There's no doubt that Tillicum Elementary School third grader Zinessa Patton loves science. The youngster has been an avid science fair participant for the last four years at her school; for the last two of those years, she's been a science fair award winner and has received a number of accolades for her work.

In 2013, her school science fair project "Brain Freeze" was awarded first place at school. She then went on to participate in the Clover Park School District's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair (STEM), where the young scientist received public recognition from Lakewood's mayor for her efforts.

For the 2014 fair, Zinessa created the presentation, "The Human Heart." She took first place again. Her project will be featured in the upcoming STEM Fair Saturday at Lakes High School.

It gets better.

Members of the 514th Ambulance Ground Paramedics from Joint Base Lewis-McChord served as judges for this year's Tillicum Elementary School science fair. Impressed with Zinessa's "Human Heart" project, the team invited her to give her presentation to other team members at JBLM. The student scientist was thrilled by the invitation and graciously accepted. Along with her family, Zinessa visited the base on Feb. 21. According to Zinessa's mother, Zina Cockrell, Zinessa absolutely cherished the experience. The family thanks all of those involved at the 514th Ambulance Ground for making this event happen.

It doesn't stop there. Zinessa is not only a budding scientist and a straight-A student, she's a philanthropist, too. She raised $250 for the American Heart Association.

Zina Cockrell says Zinessa's love of science and school is in the genes.

"My mother taught science for 37 years in Gig Harbor," says Cockrell. "I was exposed to science at an early age. The same thing happened for Zinessa. She started loving science at a young age."

"Yes, I went to the circus once, and my daddy promised to take me again some day, if I'm good." - Becky Thatcher, to Tom Sawyer

One hundred years ago, Becky had the circus. Today, we have the multiplex.  When step inside, we're in a single-building version of Las Vegas.  We have the colorful lights, the colorful posters, the colorful treats and a mob of happy people milling nowhere and everywhere. We have a ticket in hand to another galaxy ... wait.  That's the name of the theater, isn't it? Whatever. The point is, we have two hours and there is absolutely no way for a staff sergeant to motion us over to the popcorn versus the Junior Mints.

At the Gateway 8 in Federal Way, it's $2 per ticket - about what it cost Becky Thatcher's dad for the circus.  Here are three of the rings they offer this week under the Gateway 8 Big Top.

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While many are feeling anxious over the proposed Pentagon budget cuts, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Democrat out of Gig Harbor, wants students to consider the armed forces. Kilmer will host a Service Academy Night Wednesday, March 19 at Foss High School in Tacoma.

"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I'm looking forward to extending this exciting opportunity to students in our region who are considering a top-tier education with service to our nation in our armed forces," stated Kilmer in a news release.

The night is dedicated to those students attending high school - public or private - in the Tacoma and Peninsula school districts, and who live within Kilmer's 6th Congressional District.

Those in attendance will also see bright and shiny faces from U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and ROTC representatives.

We haven't confirmed the rumor of a post-event screening of Taps at nearby Cheney Stadium. It's unlikely.

SERVICE ADACEMY NIGHT, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, Foss High School Auditorium, 2112 S. Tyler St., Tacoma, 253.272.3515

It's probably about this time every winter that you grow weary of your usual early-morning on-the-way-to-work grab-and-go breakfast of a cold in the middle egg white wrap paired with a Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. You begin looking for something novel to stave off the watery chill creeping into your bones trudge toward work.

This scenario isn't the case, most likely, if your final destination is Joint Base Lewis-McChord. You have tunnel vision for the Cannon and Castle Dining Facility (DFAC) on Fort Lewis North.

According to Capt. Tania Donovan with 17th Fires Brigade, the "concept of feeding soldiers on the go has come to fruition at the 17th Field Artillery Brigade and 555th Engineer Brigade, Cannon and Castle Dining Facility (DFAC) on Fort Lewis North."

Apparently, the bigwigs at Food Management Assistance Team (FMAT) conducted the inspection that examined all food service programs on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Cannon and Castle DFAC received a big thumbs up, especially its "grab and go" operation.

"The ‘grab and go' operation has proven to be a success, feeding on average an additional 270 soldiers a day," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Phillip Saunders, accountable officer for the Cannon and Castle DFAC.

Soldiers can enter the facility from the side entrance and walk directly into a University-style cafeteria kiosk. There, they have a variety of options to choose from.

The wait time? Only five to seven minutes per soldier.

Read Donovan's full story on DFAC here.

Did you attend the command sergeant major change of command ceremony at Madigan medical Center Wednesday?

Staff Sgt. Christopher Klutts with the 20th Public Affair Detachment did.

When Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew T. Brady joined the active Army as a combat medic in 1987, he had no idea he would eventually become the senior enlisted service member at a hospital responsible for delivering care to more than 120,000 people.

A change of responsibility ceremony at Soldiers Field House Feb. 27 marked the end of Brady's tour at Madigan Army Medical Center and a beginning for his replacement, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew J. Rhoades.

"Those of us who've chosen this military lifestyle, either by duty or association, accept transition as an integral part of it. And even sometimes when we don't always like it, every couple of years, leaders are going to change," said Col. Ramona Fiorey, the Madigan commander.

Read Klutts full report here.