I see this stuff often while riding my bike down Harrison Avenue. It is just past the safeway going west on the right hand side off the bridge. I've also seen this stuff at budd bay at the future site of the West Bay Park. Is it insect related, pollution related, what?

I recently read a series of emails concerning pollution and waste relating to idling cars and trucks. A vehicle that is stopped and waiting in line at a fast food restaurant drive through, or at a traffic signal, continues to emit exhaust even though the engine is not working to move the vehicle.

We have problems with pollution (in re: global warming) and gas consumption (in re: foreign wars of aggression over oil resources.)

Recently I returned from a jog; my route had taken me through downtown Olympia. When I got home I realized that I smelled like automobile exhaust. I was kind of grossed out. I also depend on my bicycle for much of my transportation needs. I don't like breathing automobile exhaust while I am out, and I don't like smelling like it after being out. Reducing the amount of exhaust in the air seems like a good idea to me.

Anyway, I was reading this discussion. Former mayor Bob Jacobs had once proposed to turn the city stop lights to blinking yellow status during off hours. I have noticed that the Adams Street and 4th Avenue stop light seems to be passively blinking yellow all the time recently.

Does changing the traffic signals to a passive blinking status during non-rush hours make sense to you?

I've noticed the Oly air lately has a stagnant feel and smell to it, also that my lungs have been reacting, so I did some quick research and found some answers. I'll paste info (current today 1/24) from the good folks at the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, follow link for the specifics on how to help us all breath better.

Because of concerns over degrading air quality, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency has called a Stage 1 Burn Ban in Thurston Country, effective immediately.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, residents are not allowed to use fireplaces or uncertified woodstoves, and all outdoor burning and land clearing burning is prohibited. Additionally, residents with certified woodstoves are asked to voluntarily refrain from using those devices until air quality improves – forecasts suggest that will occur over the weekend.

A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with overnight temperatures well below freezing, caused air pollution levels to climb. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, but the current weather pattern is expected to remain unchanged until Saturday at the earliest.