It’s a part of the community that can bring people together The Olympia-Rafah Mural is more than a big, pretty tree on the side of a building in downtown Olympia, Washington. Much more. Each leaf on that huge olive tree was created for an organization or individual to speak out…
Posts published in “Uncategorized”
Use honest words (September 25) In response to allegations that Syria’s president Bashar Assad had used chemical weapons, everybody was clamoring that someone must “do something.” In the United States, “do something” was assumed to mean “do something” violent! Diplomacy was essentially “off the table.” Likewise, most politicians and news…
November 2013
Dirty coal remains unpopular Thursday evening, October 17, 2013 there was a Scoping Hearing concerning the Millennium Coal Terminals proposed for Longview, Washington. The hearing was held at the Tacoma Convention Center. Comments, both written and oral, could be addressed to representatives of the Washington Department of Ecology and the…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BON9PaErYFU Beginning, Wednesday, November 6 and continuing the first Wednesday of every month at 7 pm, political economy faculty members from the Evergreen State College, Savvina Chowdhury and Peter Bohmer, will lead political economy workshops at Traditions Cafe at 5th and Water in downtown Olympia. No background in the study…
An olive branch for peace: First in a series Desdra Dawning Did you know that in the very heart of Olympia, Washington lives an olive tree of peace and justice, whose branches reach out to us, growing leaves as diverse and colorful as the world in which we live? Did…
Response to Phan Nguyen To the Editor: My candidacy for the Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors is indeed “peculiar,” though not strange, eccentric, or bizarre as Phan Nguyen suggests by his article’s title (“The Peculiar Candidacy of Nancy Koppelman,” Works in Progress, October 2013, Vol. 24, No. 6). My…
Kyle Taylor Lucas offers a Native perspective, government experience, and unflagging dedication Desdra Dawning Kyle Taylor Lucas is running to retain her seat as a Council Member for the City of Tumwater. Having seven months ago been unanimously appointed to a vacant seat, she is now hoping to secure her…
The Community Sustaining Fund of Thurston County is pleased to announce its Fall 2013 grant cycle. Grant applications are now available to groups and individuals interested in progressive community oriented activities. The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, November 15, 2013. The Community Sustaining Fund (CSF) semiannual grant funding…
Crazy Faith Ministries, a nondenominational Christian community outreach collective started by Ben Charles, feeds their “street family” in a parking lot on State Street every Thursday at 6 pm. They feed an average of 200-300 people per week—primarily those who are homeless or otherwise affected by poverty. Recently they have…
In the last 20 years, more union activists are killed each year in Colombia than in the rest of the world combined. Right-wing paramilitary groups, responsible for the majority of (documented) murders, have been assisted by large landowners and drug barons, multi-nationals, and the army. Colombian authorities are unable/unwilling to…
Derrick McDougal, a valued and loved member of the community, will be missed The tragic death of a much-loved local homeless man has caused a surge of endearment from the public and (hopefully) drawn attention to the struggles of all the homeless. Between Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31,…
The peculiar candidacy of Nancy Koppelman Just when you thought the ongoing lawsuit against the Olympia Food Co-op couldn’t get any stranger, one of the participants in the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs is now running for the Co-op board of directors. Nancy Koppelman recently declared her candidacy to…
Most people can relate to the fact that life can be challenging. Although for some of us, life can bring far greater challenges. After losing both of his parents at a young age, Derrick was determined to pave his own way through life. He was the guy known by many as…
In the town of Tumwater, voters have the opportunity to vote for a truly progressive candidate in the general election: Kyle Taylor Lucas, running to retain her seat on the Tumwater City Council Position # 6. It’s essential that First Peoples are included in governing bodies of the communities where they…
The Washington State Court of Appeals determined that developer DR Horton did not demonstrate compliance with the City’s development standards, and affirmed the City Council rejection of the proposed Trillium development. Trillium was a proposed 500 home “Neighborhood Village” to be located in southeast Olympia near LBA Park. The Olympia…
Solving global warming can be hilarious! Wednesday 30 October 2013 3pm at the Evergreen State College Seminar II E1105, and 7pm at Traditions Cafe, 300 5th Ave SW Yoram Bauman’s presentation on the role of a carbon tax in solving the climate crisis is a lively and enormously funny act…
Populist Vatican mutations The spectre of populism is haunting the Catholic Church. Since the election of Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope, gone are the days of unctuous pomposity and rigorously staged protocol surrounding the activities and public discourse of the Sovereign of the Vatican, Bishop of Rome,…
Multiple death threats to labor union leaders and their families mark the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Colombia today. John Jairo Castro of the Port Workers’ Union, Wilson Ferrer, President of the CUT labor federation in Santander, Johnnson Torres Ortis of the sugar cane…
The struggle for trade, labor, and racial justice in Colombia’s ports Witness for Peace is excited to bring Jhon Jairo Castro, the President of the Buenaventura chapter of the Portworkers Union, to Olympia Wednesday, October 23 at Traditions to share his experience as an Afro-Colombian labor leader in one of…
Playback Theatre celebrates 15 years, 115 performances With Uke Oyster Cult Friday, October 11, 7:30 p.m. Traditions (300 5th Ave SW, Oly) We are beginning our 2013 – 2014 season by celebrating 115 performances on our 15th Anniversary performing at Traditions Café. We have collaborated with over 90 community organizations…
Westside neighbors have been fighting the city’s policy of promoting more cars for its Westside “tax farm” for at least 25 years. Much, but not all, of the fight has centered on “development” around the dangerous intersection of Harrison and Division. Now we are on the verge of another major…
Tiny economic gains from TPP will be dwarfed by increased inequality for most workers. Washington, DC–A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) finds that most US workers would experience a net negative impact from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal currently under negotiation. The…
Women of Distinction to be honored during November gala (OLYMPIA, Wash.) – On January 22, 1945, ten women met in Olympia to discuss the founding of a local branch of the YWCA. What had started nationally as a small prayer circle was rapidly growing to become the largest women’s organization…
McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), a case whose impact on our political system could be as damaging as Citizens United, is headed for the US Supreme Court October 8, and it could dramatically boost the corrupting influence of the wealthy over candidates in federal elections. The court will consider…