From Farm To Table: A Lively Conversation

 

Above: The Flaming Eggplant Cafe at The Evergreen State College is a worker collective that isn't afraid to walk the talk on several issues. The cafe, which is open to everyone, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and accepts only cash - not debit or card cards.

 

The college uses Bank of America as their banker and creditor. A poster at the cafe says, "Aside from evading millions of dollars in taxes a year and preying on the working poor with sub-prime mortgages, one way Bank of America makes its money is through transaction fees...as a result of this predicament, we will remain a cash-only service until an acceptable alternative presents itself...."

 

From Farm To Table: A Lively Conversation

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A diverse panel of six local food and beverage producers met at the Thurston County Fairgrounds for a couple of hours on Wednesday night, but it was clear they could have gone on all night. The speakers not only succeeded in forging new alliances amongst each other, but helped the audience gain a whole new appreciation for just how hard, but rewarding, it is to get local food to local tables.

The event was sponsored by the Olympia Lacey Thurston Visitors Convention Bureau, the Port of Olympia, and the Thurston County extension of Washington State University. About 50 farmers, community members interested in local food sustainability issues, and elected officials listened as the panel members discussed their businesses, their challenges, and future prospects.

Panelists included Jeff Schilter of the Schilter Family Farm, Mike Johnson of Johnson Berry Farm, Tom Bloomfield of Chelsea Farms, Will Taylor of Acqua Via Restaurant, Sara Rocker of the Flaming Eggplant Cafe at The Evergreen State College, and David White of Whitewood Cider Company. Each one expressed a deep passion and persistence for the continued success of their company.

Schilter Family Farm

Schilter Family Farm is most visible, the spacious 180 acre land you see on the right as you go north on I-5. Their pumpkins, clearly visible in fall, are great advertising. A former dairy farm, the Schilter family found that they could not continue to compete with the world market, especially after the Nisqually Valley flooded in 1996.

"We were looking for things we could do that would allow us to continue farming...." said Schilter. Pumpkins came first, then to extend the season, they started planting strawberries, raspberries, and sweet corn. Then, they brought in cherries and peaches from Eastern Washington, and started planting flowers and making hanging baskets.

Now, they are successfully "celebrating the four seasons" and have Christmas trees. "It has worked out well for us...it's a real benefit to have customers come out in October, then have them come back in December....Our focus is agritourism, the experience of it. Sure, you could go to Costco, but we provide a farming experience - bring the kids. A grocery store can't replicate that. For us, it's building memories with families, a connection with the consumer."

Johnson Berry Farm

Jim Johnson, a third generation berry farmer, started selling berries at age nine, and is now best known for his family stall at the Olympia Farmer's Market and his roadside farm stand on Wiggins Road. In addition to his property on Wiggins Road, he leases 20 acres in the Nisqually Valley. He described his brief foray in providing berries to Top Foods.

"They were just beating us down, also getting berries from California and Argentina. I have no idea how those guys get product to market for $2.99 - it's crazy." Expressing his appreciation for the Olympia Farmer's Market, he said, "If I didn't have that market, I don't think that I'd be farming. The rent, for what they charge, is amazing. There could be a lot more markets." He added that he is aware there are parking issues at the market downtown. He would like the market to be open more days and longer hours. 

In a theme that was echoed by other panelists, there could be more markets on Olympia's Westside, Lacey and Tumwater. "Fifteen organic vegetable farmers all growing the same thing - they're killing each other - the competition is crazy," said two panelists.

Johnson said he doesn't think he wants his business to get much bigger but wouldn't mind offering more to restaurants. "In my business, I guarantee my berries for 24 hours. A California berry? Shoot, it's good in the refrigerator for a month! So if they want them, I'll give them a deal and deliver it whenever you want."

Above: This Johnson Berry Farm jam is a favorite in our household. Watch out! It's hot!

The segue was perfect. Two panelists were restaurant staff in charge of food purchasing.

The Flaming Eggplant Cafe

Sara Rocker, a staff member at The Evergreen State College for the student-run Flaming Eggplant Cafe, is also a co-founder of the successful Westside Farmer's Market that operated on the grounds of Gloria Dei Church this last season.

The Flaming Eggplant Cafe is a worker collective that started when students were tired of a lack of healthy options by corporate providers. Students wrote their own business plan and held a vote to successfully pass a one-time student fee of $125,000 to support its start-up. They voted on the name and opened on Red Square in 2008. Able to seat 85, they are now located in the student activity building. Rocker says the restaurant works with 30 vendors and students learn basic restaurant skills, produce identification and use with the development of a seasonal menu.

"We are very deliberate on knowing how far food comes to us, with over half coming from within 20 miles of the college." Calliope Farm, for example, is within five miles of the college. "For them to be so close reinforces a relationship - it's more than just a transaction."

Rocker said she is looking forward to seeing how local and seasonal she can go with the restaurant, and is working with CoFed, a national coop network of student collectives. She said the college is also producing graduates who are seeking jobs in local food, thus creating a whole new workforce.

Above: A map at the Flaming Eggplant cafe shows exactly where its food is coming from.

 

Acqua Via Restaurant

Acqua Via Restaurant chef Will Taylor wore a Kirsop Farm T-shirt, "stained with local food" and perhaps gave everyone the biggest lesson of all: persistence pays off. Taylor is a busy guy, doing his part in keeping his restaurant running smoothly, and said there is often a disconnect between the restaurateur and the producer of local food.

"Genine (of Kirsop Farm) would always call me and after a couple years, it paid off." Now Taylor buys most of his produce from Kirsop in what is clearly a win-win situation.

"Her marketing persistence was smart and influential. Other vendors, I never hear from them again. Building a relationship is really hard - she was willing to come deliver to me - you can't find that with big companies. Sure, it's easier and faster to go through a 1-800 number, but it's all the same crap all the time. We're not buying everything local, but I am trying and we make the effort to call each other, so hey, if you're four blocks away at the farmer's market and you're about to close up for the day, give me a call!"

Taylor said he is interested in hearing from local protein producers as well, and will start getting one cow a month butchered to his specifications from Thurston County's Colvin Ranch.

Above: Fresh Kirsop Farm cauliflower at Acqua Via Restaurant on Thursday.

Whitewood Cider Company

David White of Whitewood Cider Company is a third generation Washingtonian and began his journey with cider around 1999. Like many other panelists, he used plenty of humor in his presentation, and described how he built his specialty alcoholic beverage business from scratch.

White now has a cider processing plant on Rich Road off Yelm Highway and a cider blog, www.oldtimecider.com, documenting his journey of what he was tasting and experiencing. He has since been featured in national beverage magazines. White's apples are locally sourced, with contributions from Lattin's Country Cider Mill on Rich Road in Olympia, and from the farm of Jim Goche' in northeast Olympia.

Pressing apples is a slow process, and White pressed 300 gallons in 2012. Up to 80% of his cider was sold locally. White says his intent is to stay small, but he has more heirloom varieties coming in early January, and the small cider business category is poised for rapid growth. "It's an up and coming beverage," says White.

After the presentation, Goche' was pleased that his Friendly Grove Farmwas mentioned - it provided over a ton of apples to Whitewood Cider. 

"It was a great year for apples and they were extra sweet and juicy...I am looking forward to trying the cider when its ready. It's wonderful to work with an artisan like Dave," said Goche' after the event.

Goche' added that the panelists offered some useful tips about how to market locally-grown produce and work with local restaurants. He said that he especially appreciated the comments of Acqua Via Chef Will Taylor. Goche' said that the farm has sold raspberries and chestnuts to Acqua Via in the past but then took a laid-back approach to marketing so as not to be perceived as a "pest".

"Based on the comments this evening, however," he said, "it's clear that chefs are busy and local growers have to be persistent in marketing their produce to local restaurants."

Lucas Patzek, director of the Washington State University Thurston County Extension office, served as moderator, and wrapped up the lively conversation by saying that there are many options and opportunities. 

"We're at the point we need to be more deliberate, speak to growers and potential buyers, and partnerships will develop...I feel pretty good that things will move along...."

Several urban agriculture and agritourism efforts are underway by a wide variety of South Sound non-profit organizations, state, county, and local agencies.

One local non-profit organization is Slow Food at www.slowfoodolympia.org. Community members are also organizing a Thurston County food council. For more information, go to www.thurstonfoodcouncil.org.

For more information about urban agriculture at the city of Olympia, go to www.olympia.wa.gov/city-services/neighborhood or contact Jennifer Kenny, Associate Planner, (360) 753-8031 or jkenny@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Thurston County has several agritourism efforts underway. For more information, go to www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/agriculture/agriculture-tourism.html. Commissioner Sandra Romero leads monthly Agritourism Planning Committee meetings. This month's meeting will be held on Monday, December 17th at 4 p.m. at the Scatter Creek Winery in Tenino. The committee is different from the county's Agricultural Advisory Committee.

The Washington State University's Thurston County extension office leads the county's Agricultural Advisory Committee. For more information, go to www.thurston.wsu.edu or 867-2151.
 
Editor's Note: Little Hollywood just wrote an article this week about Tom Bloomfield, manager of Chelsea Farms, the world's third largest geoduck shellfish operation, and did not re-capture his comments here, as they were near-identical to the article I just wrote. Use the search button to find it at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com.

Above: Acqua Via Restaurant in downtown Olympia on the corner of 5th and Capitol Way.

Elizabeth Smart To Come To Thurston County in January

Elizabeth Smart To Come To Thurston County in January

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Smart, Utah child abduction survivor, is scheduled to speak on Thursday, January 10, 2013, 7:00 p.m., at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. 

Smart was taken from her bed in June of 2002 and rescued nine months later in a community 18 miles from her home.  Now married, Smart will share her story of survival and hope with others. 

The event is sponsored by the nine Rotary Clubs of Thurston County, in partnership with Capstone Investments, South Sound Bank, and the two area Zonta Clubs.

Elizabeth Smart will be joined by Olympia resident Rani Hong, the United Nations spokesperson for Human Trafficking, as they share an important message of hope and survival and urge the community to continue to protect children and others against exploitation and abuse. 

Elizabeth Smart knows what it is like to be a missing child. She knows how it feels to think that one false move may lead to her death or that of her family. In the wake of her ter­ri­ble expe­ri­ence, she estab­lished the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to prevent future crimes against children.

Rani Hong

Rani Hong is a survivor of child trafficking and one of the world’s leading voices in the fight against modern-day slavery.

At the age of seven, Rani was recruited into the slave trade in India. By age eight, her physical condition and emotional state were so dire that she was near death. No longer of any value to her slave owner, she was sold into illegal adoption. Rani was adopted into a stable American home in Washington State, where she began to find healing and a sense of personal freedom. She was finally reunited with her mother in 1999, and began her advocacy work against human trafficking.

Tickets for the Elizabeth Smart/Rani Hong event are available for sale online by visiting the website for The Community Foundation South Puget Sound at: http://thecommunityfoundation.com. Tickets cost $15 for students & seniors and $20 for general admission. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. 

Proceeds from this event will benefit local programs and The Tronie Foundation to support exploited and trafficked survivors in Southeast Asia.

Resource and Information Fair 

Prior to the evening program, area parents and law enforcement will participate in a Resource and Information Fair on Thursday, January 10^th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Saint Martin’s University Worthington Conference Center.  

Sponsored by the Olympia area Zonta clubs and WA Engage, the Resource and Information Fair will feature experts from the Washington State Patrol Missing and Exploited Children, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Rick Scott, lead investigator for the Lindsey Baum case in McCleary, Washington, and other leading experts will be available to speak about state of the art methods to keep children safe in an era of Facebook, Twitter, and internet relationships. 

Policy leaders and community activists will provide parents, educators, and policy leaders with information from more than forty organizations and agencies.

The afternoon fair is free to the public. Local law enforcement agencies will be on hand to offer fingerprinting and retina scans of children.  

Shellfish Farmer Tom Bloomfield: A Canary in a Coal Mine

Above: Tom Bloomfield, center, is indeed at the center of managing the third largest geoduck operation in the world at Thurston County's Chelsea Farms shellfish company on Eld Inlet. Crew member Theo Walker is at left.

 

Shellfish Farmer Tom Bloomfield: A Canary in a Coal Mine

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

“The shellfish industry is like the canaries in the coal mine – without shellfish, you have no baseline to monitor a healthy ecosystem," said Tom Bloomfield, shellfish farm manager at Chelsea Farms on Steamboat Island's Eld Inlet.

Canaries were used to determine the level of dangerous gases in a coal mine. If there was enough oxygen, the bird in the cage lived and the miners mined. If the canary died, then the miners knew to beat it out of there.

Bloomfield made the analogy as part of his testimony in support of three geoduck farming permit applications by Taylor Shellfish Company and Arcadia Point Seafood at a hearing on November 26 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.

The applications are being recommended for approval by the Thurston County planning department. The hearing was significant because these are the first geoduck aquaculture applications recommended for approval by Thurston County since 2007. (For the story, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, November 28, 2012, “Proposed Thurston County Geoduck Farming Applications Heard”)

In his testimony, Bloomfield was brief but pointed, explaining his role as a fifth generation shellfish farmer, responding to earlier speakers Susan Macomson and Laura Hendricks, both of whom brought shellfish industry debris. Saying he has spent thousands of hours out on the beach and in boats picking up debris, Bloomfield said it was a frustration that he has never seen Sierra Club members out there doing the same.

In Bloomfield's opinion, the shellfish industry is alive and well: Chelsea Farms is the third largest geoduck shellfish operation in the world, right behind Thurston County’s Seattle Shellfish Company, and Mason County’s Taylor Shellfish Company.

And Bloomfield seems to be one of those canaries in a coal mine, leading the way.

A Day In The Life of Tom Bloomfield, Shellfish Farm Manager

Above: The day begins by hauling up oysters and manila clams out of Eld Inlet at Chelsea Farms.  Here, crew members haul up 50 bags of oysters and 12 bags of manila clams. Bloomfield says oysters breathe water like a fish - and each one filters about five gallons of water a day.

Bloomfield starts his day when it still looks like night, at 4:30 a.m. His crew of eight starts at 7:30 a.m., hauling out black plastic bags of manila clams and oysters from the shores of Eld Inlet. I met him this morning at the more civilized hour of 8:00 a.m., just as two crew members were hauling up 50 bags of manila clams and 12 bags of oysters that will be sorted, rinsed, and packed up today according to customer orders.

Oysters and clams are processed twice a week, and shipped out every day. The shellfish I witnessed coming out of Eld Inlet this morning will be going in vastly different directions - some are in response to specific orders while others are sold wholesale and redistributed to restaurants nationwide.

Chelsea Farms ships its manila clams to San Francisco and its oysters to the East Coast, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C.

Do any shellfish stay here? I asked.

“I used to sell some to Anthony’s restaurant, and some to Elliott’s Oyster Bar in Seattle from time to time, but there’s just not the market here. I do have a call of interest coming in from Walrus and the Carpenter, though, so I’m waiting on them.” Who? What? Walrus and the Carpenter, Bloomfield had to explain to me, but apparently not to the rest of the shellfish eating population, is a premier oyster bar in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

Today, an order of clams will be trucked to California and will be at San Francisco's Fresh Fish the day after tomorrow. Another order is going to Elliott's (a "little order" of 80 dozen), another set is going to Portland, Oregon and yet more are being shipped by air to New York.  Each bag displays a tag indicating the harvest date, location where they were harvested, and other department of health details.

Above: These are Chelsea Farms' "boutique oysters" known as "Chelsea Gems." 

Above: Daniel Bevier, a former logger, was laid off from the timber industry and was hired several years ago by Bloomfield. Bevier gets the job of writing addresses on boxes, in addition to other duties, because "he has the best penmanship," says Bloomfield. This order of manila clams is going to San Francisco.

 

Above: Juan Robledo, left, and Miguel Baltizar rinse mud from the shellfish and cull broken ones from the batch. Bloomfield says shellfish farming is labor intensive, working to stay one week ahead in production and orders.

 

Nearby, a geoduck diver for Chelsea Farms was underwater, harvesting geoducks that will be in China by tomorrow. This aspect of the business is contracted out to a third party.

The diver, wearing a dry suit and gloves, will be underwater for eight hours a day, feeling around for siphon holes in 10 - 12 feet of water. Using a pressurized water hose, a "stinger," to loosen the sand around the geoduck, he'll pull it out, place several in a bag until it gets heavy, bring the bag on board, and go back, repeatedly. This is done by feel alone, working blind, as the silt is constantly stirred up. The diver stays warm in the 49 degree waters because he also wears a polar fleece. "Plus, he's sweating a lot...it's hard work," says Bloomfield.

Today, and everyday, this diver will harvest 700 pounds of geoduck for Chelsea Farms. Bloomfield manages about 80 farms for the company.

As huge as those numbers sound, Chelsea Farms isn't producing all it's capable of right now, Bloomfield says, because of a lack of geoduck seed. Bloomfield buys seed from California, Oregon and Washington, but says "it's really shot right now because of ocean acidification. We're working at half our capacity right now." (Editor's Note - 12/6/12 - see comment section for correction/clarification by Bloomfield of this paragraph.)

Ninety percent of farmed geoduck is sent to Asia.

"It's a commodity market, based on supply and demand. The quality drives the prices, and the quality is graded 1, 2, and 3, with 1 being the best. To be graded 1, they want an exact shell to neck length ratio: the siphon has to be 1 1/2 times the length of the shell. And it has to be blonde, like the color of your hair, not orange or black." It has to be two pounds - anything more or less than that gets graded 2 or 3. The smaller ones are called babies, and the bigger ones have tougher meat. They pay out less."

Bloomfield says divers might get paid about 70 - 80 cents a pound, so if the diver harvests 700 pounds a day, the company might make about $500 a day. That may sound lucrative, but Bloomfield says it's an expensive business to get into, plus paying for the equipment, boat, fuel, and crew members. In general, the business is not for everybody.

"The hours suck, especially in the winter," says Bloomfield. "Your schedule changes every 45 minutes to an hour every day, every other week, because of the tides. Every other week, we work a series of low, low tides at night, then every other week, we're on days. So, we'll start work at, like, 9:30 p.m., work five to six hours, then every day start a half hour later, until we're starting at 2 a.m. Sometimes we're walking around like zombies...." Winter is September through the end of March.

Deep Roots in the Shellfish Industry

“I was a fish monger in Tacoma. If it smells bad, it’s bad. Fresh fish isn’t fishy smelling. I’ve eaten oysters all over the world, even in Australia. And you know what, they prefer our oysters, because they’re the best.”

A fifth generation shellfish farmer who has been with Chelsea Farms for 10 years, Bloomfield wishes he could just do what he does best – farm – but in this highly politicized and litigious world of commercial shellfish growing, he can’t.

“It’s frustrating. I have to be a politician, a lawyer, and a public relations guy and I’m not the most polished guy,” he says. Bloomfield has a nine year old son, and he says he is not necessarily encouraging him to follow him into the business.

“I studied and received a B.A. in marine biology with an emphasis on fisheries, but then I was a machinist in the aerospace industry, then I was a truck driver…I wanted to get out there first, before I came back.”

His family has deep roots in the area. Bloomfield lent me a book, “The Oyster Was Our World: Life On Oyster Bay, 1898 to 1914,” by Bloomfield's great-great aunt Cora Chase, who farmed Olympia oysters. The beds are now farmed by Taylor Shellfish. The book is available at the Mason County Historical Society. 

I asked him about competition between local shellfish companies for what is limited, and now quite crowded stretches of available acreage along south Puget Sound shorelines. According to the Sierra Club and other sources, a mile along the Nisqually Reach is currently being privately farmed out to commercial industrial shellfish growing operations, as is 40% of Henderson Inlet, 70% of Eld Inlet, and a whopping 91% of Totten Inlet.

Bloomfield downplayed the competition question, saying he’s never worked for Taylor, but his father did, until Tom was five years old. “Taylor is a good player. They’re successful and take pride in what they do.”

Asked about the hearing on November 26 and the shellfish industry debris brought by permit opponents, Bloomfield had strong words and said he could tell exactly whose debris that was.

“Our equipment is unique – we all cut our tubes a little differently, use different colors and diameters, tie off our nets differently…we’re self-policing and deal with it internally…If there’s a problem with someone’s gear, I call them up and say, 'Hey, come pick up your stuff…'" Each shoreline is different and the equipment needs to adapt to that particular environment and stuff can get loose. We don’t want stuff out there – it gives us all a black eye.”

Above: Piles of PVC pipes. Bloomfield says pipes are expensive, costing a little over $1.00 a tube, although there is a discount when purchased in bulk. He says it's in his best financial interest to retrieve his tubes, scrape off the barnacles, throw away broken ones, and reuse the good ones. The black, plastic oyster bags are also reused. He said that the ones I saw in use today are over 10 years old.

 
I asked him how much a property owner can earn by leasing out his or her shoreline for development. He said about 10-15% of gross sales. “They don’t see money until harvest, but some receive payments of $1000 per acre per year, like a rent or lease agreement.” That can add up to big bucks.

But geoducks can take five to seven years to mature after planting, so it seems that can be a long wait for all parties to bring in the big bucks. I asked him about this, since geoducks are especially prized by international markets. The Taylor Shellfish website order form, for example, charges $30 for just one, two pound geoduck.

Bloomfield said that for a long time, he made the same assumption, that geoducks were his cash crop, but, he recently penciled it out and realized that he makes more money, net, per acre, farming oysters than geoducks.

“Oysters mature in one to three years, manila clams mature in two to three years, and like you said, geoducks take the longest. But throw in the cost of labor, equipment, and time, and geoducks cost more.”

Given a shellfish farmer’s hectic schedule that’s dictated by the tides, I thanked Bloomfield for graciously giving me a lengthy personal tour of his operation on Steamboat Island.

“It’s very flattering that people have been so interested the past couple of years in what we do…it’s humbling.” For years, he says his tours have been primarily for Steamboat’s fifth-grade Griffin School students, Thurston County pre-schools and Tumwater’s New Market Skills high school classes.

Now, in what seems to be the story for so many other environmental issues regarding the Pacific Northwest, the whole world is watching. In this case, we'll have to see - like a canary in a coal mine - who ends up the winner of Puget Sound's shorelines.

Olympia City Council: Homeless Can Stay For Now

Olympia City Council: Homeless Can Stay For Now

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

In the end, Olympia city councilmembers tonight unanimously came to the conclusion that an emergency ordinance against camping outside city hall was not necessary at this time. Councilmember Jim Cooper was absent, but had voiced his opposition to the proposed ordinance in an email to city staff and other councilmembers.

City manager Steve Hall had proposed the ordinance because the current situation of homeless persons on the grounds of city hall was presenting a series of safety hazards and concerns about public health and property.

Tonight, Hall gave a presentation to council members that included graphic pictures of bodily fluids and defecation by city hall doors, and people in sleeping bags restricting access to city information and services such as meeting information posted on doors and the utility payment box. One picture showed a needle sticking out of an abandoned backpack. In a strongly presented report, Hall urged that passage of the proposed ordinance would "send a message that city hall is open for everybody."

All councilmembers expressed their deep appreciation and concern for the safety of city staff and the public. All said they have received phone calls from the public expressing concern for the situation, but, in the end, all were willing to look at the bigger picture.

Councilmember Nathaniel Jones said he was against the ordinance because "it was too small, too limited, and myopic, frankly, focusing just on city hall. We live in a compassionate city. Olympia is a good community...mostly because we have good people."

Mayor Stephen Buxbaum agreed, and said, "This is not an Olympia problem, it's a national problem...Olympia is not alone...and I'm encouraged by the fact that we're beginning to have this conversation. Welcome to the conversation!"

Buxbaum called for a "cooling off period," and proposed a series of actions to be accomplished, including having the city's Land Use committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Steve Langer, discuss the issue at its next meeting on Thursday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. He urged the committee to come up with some creative approaches to the problem. The public is welcome to attend and provide input in crafting solutions.

Buxbaum also suggested that the council have a work session on homelessness as early as possible, perhaps in late January, to discuss options on "how we can be more strategic in dealing with homelessness." He also suggested using $10,000 in an emergency allocation of council general fund money to use on the issue, if necessary.

After a shouting out of an audience member's question, "Do we have one week to shape up or ship out?" Buxbaum said, "There are obligations on both sides to work out mutual solutions during this period for further guidance, to collaborate and do the best we can together."

Councilmember Karen Rogers again called upon the homeless to be self-policing. "Keeping a low profile would be preferable - take good care of that space...."

After the meeting, Hall was interviewed by Seattle television station Q13 Fox News, which was present throughout the council's deliberations on the matter.

An audience member, Christa Lenssen, later said she heard about the meeting yesterday from Little Hollywood's story on the issue which had been posted on Facebook.

"I came because I was concerned - I drive by here everyday and see police kicking people out of the space every morning - it's a generally frustrating issue - a lot of people don't understand where folks who are sleeping outside are coming from and how unsafe they feel." Lenssen says she lives in Olympia but works in Tacoma for the Fair Housing Center, an organization that deals with housing discrimination.

Above: Damien, the homeless 26 year old Tlingit man from Juneau, Alaska that I interviewed last night, met me this afternoon at the mural commemorating the Paddle to Squaxin 2012 Canoe Journey held on Budd Inlet in late July. He gave me permission to take his picture and post it on my blog.

 

In the mural, Damien is shown third from the right. His brother is behind him, and his uncle is beside him, second from the right.

 

Tonight, after the city council meeting, Damien said it was nice that the city council would let people stay on the city hall grounds. Asked if he was going to spend the night there tonight, he said yes. He says he has no problem continuing his efforts to police other campers. "When they start yelling at 3 a.m., I tell them to be quiet."

Olympia Proposes Ordinance Against Homeless At City Hall

Olympia Proposes Ordinance Against Homeless at City Hall

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A proposed ordinance by the city of Olympia that would prohibit persons from camping on the grounds of the Olympia City Hall is scheduled to be discussed at Tuesday night's city council meeting. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.The ordinance would add a new chapter to the Olympia municipal code regarding streets, sidewalks and public places.

The proposed ordinance states that persons constructing shelters and camping on the grounds of the Olympia City Hall at 601 4^th Avenue East presents a safety hazard, as well as creates significant negative impacts on the environment, public health and public property.

It states that persons camping at City Hall also frequently have animals which have caused fear and apprehension in persons accessing or approaching City Hall, and in at least one instance, an employee was bitten by a camper’s dog.

Due to a lack of proper sanitary facilities, the ordinance says that public health impacts create a situation where individuals have "commonly and openly urinated and defecated on the grounds of the Olympia City Hall and on the adjacent public rights-of-way. "

It also says that the City of Olympia has had to expend substantial public resources to clean the area and remove human waste, litter, garbage and other debris.

Homeless At Olympia City Hall 

Tonight, about 7:00 p.m., a meeting of the Olympia planning commission was in progress while several homeless people were sitting outside Olympia City Hall, none of whom were obstructing the front doors. They were informed about the proposed ordinance by this reporter and were invited to attend Tuesday night’s meeting to discuss their concerns with city council members.

Willy Robinson, a security guard contracted by an outside agency for the city, works four nights a week at city hall. He said he has had to ask people camped outside the doors to back away if they are smoking too close to the entrance, and on occasion, ask people to move to clear the entrance of people blocking the doors if there is a meeting.

Damien, 26, a Tlingit from Juneau, Alaska, has been in Olympia three months, sleeping in front of city hall. He participated in the Paddle to Squaxin 2012 Canoe Journey in late July and says his picture is painted on the mural that faces Budd Inlet, commemorating the event.

Sitting on a bench near his tarp-covered cart on wheels, he was informed about the proposed ordinance. He says the public urination is done “mainly by drunk people” who pass by, and that his trailer was recently peed on when he once left it unattended.

Asked where he goes to the bathroom when he has to go, he says he goes to a nearby coffee shop or Jack-in-the-Box. "They are real nice at Jack-in-the-Box, and don’t require you to buy anything to go to the bathroom there." During the day, he hangs out “down by the water” under the covered area on Percival Landing. There is a public bathroom near there also.

His cart on wheels, he says, is filled with blankets from local service organizations. “It’s mostly young people who stay here by city hall – almost everyone who stays here has one of my blankets.” Damien says he gets dinner at the Union Gospel Mission. Asked if he knows about the Salvation Army, he says he does, but doesn't want to be there. He says that because he’s from Alaska, “he’s fine living outside.”

Ivan, a man who appeared to be in his 50s, says he’s only been in Olympia for a couple of days, and has been sleeping in front of city hall. Informed about the proposed ordinance, he said, “I don’t think that’s nice – all we’re doing is getting out of the rain.” Ivan said he is from Klamath Falls, Oregon, but is just traveling through – he’s on his way to White Fish, Montana where he has a job lined up.

Cameron, 24, is from Modesto, California, and offered his comments about the proposed ordinance.

“The rain here sucks! It’s not fun!” Cameron said he arrived in Olympia two days ago on a Greyhound bus. His sister lives in Centralia, and she’s working on getting them a place to live.

“We were adopted…so there’s no room or space for us to go. I’m not trying to invade someone else’s space, so I stayed here last night.” He said he ate at the Salvation Army and is leaving tomorrow or the next day. Asked where he hangs out during the day, he said he goes to the transit station or “over by the water.” Told the specifics of the proposed ordinance, he says he doesn’t pee right in front of city hall, but indicated that he does so nearby, on “on the ground.”

Christina, 22, didn’t know what an ordinance was and was told it was like a law. Explained what it was about, she said, “Don't they have to wait like thirty days before they do that? They should just post a sign that says when meetings are happening and to not block the entrances.”

She said she is three and a half months pregnant, and the baby’s father is in jail. Asked if she knows what resources she could access, she said she does, but has a warrant out for her arrest and couldn’t do anything with that “hanging over her head.” As she starts to light up a cigarette, I scowled and she smiled and said she knew it wasn’t good for her to smoke and refrains. I asked her if she is able to eat enough, and she said she does, at the Union Gospel Mission. “Thank God for them!”

When asked, she says she been homeless since she was 16. “My dad kicked me out of the house because he lives with my uncle and my dad likes to touch me so I don’t want to be there.”

I asked if she’s getting any kind of prenatal care. “Tomorrow is my first appointment at Something Radiology - hey - can I use your phone so I can call my friend to get me there?” she asks Cameron. Near the end of our conversation, she said she will turn herself in tomorrow so she can get help.

Another person sucking on a plastic bag sitting nearby does not answer my questions.

Just then, a woman comes up and asks someone - anyone - in the group for a cigarette.

LOTT Groundwater Study Group - Community Advisory Members To Meet Next Week

LOTT Groundwater Study Group - Community Advisory Members To Meet Next Week

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The first meeting of the LOTT Clean Water Alliance Groundwater Recharge Scientific Study community advisory group is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the LOTT Regional Services Center, 500 Adams Street NE in Olympia. Meetings of the advisory group are open to the public. 

The agenda will include several background presentations on the Groundwater Recharge Scientific Study, LOTT’s Reclaimed Water Program, and the quality of reclaimed water in general. The group will also discuss their initial perspectives and questions regarding reclaimed water and groundwater recharge.

Members of the community advisory group are: Maureen Canny, John Cusick, Marissa Dallaire, Lyle Fogg, Holly Gadbaw, William Gill, Pixie Needham, Tina Peterson, Ruth Shearer, Edward Steinweg, Richard Wallace, Azeem Hoosein, Karen Janowitz, Emily Lardner, Bill Liechty and Scott Morgan.

LOTT public communications manager Lisa Dennis-Perez said that she will be issuing a formal announcement about the meeting, with an agenda, sometime later this week. There will be time on the agenda at the end of the meeting for public comment, she added.

For more information about the Community Advisory Group, contact Lisa Dennis-Perez, LOTT Public Communications Manager, at (360) 528-5719 or lisadennis-perez@lottcleanwater.org or go to www.lottcleanwater.org.

More articles by Little Hollywood about LOTT, the groundwater study, and interviews with community advisory group members can be read using the search button and keywords at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

P.O.W.E.R. Art Fundraiser Continues Sunday

Above: Callie and Ben entertain a steady stream of folks coming to check out the P.O.W.E.R. fundraiser today at 309 5th Avenue SE, in downtown Olympia next to Rainy Day Records. The event continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

P.O.W.E.R. Art Fundraiser Continues Sunday 

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Despite the rain, a steady stream of bazaar and arts supporters were out in force today, knowing that the best place to shop is indoor, supporting local crafters, school parent-teacher organizations, businesses, and organizations doing good work.

One of those organizations is Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (P.O.W.E.R.) in downtown Olympia. Their mission statement says that "P.O.W.E.R. advocates for and with low-income parents for a strong safety net while working toward a world where children and care giving are truly valued, and the devastation of poverty has been eradicated."

Their cozy office, at 309 5th Avenue SE, next to Rainy Day Records, was the scene of live music and art offered by local artists as a fundraiser for their efforts. Participating artists had the choice to donate 50% or 100% of their proceeds to the organization and were encouraged to write biographies to place near their art.

One young artist, Sarah Bredeson, wrote this: "I am 12 years old. My mom and I have helped with P.O.W.E.R. off and on for the last few years. I enjoy craft projects, painting, acrylics, sewing, making self-care items like scented bath salts, and beading. I am supporting P.O.W.E.R. because I like the work they do in making people aware of others living in poverty. I enjoy art because it is a stress relief and FUN."

Today, art by Jennifer Khuns (mosiacs), Marla Beth Elliott (knitting), Lynn Grotsky (beading), and other lesser known artists filled the walls and office space, which includes a separate child care room, and kitchen filled with treats and warm drinks for sale.

The event continues tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. with live music by other musicians throughout the day.

P.O.W.E.R. sponsors several activities, including a Women's Economic Collective. For more information about the work of P.O.W.E.R., go to www.mamapower.org or call (360) 352-9716.

Full Disclosure: Little Hollywood Photography is a participating business at this worthy event. I was raised by a wonderful, hardworking single mom, and I was a single mom for most of my children's lives. By cobbling together a variety of self-employment, artistic, and entrepreneurial activities, I've never missed a mortgage payment. I'm one of the lucky ones.

Above: Necklaces offered by local mosiac artist Jennifer Khuns. Khuns is most recently known for being the artist of the artesian well work in downtown Olympia.

 

 

Proposed Thurston County Geoduck Farming Applications Heard

Proposed Thurston County Geoduck Farming Applications Heard

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Thurston County Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice heard lengthy applicant and public testimony on Monday by Taylor Shellfish Company, Arcadia Point Seafood, and concerned citizens about three proposed geoduck shellfish and manila clam production projects on Henderson Inlet. The hearing was held at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.

The hearing was significant because these are the first geoduck aquaculture applications recommended for approval by Thurston County since 2007.

The applicants have requested approval of a shoreline substantial development permit for intertidal commercial geoduck shellfish production. Two of the proposed projects are adjacent to each other, one property owned by the Theisen's, and one owned by the Lockhart's. The McClure property is about 1/4 of a mile away from the other properties.

Taylor is seeking to farm the shoreline of Lockhart, and Arcadia Point Seafood LTD is seeking to farm the Theisen and McClure properties.

Rice clarified the confusing interrelationships, saying in her opening remarks, "Normally, each case would be heard separately, but that would entail three tortuously redundant hearings." All documentation is shared by all applicants, with minor variances.

Mike Kain, planning manager for the Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department, presented the county's summary recommendation that all three applications be approved with conditions. In his verbal report, Kain said that "cumulative impacts are not significant."

However, cumulative impacts are exactly what many of those concerned with commercial shellfish farming believe is important. The applicants first proposed their projects in 2010 and have a long procedural history.

The parties involved in yesterday's hearing were there because, in January 2011, Thurston County hearing examiner Tom Bjorgen issued a summary judgement that states, in part, that the proposed geoduck operations are deemed a "development" under the Shoreline Master Act because they involve "construction of a structure." This judgement required a hearing on a substantial development permit for the proposed operation.

Taylor company attorneys and staff started the day's proceedings, taking nearly two hours to present its case, saying they were a fifth generation family owned company that employs 400 family wage earners. They also said the company has recently received a certified sustainable agriculture label from Food Alliance. Food Alliance is a Portland based nonprofit organization.

Armed with easels of photos, site maps, and foam board posters depicting geoduck culture, Taylor staff explained the process by which geoducks are planted, nurtured, and harvested.

Brian Phipps, Taylor's geoduck division manager, concluded his geoduck rearing lesson by telling Rice, "I'm out there everyday - it's nice that the science is catching up with what we knew all along."

Rice asked Phipps several clarifying questions including those about plastic debris left on the shoreline and asked how many tubes wash up on a normal weather day. He admitted that when they conducted their first Puget Sound wide garbage clean up day six years ago, they found 800 PVC pipes that weren't necessarily belonging to Taylor. The last clean up, which is now held biannually, garnered two tubes within a 125 mile area.

Diane Cooper, Taylor's head of regulatory affairs, presented a study and talking points using PowerPoint to affirm its belief that geoduck aquaculture is a no net loss industry.

"Although Henderson Inlet has had an up and down history with water quality issues, there have been, as a result of close monitoring, several upgrades that make the area ideal for commercial shellfish production." She stated that they are doing their part to fulfill Governor Gregoire's Washington Shellfish Initiative, which calls for clean water commerce, family wage jobs, and expanding and promoting the shellfish production industry.

Recent Case Law and Public Testimony

Commercial geoduck shellfish farming is a new industry, becoming prevalent in the mid 1990s. Project proposals, permit applications, hearings, and potentially precedent setting case law are being monitored daily by all involved on a local, national, and international level.

Local geoduck project opponents have worked for years with a plea for environmental balance. Numerous local shellfish growers were present and were equally passionate in their testimony in their belief that they are involved in an industry that gives back to the environment.

Susan Macomson, who lives on Nisqually Reach, and Laura Hendricks, chair of the Sierra Club -Marine Ecosystem Campaign for Washington State, both belong to several organizations that urge the protection of Puget Sound shorelines to preserve natural habitat. They were the only ones present who chose to testify against the proposals. Numerous written letters and emails recently sent to county staff were entered into the formal record.

Macomson said that she bought her waterfront home 11 years ago and her neighbors on either side of her have shellfish aquaculture farms on their properties.  She brought a bag of debris left on her property from the shellfish industry, and said she has witnessed first hand the devastation that the shellfish industry has had on her land. It was not clear if the debris involved the applicants.

The county staff report for the Henderson Inlet cases say that homeowners may ask for a reduction in their appraised value, which may imply these shellfish operations have an adverse impact on shoreline owners. Macomson said in her testimony that she will apply for this reduction.

In her testimony, Laura Hendricks said that the hearing examiner has the discretion to determine whether cumulative impacts were considered adequately, as done in a July 19, 2012 decision against Taylor by Thurston County hearing examiner Tom Bjorgen.

In that case, Taylor sought to expand its north Totten Inlet mussel raft operation there to 58 rafts anchored to the sea-floor, off-shore, covering an area leased from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources of 11.25 acres. Taylor lost that case based on their failure to adequately analyze three critical cumulative impacts the rafts may have on the marine environment: impacts of low dissolved oxygen on aquatic life and habitat; effect on the benthic (sea bottom water creatures) community; and the potential spreading of or genetic pollution by Gallo mussels.

Bjorgen's decision was recently upheld by the Thurston County commissioners in a letter to the Washington State Department of Ecology dated November 16, 2012. Quoting portions of the state Shoreline Management Act of 1971 and recent Shoreline Hearing Board case law, the commissioners also quoted Fladseth v. Mason County, SHB No. 05-026 (2007), stating that "consideration of potential cumulative effects and precedential effects is warranted in any case where there is proof of impacts that risk harm to habitat."

In the most recent Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat v. Pierce Co. and Longbranch Shellfish, LLC, SHB No. 11-019 (2012), Taylor won but opponents scored some points - the shellfish industry can't do work during forage fish spawning season. The Longbranch case was mentioned up front by Taylor's attorney in his opening remarks, saying, "that case sets the stage...virtually every issue here was raised there."

Hendricks asked that the permits be denied on the basis that there was an inadequate analysis of cumulative impacts. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has a pending lease for the publicly owned tidelands adjacent to the Lockhart/Theisen project, and she stated that such projects fragment the shorelines and create a piecemeal development. Hendricks said if cumulative impacts were not considered - as in the Totten Inlet mussel raft case - the examiner may ask for a cumulative impacts analysis.

Hendricks repeatedly questioned the shellfish industry's benefit to the public.

"If I were an animal listening to this testimony, I'd be scared to death, wondering who is representing me...nobody is talking about the protection and conservation of Puget Sound species for what it is...The permits do not address the mitigation of impacts...they purge the beach of native species....it's part of the process....PVC pipes don't go through shellfish, moon snails, (and) sand dollars, so you have to assume it's what it is: industrial agriculture. We're not just oyster farmers anymore, that's why people got along for five generations. Now we're talking about tubes, nets, canopy nets, harvesting, liquefying, boats, barges, and generators. You have to show mitigation of the impacts, and that hasn't been done...."

Hendricks also brought a "sustainable bag filled with the most unsustainable things I've ever seen...." and produced little bands that pull apart, zip ties, and other shellfish industry debris. "These come up on our beach...it's not safe for citizens, the public...."

She also asked where the public benefit is, if the industry does not pay export, sales, or excise taxes, saying that 90% of south Puget Sound geoducks are shipped out of state.

At the hearing, Hendricks admitted that she thought the hearing was about the legal reasons the applications are not consistent with the Thurston County Shoreline Master Plan and Shoreline Master Act, and did not bring science-related information with her to counter Taylor's testimony. Rice said she would hold the record open to allow Hendricks to offer that information. Hendricks did so, and provided studies relating to nitrogen and canopy netting. The record was closed Tuesday at the close of business.

Eloquent testimony by numerous local shellfish growers, some with current or former tribal affiliations, was heard in support of the applications. Most, if not all, of their testimony was based on personal experience in the industry. Many of them followed Macomson's and Hendricks' testimony and thus responded to their comments.

Don Gillies, a shellfish grower from Pacific County, said he was in support of the applications. He said he is a small family owned operation and is farming on the same beds his ancestors did, who homesteaded the land in Willapa Bay in 1865.  He sees the long-term benefits of shellfish growing. "Curiosity motivated my attendance today about what this whole process was about and what was going on. My 'what' questions have been answered, but my 'why' questions still need to be answered."

Susan Shotwell, shellfish farm manager for the Nisqually Tribe, testified that the Nisqually Tribe approves of the applications. She detailed her work history in the shellfish industry since she was 14 years old, which includes Taylor Shellfish Company and Arcadia Point Seafood owners Steve and Vicki Wilson.

Mark Schaffel, a shellfish farmer in Olympia, said in part that he is glad to be involved in an industry that doesn't use pesticides or fertilizers. He said he employs "a bunch of young people....I'm helping the economy pretty well, and pay taxes related to pipes, fuel, boats, and payroll taxes...and with all the I-Pads and computers we buy, it's kind of nice to sell something back to China...."

Rice will issue three separate application decisions. At the end of the hearing, there was a collective sigh of relief and laughter from those present as Rice worked out the particulars of what happens next.

"...I really don't know much about shell fishing - farming - this will all be new information to me. I don't want to be quick about it. One of my favorite things about my job is that I get to be a mini-expert but this is a lot of expertise!" said Rice. Taylor attorneys encouraged Rice to take all the time she needed, especially given the upcoming holidays.

"I've never had an applicant ask me to take more time - I'm excited to know more about the issue...." she added. A decision date by January 10, 2013 was agreed upon as acceptable by all parties.

Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice is a principal at the Offices of Sharon Rice Hearing Examiner PLL, president of the Hearing Examiner Association of Washington, and a partner at Toweill Rice LLC. She holds a BA in environmental policy and political economy from The Evergreen State College and received her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

For more information, including pictures of existing and proposed farms, go to Protect Our Shoreline at www.ProtectOurShoreline.org, the Association for the Protection of Hammersley, Eld, and Totten Inlets at www.APHETI.com or the Sierra Club at www.sierraclub.org.

Project applications and Thurston County staff reports: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/hearing/agenda-staff-report/shellfish-hearing/record.html

The Taylor-Totten Inlet mussel raft expansion case can be found at www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/devactivity/totten/totten-hearing.html

For more articles written by Janine Gates Unsoeld about the geoduck industry, use the search button at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

 

Rubber Ducky, You're The One...

 

Above: This rubber ducky, trapped behind the fence at Capitol Lake, sports an unlucky number, identifying it as a participant in the popular, annual Duck Dash charity event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lacey.

Rubber Ducky, You're The One...

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Well, one of twelve thousand....

An unusual species has been documented at Capitol Lake. On a walk around the lake this past week, at least 20 rubber ducks were identified as bobbing on the surface of the lake or trapped in storm debris that also included flipflops, a soccer ball, soda and beer cans, plastic water bottles, and more.

While the rubber ducks are certainly not the only litter in Capitol Lake, they are, arguably, the cutest. Unfortunately, they can also be traced to one single event: the popular, annual Duck Dash sponsored by the Rotary of Club of Lacey. Held in June at Tumwater Falls Park, it's a spectacular event that raises thousands of dollars by local individuals, businesses and organizations for needy local charities.

Losing about 20 renegades out of a possible 12,000 rubber ducks thrown over the Tumwater Falls bridge into the Deschutes River for such a worthy cause isn't that bad perhaps, but still, one has to wonder, is there an alternative?

Contacted this week by Little Hollywood about the multiple, confirmed sightings of this invasive species in Capitol Lake, Lacey Rotary Club president Mary Segawa explained the work of the Rotary group and seemed to welcome input on alternatives to using the rubber ducks.

"Thank you for contacting me about the ducks. We try very hard to get them all the day of the race, but some of them hide out pretty well in nooks and crannies. When we are made aware, we do our best to get them....we will work on getting them picked up. I really appreciate your letting us know about this. We are now getting our committee established for the 2013 fundraiser, and I will share your email with them," Segawa said in an email received today.

The 2013 Duck Dash will be the Rotary's 24th year of conducting the event.

 

Asked if there could be alternatives to using the rubber ducks, Segawa said, "At this time I personally have no ideas on what would work in place of the rubber ducks, but I will take it to the committee. The quantity will be one of the main issues since we number and use 12,000 ducks. The ducks are shared by a number of Rotary groups in Washington so that we can all keep our costs manageable and use the maximum amount of the proceeds for community and international projects. The ducks are washed after being used so we do not carry any unwanted creatures (such as the snails in Capitol Lake) to other bodies of water, we have boats and people at the end of the race to catch the ducks, and we also send members all along the river with nets and bags right after the race ends to bring in the stray ducks. Unfortunately, some still get through," she said.

Segawa also said that the Duck Dash is the only big fundraiser for Lacey Rotary and has been netting $40,000 - $54,000 for the past few years.

 

Editor's Note on Common Sense: While it would appear some rubber ducks were already plucked from the water when there was a high water level in Capitol Lake last week, it would be very unsafe and not recommended for anyone to try and reach over the edge of the low concrete wall to retrieve loose rubber ducks. In her email, Segawa also asked where the ducks were last seen, and the Rotary group will attempt to gather them.

 

For more information about the Duck Dash, including a full list of the organizations that benefit from the success of the Rotary's fundraiser, go to: www.laceyrotary.org.

 

Above: A rubber duck, a soccer ball, and a bottle are just some of the trash evident in Capitol Lake this past week.

 

Above: Nearing the end of her walk around Capitol Lake, this photographer happened upon ducks that had already been rescued. Looking over the edge, there were several more in the debris that could not be reached.

 

J-Vee Health Foods Store To Close After 47 Years

 

Above: J-Vee Health Foods on Pacific Avenue in Lacey is closing its doors on November 30 after 47 years in business.

J-Vee Health Foods Store To Close After 47 Years

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

While thousands of shoppers made the mad dash to big-box stores in South Sound Center on this Black Friday, local business J-Vee Health Foods quietly welcomed a few long time, loyal customers who stopped by to make a few purchases, and say goodbye.

J-Vee Health Foods' last day will be November 30, after 47 years in business. It's the end of an era for a business that borders those big-box stores, near the Olympia-Lacey city line at 3720 Pacific Avenue.

Tricia Brassfield, the daughter of J-Vee's owners Tom and Yvonne Stabno, greeted a steady stream of customers today.

Everything is currently 40% off, with a wide selection of popular health care and vitamin products such as Paul Stamets' line of Host Defense products, including Turkey Tail, which regularly retails for well over $20 a bottle; Boiron brand homeopathic products, including a wide selection of blue tubes; vitamin supplements; bulk Frontier herbs and spices; and more.

In between customers, Brassfield took the time to talk about what the store means to her and her family.

Her father suffered a massive stroke three years ago tomorrow. Her mother has been Tom's fulltime caregiver ever since. "Mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially, mom is drained," said Brassfield.

Her parents bought the store in 1965 from Joe and Virginia Mugartegui, which is why the store is named J-Vee. She said her mother worked for them back when there was just a lunch counter in the back corner of the store. The store sold vitamins and grocery items. Over the years, as competition for similar products has grown, business has dwindled. When asked for other reasons why the store is closing, Brassfield admitted that "advertising wasn't in the budget."

"Also, a lot of our loyal customers were elderly, and have died, and the younger ones say, 'I can get it cheaper online,'" said Brassfield.

Brassfield says she's not sure what she's going to do next. "A lot of us don't know anything different. There's six of us. Jody, who works in the restaurant, has been with us 28 years." Brassfield says she has applied for several state jobs but may work as a bartista for a friend's business.

A customer, Nathan, comes in, greets Brassfield, and leaves with a couple bags of flax seed for $2.13. He said he's been coming for a couple years and really likes their sandwiches.

Another customer, Marybeth, comes in and leaves with sea salt and other products for a total of $17.84. "I'm so sad you're closing," she said to Brassfield as she paid for her purchases.

Other customers, including a three generation family, came in to see if Brassfield had any souvenirs for sale that may say J-Vee Health Foods on it.

"Hi Sue!" Brassfield warmly greeted one of the women as they came in. Unfortunately, she had no souvenirs.

After this family left, Brassfield told me that the boys always get milk shakes and chicken salad sandwiches when they come in. That explains why one of the boys was begging to buy the industrial sized milk shake machine.

The restaurant, which was closed today, will be open on Monday. The store has a cozy, warm homemade soup smell that many will keep in their memories.

Some things are not for sale. Memories, long-time relationships, and one original store sign created out of wood many years ago by a customer, Brassfield will keep.

Ironically, I encountered one of the customers a short time later who had stopped into J-Vee's with two other men, at the Eastside Olympia Food Co-op, also on Pacific Avenue. They had left J-Vee's with no purchases because Brassfield didn't have what they usually get there. Leaving the Co-op, Phil Murr said he's been going to J-Vee's since the 1980s. "In winter, I always stocked up on my Vitamin C and in fall, I stocked up on my Mill Creek shampoo." Now, with a big bottle of Nature's Plus Vitamin C tablets in his hand, he's taken his business to another local store.

A Conversation with Olympia Business Pioneer Virginia Mugartegui

Virginia Mugartegui, 88, contacted by phone tonight, was only too happy to talk about the early days of J-Vee Health Foods.

"We started in the South Sound Mall, and outgrew the place. We wanted to move to another location, but they said we weren't a real business. They thought we were a make-believe business, I guess. A lot of people didn't believe in health food back then. Friends of mine in Tacoma used to say 'quack-quack-quack' and doctors wanted nothing to do with alternative medicine."

"So, the building on Pacific Avenue was built for us....there used to be a house there. At first we had a gift shop up front, then, after a couple years, we put in the restaurant."

I asked her why she started the business.

"I had headaches, and didn't feel well. I was 40 years old. Then I read a book by Adelle Davis - there was a chapter in there that fit me to a "T" so I got interested in health food. The first thing I did was go down to California and asked a popular health food store there if they would give me a discount on vitamins. And they did!"

"Yvonne worked for me for 18 years - she was a friend of my daughter's. Joe and I also had J-Vee II on Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater by the brewery, across from the ice cream shop. We renamed it Smart Nutrition. We had both for several years but Joe and I felt it was too much so we sold J-Vee's to Yvonne. Yvonne was wonderful - I love her dearly."

Joe passed away in late 2009 and Smart Nutrition closed in 2010. "I couldn't do it anymore - I was just getting too dang old, and there was competition."

Asked who she thinks is the competition, Virginia commented, "Well, Super Supplements offers such big discounts you can't even begin to sell them for that amount. It's very difficult to compete with that."

Above: A Sign of The Times - the original wooden sign for J-Vee Health Foods store.

 

Editor's Note: When I arrived in Olympia in 1982, I remember my friend Mary taking me to J-Vee's to buy cruelty-free cosmetics. It's where I bought my very first lipstick. Why, I don't know, since I was going to go to Evergreen. Anyways, I distinctly remember the smell of homemade soup permeating throughout the building, and it smelled exactly the same when I walked in today....Ymmm....