Thursday, June 11, 2009

Belvoir Briefs

Miscellaneous

Final talent auditions
Fort Belvoir’s MWR and BOSS program team up with Fort Myer for a joint forces salute to the “Year of the NCO,“ with a talent showcase Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. at Belvoir’s Wallace Theater.
The event will showcase talents of local National Capital Region military personnel, family members and DoD civilians. It includes a youth theater performance, an adult talent competition and a professional acrobatic performance by the Jabali African Acrobats.
The showcase includes a youth theater performance of “Beauty is a Beast.“ Final auditions for this show are Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fort Belvoir Youth Center, Bldg. 5850. Youth auditions are open to those in grades 6 to 12, family members of military and DoD civilians in the NCR.
Audition registration and information about the youth performance is available by calling 703-805-4515.
Talented adults can win cash in the adult competition. Eligible MWR patrons, 18 and older can audition at 6 p.m. today at Myer’s Community Center.
More information is available by calling 703-805-4382 or 703-696-3470.
The event is free of charge and open to all eligible MWR patrons.

Course deadlines approaching
Army Management Staff College is wrapping up registration for the final classes for fiscal year 2009 in its Civilian Education System.
Monday is the deadline for AMSC’s Basic Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., scheduled for Sept. 14 to 25; and the Intermediate Course at Belvoir from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2.
Information is available through amsc.belvoir.mil.

US Army Warrant Officers
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, US Army Warrant Officer Association has its monthly membership meeting June 18 at the Kingstowne Library, the corner of Beulah and Telegraph Roads, starting at 5 p.m.
All active, reserve, and retired warrant officers are invited and encouraged to attend.
More information is available from CW3 Patrick Morris, 703-945-3140.

Autism class
The Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer Military Community Exceptional
Family Member Programs sponsor “Tricare/Other Benefits and Safety Issues for Military Parents with Children with Autism and Other Cognitive Disabilities” class and support group.
The event is Tuesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Belvoir’s Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200.
Lt. Col. Scott Campbell, a parent of an autistic child and secretary for the Autism Society of America’s Northern Virginia Chapter, is guest speaker.
Families can learn about medical benefits and safety issues for their autistic children and network with other families.
Reservations are required for class slots, on-site child care and free food and beverages. Parents may be responsible for paying for child care if child care reservations are not canceled by 10 a.m.
Monday.
Reservations, general or disabled access information is available from
Marcia O’Connor, EFMP manager, 703-696-8467 or TTY, 703-696-4675.
Telephonic reservations must be made directly with O’Connor and not through an answering machine.

Father’s Day already?
Father’s Day Buffet at the Officers’ Club is June 21. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and reservations are required.
The buffet costs $27.95 for club members and $29.95 for non-members; children 7 to 12 years old, $12.50; and 6 and younger, free.
Reservations are available by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 600. No cancellations or refunds are available after Wednesday.

International spouses
The International Spouse Group meets with a potluck June 23 at 6 p.m. at Vernondale Village Community Center, 9532 Troth Way. New, foreign-born spouses and members are welcome. People should bring a favorite dish from their native country to share.
The group offers information on programs, English as a Second Language, citizenship, jobs, the Metro and more.
Information is available through Christine Robinson, , 703-805-3436.

Learn the Metro
The International Spouse group has a Metro Field Trip June 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Washington, D.C. Registration is required and newcomers are welcome. 
More information and registration is available through Christine Robinson, or 703-805-3436.
Learn to sail the Inner Harbor
MWR’s Outdoor Recreation has a Sailing Social at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor June 19 from 5:30 p.m. to sunset. No sailing experience is necessary. Sailors can participate and sail as much or as little as they want.
The trip costs $42 per person, including sailing, instruction and transportation.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

Festival fun
Outdoor Recreation can drive you to the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival June 20 at National Harbor with four- and six-hour tours that include tasting, festival admission and transportation. ODR also visits Leesburg’s Summer Brewfest June 27.
Information on both trips is available by calling 703-805-1226.

New York City excursion
MWR’s Information, Ticketing, and Registration has a day trip to New York City June 20 for $45. People can take in a show, sight see or shop at their leisure. The bus leaves from the Community Center at 8 a.m. and returns late in the evening.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3714 or by stopping by the Community Center, Bldg. 1200, Taylor Road.

Family camping
Outdoor Recreation has a family campout from 8 a.m. June 20 to noon June 21. Families are invited to pitch their tents on the field next to the Outdoor Recreation building and sleep under the stars.
During the day, family members can fish, take archery, join a scavenger hunt with prizes, and hike along the Accotink Bay.
The cost is $5 per person, which includes a tent space, fishing clinic, archery lesson, a scavenger hunt, sporting equipment, and s’mores over an outdoor fire pit. An extra large charcoal grill is provided for community grilling and three fire pits are available for roasting marshmallows. Campers only need to bring their tent, sleeping bag, camping supplies, food and water.
People with none of their own camping equipment or who don’t know what they need can come to Outdoor Recreation for help. ODR is also accepting payment and reservations.
More information is available by calling 703-805-1226.

CYS in housing
Staff from Child and Youth Services bring arts and crafts activities to the housing community centers. The events are free and open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
More information is available by calling 805-9117.
Scheduled events are:
Bubble Mania, for ages 3 to 5, Lewis Village, 10 to 11 a.m., June 23 and 30.
Food, Fun & Reading, for kindergartners through second graders, Vernondale Village, 1 to 2 p.m., June 23 and 30.
Palette of Fun, for third- and fourth-graders, George Washington Village, 10 to 11 a.m., today, June 25 and July 2.
Entomology, for fifth- and sixth-graders, Fairfax Village, 1 to 2 p.m., today, June 25 and July 2.
Army Birthday Celebrations, Decorate cupcakes and celebrate the Army’s Birthday, 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Woodlawn Village; 10 to 11 a.m. June 18, George Washington; and 1 to 2 p.m., June 18, Fairfax.

Red Cross classes
Fort Belvoir’s American Red Cross Office offers the following classes in June:
• HIV Aids Starters Facts, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
• Pet First Aid, June 19, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
• Adult, Child & Infant CPR, Part 1, June 24, 6 to 10 p.m.;
• Adult, Child & Infant CPR, Part 2, June 25, 6 to 10 p.m.;
• Babysitter Training, June 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office is at 9716 Middleton Road. Information is available from redcrossnca.org or by calling 805-2057.
Arts and crafts       contest
The deadline to enter projects into the 2009 Arts and Crafts Contest is June 30. Artists can compete for cash against the best artists and artisans in the Army with their best 2D and 3D artwork.
Complete rules, entry forms and information are available through Kawamura Arts and Crafts, 703-806-4655. Registration is also available via https://artscrafts. fmwrc.army.mil.

Boating safety
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 25-8 offers a boating safety class from 6 to 8 p.m. July 6 to 9, which meets the requirements established by Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. All regions fine boat operators who have no evidence of taking a boating safety class. Requirements differ by state.
The class meets at West Marine, 601 S. Patrick St., Alexandria, 22313. Students get a manual, a certificate, and class-completion card.
The cost is $40/student, $60 for a couple who shares the manual.
Enrollment is available via e-mail to Rich Miller, .
Deployment and family readiness
The Mobilization/ Deployment and Family Readiness Program conducts monthly classes as follows:
Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, Reintegration Workshop, preparing for the return of a loved one, or adjusting after the return, as a family; what to expect and resources to help, for Soldiers, DoD civilians, and family members.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon, A to Z for FRG Volunteers, information for FRG volunteers and unit commands on how to sustain, and/or revitalize an FRG.
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.
Child care may be available with early registration.

Saturday AFTB
Fort Belvoir Army Family Team Building offers a Saturday, Level 1, Navigating The Military Life AFTB class, July 18. The location for the free, one-day class is 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200. Free onsite childcare will be provided. Children must be registered with Child and Youth Services before the class. The deadline for childcare is July 6.
More information and reservations are available through Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556 or via e-mail to .

Bus driver training
Fort Belvoir’s Directorate of Logistics conducts bus-driver training courses through November. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Three-week courses start every month through November.
Registration and information is available by calling 703-805-2788.

Religion
Orthodox Divine
A Feast of SS. Peter and Paul Liturgies is June 29 at 9 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Woodlawn Chapel.
A Feast of Vladimir of Kyiv is at 9 a.m. July 15, also in the chapel.
Non-Orthodox are welcome.
Jewish
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation’s Traditional Shabbat Dinner is Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Religious Education Building, followed by a service at 8 p.m. in Belvoir Chapel. The event has a $5 per person/$20 per family suggested donation.
A Family Service is at 7 p.m. June 19. A Friday Night Service is June 26 at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel.
The congregation has a Saturday Service June 27 and celebrates Connor Chroman’s Bar Mitzvah.
The congregation is looking for all Jewish Soldiers and families new to Belvoir.
Information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.

Five Day Clubs help needed
Five-Day Clubs, or Backyard Bible Clubs, are scheduled in selected housing areas on Fort Belvoir from July 20 to 24. High School-age youth are needed to be missionaries to lead and teach the clubs. Missionaries are required to complete a week of training in Richmond, Va., in June. Also, sponsors are needed to sponsor the clubs in each housing area. Sponsors’ duties include hosting and distributing promotional material.
Interested volunteers may contact Mike Webb, 703-806-4179, .

Pianist wanted
The Fort Belvoir’s Garrison Chaplain Office is looking for a pianist for the 8 a.m. Protestant worship service.
More information about the paid, contract position is available from chaplain Lt. Col. James King, 703-806-4317 or 4316.
Protestant
• Awana?
Fort Belvoir’s Protestant Community is considering starting an Awana program Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., for youth pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.
Planners need teachers and students to make it a reality. Pre-registration is ongoing through July 24 for teachers and students. If there is enough interest, planners expect to start the class Sept. 9, and expect it to run through May.
Registration and more information are available through Mike Webb, 703-806-4179, .
• Protestant Women
The Protestant Women of the Chapel starts new summer Bible Studies July 9. The group’s main meetings are Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Belvoir Chapel.
Free childcare is available for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.
A homeschool room is available for school-aged children - parents are asked to bring work for their children.
The PWOC also has two weekly evening studies Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Religious Education Center and Wednesdays from 7 to 8:45 p.m. in the REC Library.  More information is available from Jennifer Nicholas, 703-781-0916.

Barden Education Center

Park University
Park University summer internet classes are underway. More information is available by calling 703-781-8456 or from the Web site, park.edu/virginia.

ODU
Military Career Transition Program’s Master of Science in Education summer classes at Old Dominion University begin Monday. The second summer session begins June 19. Non-degree applications are being accepted now for summer and fall classes. Non-degree students become degree-seeking after beginning the program.
The Master of Science in Education is an initial licensure program that transfers to 44 states and DoD schools around the world. Licensure is offered in elementary, middle school and high school. Active/retired military, military spouses and qualified civilians are eligible for the program.
Personnel who transfer before completing the program locally can finish their program by taking online or video streamed courses.
More information is available at odu.edu/mctp or by calling Belvoir ODU office, 703-781-8102 for an appointment with an adviser.

UMUC
University of Maryland University College is registering for summer classes.
UMUC is in Barden Education Center, Rooms 126 and 128. 
Office hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon.
More information is available through Barbara McKaig, 703-781-0059, .

Central Michigan University
CMU Summer I classes begin Friday, and Summer II classes begin July 7. Classes are available at six locations in the D.C metro area, including Belvoir.
CMU accepts applications year round. Classes are conducted on alternating weekends or weekday evenings. New classes begin every six weeks. Degree completion is available in 18 months or less.
More information is available through Mary Pat Mabeus, 703-360-5336.
CMU is in Room 139 of Barden Education Center.

Webster University
Registration at Webster University is open for fall classes, which begin Aug. 15. The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions.
Evening classes are conducted at Barden Education Center and additional programs are offered in the D.C. Metro area at Bolling and Andrews air force bases, and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
Webster University offers five, nine-week terms each year, with some transferable credits.
Office hours are Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-781-7942. Webster offices are in Room 143 of Barden, or are reachable via e-mail to , or from the Web site, webster.edu/dcmetro.