I don't typically think of Oly as being full of bike thieves, but the listings on Craigslist say otherwise. What's going on?

• Giant TCR Advanced XS stolen from 8th and McCormick (Eastside)
  
• Schwinn Timberline 21 speed mens mountain bike stolen from 900 block of eastside neighborhood by Lyons park
  
• 1982 trek 520

• 1983 Trek 501 road bike. Thief pushed the rider in the bushes, grabbed the bike and took off. Stolen in West Oly on Cooper Point Rd. just off the road across from Capitol HS field. Crazy!

What is going on?!?!

For over 10 years, Oregon has allowed terminally ill patients with less than 6 months to live to legally end their own lives humanely. Isn't it time that Washington also gave our residents the same option? There are numerous safeguards to make sure that the patient is mentally and physically able to make this choice for themselves.

If you want to support this initiative, please sign the petition to get it on this Fall's ballot. You'll see signature gatherers around town carrying bright yellow and black signs for "Death with Dignity". Please drop by and plant your John Hancock on one of these forms. Or, if you prefer, private message me and we can meet up to give you the opportunity to be part of history.

There are only 3 weeks left to gather signatures. So don't wait, sign now!



More info about the initiative.

It's really weird to bike past the woods one day and the next see a big empty lot with a bunch of felled logs. Yes, I know that where my house stands there was once trees, but it's still pretty dramatic.

The location is on Division, south of Walnut. Anyone know what's going in? Probably a new housing development.

As posted by Judd Taylor to Opium, reposted with permission:

"As some or all or none of you might have heard, I had planned on closing down [Phantom City Records] entirely come summer. Fortunately I found a cool buyer for the store named Dave and he'll be taking over operations at the beginning of July. He's a real mensch, and will make the store better and better so be sure to show him some love."

Olympia has been named "recession-proof" by JobBait.com - They looked for cities across the nation that had greater than 1.2% population growth during three different time periods.

Full article and Analysis.

Article excerpt about Olympia:

In Olympia, Wash., the local cash cow is state government.

At the southernmost tip of scenic Puget Sound, the population of this smallish city of 44,000 swells during the legislative session, when lawmakers, lobbyists and special interest groups swarm downtown coffee shops and eateries. Olympia is home not only to the Capitol and the bustle of politics that surrounds it, but also to two regional hospitals, Evergreen State College and a lively arts community.

In addition to numerous galleries, downtown Olympia hosts the Washington Center, home to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Harlequin Productions at the historic State Theater, as well as the Capital Playhouse. The 125-seat, black-box theater runs 11 musicals a year, and the three-week shows were so popular, they added another weekend to each musical starting last September.

"None of those things individually is a significant driver by themselves, but what they do do is drive the economies of other businesses," says Jeff Kingsbury, who founded the playhouse. "It's such a diverse mix of businesses and the thriving arts, it really helps stabilize the economy all the time."

Located between Seattle and Portland, and close to both the mountains and the coast, Olympia also earns points for air quality, low crime and other quality-of-life measures. But it's that constant of state government that is "the great equalizer for us," says Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston County Economic Development Council. [More]

As heard on Opium:

"artisan's cafe is closing their doors to the public after may 15th, because of some problems with some landlords. they are expected to reopen in another space sometime, but who knows when that'll be!"

Can anyone confirm this?

Some of my oldest friends from Camp Quixote are moving on. The couple that recently got married - the husband recently moved back to Yellowstone where he's a cook, and got a job for his new wife. She hops a bus to join him tonight. The card shark who always beat me (and everyone else) at hearts is moving back to Alaska next week. His heart condition is getting worse and he'll be spending time with old friends and his doctor. The guy who always gave me a (toothless) grin as he entered and left, has headed back to family in Florida to get away from the Olympia drug scene - he was afraid he might slip back into old habits. The guy who always teased me and everyone else with his quick smiley humor got trained to work in a nursing home, for which he's absolutely perfect - always cheerful and friendly to everyone. He moved out of the camp awhile back. Some of residents have found apartments and jobs in the area and visit the camp periodically. Others are starting to talk about their next steps. I am happy for my friends, but I'm also going to miss them. The camp won't be the same without their wonderful spirit.

I'm beginning to recognize the new faces, but they're a little more quiet around the volunteer hosts while they get used to their new surroundings. Unfortunately, some have come and gone quickly because of not being able to abide by the camp rules.

Right now the camp is located near the Unitarian church, over on the Westside. We could really use more volunteers, even people who can only work one shift would be great. If you're interested in making a tangible difference in our community, please contact me.

Does anyone know who made the re-painting in the Eastside? You know, the one that looks like a thrift store painting, but if you look carefully you notice the added mushroom cloud in the background.

Also does anyone have a photo of it?

When I'm out and about, I'm often on foot or on bike. Periodically, I'll get yelled at. "Get a car!" or "Grow up!" At least I think that's what they said... most often it's completely unintelligible. It seems like yelling out car windows is a popular pastime, especially on the Westside. For clarification, they're not yelling at my behavior - I'm a strict rule-follower.

Does anyone else have similar experiences, or am I just a magnet for the loud ones?