Belvoir Briefs

Movie night
USO and the Community Center present "Horton Hears a Who!" Dec. 17 at 6 p.m., with a free movie and popcorn and time with family and friends.
More information is available by calling 703-805-2464.

Winter Wine-tasting/shopping
An eastern Monticello wine trail tasting tour is Dec. 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of $25 per person includes transportation and tasting fees. The trip is limited to 14 people. Tasting tour follows the eastern Monticello wine trail to Barboursville Vineyards, Burnley Vineyards, Horton Vineyards and Keswick vineyards.
The day trip is ideal for last-minute gifts or party favors for wine lovers.
More information is available from www.virginiawine.org. Trip information is available by calling 703-805-1226 or 3081.

New Year's Eve gala
Ring in the New Year with others at the Officers' Club New Year's Eve Gala gourmet dinner with live entertainment. The price of $80 per person covers dinner, entertainment, a split of champagne for a New Year's toast and a continental breakfast.
The event is reservation-only. Reservations are available by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 600.

Enlisted spouses
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouse's Club has its monthly meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., in 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 group among enlisted families of the Belvoir and Military District of Washington.
Information about the organization, membership or the meeting is available by calling 703-781-4050.

Geospatial-intelligence program
Classes for an Advanced Geospatial-Intelligence IR/SAR Certificate Program through Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base start Jan. 5 at the air force base in Ohio.
The program is a 10-week educational series in the technical aspects of collecting, processing, and exploiting non-literal, remotely sensed infrared and synthetic aperture radar intelligence data.
The advanced certificate program provides the scientific basis underlying measurement and signature intelligence technologies, introduces students to the capabilities of current MASINT collection systems and exploitation tools, and highlights the contributions MASINT provides to intelligence production.
Classes run through March 11. NGA funds tuition and fees for up to 20 students in each class. The ACP is open to civilian and military personnel from across the U.S. intelligence community, DoD and supporting elements.
Prospective students can contact the ACP Coordinator, Amanda White, at 937-255-3636 ext. 7287 for applications or visit the Web site, www.afit.edu/crpd/Academics.cfm.
Applications have to be submitted by Dec. 15.

AFAP training, symposium
Training for the annual Army Family Action Plan is March 9, with an alternate date of March 10.
Belvoir's AFAP Symposium is March 12 and 13. The AFAP and the symposium is an Army-wide program that enables all members to raise issues of concern, make recommendations to improve quality of life and to ensure the standard of living keeps up with the changing times, on a global level.
Information and registration for the training is available from Colandra Sealey, program manager, 703-805-5556.
Information and registration for the symposium is available from Cassandra Walker, AFAP coordinator, 703-805-1150.
Training and the symposium are in Barden Education Center.

Consider volunteering
People who are looking to give back to the community, develop new skills, or just get out the house are welcome to volunteer.
Interested people are asked to contact Fort Belvoir Corps Volunteer Program Manager, Faitheleen Henderson, at Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, 703-805-4152, Faitheleen.Henderson
@conus.army.mil.

Items lost
A watch and some rings were lost at the end of October, believed to be in or near Specker Field House parking lot. They have sentimental value only. Anyone who has found the jewelry is asked to call Shari Myers, 703-704-2509.

Flu shots ending
The DeWitt Army Community Hospital continues its series of scheduled flu vaccination clinics. Because of a limited supply of the vaccine, mass immunization clinics are only open to eligible beneficiaries - people who are eligible to receive care at DeWitt.
Typically, beneficiaries include active-duty, Guard, Reserve and retired personnel and their family members. Unfortunately, there is not an abundant supply to vaccinate others.
Beneficiaries are able to receive either the FluMist or injectable vaccines. FluMist is for ages 2 to 49 with no chronic health problems. Injectables are for those individuals who are high risk - for example, those over 49 or have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, etc. - and are not eligible for the FluMist.
Flu shots are available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Specker Field House on the following days: today and Tuesday through Dec. 11.
Flu shots at Barden Education Center are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11.
More information is available from the flu hotline, 703-805-0506.

Talent show
The Sisters in Spirit Book Club's Talent Show, An Evening with the Stars, Chapter II, The Showdown, is Saturday in the Franconia Moose Lodge, 7701 Beulah St., Alexandria, 22315.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., followed by the talent show and free food at 8 p.m., and an after party from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets are available for $15, two for $25.
Information is available from Sue Hubbard, pax_diva@hotmail.com; or Danita Anderson, danitaanderson@aol.com.

CYS in the villages
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. Events are from 10 a.m. to noon. Dates are:
Tuesday, Vernondale
Dec. 17, George Washington
More information is available by calling 805-9117 or 9114 or 9116.

AFTB I
Army Family Team Building Level I, Navigating the Military Life, is Tuesday through Dec. 11 from 9:30 to 3 p.m. The class gives new spouses and employees new to the military an understanding of military life.
Classes are at 9800 Belvoir Road, Building 200, the Sosa building.
Registration and more information, including AFTB unit training requests, are available from Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556, or via e-mail to Fb-mwr
aftb@conus.army.mil.

Retired federal employees
Springfield Chapter 893 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a nonprofit organization, meets Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
The meeting is at The American Legion Post 176, 5620 Amherst Ave., Springfield, adjacent to Kay Jenning's Springfield Toyota.
Information about the meeting or about the group is available from Sharon Forrest, 703-960-9017, taffyjoe@aol.com.

Religion

Christmas tree-lighting
Fort Belvoir's annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is 4 p.m. today at Belvoir Chapel.

Advent lunches
The Fort Belvoir Chaplain Office hosts Advent lunches Wednesday and Dec. 17 at noon at Woodlawn Chapel. Advent is a time when the Christian community celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ. The lunches include a meal, fellowship and homilies.

Children's Christmas Play
The Children's Christmas Play is Dec. 14. Practices are from 9 to 9:20 a.m. Sundays. All children are invited to participate. A dress rehearsal is Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
More information is available from Mike Webb, 703-806-4179.

Breakfast with Angels
Belvoir's Chapel Community again offers "Breakfast with Angels" on Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24, at 8 a.m. in the Religious Education Center. Adults are admitted when accompanied by a child.
Children 10 and younger are invited. Breakfast will be served by angels and there will be face-painting, crafts and storytelling.
RSVP to Sister Michael or Mike Webb at 703-806-3418 or 4179.

Jewish
Upcoming Jewish services are: Dec. 19 - Shabbat Hanukkah Dinner, 6:30 p.m. in the Religious Education Center, with services following and a designated offering for Koby Mandell Foundation. $5 per person; $20 max per family. RSVP to Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.
Dec. 20 - Saturday morning service, 9:30 a.m., with Rabbi Bash.
Dec. 21 - Menorah-lighting on chapel steps, 6:30 p.m., with program following in Fellowship Hall.
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation is in search of all new Jewish Soldiers and families. The Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel.
Information is available from Sara Astrow, 703-806-4196.

Islamic services
The following are Islamic services in the area.
Salat Al Zuhr, afternoon prayer, 1:30 p.m. daily, Washington Navy Yard Chapel, Washington, D.C. Point of contact: Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Saifulislam, 202-433-2611
Jumah, Friday prayer, 1:15 p.m., Quantico Prayer Center, Quantico Marine Corps Base POC: Mohammad Mukhtar, 703-670-0894
Jumah, 2 to 2:45 p.m. Fridays, Pentagon Room 1E438, Zadil Ansari, 703-602-7462
Salat Al Zuhr, daily from 2 to 2:45 p.m., Pentagon Room 1E474, POC: Zadil Ansari, 703-602-7462
Jumah, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Dar Ul Huda, 6666 Commerce St., Springfield POC: 703-922-0111.

Protestant Confirmation Classes
A Protestant confirmation class will be conducted from January to March, for Protestant children, 7th grade or older, who were baptized as children or want to be baptized. Parent approval is required to attend.
Chaplain Major Saul Cardona, Director of the Family Life Center, will lead the class. More information will follow. More information is available from Mike Webb, 703-806-4179.

Barden Education Center
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University classes are available at six locations in the D.C metro area, including Belvoir. Registration for Spring 2009 classes begins Monday.
The university offers a master of science in administration degree. Concentrations are available in human resources, leadership, public administration, acquisition, information resource management and general administration.
CMU accepts applications year round. Classes meet on alternating weekends or weekday evenings and new sessions begin every six weeks. Degrees can be completed in 18 months or less.
More information is available from Mary Pat Mabeus, 703-360-5336. CMU is in Room 139 at Barden.

Webster University and seminar
Webster University is registering for Spring 1 & 2 2009. Registration ends Dec. 19 and classes begin Jan. 5.
The university has a Research and Writing Skills Seminar Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Reservations must be made by Dec. 15.
Programs offered at Fort Belvoir include Master of Business Administration, Business & Organizational Security Management and Procurement & Acquisitions Management.
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions.
Evening classes are held at Barden Education Center.
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; stopping by Room 143 of Barden, via e-mail to Belvoir@webster.edu or from www.webster.edu/dcmetro.

UMUC
University of Maryland University College is registering for spring classes. Face-to-face classes start Jan. 26 and March 23.
UMUC has four spring online sessions with the first one starting Jan. 18.
Some of UMUC's Belvoir evening and weekend spring courses will be offered in a hybrid format. Students meet once a week in Barden Education Center and also in an online environment. Hybrid classes offer a great deal of flexibility for working adults.
UMUC is in Room 128 of Barden. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.