Friday, May 16, 2008

Belvoir Briefs

Miscellaneous
Spouse Appreciation
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is Friday. Belvoir celebrates with an event at the Community Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Winners and nominees in the Spouse of the Year award will be recognized.

Military Job Fair
The Joint Employment Transition Services and USO-Metro host a Job Fair for Military from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club, 5500 Schulz Circle.
Dozens of employers, including area police and fire departments, federal agencies, health care agencies, defense and government contractors, are participating to discuss job openings with candidates. All military ID card holders can attend. People who do attend should bring resumes, be prepared for on-site interviews and not bring children.
Additional information is available from Dawn Fincham, 703 805-2464, ; or Cassie Camp, 703 696-0958, .
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Van Noy Library has an American Girl reading list and books. At the library, girls can register to win a trip to an American Girl store and a $1,000 shopping spree.
It’s recommended for girls 7 and older. More information is available from Kitkittredge.com. Van Noy’s number is 703 805-3323.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month observance
Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, based in Washington, D.C., is the guest speaker for Fort Belvoir’s observance of Asian Pacific
American Heritage Month.
She speaks at 11 a.m. May 21 in the Community Club. This year’s theme is Leadership, Diversity, Harmony - Gateway to Success.
The Fort Belvoir Equal Opportunity Office sponsors the event, which is open to all military, family members and civilians.
More information is available from Master Sgt. Ernest Murray or Sgt. 1st Class David Grant, 805-2288/5386.
May Madness
MWR’s recreation crew has May Madness May 18 at the Community Center. The event includes food, games, live music by New World Band and Cedar Run and activities and door prizes for all ages. People who attend can play video game systems, billiards and table tennis or just watch the big-screen television. More information is available by calling 703 805-3714.
Doggie Days
Start training your pooch for Doggie Days, June 7. The event includes pet photos, contests, a 3K walk and more. More information is available by calling 703 805-1226/3081.
AG annual ball
The Potomac Chapter, Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association, has its Annual Ball, “Putting on the Ritz” celebration, May 31 at the Waterford Convention Center in Springfield.
The event includes an evening of dining, dancing and entertainment.  All Army members, family members, Department of the Army civilians, retirees and veterans are welcome and invited. Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald Brooks is the guest speaker.
Cocktails are from 6:30 p.m., followed by the receiving line at 7:10 p.m., dinner and formal festivities at 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing until 11 p.m.
Dress is formal military attire or formal or black tie for civilians and guests.
Registration is open until May 21. Tickets are available through Maj. Jacqueline A. Smith, 703 325-3956, ; or M. Susan Windisch, 703 695-7447, .
Ticket prices vary, depending on rank.
Pre-deployment and reintegration workshops
Pre-Deployment workshops are Monday and June 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at Bldg. 1153, off of Gunston Road, next to Dunkin’ Donuts on South Post. For more information, call Carol Janer at 703-805-5556.
Reintegration workshops, open to Soldiers and spouses, are May 19 and June 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Family Life Center, Bldg. 1186, off of Gunston Road, adjacent to the Lawn and Garden Center on South Post. Registration for the reintegration workshops is required. More information and registration is available by calling 703 805-2742.
The Mobilization and Deployment Program and the Chaplain Family Life Counseling and Training Center have partnered to provide these on-going workshops for Soldiers and family members on Belvoir who are preparing to deploy or reintegrating after deployment. Both workshops incorporate Battlemind Training.
Army Birthday Ball in June
The annual U.S. Army Birthday Ball is June 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C. This year’s ball celebrates the Army’s 233rd year of service to the nation.  All active and retired members of the U.S. Army, National Guard, Reserve, Department of the Army civilians, contractors, and their spouses or guests are invited. Tickets are $80. A limited number of discounted tickets are available to military E-6 and civilian GS-7 and below on a first-come, first-served basis. Required attire for military is the Dress Blue or Mess Dress uniform or the Class A uniform with white shirt and bow tie. Civilians should wear formal evening apparel.
Childcare will not be provided.
Online registration is open at http://www.us.army.mil until all tickets are sold.
More information, including directions to the event, alternative transportation and parking, is available by calling 703 697-0692 or the ball’s helpdesk, 877-545-0854.
Spouse support group
DeWitt Health Care Network has a spouses’ support group Thursdays at 4 p.m. in the second floor group room of Building 815. It is open to spouses and significant others who are dealing with a loved one who is deployed or has recently returned. Information is available by calling 805-0156.
Religious
Open Air Faith Festival, concerts
The Fort Belvoir Staff Chaplains Directorate has an Open Air Faith Festival & Concert May 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fort Belvoir Parade (P1) Field, Belvoir Road. The event is free and open to all military ID card holders.
The event’s purpose is to honor God, country, and Soldiers; unite faith communities on Belvoir, inform the greater community of the religious services available to all, and to inspire people of all ages through continuous praise, worship music and prayers.
The event will have a kid zone and food and craft vendors. People who attend are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Music artists at the event include Antonia Lawrence, Bishop Bruce Parham, Fred McKinnon, Jason Crabb, Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, SONICFLOOd and a few local artists.
Volunteers are also needed.
Vehicles without decals must enter off of Route 1 through Tulley Gate.
Interested volunteers and people who want more information may contact Jacque Jones, 703 806-5904, .
Jewish
Fort Belvoir’s Jewish Congregation has weekly Friday night services, at 8 p.m. at the Belvoir Chapel. The group’s next Saturday morning service is Saturday. An Armed Forces Shabbat Service is 8 p.m. May 16, with a deli oneg after the service. The speaker is Brig. Gen. David Rubenstein from the Surgeon General’s office. Information is available from Sara Astrow, 703 806 4196.
Clubs
Army Warrant Officers meeting
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association has its monthly membership meeting May 15 at the Kingstowne Library (corner of Beulah and Telegraph Roads), beginning at 5 p.m. All active, reserve, and retired warrant officers are invited and encouraged to attend. CW3 Patrick Morris is chapter president. He can be reached by calling 703 945-3140.
DLA Toastmasters
The DLA Toastmasters Club 3772 meets Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 3501 of the Andrew T. McNamara Headquarters Complex Building. Guests are welcome to attend and observe. Points of contact are James Dennis, president at 703-767-9652 and Linda Murray, vice president and public relations at 703-767-9293.
MWR
Stained Glass classes
Classes are forming for stained glass at the Kawamura Arts and Crafts Center. Sessions are now through June 26 and July 10 to Aug. 28. The center offers beginning stained glass and advanced classes for returning students. More information is available from Kim S. Joy, 703 623-0905.
Basic Framing Class
The Self-Help Frame Shop at Kawamura Arts and Crafts Center offers a beginning framing class taught in four evening sessions in a month. The cost is $60, which includes the use of the facility, tools, equipment and supplies to complete projects. It does not include molding, mat board, foam core, glass or mounting materials. More information and registration is available at Kawamura or by calling 703 806-4655. 
Bunko!!
Bunko, a popular dice game, has come to Fort Belvoir Community Club. May 28 is Gourmet Night and June 25 is Clothing and Accessory Night. Players can win prizes, including gift cards. All entrants will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a $4,000 SPA Finder gift card and other prizes. The fun begins each evening with a mixer at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 5:30 p.m. Open to ages 18 and older.
Reservations are available by calling 703 805-8471.
Fabulous Fridays
The Golf Course Clubhouse has Fabulous Fridays, beginning at 6 p.m. The events include live entertainment, barbecue, or food from an a la carte menu. Range balls are free at the golf practice range from 6 to 9 p.m.
Need a vacation?
Armed Forces Vacation Club offers DoD civilian personnel, reservists, active-duty, retired military and their family members the opportunity to book a seven-night luxury resort vacation for $329. Resorts are in the United States and abroad and are booked on a space-available basis. Information is available from the Web site, http://www.afvclub.com/. Bookings are available by calling 800 724-9988 and referencing Fort Belvoir 189.
Education
Troops to Teachers
Troops to Teachers has a presentation at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Room 102 of Barden Education Center.
More information is available by calling 757 683-3327, or via fax to 757 683-5941.
UMUC
The University of Maryland University College has degree and certificate programs.
Registration is open for summer session, which begins May 27.
The university expects to have a have its homeland security program at Belvoir in the fall.
The office, in Barden Education Center, is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Information is available by calling 781-0059.