Thursday, April 08, 2010

Belvoir Briefs for April 8

Annual volunteers needed
Fort Belvoir participates in the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce’s Richmond Highway Spring Cleanup April 24. Interested volunteers are asked to call Pauline Hunter, 805-2034.

Mother/Daughter Girl Scouts
The Fort Belvoir Girl Scouts have their annual Mother/Daughter event April 10 from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Lorton Moose Lodge. The cost is $5 for mother/daughter couple and $2 for additional people.

Registered Girl Scouts must contact their troop leaders about tickets by April 7. Events include Mom and Daughter bingo, a comical musician, dancing, snacks and a participation patch.

AFTB Level I in a day
Fort Belvoir Army Family Team Building offers a one-day, Level I, Navigating the Military April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The course teaches basic military knowledge and includes military acronyms and terms; the chain of command and basic military benefits and entitlements.

This class is in the Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200.

Limited, free child care is available for children who are CYS-registered. The childcare deadline is April 9.

Class registration and child care reservations are available through the AFTB Program Manager, Colandra Sealey, 703-805-2769 or via e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

Naturalization, citizenship
Fort Belvoir’s Army Community Service offers an information session on Naturalization and Citizenship Citizen Classes and Immigration Services April 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at ACS, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200.

The class is open to all National Capital Region military and family members and helps people prepare to fill out Form N-400 and forms for immigration visas and presents instructions for citizenship examinations.

Information and registration is available by calling 703-805-3436 or 5058.

Cooking demonstration
Army Family Team Building, in a community outreach partnership with the Fairfax County Family Nutrition Program, offers Cooking on a Budget.

The family nutrition program is operated through the Virginia Cooperative Extension and is free.

A demonstration from Saroj Khurana, with helpful information and tips, is April 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lewis Village Community Center, 8735 Abert Drive.
Registration and more information is available by calling 703-805-2967 or 5555.

Bay cleanup volunteers needed
The Environmental and Natural Resources Division needs volunteers to help clean Accotink Bay, as part of the 22nd Annual Alice Ferguson Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The event is April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers will meet at the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center, Bldg. 780, and are asked to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle to refill as needed. Gloves and bags will be provided by the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

Adults, children, organizations and community groups are encouraged to participate.

Interested volunteers are asked to call Kevin Walter, 703-805-3969.

1st Cavalry Division Association
The National Capitol Region Chapter of 1st Cavalry Division Association meets April 17 at 9:30 a.m. The location is the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, 9800
Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200, Fort Belvoir.

Guest speakers include the commander of the Warrior Transition Unit and a representative of Army Emergency Relief.

In addition to discussing support to the SFAC and WTU; the association expects to discuss a chapter-sponsored cookout for members and family from the WTU scheduled for May 15; and support of the 3rd Annual Katz Deli Lunch for Wounded Warriors and families, June 19 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Soldiers who served with the 1st Cav. Div. are invited to attend this meeting.

More information on the chapter is available from the Web site, 1cda.org/National_Capitol.htm.

Army Warrants
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, US Army Warrant Officer Association has its monthly membership meeting April 15 at 5 p.m. The meeting location is the Kingstowne Library at the corner of Beulah and Telegraph roads. All active, reserve, and retired warrant officers are invited and encouraged to attend.

Information is available from chapter president, CW2 Meisha Atkinson, 703-706-2540.

Former wrestler, author at library
Former professional wrestler, Mick Foley, celebrates National Library Week and the Month of the Military Child at Van Noy Library April 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Foley, a New York Times’ bestselling children’s author, will read selections from his book.

After story time, he will be available to sign autographs and meet with the children and their families. The first 10 families will get a free copy of one of his books.

Information is available by calling 806-3323. 

Hearts Apart
Hearts Apart is a support group of people whose sponsor is deployed, on TDY or serving an unaccompanied tour.

The group meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200.

Free child care is provided with advance notice.

Child-care reservations and information is available by calling the Relocation Readiness Team, 703-805-5058 or 3436.

Family campouts are back
The first campout of the season is scheduled April 16 to 18. Families are invited to pitch their tents on the field next to the Outdoor Recreation Building at Tompkins Basin and sleep under the stars.
Daytime and evening family activities are planned throughout the weekend, including cooking S’mores over the campfire.

The cost of $5 per person includes tent space, fishing equipment, a scavenger hunt, sporting equipment and S’mores. Camping equipment is available to rent at ODR. Information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

Administrative Professionals Day
MWR celebrates Administrative Professionals Day April 21 with an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet in the Officers’ Club’s Mount Vernon Room. Reservations are available by calling 703-805-0930, ext. 600.
Lunch, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., includes an omelet bar and Belgian waffle station. 

Green thumb?
MWR is starting a gardening interest group for people who enjoy gardening to meet monthly and share gardening tips, exchange ideas and plants, and gain insight and knowledge on how to successfully grow and maintain a garden year round.

The group will cover a wide variety of gardening topics, conduct events with guest speakers, and provide unlimited literature. Explore the local area on field trips and find resources for all, including the novice and those who are already master gardeners.  The club welcomes people with a variety of growing spaces, from a small balcony to several acres.

The group’s first meeting is April 25 at 11 a.m. at Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 778, Tompkins Basin on the Potomac.

Interested people are asked to call 703-805-1143 to sign for the first meeting and to be added to the group e-mailing list.

Free self-defense class
In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, there’s a free self-defense class April 14 at 6 p.m. in Army Community Service, Bldg. 200. The class is open to women only, whether they are DoD civilians, Soldiers or family members. The class includes beginner techniques, risk reduction and services provided by Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Services of Woodbridge.

Because there are a limited number of openings, early registration is recommended by calling 805-2561.

12th Aviation Battalion open house
Community members are invited to view aircraft and technical rescue vehicles April 24 at a 12th Aviation Battalion open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

People who attend can speak with military members about their daily operations within the Military District of Washington.

Additionally, air crews and helicopters from the D.C. National Guard and Fairfax County Police Department will be on display.

The open house is at Davison Army Airfield, off of the Fairfax County Parkway, Route 7100, between routes 1 and Exit 166B of I-95.

Information is available from Capt. Kevin Merrill, flight operations officer, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Virginia Defense Force
The 23rd Battalion, Blackhorse Brigade, of the Virginia Defense Force is looking for former company-grade officers, former noncommissioned (or petty) officers, and new recruits to fill its ranks in any of its five Northern Virginia companies.

The VDF forms the governor’s ready response force - it can’t be federalized, go overseas, or be armed (except under order of the governor in extreme circumstances), and it can’t be ordered to deploy outside of Virginia’s.

VDF volunteers train a minimum of four hours per month on emergency management-related tasks; complete online Federal Emergency Management Agency courses; and perform such missions as inauguration support; communication support to the Virginia National Guard during hurricanes; and augmenting the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, upon request.

When mobilized by the governor, VDF personnel get regular military pay. Units typically have between 15 and 30 personnel and have almost no equipment that needs to be maintained or safeguarded.
The VDF has no set enlistment period and personnel between 16 and 65 years of age can join.

Information is available from the VDF homepage, vdf.virginia.gov/, or through 2nd Lt. Eric Roos, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 703-216-7962.

AOWCGWA
The Army Officers Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area hosts a luncheon on April 15 in the Koran Room of the Fort Myer Officers Club from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sandra O’Connell will discuss lessons learned from 800 letters her husband’s family exchanged during World War II, as documented in the book, “An American Family in World War II.”

The event costs $20. Reservations must be mailed by April 9 to Ruth Howell, 7709 Little River Turnpike, Suite 100, Annandale, Va., 20003.

Information is available from Wendy Gifford, 703-903-1542; or Ruth Howell, 703-941-1300.

Red Cross classes
Fort Belvoir’s American Red Cross Office offers the following classes:

Babysitter’s Training, April 10, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
SFA CPR/AED Adult, April 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.     
CPR Child and Infant, April 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CPR Adult, Child, Infant and First Aid, April 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
 
People can register and pay for the class online at redcrossnca.org or by calling 703-584-8452. People interested in training for groups or organizations can call Ashley Cleveland, 703-584-8716.
The office on Belvoir is at 9716 Middleton Road.

Enlisted spouses
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club has its monthly meeting April 13 at 6:30 p.m., the 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 Military District of Washington area.  Information about the organization, becoming a member, or attending April’s meeting is available by calling 703-781-4050.

ACAP seminars/workshops
The Army Career and Alumni Program offers the following:

Starting a Business, April 12, 9 a.m. to noon, Barden Room 105. About self-employment franchise ownership, including advantages, business models, investment ranges and financing options, how to investigate and choose a franchise and how the entrepreneur’s source can help.

Financial Planning & Investment Management Skills, April 13, 9 to 11 a.m., Barden Room 105. Encouraged for transitioning servicemember or family member with questions and taught by a certified financial planner from the Military Officers Association of America. Investment strategies, retirement income sources, evaluating a financial situation, portfolios and investment management.

Employee Benefits, April 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Barden Room 105, including insurance; preferred provider organizations; health-maintenance organizations; retirement plans; and flexible spending.

Enrichment in housing
Staff from Child, Youth & School Services offer free enrichment activities at the housing community centers. Children and youth must be accompanied by an adult. Activities are from 10 a.m. to noon.

Events are free and open to the public.

The schedule is: Mondays in April, Fairfax Village; Tuesdays, Vernondale; Wednesdays, Lewis; Thursdays, George Washington; Fridays, Woodlawn.

Each week has a different topic, including creativity, library, Earth and Health and Fitness Week.

Information is available by calling 805-1906.

NARFE meeting
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees Association Springfield Chapter 893 meets April 14 at 1:30 p.m.

The meeting location is The American Legion Post 176, 5620 Amherst Ave, Springfield, adjacent to Kay Jenning’s Springfield Toyota.

Roy Michael of Springfield, a two-time identity theft victim, will give a presentation on identity theft, lessons learned and protections.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Information about the meeting and the organization is available from Dick Gallagher, chapter president, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 703-455-4373. 

Learn to kayak
Join Team River Runner, Outdoor Recreation and Benyaurd Pool to learn the basics of kayaking in the comfort of an indoor pool. The next classes are April 14 and 28; and May 12 and 16 at 7 p.m. Information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

KIDSFEST, family fun
MWR celebrating military children April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the School Age Services Building, Barlow Road.

The free event includes face-painting, games, food and prizes.

Information is available by calling 805-9114 or 9116 or 9117 or 9118.

Lock-in Around the World
In celebration of the Month of the Military Child, the CYS Services Youth Center has a lock-in April 17 at from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and joins centers around the world that are also having lock-ins.
Information is available by calling 703-805-4515 or by stopping by the Youth Center.