Hello all -

I may soon be setting up a fairly simple (well let's hope so) web site for a non-profit as yet to be formed.

Would those of you with experience with this please offer advice on services you've used, local vs. out-of-town, small vs. large, cheap vs. not so cheap. I'm willing to hear it all, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Greetings all -

I'm asking anyone with photos, video clips and stories to share to help me with a multimedia project to help those still struggling with unmet needs following the devasting floods of December 3 last year. Long after the news attack helicopters have roared off to the Next Big Thing people continue to live with their homes in ruin and lives turned upside down.

It's not all bad work coming from our esteemed corporate daily. Reporter Christian Hill and photographer Steve Herppich spent quite some time at Camp Quixote the last few days and you can see the results. I think they did a commendable job and I thank them for their effort.

Lessons in Humanity story

Photo gallery

And now is an excellent time to remind all that the camp can always use volunteers. Drop us a line at www.campquixoteoly.googlepages.com

Blessings +

Here's the text of an email sent me today by a friend who works in disaster relief and long term recovery efforts. Thought Dave's perspective on what's going on in Lewis County (and other flood areas) is instructive. I witnessed exactly the second disaster thing in the Gulf Coast a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck, where entire semi-truck convoys had arrived stuffed with used clothing, at least half of it rags. The "generosity" of others ended up creating an enormous solid waste disposal problem.

In case it hasn't been clear from all the media accounts and press releases over the past couple of weeks, please consider from this point on an absolute embargo, prohibition, ban, whatever on any donations of clothing or household items of any kind, especially to Lewis County.

The donations issue has created a major crisis in Centralia and Chehalis in particular. In the disaster relief/response community, this is typically called the "disaster that follows the disaster." I'm not at liberty to hare all that I know about the extent of the problem politically or among the voluntary agencies in Lewis County, but the bottom line is "no donations, period."

Three events this weekend bring Olympia's tent city, Camp Quixote, into focus. You're certainly invited to any and all.

Friday, 7:30 p.m. Traditions Cafe - 300 5th Ave SW Heartsparkle Players' Playback Theatre presents Stories of Finding Home In collaboration with Camp Quixote, an independent free-form tent city in Olympia, formed by the Poor People's Union, who believe shelter, dignity and mental and physical health to be basic human entitlements. Playback Theatre is a spontaneous collaboration between performers and audience. People tell moments from their lives, then watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue. (downtown Olympia on the corner of 5th and Water) Cost: $5.00 to $10.00 (No one is turned away and group rates available)

Saturday 10 a.m. First Christian Church, 7^th and Franklin, Olympia, Plan to participate in a public information meeting on the camp's move to this downtown faith community's covered parking lot December 29. The public is invited to learn about Camp Q, meet residents and supporters, ask questions and hear how you can individually support this community of houseless people.

Saturday 4 to 6:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, Legion Way at Boundry St. Christmas party for Camp Q residents, friends, supporters, volunteers and just about anyone else who would like to break bread with the group. Come bake cookies, enjoy light dinner and music.

Merry Christmas from Camp Quixote.

Needed: bicycle trailer or maybe parts to build one.

A resident of Camp Quixote, Mark, needs a bike trailer to haul around his laundry, work tools and the like. Any able to help? Send me an e-mail.

Could it be that some things are missing from the discussion about the protests at the Port of Olympia marine terminal?

I do not support the war. I do not support the use of the Port for military operations. I also do not support rock-throwing or violence of any kind by any one.

However, if one steps back, one might come to the conclusion that ultimately, this is a situation created by the Port, not the City of Olympia, and by people who promote "non-violence" by instigating violent exchanges through their own actions. For example, breaking out windows downtown is not "non-violence", nor is throwing rocks at police cars. Behavior has consequences.

I have been wondering over the past few days about how many of the protestors are registered to vote in Thurston County, and if registered, how many voted in the Port Commission race last week. I wonder if the majority of them know anything of the outcome of the election or that there even was a recent election. I also wonder how many of them have attempted to express outrage at the action by the Port in a constructive way. I also would like to know how much recruiting of additional protesters was done with out-of-state organizations, who, while they may have a stake in ending this war, have no stake in our community.