse’s Club has its monthly meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Vernondale Community Center. Enlisted Spouses of all services are encouraged to become members of this private, not-for-profit organization designed to create a family oriented, informative and social interest among the enlisted families of the Fort Belvoir and the Military District of Washington area.
More information about the organization, membership or the meeting is available by calling 703-781-4050 or from the Web site, belvoiresc.org.

Murder mystery dinner theater
Murder Mysteries Will Travel and the Fort Belvoir Community Center present “Murder on the Set,“ April 18 at the center from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Dinner theater advance tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger and are available at the center. More information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

Employment Readiness Program
Army Community Service’s Employment Readiness Program offers the following:
Federal Job Search Classes at ACS, Bldg. 200, Call 703-805-4590 to register.
KSA’s and the new ESS (AVUE), April 16.

Resume Preparation, April 23.
The above classes are from 10 a.m. to noon.
Employment Program Orientations are Tuesdays from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling 703-805-4590.
Career Corner, a walk-in resume and job search assistance provided monthly by Career Counselors, are at different community centers on Belvoir each month. More information is available by calling 703-805-3126.
ACS Career Training Academy, courses in computer skills, administrative assistant field, medical terminology and medical office specialist and advanced billing and coding are being offered through ACS.
The next Medical Careers Training Information Session is April 29 at 10 a.m. at ACS. 
Military Spouse Job Fair Express, May 2, 8 or 11:30 a.m. sessions, in ACS, Bldg. 200. Participants should come dressed to meet employers and attend job search classes on federal employment, GI Bill/career advancement accounts for spouses, career strategies in an economic downturn, with a free resumé review.
Registration and more information are available by calling 703-805-4277.

Doggie Days
Outdoor Recreation has a special day planned for you and your best four-legged friend to show off. Fort Belvoir’s Doggie Days, May 9, is a day of fun and games for pooches and the whole family.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pullen Field and includes food (for humans and canines), contests, a dog therapist, a dog whisperer, Children’s Corner, agility courses and more
More information is available from Outdoor Recreation, 703-805-3081.

Sailing socials
Want to learn how to sail in a social and fun environment? Outdoor Recreation has learn-to-sail with a with a group instructor in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Sail from 5:30 p.m. until sunset.
No sailing experience is necessary and each boat has one instructor onboard. People can participate and sail as much, or as little as they want.
Boats can accommodate up to five guests and an instructor.
The cost of $42 per person includes sailing until sunset, onboard instruction and transportation. Upcoming dates are April 17 and May 15, from 3 to 10 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

Administrative Professionals’ Day
The Officers’ Club hosts Administrative Professionals’ Day April 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a chance for people to show their appreciation for that person who makes their jobs easier.
The event includes a buffet brunch for $15 per person. The event is open to all and is in the Mount Vernon Room.
Reservations are required by calling 703-780-0930.

AFTB instructor training
Have you taken at least two Army Family Team Building classes? Interested in instructing others? AFTB Instructor Training classes are April 21 to 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classes will be in Bldg. 200, 9800 Belvoir Road. Free childcare will be provided.  All children must be registered with Child, Youth and School Services before the class. The childcare registration deadline is Friday.
More information is available from Colandra Sealey, 703 805-5556, or via e-mail to . army.mil.

Motorcycle safety courses
A motorcycle safety course is May 1 and 2 in the Pentagon North Parking Lot.
Event information and motorcycle registration is available from upcomingevents.ctc.com/ MotorcycleSafetyEvent.htm.
The event includes a motorcycle skills demonstration; motorcycle rodeo; awards for rodeo and bike judging; booths and venues; a safety briefing and a ride and rally.
Training classes in military sportbike, basic and experienced rider courses are from April 27 to 30 at forts Belvoir, Meade, Lee and Eustis; Quantico Marine Core Base; Patuxent River; Anacostia; Riders may register at https://airs.lmi.org and navymotorcyclerider.com. Marines should contact their local safety offices.

Religion
Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross
Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross are Fridays at Woodlawn Chapel. Supper begins at 6 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross are at 7 p.m.
Jewish
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has a community-wide Yom HaShoah program April 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom. A program on Belvoir is April 24.
The congregation and Master Sgt. Ernest Murray of the Equal Opportunity Office are working on a program commemorating the Holocaust.
Saturday Service is at 9:30 a.m. April 25, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Children’s Service, in Belvoir Chapel.
A Jewish Welfare Board Program is April 28. The Jewish Welfare Board, the Jewish Chaplains Endorser, will have a program at the Religious Education Center.
More information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.
The congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel.
The congregation is looking for all Jewish Soldiers and families new to Belvoir.
Information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.
Catholic
Fairfax Chapel closed
Fairfax Chapel is closed until further notice for renovations and repair. The 9:15 Hispanic and the 11:15 Masses will temporarily be celebrated in Barden Education Center Auditorium.
Education
Army vocational/ technical Soldier program
Brown-bag lunch
Congress has selected the Army to participate in an education pilot program designed to provide vocational-technical education opportunities for active-duty Soldiers, officers and wounded warriors, including National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on extended active duty. 
The intent of this short-term pilot program is to provide training in high-demand career fields, including computer systems design, administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, professional, scientific and technical services, rehabilitation, nursing, medical technology and other health care occupations.
The AVOTEC program is not based on the Army’s traditional TA program that pays for semester or quarter hour courses. Regardless of what education level an active-duty Soldier currently has, they are eligible to enroll for a certificate or licensure at state or national level.
Officers will incur no Active Duty Service Obligation.
The program must be no longer than 18 months long and is limited to $4,500 per fiscal year. To enroll, Soldiers must register in the GoArmyEd portal and approved in a community college, private trade or technical school before Sept. 30.
More information will be presented at an AVOTEC Brown Bag Luncheon Information Briefing at Barden Education Center, Wednesday in Room 122, from noon to 1 p.m.
Soldiers can also call a counselor at 703-805-9268 or 9270 or 9267 or visit the AVOTEC Web site, at hrc.army.mil/site/education/VOTEC_Program.html for a listing of participating community and technical schools.