Issue 4 - Ft. Bliss
Transcription
Issue 4 - Ft. Bliss
fall into fort bliss celebrate fun | celebrate family | celebrate family and mwr FALL 2 0 1 1 w w w. b l i s s m w r . c o m NO PROBLEM! NO CREDIT? NEED CREDIT? one world. one voice. one magazine. FALL 2011 VOLUME SEVEN • ISSUE THREE one great staff. COMMANDING GENERAL Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard GARRISON COMMANDER Col. Joseph A. Simonelli, Jr. BEDROOMS DFMWR DIRECTOR Mark A. Cauthers ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE Peggy Brown BUSINESS OPERATIONS Ronald Telles CHILD, YOUTH & SCHOOL SERVICES Pat Smith NAF SUPPORT MANAGER Indri O’Hara LIVING ROOMS DINING ROOMS GAME SYSTEMS COMPUTERS TELEVISIONS CAR STEREOS TIRES AND RIMS SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE • QUALITY MERCHANDISE • IMMEDIATE DELIVERY • ALLOTMENT EXPERTS • POWER OF ATTORNEY ACCEPTED YOUR INCREDIBLE CREDIT STORE® WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Heather Wilburn MARKETING ASSISTANTS Marlo Brestar Darline Goyea BlissNOW is a Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation magazine published quarterly for activities on Fort Bliss, Texas. (Jewelry shown for illustration only) EL PASO, TX 1430 NORTH LEE TREVINO DR., 915-591-3143 / 1-877-787-4177 ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP Monica Castillo Michele Wiernicki GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kenny Broomfield Raymond Sanchez GREAT SELECTION OF DIAMONDS WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN? MARKETING & SPECIAL EVENTS William Ketcherside OFFICE MANAGER Martina Grise TM CAR ALARMS RECREATION & SPORTS Lindy Sorrell 4calendar OCTOBER 9calendar NOVEMBER 10calendar DECEMBER 13recognition Family and MWR 14feature cover photo contest 21clubs FOOD & FUN 24recreation SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE 26recreation sports & fitness 30recreation leisure 32family cyss 36community acs 42 fort bliss map 44 east fort bliss map 46directory phone numbers BlissNOW is mailed to all Fort Bliss homes and George V. Underwood Golf Complex members, inserted in welcome packets, and distributed to all Family and MWR facilities, along with the Fort Bliss Commissary, Post Exchange at Freedom Crossing, Army Lodging Fort Bliss and the Personnel Processing Center. Circulation: 30,000 quarterly The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Army, Department of Defense or federal government. The information in this issue is current at the time of publication; activities and events are subject to change without notice. For more information, please call the individual facilities. Family and MWR Marketing is located in Building 11, Pershing Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916 and may be reached by calling (915) 568-6741. www.blissmwr.com DFMWR Director’s Comments As autumn approaches and the days begin to cool, there’s no better time to enjoy El Paso and the beautiful desert Southwest. Here at Fort Bliss, Family and MWR has a number of events suited perfectly to this time of year. We welcome the fall with Halloween celebrations: the Haunted Pumpkin Patch at Old Fort Bliss and Monster Bash at Biggs Park are just two of the events October has to offer. If music is your passion, make sure you don’t miss Dueling Pianos Anywhere in their return to the Centennial. It’s a great deal of fun for comedy fans, too! We kick off November with Murder 101, an interactive murder mystery dinner theater featuring an all-volunteer cast from our Fort Bliss community. And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s always a good time to take stock of we are thankful for in our lives, and to volunteer to help improve the lives of others. If you’re looking for a way to help out in the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities, check out the Army Volunteer Corps office at Army Community Service. We wrap up the holiday season in December. Don’t miss our Holiday Festival – this year, the North Pole Express is bound for Fort Bliss, and it’s bringing the North Pole Workshop, the man in the red suit ... and maybe even some snow! Of course, fall also means back-to-school. With its innovative and educational after-school curriculum, Child, Youth and School Services’ School-Age Services program can set up your child for success this school year. SKIES Unlimited is on board, as well, offering everything from academic tutoring to drivers’ ed. There’s no better place to learn. Finally, the mild fall weather offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors. Whether you take part in one of the great events offered by our MWR Sports team – the Harvest Dash Duathlon and a winter triathlon are on the calendar – or hit the road with Southwest Adventure and trek the Grand Canyon or Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, don’t miss this chance to get out and welcome the changing seasons. See you out there! Mark Cauthers ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 3 Come one, come all to the greatest show on Fort Bliss ... Monster Bash is coming to Biggs Park Friday, October 28. From 5-9 p.m., enjoy three haunted houses in different scare levels: barely scary, pretty scary and very scary. Each tent is sponsored by a Fort Bliss family readiness group, and the admission fees benefit the FRGs’ funds. Admission to barely scary costs $1; admission to pretty scary costs $2; and admission to very scary costs $3. FRGs will also present craft tables where, for a small fee, your little ones can make spooky crafts. The 1st Armored Division Band will kick off the night’s entertainment at 5 p.m., followed by the main attraction –Team Rootberry. From 6:30-7:45 p.m., check out Team Rootberry’s spectacular sword-swallowing, fire-juggling comedy stunt show. You don’t want to miss it! Stay late for the DJ afterparty and dancing. And don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume! There will be food and beverage vendors on hand to tame your hunger with all your carnival favorites. Monster Bash is so much fun, it’s scary! We’ll see you there, if you dare. For more information, call (915) 568-6741. Prepare for a night of musical mayhem – Dueling Pianos Anywhere is returning to Fort Bliss for a show at the Centennial Thursday, October 27. The all-request show blends comedy, live music and more, providing for high-energy audience interaction that makes the audience the stars of the show. The audience makes the requests and decides what the performers do or don’t play. Last time the duo of Kirk Garrett and Troy Baldwin stopped at Fort Bliss, the repertoire included everything from Journey to Snoop Dogg. What will they play this time? It’s up to you! Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Enjoy $3 bombs and $2 domestic bottles from 6-8 p.m. You can also grab a great deal on whole pizzas: Large one-topping pies are just $10 from 6-8 p.m. And with a show this close to Halloween, was there any doubt that you should come in costume? Your efforts could be rewarded ... a costume contest will have prizes for the best costume overall and the best couples’ costume, as well. This show is for mature audiences, only. No guests calendar OCTOBER calendar OCTOBER 4 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! 27 under 18 years of age will be admitted. Pre-sale tickets will be available Monday, October 3 for just $5 each. The advance rate is good through Monday, October 24. From October 25 through the day of the show, tickets cost $10. Get your ticket early and save 50 percent! Buy tickets online at www.ticketbully.com. Tickets are available in person at the Centennial, Bldg. 11199 Sgt. E. Churchill St. on East Fort Bliss, or by phone at (915) 744-8427. Harvest Wine Tasting Learn something new about wine as you enjoy the historic ambiance of the Old Fort Bliss Museum when you join us for a wine tasting Friday, October 14. From 4:30-8 p.m., enjoy wines from Texas and New Mexico wineries while you learn about the history of growing grapes heather wilburn, Family and mwr marketing www.blissmwr.com to make wine in the desert Southwest. Fruit, cheese and snacks to complement the wines help complete the experience. Admission costs $12 per person. The wine tasting is open to adults age 21 and older only, with valid identification. For more information, call (915) 568-4518 or (915) 588-8482. 14 ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 5 calendar OCTOBER Haunted Pumpkin Patch 21 octoberevents The Great Hallmark Giveaway October 1 • noon-4pm • Biggs Park Grand Canyon Trip with Southwest Adventure October 7-10 • Grand Canyon National Park • Arizona 2-Mile Intramural Run October 14 • 6:30am • Soto Gym Enjoy a spooky good time at the Haunted Pumpkin Patch! From 5-9 p.m. Friday, October 21, head to Old Fort Bliss for Halloween fun. Decorate pumpkins, available in exchange for donations to the museum. One pumpkin per child, please. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up by the fire pit, where there will be ghost stories for the kids. There will be face painting, food and beverages 2829 30 Harvest Wine Tasting Bosses Day • Free dessert October 17 • 11am-1pm • Centennial Haunted Pumpkin Patch October 21 • 5-9pm • Old Fort Bliss Replica Museum Harvest Dash Duathlon October 22 • 7am • Soto Gym heather wilburn, Family and mwr marketing available for purchase and more. The pumpkin patch opens at 5 p.m., and the ghost stories begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (915) 568-4518 or (915) 588-8482. Dueling Pianos October 27 • 7pm • Centennial Monster Bash October 28 • 5-9pm • Biggs Park October 28-30 • Various Gyms on Fort Bliss Kids’ Halloween Party on the Lanes October 29 • 7-9pm • Desert Strike Lanes Kids’ Halloween Party on the Lanes lKETaBALsL TOURNAMENT C BAS 6 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! of all active-duty military, and $250 for all others. Register at Soto Gym by Tuesday, October 25 or by phone at (915) 744-5790. Team trophies and individual medals will be awarded to the first- and second-place teams in each division, and the winners will receive T-shirts. For more information, call (915) 744-5790 or visit www. blissmwr.com/intramurals. Halloween Classic Basketball Tournament n e e w o l l a H ssic Don’t miss the Southwest’s premier competitive basketball tournament – it’s time for the annual Halloween Classic, presented by MWR Sports. The five-on-five, doubleelimination tournament will take place Friday, October 28-Sunday, October 30 at various gyms across Fort Bliss. Registration is under way and is open to all, with both men’s and women’s divisions. Registration costs $200 for teams composed October 14 • 4:30-8pm • Old Fort Bliss Replica Museum You You Can Can Get Get A A Certification! Certification! Let US Help You Meet DOD 8500 Security Standards! Are you ready for some frightening fun? Head to Desert Strike Lanes for Halloween! From 7-9 p.m. Saturday, October 29, enjoy $1 bowling for the kids, children’s costume contests, free goodies and cake, and tons of familyfriendly fun. Want to know more? Call Desert Strike Lanes at (915) 568-6272. 29 www.blissmwr.com Are You a Hands On Learner? Traditional Classroom Setting Available. Military Tuition Assistance & Credit Hours May Apply ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 7 www.blissmwr.com Murder Mystery Dinner Theater November 4 • 7pm • Centennial Old Fort Bliss Anniversary - Historical Reenactments November 5 • 9am-4:30pm • Old Fort Bliss Replica Museum Intramural Flag Football Championship November 7-11 • Stout Field Veterans Day Lunch Special November 11 • 11am-1pm • Centennial 4 Murder 101 Hearts Apart Thanksgiving Celebration November 12 • 11am-5pm • Cattleman’s Steakhouse, Fabens Intramural Indoor Soccer Championship November 14-18 • Biggs Gym AFTB Basket Bingo November 17 • 6pm • Centennial 5K Turkey Trot calendar NOVEMBER novemberevents November 18 • 6:30am • Soto Gym Thanksgiving Brunch November 20 • 11am-1pm • Centennial Thanksgiving Lunch Special November 23 • 11am-1pm • Desert Strike Lanes Thanksgiving Brunch Celebrate Turkey Day with Thanksgiving Brunch at the Centennial Sunday, November 20. This holiday feast features a variety of favorites – and, of course, turkey with all the trimmings. Don’t forget the complimentary wine, champagne and mimosas! Enjoy a visit from Winnie the Pooh and friends. A professional photographer will be on hand to capture these special moments. Print pricing varies. Thanksgiving brunch costs $18.95 for adults and $16.95 for seniors. Pay $8.95 for children ages 7-11. Children 6 and under eat free. Call (915) 744-8427 for reservations. 20 Hearts Apart Thanksgiving 12 Enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration with Hearts Apart. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 12, this program for families geographically separated from their Soldiers will celebrate the holiday at Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Fabens. There are hayrides, a playground, animal displays and more. Best of all, it’s all free for families registered with Hearts Apart. For information, call (915) 568-1132 ext. 5. 8 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com Are you ready for an academic whodunit you won’t want to fail? Then don’t miss Murder 101, the interactive comedy murder mystery coming to the Centennial. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, November 4. Written by Kenneth Frehill and Darryl Allara, Murder 101 is set at a class reunion at a closing high school. As the various alumni gather to say good-bye to their beloved alma mater, old rivalries and new alliances add up to an evening of murder and mayhem. Murder 101 offers two ways to enjoy the dinner theater: You can, of course, watch the hilarity unfold from your seats ... or you can be part of it! Family and MWR needs about 20 people to play roles in the show. No formal acting experience is necessary. There are roles for everyone, including the prom queen, the glee club member and the football hero. The production casts volunteer Soldiers, family members, retirees and DoD civilians as actors. A professional team funded by Army Entertainment puts on a workshop to develop that production. The program is taking place across the Army, with Fort Bliss’ production of Murder 101 serving as the first entry after the pilot program at Aberdeen Proving Ground. If you’re interested in performing in Murder 101, please contact Tianna Bowden at (915) 744-8427 or email tianna.m.bowden.naf@mail.mil. There will not be formal auditions. Rehearsals will begin two to three days before the show. If getting out in front of an audience isn’t your thing, no problem! Every show needs spectators. Tickets to Murder 101 cost $25 each, or $40 for two, and include a dinner buffet. Tickets go on sale October 17 and can be purchased at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, Bldg. 11199 Sgt. E. Churchill St. on East Fort Bliss, or by phone. For more information about Murder 101, or to purchase tickets by phone, call (915) 7448427. ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 9 decemberevents Team Bliss Holiday Festival December 2 • 5-8pm • Biggs Park 8K Holiday Run Winter Triathlon December 10 • 8am • Replica Aquatic Center Army-Navy Game December 10 • 10am • Centennial Holiday Open House December 15 • 3-8pm • Old Fort Bliss Replica Museum Christmas Brunch December 18 • 10am-1pm • Centennial Celebrate the season with the Holiday Festival from 5-8 p.m. Friday, December 2 at Biggs Park. This year, the North Pole Express is bound for the Holiday Festival! Enjoy free train rides and photos with Santa. And we’ve heard the forecast calls for snow ... bring your mittens and sleds, just in case! Head to the North Pole workshop, a warm and cozy climate-controlled tent where family readiness groups will offer craft projects for a nominal fee. The money raised will benefit FRG funds. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand with treats designed to help ward off the chill. Enter our handcrafted reindeer contest – build your own reindeer at home and bring him to the holiday festival. We’ll put the reindeer in our pen, where he or she will be judged by our special guest “experts.” There are three categories of competition – cutest, most creative and best use of materials – and an overall grand prize. Your reindeer must be handmade, and may be constructed of any materials that are safe to touch. The finished product must be at least 11 inches tall and no larger than 11 feet tall. You must bring your finshed project, with your name and phone number attached, to the Holiday Festival to enter. For more information as details develop, keep an eye on www.blissmwr.com or call (915) 5686741. Sun Bowl Brunch December 31 • 10am-1pm • Centennial New Year’s Eve Bingo December 31 • 6pm • Centennial New Year’s Eve Bowling Blowout December 31 • 8pm-1am • Desert Strike Lanes New Year’s Eve Bowling Blowout Ring in the New Year on the lanes during the New Year’s Eve Bowling Blowout Saturday, December 31 at Desert Strike Lanes! Come early for pre-party specials from 8-10 p.m. Stay later and enjoy an all-youcan-bowl special from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for just $8 per person; shoe rental is not included. There will be party favors for the first 100 people, free snacks and fun for all! Don’t be a turkey – start off 2012 with a party the whole family can enjoy. For information, call (915) 568-6272. Explore holiday traditions from El Paso and beyond at the Holiday Open House at Old Fort Bliss. From 3-8 p.m. Thursday, December 15, shop vendors selling seasonal goods and watch artisans demonstrating unique skills. Learn about holiday traditions from Victorian times and what the holidays were like in El Paso in the 1850s, when Fort Bliss was still called Fort Magoffinsville. For information, call (915) 568-4518 or (915) 588-8482. 15 December 3 • 8am • Soto Gym Next stop: The Holiday Festival! Holiday Open House calendar DECEMBER calendar DECEMBER All aboard the Christmas Brunch 18 Celebrate the season with a distinctive Christmas brunch at the Centennial from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, December 18. The meal features holiday favorites, breakfast classics and an assortment of delicious sides and decadent desserts, along with complimentary wine, champagne or mimosas. A professional photographer will be on hand to take children’s photos with Santa. Print prices vary. Christmas brunch costs $18.95 for adults and $16.95 for seniors. Pay $8.95 for children ages 7-11. Children 6 and under eat free. Call (915) 744-8427 for reservations. 12 Days of Bingo! The 12 Days of Bingo are coming to the Centennial! Don’t miss the fun! December 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 28, 30 & 31 Details coming soon! Andrew P Rosen MD FACOG Dual Board Certified In Obstetrics & Gynecology & Family Practice Obstetrics • Gynecology • Infertility Evaluation • Laparoscopy Menopausal Care • Urinary Incontinence Therapy • 4D Ultrasound Complete Personalized Women’s Healthcare • Nurse Lactation Educator In Office Accepting New Patients • Tricare & New Mexico Medicaid Accepted El Doctor Habla Español • Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm 915 261 0326 After Hours 915 838 7946 1600 Medical Center Street • Suite 307 • Medical Center Plaza Building • www.andrewprosenmd.com 10 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com AdId: R 3364558 - 01 CustId: 1511086947 www.blissmwr.com Dir/Iss: ELPTX YP1 06/2011 YPH: 103944 Physicians •& Surgeons Doctors • 11 ¡blissNOW! Fall 2011 YPSH: FAMILY and MWR Winner’s Circle Employees go above and beyond Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing In a small corner of Fort Bliss is a small woman with great responsibilities – who wouldn’t have it any other way. The 5-foot-6-inch, 59-year-old Ruth Dacey is the facility manager at the Tennis Club and Fitness Zone on Club Road. “Ms. Ruth,” as she is routinely referred to, runs a relaxing, no-stress atmosphere that her patrons love and appreciate. “My job description is to keep and maintain the facility and make the patrons comfortable,” she said. Dacey started with Family and MWR 14 years ago as a cashier at Desert Strike Lanes bowling center. She took a couple of years off to help care for her family and returned to Family and MWR, this time at Stout Physical Fitness Center as a front desk clerk who occasionally manned the snack bar. Approximately four years ago, she was given the challenge of turning the Tennis Club around. Since then, there has been nothing but positive feedback from guests of the small gym. When you walk in, along the walls are hand-crafted houses, plants and cards that have been given to Dacey as expressions of gratitude and appreciation. “As a patron of the Tennis Club, I always look forward to seeing Ms. Ruth in the mornings as she greets me with a big smile and warm hug,” said Michele Wiernicki, who plays tennis at the club on a regular basis. On occasion, she may get requests from gym-goers to accompany them during their workout (as a partner) or even play a couple of matches of tennis! “I enjoy the people at the [tennis] club,” she said. The Tennis Club is not your regular gym. Dacey and her staff of three may see traffic that peaks at about 45 clients a day – with an even split of males and females. The only class offered is the ever-popular gravity training. But don’t let that deter you from visiting the cozy gym. The gym is fully functional with regular equipment, just on a smaller, quaint and quiet scale. There’s even a TV for those who prefer a workout on DVD. So, there you have it: The spotlight is on you, Ms. Ruth ... as it should be. 12 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com The following staff members are “Commitment to Excellence” winners for routinely going above and beyond to provide exceptional service to internal and external customers. A maximum of 20 are selected each quarter. 3rd quarter 2011 shawnna barrientos Unit Funds jose marquez The “Effective Team” award is given to recognize the accomplishments of a team who work together in harmony to produce outstanding results. The selection committee decided that the teams below were all deserving of the award. 3rd quarter 2011 Soldier and family assistance center carlos reyes jennifer goldsmith milam cdc Auto Crafts heather wilburn Marketing daniel bailey Biggs Park robert rodela Facility Services Project Manager james reyes Milam Gym Stout Gym Mobilization and Deployment deann widener Centennial beate kruger Centennial ruth dacey Tennis Club and Fitness Zone Issac pepper IT/Automation recognition Each quarter, Family and MWR holds the Winner’s Circle award ceremony to recognize employees who have gone above and beyond to provide excellent service for the Soldiers, families, retirees and civilians we serve. Winner’s Circle is a directorate-level incentive awards program primarily designed to recognize outstanding customer service and teamwork by Family and MWR staff members. Each quarter, staff members are nominated by their peers, patrons of Family and MWR or outside agencies, or are identified by name in an ICE comment. Charlene Gilliam Belinda Jones Calvin Wood Sharon Washington Lucy Silva (ACAP) Daisy Bob Raul Barrett (Real Life Lines) Sgt. Douglas Hadden (TSGLI/CRSC) Dorthea Morgan (Volunteer) Edgar Dixon (Corps of Engineers) Michelle Evans Sabine Alsup Dionna Cardoza Lisa Paniagua Tia Fitzsimmons Randall Pickett Eligio Villanueva Leticia Tosky Monica Caraveo Martin Delarosa To nominate a Family and MWR employee for a Winner’s Circle award, contact Melinda Scott at (915) 568-3500. To submit a compliment or suggestion for improvement for any Family and MWR program, check out the ICE system at http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=site&site_id=435. ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 13 herbek megan borrello elizabeth shea grant jessica amanda jackson melissa giles amanda wright becky zvicki misty boyette ann fedak elizabeth tina dwyer mcmillan elizabeth shea aimee smith tara 14 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! laurie sonia boukaia elizabeth moore ruby yesenia robles lucille mantanoa allison connie becky zvicki conwell allison moore christina cash jacobi katie maxwell analicia murray This summer, we held our first-ever blissNOW! Cover Photo Contest on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blissmwr. You voted and chose the winner, which can be found on the cover of this issue of blissNOW. Winning photographer Amanda Culp went home with a Sony a55 digital SLR camera, courtesy of Freedom Furniture. Here, we share the finalist, along with some of our favorite submissions that didn’t make the cut. www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 15 u.S. army photo john bobbie whalen hawks kiaya smith u.S. army photo aimee rodriguez dyer jonelle jodi oliver The leaders of Tomorrow Today At Embry-Riddle’s El Paso Campus, we get the fact that students today are different from previous generations. We also know that while you have big obligations, you still have big dreams. And a college education is the key to getting on a career path that will help you achieve those dreams; dreams of bigger paychecks, more rewarding careers, more opportunities for advancement and more respect. To make it easier for you to achieve those dreams, we deliver courses and degree programs on campus, online and through a network of more than 150 campus locations throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Contact us today for more information regarding our programs. julie sullentrop amanda culp mellania ballard aimee rodriguez rosa hernandez allison moore sarah dillon are sTudying wiTh embry-riddle degree programs: undergraduate: Professional aeronautics Technical management aviation maintenance graduate: aeronautical science management el paso CaMpUs 11176 SSG SimS St., ft. bliSS, tx 79918 P 915-564-5945 e elpaSo@erau.edu w o r ld w i d e.e r a u.e d u 16 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 17 October tomlea.net World War II artist correspondent for Life Magazine, Tom Lea illustrated the lives of soldiers, airmen and sailors for America. El Paso celebrates its native son with a month of events and lectures, including a presentation by former first lady Laura Bush on October 14 at The Plaza Theatre. Voted Best Family Entertainment The in El Paso Kids Will Oct. 22 & 23 Free for all soldiers (active duty or retired) amigoairsho.org The skies over Biggs Army Airfield will pop with aerobatics that’ll shock and awe you, including the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the Blue Angels. Lots more to see and do on the ground, too. With 35 acres of green space and hundreds of exotic animals, it’s like nothing else in town! Oct. 14–16 chalktheblock.org Downtown El Paso’s sidewalks become a gargantuan canvas for local and regional artists. With live music, street food and more, it’s a multicolored weekend. Safe and affordable fun - just minutes from Ft. Bliss. Visit elpasozoo.org for map and directions. Active Duty Military Discount Available. Sept. 17–Nov. 19 celebmtns.org Canyons, valleys, mesas, peaks, trails and wildlife — this annual celebration has hikes, drives and nature watches for everyone. 4001 E. Paisano • (915) 521-1850 • www.elpasozoo.org 18 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! Call 800-351-6024 or log on for your free adventure guide. www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 19 Relax! Let the Centennial plan your event, large or small Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing Looking for Maximum Value In a New Home? Discover Classic American Homes Y 2 10 NT 0 ge 35 n $ a s R to e ic 00 Pr 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY T WARRA EC • Builder pays closing costs and prepaids plus appliance package – refrigerator, washer, and dryer – with preferred lender Rocky Mountain Mortgage*. m 00 rf o ,0 URA L DEF CT Great features: • Front yard landscaping and other upgrades. AR STRU YE ,0 6 10 $ * excluding west side communities We have communities in the Westside, East Side and Northeast Westside Communities • Camelot Heights • Chaparral Park Unit 44 Northeast Communities • Mesquite Hills Unit 5 • Mesquite Hills Unit 4 Eastside Communities • Tierra Del Este 59 • Tierra Del Este 60 • Tierra Del Este 62 • Tierra Del Este 63 Building the American Dream for over 20 years. Classic American Homes has built and sold more than 8,000 El Paso homes. Call Century 21 APD Associates at (915) 779-5611 Models Open Daily (noon until dark). www.classicamerican.com Prices, terms, conditions and availability subject to change without notice 20 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY each office independently owned and operated www.blissmwr.com Whether you’re looking to plan a 20-person get-together or a 1,200-person ball, the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center can take the hassle out of the holidays. Relax, and let the Centennial’s friendly, professional staff take care of everything from the food to the decor – all you have to bring is your holiday spirit! To get you into a festive mood, the Centennial offers special holiday packages designed to save you some green. For just $24.95 per person, the Platinum Package includes a deluxe dinner buffet with your choice of two entrees, three salads and three accompaniments; a decor package including chair covers, bows and ceiling drapes; up to four cash bars; a sheet cake; and an audio-visual package including up to two projector screens, a podium, microphone and PA system. The Deluxe Package offers a deluxe dinner buffet with your choice of two entrees, three salads and three accompaniments, and up to four cash bars, for just $20.95 per person. With each package, enjoy delicious entrees like marinated brisket or – everybody’s holiday favorite – roast turkey. For sides, how about oven-roasted rosemary potatoes? Finish off the menu with a decadent orange cream sheet cake, or go with carrot cake ... it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Both packages come with an extra incentive: Book now, and you’ll receive free use of a meeting space, of equal or lesser value. This space can be used any time during the calendar year, as space permits. These promotions are valid on events occurring between October 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012, and are valid for new bookings only. “If you’re looking for value, these are the best prices in the community,” said Nolan Higdem, manager of the Centennial. “Our food, facility and service are not only a great value, but of great quality, as well.” Holiday bookings at the Centennial aren’t only for large events – experienced caterers can help you manage the smaller celebrations, as well. Reception packages start at $350 for www.blissmwr.com supersavings Book your holiday ball with the Centennial, and save big with these great package deals! $ 24 95 PLATINUM $ 20 95 DELUXE Includes Deluxe Dinner Buffet; Decor per person Package to include chair covers, bows and ceiling drapes; up to four cash bars,; sheet cake; and AV package to include two projector screens, podium, microphone and PA system. Includes Deluxe Dinner Buffet and up per person to four cash bars Book either package now and receive a free meeting space of equal or lesser value, good for use any time during the calendar year, as space permits. Valid on events occurring 10/1/2011-1/31/2012. New bookings only. 100 guests. Planning a more intimate event? Check with our caterers; the Centennial can put together a package to suit your needs. Are you in charge of planning the holiday party for your office, or your family? This year, ditch the potluck and celebrate in style! There are several packages available, Are you more hands-on, and want to handle the finishing touches on your own? No problem – the Centennial offers package options without decor services, allowing you to get creative on your own. Would you rather leave the decorating to the professionals? Can do! You can pick the colors and leave the rest to the Centennial. When you arrive at your event, everything will be ready and waiting ... and perfectly in place. While you’re in the holiday mood, go ahead and mark your calendars for the Centennial’s amazing holiday brunches. If you’re looking for a quiet get-together with friends and family, this is the perfect option. Make a brunch reservation for 15 people or more, and you can reserve a private room at no additional cost. Best of all, this offer is valid every Sunday. Enjoy Thanksgiving Brunch Sunday, November 20. The Centennial will serve a variety of breakfast favorites and lunch classics – and, of course, turkey with all the trimmings – along with fantastic salads, sides and desserts. Don’t forget the complimentary wine, champagne and mimosas! Christmas Brunch takes place Sunday, December 18. Celebrate the arrival of the man in the red suit with a sumptuous spread fit for Saint Nick. A carving station, made-to-order omelettes and more top off a buffet, along with complimentary wine, champagne and mimosas. Reservations are required for all holiday brunches. To make you reservations, or to learn more, call the Centennial at (915) 562-5969. To learn more about the catering options the Centennial has to offer, visit www.blissmwr.com/catering or call (915) 744-8427. You can stop by the catering office at the Centennial between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Centennial is located at Bldg. 11199 Sgt. E. Churchill St. on East Fort Bliss. clubs FOOD&FUN Holiday bliss ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 21 The mental game: Making the change to positive energy Don Diego Aguilar II, USBC Silver Certified Coach Your day starts with the alarm waking you up. As you get ready for work, you gaze in the mirror and smile. You think, “This is going to be my day!” You drive to work, thinking, “Wow! There’s no traffic. Things are moving along great!” When you reach the office you find it strange that everybody is staring at you. Your boss approaches and tells you he needs to speak with you ASAP. You think, “This is it! I’m finally getting the recognition I deserve – maybe even that promotion!” Suddenly, your boss asks you,” Mr. Bowler, I appreciate all you do here. As you know, we have been working on a major project with many important deadlines. Thus, would you please explain why you are two hours tardy and have failed to turn in your designs so the team can move forward on the big project?” We have all had the day start off great, only to be taken to another level or mental state by interruptions and changes. The key here is exactly that! The mental state – where we are and what are we doing in relation to how we assess the events in our lives –is what defines the duration of the day. The example shows how something can trigger negative thoughts or decrease the ability that allows us to be at a mental state that provides for increased bowling performance when we need it most. The ability to reduce stress comes from our ability to recognize events that dim our positive outlooks and from mental practices that promote positive energy, awareness and relaxation. Mental fatigue can cause a multitude of negative responses throughout the day. In relation to bowling, a negative mental state can cause a lack of concentration, fatigue, misperception, interaction and direct performance. A lack of concentration and fatigue make it impossible to perform a focused delivery; they cause a decrease in physical and mental awareness, which affects setup, form and routine. Alternatively, misperception and interaction cause us to see lane reaction, bowler talk and equipment choices differently. This all affects our direct performance levels, which decreases our ability to bowl at a superior level. All things that happen throughout the day are affected by our mental preparedness vs. our mental state. There are many ways to improve upon our mental strength; we will look at improving energy and focus through optimal breathing. We always have energy that is negative or positive. The outcomes of both play a toll on our mental and physical states. Positive energy can be produced by balanced deep-breathing techniques and positive thinking. When we reach a state of negativity, we must utilize deep breathing to calm our emotional levels while reducing stress triggers. Through breathing exercises, we can remove any negative emotions and negativity loses its grip on us. Deeper breathing increases the amount of air taken into the lungs and improves oxygen richness in the blood. This, in turn, improves physical energy levels, digestion and brain activity. Through training, I have learned many breathing techniques that helped me improve my mental state. These techniques also aided in maintaining a balanced approach for work and sports. Let’s take a look at some techniques that may work for you. There are many deep breathing exercises available for us to use. The key is to be relaxed and take the “deep breath.” When you do this you will be able to keep your mental state at its best during performance. The Bowler’s Breath Option 1: Pre-bowling breath Before the start of bowling, sit in the bowler’s area. Begin with relaxing your entire body. Now become aware of your diaphragm. Do the best you can to relax your stomach, allowing for optimal in-breaths through conscious use of the diaphragm. Breath in, focusing on filling the abdomen first. Now fill the mid part of the lungs, allowing your ribs to relax and push outward. Finally, allow the air to fill the top part of lungs, inflating the upper chest. Do your best to relax the chest; do not fight the in-flow of air. Now exhale. This should be smooth – do not hold the breath. Do the best you can to breathe out as soon as the upper chest is full. The exhalation, like the inhalation, starts with the abdomen. Relax the diaphragm and allow the air to exit from the abdomen first, now the mid lungs, allowing the lower ribs to relax and pushing the air out. Finally, exhale from the top of the lungs, allowing the upper chest to relax and push the air out. Option 2: Making the Shot Whether you need one strike to win, shoot 300 or shoot the best game of your life, anxiety, adrenaline, pressure and more take a toll on our mental ability to perform what we have done many times before: simply rolling the ball. Before picking up the ball, stand at the front of the approach and begin your deep-breathing exercise. Pick up the ball and continue to take deep breaths while you focus on imagining the best shot you ever made. Step on the approach, take your normal setup and continue the deep breathing. Now make your shot for success. The deep breathing will keep you from rushing through your pre-shot routine, keeping you calm and focused while using adrenaline to your advantage. Aguilar is the manager of Desert Strike Lanes and is a certified IBPSIA advanced technician and member. Maury Solano, MBA 100% Customer Satisfaction! NO FIX, No PAY ... 30 Day Guarantee.. we service YOUR TECHNOLOGY SERVICE CENTER 9930 Dyer Suite A, El Paso, Tx 79924 (915) 799-0404/(915) 219-8121 REALTOR/US ARMY (Retired) Computers (Desktops/Laptops) Apple Computers, Ipods / Iphones SmartPhones / CellPhones,MP3'S, Tablets / Ipad & Video Game Consoles ESTIMATES ON ANY SERVICE! 10% military discount! Clubhouse at Underwood Golf Complex nears completion Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing For almost 18 months, the Gen. George V. Underwood Jr. Golf Complex has been buzzing with activity as a new clubhouse has been built from the ground up. Now, the wait is almost over. Construction is still under way, but officials hope to have the new facility open and operational by mid-January or early February. With a footprint of 20,000 square feet, the new clubhouse will represent a marked improvement over the previous facility, built in 1970. Not only will the new clubhouse offer an upgrade in amenities – the general atmosphere will improve, as well. The new clubhouse comes with a $6.2 million price tag, the value of which is reflected in the improvements seen throughout the building. “The new clubhouse will offer more square footage than before,” said Bobby Kaerwer, manager and head golf professional at Underwood Golf Complex. “This new facility will solve the heating, air conditioning and plumbing issues we experienced with the old building.” The facility will offer a full-size Pro Shop, locker rooms for both women and men, a fitness center and an outside patio, per- “ fect for enjoying a relaxing evening after a day of hitting the links. The Golden Tee restaurant’s seating capacity will rise to 300 diners, up from a capacity of 165 in the former facility. The fullservice kitchen with catering capability will be able to dish up all your favorites. Behind the scenes, the new clubhouse will feature larger storage areas, along with larger administrative offices. “This new, state-of-the-art clubhouse facility is a perfect addition to the existing inventory of Family and MWR recreational facilities,” said Ronald Telles, chief of Fort Bliss Family and MWR’s Business Operations Division. “Once it opens, I anticipate it will be greatly utilized by the Fort Bliss community.” Until the new clubhouse is operational, Underwood Golf Complex continues to offer many amenities from its home in a temporary facility. The Pro Shop carries a wide variety of men’s and women’s golf apparel, as well as bags, clubs, balls and other accessories. The Golden Tee offers breakfast options, sandwiches, bratwurst, Polish sausages and more. Underwood Golf Complex is located at Bldg. 3200 Coe Ave. in the Logan Heights housing area. For more information, visit www.blissmwr.com/golf or call (915) 562-1273. This state-of-the-art clubhouse facility is a perfect addition to the existing inventory of Family and MWR recreational facilities. ” The right place to stay is right on post. IHG Army Hotels at Fort Bliss Fort Bliss, TX Comfortable, pet-friendly* rooms. Free breakfast. Free local phone calls. Free Wi-Fi in the main lobby. Free DVD availability. Wednesday-evening socials. A business center. Three fitness rooms. An outdoor pool and playground. Concierge and courtesy on-post shuttle service. Even the chance to earn points in IHG’s awardwinning Priority Club® Rewards program.** At IHG Army Hotels, it’s all right on post at Fort Bliss, convenient to everything. With a knowledgeable staff that understands exactly what military visitors need. So check it out for yourself. And see how IHG Army Hotels is redefining the whole concept of on-post lodging. For the better. MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCER Tough Housing Market? – Don’t worry, call MAURY!! Ready to assist the most deserving customer in the world, the SOLDIER! m-f 10am-7pm, sat 10am-6pm, sun 9am-12pm FREE Better by design recreation leisure clubs FOOD&FUN Coach’s Corner Whether BUYING or SELLING a home, call me TODAY! 915-309-6513 RESERVATIONS: 1-877-711-TEAM (8326) or 915-565-7777 IHGArmyHotels.com IHG Army Hotels at Fort Bliss, 1744 Victory Avenue, Fort Bliss, TX 79906 * A non-refundable pet fee applies. Visit me at: www.maurysolano.com © 2011 InterContinental Hotels Group. All rights reserved. IHG Army Hotels are independently owned by Rest Easy, LLC, an affiliate of Lend Lease (US) Public Partnerships LLC, and operated by an affiliate of IHG. E-Mail me at: maury.solano@yahoo.com www.apo ntech n o logy.co m ** Visit IHGArmyHotels.com for more information. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated 22 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 23 Join Southwest Adventure and discover what fall in the Southwest has to offer Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing As the weather cools off, there’s no better time to discover the outdoors in the desert Southwest – and there’s no better way to discover it than with Southwest Adventure, the Family and MWR outdoor recreation program at Fort Bliss. This fall, Southwest Adventure has tons of new programming slated for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. From the hiking novice to the climbing pro, there’s something for everyone. The most ambitious activities on this quarter’s schedule include trips to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Canyonlands National Park in Utah, said Kenny Coppedge, outdoor recreation specialist. Date: Activity: “I think these trips are equally big,” he said. “And this will be kind of an experiment to see how many people are interested in it.” The trip costs represent a great value, Coppedge noted, when you consider the time and expense it takes to plan such an outing on your own. “If you go to the Grand Canyon, admission costs $25 per car for seven days,” he said. “Plus you pay the backcountry camping fee of $5 per person, plus the application fee. You have to mail it in to get your reservation.” “And you have to drive,” added John Limon, recreation specialist The drive time from Fort Bliss to the Grand Canyon, he noted, is 10 hours. Location: $$ Includes: October 1 All-day climb Hueco Tanks State Historic Site $15 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services October 5 5-6pm Backpacking clinic Biggs Park FREE Equipment, instruction, handouts October 6 Lunch Rocks Sneed’s Cory $10 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services October 7-10 Backpacking/camping Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. $100 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services, one dinner, one breakfast - Trip capped at 12 participants October 13 4-5pm Day hike clinic Biggs Park FREE Equipment, instruction, handouts October 15 River Float Truth or Consequences, N.M. $15 Transportation, equipment, guide services,lunch Does not include cost of flotation device - $8-$20 October 20 Lunch Rocks Hueco Tanks State Historic Site $10 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services October 22 Paintball Tournament Biggs Park Paintball Field $200/team Entry fee, equipment rental and one case of paint October 23 All-day hike Guadalupe Peak $15 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services October 29 10am-5pm Tower Day Tango Tower, Biggs Park $6 All-day climbing of Tango Tower, equipment November 10 4-5pm Backpacking clinic Biggs Park FREE Equipment, instruction, handouts November 11-14 Hiking/camping Canyonlands National Park, Utah $115 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services, one dinner, one breakfast - Trip capped at 12 participants November 17 5-6pm Lunch Rocks Sneed’s Cory $10 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services November 20 Change of Seasons Hike McKittrick Canyon $15 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services December 1 10am-5pm Tower Day Tango Tower, Biggs Park $6 All-day climbing of Tango Tower, equipment December 8 Lunch Rocks Hueco Tanks State Historic Site $10 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services December 9 4-5pm Mountain Biking Clinic Biggs Park FREE Equipment, instruction, handouts December 10 Skiing/Snowboarding Ski Apache, N.M. $50 Transportation, lift ticket - Equipment rental not included December 10 Mountain Biking Franklin Mountains State Park $20 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services December 11 All-day climb Rough & Ready Hills Range, N.M. $20 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services December 14 5-6pm Camping clinic Biggs park FREE Equipment, instruction, handouts December 15 Lunch Rocks Hueco Tanks State Historic Site $10 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services December 17-18 Advanced camping Gila National Forest, N.M. $20 Transportation, equipment, park entry fees, guide services Tango Tower, Biggs Park $6 l-day climbing of Tango Tower, equipment December 22 10am-5pm Tower Day 24 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com photos by southwest adventure When you travel with Southwest Adventure, your transportation, park entry fees and guide services are covered, along with any equipment you need and, on trips like the Grand Canyon trip, some meals are also included. The Grand Canyon trip involves a strenuous hike, Limon noted. “This is a trip for experienced hikers, or people who are in relatively good physical condition,” he said. The trip to Canyonlands National Park offers a much easier hiking experience. Canyonlands preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. If weekend trips require a little more commitment than you’re willing to make, check out the new Lunch Rocks program and enjoy half-day climbing trips held Thursday afternoons. “We can only program so many trips on the weekends,” Limon explained. “If we want to add more trips, we have to do them in the week.” “Having these half-day trips allows a Soldier to request a half-day pass instead of having to ask for the whole day off,” Coppedge added. “We’re hoping there will be a lot of climbers who can take advantage of this.” www.blissmwr.com recreation southwest adventure recreation southwest adventure Autumn adventures Tower Days mark another new addition to the calendar. On Tower Days, climbers pay $6 each and enjoy unlimited use of the Tango Tower at Biggs Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “On those days, anybody can show up,” Coppedge said. “There are no age limitations and no reservations needed. You can use the tower all you want during that time.” Also on the schedule: a paintball tournament benefitting the Special Olympics, set for October 22. Entry costs $200 per fiveman team and includes equipment rental and one case of paint. In December, Southwest Adventure returns to Ski Apache in New Mexico for one of their most popular programs – skiing and snowboarding trips. On the horizon, look for laser tag to soon become a recreation option at Fort Bliss. “The laser tag guns we’re purchasing can shoot up to 1,500 feet,” Coppedge said, adding that he hopes to program regular laser tag nights at Biggs Park. “It’s going to be really cool.” The laser tag should come on line once construction of the new outdoor recreation facility is complete. The new building will serve as a base of operations for Southwest Adventure and will facilitate mountain bike and camping equipment rentals, along with providing a rest room convenient to the paintball field. Tickets for any Southwest Adventure activity – except for free clinics and Tower Days – must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets at any Leisure Travel Services (ITR) location: main ITR in Bldg. 1743 Victory Ave., the ITR kiosk at Freedom Crossing or the satellite office at Soto Gym, Bldg. 20751 Constitution Blvd. on East Fort Bliss. To learn more about Southwest Adventure, explore the calendar on Page 24 or call (915) 744-2415 or (915) 433-9666. ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 25 Peak performance Soldiers see results with Mission Essential Fitness Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing The fall quarter marks a big one for the MWR Sports intramurals program – there’s the wrap-up of the Commander’s Cup competition, a duathlon and a triathlon ... all within three months. Add in two team sport championships, a combatives tournament and several runs, and you’ve got one jam-packed calendar. All that’s missing is you! While many of the sports competitions draw a crowd, organizers would always like to see more people there to cheer on their family, friends and fellow Soldiers. “Spectators are what turn the competitions into events,” said Aaron Jones, intramurals coordinator. “We’ve been programmed from the time we were 3 to perform a little better in front of an audience. ... When family members and friends come out, you want to ramp it up, to show who you are a little bit. “Spectators are what make our programs good,” Jones continued. “The participants get [the programs] there, obviously –the participation is necessary. But the spectators are kind of the proof in the pudding, as far as a good sports program goes.” There are plenty of chances to come out and watch Fort Bliss Soldiers battle it out for unit pride and glory, starting with the Modern Army Combatives Post Championship, set for October 19-21. “Combatives is big,” Jones said. “People love to come watch it. It’s just human nature: People love to see people get beaten up. Obviously, it’s a controlled beat up, but people love to see the moves. A lot of people aren’t fluid enough to do those moves, a lot of family members don’t understand how to do those moves, so there’s an appreciation whenever someone else can do something better than you.” Flag football and indoor soccer championships offer spectators another chance to come out and pull for their favorite teams. Also on the schedule: the Harvest Dash Duathlon. Comprised of a 5-kilometer run, 15-mile bike and final 5-kilometer run, the duathlon will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, October 22 at Soto Gym. Registration is open to the entire Fort Bliss and El Paso community. Active-duty Soldiers register for free when registering on-site; all others pay $20. On-site registration runs from 5:30-6:30 a.m. the day of the event, or register in advance at www.active.com. A winter triathlon caps off the year’s events. The sprint triathlon will EVENT NAME AND ELIGIBILITY Soldiers, physical training got you feeling like you’ve reached your peak? Seeking a more challenging workout? Well, get ready to sweat, train hard and be amazed with the results! Let’s go, we’re headed to the Ironworks gym for the Mission Essential Fitness program. In July 2008, Doug Briggs, director of human performance for MWR Sports at Fort Bliss, designed the Division 1-style athletic performance training program to strengthen those who have enlisted in our Army – and the units on Fort Bliss are taking full advantage of its benefits. Some may say it is similar to what you see on the TV show The Biggest Loser or at a football training camp. John Barela, Ironworks Gym facility manager, and Jim Swanson are certified strength and conditioning specialists; they work hard at getting Soldiers in tip-top shape, whether it’s for daily PT or prepping our service men and women before a deployment. “It’s not your regular PT of situps, push-ups and running,” said Barela. “You get out of it, what you put into it.” Barela has been training for 10 years and says there is no form of PT that will accomplish the results they have seen. Hold on! Unit reservations are required and, sorry, it’s not open to civilians. Unit leaders, this gym is a great facility to utilize for empowering your Soldiers. Here’s what you can look forward to: tire flips, battle ropes, sledge hammers, and high-intensity interval training that gives you a total body work out. “It’s essential fitness for maintenance ... once a week, great core fitness, keeps you in shape and cuts down on nagging injuries,” said Fort Bliss Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Pandy, who frequents Ironworks at least once a week. In order to get the rewards of the work outs, Barela and Swanson switch up the 500-plus variations twice a week so that individuals won’t feel as if they have hit a plateau. “You get the same results, but we shift the techniques to keep it fresh and not so mundane,” said Barela. The guys over at Ironworks have helped Soldiers improve fitness scores from 30 up to 50 points. In some cases, some units have gone from half of the Soldiers failing (PT tests) to 100 percent passing – in an average of two months, with a twice a week attendance rate. Don’t believe me? Check out the one-minute video on our website, www.blissmwr.com/functionaltraining, and get fired up with something new that will get you to the next level. darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing photos by chris bohn, Family and mwr consist of a 400-meter swim, 15-mile bike and 5-kilometer run, and will take place Saturday, December 10 at 8 a.m. Pre-registration will take place at Stout and Soto gyms and online at www.active.com. Registration is free for Soldiers who register in person, $45 for all other individuals, and $65 for teams of two to three athletes. Registration opening dates and deadlines will be announced soon at www. blissmwr.com/intramurals. For more information on any intramurals program, call (915) 744-5790. DATE LOCATION COMMANDER’S CUP EVENT? Open to active-duty fort bliss military Modern Army Combatives Post Championship October 19-21 Soto Gym Yes Intramural Flag Football Championship November 7-11 Biggs Gym Yes Intramural Indoor Soccer Championship November 14-18 Stout Field Yes Intramural Swim Meet TBD Replica Aquatic Center Yes 2-Mile Run October 14 Soto Gym Yes 5K Turkey Trot November 18 Soto Gym Yes Harvest Dash Duathlon October 22 Soto Gym No Halloween Classic Basketball Tournament October 28-30 Various gyms on post No 8K Holiday Run December 3 Soto Gym No Winter Triathlon December 10 Replica Aquatic Center No open to all military ID holders Erika Gomez 915-276-8796 erika@saratoga-homes.com Open to fort bliss and el paso community 26 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com recreation sports&fitness Watch intramurals program cap off year with big events intramurals calendar recreation sports&fitness Spectator sports $0 MOVES YOU IN ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 27 recreation sports&fitness Fitness facelift Renovations continue to improve Logan Heights PFC Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing Upon entering the double doors at Logan Heights Physical Fitness Center, the tremendous makeover is, undeniably, the first thing that is noticeable. The mid-size gym needed the overdue upgrades, and now the wait is over. Although members of the surrounding community were still avid gym attendees, they worked out around the months of renovations. Paso del Norte and Logan Heights now have a fully functional gym with state-of-the-art equipment. The facility has a full-size gymnasium and racquetball court; separate cardio and weight rooms; and saunas in each of the changing rooms to get the body relaxed after a vigorous workout. “We are very pleased with the renovations and feel fortunate that we had funding available to do it,” said Lindy Sorrell, chief of Family AT EASE! A MILITARY EXCLUSIVE! COMPETITIVE AUTO FINANCING FOR E-1 AND ABOVE! SoldierAutoFinance.com darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing and MWR’s Community Recreation Division. Once renovations are complete, Logan gym will be back to being the third most used gym (after Soto and Stout) on Fort Bliss. If you are new to the area and want to continue or even start up an exercise routine, try the Logan Heights PFC – it’s what you need all rolled up into one location. Stop by the gym, located at Bldg. 4797 Ellerthorpe Ave. in the Logan Heights housing area, or visit www.blissmwr.com/gyms to learn more. Need Money For Something Important? Yes! Need It Now? Yes! Come To The People Who Love To Say Yes. For over 60 years Omni has been making loans exclusively to the military. In need of a personal loan for any good reason? Come to Omni. Ft. Bliss Soldiers, Retirees & Civilian Employees Get a T-Mobile myTouch 4G ® ™ Mail-in-rebate may apply. With new activation of a qualifying plan on 2-year contract (plus taxes and fees)* You finally have a choice when it comes to financing that car, van or truck Great pricing available for T-Mobile® myTouch™4G you’ve been wanting. SoldierAutoFinance.com comes with ÿ Fixed rate loans from $500 to $10,000 but only with your ability to repay in mind Fast, friendly and above all trustworthy service and you can ÿ apply by phone ÿ Satisfaction Guaranteed or we’ll cancel your loan at no cost to you Come in, call, or apply online at www.yesomni.com 3910 Dyer Street • El Paso 915-566-OMNI(6664) MULTIPLE FINANCE PLANS, MULTIPLE BANKS AND MULTIPLE VEHICLE SELECTIONS! It doesn’t get easier or more military-friendly then this! We offer a loan approval process 15% T-Mobile discount on monthly recurring charges for select plans. START SAVING Call 1-866-464-8662 F I N A N C I A L that’s easy and fast along with extended service plans that are option 3 to activate with T-Mobile second to none. We only finance quality vehicles at payments that are the most affordable for all of our military service members. Use Promotional Code: 14629TMOFAV Just click-on SoldierAutoFinance.com or call 915 892-7771 and get driving soldier! (Next to Papa John’s) Hours: M-F 9AM to 7PM and Sat. 10AM to 4PM “We love to say yes” ® © Omni Financial. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All loans subject to approval. See website or ask your loan representative for details of satisfaction guaranteed cancellation policy. 28 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! Free car charger not available on extranet. Limited time offers; subject to change. While supplies last. Taxes and fees additional. Device offer: Must call number listed above and use promotional code. Postpaid only; one device per newly activated line on qualifying family plan. Credit approval and $35 per line activation fee required; up to $200/line early cancellation fee applies to two-year agreements. Monthly Discount: Qualifying postpaid individual liable plan on new 2-year contract required; FlexPay, Even More Plus and certain other plans excluded. Discount applied to recurring charges and does not apply to overage, long distance, market with the same billing address and area code. See brochures and Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at www.T-Mobile.com for additional information. T-Mobile and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. stick together is a registered trademark of T-Mobile USA, Inc. ?© 2011 T-Mobile USA, Inc. www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 29 Buy theme park tickets, book cruises and more Framing Bliss offers variety of services Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing Fact: Did you know that “Framing Bliss” is a play on words for the framing shop that’s located on Marshall Road? Who knew? Besides that fact, there is a lot that folks probably don’t know about Framing Bliss. For instance, it’s a very quaint facility with a coffee bar that is also equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities. Facility manager Michell Dooley and her staff can do just about anything when it comes to framing, engraving and customfit frame work. For individuals and groups who would like to learn how to do their own framing, Dooley also offers classes – and group rates! In addition to framing, artwork from well-known artists, such as Don Stivers and Thomas Kinkade, are sold at Framing Bliss. Dooley also provides her customers with web resources featuring an array of art work that can be purchased online, then brought into the shop and framed. In like manner, sports fan can bring in their prized and signed sports team jerseys to have them custom framed, but nothing that is more than 2.25 inches thick. Looking for a specific job, such as engraving? Well, here’s the skinny: Engraving can be done on most glass, wood or acrylic materials. “Most of our engraving requests come from the units on post,” said Dooley. “It’s more convenient and cost-effective here.” For all you scrapbookers out there, Dooley also caters to your desire to hone your scrapbooking skills – first timers are welcome, as well. There is so much Dooley would like to accomplish and bring to the community aside from frame work. Pending funding, she would like to incorporate a T-shirt making class and an art studio, which would feature lessons by a local artist. Framing Bliss roommates with the Automotive Skills Center, so it just makes sense to grab a cup of joe while you wait for your car repair, and peruse the crafty shop next door ... you might like what you find. darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing This summer, we brought you just one of the numerous services the Leisure Travel Services office offers: the POV Resale Lot. Hold on to your seats, because there are way more exciting things happening – or that could happen – for the entire family ... with the help of Leisure Travel Services. Formerly known as ITR, Leisure Travel Services has three convenient locations on Fort Bliss: the main office, located conjointly with Parent Central Services in Bldg. 1743 Victory Ave., the Freedom Crossing kiosk and the satellite location at Soto Gym. Leisure Travel provides tickets for amusement and theme parks, and local attractions such as Adventure Zone, Wet and Wild and Western Playland. Amusement and theme park tickets are available for not only Texas, but also for the states of California and Florida as well. If you’re looking to hit the high seas for your next vacation, check in with Shawnna Barrientos, the Leisure Travel Services assistant manager. She handles cruise packages (by appointment only) and customarily operates out of the Soto Gym location. All cruise lines are available at the customer’s leisure. Carnival (the least expensive), Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess and Disney are examples of cruise lines the folks at Leisure Travel can offer while helping you decide which vacation package is right for you. And when you book with Leisure Travel, you can pay for your cruise in installments – it’s like vaccation lay-a-way! “It’s always better to book cruises out a year in advance because you can make payments as you go,” said Barrientos. The cruises hit all the hottest global spots: the Eastern and Western Caribbean, It Works! WRAP YOUR ABS PATR ICI A INDEP ENDENT DISTR IB UTO R ( 915 ) - 217 - 5 8 63 www.blissmwr.com which must include either airfare and hotel, airfare and car rental or a combination of all three. Aside from cruises and amusement parks, Leisure Travel also extends their services for the convenience of the Soldiers and their families as an outlet for Ticketmaster. Whether your travels are by air, ship, car or train, Leisure Travel Service can assist in planning and executing your next four-day weekend, family vacation or a quick getaway with your guys or girls. Leisure Travel has YOUR ticket! For more information, contact any of the Leisure Travel Services locations or visit www.blissmwr.com/itr. Whether your travels are by air, ship, car or train, Leisure Travel Services can assist. IN AS LITTLE AS 45 MINUTES! Detoxifies & Deeply Hydrates Tightens, Tones, & Firms NO Pain, Bruising, or Surgery Immediate & Lasting Results NOT WATER LOSS, ACTUAL FAT LOSS FOR MEN AND WOMEN www.blissmwr.com the Mediterranean and Europe. The Disney cruise line (also the most expensive and most family-oriented cruise line) can cost on average $8,000 for a family of five. The line takes you to their own island – the Cast Away Cay – among other great getaways. Disney also provides a military promotion twice a year. Those of you who don’t mind or have the time can travel across country via Amtrak. It may take you a little longer, but that time can be utilized as free sightseeing (hmmm, now there’s an idea). This commuter option can be the least expensive and booked with a package as well. Through booking engines, Leisure Travel can package any vacation itinerary for families. It must be a package though, $0 SEE RESULTS i t r i mi n c h e s . co m 30 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing NEED TO MAKE TAPE ? • • • • • recreation leisure recreation leisure At your leisure The frame game FEATURED AT THE EMMY & OSCAR AWARDS CELEBRITY GIFT SUITES! MOVES YOU IN Salvador Renteria 915-383-4515 salvador@saratoga-homes.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 31 School-Age Services gives kids an afternoon advantage Child development centers celebrate fall holidays with fun and learning Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing As parents, we make it our mission to be involved in every aspect of our children’s lives, especially at Child, Youth and School Services’ child development centers. This fall, we attempt to help you plan the holiday season with your kids – and from the look of things, it’s fun for the entire family. This time of year is always busy and buzzing with so much to do on Fort Bliss. The CDCs are no exception to the rule. Logan CDC director Elvia Walker and Main CDC director Ann Ogle gave me a preview of what’s to come. Holiday programs are usually run the same at all the centers (of course, for continuity). There may be a slight difference to activities, but it doesn’t vary much. Things kick off in the month of October with the fall festival. The children are taught what’s happening around the world at this time of year: leaves change color, the temperature drops a smidgen and the time falls back (that must be a doozey to explain). It’s always good for kids to learn such things, but they’re more into the fun stuff. The fall festival is a setup of a variety of activities for the children to participate in – bobbing for apples, face painting, storytelling and ring toss. Of course, nonscary, age-appropriate costumes are allowed. In November, things chill out a bit. That’s when the fun sweaters begin Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing to appear. It’s also the time when the CDCs have their Thanksgiving Feast! Parents are invited as staff prepares a full-course Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings. Preschool rooms prepare a skit and perform. Teachers set up the classrooms in preparation for International Children’s Day, a day where the kids visit classrooms that are themed as different countries and learn about those countries. “Last year, the week before Thanksgiving, it was awesome to be able to celebrate earlier due to deployments, so families could gather and be together,” said Walker. “We were honored to have shared such a special time and send them off in a special way.” The month of December brings good cheer and giving, and don’t forget about the fat guy in the red suit. Due to low attendance at the centers in December, largely due to families going on vacation, the centers consolidate. This also allows for vacations for the staff. The holiday program consists of centers getting together and performing a skit at Soldier Hall. Santa also visits the classrooms and takes pictures with the kids. Parents, this is another opportunity to volunteer to your hearts’ content for a discount that goes toward your monthly child care bill. For more info on volunteering, contact your child’s center. Happy holidays! Webster University/Fort Bliss 632 Taylor St BLDG B Hours: M-TH 0900-1700 FRI- 0900-1200 POC: Julie Smith (smithj@webster.edu) Telephone: (915) 562.4400 Programs: Master of Business Administration *Master of Health Administration Human Resources Development Management and Leadership Business and Organizational Security Information Technology Management *Community Counseling *Evening class from 1730-2130 32 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! $0 MOVES YOU IN Laura Fierro 915-502-3261 laura@saratoga-homes.com www.blissmwr.com Summer was a blast, but now it’s back-to-school time. With their innovative and educational after-school programs, Child, Youth and School Services’ School-Age Services makes sure your child stays the course. Typically, when coming off of a three-month hiatus from anything school-related, it’s pretty tough to get back into the swing of things. As adults, we go through the same thing after two weeks’ vacation. Fortunately, school-age centers like Milam SAC get the job done with the right tools, keen staff and the kids’ best interest in mind. Bliss School-Age Center and Logan SAC have curricula similar to Milam SAC, but MSAC director Yvette Camacho takes extra steps to ensure her students are aware of all options that are readily available to them. Starting in the summer, Camacho and her staff visited the surrounding schools (currently, it’s just Milam Elementary), met with the school’s curriculum specialist and researched the school’s curriculum to match a service offered at the MSAS: Power Hour. The program is similar to a tutoring program that’s offered after school where kids come in and have homework time for an hour. With this program, students can come in and take advantage of getting the extra help needed in any given subject. Students can also gain reward points by participating. The program is geared toward helping the kids do better in school. The kids can still have fun with extracurricular activities with the clubs on site, as well. Most of the after-school programming is based on guidelines provided by the 4H Club and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In addition, the elementary school students can take advantage of the “Weird Science” club, a club that stirs up ideas for science projects for school and where the students can get help if they need to work on any of the projects. The “Recycle Art” club is where the young adolescents can bring things from home and breathe new life into the old things by turning them into art. www.blissmwr.com family CYSS family CYSS After-school special Happy holidays darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing “It also brings consciousness and awareness about the environment,” said Camacho. Another club that may accompany the rest is the Polynesian club. This is where the kids can learn to hula dance, learn about the music and master the basic use of a ukulele! “Usually, the first half of the year we select a certain amount of clubs (four to five) and let the kids try them out; they tell us by their feet as to what’s successful or not,” said Camacho. The amount of traffic a specific club receives is what decides what sticks. For the second half of the year, the schedule goes back to the drawing board and is appropriately tweaked. Currently, the MSAC has 55 kids enrolled in the after-school program— and that doesn’t include the influx of families that comes with a new class the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Bliss SAC provides before- and after-school care, full-day and weekend programs for students at Bliss Elementary School and Hughey Elementary School, and before-school care for students at Ross Middle School. Logan SAC provides before- and after-school care and full-day programs for students at Logan Elementary School, Travis Elementary School, Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School, Colin Powell Elementary School and Burnet Elementary School. Milam SAC provides before- and after-school care and full-day programs for students at Milam Elementary School, and before-school care for students at Ross Middle School. All school-age centers escort children to and from the schools they service. Stop on by any of the three locations – Bliss, Logan or Milam – and find out what’s in store for your child once the school day is out. Parents, a quick note to you: With fees on the rise, it would be advantageous to showcase a skill-set, volunteer or participate in a program at your child’s center for a 10 percent discount on child care fees! For more info on any SAS after-school program, please contact any SAC or check out the website at www.blissmwr.com/sas. ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 33 SKIES programs teach youth practical skills Darline Goyea, Family and MWR Marketing Military life is not always easy, whether you are the service member or a family member. However, there is a profuse amount of programs that are available to all – to make life more enjoyable. As adults, we do what is necessary to sustain ourselves while living the military life. On the other hand, our children may not know what’s available or how to attain such accommodations. Child and Youth School Services’ SKIES Unlimited proposes an unlimited amount of life skills courses and programs to prepare your child or young adult for what la vie has to offer. The School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills (SKIES) comprises four schools corresponding to the four service areas defined by CYSS programs. This quarter, SKIES and facility manager Joy Clickener, along with her darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing troops at both locations (main post on Doniphan Road and in the Logan Heights housing area), are highlighting the School of Life Skills, Citizen- ship and Leadership. Courses such as driver’s education, which is conducted by El Paso Driving Academy (located on Hondo Pass), provides 32 hours of classroom instruction and 14 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction for each student. Teens must be at least 15 years of age and registered with CYSS to enroll in the class. The driver’s education class through the SKIES program is $280. Babysitter’s training is another program offered through SKIES. The young adults will develop the skills it takes to care for smaller children. Students will learn about safety, first aid, CPR, nutrition, entertaining children and so much more. Again, all youths must be registered with CYSS, and students must be at least 11 years old to participate in the babysitter’s training. For more information on all SKIES courses please check out www. blissmwr.com/skies. © Disney/Pixar. © Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved. MR. POTATO HEAD and MRS. POTATO HEAD are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Slinky®Dog is a trademark of Poof-Slinky, Inc. family CYSS Life lessons You load up. We move out. There’s no smarter way to move and store. Skip the hassle of renting, driving, loading and unloading a truck. Instead, call PODS to make your PPM move as smooth as possible. Save up to10% Military Tickets $15! * OCT. 5-9 Available through your Exchange 866-667-5593 PODS.com/militaryexchange Promo Code: EXCH for service locations. Must mention promotional code at time of order. Cannot be combined with any other offer. For local rentals, 10% off initial local delivery and first month’s storage. Discount does not apply to extended delivery areas. For moves between two different PODS territories, 5% off first month’s storage, administrative fees, and transportation costs. This advertisement is neither paid for nor sponsored, in whole or in part, by any element of the United States Government. ©2011 PODS Enterprises, Inc. PODS® is a registered trademark of PODS Enterprises, Inc. P01948_0211 34 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com Wed. OCT. 5 ★ 7:30 PM OPENING NIGHT SAVE $5 on Tickets!* Thu. OCT. 6 Fri. OCT. 7 7:30 PM^ 7:30 PM Sat. Sun. OCT. 8 OCT. 9 12 NOON 12 NOON 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM *Excludes Rinkside and VIP seats. No double discounts. ^Spanish Performance Purchase tickets at the Information Office in the PX through Ticketmaster. 177495 *Available for a limited time only at participating locations. Offer void where prohibited by law. Please call or visit our website Excludes Rinkside and VIP seats. No double discounts. Additional fees may apply. Regular Ticket Prices: $15 • $21 • $26 • $31 VIP • $43 Rinkside www.blissmwr.com Additional fees may apply. ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 35 ACS honors outstanding employees community ACS community ACS Season of giving Rewarding excellence Focus on the true meaning of the holidays by volunteering in your community Top right: Army Community Service recently presented the ACS Commitment to Excellence Award to employees who demonstrate exceptional performance of duties and dedication in supporting Soldiers and family members. Pictured with ACS Chief Peggy Brown (fourth from right) are Cher Poehlein, Ana Hernandez, Leonard Foleen, Juanita Harley, Vanessa Carmichael, Eileen McCormick and Philip Priest. Not pictured: Ruth Nero and Leba Hirsch. Right: Richard Boehler was presented the ACS Role Model Award for exceptional performance of duties and dedication to supporting Soldiers, family members and all who come into contact with him. Richard is professional and reliable, and demonstrates great initiative. His exemplary work ethic is a model for all to emulate. He is an inspirational member of the Army Community Service staff. Boehler, left, is pictured with ACS Chief Peggy Brown. Bottom right: The ACS Financial Readiness Program staff was presented the ACS Effective Team Award for exceptional performance in setting the example of an effective team in supporting Soldiers, family members and all who come in contact with them. The team’s ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude is contagious and is a standard for all to emulate. Tephanie Hopper, Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator Have you ever heard that old saying, “It’s better to give, than to receive”? This year, instead of making that list of items you would like to receive from Old Saint Nick, make a list of places where you would like to donate gift items or volunteer time during this Season of Giving. It’s so easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle and forget what this season is truly about, and that is giving. Volunteering during this special time will focus your attention on the true meaning of the season. Volunteering provides many benefits for both the volunteer and the organization that needs volunteers. For the volunteers, they could acquire new skills, meet new people, and get that special warm and fuzzy good feeling from helping others. For the organization, they could be receiving muchneeded and valued help at the busiest time of the year. This could also inspire volunteers to share their experiences and help recruit others to volunteer. Before deciding what organization to volunteer for, it is highly recommended that you research different organizations online and gain an understanding on the overall objectives of that organization. You should try to learn what the organization does and then determine if you have a special gift or talent that you could use to help that organization. If you make the decision to volunteer, you would benefit a lot more from the volunteering experience if you find something that fits you best. Making the decision to volunteer is one of the best decisions you can make. By volunteering, you would exemplify the true spirit of giving to your friends and family. So this year, make sure that one of your wishes is to give to others. Take part in something meaningful and fulfilling during this holiday season; Volunteer! Contact the Fort Bliss Army Volunteer Corps to volunteer during this holiday season; call (915) 569-7733 or visit www.blissmwr. com/volunteer for more information. You can also find the Fort Bliss Army Volunteer Corps on Facebook; search for Fort Bliss Volunteers and “Like” their page to keep up with volunteer needs in our community. photos by denise carothers, army community service 5815 Montana Ave, El Paso, Texas 79925 915-779-2272 www.casaford.com 36 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 37 Family Resilience Center opens Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing The Family Resilience Center, which opened its doors August 1, may be new to Fort Bliss, but the building in which it is located has a long history on the installation. Built in 1919, the building housed the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club for 90 years. Now, after almost two years and $3.4 million in renovations, the Family Resilience Center is ready to take its own place in Fort Bliss history, this time as a facility that supports the families of Fort Bliss Soldiers of all ranks. “The facility’s mission is resilience,” said Thuy Depew, FRC manager. That mission, she said, has come about as a result of changing attitudes in the Army. “There has been a big change in the Army, and it’s filtering down to the different levels: to the Soldiers, to the [Department of the Army] civilians, and now to the families, as well.” That change, Depew said, is the Army’s shifting focus from one type of strength – physical – to a more comprehensive idea of strength, an idea that addresses other components of a one’s life. “The Department of the Army has their Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, and that focuses on resilience for the Soldiers, family members and DA civilians,” Depew said. “It deals with the five dimensions of strength: physical, emotional, spiritual, family and social. “With the Army, for so long it’s been ‘Army Strong,’ and it just focused on the physical aspect of a person,” she continued. “Now, we’re trying to encompass all the other components that can enable that person to be resilient.” The Wellness Fusion Campus, an initiative spearheaded by 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Commanding General Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, had the 38 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com Soldiers’ resiliency covered, Depew said. “Now we needed to look at the family side and ask, What can we do to support resilience in family members?” she explained. “The Army had just come out with resilience training for family members, and the idea came – let’s have a facility to focus on that, and then bring in other programs that can help support resilience in those family members, as well.” Those programs include the resilience training itself, family readiness group leader training, Care Team training and suicide prevention training (also known as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Also on hand: Army Family Team Building and Better Opportunities for Single Parents (a new program), a financial educator, unit service coordinator and ACS outreach coordinator. “We feel all those programs support the facility’s mission,” Depew added. “People can come in for training and to utilize any of the services offered.” In addition, the FRC boasts a resource center with 10 computer stations, a small library, and a television. “You can get on the computer, you can sit and read,” Depew said. “We want the FRC to be somewhere you can sit and take a break, not just somewhere that you come to take a class. “We wanted it to be very welcoming and relaxing, so if family members wanted to come in and they weren’t taking a class, but just wanted to sit and relax, they can do that as well,” she added. The facility’s decor reflects this goal. Muted earth tones, a stone fireplace and comfortable seating all beckon guests to sit down and relax for a while. The atmo- darline goyea, Family and mwr marketing sphere carries over into the FRC’s seven classrooms, as well. “Those classrooms are getting a lot of use right now, with the family readiness groups,” Depew said. “They’re coming in and reserving the classrooms to hold their meetings in, during the evenings. We’re hosting steering committee meetings during the day, and the facility is also open to Soldier trainings, as well. “It’s a little nicer and more conducive to learning here,” she continued. “That’s one of the ideas behind this facility when they were planning it. We don’t want this to be a typical, everyday business facility where you walk in and you just feel ... well, the walls are white, and there are the classrooms. We wanted it to be something more.” The biggest benefit of the FRC’s opening, Depew said, is that Fort Bliss families now have another facility to use, especially for FRG meetings. “And everything is free – there’s no charge whatsoever – and we are continuing to provide the education to our Soldiers and family members so that they can face whatever challenges in their life and continue to grow, and thrive and move on. I think that’s the big takeaway.” To learn more about the services and programs offered at the Family Resilience Center, stop by Bldg. 250 Club Road between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, or call (915) 569-5500. community ACS Bounce back! ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 39 community ACS Volunteer force AFAP seeks volunteers to make conference a success Heather Wilburn, Family and MWR Marketing Do you want to make a positive difference in your community? Do you want to help improve the lives of Soldiers, family members, retirees and civilians, not only at Fort Bliss, but Army-wide? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should consider volunteering for the annual Army Family Action Plan Conference. This year, the conference will be held October 31-November 4 at the new Family Resilience Center on Fort Bliss. Volunteers are needed to serve as delegates and support staff, including recorders, room managers and issue support personnel. Activeduty military, family members, retirees, National Guardsmen, Reservists and DoD civilians are all eligible to participte. “We want an all-volunteer conference, so we ask everyone to come out,” said Helen Barrientes, AFAP program manager. “Without volunteers, the conference doesn’t exist.” How does the AFAP Conference work? It begins with issues submitted by members of the Fort Bliss community. People can submit issues online, or download the form and return it to Army Community Service, or submit them at issue boxes located around the installation. The issues are distributed to subjectmatter workgroups, comprised of volunteer delegates. The delegates look at each issue and determine what can be handled offline, what issues can be handled at Fort Bliss, and what issues they think should move up to the next level – in this case, U.S. Army Forces Command, or FORSCOM. The process is repeated at the FORSCOM level, and pertinent issues are forwarded to the Army-wide AFAP level. This year, additional delegates are needed for workgroups that pertain specifically to wounded warrior and survivor issues, said Allison Nick, AFAP program assistant. “We’re trying to reach out to our survivors and wounded warriors to have separate workgroups just for them,” she said. Support staff volunteers play an important role in the conference, making sure the delegates have what they need to accomplish their mission and stay on track, and recording the discussions and their results. For each volunteer, AFAP requests a five-day commitment. Monday-Wednesday are full, eight-hour days. Thursday is on the books as an if-necessary day, and Friday is a half-day that features the conference outbriefing. Child care is provided for children registered with Child, Youth and School Services, and meals are provided during the conference’s working hours. If you can’t make the full five-day commitment to the conference, you can still help your community by submitting issues. “That’s also doing something for your whole community,” Barrientes said. “You can submit changes, things that you’d like to see improved upon, or a suggestion for an entirely new program.” Submitting an issue through the AFAP channels is a great way to make sure your voice is heard, she added. To submit an issue or register as a delegate or support staff volunteer, visit www. blissmwr.com/afap. To learn more, call (915) 568-1132. Having TrouBle getting an auto loan? MILES Can Help! ® MILES® is a leading auto financing source for active duty military with limited credit. We’ll provide you vehicle purchase training, make sure you NEVER pay more than retail and help you to build good credit. Assisting Service Members with their Vehicle Purchase 100,000 and counting ® Apply today and learn how MILES® can assist YOU usmiles.com/military or Call: 888-804-1435 40 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 41 FORT BLISS & FAMILY AND MWR FACILITIES FRED WILSON RD ON EAS PL AIRPORT RD RD CHAFFEE RD CARRINGTON ER AM AIRPORT RD HOOD RD BOEING DR RD HUGHEY ID JEB STUART SOUTH IM ON GER ST BR GE www.blissmwr.com ST AIRWAY BLVD STONEMAN D GRU ST MA ST TR OW ROBERT E. LEE GATE ROBERT E. LEE RD SCALES RD TON RD IR DR CONVA DICKMAN RD FORSYTH RD ASHBURN ST 40 CHASE RD 52 HOWZE ST RADFORD AVE GATEWAY BLVD NORTH HINMAN RD PLEASONTON RD PERSHING RD AIRWAY BLVD GATEWAY BLVD SOUTH El Paso International Airport MORGAN AVE ING 50 SHERIDAN RD LOCATIONS WITH WI-FI To I-10 www.blissmwr.com 34 33 1 BUILDING LOCATIONS TROWBRIDGE ST CR CUSTER RD PLEASONTON RD 22 RD PE R SH MILITARY GATES JEB STUART RD MARSHALL RD TAYLOR ST DUDLEY ST DR MILITARY AREAS 8 MERRITT RD LEIGH FISHER BLVD 15 JEB STUART RD DONIPHAN RD SLATER RD PERSHING RD SHERIDAN RD CLUB RD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5 CARTER RD JEB STUART RD agord o SHERIDAN GATE DYER ST RUSSELL ST RUSSELL ST COPIA ST ST ELM ST PIEDRAS ST PIEDRAS ST EL PASO, TEXAS BO ELM ST ER ID AN CARTER RD 2 12 49 46 SH MOBILE AVE CHAFFEE RD RD 19 N 16 3 REMAGEN GATE 48 42 BUTTERFIELD TRAIL BLVD A 18 7 SUMNER RD 28 PERSHING GATE 29 RD PIA CO 42 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! 568-1117 565-4100 568-2115 569-2331 533-1244 568-2121 51 23 14 EMERGENCY NUMBERS Fire Emergencies Housing Areas Military Police Ambulance Poison Information Information Operator 9 43 CASSIDY 30 M 53 38 IN 1743 2408 503A 6077 195 (915) 568-4339 (915) 568-9699 (915) 568-7506 (915) 569-5644 (915) 568-1890 (915) 742-2266 (915) 568-KIDS ADAIR RD STENNIS ST 39 27 25 41 10 FOUNDERS BLVD R 1334 5035 131 887 2496 2930 262 1301 503B (915) 562-4036 (915) 568-7506 (915) 568-1537 (915) 568-7431 (915) 568-7187 (915) 568-6923 (915) 569-3858 (915) 568-3264 (915) 569-5449 (915) 562-5451 44 M TO 45 PIKE RD KE 47 48 49 50 51 1733 1 HAAN RD C 37 38 39 40 41 54 42 43 44 45 46 S IN 11 13 54 RD 37 36 PIKE RD CASSIDY GATE PK ARTILLERY RD SHANNON VAN VALZAH RD RI 5054 2968 1743 1611 33 34 35 36 (915) 564-0795 568-2538/2898 (915) 568-3035 (915) 568-1241 (915) 566-1133 (915) 568-7141 (915) 568-7506 (915) 564-5275 (915) 568-6156 (915) 568-7318 (915) 568-2115 2116/2117 (915) 568-4518 (915) 568-7393 (915) 568-4374 PX: (915) 562-7200 HAAN RD AN PH RD Old Fort Bliss Replica Museum Omar Bradley Softball Complex Parent Central/CYSS Registration Freedom Crossing Post Exchange, Grand Theatre Third-party Shops Post Office POV Car Resale Lot Recycling Center Replica Aquatic Center SKIESUnlimited Gymnastic Center Soldier and Family Assistance Center ALTURA Soldier and Family AVE Medical Clinic Stout Physical Fitness Center Tennis RICHMOND Club & Fitness Zone AVE Thrift Shop, OCSA Transportation Inbound Transportation Outbound Transportation Unit Funds USO AURORA AVE Vehicle Registration Veterinary Services WHEELING AVE Youth Services 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 HUMPHREY RD NI (915) 562-4767 2011 500B (915) 568-3301 (915) 568-4849 45 PIERCE AVE (915) 562-8461 7060 (915) 568-1132 2494 (915) 565-7777 1744 (915) 568-7280 820 (915) 568-6272 2949 (915) 630-8669 197 (915) 568-1519 112 (915) 568-5689 1730 (915) 569-7199 5036 504B (915) 568-6287 (915) 568-4022 1717 (915) 568-5380 250 (915) 568-4108 6380 (915) 568-3500 11 (915) 568-5412 1735 (915) 569-5500 250 (915) 568-5563 820 (915) 568-2833 1 7777 (915) 569-2121 7777 (915) 569-2331 7777 7777 (915) 569-CARE (888) 874-9378 7777 (915) 569-2483 7777 17 21 DO A Little Bit of Bliss Gift Shop Adjutant General American Red Cross Armed Services YMCA Army Community Service IHG Army Hotels at Fort Bliss Automotive Skills Center/Auto Crafts Bowling Center/Desert Strike Lanes Car Wash, Scuds & Suds Chaplain Child Development Center, Main Child Development Center, Replica Civilian Personnel Office Commissary Community Pool VAN BUREN AVE Defense Military Pay Office Family and MWR Headquarters Old Ironsides MuseumAVE MONROE Family Resilience Center Framing Bliss Garrison Command Hospital: WBAMC Information McKINLEY AVE Ambulance Appointments TRICARE Service Center Red Cross Housing On-Post/Balfour Beatty 1991 Off-Post In-Processing/Welcome Center FORT BLVD Inspector General Kelly Park Legal Assistance Leisure Travel Services (ITR) Mainstreet Expresso Mickelsen Community Library Milam Fitness Center Military Police Station NG HI RS R PE CI 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 52 12 13 14 15 16 17 53 18 19 20 Fort Bliss National Cemetery EARL H. BRUNS RD H ALABAMA ST Telephone RD Bldg. 1991 505 8 NA 113 1734 1310 2 2499 125 24 McNAIR RD Organization 6 WORK AVE HAYES ST FORT BLISS LEGEND No. 21 ALABAMA ST To Ala m 4 ALABAMA GATE VICTORY AVE RD LOUSIANA 20 CHAFFEE GATE 35 47 26 ER N GO LI RD L N E cK YO M AN C SLICER AVE FRED WILSON GATE WILLARD HOLDBROOK RD MA ST ALABA Bridge to East Fort Bliss/Biggs Army Airfield FRED WILSON RD YAQUI WY A AVE N MONTA 62 180 To L ubbock ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 43 EAST FORT BLISS ES SID D OL N IRO DR EAST FORT BLISS LEGEND No. Organization Bldg. Telephone DR DES NSI IRO OLD LUKE BARKSDALE WRIGHT PETERSON WENDOVER 12 CHANUTES BIGGS WALTER JONES SCOTT BOLLING SGT MARKLE LUKE SHORT DUNCAN RANDOLPH SPUR 601 GLOBAL REACH GATE EL PASO, TEXAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SERGEANT MAJOR BLVD MILITARY AREAS AIRPORT ROAD 3 E RG P LUKE G 9 H AC RE FOUNDERS 1 BUILDING LOCATIONS L BA 8 MILITARY GATES LOCATIONS WITH WI-FI O GL 44 • Fall 2011 • ¡blissNOW! El Paso International Airport RY ER EO 7 AIL TR GENERAL HARMON GATE E SERGEANT MAJOR BLVD AN MINUE DRIVE RS 4 SGT E CHURCHILL IA NIS TU AD RO DR IN N O TI AD PP MSG R MILLER SGT C THOMAS 5 CK BLA AD RO 13 O BIGGS GATE SSG SIMS MSG R MILLER IL RA KT TAN WK HA Z CSM E. SLEWITZE SGT MARKLE Y WA LE BIGGS ARMY AIRFIELD 2 O RN E TU K RH VE 1 AN V DRI TI NS CO INE ER ASS SA DE SE AY LE W EAG AD RO ER UN E RG Y WA AY EW L EAG R BE SA M VD BL TH T AN O AJ VD BL L PA GE R O AJ M R SE R OR UE MIN AY W GU AN ZIO AN 11 TO T E-A S AY W IC V LF M RO R IE LD SO AN 10 RY Y WA Y WA A LF V GU CH SBA CH BA NS RM SHE N O AY YW OR T IC NK TA WK HA CK VE BLA DRI UE MIN O IR OR O IR LD IKE STR S N R D ES ID ARM 13471 (915) 566-5479 AAFES Mini Mall Army Community Service Annex/AER A478/479 (915) 744-1435 11251 (915) 744-8730 Biggs Gym 11388 (915) 744-8087 Biggs Park 11284 (915) 562-8442 Biggs Shoppette 11199 (915) 744-9330 Cenntennial Club (915) 562-5969 Catering Dining Room Habanero Java Cafe Primo’s Express (915) 744-9600 Takeout Orders (915) 744-8427 Metro Bingo Bar T20700 (915) 744-8697 6 Ironworks Gym 11896 (915) 744-7879 7 Milam Child Development Center 11898 (915) 744-2274 8 Milam School Age Center 10960 (915) 744-2278 9 Milam Youth Activity Center 20751 (915) 744-5788 10 Soto Physical Fitness Facility BOSS Headquarters Leisure Travel Services Outdoor Recreation Unit Funds 11 USO/FirstLight Federal Credit Union 20727 (915) 744-3480 USO (800) 351-1670 FirstLight Federal Credit Union 12 U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy 11291 (915) 744-8009 (915) 562-5645 AAFES SMA Bookstore 1 13 2 3 4 5 www.blissmwr.com www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 45 family and mwrdirectory ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE Bldg. 2494 Ricker Road (915) 568-1132 ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNEX Bldg. A478, between Sapper & Kasserine, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-1435 FAMILY RESILIENCE CENTER Bldg. 250 Club Road (915) 569-5500 SOLDIER AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER Bldg. 887 Marshall Road (915) 568-6923 SOTO PFC Bldg. 20751 Constitution Avenue, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-5788 STOUT PFC Bldg. 2930 Cassidy Road (915) 568-3264 MILAM PFC Bldg. 2499 Cassidy Road (915) 568-7318 LOGAN HEIGHTS PFC Bldg. 4797 Ellerthorpe Road, Logan Heights (915) 568-5198 BIG ED’S GYM Basement, Bldg. 2 Sheridan Road (915) 568-4508 BIGGS PFC Bldg. 11251 Biggs Street, East Bliss (915) 744-8730 IRONWORKS GYM Bldg. T20700 Sergeant Major Boulevard, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-8697 TENNIS CLUB & FITNESS ZONE Bldg. 262 Club Road (915) 569-5449 COMMUNITY POOL Bldg. 250 Club Road (915) 568-4825 REPLICA AQUATIC CENTER Bldg. 5035 Dickman Road (915) 568-7431 Bldg. 11199 Sgt. E. Churchill Street, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-8427 GYMS & FITNESS FACILITIES FOOD, LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT CENTENNIAL BANQUET AND CONFERENCE CENTER UNDERWOOD GOLF COMPLEX & GOLDEN TEE Bldg. 3191 Coe Avenue, Logan Heights (915) 562-1273 DESERT STRIKE LANES Bldg. 2949 Ricker Road (915) 568-6272 FORT BLISS ROD & GUN CLUB Bldg. 3730 Roy Johnson Lane, Northeast El Paso (915) 565-4867 BIGGS PARK Bldg. 11388 Sergeant Major Boulevard, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-8087 MICKELSEN LIBRARY E-Wing, Basement, Bldg. 2, Pershing Circle (915) 568-6156 RV PARK Bldg. 4130 Ellerthorpe Road (915) 568-0106 FRAMING BLISS Bldg. 820 Marshall Road (915) 568-5563 AUTOMOTIVE SKILLS CENTER Bldg. 820 Marshall Road (915) 568-7280 LEISURE TRAVEL SERVICES-MAIN Bldg. 1743 Victory Avenue (915) 568-7506 LEISURE TRAVEL SERVICES-PX KIOSK Freedom Crossing, Main Exchange, Bldg. 1611, Marshall Road (915) 569-6446 LEISURE TRAVEL SERVICES - SOTO GYM 2nd Floor, Bldg. 20751 Constitution Boulevard, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-5105 OLD FORT BLISS MUSEUM Bldg. 5054, Pershing Road & Pleasonton Road (915) 568-4518 EL PASO HONDA CHILD, YOUTH & SCHOOL SERVICES FACILITIES CYSS PARENT CENTRAL Bldg. 1743, Victory Avenue (915) 568-4374 CYSS PARENT CENTRAL SATELLITE OFFICE Bldg. 503B, Pershing Road (915) 568-2146 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER-MAIN Bldg. 1730, Pleasonton Road (915) 568-5689 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER-LOGAN Bldg. 3500, Ellerthorpe Road, Logan Heights (915) 568-3989 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER-MILAM Bldg. 11896, Haan Road, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-7879 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER-REPLICA Bldg. 5036 Sheridan Road (915) 569-7199 SCHOOL-AGE CENTER-BLISS Bldg. 11898, Sheridan Road (915) 568-2178 SCHOOL-AGE CENTER-LOGAN Bldg. 3505, Ellerthorpe Road, Logan Heights (915) 569-5784 SCHOOL-AGE CENTER-MILAM Bldg. 11898, Hann Road, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-2274 YOUTHPLEX Bldg. 195, Chaffee Road (915) 568-5437 MILAM YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER Bldg. 10960, Haan Road, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-2278 SKIESUnlimited - Main Bldg. 3508, Ellerthorpe Road, Logan Heights (915) 569-7732 SKIESUnlimited - Gymnastic CENTER Bldg. 131, Doniphan Road (915) 568-5544 FAMILY CHILD CARE (FCC) Bldg. 1730, Victory Road (915) 568-4198 SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER Bldg. 503B, Pershing Road (915) 569-5064 MORE FAMILY AND MWR PHONE NUMBERS DFMWR HEADQUARTERS 2nd Floor, Bldg. 11, 2nd Floor, Pershing Road (915) 568-3500 PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS & SOLICITATION Bldg. 11, 2nd Floor, Pershing Road (915) 568-4444 UNIT FUNDS Bldg. 1743, Victory Road (915) 568-7506 UNIT FUNDS - SOTO GYM 2nd Floor, Bldg. 20751 Constitution Boulevard, East Fort Bliss (915) 744-5105 VET SERVICES Bldg. 6077, Carter Road (915) 742-2266 www.blissmwr.com ¡blissNOW! • Fall 2011 • 47 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID EL PASO, TX PERMIT #296 MWR Marketing Bldg 11, Pershing Rd. Fort Bliss, TX 79916 i t n e t t A At FirstLight you get paid first! !! n o WE NO W OFF ER Enjoy early payroll posting! Just one of the many benefits of being a military member at FirstLight! M-Tap Program Branches and ATMs Low Rates An auto loan program for military with little or no credit. Nine locations, three conveniently located on post, and over 180 local no-fee ATMs available to members. Credit unions are not for profit, offering better rates than you would find at a bank. M I L I T A R Y T U R N K E Y A U T O P R O G R A M 3500 Plus, you have access to use over 4,000 national credit unions through the Shared Branching network and over 37,000 national Co-Op ATMs. On post locations: “It’s a great day to be a soldier’s credit union” TM • Marshall 1741 Marshall Rd., Fort Bliss, 79906 • William Beaumont 500 N. Piedras, Fort Bliss, 79920 • East Fort Bliss 20727 Constitution Ave., Fort Bliss, 79918 www.military.firstlightfcu.org