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Although relatively unlikely, wildfire in the Griffin area is within the realm of possibility. Like a lot of disaster planning, it helps if your family is not doing it alone. "If all the neighbors on a block follow good fire hygiene, the chances of their homes surviving as a group increases."
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Here's a link to a beefy paper describing a changing climate in our part of the world over the next few decades:
State of Knowledge: Climate Change in Puget Sound | Climate Impacts Group
cig.uw.edu
State of Knowledge: Climate Change in Puget Sound is a comprehensive report summarizing research on the likely effects of climate change on the lands, water and people of the Puget Sound region. Presented in an easy-to-read format, it is designed to serve as a reference for individuals from a wide r...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A reminder that there is a Gardening with Native Plants workshop on Tuesday, January 21st at 6:30 PM at the Olympia Timberland Library. Join TCD and GRuB for this free workshop focused on plant care tips, planting techniques, and how to choose the right plant for your landscape. Plus, a little birdie told me attendees will receive a discount code for the Native Plant Festival & Sale pre-order sale... A good reason to go!Pre-order plants at store.thurstoncd.com until the end of January.
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If you haven't visited HMS Off The Hook recently, you should visit. It's our "other grocery store" here on the Steamboat Peninsula.
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Great hot soup choices for these cooler days.
Wildfire is a fact of life. But when we come together as neighbors, we can reduce the risk wildfire poses to our properties, homes, and communities.Wildfire preparedness isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has developed a simple survey to help your local wildfire experts craft a Wildfire Ready Plan just for you that works for your property, budget, and lifestyle. Visit wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/ to learn more.
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Seen recently, but on a group from which I cannot share the post. So, screenshot it is. . .
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As the Native Plant Festival & Sale approaches (March 1st!), we need to collect bags to pack our orders.THE PROBLEM:In the past, we've used garbage bags, reused burlaps sacks, grocery bags, anything that will hold plants and damp mulch! However, we run into the issue of sustainability if we use brand new garbage bags for every order because we have hundreds of orders to fill. That's a lot of plastic. THE SOLUTION:Last year, a wonderful community member suggested using old feed bags for packing orders and VOILA! We found a solution to our packing problem. Now, we just need empty feed bags. TLDR; That's where you come in! Drop off your empty, CLEAN, folded feed bags (like the ones pictured) to the TCD office during office hours so we can use them at Plant Sale: TCD Office 582 Tilley Ct SE, STE 152Tumwater, 98501Mon - Thurs 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMThanks to community members like you, the Native Plant Festival & Sale will go on!
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Please join us on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 6 p.m. for the Griffin Neighborhood Association annual meeting. It will be held at the main fire station, 3707 Steamboat Loop NW.We always have great refreshments to share, some of our local non-profits to visit with, board elections, and a guest speaker.This year we are honored to have Kris Peters, chairman of the Squaxin Island Tribal Council speaking to the history of the Squaxin Island Tribe and who they are today with Q&A to follow.
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Prosperity Grange invites everyone to plan to come to an Open House for the 95th Birthday of our Grange Hall, and meet the organization behind the building March 22, 2025, from 12-4 pm. Please see the attached for more information.
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The Timberland Regional Library Anywhere Library will be at Prosperity Grange this coming Thursday, January 16! 9:30am story time, regular library services from 10-11am.
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Support Us While Shopping Online
Now you can support the GNA while shopping on Amazon.com. Simply start shopping at www.SteamboatIsland.org/amazon. Or click on the Amazon logo below. Any purchases you make during your session that begins here will generate a small commission paid to the GNA, at no additional cost to you.
Support the GNA When You Shop on Amazon
You can support the Griffin Neighborhood Association when you shop on Amazon if you begin your shopping trip with this link: https://SteamboatIsland.org/Amazon. If you click this link, you’ll be taken to Amazon, where you can shop normally. The prices you see won’t be any different. However, Amazon will share a very small commission with the GNA. We will use that money to help support our work here in our neighborhood.
In fact, at the bottom of our website – on every page – you’ll find a little Amazon logo. That’s the link, too.
No browser extension is required. No commitment on your part. Each time you shop on Amazon, you can choose to use this link or not. If you use it, any purchase you make until you close out your browser will benefit the GNA.
Thanks, neighbors!
Aerial Spraying to Eradicate Spongy Moths to Begin Soon Over a Limited Area
Local residents are likely aware that over the last year or more, the Washington Department of Agriculture has identified a portion of Steamboat Peninsula, along with other locations in Western Washington, as a home for a growing population of the invasive spongy moth (formerly known as the “gypsy moth”). You may have seen the traps attached to trees around the Peninsula as the Department of Agriculture worked to find where the moth populations were located. That work is now done and the Department is now taking steps to reduce the spongy moth population. One of the steps being taken is the aerial spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki or “Btk”. We’ve now received notification from the Department of Agriculture that aerial spraying will be happening soon.
UPDATE: The three aerial sprayings have now been completed. They were conducted on the mornings of May 16, May 19, and May 20. No other sprayings are scheduled this year. The Washington Department of Agriculture will evaluate the effectiveness and may schedule additional sprayings at a later date, possibly next year.
The area identified for aerial spraying is relatively small; the entire Steamboat Peninsula is not being sprayed. The area centers on Steamboat Island Road and Sunrise Beach Road. The western boundary is a line running along Oyster Bay Road. The northern border is roughly the 4400 blocks of Oyster Bay Road and Steamboat Island Road. On the east is the Sunrise Heights Road, off Keating Road. The southern border is roughly the 2600 block of Madrona Beach Road. Click the image for a larger version.
If you live within this area you should consider signing up for alerts by email, a text message, or a phone call notifying you of when spraying will take place. Exact treatment dates are highly dependent on the weather. Click here to see the web page where you can set up the notification you prefer. Or call 800-443-6684.
“While Btk is not toxic to people or pets, it is sticky,” reads a recent postcard sent out by the Department of Agriculture. “When applied, it will leave a thin film on outdoor objects. You may want to cover outdoor vehicles or bring toys inside. If your belongings get Btk on them, it washes off with soap and water. Keep windows and doors closed during treatments and for 30 minutes afterward.”
A small airplane will apply the Btk treatments. These treatments usually start in the morning hours and continue until they are complete across the entire coverage area. There will be three treatments with three to 10 days between each one.
For more information about this aerial spraying and about the spongy moth, visit agr.wa.gov/moths. Email pest@agr.wa.gov. Call the Spongy Moth Hotline at 800-443-6684. And join the Spongy Moth Eradication Facebook Group.
HMS Off The Hook is the Griffin Area’s Deli and Specialty Grocery Store
HMS Off The Hook advertises itself as offering “premium meats and more.” Visit their location at 6541 Sexton Drive NW, in Steamboat Square, and you’ll find a lot more. True, they offer an excellent selection of prime beef, pork, and chicken. But they also offer cheeses, wine, crackers, and a variety of grab-and-go prepared meals. Pizza, soup, salads, sauces, desserts, and much, much more, means HMS Off The Hook is the neighborhood deli and specialty grocery store here on the Steamboat Peninsula.
“Looking for a quick and delicious meal on the go? Our fresh, grab-n-go options are designed to satisfy your cravings while keeping your schedule on track.” Follow HMS Off The Hook on Facebook, where you’ll find they often post specials and prepared meal items available for a limited time.
One surprising item they have on offer is Xinh’s cookbooks. Many of us remember her famous restaurant in Shelton. If you like to cook, you’ll want one of these cookbooks on your shelf.
Since 1960, Home Meat Service has been providing products in and around Shelton. HMS Off The Hook is their retail location here in northwest Thurston County.
HMS Off The Hook is among the local businesses whose generous contribution recently allowed the Griffin Neighborhood Association to purchase more of the Steamboat Neighborhood stickers for free distribution to area residents. We hope you will stop by HMS Off The Hook soon and shop. When you do, thank them for their support.
Yes, they have meats, but they offer much more.
Steamboat Square is a Growing Business Core in NW Thurston County
Steamboat Square has long provided a business core for the Steamboat Peninsula/Griffin area. In recent years, the Square has been on-the-grow, and it now offers an increasing variety of services and dining establishments. The Square has also hosted community events, including the Halloween Trunk or Treat and a Block Party.
Steamboat Square is a blossoming area with many great small businesses and local shops to attract locals, visitors, and people passing through! Steamboat Square has quite a variety to meet your various needs, from coffee to chiropractic, to salons and food – we offer it all! We are also currently leasing a few buildings and looking to add a family medical office, dentist, or physical therapist. We are so happy to host these wonderful businesses for such a special community!
Located just off US-101, Steamboat Square is the front door to the Peninsula. With space available to lease now and two more buildings available this summer, this may be the perfect fit for your business needs.
Steamboat Square is already home to Board & Brush Creative Studio, Elevate Hair & Skin, Steamboat Health & Wellness, Our Community Credit Union, Urraco Coffee, HMS Off-the-Hook, Tipsy Whale Mercantile, the newly-opened Red Velvet Bakery By the Sea, and more. Click here for a list of all the businesses currently located in the Square.
Steamboat Square is one of four local businesses whose recent contributions have enabled the Griffin Neighborhood Association to purchase the distinctive Steamboat Neighborhood stickers for free distribution. We hope you’ll visit a Steamboat Square business soon and pick up a sticker for your car, truck, or boat.
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The opinions expressed on the GriffinNeighbors blog, on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook are in no way intended to represent the opinions of the Griffin Neighborhood Association, its members, or Board.
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