Hilltop Benefits

Heart disease. Many people think of it as a man's disease, but women can get it too. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States -- making heart health an important issue for women of all ages.

The most common cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease, or CAD, a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Luckily, the steps you can take to help prevent CAD are effective against other causes of heart disease as well.

• Eat a healthy diet.

The Air Force General Council for Dispute Resolution recently released a web-based Negotiation Planning Tool to assist federal workers in preparing for a variety of workplace negotiations such as grievances and complaints, mediation, process and environmental changes, product team support and government contract negotiations. The tool is user friendly and designed to assist in exploration of issues using an interest-based technique.

Interest-based methods are proven to increase chances for resolution and achieve more mutually satisfactory results over common traditional methods.

The Hill Air Force Base Tax Center will open Monday, Jan. 25, and will remain open for business through April 15, the last day income taxes can be filed without being assessed an additional interest or other penalty (unless you have requested an IRS extension and it has been approved). Walk-in clients will be accepted from 8 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Tax Center will be closed on weekends and federal holidays. Additionally, the Tax Center will be on minimal manning during the upcoming Operational Readiness Exercise (March 17-26).

Anyone who has retired from any branch of the military, has an office on base dedicated to assisting with any questions or concerns related to entitlements and benefits.

The Hill Air Force Base Retiree Activities Office is located in the Customer Service Building, Building 430 (commonly referred to as the old BX). The primary mission is to serve as a focal point for the retiree community in its relationship with military installations.

WASHINGTON -- The fiscal 2010 defense budget extends payments to service members involuntarily extended on active duty under the so-called "Stop Loss" program, but those who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service no longer qualify for retroactive stop-loss pay.

Defense Department officials put the new policy into effect Jan. 5, modifying eligibility for retroactive special pay to comply with Section 8108 of the 2010 Defense Department Appropriations Act, which took effect Dec.

The Airman's Attic, located in Building 150, will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 22, through Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

During this time, the staff at the Airman and Family Readiness Center asks Team Hill members to donate their gently used items to agencies in the community, as volunteers will not be available at the Airman's Attic.

The Airman's Attic will re-open Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. The days and hours of business will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For questions, call (801) 777-4681.