Four percent of Olympia's population gave up their pollution-spewing vehicles and hopped onto their bicycles to compete in the annual bike commuter contest in Thurston county.  Winners were announced on June 20th and stakes were high.  Results from cycling logs were kept from the public beyond the normal timeframe of announcement.  As you might imagine, there are many competing elements to this annual contest like the daunting task of cycling through the miles needed to win and the cyclists who have been involved in it for years.

June 20th bestowed a rich-blue sky with the salty smells of the Puget accompanying a sunshine suitable for any winner's glorious moment.  The award ceremony took place in Olympia's farmers' market amongst the vendors and the bustle of local consumers.  A fitting scene for a man who peddled his share of 1.7% of the total mileage of Thurston County participants!

This is the first time Jonathon has entered the contest and upset the balance of expectations.  I had a chance to interview Jonathon at his home at the Yello Haus, west side of Olympia:

Jonathon, what was the number one thing running, or shall I say, peddling through your mind while trying to win the contest?

Jon-"I wanted to beat my own record and get passed the 1,600 mark."

 Do you normally record and track your progress while biking?

Jon-"I have been, yes."

How did you manage to beat the hardcore cyclists who are in it to win it every year?

Jon-"I didn't really think about them that much.  I didn't see too many people along my route.  It was just me."

What route did you take?

Hey everyone, sorry for the double posting, but this a revised Shot to the Face 2 press release.

PRESS RELEASE: April 3rd, 2009

• WHO: Evergreen State College student group Mind Screen and Olympia Film Society
• WHAT: Shot to the Face 72-hour film competition
• WHERE: Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia
• WHEN: Friday April 24th 5:30 pm
• COST: FREE!

For more information please contact Zach Kreinik (zkreinik@yahoo.com and 410-504-7892) and Cooper Sloan (mistercooper@gmail.com and 206-962-7924).

The Evergreen State College (TESC) cinema-loving student organization Mind Screen is teaming up once again with the Olympia Film Society (OFS) for the second annual Shot to the Face 72-hour film competition. The screening will take place Friday April 24th at the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia.

The second annual Shot to the Face competition kicks of April 17th when shooting begins. Participants can register in advance at: [shottotheface@gmail.com] or show up at the Housing Community Center on The Evergreen State College campus at 7pm Friday.

Local filmmakers have a mere 72 hours to write, shoot, edit and submit a short movie. Full guidelines are available at http://www.shottotheface.org and a specific prompt will be released at the kickoff event. Submissions must be delivered in either DV or DVD format by Monday night at 7pm to Old School Pizzeria - 108 Franklin St NE, Olympia. Then on Saturday, March 8, we present the best two hours of material at a free screening at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE, Olympia). Doors open at 5:30pm with DJ Ponder Monkey, former co-host of Monkey Haus on KAOS Radio, spinning records. The presentation will begin at 6 pm.