The DEA raided lots of dispensaries yesterday in the largest Medical Marijuana bust in Washington state. Our anti-drug crusading sherriff, John Snaza, personally busted all of the Thurston County dispensaries. We don't have to worry about the DEA living in Olympia we need to watch out for our own. Now medical marijuana patients in the state's capitol will have to drive to Tacoma or turn to the black market to get their medicine.

Here is a video I am reposting in solidarity with all of the dispensary workers who were arrested in yesterday's raid.

 

I watched the city council meeting tonight on TCTV channel 3. I was very impressed with Karen Messmer and Jim Lazar from the Olympia Safe Streets campaign along with all of the other participants that spoke against the Trillium Development. This developer thinks that the city's requirement to ensure transit service, pedestrian/bicycle connections and close proximity to schools is unreasonable. They want to build a huge development out in the boonies that is totally car dependent. I am proud of my fellow citizens of Olympia who came out to the meeting to encourage the council to deny this application. I hope I can be as proud of the council members as I am of the people who came to speak out against it. Tell your Olympia city council members to deny this disastrous car centric development.

Dear Intercity Transit, Don't you think it is about time you established a direct bus to the airport? Today my mother and grandmother are flying into Seatac to see me in Olympia. I do have a car but I am not a big fan of driving. Since I don't want my 86 year old grandmother to have to wait an hour at the 512 park and ride I am going to gas up the Vanagon and head up to Lakewood in 90 degree weather without air conditioning. Now that the sound transit light rail goes from Seattle to the airport don't you think people might be interested in a direct connection to it? Most people are not going to want to make a transfer especially if they are from out of town and don't know the bus system. If we pass your sales tax increase will you work on a direct bus to the airport? Sincerely, Robert Kam

 Thanks to whoever put this up.  Non destructive vandalism with a message is my favorite kind of vandalism.

Karaoke Oly Episode 15

Karaoke Oly | MySpace Video

Do you have a historic bicycle photo? Perhaps yourself as a child beaming with a new bicycle, or a relative of yours riding a bicycle from the early days?

In celebration of Olympia’s 150th Birthday, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is calling for “historic” photos of bicycles and bicycle riders.
Submit your photos to:
publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us

● Photos should be submitted electronically by
scanning and emailing to address above with subject line: Bike Photos.
● Entries should be submitted on or before
September 15, 2009.
● Photos will be displayed at Arts Walk on October
2, 2009. Slideshow will start at 6 p.m. at OlyBikes (124 State Ave NE).
● For more details visit our website, or contact
Kerry Tarullo at 360.753.8575, TTY 360.753.8270.
Photo Exhibit Guidelines:
● The photo exhibit is open to all citizens of
Olympia.
● Photos should be of a bicycle, or person(s)
riding a bicycle (photos do not have to be of Olympia origin).
● Each submitted photo should include:
● Title
● Name of photographer (if known)
● Name(s) of those in the photograph
(if known)
● Location of photograph (if known)

http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/documents/150thBDayforWeb/BPAC%20Photo%20Event%20Flyer.pdf

 

 Was anyone else affected by the construction site by Yauger Park near Courtside apartments.  The Doozers cut down all of the trees behind comcast and fenced off a route I used to walk through to get to Safeway.  I have been e-mailing with some employees with the city as well as some city council members.  The route has been closed for 9 months now.  Eventually it will be a road. :-P  Then we can walk through again but not until they grace us by opening up the apartments in November.  

The Doozers claim they need that "road" for their trucks and equipment.  They are curently using both roads to get in.  I propose a temporary pedestrian cut through north of the development.  See below and keep in mind that the trees in this satelite image are gone so all it would take is some fencing.

 

Message me if you are affected by this pedestrian closure.

I-985 is the most backwards approach to traffic control I've seen on a Washington state ballot. This initiative would open car pool lanes to all drivers discouraging car pooling and bus riding. It would also steal funds from local cities that have red light cameras and forbid the use of transportation funds for bike lanes, transit, and trails.

This initiative is from the same joker that brought us the $30 car tabs that cut funds in half for intercity transit. What is wrong with encouraging public transportation through efficient service and lower rates. What is wrong with encouraging biking and walking with a quality and safe infrastructure. Doesn't Tim Eyman appreciate that when people find alternatives car traffic is reduced.

The best way to avoid being stuck in traffic is to avoid driving. Ride the bus, bicycle or walk when you can and you won't have to sit behind the wheel of a car stacked up behind hundreds of other vehicles. These options need to be encouraged and improved upon if we are to reduce the traffic on our highways as well as conserve energy.

 

I would never participate in such an ironic display of civil disobedience but if I did I would go about it in the following way... I would first go to a website called zazzle.com and do a search for driving bumper stickers or just go -> here.

Then I would get with a friend and pool up some money to order these bumper stickers in bulk for a discount. Lastly, I would wait until dark and ride my bike around town placing the stickers at high traffic stop signs.

I would also check them periodically to note when they are taken down so I can sticker them again.