Community Ledger, Oct. 7

JBLM gate and road construction

Liggett Avenue

Public Works announced plans to shut down Liggett Avenue between Division and 12th Streets for 45 days of construction. The project start date depends on the contract, but PW expects work to begin between Oct. 10 and 15.

The closure will include the intersection of Liggett and Division, but !2th Street and the intersection at Liggett and 12th will remain open.

Parking areas along that length of Liggett Avenue will be blocked. Most of the parking areas have access from other directions, but parking will be blocked completely in front of and west of McVeigh Sports and Fitness Center and across the street from I Corps Headquarters, Building 2025.

Parking for McVeigh will be in the rear and on the north side of Liggett, which can be accessed from Pendleton. While Liggett is under construction, the contractor is required to provide access from the parking area north of Liggett to McVeigh at, or near the location of the current McVeigh crosswalk.

Pendleton Avenue Construction to upgrade the road substructure under Pendleton Avenue near the Town Center on JBLM Lewis Main will be completed in a few months. Pendleton between 8th and 12th streets will be closed daily for construction from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Access to offices and other buildings will be maintained. Traffic will be detoured to Liggett Avenue during construction hours. Officials are working to mitigate noise impact to Town Center residents.

This is the first of several major construction projects on two miles of Pendleton Avenue during the next 18 months, as crews widen the road and upgrade communication, power and water lines underneath. The widened avenue will result in better traffic flow, parking and facility access, creating a friendlier environment for bikes and pedestrians. For more information, visit the Pendleton Avenue website at www.jblmpendleton.com.

North Gate Road

Road repairs on the JBLM North Gate Road (Huggins Meyer Road SW), a 1.7 mile stretch between JBLM Lewis North’s D Street Gate and Lakewood, will continue through today. Commuters who normally use North Gate Road will be detoured through Lakewood and Steilacoom.

The D Street Gate on JBLM Lewis North will remain open throughout the road repair projects. Emergency vehicles will have access through the construction site for emergencies. Clover Park School buses will also have access to transit through the construction site.

Upon completion of the North Gate Road repairs, East Drive will close for repairs. East Drive repairs include adding a right turn lane and a traffic signal. Repairs to East Drive are expected to take approximately 90 days.

These road repair projects were designed to improve roadway surfaces, increase traffic mobility, and create a safer driving environment for the community.

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:

• Oct. 7, DONSA

• Oct. 10, Columbus Day

• Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day

• Nov. 14, DONSA

• Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day

• Nov. 25, DONSA

• Dec. 23, DONSA

• Dec. 25, Christmas Day

• Dec. 26, Christmas holiday

• Dec. 30, DONSA

• Jan. 1, New Year’s Day

• Jan. 2, New Year holiday

Troops to Teachers

The Troops to Teachers program enriches the quality of American education by helping to place mature, motivated, experienced and dedicated personnel in our nation’s classrooms.

TTT also provides tuition assistance for teacher certification and a bonus for teaching in a high needs school. If you want to continue serving your country as a teacher, contact TTT to find out how.

A representative is at Stone Education Center, JBLM, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Tim Bomke, Wash./Ore. state director at tbomke@mpttt.org or call 973-9775. See story on Page A-11.

555 DFAC reopening

The Cannon & Castle Dining Facility grand reopening will be Oct 25 at 11 a.m.; 555th Engineer Brigade Commander Col. Mike Brobeck, Command Sgt. Maj. Elmo Lichenauer and other 555th unit commanders will attend the reopening ceremony. Soldiers are encouraged to attend.

The DFAC is Building 12638 on North Fort off D Street and 12th Street.

More ASIST workshops

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is a two-day, 16-hour workshop that trains you to become an effective caregiver for a person at risk of suicide. It helps you perform suicide first aid, and assist the person to stay safe and to seek further help.

ASIST is an interactive workshop that equips you to recognize invitations for help, reach out and offer support, review the risks of suicide, apply a suicide intervention model and link the person at risk to community resources.

Evaluations have shown that the workshop increases a caregiver’s knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to a person at risk of suicide.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Suicide Prevention Office has added more sessions in response to the demand: Oct. 13-14, Oct. 20-21, Nov. 3-4, Nov. 17-18, Dec. 8-9, Dec. 15-16.

All workshops are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at JBLM Lewis North. The dress is civilian casual.

Call the JBLM Suicide Prevention Office to sign up for an ASIST T-2 class. Call JBLM Suicide Prevention Office at 477-0259.

Recycle, aid unit funds

Through Oct. 31, units can take their cans to the JBLM Lewis Main recycle center to participate in the Aluminum Can Challenge. The recycle center is located behind the JBLM Lewis Main commissary. Units are categorized as small, medium, and large.

As of Sept. 27, participants have collected almost 1,800 pounds. To track your progress, go to http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/publicworks/sites/envir/aluminumcanchallenge.htm.

First, second and third prizes can be won by each category: 1st prize $500, 2nd prize $300, and 3rd prize $200. Most Consistent Recycler (unit) of the Year will be awarded $600 for their unit fund. Directorates can now compete for $300 of activities from Northwest Adventure Center.

Units must have a unit fund account with DFMWR and must also provide the name of a unit POC with Miriam Easley at 966-1734.

Roller derby action

Come to Terror on the Rink featuring the GI Janes vs. the Bombshell Betties, Oct. 15 at Summit Skating Rink, Joint Base Lewis-McChord for interleague championship action.

Doors open at 5 p.m., wheels roll at 6 p.m. Buy tickets from a derby girl for $10 before the bout or $12 at the door or purchase at http://brownpapertickets.com/. You can also contact Gloria Sass at 219-1181.

Clean Morey Pond

Make a difference in the environment with the Air Force’s “Live Green” Morey Pond Clean-Up, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Meet at the McChord Community Center parking lot, Building 700 at McChord Field. Volunteers will be provided waders, gloves, snacks and water, plus cleaning equipment.

For information, call 982-0718/0719.

Clean air meeting

In winter, you might be breathing unhealthy levels of fine particle pollution. The Tacoma-Pierce County Clean Air Task Force is hosting an open house to gather ideas about how to improve air quality by reducing pollution from wood burning, industry, transportation and other sources. This could lead to new rules about burning wood. Share your ideas about solutions at cleanairpiercecounty.org.

Attend Oct. 20, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Tacoma’s South End Community Center, 7802 So. L St. or Oct. 24, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Puyallup Public Library, 324 S. Meridian. For information call (855) 360-0660.

Ride Mystery Train

Help find out “who dunnit” on the Chehalis-Centralia’s Murder Mystery Dinner Train Ride Oct. 23. While you feast on a prime rib, baked salmon or chicken cordon bleu dinner, you play the detective with clues and entertainment. Sign up with the McChord Community Center by Oct. 15; only 12 seats are available. The cost is $62 for adults and $30 for children, which includes transportation, admission, dinner and dessert. Call 982-0718/0719 for sign-up details.

Ride Pumpkin Train

Hop aboard a vintage train for a Pumpkin Train Ride Oct. 22 with the McChord Community Center. Dress in costumes for a prize contest before you board the train. Children receive a small pumpkin and treat bag. Sign up with the McChord Community Center by Oct. 15; only 12 seats are available.

Free UFC action

Catch UFC 136 action at no charge at Heroes Lounge inside Cascade Community Center Oct. 8. Fights begin at 6 p.m.; doors open early.

Cascade Community Center is located in Building 2400 on Bitar and S. Division; for more information, call 964-0331.

Put down that cell

Law Enforcement personnel will begin issuing district court violation notices (i.e., federal magistrate court ticket) for using cell phones while driving on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

This will require the violator to pay a $75 fine or go to court to argue before the magistrate judge. Those who opt to continue using cell phones while driving must use a hands-free device to avoid a ticket. Repeat offenders risk losing installation driving privileges at the discretion of the garrison commander.

Legal assistance hours

The hours of operation on Tuesdays and Thursdays have changed for the JBLM Lewis Main Legal Assistance Office. Hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will remain the same.

The new hours are as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for attorney services and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for notary and power-of-attorney services. Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for attorney services, notary and power-of-attorney services. For questions, call 477-1875.

HSO hours change

Due to manpower reductions, effective immediately, the Housing Services Office customer service hours of operation are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition, hours of operation the last Thursday of every month are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

These hours apply to both HSO customer service locations: 5128 Pendleton Ave, Lewis Main and 553 Barnes Blvd, McChord Field.

Customers are advised that service wait times could exceed 20 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. due to reduced staffing during those times.

We regret the inconvenience to our customers. Customers with housing emergencies when the HSO is closed should contact the HSO Branch Chief at 509-8666.

Skeet Range closed

The skeet range at JBLM is closed for renovation until further notice. Contact the Northwest Adventure Center at 967-6263 for more information.

Teen photo contest

Teens 13 to 18, show off your photography skills at the “Aw, Snap!” photo challenge at the McChord Library. Submit one photograph per category — animal kingdom, nature and haunting scenes through Oct. 16. Library patrons will vote on their favorites Oct. 18 to 20, and the winner will be announced Oct. 21 at the “Teen Minute to Win it Challenge.”

For more information, call 982-3454.

Community Café

Community Café is a quick way for spouses new to the military to make friends and get information about services at JBLM McChord Field.

This fun round-table event, held at the Escape Zone, Building 841, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will give you tools for a seamless transition into the military. Experts from a wide range of fields will be available for open question and answers.

Call the A&FRC at 982-2695 to register. Onsite child care and lunch is available.

Digital photo contest

ID cardholders at JBLM are invited to enter your best digital photos in the 2011 Army Digital Photo Contest Monday through Oct. 16.

Submit your digital photos in the categories within your division groups, including active duty, civilians, Family members and retirees. Entries will be judged and winners receive prizes and recognitions.

For entry details, visit https://apps.imcom.army.mil/APPTRAC when the site is activated Monday. You must have a current CAC card or AKO account.

Library to close

Crittenberger Library services will cease operation Oct. 15. Services will relocate to Grandstaff Library at Lewis Main, Bldg 2109 N. 10th and Pendleton, and to McChord Library, Bldg. 851, Lincoln Blvd. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Stone Ed. tests set

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord David L. Stone Testing Center will be giving the following tests. If interested, contact our testing center at 967-5657. Contact us prior to the testing session you wish to attend:

ACT: Oct. 18. Test begins at 9 a.m.

ASE (certification for auto professionals): Nov. 10, 15 and 17, times to be announced.

Praxis (teacher licensure and certification): Nov. 15, time to be announced. Registration deadline Tuesday. Fee $50.

DANTES funds only one administration of the Praxis I: PPST (complete or partial) and one administration of the Praxis II: Subject Assessments, which includes the PLT, per lifetime at a DANTES Test Site for military personnel.

Bench press, deadlift

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Branch presents the 2011 JBLM annual Bench Press and Deadlift Championships Oct. 22 at Soldiers Field House, Building 3236. Deadline for entry is Monday. Admission is free. Pick up entry forms at JBLM Sports and Fitness Centers. Call 967-5869.

EFMP movies monthly

The McChord Theater is showing sensory-friendly matinee movies to EFMP Families on the third Saturday of each month at noon. The lights are turned up and the sound is turned down! Families will see the same Saturday movie as the 4 p.m. matinee.

For more information, call 982-2695.

Ride to Sounders

Join other soccer fans for a trip to the Oct. 15 Sounders FC home game in Seattle. The McChord Community Center van leaves the parking lot at 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game. $35 for transportation and admission. Sign up no later than Oct. 12. Remember your soccer scarf! Call 982-0718/0719.

Fire Safety Fair

The JBLM Department of Emergency Services and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation present the Fire Safety Fair Oct. 15 In the MWR Fest Tent behind Bowl Arena Lanes at Lewis Main.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., receive free hot dog lunches and giveaways, play games, learn how to prevent fires in your home and pick up fire safety tips.

Cascade fun days

Visit Heroes Lounge at Cascade Community Center, JBLM Lewis Main for Sunday football from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., iPlay iWin Bingo Tuesdays for cash prizes from 7 to 9 p.m., “Beirut” games Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and “Finally Friday” for draft deals, cheap eats and karaoke starting at 4 p.m. Call 964-0331 for details. Cascade Community Center is in Building 2400, Bitar and S. Division.

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.