December is often called the happiest time of the year. All the lights and sparkly things flash before our eyes. No one notices those things more than our kids, as retailers market all their fun things to them, creating many conversations around the items they feel they must have.

As these discussions are happening, the opportunity arises to discuss how to deal with disappointment. Disappointment is one of those life skills we don't like to experience, yet we all face addressing it in our lives. Taking the time to share about hoping for something that doesn't happen is important to help our children understand. Knowing they will have to face this difficult experience at some point doesn't mean all is destroyed. Preparing kids to deal with disappointment will make a big difference when faced with it again.

In our culture, projects, situations, and gifts may not be attainable, yet young children can only sometimes distinguish advertisements from reality. These situations allow you to talk with your kids about your family and focus on the wonderful things your family will be doing during the holidays. No parents want to disappoint their kids, but reality says some gifts are just not in the budget. Having those conversations is the opportunity to guide our children toward managing these situations and dealing with disappointment.

Rural students in Southwest Washington will be eating more locally-grown food for the 2022-2023 school year. That's because Raymond School District, Hoquiam School District, Aberdeen School District, and Pe Ell School District were all awarded Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Grants.

The WSDA's Farm to School Program funds school districts in Washington state to buy local food, educate students about agriculture, and more. 'Our goal is to support expanding economic opportunities for farmers while educating students about the connections between food, farming, health, and the environment,' WSDA's Farm to School Program website reads.

The School District staff are eager to feed kids in remote schools, healthy, local food. School Districts off the I-5 corridor are plagued with supply chain issues, and these funds help strengthen their food offerings.

"The Aberdeen School District is thrilled that the WSDA has once again provided the opportunity to serve our students food from local farms again this year," Jaime Matisons Food Service Director at Aberdeen School District Food Service Department said. "The Southwest Washington Food Hub helps us source locally grown meat, dairy, eggs,veggies, and fruit from Washington state farms."

Rural students in Southwest Washington will be eating more locally-grown food for the 2022-2023 school year. That's because Raymond School District, Hoquiam School District, Aberdeen School District, and Pe Ell School District were all awarded Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Grants.

The WSDA's Farm to School Program funds school districts in Washington state to buy local food, educate students about agriculture, and more. 'Our goal is to support expanding economic opportunities for farmers while educating students about the connections between food, farming, health, and the environment,' WSDA's Farm to School Program website reads.

The School District staff are eager to feed kids in remote schools, healthy, local food. School Districts off the I-5 corridor are plagued with supply chain issues, and these funds help strengthen their food offerings.

"The Aberdeen School District is thrilled that the WSDA has once again provided the opportunity to serve our students food from local farms again this year," Jaime Matisons Food Service Director at Aberdeen School District Food Service Department said. "The Southwest Washington Food Hub helps us source locally grown meat, dairy, eggs,veggies, and fruit from Washington state farms."

New homes and apartment buildings built in Washington state must be equipped with electric heat pumps beginning in July. The state Building Code Council voted in favor of the requirement. The switch will reduce carbon emissions and reliance on nonrenewable heat sources. Natural gas is pollutive, contributing to health issues in gas-burning homes and creating greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming.

Electric heat pumps are efficient, and many units can both heat and cool living spaces. Washington state enjoys some of America's cheapest electricity; Seattle rates are 29 percent below the national average. In addition to low monthly costs, electric heat pumps often require minimal maintenance. Electric heat is also safer than gas heat - gas furnaces in disrepair can produce lethal, odorless carbon monoxide.

OLYMPIA - The recreational razor clam season on coastal beaches is postponed effective immediately until further notice, and includes digs from Sunday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 13, shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

NARRATIVE

Name: A Haggerty

SYNOPSIS:

The following facts were revealed during a drug investigation that was brought to the attention of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Joint Narcotic Enforcement Team by a citizen of Lewis County.