International Women's Day

How is Olympia celebrating this great holiday?

I saw HAPA tonight at the WA Center. Brought up some very intense emotions from times gone past. So this message is to them, mahalo!

Aloha HAPA!

I just walked two blocks to my apartment in Olympia Washington with your songs in my heart and a tear in my eye for Maui. From 1988 - 1991, I lived in Puapake Puamana in Lahaina, Honokowai, Kihei, Wailuku, Pai'a, Makawao, and Kula. I've been back once to visit and it was like I never left.

Your music as well as Uncle Willie, Keola Beamer, Hector and Raphael, and others has kept the spirit of Aloha alive in my heart while I've been away.

My brother, Toru Yokoyama, was an exchange student from Nigata prefecture in Japan. He came to stay with my family in Olympia when I was in high school. He was the older brother I never had, being an only child. He taught me my first three guitar chords. When I fell on hard times after college, he was there to help me get back to level. I felt lost when he moved to Maui in 1987. But, he was just preparing a welcome for me later.

When I went to visit him in 1988 for a two week vacation, I found I had a large extended family I'd never met. My new aunties and uncles fed me and taught me, and my new brothers, sisters, and cousins showed me what it was like to live in love and happiness. Maui didn't steal my heart and soul, I gave it willingly.

I sold my ticket back home on the third day of my visit, because I was already there.

While I lived on Maui and worked at the Hard Rock, Studio Blue, PWC, and the Tiger's Den/Restaurant, I felt my spirit settle into the island as it's spirit settled into me. I was working three jobs so didn't have the time or money to visit the other islands, but Maui had everything I needed for the next few years.

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.

This week the finance committee will talk about sidewalks and where we should build more sidewalks in the city of Olympia and how (appropriate for this committee) we should pay for those sidewalks.

As Chad points out, You will have the chance to talk about transportation in Olympia on March 10 and 13th at Olympia High School.

I once described myself as a sidewalk nerd, and Sarah asked me to explain. I didn't then, but hopefully, this post helps her out. I love me some sidewalks, and it makes me mad that Olympia doesn't have more of them in the places where it needs them.

Unfortunately, Olympians didn't get on the stick until we passed a sidewalks and park financing plan until 2004. Now, we get to discuss how we put all that money to work. And, apparently the city is prepared to take a more agressive stand on building those sidewalks.

Build now, pay for them later (from the staff report):

A more aggressive long term financing plan would allow the City to build more sidewalks more quickly, and use future revenues to pay back debt. Some benefits of a long term strategy are:

I recently heard that Whirligig is closing and yesterday I noticed a "Going Out of Business" sign on the Chinese(?) wares store located next to Last Word Books on 4th. I remember in a past post on Otto's closure Mathias of einmaleins mentioned the feeling of downtown business owners that with the way things are going more and more businesses would follow.

So I guess this post is for two purposes: 1) To remind people that if they are planning on spending, to please try to keep the dollars local (instead of fast food, IKEA, Walmart, etc.) 2) Does anybody know where to get updated statistics on downtown vacancies? The only numbers I was ever able to find put the percentage North of 16% and called that an acceptable rate (despite the entirety of Pierce County being at 7%, for example). Also, average prices per square foot in downtown Olympia compared to neighboring downtown cores would be good numbers to have.

Friendly Reminder:

Tonight is First Friday night!!

Lots of places downtown are participating in this great event.

Have nothing to do tonight - come out and join the fun.

Participating locations include:

... more to come...!

Check http://www.everydayolympia.com for more information.

see you there.

Found this while surfing around. I can't say that I am surprised, but I hope that she resurfaces soon.

"'Sick Of It' - 4,000 Too Many - 5th/17th Year War Anniversary" Vigil
March 22nd 10:30 am - Noon

Event Description:
Sick of it - the war, the killing, the dying, the wasted resources and lives? Is 4,000 too many? 5th or 17th Year Anniversary of the Iraq War!!! The anniversary of so many sad events are happening in March. Let’s combine these events into one very VISIBLE vigil in Olympia! Bring your signs and your friends and join us from 10:30 until Noon in this family-friendly vigil.
Event Type: Vigil

Location:
500 West 4th Avenue

Directions:
4th Avenue Bridge and down to Percival Landing in Olympia

Organizing Sponsor: Veterans for Peace – Rachel Corrie Chapter 109

Note: after the Vigil, we are invited to join the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) for their “Soldier, Your’e Not Alone” activities near Fort Lewis.