Weekly news updates

1. Weekly
Update
August 24, 2012
 New Free Personal Finance App
 ITR ticket and travel
 West Nile virus Q&A
 Our Community Spouse Club (OCSC)
Newcomers Welcome
 Being a friend to someone needing
support
 Volunteer opportunities
 Picerne Military Housing sixth annual
resident carnival CANCLED
 Awards and Recognition Training
 Master Resilience Training
 Dragon Spouse t-shirts
 Battalion throws (blankets)
 Weather link and Kansas map broken
down by counties.
 Useful websites
LIKE us on facebook
2HBCT-1-63CAB
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name,
trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views
and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the
United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product
endorsement purposes.

2. New Free Personal Finance App
New Free Personal Finance
App for Military Families
McGraw-Hill and the
Better Business Bureau
Military Line have released a
free app-Military &
Money-which features
educational resources and
tools to help the military
community make informed
decisions about money. Part
of the Joining Forces
initiative, you can download
the app for free in the iTunes
store.
Discounted Kansas City Renaissance Festival tickets which runs
Sep 1 thru Oct 14 (weekends, Labor Day & Columbus Day, Oct
8). Special features, 165 artisans, food fit for a king, 15 stages
and jousting 4 times a day. Every weekend themed
differently...Tickets are $14.00 Adult & $9.00 Child (5-12).
Also KC Chiefs football tickets still available against the
Cardinals on Fri, Aug 24 for $50.00. Stop by the Leisure Travel
Center, 6918 Trooper Drive, Mon-Fri from 10-5 or give us a
call at 785-239-5614 for further information on these and
other great travel deals!!!

3. West Nile Virus
There have been
eight cases of West
Nile Viruses in
Kansas this year,
with five cases
being reported in
June and July.
There is currently
one case of West
Nile Virus in the
following counties:
Douglas,
Pottawatomie, and
Trego. There have
been five cases in
Sedgwick County.
Below is
information about
the disease and
measures you can
take to protect
yourself against
mosquitoes, the
carrier of the
disease.

5. Our Community Spouse Club (OCSC)
Newcomers Welcome
Our Community Spouse Club (OCSC) Newcomers Welcome. Mark your
calendars. This is a wonderful event for spouses who are new to Fort
Riley. Our Community Spouse Club is open to everyone, regardless of
sponsor's rank. Please pass the word! The welcome will be held at
Quarters One on Sept. 12.

6. Being a friend to someone needing support
Have you ever been listening intently to a friend talk about a
problem, when suddenly, you become worried? Perhaps it’s the
content of what has been said, or the way in which it is said, but
an alarm has gone off inside your head, signaling a problem.
When we hear something that seems too hard for a friend to
manage, it can feel overwhelming.
When do we suggest to a friend, or realize ourselves that we
need, the help of a professional?
Impact on functioning?
One way to think about the issue is to ask the question, “How is
this problem affecting the ability to function?” Is the problem
interfering with relationships, health, parenting or work? What is
the actual impact of the problem? When the impact of a problem
is noticeably changing how someone is functioning, it may be
time to encourage professional help.
Signs that may suggest professional help is a good idea include:
 feeling unable to work, parent or keep up a home
 feeling unable to handle stress with normal coping
strategies
 decreased appetite with significant weight loss
 increased use of drugs or alcohol

7.  increase in risk-taking behaviors, including gambling
and sex
 feeling unable to focus or get anything done
 having a sense of inappropriate guilt and
unworthiness
 inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep, or
awakening too early
 feeling like sleeping all the time, despite potential
consequences
 feeling very angry and engaging in violent fantasies
 experiencing panic attacks
 feeling fearful of being around others, even children
or family
 feeling suspicious of people who are normally
trusted, especially when normally trusted friends
are providing feedback that seems overly suspicious
 taking no enjoyment or satisfaction in activities that
are normally enjoyed
 feeling agitated or restless
 suicidal or homicidal thoughts (Always take suicidal
thoughts or statements seriously! Call a professional
for help if someone is expressing thoughts to harm
herself or others.)
If a friend is having any of the above signs, it may be a good time
to tell your friend you are worried and want to help.
Ways you can help
In addition to suggesting professional help, such as a licensed
therapist, you can also take action yourself. You might suggest
ways you could help your friend so he may seek help.

8. You can leave the advice to the professionals, and still actively
support a friend facing difficulties. Here are some ideas of what
to offer a friend experiencing a tough time:
 Offer child care if it is needed, so that a friend can
attend counseling appointments.
 Offer to call clergy if a friend might benefit from
spiritual support.
 Offer to make a meal or pick up groceries.
 Offer to call a friend’s workplace. Perhaps help with
paperwork if a friend needs a leave from work.
 Call and check in daily while distress continues.
 Offer to go for a walk.
 Connect a friend with a support network that may
help; for instance, a depression support group or a
grief support group.
is a unique chance to grow as a person, and to foster trust and
closeness. Trust your worried feelings and take action if you
notice signs that indicate professional help is in order.
By Rebecca Steil-Lambert, MSW, LICSW, MPH

9. Volunteer opportunities
Youth sports, fitness seeking volunteers for fall season
That youth sports desperately needs, Durkee said, are volunteers.
"We can't do any of this without volunteers," he added.
Volunteers don't have to be experienced. Durkee said his office has a
library of great resources and his staff is always available to answer
questions and offer their assistance.
"The volunteers we need most are coaches and referees," Durkee
said.
All coaches are required to have a background check, which the
Army pays for, and there are no out-of-pocket expenses for coaches.
While coaches are strictly volunteers, referees are paid a small fee to
officiate games, and Durkee said he likes to see high school youth get
involved.
It's a great way for them to widen their appreciation of sports and at
the same time pick up a little money, he said.
"It would be great if we could get enough volunteers so that I could
have the same team of referees working together throughout the season,"
Durkee said.
For more information to volunteer contact the
Youth Sports Office at 785-239-9223/9200.

10. The Ft. Riley USO is in need of Volunteers

11. Volunteer Opportunities

12. Attention all bakers, volunteers needed

13. Picerne Military Housing’s Resident Carnival has been
postponed due to impending weather. The Carnival and
Halloween Fun House will be combined into one event on
Oct. 26. Picerne Military Housing officials appreciate
everyone’s understanding. The weather information we
have available to us at this time makes this the best
decision to make for the safety of our residents, team
members and vendors. Please feel free to contact your
neighborhood office for additional information.

14. Awards and Recognition Training

15. Time for another round of Master Resiliency Training at ACS!!
Call 785-239-5444 to register. Register by Sept 7th and receive
free childcare
What is Master Resilience Training?
GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & STRATEGIES THAT WILL INFLUENCE
ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE:
PHYSICAL-SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL-SPIRITUAL- FAMILY

16. Dragon Spouse Challenge T-shirts
If you would like to order a Dragon Spouse t-shirt and not
participate in the challenge the order form is below. All t-shirt
order MUST be turned in no later than 29 August to
Mimi Woodworth
The battalion FRSA BLDG 7622.

17. Battalion Throws
Battalion throws (blankets) are here! You can purchase one or two at the
battalion S-2 office (BLDG 7622) for $40.00. Make your checks out to
“The Dragon Store”. Any questions please feel free to contact Mimi
Woodworth at mimi.woodworth@us.army.mil or 785-240-4529.

18. Weather Information
Link for Kansas weather
http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/KS_cc_us.html
Tornado
Watch – Severe Thunderstorms or tornados could
happen within the next few hours. Get Ready Warning
Tornado Warning– Issued for a smaller area when
severe weather is imminent or already occurring.
Take Action

19. Helpful websites
Helpful websites
Helpful links:
 1st Infantry Division – Fort Riley
 Commissary
 DEERS/ID Cards
 Army Community Service (ACS)
 Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)
 Fitness
 Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)
 Recreation
 Army Family Covenant
 Irwin Army Community Hospital
 MyPay
 Post Exchange
 Residential Communities Initiative Program
 Resiliency Campus
 Unified School District 475 – Junction City
 Unified School District 383 – Manhattan/Ogden
 Kansas Severe Weather Tips
 TRAFFIC UPDATES Ft. Riley
 http://www.riley.army.mil/NewsViewer.aspx?id=5982

20. Mimi Woodworth
Family Readiness Support Assistant
1st Combined Arms Battalion 63rd
 . Armor
1-785-240-4529