Thursday, May 08, 2008

Belvoir Briefs

CDC Parent Committee
The North Post Child Development Center Parent Advisory Committee meets every first Thursday of the month. The group’s next meeting is today at 5 p.m. One topic for discussion will be Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day. Parents with children enrolled in the NPCDC are encouraged to attend. The PAC addresses concerns raised by parents to the director and develops ideas to help teachers with the children’s development. Participation is encouraged.

Have a South Dakota connection?
The South Dakota State Society has a social gathering today at the American Legion on Capitol Hill, 224 D St., SE. The event is open to anyone with any sort of connection with South Dakota. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends around 9 p.m. The cost is $20 at the door. The event includes prizes, an open bar, food and conversations. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to .

Free comedy show
The Fort Belvoir Golf Club presents a night of comedy, open to all, with Brett Leake and Mark Matusof, Friday, at 6 p.m., at the Fort Belvoir Golf Clubhouse. Entry is free and door prizes will be available. Additional information is available by calling 703 806-5878, ext. 102/103.

Family fun, game night
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouses’ Club has a family fun and game night Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lewis Village Community Center. The event is free and includes games for every age and light refreshments. More information is available from Dyanna Moore, 703 615-6722.

Karaoke Night
Think you can sing? Prove it at Karaoke Night at the Officers’ Club Washington Lounge, Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. The venue has a new karaoke system! More information is available by calling 703 780-0930.

Combined yard sale
Belvoir, Rossell, Gerber and Lewis villages have their spring yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Crest and Badge Show
The quarterly gathering of the Crest and Badge Show is Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Community Club. The show attracts historians, collectors and military enthusiasts who enjoy a wide range of military insignia, including uniforms, patches, medals and other items from the Civil War to present. Although most of the items are American, international insignia is displayed also. The show has been taking place on Belvoir for more than 40 years and meets regularly on the first Sunday of February, May, August and November.

Spring Safety Day
The Fort Belvoir Installation Safety Office hosts Spring Safety Day 2008 at Specker Field House and the Belvoir Chapel parking lot May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will have more than 20 vendors; safety demonstrations by state, local, and private organizations; an awards ceremony; a free lunch; and the opportunity to win door prizes. Organizations that want to sponsor a safety-related event or set up an information booth are asked to contact the safety office, 703 704-0649.

USO-Metro’s Mother’s Day Celebration
The USO of Metropolitan Washington hosts a Mother’s Day Celebration May 11 from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Community Activity Center, 1442 Concord Ave., Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
The annual event began in 1980 as a way to honor the mothers of armed forces families in the metropolitan area. It includes cakes and baked goods from the White House, foreign embassies and the Foreign Joint Services NCO Association.
Events include activities for the kids (face painting, crafts and a magic show) and activities for moms, including neck massages, manicures, raffles and gift bags.
The event is open to all active-duty service members and their immediate family members.
Event volunteers are also needed. Information is available from Dawn Fincham, 703 402-7840, .

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.

Family Bingo night
Youth Services hosts family bingo night, open to community members, May 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. The free event includes prizes and refreshments. More information is available by calling 703 805-4515.

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.

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 is looking for Jewish Soldiers and families new to the area. The congregation has weekly Friday night services, at 8 p.m. at the Belvoir Chapel. The group’s next Saturday morning service is May 10, followed by an Armed Forces Shabbat Service at 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.

Protestant

Sunday School change
Protestant Sunday School meets Sundays from 9:20 to 10:20 a.m. in the Religious Education Center. There are classes for Pre-K through 12th grade and two adult classes:  Daniel and God, the People, and the Covenant (Chronicles, Nehemiah, Daniel, Hagai, and Luke). More information is available from Mike Webb, 703 806-4179.

Pioneer Club change
Pioneer Clubs, an activity-based religious education program for children age 2 through 6th grade, meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Religious Education Center.
More information is available from Mike Webb, 703 806-4179.

Catholic

Mexican Fiesta and Karaoke Night is Saturday at 6 p.m. in Woodlawn Chapel. People who attend should bring a dish to share.

MISCELLANEOUS
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 May 12 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.
Divorce recovery
Messiah United Methodist Church has Divorce Recovery Workshops from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays to June 11. Babysitting is available at the church. Topics include denial, grief, anger, loneliness, guilt, rejection, forgiveness, letting go, self worth and hope. After a brief discussion, small groups with trained facilitators form.
The course is appropriate for any stage of divorce.
Registration is available by calling 703 569-9862 or online at http://www.messiahumc.org. The church is at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield.

CLUBS
Scholarship deadline extended
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouses’ Club is encouraging people to apply for its 2008 scholarship awards. Two awards will be made to high school seniors who are family members of enlisted active or retired military personnel in the Fort Belvoir area. There will also be one award made to a spouse of active or retired military personnel for the 2008-2009 school year. Applications are available at Barden Education Center or from Marty Schaeffer at . Finished applications should be received by May 9.

Scholarship
The Fairfax-Lee Chapter of AUSA has opened its 2008 Scholarship Program. Past recipients have received awards ranging from $500 to $2,000.
Completed applications are due by Saturday.
Information is available from Guy Yelverton III, 3604 Bailey Place, White Plains, Md., 20695, .

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
MWR NAF property sales
NAF property sales are May 12 through 14 at three locations: Bldgs. 200, 1487 and 1142. Sales run from 9 to 11 a.m. each day. A flyer, with details on fixed-price and silent-bid items, is available at http://www.belvoirmwr.com/docs/mwrsale.pdf.
More information is available by calling 703 805-3675.

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.

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.

Don’t forget Mom
Mother’s Day Buffet is May 11 at the Officers’ Club. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and reservations required. Tickets are on sale now to club members Monday and, for members of other clubs and non- members. The cost is $27.95 for club members and $29.95 for members of other clubs and non-members. Children cost $12.50 for ages 7 to 12, free for 6 and younger.