When the summer season’s first shipment of Copper River salmon arrived from Alaska May 17 to the delight of seafood lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest, an Air Force Reservist assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing knew just how to cook it up.

There will be no shortage of entertainment at this year’s Armed Forces Day celebration at Joint Base Lewis-McChord May 18.

NAC open house

TENINO — Terril Keary doesn’t look like a stereotypical wine maker. Sporting a Hawaiian shirt and Seattle Seahawks visor, the Thurston County vintner serves up samples of his wines from behind the bar in his Tenino tasting room, just south of Yelm.

LeMay Wine and Chocolate Affair

Playwright Gregory Burke’s assignment to help commission The National Theatre of Scotland in 2004 was to find a contemporary issue that could translate into a stage production. His work found him at a pub talking with Scottish veterans of the Iraq war.

Spring officially began March 20, but for most young children, the first sign of the new season usually includes a sturdy basket, loads of candy and a race to find brightly colored eggs.

It’s that time of year again as green beer flows into pints for the many that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Sunday. But where to go to enjoy a good drink, some delicious food and maybe a bit of Celtic music?

Planning a vacation can become a chore, but thanks to Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Leisure Travel Services, the only difficulty will be deciding where to go: Oregon coast? Hawaii? A cruise?

Skiing, boarding trip to Mission Ridge

With the largest concentration of microbreweries in the nation, the Pacific Northwest embraces the culture of making your own beer.

In 1957, military service member and Tacoma native George Chihuly was killed in a Navy training accident. His parents and his 16-year-old brother were devastated.

Snowshoe outing on Hurricane Ridge

In partnership with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate, the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra will perform a free family concert Saturday at Evergreen Theater on 2nd Division Drive, Lewis Main.

Absorbing the wonder of the holiday season can involve many different activities, from caroling to baking to watching Christmas lights. Neighboring towns and cities offer the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community the opportunity to see impressive light displays that deliver affordable family entertainment close to home.

Fantasy Lights

The weather is changing, and while it might not look like a winter wonderland around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the mountain ranges in the area are gettiing a good dose of the white stuff. The weekend ski season officially opened in Washington on Thanksgiving, and many local ski areas will begin daily operations by mid-December.

Santa’s Reindeer Dash

Several holiday-themed events are happening on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the coming weeks. Here is a list of where to go and what to see during this festive time of year:

A Victorian Country Christmas

Now in its 47th year, the city of Auburn will host its annual Veterans Day parade Nov. 10 beginning at 11 a.m. The one-mile parade route travels through downtown Auburn along Main Street to A Street NW.

Veterans Appreciation Day at Northwest Trek

Prepare to be scared.

JBLM Harvest Fest and Costume Show-n-Share When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 4 to 7 p.m. Where: Hillside Youth Center Teen Zone, 6397 Garcia Blvd. on Lewis Main What: Game booths and great prizes, pumpkin patch, fun photos, crafts, candy and face painting. Free event for kids up to 5th grade. Call 967-4441 for more details.

Every weekday right about noon, sounds of a trumpet can be heard near the DuPont Gate on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

If you’re looking for a day of fall family fun, here’s a list of local pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides in the South Sound area:

The glitz, the glamour, the nightlife — Las Vegas has it all. And with military discounts for lots of Vegas attractions and venues, Sin City has returned to its roots as an affordable destination. Keep in mind that many of these discounts require a valid military ID card or may only be offered to active duty service members, so remember to get clarification.

The downtown Las Vegas area, known as Fremont Street, is lined with original Vegas casinos and hotels and offers an old Vegas experience. Most hotels have been updated or renovated, but the charm of Fremont Street is its history.

Traveling to another country is often expensive, but with special rates to Victoria, British Columbia available to all active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and their immediate family members, international travel is surprisingly affordable.