This writer has received several emails that Yelm area folks are feeling the pinch and looking to change the way they live everyday life in order to save. Here are some great tips to help you through these times:

"10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas"
From TIME Magazine, here are 2 0f 10 effects on the Yelm area:
2. Sprawl Stalls
[Ed. Note: Mayor Harding's "planned growth" hopefully will stall, too!]

8. Less Traffic
"Travel on all roads dropped 2.1% in the first four months of 2008, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Wherever people can take public transit, they are doing so."
[Ed. Note: Regardless of the city's new side streets, overall traffic HAS dropped in Yelm from less road use.]

"How to Sell a House, When You Have to Sell It Now
Seven tips for homeowners who can't wait until the market turns around"
From the July 14th Wall Street Journal
And this:
"So you say you're selling your house?
Hey, it could be worse. You could be selling a Hummer."

"A Gourmet Family Meal for $10?"
From Time Magazine.

"All Eyes on Amtrak
Soaring gas prices and higher airfares are causing Americans to take a closer look at their rail system."
From Newsweek
Amtrak offer excellent service to Portland, Seattle, Eugene and Vancouver from Olympia.
I love riding Amtrak's Cascades.

"Pulling the Plug: Summer of '08 Sparks Creative Conservation
With Temperatures -- and Electric Bills -- High,
Families Face Meltdown; Bourbon Cubes
TIPS FOR STAYING COOL"
From the Wall Street Journal.

American's relook wind
"For 20 years, Southwest Windpower has been bringing low-cost, reliable wind energy to the world. As the world's largest producer of small wind generators, we've pioneered new technologies to make renewable energy simple," quoting Southwest Windpower.

Solar Power Workshop
with Brad Burkhartzmeyer
Saturday July 19 from 8 AM to 4 PM
Continental breakfast and lunch included
Develop a plan for your own system - Hands on Class practice in constructing a small model system

Where: Deschutes Grange, 16435 143rd Ave. SE on Vail Road just south of Rainier.
Cost: $40 pre-registration at Lemuria between now and July 18th. $45 at the door.
-Half the proceeds go to fund Brad's journeys around the globe-
Sponsored by the Yelm area's own Babes In Belts