Thursday, September 11, 2008

Briefs

Deployed family Fun Day
The USO of Metropolitan Washington and other military support agencies host Deployed Family Fun Day Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is at TISCOM, Coast Guard Headquarters, 7323 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, 22315.
Spouses and children of deployed servicemembers can gather for fun, entertainment and activities, including face-painting, laser tag, a moon bounce, a visit from Operation Military Kids and a picnic buffet.
All service branches will participate and provide resources and information about programs and services available for families of deployed servicemembers. Active-duty servicemembers who expect to deploy soon are also invited to attend and bring family. The event is free.

Back-to-school nights
Walt Whitman Middle School’s Back-to-school night is Sept 18 at 7 p.m.
Mount Vernon High School’s Back-to-school is Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Retiree, Widow, Widower Day
Fort Belvoir’s annual Retiree/Widow/Widower Appreciation Day is Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Defense Acquisition University, inside Scott Hall, Bldg. 226.
Organizations can reserve tables for the event by calling Gwendolyn Lott at 703-805-2675 or Carlos Dominguez at 703-805-3682.

Commanders, 1st Sgts. Training
The JFHQ-NCR/MDW Commanders and First Sergeants Training Course dates are Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Fort Myer’s Main Post Chapel, across from the main post exchange.
The course is conducted to acquaint new and prospective company leaders with some of the challenges of command and the avenues and resources available to help them in resolving or addressing Soldier issues and concerns within the National Capital Region. Military District of Washington Regulation requires all company commanders and first sergeants to attend the training.
Interested people should contact their unit S3 or installation DPTMS.
A final list of participants is due Sept. 26.

Hispanic American Heritage observance
Fort Belvoir’s Equal Opportunity Office hosts its Hispanic American Heritage Month observance at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 1 in the Belvoir Room of the Officers’ Club. George Autobee, senior advisor/coordinator for the American GI forum, is the speaker. The topic this year is Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation.
Grufolpawa, Inc., will have a dance performance.
The observance is open to all military and civilians.
Information is available by callng 703-805-2288/5383.

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

Genealogical Society meeting
The Mount Vernon Genealogical Society meets Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Room 112 of Hollin Hall Senior Center, Alexandria.
The meeting, free and open to the public, features a presentation entitled “Genealogical Resources in the Fairfax County Library Virginia Room,” presented by Suzanne Levy.
Levy has been the Virginia Room Librarian at the Fairfax City Regional Library since 1981 and is a member of the Fairfax Genealogical Society, American Library Association, Historical Society of Fairfax County and Historic Fairfax City, Inc.
MVGS, a nonprofit organization, has more than 260 members living in Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, the counties of Fairfax, Prince William, Montgomery, and Prince Georges, and in several states.
Additional information about the meeting and MVGS is available at http://www.MVGenealogy.org/.
Information about the meeting’s program is available from Harold McClendon, 703-360-0920, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Naval Officers’ Spouses
All Naval officers’ spouses (active, reserve and retired) are invited to a Welcome
Coffee Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington. The event, sponsored by the Naval Officers Spouses Club
of Washington DC, features a guest speaker, information booths of area services and organizations and shopping at the Temptations Boutique Trunk Show. The club’s monthly events include social activities, tours, fundraising and guest speakers. Past guest speakers include the chief of naval operations, President George W. Bush, Lee Woodruff and Ann Hand.
RSVPs for the coffee are available through .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by calling 703-538-5874.

Virginia Defense Force looking for members
The Virginia Defense Force, the commonwealth’s reserve to the National Guard, is looking for new members to join. The group is ideal for people between 16 and 65 who are former military who may miss it or anyone who wants to make a difference.
The VDF forms the governor’s own ready response force. It cannot be federalized or go overseas. The group supports civil events and the Virginia National Guard and stands ready to assist Virginians during emergencies.
Members train one day per month and at two, two-day annual training events. Training, which centers on emergency response duties, is usually at National Guard armories. Most training is done without pay. But, upon mobilization during an emergency, state active-duty members get military pay.
Interested people can also visit a unit as it drills to see first-hand what a VDF unit does.
Information is available from the Web site, vdf.virginia.gov, or from Eric P. Roos, a current VDF member, 703-216-7962.

Aging Workforce Briefing
Experience Works, a national, nonprofit organization that provides training and employment services for mature workers, hosts an Aging Workforce Policy Briefing Sept. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Reserve Officers Association, One Constitution Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.
Corporate executives, aging experts and members of Congress will discuss the role of older workers in building the future workforce, and the challenges facing low-income older workers.
The public is welcome to attend for free, but space is limited. To
ensure a seat, attendees must register through Susan Rodriguez,
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 703-522-7272.
Information about the organization is available from experienceworks.org. 

Sesame tix available
Tickets are available for pick up at the Fort Belvoir Community Center for the USO and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, presentation of “The Sesame Street Experience for Military Families” Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The show is free and open to valid military ID card holders. Tickets for certain shows are already ‘sold out.’
The tour is part of Sesame Workshop’s Talk, Listen, Connect initiative, a military outreach program launched in 2006.
For more information, call 703-805-3714.

Haunting volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed for Outdoor Recreation’s upcoming haunted house. Volunteers can be characters or guides or help with construction.
People with any talent in construction, music and sound, costuming, decorating, acting, leading and organizing people or those who are just good screamers and like to creep around corners and scare people are needed.
Interested people are asked to call Karen Bacorn, 703-805-3081 or 703-805-5396.  Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate.
Meetings are Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. starting Sept. 23. Construction begins Oct. 5 in the large indoor archery range, in Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 778, at the corner of Warren and Johnson roads at Tompkins Basin.

National Guard wives host coffee
The General Officers’ Wives of the National Guard Bureau host a welcome coffee for members and prospective members of the National Guard Bureau Officers’ Wives’ Club Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
The NGBOWC provides support to National Guard Bureau soldiers and their families through active outreach, providing opportunities to meet members of the Army and Air National Guard family stationed in the Military District of Washington, and raising funds to provide college scholarships to family members.
Current NGBOWC members will receive their invitation to the coffee in the U.S. mail and are asked to share their invitation with prospective eligible NGBOWC members.
For more information about the event or eligibility for the club, contact Angela Fontenot at 703-722-2323 or Pam Moore at 703-425-3395 or e-mail NGBOWC @yahoo.com. For more information, call 703-805-3714.

Scouting volunteers needed
The Girl Scouts of Fort Belvoir need volunteers, female or male, parent and non-parent alike. Many varying positions are available, including parent volunteers, troop leaders and co-leaders, service unit positions (of varying degree), event coordinators, etc.
Any help anyone can offer is appreciated. The Girl Scouts offers an opportunity to instill confidence, courage and character in the women leaders of the future.
Interested people are asked to contact Terri Andreoni, 419-953-4131, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

AFTB Level II
Army Family Team Building Level II is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 thru Oct. 3. Monday is the deadline to request child care. All children must be registered with Child and Youth Services before the class.
Classes are in the AFTB classroom, 9651 Gunston Road, Bldg. 1153, next to Dunkin’ Donuts.
Registration and more information, including unit training requests, are available by calling Colandra Sealey, 805-5556, or via e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

High school math teacher workshop
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has a teacher training workshop for Washington-area high school math teachers Oct. 13.
The all-day workshop is open to teachers from the District, Maryland and Virginia. It provides real-life math applications, an abbreviated syllabus and Web site modules.
The workshop is at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 266 Woodley Road, NW from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration, $25, covers the whole day of activities, as well as take-away materials, meals and snacks. Limited scholarships are available.
More information is available from informs.org or by calling 1-800-4INFORMs.

Miscellaneous
CYS in the villages
Staff from Child and Youth Services bring arts and crafts activities to the housing community centers in September. The events are free and open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dates are:
Today and Oct. 9, Vernondale Community Center
Tuesday and Oct. 15, George Washington Village Community Center
Oct. 2, Lewis Village Community Center
For more information, call 805-9114 or 9116.
Military Police Anniversary Ball
The U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regiment celebrates its 67th anniversary with a gala formal, Sept. 26, at the Waterford at Springfield in Springfield. 
The event begins at 6 p.m. Brig. Gen. Rodney Johnson, the Provost Marshal General of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, is host.
Tickets are $65, which includes dinner, wine, dancing and a commemorative memento. All members, family and friends of the regiment are invited to celebrate the regiment’s proud heritage and pay tribute to Soldiers currently serving and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 
The event is for adults 18 and older.
Ticket information is available from Maj. Brent R. Haas, 703-693-9473, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Religion
PWOC international conference
Registration is due by Sept. 18 for the Protestant Women of the Chapel International Conference Nov. 13 to 16 in Dallas. Information is available from home.pwocfortbelvoir.org or from Amanda Villiers, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Family retreat
Fort Belvoir’s chaplains offer a weekend retreat Oct. 24 to 26 at Capon Springs, W.Va. (Web site: http://www.26823.com). Lodging and meals are included. Oct. 12 is the registration deadline.
For more information, call Larry Bosetti at 703-933-8438 or 703-971-0621 after 6 p.m.
De-clutter with PWOC
The Protestant Women of the Chapel hosts “Clearing Out a Space at Jesus’ Feet, Oct. 23 at Fort Belvoir Chapel and the Religious Education Center.
Sandy Troutman is the speaker. And pizza and salad will be provided.
More information is available via e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Jewish
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel. The group has a traditional Shabbat dinner Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Religious Education Center. September’s Saturday service is at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 20.
Saturday Torah Services are Sept. 20 and Oct. 25.
Rosh Hashanah begins Sept. 29.
A High Holy Day schedule is expected next week.
More information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.

Catholic
Catholic religious education begins Sept. 28 for ages groups from 3 years to adults.  People new to the Fort Belvoir Community are asked to register with Sister Michael. Blue registration request forms are in each chapel and the Religious Education Center, Bldg. 1028. Information is available from Sister Michael via e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or by calling 703-806-3418.

MWR
2008 Travel Show
In preparation for the fall and winter travel season, Fort Belvoir Community Center has a travel show, including vendors from hotels, resorts, cruise lines and attractions to offer their vacation packages. There will be something for everyone. Prizes and giveaways will be provided throughout the event.
The show is Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

Fall Bridal Show
MWR’s 2008 Fall Bridal Showcase is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Community Club. The cost is $5 per person. The event includes numerous bridal vendors showcasing
their products. More information is available from Jadana Donely, 703-805-8471.

Education
ASE exams
Interested personnel must complete a registration form by Friday to take Barden Army Education Center’s Automotive Services Excellence examinations, which are administered according to a national schedule Nov. 13, 18 and 20. Registration is available in Bldg. 1017, Room 134.
Military personnel, both active and reserve component, in a related MOS or AFSC are eligible to test on funded exam for either college or certification. Recertification is not funded.
DANTES funding must be authorized by an education center counselor for up to three exams for each of the semi-annual testing cycles.
Students are responsible for paying the $32 registration fee, by money order or personal check on exam day, which covers all exams taken during the cycle.
Students may download the latest ASE preparation study guides from the site, asecert.org.
More information is available by calling 805-9261.
Webster U
Webster University’s Fort Belvoir offers a Master of Business Administration program in the fall. Other master programs at this campus include Business & Organizational Security Management and Procurement & Acquisitions Management. Evening classes are at Barden Education Center on Fort Belvoir.
Master’s programs are also offered at Bolling and Andrews air force bases and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Webster University offers five, nine-week terms annually and nine to 15 credit hours may be transferred from military schools and other uni-
versities.
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions to Webster.
Office hours in Room 143 of Barden are Mondays to Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-781-7942 or via e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
ODU
Old Dominion University has a Military Career Transition Program, which is a Master of Science in Education with initial licensure program. Active/retired military, military spouses and qualified civilians are eligible for the program.
Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s program. The teaching license is good in 44 states and DoD schools around the world.
ODU has live classes at Barden Education Center in the evenings and some Saturdays;  weekend teletechnet satellite courses at Quantico Marine Corps Base and online courses. Teaching licenses can be earned in elementary, middle school and high school academic areas. Students who are transferred before completing of their degree/licensure can complete their program via video streaming or online.
ODU is affiliated with the Troops to Teachers and Spouses to Teachers national programs. Personnel can begin the masters program immediately as non degree students and be accepted into the program during the first semester.
Appointments are available by calling ODU’s Belvoir office, 703-781-8203. Information is also available at Odu.edu/mctp or Dl.odu.edu.
U of Maryland
The University of Maryland University College is now registering for fall classes. Three Saturday classes, with two Saturdays for each class, start Sept. 20 and Oct. 4. Evening classes start Oct. 23.
UMUC has four online sessions this fall with start dates of Sept. 21 and Oct. 5.
UMUC is in Rooms 126 and 128 of Barden Education Center, Bldg. 1017. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon. Information is available by calling 703-781-0059.