Opinion | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

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

Oxalis corniculata, a troublesome little weed lurking under and in between its neighbors.

Gardeners’ burnout

At this time of the year, most gardeners are getting tired of gardening and beginning to look forward to the cozier indoor pursuits of shorter days and darker evenings. I think our gardens might … more

By Jill Severn | 9/30/22 | 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

The JOLT invites both letters and readers' comments about topics of specific interest to people in Thurston County communities.

Another deal with Weyerhaeuser? Residents here need answers first.

Dear JOLT Readers: According to an article in The Olympian, the Port of Olympia is dragging its feet on getting substantial public input for its next contract with Weyerhaeuser when it expires … more

9/29/22 | 5 comments

One site under consideration for a new airport is shown above. Olympia Regional Airport is partly visible on the left edge of the image.

Ready for a major airport south of Yelm Highway?

In less than two weeks, the State will choose one of three sites they want to create an airport the size of SeaTac. A location near Rainier in Thurston County is one of them. The State … more

9/28/22 | 13 comments

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

Seattle/Tacoma International Airport arrivals and flow

Incomplete and untruth - a mega airport in Thurston County?

A mega airport in Thurston County? Two locations (of several others) in Thurston County have been suggested by WSDOT and the Governor’s aviation expansion work group. One between … more

By Ursula Euler | 9/22/22 | 4 comments

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

Western Gull - breeding colonies on the Washington Coast

Thurston County’s Gulls – Part 2

As I noted in my last column, before the year 2000 when the previously open county dump at Hawk’s Prairie finally closed, there were huge numbers of gulls wintering here. Those numbers have … more

By George Walter | 9/12/22

“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