Military Life
It's as though Jacob Summers has reinvented himself. Three years ago, Summers was as skinny as a flag pole. He weighed 155 pounds when he joined the Army in 2011. Then, as a way of releasing stress, he started lifting weights. Now he's a solid 200 pounds, is capable of deadlifting 525
Military Life
JBLM's Freedom Park will give families at Joint Base Lewis McChord a focal point this summer, and be the spot for a couple summer parties. "It offers a nice open space community park for families of all ages," said Colin Brooks, Community Activities Specialist JBLM MWR. The park has been open for
News Front
It's official: the zombies are coming. Fortunately, these zombies don't want to eat your brains. They just want to chase you through Fort Steilacoom Park. Your job is to evade and escape. On June 27, the Capt. Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) is sponsoring its Zombie
Military Life
The Steilacoom Historical School District made history last Friday. On the sun-drenched Blair Taylor Athletic Field at Steilacoom High School, more than 120 differently abled children from the district's schools participated in the first Day of Champions' track and field event. "We're so proud to be doing this," exclaimed Kathi Weight, the
News Front
Lacey-based motorcycle dealership Northwest Harley-Davidson will be awarded the American Legion's Employer of Veterans Award for Washington State. Company co-owner Joe Deck will receive the plaque on behalf of Northwest Harley in Spokane during the American Legion Department of Washington's annual convention on July 17. The dealership is also in the
Stage
Watching Agamemnon at Dukesbay Theater opening night was a totally immersive theatrical experience. This is the way theater was in the beginning when many theatrical traditions still in common use were first invented, and it plays as well in 21st century Tacoma as it must have in Greece 2,400 years
Music
Years ago, when I was making my first little excursions into the world of the deeply nerdy and wonderfully heartfelt world of artists like They Might Be Giants, Daniel Johnston, and Jonathan Richman, my dad would poke fun at me by pointing out the frivolity and randomness of their song
News Front
On June 11 and 12, active-duty servicemembers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be treated to a unique experience made possible by the NBA, PlayStation and USO Northwest. JBLM will be the seventh military base visited this year by Hoops for Troops, a two-day program that offers opportunities for military servicemembers to
Archives
Lakewood Playhouse has hit a long ball with its first time at bat this season. The community theater’s staging of Agatha Chirstie’s “The Hollow” simply was entertaining from first line to curtain call. I have to admit that I wasn’t particularly looking forward to seeing the show since I had seen
Archives
THE 11TH HOUR: A dire warning about the demise of planet Earth, presented in a deadening format of talking heads and what often looks like stock nature footage. The doc has a lot of valuable information, but fails to convey it in an effective, involving way. Rent Al Gore’s “An
Archives
Billy Bob Thornton is in full “Bad Santa” mode in “Mr. Woodcock,” an uneasy comedy about an adult who returns home to discover his mother is planning to marry the gym teacher who made his high school days a living hell. The thing about Thornton is, he makes no compromises
Archives
The Brave One How many films have there been about victims of violence who turn into avengers? Charles Bronson made five. Kevin Bacon’s “Death Sentence” was released two weeks ago. How are we supposed to respond to them? When Bronson’s kill count got above 50, why didn’t the scales of justice
Reviews
Cruising down Sixth Avenue in Tacoma, you will pass restaurant after restaurant, but tucked in on the corner of 6th Ave. and one of the many side alleys in Tacoma, you might miss Dirty Oscar's Annex if you're not paying attention. There's not a lot to look at when you
Arts
Are you running out of wall space for your child's artistic creations? Have papers covered with colorful crayon images covering every horizontal surface throughout your home? Can't bring yourself to toss any of junior's masterpieces? Here's a cool alternative to the recycling bin: Opening in June, the Young At Art Gallery,
News Front
Maj. Eric Reid will represent Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a member of the All Army Triathlon team from June 4-8 at the Armed Forces Championship in Hammond, Indiana. An officer with the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, this will be his third year participating in the event. Reid said he's always had
Benefits & Deals
Veterans, whether old timers or recently discharged and living in Thurston County can look forward to a wide range of new services available to them. "There are a lot of big changes coming for vets," said Lou McElroy, chairperson of the Thurston County Veterans' council. For starters, the Tacoma and Federal Way
News
In the very back row of chairs sat Albert Cortes. I sat down next to him. "I feel I should be here to pay my respects," the veteran of the Korean War and 21 years of service quietly said to me. "There are guys here who gave their lives for us, and
Military Life
Going to war can be hard on the body, mind and spirit of the soldier and his or her spouse and children. Derrick Bostic, a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class, said he knows this all too well from personal experience. "I'm on my third marriage," he said. "When you look at
Arts
Every kid loves Legos - those fantastically versatile, brightly colored interlocking little blocks that hurt like nobody's business when you step on them in the dark. Even so, parents love them, too, for the hours of creative play they provide. And how many architects and engineers launched their start building
Music
Even though it shouldn't be, it's a surprise when a musician takes a new direction. We've been conditioned to think of artists in one way or another, so any stray movement is met with derision and disbelief. Straying from what we perceive as an artist's sweet spot is a controversial