April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
April 21, 2011
Change of Homeport Fair Everett, Washington
April 29th, 2011 Olympic Lodge, Naval Base Kitsap Bermerton Who: Active Duty military members and their families
Childcare will be provided from 6:15pm – 8:45pm at Child Development Center, Jackson Park. Pizza and refreshments served at 6:20pm An MWR van will be standing by to shuttle guests between the parking garage and Olympic Lodge if required due to parking overflow
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Vol. 36, No. 15
3,000 Sailors gone by next year
Navy implements Fleetwide Enlisted Retention Board By MC3 Casey Amdahl The Navy implemented a new quota-based program earlier this month called Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) for Fiscal Year 2012. “Good career management starts with the Sailor first,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW/SCWS/AW) Denise Haynie, Nimitz’ Command Career Counselor. ERB aims to reduce overmanned ratings by 3,000 Sailors by July 31, 2012, said Haynie. According to NAVADMIN 129/11, petty officers, chief petty officers, and senior chief petty officers in certain rates with more than seven years of service and less than 15 years of service, and with a soft end of active obligated service (EAOS) of October 1, 2012 or later will be examined by the program to determine their retention eligibility. The 31 overmanned ratings that are affected by the new instruction are: Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuel) (ABF), Aviation Machinist Mate (AD), Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE), Aerographer’s Mate (AG), Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM), Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS), Aviation Electronics Technician (AT), Naval Air Crewman (AWF, AWR, AWV), Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ), Builder (BU),Construction Electrician (CE), Construction Mechanic (CM), Engineering Aide (EA), Electrician’s Mate (EM-Surface only), Equipment Operator (EO), Electronics Technician (ET-Surface
only), Fire Controlman (FC-Non-Aegis), Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) (GSE), Machinist Mate (MM-Surface only), Mineman (MN), Machinery Repairman (MR), Operations Specialist (OS), Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR), Personnel Specialist (PS), Religious Programs Specialist (RP), Ship’s Serviceman (SH), Sonar Technician (STG-Surface), Steelworker (SW), and Utilitiesman (UT). NAVADMIN 129/11 states that 16,000 Sailors will be examined during this next year for substandard or declining performance of duty, military or civilian conviction or non-judicial punishment, administrative or personnel action for misconduct such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), spouse or child abuse. The new instruction additionally explains that maximum retention quotas will be developed by rating, paygrade, and years of service. Board members will use their judgment to determine the most fully qualified Sailors, with potential for further naval service. Initial quotas will be available May 16. “All Sailors, from E-1 up, should regularly review their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), strive to achieve optimal ASVAB scores – make sure they remain competitive in rate,” said Haynie. Sailors are encouraged to talk to their Divisional or Departmental Career Counselor for questions concerning ERB.
April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
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The Rotary Annual Garage Sale event progresses as shoppers participate in the annual event in Bremerton, Wash. April 16. (Photo by MC3 Nichelle Whitfield)
Nimitz Sailors participate in RAGS event By MC3 Nichelle Whitfield USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors participated in the Rotary Annual Garage Sale (RAGS) community event in East Bremerton April 15. Hosted by four regional Rotary clubs, RAGS is an annual community service event that takes place on the second Saturday every April to raise money for the Kitsap community. “I think it’s important for Nimitz and the community to come together and support one another,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler Airman (AW) Adam Baez. “I feel the community has been so grateful for us since we arrived and this is the part we can do to give back.” Approximately a dozen Nimitz Sailors
ABHAN Adam Baez assits a customer during the R.A.G.S. event. (Photo by MC3 Nichelle Whitfield)
assisted the Rotary club members with set up, moving, price-tagging, and organizing the merchandise everyday leading up to Saturday’s event. “We’ve had an incredible help from the Nimitz,” said Sue Shipley, event volunteer and food coordinator. “They’ve sent us about a dozen people every single day that have come and worked. This young military work force has been stunning, they’ve just been wonderful.” “Four different Rotary clubs participated in this year’s program,” explained Greg Rogers, volunteer for the South Kitsap Rotary Club and head coordinator of the RAGS event. East Bremerton, Bremerton, Silverdale, and the South Kitsap Rotary Clubs hosted the sale. Nimitz volunteer Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Equipment Jessica Pope, Nimitz volunteer, “They see the smiles on our faces and see that we are willing to help out. I think it helps them see us in a different way.” “On average we get about 5,000 people that come on the day of the sale. Everything here will be nearly gone by 10 a.m. in the morning,” said Rogers. “The event sale usually nets between $40,000 and $50,000. We then pay off any bills, and then distribute the money to each Rotary Club to contribute back into the community as they wish,” he said. “I volunteer because people everywhere
need help and if you have a free second, I believe you should use that second for a greater good,” said Nimitz volunteer Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Daniel Powell. “Helping out at a community relations project is time well spent.”
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailor MM1 Bennett and his wife shop thorugh items at the R.A.G.S. event in Bremerton, Washington. (Photo By MC3 Nichelle Whitfield)
April 21, 2011
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Nimitz News
Chaplain’s Corner
Vice Admiral Richard W. Hunt, Commander United States 3rd Fleet visits Captain Paul O. Monger, Commanding Officer of USS Nimitz aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MCSA Alexander A. Ventura II)
Vice Admiral visits Nimitz By MCSN Shayne Johnson Vice Admiral Richard Hunt, Commander United States 3rd Fleet, visited USS Nimitz (CVN 68) April 14. During the visit, Hunt toured numerous Nimitz spaces to get a thorough look as the ship progresses through its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) period. Along the way, he paused to meet numerous Nimitz Sailors and received information about the process Nimitz is
Vice Admiral Richard W. Hunt, Commander United States 3rd Fleet visits the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).(Photo by MCSA Alexander A. Ventura II)
going through while in dry dock. Information Systems Technician 1st Class Jason Curran was introduced to Hunt during his visit. “I’ve met many flag officers in both the Navy and Army in the past 16 years of my service, but I don’t recall meeting any as personable as he was,” said Curran. Curran was also presented with a coin and was congratulated on being named Nimitz’ Senior Sailor of the Quarter. “His personal coin is beautiful in craftsmanship,” said Curran. “What really struck me was how he presented it. To me, it goes along with how personable he was.” Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Susana Saenz was also introduced to Hunt as Nimitz’ Junior Sailor of the Quarter. “It was like two minutes of fame,” said Saenz. “I felt it was important to let him know we make a difference here on the Nimitz, and express the importance of working hard.” Saenz was honored to have met Vice Admiral Hunt and receive a coin from him. “I know not everyone had the privilege to meet him and shake his hand,” said Saenz. “He is someone to look up to.” Vice Admiral Hunt concluded his visit to the Nimitz with a group picture underneath the ship.
I met Rose in a classroom in California during a summer seminar. She was the oldest member of a study group I belonged to, and the most mischievous classmate that summer. She was in her early 80s, a Belgian living in Phoenix, Arizona, and preparing for a new career caring for “old people.” That was her way of putting it since she considered herself a youngster at heart. One night a professor invited us over for a barbecue at his home in San Anselmo. The road to his house was up a narrow twisty street that climbed a steep hill, and there was very little parking space at his house. We piled into two cars and since Rose and I had the biggest cars we drove everyone there. The professor led us in his car, I was next, and Rose brought up the rear. She was never more than one car length away from me, taking corners like a pro. When we arrived she was beaming and announced, “That was like following Patton into Germany.” We all puzzled over that at first, but later she explained that as a young woman in Belgium she had suffered during the German occupation in WWII. Once her home was liberated she volunteered, along with several other women, to be drivers for the allied armies racing across her country into Northern Germany. Rose was willing to do whatever it took to end the occupation of her country and punish the Nazi Party for the suffering she had witnessed for five years. Rose had literally followed Patton into Germany. A group of us spent the evening on a balcony overlooking the Marin County hills talking to Rose about her experiences. If one thing became clear it was the deep sense of joy she felt when she realized the occupation was over and her land was to be free again. Rose knew what it meant to have armed men patrolling her streets, to notice someone disappeared in the night, and the laws she was familiar with had been changed by foreign leaders. The other day I was reading in the book of Matthew, chapter five, and I came across the Beatitudes. We readers today often see them as proscriptive, telling us of attitudes we should adopt. We want to be blessed (read that as bless-ed and not blest) because we assume that is a state in which we prosper in some sense. I believe my friend Rose’s experience at the end of WWII was close to what Jesus meant as he spoke those words. Blessed, the word is a translation of the Greek term makarios which simply means happy, is used by Jesus to describe people who do not seem to have many reasons to be happy or experience joy. It seems they should be upset about the hand that life has dealt them. In the beatitudes they get a glimpse of what life in the Kingdom of God will be like when the occupation is over, when all evil forces in rebellion to God are defeated. That is the source of joy, the blessedness felt by believers, even in this life in which they suffer. Blessedness becomes a present reality for all of God’s people. Rose knew the occupation was going to end, and felt relief long at the final defeat of her nation’s enemies. She knew joy then. We can know joy now. It isn’t reserved for anyone special who has achieved an elevated state of spiritual being, but for all people who call upon God in their trials in this life. The occupation is ending, victory is coming. Let us raise up our voices with those ancient Christians who cried out in the days after Jesus arose, and say “Kouria nikomen.” It means “We have won, Lord.”
Chaplain Brent Johnson
April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
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had a date with the sun last weekend. I, like many USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors, was happy to walk around in a long sleeve shirt and no parka or jacket for once. I did find myself at Manchester State Park, and if summer shows off those glorious sun rays the way it did this past weekend, then I may be able to forgive the winter we’ve had. The park was constructed at the turn of the 20th century as a as a U.S. Coast Artillery harbor defense installation to protect Bremerton. The property was later converted to a Navy fuel supply depot and Navy fire-fighting station. The park is now a 111-acre camping and hiking site with 3,400 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rich Passage in Puget Sound that offers a beautiful getaway free of charge. The thick density of the woods of fir and maple trees force you to forget the bad weather, forget where you are and get lost in the park’s mysticism. Nature’s gentle ambient noise easily worked its way into my system and slowly released stress and tension that built up over the last few weeks. Deadlines, reports, and inspections were
forgotten as I found m into stepping away from and into the green thick Children ran ahead of chattering loudly. Do as couples walked hand declaring love and ex Families laid out meals lunch. It was honestly found in movies that di the park…minus the pla If the ‘park’ scene isn’ looking for, and the hi you’re after, trails lead y into the woods on an eas of the amount of loose would suggest not hiki Mud seems like it could and an annoying hindr I don’t know about off for hiking and trails, bu seems to be one that a lar regardless of skill level the potential to be a bit m
By MC3 Nichelle Wh
April 21, 2011
myself easily persuaded m life outside of the park ket of its embrace. f parents, dancing and ogs tugged on leashes d in hand, most likely xpressing contentment. s on the bench tables for y the stereotypical scene isplay a beautiful day at ayground. ’t much of what you are iking area is more what you around the bend and sy nature hike. Because dirt and soft ground, I ing too soon after rain. d be a serious irritation rance. ficial levels of difficulty ut Manchester State Park rge range of enthusiasts, can enjoy. The hike has much for the legs of young
hitfield
Nimitz News
children; the slight hills can prove challenging to less developed legs. I’m not an expert, but I wouldn’t recommend a hike too long for children under five years of age or elderly who could fall from a slip or trip on loose footing. Manchester State Park also offers a first-come first-served camping site with 35 tent spaces, 15 utility spaces and two restrooms/showers. Overall, Manchester State Park offers the possibility of a fairly full day of fun. The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at dusk. With restroom facilities, picnic tables, small barbeque grills and a view of the beach, I found that had I brought more supplies with me, I could easily make myself comfortable at the park for the rest of the day. Manchester State Park is located six miles east of Port Orchard, Wash. on Puget Sound. It can be reached from Interstate5 off the Bremerton exit (Hwy. 16) to the Sedgewick exit in Port Orchard. Follow the signs to Manchester State Park. For more information on the park, visit http:// www.stateparks.com/manchester_kitsap.html.
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April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
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Commanding Officer CAPT Paul Monger Executive Officer CAPT John Ring Command Master Chief CMDCM William Lloyd-Owen Public Affairs Officer LCDR Steve Ruh Division Officer LTJG Jason Scarborough Media LCPO MCCM Jon McMillan Media Production Chief MCC Mike Jones Layout/ Designer MC3 Nichelle Whitfield Editor MC2 Nathan Gomez Media Dept MC2 Scott McCall MC2 James Mitchell MC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 C.J. Amdahl MC3 Matthew Patton MC3 Mark Sashegyi MC3 Thomas Siniff MC3 Glenn Slaughter MC3 Robert Winn MC3 Devin Wray MCSN Ashley Berumen MCSN Shayne Johnson MCSN Andrew Jandik MCSA Renee Candelario MCSA Alexander Ventura II “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors and contractors assigned to the Fleet Readiness Center-Mid Atlantic rise catapult three from the flight deck of USS Nimitz to perform maintenance on the catapult to extend operational life expectancy. (Photo by MC3 Matthew Patton)
Nimitz removes catapult three By MC3 Matthew Patton
Sailors assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and contractors assigned to the Fleet Readiness Center - Mid Atlantic executed the first stage of the Jack and Peen Maintenance Process by lifting catapult three from its position in the flight deck April 19. Nimitz is participating in a year-long Docking Planned Incremental Availability where the ship will receive major upgrades to its combat, self-defense, navigation and potable water systems and numerous other components. “It’s the beginning stage of the process we use to recondition the power cylinders inside the catapults,” said Bobby Harkins, the aircraft launch and recovery equipment (ALRE) project manager. “Around every four to six years, the power cylinders get bent out of shape due to the heated steam that’s constantly shot through the catapults and softening them up, so it’s vital that we lift them out of there to conduct repairs.” Sailors from Nimitz’ V-2 Division lined up along the edges of the catapult standing on wooden blocks, and rotated a set of gears once simultaneously at the sound of a whistle. With each rotation of the gears, the catapult was lifted 1/8th of an inch from its position.
After 90 minutes, the Sailors been fully extracted and secured, switched sides and repeated the the contractors and Sailors secured process. Once the catapult was the evolution for the day. fully lifted, Sailors and contractors “Once we’re done here, this carefully positioned steel beams catapult will be ready for another underneath it to ensure it would 20,000 cat shots,” beamed be stabilized before disassembling Harkins. the unit piece by piece. “It’s important that we have the contractors and Sailors working together,” added Harkins. “Something like this needs to have both sides involved because it’s such a major part of what the ship does out at sea.” The catapult’s removal from an aircraft carrier’s flight deck provided the Sailors a rare glimpse into the unit’s complex structure and function. “I think this kind of stuff is exciting,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Howard Whitmore, one of the gear operators. “I love it. How many people get to do things like this? This is where it’s at. Not too many people get to do things like Nimitz Sailors and contractors assigned to the Fleet Center - Mid Atlantic pull up catapult [pulling the catapult Readiness three from the flight deck of USS Nimitz to perform out], even in my rate.” maintenance on the catapult to extend its operational Once the catapult had life expectancy. (Photo by MC3 Matthew Patton)
April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
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Nimitz MWR holds Easter family day event By MC2 Nathan Gomez
USS Nimitz Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and Family Readiness Group (FRG) held an Easter Family Day at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton’s old gym April 16. “We have a really fun bounce house for the kids to play in and different age group egg hunts for the kids,” said Rachel Augustine, FRG President. According to Jennifer Vess, Nimitz Funboss, there were approximately 90 kids, parents, and friends from Nimitz and Stennis that attended the event. Nimitz also provided an Easter bunny for the kids to interact and take pictures with. “Some were very apprehensive at first, there were a few that were
scared of seeing a six foot four inch Easter bunny, but the other kids loved it,” said Personnel Specialist Seaman Mark Wilson, Easter Bunny. Nimitz MWR staff, volunteers from the Multicultural Committee and media assisted making this event successful, said Jennifer Vess, Nimitz Funboss. “I had fun helping out for the Easter event,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Lorena Gutierrez. “We got to hide the play with the kids, hide the eggs for them, After the egg hunt, the guests went over to Sam Adams Brewery for pizza and soda. “Parents and children had a great time,” said Vess. “Every child got a basket full of eggs with either candy, toys or a movie ticket inside.”
Children of the families of Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton participate in the family Easter-egg hunt hosted by USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Moral, Welfare, and Readiness department and Family Readiness Group (FRG) at the base’s old gym. (Photo by MCSN Andy Jandik)
Rel-Min collects adult clothes for homeless Vets By MC2 Nathan Gomez Those old coats you’ve been hanging on to, that bag of clothes in the storage room you don’t wear anymore; don’t throw them out, put them to use. Nimitz’ Religious Ministries Department is collecting adult winter clothes for homeless veterans in the area. According to Religious Ministries Specialist 1st Class (SW/ AW/FMF) Monica Kuhl, Rescue Mission out of Tacoma works with homeless vets in the area. “We started this clothing drive as another way to help,” said Kuhl Rescue Mission is a not-for-profit organization, founded in
1912, to serve homeless men in Tacoma. The Religious Ministries Department started the clothing drive mid-March and will continue to take donations until May 15. “I think the clothing drive is a great way to help out those who served before us,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jonna Obermiller. “That could possibly be one of us in the future, so we should try to help out where we can.” Bring any donations to the crew messing and berthing barge library. “Even though Winter is over, the temperatures can still get cold, which is why we need to take care of those who took care of us,” said Obermiller.
FCPOA Donates $1,000 to NMCRS By MC2 Nathan Gomez
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) First Class Petty Officers Association donated $1,000 to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) fund drive April 20th. “The NMCRS is an excellent organization that always supports Sailors in time of need,” said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW/FMF) Monica Kuhl, fundraiser coordinator. “It is important that we give back and show them how much their help supports us.” The FCPOA held a pizza sale fundraiser to help raise money for the NMCRS. “It was the FCPOA that conducted the sales, but it was the Nimitz Sailors and the shipyard workers that really raised the money by purchasing the pizzas,” said Kuhl. Nimitz’ estimated final total is around $75,000. “It’s good to see the raising of the funds is a team effort,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Jason Pick. “Everyone did a great job with this year’s NMCRS fund drive”
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Jason Pick, Nimitz NMCRS Coordinator receives a $1,000 check from Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Aundra Howard, FCPOA Treasurer. (Photo by MC2 Nathan Gomez)
April 21, 2011
Nimitz News
Sailors prepare for PRT/BCA By MC3 Robert Winn
If USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors aren’t already actively preparing for the 2011 cycle 1 Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), they should be. With weigh-ins only three weeks away, and the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) two weeks later, now is the time to train, said Yeoman Second Class (SW/AW) Andrew Sexton, XO’s Admin divisional leading petty officer and Admin Department’s Command Fitness Representative. “You should be preparing at least two months prior to the PRT,” said Sexton. “That will give you enough time to see where you’re at and adjust if you’re not already up to par. You don’t want to wait till the last week and try to drop the excess weight using unhealthy methods.” This current cycle marks the first in which new rules on how the PFA score affects you as a Sailor. “The PRT is going to affect your evaluations now more than ever,” said Sexton. “Unlike previous years, evaluations will contain two PRT scores rather than the traditional one.” One effective method for preparing for future PRTs is to train as a group, Sexton added. “Our department has a regular training schedule in place,” said Sexton. “On Mondays we do individual workouts, ‘Self-Motivated Mondays’, on Wednesdays we do a group workout with an emphasis on cardiovascular training; finishing with a mock PRT each Friday where we track the results from week to week.” Nimitz is encouraging all Sailors to try their best to perform their best times. “Our department has set up a reward for whoever shows the most improvement from the
initial mach PRT until the actual one, giving them a day off for their efforts,” sexton added In addition to the changes about how the PRT can help you with your ability to make rank or be approved for PTS, there are new consequences for those who don’t perform to what their weightclass requires. “If you fail three PRTs now, you’re no longer entitled to the same pay and entitlements as you were this time last year,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW/SCWS/AW) Denise Haynie, Nimitz command career counselor. “And if you do fail for a third time you will receive an adverse evaluation.” Additionally, a failed PRT will now place the Sailor under the microscope of the Navy’s Enlisted Review Board (ERB). “The Navy will be using the ERB to see anyone who has failed PRTs to know which Sailors need further review,” Haynie added. For more information, contact your departmental command fitness representative or visit www.navy.mil
This WEeks MWR EVENTS
Page 8 Weigh-ins, Bremerton Gym Weigh-ins will be performed 02-07 May 11 Time: 0630-1400 Location: Barge Crew and CPO lounge (2nd deck) Uniform: Navy PT uniform (no exceptions) Bike/ Elliptical/ Treadmill, Bremerton Gym 03-07 May 11 All participants must have completed their weigh-ins no less than 24hrs and now more than 30 hours prior to the test. Location: Bremerton base gym, Fitness loft Time: 0700-1500 Uniform: Navy PT uniform (no exceptions) 1.5 mile run, Bangor Base 09-14 May 11 Location: Naval Station Bangor. Participants will muster at the Bangor gym for warm-ups, situps and push-ups. Time: 0700-1500 Uniform: Navy PT uniform (no exceptions) Busses will be provided for transportation between bases. First bus will depart Bremerton at 0630. POV is permitted. But parking is limited. Swimming, Bremerton Pool 9-13 May 11 Location: Bremerton base gym Time: 0930-1100, 1300-1400 Warm –up, sit-ups and pushups will be conducted poolside prior to swimming. As a reminder the swim will consist of nine laps of the pool, there and back.
360.337.5350 for more details and tickets * Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks @ Key Arena
Thursday, April 21:
* Tilted Thunder Rail Birds, Season 1 Bout 1, Comcast
* Sam Adams Pizza Night, All-U-Can-Eat Pizza for $5,
Arena, for tickets comcastarenaeverett.com
just show your ID with NIMITZ sticker, kicks off at 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 24:
* Children’s Story Hour, Bremerton Recreation
* Easter Brunch at Bangor, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.,
Center, 11 a.m., ages 6 and under.
reservations recommended, call 360.535.5928
* CK Family Night, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., for more details 360.692.6800
Monday, April 25: * Step at West Concourse Gym, 4:45 p.m., FREE
Friday, April 22: * DJ Night at Bangor Plaza, kicks off at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26: * Zumba at West Concourse Gym, 6 p.m., FREE
Saturday, April 23: * Slaughterhouse County Vixens Roller Derby,
Wednesday, April 27:
Kitsap Fairgrounds, www.kitsapgov.com/parks or
* Step at West Concourse Gym, 4:45 p.m., FREE