Community Ledger, Nov. 25

Action Line

An Action Line has been established to allow Fort Lewis community members to express their concerns and ideas directly to the commanding general. Your issues will be addressed by the commander and his staff.

The Action Line number is 967-0093.

Thanksgiving meal hours

Wednesday

593rd Sust. Bde. Building P12430

Continental Breakfast: 8 to 9 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: noon to 2 p.m.

1st SFG Building 9179

Breakfast: 7 to 8 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: 3 to 6 p.m.

Special Troops Bn. Building 2026C

Breakfast: 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

504th MP Bn. DFAC Building 3165

Continental Breakfast: 6 to 7 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

555th Engr. Bde. Building P12638

Breakfast: 7 to 8 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dinner: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

17th Fires Bde. Building 3279

Breakfast: 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving Meal: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Thursday

296th BSB Building 3757

Breakfast: 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving meal: noon to 2 p.m.

Dinner: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Recycling changes

Fort Lewis recycling is “Mixing It Up!” In an effort to make recycling easier the section is converting to single stream recycling. Residents can now mix paper with their plastic bottles (No.s 1 to 7),aluminum cans, tin cans, and milk and juice cartons. Continue to put cardboard in the blue, grated bins. Lemay, Inc., is in the process of delivering new, gray containers throughout the installation to replace the existing two-can system. Glass products are, unfortunately, out of the mix, but these items can be taken to the recycling center for recovery. More glass drop-off locations will be coming soon. For these locations, call 967-3803.

Delta Force recruiting

First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is conducting recruiting briefings for the spring 2010 Assessment and Selection Course. All MOSs are encouraged to apply. Interested Soldiers should be males in the ranks of specialist through master sergeant (officers at the captain level), have at least 2.5 years time in service, be 21 years or older, and have GT scores of at least 110 or able to raise their scores to 110 or higher. For more information on DOD’s highest-priority unit and a possible career opportunity, make time to attend one of the Delta briefings: 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., Dec. 3 or 4, in Room C-235, Stone Education Center.

An APFT for Soldiers interested in applying will be held at 7 a.m., Dec. 4. The location to be announced at the briefing (Soldiers unable to attend a briefing may e-mail the point of contact the day of the briefing for the location). IQ testing will be done at 9:30 a.m., in Room C-235 of Stone Education Center. The briefings will last no more than an hour. The additional IQ testing will take no than than 1 hour, 30 minutes. Interested Soldiers who are unable to attend the briefing are still encouraged to attend the APFT and IQ testing. For more information, e-mail sof8.recruiter@us.army.mil or call (910) 643-5833.

Holiday gift wrapping

Enlisted Spouses club annual gift wrap is right around the corner, so come on out and support your local community. The gift wrap continues until Dec. 24, daily, except for Thanksgiving Day. Help the ESC by coming out and getting your gifts wrapped, the cost is whatever you choose to donate. The funds raised go back out to the community.

The ESC stll needs volunteers to help wrap gifts. To volunteer call or e-mail the ESC, 967-5849 or ftlewisesc@yahoo.com.

Fort Lewis tree lighting

The Fort Lewis community is invited to a holiday tree lighting with a visit from Santa on Dec. 8, 4:30 p.m. in front of I Corps headquarters. Santa will be on hand with elves handing out candy canes. There will also be a reception at the Family Resource Center from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m., offering holiday activities, free refreshments, holiday entertainment and free Santa photos.

Employment information

Attend a Social Security Administration employment information session on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Employment Readiness Program, in Building 2166, located on 12th Street and Liggett Avenue. Topics in the 90-minute presentation will include the Teleservice Representative position, an overview of application requirements and a brief introduction to USAJOBS, the Web site for applying with the federal government. For more information, call 966-8325 or 967-7287.

Grief counseling

Madigan Army Medical Center Behavioral Health professionals, Madigan and Fort Lewis Pastoral Care professionals, and Army Community Services Family Life consultants are ready to provide needed counseling services to all members of the Fort Lewis community as a result of the tragic attack at Fort Hood. Active duty, spouses and family members can call Military OneSource, which offers 24-hour assistance, at 1-800-342-9647.

For Madigan’s Behavioral Health services, including grief counseling and crisis intervention, call 968-3172 or 968-2700. For Madigan Pastoral services during duty hours, call 968-1125, after duty at 968-1385 or the on-call chaplain at 967-0015. For Army Community Services Family Life consultants, call 495-8425.

Care Team training

Care Teams are groups of two to three trained volunteers who assist families that have lost loved ones. The teams are trained to assist and support families, filling the gap between notification and arrival of the families’ own support systems. Volunteers are needed for this important effort. Training will take place on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waller Hall in the main briefing room.

To register, e-mail Pamela.j.allen@conus.army.mil or call 967-8430.

Child care is available with prior reservations by calling Clarkmoor Hourly Care at 966-2490. Children must be registered with CYS Services.

Stress management

The Fort Lewis Family Advocacy Program offers a weekly stress management class, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays in the FAP Conference Room, Building 2013B. Get a better understanding of stress and its effects on health and readiness. Identify physical and emotional reactions to stress. Learn about stress-management tools and how to use them effectively. Call 967-5901 to schedule a class for your unit or family readiness group.

Tax preparation volunteers

The Fort Lewis Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is seeking civilian volunteers to assist at the Tax Center. Volunteers will assist in a high-volume environment, assisting Soldiers, dependents and retirees in preparing their 2009 tax returns. The center’s operations begin Jan. 20 and run through April 16.

Volunteers are required to complete a one-week training during Dec. 14-18. This training is put on by the Internal Revenue Service, and at the end of the training, each volunteer is certified as a tax preparer. Persons with prior experience in tax preparation, accounting or legal backgrounds are especially welcome.

To become a volunteer, visit www.myarmyonesource.com — the volunteer position “Tax Clerk/Data Entry (No Prior Experience Needed)” is located under JAG — General.

Holiday concert

The 56th Army Band, along with Navy Band Northwest, will present a holiday concert Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in Carey Theater. Enjoy all your holiday classics and get the season started in the finest style. Admission is free.

WLC inprocessing

The Henry H. Lind NCO Academy Warrior Leader Course, Class 003-10, will inprocess Dec. 2. Students must report to Building 3114 at 5 a.m. Sponsors must report to Building 5996 at 5 a.m.

For more information, call 967-7294.

FCC amnesty

To decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect in unauthorized care, the Family Child Care Program has initiated an amnesty program allowing individuals who are not certified FCC providers, but are regularly caring for children in on-post housing, an opportunity to register with Child, Youth and School Services without penalty.

If you are currently providing unauthorized child care in your home, call the FCC Program at 967-3039 for information on how you can become certified, or pick up an application in Building 2013B on Pendleton at 3rd Avenue.

FCC provides free training, as well as free child care while you become certified. Any training and credit gained through the FCC program is transferable to working in a child-development center.

Modeling competition

Fort Lewis Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation Marketing is looking for real people to represent Fort Lewis with style. Top contestants will walk the cat walk in designer fashions at the Fort Lewis Care Fair, Jan. 30. The grand prize winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $500 and a cover photo shoot for FOCUS magazine.

There are four categories: Men (13 and older); Women (13 and older); Women’s Plus (sizes 14 and larger); Kid’s (ages 5 through 12)

To apply, send an e-mail with you or your child’s contact information, age and any full-length photo, to Fort Lewis FMWR Marketing at lewismarketing@conus.army.mil. For information, call 967-5200. Entry deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 15.

Healthy living

Learn about the great fitness programs offered at your local fitness centers. Call 966-3757 and ask for a tour. Talk to the experts and learn proper exercise techniques for the best results and to avoid injury. Arrange a free appointment with a personal trainer and ask about a free MicroFit and Wellness assessment. Did you know that Jensen Family Health and Fitness Center has free child care? What are you waiting for? Call 966-3757 today. Come alone, bring a friend or bring the whole family and get started on a new, healthy lifestyle together. For more information about the Healthy Living series, call Army Public Health Nursing at 968-4382.

Got Health? The choice is yours.

New Year’s celebration

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a black-and-white-themed gala at American Lake Community Center Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Ticket prices are $45 for singles and $80 for couples. Dinner choices include prime rib, game hen or vegetarian butternut squash ravioli. There will be a breakfast buffet served at 12:30 a.m. Dance to a variety of music by DJ Eric, and ring in the New Year with party favors and a complimentary New Year’s toast. Reservations must be made by Dec. 15. For more information call 964-1209.

Job fair

There will be a job fair sponsored by Fort Lewis Employment Readiness Service Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ACS Annex, Building 2166, on Liggett Avenue and 12th Street, across from Waller Hall. Attendees will meet many local employers and have opportunities to interview for available positions. For more information, call 967-7287, 966-8325 or 967-3538.

ACS Holiday Assistance

Army Community Service traditionally offers commanders a holiday dinner program to assist Army families in need during the holidays. ACS will provide commanders with cash vouchers for identified Soldiers. Vouchers are redeemable at the Fort Lewis Commissary for food purchases only. Commanders determine which Soldiers within their commands will receive assistance. Basic guidelines for establishing need will be provided to command sergeants major.

Fort Lewis does not have a program to connect Soldiers and families with people off-post. Those who want to support Soldiers and their families during the holidays can make donations to the Army Community Service Holiday Assistance Program by calling (253) 967-9917.

Closure

The Waller Hall ID card and DEERS facility will be closed Nov. 26 through 29 for Thanksgiving weekend. Normal customer service operation will resume Nov. 30, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 967-7888.

Calendar

The following holidays and days of no scheduled activities are planned:

● Thursday, Thanksgiving

● Friday, DONSA

● Dec. 24, DONSA

● Dec. 25, Christmas

● Dec. 31, DONSA

● Jan. 1, New Year’s Day

● Jan. 15, DONSA

● Jan. 18, MLK Day

● Feb. 12, DONSA

● Feb. 15, Presidents Day

Family Connections

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in collaboration with Sesame Street Workshop, recently unveiled the “Sesame Street Family Connections” Web site: www.sesamestreetfamilyconnections.org/. This interactive Web site allows service members and their families to stay connected in a safe and nurturing environment surrounded by their favorite Sesame Street friends. Whether the separation is due to deployment or recovery from an injury suffered while deployed, the “Family Connections” Web site offers young children an online environment to stay connected, while offering tools for the entire family, to aid in the recovery of the visible and invisible wounds of combat.

Japanese spouses’ group

If your husband is deployed or deploying, you are new to the area, you have questions or if you just want to meet and talk with other Japanese spouses, the Japanese Spouse Support Group is here for you.

You can join the group for monthly meetings, fundraising events, fun activities, such as barbecues, lady’s night and other events. For more information, contact japanesearmywivesupportgroup@gmail.com.

Hourly child care

The Warrior Hourly Child Care Center is located adjacent to the Madigan Army Medical Center parking area in Building 9037 on Gardner Loop. The mission of the Warrior Center is to provide quality child care for Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion; however, all families registered with CYSS may use the facility on a space-available basis. Child care reservations can be made two weeks in advance.

The staff provides child care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old while Soldiers or family members attend medical appointments or use Army Family Covenant respite-care hours.

The center hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To use the facility, families must complete a free registration at the CYSS Central Registration, Building 2295 at 12th and Bitar. Call 967-2494 to make a registration appointment. New patrons are offered the initial hour of child care free. There is a minimum reservation of two hours. To make hourly child care reservations at the Warrior Center, call 968-5656.

Clarkmoor center

Clarkmoor Hourly Care Center is located at Building 2094 on Bitar Avenue. All families registered with CYSS may use the facility. Child care reservations can be made two weeks in advance. The staff provides hourly child care for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. Hours of operation are: Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, closed. Families must complete a free registration at the CYSS Central Registration, Building 2295. Call 967-2494 to make a registration appointment.To make hourly child care reservations, call 966-2490.

PWOC

Are you new to Fort Lewis? Are you tired of the long days of deployments? Are you looking for a place where you can join other women and be refreshed and renewed? Then join the ladies of Protestant Women of the Chapel every Wednesday morning from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel. Check the Web site www.pwocftlewis.org, for more information.

Waiting families

The Waiting Families Support Group is open to family members of active-duty Soldiers on unaccompanied tours or extended TDY. It is a place to exchange ideas on how to cope with unique problems faced during a sponsor’s absence and have some light-hearted fun.

WFSG provides information on community events and ACS programs. It offers short-term crisis-intervention services and, when needed, acts as a liaison with military and civilian agencies. WFSG also addresses practical aspects of separation and relocation. Children are welcome.

WFSG meets the first Wednesday of each month at Waller Hall, ACS Room 400, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call 967-3633.

Gate hours and locations

Fort Lewis gate hours and locations:

● Liberty (Main), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to Main Post;

● 41st Division (North Fort), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to North Fort;

● Logistics Center, 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), I-5 Exit 123 — Thorne Lane;

● Madigan, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 122 — Berkeley Street;

● East Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, East Gate Road and 4th Division Drive (connects to SR 507);

● DuPont Gate, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 119;

● D Street (POV), 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, access to North Fort from DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● D Street (CVIP), 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), same as D Street (POV);

● Scouts Out, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week (closed on federal holidays), 2nd Division Range Road;

● Transmission Line (ASP), 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Transmission Line Road;

● Center Drive (outbound only), 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday (closed on federal holidays), adjacent to the Regional Confinement Facility;

● I Street Gate (North Fort) (inbound only), 5 to 9 a.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), 1 1⁄2 miles north of DuPont Exit 119, just off DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● Lincoln-Rainier Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week, from off post — access via Perimeter Road/150th Street; from on post — access via Rainier Drive and Lincoln Street on the Logistics Center.

McChord gate hours and locations:

● Main Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 125 (Bridgeport Way);

● Barnes Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week, Perimeter Road, approximately 1/2 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard Gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Commercial Vehicle Inspection Point, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Perimeter Road approximately 1⁄4 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard Gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Woodbrook Housing Gate, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, I-5 Exit 124 — Gravelly Lake.

Attention

Event announcements must be received no later than the Friday before publication. They can be e-mailed to nwgeditor@nwguardian.com.Announcements can be viewed online at NWGuardian.com. The Northwest Guardian office is located in the basement of Building 2026-B.

For more information, call 967-0173.