Fort Bliss Monitor

Community

Community safety

In an effort to educate and safeguard the military community, the Fort Bliss Provost Marshal’s Office is encouraging the community to log on to the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Database. This site enables users to identify offenders based on names or zip codes. All information contained on this site is considered open source – available to anyone. Upon accessing this Web site, users will be asked to agree to a caveat statement. The Web site can be found at https://records.txdps.state.tx.us.

Fort Bliss Thrift Shop

The Fort Bliss Thrift Shop is located in Bldg. 1301 on Cassidy Road, behind the coffee shop. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sales and consignments are from 9 to 11 a.m. The shop is also open on the first and third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sales and consignments that day are from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Thrift Shop has more than 11,000 square feet of shopping. The items offered for sale range from shoes to furniture and more. All proceeds from the sales are put back into the community.

The Fort Bliss Thrift Shop is also experiencing a shortage of volunteers. For more information, call 562-5451.

Country Junction

The Country Junction is located on Sheridan Road in Bldg. 2011 in front of AAFES Laundry. The hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop offers a wide variety of hand crafted items as well as antiques and vintage items. There are also gift certificates available. For more information, call 562-7467.

Guam liberation

“Honoring Guam’s Liberation: A Celebration for All” is this year’s theme for the liberation of Guam. In honor of this occasion, a special Fiesta Food Potluck celebration will be held July 23 at Biggs Field from noon to 7 p.m. The event is free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Attendees are free to bring their own food and beverages. Different island dance groups will provide entertainment. For more information, call John Arriola at 772-4819 or Marian Castro At 637-0608.

Change of command

Brig. Gen. Richard McCabe will relinquish command of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command to Brig. Gen. Francis Mahon during a change of command ceremony scheduled for July 22 at Noel Field at 8:30 a.m. Mahon currently serves as deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss.

Farewell dinner

The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command will host a farewell dinner in honor of Brig. Gen. Richard McCabe, outgoing commander July 21 at 6 p.m. at The Centennial. Dress is casual.

Tickets cost $20 per person and are available from Sgt. 1st Class Tony Nolen. For more information, call 568-6457.

62nd Army band information

The 62nd Army Band is looking for trumpet players. Any qualified applicant in the rank of staff sergeant and below will have the opportunity to be attached to the band for on-the-job-training. Contact Staff Sgt. Cathleen Gallas at 568-7001 or 588-2135, or by e-mail at cathleen.gallas@bliss.army.mil.

The 62nd is also looking for male and female vocalists in the rank of staff sergeant and below. All types of vocalists are needed, especially Spanish-speaking. For more information, call 1st Sgt. Frank Suri at 568-5182, or by e-mail at frank.suri@bliss.army.mil.

BOSS trip

The Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers program will be offering a trip to San Diego. The trip includes visits to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Sea World, Aug. 19 through 22. For more information, contact your BOSS representative or the post BOSS President at 568-6556.

Husky Camp

Chapin High School is planning its first annual Freshman Husky Camp. It will be a weeklong series of events designed to ease upcoming ninth graders into high school life. It will be held Aug. 2 through 5 from 8 a.m. to noon each day. Those who are new to El Paso and live within the Chapin High School boundaries may pre-register for the event by bringing proof of residency to the school July 28 between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. For more information, call Rita Gillmeister at 832-6730 ext. 6553.

Career Orientation Day

Army Community Service Center is sponsoring a Career Orientation Day today at ACS, Bldg. 2494 Ricker Road, AFTB Classroom from 9 to 11:30 a.m. El Paso Community College and The University of Texas at El Paso will participate in this event. Soldiers, family members, retirees, DOD civilians, and their families are welcome. College and University Counselors will be on hand to answer all your career questions. For information, call 568-0494.

Payday bowling tourney

As part of MWR’s monthly post payday activities, the commanding general would like to invite all Team Bliss military and civilians to participate to participate in a three-game bowling tournament Friday at 1 p.m. The cost is $1 per game with no charge for shoe rental. A limited number of spaces are available. Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place individuals with high game and high series. Interested individuals must sign up no later than 4 p.m. today. The commanding general endorses the activities to promote team building and camaraderie among community members and to serve as a pleasant departure from the regular workday. While not mandatory, attendance is encouraged. For information, call 568-6272.

Veterinary clinic services

The Vet Clinic offers 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 your pet needs to be seen for something other than vaccines, we offer sick call appointments every Tuesday and Thursday, call 569-2266 to schedule an appointment. Lastly, our lobby hours for clearing, pet registration and for 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.

Martial arts

Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts classes are being offered, facilitated by Andrew Choi, certified Tae Kwon Do instructor at the Youth Center. Classes will be Aug. 3 through 27; Sept. 7 through Oct. 1; and Oct. 5 through 29. Classes will take place Wednesday for ages 6-12 years- old from 6 to 7 p.m.; ages 13 and up from 7 to 8 p.m.; Saturday classes for ages 6-up from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and ages 13 and up from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $ 35 for eight classes, two classes per week. An informational meeting will be held July 27 at the Youth Center at 6 p.m. For further information, call 569-7732.

Bench press competition

Fort Bliss MWR Sports will host an Amateur Athletic Union Bench Press Competition Sept. 24 at Stout Gym. This is a military Bench Press National Championship and is open to all branches of the service. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m.; competition at 10 a.m. Cost for participating for males and females is $30, which includes the entry fee, a T-shirt and competition medial for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finished. AAU Powerlifting rules apply and may be accessed at 1www.aausports.org. All entries must be postmarked no later than Sept 3, and should be sent certified mail with return receipt. The event is sponsored by the Fort Bliss Buffalo Soldiers Powerlifting Club. For questions or more information, please contact Doug Briggs at 568-6458.

Youth Services cheerleading

Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registrations for the Fort Bliss Panthers and Fort Bliss Jaguars cheerleading squads July 1 through Aug. 1. Youth, ages 8 to 11, are invited to register for the cheerleading squads that will be supporting Fort Bliss Youth Services in the city competitive tackle football league. All cheerleading registrants must be Youth Services members. Fees are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. Also, parents will be required to attend a sportsmanship class if your child makes the team. The time and date of the class to be announced. Price for this class is $5. For information, call 568-2617.

Swim lesson schedule

The following are classes being offered at Replica Pool Aug. 8 through 12:

Stroke Improvement: Time noon to 2 p.m. class size 16, cost $30. Prerequisites for this class are you must have past swimming level three or higher. Topics include will be refinement of all swimming strokes and review of starts and turns with endurance swimming.

Lifeguard readiness: Time 2 to 5 p.m. class size 10, cost $40. Prerequisites for this class are you must have past swimming level three or higher and be 10 years old or older. Topics include swimming and water drills, rescues in/out of water, basic first aid, using a backboard, water entries to include lifeguard stands.
There will be certificates awarded upon successful completion of class. For information call 568-7431.

Summer volunteers

Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services is accepting summer teenager volunteers, must be 13 years of age to participate. For more information stop by any of the two CDC’s or stop by the Youth Center on Main Post. If you would like to volunteer please contact Elizabeth Bernal at 569-5040.

Family child care

Child Development Services will hold a Family Child Care orientation class from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday for individuals desiring to become certified at Logan CSC, 3500 Story Road. The orientation class is free of charge and a prerequisite for the weeklong training set from July 11 through 15 at the Equal Employment Opportunity classroom in Bldg. 114, Pershing Dr. Call 568-4198 for application and child care information or come to the FCC Office at 1743 Victory Road.

Burger and a movie

O’Club burgers and a classic movie featuring Beach Blanket Bingo- July 8 at 6 p.m. (movie starts at 6:30) at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The cost is $7.95 for members and $8.95 for non-members (children 4 to 11 are $4). MWR provides buffet style burgers so you can build your own any way you’d like. Burgers and a classic movie night is a great way for all ages to enjoy their own masterpiece and watch a great masterpiece of a movie. For more information call 568-3164.

ACS classes

Army Community Service offers a variety of services to assist the Army family. The following classes are being offered:

Baby Care 101: The class will be held at the ACS building July 8 from 1 to 3 pm. The topic presented will be Infant Massage. This is a great technique to learn to soothe and quiet your baby. It is a form of touch therapy that reduces stress and known to help infants sleep deeper and longer. Child care is provided for siblings and they must be registered at CDC on Fort Bliss.

Parenting Classes: The classes are free of charge and available to soldiers, retirees, DoD civilians and family members. The classes offered are Early Childhood ages birth to 6 years, every Tuesday for six weeks starting July 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. The school-age/teens classes will begin July 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free childcare is provided during the classes and parents/guardians are asked to pay the $15 registration fee at the Main Child Development Center on Fort Bliss.

Expectant Sibling Classes: ACS is offering an Expectant Sibling Class July 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the ACS, 2494 Ricker Road, right next to the Stanton Movie Theatre. This class is to educate parents on how to prevent and reduce sibling rivalry. It also educates children ages 3 to 8 years old on what to expect from a new baby and upon completion of the class they along with parents will receive a certificate.

If interested contact Esylen Stephens at the Family Assistance Center at 568-1132.

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 noon. 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.

Education fair

Fort Bliss will host its annual Education Information Fair for military families from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 at the Centennial NCO Club, Bldg. 11199 at Biggs Army Airfield. El Paso area school superintendents, principals, counselors and PTA presidents will be in attendance to welcome new families, pass out information and answer questions. Representatives from various school departments such as Pupil Services, Transportation, Special Education, Gifted and Talented, Nursing, Athletics, Health Services and Food Services will also be on hand to answer questions.

Representatives from El Paso, Ysleta, Socorro, Anthony, Clint and Canutillo School Districts will also be present. Thirty five parochial, private, homeschool, and charter schools will be represented, as well as the Region 19 Headstart, Prevent Blindness, Advocacy Inc. and Fort Bliss Child Care programs.

Additionally, a representative from Childcare Management Services will be available to assist families with financial concerns regarding daycare.

This event will provide an excellent opportunity for families with school-age children to meet and gather information from various schools and to familiarize themselves with the school programs available in the El Paso area.

For more information, contact Mary Avila or Bitsy Mahon from the Fort Bliss School Liaison Services at 568-9306.

Leadership forum

There will be a YESS Youth Leadership Forum July 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Teen Center. After the forum there will be a BBQ at the Community Pool with DJ and dance. This conference is designed to assist youth between the ages of 13 and 19 in developing leadership skills that will instill a spirit of community. It is an excellent opportunity for youth to contribute to the military community, participate in decision-making processes while learning more about themselves, and ultimately, improve the quality of life for military-connected students. The agenda is as follows: 10 to 11:30 a.m. team building, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch, 1 to 5 p.m. workshops. Register online at www.blissmwr.com, click CYS; it is free and open to Fort Bliss, White Sands and Holloman Air Force Base teens. For information, call 569-7732.

School registration

Kindergarten and Preschool registration is now being accepted for the 05/06 school year. Kindergarten Monday-Friday noon until 3 p.m. at the Main CDC, Preschool Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Main CDC, Preschool Monday- Friday 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Logan CDC. Rates are based on total family income and parent’s participation in the program. Please call 568-4374 to register.

Motorcycle show

As part of the Rock the Fort Music Fest July 23, MWR will host a motorcycle show for Soldiers and Fort Bliss community members who wish to show off their motorcycles.  Participation is limited to the first 60 individuals. Contact Brian Forman or Kris Brown, at 568-8087 for details.

Karaoke

MWR Karaoke The Officers’ Club hosts karaoke in the Pershing Pub every Friday. Rob Langford sets up at 5:30 p.m. and plays until 11 p.m., providing MWR patrons with one of the largest selections of karaoke songs in El Paso. For more information, call 568-7013. 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. Thursday and 12:30 a.m. Friday 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 Banquet and Conference Center on Biggs Airfield hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Friday nights from 5 to 10 p.m. with Linda’s Carraoke Karaoke Entertainment. For information, call 562-5969.

Youth Services football

Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registrations for the Fort Bliss Panthers and Fort Bliss Jaguars tackle football teams now through July 31. Ages 8 to 11 are invited to register for the competitive tackle football league. Since this is a competitive league, the 50 percent participation rule is not in effect. Parents will be required to attend a sportsmanship class before their children are allowed to participate in the city league. The time and date of the class to be announced. Price for this class is $5. Football registrants must be Child and Youth Services members. Fees are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. For information, call Mike Emile at 568-2617.

Summer jobs

Summer hires are still available for TRADOC organizations. Suspense is no later thanJuly 11. Please provide number and type of additional student hires you would like to have. Resumes of students are available at CPAC. Categories are as follows: clerk, GS-1/2, basic cleric skills, $8.57 per hour to GS-3 with more experience/knowledge at $10.52 per hour and 30 hours or more of college or technical school.

WG-3502-1, laborer, $6.50 per hour. Duties: basic laborer work, i.e. clean inside and outside of building, move furniture, simple painting. Qualification requirements: none, can hire current high school or college students. Your CPAC advisor can provide additional information.

New bowling program

Throughout the summer, MWR will implement a new program at the Fort Bliss Bowling Center. The center will offer group bowling lessons for kids on selected Saturdays, every month of summer. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn a very exciting sport and have fun at the same time. From noon to 2 p.m., kids will be able to learn new skills, bowl with friends, and have a free snack all for just $8. “A League of Their Own” will be July 9, July 23, Aug. 6, and Aug. 20. For more information regarding this promotion, call 568-6272.

Pool hours

The Community Pool, adjacent to the Officers’ Club, is now open for the summer season. Summer hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including holidays. The Community Pool features an enclosed tube slide and double loop slide as well as a large, shaded sitting area with indoor/outdoor carpeting.

Replica Aquatic Center summer hours begin on May 27: Monday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pool offers a variety of swim classes and open swim is available daily from 1 p.m. until closing.

Patrons may swim at either the Community or Replica Pools at a cost of $1 for adults, 75 cents for children 6 to 12 years and free for children 5 and under. Guests are $2 per person. A swim card may be purchased for just $20 and is good for 30 visits at either the Replica or Community Pools.

Officers’ Club members may show their MWR Membership Card at either the Community or Replica pools for free admittance any day of the week. Member’s children may obtain a pool pass upon membership verification on their initial visit, which entitles them to free use of both pools throughout the summer. For more information, the Replica Aquatic Center at 568-7431.

Bowling birthdays

The Fort Bliss Bowling Center offers four different birthday packages, all at unbeatably low prices. There is a minimum of six children required for a party and each package includes party hats and balloons. The get-together is set up by the Fort Bliss Bowling Center Staff to the rear of the lanes.

Birthday parties or other special events are even available for booking on Saturdays. The Center also has automatic bumpers for lots of family fun! Wondering what type of birthday party would be perfect for your child? Come by and see for yourself how much fun the Fort Bliss Bowling Center can be! For more information about these and other fun events going on this summer at the Bowling Center call 568-6272.

Summer reading program

During the heat of the upcoming summer, wouldn’t you like to slip into someplace cool and relax with a few friends? You can, by visiting the “Enchanted Reading Forest” at Mickelsen Community Library. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are eligible to participate during the annual summer reading program.

Registration for the program began in May, reading began June 1 and continues through Aug. 6. Each child will check out the books they would like to read. They will take them home and read them at their own pace. When they return the books to the library, they will record them on a reading record kept at the library.

Depending on the child’s age, they will earn a sticker to place on the reading record for every two to five books that have been read. Aug. 13 we will host an awards ceremony and party for all the participants. Each child who participates in the reading program will receive a goody bag of surprises, and children who read at least 10 books will qualify for a certificate. The top three readers in the four age groups will receive special prizes. Call 568-6156 or 568-6154 for more information.

Summer camp

Come join the summer fun and excitement with your friends! School-Age Services will offer full-day structured and supervised activities during the EPISD summer break through Aug. 12. Open to all CYS children entering grades 2nd to 6th in the 2005-06 school year. The fun begins daily at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Both SAS sites, the YouthPlex, B-195 or the Logan Youth Center, B-3508 will open at 5:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. for our working parents. Join us in field trips, tours, bowling, roller-skating, computers, matinees, gooney golf, tennis, ceramics, cooking and craft projects, swimming, picnics, sports, and 4-H projects. Fees are based upon total family income and can range between $28 to $91 a week or $18 a day. Ask about our 20 percent multiple child discount for siblings in regular care at either our CDC or SAS programs or with an FCC provider, Families must be registered with Child and Youth Services before attending. Spaces are limited and advance payments are required. To make an appointment to register, call 568-4374 or stop by our Central Registration Office, located in the ITR facility, building 1743. You will need to bring with you, child’s shot records and physical forms, child’s birth certificate, your military ID and most recent LES(s). Child Development Services will offer a summer program for those children who will be entering kindergarten or first grade in the 2005-06 school year and Youth Services will offer a middle school and teen summer program For additional information on SAS, all 568-8336; for YS programs, call 568-KIDS, for CDS call 568-5689 or visit us all on www.blissmwr.com/BlissKIDS.

Free summer meals

Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services will once again sponsor its Summer Food Service Program through Aug. 12. Meals will be provided free of cost to military and civilian children, ages 1 through 18, Monday through Friday. The main Child Development Center, Bldg. 1730 on Haan Road, and the Logan Child Development Center, Bldg. 3500 on Story Road, will each serve breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fort Bliss YouthPlex, Bldg. 195 on Chaffee Road, will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a snack from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. In addition to the free meals offered Monday through Friday, every Wednesday, beginning June 1 there will be a free activity (slip n dip, UTEP Sports teams, Radio Stations) and lunch day at Kelly Park, Available to military and civilian children, ages 1 to 18 years. Also, every Thursday beginning June 2 there will be free lunches available to kids in the Van Horn Housing Area. In accordance with Federal law and U.s. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination write the USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-Whitten Building 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-9410. For information on the summer lunch program, contact Pat Bell at 568-5054.

Get Fit Mom and Friends

Get-Fit Mom and Friends is offered at Stout Fitness Center in the aerobics room on Monday and Wednesdays from 1:15 to 2:15 pm. 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 8 weeks after giving birth- please bring a doctors release with you to your first class. For information call 569-5162.

Fitness Zone and tennis

The Fort Bliss Tennis Club and Fitness Zone, Bldg 262, offers a five-court tennis club, fitness area with a 20-piece circuit training room, and two practice courts. The workout area features hydraulic weight machines, cardio equipment and a “Romper Area” for small children to play under their parent’s supervision while working out. The facility will have a tiered monthly payment rate ranging from $20 to $35, depending on factors such as rank, additional family members, length of membership and whether the member is using only the Tennis Club or Fitness Zone or both. Those DA/DoD civilians enrolled in the six-month long Fort Bliss Civilian Fitness Program may attend for free. Off-post civilians who become a member of the facility will be issued a special vehicle decal and a membership card for easy on-post entry. For a membership application, visit www.blissmwr.com/ Recreation/ZONE.htm or call 569-5448.

AER 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 similar to the commanders referral program in which the loan application is dropped of by 1300 the loan is ready for pick up the same business day, after 1300 the loan is ready the following business day. Emergency Leaves still have priority and will always be processed fist. During the last couple of months the AER work load has increased nearly 60 percent we feel this is partially due to the changes made over the last year to better serve the soldier. If this program is successful as we feel it will be, Fort Bliss AER office will lead the way in ensuring our soldiers emergency’s are expedited.

ITR cabin rentals

Stop by the ITR office for your Ruidoso getaway. ITR now has a listing of cabins and lodges that offer 10% discount for military. For information, call 568-7506.

Chronic disease management

A Chronic Disease Management session will be held July 14. You Must attend all six sessions, every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. The class will be at the Fort Bliss YMCA on Dyer and Fred Wilson. Classes are open to all military cardholders free of charge.
For more information, call 569-3423 or 569-5018.

Lock and Leave

Lock & 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.

Wi-Fi hot spot

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.

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.

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 please call 569-7732.

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.

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 -3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to noon. 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 Ft. Bliss Community. For information contact Esylen Stephens at 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 kitchen opens on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility offers trap, skeet, rifle, pistol, archery, black powder, and plinking ranges, and a five stand sporting clays range, pro shop, snack bar (open weekends) and banquet facilities. Concealed carry classes and Instruction In shotgun, rifle, and pistol reloading are also available. The Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club Is open to the public. For Information call 565-4867.

Library storytime

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 Bldg. 2. For information, call 568-6156.

CDS special openings

The Child Development Center now offers special hours of operation every Saturday at its main location in Building 1730 on Haan Road. Hours are 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cost for payday weekend care is $3.50 per hour first child and 3.00 per hour for each additional child for CAT 2 and up – $2.50 per hour and $2 per hour for each additional child in CAT 1,ages 2 months to 12 years, are eligible for the care. For a special opening, a minimum reservation of 20 children is required. When there are not enough reservations to warrant opening, alternative care will be offered. For information, call 569-5040 or 568-6335.

Gymnastics instructor needed

SKIESUnlimited is looking for a gymnastic instructor. For further information, contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	June 2, 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 Community safety In an effort to educate and safeguard the military community, the Fort Bliss Provost Marshal’s Office is encouraging the community to log on to the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Database. This site enables users to identify offenders based on names or zip codes. All information contained on this site is considered open source – available to anyone. Upon accessing this Web site, users will be asked to agree to a caveat statement. The Web site can be found at https://records.txdps.state.tx.us. Fort Bliss Thrift Shop The Fort Bliss Thrift Shop is located in Bldg. 1301 on Cassidy Road, behind the coffee shop. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sales and consignments are from 9 to 11 a.m. The shop is also open on the first and third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sales and consignments that day are from 10 a.m. to noon. The Thrift Shop has more than 11,000 square feet of shopping. The items offered for sale range from shoes to furniture and more. All proceeds from the sales are put back into the community. The Fort Bliss Thrift Shop is also experiencing a shortage of volunteers. For more information, call 562-5451. Country Junction The Country Junction is located on Sheridan Road in Bldg. 2011 in front of AAFES Laundry. The hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop offers a wide variety of hand crafted items as well as antiques and vintage items. There are also gift certificates available. For more information, call 562-7467. Guam liberation “Honoring Guam’s Liberation: A Celebration for All” is this year’s theme for the liberation of Guam. In honor of this occasion, a special Fiesta Food Potluck celebration will be held July 23 at Biggs Field from noon to 7 p.m. The event is free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Attendees are free to bring their own food and beverages. Different island dance groups will provide entertainment. For more information, call John Arriola at 772-4819 or Marian Castro At 637-0608. Change of command Brig. Gen. Richard McCabe will relinquish command of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command to Brig. Gen. Francis Mahon during a change of command ceremony scheduled for July 22 at Noel Field at 8:30 a.m. Mahon currently serves as deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss. Farewell dinner The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command will host a farewell dinner in honor of Brig. Gen. Richard McCabe, outgoing commander July 21 at 6 p.m. at The Centennial. Dress is casual. Tickets cost $20 per person and are available from Sgt. 1st Class Tony Nolen. For more information, call 568-6457. 62nd Army band information The 62nd Army Band is looking for trumpet players. Any qualified applicant in the rank of staff sergeant and below will have the opportunity to be attached to the band for on-the-job-training. Contact Staff Sgt. Cathleen Gallas at 568-7001 or 588-2135, or by e-mail at cathleen.gallas@bliss.army.mil. The 62nd is also looking for male and female vocalists in the rank of staff sergeant and below. All types of vocalists are needed, especially Spanish-speaking. For more information, call 1st Sgt. Frank Suri at 568-5182, or by e-mail at frank.suri@bliss.army.mil. BOSS trip The Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers program will be offering a trip to San Diego. The trip includes visits to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Sea World, Aug. 19 through 22. For more information, contact your BOSS representative or the post BOSS President at 568-6556. Husky Camp Chapin High School is planning its first annual Freshman Husky Camp. It will be a weeklong series of events designed to ease upcoming ninth graders into high school life. It will be held Aug. 2 through 5 from 8 a.m. to noon each day. Those who are new to El Paso and live within the Chapin High School boundaries may pre-register for the event by bringing proof of residency to the school July 28 between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. For more information, call Rita Gillmeister at 832-6730 ext. 6553. Career Orientation Day Army Community Service Center is sponsoring a Career Orientation Day today at ACS, Bldg. 2494 Ricker Road, AFTB Classroom from 9 to 11:30 a.m. El Paso Community College and The University of Texas at El Paso will participate in this event. Soldiers, family members, retirees, DOD civilians, and their families are welcome. College and University Counselors will be on hand to answer all your career questions. For information, call 568-0494. Payday bowling tourney As part of MWR’s monthly post payday activities, the commanding general would like to invite all Team Bliss military and civilians to participate to participate in a three-game bowling tournament Friday at 1 p.m. The cost is $1 per game with no charge for shoe rental. A limited number of spaces are available. Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place individuals with high game and high series. Interested individuals must sign up no later than 4 p.m. today. The commanding general endorses the activities to promote team building and camaraderie among community members and to serve as a pleasant departure from the regular workday. While not mandatory, attendance is encouraged. For information, call 568-6272. Veterinary clinic services The Vet Clinic offers 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 your pet needs to be seen for something other than vaccines, we offer sick call appointments every Tuesday and Thursday, call 569-2266 to schedule an appointment. Lastly, our lobby hours for clearing, pet registration and for 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. Martial arts Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts classes are being offered, facilitated by Andrew Choi, certified Tae Kwon Do instructor at the Youth Center. Classes will be Aug. 3 through 27; Sept. 7 through Oct. 1; and Oct. 5 through 29. Classes will take place Wednesday for ages 6-12 years- old from 6 to 7 p.m.; ages 13 and up from 7 to 8 p.m.; Saturday classes for ages 6-up from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and ages 13 and up from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $ 35 for eight classes, two classes per week. An informational meeting will be held July 27 at the Youth Center at 6 p.m. For further information, call 569-7732. Bench press competition Fort Bliss MWR Sports will host an Amateur Athletic Union Bench Press Competition Sept. 24 at Stout Gym. This is a military Bench Press National Championship and is open to all branches of the service. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m.; competition at 10 a.m. Cost for participating for males and females is $30, which includes the entry fee, a T-shirt and competition medial for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finished. AAU Powerlifting rules apply and may be accessed at 1www.aausports.org. All entries must be postmarked no later than Sept 3, and should be sent certified mail with return receipt. The event is sponsored by the Fort Bliss Buffalo Soldiers Powerlifting Club. For questions or more information, please contact Doug Briggs at 568-6458. Youth Services cheerleading Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registrations for the Fort Bliss Panthers and Fort Bliss Jaguars cheerleading squads July 1 through Aug. 1. Youth, ages 8 to 11, are invited to register for the cheerleading squads that will be supporting Fort Bliss Youth Services in the city competitive tackle football league. All cheerleading registrants must be Youth Services members. Fees are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. Also, parents will be required to attend a sportsmanship class if your child makes the team. The time and date of the class to be announced. Price for this class is $5. For information, call 568-2617. Swim lesson schedule The following are classes being offered at Replica Pool Aug. 8 through 12: Stroke Improvement: Time noon to 2 p.m. class size 16, cost $30. Prerequisites for this class are you must have past swimming level three or higher. Topics include will be refinement of all swimming strokes and review of starts and turns with endurance swimming. Lifeguard readiness: Time 2 to 5 p.m. class size 10, cost $40. Prerequisites for this class are you must have past swimming level three or higher and be 10 years old or older. Topics include swimming and water drills, rescues in/out of water, basic first aid, using a backboard, water entries to include lifeguard stands. There will be certificates awarded upon successful completion of class. For information call 568-7431. Summer volunteers Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services is accepting summer teenager volunteers, must be 13 years of age to participate. For more information stop by any of the two CDC’s or stop by the Youth Center on Main Post. If you would like to volunteer please contact Elizabeth Bernal at 569-5040. Family child care Child Development Services will hold a Family Child Care orientation class from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday for individuals desiring to become certified at Logan CSC, 3500 Story Road. The orientation class is free of charge and a prerequisite for the weeklong training set from July 11 through 15 at the Equal Employment Opportunity classroom in Bldg. 114, Pershing Dr. Call 568-4198 for application and child care information or come to the FCC Office at 1743 Victory Road. Burger and a movie O’Club burgers and a classic movie featuring Beach Blanket Bingo- July 8 at 6 p.m. (movie starts at 6:30) at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The cost is $7.95 for members and $8.95 for non-members (children 4 to 11 are $4). MWR provides buffet style burgers so you can build your own any way you’d like. Burgers and a classic movie night is a great way for all ages to enjoy their own masterpiece and watch a great masterpiece of a movie. For more information call 568-3164. ACS classes Army Community Service offers a variety of services to assist the Army family. The following classes are being offered: Baby Care 101: The class will be held at the ACS building July 8 from 1 to 3 pm. The topic presented will be Infant Massage. This is a great technique to learn to soothe and quiet your baby. It is a form of touch therapy that reduces stress and known to help infants sleep deeper and longer. Child care is provided for siblings and they must be registered at CDC on Fort Bliss. Parenting Classes: The classes are free of charge and available to soldiers, retirees, DoD civilians and family members. The classes offered are Early Childhood ages birth to 6 years, every Tuesday for six weeks starting July 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. The school-age/teens classes will begin July 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free childcare is provided during the classes and parents/guardians are asked to pay the $15 registration fee at the Main Child Development Center on Fort Bliss. Expectant Sibling Classes: ACS is offering an Expectant Sibling Class July 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the ACS, 2494 Ricker Road, right next to the Stanton Movie Theatre. This class is to educate parents on how to prevent and reduce sibling rivalry. It also educates children ages 3 to 8 years old on what to expect from a new baby and upon completion of the class they along with parents will receive a certificate. If interested contact Esylen Stephens at the Family Assistance Center at 568-1132. 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 noon. 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. Education fair Fort Bliss will host its annual Education Information Fair for military families from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 at the Centennial NCO Club, Bldg. 11199 at Biggs Army Airfield. El Paso area school superintendents, principals, counselors and PTA presidents will be in attendance to welcome new families, pass out information and answer questions. Representatives from various school departments such as Pupil Services, Transportation, Special Education, Gifted and Talented, Nursing, Athletics, Health Services and Food Services will also be on hand to answer questions. Representatives from El Paso, Ysleta, Socorro, Anthony, Clint and Canutillo School Districts will also be present. Thirty five parochial, private, homeschool, and charter schools will be represented, as well as the Region 19 Headstart, Prevent Blindness, Advocacy Inc. and Fort Bliss Child Care programs. Additionally, a representative from Childcare Management Services will be available to assist families with financial concerns regarding daycare. This event will provide an excellent opportunity for families with school-age children to meet and gather information from various schools and to familiarize themselves with the school programs available in the El Paso area. For more information, contact Mary Avila or Bitsy Mahon from the Fort Bliss School Liaison Services at 568-9306. Leadership forum There will be a YESS Youth Leadership Forum July 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Teen Center. After the forum there will be a BBQ at the Community Pool with DJ and dance. This conference is designed to assist youth between the ages of 13 and 19 in developing leadership skills that will instill a spirit of community. It is an excellent opportunity for youth to contribute to the military community, participate in decision-making processes while learning more about themselves, and ultimately, improve the quality of life for military-connected students. The agenda is as follows: 10 to 11:30 a.m. team building, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch, 1 to 5 p.m. workshops. Register online at www.blissmwr.com, click CYS; it is free and open to Fort Bliss, White Sands and Holloman Air Force Base teens. For information, call 569-7732. School registration Kindergarten and Preschool registration is now being accepted for the 05/06 school year. Kindergarten Monday-Friday noon until 3 p.m. at the Main CDC, Preschool Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Main CDC, Preschool Monday- Friday 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Logan CDC. Rates are based on total family income and parent’s participation in the program. Please call 568-4374 to register. Motorcycle show As part of the Rock the Fort Music Fest July 23, MWR will host a motorcycle show for Soldiers and Fort Bliss community members who wish to show off their motorcycles. Participation is limited to the first 60 individuals. Contact Brian Forman or Kris Brown, at 568-8087 for details. Karaoke MWR Karaoke The Officers’ Club hosts karaoke in the Pershing Pub every Friday. Rob Langford sets up at 5:30 p.m. and plays until 11 p.m., providing MWR patrons with one of the largest selections of karaoke songs in El Paso. For more information, call 568-7013. 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. Thursday and 12:30 a.m. Friday 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 Banquet and Conference Center on Biggs Airfield hosts karaoke nights for MWR patrons and guests Friday nights from 5 to 10 p.m. with Linda’s Carraoke Karaoke Entertainment. For information, call 562-5969. Youth Services football Fort Bliss Youth Services will conduct registrations for the Fort Bliss Panthers and Fort Bliss Jaguars tackle football teams now through July 31. Ages 8 to 11 are invited to register for the competitive tackle football league. Since this is a competitive league, the 50 percent participation rule is not in effect. Parents will be required to attend a sportsmanship class before their children are allowed to participate in the city league. The time and date of the class to be announced. Price for this class is $5. Football registrants must be Child and Youth Services members. Fees are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. For information, call Mike Emile at 568-2617. Summer jobs Summer hires are still available for TRADOC organizations. Suspense is no later thanJuly 11. Please provide number and type of additional student hires you would like to have. Resumes of students are available at CPAC. Categories are as follows: clerk, GS-1/2, basic cleric skills, $8.57 per hour to GS-3 with more experience/knowledge at $10.52 per hour and 30 hours or more of college or technical school. WG-3502-1, laborer, $6.50 per hour. Duties: basic laborer work, i.e. clean inside and outside of building, move furniture, simple painting. Qualification requirements: none, can hire current high school or college students. Your CPAC advisor can provide additional information. New bowling program Throughout the summer, MWR will implement a new program at the Fort Bliss Bowling Center. The center will offer group bowling lessons for kids on selected Saturdays, every month of summer. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn a very exciting sport and have fun at the same time. From noon to 2 p.m., kids will be able to learn new skills, bowl with friends, and have a free snack all for just $8. “A League of Their Own” will be July 9, July 23, Aug. 6, and Aug. 20. For more information regarding this promotion, call 568-6272. Pool hours The Community Pool, adjacent to the Officers’ Club, is now open for the summer season. Summer hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including holidays. The Community Pool features an enclosed tube slide and double loop slide as well as a large, shaded sitting area with indoor/outdoor carpeting. Replica Aquatic Center summer hours begin on May 27: Monday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pool offers a variety of swim classes and open swim is available daily from 1 p.m. until closing. Patrons may swim at either the Community or Replica Pools at a cost of $1 for adults, 75 cents for children 6 to 12 years and free for children 5 and under. Guests are $2 per person. A swim card may be purchased for just $20 and is good for 30 visits at either the Replica or Community Pools. Officers’ Club members may show their MWR Membership Card at either the Community or Replica pools for free admittance any day of the week. Member’s children may obtain a pool pass upon membership verification on their initial visit, which entitles them to free use of both pools throughout the summer. For more information, the Replica Aquatic Center at 568-7431. Bowling birthdays The Fort Bliss Bowling Center offers four different birthday packages, all at unbeatably low prices. There is a minimum of six children required for a party and each package includes party hats and balloons. The get-together is set up by the Fort Bliss Bowling Center Staff to the rear of the lanes. Birthday parties or other special events are even available for booking on Saturdays. The Center also has automatic bumpers for lots of family fun! Wondering what type of birthday party would be perfect for your child? Come by and see for yourself how much fun the Fort Bliss Bowling Center can be! For more information about these and other fun events going on this summer at the Bowling Center call 568-6272. Summer reading program During the heat of the upcoming summer, wouldn’t you like to slip into someplace cool and relax with a few friends? You can, by visiting the “Enchanted Reading Forest” at Mickelsen Community Library. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are eligible to participate during the annual summer reading program. Registration for the program began in May, reading began June 1 and continues through Aug. 6. Each child will check out the books they would like to read. They will take them home and read them at their own pace. When they return the books to the library, they will record them on a reading record kept at the library. Depending on the child’s age, they will earn a sticker to place on the reading record for every two to five books that have been read. Aug. 13 we will host an awards ceremony and party for all the participants. Each child who participates in the reading program will receive a goody bag of surprises, and children who read at least 10 books will qualify for a certificate. The top three readers in the four age groups will receive special prizes. Call 568-6156 or 568-6154 for more information. Summer camp Come join the summer fun and excitement with your friends! School-Age Services will offer full-day structured and supervised activities during the EPISD summer break through Aug. 12. Open to all CYS children entering grades 2nd to 6th in the 2005-06 school year. The fun begins daily at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Both SAS sites, the YouthPlex, B-195 or the Logan Youth Center, B-3508 will open at 5:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. for our working parents. Join us in field trips, tours, bowling, roller-skating, computers, matinees, gooney golf, tennis, ceramics, cooking and craft projects, swimming, picnics, sports, and 4-H projects. Fees are based upon total family income and can range between $28 to $91 a week or $18 a day. Ask about our 20 percent multiple child discount for siblings in regular care at either our CDC or SAS programs or with an FCC provider, Families must be registered with Child and Youth Services before attending. Spaces are limited and advance payments are required. To make an appointment to register, call 568-4374 or stop by our Central Registration Office, located in the ITR facility, building 1743. You will need to bring with you, child’s shot records and physical forms, child’s birth certificate, your military ID and most recent LES(s). Child Development Services will offer a summer program for those children who will be entering kindergarten or first grade in the 2005-06 school year and Youth Services will offer a middle school and teen summer program For additional information on SAS, all 568-8336; for YS programs, call 568-KIDS, for CDS call 568-5689 or visit us all on www.blissmwr.com/BlissKIDS. Free summer meals Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services will once again sponsor its Summer Food Service Program through Aug. 12. Meals will be provided free of cost to military and civilian children, ages 1 through 18, Monday through Friday. The main Child Development Center, Bldg. 1730 on Haan Road, and the Logan Child Development Center, Bldg. 3500 on Story Road, will each serve breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fort Bliss YouthPlex, Bldg. 195 on Chaffee Road, will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a snack from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. In addition to the free meals offered Monday through Friday, every Wednesday, beginning June 1 there will be a free activity (slip n dip, UTEP Sports teams, Radio Stations) and lunch day at Kelly Park, Available to military and civilian children, ages 1 to 18 years. Also, every Thursday beginning June 2 there will be free lunches available to kids in the Van Horn Housing Area. In accordance with Federal law and U.s. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination write the USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-Whitten Building 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-9410. For information on the summer lunch program, contact Pat Bell at 568-5054. Get Fit Mom and Friends Get-Fit Mom and Friends is offered at Stout Fitness Center in the aerobics room on Monday and Wednesdays from 1:15 to 2:15 pm. 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 8 weeks after giving birth- please bring a doctors release with you to your first class. For information call 569-5162. Fitness Zone and tennis The Fort Bliss Tennis Club and Fitness Zone, Bldg 262, offers a five-court tennis club, fitness area with a 20-piece circuit training room, and two practice courts. The workout area features hydraulic weight machines, cardio equipment and a “Romper Area” for small children to play under their parent’s supervision while working out. The facility will have a tiered monthly payment rate ranging from $20 to $35, depending on factors such as rank, additional family members, length of membership and whether the member is using only the Tennis Club or Fitness Zone or both. Those DA/DoD civilians enrolled in the six-month long Fort Bliss Civilian Fitness Program may attend for free. Off-post civilians who become a member of the facility will be issued a special vehicle decal and a membership card for easy on-post entry. For a membership application, visit www.blissmwr.com/ Recreation/ZONE.htm or call 569-5448. AER 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 similar to the commanders referral program in which the loan application is dropped of by 1300 the loan is ready for pick up the same business day, after 1300 the loan is ready the following business day. Emergency Leaves still have priority and will always be processed fist. During the last couple of months the AER work load has increased nearly 60 percent we feel this is partially due to the changes made over the last year to better serve the soldier. If this program is successful as we feel it will be, Fort Bliss AER office will lead the way in ensuring our soldiers emergency’s are expedited. ITR cabin rentals Stop by the ITR office for your Ruidoso getaway. ITR now has a listing of cabins and lodges that offer 10% discount for military. For information, call 568-7506. Chronic disease management A Chronic Disease Management session will be held July 14. You Must attend all six sessions, every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. The class will be at the Fort Bliss YMCA on Dyer and Fred Wilson. Classes are open to all military cardholders free of charge. For more information, call 569-3423 or 569-5018. Lock and Leave Lock & 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. Wi-Fi hot spot 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. 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. 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 please call 569-7732. 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. 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 -3 years of age at the Logan Child Development Center from 10 a.m. to noon. 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 Ft. Bliss Community. For information contact Esylen Stephens at 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 kitchen opens on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility offers trap, skeet, rifle, pistol, archery, black powder, and plinking ranges, and a five stand sporting clays range, pro shop, snack bar (open weekends) and banquet facilities. Concealed carry classes and Instruction In shotgun, rifle, and pistol reloading are also available. The Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club Is open to the public. For Information call 565-4867. Library storytime 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 Bldg. 2. For information, call 568-6156. CDS special openings The Child Development Center now offers special hours of operation every Saturday at its main location in Building 1730 on Haan Road. Hours are 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cost for payday weekend care is $3.50 per hour first child and 3.00 per hour for each additional child for CAT 2 and up – $2.50 per hour and $2 per hour for each additional child in CAT 1,ages 2 months to 12 years, are eligible for the care. For a special opening, a minimum reservation of 20 children is required. When there are not enough reservations to warrant opening, alternative care will be offered. For information, call 569-5040 or 568-6335. Gymnastics instructor needed SKIESUnlimited is looking for a gymnastic instructor. For further information, contact Gabriele Johnson at 569-7732.