Some of you may have read how SDS at Evergreen may have been planning to disrupt graduation tomorrow. Looks like that won't be the case. A faculty member involved in the mediation between the admins and SDS just released a brief on the conclusion of the sit-in and agreement between both SDS and the admins.

It is reproduced below:

New Toy!  Unfired Russian SKS!

The much reviled or beloved (depending on your viewpoint) Tschida posts off and on in the Forum section!

And NOTHING ELSE!  :-)  I need to get off my butt and add more info and stuff soon.

Olympia Voter-Owned Elections
Informational/Organizing Meeting
7 pm, Tuesday June 17th
Traditions Cafe
300 5th Ave SW Olympia

Adopting a system of "Voter-Owned Elections" will:

• Eliminate financial barriers to running for local office for persons demonstrating community support.
• Expand voter's choice of candidates.
• Allow candidates to focus on public issues instead of fundraising.
• Discourage excessive campaign spending.

Hello All,

We will have a regularly scheduled meeting at Tradition's Cafe (300 5th Ave SW, Olympia) on the third Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Our first will be Tuesday June 17th. Please come to discuss the work (and fun) needed to put Voter-Owned Elections on the ballot in Olympia. Please forward this message to anyone you know who might be interested.

For more information on public campaign financing for Washington State, go to www.washclean.org.

From the Daily World..... Not only is this unconstitutional per the Washington State Constitution, but also violates State Preemption on firearms laws. RCW 9.41.290 automatically repeals Montesano's ban.  RCW 9.41.300 lists prohibited places to carry a loaded handgun.  No other places can be barred from lawful carry.  

360º Panorama:

Here's a more detailed 180º Panorama:

Following is a recipe from the Vegetarians of Washington newsflash. Vegetarians of Washington is a great resource for vegetarians and wannabes alike.

Summer Fruit Cobbler

Makes 9 servings

1/4 cup fortified plain or vanilla soy- or rice milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoons white or cider vinegar
4 medium fresh peaches and/or other fruit (about 1 pound fruit total)
2 cups fresh strawberries
1/2 cup apple juice concentrate
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup + 3 tablespoons barley flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix non-dairy milk, maple syrup, oil, and vinegar. Set aside. Rinse fruit. Peel peaches if desired, then slice. Remove strawberry stems. Combine fruit in a saucepan with apple juice concentrate and cornstarch. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until fruit begins to soften and liquid thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 9"×9" baking dish.

Combine 1 cup flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add non-dairy milk mixture and stir until dough forms a ball. Transfer to a flat surface that has been dusted with the remaining 3 tablespoons barley flour. Flatten dough to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Cut into pieces and arrange on top of fruit.

Bake until top is slightly browned and firm, about 30 minutes.

Today is Blog Like It's The End Of The World. Wait for my contribution!

BLITEOTW is where folks blog about the (presumed) end of the world. Zombies usually figure into it.

How walkable is your neighborhood?

Mine, not so great. Over at Walk Score, my house just off of Boulevard Road scores a 25 our of 100, and that's with a few places that don't even exist (Johnson County Park?) boosting my neighborhood's apparent score.

The site takes into consideration the number of parks, schools, grocery stores and other places you would probably drive to within walking distance of you. The more places, the better your neighborhood scores.

So, go over there, and let us know how your neighborhood score. 

On a sidenote, I'm not all that surprised my neighborhood didnt' do well. Its actually one of the least community friendly neighborhoods in the city. I'm glad at least one city councilmember (recently appointed) wants to do something about that.

Almost every week this is the "What's on the city council's plate this week" review. I don't cover everything, so if you want the full rundown, read the packet and agenda yourself.

How bad is the situation down in the South Capitol Neighborhood? The council's land use committee will find out early next week.

Residents of the area south of the capitol campus have been complaining for years that their neighborhood is slowly being bought up by lobbyists, turning old historic homes into offices and event/party locations.

Even still, houses that should be houses for people to live in are apparently used for other uses:

Among others, the primary problems identified include residences being used as offices, houses being used for large public/private gatherings, and commercial off-street parking tied to the legislative session. The Planning Commission received a briefing, conducted a public hearing and forwarded recommendations to the Council in October 2006.

Here is a summary of the 2008 investigation of the South Capitol Neighborhood by city staff:

• 3 were determined to have no violations
• 5 were in violation of the Residential Parking program
• 4 were in violation of “commercial lots” leasing of on-site parking spaces
• 1 had non-permitted dwelling unit that requires permit
• 2 were in violation of Home occupation permit ordinance

Here is a more complete run-down of the anti-lobbyist dragnet.