Met a guy in Bayview who was trying to buy coffee and didn't really have much money.  He had a full backpack with a bedroll rolled up on top, and a greyhound baggage tag on the pack.  I am a sucker for helping travelers, so I bought him a cup of coffee.  The resulting conversation was worth the cost of a cuppa.

I'll call him C.  C came from the east coast and is traveling as his whims and The Lord tell him.  Heading towards Seattle, I tipped him off that he can take transit there, which will save him on Greyhound fare.  C was glad to learn this.  I wrote down the info to get him to Seattle by transit, as well as some directions to a hostel in downtown Seattle.

There are some great non-profits in Olympia that are doing innovative work. Here is a profile of one of my favorites:

Founded in May 2007, Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (POWER) is a collection of low-income parents and their allies. POWER was formed by former members, staff, and volunteers of the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition, (WROC), after a disagreement with the two-member WROC Board over the future of the organization. POWER continues the work of WROC and looks towards further opportunities to support families navigating the welfare system. Member led and consensus based, this local nonprofit recognizes the power of building community and supporting leadership among those most impacted by social, economic and political injustice.

POWER offers an impressive array of services and resources that increase members’ understanding of the welfare system, their rights within that system, and ways to advocate for their families and their communities. Currently POWER provides the following:

· Information on legal rights to public benefits through tabling at welfare offices, food banks and other places where low-income people congregate. Additionally, information is given over the phone and at “Know Your Rights” workshops held on a regular basis at Safeplace and Family Support Center in Olympia and the Human Response Network in Chehalis. POWER members and staff will bring the workshop to any group of parents or organization that serve parents who invite them.

· Training for members in areas such as public speaking, understanding and navigating the legislature, and understanding economic systems and the global struggle for social justice. Workshops can be presented in Spanish as well as English.

· Voter registration and continued education at meetings and outreach. · Weekly updates to over 500 members that include information about how and when to contact legislators, information on pertinent bills, job openings, opportunities for activism, answers to poverty and parenting questions, and free or affordable cultural events.

· Activities and events for families to gather together, share their stories, skills and ideas for coping with poverty, and have fun while planning the revolution.

POWER is made up of passionate and intelligent members, volunteers and staff, but there is plenty of room for your involvement! Volunteer meetings are held every Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the Payne Room of the First Christian Church at 7th and Franklin in downtown Olympia. You can also call for more information, 360-352-9716 or toll free at 1-866-343-9716, http://www.myspace.com/parentsorganizing. Tax free donations can be sent to POWER at 701 Franklin Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501 or on website pay pal account, http://www.oly-wa.us/power/.

When a bicyclist is on the roadway, they are under the rules of the road for vehicles. When they are on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk they are under the rules for pedestrian traffic.

Lately, with better weather probably, more and more bicyclists are frequently and rapidly changing from one to another, and violating laws in the process. I have given out a dozen warnings, and thought I would try a public reminder here as well.

It isn't illegal to go from the street to the sidewalk and back to the street. You can even do it repetitively and quickly, but you have to obey the laws. I don't believe it's safe to do so, but I'm not your daddy, so you ride as you please as long as you obey the laws and aren't negligent/reckless, endangering both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.

Off my soapbox now, carry on.

Biodynamic Gardening for Beginners: Nurturing the Spirit of the Earth and the Gardener

With Mark Trela

Biodynamic soil bursts with life, fertility and health. Often called uber-organics, biodynamics focuses on creating soil that is so nutrient dense that fruits and vegetables grown in that soil have the highest nutrition possible. And isn't that really what you want to eat?

Mark Trela Presentations:

Monday March 31, 7-9 PM at Traditions Fair Trade Café, $10-5 suggested donation

April 2, 1-4 PM at Evergreen State College

Organic Garden Farmhouse 2712 Lewis Rd. -FREE

Topics we'll cover ...

How to use BD growing methods and herbal preparations A new way to compost that enriches the soil better Understand how the forces of the moon affect plant growth Grow plants that have powerful natural resistance to common problems Grow luscious fruiting trees without chemicals

Create homemade organic fertilizers that nourish your plants Learn what the weeds in your yard can tell you about your soil

This film on Biodynamics in India reveals the hidden battle of marginal farmers to own seeds, to grow diverse crops, to feed themselves and their communities. This film reveals how precarious our existence on this planet is, how flawed the mantra of unlimited growth in a finite world and the reality of what happens to people when we treat them as means of production.

This film will be shown March 24 from 7-9pm at Traditions Fair Trade Cafe, for more information contact Terra Commons: Michael Kelly (360) 866-1331 terracommons@gmail.com www.terracommons.us

Greetings,

I am a Civil Staff working under United States Marine Corps operating with the Engineering military Dept unit in Baghdad, Iraq, we discover about $65 Million US dollars that we want to move out but we need a good partner we can trust. This fund is oil money and legal. Click on the link bellow for more information http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

We have already secretly moved this fund out of Iraq to finance firm in Europe. This is a deal. But the question is can we trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 30% for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe custody. Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is sending it to you.

Your Reply Needed
Michael

Dear Michael (pfc? Cpl? General???),