We seem to be having the old "post-procession honeymoon" feeling about our town lately. To balance things out, I'd like to hear what people hate about Olympia. Maybe hate is too strong of a word...

What don't you like about Oly or what would you do different if you were the Monarch of the town.

I think it would be fine to rant about what really bugs you but I can imagine a question such as this leading to hateful comments. THAT is not what I'm looking for.

I've received positive and encouraging responses to my "grow your own" post in both the comments and in my inbox, so I decided to throw up a wiki on my site dedicated to local (relative to wherever you are, I suppose) edible wild foods.

Here's the link: wildfood wiki

Feel free to post your own thoughts, links to good resources, tips, cooking ideas, whatever.

HIP - HOP Fundraiser Show MAY 10th
THE CHINA CLIPPER
corner of 4th and Adams

"BANDING TOGETHER TO BREAK BARRIERS"

Are you willing to help jumpstart a northwest transgender tradition?

We need you to help create the Northwest Transgender Conference.

The idea is this: To come together to network and brainstorm and commence the implementation of a comprehensive program to further the support, education and rights of transgender persons throughout the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska).

Who is involved? You and me, and whomever else wishes to lend a hand in this important project. Hopefully, we will attract transgender group leaders, advocates and other interested and motivated parties from across the region. We will get to know each other, forge relationships and alliances, have some fun, and get some work done on behalf of ourselves and all Northwest transgendered folk.

Read more...

in case anyone is interested, I snapped a few photos post-cleanup. I wish I would have gotten a few pre-cleanup, but alas I was lazy.

Pretty huh?

Tagging doesn't take long in Oly

I wonder if it runs?

Coming up!: The Immigration and Border Dialogues Conference

brought to you by Bridges Not Walls.

May 15th-18th, 2008 The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA www.oly-wa.us/Bridges/

Join us! Presenters and performers from organizations active both regionally and internationally will come together to address immigration. Join in discussion, workshops, theatre, art and seminars to stimulate the growth of a movement. Let's work toward sustainable futures for individuals and families on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border! Email bridgesnotwalls@riseup.net for conference registration information.

"It's not really a border, it's a scar. Will it heal? Will it bleed once more?" -Carlos Fuentes

Join Lucky Cat Radio Promotions at their Grand Opening show on Saturday, May 17th, featuring live music from Glass Elevator, The Hard Way, Z Kamp, and The Transport Assembly.

Lucky Cat Radio Promotions is a company dedicated to promoting independent music at college and noncommercial radio stations around the United States. The company was founded by former KAOS music director Melissa Suther, and includes Tammy Tillinghast (also a former KAOS music director) and graphic designer Anna Horvath.

Currently, Lucky Cat is working with Seattle label Broken Twilight to promote a handful of releases, including the record "Improbable Songs" by The Transport Assembly.

The Grand Opening show will include a live deejay and should be a lot of fun. Come on down to The Voyeur on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia at 9 pm. See you then...

"Pining For the Fjords", a new radio show, will broadcast for the first time this Thursday on KAOS, from 1-3 pm.

The show is hosted by Tammy Tillinghast (of "The Think Tank") and will feature artists from Scandinavia and the Nordic countries (including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland). The music will be mostly in the indiepop vein, but will also include folk, rock, soul, electronica, and more.

Tune in live for the debut episode at 89.3 FM, or stream online here. The show will be heard every Thursday from 1-3 pm for the foreseeable future. You can find more information at this link.

Thanks for listening!

Hey folks -

Does anybody know of an online database for local edible plants? I'm really interested in learning what kinds of plants you can pick and eat as you walk around the northwest. I know that dandelions are fully edible, as well as clovers... but what else? I'd like to see a project put together that showcases edible plants in our area, whether they can be eaten raw or require preparation.

And while we're at it, perhaps a companion database of edible bugs -- grasshoppers, worms, etc. Going green is one thing, but really becoming intimate with the earth and understanding what it provides for us is an important step as well. When school-age children can identify over 2,000 brand names, but can't identify more than 10 plants in their own backyard, that's a sad statement about society.

Anybody interested in a knowledge sharing database? Maybe a wild-food wiki? I'd be glad to host a wiki on my own site if people are interested in participating and sharing.

Their pictures, taken from video shot at the scene, is available at The Olympian's webpage.

Tips and Identification can be sent to TCSO or Crimestoppers (phone numbers available in linked article.) Calls to Crimestoppers may be made anonymously.

[EDIT: An expanded article.]