UPCOMING EVENTS FEb. 12, 10 a.M.-2 P.M.:

Cooking Matters Tour - Commissary

FEb. 19, 11:30 a.M.:Black History Month Observance -

McGill Training Center

FEb. 19, 6 P.M.:Kimbrough town hall -

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

FEb. 23-27:Fort Meade Military Saves Week

FEb. 26, 9 a.M.-4 P.M.:Financial Readiness Fair -

McGill Training Center

HEalTHy lIVINGSpecial insert helps

Fort Meade members meet wellness, fitness goals

INSIDE

GOOd TIMESCommunity activities help

EFMP families find support, strengthen bonds

pagE 10

Soundoff!́vol. 67 no. 5 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community February 5, 2015

ThE way ahEaD

photo by nate pesce

Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley talks with newly elected Maryland Gov. lawrence J. Hogan Jr. as they walk to the Defense Information School on Friday. Hogan visited Fort Meade for the first time to learn about DoD growth on the installation and to honor DInFoS for its 50th anniversary. For the story, see Page 3.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................11

CrimeWatch................. 4 Movies.................................15

Community................. 13 Classified.............................17

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. foleyGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. rodwell l. forbesPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones Chad.T.Jones.civ@mail.milChief, Command informationPhilip H. Jones Philip.H.Jones.civ@mail.milEditor dijon rolleDijon.N.Rolle.civ@mail.milassistant Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Shari rosendesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by the Baltimore Sun Media Group

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300or email advertise@baltsun.com

If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail TP@baltsun.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by The Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA, Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-5602; DSN: 622-5602.

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Printed by The Baltimore Sun Co., LLC, a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.

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Greetings, Team Meade.Wow! January has passed and we are already in

the month of February. I was recently reminded by a Fort Meade member that we should cherish each day and not rush into days, months and years yet ahead of us.

It gave me a different perspective with regard to living each day to the fullest and maximizing the time you have every day of your life.

That said, I open this week’s column by wel-coming those who are new to the installation, or as we like to say, “Welcome to Team Meade!” You are definitely in the right place at the right time to assist in spearheading the development and transformation of this dynamic post.

I urge you to take advantage of all the resourc-es, activities and events offered through our instal-lation and community partners in and around the area. We strive to provide you “excellent and seamless” service as you transition to life at Fort Meade and become settled in our community.

To our separating service members who are entering a period of transition into civilian life, thank you for your selfless and faithful service to our nation. No matter how long you served, you’ve made a tremendous impact. Always be proud of your service as you are representative of a small percentage of our population who volun-teered to help defend this great nation.

May you end your military career with my best wishes and may you be blessed in your future endeavors. I wish you continued success in the future including a wish for you to be blessed with the strength and courage to continue to make a difference.

As I share a couple highlights from January, remember to stop and thank our service members in these units for their outstanding service. The 327th Signal Company has provided not only excellent communications services, but has also fostered an environment that has resulted in zero alcohol-related incidents over the last 60 months.

Also make note that the Asymmetric Warfare Group has opened its newly constructed indoor range to the Fort Meade community, making it possible for authorized service members and civil-ians to be certified, locally, on their weapons.

Last week, we held our first Community Coun-cil Meeting and Partner Commanders’ Luncheon of the year. Thanks to the garrison, the post com-munity and our partner commands for participat-ing and providing valued information that will allow us all to be better prepared in the future.

This week, I find myself echoing the comments of one of our partner commands with the intent to raise awareness of the need for everyone to be mindful about properly clearing the snow and ice from your vehicles before driving. As we continue to experience winter weather, please note that snow and ice on your windshield limits your vis-

ibility.Plan with safe-

ty in mind and take the extra time to properly defrost and clear your vehicles of ice and snow.

This quar-ter we will kick off the annual Army Emergen-cy Relief cam-paign. This year’s campaign will run March 1 through May 15.

AER is an emergency, financial assistance program for Soldiers, retirees and their family members. Through sister-agency reimbursement agreements, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps personnel also may receive assistance through Fort Meade’s AER.

As you hear more about this year’s fundraising campaign, keep in mind that AER is one of our valuable resources that help our service members remain resilient through tough times. All dona-tions to AER are used to support Soldiers and their families. It’s another way in which the Army takes care of its own.

As we close out another week at Fort Meade, I hope you will keep in mind that resilience is a critical component of readiness. Having the abil-ity to face challenges, adapt to change, and power through setbacks makes members of the military community best prepared to face any mission.

Our goal at Fort Meade is to ensure that service members and their families are aware of resources available and that when in need, we are willing to seek help for ourselves and our service members and their families.

Please continue to do all that you can to sup-port other families, connect with our community and make positive contributions to the world in which we live.

Thanks for all that you do.

Focus on the positive

Garrison command sGt. maj. rodwell l. Forbes

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley

hasanopendoorpolicy.Allservicemembers,retirees,government

employees, family members or communitymembersage18orolderareinvitedtoaddressissuesorconcernstothecommanderdirectlybyvisitingFoley’sofficeonMondays from4to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquartersinHodgesHall,Bldg.4551,LlewellynAvenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-servedbasis.Noappointmentisnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. visited Fort Meade on Friday, his first visit since his election.

The new governor met with Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley at the Demps Visitor Control Center for a briefing on the DoD’s growth on the installation.

Hogan then toured the post with other elected officials and military and garrison leaders, and later presented a proclamation at the Defense Information School in honor of its 50th anniversary.

“As one of my first official visits as Maryland’s governor, it was my great pleasure to tour Fort Meade and to see firsthand some of the important work that is taking place within Maryland’s borders — and to participate in the Defense Information School’s 50th anni-versary celebration,” Hogan said in a written statement following his visit.

During a 15-minute meeting at the VCC, Foley welcomed Hogan to Fort Meade and introduced the installation as “our nation’s primary operational platform for the defense of our nation in this cyber domain. This is the new domain of 21st-century conflict and competition.”

Other guests included Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh; Maryland State Del. Pam Beidle; Maryland State Sen. Ed DeGrange. Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard; and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Beyard, senior enlisted leader of the Maryland National Guard.

Foley said that in the past, the Army has looked to Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Hood, Texas, as “power projection plat-forms” for 20th-century power.

However, Fort Meade is now consid-ered the nation’s center of information, intelligence and cyber operations due to the presence of U.S. Cyber Command, Marine Corps Cyber Command, Navy Fleet Cyber Command, the National Security Agency and the Defense Infor-mation Systems Agency.

Foley said that Fort Meade is one of a “tiny minority of Army forts” that is growing, due to the DoD’s expansion into cyber operations.

For example, the physical and opera-tional growth of U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade will lead to an additional 2,000 people assigned to the installation over the next five years, Foley said.

Maryland’s new governor tours Meade, presents proclamation

photo by nate pesce

Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. shakes hands with Col. Jeremy Martin (center), commandant of the Defense Information School, after Hogan presented DINFOS with a proclamation recognizing the school’s 50th anniversary. Ray Shepherd (right), director of the Defense Media Activity, later presented Hogan with a DMA coin.

Currently, there is about $1.8 billion in facility construction taking place at Fort Meade due to U.S. Cyber Command growth and NSA recapitilization.

Foley explained the demographics of the installation, noting the 117 tenant organizations and a workforce of more than 51,000 military and DoD civilians. About 14,000 service members of all military branches work here, and nearly half of the civilian workforce are resi-dents of Anne Arundel County.

“Fort Meade would not flat-out be anywhere near as successful as it has been in terms of its growth without the support of the entire state of Maryland,” Foley said.

The state has been supportive in pro-viding much-needed funding for reno-vating the regional transportation infra-

structure near the installation, particu-larly Maryland Route 175.

“I am extremely proud of the dedi-cated professionals at Fort Meade who are protecting the nation’s data, conduct-ing the critical intelligence missions that protect our country and maintaining communications across the Department of Defense,” Hogan said in a written statement.

After the briefing, Foley led Hogan on an hourlong tour of the installation by bus to view the Youth Sports Com-plex, Environmental Protection Agen-cy, Adjudications and 902nd Military Intelligence Group facilities, Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, garrison head-quarters, Hale Hall and the Freedom Center Barracks.

During DINFOS’ 50th anniversary

closing ceremony, Hogan presented Col. Jeremy Martin, commandant of DIN-FOS, with a state proclamation honoring the school.

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to honor us,” Martin said.

Martin gave Hogan a DINFOS 50th anniversary coffee mug and an official DINFOS cap.

Ray Shepherd, director of the Defense Media Activity, presented the governor with a DMA coin.

Hogan thanked Martin and Shepherd, then addressed the audience.

“Congratulations on your 50th anni-versary and continue the wonderful work that you do here,” he said.

After the presentation, Hogan contin-ued on a tour of the installation.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

News

PHOTO BY STEVE ELLMORE

Alan Devalerio, who served as a contract butler at the White House from 1980 to 1989, speaks about his experiences and humorous interactions with presidents during the Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club’s monthly luncheon held Tuesday at Club Meade. The 30-minute speech was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Jan. 30, Driving while impaired by alcohol: The Directorate of Emergency Services was noti-fied by Anne Arundel County Police dispatch of a vehicle driving erratically in the wrong lane on Route 175. County police stopped the vehicle on Reece Road prior to the secu-rity gate. Fort Meade Police responded and made contact with the driver, and immediately could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her. The driver refused field sobriety testing and she refused to consent to a breath test

Jan. 30, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention per-sonnel at the Exchange stated she observed the subject exit the store with merchandise without rendering proper payment.

Jan. 31, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention per-sonnel at the Exchange stated she observed three male juveniles conceal items in a black shoulder bag. The subjects then left the store without rendering payment for the items.

Feb. 2, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention per-sonnel at the Exchange stated she observed the subject, via surveillance camera, conceal a bottle of cologne in his pants pocket then exit the store without rendering proper payment.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

For week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1:• Moving violations: 18• Nonmoving violations: 2• Verbal warnings for traffic stops: 4• Traffic accidents: 12• Driving on suspended license: 1• Driving on suspended registration: 0• Driving without a license: 2

Text FOLLOW FORTMEADE to 40404 to sign up for Fort Meade news alerts on your mobile phone

Connect with Fort Meade at Facebook.com/ftmeade

tration.He creatively poured cocoa on his

hands to keep them warm, but unfortu-nately ran out and missed his opportu-nity to serve cocoa to the Carters.

“I had worked myself to the point of whenever they needed an extra person, I’m who they would call,” he said.

Devalerio also recounted many celeb-rity encounters he had, such as the stars he met during President Ronald Reagan’s oath of office reception held Jan. 20, 1981.

“I was one of the first butlers out of the pantry when the guests arrived,” Devalerio said. “It was an incredible array of Hollywood personalities.”

Some of these celebrities included Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon.

Devalerio also had the opportunity to work upstairs in the White House’s family quarters.

“It’s totally different upstairs,” Dev-alerio said. “[It’s] much more relaxed.”

Devalerio concluded his speech by talking about his mentor John Fick-lin, who started working at the White

House in 1939. Ficklin served tea to Jackie Kennedy when she returned to the White House on Nov. 22, 1963, just hours after her husband’s assas-sination.

Devalerio’s speech was followed by a question-and-answer session. He gave a straight-forward answer when asked who his favorite president was to work for.

“Most of my time was spent with the Reagan presidency,” Devalerio said. “He was very likable.”

Other highlights of the three-hour luncheon included a belated birthday celebration for the club’s 100-year-old member Marion Jordan and a raffle drawing for the centerpieces on each table.

“Another fabulous program,” said Genny Bellinger, president of the ROWC. “A job well done.”

Editor’s note: For more information on Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club mem-bership or their events, contact Genny Bellinger, ROWC president, at 410-674-2550, or, Jean Simmons, ROWC mem-bership chair, at 410-721-7761.

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

The one unwritten rule of working as a butler at the White House is never to talk to the president or first lady unless they speak to you first.

Alan Devalerio, a contract butler at the White House from 1980 to 1989, shared this information and other humorous anecdotes at the Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club monthly luncheon held Tuesday afternoon at Club Meade.

“It was good, really good,” said Daryl Releford, who owns Petals and Blooms & Tberries in Fort Meade’s Exchange and was a special guest at the event. “[It was] exciting.”

Devalerio, dressed in a gray suit jacket, said he was inspired to become a White House butler after he read the 1973 book, “Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies” by J.B. West, who was the head usher at the White House.

In 1979, Devalerio moved to Wash-ington, D.C., to pursue a career in political humor and began as a part-time banquet waiter in the Senate Hall on Capitol Hill.

Driven by ambition, Devalerio approached Claiborne Pell, then-sena-tor of Devalerio’s home state of Rhode Island, and told him he wanted to be a White House butler.

“It was a dream job,” Devalerio said. “Imagine going to work every day and not knowing who would be at your place of work that day.”

Devalerio applied for a contract posi-tion at the White House. After five months, Eugene Allen — the man who inspired the movie “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” — called Devalerio to tell him he had secured the position.

The only caveat was that Devalerio had to quickly secure a tuxedo, which he was able to do after leveraging the importance of his new position at a local department store.

“I had no idea where I was supposed to go [the first day], so I walked through the front door,” Devalerio said. “That was a mistake.”

Devalerio described a number of events he worked on at the White House such as an outdoor Christmas party held at the end of the Carter adminis-

White House butler shares experiences at ROWC luncheon

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

News

Story and photo by Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Students in Christine Colli McCallis-ter’s eighth-grade science class at Meade Middle School don’t spend their time reading dull science books.

Instead, they use the latest laptop tech-nology to learn about galaxies and engage in hands-on experiments to test the acid-ity of liquids and build rocket ships.

“She’s like one of us; she’s fun,” said Tiffany Antwi, 14, a student in McCallis-ter’s class. “I never did like science until I came to her class. We’re launching bal-loons and rockets and eating popcorn!”

McCallister is one of 10 teachers to be named a semifinalist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

The honor is awarded by AACPS and by both the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County chambers of commerce.

The semifinalists will be among 50 edu-cators to be recognized at the 29th annual Excellence in Education banquet on April 15 at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum.

The Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year will be named at the banquet.

“I’m honored and very excited,” said McCallister, who has taught science at Meade Middle for 15 years. “I feel kind of blessed that I was chosen.”

Christine DeGuzman, principal at Meade Middle, said McCallister is deserv-ing of the recognition.

“We are all very excited for Ms. McCal-lister,” DeGuzman said. “She has been a valuable member of the Meade Middle School faculty and is very deserving of the award. She plans creative and engag-ing lessons, and she differentiates her instruction to meet students’ needs.”

McCallister’s philosophy of teaching is to be proactive and to involve students in the process of learning.

“I feel teaching should be hands-on, student-centered, fun and engaging. It’s more meaningful,” she said. “I like sci-ence because it can be hands-on and interactive.”

A native of Washington, D.C., McCal-lister was raised in Fort Washington and Oxon Hill. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary school education at Towson University and a master’s

‘A shining example’Meade Middle School science teacher competes for honors

degree in science education from Loyola University.

McCallister began her teaching career at Forest Heights Elementary School where she taught first grade for four years. She then taught sixth grade at Woodmore Elementary School in Prince George’s County for two years before being hired at Meade Middle.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I always played school,” McCallister said.

During high school and college, McCal-lister worked as a camp counselor and baby sitter.

“I just like kids. I think they’re fun and funny,” she’s said. “There’s never a dull moment with kids around.”

DeGuzman said students respond well to McCallister.

“Students love and respect Ms. McCal-lister, not only because she is a strong teacher, but also because they know she cares about them and wants all students to be successful,” she said.

The mother of two daughters, Anna, 10, and Lily, 7, McCallister is a Girl Scout troop leader in her spare time.

“I was a Girl Scout,” McCallister said. “I think it is a great organization to be a part of. It teaches girls how to be indepen-dent, respectful and how to help others. It boosts girls’ self-esteem.”

McCallister said the most rewarding part of her job is watching students progress in their education ... “seeing a student’s growth when they have that ‘Aha!’ moment when they understand a concept,” McCallister said.

Like all teachers, McCallister must juggle her classroom work with adminis-trative responsibilities.

“The most challenging part of teaching is all the paperwork, meetings and trying to fit planning in,” she said.

In addition to teaching science, McCal-lister is the eighth-grade Superscript team leader and mentors other eighth-grade teachers. She is also the school’s yearbook coordinator and serves on several school committees.

“I think Ms. McCallister has a strong chance of winning because of the won-derful things she does for our students every day for several years, and because even as a parent and community mem-ber, she uses her talents as an educator,” DeGuzman said.

“She is a shining example of what makes Meade Middle School great.”

‘I feel teaching should be hands-on, student-centered, fun and engaging. It’s more meaningful.’

Christine Colli McCallister Meade Middle School science teacher

Christine Colli McCallister, an eighth-grade science teacher at Meade Middle School, is one of 10 teachers to be named a semifinalist for Anne Arundel County Schools Teacher of the Year. McCallister will be among 50 educators to be recognized at the 29th annual Excellence in Education banquet on April 15.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

News

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

A woman sits at home playing video games after texting her sergeant that she cannot come into work because she has a doctor’s appointment.

The film cuts to an image of the ser-geant sweating and widens the angle to reveal the woman sitting on her sergeant’s back. This image is followed by a black screen with the wording, “Someone’s got to carry the weight.”

This public service announcement for “malingering” was just one of the 15 projects created by members of the 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) dur-ing their three-day field training exercise.

The exercise was followed by a three-hour critique and award ceremony held Jan. 23 at the 55th’s home base on Chisholm Avenue.

“We would use that [public service announcement at Defense Media Activ-ity],” said Sebastian Sciotti, editor for DMA, who served on the panel of seven judges during the critique.

Panel members represented organiza-tions such as the Defense Information School, Defense Media Activity and Army Graphics.

“When you do any assignment, you’re always thinking big-picture,” said Air Force Technical Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III of DINFOS, who also served as a judge.

Each group received guidance in class-es held Jan. 20 on storytelling, graphic design and photo editing. They were then given 66 hours to create a public service announcement of two minutes or less, a photo illustration and poster on a topic such as sexual assault, child abuse, substance abuse, gambling and marital issues.

Service members were required to con-tribute 90 percent of the footage used in their public service announcements.

“The end-state is to have finished products that can support the Army’s messages to help those in need through-out our chain of command as well as our own community,” said 1st Lt. Brandon Chong, operations officer for the 55th.

The projects were evaluated on scoring standards such as story structure, mes-sage, camera operation, editing, transi-tions, effects, titles and content. Scoring was based on a total scale of 100 points.

“Soldiers learned how to create a media campaign by incorporating videography, photography and graphic design,” said

55th Soldiers employ FTX to hone skills and create PSAs

Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, platoon sergeant of the 55th who served as emcee for the critique. “Soldiers also learned how to be better storytellers by including various techniques such as making the characters relatable, making the story intimate and creating emotion in their projects.”

More than 100 members of the 55th received advice from the panel of judges, such as group No. 2 led by Staff Sgt. Paul Sale, whose topic was financial issues.

In the team’s photo illustration, a homeless man lies on a bench with his head resting on a PlayStation box, video-games and a pair of Air Jordan shoes.

“As you’re constructing [the photo illustration], in reality in three dimen-sions, it will feel a bit absurd,” said Sgt.

1st Class Andrew Smith of DINFOS, who also served as a judge. “Incorporate elements to exaggerate the message.”

In terms of the public service announce-ments, Smith advised that service mem-bers should “think of the resources that already exist [and] how you would create an ad [using] that resource.”

Other projects received immediate con-gratulations, such as group No. 8’s project on sexual assault led by Sgt. Earnest Knight.

In the group’s photo illustration, a son lies asleep in bed while a ghost of an older man creeps up on him.

“It’s impactful,” Davis said. “It got all of your attention.”

Another highlight of the field training

exercise was a public service announce-ment on substance abuse created by group No. 5 and led by Spc. Elliott Banks.

The video used time-lapse to show the effects of substance abuse as an indi-vidual ages.

“I could see this published right away,” Davis said.

After three hours of critique, members of the 55th had a great deal of advice they could use to potentially reshoot their assignments.

“I had fun,” said Pfc. Devin Waller, who worked with group No. 11 on the topic of sexual assault. “I learned a couple of things with photoshop I didn’t know before. When we work as a team, everything comes together much better.”

PHOTO BY SPC. ELLIOTT BANKS

Spc. Ronda Robb (right) applies makeup to Pfc. Anh Siev during a photo shoot for 55th Signal Company’s (Combat Camera) pilot public service announcement to illustrate the effects of substance abuse. The PSA was one of several parts of the company’s three-day field training exercise. The training was designed to help 55th Soldiers become more proficient in creating PSA videos, photo illustrations and posters.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Sandra DrakeFort Meade Tax Center

A taxpayer who is confused about a tax issue may call the Internal Revenue Service for advice and assistance.

However, due to IRS budget cuts this year, taxpayers could be waiting on hold much longer for that phone assistance.

Do not despair.The IRS offers many online resources

to ensure access to necessary information. These features may be found at IRS.gov, under the “Help and Resources” tab and are available day and night.

With the IRS “Get Transcript” tool, a taxpayer may request a copy of past tax transcripts. This is a useful tool if the tax-payer has lost past tax returns or is looking for information on how to file a previous year return.

This tool also may be useful because of the seasonal nature of many tax prepara-tion firms. It may be easier to go to the IRS during the nontax season to download and print a past year’s tax transcript immediately or request that the transcript be mailed to the taxpayer’s record address.

Taxpayers also can check on the status of a current year’s tax refund within 24 hours of filing electronically or four weeks after mailing a paper return. Click on the “Where’s My Refund?” tab and provide your Social Security number, filing status and exact amount of the refund.

The site will indicate the date that the refund is expected to be released for direct deposit or when a paper check will be mailed. Although the website will indicate a date for direct deposit of the refund, taxpayers must check with their financial institution to verify that the refund has been deposited before writing checks from the account.

Sometimes it takes a financial institu-tion a day or two to post payments to an account. The IRS updates this feature no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight.

Refunds are generally issued within 21 days after the IRS receives the tax return. If that amount of time has passed without receiving a refund, the taxpayer should contact the IRS.

To see the status of an amended return

that has been filed, choose the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. This feature allows the taxpayer to see the status of an amended return filed for the current year and up to three prior years. The Social Security num-ber, date of birth and zip code are required to access the amended return information.

It will take approximately three weeks after mailing for the amended return to be accessible on the IRS website. Taxpayers can expect a processing time of up to 12 weeks from the date the IRS receives the return before any refund is issued.

Direct Pay allows a taxpayer to pay an individual tax bill or estimated tax payment directly from a checking or savings account at no cost. The IRS system will provide the taxpayer with an instant confirmation that the payment has been made.

The IRS does not maintain bank account information in its system after the transac-tion is complete so banking information is secure. Additionally, a payment lookup feature allows the taxpayer to see if a trans-action has been processed in order to make changes or to cancel a payment.

If a taxpayer cannot pay a tax bill in full,

the online payment agreement application allows the taxpayer to request an arrange-ment to pay the tax over a specified period of time. Fees for setting up the installment agreement range from $43 to $120. Interest and late payment penalties also may apply.

To qualify, an individual taxpayer cannot owe more than a combined total of $50,000 in tax, penalties and interest.

The website lists information needed to complete the online application. Once an application is submitted, the taxpayer will receive an instant notification as to whether the IRS is going to accept or deny the installment agreement request.

The IRS provides other helpful tools such as an IRS Withholding Calculator, Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant, Taxpayer Assistance Centers Locator, and informa-tion helpful to understand a notice received from the IRS.

Editor’s note: The Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center is now open on the first floor of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 4217 Morrison St.

To schedule an appointment, call 301-677-9366 or 301-677-9762.

Internal Revenue Service offers online tax resources

Story and photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Dillon White70th ISR Wing Public Affairs

Every month the Fort Meade garrison hosts the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training course to increase safety on post and provide participants with a lifelong, lifesaving skill.

The free two-day course is open to all service branches and civilian employees. The next program will be offered Feb. 19-20.

“This is the best suicide prevention pro-gram out of all the different programs I’ve ever seen,” said Marissa Pena, Fort Meade Suicide Prevention Program manager. “I’ve been a social worker for 15 years and I’ve seen a lot of different programs.”

Pena hosted her first ASIST course in August 2013, with an initial training course for instructors. Those initial instructors have helped teach the course.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “This program is working and making a difference. I encourage people to come. ASIST makes it easy for anyone to be that caregiver. It’s like a CPR class. Hopefully, you won’t need it. But if you do, you can help someone.”

Among participants at the January course was Air Force Capt. Lee Feldhau-

sen of the 29th Intelligence Squadron.“This far surpasses what you can learn

sitting at a computer,” he said during a group-intervention simulation session. “It’s more than just a workplace skill set, it is a life skill set. At any point in your life you may be involved in a situation where you can fall back on the training that we received over the last two days and poten-tially save somebody’s life.”

Feldhausen said he was skeptical about the training prior to attending, but that it was much better than he had expected. He intends to share his experience in the course with his squadron to increase awareness about suicide and how to pre-vent it.

“If anybody is slightly interested in par-ticipating with the program, they should,” he said. “Every unit should be interested in the program.”

Among the trainers of the two-day course was Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Ronald Feeser of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing.

“On Day One we spend the morning talking about what experiences and atti-tudes toward suicide we bring with us in the door,” he said. “You never really fully check your attitudes and experiences when

someone comes in. We help people connect and be aware of those (attitudes). So if you have certain thoughts about (suicide), you know how those may influence or affect your ability to help somebody.”

During the afternoon, the needs of a person struggling with suicide are dis-cussed so caregivers can address them. The course’s second day includes mock interventions with the students.

Participants put the lessons into action during the afternoon of the second day through scenarios. Students pair up to practice their intervention skills as others watch. At the end of the scenario, class-mates give one another feedback.

Feeser said this hands-on application sets the training apart from other suicide prevention courses.

“We’re constantly reinforcing things,” Feeser said. “When you sit in that seat and you apply it you say, ‘OK, what do I say now? Now what do I do?’ It forces you into using those tools and realizing how you would react in that situation.”

Feeser said knowing that more service members in the community are comfort-able with discussing suicide and are alert to the signs of someone who maybe strug-gling with thoughts suicide makes him feel

Fort Meade ASIST teaches service members to save lives

Participants in a Fort Meade Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training work through a scenario designed to give them hands-on skills.

like his community is safer.Editor’s note: To register for ASIST, call

Marissa Pena at 301-677-7901 or email marissa.r.pena2.civ@mail.mil. Participation in both days of the program is required along with pre-registration.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

When Cason Dancy placed his bowling ball on the plastic dragon ramp at the Fort Meade Lanes and watched the ball speed down to knock over three pins, he raised his arms in victory.

“He had so much fun!” said Shayla Dancy, the 3-year-old’s mother. “I told my husband, we have to bring him back.”

Dancy, wife of Navy Chief Danny Dancy Jr. of Navy Information Operations Com-mand Maryland, brought her five sons to the Fort Meade Exceptional Family Member Program’s bowling night held Jan. 28 at the Lanes.

The 90-minute event, which offers one free bowling game and shoes rental to EFMP members and a reduced-price game and shoes to their family members, is offered the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event is one of several recreational activities that the program provides to offer a good time and support to special needs families.

“I think that having recreational activities is very important to families,” said Cheryl Ren-don, EFMP program manager. “It strengthens the bond for families and it also is a time where they are able to be with families who are going through the same challenges that they are going through on a daily basis. ... That’s what the military community is all about — to be as one and to be each other’s support system.”

In addition to bowling night, the program offers a walking group at Arundel Mills Mall; a support group for parents; a seminar for families to learn about recipes for special needs family members who combat food refusal and overselectiveness; and a story time activity with Condi, a therapy dog.

Angelique Nelson, wife of Maj. Kevin Nel-son who is assigned to the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leaven-worth, Kan., said her 4-year-old daughter Kendall has grown as a result of EFMP’s recreational programs.

“It builds her social skills, and she gets to meet new people and become comfortable with people other than me,” said Nelson of her daughter, who has autism.

Nelson, who resides in Bowie and has been enrolled in Fort Meade’s EFMP for three years, said the program has helped her find community-based recreational resources for

Fun to spare at LanesExceptional Family Member Program offers activities, support

Kendall such as gymnastics, horseback riding and a summer camp.

“They have given us a lot of good informa-tion,” Nelson said.

Editor’s note: To review more photos from this event, go to flickr.com/photos/ftmeade/.

Shayla Dancy, wife of Navy Chief Danny Dancy Jr. of Navy Information

Operations Command Maryland, assists her 6-year-old son Danny Dancy III

during Fort Meade’s Exceptional Family Member bowling night on Jan. 28 at the Lanes. The monthly activity gives EFMP

members the opportunity to have fun and relax.

photos by daniel kucin jr.

Four-year-old Jolene Wintermute, daughter of Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Wintermute of the 707th Communications Squadron, releases her bowling ball during EFMP bowling night. Three EFMP families enjoyed bowling and a meal at reduced prices.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 11

SportS

Running Rebels’ Keenan Bennett (center) drives through a group of Black Knights defenders to attempt a layup. Bennett led all scorers with 54 total points. The Rebels defeated the Knights 70-26.

PHOTO BY NATE PESCE

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

Monday night’s Fort Meade Division One intramural basketball game between the 430th Cargo Transfer Company’s Running Rebels and the 29th Intelligence Squadron’s Black Knights could best be compared to a teeter-totter.

The only problem was the Black Knights hit the ground hard, suffering a 70-26 loss to the Running Rebels, led by Keenan Bennett who scored 54 points.

The Rebels won the regular Division One season last year with a 12-1 record. Monday night’s game gave the Rebels their second victory of the season.

“[I want to] just keep playing hard and unselfish basketball,” said Gary Robin-son, coach of the Running Rebels.

As Monday night’s game got under-way, there appeared to be a lid over the basket as both teams missed jump shot after jump shot during the first few min-utes of the game. The Rebels, however, found their rhythm at the five-minute mark following a jump shot by Rebels’ Keenan Bennett.

Reporting that Bennett found his rhythm could be an understatement, as the Rebels’ shooting guard single-hand-edly outscored the Black Knights.

Bennett put on a clinic, scoring 27 points in the first half.

It was not until the 12:25 mark that a corner shot by Jonathan Lezama gave the Knights their first points of the game.

Despite their hustle and intensity, the Knights just couldn’t keep up with the Rebels, as the first half ended with the Rebels holding a 31-10 lead.

Bennett continued his shooting clinic in the second half, dropping in basket

Rebels run away with ball to secure victory over Knights

after basket. Robinson complemented Bennett’s game by tossing in 11 points for the Rebels.

One of the few highlights for the Knights came at the 15:50 mark when Knights coach Sean McDaid scored on

a deep 3-point shot from the top of the key.

“I just was in a rhythm,” said Bennett, who plans to try out for the all-Army basketball team. “My team kept feeding me the ball because I was hot. But other

than that, I was just feeling it. I was just in my groove, so I kept shooting.”

The Rebels will take on the 34th Intel-ligence Squadron in their next contest Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Murphy Field House.

By Philip H. JonesChief, Command Information

The Fort Meade Patriots – Fort Meade’s men’s varsity basketball team — secured their first win in the Washington Area Military Athletic Conference on Saturday at Murphy Field House when Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall forfeited the con-test six minutes into the first half.

“I’ve never seen him do that,” Patriots head coach Ronny Cunningham said of JB Myer-Henderson Hall head coach Marcus Hall’s decision to stop play. “I

don’t like winning like that. No coach does.

“But when you’re suffering, maybe it will help us and motivate us. Maybe that’s a starting point.”

With 14:22 remaining in the first half, JB Myer-Henderson Hall’s David Lee picked up his third personal foul of the game and a technical foul after contest-ing the call.

Patriot Phillip Midwinter made one of two free throws to tie the game at 9. Hall called a time-out following the free throws

and instructed his players to pick up their gear and leave Murphy.

When JB Myer-Henderson Hall failed to return to the court, umpire Jeffrey Harper ruled the game a forfeit and offi-cially scored the game as a 2-0 victory for Fort Meade.

Hall declined to comment on his deci-sion to forfeit the game.

In a road game Sunday, the Patriots suffered a 91-80 loss to Fort Belvoir. Details of the game were limited at press time.

Fort Meade was down by as many as 13 points in the second half, and led by three points with less than five minutes to play.

The loss keeps the Patriots at the bot-tom of the WAMAC as Fort Meade is 1-5 in conference play this season.

The Patriots will face the National Capital Region Marines in a road game Saturday at JB Myer-Henderson Hall.

The team returns to Murphy Field House on Sunday to face Joint Base Andrews. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Forfeit gives Fort Meade Patriots first WAMAC win

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil12 SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

SportS

As if National Signing Day, Urban Meyer, and the fat dude who paints his face scarlet and gray and wears a million strings of Buckeye beads around his neck like he just came back from some backwoods Mardi Gras bit.ly/1AsgPrJ weren’t enough reasons for me to hate Columbus, O-H-I-O.

This morning I discovered someone from that forsaken city made not one, but two fraudulent purchases on my debit card that totaled about $130. The dingle made both charges at the same Columbus-area Fam-ily General. Neither the clerk in the fraud department nor I knew a person could spend that much money in a dollar store, but that goes to show you can underestimate how low a Buckeye can go.

The only good that came from this thwart-ed theft is that my cash will be refunded and the currently unknown perpetrator’s lack of character lines ups with what I was going to write.

If you read last week’s column, you know I was predicting Seattle’s Super Bowl vic-tory for months. I even spent some graphs bragging about it. So you can imagine how good I was feeling about myself when the Hawks took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.

You can also imagine my disappointment when the Patriots came back to win, espe-cially after I spent a few weeks talking about their lack of character due to its ongoing shadiness.

But as I watched Tom Brady take his final knee and stamp his place as the greatest quarterback of our generation, I realized there’s one thing I like less than a cheater: A poor loser.

Any respect I had for the Seahawks fell to the wayside as soon as receiver Doug Baldwin faked dropping a deuce on Revis Island. deadsp.in/1LM3ttW

I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised considering Mar-shawn Lynch’s explicit end-zone celebrations. Then, of course, there’s Rich-ard Sherman running his mouth. Actually, he was talking some junk right after Baldwin did his “business.” yhoo.it/18NCU8w

This may seem like I’m kicking a team when it’s down, but that is what happens when obnoxiousness meets defeat. All the hype about the Legion of Boom, Lynch’s obnoxious press conferences, “Are Ya Mad Bro?” and disrespectful celebrations came back to bite Seattle in its tail feather.

This Super Bowl was one of the best I’d ever seen: The bobbling catch, Brady’s fourth-quarter greatness and, of course, Malcolm Butler’s interception of a pass that should have never been thrown, but left Sherman looking like … well, like he just lost the Super Bowl. bit.ly/1Cvnjqw

Unfortunately, the Seahawks’ antics also made this game one of the most disappoint-ing nights of my football-watching career. I never thought I’d have to explain to my 5-year-old why you shouldn’t go potty in the end zone. Or how there is a right way and a wrong way to lose.

Seattle certainly chose the wrong way when they turned the final seconds of the Super Bowl into a brawl. bit.ly/1u90Koz

The fight, as the great Al Michaels rightly put it, provided “an ugly ending to what was a pretty terrific ball game.”

Ironically, it also served as a fitting end for a pretty ugly team.

If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at chad.t.jones.civ@mail.mil or hit me up on Twitter @CTJibber.

When cheaters should win

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn

PHOTO BY NOAH SCIALOM

SUPER CELEBRATION!Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin of Fort Bragg, N.C., celebrates as the Seattle Seahawks score during Fort Meade’s USO-Metro Center’s Super Bowl party Sunday night. Super Bowl parties were also held at the Lanes and the Freedom Inn Dining Facility.

Sports ShortsTexas Hold ‘Em Tournaments

All service members and civilians are invited to play in the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments held Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Lounge at the Lanes.

Tournament is free to enter. Prizes are awarded for the top winners.Food and beverages are available for purchase.For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Youth spring sportsRegistration for spring sports is underway.Spring sports include baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, track,

NFL flag football and soccer.To register online, go to ftmeademwr.com.For more information, call 301-677-1179.

Youth Sports seeks volunteer coachesVolunteer coaches are needed for baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse,

basketball, track, NFL flag football, and soccer.All volunteers will receive free training and will be certified through the

National Youth Sports Coaches Association.All volunteers must complete a background check.Apply at the Child, Youth and School Services’ Youth Sports & Fitness

Office at 1900 Reece Road.For more information, call 301-677-1179 or 301-677-1329.

For all your varsity and intramural sports schedules, scores and standings, visit

www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 13

Community news & notes

The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s discretion and may be edited for space and grammar. Look for additional community events on the Fort Meade website at www.ftmeade.army.mil and the Fort Meade Facebook page at facebook.com/ftmeade.

For more information or to submit an announcement, email dijon.n.rolle.civ@mail.mil or call Editor Dijon Rolle at 301-677-6806.

Kimbrough/Tricare briefing

A Kimbrough/Tricare Community Education outreach briefing will be held Feb. 12 from 6-7 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.

The discussion topic will be “Tricare: Transitioning from Active Duty to Retirement.”

Kimbrough town hall Dr. (Col.) Michael J. Zapor,

commander for Clinical Services at the Fort Meade Medical Department Activity, will conduct a town hall meeting on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center lab reception area.

The purpose of this forum is to disseminate information, answer questions and discuss concerns regarding Kimbrough.

All beneficiaries are invited.

Pepper Road gate openThe Pepper Road gate is now open for

pedestrians and cyclists Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cars and other motorized vehicles are not authorized to access this gate.

Pepper Road is located toward the southeast corner of Fort Meade near Range Control off Route 175 (adjacent to Route 32) in Odenton.

The gate is also close to the MARC station and Odenton Town Center.

The gate opening is part of Fort Meade’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation options to and from the installation.

Lunch and Learn SeriesKimbrough Ambulatory Care

Center hosts a brown bag Lunch and Learn series on the first floor of the Rascon Center (Bldg. 2481), adjacent to Kimbrough.

The next lunch is Tuesday at noon.Megan O’Connell, an integrated

behavioral health consultant, will present “Resilience: Learning to Thrive in Uncertain Times.”

The 20-30 minute lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

The series is open to the public. Bring lunch.

For more information, call Maj. Anne Spillane at 301-677-8463.

Hypertension Management Workshop

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Pi Omega Chapter of Annapolis is sponsoring a free Hypertension Management Workshop led by Dr. Darlene Scott on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Van Bokkelen Elementary School, 1140 Reece Road, Severn.

Roslyn Kelly, a registered nurse, will present “Shake off the Salt.” Julette Sealey will instruct attendees on Zumba basic dance steps.

No registration required.For more information, contact

Roslyn Kelly at 410-903-0450 or DeltaPiOmegaAKAHealth@gmail.com.

Cooking Matters Commissary Tours

The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tours & Challenge are Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the commissary.

Tours are free and open to all eligible commissary patrons.

Hands-on store tours are offered every hour and teach participants the skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition.

Select tours will receive a $10 coupon.To sign up for the event, go to http://

cmatscommissaryfm.eventbrite.com.For more information, email

nwilson@strength.org.

Financial, Employment Readiness

Army Community Service offers Financial and Employment Readiness classes to all ranks and services and to DoD civilian employees at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

Registration is required for each class.• Thrift Savings Plan: Tuesday, Feb.

10, 9-11 a.m.• Home Buying: Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to

noonEmployment Readiness:• 10 Steps to a Federal Job: Tuesday,

9 a.m. to noon• How to Work a Job Fair: Feb. 19, 9

a.m. to noon• Job Search Strategies: Feb. 24, 9

a.m. to noonTo register or for more information,

call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Free classesThe Navy Fleet and Family Support

Center offers a variety of classes at its facility at 2212 Chisholm Ave.

The free classes are open to DoD ID cardholders including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members, DoD civilian employees and contractors.

Registration is required for each class.• Retirement Brief: Monday, 8-11:30

a.m., for those within two years of retirement eligibility.

Information will be provided on Tricare, Johns Hopkins Family Health Plan and Navy Mutual Aid Financial Planning/Survivor Benefit Plan.

• Anger Management: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.

• Effective Communication: Feb. 12, 9-11 a.m.

• Transition Assistance Program: Feb. 12-15

• Common-Sense Parenting: Feb. 16, 9-10 a.m. Topic: “Preventing Misbehavior”

• Build Healthy Relationships: Feb. 17, 9-11 a.m.

• Pre-Separation Brief: Feb. 19, 9-11:30 a.m.

• Pre-Deployment Brief: Feb. 19, 10-11:30 a.m.

• Meet & Greet: Feb. 19, 5-7 p.m.• Time Management: Feb. 24, 9-11

a.m.• Sponsorship Training: Feb. 24, 2-

3:30 p.m.• Assessing Higher Education: Feb.

25-26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.To register or for more information,

call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018.

Financial Readiness Fair The Army Community Service’s

Financial Readiness Fair will be held Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center.

The free event, which is open to

all military services and ranks and to civilians, will feature guests speakers, informational displays and break-out sessions.

Bag lunches will be available for purchase.

For more information, call Army Community Service at 301-677-5590 or the Fleet and Family Support Center at 301-677-9410.

Financial Readiness WeekArmy Community Service is offering

the following classes during Financial Readiness Week at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

• Transitioning to Retirement: Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to noon

• Getting Out of Debt: Feb. 24, 9-11 a.m.

• First-Term Financial Readiness (Online): Feb. 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Raising Money-Smart Children: Feb. 25, 9-11 a.m.

• Financial Planning for Caregivers: Feb. 27, 9-11 a.m.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Teen eventsThe Teen Center is offering the

following events for grades nine to 12:• Teen Tech Club: Disassemble a

Computer: Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.Learn to disassemble and reassemble

computers, and the parts that make a computer run. All skill levels welcome.

• Valentine’s Day Dance: The Cupid Shuffle: Feb. 13, 4-8 p.m.

• Career Readiness: Job Search Strategies: Feb. 19, 2:30-4 p.m.

• Mardi Gras Mask Making: Feb. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Mardi Gras Party: Feb. 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

For more information, call 301-677-6054.

Youth Center eventsThe Youth Center is offering several

activities for grades six to eight.• Make Your Own T-shirt: Friday, 5-8

p.m.Bring a plain, white T-shirt to put

graphics on.Event is free for registered members

NEWS & EVENTS

EDUCATION

YOUTH

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil14 SOUNDOFF! February 5, 2015

Community news & notes

and $2 for guests.• Valentine’s Day Dance: Feb. 13,

5:30-8 p.m.Youths will enjoy a night of dancing

and music with their friends.This event is free for registered

members and $2 per guest.• Black History Month Poetry Night:

Feb. 20 4:30-6 p.m.• February Birthday Party: Feb. 27,

5-8 p.m.For more information, call 301-677-

1437.

Girl Scouts of Fort MeadeThere is still time to join Girl Scouts.All levels of Girl Scouts are offered

on Fort Meade, beginning with kindergarten through high school.

Slots are available in all levels. Registration is required.

To register, email Megan Horton at mash3281@gmail.com or Jessica Pryor at jpryor@gscm.org.

Retro WeekThe Teen Center invites teens in

grades nine to 12 to travel back in time during Retro Week, beginning Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Teens will have the opportunity to make lava lamps, record players and disco balls out of recyclables.

This event is free.For more information, call 301-677-

6054.

StorytimeThe Children’s Library offers pre-

kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Hall, 4415 Llewellyn Ave.

• Today: “Smile! Dental Health Month” - Stories about teeth and the importance of going to the dentist, plus a special guest appearance

• Feb. 12: “Love is in the air!” Valentine’s Day celebration - Stories, songs and finger plays about love and friendship

• Feb. 19: “Zoom, Zoom!” - Stories and fun about all things that go

• Feb. 26: “Quiet as a Mouse” - Storytime about mice

For more information, call 301-677-5677.

Out & About• Members of the U.S. Air Force

Concert Band will perform a free concert Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Bowie Center for Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie.

The event is open to the public. No tickets required. For more information, go to usafband.af.mil.

• Members of the Freestate Happy Wanderers will host a 6- and 10-kilometer Black History Walk on Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Queen’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville.

Registration is not required. Walkers will receive commemorative black history items, while supplies last.

For more information call 301-572-5574 or email donjoy5@comcast.net or visit http://www.mdvolks.org/freestate/.

• The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture in Baltimore will host a showing of the documentary “Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks” on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore.

The documentary focuses on Park’s life and career as a celebrated photographer, novelist, journalist, poet, musician and filmmaker.

Admission is free with the purchase of museum entry. For more information, call 443-263-1800 or go to rflewismuseum.org.

• The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on the Eastern Shore on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury.

The Globetrotters will demonstrate their ball-handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction. Several Globetrotters will be available for autographs and photographs.

Tickets cost $22 through $246 and are on sale now at 410-548-4911 or online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org.

For more information, go to http://www.wicomicociviccenter.org/events-listings/harlem-globetrotters-1#sthash.FX0RURZO.dpuf.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering tickets to Monster Jam, which will be held Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and March 1 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore.

For ticket prices or more information, call LTS at 301-677-7354.

• The 37th Annual Irish Evening will be held Friday at Smith Theatre, Howard County Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.

Fiction writer Emma Donoghue joins the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society as guest writer and will read from her acclaimed works. The event also will feature traditional Irish music and stepdancing.

General admission is $35. For more information, go to http://www.howardcc.ed or http://www.hocopolitso.org/ or call 443-518-4568.

• The 13th Annual Timonium Motorcycle Show will be held Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Timonium Fair Grounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium.

Foreign and domestic motorcycle manufacturers’ newest models will be on display. Event also will feature a huge custom and antique bike show, swap meet, biker fashion shows and tattoo contests.

Admission is $17 for adults and $5 for children ages 10-15. Children under 10 admitted free with paying adult. Go to www.cycleshow.net to print out $5-off admission discount coupons for adult admission only or to purchase advanced tickets through www.Missiontix.com.

For more information, go to http://www.cycleshow.net, email info@cycleshow.net or call 410-561-7323.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trip to New York City on Saturday, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $60. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at Club Meade.

The next prayer breakfast is today.There is no cost for the buffet. Donations

are optional. All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military personnel are invited.

For more information, call 301-677-6703.• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the

first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton, in the banquet hall in back of the building. The next meeting is tonight. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County offers a free support group for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness on the first Thursday

of every month at 7 p.m. at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is tonight. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• Swinging Squares Square Dance Club dances the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:30-10 p.m. through May at Meade Middle School. The next dance is Saturday. Admission is $6. Square dance attire is optional.

Dance classes are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meade Middle School. Each class costs $6.

For more information, call Darlene at 410-519-2536 or Carl at 410-271-8776.

• AARP Chapter 606 will meet Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the Glen Burnie Improvement Association Hall.

The board will meet at 10:30 a.m. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m.

This month’s meeting is a potluck and bingo luncheon. Please bring the item you signed up for.

Chapter dues are due January through March at $4 per person or $6 per couple at sign-in.

Members are reminded to bring food for the North County Emergency Outreach Network, box tops for schools, loose change for charities and used toner cartridges to be reconditioned.

For more information, call Judy Litke at 410-760-6253.

• New Spouse Connection meets the second Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is Monday. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses new to the military or to Fort Meade to meet and get connected. For more infor-mation, contact Pia Morales at pia.s.morales.civ@mail.mil or 301-677-4110.

• Marriage Enrichment Group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 3-4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590.

• Calling All Dads meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 4-5 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center, 4998 2nd Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Monday.

The group is for expecting fathers, and fathers with children of all ages. Children welcome. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email colaina.townsend.ctr@mail.mil.

• NARFE Chapter 1519 will meet Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, 3436 Baltimore-Annapolis Road, Glen Burnie.

The speaker is Amy Rubino, director

YOUTH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

RECREATION

MEETINGS

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 5, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 15

moviesCommunity news & notes

of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Those interested in joining this chapter or finding out more information concerning the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association, should attend this meeting. Personnel are needed to become active members of the chapter and attend meetings.

For more information, call Diane Shreves, publicity chairman, at 410-760-3750.

• Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is Wednesday. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more information, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email jajacob@nsa.gov.

• Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is Feb. 13.

The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, go to e9association.org.

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at VFW Post 160, 2597 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. The next meeting is Feb. 14. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited.

For more information, call 443-604-2474 or 410-768-6288.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. Children welcome. The next meeting is Feb. 15. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email colaina.townsend.ctr@mail.mil.

• Women’s Empowerment Group meets Wednesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. to provide a safe, confidential arena for the support, education and empowerment of women who have experienced past or present family violence.

Location is only disclosed to participants. To register, call Samantha Herring, victim advocate, at 301-677-4124 or Katherine Lamourt, victim advocate, at 301-677-4117.

• Moms Walking Group, sponsored by Parent Support, meets Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. To register, call Colaina Townsend or Michelle Pineda at 301-677-5590.

• Project Healing Waters meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

The project is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of wounded warriors and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying and outings.

For more information, call Larry Vawter, program leader, at 443-535-5074 or email thecarptman@msn.com.

• Dancing with the Heroes, free ballroom dance lessons for the Warrior Transition Unit, meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center in the seminar room.

Participants should wear loose clothing, comfortable shoes with leather soles. No super high heels or flip-flops.

• Spanish Christian Service is conducted Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Cavalry Chapel located at 8465 Simonds St. and 6th Armored Cavalry Road.

For more information, call Elias Mendez at 301-677-7314 or 407-350-8749.

• Couples Communication Group, sponsored by Army Community Services, meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

For more information, call Celena Flowers or Katherine Lamourt at 301-677-5590.

• Cub Scout Pack 377 invites boys in first through fifth grades, or ages 7 to 10, to attend its weekly Monday meetings at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

For more information, email Cubmaster Christopher Lassiter at pack377_cm@yahoo.com or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert at pack377_cc@yahoo.com.

• Boy Scout Troop 379 meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center on Rockenbach Road. The troop is actively recruiting boys ages 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at lisayetman@verizon.net or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at lawrencewendall@juno.com.

• Catholic Women of the Chapel meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for prayer and Bible study in the Main Post Chapel, 4419 Llewellyn Ave. Monthly programs are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The group is open to all women in the community ages 18 and older — active duty, retiree and civilian — for prayer, faith fellowship, and service. For more information, email Mariana Yinh at themariana@yahoo.com.

• American Legion Post 276 is open to veterans and active-duty service members at 8068 Quarterfield Rd. in Severn. Breakfast may be purchased beginning at 9 a.m. Lunches may be purchased from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. Dinner may be purchased at 6 p.m. on Fridays and the fourth Sunday of every month.

Membership discounts are offered for active-duty military. For more information, call 410-969-8028 or visit

americanlegionpost276.org.• Odenton Masonic Center, located at

1206 Stehlik Drive, invites the community, local military, fire/emergency services and local businesses to enjoy its breakfast and specialty dinners.

The center offers a fundraising “all-you-can-eat” breakfast every second Sunday from 7-11 a.m. Fundraising specialty dinners are held the third Friday of the month from 5-7 p.m.

Menus vary and are listed on the center’s website at odentonlodge209.net.

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is Feb. 17. For more information, visit trea.org or call Elliott Phillips, the local president, at 443-790-3805 or Arthur R. Cooper, past national president, at 443-336-1230.

• Military District of Washington Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Dining Facility in Virginia. The next meeting is Feb. 18. All members and those interested in joining the club are welcome. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Erica Lehmkuhl at erica.lehmkuhl@us.army.mil or 301-833-8415.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the third Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Airman Leadership School, 8470 Zimborski Ave. The next meeting is Feb. 18. For more information, call 831-521-9251 or go to AFSA254.org.

• Officers’ Spouses’ Club will meet Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Club Meade. The theme is a winter luau. The meeting is open to OSC members, spouses and guests. Cost is $20.

For more information, go to http://www.fortmeadeosc.org/monthly-luncheons-2/ or email publicity@fortmeadeosc.org.

• Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda on the third Thursday of every month. The next meeting is Feb. 19 from 1-2 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the America Building, River Conference Room (next to the Prostate Center), third floor.Spouses/partners are invited. Military ID is required for base access. Men without a mili-tary ID should call the Prostate Center at 301-319-2900 at least two days prior to the event for base access.

For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or email jane.l.hudak.ctr@health.mil.

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Feb. 22. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-992-1123.

The movie schedule is subject to change. For a recorded announcement of showings, call 301-677-5324. Further listings are available on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service website at www.aafes.com.

Movies start Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

PRICES: Tickets are $5.50 for adults (12 and older) and $3 for children. 3D Movies: $7.50 adults, $5 children.

Today through Feb. 15

Friday & Sunday: “Annie” (PG). A foster kid, who lives with her mean foster mom, sees her life change when business tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. With Quvenzhané Wallis, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx.

Saturday: “Big Eyes” (PG-13). A drama about the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s. With Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter.

Feb. 13: “American Sniper” (R). Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind. With Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner.

Feb. 14: “Into the Woods” (PG). A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree. With Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick.

Feb. 15: “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (PG-13). The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. With Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley.