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Show Lifetimes September 5, 2002 r i" a LeaveWeb simplifies paperwork Research shows that implementing LeaveWeb should save Hill AFB 19,674 manpower hours and $374,000 each year, by Senior Airman Troy Hawkes Ogden ALC Public Affairs Many servicemembers have faced the frustrations inherent with getting the appropriate signatures and waiting for paperwork to be returned when submitting leave paperwork. These aggravations are soon to be a thing of the past thanks d to the new leave system, LeaveWeb. LeaveWeb The program is a paperless means of filling out leave forms. All filing is done'online and leave numbers are given automatically at the time of the request, according to Senior Airman Josh I. Faulkner, quality examination technician with the Comptroller Directorate. The new system is already operational, and most organizations on base will be up to speed on the program by the end of this week. Everyone on base should be online by Oct. 1. The entire Air Force should be using the new system within a year, said Faulkner. Filing with LeaveWeb involves simply getting online and sysfiling the request, as opposed to the former three-ste- p tem of printing Air Force Form 988, acquiring a supervisor's signature, then filing with the unit orderly room. This timelier method results in a one-da- y turnaround on leave five-dato using the former paper paperwork, compared method, said Faulkner. Web-base- Photos by Micah Airmen Micah Garbarino Training Systems Management Directorate division chief Cecil Wheeler, adjusts a sprinkler as the volunteer group puts the final touches on the new common area. teams transform weeds Self-hel- p by Airman Micah Garbarino Hilltop Times staff "An ugly weed patch and an eye sore." That's how the area between Bldg. 1224 and 1225 was described. That was until Karl McCleary coordinated a group effort between the Training Systems Management Directorate, and their neighbors, the 6 Management Directorate and the Logistics Management Support Directorate, which turned the once desolate area into a pleasant common area. The project was accomplished through the help of several volunteers, and the 75th Civil Engineer Squadron F-1- who provided a little money and a lot of dirt, said McCleary, YW division chief. "I'm real pleased at the way people cooperated. I would really like to take credit for it, but I can't This was a real grass roots type of operation. It is a tribute to the regular guy at Hill," said Col. Robert Halbert, YW director. Workers put the final touches on the common area Aug. 25. The new area includes a landscaped brick courtyard and a covered pavilion with several tables'and a barbe- cue. "The pavilion is big enough to have a small gathering, and the area is open to everyone on base we just ask that they call us to reserve it," said McCleary. For more information and to reserve an area call Ext. 74722 Commissary plans 'mega caselot sale' A tradition that tops any customer's shopping list, the "World's Biggest Commissary Case Lot Sale," is scheduled the weekend of Sept 21. Last year, military customers bought $8 million in groceries more than 700,000 cases during the worldwide event The Hill Commissary will hold its "Mega Caselot Sale" on Sept 21 from 9 a.m.-- p.m., and Sept 22 from 9 a.m.4 p.m. Featured items include canned goods, cereal and paper products. The sale won't be the only one the commissary sponsors in September. A "One Day Only Produce Sale" will be at the Hill Com missary on Sept 7 from 9 a.m-- p.m.; and a case lot sale is scheduled at the Camp Williams Commissary near River ton, Utah, on Sept 4 from 9 a.m.4 p.m. both days. items ranging Case lot sales feature a variety of sought-afte-r from canned goods to paper goods, and a few items in between. The second World's Biggest Case Lot Sale is scheduled at most of the 276 stores in the worldwide commissary system, though days and hours may vary. In some areas, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is hosting a special 'Still Serving' event during the case lot sale. Activities and discounts are planned at each location including free refreshments, free samples, free health clinics, cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese tastings, golf putting contests, door bingo, makeovers and fashion shows. prizes, shopping-car- t For more information about the 'Still Serving" event visit the AAFES Web site in September at www.aafes.com. 6 6 13-1- ys added Faulkner. In a survey conducted of bases already using LeaveWeb, 97 percent of users were satisfied with the program. Faulkner stated the old process resulted in too many manual errors, which resulted in excessive leave rejections. It also took up too much time. To use the new system, simply log onto LeaveWeb at https:leave.hill.af mil and enter your social security number. A password prompt will come up. If this is the first time logging Once into the in, your password will be sent to you via system, choose "member actions," then choose "new leave" and fill in all the blank fields. After filling out the form, select the "submit" box on the lower right side of the form and log out. After filing, you will receive emails informing you of the position of your leave request (waiting for approval, approved, waiting for validation, or validated). Once leave is approved and validated, print a copy of part 2 and enjoy your leave. whenever a subApproving officials will be sent an ordinate is requesting leave. A hyperlink will appear in the The official will click on the link and approve or disapprove leave at his discretion. For any questions or concerns regarding LeaveWeb, contact your unit orderly room. ail Stress, worry can impair memory by Dave Larsen Organizational Health Center director Do you ever find you've forgotten the name of someone you've just met? Have you recently misplaced your keys, forgotten an appointment, tasking, or birthday? Do you ever get distracted in a conversation and then lose your train of thought? If you have experienced any or all of these in the past week, relax! That doesn't mean you are getting Alzheimer's in fact, you're likely quite normal. And too much worry or stress over time can actually impair your memory. Everyone forgets and in fact some forgetting is quite healthy. However, if you have expe- rienced some decline in memory, or would just like to keep your memory clear and fully capable into old age, here are, some insisrhts that mieht helo. bering a string of words, listing as many words as possible that begin with a certain letter of the alphabet, and doing mental addition and subtraction. Those who regularly took vitamin C, they found, scored higher on the tests. Vitamins C and E, are powerful antioxidants. And if you obtain your vitamins C and E from a multivitamin, you receive other key nutrients that many studies over the years have linked to healthy brain function, including beta carotene, iron, zinc, B12 and folic acid. In the June 1999 issue of the Journal of Biology and Psychiatry, for instance, researchers at Sweden's Gotenborg University reported that older people were more likely to score poorly on word memory tests if they had low levels of folic acid. Perhaps the most promising "smart pill" is phos-phatidylseri- or PS, a natural, substance derived from soy helps cell wait? berhal arid to is When learning and com- - . mitting things to memory, the "2AIR" acronym can be stay pliable helpful. The two A's stand for Atten-tio- n and Association. If we do not pay close attention to what we see or hear, and if we cannot associate it with something we already know, then we will lively not remem" ber it. "I" The reminds us of the need to use our Imagination. If we can vividly imagine or visualize a concrete association we will retain the image longer. Finally, to retain information long term we need a periodic Review. Repetition is the mother of memory. But repetition produces a much healthier memory if we have first paid attention, and visualized associations. And whenever we forget it is usually because we have forgotten to do one or more of these simple activities. All the tricks in Cambridge cannot work, however, unless our brain has the nutrients needed for storage and retrieval. The single most reliable way to protect our brain cells as we age, most researchers agree, is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grain and fish. These of neuron protecting antioxidants and other are chock-ful- l nutrients vital to healthy mental functioning. In a study published in the October 1997 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers tested 260 people aged 65 to 90 with a series of mental exercises that involved memorizing words or doing mental arithmetic. The top performers were those who consumed the g most fruits and vegetables and ate the least artery-cloggin- saturated fat. Recent findings also suggest that taking extra vitamins and antioxidants could help preserve memory, especially as we age. Researchers at Australia's University of Sydney tested 117 people in a retirement home by putting them through a battery of mental tests that included remem- - thought boost the effectiveness of neurotransmitters, which relay brain signals. In a May 1991 study published in Neu rology, neuroscientist Thomas Crook found that patients with memory impairment improved their scores on key performance tests after only 4 weeks on PS. DHA is another essential lipid, or fat found in the brain and all mother's milk, as n well as in salmon, sunflower seeds, algae and g algae-eatinfish. Supplementation with DHA as well other as PS has been found to not only improve memory, but help alleviate symptoms of depression and ADHD as well. These memory enhancing supplements are available in most health food stores. The most helpful aid to memory, however, isn't found in stores it's exercise! Poor circulation, lack of oxygen and prolonged stress are among the major causes of memory and other mental problems, and regular physical exercise is perhaps the best antidote. The only drawback is, it's a bit harder than popping a pill, but it's overall benefits are incomparable. And yes, you can't beat the price. Since memory problems can have many different causes, including blocked arteries and conflicting medications, it's always wise to consult with a competent physician before relying on any single course of action. From the University of Kentucky's "Nun study," we learn that lifelong learning is very important. Learning a new language or skill, reading, writing or solving crossword puzzles are all helpful to keep the brain active and able to function well. With our brain, it's very much "use it or lose it," and if we give it the best nourishment we can, it will return to us our treasured memories even into old age. For more extensive tips and insights on mental enhancement contact david.larsenhill.af.mil, or call the Organizational Health Center at Ext. or age-associat- ed blue-gree- . Classes offer earthquake awareness, employment advice Aworkshop on earthquake awareness is offered today at the Family Support Center, Bldg. 308N. The workshop, offered from p.m., discusses with disaster by preparing in advance and coping a team, and creating a famas working together disaster ily plan. Register for this class, and others offered in September, by calling Ext 74681. Other classes are: and Transition Assistance, Sept. 8 a.m.4 p.m. Designed for military planning to separate from active duty. 0 STAIRS Sept 9, 11:30 Learn the basics p.m. p.m., or Sept 26, of applying for new jobs, promotions or change in duty location through the AFPC, Civilian Employment Website or the Interactive Voice Recognition System. 5--7 24-2- 6, 10-1- 2 a.m.-12:3- 5-- 6 Basics of Resumix, today, 11 Sept 10, p.m.; or Sept 10, 1 150 5--6 a.m.-noo- n; or p.m. Learn the basic process and some of the tricks to filing out your resume using the resume builder program when applying for federal or Air Force civilian jobs. a.m.-12:3- 0 Spouse Employment Orientation, Friday "1 COPY and Sept 20, 10 a.m.; and Wendesday, 3 p.m. Orientations are for military or civilian spouses newly arrived at Hill AFB. Information is given about the job market salaries and what to expect when seeking employment in the area. Resume today and Sept. 12, 19 and 26. 5- -6:30 p.m. Learn the fastest way to write a quality resume. Cover Letters, Tuesday, S6:30p.m. If you want your resume to get considered for a position, you must first write a cover letter that gets you noticed. Evening Employment Seminar, Sept 16-- 17. 6- - 9 p.m. Taught by the Department of Work- force Services' VA representative, this seminar will offer information on salaries and the local job market Panel Interviews, Sept 17, p.m. Learn what to say and what not to say in one of these interviews. Federal Forms, Sept 24, p.m. Let us help you take the guesswork out of filling out these forms. Miss A Class? If you're unable to attend any of these classes or need individual help with any service provided in the Resource Room, call Ext 54871. Appointments are on a first come, first served basis. In addition, the STAIRS, for Internal Employees Class can be brought to your shop. This is a new service offered by the Family Support Center Civilian Retirement for CSRS Only, Sept 19, p.m. CSRS employment personnel using the Civil Service Retirement System should attend this informative briefing to learn about retirement planning. Power Pay Your Debt, Sept 20, 9:30-- 1:30 am. Come to this informative class and learn how to "power pay" down credit card debt This class 1 is particularly useful for those with three or more open accounts and who are interested in becoming debt free. 8th Annual AFAChili Cookoff, Sept 28, Centennial Park. Cooking begins 8 a.m. and judging-servin- g at noon. bowls of chili are available for $4 per person, or $8 for the immediate family. Proceeds benefit the Family Readiness Waiting Spouses Fund. Kids on the Move, Monday, p.m., 1:30-2:3- 0 Hill Field Elementary School, for gr ades Get togethejr with other kids that are moving from the area. Participants decorate a scrapbook photo album and get a free camera to take pictures. Smooth Move, Sept 12 and 26, 1 am Learn from the experts how to organize and prepare for a PCS move without the stress. Sponsorship Training, Sept. 18, 10-1- 1 a.m. AFI 1 sponsors, and requires all first-tim- e those who haven't sponsored a newcomer in the past year to attend sponsorship training. Guide1-- 6. 36-301- book and information provided. Heart Link, Sept 18, p.m. This Spouse Orientation program is especially for spouses who have been married to their Air Force member for less than five yrs. This seminar will cover the resources Air Force mission, customs, support and services. Newcomer's Orientation, Sept 25, 8 a.m.-- 3 p.m. Aday of briefings from base agencies help newcomers learn about the base and local area. Mandatory for all newly arrived active duty mem- bers except first term airmen. Spouses are |