The goal of the stimulus spending, in addition to energy savings, was to reduce the carbon footprints of participants and put people back to work. A recent analysis shows that the local program has been a success. About 517 homes and 70 businesses have received energy audits to help them invest wisely in energy-efficient improvements.
About 45 percent of the homeowners and 50 percent of the businesses have followed through with some or all of the recommended energy-conservation measures, compared with a national average of 25 percent, Thurston Energy program director Ramsey Zimmerman said. The program has added or enhanced about 125 jobs in South Sound, including energy auditors, building contractors, financial lenders, utility contractors and other local businesses, according to the program report.
The combined energy savings from the projects totals about $90,000 per year. Through June 30, 2011, the energy savings from the program had reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 560 tons, the equivalent of taking about 100 cars off the road. The goal is to reach 800 homes and 100 businesses by early next year.
While county officials debate whether to close the 150-year-old Mima Prairie Pioneer Cemetery to future burials, the undeniable fact is that the county cemetery is in deplorable condition. Thurston County officials have halted burials there and are discussing making that ban permanent following the Thurston County Historic Commission’s recommendation.
The cemetery, which was deeded to the county in 1869 and is among the county’s oldest, will remain open to visitors. The 2.28-acre cemetery off Mima Road southwest of Littlerock reveals old headstones, some unreadable, popping out of tall grass and surrounded by fallen apples. Cami Petersen, from the county Resource Stewardship Department, said that during a massive cleanup in 1990, a metal marker was discovered but the name couldn’t be read. “We aren’t exactly sure how many people are buried there,” she said.
That’s unacceptable. It’s time for another major volunteer clean-up at the Mima Prairie Pioneer Cemetery. Perhaps the county’s historic commission could organize such an effort. Our pioneers deserve better than the overgrown condition of the cemetery today.
With the national quest to turn the tide on childhood obesity, it was great to learn that the Tumwater School District has landed a $1.01 million federal grant to strengthen its physical education and nutrition programs.
The 5,650-student district was among just 76 local education agencies and community-based programs that were granted funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s Carol M. White Physical Education Program.
We agree with Black Hills High School physical education teacher Greg Bert who said, “It’s really going to help our students. It’s going to change the whole face of PE as we know it.”
Much of the money will be used to purchase new fitness equipment for both the school and the Boys & Girls Club of Tumwater.
In addition, funds will be used to build and maintain a school garden, hold health-food cooking classes, support fitness activities at the YMCA’s childcare program and revamp the district’s lunch program to provide more healthful options. It’s great to see the launch of the “Tumwater for Tomorrow: Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities” project.
Madison Elementary School has one of the biggest school gardens in South Sound. Drive by and you will see pumpkin vines producing some mighty nice specimens, among a long list of other vegetables.
Madison hosted its Friday Harvest celebration a week ago.
The school erected a farm stand where students got to pick three vegetables (grown in the school garden). The students used tokens collected through good behavior to purchase the vegetables for their families.
The event was accompanied by classroom cooking demonstrations to show how the vegetables could be prepared. A recipe was included. The children got to use a cider press, and a petting zoo was added to the program.
When the principal, Gayle Mar-Chun, announced the food program, the students showed their enthusiasm through wild applause. “Just how many other school kids get such a response about fruits and vegetables? Not many,” Mar-Chun said. What a great program to help students learn about gardening and the importance of nutrition in a fun and engaging way.
