Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Olympia Bridge Restoration Underway


Above: Workers have been restoring downtown Olympia’s Fourth Avenue bridge for about ten weeks. The bulk of the project involves cleaning and painting, however, some repairs are also being done. The project is being funded out of the City of Olympia's transportation general fund for $451,962.

By Janine Gates
Little Hollywood

For the past ten weeks, thousands of commuters have watched a crew at work on the Fourth Avenue bridge in downtown Olympia.

Formally known as the Olympia-Yashiro Friendship Bridge, the bridge spans Budd Inlet, the southernmost portion of Puget Sound. 

A critical east-west transportation link for the city, the bridge symbolically connects the Olympia community in many other ways as well.

While the bulk of the project involves cleaning and painting, some crack repair is also being done to prevent future water intrusion. Water damage causing significant pockmarks and spalling of cement pieces has occurred in about 250 feet of the bridge.

A contract amount of $451,962 was given to Finishing Touch Masonry and Restoration Solutions, LLC, of Everett.

The project is considered a transportation project and is being funded out of the city’s transportation general fund.

“This project was not bid per our typical design-bid build process however it is a U.S. Communities project and these types of projects meet the competitive bidding requirements,” said Jeff Johnstone, project manager and senior engineer with the City of Olympia, when asked about the cost.   

The U.S. Communities Project is a partnership formed in 2009 among the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The city’s use of U.S. Communities was approved by city council in 2016.

Johnstone added that after the work is complete, the bridge will retain its shiny white appearance, and should only need to be pressure washed once a year.

“I never realized how grubby it had gotten until I saw side by side pictures,” said Johnstone.

Prior to construction of the bridge, Johnstone said that the city tested multiple different coating products.

“These products were applied to concrete panels and allowed to sit for the winter in order to determine how well they held up to our winter conditions and how easy they were to clean. Graffiti testing was also conducted on each coating. The coating being used was selected because it is a single step coating process and once the coating container is opened, it can be resealed and saved for later use, similar to a can of paint,” he said.

Above: The Olympia-Yashiro Friendship Bridge, better known as the Fourth Avenue bridge, spans Budd Inlet, the southernmost tip of Puget Sound.

Workers interviewed on Tuesday were disappointed that their completed work on the south side of the bridge has already been tagged with graffiti.

“It takes a couple minutes to tag, but takes a lot more time than that to clean it off,” said Rick Schindler, a restoration mason and project foreman with Finishing Touch Masonry.

Schindler, of Everett, has been busy with Ken Hester, of Shoreline, to brush, hand scrape, seal, vacuum, and pressure wash the bridge. He recently hired another employee to speed up the work and says he hopes to get the project done by the end of September.

Schindler explained that the westernmost 250 feet of the bridge between the roundabouts on Olympic Way has the most water intrusion damage because the concrete was poured onsite, which resulted in a very difficult finish.

Workers at the time realized their mistake, Schindler said, and used precast forms for the rest of the bridge.

“Those look a lot better,” he said.

“It’s been a tedious project to get right,” said Hester.

All workers are Pacific Northwest chapter members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

Above: Ken Hester, of Shoreline, packs up his masonry supplies for the day on Tuesday.

A Brief Bridge History

The bridge was completed in 2003 to replace the previous bridge which was structurally damaged in the Nisqually based earthquake on February 28, 2001.

The earthquake speeded up a bridge replacement process that was already underway, as load limits had already been placed on the bridge.

Former City of Olympia Mayor Bob Jacobs was asked about his involvement in the planning for the new bridge in the late 1990s prior to the earthquake.

The previous bridge lasted as long as it did because it had been constructed with extra strength to carry trolley traffic. 

“It was generous of the council to include on the bronze plaques all of the names of council members who participated in the entire, long planning process. It’s a great looking bridge. Although the cost estimates had to be increased several times, our council made detailed decisions on the design of the bridge, including the number of lanes, width of sidewalks, and height of railings.

“Partway into the process, it was decided to expand the project to include the area to the west and call it the Olympia Gateway Project. The roundabouts were a big risk because such structures were rather new at the time and the slopes made them difficult to construct. All in all, it turned out very well,” said Jacobs.

Editor's Note, August 24: Little Hollywood deleted a previously published statement that the Fourth Avenue bridge never had trolley traffic.

Above: Olympians braved the rain to celebrate the grand reopening of the Fourth Avenue Bridge in December, 2003. The bridge serves as a critical east-west transportation link in Olympia. The Nisqually earthquake made the previous bridge unusable, causing over two years of inconvenience for commuters.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

New Ballot Box at Olympia City Hall


Above: A new ballot box was dedicated at Olympia City Hall on Tuesday.

By Janine Gates
Little Hollywood

Thurston County ballot boxes are now open and available to take your ballot. 

The primary election is August 1 and ballots began to be mailed out Wednesday. Almost three-fourths of registered voters in Thurston County use a drop box to cast their vote, said Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall.

Hall and other elected officials were on hand Tuesday to dedicate a new drop box, located in front of Olympia City Hall at 601 Fourth Avenue. The county now has 27 drop boxes.

“Access to voting strengthens our democracy, and my goal as county auditor is to break down barriers and make sure it’s easy for citizens to cast their vote,” she said.

In an interview after the dedication, Hall said that there are about 175,000 registered voters in Thurston County. 

Unfortunately, more than two thirds of voters will choose, forget, or delay until it's too late, and not vote this election. For those who have not registered, the deadline to do so is July 24.

Hall encouraged voters to check out the candidates.

“We have a lot of primaries, which is really exciting – the most we’ve ever had. People are stepping up to run,” she said.

Above: Eleven candidates running for Olympia City Council Positions 4, 5, 6, and 7 met community members at Little General Food Shop on June 5 in downtown Olympia. The cities of Tumwater and Lacey and Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey school districts also have primary races on the ballot.

Left to right: Daniel Marsh, Allen Miller, Lisa Parshley, Michael Snodgrass, Clark Gilman, Heather Wood, Renata Rollins, Max Brown, and Deborah Lee. Councilmembers Jeannine Roe and Jim Cooper, who are both running for re-election, were unable to attend the event due to a council related meeting. 

In a ceremony on Monday, Hall and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson honored 100 people who have a record of voting for 50 years or more.

Two had voted for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

For more information, or to receive a voter’s pamphlet, go to www.thurstonvotes.org, or email elections@co.thurston.wa.us or call (360) 786-5408. The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia.

Above: Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall and Olympia city council members pose in front of the new ballot box at City Hall. 

Left to right: Councilmember Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, Councilmember Jeannine Roe, Mayor Cheryl Selby, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Jessica Bateman, and Councilmember Clark Gilman.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Fire Destroys Historic Oakville Landmark


Above: Close up of the Oakville Hardware Store sign on July 3, 2017. The store and other buildings burned to the ground in a fire on July 4.

By Janine Gates
Little Hollywood

Little Hollywood may have captured the last images of the historic Oakville hardware store, established in 1890, and other buildings before they burned to the ground on the evening of July 4.  

Oakville is a city in eastern Grays Harbor County, Washington. Incorporated in 1905, it has a population of about 700.

Oakville is perhaps best known for being the location of Washington’s last bank heist on horseback.

The town’s bank was robbed several times in the 1920s and 1930s. The robbers were almost always apprehended, except for the last time. The robbers took to the hills on horseback and were never captured.

Above: The Oakville Hardware Store on July 3, 2017

These photos, taken on the afternoon of July 3, show a nearby building that was most recently a thrift store, the hardware store, and other buildings, including the Oakville bank. The vacant house on the other side of hardware store was also destroyed, according to news sources.

Above: Oakville’s Main Street on July 3, 2017

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Barner Fire Relief Efforts Begin After Home Loss


Above: George Barner, Jr. is helped to the scene by Olympia Deputy Fire Chief Greg Wright while his home was on fire on January 29. Fire relief accounts to help Barner have been set up at TwinStar Credit Union and GoFundMe. There are other ways to donate clothes and small items to help Barner get reestablished.

By Janine Gates
Little Hollywood

“They called it Stormy Monday, but Tuesday’s just as bad…Wednesday’s even worse, and Thursday’s awful sad…” goes the old blues song, “Stormy Monday.”

“….The eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday, I go out to play…Sunday, I’m going to church, where I’ll kneel down and pray, ‘Lord, Have Mercy On Me….’”

Former port commissioner, local rock n’ roller, and beloved community member George Barner Jr., 75, lost everything he had in a house fire January 29, and has often sung those lyrics on stage.

Barner is doing well, but he’s tired, grieving the loss of irreplaceable family and personal photographs and papers, antiques, rock n’ roll records and memorabilia, his collection of leather jackets, and an astounding collection of items of significance to Olympia and Northwest history.

He is also dealing with the harsh realities of complying with a city ordinance to clear his property of the home’s remaining debris, completing insurance paperwork, and replacing personal records and information.

People have been stopping by his westside property on 5th Avenue SW to look at the remains and friends have been calling to extend their condolences.

Barner appreciates the calls and knows his voice mail box is full. He says he needs some time and privacy to readjust and greatly appreciates the community efforts now underway to help him restart his life.

Barner had been staying at a local hotel at the time of the fire due to an attempted burglary at his home a couple of weeks prior, and had few clothes and items with him. The hotel provides a small continental breakfast, and since the fire, he has been going out to eat for lunch and dinner.

The green coat he’s been wearing this week was donated by a friend.

Barner’s home and property was insured. So far, there have been no hiccups in getting the appropriate paperwork completed, but processing the forms will take several months. In the meantime, Barner is still on the hook for paying his monthly mortgage and outstanding household bills.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Ways to Help George Barner Jr.:

A fire relief account to help Barner has been set up at TwinStar Credit Union. The account number is 474453. Deposits can be made at any branch.  

A GoFundMe account has also been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/6at3a8-george-barner-fire-relief-fund.

Clean, new, or gently used donations for setting Barner up in an apartment are also being gathered.

Please do not contact Barner regarding these donations. For pick up/drop off arrangements, and for larger items such as a couple of bookcases, lamps, a microwave, and other items, please contact Janine Gates, Ja9gates@aol.com or (360) 791-7736. 


Above: A donation box for small household items for Barner is set up with a sign near the checkout stand at Olympia Supply. Thank you Jeff and Tom Bean!

For a short time only, community members may donate small household and personal items for Barner at Olympia Supply at 625 Columbia Street in downtown Olympia. Store hours are Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Specific items that would be appreciated are kitchen items such as a coffee pot with an automatic turn off control, a whistling tea pot, aluminum foil and food storage containers, a cheese grater, an electric can opener, pots and pans, baking pans, a wok with a stove top ring, a cookie sheet, a blender, a colander and paper towels.

Other appreciated items include bedding sheets for a queen sized mattress, blankets, bed pillows, a large heating pad with an automatic turn off control, warm and waterproof coats, sweaters, warm shirts, socks, scarves, gloves, and hats.

Bathroom supplies may include a couple throw rugs, toilet paper, washcloths, and towels.

Other items include a flashlight, nightlights, a clock/radio, and cleaning supplies such as dish soap and laundry soap.

Any items received that cannot be used or don’t fit will be donated to a local homeless advocacy organization or shelters such as the Interfaith Works daytime warming shelter or Emergency Overnight Shelter.

Barner, who has diabetes and had all his toes on his right foot amputated in 2012, had several pairs of shoes and boots that contained specially made inserts that were designed for each pair. These will need to be replaced with the funds raised. He currently has one pair of shoes and no warm or waterproof clothing.

Barner has also set up a post office box address. It is P.O. Box 7157, Olympia, Washington 98507. Well-wishers may send him correspondence and gift cards and certificates to stores such as Fred Meyer, Target, Goodwill, or Value Village and local restaurants.

Besides his long careers in public service, which included work with the State of Washington and the Thurston County Commission, Barner has long contributed his musical talents for fun and worthy fundraisers to the community.

To watch George Barner Jr. belt out two of his favorite rock classics, “Lucille,” and “Louie, Louie,” go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPZplaMGrg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqOX-x81-Q . Both tunes were recorded in October 2015 with the Lee Franklin Express Blues Band at Frankie’s Sports Bar in Olympia.

Editor’s Update, February 19: Thank you Olympia community members! It is difficult to express just how caring our community is, and how quickly we came together to support George. He now has pretty much everything he needs: warm clothes and coats, blankets and bed sheets, kitchen items, and household furniture. The quality of the donated items is simply heartwarming. All donations are much appreciated. Incredibly, there were few to no duplications and all are being used.


Due also to incoming financial donations to the TwinStar and GoFundMe accounts, George’s situation is stable and he has paid off some household bills. 

I’d especially like to thank Olympia Supply for providing a conveniently located space for folks to drop off their donations. It was a huge help. Not only that, Olympia Supply staff took a warm, personal interest in George’s situation and also provided donations. 

Again, thank you!

For more information about George Barner Jr. and his house fire on January 29, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.


Above: Olympia firefighters responded to the scene of George Barner's home within minutes, but were unable to save it due to interior obstructions and ammunition stored inside that was heard to be going off for quite some time. The home was a total loss.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Olympia Rail Blockade Over, Proppant Train Leaves Port of Olympia



Above: An early morning raid on the rail blockade camp in Olympia at about 4:30 a.m. The train, carrying several cars of ceramic proppants left Olympia at 7:00 a.m. 

By Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

While protesters screamed “Water is Life!” the rail blockade of a Union Pacific train in downtown Olympia was cleared by law enforcement in an early morning raid on the camp Friday morning. 

The train tried to leave last Friday with a shipment of ceramic proppants destined for North Dakota, to be used in hydraulic fracking.

The raid began at about 4:00 a.m. and was in full swing by about 4:30 a.m. with protesters drumming and chanting. Women were screaming.

Little Hollywood posted a 13 minute video of the raid on Facebook early Friday morning. Go to https://www.facebook.com/janine.gates12 or search Janine Gates Olympia to see it. 

Little Hollywood is still trying to determine if there were any injuries to protesters or law enforcement, and more. More information and videos will be posted as soon as possible. 

City of Olympia city manager Steve Hall was on the scene during the raid and said the city assisted Burlington Northern Police and State Patrol in removing the protesters and establishing the perimeter around the scene. 

Regarding the protesters, Hall he saw them confronting Union Pacific workers and block traffic. He said one of them jumped on the back of one of the vehicles. Citing safety concerns of having the protesters near the cleanup action, city police were actively pushing them from the scene.

Above: City of Olympia police and other law enforcement hold the line on the railroad tracks on Jefferson Street. This photo was taken at about 5:46 a.m.

Meanwhile, other protesters, about 20, continued to walk down the tracks, and turned over a Dumpster onto the tracks near Fish Tale Ale. About 17 police officers waited in formation, allowing rail workers to clear the tracks at the camp, and used two flash bang grenades to move the protesters north.

Above: Police put out fire set by protesters on Jefferson Street near the Olympia Dance Center.

Protesters then continued to run north and turn over trash cans and lit several on fire. Police put them out and the protesters ran up to the intersection on State Street, then ran west on State Street.

Above: Washington State Patrol escorts the train off Port of Olympia property and out of Olympia.

The train horn blew and the train came down the tracks escorted by many Washington State Patrol officers. 

At one point, as it was moving up the tracks between 4th and 5th Streets, a woman on the other side of the tracks directly in front of Little Hollywood ran in front of the train. A police officer was there and said, “Oh, no you don’t,” and held her back. Little Hollywood was filming at the time.

Little Hollywood encountered the perimeter of police tape on Legion Way and ran east on Legion Way and around buildings to get to 8th Avenue to see the train continue out of Olympia.

Above: As seen on Union Street, the train leaves Olympia at 7:00 a.m. for North Dakota, carrying ceramic proppants used in hydraulic fracking to allow for oil extraction. 

On 8th Avenue at the railroad tracks, Sky Myers of Olympia screamed at the train as it left, and State Patrol officers walked back in a group on the tracks towards Jefferson Street.

One of them said, “Now what?”

According to a city press release issued at 9:16 a.m., four individuals were arrested by Union Pacific Railroad Police. City of Olympia police arrested eight individuals for misdemeanor crimes that occurred within city jurisdiction as a result of the event.

Another source says that four are currently in the Thurston County Jail, and eight are in the Olympia City Jail at this time. 

Update at 10:11 a.m. - City of Olympia Lt. Paul Lower says there were no injuries that he knows of, to law enforcement and the protesters they have in custody. Also, a correction was made to the time the raid began. Lt. Lower says it started at 4:00 a.m.

For more photos and information about the rail blockade, ceramic proppants, the Port of Olympia, and more, go to www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Log Truck Loses Its Load

 
 
by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A log truck with M&M Transport Services, Inc. of Chehalis lost its load this afternoon in the Olympic Way roundabout in Olympia. The bundle of logs apparently remained intact. Pictures, above and below, were taken at 12:20 p.m.. Traffic is currently backed up on Harrison Avenue, 5th Avenue, the 4th Avenue bridge, and Hospital Hill.

A woman who answered the telephone at M&M Transport at 12:40 p.m. said there were no injuries and someone from their company is currently speaking to the driver. The driver was seen sitting in the vehicle. Police are present. The woman declined to give more information about the transportation of the logs.

According to their website, M&M Transport Services, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Mark R. Warsofsky and is a nationwide transportation provider for some of the biggest retail, manufacturing, distribution and logistics companies in the country.