New head of military panel named

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 | 9:23 a.m.

Dixie Sue Allsbrook, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's southern area director, was recently appointed chairwoman of the Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Alsbrook is serving a three-year term on the board that encourages employers of guardsmen and reservists to support their workers.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, about 60 percent of those serving in the National Guard and reserves have been called to active duty. Allsbrook's task is to engage Southern Nevada's civilian communities, particularly employers of reservists, to help them better understand the role of the reserve components of the services and the federal laws that protect reservists' employment and re-employment rights.

Allsbrook has been a member of the ESGR for 15 years and was the first woman to serve on the California committee. In her position with Nevada Cooperative Extension she directs educational programming and personnel in Southern Nevada.

Showing off teamwork

Spouses, sons and daughters of sailors at sea or otherwise deployed in the war on terrorism may be interested in a contest sponsored by the Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation Division as part of its Saluting Sailors and Their Families initiative.

The "Operation Family Adventure" contest will give spouses, sons and daughters the opportunity to submit a two-minute or less video of their family doing what it does best -- being resourceful, using its imagination, working together as a team and having fun.

Twenty-five winning families will attend the regional portion of the contest at one of five locations in May and June. The regional contests will consist of age-specific outdoor activities for all family members.

"Our outdoor recreation professionals are busy creating fun, interesting activities and skill tests for the families," David Griffin, MWR outdoor recreation specialist, said.

The top family from each region then will go on to compete in the ultimate adventure in Hawaii during Thanksgiving week 2003.

"Part of the fun is not knowing exactly what to expect -- like the reality-based television shows that Americans are glued to on a nightly basis," Griffin said.

According to Cheryl Anderson, MWR special events coordinator, interested Navy family members can "write a script or wing it." They can "use props or just themselves," she says and "let an adult narrate or allow a child to do all the talking."

Whatever families wish to do can be submitted. It just can't be longer than two minutes, must be on a VHS tape, and has to be in the judges' hands by March 14.

More information and entry forms to be sent with the video submission are available on the Web at www.mwr.navy.mil (Saluting Sailors and Their Families link).

In brief