Belvoir Briefs

Girl Scouts, mothers
Fort Belvoir Girl Scouts has its annual Mother/Daughter event Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Fort Belvoir Elementary School Cafeteria. It's a Total 80s thing.
Tickets are $7 a couple (mother/daughter) and $3 for additional tagalongs, like siblings, grandmothers, aunts, etc.
The event will have dancing, fun, trivia, contests and food.
More information and tickets are available from troop leaders or Robyn Tatasciore, 619-847-8599.
Atlantic City Bus Trip
MWR has a bus trip to Atlantic City, N.J. Saturday, open to all ages. The bus departs from the Fort Belvoir Community Center at 8 a.m. and returns between 10:30 and 11 p.m.
The trip costs $40 per person, with an $18 to $20 rebate. If 30 guests do not sign up, the trip is canceled.
Sign up now at the Fort Belvoir Community Center, Bldg. 1200, Taylor Road. More information is available by calling 703-805-3714.

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.

Multicultural Fair
Fort Belvoir Elementary School's Multicultural Fair is Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The event will include artwork, music, storytelling, clothing and maybe a food-tasting.
People with a culture they would like to share are asked to contact Gwen Jefferson, parent liaison, 703-781-2749, via e-mail, Gwendolyn.Jefferson@fcps.edu. Jefferson also has more event information.

Women in the Army
Through 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.

Auditions, talent show
Auditions for the Sisters in Spirit Book Club's Talent Show are from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Community Club. The genre is 80s and 90s R&B. Male and female auditioners, 21 and older, are welcome to come out and compete for a spot in the talent show.
The talent show, An Evening with the Stars, Chapter II, The Showdown, has cash prizes and is open to people 21 and older. The event is Dec. 6 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.
Talent show tickets are available from Nov. 1 for $15, two for $25.
Information is available from Sue Hubbard, pax_diva@hotmail.com; or Danita Anderson, danitaanderson@aol.com.

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.

Newcomer's Orientation
Fort Belvoir next Newcomer's Orientation is Nov. 3, at Barden Education Center Auditorium. Come and learn about what resources and events are available for the community. Participants can also meet the installation command staff and key directorates on the installation. Childcare is provided with advance registration.
More information and child care registration is available from Jaimie Gordon, 703-805-5058/3436 or via e-mail at jaimie.gordon@us.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 Road, 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.

Digital photography contest
The entry deadline for the 2008 All Army Digital Photography Contest is Dec. 7. Categories are: people, place, object, military life, experimental and theme. The contest is open to active duty and civilians, with color and monochrome classes.
Submissions can be by completing a profile at https://artscrafts.fmwrc.army.mil and uploading photos.
Contest information and assistance is available at local arts and crafts centers or community recreation offices.

VA Secretary at annual meeting
The Hon. James B. Peake, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is the keynote speaker at the National Association for Uniformed Services' annual membership meeting Nov. 15 at Belvoir's Officers' Club.
Peake was surgeon general of the U.S. Army upon his retirement from active duty in 2004.
More information about the annual meeting and reservations are available through retired Lt. Col. Mike Boone, mboone@naus.org, 703-750-1342.

Religion

Communication in Marriage Seminar
One of Family Life's seminars, Improving Communication in Your Marriage, is Nov. 7 to 9 at the Dulles Hyatt Hotel, exclusively for the Fort Belvoir community. The seminar has been adapted from the works of Family Life speakers, Gary and Barbara Rosberg. Professional presenters will speak on the essentials of communication. Topics include: Communication 101, closing the loop on conflict, romance and more. The seminar also includes time for couples to apply what they're learning.
The faith-based, Christian, seminar is open to married and engaged couples. Registration is $50/enlisted couple and $100/officer or civilian couple and covers two nights lodging, a buffet lunch Saturday and the cost of the seminar.
Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. More information is available from the Protestant Chapel Service point of contact. Those who are not a part of chapel service may contact the Belvoir Installation Chaplain's Office, 703-806-4316/17.

Jewish
Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation has weekly Friday night services at 8 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel. A Torah Service is Saturday.
Information on anything about the 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 Nov. 3.
Registration information is available by calling 1-877-896-3802, from mmyfc.org, or via e-mail to impactalive@impactalive.net.

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 are $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
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions to Webster University. 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
UMUC has three upper level 1 credit Saturday classes, when students attend two Saturdays, with class start date of 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
At NOVA Community College, 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
Central Michigan University 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.