Belvoir Briefs

Blood drive
DeWitt Army Community Hospital holds a blood drive in support of the Armed Services Blood Program Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Community Club, near Pence Gate. Appointments are available from www.militarylifeforce.com. Search the blood drive by zip code and date, and click the "Fort Belvoir DeWitt Army Community Hospital" link to select a time to donate. Everyone's participation is welcome.

Army Warrant Officer meeting
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, US Army Warrant Officer Association has its monthly membership meeting today, 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.

Women in the Army
From Monday to mid-November, the Army celebrates the 30th anniversary of the full integration of women into the regular Army.
The Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1, is looking for former members of the Womens Army Corps who might like to share their stories and memories with their local media. People interested in sharing their military memories as a WAC, or know someone who might, are asked to e-mail: g1pao.hqda@us.army.mil.

Volunteers still needed
Volunteers are needed for Outdoor Recreation's upcoming haunted house. Volunteers can be characters or guides, help with construction or work on any part needed for a haunted house. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Interested people are asked to call Karen Bacorn, 703-805-3081 or 703-805-5396.
Meetings are Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Construction is every day in the large indoor archery range, in Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 778, at the corner of Warren and Johnson roads at Tompkins Basin.
The haunted house's success depends on volunteers.

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.

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.

Veterans Clinic
The 16th District of the American Legion, Department of Virginia, in conjunction with American Legion Post 28 sponsor a Veterans Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25, at American Legion Post 28, 17934 Liming Lane, Triangle.
Service officers will be on-hand to answer questions and help veterans submit a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
All who attend are asked to bring their DD Form 214, or other document showing honorable service, in filing a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs. World War II veterans can use their AGO WD Form.
People who want to file a claim should bring copies of their medical records and personnel file if they are available. For those who do not have those records, the service officer will assist in requesting them.

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.

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.

Autism class
The Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer Military Community Exceptional Family Member programs sponsor "TRICARE/Other Benefits and Safety Issues for Military Parents with Children with Autism and Other Cognitive Disabilities," a class and support group, Nov. 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Army Family Team Building, 9651 Gunston Rd. Bldg. 1153, Fort Belvoir, next to Dunkin' Donuts
Lt. Col. Scott Campbell, secretary for the Autism Society of America's Northern Virginia Chapter, is the guest speaker.
The event is ideal for families to learn about medical benefits and safety issues for their
autistic children and to network with other families.
Reservations are required for class slots, on-site child care, and free foods and beverages. Parents may be responsible for paying for child care for reservations not canceled by 10 a.m. Nov. 5.
Reservations, general or disabled access information is available from Marcia O'Connor, EFMP manager, 703-696-8467 or TTY, 703-696-4675. Interested people are asked to not leave voice mail or a message and make reservations directly with O'Connor.

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.
Walk-in, non-fasting cholesterol screenings begin at 9 a.m.
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.
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.

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 Oct. 29, Nov. 12 and 25 and Dec. 10.
At the Army National Guard Readiness Center,
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.

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

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

Simchat Torah
Tuesday, 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 Monday 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.

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.

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.

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 Saturday.
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 transition program
Old Dominion University's Military Career Transition Program is a Master of Education for initial teaching licensure. The teaching license is good in 44 states and DoD schools around the world. MCTP is a military-friendly program designed for the needs of active/retired veterans, military spouses and qualified civilians.
Licensure is offered in elementary, middle school and high school education in math, English, science and social studies. Courses are offered as live classes at Barden Education Center, weekend teletechnet courses at Marine Corps Base Quantico and online. Students who transfer before program completion can finish degree requirements via online/TTN courses and do student teaching at their new location.
ODU's MCTP program adviser can meet with interested people to discuss education career opportunities, courses needed to teach the various academic subjects and the MCTP program in detail. ODU participates in the Troops to Teachers national program. More information and appointments are available from the Belvoir ODU office, 703-781-8203. Additional information is available from www.odu.edu/mctp.

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 Saturday 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 McKaig, bmckaig@umuc.edu.
UMUC has a new class, Introduction to Homeland Security.

NOVA
NOVA Community College's second, eight-week semester at Belvoir begins Wednesday.
Spouses and dependents may also enroll. NOVA offers a variety of degree and certificate programs.
NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40, four-year schools and offers in-class and online classes.
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.

Central Michigan University
Registration for Fall III classes at Central Michigan University is open until Friday for classes that begin Nov. 7.
Classes are available at six locations in the D.C metro area, including Belvoir.
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.