From the Olympian:

Last year, home sales priced at between $140,000 and $200,000 dropped an average of 42 percent compared with the year before, while home sales priced at $400,000 or higher rose 125 percent, according to Olympic Multiple Listing Service data.

The data shows that the pickings are particularly slim for homes priced lower than $140,000.

Of 910 homes listed as “active

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stevenl just posted the following in the comments. I thought everyone should see it:

I just came back from this presentation. The documentary was very eye-opening for me. It challenged my preconceptions and humanity and will change the way I see downtown Olympia. Mr. Fest gave a short but effective speech, and a panel discussion among Olympia movers on this topic followed. I was especially impressed by the OPD officer who was there. No matter what your political stripe, Downtowners will stop you in your tracks and make you rethink your assumptions. Filmmakers Jessica and Nichole really did an outstanding job. I suspect this will be an example of how film journalism can change public policy. OlyBloggers would appreciate this one. Go see it if you get a chance.

Like last year's sold- out event, this year's Illuminate Ball will be an amazing, artful experience featuring a range of music, dance and performance art to benefit the 2006 Procession of the Species.

Of course, it is the fine people of our community that really make the magic -- Please buy your tickets early to ensure a spot (available at Rainy Day Records and Traditions).

This year's theme is A Garden of Light, so be thinking of what fun, illuminating formal wear will adorn your evening (and be prepared to stay late). Music in the Ballroom will include the 9-piece Seattle salsa band Cambalache along with Samba Novo and Ragadharma.

This year also features a Pageant with dance, puppetry and luminaria as well as a Jazz Lounge above the Ballroom. Our crew of volunteers are working feverishly to produce a quality event with superb beverages and hors d'oerves, fancy decorations, a photographer and artful door prizes (for an extra donation).

At least that is what those stickers around town tell me, they've been up for awhile, the two I most often see are on light poles in Sylvester Park and the Mall parking lot.

CrimethInc. Workers' Collective puts out the stickers along with books and posters and other material. Their primary distribution center is here in Olympia.

The New York Surveillance Camera Players have a lot of information on their site about surveillance cameras, including details on how to find and map them.

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 14, 10:00 AM is our next General Membership Meeting

Join us at the Southwest Regional Archives located on Washington, just off 11th. It's tucked away next to the Old County Courthouse and in front of the parking for the Department of Natural Resources building.

It's time for Board Elections. Shanna Stevenson (secretary), Lois Fenske (treasurer), and Annamary Fitzgerald (president) are completing their three year terms. Each has agreed to be considered for reelection, but welcome other nominations.

It is also time to renew your membership. Regular membership is $25, Senior/Student membership is $10. Lois reminds you that you may pay at the meeting or download the form from our web page: www.olympiahistory.org.

Roger Easton will give a fascinating presentation about the wealth of information and research potential discovered in a Crosby Journal previously overlooked.

Hope you can join us! See you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Annamary Fitzgerald President, Olympia Historical Society (360) 357-6099

This is a group that I didn't know about (via net-squared):

The Olympia, Washington based Free Child Project engages in a large number of activities to support youth led social change. Their mission reads: The Freechild Project seeks to advocate, inform, and celebrate social change led by and with young people around the world, particularly those who have been historically denied the right to participate.

Check out their website here.

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2006
Contact: Hirsh Diamant
(360) 867-6736

Lunar New Year Celebration and Tai Ji Workshop at Evergreen

The Evergreen State College Longhouse Fri., Feb. 3, Tai Ji all-day workshop at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sat.., Feb. 4,
Lunar New Year concert and community celebration at 2pm
Open to the public
Campus parking $1.25 on Feb.3, free on Feb. 4

The Lunar New Year, one of the most important festivals in Asia, will be celebrated at The Evergreen State College's Longhouse on Friday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 4. Tickets for the Friday workshop are $40 ($30 students and seniors) and Saturday concert and celebration $10 ($7 students and seniors). As seating is limited, advanced tickets are recommended and are available at the Evergreen Bookstore, Orca Books and at BuyOlympia.com

Internationally acclaimed master Chungliang Al Huang will lead a Tai Ji movement workshop on Friday, Feb. 3, starting at 10 a.m. Tai Ji is a dynamic moving meditation that enhances health, wellness, and cultural connection. Chungliang is one of the most talented transformational movement-meditation teachers working today. He is the author of "Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain" and other books. Beginners and advanced students are welcome to participate.

The Community Lunar New Year Celebration and Concert are slated for Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Longhouse. It will feature a traditional Lion Dance, calligraphy with Chungliang Al Huang, Japanese music and dance with Midoro Kono Thiel, Kung Fu demonstrations, and music with UW Prof. Emeritus Stuart Dempster.

Contact Hirsh Diamant (360) 867-6736 for details.

125 -additional- logging trucks a day that is, on average, through town. I really don't see how our downtown can handle this or if it even should.

There is a lot more to this article Port's rail route may see trucks but I'm stuck on the idea of 125 more log trucks a day.

This along with the dredging plans all seem to lead towards using the downtown as one big funnel for the Port and Weyerhaeuser.

Via One Pissed Off Vetran. When Brian Baird tried to visit the troops from Taskforce Olympia in Kuwait, here's what happened:

He contacted the commanding general of Task Force Olympia and was told that they would not allow him to make an official visit as a congressman and not be able to ask questions of the troops because -- get this -- That fat bastard, the Squeaker of the Hose, one Denny Fat-boy Clogged-arteries Supersize-me Make-that-three-triple- cheeseburgers Hastert issued an edict that no Democratic congressman could speak to the troops without a Repugnican sewer rat being present.

From the Olympian:

Earlier this week, Intercity Transit launched its free shuttle service between downtown Oympia and the state Capitol Campus. Taxpayers can look at this new service and know that the tax increase they approved is being put to good use.

Given that the thing that one hears the most about downtown is the large population of homeless people, and how they discourage shoppers and suppress buisness, I wonder if a shuttle is really the best application of our tax dollars.

Intercity Transit bought the four buses for $1.2 million last year and moved quickly to put up shuttle stop signs in time for the legislative session, according to agency spokeswoman Meg Kester. Operating the shuttles will cost $629,000 a year.

Methinks this much money buys a lot of services and/or shelter for people who have none. Here's what the shuttle buys us:

Hungry state workers, shoppers and tourists are the most likely patrons of the free shuttle service.

The buses should make it easier for the 8,000 state workers on the campus and the 500,000 visitors to get downtown and spend their money, whether it’s for a quick lunch or a trip to the farmers market for fresh vegetables. Heck, workers who pack their lunch to work might even take the shuttle to the waterfront on a sun-splashed summer day to enjoy the scenery and smell of saltwater.

It’s also hoped that the shuttle will ease parking problems in the neighborhood south of the Capitol. That’s been a sore spot for years with residents unable to park in front of their homes because the streets are clogged with vehicles belonging to lobbyists and campus visitors.

Hmm. Let's see. What does the shuttle buy us?

• "Hungry" state workers can buy lunch downtown.
• They can enjoy the scenery and smell of saltwater.
• Homeowners in South Capital can park in front of their houses.

Anyone care to imagine what we could do if we applied that much money to taking care of people living on the street?