Homefront Magazine May 2016

HOMEFRONT A Fort Hood Herald publication | May 25, 2016

Visiting non-military family P4 | Strong Bonds P8 | Spouse of the Year P10

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

[ Inside this issue ] Holding Down the Fort: Dealing with a non-military family

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Financial Fitness: Five keys to a smoother military transition

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Financial Fitness: How to save money

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Financial Fitness: Eight essential car-buying tips

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On the Homefront: Program helps build Strong Bonds

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On the Homefront: Military spouse of the year

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What’s Happening: Upcoming area events

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Get in the Game: ‘Doom’ gets an upgrade

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Dining In: Building the perfect taco

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Vol. 9, Issue 5 | May 25, 2016 Homefront is a Fort Hood Herald publication.

Contact Us Editor: David A. Bryant | dbryant@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7554 Photographer: Eric J. Shelton | 254-501-7460 Contributor: Abbey Sinclair On the cover: Army Reserve Soldiers Spec. Bradley and Staff Sgt. Arianna Joe, who have been married for three months, review a hand-out together during a Strong Bonds event conducted at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, Ill, April 8-10. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | U.S. Army Find more news at forthoodherald.com.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Taking it in stride: Dealing with non-military family woes

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hile preparing for an upcoming trip home — just me and my little one — I have been making a mental list of all the things that I will need to bring with us. You know the list: Clothes, toys, snacks, everyday parts of our life that will be packed up and dragged along for yet another “adventure.”

In the madness, I can’t help but to think about how nice it would be if I didn’t have to deal with all this. In the good old days, if I wanted to go somewhere, I just threw some stuff in a bag and left. Those days are gone, replaced with impending dread at the thought of another plane ride home with a toddler.

What would my family say about this?

Most likely a smug, “If you lived closer, you wouldn’t have to get on a plane with a 1-year-old.” Well, duh. Thanks for that.

And yes, I do question my own sanity sometimes, for the record.

Nevertheless, this is the life in which I have found myself, and I’m doing my best through the ups and downs, the glories and the hardships. So why does

HOLDING DOWN THE FORT Abbey Sinclair

it seem like they just don’t get it? Most likely, because they don’t. At all. Why, you ask? Because I come from a nonmilitary family.

It’s a common phenomenon, and I’m sure I’m not alone in my plight. It’s not really their fault — they just have no frame of reference. They want me back where I “belong.” In the area where I grew up, it’s rare to stray from the pack — even the most extreme haters soon find themselves back in the clutches of their past, or at least within driving distance.

Do I want to be near them? Absolutely. I miss my family — the carefree weekends spent at our beach house, the convenience of having the ones I love and trust nearby. I wish I felt like I knew my niece better than I do, and with a nephew on the way, I am already feeling the same regret. I am envious that my niece hangs out with my mom every week while a visit with Grandma is a rare treat for us — ditto when I hear about the goodies she brings to my sister’s while I’m schlupping to the store yet again, trying to think of something to make for dinner.

The problem is, I’m not sure where I belong anymore. I miss the seasons and landscapes of home, but have always hated the cold and despise the seemingly endless winters back East. I like Texas — its warm sun and funny little quirks. I like the sense of adventure, of discovery. The thought that we could pick up and go anywhere, start over, reinvent ourselves and our lives.

No matter how you slice it, military life can be hard. Really hard. This goes

without saying that my husband and I are lucky to have family who will come visit us, instead of demanding that we always go to them. Regardless, any “vacation” is a family vacation. There is no time, or money, left to spend on trips for our own small family. Each visit home is a tangle of plans with people you haven’t seen for way too long. Every trip is peppered with questions about moving back.

Once again, your family doesn’t know what you’ve endured in your time apart. They miss you, but they cannot understand, and they will not — that’s just the way it is. It’s up to us military folks with non-military families to do our best to push aside any drama and enjoy each visit as much as possible.

When I married into the Army, my husband told me on my first trip home, “Enjoy the time you do have together.

Appreciate every moment.” Simple, but essential advice.

Abbey Sinclair a Herald correspondent and a military spouse. She lives in Killeen.

[ Financial Fitness ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Homefront |

Five keys to a smoother military-to-civilian transition Courtesy of USAA

You probably heard “readiness” thousands of times in your military training; being prepared to spring into action when it’s no longer a drill is crucial to your safety. When you’re ready to leave the military, readiness may be the key to a successful transition and your financial security.

1. Start saving early

Darren Briggs, a security officer with USAA who recently retired from the Air Force after 24 years, points to one thing that helped his separation go smoothly: savings.

“You’ve got to have some money set aside in advance,” Briggs said. “The stress of all the new expenses can eat you up if you’re not prepared for it.”

JJ Montanaro, a certified financial planner with USAA, suggests a savings account to cover six to nine months of living expenses. The transition fund can help pay for immediate moving

expenses, as well as ongoing costs like rent and groceries.

“Putting that much money away might take years,” Montanaro said. “So start saving now.”

2. Move with purpose

The decision of where to live is filled with financial implications, including cost of living, housing conditions and the job market. After wrapping up his service in Salt Lake City, Briggs headed to San Antonio, because of its affordability and abundance of militaryfriendly employers. If you’re thinking about where to land, take a look at the USAA Real Estate Rewards Network can also help members find a real estate agent and make important decisions related to selling or buying a home. Be sure to look into a VA home loan, which could help you buy a house without a large down payment.

3. Kick-start your career

The military’s Transition GPS pro-

gram can help you translate your military experience into a rewarding civilian career. But finding a great job right after separation still might be difficult. Start your research as soon as you think you’ll be leaving. Briggs advises not putting your life on hold if your dream job search is taking longer than expected.

He suggests “trying to find something that pays,” even if it’s part time or temporary. He supported his family working as a truck driver and security supervisor before coming to USAA.

4. Keep retirement on track

Don’t let your transition derail your retirement savings. “Whatever you do, find a way to keep building on the money you’ve saved,” Montanaro said.

“It might be tempting to use it as ‘transition money,’ but cashing out now could cost you a 10 percent penalty and dash your long-term dreams for retirement.”

5. Stay protected

Two of the most valuable benefits you

have in the military — Servicemembers Group Life Insurance and Tricare health insurance — go away when you leave the service. So it’s essential that you plan ahead to replace them.

After separation, the standard $400,000 SGLI policy can be converted to a term policy with Veterans Group Life Insurance, a valuable choice to veterans with health issues, Montanaro said. Those in good health may find a more competitive commercial policy. USAA Military Protection Plus Life insurance policyholders can replace their SGLI coverage without an additional medical exam.

As for health insurance, military retirees remain eligible to use Tricare.

But if you’re separating before your 20 years is up, you may be able to continue major medical coverage temporarily through the Transitional Assistance Management Program or Continued Health Care Benefit Program. Ideally, Montanaro said, you’ll be able to move to an affordable plan with a new employer or a spouse’s job.

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[ Financial fitness ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

How to build an emergency fund and save money savings account each payday. You can also automate additional contributions each week. Even small amounts add up — $20 a week for a year equals $1,040 in savings.

Courtesy of USAA

Experts say everyone should have an emergency fund, a reserve of three to six months’ worth of living expenses. But many consumers struggle to save when trying to cut debt and cover all of life’s other expenses.

“Probably one of the most underused pieces of financial advice we give is to scrape together an emergency fund,” said JJ Montanaro, a certified financial planner at USAA. “If you don’t have any savings in the bank, you’re almost certain to end up in debt as a result of unexpected expenses.”

If you haven’t started saving, don’t panic. These six tips can help you get started:

Set a goal

Estimate how much you spend each month on essentials such as rent or a mortgage, utilities, food, car payment and insurance. Multiply that total by three — this is your minimum savings goal. If you have no savings, $1,000 is a reasonable start. Work gradually toward saving more, and don’t be intimidated by the numbers; the important thing is to start setting aside money regularly.

Round up

Round your debit card purchases to the nearest dollar, and move the difference into your savings account at the end of the week. For example, if you bought lunch for $8.36, round up to $9 and set aside the 64 cents for savings.

Save unexpected income

Track expenses

Using online banking, track your spending and break down your daily spending average. Identify nonessential purchases and trim them from your daily budget. Put the extra cash toward savings.

Automate savings

Set up an allotment or an automatic transfer from your checking account, maybe $25 or $50, into your

A tax refund or consumer rebate can contribute to a healthy savings account. So can a pay raise, bonus, cost-of-living adjustment or extra income from a parttime job or freelancing. Directing at least part of this money to your emergency fund will help you reach your goal sooner.

Make minimum payments

Paying off credit cards makes sense but not until you have a small emergency fund, at least $1,000, on hand. Having savings in place keeps you from having to use your credit card for emergencies.

[ Financial fitness ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Homefront |

Eight essential tips to keep in mind before you buy a car Research your market

Courtesy of USAA

Don’t wander car lots all over town.

Try the USAA Car Buying Service to find vehicles that come with exclusive member discounts or to find and buy cars directly from fellow USAA members. Websites such as Cars.com and Autotrader.com also help you explore local classified ads and dealer inventories.

These eight steps can help you to stay within budget and simplify the negotiation process, allowing you to find your next set of wheels and hit the road.

Calculate what you can afford

If you’re planning to take out a loan to help cover the cost of the vehicle, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford in monthly payments.

If you’re selling or trading in your current vehicle, factor in the cash value of that car and then add your planned down payment (USAA suggests 15 to 20 percent of the purchase price). Use online tools such as USAA’s Auto Loan Calculator to get an estimate.

older car, consider getting pricing for Extended Vehicle Protection coverage before you go to the dealer.

Once you’ve found a vehicle you like, consult the USAA Car Buying Service to help determine a fair asking price.

Also consider depreciation rates. Give bonus points to a car that tends to hold its value longer, thus costing less in the long run.

Determine true cost of ownership

Keep an open mind

Get a loan

Plan for maintenance costs, the price of gas and auto insurance. Get an auto insurance quote, but note that collision and comprehensive coverage generally cost less for used cars. If purchasing an

Determine market values

Prioritize a list of the features you’d like: styling, engine power, cargo space, etc. But be flexible — stay open to two or three models that would meet your needs and your budget.

Before going to the dealership, get pre-approved for an auto loan amount and interest rate, so you know where you stand. Look for low loan rates and flexible terms to fit your budget needs.

USAA Bank or another financial institution might offer lower interest rates than a car dealer. Aim to pay off the loan within three to five years.

Go for a test drive

Hit the highway to properly gauge a car’s performance, and inspect the car for mileage, tire tread, etc. If possible, run the car by a trusted mechanic for an under-the-hood inspection to forecast longevity and maintenance needs. Remember that factory warranties usually transfer, depending on the mileage.

Run a background check

Get a Carfax Vehicle History Report, which can help verify ownership history, mileage and accident history.

USAA members receive a 20 percent discount Lastly, make sure the car has never been salvaged by entering the vehicle identification number into the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheckSM system.

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[ ON the Homefront ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Strong Bonds: Vital for soldiers and families

By Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal U.S. Army

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Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | U.S. Army

An Army Reserve married couple connects during a Strong Bonds event conducted at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, Ill, April 8-10. The 88th Regional Support Command conducts nearly 20 Strong Bond events a year, in which couples are led through a nationally recognized curriculum called Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program, or PREP. The curriculum includes video and workbook-supported discussions and exercises centered on various aspects of communication, personalities and problem solving.

ORT MCCOY, Wis. — The strength of the Army is only as strong as the relationships that support the soldiers within it.

The Army Reserve works to improve the resiliency of those relationships with a chaplain-led program called Strong Bonds.

The Strong Bonds program aims to increase soldier and family readiness through relationship education and skills training. These events are held at offsite retreat training and conducted for either Army Reserve single soldiers, couples or families.

The 88th Regional Support Command conducts nearly 20 Strong Bond events a year, the most recent being a married couples event which hosted 32 couples at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, Ill., April 8-10.

Capt. Charles Bechtold, a chaplain assigned to the 88th RSC, has supported more than 30 Strong Bond events and currently manages the program for the northwest region. For this event, Charles teamed with his wife, Barbara, who is a certified DOD Strong Bonds Master Trainer.

Together they led the couples through a nationally recognized curriculum called Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program, or PREP. The curriculum includes video and workbook-supported discussions and exercises centered on various aspects of communication, personalities and problem solving.

“Every single marriage can benefit from this training,” said Barbara. “Every marriage can benefit from better communication, from exacting expectations and learning how to speak and how to really listen.”

The 32 couples attending the event included some who had been married more than three decades and others less than three months.

Army Reserve soldiers Spc. Bradley and Staff Sgt. Arianna Joe were just married in January and made attending the training a priority.

As a chaplain assistant, Arianna said she has supported more than 25 Strong Bonds events and knew first-

[ On the Homefront ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Homefront |

Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | U.S. Army

Army Reserve Capt. Charles Bechtold, a chaplain assigned to the 88th RSC, stands with his wife, Barbara, DoD Master Trainer, during a Strong Bonds event group exercise conducted at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, Ill, April 8-10. Together they led the couples through a nationally recognized curriculum called Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program, or PREP.

hand it was something they needed to do.

“Being admin, you get to hear everything people say,” said Arianna.

“Every time people would talk about how it was really helpful, and how they wish they had gotten this training before they were faced with certain problems — so we were like, ‘let’s get this in now before we’re confronted with any of those issues.’”

Bradley and Arianna also attended a single soldier Strong Bonds event long before getting married. Bradley said that foundation had helped him in many ways.

“Everybody should go to a Strong Bonds event — even the singles,” said Bradley. “In the singles event, I learned so much about myself — stuff I didn’t even know. Now we’re married and we’re learning about what we do rather than what I do, because it’s not about you and I anymore, it’s about we.”

“So I learned about me — and now I learned about us,” concluded Bradley.

Another couple attending the event was Spc. William Keenan and his wife Kristy, who have been married for 16 years. They had gone to a family event a few years ago and decided it was now

time to focus on just themselves as a couple.

“We had such a good time at the Family Strong Bonds event, and I had heard so many good things about the married couple’s training,” said William. “We do so many things as a family, but not as a couple. So we decided this would give us a chance to have a weekend together to focus on us.”

While the event was intended for marriages of all durations, William said he thought it was really important for couples who have been married for a little while, especially people who are married and have kids.

“It’s a fresh chance to look at yourself as a couple again, whereas you may have not even thought of yourself that way in a long time,” said William.

“With the many roles that you have and the hats that you wear, the father hat and the mother hat tend to dominate your identity.”

Crucial for couples

Charles said having this time to focus on each other as a couple is crucial, as are the concepts taught in the classes.

“The couples training is important, because it gives them tools for a

healthy marriage and time to focus on it,” said Charles. “The big key to this weekend is learning how to communicate effectively.”

“To have effective communication, couples need to learn how to speak to each other and not past each other,” said Charles. “When they can do that — when they can communicate effectively — then their marriage is going to be stronger and healthier” William said this kind of training was invaluable to him even after 16 years of marriage.

“It explained a lot of things to me.

When you have an argument with each other, you get caught up in the argument,” said William. “So it’s hard to analyze it and think about what is really behind all that. So when you have an opportunity like this and they show you, you realize it may seem like a petty disagreement, but it’s from a much deeper issue — it was very useful.”

Barbara said it was those types of ‘ah-ha’ moments that really made being a trainer rewarding.

“We get to see those moments when couples say, ‘I never considered that’ or ‘we could implement that.’ We get

to see people come in with a brokenness in their marriage and leave with a sense of hope and encouragement,” said Barbara.

“It’s very rewarding being there when a couple leaves knowing that what has happened in the past does not necessarily need to dictate what’s going to happen in the future for us,” continued Barbara. “And that occurs when they begin to implement these tools and resources into their marriage.”

Charles said these events make marriages stronger and costs couples nothing except a weekend together to focus on their relationship.

“So why wouldn’t a couple want to get new tools to help make their marriage stronger?” asked Charles. “This program is completely free for soldiers and their families and it doesn’t cost their unit a thing — the entire thing is completely funded through the Chief of Chaplains Office.”

“We are focused on helping improve the lives of our soldiers and their loved ones,” said Charles. “Training them on how to use these tools to create an effective marriage is vital — it’s vital to them and it’s vital to the Army Reserve.”

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[ On the HOmefront ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Spouse of the Year blasting airwaves to motivate husbands

By Gary Sheftick U.S. Army

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ASHINGTON, D.C. — The Army’s spouse of the year is on a mission to motivate other husbands into action.

Dave Etter was named the 2016 spouse of the year for the Army by Armed Forces Insurance and he was recognized May 5 at a ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. He’s the first husband to capture this honor for the Army.

His wife of 16 years, Sgt. Stephanie Etter, is a respiratory therapist at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and he is leader of the hospital’s Family Support Group for Charlie Company.

There are about 110,000 males married to service members and Etter said less than 1 percent are actively involved in Family Support Groups. He should know — he’s made a career of sorts citing statistics about male military spouses. He has a two-hour weekly radio show aimed at providing resources to these male spouses.

His “Male Military Spouse Radio Show” streams live every Friday when it’s recorded and can be accessed anytime as a podcast on Blog Talk Radio.

Etter has been doing the show for about a year and a half now with co-host Jay Ha’o.

Husbands call into the show with issues and questions. About two to seven husbands call in each week and Etter believes many more need assistance because they don’t quite have the support network female spouses have.

Guys are sometimes left out in the cold at Family Readiness Group meetings, he said. Sometimes the activities just aren’t designed for men, he surmises.

“So if a guy spouse shows up, what does he do? He’s a wallflower,” Etter said. “A dynamic FRG leader will make sure that guy is welcomed into the group.”

1,200 volunteer hours Kevin Wolf | AP

Army Spouse of the Year Dave Etter stands on stage May 5, 2016, next to his wife, Sgt. Stephanie Etter, a respiratory therapist at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Etter was recognized at a luncheon at the Fort Myer Officers Club, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

That’s what he does, of course.

Etter has volunteered more than 1,200 hours with the military. He was also an FRG leader with the 101st Airborne

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

[ ON the Homefront ]

Homefront | 11

Kevin Wolf | AP

Army Spouse of the Year Dave Etter stands on stage May 5, 2016, next to spouses of the year from other services at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Right of him is Military Spouse of the Year Natasha Harth, representing the Marine Corps. To her right is Michelle Aikman, Air Force spouse of the year. Far left is outgoing 2015 MSOY Corie Weathers from the Army. Right of her is Lindsay Bradford, this year’s Air Force spouse of the year, then Cara Loken of the National Guard and in the blue is Jennifer Mullen, Coast Guard SOY.

Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., and he took Master Resilience training there.

He was part of a pilot program of 32 spouses who took the training and became qualified resilience counselors.

Etter is a Navy veteran and former submariner. He’s a member of the American Legion and has dedicated

7,000 volunteer hours as a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.

As the Army spouse of the year, he plans to put together a resource library of best practices for military spouses worldwide.

He also plans to soon start up a second radio program for spouses.

“I’m an old radio broadcaster,” Etter said. About 20 years ago he was the program director for a country-music radio station in Safford, Ariz.

“I’ve been doing radio — anything behind a microphone — since I was a freshman in high school,” he said. And that was in 1973.

Later this year, he plans to begin a new radio show co-hosted by Susan Reynolds, an Air Force spouse. “Spouse Spouts” will aim to provide resources to both male and female military spouses.

“It will be available for anyone and everyone to call,” Etter said.

12 | Homefront

[ What’s Happening ]

Local Music Dirty Harry’s presents live music on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. For ages 21 and older, no cover. Dirty Harry’s is at 206 W. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Harker Heights (next to Kin Pin Tattoos). Call 254-680-6557.

Brady Honeycutt performs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. today at Bo’s Barn Dancehall at 4984 W. Farm-to-Market 93 in Temple. Cover: $8. Wild Horses is Saturday’s featured entertainer from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover: $10. Catch karaoke from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. every Thursday, with a DJ until 1:30 a.m. Happy Hour is from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Go to www.bosbarndancehall.com or call 254939-7131.

Stillhouse Wine Room has live music 8 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday.

Tuesday is Game Night. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer while playing your favorite game. Thursday Night Trivia is at 7:30 p.m. with a relaxed version of the game. Topics include music, movies, sports, geography, animals and more. Every 10 questions someone wins a bottle of wine. Stillhouse Wine Room is located at 403 E. Stan Schlueter Loop, Suite 308, Killeen. For more information, go to StillhouseWineRoom.com.

The Dead Fish Grill at 2207 Lake Road in Belton presents live music from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Call 254939-5771 or go to www.deadfishgrill.com.

Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que presents the FreeTexas Music Series on Thursdays. Schoepf’s is at 702 E. Central Ave., Belton. Go to www. schoepfsbbq.com.

Farmers Markets All-Year Pioneer Farmers Market will be open in front of Tractor Supply Company on Central Texas Expressway in Killeen from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. Call Virginia at 254-423-5277 or go to www.facebook.com/pioneerfarmersmarket.

The Baylor Scott & White Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays on the front lawn of hospital, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple. Go to www.sw.org/wellness/ farmers-market The Bell County Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays through September at the corner of Central & Penelope Streets, Belton.

The CREATION Health Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays through August at Metroplex Hospital, 2201 S. Clear Creek Road, Killeen.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

254-541-8329.

For Children The Cultural Activities Center invites all preschoolers to Tot Spot, an art class for children ages 2-6 every third Monday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $3 per child for CAC members and $5 per child for nonmembers. Any siblings under 2 years are free.

For more information on membership, go to cacarts.org/personal-membership or call 254-773-9926.

Clubs, Meetings

The Harker Heights Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays through October at Seton Medical Center, 850 W. Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights.

The Temple Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays through September at West Temple Park, 121 Montpark Road, Temple.

The Water Street Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays on Water Street in Belton. Go to https://www. facebook.com/ Water-Street-Farmers-Market The Cultural Activities Center Farmers’ Market in north Temple is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. Located under the CAC’s solar pavilion, the market features vendors with free-range eggs, fruits and vegetables, homemade jellies, salsas, soaps, hand-sewn goods and fiber arts, woodworking and other arts and crafts.

Every first Friday will feature an art activity for a $5 supply fee. Vendors can reserve an uncovered spot on the patio or lawn for $25 a year. For more information or to reserve a vendor spot, call 254-773-9926 or email marketing@cacarts.org.

Dancing Join In the Mood for dancing at 13 S. Main St., Temple. Tonight is Flashback Friday with Rockin’ Rick from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets: $10 a person. Come at 7 p.m. for a dance lesson, included in cover. Attire is dressy casual.

Dance classes are available throughout the week. Call 254-773-7088, email Karen.

Gonzales@inthemoodballroom.com or go to inthemoodballroom.com.

Bars, Clubs Chopstick, 2600 Trimmier Road, Suite 200, Killeen has karaoke night 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Club Easy Street, 702 W. Elms Road, Killeen, presents the Bombshell Vixens from 9 to 11 p.m. every Friday. Cover: $5.

Longhorn Saloon, 2503 S. General Bruce Dr., Temple presents Waco’s DJ Loco from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. today and DJ Grito 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. No cover charge. For more information, call 254-771-1364.

Main Street Tejano Club, 201 S. Main St., Temple features a DJ from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. today and Saturday. For information, call

The Copperas Cove Bass Club meetings are held at the Lil Tex Restaurant in Copperas Cove on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Call 254-661-9274.

The Copperas Cove Writers Forum meets from 6 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at 502 S. Main St., Copperas Cove (across the street from the Copperas Cove Library). The group is for amateur writers and authors. All genres accepted. Provide and receive feedbacks. Bring 5-10 printed (double-spaced) copies of your work.

Please limit submission to 3,000 to 5,000.

Call Mike at 254-547-2655.

The Killeen Civic Art Guild has open studio time from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and offers various workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturdays at the Killeen Arts & Activities Center, 802 N. Second St., Suite D 100.

Contact Jutta Mack at jmack1@hot.rr.com, call 254-466-4040 or go to www.killeencivicartguild.org.

Festivals, Events Vendors are being accepted for the 8th Annual Flavors of Central Texas, which is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. Restaurants and caterers are invited to participate in this event by becoming vendors.

Sponsor opportunities start at $100 for nonchamber members. For information on sponsoring or being a vendor, email rebekah@killeenchamber.com.

Planetarium Several films are now showing at the Mayborn Science Theater at Central Texas College. For show descriptions, full schedule and ticket prices, go to www.starsatnight. org or call 254-526-1800.

Have upcoming events to include? Email events@kdhnews.com. Items run as space is available.

[ Get in the game ]

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Homefront | 13

‘Doom’ fans will love latest update of popular game In the spirit of the original’s

By Gieson Cacho East Bay Times

Before “Call of Duty,” “CounterStrike” or “Halo,” there was “Doom.”

For a whole generation of gamers, the pioneering shooter delivered a first taste of the online multiplayer experience.

It was crude by today’s standards: Gamers on PCs used dial-up modems to connect and compete head-to-head.

Though basic, the “deathmatch” (as id Software dubbed it), offered the kind of intensity and visceral action that enthralled gamers.

Since then, other shooters have come and gone, improving on the foundation laid by id Software, but “Doom” still holds a special place with fans.

Now, more than 20 years after its arrival, id Software has updated the venerable first-person shooter — and in the right way. The new incarnation isn’t strictly a sequel or an outright remake. It’s more a re-imagining of “Doom,” with a heavy dose of nostalgia thrown in.

Like earlier incarnations, it begins with the Union Aerospace Corporation, which has found a solution to Earth’s energy crisis. In public, the company says it has tapped into a power resource found only on Mars. But what it actually has done is open an interdimensional portal to hell, and started siphoning energy from there.

As demonic components are wont to do, the portal’s technology goes awry, and monsters start taking over the Union Aerospace facilities, producing massive casualties.

That’s where players come in. They

fast pace, the new “Doom” pushes players to quickly and efficiently eliminate hordes of demons with the arsenal of deadly weapons available..

‘DOOM’

3 stars out of 4 Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Rating: Mature control the legendary unnamed space marine of the earlier games, but in this iteration, he has some unfamiliar capabilities. Part of the joy of this adventure is figuring out where this uber marine fits in the game mythology.

More fun comes in seeing how id Software has updated the gameplay. When “Doom” arrived in 1993, the controls were so primitive the space marine couldn’t even jump. Now he not only can leap and clamber up ledges, but can draw upon a slew of mechanics to help.

And thankfully the design team has done a masterful job of easing players into these new features.

One novel wrinkle is the importance of the “Melee” button during combat.

Players can damage a demon until it’s stunned, and then go in for a Glory Kill — where the monsters’ arms are severed, their jaws are ripped apart and sometime they are beaten with their own legs. It’s the kind of gruesome chaos fans would expect to find in “Mortal Kombat” except the execution meshes with the id Software model.

In the spirit of the original’s fast pace, the new “Doom” pushes players to quickly and efficiently eliminate hordes of demons with the arsenal of deadly weapons available. The majority are old favorites, but two new alternate firing modes have been added.

Those turn a room-clearing battle into a bullet ballet, as players outmaneuver demons with superior speed.

They can empty shotgun rounds into a stunned imp, dodge a blast from a Hell Razer and finish off a wounded monster with a Glory Kill — all in just a few seconds.

The action is so addictively fast that it feels as if players are combining separate moves into just one. The FPS gunplay is elevated nearly to the heights of “Bayonetta’s” fluid combat.

What’s great is that id Software complements the skill-based combat modes with layers of customization.

Players can make the space marine’s armor and equipment more effective by finding Praetor tokens and Argent units while exploring “Doom’s” mazelike levels.

Finally, id Software has added a Rune system that passively upgrades some of the space marine’s capabilities. To earn upgrades, players must submit to a short test of their FPS skills. The runes can be difficult to uncover, but they enable faster Glory Kills and more extreme jumps.

Once the campaign is finished, players can take their skills to the multiplayer arena. Again, it’s more highly developed than in the original, but unlike the single-player campaign, it doesn’t push the genre in a new direction.

Though the multiplayer possibilities can have the frenetic pace of “Doom” matches, they stop short of rewriting how online players compete.

One clever addition is a SnapMap feature, which adds a bit of the user-generated content for which the original was known.

Most of “Doom’s” magic comes in ingenious id Software updates that retain the identity of the original.

Achieving that goal must have been a tough balancing act, but the team truly has pulled it off.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

How to build a better taco, from tortillas to toppings

By Nick Kindelsperger Chicago Tribune

Around age 25, I realized I loved tacos more than any other food. I’d like to believe that the innate glory of the taco revealed itself to me, like some kind of divine tortilla-wrapped vision, and that a couple of trips to Mexico broadened my horizons. But who really knows.

Eight years and a literal thousand nights of tacos later, I’ve come up with some helpful tricks to improve your taco game at home. Because all most people want is to eat better tacos more often, right?

First, a strict definition: tacos equals tortilla + filling + salsa. Any so-called taco missing one of these components is a fraud.

Tacos are temporal. Don’t sit around and idly chat while hot tacos sit in front of you ready to be devoured. Eat them immediately.

Tacos taste better standing up. I don’t know why.

Don’t let inflexible ideas of authenticity get in the way of deliciousness.

OK, let’s break this down:

TORTILLAS

Tortillas are the soul of the taco. You can’t have a great taco with a terrible tortilla.

In a battle of sturdiness, flour tortillas beat corn tortillas every time. Use flour tortillas for larger, messier tacos.

The slight structural deficiency of corn tortillas pales in comparison to the superior flavor and fragrance they lend to each bite. I use corn tortillas 99 percent of the time.

Corn tortillas are simple to make at home, but frustratingly hard to master.

Feel no shame in purchasing top-quality corn tortillas for most of your taco needs. Buy them the same day you plan to use them.

One of the main reasons I live in Chicago is the concentration of quality tortilla factories. (I am only partly joking.)

Warm corn tortillas until soft, supple and fragrant. Place tortillas in a heavy skillet set over medium-high until you notice steam wafting off. Flip and wait until you spot steam again. At this

Michael Tercha | Chicago Tribune

Pre-fried U-shaped taco shells break easily, but a fried taco can be amazing. Try our potato-filled version, topped with fresh cabbage, queso fresco and tomatillo salsa.

point, the tortilla should be very soft.

If not, continue heating for a few more seconds. Wrap warmed tortillas in a towel when done, and let them hang out for a few minutes to further steam.

Heating tortillas on top of the grate over an open flame of a gas stove is also a great idea.

One tortilla is usually enough. Some saucier taco fillings will soak through one, thus requiring two, but there is nothing automatically better about doubling up. If anything, two tortillas make it harder to appreciate the filling.

FILLINGS

Free your mind of what constitutes a taco filling.

Veggie tacos are a thing, and they are exceptional. If I can advance one, ahem, opinion here, it is that vegetables make incredible taco fillings.

Great vegetables for tacos: zucchini, mushrooms, kale, squash blossoms, potatoes, Swiss chard, huitlacoche (a prized corn fungus), refried black beans, poblanos, butternut squash and pumpkin.

I love griddled steak tacos, too, but you can braise beef shoulder for barbacoa or cure round for cecina. Heck, you can eat tongue, intestines, brains and all kinds of other fun parts of the cow.

And that’s just one kind of animal!

Chorizo is the bacon of the taco world; it makes everything taste better, but it needs a partner. A taco with only chorizo is like a cake made entirely out of frosting.

Grilled fish tacos are almost always mushy. Fried fish tacos are great but messy to make on a weeknight. Don’t forget about shrimp tacos.

Adding rice is almost always a terrible idea.

SALSA

Salsa isn’t optional. Salsa separates tacos from wraps and other tepid creations.

Salsa requires chilies. Chilies bring excitement and vibrancy to our dull, drab lives.

Make roasted tomatillo salsa. I’ve got nothing against fresh pico de gallo (made with plump summer tomatoes,

of course), but tomatillo salsa is what I usually make, because it’s acidic and flavorful, and tomatillos are available year-round. (See recipe.)

The broiler and blender are your best salsa friends. If you want to go hardcore authentic, you could toast all the ingredients on a comal and then grind them by hand using a stone molcajete.

Or you could replicate this process in a 10th of the time by broiling the vegetables and then processing them in a blender.

You can combine salsa and the filling into one dish. If you braise chicken and tomatillos together (which you should), there’s no need to waste time making a completely different salsa.

Guacamole counts as a salsa.

Most canned salsas suck. Rick Bayless’ Frontera brand does not.

Hot sauce is different from salsa. Its main purpose is to add a final flash of intense heat, which is quite convenient if you’re serving tacos to a group of people with varying levels of spice tolerance.

Quick and biased hot-sauce guide:

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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Valencia > Cholula > El Yucateco > Tapatio > Tabasco

TACO CONSTRUCTION

Small tacos are usually better than large tacos. It’s tempting to stuff each tortilla with as much as possible, but always consider proportion. You want to get a bite with all the components, which is hard if you can barely fold the tortilla over the mass of fillings and toppings. Better to make a slim and satisfying taco, and eat more of them.

Additional toppings are completely optional but can separate a good taco from an exceptional one.

Great toppings: pickled red onions, pickled jalapenos, shredded cabbage, radishes, queso fresco.

Boring toppings: lettuce, chopped tomatoes, pre-shredded “Mexican” cheese, canned black olives.

Chopped white onions and cilantro are great toppings but unnecessary if you’ve included both in your salsa.

Other taco thoughts

The problem with the pre-fried Ushaped shells — the kind made famous

by Taco Bell and Old El Paso — is that when you bite in, the filling slides out the side too easily. Plus, they are usually structurally unsound, crumbling apart after one bite. But fried tacos can be amazing. You just need to fry the tortilla with the filling already inside.

Try fried potato tacos (see recipe).

Break any of these rules if you want.

The goal is not to adhere strictly to these tips but simply to eat more tacos.

Experiment. Cook. Repeat.

ROASTED TOMATILLO SALSA Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 10 minutes Makes: about 1 cup

8 ounces tomatillos, husked, rinsed 1 to 2 serrano chilies 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled ½ teaspoon salt 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped ½ white onion, chopped Place tomatillos, serranos and garlic cloves on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover garlic with an additional layer of foil. Place under a hot broiler and cook until tomatillos are blackened on top, about 6 minutes.

Flip tomatillos and serranos; blacken on the other side, about 5 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven; allow everything to cool. Stem serranos and peel garlic.

Transfer tomatillos, serranos garlic and

Michael Tercha | Chicago Tribune

To build a taco, start with filling, then salsa, then finishing toppings, such as the cilantro and slivered almonds in zucchini, chorizo and almond tacos.

salt to a blender. Process until almost smooth. Taste, and season with more salt if necessary. Transfer to a bowl; stir in cilantro and onion.

Nutrition information per serving: 9 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g carbohydrates, 1 g sugar, 0 g protein, 73 mg sodium, 1 g fiber

FRIED POTATO TACOS Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Makes: 12 tacos

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cubed into ½-inch pieces 1 teaspoon salt 12 corn tortillas 1 cup vegetable oil Roasted tomatillo salsa, see recipe ½ head red cabbage, thinly sliced ½ cup queso fresco 3 limes, quartered Heat a medium saucepan of water over high heat until boiling. Add cubed potatoes; reduce heat to a strong simmer. Cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander. Transfer to a bowl, add salt and use a fork to mash until smooth.

Heat a large skillet over medium. Warm the tortillas for a few seconds on each

side until pliable. Spoon 2 tablespoons of mashed potato into each tortilla. Fold each tortilla over, pressing firmly to close.

Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add as many tortillas as will fit in one layer, usually three. Cook until lightly browned on the bottom, 1-2 minutes; flip and brown on the other side, 1-2 minutes. Transfer tacos to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Serve tacos topped with salsa, a handful of sliced cabbage, queso fresco and a wedge of lime.

Nutrition information per taco: 141 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 18 g carbohydrates, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein, 251 mg sodium, 3 g fiber

ZUCCHINI, CHORIZO & ALMOND TACOS Prep: 25 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Makes: 12 tacos

8 ounces fresh Mexican chorizo 1 large white onion, sliced 1 pound zucchini, ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cumin Salt and pepper

½ cup slivered almonds 12 corn tortillas 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 3 limes, quartered Roasted tomatillo salsa, see recipe Add chorizo and onion to a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent and chorizo is starting to brown, 8-10 minutes.

Add zucchini, garlic, cinnamon and cumin; stir well. Cook, stirring often, until zucchini softens, about 5 minutes. Taste, and season with salt, if necessary — usually about ½ teaspoon — and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla; warm until you notice steam rising off, 5-10 seconds. Flip and warm until very soft, another 10 seconds. Wrap in a towel and repeat with remaining tortillas.

Spoon some of the filling into the tortilla; top with a sprinkle of almonds, cilantro, a squeeze of lime and roasted tomatillo salsa.

Nutrition information per serving: 180 calories, 10 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 17 mg cholesterol, 16 g carbohydrates, 1 g sugar, 7 g protein, 440 mg sodium, 3 g fiber