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

A sunny day highlights why this tree is called a Bigleaf Maple

June announced its arrival with a couple of windy, rainy, flower-smashing storms. Big fat peony blossoms, weighted down with water, bowed to the ground. A clump of blooming Jupiter’s Beard was … more

By Jill Severn | 6/7/24 | 1 comment

Birds’ eggs

When thinking about the miracle of birds, the first thing that comes to mind is flight. We earthbound humans are often a little jealous of avian flight – they do it so easily, and we have to … more

By George Walter | 6/6/24

The prevalence of elder abuse

Every month of the year seems to have a theme and for June it is Elder Abuse Awareness. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day but the whole month offers the opportunity to learn more about this sad … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 6/5/24 | 1 comment

Responsible pet ownership starts with responsible owners

Every year, 6.5 million dogs, cats, and other former pets are abandoned or lost and enter shelters. But of all these animals, only 3.2 million are adopted and many see shelters again after less than … more

By Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn | 6/4/24 | 6 comments

Social media icons on bottles and cases. Health information via social media concept.

Finding credible health information in the age of misinformation

We live in an age of information overload. Distinguishing what is credible and what isn’t is no easy task. When it comes to health, finding reputable information is crucial because the … more

By Debra L. Glasser, M.D. | 6/4/24 | 1 comment

Student jumping at the long jump station, Day of Champions. May 29, 2024

A Million Smiles - Day of Champions 2024

“It’s the day of a million smiles,” Karen Schoessel announced on May 29, 2024, with a big smile of her own. She seemed to be everywhere at once, overseeing an ocean of military, … more

By Shirley Stirling | 6/3/24

Wandering flamingoes – new birds on the list

Recently there was an article in the Washington Post about multiple American Flamingoes returning to Florida and reestablishing possible breeding populations. These birds were present in big numbers … more

By George Walter | 5/31/24

Life lessons in perennial flower borders

A perennial flower border can be a beautiful sight or a source of frustration. Most of the time, it’s some of each. Photographers for garden books, websites and magazines show us gorgeous … more

By Jill Severn | 5/31/24 | 2 comments

Working on my positive input into my life, day to day

It almost seems impossible, but I feel there is more negativity than usual lately, everywhere I look. The news, both print, online, and broadcast is filled with either misleading or snarky … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/29/24

Local pet-related events: past, present and future

Ours is a pet-active region! Past: Ratapalooza Ratapalooza was held on Saturday, May 18 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. We attended and were overwhelmed by the turnout of so many … more

By Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn | 5/28/24 | 1 comment

Time is a garden’s best friend

A few weeks ago, a young couple stopped to admire the pink dogwood blooming in the front yard. “How old is that tree?” the young man asked. “About 20 years,” I … more

By Jill Severn | 5/25/24 | 4 comments

Wall of masks at Olympia's city hall, second floor. The Endangered Species Mask Project represents the collaborative work done between Restoring Earth Connections and 6th graders attending Thurgood Marshall Middle School. The 41 masks are on display on the second floor of Olympia’s City Hall. May 16, 2024.

Making connections thru making masks

Sixth graders complete an endangered species project The students of Autumn Stevick and Jennifer Metsler are not just passive learners, but active investigators, as evidenced in a recent … more

By Shirley Stirling | 5/24/24

This Turkey Vulture is soaring over Patagonia, Argentina.

Turkey Vultures and other soaring birds

Ever wonder what happens to road kills and other dead animals? Sometimes they are collected or buried by road maintenance folks, but more often they are removed by one of our more important, and … more

By George Walter | 5/23/24 | 2 comments

This garden mosaic resurrected a previously neglected patch of dying grass.

One foot in front of the other, a designing woman redefines her life path

Vanessa Gardner Nagel, is a fascinating woman - a tiny female designer of all things beautiful, and she wears red glasses – what more do you need to know? Living in Minnesota, California, … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/22/24 | 2 comments

Dr. Glasser, the author, at the right, with her medical school classmate and friend, Ellen Michaelson, M.D., a primary care internist/hematologist in Portland, OR at the Sommer Lectures.

Primary Care Internal Medicine is dead

Primary care internal medicine, the medical field I chose, loved, and practiced for 4 decades, is dead. The grief and shock I feel about this is personal and transpersonal. The loss … more

By Debra L. Glasser, M.D. | 5/21/24 | 12 comments

Common sense pet safety for hot summer weather

Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish is a lifelong resident of Tumwater; Thom moved here 20 years ago. Contact them at … more

By Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn | 5/21/24 | 1 comment

Shannon's Deli-Style Tuna Salad makes a great dinner salad.

Recipe: Deli-Style Tuna Salad

As we move into warmer weather, tuna salad sounds good. A popular lunch or dinner entree, tuna salad can be dressed up or down. It is a versatile source of protein, and can evoke cravings! … more

By Shannon Beigert | 5/20/24

Seen facing north, the Davis-Meeker oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost airplane hangar.

Is it too late to save the Davis-Meeker oak tree?

On May 14, Mayor Debbie Sullivan and city manager Lisa Parks of Tumwater announced their decision to cut down the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree that stands between the Olympia airport and Old Highway … more

By Jill Severn | 5/17/24 | 17 comments

Some interesting, yet less known birds

The Swainson’s Thrush is a migratory species that winters from southern Mexico south into South America. They typically return and begin to sing the first week of June. This song is one of my … more

By George Walter | 5/16/24 | 1 comment

A performance by Yvette Duenas Aponte and Students from Chief Leschi Schools Culture Class at the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) Elders Supports and Services Event at the Little Creek Casino Convention Center. Permission was granted from SPIPA to take the picture.

I learned a lot at the Elders Supports and Services Event

This week I had the pleasure of attending the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) Elders Supports and Services Event at the Little Creek Casino Convention Center, and as usual, I learned … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/15/24