like the snows of November, (lightly, timid in askance)
you will return to me

in due time;
without fail—you will return
(erstwhile)
to me

and my hesitant heart
(retreating, retreating, retreating)
will be a far-off beacon at dusk
to your false ardor, a poetry of obdurate conceit
—whose interval seems unceasing;

All darkness and brooding winds
You twine and spin in savage dance
(quickening, hastening some new spell)

But failing, failing … failing

while this distance increases (curing
past injuries);
the suffering amid our pleading eyes (yours
of forgiveness, mine for freedom)

neither souls knowing peace.

The Olympia School District recently publicized a list of potential cuts (with a few additions) for the next fiscal year, and it's set off a firestorm of controversy, mostly because folks aren't sure what's really on the chopping block. The Board wants direction from you, concerned citizen. Here's where I can help.

Using the initial document [pdf] offered by the Olympia School District, I've created a spreadsheet where you can try to save dollars and programs in your own attempt to balance the Olympia School District budget for 2008-2009 by cutting roughly $2.5 million.

Want to keep the Drill Team intact? Better delete it from the "potential savings" column. But what will you cut instead?

More options will be added as they become available. This morning, District and school reps met to discuss other potential cuts and additions, so I'm sure I'll have to update this soon.

I replied to this thread on Oly Blog, calling for sponsors "to recognize (and reward) the individual contributions of an Olyblogger. "

I'm offering a "Special Visit" in exchange for an icon linking to my site.  They get more than 100K page loads a month.  I'm giddy that I've been breaking 1K page loads a month.  Well worth the $75 value.

http://olyblog.net/call-sponsors

A spider spins a web of sticky strands of silk
woven in a pattern known well by all her ilk—
Adorned with dew it sparkles under the soft morn light
reflecting forth a brilliance that captivates the eye.

Mistress of illusion and dancer on the wind,
weaving what will be from what has always been—
Teach to me your lesson of balance and of grace,
of being in the moment and living without haste.

AB Christie 04/30/08

Just a few thoughts about this:

1. I know Debra Vinsel, Joe Hyer and Jeff Kingsbury (Kingsbury less so), but I was embarrassed by this video. It smacks of propaganda and boosterism. At certain points it was trying to be cute, but I was turned off by the "lets mention one more good thing" about downtown feel to it.

2. It would have been better to spend a few hours just talking to people about downtown, unscripted. Even if this video wasn't scripted, it sure felt like it. The blooper reel at the end reminded me that they had practiced their lines.

3. I know I harp about this alot, but the benefit of blogging and engaging in comment threads is that you avoid this kind of shmaltzy-staged stuff. Just talking on a blog (not this blog probably) in a direct way is more meaningful that this video.

Repost

Members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association recently received this interesting communication from Peter Stroble of OLY 2012:

"Dear Readers of OLY DNA, We, the OLY 2012 Steering Committee, are THRILLED that there has been such vigorous discussion about our group on this listserve. Stimulating constructive discourse about Olympia's downtown is key to making it a better place, and we appreciate all of the questions, concerns, and criticisms that have been expressed. In fact, much of the discussion has helped us learn more about how we can do a better job of informing the community about what our mission and approach truly is. As a result, we have created a FAQ section on our website (http://oly2012.org/page26.html), which we have included for your convenience at the bottom of this email. Finally, we encourage all of the members of OLY DNA who believe in our mission to join our network supporters. As the FAQ says, doing so simply means you want to stay informed and be a part of the conversation.

Sincerely,

The OLY 2012 Steering Committee

Civil Rights Leader, Leading Theorist of Nonviolent Activism to Speak at 7 p.m. on May 5 at Olympia’s Temple Beth Hatfiloh

(Olympia, Wash.) Civil rights leader and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. James M. Lawson will be speaking at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5 at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th Ave SE in Olympia. Rev. Lawson will talk about building a community that both values activism – to promote better quality of life and greater equity among citizens – and ensures civility and respect for the rights of all. The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the City of Olympia, The Evergreen State College, The Hispanic Women’s Network, Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, participating members of Olympia Port Militarization Resistance, The Port of Olympia, Unity in the Community, and Veterans for Peace. For directions to the temple, visit www.bethhatfiloh.org/directions.html

Lawson is a leading figure in the civil rights movement. On the eve of his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Lawson "the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world."