Belvoir Briefs

Oktoberfest in the O Club
The Officers' Club Washington Lounge has Oktoberfest today from 6 to 10 p.m. The first 25 people get a custom-made beer stein with the purchase of a German meal special.
Information is available by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 604.

Army Officers' Wives Club luncheon
The Army Officers' Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area has its October luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 in the Koran Ballroom at Fort Myer Officers' Club.
This month's luncheon features guest speaker Betty Eaton, a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C., who will present "Top 10 Things to Do and See in DC."
The luncheon costs $20.
Reservation requests must be made by noon Friday to Jill Hoffman, 703-243-4592 or via e-mail to larsjill@earthlink.net.

Casting call
For its Safety City Campaign, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., has a casting call for Army families with at least one uniformed Soldier (in Battle Dress or Dress Blues) to portray Soldiers and their families in the campaign.
Safety City is a new initiative designed to inform and promote safe behaviors for Army personnel and their families. The Safety City Trailer will be used to advertise and generate awareness that Safety City is coming soon!
Family members and/or Soldiers should be between ages 16 and 30 and from diverse backgrounds to represent the Army-wide population, will shoot a video and possibly take some still photos. There are no speaking parts.
The photo shoot is at 9 a.m. Oct. 25 in Old Towne Alexandria. Selected participants should be located convenient to the D.C. Metro area.
Interested families should submit a recent family photo (black and white or color), in jpeg format, by Friday via e-mail to: james.newton@teamcarney.com or ray.a.baker@us.army.mil. The e-mail subject line should be: Safety City Family Photo.

Enlisted spouses meeting
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in 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 enlisted families of the Belvoir and Military District of Washington areas.
More information about the organization, membership or the meeting is available by calling 703-781-4050.

Free research and writing skills seminar
Getting ready for a 6000-level college course or need help writing better term papers?
Webster University's free Pre-Fall 2 Research and Writing Skills Seminar, for new and current students, is Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Barden Education Center.
Reservations are required and must be made in advance by calling 703-781-7942 or via e-mail to belvoir@webster.edu

Domestic violence seminar
A seminar on domestic violence is at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wood Theater. The seminar enables participants to get information about the dynamics of domestic violence, the prevalence of domestic violence and the effects of domestic violence on children.
The seminar also identifies resources available for domestic violence victims.
The seminar is free.
Registration and additional information is available by calling 703-805-3339 or 2693 or 4590.

Army Warrant Officer meeting
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, US Army Warrant Officer Association has its monthly membership meeting Oct. 16, starting at 5 p.m., at the Kingstowne Library, on the corner of Beulah and Telegraph Roads.
All active, Reserve, and retired warrant officers are invited.
More information is available from CW3 Patrick Morris, chapter president, 703-945-3140.

PTO Meeting
The Fort Belvoir Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization meets in the elementary school cafeteria at 7 p.m. Oct. 21. All FBES parents are invited.

Relationship-building
A relationship-building class is at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Family Life Center.
The class enables couples to develop an awareness of some factors that contribute to domestic violence and offers some strategies for a more loving relationship.
The class is free. Registration and additional information is available by calling 703-805-3339 or 2693 or 4590.

Self-defense class
Family Advocacy presents a class for Domestic Violence Prevention Month.
A self-defense class is at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 at Wells Field House. Participants can learn skills, techniques and methods to defend themselves.
Eric and Julie Divine teach the class, which is free.
Registration and additional information is available by calling 703-805-3339 or 2693 or 4590.

Craft Day/crafters needed
Fort Belvoir Elementary School PTO hosts a craft day, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crafters can participate for $25 in advance or $30 at the door, on a space-available basis for half of a cafeteria table for cards, stamps, scrapbooking, etc. The costs include lunch.
The craft day is open to adults only. Child care will not be provided and people who attend are asked to not bring children older than 6 months.
Event information and crafter reservations are available via e-mail to Deborah Wakefield, fbptocommunications@gmail.com.

AFTB Level III
Army Family Team Building offers its Level III course, Leadership and Personal Development, Oct. 21 to 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classes are in Bldg. 1153, 9653 Gunston Road, next to Dunkin' Donuts. Childcare will be provided for people who sign up for it by Friday. All children must be registered with CYS before the class.
Registration and more information, including unit training requests, are available by calling Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556, or via e-mail to Fb-mwr-aftb@conus.army.mil.

Health, support and craft fair
Fort Myer's Exceptional Family Member Program and the Army National Guard Readiness Center's Health, Safety and Promotion Council sponsor their Health, Community Support & Craft Fair 2008. The event is Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ARNGRC, 111 S. George Mason Drive, Arlington.
The event offers information of military and civilian resources; wellness and consumer tips; early intervention and medical specialty information; breast cancer and domestic violence awareness; health care access; physical and mental fitness; flu shots, if available; meal-planning; health heart tips; hearing and vision screenings; holiday and selected gifts; and vendor displays. Walk-in, non-fasting cholesterol screenings begin at 9 a.m.
Some featured participants are: Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic; DeWitt Army Community Hospital; cancer organizations; massage therapists; WRAMC Early Intervention Services; retiree associations; military wives' clubs; Developmental Toys; Autism Awareness; well-being programs; American Red Cross; USO; Diabetic Association; TRICARE; MWR; schools; safety and emergency preparedness; blood sugar, sun exposure and bone density testing; blood pressure screenings and nutrition.
Admission is free after a security check-in. The facility has no visitor parking. Shuttle service is available from Myer's Memorial Chapel, across from the PX, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Information is available by calling 703-696-3510.

Home educators
The Fort Belvoir Home Educators is a group of military and DoD families dedicated to children's home education that offers support and encouragement for children from preschool through high school. Group members participate in activities intended to enrich the group's families' lives.
Upcoming events include Oct. 21, Belvedere Plantation Corn Maize, and Oct. 31, a Halloween party.
Social activities include holiday parties, playgroups/dates and monthly events like bowling, hiking, skating or swimming.
Enrichment activities include field trips to Washington, D.C., state and local parks and nature centers, plays, and four co-op sessions. FBHE has a Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout troop and, as its community service project, a coat and shoe drive for children in Afghanistan.
Registration for FBHE's Co-op Session Two, which runs from Oct. 30 to Dec. 11, runs through Oct. 23 at Markham Center South Post.
The group's Web log is available at www.FBHomeEducators.com or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/belvoirhomeschoolers/
Information about membership, the co-op or events is available by e-mailing FBHEmoms@gmail.com.

Relocation rescheduled
Army Community Service's and the Soldier Family Assistance Center's expected relocation to the Sosa Building has been rescheduled to Nov. 3 to 7.

White House ornaments
The National Guard Bureau Officers' Wives' Club is selling White House Christmas Ornaments at the following times. All of the funds raised from ornament sales support college scholarships for Army and Air National Guard dependents.
Ornaments cost $18 and are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jefferson Plaza 1 in Crystal City Wednesday, Oct. 29, Nov. 12 and 25 and Dec. 10.
At the Army National Guard Readiness Center, today, Nov. 6 and 20 and Dec. 4 and 18; and at the Health Fair Oct. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
More information is available from NGBOWC@yahoo.com.

Crypt of Creatures
A Haunted House at Outdoor Recreation, Crypt of Creatures, is from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24; 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 25; and 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3081 or 5396.

Pumpkin-Carving party
MWR hosts a Kids' Pumpkin Carving Party, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Officers' Club.
A pumpkin, paint, carving kit and lunch is provided.
More information is available by calling 703-780-0930.

Autumn Fest
Outdoor Recreation hosts Autumn Fest from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. The event includes a movie with popcorn from 8 to 10 p.m.; a children's fun house, games, crafts and other activities.
More details are available by calling 703-805-1226.

Halloween Party
MWR has a Halloween Party and costume contest Oct. 31, in conjunction with the Officers' Club's Seafood Buffet.
Judging begins at 8 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-780-0930.

Fort Myer survey
Fort Myer Military Community Army Community Service Outreach Services has a needs assessment survey for Myer Soldiers and their spouses.
The survey is available from http://myarmylifetoo.com/survey_Ft_Myer.

Military job fair
The Joint Employment Transition Services and the USO of Metropolitan Washington host a job fair Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spates Community Club, 214 McNair Road, Fort Myer, Va.
Dozens of employers, including area police and fire departments, federal agencies, health care agencies, defense and government contractors, are expected to participate to discuss job openings with candidates. All military ID card holders can attend and should come with resumes and be prepared for on-site interviews.
Children are not allowed.
More information is available from Dawn Fincham or Lindsay Raymond, 703-805-4277.

Religion
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation celebrates High Holy Days 2008 with the following events. All events, unless noted, are conducted at Belvoir Chapel.

Yom Kippur
Today at 9:30 a.m., Morning Service; 11 a.m., Yizkor Service; 11 a.m., Children's Service; 4:15 p.m., Mincha Service; 5:15 p.m., Martyrology Service; 6 p.m., Neilah Service; 7:15 p.m., Maariv Service & Shofar; 7:30 p.m., Break the Fast in the Religious Education Center.

Sukkot
Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Service and Sukkah Dinner

Simchat Torah
Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m., Simchat Torah Service and Program
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel. A Torah Service is Oct. 25.
More information on anything about Fort Belvoir's Jewish Congregation is available from Sara Astrow, 806-4196.

Middle school youth conference
Alive 2008: Quest Middle School Youth Conference is Nov. 21 to 23 at the Ocean City, Md., Convention Center.
The event features national recording artists Leeland and Pure NRG; youth speakers Runks and Joel Sonnenberg; and the drama team, OneTimeBlind, among others.
The conference also has adult and parenting training sessions.
The conference, sponsored by Youth for Christ, is $80 per person, not including hotel costs. Early registration discounts are available by for registrations before Oct. 20 and again by Nov. 3.
Registration information is available by calling 1-877-896-3802, from mmyfc.org, or via e-mail to impactalive@impactalive.net.

Family retreat
Sunday is the registration deadline for Fort Belvoir's chaplains weekend retreat Oct. 24 to 26 at Capon Springs, W.Va. (Web site: www.26823.com). Lodging and meals are included.
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 programs@pwocfortbelvoir.org.

Fall Festival
The Fall Festival, an annual alternative for Halloween, is at the Religious Education Center, Bldg. 1028 on Oct. 31. Everyone is welcome. People who want to help with the event are asked to contact Sister Michael, 703-806-3418; via e-mail, michael.bochnowski@conus.army.mil.

Handel's Messiah
Each year, Fort Belvoir's choirs combine with community members to
form a Belvoir Community Choir. The group rehearses throughout November and then performs, with a professional orchestra and soloists, Part One, the
Christmas Section, of Handel's Messiah.
This year, the performance is Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel. Music is provided. Rehearsals, in the chapel's basement, are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Nov. 4 to Dec. 2. A mandatory dress rehearsal is at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the chapel.
More information is available from Mary McAdory, 703-878-0551, mzzmac@aol.com; or Jan McKeever, 703-313-8468, JaniceMMcK@aol.com.

Men's conference
The Belvoir Men of Faith participate in a conference, a chance to learn, grow and be inspired and encouraged. The Iron Sharpens Iron 2008 Men's Conference is for men of all ages and is a daylong event Nov. 1 at the Christian Fellowship Church, Ashburn, Va.
Bill Perkins and Rick Rigsby are national keynote speakers. The event includes inspiring praise and worship music, 18 different seminars on a variety of topics relevant to men of all ages and stages; dozens of resources and exhibits to encourage and equip men for life and ministry; a shared experience of camaraderie and networking with men from around the region.
Lunch is included. All active-duty and men 13 to 22 years old are sponsored by the BMOF and Fort Belvoir Chapel. For others, there's a $20 donation.
RSVP and more information is available from Mike Marrone, michael.marrone@us.army.mil.

MWR

Macy's Day Parade
The Civilian Employee Fund invites Fort Belvoir civilians and up to five guests to go on a trip to New York to see the Macy's Day Parade and shop from Nov. 26 to 29, staying at The Helmsley.
The cost, per person, based on double occupancy, is $427. Children under age 12 is $30 for the bus fare, with free hotel.
The bus departs from Sosa, Bldg. 200 at 7 a.m. promptly.
Spaces are limited. More information is available by calling 805-4126 or from the CEF basement office in Bldg. 210.

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:
Today and Nov. 13, Vernondale Community Center
Oct. 15 and Nov. 12, George Washington Village Community Center
Nov. 5, Lewis Village Community Center
More information is available by calling 805-9114 or 9116.

New York City trip
Fort Belvoir ITR is selling tickets for its traditional trip Dec. 13 to New York's Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. The show is at 11:30 a.m. The bus departs Fort Belvoir Community Center early in the morning. The cost is $145 per person and includes bus transportation and show tickets. The 90-minute show features Santa, his reindeer, a 3-D trip through New York City and the high-kicking Rockettes!
This year's tour also includes a behind-the-scenes tour.
A third bus has been added. Information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

Barden Education Center

Webster University
Webster University Fall 2 classes begin Oct. 18.
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions. Programs offered at Belvoir include Master of Business Administration, Business & Organizational Security Management and Procurement & Acquisitions Management.
Evening classes are conducted at Barden.
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, in Room 143 of Barden, via e-mail, Belvoir@webster.edu or on the Web, webster.edu/dcmetro.

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 University College
Registration is open for The University of Maryland University College's fall semester, with regular evening classes starting Oct. 23.
UMUC also has three upper level 1 credit Saturday classes, when students attend two Saturdays, with class start dates of Oct. 18 and Nov. 1.
UMUC is in Barden Education Center, Bldg. 1017, Room 128. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon.
Information is available also available by calling 703-781-0059 or via e-mail to Barb Mc Kaig, bmckaig@umuc.edu.
UMUC has a new class, Introduction to Homeland Security.

NOVA
Northern Virginia Community College offers degree and certificate programs and is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges program. NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40, four-year schools. NOVA offers hybrid classes on post and online, free tutoring and on-post placement testing.
More information is available by stopping by Barden Education Center Room 127, by calling 703-360-8524, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays; or from www.nvcc.edu/woodbridge/military.html.

Park University
Park University representatives are available at Forts Belvoir and Myer, Quantico and Henderson Hall.
More information is available by calling 703-527-5258, Mondays through Fridays; or 703-781-8456, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; or from www.park.edu.