Outdoors
Escape the business of everyday life with a relaxing getaway on the shores of American Lake. Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Northwest Adventure Center has 10 log cabins available for rent year-round -- all with unobstructed views of the lake. Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins are available from $85 to $160 a night. The
Military Life
The school semester is finally over, the sun is out in all its glory and neighborhood streets are teeming with kids at play. Ladies and gentlemen, summer is officially here. To celebrate the season, Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Family & Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) has a cool lineup of summer
News
Anyone can make a difference by serving just one veteran. Whether serving him or her in life or after death, the mission of interring unclaimed veterans will never conclude or diminish. "Everyone's life matters, particularly our veterans whose stories often go untold ... the warrior ethos of never leave a man
Features
If like me, your mom made the best fried chicken in town, then you've become a bit of a snob when it comes to eating this American staple in a restaurant. I spent the last month on a fried chicken pilgrimage to see who, if anyone, could match the culinary
Music
The longer you listen to music, the easier it is to fall into a rut of only listening to bands that easily access the sweet spots of your taste. Growing up on oldies radio, I was raised on a template of songs that rarely exceeded three minutes, that got in
Arts
Pop-up galleries are the latest thing all over the country. Pop-ups feature art exhibitions that are usually of short duration and often in non-commercial venues such as private homes or vacant storefronts. In Olympia, the premiere pop-up gallery is Allsorts in the home of artist Lynette Charters and actor John
Features
My day job includes slinging booze for the masses at a local lounge, so while politics and religion are generally frowned upon as friendly banter over libations, discussions about food and drink are common. A statement made by a guest sitting at the rail recently was something to the effect
Reviews
ANNOUNCER: It was due time to pop in the car and hand over that hefty bridge toll to visit one of the newest dining destinations in Gig Harbor. Boasting plates full of farm-to-table fresh ingredients, Table 47 was a must-stop for Dutch and Jackie this week. JACKIE: My ol' day
Stage
Well over 2,000 years ago, the city of Athens, Greece, was treated to a sexy and hilarious anti-war farce called Lysistrata by the writer Aristophanes. Now it is making its way to Tacoma's Dukesbay Theater in an anonymous adaptation believed to have been by Oscar Wilde, directed by Niclas Olson
Arts
"We have an even bigger venue lined up next year." That's what Pierce County Toy and Geek Fest cofounder Chris Fowler told me on the eve of Geek Fest's maiden voyage last year. More than double the size of last year's space at the Washington State Fair & Events Center,
News Front
Turning fitness from an obligation into a privilege changed my life. In college, I ran endurance track, and over the years, I would work out three times a week thinking that was enough to do well on the Air Force's fitness test. Turns out, as I got older, that wasn't enough.
News Front
PEO Ammunition, ARDEC and the Army Rapid Capabilities Office come together with near-term plans for improving long-range precision fires. Of the Army's "big six" priorities driving its new modernization strategy, long-range precision fires is at the top of the list. The ability to execute accurate strikes at significant distances is critical to
News Front
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is home to many native species, including coyotes, raccoons and black bears. Some wildlife species are potentially dangerous or can cause problems, especially as Washington's human population expands into their habitat. The top three reasons for wildlife conflicts are: Trash Bird seed Pet food Family housing residents are encouraged to avoid leaving
Military Life
The Lewis Community Wine Club recently hosted their last event of the year with a wine dinner cooked by Chef Jan Parker, who is also a member of the club. The wine pairings were selected by members Angie Melnyk and yours truly, who have headed the club for the past
News Front
Fifty-nine soldiers from Task Force Med 47, composed of soldiers from the 47th Combat Support Hospital, 62nd Medical Brigade, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, returned home to Joint-Base Lewis-McChord after a nine-month deployment June 19. The soldiers from Task Force Med 47, who deployed in September, were welcomed home at 4 a.m.
Military Life
Clover Park High School (CPHS) graduates Tiffany Gail Martin and Marcus Dion Freeman II excelled during their years at the Lakewood school. Both have military parents and thrived despite the many obstacles they faced such as frequent moves and their parents' deployments. Tiffany Gail Martin, known by her friends as Stormy,
News Front
The eighth hole on the red course at Eagles Pride Golf Course is a 140-yard, par 3 challenge. That's a fair distance to hit a dimpled ball with a diameter of 1.68 inches and weight of 1.62 ounces into a circular hole measuring 4.25 inches in diameter with one swing of
Outdoors
Excitement for the 8th Annual Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels event is growing. "Airshows are fun. Car shows, live music, static displays and good food all combine for a fun time," said Air Force veteran Doug Fratoni, the event's director. Presented by the Tacoma Events Commission, the show will be held at
Military Life
Gold Star Kids are not alone ... and that is something that 24 Military Gold Star Teens from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Camp Murray had the opportunity to experience during a paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., New Jersey and New York City, provided by Jermaine Kearse Programs. "Making friends is
News Front
Soldiers from 8th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and airmen from the 7th Airlift Squadron, 62nd Airlift Wing, participated in the Rainier War Joint Deployment Readiness Exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord earlier this month. A top priority for the Army is unit readiness, to