Come join us for an evening of fine Mediterranean cuisine and cross-cultural reflections. With an enlightening report from Olympia delegates just arriving back from three months living in Rafah, Palestine. Enjoy slide shows and traditional Arabic dancers; exclusive fair-trade goods direct from the Gaza Strip will also be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project, a non-profit charity working to promote and foster friendships between the people of Olympia, Washington and Rafah, Palestine, for the purpose of strengthening cultural awareness and understanding, international cooperation, justice, and peace.

The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project is a 501C(3) tax-exempt public charity and the cost of admission is tax-deductible.

More info here.

Guests from Jewish Voice for Peace and US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation are visiting Olympia to share their expertise in organizing the national campaign to stop Caterpillar, Inc. from contributing to the human rights abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Caterpillar, Inc. is a willing participant in the Israeli military's destruction of Palestinian agricultural land, demolition of civilian homes and the construction of the West Bank Barrier. Weaponized Caterpillar bulldozers were used in demolition missions in which numerous Palestinians and Rachel Corrie were killed.

We will learn the history of the national campaign, Jewish Voice for Peace's progressive shareholder resolution and the role of Olympians in sparking change.

Our Guests:
Ronni Tartlet is an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace, a diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights. Jewish Voice for Peace supports the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and self-determination.

Kymberlie Quong Charles is the Outreach Coordinator of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a nation-wide coalition of more than 200 grassroots groups working to end US support for the Israeli occupation. In August, 2005 she led a Global Exchange Reality Tour delegation of internationals to Palestine to observe the human impact of the Israeli occupation.

Sponsored By:
Olympia CAT Campaign
SESAME Students Educating Students About the Middle East
Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace
Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project

The Olympia City Council began condemnation proceedings this morning for the former Olympia brewery in Tumwater, including all water rights associated with the property. "Our interest is in the water rights and our goal is to preserve these vital water rights for public use," said Mayor Mark Foutch in a press release. He went on to say Olympia plans to immediately start talks with area municipalities about water rights issues, especially Tumwater and Lacey.

The urgency is due to Olympia’s understanding of condemnation law, said City Manager Steve Hall.

"Any party that can demonstrate a higher use can go to court and begin condemnation proceedings," said Hall. "There was the potential for another private or public entity to get to the courthouse first. We wanted to get a foot in the door."

All three of Thurston County’s largest cities are facing water issues. The City of Lacey has stopped issuing building permits in its urban growth area due to a lack of water rights. Tumwater’s water rights are good only until 2013, said Hall, while Olympia’s water rights could run out between 2015 and 2020 unless new rights are acquired. Based on growth patterns, Olympia is projected by 2050 to need an additional 15.6 million gallons per day during peak summer season. Olympia, which already provides wholesale water to Lacey and Thurston County Public Utilities District, is open to discussing sharing water rights with Tumwater and Lacey.

The cities of Olympia and Tumwater have previously asked L. Eric Whetstone, the new owner of the brewery property, to sell water rights. A few weeks ago, Lacey City Manager Greg Cuoio inquired about purchasing water as well. Water rights at the brewery may total 14 million gallons per day.

By Elaine Helm, ehelm@kitsapsun.com January 18, 2006

Bangor -- One of 17 protesters arrested Sunday during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstration received a rare citation for trespassing on federal property.

Tom Krebsbach, 55, of the northern Seattle suburb of Brier, said he received a citation after walking across the blue line that marks the boundary of federal property outside the main gate of Bangor submarine base. The citation warns that he could face up to six months in jail or a $5,000 fine if convicted.

The ticket was later rescinded because the Navy only issues warnings to first-time offenders, said Lt. Cmdr. John Daniels, a spokesman for Navy Region Northwest. But as of Tuesday evening, Krebsbach said he hadn’t been notified of that change.

East Oregonian:

PENDLETON — According to Sheriff John Trumbo, Umatilla County spent $318,843 in tax dollars to house 360 illegal Mexican immigrants in its jail for crimes allegedly committed in the county during 2005.

Now Trumbo wants Mexican President Vicente Fox and his government to pay up.

[via email]

Friendly Olympia and Seattle bloggers:

Wanted to let you know we're hosting a chat with the one and only Al Franken at 1 p.m. tomorrow at www.theolympian.com/livechat (questions can be submitted at www.theolympian.com/livechat/prechat2.shtml). Your readers have provided good questions for these forums in the past. I thought this would be another personality they might enjoy prodding a bit and wanted to make sure you were aware of it, given the short notice.

It's actually our second chat slated for tomorrow -- at 10 a.m., we'll be putting readers' questions to Sen. Tim Shelton, D-Sheldon. Questions for that one can be submitted at www.theolympian.com/livechat/prechat.shtml. It also can be watched at www.theolympian.com/livechat, and will be archived immediately afterward with a link on our homepage.

Thanks,
Christopher Dean Hopkins
Online News Editor, The Olympian

I'm going to lean toward Safeway being more interested in having government hamper competition.

The Seattle Times:

OLYMPIA — Supporters of a bill aimed at forcing Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health-care benefits got a boost Monday when Safeway Inc. sent what appeared to be a veiled letter of support for the measure.

This is the best part:

"We share your concern with the impact on the health-care delivery system of the cost-shifting by the uninsured, as well as the unfair competitive advantage [my own emphasis] that employers who do not provide health benefits to their workers have over those of us who do," Sparks wrote.

Now it's an unfair advantage to not offer health care?

I think it's wonderful that Safeway has fewer than half as many employees receiving government aid in Washington state than Wal-Mart does. It is not, however, an "unfair competitive advantage" for Wal-Mart to not extend the same coverage that Safeway does. It is a business decision, nothing more.

One of the best radio shows out there, Radio Open Source, is coming to Seattle and is looking for Northwest centered topics. The gist of the show is that they build interest for topics prior to air by discussing them online. When a topic is "ready" so to speak, they give it a show.

Anway, give them a piece of your mind here. 

Common Bread would like to invite you to dance for peace with us

From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together - at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation, etc... The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.

The movements and songs drawn from over 400 Dances include themes of peace (both inner and outer), healing (the Earth, individuals, and the global family), and the celebration of life's great mystery. Dancers focus on peace and harmony creating a sense of solidarity and community while celebrating the underlying unity of all the spiritual traditions of the Earth. By experiencing these many traditions, a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures, as well as one's own heritage, is gained.

Participation, not presentation, is the focus. No prior experience in dance or singing is required.

Common Bread has been bringing the local DUP group to campus each quarter since last fall and each time has been a blessing of wonderful people.

Peace be with you,
Kristi
Common Bread Coordinator