County may trim property tax

"The general Thurston County property tax rate will drop from $1.21 per $1,000 of assessed value this year to $1.04 per $1,000 next year, under a preliminary $269.3 million 2008 budget set for unveiling Monday [Nov. 19].

The lower tax rate is partly the result of the county's decision this month to comply with Gov. Chris Gregoire's request to maintain a 1 percent limit on annual increases in property tax revenue, even though the state Supreme Court overturned Initiative 747, which established the limit.

The lower rate is also the result of an 18.9 percent rise in the assessed value of property in the county this year, which means the tax burden is spread over a larger base," quoting The Olympian.

Further,
"WA GOV CALLS SPECIAL SESSION ON PROPERTY TAXES"
"Gov. Chris Gregoire has called for a one-day special legislative session to reinstate a 1 percent property tax increase cap recently struck down by the state Supreme Court.

Gregoire sent a letter to House and Senate leaders Monday [Nov. 19] night, telling them the Nov. 29 special session is necessary because she is 'very concerned about the effects of the court's decision on the property taxpayers across the state,'" quoting The Olympian.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This writer and his wife had been looking for a reliable source of raw milk - unpasteurized/unhomogenized, like I remember as a child. Then, we were introduced to the Yelm Co-op as a distributor of such a product.

"Dungeness Valley Creamery is a family farm on Towne Road that sells raw Jersey milk from their own herd of Jersey cows. There is nothing quite like real, whole milk. It tastes like ice cream, only better, and the milk from Jersey cattle is possibly the richest, best tasting milk in the world. This is the milk that the English use to make Devon clotted cream, but now you don't have to go to England anymore to get a taste. You can get it right here in Washington State.

Most milk in this country is produced at big industrial dairy farms and is sold, pasteurized, through big agricultural cooperatives. A dairy farmer is given a simple choice: sell everything through the cooperative, or sell nothing. Leaving the cooperative means making a big jump. The Browns (Jeff, Debbie, Sarah, & Kayla) decided to take it."

From the Dungeness Valley Creamery November, 2007 Newsletter,
"So why raw milk instead of pasteurized?
Debbie says that "pasteurization kills the good bacteria, plus raw milk tastes better."
The process of pasteurization is meant to eradicate harmful bacteria, such as those that cause salmonella.
Unfortunately, it also kills beneficial elements such as vitamins C, B12, and B16.
Advocates of raw milk claim that pasteurized milk is responsible for ailments such as heart disease and allergies."

This writer and wife and another couple drove to Sequim last weekend for a tour of the Creamery and were totally impressed with the fine stewardship this family lives & the love they put into their animals and dairy farm. Congratulations to Jeff & Debbie!

Be sure to check out A Campaign for Real Milk website.

YELM IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN OUTLET FOR DUNGENESS CREAMERY PRODUCTS AT THE YELM FOOD CO-OP DELIVERED EVERY TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
NOTE: THEY SELL OUT QUICKLY. IF THERE IS MORE DEMAND, THEY WILL STOCK MORE WEEKLY.

PLEASE TELL THEM YOU READ ABOUT DUNGENESS CREAMERY RAW MILK ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

From Rep. Tom Campbell's Nov. 15th Press Release:
Rep. Tom Campbell today applauded Gov. Chris Gregoire’s initiative to increase tracking of the drug-resistant staph infections known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Gregoire yesterday (Nov. 14) directed the state Department of Health (DOH) to convene a panel of scientific experts to recommend a plan to monitor MRSA and what to do about it.

Campbell requested, in a letter to the governor last week, she use her ‘emergency powers’ to require DOH to list MRSA as a ‘reportable medical condition.’ “The issue is too important to wait until the legislature can take it up in January,” Campbell wrote.

Today, Campbell said he applauds the governor’s first step, “and I look forward to working with her and her office in the upcoming session to ensure safety of the people of Washington.”

He said he didn’t get all he had asked for with the governor’s first step, “but I believe this is a substantial and meaningful step that will begin to engage our public health agency on the necessary job of tracking and containing this potentially lethal infection.”

Campbell said he has drafted a bill to pre-file for the January 2008 session to make MRSA a reportable condition like is currently required in reporting a number of other health problems like the measles.

Currently, the state doesn’t require doctors or other health-care professionals to document cases of MRSA as it does with other disease. “So, there’s no way for the public to have access to this information,” Campbell said.

Campbell (R-Roy) said he was pleased by the Governor’s letter to DOH. “Her actions were desperately needed and leadership at this time is very appreciated.”

And this story from Pierce County.
VIGILANCE ON MRSA INCREASED
Reprinted with permission from the Eatonville Dispatch
by Graham reporter Bruce Smith

"MRSA is entering our consciousness, and for some it has also infected their skin. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, pronounced mer-sa, is the new wrinkle in public health.

Although called a “superbug” by some, the germ getting heightened attention is the simple “staph” infection that has been common since time immemorial. The new twist is that most staph is now drug-resistant to common antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporin, all members of the methicillin family of pharmaceuticals.

“70% of all skin infections nowadays are MRSA,” says Ron Morehouse, certified physician assistant at Graham’s Quick Care clinic. “I’ve treated eleven cases since October.”

MRSA infections typically look like a severe spider bite, with a “bull’s eye” center of bright red swelling surrounded by inflammation. Other forms can resemble a bad rash, lesions, or boils, the latter being blister-like inflammations underneath the surface of the skin.

“Fortunately, MRSA is treatable with other antibiotics,” says Joby Winans, MRSA specialist with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. “In fact, some cases do not need any medication at all.” Winans said that many cases of MRSA can be treated merely by lancing and draining the infection, and a good follow-up scrubbing. She strongly recommends these procedures be performed by a professional health provider because MRSA is highly contagious through direct contact with affected areas or the liquid discharges. Once treated, MRSA infections must be covered with a clean bandage until the healing is complete.

Overall, most MRSA is not serious.

“There are millions of cases of MRSA each year, nationwide, and the vast majority are successfully treated,” Winans said.

However, MRSA can get deadly. This happens when MRSA penetrates beneath the skin layer and enters an organ, either through a wound or surgery.

This latter, “hospital-acquired,” MRSA is very difficult to treat, stated Winans, adding that the National Center for Disease Control announced recently there were nearly 100,000 cases of “invasive” MRSA nationwide last year, and 19,000 were fatal.

These deaths are the focus of a growing political and medical storm.

State Representative Tom Campbell, (R-Graham-2nd LD), has been trying to compel the Washington State Department of Health to closely monitor the deadly form of MRSA.

“The state has had an insufficient response to this health crisis, and the public is concerned. The Governor should use her ‘emergency powers’ to require the Department of Health to list MRSA as a ‘reportable condition’, and not wait until the legislature meets in January. We need to deal with this issue quickly. We need to know how many people have this condition, understand how they contract it, and correct the situation. More people die of MRSA than AIDS in this country. This is serious,” Campbell said.

Fortunately, Gov. Chris Gregoire has responded to his call. Statewide monitoring of MRSA is expected shortly.

Locally, the T-PCHD is already doing just that. Seven years ago, it formed a task force composed of the county’s major health providers, who share data and create solutions.

“Good Sam is part of the task force,” said Winans, “along with Madigan, Multi-Care, and many nursing homes and clinics.”

Winans also suggests simply ways to minimize exposure to MRSA: “Use good hygiene. Don’t share towels, and don’t share sports equipment. Use gloves to deal with wounds. Wash your hands after doing laundry.”

In addition, the MRSA task force has produced a booklet containing many helpful ideas, including how to deal with infected pets, who are just as susceptible to staph infections as humans. Titled, “Living with MRSA,” it is available through health providers or directly from the T-PCHD at (253) 798-6500 (Pierce County)."

Pierce County appears to be far ahead of even the State and Thurston County on this issue.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Saturday, Nov 10th, we received the first order from our new produce/fruit supplier. Beautiful stuff, all certified organic, most of which is not available from farms really close to Yelm, but still comes mostly from farms around both WA and OR.

We have:
Madjool dates
Braeburn and Gala apples
Bosc and Bartlett pears
Bananas
Cranberries
Meyer Lemons
Limes
Satsuma tangerines
Valencia oranges
Black, seedless grapes
Hachiya Persimmons
Haas avocados
Beets
Brussel sprouts
Celery Hearts
Garlic
Red and Green Bell peppers
French fingerling potatoes (delicious!)
Russet baker potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes
Onions
Shallots
Beefsteak tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Garnet Yams

We will be offering a selection of frozen foods by the end of the month when our new freezer is in.

We have raw, un-pasteurized milk from the Dungeness Creamery in Sequim...with the cream floating on top!!..and full of beneficial cultures and enzymes.
Local and organic eggs, lots of dairy products, organic coffees, beverages, soups, pastas, grains and flours and on and on.
Bulk foods through our Buy Clubs for great savings on bulk purchases.

If you haven't visited the store yet, come in and see us Tuesday to Saturday from 10a.m. - 7p.m.

If you came by several month ago and haven't been back since [shame on you :-))], you'll be surprised how far we've come in a few short months.

It's our owner/members, our fabulous volunteer staff and all the wonderful customers that we have that are making this a success. Help us grow this to ever greater heights. for those of you who are owner/members,
THIS IS YOUR STORE!!"

Tom Dewell
Board President/CEO
Yelm Food Co-op
tom@yelmcoop.com

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Yelm City Council held a Public Hearing on the amendments to the Comprehensive Plan last night. There were three people that expressed comments on the Transportation Chapter of the Plan: this writer, Matthew Schubart representing JZ Knight and Professional Engineer Ed Wiltsie.

The Council seemed quite agitated with our remarks and one member exhibited outright anger towards what was said. When the Mayor asked for comments from the Council prior to the hearing, Council member John Thompson said he had heard this all before and proceeded to quote a letter from absent Council member Bob Isom that Isom would vote to approve the Comp. Plan. This was before the Public Hearing. Clearly, the entire Council had decided how they would vote prior to the Public Hearing.

I have NEVER heard of such a thing in all my years of community involvement dating back 35+ years attending city's meetings wherever I lived in the USA; in Kentucky, Florida, California, Texas & New York.
So much for listening to the public that they have been given the mantle to serve, although most of this Council are the same people that motioned for a moratorium on moratoriums from the public during the Wal-Mart application and voted to restrict the public from mentioning the word "Wal-Mart" in Council Chambers a few years back.

So, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing on Yelm's Comp Plan Dec. 4 plus the Growth Management Hearings Board are the next steps to shining the light on the traffic issues here, yet this time from Yelm's partners in the Regional Plan, who are likely to delve into why their own Thurston County Planning Commission rejected the Yelm Comp Plan and called it "irresponsible." Yes, there have been a few improvements in what the city has done, however to deny there is a traffic issue here is in conflict with public safety and taking responsibility for the public well-being, which this Council was elected to preserve and protect.

And frankly, I am amazed that there have been no professional traffic numbers done here in over 2 years.

The Nisqually Valley News ran a very abridged story on this Public Hearing titled "Former mayoral candidate accuses city of deception," omitting an important interaction invited by Council member Don Miller between the Mayor, City Council and Mr. Schubart. HMMM! This former mayoral candidate learned a great deal about this town in running to serve as its Mayor in 2005 and how it's run, so I have been speaking up on issues based on a wealth of knowledge gathered from being active as an observer in this city's government for 3 years. For those of you interested in reading what I said Tuesday evening (Nov. 13), instead of relying on the NVN's spin with its omissions, below is the full, unabridged testimony:

To: Yelm City Council
From: Steve Klein
Subject: Public Hearing on Comp. Plan Amendments
Date: November 13, 2007

I have some additions to add at this Hearing regarding the Transportation Chapter of the Yelm Comprehensive Plan.

Your Nov. 5th Staff Report on the Comprehensive Plan Update states, “It appeared by TCPC comments that they did not have a clear understanding of what was presented to them. They voted to not recommend approval of the Yelm Comprehensive Plan Transportation and Introduction update to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners."

I would like to say I find this assessment totally false, as the Thurston County Planning Commission knew exactly what they were talking about as they deal regularly with these issues in the larger cities of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater. Asking questions for more information does not denote they did not understand clearly. Yet, Ms. Merriman told the Yelm Planning Commission Oct. 15th that “more education of what was presented to them should have been provided.” Then that is Yelm’s responsibility for not preparing them better. Chris Lane commented he is a commercial realtor, yet he is for responsible development. He said that to do nothing to restrict development and not address transportation impacts is irresponsible. He was unable to comprehend another 5,000 vehicle trips per day from 568 new residential units from separate proposals, in a town that can’t handle their traffic now.

Further, the Nov. 6th Staff Report on Level of Service Methodology states, “Because there has been much confusion during the 2007 Comprehensive Plan update surrounding transportation levels of service, the Community Development Department has prepared this memo…

I would say the confusion has originated from Yelm’s own Community Development Department as exhibited by the following:

A. On July 24, Grant Beck told the Council that there was a concurrency issue at Longmire because Tahoma Terra divisions when properly added all together showed Longmire failed with a LOS F, where individually they did not fail. The developer had to be notified they were required to mitigate this by sharing the cost of a traffic light, thanks to the hearing examiner calling this to Mr. Beck’s attention after a public comment the day before. Yelm had incorrectly separated the phases to achieve a passing LOS without developer mitigation.

This was an important piece of information and all of this was omitted from the Council Minutes.

B. On September 17, Yelm Planning Commission advisor & TRPC’s Kathy McCormick told the Planning Commission the designation in the Comp. Plan of Highways 507/510 in Yelm as Highways of State Significance (HSS) was incorrect. The State designates these as Highways of Regional Significance (non-HSS) and they are Level of Service (LOS) D mitigated, which is consistent with the regional plan. She said the Traffic Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan was in conflict with the Regional Plan, since it must conform or be consistent with the Thurston County Transportation Plan and they must address that fact. They did nothing, except to remove the word “acceptable” from level of service F in the urban core. Staff did not remind the Commission they had to resolve the conflict.
All of this was omitted from the Planning Commission Minutes.
Now in your Staff Report, Community Development acknowledges the error on the highway designation and has that finally corrected. However, the Yelm Plan is still in conflict with the Regional Plan.

C. Two days prior to the Thurston County Planning Hearing (Oct. 8), for the very first time in this Comprehensive Plan discussion that began over a year ago, Yelm’s assistant planner Merriman sent a recommendation to the Yelm Planning Commission to add the Strategy Corridor designation for Yelm’s 507/510 in the Comprehensive Plan, which she asserted lays aside level of service requirements.
Really? After almost a year of discussion, staff reports, memos, public comments and taxpayer-paid staff hours spent on this, level of service requirements are just shoved aside. Why was this just revealed when another jurisdiction was just 2 days away from looking into Yelm’s practices? And this just came to Community Development’s attention then? I’d like to know, as I am certain you would, why they did not know about that and advise the Planning Commission prior to this.
Strategy Corridors aside, the City of Yelm does not have the ability to undermine the level of service intentions of the Growth Management Act.

D. At the October 10th Thurston Planning Commission Public Hearing I mentioned the glaring omissions of the Minutes of Yelm’s Planning Commission and City Council. The Thurston Planning Commission acknowledged their disturbance about that, too. They asked Mr. Beck about what steps have been taken to get roads to LOS D since the concurrency mark was set 1998, where LOS D is the Regional Plan and must be followed.

Mr. Beck mentioned the Bypass and inner loop (side connector streets). They asked him how the Loop could be considered when not funded. He told them $33 million was funded for right-of-way acquisition and he expected construction funding of $35 million by 2009. Interesting, when the WSDOT package for this highway is now unfunded at $56 million, meaning the total cost has risen to $92 million, so Mr. Beck was $21 million short in his testimony. Do you really think $56 for the Loop is going to be funded for work to begin in 2009, as Mr. Beck theorized?

The Commission asserted that outside of the Loop and connector streets, little has been done to bring LOS down to level D, almost 10 years since the concurrency mark was set, and all while large developments and a big box store were approved. Chris Lane asked Mr. Beck that if traffic is out of your control in the City and from outside of the City, then why are you still issuing building permits, and to 568 new homes?

Bottom line: I am just talking about the Comp Plan Traffic Chapter here with these inadequacies, which leads me to wonder what other issues are not properly addressed relating to water and storm water runoff.

I am therefore requesting that you no longer permit and/or participate in the unsafe transportation situation here allowing more traffic to be added without properly addressing the results of your actions in this Comprehensive Plan. I ask you to table the adoption of this Chapter. I further call into question the development practices within the City of Yelm. I concur with Mr. Lane that it's irresponsible to add to the problem when Yelm can't deal with its traffic now.

TCPC Chair Roper said the issue is Yelm’s comprehensive plan adopting LOS F in 1995 while the regional plan identifies LOS D as an acceptable standard. There appears to be no plans to move towards the target. The plan should meet concurrency or the plan should be changed, she stated. I agree. Thank you.

Stephen R. Klein

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Photo of Sandra Parent courtesy of her website

"Throughout mythical history, the wearing of “hooded cloaks” has been recorded in every period of time & walk of life; enigmas (monks, red riding hood, ringwraiths, etc.) of unique appearance, encased in a form of guardianship, where secrets & mysteries lie hidden beneath woven folds & veiled faces.

Cloaked in garments of false ”hoods”, our personalities “cloak” our secrets as well as our pain & powers. We speculate what lies beneath the mask of another, while unknowingly our image is just a sculptured reflection, a likeness most often transparent to others.

As an “observer” of a “cloaked being” sculpture, feelings of buried ancestral memories surface – a remembrance of shrouded times," quoting Ms. Parent's website.

You can purchase Ms. Parent's gorgeous sculptures in Yelm at JZ-Rose.

TELL THEM YOU READ ABOUT THIS ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo taken by Karsten Dörre on Wikimedia

How to Start Beekeeping?

An introduction into beekeeping given by Thomas Mani

Monday, 19. November 2007,

6.30 pm
at Gordon’s Grange

Cost: $10

Please sign up by email at tmani@fairpoint.net or by phone (360) 894-6038

THIS IS FABULOUS KNOWLEDGE TO HAVE FROM AN EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPER.
PLEASE TELL MR. MANI YOU READ ABOUT HIS CLASS IN THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We love the holidays! Come celebrate with us by making your own Swiss Dough Boys (and Girls!) in one of our classes, or ordering specialty pies (Pecan, Pumpkin), dinner rolls, or other goodies for your gatherings. Thanksgiving orders placed by November 13th will get 10% off. Christmas orders placed before December 15th will get 10% off

Consider us for your party needs: we have special hor d’ourve trays available. Choose from puff pastry delicacies, mini-Salami sandwiches, and mini-quiches, as well as a selection of sweet treats in tiny sizes.

See you at the bakery!

SEBASTIAN'S BAKERY
105 Yelm Ave. E.
458-9313
--Amy, Sebastian and Elena

TELL THEM YOUR READ OF THEIR WORK IN THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KING-5 was in Yelm yesterday reporting on the windstorm damage and filed this video report.

The Olympian reports:
"About 20,000 Thurston County Puget Sound Energy customers were in the dark Monday night because of downed power lines from Monday morning's windstorm, a PSE spokeswoman said....

Monday's windstorm brought sustained winds of 35 miles per hour to Olympia Regional Airport, with a peak gust there of 44 miles per hour, recorded at 10:44 a.m., said Seattle National Weather Service forecaster Johnny Burg.

A trained weatherspotter in the Lake Lawrence area south of Yelm recorded a 84 mile-per-hour gust about 9:30 Monday morning, Burg added."

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm City Council Considers Comprehensive Plan Update

"The Yelm City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at 7:30 PM at Yelm City Hall to take comments on proposed amendments to the Yelm Comprehensive Plan.
The complete record before the City Council for consideration can be viewed by clicking the headline," quoting the City of Yelm website.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Yelm Community Blog wishes Fran Sherill a wondefrul retirement and sends thanks for a fabulous job of leading
Yelm's Adult Community Center into the 21st century.

CONGRATULATIONS FRAN!

There will be a party for Fran Sherill today from 2 - 4pm at the center.
The whole community is invited to attend and share in the cake, coffee & punch.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Babes in Belts logo

Babes In Belts will be hosting - The Preparedness Expo 2008 - Our Changing World - at the Yelm Chamber Home and Garden Show April 12 and 13, 2008. We would like to invite all preparedness vendors to come on board. We have scheduled a 30x40 tent with Omar the Tentman for the event. Here are some details to consider:

* The theme is Global Warming and Our Changing World
* Location is Yelm High School (We are working with the Chamber to guarantee our tent is in the flow of traffic.)
* We would like one or two food vendors and food storage sampling, wonderful tastes and smells to draw the crowd
* Booth cost is $200 (which will cover the space and the tent rental. Let us know if you need electricity)
* Advertising in show program and website links through the Chamber is available.
* There is also the opportunity to be a speaker at this event.
* You will be required to sign a Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement.

To reserve your booth contact: diane@babesinbelts.com
$100 deposit reserves your space. A minimum of 8 vendors required to reserve space for the 30x40 tent with Yelm's Chamber of Commerce. Cut off date is November 26, 2007. We are prepared to "house" 12 booths, but a larger tent can be scheduled if needed. (Alternative 8x10 booth rental from the Chamber inside the school building is $250.)

I know you will have questions. Once registration is completed we will hold a meeting for all vendors to provide more details and map tent layout. Be sure to indicate with your reservation whether or not you will need electricity.

We invite you to join with Babes In Belts to create this opportunity for individual and community preparedness "awareness" for a sustainable future.

Open to any and all vendors you may know who are involved with preparedness.

Diane Dondero
Making Safe Homes the Future - Now
safehomes@babesinbelts.com
360-446-5746

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Planning Commission Term Expirations

The City of Yelm is seeking applications from Yelm residents to fill two term expiration vacancies on the Yelm Planning Commission. The Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at Yelm City Hall.

A City of Yelm Application and letter of interest are required. Deadline for submitting applications is November 26, 2007. For more information, contact Tami Merriman, Community Development Department, 360-458-3835.

Historic Preservation Commission Term Expirations

The City of Yelm is seeking applications from Yelm residents to fill three term expiration vacancies on the Yelm Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at Yelm City Hall.

A City of Yelm Application and letter of interest are required. Deadline for submitting applications is November 26, 2007. For more information, contact Tami Merriman, Community Development Department, 360-458-3835.

Further, the Yelm Library Advisory Board still has a vacancy. Yelm residents are invited to call to the Library's Kristin Blalack for details. 360-458-3374

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jean Marie Christenson with WA. Gov. Christine Gregoire
Photo courtesy of Ms. Christenson

"Dear Friends,

I am running for State Representative of District 2, which
includes most of Thurston and Pierce Counties.
While campaigning I have often been asked:
"What does a State Legislative Representative do?"
Here is my answer: "Representatives make the State's laws."
When I am elected and you contact your local
Representative to tell them how you want them to vote,
will be the person you will be speaking with.

JeanMarie Christenson.

JeanMarie is committed to creating more jobs, preserving civil liberties, the protection of our environment, and the freedoms insured by our Constitution for all Americans.

JeanMarie supports education, schools and teachers, remembering that our future lies with our children.

JeanMarie desires to protect the environment by finding new alternative energy solutions, capitalizing on renewable resources in our own district, and actively participating in developing these local commodities and assets.

JeanMarie encourages rural and agricultural economic vitality with domestic food production.

JeanMarie requires fiscal accountability with the wise use of taxpayer dollars, " quoting her website.

"JeanMarie Christenson, a Democrat who ran for the Legislature in 2006, is among the first to announce she’s running again.

She announced last week she’s taking another run at incumbent Rep. Jim McCune, R-Graham, in the 2nd Legislative District.

Christenson, 59, is a personal growth counselor who lives between Rainier and Yelm. Last year, she won 43.5 percent of the vote to McCune’s 56.5 percent.

She said she got a late start last year, and has been told she’ll need an early start and $100,000 to even have a chance at winning a legislative race in 2008.

Her campaign can be contacted at 360-446-5620 or at jeantalk@fairpoint.net," quoting Tacoma News Tribune's Joe Turner's blog on October 31, 2007.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Low Impact Development in the Nisqually Watershed

"Low impact development (LID) is a natural approach to manage, clean and infiltrate stormwater by mimicking natural
hydrology. LID can be applied to new developments as well retrofits and can be less costly than standard development.

[Ed. Note: This is an important meeting for our area]

Friday, November 16, 2007 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

at the

Yelm School District HQ Conference Room

Agenda
• Nisqually Watershed Program overview
• Low impact development
• Principles & techniques
• Comparison with conventional stormwater management
• New developments
• Retrofits
• Financial advantages of LID
• LID techniques
• Rain gardens
• Green roofs
• Other bioretention
• Financial lending for LID projects
• Marketing LID, the growing market of LID

Low Impact Development in the Nisqually Watershed
Time: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Yelm School District HQ
107 1st Street North
Yelm
(Directions sent upon registration)
Fee: $25 for general public
$40 for 3 continuing education clock hours for Real Estate Salespeople and Brokers.
Fee includes resource materials and refreshments.

Audience: Developers, builders, planners, site designers, engineers, real estate professionals, homeowners, and the general public.

TO REGISTER
Download registration form
or contact Kelly McGinnis at
360-786-5445 x 7915
martink@co.thurston.wa.us

To pay by credit card
(VISA or MasterCard)
contact Kelly at 360-786-5445 x7915

This workshop highlights the Nisqually Watershed Program, focusing on LID as a major way to protect and care for this precious area. If you are a developer, builder, stormwater manager, planner, site designer, real estate professional, lending professional, homeowner, or interested citizen who lives, works and/or plays in the Nisqually Watershed, this workshop is for you.

Co-sponsored by Washington State University and Stewardship Partners," quoting the Nisqually Stewardship Partners emailer.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Wednesday, November 14
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelm…and more. Members of the Yelm Historical Society will facilitate. This session will be videotaped as a resource for present and future generations.
3 - 4:30 PM

Last month, the Friends of the library presentation of Violin Soloist Ian Mardon garnered over 225 listeners.
Let's turn out in large numbers for these two fantastic programs, too.
Wednesday, November 14
Planet Percussion: Music from the World
Jay Sicilia, founder of Planet Percussion Band, plays an amazing variety of instruments, bringing the rhythms of music and dance from many different parts of the world to Yelm.
7 - 8 PM

Sunday, November 18
Soar with Us: Pursue Your Dreams and Celebrate Your Abilities
Dylan Kuehl, young internationally known performer and artist with Down’s Syndrome, and his teacher/mentor, Marian Lancaster, present a program of creative movement, visual art and poetry. They demonstrate the powerful potential in each of us for turning challenges and perceived limitations into wonderful accomplishments.
2 - 3:30pm

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Abigail M. Haddock

INTRODUCING YELM COMMUNITY'S R U READY?

"Mission: To affect a paradigm shift in consciousness regarding emergency preparedness so that the concept of preparedness becomes common thought resulting in confident and self reliant communities in times of earth changes.

Goal: To provide inspiring emergency preparedness consultation and training to businesses and communities.

We now live in great times of change. We see pictures on the nightly news of catastrophic destruction and severe situations occurring all over the world. Daily, each one of us faces the potential of climate change, geological shift, political actions, terrorism, economic fluxuations, mutating bacteria, viruses and disease pandemics, environmental impacts and war.

It is easy to put these thoughts out of our daily contemplation and not accept their reality. Thinking “these things will not affect me” or “those things happen in other parts of the world” or “the Government has a plan to take care of me” will not save you or your family in the event of an emergency or disaster. It is now the time for all of us to stand and take accountability for ourselves. It is time to take action. It is time to prepare for all possible hazards.

We will be our own first responders, therefore we must learn the necessary skills to become self reliant and self sufficient.

Take your own personal inventory. Can you and your family survive a month without resources from the outside?

Abigail M. Haddock is an Emergency Manager with over 30 years experience in preparedness and self sufficient living. She enlivens audiences with stories and humor and inspires them with practical solutions," quoting R U Ready's website.

This writer took one of Ms. Haddock's classes and found the knowledge very useful. The information provided made me pause and ponder how some of the scenarios would affect me and my family and give direction for taking a course of action.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Olympian reports "Temperatures on the rise over the years in South Sound"

"Average temperatures in South Sound have grown slightly warmer in the past century.

For example, Olympia's January temperatures were almost three degrees warmer on average in the past two decades than in the previous 30 years, according to the Western Regional Climate Center. Between 1949 and 1979, the average January temperature was 36.9 degrees. In the next 25 years, the average January temperature was 39.4 degrees, the climate center reports...

In general, climate change is causing warmer temperatures, reduced snowpack and rising sea levels in Washington, according to the state Department of Ecology. But with this year's winter expected to be characterized by La Nina's colder, wetter weather, forecasters say that climate change's regional footprint won't be obvious."

The Olympia Regional Airport is the closest National Weather Service Station to Yelm, being 16 miles away.

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday in most of America at 2 A. M. local time.
Time to turn the clocks back one hour.
Here is alot of information of DST.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Readers;

This writer would like to acknowledge NVN Publisher/Editor Keven Graves and his reporter Megan Hansen for the well balanced and informative story on Lacey Pastor Jeff Adams and his desire to expand his Church to Yelm.
This writer is thrilled that Mr. Adams and College Street Christian Church's expansion desires here have now been made public. The Yelm Community Blog welcomes having Pastor Adams as an acknowledged part of our community, as his Church looks to expand in Yelm.

THANK YOU, MR GRAVES. I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR READERS &
AREA NEIGHBORS.

The link to this story will be posted here as soon as this week's NVN electronic edition is loaded.

Posted by Steve Klein at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YELM COMMUNITY BLOG READERS!

Wikipedia has alot of information about this holiday.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Senior Minister Jeff Adams, College St. Christian Church
Photo from Lacey's College St. Christian Church website

A letter I wrote to the Nisqually Valley News (NVN) was published last week explaining who frequent NVN letter writer Jeff Adams is, questioning his motives and asking why we have not heard about this man in the newspaper.
NVN publisher/editor Graves replied,
"Jeff Adams has always been forthright with the Nisqually Valley News about his profession as a pastor and intent to someday expand his congregation to Yelm."

A Yelm Community Blog reader wrote to me about Mr. Graves reply saying,
"How are the READERS supposed to know who he [Jeff Adams] is if neither he, nor the paper, say so. I guess they're supposed to 'know.'"

Good point.
After all, the NVN won an investigative journalism award for a story published in 2005 due to Jeff Adams supplying the NVN with information for reporters to pursue. Mr. Adams was mentioned in the story, yet his profession and intent were mysteriously missing. Previously, the NVN published over a half dozen letters to the editor by Adams where he interjected himself into a Yelm political campaign with venom about someone he knew nothing about nor has ever met. My, oh my, is this how Christian values are being practiced by this man?

Never once has the NVN mentioned Mr. Adams title or position in the newspaper. Mr. Graves got a promotion to publisher and committed in his February 5, 2007 editorial saying "we won't gloss over the truth to protect sources, nor will we twist it to suit our whim or agenda." This may be his stand, yet we must rely on other newspapers and journals outside of Yelm to give us the bigger picture, in particular when important information is missing in our local paper. Searching the NVN archives for their coverage of Jeff Adams' identity resulted in none being found. And, now we have Mr. Adams letter published 2 weeks ago stating he is "an ever-increasing-personality in Yelm," again without identification from the NVN. And, Mr. Adams was a public speaker at a Yelm meeting last weekend. HMMM!

You can read the letter published in the NVN
I wrote about the Minister Jeff Adams of College Street Christian Church in Lacey.

The NVN never identifies Jeff Adams in their front section stories or letters, however you will find his name and position buried in the Living Section at the bottom of their October 19 Worship Guide:
"Limited space is available for Bible Studies in Yelm, the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m., led by Pastor Jeff Adams. Call 360-491-7372 if interested or go to www.cschristian.org ."

If this man is "an ever-increasing-personality in Yelm," shouldn't area citizens know all about him?

Joseph Pulitzer, the editor and publisher in whose name the most prized honor in journalism is awarded, stated in May, 1904, "Our republic and its press will rise and fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself."

This writer says the time has come for our local journalists to be more vigilant and steadfast in keeping the public interests in mind.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

1. The Nov. 5th Thurston County Board of Commissioners Meeting was postponed to give the County Staff an opportunity to resubmit more comprehensive information to the Commissioners, since the Thurston Planning Commission did NOT approve Yelm's Comp. Plan Amendments.

2. Additional briefs will be presented & discussed among the Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 27th from 2-3pm.
The public is welcome to attend as observers only, however no public comments are permitted at this meeting.
The is a Board briefing by County Staff to clarify several issues.

3. A tentative reschedule date of Tuesday, December 4 at 6pm is the suggested date/time of the public hearing on the Yelm Comp. Plan.
That is not definite, as that date/time must be agreed to by the Commissioners at a Board Meeting.
So, until the Board meets and agrees, the Dec. 4th date will not appear on the calendar.
However, the Dec. 4th date is expected to be approved.
Those wishing to provide public testimony at the proposed Dec, 4th meeting are encouraged to attend the Nov. 27 briefing to be in full knowledge of what will be covered at the Public Hearing.

4. Aimee Swenson, Associate Planner for Development Services is the person to write for those wishing to have their comments be included as part of the public input, however you must do so in writing by December 3rd at 5pm.

You may email your comments directly to her at:
swensoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

5. The Board of Commissioners will have Work Sessions on Dec. 12 from 3-4pm and on Dec. 18 to review and interchange amongst themselves all of the public input.
The public is welcome to attend as observers only, however no public comments are permitted at these 2 sessions.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The following is a Guest Entry from Bald Hills Fire Commissioner Bill Owen about the Levy on the ballot for those in the Bald Hills Fire District to have knowledge to make an educated vote:

The Bald Hills Fire Department is asking the taxpayers to pass a levy lid increase of about 29 cents per thousand dollar
assessment to pay for more equipment and training for the volunteer fire fighters and medical responders. I've been campaigning
for the levy and getting a lot of good positive feedback until the new property tax assessments came in the mail last week.
My property tax went up about 60 % and I nearly fell out of my chair. My first reaction was "I being robbed !!!" I'm guessing
that there are a lot of voters who are thinking; not another cent in taxes. I really can't blame them.

I'm writing to plead for the fire department. No matter how much your assessment goes up we only get a one percent increase
in our budget without the levy passing. We need a lot of stuff to assure a proper response to neighbors who have emergencies.
We have a large newer mobile home that has been generously donated to the fire department. We need about 30k to move it
and set it up. We need more air packs, and bunker gear for all the new responder volunteers that have signed up, which will
cost the district about 60k. We want to buy a thermal imaging device to locate the seat of the fire in a house or quickly locate
all the victims of a car crash, it costs about 10k. We want to add a second fire engine for times that our main engine is out of
service, it will cost about 40k for a used one and we need to equip it with hose, fans, tools, hose fittings etc. .... more money.
I hope your reader are getting the picture. We need to pass the levy.

The volunteer response since we have ended our contract with Yelm has been fantastic. We have a class of 11 volunteers
going through medical First Responder class and they are nearly finished. We are starting a Fire Corp program for those who
don't respond to calls but who want to help the fire department. This includes a Fire Cadet program for young people 16-18
years old who want to train as fire fighters and medical responders. We've had a number of people join up who have prior
experience as either fire fighters and/or EMTs. An important way that voters can show your support for all these great volunteers
is to pass the levy.

If you would pass these thoughts on to your readers, I would be in debt to you.

Bill Owen
Commissioner
Bald Hills Fire District
360.894.3515

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo courtesy of Stefan Elie

FROM THE ELIE JEWELRY PRESS RELEASE
Yelm Jeweler Margarette Elie has won three national awards with all of her three new designs in the current "Tahitian Pearl Trophy" contest for 2007-08. This is her second consecutive year winning a National Design Award .

Every other year the Cultured Pearl Association of America, and the Pearl Association of Tahiti sponsors the prestigious worldwide “Tahitian Pearl Trophy” design contest. This 2007-08 event was themed “Song of the Stars”. Margarette Elie was a national winner in the US with all three of her designs.

The first award was 2nd Place in the Parure (set of three) category. This design is a choker, earring and bracelet set inspired by the beauty and elegance of the written music “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven. Margarette was practicing her piano lesson and felt moved by the placement of the notes on the page. Where there were notes, she saw pearls, and the design was created. The pieces are made of white gold. The choker displays the actual note placement of ‘Ode to Joy’ and meets in a clef clasp with a cascade of white gold chain dangles with Pearls and Pave Diamond Stars to the front. The earrings are in the same clef design along with the matching bracelet.

Her next entry was an exquisite Brooch based on the Van Gogh painting ‘Starry Night’. This is a yellow and white gold piece with enamel inlay and pearls. Impressed by the impassioned movement of the painting, Elie saw Pearls where there were stars. This elegant creation, titled “Pearl of the Night”, was awarded 3rd place in the Brooch category.

The third design was “the Ballade” in the Accessory category. It was awarded 3rd place. This is a stunning yellow gold belt in musical stanza. Where there are black notes, Margarette saw black pearls. This belt plays the key of C with an elegant treble clef clasp meeting in a cascade of Pave Diamond Stars and Pearl dangles. This exquisite creation is in congruous theme to the ‘Ode to Joy’ Parure.

Margarette Elie’s first award was First Place for the US in the international 2005-06 Tahitian Pearl Trophy contest for her “Ice and Spice” creation. To see her winning piece from 2006 visit, click here.

Margarette Elie is an inspired jewelry designer who has been creating jewelry in the City of Yelm since 1992
She can be visited in her Jewelry store & Design Center at
210 E Yelm Ave in Yelm, Wa. 98597.
Tel: 360-358-5758

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was a very spot-on Letter to the Editor in the NVN, what with QFC closing here today.

Think about supporting local stores
QFC
Editor,

There are some of us in this area who will very much miss QFC.

We watched QFC struggle to survive when Safeway came to Yelm, and, by now, the unbelievable has happened - Wal-Mart has also come to this town.

QFC is the first to have to fold and go.

Many of us did not want the "super giant" in our community as, typically, one by one, some of the smaller stores lose too much business. Many of us do not shop at Wal-Mart for this and other reasons.

We know QFC has many loyal customers, but apparently that was not enough.

We want QFC to know that we appreciate the very excellent and personal service, including special orders and carrying the products we ask for. It is a comfort to know we can count on our quality foods, especially produce and meats, the organic and free-range chicken.

Thank you, QFC, for carrying Wilcox Farms dairy products.

Must we really say goodbye to such easy access to the natural and organic products QFC carries? Thanks, QFC, for being true in the organic department. You are the only larger grocery store whose "organic" labels I have come to trust.

And what other store has someone so capable in the produce section who will help you select the best of any item?

The list goes on - bulk herbs and spices, best wine and cheese selection in town, day-old bakery items, including Artisan breads. Did I mention Deborah, the happiest, most pleasant grocery checker in town? She has managed to stay that way through this transition, but her face also had some tears when we last spoke.

For those who read this, have you considered that if you want a store to stay in our town, a good way is to patronize it. Today I shopped at a nearby store. It sure looked empty in there. Perhaps it was just the time of day.

Let's not have to write any more eulogies.

Iris Moore
Yelm

I AGREE WITH YOU MS. MOORE.

Posted by Steve Klein at 04:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ian Mardon at his Yelm Library performance
Photo courtesy of Miceal Ledwith

The Friends of the Yelm Library presented a very special performance last night
Tuesday, October 23
from visiting German violinist Ian Mardon
who demonstrated his skill at playing works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardon’s newest composition, “Lux Aeterna“.
Over 225 people jammed the Library and enjoyed the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
Mr. Mardon's stories added to the warmth of the evening.
The evening was a gift from Yael & Steve Klein.

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dr. Lisa Rosenberger

Dr. Lisa Rosenberger
Consumer Advocate
Co-Founder, President & CEO of
American Mortgage Educators, Inc.
Foremost Mortgage Reduction Expert in U.S.
Dean of "Know Your Rights" Online School

"About American Mortgage Educators, Inc.

American Mortgage Educators, Inc. is a Washington based educational company led by Dr. Lisa Rosenberger, who is the Company’s President and CEO. The Company’s primary role is to support and advance the platform of AME's Consumer Advocacy, which is to:

* Educate,
* Empower and
* Protect homebuyers, home loan borrowers, and homeowners

Dr. Rosenberger has taken the above vision and translated it into action. In doing so, she has turned the Company into a powerhouse that delivers critical information to help homebuyers and home loan borrowers make educated and informed decisions regarding the single most important and most expensive purchase of their lives. One of the chief mediums through which the Company accomplishes this feat is through this Consumer Information Center – a vital Community Service Resource that the Company manages, maintains, and funds on behalf of the Advocacy Office.

The most revolutionary feature about the Company is not that it provides information, but that it also supplies a unique combination of resources and tools for homebuyers and home loan borrowers never before seen in this country," quoting the AME website.

American Mortgage Educators, Inc.

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo by Steve Klein

This is a photo of Stevens Street looking eastbound from 1st St.

This writer will be away until Oct. 21, so this week's blog entries are all listed now for your information.

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Wal-Mart is involved in a large-scale effort to roll back the property tax valuation of its stores, cutting the amount it owes to local governments for schools and social services."

"When Wal-Mart proposes to build another of its giant stores, local residents often raise concerns about increased car and truck traffic, a loss of open space, higher crime rates and other negative impacts that they argue will lower the quality of life in the neighborhood and thus depress property values. The company responds to these concerns by painting a different picture, claiming that its stores provide substantial benefits to communities. Yet what Wal-Mart does not disclose in site fights--but is revealed for the first time in a new report by Good Jobs First -- is the extent to which the company later in effect concedes the point about reduced property values. Once a store has been in operation for a while, Wal-Mart frequently challenges the assessed value that local officials assign to it for tax purposes. In an effort to cut the property tax it pays to local governments--revenue that pays for public education, police and fire protection and other vital services--Wal-Mart routinely tries to belittle the value of its own facilities.

Good Jobs First discovered this behavior in a labor-intensive, nine-month investigation of Wal-Mart's property tax behavior at more than 500 stores and distribution centers around the United States," quoting AlterNet.

Posted by Steve Klein at 03:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Logo courtesy of Sunrise Homes website

"Virgil and Darlene Baker owners of Sunrise Homes have spent 23 years building quality homes to meet a wide variety of peoples needs. From small ramblers to spacious luxury homes with all the modern extras. From experience they have learned to work as a team with the home owner so that the building process goes as smooth as possible. Virgil and Darlene started out in Lacey, Washington and moved their business to Yelm where they live. Sunrise homes also offers carpet, vinyl, tile and laminates, at cost, that can save you money. Their honesty, along with quality, and a fair cost have always been their highest priority.

You will never hear of how FAST the job will be done. Quality is Number 1!

The first home this writer purchased in 1988 upon moving to Yelm was a Sunrise built home.

ALL MY BEST TO DARLENE & VIRGIL BAKER.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Friends of the Yelm Library present a very special performance next
Tuesday, October 23
by visiting German violinist Ian Mardon
“Lux Aeterna:” a Performance of Classical Music for the Violin
Mr. Mardon presents works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardon’s newest composition, “Lux Aeterna“. Enjoy the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
7 - 8 PM
in the Yelm Timberland Library.

"His enthusiastic performance style has resulted, through appearances with numerous orchestras in Canada, USA and Germany, in his establishing himself as a renowned soloist. Today, he is continuously performing as a soloist and chamber musician in Germany and North America. In 2006 Mardon played over 40 concerts and recitals.

'It is my intent to uplift the audience and to remind them of our transcendental nature of being. I try to choose pieces that inspire the listener to recognize their own greatness, to view their life from a new perspective and to ponder their dreams," quoting Mr. Mardon's website.

Co-sponsored by Yael & Steve Klein (this writer is chair of the Yelm Timberland Library Board).

Hear Mr. Mardon's interviews on Yelm's own Beyond the Ordinary internet radio.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thursday, October 18, 2007 - Chamber After Hours at Rosemont Retirement & Assisted Living
5:30-7 p.m.
215 Killion Rd. NW
Yelm, WA 98597
Ph: 360-458-1800

"Rosemont Retirement and Assisted Living Community is located in Yelm, Washington near area hospitals, shopping and services. Our community provides the services you need, delicious meals, and a host of amenities in a gracious setting that has been designed with your comfort and security in mind. Call for your personal tour and reserve your apartment today!"

TELL MANAGER CHERRI MITCHELL YOU READ ABOUT THIS FUNCTION ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Rev. Dr. Richard Banach

REV. DR. RICHARD BANACH: An amended essay with endnotes on the deeper implications of the Bush II Presidency

The following essay on the deeper implications of the Bush II presidency by the Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach was published in The Olympian [scroll down], regional newspaper for the Washington State capital area, circulation 35,000, on October 3, 2007. Title: Reclaim power and create better future.

It was first published in The Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, WA on September 21, 2007. Title: Faith, Values: It’s not too late to make future better.

Rev. Banach's letter was also published on the Yelm Community Blog Scroll to Sept. 25, 2007.

It was originally written to compliment NVN editor, Keven R. Graves, for courageously publishing political cartoons like the following:

August 17, 2007: Cartoonist Gary Markstein depicted little boy Bush sitting at his desk amidst the rubble of a ruined America, holding on to the string of his happy face party balloon, while father figure Karl Rove walks away saying, “My work is done here…”

August 31, 2007: Cartoonist Stantis portrayed civil liberties robbed blind as Alberto Gonzales runs away heavy laden with the evidence saying, “My work here is done!”

September 14, 2007: Cartoonist Sherffius showed a redesigned “Seal of the Imperial President of the United States” with a two-faced disheveled eagle courtesy of Bush, Cheney, etc.

The original “The Nisqually Valley News” essay was posted this blog on 9/25/07.
Dr. Banach’s reply to the challenge of a professional “provocateur” can be found under “comments.”
Printed below is the original essay amended with endnotes giving more information on this subject.
(Obviously, “The Olympian” version did not contain the first two sentences.)

--oOo--

Thank you for courageously printing insightful opinion page cartoons that unmask the sinister motives of an imperial presidency. They are reminiscent of an insight I once gained.

I became a minister with the expectation of teaching about the art of living life aglow with God’s presence within. But to my chagrin, some members were not interested. “They joined the church,” one wise member counseled, “because it looks good on their resume.”
Ouch!

Many people voted for the Bush II administration because faith and family values looked good on its resume. But they got more than they bargained for, a hidden agenda.
A great big OUCH!

First, it finagled its way past losing the popular vote in 2000. Then, it bamboozled us with the ultimate “shock and awe” - 9/11. Frightened to death, we surrendered our freedom for its protection. It’s turning out to be the false security of Bush I’s “New World Order,” run by multinational corporations (corporatocracies) whose lobbyists write our laws, and a vast military-industrial complex enforcing covert hateful foreign policies.

All this bears an uncanny resemblance to Revelation’s “Babylon the Great,” a globalized religio-capitalistic domination system of complete control over everything and everyone, by the elite. 1

Twenty-seven years ago in September 19, 1980, the evangelical magazine Christianity Today, warned its readers, that single-issue politics was too narrow a front in battling a moral crusade, and could prove disastrous. “It could lead to the election of a moron who holds the right view on abortion.” 2
Fast forward.

Now, we are finally waking up to having been deceived by the slick spin of ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing, the fruit of whose actions is exposing them, Matthew 7:15-20 style. 3

Let us not retreat into denial, but reclaim our power, and create a better future! 4

Endnotes
1 An excellent introduction to the ancient domination system and its link to the ancient cosmic combat myth is given by theologian Marcus Borg in Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, chapter 10, Reading Revelation Again. Another source is theologian Walter Wink’s trilogy on the invisible forces that manipulate human existence: 1. Naming the Powers, 2. Unmasking the Powers, and 3. Engaging the Powers.

One of the reasons for the power of John’s Revelation, writes Borg, is his use of one of humankind’s most widespread archetypal stories: the ancient cosmic combat myth. It appears in many cultures, ancient and modern, and takes on many forms. It is a story of cosmic conflict between good and evil. In the ancient world, the conflict was between gods (some interpret as aliens) or light, order, and life against an evil power of darkness, disorder, and death, commonly imaged as a dragon, as in the archangel Michael warring against the dragon.

It’s found in the Enuma Elish, one of the world’s oldest creation stories from Babylon, the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament. It is the central plot element of the Star Wars movies. “Babylon the Great” is not code name simply for Rome in John’s day: it designates all dominations systems organized around power, wealth, seduction, intimidation, and violence. It is a web of political oppression, economic exploitation and religious legitimation. Elites of power and wealth control societies in their own interests and declared the order they imposed to be the will of God.

Learning the art of reclaiming one’s power and creating a better future, one free from eons of manipulation by the ancient domination system, is a topic on the curriculum at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment.

2 This quote is from Getting God’s Kingdom into Politics 10 [1031], cited on page xvii in Balmer’s book listed in the next endnote.

3 Some Christian leaders are now writing about how the religious community was misused and betrayed by the Religious Right. Examples: Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America, An Evangelical’s Lament by Randall Balmer, and Why the Christian Right is Wrong: A Minister’s Manifesto For Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, and Your Future by Robin Meyer. Ironically, while preaching against being duped by Revelation’s “Babylon the Great,” the Religious Right has been a participant all along in setting the stage for its ultimate fulfillment.

4 Many Bible students believe that biblical prophecy is fixed and cannot be altered. But the book of Jonah says “No.” The great city of Nineveh, capital of hated Assyria in Jonah’s day, was headed for destruction. It repented, after Jonah reluctantly prophesied against it, meaning it changed. In doing so, it averted destruction, and was spared. The gift of Jonah’s prophecy became its non-fulfillment.

Prophecy is a warning, not a prediction. Nineveh is biblical proof the future is not fixed or predetermined. Prophecy is not meant to be fulfilled, but is a warning to change or else what is being shown will take place.

The site of ancient Nineveh is on the bank of the Tigris River in modern day Iraq. It’s about 230 miles upriver from Baghdad near Mosul, smack in the middle of Bush II’s endless war of potential star wars proportions because it might just become a prelude to Armageddon.

If the future was changed there thousands of years ago, it can be changed there again today, if we change.

“We the people” have a big mouth. During the day let us do a lot of loud talking and in your face action, until criminals are brought to justice, and the rotten fruit of their actions are pruned away.

And at night…ah, let us dream of a better world unspoiled by sinister motives. And in the process, let us create a new future, a new heaven and a new earth, wherein we qualify to be invited into the intergalactic family of peaceful planets. On the loftiest of levels, it’s called “The American Dream.”

--oOo—

Kindly forward this essay on to others, especially the religious community.
Permission granted by The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach, United Methodist minister
Your comment is welcomed at drRichardB@hotmail.com.

The Rev. Dr. Banach and his wife Mary reside in Rainier.

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

YOU ASKED FOR IT, THEY DELIVERED!

FILM: NO END IN SIGHT

"The first film of its kind to chronicle the reasons behind Iraq’s descent into guerilla war, warlord rule, criminality and anarchy, NO END IN SIGHT is a jaw-dropping, insider’s tale of wholesale incompetence, recklessness and venality. Based on over 200 hours of footage, the film provides a candid retelling of the events following the fall of Baghdad in 2003 by high ranking officials such as former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Ambassador Barbara Bodine (in charge of Baghdad during the Spring of 2003), Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, and General Jay Garner (in charge of the occupation of Iraq through May 2003) as well as Iraqi civilians, American soldiers, and prominent analysts. NO END IN SIGHT examines the manner in which the principal errors of U.S. policy – the use of insufficient troop levels, allowing the looting of Baghdad, the purging of professionals from the Iraqi government, and the disbanding of the Iraqi military – largely created the insurgency and chaos that engulf Iraq today. How did a group of men with little or no military experience, knowledge of the Arab world or personal experience in Iraq come to make such flagrantly debilitating decisions? NO END IN SIGHT dissects the people, issues and facts behind the Bush Administration’s decisions and their consequences on the ground to provide a powerful look into how arrogance and ignorance turned a military victory into a seemingly endless and deepening nightmare of a war.

“I think this decision to disband the [Iraqi] Army came as a surprise to most of us…”
Q: What was your reaction?
“I thought we had just created a problem. We had a lot of out of work
[Iraqi] soldiers.”
– our interview with Richard Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State

NO END SIGHT alternates between U.S. policy decisions and Iraqi consequences, systematically dissecting the Bush Administration’s decisions. The consequences of those decisions now include 3,000 American deaths and 20,000 American wounded, Iraq on the brink of civil war, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilian deaths, the strengthening of Iran, the weakening of the U.S. military, and economic costs of over $2 trillion. It marks the first time Americans will be allowed inside the White House, Pentagon, and Baghdad’s Green Zone to understand for themselves what has become the disintegration of Iraq," quoting the official movie website.

My wife & I saw this with friends in Olympia last month and were so moved about the information provided in this film, we wanted everyone to see this movie!

This film is slated for a 2 week run.
See Yelm Cinema listings for showtimes.

Posted by Steve Klein at 04:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Last night, the Thurston County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Annual Thurston County Comprehensive Plan Amendments.

Several letters were received as well as public testimony. The public testimony only concerned Yelm's Traffic Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The Thurston Planning Commission noted that all of the public comments received about Yelm were negative.

After hearing from the public, the Thurston County Planning Commission asked Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck to step up to answer questions. Key amongst those were:

1. The City of Yelm has specified level of service (LOS) F in the Comp. Plan since 1995?
Beck: Yes

2. The concurrency mark was set in 1998 where LOS D is the Regional Plan and must be followed. What steps have been taken to get roads to LOS D since 1998?
Beck: The Yelm Loop (Bypass) & the inner Loop (side connector streets)

3. The Bypass is not funded, so let's eliminate that from the discussion.
Beck: It's out of our control as the largest amount of traffic, 63% comes from outside of the city and its UGA.
Commissioners: We want to see your surveys on the 63% coming from the county and will examine traffic from SE Thurston & Pierce Counties impacting Yelm's arteries, as well, as we are responsible for and need to know what that impact is.

4. So outside of the Loop, nothing has been done to bring LOS down to level D?
Beck: Fumbles on that one.

5. If traffic is out of your control in the City, then why are you still issuing building permits, and to 500 home developments and larger, asked Chris Lane?
Beck: Fumbles again.

6. About the issue of the unfunded Bypass used to mitigate traffic, how much is unfunded.
Beck: about 30 million. We have received $1 million from the government & $33 million for right-of-way acquisition and are working on getting the rest of the funding package next year.
HMMM! That is most interesting, as Mr. Beck has not read the WSDOT update on the Yelm Bypass, which has now moved the funding requirements to $92 million with $56 million unfunded, a $25 million shortfall reported by Mr. Beck to the County Planning Commission.

7. When do you expect construction to start on the Bypass?
Beck: with funding next year, then 2009
Commissioners: and length of construction?
Beck: 2 years
Commissioners: then you expect in 2011 this road will be operational, which is a full 13 years after the concurrency mark was set in 1998. You should have not been using an unfunded Bypass this long to determine mitigation allowing you to continue to approve large developments.
Once again, if only Mr. Beck had read the WSDOT report on this road so vital to this town, he could have quoted,
"The purchase of Right of way is underway and will continue through 2011.
The construction phase is not currently funded."
Bottom line: another fumble, as the Yelm Bypass can not possibly be open before 2013 even if funded next year.

8. Why was staff (Thurston County) supporting the Yelm plan.
County Staffer Swenson: Yelm did not have a policy change or a text change.

Chris Lane moved and Tom Cole seconded the motion to NOT move forward in approving Yelm's Transportation & Introduction Chapter updates that would have sent them on to the Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Lane commented he is a Realtor, although a commercial Realtor, yet he is for responsible development.
He said, "It's irresponsible if we don't look at this. It's irresponsible to add to the problem when you can't deal with it (Yelm's traffic) now."

FINALLY!
The citizens of Yelm got someone else besides Yelm's Planners to look into Yelm's traffic problems.
The Thurston County Planning Commission requested traffic analysis and other documents from Yelm to continue to study this, and before making a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

Last week in his editorial, NVN editor/publisher Keven Graves stated,
"It's very easy to stand on the sidelines and carp at city officials about the traffic - a problem that stems from tremendous growth that nobody could have foreseen or planned for decades ago.

Rather than being goaded into pointing fingers and complaining, now is a good time to acknowledge the strides that the city has made, and support the work planned to help alleviate the community's traffic woes."

Mr. Graves, now an entity outside of the Yelm cabal has now publicly looked at Yelm's Comp. Plan and stated,
"It's irresponsible to add to the problem when you can't deal with it (Yelm's traffic) now."
Further said in open forum,
The City of Yelm has specified level of service (LOS) F in the Comp. Plan since 1995, and the concurrency mark was set in 1998, where LOS D is the Regional Plan and must be followed. Outside of a few connector streets and relying on an unfunded Bypass, little has been done here to achieve concurrency, in almost 10 years, all the while approving mega-developments and accepting applications for more. "All of this problem that stems from tremendous growth [WAS] foreseen" by the public, who have commented on this for years and got little to no response. Now, a County Planning Commissioner has labeled Yelm's actions since 1998 "irresponsible".
THE LIGHTS ARE BEING SHINED ON YELM'S TRAFFIC MESS NOW - BY THE COUNTY!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Maia, Adam & Bellaluna of Clean Freaks Carpet Care

"Hi!

My name is Adam Dealan-de. I own a local carpet cleaning company called Clean Freaks Carpet Care.

I started this business in 2002 with a burning desire to build a business that was like no other carpet cleaning company out there. After working for other professional carpet cleaners, I knew there had to be a better way. I started small, growing one customer at a time while attending every training and certification course I could find. I had a small van, a portable extraction machine and my wife, Maia who helped me with the books.

I still have my wife (and now a baby girl), and – one client at a time – I've earned the trust of over 900 homeowners (including million dollar estates), numerous industry certifications, and my humble equipment has been upgraded to the best truck-mounted cleaning system and most advanced cleaning, spotting and drying equipment available."

"We've got a GREAT referral contest that started October1st 2007, and we couldn't wait to share it with you! You already know us and love us, so why not spread the word for a chance to get referral reward cash, a whole house of FREE carpet cleaning, and the Grand Prize of $500.00 Cash For Christmas!!!"

Clean Freaks Carpet Care
P.O Box 66
Yelm. WA 98597
Phone: 360-481-0101
Email: adam@cleanfreakscarpetcare.com

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello from the bakery! SEBASTIAN'S BEST

THIS MONTH'S CLASS IS ON THE AUSTRIAN RASPBERRY LINZER TORT &
BLUEBERRY TORT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12,
7PM
105 YELM AVE. EAST
458-9313

We had a wonderful summer, and, during September, made room for more of you to come inside and sit at our new espresso counter. Celebrate with us during October—Sebastian’s delicious Mochas are just $2 all month long.

We are also gearing up for the holidays—our busiest baking season. Order your holiday treats 10 days ahead for a 5% Discount. This includes large orders of chocolates, whole cakes, tortes, and any special orders you have in mind.

Seasonal favorites that are currently stocking our shelves are Sebastian’s freshly dipped Chocolates, as well as traditional Swiss Meringue cookies, Amaretti, and Ginger Thins.

Best wishes from Amy, Sebastian and Elena Schefer, and Chris, Steve and Cindy

SEBASTIAN'S BEST BAKERY

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOW RESCHEDULED TO WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

I applaud the work the city has done on the Stevens St connector that opened September 27th and have said so publicly [see the Yelm Community blog September 26.].

While some may find public comments, perhaps as well as my own, "pointing fingers and complaining," as Nisqually Valley News publisher/editor Keven Graves said in his editorial last Friday, the Yelm Planning Commission was told on September 17 by Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) Senior Planner and City of Yelm adviser Kathy McCormick the State officially informed her Yelm's main arteries are highways of regional significance, which states level of service (LOS) D (the grade given roads based on a traffic analysis) is regional policy on the city's Highways 507/510.
She stated the Yelm plan is, therefore, in "conflict."

Ms. McCormick said that Yelm's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter's lower LOS F threshold (the lowest grade possible for roads) is NOT consistent with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) standard or how the Thurston County Comprehensive Traffic Plan is supposed to read.
THIS IS THE CONFLICT.

I asked Ms. McCormick and the Commission how LOS D is going to be included in Yelm's Plan.
Other than Ms. McCormick saying Yelm's plan is in "conflict," there was no answer.

For the city to adopt LOS D, they must enact LOS D according to measurements from a traffic impact analysis.
One of the immediate remedies to begin adherence to LOS D would be for Yelm to reduce incremental,
additional local traffic to the city's main thoroughfares by no longer approving large traffic generators like housing developments, commercial developments and big box stores.

I asked City Assistant Planner Tami Merriman if LOS F remained in the Plan that the Planning Commission forwarded to the City Council for review later this month. She confirmed that to be the case, and this after Ms. McCormick informed the Yelm Planning Commission that they must take action to have their Plan be consistent with the Thurston County Transportation Plan. No action was taken by the Yelm Planning Commission to remedy this situation. [Ed. Note: This writer sat there dumb-founded that the Yelm Planning Commission did not address Ms. McCormick's directions.]

If Yelm's main roads must be consistent with the county and be LOS D, the city of Yelm has much work to do.

"Complaining", as NVN Editor/Publisher Keven Graves states in his editorial this week?
I don't think so. Holding our city's officials accountable as to how they will follow State and County requirements was the nature of my question.

After all, we all know traffic is the number one issue in this community. Now we know the city is in conflict with the regional traffic plan.

Further, we now know the State and TRPC Rep. have given notice to the city's Planning Commission of the "conflict" and direction to remedy this conflict, on the record, Mr. Graves.

This Wednesday night (October 10), the Thurston County Planning Commission will have a special public hearing to take public input on the Regional Plan. The previously scheduled 2 meetings were canceled for lack of a quorum amongst the 9 members, which turned out to be a blessing, as more people had time to craft comments and submit to the Thurston Planning Commission..

Won't you consider attending this meeting or sending your comments in writing by Wednesday, October 10th.

Aimee Swenson, Associate Planner for Development Services stated to me that anyone who wishes to have their comments be included as part of the public input, may do so in writing by the October 10th meeting.

You may email them directly to her at:
swensoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

Concurrently, you may send your comments to:
Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner
Attn: Thurston Regional Planning Com. (TRPC)
2424 Heritage Ct SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502

or directly to her email: mccormk@trpc.org

Be sure to mark all comments for the Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing Oct. 10.
All comments must be received by the close of the hearing on the 10th.

LET'S TELL THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THEIR PARTNER IN THE REGIONAL PLAN, YELM, MUST FOLLOW THAT PLAN AND WE EXPECT THEM TO HOLD YELM ACCOUNTABLE TO DO SO!

THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU!

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As the Nisqually Valley News reported in their September 7th edition:
Kleins to take part in impeachment march

This writer and his wife were interviewed and filmed at the Impeach Bush/Cheney March on Washington, DC September 15, 2007.

See the interview in front of The White House, and on Pennsylvania Avenue from The White House to the US Capitol.

Quicktime version
Or:
Windows Media version
Camera crew and editing courtesy of Andrew Wright and Lisa Fitkin.

Further, Yelm's own KRSE - Beyond the Ordinary internet radio aired a special interview with us that Saturday now available on their archives.
Then scroll down to : "The Day of the March Sat Sept 15th" where they report,

"Steve and Yael report live from the Impeach Bush/Cheney March on Washington D.C. with numbers estimated up to 25,000 [later reported at 100,000]. They give us a sense of being there, describing what the media not only cannot, but would not. In fact what Yael and Steve saw and heard is very different than what most of us heard and read elsewhere about the march. You can call that 'perception' or 'spin.' They bring us the beauty of the variety of the people gathered; colorful, peaceful throngs making their presence known, the main purpose of the march."

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome to Dance N Create

"I have been inspired to birth DANCE N CREATEsm and share a simple activity to assist humans to create their own better world.

In ancient times, tribes used dance and words to bring the rain and a good harvest. Their shaman danced and sang to know where to hunt the buffalo.

Dancing has always been a joyful activity and has the power to lift our consciousness above the mundane. In the moments that we are truly caught up in the dance we are transformed.

We, the race of humans were endowed with the ability to be creators. We create every moment of our lives, whether we realize we are doing it or not. As a conscious creator-being, aware of words, thoughts and actions, we become the grandest, most effective manifestors.

If you are reading this text, you already know there is more to life than your repetitive program. You have the desire to be more, do more, know more. You know the act of creating can be light-hearted and fulfilling.

Just as an athlete desires to excel at a sport, so do you, the human creator, desire the fulfillment of a manifestation or experience. The athlete choses the sport and begins the repetitious movements that bring the mind, body, and brain, into alignment to manifest excellence, rewards, and recognition. DANCE N CREATEsm, using fabulous music, movement, and word create a map in the brain, and with concentrated focus, prepares the body, like the athlete in training, to have the desired experience.

The process of DANCE N CREATEsm is like an actor who takes a role and forgets his/her past/future and becomes the character in the role. The actor holds the character's state of being until the curtain falls. In the process of DANCE N CREATEsm the dancer stays in character until the desire is experienced, manifested. And so, at the end of each dance class the dancer's mind must continue to rehearse the desire until it manifests into his/her life. In this way, we are active, conscious participants in the process," quoting Jacqui Davis.

DANCE N CREATEsm - It's a WORKOUT

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOW RESCHEDULE TO WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

The Yelm Planning Commission met on Monday, September 17, 2007 to review and finalize changes to Yelm's Comprehensive Plan submitted at the August Public Hearing and in written comments due to the Commission by September 4, 2007.

Senior Planner for the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) & City of Yelm adviser Kathy McCormick told the Yelm Planning Commission at that meeting they must have their Traffic Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan conform or be consistent with with the Thurston County Transportation Plan, as she had been instructed by the State. Therefore, if the Thurston County Plan states that LOS D is the standard as to how regional significance is applied, then Yelm's Plan must follow that standard.

Yelm's plan does not follow that standard, as the Planning Commission left the bottomless, unmeasurable traffic grade of LOS F in their plan.

Bald Hills Fire District's Bill Owen submitted testimony to the Yelm Planning Commission stating "that response times
are growing longer which heavy traffic exacerbates. Response times for mutual aid are also increased by traffic volume." This is declaring that the continued traffic increases approved in Yelm endanger an aspect of public safety - and this is from a fire official.

The Thurston County Planning Commission had a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th and did not have a quorum of its members, so had to postpone this meeting until Wednesday, October 3. NOW THAT MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, DUE TO A LACK OF A QUORUM.

[Ed. note: This is an embarrassment; that the county cannot get a quorum from nine members of the Planning Commission for 2 scheduled meetings!]

Won't you consider attending this meeting or sending your comments in writing by Wednesday, October 10th.

Aimee Swenson, Associate Planner for Development Services stated to me that anyone who wishes to have their comments be included as part of the public input, may do so in writing by the October 10th meeting.

You may email them directly to her at:
swensoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

Concurrently, you may send your comments to:
Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner
Attn: Thurston Regional Planning Com. (TRPC)
2424 Heritage Ct SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502

or directly to her email: mccormk@trpc.org

Be sure to mark all comments for the Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing Oct. 10.
All comments must be received by the close of the hearing on the 10th.

LET'S TELL THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THEIR PARTNER IN THE REGIONAL PLAN, YELM, MUST FOLLOW THAT PLAN AND WE EXPECT THEM TO HOLD YELM ACCOUNTABLE TO DO SO!

THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU!

Posted by Steve Klein at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm's QFC employees were told Friday morning that the last day of operation of their store is October 27, 2007.

This is a sad day for Yelm and clearly the previously predicted Wal-Mart Effect arriving here.

WILL YOU STOP BY AND WISH THESE FINE FOLKS WELL?
According to my conversation with store personnel, employees have not been told if they will be retained by Kroger and transferred to other area QFC stores, as opposed to permanent layoff.

I WILL MISS THEM AS I PURCHASED TURKEYS FROM THEM EVERY THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS FOR LOCAL FOOD DRIVES.

This location has been one of Yelm's major groceries during the 20 years I have been here:
from the current location's predecessor Thriftway (housed in the Sunbird's building next door), to Stock Market to QFC owned by Fred Meyer, to the current QFC owned by Kroger.

I must add that this is not totally a surprise, as Kroger threw in the towel long ago on this store, evidenced by the lack of competitive marketing and promotions, higher grocery item pricing, and closing the on-site bakery, seafood counter, video and customer service sections. The Wal-Mart Effect was the "nail in the coffin" for this business, no doubt. This is now a huge hole in this shopping center, as there is reportedly 2 years left on the lease, which means a vacancy for at least that long. The traffic drop from the loss of QFC customers will certainly affect other businesses in the Nisqually Plaza.

Is this the first of other Yelm stalwart businesses that will close because the Wal-Mart Effect did them in?

Can Wal-Mart's employee wage scale and large use of part-timers replace these full time Yelm jobs at Kroger?

WHAT SAY YOU?

This story was first published on this blog at 3:51pm on Friday, September 28, 2007.

This story's coverage in The Olympian on Oct. 1, 2007.
[Ed. Note: The Olympian states, "Since it opened 10 years ago, Safeway and Wal-Mart, which opened a Yelm Supercenter in July, have brought competition to Quality Food Centers' store.... "
Safeway opened in Yelm 8 years ago in 1999 and QFC managed all of this time against that competitor directly across the street. Closing 3 months later than Wal-Mart opening earlier this Summer, let's put the timelines into perspective.]

This story's coverage in the Nisqually Valley News on October 5, 2007.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Blue Bottle has added delicious new Baked Goods to their menu!

Stop by for a yummy treat!
We have an array of really spectacular baked goods for everyones taste, from the classic, to the innovative.
We have a fabulous apple tart. Gourmet cupcakes, like Peanut Butter Cup and chai latte! (We change varieties often) We also have the best muffins in town and the flavors change with the seasons.

We are also now serving delicious soup for those chilly Autumn days.

The Blue Bottle is the meeting place for Yelm.
Come and post your business cards and notices on our bulletin board.
Or, drop by with a friend and play one of our board games.
You are always welcome at the Blue Bottle.

TELL COZETTE, MICHELLE & MELISSA YOU READ ABOUT THEIR NEW LINE OF BAKED GOODS ON
YELM'S FIRST COMMUNITY BLOG!

Yelm's Bllue Bottle
309 Yelm Ave. East
across from Gordon's Garden Center in the heart of Yelm.

Call ahead for your coffee and cakes to go...
458-4611

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CONGRATULATIONS TO YELM EARTHWORM & CASTINGS FARM FOR WINNING GOVERNOR'S AWARD

"Yelm Earthworm and Casting Farm owners Kelan Moyagh and Hunt McLean learned they are receiving the 2007 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices.

The award will be given on Tuesday, Oct. 9...

Last year, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire honored five Washington businesses and a nonprofit association with the 2006 award.

More than 30 businesses applied for the award this year, and the full list of winners will be released to the public at the beginning of October.

Judges looked primarily for applicants who had made comprehensive and successful efforts to prevent pollution and incorporate sustainable practices into their operations and innovation, leadership and commitment to those efforts...

Yelm Earthworm, located on Lawrence Lake Road, uses red wiggler worms to decompose manure.

Moyagh and Hunt, self-proclaimed recyclers, take the castings - or worm feces - and sell them or mix them with soil to create what they refer to as a supreme soil, which increases growth and productivity in plants...

Yelm Earthworm, located on Lawrence Lake Road, uses red wiggler worms to decompose manure.

Moyagh and Hunt, self-proclaimed recyclers, take the castings - or worm feces - and sell them or mix them with soil to create what they refer to as a supreme soil, which increases growth and productivity in plants...

'Franklin Roosevelt said 'when the soil dies, the nation dies,'" Moyagh said. "It's time for people to wake up and start stepping forward.'

One product that the farm sells is a smaller home casting kit, in which homeowners can put their food scraps in and purchase red wigglers to break them down.

Currently, the farm sells their products to approximately 60 stores in Washington state, and starting in 2008 will be exporting out of Washington," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

YELM EARTHWORM & CASTINGS FARM
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday - 10am to 5pm
Sunday - Closed

We are located, south of Yelm, WA, at 14741 Lawrence Lake Rd. SE.

From Yelm, follow Bald Hills Rd. toward Lawrence Lake.

You'll come to a "Y" at about 5 miles. Bald Hills Rd. curves sharply left; you want to go straight to the stop sign (about 40 yards further). Turn right onto Lawrence Lake Rd. We are around the first curve, on the right. Look for the signs and the beautiful garden areas and the large white buildings.

BE SURE TO TELL KELAN & HUNT YOU READ ABOUT THEIR GOVERNOR'S AWARD ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

CITY OF YELM PRESENTS

You are cordially invited to attend the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Stevens Street NW, Yelm.

When: September 27, 2007
Time: 1 PM
Location: Stevens Street NW

Refreshments will be served.

THIS WRITER CONGRATULATES THE CITY OF YELM, AS I HAVE BEEN USING THIS ARTERY MANY TIMES BYPASSING BLOCKS-LONG TRAFFIC AT THE 507/510 LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY CONVENIENT WAY TO GET FROM 5 CORNERS TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ON TO THE WEST & RETURN, WITH LITTLE DELAY. MUCH EFFORT WENT INTO THIS ARTERY BY CITY STAFF.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach

Retired United Methodist Minister The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach had some very astute observations published in the Nisqually Valley News last week.

"Thank you for courageously printing insightful opinion page cartoons that unmask an imperial presidency. They are reminiscent of an insight I once gained.

I became a minister with the expectation of teaching about the art of living life aglow with God's presence within. But, to my chagrin, some members were not interested.

"They joined the church," one wise member counseled, "because it looks good on their resume."

Ouch!

Many people voted for the Bush II administration because faith and family values looked good on its resume. But, they got more than they bargained for - a hidden agenda.

A great big OUCH!

First, it finagled its way past losing the popular vote in 2000. Then, it bamboozled us with the ultimate "shock and awe" - 9/11. Frightened to death, we surrendered our freedom for its protection. It's turning out to be the false security of Bush I's "New World Order," run by multinational corporations and a vast military-industrial complex.

All of this has an uncanny resemblance with Revelation's "Babylon the Great," a globalized religio-capitalistic domination system of complete control over everything and everyone, by the elite.

Twenty-seven years ago, on Sept. 19, 1980, the evangelical magazine, "Christianity Today," warned its readers that single-issue politics was too narrow a front in battling a moral crusade, and could prove disastrous.

"It could lead to the election of a moron who holds the right view on abortion."
[The quote is from Christianity Today: “Getting God’s Kingdom into Politics.” 9/19/1980, 10 [1031] quoted in Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America, An Evangelical’s Lament by Randall Balmer 2006, (New York: Basic Books) p. xvii.]

Fast forward.

Now, we are finally waking up to having been deceived by the slick spin of ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing, the fruit of whose actions is exposing them, Matthew 7:15-20 style.

Let us not retreat into denial, but reclaim our power, and create a better future!

The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach

United Methodist minister"

This letter is reprinted in its entirety with permission of the author.

Dr. Banach currently resides in Rainier.
You may write him at: drrichardb@hotmail.com

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A. "County plans class on preparedness"
"Thurston County is offering a class on how to prepare for disaster.

A neighborhood preparedness class is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the county's Emergency Operations Center, 2703 Pacific Ave., Olympia.

The free two-hour class is based on the principle that following a major disaster, the most immediate source of help is one's neighbors.

Topics include identification of neighborhood skills and equipment, nine steps to take immediately following a disaster, neighborhood contact lists and identifying locations of natural gas and propane tanks.

• To register for the class, send your name, phone number and agency or neighborhood to Vivian Eason at easonv@

co.thurston.wa.us or fax to 360-786-5582. For more information call 360-786-5243," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

B.

Abigail M. Haddock

Emergency Manager, Abigail M. Haddock is offering preparedness class at The Ant Preparedness School located at The Survival Center in McKenna.

Repeating last week's class:
Pandemic Preparedness - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers have now proven N1H5 has spread from birds to man and man to man. We are in stage three alert. Do you know how to prepare your family for a pandemic? Learn what supplies are needed to treat family members at home when social distancing is declared. Take this class now while supplies are available! $25
9/26 7-10 pm and 9/26 7-10 pm adults only
[Ed. Note: This writer and his wife are enrolled in the 9/19 class. Won't you join us?]
Sign-up here:
R U Ready? Emergency Preparedness Consulting and Training. Business Continuity, Preparedness and Canning
RUREADY2007@comcast.net 360 705-9818

Posted by Steve Klein at 03:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOCAL AUTHOR SUZANNE NICHOLS ANNOUNCES HER NEW BOOK

"The launching of the website with the publication of my new book, The Life and Times of Schrodinger's Cat - A Quantum Tale of Love and Entanglement.

I will be doing a book signing on September 29th from 4-7 PM at the Blue Bottle in Yelm.
Books will also be available at JZ Rose and Lemuria in Yelm, as well as directly through the website," quoting Ms. Nichols email.

“What an enchanting tale! I was completely captivated by this delightful blend of fantasy and quantum science. A truly enjoyable, heart warming story.”

– Ronald Mallett, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics at the University of Connecticut, and author of Time Traveler – A Scientist’s Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality


Suzanne Nichols
ManyWorlds Press

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fall arrived in Yelm this morning at 2:51am.

Happy Autumn !

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Kristin Blalack, Yelm Timberland Librarian has announced exciting Fall Programs for our local library, including one today:

Thursday, September 20
Gary Stroutsos, world flute master and cultural storyteller, offers a program of traditional music of the American Indian and the stories behind the songs, passed down through generations. The evening will also include new music for the Xiao and Dize Chinese Bamboo flutes seldom heard outside the walls of China. Gary performed at the library in December '05 and was very well-received.
7-8 PM

Saturday, October 6
Digital Camera 101: Take Your Best Shot
Learn about your digital camera: explore ALL those camera dials and icons, discover hidden settings and decipher your camera manual. Make dazzling images rather than take the same old boring snapshots. Then discover how to manage all those image files once you have them on your memory card. Join photographer, artist and arts educator, Barbra Kates, for this fun and hands-on class. Be prepared to go outside.
1 - 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 15 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, October 9
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
7-8 PM

Wednesday, October 17
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelm…and more. Members of the Yelm Historical Society will facilitate and videotape these sessions as a resource for present and future generations.
3 - 4:30 PM

Saturday, October 20
Digital Camera 201: Beyond Basics
Have you mastered basic digital camera skills and are now ready to use your camera more interactively? Then this workshop is for you. Become one with your camera and discover “Magical Light,” the art of seeing creatively and choosing between “Auto” and “Manual.” Explore the Digital Frontier with photographer, artist and arts educator, Barbra Kates, for this three-hour interactive, hands-on workshop.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate, Pre-requisite: Digital Camera 101 or equivalent.
1 - 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 20 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, October 23
“Lux Aeterna:” a Performance of Classical Music for the Violin
Ian Mardon presents works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardon’s newest composition, “Lux Aeterna“. Enjoy the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
7 - 8 PM

Saturday, November 10
Digital Camera 301: Beyond the Camera to the Digital Darkroom
Explore basic computer techniques for downloading photos, managing and organizing image files, manipulating images and creating slide shows using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0. This workshop is for people who own a PC and have basic computer skills. A pre-class photo assignment will be available when registering at the library.
1 - 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 20 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, November 13
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
7-8 PM

Wednesday, November 14
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelm…and more. Members of the Yelm Historical Society, Yelm Library Board Chair Steve Klein and his wife Yael will facilitate. This session will be videotaped as a resource for present and future generations.
3 - 4:30 PM

Wednesday, November 14
Planet Percussion: Music from the World
Jay Sicilia, founder of Planet Percussion Band, plays an amazing variety of instruments, bringing the rhythms of music and dance from many different parts of the world to Yelm.
7 - 8 PM

Sunday, November 18
Soar with Us: Pursue Your Dreams and Celebrate Your Abilities
Dylan Kuehl, young internationally known performer and artist with Down’s Syndrome, and his teacher/mentor, Marian Lancaster, present a program of creative movement, visual art and poetry. They demonstrate the powerful potential in each of us for turning challenges and perceived limitations into wonderful accomplishments.
2 - 3:30pm

Wednesday, December 5
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
What are the origins of Yelm? Who are the people who have lived here? Ed Bergh, Yelm High School history teacher, will show slides and talk about how our community has evolved through time.
7 - 8 PM

Tuesday, December 11
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Dress Your Family in Courduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.
7-8 PM

All programs above Sponsored by the Friends of the Yelm Library except Adult Pageturners.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Yelm Planning Commission met on Monday, September 17, 2007 to review and finalize changes to Yelm's Comprehensive Plan submitted at the August Public Hearing and in written comments due to the Commission by September 4, 2007.

Senior Planner for the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) & City of Yelm adviser Kathy McCormick opened the Comprehensive Plan changes part of the meeting with several comments her department received. One of these remarks was in reference to the Transportation Chapter of the Yelm Comprehensive Plan and is as follows:

Chapter 1.9 Highways 507/510 in Yelm designated Highways of State Significance (HSS).
Ms. McCormick stated this listing is incorrect, as she was informed by the State that Highways 507/510 in Yelm are Highways of Regional Significance (non-HSS) and are Level of Service (LOS) D mitigated. Level of service identified as level D is consistent with the regional plan.

The Planning Commission went on to debate for an extended period of time the removal of the word "acceptable" as official city policy for Highways 507/510 with these roads remaining LOS F in the urban core. They stated they did not want the appearance to seem they (& the city council) were accepting LOS F as acceptable, even though they left LOS F in the Plan. LOS F is the lowest grade possible and there is no measurement of how low that grade can go, with traffic gridlock as a result.
This writer sat there dumbfounded at this interchange since Ms. McCormick had just mentioned these roads need to be a minimum LOS D to be consistent with the requirements of the regional plan, rather than Yelm's lower threshold of bottomless LOS F.

At the conclusion of the 1 1/2 hour discussion of the Transportation Chapter of the Comp. Plan, I asked how the Yelm Planning Commission would include LOS D in the Plan for State Highways 507/510. Ms. McCormick's only reply was, "We do have conflict," to which I verbally agreed. (The City of Yelm Plan's Level of Service is F).
A pleasant surprise and rare visitor to this meeting was Mayor Ron Harding, who attended for a portion of the discussion and unfortunately left prior to the Transportation Chapter's conclusion.

To make this simple, here is what all of this means:

With level of service (LOS) D as regional policy on the city's Highways 507/510, Yelm is NOT consistent with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) & TRPC recommendations with its lower LOS F threshold. THIS IS THE CONFLICT.

For the city to adopt LOS D, they must reduce traffic congestion by one of two ways (or both):
1. Continuing construction of connecting and side streets. The Yelm Bypass should not be considered in this context since the construction is not funded, and even if so, is still 7 years from opening, if at all.

2. Reducing additional local traffic to these roads by no longer approving large traffic generators like housing developments and big box stores.

The Yelm Planning Commission packet (click Comprehensive Plan Update - 2007) for these changes now goes to the Yelm City Council for public comment and approval next month. Yelm City Council member Don Miller said at the July 24, 2007 Council Meeting that Highways 507/510 in Yelm fall under the jurisdiction of WSDOT and the city must surrender to them, so Yelm traffic on those roads is their issue. Mr. Miller, the City of Yelm approved and allowed a Wal-Mart to be built on Highway 507 in the Yelm city limits and I witnessed no requirement for the city to surrender to WSDOT for this project. Mayor Ron Harding said at the same meeting 67% of the traffic in Yelm originates outside of the city and this was not all the city's issue. He told those of us in audience to write about this to our State Legislators. I did.
However, now that the State informed TRPC that Yelm Highways 507/510 under the city's traffic plan have been improperly designated and TRPC declared the Yelm Plan in "conflict" with WSDOT and TRPC recommendations, these agencies will be hearing more about Yelm. Enough of Yelm officials dodging the traffic issue here. As I have said many times, the time has come for a multi-jurisdictional tackling of Yelm's traffic.

To that end, the Thurston County Planning Commission public hearing for Wednesday, September 19 did not have a quorum of the Commission, so is postponed until October 3rd..
This Commission needs to hear from the Yelm community (community is defined as those that use the roads to/from Yelm) that the Yelm Comp. Plan Traffic Chapter is in "conflict" (not my word, rather TRPC's McCormick's) with WSDOT & TRPC recommendations. This will require Thurston County to look into the Yelm Plan's inconsistencies.

WILL YOU PLEASE CONSIDER COMING TO THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 3RD IN THE THURSTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, BUILDING 1, ROOM 280 AT 7PM AND SPEAKING UP FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWN?

THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU!

Amy Swanson, Associate Planner for Development Services stated to me that anyone who wishes to have their comments be included as part of the public input, may do so in writing by the October 3rd meeting.

You may email them directly to her at:
swansoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

Concurrently, you may send your comments to:
Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner
Attn: Thurston Regional Planning Com. (TRPC)
2424 Heritage Ct SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502

or directly to her email: mccormk@trpc.org

Be sure to mark all comments for the Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing Oct. 3.
All comments must be received by the close of the hearing on the 3rd.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The case study by Zenith Management Consulting titled "How to Exploit Wal-Mart's Weaknesses" shows that Wal-Mart's "business model is not really low-price,
it is creating perceptions that prices are lower than they really are....

- Low prices matter more to consumers because they think Wal-Mart's are so much lower.

- Consumers forgive Wal-Mart's poor quality, service and convenience because they think Wal-Mart's prices are so low.

-Consumers who shop at Wal-Mart become caught in a self-reinforcing loop that makes them keep shopping there.

-80-85% of Wal-Mart's products are more expensive.

-Masters of manipulating perceptions."

This is a very telling report and demonstrates how Wal-Mart will work to manipulate perceptions and change the framework for the business environment in a town like Yelm.

Read the full PDF of the study for yourself.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

REMEMBERING ALOUD

Our Past, Our Present:
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES

Wednesdays 3 - 4:30pm
September 19,
October 17 & November 14
Yelm Timberland Library

Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelm...and more.

Members of the Yelm Historical Society will facilitate and videotape these sessions as a resource for present and future generations.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Yelm Timberland Library.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A. SHELTON FAMILY ASSISTS IN REUNITING MOTHER WITH DAUGHTERS SEPARATED BY OCEANS & 5 YEARS

"When Stella Heard moved from her native Kenya to the United States in hopes of giving her daughters a better life, she thought they'd be separated only a few months.
Five years passed.

Heard, who now lives in Shelton, reunited with daughters Georgette, 10, and Nancy, 9, Friday night [8/31]at Sea-Tac Airport. The three embraced, laughing and wiping away one another's tears of joy. The girls are here to stay...

Mary Jo and Gordon Monten of Belfair said they made reuniting the family their mission.

Heard met the Montens through customers at Little Creek Casino, where she works as a cashier.

The customers were intrigued by Heard's accent. When they learned she was from Kenya, they connected her to the Montens, who were headed on a medical mission just 5 miles from the girls' home in Nairobi.

The Montens, retired teachers, agreed to take clothes and gifts to Heard's daughters.

The Montens started a fund at Olympia Federal Savings in Belfair to raise the $6,000 needed for the girls' airfare and expenses. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olympia also got involved, donating thousands of dollars," quoting The Olympian.

Cheryl Nichols, a school teacher at Rainier's Children's of Excellence (CSE) is the daughter of the Montens.

B. NANCY BREIDENTHAL APPOINTED DEM'S PCO OF BERRY VALLEY 193
Thurston County Democrats announces that Yelm resident Nancy Breidenthal has been officially appointed as Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) of Berry Valley 193 for the Democratic Party's Legislative District 2.

Congratulations, Nancy!! This is just terrific!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This writer and his wife will be interviewed at 2pm PDT today (Saturday, September 15) on Beyond the Ordinary KRSE internet radio live from Washington, D. C. and the Impeach Bush/Cheney March.
Beyond the Ordinary - KRSE is a Yelm, WA. based worldwide-reaching internet radio broadcasting station.

Listen Live by clicking here, then click "Listen Now."

There will be a rally beginning at The White House at 12 noon EDT, followed by a march to The Capitol, then the radio broadcast to Yelm at 5pm EDT (2PM Yelm Time).

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Abigail M. Haddock

"Emergency Manager, Abigail M. Haddock is offering classes at The Ant Preparedness School located at The Survival Center in McKenna.

Pandemic Preparedness - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers have now proven N1H5 has spread from birds to man and man to man. We are in stage three alert. Do you know how to prepare your family for a pandemic? Learn what supplies are needed to treat family members at home when social distancing is declared. Take this class now while supplies are available! $25
9/19 7-10 pm and 9/26 7-10 pm adults only
[Ed. Note: This writer and his wife are enrolled in the 9/19 class. Won't you join us?]

Basic Water Canning - Learn how to safely can fruits, jams and pickles by participation. Now is time to can! Sept 22 10-3 pm $50 Pre-reg

Pressure Canning - Learn how to safely can meat, veggies and stews by participation. Harvest is in and ready to can! Sept 29 10-3 pm $50 Pre-reg

R U Ready? Emergency Preparedness Consulting and Training. Business Continuity, Preparedness and Canning
RUREADY2007@comcast.net 360 705-9818," quoting the Masters' Connection website.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Town Hall Meeting With Thurston County Commissioner Candidate

JON HALVORSON

Co-Hosted by Steve Klein and JeanMarie Christenson.

Thurston County Commissioner candidate Jon W. Halvorson

will speak and answer questions at a YELM TOWN HALL MEETING

at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2007

at Gordon’s Grange, 308 East Yelm Ave.

Former Lacey Mayor Halvorson has been a resident of the Thurston County 2nd Commissioner District for 32 years and has been a long time community volunteer.

Jon currently Chairs the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Board and serves on the Thurston County Medic One Council.

The seat will be on the countywide ballot in the General election of November, 2008.

WON'T YOU JOIN US TO HEAR MR. HALVORSON'S VISION FOR THE COUNTY
AND SHARE YOUR VIEWS TO UPDATE HIM ON YELM'S ISSUES?

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding
Photo from City of Yelm website

Yelm City Administrator Badger responded on September 11th to my request for information about the Yelm Economic Development Committee (EDC) as follows :

Yelm EDC Committee members:

Mayor Ron Harding
Councilmember Bob Isom
Shelly Badger, City Administrator
Grant Beck, Community Development Director
Steve Ruff, Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce President
Cecelia Jenkins, Yelm Chamber Executive Director
Michael Cade, Thurston County Economic Development Council Executive
Director
Glen Cunningham, Yelm Chamber representative
Margaret Clapp, Yelm Chamber representative

2007 meeting schedule: Bi-monthly April 13, June 8, August 10, October
12, December 14. Meetings from 8-10 in the Yelm City Hall conference
room.

Meetings are staff level meetings and are not open to the public.

Ed Note: I know Mayor Harding feels he has done his best in these appointments and I applaud the service to the city by these fine people, however where is infusion of fresh new concepts and skills by others willing to serve?

My observations & comments on September 8th still stand and even more so with Ms. Badger's response, since Mr. Cunningham works for Ms. Clapp, as does Yelm Council member John Thompson.

City Staff, Yelm Chamber Board members & the Thurston County EDC Executive all "play in the same sand box" and there is no one to ask questions, challenge, initiate ideas and expand beyond this group's cabal [click here for Webster's definition of cabal.].
'Where are citizen appointments and participation from a broad cross-section of this community?

PERHAPS, AS MENTIONED TO THIS WRITER BY MR. CUNNINGHAM, THESE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR TALENTS TO THE COMMUNITY IF ASKED BY MAYOR HARDING?

LET'S HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE?

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Photo from Port of Olympia website

The thermometer reached 87 degrees (31 C) on September 11th at Olympia Regional Airport,
breaking the former record of 86 set in 1969.

Posted by Steve Klein at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Yelm Co-op is looking for volunteers to staff the store.

All volunteers get a 10% discount over and above member discounts.

The Yelm Co-op is seeking 2 shifts per month from individuals.
A shift is 4 1/2 hours.

"We are looking for volunteers to work in the Yelm Food Coop. We need help with a myriad of things from painting and cleaning to stocking to running the store.

We are currently accepting applications for a store manager as well. This position is volunteer at this time but all volunteers will have first consideration when we are able to pay full time salaries. All applications can be sent to info@yelmcoop.com."

Please contact the Yelm Co-op for more details.
360-400-2210
This is a valuable resource to keep in Yelm!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yelm Cinemas at Prairie Park
Photo courtesy of Yelm Cinmeas' website

Yelm Cinemas Manager Howard Christian has worked his magic - yet again!

Mr. Christian has obtained Leonardo DiCaprio's new film The 11th Hour for a limited engagement beginning September 14, 2007 per patron request.

"After collaborating on two short films (Global Warning, Water Planet), filmmakers Nadia Conners, Leila Conners Petersen and Leonardo DiCaprio set out to explore the larger story of the human experience on the planet. Seeking out credible voices to speak to the history of the human species, the state of the oceans, land and air, and social, design and political challenges for change, the trio ultimately netted 150 hours of interviews with over 70 scientists, designers, historians and thinkers...

The 11th Hour examines the human relationship with earth from its earliest glimmers of innovation, to the challenges humanity faces in the present, to the possibilities of the future...

The film posits that in many ways, humanity has detached itself from nature, and grown accustomed to using without thinking to manage the earth's resources," quoting The 11th Hour website.

To get quality films like this here in Yelm, Mr. Christian needs to show there is a market here for them.
Won't you take the time to visit Yelm Cinemas for this important film beginning September 14?
Let Howard and his staff know how much you appreciate his efforts to bring films that add knowledge to our community!

THANK YOU HOWARD CHRISTIAN, MR. CHRISTIAN'S STAFF AT YELM CINEMAS AND PRAIRIE PARK!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding heads up the Yelm Economic Development Committee, which is working to bring light industry to Yelm, according to Mr. Harding at a recent City Council meeting.

CITY OFFICIALS SHOULD READ THIS PRIOR TO GIVING TAX BREAKS:
USA Today reported in its August 21st editions,
"Generous tax breaks given to companies that threaten to take their business elsewhere are coming under increasing scrutiny from state and local officials who say taxpayers aren't getting their money's worth.

Critics say the tax breaks and other financial incentives have gotten out of hand, costing taxpayers billions of dollars and doing little for the economy.

'There's an entitlement mentality about tax breaks today,' Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Mark Funkhouser says. 'Every developer thinks it's his right not to pay property taxes.' Funkhouser was elected mayor in May after campaigning against tax breaks to developers, including one for a luxury condo development in an affluent part of his city.

Supporters of incentives say the deals are crucial to keeping economies strong, especially in depressed areas. 'A well-thought-out portfolio of incentives is vital to being competitive for quality projects,' says Jim Fain, commerce secretary in North Carolina, which has been aggressive in providing economic assistance to companies...

State and local governments offer about $50 billion a year in tax breaks and other economic incentives, according to economists Alan Peters and Peter Fisher.

Academics say there is little evidence to show that tax breaks have a lasting effect on a local economy.

Property tax breaks to manufacturers appear to boost industrial employment for a short time, says University of Nebraska economist John Anderson, a former Michigan economic developer.

'But the impact of incentives dissipates quickly, so in a few years, there's no benefit to employment,' he says."

AS FOR YELM:
Discussed here on September 28, 2006, I questioned the makeup of the Yelm EDC with so many Yelm Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, suggesting there is not one member outside of city officals and the Yelm Chamber infusing the EDC with divergent views.
I contacted the City of Yelm last week to see if the Yelm EDC appointees had changed.
The email sent to City Administrator Shelly Badger received no response.
Last year, they were:
Mayor Ron Harding
Grant Beck, Yelm Community Development Director
Shelly Badger, Yelm City Administrator
Cecelia Jenkins, Executive Director of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce
Steve Ruff, Miles Sand & Gravel and now former Yelm Chamber of Commerce President
Glen Cunningham, local contractor, Yelm Chamber Board member and Yelm Planning Commission Chair

As I said on September 28, 2006 on this blog,
"No disrespect intended Mr. Mayor, however the makeup of the Yelm Economic Development Committee (EDC) encompasses little or no sales, marketing, economic development, advertising, and/or corporate experience out in the world, IMHO. Mayor Harding stated, 'Each of the backgrounds that you feel should be present on this committee is already present.'

I ask, 'Where are citizen appointments and participation from a broad cross-section of this community?'
Mayor Harding, Ms. Jenkins, Steve Ruff, & Glen Cunningham serve on both the Yelm EDC AND the Yelm Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
And Mr. Cunningham is the City's Planning Commission Chair, Yelm EDC member AND Yelm Chamber Board member."
[And, Is there not some conflict of interest here? ]
Therefore, new ideas and viewpoints for the Economic Development of this community from a divergent range of experiences are limited to the same people on both the Chamber Board and Yelm's EDC.

While I applaud the service by these fine people to the city, where is infusion of fresh new concepts and skills by others willing to serve?"

WHAT SAY YOU?
WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR TALENTS TO THE COMMUNITY IF ASKED BY MAYOR HARDING?
DO YOU SUPPORT THE YELM EDC LURING NEW INDUSTRY HERE BY USING TAX BREAKS?

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"For biological systems, growth is straightforward," West [Geoffrey West of the Santa Fe Institute] says. "They eventually stop growing.
Economies of scale can only take you so far. But when
you have these superlinear exponents [exponents greater than 1], the growth equation is completely
changed. These cities can go on growing forever."

All of this potential growth has a dark side. At a certain point, every city runs our of resources.
Their superlinear exponents, tilted toward infinity, collide with the practical demands of reality.
The positive feedback loop exhausts itself.

How do cities deal with this dismal limitation? They innovate. "The only way to avoid stagnation
from a shortage of resources," West says, "is to change something. You have to reset the clock,
reset the initial parameters of growth. We call this an innovation cycle, and they are clearly apparent throughout history.
There's the invention of the steam engine, the car, the digital revolution. What these advances all have in common
is that they allowed cities to continue growing." West quotes a Bob Dylan lyric to make his point:
"He not busy being born is busy dying." A city that isn't innovating is on the verge of collapse," quoting this
insightful SEED Magazine article from their July/August, 2007 edition.

Is Yelm innovating or on the verge of collapse?
Certainly gridlock, with more developments in the pipeline adding to our traffic nightmare, will choke this town before too long.
What do you think?

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Town Hall Meeting With Thurston County Commissioner Candidate

JON HALVORSON

Co-Hosted by Steve Klein and JeanMarie Christenson.

Thurston County Commissioner candidate Jon W. Halvorson

will speak and answer questions at a YELM TOWN HALL MEETING

at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2007

at Gordon’s Grange, 308 East Yelm Ave.

Former Lacey Mayor Halvorson has been a resident of the Thurston County 2nd Commissioner District for 32 years and has been a long time community volunteer.

Jon currently Chairs the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Board and serves on the Thurston County Medic One Council.

The seat will be on the countywide ballot in the General election of November, 2008.

WON'T YOU JOIN US TO HEAR MR. HALVORSON'S VISION FOR THE COUNTY
AND SHARE YOUR VIEWS TO UPDATE HIM ON YELM'S ISSUES?

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cell Phone Tower
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Dear Clearwood Association members,

I understood the August ballot on the Clearwood Cell Tower issue was to authorize a study about the potential of a cell tower on Clearwood Community grounds.

Quoting the NVN of August 24, 2007,
"After months of debate, Clearwood property owners passed a board resolution to pursue a feasibility study that will look at placing a cell tower within the community."

Further down in the same story:
"'The next step for Clearwood is to contact cellular companies and let them know we're interested (in having a tower placed in the community),' said Ron Smith, president of the Clearwood Board of Directors."

"The board will negotiate for the best deal."

Can any association member go on the record and help me and the other numerous daily Yelm Community Blog readers understand what is going on out there?
A vote for a feasibility study is just that, is it not?
A vote for a feasibility study.

Quoting Wikipedia,
"A feasibility study is a preliminary study undertaken to determine and document a project's viability. The results of this study are used to make a decision whether to proceed with the project, or table it. If it indeed leads to a project being approved, it will - before the real work of the proposed project starts - be used to ascertain the likelihood of the project's success. It is an analysis of possible alternative solutions to a problem and a recommendation on the best alternative. It, for example, can decide whether an order processing be carried out by a new system more efficiently than the previous one."

Isn't Smith out of line saying, "The board will negotiate for the best deal?"

The vote was not about negotiating the best deal, rather a feasibility study.

What am I missing here?

Why are the Association members not demanding clarity from Mr. Smith and the Board on this issue.
The Board has a fiduciary responsibility in carrying out the voters will and association policies correctly and honorably, and nothing more, IMHO.
Negotiating the best deal?
Doesn't that require a vote authorizing the Board to proceed only after the results of the feasibility study are presented to the members?

I certainly hope the Clearwood Board in their "due diligence" communicates these just-released scientific reports to their members:
A. "An international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals (The BioInitiative Working Group) has released its report on electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health [August 31]. It raises serious concern about the safety of existing public limits that regulate how much EMF is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of EMF exposure in daily life.
The report concludes the existing standards for public safety are inadequate to protect public health.

B. Additionally, this just released report from Israel's famed Weizmann Institute of Science scientists says:
"Mobile phones can take as little as ten minutes to trigger changes in the brain associated with cancer, scientists claimed yesterday [Aug. 29].
They found even low levels of radiation from handsets interfere with the way brain cells divide. Cell division encourages the growth of tumours," quoting UK's Daily Mail.

Who will share this with the Association members?

Mr. Smith is welcome and invited to share his views with Yelm Community Blog readers in a guest entry.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Road signs at Yelm intersection of SR 507 & 510
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Nisqually Valley News reporter Sam Chrest penned for the August 24 edition about the Public Hearing updating the Comprehensive Plan (Aug. 20) by quoting only Planning Commission Chair Glen Cunningham. I find curious that Mr. Chrest was not at the Comp. Plan Hearing, nor did he report any other views from the public who did attend the session, which he could have gathered from the recording of the meeting. This story was a one-sided mouthpiece for Mr. Cunningham and while Mr. Chrest may still be teething in his new assignment at the NVN, this kind of cursory journalism is consistent with this newspaper.

Further, the way Mr. Cunningham brushed aside the Public Hearing and the citizens' comments in this story is appalling! And this is from the Yelm Planning Commission Chair?

Let's take a look at Mr. Cunningham's remarks in the NVN and put them in context:

"...The plan must be updated periodically to meet Growth Management Act standards, said Planning Commission Chairman Glen Cunningham.

'We have to do this every once in awhile to meet state, law,' he said.
The primary proposed changes to the plan are amendments to the capital facilities and transportation chapters.

The changes are largely altering the wording and providing more current information about the city, Cunningham said.

He said there are no major changes to the plan.

'It is just some stuff we have to update,' he said."

"IT'S JUST SOME STUFF WE HAVE TO UPDATE?"
WHO IS THIS MAN KIDDING?!
The specific mandate of the Comprehensive Plan is to "reflect the preferences of the community."
This is not just some "stuff we have to update." State law requires public input.
This Plan dictates the policies the city is to follow about its roads - a Plan currently written that accepts a failed grade with the worst road conditions possible, allowing the traffic mess we have today.
Mr. Cunningham may say "there are no changes to the plan," however the city must consider the public comments, of which there were several.

Continuing from the NVN,
"At the public hearing, only three people provided testimony, he said.

Often, he added, Planning Commission meetings draw little or no audience.

'Generally there are not a lot of people,' he said. 'Some of those who do come say things they don't know anything about.'"

EXCUSE ME?
That may be Mr. Cunningham's view, however a professional engineer and a former mayoral candidate with a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) were two providing testimony, individuals that do not "say things they don't know anything about."
The Planning Commission's number one job is to listen to the public, regardless of the judgments of Mr. Cunningham about public understandings. They are appointed by the Mayor specifically to serve the public.
Mr. Cunningham's lack of knowledge when addressing people is quite evident, which is frustrating for the citizens that do participate, as many feel brushed aside by the blank stares of incomprehension of some on the Commission.
No wonder so few attend these meetings - and of course they are timed during working hours (4PM) for most constituents - hardly providing availability for true public interchange.

Continuing from the NVN story:
"The testimony from the hearing will be addressed in a staff report, Cunningham said.

Updating the Comprehensive Plan is a large task spanning several months, he said.

'It takes quite a bit of time and effort,' he said."

FROM JUST WHERE IS MR. CUNNINGHAM COMING?
He said there are no major changes to the plan, dismissing those with
"It's just some stuff we have to update."
Then he says it's "a large task spanning several months..." "It takes quote a bit of effort."

Mr. Cunningham discounts the changes on the one hand, then speaks of the time and effort involved on the other, all while trivializing public input.

The Public Hearing garnered many comments that requires the Planning Commission to address, chief among them is the city accepts failed roads as official policy which is a detriment to public safety, for which the city bears responsibility to maintain.
The Planning Commission heard that having this as official city policy is unacceptable and demands that this must be changed.

The remarks in the newspaper from Mr. Cunningham are an embarrassment to the city and to those drivers enduring daily gridlock on Yelm's failed streets.

You can read all of my testimony to Mr. Cunningham and his Planning Commission by scrolling down this page to the August 20 entry here on this blog.

Further, my Letter to the Editor published in the same newspaper edition beseeches everyone to write City Hall and let them know you do not accept Yelm streets with a Level of Service (LOS) grade of F as official city policy, the way the plan is currently written. Your comments must be received in writing at Yelm's City Hall by Tuesday, September 4 at 5pm.

WON'T YOU TAKE THE TIME TO PEN A LETTER TO LET THE PLANNING COMMISSION KNOW YOUR VIEWS;
AND THAT THE PLAN MUST "REFLECT THE PREFERENCES OF THE COMMUNITY."

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The BALD HILLS FIRE DISTRICT announces
an invitation to all to come to our Fire Department Monthly Association meeting this coming Tuesday evening, Sept 4th.

Harry Miller will be cooking country ribs, and begin serving about 6:45PM at the Bald Hills Fire Station,
corner of bald hills Rd. & Peissner Rd., adjacent Lackamas Elementary School.

We would love to have anyone come who would like to eat a rib and take a tour of the fire station, meet our volunteers, and maybe discover that they'd like to be a part of this group. There are many ways to help besides charging into burning buildings.

If you can not attend this month, mark Tuesday, October 2 for the next open house.

Thanks,

Bill Owen
Bald Hills Fire Department

P. S. This writer and his wife attended earlier this summer and found the comaraderie and friendly environment this group creates to be very welcoming in addition to getting an education about the department...

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo courtesy of FIELDS OF FLEECE

FIELDS OF FLEECE
announces their unveiling of their new business at Harbor Days on Percival Landing in Olympia on August 31st from 5PM to 8PM and Sept 1st and 2nd from 10AM to 7PM.

Their booth # is 58.

FIELDS OF FLEECE specializes in making designer blankets for children and adults:
bassinet,
car seat/stroller,
crib,
throws (The WOOBIE) for all ages,
and round blankets.

clothing for children
hats and scarves
posh capes for women and children
pet blankets
dog pads
dog toys

CONGRATULATIONS to Maddie & Madeleine Bongiorno

Stop by and tell them you read about them on the Yelm Community Blog.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Masters' Connection, hosted by Stephany Ray.
"Serving the
Ramtha School of Enlightenment
International Community
of Students and Friends

Welcome to Our Family Tree!
Where businesses, individuals and friends
of the Ramtha School of Enlightenment can
connect.
We are also the Airport Shuttle
Service & Lodging Page for Ramtha School
in Yelm, Washington," quoting Masters' Connection.

About MastersConnection.Com
"As a longtime student of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, I launched the MastersConnection.Com Website in 2002, as a result of a realization of mine-
that Students and friends of RSE needed a presence on the Internet where they could connect with each other.

The community of participants is growing throughout the world, and this website is intended to enable the exchange of unique goods, services, opportunities, important news articles and like minds amongst this fabulous, international community.

This Website is continuously evolving and new pages and subjects are being added regularly. This is most definitely an ongoing creation and very dear to my soul. I am honored and truly fortunate to be associated with RSE and JZ Knight.

Input is welcomed from all of you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Please contact me with any questions, suggestions, input, etc."

Most Joyfully,
Stephany Ray, President
MastersConnection, LLC

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KFC, Starbucks and more to rise on Yelm Avenue

"Construction at Yelm Avenue and Creek Street is moving along, and locals may see buildings rising soon.

Managing team member Tim Morris estimates locals will see a tremendous change to what is currently a dirt patch in the upcoming months.

During the next week or two, Morris plans to stake out the infrastructure and bring in a large crane.

Once the concrete walls are poured, the crane will lift them and make the development site appear to have complete structures. Morris estimates this will take eight to 12 weeks, and more construction will be done to the structures throughout the year.

Estimated completion date is set for the end of 2007, but Morris said businesses will open January 2008, if his plans go smoothly.

Total cost of the project is estimated in the millions of dollars, according to Morris.

When business' doors open, the development will include Starbucks, Anytime Fitness, Desert Sun, Auto Zone, Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell and a Japanese and Teriyaki restaurant.

A few other business have expressed interest in moving into the complex, but Morris said the aforementioned businesses are the only ones that have finalized their tenancies," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

KFC, Taco Bell plus the Pizza Hut a block away are franchises of parent Louisville, Ky. based Yum! Brands, Inc.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BLENDERZ JUICE & SMOOTHIE BAR
is celebrating 6 months in Yelm serving healthy
drinks, fresh squeezed fresh fruit, vegetable juices to order, wheatgrass juice
and a whole host of yummy drinks.

This writer is a regular punch card holder, which gives an 11th wheatgrass or smoothie drink free.
They are located in Prairie Plaza just two doors from the Chinese Wok.

Phone: 400-4201.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"BEYOND THE ORDINARY - KRSE"

"Two friends, with many years of searching for knowledge and answers, traveled to a gathering of shamans on a mountain top in 1999, because of their message "the world is as you dream it." The radio program began with our desire to share with you this possibility, whatever truths we had found, and would continue to find...and the magical quantum doors opened with a way to do it. The program started in 2000 as "Where the Eagle Meets the Condor" broadcasting over KNRY on Historic Cannery Row in California.

One year and a half later we found, through our own program... The most magical, Ramtha and his School of Enlightenment. That was when all the pieces of knowledge we had gathered from many sources came together, and where we finally found answers to the great questions and discovered just how true the shaman's message is --along with the knowledge and disciplines that enable us to experience it. Here is Our Journey to Ramtha . One more year after that, we moved to Washington and within months resumed the program under its new name. We now had so much more to bring to you, including quantum physics, neurobiology, explained in such easy to grasp and delightful ways.

Our guests have been wonderful from the beginning. Our first guest was John Perkins, author of several books, his latest now on the #1 Best Seller list, "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man." The list of guests has spanned a wide spectrum - authors, scientists, global thinkers, shamans, mystics, physicists, inventors and innovators. The list has grown heavier with scientific and highly advanced thinkers, persons with such a great grasp of their subjects that they make it easy for everyone to understand. ...

The World Is Listening! Over 90 countries show up in our stats. It is endearing to us that in some places there may be only three, or one person, that we see tuned in! Distance is no limit in our quantum world, and there are no boundaries for those desiring knowledge.

Thank you for being with us, Nancy & Elena"

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The City of Yelm has announced the following public hearings at this week's City Council Meeting:

The City Council will hold a public hearing on August 28 at 7:30 PM at Yelm City Hall to take testimony on proposed updates to the Yelm Sign Code.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on August 28 at 7:30 PM in Yelm City Hall to take testimony on a proposed new chapter of the municipal code that would de-criminalize land use and sign code violations and establish clear enforcement procedures.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 1st Annual Rosemont Retirement & Assisted Living Community
Farmer's Market & Garden Show has been announced.

August 25, 2007
11am until 4pm
215 Killion Rd.
Yelm
458-1800

Fresh from the Farm Produce
Homemade Gifts
Many Different Local Vendors
Handmade Jams & Jellies
Beautiful Patio Planters

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Logo from Citizens for Fire Protection website

FINALLY!
The message got through to the voters.

Yelm Fire District Levy Lid Lift
VOTES PERCENTAGE
Approved 874 61%
Rejected 556 39%

Rainier Fire District Levy Lid Lift
VOTES PERCENTAGE
Approved 467 63%
Rejected 275 37%

as reported in today's edition of The Olympian.

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE SE THURSTON FIRE/EMS.

Thanks to all who voted....

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Yelm Community Blog Readers;

I have attended most Yelm Planning Commission & City Council meetings for the last three years, as any of the members of those sessions can attest. I have found some of the language, timing & logic of many of the things discussed under the auspices for the public good to be intimidating, at best.
I came from an eastern banking family and worked my way up in the management of a Fortune Top 50 company by the time I was 30. I received an undergraduate and graduate degree in business management, so I do have some education and experience.
I can see why the public does not attend many of the city's sessions;
A. they think their voice will not be heard or their situation understood unless they are a developer waving $$$ - why bother.
B. The lingo is just too daunting to learn to understand to get across to officials.

I can assure you such was the case for me, a somewhat educated man.
For the last three years, I have attended, listened, commented, & learned all I could about this city's policy at meetings. While my timing has sometimes been off and I am labeled a nuisance, bothersome, a pain and complainer by some amongst city officials, I can assure you that learning all I can to benefit the public has been my main goal.

The city's Transportation Plan dictates policy for our roads and one of the policies is that the city accepts the failure of our main roads to handle the traffic. All of the community finds the traffic here and those city policies about our roads to be an abomination, however only Professional Engineer Ed Wiltsie and myself gave official testimony about the Yelm Comprehensive Plan Updates to the Planning Commission tonight.

You have until September 4th to get written documents to City Hall on this subject.

While some of this may be difficult to understand, I list my public comments in the open here for all to review:

Testimony to Yelm Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan Update
Monday, August 20, 2007.

My name is Steve Klein,
I reside at ... outside of Yelm City Limits & I am a taxpayer inside city limits as a property owner ....

According to the opening of the Comprehensive Plan Chapter on
VI. TRANSPORTATION
A. Objective of Transportation Planning
The objective of Transportation Planning is to provide a cost-effective network to
accommodate all modes of travel in and around the core area. To accomplish this
objective, Yelm will actively pursue:
1. A connected-streets policy to promote the efficient flow of traffic, and travel by all
modes within the community.
2. A series of connected arterials which will permit traffic to bypass the urban core if
it is merely passing through, to reduce congestion in the central core.

Do we have a cost-effective network now?
Hardly, as the city is in gridlock most afternoons and weekends, pollution spewing forth as vehicles idle for a mile or more and public safety compromised daily. And, unsafe conditions have developed on numerous side streets as vehicles attempt alternate movement around congestion, streets ill-equipped to handle the load and streets where our city’s children play.

How is the objective of transportation planning a cost effective network?

Continuing: “The analysis of any given proposal should consider all modes of transportation and all methods of efficiently managing the transportation system. The decision-making process should include the public and all affected units of government.

Has that been done? I have seen no meeting that included the public and all affected units of government together. Rep. Tom Campbell said in his last Town Hall meeting in Yelm he would work to get just such a meeting here this Fall. That is the first from any official!

Policy 1.3. Regional Transportation Policy:
“The City will coordinate with other jurisdictions improving regional connections to Yelm prior to permitting future development. These methods may include identifying any physical, Transportation System Management (TSM), or Transportation Demand Management (TDM) improvements to mitigate potential deficiencies, and financial responsibilities for implementation.”

Isn't LOS (Level of Service) F a deficiency?
For almost 3 years, I have called for coordination between the State, County, City & public for all of the jurisdictions to come together to mitigate potential deficiencies, and financial responsibilities for implementation of improvements to the Yelm Ave. corridor conditions, and that includes coordination PRIOR to permitting any more development here. The Mayor said at the July 24th STIP Hearing 67% of Yelm traffic originates outside of the city and cast it away to the County, while Council member Don Miller stated Yelm Ave. is comprised of 2 State highways and the city must surrender to the WSDOT, while the bypass is always pointed to as THE answer. Enough of such folly!
[The Mayor suggested the public contact our State Reps. about Yelm's traffic. I did!
Wal-Mart is on a state highway and the city approved that with no problem.]

Policy 2.1. Road Adequacy Policy (Level of Service Standard) states
“To adopt levels of service for roads and facilities and services that reflects the preference of the community.”

Has that truly been done? Time and time again, Ed Wiltsie, Bill Hashim, myself and a whole host of others have stood before this Commission, City Council and Mayor stating that the Transportation Chapter is woefully inadequate. Every time the community is polled on the #1 issue here, traffic is always at the top and all of you know that. When IS the preference of the community going to be followed by the Planning Commission?

Continuing Policy 2.1. Road Adequacy Policy (Level of Service Standard)
For concurrency purposes, the following standards shall apply in the Urban Growth Area:
“3. In the urban core LOS F is recognized as an acceptable level of service where mitigation to create traffic diversions, bypasses, and alternate routes and modes of transportation are authorized and being planned, funded, and implemented, and can result in improved LOS.

This is so nebulous, very inconclusive and lacks definitive, measurable commitment to action. This needs to be rewritten to something like this:
“In the urban core, LOS D is recognized as an acceptable level of service where mitigation to create traffic diversions, bypasses, and alternate routes and modes of transportation are authorized, have been planned, 100% funded & known to be able to complete the implementation of that road, and can result in improved LOS.

The statement the way you have written means you are working on it - however you have been working on it since 1992, while allowing multi-thousand vehicle trips per day to be added from approved developments, plus all of the vehicular traffic at Wal-Mart.

The public testimony of Professional Engineer Ed Wiltsie to the City Council on Oct. 24, 2006 stated that since 1992, major intersections of Yelm Ave. have been graded LOS F, the lowest grade possible. There is no lower threshold and no method for measuring or establishing how far below LOS F the system can go. Considering the full scenario in Yelm, LOS F means the road conditions need to be immediately improved because of safety issues. Development adding to an LOS F road needs to be kept to a minimum until the road is improved to a higher threshold.

Mr. Wiltsie added that a city can temporarily approve development with a major road graded LOS F as long as there is some remediation to improve that LOS F roadway, such as a bypass. He said that when and if the bypass is open in approximately 2015, almost 25 years will have passed with Yelm Ave. intersections graded LOS F (1992-2015). Therefore, this is not a temporary condition, since this road has had grades of LOS F since 1992. Why is such a condition been deemed acceptable by you & this Plan?

The Mayor said he would not listen to LOS during the STIP Hearing on July 24, 2007.
City Development Director Grant Beck said at that meeting that public safety has nothing to do with LOS. I differ with him and say public safety IS a part of the city’s responsibility in accepting LOS F as official policy.

At the opening of the Staff Report July 24th City Council meeting, Mr. Beck told the Council that the Hearing Examiner of July 23rd commenting on Tahoma Terra, instructed him that the city’s method of separating the phases of Tahoma Terra when determining LOS on Longmire St. was improper. When the phases were thus added together as required, Longmire was now an LOS F road, Mr. Beck said. So now, newly expanded Longmire is already an LOS F road that feeds onto LOS F Yelm Ave. W. Interesting, there was not one question or comment from the Council about that subject. What other roads is such the case and no one knows, except perhaps Mr. Beck.

An LOS F does not even meet the objective of Transportation Planning!
Therefore, I do not accept LOS F in the urban core as an acceptable level and as policy.

Policy 2.6. Transportation System Management (TSM) Policy
“To efficiently operate the transportation system through TSM strategies
Using signal coordination, turn lanes & access control for arterials..."
Why is there no mention of traffic circles?
Why can Olympia & Lacey effectively use those to keep traffic moving and they are not even on Yelm’s radar screen.
There are too many ways to remediate an LOS F condition such as with traffic circles, to making Washington St a through one-way eastbound street from Longmire through the Yelm-Tenino Trail to Third street, and biting the bullet to eliminate parking on the street between 1st & 3rd, where those affected businesses would use their rear parking for access, make three lanes in each direction to improve flow at the light [507/510], just to name a few.

Policy 3.1. Environmental Protection and Conservation Policy, 3.1 Goal states:
“A transportation system with minimal environmental impact and energy consumption that provides for a high quality of life to be enjoyed by the citizens.”

How is burning fuel in gridlock consistent with this policy?
Our transportation system providing a high quality of life to be enjoyed by our citizens?
You must be kidding?! Our citizens and those surrounding Yelm think of ways to avoid Yelm in peak hours and weekends, which ends up hurting our local merchants' bottom line.

Policy 3.1. Environmental Protection and Conservation Policy
“The City of Yelm will fulfill this need by: …
To design transportation facilities within Yelm and the Yelm Urban Growth Area
that minimize adverse environmental impacts resulting from both their
construction and operation. The City of Yelm will fulfill this need by:
Soliciting and incorporating the concerns and comments of interested parties.”

Since when has anything done on our major corridors minimized adverse environmental impacts except planting a few trees and adding curbs and sidewalks? And when has soliciting and incorporating the concerns and comments of interested parties been a priority? That has mostly been given lip service. Adding more developments to an already choked corridor has not been of benefit. What is the framework for the city committing to this? Accepting a policy of LOS F with pollution from gridlock is anathema to this Environmental Protection and Conservation Policy.

Policy 3.2. Compatibility with Adjacent Land Use Policy
“To ensure that transportation system improvements are compatible with adjacent
land uses and to minimize potential conflicts.”

Land use issues here drive transportation rather than the other way around. Change that.

Policy 3.3. Economic and Development Policy
“To develop a transportation system that is compatible with the economic and
development goals of the City of Yelm.
The transportation system will allow for and promote the ongoing economic development and current land use goal of the Yelm Urban Growth Area. The system will be designed to provide ready access to all industrial and commercial areas of the City.”

Development is driving transportation here. This needs to be tightened up in this Plan.
The potential for economic development here is severely impacted with the city’s main arteries in gridlock with little movement at times. Who wants to locate an industrial site here when entrance/egress to town is so negatively affected on our main arteries?

And, the traffic mentioned in the STIP should not outgrow the STIP.
Development should therefore cease.
I call for a new standard for all new development.

To address Mr. Perez’s comment recently, “What do we do, stop all growth?”
Well, Mr. Perez, frankly YES; to stop any more developmental approval until the traffic infrastructure here is brought into balance with already approved developments.

This is the time and place to determine city policy and we, the citizens of this community want to change the policy as we no longer accept the LOS F as acceptable in the urban core. Why is the city choosing to be different than what the community wants?
If you can't address these points, I suggest this be tabled until these can be addressed.

While these are but a few of the issues I saw in this document, I demand the Yelm Planning Commission keep this open for more input and beyond the September 4, 2007 deadline for written comments. The City of Yelm is in a transportation crisis. This is a plea for different thinking.

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Road signs at Yelm intersection of SR 507 & 510
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

This Planning Commission Public Hearing on revisions to the Comprehensive Plan is tonight.

THEREFORE, YOUR INPUT IS REQUIRED.
EVERYONE KNOWS THE #1 ISSUE FACING THIS TOWN IS TRAFFIC AND THAT SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
WON'T YOU COME AND VOICE YOUR VIEW THAT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR OUR ROADS IS UNACCEPTABLE?

The City of Yelm's Planning Commission is holding a Public Hearing on Monday, August 20th at 6 p.m.

The Yelm Planning Commission, with the assistance of the Thurston Regional Planning Council, is proposing editorial changes to the transportation, capital facilities plan, and other zoning related changes to ensure the Comprehensive Plan is consistent with the Washington State Growth Management Act.

The Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 20, 2007, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall located at 105 Yelm Avenue West. Written comments will be received up until 5:00 PM, September 4, 2007.

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND:
Written comments will be received up until 5:00 PM, September 4, 2007.
BY MAIL, IN PERSON OR VIA THE INTERNET.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Cell Tower Resolution by the Clearwood Assn. members passed with 219 votes against & 319 votes in favor of a feasibility study.

Further, the $100 per year budget increase failed to pass with similar numbers as the cell tower resolution: 219 in favor and 316 against.

One thing these issues brought out is whether the Clearwood Assn. Board carried out their fiduciary responsibility to all members in an ecumenical way. With a budget that clearly needs a second opinion and mounting deficits, that was clearly called into question...

What is next is yet to be seen. Stay tuned!

Posted by Steve Klein at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Photo taken by Karsten Dörre on Wikimedia

CLASS OFFERED IN YELM

Beekeeping: What does it take and how to get started

Tuesday, 28. August 2007, 7.00 pm

in the Rose Room of Arnold’s Country Inn (717 Yelm Ave E, Yelm)

(Cost: $10)

Sign up for the class by calling Thomas Mani at (360) 894-6038

Posted by Steve Klein at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Logo courtesy of Survival Center website

"Tune into ETTARO LIVE with Samuel Ettaro on August 17th from 8pm to 10 pm EDT [5pm to 7pm PDT] on We The People Radio Network on this crucial show with special guest Richard Mankamyer Author, Preparedness Trainer, Consultant and General Manager of The Survival Center located in McKenna, Washington.

Richard will be sharing his expertise of 33 + years on all levels of preparedness including long term food storage that is our greatest insurance for our families and our main weapon against the plans of the New World Order and the growing threat of martial law being declared.

The Survival Center carries a full line of Grains, Beans, Seeds, and Legumes Packed for Long Term Storage, in Poly Buckets --Plus Air Dried Foods in #10 and #2.5 cans, Freeze Dried Foods.

The show will be 2 full hours on the various foods that can be stored for an extended period of time, including foods that do not have to be cooked. Richard is an expert on seeds that are NOT genetically modified, water filters, solar power, underground shelters, emergency medical supplies, nutritional supplements needed to boost the immune system and is currently offering classes on all facets for being prepared for short and long periods of time. There will be a time allowed for callers to ask Richard questions.

Join us for this enlightening show to begin your food storage right away. Do not be caught unprepared, we are living in perilous times with the Bush regime preparing his path to be a dictator and stripping away our rights and freedom, with new executive orders that give him the ultimate power to enslave us his crucial show with special guest Richard Mankamyer Author, Preparedness Trainer, Consultant and General Manager of The Survival Center located in McKenna, Washington."

This is Samuel Anthony Ettaro, National Media Director of Aaron Russo's organizations, www.restoretherepublic.com and www.freedomtofascism.com. Samuel is the host of two talk shows,"The Citizens Advocate" broadcast Thursday nights primetime on Revere Radio Network and EttaroLIVE! broadcast on satellite and the web every Friday night primetime on www.wtprn.com. ...," quoting their Press Release.

Please check out our website and learn about the Samuel Ettaro or you can view his homesite.

Listen live 8pm EDT (5PM PDT) August 17th, 2007

Click on listen live at the top of the left menu,

Scroll down to your player or download your player.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

*** IN DEPTH REPORT ***

Chuck Marchand stated in his Letter to the Editor of the Nisqually Valley News last week,
"Every week, we have in the "letters to the editor" - people criticizing each other over towers, Wal-Mart, police, the mayor and NASCAR.

It's great to have the privilege to debate such things....

Do you want to really have the "American Spirit?" Then spend less time vilifying your brother and sister, and more time serving them..."

While Mr. Marchand makes a point, he overlooks that this is a Constitutional Republic where government is of the people, by the people and for the people. That requires participation by the people to tell the government their desires, not the other way around. Our elected officials took an oath to support the Constitution, which is to serve everyone.

I believe standing up and questioning our government, including local officials, is mandated by us, the people, for this Constitutional Republic to continue.

With that as prologue:
I have heard the council say on several occasions that the developmental approvals are necessary for growth to
obtain property tax revenue to fund city projects and that since residential tax rates are so much lower then industrial/commercial property tax rates, the city needs alot of homes. I have always thought of that as the basis for approving such tremendous growth as showing a lack of knowledge about the economics of procuring revenue for a municipality, bringing with that kind of thinking for fellow citizens ensuing traffic, water, sewage and environmental issues. Unbridled growth to raise tax money to provide services? Where does growth end, when all of the city's land is developed? There are other ways.

Now, the unwise decisions approving so many homes & developments here is on the precipice of coming home to roost.

This is very easy to understand as explained in the New York Times August 10:

"What's been happening in financial markets over the past few days is something that truly scares monetary economists: liquidity has dried up. That is, markets in stuff that is normally traded all the time - in particular, financial instruments backed by home mortgages - have shut down because there are no buyers...

The origins of the current crunch lie in the financial follies of the last few years, which in retrospect were as irrational as the dot-com mania. The housing bubble was only part of it; across the board, people began acting as if risk had disappeared.

Everyone knows now about the explosion in subprime loans, which allowed people without the usual financial qualifications to buy houses, and the eagerness with which investors bought securities backed by these loans. But investors also snapped up high-yield corporate debt, a k a junk bonds, driving the spread between junk bond yields and U.S. Treasuries down to record lows.

Then reality hit - not all at once, but in a series of blows. First, the housing bubble popped. Then subprime melted down. Then there was a surge in investor nervousness about junk bonds: two months ago the yield on corporate bonds rated B was only 2.45 percent higher than that on government bonds; now the spread is well over 4 percent...

When liquidity dries up, as I said, it can produce a chain reaction of defaults. Financial institution A can't sell its mortgage-backed securities, so it can't raise enough cash to make the payment it owes to institution B, which then doesn't have the cash to pay institution C - and those who do have cash sit on it, because they don't trust anyone else to repay a loan, which makes things even worse.

And here's the truly scary thing about liquidity crises: it's very hard for policy makers [meaning the President, Congress, Governor, Mayor or City Council] to do anything about them.

But when liquidity dries up, the normal tools of policy lose much of their effectiveness. Reducing the cost of money doesn't do much for borrowers if nobody is willing to make loans. Ensuring that banks have plenty of cash doesn't do much if the cash stays in the banks' vaults."

Now, let's do an assessment for Yelm:
1. "Consumer spending growth slumped in June, while the construction sector was pulled down by the dreary housing market," according to the Commerce Dept. last month.
You can figure the consumer has clamped their pocket book further for July & August. Even Wal-Mart waved the red flag this week cutting its outlook.

2. Business Week says builders helped fuel the housing crisis by rushing into lending they knew nothing about.
"Traditional mortgage companies and banks unleashed a barrage of loans, many to borrowers with iffy credit histories who didn't bother to read the fine print about upwardly mobile interest rates. Wall Street egged on the often-reckless underwriting by buying vast quantities of home loans for repackaging as securities. Now that the boom has fizzled and foreclosure rates are rising, the important role of large homebuilders as lenders is also coming into sharper focus."
HMMM! Let's see if Tahoma Terra & Thurston Highlands or Quadrant want to be in the lending game now."

3. What has sold these homes in Yelm is "zero down" and "adjustable rate mortgages."
Zero down is over--no lender will go for that now, says the Washington Post. A buyer has to "show the money" to get to be a mortgage holder.
Adjustable rate mortgages are wiping out the uninformed home buyer as the rates skyrocket.
"1.7 million people who will lose their homes to foreclosure this year and next," says the New York Times.
Today's Olympian says, "More than 50% of banks tighten lending rules."

4. This city council agreed to fund a water study for a private developer to the tune of 2/3 of a million dollars without a written agreement or contract with that developer for repayment of their part of the study. With things the way they are, what assurances do the city taxpayers have that the city will be repaid if that developer pulls out?

5. Were I developers invested in the next phase of Tahoma Terra, Thurston Highlands & the City of Yelm with the 2008 budget session just weeks away, a 2007 budget the largest in city history, and the city's ability to provide water in question, I would be shaking in my boots.

I can only say to the city that it's time for Yelm to pull in the belt and prepare for a potentially rocky road in the coming months ahead, for certainly this will trickle down as funding expected from state and other sources, like for a bypass, may soon be in jeopardy.

On July 31, 2005, then Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Harding was quoted in the Tacoma News Tribune saying “Anyone in elected office really has to serve the best interest of the entire city.”

I ask you, has the best interest of the entire city and greater community been served by our elected officials?

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Road signs at Yelm intersection of SR 507 & 510
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

"The City of Yelm Planning Commission is sponsoring a Public Hearing to receive comments on the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The City of Yelm is pleased to provide you with the analysis and draft of the proposed Yelm Comprehensive Plan and Yelm/Thurston County Joint Plan Amendments 2007.

The Yelm Planning Commission, with the assistance of the Thurston Regional Planning Council, is proposing editorial changes to the transportation, capital facilities plan, and other zoning related changes to ensure the Comprehensive Plan is consistent with the Washington State Growth Management Act.

The Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 20, 2007, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall located at 105 Yelm Avenue West. Written comments will be received up until 5:00 PM, September 4, 2007," quoting the email from City Hall.

Policy 2.1. Road Adequacy Policy (Level of Service Standard) of the Transportation Plan says
"To adopt levels of service for roads and facilities and services that reflect the preference of the community."

The Plan says:
"For concurrency purposes, the following standards shall apply in the Urban Growth Area:

3. In the urban core LOS F is recognized as an acceptable level of service where mitigation to create traffic diversions, bypasses, and alternate routes and modes of transportation are authorized and being planned, funded, and implemented, and can result in improved LOS."

Mayor Harding said LOS (Level of Service) would not be heard at the Six Year Transportation Plan Public Hearing.
OK, it must be heard here. LOS F is NOT an acceptable level of service.
We, the community, want to change the policy and no longer accept the LOS F on OUR MAIN THOROUGHFARE.

Level of Service (LOS) is simply explained on the July 19th entry on this blog:
scroll to July 19.

Won't you turn out in numbers and tell the Planning Commission
"To adopt levels of service for roads and facilities and services that reflect the preference of the community"
and not levels based on their own desires. This is where the city's policies are established.
The will of the community says the Plan is what must be followed!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"Color Me Mine is a fun, fresh idea that will appeal to all of us. Whether you want to create your own gifts, are looking for a unique party idea or just want to escape the stress of modern living, Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own ceramics studio may be just the ticket. Step into a Color Me Mine and one enters a relaxing, inviting space with warm, natural wood furniture and shelves, contemporary music, providing an intimate environment. All of our paints and glazes are lead free, 100% friendly to the environment and completely safe for kids and adults.

We have finished ceramic pieces by previous customers and staff members that populate the room, giving you a sense of the possibilities. With over 400 different bisque items, and approximately 100 styles added per year there are plenty of styles to choose from. We have books showing painting techniques and ideas, a design center and a helpful and educated staff who are more than willing to help you create your masterpiece.

If you are looking for something in particular, ask us and we probably have it or we can get it," quoting their website.

Color Me Mine was also featured in the Nisqually Valley News on newsstands now.

Color Me Mine
512 Yelm Ave. W.
Yelm, Washington 98597

Our Phone Numbers
360-400-4444 Phone
360-400-2846 Fax

Studio Manager
Norma Detlefsen

Email Address
yelm@colormemine.com

Posted by Steve Klein at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Nisqually Valley News (NVN) this week about my observations of a story in his newspaper. The letter was printed in the August 10, 2007 print edition unabridged and is as follows:

Dear Editor,

I see the story of the July 24th Yelm City Council Public Hearing on the 6-year Transportation Plan made the front page on Aug 3rd, instead of the July 27th edition. Noting the week delay in publication, what also caught my eye was the co-writer of the story, Cindy Teixeira.

According to your newspaper last month, Cindy Teixeira's last day as a reporter was July 26 and she was hired to begin working for the City of Yelm as a Community & Government Relations coordinator on August 1st.

I find this interesting because her story was published about a major City of Yelm issue in your August 3rd print edition, her third day on the payroll of the City of Yelm. Seems to me this constitutes blatant cronyism.

Regardless, I wish Cindy well in her new position and hope there be no further appearances of conflict of interest between our local newspaper and City Hall.

Stephen R. Klein

Mr. Graves replied in print as follows:
Editor's Note: The article to which Mr. Klein refers was written by Cindy Teixeira while she was a paid employee of the Nisqually Valley News, and it was solely the editor's call to hold that article a week because of space considerations. In fact, several articles that Cindy wrote before her last day at the NVN were held, including a feature on a Tenino artist. We will be publishing those articles as well. In newspapers, it's not unusual to carry over editorial copy for a future edition. Also, those who know and have worked with Cindy understand that she will perform her new job with ethics, integrity and professionalism, just as she always did while employed as a reporter for the Nisqually Valley News.

I have these observations from this exchange:
1. Never did I question the impeccability of Ms. Teixeira. The placement and timing of the article co-written by Cindy is solely at the discretion of the Publisher/Editor, as Mr. Graves mentioned and that was the issue called into question.

2. The NVN is the newspaper of record for the City of Yelm, so one would think that our local newspaper editor would be eager to publish news coming from an official City Council meeting such as this one. After all, this meeting was the longest, most well-attended in-Council Chambers meeting in several years and a public hearing at that. This was a very newsworthy event, in my view, given the general public at-large has had so little opportunity to be heard by the council, except of course, for the 5 persons for three minutes each twice a month. While "it's not unusual to carry over editorial copy for a future edition" according to publisher/editor Graves, this story was no mere editorial copy, rather an important Tuesday evening Council session about this area's number one challenge: traffic.

3. The Yelm City Council voted recently to change their meetings from Wednesdays to Tuesdays just to accommodate the NVN, allowing them to publish news from the council in a timely manner and by the print deadline of Wednesday nights. Was there not some story from the July 27 edition that the publisher/editor could have been bumped for a timely report about this rare, well-attended Council public hearing? Further, while article co-writer Sam Chrest sat directly in front of me, I did not see Ms. Teixeira at the meeting; perhaps her co-writing this story was to mentor Mr. Chrest on the eve of her departure from the NVN.

What do you think?

Posted by Steve Klein at 04:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Logo of Yelm Earth Worm & Castings Farm

Fall Vegetable Starts now in stock at YELM EARTH WORM & CASTINGS FARM

We are now stocked with the following certified organic vegetable starts. $1.69 /4 pack – while supplies last!

Also, if you want hanging long term garlic for storage, come in now because we are in the process of preparing it for market! $7.79/lb

Finally, we have plenty of U-pick certified organic vegetables: Several kales and chards, green beans, broccoli, beets, radishes.

Brussels Sprouts - Long Island: 24-30 inch vigorous, compact plant loads up 1 1/2 inch round, tight, dark green sprouts. Succulent and tender when steamed. Best for late fall and winter harvest as a few frosts will improve the flavor. A good variety for freezing.

Kale - White Russian: 10-14 inch. Selected for flattened and dissected leaves with white stem and veins. Exceptionally tender leaves can be enjoyed all summer and fall. Vigorous and cold hardy to 10 degrees F.

Broccoli - Waltham: 18-24 inch, 4-6 inch head. Old favorite, best for late summer or fall harvest. Tolerant of short dry spells and chilly autumns. Stocky plants have dark blue green heads and large side shoots.

Broccoli - Di Cicco: 18-24 inch, 3-6 inch head. Old Italian variety introduced in 1890. Marvelous for spring and fall gardens. Non-uniform maturity produces continuous tender side shoots encouraged by cutting the main head.

Collard Greens - Green Glaze: 24-30 inch. The shiny, nutritious leaves are delicious steamed. The waxy leaf surface provides natural protection from cabbage worms.

Bunching Onions - Lisbon White: 10-12 inch. Also called a scallion, this white, bulbless bunching onion is very hardy and has a long harvest period.

Cabbage - Early Jersey Wakefield: 2-4 lb. Head. A compact, cone-shaped cabbage that is particularly well suited for small gardens.

Yelm Earth Worm & Castings Farm

14741 Lawrence Lake Rd SE

Yelm, WA 98597

360-894-0707

M-F 9-5

Sat 10-5

Sun Closed

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As more of the Sub Prime debacle is revealed, one has to wonder if Yelm is going to be left "holding the bag" with a glut of unsold homes, as these stories make our approved developments look like very risky ventures!

The Washington Post explains in this story on WHY BUYING A HOME WITH 0 DOWN IS OVER!
"Home buyers again need their own money to close a deal.
Lenders faced with growing piles of bad loans, even to borrowers once considered good credit risks, have clamped down on the no-money-down mortgage. The abrupt shift threatens to dash the hopes of millions of potential buyers, especially those shopping for their first homes.
Four out of 10 first-time buyers used no-down-payment mortgages in 2005 and 2006, according to surveys by the National Association of Realtors. But some lenders are now scrapping such loans completely. Others are pickier about who gets them. All figure that the more cash borrowers put down, the less likely they are to default.”

Truthout investigates declining productivity as a gauge of a downturn in the economy:
"Economy Goes From Bad to Worse
For most of this decade, progressive economists have said the economy was growing fine, but typical workers were not benefiting because income was being redistributed upward. We can no longer say this.

The Commerce Department revised its growth data last month. It now shows the economy grew much slower over the last three years than we had previously thought. In particular, the new data implies productivity has been growing at just a 1.5 percent annual rate over the last three years. This is the same rate the economy experienced during the long productivity slowdown from 1973 to 1995. It is a full percentage point below the 2.5 percent growth rate from 1995 to 2004.

While productivity may be an alien concept to most people, it is the most important determinant of our standard of living. Productivity measures the value of the goods and services an average worker produces in an hour of work. The standard of living for different segments of the population (e.g., school teachers and hedge fund managers) will depend on how output is distributed, but if the economy is not very productive, then we don't have very much to distribute....

The fact productivity growth has now slowed is a very bad sign. It means the economy is not doing well by any measure. The argument for conservative economic policy was always that by giving people more incentive to work and invest, productivity would grow more rapidly, and that this would benefit everyone in the long run. It turns out, even with the massive upward redistribution of income over the last quarter century, productivity is now growing at its slowest pace in the post-war period. In short, we are not seeing much growth and the growth we are seeing is going to those at the top."

Business Week says,
Builders Helped Fuel Mortgage Mess
"Elizabeth and Armando Motto are living a real estate nightmare with a new breed of monster: the big homebuilder as lender. In November, 2005, the couple, who have four children, agreed to pay $540,000 for a newly built three-bedroom house in suburban Clarksburg, Md., near Washington, D.C. Rather than send them to a bank, the builder, Beazer Homes USA Inc., offered to provide a mortgage itself in an arrangement of the sort that helped fuel the long housing boom across the country."

USA Today reports that consumer spending is down,
"Consumer spending growth slumped in June, while the construction sector was pulled down by the dreary housing market. Inflation, however, was muted and wage growth was steady, according to a slew of data released Tuesday [July 31]...
•The Commerce Department said consumer spending rose just 0.1% in June, the most anemic pace in nine months. That followed a 0.6% rise in May and a strong performance earlier in the year."

Let's add all of this up:
1. As reported here previously, Yelm is out of water and is not a sure thing for some developers.
2. Zero down mortgages are gone, meaning buyers must put cash down.
3. Builders fueled the mortgage mess with their unwise credit issuance.
4. Tahoma Terra to build 1,200 homes, with Thurston Highlands proposed 5,000 homes.
5. Consumer spending is way off.
6. As reported here on July 26th, Yelm Community Development Director Beck told the City Council that the Hearing Examiner instructed the city their traffic figures for the Tahoma Terra phases needed to be combined, and in doing so, Tahoma Terra's Longmire artery in now a failed road, which feeds onto another LOS F road, Yelm Ave. West.

YIKES!

If I were a developer in Yelm right now, I would be just a little bit nervous!
The City of Yelm would be wise to play very conservative what they perceive as their potential tax revenue from new homes, as they enter into their 2008 budget planning next month.

And, since the City has no contract with its largest developer in using taxpayer money to fund a private developer's water study, what assurances do the taxpayers of Yelm have that this developer will repay the city, especially if they withdraw from the project?
See this blog on December 18, 2006 & June 26, 2006 for more details on this.

The brakes slowing this unbridled growth here may be at hand, and no thanks owed to city leaders for that!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

With final balloting due this week that would give/not give the Clearwood Assn. the authority to contact cell phone companies about placing a cell tower within the community, voters would be wise to arm themselves with all of the knowledge they can, to make an informed decision. While the issue of a cell tower has brought out alot of friction,
knowledge equates power and that power overrules all of the rhetoric.
While some may vote for putting feelers out to obtain cell phone service merely for the convenience of having cell phone service in the Bald Hills and care not about the consequences, others prefer all of the facts, for they moved there to be away from all of that.

Quoting AlterNet,
"In the wee hours of July 14, a 45-year-old Australian named John Patterson climbed into a tank and drove it through the streets of Sydney, knocking down six cell-phone towers and an electrical substation along the way. Patterson, a former telecommunications worker, reportedly had mapped out the locations of the towers, which he claimed were harming his health.

In recent years, protesters in England and Northern Ireland have brought down cell towers by sawing, removing bolts, and pulling with tow trucks and ropes. In one such case, locals bought the structure and sold off pieces of it as souvenirs to help with funding of future protests. In attempts to fend off objections to towers in Germany, some churches have taken to disguising them as giant crucifixes.

Opposition to towers usually finds more socially acceptable outlets, and protests are being heard more often than ever in meetings of city councils, planning commissions, and other government bodies. This summer alone, citizen efforts to block cell towers have sprouted in, among a host of other places, including California, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, North Dakota and north of the border in Ontario and British Columbia. Transmitters are already banned from the roofs of schools in many districts.

For years, towers have been even less welcome in the United Kingdom, where this summer has seen disputes across the country.

Most opponents cite not only aesthetics but also concerns over potential health effects of electromagnetic (EM) fields generated by the towers. Once ridiculed as crackpots and Luddites, they're starting to get backup from the scientific community...

Even more recently, health concerns have been raised about the antenna masts that serve cell phones and other wireless devices. EM fields at, say, a couple of blocks from a tower are not as strong as those from a wireless device held close to the body; nevertheless many city-dwellers are now continuously bathed in emissions that will only grow in their coverage and intensity.

Last year, the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia closed off the top two floors of its 17-story business school for a time because five employees working on its upper floors had been diagnosed with brain tumors in a single month, and seven since 1999. Cell phone towers had been placed on the building's roof a decade earlier and, although there was no proven link between them and the tumors, university officials were taking no chances.

Data on the health effects of cell or W-Fi towers are still sparse and inconsistent...

San Francisco, one of the world's most technology-happy cities, is home to more than 2400 cell-phone antennas, and many of those transmitters are due to be replaced with more powerful models that can better handle text messaging and photographs, and possibly a new generation of even higher-frequency phones.

Now there's hot-and-heavy debate over plans to add 2200 more towers for a city-wide Earthlink/Google Wi-Fi network. On July 31, the city's Board of Supervisors considered an appeal by the San Francisco Neighborhood Antenna-Free Union (SNAFU) that the network proposal be put through an environmental review -- a step that up to now has not been required for such telecommunications projects."

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Logo of Prairie Hotel

"More hotel rooms will soon be available locally for visitors to the Nisqually Valley. Prairie Hotel is expanding and expects to open with more than twice its current capacity in less than two years.

Still in the conceptual phase, the new three-story building will sit near the building, which currently houses the Yelm Timberland Library, the offices of the Nisqually Valley News, and other businesses, as well as the Yelm Cinemas complex on Prairie Park property.

The hotel addition will also have a conference center suitable for weddings, receptions, and business meetings, said John Thompson, project manager for Prairie Park Associates," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

The new structure will be behind this Prairie Park building.

Posted by Steve Klein at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Logo courtesy of Knight Limousine

KNIGHT LIMOUSINE

Brandy Knight proudly announces the opening of his Limousine business serving Yelm, Olympia & vicinity.

Airport service, weddings, proms, shopping in the city, romantic dinner, concerts, conventions private parties, special occasions, give Knight Limousine a call.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Founded by Nisqually Valley residents Jenny Bossick & Chalise Smartt out of needs for their children:

“TinySoles is a shoe store dedicated to providing the most complete selection of stylish, comfortable shoes for babies, infants and toddlers. From sandals to rain boots, we offer footwear for all seasons and carry your favorite brands such as pediped, Jack and Lily, Primigi and BabyLegs. We specialize in age appropriate footwear and offer the best collection of flexible, soft sole shoes for little feet.”

Check out their fabulous website!

CONGRATULATIONS to Jenny & Chalise!

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jean Marie Christenson with WA. Gov. Christine Gregoire
Photo courtesy of Ms. Christenson

Guest Entry from JeanMarie Christenson:

Today I am sharing with you about a meeting I had with Fire Chief Rita Hutchenson in regard to the upcoming Levi for Fire District 4, and some of the brainstorming ideas that came out of our meeting.

Fire Chief Rita Hutcheson has done a stellar job of championing her cause on behalf of the Fire Department. I don't think any Candidate-for-office could say they were out more than Rita enlisting support for issues. I shared with Rita that I would like to see a more affective way to bring funds to our Fire District then have been traditionally used. I would like to get away from a bandaide approach and see if we could find more long term solutions.

Listed here are some of the ideas I've been thinking about and shared with Rita at our meeting:

(1) The Lottery was originally presented to the voters as a means to support schools. In the end however, the money was not used specifically for schools but instead went into the General Fund.

Question: Are Fire Districts able to tap into that fund, or make application in some way to be supported by that fund?

(2) Developers and impact fees: Developers should be helping to relieve the stress brought by their projects to the local area with impact fees substantial enough to absorb this burden, including that on Fire Districts. It is my understanding that impact fees are used by the Fire Department for equipment only...but wouldn't that be a substantial help when we are taking about tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed equipment?

(3) Could City, County, District and State General Funds all help?

(4) I asked Rita if different Fire Districts supported each other? It seems to me a system of Sister-Districts (like certain cities have sister-cities) could be helpful because not every Fire District is short of funding, and some are actually quite flush. The Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Districts could be supporting each other, or perhaps there could even be a Statewide Fire-District-General-Fund?

(5) Of course, individual contributions, and local events to raise money for the Fire Department are always fun, and a great way to get citizens involved directly at the same time.

(6) Also, with the numerous projects the Capital Budget helps to fund, could some money be allocated from that source? Certainly local Fire Department facilities could greatly benefit from Capital Budget funding.

(7) And, it seems to me, the single most helpful thing that could happen for Fire District 4 is a 24 hour Medical Emergency
Facility in Yelm or Rainier. 80% of our Fire District's funds are spent on response to Medical and Health Care urgencies/emergencies.

If the burden were taken off of the funding needed to respond to these situations with a local Medical Emergency Facility, those funds would be freed up for other Fire District needs ... and again...we are talking about 80% of Fire District 4's available budget. I know Representative Tom Campbell has supported the idea of a Medical Emergency Facility in our area for some time, and I think it is time we step forward and ask the State to fund this project.

While it is clear that Fire District 4's need for funding is immediate I feel we should additionally look for long term support systems and resolutions that will work into the future. I know that Fire Chief Hutcheson agrees.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

JeanMarie Christenson
1st Vice Chair, Democratic Party
Legislative District 2
& Precinct Committee Officer
Weir Prairie Precinct 128 (near Rainier)

Find out more about the upcoming Fire Levy.

Logo from Citizens for Fire Protection website

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Children's School of Excellence (CSE) entrance
Photo from CSE website

The Children's School of Excellence (CSE) raised a reported $132,000+ at the auction last Saturday night, and that does not include 4 scholarships totaling $20,000 given at the event's conclusion. Auctioneer Larry Schorno and his energetic daughter Cindy outdid themselves in this year's auction as they were so much a part of the collective body of participants. Their love and care was visible and experienced by all !!!
Retired Thurston County Sheriff Gary Edwards made a dramatic entrance on his Harley motorbike with Auction Chair Linda Evans !!!
Yelm Community Schools' Denise Bagwell brought her experience with the annual Dollars for Scholars and recorded the auction sales along side CSE's Shuba Nandyal & Vivian Clermont.

Jeevan Anandasakaran is the School's internet programmer, engineering the whole site. He volunteers all his time.

Janine Olson reportedly procured more goods than any volunteer, drove more miles, resolved more problems, and kept a cheerful outlook for months. With three children, this lady made tireless efforts at the drop of a pin. The auction would not have been a success without her!

Yvonne Lebron, CSE's administrative assistant, kept every loophole sealed, kept all the volunteer teams supplied with material, kept a smiling face throughout chaos at every turn.

Omey Nandyal is CSE's newest board member and the mind and man behind CSE's growth. He has been instrumental in helping realize CSE's ambitious operational and educational goals, with emphasis on fund raising.

The CSE board is a progressive, caring, capable, hands-on board. They are behind every action, every call, every step. They do more than any school board. They give time when there isn't any. They do whatever it takes to keep the school in seamless operation, improve every level, and plan for future growth. Congratulations to Board President Carey Miller & all of the Board of Trustees.

Larry Schorno announced he is the auctioneer at most of the large auctions in Washington State and CSE’s was the most successful in the State he has ever seen. A big congratulations goes to Chair Linda Evans and Co-Chair Roberta Brittingham for the event and in charge of the fantastic decorations and bountiful table spreads.
Everyone deserves praise for their hard work to pull off such a fine event for our community's children!

The highlight of the evening was the $40,000 paid by Sir Robert Jones for a pair of Ramtha's boots, donated by channeler JZ Knight.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thurston County Roads & Transportation Services officials have announced the Bald Hill Road upgrade project will begin today. Motorists are recommended to allow extra time when using the 3.6 miles stretch of this road.

Project: Bald Hill Road
Location: Four Corners to Smith Prairie Road
Description: Road upgrade.
Expected Completion Date: 2007
Estimated Cost: $3,700,000
Funding Sources: $2,160,000 Federal

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Children's School of Excellence (CSE) entrance
Photo from CSE website

The Children's School of Excellence (CSE) has announced their 4th Annual Auction & Garden Party tonight on their Rainer Campus.
Last year they raised more than $175,000. For 2 years in a row, this little 70-student private school has raised more money for thir students by auctioneer Larry Schorno than the Yelm Chamber of Commerce's Dollars for Scholars has raised for the multi-thousand students Yelm Community Schools by the same auctuoneer.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This writer has missed very few City Council meetings in the last three years and has rarely seen Council Chambers standing room only or public comments lasting an hour. Most Council sessions are concluded in under 25 minutes. Get traffic on the docket and citizens turned out in force.
Mayor Harding obviously read this blog [see July 19th entry] and announced that Level of Service (LOS) was not pertinent to the Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) saying that LOS had nothing to do with the STIP.
As mentioned by this writer on the record, it has to do with pubic safety on city streets, which needs to be considered in road projects here.

My letter to our State & County officals sums up the evening quite well:

Dear Senator Rasmussen, Rep. McCune,
Rep. Campbell & County Commissioner Oberquell,

Last night was the Yelm Public Hearing on the city's 6 year Transportation Plan (STIP). Council Chambers were packed with a "standing room only" crowd & citizens commenting on various issues about Yelm's traffic & road
conditions, with the hearing lasting for 1 hour & 4 minutes.

Many of the comments were about the many Level of Service (LOS) D + F intersections along the Yelm Ave. corridor that affect public safety. Pointed out was the fact that the City of Yelm has accepted LOS F conditions along this road since 1992, an LOS that was supposed to be temporary until fixed, unless something was being done to mitigate the situation. That mitigation has always been the bypass, which we all know is not totally funded and if so, will not begin construction until 2013 and opening in 2015, almost 25 years with LOS F conditions. Also mentioned were that developments adding to an LOS F road need to be kept to a minimum until the road is brought to a higher threshold. As we all know, such is not the case what with Tahoma Terra and so many other approved developments in Yelm alone. While many new road projects have added to Yelm overall, the main corridor is backed up to the Red Wind Casino on Thursday & Friday afternoons, and is nearing a gridlocked condition, which will eventually stifle growth in the area of the county.

Why even Community Development Director Beck stated last night to the Council in his Staff Report that the Hearing Examiner here for four hearings on developments Monday showed that traffic figures should be combined from new developments back in the Tahoma Terra area and when doing so, Longmire St. accessing Tahoma Terra then failed; the City had separated the traffic numbers, lessening the impact on paper. Not one question was raised about that from Council. And a failed Longmire feeds onto Yelm Ave. West! How long is this city going to keep adding failed roads to an LOS F SR 510 in city limits?

Mayor Harding stated to the audience,
"You need to be a voice and contact your State representatives. We have ongoing meetings with State officials and are very active."
He further stated that 67% of the traffic on Yelm Ave. is from outside the City limits and originates in Thurston & Pierce Counties. He said we need to contact our County Commissioner.

Mayor Pro-Tem Isom added,
"It's (the Yelm Ave. road conditions) a State problem. Put pressure on your State Representatives."

Further, Council member Don Miller asked Community Development Director Grant Beck if the state controls the road, with Mr. Beck answering the city has to get permission from the State to do anything on Yelm Ave. (SR 510 & 507). Mr. Beck further stated that while that is the case, the city asked and approved a LID on a portion of that road. Mr. Miller re-emphasized that it's still a State Highway that the State controls. In my view, using this as an excuse is absurd. The City can do almost anything they want on that road, if they consult the State.
[Mr. Miller, the city sure got a Wal-Mart entrance/egress approved quite easily on a state highway within city limits. HMMM!]

Additionally, a lady asked why Yelm even bothered having a Public Hearing, since the vote was scheduled right after the hearing. No discussion amongst the members was even scheduled or raised about all of the public comments. She suggested the decision was already made and asked Council to wait at least until the next meeting and discuss what the public said at the Study Session. I suggested tabling the STIP until further review could occur. Bottom line, the Public Hearing seemed just for show. The vote went on unanimously to approve the STIP, “slam dunk.”

For over three years, I have attended almost every Yelm Planning Commission Meeting & City Council meeting, as anyone there can attest. I have repeatedly spoken out on the record about traffic here, including my statements last night about deteriorating public safety along Yelm’s main corridor, requesting a further look at the STIP to work with State & County officials to get funding for improvements. I have spoken to Reps. McCune & Campbell in their Town Hall Meetings here about this issue.

I am writing asking for help:
City officials say to pressure you.
OK, here I am.
Or, is this issue just another toss of the football amongst our jurisdictions’ elected officials, while Yelm is choking in unbridled growth & traffic?

Most sincerely,

Stephen R. Klein

cc: Mayor Ron Harding

So, expect more of the same:
gridlock, safety compromises, & loss of revenue to local businesses in the "downtown core" as citizens avoid the traffic here, which was mentioned by one lady. This writer is so surprised local businesses do not go on-record to the Council about the loss of revenue because of the traffic here.

And, stay tuned for more traffic woes to come, as highlighted by the front-page headline article in the NVN out today:
"Yelm Wal-Mart busier than expected."

And, nary a word was mentioned in the city's newspaper of choice for public listings, the Nisqually Valley News about the largest attendance for a Council public hearing in years and the length of said meeting. The NVN had a reporter there, too.
Wazzup with that?
Why was that not considered a newsworthy item to report?

What say you?

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Relay For Life® logo
Logo from the American Cancer Society website

Yelm's American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is August 4-5 at the Yelm High School.

"Relay For Life® is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our community. At the event, we celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

But, Relay is much more than a walk around a track. It is a time to remember those lost to cancer and celebrate those who have survived. It is a night for people who have shared the same experience to comfort and console one another. During this event, we honor survivors during the Survivors Lap and we remember those we lost to cancer during the Luminaria Ceremony. We also celebrate life, friendship, and a chance to work together toward a cancer-free future...

Sign up today to become a part of the Relay phenomenon. Together we will fuel the work – and the hope – that can help make a cancer-free future a reality," quoting their website.

Sign up.

This writer thought this letter to the Eatonville Dispatch and the newspaper's reply was instructive on the Relay for Life proceeds.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography

CITY OF YELM COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS POST FILLED WITH VETERAN NVN REPORTER

A new position was created in this year's budget for a
Community & Government Relations coordinator.
That person will begin working for the City of Yelm on August 1, 2007.

The position entails the following:

* Policy analysis
* Public surveys
* Pending legislation

There were several applicants that made their way through the interview process to their 2nd & 3rd interviews.

Cindy Teixeira, our local veteran newspaper reporter was selected.
Her last day at the Nisqually Valley News is Thursday, July 26.

The Yelm Community Blog congratulates Cindy in her new post
& wishes her lots of fun in her new adventures...

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cell Phone Tower
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Former Clearwood Community Board member Valerie Cawley has given the Yelm Community Blog permission to print her letter exchange with the Clearwood Community Assn. Board last week on one facit of the cell tower issue.
Is the Clearwood Community Assn. Board hampering knowledge on the propsed cell tower from being disseminated to the members? You decide:

1. Letter from the Board to Mrs. Cawley:
July 17, 2007
The Association has received calls at the office from Clearwood members that you are knocking on doors
soliciting your agenda ([against a] cell phone tower) and they are upset.

Please refrain from doing this; you can only solicit for the Heart Fund, Cancer Fund, Boy Scouts etc, Please
read the Red Book Pages 9-10, item 7 in regards to soliciting.

Thank you.

Sincerely

Richard Hintze
Secretary
Clearwood Community Association
Violation Committee of the Board of Directors

2. Letter from Mrs. Cawley to the Board:
July 18, 2007

Subject: Letter dated July 17, 2007

Dear Mr Hintze

It is my understanding that complaints are usually reviewed before Violation letters are mailed.

A review of the complaint that I have been "knocking on doors soliciting” my agenda (cell phone tower)
may have saved the community a $0.41 stamp, and your time. It did not happen!

You refer me to a section of the Red Book concerning "Solicitation"! I am aware of the CC&Rs for Clearwood
Community Association, and I suggest that the Board's interpretation, with regard to soliciting, is flawed.

I see nothing in the Rules and Regulations that prohibits free speech, the right to assemble peaceably to discuss common interests, or the right to petition. Members have every right to discuss any issue at any time or place.

Solicitation is clearly defined as "commercial" or "sales". Neighbors discussing up-coming elections or handing out flyers does not fall under these categories. This is not a "Banana Republic"!

If I feel the need to knock on doors in the future, I consider it my right to do so. If members of our committee wish to knock on doors they also have that right. This is our First Amendment Right under the Constitution. I refer you to The Bill of Rights.

I think you will find that the problem is with the Board and how it choses to its interpret the Red Book.

If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to call me.

Sincerely,

Valerie Cawley

3. Further quoitng Mrs. Cawley,
Here is the bylaw regarding "solicitation" as it appears in our CCRs;

Red Book (Rules and Regulations) Pages 9-10, Item 7

Quote, "No solicitors shall be permitted within Clearwood. The preceding sentence shall be interpreted as follows:

a) To prohibit commercial soliciting (by members or non-members) seeking to promote sale of commercial products or services.

b) To prohibit soliciting by non-members within Clearwood for donations or sales of items on behalf of any non-profit charitable, religious, community welfare or similar organizations."

THAT IS BASICALLY IT, but they clarified above items (a & b) as follows:

c) to NOT prohibit soliciting of donations or the sale of items, by members, on behalf of non-profit charitable, religious, or limited to, Heart Fund, Cancer Fund, and recognized fund raising groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Lions, Kiwanis, or local Fire Dept.

The "Solicitation" concerns as stated in the original CCRs was solicitation for money or services not sharing of information.

Valerie Cawley

From the Yelm Community Blog:
The Clearwood Community Board has sent out ballots regarding Resolution No. 2007-02-06 on cell towers being allowed in the Community.

Community property owners received their ballots enclosed with their Clearwood Summer Newsletter on Saturday, July 14th.

Ballots must be mailed by August 10th or dropped off at the Clearwood Office by August 15th.
P.S. If you are renting, contact the owner of your property!

YOUR VOICE MATTERS, SO PLEASE VOTE!

While Cindy Teixeira's Nisqually Valley News story and Clearwood Board President attempted to make my comments the issue and sidestep important points in this debate, both the pros and cons of a cell tower in the Bald Hills Community have staked their cases to the Clearwood Community members. My previous comments stand unchanged, recorded here previously for all to read and discern for themselves. Scroll down to May 19 & May 14, 2007

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Photo courtesy of Guustave Damave Photography

We wish the owners & staff of Yelm's Annie's Bistro well on their next adventures.
Annie's Bistro closed last night after 5 years of bringing Yelm a quality dining experience.
Yelm City Council member Don Miller & his lovely wife Char, this blogger & his lovely wife Yael were some of the guests
being served on a very busy closing night.
Annie's fine menu, wonderful food and smiling staff will be sorely missed.
New owners have purchased the business and intend to reopen next month.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

Reprinted with permission of the Dispatch

July 18, 2007

Interview with Rep. Tom Campbell
by Bruce Smith

"Due to scheduling conflicts, the Dispatch was unable to cover State Representative Tom Campbell’s Town Hall meetings last May. This week, the Dispatch finally caught up with the busy legislator, who is also a practicing chiropractor. Campbell represents the 2nd Legislative District, which includes all of Graham, Kapowsin and Eatonville, and stretches from Orting to Yelm.

Traffic and Roads

“Traffic is the number one issue I hear about from voters,” said Campbell, who confirmed that the Cross-Base Highway will be built. “The money for the initial construction is already in place, and the last remaining environmental concerns will be resolved in the near future.” He also advised the new Regional Transportation Investment District, RTID, to follow new state laws requiring 95% of tax money raised in Pierce County is spent there. “Otherwise, voters will turn down RTID in November.”

WASL

“WASL is a Dodo bird that we keep throwing money at and hoping it will fly. What we need to do is push it off a cliff! Over a billion dollars spent on WASL and what have we got? Not much.” Specifically, Campbell calls for the repeal of WASL and replacing it with the PSAT and SAT tests, which are taken nationwide by all college-bound students. Campbell also wants the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be disbanded and authority returned to local superintendents and their school boards.

The Dump

“The Dump (at 304th in Graham) is the epitome of Government not listening to the people. John Southerland and LRI got their building permits signed two hours before the Governor signed Marilyn Rasmussen’s and my bill forbidding the construction of landfills above aquifers.”

Youth

“The fact that the construction of the Skills Center has been delayed by the County is a black-eye for local government. The state has appropriated $30 million for the Skills Center; now it’s time to build it.” Campbell also indicated that the Bethel Boys and Girls Club’s Community Center is moving forward, with $1 million appropriated by the state.

Graham

“The Graham Community Plan will not protect Graham,” said Campbell, who advises local leaders to form a “vision committee” and develop plans to incorporate Graham as a township or city.

Public Health

Campbell’s bill requiring all health facilities to publically disclose when patients contract “hospital-acquired infections,” was signed into law this year. Campbell also champions the creation of an independent panel to investigate and punish health professionals who mis-treat or abuse their patients," quoting Bruce Smith, Graham reporter for the Eatonville-based Pierce County Dispatch.

The media and local city officials were noticeably absent at Rep. Campbell's Yelm Town Hall Meeting on May 19th.
This writer had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to Rep. Campbell and his wife at the RFK, Jr. talk to the Ramtha School students in Yelm on June 27.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Monday, July 16, 2007, the Yelm Planning Commission met to approve their changes to the
Yelm Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter. [This writer was the only non-staffer in the audience.]
Now, this goes to the public for input.

Quoting the City of Yelm website:
"The Yelm City Council has scheduled a public hearing to receive comments on the 2007-2013 Six Year
Transportation Improvement Program and a proposed amendment to Chapter 15.40 YMC amending the
formula for establishing a transportation facility charge.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, and will take place in the Council
Chambers at Yelm City Hall, 105 Yelm Ave West.

The Six Year Transportation Improvement Program is the capital facilities document that guides
transportation funding for a six year cycle. The STIP is based on the Yelm Comprehensive
Transportation Plan and is the ‘implementation’ document for the overall plan. Projects that are not on
the STIP are not eligible for State or Federal funding, or the use of local Traffic Facilities Charges (TFC’s).
Although it is a six year plan, it is required to be updated annually as projects are completed and new
priorities arise."

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR THEIR COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT 6 YEARS.
If we do not step up and let our elected officials and their staffs know our views, we allow them then to do as they please.

Everyone agrees that traffic is the number one issue here.
How did it get this way?
Because the public did not let their officials know they want better conditions.

Now is YOUR chance and I will make this very simple to understand.

Intersections along our main thoroughfare are graded like your High School Report Card from A (best) to F (worst), based on traffic statistics taken by a certified traffic engineer. This grade is called a "Level of Service" or LOS for short.

This City Council and preceding ones, in conjunction with advice from the Community Development Department, have accepted some intersections along Yelm Ave. to operate with a D or F grade, meaning poor or gridlocked traffic conditions. To be clear then, your city officials ALLOW these terrible grades of traffic because we allow them to allow it. That is why there is only one through lane in and one through lane out of Yelm, while they continue to approve all applications for developments. The City sets MINIMAL standards to be adhered to, while they approve unbridled growth, with traffic conditions guaranteed to deteriorate. And, we the citizens permit these actions with our collective inactions. Just take a look at the City's website for additional developments going through the hearing examiner this Monday, including the next phase of Tahoma Terra [then click Agendas/Notices, then Public Notices]. Will any of the public be there to object to any of these and their ensuing traffic? Has any of the public even read the traffic studies reporting how many cars will be added to the exisiting traffic snarl from each development to our one lane in and one lane out.

YOU can change that!
YOU can come to this meeting and tell your city's officials, "WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE CITY'S LEVEL OF SERVICE GRADES OF D & F AND WE,
THE CITIZENS OF YELM AND VICINITY REQUIRE THE CITY TO MAKE OUR TRAFFIC'S LOWEST LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) C AND ABOVE! And, City Council, if you can not maintain that as the standard, then we the citizens, require you to deny any project or make them pay to fix the problem. In other words, we, the citizens demand the developers pay for all of the impacts they add to our roads. The city will say the developers currently pay an impact fee and while that is true, the impact fees the city imposes only maintains a minimum of our poor level of servce D or F. Don't you want better than our current traffic conditions?

Poor Level of Service (LOS) grades are dictated by the city because no one gives input.
So we have allowed the city council to get away with providing just a minimal level of servce for our streets' traffic grades.
If the public would force the city to a higher Level of Service (LOS), and we demand say LOS C and above, there WILL be changes made here.

The city must set a standard for roads for the next 6 years and this is what this meeting is about. The Yelm Loop will not be part of this discussion because even if funded, that road will not be completed and in service to relieve traffic here by 2013, and that is from the Washington State DOT website link on the City of Yelm's homepage, which says construction will begin in 2013, though not currently funded. This 6-year transportation plan extends only through 2013.

Even Lacey is affected by Yelm traffic, according to this Olympian story out yesterday, "Residential and commercial development in Hawks Prairie and construction of new homes in Yelm have driven that growth in vehicle traffic [at the I-5 interchange at Hawks Prairie.]."

I have come to believe there will be a multi-jurisdictional meeting this Fall with the public, city, county & state highway officials invited to all come together in an exchange about traffic on State Highways 507 & 510 within Yelm's city limits. If you, the public, understand that Level of Service (LOS) here can be dictated by you though speaking up at meetings such as next week's and the one this Fall, we will all benefit. What has never happened for the last 20 years and should have happened is the public getting involved in demanding better than the current bottomless LOS F traffic condition.

Don't let them whitewash this issue by telling you, "What do we do, stop all growth?"
That is NOT what this is about.
This is about the citizens demanding an improved Level of Service grade on our city's streets to insure approved growth is provided for on our roads that affects our city's commerce, public safety and quality of life.
In this writer's view, if we continue allowing Yelm Ave. with only one lane in and one lane out of town with no capacity increase, all the while thinking a bypass is around the corner yet adding all of these developments and their vehicles, mix in a Super-Wal-Mart's vehicle surge, is that not a recipe for gridlock?
IF THIS TOWN IS IN GRIDLOCK, HOW CAN IT GROW?
I have provided several alternatives over the last two years, including widening Yelm Ave. to 5 lanes within city limits, making Washington St. a 2-lane through one-way street eastbound from Longmire to 3rd St., and adding round-abouts at major intersections, like Edwards & Yelm Ave. West with the new Stevens St. addition connecting to Edwards St. soon, all to keep traffic moving. All have been rejected.

I can not do this alone. I need your help! Your city officials need to hear from you - and loud!

Bottom line:
Are you interested in changing traffic here or not?
You have a chance to share your views this Tuesday.
Let's fill the Council Chambers, so that they must move the meeting to a larger hall and show out in force that we mean the time is now for change!
Sign your name on the sign-in sheet to speak your views!
DOESN'T THIS ISSUE DEMAND YOU BE THERE TO SPEAK UP?

Our elected officals are here to serve us, the voters; not the other way around!
And indeed they HAVE served us - just without our input and direction as a community, on this issue.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography

PRIDE OF THE PRAIRIE TARNISHED TODAY WITH THE WAL-MART EFFECT

The very moment of the posting of this blog entry this morning marks the offical opening of Yelm's Super Wal-Mart in ceremony and glee.

This writer was contemplating all that this will mean for this town.

Many of you have written in to say that you support Wal-Mart, the jobs that have been created here and the low prices brought to Yelm.

Yes, in near-sightedness, you could make that claim and revel in that for awhile, however at what cost on our future?

Did you know that the majority of Wal-Mart products are made overseas - and much from one country alone - China?

You may say, so what?

This has cost our fellow Americans jobs.

Read this from the Economic Policy Institute,
"The manufacturing sector and its workers were hardest hit by the growth of Wal-Mart's imports. Wal-Mart's increased trade deficit with China eliminated 133,000 manufacturing jobs, 68% of all jobs lost. Overall, the Wal-Mart trade deficit displaced and 308,100 jobs in 2006. On average, 77 U.S. jobs were eliminated for each one of Wal-Mart's 4,022 U.S. stores in 2006. (See The Wal-Mart Effect for more details.)

And the AFL-CIO weighs in on the Wal-Mart issue,
"Those low-cost goods at Wal-Mart ultimately come at a high price: lost jobs, lower wages and unsupportable U.S. trade deficits.

Wal-Mart is the single largest importer of foreign-produced goods in the United States, and the majority of its private-label clothing is manufactured in at least 48 countries around the world—and almost none in the United States."

Further, now we have what The New York Times calls "... a quality crisis" on goods coming from China, from where well over $18 billion of Wal-Mart's products are imported.
"Weeks after tainted Chinese pet food ingredients killed and sickened thousands of dogs and cats in the United States, this country is facing growing international pressure to prove that its food exports are safe to eat.

But simmering beneath the surface is a thornier problem that worries Chinese officials: how to assure the world that this is not a nation of counterfeits and that “Made in China” means well made.

Already, the contamination has produced one of the largest pet food recalls in American history, heightening global fears about the quality and safety of China’s agricultural products. And evidence has also shown that China exported fake drug ingredients, threatening to undermine the credibility of another booming export.

'This isn’t an international crisis yet, but if they don’t do something about it quickly, it will be,' said David Zweig, a China specialist who teaches at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 'The question is whether it spills over and ‘Made in China’ becomes known as ‘Buyer Beware.’ '"

What ever happened to buying labels with Made In USA, where quality is king?

Since when did we become a society buying everything on the cheap and selling out our quality products for lower prices and shoddy, even dangerous goods?

JibJab takes a look at these issues and the effects of Wal-Mart on small town America with satircal humor.

The Yelm City Council earned the Jefferson Muzzle Award in 2006 for not allowing their constituents public comment on the Wal-Mart project, stifling any dissent. Their decisions are choking this town in traffic & unbridled growth.

That is what this writer is contemplating this day.

This writer sheds a tear as this town will look far different in one year, two years and more, as the fast food, home improvement stores, oil change shops and soon some other big box stores develop the east end of town, all the while gridlocking this town's traffic, as more vehicles and delivery trucks are sucked into the ever-widening Yelm commercial zone.
Local home-owned stores offering quality products will carry on for awhile here and then some will struggle as they will be unable to compete. We will say good-by to some of our neighbors' own businesses as the Wal-Mart effect invades Yelm.

Many say growth is inevitable and Wal-Mart will be the catalyst to more industry, jobs, and big name stores here.
Is that why you moved to Yelm? Do you want Yelm to look like Hawks Prairie does today?

Never been to New York City or San Francisco and seen gridlock? Yelm has had it for years even before today. Today, and into the future, gridlock will reach new heights here.

So celebrate this day if you must. Relish in your glee for now.

Yelm will pay a dear price in the months and years ahead.

This is surely a sad day for the pristine & once-tranquil Pride of Nisqually Priaire.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The Nisqually Valley News has published their annual Who's Who? 2007 Community Yearbook & Business Reference.

This is a fine resource listing our local community's businesses.

You can get yours as an insert when you buy the Nisqually Valley News on newsstands this week.

Your Yelm Community Bog is listed this year.

Posted by Steve Klein at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Winds, low moisture and high temperatures are increasing the danger of wild fires exponentially and on Tuesday, a tri-county burn ban was imposed.

It takes effect at midnight Friday, July 13.

At that time, no burning, except for recreational fires, is allowed in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

More information on burning in Yelm's vicinity can be found on the SE Thurston Fire/EMS site.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Map from Thurston County Parks & Recreation

"The Yelm-Tenino Trail from the Yelm Center Trailhead to the Tenino City Park Trailhead will be closed to the public from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for the annual Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.

The Cascade Bicycle Club of Seattle, the host of the event, estimates that 9,000 riders will participate.

For more information about the trail closure, call Thurston County Parks and Recreation at 360-786-5595," quoting The Olympian.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo from Port of Olympia website

Indeed, the 99 degree heat record broken at Olympia Regional Airport today broke the former record of 94 degrees set in 1961.

The all time high for any July is 102 F (39 C) set in 1994. Then click TEMPERATURE under GENERAL CLIMATE SUMMARY TABLES.
Olympia's hottest all-time high temperature ever was recorded on August 9, 1981 of 104 F (40 C).

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reprrinted here with permssion of Ms. Handley:

Dear Editor (Nisqually Valley News' Keven Graves):

I am glad to see that signage is on the agenda in the city of Yelm. Without the Mayor defining “business friendly” I have to question where this discussion is going. How far is the Community Development Department and the Yelm City Council going to go allowing this scourge to litter our streets with “business friendly” signage? Are they going to continue to play favorites?

Retail businesses have made a large investment in Yelm already. It is important to allow them flexibility in outdoor advertising. Special events, including the ones the city sponsors, local real estate agents, garage sales and political campaigns cannot be immune from signage rules. What has blanketed Yelm exponentially these past many months has been the signage that developers have accosted us with. Our main streets and side streets, sometimes more than five in an intersection by the same company, sometimes with people bouncing them up and down, are an affront to every driver and resident.

These signs are bunched together regularly at the intersections of 507/510, Yelm Highway at Longmire and at Five Corners. What an insult to our retailers who established businesses here, play by the rules and who have to compete with this offensive sales tactic right under their noses! Why do home owners have to tolerate looking out their windows only to have these signs staring back at them?

I would have fees and fines levied by _each_ sign, not each sandwich board or each location, with qualifying levels playing a factor. The cost of a garage sale sign would be one fee/fine. Real estate companies should pay another level along with special events. Political and other campaign signs smear the city whether they stick in the ground or are pasted like bumper stickers to anything that stands up straight. Each sign that is left beyond noon following voting day should be fined and paid by the campaign. Developers fall into another level unto themselves and should be thought of more along the lines of signage impact fees. Just because they can afford it, should not mean that we have to live with their signs for years to come in some cases, blistering our eyes until all their tens, hundreds and thousands of houses are sold!

The city employee that is in charge of signage should have a workweek that includes the weekend. More signs of every variety spring up Friday through Sunday than appear during the weekdays. These should not go unchallenged. He/she can collect them after validating their location with a digital camera.

We may be growing, becoming more like a big city each week, but we should not have to look like one.

Jean Handley

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Bald Hills Fire District, located outside Yelm on Bald Hills Rd. near the Clearwood Community
held an Open House Meet & Greet on Tuesday, July 3.
This writer and his wife went and met the volunteers, staff and their families and learned alot about
the direction of the newly independent fire district.

They hold meetings open to the public every Tuesaday evening at 7pm at the Fire Station.
These fine people are asking for your support, direction, involvement & input.

Quoting Bill Owen,
"We are starting a "First Responder" class in September. This is the first time that this class has ever been given in our fire district. We'd like anyone who wants to volunteer to be a medical responder to attend this class. The class will go into December, meeting two nights a week and some weekends. It will teach many life saving and assesment skills. Graduates from this class will be our first line of defence (sic) in medial (sic) response.

There is an organizational meeting along with audio of a recent code that will be discussed July 31 at 1900 hrs at the fire station. There is also an all day CPR class
Aug 14 (need to verify the date), and no one that doesn't pass the class can enroll in the First Responder class."

For more information, call Fire Distrcit #17 at 894-2517.

Posted by Steve Klein at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Olympian reported this week that Tumwater is assessing increased fees for a developer's increased traffic:

"Almost $200,000 in fees will be required to compensate for increased traffic caused by a proposed 375,771-square-foot warehouse development, city officials said.
The development, ProLogis Park, is proposed for 32 acres within the Port of Olympia’s New Market Industrial Campus south of 76th Avenue and east of Kimmie Street.

The city this week issued a ruling that indicates the project would have no significant environmental effects other than traffic. To mitigate the traffic effects, ProLogis, a Kent-based global warehouse developer, will be required to submit the fees or build road improvements at the two affected Interstate 5 interchanges: Tumwater Boulevard and 93rd Avenue...

The deadline to appeal the ruling is July 10. If no appeals are filed, the ruling will clear the way for the project to move forward to a city hearings examiner for a building permit.

However, residents in the nearby Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association will appeal, group leader E.J. Zita said Friday [June 22].

Zita and other residents have protested the ProLogis project, saying it would bring increased traffic, noise, public-safety hazards and stormwater runoff and would destroy wildlife habitat.

[Ed. Note: These are some of the same arguments used to oppose the massive Wal-Mart Super Center opening in Yelm this month. This writer and others said City of Yelm impact fees on the Wal-Mart project were too low and did not take into account Wal-Mart traffic impacts on future road widening projects that will have to be made just to accommodate Wal-Mart generated traffic. And it's coming soon!]

The project is one of several potential large warehouse distribution centers under consideration by the city, which has proposed a law to make it tougher to build huge warehouses."

HMMM! This writer hopes these large warehouse distribution centers will not look to Yelm, whose City Council rolls over and hands the keys to the city to any developer. Luckily for now, we're too far off I-5 for them. Stay tuned!
With no one challenging incumbents on the Council, a local newspaper that does little investigative journalism into Council actions and a citizenry that does not participate in local government, looks like at least 2 more years of the same old thing - a Council that rubber stamps anything from Yelm's Community Development Department.

Harsh words?
Yes!
Someone needs to say them.

Posted by Steve Klein at 06:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Superconsciousness Magazine

"Ramtha School of Enlightenment (RSE) student Jair Robles, is proud to announce the launch of the new international publication, SuperConsciousness Magazine, exploring human potential.

SuperConsciousness successfully captures the excitement of these evolving times through knowledge, information, and a continued focus on what is possible.

An introductory interview with Jair about SuperConsciousness Magazine, can be found on the Masters Connection website."

"Raised in Veracruz, Mexico, Jair is the youngest son of a successful publishing family. His father, Jose Pablo Robles, began as a reporter, moved up, and later bought the newspaper he worked for. Today, he is the owner and publisher of Llave Magazine and Imagen and Diario Del Istmo newspapers. Recently, he created the Imagen del Golfo news agency with 150 reporters. The elder Robles also taught journalism at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Growing up in this media household, Jair participated in many family discussions about politics, news, or social issues, topics that continue to interest him.
He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in public administration from Columbia University and went on to run his father’s newspaper for three years.
During this period he contributed articles and also wrote occasionally for the magazine.
In November, 1999, Jair attended a Ramtha event in Careyes, Mexico. At the retreat, Ramtha warned against worshipping anything from the past, and specifically ancient Mayan culture. Although this was a direct affront to Jair’s tradition, the message was clear and made sense to him. Ramtha’s teachings gave him knowledge, allowing him to consider possibilities different from anything he was previously familiar with," quoting Terry Church of Super Consciousness Magazine.

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ramtha's School of Enlightenment

The Sunday Business section of The Olympian reports:

"Home and condo sales through May in Thurston County are down 6 percent compared with the same period last year but remain strong, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service home-sales data for the first five months of the year.

Still, Lacey, Hawks Prairie and Yelm continue to be popular destinations for South Sound home buyers.

The year-to-date home and condo sales data show:

• 351 units have sold in Lacey

• 125 units have sold in Hawks Prairie

• 284 units have sold in the Yelm and Rainier area

Communities such as Lacey and Yelm offer shorter commutes for military personnel stationed at Fort Lewis, and both have benefited from a wave of home construction, South Sound real-estate professionals say.

In 2006, Lacey officials issued more than 1,400 residential and multi-family building permits, and Yelm officials issued 173 residential building permits.

Yelm building official Gary Carlson said that until 2004, the city had never issued more than 100 residential building permits in a year.

Carlson said he continues to see military families move to the area, and a Yelm home still is a little cheaper than one in nearby Pierce County.

'If you can’t qualify (for a home) in Puyallup, you might be able to qualify here,' Carlson said....

At the time, Yelm was nothing more than 'several single-wide trailers' but now has plenty of commercial development and traffic, he said.

The Ramtha School of Enlightenment, which is near Yelm, also has contributed to the city’s profile, Crandell said.

'You can’t understate the impact that they have had on growth in Yelm,' he said."

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meeting for family of dementia patients

"An Alzheimer’s Association caregiver-support group meeting for care partners, family members and friends of people with dementia is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Yelm Adult Community Center, 16530 S.E. 103rd St.

For more information, call facilitator Lydia Rogers at 360-664-3162, ext. 106,"
quoting The Olympian.

Posted by Steve Klein at 07:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now that Wal-Mart is opening its Superstore in this town, I guess it's time to stop calling it a town and start calling it the city it officially is. Life in the city comes at a cost. And while this city is growing at an unprecedented rate, the runaway home construction is focused more on the northwest side, whereas the majority of stores - including Wal-Mart - are on the southeast end of town (oops! - the city).

It is a fact that Wal-Mart is opening in July. It is a fact that there is thriving business throughout Yelm now. It is a fact that Wal-Mart will bring low prices - at least for a while. How long will those low prices last? Probably as long as the other shops in town do. Wal-Mart has a history of low-balling prices until the "competition" is gone, then raising them way up.

Here's an opportunity for everyone to learn - and perhaps even prove the "anti-Wal-Mart contingent" wrong. The experiment:
Drive from one end of Yelm to the other - preferably around 5:15pm on a weekday - and record all of the stores that are open for business. Estimate (or ask!) how many people work there and what kind of wages they're paid. Time how long it takes you to make your end-to-end journey. Use video if you want, but record things in one form or another. Then do this every six months for the next three years. Write back at the end of your study and tell us all how it turned out...

I would venture to say that there will be significant change, and not necessarily for the better. Wal-Mart's history is well-documented, and it's not very pleasant. Higher-paying jobs disappear while minimum-wage jobs replace them. Benefits go with them. The money that is spent at local shops spreads around, whereas Wal-Mart money makes a beeline for Arkansas. History is what has happened, and while it does not guarantee the same actions in the future, it does provide a good indicator - unless something significant changes. We haven't seen that with Wal-Mart.

Peace!
James Zukowski

Posted by Steve Klein at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Abe Clary Creative Potraits logo

Abe Clary Creative Portraits in Yelm
Abe and I love what we do. We specialize in on location portraiture where the world is the background. We have broken away from using artificial lighting and backdrops. By utilizing props and lighting in their natural surroundings the options are unlimited for stunning photos. Every portrait has a unique look, providing a lifetime of special memories.
We know how a picture can spark memories of life and how important those memories can be. Every memory is special. As photographers we love to capture natural beauty and this is what keeps us inspired.

[See these great pictures of John & Pam Keesler. click here.
and their family potrait,
and the Keesler children. ]

Thank you,
Abe & Stephanie
10640 Mill Road SE
Yelm, WA 98597

Call Us @ 360.458.2443

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Prairie Hotel logo

The Prairie Hotel offers wonderful accommodations, whether you´re on vacation or a business trip. We are centrally located between the Tacoma and Olympia areas. This is a great opportunity to enjoy our beautiful country surroundings, while only having a short commute to the city!

Conference / Party room available for up to 50 people.

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Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography

Sign-up for the Yelm Prairie Days Parade.

Thursday, June 28 - Prairie Days' Parade Lineup at 6:00pm
Parade starts at 7:00pm

Mayor Harding called this Yelm's "... signature celebration of the year"

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Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography

All four of the incumbant Yelm City Council members up for election will run unopposed for their term this Fall for their seats.
"For Yelm City Council, incumbents Don Miller, John Thompson, Joe Baker and Russ Hendrickson filed early in the week.

Thompson and Hendrickson were appointed by Yelm City Council when council expanded from five to seven members in 2006," quoting the June 8 Nisqually Valley News.

Mayor Ron Harding issued a Proclamation on Tuesday, June 12 announcing that June 28 - July 1 will be Prairie Days in Yelm, calling this period "a signature celebration for our community."

The City Council was told Yelm's Wal-Mart will open July 18.

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Photo courtesy of Elie Jewelry

"Jewelers of America (JA) is the national association for the retail jeweler. JA is both a center of knowledge for the jeweler and an advocate for professionalism and high social, ethical, and environmental standards in the jewelry trade," quoting the Jewelers of America website.

JA's Regional Affiliate, The Pacific NW Jewelers Association which represents retail jewelers in Washington & Alaska has announced that Yelm's Margarette Elie Jewelry Design as one of three leading designers in their annual Design Competition. The award came during the Pacific Northwest Jewelers annual Learning Seminar and Design Contest March 11, 2007.

CONGRATULATIONS MARGARETTE!

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Business Examiner
Photo from Pierce County Business Examiner website

The Monday, June 11, 2007 Pierce County Business Examiner ran an in-depth section all about Yelm and the growth here.
Researched and well-written by Hilary Maynard, her stories examine the "up-side" to all of this growth.
Ms. Maynard called this writer for comments that were quoted below and asked if she could call again for follow-up about issues facing the city and area because of all of thie city-approved unbridled growth.
[Ed. Note: I do hope to see those issues covered in a not-too-distant Business Examiner to provide a balanced report.]

These full articles are available for $1.00 each online:

A. Growth has yet to slow in Yelm
"The “Pride of the Prairie” is fast becoming the pride of the state. Although Yelm is already among the fastest-growing cities in the state, Community Development Director Grant Beck said he doesn’t see the city’s residential boom slowing anytime soon. And he expects retail to follow, making the city a residential shopping destination and keeping retail tax dollars in the northeastern Thurston County city, as opposed to handing them to another fast-growing city: Lacey."

B. Downtown growth reflects changes for Yelm
"And as the city’s population continues to grow, theater owner Margaret Clapp said she expects that more businesses traditionally found in larger cities will locate in the rural Thurston County community.

She said that in the more than six years since the opening, business in Yelm has grown slowly, but steadily. As a result, downtown businesses have become more plentiful and more inventive. Although Clapp said she has mixed feelings about the Wal-Mart store currently under construction on the east side of town, she concedes that her theater loses many customers to Lacey mega-retailers.

'I’m sorry in some ways to lose some of the innocence of a small town. It takes that special edge off, but I’m curious to see if that will happen,' Clapp said.

Community advocate and avid blogger Steve Klein said that while many business owners have acknowledged the positive side of Wal-Mart’s Yelm location, a healthy opposition still exists, made up mostly of residents living outside the city limits.

Klein, who ran for mayor in Yelm two years ago, keeps city officials on their toes — attending council meetings, requesting documents and blogging, in an effort, he said, to make Yelm the best community it can be. Although he acknowledged there are several governmental issues he is currently fighting, Klein said he cannot fault the generosity and pluck of the city’s business community.

“What is amazing here is the number of small businesses that participate in the Yelm Chamber of Commerce,' Klein said. “Members of the business community here are givers. It’s very impressive that a small town like this gives so much to its student and adult community.'

Across the highway from Yelm Cinemas, Michelle Jones and Cozette Fyrst have spent several years cultivating a customer base for their company, The Blue Bottle Espresso. Armed with the knowledge that coffee stands are a dime a dozen, even in rural communities, the previous owner’s innovative approach led Jones and Fyrst to buy the cafe and make it their own

C. Yelm becomes haven for tech businesses
While the South Sound’s major cities have proven to be a haven for high-tech businesses since the dot-com boom of the 1990s, a smattering of businesses specializing in Internet and other Web-based services have chosen Yelm and many other rural communities as home.

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Louise Oliverio
Photo courtesy Stephany Ray Photography

Louise Oliverio, who has been Thurston County Democrats' Precinct Committee Officer Proxy (PCO Proxy) in Yelm for Tim Lancaster over the last year, was recently confirmed as Yelm's newest PCO when the boundary lines for Precincts in the area were changed last month, and Tim Lancaster found himself no longer a resident within the boundary of Precinct 702 #2.

Louise Oliverio is a dynamic local author, mother of 3, and grandmother of 4. She has lived in the Yelm area for 18 years.

Louise has been an involved political action volunteer for years in both Yelm City and Thurston County, giving her time to support the Nisqually Land Trust, and attend and participate in the Thurston County Democrats' various events, including Lakefair Burger Booth, in addition to her volunteer work and support of former Candidate JeanMarie Christenson in her '06 campaign for State Representative.

Some of Louise's primary duties as PCO will include:
- hold precinct caucuses at certain selected times for the purpose of adopting resolutions and selecting delegates to legislative,
- county and state conventions,
- encourage the voters in her Precinct to register,
- getting the voters out in the Yelm area for both the '07 and '08 voting seasons,
- and support local Democratic candidates win their elections.

In that regard, expect to be hearing from Louise with the continuing call to let your voice be heard. Louise intends to hold local get-together's to give all who wish a chance to voice their wants and needs as it relates to the Democratic Party issues and policies. This will also help her to get to know her Precinct neighbors, and helps to make sure everyone is registered to vote in Precinct 702 #2, and an opportunity to participate and let their voices heard.

Congratulations on your appointment, Louise.
I, along with the Thurston County Democrats applaud your confirmation,
and look forward to working with you as we go forward into the '07 and '08 election cycles.

JeanMarie Christenson
1st Vice Chair, LD2

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