MCAHC CT Services

Computed Tomography Services at McDonald Army Health Center will be closed until further notice. As dedicated healthcare providers for the community, we will be making improvements in the Radiology Department that are necessary to improve the quality of healthcare. We apologize for this interruption in services.   

CT appointments can still be made at Langley Air Force Base, (757) 764-6942 or Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, (757) 953-9729. For more information, call (757) 314-7749.

Scam Alert

Service members are advised to be on the lookout for checks being mailed to individuals with the official TRICARE logo and directions from American Mega Lottery Payment to activate and cash-in. This is an attempt to obtain personal and financial information; TRICARE is aware of the scam.

Job Information Briefing - Monday, and July 9, 16, 23, 30; 10 to 11 a.m. Attendees will learn job search strategies including employer websites, online job boards and vacancy announcements.

Credit Reporting, Scores and Debt Management - Tuesday, and July 17; 9 to 10 a.m. Are you looking to improve your credit score prior to making that big purchase? Need a starting point? This class covers everything that you need to know about credit reports and FICO scores. All attendees will receive a free FICO score and credit analysis.

Newcomers Briefing - Tuesday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Come and learn essential information about installation and community resources. Soldiers are highly encouraged to attend; spouses and civilians are cordially invited. This event will include prizes, an information fair and optional windshield tour (when available).

Developing Your Financial Plan - July 10 and 24; 9 to 10 a.m. Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Need a financial "check-up?" We will teach you the basics of developing a written plan while setting goals for a successful financial future.

Sponsorship Training - July 17; 2 to 3 p.m. Do you need information on how to become an effective unit sponsor? This training can be completed in the classroom or online at www.apps.mhf.dod.mil/esat.

Care Team Training - July 18; 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Care Team offers short-term care and support to families of deceased and seriously wounded Soldiers and civilians until the family's own support structure is in place. It is important to note that the Care Team will only be utilized at the request of the family. Care teams are not mandatory but are an additional way for organizations to provide valuable support to families.

Family Readiness Groups and Leadership - July 18; 9 a.m. to noon. Learn the FRG structure and how it plays an important role in the Army. We will help you to develop leadership skills and discover the importance of volunteers and members. This training is offered through the Mornings with Army Family Team Building series.

Effective Resume Writing - July 20; 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees will learn the skills necessary to assess work experience and job accomplishments. Assistance will be provided for preparation of a chronological resume.

Exceptional Family Member Program Empowerment Hour -July 24; 10 to 11 a.m. Come out and get an overview of the Hampton Roads Medical Needs Registry.

Couponing Strategies - July 30; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Learn ways to stretch your grocery dollars. We will teach you the proper use of coupons and how to organize your coupons for sales.

All classes and briefings will take place in Bldg. 650, Monroe Ave. For more information, call 878-3638.

Soldier and Family Readiness will host an Emergency Preparation Training class on July 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Bldg. 650, Monroe Ave. The training is open to Soldiers, spouses, civilians, family readiness support assistants, family readiness group leaders, and families with special needs dependents.   

For more information, call 878-1954.   

4th of July Stars in the Sky

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism will celebrate Independence Day with its 4th of July Stars in the Sky event Wednesday at Victory Landing Park (end of 23rd Street at the James River). The celebration begins at 7 p.m. with free children's rides including giant slides, moon bounces and obstacle courses. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by Cheap Thrills from 7 to 8 p.m.; Carbon Leaf will perform from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky over the James River at 9:30 p.m.

Admission and parking are free. Parking will be available at the Newport News City Hall parking lot and designated non-restricted public parking spaces in the downtown area. No pets, bicycles, alcohol, skateboards or radios will be permitted in the event area.  

For more information, call 926-1400.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg's Independence Day celebration will begin with a Wednesday morning militia muster at 10 a.m. in the Revolutionary City. A dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence is scheduled for noon on the west side of the Capitol. The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band will perform at 6 p.m. in Market Square and a fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m.

Free parking is available at the Visitor Center where visitors can purchase tickets and utilize the shuttle bus service (available every half hour to all regular stops). All daytime events in the Revolutionary City are included with Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets. The pedestrian bridge to the Revolutionary City will be closed to traffic from 9:15 to 10 p.m. For more information, call (757) 229-1000.  

To purchase tickets online, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com.

Historic Yorktown Celebration

The 33rd annual Historic Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration will include:

8k Run and 5K Walk - 8 a.m., York High School (registration begins at 6:30 a.m.)

Parade on Water Street - 9 a.m., Riverwalk Landing (music by the U.S. Coast Guard Band)

Event Parking Opens - 4 p.m., Corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street

Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony - 7 p.m., Riverwalk Landing Stage

Glen Boswick and the Sounds of Swing Orchestra - 8 p.m., Riverwalk Landing Stage

Fireworks Display - 9:15 p.m., Over the York River

Glen Boswick and the Sounds of Swing Orchestra - 9:45 p.m., Riverwalk Landing Stage

To pre-register for the 8K Run and 5K Walk, visit info@happypaceraces.com.

For additional event information, call 890-3500 or visit www.yorkcounty.gov/fourth.

Picnic and Fireworks Show

The 30th annual AT&T Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show takes place on Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m. in Town Point Park (downtown Norfolk). The event is free and open to the public. Come out and enjoy patriotic sounds by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. A fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  

For more information, visit www.festevents.org.

Virginia Living Museum

Spirit of America Laser Display. Come celebrate Independence Day and enjoy an amazing Spirit of America laser display Wednesday at the Abbitt Planetarium.  

The show mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock & roll songs. Show times will be at 3:30, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Recommended for ages 6 and up.  

Tickets are $3 (members) and $6 (non-members).

Star Party Laser Shows. Free observing begins at sunset on July 14.  

Visitors can choose from five shows:  

Laser Spirit, 6:30 p.m.;  

Virginia Skies, 7:30 p.m.;  

Laser retro, 8:30 p.m.;  

Laser Metallica, 10 p.m.; and  

Dark Side of the Moon, 11:30 p.m.  

All shows are $6. The Wild Side Café will be open from 6 to 9 p.m.

Blue Ridge Butterfly Safari. Help count and identify butterflies during the museum's 21st annual Butterfly Watch Safari to the Blue Ridge Mountains on July 14 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

This trip is a great way to enjoy the scenery and share nature with your family. The cost is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. Minimum age is 8 years old; 16 years old without an adult. To register, call 595-9135 or visit www.thevlm.org.

The Virginia Living Museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News. Museum admission: $17 adults/$13 children (3-12), ages 2 and under free. Planetarium is $4 in addition to museum admission. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Hours are Monday thru Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 595-9135 or visit www.thevlm.org.

Homeownership Workshop

Are you thinking about purchasing a home? Not sure where to start? Fleet and Family Services Center Yorktown is hosting a Virginia Housing Development Authority Homeownership Workshop on July 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Bldg. 1949, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. The workshop is designed to take the mystery out of buying a home. Attendees will learn about managing personal finances and credit, working with a lender and real estate agent, completing the loan process and home inspection procedures. It is open to all active duty members, retirees, family members and DoD personnel.  

To register, call 887-4606 or visit www.cnic.navy.mil/navyifema.

Employment Workshops

Fleet and Family Services Center Yorktown is offering a series of employment workshops geared to the transitioning service member, job hunting spouses or teens looking for summer work. The Career Week workshop schedule is:

Career Planning - July 10, 9 a.m.

Federal Employment System - July 11, 9 a.m. to noon.

Job Search Strategies - July 12, 9 a.m. to noon.

Effective Resume Writing - July 13, 9 a.m. to noon.

All classes will take place at Bldg. 1949 on Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.  

To register, call 887-4606 or visit www.cnic.navy.mil/navyifema.

Summer Breeze Concert Series

The annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concert Series returns for the 21st year in the shopping and dining district adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. Beginning with the July 11 concert, Merchant's Square will also offer children's entertainment at 6:30 p.m. featuring face painting, bubble-making and clowns. The concerts are free and will take place outdoors. The schedule is:

U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band - Sunday, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Central Virginia Jazz Orchestra - July 11, 7 to 9 p.m.

Kings of Swing - July 18, 7 to 9 p.m.

Slapwater - July 25, 7 to 9 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Heritage Brass Ensemble - Aug. 1, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Heritage Ramblers Ensemble - Aug. 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Blue Aces Ensemble - Aug. 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

U.S. Army TRADOC Band - Aug. 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Ensemble - Aug. 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, call (757) 565-8889 or visit www.merchantssquare.org.