Community Ledger, Oct. 14

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 by press time. The closure will include the intersection of Liggett and Division, but 12th 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:

• 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

EFMP Family events

Join the JBLM Exceptional Family Member Program for free group events.

Join other EFMP Families for a trip to the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” dress rehearsal Nov. 23 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Registration deadline is Oct. 21.

Meet the EFMP Coffee Group at Battle Bean in AFC Arena, Building 2275, Liggett Avenue. The group visits every second Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m.

Come out and meet other parents and their children in the EFMP playgroup for chidren 5 and under. CYSS registration is not required, but you must stay on-site with your child. The playgroup meets at Raindrops & Rainbows, Building 8197 every fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m.

For information or to register for any event, call 967-3553 or visit the EFMP Facebook page at www.facebook.com.efmpjblm.

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.

Customer service job

Applied Affiliated Computer Services, Inc, a Xerox Company, located in Lacey and Federal Way, will recruit for customer service agents Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at JBLM Employment Readiness. Employment Readiness is located in the ACS Annex, Building 2166 (corner of S.12th Street and Liggett Avenue).

Start the application process at https://acs-inc.evolvondemand.net/offline/1965 Information: Joyce (360) 923-8656 or Taryn (360) 923-8656.

Learn to hunt ghosts

Are you bold enough to hunt for ghosts? Learn how at the McChord Library’s “Ghost Hunting 101” Saturday at 1 p.m. You’ll learn what really goes bump in the night, what EMF and EVP stand for, plus more.

Students must preregister; go online to JBLMmwr.com under libraries and click on Oct. 15 on the McChord Library calendar to register by email. Call 982-3454 for more details.

Troops to Teachers

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.

Warrior Leader class

The The Henry H. Lind NCO Academy will inprocess Class 002-12 Nov. 2. Students must be present at 6 a.m. at the student parking area adjacent to Building 5999. Sponsors must be present at 6 a.m. at Building 5995.

555 DFAC reopening

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 Lewis North off D Street and 12th Street.

Learn scam tactics

Avoid scams, find legitimate jobs working from home and learn marketing tricks at a free Airman & Family Readiness Center workshop Oct. 28, 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Building 551 at McChord Field. Sign up by calling the A&FRC at 982-2695/0260. Open to all ID cardholders.

Escape Zone hour

The Escape Zone at McChord Field is extending its hours to Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. The Escape Zone offers a place to parents and their children 5 and younger to learn and play together.

The Escape Zone is in Building 841 on Fairway Road. For information, call 982-8590/2695.

More ASIST workshops

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. 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, Saturday 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 Thursday, 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 Saturday; 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.

Force protection

Force protection conditions for Joint Base Lewis-McChord are now posted on the JBLM public website at http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/. This will allow commanders to keep their Soldiers, Airmen, DOD civilians and Family members aware of the current FPCON to raise security awareness. The FPCON can be raised in the event of a specific threat to the installation or upon direction of higher headquarters.

For current FPCON implementing instructions visit the Protection Division website at https://ft.lewis.army.mil/fpat/. For questions contact JBLM ATO/Protection Division Chief Thomas R. Rudd, mailto:thomas.r.rudd@conus.army.mil at 966-9614/677-9752 or JBLM Protection Division deputy chief.

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 Saturday; only 12 seats are available.

Teens ‘Minute’

Teens are invited to the McChord Library’s “Minute to Win It” event Oct. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Teen Read Week. Participants 13 to 18 will compete in 60-second challenges and enjoy free food, beverages and prizes. Registration is required; call 982-3454.

Zombie Walk

Join JBLM’s second annual Zombie Walk Oct. 28 at Shoreline Park. Dress in your zombie best and enjoy a 2-mile walk by American Lake from 5 to 6 p.m.

Participation is free; prizes will be awarded. For information, call 967-4768.

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 contact the HSO branch chief at 509-8666.

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 Sunday. 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.

Online photo contest

All ages are invited to submit photos of your original photography, digital art, two-dimensional art and three-dimensional crafts for viewing online at the 2012 Air Force Arts & Crafts Digital Gallery. Categories are grouped by age and division. Each participant can submit up to three entries per category.

Pick up your entry forms and rules at the McChord Arts & Crafts Center, Building 1121, Barnes Boulevard at McChord Field. Entries must be submitted no later than Dec. 27. For details, call 982-6726.

Digital photo contest

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

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 with CAC card or AKO account password.

Library to close

Crittenberger Library services will cease operation Saturday. 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. (See Page A15).

Join us for Bunco

See what McChord OSC is all about Tuesday at 6 p.m. at McChord Collocated Club. The event is $10 and child care is provided at the Chapel Support Center.

Call (765) 720-4798 with RSVP or questions.

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.