McConnell Library Offers Pre-loaded Digital Audio Books

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE LIBRARY WRITES NEW CHAPTER IN CONVENIENCE, OFFERS PRE-LOADED PLAYAWAY® DIGITAL AUDIO BOOKS TO PATRONS


Each Palm-Sized Unit is Permanently Loaded with an Audio Book to Make Listening as Simple as Pressing Play; Bestselling Titles Available

McConnell AFB, KS – July 27, 2010 – McConnell AFB Library has begun to offer Playaway – the first self-playing digital audio book, adding the innovative HD Audio digital format to their existing audiobook collection.

Half the size of a deck of cards, Playaway is the simplest and best way to listen to a book on the go and – with no tapes or CDs - can hold up to eighty hours of HD Audio content on each unit. With every title recorded in HD Audio, Playaway’s audio quality is unsurpassed. Using clearly marked buttons, Playaway gives listeners the ability to move back and forth within or between chapters and alter the speed of a narrator’s voice. It even has an automatic bookmark feature that remembers where you left off. Additionally, Playaway has a universal headphone jack that works with almost any type of headphone or mobility accessory.

“Playaway’s simple functionality and immediate usability separate it from other audio book formats,” said Darla Cooper, Library Director. “With Playaway, our patrons can enjoy best-selling content with first-rate digital audio.”


We have numerous titles on Playaway, including many selections for children, language learning programs, bestselling adult fiction, and classics. And because the Playaway format is friendly for listeners of all ages, every patron can enjoy the new format.

“With Playaway, we set out to create a product that was portable, technologically simple and easy to use, and it’s been a perfect fit for libraries,” said Caroline Barni, Director of Marketing + PR, Findaway World. “In fact, 99% of our current library customers would recommend Playaway to another library. We are excited to have provided such a welcome audio format for this important channel.”

For more information about Playaway at the McConnell AFB Library, please call 759-4207 or visit the library.

About the Playaway Format

Playaway is the simplest way to listen to digital content on the go. It comes with the HD Audio content already pre-loaded on it and a battery to make it play. Simply plug in earbuds and enjoy. Each Playaway weighs only two ounces and has a universal jack.

Playaway is Made Possible by Findaway World

Findaway World, a privately held company based in Cleveland, Ohio, is dedicated to delivering simple and immediate access to content consumers want or need. Their latest product, Playaway, is the first digital audio player of its kind, coming pre-loaded with premier content from leading publishers, authors, record labels, and artists. Learn more about the company and the product at www.playaway.com.

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Friends From Sesame Street to Visit McConnell on Saturday, July 24

The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families is a FREE, 25-minute show created just for military families! Shows are at 10am and 1pm in the Dole Community Center Ballroom. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.


The show is designed to address the concerns of military families dealing with deployments and the associated hardships. It features Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Rosita and Zoe singing and dancing and touches on how to cope when a parent or other relative is far from home.

The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families is the latest project in the “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative, which Sesame Workshop launched in 2006. The initiative provides support and resources for military families with young children who are experiencing the effects of deployment, multiple deployments or when a parent comes home injured.

“What we bring military children is an opportunity to take a break from their daily challenges,” says Lynn Chwatsky, Sesame Workshop’s Senior Director for Outreach Initiatives and Partners. “We know how hard it is to be in a military family. We know they’re constantly facing transitions, such as getting ready for deployment and homecomings. Some of their moms or dads are on their third or fourth deployment. Some parents are coming home changed. We want to get children singing and dancing.”

To date, the tour is the longest-running entertainment tour in USO history and the first-ever traveling USO tour designed specifically for military families. The tour has been traveling around the world for more than two consecutive years and bringing smiles to more than 150,000 service members and military families.

FREE Resouce for Families: Military OneSource

Take advantage of a free resource designed to help military families have all the information they need to make informed decisions and handle any issues that arise before they become a problem.

 

Military OneSource provides the following list of some issues they can help you with: 

• Counseling services for personal and relationship issues
•  face-to-face with a trained counselor in your area
• via telephone with a Military OneSource consultant 
• online in a secure real-time "chat" format with a Military OneSource consultant 
• Child care and parenting issues
• Deployment and reunion issues
• Education. 
• K-12 
• College 
• Special needs
• Spouse training, education, and career 
• Elder care issues
• Money matters
• Legal issues
• Violence and trauma
• Relocation
• Transition to civilian life
• Healthy habits 
• Consumer issues and travel
• Translation assistance
• Language interpretation

Military OneSource is a FREE service provided by the Department of Defense to active duty, Guard and Reserve service members and their families (Retiring and separating service members are eligible for six months following their separation.). Master’s-level consultants provide assistance and resources for numerous issues. Help and information are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If the consultants, most of whom have military experience and all of whom have been trained on military culture, don’t know the answer to your question, they’ll find it.

 

Services are available online and by phone. Free counseling services (up to 12 sessions per person, per issue), can be accessed face-to-face in the local community, by telephone, and online. Consultants answer the phone “live” and respond to e-mailed questions. They will also follow up with you to make sure you received the answers you need.

 

To talk to a consultant dial 1-800-342-9647. He or she will listen to concerns, discuss them with you, and then help assess the situation. The consultant will go over a privacy statement with you to let you know about confidentiality. In most cases, your interactions will be kept private and confidential. Some of the actions your consultant can take include:
• helping you make a plan to resolve your issues or concerns
• providing customized research
• referring you to resources in your community
• referring you to a specialist or counselor online or in your area for short-term counseling, and
• sending you helpful materials.

 

You can also visit the website, www.MilitaryOneSource.com . There you will find numerous resources which you can view online, order to be mailed, or download - all free of charge. Online resources include: articles, CDs, booklets, videos, search tools, calculators, quizzes and assessments, discussion boards and webinars.

AMC and McConnell Looking for Air Force Marathon Participants

The 14th annual United States Air Force Marathon will be held September 18, 2010 at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. Air Mobility Command is sponsoring an active duty team comprised of both male and female runners representing various age groups to compete in the full marathon. Team members will be selected based upon a submitted AF Form 303. The completed forms should be submitted through the base Fitness Center by July 23. Those selected will be notified by HQ AMC/A1S and placed on Permissive TDY for the marathon.

In addition to the official AMC competitive team, all others interested in competing in the Air Force Marathon are encouraged to do so at their own expense.  If McConnell has enough registered runners, they will be able to provide a KC-135 to get you there and back. Send confirmation of your registration to MSgt Chris Phillips (chris.phillips-02@mcconnell.af.mil), and feel free to e-mail him with any questions.

Events include a wheelchair division of the marathon (consisting of hand-cranked and push-rim divisions), half marathon, individual 10K, and 5K. The USAF Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K are held on 18 September and the 5K race is held on 17 September at Wright State University.

Please visit the USAF Marathon website at www.usafmarathon.com to register or the Fitness Center for additional information.

Lyle Lovett Concert - FREE for DePLAYment Tag Holders

ITT has organized a tour to see Lyle Lovett at the Opheum Theatre in downtown Wichita on July 31 at 8pm. It is FREE for DePLAYment tag holders and $57 for everyone else. Register at ITT with your DePLAYment tags by July 22. Hurry! There are limited tickets available.


The bus will depart 6:30 pm from the Dole Community Center for the Orpheum. It should return to the Dole Center around 11pm.

Lyle Lovett is a great American singer/songwriter. He is currently on tour supporting his most recent album, Natural Forces. For 30 years, he has entertained fusing blues, country, folk, gospel and jazz. He is a four-time Grammy winner in a career that spans 14 albums and more than 4 million records sold and has created his own style of Americana. Lyle’s LARGE BANK is a formidable musical collective. It’s a swinging Texas big band one minute; and R&B unit the next; and uptown jazz orchestra the one after that; and then a righteous gospel outfit. Lyle possesses one of the most distinctive voices in music.

For more information, contact ITT at (316) 759-6007.

Mark Your Calendars for July Events

July Events

Sail-a-bration 2011 Cruise Specials from ITT

Book now for next year's cruise vacation to lock in great deals. Visit ITT in the Dole Community Center for more information on the following cruise specials.

February 28, 2011: Century, 5-night Western Caribbean
Miami, Key West, Cozumel, Miami
Inside: $472.80 per person
Oceanview: $588.40 per person
Balcony: $728.40 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

March 27, 2011: Freedom of the Seas, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Port Canaveral, St Thomas, St. Maarten, Port Canaveral
Inside: $805.85 per person
Oceanview: $919.85 per person
Balcony: $1135.85 per person
Receive a $100 onboard ship credit per cabin!

April 9, 2011: Norwegian Sun, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Port Canaveral, Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Port Canaveral
Inside: $649.91 per person
Oceanview: $919.85 per person
Balcony: $939.91 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

May 28, 2011: Liberty of the Seas, 7-night Western Mediterranean
Barcelona, Spain; Toulon, France; Villefranche (Nice), France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Naples, Italy; Capri, Italy; Barcelona, Spain
Inside: $1027.56 per person
Oceanview: $1357.56 per person
Balcony: $1457.56 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

June 10, 2011: Rhapsody of the Seas, 7-night Sawyer Glacier, Alaska
Seattle; Alaska Inside Passage; Juneau; Skagway; Tracy Arm Fjord; Victoria, British Columbia; Seattle
Inside: $939.17 per person
Oceanview: $1069 per person
Balcony: $1879 per person
Receive a $50 onboard ship credit per cabin!

August 27, 2011: Norwegian Star, 7-night Alaska
Seattle; Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; Seattle
Inside: $881.64 per person
Oceanview: $1121.64 per person
Balcony: $1501.64 per person

November 20, 2011: Mariner of the Seas, 7-night Western Caribbean
Galveston; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Galveston
Inside: $747.95 per person
Oceanview: $917.95 per person
Balcony: $1027.95 per person
Receive a $100 onboard ship credit per cabin!

November 26, 2011: Eclipse, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
Miami, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Miami
Inside: $688.72 per person
Oceanview: $888.72 per person
Balcony: $958.72 per person
Receive a $75 onboard ship credit per cabin!

Prices include port charges and taxes. All prices are in US Dollars. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are cruise only. Certain restrictions may apply. Rates may be subject to change and availability. The comapnies may reinstate the fuel supplement for guests should the price of light sweet crude oil rise.

Volunteer Opportunity with American Overseas Schools Historical Society

Did you know there are American schools all over the world for the children of American military and DoD civilians stationed overseas? The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State currently operate or assist with more than 300 schools in more than 100 countries. There are also more than 600 privately owned American schools abroad.

The history of these schools is housed right here in Wichita by the American Overseas Schools Historical Society. The mission of AOSHS is to collect, record, and preserve the unique history of educating American children and youth abroad; and to enhance public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the contributions made by American educators and their students in the advancement of democracy around the world.

The office/museum is located at 704 W. Douglas Avenue. It contains a small museum and two large rooms of memorabilia (most of which is still in boxes) sent in by former or retired overseas educators, or schools that have closed with the draw-down of troops overseas. AOSHS is presently looking for volunteers to help out in the office a few hours a week. They may soon be looking for part time employees to help keep the office open a few hours a day as well.

If you are interested in volunteering or employment please give the office manager, Sara, a call to set up an appointment to visit our facility. If you are in the area at any time stop by the office. Office hours vary during the summer, but if you catch Sara there she'd be glad to show you around. You can also call ahead at 316-265-6837.

For more information on the AOSHS, visit their website at http://www.aoshs.org/.

Did You Know?: Your Kids Can Use the Fitness Center Too

Not sure what to do with your kids while you’re working out? Bring them with you. Young children are welcome in the supervised play area of the Family Room where you can work out and watch them at the same time. Starting at age 10, youth may use the Family Room cardio and weight equipment following these stipulations:

• Become a registered user in the Youth Center’s Fit Factor program.
• Both the child and a parent must attend and complete an introductory course provided by the HAWC.
• The child will be issued an “Introductory Course Completed” card which they must keep with them at all times while using the facility.
• Must be under the direct supervision of a parent at all times.
• Use is restricted to the Family Room ONLY.
• Remember, safety, safety, safety!


Other stipulations for youth in the Fitness Center are as follows:

16 years of age and older: Unrestricted use of all Fitness Center facilities and equipment. They do not need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

13-15 years of age: All cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms require interactive supervision from an adult (parent, legal guardian, coach, or qualified fitness or youth center staff member). For other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track), a parent or legal guardian must be in the facility.

6-12 years of age: Access to all cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms is prohibited (with the exception of the Family Room for ages 10-12). Other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track) require interactive supervision from an adult at all times.

Under 6 years of age: Not allowed in the facility, with the exception of those facilities providing a parent/child area (PCA) for supervised play and/or those children who are supervised spectators at a sports or special event.
For information, contact the Fitness Center at (316) 749-4009.

Using Social Media as a Member of the Air Force

There has been a lot of discussion about members of the military using social media, such as facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Leadership understands the need for airmen to connect with family and friends across the country and the world. In fact, as of 26 April the Air Force cleared the following 30 social media websites for access on government computers:

• myspace.com
• facebook.com
• flickr.com
• photobucket.com
• mail.yahoo.com
• mail.google.com
• hotmail.com
• blogger.com
• twitter.com
• wordpress.com
• youtube.com
• hi5.com
• linkedin.com
• friendster.com
• webmail.aol.com
• chat.aim.com
• orkut.com
• mtv.com
• metacafe.com
• groups.google.com
• stumbleupon.com
• classmates.com
• myyearbook.com
• xanga.com
• moveabletype.com
• live365.com
• livejournal.com
• imgur.com
• gotomeeting.com

The Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Emerging Technology Division has created a guide to help airmen navigate the fine line between sharing information with friends and family and violating OPSEC and other Air Force regulations. It is entitled “New Media and the Air Force” and is available online at http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090406-036.pdf. This guide shares valuable information for participating in social media and creating your own website or blog. We will highlight some of the most important information here, but encourage you to read through the guide if you are considering blogging or dialoging in any way about your Air Force career.

The Air Force is engaged in social media as well. They have created a profile in Facebook called Hap Arnold (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1409442190) to interact with Airmen all over the world. There are five Air Force-produced Podcasts available at www.af.mil/newmedia.asp. Over on YouTube, the Air Force has created a channel called AirForceBlueTube. Air Force Link (www.af.mil) is the official Web site of the U.S. Air Force and the official blog is http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/.

When engaging in social media it is important to communicate effectively and safely. Airmen are considered to be on duty and representing the Air Force at all times. Actions outside the workplace are still subject to the UCMJ. Think about the photos, videos and details you are posting on social networks. You can lose your job over a photo or comment posted online. Employers use social media too. Adversaries also use social media to their advantage. Don’t help them out by posting details or photos revealing classified information.

Some Basic Guidelines for Blogging and other Social Media
Use common sense!
Don’t give classified info. Think before you speak or film and ask someone if you’re not sure.
Avoid the offensive. It’s not okay to post things that are vulgar, obscene, profane, libelous, illegal, or hate speech.
Avoid copyright and trademark issues. Get permission from the copyright owner before posting protected information or material.
Don’t violate privacy. Write whatever you want about yourself, but don’t violate someone else’s privacy.
Avoid endorsements. Using the Air Force name to promote an opinion or product is not okay.
Use Disclaimers
Blog about what you know.
Don’t lie! Giving a false statement is punishable by the UCMJ.
Give your opinion! But make sure you state that it’s not the organization’s opinion and distinguish opinion from fact.
Always identify yourself. This makes you more credible. Don’t try and disguise or misrepresent you identity either.
Be aware of the image you present.
Remember, the enemy is engaged!

Did You Know?: Armed Force Vacation Clubs

The Armed Forces Vacation Club is another of the many exclusive benefits for the Armed Forces. It is a space available program offering military and Department of Defense personnel accommodations around the world, starting as low as $369 per unit, per week. The AFVC is part of Wyndham Worldwide and has access to more than 200,000 vacation rentals in more than 80 countries.

 

Active and retired military are eligible, as well as DOD employees and select civilian employees in military support role. There are a variety of rental programs including:

 

• “Space A”: 7 nights condominium lodging for $369 USD.
• “High Demand”: Weekly resort condos in high-demand location and during peak season at varied rates
• “Nightly Getaways”: The convenience and amenities of a resort condo at a reduced nightly rate
• “Special Offers”: Special deals from independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. May also include car rental and river cruise discounts, emergency roadside assistance, and more.

 

For additional information on booking and eligibility, visit www.afvclub.com or call 1-800-724-9988.

Club Members Eligible for $25,000 in Scholarship Awards

Air Force Club Scholarship program is a members-only program developed to help club members and their families defray the cost of higher education. Twenty-five winners will each receive a $1,000 award. Applicants must be accepted by or enrolled in an accredited college or university for the fall 2010 term. Student enrollment status may be either undergraduate or graduate curriculum

Entrants must provide a 500 word or less essay entitled “What does it mean to be a part of the Air Force Family?” Entry forms and eligibility information are available at Force Support Activities or at www.afclubs.net. Applications will be accepted from May 3 to July 1, 2010. Entries should be hand delivered to Ellen Weaver, Club Manager, at her office in the Dole Community Center. Winners will be announced on September 17, 2010 and awards will be mailed to the Force Support Squadron Commander for distribution.

Essays must be:
• 500 words or less, excluding title (Essays exceeding 500 words will be disqualified.)
• Typed in MS Word 12-point Arial or Times New Roman Font
• Single-spaced, with double-spacing between paragraphs
• One-inch top and bottom margin, and 1.25 inch left and right margin
• Submitted on CD

Essay package must include:
• CD containing essay with participant name, date and word count (do not put Social Security Number on the disk)
• Entry form included in the brochure (photocopies accepted). Make sure all information marked with an asterisk* is provided.
• Current College/University acceptance letter for new students or official transcripts for those already enrolled

Essays not meeting these parameters will be automatically disqualified. Submit your entry no later than July 1, 2010. All nominees’ entries received by HQ AFSVA/SVOF will be advised of scholarship selection or non-selection. Only one essay per eligible person will be accepted.

Current Air Force Club Members and their family members (e.g. spouse, son, daughter, stepson, and stepdaughter) who have been accepted by or are enrolled in an accredited college or university for entry during the fall of 2010 term as a part-time or full-time student are eligible. Grandchildren who are dependents of the club member are also eligible.

Force Support Squadron/Services commanders/directors, deputy commanders, division chiefs, flight chiefs, club managers, assistant club managers, marketing directors, staffs of MAJCOMs, HQ AFSVA, and HQ USAF/A1S and family members of these individuals are not eligible to participate.

Requirements are strictly enforced. Not meeting the requirements will result in disqualification. To download an entry form or to view last year’s winning entries, please visit www.afclubs.net.

For more information, contact Ellen Weaver at (316) 759-4330 or ellen.weaver@mcconnell.af.mil.

What is the Military & Family Life Consultant Program?

The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) Program to provide short-term, non-medical counseling services for service members and their families. These services are focused on issues specific to the military lifestyle such as:

• Stress related to the deployment cycle
• relocation adjustment,
• loss and grief,
• homesickness,
• separation,
• building resiliency, and
• reintegration and reunion
• developing and using coping skills

MFLC’s also provide coaching and counseling on life skills issues such as:

• anger management, 
• communication, 
•  relationship issues,
• productivity at work,
• conflict resolution,
• parenting, and
• problem-solving and decision-making skills.

The MFLC Program is intended to partner with and augment existing military counseling and helping services. MFLC’s offer flexible appointment times and locations, including locations off the military installation. Their services are free and no records are kept. Please note that consultants are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic abuse, and duty-to-warn situations. Otherwise services are confidential and private.

All MFLC’s are masters or doctoral-level, licensed mental health professions. They work with families, individuals, couples, families and groups to provide non-medical problem identification and counseling services. They will address individual and family issues and provide crisis intervention when needed. All situations requiring formal mental health services will be referred to a military treatment facility or local clinical mental health providers. MFLCs may be assigned to a location for a 30 – 90 day rotation.

The program also offers consultation specializing in child and youth behavioral issues. Child and youth behavioral MFLC’s provide support to military children and youth and their family members or other adults who support them. Support can be provided in a variety of ways including groups facilitated at child and youth program sites, parent and staff training sessions, or direct intervention in classroom, camp or family childcare situations, including assisting staff in setting and managing behavioral boundaries. Examples of issues that may be addressed include:

• adjusting to school
• deployment and separation
• adjusting to the return home of a military parent
• family (sibling and parent-child) communications,
• behavioral concerns,
• fear, grief and loss; and
• other common developmental issues.

The MFLC Program serves all branches of the military and guard/reserve components. Additional “on-demand” services for guard and reserve units include briefings and counseling support for drill weekends and family events on topics such as the deployment cycle, communication, relationships, and grief and loss. Presentations are customized according the age and type of audience and the need for specific kinds of information.

To obtain information or to make an appointment, call (316) 706-4238 for adults or families and (316) 706-9672 for children and youth.

Fit Family Healthy Recipes

Chili

Every cook has a favorite chili recipe - we think this one will be yours. Like many other soups and stews, it tastes best when made the day before, allowing the flavors to mingle.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable oil spray

1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetable oil spray

2 Large onions, chopped

2 8 ounce cans no salt added tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups water

2 to 4 medium garlic cloves, minced

2 15 ounce cans no salt added pinto beans, rinsed if desired and drained

3 Tablespoon chili powder

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or

1 teaspoon dried, crumbled oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste

Pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup of cold water

Cooking Instructions
 

1. Heat a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Remove from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray (being careful not to spray near a gas flame). Return the pan to the heat and cook the beef for 4 to 5 minutes, or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Pour into a colander and rinse under hot water to remove excess fat. Drain well. Set aside. Wipe the skillet with a paper towel.

2. Heat the saucepan over medium high heat. Remove from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray. Return the pan to the heat and cook the onions for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender.

3. Stir in the beef, tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups water, and garlic. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.

4. Stir in the beans, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt if desired, cayenne, and pepper. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 to 40 minutes.

5. Put the cornstarch in a cup. Add 1/4 cup water, stirring to dissolve. Stir into the chili mixture. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until desired consistency.

Yeilds 6 Servings
285 Calories per serving

Visit www.USAFFitFamily.com for this recipe and more!

Help Wounded OEF Veterans

Have you been wondering how you can help our injured heroes? New and gently used pajamas, sweats and blankets are being collected for Americans wounded in Afghanistan. Patients are evacuated from Afghanistan in the middle of the night and endure a cold, loud, seven-hour flight. Most have had their clothes cut off when they arrive in the emergency room. A constant supply of comfortable clothing is essential to their comfort and recovery. Because so many people pass through, it is often difficult to keep clothing on the shelves. Donations help ensure no one goes without. They are requesting:

• Sweat pants (average size large)
• Socks
• Underwear
• Sweatshirts
• Blankets
• Monetary donations to cover shipping fees

Donations can be dropped off at the McConnell Flight Medicine Clinic with SrA Babicki or A1C Zimmerman. Call (316) 759-5116 for more information.

We Want Your Opinion

The 22d FSS is getting ready to launch a new Web site, www.refuelmcconnell.com We're trying out some new things and we'd love to know what you think about them. We also want you to weigh in on what you'd like to see on the Web site in the future. We want this Web site to be customer-friendly and need you, the customers, to tell us if we're hitting the mark or not. Feel free to comment on the Web site itself, or come back here and leave your comments on this post. Thanks for your help!

Demystifying Club Card Choice

Now that the Club Membership Drive is in full swing, it’s important to know the differences between the types of membership cards you have to choose from.

In order to join the Club, you must sign up for one of the two types of cards, the MasterCard or the Proprietary Card. Please note that both cards report to the credit bureau.

The MasterCard comes with a free, cash-back rewards program, $1,000 minimum credit line, and is accepted on and off base. The Proprietary Card does not have a rewards program, comes with a $500 maximum credit line, and is only accepted in services activities. Again, both cards will report to the credit bureau.

If you have further questions about the differences between the cards or club membership in general, please contact Club McConnell at 759-4330.

Air Force Hoops Hits McConnell

Air Force Hoops is here!

Come by and pick up a game piece at participating food and beverage activities, including Tornado Alley's Twister Cafe, Debbie's and the Storm Cellar at Club McConnell. Go to www.AFHoops.com and register online using the code on the game piece. Up to 10 brackets may be played. Picks can be made and changed, but final picks for all rounds mus be submitted by 6:00am EST, 18 March 10.

The Air Force first place prize of $10,000 is sponsored by Coca Cola. The second place receives $5,000; third place is $2,500, fourth place is $1,000.

The storm Cellar will host Friday Night "Watch Parties" on March 19, March 26, April 13, and the Championship Game April 5. Club McConnell members who registered their brackets online will be randomly drawn to win $300, $200, and $100 after the Championship Game. You must be present to win.

Not a Club McConnell member? now is the perfect time to sign up. Sign up between 1 March 10 and 31 May 10 you will receive the first 6 months free. Applications can be found in the Dole Community Center and the Cashiers Cage.

Fit Family

Potato Soup

Ingredients
Onion, chopped 3/4 cup (1 medium)
Potatoes, peeled, diced 4 - 1/2 cups
Margarine 1 tablespoon
Flour 3 tablespoons
Whole milk 1 Quart

PREPARATION TIME: 25 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 15 MINUTES
1. Place onions and potatoes in sauce pan.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Simmer until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.

2. Melt margarine in saucepan. Add flour and
stir until smooth. Heat to thicken.

3. Add onions and potatoes to milk mixture,
and heat to serving temperature.

Yields 4 Serving, about 1 cup each,
plus 4 servings for another meal

PER SERVING:
Calories 190
Total fat 6 grams
Saturated fat 3 grams
Cholesterol 17 milligrams
Sodium 325 milligrams

Click here for more great recipes!

Check out the Fit Family website for nutritional tips, healthy recipes, and to test your fitness knowledge. Register your family today to start earning your points toward a more Fit Family.

http://www.usaffitfamily.com/

Help the School Age Program Feed Hungry Kansas Kids

The School Age Program at McConnell supports Food 4 Kids, a statewide program of the Kansas Food Bank, and they need your help. For many children, the hot meals they receive during the school day may be the best or only meals they eat on a week day. But what happens over the weekend when the school meal program isn’t available to them? Many of them will go hungry until Monday morning.

Food 4 Kids was established to help children who are not getting enough to eat outside of school on a regular basis. The program provides 5,000 of the state’s hungriest children with packs of food in their backpack on Friday afternoon to get them through to Monday.

A donation box is located in the Base Commissary. Items needs are:
• Peanut Butter (12oz jars)
• Crackers (Packaged in sleeves within the box, such as Saltines)
• Beans and Franks/Chili (In a pop-top can)
• Cereal (1oz boxes or bowls)
• Fruit Cups
• Applesauce Cups
• Raisins (snack-size boxes)
• Pudding Cups
• Juice Boxes
• Milk (aseptic pack boxes that do not require refrigeration)
• Cereal Bars or Granola Bars

For more information, contact the School Age Program at 759-6859. You can also visit www.ksfoodbank.org to learn more about the programs of the Kansas Food Bank and the issue of hunger in the state of Kansas.

Starting Today, Receive Extra Benefits When You Join Club McConnell

Club McConnell’s Membership Drive kicks off on today. New members joining between March 1 and May 30 will receive added benefits. Those benefits are six months free dues, a cash-back rewards program, a chance to win $5 - $100 instantly upon application, and a gift certificate for Debbie’s Snack Bar and Grill, soon to be Deb’s Café.
There will also be a squadron competition during this period. The squadron with the most new members joining will receive 10% off their holiday party at Club McConnell.
Club McConnell offers members numerous discounts on meals and special functions, an annual $25,000 scholarship program, Football Frenzy, Air Force Hoops, and other members-only programs.
There will be a kick-off event held at the Storm Cellar on Friday, March 12 at 4pm. Stop by to fill out an application, enjoy food and drink specials, and pick up your Air Force Hoops game pieces. Applications will also be available in the Club and other services activities.
Join now – the first six months are on us! For more information, contact Club McConnell at 759-4330.

Princess Ball Video Recap

Enter the Video Short Competition at MyAirForceLife.com for the Chance to Win Great Prizes

Fancy yourself the next Spielberg or Scorcese?  Want to share your Air Force Story?

MyAirForceLife.com is now hosting an exciting video competition and the winners will receive great prizes.  From now through April 4, submit your video competition entries on www.myairforcelife.com.  The earlier you submit the more time you will have to garner votes from the public.  The videos with the highest number of votes will be finalists. 

Entries should be 30 to 60-second videos reflecting a story of why the Air Force is a great place to live, work, and play.  Airman and eligible patrons of Air Force MWR Programs may enter. 

Visitors to the site will view and vote for their favorites.  Users who register on the site during the competition period will be eligible to win FlipVideo cameras. 

There will be both youth and adult categories and visitors will select one winner in each.  Their prizes will be an Apple MacBook and Pansonic digital video camera valued at $2,000.  The adult winner’s video will be aired on the Pentagon channel and Army and Air Force Exchange Service channel. 

MyAirForceLife.com is part of the Year of the Air Force Family.  More details about the contest and the Year of the Air Force Family are available at www.myairforcelife.com 

Community Center Needs Breakdancers

McConnell Players Community Theater Group is looking for individuals who can breakdance to be a part of the spring production – “Totally 80’s – Like Gag Me with a Spoon!” So break out the moves and call 759-6023 if you are interested.

Youth Center Now Accepting Applications for Summer Aviation and Space Camps

Teen Aviation Camp 2010: The 2010 AF Services Teen Aviation Camp will be held the week of 5-10 Jun 10 at the USAFA in Colorado Springs, CO. Lodging, meals, and program cost will be centrally funded at no cost to the participant. The camp is for high school students entering their sophomore or junior year in the fall of 2010 who are interested in aviation, leadership, or USAFA. Applications are due by March 31. Contact or come by the Youth Center for more information.

Air Force Space Camp 2010: Air Force (AF) and Services Child and Youth Programs are sponsoring the AF Space Camp Program at the US Space and Rocket Center, in Huntsville AL for 2010. Forty-eight scholarships are available for youth, ages 12-18, to participate in the AF Space Camp Program. The camp is divided into two age divisions: 32 youth, ages 12-14, will be selected to participate in the Space Academy and 16 teens, ages 15-18, for the Advanced Space Academy. The camp is 25-30 Jul 10. The program is open to family members of Active Duty Military assigned to or living on an AF installation, AF retired Military, AF Civilian Employees, or activated Air National Guard or AF Reserve. Applications are due April 30. Contact the Youth Center for more information or stop by for application.

Welcome

Welcome to "What's the Buzz?," the blog for the 22d FSS Marketing Office at McConnell AFB, KS.  We're excited to connect with our customers in this new way.  Visit us often for updates, interesting facts about our services, and fun stuff we want to share directly with you.  We would LOVE to have your feedback on what you like and don't like and what you want to see here and on our Web site (http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/).  Please leave comments below each post or e-mail us at marketing@fssmarketing.kscoxmail.com.