Use now and save for future reference:
COMING EVENTS
Late January to Mid-February 2016
(Mostly in Olympia WA, with some in Tacoma, Seattle, and elsewhere)
For longer stretches of time, see the extensive calendars in Olympia FOR’s
newsletters, which are posted at www.olympiafor.org
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Events with FOR in the left margin are sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
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All phone numbers are in area code (360) unless specified otherwise.
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All addresses are in or near Olympia WA unless specified otherwise.

The Olympia FOR’s website -- www.olympiafor.org – includes the last several years’ worth
of newsletters, including descriptions of our TV programs. You can watch our TV programs
through our website’s TV Programs page.
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If you’d like to receive future issues of our newsletter on paper by postal mail – and/or
electronic copies by e-mail – contact glen@olympiafor.org or (360) 491-9093.
EVERY WEEK:
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 am AND from 4 to 5 pm: “Democracy Now”
with Amy Goodman on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County
Every Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 am: Amy Goodman’s “Democracy Now,”
KAOS 89.3 FM
FOR Every Monday at 1:30 pm: Olympia FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in
Thurston County – or watch it at any time on your computer through www.olympiafor.org:
JANUARY: “Bold, Friendly Action to Help LGBTQ Ugandans Flee to Safety.” FEBRUARY:
“Understanding Socialism.” --See descriptions and watch the programs through www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and watch programs on TCTV. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 5:30 pm: Free Speech Radio News on KAOS 89.3 FM
Every Monday at 5:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis
Mills 867-1487 mills.dennis@comcast.net and www.vfp109rcc.org
FOR Every Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm: Peace Vigil in NW corner of Sylvester Park (at
Legion & Capitol Way). Please come for all or part of the hour to witness in a friendly way for peace and
nonviolence. We provide plenty of signs. Info: glen@olympiafor.org 491-9093 www.olympiafor.org/vigils.htm
FOR Every Wednesday at 5:00 pm: Olympia FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in
Thurston County – or watch it at any time on your computer through www.olympiafor.org:
JANUARY: “Bold, Friendly Action to Help LGBTQ Ugandans Flee to Safety.” FEBRUARY:
“Understanding Socialism.” --See descriptions and watch the programs through www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and watch programs on TCTV. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org
Every Wednesday at 5:00 pm: Hear “Talk Nation Radio” on KAOS-FM 89.3: This 29-minute radio
program offers politically progressive programs through the Pacifica Network. Info: http://davidswanson.org/talknationradio
Every Thursday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Kim Dobson’s “Parallel University” on KAOS 89.3 FM
features interesting, informative programs about peace, social justice, the environment, progressive politics,
and other alternative viewpoints. The producer and host is Kim Dobson. 951-4382, parralleluniversity@yahoo.com, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parallel-University-Radio-Show/148750248532028) See list
of current and past topics and guests. Listen locally or at www.kaosradio.org
Every Thursday from 4 to 5 pm: Cop Watch volunteers invite you to connect with local efforts
to monitor police behavior: Cop Watch’s concerned citizens are available to hear your stories and
strengthen local efforts. Come to Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia.
Every Thursday at 8:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis Mills 867-1487 mills.dennis@comcast.net and www.vfp109rcc.org
FOR Every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm: Olympia FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel
22 in Thurston County – or watch it at any time on your computer through www.olympiafor.org: JANUARY: “Bold, Friendly Action to Help LGBTQ Ugandans Flee to Safety.”
FEBRUARY: “Understanding Socialism.” --See descriptions and watch the programs through
www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and watch programs on TCTV. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093
glen@olympiafor.org
Every Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 am: The Housing Justice Project can help low-income tenants: From 8:30 to 10:30 am Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services presents the Housing Justice Project
at the Thurston County Superior Courthouse, Building 2 at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia. They offer
landlord/tenant advice for the tenants, unlawful detainer docket representation, and help for mobile home owners with complaints about rules violations, notices from landlords or park owners and mobile home eviction
cases. Call 705-8194 for information or to schedule an appointment. For immediate legal information call 1888-201-1014 (9:15 am to 12:15 pm Monday through Friday).
FOR Every Friday from 4:30 to 6:00 pm: Peace Vigil at Percival Landing’s south end, 4th & Water,
downtown. Please join us for whatever length of time you can. We provide plenty of signs. The Artesian
Rumble Arkestra street band (www.oly-wa.us/artesianrumble) joins us at 5:00 with lively music to support
our vigil! Sponsor: Olympia FOR. Info: 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org www.olympiafor.org/vigils.htm
Every Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm: “Women in Black” Silent Vigil for Peace on the south side of
W 4th Ave near the fountain. Women only. Please wear black. Some signs are provided. Since 1988 “Women
in Black” has been a loose network of women worldwide committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to war and violence. Info: Rosemary Barnhart 866-7589 rosemary.b@comcast.net
FOR Every Saturday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm: Peace Vigil in Centralia on the edge of Washington Park at Locust & Pearl in downtown Centralia. Sponsor: Lewis County’s “Fire Mountain” FOR chapter. Info: June Butler 748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 880-4741 larry@peacepoet.me
Every Saturday at 2:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis Mills 867-1487 mills.dennis@comcast.net and www.vfp109rcc.org
Every Sat and Sun: The South Sound Estuarium, a marine life discovery center, is open at its
new, larger location, 309 State Ave NE, Olympia, from 11 am to 4 pm every Saturday and Sunday. It is possible to schedule group visits during the week by appointment only. Regular admission $5 for a family, $3 per
individual adult, $1 for children 17 and younger, and free for association members. Info: Leihla 888-0565
www.sseacenter.wordpress.com
 See the following pages for many calendar items
on specific dates from now to mid-February.
SPECIFIC DATES:
Now through Thurs Jan 28: FILM “Suffragette” highlights British women’s struggle for voting
rights: This 2015 film from the UK focuses especially on the efforts of several diverse women. Sunday 24th
at 5:00, Tuesday the 26th at 9:00, Wednesday the 27th at 6:30, and Thursday the 28th at both 4:00 and 9:00. All
at the Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave SE, downtown. Tickets for this film screening can be purchased at the box
office 1/2 hour before showtime. Info: www.olympiafilmsociety.org
FOR Now through Thurs Jan 28: “Bold, Friendly Action to Help LGBTQ Ugandans Flee to
Safety.” – Watch Olympia FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in Thurston County WA
– or watch it at any time on your computer through www.olympiafor.org. See description and
watch the program through www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and watch programs on TCTV. Info:
Glen Anderson 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org
 Sign up now for the Dispute Resolution Center’s 40-Hour Professional Mediation Training to
be held from Monday through Friday January 25-29: You can improve resolve conflicts at
home, work and beyond: This fun and highly interactive course will acquaint you with the philosophy,
model and skills needed in order to have a working knowledge of the role of a neutral mediator. You don’t
have to become a mediator to take this training! The concepts and skills taught in this training are easily transferable and are designed to improve communication and enhance relationships at home, at work and beyond.
It will run from 8 am to 5 pm each day. It costs $675.00, but teenagers get a significant discount. Watch
Olympia FOR’s December 2013 TV program at www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm for good background and inspiration. Info: Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, (360) 956-1155 www.mediatethurston.org
 Apply by Mon Feb 15 for Young Adult (ages 21-35) Justice Leadership Program to build advocacy and community organizing skills, develop a professional network with leaders for social change, and lead faith-based congregations in being a justice-seeking people: Interns are
placed at a social justice organization 32 hours a week, serve 5 hours a week in a congregation, and live in intentional community on Capitol Hill in Seattle. A living stipend, housing, health insurance and bus passes are
provided. Learn more at the website, by email, or apply here.
FOR  Register now for the Peace & Economic Justice Action Conference in Spokane on FriSat Feb 26-27, organized by the FOR affiliate there: This annual event is always great! The Peace
and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS, www.pjals.org) does energetic and skillful grassroots organizing there around a good array of issues. Register today & enjoy early bird rates! This link also lists the
workshops and keynote information. Friday evening’s opening reception -- Love & Outrage : 40 years of
peace & justice music and poetry – celebrates PJALS’ 40th anniversary. Saturday’s conference includes a full
day with three workshop sessions, a fantastic keynote panel, breakfast, lunch, and lots of opportunities to connect with like-minded folks who are putting their values into action! Early bird rates pertain if you register by
Mon. Feb. 18. After that date, it’s only $5 more. www.pjals.org
Register by Sun Feb 21 for April 25 to May 1 week of dialogue and solidarity with Lummi and
other First Nations: The Unitarian-Universalist College of Social Justice offers an April 25 to May 1 week
of dialogue with the people of Washington’s Lummi Nation (Whatcom County area). The program will cover
the history of U.S. relations, the injustices confronting native people within North America, and ways the
tribes are organizing for climate justice. Registration closes Feb. 21. Info:
http://www.nwuujn.org/view/news/569ee7af0cf25fb7d8c3e7fe/?topic=51cbfc62f702fc2ba812591d
Sign up now for faith-based activities related to Climate Action Week from April 15 to 24 at
your local level and beyond: Celebrations, sermons, service projects, events, and nature walks will be
held, all week, around the signing of the landmark Paris Climate Accord in New York City at the United Nations. Sign up now and be the first to receive information on how to participate.
 Mark your calendars and organize now for April’s major actions to RESTORE DEMOCRACY:
In January 2010 ago the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision unleashed a flood of billionaire and
Super PAC cash on our elections, a money bomb that’s eating away at the pillars of our democracy and
drowning out our voices in government. Now dozens of organizations and people nationwide are organizing
“Democracy Spring” for this coming April to get big money out of politics.
Inspired by the civil rights struggle and other movements that have mobilized people and used nonviolent civil
disobedience to make real progress, this campaign of marches and peaceful, joyful mass sits-ins and rallies at
the Capitol will grab the media spotlight and make the dramatic case for bold reform in the midst of our nation’s most cash-drenched election season.
Ten times more anonymous “dark money” has flooded into the 2016 elections than ever before, and The New
York Times just found that a handful of billionaires have contributed nearly half of the donations to-date toward this year’s elections. Nearly all of the issues we care about are stuck from progressing because big
money has corrupted our government! So regardless of which issues are your top priorities, we must
get big money out of politics in order for your issues to make progress!
Our remedy is smart, strategic organizing, and powerful, peaceful, direct action and mass mobilization
starting now and until we restore democracy. Public opinion polls show that a massive majority of Americans of all political persuasions agree on this! Click this link for more information: Pledge to push for a
Congress that will rein in the big money crippling our democracy!
 Start now to plan with www.350.org’s May 7-15 global escalation against the fossil fuel industry: Now is the time to follow up from the Nov 30 – Dec 12 COP21 global climate summit in Paris. One
of the climate movement’s leading organizations, 350.org, is planning a “Break Free” movement to seriously
transition from coal, oil and gas to 100% renewable energy. 350.org and partners in a dozen or more countries
are planning a “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” project with especially important actions from Saturday May 7
through Sunday May 15. Click here to join the Break Free mobilization right now.
Mon Jan 25: White folks and others work for racial justice: Olympia’s chapter of SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) meets tonight (tentatively from 6 to 8 pm, but please confirm). SURJ is an
organization of mostly white people who take responsibility to work for racial justice. Tonight’s monthly
meeting will occur at the Olympia Food Coop downtown office space, 608 Columbia St SW. Info: olympiasurj@gmail.com
Mon Jan 25: Refugee solidarity event – Discuss the importance of supporting immigrants and
refugees worldwide and here too: Now is a crucial a time as ever to take a stand for people who have
been forced to flee from their homes in extremely violent places such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico,
Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. The recent immigration raids carried out by Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) are unjust and disgraceful. Speakers Maru Mora Villalpando, Therese Saliba and Miriam
Padilla will discuss the political and economic struggles faced by refugees, the current state of the local immigrant rights movement, Islamophobia and the parallels between refugees in Europe and refugees here in the
United States. Maru Mora Viialpando is a committed and leading immigrant rights activist in Washington
State and nationally. Therese Saliba is a faculty member in Middle Eastern Studies at the Evergreen State
College. Miriam Padilla is a student at the Evergreen State College and an activist challenging repression in
the U.S. and Mexico. Discussion will follow. Sponsor: Economics for Everyone. 7:00-9:00 pm at Obsidian,
414 4th Ave E, Olympia. (All ages welcome). See: https://www.facebook.com/events/1095333823832890/
Mon Jan 25: “Early Emerging Bumble Bees” is the topic of this month’s gathering of the Native Pollinators Study Group: Meet each month with people who care about pollinators – novices and
experts alike – to share information, ideas, photos, questions, etc. 7:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water,
downtown Olympia. Info: 352-9009 olypollinators@aol.com http://olypollinators.blogspot.com/p/studygroup.html
Mon-Fri Jan 25-29: Want to improve your communication skills and help resolve conflicts at
home, work and beyond? Sign-up well in advance for the Dispute Resolution Center’s 40Hour Professional Mediation Training: This fun and highly interactive course will acquaint you with
the philosophy, model and skills needed in order to have a working knowledge of the role of a neutral mediator. You don’t have to become a mediator to take this training! The concepts and skills taught in this training
are easily transferable and are designed to improve communication and enhance relationships at home, at work
and beyond. It will run from 8 am to 5 pm each day. It costs $675.00, but teenagers get a significant discount.
Watch Olympia FOR’s December 2013 TV program at www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm for good
background and inspiration. Info: Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, (360) 956-1155 www.mediatethurston.org
Tues Jan 26: Lobby Washington State Legislature to abolish the death penalty: Every year the
Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (WCADP, www.abolishdeathpenalty.org) organizes a
Lobby Day so ordinary Washingtonians can visit our state legislators and urge them to abolish this cruel,
wasteful, ineffectual practice. We’re a bit past the deadline to sign up through this link, but try it anyway:
www.tinyurl.com/prqr6pt
Tues Jan 26: Cultural Exploitation and Sex Trafficking? A forum to uncover the correlation
and solutions: This includes: (1) A 20-minute drama illustrating how young women are lured into sexual
businesses under a twisted notion of empowerment; (2) A keynote by Dr. Carolyn West, Psychology Professor at the Univ. of Wash., Tacoma, about how the media and commercial culture exploit our kids; and (3) Solutions developed by participants with help from knowledgeable persons. 6:30-8:00 pm at Mountain View
Nazarene Church, 940 Israel Road SW, Tumwater. Sponsored by Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking, Zonta, and Gunderson Dental. Info: (360) 5671-7616 and tccat@waengage.com and www.waengage.com Please pre-register at www.CultureExploitsChildren.Eventbrite.com for free tickets
FOR Tues Jan 26: Attend the monthly meeting of the Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at 7:00 pm at a comfortable, convenient location in West Olympia. New people are always welcome! We educate ourselves and plan activities toward abolishing the death penalty. Tonight we’ll focus especially on several outreach strategies to build the movement to abolish the death penalty.
Info: Emily Hammargren 352-0695 deathpenalty@olympiafor.org or Glen Anderson 491-9093
glen@olympiafor.org. See much info about the death penalty at www.olympiafor.org/death_penalty.htm
FOR Thurs Jan 28: Divest from fossil fuels: The Divestment working group within Olympia FOR’s
“Confronting the Climate Crisis” will meet from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street
NW, downtown. Divesting from fossil fuel company investments is a very useful strategy because it pulls financial power away from the fossil fuel industry. When governments, colleges, pension funds, foundations,
and other entities sell their stocks and bonds in fossil fuel companies, they not only will protect themselves
from the declining values of those stocks and bonds, but also wean them away from emotional support for the
status quo. Investing in conservation and renewable energy would be better investments. Today’s meeting
will discuss the documents we received from the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB), and plan our
February presentation before the Board. Info: Bourtai Hargrove 352-6327 climate@olympiafor.org
Thurs Jan 28: Solar in Washington State: What is the latest in solar incentives, technologies and
trends? How does renewable energy generation compliment energy efficiency and conservation? Is the Tesla
battery the next new thing? Learn about these another related matters. Gather at 6:00 for social time and light
refreshments. The program runs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. A $5.00 donation requested from non-guild members
Eastside Urban Farm & Garden Center, (http://urbanfarmoly.com), 2326 4th Ave E, Olympia. Kirk Haffner
from South Sound Solar will present updates on the federal tax credit, and the state incentive payment program and what is happening in the legislature this session. Also, new technologies are changing how solar
connects to the grid. And Wayne Ballew from PSE will review local county and utility programs for 2016 that
offer services and rebates for energy efficiency home improvement and appliances. Come for an informative
update and discussion.
Sat Jan 30: Group Health membership meeting will consider the pending sale to Kaiser Permanente: Group Health Cooperative has signed an agreement to be acquired by Kaiser Permanente. This
has angered many members for a number of reasons. The deal is subject to approval by the voting membership. Today’s meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Westin Seattle Hotel (1900 5th Ave.) will include a
Q&A, a pro-and-con debate and an advisory vote. Info: https://www1.ghc.org/html/public/governance
Sat Jan 30: Enjoy an opportunity in Seattle to meet Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of the
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a highly respected and effective Quaker-based
lobby in Washington DC. FCNL brings our shared values for peace, justice, and a sustainable planet to our
nation’s leaders and our government. This evening’s reception will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at A Contemporary Theatre’s “Buster’s Space” at 700 Union Street, slightly uphill from downtown Seattle. Please RSVP by
January 15 at https://form.jotform.com/53085903704960 or www.fcnl.org/nowisthetime/rsvp Info: Andrew Silva (202) 903-2526 or Andrew@fcnl.org FCNL works for a world free of war and the threat of war,
a society with equity and justice for all, a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled, and an
earth restored.
FOR Sun Jan 31: Watch Naomi Klein’s powerful new film about the climate crisis: “This
Changes Everything” and stay for a community discussion: Naomi Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our
failed economic system into something radically better. North Thurston High School’s Koval Performing
Arts Center, 600 Sleater-Kinney Road NE, Lacey 98516 (parking off 6th Ave NE). Doors open at 1:00 for the
1:30 film showing. The community conversation (“What We Need to Do Here and Now”) will run from 3 to
4 pm. We offer this film and discussion as a meaningful way to follow up from the global climate summit in
Paris, which ended Dec. 12. (See information about that at www.olympiafor.org) The Paris Agreement was
a good start, but we must make important progress at local grassroots levels all around the world, including
right here! Please connect with this event’s co-sponsors to help them work meaningfully at the local grassroots level. The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation sponsors this with significant help from the Meaningful Movies Project and the Backbone Campaign, with co-sponsors Interfaith Works’ Earth Stewards group,
Climate Solutions, the Black Hills Audubon Society, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, 350 Seattle, the Green
Party of South Puget Sound, the South Sound Sierra Club, and more co-sponsors pending. Free admission,
but we’d appreciate $5 donations to cover costs. Info: www.meaningfulmovies.org and the “Climate Crisis”
part of www.olympiafor.org Connect with:
 Olympia FOR’s Confronting the Climate Crisis www.olympiafor.org/Climate_Crisis.html
 The Meaningful Movies Project http://meaningfulmovies.org/
 Backbone Campaign http://www.backbonecampaign.org/
 Climate Solutions http://climatesolutions.org/
 Interfaith Works Earth Stewards http://interfaith-works.org/
 350Seattle http://350seattle.org/
 Black Hills Audubon http://blackhills-audubon.org/
 Great Old Broads for Wilderness http://www.greatoldbroads.org/directory-of-broadbands/washington-polly-dyer-cascadia/
saschar44@gmail.com
 Green Party of South Puget Sound http://www.greenparty-sps.net/
 South Sound Sierra Club Group http://www.sierraclub.org/washington/south-sound-group
Sun Jan 31: Washington Wolves and People: A Pathway to Coexistence: Learn about endangered gray wolves in Washington State and new recovery approaches that can transform human conflict about
wolves. Learn background and new information. Doors open at 1:30 so the presentation will start promptly at
2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Free admission. Appropriate for ages 14 and older. It’s at the La Quinta hotel,
4600 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater 98501. Info: Danielle Moser, Endangered Species Coalition, dmoser@endangered.org
FOR Mon Feb 1: “Understanding Socialism.” -- Olympia FOR’s February TV program debuts
at 1:30 pm this afternoon on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County. You can ALREADY
watch it at our website, www.olympiafor.org See description and watch the program through
www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and watch programs on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County
WA. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org
Mon Feb 1 to Sun Feb 7: Interfaith Harmony Week Compassion Games: The Compassion Games
UN Interfaith Harmony Week Coopetition is a great opportunity for any organization, group, congregation or
interfaith community to play in the Games in the spirit of growing global unity and respect for all of Creation.
By using our innate creativity, the competitive altruism of the Games inspire and catalyze people to compete
with each other, not against each other for the greater good of compassion and service for others and the
world. Info: www.compassiongames.org/interfaith-league-feb-1-7
FOR Tues Feb 2: Mailing party for Olympia FOR’s February-March newsletter: Would you
please help with the mailing party for the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation’s FEBRUARY-MARCH
newsletter? We’ll start at 10:00 a.m. and finish before 11:30 if we have enough volunteers. (“Many hands
make light work.”) Our new mailing party location is the home of Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, 1231 Miller
Ave NE. Please park along the curb on the north side of Miller or in their long driveway south of that, but
avoid blocking other cars in the driveway. To volunteer, please contact Glen Anderson 491-9093
glen@olympiafor.org Thanks!
FOR Tues Feb 2: Olympia FOR’s book discussion group has been meeting on each month’s first
Tuesday month for several years. For tonight, read a book about some aspect of “democracy” and plan to
spend a few minutes summarizing it. Meet at 6:00 pm at the home of Jim Bellinger, 1515 Tullis St NE, just
a bit north of San Francisco Street NE. Info: (360) 359-2212, jimabellinger@comcast.net
Tues Feb 2: Sierra Club South Sound’s monthly meeting from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Mekong Restaurant, 125 Columbia Street Northwest (SW corner of State Ave), downtown Olympia. Enjoy a full agenda
and delicious food. Info: Phyllis Farrell, phyllisfarrell@hotmail.com and www.sierraclub.org/washington/local-groups
Wed Feb 3: Get big money out of politics: Author Derek Cressman speaks in Seattle:
WAmend (www.wamend.org), the statewide organization promoting I-735, is pushing ahead to restore democracy. WAmend will host Derek Cressman, author of When Money Talks - The High Price of “Free”
Speech and the Selling of Democracy at Town Hall, 8th & Seneca downtown Seattle. Derek Cressman offers
thoughtful tools for fighting back. He explains how courts have foiled attempts to limit campaign spending,
what a constitutional amendment limiting paid speech should say, and explains how concerned citizens can
use an overlooked political tool to help gain its passage. Seven times before in our history we have passed
constitutional amendments to overturn wrongheaded rulings by the Court and there is no reason we can't do it
again. He has a long track record of expertise on the topic. From 6:00 to 7:00 enjoy a special reception and
fundraiser. From 7:30 to 9:00 enjoy Derek Cressman’s presentation plus Q&A. A book signing runs from
9:00 to 9:30 pm. It’s at Town Hall Seattle (downstairs at 1119 8th Ave, Seattle 98101. Tickets range from $5
(general admission only) to $50 (including reception with food and a book): http://wamend.brownpapertickets.com/ More info: Cindy Black, WAmend Secretary, 206-552-3287 and www.wamend.org
Thurs Feb 4: Nationwide Day of Action to protest the TPP. This is the first day that President Obama
can officially sign the TPP, so people across the country are mobilizing to say NO! See this action map for
some of what’s happening. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. If there isn't an action near you, please
consider planning one. It can be as simple as holding signs and passing out fliers in a busy area or it can be
more elaborate and creative. Help is available: Contact us if you are interested.
Thurs Feb 4: People of all faiths urge Washington State Legislature to support social and economic justice at “Interfaith Advocacy Day: Faith Action Network advocates will bring to our elected
leaders the voice of compassion and justice, partnering for the common good with people of all faiths to challenge the powerful. Your meeting with legislators and/or their staff on this day is the most important thing our
faith advocates can do. Info: http://fanwa.org/interfaith-advocacy-day/
Thurs Feb 4: Phyllis Bennis, one of the US’s smartest foreign policy analysts and authors, will
speak in Tacoma about “ISIS, Terrorism, and Refugees: What Is to Be Done?” For many years
Phyllis Bennis has analyzed foreign policy information intelligently and written about a dozen books that are
insightful and peace-supporting books, and a great many articles. She is the author of Understanding ISIS
and the New Global War on Terror: A Primer (Olive Branch Press, 2015) She also directs the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies (www.ips-dc.org) Now we are fortunate that she will
speak locally in University Place (in the western part of Tacoma) about ISIS and the crisis in Syria. After
speaking there will be a Q&A session. 7:00 pm at University Place Library, 3609 Market Place West #100,
University Place, WA 98466 (really on Bridgeport, between S. 35th & S. 37th, near Whole Foods). This event
is free and open to the public. If you want a seat you should arrive early. Sponsors include United for Peace
of Pierce County. Info: http://ufppc.org/ufppc-activities-mainmenu-42/12245/ or http://goo.gl/ByGdX6
Fri Feb 5: FILM: “A Course in Miracles” – Watch this widely appreciated film from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at
Unity of Olympia. Admission is free, but voluntary donations will benefit Interfaith Works of Thurston
County. Unity of Olympia 1335 Fern St. SW (easiest access is from Black Lake Blvd SW and then east upthe
hill on 9th Ave SW), Olympia 98502. Info: 943-5757
 Donate items on Fri Feb 5 from 4 to 7 or 8 pm for the Sat Feb 6: Annual rummage sale
from 9 am to 2 pm to benefit the Thurston – Santo Tomás (Nicaragua) Sister Community Association: See information immediately below.
Sat Feb 6: Annual rummage sale from 9 am to 2 pm to benefit the Thurston – Santo Tomás
(Nicaragua) Sister Community Association: For 25 years TSTSCA has maintained relationships with
a community in Nicaragua, including sending people from here to there and from there to here. We also fund
several needed projects there. Lincoln School cafeteria (different location from recent years) at the south end
of the main building wing going south along Washington St SE from 21st Ave SE. TSTSCA is looking for
good stuff (art, jewelry, collectibles, books, music, kitchen & household items, clean linens & blankets, working electronics, tools, bikes (ready to ride), games, toys, knick-knacks, crafts, good clean rugs, sports and
camping goods, good yard & garden items, nice wood furniture, etc.). Please, no large appliances, couches or
overstuffed chairs. Info and opportunities to volunteer: (360) 480-8720 or tstsca@gmail.com
Sat Feb 6: Discuss parts of two books (David Bacon’s Illegal People and Aviva Chomsky’s
Undocumented -- Read Chapters 4 and 6 in Bacon’s book and the Introduction and Conclusion in Chomsky’s book. The organizers are hosting a discussion of the readings and will collaboratively help participants
how to follow up with new insights. These might include local research, public speaking, direct actions, or
other kinds of follow-up. The success of these reading groups depends upon active participation, so please
come having read the book (or simply as much as you can) and ready to share comments, ideas, and questions.
1:00-3:00 pm at the Mixx-96 room at SW corner of State & Washington, downtown. Info: Matt Lester Matt
Lester lester.s.matt@gmail.com Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1811971972369493/
Sat Feb 6 to Thurs Feb 11: FILM: “Truth” is a gripping newsroom drama that details the
downfall of CBS news anchor Dan Rather when he exposed George W. Bush’s lie about military service: Robert Redford portrays Rather as a veteran newsman whose belief in the rules of journalism
is as strong as his conviction to reveal the truth. When his producer, Mary Mapes (Cate Blanchett), unearths a
story that could nab then-president George W. Bush in a blatant lie, they run with it. “Truth” delves into the
details of this case, revealing the startling lengths reached by those in high places to withhold facts from the
public. Steven Holden of The New York Times calls “Truth” “a beautifully executed journalistic thriller.” Dir:
James Vanderbilt / 2015 / Australia, US / 125 min / Watch it at Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave SE, downtown,
on Saturday Feb 6 at 6:30, Sunday the 7th at 5:00, Tuesday the 9th at 9:00, Wednesday the 10th at 6:30, and
Thursday the 11th at either 4:00 or 9;00. Info: www.olympiafilmsociety.org
Sun Feb 7: Brunch to benefit Gateways for Incarcerated Youth: On the first Sunday each month
Media Island International (MII) hosts a benefit brunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm to raise visibility and funds
for a local non-profit organization. Today’s beneficiary will be Gateways for Incarcerated Youth. Gateways
provides the individualized approach needed to reengage young people who are incarcerated. Their focus on
culture – helping all students learn their own and respecting others – helps to break the cycle of incarceration,
violence and recidivism. Enjoy a simple, tasty brunch for a worthy cause each month, and donate a voluntary
amount rather than a fixed price. Media Island is at 816 Adams Street SE (just east across Adams Street from
Olympia's downtown library). If you need a handicap entrance, use the alley behind it, accessible from 9th
Ave SE.
Sun Feb 7: Veterans for Peace (Olympia’s chapter 109) invites veterans and others to their
monthly meeting from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Media Island International, 816 Adams SE (across the street west
of the Olympia Timberland Library). Info: Dennis Mills 867-1487 mills.dennis@gmail.com and
www.vfp109rcc.org
Mon Feb 8: Mary Abramson (Mary Hath Spokane, Peace Prophet, aka “Lady Liberty”) presents LIBERTY Enlightening the World: Come and hear Mother Goddess Liberty present her 7-Point
Plan for a Sustainable Earth and how both individually and collectively we CAN eliminate greed, war, suffering and call forth PEACE, HEALTH, JOY and ABUNDANCE for ALL the people of this World – and heal
Mother Earth in the process. 1:00-3:00 pm at Olympia Timberland Library, 8th Ave SE between Franklin and
Adams Streets, downtown. Info: mehath1@aol.com
Tues Feb 9: Thurston County’s chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) also
serves adjacent Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties: 5:30-7:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th &
Water, downtown Olympia. Info: Linda 357-7272 lryh@hotmail.com
Tues Feb 9: Olympia Science Café provides information about color vision: Olympia’s Science
Café meets on the second Tuesday of each month to provide an informal atmosphere where people with and
without scientific background can meet to deepen their understanding of interesting topics in science and technology. 7:00 pm at Orca Books, 509 East 4th Avenue, 352-0123 www.orcabooks.com Info: about Olympia
Science Café: John Weiss, jweiss@stmartin.edu 412-6102
Wed Feb 10: Annual Ash Wednesday Sunrise Peace Vigil and Service 7:00-8:00 a.m. (yes,
morning!) downtown on 4th Ave across from the Oyster House: On this first day of Lent in the
Christian tradition (a time of repentance and works for compassion, justice and peace), we gather for this
morning rush hour to lift up the need to choose peace. The US continues and expands our war making and
dropping bombs that turn families to ashes. The vigil is a witness against that and for peace and reconciliation. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religion or abstinence therefrom. Hope you can make it. Dress for
the weather. Info: Bob Zeigler (360) 570-0848. ZeiglerBob@msn.com
Wed Feb 10: Mary Abramson (Mary Hath Spokane, Peace Prophet, aka “Lady Liberty”) presents LIBERTY Enlightening the World: Come and hear Mother Goddess Liberty present her 7-Point
Plan for a Sustainable Earth and how both individually and collectively we CAN eliminate greed, war, suffering and call forth PEACE, HEALTH, JOY and ABUNDANCE for ALL the people of this World – and heal
Mother Earth in the process. 7:00 pm, Traditions Café, 5th & Water SW, Olympia. Info: mehath1@aol.com
Thurs Feb 11: Arts and Healthy Communities: An O-POP Forum: How do the arts contribute to
vibrant, sustainable, well-designed communities? What can we learn from arts efforts in other places? Our
guest for this forum is Karen Bubb, public arts manager for Boise City Department of Arts and History, and
adjunct faculty at Boise State University. 7:00-9:00 pm at Stable Studios, 607 5th Ave SE, south of the new
Olympia City Hall. Arrive at 7 pm for conversation and snacks (please bring food/drink to share). Karen's talk
begins at 7:30, followed by discussion. O-POP is Olympians for People-Oriented Places, www.opopnow.org
and opopnow@gmail.com
Thurs Feb 11: Learn about the Nisqually Delta Restoration – Speaker Melanie Davis, USGS
Scientist, is hosted by the South Sound Estuary Association: Melanie Davis, USGS Scientist
Talks about Nisqually Delta Restoration – What Tools do They Use to Track the Results and Provides a Summary of the Latest Finding. 7:00-8:30 pm at LOTT WET Science Center, 500 Adams NE, Olympia, WA
98501. Co- sponsored by LOTT WET Science Center. Info: lynn@sseacenter.org
Thurs Feb 11: The Thurston Climate Action Team invites people to their monthly meetings on
the second Thursday evening of each month: TCAT does good, practical work to protect the climate,
especially interacting with governments and the Thurston Regional Planning Council. TCAT is also looking
for ways to fund local climate efforts. TCAT is changing their monthly meetings to the second Thursday of
each month at 7:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. Info: Graeme Sackrison 7918376 or Tom Crawford, tom@thurstonclimateaction.org 280-0242
Fri Feb 12: “Stories of Freedom” – Enjoy Heartsparkle Players’ amazing improvisational
“playback theater” at 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. Typically they collaborate with a local non-profit organization. This month they collaborate again with the Thunders around the
theme of “freedom.” Suggested donation is $5-$10, but nobody will be turned away for lack of money. Info:
www.heartsparkle.org 943-6772
Sat Feb 13: Meditation for Beginners: Learn basic traditional and contemporary meditation techniques
as practiced in Christianity and other major world spiritual traditions. There will be time for practice, discussion, journaling, and sharing. No meditation experience necessary. Cost: $50. Bring a sack lunch, journal
and – if you want – a prayer shawl, prayer bench, and/or cushion. 9:00 am to 3:00pm at The Priory Spirituality Center @ 500 College St NE (slightly north of Martin Way), Lacey, WA 98516. Please register by Fri Feb
12. Info: 438-2595 or email Janice at spiritualityctr@stplacid.org
FOR: Sun Feb 14: Tacoma FOR invites everyone to learn about nuclear weapons and connect
with the movement to abolish them: Tim Russell, Professor of Sociology at Tacoma Community College, and connected with Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, will discuss new dangers of nuclear weapons and new opportunities to oppose them. A business meeting
starts at 3:15 pm, the program runs from 4:00 to 5:30, and a potluck dinner follows that. All activities each
month are held at the Tacoma Friends Meeting House, 2508 S. 39th (from I-5, west on 38th past the main route
to the mall, then left on Fife Street and left on 39th, up the hill), Tacoma. Voluntary donations are accepted.
Info: David Lambert (253) 759-2280 lambertdavid39@gmail.com
Mon Feb 14: Quaker Lobby Day at State Legislature helps people work for good legislation:
Quakers and others who care about poverty, climate, prison reform, etc., will gather first at the Olympia
Friends Meetinghouse, 3201 Boston Harbor Road NE (just past Priest Point Park, and then on the left), Olympia, at 9:00 a.m. to learn about issues and plan the day. Then carpool to the State Capitol to talk with our own
legislators about those issues. The day ends at 3:00 p.m. It is sponsored by the Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (FCWPP), an excellent statewide organization. Info and RSVP: www.fcwpp.org
Tues Feb 16: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State: You are invited to their
monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month (except August and December) at 6:30 pm at the Unitarian church, 2315 Division St NW, Olympia. Sometimes after convening the meeting decides to move itself
to Pints & Quarts at Capital Mall. Info: Dennis Mansker dmansker@comcast.net
Tues Feb 16: Public Scoping Meeting in Tacoma about the Proposed Methanol Plant: The public scoping meeting provides information about the proposed project and also provides an opportunity to make
oral comment on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Additionally, written comments
will be accepted at this meeting. Comment forms will be available. All submitted comments will be entered
in the proposal's environmental review record as scoping comments.
The first opportunity for public comment attracted hundreds of concerned community members who packed
the main comment room and the overflow room to the point that it was standing room only. They learned
and spoke about the array of concerns and impacts of this dangerous proposal. Residents from throughout Tacoma and Washington are saying we don't need a slew of new toxins and byproducts seeping into our drinking water and spilling into the same shores that are only now beginning to recover from our polluted past.
Now, we need you to join and invite everyone you know to round two of the public comment hearings on
Tuesday, February 16th at Meeker Middle School, (4402 Nassau Avenue NE). (Click the address link
for a map to the location.) Plan to arrive early (4:30 or 5:00 pm) to rally and to sign up for the comment
time that starts at 6:30 pm.
If you would like to attend please PRE-REGISTER with Karen Gogins at kgogins@healthybay.org or
(253) 383-2429. She is also a good source of more information.
Many more sources of information:
 Also see info about this event at http://bit.ly/1PV9I02. Karen Gogins, Partnerships and Communication
Manager, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, 535 Dock Street, Suite 213, Tacoma WA 98402 (253) 383-2429
www.healthybay.org
 Follow the Facebook page HERE.
 Listen to the first session of public comments HERE
 Listen to the KPLU broadcast HERE
 See the Backbone Campaign’s info at http://www.backbonecampaign.org/
 Info: Project Update to the City Council (January 13, 2016) and Scoping Notice (December 15, 2015) and
SEPA Lead Agency Status (November 18, 2015).
 ALSO, the City of Tacoma will post all updates and SEPA documents on this webpage: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=94549
 Tacoma’s Citizens for a Healthy Bay will be hosting a workshop to go over the basics of submitting public
comments, review successful strategies and provide talking points and guidance. This workshop will focus on
cleanup of the Occidental Chemical Superfund site, the most polluted site in Commencement Bay, as well as
the environmental review of the proposed methanol plant. To learn more, please view our factsheet on the Occidental site here and the proposed methanol plant here.
Tues-Wed-Thurs Feb 16-17-18: Speakers organizing against nuclear weapons might speak
here – IF someone would organize their local gigs: Two women who are experts in nuclear weapons
are on a speaking tour up the West Coast and could speak in Olympia and Tacoma if someone would organize
their local speaking engagements. They are especially interested in federal legislation, connecting with local
members of Congress, and educating + mobilizing the public. If you are interested, please contact Leonard
Eiger subversivepeacemaking@gmail.com – and if you actually do volunteer, please also inform Tim Russell tim.rainyday@gmail.com and Glen Anderson glen@olympiafor.org
Thurs Feb 18: Justice Not Jails: More and more people in Olympia are working together to reform
various aspects of our criminal “justice” system in humane ways. Our local “Justice Not Jails” groups meets
at 7:00 pm the third Thursday evening of each month at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation,
2315 Division St NW, Olympia. Confirm tonight’s meeting and get info: Steve Tilley tilley5000@gmail.com
Fri-Sat Feb 19-20: Advanced training in conflict intervention: Washington Peace Team’s skilled
folks offer this advanced training in conflict intervention for the community. Friday evening’s session runs
from 6:L00 to 9:30 pm, and Saturday’s session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 pm. Both are at University Friends
Meeting, 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle 98105. Please donate as you can to cover costs. Space is limited, so please
RSVP by Sun. Feb. 14 and ask any questions to Rosy Betz-Zall rbetzzall@gmail.com (206) 782-9305
Sat Feb 20: Join with Olympia’s part of the non-profit org RESULTS in fighting poverty and
hunger worldwide: RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people learning to use
our voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty in the U.S. and around the world.
Together we are creating a culture of diversity, trust and inclusivity where everyone has the power and opportunity to use their voice to change the world. Here in Olympia, the RESULTS monthly Education and Action
meetings are set for Saturdays, Feb. 20 and March 19 from 10:00 to 1:00. Info: olyresults@gmail.com and
www.results.org
Sat Feb. 20: Vigil for immigrants’ rights at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma: Join
with Unitarians from Tacoma and elsewhere for the regular third-Saturday-of-the-month vigil at the Northwest
Detention Center (1623 East J St.) from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. This privately owned, profit-making prison for immigrants provides poor care and is part of the systemic injustice in U.S. immigration policy. Participants bring
coffee, sandwiches, juice and special snacks and toys for children. Info: Nancy Farrell nfarrellwa@yahoo.com
Sat Feb 20: Holly Gwinn Graham celebrates her 70th birthday in concert at Traditions Fair Trade
Café, 5th & Water SW on Feb. 20 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are sliding scale from $15 - 20. Help Holly celebrate
many years of activism through and with music! Reservations are highly recommended. Call Traditions at
(360) 705-2819 to reserve your tickets.
FOR Fri eve Feb 26 and Sat Feb 27: The Peace & Economic Justice Action Conference in
Spokane is organized by the FOR affiliate there: This annual event is always great! The Peace and
Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS, www.pjals.org) does energetic and skillful grassroots organizing
there around a good array of issues. Register today & enjoy early bird rates! This link also lists the workshops and keynote information. Friday evening’s opening reception -- Love & Outrage : 40 years of peace &
justice music and poetry – celebrates PJALS’ 40th anniversary. Saturday’s conference includes a full day with
three workshop sessions, a fantastic keynote panel, breakfast, lunch, and lots of opportunities to connect with
like-minded folks who are putting their values into action! Early bird rates pertain if you register by Mon.
Feb. 18. After that date, it’s only $5 more. www.pjals.org
FOR There will be no Tom Rawson concert to benefit the Olympia FOR in March 2016, because
no date matched the availability of both Tom and the Traditions Café. We hope to offer this benefit concert
again in early March 2017.
FOR Sat March 19: “Climate Activism: Pathways to Success” – A day of sessions on practical aspects of working on the climate crisis: The Olympia FOR’s “Confronting the Climate Crisis” is
one of several co-sponsors for this day organized by Paul Elwood. He says, “The target audience for the convention is people already working as activists in some capacity on the broad topic of climate change. While it
would be perfectly sufficient to convene the relevant people in Thurston County, I expect the timing and location of the event will be appealing to some folks in Seattle and Portland.” He shared information with us during our Wed. Dec. 16 monthly meeting and inspired us to co-sponsor this event. Mark your calendars now.
Look for later publicity with details, time, location, etc. Info: Paul Elwood (360) 789-5105 elwoodpaul@gmail.com
Sign up now for faith-based activities related to Climate Action Week from April 15 to 24 at
your local level and beyond: Celebrations, sermons, service projects, events, and nature walks will be
held, all week, around the signing of the landmark Paris Climate Accord in New York City at the United Nations. Sign up now and be the first to receive information on how to participate.
FOR Fri-Mon July 1-4: “Persevering FOR Peace” – FOR’s 58th Annual conference at Seabeck
in Kitsap County will focus on the power and effectiveness of nonviolent action: Two excellent keynote speakers are Jamila Raqib, Executive Director of the Albert Einstein Institution (Gene Sharp’s
excellent non-profit org that researches and publicizes how to use nonviolent action to resist oppression, repel
invaders and topple dictators, www.aeinstein.org), and Erica Chenoweth, whose research into the past century’s civil wars and other conflicts proved that the ones that relied upon nonviolence achieved better results
than those that used violence. See Erica’s Ted Talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w
Also enjoy our Seabeck Conference’s many workshops, delightful music, friendly people, and fun for all ages
from little kids through very elderly. Glen will arrange carpooling from Olympia. Info: www.forseabeck.org
For events happening in the greater Olympia area see the Olympia FOR’s newsletters at
www.olympiafor.org and calendar items posted at http://www.olympiafor.org/calendar_of_coming_events.htm