Features
(Photo: Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor has some unique specialty pizzas. This is the Chicken Divan Pizza: a creamy garlic ranch sauce topped with chicken, fresh broccoli, red onion and tomato, then topped with cheddar cheese, all on their famous thin and crispy crust.) Well after lunch time on a Sunday, Dirty
Arts
(Photo: The Megan D vintage schooner is a new exhibit that opened in August at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Kids can explore the real wooden vessel, climb up a six-foot rope wall, investigate the crow’s nest, walk the rickety bridge, even captain the ship.) The Hands On Children's Museum in
Features
Located at the Pierce County Airport -- Thun Field, Top Gun Bar and Grill has one of the best views of Mount Rainier in the South Sound. On a clear day, you can watch planes take off and land from the airport while the iconic mountain looms in the background.
Travel
Kirkland is the perfect destination for a one-night mini-vacation away from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), and a well-planned Saturday night stay maximizes your time and minimizes traffic. The cute, downtown area of Kirkland is just east of Seattle and is located on the shores of Lake Washington, about an hour drive
Health
You may have seen the commercials for Orangetheory or started hearing friends talk about the Orange Zone and Splat points. So just what is Orangetheory? It is a 60-minute, high-intensity class which uses technology to monitor your performance using a heart rate monitor. The goal is to get your heart rate
Health
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is making it easier for service members and their families to take a holistic approach to their health by bringing wellness services to military installations. Through the Exchange's BE FIT program, you will begin to see expanded services such as durable medical
Attractions
The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's new, state-of-the-art Ocean Explorer Virtual Reality experience is now open. Located within the zoo's Pacific Seas Aquarium, near the exit from the Baja Bay habitat, this hi-tech adventure provides an exhilarating experience with which to enhance learning about the ocean. The journey begins by sitting down
Travel
It is peak season in Whistler, British Columbia, one of the top North American ski resorts. While its upscale village can lead to some pretty pricey accommodations, Pangea Pod Hotel aims to provide a more affordable option. Here, you'll stay in a boutique hotel, but only pay for the part you
Travel
The greater Phoenix area offers days of sunny, mild weather during the winter and spring months. For example, Scottsdale is a luxurious enclave with upscale resorts, while Mesa is a vibrant town with more economical options. Phoenix itself falls somewhere in between. Phoenix also makes a great base for your vacation, and
Attractions
December is the perfect month for day trips to the areas surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Willapa Bay, famed for its oysters, is a pristine body of water around an hour and a half drive from JBLM. We'll start the day with a unique hike at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge,
Outdoors
Now that you are living in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska is a surprisingly easy destination to get to. One of the big-bucket list items is a trip to see the Northern Lights, and a great location to experience this natural phenomenon is in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is an easy, nonstop flight
Outdoors
Snowfall is massive in the Cascade and Olympic mountains and the foothills surrounding them. Fun activities to do in the snow include winter hiking, sledding, snow shoeing, and riding snow machines. With the proper equipment and warm clothes, this area becomes a winter playground. Although snowfall is limited on Joint
Travel
Anatoliy Zaika, owner of the Paradise Village Lodge near Mount Rainier, is a man with a dream. A huge fan of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, he purchased the lodge as a family business, and to bring a bit of his homeland -- the Ukraine -- to America. He
Jobs & Education
Last week at Graham-Kapowsin High School, leadership from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and the Bethel School District announced a new partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). The initiative is an evidence-based, rigorous national STEM program which was made possible by a $727,500 grant from the U.S. Department
Attractions
Enchant Christmas returns to Seattle's T-Mobile Park for an extravagant Christmas experience. This year, the world's largest Christmas light maze, Mischievous, will delight children of all ages as they search for Santa's missing gifts in time to save Christmas. During the event, the stadium is packed with fun things to do.
Military Life
Puyallup's quaint downtown isn't far from the historic Meeker Mansion, and unique antique shops, cafés and pubs abound in this easily walkable district. Start your day early with breakfast at the Rose Restaurant. This cute, vintage café is where the locals eat. It's nothing fancy, but the food is good and
Travel
Portland is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and you can make it a day trip for holiday shopping or extend as an overnight trip to enjoy some of the city's sights, as well. The big advantage is the tax-free shopping, which saves you almost 10 percent compared to
Military Life
Did you know that Christmas trees are an agricultural crop that provides another income stream for local farms? Once a tree is cut, another is planted to take its place. Tree farms are a busy social hub during the weeks following Thanksgiving, with cut-your-own tree opportunities and seasonal fun like
Travel
Heading out to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery is a doable day trip from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, but it is a long one at almost four hours each way. Spending the night on the Olympic Peninsula when it isn't daylight savings time is advisable, as it gets dark so early now.
News Front
On Oct. 6, Staff Sgt. Ian Ives was critically injured by an IED explosion while deployed to Afghanistan. The Puyallup resident is currently at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he is undergoing treatment to include multiple surgeries for his extensive injuries. AD: Couple counseling on JBLM