Fort Bliss Monitor

Community

CGSOC course

The 95th Division is conducting the Command and General Staff Officer Course Phase I Intermediate Level Education at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas June 18 June through July 1. If you interested, make arrangements to attend a Phase 1 kickoff meeting April 17 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 2D6 of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. For information, call Lt. Col. Richard Hibbs at 568-9313 or Lt. Col. Jim Chituras at 778-3300 or Lt. Col. Joseph Trujillo at 568-4961.

SAMC scholarship

The Fort Bliss Sgt. Audie Murphy Club is sponsoring a scholarship fund. Dependents, civilians, active duty military and retirees who need financial assistance to attend college are encouraged to apply. The deadline for the two $2,500 scholarships is May 16. The winner will be announced during the Fort Bliss SAMC induction ceremony in June. If you are interested, go to Army Community Services, William Beaumont, the Post Exchange or the commissary and pick up the guidelines for the scholarship and application, or e-mail bret.rogowitz@ emh10.bliss.army.mil to request a copy of the scholarship packet.

OEDY award

All managers and supervisors are encouraged to submit nominations of employees with disabilities under their supervision who have performed their duties in a superior manner. Managers or supervisors must submit their nominations for Outstanding Employee with Disabilities of the Year to the EEO Office no later than Monday. The person selected will be honored at the Annual Disability Month Awareness Luncheon in October. Submit nominations to:
EEO Office
ATTN: Disability Program Manager, Malcolm Walker
Bldg. 114 Pershing Road
Fort Bliss, Texas 79916.
If you have any questions, contact Walker by email at Malcolm.walker@ bliss.army.mil or call 568-1489 or 568-3510.

Health Awareness Fair

There will be a Health Awareness Fair April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Logan Elementary School to raise awareness of important health issues and educate the community about the many services available here. Several health organizations will have booths set up. There will be dental and asthma education presented, as well as presentations on vision, glaucoma, blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol screenings.

Command briefing and tour

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Silver Caduceus Society will visit the El Paso Intelligence Center for a Command Briefing and tour April 28 at 10 a.m. The event will be followed by a luncheon buffet at the Centennial Club in the Dallas Room in conjunction with a command briefing from Joint Task Force-North. Those wishing to attend should RSVP no later than April 22. For more information, please call Maj. Todd S. Nicolson at 569-3119.

Vane farewell luncheon

A farewell luncheon will be held May 19 for Liane Vane at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All Fort Bliss personnel are welcome to attend. Reservations are accepted by calling 566- 4502 if your last name ends in A-M or 585-3293 if it is N-Z. The deadline for reservations is May 16.

College fair

The University of Texas at El Paso will conduct a college fair at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center May 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This outreach program will provide information on various educational opportunities available to Soldiers, families and civilians planning to attend UTEP. For more information, please call Cassandra Lachica at 747-7354.

Golf team tryouts

Tryouts for the Fort Bliss Golf Team will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Underwood Golf Complex. The tryouts will consist of an 18-hole qualifier on the Sunrise golf course. The tryouts are open to all active duty personnel who possess a golf handicap of eight or better. The top three players along with Sgt. 1st Class Paul Camacho will make up the four-man team. The team will compete in the South East Military Golf Championship Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., May 7 through 14. Registration is being held at the Underwood Golf Complex Pro Shop. For information, call 592-5881.

Chili cook-off

The El Paso Sergeants Major Association is sponsoring an Armed Forces Day Chili Cook-Off May 21. This is a major event and teams are limited. The entry fee is $35 and at least one team member must be a military ID card holder. For more information, call Karen Beaman at 568-8875.

Holocaust remembrance

The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command will be conducting the 2005 National Holocaust Observance, “Days of Remembrance – From Liberation to the Pursuit of Justice,” April 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Soldier Hall. For more information, call Sgt. 1st Call Danta Harrell at 568-5308.

Stress management classes

Sign up for the Stress Management class at the Family Assistance Center and learn how to better manage your stress. This full-day class will help you understand how your personality effects how you handle stress, and will teach you how to create a stress management class geared specifically to your personality type. The next scheduled class will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494. To sign up, call 568-1132.

Relationship course

Sign up now for the free, nine-session Enhancing and Improving Your Relationship course. You will learn key concepts that may enhance communication and increase respect and set your relationship on the road to success. The course will be held Tuesday and Thursday starting May 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Bldg. 2494. For information or to sign up for the course, call 568-1132.

Earth Day anniversary

The Directorate of Environment will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of Earth Day at the Youth Center April 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The theme this year is “Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future.” Scheduled events include reading of this year’s Army Earth Day proclamation, environmental booths, face painting, crafts, music by 62nd Army Band and Recycling Olympics games. Admission is free and opened to all elementary and middle school children. For more information, call 568-7015.

1-7 family readiness

In preparation for their upcoming deployment to Korea, the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery will be holding a Family Readiness Day April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Army Community Services Center building. There will be short briefings from the 1-7 commander and Family Readiness Group leader and the ACS deployment readiness officer. Plus, representatives from all of the services Fort Bliss has to offer will answer questions and help in any way needed.

Project officer training

Training of unit project officers for the annual Army Emergency Relief fund campaign is scheduled for April 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the ballroom at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494. For information, call AER officials at 568-1132 or 568-4614.

AER kickoff set

The kickoff event for Team Bliss’ 2005 Army Emergency Relief fund campaign is set for April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. It will be held in conjunction with the commanding general’s executive forum. All unit AER project officers must attend. The annual AER campaign will take place April 29 through May 23. For information, call 568-1132 or 568-4614.

SIMSO host families

The Air Defense Artillery School International Military Student Office is looking for people to welcome into their homes on weekends and holidays. If you are interested, there will be a Cowboy Western Dinner Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Officers’ Club.
For information, call Bernie Castillo at 568-0793.

SMW luncheon

The Society of Military Widows Desert Sun Chapter 30 will hold their monthly luncheon Tuesday at the Centennial Club at 11:30 a.m. No reservations are required. For more information, call Mary Yancy at 591-9180.

Car Care Center to open

The Fort Bliss Main PX Car Care Center, which offers maintenance and repair services on vehicles, will open April 23 at 7:30 a.m.
Water management training
Bayjet, Inc., a Las Cruces-based company, will be offering a free, one-month Water Resource Management Training course to four or five eligible Soldiers or their spouses. The course will begin June 6 at New Mexico State University and will train students to become certified water technicians, immediately employable for federal, state, county, city and private consultant jobs. Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for the training program:
• An endorsement letter from their commanding officer
• A high school diploma or GED
• Plans for higher education or career development
• A brief, one-page statement on reasons for wanting to join the program
• General information on your education and experience
• An application for the training program before May 15
• A signed pledge that you will remain alcohol and substance-free during the program
Students will receive free room, board and tuition. Textbooks and school supplies will also be provided. For information, call Ed Bailey at (505) 526-3353.

IA training

In an effort to protect data from internal and external threats, the Army has established a directive requiring all Army-wide computer users to complete information assurance training no later than June 4. If you have not done so already, you can satisfy your IA training requirement by logging onto the Army e-Learning Program, the G-6’s preferred method for fulfilling this requirement. For additional information on how to access Army e-Learning for your IA training, log onto http://www.us.army.mil, click on “My Education” then the “Army e-Learning” portal page. Or you can access Army e-Learning at http://usarmy.skillport. You must have an AKO account to access the system. For information, call (757) 369-2886.

Redesignation ceremony

There will be a re-designation ceremony of the German Air Force Air Defense School at the Fort Bliss Museum Tuesday at 8 p.m. There will be several activities, including a serenade, a parade and a German military event with torchbearers. For information, call 568-7601.

Foreign exchange program

Many high school students from around the world are looking for host families from El Paso and Las Cruces. Students from Belgium, Italy, Germany, Asia and South America want to stay here for either an entire school year or for one semester beginning in August. All of the students speak English and have their own spending money and insurance. Host families can claim $50 a month as a deduction with the IRS. Contact the local coordinator at 544-5992 for information

Warrant officer selection

If you are interested in becoming a warrant officer, the Office of the Chief of Air Defense Artillery is assisting soldiers in Military Occupation 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/. For information, call 568-1300 or 568-6157.

Ground breaking ceremony

Fort Bliss Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane, and U.S. Congressional Representative Silvestre Reyes will conduct a ground breaking ceremony for the Air and Missile Defense Instruction Facility, at 4 p.m. Monday at the corner of J E B Stuart and Pershing Roads.
The ground breaking ceremony is the first step for construction of the Air and Missile Instruction Facility, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center. This new facility and ground breaking will be at the corner of JEB Stuart and Pershing Roads.

NMMI employment

The New Mexico Military Institute has vacancies for full-time, 10 to 10 1/2-month positions for troop officers. To qualify, you must possess a master’s with emphasis in leadership, counseling, human resources, management or education from a regionally accredited institution, military experience as a senior noncommissioned, warrant or commissioned officer and be a certified instructor or educator with supervisory experience working in a training or academic environment.
There are also vacancies for full-time, 10 to 10 1/2-month positions for Army Junior Reserve Officer Training instructors. To qualify, you must be a retired noncommissioned officer or warrant officers certified by the U.S. Army Cadet Command to instruct in the JROTC program.
There is a vacancy of the full-time, 12-month position of senior Army instructor. To qualify, you must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and must possess computer skills.
Applications will be accepted at the NMMI Personnel office until all positions are filled. Visit the NMNI Web site at www.nmni.edu or send completed NMMI applications, letters of interest or resumes to:
NMMI Attn: Personnel Office
101 W. College Blvd.
Roswell, N.M. 88201

Environmental awards luncheon

The U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss Environmental Quality Awards Luncheon will be held at the Centennial Club at Biggs Field April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets for the luncheon are $8 and are available through the Directorate of Environment and must be purchased by April 13. For more information, call 568-7676 or 568-1547.

Pre-K Olympics

MWR Child and Youth Services will host a Pre-Kinder Olympics April 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Biggs Park. The mini-olympic events are tailored to children ages 3 to 6 and will include competitions such as tricycle races, three legged races, a water balloon toss and piggyback races. Prizes will be given for participation. Children with their parents are cordially invited to attend. A picnic is scheduled to follow the competitions. Admission is free. For additional information, call Elizabeth Bernal, at 569-5040.

O’Club dinner

In keeping with the traditions for regular O’Club members but adding a new twist for the newer members, the Officers’ Club will host its first ever Wine and Dinner Pairing, June 10 at 6 p.m. The night will include a display of various wines from Blue Teal Vineyards to showcase their exquisite taste. A four course meal will be accompanied by music and candlelight in the historical ballroom. Each meal showcased will have a complementary pairing of wine – bringing out the taste in the food that will be presented. Tickets will be on sale at the beginning of May at the Officers’ Club. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For information call 568-3164.

AER test program

Fort Bliss AER office is running a pilot program - The Fort Bliss AER Office is going to do away with the appointment schedule and run a test program for 120 days on a walk in basis. This program is an effort to streamline the AER loan process and to make AER more user friendly and decrease the amount of time the Soldier is away from the unit. Soldiers wanting AER assistance can walk in and pick up a loan application or use forms flow and when they have completed the loan application return it to the AER office with all the required documentation and signatures. This program will run similarly to the commanders referral program in which the loan application is dropped of by 1 p.m. the loan is ready for pick up the same business day, after 1 p.m. the loan is ready the following business day. Emergency leaves still have priority and will always be processed first.

Veterinary services

The Vet Clinic would like to apologize for the confusion over the last couple of weeks in regards to the clinic schedule. Additional veterinarians have been hired and this will allowed for a transition to a schedule which will provide improved service and more convenient access to care.
The new schedule is: Walk-In Wellness clinics (vaccines, microchips, deworming, heartworm and feline leukemia tests) every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. If the pet needs to be seen for something other than vaccines, sick call appointments are offered every Tuesday and Thursday — call 569-2266 to schedule an appointment.
The Surgical Service is up and running, offering spay/neuter for your pet. Call the Appointment Line 569-2266 to get more details and to schedule your pet. Lastly, the lobby hours for clearing, pet registration, sale of Heartguard medications and flea and tick preventatives are 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 to 3 p.m.

Administrative Professional Day

Join MWR April 27 at the Officers’ Club or the Centennial Club for Administrative Professionals Day. There will be free dessert and a little something extra for administrative professionals at both facilities. Say thank you by taking your administrative professional out to lunch.

Free practice testing

The U.S. Army General Library Program offers free practice tests for a wide variety of college, graduate school, and qualification exams at the online U.S. Army Library Education Resource Center, developed, designed, and hosted by Thomson Peterson. Available at base libraries all over the world through a customized Web site at www.petersons.com /army, the Center also offers information on colleges, graduate school programs, and scholarships, in addition to test preparation.
Service personnel will find online practice tests for the SAT and ACT college admission tests, 10 subject tests for the CLEP exam program for earning early college credit, the GRE graduate school admission test, and the ASVAB, which is familiar to many as the exam used to admit enlistees and place them in the appropriate job. There are three separate full-length practice exams for each available test. Dates include May 7 and June 4. To get access, service personnel and their families should see the base librarian and ask for an activation key code. This code is also the Library Access Code of a particular base library. Test takers are prompted to type in the activation key code when registering for a practice test. Or, they can call 877-433-8277 to speak with a Thomson Peterson’s technical support representative. Access to the tests is free, unlimited, and available 24/7.
The Army Library Education Resource Center also includes downloadable test-preparation handbooks for the DANTES Subject Standardized Test and the various aptitude tests to qualify as a military pilot, including the Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test.

Outdoor Adventures program

The Fort Bliss Outdoor Adventures is pleased to inform you of some of its upcoming outdoor adventures.
Franklin Mountains hiking trip: April 16, price is $12 per person, which includes transportation to Franklin Mountains, ranger-guided Aztec Ruins tour, refreshments, and snacks. For information or to signup for the trips, call Kirsten, 568-2784.

SAT/ACT prep class

An SAT and ACT preparation class, will be held April 16 and April 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Youth Center Bldg. 195. Cost will be $5 for the class. For information contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732 or Don Shepherd at 568-3290.
Membership drive

Want to know more about the historical Fort Bliss Officers’ Club? Want to know what you can receive by becoming a valued O’Club member? Looking for a facility to have your next function? Well, come and find out at the Officers’ Club Open House/Mini-Membership Drive, April 16 at 2 p.m. You will be able to tour the facility for possible functions and tables will be set up to speak one-on-one with the manager and special events coordinator. There will also be a sign up table for new membership. All will be accompanied by wine and cheese tasting, music, and your friends from the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. For information call Lauren at 568-3164.

Web access at Mickelsen

Search the full-text of more than 200 military and U.S. newspapers and periodicals including The Army Times, Armed Services & Government News and America’s Newspapers/Hometown News are available at Mickelsen Library and via AKO and through the U.S. Army Community & Family Support Center. NewsBank, inc. is the provider of both collections. Armed Services & Govern-ment News provides access to the full text of over 30 key military newspapers and periodicals including The Army Times, Federal Times Defense News, Training & Simulation Journal, and many more. America’s Newspapers offers coverage of 200 full-text newspapers.

Civilian fitness

The Civilian Fitness Zone is accepting applications for the fourth civilian physical training program. Civilians who take part in this program will be allowed three hours of administrative leave per week for a total of six months to participate. As part of the program, participants will have health education classes, activity classes, including weight training and aerobics also jogging and swimming. Stop by the Civilian Fitness Zone, Bldg. 251 to pick up an application and health history packet. The packets are due back by April 29 at 4 p.m. Assessments will be conducted May 16 at 8 a.m. at the Civilian Fitness Zone and the program starts on day of assessment. First come first serve, maximum 20. For information on this program call 569-5165.
Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is in El Paso and is looking for teens ages 14 and up that are interested in joining Habitat for Humanity from June 20-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teens will earn a certificate from the Habitat of Humanity indicating 32 hours of community service. In addition, teens will earn a leadership/citizenship certificate from SKIESUnlimited.
An orientation and a safety class are mandatory and will be provided by the Habitat for Humanity prior to working on worksite. Safety tools and lunch will be provided by the Habitat for Humanity. For information and sign up, contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732.

Wireless Internet

Centennial Club now has free wireless Internet, so while having your favorite lunch surf the net free at the Centennial Pub and dining room. For information call 568-9330, 562-5969 or 562-7934.

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 on Saturdays during open bowling. Also, the Fort Bliss Bowling Center patrons may bowl for just $1 per game Monday from opening to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday from opening to closing. Please note there is no open bowling Monday after 4:30 p.m. 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.

NAF auction

Looking for those special items to personalize your apartment, home or barracks? Check out this year’s public combined Non-appropriated Fund auction, April 16, 9 a.m., in Bldg. 643 on Taylor Road, between Pleasanton Rd and Holbrook Road. A variety of furniture and equipment will be available. All items will be displayed today and tomorrow for a preview from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bldg. 643. To bid, you must sign up during the preview or on the day of the auction. Visa, Master Card, cash and checks will be accepted (subject to approval). Payment must be made day of the auction, and all sales are final. Refreshments will be sold. Call 568-3779 or 568-4501 for details.

Post-wide yard sale

Fort Bliss hosts the annual Post Wide Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30, in all housing units on main post, Biggs, Beaumont, Logan Heights, Hayes and 801 Housing (off Martin Luther King Blvd.). Those who want to participate in the yard sale may simply display their items during the designated times; no formal permission is required. This event is open to the El Paso, Juarez and surrounding communities. All guests entering Fort Bliss property will be required to have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and valid car registration and safety inspection sticker; and will be subject to vehicle search. Note that military police will not allow yard sale shoppers in the housing areas prior to 7 a.m. All Fort Bliss residents are encouraged to participate. For information, call 568-6741.

Storytime at Mickelsen

Mickelsen Community Library hosts Read Me a Story every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. for children 2- to 5-years-old in the Children’s Room of the library. The library also hosts Family Story Time for 2- to 6-year-olds at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Each session lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour, and parents or guardians must stay with their child throughout the duration. Each week features a new theme and includes some movement, singing, and crafts. Mickelsen Community Library is located in the basement of E-wing, Hinman Hall For information, call 568-6156.

Lock and Leave Storage

Lock and Leave Storage invites all military personnel, their dependents, retirees and other individuals withmilitary ID cards to store their personal goods with us. Moving frequently with PSCs and TDYs, 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.

Lifeguard training

MWR is in the process of selecting qualified individuals to fill 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 Pulmonary 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.
Session schedule are April 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 17 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 7, 14, 21and 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Individuals interested in taking the lifeguard training course or need information may call 568-5380 or 568-7431.

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.

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.

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 please call 569-7732.

Karaoke nights

The Fort Bliss Bowling Center hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Thursday and Friday nights. Karaoke King takes to the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. and plays until 11 p.m. Thursdays and 12:30 a.m. Fridays in the center’s lounge. As a reminder, all non-active duty military guests, including family members and civilians, must be at least 21 to drink alcoholic beverages. For information, call 568-6272. The Centennial Club on Biggs Airfield hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Friday nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with Linda’s Carraoke Karaoke Entertainment. For information, call 562-5969.

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 further information contact Lyn Matsey at 568-1132, or at the Family Assistance Center located at Bldg 2494, on Ricker Road.

English as second language

Army Community Service offers English as a second language class on 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.

Rod and Gun Club

The Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club is located in Bldg. 3730 off Railroad Drive and Deer on Roy Johnson Lane. The facility offers trap, skeet, rifle, pistol, archery, black powder, and plinking ranges, and a five stand sporting clays range, pro shop, snack bar and banquet facilities. For information call 565-4867.

Toddler and infant playgroups

The Family Assistance Center conducts toddler and infant playgroups Tuesday’s and Thursday’s of each month. The toddler playgroup ranges from ages 18 1/2 months -3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to noon. The infant playgroup is offered at the Youthplex every Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. This is an excellent way to interact with your children and meet other parents within the community. For additional information, contact Esylen Stephens at 568-1132.

Soldier spotlight

To nominate a hard-working Soldier who is personally accountable and responsible for his or her work and believes that work has intrinsic value, submit a letter with a brief explanation detailing why the Soldier should be recognized. If letters meet the criteria they may be submitted for publication to other local sources.
E-mail letters to dieter.jester@bliss. army.mil or mail them to:
Public Affairs Office
Bldg. 15
Fort Bliss, TX 79916
Include daytime contact information for both yourself and the servicemember you are nominating. For more information, call 568-4320.

Soldier care package

Anyone wishing to send care packages to Soldiers deployed overseas can visit www.anysoldier.com for information.

National Stuttering Assoc.

The El Paso Chapter of the National Stuttering Association is dedicated to providing a safe friendly atmosphere for those affected by stuttering. Meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at 109 S. Festival Drive. For information, call 562-4397 or email timchavez@sbcglobal.net.

Well-Being Survey

The inspector general requests participation in the Fort Bliss Well-Being Survey. The survey is for the entire Team Bliss – Soldiers, civilian employees and family members. This survey will assist the commanding general in determining areas that need improvement and areas that are doing well. Your feedback is critical. Participate by completing the survey online at https://airdefense.bliss.army.mil/ surveys/ig/wellbeing.htm. For information, call 568-1241.

New earplugs

There are new, improved combat arms earplugs that are double-ended and protect against both the steady noise of machinery and the impulse noise of weapons fire. These allow Soldiers on foot patrol to hear most speech and detect combat sounds. For information, call 568-3407.

El Paso A&M Club Muster

The El Paso A&M Club is holding it’s Muster April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the El Paso Club, Chase Bank Building, 201 E. Main St., 18th Floor. There is free parking in the building. The dinner buffet is $35 with proceeds going to benefit the A&M Scholarship Fund.
Speaker for the event is Jesse Curlee, class of 1967, 1993 president of the Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees, president of the Supima Asso-ciation of America.
RSVP to Mike McLean at 546-8218 or Scott McLaughlin at 342-2101.

Domestic violence presentation

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. To schedule your unit or FRG for a presentation, call 568-4878.

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. For information call 568-6154.

Mother’s Day brunch

The Officers’ Club is having its annual Mother’s Day Brunch May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast selections will include pancakes, eggs, and crepes, and lunch entrees that make the Officers’ Club famous. The cost is $11.95 for members, children ages 7 to 12 are half price, children 6 years and under are free. Nonmembers pay $13.95. Reservations are required so reserve a seat for you and your mother soon by calling 568-7013. The Centennial will also host its annual Mother’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost it $12.95 for adults. Reservations are required, call 562-5969.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	April 21, 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 CGSOC course The 95th Division is conducting the Command and General Staff Officer Course Phase I Intermediate Level Education at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas June 18 June through July 1. If you interested, make arrangements to attend a Phase 1 kickoff meeting April 17 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 2D6 of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. For information, call Lt. Col. Richard Hibbs at 568-9313 or Lt. Col. Jim Chituras at 778-3300 or Lt. Col. Joseph Trujillo at 568-4961. SAMC scholarship The Fort Bliss Sgt. Audie Murphy Club is sponsoring a scholarship fund. Dependents, civilians, active duty military and retirees who need financial assistance to attend college are encouraged to apply. The deadline for the two $2,500 scholarships is May 16. The winner will be announced during the Fort Bliss SAMC induction ceremony in June. If you are interested, go to Army Community Services, William Beaumont, the Post Exchange or the commissary and pick up the guidelines for the scholarship and application, or e-mail bret.rogowitz@ emh10.bliss.army.mil to request a copy of the scholarship packet. OEDY award All managers and supervisors are encouraged to submit nominations of employees with disabilities under their supervision who have performed their duties in a superior manner. Managers or supervisors must submit their nominations for Outstanding Employee with Disabilities of the Year to the EEO Office no later than Monday. The person selected will be honored at the Annual Disability Month Awareness Luncheon in October. Submit nominations to: EEO Office ATTN: Disability Program Manager, Malcolm Walker Bldg. 114 Pershing Road Fort Bliss, Texas 79916. If you have any questions, contact Walker by email at Malcolm.walker@ bliss.army.mil or call 568-1489 or 568-3510. Health Awareness Fair There will be a Health Awareness Fair April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Logan Elementary School to raise awareness of important health issues and educate the community about the many services available here. Several health organizations will have booths set up. There will be dental and asthma education presented, as well as presentations on vision, glaucoma, blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol screenings. Command briefing and tour The Rio Grande Chapter of the Silver Caduceus Society will visit the El Paso Intelligence Center for a Command Briefing and tour April 28 at 10 a.m. The event will be followed by a luncheon buffet at the Centennial Club in the Dallas Room in conjunction with a command briefing from Joint Task Force-North. Those wishing to attend should RSVP no later than April 22. For more information, please call Maj. Todd S. Nicolson at 569-3119. Vane farewell luncheon A farewell luncheon will be held May 19 for Liane Vane at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All Fort Bliss personnel are welcome to attend. Reservations are accepted by calling 566- 4502 if your last name ends in A-M or 585-3293 if it is N-Z. The deadline for reservations is May 16. College fair The University of Texas at El Paso will conduct a college fair at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center May 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This outreach program will provide information on various educational opportunities available to Soldiers, families and civilians planning to attend UTEP. For more information, please call Cassandra Lachica at 747-7354. Golf team tryouts Tryouts for the Fort Bliss Golf Team will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Underwood Golf Complex. The tryouts will consist of an 18-hole qualifier on the Sunrise golf course. The tryouts are open to all active duty personnel who possess a golf handicap of eight or better. The top three players along with Sgt. 1st Class Paul Camacho will make up the four-man team. The team will compete in the South East Military Golf Championship Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., May 7 through 14. Registration is being held at the Underwood Golf Complex Pro Shop. For information, call 592-5881. Chili cook-off The El Paso Sergeants Major Association is sponsoring an Armed Forces Day Chili Cook-Off May 21. This is a major event and teams are limited. The entry fee is $35 and at least one team member must be a military ID card holder. For more information, call Karen Beaman at 568-8875. Holocaust remembrance The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command will be conducting the 2005 National Holocaust Observance, “Days of Remembrance – From Liberation to the Pursuit of Justice,” April 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Soldier Hall. For more information, call Sgt. 1st Call Danta Harrell at 568-5308. Stress management classes Sign up for the Stress Management class at the Family Assistance Center and learn how to better manage your stress. This full-day class will help you understand how your personality effects how you handle stress, and will teach you how to create a stress management class geared specifically to your personality type. The next scheduled class will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Assistance Center, Bldg. 2494. To sign up, call 568-1132. Relationship course Sign up now for the free, nine-session Enhancing and Improving Your Relationship course. You will learn key concepts that may enhance communication and increase respect and set your relationship on the road to success. The course will be held Tuesday and Thursday starting May 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Bldg. 2494. For information or to sign up for the course, call 568-1132. Earth Day anniversary The Directorate of Environment will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of Earth Day at the Youth Center April 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The theme this year is “Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future.” Scheduled events include reading of this year’s Army Earth Day proclamation, environmental booths, face painting, crafts, music by 62nd Army Band and Recycling Olympics games. Admission is free and opened to all elementary and middle school children. For more information, call 568-7015. 1-7 family readiness In preparation for their upcoming deployment to Korea, the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery will be holding a Family Readiness Day April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Army Community Services Center building. There will be short briefings from the 1-7 commander and Family Readiness Group leader and the ACS deployment readiness officer. Plus, representatives from all of the services Fort Bliss has to offer will answer questions and help in any way needed. Project officer training Training of unit project officers for the annual Army Emergency Relief fund campaign is scheduled for April 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the ballroom at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494. For information, call AER officials at 568-1132 or 568-4614. AER kickoff set The kickoff event for Team Bliss’ 2005 Army Emergency Relief fund campaign is set for April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. It will be held in conjunction with the commanding general’s executive forum. All unit AER project officers must attend. The annual AER campaign will take place April 29 through May 23. For information, call 568-1132 or 568-4614. SIMSO host families The Air Defense Artillery School International Military Student Office is looking for people to welcome into their homes on weekends and holidays. If you are interested, there will be a Cowboy Western Dinner Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Officers’ Club. For information, call Bernie Castillo at 568-0793. SMW luncheon The Society of Military Widows Desert Sun Chapter 30 will hold their monthly luncheon Tuesday at the Centennial Club at 11:30 a.m. No reservations are required. For more information, call Mary Yancy at 591-9180. Car Care Center to open The Fort Bliss Main PX Car Care Center, which offers maintenance and repair services on vehicles, will open April 23 at 7:30 a.m. Water management training Bayjet, Inc., a Las Cruces-based company, will be offering a free, one-month Water Resource Management Training course to four or five eligible Soldiers or their spouses. The course will begin June 6 at New Mexico State University and will train students to become certified water technicians, immediately employable for federal, state, county, city and private consultant jobs. Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for the training program: • An endorsement letter from their commanding officer • A high school diploma or GED • Plans for higher education or career development • A brief, one-page statement on reasons for wanting to join the program • General information on your education and experience • An application for the training program before May 15 • A signed pledge that you will remain alcohol and substance-free during the program Students will receive free room, board and tuition. Textbooks and school supplies will also be provided. For information, call Ed Bailey at (505) 526-3353. IA training In an effort to protect data from internal and external threats, the Army has established a directive requiring all Army-wide computer users to complete information assurance training no later than June 4. If you have not done so already, you can satisfy your IA training requirement by logging onto the Army e-Learning Program, the G-6’s preferred method for fulfilling this requirement. For additional information on how to access Army e-Learning for your IA training, log onto http://www.us.army.mil, click on “My Education” then the “Army e-Learning” portal page. Or you can access Army e-Learning at http://usarmy.skillport. You must have an AKO account to access the system. For information, call (757) 369-2886. Redesignation ceremony There will be a re-designation ceremony of the German Air Force Air Defense School at the Fort Bliss Museum Tuesday at 8 p.m. There will be several activities, including a serenade, a parade and a German military event with torchbearers. For information, call 568-7601. Foreign exchange program Many high school students from around the world are looking for host families from El Paso and Las Cruces. Students from Belgium, Italy, Germany, Asia and South America want to stay here for either an entire school year or for one semester beginning in August. All of the students speak English and have their own spending money and insurance. Host families can claim $50 a month as a deduction with the IRS. Contact the local coordinator at 544-5992 for information Warrant officer selection If you are interested in becoming a warrant officer, the Office of the Chief of Air Defense Artillery is assisting soldiers in Military Occupation 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/. For information, call 568-1300 or 568-6157. Ground breaking ceremony Fort Bliss Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane, and U.S. Congressional Representative Silvestre Reyes will conduct a ground breaking ceremony for the Air and Missile Defense Instruction Facility, at 4 p.m. Monday at the corner of J E B Stuart and Pershing Roads. The ground breaking ceremony is the first step for construction of the Air and Missile Instruction Facility, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center. This new facility and ground breaking will be at the corner of JEB Stuart and Pershing Roads. NMMI employment The New Mexico Military Institute has vacancies for full-time, 10 to 10 1/2-month positions for troop officers. To qualify, you must possess a master’s with emphasis in leadership, counseling, human resources, management or education from a regionally accredited institution, military experience as a senior noncommissioned, warrant or commissioned officer and be a certified instructor or educator with supervisory experience working in a training or academic environment. There are also vacancies for full-time, 10 to 10 1/2-month positions for Army Junior Reserve Officer Training instructors. To qualify, you must be a retired noncommissioned officer or warrant officers certified by the U.S. Army Cadet Command to instruct in the JROTC program. There is a vacancy of the full-time, 12-month position of senior Army instructor. To qualify, you must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and must possess computer skills. Applications will be accepted at the NMMI Personnel office until all positions are filled. Visit the NMNI Web site at www.nmni.edu or send completed NMMI applications, letters of interest or resumes to: NMMI Attn: Personnel Office 101 W. College Blvd. Roswell, N.M. 88201 Environmental awards luncheon The U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss Environmental Quality Awards Luncheon will be held at the Centennial Club at Biggs Field April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets for the luncheon are $8 and are available through the Directorate of Environment and must be purchased by April 13. For more information, call 568-7676 or 568-1547. Pre-K Olympics MWR Child and Youth Services will host a Pre-Kinder Olympics April 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Biggs Park. The mini-olympic events are tailored to children ages 3 to 6 and will include competitions such as tricycle races, three legged races, a water balloon toss and piggyback races. Prizes will be given for participation. Children with their parents are cordially invited to attend. A picnic is scheduled to follow the competitions. Admission is free. For additional information, call Elizabeth Bernal, at 569-5040. O’Club dinner In keeping with the traditions for regular O’Club members but adding a new twist for the newer members, the Officers’ Club will host its first ever Wine and Dinner Pairing, June 10 at 6 p.m. The night will include a display of various wines from Blue Teal Vineyards to showcase their exquisite taste. A four course meal will be accompanied by music and candlelight in the historical ballroom. Each meal showcased will have a complementary pairing of wine – bringing out the taste in the food that will be presented. Tickets will be on sale at the beginning of May at the Officers’ Club. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For information call 568-3164. AER test program Fort Bliss AER office is running a pilot program - The Fort Bliss AER Office is going to do away with the appointment schedule and run a test program for 120 days on a walk in basis. This program is an effort to streamline the AER loan process and to make AER more user friendly and decrease the amount of time the Soldier is away from the unit. Soldiers wanting AER assistance can walk in and pick up a loan application or use forms flow and when they have completed the loan application return it to the AER office with all the required documentation and signatures. This program will run similarly to the commanders referral program in which the loan application is dropped of by 1 p.m. the loan is ready for pick up the same business day, after 1 p.m. the loan is ready the following business day. Emergency leaves still have priority and will always be processed first. Veterinary services The Vet Clinic would like to apologize for the confusion over the last couple of weeks in regards to the clinic schedule. Additional veterinarians have been hired and this will allowed for a transition to a schedule which will provide improved service and more convenient access to care. The new schedule is: Walk-In Wellness clinics (vaccines, microchips, deworming, heartworm and feline leukemia tests) every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. If the pet needs to be seen for something other than vaccines, sick call appointments are offered every Tuesday and Thursday — call 569-2266 to schedule an appointment. The Surgical Service is up and running, offering spay/neuter for your pet. Call the Appointment Line 569-2266 to get more details and to schedule your pet. Lastly, the lobby hours for clearing, pet registration, sale of Heartguard medications and flea and tick preventatives are 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 to 3 p.m. Administrative Professional Day Join MWR April 27 at the Officers’ Club or the Centennial Club for Administrative Professionals Day. There will be free dessert and a little something extra for administrative professionals at both facilities. Say thank you by taking your administrative professional out to lunch. Free practice testing The U.S. Army General Library Program offers free practice tests for a wide variety of college, graduate school, and qualification exams at the online U.S. Army Library Education Resource Center, developed, designed, and hosted by Thomson Peterson. Available at base libraries all over the world through a customized Web site at www.petersons.com /army, the Center also offers information on colleges, graduate school programs, and scholarships, in addition to test preparation. Service personnel will find online practice tests for the SAT and ACT college admission tests, 10 subject tests for the CLEP exam program for earning early college credit, the GRE graduate school admission test, and the ASVAB, which is familiar to many as the exam used to admit enlistees and place them in the appropriate job. There are three separate full-length practice exams for each available test. Dates include May 7 and June 4. To get access, service personnel and their families should see the base librarian and ask for an activation key code. This code is also the Library Access Code of a particular base library. Test takers are prompted to type in the activation key code when registering for a practice test. Or, they can call 877-433-8277 to speak with a Thomson Peterson’s technical support representative. Access to the tests is free, unlimited, and available 24/7. The Army Library Education Resource Center also includes downloadable test-preparation handbooks for the DANTES Subject Standardized Test and the various aptitude tests to qualify as a military pilot, including the Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test. Outdoor Adventures program The Fort Bliss Outdoor Adventures is pleased to inform you of some of its upcoming outdoor adventures. Franklin Mountains hiking trip: April 16, price is $12 per person, which includes transportation to Franklin Mountains, ranger-guided Aztec Ruins tour, refreshments, and snacks. For information or to signup for the trips, call Kirsten, 568-2784. SAT/ACT prep class An SAT and ACT preparation class, will be held April 16 and April 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Youth Center Bldg. 195. Cost will be $5 for the class. For information contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732 or Don Shepherd at 568-3290. Membership drive Want to know more about the historical Fort Bliss Officers’ Club? Want to know what you can receive by becoming a valued O’Club member? Looking for a facility to have your next function? Well, come and find out at the Officers’ Club Open House/Mini-Membership Drive, April 16 at 2 p.m. You will be able to tour the facility for possible functions and tables will be set up to speak one-on-one with the manager and special events coordinator. There will also be a sign up table for new membership. All will be accompanied by wine and cheese tasting, music, and your friends from the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. For information call Lauren at 568-3164. Web access at Mickelsen Search the full-text of more than 200 military and U.S. newspapers and periodicals including The Army Times, Armed Services & Government News and America’s Newspapers/Hometown News are available at Mickelsen Library and via AKO and through the U.S. Army Community & Family Support Center. NewsBank, inc. is the provider of both collections. Armed Services & Govern-ment News provides access to the full text of over 30 key military newspapers and periodicals including The Army Times, Federal Times Defense News, Training & Simulation Journal, and many more. America’s Newspapers offers coverage of 200 full-text newspapers. Civilian fitness The Civilian Fitness Zone is accepting applications for the fourth civilian physical training program. Civilians who take part in this program will be allowed three hours of administrative leave per week for a total of six months to participate. As part of the program, participants will have health education classes, activity classes, including weight training and aerobics also jogging and swimming. Stop by the Civilian Fitness Zone, Bldg. 251 to pick up an application and health history packet. The packets are due back by April 29 at 4 p.m. Assessments will be conducted May 16 at 8 a.m. at the Civilian Fitness Zone and the program starts on day of assessment. First come first serve, maximum 20. For information on this program call 569-5165. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is in El Paso and is looking for teens ages 14 and up that are interested in joining Habitat for Humanity from June 20-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teens will earn a certificate from the Habitat of Humanity indicating 32 hours of community service. In addition, teens will earn a leadership/citizenship certificate from SKIESUnlimited. An orientation and a safety class are mandatory and will be provided by the Habitat for Humanity prior to working on worksite. Safety tools and lunch will be provided by the Habitat for Humanity. For information and sign up, contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732. Wireless Internet Centennial Club now has free wireless Internet, so while having your favorite lunch surf the net free at the Centennial Pub and dining room. For information call 568-9330, 562-5969 or 562-7934. 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 on Saturdays during open bowling. Also, the Fort Bliss Bowling Center patrons may bowl for just $1 per game Monday from opening to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday from opening to closing. Please note there is no open bowling Monday after 4:30 p.m. 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. NAF auction Looking for those special items to personalize your apartment, home or barracks? Check out this year’s public combined Non-appropriated Fund auction, April 16, 9 a.m., in Bldg. 643 on Taylor Road, between Pleasanton Rd and Holbrook Road. A variety of furniture and equipment will be available. All items will be displayed today and tomorrow for a preview from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bldg. 643. To bid, you must sign up during the preview or on the day of the auction. Visa, Master Card, cash and checks will be accepted (subject to approval). Payment must be made day of the auction, and all sales are final. Refreshments will be sold. Call 568-3779 or 568-4501 for details. Post-wide yard sale Fort Bliss hosts the annual Post Wide Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30, in all housing units on main post, Biggs, Beaumont, Logan Heights, Hayes and 801 Housing (off Martin Luther King Blvd.). Those who want to participate in the yard sale may simply display their items during the designated times; no formal permission is required. This event is open to the El Paso, Juarez and surrounding communities. All guests entering Fort Bliss property will be required to have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and valid car registration and safety inspection sticker; and will be subject to vehicle search. Note that military police will not allow yard sale shoppers in the housing areas prior to 7 a.m. All Fort Bliss residents are encouraged to participate. For information, call 568-6741. Storytime at Mickelsen Mickelsen Community Library hosts Read Me a Story every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. for children 2- to 5-years-old in the Children’s Room of the library. The library also hosts Family Story Time for 2- to 6-year-olds at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Each session lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour, and parents or guardians must stay with their child throughout the duration. Each week features a new theme and includes some movement, singing, and crafts. Mickelsen Community Library is located in the basement of E-wing, Hinman Hall For information, call 568-6156. Lock and Leave Storage Lock and Leave Storage invites all military personnel, their dependents, retirees and other individuals withmilitary ID cards to store their personal goods with us. Moving frequently with PSCs and TDYs, 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. Lifeguard training MWR is in the process of selecting qualified individuals to fill 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 Pulmonary 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. Session schedule are April 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 17 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 7, 14, 21and 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Individuals interested in taking the lifeguard training course or need information may call 568-5380 or 568-7431. 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. 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. 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 please call 569-7732. Karaoke nights The Fort Bliss Bowling Center hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Thursday and Friday nights. Karaoke King takes to the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. and plays until 11 p.m. Thursdays and 12:30 a.m. Fridays in the center’s lounge. As a reminder, all non-active duty military guests, including family members and civilians, must be at least 21 to drink alcoholic beverages. For information, call 568-6272. The Centennial Club on Biggs Airfield hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Friday nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with Linda’s Carraoke Karaoke Entertainment. For information, call 562-5969. 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 further information contact Lyn Matsey at 568-1132, or at the Family Assistance Center located at Bldg 2494, on Ricker Road. English as second language Army Community Service offers English as a second language class on 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. Rod and Gun Club The Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club is located in Bldg. 3730 off Railroad Drive and Deer on Roy Johnson Lane. The facility offers trap, skeet, rifle, pistol, archery, black powder, and plinking ranges, and a five stand sporting clays range, pro shop, snack bar and banquet facilities. For information call 565-4867. Toddler and infant playgroups The Family Assistance Center conducts toddler and infant playgroups Tuesday’s and Thursday’s of each month. The toddler playgroup ranges from ages 18 1/2 months -3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to noon. The infant playgroup is offered at the Youthplex every Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. This is an excellent way to interact with your children and meet other parents within the community. For additional information, contact Esylen Stephens at 568-1132. Soldier spotlight To nominate a hard-working Soldier who is personally accountable and responsible for his or her work and believes that work has intrinsic value, submit a letter with a brief explanation detailing why the Soldier should be recognized. If letters meet the criteria they may be submitted for publication to other local sources. E-mail letters to dieter.jester@bliss. army.mil or mail them to: Public Affairs Office Bldg. 15 Fort Bliss, TX 79916 Include daytime contact information for both yourself and the servicemember you are nominating. For more information, call 568-4320. Soldier care package Anyone wishing to send care packages to Soldiers deployed overseas can visit www.anysoldier.com for information. National Stuttering Assoc. The El Paso Chapter of the National Stuttering Association is dedicated to providing a safe friendly atmosphere for those affected by stuttering. Meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at 109 S. Festival Drive. For information, call 562-4397 or email timchavez@sbcglobal.net. Well-Being Survey The inspector general requests participation in the Fort Bliss Well-Being Survey. The survey is for the entire Team Bliss – Soldiers, civilian employees and family members. This survey will assist the commanding general in determining areas that need improvement and areas that are doing well. Your feedback is critical. Participate by completing the survey online at https://airdefense.bliss.army.mil/ surveys/ig/wellbeing.htm. For information, call 568-1241. New earplugs There are new, improved combat arms earplugs that are double-ended and protect against both the steady noise of machinery and the impulse noise of weapons fire. These allow Soldiers on foot patrol to hear most speech and detect combat sounds. For information, call 568-3407. El Paso A&M Club Muster The El Paso A&M Club is holding it’s Muster April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the El Paso Club, Chase Bank Building, 201 E. Main St., 18th Floor. There is free parking in the building. The dinner buffet is $35 with proceeds going to benefit the A&M Scholarship Fund. Speaker for the event is Jesse Curlee, class of 1967, 1993 president of the Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees, president of the Supima Asso-ciation of America. RSVP to Mike McLean at 546-8218 or Scott McLaughlin at 342-2101. Domestic violence presentation 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. To schedule your unit or FRG for a presentation, call 568-4878. 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. For information call 568-6154. Mother’s Day brunch The Officers’ Club is having its annual Mother’s Day Brunch May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast selections will include pancakes, eggs, and crepes, and lunch entrees that make the Officers’ Club famous. The cost is $11.95 for members, children ages 7 to 12 are half price, children 6 years and under are free. Nonmembers pay $13.95. Reservations are required so reserve a seat for you and your mother soon by calling 568-7013. The Centennial will also host its annual Mother’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost it $12.95 for adults. Reservations are required, call 562-5969.