Exodus 2009 - Staying at Goodfellow for the Holidays?

  • Published
  • By Robert D. Martinez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas --  Exodus starts today and many people are going home to visit family and friends for the holidays, but what if you are one of those who is not planning to "exodus" the base and be stuck on base? This does not mean you're literally stuck on base and everything shuts down for the two weeks, but if you are stuck on base, Goodfellow has places open and things to do.
Today, the first day of exodus, the Crossroads will have a cook-out and the Event Center will have complimentary food that's not just for those who are departing. The library, Base Exchange, bowling center and Burger King will have special hours and a free base theater movie at 6 p.m.
How about the rest of the time from Dec. 19 - Jan. 2, 2010? There are places to go and things to do. The Cressman Dining Facility, Crossroads, Shopette, Angelo Inn Food Mart, will be open every day. Mathis Fitness Center, Base Exchange and BX food court will be open every day except Dec. 25. The Event Center and Burger King will be open every day except Dec. 25 and Jan 1. All these establishments will have varied business hours so check the "Stuck on Base?" flyer for more information. Also, Goodtimes, put out by 17th Force Support Squadron, and the Goodfellow Monitor is a good source to find other activities on base.
What does San Angelo have to offer? The local movie theater with 14 movie screens will be open every day during the two weeks offering reduced ticket prices for the early bird, first movie showing of the day. It's Angelo State University basketball season so there are games throughout December. There's the Tour of Christmas lights along the Concho River that tends to get some into the holiday spirit and runs until Dec. 31. There are also concerts, live music events and plays at the many venues in San Angelo including ASU and the City Auditorium. Check the local paper or web site's "Ready, Set, Go" calendar for more information.
What about Christmas Day? The Cressman Dining Facility will serve Christmas lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Dec. 25. There's also a program where local families from the community and base adopt a service member to spend Christmas with the family, called Home for the Holidays. You can contact Tech. Sgt. Eric Alvarez at 654-4112 or 5680 for more information.
Maybe the two weeks is time you can use to get a head start on that New Year's resolution and lose some weight, run a little farther, get more muscle tone or just relax and catch up on all that reading you haven't been able to do in 2009. No matter what you plan on doing, if you are stuck on base, there are things to do for every one's taste to keep you busy and entertained during the holidays.