CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
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Around the base
Awards ceremony: The 437th Airlift Wing will be hosting the Annual Award Ceremony Feb. 10 starting at 6 p.m. at the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Rodney Koonce at 963-3821.
More storage available: The recreational vehicle storage lot has some spaces available for boat, campers or trailers not exceeding 30 feet in length for individuals living on or off base. The fee is $35 per month or $360 per year. For more information, contact the Outdoor Recreation Center at 963-5271.
Change to FEHB: Those enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits may make belated open season enrollment changes. Members will have an extended enrollment opportunity until Jan. 31, 2009, to make any changes. Changes can be made at w20.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AFPCSecurenet20 or call 1-800-616-3775. For more information, contact Tammi Jones at 963-4474.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Enrollment age change: The Department of Defense Education Activity will make an important change to its entrance age eligibility requirement that will affect the Kindergarten Program for the 2009-2010 school year. The entrance eligibility birth date will be adjusted from Oct. 31 to Sept. 1. That means a child must be five years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This will also affect the eligibility birth date for those children entering DODEA Pre-Kindergarten, Sure Start and first grade. The change aligns DODEA with national trends as well as the age requirement in many military-impacted states. For more information, contact Elsa Summers at 963-4406.
Educational opportunities: Schedule a half-hour appointment to meet with an expert one-on-one to learn how to meet educational goals Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Resume I and cover letter class: Learn how to put together a resume during a class Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The class will include the purpose of a cover letter, what it should contain as well as formats for a resume.
Reintegration seminar: There will be a reintegration seminar every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m., and every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals returning from deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Families of individuals deploying can meet every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. for individuals preparing for a deployment within the next 30 days. The briefing provides information on all realms of deployment, and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the member deploying and his or her family.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services will be here every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Learn about the Air Force mission, culture, traditions, military language, benefits and services while making friends during a briefing Jan. 24, 2009, from noon to 5 p.m. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
MFLC Program: The A&FRC now has a Military Family Life Consultant who is available by phone at 609-8717, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be available on weekends as well. The service is free and confidential with some restrictions and no kept records or documents. The MFLC consultant can also meet with Team Charleston members on base or in a public setting such as a library or a restaurant. The consultant acts as a "life coach" in preventing issues from becoming problems and work with a wide variety of issues including relationships, anger and stress management, communications, parenting, work-related stress, decision-making skills, issues related to deployments and other "life adjustments."
New HAWC class: There will be an "Eating to Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides" class held the first Friday of every month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. or every fourth Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. by appointment at the Health and Wellness Center. Participants will be taught heart-healthy eating principles, self-care tips and will receive a package of take-home informative materials. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the HAWC at 963-4007
Consignment shop reopens: The base consignment shop has recently reopened and the hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Consignments and donations are also accepted during these times. For more information, contact Julie Brady at 963-3294.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated TSP participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth IRA as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. Keep in mind that members must meet eligibility criteria and they must pay tax on any amount that is transferred into a Roth IRA for the year of the transfer. For more information, see the "Questions and Answers" on the TSP Web site or the TSP Tax Notice "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available from the TSP Web site, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778.
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic is in need of household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances', food and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
Airman's Attic needs volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help at the Airman's Attic located in the A&FRC Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sort donations and assist customers. There is also a need for individuals who own a truck or a trailer to volunteer as delivery drivers. Volunteers are eligible to participate in the base Recognizing Achievement and Volunteer Excellence program, which provides monthly incentives based on the number of hours volunteered. For more information, call 963-4408.
Horse stalls available: Marrington Stables, located on Naval Weapons Station Charleston, has horse stalls now available for rent. For space availability, contact the Information, Tickets and Travel office at 764-2120. For specific questions concerning the stables operations, contact Nikki Merriott at 277-0442 or e-mail nikkibabu@hotmail.com.