Community Ledger, March 11

Gates and roadwork progress on JBLM

A major construction project is underway in the vicinity of D-Street Gate. This project will continue until about April 1 and will result in road and gate closures and detours. Another construction project has begun at the McChord Field Main Gate until May 2. Both projects might have significant impact on traffic entering and exiting JBLM. Information on both of these projects can be found on the JBLM Homepage on the Web at http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/des/le_home.htm. For information contact IMWE-LEW-ESPM at 966-3930.

The McChord Field Woodbrook Housing Gate has reopened. Operating hours will be extended during McChord Field Main Gate construction. The gate will be open 5 a.m.to 7 p.m., seven days a week through May 2.

The McChord Field North Gate will operate extended hours, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except weekends and federal holidays. The extended operating hours will continue through May 2, to accommodate construction at the McChord Field Main Gate.

Eighth Street at A Street and South Drive on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lewis North is closed to widen 8th Street to provide a smooth transition to South Drive. This project will continue approximately one more week and should have little impact on inbound traffic entering I Gate off the DuPont-Steilacoom Road entering Lewis North.

A traffic circle is being installed at the intersection of A Street and 17th Street on Lewis North, to be finished April 15, dependent on weather conditions.

Drivers using Jackson Avenue near Madigan Army Medical Center should expect delays for a few months as contractors begin repairing a one-mile stretch of road from the barricades near the Madigan Gate to Transmission Line Road. Construction begins Monday and ends in August. The project consists of two phases – the first phase involves repairing cracks and potholes and will be completed in early summer, and the second phase consisting of placing an overlay on the road during the night finishes in August.

“We will do the overlay at night to have less of an impact on traffic,” said Directorate of Public Works Project Manager Matt Weeks. Incoming and outgoing traffic will be reduced to one lane at certain times during the project. More information about traffic revision updates and construction changes will come as the contractor announces them. For road conditions, call 967-1733.

Calendar

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

• May 27, DONSA

• May 30, Memorial Day

• June 17, DONSA

• July 1, DONSA

• July 4, Independence Day

• Aug. 12, DONSA

• Sept. 2, DONSA

• Sept. 5, Labor Day

Classes at McChord

Applying-for-defense-contractor class begins Tuesday. Interview skills, Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m., JBLM McChord Field, Airman and Family Readiness Center Annex, Building 551, Barnes Boulevard. Please register: 982-2695/2948 or 967-3538.

Cage Warrior Combat

Buy your tickets now for Cage Warrior Combat Live at Soldiers Field House Saturday. Limited VIP and reserve seating tickets are available at Leisure Travel Services, AFC Arena at Lewis Main.

For ticket prices and information, call 967-3085.

Women’s history

Madigan Healthcare System will be celebrating Women’s History Month. Join us Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Letterman Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Our History Is Our Strength.” The special guest speaker will be Professor Sylvia A. Maine. Food sampling will follow. For information, e-mail Marikian.copeland@us.army.mil.

Parenting classes

Classes for expecting parents are available the second Monday of every month, from 9 to 10 a.m., in the Sakakini Conference room at Madigan Army Medical Center, near the Labor and Delivery Ward.

This class is for all parents in need of extra help and education on resources and information. For information, call Medical Social Work at 968-2303.

Bench Press 2011

JBLM Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Branch presents the 2011 JBLM annual Bench Press and Bench Your Weight contests April 2 at Soldiers Field House. Deadline for entry is March 21; turn in entry forms to McVeigh Sports & Fitness Center’s front desk, Bldg. 2160.

Pick up entry forms at JBLM Sports & Fitness centers. For more information, call 966-2631 or 967-5869.

Alcohol awareness

To promote healthy drinking habits, Tricare has a website to combat alcohol abuse and promote responsible drinking at www.tricare.mil/alcoholawareness.

Family scholarships

The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund is accepting 2011 scholarship applications through March 25. Applications can be downloaded from www.fortlewisscholarship.com/. Applicants are encouraged to use the fill-in form.

Family members of active-duty Soldiers, retirees and surviving family members are eligible to receive scholarships without regard to the income level of the family or the rank of the servicemember. The applicant remains anonymous until the process is complete. The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund typically awards more than $20,000 per year, which comes from charitable donations from many sources. Applications are judged on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to essay responses, grades, community involvement and leadership.

For questions about the scholarship, inquire at ftlewisfamilyscholarship@hotmail.com/.

Brewfest at McChord Brewfest returns to the McChord Field Club and Community Center Field March 25 starting at 4:30 p.m. The evening includes samples from the 2011 home-brew competition, local microbrew samples, food, fun and announcement of home-brew competition winners.

Change of command

The 6250th U. S. Army Hospital, an Army Reserve unit located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will change command April 3. Colonel David G. Thomas will relinquish command of the hospital to incoming Col. Estela Hamblen. At the same time, Command Sgt. Maj. John Jimenez will transfer responsibility as senior enlisted advisor to the commander to Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Myers.

The ceremony will be held at the Allen Reserve Center on JBLM Lewis Main. Point of contact is Lt. Col. Ronald Eardley at 966-8724.

Kid’s Fest signups

The cost is $10 for club members, $15 for non members. Call the club at 982-0718. Children ages 7 to 18 may sign up for a weeklong performance workshop during spring break and perform at the annual JBLM Kids’ Fest.

The workshop meets March 28 to April 1, 1 to 4 p.m. at Bowl Arena Lanes party room. Instructors Paul and Elizabeth Stierle will teach participants to write songs, skits and jokes, perform dance routines, and assemble costumes and set pieces. The children receive CDs of the music they create. Participants will perform two shows at Kids’ Fest March 31.

The cost is $40 per child. Register in person at Bowl Arena Lanes, JBLM Lewis Main. Space is limited. Call 967-6395.

Green cleaners

Learn to “Clean the Green Way” at McChord Library’s free workshop March 26 at 2 p.m. See demonstrations on easy ways to make air fresheners, cleaners and insect repellents at home. Call 982-3454.

Win greens fees

Compete in Whispering Firs Golf Course’s Spring Break March 19 to 20 at JBLM McChord Field. The winner will come away with an annual greens fee good at both Whispering Firs and Eagles Pride golf courses.

The entry fee is $100; register by March 18 at Whispering Firs. Competition is open to eligible golfers with a GHIN handicap.

Call the pro shop at 982-4927 for details.

Free movies

The theater at McChord Field has reopened for free weekend movies. This weekend, see “Tron: Legacy” at 4 p.m. Saturday, “The Fighter” at 7 p.m. Saturday, and “Lilo and Stitch” at 4 p.m. Sunday.

For the complete schedule, visit www.JBLMmwr.com.

Tot skate Wednesday

Parents and their tots can watch a family movie, meet other families and bring strollers out on the skate floor during AFC Arena’s Wednesday stroller and tot skate 9 to 11 a.m. Skates are $1 per person; rollerblades are $2 per person.

Call 967-4458 for information.

Women’s history

There will be a Women’s History Observance March 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McChord Collocated Club. The guest speaker will be Honorable Tamara Jenkins, mayor, city of DuPont. It is requested that all attendees RSVP to either Sgt. 1st Class Scott Angle at scott.a.angle@conus.army.mil or Veda Pearson, alverta.pearson@us.army.mil.

Court closed

Soldiers Field House basketball courts will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 12 for the MMA Cage Fights. The remainder of the facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Job recruitment

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc, a Lacey Xerox Company, will recruit customer service agents March 15, 22, 29, April 5 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the JBLM Employment Readiness Program located in the ACS Annex, Building 2166, the corner of S. 12th Street and Liggett Avenue. Start application process at https://acs-inc.evolvondemand.net/offline/1965 Information: Joyce 360-923-8656 or Andrea 360-923-8654.

Computer classes

Giant Campus offers free training to all DOD ID cardholders. You can get a refresher in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint or sharpen your skills in Web design, digital photography, and Facebook. All classes are available online through self paced tutorials.

AFAS scholarships

Concerned about the soaring cost of higher education for your children?

Maybe the Air Force Aid Society can help. Under its General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program, AFAS awards $2,000 each to selected applicants.

The program continues to be offered to sons and daughters of Air Force active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reservists with 20 or more qualifying years of service, and deceased Air Force members.

Air Force spouses (residing stateside) of active duty and Title 10 AGR/Reservists on extended active duty and surviving spouses of deceased members are also eligible candidates.

Don’t think you won’t qualify. For more information and an application, visit the Air Force Aid Society’s website at www.afas.org/.

McChord Field USO

Stop by the USO on McChord Field located next to the passenger terminal, Bldg 1183.

The USO is open Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The USO has a snack bar consisting of donuts, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, coffee and more.

There is Internet access, television and an Xbox. All DOD card holders are welcome and everything is free. Call 982-1100 for more information or www.facebook.com/USOPSA or www.usopsa.org/.

Child care provider

Looking for a fun, rewarding job? Become a family child care provider and make a difference in the lives of military children and their families. FCC providers earn up to $2,000 a month, may qualify for subsidies, and receive free child care while in training and free resources for your business.

Learn about FCC at a March 8 orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at the FCC office in building 2013B. Full-day training classes meet March 14 to 18 and March 21.

Best deals on travel

Leisure Travel Services is hosting Passport to Travel at Army Family Covenant Arena Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The travel show features the best discounts for military members and their families, military retirees and DOD civilians. Vendors include inns, resorts, hotels, theme parks, cruise lines, tourism and visitor info and more. Call Leisure Travel Services at 967-3085.

T-birds military night

The Seattle Thunderbirds of the Canadian Hockey League will host a military night Saturday, March 19 at ShoWare Center in Kent. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.

New Soldiers will take the ice during the first intermission for a mass swearing-in ceremony. Discounted premium seats are available to all active-duty and retired military members, their families and friends. Go to tickets.seattlethunderbirds.com and click on “Apply discount” under the promotion “Strong.”

Rideshare winners

As part of JBLM’s goal to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, a salute and some cash to those who carpool, vanpool, bus or bike to work. Congratulations to the winners who received a $100 American Express gift card for sharing the ride during January 2011 instead of driving alone to work. January winners: Carlos Urias, Department of Psychiatry, 14 vanpool trips; Jennifer Hampton, Refractive Surgery Center, 20 carpool trips; Capt. Marlin Causey, General Surgery, 21 bicycle trips, and Kimberly Todd, Dental Clinic No. 2, 18 vanpool trips.

Be part of the solution and win cash and prizes. Enter to win every month through August 2011 by logging your daily commute at PierceTrips.com. Find a ride-match, register online at www.rideshareonline.com. For information, contact Makieda Hart at 967-7301.

Swimming lessons

Does your child know how to swim? Kimbro Pool provides American Red Cross preschool and learn-to-swim lessons. For more information and registration details, call 967-5026.

St. Patty’s Day run

Sign up now for the JBLM St. Patty’s Day Run Saturday at Memorial Park. Packet pick-up begins at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K and 10K runs start at 9 a.m.

Register through WebTrac online at JBLMmwr.com by Tuesday at noon; no registration accepted on race day. For details, call 967-4768/2604.

Volunteer for Seafair

Seafair is looking for volunteers June 25, July 24 and July 30 for a variety of festival events and programs. Deadline is March 15.

Individual volunteers can sign up directly on the website www.seafair.com/volunteer. Groups should call or e-mail Eric Corning, (206) 728-0123 ext. 110 or corning@seafair.com.

Child care registration

To decrease unauthorized, unqualified child care on JBLM, the Family Child Care program has announced an amnesty program, allowing individuals not certified by FCC an opportunity to register with Child and Youth Services without penalty.

Applications are available at the FCC office in Building 2013B, 3rd and Pendleton. FCC providers earn up to $2,000 a month and receive free business training, free child care while being trained and free resources for their FCC businesses. If you are currently providing child care in your home, to start the certification process contact the FCC at 967-3039.

Discount golf

Take advantage of daily specials at Whispering Firs Golf Course during customer appreciation week March 14 to 18. Specials vary each day and include unlimited golf, half-price greens fees and power carts, plus Habañero Mexican Grill discounts. Visit www.JBLMmwr.com under “Golf.”

A night of comedy

Join the McChord Field Community Center for a night of fun at Jet City Improv in Seattle Saturday. The $15 fee includes roundtrip transportation and admission. Call 982-0718 by Monday to register.

Another comedy night

On March 26 at 6 p.m., Grace Gospel Service will host a comedy extravaganza focusing on Soldiers and families. Grace helps maintain the spiritual focus of Soldiers and promotes strong families.

This event aims at uniting people through comedy with a message. Join us for an evening of fun, music, fellowship and family entertainment, featuring comedians Broderick Rice, Lady D. Hooker and Brad Stine. Call 967-1723.

Sounders tickets

Leisure Travel Services has a selection of Seattle Sounders Football Club tickets on sale for $30 on upper-level sections 304 and 340 for all games. Seats are all-inclusive with stadium snacks and beverages. The home opener is Tuesday against L.A. Galaxy. For more information, call Leisure Travel Services at 967-3085.

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.