Community Ledger, March 12

This St. Patrick’s Day, don’t trust dumb luck

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

This St. Patrick’s Day, don’t depend on dumb luck — designate a sober driver before the party begins. For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the number of drunk drivers, that night out has also become very dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2008, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher — the legal limit — according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Other NHTSA statistics show that in 2008, there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of that number, 50 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

Lieutenant Tom Martin, traffic investigation supervisor, recommends the following easy steps, for a safe St. Patrick’s Day.

● Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

● Before drinking, designate a sober driver and have others leave their car keys at home;

● If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;

● Use the installation’s BOSS ride program;

● If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;

● And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Martin said. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant.”

Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a unit function, if you plan to use alcohol, never drive while impaired — and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.

For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

Action Line

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

Health Care Council

Colonel Catherine Bard, 62nd Medical Squadron commander, will host a quarterly Health Care Council meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the McChord Clinic Globemaster Suite Conference Room. A series of quick and informative briefings from providers and other health care professionals are planned.

Anyone currently enrolled at the McChord Clinic is welcome and encouraged to attend. The Health Care Council is a great opportunity for active duty and their families to not only learn important health care information, but also to voice any health care concerns.

Founder’s Day dinner

The West Point Society of Washington and Puget Sound will hold its annual Founder’s Day dinner April 10, at Fircrest Golf Club, Regents Room, 1500 Regents Blvd., in Fircrest. Benny Haven’s hour is 6 to 7 p.m. Uniform or attire is dress blues, mess dress or civilian formal (black tie) — a dark suit or cocktail dress is also acceptable.

RSVP no later than March 26 to Susan Sohn, 3073 O’Brien St., Dupont, WA 98327-8780. Cost of the dinner is $50 — a check is preferable, made payable to “Founder’s Day Fund.” For more information, contact Thomas Morgan, 983-8903, tmorgan58@hotmail.com.

Ammunition amnesty

Amnesty Day is May 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a chance to turn in unauthorized ammunition pyrotechnics or other materials with no questions asked. no fear of prosecution, no investigation, no paperwork required and no appointment necessary. For above .50 Cal, we recommend calling EOD for pickup — it’s your choice.

The location for this Amnesty Day is at the C-5 mock up just outside JBLM Lewis Main’s East Gate. All ammunition will be accepted. No hazardous materials endorsement required on license. Amnesty munitions can always be turned in at the Ammunition Supply Point during normal duty hours or at any of the amnesty boxes on post: in the ASP parking lot; on Jecelin Avenue at Range 2; on JBLM Lewis North, at A and 17th streets; at Mastin Avenue between 3rd and 4th Division drives (the Ranger compound); at Slone and South 20th streets (the Main Wash Rack); and at A and 8th streets (the North Wash Rack).

Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

The 446th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center at JBLM McChord Field will host its third Yellow Ribbon post-deployment workshop at the Red Lion Inn, in Olympia, April 16-17.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program provides military members and their families with information, services, referrals and outreach opportunities available to them, to support their life transitions. All 446th AW Airmen who have deployed for 90 days or more in support of current operations and family members who attend are eligible to have their expenses reimbursed. Guardsmen and Reservists who have not been deployed may attend but are ineligible for reimbursement. Previous workshop participants are encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered at the workshop include financial counseling, effective communication tips, the “Troops to Teachers” initiative, education programs, veteran service organizations, Tricare and other veteran benefits. For more information on eligibility, accommodations, day care and registration, contact Master Sgt. Steven Thomas, 446th MSS Airman and Family Readiness Center, at (253) 982-5330.

Parent University

JBLM Lewis-McChord Family Advocacy Program hosts Parent University March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the McChord Co-Located Club on JBLM McChord Field. Parent University is a free, one-day seminar designed to teach parents new information and skills to make parenting more manageable. Registration forms may be picked up/dropped off at the following locations: JBLM Lewis Main Family Advocacy, Building 2013, Room 335; Army Community Service, Waller Hall; The Family Resource Center; child development centers; on-base elementary schools. On JBLM McChord Field, go to: Family Advocacy, 62nd Medical Clinic, Bldg. 690; Airman and Family Readiness Center; and child development centers.

For more information, call 967-5901 or 982-9043.

‘Tops In Blue’ still looking for talent

Air Force Services Agency officials are still looking for Airmen to join the 2010 Tops In Blue team. The primary team for 2010 was recently announced and the team will spend two and a half months at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, learning the music, completing deployment requirements, and training to serve as ambassadors for the Air Force and United States, but additional members are needed for the team.

The team will begin its 10-month tour in May. This year’s theme is “We Believe.” Tops In Blue is known for its music. It is one of the few touring shows that features a full live band. The show needs Airmen to fill the guitar, alto saxophone and trumpet positions to make the band complete. Air Force active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members are eligible to apply.

For more information or to apply, contact Air Force Entertainment at (210) 652-6566 or visit http://www.topsinblue.com.

Reunion Workshop

Is your Soldier coming home soon? ACS has a workshop to walk you through the reunion process March 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the ACS Annex (12th Street and Liggett Avenue). Discussions cover how to prepare for the reunion day, what to do to help the transition and possible expectations. Call Pamela Allen at 967-8430 to register or e-mail pamela.j.allen@us.army.mil. You can also schedule unit or family readiness group reunion workshops.

Free child care is available with reservations by calling Clarkmoor Hourly Care Center at 966-2490. Children must be registered with CYS Services.

Union meeting

The American Federation of Government Employees Local 1504 holds its monthly meeting on Joint Base Lewis-McChord the third Thursday of each month. The meeting for March will be Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at The Union Hall, Building T1143 (9th Division and Stryker). Please RSVP to Richard Doyal, president of AFGE Local 1504. Call 967-2321 or e-mail to rick.doyal@conus.army.mil.

Teen Zone hail and farewell

The Teen Zone hosts a hail and farewell in celebration of all new and departing teens the third Saturday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. Come make new friends and meet current Teen Zone members. For more information call 967-4441.

For gamers

Joint Base Lewis-McChord libraries now offer in-house use of the following gaming systems: Nintendo WII, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3. Some games are available for checkout. For more information, call Grandstaff Library at 967-5889, Crittenberger Library at 967-2824 or McChord Library at 982-3454.

ACE exams

Get professionally certified by taking the Automotive Service Excellence exams at the Stone Education Center Testing Office on JBLM Lewis Main, May 6 through 11. Register by completing a registration form and payment to Kristi Noceda at the Testing Office, Room A230 no later than 4 p.m. March 19. Payment includes a registration fee of $36 per individual and $28 per exam. DANTES will fund up to three exams for active-duty, Reserve and National Guard service members. The next opportunity to test will not be until November.

ASE certifications are earned when candidates pass one or more of ASE’s exams and provide proof of two or more years of relevant full-time, hands-on, work experience. The tests are divided into specialties. In all, there are more than 40 exams. ASE Study Guides can be found at http://www.ase.com. For more information, call the testing office at 967-5657.

Calendar

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

● today, DONSA

● April 9, DONSA

● May 28, DONSA

● May 31, Memorial Day

● June 11, DONSA

● July 2, DONSA

● July 5, Independence Day holiday

● Aug. 13, DONSA

● Sept. 3, DONSA

● Sept. 6, Labor Day

Job fair

There will be a job fair April 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Army Community Service Annex, Building 2166 on Liggett Avenue at 12th Street. Meet local employers and have an opportunity to interview for jobs. Sponsored by JBLM Lewis-McChord Employment Readiness Program. For more information, call 967-3538, 967-7287 or 966-8325.

Night firing notice

The 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group will fire 60 mm and 81 mm mortars in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Artillery Impact Area, from midnight March 24 until midnight March 25 using Mortar Point 4. The battalion will train with demolitions from midnight tonight until midnight Saturday using Range 58.

Survivor seminar

Join TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) for a survivor seminar, “Good Grief Camp — Remember the Love, Celebrate Life, Share the Journey,” March 26 and 27, to comfort and support those grieving the loss of a service member. The seminar will be held at JBLM Lewis North Chapel Activity Center. For more information or to register, call 967-7501.

Family Child Care Amnesty Program

To decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect in unauthorized care, the Family Child Care Program has initiated an amnesty program. It allows individuals who are not certified FCC providers, but who are regularly caring for children in privatized housing, an opportunity to register with CYS Services without penalty. If you are currently providing unauthorized child care in your home, call the FCC Program at 967-3039 for details on how you can become certified, or pick up an application in Building 2013B (Pendleton Avenue at 3rd Street). Earn up to $2,000 a month working from home as an FCC provider.

Help for parents

Are you tired of having to ask your child three times to do something? If so, then give Common Sense Parenting a try.

The New Parent Support Program’s Common Sense Parenting class helps form strong and healthy families by building on existing parenting skills and learning new ways to deal with children’s problem behaviors.

Classes are free and are led by trained facilitators committed to helping parents create positive and healthy environments in which both children and parents can thrive. Common Sense Parenting classes are held every Wednesday for seven weeks from 10 a.m. to noon; the next session is Wednesday through May 7. To register for Common Sense Parenting, call 967-7409.

Child care is available for CYS Services-registered children with five weeks’ notice by calling Clarkmoor Hourly Care Center at 966-2490.

Spring flea market

The Spring Flea Market is March 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the FMWR tent in the American Lake Community Center parking lot. For more information call 967-6772.

Seminar designed to enhance performance

The Army Center for Enhanced Performance is offering a one-day seminar on March 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Battle Command Training Center, Building 1240 on Railroad Avenue, south of the DuPont Gate. Just as physical training strengthens the body, mental training strengthens the mind and enhances human performance. Develop a foundation in mental and emotional skills based on applied sport psychology techniques, which include goal setting, confidence building, energy management, attention control, and imagery. Use state-of-the-art technology and then apply these techniques during this seminar. Call 968-7642 or e-mail LewisACEPWebmaster@conus.army.mil to reserve a seat. Space is limited.

Spring Break Performance Workshop

Calling all kids ages 7 and older for the Spring Break Performance Workshop. This year’s workshop is March 29 through April 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bowl Arena Lanes. The cost is $40. Learn acting, singing, song writing, joking and dancing from children’s entertainers Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth. Children will show off their new talents at Kids’ Fest on April 1. Space is limited. Call 967-5776 for more information.

Spring sports

● Registration for CYS Services girls’ fast pitch runs through April 1 for ages 16 and younger. The participation fee is $55.

● Registration for CYS Services track and field continues through March 25 and is open to ages 6 to 18. The cost is $70.

● Registration for the spring break soccer clinic runs through March 26. The camp is March 29 from 10 a.m. to noon for children 5 to 8 years and from 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 9 and older. Participation fee is $10.

Register for sports at CYS Services Central Registration, Building 2295, at 12th and Bitar Ave. If you have a full CYS Services registration on file and a sports physical that is current through the entire sports season, you can use the sports-only lane. For a full CYS Services registration, bring current shot record, military, DOD or contract ID card, three local emergency contacts and a sports physical that will need to be updated yearly. Call 967-2494 for more information.

Board members needed

The Officers’ Spouses’ Club is looking for people to be members of the 2010-2011 board of directors. Being an OSC board member is a great way to meet and network with a lot of people and to really get to know your community. Applications will be accepted until Monday. The vote for the 2010-2011 Governing Board will be held April 20 at the monthly luncheon.

If you are interested in serving, contact Susan Moore at susan.moore9@us.army.mil or www.fortlewisosc.org.

Gate hours and locations

JBLM Lewis Main and North gate hours and locations:

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

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

● 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 Lewis North 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 (Lewis North) (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.

JBLM McChord Field gate hours and locations:

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

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

● Commercial Vehicle Inspection Point, 6 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 JBLM Lewis Main;

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

Attention

Event announcements must be received no later than the Friday before publication. They can be e-mailed to nwgeditor@nwguardian.com. Announcements can be viewed online at NWGuardian.com. The Northwest Guardian office is located in the basement of Building 2026-B.

For more information, call 477-0184.