Kadena Base Bulletin, Dec. 1 Published Nov. 30, 2010 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- To submit an announcement for the base bulletin, please email a short paragraph (NOT bullets) containing essential information (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to kadena.basebulletin@kadena.af.mil. Announcements typically run for two weeks beginning two weeks prior to an event. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday to be included in the weekly bulletin email sent on Wednesday. NO FEDERAL ENDORSEMENT OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR ACTIVITIES IS INTENDED. In the bulletin this week at Kadena: NOTICES Change to TMO phone numbers Postal cut-off dates Post Office Holiday Hours Obtaining a SOFA Driver's License Claims for or against the estate of Capt Amy Jo Brown USNH Disaster Response Exercise ACS Appointment at U.S. Consulate General, Naha Sidewalk Repairs GPC Training 18th Medical Group Closure Tinsel Town Road Closures Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training UPCOMING EVENTS AFSA monthly meeting Free Cultural Seminar and Karate Demonstration Kokeshi Roller Dolls Roller Derby Team All-call Event A&FRC Holiday Open House Okinawa Marathon Registration Men Who Cook - POSTPONED! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Tinsel Town Kadena Tax center OESC Thrift Store volunteers Kadena High School Airmen Against Drunk Driving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Committee Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates NOTICES Change to TMO phone numbers Due to unforeseen renovations to the Personal Property and Passenger Travel areas (building 756), the main phone lines are inoperative. To reach either office, please use DSN lines 634-7797, 634-7846, 634-7794 or 634-3800. Postal cut-off dates The mail cut-off dates are as follows: Space Available - Nov. 29; Parcel Airlift - Nov. 29; Priority Mail - Dec. 6; Letters First Class - Dec. 6; Express Mail - Dec. 13. For more information, please contact Master Sgt. Anthony Smith at 634-3244. Post Office Holiday Hours The post office will be open on Sundays for parcel mail pick up only through Dec. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This helps keep the floor clear for the large influx of holiday packages. Please check regularly for packages and claim them as soon as possible. Obtaining a SOFA Driver's License The safety briefing to obtain a SOFA driver's license is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Schilling Community Center ballroom. In order to attend the briefing, you must register before 8 a.m. at the Newcomer's Orientation sign in table. For those new to Kadena and attending the Newcomer's Orientation, the Safety Briefing is part of the Newcomer's Orientation and sign-in must be completed by 8 a.m. Sponsors registering their dependents must have the dependent's Social Security number in order to complete the registration. The Safety Briefing is only open to Air Force active-duty servicemembers, Air Force dependents, and DoD/ DoDDs Civilians. All other active-duty servicemembers or civilians affiliated to another branch of service must go through their own service to obtain SOFA license. The Wing Safety office also holds the brief every Friday at 10 a.m. No pre-registration is necessary to attend the safety brief each Friday held at the Safety building, building 908. Please call Wing Safety at 634-7233, Pass and ID (Gate 1) at 634-3734 or the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 634-3366 for questions. Claims for or against the estate of Capt Amy Jo Brown Persons with a claim for or against the estate of Capt. Amy Jo Brown should contact Maj. Evangeline Tennort at DSN (315) 630-4170, commercial at 011-81-98-960-4170, or by email at evangeline.tennort@us.af.mil. USNH Disaster Response Exercise U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa will participate in a disaster response exercise Dec. 9. The exercise will last throughout the day, involving the main hospital, branch clinics, and satellite facilities. Routine medical and administrative business will be limited, and patients coming to Camp Lester can expect delays and increased security at the gates. Emergency care will still be available in the Emergency Department. Pre-existing clinic and surgical appointments scheduled for that day will stay as scheduled. For questions or concerns, contact the appropriate clinic or U.S. Naval Hospital Command Customer Relations at 643-7209. ACS Appointment at U.S. Consulate General, Naha Walk-in, non-emergency American Consular Services are no longer available. If you wish to make an appointment, visit http://naha.usconsulate.gov. Please schedule one appointment per person. ACS is no longer accepting handwritten passport applications. For online passport application click Passport Application Wizard at https://pptform.state.gov/. Print out the completed, unsigned application and bring it with you on the day of your appointment. No appointment necessary for Americans requiring emergency services including reporting incidents involving American citizens, replacement of urgently needed passports, emergency financial assistance to return to the U.S. ACS will be open Monday through Thursday, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. For more information call 098-876-4211 or send an email to NahaACS@state.gov. Sidewalk Repairs Construction will start on the "Repair Sidewalks" project Nov. 26. The project site is located on the west side of Schreiber Ave, in front of Emery Lanes, between the Post Office parking lot entrance and Adams Ave. Work includes removing the existing sidewalk and curb and replacing it with new sidewalk and curb. The project will take approximately 3 months. During this time this portion of the sidewalk will be closed and pedestrian will have to use the other side of Schreiber Ave. Entrance to the Bowling Center will be through CHILI's parking area. Finally, use extra caution when driving in the area since there are only two lanes of traffic with no center turning lane during construction. GPC Training The 18th Contracting Squadron will be holding GPC training at NCO Academy, Bldg 719, 2F, Erwin PME Center Auditorium, Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 18th Medical Group Closures The 18th Medical Group will be closed Dec. 9 for readiness training from 12-5 p.m., Dec. 23 for the PACAF Family Day, Dec. 24 in observance of Christmas Day, Dec. 30 for the PACAF Family Day, and Dec. 31 in observance of New Years Day. In case of emergency, please call 911 on-base, 119 off-base, 098-934-5911 from a cell phone, or go directly to the U.S. Naval Hospital Emergency Department. Tinsel Town Road Closures During the parade for Tinsel Town, Dec. 4, we will be temporarily closing Douglas Blvd from McKennon to Kuter from approximately 1:45-2:45 p.m. During the closure Security Forces will need to stop and re-route all traffic around the parade route. The Douglas AAFES service station/gas station will remain open and customers will need to utilize the back entrance/exit of the service station. Also from 1:45 p.m. until all floats clear from the Schilling Community Center area, Lemay St to Craw Dr will be shutdown to all customers and through traffic. Customers wanting to go the AAFES movie theater will have to use Sebille St on the west side of the Theater. All customers wanting to shop at the Exchange/Main Street and the Commissary will have to utilize the entrance on Rickenbaker on the front side of the stores. We ask that all patrons are patient and if they have any questions they can contact Senior Airman James E. Kipp at 634-0743/2783. Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training A Hazardous Waste Accumulation Point Manager's Training Class will be held Dec. 16 at the Environmental office, Bldg 3621. Registration for the class will begin at 7 a.m. and the class will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude about 3:30 p.m. Admission to the class for Primary and Alternate Accumulation Point Managers requires a copy of the current appointment letter. Individual letters are required for recordkeeping purposes, one letter admits one student. Unit Environmental Coordinators also require a current appointment letter. Supervisors who are required to attend, but are not active in the management of the accumulation point, and personnel taking the class for familiarization may attend without documentation. There will be a final exam at the end of the class. Questions should be directed to Mr. Mumper at 634-2117. For convenience we have a drink vending machine but no snack machine. If you want snacks please bring them. UPCOMING EVENTS AFSA monthly meeting The Air Force Sergeants' Association monthly meeting is scheduled Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Tee House restaurant and is open to all active-duty servicemembers and retirees. Please join us to hear what AFSA is doing for you. Free Cultural Seminar and Karate Demonstration The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Okinawa is hosting their second Cultural Seminar at Kadena. This event will be open to the first 100 Airmen and CGOs to sign up, target ages are 26 and younger. This event will be held in the Shilling Ballroom from 9:30-to-11:30 a.m. Dec. 2. This seminar will provide young Airmen and Officers with a better understanding of the Japanese culture and the historic ties the Military has with Okinawa. It will also include a speech from the MSG representative, Okinawa history briefing and a dynamic Karate demonstration. This is a very unique opportunity to gain a better appreciation for the Okinawan culture. For more information or any questions, contact Lt. Jamie Davis at jamie.davis@kadena.af.mil. Kokeshi Roller Dolls Roller Derby Team All-call Event The Kokeshi Roller Dolls Roller Derby Team is hosting an all-call event Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Ryukyu Middle School outdoor basketball court. This is an informational meeting for women interested in roller derby and becoming part of the team. You don't need experience, beginners are welcome. The all-call will cover what's expected, how to get your gear, and what roller derby is all about! No registration is required. The Kokeshi Roller Dolls team is open to females over the age of 18 with health insurance. For more information, write to kokeshirollerdolls@hotmail.com or check out the Kokeshi Roller Dolls on Facebook! A&FRC Holiday Open House The Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) would like to invite the Kadena Community to the Third Annual A&FRC Holiday Open House. The Open House will be held at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg 220, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to1 p.m. Join us for refreshments, holiday goodies, and more! Okinawa Marathon registration Application forms for the 2011 Okinawa Marathon and 10K Road Race, Feb. 20, will be available at Risner Gym from Dec. 3 until Dec. 28. Entrants must be over 16 and fees are non-refundable, must be paid in Yen only. Full marathon fees are 3,500 yen for 16-18 years old or over 65 years old, 4,500 yen for all others. 10 K race fees are 1,200 yen for 16-18 years old, 2,700 yen for all others. For more information, please call Risner Gym at 634-5128. Men Who Cook - POSTPONED! Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has postponed our annual Men Who Cook scholarship fundraiser scheduled Dec. 4. Thank you to all that continue to support our annual scholarship fundraiser! We will announce our new date soon and look forward to the community's support - let's continue to support our youth and our future! For more information/questions, please contact Levia Davis at 090-6865-5253 or LeviaDavis@docomo.blackberry.com. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Tinsel Town The Schilling Community Center is hosting Tinsel Town in celebration of the holiday season Dec. 4 from 2-8 p.m. in the Schilling Community Center parking lot. Volunteers needed to work several shifts. Please contact Clifton.holcomb@kadena.af.mil or 634-0365 for more information. Kadena Tax center The Kadena Tax Center is looking for volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Kadena has traditionally had one of the best tax programs in the Air Force. For tax year 2009, Kadena Tax Center Unit Tax Advisors (UTA) helped prepare 4,992 returns, saving servicemembers over $730,000 in tax preparation fees. For information or to submit UTA names, contact Elaine Reeves, Chief Tax Advisor, at 634-7825 or by e-mail at elaine.reeves@kadena.af.mil. OESC Thrift Store volunteers The OESC Thrift Store and Uncle Sam's Attic is always in need of hard working volunteers to sort donations, hang clothes, stock merchandise and help organize our uniform room. This is the perfect place to volunteer, have a great time, and get to know others - all while helping a worthy cause since our profits are donated to local American and Japanese charities and organizations. To volunteer simply come in during our business hours, read and fill out our volunteer handbook. Business hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kadena High School tutors Kadena High School is looking for volunteer tutors and mentors for the Homework Academy offered to students Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Susan Paul at susan.paul@pac.dodea.edu or 634-3455. Airmen Against Drunk Driving Each shift requires a three-person team: a dispatcher, a driver, and a passenger. The first shift goes from 9 p.m. to midnight, and the second from midnight - 3 a.m. Service will be provided on weekend nights during those hours to all Team Kadena members. AADD is located at the USO. Volunteers will have access to the internet, cable television, movies, and video games. Please contact the Executive Schedulers, Airman 1st Class Scott Cole or Senior Airman Jared Micks, to volunteer. You can also find us on global, listed under AADD Executive Council. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Committee The 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Day committee is looking for dedicated and flexible volunteers to lead several committees and sub-committees. 2011 will be Dr. King's 82nd birthday and the 25th anniversary of the National Holiday in his honor. Interested volunteers should contact Capt. Laquata Byrd, Master Sgt. Yolanda Batchelor or Tech. Sgt. Shayalondra Sims by email. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates We are looking for all previously-trained Victim Advocates on Kadena that would like to work with the program here. If you are a trained VA, and have the time to help, please send an email to 18WG.SARC@Kadena.af.mil to volunteer.