Columnists | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

October is my favorite month of the year. I enjoy the moderate weather, the beautiful colorful leaves that adorn the trees, the shorter days and longer nights and all the holiday festivities that … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 10/5/22 | 1 comment

Hurricane victims and how you can help, Indigenous People’s Day, Arts, and Harvest Festival

Last week, Hurricane Ian obliterated communities in Florida. As of today, according to CNN, at least 102 people have been reported killed by the hurricane in Florida – 55 of them in Lee County, … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 10/4/22

Compound effect

Dear Lexis, What is the best tool you’ve ever heard of for changing your life? Thanks, Curious in Olympia Dear Curious, That’s a great question, and I would say that the … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 10/3/22 | 1 comment

Parasitic Jaeger - can be found in South Puget Sound

Pelagic Birds – Part 2

This week we will continue our series on pelagic birds, commonly called seabirds. Liam Hutcheson is again my co-author. One of the most delightful birds to see out on the ocean are the Storm … more

By George Walter and Liam Hutcheson | 9/29/22 | 1 comment

Catching up about gender and sexuality

I recently discovered a “new” newsletter from AARP called The Ethel, a free, weekly lifestyle newsletter inspired by AARP's amazing founder, Ethel Percy Andrus. And I must say I … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 9/28/22 | 1 comment

Spooktacular giving and understanding the business of nonprofit

I was in a store and noticed that Halloween decorations were merging with the Thanksgiving décor, followed closely by the Christmas onslaught. For the nonprofit sector, the holiday season is … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 9/27/22

Rubus laciniatus is another invasive, non-native blackberry species, but it’s much less common and invasive than Himalayan blackberries.

Himalayan blackberries are on the march

Yesterday a friend pointed out something I had never noticed: This is the time of year when Himalayan blackberry bushes – one of our most common invasive species – send out long, arching … more

By Jill Severn | 9/23/22 | 2 comments

A Laysan albatross in the foreground (Phoebastria immutabilis) flying with sooty shearwater (Ardenna grisea).

Pelagic Birds – Part 1

Pelagic Birds – Part 1 September and October are fairly boring months for local bird watching. So, as a change of pace, we are writing over the next few weeks about, and providing … more

By George Walter | 9/22/22

Rising to the challenge in age old conundrum of living fully

Fairy tales can come true It could happen to you If you’re young at heart Carolyn Leigh/Johnny Richards Ever wonder what could come next? Do you ever feel like your creative flow … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 9/21/22

STEM to STEAM, get your science and art on as well as your adventure with the local nonprofits events and volunteer opportunities

It’s a busy time of the year. The autumnal equinox arrives Thursday, also called the September equinox or fall equinox. College and Pro Football are in full swing. Hockey preseason starts this … more

9/20/22

A look at the world through rose-colored glasses.

For your own good, don't focus on the bad

Dear Lexis, I was reading through some of the comments on your previous posts and I just wanted to reach out because I feel like there are some things that need to be addressed. You tend to see … more

9/19/22

A tender cobweb with small dew drops shines in the sunlight against a warm background.

Shorter days, more spiderwebs

A friend complained yesterday that the days are slipping away ever faster, and soon his life will be over. That’s a sensation that comes in September when every day is shorter than the … more

By Jill Severn | 9/16/22

The Doctor Is In!

If you are of a certain age, you, like me, can remember when the family doctor came to your house when you were ill – where you were usually sitting up in bed, in your pajamas, with a … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 9/14/22

Serve Washington, local nonprofit highlights, and nonprofit needs this week

Did you notice that Sunday was September 11? This used to be one of the busiest days of the year for me ever since the Points of Light Foundation designated 9/11 as a National Day of Service, a way … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 9/13/22

“Empower yourself by taking radical responsibility for your life.”

Radical responsibility for burnout

Dear Lexis, I know that you encourage us to keep moving forward when times get tough, but I feel like I've been doing that for years and things still haven't shifted. I'm so tired of feeling like … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 9/12/22

A closeup shot of a bundle of Canna Lilies in a garden full of plants on a cloudy day.

Garden Provacateur

Ah, the wonders of YouTube. It has noticed my interest in gardening and is now serving up all manner of videos on the subject – some dreadful, a few divine. Among the divine is a biopic … more

By Jill Severn | 9/9/22

Upcoming Events of Interest for Seniors:

September 11 – Grandparents Day! September 17 – The Hope Vision Foundation Presents the Olympia Vision Fair. September 22 - The Senior Action Network Presents: Living Well, Living Long! more

By Kathleen Anderson | 9/7/22

International Day of Charity – philanthropy, and individuals create our change

Welcome to September! I don’t know about you, but it has already been a busy week…. I hope you had chance to attend Olympia Harbor Days (another local nonprofit) this past weekend. … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 9/6/22

Hurt people, hurt people

Dear Lexis, I fought with my sister and now we’re not talking. I know that I should apologize for some of the things I said but I’m finding it hard to let go of my own hurt. I … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 9/5/22

This apple tree must have been a late bloomer that benefited from late arriving bees.

What an odd year it's been

What an odd year it’s been. First there was the long, cold, wet spring that lasted well into June. Then came an unusually dry and sunny summer, with the repeated but brief heat waves, though … more

By Jill Severn | 9/2/22 | 1 comment