- NWS Seattle: Next 5 Days
- FDA: New Generic Valsartan Approved, Compounding Pharmacy Decree Issued
- WA Dept of Veteran Affairs: Washington Service Corps Volunteers Win Increase
- WA Public Lands, WA State RCO: Land & Water Conservation Fund Wins
- WA State Libraries, NASA Budget Cuts: White House FY2020 Budget Out
- LCSO Notice: Law Enforcement Auction
- Not Strictly Toledo: Hazo Hut & Swap Shack
- Today: Mighty Fine Seniors, Toledo Park Board, Yoga In Toledo!
- Toledo High School: Athletics Week March 11 - 16
- Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Forms, Fun & More
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Midnight PDT - The Star Online posted: Gmail, Google Drive and YouTube back to normal
One hour later - Gizmodo AU issued: Gmail Is Down (Again) [Updated]
One user Tweeted: The internet turns 30 and suddenly @Google drive and gmail go down around the world?
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FDA Press Announcements: March 12, 2019
- FDA approves a new generic valsartan
- Federal judge enters consent decree against Texas compounder, Guardian Pharmacy Services
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Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs posted:
Washington Service Corps volunteers to see nearly 11 percent stipend increase next year
________________________________________
OLYMPIA - Volunteers serving in the Washington Service Corps next year will receive the second highest living allowance of all AmeriCorps members in the state.
Increased funding from both the Employment Security Department, which administers the Service Corps program, and from community organizations which host the volunteers will bring member stipends to $1,450 per month.
“The cost of living has increased significantly in the last few years, and we were looking for ways to respond,” said James Trujillo, director of the Washington Service Corps, a program under the national AmeriCorps umbrella. “We want community service to be viable for everyone, no matter their economic background. This increase is an improvement, but we recognize we have to do more.”
The only other AmeriCorps program in Washington with a higher stipend is the Washington Conservation Corps, which gives its members about $1,840 per month.
Stipend levels for AmeriCorps volunteers vary across the country. The federal Corporation for National and Community Service funds 80 percent. The state as well as local public and private organizations that host volunteers make up the difference. They also pay for other member expenses and operational costs.
“This stipend increase helps to support the outstanding efforts of our Washington Service Corps members,” said Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine. “Our volunteers help meet crucial needs in under-resourced communities across the state. The impact of their service should not be underestimated.”
The announcement about the stipend increase comes in time to celebrate the nationwide AmeriCorps Week March 10-16.
Next year’s increase will be the biggest, but not the first in Washington Service Corps history. From 2015 to 2017, the Service Corps stipend totaled $12,548 for 10 ½ months of service, if the member completes the full term. In 2017, the stipend went up to $12,630 and in 2018 to $13,732. For the 2019-2020 program year, the total stipend will be $15,225.
In addition to this increase, members anywhere in the state could see an additional raise next year if their service organizations choose a contract option allowing them to pay more to all members serving at their sites. The total amount of the increase would go directly to members, Trujillo said.
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Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz cheered:
This is a huge win for conservation and for Washington State. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is critical for supporting outdoor access.
In Washington alone, the LWCF has invested nearly $699 million over the last 50 years. I'm grateful that our representatives could come together and offer bipartisan support for this bill. Special thanks to Senator Maria Cantwell.
Link: bit.ly/2UzKJam
…
Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office joined in:
Time to celebrate! The Land and Water Conservation Fund was permanently reauthorized today with the president’s signature following bipartisan support from the House and the Senate! Thankful to the congressional leadership that stood up to #SaveLWCF, ensuring funding to create, expand, and protect the outdoors for current and future generations.
Learn more about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and its impact in Washington state at rco.wa.gov/grants/lwcf.shtml
...
Washington State Library jeered:
Yesterday the White House released its budget proposal for FY2020. The administration has proposed to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides approximately $189.3 million in direct funding to libraries through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The proposal also cuts the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program administered by the Department of Education.
Link: https://bit.ly/2TwOCAj
…
Forbes: Trump's Plan To Destroy NASA Science Laid Bare In FY2020 Budget
Excerpt: Last year, the Trump administration proposed cutting a number of Earth Science missions, ending NASA Astrophysics' flagship mission for the 2020s, WFIRST, and eliminating NASA's Office of Education. Then-acting administrator Robert Lightfoot put out a statement mentioning hard choices and an inability to do everything with a limited budget, but Congress overturned these cuts and restored funding for these programs. This year, the assault is even worse, and has a better chance of succeeding. Here's why.
Link: http://tinyurl.com/y38rht7m
*Special thanks to Ethan Siegel for this post.
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Lewis County Sheriff's Office: Notice of Law Enforcement Auction
Not Strictly Toledo: Hazo Hut and the Swap Shack at the Central Transfer Station in Centralia are open today until 4 p.m. to accept your leftover or unwanted household hazardous waste and burned out fluorescent lights. The Swap Shack is the place you can pick up good re-usable paint or cleaning products. Both facilities are open every Wednesday and the first and third Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
…
On your way back: Lewis County Solid Waste Utility: Free Wood Chips
One customer posted: So....this happened today, a nice load of mulch courtesy LCSW, and our friends at the transfer station....they were even kind enough to load it for me! If you need some good, free mulch, call 360-740-1451 before you head over, so they know you're coming, and you confirm availability!
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Today: Toledo Senior Center Mighty Fine Seniors meet 1 PM monthly on second Wednesdays to tend to the business side of things. Get on board & map your future.
Some people watch things happen.
Some people make things happen.
And some people wonder what happened.
Which one will you be?
Silent Auction deadline 3 PM Thursday, March 14. Last chance to make sure yours is the winning bid on your next favorite thing.
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Toledo Park Board:
Tonight: Yoga in Toledo! 6:30 PM
Hello, friends! Come and join us for our weekly yoga class in the lodge at Camp Singing Wind! This is a gentle hatha class, suitable for all levels. Options and modifications are included for many poses to make the class both accessible and challenging to all levels of yogi. Everyone is welcome!
Bring your mat and a water bottle. Suggested donation of $5 - $10 per person at the door. If this is your first class with us please arrive about 10 minutes early.
See you on Wednesday! :)
Hosted @ Camp Singing Wind by Dancing Moon Yoga
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Plus: Cowlitz Prairie Grange 6:30 p.m. meeting is a cake-and-ice-cream affair fourth Wednesdays, potluck second Wednesdays. Getting in gear for the 55th Gas Show and Threshing Bee August 24-25. Grange Hall at 5180 Jackson Highway. Contact Lewis Rohrig (360)864-2744 OR Tom Boone (360)266-7055
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Lewis County Fire District #2 Toledo Washington posted:
FIRST AID / CPR CLASS March 16, 2019
Registration required.
Contact: (360)864-2366
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City of Toledo announcement: Planning Commission Vacancy
Toledo High School Sports - March 2019
Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Fun & More
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Vision:TOLEDO reminder: Coming soon! If you have something BIG you want to announce or share, contact Mike Morgan 360-864-4342.
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March 16: Blueberry or Strawberry Pancake Breakfast @ Cowlitz Prairie Grange
March 21: Toledo BIG Community Meeting @ Toledo Middle School
March 23: Third Annual Seed Swap @ Toledo Community Library
March 23: Afternoon at the Easel @ Toledo New Life Assembly
March 23: Classic Meatloaf Dinner & Magic Show @ Toledo Senior Center
March 23-24: Vernal Equinox Art Fair @ Morgan Arts Centre
April 27: Fundraiser - Silent Auction & Music for Gayle Homes @ Donna’s Place
May 4: Katie’s Kids Breakfast @ Toledo High School
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Toledo Builds a High School
Information regarding the building of a new high school in Toledo, WA beginning in November, 2018. Regular updates.
https://chris-rust.blogspot.com/
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Check out Latest Earthquakes at USGS.
Check out US Tsunami Warnings at NOAA/Weather.
Air Quality Forecast at https://airquality.weather.gov
Visualize wildfire smoke with NASAWorldview - https://go.nasa.gov/2T7olog
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