This is an update for the local farmer’s that have been affected by the flood. There are several ways that you can help.

The Olympia Farmer’s Market (OFM) is accepting donations. They are helping to facilitate the clean up of the farms that sell at the OFM. The OFM is open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 10-3pm. Donations can be dropped off at the market. Monetary donations can be made payable to the Olympia Farmer’s Market or go to the website: www.olympiafarmersmarket.com. This is the last weekend for Market. They will continue to work to support the farmers in need. There have been over $20,000 worth of donations in the past two weeks

The Olympia Food Co-op has set up a Flood Relief Fund. Some of the farmers that sell to the co-op do not sell to the OFM. Even small change can be a huge help.

FEMA has declared Thurston and Mason Counties. It is important for people to apply for help frm FEMA. This helps organizational efforts in rebuilding and reconstructions of damaged properties.

Work Parties are a HUGE help. It builds community and enables the farmers to deal with the mud before it becomes an even bigger mess. Many buildings need immediate attention and care in order to be salvageable.

These are the work parties:

I'm trying something different this week by following up on my "what's on council" post from last Friday.

The city council voted 5-2 to not remove Smith Lake from the moratorium area in Chambers Basin. Generally speaking, the council saw no reason to remove one small piece of the moratorium, while leaving the rest of it untouched.

Here is the video of the public testimony and the council discussion on the topic.

Interestingly, one of the two votes to remove Smith Lake came from Joe Hyer (the other was Jeff Kingsbury), who has been one of the most active members of the council on Chambers issues. He was one of the first to tour the area with the neighborhood association.

His interesting argument was that a moratorium is a sledge hammer type tool for the city to use when they're racing against development. He argued that in the time the moratorium has been place, the city has made strides in improving regulation in the area. By removing Smith Lake, a small portion of the total area, the city can test drive its new processes.

I've asked myself this question on many occasions. Anyone who ever chooses, even once, to carry a firearm (possibly even own a firearm) should ask this. Every once in awhile I am reminded of why I choose to put myself in this position. This story reminded me of that.

Sheep, Wolf or Sheepdog? I've made my decision. I hope everyone else is as sure of their's.

I told the representative staffers that I need Congressman Baird to do everything in his power to oppose an attack on Iran given the absence of transparent and thoroughly verifiable evidence that Iran might pose an imminent threat to the USA.

Given how the Bush Administration's use of false pretenses led to an unnecessary attack on Iraq - it's crucial that Congress, and my Congressman, do everything in their power to insure against another unjustified, unlawful aggressive attack.

[edit: This event was sponsored and organized by the local Olympia Council Moveon.org Operation Democracy team.]

updated 4 minutes ago

Baseball All-Stars listed in steroid report

More on the developing story from Sports Illustrated

Mariners players linked to the report, from The Seattle Times

Chinese Regime Tightens Its Grip on Media Ahead of Olympic Games

Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders barred from China

Apparently fed up with hearing criticism over its lack of media transparency, Chinese authorities this week banned representatives of press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders from entering the country.

Reporters Without Borders was planning to hold a press conference in Beijing on Dec. 8 to decry Chinese authorities' failure to improve freedom of the press. They were denied visas to enter the country, and instead held the press event in Hong Kong.

"At a time when the government is compiling files on foreign journalists and human rights activists in advance of the Olympic Games, this refusal is evidence of its determination to keep critics at a distance," said Reporters Without Borders in a press statement.

"The Chinese authorities are clearly not prepared to let people remind them of the [promises] they gave to improve the situation of human rights and, in particular, press freedom when they were awarded the 2008 Olympics in 2001," it continued.

While bidding to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in 2001, Chinese authorities promised that the Games would help improve China's human rights and press freedom, and that foreign reporters would have "complete freedom to report" during the Olympics.

staying in hotels or motels. Not only do you have to worry about bed bugs, etc., you have this too.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7f_1194813218

The Olympia FOR invites the public to participate in our 32nd Annual Holiday Peace Vigil on Saturday December 15 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. along both sides of West Fourth Avenue — along the south side of Percival Landing and also along the north side of Heritage Fountain.

Olympia Volunteers in Parks (VIP) is sponsoring a work party at Friendly Grove Park (2316 Friendly Grove Rd. NE in Olympia) on Saturday, December 15, from 9am till noon. Help us beautify and protect this multi-use, neighborhood park! Tools and gloves will be provided.

All are welcome, but those 17 and under must have signed parental permission, 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Questions? Contact Olympia Volunteers in Parks (VIP) Coordinator Todd Smith at 753-8365.