News
The Evergreen State College (TESC), a public liberal arts school in Olympia, has more than 200 veterans currently enrolled, and although that only accounts for five percent of its undergraduate student population, the college is dedicated to improving things for its former military students. In 2008, they formed a veteran peer
Jobs & Education
Madigan Army Medical Center is taking its services out into the community. More specifically, members of the Adolescent Medicine Division are heading into local schools that boast large military student populations. The school-based clinics, which are now available at Lakes High School within the Clover Park School District and both Steilacoom
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"We would not be able to do what we do without donations and volunteers," said Thomasina Cooper, development director for SafePlace Olympia. SafePlace Olympia is an advocacy agency and confidential shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Thurston County. It offers support groups, legal advocacy, emergency shelter and
Music
Nature versus nurture, either way the woman can sing. "I was exposed to a lot of different styles of music by my mom and dad - he's still a musician - and I really grew up with music always playing in the house," said local legend Kim Archer. Archer has been singing
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When the Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) was founded over three decades ago, the intent was to represent area residents who were dealing with disabilities to include multiple sclerosis, deaf and hard of hearing, blind and low vision and mental health. Since the TACID Center opened its
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If all you want for Christmas is a great live concert, the Groovin' Higher Orchestra is the answer and they'd prefer not to be wrapped. "I started the band in 2000, and before that I had been on the road playing various types of music, from rock to Motown," said local
News Front
Training on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, McChord Field got even more realistic this past weekend. Sunday, Dec. 8, the Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS) and Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) executed a new level of training in order to maintain their mission qualifications. The two units, which work together routinely downrange, are tightly tethered.
Arts
Stumped on what to buy the soldier or airman in your life? 2013 was another record year in publishing for military books, from historical to contemporary, and placing an order is just a click away at Amazon or a trip away at Barnes and Noble. Also, most titles are available
Heroes & Awards
"When you are representing a veteran or even someone still on active-duty, someone who has served their country and done something so amazing, it is truly humbling," stated attorney Alex Frix, who started his career as a public defender in 2006 and currently works in the Thurston County Office of
Recreation
While the sport of paintball was only invented around 1970, it has rapidly grown in popularity and profile since then, as Sgt. Christopher Mooney of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, can attest. Mooney and fellow Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier Spc. Lonnie Austin are members of the U.S.
Health
If given the choice between an all-expense paid fishing trip or sitting in a therapy session, the pioneering Rivers of Recovery program, which helps combat veterans, is willing to bet there's actually no choice. Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Sgt. Kurt Erickson went out on a Rivers of Recovery trip in August after
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No one deserves to go hungry, whether it is over the holidays or on any given Tuesday. That's why the Thurston County Food Bank needs your help; the need is always present. The Thurston County Food Bank provides food for 400 families within the county every day. The downtown location, 220
Benefits & Deals
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the current projected percentage of veterans who are women is 10 percent. That number rises to almost 12 percent when looking at just the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Either way, the percentages have more than doubled since 1990, when only
People Rule
Thursday, Nov. 21, Master Sgt. Levester Charles, Sr. was awarded the Brandman University 2013 Soldier Scholar Award in recognition of his achievements both in the classroom and in the military. "I would always go and talk with them and get extra attention, so they knew me in the office," joked Charles
Military Life
By the time some reality shows enter a ninth season, viewers are bored and finding participants to be on camera is even tougher. Yet Operation Rising Star, the Army Entertainment singing competition, is still going strong and Pfc. Kiari Mhoon is grateful. He is also talented and that's why Joint Base
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"The Season of Caring is getting underway and we are officially accepting donor registrations and requests from those in need," said Cindy Evans, Volunteer Center senior associate with the United Way of Pierce County. United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the worldwide network of nearly 1,800 community-based
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"This is a busy time of year and it could get busier," said Jeff Klein, development director for the Emergency Food Network in Lakewood. Klein was alluding to the pending Farm Bill, which could cut monthly food stamps by approximately $36 less for a family of four. "We are going
Jobs & Education
The passion to teach and the ability to relate to her students is what set one local professor apart. "I feel I can relate to our mostly military student population since I've experienced both serving and supporting my soldier as a family member. I understand how difficult it can be to
People Rule
Airman Dominic Luka, 28, is poised to begin his military career and start a new chapter in his life. However, the Air Force trainee, who is currently assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing's Development and Training Flight, has already led a life that some may find unbelievable. Luka, who is originally
Benefits & Deals
Mike Tassin, veterans services manager for Tacoma Goodwill, is making a difference by helping hundreds of local veterans find employment. For Tassin, who served eight years in the Army, helping fellow veterans was a natural decision. During a 2003 deployment, while on humanitarian missions delivering food and other supplies to the
