Belvoir Briefs

North Post CDC parents
All parents and guardians of children who attend North Post CDC are invited to the monthly Parent Advisory Committee meeting today at 5 p.m. in the conference room.
The first half of the meeting is parents-only forum, followed by the issue portion.
Information is available from the NPCDC front desk.

Valentine's Day is when?
The Officers' Club celebrates Valentine's Day from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, with a gourmet meal, glass of wine, entertainment and dancing.
The event costs $60 per couple, by reservation only, which are available by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 600.

Movie night
Fort Belvoir Community Center and the USO present Family Movie Night at the Community Center every third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., with the next one scheduled Feb. 18, "The Secret of the Magic Gourd."
Fort Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club has donated the movies.
More information is available by calling 703-805-2464.

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.

Engineer luncheon
The Engineer Officer Candidate School Association has a celebratory luncheon Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Officers' Club. The event commemorates the centennial of the Engineer Officer Training School at Camp Humphreys in 1918-19.
People interested in attending should contact TEOCSA@comcast.net or call 404-231-3402.

Wine-tasting tour
MWR has a local wine-tasting day trip and tour Feb. 21 for $30 per person. The event includes Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania County, Hartwood Winery for its Mid Winter Celebration, and Potomac Point Winery to celebrate Mardi Gras.
More information is available by calling 703-805-1226 or 3081.
Officers' club Sunday brunch
The Officers' Club has Champagne Brunch Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Information regarding cub membership and reservations is available by calling 703-780-0930.

Comedy extravaganza
The Community Center hosts "A Night of Laughs," Feb. 13, with comedians Kenny Howell, Larry Lancaster and Howard "G." Doors open at 8 p.m. and show time is at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at the center, formerly the Community Club) for $15. Tickets are $20 at the door. More information is available by calling 703-805-8471.
Arts and crafts throughout housing
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 Tuesday and March 17, Vernondale; Feb. 12 and March 12, George Washington; March 5, Lewis Village.
More information is available by calling 805-9117.

Home child care job fair
People who enjoy working with children from home can become Family Child Care providers. Child care is a convenient, long-lasting, portable career. FCC training and experience are transferable to other installations and child and youth services programs; provide opportunities for professional growth and accreditation, with monetary subsidies linked to types of care offered; and receive support from Child, Youth and School Services.
Representative from the Family Child Care office will be in the housing community centers to provide information on becoming an Army Certified Family Child Care Provider.
Job fairs are Feb. 19 at George Washington, 10 a.m. to noon; and from at Lewis Village, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Elementary school activity night
Fort Belvoir Parent Teacher Organization's February Family Activity Night: Magic by Mike Perello at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Fort Belvoir Elementary School.
The free event is open to all FBES families.

Youth Services happenings
The following events take place at Youth Services, 5850 Langfitt Loop, Bldg. 1003. Further details are available by calling 703-805-4515.
Family Night Bingo, Feb. 13, 7 to 9 p.m.
Parent Advisory Committee, Feb. 14, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Sweet for Sweets Dance, Feb. 14, 6 to 10 p.m.
"Inventors and Invention" Rock Wall Team Challenge, Feb. 20, 5 to 7 p.m.
Youth Services Dinner Theater, Feb. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Reservations required by calling the above number.
Youth Luau Lock-in, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Army Band anniversary concert
The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" 87th Anniversary Concert is Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md.
The concert features performances by all of the unit's elements and highlights the distinct musical and military heritage of The United States Army Band.
The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available on a first-call, first-serve basis. If tickets are allotted by the time people call, patrons will be put on a stand-by ticket list.
Families can request up to four free tickets by calling 202-685-2888. All tickets are general admission with no reserved seating.
Interested callers should leave their name, phone number, mailing address, e-mail address and number of tickets requested. A phone number is required for verification reasons. People who do not receive a call do not have tickets. Tickets will not be mailed but can be picked up at will call one hour before the concert.

DLA Toastmasters
Toastmasters International club is designed to improve people's verbal and written communication skills and presentations. The club also enhances skills in listening, evaluation, leadership and mentoring.
The DLA Toastmasters Club 3772 meets Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room 3501 in the Andrew T. McNamara Headquarters Complex. Guests are welcome.
Information is available from toastmasters.org or through Lydia Morales, Lydia.Morales@DTRA.MIL, 703-767-4976.
NARFE meeting
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association's Springfield Chapter 893 meets Wednesday. The business meeting begins at 1:30, followed by a presentation by Ben Boxer, communications and outreach manager, Fairfax County Solid Waste
Management Program. The program is environmentally responsible for managing all 1.5 million tons of waste generated in our community each year. Boxer will discuss the impact recycling has on our local environment.
The meeting is at 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 Rod Bricksin, chapter president, rbricksin@yahoo.com. Guests are welcome.

Genealogy
The Mount Vernon Genealogical Society meets Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The meeting is in Room 112 of Hollin Hall Senior Center in
Alexandria. The meeting is free and open to the public.
The meeting features a presentation entitled "Understanding and Using the Personal Papers Collections at the Library of Virginia," presented by Trenton E. Hizer.
Hizer is the senior finding aids archivist for private papers at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, Va.
The senior center is four miles south of Alexandria just off Fort Hunt Road at 1500 Shenandoah Road in Alexandria.
Additional information is available from MVGenealogy.org.
Questions about the program can be directed to Harold McClendon, 703-360-0920, haroldm@erols.com.

2009 Scholarship
National Guard Bureau Officers' Wives' Club has academic and need-assessed scholarships this year.
Applicants must be either a 2008-2009 high school senior or enrolled as a full-time college student.
The applicant must be a dependent (child or spouse) of a Soldier or civilian in one of the following categories:
Army or Air National Guard assigned to the NGB;
Active Army or Air Force personnel assigned to the NGB;
Retired from the T-10 AGR program with NGB;
Family of deceased personnel whose previous assignment was NGB;
Civilian personnel, GS only, working full-time for NGB.
Applications are not accepted from applicants who have previously received scholarship awards from the NGBOWC.
The submission deadline is March 31.
More information and applications, are available through Angela Fontenot, NGBOWC Scholarship Chairman, afontenot1991@yahoo.com,
225-933-5592.

Arts and crafts classes
Kawamura Arts and Crafts has ongoing framing, stained glass and jewelry-making classes through winter. Seven weekly stained glass classes begin today and April 12 for $100 plus supplies.
Jewelry classes include basics, stained-glass pendant, wire basics and chunky bracelet and are conducted Saturday mornings for $35 each plus $15 for supplies.
More information is available by calling 806-4655.

Bridal Fair
MWR's annual bridal fair is Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Officers' Club. More than 50 vendors will present brides- and grooms-to-be and families ideas to help with wedding planning.
Vendor items include DJs, linens, cakes, bands, photographers, videographers, jewelry, makeup, gowns, tuxedos, travel and more.
The event costs $7. More information is available from Tracey Capelety, 703-780-0930 ext 608.

Home educators
Registration for Fort Belvoir Home Educators' Co-op Session Three ends Feb. 19. The co-op is at Markham Center, South Post.
FBHE is a group of military and DoD families dedicated to home educating their children from preschool through high school. It is also a support group and conducts activities that enrich the lives of members' families.
More information is available via e-mail to FBHEmoms@gmail.com or from a Web logs at fbhomeeducators.com and groups.yahoo.com/group/belvoirhomeschoolers/.

Bird-watching group
Fort Belvoir Outdoor Recreation has a bird watching interest group for people interested in observing or learning to identify different birds.
The group will travel to observe and identify wild birds of Virginia and Maryland in their natural habitat.
More information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

Searching for a job?
Army Community Service's Employment Readiness Program offers workshops and training for potential employees. Class registration and information is available by calling 703-805-4590.
Employment Program Orientations, an overview of local employment, including federal jobs, resume assistance, registration for job skill training classes, are Tuesdays from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. at ACS. Registration is required.

Religion
Dramatic performance
The entire Gospel of Mark will be dramatized Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at Woodlawn Chapel by the Rev. Joseph Morris, a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, who travels throughout the world giving this performance. All are invited to the free event.
Winter PWOC Retreat
The Protestant Women of the Chapel have their winter retreat Feb. 20 and 21 at the Vernondale Community Center. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 with a giant sleepover, which is expected to end around noon Feb. 21.
People interested in helping with the event or need more information may contact Amanda Villiers, retreats@pwocfortbelvoir.org, 703-543-4884.

Catholic
MCCW
The Military Council of Catholic Women of Fort Belvoir meets on the second Wednesday for its monthly meeting and on other Wednesdays for the Faith Study. This month's meeting includes Bunko and scrapbooking. The ladies meet in the Woodlawn Chapel from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Rosary and Mass at noon.
All Catholic women are invited. Watch Care is provided for children up to age 5 with advance reservations.
The group's designated recipient for its outreach for February is Belvoir's Army Community Service's Hearts Apart program.
More information is available through Mary Knowlton, president, 703-921-0822, or via e-mail to KNOWLTONM@aol.com.

Adult Confirmation
Catholic adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation may register for an Adult Confirmation Class. Classes are Sundays in February from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Religious Education Center.
Bishop Richard Higgins celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation with the Catholic community March 1 at 12:30 p.m. in Belvoir Chapel.
More information and registration is available from Sister Michael, Michael.bochnowski@conus.army.mil or 703-806-3418.
Jewish
Friday - Tu B'Shevat Seder - Jewish Arbor Day. Come celebrate the fruits and nuts from Israel. 8 p.m., Seder and program.
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.
Protestant
Walk Thru the Bible, Old Testament, is March 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel, with lunch provided. Registration is available from Mike Webb, 703-806-4179, michael.webb13@us.army.mil.

Investment in marriage
FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember weekend getaway is March 13 to 15 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. Registration is $69 per person for military (active, guard, or reserve) and $129 per person for civilians.
More information and registration is available from familylife.com.

Protestant Confirmation
Protestant confirmation classes continue Sundays through March at 9:20 a.m. in the Religious Education Center. The class is for Protestant children, seventh 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. Pre-registration is available from Mike Webb, 703-806-4179, or by filling out a registration form at Belvoir Chapel or the Religious Education Center.

Men's Bible Studies
The Belvoir Men of Faith discuss "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership," by John Maxwell, every second and fourth Saturday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Religious Education Center. Breakfast is included. Information is available from Mike Marrone, 703-373-3938.

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.

Barden Education Center
Central Michigan University
Registration for Spring II and III classes at Central Michigan University is open through Friday, for classes that begin Feb. 17 and April 3, respectively.
Central Michigan University classes are available at six locations in the D.C metro area, including Belvoir.
CMU accepts applications year round. 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
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admissions at Webster U, with evening classes at Barden Education Center. Registration for Spring 2 is open for classes that begin March 14. The university has a research and writing skills seminar March 12. The seminar, open to new and current students, is designed for those preparing for the 6000 course or those who just need help writing better term papers.
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 Webster.edu/dcmetro.

Park University
Park University offers undergraduate programs and associate degrees in computer science, criminal justice, management and social psychology. Spring II classes begin March 16 for onsite and Internet courses. Registration opens Feb. 16.
More information is available by calling 703-781-8456 or from the Web site, park.edu/virginia.

NOVA
The next session at Northern Virginia Community College begins March 16. Information is available by calling 703-323-3000 or from the Web site, nvcc.edu.
NOVA offices in Barden, Bldg. 1017, are in Room 127. The local office number is 703-360-8524.

UMUC
University of Maryland University College is registering for spring classes. Face-to-face classes start March 23.
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.

ODU
Old Dominion University's Military Career Transition Program is designed for active/retired military, military spouses and qualified government personnel wanting to teach elementary, middle or high school.
The teaching license is good in 44 states and DoD schools around the world.
More information is available from odu.edu/mctp or by calling 703-781-8203.