Community Notes: Week ending March 20 Published March 18, 2009 MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Random checks to be conducted During March, the safety office will be conducting random spot checks of drivers for compliance with the mandatory seat belt usage and the prohibited use of cell phones while driving policies in effect at Malmstrom. The Security Forces patrols will also be placing added emphasis on these requirements and will ticket those found to be non-compliant. Scouting for food drive planned Cub Scout Pack 43 and Boy Scout Troop 43 will be in the housing areas March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon to pick up non-perishable food donations. Bags delivered March 14 for donations should be left in sight on the resident's doorstep before 9 a.m. All donations will be given to the Great Falls Food Bank. For more information, call Char Ross at 771-1210. Detour to get new look The Airmen's Center located in building 650 is about to get a facelift. In order to do so, it will be closed March 23 through April 2 at 4 p.m. when a grand re-opening celebration to unveil the new look will take place. All are invited to help celebrate the new look and feel of the D2R - also renamed by the patrons who frequent it. For more information, call Julie Wiseman at 952-1529. Next blood drive is March 24 The next American Red Cross blood drive at Malmstrom is March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the lower gym at the Sports and Fitness Center. Call the ARC at 727-2212 for an appointment or make one online at www.givelife.org, sponsor code airforce. Photo, art contest taking place Submit pictures and artwork of nature, travels, artistic expression, digital art and whatever other art or photo media you have created to the Detour's photography and art contest. The entries will be judged at the grand re-opening April 2. The contest is open to those in the ranks of E1 to E4. Winner's art will be displayed at the Detour. E-mail entries to MalmstromAirmen Center@hotmail.com, or drop them by the Detour between 6 and 10 p.m. Spouses announce monthly event The monthly Malmstrom Spouses' Club event for March is a wine and cheese night at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center March 26 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Darcy Caves at 952-0826. Thrift Store accepting large items The Thrift and Consignment Store is now accepting spring and summer items for consignment. Consignors keep 75 percent of the selling price, and all store profits go towards scholarships for military family members and other MSC welfare projects. Consigned items must be in good condition and free of any stains, tears or other damage. If you would like to consign or donate items to the store, visit during business hours Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store is located in building 581 on Goddard Dr. For more information, call the store at 731-3213. Scholarship applications being accepted The Malmstrom Spouses' Club is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 scholarships. High school seniors can pick up an application from their guidance counselor and military spouses can pick one up from the Education Center here on base. Applicants must be family members of active-duty or retired military personnel. Applications need to be turned in by March 31. For more information, contact Bonnie Miller at bonnie.miller@hotmail.com. Academy Day in Great Falls Maj. Kathy Duke, deputy liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy, will host an Academy Day in Great Falls April 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Great Falls International Airport, 3rd floor Panorama Room. The event is open to middle school students through seniors wanting more information about the service academies, a well as enlisted Airmen interested in obtaining a commission through one of the programs represented. Repre-sentatives from the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC programs, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy will be available to talk to students. In addition, staffers from each of the congressional delegations will be on hand to explain the nomination process. Participants are asked to park in the long term parking area and to bring their parking stub with them for reimbursement. For more information, call Major Duke at (256) 975-0756. Big Sky Resort offering specials to military Big Sky Resort is offering a spring military appreciation ski/board weekend April 3-5. Ski or snowboard lift tickets are free for military, retired military, Guard/Reserve and civilians who work at Malmstrom. Family member tickets are discounted 50 percent. Outdoor Recreation will offer transportation to and from the resort, provide ski or snowboard equipment, if needed, and make room reservations. Fees for these services vary depending on how many people will stay in each room. Call 731-3263 for complete details.