Content

• Getting ready to PCS? Deploy? Retire? What to do when you're ready to move
  
• A temporary change in your drinking water
• Fort Bragg Victory Garden
• Fort Bragg Veterinary Center
• Daylight savings time
• Updated Fort Bragg Home Alone Policy
• Getting your picky eater to try healthy foods
• Mulch bed clean-out continues
• Lawn mowing services
• Green corner
• Corvias Foundation military spouse scholarship
• Army Emergency Relief educational scholarships
• Want to know what is happening in your neighborhood?

Getting ready to PCS? Deploy? Retire? What to do when you’re ready to move

Getting ready to PCS? Deploy? Retire? Make sure to stop by the Community Office to provide a 30-day notice, along with a copy of your orders.

Ensure you have a smooth transition by following these steps once you are ready to move:

• Complete a Notice to Vacate Form at least 30 days prior to move out and submit to the Community Office
• Schedule your pre-inspection with the Community Office team
• Contact the Community Office at least three days prior to your move-out date to schedule your move-out inspection

All personal items should be removed from the home and the home should be left in surface clean condition. Surface-clean condition implies that a home is left clean throughout. The surface-clean policy is intended to reflect good day-to-day housekeeping. When a home is cleaned regularly it should only require a wipe down and sweep/vacuum at move out to deliver surface-clean condition. Please note that wear and tear plays a factor in the determination of acceptability. 

If you have any questions about the move-out process, please stop by or call the Community Office and we’ll walk you through it.

A temporary change in your drinking water

During the month of March, Fort Bragg residents may notice a stronger chlorine smell and discoloration to their water. These are the results of changes to the disinfection of our water and the annual flushing of the water lines by Old North Utility Services (ONUS) and Harnett County. These measures help to control bacteria growth and alleviate any potential bacteriological problems in the system.

This process will require individuals on kidney dialysis machines to implement certain changes to their procedures and to consult with their doctor. Additionally, owners of tropical fish or other aquatic life will need to take certain precautions to ensure the health of their fish.

During this time, you may experience periods of discolored water. You can help alleviate this discoloration through turning on your faucets and running the water until it starts to clear up. If your water does not clear up within a reasonable time, please contact ONUS by submitting a service order request through the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) at (910) 396-0321. Linden Oaks residents can contact Public Utilities Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Allan O’Briant at (910) 893-7575, extension 3238. Below is the current schedule:

• March 1, 2015: Linden Oaks
• Week of March 2nd: Pope
• Week of March 9th: Bastogne Gables, Normandy, Nijmegan/Cherbourg, Ste Mere Eglise, Hammond Hills, Biazza Ridge
• Week of March 16th: Ardennes/Bataan Housing, Randolph Pointe, Bougainville/Corregidor Courts, Casablanca/Anzio Acres

If you have any questions about this temporary change in disinfection processes, please contact Amanda

Owens, Environmental Health & Safety Supervisor at 910‐495‐1311.

Fort Bragg Victory Garden

Have a green thumb? It’s that time of year again to submit applications for the Fort Bragg Victory Garden! 

The Fort Bragg Victory Garden plot lottery is now open to Corvias Military Living residents. The garden provides on-post residents a way to plant and grow nutritious produce in a social atmosphere.

If you would like to use one of the 20 Victory Garden plots, please visit our community garden website or visit your Community Office to obtain the necessary paperwork. Applications can be submitted to your Community Office or to the Fort Bragg Victory Garden’s email, fortbraggvictorygarden@gmail.com.  Applications must be received no later than Monday, March 16^th, at 6 p.m.

You will then be entered into a lottery to receive one of the 20 community garden plots. Plot recipients will be contacted as soon as possible.

Fort Bragg Veterinary Center is here for you and your pets

Fort Bragg Veterinary Center is a full service animal hospital providing routine wellness and sick call appointments. For your convenience, the veterinary center is open Monday through Friday from 8AM-4PM. The Vet Center also offers two Saturday clinics per month from 8AM-1PM for routine wellness appointments. Early in 2015, they will begin offering convenient drop-off appointments for clients unable to bring their pet for an appointment time during the day.

There are many reasons to consider the Fort Bragg Veterinary Center for your pet’s care. The staff is comprised of professionals committed to meeting the specific needs of our Service Members and their pets. The veterinarians and veterinary staff have extensive experience in helping Service Members meet the requirements for pets living on post and for pets moving overseas. While some veterinary treatment facilities can no longer offer surgeries, Fort Bragg has a unique position as a training platform. This means that surgery appointments are still available!  

Did you know that members of the Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Retirees are authorized to use the Fort Bragg Veterinary Center services?

Call to make an appointment today! They often have same day appointments available. They are also on Facebook; like their page for the most up to date news and information. https://www.facebook.com/ft.bragg.vetcen

Address:   BLDG 2-7606 Reilly Road, Fort Bragg, NC (just south of Pope AAF)
Office: (910) 396-9120
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8AM-4PM
Closed the last business day of the month for inventory. Saturday wellness clinics offered twice a month 8AM-1PM. Call for details

Daylight Savings Time

Sunday, March 8, 2015 starts Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget to “spring” forward one hour at 2AM on March 8. Local fire departments and FEMA recommend that, as you adjust your clocks throughout your home, you should also replace the batteries in your smoke alarms as a safety precaution.

Here are some survival tips to help adjust to the change:

• Prepare yourself! Make the time change incrementally beforehand by setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier and earlier for five days prior to daylight savings.
• On Saturday – get some vigorous exercise midday as exercise helps advance the body clock
• On Sunday Morning – get up at your regular time. Also, spend an hour or more outside in the sunshine as sunlight, just as exercise, is helpful in advancing our body clock. Experts recommend getting some moderate exercise midday. 

Is your child home alone?

Fort Bragg has released their new Child Supervision Guidelines that outline the minimum level of supervision for children:

• Children from birth to 4^th grade need direct supervision by a responsible adult at all times.
• Children from 5^th to 6^th grades (at least 10 years of age) can be alone for no more than 2 hours at a time. An adult must be aware of the child’s location and activities, check-in with the child, and ensure the child knows how to properly handle emergencies.
• Mature 7^th and 8^th graders can care for themselves alone for up to 4 hours at a time if they know how to properly handle a small crisis and are able to contact a parent or responsible adult in case of emergency.
• 9^th and 10^th graders can care for themselves alone for up to 6 hours at a time if they know how to handle a small crisis and are able to contact a parent or responsible adult in case of emergency.
• 11^th and 12^th graders (16 and 17 years of age) can care for themselves alone for up to 10 hours. This includes overnight at home. “Overnight” is defined at 10PM-5AM Sun-Thurs and 11PM-5AM Fri-Sat

Violations of this Fort Bragg Garrison policy should be referred to the Military Police. Parents may face child neglect actions as a result of violations. 

For supervised child care assistance, call Child, Youth, & School Services at 910-396-8110.

To find the complete CYSS Fort Bragg Home Alone Policy, visit http://www.FortBraggMWR.com/CYSS.

Getting your picky eater to try healthy foods

Making sure that our children eat right is one of the biggest concerns that parents have, but with the hectic schedules that both parents and children have today, it is easy to turn to unhealthy choices out of convenience. Many experts agree on these five “tricks” to help get your favorite picky eater to try new foods: 

1. Don't make a big deal about it. If you announce "We're going to try something new tonight," your child will just translate that as "This is going to be disgusting; prepare to hate it." Instead, just set the plate down and let your kid explore it for herself.
2. Make it fun. You've seen the cute pics: pancakes topped with smiley fruit faces, grilled cheese served in cookie-cutter shapes. Taking the time now and then to make healthy foods kid-friendly. Another winner is anything dunkable: Offer a little warmed, oozy peanut butter or yogurt to dip fruit into, or some ranch dressing to go with steamed vegetables. 
3. Make it familiar. Incorporate the healthy stuff into dishes you know your child likes. If your child loves pizza, try adding vegetables. Got a muffin pan?  Make a batch with blueberries or grated zucchini or carrots. Chicken-nugget chomper? Bake them with whole-grain bread crumbs.
4. Talk it up. A kid couldn't care less about cholesterol or heart disease, but he will take notice if you tell him that doughnut won't give him enough energy to climb the jungle gym or keep up with his friend in the swimming pool.
5. Eat it yourself. If you won't touch anything green, why should they? But if they see you enjoying a big salad or a fish dish, they just may come around (well, eventually).

For more great tips and ideas visit the United States Department of Agriculture at www.choosemyplate.gov. You can also reach out to your local nutritionist via your health care provider. 

Mulch bed clean-out continues

Brickman will continue mulch bed clean-out service. Visit your community calendar to see when this work will begin in your community. Click here to find out how to prepare your mulch bed for its clean-out. 

After the mulch bed clean-out is complete, you will assume responsibility for maintaining your mulch beds until the fall mulch bed clean-out. Poorly maintained mulch beds may be subject to a clean-up fee. 

Mulch bed clean-out includes the following services: 

• Re-define mulch bed line by mechanically edging bed.
• Cut down or remove excessive weeds in flower beds.
• Trim shrubs and perennials as necessary.
• Apply a granular weed preventative to help prevent weed germination. The product is very safe for kids and pets.
• Apply a grade A hardwood mulch
• Spray backyard fence lines with Herbicide. Product is very safe for kids and pets.

How to prepare your mulch beds for clean-out: 

• Install a bed border around personal plants in the mulch bed, or move your personal plants from the mulch bed to pots or containers.
• Store or remove decorative yard ornaments or lighting elements to prevent damage (solar lights, sculptures, plant hooks, etc.). If items are not removed from mulch beds, your home will not receive mulch bed clean-out services, and you may be subject to a fee.
• Remove toys, trash, pet waste and water hoses from mulch beds before your scheduled clean-out dates. If items are not removed, your home will not receive mulch bed clean-out services, and you may be subject to a fee. 

Notify the Community Office before your clean-out dates if: 

• You have special plants or decorative mulch in your mulch beds that you do not want disturbed, removed or covered.
• You would prefer to maintain your own mulch beds.

Lawn mowing services

To improve your quality of life and overall housing experience, Corvias Military Living provides commercial lawn mowing services at no additional charge. These seasonal services are provided by The Brickman Group, an established leader in the commercial lawn mowing industry. Your home will receive one mow during the month of March during the week of the 16^th. During warmer months, bi-weekly or weekly mowing will occur. 

Check your community’s calendar for your mowing schedule, as some community lawn care schedules have changed. Inclement weather may require adjustments to your regular lawn mowing schedule. If you have questions about your lawn mowing services, please contact your Community Office. 

Lawn mowing process: 

First, the mowers mow your lawn. Second, a separate crew trims around fixed objects such as fences and drains. (This service will occur every other mow.) Third, another team comes through to blow the grass clippings off of your patio, sidewalk and driveway. 

How to prepare your yard for mowing: 

• Remove toys, decorative items, trash, patio furniture, grills, pet waste, and trampolines from all grassy areas on your lawn mowing day. Unprepared lawns will not be mowed.
• Park cars on paved areas to allow crews access to grassy areas.
• Keep pets indoors on your lawn mowing day.
• Ensure that your backyard fence is unlocked to allow crews to access your yard. (Ste Mere Eglise residents should prop open patio privacy fences.) After lawn mowing has been completed, verify that your fence is closed before allowing your pet to re-enter your yard. 

Green corner

Make sure your thermostat fan is set to "auto" instead of "on." This will ensure your home heats or cools only when necessary.

Corvias Foundation Military Spouse Scholarship

Are you a military spouse with dreams of completing your college degree? The application period for grants is now open. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 7, 2015. Visit corviasfoundation.org for more information and to apply for a $5,000 Educational Grant.

AER Educational Scholarships for Military Dependents

Army Emergency Relief also maintains two scholarships that provide financial assistance to eligible dependents pursuing their first undergraduate degree. The Spouse Education Assistance Program is designed to support spouses while the MG James Ursano Scholarship Program supports dependent children. Scholarship applications are accepted from January 2 to May 1 each year for assistance for the following academic year. Applicants can access the applications at www.aerhq.org.

Want to know what is happening in your neighborhood?

Your community calendar can help you stay up-to-date on trash, recycling, lawn care, resident events and community activities.

You can even sync your community calendar with a personal Google calendar by clicking on the +Google button on the bottom right-hand corner of the calendar.

Upcoming events and important dates

• March 6 - All Corvias Military Living Offices will close for the day at 1:45 p.m. for an all employee meeting. Linden Oaks Community Centers will close at 1:30 p.m.
• March 8 – Daylight Savings Time – Don’t forget to “spring forward”
• March 11 – Registration opens for the Spouse Wellness Conference held on Thursday, May 7
• March 12 – Nutrition Fest 2015 from 9-11 a.m. at Tolson Youth Activities Center. Activities will include ACS puppet show, face painting, sports activities, and much more. 
• March 22 – Fayetteville and Fort Bragg All American Marathon. For more information or to register visit http://www.fortbraggmwr.com/allamericanmarathon/.
• March 28 – MWR Easter Carnival from 1-3 p.m. at Tolson Youth Activities Center. For more information, call 910-396-6674.