Belvoir Briefs for March 18

Spring into reading
Van Noy Library welcomes spring with crafts, stories and fun March 20 from 2 to 3 p.m., for children ages 6 to 10. Registration is available by calling 806-3323.
Nationwide automotive services exams
Barden Education Center administers the Automotive Services Excellence examinations, according to a national schedule, May 6, 11 and 13.
Interested personnel must complete a registration form by March 25 at Barden, Bldg. 1017, Room 134.
DANTES funding must be authorized by an education center counselor for up to three exams for each of the semi-annual testing cycles. Students are responsible for paying the $36 registration fee, which must be paid by money order or by personal check on the day of registration and covers all exams taken during the cycle.
Military personnel, both active and reserve component, in a related MOS or AFSC, are eligible to test on funded exams for either college or for certification. Recertification is not funded.
Students may download the latest ASE preparation study guides from site ase.com.
Information is available by calling 703-805-9261.
Road closure
The intersection of Gillingham and Belvoir roads is closed for construction from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Flagmen and signs will mark the detour route for motorists.
New restaurant option
Fort Belvoir's AAFES opened a new food facility, Kwiky Kebab, March 11. Kwiky Kebab is on South Post in the Home & Garden Store. Hours there are Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
BOSS events
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers has a free dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Pat Troy's. The Alexandria restaurant is at 111 N. Pitt St., 22314-3107.
RSVP through Sgt. Judith Moreno, 805-9225, judith.moreno@conus.army.mil.
A D.C. Monument Tour is March 27. The group meets at 9 a.m. at Springfield Metro Station. A day pass costs $7.80. The event includes free lunch in D.C.
Information is available from Cpl. Jesse Stevens, 703-806-5103.
NCO Mentorship Program
Fort Belvoir's NCO Mentorship Program is a week-long course geared toward preparing junior NCOs and lower-enlisted Soldiers for leadership positions and NCO Education System schools. It is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 to April 2 in Barden Education Center, followed by a graduation ceremony at Wood Theater to reward the Leadership Award recipient and high PT scorer.
The class is open to E-3 through E-6 trying to prepare for Warrior Leader Course or Basic NCO Course, or trying to improve his or her leadership skills by becoming better informed about all areas of military leadership.
The course is open to all Military District of Washington region Soldiers. Enrollment is available via e-mail to Ashley.andrews3@ conus.army.mil; or to SFC Daniel Reed, daniel.m.reed@conus.army.mil; or by calling Fort Belvoir's Headquarters Battalion S-3 Training Office, 703-806-6210.
DAU 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."
The symposium will provide service-level and industry perspectives on implementing a new direction in acquisition leadership and management. Through a series of speakers, panels and break-out sessions, the symposium will examine issues such as: "Impact of Quadrennial Defense Review on acquisition, including work force implications;" and "Technical maturity and cost challenges facing defense program managers."
Breakout sessions will address career field recruiting and retention; presentations of DAU Alumni Association Research Paper Competition winners (Hirsch Prize); and Best Practices on Cost Estimating.
The symposium concludes with a dinner honoring the winner of the 2010 Alumni Association's Acker Award; induction of new DAU Hall of Fame members; and presentation of Research Paper Competition prizes.
Registration is available from dauaa.org. Information on local VTC locations are available from the site or by calling 1-800-755-8805.
This training seminar qualifies for four continuous learning points.
Red Cross classes
Fort Belvoir's American Red Cross Office offers the following classes:
CPR/AED Adult, March 20 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
CPR Child and Infant, March 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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.
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.
March's themes are St. Patrick's Day and Johnny Appleseed. Events are March 18, Fairfax; March 23, Woodlawn.
Information is available by calling 805-1906.
Book club for adults
Van Noy Library's Adult Book Club discusses "The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch, March 27 at 9 a.m. in the library.
People are asked to call 703-806-3323 to sign up.
Safety class deadline changed
The mandatory Wood Shop Safety Class deadline is changed to May 1 due to recent weather conditions.
Woodworkers who want to use Kawamura Arts and Crafts Center's Wood Shop are required to complete a mandatory safety class by May 1.
The class costs $5, which will be credited toward taking another class offered by the wood shop within six months. At the end of the class, patrons will sign a user's agreement and get a qualification card. Safety classes are conducted Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 pm at the Kawamura, Bldg. 1462, 9290 Gunston Road.
Information is available by calling 703-806-4647.
Bunco is back
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.
New York City trip
MWR has a day trip to New York City March 27 for $45. Take in a show, sight-see or shop. For the trip not to be canceled, 34 people must sign up. The bus leaves the Community Center at 7:30 a.m. and returns late in the evening.
More information is available by calling 805-3714 or by stopping by the Community Center, Bldg. 1200, Taylor Road.
Youth Service Spring Break Camp
Registration is open for Youth Services Spring Break Camp. Activities are planned for each day of the week, including a trip to Dave & Busters! Registration fee is based on CYSS categories and is open until March 23.
More information is available by calling 805-4515.
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 class is March 31 at 7 p.m. Information is available by calling 703-805-3081.
EFMP parents
The next Fort Belvoir Exceptional Family Member Program Parent Support Group meeting is April 1 at Army Community Service, Bldg. 200, 9800 Barlow Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The topic is military retirement planning with a special-needs family member. The guest speaker, a retired servicemember, is the grandfather of a child with significant disabilities. He has more than 40 years' experience working with military families and benefits planning.
Registration is available by calling 703-805-5435.
Resident meetings
The Villages at Belvoir residents of Vernondale, Herryford, Colyer and Cedar Grove villages are invited to community information meetings as meet-and-greets and chances to discuss concerns, challenges and positive things the management team can do for Belvoir residents.
Officials expect to conduct the meetings quarterly, with the first ones scheduled:
Herryford and Vernondale, March 24; Cedar Grove, March 30; and Colyer, March 31. Meetings are from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Vernondale Neighborhood Center.
Employment readiness
Army Community Service's Employment Readiness Program hosts a Teen Employment Workshop March 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Employment Program Orientations are 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.
Survivor outreach financial planning
The Survivor Outreach Services mission is to educate the community about the Survivor Outreach Services Program and advocate on behalf of all families who have suffered the loss of a Soldier.
The program offers a unified support program which embraces and reassures survivors they are can be continually linked to the Army family for as long as they want.
The group provides resources, including support groups, newsletters, information briefs and social activities.
SOS offers Insurance for Your Survivors March 19 and Loving Your Family; Planning Your Estate March 23.
Both classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Army Community Service, Bldg. 200, 9800 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir.
Reservations and additional information is available from Jan Chapman, 703-805-3413.
Attendance preference is given to survivors. However, classes are open to everyone.
Community yard sales
The Villages at Belvoir Yard Sales begin in this month. 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:
March 20 and 21; 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.
Second Infantry (Indianhead) reunion
The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is conducting a nationwide search for any man or woman who served in the Army's Second Infantry Division ever so the veterans can know about the organization and about an upcoming reunion.
Information about the association and its annual reunion in Danvers, Mass., from Aug. 18 to 22, is available from the Web site, 2ida.org, or through Mike Davino, 808-744-5062.
Leadership and training conference
The ROCKS, Inc. hosts its bi-annual, 7th National Leadership and Training Conference April 1 to 3 at Fort Belvoir. The conference's theme is "Making A Difference: Mentoring and Inspiring the Next Generation of World-Class Leaders." The event includes presentations by senior military and DoD leaders; leadership panels and small group discussions.
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 assists 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. Founded in 1974, The ROCKS, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, mentorship and professional development to ROTC and Military Academy Cadets, active duty and reserve component officers, and retired and former active or reserve component officers.
Early registration is recommended and is available online or via mail. More gala details are available from therocksdc.org.
ACAP
Fort Belvoir Army Career Alumni Program center offers services for military, civilians and family members. Information is available from Vernita Holifield, 703-805-9263.
Transition Assistance Program Employment Workshop, March 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and March 25 from 8 to 11:30 a.m., Barden Room 160.
Financial planning, job strategies, networking, résumé-building, image consulting and developing an interview. The workshop also includes an employer panel presentation, which provides insights about what hirers are looking for.
A VA Briefing is March 25 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Barden's Room 160.
VA counselors explain the range of benefits and eligibility for compensation; pension; health care; vocational rehabilitation and employment; education and training; home loan guarantee; life insurance; survivor and burial. They also explain how to apply for benefits.
A Post 9-11 GI Bill Brief is March 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Barden Room 160.
Ticketmaster changes
MWR wants people to know credit cards are no longer accepted as payment for tickets at Ticketmaster outlets in the Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and Northern Virginia areas.
Customers who want to buy tickets using a credit card are asked to call Ticketmaster Phone Charge, 202-397-7328, 410-547-7328 or 703-573-7328. Tickets are also available from ticketmaster.com.
Hearts Apart support group
Is your sponsor deployed, TDY or serving an unaccompanied tour? Hearts Apart offers support for waiting families by linking them with other families who are geographically separated due to sponsors' mission requirements.
Army Community Service/Family Programs provide a supportive group setting and opportunities to learn about available resources.
Hearts Apart meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at ACS, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200, from 6 to 8 p.m. Free child care is provided with advance notice.
Information is available by calling 703-805-5058 or 3436.