Lakenheath Community Bulletins Published July 1, 2010 ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Salute the Troops Carnival Free carnival rides for all military ID cardholders from 4 to 6 p.m. at RAF Feltwell. No game or food booths will be open. Shuttle buses will leave at 3:30 p.m. from the Lakenheath BX and Mildenhall Bob Hope Community Activity Center and will return at 6:30 p.m. 4th of July Celebration Join the annual Independence Day Celebration at RAF Feltwell on Sunday, July 4 from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. There will be kids' games, live bands, carnival rides, a fly-over, fireworks, an HH-60 helicopter display, and more. Event is open to the public. No pets, coolers, backpacks or glass allowed. One half-liter beverage per person authorized. 5K Fun Walk/Run The Fitness & Sports Center is hosting a 5K Fun Walk/Run on Sunday, July 4 at 9 a.m. Meet on the green at RAF Feltwell. Open to all ages. Strollers and children's bikes allowed, but be aware of grass course. For more information, call 226-3607. Astronaut Col. Jim Dutton to visit RAF Lakenheath Astronaut Col. Jim Dutton, a former 493rd Fighter Squadron pilot, will visit RAF Lakenheath, England, July 8 and 9. He will have speaking engagements July 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. and again July 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the base fitness center. COLA being reduced The COLA rate set by the Defense Department for June will result in RAF Lakenheath Airmen seeing an approximately 22 percent COLA reduction in their paychecks. This reduction is a result of the stronger U.S. dollar against the British Pound. Based on June COLA rates for RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath, an airman (E-2) with two years of service and two dependents is entitled to $313.34, down from $404.72 in May. A married technical sergeant (E-6) with 10 years of service and three dependents will now receive $441.34, down from $570.05. And a colonel (O-6) with 24 years of service and two dependents is entitled to $730.66, down from $943.78. For a full list of the new COLA rates, visit http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/. Summer Reading Programs The Library will host summer reading programs from June 1 to July 30. Themes are Voyage to Book Island for ages 10 and younger or adults and Make Waves for ages 11 to 17. An individual is eligible for a prize for every two hours a child ages 10 and younger reads or is read to, and every five hours kids ages 11 to 17 read. Sign up at the Library. For more information, call 226-3713. Lunchtime Learners Breckland Pines Golf Course is hosting lunchtime learners on Wednesday, July 7 and 21 from noon to 1 p.m. For only $5, receive one hot dog, one soda, one bucket of range balls, and a five-minute tip from a teaching professional. For more information, call 226-2223. Pet Scoop July 9, 1-3 p.m. PCSing with your family pet(s)? Pet specialists will be on hand to answer questions regarding transportation requirements for animals traveling out of the United Kingdom. New Consular Fees The following consular fees are will be effective July 13: Passport book - Adult (1st time Applicant): $135 Passport book - Adult (Renewal): $110 Passport book - Minor (Under 16): $85 Additional Passport/Visa pages: $82 Consular report of birth abroad: $100 Employment Connections July 19, 9 a.m. - noon. This class provides employment services and information to family members who want to gain employment on or off base. Agencies such as DeCA, NAF Human Resources, DODDS, Civilian Personnel, and some off base agencies will be in attendance. Resume 201 July 15, 9-11 a.m. Need a resume critique? Bring your resume in for a peer review and feedback session with A&FRC staff. Please bring 5 copies of your resume to the workshop. FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAMS Marriage LINKS Engaged? Married? Has your growing family stressed your relationship? Is the experience of deployment causing issues for you or your partner? Join us at Marriage LINKS, a research-based class taught by the Family Advocacy Program. Here, you and your partner will learn how to enhance communication, increase trust, grow together, and renew both your romance and your commitment to each other. Class offered monthly at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Call 226-8070 or 01638 528070 for more information. Parent Zone First Wednesday of each month, 12:30-4:30pm. Active duty and dependent parents of children 4-10 are invited to practical, skill-based parenting program that addresses discipline, communication, decision-making, relationships and self control. Program offered monthly at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Call Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at 226-8070 to register. No childcare provided. Single Parent Support Group This support network addresses the professional, social and parenting needs of military single parents. Contact militarysingleparents@googlemail.com or call 01638 545127 for more information. No childcare provided. Voter registration/Absentee ballot requests Recently, many Uniformed Service Members have asked the following question: "Is my Absentee Ballot Request CURRENT or Should I submit a new one?" To answer this question: The base voting assistant officers recommend that you register to vote/request an absentee ballot in January of each year, or at least 45 days before Election Day. It is important to remember that you must be registered to vote absentee. Registration requirements vary from state to state. Most states and territories require registration to vote absentee. Voter registration and absentee ballot request can be done at the same time by submitting the Federal Post Card Application. If you are already registered to vote and only wish to request a ballot, you should submit your FPCA as soon as possible. Your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot request form must be completed, printed, signed, dated and mailed directly to your local election official. These officials will handle the processing and distribution of your absentee ballots and may need to contact you for further information or clarification. To facilitate this process, please provide a current email address, phone and fax number on your application. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov or contact your unit voting assistant officer. New info regarding importing vehicles to the UK The DVLA no longer requires military members to obtain an original hard copy of their insurance certificates for imported registration purposes. Personnel can now print their insurance certificates by accessing their policy online; however, faxed, photocopied or scanned copies are still not accepted. For more information, contact the Pass & Registration Office at 226-1853. Important information to remember when seeking emergency assistance while stationed at RAF Lakenheath. Emergency Numbers for Fire, Medical and Police are as follows: 911 RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell - Any Government/DSN Telephone 527 911 RAF Lakenheath Housing 01638 527 911 Cell/Mobile Phone while on RAF Lakenheath/Feltwell 01638 527 911 RAF Feltwell Base Housing 01638 547 911 RAF Mildenhall/Beck Row 999 Anglo Housing/Off Base *911 Cell/Mobile Phone will connect to an off base emergency operator