Olympia is such a political and cultural mecca that we find ourselves in the position of having two very interesting events scheduled at exactly the same time (tonight @ 7:00 pm):

• Crashing the Gates booktour with Jerome Armstrong & Markos Moulitsas Zuniga.
• Dr. Cornell West: "Democracy Matters".

So, what to do? I'm going to the blogfest, personally. Anyone going to see Dr. West? Wanna take notes and write it up for the rest of us?

Please join us for a Panel Presentation entitled:

"What to do When Hate Groups Come to Town; Responses & Repercussions"
7 pm on Wednesday, April 19th
Koyinia Hall, First Christian Church
7th & Franklin in Downtown Olympia

Featured Panelists:
Zoltan Grossman, speaking about his experiences of working with communities in Northern Wisconsin and Chicago to respond to hate groups.

Reiko Callner, speaking on her experiences as one of the founding members of Unity in the Community and as the author of the City of Olympia's Hate Crime ordinance.

Larry Mosqueda, speaking on his experiences of working with the Olympia Movement for Justice & Peace about his involvement in organizing recent responses to Nazi activity.

At the conclusion of the panelists' remarks, the audience will break down into small groups to share perspectives on how our community should respond and what we think the repercussions of those actions will be. The goal for this panel is to foster open dialogue on our diverse approaches and beliefs, and from there to build a stronger coalition for action.

From where to dine in Olympia: Ranch House BBQ ... :

Service was pleasant and prompt. We were ushered over to a booth with a view of a "babbling brook," or, in the other direction, the informal parking lot. (More spaces, please!) We didn't stop chowing down until our bellies burst with shortcake drenched in butter and fresh strawberries, big enough to split.

Did I mention the pork?

From Northwest Asian Weekly:

Northwest native Joy Osmanski, who graduated from college with a degree in creative writing and studio art and began her acting career on a whim, has a supporting role on Twentieth Century Fox’s “The Loop,” a situation comedy that debuted on March 15.

The show, which first aired after “American Idol,” has a home on Fox Thursday evenings at 8:30.

“The Loop,” set in Chicago, follows the story of Sam, played by Bret Harrison, who is the youngest executive at the corporation headquarters of a major airline and the first of his friends to get a real job. Sam struggles to juggle his serious career and the social demands of his three roommates.

Osmanski plays Darcy, Sam’s overqualified and bitter secretary.

“She’s very bitter because she went to MIT and she’s working a grunt job,” Osmanski said. “I love my character.”

[snip]

Osmanski, a Korean American, said when she was cast the writers began tailoring the part for her, seeking her input, and playing off aspects of her ethnicity.

Born in Seoul, she was adopted by Kathleen and Al Osmanski at seven months of age, and grew up in Olympia.