Credit: Truthout


– Editor’s note:
With the Trump Administration pulling the U. S. out of the Paris Climate Accord and focusing on fossil fuels, one of the world’s largest contributors to global warming (the USA) is absent on contributing to the survival of the planet’s surface!


– “New UN Report Warns of Impending Catastrophe as World Warms, Glaciers Melt”
“Urgent changes needed to cut risk of extreme heat, drought, floods and poverty, says IPCC”

“The biggest news in the corporate media regarding climate change since my last dispatch has been the UN report stating that we have 12 years left to limit a full-on climate change catastrophe. To avoid this fate, we would need to spend those 12 years curbing global emissions dramatically. Essentially, there would need to be a government-mandated plan across the globe that would enable us to limit warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade (1.5°C) rather than the 2°C goal of the 2015 Paris climate talks. Eliminating that extra .5 of warming would save tens of millions of people from sea level rise inundation, and hundreds of millions from water scarcity and a myriad of other catastrophic impacts. Limiting warming to 1.5°C would, scientists have said, require a radical rethinking of virtually every facet of modern society, including an abandonment of our entire fossil-fuel based economy. However, currently, we are headed for at least a 3°C increase by 2100, with no mass government mobilization in sight,” by Dahr Jamail, Truthout.
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– “Demands for ‘Real Climate Action’ as Death Toll From California Wildfires Hits Grim Record”
“‘This is not the new normal. This is the new abnormal,’ said California Gov. Jerry Brown”
by Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams.
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– “93 Percent Breathing Polluted Air”
* Worldwide, 93 percent of children live in areas with air pollution at levels above WHO guidelines
* More than 1 in 4 deaths among children under 5 years is related to environmental risks, including air pollution
* In 2016, ambient (outside) and household air pollution contributed to respiratory tract infections that led to 543,000 deaths in children under 5
* In 2016, ambient air pollution led to 4.2 million premature deaths, nearly 300,000 of which occurred in children under the age of 5
* Exposure to air pollution may lead to lower cognitive test outcomes, negatively affect children’s mental and motor development and may influence the development of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
By Dr. Joseph MRead more

– Editor’s note:
The Yelm city council is set to renew the contract with the Nisqually jail for services.
The council needs to understand these issues:
* Yelm’s incarcerated citizens are housed on sovereign tribal land,
* Tribe jail is not subject to public records disclosure,
* Did Nisqually Jail staff comply with proper training and regulations as required by counties and cities?


– “Scrutiny for Nisqually jail after shoplifting suspect has stroke during 19 days in custody”
“The Nisqually tribe’s jail is again under scrutiny after a 43-year-old Lacey man, arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, spent 19 days in custody and suffered a stroke, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.”

“This isn’t the first time the jail has been the focus of a lawsuit.

“In 2017, The Olympian reported that 19-year-old Andrew J. Westling died in his cell April 12, about 24 hours after his arrest for causing a disturbance at a Yelm service station. Westling suffered from a heart condition and had notified jail staff about it, but he didn’t receive proper medical attention, the lawsuit alleged.

“In that case, Westling’s attorney sued the city of Yelm. The city later settled the case for $375,000; the Nisqually tribe paid an undisclosed amount.

“Westling’s attorney also sought to challenge the legality of Yelm’s contract with a jail that’s located on sovereign tribal land, The Olympian reported. That sovereignty means the tribe is not subject to public records disclosure, and it was unclear whether Nisqually Jail staff had complied with proper training and regulations as required by counties and cities, according to The Olympian,” by Rolf Boone, The Olympian.
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– “Local firefighters arrive in California as death toll from wildfires grows”
“Thurston and Lewis county firefighters were among those dispatched to California over the weekend to help battle deadly wildfires in that state.

“Crews from Lacey Fire District 3, Bald Hills Fire Department, Lewis County Fire Protection District 5, McLane Black Lake Fire Department and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority were mobilized, along with crews from King County, Pierce County and elsewhere.

“Local crews reported on social media they arrived Sunday in Southern California to help fight the Woolsey Fire near Los Angeles,” by Abby Spegman, The Olympian.
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Computer-enhanced visualization of completed I-5 thru Tacoma.
Credit: WSDOT


– “Is our Tacoma I-5 traffic nightmare nearly over? Well …”
“Three major projects through the Tacoma area are in the mop-up phase. They are:

▪ I-5 M Street to Portland Avenue HOV, which replaced pavement and widened the freeway to add carpool lanes and other improvements.

▪ I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road-northbound HOV, which replaced the northbound I-5 Puyallup River bridge and made other improvements.

▪ I-5-state Route 16 realignment-HOV structure and connections, which is adding ramps and overpasses to tie I-5 carpool lanes to those on state Route 16,” by Adam Lynn, Tacoma News-Tribune.
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Katie Gerard
Credit: Post of Seattle

– Editor’s note:
This is a huge job and so glad to see South Sound’s talent noticed and selected!


– “Katie Gerard Hired as Senior Director of Human Resources, Port of Seattle”
“Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen P. Metruck has hired Katie Gerard as a member of the Port’s executive team, effective November 30, 2018. Gerard has spent her entire career in public service and joins the Port from Thurston County, Washington, where she was head of human resources.

“‘Katie Gerard brings over 20 years of human resources experience to the Port of Seattle,’ said Metruck. ‘Her extensive background includes implementing innovative change across four different areas within the State of Washington, including State Parks and Recreation, Personnel, Office of Financial Management, and Department of Revenue. She was the Human Resources (HR) Director in two agencies, and Planning and Strategy Section Chief in another, providing further experience that uniquely qualifies her for this role at the Port,'” quoting the Port of Seattle.
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– About Give Local
“Give Local South Puget Sound is hosted by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound to support nonprofits across Thurston, Mason, and Lewis Counties. Give Local 2018 will feature approximately 75 organizations that have been reviewed by the Community Foundation.

“From October 31 through November 20, donors are encouraged to “give where you live” by making an online donation to one or more local nonprofits on our online giving platform. Sign up for our email list below and we’ll send you more information about Give Local.”

“100% of the funds raised from Give Local are passed along to our nonprofit partners. This is possible because of the generous support of our sponsors who cover the transaction fees and marketing costs of the campaign.”

“WHY WE CREATED GIVE LOCAL”
“Give Local is part of the Community Foundation’s efforts to grow community philanthropy. Our goals for Give Local are to inspire more local giving, while helping build awareness and support for nonprofits in the South Puget Sound.

“Through our Community Grants process, we distribute more than $400,000 in grants annually, and typically receive more than $900,000 in grant requests.

“Give Local is just one part of the Community Foundation’s efforts to invest in the future of Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together and give generously to nonprofit organizations that make our region a healthier and more vibrant place to live. Learn more about the Community Foundation.”
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Photo credit: www.VA.gov


– Veterans Day Observances
* National Observance
“The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.” Read more


* Area Observances
Tenino: The new Veterans Memorial in Tenino City Park will be dedicated at a ceremony at 10 a.m. U.S. Rep. Denny Heck and Thurston County Commissioners will attend. Heck and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky will speak. Representatives from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and an ensemble from the 56th Army Band based at JBLM also will take part. Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier will conclude the ceremony at 11 a.m., marking the moment a century ago when the Armistice Treaty ending World War I took effect.

State Capitol: The Thurston County Veterans Council and state Department of Veterans Affairs will host a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the Rotunda in the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus, featuring performances by the American Legion Band, World War I displays, speakers and a tolling of the bells.
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Yelm: The City of Yelm, VFW, and Foreign Legion host a 30 minute ceremony at Yelm City Park at 3pm, followed by refreshments. Read more


– ABOUT VETERANS DAY
“Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)…

“The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” quoting Wikipedia.
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– HONORING ALL SOLDIERS WHO SERVED
“For most of us Veterans Day holiday just means a chance to enjoy an extra day off from work or school. However this day November 11, be sure to spend a few minutes on its true purpose, by acknowledging any person who served in any military service branch. These include the members of the US Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy or the Coast Guard.

“Many people often believe that Veterans Day and Memorial Day are celebrated for the same reason. There is however a important difference between the two holidays. While both honor our military personnel, the Memorial Day is a day to remember and pay respect to all that died serving our country in a war, while Veterans Day is to celebrate all soldiers who served in the forces at anytime, during peace or war,” quoting Veterans Day 2015.
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– “ARMISTICE DAY”
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, fighting ceased in the ‘war to end all wars.’ People went on killing and dying right up until the pre-designated moment, impacting nothing other than our understanding of the stupidity of war.”

“Believe it or not, November 11th was not made a holiday in order to celebrate war, support troops, or cheer the 15th year of occupying Afghanistan. This day was made a holiday in order to celebrate an armistice that ended what was up until that point, in 1918, one of the worst things our species had thus far done to itself, namely World War I.

“World War I, then known simply as the world war or the great war, had been marketed as a war to end war. Celebrating its end was also understood as celebrating the end of all wars,” quoting David Swanson, World Beyond War.org.
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– “One-Hundred Years Later, It’s Time to Disarm Armistice Day”
By Robert F. Sommer, in Truthout.
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Thurston’s Millersylvania State Park
Credit: Washington State Parks


– Editor’s note:
Washington State Parks have free entry days remaining in 2018 on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 23). National Parks also offer free entry on Veterans Day.


– “Here are the days state parks and fishing will be free in 2019. Mark your calendar”
“You can visit Washington state parks without a fee for parking on 12 days in 2019 and fish for free on two days.

“Washington State Parks announced its free days for next year — nine of them on weekends or legal holidays — on Wednesday.

“Two of the free park days coincide with the Washington state Fish and Wildlife Department’s free fishing day. You can fish without a license on June 8-9 in Washington state next year.

“Free state parks days in 2019 include:
▪ Tuesday, Jan. 1

▪ Monday, Jan 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

▪ Tuesday, March 19, State Parks’ 106th birthday

▪ Saturday, April 20, springtime free day

▪ Monday, April 22, Earth Day

▪ Saturday, June 1, National Trails Day

▪ Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, Free Fishing Weekend

▪ Sunday, Aug. 25, National Park Service birthday

▪ Saturday, Sept. 28, National Public Lands Day

▪ Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day

▪ Friday, Nov. 29, autumn free day

“To find a park to visit, check here.”
By Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald.
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– “Yelm’s made two appearances in the state football playoffs. This year, and 1987”
“Yelm’s 24-21 district [football] playoff win over Bishop Blanchet last week propelled the Tornados into the state playoffs for the first time in 31 years, and only the second time since the school opened in 1925,” by Dave Weber, contributing writer, Tacoma News-Tribune.
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Credit: Yelm Chmaber of Commerce


– “Yelm’s Magnetic Appeal: Rural Community is State’s 9th Fastest Growing”
“In Olympia, if bygone beer commercials are anything to go by, ‘it’s the water.’ In nearby Yelm, however, air is key – at least according to one recent urban transplant. When Yelm Mayor JW Foster queried a new resident about why he and his wife had moved to the rural community from Seattle after a statewide search, he discovered one of the deciding factors: ‘It smells good here,’ says Foster. ‘That’s what he told me. And you know what? It does.’

“Pleasant aromas aside, Yelm is the ninth fastest growing city in Washington State according to data released by the American Community Survey, a publication of the United States Census Bureau,” by Heidi Smith, Thurston Talk.
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