– From Yelm Community Schools about “Hop for Hunger”:
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2018

Event Time: 5K starts at 8:30 AM Family Fun Run (1 mile) starts at 9:30 AM

Parking: Please park in the Mill Pond Elementary Parking Lot next to Ridgeline MS (909 Mill Road SE, Yelm, WA)

Event Description 5K: Event start line is on the back of Ridgeline Middle School in Yelm, WA. The 5k run will be down Carter Street, across highway 507 (via crosswalk) and utilizing the paved Yelm-Tenino trail. The finish line is back at Ridgeline Middle School, making this a great 5k walk/jog/run if this is your first time or if you are an experienced runner! *Race is chip timed by BuDu Racing.

Family Fun Run: Families of all ages are welcome to register for the family fun run! Utilizing the track at the school, families can sprint, dash, jog, or walk their way around the track- enjoying music and good company for a fantastic cause!

Cost: What a steal! $20 per adult for the 5K race and $15 per child under 12 for the Family Fun Run! Both get you a fantastic time and all pre-registrants will receive a Hop for Hunger t-shirt!

Why: Participants who like our Facebook page or sign up with an email address will receive information about our FFA campaign, “Plant an Extra Row” – as well as seeds to encourage participants to plant the seeds, and then donate the produce grown to our local food bank. Hopefully, this will be a step in combating the lack of fresh produce available to families in need in our community!
Read more

Ice Chips Candy new flavors open for public vote.
Photos by Ingrid Barrentine and Heidi Walker


Click here to cast your vote.


– “VOTE FOR SOUTH SOUND COFFEE TRAIL ICE CHIPS FLAVOR”
“Cast your vote [thru April 18] to determine the next Ice Chips flavor in celebration of the South Sound Coffee Trail, featuring local roasters who handcraft the perfect cup of coffee.

“The custom flavors are all made with the Beyond Blend from Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters in Lacey.
* Boardwalk Breve
Tasting notes: No need for fancy drinks here, the minimalist Boardwalk Breve is simple, just like the beautiful boardwalks that line our waterways.

* Deschutes Falls Frappe
Tasting notes: Chocolate and coffee has long been a winning and treasured combination, much like the icy cascade of Deschutes Falls.

* Mima Mounds Macchiato
Tasting notes: Mima Mounds has a lot of theories on its creation, but no theories are needed to taste this delicious salted caramel and coffee combination.

Brought to you by Experience Olympia & Beyond in partnership with Ice Chips.”
Read more

Amelia Earhart begins her journey at Burbank Airport.
Photo by Albert Bresnik, Earhart’s personal photographer, May 20, 1937,
From The Paragon Agency, AP file photo.


– Editor’s Note:
For many years, I have been an interested member of TIGHAR, The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, and have subscribed to following the facts they have carefully crafted. TIGHAR’s research presents a case the Lockheed Electra Model 10E “Special” of Amelia Earhart and her Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) navigator Fred Noonan landed and they survived for at least several days on Nikumaroro atoll, now called Gardner Island. This site was slightly off-course and through a series of errors, miscalculations, and lack of sufficient communication protocols, led to them not to be recused and eventually their demise.

Now a peer-reviewed scientific journal has published a paper describing the bones of a castaway found in 1940 are most likely Earhart’s.


– TIGHAR has focused on Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan landing safely on Nikumaroro atoll
“TIGHAR (pronounced “tiger”) is the acronym for The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting responsible aviation archaeology and historic preservation.”

“A newly published study further supports the hypothesis that Amelia Earhart landed and died as a castaway on the remote atoll known as Nikumaroro (Gardner Island).

“A highly technical peer-reviewed paper published in the scientific journal Forensic Anthropology compares measurements of the bones of a castaway found on an uninhabited Pacific atoll in 1940 with new quantified data on Amelia Earhart. The author concludes that “Until definitive evidence is presented that the remains are not those of Amelia Earhart, the most convincing argument is that they are hers.”

“The study, titled ‘Amelia Earhart and the Nikumaroro Bones – A 1941 Analysis versus Modern Quantitative Techniques’ is open access and can be downloaded at the University of Florida Press,” quoting the TIGHAR Press Release.
Read more


– “Amelia Earhart mystery solved? Scientist ’99 percent’ sure bones found belong to aviator”
“Amelia Earhart disappearance ’99 percent’ solved”
“The 81-year-old mystery surrounding American aviator Amelia Earhart’s disappearance has baffled sleuths for decades, but a U.S. forensic expert has published new evidence in ‘Forensic Anthropology’ that bones discovered on Nikumaroro Island may be hers,” by James Rogers, Fox News.
Read more


– “Bones discovered on Pacific island belong to Amelia Earhart, new forensic study shows”
“Bones found in 1940 on a western Pacific Ocean island were quite likely the remains of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, a new analysis concludes.

“The study and other evidence “point toward her rather strongly,” University of Tennessee anthropologist Richard Jantz said Thursday.

“Earhart disappeared during an attempted flight around the world in 1937, and the search for an answer to what happened to her and her navigator has captivated the public for decades,” by Malcolm Ritter, Associated Press, in The Olympian.
Read more

– Editor’s Note:
Congratulations to Timberland Bank and the contributions to Yelm from their great staff.


– “Timberland Bank named one of the top 10% of community banks in U.S.”
“Timberland Bancorp, known locally as Timberland Bank, was awarded the Community Bankers Cup by Raymond James & Associates. The award was given based on the bank’s stellar 2017 performance.

“Raymond James & Associates released a statement about the banks selected for the award.

“‘Of the 272 community banks considered for the 2017 Community Bankers Cup, the top 10% demonstrated superior performance on a relative basis in one or more of the following measurements of financial performance and stability: nonperforming assets to loans and real estate owned, five-year average core deposit percentage, net interest margin, efficiency ratio, return on average assets, and return on average tangible common equity,'” quoting the Business Examiner.
Read more


Blogger Klein is a long-time Timberland Bank customer.

– UPDATE: March 24, 2018
“At March For Our Lives Olympia, students call for action to stop school shootings”
“Thousands turned out for the rally and march against gun violence and school shootings. The crowd — about 4,500 people, according to Washington State Patrol — gathered on the steps of the Capitol, then marched down Capitol Way to Sylvester Park in front of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Olympia’s event was one of hundreds of demonstrations that took place across the country Saturday to coincide with a larger student-led march in Washington, D.C.,” by Abby Spegman, The Olympian.
Read more

Rep. JT Wilcox
Photo credit: WA. House Republicans


– Editor’s Note:
Our 3 LD2 Reps. (Yelm) voted against all of the 5 voter access bills Gov. Inslee signed last week.
This is so sad.
How can our representatives be against greater access to democracy for the public?

From The Olympian Editorial Board:
“Lawmakers hope new election laws boost turnout”
“Secretary of State Kim Wyman, a Republican, championed a version of this bill [House Bill 2595] two years ago. But it took Democrats winning control of the Senate last November pass it.
Read more


– “Podcast: New House GOP leader J.T. Wilcox on Trump, Inslee and Seattle’s sway in state politics”
“New state House Republican leader J.T. Wilcox joins The Overcast to talk President Trump, Gov. Inslee and whether Seattle has too much sway in state politics,” by Jim Brunner and Daniel Beekma, The Seattle Times.
Read more


– Our 3 LD2 Reps (Yelm) voted against all of the 5 voter access bills Gov. Inslee signed
“Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed a package of five bills aimed to improve voter access in Washington state.

All three lawmakers of the 2nd District [all Republicans: Sen. Becker, Reps. Barkis and J.T. Wilcox] which represents Yelm, voted “nay” to every bill signed. The package of bills included a measure to allow people to register on the day of an election, another lets underage citizens pre-register to vote, and another creates automatic voter registration for citizens obtaining an enhanced driver’s license or identification card.”

“‘If one of our residents is already providing proof of citizenship as part of a transaction with the state, along with the other requirements, why wouldn’t we register that person to vote?’ asked Secretary of State Kim Wyman [Republican],” quoting the Nisqually Valley News.
Read more

Costco’s 1-year Food Storage kit
Photo credit: Business Insider


– Editor’s Note:
15, 20, 25, 30 years ago, this town decried the teachings of Ramtha about storing food for the Days to Come. Now, worldwide Pacific Northwest-based companies like Costco and Amazon sell emergency food storage kits to the public.


– “Amazon and Costco are selling emergency kits that can feed a family for a year — and it reveals a disturbing new normal in America”
“Americans preparing for anything from a hurricane to “an emergency of Biblical proportions” can find what they need to survive on Costco and Amazon.

“The retailers are selling a variety of emergency survival kits, some of which can feed a family of four for up to a year.

“Options at Costco include a $5,999.99 kit containing 600 cans of food designed to feed four people 12 months, based on a per-person diet of 2,000 calories a day. Costco’s cheapest kit, at $999.99, contains 96 cans and can feed one person for a year on a diet of 1,200 calories a day.”

“Options on Amazon include a 30-day supply of food in a single bucket, a backpack containing everything a family of four might need for 72 hours of survival, and pouches of emergency drinking water,” by Hayley Peterson, Business Insider.
Read more

Photo credit: Port of Seattle


– “Spring Break Travel Is Here – Be Prepared For Your Next Trip to Sea-Tac Airport”
“With area colleges on spring break and high school breaks coming soon, the holiday travel season is in full swing for the next several weeks. That means over half a million travelers will be going through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport just in the next two upcoming weekends (Thursday through Sunday) and the numbers are expected to be higher during the first few weeks of April.

“The Port of Seattle encourages travelers to plan ahead, not only getting to the airport but also picking up, dropping off and getting through checkpoints. The busiest travel days will be Thursdays and Fridays with 137 -146,000 passengers going through the airport each day. As April arrives, those totals will rise to 150,000 passengers per day.

“Peak traffic congestion occurs on the Departure level from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. During the middle of the day, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., both Arrival and Departure drives experience backups. In the evenings, the Arrivals drive experiences heavy traffic from about 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m,” quoting the Port of Seattle.

Scroll down in this story to see the Airport’s Travel Tips
Read more


– “Airport continues expansion as spring break travel kicks off”
“KOMO News shared how Sea-Tac Airport is working on the next phase of growth after a record-breaking year for passengers”
From by Denise Whitaker, KOMO TV 4 News, Seattle.
Read more

“Madelyn Olson is one of the student organizers behind
Saturday’s March For Our Lives in Olympia.”
Photo credit: Steve Bloom, The Olympian


– UPDATE: March 24, 2018
“At March For Our Lives Olympia, students call for action to stop school shootings”
“Thousands turned out for the rally and march against gun violence and school shootings. The crowd — about 4,500 people, according to Washington State Patrol — gathered on the steps of the Capitol, then marched down Capitol Way to Sylvester Park in front of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Olympia’s event was one of hundreds of demonstrations that took place across the country Saturday to coincide with a larger student-led march in Washington, D.C.,” by Abby Spegman, The Olympian.
Read more


– March For Our Lives Olympia
What: Student-led rally and march to end gun violence and school shootings
Who: Organizers expect 2,000 students and supporters to attend
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Beginning on the north steps of the Legislative Building, marching down Capitol Way and ending at Sylvester Park in front of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
And: Attendees are encouraged to wear orange, which is the color associated with gun reform efforts


– “‘March For Our Lives’ events around Western Washington”
“Several marches to protest gun violence are planned for Western Washington this Saturday.”
From KING-5 TV News, Seattle.
Read more


– “Thousands Expected for March of Our Lives Rally in Olympia March 24”
“The Department of Enterprise Services has issued a permit for the 2018 March for Our Lives rally. The event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, beginning on the north steps of the Legislative Building and concluding at Sylvester Park.

Rally organizers estimate that 2,000 people will attend the event, which will affect traffic and parking on the west Capitol Campus and traffic on Capitol Way. March for Our Lives participants will initially gather at the Legislative Building for about 30 minutes of speeches. The group will then be directed out to Capitol Way and march to Sylvester Park. More speeches and activities are scheduled to take place at Sylvester Park.”
By Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, in Thurston Talk.
Read more


– “‘We can do something about this,’ says student organizer of Olympia’s march against gun violence”
“Now 18 and a student at South Puget Sound Community College, Olson is among the student organizers behind Saturday’s March For Our Lives Olympia, which starts at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Legislative Building and ends in downtown’s Sylvester Park.”

“The march in Olympia is one of hundreds of demonstrations planned across the country to coincide with a larger student-led march in Washington, D.C. against gun violence in schools. The marches come less than two weeks after thousands of students — including many at local schools — took part in a national school walkout to honor the 17 victims of a shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school on Feb. 14,” by Abby Spegman, The Olympian.
Read more

Actor Jesse Geray with photo of play’s
author Joseph Kesselring, the likeness is amazing!
Courtesy: The Traid Theater


Click here to BUY TICKETS.

– About Standing Room Only’s presentation of Arsenic and Old Lace
by Joseph Kesselring with special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc.

WHAT:
Arsenic and Old Lace — Joseph Kesserling’s infectiously funny black comedy about two little-old-lady aunts who see killing as an act of charity. Good, macabre fun!

WHO:
• Written by Joseph Kesselring
• Produced by Standing Room Only
• Directed by Nancy Hillman with Assistant Director Taylor Simpson and Stage Manager Chelsea Bunn
• Starring Andrew Helsing, Dawn Wadsworth, Guy Simpson III, Jeremy Chenvert, Jesse S. Geray, Joel Derefield, Kalen McCrea, Larry Vines-Haines, Megan Glaefke, Miro Bouchakian, Ron Alder, Stephen Fryer III, Warren Shaffer, Yvette O’Keefe.

WHEN:
March 2-25, 2017:
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.: March 9, 16, 23
• Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.: March 10, 17, 24
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: March 11, 18, 25* Closing night

WHERE:
The Triad Theater
102 E Yelm Ave.
Yelm, WA 98597

HOW:
• (857) 67-STAGE or www.srotheater.org
• Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/srotheater

BUY TICKETS
Ticket Prices:
(open seating)
• Adults: $20
• Military & Seniors: $17
• Youth (ages 5-18): $10
• Discounted tickets available for groups of 10 and larger: $15

OTHER:
Appropriate for ages 5 and up.