BRIEFS>>12-7-12

PASS, REGISTRATION OFFICE RELOCATES

The 19th Security Forces Squadron’s Pass and Registration office will relocate to Building 481, Suite 100 after normal duty hours today. The office will open for normal business at 7:30 a.m. Monday. Parking is available at Building 480.

AAFES CLOSING EARLY DEC. 9

AAFES will be closing the Main exchange complex and the lake side Express at 5 p.m. Dec. 9, one hour earlier than their regular operating hours so that employees will be able to enjoy their holiday function. Class 6/Express will remain open during regular hours.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed for Operation Cookie Drop for LRAFB Dorm Residents and 24-hour Ops work areas. Drop cookies off on a disposable plate between noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at Thomas Community and Activities Center. Volunteers are needed to bag cookies from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Dec. 18 at TCAC.For More Information and to volunteer, contact Staff Sgt. Amanda Chelchowski at 987-3539.

WORSHIP SERVICE  RELOCATION

Beginning Dec. 2, until further notice, all Sunday Protestant and Catholic Services/Mass will be moved to the Base Theater (Bldg 980) due to repairs and renovation to the A/C and heating system. All Religious Education, CaRE, Children’s Church services, PWOC, PYOC, PMOC, CWOC, CYOC, Sewing Group, Choir rehearsals, and fellowship activities will be held at the Chapel Annex and Religious Education Bldg during repairs to the Base Chapel Sanctuary. Daily Mass (11:30) (Tuesday - Friday) will be held at Base Chapel. For more information contact Chaplain Lt Col Francis Lowe or Major Randall Jamieson at 987-6014.

TIP FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Make a copy of your passport’s information page. Making a copy and keeping it separate from your passport is a well-known best practice for international travelers. However, you should also leave a copy with your Security Manager, Spouse or relatives who can fax it to you if necessary. Alternately, scan a copy into your computer and then upload it to a secure, password protected online storage system. That way, the information on your passport is accessible to you as long as you have an Internet connection.

TAX VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Little Rock Air Force Base Tax Center will open its doors Feb. 4, 2013, for the 2012 tax season. During the 2011 tax season, the Little Rock AFB Tax Center completed 1,167 tax returns for Team Little Rock, resulting in refunds totaling $1.7 million. All of these savings were made possible by volunteers who kept the Tax Center functioning. Tax Center volunteers are trained through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, receiving valuable education on completion of federal and state tax returns. At the conclusion of the VITA training, volunteers qualify as certified tax preparers, a crucial skill for managing their own financial affairs. Whether answering phones or completing returns, volunteers are instrumental in meeting the tax filing needs for hundreds of active duty, reservists, dependents, and retirees from the surrounding area. Training is tentatively scheduled for mid December 2012 and is a requirement for first time volunteers; optional for returning volunteers. The Tax Center is currently accepting volunteers for the upcoming 2012 tax season. If you are interested in becoming a Tax Center volunteer or have any questions about the VITA program, please call Capt. Nicholas Peone or Senior Airman Linae Totten at the Legal Office at (501) 987-7886.

THEATER CLOSING

The Little Rock Air Force Base theater will permanently close its doors after the last show Dec. 15. If you have any questions, contact Al Fuentes at the Base Exchange at 501-988-1180.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY TODAY

The base Christmas tree lighting will be held at 5 p.m. today in front of the TCAC. Refreshments and visit with Santa in the Chapel Annex following the ceremony. For further details, contact Base Chapel, 987-6014.

RETIREMENT CEREMONY

There will be a retirement ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Gregg Kollbaum, 314th Airlift Wing command chief, today from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Hangar 1080.

LODGING RATES INCREASE

As of Oct. 1, the Razorback Inn lodging rate increased. The rate increase was necessary to ensure Air Force lodging rates cover current operations and capital improvement costs. As an example, the previous $39 nightly room rate for a visiting quarters room increased to $53.25 and temporary lodging facilities increased from $43 to $55 per night. Even with the rate increase, Air Force rates are lower than comparable commercial rates off-base. “Coupled with quality service, clean facilities and reasonably priced room rates, Air Force lodging facilities are still a great choice for Airmen,” said Major General A.J. Stewart, AFPC Commander.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES AT CHAPEL

The base chapel offers Sunday School classes for children, teens, college/career and adults. Come out for Traditional Service at 8 a.m. or Contemporary Service at 11 a.m. Religious Education classes are held at 9:30 a.m. There’s something for everyone. For details, call Jo Ann Silvi at 987-7890.

TRAINING OFFERED

The 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron offers training on the following subjects: Block I: General Supply Indoctrination, Block IIA: Bench Stock Management, Block IIB: Repair Cycle Management and Block III: Equipment Management and Deployed Equipment Management. For additional information or to be scheduled for training please contact customer service at 501-987-3034 or 501-987-6201.

EXCHANGE HAS NEW HOURS

The Exchange Main Store has new hours.

The main store hours for Monday will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following hours have changed in the Food Court area:

Anthony’s Pizza: Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Charley’s: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Taco Bell: Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Starbuck’s: Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Subway is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 pm. Sundays.

For more information contact Sandy Crowley at crowleysj@aafes.com. Visit their online store at www.shopmyexchange.com.

AIRMAN’S ATTIC INFORMATION 

For any questions regarding the Airman’s Attic call Gennifer Terry at 501-952-4649.