Scarcely a week ago, I put a layer of lime plaster on the cob couch at the former Olympia Salvage site, and then left town to go on vacation. As I worked on it, many people stopped by on their way into Habitat for Humanity and Alpine Experience to ask questions and admire it, because the funny thing is, people like the couch, many even proclaim that they love the couch. It was highly rewarding, as it has been every time I've done work on it, to see the smiles it brings to people's faces and the enthusiasm people have for the project.

Well. Just yesterday I received a very upsetting message from a friend in Olympia that the couch had been destroyed. It was assumed that Habitat was to blame, but as it turns out, the owner of the property--who agreed to the project over a year ago--had someone come and smash the couch. I have no idea why. Maybe he hates community works. Maybe he hates inspiring people.

I'm not discouraged by this idiocy; I'll certainly continue to do community place-making projects. I do find it profoundly disappointing that a labor of love such as this, meant to create common space for people in Olympia to share and enjoy, was so unceremoniously and inexplicably ruined.

Shame on you, Bryan.

We are Permaculturist Natural Builder Community Oriented types looking for others with a passion for food foresting, edible landscaping, alternative building and energy practices, waste reduction, resource reuse and community building through engaging projects. No experience necessary! Some of us hosted last year’s Olympia Village Building Convergence where many people came together to learn new skills and share knowledge. The success of that event encourages us to create an annual event, but to do that WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We also just want to get people together to share ideas and inspiration and create new projects in neighborhoods. Curious? Interested? We hope so!! Drop us a line. Soon we will host a gathering of folks like you who are excited to make some fresh things happen in Olympia. We look forward to meeting you!
Contact us via our blogsot at: http://olyvbc.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

I will be at Oly Salvage finishing the construction of the cob bench. Come have fun in the, er, ahem SUN (I hope I hope I hope) and learn a simple building technique.

If it rains, all bets are off (i.e. no work party).

Hello everybody,

I need some help at the Olympia Salvage cob couch site: I need experienced carpenters to help me build a roof over this bad boy. It's a simple affair, four posts, some braces and a small roof structure to protect the couch and its couchers from all the liquid sunshine we get.

I also need some material donations to the tune of: 4 4x4x10s and some 2x6s, 12' and 8' and some galvanized brackets that can weather the storms of Oly winter. Roofing material. What you got?

Experience the thrill of doing things for FREE for your community and put a big ol' smile on my face!

Contact me at brillaba@gmail.com if you are interested in being awesome.

Thank you,

Larissa

Come to Olympia Salvage this weekend and help build Oly's first-ever cob COUCH!! Cob is a natural building material comprised of sand, clay and straw. It's great fun for the whole family. Friday we kick it all off at noon and go until 4 or so. Saturday 10 am to 3 pm. Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Make history. Dance in mud. There will be a little food and some drink. Friday there will be music thanks to our friends Southern Skies. Hope to see you there!