SPECIAL TO THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE RESEARCH CENTER

“There is an event occurring in the Pacific Northwest, a harmful algal bloom, that has produced a foamy, slimy proteinaceous substance that is coating seabirds feathers and degrading their waterproofing, such that they become wet and cold. This results in hypothermia for the bird, and ultimately, death if we do not capture them and wash this substance off their feathers.

150 birds were trucked in from Astoria, Oregon on October 24th and the Coast Guard helped us out by flying another 330 to us on the 26th. We are responding as if in an oil spill, because every single bird must go through the wash process with DAWN soap and we have just shy of 500 of them to do. Its a all hands on deck response to save their lives!! In an oil spill, whoever is responsible for creating the spill must foot the bill. Because this is a naturally occurring event, we are left to utilize every resource for funding and other support. According to Washington marine biologists, this is an unprecedented event in that area.

Thanks so much!”

Your help needed to save seabirds caught in deadly algae bloom!
From the International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC)

Mission to Save Migratory Birds Lands in Fairfield
From ABC News Channel 10 in Sacramento

Sick Oregon & Wash. sea birds airlifted to Calif.
From KGW Channel 8 in Portland

Deadly foam kills seabirds, puzzles scientists
From the AP in the Seattle P-I

“A quick update on the status of the foam from Pete Strutton at Oregon State University:

The foam is still strong along the Washington Coast with smaller amounts off the coast of Oregon. The winds changed direction today and are now blowing from the North which will move it offshore. They have been looking at ocean temperatures for the past 10 years and although last week was anomanously warmer, this week was actually colder so the data is inconclusive.

The Fall transition in the ocean upwelling brought offshore waters onshore which is what kicked off this event. The Columbia River may have played a role in delivering additional nutrients into the coastal zone. This could be agricultural run-off but it is natural for the nutrient content of the river to change throughout the year.”

Pete will continue to track the movement of the foam and will keep us posted.

______________________________________

Laurie Pyne | IBRRC
Development Director
International Bird Rescue Research Center
4369 Cordelia Road | Fairfield, CA | 94534
E-mail: laurie@ibrrc.org

ARE YOU AWARE THE CITY OF YELM HAS EMBARKED ON CONDEMNING A CITIZEN’S WATER RIGHTS TO OBTAIN WATER IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY’S WATER SYSTEM PLAN?

Mayor Ron Harding

In a letter dated October 26, 2009, Mayor Ron Harding wrote private citizen Alice McMonigle to condemn her water rights. Mr. Harding stated that the city intends to acquire those rights “through the exercise of power under eminent domain for the purpose of providing municipal water for the City Water System.”

The Yelm Community Blog has obtained that letter and received permission to publish the document, so all of the area’s citizens can read for themselves the Mayor’s intent and city’s notice:
CLICK HERE for the City of Yelm’s “Notice of Pending Exercise of Eminent Domain Authority”.

ARE YOUR WATER RIGHTS SAFE?

A chronology of Yelm’s recent water actions:
1. On June 12, 2009, the City of Yelm posted on their website and finally made public their long-awaited Draft Water System Plan [then click “Utilities & Streets”, then “Water Plan Update”], which garnered many negative comments submitted by area residents.

2. On July 20, 2009 and as previously reported here,
Dept. of Ecology commented on the McMonigle water right & REVERSED the decision of the Thurston County Conservancy Board and specified exactly why they took that action in a letter to City of Yelm Administrator Badger where they state,

“The board (conservancy board) failed to adequately analyze the extent and validity of the subject water right [the McMonigle water right]. Ecology’s records include a consultant report from 2005 that analyzed recent power records that indicate significantly less water for change.” CLICK HERE to see Ecology’s letter in full.

3. On August 14, 2009, the City of Yelm announced the withdrawal of their Mitigated Determination of Non-significance (MDNS) dated May 1, 2009 regarding the Yelms application to the Washington State Department of Ecology [DOE] for additional water rights, because the DOE said no action would be taken on Yelms applications for additional water rights in 2009.

4. Then, October 20, 2009, the City of Yelm received a letter from the Washington State Dept. of Health making two comments about Yelm’s Water System Plan (WSP):

A. “If there is not adequate [“source, storage, and distribution”] capacity for the [next] six-year planning period, then ODW [Office of Drinking Water] will not grant an unspecified approval. The approval will be based on the existing capacity and limiting growth factor.

B. The Thurston County Conservancy Board approval for the transfer of the McMonigle water right was denied by the Department of Ecology (Ecology). This denial means the McMonigle water right is not available to the City as expected when preparing the WSP… Since the McMonigle water right was counted toward the current total water right portfolio, the information in the WSP prepared based on this assumption must be corrected.”

Bottom line:
– The City of Yelm Water System Plan will not be approved by the State if the city cannot meet adequate water capacity, as outlined in the plan for the next 6-year planning period. State approval would then only be based on Yelm’s existing capacity.
– The City of Yelm must remove the McMonigle water right (their acre feet per year) from their capacity calculations in the WSP, as the city cannot count/include water rights previously rejected by Ecology.
CLICK HERE for the full Dept. of Health comments on the City of Yelm Water System Plan.

5. Finally, this week on October 26, 2009, Mayor Ron Harding wrote a letter to private citizen Alice McMonigle to condemn her water rights with the city’s intent to acquire those rights through eminent domain. The Yelm City Council will consider authorizing this condemnation at their November 10th meeting. The October 20th letter the city received from the Dept. of Health relates to this action and the city’s exercise of eminent domain to acquire water rights.
Ed. Note: This is a wake-up call for all of the citizens of the Yelm area & in addition to the water rate increase, this aggressive behavior now characterizes the city’s relationship with local citizens on a totally new level!

THIS RAISES SEVERAL ISSUES FOR OUR LOCAL CITIZENRY TO PONDER:
1. How would you feel if the City of Yelm condemned your water rights through eminent domain?

2. What are your thoughts about the City of Yelm taking this step to condemn a local citizen’s water rights?

3. Yelm City Council candidate Jen Littlefield told the Yelm Community Blog in July,
“Water rights have historically been the limiting factor of growth for both agricultural and urban sectors. He who controls the water controls the ability of an area to grow. The city should continue to seek water rights and the infrastructure to provide safe and clean drinking water to its citizens. That is within the citys scope of responsibility.”
What are Mrs. Littlefield’s views now about the city’s actions with the Council set to consider condemning a private citizen’s water rights? The Yelm Community Blog contacted Mrs. Littlefield & is awaiting her response.
UPDATE: Oct. 31
Mrs. Littlefield responded she had a family emergency & is not in a position to respond at this time.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS?

“Thurston County Solid Waste and Pacific Disposal/LeMay are conducting an online customer survey on topics such as bi-weekly garbage service, collecting glass and other solid waste service questions.

The survey can be found at www.wheredoitakemy.org and is geared toward Thurston County curbside customers outside Olympia.

Participants in the survey, which ends Oct. 31, will have their names entered in a drawing for a years worth of free trash and commingled recycling service,” from The Olympian.

“With a battered financial sheet and a tattered reputation, FairPoint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, barely 18 months after becoming the dominant telecommunications company in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The bankruptcy filing was widely anticipated and fulfilled critics’ predictions that FairPoint was taking on more than it could handle when it bought the Verizon properties for $2.3 billion….

FairPoint, based in Charlotte, N.C., owns and operates phone companies in 18 states with a total of 1.65 million lines. Its largest holdings are in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The company voluntarily filed for bankruptcy after agreeing on a deal with key lenders that would lower its debt from $2.7 billion to $1 billion and significantly cut its interest expenses, CEO David Hauser said. The plan is subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

Hauser said the filing will not affect the company’s day-to-day operations or its efforts to expand its high-speed Internet network in northern New England.

‘From a customer point of view, this is a nonevent,’ he said…

Regulators and politicians said they would look out for the interests of FairPoint’s customers and workers. The regulatory boards in Maine and New Hampshire said they have hired bankruptcy specialists to help during the process. Staff members from the three states’ regulatory boards planned to meet with FairPoint’s management and staff on Monday…

Meredith Hatfield, New Hampshire’s consumer advocate, said the challenge now will be advocating for customers’ interests and getting FairPoint to follow through on its commitments,” quoting the AP in The Olympian.

THIS IS NOW TWO MAJOR CORPORATE FAILURES WITH OFFICES IN YELM –
THIS IN ADDITION TO LAST MONTH’S VENTURE FINANCIAL’S BANK FAILURE.

FINALLY! MY ENTRY ON THE SWINE FLU VACCINE ISSUE

Editor’s note: I have received many, many e-mails from readers asking why I have not covered the Swine Flu Vaccine issue. I have felt there is plenty of news in the mainstream on this subject. However, when I heard KIRO 93.7 FM radio talk show host Dori Monson in Seattle interview a “medical expert” a few weeks ago saying there is no more mercury in the thimerosal in swine flu vaccines than in the fish we eat, I had to pause and go HMMMM. Then yesterday, Thurston County Public Health Officer, Dr. Diana Yu was the special guest of Thurston County Commissioner Romero at her monthly Yelm Coffee and said there is no more mercury in a flu shot than in a can of tuna. Then why are there so many warnings about canned tuna consumption?
Alex Ansary from the Portland, OR television show Outside The Box explained about the drug industry receiving immunity for anything that goes wrong with the vaccines, etc.. Commissioner Romero cut him off as several audience members asked to let him speak.
Yelm’s Survival Center Dick Mankamyer asked Dr. Yu what the role was of the County Public Health Officer in an emergency. She said she is the one that makes the final decision as to quarantine & mandatory shots, etc. Dr Yu stated that she has already been ask to declare mandatory flu shots but has refused to do so so far, stating she thinks each person will have to decide.
I finally said enough. This needs to be shared with the Yelm Community!
I only eat non-farm-raised fish from far northern Alaska waters, so why would I want to have ANY amount of the deadly toxin mercury in my body, regardless the supposedly “minuscule” amount in vaccines?

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. brilliantly researched thimerosal relating to autism in his book “Deadly Immunity” & talked about the vaccine issue on MSNBC a few years go. CLICK HERE

This 2005 Rolling Stone article by Mr. Kennedy says it all & worth a repeat here now:
CLICK HERE

And, originally published on Salon: CLICK HERE

Mr. Kennedy has been to Yelm twice in recent years for talks. His website: CLICK HERE

“Brain Neuron Degeneration via Mercury”
From the University of Calgary posted in 2006 on YouTube and a good reminder for vaccines that contain mercury. The video shows how mercury kills brain neurons: CLICK HERE

Other news stories in recent days on the Swine Flue Vaccine issue, courtesy of Yelm’s Survival Center Newsletter.
America’s Premier Preparedness Center
In Continuous Operation Since the early 1970’s
Supplier of Family Preparedness, Health, and Survival Supplies
We have the knowledge and experience.
Call the Experts at 1-800-321-2900:

A. “Nurses file lawsuit over mandatory flu vaccine”
From KOMO-TV 4, ABC in Seattle: CLICK HERE

B. “Flu Shot Permanently Disables Washington Redskins cheerleader Desiree Jennings”
From Fox-TV posted on YouTube: CLICK HERE

C. “Hearing ordered on H1N1 vaccine rule for NY nurses”
From Newsday: CLICK HERE

D. “Vaccine revolt! Swine flu vaccine support crumbles as flimsy rationale for H1N1 shots becomes apparent”
From NaturalNews: CLICK HERE

E. Great suggestions from the Survival Center to protect you and your family:
CLICK HERE

And this local story on the subject:
“[Former State Senator in WA. State] Rasmussen addresses Graham [WA.] concerns on food safety and flu vaccinations”
From Bruce Smith in The Dispatch News: CLICK HERE

And then there are these stories in recent days:
“Ten Swine Flu Lies Told by the Mainstream Media”
From Natural News: CLICK HERE

“Hospitals to limit visitors”
“Providence St. Peter: Precautions planned to reduce H1N1 exposure”
From The Olympian

Always trust your own knowingness.
The links are provided as information only and do not imply any advice or treatment regimens.

Some recent news stories supporting the Greening of the Puget Sound region:

1. Sound cars about to get plugged in
Driving: Federal project aims to build electric charging corridor
From McClatchy’s Tacoma News Tribune.
CLICK HERE

2. OLYMPIA: Learn to cut carbon footprint
“Learn how to calculate and reduce your household carbon footprint at a Cool Thurston Campaign cafe, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27, in Room A of the Olympia Community Center, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia.
Register for the event by contacting Barb Scavezze at 360-878-9901 or barb@scavezze.com or Jennifer Kenny at jennifer kenny@gmail.com or go to www.coolthurstoncampaign.ning.com“.
From The Olympian.
CLICK HERE

3. THURSTON COUNTY: Survey of trash, recycling begins
“Thurston County Solid Waste and Pacific Disposal/LeMay are conducting an online customer survey on topics such as bi-weekly garbage service, collecting glass and other solid waste service questions.
The survey can be found at www.wheredoitakemy.org and is geared toward Thurston County curbside customers outside Olympia.
Participants in the survey, which ends Oct. 31, will have their names entered in a drawing for a years worth of free trash and commingled recycling service,” from The Olympian.
CLICK HERE

4. Electric car industry pulls in for quick charge at Microsoft
“A recent report claims only 7 percent of the vehicles on American roads in the next 20 years will be electric-powered.
Representatives of two of the nation’s largest companies scoffed at that notion during a conference today in Redmond.
Microsoft is hosting The Cascadia Center’s Annual “Beyond Oil” event which is attracting major and minor electric car manufacturers and related companies.
Ford was there to unveil its first all-electric car,” quoting KING-5 TV News in Seattle.
CLICK HERE

Sandra Romero

Youre invited to coffee with County Commissioner Sandra Romero

“This months coffee will focus on how to prepare yourself during the cold and flu season with special guest Public Health Officer, Dr. Diana Yu.

Join us Monday, October 26th
10am – 11am
Blue Bottle Espresso
309 E. Yelm Ave, Yelm WA

Please join Commissioner Romero as she hosts an informal coffee hour.
There is a lot happening in Thurston County, and we want to hear from you.
These coffees give you the opportunity to talk about issues of concern, ask questions about the county, and share ideas.

Complimentary coffee provided.

If you have any questions contact:
Lisa Paribello at 360-786-5747 or paribel@co.thurston.wa.us

Along this topic:
Rasmussen addresses Graham concerns on food safety and flu vaccinations

“Former State Senator Marilyn Rasmussen spoke before fifty members of the Graham Self-Reliant Community last week to discuss food safety and concerns with swine flu vaccinations that contain a mercury-based preservative called Thermiasol…

As for food, Rasmussen spoke passionately about her efforts during her twenty-three years in office, most of them as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to institute regulations to rid the meat and dairy industry of E. coli, a bacteria that is found in the feces of most mammals, and although generally a helpful element in digestion, certain strains can be extremely harmful or even lethal.

‘Know where your meat comes from,’ Rasmussen implored. ‘Read the labels. But best of all – buy local. Its whats best for our economy and for your health,'” quoting Bruce Smith’s story in The Dispatch News.

“What is the Day of Action?”
“We’re calling on people around the world to organize an action on October 24 incorporating the number 350 at an iconic place in their community, and then upload a photo of their event to 350.org website,” quoting the 24 October 2009 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION website.

What is the day of action?

“On October 24, the International Day of Climate Action will cover almost every country on earth, the most widespread day of environmental action in the planets history.

There will be big rallies in big cities, and incredible creative actions across the globe: mountain climbers on our highest peaks with banners, underwater demonstrations in island nations threatened by sea level rise, churches and mosques and synagogues and ashrams engaged in symbolic action, star athletes organizing mass bike ridesand hundreds upon hundreds of community events to raise awareness of the need for urgent action.

Every event will highlight the number 350and people will gather at some point for a big group photo depicting that all important message. At 350.org, we’ll assemble all the photos for a gigantic, global, visual petition.

The thousands of events on October 24 will drive 350 and all that it represents into the human imagination, and change the negotiating environment as we head towards the crucial UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December of 2009. Copenhagen may well be the pivotal moment that determines whether or not we get the planet out of the climate crisis, and your actions on October 24 will help our leaders realize we need a real solution that pays attention to the science.”

For those who want to participate in the 350.org event, but won’t make it to Seattle here is an opportunity to participate in other activities locally, in Olympia. Promoted by Ecobuilding.

A PLANETARY DAY of ACTION
Saturday, October 24

1. Bike and Walk for Climate Change Action
10 am Noon: Chehalis Western Trail, from all directions to Bush Park, Lacey
Bush Park:
11 am: exhibits, children’s activities, music
11:20 am: Program

For a map and information on the event: www.uuvoiceswa.org

SPONSORS: WA State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice; Earth Care Catholics; Call to Action; Interfaith Works Earth Stewardship Committee; Olympia Unitarian Universalist Green Sanctuary Committee

2. Blue Line March
1 pm – 2:30 pm

Visualize Olympia under water as we trace the future shore line.
Meet at the Farmers’ Market. Dress in blue, carry blue umbrellas or flags, wear snorkels, swim suits, boots, life vests. Bring beach balls, pails, mock sea creatures, blue chalk, etc. Children are welcome. Walk is approximately 2 miles.

There are no scheduled Climate Action events in Yelm known to this blog.

WHAT DOES 350 MEAN?
“Two years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of CO2 remained above 350 parts per million.

Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal as necessary for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Now the trick is getting our leaders to pay attention and craft policies that will put the world on track to get to 350.

Is 350 scientifically possible?

Right now, mostly because weve burned so much fossil fuel, the atmospheric concentration of co2 is 390 ppmthats way too high, and its why ice is melting, drought is spreading, forests are dying. To bring that number down, the first task is to stop putting more carbon into the atmosphere. That means a very fast transition to sun and wind and other renewable forms of power.”

In his Op-Ed piece out today titled “Community paper’s still preferred news source” NVN Editor/ Publisher Keven Graves says,
“With bloggers and other naysayers adament (sic) that it’s the end of days for newspapers, there were some recent findings released by the National Newspaper Association…

Seems as though the bloggers and other naysayers have been sounding the death knell for newspapers just a little too quickly – wishful thinking perhaps?”

Ed. Note:
Whenever Mr. Graves mentions “bloggers”, he means this Yelm Community Blog, as has been the case for almost 4 years now. He will never mentioned my name in association with the blog nor will he list the actual name of the Yelm Community Blog so as not to direct his readers to this site, yet the inference has been unmistakable and consistent.

Mr. Graves’ Op-Ed today seems to be as a defensive response to a blog entry here from October 12th where I quoted a Newsweek article titled “DON’T BAIL OUT NEWSPAPERS – LET ‘EM DIE AND GET OUT OF THE WAY”
I was VERY clear in that report and earlier this year that I support our newspapers, regardless of the exceptions I take on occasion to inaccuracies in the Nisqually Valley News reporting.

Mr. Graves can continue to misrepresent my views on a whole host of issues as a vehicle to feign criticism of me by continuing to publish incorrect information, if he so chooses. Appearances would indicate he does so to make himself look like a reasonable, peaceable fellow in the eyes of his readers. That he just doesn’t like me or this blog has been very evident however, his continued misrepresentations seem less than straightforward and upfront yet downright disingenuous to his patrons who look to him and his newspaper for truthful, factual and accurate reporting, IMHO.

Yelm-based Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment has had a phenomenal breakthrough this year with more than two dozen students learning how to read through playing cards and demonstrating that skill in front of the public – consistently.

See this demonstrated recently by two of Ramtha’s event facilitators:

Laura Mooney

Ramtha appointed teacher Karriem Ali

And others:
Watch Students of Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment know what card is next in a deck before seeing.

“Ramtha has captivated and inspired audiences worldwide for 30 years. His teachings have empowered tens of thousands of people to consciously create their reality and change their lives in ways that exceed their expectations and what they thought possible,” quoting from YouTube.

Hear “JZ Knights Interview With Eldon Taylor on HayHouseRadio.com” from earlier this week.

THINK OF WHAT YOU COULD DO IF YOU HAD TRAINED YOUR MIND IN SUCH A MANNER!