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, 7th 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.

You can read about it here,

Now the homeless are a protected class in Seattle. There are laws on the books currently to deal with the crimes committed against the homeless. Just like if the same crimes are committed against you and me.

Instead of providing a special class for homeless, why not move to solve their baseline plight, their homelessness?

My wife and I recently went on a shopping trip to pick up some coats, hats, and umbrellas, as well as some hand-warmers for the people in the camp. We've decided that we want to be more active in the community, and to be directly involved in the lives of people who have the greatest need. We want to partner with groups (such as the camp) who are already knee-deep in the situation, and are doing whatever they can to help. And we want to help people get out of the situation they're in and work to equip them with skills and opportunities they need to get back on their own feet.

Read more from Olympia blogger Josh at Hungry and Cold via his newprotest.org site. Comments are enabled there.

Homeless Pinellas residents are moving into Pinellas Hope, a temporary "tent city" operated by Catholic Charities on 10 acres in an industrial area in mid Pinellas County.

The five-month pilot program was the multiagency response to last year's homeless debacle that thrust the city into an unwanted national spotlight. That's when St. Petersburg police caused an uproar by slashing dozens of tents belonging to the homeless.

I'm sure I don't need to mention this, but sometimes the most painfully obvious gets overlooked.

Garbage bag ponchos. Pretty self expanitory. Use the heavy duty large leaf bags if you can. They are field expidient, inexpensive in quantity, easy to make, and work pretty darn good.

You can also put one over the end of a sleeping bag if there isn't enough cover wherever a person is sleeping, etc... the uses are endless and limited only by imagination. I keep several in my emergency kit.

There are many men and women in Olympia bearing the elements today without adequate clothing and supplies. Because it's not below freezing, the Salvation Army is not observing 'cold weather rules' and letting people stay inside. Also, the shelter will not admit those without photo ID, and Bread and Roses cannot provide enough funds to cover all those who need it. If anyone has any supplies at all please consider braving the roads and dropping them off to Bread and Roses today. People are coming in soaked to the bone in their only set of clothing. Here's an idea of what is needed:

Rain-gear of any kind

Jackets

Long johns

boots

gloves, scarves, hats

tarps

socks, socks, and more socks

tents

I cannot adequately portray the dire need of supplies in this kind of weather. Pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu and other illnesses will run rampant after this bad run of weather. If this is a matter near to your heart, please consider calling the city and asking for large scale emergency shelter to be opened, TODAY, whether it be a warehouse, an unused city building, or whatever else. If it's miserable going from your front door to your car, can you imagine sleeping in this muck?

Bread and Roses Advocacy Center 1009 4th Avenue E

(360) 754.4588