Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union) - one of 12 state lawmakers who sponsored House Bill 2130 - sent us a Valentine stating HB2130's measure to streamline programs that assist current military members and veterans transition into civilian life received unanimous support in the state House of Representatives today.

Below is MacEwen's news release, which seemed to pop 3-D hearts at us as we read it online.

Building upon 2006 legislation establishing the Veterans' Innovations Program (VIP), House Bill 2130 would combine the Defenders' Fund and Competitive Grant Program simplifying internal processes for the Washington Department of Veterans' Affairs. Funds appropriated to VIP would still be used to increase awareness of the program to veterans and active duty service members. Funds from this program would also be used to develop partnerships to assist members in completing the application process, along with education, training and employment assistance. Additionally, the bill expands these services to members of the National Guard.

"I was happy to sponsor the Veterans Innovations Program legislation," said MacEwen, a veteran of the United States Navy. "This program began to assist veterans facing hardship in employment, training and transitioning to civilian life. It has proven to be a crucial tool to assist our veterans who have returned home after facing long and arduous combat tours in a post 9/11 world. My bill would streamline the various programs and make them more efficient and accessible by our military community."

House Bill 2130 will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration. The 2014 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 13.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGH TIN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Triangle District. Amocat Live! featuring the Amocat House Band. All Ages. 7 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. A Valentine's Evening With Leroy Bell & His Only Friends. 8 pm. $15.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. The Paralytics. 9 pm.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Michael Anthony Pratt Band. All Ages. 8 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

Metronome Coffee Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hunnywell w/ Dames and Ricky Reyes. 8-11 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Valentine's Day Party, with The Pecos, MILK, Roller Derby Weddings Benefit. 9 pm.

Red Bicycle Bistro and Sushi Bar Vashon. Love Duets II, hosted by Pete & Allison, with Shane Jewell & Kim Thal, RISK, Allison Shirk & Joe Panzetta and more. All proceeds will go to the RISK scholarship fund. All Ages. 8 pm. $5 suggested donation.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Anti-Valentine Party. Featuring Accidental Heroes, scavenger hunt, Man Purse Game, Who's Your Daddy game, prizes and more. 8 pm. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Mr. Pink. 9 pm.

The Triad Theater Yelm. Valentine Cabaret, featuring Crooners & Spooners. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hot Death, Conjurer. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music Friday, Feb. 14 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

What is it about the giant shiny things that make us giggle and faint and salivate? We were just asking Siri to open us a beer and ponder that question when Air Force Space Command Public Affairs beeped us on our iphone.

"Air Force Next-Generation Mobility Solutions Beginning" read our tiny screen.

Did AFSPC invent a new warning buzzer for our phone when the N.S.A. is about to troll our personal data?

Nope. Apparently the initial rollout of modernized commercial mobile technologies has begun across the Air Force. The rollout of CMT devices will focus on BlackBerry replacement and executive users, and distribution will be focused on enabling approximately 5,000 iOS devices.

According to AFSPC Public Affairs, "each Air Force Major Command will be allowed to provision an accelerated amount of devices per month until their allocated licenses are used. Mobile device users should contact their MAJCOM Mobile point of contact to start the replacement process for their BlackBerry."

Read the full story here.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 2.15.14 >>>

There is an interest among top U.S. policymakers in coming up with new options on Syria.

The Defense Department has identified two soldiers killed earlier this week in an insider attack in Afghanistan as members of 3rd Special Forces Group.

International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi apologized to the Syrian people today for the lack of progress at peace talks in Geneva after their second round ended with little more than an agreement to meet again. 

Signs of a large amount of digging at North Korea's nuclear test site can be seen in new satellite images, though the purpose is not yet clear.

Time to talk plainly and clearly about nuclear weapons.

A picture showing an airman tongue-kissing a Prisoner of War-Missing in Action symbol has gone viral, infuriating bloggers and veterans.

NBA honors troops during All-Star Weekend.

The international market for upgrading the twin-engine jets won't be as large as that of the single-engine F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Why the U.S. should use British missiles on reaper drones.

Competition aims to inspire middle school cyber defenders.

U.S. defeats bitter rival Russia in men's hockey preliminary round in Sochi.

How to crash the Super Bowl without a ticket.

Jeff Bezos has some new competition in the crazy drone delivery race.

This gorgeous iPad-only app gathers scenes from Ken Burns' documentaries into a video textbook of American history.

Apple's next-generation Apple TV will likely be announced as soon as April.

Looks like the question of female likability in film and literature is up for debate. 

SATURDAY, FEB. 15 2014 >>>

1. Beyond being reliably catchy providers of psychedelic synth-rock, People Under the Sun are perhaps the Tacoma music scene's most committed aesthetes. Not content to simply call it a day at paying homage to the New Wave pioneers that have clearly served as influences, People Under the Sun go so far as to cram their stage with a bounty of outmoded technology. Blocky computers and vintage Korgs surround the band, making it hard not to recall how David Byrne swooned over the sterile beauty of microchips in True Stories. While rumor has it that the band has recently begun pairing down the equipment (read: they're ditching floppy disks), they're still very much analog-powered. Catch them with the Silver Dollars and Bod at 8 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge.

2. Asia Pacific Cultural Center will host the 16th Annual Asian New Year Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall. The Island Nation of Tahiti (French Polynesia) will serve as this year's host nation. The public is invited to come and bring friends and family to this free family friendly event.

3. The Rainier Hockey League - four divisions and 22 teams - has a full line-up of face-offs scheduled, including six games at 1:10 p.m. in the Puget Sound Hockey Center. 

4. Tacoma Musical Playhouse's "Dancing with the Tacoma Stars," is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Landmark Convention Center in the Temple Theatre Ballroom. There are two ways to enjoy this event: An $85 ticket includes dinner, show and competition. Tickets for $35 include dessert and a chance to view the show and competition from the balcony. This year, the "Stars" include Miriam Barnett (CEO of the Pierce County YWCA), Donald Hansen (owner/operator of Cascade Park Vista and Rotary 8 president), Connie Ladenburg (Pierce County Councilperson), Kathy Kluska (professional financier/fitness instructor), Jeff McVicker (owner of several Tacoma area Subways) and Cameron Smith (a Tacoma based Mortgage Advisor).

5. JBLM Bettie Brigade's second roller derby bout of the season hits the Lacey Derby Center's flat track at 5 p.m. against Grunge City Rollers. Bonus: The JBLM Bettie Bratz are back and ready to issue some JV hurt on the Grunge City Juniors.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

With the military downsizing and, as a result, the Defense Department's increased reliance on the Reserves, means many Guard and Reserve troops are donning their uniforms more often than ever before. Once referred to as "weekend warriors," many now find that their military jobs demand more of their time, whether it's to receive specialized training or to participate in exercises or real-life military operations.

Lt. Col. Kenneth "Rhino" Winslow, 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse and director of operations - currently an occupational nurse practitioner in Issaquah - joined the Reserve out of persuasion from coworkers who were with 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, when he was an emergency department and helicopter nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma nearly 27 years ago, reports Jake Chappelle with the 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs.

"I knew as a child, I wanted to continue this tradition," said Fisk - now an eight-year Air Force Reserve nurse with the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron here. "My grandfather suggested the Reserve after I graduated from nursing school as an opportunity to see the world and serve my country."

The Aeromedical Staging Squadron, the Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron - all part of the 446th Airlift Wing - have a collection of nurses who share a common passion - helping people.

Read Chappelle's full feature on these awesome nurses here.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Levels, Shrouded in Veils, Cambrian Explosion, Myth of Progress, 8 pm. $5.

• When Levels make music, they do not fuck around. With compositions tight as a drum and volume knobs dialed in to "internal-organ-jostling," Levels approach a purity of alt-rock purpose that nears elegance. Even with the guitar onslaught, Levels never come close to anthemic. Sounding something like the fuzzy baby of Queens of the Stone Age and Depeche Mode, Levels seem to value a uniformity of mood that clouds everything in too much gloom to support any fist-pumping. Moshing, on the other hand, may come naturally when they take the tiny stage of the Java Jive. With the amps filling that little room with roaring guitars, it'd be hard not to have your knees buckle and tip you over, causing that domino effect that sucks everyone onto the floor. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Down North. 9:30 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Girl On Fire, Witchburn, Amadon. 8:30 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. All Ages Show, with Captain Algebra. All Ages. 6 pm. Frances Rose, The Old Salt, Terrapin. 9 pm.

Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Lovestock 2014 Grand Finale Concert, with Bill Medley, Christopher Cross. 8 pm. $25.

McCoy's Tavern Olympia - Downtown. Horse Bodies, DBST, 10 Cents in Oklahoma. 8 pm. $3.

• Where do you rock on Valentine's weekend? How about McCoy's, where the crowd is rough and the music is loud. Saturday, Horse bodies, DBST and 10 Cents in Oklahoma will be playing for all the lovesick South Sounders, bringing a well-round bill of classic rock. Horse Bodies, with a strange name and a sweet sound, are an Oly favorite. They are a skilled foursome, able to noodle necks and jam down without sounding too hippy. They have some blues, some grit and some stories to tell. Grab your sweetie and a shot of whiskey and enjoy the rock. - Nikki McCoy
  

Metronome Coffee Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Megan Biegalski w/ Kord Taylor and Tommy Shin. 8-11 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The Silver Dollars, BOD, People Under The Sun. 9 pm.

Rock N Roll Lodge Tacoma - Eastside. The Roni Lee Group. 9 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Vince Brown, LaVon Hardison. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Treos Tacoma - Old Town. Kim Archer & Whitney Monge. All Ages. 7- 9 pm. NC.

Waterstreet Café Olympia - Downtown. The New York Trio Plus One jazz. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, FEB. 16 2014 >>>

1. Rollerbladers thought they were so hot when they cruised onto the scene in the early '90s, with their flashy in-line wheels and sleek helmets. Quad-wheel roller skates were instantly obsolete - if you weren't sporting the in-lines, you weren't one of the cool kids. But, as we all know, fashion is cyclical, and the women's flat track roller derby leagues have brought back the quads, minishorts and striped tube socks. That said, Presidents' Day Weekend's underground derby bout between The Babe-raham Lincolns and George Bash-ingtons should be an interesting fashion (rollin') backward spectacle. Proceeds benefit CYS Foster Care Program. Expect a beer garden, raffle, halftime show and colorful Presidential metaphors beginning at 6 p.m. at Skateland.

2. GuitaristRafael Tranquilino brings his trio to The Spar in Old Town Tacoma for a night of fuse rock, blues and funk beginning at 7 p.m.         

3. Will Miley Cyrus keep her tongue in her crooked tooth cave tonight? The former Miss Hannah Montana is bringing her tongue-wagging Bangerz Tour to the Tacoma Dome at 7 p.m.

4. Looking forward to laughing so hard you cry, shoot milk out of your nose, or fall out of your chair? That'll probably be the case when Second City brings its "Happily Ever Laughter" show to Olympia's Washington Center at 7:30 p.m. The world famous Chicago comedy club's touring comedians will combine improv and scripted bits to perform sketches that have made the company famous over the last 53 years. Good luck sneaking the milk into the show.

5. Seattle electronic indie band The Main Arcade plays a 9 p.m. at Le Voyeur.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Military children make up a very special part of our region's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and deployments. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of the South Sound, The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter, with support from child car seat manufacturer Diono, have planned a free day of fun for the military kids at Pierce College. Old McDebbie's Petting Zoo, The Reptile Man, a gym full of inflatable toys, Starbucks treats, A Princess Party with hair designs, a Home Depot building craft center, games, prizes, a kids' game show, the Pierce College's Planetarium and much more will be available to the military dependents.

There are a lot of things more important than following live-blogging of our Salute To Military Kids event today at Pierce College - but none of them are things you have to do today. That's right, we're doing us some live-blogging.

11 a.m.: Doors are open at the Pierce College Health Education Building. The whole building and nearby parking lots are loaded with stuff to do. A bit disappointed the weight room is closed. Today was chest and triceps day.

11:05 a.m.: The kids have found the At A Simple Wish princesses.

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