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

June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Unless you live under a rock you are probably aware and may take part in the celebration of Pride Month each June. But did you know that June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month? In … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 6/9/21

Figuring out where to start is often the first step in reducing stress, says Lexis.

How to support husband who has ADHD?

Dear Lexis, My husband has ADHD and has serious issues accomplishing tasks. Instead he assigns tasks to me to accomplish between my jobs. It has been extremely disheartening to constantly have … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 6/7/21

The marriage of gardening and cooking

We are entering the season when gardening and cooking get married. Already the world’s best salads are at hand. Now, before the tender lettuce plants bolt and go to seed, is also the time when … more

By Jill Severn | 6/4/21 | 1 comment

Evergreen: What has happened to you?

Evergreen. TESC. I grew up running on your fields, scoring in your hoops, lifting your weights, enjoying your Super Saturdays, and cavorting with your faculty’s kids. I saw Nirvana, … more

By David Ross | 6/3/21 | 4 comments

Youths Logan and Jonny visit with elders Dottie, Ethel and Bill.

Finding joy in intergenerational engagement

I recently spoke with Linda Terry, the Founder and Director of STEP, (Sharing Time with Elders Project) and the first thing that struck me was the joy in her … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 6/2/21

Homelessness: We’ve made some progress … if we look for it

When I started trying to learn about the homeless camps I was under the impression that little was being done. My thoughts would be along the lines of “what the hell is going on, why … more

By Pat Cole | 6/1/21 | 2 comments

Who are you and what do you want?

Dear JOLT Readers, I know it’s been a tough year for a lot of us and that we’re all trying to find a way forward from here. Who knows what the new normal will … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 5/31/21 | 1 comment

We need more low-income housing, not more market-rate housing

Hello City of Olympia, Land Use and Environment Committee Members; Being involved with the Community Neighborhood Association, (CNA), I am concerned with the City of Olympia pushing the … more

5/28/21 | 3 comments

Saving the planet, one clover seed at a time

I am perennially perplexed about my lawn. The more I read about lawn, the more I have thought that getting rid of it might be the environmentally responsible thing to do. But I like it a lot, … more

By Jill Severn | 5/28/21

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.

Memorial Day Memories…

For many Americans Memorial Day is a three-day weekend with family gatherings, bar-b-ques and camping trips to local lakes and oceans. For many seniors it is a time to remember… Thoughts … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/26/21

Petition requests NTPS Board members to resign

Hello. We are the NT Fairness Alliance. We are parents, teachers, and community members within North Thurston Public Schools. 10 days ago we launched a petition, requesting the NTPS Board … more

5/25/21

Danny Stusser is publisher of JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

What have we learned in a year

As many say lately, it's been a year. In the case of The JOLT, it's been our first year. What have we learned? People around here care about trees, crime, whom to … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/21/21 | 1 comment

Shirley poppies are one of several annual flowers that reseed themselves; they grow well in Thurston County and come up in a variety of colors.

Easy flowers to grow from seed

Once I was sent to the hardware store to buy nails. I knew nothing about construction. When the clerk said “box or common?” I just felt ignorant and incompetent – which, of course, … more

By Jill Severn | 5/21/21

Jay Banks, executive director of Pizza Klatch

Commenting on the situation in Cortez, Colorado

Situations like what’s happening in Cortez, Colorado really break my heart. Young people coming together in search of community and understanding are being met with ignorance and attempts to … more

By Jay Banks, Executive Director, Pizza Klatch | 5/20/21

It all began with pizza (in Cortez, Colorado)

In the mid-1960s, my dad served on the school board in Cortez, in rural southern Colorado. He recalled that at one meeting he said something a little too liberal because a fellow board member … more

By Laura Roberts McHenry | 5/20/21

Even in 2021, this flag is much more likely to be safely displayed in Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater than it would be in Cortez, Colorado.

LGBTQ+ students are safer in Thurston County than in other places

When you read what's happening in Cortez, Colorado and then brush up on your knowledge of Olympia's Pizza Klatch, you'll see a contrast in culture and politics. And whatever you think of … more

5/19/21

Happy New Year!

Well, folks, the end is in sight. A little over a year in lockdown is about to end. We can choose to go maskless in public. We can dine out, attend a movie and shop in stores instead of having our … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/19/21

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

I just don’t understand the reason for the level of suspicion and nastiness I see on social media when talking about political issues. We’ve all watched how social discourse has … more

By Pat Cole | 5/18/21 | 2 comments

The challenging Law of Attraction

Dear Lexis, I’ve never really believed in the whole Law of Attraction thing, but it seems to be a belief that you recommend. I wondered why that is and how you can justify holding such a … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 5/17/21

Whom can you trust?

I once had a neighbor who earned a Master Gardener title by attending a series of classes. She had never grown a single broccoli plant, but she was quite free with gardening advice. After one … more

By Jill Severn | 5/14/21