Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter can be seen at sunrise next week
+ The Olympian: You could see four planets at once in the April sky — but you’ll need to get up early
+ KING-5 TV: Get up before dawn to see four planets lined up in the morning sky – Four planets in our solar system will be in a nearly straight line in the sky for the next few nights. Here’s when and where to look. Read more
+ KING-5 TV: President Biden to visit Seattle on Earth Day to discuss clean energy
+ Earth Day.org: Learn more about Earth Day 2022
+ From The Seattle Times:
Biden…arrives in Seattle for Earth Day events
“President Joe Biden is set to mark Earth Day with a pair of appearances in the Seattle area Friday, including a speech at Green River College in Auburn and the signing of an executive order in Seattle aimed at protecting old-growth forests.
“Biden arrived in Washington Thursday evening, touching down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly before 5:30 p.m., flying in Air Force One from an appearance in Portland where he touted massive new federal infrastructure spending.
“After speaking at a private political fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee hosted by Microsoft President Brad Smith, Biden was scheduled to spend Thursday night in Seattle, where streets around the downtown Westin Hotel were blocked off and heavily guarded by police.
“Biden’s two scheduled events Friday — neither open to the public — are likely to bring further temporary road and freeway closures as the presidential motorcade zooms from place to place.
“The visits to Portland and Seattle, the first of Biden’s presidency, mingled political and official stops.”
‘Quietly moving on’: Trump’s mojo may be waning out West
From The Seattle Times via Title Press:
“It sure looks like the old Donald Trump political magic is waning a bit – if it ever existed for anybody but himself in the first place.”
“Campaign finance reports released last week show that Trump’s patented “Complete and Total Endorsement!” is actually doing surprisingly little to drive money and enthusiasm to some of his favored candidates.
“Example: Congressional candidate Loren Culp, who was the Washington state GOP’s previous nominee for governor. Trump is aggrieved that the incumbent there, Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, voted to impeach Trump after a mob stormed the Capitol and Trump did nothing for hours. So on Feb. 9, Trump dropped what was supposed to be a revenge bomb on Newhouse:
“‘Newhouse joined the Radical Left Democrats to vote for the Impeachment Hoax…’ Trump said while endorsing Culp. ‘Unlike Dan Newhouse, who is absolutely terrible, Loren will never turn his back on Central Washington, or our Country.’
“They appear to be turning their backs on Culp-his intake rate of campaign money actually slowed a bit post-endorsement, with only about $ 19,000 after Feb. 9, according to federal records of itemized contributions. This despite flying down to Mar-a-Lago Club in late February to kiss the ring at a “MAGApalooza” candidate forum.
“The Culp campaign also spent more money than it brought in. Even worse: The long-shot Democratic candidate in the district, which is the state’s reddest, raised nearly three times as much as Culp this quarter.
“If Trump reads that last sentence, look out. He’s been known to cancel endorsements when he feels he’s about to be embarrassed.” Read more
Washington’s newest state park is taking shape, and it’s in Pierce County
From The Olympian:
“A new state park that would incorporate the Nisqually River confluences with the Mashel River and Ohop Creek was just a dream in 1987 when state planners first proposed it.
“Now, 35 years later, Nisqually State Park is taking shape as the first state park with a campground co-managed with a tribal government.
“Washington State Parks wants to include the public on how facilities and trails should look at the state’s newest park. A meeting in Eatonville April 28 will present plans for the park’s village center and its trail system.” Read more
Nisqually State Park
From WA. Trails Assn.:
“Just a few miles west of Eatonville, off Highway 7, is Washington’s newest state park. Created thanks to a partnership between the Nisqually Tribe, Washington State Parks, and other local agencies, the park provides 1,300 acres of forest, prairie, and riverside trails to recreate in.
“Tucked on a spit of land between the Nisqually and Mashel Rivers, and adjacent to Ohop Creek, the new park is off Mashel Prairie Road. Here, visitors will find old graveled logging roads and narrow footpaths lacing through woodland and open fields.
“The park has been 30 years in the making, and continues to develop. The trailhead boasts an ADA-accessible restroom and paved parking area, as well as room for six horse trailers and a hitching post. Additionally, an interpretive kiosk tells of the way the native people in this area use and care for the land.” Read more
Prairie Points Quilt Guild Celebrates 20 Years
From The Chronicle (Centralia):
The Prairie Points Quilt Guild in Rainier celebrated its 20th anniversary back in January.
The program has served Rainier and surrounding communities by providing quilts to those in need since January of 2002.
In March, the group celebrated three of its current members, who have been with the guild since its creation. They presented Majorie Capluto, Kay Ervin and club president Sue Larson with commemorative quilts as a thank you for volunteering for over two decades.
The group has undertaken many projects in its 20-year stint, including sewing quilts for homeless kids in the area.
“We’ve done 130 quilts for homeless kids in the Yelm and Rainier school districts,’ said member Tammie Meyers. ‘Three to five years ago one of our members saw a count of homeless people in Yelm and I couldn’t believe it.'”
“The group also meets on the fourth Saturday of each month for their Saturday Sew event, which is also located at the Rainier Senior Center.
“Those interested in joining can contact Meyers at 360-584-7582 for more information. People are also welcome to attend one of the group’s Thursday night meetings to learn more about the program.”
Auditor’s Office Receives Award for Financial Reporting
Editor’s note: Congratulations to Auditor Hall and her team for a continued exemplary performance.
From the Office of the Thurston County Auditor:
“The Thurston County Auditor’s Financial Services Team received their 15th straight Annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Government Financial Officers Association honored Thurston County for going above and beyond in financial reporting.
“‘Our culture of financial compliance, controls and reporting is rooted deeply here at Thurston County,’ said Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor. The county auditor oversees the financial services division and acts as Chief Financial Officer for the county.
“This award follows the county’s sixth straight clean annual audit from the State Auditor’s Office last year.”
+ The Points Guy: Justice Department will appeal mask mandate ruling only if CDC wants mandate extended
+ The Olympian: Masks no longer mandatory on Intercity Transit buses and other vehicles
Planes, trains and ferries: Where are masks still required while traveling in Washington?
From KING-5 TV:
“Nationally, most major airlines have announced they have lifted their mask requirements, but in Washington state, some public transit agencies are still requiring them.
“Alaska Airlines announced Monday that passengers would no longer be required to wear masks in the air, and Sea-Tac International Airport said the TSA would no longer be requiring masks. However, other local transportation companies are keeping their mask requirements in place while they wait to see if the federal government appeals the ruling.”
“These announcements come after a federal judge in Florida struck down the federal mask mandate on Monday, ruling it exceeded the authority of U.S. health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Here’s a look at where you may or may not be required to wear a mask while traveling. The federal order applied to all public modes of transportation, including airports, buses and ferries.”
Washington transit agencies will require masks for now
United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines have also lifted their mask requirements
The Yelm Chamber of Commerce Supports Expansions of Local Businesses Masonry Café, Shiplap Shop & Coffee House and 507 Taproom as They Grow in the Community
“The Yelm Chamber of Commerce is passionate about local businesses and strives to support their growth and success in the community. They are eager to build up businesses across Thurston County and are thrilled to announce the expansion of three local businesses in the Yelm community. Masonry Café Catering, Shiplap Shop & Coffee House, and 507 Taproom & Filling Station are in the process of expanding and growing their businesses, which is exciting for community members across the county.”
Read more from the full story.
Happy Easter from the Yelm Community Blog.
Click here for Happy Easter from the 1948 movie Easter Parade.
This Washington national park ranks among the best for kids in the nation. Here’s why
The United States has 63 national parks for families to explore, and one in Washington ranks among the best for kids.
Mount Rainier National Park landed No. 10 on The Family Vacation Guide’s list of “The Best National Parks for Kids in the US” released in March.
The travel guide website ranked each national park by factors including kid-friendly hotels, walking trails, attractions and family sightseeing landmarks.
