Fan FMWR

Fort Monroe’s FMWR now has a Facebook fan page offering the most up-to-date information on all Fort Monroe FMWR events, activities and programs. To celebrate, the directorate will randomly select one of its Facebook fans living in the Hampton Roads area and reward them with a $10 FMWR gift certificate redeemable at any FMWR facility on the installation. For information, call 788-3206.

Tax Center

Offering a staff of more than 20 volunteers who are trained to assist eligible customers with form preparation and e-filing, the Fort Monroe Tax Center is now open for business on the 2nd floor of Building 77 (Post Headquarters). All military ID card holders, to include family members and retirees, may use the free service. An appointment is required for most tax help. Several important documents are needed to complete a return, so it’s important to verify the items you should bring to your appointment to avoid delays in processing your forms. Both spouses must be present to sign the required forms or one spouse must have a valid Power of Attorney to sign for the other when e-filing jointly. For more information or to make an appointment, call 788-3616.

Read Across America

The annual Read Across America program will be observed by Fort Monroe personnel on March 9. That day, those interested may meet in the Bowling Center parking lot at 9:30 a.m. to catch a bus that will take them to a participating elementary school. The National Education Association initiative endeavors to have an adult read to each child in the country. For more information, email the School Liaison Officer at charles.french1@us.army.mil or call him at 788-4673.

Free Concert Tickets

Ticket distribution is underway for the next U.S. Army TRADOC Band concert that will honor the spirit of the American warrior – particularly those troops who are currently fighting the Global War on Terrorism – and the military families who support them. Titled, “Heroes and Homecomings,” the concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 13 at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, CNU Campus, Newport News. The program will include popular patriotic tunes and a stand-up tribute to veterans of every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Admission is free and open to the public. Tickets to guarantee seating are being distributed on a first-come, first-issued basis through the Ferguson Center Box Office. For more information, call 594-8752.

Cookie Day

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – the annual Fort Monroe Frame and Craft Shop celebration that allows community members to enjoy delicious treats while exploring the many crafting opportunities offered at the facility – is scheduled for March 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to stop by for the free program that also includes a 10 percent discount on all framing orders that day. The craft shop is located inside the Community Activities Center on the corner of Stilwell and Fenwick Roads. For more information, call 788-2728.

Docent Training

The Casemate Museum’s annual Volunteer Tour Guide Seminar will be held on Mar. 9 and 10 starting at 9 a.m. each day. It is open to all military and civilian persons with an interest in Fort Monroe’s rich history and a desire to impart that history to scheduled tour groups. To sign up for this training program, please contact the museum office at 788-3391.

Pool Passes

Outdoor Pool passes are available at a discounted price for authorized patrons from March 15 – April 30. Visit the Aquatics office located at the Community Activities Center on Stilwell Rd. to purchase your passes. Without exception, regular Outdoor Pool pass prices will apply beginning May 1. For price structure and more information, call 788-3301.

Movie Night

The Casemate Museum’s next screening, scheduled for 7 p.m. March 31, is “No Man’s Land,” a 2001 “tragicomedy war drama” set in the Bosnian war. The subtitled Serbo-Croatian film is billed as a “parable with a tone of ironic black comedy.” “No Man’s Land” won 42 awards, including the Prix du scenario at the Cannes Film Festival, the Oscar for Best Foreign Film and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film. Rated “R,” the movie will be followed by a short discussion facilitated by the museum staff. Admission is free, but reservations are requested due to limited seating. Call 788-3391.

Monroe hosts consumer protection event

The Fort Monroe Legal Assistance Office and Army Community Service have joined with federal, state and local government agencies and consumer protection organizations to announce the 12th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13. This coordinated consumer education campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights. In recognition of NCPW 2010, Fort Monroe is hosting a Consumer Protection Fair on March 12, noon – 3 p.m. at the Soldier and Family Support Center on Stilwell Rd. This event promotes free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft and foreclosures, understand credit and mortgages, steer clear of frauds and scams and stretch those family dollars by becoming a savvy shopper. Participating agencies include the Homeowners’ Assistance Program, Military One Source, Veterans Affairs Office, Federal Trade Commission, Virginia Consumers Affairs Office, Hampton Roads Realtors Association, Virginia Bureau of Insurance, Clear Point Financial Solutions, Fort Monroe retirement office, legal assistance office, and tax center. Event organizers say the activity will serve to educate our Soldiers, retirees, civilian employees and families about their consumer rights and will empower our community with the tools necessary to avoid or resolve many of their economics issues. For more information, call 788-3616 or 788-3535.