Community Notes: Week ending April 25 Published April 23, 2008 MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Earth Day celebration at Great Falls Civic Center The City of Great Falls, Malmstrom, Pacific Steel and Recycling, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Waste Systems and Tetra Tech of Great Falls will be holding an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Falls Civic Center. The event will include informational booths, a hybrid vehicle display, energy conservation information, recycling information, student poster contest winners and, an aluminum and paper drive for charity. Airman and Family Readiness holding free massage session Operation "Reach Out and Touch" is a new Airman and Family Readiness Center outreach program for spouses of deployed and missile field personnel. Chrysalis and Company will be holding an information fair and providing massages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Building 1192. Please call 731-4900 to make an appointment for a free massage and pampering. Appointments are absolutely necessary and no walk-ins will be available. Scale at TMO is closed The truck scale at the traffic management office is closed through Aug. 29 due to a major construction project. All members doing a personal procured move (DITY) will need to weigh their household goods at an alternate certified scale, located at the addresses below. Questions should be directed to Jeremy Rhodes at 731-6149 or Steve Gilman at 731-7926. GTA Feeds Flying "J" Truck Stop Harvest States Co-Op 5325 10th Ave N. 3715 31st St. SW 600 6th St. NW 453-7646 761-0052 453-0384 Local author visits Loy, Barnes and Noble Susan Wickberg, Malmstrom spouse and author, will be visiting with Loy Elementary School students May 1. Students will hear about the writing, editing and publishing process, and get the chance to ask questions about being an author. That evening, Ms. Wickberg will be signing copies of "Hey Mr. Choo-Choo, Where Are You Going?" at Barnes and Noble in conjunction with an out-of-school book fair. The proceeds of any purchase on May 1 will be given to Loy as long as the buyer asks the cashier for a Loy book fair voucher prior to paying for the books. Retiree benefit being reviewed The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by "Paid-up SBP." Under the law, reductions in retired pay for the Survivor Benefit Plan will be terminated effective Oct. 1 for eligible retirees. The law applies to retired members who are 70 years old and have paid SBP or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan premiums for at least 360 months. Eligible retirees will be notified by the DFAS via mail regarding the status of their account and premium payment. Volunteers needed for Special Olympics Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Special Olympics, scheduled to take place May 14 to 16 in Great Falls. For more information or to volunteer, call 1st Lt. Suyuri Cash at 731-2827 or Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Stafford at 731-7067. Malmstrom's commissary to hold case lot sale May 15 to 17 Malmstrom will be holding the bi-annual case lot sale 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at the commissary. This event offers shoppers an opportunity to buy bulk quantities of products at lower prices such as canned goods, beverages, paper products, pet supplies, cleaning or laundry products and, in some cases, fresh chicken, pork, beef and produce. For more information on the event check out the Defense Commissary Agency's Web site at commissaries.com/case_lot_sale.cfm. Thrift and Consignment Store accepting donations Spring and summer items are now being accepted at the Thrift and Consignment Store. The store also has space for furniture items, such as dressers, dining room sets and desks. If you would like to consign or donate items to the store, visit during store hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store also is open the first Saturday of each month. Consignments are accepted until 1 p.m., and donations are welcome during store hours. The store is located in Building 145 on Goddard Ave. across from the espresso stand. For more information, call 731-3213. Sports and Fitness center age policy reminder - Teens 16 years of age and over have unrestricted use of all fitness center facilities and equipment and do not need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Teens 13 to 15 require interactive supervision from an adult (parent, guardian, qualified fitness or youth program staff member, or coach) at all times. Other activity areas such as basketball and racquetball courts and the running track only require the parent or guardian to be in the facility. - Children from 6 to 12 years old are prohibited from using all cardiovascular and weight equipment, and group exercise rooms. Other activity areas require interactive supervision from an adult at all times. - Children under 6 years of age are not allowed in the facility except for supervised play and children who are supervised spectators at a sports or special event. Call the Sports and Fitness Center at 731-3621 with questions. African American Heritage Association softball tournament The AAHA will be hosting a double-elimination, one-pitch softball tournament June 7 to 9 at the base softball fields. The tournament will be open to all military members and family members ages 16 and up. There will be an entry fee of $112 to help pay for umpires and trophies. Balls will be provided but teams need tol bring their own bats. The first 16 teams to pay will be accepted into the tournament. The deadline to sign up is May 28. Call Staff Sgt. Aharon Goins at 731-6538 with questions. Did You Know? The Air Force Aid Society understands Air Force families face unique situations - deployments, extended working hours, remote assignments, etc. These unique circumstances may cause stressors to military personnel as well as their family members. To help relieve those stressors and "Give Parents A Break," the AFAS, in cooperation with the Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Child Development Center, offer a few hours of free child-care to eligible active-duty members and their families each month. If your active-duty spouse is deployed, on an extended TDY or on a remote assignment, bring in a copy of their orders to the A&FRC to receive a certificate for child care. Is your family going through a unique hardship or a family crisis? If so, you may be eligible to use Give Parents a Break, too. Contact your First Sergeant or the A&FRC for more information or eligibility requirements.