Military Life
Charlene Miseli was recently named the development executive for Boy Scouts of America, Pacific Harbors Council. Her position will include building community relationships and ensuring that quality programs are available today and for the next generation of scouts. "I am excited to be here in the PNW, and I am
Travel
A drive around the Olympic Peninsula is more than 350 miles, so this is not a trip for the faint of heart. I have done it quite a few times now when family and friends visit and don't have a lot of time. My latest version has been refined, so
Attractions
The military loves to use acronyms, and the Seattle Official Bad Art Museum of Art (OBAMA) is no different. Ironically, the acronym predates the 2008 presidential election. The OBAMA room at the Café Racer, which hosts the museum, is homage to bad art and not our former president. Café Racer owner
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Holidays and PCS season often find lodging at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) with no room at the inn. Whether you like your lodging brand new or historic, there are options just outside the gates of JBLM. DuPont offers newer lodging and is close to restaurants and shops. Two hotels are located
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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.
Travel
Manchester State Park is a hidden gem on the Kitsap Peninsula. Tucked away on the shores of Rich Passage, the site is filled with military history and fabulous water views. One of the most unique places I've seen to have a picnic is inside Torpedo Warehouse. It can be reserved for
News
Sept. 8, volunteers from The Mission Continues, the Tacoma 1st Service Platoon, will participate in a National Day of Service at the Washington Soldiers Home and Colony. They will join with the Veteran Conservation Corps and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs in a project that will turn underutilized land
News Front
On Aug. 29, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Lacey Subchapter hosted soldiers and families from the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) to a field day at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey. The subchapter provided food and family activities along with
News Front
After being closed for more than a year to undergo renovations, the Lewis Army Museum will reopen at 10 a.m., Aug. 31, with a grand reopening ceremony. The renovated museum features all-new exhibits and full-scale dioramas with the addition of immersive and interactive features. "We are extremely excited about the reopening
Travel
Bainbridge Island is a fun and easy day trip from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The walkable town is filled with restaurants, shops, museums and tasting rooms. You can easily fill a day or more with activities. First stop is the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce for visitors' information. It has informative brochures
Attractions
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum is one of those museums that inspires a trip to an area just to see it. Located in The Dalles, Oregon, the museum is right on the banks of the Columbia River and in a very impressive building. When you step into the
Military Life
With the summer winding down and the first day of school right around the corner, thoughts turn to the fall. Whether you are a military spouse new to the area or maybe a retiree spouse looking for some fun activities, the Lewis Community Spouses Club (LCSC) has something for you. Head
News Front
Sunday, Aug. 13, was a day of transition for the Washington National Guard. Events included the Air National Guard Change of Command, two Command Sergeant Major Change of Responsibility ceremonies and the retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy. Brig. Gen. John Tuohy relinquished command of the Washington Air National
Outdoors
What's not to love about Metro Parks Tacoma? The expansive system offers amenities you usually see only in larger cities, including zoos, an aquarium, a nature center, a fort, beaches, hiking, a cabin and a conservatory. It also has a system of parks throughout the city with nice playgrounds and
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Joint Base Lewis-McChord has more than 350 historic sites and 431 recorded archeological sites, which the Cultural Resources Program has a federal mandate to protect. "The cultural resources program on JBLM has two main responsibilities that are tied directly to supporting the military training missions of the garrison," said Donna Turnipseed,
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"JBLM leads the nation in the number of surviving World War I wood-frame buildings and has restored them to provide functional office space and other effective uses," said Duane Denfeld, Ph.D., JBLM architectural historian. There are eight surviving WWI structures remaining at JBLM: the Family Resource Center (former Red Cross Hostess
Military Life
The Odd Otter Brewing Company is voted Best Military Supporter in Tacoma. With three of the five initial owners having a military background it is no surprise they are so supportive of veteran and military organizations. From their early days when they launched a Kickstarter campaign, charity has been a
Travel
Our family trip was nonstop fun, and a week is not enough time to see and do all Missoula has to offer. Plan to spend lots of time outdoors, so pack the sunscreen and drink tons of water. The National Bison Range (NBR) is one of the oldest refuges in the
Outdoors
The Pointe du Hoc Foundation (PDHF) will host its largest fundraiser of the year, the Ranger Regatta, Aug. 24 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Tacoma Yacht Club. "The Ranger Regatta is the PDHF's annual fundraiser. This event sets the conditions for our nonprofit support of 2nd Battalion (75th Ranger Regiment) and
Outdoors
On Aug. 21 at 10:15 a.m., a total eclipse of the sun will touch down on the Oregon coast and begin its move across the country covering a 40-mile swath. Within this band, you can experience the totality of the eclipse, which is the point when the sun is completely