Focus
Do you have an instinct when it comes to foreign languages? They say that some people just do, while others can barely master "hello" in German after living there for six months (yes, that was me). Sgt. 1st Class Reuben Lenz, who has been in the Army since 1999, is one
Military Life
Here in the Pacific Northwest, salmon are keystone species. They play a vital role in our ecosystem by providing nutrients to the land, water, wildlife and people that live within it. Without salmon, at least 137 species in the area would be in peril and the biological foundation of our
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Just north of Steilacoom Blvd., across the street from Fort Steilacoom Park, the stone wall is hard to miss. A decorative remnant of a much earlier time, it stands guard around an assortment of massive brick buildings, now known as Western State Hospital, and the remains of the 19th century
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During the unusually dry summer this year, I found myself searching for places I could eat, drink, and socialize outside where I could fully enjoy sunshine. We are fortunate here in the South Sound to have so many options that combine great views with tasty and creative food and drinks.
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With nearly 8,000 lakes in the state, Washington offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. For those of you new to the area, what follows is a very partial listing of some of the lakes nearby that offer opportunities for swimming, fishing and camping. THURSTON COUNTY Black Lake: Open year-round, this
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There are some places in the South Puget Sound that hold every bit of charm the Pacific Northwest is known for: long beaches, natural forest, rich gardens and jaw-dropping views of neighboring islands and coastline. In Tacoma, Point Defiance Park is one of those places. The 760-acre park holds some
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Olympia is known for its alternative, indie, do-it-yourself arts scene."To me, that's one of the beautiful things about Olympia," says Devon Damonte, an experimental filmmaker and artist. "It's a very welcoming arts community, and that fosters people pursuing their dreams, regardless of
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For dog owners in the Pacific Northwest, summer is the best time of year to explore bustling city parks and hunt for the perfect off-leash dog park. Taking the time to play fetch and get paws (and feet) muddy under the summer sun is essential to animal health, especially after
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Volunteering should be fun. Of course, it should be meaningful, too, but there's no denying that when we spend our free time helping others, it doesn't hurt to give back through organizations and activities that reflect our real interests. For those on the hunt for volunteer opportunities to keep them
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Most of us remember being 17 and impatient to graduate from high school and put chalky classrooms and tedious homework assignments far behind us. Most of us also remember the hard realization years after graduation that an education is seldom complete after high school. Nowadays, a college education has become
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On-post events and amenities are a great way to have fun in the military community. Base helps provide safe, affordable and on-location fun for all ages -- with an added bonus of a military-only community, meaning there are smaller crowds and no waiting for things like tickets or paying for
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Finding the right home can be quite the journey. Whether you're a new transplant to Joint Base Lewis-McChord or have been stationed here for some time, if you're looking to settle down in the South Sound, or at least find the neighborhood that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle
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Even though fall doesn't officially start until Sept. 22, there's already a crispness in the air and a rustling in the leaves at Joint Base Lewis-McChord that hint at the upcoming season. JBLM's Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) program is ready for the change in season, and it promises to
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Imagine it's a warm Friday afternoon at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) and you're in uniform, eagerly waiting for the clock to hit 5 p.m. so you can get off-post and head home for a weekend of fun. You're probably thinking about all the activities and excursions you've planned, and most
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Frequent moves can be challenging for military children, and some local families on Joint Base Lewis-McChord have chosen the private school option to help mitigate it. Private schools are usually small, with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Many of the local private schools also offer substantial financial aid to military families.
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Uprooting and moving across the country can be one of the most stressful components of changing duty stations for servicemembers and their families. The transition can be especially frustrating for school-age children who are forced to start over in a new city, at a brand-new school, among people they've never
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If you are holding a copy of this 2017 Welcome Guide, then you either found it inside one of our weekly military newspapers, The Ranger, NW Airlifter or JBLM Living, online via our social media, or you picked it up at one of our military support events. Welcome to the Northwest! This
Tacoma Week In Review
Eric Anderson Out as City Planner If you're a regular reader of this column you may have noticed I missed last Friday. On vacation with family, I unplugged from the world for nearly a week, assuming nothing too catastrophic was likely to go down in mid-July... I couldn't have been more wrong. Last
Reviews
ANNOUNCER: Family friendly by day, and adults-only by night, the welcoming community feel of Black Kettle Bites and Brew brings Jackie and Dutch in for a bite ... and maybe a brew or two. JACKIE: Black Kettle has a great vibe, loads of natural light pours in and their patio is
