BE SAFE!

– First published here in 2007:
“Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is an annual holiday observed on October 31, primarily in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, but is today largely a secular celebration.

Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jack-o’-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, committing pranks, telling ghost stories or other frightening tales, and watching horror films…

Origin of name
The word Halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”), that is, the night before All Hallows Day. Although the phrase All Hallows is found in Old English (ealra hlgena mssedg, mass-day of all saints), All-Hallows-Even is itself not attested until 1556,” quoting Wikipedia.
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Photo credit: Clear View Exteriors


– About Clear View Exteriors
“Clear View Exteriors is a family-oriented business located in Yelm Washington. Founded and operating with good old-fashioned work ethic, morals, and integrity. Our philosophy is simple: We make our customers happy and do whatever it takes to keep them that way.

“We specialize in all types of roofing, siding, windows , decking and patio covers. We also offer a variety of financing options, tailored to fit your families’ needs and budget.

“We have only the most skilled and experienced roofers and laborers on our team because we believe that if you take good care of your employees, they will take pride in every job and you will see that pride and expertise in your home’s project.

“We strive to do our best and only offer the best products, value, and service. That’s why we have nearly 150 5-Star reviews-check them out and give us a call. Estimates are always free!”
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Clear View Exteriors, LLC
103 E Yelm Avenue
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 400-1800


TELL SCOTT AT CLEAR VIEW EXTERIORS YOU READ ABOUT HIS WORK ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Texting teens
Photo credit: NBC News


– “Teens Increasingly Choosing Screens Over Books and Reading”
* Reading is a source of learning and entertainment, as well as an activity that can be done nearly anytime, anywhere

* Research suggests 1 in 3 high school-aged teens no longer reads even one book a year for pleasure

* Screen time for teens has tripled in the past 40 years and the average American 12th-grader spends about eight hours a day using the internet, social media, texting and TV; this figure does not include classroom, homework or job-related screen use

* Modeling good reading habits to your child and reading to them daily beginning in infancy is the best way to instill in them a love of books and reading, as well as helping them to develop language skills
By Dr. Mercola.
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– “Even tech execs fret about their kids’ smartphone addictions”
“Like a lot of parents, Mike Herrick occasionally sees his 13-year-old daughter getting lost in her smartphone and wonders: Is technology messing with children’s brains, even as it enlightens and empowers them in ways that weren’t possible when his generation grew up?

What sets Herrick apart is his job. He is a product and engineering executive at Urban Airship, a company in Portland, Oregon, that makes online tools that send the kind of relentless notifications that can make people act like bears near a honey pot,” by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer.
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Trump campaign supporters, Oct. 27, 2016.
Credit: Evan Vucci, AP.


– “No swamp here: Washington tops all states in anti-corruption ranking”
“Washington state may share a name with the nation’s capital, but there’s no big swamp that needs to be drained in the Pacific Northwest — at least, according to a new independent ranking of anti-corruption laws.

“The Evergreen State topped the inaugural S.W.A.M.P. [States With Anti-Corruption Measures for Public officials] Index’s list of states with tough corruption laws, impressing analysts from the Coalition for Integrity with the strength of its ethics agency and measures to prevent lobbyists from plying elected officials with gifts,” by Kellen Browning, McClatchy Newspapers.
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– Editor’s Note:
I was so thrilled to meet our area’s talent displayed at this year’s Farmers Market by the work of these fine artisans not previously covered here.



Betschart Woodworking


– Betschart Woodworking
“Hand cut and pieced scrollsaw woodworking projects.
“Specializing in NFL and College football logos.”
Purchase here



Credit: Kathleen Clare


– Gentle Nature Soaps
“All my soap and shampoo bars are crafted from scratch in small batches using the cold process method with the finest oils and butters available. I only use sustainably grown and harvested palm oil. All my fragrances are phthalate free. I don’t use SLS in any of my products.”
Purchase here



Credit: Doodle Buns Bakery


– Doodle Buns Bakery
“Specializing in colorful, homemade meringues, available in an array of fun and delicious flavors. Find us Saturdays at the Yelm Farmers Market! Doodle Buns Bakery also offers a variety of other tasty desserts and treats!”
Purchase here



Credit: Bee4Ever


– Bee4Ever
“We harvest our honey (wildflower and maple) and our bee pollen right on our property in the Bald Hills region outside of rural Yelm, Washington.”
Purchase here

The Yelm-Tenino Trail
Map credit: Thurston County Parks


– “Visit Thurston’s Bountiful Byway Via the Yelm-Tenino Trail”
“Thurston County is home to the 14-mile Yelm-Tenino Trail. While not as well-known as its sister trail, the Chehalis-Western, the trail connects the rural cities of Yelm, Rainier, and Tenino. Just over a 100 years ago, it was known as the “Prairie Line” by the Burlington Northern Railroad. Now the well-maintained trail offers recreational users a unique and decidedly different way to access Thurston’s Bountiful Byway and experience some of the county’s best kept secrets,” by Julie Alonso, South Sound Talk.
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– “Weekend Trip: Get Away and Experience the Yelm-Tenino Trail”
Also by Julie Alonso, Whatcom Talk.
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– “Weekend Trip: Get Away and Experience the Yelm-Tenino Trail”
Also by Julie Alonso, Whatcom Talk.
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– “The Yelm-Tenino Trail: A Decidedly Different Experience”
Also by Julie Alonso, Thurston Talk.
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– “Day Trips From Thurston County”
From Thurston Talk.
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Credit: Orca Network


– “Activists have wanted to free Lolita for 25 years. But she’ll remain at the Seaquarium, court rules”

“More than three years after activist groups sued Miami Seaquarium over its treatment of the captive orca Lolita, a federal appeals court has rejected their petition to reopen the case.

“The suit claimed that Seaquarium was violating the Endangered Species Act by confining the orca. But in a decision filed Tuesday [Oct. 9], the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit determined that while Lolita’s case was “unique” due to her age and the continuing medical care present at the aquarium, there was “no threat of serious harm” sufficient to trigger a violation of the federal animal welfare law. The court also noted that there is “no realistic means for returning to the wild without being harmed.”

“Lolita, a Southern Resident Killer Whale thought to be about 51 years old, is the star attraction at Seaquarium, a popular tourist attraction on Virginia Key, where she has lived since her capture off Puget Sound in 1970. At 80 feet by 60 feet and 20 feet deep, her tank is the smallest orca aquarium in the country,” by Martin Vassolo, Miami Herald.
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Blogger Klein is a longtime contributor to the Orca Network.

Credit: Yelm Farmers Market


– This Saturday is the last Yelm Farmers Market of 2018
“Fall has fallen and that means we’re wrapping up our market season at the end of this month. Visit the market on Saturday for stocking stuffers, a taste of autumn harvest in the form of vegetables from local farmers, and much more. A big thank you to our vendors and customers who have made this a great season. See you at the market!,” quoting the Yelm Farmers Market.
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Credit:Schoolhouse Washington


– “Washington’s homeless students face steep academic struggles”
“The growing problem of students living with housing instability – no matter how and where they find a place to sleep – suffer academically, according to a new report from Schoolhouse Washington. The report’s findings could have a broad impact as the number of doubled-up and unsheltered students statewide has nearly tripled since 2007, forcing schools to stretch the limited resources for homeless students and prompting calls for Olympia to boost support.

“‘Homeless is homeless is homeless,’ said Liza Burell, program director of Building Changes, a nonprofit that works to reduce youth and family homelessness. Burell oversees Schoolhouse Washington, the group’s initiative to support the educational success of homeless students in Washington,” by Neal Morton, Seattle Times.
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5G cell tower
Photo Credit: The Millennium Report


Used with permission of the author:

– “There is a Safer Alternative to 5G Technology”
“I am writing to express my deep concern about the plan to install small cell wireless antennas and towers to facilitate 5G (5th generation wireless technology) across Washington state.

At lower frequencies than those 5G will use, the adverse health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure have already been proven. Now the wireless telecom industry wants to increase the frequency drastically. The results will be disastrous for all Washingtonians, especially the most vulnerable, pregnant women, infants and toddlers, the disabled and the elderly.”

“I have a master’s degree in biology and am aware of the extensive peer-reviewed, scientific research showing the adverse effects of electromagnetic fields on humans and the environment.”

“There is a safer alternative. Worldwide, many regions are investing in safer and smarter fiber optic cables buried in the ground to every business, home, school and hospital.

“It is important for all of us to urge our representatives, both state and local, to defend the public and our future — do not deploy small cell antennas that facilitate 5G across Washington state.”
Read the full text here