Military Life
Home improvements can increase the value of your house and increase its salability. To maximize on these improvements, here are some ideas to consider. Wood Deck Addition: According to Laura Mueller in an article entitled "The 6 Most Valuable Home Improvements," renovations to the house exterior provide the best value and
Schools
Tri-fold presentation boards were lined up on the tables that spanned Pacific Lutheran University's Olson Auditorium Saturday afternoon. The judges took their time inspecting each display, making notes as they read the findings of the high school students from around the region. Among the judges, many
Health
Changing duty stations is hard for Mark Conatser. Like a lot of 15-year-olds, he's thinking about college and getting ready to start driver's ed, and a shift in his routine complicates all of that. Mark also has Asperger's syndrome, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum, which makes moves
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Ludwig Van Beethoven was a badass. The German composer and pianist smashed the keys hard enough to break the strings. He used vulgar language. Baffled by Beethoven's iconoclastic composing style, a group of string musicians refused to play the last movement of his 13th quartet. Beethoven's response was blunt: "What
Military Life
A 1989 standoff between soldiers and gang members in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood led community leaders to address the need for affordable housing. "A study was conducted of the neighborhood, and it revealed that the number of absentee landlords created an abundance of depressed properties," wrote Christina Jarman, a loan advisor at
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Have you seen them? Homeowners are replacing sod with vegetable beds and building chicken coops by their garages. The Joneses are becoming the McDonalds, converting their prime North End Tacoma real estate into a miniature farm. South Sounders are fighting for their right to raise hens, ducks, goats and honey
Military Life
You've finally purchased your dream home or recently PCS'd and are finding out you need some new furniture to fill out the space in your new house. Well, look no further than your local base Exchange for some great options. If you can't find anything you like in-store, visit: ShopMyExchange.com, where
Outdoors
Spring is an invitation to chasing waterfalls here in Washington state. Washington is known for its unique forests and plunging waterfalls, so, you might as well get out there and chase some waterfalls. There are plenty that are not too far from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and most are easy
News Front
The Tacoma Rainiers are continuing to "Play Ball" with military families by providing a new promotion that will allow more military families to enjoy a day (or night) at Cheney Stadium without breaking the bank. "We've always had the need to provide an enjoyable experience that can incorporate families and celebrate
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Derailed, like many things, by snowmaggedon 2012, the Dockyard Derby Dames will officially kick off season six Saturday night inside the Pierce College Health Ed Center in Lakewood. At this point, unless you've been living under a mossy rock or spent a good chunk of your life panning for gold in
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Tacoma Opera will stage the classic, much-loved opera La Boheme in its original Italian, although there will be English subtitles provided for the unwashed heathens in the audience who don't know the story of young love with a tragic ending - as all operas seem to have. Uncultured Gen Xers
News Front
Tuesday morning's groundbreaking ceremony for a new Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility (NWJRCF) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) honored the past as it moves into the future. "This new facility will continue to contribute to the readiness of the force here at home and the readiness of the Army," said Lt.
News Front
(Photo: Thunderbolt soldiers use their lunch time to take advantage of an H2F (Holistic Health and Fitness) combat mobility yoga session Feb. 26 at the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery headquarters. Yoga sessions are designed to improve overall mental wellness and increase core strength and mobility.) Since its launch in early
News Front
(Photo: The 6th Battalion, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade Intelligence Officer, Capt. Nathan Osuna, engages targets from a wall structure as part of a Known Distance range during Exercise Lethal Vanguard. Exercise Lethal Vanguard served as the first stage of an Advisor Marksmanship Program propelling Advisors beyond proficiency to weapon
Downrange Journal
Sergeant First Class Wade Smith cuts a good head of hair. We didn't talk much as he worked; then again, I like to sit in a barber's chair and just think things through. "I've been cutting hair since I was 13 years old," the senior non-commissioned officer of the S-1, or Human
News Front
(Photo: Soldiers with 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, test their M1A2 Abrams for the first time at Fort Bliss, Texas, Oct. 18, 2019. Filling units with talented soldiers is a goal the Assignment Satisfaction Key-Enlisted Marketplace pilot program that launches in June.) Armor,
Downrange Journal
Spc. Diana Zuniga: "Let my parents know that I love and miss them and will see you in a month."
Downrange Journal
Guy Time: Sgt. Nic Cordeiro grabs a quick shave while Sgt. Vincent Raila observes.
Downrange Journal
Getting Ready: PV2 Travis Mienkwic oils his M4 before a mission. The protection of the soldiers and the villages they visit is vital.
Downrange Journal
1Lt. Ben Westman, 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Charlie Company makes a point during a shura, or village meeting, in the village of Mutashim.
