IDS Meeting Highlights

5 January 2012 @ 0800 hours

1.      Comprehensive Airmen Fitness (CAF) funds may or may not be available for 2012 but the IDS needs to be ready should money become available.  If you have any ideas for projects the CAF funds might support please contact Ch Glass.

2.      The CDC currently has hourly childcare available.  Applicants must follow the guidelines children in full time care follow (shot records and other paperwork on file).  There are also full time slots available at both the CDC and home care providers.

3.      The EFMP kickoff for 2012 will be held at the Balfour Beatty Community Center on 13 January from 5PM to 8PM.

4.      Parent Advocates for Students & Schools (PASS) is holding an organizational meeting on 18 January.  You may attend either the 12 noon or 5:30 PM meeting.  The meetings will take place at the Balfour Beatty Community Center.

5.      A sensory friendly showing of the movie Happy Feet 2 will be offered at the base theater on 28 January at 2PM.  Sensory friendly showings leave the lights in the theater up, the volume is lower and there are no trailers or previews for the kids to sit through.  it's OK for kids to move and walk around also.   Hopefully an exemption for children with special dietary needs will be made so that snacks can be brought from home for this showing.

6.      The new gym is set to open on 5 March.  The HAWC and both (old and new) gyms will be closed 27 February through 4 March for the move to the new building.  Fitness testing will begin in the new space on 21 February.   An official grand opening will be announced later.  The likely date will be sometime in mid March.

IDS Meeting Highlights

1 December 2011 @ 0800 hours

There has been a large number of turnovers among the First Sergeants recently.  Many brand new master sergeants are holding the slots temporarily.  Just be aware some issues may fall through the cracks.

The HAWC is beginning a new Healthy Lifestyles Class on January 10^th.  The classes will be every Tuesday for 12 weeks-  afternoon or evening classes are available. The focus is on pre-diabetes but anyone interested in developing better eating habits may attend on a space available basis.  Call 247-8171 to register for the class.

The latest on the drug and alcohol front is gummy bears and jelly bellies soaked in vodka.  Even elementary age kids have been caught snacking on these in school.

There were more positive drug tests on the base last month than in all of last year.

Airmen and Family Readiness Center reports 12 newly trained key spouses.

Also Operation Home Front will offer a free viewing of Cars 2 at the base theater on December 3^rd from 2-4 PM.  Free popcorn and drinks will be provided.  Santa will be there and will distribute free toys.  Doors open at 1 PM.

Belfour Beatty Community Center is hosting a Santa’s Workshop on Dec 17^th at 11 AM.  Kids can come and ‘shop’ for gifts for parents and siblings.  The gifts will be wrapped for them while they visit Santa for pictures and enjoy refreshments.

On Dec 19^th the Community Center will have gift wrapping available.  You may either bring your gifts to wrap (they provide the paper and bows) or they will wrap them for you.

IDS Meeting Highlights

3 November 2011 @ 0800 hours

1. DUIs and attempted suicides continue to be a problem here at Fairchild.  There were 4 DUIs, at least 1 involving under age drinking, last week end and 1 attempted suicide.  The IDS spent most of it's time discussing ways to address, intervene and/or deter.  Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

2. The Red Cross Heroes on the Homefront luncheon is 1 week from today.   RSVP are due to the Red Cross office today.

3. December 3rd is the date of the next Operation Home Front. Operation Home Front is opening the base theater to a free showing of Cars 2 along with a small drink and small popcorn.

4. The new fitness center is set to open on 2 February 2012.

5. Wingman day is November 18th.  special training will be provided for the active duty.  The clinic and pharmacy will be closed that day.

IDS Meeting Notes

6 October 2011

17 October will be the date of the Military Family Caucus sponsored by Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers. The visit will begin at the AF Reserve Center at 7:15 for a briefing then move to Michael Anderson School for a tour at 8:15. The group will return to the AFRC for a 9AM panel discussion. All spouses are encouraged to attend this meeting. The base is hoping to have 200 people attend, more would be great. It will be an opportunity to express concerns at a federal level not just a Fairchild level. A Fairchild All email has gone out with information on how to RSVP directly to the congresswoman’s office. You will be given an opportunity at the time of the RSVP to express any questions you would like the group from Washington to address.

The first break out session will begin at 10:15. These will be lead by staffers from DC in smaller classrooms. There will also be Fairchild representatives to answer local issues but the emphasis should be on things congress could address. The sessions will be: Employment, Healthcare Issues, Housing and Guard/Reserve issues.

The second break out will begin at 11:30 and will cover: EFMP, Deployment/ Manning/ In Garrison Issues and another Guard/Reserve issues

A large group will wrap up the caucus  at 1 PM and close at 1:30. There will be a state wide veteran’s roundtable meeting later that afternoon.

The Town Hall Meeting for Belfour Beatty will be at 7 PM at the Deel on October 12^th.

A hay ride for residents will take place on November 4^th at 4PM. The meeting place for this event will be the housing office on the corner of Eaker and Bong streets.

Tops in Blue will perform at the Northern Quest Casino on November 6^th at 7PM. One of Fairchild’s own is in the cast! Please come out and see this year’s show.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is an information table set out in the lobby at the clinic with all kinds of goodies for ladies and information regarding breast cancer screening. The clinic will also have a booth set up at the BX- date TBD.

*** Please refer to the Members-only menu (viewable when signed in) to read the official October IDS meeting minutes. ***