As 2006 comes to a close, do any of you actually know the words to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ ?

One very well-known Yelm, WA. figure got a “thumbs-up” on national television via ABC TV’s
“Pop Quiz: Sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’
How many of us really know the words to the New Year’s theme “Auld Lang Syne”?s”

Recognize the last singer?
That’s our own Nancy Hillman, former artistic director of Yelm’s Drew Harvey Theater from in front of ABC-TV studios in Times Square, New York City.

‘The Governors 2007-2009 budget released Dec. 19 includes updated project cost estimates reflecting recent construction cost escalations experienced in Washington and around the country. WSDOT will be updating project pages over the next few weeks to reflect the Governors budget estimates,” quoting the Washington State DOT
SR 510 – Yelm Loop Project, which has an estimated “Unfunded Amount Remaining – $35,000,000.”

“State lawmakers for the Kitsap Peninsula, site of a proposed NASCAR track, are lukewarm or opposed to the idea. The Florida-based speedway company behind the proposal, meanwhile, promises an improved pitch in the new year…
The nine state lawmakers who represent the peninsula, contacted last week, were either opposed to the plan or highly skeptical, The News Tribune reported in Monday [Dec. 25] editions…
The nine state lawmakers who represent the peninsula, contacted last week, were either opposed to the plan or highly skeptical, The News Tribune reported in Monday editions…
The company’s last proposal called for taxpayers to pay for half of the $345 million facility. That state share would be paid through bonds. The racetrack group contended the cost of the bonds would be more than covered by the sales taxes paid by out-of-state race fans.
No one stepped forward to sponsor a bill in the 2006 session. But the track got a boost in May when two Democratic congressmen from the region, Adam Smith and Norm Dicks, spoke in favor of it,” quoting The Olympian.

“In response to requests filed earlier this year by the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will undertake a comprehensive review of four patents related to genetically modified crops held by Monsanto that the agricultural giant is using to harass, intimidate, sue – and in some cases literally bankrupt – American farmers. The crime these farmers are accused of is nothing more than saving seed from one year’s crop to replant the following year, something farmers have done since the beginning of time. In its Orders granting the four requested reexaminations, the USPTO found that PUBPAT had submitted new evidence that raised “substantial questions of patentability” for every single claim of each of the four patents,” quoting the Public Patent Foundation.
The Patents & related documents list.

This was highlighted in the film The Future of Food mentioned here previously & now available for purchase through Amazon.com.

“All Thurston County residents can bring their Christmas trees for free to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC). Trees are accepted for free from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 (except Jan. 1, New Years Day) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limbs, boughs and greenery are accepted at yard waste rates ($35 per ton, $5 minimum fee). After Jan. 31, trees are accepted at yard waste rates. Directions: From I-5 take Exit 111, go north on Marvin Road, turn right on Hogum Bay Road, and the WARC entrance will be on the right.

Rainier residents should place trees at the curb on their regular Tuesday or Friday garbage pickup day from Dec. 29 to Jan. 19. For more information call Rainier City Hall 446-2265. Or they can also take trees to the Rainier Transfer Station at 13010 Rainier Acres Road from Dec. 29 through Jan. 27 during operating hours (Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Yelm residents may take trees to Yelm City Park anytime between Dec. 26 and Jan. 14. Place trees into container provided (as far back as possible).

LeMay customers with active yard waste service should place trees next to their container on their normal yard waste collection day/week. LeMay will also pick up trees at regular garbage rates for non-yard waste customers. For information, call 923-0111,” quoting Thurston County Solid Waste.

“County Opens Yard Waste Storm Debris Drop-off Points;
Waives Fees for Yard Waste Storm Debris at Waste and Recovery Center

In response to damage from last weeks storm, Thurston County commissioners approved a debris disposal program. The program, approved this afternoon, calls for the opening of three drop-off sites in Thurston County and the waiving of fees at the countys Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) for yard waste storm debris caused by the December 14-15 storm. The free service is open to all residents of incorporated and unincorporated Thurston County .

The three disposal sites are at the following locations:

> in the Rochester area, 500 feet north of the intersection of Sargent and Littlerock roads;

> at the Griffin Athletic Fields, 6924 41st Avenue NW off Steamboat Island Road and

> at the Rainier Pit, 11414 133rd Avenue SE .

Reader boards will be near the entrance to each site. The sites will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Only trees and tree limbs will be accepted. No dirt, rocks, weeds, sod, stumps, painted or treated lumber, food waste or beauty bark will be accepted.

The countys Waste and Recovery Center at 2418 Hogum Bay Road NE (near Lacey) will accept tree and tree limbs felled by the storm for no charge from Saturday, December 23 through Sunday, January 7; closed December 25 and January 1. The WARC is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m; and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Only trees and limbs will be accepted with no charge. Trunks and limbs longer than eight feet and larger in diameter than eight inches must be taken to one of the three outlying disposal sites listed above. The waiving of fees applies only to trees and tree limbs downed by the storm.

Information about the debris disposal program is available at the countys Water and Waste Management Office at 357-2491,” quoting Thurston County.

“County residents can get discounts of 15 percent to 50 percent on performing arts tickets, restaurants, gyms, massages, karate lessons and even car detailing services thanks to Thurston County s Waste Free Holidays program. The program encourages people to purchase experiences instead of stuff to reduce the amount of garbage produced over the holidays.

Discounts are available through Dec. 31, 2006 by contacting participating businesses directly. Details are available on the Thurston County link on www.wastefreeholidays.com. Thurston County residents can also take advantage of discounts offered in other counties participating in the program…

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years Day than during any other time of year. The food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons add about 1 million tons a week to the nations waste stream. Meanwhile, advertising agencies spend more than $15 billion a year on advertising aimed at children.

This is the perfect opportunity for parents to start weaning their children away from material overload by setting an example, said Wells. Reducing consumer stress also helps families experience the real meaning of the holidays a warm feeling inside that comes from doing something that makes a difference.

Visit www.wastefreeholidays.com or call Amber Wells at 754-3355 ext. 7669 for more ideas on waste free holiday gifts, creative wrapping, festive parties, and tree recycling,” quoting Thurston County.

Merry Christmas!
Have a grand weekend with your families.

Steve Klein

“Imagine hopping on a train in Thurston County’s urban area to commute to your job in Pierce or King county. Each weekday morning, an estimated 30,000 commuters head north for jobs and 15,000 come into Thurston County. Those figures are predicted to double in the next two decades, according to Jailyn Brown, an associate planner for the Thurston Regional Planning Council. A group that has taken an in-depth look at bringing commuter rail into Thurston County has concluded it has potential…

Sound Transit operates Sounder Commuter Rail, which now runs between Tacoma and Everett. An extension from Pierce County’s largest city south to Lakewood is under way. The Thurston Regional Planning Council, an intergovernmental board that develops regional plans and policies, has identified passenger rail as a priority both because of growth in the commuting population and because residents have inquired about it regularly…

The work group examined commuter rail; light rail, which operates within a metropolitan area; and intercity rail, which serves a broader population with all-day service to major cities on the I-5 corridor like the Amtrak Cascades service…

The council will seek $500,000 from next year’s Legislature to pay for a study that will look at specific ways to move commuters around using new or improved roads, rails, bus service and park-and-ride lots. The study would examine where commuter rail would go and how much it would cost.

The work group recommended that the council fund the study with state and federal support. It also recommended the council encourage Sound Transit to include the DuPont rail station in a funding package expected to total several billion dollars that should go before voters in its service district in November.

The transit board will settle on a final project list in April, and the DuPont rail station is still in the mix, said Bruce Gray, a spokesman for Sound Transit.

Such an addition could persuade more Thurston County commuters to use the service and would make commuter rail more visible to area residents,” quoting The Olympian.

In 2006, filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes set off on a cross-country journey with an unusual goal: shunning “big box” outlets and chain stores, the couple would only do business with “mom and pop” shops, quoting Hot Zone. [Ed. Note: One of the stops was in Yelm WA. where the City Council led by former Mayor Adam Rivas & then Council member Ron Harding (now Yelm’s Mayor) said no citizen can speak about Wal-Mart or big-box, as shown in this film.]
The Yelm City Council earned the egregious Jefferson Muzzles Award for its disregard of fellow citizens on the big-box issue.
See the film trailer with the Yelm City Council vetoing citizens rights on the Independent America website.