I've been giving some thought to how to address the issues of gossip and shunning. These are problems that I've seen in almost every community I've lived in, including Olympia, and wonder if anyone has constructive ideas of ways to identify and to find outlets for conflicts so that harmful approaches such as gossip and shunning are less likely to occur:

Gossip as a form of bullying.
Bystanders and Bullying.

In my coursework for a class called Communication in Conflict...it is suggested that metaphors for conflict be changed from those with militaristic theme, which is most common in our culture, to something like a dancing or gardening theme. In this way, conflict would be seen as natural, normal, and even a fun challenge to which to apply creative skills rather than a war where enemies are declared with intent to destroy.

Any ideas out there on this?

Hi!

The Olympia Food Coop now has a Live Journal Community. If you have a Live Journal, please feel welcome to join. If you don't yet have a Live Journal, consider creating one so that you can join the fun and share ideas and thoughts with the new OFC community!

The clamor for an evening meeting place has finally been heard! Sunny Tree Restaurant now has expanded hours. Sunny Tree offers tea, bubble tea, organic juices, a full menu and a grocery well-stocked with tasty treats. Stop in with your friends and stay well into evening:

Sunday	11:30AM - 7:00PM
Monday	11:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesday	11:00AM - 8:00PM
Wednesday	11:00AM - 8:00PM
Thursday	11:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday	11:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturday	12:00AM - 7:00PM

You can find Sunny Tree Restaurant at:

131 Decatur Street NW, Oly
(360)943-9633

Sunny Tree requests that you call 15 minutes in advance for your take-out order.

There will be a vegan potluck at Sunny Tree Restaurant
on Saturday, Mar. 8 starting at 3pm.
Join us for some great food!!
Bring a vegan dish and your own plate, silverware, etc.
Organic juices and teas may be purchased at Sunny Tree.

Please pass on the invitation to other interested parties and we hope to see you there!
Sunny Tree Vegetarian FoodMart
131 Decatur St. NW, Oly
(360) 943-9633
(360) 943-9727

What is a vegan? (from the American Vegan Society)
VEGANS (pronounced VEE-guns) Live on products of the plant kingdom.
Veganism is compassion in action.
It is a philosophy, diet, and lifestyle.
Vegans exclude flesh, fish, fowl, dairy products (animal milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.), eggs, honey, animal gelatin, and all other foods of animal origin.

-- Practice Peace on your plate...go vegetarian!
Vegetarian Starter Kit

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."
ADA Position Paper on Vegetarian (including Vegan)Diets

"Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems," senior UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) official Henning Steinfeld said. "Urgent action is required to remedy the situation."
Livestock's Long Shadow

I just want to follow up on something that Ehver Green said in the caucus results thread. He said:

This whole thread is amazing. Isn't this what it should be about? Thanks to everyone who has posted this evening - the turnout is telling. Obama looking good.

EDIT: Olyblog was my first news source for results tonight!

I want to emphatically say YES! This is EXACTLY what it should be about. The caucus results thread was a perfect example of CJ in action. And I think we can do lots, lots more. I would love to see this kind of collective reporting about every important event in our community. We all have the stuff to do it (e.g., digital cameras, computers, video cameras, flickr accounts, etc.). Don't be a passive news consumer any more. Go out and find the answers to your questions and then share them with others. Discuss what you find, and you'll know more than any network or newspaper can tell you. As a zen master might say: "Be the news."

There will be a vegan potluck at Sunny Tree FoodMart
on Saturday, Feb. 9 starting at 3pm.

Sunny Tree Restaurant is temporarily closed until February 13, hope to see you second saturday next month!

Sunny Tree Vegetarian FoodMart
131 Decatur St. NW, Oly
(360) 943-9633
(360) 943-9727
Map to Sunny Tree
What is a vegan? (from the American Vegan Society)
VEGANS (pronounced VEE-guns) Live on products of the plant kingdom.
Veganism is compassion in action.
It is a philosophy, diet, and lifestyle.
Vegans exclude flesh, fish, fowl, dairy products (animal milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.), eggs, honey, animal gelatin, and all other foods of animal origin.

-- Practice Peace on your plate...go vegetarian!
Vegetarian Starter Kit

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."
ADA Position Paper on Vegetarian (including Vegan)Diets

"Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems," senior UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) official Henning Steinfeld said. "Urgent action is required to remedy the situation."
Livestock's Long Shadow