February 2011 Archives

Nisqually Valley News reporter Megan Hansen published Friday, February 18, 2011 her report titled:
Family ‘devastated’ by water sale

highlighting the results of a mayor & city council who went after one of their own citizens in seizing water rights, which has left them 'devastated".

This story has been covered her several times previously.
Read more

Excerpts from Hansen's story reveal alot:
"Originally the two parties had battled over price. The McMonigles wanted $5,000 per acre feet. The city was offering $2,500.

When all was said and done it came out to $3,000 per acre foot. If the damages portion is included, the McMonigles will receive the $5,000 they originally requested.
[Ed. Note: However, regardless of damages, there is little left for the owners to work with.]

Both the city and McMonigles were surprised by the outcome.

'We’re devastated,' said Charlotte (McMonigle) Zinski. 'They (Ecology) stole from us, but what can you do?'

'Sometimes you just have to take what they give and say ‘thank you.’'

While the decision isn’t what both parties expected, they both are ready for it to be over...

Zinksi said the results leave them with less than what they planned.

Their creek rights were relinquished and all that remains is the water left on the water system at 50 gallons per minute.

We can’t do anything on 50 gallons a minute, Zinksi said.

The family’s plans to change how they use the property are no longer viable and the hay business is lagging due to the economy.

'It’s over for us,' Zinksi said. 'We want it to be over so we can pay some bills.'

'This was just devastating, but we ate it. Maybe someone can learn from us.'

'It is what it is.'"

Ed. Note:
This is again a sad tale where the City of Yelm continues to passover their number one mission - to protect their welfare, all in the name of getting more water rights to issue more building permits for more growth.
Yes, Mrs. Zinski just did not have the deep pockets or knowledge compared to the city using taxpayer funds of over a quarter of a million dollars in legal fees to gain these water rights.

This just is another 'black-eye' on this city as they continue to 'shove-it' to their own constituents.
Read more about the city not allowing citizens an occupancy permit to gain entry into their home.

In the NVN City Talk Column by Mayor Ron Harding printed Friday, February 25, 2011, the mayor said,
"With the accomplishments we've seen in the last year and the bright outlook fo r he year to come, I see us building the City of Yelm stronger and more viable than ever."

Ed. Note:
Yes, this is grand and there have been many wonderful things happening here, yet the protection & welfare of his city's citizens must be paramount.

The last year has seen an embarrassing array of actions by the mayor & city council eroding the public welfare!

Sandra Romero

Commissioner Sandra Romero Hosts Monthly Coffees with Area Residents

Monday, February 28th, 2011.

FROM COMMISSIONER ROMERO'S E-MAILER:
Please join Thurston County Commissioner Sandra Romero, as she hosts her monthly informal coffee hours in Rainier & Yelm on Monday, February 28th.

Join us in welcoming this month’s special guest Thurston County’s newly elected Sheriff, John Snaza. Come find out his vision for the office and plans for programs around the county such as the citizens’ online reporting system, community outreach and crime prevention.

Commissioner Romero stated,
“Our Sheriff’s office is committed to protecting life, property and individual rights while providing professional and ethical service to our community, we are honored to have him join us.”

Commissioner Romero provides coffee to participants. She is the representative of District 2, which includes Yelm, Lacey, and Rainier.

What: Citizen meeting with second district County Commissioner Sandra Romero

When: Monday, February 28th, 2011

Where: Rainier: 9:30am – 10:30am - Rainier City Hall – 102 Rochester St. W.

Yelm: 11:00am – Noon – Yelm Public Safety Building, 206 McKenzie Ave SE.

Lisa Paribello
Commissioner Staff
paribel@co.thurston.wa.us

Yelm Ave. E., looking east toward 3rd street - Feb. 24, 2011

The Olympian reported:
"The low of 5 degrees Friday morning [Feb. 25] at the Olympia airport broke the record for the date of 13, set in 1962, according to Johnny Burg, meteorologist with the weather service. Saturday’s predicted low of 14 degrees will test that day’s record, also 13 degrees, set in 1962."

UPDATE: Feb. 27, 2011
"The 8-degree temperature recorded this morning in the Olympia area broke a record of 13 degrees for the date set Feb. 26, 1962," quoting The Olympian.

Yelm Cinemas will have SPECIAL SCREENINGS for two films beginning today

Click here for Yelm Cinemas showtime information.

Yelm Cinemas at Prairie Park
Photo courtesy of Yelm Cinemas

1.

Former Rainier resident Will Arntz's celebrated movie
"GHETTO PHYSICS: Will the Real Pimps and Ho's Please Stand Up!"
is coming to Yelm Cinemas for a week beginning Friday, February 25 through Thursday, March 3rd.
Check theater showtimes daily.
There will be a Filmmaker Q & A with Will Arntz,following the 6:25pm shows on February 25 & 26.

2.

"Race to Nowhere"
"Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens."

Special one-session screening
Yelm Cinemas
Sat., Feb 26th, 9am
all seats $6.25
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Matt Batcheldor reports in The Olympian today:
"Thurston County gained nearly 50,000 residents from 2000 to 2010, according to 2010 census data released Wednesday [Feb. 23]...

Thurston County’s fastest-growing city was Yelm, which saw its population jump 108 percent, to 6,848 from 3,289 in 2000."

Compare this growth to the State (14% increase) and major cities, reported by KING-5 TV in Seattle.

Ed. Note:
Wow! a 108% population increase in 10 years here. No wonder this place is a traffic nightmare!
The grow, grow, grow philosophy of Yelm Mayor Ron Harding and the Yelm City Council have seen some significant impacts on resources, to be covered here in an upcoming report.

AND, anyone who questions the Mayor on his grow, grow, grow policies is labeled & targeted as "anti-growth". Time for the city's residents to wake-up to his folly that impacts their lives with traffic, air/noise pollution, higher water/sewer rates, higher property taxes, reduced business water in summer and more!

Preston Collins wrote a Letter to Editor of the Nisqually Valley News, also submitted to the Yelm Community Blog on Puget Sound Energy's power line project currently on-going around town. His letter brings up several important points for public review, based on a wealth of experience:

"I wish to call attention to Puget Sound Energy’s transmission line and substation project currently under construction. You can view a summary of this project at PSE’s Web Site for this project.

I am a retired professional electrical engineer with over 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry. My early career was as a project engineer on projects such as this one. My later career was as a system engineer in an Energy Control Center . I also served as a management consultant for 10 years.

I noted this construction in late January and began my research. I offer the following comments and observations.

My first concern is the location through town. It appears that the route chosen may not have been the best and other possible routes not considered according to the project manager at PSE. A more suitable route might have been the old railroad grade through town. If you stand on the Yelm -Tenino Trail behind City Hall, you can see straight through town to North First Avenue where is crosses This route would have eliminated the line being placed on residential streets and a business artery and eliminated four expensive corner structures and about a half mile of line. It could have also followed the trail west toward Rainier to a more convenient transition point near Koeppen Road or 123rd Street .

An inquiry at City Hall revealed that there is the potential for the improvement and extension of Mosman Avenue that will require the relocation of a section of the new line should this plan materialize. The route along the railroad grade would have made this relocation unnecessary. To the city’s credit the cost of the relocation will be at PSE’s expense, meaning that PSE’s customers will bear the cost.

This project also calls for a new 15-17 mile transmission line to be constructed from the St. Clair switching station (9512 Pacific Highway SE in Lacey) to near the intersection of State Route 507 and 123rd Avenue SE . A possible alternative is the construction of a tie to one or two of the four Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines located within 2.5 miles of the Yelm Substation (at the intersection of Railway Road SE and Middle Road SE ). Two of these lines are located north of town and run parallel to the Yelm Canal and the other two are east of town near Wal-Mart. PSE has an interchange agreement with BPA. Did PSE consider this option and perform a cost analysis?"

UPDATE: Feb. 25, 2011
Interesting that the newspaper opted to not publish Mr. Collins' letter this week.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse

Reprinted from JZ Knight's website, used with permission:

CHIEF ARVOL LOOKING HORSE CAME TO YELM WITH HIS MESSAGE:
"A Great Urgency: To All World Religious & Spiritual Leaders!"

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and the leader of the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate, the great Sioux nation, is a man with a vision.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse sees a great danger threatening "Grandmother Earth" and a great hope for restoring her wholeness.

Chief Looking Horse was joined by David Pratt, great-grandson of Chief Sitting Bull and Mark Colson, the hereditary chief of the Chehalis Tribe in Washington State as they each made a presentation on February 14th to Ramtha's School of Enlightenment (RSE) as the largest annual retreat gathered there with over 1,200 students from around the world, and Live Streamed from Yelm to RSE students worldwide.

Chief Looking Horse was also at Evergreen State College on Feb. 13.

Listen to Chief Looking Horse's message of the White Buffalo Prophecy shared with RSE students.

Representatives of our local Nisqually Indian Tribe were invited to join on-stage & chose to not participate.

THIS WAS A TRULY MAGICAL AND LANDMARK EVENT FOR RSE & YELM!

Yelm Timberland Regional Library

"Ruth Jacobson, author of "You Never Try, You Never Know: Six Years in Liberia," will speak and sign books. Jacobson, a nurse, and her husband Harold, a maintenance mechanic, served in the Peace Corps for three years beginning in 1971, then three more years as mission hospital staff. The book is a collection of the letters Mrs. Jacobson wrote each week to her mother. The Jacobsons still keep up with their Liberian, Peace Corps and mission friends. Mrs. Jacobson is also a past president of the Yelm Timberland Library's Friends group," quoting the Yelm Timberland Library.

Yelm Timberland Library
210 Prairie Park Street
Yelm, WA 98597-7699
360-458-3374
Library Manager: Nicole Thode

Date: 2/23/2011
Start Time: 6:30 PM
End Time: 7:30 PM

Read more

Yelm students "have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Washington for the autumn quarter," quoting The Olympian.

David W Burslem, Shailee Renae Flood, Carolyn Frances Gray, Akel William Hashim, Elaine Colette Huber, Michael Aaron Jelle, Ashley Nicole Jennings, Esther Yeun-Ju Lee, Anna Alaine Niblack, Niguel Alexander Quiroz.

Ed. Note:
Mr. Hashim was co-Valedictorian in the 2008 Yelm High School graduating class, achieving a 4.0 GPA. He gave a moving graduation speech to his fellow classmates challenging them to take the education and experiences they acquired here in Yelm out into the world and soar to new heights. Hashim is spending his Junior year at UW majoring in the school's Spanish exchange program in Cadiz, Spain.

"Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. It is also commonly known as Presidents Day (sometimes spelled Presidents' Day or President's Day). As Washington's Birthday or Presidents Day, it is also the official name of a concurrent state holiday celebrated on the same day in a number of states," quoting Wikipedia.

Read more

Rick Roberts, Chair of the Yelm Tree Advisory Board penned this beauftuful Letter to the Editor of the Nisqually Valley News on Valentine's Day:

"Yelm is now a 15-year-old tree city USA. The urban forestry program is made more successful by people who come forward and support the program through their generous contributions.

People like you, by honoring the ones you love, will plant a tree in Yelm on their behalf. What a beautiful Valentine’s Day present to them and Yelm.

We are the pride of the Pride of the Prairie and the grace of the urban forest.

You can call City Hall at 360-458-3835 to find out how to participate in the adopt-a-tree and memorial tree program and give the gift of a living Valentine.

Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to piece, I should still plant my apple tree!” This year, Arbor Day will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 29 at Yelm City Park. Please join us.

One of the guidelines to be a tree city USA is to have a tree board consisting of concerned volunteer citizens charged by ordinance with developing and administering a comprehensive tree management program. Yelm citizens can add fresh ideas and different perspectives so as to enhance the beauty of our city. Why? Because we are the Tornados!

We are the spirit and consciousness that can embrace this community and all of Earth. To paraphrase John Kennedy and Al Gore, “In the time of inconvenient truths, it is time not to ask, what can my home/Earth do for me, but what can I do for my planet?”

Bob and Kathy Wolf did that in 1996, along with John Thompson, by getting an ordinance for the protection of trees and vegetation. So join in and emulate Sterling Morton’s vision, who in 1872 pioneered the first Arbor Day. We are the Evergreen State, the Pride of the Prairie, and the grace of the urban forest. We are the Tornados ready to plant and nurture one million trees."

Reprinted here with permission of the author.

From JZ Knight's website, used with permission:

Will Arntz's celebrated movie
"GHETTO PHYSICS: Will the Real Pimps and Ho's Please Stand Up!"
is coming to Yelm Cinemas for a week's showing Friday, February 25 through Thursday, March 3rd at 7:30pm nightly.
There will be a brief Filmmaker Q & A with Will Arntz,
February 25 & 26 following the show.

"Heralded as "…a radically ingenious, in-your-face documentary … bursting with insights" by Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer, GHETTOPHYSICS takes an eye-opening look at the power relationships that permeate American society from the toughest street corners to Wall Street, from classrooms to boardrooms. The film utilizes documentary footage, animation, satire and dramatization to illustrate examples culled from the real world — be the players real-life pimps or corporate executives -- repeating the same power dynamics that have persisted for centuries.

The film includes interviews with notable entertainers and thinkers, such as Dr. Cornel West, Ice-T, KRS-One, Too Short, John Perkins, former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, William H. Arntz (Co-Director) and Norman Lear," quoting the Olympia Film Society.

CLICK HERE for the trailer.

Go to Yelm Cinemas website for tickets.

CLICK HERE for the movie's website.

Mr. Arntz is the acclaimed creator of the 2004 sleeper hit "What the Bleep Do We Know!?", which garnered several independent film awards prior to being distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and eventually grossing over $10 million. The film went on to become one of the most successful documentaries of all time & is now distributed in over 30 countries.

He also created the 2006 sequel "What the BLEEP – Down the Rabbit Hole".

Betsy Chasse, Producer, Director, Screenwriter of "The Bleep” & listed in Variety’s top 50 Independent Producers of 2004, is also the distributor of Ghetto Physics.

"What the Bleep Do We Know!?" was filmed in Yelm & vicinity and debuted in Washington at Yelm Cinemas.

A Nisqually Valley News [NVN] online reader wrote a very pertinent response to Megan Hansen's report last week titled "Man with a plan"
"Yelm Mayor Ron Harding announced a proposal to purchase the existing library facility."

Dom Rivas said,
"I believe Mr. Harding is coming in on the tail end of years of planning by the former leaders of the city. His predecessors (2 prior mayors before him) and their councils and planning commissions put a lot of these projects into motion and now he is taking credit for a lot of Yelm’s efforts and projects. Water rights and reuse as well as the bypass were passed and projects created around these long before Mr. Harding’s political outings. Yelm needs an economic revitalization effort in order to sustain their library funding, finish bypasses, and secure water rights. They need to attract business to set up shop inside city limits and draw people to the town we love so much. Jobs will be created and the local economy stimulated. Action needs to be taken to seek out businesses and promote our city. Don't let Mr. Harding sound like he is the sole reason these projects are under way. Most have been underway for 10+ yrs and have been created, sustained, and became successful not due to any one leader but rather the staff that makes up Yelm’s city infrastructure."

Mayor Harding's predecessor was Adam Rivas. Unknown if there is any relation to the aforementioned letter-writer.

CLICK HERE for my letter about the Mayor's library plan published in today's NVN.

A YELM Facebook page has been established.

YELM FACEBOOK

"I Know a Guy are your Yelm, Washington based Garage Door & Opener specialists. We also install Windows, Doors and perform Handyman Services."

Testimonials
"We’re proud of the work we do, and we hope that are customers are too. Take a look at some actual customer testimonials."

Services

Contact

I KNOW A GUY GARAGE DOORS
P.O. Box 1463
Yelm, WA 98597
Phone: 360-480-6701
E-mail: iknowaguy7@gmail.com

TELL 'I KNOW A GUY' YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

YELM WOD DOGS

"We are Crossfit Certified Trainers helping one client at a time achieve their GOALS!"

Featured in the Nisqually Valley News Health & Fitness, 2011 Supplement

What is Crossfit?

Yelm WOD Dogs
9144 Burnett Rd.
Suite B-3
Yelm, WA. 98597

Photo courtesy of JZ-Rose website, Copyright © 2001-2008 JZ Knight. Used with permission.

"Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, donating to charity or gifting candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines," quoting Wikipedia.

This Valentines Day message first appeared on the Yelm Community Blog in 2008.

The Yelm Chamber of Commerce Yelm Flag Donor Brick Program is now open trough April 15th.

The bricks are to be set near the new flagpole in Yelm City Park.

"Purchase a brick for yourself or in honor or memory of friends and loved ones.
You can support the Yelm Flag Pole Remberance Area with a one-time donation that will last a lifetime."

ORDER FORM

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
YELM CINEMAS
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
9AM
ALL SEATS $6.25

Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery," quoting the film's synopsis.

Website

Trailer

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
YELM CINEMAS
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
9AM
ALL SEATS $6.25

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS LANDMARK FILM!

There sure is alot of hype in the local newspaper, Facebook & around town about "Mayor Harding's Plan" to purchase the 2nd floor of current library facility in Prairie Park's Fay Fuller Bldg. in a "condo-type" arrangement.
I am not so mesmerized!
This Plan raised more questions than were answered!

Yes, I know that many call me an antagonist for speaking-up on this & other issues, however those that know me will tell you I do my homework to gather all of the facts. I have over a decade of Yelm Library support, both as a volunteer-former-citizen-board member and Chair & as a large contributor.
Here are just a few observations I noticed:

1. Mayor Harding wants TRL to foot part of the bill for buying the "condo-space".
Hmmm - has TRL been presented with that idea?
TRL Director Michael Crose was conspicuously absent from such a huge announcement Tuesday, nor did the Mayor mention TRL's position on his Plan. Harding only said the city will ask TRL to contribute some funds to the purchase of the facility - future-tense. This means TRL has not yet been contacted about this.
Afterall, TRL is the area's partner to supply library services.
Why were they omitted at the Mayor's address?

2. Outside financing is required - though Mr. Harding did not mention how much or what that entails, except the community will be asked for donations.

3. Buying into Prairie Park means the library is forever wedded to Margaret Clapp's Fay Fuller Building.
Win-win for her.
However, let's do a tally on a few items that will be pushed onto the backs of taxpayers:
- financing & interest debt on a condo
- owners' insurance on the condo floor-space
- probable monthly maintenance fees, likely to be raised at the end of a contractual period.
- 2nd floor building upkeep.
While many of these items will admittedly be involved in any purchased structure, a condo has additional monthly maintenance fees that will differ from an outright building purchase.

4. The City is committing to have their library housed permanently on a 2nd floor, instead of a usual ground floor for easy public access as in most all libraries.
Is that REALLY what we want for the future here?

Interesting that Nisqually Valley News Publisher/Editor Keven Graves jumped on the "band-wagon" in his Op-Ed today without any of the aforementioned issues being properly vetted in the newspaper. Property taxpayers who support the Library would be wise to press the media, Mayor & City Hall to slow-down, take a breather and gather all of the facts prior to supporting the Mayor's Plan, about which the public knows nothing.

Why?
Yelm's City Hall has a long track-record of alot of hype for high-profile projects where proper "due diligence" was not thoroughly completed, leaving the taxpayer footing the bills.

These are just some, to name a few as examples
- LID financing required a higher rate, since no one wanted to buy the bonds when the economy soured.

- Hundreds of thousands owed to the City of Yelm from the bankrupt Thurston Highlands project, a development which the city never filed liens for taxes/invoices owed.

- The city never had a contract to get repaid for their pro-rata share of the Thurston Highlands/Golder Water Study. Taxpayers paid that one, too.

- Seizing a citizen's water rights and the 10's of thousands of dollars spent in legal fees.

- Taking over the golf course well for the bankrupt developer & being required to pay over $1.5 million to rehabilitate the well for public use. Instead, the well sits capped.

Options?
In the Mayor's talk, we heard nothing about other library options considered, only this one was comparable to other options looked-at.
REALLY?
Other options were all on a non-advantageous 2nd floor of a building?
Was there an investigation on buying the soon-to-be-vacant Yelm Family Medicine Bldg.?
Was remaining in the Fay Fuller Bldg. REALLY the best option?
If so, why?
Just because a move is prevented does not answer the question.

Bottom Line:
While I am a strong supporter of our Library, I will not join Mr. Harding, Mr. Graves & others in their glee until I have all of the facts, facts which are yet forthcoming. I am interested in TRL's official response as well, who seemingly were left-out of the Plan's planning.

While I applaud Mayor Harding for the Condo concept being a unique idea, let's "kick-the-tires" & "check-out the sticker-price" first and compare, just like how we each purchase a car.
Otherwise trumpeting the "Mayor's Library Plan band-wagon" is mere folly.

Oh, and property taxes are going-up here, too, which will also add to the Library's bottom-line costs!

Nate Hulings reports in The Olympian today:
"Thurston County property owners will begin receiving tax notices early next week, and nearly two-thirds will end up paying more than they did last year, according to the Assessor’s Office [assessor Steven Drew]...

Drew said some of the highest tax rates in the county can be found in two taxing districts in the Yelm area, where property owners will pay $12.47 and $12.66 per $1,000 of assessed value. According to a county assessor fact sheet, “property owners in the City of Yelm will see a significant” fire levy tax increase of 83 cents to $1.50 after joining the Northeast Thurston Fire Authority. For a home valued at $250,000, this represents an increase of $207."

Additionally, Rolf Boone reports in The Olympian:
"Thurston County had 155 closed sales, up 8.93 percent compared to 143 a year earlier. The median price fell 4.47 percent, from $225,000 to $214,550."

Ed. Note: Median sales price drops equate lower sales-tax receipts.

Photo credit: Yelm Food Co-op, used with permission

From the Yelm Co-op's Press Release:
Back by popular demand, this Sunday, nutritional genius Gary Di Donato will be back at the Yelm Food Co-op to answer your nutritional questions.

While you’re at the store, pick up our questionnaire and let us know what you think of our exciting new ideas.

With current rates of growth, the Co-op will outgrow it’s current location by sometime near the end of 2011. Therefore, the Yelm Food Co-op Board of Directors is considering the possibility of expanding the store and moving it to another location.

This is necessary to:
- Be able to better display the products we already have.
- Provide you with a bigger and better product selection.
- To reduce the often crowded shopping conditions.
- To speed up checkout.
- To allow for greater service to the community.
Tell us what you think.

Yelm Food Co-op in Frontier Village
404 1st Street, SE
Yelm, WA.
360-400-2210.
Mon – Sat 10 am – 7 pm. Sun 12 pm – 5 pm.

www.yelmcoop.com and Facebook at Yelm Food Co op

Yelm Timberland Regional Library

At the Yelm Chamber Forum Luncheon yesterday, Yelm Chamber President & Yelm Mayor Ron Harding announced the intent to purchase the existing floor occupied by Yelm Timberland Library in the Fay Fuller Bldg. at Prairie Park through a unique condo agreement.

In a very vague State of the City address lacking details, Mayor Harding gave no indication how such a purchase would be financed, except in suggesting community participation via donations. Condo-type purchases usually have building/land monthly maintenance contract expenses. This is not mentioned, either.

Big Mountain Internet

"Big Mountain will be hosting the Yelm Chamber After Hours this Thursday, February 10th at the Prairie Hotel Conference Center from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Come join us as we celebrate our 6 year anniversary, make new product announcements and discuss new partnerships for 2011. Also, enter our drawing to win a HP Officejet Multi-Function printer. Drawing will be held at 6:30pm and everyone is eligible to enter. Refreshments will be provided. Prairie Park Conference Center is located at 701 Prairie Park Lane, Yelm, WA 98597," quoting their website.

As is the custom, the Yelm Chamber of Commerce President introduces the Mayor for the annual State of the City address presented at Yelm's Chamber Forum Luncheon. Since Yelm's Chamber President is also Yelm's Mayor, in what would be 'conflicts-of-interest' in most places, Mayor Harding wears two hats today and gets to introduce himself, unless deferring to the Chamber's Executive Director for his introduction..

According to Megan Hansen's report in the Nisqually Valley News, Mayor Harding will cover:

1. Yelm's Library solution.
Hansen reported, "He said he will probably announce a proposed direction during his address.
'The direction is something I think everyone will be supportive of,' Harding said."

Ed. Note:
HMMM! Is "probably announce a proposed direction" doublespeak for being vague? We'll see.
Emmett O’Connell, who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Timberland Regional Library penned on his blog yesterday "Restating my position on the Yelm library situation".

2. Economic Impacts
"Impacts include developments going under. When new development goes in it helps pay for road projects and lower utility costs. The economy also impacted the financing of the LID."

Ed. Note:
The Mayor & City Council were warned about their break-neck speed in approving developments & permits years ago by this writer & several others. Now, the city is paying the price for some unwise decisions. Will Harding mention the lower receipts of the city from reduced home sales, foreclosures & dropping property values?

3. Water
"He will also touch on how water is a big issue right now. 'I will talk about the things we need to increase the availability of water,' Harding said. He will touch on the Southwest well project as well as the city’s water conservation program."

Ed. Note:
Key question for him to explain is $11 million in the Water System Plan to essentially build a new water system in the SW Area (formally known as Thurston Highlands). Will be interesting how he spins this, as currently, the city is about maxed by Health on adding more connections to the city's water system.
Even the property across from Wal-Mart up for auction has no access to city water.

4. Sewer rate increases for 3 years implemented tonight
"The upcoming sewer comprehensive plan will also be touched on, including a planned rate adjustment. what does he say about an annual 5.4% rate increase?"

5. Transportation
"The city will also address transportation within the city, looking at additional through streets, including a connection extending Mosman Avenue"

6. Sidewalks
"Harding said residents may also see smaller projects, such as additional sidewalks, pop up throughout the city this year. Several grant applications are pending."

Ed. Note:
With new Rep. Wilcox and our State Legislature looking at ways to trim a monstrous budget-deficit, grants are going to be scarce.
Douglass K. Daniel of the AP reports on MSNBC:
"Obama is proposing a 50 percent cut in the $700 million program [Community service block grants, which supports community action organizations in poor communities]...
—Community development block grants, which support housing, sewer and street projects and economic development in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The proposed 7.5 percent reduction would reduce its funding by $300 million."

BOTTOM LINE: MORE WILL BE REVEALED IN WHAT IS NOT SAID.
NOT ON THE AGENDA REPORTED IN THE NEWSPAPER, IS MR. HARDING'S PREVIOUS STATES OF THE CITY WISHES FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER.

Yelm Public Safety Building & City Council Chambers

"The City of Yelm has scheduled a Public Hearing to receive public comment on the proposed sewer rate increase for City of Yelm sewer utility customers. The hearing will take place on February 8, 2011 at the Public Safety Building, 206 McKenzie Ave at 7:00 pm as part of the regularly scheduled Yelm City Council meeting," quoting of the City of Yelm.

The City of Yelm will adopt "Ordinance 933 in support of a sewer rate increase in the amount of 5.4% annually for the years 2011, 2012 & 2013" Tuesday night after no one will publicly comment prior to this Ordinance being passed.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM YOUR CITY HALL!.

For Mayor Harding's State of the City talk on Tuesday, let's tally the taxes, something you will NOT hear in his address:

1. water rate increase of 8.25% from 2011-2015 (a 69% rate increase for the 6-year period 2010-2015, inclusive)
2. 1% property tax increase now imposed annually
3. 50% mandatory water irrigation cutbacks on businesses in summer
AND now a sewer rate increase of 5.4% for three years.

While Mayor Harding says all is well, his city's fees, rate increases & cutbacks are slow-boiling his own citizens. With more cuts coming from the Federal & State governments, a conservative spending budget is the priority right now -- the time for requesting extravagant state grants (public money) for flushing-park-toilets is over!

Are we reaching a point where the pocket-books of local citizens are so affected, they protest on City Hall?

Mike Patrick, Yelm High School award winner.
Photo courtesy: National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)

The National Association of Agricultural Educators, Inc. based in Lexington, Kentucky issued this NEWS RELEASE tilted:
Yelm Agriculture Teacher Selected for Educator Award

LAS VEGAS – Mike Patrick of Yelm, Wash. is one of only six individuals nationwide who received the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher award on December 1st [2010] at the NAAE annual conference in Las Vegas.
With all of his accomplishments and responsibilities, one might think Patrick never sleeps. However, it is not lack of rest that allows him to get everything done; it is never-failing commitment, enthusiasm and drive to impact the future of every student. Patrick is one of seven agriculture teachers at Yelm High School who together, teach more than 1,000 students annually. His area of focus is horticulture, but he also serves as the head of the Agri-Science Department at Yelm.
'I work to make each of my courses real and relevant. I know I am successful when the students take ownership and drive the curriculum rather than me,' Patrick said.
This philosophy has led the Yelm agriscience program and FFA chapter to be successful at numerous levels. Some of their accomplishments include multiple Models of Innovation nominations by the National FFA Organization, a national-winning FFA Agricultural Sales team, and two national-winning FFA individuals. Beyond awards, however, the program at Yelm stands out for its unwavering commitment to the local community; this is exemplified by numerous community service projects and volunteer hours by members of the Yelm agriscience program.
'I believe that Mike Patrick is the perfect example of an Outstanding Teacher,' said Elaine Lewis, fellow agriscience instructor at Yelm High School. 'His commitment and professionalism serve as a model and mentor to students and peers. His unselfish dedication has meant success for many lives and changed futures.'
Each of the six Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher regional winners receive personal use of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck for two years, an expense paid trip to attend the 2010 NAAE convention in Las Vegas, and an invitation to a special awards dinner. Toyota sponsors the Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. Its mission is 'professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.' The NAAE office is located in Lexington, Ky."

Patrick has taught at Yelm High School for 14 years and is the head of YHS's seven-teacher Agri-Science Department. He also serves as an adviser for the school’s FFA chapter.

Read more from Lisa Pemberton's beautiful report in today's Olympian.
Ed. Note: Glad to see Ms. Pemberton back reporting on our area.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. PATRICK & EVERYONE AT YHS'S AG-ED PROGRAM!

Bald Hills Fire Dept. Volunteers,
Beverly Wright is top row, 4th person from the right

On Friday night, February 4, the Bald Hills Fire Department held its annual banquet to recognize and celebrate the commitments made by its volunteers. Beverly was named as the Fire Department’s 2010 Volunteer of the Year. Beverly has been a volunteer member of the department since 2007. She is an EMT, a firefighter, and a CPR instructor.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BEVERLY FOR HER ACHIEVEMENTS & CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY!

Read more

Alexander Wilson-Heid was written-up in The Olympian on January 30th. Alexander is the Vice-President of Yelm's FFA chapter and Yelm's National Honor Society President, attending Yelm High School.
He reports,
"I take pride in maintaining a 4.0 thus far into the second semester of my senior year, and I’m working hard to be the class valedictorian."

The Yelm FFA Chapter of Yelm was named Model of Innovation winner in community development at the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN last fall, as reported here.

The National FFA Organizaton issued this Press Release about that honor.

BEST WISHES TO ALEXANDER WILSON-HELD IN HIS ENDEAVORS, WHO DOES YELM PROUD!

From JZ Knight's website, used with permission:

Will Arntz's celebrated movie
"GHETTO PHYSICS: Will the Real Pimps and Ho's Please Stand Up!"
is coming to Yelm Cinemas for a week's showing Friday, February 25 through Thursday, March 3rd at 7:30pm nightly.
There will be a brief Filmmaker Q & A with Will Arntz,
February 25 & 26 following the show.

"Heralded as "…a radically ingenious, in-your-face documentary … bursting with insights" by Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer, GHETTOPHYSICS takes an eye-opening look at the power relationships that permeate American society from the toughest street corners to Wall Street, from classrooms to boardrooms. The film utilizes documentary footage, animation, satire and dramatization to illustrate examples culled from the real world — be the players real-life pimps or corporate executives -- repeating the same power dynamics that have persisted for centuries.

The film includes interviews with notable entertainers and thinkers, such as Dr. Cornel West, Ice-T, KRS-One, Too Short, John Perkins, former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, William H. Arntz (Co-Director) and Norman Lear," quoting the Olympia Film Society.

CLICK HERE for the trailer.

Go to Yelm Cinemas website for tickets.

CLICK HERE for the movie's website.

Mr. Arntz is the acclaimed creator of the 2004 sleeper hit "What the Bleep Do We Know!?", which garnered several independent film awards prior to being distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and eventually grossing over $10 million. The film went on to become one of the most successful documentaries of all time & is now distributed in over 30 countries.

He also created the 2006 sequel "What the BLEEP – Down the Rabbit Hole".

Betsy Chasse, Producer, Director, Screenwriter of "The Bleep” & listed in Variety’s top 50 Independent Producers of 2004, is also the distributor of Ghetto Physics.

"What the Bleep Do We Know!?" was filmed in Yelm & vicinity and debuted in Washington at Yelm Cinemas.

Last Salmon Carcass Fling of the Year!
The Nisqually Stream Stewards will be holding the final salmon carcass tossing of the season on Saturday, February 5 in Eatonville.
Volunteers are needed for this fun and valuable event.
While carcass tossing may be fun, it also provides an important food source for juvenile salmon and other species throughout the watershed.

What:
Nisqually Salmon Carcass Tossing

Where:
Smallwood Park, Eatonville
Streams and creeks around Eatonville

When:
Saturday, February 5
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To register for the carcass toss or to find out more information about the Stream Stewards, contact Don Perry, volunteer coordinator at (360) 438-8687 xt 2143, perry.don@nisqually-nsn.gov

The carcasses for the salmon tossing program come from Nisqually tribal hatcheries. The Nisqually Stream Stewards plans to place, with the help of volunteers, over 3,000 carcasses during recent carcass tossing seasons.

Salmon carcasses are a critical part of the Nisqually River’s ecosystem. When salmon return to their native streams and die, the marine nutrients they brought with them are eaten by organisms ranging from insects to bears or absorbed by plants. Where salmon carcasses are plentiful, juvenile salmon grow bigger by feeding on the carcasses and the increased abundance of stream insects.

For more information, contact: Don Perry, volunteer coordinator,
Nisqually Indian Tribe, (360) 438-8687, xt 2143
perry.don@nisqually-nsn.gov

From the Press Release.

From Thurston Solid Waste flier:

Do you have an interest in gardening and want to make a difference in our community?
If so, the WSU Master Gardeners want you!

WSU Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who provide our community with sound, science-based gardening advice. WSU Master Gardeners will learn the most current gardening techniques. Once trained, WSU Master Gardeners participate in a wide range of gardening-based community service activities.

The next Master Gardener training will start February 4, 2011 and cover an array of botanical topics (examples: vegetables, entomology, soils, water quality, pruning, weeds, composting, etc).

To learn more about the program and download a 2011 application/information sheet, visit our websites at http://county.wsu.edu/Thurston
or
www.mgftc.org

Contact Cori Carlton at carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2162 for more information.
NEW! Join us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ThurstonSolidWaste

"A pair of 13-year-old boys turned in cash they found in a parking lot, and six months later they are receiving an unexpected award: the money.

Longtime buddies Joseph Johnson of Yelm, Wash., and Michael Howell of Milwaukie, Ore., were bicycling around Milwaukie in July, debating how best to spend a summer's afternoon. As they pedaled through a parking lot, the boys and Howell's mom saw what looked like green trash in front of a Rite Aid pharmacy...

The boys did the right thing, surprising the Milwaukie police with $442.

Ulli Neitch, public information officer for the Milwaukie Police Department, told AOL News that items, including money, get turned in on a regular basis, but the boys' find was larger than average...

Two local business owners rewarded the boys with money for video games.," quoting AOL News.