WSECU Proposes Garage Art Wall Installation

Above: The Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) parking garage as seen from the parking lot of its former credit union site on Union Street. The proposed art would be placed on the southeast corner of the building, seen here on the far right.

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A subcommittee of the City of Olympia’s Design Review Board heard a proposal on Thursday night by Washington State Employee Credit Union (WSECU) staff to create an “art wall” on the southeast corner of WSECU’s parking garage at 410 10^th Avenue SE in downtown Olympia.

WSECU has also submitted a building permit application to the city to replace the tempered glass panels with laminated glass panels. Like the previous panels, the glass will be angled to reflect light in different ways.

While the application does not require design review, the board expressed interest and welcomed the presentation. City of Olympia planner Catherine McCoy explained the project to Design Review subcommittee members Darrell Hoppe, David Goularte, and Joseph LaValle.

Mike Sanders, Vice President of Facilities for WSECU and John Thomas of NBBJ, a Seattle architectural firm, gave presentations.

The intent of the art wall is to display “relevant, local, and community-inspired art” in a variety of formats including three-dimensional artwork. Some artwork could look similar to the images wrapped around transit buses, for example, using opaque, weather resistant material.

Artwork would be mounted to perforated, stainless steel panels with a bolted connection allowing a wide range of flexibility for assorted materials and mounting configurations. It is anticipated that some three-dimensional artwork such as lightweight objects or ceramic tile panels could be used in addition to two-dimensional artwork. Lighting will be provided for nighttime illumination.

The applicant says that no advertisement or signage of any kind is anticipated or intended for the garage.
 

Building History and Recent Flaws

As project manager for WSECU’s corporate buildings, Sanders said WSECU tried to design a building that was more than a parking garage, and feels the glass panels add that design component, blending into the community.

Located across the street from the Olympia post office on 10^th and Jefferson, the block was rezoned in 2006 from urban residential to downtown business to build the $18 million six-story garage. Nearby neighbors were not thrilled with the project at the time, as it appears out of scale with downtown residential housing in the area. The city's Planning Commission at the time made no recommendation to the city council on the project due to a split vote.

A selling point WSECU used at the time of the proposed rezone of the block was that they would consider the garage to be available for neighborhood residents and community use, however, this has yet to occur. Built in 2009, the private, gated garage contains 469 stalls.

The City of Olympia arts, parks and recreation is not involved in the application, and there is no city or state mandate for WSECU to do this project, says Stephanie Johnson, the city’s program manager for the department. In order to learn more about best practices of public art processes, however, Sanders sought Johnson’s professional opinion about the project and various artistic options of what could be done with the space.

Explosion of Glass

Tempered glass panels originally surrounded the brick building to better obscure the sight of vehicles in the garage. Those panels were recently entirely removed when it was discovered that they were secured to the building with faulty components. 

On August 17, one of the glass panels spontaneously exploded, said Sanders.

“After an investigation, it was determined that there were impurities in the glass making process….There are various opinions about what causes glass to explode….The tempered glass was under great tension….and when I say exploded, I mean it exploded with such force that there was glass found above it, outside, and rained glass onto the sidewalk.” There were no injuries.

In an effort to determine existing conditions of the glass before its removal, a 3D laser scan of the building was made. Recently, the public saw huge swaths of blue X’s marking each panel which was needed for that effort. Scaffolding was then put into place and the glass panels were removed.
 

Above: A sample image from a page of the Washington State Employee Credit Union's application to the City of Olympia for garage art wall installation. 

Building Art Proposal

Sanders admitted the garage is pretty ugly right now, so WSECU staff wondered what they could do to “fix the building.” He says WSECU tries to be community-minded, so, staff discussed art projects, such as photography and sculptures.

While many details are in the conceptual stage, a metal, perforated mesh, ¼ inch thick, will cover a space 13 ½ ft. wide x 39 ft. on 10th Avenue, and 23 ft. x 39 ft. on the Jefferson Street side. It will be designed to look attractive whether art is placed on it or not.

Sanders said that while WSECU does not yet have an art program in place, they have experience with the annual calendar featuring photography from around the state. He anticipates staff will use the same kind of deliberation in art for the garage as it does for the calendar, and will voluntarily stay away from controversial pieces. They anticipate changing the art once a quarter or a couple times a year.

City staff and Design Review subcommittee board members asked questions about illumination, weight, wind, earthquake, and pedestrian right of way issues. They also expressed full confidence that WSECU will not violate Olympia’s municipal code regarding signage.

"Subtle illumination will be used to define the artwork but not make it look like a billboard," said Sanders. He said they will use low profile, LED lighting that will blend into the building.

Also, credit to chosen artists will not be displayed or printed on the actual art, but be placed on a small kiosk nearby, under the art, similar to art sculptures currently on display around the city, and through their publication and website. 

Board members asked to see the final ideas when WSECU was ready with more information. Sanders said he hopes to have the metal mesh and glass installed by March or April of 2014.

In a letter received today in response to an inquiry from this reporter, Sharon Whitehead, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer says, in part, "You are certainly right in that art is subjective and yes, we realize that there may be some level of risk inherent in placing visuals on the building for others to view and evaluate. We also believe it can be a great gift to the community to increase the visual appeal of the neighborhood."

According to its website, WSECU is a non-profit, community credit union open to everyone, not just state employees. It was founded by a small group of Washington State employees in 1957. WSECU is overseen by nine volunteer board of directors. To contact the board of directors, write: boardofdirectors@wsecu.org or by mail: Board of Directors, PO BOX WSECU, Olympia, WA 98507.

For more information about the proposal and to see sample designs, go to:http://olympiawa.gov/city-government/advisory-committees/design-review-board/2012%20Design%20Review%20Board%20Agendas or contact Catherine McCoy, lead planner, City of Olympia, (360) 570-3776 or cmccoy@ci.olympia.wa.us and refer to WSECU Art Installation Case Number: 13-3544.

 

Above: The southeast corner of WSECU's parking garage is on the left, as seen from the Olympia United States Post Office on Jefferson Street.

 

Olympia City Council Passes Parking Ordinance: Hurts Food Program for Homeless

Above: Ben Charles, second from left, hands out "snack packs" on 4th Avenue outside city hall and listens to someone before tonight's city council meeting.

 

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The City of Olympia tonight passed a parking ordinance that negatively impacts the work of a passionate group, Crazy Faith Ministries, that serves hot food and drinks to the homeless.

The ordinance cleans up city parking lot regulations, stating, in part, that lots may only be used for parking, unless an activity is authorized by a city issued permit, lease or unless the activity is conducted by the city.

Crazy Faith uses a public parking lot for its service to feed the homeless two evenings a week. 

Councilmember Karen Rogers voted against the ordinance, and Councilmembers Jeannine Roe and Steve Langer were absent.

During public comment tonight, about 17 people testified against the ordinance, many of whom spoke to council last week.

Before the vote, Councilmember Rogers asked City Manager Steve Hall to give a summary of communication between the city and Crazy Faith Ministries. Hall said that he and city building manager Tom Hill have identified some possible alternative properties, then took everyone by surprise by suggesting that a person in the audience who testified, John Forespring, act as an intermediary between the city and Crazy Faith Ministries.

John Forespring, a local insurance agent in business for 45 years, is a member of the Cowlitz Tribe. In his testimony, he urged better communication between the city and Crazy Faith.

“The main issue is where are they (Crazy Faith) going to do this (service)….I would like to see the city communicate with these people…let’s do what’s right.”

During a council break after the vote, Hall came out to the lobby and apologized to Ben Charles of Crazy Faith Ministries and Forespring for taking them each off guard. Handing them his card, Hall said he hoped there could be some communication.

After Hall left, Charles said to this reporter, “I’m not hard to get a hold of….The challenge is, they refuse to put in writing the process and the location and that makes me apprehensive. I’ve asked multiple times, but have received nothing in writing. I think the lack of trust and lack of follow through - I’ll be honest - does have something to do with communication, and sitting down….I haven’t heard of any alternative locations.

"Not feeding is not an option – should the city not offer a viable location without delay…then we will have to continue feeding where we are at. I dare say they will have to fine us and arrest us. Passing this was a mistake…it saddens me.”

Indeed, Crazy Faith Ministries is not hard to get a hold of.  Today, I contacted Charles by email to ask a few questions and received a detailed response within two hours.

In the email, I asked, in part, what contact he has had to date with the city. Charles responded:

“City manager Steve Hall finally sent me an email last night, the first since October 10. He stated he was not able to get ahold of me via phone - probably because my last email to him stated that email is the form of communication we will use from now on so there is a written form of what is being stated as well as for our response…. Even at last Tuesday night’s city council meeting I told him he would need to email me and yet he still says he tried to call. So I did respond to them to send me what they would like to talk about and as of right now, 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 10^th, there is still nothing from Steve Hall in response. When I see Steve Hall tonight I will bless him but he can email their suggestions to me so I can have the time to make sure about their wording.” 

Crazy Faith Ministries Serves Hundreds

Crazy Faith Ministries chose the specific location near the transit station on purpose:  Charles says that two years ago, he asked street people themselves where they would like Crazy Faith to set up and asked where the worst drug deals went down.

"They responded, 'behind the 4th Ave Tav,' so that's where we decided to set up. Street people say the crime situation in that area is better now," said Charles. 

A graduate of North Thurston High School, Cheyanne French, 19, of Lacey, spoke tonight to city council. She said in an interview earlier tonight that she’s been volunteering with Crazy Faith since August, and was homeless for a few months when she was eight years old in Olympia.

“I like it. I like the feel of helping and seeing people’s happy faces because they’re able to eat something warm.” Her best friend, Kayla Butterfield, 18, agreed.

Butterfield’s mother, Heather Swedburg, also stood nearby. Swedburg said she got involved last August when she heard that Little Caesar’s Hope of Love truck donated 200 pizzas to Crazy Faith.

Asked why she helps out, she responded, “Why not? People need help – everyone has been there where they need help…."

Before the council meeting, Charles gathered a group of supporters around him, prayed, and gave them some advice, “We love our street family where they’re at – we’re not doing anything different now than we were doing before – we’re handing out snack packs, loving people, right where they’re at….Speak from your heart, out of love. That’s how we want to leave things on the table. We’re setting forth to spread God’s Word to the hurting….”

Above: Warm hats, gloves, coats and blankets were free for the taking on Thursday night while Crazy Faith Ministries served hot food and drinks in downtown Olympia across from Intercity Transit on State and Washington Street.

Thursday Night – On The Other Side of the Table

At Washington and State Streets, dinner is served by Crazy Faith Ministries on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. They plan to be there on Christmas Day also. 

It was 28 degrees last Thursday night when I volunteered for Crazy Faith Ministries and served about 100 people who needed food. Not as many as usual were present due to the extreme cold. I admit I originally intended to go down and speak with organizers and some folks about their circumstances, but there was no time to talk.

Appropriately, I was instead voluntarily pressed into service because there was a need, so I handed out apples and oranges, while my girlfriend served coffee and hot chocolate. One and a half hours later, my plastic gloved fingers were numb and my hips hurt, frozen in place.

Getting there before the organizers, we witnessed two vans chock full of supplies driving into the parking lot across from Intercity Transit on Washington and State Street, behind Bayside Quilting.

With military precision, organizers jumped out and volunteers, standing by, proceeded to quickly set up two white tents with wind flaps to enclose the space of three parking lot stalls. Next came several tables, hot food and drinks, and several bags full of warm hats, gloves, coats and blankets. Empty black trash bags were tied to the tents to use as trash receptacles.

After a few short words from Ben Charles, a Lower Elwha Klallam tribal member, dinner was served.

Michelle asked each person what they would like to eat: chili with meat, pizza, biscuits and ham gravy, or chicken fettuccine. At first it was a choice, but early on, when someone asked for everything, everyone asked for everything, and everyone got everything. Then some came back for seconds.

There were single male adults, single women, a woman with a little girl, teenagers, and seemingly unaccompanied children.  A little blond girl about 9 years old boldly asked for food while her mom hung back. The mom explained that her daughter wanted to ask for herself.

While my offering of apples and oranges was not popular at first, when I suggested to a child that he take some for later, he did, and others followed suit.

When a little boy, about aged 9, asked for four of everything, I gawked as he took one of everything back to the car where his mom and siblings stayed warm. I just about lost it, and looked over at my girlfriend. She was too busy to notice. She was serving straight hot coffee, hot chocolate with coffee, or water.  

Ed Mills, of Lacey, and his daughter came to help also. Mills says it was his first time helping out, and brought 10 large pizzas from Little Caesar’s in Lacey. When he bought five, employees spontaneously matched his five with five free pizzas. The pizzas were very popular, and were the first food to run out.

Despite the intense cold, people lingered around the table, the light, and each other.

The Mission of Crazy Faith Ministries

Denise and Ben Charles of Olympia have three children ages 13, 9, and 7 and started their ministry in January 2011, after Ben Charles resigned from his job as a traveling speaker for finances.

A blog article by Denise Charles in March 2011 explains, “The Bible says that "He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~John 14:6. We are madly in Love with Jesus and we believe that with Him, all things are possible! And we mean literally everything, and that is why we are called "Crazy Faith!”

A stay-at-home mom, Denise Charles said tonight, “We live on faith. It’s been an incredible testament to prayer. We’ve sacrificed….Building relationships is transformational, and that’s what will change our city – our street family is every bit a part of our community as they are,” she said, referring to the city council and staff.

She added that Saturdays are difficult for their street family.  “We especially see a lot of youth on Saturdays – there’s a gap there, no resources for them….” She said she appreciates everyone who has donated food, saying that Costco donated turkeys on Thanksgiving. “People pull together…."

When I shared my thoughts with Ben Charles in an email today about my experience last Thursday night, Charles wrote back:

“The Olympian editorial today catered to hide the things the city is really trying to do. And that is sad….Yes, lots of new faces each and every week. That again is sad. We do see a lot of the same people often. Lots of children at different times. The young man you saw that night, I know the mother very well. We help keep an eye on the kiddos when they are there as well. Many parents with children will come and know we love our Street Family and their children so they spend extra time with us…..I also have hundreds of adopted street sons and daughters I see regularly. Not just at the feeds but when we stop by to check on them.” 

Crazy Faith Ministries appreciates donations of warm clothes, socks, gloves, blankets, food being made/bought, and servers.

 

 

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. 

 

 

LOTT Groundwater Study: Public Meeting on Dec. 9

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

 

Above: Karen Janowitz staffs an information station on October 23 about the LOTT Reclaimed Water Infiltration Study. Janowitz is one of 13 members of a citizen advisory group to the newly renamed, multi-year study conducted by the LOTT Clean Water Alliance.

Previously known as the Groundwater Recharge Scientific Study, the study is examining the quality and use of reclaimed water in our groundwater. The Monday, December 9 public workshop will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at 500 Adams Street NE, Olympia.

Like the session in October, the event will provide the community an opportunity to learn more about the study's analysis of the current quality of our local waters, treatment methods, risks of replenishing groundwater with reclaimed water, and the costs of various treatment methods.  

At a meeting of the study's citizen advisory committee on Wednesday, group members heard a report by consultants about the role of temperature in soil aquifer treatment effectiveness.

LOTT staff also reported that the study's peer review panel will begin their work and produce a team report in the third week of January 2014. They will be examining the study's scope of work, make sure the study is scientifically valid and its methodology sound, and provide feedback on the work of the study thus far.

For more information about LOTT and the study, go to past articles at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.

To learn more about the meeting and the study's draft scope of work, contact Lisa Dennis-Perez, LOTT Public Communications Manager at (360) 528-5719 or lisadennis-perez@lottcleanwater.org or go to www.lottcleanwater.org.

 

Coalitions Meet at the Capitol

Above: Senator Tim Sheldon (D-35th, Mason County) chats with medical marijuana activists at the State Capitol Building on Thursday. Legislators and lobbyists were in Olympia on Thursday and Friday for Committee Assembly Days.

 

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

 

Seen Thursday at the State Capitol chatting with medical cannabis activists, Senator Tim Sheldon (D-35th) was asked today in a telephone conversation for his position on medical marijuana.

 

"I've been involved on the county level, and my position has evolved on the issue....We have a medical marijuana clinic in Potlatch. I was apprehensive about it at first, but it's been low-key and there haven't been any problems with it. I'm supportive of medical marijuana and don't want the implementation of I-502 to undermine its availability...." said Sheldon. Sheldon is a Mason County Commissioner and member of the Majority Coalition Caucus.

 

Sheldon said he told the activists on Thursday that Senator Ann Rivers (D-18th, La Center) has taken the lead on the issue for the Majority Coalition Caucus and is working on a bill to secure access for medical marijuana.

 

I-502 turned the distribution of recreational cannabis over to the state Liquor Control Board. There will be legislative hearings on the new regulations proposed by the state Liquor Control Board. In the second week in January, activists say they are planning a "Save Medical Cannabis" lobby day.

 

For more information, go to the Cannabis Action Coalition at www.CannabisActionCoalition.com 

 

 

Under Construction: Vic's Pizzeria and The Lucky Lunchbox

Local Businesses To Open On Capitol Boulevard

Above: Craftsman Joe Andreotti builds several tables with Vic's Pizzeria co-owner Rick Burdorff. Vic's will open a second restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Desserts by Tasha Nicole on Capitol Boulevard.

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Vic's Pizzeria is opening another Vic's Pizzeria at 2822 Capitol Boulevard, in the location formerly occupied by Desserts by Tasha Nicole.

The restaurant is scheduled to open by early December and will offer the same menu as Vic's on Division Street, including beer and Olympic Mountain gelato, but will also serve wine on tap.

Vic's co-owner Rachel Lee says they are currently hiring employees.

Lee's husband, Rick Burdorff, and Joe Andreotti, are creating the restaurant's interior by hand. Today they were building and sanding several bamboo plywood tables and counters. 

Above: The interior of Vic's Pizzeria on Capitol Boulevard.

"It's a fabulous location," said Lee. "I didn't really want to open a second store because it's a lot of work, but I knew if I ever did, it would be this location. So, when Tasha Nicole vacated the space, I called the landlord immediately."

Above: General contractor Dale DeForest at The Lucky Lunchbox, where he created the counter with recycled wood, a gymnasium floor.

In the same building a couple doors down, The Lucky Lunchbox is set is open in about a month, said general contractor Dale DeForest. The Lucky Lunchbox will assemble and serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, yogurt, baked goods, and more. DeForest was busy today building a front counter out of a recycled gymnasium floor, bought from Windfall Lumber.

Jim Buttigan, owner of The Lucky Lunchbox and the Swing Wine Bar, said today, "Everyone in the building has been really supportive of each other in the products they provide." 

The building's tenants also include Olympia Coffee Roasting Company and Spud's Produce Market, a market featuring fresh and organic produce focused on local growers and artisans, including Kirsop Farm, Bagel Brothers Bagels, San Francisco Street Bakery, Britt's Pickles, Lattin's Cider Mill, and Johnson Smoke House Meats.

Above: The Wildwood Building, built in 1938, is located on Capitol Boulevard at the connection of four Olympia neighborhoods: South Capitol, Wildwood, Governor Stevens, and Carlyon.

 

Trivia: How many amazing local business names did you read in this article? If you don't know, go back and read it again! : - )

Dollarocracy and the Movement to Amend the Constitution

Above: John Nichols, at the podium, and Robert McChesney visited Olympia earlier this week to discuss their latest book, "Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media-Election Complex is Destroying America," at The Evergreen State College.

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Citing the influence money has in politics and the demise of true journalism, authors Robert McChesney and John Nichols fired up the crowd and lit fires under butts talking earlier this week about their new book, Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media-Election Complex is Destroying America, at The Evergreen State College.

McChesney, a graduate of The Evergreen State College, was introduced by his former professor, Tom Rainey, who called McChesney a socially committed student and scholarly hellraiser.

About 100 were in attendance, including 40 students from an Evergreen class called Political Economy of Public Education.

Providing multiple history lessons from the Founding Fathers and the writing of the U.S. Constitution right up to the current City of Seattle city council race between Socialist Kshama Sawant, who recently won the election over incumbent Robert Conlin, both speakers provided a hard hitting, keen analysis of the influence money has on American media and politics.

McChesney said he and Nichols came up with the idea for their latest book when a 2012 Princeton study of democracy and the federal government showed that the bottom 90% of people’s values and concerns were not acknowledged. The book’s introduction by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) says that nothing can pass Congress that is opposed by Wall Street.

McChesney noted that even Jimmy Carter, speaking in Germany in July when he thought he was speaking off the record, said America today is no longer a functioning democracy.

“Half the population is now considered to be at poverty level or low-income…we’re back to where we were in the 1920’s” said McChesney.

Citing a loss of 20,000 journalists since 2009, Nichols, a journalist and correspondent for The Nation, asserted that the ones that remain pretend they’re covering the news.

In reference to television ads passing as news, Nichols said, “The standard of news media now is whether the (advertising) check clears…As journalism disappears, it tries to do it on the cheap, talking about Michelle Obama’s work against obesity issues, talking about Ted Cruz….(but) there’s a grassroots activism - 16 states have petitioned to overturn Citizen United - and yet you aren’t told about it. It’s real, it’s happening, and you need to be a part of it…we’re at the tipping point.”

Move to Amend is a non-partisan coalition of over 300,000 individuals and organizations whose goal it is to amend the US Constitution to end corporate rule and get big money out of politics by overturning the U.S. Supreme court decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. 

The proposed amendment would overturn court decisions that granted corporations the status of "personhood" which allows unlimited corporate campaign spending.

Nichols said that Washington State is the number one example of Dollarocracy and that their paperback version of Dollarocracy will feature Washington State, the GMO issue and the Grocery Association’s $23 million dollar contribution toward the demise of I-522 - the result of when corporations enter into politics.

“....Their profits were threatened by the reality of labeling. They succeeded in their effort to confuse people so much that people voted against it. That’s Dollarocracy in play. That’s not how it’s supposed to be….”

Nichols asserted that our Founding Fathers did not intend for the Constitution to be a static document. It was amended ten times in the first four years.

“Journalism is so fair and balanced, it treats a lie just like the truth!” exclaimed Nichols, “If we do not acknowledge what’s happening today, that will be our future. Amend the Constitution. Let’s eliminate the Electoral College….Can we do it?”

In closing, Nichols told a story:

“There’s a girl, seven or eight years old, and she’s walking up some steps. She’s going to work in a mill – she’s not going to school. Her fingers are small, tiny, and good at changing bobbins….sometimes the machines would start up while she was changing the bobbins, and take her finger or hand. And that was OK back then, because if that happened, she could go work in a clothing factory. Jews, Christians, Muslims, all working together. She would go to work on the 10^th floor of the factory, and, sometimes, a fire would break out. They’d run to the door, but it was locked shut to prevent workers from sneaking a bathroom break…and they’d either burn alive or jump out the windows….

In the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York, they chose to jump. As mothers came to pick their daughters up off the sidewalks, their grief turned to anger. Women were not allowed to vote then….Over a 10 year period, women organized, and reforms took place. They amended the Constitution three times: to vote, to elect the Senate, and enact taxing and regulatory reforms to tell people they can’t lock the doors at factories, they can’t employ children. Child labor laws were enacted, unions began….

"We are in a similar moment today. Are you the equals of your grandmothers? Your grandfathers?....Five hundred cities have enacted resolutions to amend the Constitution. If you don’t engage now, you’ll be on the sidelines of democracy….”

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of March 25, 1911 killed 123 women and 23 men. The youngest victims were 14 years old. 

Move To Amend Efforts in Washington State

The movement to amend the Constitution is active in the South Sound area. Mike Savoca, of the Olympia Move to Amend group was present at McChesney’s and Nichols’ presentation.

“We testified last February before the legislature in favor of a bill, HR 4001 and SR 8002, in favor of a 28th Amendment and were successful in the House but the bill was killed in committee by the Senate Governmental Operations chair, Pam Roach,” said Savoca later.

 

The Olympia Move to Amend statement says:

As we work for peace, sustainability and human rights, over and over again, we are opposed by the corruption of our political election system by big money and big, multinational, corporations

A corporation is not a person, it does not live, breath, bring forth children nor die.  The first and primary objective of multinational corporations is profit and the acquisition of shareholder wealth.   Nowhere in the US Constitution does the word "corporation" appear! 

A corporation is an invented legal entity. Like all inventions , corporations are not necessarily good nor bad. The regulation of our inventions determines if they will be the source of prosperity…... or our demise. 

The unlimited power of multinational corporations and big money in our electoral  system threatens our very survival as a society, and as people around the planet.

 

To learn more about local efforts to amend the Constitution, contact Michael Savoca, Olympia Move To Amend, at masavoca@fairpoint.net or go to www.movetoamend.org or www.wamend.org.

2013 Willi Unsoeld Seminar Presents "High and Hallowed: Everest 1963"

Above: Lightening up the evening at a 50th Anniversary of Americans on Everest event in San Francisco in February 2013, sponsored by The American Alpine Club and Eddie Bauer, Willi Unsoeld is indeed present when Tom Hornbein produces a jar of Unsoeld's mummified toes. Unsoeld lost nine toes after his summit of Mt. Everest.

by Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

"Risk is the heart of all education." - Willi Unsoeld

A film and discussion about the greatest Himalayan climb in American mountaineering history will be the feature of this year's Willi Unsoeld Seminar Series on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia.

High and Hallowed: Everest 1963 tells the story of Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein's pioneering ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest on May 22, 1963, and examines the commitment and passion that helped them succeed.

Hornbein and Unsoeld were the first to attempt an ascent of the West Ridge. Previously, ascents of the mountain had been made only via the South Col and Southeast Ridge or the North Col and Northeast Ridge. They climbed up the West Ridge and down the Southeast Ridge/South Col route.

This ascent was the first traverse of an 8000 meter peak in the world. Being caught out on the descent resulted in establishing an altitude record for surviving a bivouac at 28,000 feet.

Moderated by Krag Unsoeld, filmmakers David Morton, Jake Norton and Jim Aikman will join Tom Hornbein onstage after the film to discuss the film focusing on the theme of Risk and Uncertainty: Adventures in Life and Learning. This event is free.

Tom Hornbein, a physician and American mountaineer with whom Unsoeld accomplished the first ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest, studied human physiological limits and performance at high altitude. He was professor and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle from 1978 to 1993. His work and research has resulted in more than 100 journal articles and book chapters.

The Everest climb with Unsoeld is recounted in his classic book, Everest: The West Ridge, published by The Mountaineers.

Jim Aikman, a filmmaker and photographer specializing in adventure film and promotional video. Jim says he "recognizes the need for compelling stories and cutting edge imagery amidst a market saturated with mediocre content, where integrity and innovation sets you apart from your competitor more than ever."

Aikman participated in the six-part TV series "First Ascent," co-produced with National Geographic International and worked as a producer with the Reel Rock Film Tour, which tours in more than 40 countries around the world.

Dave Morton, a professional guide and photographer, has reached the summit of Mt. Everest six times. A long time Northwest mountaineer, he has guided and climbed throughout the Cascades, Andes, the Himalaya, the Altai, Alaska Range, and Caucuses in Russia.

Working as a full-time guide since 2000, Morton has led expeditions to all of the Seven Summits as well as climbs and expeditions in Mongolia, Mexico, Bolivia, and other Himalayan peaks. He has guided to the top of Carstensz Pyramid on the island of Papua on four occasions.

Jake Norton, a world-renowned climber, photographer, filmmaker, philanthropist, and inspirational speaker, has summited Mt. Everest three times and has participated with expeditions on all seven continents. His photography has appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair, National Geographic, Forbes, and Oprah, while his film footage has been used in documentaries and television series.

In 2011, Norton founded Challenge 21, a multi-year climbing and fundraising project dedicated to the global water crisis, and its solutions. To date, Norton has launched four Challenge 21 expeditions, and has raised over $250,000 for his non-profit partner, Water For People.

Willi Unsoeld was a philosopher, educator, mountaineer and founding faculty member at The Evergreen State College. His climbs included a first ascent in 1960 of Masherbrum, 25,660 feet, and served as an in-country director of the Peace Corps in Nepal in 1963. He served as executive vice-president for Outward Bound to help spread its philosophy of adventure, risk and learning for three years prior to joining the planning faculty at The Evergreen State College.

As a founding faculty member of The Evergreen State College, Unsoeld embodied the spirit of the new institution: its emphasis on student-directed learning, interdisciplinary programs, collaboration and personal responsibility.

The Unsoeld Seminar series is endowed as a living memorial to Willi Unsoeld, whose spirit continues to influence and guide people every day. The Unsoeld Seminar series is endowed as a living memorial to Unsoeld's interests in wilderness and human values, ethics and human behavior, effective learning and experiential education, philosophy and environmental awareness, nature and culture.

Since 1986, the series has offered lectures, workshops and performances that engage and involve participants, and reflect Evergreen's emphasis on collaboration and personal responsibility.

To be sure, the event will generate inspiration, and more questions than answers.

 
For more information about the Willi Unsoeld Seminar, contact Janine Unsoeld at Ja9unsoeld@aol.com or (360) 791-7736 or Krag Unsoeld at kragu@juno.com, (360) 250-9982.
 

Above: Mt. Everest 1963 Living Legends, left to right, Tom Hornbein, Norman Gunter Dyhrenfurth, David Dingman, and Jim Whittaker in February 2013.