~*~ New to the Nest ~*~

~*~ Congratulations to A1C Federick Gutierrez and A1C Salma Frausto on the birth of their daughter Amelia Rosalie Gutierrez.  Amelia was born Friday February 25th at 0725, weighing in at 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches long. ~*~

BLUF for March

4 March ~ Tops in Blue at the Orpheum Theatre  FREE admission - no tickets needed - Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 7:30pm.  Transportation provided - busses will leave the Dole Center promptly at 6:15pm and will return immediately following the show.

FREE Movie Mondays ~ Dole Ballroom  Doors open at 11:30 and movie starts at noon

7 - Alpha and Omega

14 - Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2

21 - MegaMind

28 - Disney's Old Dogs

5 March ~ Dole Ballroom ~ Mardi Gras Party ~ 9pm-2am  $7/person in advance and $10 at the door.  DJ, dancing, snacks and drink specials.  Call 759-6023 to find out where to get your tickets.  Cash or Check only.  18 and over

12 March ~ March Madness 12-Hour Scrapbooking Crop ~ Dole Ballroom ~ 9am-9pm  Enjoy a day of Scrapbooking, Make-N-Take projects, Games, Prizes as well as Lunch and Dinner.  Please bring a snack to share with the group.  Beverages will be provided by the Community Center.  Make-N-Take projects taught by Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator -Julie Ward.  Reserve your spot at the Community Center Office: just $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  Cash or checks only please.

16 March ~ Quarter Mania ~ Signatures ~ 6-9pm  Doors open at 6pm and "bidding" starts at 7pm.  Paddles are $3 each or $5 for two.  Cash or checks only please.  Bid on quality vendor items with 1 to 4 quarters, depending on the retail value.  Once all bids are placed, a randomly chosen number is called.  If the person with that number placed a bid, he or she wins the item.  Numbers will continue to be drawn until there is a winner.  Bids are collected before each drawing.

18 March ~ Family Night ~ Robert J. Dole Community Center ~ 5-7pm  ~ Entry Fee:  $5 per person (children 3 & under FREE) ~ enjoy a dinner, kids games/crafts  ~ 7pm  - FAMILY BINGO - 10 games and everyone gets a bingo card for each game - chance to win fabulous prizes.  Additional cards are just $.25 each  There will be over 100 prizes given away!!!!

22 March - SPRING BREAK Youth Triple Feature Movie Day ~ Dole Ballroom ~ doors open at 11am ~ Free Event ~ Drinks and snacks will be provided.

11:30am - Open Season

1:15pm - Open Season 2

2:45pm - Open Season 3

23 March ~ SPRING BREAK Youth Arts & Crafts Day ~ Dole Ballroom ~ 10am-2pm ~ Need something to do during Spring Break?  Youth of all ages can come out and participate in various Make-N-Take projects. 

25 March ~ Paint the Towne ~ Spouses Social ~ 7-9pm  ~ Please call Heather at 239-7629 to RSVP.

A Story Before Bed

A Story Before Bed is giving away 100,000 free recordings to parents in the U.S. military who are spending time away from their kids.

Why?

The team behind A Story Before Bed is dedicated to connecting children with parents, grandparents, and loved ones through reading. And we're especially dedicated to connecting families and loved ones who can't always be together. When parents give up seeing their children for weeks or months at a time in the service of their country, we want to do our small part.

Who?

Parents who are members of one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who are deploying or already deployed away from their children for any amount of time are eligible to sign up for free recordings from A Story Before Bed.

How?

Go to www.astorybeforebed.com/military and get registered.

For a Demonstration of what the program looks like check out the following link to see a Grandfather reading to his grandchildren.

http://www.astorybeforebed.com/demo/grandpa

~*~ Thank You ~*~

Thank you to Keisha Carter for providing a meal for the King Family this week & to Emily Adams for providing an additional meal to the King family this weekend.
Ladies You Are Amazing! ~  You have my deepest gratitude!
 ~*~ Thank you on behalf of the King family who you have so generously touched through providing meals in celebration of the birth of their daughter Gabrielle  ~*~

~*~ New to the Nest ~*~

~*~  Congratulations to Matt & Vivianne King on the Birth of their daughter Gabrielle Grace King born Tuesday February 15th at 0444.  Gabrielle was 7lbs. 2oz. & 20 1/2 inches long, and was welcomed home by her Big Brother Jaden  ~*~

BLUF

Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition is in Wichita, KS!  The lucky family will be announced in the coming days.  Bob Cook Homes and Extreme Makeover need about 2,000 volunteers to help build around the clock for the next week.  This is a great opportunity to give back to the community.  For more information and to volunteer, please visit http://www.bobcookhomes.com/ or call 789-9932.


Family Fun Night ~ Fri. 18 Feb. from 5pm-9pm ~ Dole Community Center Ballroom.  Cost is $5 per person (children 3 and under are FREE).  From 5pm - 7pm enjoy a dinner buffet, kids games and inflatables.  At 7pm enjoy Family Bingo.  There will be 10 games and everyone gets a bingo card for each game for a  chance to win fabulous prizes.  Additional cards are just a quarter each.   Call
759-6023 for more information.


Princess Ball ~ Sat. 19 Feb. from 6pm-9pm ~ Dole Community Center Ballroom.  Dads, Uncles, Grandfathers - make your special girl feel like the princess she is!  This formal dress event includes a sit down dinner and dancing.  Tickets MUST be purchased in advance from the Community Center office in the Dole Center and are just $10 per person (for all ages).  Deadline for purchase is Thursday February 17, 2011.  Call 759-6023 for more information.


President's Day ~February 21st ~ Federal Holiday ~


African-American Heritage Festival ~ Wed, 23 Feb from 11am-2pm ~ Dole Community Center Ballroom.  Come celebrate Black History Month.  There will be FREE food and entertainment as well as art displays.  Call 759-6023 for more information.


Teen Dating Violence 101 ~ Thur. 24 Feb from 6-8pm ~ @ Youth Center - teens & parents are invited to 'Break the Cycle'.  This 'dating violence' awareness class empowers youth to end domestic violence. Pizza will be provided!  For more information, please call Alisa Norlin x4325 mailto:alisa.norlin@us.af.mil


Know More Say More ~ Fri. 25 Feb from 3-4pm ~ @ Base Theater.  This dating violence awareness seminar is a McUS (McConnell Unified Support, formerly IDS) focus event.  All Active Duty members, 26yrs & under are highly encouraged to attend.  For more information, please call Alisa Norlin
x4325 mailto:alisa.norlin@us.af.mil


National Prayer Breakfast ~ Tue. 1 Mar at 7:30-9:30am ~ Dole Center Ballroom.  Please join us as we welcome the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, our guest speaker, Chaplain (Maj Gen) Cecil Richardson http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7806 .   This year's theme is "Courage in Trouble".  Cost is as follows; Officers $10, Civilians and E-5 & above $9, FREE for E-4 and below (must obtain ticket from Chapel or 1st Sergeants).                                                                              Click HERE   https://einvitations.afit.edu/2011NPB/anim.cfm to RSVP by 25 Feb.  POC: Chaplain Genke x3566 mailto:quentin.genke@mcconnell.af.mil


Tops In Blue ~ Fri. 4 Mar at 7:30pm @ Orpheum Theatre.  This fantastic event is FREE and open to the public.  Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30pm.  First come, first serve seating.  No ticket needed.  Visit refuelmcconnell.com http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/  for more details or call 759-6023.


McConnell Tax Center is now open and ready to help you navigate this tax season.  For appointments, please call 759-2488.

Baby Welcome Sposes Coffee

Ladies It's that Time Again!

We have had a lot of babies in the last couple of months and we want to welcome our latest Mighty Eaglets to the Nest.

Rebecca Parsons has graciously offered to host this months Dessert Social in her home Monday February 28th from 7:30~9pm.

An Evite will be coming out so please watch for it and RSVP so that we know how many desserts we will need. 

If you are one of our New Mommies *babies between our last Baby Welcome coffee in October and now* we are especially looking forward to seeing you and your little one!

Space Camp ~ 6th-9th Grades

The Military Child Education Coalition is now accepting applications for the Space Camp Scholarship. 

The program is open to students in grades 6th through 9th grades.  Applications are due on March 10. 

Visit the McConnell School Liaison site http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/school-liaison-officer or www.militarychild.org for more information or stop by the Airman & Family Readiness Center to pick up a hard copy of the application.
For questions or more info, please contact Angela Edwards at 759-6020.

Thank You!

A Huge thank you to Sandy White for providing meals for the Hall and Adams Families this week, to Geanie Blanton for providing meals to the Adams family last month and this week, and to Natalie Valle for providing a meal to the Adams family tomorrow.


Ladies You Are Awesome! ~  If I could give each of you a big hug right now I would!


~Thank you on behalf of these families whose lives you have so generously touched through providing meals in their time of need~

Where Can I Get Involved?

22d OSS Mighty Eagle Committees

Are you wondering how and where you can get involved with this amazing group of Spouses?

Here are just a few ideas:

Ø Airmen Advocate:

Many of our Airmen live in the dorm away from family.  This person will organize something quarterly for us to deliver to our family in the dorms or organize a dinner for them.

Time Involved:  About 4-8 hours per event, from the organization to running the event

Ø Fundraiser:

We Fund Raise so we can Raise Fun!  If we don’t raise money to fund our activities we don’t have activities.

Time Involved:  Can be as much or as little as you want.  This would be a good two person job

Ø Secretary:

This person takes notes at our functions, types them up and keeps them in an organized binder.

Time Involved:  About 1 hour per month after a function

Ø Treasurer:

This person monitors our bank account, writes checks for reimbursement, picks up checks from the Thrift Shop on base the first week of each month, and makes deposits.

Time Involved:  About 1 hour per month

Ø Sunshine:

This person organizes meals for families in need.

Time Involved:  Varies from 1-2 hours per month

Ø Welcome:

Person will personally welcome new Spouses and give them a welcome gift.

Time Involved:  Varies from 1-5 hours per month with some local driving required.

Ø Face book Administrator:

Person will keep our 22d OSS Face Book page current with lots of information.

Time Involved:  Varies from 1-3 per month

Ø Newsletter:

Person will create a Monthly 22d OSS Newsletter ~ to include Squadron and Base Wide information and activities.

Time Involved:  Varies from 1-3 per month

Home Based Business?

Do you have a Home Based Business that you would like to publicize?  I would love to add your business name, your name, and contact information to our Home Based Business section.  Just send me an email with the pertinent information to 22d.oss@gmail.com and I will get you listed.  I would prefer that people seek you out instead of you soliciting at our Spouses Group events and hoped that this would be a good way to market your services to our Spouses. 

BLUF

McConnell Tax Center is now open and ready to help you navigate this tax season.  For appointments, please call 759-2488.
 ALS Class 11-B Graduation: Thur, 10 Feb at 6pm Dole Community Center Ballroom. Class 11-B
 welcomes guest speaker, MSgt Chris Phillips, 22 MXS First Sergeant.  POC: SSgt Coriano x3754.

The Heartlink Class that was scheduled for today February 9th, but
got snowed out, has been rescheduled for Feb 23rd. 
Please call 759-6020 to get signed up. 

National Prayer Breakfast: Tues, 1 Mar at 7:30-9:30am in the Dole Center Ballroom. Please join us as we welcome the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, our guest speaker, Chaplain (Maj Gen) Cecil Richardson.  This year’s theme is “Courage in Trouble”.  Cost is as follows; Officers $10, Civilians and E-5 & above $9, FREE for E-4 and below (must obtain ticket from Chapel or 1st Sergeants).  Click HERE to RSVP by 25 Feb.  POC: Chaplain Genke x3566


Tops In Blue: Save the date!  Fri, 4 Mar at 7:30pm in the Orpheum Theatre.  This fantastic event is FREE and open to the public.  Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30pm.  First come, first serve seating.  No ticket needed.  Visit refuelmcconnell.com for more details or call 759-6023.

February Events

February 10 ~ ALS Graduation
February 12 ~ Valentine’s Dinner – 6 – 8pm,
February 12 ~ Valentine’s Dessert & Dance – 8pm – 11pm
February 18 ~ Julie Sutton – Lunchtime Concert – 12pm – 1pm, Deb’s Cafe.
February 18 ~ February Family Night – 5pm – 9pm
February 19 ~ Princess Ball – 6pm – 9pm
February 19 & 20 ~ Tulsa Hard Rock Couples Casino Trip

McUS (McConnell's Integrated Delivery System) focus events for February
The Jared Estes Story (DUI)WHEN:  18 Feb, 0730 and 1500
WHERE:  Base Theater
POC:  MSgt Chris Phillips, 759-3442

Teen Dating Violence 101 ~ An evening for parents and teens
National research indicates:
- Three out of four teens are personally affected by dating violence. 
- 81% of parents do not believe dating violence is an issue for their children.  
- The age group at highest risk for dating violence is 14-26 years old.
WHEN:  24 Feb, 1800-2000
WHERE:  Youth Center
Dinner:  Pizza Provided
FOR:  Parents and Teens
POC:  Alisa Norlin, 759-4325

Heart LinkThis class covers just about everything about being a military spouse.  Whether you have been a Military Spouse for 1 year or 21 years there is something new to learn.
February 9
Childcare is available!!
Lunch will be provided.
To register call Family Readiness (759-6020)
Topics include:
The Air Force Family/Healthy Families
Spouse Preparedness Toolkit
Rank Structure & Military Language Acronyms
Protocol/Health Care/Finance/Benefits/Legal Issues/Shopping/Child Care
Can’t make this one, mark your calendar for a future classes
May 4th
August 3rd
November 2nd

Did you know…we now have a School Liaison Officer (SLO) here at McConnell?
What’s a School Liaison Officer?
The School Liaison serves as the link between local schools, military installations, and parents.  Contact the SLO for information about local schools, schools at your next assignment, homeschooling, graduation requirements, post-secondary preparation and more.  Call 759-6020 to speak to the School Liaison or to schedule an appointment.
What’s New?Check out the School Liaison website http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/school-liaison-officer.  There is a list of scholarships for military students that will be updated as new information is received.

Space Camp
The Military Child Education Coalition is now accepting applications for the Space Camp Scholarship.    The program is open to students in grades 6 through 9.  Applications are due on March 10.  Visit the School Liaison site or www.militarychild.org for more information or stop by the Airman & Family Readiness Center to pick up a hard copy of the application.
Angela Edwards
School Liaison Officer
Airman & Family Readiness Center
Phone: 316-759-3182
Cell: 316-249-0785angela.edwards-02@mcconnell.af.mil
http://www.refuelmcconnell.com/school-liaison-officer


Wichita Events-Women’s Fair Feb. 18- 20
Down Town Wichita--Expo Hall Century II
Over 300 exhibitors, 45 stage presentations and demonstrations, Cooking, Fashion & Hair Shows, Workshops, entertainment, Personality Appearances and Shopping Galore encompass the essence of the Women's Fair.http://www.womensfair.com/