Content

• Getting ready to PCS? Deploy? Retire? What to do when you’re ready to move
• Temporary change in your drinking water
• Fort Bragg Victory Garden
• Daylight savings time
• 10 tips for healthy snacking
• Green Corner
• Disposal of cigarettes
• 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 surface clean.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.

For copies of the ONUS and Harnett County notifications, please click here.

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.

Daylight Savings Time

Sunday, March 8, 2015 starts Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget to “spring” forward one hour at 2 a.m. 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. 

10 tips for healthy snacking

Snacking doesn’t have to be bad for you – healthy options are available. If you are eating well balanced and nutritious meals as well as regular exercise, the occasional snack is not a problem.

Here are some healthy snacking tips:

1. Eat regular meals - going hungry makes you more likely to be tempted by extra snacks.
2. Plan your snacks – stock up on healthy snacks at the grocery store. Avoid grocery shopping when you are hungry as you are less likely to make impulse purchases from the checkout counter displays.
3. Carry healthy snacks with you – prepare snacks in advance and go for maximum variety to avoid boredom
4. Stock up on healthy snacks such as almonds, fruit, vegetables, frozen grapes in the freezer, yogurt, baby carrots, or hummus. Experts recommend combining protein and carbohydrates - carbohydrates provide you mind and body with energy while protein rich food help fill you up because they break down more slowly in the body.  
5. Resist buying junk food – potato chips, cookies, and chocolate are high in salt and fat. Make them occasional treats, not everyday foods.
6. Make your own – prepare your own snacks using fresh ingredients. Experiment with new recipes to replace your favorite snack foods with healthy homemade alternatives.
7. Keep a stocked fruit bowl in plain sight – you are more likely to snack on healthy options if they are in sight and ready to eat
8. Limit your consumption of “health bars” and fruit juices – processed muesli, breakfast or energy bars and juices are typically high in salt, fat, or sugar.
9. Think portion control – we all want to enjoy our favorite snack. Think portion control, you can have a piece of cake without eating the whole cake.
10. Don’t skip breakfast – people who avoid breakfast tend to nibble more during the day or over eat at lunch. 

For more information to jump start a healthier you or for a personalized meal plan, contact the Fort Bragg Army Wellness Center.

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.

Disposal of cigarettes

Discard of cigarettes properly.  Do not throw cigarette butts in the flower beds or anywhere on the community grounds as it can cause brush fires.

Corvias Foundation Military spouse scholarship

Do you know a military spouse with dreams of completing his/her 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 2 p.m. for an all employee meeting. 
• March 7 – MWR Bench Press Competition.   Visit the Fort Bragg MWR Intramurals Sports Page for event details and to register online.
• March 8 – Daylight Savings Time – Don’t forget to “spring forward”
• March 17 - St. Patty’s Green Smoothie Day! Spring is almost here and it’s time to get healthy. Join the Randolph Pointe staff at the community center from 3-4 p.m. for a delicious green smoothie on St. Patrick’s Day!
• March 22 – Fayetteville and Fort Bragg All American Marathon. For more information or to register visit http://www.fortbraggmwr.com/allamericanmarathon/.
• March 23 – May 8 – Unit level soccer program. Visit the Fort Bragg MWR Intramurals Sports Page for more information.