For more information or to submit an announcement, email philip.h.jones.civ@mail.mil or call 301-677-5602.

NEWS & EVENTS

Relocation of chapel service
Due to painting at the Main Post Chapel at 4419 Llewellyn Ave., the noon daily Catholic Mass will be held weekdays at the Cavalry Chapel at 8465 Simonds St. and 6th Armored Cavalry Road until further notice.

For more information, call Lynn Durner at the Religious Support Office at 301-677-6703 or email diana.l.durner.civ@mail.mil.

PX closed Jan. 28
The Fort Meade Post Exchange will close Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. for an inventory project.

The store is tentatively scheduled to reopen Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.

Customers are encouraged to call 410-674-7170 on Jan. 29 to check the PX's operating status.

Vet clinic renovations
The Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Facility is undergoing renovations this month.

The clinic's regular weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be maintained, with the exception of unexpected closings due to construction.

For more information, call 301-677-1300.

Club Meade delivers
Club Meade is now offering food delivery.

Customers must allow one hour for the free service. Minimum order is $30.

For more information, call 301-677-6969.

Mongolian barbecue
Club Meade is offering Mongolian barbecue on Tuesday and Jan. 27 from 5 to 9 p.m.

For more information, call 301-677-6969.

Lunch buffets
Enjoy all-you-can-eat lunch buffets Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Club Meade:

* Tuesdays: Italian

* Wednesdays: Country

* Thursdays: Asian

* Fridays: Mexican

A la carte sandwiches are also available.

For more information, call 301-677-6969.

Karaoke Night
The 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes is hosting a free Karaoke Night on the third Thursday of the month.

The next Karaoke Night will be today from 7 to 10 p.m. The general public is invited.

For more information, call 301-677-5541.

EDUCATION

Fleet Center classes
The Fleet and Family Support Center at 830 Chisholm Ave. offers classes that are open to DoD identification cardholders. Classes are held at the Community Readiness Center, unless otherwise noted. Advanced registration is required.

* DTAP (Disability Transition Assistance Program): Monday, 9 a.m. to noon

* Federal Employment: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon: This free workshop is designed to teach the basics of the federal employment system.

* Hearts Apart support group: Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m.

* Home buying: Jan. 26, 1 to 3 p.m.

* Medical Records Review: Have your medical records reviewed by Joseph Thornton of AMVETS. An appointment is required.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 9018.

Job search strategies
The Fort Meade Employment Readiness Program encourages those seeking employment, transitioning from the military or looking to improve their job readiness skills to participate in the following programs:

* Federal Employment class, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon, Army Community Service, 830 Chisholm Ave.: Learn to demystify the application process for federal employment

* Career Exploration, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to noon, Army Community Service, 830 Chisholm Ave.

* BRAC 101 Employment Training Orientation, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Soldier and Family Assistance Center, 85th Medical Battalion Avenue

The Employment Readiness Program helps the military community with job readiness by providing employment consultations/coaching, career classes and assessments, and job search/interview preparation assistance.

For more information, call Vikki Torrence, Employment Readiness Program manager, or Jamesinaez James at 301-677-5590 or email vikki.torrence@us.army.mil.

ACS financial programs
Army Community Service is offering the following programs in January at 830 Chisholm Ave.:

* Credit Score Clinic, Wednesday, 30-minute blocks

* Banking and Avoiding Fees, Today, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

* Federal Employment, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon

* Career Exploration, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to noon

For more information, call 301-677-5590.

Newcomer's seminar
The Military Spouse Newcomer's Seminar is held Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

Spouses from all military branches are invited. Information is presented on different installation agencies. Door prizes are also awarded.

For more information and reservations, call the Army Community Service Relocation Office at 301-677-5590.

AER scholarships
Army Emergency Relief is offering the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for children and the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program for spouses, who are now authorized to attend either part time or full time.

Applications for 2012 to 2013 are now available. The deadline is April 2.

For the Ursano scholarship, the applicant must be a dependent child, stepchild or legally adopted child of an active, retired or deceased Soldier. Children of retired Reservists or National Guard are also eligible.

During academic year 2011-2012, $6.5 million was awarded to 2,811 children worldwide. At Fort Meade, five students received $11,000.

The maximum award is $3,500. Scholarships for children of Soldiers who die on active duty receive an automatic, maximum need-based award.

For spouses, the applicant must be a spouse of an active-duty or retired Soldier, or widow(er) of a Soldier who died either on active duty or in a retired status and resides in the United States. The maximum award is $2,500.

All scholarships are based on financial need and are for assistance with a first undergraduate degree only.

For more information and applications, visit the AER website at www.aerhq.org or call the Fort Meade AER office at 301-677-5768 or 5662.

YOUTH

Story Time
The Medal of Honor Memorial Library offers Story Time for preschoolers on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11 a.m.

* Today: "Toys and More Toys," toy-themed stories

* Jan. 26: "Ice is Nice," penguin and polar bear stories

For more information, call 301-677-5522.

Romp 'n Stomp
Romp 'n Stomp playgroup, for parents and their children up to 5 years old, meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Youth Services gym, when Anne Arundel County Public Schools are in session.

For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or e-mail rikki.l.ford.ctr@us.army.mil.

RECREATION

Out & About
* Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday at Port Discovery Children's Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore. The event will feature a Lion Dance performance by the Tai Yim School for Kung Fu and Chinese folktales. Learn Chinese calligraphy and how to use chopsticks. Make your own Chinese Zodiac. Tickets are $13.95. For a schedule and more information, call 410-727-8120 or visit www.portdiscovery.org.

* "Breakfast with the Animals at the Maryland Zoo" in Baltimore features Breakfast with Polar Bears on Saturday from 8:30 to 10 a.m., rain or shine.

Enjoy a catered breakfast inside the enclosed Coke Pavilion, keeper chats, education stations and photo opportunities. Space is limited. Advance tickets are required and available for purchase online only. Tickets, which include general zoo admission, are: $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Admission is free for children under 2.

For a schedule or more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org or call 410-396-7102.

* Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week: Restaurants throughout the city will offer three-course dinners Friday through Jan. 29 for $30.12 or $20.12. Select restaurants will offer two-course lunch menus for $15.12. For more information, visit baltimorerestaurantweek.com.

* Leisure Travel Services, 2300 Wilson St., is offering monthly bus trips to New York City on Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 18, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 and discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit www.ftmeademwr.com.

* Leisure Travel Services, 2300 Wilson St., is offering discounted tickets to Toby's Dinner Theatres in Columbia and Baltimore. The Columbia theater is presenting "The King and I" through March 25. Toby's in Baltimore is presenting "Smokey Joe's Cafe" through March 18. For more information, call 301-677-7354.

* Baltimore Boat Show, today through Sunday, Baltimore Convention Center, 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore. Hours are: Today and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Browse booths showcasing the latest in engines, marine electronics, accessories, fishing tackle and gear. Educational seminars and child-friendly activities will be available. Admission is $10 for adults. Youths ages 15 and younger attend free with a paid adult admission.

Group discounts are available. Contact Mary Steen at 617-472-1442 or msteen@nmma.org. For more information, visit www.baltimoreboatshow.com.

MEETINGS
* Patient/Family Advisory Council meets the third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center. The next meeting is today in Kimbrough's main conference room on the third floor, room 3C03.

The council is committed to improving the delivery of our health care by collaborating with providers, patients and family members. For more information or to become a council member, call Patient and Family Centered Care, at 301-677-8261.

* Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Thursday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center. The next meeting is tonight. For more information, visit www.trea.org or call Mary Gray, the local president, at 410-916-5385 or Arthur R. Cooper, national president, at 443-336-1230.

* Meade Area Garden Club will meet Friday at 10 a.m. at the Jessup Community Hall at the corner of Route 175 and Wigley Avenue. Reservations are not required. Refreshments will be served.

Carrie Engle of Valley View Farms will present the program, "House Plants for Healthy Living." The meeting also will feature the presentation of a defibrillator to the Jessup Province Boys' and Girls' Youth Organization. The defibrillator was purchased with funds from the sale of cookbooks of members' recipes. Cookbooks are available for purchase for $20 at the monthly meetings.

For more information, call Lois Stephenson at 410-740-8024 or Pat Loosararian, membership chairperson, at 410-519-6443.

* Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. at Club Meade. The next meeting is Sunday. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-730-0127.

* Single Parent Support Group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at School Age Services, 1900 Reece Road. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email rikki.l.ford.ctr@us.army.mil.

* Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Roost, 9827 Love Road. The next meeting is Wednesday. For more information, call 443-534-5170 or visit www.afsa254.org.

* Anne Arundel Genealogical Society will meet Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Severna Park. Elinor Thompson will present the program "Preserving Church and Cemetery Histories and Records 1777-1931 -- West River -- African Americans and Whites." For more information, call the Kuethe Library at 410-760-9679 or visit www.aagensoc.org.

* Monthly Prayer Breakfast hosted by the garrison is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at the Courses Clubhouse. The next breakfast is Feb. 2. Post employees, family members, civilian and military personnel are invited. There is no cost; donations are optional. For more information, call 301-677-6703 or email diana.l.durner.civ@mail.mil.

* Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry's Restaurant and Odie's Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is Feb. 2 in the banquet hall in back of the building. If you come early, you may join us for dinner at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

* EMPOWERING Parents of Teens Support Group meets the first and third Monday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at School Age Services. The next meeting is Feb. 6. Refreshments and free child care provided. For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or e-mail rikki.l.ford.ctr@us.army.mil.