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Show ME June 21, 2012 Deployment PLAYpasses for families, single Airmen Learn something, have a little fun and relax BY KATINA L. VENTURA Hilltop Times staff T he true impact a militarily deployed parent has on their child or their spouse who is left to take care of things in the wake of their departure, cannot be described. Nor can the feeling of military personnel who return from battle trying to re-acclimate themselves as they become part of the community again. Deployment can have a significant impact on individuals and families, but there is a helpful tool that might ease the impact just a little bit and help these military members and their families learn to play again. It's called the PLAYpass and it's the program that's been developed to give Airmen a break from the rigors of deployment through learning, recre- ALS to hold large flea market June 30 ation and leisure programs they so well deserve. "Yes, deployments become part of military family life at some juncture, so why not get a PLAYpass too and have a little fun," said Marketing Director Barbara McConvill who runs the PLAYpass Program. "They can start using the benefits of that pass from day one, so why waste any time," she said. "There are some restrictions, so people need to take note," continued McConvill. "The deployment has to be for a period of 30 days or more, and the single Airmen are eligible for only 90 days from the time they return, so they need to bring their orders right in to the Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) so they can be awarded their PLAYpass GIVIhio and have the full amount of time to benefit from it." The PLAYpasses are personalized to best meet the needs of each individual or family. The value of a PLAYpass can add up to over $500. A family can use their "Learn to PLAY" coupons to take classes in dance, music, scuba, sport and karate. They can use their "Recreate PLAY" coupons to participate in tournaments or contests at the Recreation Center, Arts and Crafts or Fitness Center, or they can use their "Explore" coupons for sponsored day trips by Information Tickets and Travel, Outdoor Recreation or the Community Center. The single Airmen's coupon values are the same as the family card, and to encourage participation they can bring a guest or friend and apply the coupon block value to the entire bill. For example, if a class is $25 and the coupon block is $40, the remain- ing $15 may be applied to their guest, alwww.MyAirForceLife.com lowing them to combine the bill and pay the remaining difference. It's important to note that unmarried Airmen who have sponsored family members would qualify for the family card. Single Airmen with family members should take advantage of the Family PLAYpass card to provide benefits to their children and authorized guardian during their deployment and 90 days after their return. When a parent leaves for a deployment, children can feel a very real sense of loss. In addition to the tx WHIRL PLAYpass See PLAYPASS I page 8 USO Sesame Street show for active duty military families BY MARY LOU GORNY Hilltop Times editor T he Airman Leadership School (ALS) is having a Flea Market on June 30. The flea market will be comparable to having a bunch of yard sales all in one place. If you would like to participate, it costs $5 for a table or space to sell your stuff. You are welcome to sell crafts and yard sale items. There are a limited number of tables so reserve one early. ALS will be grilling burgers for sale. Booster clubs are welcome. The flea market will be near Building 385 on the west side, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All table reservations are due June 27. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Jessica Elias, Master Sgt. Sean Sambroak or Tech. Sgt. Anthony Diamond or stop by the school to reserve your space. BY MARY LOU GORNY Hilltop Times editor K MARY LOU GORNY/Hilltop Times Louis Lanton, 729th Air Control Squadron, took to the floor early with his daughter (center left), Eliyana, as other young ladies join them in an early dance before dinner was served at the Father Daughter Ball at The Landing on June 16. For more see Page 9. atie, a new Sesame Street character designed to relate to military children, will be present at the USO Tour on July 13-14 at Syracuse High School. "The USO is very excited to partner again with Sesame Workshop as we return the tour to the U.S. with a fresh new look, theme and character. Our nation's military community is our top priority, especially our youngest heroes. Elmo's new friend Katie helps military kids just like her learn how to make new friends wherever they are," said Sloan Gibson, USO President and CEO, about the show and it's newest addition. The USO's longest running, free traveling tour based on See SESAME I page 8 Review: Dwarves steal the spotlight in 'Mirror, Mirror' BY STEVE SALLES Standard-Exainer movie critic 6 6M irror Mirror" — what an appropriate title for a film from a director who prides himself on costume and set design, but pays much less attention to the pacing of the story or the words on the page. The result is a lovely looking movie that can't decide if it wants to be a comedy, a spoof, a serious drama or a fashion show. So the sentiment from most leaving a preview screening was, "Well, it was kinda cute." Julia Roberts stars as the evil queen/stepmother to young Snow White (Lily Collins, daughter of rocker Phil Collins), who has skin as white as snow, red ruby lips, raven black hair and dark thick eyebrows that would make Frida Kahlo jealous. Snow has been locked up in a castle since she was a little girl. Her father, the king, mysteriously disappeared in the forest years ago. She ventures out on her 18th birthday to see how impoverished and unhappy the vilSee REVIEW I page 11 Relativity Media Julia Roberts and Lilly Collins play the Queen and Snow White in "Mirror, Mirror," this Saturday, June 23, at the Base Theater at noon. |