MUC Hassay Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead delivers his opening remarks to open the Navy Birthday Concert, Oct. 13, 2007, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington. The Navy Band will reprise its performance this year Oct. 25, to commemorate the Navy's 233rd birthday.

This year’s event will be held Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Entitled ‘‘Privilege to Serve,” the program focuses on Roughead’s mission for today’s Navy, his vision for the future and his guiding principles that will shape the activities of the Navy.

Capt. George N. Thompson will conduct the combined forces of the Concert Band, Sea Chanters chorus, Country Current country-bluegrass group and Cruisers contemporary entertainment ensemble as they showcase the proud heritage of the U. S. Navy. This inspirational and highly entertaining program seamlessly integrates Roughead’s vision with a variety of musical styles. The diversity, core values, commitment to excellence and leadership of our Navy’s Sailors will be portrayed with exciting music by the Navy Band and video provided by the Naval Media Center.

Don’t miss the 233rd Navy Birthday Concert. To receive up to four free tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to:

Navy Birthday Tickets (WL)
U.S. NAVY BAND
P.O. Box 70271
Washington, D.C. 20024-0271

Requests will be accepted through Oct. 10. Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. All ticket requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Courtesy LIFELines.navy.mil

For many parents, dropping children off at day care or preschool produces both relief and dread: relief that they can go to work; dread that they’ve left their child in other people’s hands.

As many parents realize, bringing together small children builds character and social skills; while also spreading germs.

But parents can protect their families against the colds and viruses that young children may bring home along with their arts and crafts. Clean hands help stop germs from spreading, so parents should insist that children wash their hands when they come home and before they eat.

Children should use soap and scrub carefully, making sure to clean the backs of their hands, their wrists and between their fingers for at least 30 seconds. To make sure children wash their hands long enough, parents can ask them to sing a song like ‘‘Happy Birthday” or ‘‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

Parents should make sure their children’s toys are clean. If a child insists that a toy go to preschool, where other children might handle it, that toy should be washed that night. If parents notice children mouthing toys, they should separate those toys into plastic bags until they can be cleaned.

Parents should always keep their children home if they start to look sick or have symptoms like stomach pain, headache or fever. Of course, taking a fussy preschooler’s temperature can be difficult. However, an infrared thermometer can take children’s temperatures without ever touching their bodies.

With the Thermofocus 5-in-1, parents can take temperatures without waking sleeping tots from naps. A parent simply points the thermometer’s safe, infrared light at their child’s forehead to receive an accurate temperature reading.

Because the Thermofocus 5-in-1 never touches skin, it’s more hygienic than other thermometers. It can also be used to test bottles, room temperature, food and bathwater, making it a useful around-the-home tool.

Whether used by parents or at daycare centers or preschools, the Thermofocus can help caregivers detect illness before it spreads.