Community Ledger, May 21

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.

Calendar

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

● 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

JBLM McChord Field Commissary

The Commissary at McChord Field will close at 4 p.m. on June 13 and be closed June 14 and 15 for reshelving. The store will reopen for regular business hours on June 16.

Scouts Out Gate

Scouts Out Gate will be closed Monday through Friday, starting June 1. The gate will be open on weekends and federal holidays to facilitate access to the Skeet Range and the ORV Park. A pedestrian gate will be installed in the gate area to facilitate access to the Skeet Range by foot. Parking is available outside the gate; however, vehicle operators need to ensure they do not park in such a manner as to impede emergency vehicle access to the training areas via that gate. Units requiring vehicular access through the gate for military training can contact the DES Physical Security Office at 966-6868. Vehicular access is available seven days a week by using East Gate with travel time of approximately 10 minutes to the Skeet Range.

Red Cross summer youth orientation

The JBLM American Red Cross is now taking registration for its summer youth volunteer program. Orientations will be held June 5 and 9. You must pre-register to attend. Youths must be 14 or older to volunteer. For more information, call the Madigan Red Cross office at 968-1055.

Teen Zone middle school summer camp

Register now for middle school summer camp. Weekly camps start July 6. Camps are Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include three field trips a week along with in-house activities. Breakfast and lunch served daily. For details on the summer camps, call 967-4441. For registration and cost information, call 967-2494. Register soon — spaces are limited.

Workshop for Parents

The Army Community Service Children and Deployment Workshops are designed to help parents minimize stress, enhance resiliency and ensure the well-being of children during deployments. Parents who attend learn how to tell their children about deployments, about reactions their children might have and about ways to handle situations that might arise. Parents may attend at any time throughout the deployment cycle.

The next workshop is Wednesday at the ACS Annex (Liggett Avenue and South 12th Street) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents who would like to attend can call ACS at 967-8430 or e-mail pamela.j.allen@us.army.mil to register.

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

Volunteers needed for summer reading

Book Patch Library is now accepting volunteers for its annual summer reading program, which runs from June 21 to Aug. 4. Volunteers will help supervise activities, register readers, read stories and hand out incentive awards.

Plan to attend a meeting at Book Patch Children’s Library to get acquainted on June 8 at 5:30 p.m. Book Patch is located inside Grandstaff Library, Building 2109 on Pendleton Avenue at JBLM Lewis Main.

Responsible teenagers are encouraged to volunteer. If you are 14 years or older, looking for a way to stay busy during the summer and want the rewarding experience of volunteering, come to the meeting and see if the summer reading program is right for you. High school juniors may get their required community service hours for graduation early.

For more information, call 967-5533.

Care Team training

Care Teams are Army Community Service-trained volunteers who support and assist the primary next of kin of fallen warriors, filling the gap between notification and arrival of their personal support systems. Training for Care Teams will take place June 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the ACS Annex, Building 2166 (Liggett Avenue and South 12th Street). To register, e-mail pamela.j.allen@conus.army.mil or call 967-8430.

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

593rd STB

The 593rd Special Troops Battalion will hold a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. June 9, on Save Field, JBLM Lewis North, behind Building 12235. Lt. Col. Laura D. Dyckman will relinquish command to Lt. Col. Douglas A. LeVien. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be in Wilson Sports and Fitness Center.

57th Trans. Bn.

The 57th Transportation Battalion will hold a change of command ceremony June 10 at 2 p.m. on Watkins Field, during which Lt. Col. Jeffery W. Drushal will relinquish command to Lt. Col. John V. McCoy. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be in Soldiers Field House.

80th Ord. Bn.

The 80th Ordnance Battalion will hold a change of command ceremony June 14 at 2 p.m. on Watkins Field, during which Lt. Col. Christopher O. Mohan will relinquish command to Lt. Col. Katherine J. Graef. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be in Soldiers Field House.

593rd Sust. Bde.

The 593d Sustainment Brigade will hold a change of command ceremony on Watkins Field June 18 at 10 a.m., during which Col. Cynthia L. Fox will relinquish command to Col. Scott J. Lofreddo. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be in Soldiers Field House.

JBLM Safety Day

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Safety Day is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cowan Stadium. Vendors will provide safety demonstrations, displays and safety handouts. For more information, call 966-6918.

EFMP summer camp

Exceptional family member summer camp, Camp Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will be held at the Northwest Adventure Center Aug. 20 to 22. This year’s theme is “Be Happy.” Registration is open until May 31 and packets to register can be picked up at the EFMP office in Waller Hall.

Heartlink luncheon

Are you a military spouse living or working at McChord Field? The Airman and Family Readiness Center and Army Community Service invite you to a free Heartlink luncheon Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McChord Field Co-Located Club. Reservations are a must. Call 982-2695 today to reserve a seat. If you are new to the military, become empowered and connected. Learn about services and programs available to you within the community.

Caribbean Heritage Month volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the Caribbean American Heritage Month observance. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Caribbean American Heritage Month observance is scheduled for June 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JBLM McChord Field Co-Located Club. Volunteers are needed for this event. If you are interested in being on the planning committee, contact the JBLM Equal Opportunity Staff Office at 967-3622 or 967-5012 or via e-mail fernice.morton@conus.army.mil.

Blood drive

The Armed Services Blood Bank Center will be conducting a blood drive at the JBLM Main PX today, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive will be conducted in the administrative area of the PX, in the employees’ training classroom. The PX will also be opening up the blood drive to PX customers. The AAFES employees know their donations are going downrange not only to support our deployed military personnel but also AAFES employees deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In March the PX sponsored a blood drive and 30 units of blood were collected from donors/AAFES employees.

Enhancing performance

The Army Center for Enhanced Performance is offering a one-day seminar on Wednesday 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 your seat.

Warrior Leader Course inprocessing

The Henry H. Lind NCO Academy Warrior Leader Course, Class 009-10, will inprocess on June 2. Students must be present at 8 a.m. at Building 3114. Sponsors must be present at 9:30 a.m. at Building 5996. For more information, call 967-7294.

Free coffee

Stop by the new Battle Bean inside the new Army Family Covenant Skate Arena for a FREE cup of coffee. Free coffee offer good only for drip coffee or coffee of the day. AFC Arena is located in Building 2275 on Liggett Avenue. For more information, call 967-4458.

Tobacco cessation

Don’t stay hooked on tobacco, one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Madigan Healthcare System can help you dump the habit with tobacco cessation appointments.

Okubo patients: the second Friday of the month at 9 a.m. — call 966-7547.

Family Medicine: every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. — call 968-2637, 968-6512 or 1-800-404-4506.

Nisqually patients: every Wednesday at 1 p.m. — sign up inside at the “Specialty Clinic.”

All other patients: Call TRICARE at 1-800-404-4506.

Unit and family readiness group classes are available — call Army Public Health Nursing at 968-4382.

Executive leadership for Air Force officers

The Department of Defense has allocated a minimum of two active-duty Air Force officers to participate in the 2011 Executive Leadership Development Program scheduled to begin in October.

This program is designed specifically for highly motivated, active-duty officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to public service and integrity, and who have an interest in moving into senior management positions. Interested officers must be in the grades of major or major select and have completed Squadron Officer School, Intermediate Developmental Education, either in-residence or by correspondence or seminar, and successfully occupied a flight-level or higher command position. Active-duty military personnel must apply to HQ AFPC Officer Developmental Education no later than May 31. For information, contact Master Sgt. Kevin Tirrel at 982-9634.

Military widows

You are invited to attend the meeting/luncheons for the Society of Military Widows, the first Tuesday of each month at the McChord Co-Located Club. Call Jean at 219-7388 or e-mail at bluespader1946@yahoo.com for a reservation or information. All you need is a valid military ID card that reads “URW” or “DB.”

JBLM heat shut-off schedule

The cooler than normal spring temperatures have delayed the annual shut off of heat in JBLM buildings. With some exceptions, the following schedule will be followed:

● Starting Sunday, heat will be turned off in permanent construction, barracks and administrative buildings.

● Starting May 30, heat will be turned off in temporary wood buildings.

Flag football and cheerleading

CYS Services flag football and cheerleading registration runs through Thursday for ages 5 to 15. The cost is $50. Register for sports at CYS Services Central Registration, Building 2295 (JBLM Lewis Main).

Special Olympics softball is open to youth ages 8 to 18 with or without special needs. Register your children at CYSS Parent Central Services through June 3 for $45 per player. A parent meeting and the first practice will be held June 14, and games are scheduled from July 31 through Aug. 22.

If you have a full CYS Services registration on file and a current sports physical, you can use the sports-only lane. For a full CYSS registration, bring a current shot record, military, DOD or contract ID card, three local emergency contacts and a completed sports physical. Call 967-2494 for more information.

Community garden

Get out of Farmville and get into a real garden. Reserve your 4-by-10-foot garden plot for just $10 per summer and winter session at the Northwest Adventure Center. The plots are located between the horse stables and storage area on JBLM Lewis North. Rakes, compost and water hoses will be provided, and a master gardener will come teach and provide advice.

DAV transition help

Disabled American Veterans’ transition service officers assist active-duty, reserve and National Guard members with their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord TSOs are prepared to provide free information and assistance with developing evidence and completion of applications for veterans benefits.

JBLM Lewis Main:

Jonathan Williams — 966-1280 — Waller Hall, Building 2140, Room 700.

Jose A. Muniz — 967-6145 — ACAP Center, Building 2013A, Room 012.

JBLM McChord Field:

Tom Higdon — 982-1310 — Airman and Family Readiness Center Annex, Building 552, Barnes Boulevard.

Escape Zone

Do you have a pre-schooler age 5 or younger? If so, then join other families at the Escape Zone on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the McChord Youth Center, 3021 Dogwood St. SW. This is a program for parents and children to meet, have fun and learn about community services and events — and, of course, to make new friends.

Parents must remain with their children.

No reservations are necessary. For more information, call 982-2695.

Focus groups seek family concerns

Customer Management Services is sponsoring a Family Member Focus Group today, 9 a.m. to noon, at the JBLM Lewis Main Chapel. Day care will be provided.

The Family Member Focus Group is part of the “Community FIRST” program that solicits and works issues and concerns year round based on input from various demographic groups. Instead of having your voice heard once a year, this is a continuous process. The focus group runs like a mini AFAP conference with the exception that issues solicited, reviewed and worked are of a local nature. This focus group is aimed at family members so that the issues solicited and worked are from their perspective. Any adult family member can participate as a delegate. The group will be facilitated by an AFAP facilitation team.

If you are a family member and would like to participate, contact the customer service officer at 477-1072 or e-mail LewisCMS@conus.army.mil. To submit an issue, go to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord website, click on the “Customer Management Services” logo at the bottom of the page, and then click on the “Submit Feedback” link on the left side of the page.

In April a single Soldier focus group was conducted that identified issues from their perspective. In the past year and a half, 149 community issues have been identified with 123 having positive resolutions.

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 477-0183.