Show highlights:

• Director Daniel Wyman’s talent continues to evolve,
• Choreographer Nylene Hubschman deserves 5 gold stars,
• Musical Director Claudia Simpson-Jones brought ABBA’s songs to life,
• Dawn Emelia as Donna stretched her already amazing gifts,
• Dawn’s daughter Dahlia as Sophie was outstanding,
• Kalen McCrea as Sky surprised with his stage presence,
• The rest of the cast brought synergy making this show work here,
• The Crew deserve accolades with so many details to dovetail!

• Editor’s Note: I am so proud of the Standing Room Only (SRO) Board of Directors in being willing to take on this show. The sell-out crowds attest they made the correct choice. SRO’s production of Mamma Mia! required an attention to detail that Producer Steve Harshfield and Director Daniel Wyman executed with precision. Director Wyman poignantly opened the show with a touching tribute to the recently deceased and noted Yelm community theater director Nancy Tribush Hillman, to whom this show was dedicated with a program inscription.
• The intensity of the volume and depth of ABBA’s songs in this script for the actors to properly convey to the audience would not have worked without the fine Choreography of Nylene Hubschman and Musical Direction of Claudia Simpson-Jones. Along with the sets and intricate responsibilities and duties of the crew, the powerful performances of the cast were even more enhanced.
• To watch Dawn Emelia come from the production or direction side of the house to take a lead role such as this shows the breadth of talent she has. The stage presence in every scene, required costume changes, and different emotional expressions necessary with each part of the story had me mesmerized.
• I was also impressed with the obvious stage-chemistry between Dahlia as Sophie and Kalen McCrea as Sky. To make the script’s love and affection between these two characters work and be believable, that each had to genuinely demonstrate they enjoyed their roles. That showed!
• I always say one can tell the talent of actors when the audience loses their view of the actor they are witnessing and immerses into the characters. Bri Himes as Tanya and Hannah Longshore brilliantly had me and the audience melt into their performances.
• The real surprises of the show for me were the “fathers” – Joel Deerfield as Bill Austin, Patrick Hubschman as Harry Bright, and Ian Montgomery as Sam Carmichael. When they first appeared on-stage, their performances were as required. However, as Sophie begins to learn about her potential “dad,” they each not only rose to each character’s nuances, yet they went way beyond in their sincere and heartfelt portrayals of these oft-conflicted men who just loved the lady of their past and the ladies in their “now.” Montgomery as Sam played the role with more sensitivity than Pierce Brosnan in the movie, which I thought was very appropriate and impressively well-played on this stage.
• Rounding out the show was the Ensemble and other proficient thespians, expertly comprised from a wide range of our community’s talent. I hope we see more of this fine group on SRO stages.
• Dale Sharp’s costume designs reflect his wide capabilities in capturing the essence of the Greek islands setting. The show finale was a spectacular and unexpected surprise where the costume designs got to “knock the socks” off the audience. Very well-done Dale!
• And last, I gave this production a standing ovation in-house, for they deserve all of accolades that come their way. I know that Nancy Tribush Hillman would have been so proud to have this show dedicated in her honor, for Yelm’s Mamma Mia! is truly the epitome of her more than 2 1/2 decades of work here encapsulated in this triumphant achievement. BRAVO!

Bottom line: Now, can we please have this cast and crew reprise their roles and schedule Mamma Mia! Here we Go Again, in 2020. I nominate Claudia Simpson-Jones as Sophie’s grand-mother, played by Cher in the movie? [I already told her in-person she has the ability and the class to pull off this role.] Claudia can handle singing “Fernando!”

Click here to get tickets before the remaining performances are sold out.

Click here to buy Snowden’s book, Permanent Record.

“Edward Snowden’s Book ‘Permanent Record’ Out On Constitution Day, Whistleblower Describes ‘Greatest Regret'”

“Permanent Record, a memoir by whistleblower Edward Snowden, will be released globally on September 17, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, celebrated as Constitution Day in the United States.

“In Permanent Record, Snowden recounts his work for the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency, describing his contribution to secret systems of mass surveillance, aimed at both U.S. citizens and the rest of the world. But Permanent Record is also about the crisis of conscience that followed, which lead Snowden to disclose hundreds of thousands of NSA documents, first to journalist Glenn Greenwald and documentarian Laura Poitras. It will be published in the United States by Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Macmillan owned publishing company Henry Holt,” by Andrew Whelan, Newsweek.

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Edward Snowden says he will return to US on one condition”

“Controversial whistleblower Edward Snowden, living in exile in Russia, said Monday he would like to return to the United States — but only if he can get a fair jury trial.

“‘That is the ultimate goal, but if I’m going to spend the rest of my life in prison then my one, bottom-line demand that we all have to agree to is that at least I get a fair trial,’ Snowden said Monday on “CBS This Morning.”

“Snowden told CBS’ morning show that the U.S. government has “refused” to guarantee a fair trial,” by Brain Flood, FOX News.

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Women’s Suffrage  Walking Tour in Olympia, Sat. Sept. 21! 

“The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum is presenting walking tours along  “Olympia Women’s Suffrage Trail” on Saturday September 21, 2019 beginning at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia (Capitol Way between Legion and 7^th) starting at two times:  10:00 am and 1:00 pm.  Each tour will last about one hour and requires considerable walking. Attendees will receive a map at the beginning of the tour,” by the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. 

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“Elders and Youth Honour Mother Earth in Yelm, Washington”

• By Danny Beaton (Turtle Clan Mohawk)

“Sappa Dawn was created by Janet and Don McCloud over thirty years ago, a healing place for our old elders to take shelter at and a ceremonial camp for healing and having sacred ceremonies for Creation.

“It was Janet McCloud’s vision to create a bigger camp for our elders and to buy a track of land close to Sappa Dawn, but in a heavily forested area that felt like a healing place too.

“The Nisqually Nation bought this track of land for the Nisqually People of The River five years ago and Janet’s wish came true for this land because it was so powerful.

“This year The American Indian Insitiute and Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth announced that this year’s gathering would be at Janet McCloud’s greatest vision and ceremonial grounds, hosted by her family and Nisqually Cultural Services Department  at Brighten Creek Camp Grounds at Yelm, Washington, Nisqually Territory, from July 6th to July 11th

Plant life first to greet…..”

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• Editor’s note: I have the same concern expressed below by Our Revolution Yelm because of the uninformed, emotional, and incendiary e-mails and posts I have seen. Please attend to listen and learn!
• From the City of Yelm:

“The Task Force is composed of representatives from multiple different stakeholder groups, including two members of the City Council, a City staff member, and members of non-profit organizations which provide services to the homeless, and a citizen-at-large.

“All meetings held by the Task Force are open to the public but the meetings are not designed as a public forum. Members who are not a part of the Task Force are encouraged to attend and listen as a member of the audience. Audience members who would like to participate in the discussion are encouraged to attend the Town Hall or email joed@yelmwa.gov or mollyc@yelmwa.gov with their input.” Read more from the City of Yelm.

“Yelm Homelessness Task Force”

• From Our Revolution Yelm:

“This is an invite to an important meeting of the Yelm Homelessness Task Force next Tuesday, September 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Yelm Community Center. The task force is taking public input on the issue of homelessness in Yelm. There are many “naysayers” who have amassed in great numbers who plan to attend the evening, too, and as a member of this task force I am concerned that the needs of the homeless as citizens of our town will be drowned out by those who have less of an understanding of the real situation here as most of you and I do. Let’s go and be a show of force. PLEASE plan to attend! Thank you.”

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“Sunbird Shopping Center Prepares to Assist Hunger-Fighting Organizations With Annual Event”

“The Sunbird Shopping Center strives to support the community in a number of ways throughout the year at both its Chehalis and Yelm locations. 

“From providing meaningful employment for 40 to 50 employees in Chehalis and about 20 in Yelm to offering discounts to emergency service workers and military members on Veterans Day and Memorial Day weekends, there are several ways the business has made itself an important part of the communities it serves. 

“The annual truckload Georgia Boot sale might be its largest annual charitable undertaking.

“For the eighth year, both Sunbird Shopping Center locations will be donating $5 from every sale of a pair of Georgia Boots to the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition in Chehalis and Yelm Community Services. [The sale runs Sept. 19 through Oct. 2.]

“The result in both communities is much-needed sustenance for those who struggle to afford food,” by The Daily Chronicle (Centralia).

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• Editor’s note: Last week witnessed America marking the 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, noting the country was dealing with a new pile of smouldering, slow-burning debris. President Trump’s behavior and policies were ramped up in a direction against what most Americans say is in this nation’s interests. Added to that was a 4-year study released by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks that said World Trade Center (WTC) building 7 did not fall that fateful day from fires, rather a free-fall caused by controlled demolition. Such a study was a landmark report by a publicly funded university and led me to this question, “Who set demolition charges and caused the building to implode in on itself 7 hours after the World Trade Center towers were struck?” If Trump is so vigorous to “clean the swamp” and go after what he describes as the “Deep State,” why was he silent on this public report covered here last week?

“Federal Budget Deficit Tops $1 Trillion—With No End In Sight”

• Editor’s note: Do you recall Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to dissolve the deficit within 8 years of his presidency?

By Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes. Read more, Read more

“Major US Insurer Says It Will No Longer Underwrite and Invest in Coal”

By Elana Sulakshana, Truthout.

• Editor’s note: The coal industry is a major Trump campaign supporter. Read more, Read more

“Trump, NOAA and the politicalization of a weather report”

• Editor’s note: Now Trump has politicized the weather services to be forced to adhere to his whims!

Click here for the video discussion, via CNN. Read more, Read more

“Trump dismisses idea of allowing Bahamians into U.S. after Hurricane Dorian”

By Elizabeth Chuck and Julia Ainsley, NBC News.

• Editor’s note: This country has always allowed displaced refugees to seek safety on our shores, except the MS St. Louis in 1939, resulting in the extermination of 254 passengers! Read more

“Trump Had Deal With Scotland Airport That Sent Flight Crews to His Resort”

By Eric Lipton, The New York Times. Read more

“Trump reportedly calls Fox News CEO to complain about negative coverage”

By Mike Brest, Washington Examiner. Read more

“Trump accidentally tweeted an insult at a pastor. Here’s how the pastor responded.”

Bu Julia Zauzmer, Washington Post. Read more

“Trump administration nixes Obama-era clean water protections”

“‘It will certainly be challenged by the states — almost half of which are now operating under the 2015 Rule — and by environmental groups,’ a former EPA official said.”

By Phil McCausland, NBC News. Read more

“Trump’s plan to pay for border wall with Air Force funds risks national security, report says”

“The report, compiled by the U.S. Air Force and obtained by NBC News, details the importance of each of the 51 military projects chosen by the Trump administration to lose their funding.”

By Courtney Kube, NBC News. Read more

“Trump, Awaiting Egypt’s Sisi at Summit, Called Out for ‘My Favorite Dictator'”

By Nancy A. Youssef, Vivian Salama, Michael C. Bender, Wall Street Journal. Read more

“Team Trump Wrestles With Its QAnon Problem”

“None of the mysterious Q’s predictions in anonymous internet forums had come to pass nearly a year after it started in October 2017, and QAnon believers were starting to lose faith. After yet another Q prediction failed to materialize in 2018, an armed, crazed QAnon fan allegedly shut down a bridge near the Hoover Dam with an improvised armored truck.” 

“To Team Trump, though, QAnon diehards who adore Trump and garner media coverage and camera shots at his 2020 rallies have been a longtime nuisance. One current senior Trump campaign official told The Daily Beast that the standard operating procedure among most staff has been to generally just “ignore them” and not “make a big deal out of” them, both to deprive them of as much press attention as possible and to avoid “p—ing off the crazy” people.

“In a particularly weird bit of Trumpworld drama that unfolded earlier this year, QAnon believers turned on and began targeting former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka after he called their beliefs “GARBAGE.” Since the Tampa rally, Gorka and other Trump allies have struggled to stop QAnon’s spread, on the grounds that it’s an embarrassment to the larger Trump coalition.

“And over the past year, more and more QAnon fans who also support Trump have alleged that their Q gear and shirts have been banned from the president’s rallies, and they have accused security personnel of instructing them to, for instance, turn their T-shirts inside out,” by Will Sommerly, Asawin Suebsaeng, The Daily Beast. Read more

“Appeals court allows Trump emoluments case to move forward”

“A federal appeals court in New York on Friday ruled that a lawsuit accusing President Trump of violating the Emoluments Clause can proceed after a lower court had thrown out the case,” by Brett Samuels, The Hill. Read more

“Dormant for years, plans for $200 million resort near Mount Rainier show signs of life”

“Plans for $200 million resort to serve visitors to Mount Rainier National Park are resurfacing decades after initial approval.

“The project came back to life with a recent status hearing, and an upcoming decision could put construction in motion 25 years after plans were first announced.

“Park Junction Resort at Mount Rainier would be located 11 miles from the park on state Route 706, halfway between Elbe and Ashford,” by Debbie Cockrell, The Olympian. Read more

Read more about Park Junction Resort at Mt. Rainier.

“Dr. Wood: 7 things you can do to keep Thurston County’s water clean”

“Good water quality is an essential part of every person’s life. Clean drinking water is necessary for us to maintain good health. Keeping our rivers, streams and Puget Sound healthy is important, not only for our local economy, but also for our health.”

“Because our water is a community resource, we all have to do our part to keep our water clean and healthy. Contaminants, hazardous chemicals and nutrients that run off of our roofs, roads, and lawns can end up in our rivers, lakes, the Sound or in our groundwater.

“Luckily there are simple steps all households can take to help reduce negative impacts on our water:

• Pick up after your pet.
• Inspect your septic system annually.
• Take all unwanted household hazardous materials to HazoHouse.
• Wash cars at a car wash to keep soap out of local waterways.
• Use organic, slow-release fertilizers.
• Plant native plants to absorb and filter water.
• Apply compost to soil and as a mulch.“

By Dr. Rachel C. Wood, health officer for Thurston and Lewis counties.

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“Harvest Moon to glow bright on Friday the 13th”

“Friday night’s full moon is the Harvest Moon, considered one of the most popular moons of the year.”

“The full moon closest to the September equinox is given the name of the Harvest Moon. Under the bright light of the full moon, farmers could work well into the cool September night to harvest their summer crops before electricity was around to power lights,” by Brian Lada, KING-5 TV News, Seattle.

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