Stars and Stripes

After hours Fogo Grill, Pyeongtaek, South Korea

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Brazilian bossa nova influence in jazz � "The Girl from Ipanema," for example � so we were all the more intrigued on hearing there was a new Brazilian steakhouse in town, near Osa...

After hours: Restaurant Romer, Heidelberg, Germany

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I had never had a salad named after a beautiful maiden in a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. But there it was on the menu in the sleek Restaurant Romer in Heidelberg, Germany: Rapunzel salad,...

Homefront: Annual ball even better with boys along

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After all these years of attending the annual United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball, it finally happened to me; my date was the oldest active-duty Marine present. I guess I had it coming.

Spouse calls: Thanksgiving, with a twist

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Last year we celebrated Thanksgiving Day with a turkey-sandwich tailgate party at a roadside park enroute to Prague, Czech Republic. We traveled with two other families and spent the long weeke...

�CoD � gets real: Special Forces soldier gives shooter a thumbs up

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" � released this month on the Marine Corps' birthday � is thought by many to be the pinnacle of realism in a shooter game. How did they achieve s...

�Modern Warfare 2� offers excellent online play

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Video game developer Infinity Ward smashed some barriers this month when it released its testosterone-filled shooter game "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2." According to Activisi...

Rustic Okinawa resort with good food, unusual entertainment will charm guests

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

With my birthday approaching, my wife and I decided a romantic weekend at a beautiful Okinawa beach was a good way to celebrate. We searched online until Lea stumbled onto a review on Japanupdate.com for a resort-type facility up north called Beach Rock Village. It seemed perfect.

Ethics issues surface in Tricare contract bid

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Aetna Government Health Plans of Hartford, Conn., appears to have gained an unfair advantage in competing for Tricare's North Region support contract, valued at $16.7 billion, by hiring a former chief of staff at Tricare headquarters to help draft its winning proposal.

Stories in this week's U.S. edition

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

...

Definitely not the right stuff

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Whenever I have a hard time coming up with subject matter for this column, I either write about the dog, my most recent trip to the commissary or something from the deep, dark past that I'm fin...

Spouse calls Stigma compounds PTSD issues

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A woman with post-traumatic stress disorder wrote to give her perspective of life with this condition and the stigma it carries: Q. I just read an article of yours suggesting tha...

Of Music and Morality

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Flyleaf's Lacey Mosley Sturm is used to performing before thousands of fans, but one of her more memorable concerts was for a few dozen troops gathered around a picnic table in Afghanistan....

�Modern Warfare 2�

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" promises to be one of the biggest games of the year. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive in time to run a full review in this edition of Scene. S...

�Star Wars� for new generation

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If you're dreaming of re-creating the adventures of Ahsoka Tano, you're probably about 10 and probably will enjoy "Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes." The T-rated game...

�Dragon Age: Origins� delivers treasure trove of content

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Bards will sing of the day when courageous men and women stood against the dreaded darkspawn and smote them with the mighty press of an A button. "Dragon Age: Origins" will defi...

Swimming, biking and running try the endurance of participant

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I've always thought of myself as an adrenaline junkie, always up for a challenge and willing to push my body to its physical limits. So when an opportunity recently presented itself, I jumped at the challenge.

Homefront: Embracing the circus-like quality of family

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This week, I have decided to steal an idea from Bil Keane, the creator of the comic strip "The Family Circus." Over the years, he has often taken "vacations" and left it up ...

Spouse Calls: Overseas moves take forethought

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our first four moves as a military family were transoceanic, so I learned early on that moving overseas requires thorough planning and good advice. Official channels will provide the regu...

�Rock Band� for everyone

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Parents eager for a little less sex and drugs in their kids' rock 'n' roll will like "Lego Rock Band." However, the E10-rated rhythm game � developed by Harmonic and Traveller's...

�Forza� on fast track to fun

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Variety can spice up any game, and it's what makes "Forza Motorsport 3" such a delicious treat. The E-rated racing game � developed by Turn 10 for Microsoft Game Studios � d...

�DJ Hero� in the groove

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Music games are great for guitar heroes and rock bands, but not so hot for dancers. Scratch that! And blend it, too. "DJ Hero" � developed by FreeStyleGames for Activision �...

Money Talk: Consider these factors before refinancing loan

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: When does it make sense to refinance a home? I have a 30-year, fixed-rate jumbo loan. The loan is just over 2 years old with a rate of 6.5 percent. Should I refinance to 5.75 perce...

Use your commissary to save big bucks

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A buddy showed me an article recently touting the 30 percent savings realized by shopping at the commissary. Not being a regular commissary shopper that number got me thinking. My family probab...

Everyone is welcome at a tournament of traditional Japanese sport

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Seeing a sumo tournament live in Japan is a must. I'd seen a clip or two on television, but watching it on the tube doesn't do the sport justice. One might think that anyone can get big and put on a diaper � it's actually called a "mawashi" � and slap another fat guy around a ring a few times.

Money Talk: Parents with good credit can help kids build scores

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dear Liz: My credit scores are good (over 800 when I refinanced my mortgage last year). I was thinking of listing my son, who is 14, as an authorized user of my credit cards to start establi...

After hours: Plaza House Chinese Restaurant, Okinawa

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For me and my family, dining here is like meeting a longtime friend. Good food and warm hospitality are something we can fully count on at Plaza House Chinese Restaurant. The 55-year-old restaurant's interior is designed in relaxed wine tones, and cozy booths are spaciously arranged.

After hours: Noodle 1 in Stuttgart, Germany

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If noodles are your thing, there's a cornerside Vietnamese place that should be required eating. But if you do make a stop at Noodle 1 in downtown Stuttgart, Germany, be sure to take a little patience with you.

Homefront: P.E. grade an exercise in blame-laying

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have been a parent long enough to realize there are at least two sides to every story. In my home, there are usually three different versions, each altered in a way that makes "the other" brothers look guilty.

Spouse calls: Post-move life has ups, downs

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A friend and experienced military wife offered a keen insight about life overseas just before our move to Germany. "You're going to love it," she told us. "But for the first three months, you're going to hate it."

�Ratchet & Clank� twists time

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When we last saw our heroes, Clank had fallen into the hands of the nefarious Dr. Nefarious and Ratchet was on his way to the rescue.

Take a trip to �Borderlands�

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Badass psycho midgets! You know you're in for an interesting ride when you meet those politically incorrect little people in "Borderlands." The game � developed by Gearbox Software for 2K Games � deftly mixes the role-playing and shooter genres as it dishes out ornery humor, wild battles, exceptional co-op play and cool cell-shaded graphics.