What's a Monday without a mouseover? For the uninitiated, move your mouse pointer over the pictures to get the effect.

I was driving to a friends house tonight I noticed a lot of Christmas lights up. This is great, it give Olympia a warm feeling. However, when I was driving back home late tonight I saw most of the lights were still on, this includes the lights downtown. I am a fan of Christmas but this is a waste.

OK so you have the LED lights GREAT, but why not take it a step further and put them on a timer. Have them turn on at 5:00 and turn off at say 11:00. It is just a waste of energy to leave them running. One set of lights might not make that huge of a difference but if everyone did this they would save a huge amount of resources and money. You would hardly notice the change, your in bed anyways.

Lets step up and be the city that actually makes a difference.

P.S. if anyone else has ideas for energy efficient holidays post them here.

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.

There is a huge thanks from the farmers that have been affected. There were many people coming out on Saturday and Sunday to the Olympia Farmer's Market making donations of all sorts. $12, 310 was donated this weekend. Thanks so much Olympia! This is helping to go directly to the farmers to get back on their feet. The Olympia Farmer's Market has purchased the following for clean up. Dump trucks of gravel will be dropped off this week. Dry firewood has been purchased and is being delivered. Also, tarps, water, tools are being able to be delivered so that clean areas are able to be made.

The damage from the flood has been incredible. And we have seen lots of pics, and it may have wore some us down with all the loss and hardship. But this pic gives a unique angle, and I thought I would share.

This is the area around Walmart, Applebees, etc.