Photo credit: Rory Sagner Photography & Fine Art


– From the Yelm Police Dept.:
“Hot weather week ahead! The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory beginning today [July 23] with temperatures in the South Sound area hovering at or above 90 degrees for the next several days. As a result of the expected high temperatures, the Public Safety Building, located at 206 Mckenzie Ave SE, will open their training room as a cooling center from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. each day this week for anyone needing to escape the heat. Pay special attention to the elderly and the pets and make sure they are staying hydrated and have access to shady areas.”
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– Yelm’s Cooling Center locations and hours of operation
* Yelm Timberland Library
210 Prairie Park St., Yelm
Hours: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

* Yelm Public Safety Building
206 McKenzie Ave., Yelm
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

For a list of locations throughout the county where citizens can go to keep cool.
Click here


– From the Business Examiner:
“L&I urges safety in record heat”
“People who work outdoors in hot weather should follow these five tips to beat the heat:

1. Drink a lot of water. Start work well hydrated and try to drink a cup every 15 minutes.

2. Keep an eye on your co-workers. Watch those working around you for signs of heat-related illness, including headaches, dizziness or nausea.

3. Don’t overdo it. Pace your work and take scheduled breaks in the shade.

4. Wear lightweight clothing and remove protective gear when it’s safe to do so.

5. Limit caffeine and avoid heavy meals.”
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Lunar Eclipse
Photo credit: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images


– “Total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red this week”
“It will be the longest total lunar eclipse of this century.”

“The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century will turn the moon blood red in the night sky this week.

“The July 27 eclipse will be visible for 1 hour and 43 minutes when the moon is fully engulfed in Earth’s shadow — a period known as totality. This celestial show will not be visible from North America, but skywatchers in parts of South America, eastern Africa, the Middle East and central Asia will be in for an impressive event,” by Denise Chow, NBC News.
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– “Northern Lights could dance over Puget Sound tonight”
“Skywatchers could be in for a celestial treat this week.”

“A geomagnetic storm could produce the Northern Lights to the Pacific Northwest this week. The aurora watch is in effect on July 24 across Washington state,” by Jennifer King, KING-5 TV News, Seattle.
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Courtesy: The Triad Theater


– UFO Fest Symposium Schedule of Activities
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– UFO Fest Symposium Schedule of Speakers
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– City of Yelm 2018 Community Events
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– City of Yelm UFO Fest Tweet
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– Experience Olympia and Beyond
Yelm UFO Festival 2018
Friday, July 27th through Sunday, July 29th
The UFO Festival is FREE to the public and located in the field near Yelm Cinemas.
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– “Thrifty Thurston Phones Home at the Yelm UFO Festival”
“The dusty Nevada road leading to Homey Airport near Groom Lake is a long way from Thurston County, 988 miles to be exact. But the lake is a dry salt flat and few would risk landing in that airfield. This is Area 51, considered by many to be the most mysterious military base in the world. Though we may not have the Extraterrestrial Highway here in Thurston County, we do have the Yelm Highway and July 27 – 29 it will be leading all sentient beings to the second annual Yelm UFO Festival.
By Meagan Murphy Ross, in Thurston Talk.
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– Editor’s Note:
With low to mid 90’s forecast everyday through and including Sunday, expect heat advisories everyday all week!
The National Weather Service’s official Thurston County station at Olympia Regional Airport received only .88 inches of rain for the entire month of June, half of that month’s average. With no precipitation forecast through the end of July, the airport’s recording station received only .07 inches of rain this July, with a total of only .95 inches of rain received since June 1st, marking one of the driest June-July periods ever.


– “Heat Advisory for Southwest Interior, Washington”

From 10:00am PDT, Mon Jul 23 until 9:00pm PDT, Mon Jul 23
Action Recommended: Execute a pre-planned activity identified in the instructions
Issued by: Seattle/Tacoma – WA, US, National Weather Service,

…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING…
* TEMPERATURE…High temperatures over the advisory area are expected to climb into the lower 90s this afternoon.

* TIMING…The warmest temperatures…reaching or exceeding 90 degrees…are expected to occur between 2 PM and 8 PM PDT.

* IMPACTS…Groups sensitive to heat will be susceptible to health impacts. Children…pets and the elderly should not be left unattended in vehicles as interiors will heat up rapidly under the expected temperatures.

* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions, if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, call 9 1 1.
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Yelm Community Center
Photo credit: Yelm Chamber of Commerce


– Story highlights:
* Town Hall public forums are a community investment, as we are all TEAM YELM!
* Prior to 2016, the previous Town Hall here was in 2004 for a proposed NASCAR track.
* Yelm’s first Town Hall in a dozen years was held Nov. 4, 2016.
* Two issues for discussion then: allowing marijuana retailers and food trucks in Yelm.
* A cross-section of the public attended and excellent comments were presented for both issues.
* So successful, Mayor Foster announced that regular public meetings would be returning to Yelm.
* The 2nd Town Hall/Community Meeting was conducted March 27, 2017, focused on Public Safety.
* With no further Town Halls since, Mayor Foster should resume these based on what he said Feb, 28, 2017, supporting “Open Government, best run government,”…reaching out to our community.”
* Yelm’s Community Center has served as a perfect venue for the community’s public forums.


– In conclusion:
Outside of political candidates Town Hall public forums, Yelm has not continued having these meetings, yet this is an excellent vehicle for Mayor Foster, councilors, and city staff to engage with the public on issues of mutual interest. The previous public meetings were specifically topic-driven and very successful. New food truck and marijuana regulations were enacted from ideas expressed by the public, in addition to a greater understanding about Public Safety issues were exchanged at the 2nd forum.

Whether citizens live within the city limits or in the greater Yelm area, we’re all TEAM YELM, as we shop here, pay taxes here, property owners fund our community schools, library and cemetery, and have a stake in our community. Town Hall public forums led by the mayor with councilors and staff present are an investment in the constituents they serve.

Let’s bring back Town Hall public forums and engage in open and regular dialogue. After all, the sum of our parts is greater than the whole, which creates dynamic synergy for the future of our town.

Click here to express your support for regular Town Hall public forums with the mayor, councilors and city staff.

“The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released
the Mid-Session Review (MSR) last week [July 19].”
Credit: OMB and Congressional Budget Office


– Editor’s Note:
As I’ve reported here several times previously, most recently on July 15, 2018, President Trump’s booming economy has storm clouds gathering from the massive explosion of unbridled debt incurred during his presidency. With the tariff/trade wars, workers wages dropping, and Federal Reserve rate hikes, Americans will be hitting the spending brakes soon as they see how these will eat into their paychecks and just as the vacation season comes to a close after Labor Day. The economic growth is beginning to show signs of withering. Yelm – hold on to your hat and wallet this Fall!

This is all supported by official documentation, yet Stuart Varney touted Trump’s success on Fox News Business:
“You will hear very little about the extraordinary success of the Trump economic program. What a shame. What a media disgrace. Because prosperity is the glue that will bind America together again. And so far, that is President Trump’s outstanding success.” — Varney & Co.
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– “Mid-Session Review Shows How Much Worse the Deficit Has Gotten in the Past Year”
“The MSR projects the 2019 deficit will be twice as large as the one estimated in the Administration’s FY 2018 budget, owing largely to the unpaid-for tax cuts and spending increases of the past year,” quoting the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
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– “Worker wages drop while companies spend billions to boost stocks”
“Six months after the Tax Cut and Jobs Act became law, there’s still little evidence that the average job holder is feeling the benefit.

“Worker pay in the second quarter dropped nearly one percent below its first-quarter level, according to the PayScale Index, one measure of worker pay. When accounting for inflation, the drop is even steeper. Year-over-year, rising prices have eaten up still-modest pay gains for many workers, with the result that real wages fell 1.4 percent from the prior year, according to PayScale. The drop was broad, with 80 percent of industries and two-thirds of metro areas affected,” by Irina Ivanova, CBS News MoneyWatch.
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– “Trump lays into the Federal Reserve, says he’s ‘not thrilled’ about interest rate hikes”
* President Donald Trump, in a rare statement for Oval Office holders, criticized the Federal Reserve for raising interest rates.
* He said he’s “not thrilled” with rate hikes and worries that the work the administration has done will be nullified.

“In a stinging and historically rare criticism [July 19], President Donald Trump expressed frustration with the Federal Reserve and said the central bank could disrupt the economic recovery.

“Presidents rarely intercede when it comes to the Fed, which sets the benchmark interest rate that flows through to many types of consumer debt.

“Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, have raised interest rates twice this year and have pointed to two more before the end of 2018,” by Jeff Cox, CNBC.
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Thurston County Health


– “Wildfire smoke will hurt your health, if you don’t take precautions”
By Dr. Rachel Wood, Health officer for Thurston and Lewis counties, contributing writer to The Olympian

“Breathing in smoke is bad for you, whether that smoke comes from cigarettes, wood stoves, or a burn pile in the back yard. In the heat of the Washington summer, however, there also are health effects from smoke related to wildfires.”

“Thurston County didn’t go through the intense smokiness that some places did, but there can still be health impacts from bad air quality, especially for people who are at higher risk, such as:
* People with heart or lung disease, including asthma or COPD
* Older adults
* Children, including teenagers
* Pregnant women

“If you fall into a higher risk category, talk with your health-care provider and have a plan, as well as an extra supply of medications such as inhalers.

“There are additional steps you can take to help protect yourself from the impacts of wildfire smoke. Start by keeping track of your local air quality through the www.airnow.gov, or go to http://www.WAsmoke.blogspot.com to track wildfires in the state.”
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– “Air quality on the decline in Northwest even as emissions fall”
“New research shows air quality in the Northwest is getting worse even as it gets better around the country. And the lead scientist says wildfires are to blame.”
From Giuliana Viglione, KING 5 TV News, Seattle.
Read more

The National Weather Service is forecasting for Yelm to be in the upper 80’s to low 90’s beginning Sunday, July 22 for the entire week. Stay hydrated and take precautions. An unusually large high pressure dome is set to remain stationary over the Pacific Northwest all week, preventing morning on-shore cool ocean air and clouds.
Click here for the Yelm forecast.


– “Stretch of 90-degree days coming to Seattle”
“Hope you didn’t get too used to the cool down the last few days – heat returns next week.”

“Although it is uncomfortable for a lot of us, hot weather in the latter half of July and the first part of August is not unusual. In fact, our all-time record hot days have occurred in the last two weeks of July. We hit 100 degrees at Sea-Tac on July 20, 1994. Our all-time record at Sea-Tac was on July 29, 2009 with a sweltering 103 degrees,” by Rich Marriott, KING 5 TV News, Seattle.
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– “Late-Summer and Early-Fall Temperature Outlook: Remaining Warm in the West, Turning Cooler in the East”
“Warmth will be most persistent over the western and southwestern states into early fall.”
By Brian Donegan, The Weather Channel.
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“Jessica Caldwell brings her love of the performing arts
and passion for nonprofit engagement to
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.”
Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts


– “The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Welcomes Two New Employees”
“Jessica Caldwell brings her love of the performing arts and passion for nonprofit engagement to The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts

“With an entrepreneurial spirit and extensive background in relationship development, sales, marketing and leadership – Jessica Caldwell brings her love of the performing arts and passion for nonprofit engagement to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. “I value people, community and the opportunities that bring us together and that cultivate connection”. As the new Marketing & Sales Director for the Center, Jessica feels this opportunity to engage the arts and the community of Olympia, will be a rewarding journey that aligns with her professional skill set and her excitement for the stage. She has performed with the Yelm, Wa. Standing Room Only (SRO), community theater troupe for over 4 years as a performer/singer/actor and volunteer to promote ticket sales and grassroots marketing.

“Jessica has worked for the nonprofit sector both professionally and as a volunteer for nearly 17 years in Thurston County. She has also served as Board Treasurer for a national nonprofit and understands the unique qualities of working with an organization that honors the volunteers, the serving Board Members, donors, staff and all the partnering organizations that contribute to the success of their shared mission. Her professional roles have focused on program development, management and sales for a large part of her career, and she is thrilled to join the WCPA and learn from the collective wisdom of the team.

“She brings to this role high-energy and unwavering enthusiasm to serve the needs of the Washington Center, and describes the organization as one of the “bright lights” of Olympia, where she calls home. Jessica is hand-clapping impressed with the 2018/19 Season line-up and will be excited to meet you upon your next visit to the Center!” by The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, in Thurston Talk.
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– “Northwest blood donation co. urging people to donate to remedy ‘critically low’ supply”
“Bloodworks Northwest, a Seattle company that specializes in transfusion medicine, is urging Washington residents with type O negative blood to donate as hurricane season ramps up in other regions of the United States.

“The impact of reduced collections caused by warmer temperatures, school breaks, and summer vacations has triggered a special appeal to donors to help meet the urgent patient needs in Northwest hospitals and potentially in support of disaster victims around the country in the coming weeks,” the company wrote in a news release Thursday.”

“Appointments can be made through Bloodworks Northwest online or at 1-800-398-7888. There are three South Sound donation locations, in Olympia, Federal Way and Tukwila,” quoting Lauren Smith, The Olympian.
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