Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) has introduced three bills in the U.S. House of Representatives intended to help veterans and National Guard and Reserve servicemembers. 

 “This week, our nation will formally honor America’s veterans,” Griffin said.  “As an officer in the Army Reserve, I know firsthand the sacrifices our veterans and current servicemembers – along with their families – have made to protect the liberty we all enjoy.  That is why I’ve introduced three bills designed to improve their existing military educational benefits and reduce the delay some veterans experience when visiting the VA.”

 Griffin’s first bill, the Franchise Education for Veterans Act (H.R. 3351), would allow veterans to use their GI Bill benefits for education and training in franchise ownership.  According to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers study, there are more than 66,000 veteran-owned franchises in the country, which have created over 815,000 American jobs.

 “Many veterans return from serving their country and use their GI Bill benefits to help pay for college,” Griffin said.  “Others decide to start a franchise and become job creators.  My bill would help these veterans by giving them the freedom to use their hard earned GI Bill benefits toward the educational and training expenses associated with opening a new franchise.”   

 The second bill, the Veterans Travel Benefits Modernization Act (H.R. 3350), would help alleviate the long lines many disabled veterans experience when they apply for their travel waivers.  Currently, all disabled veterans, pensioners and low-income veterans must apply for travel waivers at the beginning of each year.  These waivers reimburse veterans for certain travel expenses incurred in order to obtain VA health care services.  Griffin’s bill would prevent this annual logjam by changing the deadline to coincide with each veteran’s birth month. 

 “I’ve heard the concerns of a number of Arkansas veterans who are forced to endure multiple-hour wait times at the VA in order to obtain their travel waivers,” Griffin said.  “By spreading out the renewal dates throughout the year, disabled veterans will no longer have to suffer long delays in order to receive the benefits they need.”     

 Finally, the National Guard and Reserve Equality in Education Act (H.R. 3349), would level the playing field for members of the National Guard and Reserve who are furthering their military education.  Specifically, Griffin’s bill would enable distance education program graduates of the Senior Service War College to receive the same recognition and credit as resident graduates.  Presently, programs for both resident and distance education students have the same academic accreditation and curriculum, but these programs receive different credit.  This difference hinders distance education graduates from attaining a Joint Qualified Officer designation, thereby hurting their chances for advancement.

 “Our National Guard and Reserve units continue to play a critical role in our nation’s defense,” Griffin said.  “For these servicemembers, who in many cases have full-time civilian jobs and families that depend on them, distance education is the only way for them to earn their Masters of Strategic Studies Degree.  Unfortunately, a graduate who earns their degree through distance education is not eligible to receive a Joint Qualified Officer designation.  My bill would end this disparity.”

 Major General Bill Wofford, the Adjutant General of Arkansas, welcomed Griffin’s bill.

 “We appreciate Congressman Griffin for introducing this bill,” Wofford said.  “The Guard is a vital part of America’s ‘Total Force,’ as such we must strive to provide our guardsman the same opportunities of advancement as our active component services.  Joint credit is becoming increasingly important for the selection of future general officers.  This legislation would level the playing field by authorizing guardsmen who attend the non-resident U.S. Army War College the same joint credit as those who attend the active duty course.”

 About Congressman Tim Griffin

 Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24^th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010.  For the 112^th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.

 Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University.  He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major.  He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush.  Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.

 Griffin’s congressional offices are located in Little Rock and Washington, D.C., and are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, except for federal holidays.  Office locations and directions are available online at www.Griffin.house.gov, by phone (501) 324-5941 or by writing the Office of Congressman Tim Griffin, 1232 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. 

Fairfield Bay Community Eductaion Center Fall Courses 2011

Medicare’s Prescription Drug enrollment period begins Oct 15 and runs through Dec 7, 2011.  This is earlier than last year.  This is your only time to enroll in a new Prescription Drug Plan for 2012.  There are over 50 plans to choose from for 2012 and some still have the same premium.  Medicare recommends that you check out the Part D plans each year in case there is a better choice for you.

To help you, the White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. will be conducting Enrollment Fairs in the area.  To find the enrollment
event near you call 1-800-382-3205.

Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan beginning October 15 through December 7.  “This is earlier than in previous years”, according to Ed Haas, Executive Director of the White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. This is the open enrollment period for all beneficiaries.    For 2012 there are over 50 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available in Arkansas.

Medicare reminds Medicare beneficiaries to review and compare their current drug coverage with the plans available in 2012.  Many of the 2012
plans have premiums that are the same or less than the premiums for 2011.  Also, beneficiaries should check to see if they qualify for the Low Income Subsidy or Extra Help.

To assist Medicare beneficiaries, the White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. has planned the following Enrollment Fairs to help persons compare their current drug coverage. Staff will be on hand to help persons compare their current Part D coverage or help persons enroll in a prescription drug plan.  Individuals and families can also compare coverage by going on line to www.medicare.gov.  For more information on the Enrollment Fairs call 1-800-382-3205

Medicare beneficiaries should bring their Medicare
card, Social Security card and Current Medications to the Enrollment Fair.

1. Van Buren County-

Wednesday, October 19,
9am-12noon  at the Clinton Senior
Center. For more information call 501-745-4002

2.  Woodruff County-

Thursday,October 20 at Patterson Senior Center from   9am – 12 noon. For more information call
870-731-2233

3.  Stone County-

Ozarka College- Mountain View, Friday, October 21 from 9 am till 1 pm at
View. For more information call 870-269-3807

Fox School-Fox November 8,     8:30am -10:30am

Mountian View Senior Center, November 9    10:30am-12:30pm

Timbo Elementary Library, November 10,   9am to 11am

4.  Fulton County-

Friday, October 21 from 9 am till 12 noon at the WRAAA Salem
Office. For more information call 870-895-4034

5. Izard County-

Friday, Nov. 4,   9am– 12 noon
Ozarka College (H101 Walter B Hall Bldg.) Melbourne.
For more information call 870-368-3256

 6.  Cleburne County-

Wednesday, November 9, from 9am to 12 noon  at the
WRAAA Office, Highway 110,  Heber
Springs.  For more information call
501-362-8615.

7.  Jackson County-Thursday, Nov. 10 from
9am-12noon at the Shearer Senior Center in Newport.  For more information call 870523-4982.

8.  Independence County-

Tuesday, November 15 from  9am-12noon at White River Medical Center,
Conference Room A.  For more information
call 870-612-3000.

9.  White County-

Wednesday November 16 from 12
noon-3pm  at the Lightle Senior Center in
Searcy. For more information call 501-279-9276.

 10.  Sharp County –

Friday, November 18 from 9am to 3pm at Ozarka College, Ash
Flat.  For more information call
870-994-3090.

Conway Interfaith Clinic and Conway Advocates for Bicycling will hold their 3^rd Annual Conway Fall Classic Bicycle Tour on September 17^th 2011. The Ride will begin and end at the First United Methodist Church located at 1610 Prince Street in Conway Arkansas.

You may select from four routes which best suites your biking ability. The Community Ride is 7.35 miles through the city of Conway, the Plummerville route 28 miles, Paper Mill Loop route 46 miles and the Paper Mill Loop Extended route 62 miles-a metric century. The long rides will start at 8:00 am and the Community Ride will follow at 9:00 am. Aid Stations will be set up along the long routes and a SAG Wagon will be available. Lunch will be provided by ZAZA’S and music provided by DJ Greg.

The entry fee is $35.00 per individual and $50.00 per family (includes two T-shirts).  T-shirts and goodie bags are available for the first 200 riders. You may register at www.sportsbaseonline.com or www.cycleconway.com/fallclassic. For more information please contact Denise Marshall at 501-932-0559 or e-mail denise.marshall@conwayinterfaithclinic.org.

Don’t miss the drawing for an Orbea USA TTG Bike and other biking gear. Tickets are $5.00 per ticket or $20.00 for five tickets. You may purchase tickets by calling Denise Marshall at 501-932-0559 or purchase form any Conway Advocates for Bicycling member.  You do not need to be present to win.  All proceeds of this event benefit Conway Interfaith Clinic and Conway Advocated for Bicycling. All entry fees are a tax deduction to a non-profit.

Sponsored by Sleep Management, Hewlett Packard, First Security Bank, Orbea USA,  ZAZA’S and The Ride, Smith Ford, Caldwell Toyota

Monday, September 12
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Reg dairy goats, reg meat goats, market goats, market lambs, breeding
                               sheep, commercial ewes may arrive.
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Enter Creative Arts Exhibits (INCLUDING ALL FOOD ITEMS) in the GW Building
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Set up commercial exhibits
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enter goats & lambs
6:00 p.m.  Weigh in market goats, market lambs, and commercial ewes.

Tuesday Through Saturday Events
10:00 a.m. GW Building Open – Tuesday opens at after judging of exhibits is complete.
11:00 a.m. Kitchen Concessions Open

4:00-9:00 p.m. Commercial Exhibit Building Open – Noon to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Farmer for a Day -10 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday

Tuesday, September 13
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Judging of Creative Arts Exhibits in GW Building
                                    – GW Building closed to public.
6:00 p.m.  Judging reg diary goats, reg meat goats, and market goats
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Judging of Food Preparation Exhibits
7:00 p.m.  Judging reg breeding sheep, market lambs, and commercial ewes.
7:30 p.m.  Food Preparation baked good items will be on sale in the kitchen building.

                 Money raised goes for local scholarships given by VBC Fair Association.
9:00 p.m.  Releasing all goats and lambs excluding those making the livestock premium auction.

Wednesday, September 14
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Diary cattle, beef cattle, swine, poultry, and rabbits may arrive.
6:00 p.m.  Weighing of market hogs, commercial gilts, country barrows market steers, and
                  commercial heifers.
6:00 p.m.  Youth Talent Rehearsal in GW Building

Thursday, September 15 *** SCHOOL BUS DAY ***
Students will tour the fairgrounds, see and hear bagpipes played, and hear great stories.
Arkansas Game and Fish – Fish tank arrives in the morning.
6:00 p.m.  Judging reg breeding beef, commercial heifers, and market steers.
7:00 p.m.  Judging of Junior Market Hogs
7:00 p.m.  Open Talent Show in GW Bldg.

Friday, September 16
Arkansas Game and Fish – Fish tank departs in the late afternoon.
4:00 p.m.  Judging poultry and rabbits.
6:00 p.m.  Judging reg diary cattle.
7:00 p.m.  Judging reg breeding swine, commercial gilts and county bred barrows.
7:00 p.m.  Judging Jr. & Open Breeding Swine & Jr. Commercial Gilts/Barrows
7:00 p.m.  SUGAR LOAF BAND in the GW Bldg.

Saturday, September 17
09:30 a.m.  Register for Strut Your Mutt
10:00 a.m.  Strut Your Mutt Program
10:00 a.m.  Livestock premium auction Immediately followed by the Mayor’s Cookie Jar auction. Money raised goes for local scholarships given by VBC Fair Association
11:00 a.m.  4-H & FFA Poultry Chain Auction in Poultry Bldg.
11:30 a.m.  Presenting herdsman awards
12:00 p.m.  4-H poultry chain auction
03:00 p.m.  Kids Day Activities (10 years and under) by the Fair Office
04:00 p.m.  Best of the Best Showmanship contest
Mayor’s cookie jars will be auctioned immediately following the livestock premium auction held in the livestock arena.
05:00 p.m. Youth Talent Contest
07:00 p.m.  Country Singer Mark McCord in the GW Building
08:00 p.m.  Release all livestock

Sunday, September 18
1:00-3:00 p.m. Pick up Creative Arts exhibits.

• Creative Arts premium checks available
• Prepare blue ribbon winning exhibits for District Fair entry
• Prepare best of show winning exhibits for State Fair entry

Bob Connell with KFFB and Carl Garner with Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Clean up

Volunteers with party barges and boats are needed. Just check in at any of the participating marina to get an assignment. After the trash is picked up, volunteers will be treated to a BBQ Lunch and entertainment at the Narrows Park in Higden. JR’s Hickory House will be catering the event for the first six hundred volunteers. Jason Greenlaw and the Groove will be entertaining as well as the Harding Concert Choir. SFC Stevens with the Recruiting and Retention Command out of Little Rock will again be joining in on the clean up. For more information contact the association office at 888-490-4357.