Each year, unlicensed solidarity brigades travel from North America to Cuba to protest the U.S. trade "embargo" (blockade) and travel ban imposed since the early 1960s and show solidarity with the Cuban people. The two largest solidarity groups are Pastors for Peace and Venceremos Brigade. Pastors for Peace utilizes our very own Rick Fellowes to take a bus full of donated aid to Cuba each year. This year, the caravan passes through Olympia on July 3rd and in preparation for that event, we caravanistas thought a non-sponsored meeting about how to travel to Cuba with Pastors or Venceremos would be beneficial to those curious. The free presentation/q-and-a is at the downtown Timberland library in Olympia on Wed. May 30th from 7 to 8:30 at the latest but we don't have to go that long. The presentation will be pretty informal and addressed to the specifics of how the caravan works. Think of the event as all the questions you wanted to ask about traveling to Cuba but never knew when the opportunity would come. Everyone is invited to come and we would greatly appreciate anyone who has travelled to Cuba, particularly any caravanistas or brigadistas to join us and share their experience. We'll have chips and salsa with maybe other munchies, if allowed. Please forward this to anyone you know who wants to travel to Cuba or any relevant list-servs. Here are the solidarity websites for all the formal info: www.pastorsforpeace.org; http://www.venceremosbrigade.org/

P.S. This is also a great opportunity for those who wish to find out about fundraising and aid donation opportunities for Cuba.

Columbine Flower

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photo by enpen

photos by enpen

photo by enpen

photo by enpen

photo by enpen

I think this'll work, but if for some reason it doesn't Here's a Permalink

From T.O.P.Y via Psychic TV.

Sincerely, John M.

Actually, this is epersonae, being lazy and not logging out on chad360's computer.

Just want to share with you about his bike accident this morning. He slid and fell on gravel, and skinned up his knee and palm pretty badly.

I watched the nurse pick gravel out and scrub the wounds with a toothbrush. As you might imagine, it hurt. A lot. It still hurts.

So, just to remind everybody who might be cycling in this lovely weather: be careful, and don't forget to wear your gloves!

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photo by Chaney

photo by Chaney

photo by Chaney

photo by Chaney

Camp Quixote needs volunteers for their 24-hour watch. The shifts are 3 hrs long. All you need to do is call up the United Churches or stop by their office and talk to them. Volunteers are needed ASAP

Camp Q successfully moved from its location of the last 90 days to a secure spot at The United Churches, Capitol Way at 11^th Ave. near downtown Olympia. About 15 residents worked with community volunteers all Saturday moving the tent city for homeless persons from the Universalist Unitarian Church on Olympia's west side to the United Churches, a Presbyterian and Church of Christ faith community. The location is a five minute walk to the opulent state Legislative Building and a ten minute walk to downtown Olympia.

Camp Q is now in a secure spot on a parking lot behind the church building facing Washington St. An attractive cedar fence acts as a privacy screen. The entrance is staffed by volunteers and camp residents around the clock as part of a Comfort and Safety Team in an effort to address neighbors' concerns (volunteers VERY much needed).

Please come to Camp Q's open house at United Churches Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Meet the residents, church staff and members and many others dedicated to helping Camp Q's residents in their journey from the woods and streets toward home and hearth with dignity and justice. Learn how you can volunteer with the camp Safety and Comfort team (much help needed here!). Housekeeping note: if you drive to the open house please, please, please (!) do not park in neighboring business lots, especially across Washington St. Carpool, bus, bike or walk if you can. See you Thursday.

The United Churches of Olympia is hosting Camp Quixote, Olympia’s tent city, beginning Saturday, May 19, 2007. This is a response to an emergency need for housing for the 20 people who live in Camp Quixote. The Camp leadership screens for sex offenders, and has strict self-governance. In order to address community concerns for the safety of the surrounding property, and in order to buffer the residents of Camp Quixote from negative community responses, there will be a 24/7 troop of trained Comfort and Safety Hosts.

Each host will undergo training on what to do in various situations, and will be provided with a list of telephone numbers and community resources. The hosts will be the eyes and ears of the community, and will be the connection between the Camp leadership and the community.

Please contact the Comfort and Safety Host Coordinator, Deborah Reynolds, at 480-6361 or by e-mail, deborahreynolds@comcast.net if you have questions about the Comfort and Safety Plan or Hosts.