News Front
Calculate your 2019 BAH rate here. Basic Allowance for Housing rates will increase an average of 2.55 percent beginning on January 1, 2019, the Department of Defense announced late Friday afternoon. "The 2019 BAH program expands the member cost-sharing element (out-of-pocket expense) while continuing to balance the growth
Housing
So, you’ve decided to purchase your first home! That’s so exciting! With financial awareness and a trusted loan expert by your side, your dream home doesn’t need to be a dream anymore – it can be real and within reach. There’s a few things you need to
Reviews
ANNOUNCER: New to Gig Harbor is Brimstone, a smokehouse that hasn't seen a meat it won't smoke, or a style, or flavor for that matter. This is a place for people who truly love anything smoked and are willing to try a multitude of flavor palettes. Dutch and Jackie jumped
Features
December has got to be the craziest month of the year! We've barely recouped from having to tolerate the family over a Thanksgiving feast before we are thrust into the holiday grind. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, super sales, Pinterest crafts and mad dashes through the mall. It's
Archives
So I find myself at the Ruston Inn, yet again. Oh, boy. The 12 or 15 loud talkers on a recent Thursday, all in their 40s and 50s, wearing NASCAR jackets, flannel shirts and hockey jerseys. It’s gonna be another fun night indeed. Over in the corner is the eldest: A
Archives
Turning on the radio can be a fairly depressing proposition. There was a time when stations on the FM dial had integrity, but those days are long gone. With the obvious exception of KEXP, chances are anything you tune in on the car radio is going to suck hardcore, and
Archives
In July 1999 some were worrying about Y2K and the end of days, but Pat Castaldo and Aaron Tuller, two young veterans of the Northwest music scene, were hatching a plan to create a Web site to sell artwork by their friends in bands. Not the music, the visual artwork
Archives
Hey Tacoma, I have seen the light, and this bright beacon of hope illuminated it’s way into my heart when I least expected it. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to accompany the husband to his company Christmas party, and in all places, Spokane. Yes, you heard me, Spokane.
Military Life
The holiday season is in full swing, and by now your social calendar is probably filled up. Inviting friends and family into your home for dinner, cocktails, or entertaining is a lot of work and effort, and a small token of appreciation is in order. These gifts will show your
Online Interactive Guides
A guide on local holiday shopping, events and more! Come back each week for more holiday ideas. Click here to view our interactive 2018 Holiday Guide #5.
Military Life
The focus of many familial holiday traditions revolve around a tree; decorating, gift-giving and storytelling bring people together and serve as the perfect backdrop to memory making during this wondrous time of year. Before stockings are hung and sparkling lights strung, finding the perfect tree is paramount for creating the
Military Life
With an eclectic downtown waterfront district with small locally owned shops and nationally recognized stores at the Uptown Gig Harbor Shopping Center, holiday shopping is pleasant in the coastal village of Gig Harbor. New this year is the Olympic Towne Center located on Point Fosdick Dr. NW. Downtown Gig Harbor is
Stage
As always around the holidays, the South Sound is chockablock with theatrical celebrations tuned to please entire families, from folks Santa and Mrs. Claus' age to their littlest elves. Why, right now you can, and should enjoy The 1940s Radio Hour at Harlequin Productions, A Christmas Story the radio play
Featured Events
Military couples from the Puget Sound area, including the Guard and Reserves, are invited to an evening of food, music, dancing lessons, psychics, Newlywed Game, drinks and Adult Art Projects, FREE of charge (except beverages), January 12, 6-10 pm in downtown Tacoma, produced by The Ranger,
Arts
Currently on view at Feast Arts Center is an installation called The In-Between by Kanani Miyamoto. It is an installation of printed images that is nigh on impossible to describe because to the best of my knowledge it is a print process that's seldom if ever before been done. According
Stage
Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol is a not-just-for-children adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas ghost story. Olympia Family Theater shortened the play to one hour plus a 15-minute intermission, reimagined all the scary stuff and used puppets for ghosts to make the tale child-friendly. Which it is. But it is equally
News Front
More than 90 soldiers from the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command participated in Operation Rainier War in support of 62nd Airlift Wing's Rapid Mobility Exercise Dec. 5-6 at McChord Field. "We consider the Rainier War exercise to be the largest mobility exercise that is organized by a single unit," said Lt. Col.
News Front
Ever since its establishment as the 446th Troop Carrier Wing in April, 1955, the current 446th Airlift Wing (Reserve) at McChord Field has distinguished itself in its service to the country. At specific times to be determined in 2019, nearly 300 members of the wing will deploy in what is the
Stage
It's safe to say most of us have seen Disney's The Lion King at least once in our life, but for one military brat, she's seen the show hundreds of times. You may have watched the magical, animated movie when you were a child, tucked under blankets on your couch
News Front
If a natural disaster hits, the Washington National Guard aviators will have to work with multiple agencies at a moment's notice. "I really think it's a matter of when, not if, we end up working together," said Maj. Andy Collins, Washington National Guard. Collins is in a unique position as both a