NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Smelter Skelter: The state Department of Ecology awarded a $255,768 contract to Nordic Construction of Tacoma to clean up 37 day care centers contaminated by Asarco.

Did You Feel It?: The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 3.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred at about 8:10 p.m.

Dude, This News Sucks: Forecast for drier Northwest winter.

This News Sucks, Too: Indonesia quake death toll soars past 500.

U.S. Officials: Iran must change or “pay price.”

Outta Here: Bank of America’s Lewis resigns after bet on rebound.

Um, Sorry: Commandos blow up wrong house.

I Don’t Think We’re In Kansas Anymore: Farmer's daughter disarms terrorist and shoots him dead with AK47.

And Then There's This

MICHAEL SWAN: WHO ARE YOU GONNA CALL?! >>>

There's nothing like a walk in the woods at Point Defiance Park to clear your mind. The chirping of birds, the wind rustling through the trees â€" away from computers, microwave dinners, and traffic. It's peace, naturally.

But not all green is good. Most casual walkers on a stroll through the trails don't realize that in the calming shade of the vegetation around them, there's an ongoing war for survival between species native to South Sound and immigrants from abroad. These invaders arrive via bird droppings, through lawn ornamentals that naturalize, and in the ballast water of oceangoing tankers.

The Washington State Invasive Species Council announced today the launch of a hotline and Web site for people to report sightings of invasive species.

Invasive species are plants and animals that are not native to Washington and can crowd out local wildlife and plants, destroying entire landscapes. From ivy choking city parks, to Spartina filling estuaries, to apple maggots infesting orchards, invasive species cost Washington millions of dollars to control every year.

The creation of the hotline, 1-877-9-INFEST, is one of a series of actions being taken by the Invasive Species Council and its partners to combat invasive species. The council also has revamped its Web site and created posters in state parks and other materials to help educate the public about what they can do to help stop invasions.

If you see an apple maggot call the hotline immediately.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

It's A Painful Task To Remember: 9/11

Oh Geez: Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam accused of unfair labor practices, discrimination and retaliation.

Beer Sales Will Drop No Doubt: Recreational anglers can't venture into the lower Puyallup River for two days a week this month.

Oh Really?: The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department says there's toxic algae in Spanaway Lake.

Get In Here!: President Obama summons 16 Democratic Senators to White House.

Getting Messier: U.S. and Britain diverge on election fraud in Afghanistan.

Nice: “Every time Michael Vick is tackled during the game, Main Line Animal Rescue will donate 5 bags of dog food to your local animal shelter.”

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Um, Auntie Em. Where's Toto?: Meteorologists working to see if a tornado did touch down near Enumclaw.

The Washam Report: It gives details on skipped property inspections, falsified reports.

Snug!: U.S energy use drops In 2008.

Not Snug!: Humans causing erosion comparable to world’s largest rivers and glaciers, study finds.

World Wide Pants: Sudanese woman who wore pants escapes lashes, but faces fine.

There Be Gold In Dem Hills!: Mongolians seek fortune in gold.

We Are Not Alone!: UFO filmed for 40 minutes by Chinese scientists during solar eclipse.

Facebook Fan Check Virus: Something fishy is going on.

Beatlemania: Beatles: Rock Band is more than a game, even more than its marketing blitz.

Happy Labor Day!

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Robbers Suck: One in Federal Way; one on Sixth Avenue; one against worker's will to live.

Fish Fail: Heat blamed for drop in Hood Canal oxygen level.

OMG: President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology warns that half of the U.S. population could become infected with swine flu (with about 90,000 possible deadly cases).

Different Kind Of Torture: Prosecutor named to probe CIA prisoner abuses.

Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!: Obama taps Bernanke for second term.

Oh, Really?: North Korea invites U.S. envoy to renew nuclear talks.

Tysoned: Man allegedly bites off love rival's ear lobe.

MICHAEL SWAN: CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR WEDNESDAY >>>

Water chat and ride
The Puyallup River Watershed Council will hang out at the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier Nation Park Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Want to join them?

Meet at the Sumner Library (116 Fryar Ave.) at 10:30 a.m. First, you have to sit through a slide show concerning the hydrology and sediment transport of rivers presented by Paul Kennard and Susan Dolan, scientists from the Park Service.

At 11:30 a.m. you’ll hop on a bus. After a two-hour ride (you have to have snacks along the way!), you’ll pile out for short and long walks to see flood impacts from previous floods. Discussion on river hydrology and the Park’s future by Bryan Bowden, Park planner/ranger will be part of your day.

It’s back on the bus at 3:30 p.m. for return trip. If you’re not sunburned, the Puyallup River Watershed Council hosts a forum at the Sumner Library beginning at 5 p.m. on rivers management in both Pierce and King counties.

For more information, call the Watershed coordinator at 253.798.3096
               
Do It Right Tacoma
Do It Right Tacoma, a blog “created by concerned citizens wanting the City of Tacoma to demand Sound Transit to reevaluate, review, and present their plans to result in the best solution possible for our city,” will host a public discussion on Sound Transit’s rail plans for Tacoma Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5 p.m., at 402 E. 26th St. in the Tacoma Dome District. The meeting will include a walking tour of Sound Transit’s plan for the Dome District.

Expect Do It Right Tacoma to encourage you to attend Sound Transit’s presentation to the Community Councils of Tacoma that goes down Thursday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m., in the Tacoma Municipal Building.

MICHAEL SWAN: OIL VULNERABILITY RANKINGS >>>

As gas prices rise, consumers face increased threat of oil dependency. The Natural Resources Defense Council's analysis shows state-by-state ranking of oil vulnerability. The average Washington state driver spends 4.43 percent of their income on gasoline, which is low compared to other states.

RON SWARNER: GREEN LINKS OF THE DAY >>>

Attention Lakewood Towne Center: Your shopping carts are down the street strung along 108th Ave. S.W. this morning.

Soiled: Growing hemp in Oregon faces challenges.

Eye In The Sky: Helping salmon survive.

The Dumbest Smart Car: They may be good for the environment, but they aren't exactly seaworthy.

Hello? Anybody listening?: UN chief calls for global push to combat climate change.

Huge Tracks Of Land: New study reveals large scale conservation essential.

Best Folding Bike Eva:

RON SWARNER: GREEN LINKS OF THE DAY >>>

Snapped: frustration at 26th and Pearl Street in Tacoma.

Critical Mass: It's tonight in T-town!

Fancy Bikes: Eight designer bicycles for two-wheeling fashionistas.

By the way ...

Cash For Clunkers NOT FAIL: Cash for clunkers gets another $2 billion.

Global warming as new religion?: Give The Vancouver Sun a break â€" climate change is serious.

MICHAEL SWAN: COMMENTS ON OUR COVER STORY TODAY >>>

Paul Schrag penned the Weekly Volcano cover story this week reporting that bars and restaurants in Tacoma would like to recycle, but sometimes it ain't easy being green.

Here's an excerpt:

Read the full story here.

The following are comments on this issue posted underneath the story on our Web site.

What are your thoughts on the issue?