Security exercises may impact access, local traffic

Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2010 will be conducted on naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and Guam, from March 22-26. This is the largest AT/FP exercise conducted nationwide. This annual exercise is designed to train and prepare Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units. Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2010 is a regularly scheduled exercise, and is not in response to any specific threat.
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Sailor finds passion through Mixed Martial Arts

The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a grueling physical chess match between well trained athletes who are brave enough to step into the ring and compete. For Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) Carl Edwards assigned to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF), it’s a challenge he is willing to face. One day while working out at the local gym, Edwards had an unexpected encounter with a professional cage-fighter, Cedric “Spiderman” Marks. Marks challenged him to a friendly wrestling match and Edwards quickly took on the competition. “I got involved with MMA by accident, and I never planned on becoming a fighter,” said Edwards. “Marks challenged me to a friendly wrestling match, and I had no idea I was wresting with a professional cage-fighter.”
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Master swimmer shares skills with NW Sailors

Last week, eight-time World Masters Swimmer of the Year, Karlyn Pipes facilitated a “Faster Freestyle Clinic” for personnel at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton and Naval Station Everett. The one-day, four-hour course consisted of two training videos and a variety of swimming drills and exercises. Pipes, 48, said the course focuses on three basic principles; breathing, body-balance and streamline. “I’m not teaching them how to swim,” said Pipes. “I’m teaching them to be more self-aware. I’m also introducing a new freestyle technique that has really old roots. It’s the style of swim techniques that the fastest swimming competitors are using today.”
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Chocolate, fine dining draws crowd to Pacific Beach

The third annual Chocolate on the Beach Festival drew a crowd of nearly three thousand visitors to the small town of Pacific Beach during the last weekend in February. Many of the area’s businesses took part in the festival, including the Navy’s own Pacific Beach Resort and Conference Center that hosted a “Winemakers Dinner” featuring chocolate-inspired dishes, Feb 27. The meal included five courses, each paired with a Northwest wine and introduced by a professional wine steward. The main entrée consisted of cocoa crusted beef tenderloin with chocolate cabernet sauce, complimented by a shitake mushroom risotto. Among those in attendance were Cpl. David Schinkle and his wife Terra. Schinkle, currently a member of the Army Signal Corps, is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. After recently returning home from training, he and his wife made their first trip to the Pacific Beach Resort at the recommendation of their neighbors.
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Deputy EEO is here for you

Deputy Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) officer, Carolyn Jenkins, EEO and Diversity Office, has a servant’s heart and listener’s ear. As a deputy EEO officer for Navy Region Northwest working in the Total Work Force Division (Code N1), Jenkins has a big responsibility over the EEO Program. Jenkins, a native of Muskogee, Okla., serves as the liaison between region and the Department of the Navy’s EEO and Diversity Office and oversees other civilian EEO programs in the Northwest. The deputy EEO officer bridges both the military and civilian community to ensure each workplace fosters an atmosphere of dignity and respect while working to achieve the mission of the Navy.
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