Discussing what works and what does not An exciting project took place throughout October that I am extremely proud to share with readers this month. SideWalk and the Interfaith Overnight Shelter, both programs of Interfaith Works, partnered to conduct vulnerability assessments five nights a week with people who are street…
Posts published in “Uncategorized”
It’s my fate or fortune to be off work today, and here are a few jumbled jottings: It’s the end of May, a warm Wednesday, my sister’s anniversary, the morning after the evening when we walked down our westside hill and she took some striking photos of the Stryker ship…
Craig Oare came to the close of his life at the age of 66, on October 9, 2014, surrounded by the primal beauty of his much-loved Olympic National Forest. Craig was an accomplished Olympia poet and author of six chapbooks. He was a longtime member of Olympia Poetry Network and…
On October 6, 2014, Seattle’s city council passed a resolution declaring the second Monday in October (formerly Columbus Day) to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day. On October 13, Bellingham changed Columbus Day to Coast Salish Day and Portland, Oregon’s schools officially dropped Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The…
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Martin Luther aKing, Jr. In the six months leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, I began to stand with Olympia’s chapter…
Photo Exhibit #1 Photo Exhibit #2 The first picture features Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African American Research at Harvard University, being arrested for break-in to what was his own home located within a short distance from the school. Meanwhile, the second…
Spare some change? Sorry, don’t have any on me. Thanks anyway. I don’t have change on me when I’m downtown and walk with class privilege tunnel-vision down the street. I only carry apologies, no time to stop for even a second. When I was nine, and didn’t understand money yet,…
Last July 6, 2014, Olympia Port Commissioner George Barner spoke to Grays Harbor citizens and members of the Quinault Nation—at Zelasko Park in Aberdeen. On that same summer day, as Grays Harbor honored and recognized 47 victims of the Lac Megantic, Quebec, crude oil explosion, Mr. Barner spoke to the…
The case of corporations and nature A Tale of Two Countries In September of 2008 Ecuador became the first nation on earth to recognize the Rights of Nature. Two years later, the United States Supreme Court ruled that corporations and people have the same rights. In terms of their history…
El caso de las corporaciones y la naturaleza Historia de dos países En septiembre de 2008 Ecuador se convirtió en la primera nación del mundo en reconocer los Derechos de la Naturaleza. Dos años después, la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos dictaminó que las empresas y las personas tienen los…
Will there be adequate open space and parks available to meet future need? The 150 acres of woods surrounding LBA Park (located off Morse Merriman in SE Olympia) are the last large forested area within Olympia and its UGA that is not already a park. The owners of the two…
About the September 2014 Issue To Works in Progress staff: I am grateful for Works in Progress and what you provide to our community. I found the the Hobby Lobby article informative and insightful. I was however troubled by the cover of the September issue. The Celtic cross (the cross…
Gentle, soft-spoken former Evergreen professor inspired his students in the cause of social justice Political science professor, Zahid Shariff, had a gift for connecting with students during lectures at The Evergreen State College. Former students recall Shariff’s gentle demeanor and soft-spoken voice required them to lean in and listen close…
GRuB doesn’t just feed the hungry food Or the youth truth They serve up hope for the future too Their staff walks on water Blue and Gaffi made sure was collected In an up cycled rain barrel They don’t just grow food on that farm Or hope or futures They…
Since its inception in 1982, Bread & Roses has provided hospitality to the poor and homeless of our community in a wide variety of ways. When I joined the household as a live-in volunteer in 2003, the Cherry Street community kitchen and day center had just closed and the new…
It tastes good this shit they shovel, I swallow Monsanto Mon Santo Clause (That’s lawyer speak) Stuffing stockings with poison year round (Know Yer Law Everyone) = KYLE WHILE We Haul Insecticide (,) Leaking Everywhere Hey, Insects, Go to Hell HIGH Hi, I have the munchies and will eat anything…
Resolution No. 2014 — A resolution in opposition to the transport and storage of crude oil in the City of Aberdeen and the Grays Harbor Estuary WHEREAS, between April 29, 2014, and May 21 2014, there were four derailments on the Genesee and Wyoming rail line between Centralia and Aberdeen…
Works In Progress is in a symbiotic dance with the local community–a perfectly imperfect waltz that reflects the skills and understandings of those who participate. Birthed from activists almost 25 years ago, WIP may sometimes jolt and jerk, linger or trip, but it always finds a way to move forward.…
Report from the Homelessness Leadership Summit We know what works to resolve homelessness for people: • Short-term assistance back into housing • Long-term housing and supports for those with severe disabilities • Coordinated access into programs that provide the above • Plan-Implement-Measure-Improve, adopt a cycle of oversight and management Homeless…
An Apple Affair returns to Steamboat Island peninsula October 19, 2014 12:00 – 4:00 pm Rignall Hall, Urquhart Rd NW (near Steamboat Island Rd and 81ST) After a one-year hiatus, An Apple Affair is back! “We couldn’t help but respond to popular demand, “ laughs Jeannine Anderson who has coordinated…
Citizenship Day Legal Training Saturday, October 18, 10 am to 3 pm SPSCC, Olympia This is an important announcement to the over 180,000 Washington residents who are eligible for citizenship but haven’t yet naturalized. Washington New Americans, a partnership between OneAmerica and the State of Washington, is hosting a Citizenship…
BNSF claims safety is its number one priority while raking in the profits Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate holding company whose subsidiaries are diverse and numerous. Chairman, president and CEO Warren Buffett has steered the company to a number five position on the Forbes Global 2000 list and continues to…
Crafting retail giant Hobby Lobby is spreading the gospel of cheesy merchandise and restrictive reproductive healthcare policies through the United States, and next year Olympia will be home to the newest of these knitting needle emporiums. Real estate developer Merlone-Geier has applied for a renovation permit for the old Kmart…
Three weeks ago, on Sunday, July 6, 2014, friends and citizens of Grays Harbor, along with The Quinault Nation, gathered at Zelasko Park between the two bridges in and out of Aberdeen. They met to honor the 45 adults and two children who lost their lives last July 6, 2013.…
Discussing what works and what does not Is there such a thing as Community Envy? I think about places around the globe where I have traveled, shopped, enjoyed the local food and attractions and sometimes I have wished my community could be like them. Not in every way, but maybe…
I think I can I think I can pollute the sound burn down your town I think I can I think I can kill without hate I don’t discriminate I know I can and watch I will Derail I will, I will derail They think with trains they can attain…
It stings Salish Sea My feet in the water of the beach at hemp fest Burn like the roach of a joint The fire too close to my skin Bases It’s smooth Olympia bays My hands in the water Feet on the shore of Burfoot Slick like extra smooth conditioner…