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

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

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

This is the Short-billed Gull, showing its smaller and finer bill.

Thurston County’s Gulls – Part 1

There was a time, before 2000, when Thurston County was the winter vacation wonderland for all sorts of gulls. Each winter, more than 10,000 gulls would visit our county. Their lives then were … more

By George Walter | 9/1/22

Remembering the heyday of television commercials

Do you watch commercials? Or do you, like my son-in-law, fast forward through them? I watch them. I enjoy some of them and several of them make me laugh out loud. Furthermore, more than one … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 8/31/22

It’s still August – so it’s Make-A-Will Month

When I started this column almost a year ago, I had a couple of intentions. First, I hoped to help readers understand what nonprofits are, appreciate the sector, and to understand the dynamics of … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 8/30/22

A bull elk in Yellowstone National Park, 1988.

Coming soon, The Apocalypse, maybe

Just about every video game, young adult novel and buzz-worthy streaming series agrees that we need to prepare for a post-apocalyptic world. Up ahead, around a sharp curve or off a cliff, it is … more

By Pepper Trail | 8/30/22 | 3 comments

Port of Olympia, it’s time to raise Weyerhaeuser’s rent

The Weyerhaeuser Company is doing great these days. With net earnings of $2.6 billion last year, the company proclaimed, “Our 2021 financial performance was the strongest on … more

by Helen Wheatley | 8/29/22 | 7 comments

"By getting your heart and brain to work together, you can change anything."

Gratitude as gratitude for spiraling

Dear Lexis, I feel like my life is spiraling out of control. Nothing seems to be going right and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do about it. Health issues, car issues, and money … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 8/29/22

This is a flower on the “old” hibiscus — the one that’s been in the ground for 20 years.

Late Bloomers

In today’s context, “late bloomers” is not a reference to 40-year-old virgins, or to writers who publish their first novel at the age of 75. Gardeners are more literal. When … more

8/26/22 | 1 comment

This Bald Eagle is resting with his prey, an unlucky duck.

Endangered bird species and recovery

During my 40+ years of bird watching, I have seen several amazing recoveries in populations of prominent bird species that were in danger of extinction. For the most part, this recovery is the result … more

By George Walter | 8/25/22 | 1 comment

Time to talk about "the E word"

Exercise. Not my favorite word…and certainly not my favorite activity. With the exception of dancing, which I rarely get to do anymore, my favorite activity is reading, followed by … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 8/24/22 | 2 comments

Shopping the caring way

I know many people have a love/hate relationship with Amazon, but here is one way to use your purchases to help others. Recently, I received the following notification from … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 8/23/22

You matter – put your best foot forward

Dear Reader, There are moments when we all struggle with depression, and I wanted to take today to let you know that you matter. Your life is important, and you have the strength to get … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 8/22/22 | 1 comment