Fort Bliss Monitor

Community

Estate claims

Anyone who has a claim to the estate of Staff Sgt. Derek L. Clayton contact 1st Lt. Ebony Calhoun at 568-6448.

Bataan Death March sign-up

Registration deadlines are rapidly approaching for the 2005 Bataan Memorial Death March to be conducted March 20 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Bataan Memorial Death March information and registration is available at www.bataanmarch.com and there is a limit of 4,000 marchers. Deadlines are Saturday for entry forms received by mail, Feb. 25 for entry forms received via fax and March 10 for online registration.

The event is open to military and civilian teams and individuals in either heavy or light divisions. Military personnel marching in any military category must wear full field gear. Civilian marchers in any category should wear attire appropriate for a road march through desert terrain.

For information about the march, call the White Sands Missile Range Community Recreation Division at (505) 678-3374 or the Public Affairs Office at (505) 678-1134. Questions and comments may be e-mailed to bataan@ wsmr.army.mil.

Employee Assistance Program

This nationwide program provides professional assistance that is confidential and best of all free. The goal is to help employees and their families resolve problems that affect their personal lives and job performance. This program is completely voluntary and is designed to allow the employee or family members to seek help on their own. If you want to know more about the Employee Assistance Program or are in need of services, feel free to stop by or call. The New Employee Assistance Program coordinator for Fort Bliss and William Beaumont Army Medical Center is Joe Crawford, who can be contacted in person at Bldg. 48 Slater Road, or by telephone at 568-1033 or 568-7011.

FCC training class

The Family Child Care Program of Child and Youth Services is conducting an applicant training class for potential FCC providers March 7 to 11 at the Logan Child Development Center, Bldg. 3500 Story Road. The classes start at 8 a.m. each morning. The training covers the basic requirements for USDA Program and Nutrition, Special Needs, Child Growth and Development, Business Practices, Fire, Safety, Health, Child Abuse Prevention and others. Applications are in Bldg. 1743, and background checks will be completed prior to certification. For information, call 568-4198.

Warrant Officer openings

Are you interested in becoming a warrant officer? The Office, Chief of Air Defense Artillery is assisting Soldiers in military occupational specialties 14E, 14J, 14R, 14S, 14T, 27X and others in putting together packets in preparation for upcoming warrant officer selection boards. Openings are available for MOS 140A, Command and Control Systems Technician, and MOS 140E, Patriot System Technician. Information on prerequisites and sample packets can be found at www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/. Call 568-1300 or 568-6157 for any questions, additional information or guidance.

Money requests

The Fort Bliss Officers’, Civilians’ and Spouses’ Association will accept requests for funds from non-profit organizations on Fort Bliss and in the El Paso area until Feb. 28. Funds will be disbursed in May 2005. Applications are available on Fort Bliss at the Army Community Services/ Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494 on Ricker Road or by at:

FBOCSA Welfare Committee
P.O. Box 6128
Fort Bliss, Texas 79916.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 28.

Auto Craft Shop

Now effective the Fort Bliss Auto Craft Shop will close bays eight to 15 for three weeks. This closure is required for the installation of three new lifts. If you have any questions, or for further information, call Willie Delgado, facility manager, at 568-7280.

Lock and Leave Storage

Lock & Leave Storage invites all military personnel, their dependents, retirees and other individuals with military ID cards to store their personal goods with us. Moving frequently with permanent changes of stations and temporary duty, a person can accumulate a lot of stuff. Lock & Leave, your official on-post storage center, offers specials such as welcome, buddy and frequent renter coupons. Come visit or call 566-8321 for more information.

Spanish instructor needed

SKIESUnlimited is looking for certified Spanish instructors. For information, contact Gabriele Jones Johnson at 569-7732.

Lifeguard training

Morale Welfare and Recreation is in the process of selecting qualified individuals to fill a lifeguard position at the Community Pool and Replica Aquatic Center for the summer. Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age and have successfully completed the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Cardio Pul-monary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Course.

Individuals needing to complete the training must first contact the American Red Cross at 592-0208. There is a fee for the course. There are five lifeguard-training courses scheduled at the Replica Aquatic Center, Bldg. 5053 on Dickman Road.

The first session is March 21 through 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The second session schedule is for April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The third session is for April 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The fourth training is for May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The fifth session is for May 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Individuals interested in taking the lifeguard training course or who need additional information may call Wright Stanton at 568-5380 or 568-7431.

ACS classes

Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program is offering the following classes:
March 9 - Smart Women and Money (Part A)
March 23 - Smart Women and Money (Part B)
March 30 - Checkbook Management

Classes are at Bldg. 2494 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call ACS to reserve your seat at 568-7088, or 568-5689 to reserve your free childcare.

Get Fit Mom and Friends

Get-Fit Mom and Friends will be offered at Stout Fitness Center in the aerobics room Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. starting March 2. This class has been created for post-natal moms who want to start getting back into shape while spending time with their babies. The class will host babies between the ages of 0 and 18 months. Get-Fit Mom and Friends is dedicated to exercising and strengthening the body after giving birth. Special attention will be paid to areas that are weakened during and after pregnancy. The class will be a medley of exercise techniques including yoga/Pilates strengthening and toning moves, hand-weight, stability ball and cardio vascular segments. A certified fitness instructor will teach the class with additional certification in pre and post-natal fitness. Get-Fit Mom and Friends is a way for you to not only get back into shape, but also meet other people and build a support group based around regular exercise. Together, moms can start to feel better about their bodies and to combat some of the day-to-day stresses that seem to go along with being a new mom! Classes will be held both inside and outside depending on weather and participation. If moms choose to attend the class prior to eight weeks after giving birth- please bring a doctors release with you to your first class. For information call 569-5162.

Museum hours

This weekend’s operating hours for the Air Defense Artillery and Fort Bliss Museums, plus Old Fort Bliss, will be as follows: Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 568-5412 or 568-4518.

Lighten Up

MWR patrons trying to shed a few will find help at the Centennial Club and at Fort Bliss MWR sports and fitness centers. In February, the Centennial will offer special menus featuring healthy dining options as part of a Lighten Up! Tighten Up! Promotion. We’ve also added tasty Chicken Fajita Wrap and a Beef Taco Wrap with salsa, guacamole and sour cream both for $3.95. Diners receive a frequent “healthy” diner card that is stamped when they purchase one of the healthy meals. Cards can be redeemed after 10 healthy meals for a cool prize. In addition to these and other local prizes offered by MWR activities, the cards are entered into a grand prize drawing for a seven-day spa resort vacation package from www.Gov Arm.com a BowFlex by Nautilus home gym, or one of two gas grills provided by Gardenburger. Participate in the “Buns on the Run” 5K run in late March. For information, call the MWR Fitness Coordi-nator at 568-2554.

Healthy Kids class

The Army Community Services Center is offering a Healthy Kids Class Feb. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. The class consists of two parts: safety and nutrition. A certificate is given upon completion of the course. Childcare is provided as long as the children are registered at the main Child Development Center. To register for class, call Esylen L. Stephens at 568-1132.

Unit funds

Fort Bliss units that are deployed overseas (except Kuwait and Qatar) in support of Homeland Security are entitled to receive additional unit funds support during deployment status. Contact Tammy Conn at 568-3890.
Tax forms

Mickelsen Community Library has most tax forms available in the hallway by the library, Bldg. 2E basement. For information call 568-6154.

Wi-Fi Hotspot

Mickelsen Community Library is now a Wi-Fi Hotspot. That is, for those patrons who have their own laptops (and know how to do it), we now offer wireless Internet access through Road Runner(tm). For information call 568-6154.

Sewage line rupture

Please be advised that a sewage line has ruptured in the vicinity of the ponding area behind the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The Directorate of Public Works and Logistics is working to mitigate the situation and repair the line or create a new bypass. Personnel are asked to avoid this area while construction is ongoing and until the site has been restored. For information, call 329-7868.

FBOCSA donations

The Fort Bliss Officers’, Civilians’ and Spouses’ Association will be making charitable donations to Fort Bliss and the El Paso community to benefit non-profit organizations. We are accepting applications until Feb. 28. In the past, funds have been distributed to agencies such as the Center Against Family Violence, the Army Community Service, the Armed Services YMCA and the Child Crises Center. Funds will be disbursed in May 2005. Applications are available on Fort Bliss at the Army Community Services/Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494 on Ricker Road or by mail at: FBOCSA Welfare Committee, P.O. Box 6128, Fort Bliss, Texas 79916. Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 28. For information, call 568-4614.

Book giveaway

The El Paso Empowerment Zone will have a book giveaway for “Read El Paso Read,” a community-wide reading initiative, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ysleta Independent School District Auditorium at 9600 Sims. Books, both in English and Spanish, will be available for children, young adults and adults. Free pizza and drinks will be served from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Valerie Flattmann at 351-1680.

FBEMS training

The Fort Bliss Environmental Manage-ment System – Garrison Com-mand will provide Environmental Management Systems training for managers, super-visors, shop personnel and environmental compliance officers, in accordance with the following schedule. EMS training will take place at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center Auditorium, Bldg. 1735 Marshall Road. The training date is Feb. 25.

Class schedules for both dates:

9 a.m. - managers and supervisors
10:30 a.m. - shop personnel
1 p.m. - shop personnel
2:30 p.m. - ECOs

For information contact David Felix at 568-0931 or Janet Jones at 568-4172.

Volunteers needed

Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program is in need of a volunteer to manage our coupon social. This person will be responsible for organizing the coupon box (sorting by product type and separating expired coupons), hosting a monthly meeting (here at ACS), and searching for coupons, deals and freebees on the Internet and in the stores. One of the best benefits of this position is that you can take advantage of all the savings. Contact Lori Rosario at 568-7088 for more details.

Bowling specials

The Fort Bliss Bowling Center offers snack bar specials Monday through Friday. Buy the featured special for that day and show your receipt to the front counter for a free game during the week. The Bowling Center also offers a weekend special which allows customers who bowl two games to get a third game for free. This special is only applicable Saturday during open bowling. Also, the Fort Bliss Bowling Center patrons may bowl for just $1 per game Monday through Tuesday from opening to closing. Come out and enjoy the center’s beautiful ambiance with its 52 lanes, billiard and game room and snack bar that serves up delicious daily lunch specials. The center is closed Sunday. For information, call 568-6272.

Scholarship program

The National Military Family Associa-tion’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse scholarships, normally in the amount of $1,000, are awarded to Uni-formed Services spouses (active, retired, reserve, guard or survivor) to obtain professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school for an academic year. Applications are only accepted online and are due March 31. NMFA’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program 2005 application and instructions available at www.nmfa. org/site/PageServer?pagename=2005_ Spouse_Scholarship_Instructions.

Aerobic instructors needed

Aerobic instructors needed for expanding aerobics program. Flexible hours starting at $15 per class; certified experience in aerobic instruction required; must be CPR certified. Please include copies of certifications with application. Apply at or mail resume to: NAF Personnel, Bldg. 504-B, Fort Bliss, TX 79916.

Kite flyers wanted

Professional or amateur stunt kite flyers sought for upcoming event on Fort Bliss. Interested call Kirsten at 568-2784.

Youth Services soccer

Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registration for its spring soccer season continues through March 1. Registration is open to boys and girls, ages 3 and up. Registrants much be Youth Services members and fees are $25 for the first child and $20 each additional child. Youth Services is also looking for soccer coaches. Experience is desirable, but not necessary. Those interested in volunteering to coach or for information, call Mike Emile at 568-2617.

Replica lifeguard class

Replica Aquatic Center will be offering a lifeguard instructor class every Tuesday and Thursday in February (17,22,24) from 1-6 p.m. Classes will consist of training applicants to teach lifeguard training (including first aid), CRE/AED for the professional rescuer, oxygen for the professional rescuer, preventing disease transmission, community water safety basic water rescue and lifeguard management. Cost for the class is $155 and must be pre-register and pre-pay to the American Red Cross, 3620 Admiral Rd. Applicant must be at least 17 years old by the last scheduled session of the class, you must attend all sessions, and pass each section of the pre-course written exam with at least 80 percent an demonstrate competency in the skills evaluation. Call Stacy Wright at 592-0040, ext. 230 for information.

Stray pet policy

The Vet Clinic wants to remind everyone about the stray policy on Fort Bliss. Per USAG Regulation 190-4, if a stray is picked up by Animal Control, it will be held at the Impound Facility at the Vet Clinic for three working days. Strays will be checked for microchips and/or tags when caught. If the owner/sponsor does not appear to claim the animal within three days, it will be either put up for adoption or euthanized. Strays that are seriously injured or ill and appear to be suffering may be euthanized prior to the three days if an owner cannot be located or contacted.

Aerobics classes

The Fort Bliss Sports Division offers a wide variety of instructional classes to help you stay in shape. We want to offer you as many options as possible with classes being taught at Stout Physical Fitness Center, Bldg. 2930 Monday through Sunday. Classes being offered are Body Sculpting, Cardio Kickboxing, Pure Strength, Pilates, Step Sculpt, Sunrise Aerobics, YOGA /Mind and Meditation, Step & Body Bar Workout, Fat Burner & AbAttack, Power Lunch, Step Challenges, and Fun Fit. Each class costs $3.50. A monthly Aerobics Card, which includes unlimited classes, costs $25. A semi-annual Aerobics punch card, worth 15 punches over six month, costs $25. For Aeroics information, call 569-5162.

SKIESUnlimited

The name SKIESUnlimited is an acronym for “School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills” with the word “Unlimited” for the unlimited possibilities this program can offer Army children and youth. SKIESUnlimited encompasses instructional programs for children and youth ranging from four weeks old to adolescence. Through SKIES, children and youth in Child Development Services, School Age Services, middle school, and teen programs as well as home schooled children, have equal access to opportunities that expand their knowledge, inspire them, allow them to explore, and acquire new skills. For information call 569-7732.

What is YESS

Youth Education Support Services is responsible for assisting military youth on Fort Bliss with transition issues and providing extracurricular activities from arts to life skills. What can YESS do for me? Provide a youth sponsor for incoming youth at Fort Bliss or provide volunteer opportunities for youth to serve as a youth sponsor or a member of the CYS Welcome Wagon. Offer access to youth computer labs and homework centers. Provide support to military family members who home school. Along with CYS Outreach Services, provide parent classes related to youth education issues. For information call 569-7732.

Vet operating hours

The Fort Bliss Veterinary Clinic has new operating hours. We will be open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Services available on Walk-In Wellness include vaccinations, microchips, de-worming, and heartworm and feline leukemia testing. The Vet Clinic is located on Carter Road between the Bowling Alley and Van Horne Housing Area.

Lunch specials

Stop by the Fort Bliss Bowling Center between 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday for a hot lunch special. Every Wednesday, you can enjoy their schnitzel plate and every Friday, try the seafood special – both for only $5.95. For more information, call 568-6272.

Civilian Fitness Zone

Fort Bliss community members now have another fitness alternative to the main gyms. MWR has opened the Civilian Fitness Zone in Bldg. 251 on Club Road, just beside the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The site will also host the Civilian Fitness Program’s Manager’s Office. Sidney W. Webster is recognized and Certified as a Health Promotion Director and Physical Fitness Specialist Certified by Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research Dallas, Texas. He brings many years of experience as a health fitness coordinator from 282nd Base Support Battalion, also as sports and fitness director there Youth and Military Sports. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. The facility features circuit training equipment, cardio, light dumbbells, and Thera Bands. For information, call 569-5165.

CSA Saturday openings

The Child Development Center provides special hours of operation Saturday at its main location in Bldg. 1730 on Haan Road. Hours are 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cost for payday weekend care is $3.50 per hour; $3 for Tier I. Children, ages 2 months to 12 years, are eligible for the care. For information, call 568-5689.

Kids on the Block

The Kids on the Block Puppet shows are available for performances free of charge. The performances cover a variety of topics such as bicycle safety, school safety, vehicle safety, child abuse, bullying, and deployments. Shows can be performed for schools, FRG events/meetings, youth groups, daycare centers, and scout troops. For information contact Lyn Matsey at 568-1132, or at the Family Assistance Center located at Bldg. 2494, on Ricker Road.

Toddler Infant playgroups

The Family Assistance Center conducts toddler and infant playgroups on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s of each month. The Toddler Playgroup ranges from ages 18 1/2 months to 3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. The infant playgroup is offered at the Youthplex on Fort Bliss every Thursday from 10 to 11. a.m. This is an excellent way to interact with your children and meet other parents within the Fort Bliss Community. For additional information contact Esylen Stephens at 568-1132.
Free Spanish classes

Army Community Service offers Conversational Spanish classes on Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the conference room. Participants should call 568-1132 or 569-7762 to register for the class. Free childcare is provided for participants. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and participants must book their own childcare reservations by calling 568-1132. Classes are for ID cardholder’s age 18 and older.
English as a second language

Army Community Service offers English as a second language class Monday and Wednesday. Classes are from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Participants should call 568-1132 or 569-7762 to register for the class. Free childcare will be provided for participants. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and participants must book their own childcare reservations by calling 568-1132. Classes are for ID cardholder’s age 18 and older.

Sign language classes

Army Community Service Relocation Assistance offers free Sign Language Classes for adults (18 years of age or older) Monday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Army Community Service Bldg. 2494. The classes run through April 20. Childcare for students is free at the Child Development Center. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and reservations must be made by the student. For information or to register for the class call 568-7088.

Check Control location

MWR Check control clearing has moved from Army Community Services, Bldg. 2494 to Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Bldg. 11, second floor. This is also the place for clearing the Officers’ Club and the Golf Course. For information call 568-4444.

Domestic violence briefings

Domestic violence affects military readiness and families as well. It is a fact that children who witness domestic violence at home can become abusers themselves. Now is the time to schedule your units annual domestic violence prevention and awareness brief. To schedule your unit or FRG for a presentation contact Joe Crawford at 568-4878.

Sunday brunches

The Fort Bliss Officers’ Club offers a Champagne Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday except holiday weekends. The cost is $9.95 for members and $11.95 for nonmembers, $6 for children ages 7 to 11 and free for children 6 and under. Reservations are recommended. Call 568-7013.

PCS/ETS

PCSing to a new installation? The Army Community Service relocation programs will provide you with automated welcome packets on any DoD military installation worldwide while you wait. Assigned to an isolated location far from an installation? Not a problem. Internet access will provide localized information. How do you find that isolated location within CONUS? Computerized route-maps will take you there. Soldiers clearing the installation are advised that strip maps, showing the location of all agencies that must be cleared, are available at the Army Community Service relocation desk at Bldg. 2494, which is also a required stop in the clearing process. For information, call 568-6291.

Black History basketball tourney

Join MWR for our annual Black History Basketball Tournament Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Stout Gym. The cost is $200 per team and is open to all military and civilian teams. Call Nate LaCour at 568-5198 or e-mail nate.lacour @bliss.army.mil.

Briefings

Fort Bliss MWR is available to make presentation briefs to Soldier’s units on MWR’s installation role, operating budget, facilities, programs and services. Call MWR headquarters at 568-3724 or 568-3437 to schedule your brief and to find out about needed technical requirements.

Mickelsen Library

Mickelsen Library currently hosts Read Me a Story every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. for children 2 to 5 years of age in the children’s room of the library. The library is also presenting Family Story Time for 2 to 6 year olds, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Parents or guardians must stay with their child through the duration of story-time. Mickelsen Library is located in E wing, lower level of Hinman Hall, Bldg. 2. For information, call 568-6156.

Biggs Field road closures

Residents and personnel assigned to Biggs Army Airfield should be aware of an increase in traffic activity and the following road closures Sunday. The following roads, and the areas within them, will close to traffic from 8:30 a.m. through completion of Race for the Cure. The race starts at Biggs Park and participants run or walk east on Sergeants Major Boulevard, north on Wendover, west on MSG R. Miller, north on Patterson, west on SSG Sims, south on Randolph, east on SGT E. Churchill, north on Duncan, west on MSG R. Miller, south on Wright, east on Sergeants Major Boulevard and back to Biggs Park.

Race organizers will arrive at 6 a.m. to set up and participants are asked to arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m. The 5K race begins at 9 a.m. and the one-mile race follows. Race organizers will open roads as soon as the last participants clear the area and it can be cleaned. For information, call 566-9745 or 568-2497.

EOD accepting volunteers

Volunteers are currently being accepted for Explosive Ordnance Disposal. You must be E-1 through E-5 or O-1 through O-3 with at least 12 months in station, have normal color vision, a PULHES physical of 111121 and a GM score of 105. You must have two years remaining in service or use the Bonus Extension And Retaining program. The current reenlistment bonus is 3.5 A, B and C. For more information, go to www.bragg.army. mil/EOD/. To make an appointment for an interview, contact 1st Sgt. Oscar Honne or Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Henke at 568-8905 or 568-8703.

Rear detachment class

The Army Community Services Mobilization and Deployment Section will conduct the next Rear Detachment Course March 9 in Bldg. 2494 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The course is open to all rear detachment commanders, noncommissioned officers and Family Readiness Group leaders. This course is designed to assist in becoming an effective rear detachment by providing current and helpful information. Discussions include the roles and relationships of the family support structure, rear detachment commanders and FRG roles and responsibilities, community resources and support, casualty assistance, legal issues and family assistance. The RDC will be offered monthly at ACS. Participates must call 568-1132 to sign up for the course prior to class date.

Class dates will be April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

Reading Rainbow contest

The 11th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and illustrators contest has come to El Paso. Children in Kindergarten through third grade are eligible to enter. For entry forms call 747-6500 or visit www.kcostv.org. Forms and entries are available in English or Spanish. Entry deadline is March 31 and winners will be announced in April.

Hero of the Pass

Do you know a real local hero – an ordinary person who has exhibited extraordinary courage, kindness or selflessness in helping others during the past few years? The El Paso Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is calling for nominations of local heroes for its 2005 Heroes of the Pass Awards event. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 25, and the awards luncheon will be held March 30 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Centennial Club on Biggs Army Airfield. Nominations are accepted in one of nine categories for people living or working in El Paso, Hudspeth or Culberson counties, and the guidelines and online form are available at www.elpasotimes.com/redcrossheroes/. Interested nominators may also call the El Paso Chapter at 592-0208.

A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they have compassion for those around them. The categories are: Youth Good Samaritan Hero (under age 21), Adult Good Samaritan Hero (21 and older), Workplace Hero, Professional Rescuer Hero, Animal Rescuer Hero (can also be an animal who rescued a person), Military Hero, Medical professional Hero, Education Hero and Law Enforcement Hero.

OCSA Spring Bazaar

Come to the Officers’, Cicilians’, Spouses’ Spring Bazaar at Stout Gym March 4 from noon-6 p.m., March 5 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and March 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This event is open to the public, and volunteers are needed. Call Yvonne at 564-4634 for information.

Citadel presidential visit

The El Paso/Fort Bliss Citadel Club is honored to have retired Marine Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds, the 18th President of The Citadel, join us for the Annual El Paso Area Citadel Muster to be held March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Starlight Room at Jaxon’s, 1135 Airway Blvd., on the corner of Airway and Viscount.

Accompanying Grinalds will be Mike Rogers, director of Alumni Affairs at the Citadel and Frank Shannon, executive director of The Citadel Foundation. Activities include a social hour, dinner and the muster ceremony. Reservations are required.

All Citadel alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Ron Steedly at 751-7005 or by e-mail at rsteedl1@elp.rr.com for information and reservations no later than Feb. 23.

ASE certification

The Automotive Service Excellence certification exams will be administered by the Education Center’s testing center, Bldg. 639, Room 9, May 4, 6 and 9 from 7-11 a.m. The exams are open to active duty and Reserve component personnel only. The deadline to register for these exams is March 11. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Support, the sponsoring agency, has directed the following eligibility criteria:

• DANTES authorizes funding for a maximum of three of the $25 ASE examinations per each semiannual exam cycle.

• The L1 - Advance Engine Perform-ance test and the L2 - Truck Electronic, Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist and any re-certification exams will not be funded.

• A $32 registration fee to be paid by examinees on the day of testing (personal checks or money orders only).
• Eligible Army MOSs: 52B,C and D; 61C; 62B; 63B, C, D, E, G, H, N, S, T and W (also currently or previously held MOSs such as those possessed by Warrant Officers), or any DoD active duty or Reserve component personnel who possess an automotive maintenance specialty.

• Personnel who do not possess the MOS but are enrolled in an Auto Tech degree program are eligible.
• Any additional exams must be paid at a cost of $25 per exam.

To register, prospective examinees must see Roberto Chavez at the Education Center, Bldg. 641, Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. on or before the deadline of March 11. For questions call 568-5315.

Infant TRICARE enrollment

Under TRICARE’s new policy, parents now have 60 days from the birth or adoption of TRICARE eligible children to enroll them in TRICARE Prime to help avoid delays or gaps in processing health care claims.
Children must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database within the first 60 days of their life or adoption or they will not show as being eligible for TRICARE Prime benefits.
To register, obtain a copy of the child’s birth certificate, certificate of live birth, or adoption papers and file it with the base personnel office. If the sponsor is deployed or on TDY, the other parent or a guardian should be prepared to show power of attorney to register.

For questions about TRICARE coverage, visit www.triwest.com, call 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378), or contact the DEERS support office at 1-800-538-9552 from 6 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday.

ACS closures

The Army Community Service/Family Assistance Center located in Bldg. 2494 will be closed Monday at 1:30 p.m. for fumigation. For financial emergencies from 1:30-4:30 p.m., call 549-1142. For financial emergencies after duty hours, weekends and holidays, call the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337.

PX, Commissary meeting

The next Post Exchange and Commissary Council meetings will be held Feb. 22 in Bldg. 1



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 17, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Community Estate claims Anyone who has a claim to the estate of Staff Sgt. Derek L. Clayton contact 1st Lt. Ebony Calhoun at 568-6448. Bataan Death March sign-up Registration deadlines are rapidly approaching for the 2005 Bataan Memorial Death March to be conducted March 20 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Bataan Memorial Death March information and registration is available at www.bataanmarch.com and there is a limit of 4,000 marchers. Deadlines are Saturday for entry forms received by mail, Feb. 25 for entry forms received via fax and March 10 for online registration. The event is open to military and civilian teams and individuals in either heavy or light divisions. Military personnel marching in any military category must wear full field gear. Civilian marchers in any category should wear attire appropriate for a road march through desert terrain. For information about the march, call the White Sands Missile Range Community Recreation Division at (505) 678-3374 or the Public Affairs Office at (505) 678-1134. Questions and comments may be e-mailed to bataan@ wsmr.army.mil. Employee Assistance Program This nationwide program provides professional assistance that is confidential and best of all free. The goal is to help employees and their families resolve problems that affect their personal lives and job performance. This program is completely voluntary and is designed to allow the employee or family members to seek help on their own. If you want to know more about the Employee Assistance Program or are in need of services, feel free to stop by or call. The New Employee Assistance Program coordinator for Fort Bliss and William Beaumont Army Medical Center is Joe Crawford, who can be contacted in person at Bldg. 48 Slater Road, or by telephone at 568-1033 or 568-7011. FCC training class The Family Child Care Program of Child and Youth Services is conducting an applicant training class for potential FCC providers March 7 to 11 at the Logan Child Development Center, Bldg. 3500 Story Road. The classes start at 8 a.m. each morning. The training covers the basic requirements for USDA Program and Nutrition, Special Needs, Child Growth and Development, Business Practices, Fire, Safety, Health, Child Abuse Prevention and others. Applications are in Bldg. 1743, and background checks will be completed prior to certification. For information, call 568-4198. Warrant Officer openings Are you interested in becoming a warrant officer? The Office, Chief of Air Defense Artillery is assisting Soldiers in military occupational specialties 14E, 14J, 14R, 14S, 14T, 27X and others in putting together packets in preparation for upcoming warrant officer selection boards. Openings are available for MOS 140A, Command and Control Systems Technician, and MOS 140E, Patriot System Technician. Information on prerequisites and sample packets can be found at www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/. Call 568-1300 or 568-6157 for any questions, additional information or guidance. Money requests The Fort Bliss Officers’, Civilians’ and Spouses’ Association will accept requests for funds from non-profit organizations on Fort Bliss and in the El Paso area until Feb. 28. Funds will be disbursed in May 2005. Applications are available on Fort Bliss at the Army Community Services/ Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494 on Ricker Road or by at: FBOCSA Welfare Committee P.O. Box 6128 Fort Bliss, Texas 79916. Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 28. Auto Craft Shop Now effective the Fort Bliss Auto Craft Shop will close bays eight to 15 for three weeks. This closure is required for the installation of three new lifts. If you have any questions, or for further information, call Willie Delgado, facility manager, at 568-7280. Lock and Leave Storage Lock & Leave Storage invites all military personnel, their dependents, retirees and other individuals with military ID cards to store their personal goods with us. Moving frequently with permanent changes of stations and temporary duty, a person can accumulate a lot of stuff. Lock & Leave, your official on-post storage center, offers specials such as welcome, buddy and frequent renter coupons. Come visit or call 566-8321 for more information. Spanish instructor needed SKIESUnlimited is looking for certified Spanish instructors. For information, contact Gabriele Jones Johnson at 569-7732. Lifeguard training Morale Welfare and Recreation is in the process of selecting qualified individuals to fill a lifeguard position at the Community Pool and Replica Aquatic Center for the summer. Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age and have successfully completed the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Cardio Pul-monary Resuscitation for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Course. Individuals needing to complete the training must first contact the American Red Cross at 592-0208. There is a fee for the course. There are five lifeguard-training courses scheduled at the Replica Aquatic Center, Bldg. 5053 on Dickman Road. The first session is March 21 through 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The second session schedule is for April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The third session is for April 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The fourth training is for May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The fifth session is for May 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Individuals interested in taking the lifeguard training course or who need additional information may call Wright Stanton at 568-5380 or 568-7431. ACS classes Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program is offering the following classes: March 9 - Smart Women and Money (Part A) March 23 - Smart Women and Money (Part B) March 30 - Checkbook Management Classes are at Bldg. 2494 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call ACS to reserve your seat at 568-7088, or 568-5689 to reserve your free childcare. Get Fit Mom and Friends Get-Fit Mom and Friends will be offered at Stout Fitness Center in the aerobics room Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. starting March 2. This class has been created for post-natal moms who want to start getting back into shape while spending time with their babies. The class will host babies between the ages of 0 and 18 months. Get-Fit Mom and Friends is dedicated to exercising and strengthening the body after giving birth. Special attention will be paid to areas that are weakened during and after pregnancy. The class will be a medley of exercise techniques including yoga/Pilates strengthening and toning moves, hand-weight, stability ball and cardio vascular segments. A certified fitness instructor will teach the class with additional certification in pre and post-natal fitness. Get-Fit Mom and Friends is a way for you to not only get back into shape, but also meet other people and build a support group based around regular exercise. Together, moms can start to feel better about their bodies and to combat some of the day-to-day stresses that seem to go along with being a new mom! Classes will be held both inside and outside depending on weather and participation. If moms choose to attend the class prior to eight weeks after giving birth- please bring a doctors release with you to your first class. For information call 569-5162. Museum hours This weekend’s operating hours for the Air Defense Artillery and Fort Bliss Museums, plus Old Fort Bliss, will be as follows: Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 568-5412 or 568-4518. Lighten Up MWR patrons trying to shed a few will find help at the Centennial Club and at Fort Bliss MWR sports and fitness centers. In February, the Centennial will offer special menus featuring healthy dining options as part of a Lighten Up! Tighten Up! Promotion. We’ve also added tasty Chicken Fajita Wrap and a Beef Taco Wrap with salsa, guacamole and sour cream both for $3.95. Diners receive a frequent “healthy” diner card that is stamped when they purchase one of the healthy meals. Cards can be redeemed after 10 healthy meals for a cool prize. In addition to these and other local prizes offered by MWR activities, the cards are entered into a grand prize drawing for a seven-day spa resort vacation package from www.Gov Arm.com a BowFlex by Nautilus home gym, or one of two gas grills provided by Gardenburger. Participate in the “Buns on the Run” 5K run in late March. For information, call the MWR Fitness Coordi-nator at 568-2554. Healthy Kids class The Army Community Services Center is offering a Healthy Kids Class Feb. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. The class consists of two parts: safety and nutrition. A certificate is given upon completion of the course. Childcare is provided as long as the children are registered at the main Child Development Center. To register for class, call Esylen L. Stephens at 568-1132. Unit funds Fort Bliss units that are deployed overseas (except Kuwait and Qatar) in support of Homeland Security are entitled to receive additional unit funds support during deployment status. Contact Tammy Conn at 568-3890. Tax forms Mickelsen Community Library has most tax forms available in the hallway by the library, Bldg. 2E basement. For information call 568-6154. Wi-Fi Hotspot Mickelsen Community Library is now a Wi-Fi Hotspot. That is, for those patrons who have their own laptops (and know how to do it), we now offer wireless Internet access through Road Runner(tm). For information call 568-6154. Sewage line rupture Please be advised that a sewage line has ruptured in the vicinity of the ponding area behind the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The Directorate of Public Works and Logistics is working to mitigate the situation and repair the line or create a new bypass. Personnel are asked to avoid this area while construction is ongoing and until the site has been restored. For information, call 329-7868. FBOCSA donations The Fort Bliss Officers’, Civilians’ and Spouses’ Association will be making charitable donations to Fort Bliss and the El Paso community to benefit non-profit organizations. We are accepting applications until Feb. 28. In the past, funds have been distributed to agencies such as the Center Against Family Violence, the Army Community Service, the Armed Services YMCA and the Child Crises Center. Funds will be disbursed in May 2005. Applications are available on Fort Bliss at the Army Community Services/Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494 on Ricker Road or by mail at: FBOCSA Welfare Committee, P.O. Box 6128, Fort Bliss, Texas 79916. Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 28. For information, call 568-4614. Book giveaway The El Paso Empowerment Zone will have a book giveaway for “Read El Paso Read,” a community-wide reading initiative, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ysleta Independent School District Auditorium at 9600 Sims. Books, both in English and Spanish, will be available for children, young adults and adults. Free pizza and drinks will be served from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Valerie Flattmann at 351-1680. FBEMS training The Fort Bliss Environmental Manage-ment System – Garrison Com-mand will provide Environmental Management Systems training for managers, super-visors, shop personnel and environmental compliance officers, in accordance with the following schedule. EMS training will take place at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center Auditorium, Bldg. 1735 Marshall Road. The training date is Feb. 25. Class schedules for both dates: 9 a.m. - managers and supervisors 10:30 a.m. - shop personnel 1 p.m. - shop personnel 2:30 p.m. - ECOs For information contact David Felix at 568-0931 or Janet Jones at 568-4172. Volunteers needed Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program is in need of a volunteer to manage our coupon social. This person will be responsible for organizing the coupon box (sorting by product type and separating expired coupons), hosting a monthly meeting (here at ACS), and searching for coupons, deals and freebees on the Internet and in the stores. One of the best benefits of this position is that you can take advantage of all the savings. Contact Lori Rosario at 568-7088 for more details. Bowling specials The Fort Bliss Bowling Center offers snack bar specials Monday through Friday. Buy the featured special for that day and show your receipt to the front counter for a free game during the week. The Bowling Center also offers a weekend special which allows customers who bowl two games to get a third game for free. This special is only applicable Saturday during open bowling. Also, the Fort Bliss Bowling Center patrons may bowl for just $1 per game Monday through Tuesday from opening to closing. Come out and enjoy the center’s beautiful ambiance with its 52 lanes, billiard and game room and snack bar that serves up delicious daily lunch specials. The center is closed Sunday. For information, call 568-6272. Scholarship program The National Military Family Associa-tion’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse scholarships, normally in the amount of $1,000, are awarded to Uni-formed Services spouses (active, retired, reserve, guard or survivor) to obtain professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school for an academic year. Applications are only accepted online and are due March 31. NMFA’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program 2005 application and instructions available at www.nmfa. org/site/PageServer?pagename=2005_ Spouse_Scholarship_Instructions. Aerobic instructors needed Aerobic instructors needed for expanding aerobics program. Flexible hours starting at $15 per class; certified experience in aerobic instruction required; must be CPR certified. Please include copies of certifications with application. Apply at or mail resume to: NAF Personnel, Bldg. 504-B, Fort Bliss, TX 79916. Kite flyers wanted Professional or amateur stunt kite flyers sought for upcoming event on Fort Bliss. Interested call Kirsten at 568-2784. Youth Services soccer Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registration for its spring soccer season continues through March 1. Registration is open to boys and girls, ages 3 and up. Registrants much be Youth Services members and fees are $25 for the first child and $20 each additional child. Youth Services is also looking for soccer coaches. Experience is desirable, but not necessary. Those interested in volunteering to coach or for information, call Mike Emile at 568-2617. Replica lifeguard class Replica Aquatic Center will be offering a lifeguard instructor class every Tuesday and Thursday in February (17,22,24) from 1-6 p.m. Classes will consist of training applicants to teach lifeguard training (including first aid), CRE/AED for the professional rescuer, oxygen for the professional rescuer, preventing disease transmission, community water safety basic water rescue and lifeguard management. Cost for the class is $155 and must be pre-register and pre-pay to the American Red Cross, 3620 Admiral Rd. Applicant must be at least 17 years old by the last scheduled session of the class, you must attend all sessions, and pass each section of the pre-course written exam with at least 80 percent an demonstrate competency in the skills evaluation. Call Stacy Wright at 592-0040, ext. 230 for information. Stray pet policy The Vet Clinic wants to remind everyone about the stray policy on Fort Bliss. Per USAG Regulation 190-4, if a stray is picked up by Animal Control, it will be held at the Impound Facility at the Vet Clinic for three working days. Strays will be checked for microchips and/or tags when caught. If the owner/sponsor does not appear to claim the animal within three days, it will be either put up for adoption or euthanized. Strays that are seriously injured or ill and appear to be suffering may be euthanized prior to the three days if an owner cannot be located or contacted. Aerobics classes The Fort Bliss Sports Division offers a wide variety of instructional classes to help you stay in shape. We want to offer you as many options as possible with classes being taught at Stout Physical Fitness Center, Bldg. 2930 Monday through Sunday. Classes being offered are Body Sculpting, Cardio Kickboxing, Pure Strength, Pilates, Step Sculpt, Sunrise Aerobics, YOGA /Mind and Meditation, Step & Body Bar Workout, Fat Burner & AbAttack, Power Lunch, Step Challenges, and Fun Fit. Each class costs $3.50. A monthly Aerobics Card, which includes unlimited classes, costs $25. A semi-annual Aerobics punch card, worth 15 punches over six month, costs $25. For Aeroics information, call 569-5162. SKIESUnlimited The name SKIESUnlimited is an acronym for “School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills” with the word “Unlimited” for the unlimited possibilities this program can offer Army children and youth. SKIESUnlimited encompasses instructional programs for children and youth ranging from four weeks old to adolescence. Through SKIES, children and youth in Child Development Services, School Age Services, middle school, and teen programs as well as home schooled children, have equal access to opportunities that expand their knowledge, inspire them, allow them to explore, and acquire new skills. For information call 569-7732. What is YESS Youth Education Support Services is responsible for assisting military youth on Fort Bliss with transition issues and providing extracurricular activities from arts to life skills. What can YESS do for me? Provide a youth sponsor for incoming youth at Fort Bliss or provide volunteer opportunities for youth to serve as a youth sponsor or a member of the CYS Welcome Wagon. Offer access to youth computer labs and homework centers. Provide support to military family members who home school. Along with CYS Outreach Services, provide parent classes related to youth education issues. For information call 569-7732. Vet operating hours The Fort Bliss Veterinary Clinic has new operating hours. We will be open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Services available on Walk-In Wellness include vaccinations, microchips, de-worming, and heartworm and feline leukemia testing. The Vet Clinic is located on Carter Road between the Bowling Alley and Van Horne Housing Area. Lunch specials Stop by the Fort Bliss Bowling Center between 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday for a hot lunch special. Every Wednesday, you can enjoy their schnitzel plate and every Friday, try the seafood special – both for only $5.95. For more information, call 568-6272. Civilian Fitness Zone Fort Bliss community members now have another fitness alternative to the main gyms. MWR has opened the Civilian Fitness Zone in Bldg. 251 on Club Road, just beside the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The site will also host the Civilian Fitness Program’s Manager’s Office. Sidney W. Webster is recognized and Certified as a Health Promotion Director and Physical Fitness Specialist Certified by Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research Dallas, Texas. He brings many years of experience as a health fitness coordinator from 282nd Base Support Battalion, also as sports and fitness director there Youth and Military Sports. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. The facility features circuit training equipment, cardio, light dumbbells, and Thera Bands. For information, call 569-5165. CSA Saturday openings The Child Development Center provides special hours of operation Saturday at its main location in Bldg. 1730 on Haan Road. Hours are 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cost for payday weekend care is $3.50 per hour; $3 for Tier I. Children, ages 2 months to 12 years, are eligible for the care. For information, call 568-5689. Kids on the Block The Kids on the Block Puppet shows are available for performances free of charge. The performances cover a variety of topics such as bicycle safety, school safety, vehicle safety, child abuse, bullying, and deployments. Shows can be performed for schools, FRG events/meetings, youth groups, daycare centers, and scout troops. For information contact Lyn Matsey at 568-1132, or at the Family Assistance Center located at Bldg. 2494, on Ricker Road. Toddler Infant playgroups The Family Assistance Center conducts toddler and infant playgroups on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s of each month. The Toddler Playgroup ranges from ages 18 1/2 months to 3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. The infant playgroup is offered at the Youthplex on Fort Bliss every Thursday from 10 to 11. a.m. This is an excellent way to interact with your children and meet other parents within the Fort Bliss Community. For additional information contact Esylen Stephens at 568-1132. Free Spanish classes Army Community Service offers Conversational Spanish classes on Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the conference room. Participants should call 568-1132 or 569-7762 to register for the class. Free childcare is provided for participants. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and participants must book their own childcare reservations by calling 568-1132. Classes are for ID cardholder’s age 18 and older. English as a second language Army Community Service offers English as a second language class Monday and Wednesday. Classes are from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Participants should call 568-1132 or 569-7762 to register for the class. Free childcare will be provided for participants. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and participants must book their own childcare reservations by calling 568-1132. Classes are for ID cardholder’s age 18 and older. Sign language classes Army Community Service Relocation Assistance offers free Sign Language Classes for adults (18 years of age or older) Monday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Army Community Service Bldg. 2494. The classes run through April 20. Childcare for students is free at the Child Development Center. Children must be registered at the Child Development Center and reservations must be made by the student. For information or to register for the class call 568-7088. Check Control location MWR Check control clearing has moved from Army Community Services, Bldg. 2494 to Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Bldg. 11, second floor. This is also the place for clearing the Officers’ Club and the Golf Course. For information call 568-4444. Domestic violence briefings Domestic violence affects military readiness and families as well. It is a fact that children who witness domestic violence at home can become abusers themselves. Now is the time to schedule your units annual domestic violence prevention and awareness brief. To schedule your unit or FRG for a presentation contact Joe Crawford at 568-4878. Sunday brunches The Fort Bliss Officers’ Club offers a Champagne Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday except holiday weekends. The cost is $9.95 for members and $11.95 for nonmembers, $6 for children ages 7 to 11 and free for children 6 and under. Reservations are recommended. Call 568-7013. PCS/ETS PCSing to a new installation? The Army Community Service relocation programs will provide you with automated welcome packets on any DoD military installation worldwide while you wait. Assigned to an isolated location far from an installation? Not a problem. Internet access will provide localized information. How do you find that isolated location within CONUS? Computerized route-maps will take you there. Soldiers clearing the installation are advised that strip maps, showing the location of all agencies that must be cleared, are available at the Army Community Service relocation desk at Bldg. 2494, which is also a required stop in the clearing process. For information, call 568-6291. Black History basketball tourney Join MWR for our annual Black History Basketball Tournament Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Stout Gym. The cost is $200 per team and is open to all military and civilian teams. Call Nate LaCour at 568-5198 or e-mail nate.lacour @bliss.army.mil. Briefings Fort Bliss MWR is available to make presentation briefs to Soldier’s units on MWR’s installation role, operating budget, facilities, programs and services. Call MWR headquarters at 568-3724 or 568-3437 to schedule your brief and to find out about needed technical requirements. Mickelsen Library Mickelsen Library currently hosts Read Me a Story every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. for children 2 to 5 years of age in the children’s room of the library. The library is also presenting Family Story Time for 2 to 6 year olds, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Parents or guardians must stay with their child through the duration of story-time. Mickelsen Library is located in E wing, lower level of Hinman Hall, Bldg. 2. For information, call 568-6156. Biggs Field road closures Residents and personnel assigned to Biggs Army Airfield should be aware of an increase in traffic activity and the following road closures Sunday. The following roads, and the areas within them, will close to traffic from 8:30 a.m. through completion of Race for the Cure. The race starts at Biggs Park and participants run or walk east on Sergeants Major Boulevard, north on Wendover, west on MSG R. Miller, north on Patterson, west on SSG Sims, south on Randolph, east on SGT E. Churchill, north on Duncan, west on MSG R. Miller, south on Wright, east on Sergeants Major Boulevard and back to Biggs Park. Race organizers will arrive at 6 a.m. to set up and participants are asked to arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m. The 5K race begins at 9 a.m. and the one-mile race follows. Race organizers will open roads as soon as the last participants clear the area and it can be cleaned. For information, call 566-9745 or 568-2497. EOD accepting volunteers Volunteers are currently being accepted for Explosive Ordnance Disposal. You must be E-1 through E-5 or O-1 through O-3 with at least 12 months in station, have normal color vision, a PULHES physical of 111121 and a GM score of 105. You must have two years remaining in service or use the Bonus Extension And Retaining program. The current reenlistment bonus is 3.5 A, B and C. For more information, go to www.bragg.army. mil/EOD/. To make an appointment for an interview, contact 1st Sgt. Oscar Honne or Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Henke at 568-8905 or 568-8703. Rear detachment class The Army Community Services Mobilization and Deployment Section will conduct the next Rear Detachment Course March 9 in Bldg. 2494 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The course is open to all rear detachment commanders, noncommissioned officers and Family Readiness Group leaders. This course is designed to assist in becoming an effective rear detachment by providing current and helpful information. Discussions include the roles and relationships of the family support structure, rear detachment commanders and FRG roles and responsibilities, community resources and support, casualty assistance, legal issues and family assistance. The RDC will be offered monthly at ACS. Participates must call 568-1132 to sign up for the course prior to class date. Class dates will be April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14. Reading Rainbow contest The 11th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and illustrators contest has come to El Paso. Children in Kindergarten through third grade are eligible to enter. For entry forms call 747-6500 or visit www.kcostv.org. Forms and entries are available in English or Spanish. Entry deadline is March 31 and winners will be announced in April. Hero of the Pass Do you know a real local hero – an ordinary person who has exhibited extraordinary courage, kindness or selflessness in helping others during the past few years? The El Paso Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is calling for nominations of local heroes for its 2005 Heroes of the Pass Awards event. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 25, and the awards luncheon will be held March 30 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Centennial Club on Biggs Army Airfield. Nominations are accepted in one of nine categories for people living or working in El Paso, Hudspeth or Culberson counties, and the guidelines and online form are available at www.elpasotimes.com/redcrossheroes/. Interested nominators may also call the El Paso Chapter at 592-0208. A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they have compassion for those around them. The categories are: Youth Good Samaritan Hero (under age 21), Adult Good Samaritan Hero (21 and older), Workplace Hero, Professional Rescuer Hero, Animal Rescuer Hero (can also be an animal who rescued a person), Military Hero, Medical professional Hero, Education Hero and Law Enforcement Hero. OCSA Spring Bazaar Come to the Officers’, Cicilians’, Spouses’ Spring Bazaar at Stout Gym March 4 from noon-6 p.m., March 5 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and March 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This event is open to the public, and volunteers are needed. Call Yvonne at 564-4634 for information. Citadel presidential visit The El Paso/Fort Bliss Citadel Club is honored to have retired Marine Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds, the 18th President of The Citadel, join us for the Annual El Paso Area Citadel Muster to be held March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Starlight Room at Jaxon’s, 1135 Airway Blvd., on the corner of Airway and Viscount. Accompanying Grinalds will be Mike Rogers, director of Alumni Affairs at the Citadel and Frank Shannon, executive director of The Citadel Foundation. Activities include a social hour, dinner and the muster ceremony. Reservations are required. All Citadel alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Ron Steedly at 751-7005 or by e-mail at rsteedl1@elp.rr.com for information and reservations no later than Feb. 23. ASE certification The Automotive Service Excellence certification exams will be administered by the Education Center’s testing center, Bldg. 639, Room 9, May 4, 6 and 9 from 7-11 a.m. The exams are open to active duty and Reserve component personnel only. The deadline to register for these exams is March 11. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Support, the sponsoring agency, has directed the following eligibility criteria: • DANTES authorizes funding for a maximum of three of the $25 ASE examinations per each semiannual exam cycle. • The L1 - Advance Engine Perform-ance test and the L2 - Truck Electronic, Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist and any re-certification exams will not be funded. • A $32 registration fee to be paid by examinees on the day of testing (personal checks or money orders only). • Eligible Army MOSs: 52B,C and D; 61C; 62B; 63B, C, D, E, G, H, N, S, T and W (also currently or previously held MOSs such as those possessed by Warrant Officers), or any DoD active duty or Reserve component personnel who possess an automotive maintenance specialty. • Personnel who do not possess the MOS but are enrolled in an Auto Tech degree program are eligible. • Any additional exams must be paid at a cost of $25 per exam. To register, prospective examinees must see Roberto Chavez at the Education Center, Bldg. 641, Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. on or before the deadline of March 11. For questions call 568-5315. Infant TRICARE enrollment Under TRICARE’s new policy, parents now have 60 days from the birth or adoption of TRICARE eligible children to enroll them in TRICARE Prime to help avoid delays or gaps in processing health care claims. Children must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database within the first 60 days of their life or adoption or they will not show as being eligible for TRICARE Prime benefits. To register, obtain a copy of the child’s birth certificate, certificate of live birth, or adoption papers and file it with the base personnel office. If the sponsor is deployed or on TDY, the other parent or a guardian should be prepared to show power of attorney to register. For questions about TRICARE coverage, visit www.triwest.com, call 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378), or contact the DEERS support office at 1-800-538-9552 from 6 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday. ACS closures The Army Community Service/Family Assistance Center located in Bldg. 2494 will be closed Monday at 1:30 p.m. for fumigation. For financial emergencies from 1:30-4:30 p.m., call 549-1142. For financial emergencies after duty hours, weekends and holidays, call the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337. PX, Commissary meeting The next Post Exchange and Commissary Council meetings will be held Feb. 22 in Bldg. 1