Belvoir Briefs for April 1

Easter buffet
Easter Buffet will be served at the Officers' Club April 4 in the Mount Vernon Room. Seatings are available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Advanced reservations are required by calling 703-780-0930, ext. 600. Prices are $29.95 for members; $30.95 for non-members; $12.50 for children 7 to 12 years; and free for children 6 and younger.

Spaghetti dinner
MWR kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child with a free spaghetti dinner April 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

Free tickets are required and can be picked up at Fort Belvoir Child, Youth and School Services; Army Community Service, or at the Community Center.

Bay cleanup volunteers needed
The Environmental and Natural Resources Division needs volunteers to help clean Accotink Bay, as part of the 22nd Annual Alice Ferguson Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The event is April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers will meet at the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center, Bldg. 780, and are asked to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle to refill as needed. Gloves and bags will be provided by the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

Adults, children, organizations and community groups are encouraged to participate.

Interested volunteers are asked to call Kevin Walter, 703-805-3969.

3K Walk/Run
Fort Belvoir's 2nd Annual Sexual Assault Awareness 3K Walk/Run is April 6 at 6:30 a.m. at the Fort Belvoir Golf Course. This year's theme is "Hurts one. Affects all. Preventing Sexual Assault is everyone's duty."

The first 150 people to finish the run get a T-shirt. Participation is free. More information is available by calling 805-2561.

Mother/Daughter Girl Scouts
The Fort Belvoir Girl Scouts have their annual Mother/Daughter event April 10 from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Lorton Moose Lodge. The cost is $5 for mother/daughter couple and $2 for additional people.

Registered girl scouts must contact their troop leaders about tickets by April 7. Events include Mom and Daughter bingo, a comical musician, dancing, snacks and a participation patch.

Denim Day!
Support Sexual Assault Awareness by wearing denim April 21.

Free self-defense class
In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, there's a free self-defense class April 14 at 6 p.m. in Army Community Service, Bldg. 200. The class is open to women only, whether they are DoD civilians, Soldiers or family members.

Because there are a limited number of openings, early registration is recommended by calling 805-2561.

Relocation classes
Fort Belvoir's Relocation Readiness Program offers relocation counseling, a lending closet and other services.

All classes, except newcomer's orientation, require advance reservations by calling 805-5058 or 3436.

Newcomer's Orientations are April 5, May 3 and June 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at Army Community Service, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200.

Welcome to Germany is April 15, May 20 and June 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Classes provide information about local customs, expectations, and other important info about preparing to move to Germany.

Welcome to Korea is April 22, May 27 and June 24 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Sponsorship training
Classes provide information on how to become an effective sponsor to help welcome newcomers to Fort Belvoir; the duty requirements; and the responsibilities of sponsors, first sergeants and commanders.

Class is given upon request. Information is available through Army Community Service's Relocation Readiness Program, 703-805-5058 or 3436.

Red Cross classes
Fort Belvoir's American Red Cross Office offers the following classes:

Babysitter's Training, April 3, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SFA CPR Adult, Child and Infant, April 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

People can register and pay for the class online at redcrossnca.org or by calling 703-805-8452. People interested in training for groups or organizations can call Ashley Cleveland, 703-584-8716.

The office on Belvoir is at 9716 Middleton Road.

Specker temporarily closed
Specker Field House is closed for roof and facility renovations. Belvoir DFMWR officials expect the fitness facility to reopen Sept. 1.

Enlisted spouses
The Belvoir Enlisted Spouses Club has its monthly meeting April 13 at 6:30 p.m., 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 the enlisted families of the Fort Belvoir and Military District of Washington area. Information about the organization, becoming a member, or attending April's meeting is available by calling 703-781-4050.

AOWCGWA
The Army Officers Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area hosts a luncheon on April 15 in the Koran Room of the Fort Myer Officers Club from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sandra O'Connell will discuss lessons learned from 800 letters her husband's family exchanged during World War II, as documented in the book, "An American Family in World War II."

The event costs $20. Reservations must be mailed by April 9 to Ruth Howell, 7709 Little River Turnpike, Suite 100, Annandale, Va., 20003.
Information is available from Wendy Gifford, 703-903-1542; or Ruth Howell, 703-941-1300.

ACAP seminars/workshops
The Army Career and Alumni Program offers the following:
VA Disabled Transition Assistance Program Briefing, April 8, 10 a.m. to noon in Barden Education Center's Room 160, for people who think they may have a service-connected disability or a service-aggravated injury or illness.

Starting a Business, April 12, 9 a.m. to noon, Barden Room 105. About self-employment franchise ownership, including advantages, business models, investment ranges and financing options, how to investigate and choose a franchise and how the entrepreneur's source can help.

Financial Planning & Investment Management Skills, April 13, 9 to 11 a.m., Barden Room 105. Encouraged for transitioning servicemember or family member with questions and taught by a certified financial planner from the Military Officers Association of America. Investment strategies, retirement income sources, evaluating a financial situation, portfolios and investment management.

Employee Benefits, April 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Barden Room 105, including insurance; preferred provider organizations; health-maintenance organizations; retirement plans; and flexible spending.

Enrichment in housing
Staff from Child, Youth & School Services offer free enrichment activities at the housing community centers. Children and youth must be accompanied by an adult. Activities are from 10 a.m. to noon. Events are free and open to the public.

The schedule is: Mondays in April, Fairfax Village; Tuesdays, Vernondale; Wednesdays, Lewis; Thursdays beginning April 8, George Washington; Fridays beginning April 9, Woodlawn.

Each week has a different topic, including creativity, library, Earth and Health and Fitness Week.

Information is available by calling 805-1906.

NARFE meeting
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees Association Springfield Chapter 893 meets April 14 at 1:30 p.m.

The meeting location is The American Legion Post 176, 5620 Amherst Ave, Springfield, adjacent to Kay Jenning's Springfield Toyota.
Roy Michael of Springfield, a two-time identity theft victim, will give a presentation on identity theft, lessons learned and protections.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Information about the meeting and the organization is available from Dick Gallagher, chapter president, rmgallagher@verizon.net, 703-455-4373.

Bunco
Join your bunco buddies at 5:15 p.m. in the Community Center Lounge every other Tuesday from March 9 to May 18. The events offer a chance to meet new people and win prizes.

Reservations are available by calling 703-805-3714.

Veterans poster contest
Have an idea for a national Veterans Day poster? If so, the Veterans Day National Committee wants to hear from you. The committee is seeking submissions for the 2010 national Veterans Day poster, which gets distributed to VA and military installations around the world and is on the cover of the official program booklet for the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Submissions should include sufficient information to demonstrate the image is an artist's work and is not copyrighted material (for example, photos and concepts). The committee may select a particular submission but ask the artist to make modifications to the original design. Additional changes may be required before printing.

A selection committee convenes in May to review submissions and select a finalist. The final poster must be 18 inches by 24 inches at 300 dots per inch. Submitters, however, are asked to scale down submissions to a 9-inch by 12-inch and submit electronic versions as jpg images or PDF files via e-mail to vetsday@va.gov.

Alternatively, copies of artwork or a CD with artwork files can be mailed to: Department of Veterans Affairs (002C), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20420.

Artists are asked to not send originals. The submission deadline is May 1.

Posters from previous years are available from the Poster Gallery at va.gov/vetsday.

Employment orientations
Army Community Service's Employment Readiness Program hosts Employment Program Orientations Tuesdays from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. The events include an overview of local employment, including federal jobs, résumé help and registration for job-skill training classes.

Registration is required by calling 703-805-4590.

Learn to kayak
Join Team River Runner, Outdoor Recreation and Benyaurd Pool to learn the basics of kayaking in the comfort of an indoor pool. The next classes are April 14 and 28; and May 12 and 16 at 7 p.m. Information is available by calling 703-805-3081.

KIDSFEST, family fun
MWR celebrating military children April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the School Age Services Building, Barlow Road.

The free event includes face-painting, games, food and prizes.
Information is available by calling 805-9114 or 9116 or 9117 or 9118.

Lock-in Around the World
In celebration of the Month of the Military Child, the CYS Services Youth Center has a lock-in April 17 at from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and join centers around the world that are also having lock-ins.

Information is available by calling 703-805-4515 or by stopping by the Youth Center.

Leadership and training conference
The ROCKS, Inc. hosts its bi-annual, 7th National Leadership and Training Conference April 1 to 3 at Fort Belvoir.

All military officers, retired, active-duty, and former officers, and ROTC and Military Academy cadets are encouraged to attend. The ROCKS, Inc., founded in 1974, is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, mentorship and professional development to ROTC and Military Academy Cadets, active duty and reserve component officers.

The organization also helps retired and former active or reserve-component officers. Conference details are available at rocksinc.org or by calling 301-856-9319 or toll-free at 888-762-5747.

Spring gala
The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the ROCKS, Inc., hosts its 36th Annual Spring Gala April 3 at 6 p.m. at the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club. Military leaders and ROTC Cadets from across the nation will be recognized for their outstanding achievement and contributions.

Early registration is recommended and is available online or via mail. More gala details are available from therocksdc.org.

CID recruiting briefings
The Criminal Investigation Command is recruiting for new, immediate special agents. People who want a career with one of the nation's law enforcement organizations may attend informational sessions about reclassification to CID.

Sessions are at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the 75th Military Police Detachment, CID, Fort Belvoir CID Office, 6104 3rd St, on Belvoir.

General information and reservations are available through Special Agent Jesus Goytia, 703-806-4386.

Acquisition symposium
The Defense Acquisition University hosts its annual Acquisition Community Symposium April 13, at its Fort Belvoir campus. This year's theme is "Achieving Excellence in a Changing Acquisition Environment."

Registration is available from dauaa.org. Information on local VTC locations is available from the site or by calling 1-800-755-8805.
This training seminar qualifies for four continuous learning points.

Found items
Over the past several months, the Directorate of Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Lost and Found Property Custodian have collected several unclaimed bicycles and other items. Items are held for 90 days before they are turned over to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office.

People who have lost any items and want to find out if they have been recovered by DES Police may contact Tim Brown, lost and found property custodian, 806-0146. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and voice mail is available after normal duty hours. Some reasonable proof of ownership is required to claim any found property.

Community yard sales
The Villages at Belvoir Yard Sales are one weekend a month through October. All residents of The Villages at Belvoir can sell. However, anyone can stop by and make purchases.

Scheduled yard sales this year are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.

Residents can only sell during yard sale dates announced and authorized by The Villages at Belvoir, unless otherwise authorized by community management offices.

Upcoming 2010 yard sale dates, weather permitting, are:

April 17 and 18; May 15 and 16; June 19 and 20; July 17 and 18; Aug. 14 and 15; Sept. 18 and 19; and Oct. 16 and 17.

English as a Second Language
Interested in learning English as a second language? Army Community Service's Relocation Readiness Program offers these courses.

Information, including upcoming dates and times, is available through ACS' Relocation Readiness Team, 703- 805-5058 or 3436.

U.S. citizenship class
Information about a preparation class for U.S. citizenship is available from the relocation readiness team, 703-805-5058 or 3436.

Smooth Move
Relocation resources for the permanent change of station transition process and budgeting for a move is available by calling 703-805-5058 or 3436.

Relocation
The Relocation Readiness Program provides relocation counseling, a lending closet and other services. Military Homefront is the official DoD Web site for reliable, quality-of-life information designed to help troops and their families.

Information is available from militaryhomefront.dod.mil/.

Information about any relocation program or service is available by calling Army Community Service, 703-805-4590, or through the Relocation Office, 703-805-5058 or 3436.

Toastmasters
Toastmasters International club is designed to improve people's verbal and written communication skills and presentations. The club also enhances confidence and skills in listening, evaluation, leadership, presentation, motivational and persuasive speech and mentoring.

The McNamara HQC Toastmasters Club 3772, formerly the DLA Toastmasters, meets Tuesdays in Room 3501 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Information is available from toastmasters.org or through Ashleigh Johnson, Ashleigh.Johnson@dla.mil, or by calling 703-767-8561.

Managers helping youth
Fort Belvoir managers and supervisors can be a part of a venture which helps the youth of the Belvoir's military community get real-world work experience.

The Child, Youth and School Services Youth Center has an apprenticeship program that provides a cash award to youth for completing the program.

All employers need to do is be willing to have a youth paired with an employee who will act as a mentor and provide an opportunity for them to learn about the work world and gain experience at a work site.

People interested in partnering with youth may contact Wendy O'Sullivan, Hired! program coordinator, 703-805-4515, ena.w.osullivan@us.army.mil.

What to do
The Fort Belvoir Installation Operations Center advises, "... all DoD personnel, family members and contractors should be reminded that they must immediately notify law enforcement in the event of an active shooter, seek cover/shelter or use identified exits as appropriate. They should further ensure accountability of personnel and cooperate with law enforcement, medical and fire department personnel.

All DoD personnel, family members and contractors should report any suspicious or unusual behavior or activity to law enforcement at 703-806-3104 or 3105.

Arts & Craft classes
Kawamura Arts & Craft Center offers classes in basic framing, stained glass, wood turning and jewelry making. Information is available by calling 703-806-4647.

Arts and crafts instructors
MWR and Kawamura Arts & Crafts Center is always looking for arts and crafts instructors to share their craft as a teacher.

People who can teach painting, watercolor, oil or acrylic; drawing, pencil, charcoal or ink; origami; scrapbooking; floral arranging; glass etching; digital photography; graphic arts or photo software programs can be a future instructor.

Kawamura also needs instructors in sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and other crafts. Certification and previous teaching experience is not necessary. People with a passion for art, know their craft well enough to teach it, informally to small groups, are needed.

People with particular art or craft talent not listed, who believe it may be a class people would also enjoy, can also call.

More information is available by calling 703-806-4647.

Volunteers needed
Army Family Team Building needs volunteers. Volunteering with AFTB allows people to explore new careers fields, update existing skills and accumulate work experience. AFTB is a fun, educational program designed for military families to enhance one's knowledge of the military and develop leadership skills.

People interested in volunteering are asked to contact Colandra Sealey, 703-805-5556 or via e-mail to colandra.sealey2@us.army.mil.

Walk-in legal help
Soldiers can get legal assistance on a walk-in basis, without an appointment, Tuesday afternoons, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Soldiers needing expedited legal help should visit the Fort Belvoir Legal Assistance Office, Bldg. 702, during these times.

SJA
The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate has moved to Bldg. 702, at the corner of 16th Street and Lowen Road. It is housed in a white warehouse close to the intersection of 16th and Gunston Road. SJA's street address is 9910 Lowen Road, Bldg. 702, Fort Belvoir, Va., 22060-5593.

The office's phone number is 805-2856.