FREE MARCH MADNESS

In my house, March Madness has always been a kind of religious experience, since I am from the Mid-west.  I love that the NCAA is giving all of us a chance to feel closer to home.  Be sure to thank them for their support of our service.


The 2012 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament is just around the corner - with more ways to follow and watch live games than ever before. In recognition of all those who serve our great country, the NCAA, CBS, and Turner Broadcasting are offering the gift of free access to watch all 67 live games of NCAA March Madness Live using your computer, iPhone/iPod Touch, iPad and select Android phones. Here's how it works!

1. Pre-register
Visit www.ncaa.com/armedforces and enter your .mil email address in the appropriate area. This will generate an email that you will use to redeem your free access. You can do this anytime leading up to, or during, the tournament.


2. Create Your Account
The email you receive will contain a unique link you will use to create a free 2012 NCAAR March Madness Live account. You don't need to use your military email address for your account - but you do need to use the link within the email to get started. This is a unique link that will be assigned to you and your household. The NCAA, CBS, and Turner will not collect any personal information from you with this account.


3. Enjoy The Madness!
Once your account is created, you will be able to login with your computer at www.ncaa.com/marchmadness and login to the NCAA March Madness Live apps on iPhone/iPod touch, iPad and select Android mobile phones to watch all 67 games of the tournament. Download the mobile apps from the Apple App Store and Android Market.

Trunk or Treat!

Decorate your trunk and bring some treats to pass out for all the kiddos.  If you want some super cute ideas for decorations or DIY treat bags, follow me on Pinterest.  http://pinterest.com/lonestar_star

Halloween Bash via our USO

RSVP to the USO San Antonio for a fun and free little Halloween party.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278270148859709  Open to all ID card holders and a guaranteed good time!

South Texas Fall Fun

If you want to get the feeling of fall here in South Texas, head out to Devine and take advantage of the half price military weekend, http://devineacresfarm.com/blog/half-price-for-military-families-opening-weekend/ with their hayrides, catch and release fish pond, and pumpkin patch it has something for every age!

If you don't have time this weekend, next weekend enjoy a free admission to the South Texas Corn Maize in Hondo. http://southtexasmaize.com/news/2011/09/07/free-military/  If you partake, please send a photo to ombudsman.nioc@gmail.com so that we can see what fun our families are having this year!

Tickets, Travel and fun around town

Welcome to Lackland Force Support Squadron is a great option to see San Antonio, but not the only way. Check out these other ideas.


Here are some fun and inexpensive things to do in SATX! Criteria is under $20!

Ft. Sam Houston Splash Pad, Basically a huge waterfountain for kiddos coming up out of the ground. Please observe the times that it's available. FREE
http://www.splash-pads.com/fort-sam-houston-splash-pad/

Ft. Sam Houston Quadrangle, cute animals to feed and pet in a historical landmark...super fun for many ages..including grownups.
http://www.informationsanantonio.com/toseeanddo/sanantonioattractions/quadranglesanantonio.html

Downtown Attractions:

Riverwalk is always a winner and if you are prepared for what is going on, you can always do it for very little expense. Take a ride on the river, and use your military status to save, www.riosanantonio.com/

See the Alamo and don't use the tour, just dowload the App to your smartphone! Yes, there's an app for that.http://itunes.apple.com/app/the-alamo/id356717121?mt=8

See a free concert at the Arneson Theatre, art exhibits for First Friday but always check on your calendar before you go!
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors/plan/local-info/events-calendar/index.aspx

Utilize your USO while you are downtown and stop in for a place to rest, relax and reapply sunscreen if needed. Also check their FB page for events they offer on a regular basis to "love on" our families.
http://www.facebook.com/USO.SanAntonio Find out about more events on their Facebook page and sign up for specials like attending the Cowboys training camp or dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse.

Texas Transportation Museum, free to military for regular operating hours (check for special events), includes a short ride on a train and tours of model trains
http://www.txtransportationmuseum.org/

Brackenridge Park Attractions:

Zoo Train:http://www.sazoo-aq.org/general/zootrain.html It will take you around the park, be sure to stop in at the Japanese Tea Gardens and even bring a picnic lunch.

Amazing sights on a budget. Always practice common sense when you are out and situational awareness. We want everyone to be safe, happy and enjoy all that the Alamo City has to offer.

My Walk for Autism

If you don't know, our son has autism.  At 18 months, I took him to the doctor's office and while he was examining my other twin, I knew that my son wasn't making any of the developmental markers that he should be.  It started what would be a long process to have our family be included in what the military considers "Exceptional Family Member Program".  I have come to love that moniker.  It exemplifies how I view my son.  He is exceptionally gifted in certain areas, such as his disposition.  He is rarely unkind to anyone, unless they take his Toby the Tank Engine train; it's a Thomas thing.  He has an exceptional ability to remember his letters and numbers, and he has an exceptional view of the world.  He is very quiet, and I think that it might be that he doesn't feel the need to comment on the world quite like my daughter does, his twin.  She might just talk enough for the both of them.  They are almost 4 now, and we don't compare their milestones.  My girl makes progress in different ways, like learning when to be silent and my son in when to speak up.

There is a walk taking place here in San Antonio that is close to my heart.  We will be joining forces as Joint Base San Antonio to walk together to bring light to members that share in the common goal of bringing more services to autistic children, and all Exceptional Family Members here in JBSA.  Family members, friends and colleagues can all register using the same criteria.   Find out more information at www.walkforautismsa.com

Lunch with Tim McGraw!

What could be better than steak with Tim McGraw?  I don't really think there could be a much nicer surprise than this one, except the fact that it's completely free.  Thank you Operation Homefront!

http://www.operationhomefront.net/texas/highlights.aspx?id=9088

Yeeee Haw!

Saddle up for some free fun at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo every Friday.  Get those kids ready  and in some tiny boots and hats or find your inner Cabballero.  It's going to be a wild ride.  Spread the word!

Military Families get help to further their education

Here area a few of the programs that are available to our military families to further your education.  We will be talking briefly about some of the options this month at our FRG meeting, and you can always call the Ombudsman with questions.  There are education counselors available on base, at the closest Airman and Family Readiness Center or FFSC (Fleet and Family Service Center) that can schedule private appointments with you to get you on the right path toward a bright future.
 
The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.

If your mother or father is active duty, reserve/guard, or retired military personnel or you are the survivor of a deceased member, and you have a military dependent I.D. card you can apply! You must be planning to attend a U.S. college or university on a full-time basis.

For spouses there are scholarships intended to assist the "the unique challenges today’s military spouses face in pursuing additional training or education." National Military Family Association is available to all services and requires only a short process to apply. 

Navy & Marines Spouse Tuition Assistance, In 2009, the Navy/Marines Relief Society (NMRS) changed its program from one making awards not requiring repayment, to one making no-interest loans. Under the current program, overseas spouses can get up to $3,000 per 12-month period to use toward getting an undergraduate or graduate degree. The program change allows the NMRS to fund a greater number of spouses with the same amount of money in their program budget. 

A good idea is to complete your FAFSA and that will give you options on what you may qualify for state and national aid.  It can be a starting point for scholarship options, but just a search on Google can yield a wealth of options.  Also use your Miliary Scholarship Finder to yield the largest number of organizations in your home state.  Remember, you can use your particular affiliations in regards to race, prior or current affiliations (VFW) as well as your hobbies and interests.

Good luck!