September 2008 Archives

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

Incumbent area candidate for State Representative Tom Campbell has been endorsed by the Cascades Chapter of the Sierra Club who said:

"Representative Campbell, a Republican incumbent for many years in the 2nd Legislative District, has become a leader in promoting good environment and human health bills. He has the unique position, serving as a Minority Party member, as Chair of the Select Committee of Environmental Health in the Democrat-Majority House. This exemplifies the respect he has from the Majority Party and his bipartisan work to get good environmental legislation passed. He is also on the Transportation Committee working to solve a number of challenging transportation issues.

Over the last four years he has voted for bills for green buildings, septic systems clean-up, public transit, transportation, bio-fuels, and e-waste recycling. In the 2007– 2008 Session he was instrumental helping pass legislation on banning PBDEs and toxic toys. He supported numerous other environmental legislative priorities including global warming mitigation, support of local agriculture, and climate action/green jobs.

His website is http://www.tcampbell.com."

"Increased noise and more aircraft than usual will be part of a U.S. Army Rangers exercise starting Monday [Sept. 29] and going through Oct. 10.

Soldiers will use training ammunition to make the exercise as realistic as possible, a base news release says.

The increased air traffic will include low-flying aircraft - both helicopters and airplanes - at night.

The training is conducted periodically. The 75th Ranger Regiment is the Army's premier raid force. It must be ready to deploy worldwide on a moment's notice," quoting The Olympian.

"Water system concerns dismissed"
"Concerns expressed by Tahoma Terra developers about JZ Knight’s water system were reviewed and dismissed by the state Department of Health."

[ED. NOTE: This writer found the front page, sensational headlines in the Nisqually Valley News on August 15th about accusations made by Thurston Highlands/Tahoma Terra developers Steve Chamberlain & Doug Bloom concerning water rights on JZ Knight's property and Ramtha's School of Enlightenment (RSE) must be some journalistic attempt to sell newspapers. Seems like the modus-operandi at the NVN is to throw mud hoping it will stick and deal with the full story in-context later, once they do more homework. There was another front-page follow-up in the NVN on this issue on August 29th. Once an investigation was completed by the Washington State's Depts. of Ecology and Health, the results finding Ms. Knight's property in total compliance was in a small title in the lower left front-page of last Friday's newspaper, under another sensationalistic headline with accusations hurled against Ms. Knight by a former employee from 17 years ago, renowned city volunteer, Yelm Chamber of Commerce President-elect & Mayor-appointed citizen committee official Glen Cunningham. Where was the top front-page headline "Bloom & Chamberlain's concerns have no merit say 2 State agencies?"]

"Concerns expressed by Tahoma Terra developers about JZ Knight’s water system were reviewed and dismissed by the state Department of Health.

'Our staff had a meeting with them (Tahoma Terra’s Doug Bloom and Steve Chamberlain),' said Carolyn Cox, public information coordinator for the DOH. 'We were able to bridge some misunderstandings.'

In a letter dated Wednesday, Sept. 10, Bloom and Chamberlain alleged non-compliance by Knight’s Ramtha School of Enlightenment and asked the Department of Health to look into the school’s water system.

Bloom and Chamberlain claimed that Knight was overusing her water rights, violating a 100-foot setback of Thompson Creek and exceeding capacity.

Knight is fighting the approval of five developments in Yelm, including Tahoma Terra. Knight is arguing that the City of Yelm does not have enough water rights to accommodate the growth...

'The Department of Ecology’s Report of Examination regarding (Knight’s) water rights shows that each attendee would use an average of 35 gallons per day and each staff member would use 15,' Cox said...

'Ecology’s approval of that projected use is good through 2013, and they see no problem with (Knight’s) water rights.'...

'The Office of Drinking Water has looked into the developers’ concerns,' she said.

'From our perspective as the water system regulator, (Knight’s) water system is in good standing,' Cox said."

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave

Six months ago this week, the Yelm Timberland Library Advisory Board made their annual presentation to the Mayor & City Council saying the Library's 10 year lease is up in the current location in 2012 and the 10 year exemption granted by Timberland Regional library (TRL) to operate Yelm's Library in a non-public building expires then, too.
Further stated, "TRL would be hard pressed to grant Yelm another exemption to operate a library in a private facility, as the other 18 jurisdictions in the TRL five-county region are all required to be in public facilities. Some of these cities have expressed their concerns about the favoritism granted Yelm on this issue."

I wrote to TRL Manager of Administrative Services Michael Crose for an update, since there has been nothing announced to the public about Yelm's Library status after 2012. Here is his response approved for Yelm Community Blog readers:

"Good Morning Steve. I met with representatives from the City and Prairie Park Development [owners of the current library building] last month. We are considering several options including remaining in the current location for a couple more years. It was agreed that since the City and Timberland are in the middle of one of the most difficult budget cycles in recent memory we would postpone our next meeting until February. Although you may not recognize it, the Yelm library issue is second only to the issue of the District's [almost $2 million] ...million deficit in order of importance."

Covered here on July 1st was this NVN story:
"The Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees may go to the voters seeking a levy lid lift.

It’s either that or face cutting services, according to Timberland officials."

And this story in The Olympian:
"Timberland Regional Library, which operates libraries in five southwest Washington counties, is in a tough financial spot — a $1.9 million budget shortfall by year's end.

The library system, which includes libraries in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm, has two equally unappealing choices: raise taxes or cut staff, reduce hours of operations and scale back the book-buying budget.

The ensuing debate will be a referendum on the value people place in library services."

[Ed. Note: So the deficit will give TRL an out with other TRL Libraries for Yelm's Library to remain in a non-public facility for awhile longer. However, at some point TRL & Yelm are going to have to grapple with the situation of a more permanent future for a Yelm facility. When the agreement was penned in 2001 for the Library to move to Prairie Park for 10 years, work should have started then on the library's future facility. TRL's approved statement in the Library Board presentation last March said that a facility was Yelm's responsibility. Little to nothing was done since 2001 on a permanent facility, hence the current situation we library property tax payers find ourselves.]

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES BEING USED TO PAY RENT FOR A LIBRARY IN A PRIVATE COMPANY'S BUILDING AND NOT A PUBLIC STRUCTURE?

NATIONAL ALPACA FARM DAY TODAY

"We are excited to present National Alpaca Farm Day, September 27-28, 2008."

Disappearing Creek Alpaca Ranch
4315 424th St.
Eatonville
10a.m. - 3p.m.

Majestic Farm
38209 62nd Ave. Ct. E.
Eatonville
10a.m. - 3p.m.

Alpacas of America
16641 Old Highway 99 SE
Tenino
11a.m. - 3p.m.

This letter was sent to Mayor Harding and the Yelm City Council on September 22nd in reference to the Mayor's Column in the Nisqually Valley News:

"Please read this letter in the next meeting, which I believe is tomorrow night [Yelm City Council meeting on Sept. 23rd]

You [Mayor Harding] are supposed to be a person who is open minded and not mired in negativity. Writing in your column that people are a "vocal minority" and "negative viewed" is extremely offensive and smacks of you drawing a division of people that are not "like minded".

Your personal name calling and assassinations of people that may not agree with you or your decisions is pitiful.

It is not leadership at its best, its nothing but negativity. You spewed out your personal opinions & that is not what I think a person of responsibility is about. You are misusing your column and I hope not your office to negate your constituency.

Some of these people are some of the same people that helped put you in office.

I would like to know also why doesn't anyone in that same constituency know that 2 of the people on the Yelm City Planning [Commission] had a working relationship with that developer [Tahoma Terra & Thurston Highlands] and that they were listing agents [real estate] for him. And, evidently the rest of the community was not informed.

I would like to know what is your opinion of "undue influence"?

And also conflict of interest?

I ask this question because I feel like people who rub elbows constantly with each other can't distance themselves from decision making, altruistically.

I am very suspect of the arrangement of Yelm city planning [Commission] officials being on the commission that have had a past working relationship with this developer. Representing the developer of Tahoma Terra [and Thurston Highlands] in past times should not have been kept a secret. It should of been brought out into the open of this community so we could have discussed this issue and understood more fully "that relationship".

People who have had longstanding relationships with the City of Yelm certainly have influence with decision making processes.

Just so you understand, your column was very offensive and short sighted. Everyone has their own belief system; you have yours, I have mine. But the bottom line is about your attitude; it's like there are us...and then there is them...which reflects on your ability to lead this community in a non-threatening and intelligent manner.

Since I feel you have maligned the non-like-minded people that you represent in this community, it's too bad; it just makes suspect the things that you do and represent.

I shall have people in the audience [Yelm City Council] that will let me know if you did in fact read this letter at the next city meeting. Personally, I do not feel you represent most of our interests.
This development will threaten this environment and put undue burdens on city services.....

Cindy Anderson

[Ed. Note: Cindy Teixeira, Community and Government Relations Coordinator for the City of Yelm responded to Ms. Anderson saying, "I received both your emails regarding the Mayor’s column and will provide a copy of the letter to the City Clerk for proper disbursement to the City Council members." Mrs. Teixeira copied the Mayor on Ms. Anderson's email.]

This writer checked the real estate records and found Ms. Anderson's assertions to be true:
Yelm Planning Commissioners Graver & Kaminski purchased property from Steve Chamberlain, president of SCA Consulting, co-developer of Thurston Highlands & Tahoma Terra.

Is there a conflict of interest?
Should Commissioners Graver & Kaminski have recused themselves from any discussion involving Thurston Highlands & Tahoma Terra?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

Dear Community,

We are happy to announce that we are finally joining forces with the Survival Center and putting together a gathering for Building Community by helping each other to Map our Neighborhoods. We also would like to discuss important options for communication to each satellite community by using Shortwave/Hamm Radios, CB’s, etc.

Please kindly mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27th from 4-6pm at the Survival Center. Please let us know Right Away if you can attend and if you have Shortwave/Ham Radios, CB’s, etc.

We are personally creating a community in our area by Mapping our Neighborhood and Gathering Skills & Important Information from each household like who knows First Aid, CPR, Medical Skills, Animal Husbandry, Construction/Building, Gardening, etc… Also, who has a Shortwave/Ham Radio, Generator or Energy System to be a Base for Communication. We are setting this up now, so that in potential critical times we can all work together to support our neighbors, help each other and know who is in reach of us in a few mile radius...

Kindly spread the word and help us to build our local community into an even stronger force.

Thanks so much.

Warm Regards,

Liza Bennett
EarthWave Living, LLC
liza@earthwaveliving.com
888-589-WAVE

Ride the Wave to Self Sufficient Living...

Here are some very informative links for creating Local Community, Radio Communication and First Aid/CPR Classes:

Taking Care of your Local Community within 1 mile of your home:

Map your Neighborhood: http://www.emd.wa.gov/myn/index.shtml

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

For Shortwave/Ham Radios, CB’s:

Olympia Amateur Radio Society: http://www.olyham.org/

National Association for Amateur Radio: http://www.arrl.org/

Thurston County Amateur Radio Emergency Services: http://www.wwa-district3-ares.org/thurston_county/

First Aid/CPR Classes:

Olympia 1-Day First Aid/CPR Classes: https://www.rainier-redcross.org/classes/classlist.aspx?courseid=HSSFA404

Rainier 3 Hour First Aid/CPR Classes: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/medic1/M1_class.htm

Don't Be Caught in the Dark!

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Saturday, Sept. 27 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

St. Martin's University

Worthington Center & Marcus Pavilion

5300 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey

Sponsored by:
The Emergency Management Council of Thurston County
St. Martin's University
The Olympian
Qwest Communications
Lowe's Home Improvement Centers
American Preparedness

Nisqually Watershed Festival
Saturday, Sep 27 10:00a to 4:00p
at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, WA

Enjoy good music, food, guided walks, educational displays and more.
Phone: (360) 753-9467

Click here for the Nisqually Watershed Festival Main Stage Schedule;
"There will also be great exhibits and children's activities including a marine touch tank, the Red Salmon Tent, tours, lectures, and of course the Nisqually Salmon Bake!"

Sponsored by The Nisqually River Council, who implements the Nisqually River Management Plan "which includes representation of certain non-governmental river interests.

The Nisqually River Council is a coordination, advocacy and educational organization with no independent authority. The Council seeks to integrate the history, culture, environment and economy of the watershed," quoting their site.

Yelm Community Schools Superintendent Alan Burke

YELM BLOG READERS KNEW OF YELM SCHOOLS EXPANSION PLANS MONTHS AGO!

The Nisqually Valley News reported on September 12th:
"Yelm Community Schools has a plan to deal with a continuing population boom.

Approximately 90 more students than last September enrolled in school this year.

More accurate population counts are taken in October, when movement of students has steadied.

Last October, the district counted 5,345 students. Counts this month show the district has 5,386, but that number seems to be increasing.

Schools Superintendent Alan Burke estimates the school district will need to expand facilities in 2012.

The high school can be added to on the east side of the campus, where portables currently sit. Those portables could be moved to elementary schools or middle schools, and a few elementary schools would be renovated.

Lackamas and Southworth elementaries are the two schools in greatest need of repair or restructuring, Burke said.

Burke speculated that an additional elementary school may need to be built...

The school experiencing the most rapid growth is Southworth, with an estimated population increase of about 50 students this year.

The growth is apparently related to the availability of new, affordable housing in the Tahoma Terra development Burke said...

Cadero [Southworth Principal Lisa Cadero] agrees that Tahoma Terra is probably the biggest reason for the population increase.

One day, she said, the Tahoma Terra school bus was too full. An additional trip had to be made to get all of the students home...

One teacher teaches two grades with the help of a part-time teaching assistant."

The Mayor's growth initiatives & the City of Yelm's "planned growth" are now displaying havoc created with school bus overcrowding, teachers teaching two classes and strained facilities?
Planning? Applications for building 1,800 homes the last 3-5 years + accepting an application on another 5,000 homes in a city of 5,000 people is planned growth?
Area property owners should expect more requests for taxes to build more facilities in the next couple of years, on top of levies!

Schools Superintendent Burke mentioned a targeted 2012 expansion date when he penned this story for Yelm Community Blog readers in March of this year.

Happy Autumnal Equinox, 8:39am today in Yelm!

THE OLYMPIAN REPORTS THIS ABOUT THURSTON COUNTY

"As many as 17 social-service agencies could face layoffs or other cuts if budget-strapped Thurston County stops contributing to the Human Services Review Council, agency leaders said.

'It would be catastrophic,' said Charles Shelan, executive director of Olympia-based Community Youth Services, speculating that the county's pullout could lead to state or federal matching funds drying up as well. 'It's affecting the most vulnerable people in the community.'

The review council, a coalition of area governments that awards grants of between $12,000 and $50,000 to individual nonprofit human-service agencies, distributed $416,000 this year to the 17 organizations. Of that amount, the county contributed $112,000, about 27 percent of the review council's budget.

The county is under pressure to reduce its 2009 general-fund spending plan by $4 million from this year's $79 million."

NVN: "CITY OF ROY 'BROKE'"

"Former clerk-treasurer Betty Garrison berated the Roy City Council Monday [Sept. 8] and accused them of misappropriating funds.

'The City of Roy has serious cash flow issues,' Garrison told council.

'The city is basically broke.'

Mayor Natalie Banks had asked Garrison to review the city’s budget and offer advice," quoting the NVN.

"NVN: "Roy mayor knew report was coming"
"Former employees and at least one past mayor say former clerk-treasurer Betty Garrison did the right thing in confronting the Roy City Council about its financial meltdown."

THE MICROCOSM OF THE MACROCOSM GOING ON RIGHT HERE IN THE NISQUALLY VALLEY!

AS ONE BLOG READER ASKED THIS WEEK AFTER THE NVN STORY WAS PUBLISHED ABOUT ROY GOING BROKE:
"Maybe we need an audit as well before this happens to us [Yelm]!

HMMM!

Maybe! Just maybe... however only IF the citizens stand-up and demand an audit!
No likely though.

Or, will Yelm residents continue to be told and not question that everything is just fine & wake up one day to find they are not, i.e. Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, AIG Insurance, Lehman Bros, Merrill Lynch!

"On YouTube you can see the rockets that might be headed to Fort Lewis. They're known as "HIMARS" - short for "high mobility artillery rocket system." En route to enemy targets, they break the sound barrier...

Loud weapon exercises are nothing new for Fort Lewis' neighbors...

Fort Lewis commanders say they want to be good neighbors. If the tests start next year, they would happen only during daylight hours and at most spread out over four weeks throughout the year.

Officials at Fort Lewis declined our request for an on-camera interview.

A base spokesman said the program is anything but a "done deal" and the fort wants to hear from and work with any neighbors concerned about it.

The U.S. Army is taking public input on the proposal for the next two weeks.

Comments can be mailed to Army Public Works at IMWE-LAW-PWE MS17 Attn: Mr. Van Hoesen, P.O. Box 339500, Fort Lewis, WA 98433-9500 or by sending an e-mail to bill.vanhoesen@us.army.mil, " quoting KING-5 TV News in Seattle.
[Ed. Note: Click on the video in this story!]

To all Yelm, McKenna, Roy & Nisqually Reservation neighbors to Ft. Lewis, please send your comments to:

Army Public Works at IMWE-LAW-PWE MS17
Attn: Mr. Van Hoesen
P.O. Box 339500
Fort Lewis, WA 98433-9500
or by sending an e-mail to bill.vanhoesen@us.army.mil

The Army Times report on this story.

More Ft. Lewis trees in our area to be harvested? From the Seattle Times.

The Olympian story includes decibel levels for our area!

"The sun shined brightly throughout the day as residents flocked to the first-ever McKenna Fest.

People visited booths selling a variety of items including food, decorations and crafts.

Roger Smith, event organizer and general manager for Baydo Chevrolet, said McKenna Fest was a way to thank customers and introduce themselves to new ones.

Local businesses in McKenna offered various deals...

The sun shined brightly throughout the day as residents flocked to the first-ever McKenna Fest.

People visited booths selling a variety of items including food, decorations and crafts.

Roger Smith, event organizer and general manager for Baydo Chevrolet, said McKenna Fest was a way to thank customers and introduce themselves to new ones.

Local businesses in McKenna offered various deals...

McKenna Fest was sponsored by businesses in the McKenna Y area.

Smith said the event was sucha success , they plan to make it an annual or even bi-annual event," quoting the NVN.

Recycling and Disposal

Community Recycle Days

Thurston County's Community Recycle Days offer an easy way to recycle a variety of household items at reduced rates.

The next 2008 Community Recycle Days will be held on the following days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

- Saturday, Sept. 20 at the South Sound Speedway between Tenino and Rochester

- Saturday, Sept 27 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds on Carpenter Road

Please fill out this form and bring it with you to Community Recycle Days (PDF).

Items Accepted at Recycle Days

Tires -- passenger vehicles, without rim, $2 each

Tires -- passenger vehicles, with rim, $3 each

Tires -- tractor size (prices for larger tires will be determined on-site by the vendor), $10 each

Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners (max. 4 per vehicle), $15 each

Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water tanks, microwaves (NO dishwashers accepted), $5 each

Televisions, computer monitors, laptops, $15 each

CPUs, fax machines, printers, scanners, copiers (under 50 lbs), $5 each

CD & DVD players, VCRs, stereo systems, radios, speakers, $2 each

Keyboards, computer mice, all types of phones, printed circuit boards, FREE

Power tools, push or riding lawn mowers, bicycles, small gas motors
(including chain saw, weed trimmer, outboard boat motor), FREE

Goodwill donations
(small furniture, clothes, working small kitchen appliances, kitchenware), FREE

Scrap metal (including de-valved propane tanks), FREE

Flower pots (2 gallon or larger, clean and unbroken), FREE

Questions: Call 357-2491 or e-mail wwm-webmaster@co.thurston.wa.us.
Last updated: 08/03/2008

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/wwm/Recycling_and_Disposal/Recycle/Recycle%20Days/Recycle%20Days.htm

Westminster Chamber Music Series
Who: The Olympia Chamber Orchestra presents

What: Westminster Chamber Music Series;
“Three Sundays at Three”, an assortment of solos, duets, trios, quartets and ensembles from Bach to Joplin.

When: September 21, February 1, and March 29

Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church

1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia WA

Cost: Free, donations are appreciated.

Contact:www.olympiachamberorchestra.org

JZ Knight
File Photo

Whitewind Weaver
Photo from Ms. Weaver's MySpace page

"Ex-student violated contract with JZ Knight, jury decides"

"A Thurston County jury ruled Monday [September 15] that Rainier spiritual teacher Whitewind Weaver borrowed techniques from the Ramtha School of Enlightenment in Yelm and taught them as her own, violating a school registration certificate that limits the teachings to students' personal use.

The jury, deliberating less than two hours on the fifth day of a civil trial on the breach-of-contract claim, awarded $10,388 in damages to Ramtha school founder JZ Knight and her company JZK Inc.

That was the amount of revenue Art of Life Coaching Inc., the company founded by Weaver, received from an August 2006 seminar where the contract violations occurred.

'We asked for $10,388 and a verification that the defendant broke a contract, and we received both, so I'm well-satisfied,' said Tacoma attorney Rick Creatura, representing JZK Inc.

In closing arguments, Creatura asked the jury to set aside personal skepticism about Knight or her claim to channel Ramtha, a 35,000-year-old male warrior spirit, and to decide the case solely on legal issues.

'I want you to wipe the horns off their (Knight and school associates') heads — these are real people, intelligent people,' he said. 'Their beliefs may be different than yours, but they're still entitled to protection.'

Weaver, calm and composed after the jury's announcement at the Thurston County courthouse, said she was satisfied that she and her colleagues stood up for what they believed was right...

Knight, contacted later, said the case was "highly important" because "we had to set a precedent" that the school's teachings were protected...

"Many people have been granted permission to use the work," Knight said, "but the problem was they (Weaver and associates) never asked — they just used," quoting The Olympian.

From the NVN:
"Knight prevails in suit against Weaver"

Marcy Deutsch,
of Critters on Things.com

One of the delights that this writer and his wife experienced at last week's 1st annual McKenna Fest were the local community crafts makers, some of whom we met and discovered for the very first time. One of the highlights of our day was our encounter with Marcy Deutsch and her booth manager mother, Robin.

"Marcy Deutsch is a 25 year old autistic artist who considers Yelm, Washington her home. At 5, Marcy was first diagnosed with moderate high functioning autism and given a bleak outlook by the doctors. Despite all the odds piled against her, she graduated Pierce College in Lakewood, Washington with a 3.7 grade point average. She also learned to fly planes, even though she won’t drive a car.

It is through her art that she has learned to connect more to the world around her. Marcy’s style is unique and many feel that her exquisite artwork captures the very soul of the animals she draws.

She was the winner of the 2008 Yelm Arts Walk poster contest. She has also participated in the Olympia Arts Walk, where her incredible art received the praise of all who saw it...

What is incredible is that as a young child, Marcy rarely drew, and only if she had to. It was only when a school project required all the kids to draw their favorite pet or animal that Marcy drew Tiny, her green-winged macaw. It was then that everyone realized what an incredible talent she had. Teachers in awe were amazed at her artistic rendition of the bird and contacted Marcy’s parents to let them know about this savant like talent. Immediately, Marcy started taking private art lessons, honing her talents. Marcy is skilled in many different medium, including color pencils, oils, pastels, and watercolors.

Marcy’s artistic journey is an inspiring one and gives hope to parents of other autistic children," quoting Marcy's website, Critters on Things.

Marcy's mother Robin is "the author of The Healthy Bird Cookbook and/Click That Does The Trick, and has over 28 years of experience with Parrots."

TELL ROBIN AND MARCY YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDERS!

"Whether for play or for display,
a fairy house is ideal for all your fairy fun! Create fairy gardens, or magical fairy displays with Fairy Shack's original rustic fairy dwellings. These fairy homes are hand crafted by fairy artisans in the mossy Pacific Northwest. Each Fairy Masterpiece is a one of a kind Fairy Shack original. These houses are scaled minature houses crafted out of weather resistant cedar and quarried stone. Please contact us if you have a custom fairy house idea or if you have any questions about our fairy homes," quoting Fairy Shack.

"Our goal is to add joy and a touch of magic to our products to inspire people to contemplate the unknown and bring beauty into their homes!" quoting Jude and Diana of Fairy Shack.

This writer and his wife saw these magical creations at their booth at McKenna fest last week.

See Fairy Shack's creations at their next booth:
Yelm Eagles Annual Holiday Craft and Bake Sale
11609 Koeppen Rd SE
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-4144.
It starts at 9 and goes to 5.
Saturday Oct. 25

TELL FAIRY SHACK YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

The Pierce County Business Examiner reported in the September 1st edition,

"South Sound hotel plans move forward as tourism grows"

"Growing tourism interest in Thurston County has encouraged Best Western to submit a proposal for a new hotel in Lacey. If built, the project would be the international hotelier’s second in Lacey, and would comprise 85 rooms and 51,800 square feet of space.

City documents indicate Olympia developers Sang Jae and Keum Woo purchased the site at 8316 Quinalt Drive N.E. in Hawks Prarie for $1.67 million.

The proposed hotel addition in Lacey would add to an already healthy inventory, said Mike Dexter, executive director of the Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Occupancy rates in the three capitol-area cities reported well in 2007, with Tumwater showing what Dexter described as “astronomical” rates. With some hotel occupancy rates reaching 90 percent and growing tourism opportunities, additional beds will be appreciated. In Lacey, a new regional athletic center, currently under construction, will likely create greater need for hotel rooms.

Combined with new retail arrivals such as sportsman’s mega-store Cabela’s, Lacey and surrounding cities will need more rooms for customers coming to the area to shop and take advantage of nearby outdoor recreation opportunities.

'I think this comes at a good time,' said Dexter.

He also mentioned that other hoteliers have been kicking dirt in Lacey and surrounding cities, and that Best Western might not be the only one with sights set on the area. A 107-room Marriott inn, for example, has reportedly been proposed to be built in Hawks Prarie by California-based developers Hall Equities Group."

And this from Hall Equities Group:
"Hall Equities Group is pleased to announce that it has received final approval from the City of Lacey for its Lacey Town Center project.

Located in Lacey WA adjacent the State Capital city of Olympia WA. Lacey Town Center is located on a 10 acre site at the northwest intersection of Main street and Marvin road, one block off the Marvin road / Interstate 5 intersection. Lacey Town Center will consist of a new 107 room Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites which will be surrounded by some 63,000 square feet of retail shops, a Bank pad, and several sit down restaurants. Lacey Town Center is adjacent to the new 220 acre Lacey Gateway project, which is anchored by a new 165,000 sq ft Cabela’s store, which opened in November 2007. Principals of Hall Equities Group acquired the three parcel site in a series of transactions over the last few years."

Yelm's Prairie Hotel is currently underway building a 44-room new addition to their current 23 rooms, as well.

Thurston County's WasteMobile

The Thurston County WasteMobile offers a convenient way to dispose of household toxic products without having to drive to HazoHouse on Hogum Bay Road. The WasteMobile is a traveling collection station where residents can dispose of household poisonous products free-of-charge.

The next 2008 WasteMobile events will be held on the following days:

Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rochester Middle School
9937 Highway 12 S.W.

Sunday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Silver Springs Organics
13835 Military Road S.E.

Items Accepted at the WasteMobile

Please bring waste in five-gallon containers or smaller. The following items will be accepted (no business-generated wastes, please):

* Auto products (motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, car batteries, brake fluid)
* Oil-based and latex paints
* Thinners and solvents
* Pesticides and herbicides
* Glues and adhesives
* Any type of battery (also visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation for a list of local sites that accept rechargeable batteries)
* Cleaning supplies
* Pool and hobby chemicals
* Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes
* Contaminated kerosene and gasoline.

Items Not Accepted at the WasteMobile

* Medical wastes
* Explosives
* Ammunition or flares
* Propane tanks (take these to HazoHouse or Community Recycle Days)
* Empty or leaking containers
* Garbage
* Business-generated wastes. (For information about business-generated wastes, please call (360) 786-5457.)
* Smoke detectors
* Fire extinguishers
* Computers, monitors, TVs and electronics (take these items to Community Recycle Days)
* Household appliances (take appliances to Community Recycle Days)
* Yard waste
* Radioactive materials

Please Transport Materials Safely

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"Yelm’s Patriot Day to honor American heroes
A scaled-back Yelm Patriot Day will feature a parade and flag pole ceremony this year."

"A scaled-back Yelm Patriot Day will feature a parade and flag pole ceremony this year.

No booths and no blow up toys.

Patriot Day is Saturday, Sept. 13...

A parade will start at 10 a.m. at Yelm Cinemas and travel up Yelm Avenue where it will end near Yelm City Park.

This year’s grand marshals feature a variety of military, fire and police personnel.

The grand marshals are Specialist Elizabeth Barker, winner of the United States Army Special Forces Command Soldier of the Year, Izzy Hay from the American Legion, Donald Barnard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Kathleen Devin from Southeast Thurston Fire and EMS.

Yelm Police Department will also be honored with six employees as grand marshals...

Directly after the parade will be the flag pole ceremony, which features a bugler and ceremonial gunfire," quoting the NVN.

Yelm recorded a record low the morning of Wednesday, September 10th of 42 degrees.

This is the 2nd record this month, the other being a tie on September 2nd of 42 degrees/a> with the all-time record low for that date.

FROM THE FOLKS AT THE YELM ANIMAL ALLIANCE:

"Hello all,

I am writing in regards to your concern for the well-being and happiness of dogs and cats everywhere and your interest in in the Yelm Animal Alliance (YAA) and how you can help.

We are in need of volunteers, especially foster parents, who can look after a dog or cat for a couple days to a week or two. If you have room in your heart and home, we would really appreciate your help. So we can compile a list of potential foster parents, please send us an email with your name and phone number so that we can put you on the list.

Fostering a pet basically consists of the normal care-taking of any other pet: love, shelter, food, water, exercise. Medical care, if needed, will most likely be covered by the YAA, and food would also be donated. Please help if you can.

If you cannot foster, there are other ways that you can help if you wish, just let us know what you would be willing to do for the group and the animals.

Dates to Remember:

Please feel free to attend the Yelm Animal Alliance meetings at Liquid Soul Cafe in McKenna, every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, at 6 pm. We welcome any suggestions you may have. Our next meeting is TONIGHT, September 10 at 6 pm...

A couple weeks ago, we held a Doggie Wash and it was a tremendous success, we plan to have another one on Saturday, September 13, if you can help with this, it would be great as well!

As you can see, there are many ways in which you can help, the smallest help is a blessing, together we can make a happy difference for our pet friends! But especially at this time, we really need foster families, it is a truly rewarding experience and a great way to help dogs who without you, would not get a second chance. We need you. They need you.

Thank you again for your concern for animals and your interest in the Yelm Animal Alliance!"

The Yelm Animal Alliance Annual Fall Dog Wash

Saturday, September 13th
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

At Yelm Veterinary Hospital
1120 W. Yelm Avenue
Yelm, WA

The Yelm Animal Alliance placed all of the dogs in homes at the 1st annual McKenna Fest last Saturday.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by a very busy booth!

TELL THE YELM ANIMAL ALLIANCE YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Gordon's Garden Center's Kellie Petersen in the Patio Shop

This writer has received a few questions about what is happening at Yelm's own Gordon's Garden Center, so my wife & I set up an appointment and went in to speak with owner Kellie Petersen.

Ms. Petersen reports:

1. we are here for the long run
2. we are closed on Monday's effective in August as the season winds down - the slowest day of our week.
3. the parking lot property was sold last year and all is being consolidated to vacate that for the new owner
4. next Spring, the concrete parking lot in the patio shop will be the main entrance.

Gordon's consolidation is progressing to make the store a specialized boutique. With very challenging Spring weather, loss of traffic from out-of-area shoppers because of the high gas prices and Yelm's notorious traffic that makes customers think twice about coming to this town, Ms. Petersen said she has noticed a tremendous effect this year on her business.

Under such circumstances, a business-owner must change with current issues that effect customers' buying habits. Gordon's is meeting that challenge by specializing in what they do best:
- offer quality in selection and
- the best in customer service.

As Ms. Petersen pointed out, her trees are grown in fields and then wrapped in burlap, which is a higher quality product that grows larger and therefore is higher in price than what you will see at a big-box store. However, one cannot compare this type of product with others of lesser quality.

YES! Gordon's is open and ready to serve during the consolidation!

STOP IN AT GORDON'S GARDEN CENTER AND TELL THEM YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

UPDATE: The NVN had a front-page story on Gordon's in their September 19th edition.

"Comments taken on county plan
Thurston County residents are invited to have their say in updating the county’s Hazardous Waste Plan.

The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department’s Environmental Health Division is updating the local plan.

The Washington Waste Management Act requires counties to have plans for managing hazardous materials produced by households and small businesses.

The last “Hazardous Waste Plan for Thurston County” was adopted in 1998, and is in need of revision.

To assist the county in this process, a stakeholder group is meeting monthly.
If you are interested in participating in this group as a citizen representative, or if you would like more information, call 360-754-4111 or visit CLICK HERE

Residents may also visit the Web site to submit comments and questions," quoting the NVN.

JZ Knight
File Photo

Whitewind Weaver
Photo from her MySpace page

"Attorneys for Thurston County spiritual-growth leaders JZ Knight and Whitewind Weaver will square off starting Monday in a four-day civil jury trial.

Jury selection begins at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor.

Knight, founder of Ramtha School of Enlightenment in Yelm, alleges breach of contract in connection with an August 2006 seminar in Rainier taught by Weaver.

Knight's attorneys say that Weaver, founder of the Lacey-based growth-mastery company Art of Life Coaching, signed a "certificate of participation" when she took classes at the Ramtha school. The certificate, according to the attorneys, says the school's teachings are only for the personal use of students and not for commercial enterprises.

Weaver disputes the claim, saying that her seminar focused on principles she developed independently and has been teaching for years. Weaver's attorneys said at a hearing in March that some phrases under contention — such as "So Be That!" for example — were part of the public domain and were not exclusive to Knight, a self-proclaimed channeler of the ancient male spirit warrior Ramtha.

Tacoma attorney Rick Creatura, representing Knight, disagreed.

'We are confident we will be able to prove that they've used the information and techniques of the school, in violation of the contract,' said Creatura of the law firm Gordon Thomas Honeywell Malanca Peterson and Daheim. He has contended that the legal action is necessary to preserve the purity of the school's teachings for future students.

Costly case

Seattle attorney Paul Swanson, who has represented Weaver in the two-year-old dispute, said Knight's legal action in asking for a jury trial was 'extraordinarily expensive for a case that just involves a seminar that produced about $10,000 in revenue,' he said.

'I think they're trying to use this case to prevent anyone from doing anything in the Yelm area,' added Swanson of the law firm Lane Powell Spears Lubersky.

Swanson's colleague at the firm, attorney David Spellman, will represent Weaver at trial instead of Swanson. Swanson declined to elaborate on the reasons for the change, except to say that Spellman would appear at the trial on a pro bono basis. Spellman could not be reached for contact Tuesday [prior to the Sept. 3rd publication date of this story]," quoting The Olympian.

UPDATE:
From the daily Olympian September 9th:
"Court fight starts over rival spiritual teachings"

September 10th:
"Knight defends lawsuit against spiritual guide"
&
also from September 10th:
"Attorney grills Knight about ex-student"
[Ed. Note: This writer & his wife were in the courtroom and found interesting that Ms. Brenner failed to mention the testimony of a damaging witness against Ms. Weaver and the very-poised cross-examination of Ms. Knight's Seattle-based intellectual property rights attorney in support of RSE's Conditions of Participation form as a seminar industry standard. Putting aside all of the questions about Ramtha and Ms. Knight's relationship with him, this case is about preserving the teachings of Ramtha and the facts were well-presented that those teachings are the intellectual property of Ms. Knight, and she has every right to protect them through the form. The other witness presented a timeline of Ms. Weaver's integration of Ramtha's teachings into her curriculum. Those two witnesses went right to the trial's core, without a mention in The Olympian!]

September 11th:
"Testimony: Rival hurt business
Knight-Weaver trial"

September 12:
"Tearful testimony wraps up
Knight-Weaver trial"

September 15:
"Ramtha's JZ Knight wins civil lawsuit"

Cambodian Cultural Celebration comes to Millersylvania State Park

"The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to a Cambodian Cultural Celebration at Millersylvania State Park in Olympia.

The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7
at the Millersylvania State Park Environmental Learning Center,
12245 Tilley Road South,
off I-5 Maytown (Exit 95).

The festival will feature a unique selection of traditional and contemporary Cambodian music and art forms performed by South Puget Sound region's Cambodian community.
Artists and performances include:
Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance of Tacoma performing classical and traditional dances;
the United Southeast Asia Cultural Association demonstrating the martial arts of Muay Thai,
kick boxing and Taekwondo;
and the Wat Prachum Rainsey Buddhist Association performing Chai Yam (traditional Cambodian drumming).

The Cambodian Cultural Celebration offers something for the whole family including, hands-on Cambodian crafts instruction for kids, a look at Cambodian history, artifacts, fashion show of Cambodian traditional costume and a taste of Cambodian food. Vendor booths will feature Cambodian arts and crafts. The event also will include a documentary exhibit about the Killing Fields.

The Cambodian Cultural Celebration is presented by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program, Wat Prachum Rainsey Buddhist Association and Northwest Heritage Resources.

The celebration is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures. The Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program is a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Arts Commission. Additional funding support for the series is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington State Arts Commission and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required in order to attend, please call (360) 753-1519, (360) 902-8526 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Request must be made in advance.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of more than 121 parks and several recreation programs, including trails, boating safety, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The 95-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013."

The Nisqually Valley News reports in their September 5th edition that they asked Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck about Yelm Planning Commission Chair Carlos Perez's letter to Mr. Beck
about the Thurston Highlands Draft EIS not being in compliance with the WAC. Mr. Perez's letter was printed in the Yelm Community Blog September 2nd.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MR. PEREZ'S UNABRIDGED LETTER

Quoting the NVN:
Perez said, "'By those rules [State of Washington's Administrative Code, WAC] the Thurston Highlands DEIS is not in compliance."
"Beck said he would not go into details now why the draft is in compliance, but it will be addressed in the final EIS.
Currently, Beck and city employees are working to answer and address all of the questions and concerns raised during the 45-day comment period.
Many of those comments were related to the size of the document.
Some comments called for the document to be thrown out and redone.
Those responses will be included in the final EIS.
Beck estimates the final EIS for Thurston Highlands will be completed in two weeks.
While he would not comment on Perez's letter, Beck said that it will be filed with the final EIS.
Perez's comments, however, will not be addressed in the final document.
An EIS is a decision-making document, which will be used by council to help them decide if the Thurston Highlands is a project they would like to appeal."

[Ed. Note: Mr. Beck essentially blew off and relegated aside the city's own Planning Commission Chair. And, for the final EIS for a project of this size to be completed in two weeks means that Mr. Beck will do little or nothing from the Draft EIS to change the final version. So, the public will be "blown off" just like Mr. Perez, and the City Council will rubber-stamp this just like they do everything else, with little or no debate. Most of the City Council members probably did not even read the Draft EIS or the comments due to its size & complexity and won't read the final version, either. If they did read the DEIS, did they understand what they read and if not, get information to make an informed decision? Their questions to staff indicate they do little reading to gain an understanding of Staff documents.
Hence, this is a Slam-dunk!

I only hope Mr. Perez finally sees what so many have been telling him about this city official's disregard for the public.]

"Hello Everybody

Honeybees are disappearing all over the world and yes, we can do something about it!
Is it worth the effort? Yes, it is. Keeping, caring, or supporting honeybees (and other pollinators) is a service to the community, because pollination is essential not only for our food production but also for wildlife.

A great informational evening about the honeybee will take place
Friday, September 5th
in Gordon's Grange
at 7-9 pm (cost $10 for adults, kids free).

You will learn about the biology and life cycle of this fascinating creature and how it benefits us with all its activities and products. After this evening you will know how you can contribute to the return of the honeybees.

A great opportunity to explore one of the mysteries in Nature....

See you all there!

Thomas Mani, Beekeeper in Yelm

P.S. We will sell our own honey and bee pollen, produced locally in the unpolluted Bald Hills."

HEAR MR. MANI'S INTERVIEW ON BEYOND THE
ORDINARY INTERNET RADIO LAST MONTH.

MR. MANI'S LOCAL BUSINESS IS TREE-OF-LIFE ENTERPRISES.

The September 5th edition of the NVN out today published this story:
"Bee Man
Deep in the wilderness of Bald Hills lives a man among bees. The beekeeper of Yelm, Thomas Mani, maintains 15 hives with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 bees per hive."

McKenna Fest

"I wanted to let you know of a festival on September 6th. from noon to evening hours. It is the first annual McKenna Fest.
The local vendors in my strip and Baydos will sponsor the event. Brochures are in print. We wanted to let the community know that we exist and to also thank those who have become customers.

We will have various vendors including bands, beer and wine garden, monster trucks, dancers and kids activates. Key bank may also kick in some funding. I was hoping that you may want to post some of this info.

We are still looking for a few vendors if they would like to contact us, it is free to them this year. We hope to do this each summer."

Thank you,
Barbara Salinas
Liquid Soul Cafe
McKenna

See the September 5th NVN story: CLICK HERE

Yelm tied an all-time record low for September 2nd yesterday.

Ed. Note: Yelm Planning Commission Chair Carlos Perez emailed Community Development Director Grant Beck about the Thurston Highlands Draft EIS and copied this writer in response to my letters. I requested permission to print his letter, telling Mr. Perez I find his note is "to be of public interest & significance" in presenting the evolving facets of this story. Mr. Perez gave permission to the Yelm Community Blog to publish his letter "on the condition that you print it in its entirety".
Yelm Planning Commission Chair Carlos Perez's unabridged letter to Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck and his assistant Tami Merriman was dated September 1, 2008:

Dear Grant,

I am disturbed by the editorial letter written by Mr. Klein in the NVN. And by a similar letter emailed to you with a CC to me and others. I visited your office on Thursday, August 28th to ask whether or not you had responded to that email. I spoke with Tami. She told me that you were working on it and that all comments and queries including Mr. Klein's email, which was noted to be a comment on the DEIS, would be addressed at the same time so as to eliminate or minimize inconsistencies in your response. I can understand that. I also understand that the law (WAC) defines the process underwhich responses to DEIS comments are conducted. And that is in the body of the Final DEIS (WAC 197-11-560).

What I don't understand and am disturbed by is the comment made by Mr. Klein that you "have said to others recently that you have no intention to reject the Thurston Highlands DEIS for not following the SEPA rules". If not you, then who? The Planning Commission? By recommendation to the City Council and Mayor? You are also quoted as saying, " there isn't actually an overall size limitation to the document. It could be a million pages long". I suspect you were referring to 999,850 pages of background material and appendices.

I agree that the Thurston Highlands DEIS follows and complies with the format detailed in WAC 197-11-430 and the detail in WAC 197-11-440.

I am not a lawyer or a judge. But, I refer you to WAC 197-11-425 (4) which unequivocally and explicitly states:

(4) The text of an EIS (WAC 197-11-430(3)) normally ranges from thirty to fifty pages and may be shorter. The EIS text shall not exceed seventy-five pages; except for proposals of unusual scope or complexity, where the EIS shall not exceed one hundred fifty pages. Appendices and background material shall be bound separately from the EIS if they exceed twenty-five pages, except if the entire document does not exceed one hundred pages or a FEIS is issued under WAC 197-11-560(5).

The bold lettering is mine.

I can also understand the "damned if you do and damned if you don't" position you are in. Provide too much information and you are confusing the public; provide too little and you are hiding negative details. Nevertheless, there is no question that WAC rules were not followed. Even if we restrict the number of pages to those with "text" only, we still exceed the 150 pages allowed by WAC.

By those rules the Thurston Highlands DEIS is not in compliance.

I would suggest that the Thurston Highlands DEIS be ammended to include only the PDF file Sections 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 (116 pages). It appears to me that these PDF sections by themselves comply with the WAC requirements for an EIS. All other detailed Sections should be included by reference or under separate bound cover designated as background material or appendices.

Thank you,

Carlos Perez

Ed. Note: This writer thanks & acknowledges Mr. Perez for raising this issue exactly 35 days after the close of public comment on the Thurston Highlands DEIS (July 28), which was at the conclusion of 45 days of the open public comment period, or a total of 80 days since the DEIS was released. For the Planning Commission Chair to do so prior to the Final EIS is important.

“Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a national holiday by Act of Congress in 1894,” quoting Wikipedia.

"’Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country,’ said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. ‘All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation,” quoting the US Dept. of Labor website.

And this sobering view of Labor Day in the USA today, from Truthout.

The Yelm Community Blog pauses to acknowledge all laborers worldwide this day, for through our toils is the world a better place!


THIS ENTRY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2007.