This is your daily introduction to the community.

HOMESCHOOLS: If you are doing school in your home, you should know about this blog in the state - the Homeschool Blogger.

MAGAZINE: A new spouses magazine for JBLM debuts next week - completely done via email.  To be on the free subscriber list, click here.

TREEHOUSE HOTELS: We have a lot of trees around these parts, so you can expect to find a few places offering stays in treehouses.  This story from Budget Travel highlights a place in Issaquah that a couple of our staff stayed at and gave high reviews to - very romantic they said.

We are glad you live here, if even just for awhile.  Here are some ways to get to know us better.

ROAD TRIP: Mt. Hood in Oregon is like our Mt. Rainier - a visual reminder that living in the Pacific Northwest has its advantages.  Here is a great blog about Hood, and all of the reasons to visit it while you are here.

ONLINE SITE TO KNOW: Tacoma Mama offers great daily updates on things to do with your children.  It's a go-to site for arts and crafts, library programs and much more.  Find the site here.

DANCING IN ROY: The Old General Saloon in Roy offers steaks and line dancing to name a few. Check them out at the Weekly Volcano.

Welcome to the Neighborhood - your daily introduction to the South Sound.

OVER THE FENCE: The Puget Sound often hosts a variety of comedic talent. Recently, Steve Martin appeared in town, and last year Jeff Dunham made a pit stop in Washington. While Seattle has the vast majority of comedy clubs in the state, there are a few a little closer to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  A list of clubs is here.

DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE YET? Ovation Academy - an arts school in DuPont (across I-5 from the DuPont Gate to JBLM). Aside from fine arts classes for school-aged children, there are pre-school sessions that run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. five days a week, and KinderMusic classes are available for infants.  See story here.

DO SOMETHING: The Wilson Hi-Tech Recreation Center, located in building 11596, D St. and 41st Division on JBLM main, features a reading room, pool tables, electronic shuffle board, air hockey, gaming computers a home theater and video games. Hours are Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. For more information call 253-967-7471.

LINK: Going on a sleigh ride.

LINK: We Know Restaurants

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Interested In The Bomb Squad?: Check this out.

AfPak War: Corruption, shortage of mentors hinder Afghan forces.

Threats: The Petting Zoo of Death.

What's Up With Watada?: The Army discharged him, that's what.

Happy Birthday, TARP: Up to $200 billion is on us.

Weather Report: Typhoon Parma slams into Philippines.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Today In Bad Names: Fort Dix will now be known as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Cool: Laser gunship blowtorches truck.

Helpful: Financial checklist for deployment.

Success Against al-Qaeda Cited: Infiltration of network is a factor as Administration debates Afghanistan policy.

American Economy: Jobless report is worse than expected; rate rises to 9.8 percent.

Not Good: Philippines braces for new storm.

How They Do It In Texas: Five-year-old boy kills 800 pound alligator.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Good Soldier: The story of Pat Tillman.

Video Fix: Boeing Airborne Laser aircraft zaps missile.

Limited User Test: Army puts advanced battle gear to the test.

Report: A-Rod to avoid penalty on PEDs.

Bastards: The Guatemalan army stole at least 333 children and sold them for adoption in other countries.

Oh, That's Horrible: Vampire Diaries actresses flashed drivers.

Not Army Material

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Europe: Marks 70th anniversary of WWII beginning.

Face Of Defense: Soldier set to wrestle world heavyweights.

Gates: Hearts Strike Fighter, but sorry, no second engine.

Peter Callaghan: 2009 Tour of Tacoma Endangered Landmarks.

Well, OK: Iran has new nuclear proposal.

Stunning Election Win: Japan faces revolution in governance, not policy.

Still Burning: Firefighters in California work to protect homes.

Recipe For Disaster: Drivers in Samoa must switch to the left side.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD AFTERNOON SOUTH SOUND >>>

Package GBIs In A Truck Container: Boeing proposes politics-dodging military defense system.

Bad Guys: Iraqis arrest 10 on terrorism charges

MullenTube: Joint Chiefs chairman is using YouTube for a virtual town hall.

You Think?: FCC launches three-pronged probe into wireless industry.

You Think II: Cop fired for taking photo of armed, scantily clad waitress on patrol car.

Well, Of Course: Despite low turn-out and 50 deaths, observers call Afghanistan elections a "success."

At Least He's Optimistic: Fed chairman Ben Bernanke sees a positive global economic outlook.

The New War On Drugs: Mexico legalizes drug possession.

Not Army Material

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

FOB Tacoma: Now with more stuff.

PLA: Kicks off largest long-range tactical military exercise.

Next Generation Loudspeaker System: It's going to get confusing.

Africa Command: Helping countires face common challenges.

Holy Moses!: It's going to be louder.

Not Cool: Señora Monica

Yeah, And We Just Traveled Through A Chinese Tunnel In Tacoma: Sarah Palin responds that death panels are real.

Why Are We Not Surprised: Let the swiftboating begin.

Consumers Aren't In The Mood: Not feeling a recovery.

They Probably Don't Give A Crap: WTO rules against China.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Iraq: Stryker route clearance teams clear roads for soldiers, local civilians.

On Hold: Hate crimes trumps F-22.

Face of Defense: Army's Grill Sergeant' takes on culinary hero.

We Will Be Able To Drive Faster!: DOT awards contract for I-5 carpool lanes.

Lowballing Jobless Numbers: U.S. jobless claims slump on timing of auto shutdowns.

Sotomayor Cruising: Testimony likely to wrap up today.

Talking About Giant Steps: Today is the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 11 mission.

Halt! Drop That Penguin!: Penguin deaths prompt sniper aid.

Not Army Material