Lewis Ledger, Oct. 30

Action Line

An Action Line has been established to allow Fort Lewis community members to express their concerns and ideas directly to the commanding general. Your issues will be addressed by the commander and his staff. The Action Line number is 967-0093.

Halloween

Fort Lewis Police and crime prevention will be out in force on Halloween to make sure we have a fun and safe evening of trick-or-treating. Extra patrols will be conducted in housing areas. Crime-prevention teams will be handing out bags full of goodies and safety items such as chem’ lights.

Trick-or-treating on Fort Lewis is open from 6 to 9 p.m., only for those with access to the installation: children of service members, military retirees or Fort Lewis civilian employees.

Drivers are asked to practice extra caution as they watch out for costumed children darting into the street.

Birth announcements

The following births were reported by Madigan Army Medical Center: To

Haris, Marie-Maude Laurence and Kevin, a boy, July 24;

Monnell, Thoana and Daniel, a boy, July 27;

Begley, LeeAnn and Brock, a girl, July 28;

McGreevy, Mary and Matthew, a boy, July 29;

Hallett, Lisa and John, a girl, Aug. 2;

McBride, Mona and Robin, a boy, Aug. 3;

Brubaker, Julie and Gary, a girl, Aug. 4;

Prince, Ashley and Roger, a girl, Aug. 4;

Garland, Chihiro and Glenn, a girl, Aug. 5;

Case, Nalsy and Frazer a boy, Aug. 8;

Gentry, Whitney and Larry, a boy, Aug. 9;

Delaine, Latoya and Russell, a boy, Aug. 11;

Howell, Lisa and Michael, a girl, Aug. 12;

Hall, Tamara and William, a boy, Aug. 12;

MacDiarmid, Chrisanta and Ian, a girl, Aug. 13;

Sparks, Rhiannon and Aaron, a girl, Aug. 13;

Kacouros-Perkins, Alexandria and Hunter Perkins, a boy, Aug. 13;

Austin, Sarah and Andy, a girl, Aug. 14;

Jacobs, Savannah and Marcus, a boy, Aug. 19;

Rawlings, Christina and Colin, a boy, Aug. 20;

Floyd, Jasikca and Marcellus, a boy, Aug. 23;

Stewart, Helen and Ronald, a girl, Aug. 23;

Johnson, Nicol and Marvin, a boy, Aug. 24;

Fizer, Shauna and Travis, a boy, Aug. 24;

Drake, Kristin and Justin, a girl, Aug. 25;

Mrozek, Jennifer Warren and William, a girl, Aug. 25;

Veasley, Allison and James, a girl, Aug. 25;

McGrane, Gina and Michael, a boy, Aug. 26;

Morales, Caroline and Michael, a boy, Aug. 26;

Scheel, Angela, a boy, Aug. 28;

Shaffer, Dori and Barry, a girl, Aug. 28;

Collier, Latoya and Barry, a boy, Aug. 29;

Clarke, Tania and Karim, a girl, Aug. 30;

Mortimer, Tiffany and John, a boy, Aug. 31;

Cavin, Tiffany, a girl, Sept. 2;

Crosby, Claudia and Joshua, a boy, Sept. 3;

Tuttle, Robin and James, a girl, Sept. 3;

Bullard, Cassandra and Christopher, a girl, Sept. 4;

Snow-Macomber, Mallisa and Kenneth, a girl, Sept. 6;

Carroll, Amanda and Johnathan, a girl, Sept.7;

Schumacher, Rachael and Scott, a boy, Sept. 7;

Jones, Verna and Derek, a boy, Sept. 8;

Koch, Ann-Marie and Kelly, a girl, Sept. 9;

Lisk, Jaymie and Clayton, a boy, Sept. 9;

Kuhlman, Heather and Matt, a boy, Sept. 12;

Booth, Lindsey and James, a boy, Sept. 14;

Lebouef, Jennifer and Shane, a girl, Sept. 14;

Rowe, Tonia and Korey, a boy, Sept. 14;

Davis, Ashley and Richard, a girl, Sept. 15;

Sale, Misty and Joshuah, a girl, Sept. 15;

Taylor, Kristin and Michael, a girl, Sept. 15;

Traficante, Desiree and Joseph, a boy, Sept. 15;

Luker, Marcie and Jason, a boy, Sept. 16;

Nelson, Lisa and Russell, a girl, Sept. 16;

Fry, Tracy and Michael, a boy, Sept. 17;

Imhof, Tania and Jeffrey, a girl, Sept. 20;

Guttridge-DeLacruz, Samantha and Bryce Cole, a girl, Sept. 20;

Brooks, Jaime and Luisito, a girl, 22;

Delucia, Blythe and Bill, a boy, Sept. 24;

Harris, Latonia and Terrelle a boy, Sept. 24;

Clark, Christine and Michael, a boy, Sept. 25;

Webber, Megan and Preston, a boy, Sept. 25;

Stanfield, Amanda and Robert, a girl, Sept. 26;

Johnson, Tracy and Chris, a girl, Sept. 26;

Martel, Ashleigh and Matthew, a girl, Sept. 27;

Caruthers, Kathleen and Roger, a boy, Sept. 28;

Holland, Patricia and Kevin, a boy, Sept. 29;

Hagen, Vanessa and Joshua, a boy, Sept. 30;

Seighman, Nikki-Lyn and jason, a boy, Oct. 2;

Meniskis, Katelyn and David, a girl, Oct. 3;

Porter, Essence and Kenneth, a girl, Oct. 4.

Harvest festival

Child, Youth and School Services will host a Harvest Festival at Shoreline Park on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be hay rides, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, face painting and a costume parade. For more information call 967-4441.

Job fair

There will be a job fair sponsored by Fort Lewis Employment Readiness Service Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ACS Annex, Building 2166 on Liggett Avenue and 12th Street, across from Waller Hall. Attendees will meet many local employers and have opportunities to interview for available positions. For more information, call 967-7287, 966-8325 or 967-3538.

Recycling extravaganza

The Fort Lewis PX will be hosting a recycling event on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services will include personal document shredding, electronics recycling, light bulb exchange (bring in your incandescent, get a compact flourescent), refrigerator recycling (sign up to have yours picked up and receive $30), book donation to The Reading Tree; and personal goods donation to Tacoma Rescue Mission. Bring something to recycle and learn about the recycling process. For more information, call 966-1734.

American Indian heritage

Celebrate American Indian heritage at Madigan Army Medical Center, in the Medical Mall ground floor, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. Come learn about American Indian heritage by watching storyteller/dance performances, listening to a native flute player and sampling food. Annette Squetimkin-Anquoe, of the Seattle Indian Health Board, is the guest speaker. For more information, e-mail misty.m.jackson@us.army.mil.

Managing Holiday Stress

Join Dr. Michael Faran, Director of the Military Child & Adolescent Center of Excellence, at Madigan Army Medical Center, for an informative discussion on “Managing Holiday Stress,” Monday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel. This is an opportunity to learn coping strategies and resilience techniques for you, your spouse and children. For more information, call Nancy Dozier at 967-9705.

Skin cancer screening

Madigan Army Medical Center’s Dermatology Clinic will conduct its semi-annual Skin Cancer Screening Clinic Nov. 10 and 16. All beneficiaries are eligible. Screenings will be offered on an appointment basis; no referral is needed. Patients will be seen during a five minute appointment that is strictly for skin cancer screening. Other dermatologic problems will not be addressed. No treatment will be offered. Patients requiring treatment or further evaluation, including biopsies, will be directed to contact their primary care manager to address the findings or provide a referral for dermatology. There are a limited number of appointments, one patient per appointment. For more information, call the Dermatology Clinic at 968-1365.

New hours

Arts and Crafts and the POV Resale Lot have new hours of operation. Beginning Monday, Arts and Crafts Mat and Frame Shop opens Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the POV Resale Lot will be open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 967-5001.

Toastmasters

The Melting Pot Group on Fort Lewis is affiliated with the Toastmasters organization. The group strives to sharpen every aspect of members’ communication skills. These include preparing and delivering speeches, speaking off-the-cuff during meetings, running meetings, and becoming excellent listeners. These meetings provide a comfortable and fun environment to grow and network.

The group meets every Wednesday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the 191st Infantry Brigade headquarters, Building 4290, Room 1025, 9th Division Drive, (across from the Family Resource Center). You must be 18 years or older; there is no cost to attend.

For more information, go to http://meltingpot.freetoasthost.cc/directions.html.

Zombie Walk

Meet in the parking lot of Raindrops & Rainbows Parent and Child Play Center on North Fort Lewis on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the Zombie Walk to Shoreline Park. For more information call 967-6772.

Free dinner offer

On Veterans Day — Nov. 11 — all Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants will honor U.S. veterans and active-duty military with free entrees. All guests with proof of current or former U.S. military service will enjoy a free entrée from a selection of six signature favorites. This special offer will be available lunchtime through the dinner hours for dine-in guests at all Applebee’s restaurants nationwide. For complete details visit www.applebees.com/vetsday.

Job opening

The Fort Lewis Thrift Shop has an opening for a full-charge bookkeeper. Interested parties can send their resumes to the Thrift Shop, P.O. Box 33274, Fort Lewis, WA 98433. For more information, call 964-0445.

Amnesty day

Ammunition can be turned in Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the C-5 mock-up on East Gate Road, without fear of prosecution or investigation. No appointment or paperwork is required. Other amnesty boxes are located at the Ammunition Supply Point parking lot; at Range 2 on Jecelin Avenue; at the corner of A Street and 17th Street on North Fort; at the Ranger Compound; at Slone and S. 20th streets (the main wash rack); and at A and 8th streets (the North wash rack).

Road closure

Fort Lewis will close a 900-foot section of 150th Street SW from Monday through Nov. 21 for repair and resurfacing. 150th Street SW is outside the Fort Lewis cantonment area and connects with the Perimeter Road, which runs between Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. 150th St. SW is used for commuter traffic from I-5 to Spanaway. This road closure will affect local community traffic.

150th Street SW is the property of Fort Lewis and must be closed during the construction period. The road is too narrow to keep one lane open and safely do the work while traffic passes in the opposite lane. During the road closure the Fort Lewis and McChord AFB gates near 150th Street SW will remain open.

International forum

The Grandstaff Library will host an international forum Nov. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. The topic of discussion is “Climate Change and National Security” presented by Dr. Jonathan H. Harrington of Troy University. Participants may bring their own lunches. Refreshments will be provided.

Holiday bazaar

The Officers’ Spouses’ Club’s 29th Annual Holiday Bazaar is Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 (children 15 and younger are free) in the FMWR Expo Tent, outside American Lake Community Center on North Fort Lewis.

Vendors galore will be set up, ready to sell and take orders.

The popular raffle includes a spectacular quilt, designed and created by the Quilting Club. The quilt will be on display at various locations around the Fort Lewis Community, at which time raffle tickets can be purchased for $2 each.

This year the OSC is also holding a raffle for a print entitled “Lord Grant Me the Strength...” by Marc Wolfe. It was donated by America’s Gallery, located in the Mini Mall. There will also be a silent auction featuring various local, and not so local, items for you to bid on.

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event.

For more information, contact OSC at holidaybazaar@fortlewisoscorg/.

Care Team training

Care Team training will take place Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waller Hall in the main briefing room. Care Teams are groups of two or three trained individuals who volunteer to assist families that have lost loved ones. Care teams assist and support families immediately after their loss, filling the gap between notification and arrival of personal support systems.

To register, e-mail pamela.j.allen@conus.army.mil or call 967-8430. Child care is available with prior reservations by calling Clarkmoor Hourly Care at 966-2490. Children must be registered with CYSS.

Celestial observation bash

Together with the Tacoma Astronomical Society, the Olympic Flight Museum will host the annual Celestial Observation Bash on Nov. 20, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, there will be a celestial scavenger hunt, hands-on exploration of how telescopes work and a short film, “There Once Was a Night Full of Stars.” In the event of rain, other activities will be provided indoors, including make-and-take solar systems and a bonus movie, “400 years of the Telescope.” Complimentary cocoa and popcorn will be provided.

The event is suitable for both youths and adults. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 7 to 12; children under 6 are free. For more information, call the Olympic Flight Museum at (360) 705-3925 or visit the Web site www.olympicflightmuseum.com/.

ACS Holiday Assistance Program

Army Community Service traditionally offers commanders a holiday dinner program to assist Army families in need during the holidays. ACS will provide commanders with cash vouchers for identified Soldiers: Vouchers are redeemable at the Fort Lewis Commissary for food purchases only. Commanders determine which Soldiers within their commands will receive assistance. Basic guidelines for establishing need will be provided to command sergeants major.

Fort Lewis does not have a program to connect Soldiers and families with people off-post. Those who want to support Soldiers and their families during the holidays can make donations to the Army Community Service Holiday Assistance Program by calling (253) 967-9917.

Instructor training courses

The Henry H. Lind NCO Academy offers the Army Basic Instructor Course and the Small Group Instructor Training Course in Building 5995, at the ITC Classroom.

The mission is to train current and future leaders and civilian instructors in those skills and traits necessary to lead, train, coach and mentor Soldiers to United States Army standards. ABIC is an 80-hour course teaching basic instructor techniques and assisting future instructors in obtaining the “8” identifier.

SGITC is a 40-hour course providing insight to group development and teaching methods to facilitate small groups in achieving training objectives.

Space is limited; to secure a seat in these courses, submit your name, rank, phone number and e-mail address to Douglas Adams, 967-4879, or send an e-mail to douglas.adams@us.army.mil. Current class dates are on the NCO Academy Web site https://ftextra.lewis.army.mil/ncoa/index.asp/.

Night firing notices

● 14th Engineer Battalion will train with demolitions in the Fort Lewis Artillery Impact Area, from midnight Nov. 22 until midnight Nov. 24, from midnight Dec. 2 until midnight Dec. 3, and from midnight Dec. 8 until midnight Dec. 10, using Range 57.

Calendar

The following holidays and days of no scheduled activities are planned:

● Nov. 11, Veterans Day

● Nov. 26, Thanksgiving

● Nov. 27, DONSA

● Dec. 24, DONSA

● Dec. 25, Christmas

● Dec. 31, DONSA

● Jan. 1, New Year’s Day

● Jan. 15, DONSA

● Jan. 18, MLK Day

● Feb. 12, DONSA

● Feb. 15, Presidents Day

Family Connections

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in collaboration with Sesame Street Workshop, recently unveiled the “Sesame Street Family Connections” Web site: www.sesamestreetfamilyconnections.org/.

This interactive Web site allows service members and their families to stay connected in a safe and nurturing environment surrounded by their favorite Sesame Street friends.

Whether the distance between service members and their loved ones is due to deployment or recovery from an injury suffered while deployed, the “Family Connections” Web site offers young children an online environment to stay connected, while offering tools for the entire family, to aid in the recovery of the visible and invisible wounds of combat.

Japanese spouses’ group

If your husband is deployed or deploying, you are new to the area, you have questions or if you just want to meet and talk with other Japanese spouses, the Japanese Spouse Support Group is here for you. You can join the group for monthly meetings, fundraising events, fun activities, such as barbecues, lady’s night and other events.

For more information, contact japanesearmywivesupportgroup@gmail.com.

Warrior Hourly Child Care Center

The Warrior Hourly Child Care Center is located adjacent to the Madigan Army Medical Center parking area in Building 9037 on Gardner Loop. The mission of the Warrior Center is to provide quality child care for Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion; however, all families registered with CYSS may use the facility on a space-available basis. Child care reservations can be made two weeks in advance. The staff provides child care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old while Soldiers or family members attend medical appointments or use Army Family Covenant respite-care hours.

The center hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To use the facility, families must complete a free registration at the CYSS Central Registration, Building 2295 at 12th and Bitar. Call 967-2494 to make a registration appointment.

New patrons are offered the initial hour of child care free. There is a minimum reservation of two hours. Warrior Hourly Care Center also offers an early-bird special through Oct. 31. Cost is 50 percent off from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. with a minimum two-hour reservation.

To make hourly child care reservations at the Warrior Center, call 968-5656.

Clarkmoor Hourly Care Center

Clarkmoor Hourly Care Center is located at Building 2094 on Bitar Avenue. All families registered with CYSS may use the facility. Child care reservations can be made two weeks in advance. The staff provides hourly child care for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. Hours of operation are: Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, closed.

New patrons are offered the initial hour of child care free. There is a minimum reservation of two hours. The center also offers an early-bird special through Oct. 31. The cost is 50 percent off from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. with a minimum two-hour reservation. Families must complete a free registration at the CYSS Central Registration, Building 2295. Call 967-2494 to make a registration appointment.To make hourly child care reservations, call 966-2490.

Gate hours and locations

Fort Lewis gate hours and locations:

● Liberty (Main), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to Main Post;

● 41st Division (North Fort), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to North Fort;

● Logistics Center, 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), I-5 Exit 123 — Thorne Lane;

● Madigan, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 122 — Berkeley Street;

● East Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, East Gate Road and 4th Division Drive (connects to SR 507);

● DuPont Gate, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 119;

● D Street (POV), 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, access to North Fort from DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● D Street (CVIP), 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), same as D Street (POV);

● Scouts Out, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week (closed on federal holidays), 2nd Division Range Road;

● Transmission Line (ASP), 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Transmission Line Road;

● Center Drive (outbound only), 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday (closed on federal holidays), adjacent to the Regional Confinement Facility;

● I Street Gate (North Fort) (inbound only), 5 to 9 a.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), 1 1⁄2 miles north of DuPont Exit 119, just off DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● Lincoln-Rainier Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week, from off post — access via Perimeter Road/150th Street; from on post — access via Rainier Drive and Lincoln Street on the Logistics Center.

McChord gate hours and locations:

● Main Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 125 (Bridgeport Way);

● Barnes Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week, Perimeter Road, approximately 1/2 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Commercial Vehicle Inspection Point, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Perimeter Road approximately 1⁄4 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Woodbrook Housing Gate, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, I-5 Exit 124 — Gravelly Lake.

Waiting Families Support Group

The Waiting Families Support Group is open to family members of active-duty Soldiers on unaccompanied tours or extended TDY. It is a place to exchange ideas on how to cope with unique problems faced during a sponsor’s absence and have some light-hearted fun.

WFSG provides information on community events and ACS programs. It offers short-term crisis-intervention services and, when needed, acts as a liaison with military and civilian agencies. WFSG also addresses practical aspects of separation and relocation. Children are welcome.

WFSG meets the first Wednesday of each month at Waller Hall, ACS Room 400, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call 967-3633.

Free test-prep programs

Military family members looking forward to moving on to higher education can now get free help in preparing for standardized tests: eKnowledge Corporation, the leading supplier of interactive learning software for college test preparation, is donating $200 test-prep programs free to military families worldwide through 2010. Active-duty, Reserve, retired, National Guard and and their family members may order the software by visiting eKnowledge.com/military. For more information, contact Lori Caputo, vice president of Military Donation Programs, at (770) 992-0900.