Just a Little Reminder

Hello Everyone,
I am no longer in Korea, but I do check this blog to try and answer your questions.  Thanks to all the followers who also answer questions.  I wish you all the best of luck in Korea. One thing I can't emphasize enough is if you are bringing your family work on those sponsorship papers immediately.

Families Allowed in Area 1 Dining Facilities

When my boys were young we used to go to the DFAC every Friday. It was a real treat for them to be able to eat with dad.  It was great for our pocket book as well! 

Military Family Members Allowed to Eat in Area I Dining Facilities Effective April 1, military family members are permitted to eat in all dining facilities on Area I installations as part of a 60-day trial, EXCEPT Camp Casey’s Iron Horse Café. The Iron Horse Café will not participate

because it’s operating above 100 percent capacity. Family members will pay the existing rates (see attachment) based on the pay grade of their sponsor. Please click the download tab for the rates and information.

Movie Theaters to Start Charging Admissions

Well, I for one don't like this one bit. I have been involved in many different services, to include: Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and now Army.  I have found that the movie theaters make a whole lot more money by not charging admissions fees.  When the movies are free they get a much larger turn out, and almost everyone buys concessions! Movies are a way for everyone to have something to do besides going out in the Ville at night.  I think at the very least it should be free for Active Duty! If they want to make more money then expand their concession offerings.

Beginning May 1, 2011 bases will begin charging for movies. Even though theatergoers will no longer be subsidized, prices at AAFES theaters remain well below the national U.S. average.

Army garrisons in Korea to charge for movie theater admission
By Russell Wicke
IMCOM Korea Public Affairs
YONGSAN GARRISON —Free movies on U.S. Army garrisons in Korea will be a thing of the past May 1 as theaters here join other overseas garrisons by charging for theater admission.
Under current operations, Family Morale Welfare and Recreation funding pays the Army Air Force Exchange Service an admission price of $2.50 for every patron who attends a movie on post –but this funding is no longer available.
Starting May 1, Exchange theater patrons can expect to pay the same standard admission prices for movies at all Exchange Theaters world-wide. Those admission prices are $5 for first-run movies and $4.50 for regular releases. Admission for children 12 years and under will be $2.50 for first runs and $2.25 for regular movies. Repeat showings, which are movies that have been released on DVD, will be $4 for adults and $2 for children, and Special Play movies, such as classics, will be $3 for adults and $1.50 for children.
Ron Buss, FMWR Business Programs chief, suggested these prices remain a generous benefit to patrons when compared to continental U.S.-based garrisons. A goal of FMWR, he said, is to provide Soldiers the things they would have back in the United States. Under these new operating principles, Soldiers will be able to attend the movie theater in Korea at cheaper costs than what they would be paying in the United States.
Although patrons pay similar prices for movies at CONUS garrisons, first-run movies in the United States are not available in CONUS garrisons –they are only available at commercial theaters where prices can exceed $10 for admission. The $5 new release is an overseas benefit only.
Why Charge for Movies?
The decision to charge for movies is necessary to remain fiscally responsible. Like many other governments around the world coping with global recession, Uncle Sam is “on a diet,” said Dan Thompson, IMCOM-Korea Public Affairs officer. The current operating mindset reflects this healthy change. In the past FMWR budgets allowed for free movies in Korea partly because it was affordable at the time. But free admission is no longer feasible due to recent economic hardship, combined with an increase in the Exchange admission fees, Buss said.
Elizabeth Sandoe, Exchange area manager in Korea, said the $2.50 admission price paid by FMWR no longer covers their expenses. And, even when paying Exchange theaters at the lower price, FMWR incurs an annual expense of nearly a million dollars for theater admissions —the budget no longer allows for this expense.
Sandoementioned that admission fees in May still won’t amount to much profit since the majority of admission fees goes to copyright costs for movies. But, she said prices are being kept as low as possible to benefit Service members and their Families. Like other theaters, most of the Exchange operating profits come from items sold at the concession stand.
USFK and IMCOM officials said they agree the policy to charge for theater admission is the right thing for Korea as the Army moves towards tour normalization here.

Easter

Easter Brunch:
Easter Brunch will be available in the Warrior Club’s Redwood Dining Room from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., April
24 at Camp Casey. There will also be an Easter egg hunt in Nap’s Lounge. For more information, call 730-
2193/2195. shop phone number is 031-826-8195.

Easter Sunrise Service
U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud will hold an Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m., April 24 on Camp Red Cloud’s Village Green. Chaplain (Lt. Col) Raymond Robinson, 2nd Infantry Division chaplain, will be the guest speaker. Music will be provided by the 2nd Inf. Div. Band. There will be time for fellowship and a continental breakfast after the service in the chapel annex. Regular services will still be held.
 
Easter Sunrise Service
U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud will hold an Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m., April 24 at Camp Casey’s Soldier Field. Regular services will still be held.

Government Shutdown – What Military Families Need to Know

I am sad to have to even post this. However with that said we have been through a couple of these in the past, and funding has always been there at the last minute. With that being said, it is better to be prepared for the worst. This if copied from "National Military Family Association's" website.  


4/8/11  – see updated Retiree pay and commissary information
We are hours away from a possible government shutdown which has created worry and stress for military families. Fiscal Year 2011 started on October 1, 2010, but Congress has yet to approve the needed funding bills to keep most of the government, including the Department of Defense running. Temporary spending bills—Continuing Resolutions—have provided short-term funding since October, but the latest expires this Friday, April 8. Some in Congress are trying to ensure service members get paid even if an agreement is not reached on a temporary measure or on the larger Omnibus Appropriations Act needed to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. Military service members and their families are concerned about whether they will get paid on time and also whether essential services will be available.
The number one question we have heard from families is – will my service member be paid on the 15? Service members are exempt from furloughs, meaning they still have to work. Their work will be paid for, the question is when? Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on Wednesday:

• if the government shuts down on April 8 and goes for a week, service members would get half of a check on April 15 (pay from the April 1 – 8)
• if the shutdown runs past April 15, service members would receive pay after the budget or a Continuing Resolution is passed.

Retirees will receive their retirement pay.

Where to go for Financial Help

Do not turn to payday lenders – your military community has the resources to provide assistance. If your family experiences a hardship due to a reduced paycheck, we urge you to seek assistance from a military aid organization or military bank or military credit union. Aid organizations and military banks and credit unions have short term loans available to help in this situation.
Aid organizations will remain open and are ready and willing to help service members and their families.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)    www.afas.org

Army Emergency Relief (AER)   www.aerhq.org

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)   www.cgmahq.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)   www.nmcrs.org

Reserve Aid   www.reserveaid.org

If you are not located to near an aid organization, you may seek financial assistance from the Red Cross or call 866-563-1376. Each aid organization has an agreement with the Red Cross to provide the same type of financial assistance to military families.
Our Association has contacted a sampling of military banks and credit unions. In the event of a government shutdown, some military banks and credit unions may waive fees associated with the possible shutdown. Others have stated they will consider permitting families to skip a loan or credit card payment. We urge military families to contact their bank to review their individual situation and the guidance established by their financial entity.
Military families who use automatic payments are encouraged to contact their bank and make alternative arrangements. For example, families may transfer money from a savings account to a checking account to cover the automatic payment.

What services will remain open during a potential shutdown?

The Department of Defense and Services are currently evaluating their essential personnel and support services. Service members are expected to report to work. However, Reserve component personnel should refer to their chain of command for specific information.
Open

• Dining facilities, child care centers and other non-appropriated funds activities that do not operate on tax payer funds
• Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA)
• Military Exchanges
• Military Treatment Facilities will be open for emergency care. The TRICARE Management Activities Office will release a statement on Friday.

Closed

• Commissaries
• Nonessential services

Overseas
Congress is working to provide funding for commissaries overseas to remain open during the shutdown. Overseas families are encouraged to contact their local commissary.
Even those services that will remain open may operate with reduced personnel. We encourage families to call ahead to determine if the service is open.
We will continue to update this page as information becomes available.

Patriot Express Flights

I received this information from one of my friends. I thought it would be great to pass it along. 

Patriot Express flights from Republic of Korea will be suspended until further notice as these flights are being dedicated to assist in the movement of military members from Japan.
Personnel who have been ticketed for official travel aboard flights to or from Korea after today, should contact their installation’s official travel office immediately to reschedule their travel aboard commercial carriers.

Exchange Hours Expand

The Camp Red Cloud Filling Station, bldg. 719, has changed its hours to 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. It is closed from 1:30-2:30 p.m. for lunch (732-6420). The Camp Hovey Military Clothing Sales Store, bldg. 3814, will be open from noon-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday (730-5179). The Camp Casey Self-Service Supply Center, bldg. 478A, will be open from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (730-1356). The Dragon Valley Post Exchange, bldg. 1029, will be open from 3-9 p.m., Monday through Friday (730-4872). The Camp Stanley Military Clothing Sales Store, bldg. 2301, will be open from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., daily (732-5856).

Fitness Center Renovation

The Camp Stanley Fitness Center will close for renovation Feb. 15 and be closed for about six months. For more information, call 732-5785.

Tax Centers

The Camp Stanley Tax Center is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays only in the Legal Office, bldg. 2333. It will operate on a walk-in basis until the client demand is known. Customers must print out their Army W-2 Forms before meeting a tax preparer and bring all relevant materials to their appointment, including all W-2 forms, 1099s, 1098s, social security cards, a power of attorney for taxes if their spouse will not be present at the appointment and a copy of their 2009 tax return. For more information, call the Camp Stanley Legal Center at 732-5032.

The Camp Red Cloud Tax Center will open for business Feb. 14 in Camp Red Cloud’s One Stop Shop, bldg. 267. It will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 1-4 p.m., Thursday. It will initially operate on a walk-in basis until client demand is determined. Customers must print out their Army W-2 Forms before meeting a tax preparer and should bring all relevant materials to their appointment, including all W-2 forms, 1099s, 1098s, social security cards, a power of attorney for taxes if their spouse will not be present at the appointment and a copy of their 2009 tax return. For more information, call Camp Red Cloud Tax Center at 732-6966.

School Closed

Casey Elementary School will be closed Feb. 21 to observe Presidents’ Day. For more information, call 730-6444.

2nd Annual 2011 Hooah Fitness Challenge

Do you have what it takes to compete?

•       Contest runs from March 1^st-- May 31^st  2011

•       Registration packets are available now and will be accepted through  February 28^th  2011 at any MWR Fitness Center.

•       Basic competition rules and registration form included in the registration packet

•       Competition is based solely on total body fat lost and total muscle gain, not weight loss

•       Cash awarded to the individual grand prize winner, the grand prize team duo winners, top civilian employee participant, and top dependent/spouse

•       Cash awards based on the number of participants; the more participants, the higher the cash!!

•       Last year (2010), grand prize of $400 awarded to the individual winner and grand prize of $600 awarded to the team duo

•       An exciting end-of-challenge banquet will be held to announce winners (Date TBA).

•   The use of drugs and anabolic steroids is strictly prohibited.

For more information contact:
Robert Thomas Gobble
Fitness Director
USAG-RC, Area 1
Phone# 730-2322
Email: robert.thomas.gobble@korea.army.mil

                                  

Educational Play Dates in Area 1

My friend Doris is setting up an "Educational Play dates in Area 1."  If you have any questions follow the like for Face-book or feel fee to leave comments.

Many parents see starting school as a huge milestone in their child's life. It means more independence, knowledge and let's be honest, a break for mom! But, it can be scary for a child that is unaccustomed to being in a learning environment, especially without their parents! Parents often question whether or not their child is ready for school, I am here to help with that. I can help jump start the soon to be transition from staying at home with mom, to doing full time school. It is easier for a child to go into pre-kindergarted already knowing the basic curriculum. Your child will be the top of the class! I accept ages 2-5 for preschool, and if I have enough parents interested in doing Preschool, I will actually have a class! Your child would be able to interact with other children, in a learning environment, and you will get much needed mommy time! If you are interested in Preschool, please post any questions or interests below! Thank you!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1089084417#!/pages/Educational-Playdates-in-Area-1/146058402121431

Ideally, I would like to do a class 2 or 3 times a week, either Tues and Thurs or M,W, F, for 3 hours a day. Either 10-1, or 1-4. I would like to have class at my house, since I have all the materials here, but I understand that would be hard to do, considering Casey is half and hour from me. Cost is to be determined. if you are interested in preschool, please let me know. Ideally, it will be 25 dollars a week per child, which includes the 3 times a week for the 3 hours a day. But, if I have only one child sign up, that would not cover my travel costs. So, basically if I can get at least 5 preschoolers, it would be 25 dollars a child for the week. If not, then it would be treated the same as a babysitting.

Sindo Apartment Coming Available

We are relocating and our 4 bedroom (59 pyong) apartment will be coming available on or around February 15th.  This link shows our exact apartment.  It is in bldg. 101 #403.  If anyone wants to see it you can contact Kevin our Realtor.

Kevin Jung of A-1 Realty
Telephonse: 031-838-7487
Email: A_1kevin@yahoo.co.kr

Updated Worldwide Caution Issued by the U.S. State Department

The U.S. State Department, U.S. Embassy Seoul Consular Section, American Citizen Services (ACS)

The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following message via its warden system as a public service to U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea.  Please disseminate this message broadly to other U.S. citizens.

The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.  U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.  This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated August 12, 2010, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.

AAFES Lunar New Years Hours 2011