Presentation by Marisha Auerbach

Traditions Cafe, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA

$10 - $7 sliding scale

Seedsaving gives us the unique opportunity to dance with life and play a distinct role in our nourishment. We can nurture plants for the special qualities that sustain us in uncertain futures. As corporations attempt to take control of our genetic diversity, seed saving becomes an important political act. Come join us to learn how you can take responsibility for your own food supply by saving your own seed from your garden. We will be discussing harvest of cultivated and native seeds as well as flowers and vegetable crops. Seed saving is a great localized buffer against the globalization of our food supply as it encourages diversity and increases the resilience in our gardens from pests and disease.

For more information, or to register, contact Marisha Auerbach:  (360) 273-7117 or queenbee@herbnwisdom.com

www.herbnwisdom.com

I went to Fertile Ground last night and ate pizza with the Cuba Caravanistas. The pizza was good, and so was the discussion. Brendan Funtek spoke about Cuba and his travel and other involvement with the caravan. Then Manolo de los Santos, who is the Pastors for Peace representative (he's from New York via the Dominican Republic), also spoke. Finally, Rick Fellows spoke. Rick has been running caravans since 1984 when he became involved in a dispute between Peabody Coal and members of indigenous tribes near the 4 corners area of the Southwest US. Peabody Coal runs one of the world's largest coal strip mines in the area, and since its beginning there has been constant opposition. All three were great speakers and served to illuminate upon the relationship between the US and Cuba, as well as the situation in Cuba, and the lives of the Cuban people. After the speeches we had a great question and answer discussion.

I wish the Caravanistas the best in their journey toward the Mexican border, and beyond toward their destinations in Cuba, as well as a safe return.

The following is a description some of what I know about Cuba, including some, though certainly not all, of what I have learned in the last three days. It is also in part a description of the border crossing from Vancouver B.C. into Washington State this past Sunday, including a photographic essay. - Berd

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Peace Arch Park Vancouver B.C. Canada—Blaine Washington United States

 

Left Foot Organics is a local nonprofit organization helping people with intellectual disabilities and rural youth to gain job and life skills while growing good food for their community. Now in its eighth year, Left Foot offers paid employment experience and is committed to provide the support each individual needs to overcome their challenges and be successful.

On the third Saturday of each month Left Foot hosts volunteers in the morning to come out and help with farm work.  The farm then provides a hot lunch for volunteers and following lunch a workshop is put on to provide community members with farm  and social skills that are transferable to their everyday lives.

For the month of June workshop Left Foot Organics is excited to host Dominic Corriveau of Ewing Irrigation.  Ewing Irrigation is a landscape and irrigation specialist creating healthy, sustainable environments.  Dominic will be presenting about water management solutions, agronomic supplies, landscape lighting, water features, hardscape, and erosion control.

Really Really Free Markets (RRFMs) are completely free, public events where neighbors, friends and family come together in the spirit of community building, sustainability and anti-consumerism. The idea is to give away no longer needed items, find new treasures, bring/eat good food and *gasp* socialize with fellow members of our community. These events will be taking place the second weekend of June (12-13), July (10-11) and August (14-15) from 11am-4pm.

Saturdays at Woodruff Park (by Garfield Elementary)
1500 Harrison Avenue NW

Olympia, WA 98502

Sundays at Bigelow Park (off Puget)
1220 Bigelow Avenue NE

Olympia, WA 98506

Fragrant Seductive Gardens: How to design a garden to delight your senses a permaculture workshop with Marisha Auerbach and Jenny Pell Temple Beth Hatfiloh 201 8th Ave. SE Downtown Olympia $50 Charm your community! Fragrant gardens create lovely intimate spaces! This workshop will highlight fragrant and stunningly beautiful plants for enticing visitors into your garden. Not only for humans! These attractive plants enhance habitat and provide succulent nectar for pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds too! We will showcase low maintenance plants that are excellent complements to your edible landscape, and discuss strategies for building water storage capabilities in the soil. Plants, selected for blooming and fragrance throughout the year, are great for cut flowers and crafts. We will indulge in the delight of plants that release their fragrance at dusk and accent the rare qualities of the evening light. For more information, or to register, contact Marisha Auerbach (360) 273-7117 or queenbee@herbnwisdom.com

 

The Mural Speaks 

 

Event Marks the Completion of the Olympia‐Rafah Solidarity Mural 

6 p.m. Saturday, May 8, Labor Temple, Olympia WA  

The Olympia‐Rafah Solidarity Mural is a community building memorial honoring all who have lost their lives in struggle and all who are resisting oppression.  The mural was inspired by the killing of Rachel Corrie, a resident of Olympia who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer while defending the home of a Palestinian pharmacist and his family.  The mural tells a tale of two cities linked through tragedy, Olympia WA and Rafah, Palestine.  It is the tale of people working together for a better world. The mural uses technology and advancements in printing processes to include artists from Palestine who are forbidden to travel. 

http://olympiarafahmural.org/ 

 

COMMUNE

Presented by the Free Space Project as part of the Capitol Theater's Local Film Maker Series.

3:30pm doors/4:00pm screening with Q&A to follow  

FREE Admission!

This locally-produced Free Space Project documentary is a street-level exploration of the Olympia social commons—a shifting space that erupts on street corners and bubbles up from an underground well of potential. Through casual interviews with strangers, the film dives into the depths of desire and unveils new uses of the spaces we all share.

All donations will go towards establishing free community space in downtown Olympia.

 

Report From State Street 29 Community Potluck

(This is written by an attendee and does not reflect the opinions or positions of those who were arrested on April 8th.)

On Friday, April 23rd, over two hundred people attended a communal potluck at the “Free Wall”. Hotdogs and hamburgers were grilled on three barbecues. A table with chips, soda, fruit, vegetables and cake was placed in the alley, along with a table holding literature about the negative role the police play in our society and possible alternatives to their violence. The event lasted for three hours, ending just as the rain started. For those three hours, the alley was packed with people. The purpose of this event was not to collect money as much as it was about bringing those who dislike the police together.

While the sanctioned vendors were setting up for Artswalk, this unsanctioned gathering brought together much of the street community. The ages of those in attendance ranged from 13 to 60. Many of those who were arrested on April 8th during the march against police brutality also attended. Anyone curious about what happened during the march was free to talk to the people who were actually involved, this time without masks on their faces.

The event brought together people in opposition to the police and in celebration of a healthy, robust community of defiance. Those arrested on April 8th were able to see the amount of support they had on the streets of Olympia. Those who are harassed, beaten, jailed and ticketed every day were also able to see the amount of support they have on those same streets.

KOWA 106.5 low-power fm community radio in Olympia, WA, needs your help! We are looking for DJs, techies, audiophiles, and general volunteers. We have plenty of spots open for potential DJs and training is provided.

KOWA-LP's mission is to give voice to individuals, organizations and movements working for social justice, economic democracy, ecological sustainability and peace. We also play local and global independent music.

If interested, please attend our Monday meetings @ 6pm at Media Island International, 816 Adams Street.

Or email Josh at kowa@riseup.net