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NEWS | Jan. 11, 2012

News Briefs - Weapons Station

By Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to patriot@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.

Jan. 17
Education/Scholarships: Come to an informative workshop on colleges available, scholarships and grants for military spouses, the proper way to fill out a scholarship application and completing your financial aid forms for college. The next class is Jan. 17 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call 764-7480 for more information.

Jan. 18
Savings and Investing: This single session, interactive program is suitable for all audiences and is designed to develop more in depth knowledge and skills that will enable participants to save and invest wisely. The workshop is Jan. 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. For more information call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Jan. 19
Accepting and Navigating Change with Life and Work: During these economically difficult times, come work on improving your coping skills Jan. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call the FFSC 764-7480 for more information.

Smooth Move: This workshop will address move-related topics such as who pays for your move, how to ship your personal property, and what the sponsorship program is. Also available at the workshop are a Fleet and Family Support Center financial counselor and representatives from Housing, Personal Property and TRICARE to answer your questions about your upcoming move. Call the FFSC at 764-7480 for more information.

Jan. 24
Basic Resume Writing: Basic Resume Writing workshops are offered to assist attendees in completing a professional looking resume. The next workshop is Jan. 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Federal Resume Writing: The Federal Resume writing workshop, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon, is offered to assist attendees in fine-tuning their federal resumes, thereby providing them with the best tool possible in their federal job search. Call the FFSC at 764-7480 for more information.

Jan. 25
Thrift Savings Plan Simplified: Come learn the about your TSP and what it can do for you. Learn the different funds available, what they consist of, and how to invest in them. The next class is Jan. 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. For more information or to register, call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Stress Continuum: Staying in the Green: Learn techniques to slow down, take a deep breath, prioritize and relax Jan. 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Learn to bounce back and keep stress at a manageable level. For more information call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Feb. 8
Tax Preparation Information: This class, Feb. 8 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., will provide information about the latest tax changes and every facet of individual income tax preparation. No prior tax experience is necessary to enroll. For more information call the Fleet and Family Support Center at 764-7480.

Feb. 9
Operation Clip and Save: Operation Clip and Save: Learn how to save hundreds of dollars each month on groceries by clipping coupons. The next class is Fwb. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information call 764-7480.

Feb.13
Command Financial Specialist Forum: Quarterly financial training for Command Financial Specialists is Feb. 13 - 16 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Feb. 19
Military Saves Week: Protect your family and your future by increasing your financial readiness, Feb. 19 - 26. Take the Saver's pledge at www.militarysaves.org, and join a community that is working to build wealth and reduce debt. You'll get access to free services and resources, plus tips on how to make savings automatic. Military Save is Part of the Department of Defense Financial Readiness Campaign and is supported in part by the NASD Investor Education Foundation, sponsors of SaveandInvest.org.

Feb. 22
Thrift Savings Plan Simplified: Come learn the about your TSP and what it can do for you. Learn the different funds available, what they consist of, and how to invest in them. The next class is Feb. 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call the FFSC at 764-7480.

Special Announcements:

LEAN Awareness Class: Learn how to create a more efficient and effective environment in the workplace and learn proven techniques and methods to eliminate waste in processes. The Lean Awareness Class is held every Tuesday in Bldg. 16,000, Mission Support Group Conference Room from 8 to 11 a.m. Call George McDowell at 469-8378 for more information.

Budget for Baby: The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers a basic budgeting class for expecting mothers. Class is held the every second Thursday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to noon. After completing the class, each mom will receive a Layette filled with free baby items such as crib sheets, onesies and a homemade blanket. Call 764-7662 or come in to sign up for the class. Our temporary office is located in Bldg. 301 (PSD), Room 212.

Work & Family Life Specialists: Work & Family Life specialists are available by appointment. Get help with job referrals, resume and interview assistance, first move and information about educational opportunities for active duty, retirees, family members and Department of Defense civilians. Call the FFSC at 764-7480 for an appointment.

Personal Financial Management: Let an FFSC certified financial specialists assist you in accessing and explaining your credit report. They can provide the tools and information to improve your score and make the right decisions about collections and debt. Call FFSC at 764-7480 for more information.

Wise credit Choices: Did you know that your credit score is a huge deciding factor for interest rates, mortgages, insurance costs, employability, loans, deposits, etc.? Call a personal financial manager at the FFSC for an appointment at 764-7480.

Developing your spending plan: Let a financial education specialist at the FFSC on Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station provide you the tools and resources needed to develop a financial plan of your dreams. The purpose of a financial plan is for you to determine where you are now, where you want to go and how you plan to get there by starting today. Contact the FFSC 764-7480 for more information.

Updates and Notices:

Stepping Stones Pre-School storytime: Parents and pre-school children learn together through stories, songs, arts & crafts and play time with the Stepping Stones Pre-school Story Time program at the JB CHS - Weapons Station Branch Library. Children must be pre-school age and accompanied by a parent or guardian. This free program is Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. To register, call 764-7900.

MWR's Recycling Department calling for all metal: Containers for empty aluminum cans are located throughout the Naval Support Activity. Aluminum cans are the mainstay of the recycling program; however, all types of metal are accepted. If you have heavy metal products that need to be picked up, call the Recycling Department at 743-0510. All recycling proceeds go towards enhancing your Morale, Welfare, Recreation facilities and programs.

Become a Family Child Care Provider: Do you like children? Need extra cash? The Family Child Care program offers you a chance to provide childcare in your home. The options available to Family Child Care providers are numerous and include:
· Before/after school care
· Part-time/drop-in care
· Full-time care for infants, toddlers or pre-school ages
· Evening and weekend care

As an FCC provider, you determine your fees and hours. Although the Navy determines the maximum childcare ratios, you can choose and interview families that have children fitting the hours and ages you are looking for. If interested or for more information, please call 764-7347.

Parents, need a night out? The Child Development Homes program has certified providers available for Friday night child care. Call the CDH office for a list of available providers at 764-7347.

Resale vehicle lot: Selling a car, truck, camper, boat or motorcycle? MWR's "Hot Deals on Wheels" used vehicle lot offers the only authorized place to display vehicles for sale on Naval Support Activity. The lot is located near Red Bank Road in the New Wave Pool parking lot. The cost is $8 per week for military and immediate family and $10 per week for retirees and DoD civilians. Reservations and payment are accepted at the Information, Tickets and Tours Office. Call 764-2120 for more information.

"Early Bird" drop-off service: The Auto Skills Center, located on Fletcher Street, offers "Early Bird" drop-off service for your convenience. Vehicles in need of service can be dropped off prior to our normal operating hours using the key drop-box, located outside the facility. Patrons can simply fill out the provided envelope with an explanation of the mechanic services needed, place the vehicle keys in the envelope, and drop them in the box. Call the Auto Skills Center during their normal operating hours to receive an estimate or to provide any additional information concerning the work needed.

Meetings and Registrations:

Join the Redbank Plantation Golf Association: The Redbank Plantation Golf Association invites you to become a member at a cost of only $20 per year. Benefits of the Golf Association membership include: USGA Handicap, participation in monthly tournaments, participation in Association Club Championship and participation in the Association Blitz. Membership is open to all military and civilian golf patrons. Membership applications are available in the golf course club house. Applications and payment may be placed in the silver locked box near the Pro Shop. For more information, contact Tournament Chairman Tina Bohannon at tinab@sc.rr.com or call the Pro Shop at 764-7802.

Education and Training:

Judo & Jujitsu classes: Get in shape, build self confidence and learn self defense with Judo and Jujitsu classes. Classes are held in the group exercise room Bldg. 725 and are free to active duty military and $2 per class for all others. Judo classes are offered Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jujitsu classes are offered on the first Friday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Nancy Haynsworth at 764-4067.

Free MWR Fitness Classes: Did you know that MWR offers group exercise classes free of charge to active-duty military and only $2 per class for all other patrons? A variety of classes such as yoga, spinning, step and sculpt and more are available in the Group Exercise Room, located in Bldg. 725 next to the Post Office. Call Sam's Fitness Center at 764-4173 for more information.

Recreation

BINGO: If you like to play BINGO, Marrington Bowling Center has two great ways for you to play! Enjoy Quick-Play (electronic) BINGO in our game room or stop by the front desk to purchase Bonanza Bingo cards where the numbers change daily.

RV/boat storage area: Morale Welfare and Recreation operates the Recreation vehicle and boat storage area located on Fletcher Street, across from the Housing Office. There are currently 54 sites available at a cost of $35 per month (paid quarterly). Reservations are handled at the Auto Skills Center located on Fletcher Street, directly across from the storage site.

Camping is a breeze with help from the Outdoor Adventure Center: Your Outdoor Adventure Center has everything you'll need to enjoy the great outdoors. Tents that will accommodate from one to five people, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns, two-burner stoves and coolers are all available for rent at a nominal fee. Kayaks, canoes and mountain bikes are also available to make your weekend get-away complete. The Outdoor Adventure Center is located in the Building 1700 on Fletcher Street, across from The Dive. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sundays and holidays. Stop by the OAC for all of your outdoor recreational needs or call 764-2120 for more information.

Disc Golf Course: There's more going on these days at Locklear Park than just baseball and softball. A nine-hole disc golf course runs throughout the park with many varied and challenging holes. Disc golf is played just like traditional golf, with a Frisbee-like disc substituting for the golf ball and club and a basket acts as the golf hole. Access to the course is available any time during daylight hours. The discs are available for check-out at the Outdoor Adventure Center at no charge.

OAC Rock Climbing Wall: Nothing offers stress relief quite like exercise, and one of the most fun and exciting ways to get a total body workout here on the Naval Support Activity, is at the Outdoor Adventure Center's climbing wall. The climbing wall stands 30 feet high and offers many different climbing routes with varying degrees of difficulty. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, the OAC has a climbing program to suit you.
Climbing Rates:
Introductory climb $2
One hour or less: $4
Daily pass: $6
Ten pass punch card: $3
Shoe rental: $1.50
Chalk bags: $1

Armed Forces Vacation Club: The Armed Forces Vacation Club offers weeklong stays for only $329 on "space available" accommodations to Department of Defense-affiliated personnel. With AFVC, you'll save on vacation accommodations in exciting destinations worldwide. There are more than 200,000 accommodations in more than 100 countries. Program registration is free and easy. Just call toll-free at 877-270-4624. Once approved, you can immediately begin planning your next exciting get-away. All active and retired members of the U.S. military are eligible, including spouses and children, as well as civilian employees of the Department of Defense. As an added bonus, the Naval Support Activity Morale Welfare and Recreation department receives a rebate for every confirmed reservation. Simply enter the base code 169 when registering. For more information, check online at afvclub.com, and join the Armed Forces Vacation Club today.

ITT offers lay-away on cruise reservations: The Information, Tickets and Tours Office here on the Naval Support Activity has everything you'll need to plan and reserve your affordable cruise vacation, including a convenient lay-away payment plan. Soon, you will be sailing away to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico or any of a number of exotic ports of call. There are now many cruises departing from right here in Charleston. Call your ITT Office at 764-2120 for more information.