Serbian Artist Makara at Yelm Timberland Library.
"We are happy to start off the New Year with the viewing of Serbian Artists Makara at Yelm Timberland Library.
Several of his paintings will on public display for the month of January with the curators on hand every Saturday from 1 pm to 4pm to answer questions regarding the artists and his paintings," quoting the Makara USA site.
"A woman who lost her restaurant in a landslide is going to have a very Merry Christmas thanks to another business owner she had never met before.
It's been a busy month for Melanie Tapia. She's in the middle of moving her business, The Ranch House BBQ, into the lobby of downtown Olympia's Governor Hotel. She hopes to be open late next week," quoting Seattle's KING-5 TV.
Keep with the Ranch House in the news.
Rick Roberts' fabulous Letter to the Editor published in the December 21 NVN is a grand reminder of the Yelm Tree Advisory Board's work, of which Mr. Roberts is a member..
From the City of Yelm website[click "Citizen Committees", then "Tree Board"] :
"The City of Yelm is dedicated to protecting and enhancing its urban forest. In 1996 the City of Yelm created the Yelm Tree Advisory Board (YTAB). The Board performed a street tree inventory and evaluation, and created an ordinance for the protection of trees and vegetation in the City, and conservation during development. The City of Yelm has been a Tree City USA since 1996, and has been awarded the Arbor Day Growth Award for the years 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Tree Board also created the City of Yelm 5-Year Urban Forestry Strategic Plan, for 1998 – 2002. The plan was updated for another 5 years, resulting in the 5-Year Urban Forestry Strategic Plan for 2004-2008. The plan has been an invaluable tool for the City and the YTAB, insuring the care and maintenance of City trees, keeping the Tree Board active in the community, raising awareness of the importance of an urban forest, and seeking monetary support.
The Yelm Tree Advisory Board meets the last monday of every other month at 4:00 P.M. at the Yelm City Hall.
City of Yelm Tree Advisory Board Mission Statement
The Yelm Tree Board is empowered to:
Contribute to and maintain a comprehensive community tree management program for the care and establishment of trees on public property;
Promote proper tree maintenance;
Advocate no net loss of the community’s urban forestry canopy;
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning ordinances, rules, and regulations that pertain to trees on public and private property that best serve the interest of the community;
Obtain public testimony and/or input as deemed necessary;
Promote public education about trees;
Develop innovative and joint funding for an urban forestry program from a variety of sources.
Current Yelm Tree Advisory Board members are:
Kristin Blalack
Victoria Blazjewski
Glen Cunningham
John Graver
Shawn Batstone
Tim Peterson
Rick Roberts
Kevin McFarland, City Forester
Nisha Box, Assistant Planner
What:
"Here...After" Fundraiser , Collaborative Community Project Celebrating Life
Enjoy an evening of World Cuisine by Chef Windsor
Live Music from The Tamborelli Band, Laura Losada, DJ Santi & Belly Dancing with the Gypsy Chicks.
When:
December 29th 2007 at 6:00 PM
Where:
A giant tent will be beautifully decorated in front of the
Blue Bottle
309 Yelm Avenue E.
Yelm WA 98597
Why:
Raise funds for the documentary and the stage production of "Here...After".
The documentary provides information to prepare for climate changes in the future.
The stage production tells the story from Earth's perspective on her relationship with humanity.
For information see website.
Tickets:
Children 12 & under FREE, Ages 13-18 $25
Adults: Ticket donations: $50,-$75-$100.
Please call God Food Entertainment 360-400-3103
or e-mail godfoodentertainment@Tamborelli.net
if you have questions.
Learn the Art and Science of Seed Saving from the
South Sound Seed Stewards – new classes begin
The Sound Sound Seed Stewards (aka S4) offer a year-long
curriculum of programs pertaining to general garden interest plus 9 classes on
the art and science of seed saving.
Aimed at preserving our seed heritage and teaching people
how to grow and save their own seed, the group’s Mission Statement is:
Encouraging Community Independence and Self-Reliance Through Producing and
Sharing Locally Adapted Heirloom Seeds. Founded in 1994, S4 became a
The primary purpose is to teach how to save vegetable
seeds, not how to grow the vegetable. For those who need information on the
basics of gardening, there are members who can help.
It is not necessary to be an experienced gardener to be a
seed saver. Many have gardened for years but never saved a seed. S4’s goal is
to impart the knowledge to grow, harvest and preserve a true-to-type seed, a
seed that year after year continues to produce the original vegetable.
Programs for 2008 include selecting seed, fruit trees of
the Northwest, soils, winter gardening, food preservation, greenhouse growing
and films on gardening topics. The seed science classes include basic botany,
seed classification, record keeping, starting seed indoors and outdoors,
transplanting, seed structure, cover crops, crop rotation, seed harvesting,
processing and storage.
The group meets the second Monday of every month at
Gordon’s Grange. July’s meeting is a summer potluck and December’s meeting is a
Christmas potluck and raffle.
Meetings start promptly at
Membership for new members:
Student Membership (for new
members who wish to obtain a S4 certificate of class completion, which bestows
voting membership the following year) -- $55 for the year; includes a copy of
the group’s text book Seed to Seed by
Suzanne Ashworth. Students must attend 7 of the 9 classes to achieve
certification.
Supporting Membership (for new members not desiring a
training certificate) -- $35 for the year with no attendance requirement.
Class space is limited. An e-mail of intent to join in
January will hold a place. S4@rainierconnect.com
At the October 10, 2007 Thurston County Commissioners Public Hearing, Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck stated on the record about the Yelm By-pass,
"Yelm is actively pursuing construction funding ($35 million) during the 2009 legislative session."
Of course, Mr. Beck quoted outdated numbers, as WSDOT now says the unfunded amount of the Yelm By-pass is now $56 million.
Yelm's City Council had a special presentation on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from Bill Elliott, WSDOT's SR 510 (By-pass) Project Manager and his team. Mr. Elliott gave a nice "feel-good" presentation about different timelines for By-pass construction phases, however everything discussed was based on funding scenarios. There currently is no funding of the construction phases; this while the price has now climbed from $35 million to $56 million.
You can read Yelm's City Council Minutes of this November 13 presentation by clicking the hotlink,
then clicking "Minutes", then "November 13, 2007".
Now, we have Governor Gregoire declaring this about federal highway funding,
"• The state has no more money available for added transportation projects — including improvements to Interstate 5 that affect Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater. Solutions include toll transponders on cars and greater funding from the federal government for projects, Gregoire said. She complained that many mega-projects, in effect, require repairs to highways in the federal system, but funding of highways has shifted from a system that carried a 90 percent share to something less.
"We need all the governors and all the members of Congress to stand up and say, 'This is ridiculous,' " Gregoire said in response to questions from the board about highway funding," quoting The Olympian.
Reason this:
A. With state roads requiring repair in Lewis & Thurston Counties damaged by recent flooding, the 520 floating bridge in King County and Seattle waterfront viaduct replacements all of immediate concern, what makes anyone think that any money would be forthcoming anytime soon for Yelm's By-pass?
B. With a Sub-Prime Banking crisis looming large in 2008, higher fuel expenses leading to increased costs for food and most other goods, a tanking dollar, plus no end in sight for the Iraq debacle, do you think there will be any funding for highway projects in 2009 from the federal government if there are no funds in 2008?
Or, from the state given the massive costs of the aforementioned projects?
C. Yelm's Super Wal-Mart traffic was approved here under the condition there would be a By-pass to mitigate their traffic volumes. Now what do we do, since there is no By-pass in any foreseeable future, and certainly not in 6 years+ from their July, 2007 opening?
D. We need to focus on traffic remedies without the By-pass and now.
This writer offered several suggestions to handle Yelm's traffic without a By-pass more than 2 years ago. These need to be looked at again.
One of them was:
1. Traffic circles at McDonald's and Third St on Yelm Ave.
2. All Yelm Ave. eastbound traffic moves through the traffic circle at McDonald's to Washington St, and down Washington St. through the trail and to Third, left on Third, & returning to Yelm Ave. at Third St.
3. All Yelm Ave. Westbound traffic continues west on a one-way street from Third to the McDonald's.
Lacey just did this with Pacific Ave. and that is working quite nicely.
E. Newly appointed Yelm Planning Commission Chair Carlos Perez asked the public for solutions in his December 14 Letter to the Editor published in the NVN. I applaud that request and encourage everyone to participate. We have a traffic crisis here and need more community involvement, immediately.
Mr. Perez stated, "Our growth is not the major cause of our traffic congestion. The major cause of our traffic congestion comes from outside our area."
This kind of attitude previously expressed by Mayor Harding and now the Yelm Planning Commission Chair continues to miss the point.
The County acknowledging the city's unbridled growth and the city pointing fingers at the county's contributing traffic does nothing to alleviate a mess. We can all agree that traffic comes from both within and without the city limits.
Yes, the city's inner loop and connector streets are greatly welcome and appreciated, however those solutions, while wonderful, are not enough. Resting on the city's laurels for the inner loop and not aggressively dealing with the 507/510 issue NOW, will have consequences in the near-term future, with a By-pass opening in further peril.
And, yes, I am on-record as saying all growth and development applications in Yelm should cease until the infrastructure is funded and underway to support such an outrageous assault on our resorces:
roads, water & stormwater runoff to be in balance with the environment. That is NOT anti-growth. That is being a responsible steward of the land, water and air, so passionately practiced by our neighbors, the Nisqually Tribe.
Please send any of your suggestions to Mr. Perez at City Hall: webmaster@ci.yelm.wa.us
BYPASS FUNDING IN 2009?
DO YOU REALLY THINK SO?
WHAT SAY YOU?
THIS MERRY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE IS FROM RAMTHA'S SCHOOL OF ENLIGHTENMENT!
RSE students contributed almost $2.5 million to the local economy in 2007 and this full-page newspaper ad ran in the NVN Shopper Dec. 19, the NVN Dec. 21 & The Olympian Dec. 22.
AN HONEST RECOMMENDATION
A Christmas story by Guustaaf Damave
The light of the of the street lamp barely made it to the ground, so thickly was the snow coming down. At three in the morning the street was empty. A faint bluish glow emerging through the flakes directly above betrayed where the full moon was revealing itself. It was a cold winter's night in 1964, a week or so before the Dutch holiday of Saint-Nicholas. The snow had covered all traces of the day's comings and goings and was quickly covering a fresh track of footsteps leading to a broken window. Inside, the beam of a flashlight moved across the wall, from painting to painting. The thick white carpet outside hushed every sound. Carefully avoiding the sharp glass, the man climbed out of the window with two paintings under each arm and dissolved into the curtain of icy flakes.
I was born in that old town, the son of a fine artist. That year I was eight. I enjoyed going for long walks looking at shop windows, building sites and ships moored on the river Spaarne, on which we lived. The snow made it a little bit harder to get around, but the river and canals being frozen over, more than made up for that. A trip with a note from my mother and a ten guilder bill to the grocery store only took half as long walking over the ice.
For a young child the sight of the full moon on a cold and crispy night stirs the sense of wonder and imagination like nothing else. I had looked at it often and read about it. The idea that the light came from the sun meant that the sun shone at night too! Was there really no one living there on that moon? I wasn't so sure about that. On my many walks through the streets of our nine century old town I frequently included one particular store in my route. In the window there was an instrument of magic and mystery called telescope. If only I could own this. Many of the questions that occupied me could be settled once and for all. I would be able to look at the moon and the stars whenever I would like. My life as I knew it would definitely be over and new and brighter existence would be mine. The telescope... I wiped the fog of my breath off the store window. The price tag was the appropriately astronomical sum of twelve guilders.
In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' eve is the primary occasion for gift-giving. Even though it is his birthday being celebrated, Sinterklaas is the one who gives the presents. Children are allowed to express their wishes by putting a note in one of their shoes and putting it near the fire place. I had my own ideas about where exactly these presents came from but I carefully played along with the traditional protocol so as not to interfere with any of its mechanics. I had written down the telescope as the only item on my list and the address of the store that was displaying it in its window. It was a lot to ask for, and I was one of ten children. All the same, if there ever was a chance that this telescope could be mine, this was it.
As the long awaited evening drew closer and the air became thicker with expectation, I made my daily rounds to the store window and imagined everything I would be able to see once I could look through the telescope's eye piece. The glance that my mother gave me however, when I came home, made me think that I had asked for too much and that I would probably have to settle for perhaps a new sweater.
Early that morning they found the broken window and the empty spaces on the wall. It is not hard to guess at the motives of the mysterious man who broke into the museum on that icy cold night so close to gift giving day. More mysterious than his identity was his particular taste in art. Maybe his choices were dictated by the convenient size of certain works or their proximity to the shattered window. Still, there were quite a few works to choose from and the burglar left slushy footsteps throughout the contemporary wing of the Frans Hals Museum.
That afternoon as I got ready to leave to continue my explorations of the snowy landscape the newspaper dropped on the floor inside the front door. It reported the art theft from the museum on the front page. I knew my father would be interested in this and took the paper to him in his studio. He read the article with rapt attention. He looked at me and said that they stole one of his works. He went to the front of the house to tell my mother about it. A burglary in the museum is serious business I thought, but they did not seem particularly distraught.
Over the next few days there were frequent phone calls and visitors interested in purchasing one or more works of this artist whose work was stolen from the museum. The unknown burglar had unwittingly brought abundance to our house. I knew that my chances of having a close-up view of the moon had taken a turn for the better. Saint Nicholas' eve was only two days away now and as I was approaching the store window with the object of my desire and felt pretty sure that indeed it would be mine. But as I came closer I was struck with shock and horror. It was gone! Someone must have bought it. I had to muster all my restraint not to let tears roll down my cheeks. I slowly turned around and walked away. I wandered the cold dark streets in a blur of disappointment. When I came home too late for dinner my mother asked what was the matter. I explained to her that the telescope was gone, the only thing I really wanted. "That's terrible," she said.
When the evening of great expectations arrived the air was charged with excitement. Knowing that I would not get what I really wanted, I was prepared to pretend to be happy with whatever I would get. But when the package with my name on it was pulled out of the large pile I could not believe my eyes. It had a long familiar shape. In a frenzy I ripped off the paper. I was surprised and delighted that I did get the telescope. It had disappeared from the store because it was making its way to me. My father also had his best present ever because there is no more honest recommendation than that of a thief in a hurry.
© 2007 Guustaaf Damave
The author, Guustave Damave
"Dungeness Valley Creamery is a family farm on Towne Road [Sequim] 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."
Sarah Brown of Dungeness Valley Creamery penned this for the holidays, reprinted here with permission:
We hope you are joyful this season and full of love and thanksgiving!
The cows are cozy in the barn, now, and doing very well (lots of milk!) We had an extra good load of hay brought to us from eastern Washington and the cows love it. You may be noticing an increase of cream in the milk. You are not imagining things! Although there is more sweetness and color to the milk in the summer, there is more cream in the winter...just in time for holiday baking and whipped cream! Yes, you can use the cream from the milk for whipped cream...and butter, too! The cream will not get quite as airy and fluffy as store bought heavy cream (they put in additives) but it tastes just as good or better. If you accidentally whip the cream too much, now you have butter and buttermilk. You know what to do with the butter, but don't put the buttermilk to waste. You can use it for baking as well (scones, pancakes, smoothies are just a few ideas). This buttermilk that you get is not cultured or soured, it is sweet. If you want soured
buttermilk, you can set it out and let it sour on its own, or add a little lemon juice (for a quicker result). There is so much to do with the milk and cream! Don't forget hot cocoa with whipped cream on top, home made eggnog, and cream in your coffee.
If you haven't had a chance to stop in at our store lately, come check out our new gift items! We are proud to say that everything in our store is local and we are in contact with and support people we know and trust! With that said, we encourage you to shop locally and support real people. In doing so, you boost our local economy, promote and support local artists,craftsmen and farmers, and reduce fuel usage (both your own and delivery trucks to big stores).
Don't forget to shop local and healthy for your holiday meal! We offer milk, cream, bread, CHEESE, and eggs (when available). Your family will appreciate a special meal with special ingredients!
May God bless you this season and always,
Sarah Brown
Dungeness Valley Creamery
915 Towne Rd.
Sequim, WA 98382
360-683-0716
DUNGENESS VALLEY CREAMERY MILK IS SOLD IN YELM AT THE YELM CO-OP.
Yelm Co-op
404 1ST St.
360-400-2210
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am - 7 pm
Now open Mondays beginning Dec. 24th!
YELM LIBRARY HOSTS READING MAGIC WITH JEFF EVANS THIS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2007
"The first step to putting your books into the hands of kids in your community is attracting them to the library. And, what draws kids - and their parents - more than magic?
Unlike some presenters who put together a show and do a few library programs during the summer, Jeff Evans presents over fifty library programs each year. Most of these programs are for repeat clients because they know Jeff will draw a crowd and give them a great show. This marks the fourteenth consecutive year that that the Lacey, Tumwater, and Olympia libraries have invited Jeff to perform!
Jeff has five themed magic programs available for libraries. They include:
Reading Magic
Science Magic
Magic Around the World (history/geography)
Mission: Possible (positive attitude/motivation)
Secrets of Wizards (Harry Potter-theme),"
quoting Jeff Evans' Library Programs EduMazement Productions.
Check out this fabulous program in Yelm's Timberland Library from 11am until noon on Dec. 27.
"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."
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
TODAY IS THE WINTER SOLSTICE IN YELM
"The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane as the observer. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the event of the Winter solstice occurs sometime between December 20 and 23 each year in the Northern hemisphere, and between June 20 and 23 in the Southern Hemisphere, and the winter solstice occurs during either the shortest day or the longest night of the year (not to be confused with the darkest day or nights). Though the Winter Solstice lasts an instant, the term is also used to refer to the full 24-hour period," quoting Wikipedia.
"Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 1:08 A.M. EST (06:08 UT), marks the solstice—the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere," quoting InfoPlease.
The Olympian reports, "And tomorrow will be the shortest day of the year. The sun won't rise until 7:55 a.m. and will set a scant eight and a half hours later, at 4:25 p.m., according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
The winter solstice is today, ushering in a season that's expected to be wetter than normal, with temperatures close to normal, said Ted Buehner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle...
It's time to pack a car emergency kit: food, water, blankets, emergency supplies, flares, flashlights, extra batteries and a radio. And make sure your tires have plenty of tread."
WINTER BEGINS AT 10:08PM TONIGHT HERE IN YELM!
THIS IS THE SEASON OF LONG NIGHTS AND LOTS OF DREAMS OF A FUTURE THIS SUMMER...ENJOY.
"The Yelm Prairie Arts Association is a non-profit organization serving to enrich the lives of people in Yelm and the surrounding communities through supporting visual and performing arts
We support groups who dance, make music, create live theater and enhance arts in education in Yelm Community Schools.
We spread the word about our area performing arts and visual arts groups, sponsor events and participate in activities that the public attends.
We organize fund raising events and provide funding to visual arts groups & performing arts groups via an annual granting process. We operate with the intent to provide an even balance of annually granted funds to both performing arts groups and to visual arts groups.
Make Art a Part of Your Life!
This is an excellent time to be a YPAA member! In the last few years, we have seen significant change and growth in our communities. In 2002 and 2003 as part of our evolving community, the Nisqually Regional Arts Council and Yelm Partners for Performing Arts, now known as The Yelm Prairie Arts Association. gained strength by merging into a single organization under one board to support arts in our community. This includes activities, education and funding for performing and visual arts.
The following are samples of a few of the events and groups our fund raising efforts have helped to support:
Ruddigore, a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta project at the Drew Harvey Theater
The Annual Christmas program, A Salute to Christmas, by Women in Harmony received funding for the 2002 performance.
ACT 2, ACT 3, ACT 4 and ACT 5 of the Yelm Community Consortia through the Yelm Community Schools. Matching funds to support a renewable grant from the Washington State Arts Commission to provide artists in residence and visual art experiences in Yelm schools and community for the 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and currently, 2005-2006 school years.
Yelm Middle School - Artist in Residence Matching Funds
Arts are the heart and soul of a civilization. Our hope for the Nisqually region is that our visual and performing arts will bring beauty, warmth and color to the fabric that weaves our community together. We've made significant steps in the past 10 years, yet there is much more we dream about for Yelm and our surrounding communities.
Please join us to help create the hometown and region we all wish for our children, our neighbors and ourselves. If you would like to find a way to contribute and make a difference in our community, click here. Please feel free to contact us by email, or, send regular mail to:
PO BOX 2168
Yelm, WA 98597
Thank you for your caring and support. Your help will enrich the heart of our community.
Anne Wahrmund
YPAA Chair
PS. We are looking for interested people to become members of the YPAA. Please contact a board member for more information.
The Yelm Prairie Arts Association operate as a non-profit organization under the governance of one common board of directors. The common abbreviated name is YPAA."
TELL THE YELM PRAIRIE ARTS ASSN. YOU READ ABOUT THEIR WORK ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
Yelm Travel has moved to a new location in
Prairie Plaza
10501 Creek St. SE
Suite 1
behind the Yelm Post Office.
458-2333
"YELM TRAVEL is a
full service travel-agency that has been serving the needs of the Yelm
community since 1983. We are a hometown business that prides itself on
treating people on a personal level. We offer first class service at
competitive prices. We are experienced Travel Professionals and have
traveled extensively. Let an expert do ALL your travel leg work for you.
COMPARE PRICES WITH US, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED !
WE MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!
This writer has been using Yelm Travel for all of my travel needs since 1988 and just returned from a Yelm Travel arranged Hawaiian get-away.
STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO ELIZABETH, CARY, & ROBBI.
TELL THEM YOU READ ABOUT THEIR NEW OFFICE ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
During this week when I am away, the Yelm Community blog is featuring Yelm Community businesses who are locally owned and operated. While this town is being inundated by multi-national corporations with names like Wal-Mart, KFC, Applebees, & Taco Bell that expatriate their income back to their corporate headquarters, the backbone of this community's retail establishment are locally owned and operated firms. While the donations these large firms give to the city are wonderful, the true contributions adding to the quality of our area are these unique businesses whose owners live here, send their children to our schools and involve themselves with pride in their hometown, adding in grand fashion to the richness of our town.
So, we are saddened to see one of our downtown core's businesses close (Toscano's).
While the City of Yelm's new electronic reader board and Chamber of Commerce tout the public to "support our local businesses", the Yelm Community Blog touts readers to "support our locally owned businesses".
LET THESE BUSINESSES KNOW YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
Look for a new blog entry on December 19th
Thurston County Fire Protection District 17 Logo
Mark Gregory, Fire Chief
Report from Fire Commissioner Bill Owen:
The Nov. 6th Fire Levy for the Bald Hills Fire Dept. passed with a 59% approval.
"Unlike the schools, we needed only 50% to pass.
We not only got what we asked the voters for, but due to the whopping jump in property assessments we have a great deal more than we asked for.
Our intention is to be as frugal as we planned originally, but we now have the freedom to consider things that may, in the long run save the district money, such as paying off our bond early, or maybe purchasing property for a future fire station if a really really good deal comes up.
Since I emailed last, the department has purchased a used fire engine from East Olympia's fire dist. They gave us a sweetheart deal. As soon as we can get it equipped, it will respond out of the Cougar Mt. station. We also got a good deal on some used portable radios, so the chief will know quickly who is responding.
On December 18, a fire fighter will graduate from the Recruit Academy, a responder will graduate from EMT (emergency medical technician) school, and ten ( !!! ) responders will graduate from First Responder class."
STOP BY AND SAY HELLO TO THE FINE FOLKS AT THE BALD HILL FIRE DEPT.
THEY WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU.
"The Grange is a family and community service organization with roots in agriculture.
We promote the rural quality of life and encourage involvement in community activities.
Neighbors working together with a spirit
of community toward common goals."
(360) 894-0414
deschutesgrange@yahoo.com
TELL THE GRANGE YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
"At Tim's Pharmacy & Gift Shop, we're more than just your local pharmacy, we are your neighbors.
The staff at Tim's Pharmacy & Gift Shop is dedicated to helping take care of you and your family. Whether you need a prescription filled, a gift to purchase, or just have a question, we are here to help you in any way we can because that is just what neighbors do."
TELL THE FOLKS AT TIM'S YOU READ ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
"PACIFIC RIM TROPHIES & SPECIALTY ITEMS"
"Specializing in trophies, plaques and other custom awards. Full color plaques, name badges and specialty gifts for recognition. No order too small!"
Pacific Rim Awards & Specialty Items
Karen Lunan, Owner
PO Box 1164
McKenna, WA 98558
(360) 458-8585
TELL PACIFIC RIM YOU READ ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
"A synergy of design and technology for all your web and graphic needs.
Your needs are our number one concern.
Quality Local Service"
Prairie Techies, LLC
Sandi Hanson & Michelle Armstrong
PO Box 285
Yelm, WA 98597
(253) 861-5907
TELL SANDI & MICHELLE YOU READ ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
"Promotional Products/Specialty Advertising - We put your selling message on useful items such as calendars, key tags, mugs, pens, executive gifts, and wearables, etcetera. If it can be imprinted, we can get it for you!"
J.I. Meyers & Associates
Jerry Meyers
PO Box 5070
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 894-6875
FAX (360) 894-6906
TELL JERRY YOUR LEARNED ABOUT HIS BUSINESS ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
"Dreamtime Visual Communications is a diverse business resource.
We provide a wide array of services, from design and fabrication of signs, trade show booths, and vehicle graphics, to complete identity packages, brochures, business cards, and much more.
Give us a call or email us to find out how we can help you create the most effective promotional tool for your business.
Environmental Design • Vehicle Graphics • Custom Signage • Textile Printing"
TELL DREAMTIME YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG.
Jessica Caldwell
Photo courtesy of CSE Newsletter
Rainier-based Children's School of Excellence (CSE) Health & Fitness Director Jessica Caldwell has a monthly column in the CSE Newsletter and this story from the November 2, 2007 edition caught my eye as being wise counsel for parents of young children:
"All kids carry backpacks to and from school and I’m sure you’ve noticed how heavy
they are! Backpacks filled with books, lunch, water, and whatever else, can be too
heavy and lead to back aches and sore necks.
My father in-law, Dr. Fred Loertscher, chiropractor and inspiration, won’t even let my
four year old wear one. He explained to me that young bodies shouldn’t have such a
huge load placed on their developing spinal columns.
I investigated this important health issue and found some healthy backpack tips from
“Healthy Computing Kids”.
1. Backpacks should have padded straps, the wider the better to distribute the load.
2. Encourage your child to wear both straps.
3. Teach your child to wear a backpack with a waist belt to relieve stress on the low
back.
4. Place the backpack up to the mid or upper back instead of wearing it low on the
lumbar region of the spine.
5. Avoid overpacking. Consider buying two sets of books; One to keep at school
and the other for home. Then donate the 2nd set at the end of the year.
6. Limit the weight of the backpack to 10-15% of your child’s body weight.
7. Consider a backpack on wheels!"
Jessica added this correction in a recent CSE Newsletter:
"Correction from the Healthy Tip regarding Backpack Safety: A recent Australian study
found that backpacks should be centered at the waist or hip level to allow the pelvis
to carry the load rather than the neck and shoulders. So do not carry the backpack
high on your back."
"So why was Lewis County hit so hard by flooding?
Federal experts say a freak of nature may be to blame. They emphasize they're still investigating, but they say they're zeroing in on a small but high-intensity rain event that fueled the Chehalis River.They also can't rule out some sort of "x" factor -- an unexplained event that accelerated the flood waters...
Experts say a mini super storm parked itself over the area where the Chehalis forms, with an intensity perhaps unprecedented in lower elevations.
The rain pounded the area of southwest Lewis County known as the Willapa Hills -- the headwaters of the Chehalis River. Nearly 9 inches fell there in one 24-hour period. By comparison, just a third of that amount fell on Centralia.
The rainfall gorged the Chehalis, with the water rising so fast many people were certain that levies broke," quoting KING-5 TV.
Pictures of the Flood
Jeremy King Family's Public Gallery.
Click on Slide Show.
"Did development, logging set the stage for disaster?"
The Seattle times reports,
"For more than a decade in the Chehalis River watershed, developers have been allowed to roll the dice.
In 1996, the worst flood Lewis County had ever known blew through, drowning communities in muddy water high enough to close Interstate 5. Since then, the county has granted more than 100 permits for new development in the floodplain. The cities of Centralia and Chehalis added to the rush.
Big-box stores, restaurants and strip malls galore. A railroad line extension, parking lots for a church. A coal-unloading facility, a new natural-gas pipeline, a mine expansion. And barns, homes, carports and shops. All built in the floodplain...
Many state officials and regional experts, including a former county manager who says he was fired after criticizing floodplain development, say they have been warning for years that the hunger for development was running counter to common sense."
Hay Donations for Lewis County, Washington
Cash, credit card & hay donations accepted.
INTRODUCING LOCAL DEALER FOR BERKEY WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS
"The versatile Big Berkey® system is the ideal system for use at home with small or medium sized families, travel, outdoor activities or during unexpected emergencies.
This powerful system purifies both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best. Perfect for everyday use, outdoor activities and a must in hostile environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available.
The Big Berkey® system removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites entirely and extracts harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, organic solvents, radon 222 and trihalomethanes. It also reduces nitrates, nitrites and unhealthy minerals such as lead and mercury. This system is so powerful it can remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. Virtually no other system can duplicate this performance.
Constructed of highly polished 304 stainless steel, the system comes complete with two purification elements and utilizes the latest technological advances. This system has a storage capacity of about 2.25 gallons and when in use it stands 19.25" in height with a diameter of 8.5". The upper chamber nests within the lower chamber for transport and stands only 13" in height.
Configured with two Black Berkey® purification elements the system will purify up to 3 1/2 Gallons per hour*. This system can be expanded to use four purification elements and is capable of purifying up to 7 Gallons per hour*," quoting Rainier's Secure Your Water.
*Flow rate calculated with upper chamber full to top. Flow rate decreases as water level declines
July– December, 2007 by appointment only
Opening reception, cocktails and auction December 15th 2007, 4 – 9 pm
Duveen Group is pleased to announce an exhibition of never seen works of oil on glass, oil on canvas and charcoal all done by the Serbian artist Mr. Georgije Popov who is better known as Makara. This will be the artist's s first United States exhibition and we are happy to host it here at “Dancing Spirits Estates” home of Duveen Group in Rainier, Washington
The exhibition consists of Makara’s most recent bodies of work; on various mediums which were painted between 2002 – 2006 The exhibition will provide an overview of Makara’s life and career and include his newly completed works of 2007.
Known for his unique “cosmic” style, Makara has gained an international reputation for his works among private collectors. His themes are sourced from history and culture and include references to his personal experiences and influences building narratives of epic proportion. Many of his works include the solar system as a prominent theme. Some paintings reference religious themes. Mixing universal concepts with historical and personal themes are also frequently found in his works.
Some of the paintings display female figures communicating with the universe in a unique way, which has been one of Makara’s effective focal points since his beginning as an artist. His complex oil-on-glass layering technique, what he calls “painting in reverse,” is a new style of painting developed by him. One of the oil-on-canvas paintings, “St. Nicolas”, large as life, displays a figure well known and revered to Serbians and Orthodox Christians. His love for animals and angels is profoundly expressed in some of his paintings.
One particular aspect of Makara’s style which I call the shadow play, takes the layering that appears in his paintings and drawings even further, almost to the point of them becoming three-dimensional animations.
Makara was born in 1944 and his journey as a painter began when he was a small child. His classrooms were European painting workshops with teachers from the schools of fine arts which provided him with rich learning experiences.
For the next ten years, he studied the artwork of the Italian Renaissance masters. Enlightened from this experience, he was inspired to travel throughout Europe, South Africa and Canada and see the works of other great master artists.
Today, Makara lives in Canada and Serbia and spends most of his time creating his masterpieces.
___________________________________________________________________
Duveen Group Gallery: Is located at Dancing Spirits Estates in Rainier, WA viewing by private appointment only. Information or images, please call Kevyn 360.446.4866 or duveengroup@yahoo.com
EARTH ARTISANS GRAND OPENING
My name is Elisabeth Schenk.
I am opening an artisans gallery in Tenino with the grand opening set for Dec 7.
I will be featuring local art and high end crafts from the local NW community.
Meet artists & friends as we celebrate this new venture.
Located in beautiful, historic Tenino , WA.
Enjoy original painting, pottery, glass, sculpture, jewelry,
stained glass, wearable art, mosaics, quilts, cards and more...
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED
Friday, December 7, 2007
4:30PM - 8:00PM
325 Sussex Ave. West (Hwy. 507)
Refreshments & Live Music.
CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES IN YOUR NEW ENDEAVOR!
<strong>TELL EARTH ARTISANS YOU READ ABOUT THEIR GRAND OPENING ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!</strong>
Photo from Port of Olympia website
While there has been much written about the December 2-3 storms, here are some local notes of interest:
1. A record single day rain total for the date of December 2nd
of 2.12 inches beat the former record of 2.01 inches set in 1975 at Olympia Regional Airport. Additionally, the 58 degree high temperature was 2 degrees short of a record high that goes back to 1982.
2. A record single day rain total for the date of December 3rd
of 3.19 inches beat the former record of 2.77 inches set in 1982 at Olympia Regional Airport. Additionally, the 58 degree high temperature was 2 degrees short of a record high that goes back to 1982.
Additionally, locals submitted pictures of our flooded streams carried by KOMO-TV 4, Seattle's ABC affiliate:
1. Lacamas Creek over Bald Hill Rd, Yelm
Scroll down to picture with the caption above.
2. Neat Rd. where the Deschutes spills into the Nisqually
Scroll down to picture with the caption above.
"Sea-Tac Airport recorded four inches of rain on Monday, the second wettest day on record, according to the National Weather Service," quoting KING5 News, Seattle's NBC affiliate.
Wal-Mart says it does not build stores in flood zones. The site of Yelm's Wal-mart was under water last January and this Chehalis location shows that store completely an island!
Wal-Mart Chehalis from KING 5 News from the ground
Wal-Mart in Chehalis form the air from KING 5 News Sky King.
Will Yelm's Wal-Mart be flooded this winter?
Stay tuned as Professional Engineer Ed Wiltsie is on the record at City Hall saying that the Yelm Wal-Mart was approved on a high groundwater area and prone to flooding.
The Thurston County Board of Commissioners took testimony at a Public Hearing last night about the Yelm Comprehensive Plan Amendments, and specially the Transportation Chapter. While Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater issues were included in the Public Hearing, no one was present to provide testimony about those cities.
Chair Diane Oberquell opened the Hearing stating that the City of Yelm would have 10 minutes, followed by the attorney representing JZ Knight, then the public would have 3 minutes each, without repeating what was previously stated.
Representing the City of Yelm were talks by Assoc. City Planner Merriman, Community Development Director Beck, TRPC Rep. McCormick & Mayor Harding. Others in the audience supporting the city's plan were newly appointed Yelm Planning Commission Chair Carlos Perez, City Council member John Thompson representing the entire Yelm City Council and Mike Edwards, Thurston County EDC Board member, large Yelm landowner and Yelm pioneer family descendant.
Several letters were received by the Commission and several public members spoke highlighting various aspects of Yelm's traffic issues and city policies that do not address several aspects of roads, developmental approvals and traffic approaching gridlock status.
The Public Hearing lasted and hour.
The Board of Commissioners will have Work Sessions on Dec. 12 from 3 - 4pm and on Dec. 18 from 4 - 4:30pm to review amongst themselves all of the public input on the Comprehensive Plan.
The public is welcome to attend as observers only, however no public comments are permitted at these 2 sessions. A determination will be released at a later date.
For those interested, my unabridged testimony is at the bottom of this entry.
"LARGEST WAGE-AND-HOUR CLASS ACTION EVER CERTIFIED IN WASHINGTON STATE"
AGAINST WAL-MART
"Letters were set be mailed Friday [Nov. 30] telling 75,000 current or former Wal-Mart workers in Washington that they are plaintiffs in a statewide class action against the retail giant.
The mailing is the latest development in the suit, which was filed nearly six years ago in King County Superior Court.
Set for trial in the spring of 2009, the suit is "the largest wage-and-hour class action ever certified in Washington state," class counsel Beth Terrell of Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC in Seattle said Friday at a news conference.
"The workers will prove that Wal-Mart failed to pay workers for some of the time they worked and deprived them of legally required meal and rest breaks," Terrell said. "Wal-Mart's drive for profits has come at the expense of its low-wage employees."
She estimated that damages against Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will total tens of millions of dollars in wages wrongly withheld from workers," quoting the Seattle P-I.
“WAL-MART’S NEW GREENWASHING REPORT”
“Two years ago, Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott announced a bold initiative to turn the world's largest corporation green. After numerous delays, the company has finally released its first progress report.
So how much greener are they? …
The bulk of the report argues that Wal-Mart will never be a sustainable company as long as it is a major contributor to sprawl, relies on sourcing products from the other side of the globe, and pursues a business model based on slashing costs to the bone.
...In total, Wal-Mart is responsible for greenhouse gases that are the equivalent of nearly half the amount produced by the entire country of France, according to analysis by Friends of the Earth and the Institute for Policy Studies.
Wal-Mart also ignores the environmental costs of all the car traffic associated with consumer travel to its stores. Supercenters on town outskirts are accessible mainly by driving, resulting in increased traffic and customers having to travel longer distances for their shopping. The carbon dioxide produced by customers driving to Wal-Mart stores is more than all of its other U.S. greenhouse gas emissions combined, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance,” quoting AlterNet.
[Ed. Note: Hear that, Yelm City Council, who has turned the east end of Yelm into a “car-strangled spanner” connecting McKenna & Yelm with the approval and opening of a Super Wal-Mart?]
PUBLIC TESTIMONY BY STEVE KLEIN TO THE THURSTON BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECEMBER 4, 2007
Mayor Harding says that 63% of Yelm’s traffic originates outside of the city and Community Development Director Grant Beck told the Thurston Planning Commission this is outside of the city’s control. I find that an interesting comment, as there has been no traffic count in over 2 years to quote any accurate figure.
A Nov. 15, 2005 Pierce County Business Examiner story titled “Yelm may become shopping mecca for south Pierce” examined how the City of Yelm is working to make Yelm a retail hub.
Then on Oct. 2, 2006, the BE reported:
“Not only does Yelm have one of the fastest growing population rates in the state, it also draws on much more than just its municipal population for its economy, said Michael Cade, executive director of Economic Development Council of Thurston County.
‘Yelm pulls from a larger region than Yelm proper,’ he said, pointing to a recent study commissioned by the EDC and City of Yelm. ‘It even pulls from Pierce County quite a bit,’ even though it is located within Thurston County.
Yelm, which saw its population triple since 1990, has a primary trade area of 30,100 residents and a secondary trade area of 99,500 residents, according to the study done by consultant Eric Hovee of E.D. Hovee & Company LLC in Vancouver, Wash.
It means that while 30,000 people rely on stores in Yelm to provide convenience goods, almost 100,000 visit the city to shop around for bigger ticket items, such as appliances or cars.”
Let’s see, Yelm’s population has tripled in 15+ years and since the last traffic count, the City of Yelm approved phases of Tahoma Terra’s development and a recently opened Super Wal-Mart. And all of this is the cornerstone of the Yelm and the Thurston EDC [Mike Edwards is Executive Officer, Yelm Mayor Ron Harding & County Commissioner Cathy Wolfe are Board members] plan to model Yelm as a retail hub. Therefore, a lot of this traffic from outside of the city is directly of Yelm’s own making. This is no surprise, given this city objective. Both articles are attached for your review.
While I applaud Yelm’s progress on providing side connector streets, even your own
Planning Commission stated that the concurrency mark was set in 1998 and outside of
the inner loop connector streets, little has been done in almost 10 years to achieve concurrency,
while the city relied on an unfunded bypass. The Planning Commission said that if the city expected
the Bypass to be operational in 2011, which would be a full 13 years after the concurrency mark was set in 1998,
then Yelm should have not been using the unfunded Bypass for that length of time to determine mitigation,
while continuing to allow approval of large developments.
The document you received from TRPC dated Nov, 26th states,
“TRPC’s designation of Yelm Ave. as a regional strategy corridor acknowledges that in the short term, intersections may operate below adopted level of service standards during the pm peak period.”
Note the key words here, “short term.”
This is how Yelm gets by on everything.
Without defining what “short term” means,
they will use TRPC’s term to skirt a whole host of issues,
while approving and permitting unbridled growth. After all, “short term”
was the dictate of concurrency set in 1998, the Bypass when first proposed
to mitigate Yelm’s traffic in 1992, and the STIP’s inclusion of the Bypass.
Short Term does not mean decades, as Yelm applies it. Now,
TRPC gives Yelm another out allowing intersections to operate below
adopted LOS standards in the short term, meaning for an indefinite period of time.
Additionally, the same paragraph closes by saying,
“…congestion levels at critical intersections may never be resolved”.
So, there is a resolve to not resolve this issue to resolution.
However, the Comp. Plan Amendments before you begs further examination, as this whole paragraph was removed from the Transportation Chapter:
“Development standards shall identify the method of LOS measurement and
implementation, and identification of the urban core, as well as the mitigation
plan and alternatives for transportation facility planning and development.
Development standards shall be identified to implement the urban core traffic
mitigation plan for appropriate sections of Yelm Avenue and Highway 507.”
I ask you these questions:
Where is the mitigation plan and alternatives required in this Comp. Plan?
Where is a requirement for a traffic impact analysis in review of development proposals?
Where is a definition of the term Urban Core?
How are you, I and the public supposed to know where the City defines and allows the LOS F area of the city’s Urban Core if the term is not defined?
What is the determination of LOS in the city?
What is the reason for LOS F if there is no mitigation plan?
Since the Comp. Plan says LOS D is improved with traffic mitigation such as Yelm’s much-heralded connector streets, then why does the city even have to use LOS F in their Comp. Plan at all?
WSDOT says the Bypass is unfunded at $56 million, an increase of $32 million over last year’s unfunded amount and will not begin construction until 2013, even if funded. Why do the Comp. Plan and STIP even include an unfunded Bypass?
Bottom line: Doesn’t this omission delete the City’s obligation to define terms and mitigation? The reinforcement of accountability is removed and now called a Strategy Corridor. City planning officials just get by year after year by using these terms and must think none of us will notice. Isn’t resting on the laurels of connector streets while the Mayor instructs the community to leave earlier disingenuous at best to our community and commuters, leaving Yelm Ave. a daily car-strangled spanner connecting a Super Wal-Mart with Tahoma Terra?
The Washington State Constitution states:
“SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the people,
and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,
and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.”
All of the public comments about traffic over the last 3 years have been begging city officials
to do something, while the City Council told the public as recently as Nov. 13 all is well with Yelm’s traffic,
with even one member having his vote on the Comp. Plan read aloud BEFORE the Public Hearing.
There is a huge disconnect out here. And anyone who questions city policies is a labeled a critic and cast aside as being anti-growth, quoting the Mayor in the Nov. 23 NVN. And, most of our City Council members
are the same people who earned the egregious 2006 Jefferson Muzzle Award for restricting the public from
using the word Wal-Mart in Council Chambers. So much for listening to your constituents!
In closing, the medical definition of cancer is “unrestrained, unmanaged, uncontrolled growth.”
Yelm is headed to be a dying town, choking on its own gridlock because of a lack of planning
and foresight into the future with the decisions made today. I humbly request your attention to
these grossly inadequate Comp. Plan Amendments. Your attention to our community’s number one
challenge is greatly appreciated.
Pierce County Logo
Fantasy Lights a’glowin’ in Spanaway Park
"Pierce County Parks and Recreation is pleased to present the 13th annual 'Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park' the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. The beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable lakeside tradition for the entire family," quoting Pierce County Parks & Recreation.
"Featuring more than 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights, the 2-1/4 mile route along the shores of Spanaway Lake has become a memorable holiday tradition for families in the Puget Sound area and other parts of Washington. New attractions include Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, Poinsettia Ave, Fantasy Cattle and Sant's Elf Town featuring the Train Station Spectacular.
"Fantasy Lights has developed into a signature event and has created many family traditions," said Recreation Supervisor Wendi Garrison. "Our staff takes pride in making this event something the community can enjoy year after year. It is a great feeling to know we are being appreciated for our efforts and, more importantly, that the public sees Fantasy Lights as an important community asset."
In 2005, the Washington Recreation and Parks Association presented Pierce County Parks and Recreation the Spotlight Events Program of Excellence Award as the top special event in the State of Washington for 2005.
One of the things that makes Fantasy Lights unique in the Northwest is the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds from the warmth and comfort of one's own vehicle. Visitors of all ages are treated to the magical world of animation and imagination where bears play the drums, Santa flies an airplane, a sea serpent breathes fire, Mount St. Helens erupts, Santa and Rudolf sail a tall ship, and reindeer leap over cars. Holiday music by local junior high schools, high schools, and others can be tuned into on the FM dial while admiring the lights," quoting Pierce County News.
Open daily, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., through Monday, December 31, the tour costs $13 per car and advance discount tickets can be purchased at Sprinkler Recreation Center. For more information, call (253) 798-3330.
Photo of Yelm Timberland Library courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography
ANNOUNCING A YELM TIMBERLAND LIBRARY SPECIAL EVENING
Our Past, Our Present: the History of Yelm
Date: Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Yelm Timberland Library
What are the origins of Yelm, and who are the people who have lived here? Ed Bergh, Yelm High School history teacher, will show slides and talk about how the community has evolved through time. Sponso...
Age(s): Adults, Teens middle & high school
Mr. Bergh has created on the internet THE YELM HISTORY PROJECT, "an on going attempt to collect and display Yelm’s history."
WON'T YOU JOIN MR. BERGH AT THE YELM LIBRARY THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING TO LEARN ABOUT YELM'S HISTORY?
CONGRATULATIONS TO YELM'S OWN J & I POWER EQUIPMENT!
"The fifth-annual Yard & Garden Dealers in Excellence Award winners were recently named at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville. Sponsored by Ariens, STIHL, EETC and GIE+EXPO, the awards recognize independent power equipment dealers who are successfully growing their businesses with professionalism and innovation.
This year's winners are:
- Dave's Small Engine Repair in Oxford, ME
- Clay's Power Equipment in Raleigh, NC
- J&I Power Equipment in Olympia and Yelm, WA
The third winner has been a finalist for this award twice before. Opening a second dealership that did over a million dollars in its first season has left no doubt this year – J&I Power Equipment in Olympia and Yelm, WA, is as good as they get. Like many outstanding dealers, J&I credits its experienced, dedicated staff for its success. As the employer, Randy and Lori Longnecker are always looking for new ways to train and motivate their people. They recently set up a training room which houses a computer, conference phone and plasma screen TV, so technicians and sales staff can receive on-site training at minimal expense to the dealership. The Longneckers also added a camera system and central server for both stores. Originally added for security reasons, Randy says the system also helps him manage the Yelm store from his main office in Olympia. These are just a couple examples of the countless innovative, cost-effective things the Longneckers have done over the years to keep their dealership one step ahead," quoting Yard & Garden.
TELL J & I YOU READ ABOUT THEIR AWARD ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG.
