Community Newsletter Lewis-McChord Communities | January 2021
Satisfaction Survey Cover
Living Green page 2
Community Events page 3
Feat ured Stor y
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Lewis-McChord Communities
Resident Newsletter 1
Living Green
In This Issue
1. Satisfaction Survey
Living Green: Saving Energy During Winter
2. Living Green 3. Community Events
Spouse Mixer - January Happy New Year
Thank You! 4. Seasonal Reminders
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Select the type of light bulb on the basis of its efficiency.
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When possible, place floor, table, and hanging lamps in the corner of a room rather than against a flat wall. Lamps in corners reflect light from two wall surfaces instead of one and, therefore, give more usable light.
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The sun’s energy can have a noticeable effect on the temperature in your home, especially from windows facing south and west. Keep window shades and drapes open during winter months to let in the sun’s radiant heat.
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Don’t depend on thermostat settings; go by your own comfort. Keep the temperature where you are comfortable wearing a light sweater.
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When the house is cold, don’t “overset” the thermostat for temperature recovery. The house won’t heat any faster.
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Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air - reversible ceiling fans are best, as they can circulate warm air without passing a breeze over your skin.
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If you have a room in your house that seems to be cooler or hotter than other rooms, call Lincoln at Your Service 1-800-578-4141 to have your duct system checked and repaired if needed.
5. Seasonal Reminders Cont. 6. Western Washington Tips 7. Snow And Ice Removal 8. Maintenace Tips 9. Maintenance Tips Cont. 10. Sustainability 11. Community Services 12. Community Services Cont. 13. Resident Portal 14. Resident Portal Cont. 15. Find Us On Facebook
District Office Hours: Monday - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday & Sunday Closed
Lewis-McChord Communities will be closed on January 1st. Lincoln Military Housing
District Trash Collection Schedule Have your trash cans curbside by 5:30 AM on your designated day Please Note: If your trash day falls on a holiday, pickup may be delayed by one business day
Monday: Evergreen, Madigan, New Hillside Tuesday: Broadmoor, Davis Hill, Greenwood, Parkway Wednesday: All McChord Field Thursday: Beachwood, Beachwood II, Eagleview, Meriwether Landing Friday: Clarkdale, Discovery Village, Hillside, Town Center Centralized Garbage Container Service: • Tuesday: Parkway and Town Center • Friday: Parkway and Clarkdale Resource Guide 2
Community Events
Spouses Mixer January: Welcome Boards
Happy New Year! Lewis-McChord Communities will be closed on January 1st.
Resident Events
For attending our e vents, more fun to come in 2021!
Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 3
Seasonal Reminders Holiday Decorations Friendly reminder of important tips and dates:
After the holidays when its time to take down the family Christmas tree, LeMay offers free Christmas tree removal. Here are the guidelines to have your tree picked up and disposed of.
Christmas tree pickups will occur during Dec 31-Jan 4. If you choose to leave your tree up after the 4th of January, you can take your tree to the JBLM recycle centers located on Lewis and McChord. You will see two trucks in the communities on your schedule trash day. One truck will be performing normal trash removal, the second will be picking up any trees left on the curb. Please follow these guidelines to have your tree removed by LeMay.
* Only real trees will be removed by LeMay tree removal. * Trees need to be unflocked. * Trees must be cut down to 4ft sections and no bigger than 4� in diameter. * Trees must be free of tinsel, ornaments and decorations.
The Holidays and Trash pick up: During the holidays LeMay will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. All trash service will be pushed one day to accommodate their holiday schedule. For example: Christmas week. If your trash day is Monday or Tuesday, you will see no change to your service. If your normal trash day is on Wednesday - Friday, because LeMay is closed on Christmas, Wednesday pick up will be pushed to Thursday, Thursday to Friday and Friday to Saturday. Starting Monday, all trash service will return to normal pick up days. Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 4
Seasonal Reminders Cont. Extended Leave or Vacation from your home When leaving your home for an extended period of time (more than two (2) weeks), a Vacation and Extended Absence Form must be completed and given to your District Office. This form can be picked up at any of our District Offices. Before you leave your home, we strongly recommend that you: 1. Stop mail and newspaper delivery. 2. Leave pets with friends or at a kennel (pets are not allowed to stay in your home during your absence. 3. Unplug all unnecessary appliances such as a TV, coffee maker, or computers. 4. Lock and secure all doors and windows. 5. Turn off water supply line to washing machine.
During winter months: Please call our Customer Service line at 253.912.3500 for special “cold weather” instructions to prevent frozen / broken pipes.
Pet Responsibilities Pet droppings are odorous, unsightly, and a nuisance. More importantly, they can be a health hazard, especially for children. Therefore, pets must be kept under control so they do not defecate on parade fields, playgrounds, troop formation areas, sidewalks/walkways, common areas, miniature playgrounds of the housing areas, and neighbors' yards. You will immediately clean up droppings when your pet defecates outside of your residence yard. Droppings in your residence, including your yard, will be removed daily. Pet owners are responsible for disposing of their pet's waste, whether the pet is on a leash or in a fenced area. A pet owner who does not properly dispose of his/her pet's waste will be subject to a fine of $25 for each offense plus $5 per day that the violation persists. With the fall season comes heavy rain, wind and chilly weather. If you have a pet that spends time in the fenced yard, make sure you are taking the best care possible of your four legged family member. * Make sure your pet has shelter from the elements * Make sure your pet has food and water. * Bring your pet in when the weather is extreme. Remember if its too cold for you, its too cold for your pet. Be kind, bring them inside. Lewis-McChord Communities
Winter Weather Tips For Your Home / Ice and Snow Winter Weather Tips For Your Home:
With the changing weather, we could experience extreme temperature drops, snow and ice. When this kind of weather hits the Northwest, there is the possibility of pipes freezing and bursting in your home. You can help to prevent this by taking some simple steps. Disconnect all garden hoses from the exterior faucets. Keep your house temperature set at 55 or higher, even if you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time. Do not turn off the heating system, this can cause significant damage in your home due to broken water pipes. Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate in these enclosed spaces. During extended periods of freezing temperatures set your inside faucets on a low drip to circulate water in the pipes and help prevent the lines from freezing.
Ice and Snow:
With snow and ice accumulations typically spanning short periods of time in the Pacific Northwest your Lewis McChord Communities teams will focus on hills, major roads and major intersections in and out of our communities. Lewis McChord Communities does not shovel or lay down ice/snow melt in walkways or driveways around the homes. During these times we ask you to use caution while moving in and around JBLM and other communities surrounding the installation, including major freeways and roadways. Follow the guidance provided by local officials and be safe when making a decision to travel away from your home. HAVE A SAFE WINTER
100 Ideas to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Quarantine New Year’s Eve will be different this year and that is okay. New Year’s Eve is still happening and you can still have fun and enjoy New Year’s Eve. Perhaps start a new tradition this year or just do something different all together. Either way, here is some inspiration that not all is lost. Here are some ideas for celebrating New Year’s eve this year. 1. Send out digital invitations to a virtual party. 2. Set a “throw-back” pre-quarantine theme for your party. 3. Plan a drive-by celebration. Pass out party gifts or balloons to anyone who drives by to say hello. 4. Decorate your house with quarantine-specific party decorations, which are available on Etsy and Amazon. Follow this link for more ideas.
Resource Guide 5
Western Washington Winter Tips
21 ideas for New Years resolutions to make in 2021
Winter driving - Studded tires, Traction tires & chains
The year ahead is vurusting with new opportunities to seize, goals to hit , and progress to make. We’re gonna start with the 21 ideas and then jump into our 4 tops that make actually sticking with your new year’s resolutions easier.
Studded Tires - Studded tires are only legal Nov. 1 Mar. 31. Motorists using studded tires before or after these dates could incur a fine from law enforcement. Approved studded tires & chains
Ready to make 2021 your best year yet? Alright, let’s do this.
There is no individual exception to the studded tire season. When traveling in Washington, you are required to follow the State of Washington’s motor vehicle laws.
Okay, these New Year’s Resolution ideas are meant to customize. I’m sharing fairly broad ideas, so that can turn it ino a goal that most resonates with you.
Studded tires do not satisfy state chain requirements. If chains are required on your vehicle, you’ll have to install them even on studded tires.
Before you get started, create a vision board. It’ll help you nail down your overall vision for the new year. Use it to brainstorm all your New Year’s Resolution ideas, before choosing the goals that resonate most with you.
Motorists are encouraged to visit a tire dealer to learn more about stud-free winter traction tires that are legal for year-round use and do not cause the same roadway damage as studded tires. These tires are different from “all season” tires and have a more aggressive tire tread.
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Traction Tires - The following qualify as traction tires when required on Washington roadways:
Head To The Mountains And Enjoy The Snow! Here are some of the best places to go sled riding in Washington this winter. Considering over half the state has seen snow over the last few days, it’s safe to say that winter is imminent. And while skiing and snowboarding tend to be people’s favorite means of celebration, not everyone has time (or the desire) to make that happen. Plus, you’re really never too old to go sledding. Here are some of our favorite spots. 1. Tubing Park at Ski Hill, Leavenworth - Leavenworth’s Ski Hill is a small ski area with two Alpine runs, a tubing hill with rope tows, and cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. 2. Mt. Rainier National Park - The only place where sledding is allowed in the park is the designated snow play area immediately north of the upper parking lot at Paradise... but if you can find it, it’s worth it. 3. Franklin Park, Yakima - When Yakima schools have a snow day, you’ll find most of the students sledding down the hills at Franklin Park. 4. Echo Valley Ski Area - This Chelan area ski and tubing hill has rope tows and a four-lane tubing hill. 5. Hurricane Ridge - Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge has a small skiing and snowboarding area that also has a tubing run. Stop by the visitors’ center for information and a warming area.
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Approved traction tires - including an eighth of an inch tread and a M&S or All Season label or a Mountain/Snowflake symbol. Installing chains makes any tire a traction tire. Approved tire chains
Chains and alternatives - Those traveling into higher elevations should carry chains and have approved traction tires whenever winter weather is possible, especially Nov. 1 through March 31. Studded tires do NOT satisfy state chain requirements; if chains are required, they’ll have to installed on top of studded tires. 4WD/AWD and chains - 4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during “chains required” notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they’re required to install chains during a “chains required on all vehicles” notice. Chain placement - Front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles. On a front-wheel drive vehicle you must install chains on the front two tires. On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you must install chains on the rear two tires. For more informations please visit Washington State DOT site.
Click here for more fun places to visit this winter season. Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 6
JBLM Snow, Ice And Sanding Plan.
JBLM - Snow, Ice And Sanding Removal Plan
ROAD SNOW,ICE AND SANDING REMOVAL PLAN LEWIS-MCCHORD COMMUNITIES
When ice or snow accumulations are imminent, Lewis-McChord Communities staff will be on standby to respond if in fact the weather does affect the roads within the Housing Areas. While in standby mode, we will monitor local news as well as the Joint Base Alerts, so we can provide the quickest response possible to the ever changing conditions. Please keep in mind, LMC does not have staff on site 24 hours a day to assess road conditions; so when conditions change overnight we will respond as quickly as possible in cooperation with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Works. LMC responds with a phased plan addressing current road conditions focused on the most critical areas first, including hills and major intersections. As we implement our plan we will cooperate with installation resources to leverage our assets, helping to provide the safest passage possible for LMC residents and staff. The work order line is always available to our residents providing them an outlet to report issues in their area. LMC may send Red Flag Alerts to our residents providing specific instructions and warnings regarding inclement weather when necessary. All Lewis-McChord Communities residents are automatically registered for the LMH Red Flag alerts. If you have specific phone numbers or emails you would like to receive these alerts, contact your District Office to update your profile. We also encourage our residents to opt into the JBLM Emergency Notification services which is another mode of communication from local authorities, including JBLM Commanders. To stay informed on weather-related notices, join the JBLM Alert System by visiting: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611338#/login For road conditions on JBLM, visit https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord or call the road conditions hotline at 253-967-1733. So that our focus remains on the most critical areas, LMC will not be plowing and/or sanding side streets, rather focusing on major connecting roads, hills and intersections in and out of our communities. If you are concerned with getting from your driveway, please stop to consider other options before you leave your home. Major snow accumulations in the Pacific Northwest are not constant in the winter and can vary considerably. Resources on JBLM and in many of the municipalities surrounding the installation are limited, travel may be limited in many of these areas, so please use caution before deciding to travel away from your home. Monitor Local News and Command communications so that you are making informed decisions on your travel plans. While it is the residents responsibility to perform snow/ice removal at their individual homes and the sidewalks in front of the homes, we will do our best to provide for the safe passage of our residents in and out of the JBLM neighborhoods and respond to resident concerns as resources allow. Be safe this winter season and Happy Holidays from all of us here at Lewis McChord Communites and Lincoln Military Housing.
Lincoln Military Housing
Resource Guide 7
Maintenance Tips Maintenance Tips: Garbage Disposal There are no two ways about it — garbage disposals are amazing. No longer do you have to worry about catching bits of food and stopping them from going down the drain as you do dishes. You can purposefully put food down the drain and grind it up. There are so many reasons to love your garbage disposal. Food scraps won’t sit in your trash can and give off an unpleasant odor. Your trash bag doesn’t fill up as full because you can put a lot of things into the garbage disposal instead. What’s not to love? However, it’s important to remember that as wonderful a tool as a garbage disposal is, it’s not indestructible. It can and will break, or be less effective, if the wrong foods go down the drain. That’s why it pays to know what things are safe for the garbage disposal and which things are no-nos.
WHAT IS A GARBAGE DISPOSAL USED FOR? Your garbage disposal is intended to be used for mashing and grinding up small food waste. It takes these pieces of food and shreds them into tiny pieces that won’t clog your pipes or drains. While the best way to keep your garbage disposal healthy is to avoid putting any food down it that it can’t handle, there are a few other things you can do to keep it working smoothly: • • •
Run cold water when turning the disposal on, as this helps greases and oils solidify so they can be ground up. Run your disposal regularly. Letting it sit unused will cause it to act up. Don’t put down anything that isn’t biodegradable.
WHAT CAN’T YOU PUT DOWN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL? • • • • • • • • •
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Coffee Grounds: Although they may appear to be finely milled, they’re very densely packed and almost pastelike when you take them out of a filter. Pasta, Rice, and Bread: What do these three things have in common? They all absorb water and expand, which can easily lead to a clogged drain. Animal Bones: Although it can be hard to accept, the garbage disposal is not indestructible. It’s simply not built to grind up exceptionally hard items. Bones are one of the hardest naturally-occurring substances out there, and they can significantly shorten the lifespan of your disposal. Nuts and Shells: Similar to bones, nuts and shells (including seafood shells) can be very damaging to your garbage disposal. Pits and Seeds: If you can’t cut it with a knife, it’s safe to say putting it down the disposal is not a good idea. Pits and seeds are often round and small, making them even harder to grind up. Egg Shells: There’s a commonly held misconception that egg shells can help to sharpen the “blades” of your garbage disposal. But the truth is, garbage disposal don’t have blades. Rather, they have impellers that are more blunt than sharp. These impellers grind food waste down, rather than chopping it up like a blender. Fibrous or Stringy Fruits and Vegetables: Throw in the trash instead of the disposal for example, celery, asparagus, banana peels, corn husks, and rhubarb. Potato Peels: When tossing potato peels down the disposal, one of two things can happen: 1) the peels may be thin enough to slip past the disposal, causing them to potentially catch in the drain or 2) they are ground up, and turn into a starchy paste in your disposal. If this paste makes its way into the pipes, you can have major blockages down the road. The same goes for other starchy vegetables and beans. Grease, Oil, and Fat: The tricky thing about grease, oil, and fats is they may look like liquid now, but they don’t stay that way for long. These materials will congeal with time, which can cause a major blockage in your drain. It’s best to simply allow these substances to cool, and then dispose of them in trash. Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 8
Maintenance Tips Cont: Maintenance Tips: Oven and Stove Top Safety A stove and oven are a necessary household item. We use them on a daily basis for small meals and large meals alike. The stove is a critical component of the household and life would be hard without one, but life can be dangerous if you are not practicing safety and caution while using a stove. Cooking fires are the primary cause of residential fires in the U.S.. For the most part, kitchen fires are preventable, if you follow the safety tips provided below. USING YOUR STOVE TOP & OVEN: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Never leave cooking unattended. Keep it clean. Food particles and grease residue can ignite and cause a fire. Create a “Kid-Free Zone” that children are aware they are not allowed to enter. Check for body safety. Tie back long hair. Roll up long sleeves. Remove loose jewelry. Be sure footwear is non-slip. Before each use, do an oven safety check. Be sure you do not smell gas leaking from a gas stove.If you do, open a window and leave the room. Make sure there is nothing in the oven. An oven should never be used for storage. Make sure that there are no food particles or grease residue on the stove top. Position your oven racks before pre-heating to prevent scalding. Be sure to follow safety guidelines when using stove top burners. Use burners on the back as much as possible. Never use a pot that is too small or big for the burner. Never leave a burner on that does not have a filled pot or pan on it. Do not leave an empty pan on a hot burners. Turn all pot and pan handles inwards. They can be pulled and knocked over when they are turned out. Close the oven door immediately after removing or testing food. Keep oven mitts and other cloth and paper out of the way of the burners. Use oven mitts and oven sticks to remove pots and pans from the stove top or oven. Keep a fire extinguisher, baking soda and metal lids nearby to put out fires quickly.
IN CASE OF FIRE: • • • • • • • • • •
Never use water on a grease fire. If it is small in the pan, throw baking soda on top of it or cover it with a metal lid. Never use flour or fan the flames with a towel. Use an ABC rated dry chemical extinguisher. Be sure it is placed next to an exit so that you can back out of the kitchen and home if the fire becomes uncontrollable. If it is too big to smother with a lid or put out with an extinguisher, turn off the burner, move the pan off the burner if you are able to, and evacuate the house. If it is in the oven, keep the door closed and turn off the heating element. Do not remove a lid or open the oven door until the pot or pan has completely cooled. Before trying to fight a fire, be sure to evacuate everyone from the home. Turn off the burners or oven. If the fire does not go out, exit the home and call for emergency help. Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 9
JBLM News
Winter Energy Conservation Tips By Tammy Shoop, Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division
It can be tricky to conserve energy during winter in the Pacific Northwest. Small changes in behavior can make real impact on the bottom line since anytime we overheat, or overcool, it increases our energy use. Best bet- is to cut it back, and close it all! Keep all windows and doors shut. Keep your thermostat to 68 degrees, and turn your thermostat down when you go to sleep at night, or leave the house. You don’t want to compete for the heat. Unplug it when it’s not in use. Vampire power is the power used by those appliances or electronics that are plugged in but not being used. Use power strips where you can, and turn them off when you leave, or go to sleep. Switch to energy-saving compact florescent lights or light emitting diodes. CFLs and LEDs consume only a fraction of the energy consumed by their incandescent counterparts. Set your decorative lights on a timer. If you are shopping for new appliances or electronics make sure they are part of the Energy Star program, a simple choice for energy efficiency. Keep your hot water tank set to 120 degrees, and turn the heat cycle off when you run the dishwasher. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes, and use cold water when you can. These are just a few easy winter conservation tips to help conserve energy. Remember the power is in our hands. See additional information on JBLM’s Energy program on JBLM DPW Environmental website at: https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord/index.php/my-Joint-Base-Lewis-Mcchord/all-services/public_works-environmental_division/energy-program. Follow Sustainable JBLM on Facebook for more energy saving tips: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableJBLM
Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 10
Caught On Camera - December Fun!
Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 11
Community Services
Caught On Camera - December Fun!
Community Services Email: lewismcchordcommunities@gmail.com Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Closed Saturday and Sunday Community Services Coordinator: Hope Schwickerath Community Services Director: Marcia McDowell
join the conversation Like us on Facebook, find us on Twitter, look for us on Instagram and Pinterest, you can even find us on snapchat. Lincoln Military Housing is not responsible for information from other organizations published in this newsletter. Lewis-McChord Communities
Community Services Mission Statement Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our military residents through programs designed to strengthen personal connections between neighbors, and to partner with like minded local organizations to support this goal. Resource Guide 12
District Information
Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 13
District Information
Lewis-McChord Communities
Resource Guide 14
JBLM News
DISTRICT OFFICES LEWIS MAIN
LEWIS NORTH
MCCHORD FIELD
Lewis Main District Office
Lewis West District Office
Lewis East District Office
Lewis North District Office
McChord District Office
Broadmoor, Town Center and Clarkdale
Parkway, Davis Hill, Greenwood and Hillside
Discovery Village, Evergreen and New Hillside
Meriwether Landing, Beachwood North, Beachwood South and Eagleview
All McChord and Madigan
BLDG 5133 - Lewis Main Phone: 253-912-3460 lewismain@lpsi.com
BLDG 5133 - Lewis Main Phone: 253-912-3493 lewiswest@lpsi.com
BLDG 10400 - Lewis North Phone: 253-912-3475 lewisnorth@lpsi.com
BLDG 3209 - McChord Field Phone: 253-589-0523 mcchord@lpsi.com
District Manager: Heather Curaming Maintenance Supervisor: Matt Clark
District Manager: Amy VanPevenage Maintenance Supervisor: Dale Kimmell
BLDG 60100A - Lewis Main Phone: 253-912-3485 lewiseast@lpsi.com
District Manager: Jessica Flansburg Maintenance Supervisor: Adam Aflau
District Manager: Kimberly Trammell Maintenance Supervisor: Joe Mavaega
Lewis-McChord Communities
District Manager: Lesley Bonnell Maintenance Supervisor: Adam Brokaw
Resource Guide 15
