I just talked to Rob Richards, who said that people could support the relocated tent city by donating food and camping supplies.  There is no running water at the site, so dropping off drinking water would be helpful, as well.

The tent city has been moved to the Unitarian Universalist church. The camp itself is near the Out-of-the-Woods shelter, which is on the left side of Division near where it turns into 28th, just past the Handy Pantry. Church personnel have suggested that people park in the church parking lot, as there is limited parking at the site, and it's easy to get your car trapped behind other vehicles. If you're driving north on Division, helpful signs will direct you to the UU church site.

Found Ladies Watch, near the South West corner of 4th and Franklin (Picture Below), where it was probably dropped some time this morning, February 9th, by someone getting into their car. It was right near the parking spot, is undamaged, and likely had not been there long, as it should have been run over by the parking of a car in that spot, due to the location where I found it. The manufacture is Timex. Please send me a note here, or e-mail to 'theunabonger ((at)) gmail.com' with a "close to detailed" description for claiming.

Cosmo

technorati tags:olympia, washington, lost watch, timex

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The City of Olympia has received some phone calls this morning from individuals reporting that a homeless encampment is being set up on church grounds in northwest Olympia.

“We have not given permission for a tent city to be set up anywhere in the City of Olympia,” says City spokesperson Cathie Butler.  “We do not condone tent encampments for health, safety and sanitation reasons, and ‘tent cities’ are not identified as part of the regional approach to homeless housing agreed to by the jurisdictions in Thurston County.”

“When we evicted the campers from downtown Olympia this morning, we did not instruct them to go to a church,” says Butler.

According to the City’s attorney, courts have held that churches have a state constitutional right to the free exercise of religion, which in some limited circumstances may permit churches to use their property to fulfill their ministry of serving the poor, should they choose to do so.

Courts have blocked other cities, during a permit application process, from removing homeless tent encampments from church properties.

“If a local church has given permission for a tent encampment on their property to serve the poor, we will require them to apply for a conditional use permit, and we will work with them in an effort to ensure that basic health and sanitation needs are met,” says Butler.

From the fading light of day into murky night
     linger shadows held at bay by flickering candlelight—
As the yawn of first dawn glows vibrant in the east,
     salty tears of ancient fears flow from a soul at peace.

Here at home, free to roam, I wonder at the past—
     what it meant, where it fled, and why it couldn’t last.

Yet still I pray for the day when the strident din
     of wars now and yesterday are silenced by the wind—
Music rings in simple things hinting at new chances 
     for truth and truce to be rejoiced in festivals and dances.

AB Christie