April 30, 2008

SUPPORT OUR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES: LIQUID SOUL COFFEE IN MCKENNA

Liquid Soul Coffee Roasters & Caf is family owned and now operating in the state of Washington. We started 12 years ago in San Diego and moved up to the Great Northwest to be close to the serious coffee connoisseur. We have developed our own popular blends and single origin coffees using certified organics and fair trade growers.

The family has a genuine passion for the very best coffee ! We have mastered our roasts to bring out the character from our carefully chosen specialty coffee beans. We work closely with our brokers from all over the world to bring to your table the finest gourmet coffees. Our roasts are consistent and the coffee cupped after every roast to insure our highest standards.

Lindsey ( the daughter ) is the Barista extraordinaire, you should witness her confidence using the La Marzocco FB80 triple group espresso machine. She is also doing her internship as Coffee Roaster. She has been around coffee all her life and enjoys the business immensely. She also is heavily into art and her original paintings. She loves people and it shows with her pleasant demeanor and sense of humor, our guests are always satisfied with her service and beautiful smile.

Martin & Barbara are the shopkeepers. Barbara loves to bake from scratch developing her own organic recipes. Don’t be surprised if Barbara is wrapping up some of her very popular ” all natural ” Carnitas Burritos. She also lives for her four Chihuahua’s, they are all characters in their own right. We do have a dog friendly atmosphere thanks to her. Even the pooches can have a rush. haha! Martin is the Master Roaster and Guitar Maestro. He has played guitar all his life and shared the stage with many famous musical artists such as Chaka Khan , Eddie Harris , Poncho Sanchez, Carmine Appice , Luis Gasca , Art Porter Jr. and many more. Come check out his amazing licks someday, he’s always there Friday and Saturday nights. Lets not forget his meticulous roasting abilities……..See you soon !

Thanks for visiting us,

The Salinas Family … Martin , Barbara & Lindsey

Dads Jam Night at Liquid Soul

To all families and friends, you are invited to Dads Jam Night at Liquid Soul on Friday, May 2nd from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Liquid Soul has partnered with CSE to raise funds for the school through its very delicious coffee sales. Martin and Barbara Salinas owners of Liquid Soul are opening their stage to CSE dads to jam the night away with their musical talents. Anyone who would like to perform that night, please contact the office for details. Liquid Soul offers fabulous coffee, excellent food, and wonderful wine. Please join us next Friday for a night of family fun!

THIS WRITER STOPPED BY FOR THE FIRST TIME AT BARBARA’S INVITATION ON MONDAY.
WHAT A TREAT IN-STORE FOR THOSE THAT TAKE THE 1/4 MILE TURN OFF OF HIGHWAY 507 IN MCKENNA!

TELL LIQUID SOUL YOU HEAR ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!
LOCATED 1/4 OF A MILE EAST FROM THE MCKENNA LIGHT ON HIGHWAY 702!


April 29, 2008

RAINIER’S CHILDREN’S SCHOOL ANNOUNCES SUMMER CAMP FOR 3-14 YEAR OLDS

CSE is launching Summer Camp 2008, two 2-week sessions of summertime exploration and adventure for kids 3-14 years old.

CLICK HERE for CSE Summer Camp Information:

CLICK HERE for Summer Camp registration forms and information

Summertime exploration and adventure for children ages 3 to 14 years old.
Arts & Crafts, Music, Dance, Science & Technology,
Mind Leaps, Archery, and More!
Detailed Information and registration forms are available online or in the CSE office.

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES:
Session 1: July 7th July 18th Creative Arts & Expression
Discover and create with a variety of studio art projects and performing arts, including instrument making,
Dance with Jehrin Alexandria, Drumming with Michael Harrison, Improv with Rachel Lund.
Toastmasters with Diane DAcuti, and more.

Session 2: July 28th August 8th Design & Construction
Learn design concepts and construction techniques in a variety of activities and projects, including
model rockets with Cheryl Nichols and a special workshop with LEGO certified professional Dan
Parker, currently one of six LEGO certified professionals in the entire world. Dan will teach students
mosaic techniques, architecture, mechanics and sculpture.

* Enrollment is limited and open to the public.

Please call (360) 446-1100 or visit the CSE office if you have any questions or to sign up.
Childrens School of Excellence
Tel 360-446-1100
Fax 360-446-4050
E-mail cseinfo@fairpoint.net
www.cseinfo.com
P. O. Box 1065
13411 Cedar Grove Lane SE
Rainier, Washington 98576


April 28, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS TO KAYA KEESLAR: NVN’S ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

“Keeslars hitting keys team success”

“As Rainier High School baseballs regular season winds down, senior Kya Keeslars production continues to rise, as he has been named Nisqually Valley News Athlete of the Month for April…

Keeslar combines on the field performance with a quiet leadership.

‘That (vocal leadership) is not him at all,’ Rainier coach Mark Mounts said. ‘Hes just not that type of guy. If I can get four words from him in a game Im happy.’

Keeslars consistent statistics speak louder than words.

‘Hes a polished hitter and has good recognition of plate coverage,’ Mounts said. ‘I would say in three years of coaching him hes never gone two games in a row without a hit,'” quoting the Nisqually Valley News (NVN).

Ed. Note: This writer has known Kya and his family since before he was born.
I can attest this is an outstanding young man!

CONGRATULATIONS, KYA!

AND, KUDOS TO NVN PUBLISHER/EDITOR KEVEN GRAVES FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THIS 3RD GENERATION MEMBER OF A FAMILY THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED MIGHTILY TO THIS AREA FOR TWO DECADES!


April 27, 2008

YELM BUSINESS AT NEXT WEEK’S SEATTLE GREEN POWER BABY SHOWER EXPO

“For the first time ever, Green for Good is bringing the Green Power Baby Shower Expo to Seattle. This eco-friendly baby shower, set for Saturday, May 3, 2008 [from 10 am till 4pm], will provide exhibitors with a unique opportunity to demonstrate, distribute and sell organic and Green products for babies, new mothers, pregnant women, and children – all in the relaxed atmosphere of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

Green for Good, in partnership with GreenBuzzPR, will be marketing this event to mothers, pregnant women, grandmothers – and maybe a few dads. The event will be free for attendees and we expect to draw over 2,000.

In addition, a luncheon will be held (at an additional cost) for 250 of the attendees. Our speaker is Dr. Alan Greene, author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care and a pediatric expert on Dr. Greene.Com as well as WebMD. On his quest to educate and inspire parents about their children, Dr. Greene has become one of the world’s most trusted and beloved pediatricians, and he will provide valuable information on how attendees can raise their babies green!


Yelm area Green business owner Yael Klein (this writer’s wife) will be an exhibitor at this show. Mrs. Klein’s business is Ema Pads,
“MA PADS- organic cotton cloth menstrual pads. They are Reusable and washable. These Menstrual Cloth Pads Made from 100% Unbleached un-dyed Certified Organically Grown Cotton Fabric.”


April 26, 2008

GUEST ENTRY: ROY’S DIANA CRIMI ADDRESSES YELM’S ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER

Roy resident Diana Crimi addressed the Yelm City Council during the public comment period on Tuesday, April 8th. Since only staff and I were in the audience, Mayor Harding allowed her the whole 15 minutes to comment. Mrs. Crimi raised some very startling issues about the Yelm Animal Shelter as well as some fine suggestions. I asked her to write a report for the Yelm Community Blog readers, which follows unabridged:

“It started out with a simple call from a lady asking me to please look at a dog in the Yelm Dog Pound and escalated into frustration and heartache. When I arrived at the pound and asked to see the dog, the woman behind the desk said she was sure the dog had already been picked up by Thurston County and wouldn’t still be out back. I asked if we could at least check and see if she might still be there. The woman said again she was sure the dog was gone by now. I had the strong feeling she didn’t want to walk to the back building to look but I said please lets check. Imagine her surprise when she found the dog was still there.

The dog was a Shepherd Lab mix. She was very young, a little too excited, a little too frantic and a little too skinny for anyone to pay much attention to for adoption. So, on March 21, 2008 she was sentenced to the Thurston County Shelter where she was to be destroyed. Her life would end before she was eight months old. I spent about a half hour with her. She had such a sweet disposition.

I couldn’t walk away knowing she would be dead that night if she was not saved now. It was Good Friday and I asked the lady if I could please have her time extended until Monday and I would pick her up then. The woman said “No”.

It was about an hour before closing and I told the woman I needed time to find a place for her to stay. “You know they’ll put her to sleep when she gets to the Thurston Shelter” The woman said, “I know.” I begged a little, “Couldn’t you please change the date to the 24th and give her a second chance”? “I can’t make those changes”, she said.

So, I asked to speak to the person in charge of this facility. I told him I just needed a couple days and I promised to pick her up Monday or Tuesday. I reminded him she would be put to sleep if he let Thurston pick her up tonight. He said he knew that and then he said “We’ll keep her until 5:00 PM Wednesday and then she goes”. I was thankful for the extended time.

I found a wonderful home for that dog and she’s now happily living on ten acres in Vancouver. Since then, I have found homes for six dogs from that pound [Yelm’s Animal Control].

My experience with the physical care and treatment of the dogs that are impounded was extremely upsetting. Every day I went to walk the dogs, the cages were dirty and usually the water bowls were empty. I was always there between 2-3:00 PM. I cleaned their cages and gave them all water.

One day I entered the area to find blood all over the floor and saw one of the little Basset Hounds bleeding profusely from the throat. After going to the front desk and asking for medical help the woman said “We don’t do that”. When I asked what do you do when a dog comes in injured or is injured in the cage the woman said “Nothing”. I later found out that a dog came in with two toes torn off his foot and he didn’t get medical care. Unless it’s life threatening and not always then, do dogs get Veterinary care.

That was the day I rescued the two Bassets and took the injured one to my veterinarian, Dr. Jenifer Preston. She treated the little dog, cleaned the wound and gave her the necessary shots and meds. Today both little dogs are living in Roy on two and a half acres. Every dog I rescued from that pound cost $55. I told them I was working with Companion Animal Rescue Society but the woman behind the counter said we don’t give breaks to rescue groups.

I brought it to the attention of the City Council, the Mayor and Animal Control that we need the following:
– Signs that have arrows pointing to the City Dog Pound.
– Posters in strategic shopping places and in the Post Office and City Hall with the address of the pound.
– Have pictures posted on a bulletin board of found dogs and dogs up for adoption.
– Allow volunteers to help with the dogs.
– Allow dogs to be fostered so they’re not traumatized by being in the facility.
– Improve the facility where dogs are kept. The cages are too small, too cold, too drafty and too wet.
– Don’t charge rescue groups who are trying to save and rescue the dogs.
I made many more requests.

Any dog that leaves the Yelm pound and goes to Thurston County is considered surrendered by the owner and if it hasn’t been claimed or adopted within the 5 to 7 days it stays in Yelm, it is put to sleep. It was finally agreed at the Mayor’s meeting that certain dogs would go to Animal Rescue and Adoption rather than be put to sleep. Wanda Bittner has offered her services and we need volunteers to help with the care of these dogs.

The heartache for me is what is happening to dogs that go into that shelter. They are not treated humanely. A four month old puppy was kept in the cage and by the time they allowed me to adopt him he was so sick he needed veterinary care. I asked to foster the little guy but they said no. The vet said that no heat and being on a cement slab is no place for a puppy. $651 dollars later a vet clinic saved the life of the puppy.

I went to see another dog there and the cage was dirty……..”We clean the cages once a day” and even if a cage is dirty later in the day they won’t clean it. I even offered to clean the cage and the man said no.

There is no way for a dog to keep his body heat in when it’s cold outside The building is drafty and they don’t have a good place to sleep. I was told they have heat lamps but I’ve never seen any in the pound and if that’s the case why didn’t that puppy have heat?

And what about the Pit Bull mixes and the Pit Bulls? There was a sweet female mix that went in quietly and even one of the workers said she was nice but three days later she was shaking and cowering in the corner of her cage. When I had her outside and she saw a worker, she dropped to the ground and turned her head in fear. The trainer and I saw a lump on one side of her head that she didn’t have the day she first came in.

Two more Pit/ Pit mixes came into the pound and after being there a few days they too were cowering. I was told two of the workers don’t like Pits. One of the dogs was a very young male all excited and barking. He was in a pen a few feet from a female in season. The worker said the male showed signs of aggression and I could not rescue him. I think those were signs of frustration and anxiety being kept so close to the female. His last day in Yelm was Monday and he was sent to Thurston County. I imagine he is dead.

I must say that if Yelm is to be a growing community it must take into consideration all avenues and that includes the proper facility and the humane treatment of all dogs. If there is an Animal Control Division then they should offer humane care and treatment for the dogs. I invite anyone to stop by the Public Works office and take a look at the dog pound. The floors and rubber mats are wet and the building is drafty and cold. And while you’re there you might consider adopting a dog.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If enough people complain maybe things will improve for our beloved dogs.”

Mrs. Crimi reports that she and others met with Mayor Harding and were told recommendations will be made to the City Council later this year.
The shelter is located at 901 Rhoton Rd. and is open from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 458-8406.

King County was reprimanded last month as reported by the Seattle P-I,
“In a report released Monday [March 24] that is harshly critical of King County Executive Ron Sims, a consultant to the County Council reluctantly recommends that the county get out of the animal care and control business and turn the job over to a private agency.

‘King County Animal Care and Control has failed the animals, and there is no credible evidence to the contrary, if history and present actions are any guide, that it will not continue to fail the animals in the years to come,’ consultant Nathan Winograd writes in his 147-page report.”

Then on April 11th, the P-I reports,
“After weeks of feuding over animal shelters, Metropolitan King County Council leaders and County Executive Ron Sims have agreed on a plan aimed at increasing animal adoptions and reducing the number of dogs and cats killed at the shelters.”

The Metropolitan King County Council held a town-hall meeting on animal shelters and animal control on Monday, April 14th. A pet-adoption fair was held outside.

Quoting Yelm Mayor Ron Harding in the NVN of April 25, 2008,
“We’ll most likely be making a recommendation to the council later this year.”

WHHHAT?
Later this year?
King County Executive Ron Sims moved from a negative report on March 24th to unveiling a plan on April 11, and a Town Hall with the public on April 14 about this same issue – all in three weeks.

Yelm’s Mayor says “most likely” a recommendation will go to the Council later this year.
What does THAT mean? “Most likely” ???
With no outrage here, the public will not see the movement King County’s Executive did in just 3 week!

PERHAPS THE TIME IS NOW FOR YELM TO EXPRESS OUTRAGE AT THIS ISSUE!
WHAT SAY YOU?


April 25, 2008

NEWS FROM TUESDAY’S YELM CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Tuesday, April 22nd City Council Agenda covered the following items:

1. Mayor Harding announced his proclamation April is Arbor Month, and this year marks the 135th anniversary of Arbor Day.
Yelm’s annual Arbor Day celebration will not be in April though, rather May 9th. CLICK HERE for more information on Yelm’s Adopt-A-Tree Program. The Mayor said Yelm will swap trees in a sister-city program with Lacey.

2. The Mayor acknowledged staff for the booth and participation at the Nisqually Valley Home & Garden Show and said over 300 people stopped by the city’s booth, the first year there has been one. He said meeting this many people covered many, many Town Hall meetings in the numbers of people visited. He said, “Few come [to Town Hall Meetings], yet we came to them with our booth.”

This writer thought about this and noted there has not been one Town Hall Meeting under Mayor Harding’s tenure. Then I realized Mayor Harding is absolutely right. Based on the under-a-dozen that attend Town Hall Meetings in Yelm by our Congressman & State Legislators, Mayor Harding is probably doing the right thing
by staffing a booth at the Home Show rather than holding any public Town Hall, as there is little participation by the locals in Yelm City government. Kudos to the Mayor for the city’s booth at the Home Show and taking the city staff TO the people.

3. Mayor Harding announced a meeting of the Yelm Transportation Committee (YTC) and said the committee will have to replenish the list and come up with new projects, as so many are completed, just as this writer mentioned earlier this month.

4. There was Resolution # 483 for $45,000 in improvements to the structure to house the Yelm Historical Museum that unanimously passed. This writer found that curious since the city/chamber mailed a slick new glossy brochure that says, “Volunteer labor and construction donations will help convert the historic structure to create more room for the debut showing of some of Yelm’s finest artifacts.” HMMM!
Council member John Thompson abstained in the vote because he works for the owner of the building previously housing the Museum and that owner, Prairie Park also owns the Prairie Hotel, which collected tax revenue for the city to operate the museum, until recently. Prairie Park in essence collected a hotel tax from their own hotel occupants that went to pay themselves rent (via the city’s books) for the city’s Historical Museum housed in another one of their own buildings. Of course, the State notified the City that collecting public taxes for use of a city museum in a private facility was improper and the city ceased collecting the tax, as reported here last Fall.
Mr. Thompson added this comment in his abstention,”I am pleased the hotel/motel tax can once gain be used since this [Yelm’s Historical Museum will be housed in the city-owned house adjacent the new Municipal Court Bldg.] is a public building.”


April 24, 2008

DINING OUT FOR LIFE – TODAY –


Thursday, April 24, 2008

DINING OUT FOR LIFE

“Dine at any of the eighty-nine participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Thursday, April 24th, and 25% of your food and non-alcoholic beverage bill will be donated to support HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy services in Pierce and Thurston Counties.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!

Because Thursday, April 24th is about more than food and good company!”


Sandra Romero

Thurston County Commissioner Candidate Sandra Romero invites you to join her at the Lone Star Kitchen in Lacey, 4441 Pacific Avenue SE from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm. If you thought of dining out this evening, please consider the Lone Star Kitchen. A portion of all the meals served that evening will go to fighting AIDS.


April 23, 2008

ACCLAIMED YELM ARTIST DEBUTS WEBSITE DISPLAYING HER WORK

“Suzanne Wood is a fine artist and illustrator. She is an honors graduate with a degree in Fine Art. She has studied art and art history in Florence, Italy and Vienna, Austria. Her oil and watercolor paintings are held in over 30 private and corporate collections.She has illustrated for magazines, children’s books and cookbooks. She has also created an extensive icon project for Washington State Parks System.”

“My passions in art are reflected on this website: botanical watercolors, landscape oils and portraiture.”

“Suzanne created a series of pen and ink illustrations for Washington State Parks under the artistic direction of the Marketing Director with color development by Matautia Design. Parks have made these images into prints, which are available on their web site.”

CLICK HERE for Suzanne’s website.
Ms. Wood resides in Yelm with her husband.


April 22, 2008

EARTH DAY IS TODAY

“Eco enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in “Green Scene 2008,” today, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 21 Commerce, located at 2106 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. Green Scene will highlight local merchants and businesses focused on sustainability as a business practice. The event is free and open to the public.

Participants in today’s event include organic food growers and distributors, sustainable textiles merchants, local nature photographers and publications. Goods will be available for sampling and purchase. The goal, said organizers at BCRA, is to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness of locally produced goods and services.

Today’s event is part of a larger effort by BCRA titled Green Spring, which will dedicate the month of April to renewing eco-friendly habits sustainability education, and environmentally conscientious living. For more information, visit www.greenscenetacoma.com.

While today is technically Earth Day, environmental projects are happening through the week. Washington Department of Ecology has created an Earth Day 2008 Web site as an easy point of access to Earth Week events statewide.

For other information about “living green” in Washington, see ecology’s homepage,” quoting the Pierce County Business Examiner.

More can be found on the Earth Day Network website and on Wikipedia.


April 21, 2008

“BUILDING PERMITS TAKE HIT IN COUNTY WITH SHARP DROP”

THIS IS NO SURPRISE TO YELM COMMUNITY BLOG READERS, AS THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED HERE MANY TIMES!

“Applications for permits to build single- family homes have declined sharply in Thurston County’s three largest cities, a result of weaker demand for new homes in a softer real estate market.

Permits for single-family homes fell more than 60 percent in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period last year.

Permits also fell in Yelm and unincorporated Thurston County, but not as dramatically.

“From a builder’s standpoint, we don’t want to build them if they don’t sell,” Olympia home builder Ron Deering said.

Through March, home sales had fallen 24 percent to 711 units from 938 units during the first quarter last year, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service data.

The downturn has cost 15 Thurston County Development Services employees their jobs, director Michael Welter said.

The first-quarter data for single-family residential permits show:

Lacey: Permits fell 66.3 percent in 2008, compared with 2007.

Olympia: Permits fell 62.9 percent.

Tumwater: Permits fell 60 percent.

Yelm: Permits fell 45.3 percent.

Thurston County: Permits fell 30 percent…

The inventory of homes on the market remained high in March, with more than 2,000 homes for sale in the county, according to the Northwest MLS,” quoting The Olympian’s front page story for April 20th.

What does this mean to you?

These cities and the county will be getting less revenue from permit & construction fees, so they will be forced to reduce their budget expenditures. Indeed, the State Dept. of Ecology announced layoffs last week due to less home construction statewide.

Where is Yelm going to get the money for three ambitious projects with such a drop in permit/construction activity:
A new City Hall, a new Yelm Community Recreation Center, land/building for a new Yelm Timberland Regional Library losing its lease in 2012 added to Yelm Community Schools request for public money for High School construction in the next 3 1/2+ years?


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