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DoD test report warns of major cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Last night, the Pentagon confirmed the ship assigned to destroy Syria's chemical weapons had left Virginia and was headed to the Italian port of Gioia Tauro.

An upcoming Anglo-French summit could breathe fresh life into a bilateral defense relationship seen as faded, with industry waiting to hear if there is progress on an anti-ship missile and a future combat drone for the two nations.

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TUESDAY, JAN. 28 2014 >>>

1. God Loves Uganda is an advocacy doc through and through; unlike so many films that try to disguise their bias, this one has the grace and courtesy to announce it from the get-go. It's a powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to change African culture with values imported from America's Christian Right. The film follows American and Ugandan religious leaders fighting "sexual immorality" and missionaries trying to convince Ugandans to follow Biblical law. Catch it at 2 and 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

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Every year theCascade Regional Blood Services hosts a blood drive program titled "Give Blood Get Beer" - a program where if you donate a pint of blood you will receive a complimentary pint of beer.

Hurrah!

Enter fast talking announcer guy:"Give Blood Get Beeris a theme for a series of Cascade Regional Services blood drives that enable local restaurants and pubs to support our community's blood supply in a unique and fun way. All registered blood donors will receive a T-shirt and pre-paid coupon for a pint of beer, redeemable beginning the day following the drive. Vampires may not participate in the program."

More details to follow, probably during the next full moon.

GIVE BLOOD GET BEER, 2-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, Adriatic Grill, 4201 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 877.24.BLOOD

The 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is at at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif, participating large-scale, conventional warfare training with offensive and defensive operations.

Staff Sgt. Justin A. Naylor, a journalist with the 3-2 SBCT, is following the action at Fort Irwin. Sunday, Jan. 26, he followed Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-2 SBCT, as it rehearsed for a mass casualty event while training at the National Training Center. Here's an excerpt from his report:

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Best-selling author Marissa Meyer has captured our imaginations in the first two books of her Lunar series. She uses her craft to weave together classic fairy tales with science fiction suspense in Cinder, a cyborg princess adventure based on Cinderella, and Scarlet, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and her journey with a street fighter named Wolf. Book three of the series will introduce Meyer fans to Cress, a brilliant Rapunzel-type hacker and perhaps the world's last hope against an evil Queen. All three tales, though separate, share intertwining paths within the same futuristic universe. 

The release of Cress will be celebrated Feb. 4 at Pacific Lutheran University and is not to be missed by Meyer fans. The author will be on hand to sign books and tell a fairy tale or two as only she can do.

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GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.29.14 >>>

While President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech tonight was dominated by domestic concerns, he also addressed national security concerns.    

President Barack Obama had a message forthe American people during his State of the Union speech: the war in Afghanistan will be over at the end of the year. He also had a message for Afghan President Hamid Karzai: Sign the U.S. troop deal or we're out of there.

Veterans who had hoped President Obama would support restoring cuts to military retiree pensions during the State of the Union were disappointed, but the president sprinkled plenty of other references to troops throughout his speech. 

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29 21014 >>>

1. Evergreen State College photography alumni Erica Keeling and Paul Elliott have a show this winter in the college's Galerie Fotoland (Daniel J. Evans Library Lobby, 1st floor). Though both working with the traditional tools of color film and medium-format cameras, they follow different paths in concept and in subject choices. Keeling's days are filled with antiquated glamour, boundless curiosity and quiet humor. Elliott captures moments that are telling of character - mostly during the summer months following his graduation.

2. Photographer Gregg M. Erickson spent two years visiting some of the most remote spots in the American west in search of perfect conditions for photographing the Milky Way galaxy. In addition to capturing the Milky Way and the night sky details city dwellers normally can't see, his photos demonstrate how ambient "light pollution" from cities and towns reach even the most remote locations. Check out his work at the Tacoma Community College Gig Harbor Campus during an artist reception from 4-6 p.m.

3. Before you and your child end up in the hospital after your school science fair project goes awry, considering attending the Pierce County Library's Science Fair Success lecture at 7 p.m. in the University Place Pierce County Library. The event offers tips and tricks for making a top-notch science fair project, provides library resources, and demonstrates a few successful experiments.

4. Landon Wordswell, Tim Hoke and Mostafa, and C-LeGz will be traveling back to Olympia at 7 p.m. for an all-ages hip-hop show at Northern.

5. Lyon Pride continues its Hempfest Tryouts Wednesday night series at Jazzbones with bands Shade Of Memories, Digital Chemistry, Fallen Kings and Riot In Rhythm at 7:30 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

What's up with that taco truck taco businthe Nisqually Basin? With all the restaurant choices in that pocket off the freeway, the big white bus with a purple mural and indoor seating is always busy.

I investigated.

"We're especially busy because of the military," says Megan Goodwin, Tacos Lu Fuenta employee. "There are a lot of soldiers from the base during the day."

Tacos Lu Fuenta serves up typical mobile taco fair, including a popular special of four tacos or four burritos for $4.60. Veggie burritos, California tacos and other take-out options are less than five bucks. Chicken, steak, tongue and chorizo are a few of the meat choices.

Based on the recommendation of Goodwin, I order up pork and steak tacos, two of each. I wait in the seating area of the bus - which blew my mind. Who ever knew you could sit in these things? It was a nice set-up, with bar stools, a television and a heater. The kitchen was tucked in the back. I didn't smell grease, considering the close proximity. There were even highchairs for little ones.

And it's not just a nosy reporter and military that eat there, locals have been enjoying Tacos Lu Fuenta at this location for more than two years - five years at the previous location, across the street next to Norma's Burgers.

Caitlin Krenn lives and works in the area, and has been visiting the taco bus for four years.

"I'm here whenever I don't bring my lunch," she says. "It's fast, convenient and has really great food."

TACOS LE FUENTA, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 10329 Martin Way E., Lacey, 360.977.8423

Did you know Wells Fargo donates homes to soldiers with help from the Military Warriors Support Foundation? It's true. In fact, it happened again Monday when former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier Spc. Marcos Garcia shoved a key into his new Federal Way home. Garcia, who was severely injured in a mortar attack in April of 2007 while deployed in Iraq and was awarded the Purple Heart, now lives in a mortgage-free home thanks to the two organizations.

That's awesome.

Read up on the program. ...

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Apparently there's a big game on Sunday:

Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Little Theatre is proud to show their 12th Man Pride for the Seattle Seahawks.  Due to overwhelming requests from our patrons who are also Seahawks fans, TLT has moved their matinee start time on this Sunday to 12:00pm (Noon), and are offering a special $12.00 ticket special for anyone who uses the code SEAHAWKS at online checkout or with our box office (in person or over the phone). This special only applies to new ticket orders.

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