Fallen Police Officers' Names Added To Memorial Wall in Olympia

Above: Joe Garrison of Quiring Monuments uses a stencil to reveal the name of Officer Tina Griswold at the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial on Wednesday. Garrison, who has worked for Quiring Monuments for a year and a half, says, "Engravings are hard, emotionally...I have a 15 month old baby girl and a four year old boy...but I know I'm doing it for a good cause."

By Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Deputy Stephen (Mike) Gallagher, Jr.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 08-18-2009

Officer Timothy Q. Brenton
Seattle Police Department
End of Watch: 10-31-2009

Sergeant Mark J. Renninger
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009

Officer Tina G. Griswold
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009

Officer Ronald W. Owens II
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009

Officer Gregory J. Richards
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009

Deputy W. Kent Mundell, Jr.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 12-28-2009

Deputy John Bernard
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 01-03-2010

Control Officer Joseph B. Modlin
Washington State Patrol
End of Watch: 08-15-1974

On Wednesday morning, the names of nine officers who died in the line of duty were engraved into the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial’s granite wall in Olympia.

Working quickly and quietly, the whole process took two workers with Quiring Monuments of Seattle about an hour and a half to complete. In about an hour and a half, the names of nine men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice were immortalized, to be remembered forever. They finished the job just before it began to rain.

The fallen officers and their survivors will be honored at a ceremony that will likely attract over a thousand officers from across the state at the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial, May 7, 1:00 p.m. in Olympia.


Above: Tim Tiffany of Quiring Monuments sandblasts the names of fallen officers on the wall of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial on Wednesday. Tiffany, who has worked for Quiring Monuments for ten years, has participated with the assignment since the Memorial was created in 2006.

The Officers

Gallagher of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office was gravely injured on Monday evening August 17, 2009, while responding to assist another deputy with a domestic violence 911 call. He died of his injuries a day later.

Brenton of the Seattle Police Department was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car with a trainee. They were discussing a just completed traffic stop when a vehicle pulled alongside the patrol car and an occupant opened fire. Officer Brenton was killed instantly.

Griswold, Owens, Renninger, and Richards of the Lakewood Police Department were ambushed and killed as they sat in a coffee shop, preparing to start their shifts.

Mundell of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department was killed as he and a fellow officer responded to a call of a domestic disturbance.

Modlin of the Washington State Patrol was killed in 1974 when he was struck by a logging truck trailer at a weight station on Highway 14 near Stevenson.

Bernard of the Grant County Sheriff's Office died in the line of duty in a one car crash on January 3, 2010. Because Deputy Bernard’s death was five days after Deputy Mundell’s, it was determined to honor his sacrifice at the 2010 Memorial ceremony instead of waiting until 2011.

"The horror of eight officers dying in the line of duty from August 2009 to January 2010 is a horror that happened to us all,” says Gayle Frink-Schulz, Program Director for the Behind the Badge Foundation.

No matter how long ago the incident, Washington law enforcement families still reel in the aftermath of grief, says Frink-Schulz. She knows. Her husband, King County Trooper Steven L. Frink died in the line of duty in 1993.

“The 2010 Medal of Honor - Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony is our time to stop, reflect, and encourage one another. Together, in community, we take steps to heal," said Frink-Schulz.

According to Frink-Schulz, there are numerous incidences of multiple officers dying in the line of duty as a result of the same incident in the state of Washington: four officers, the same as that lost by the Lakewood Police Department, died in 1941. In that incident, two were from the Tacoma Police Department and two were from Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

Three officers from the Kennewick Police Department were killed in 1906, three Seattle Police Department officers were killed in 1921 and three officers from the Pullman Police Department were killed in 1949.

The Memorial

Located in Olympia on the Capitol campus in the shadow of the Temple of Justice and looking north to Heritage Park and Puget Sound, the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial was designed to be a lasting tribute to law enforcement officers who give their lives in the line of duty. The site was specifically chosen for its nearly unencumbered view of Budd Inlet.


Above: The view from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial on the Capitol Campus.

The Memorial began when a number of surviving families of line of duty death and law enforcement officers traveled to Washington, D.C. in 1995 to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The officers discovered over 35 states had law enforcement memorials honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Because Washington State did not have a state memorial, the need to honor Washington heroes was recognized.

The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation became a nonprofit organization in 1995. On May 1, 2006, the Memorial was officially dedicated to the citizens of Washington.

Behind the Badge

On January 1, 2009, the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial (WSLEMF) and 10-99 Foundations became one organization – Behind the Badge Foundation (BtBF). Both organizations achieved significant goals which are still carried through by the Behind the Badge Foundation:

Twenty eight dollars from each Law Enforcement Memorial license plate sold by the Washington State Department of Licensing is forwarded to an endowment held by Behind the Badge Foundation. These funds ensure maintenance of the Memorial in perpetuity and provide financial assistance to the families of Washington police officers killed in the line of duty.

To keep the family of fallen officers from bearing the considerable cost of the memorial ceremony honoring their loved one, the Behind the Badge Foundation defrays the expenses of line of duty death memorial ceremonies. Police funerals cannot be paid for using public funds.

For more information, contact the Behind the Badge Foundation at www.behindthebadgefoundation.org or (425) 747-7523.

For more articles by Janine Gates about the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial, see other articles at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and http://www.wslemf.org/making_memorial.htm


Above: Tim Tiffany of Quiring Monuments completes his job by wiping down the new names he just added to the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial. Asked what doing this job every year means to him, Tiffany said, "It's an honor."

Artswalk and the Procession of the Species: Here Comes the Sun!

Above: A young artist plays for the crowd at Artswalk before the Procession of the Species on Saturday.

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

I'll let the Artswalk and Procession of the Species event speak for itself. With 350 pictures to choose from, it was hard to pick just one or two....The rain held off and the sun made a spectacular appearance.




















Above: Eli Sterling chats with Olympian photographer Tony Overman. Thank you Eli and Earthbound Productions for coordinating another great Procession!

Overheard conversations:

Before the Procession, walking downtown from the Westside across the Fourth Ave Bridge:

Girl: "So what will they call Lakefair if they turn Capitol Lake into an estuary?"
Response: "It doesn't matter if they call it Toiletfair, they'll still come for the rides!"

During the Procession:

Man: "What is that?
Woman: It doesn't matter!"

After the Procession:

"Some of the best parties were at Evergreen...."



Created by the community for the community, the Procession of the Species is a joyous, artistic pageant, embracing the languages of art, music and dance to inspire learning, appreciation and protection of the natural world. At its very heart, the intent of the Procession is to elevate the dignity of the human spirit by enhancing the cultural exchange that we and our communities have with each other and with the natural world...and to do that through imagination, creation, and sharing. - Earthbound Productions.

County Scientist Reveals Rain Trends: "Not to Scare You, But...."

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

About 100 community members packed a room at The Olympia Center Monday night to hear about the very latest local hydrological cycles of Thurston County and its climate impacts on the region. The event was sponsored by Olympia Climate Action and the League of Women Voters, with city and county representatives giving presentations.

The discussion had direct relevance to the city of Olympia's update of its Shoreline Management plan, due to the state in September. City staff held a series of public meetings on the shoreline update in February and March.

The city's Planning Commission formed a subcommittee and has been meeting regularly to discuss issues pertinent to the update.

Cari Hornbein, senior city planner, gave the audience an update of the city's shoreline master plan's progress. The city will make a presentation to the city's Planning Commission on Monday, April 19, on "early plan language for their review and contemplation," said Hornbein.

Future planning commission meetings on May 3 and May 17th will also review and discuss sections of the draft Shoreline Master Program. Hornbein said a draft will be available for the public to review in about a month to five weeks. Several Planning Commission members were in the audience as well as Olympia City Councilmember Stephen Buxbaum.

Amy Tousley, Planning Commission vice-chair, gave a presentation on the commission's shoreline master plan sub-committee work thus far and encouraged community dialog. Several in the audience questioned the tight timeframe in which the document needs to be completed.

"It has put us in a crunch," Tousley admitted. "If we don't submit the document to Ecology, what are the ramifications? I don't think we can afford to fail....I am feeling quite pressed."

Thurston County's Hydrogeological Cycles

Nadine Romero, hydrogeologist for Thurston County, gave a well-received Powerpoint presentation featuring the very latest data on rainfall patterns and trends facing Thurston County. Prior to the county, she spent four years with the Squaxin Island Tribe to quantify the region's small rivers, something which hasn't been done in Thurston County since 1948 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

"At the county, for the last three years, I've worked on 70 projects per year, ranging from two to 280 hours of hydrologic analyses. We are putting together quite a big puzzle," said Romero.

"We have 14 precipitation stations, eight stream gaging stations, 80 groundwater monitoring wells which monitor at 15 minute and one hour intervals, the daily average flows and water table maps, figuring out their pulse."

The statistics don't lie. Romero explained, in simple lay-language to the captive audience, the graphs and charts that showed how sensitive our rivers are to precipitation, and given change, how the rivers behave.

Using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data from 1948 - 2010 gathered at the Olympia Airport weather station, trends show that springs are getting wetter, summers are getting warmer, winters and autumns are getting drier.

Out of 18,900 daily precipitation events during this timeframe, Romero mapped out the Top 20 daily extreme rain events and discovered more extremes (greater than 3.5 inches per day) in the last decade than in the previous five decades, and notes a three year cycle in the last decade.

The region experiences an average yearly rainfall of 4.33 feet. That's 86.7 billion cubic feet in total yearly rainfall volume. We measure 35 billion cubic feet every year. She shared information on Salmon Creek Basin, Scatter Creek Basin and Scott Lake flooding, and seven years of data on McLane Creek at the Delphi Bridge.


Above: Storm damage at McLane Creek Nature Trail in 2006.

Plotting huge daily and monthly storm data, Romero determines trends such as the six heavy precipitation patterns which leads to various types of flooding. In October, for example, when it rains more than three inches per day; consecutive daily totals of one inch or more for five days; consecutive monthly totals of more than 15 inches per month. In November 2006, we experienced a 19.68 inch rainfall.

Climate Change and Our Shorelines

What all this data means with regard to climate change, according to the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, is that the average temperature will increase 2.2 degrees by 2020, all seasons will be warmer, sea level rise is expected to reach 22 inches by 2050 and 50 inches by 2100.

Locally, Romero says another significant event could happen sometime between November of 20111 and February of 2012. "These are interesting trends. At the county level, we plan for six inch storms. Not to scare you, but at 2020, 2030, what happens? Are we in for more saturation? " said Romero.

Romero was asked about capturing water in cisterns or rain barrels, clarifying that this excessive rainfall is not necessarily going into our groundwater supply at a time during the year when we need it most. She cited an example in the Tanglewilde subdivision where she went out last December and did soil core samples. The ground, just a few inches below the surface, like many lawns in older subdivisions, was bone-dry.

"It is running off as surface water....We need to save it, manage it, plan for the future, and be innovative," Romero urged.

Romero said she is scheduled to give the Thurston county commissioners a field trip to local rivers with an explanation of her most recent findings on May 3. "I will create a field trip guide and we'll put that online so you can see what we've shown them," Romero promised. Romero says this information is all brand new and will be placed online on the county website by August.

Impressed by the wealth of information just presented, audience member Sherri Goulet asked Tousley if this information should be formally incorporated into Olympia's update of the comprehensive plan and shoreline master plan. Tousley agreed that it should be, saying, "showing our homework justifies the shoreline designations - to defend our work."

Goulet pressed Tousley if there is a plan to formally incorporate the information. "I don't have a plan myself, but I've taken copious notes tonight," she responded.

For more information on the city's Shoreline Management plan process and Comprehensive Plan process, go to www.olympiawa.gov/imagine-olympia.com.

Evergreen Students Celebrate Spring Through Environmental Programs

Above: Master in Environmental Studies (MES) student Travis Skinner shows MES professor Gerardo Chin-Leo how to make bike panniers at The Evergreen State College's Rachel Carson forum yesterday.

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Spring was anything but silent at the Rachel Carson forum at The Evergreen State College yesterday as the college celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Master of Environmental Studies (MES) Program. Botanist and conservationist Estella Leopold was the keynote speaker.

Several breakout sessions throughout the morning included an opportunity for participants to learn how to make homemade bicycle panniers. Participants could also take a tour of the garden surrounding the college's Native American Longhouse.

Travis Skinner, 24, is an MES student and coordinator of Evergreen's Bike Shop. He demonstrated how to construct bike panniers out of cat litter buckets. Skinner says he puts out a request on Craig's List for the containers, buys nuts and bolts from downtown's Olympia Supply, and makes washers by smashing beer bottle caps and drilling them to the correct size. The buckets can be made for just about $5.00 a pair.

Skinner, who is focussing his environmental studies on the connection of land use planning and transportation, lives near Priest Point Park, and bikes to and from Evergreen everyday.

"For riding in the rain, you need something rainproof. It may not look as chic as fancy panniers, but there's something about doing it yourself. I rode to Vancouver for Spring Break and didn't have one problem with them. They work well," says Skinner.

Skinner is excited to launch a new bike share program in about two weeks. To learn more about the student project, go to www.evergreenbikeshop.blogspot.com.

Another part of the forum included an ethnobotanical garden tour around the college's Longhouse by students of the "Tend and Tell" program. Student garden stewards Luna Krahe, Angel Chandler, Marja Eloheimo, Emily Driskill, and Krista Koller took turns explaining each section. The garden contains different themes and includes a seasonal creek, swordferns that are estimated to be 75-100 years old, and plants that are used for medicinal purposes.


Above: Student Luna Krahe, center, in orange coat, led a group tour of the garden area around the Longhouse at The Evergreen State College yesterday.

"'Ethno' means "people" and "botany" means plants. Through the garden, we are teaching people about that relationship," explained Krahne. The class is writing a book and working on an educational garden curriculum that can be used in K-12 classrooms.

The Rachel Carson forum was started in 1990 by Eli Sterling, a MES student and graduate student association coordinator. Sterling now coordinates Olympia's annual Procession of the Species event, which will be held later this month.

For more information about the Master of Environmental Studies Program, contact The Evergreen State College at (360) 867-6225 or go to www.evergreen.edu/mes.


Above: Swordferns welcome spring.

Tickets on sale now for Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson

Above: Greg Mortenson in Seattle on December 15, 2009. Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea," has a new book out, entitled "Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs,in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson is coming to Olympia on May 13 and tickets are currently on sale for an evening event with Mortenson. Go to www.thecommunityfoundation.com for a link to buy tickets online.

The evening talk, which starts at 6:45 p.m., will be held in the Marcus Pavilion at St. Martin's University in Lacey. Tickets are $10 for students presenting valid identification at the door, and $25 for the general public. Tickets are expected to sell quickly - a total of 3,500 tickets will be available. After expenses, the ticket proceeds will go towards Mortenson's educational program for children, Pennies for Peace.

The Olympia High School junior Rotary group, Interact, is $9,000 away from raising the full $25,000 needed to bring Mortenson, but group members are confident they can raise the remaining funds by the April 13 deadline. The honorarium money goes toward Mortenson's organization, Central Asia Institute, which builds schools, primarily for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Mortenson's visit to Olympia will be filled with events, including a morning assembly at Olympia High School, a Rotary luncheon, an after-school hours rally at the Capitol steps, and an evening talk at St. Martin's, says Matt Grant, principal at Olympia High School.

Details for the day are still being worked out. Grant says the rally will involve the concept that education is a human right. "Everyone is entitled to an education," said Grant. Students are scheduled to meet at 3:00 p.m. at Stevens Field near Lincoln Elementary School, and march to the Capitol steps for the 4:00 p.m. rally.

"The afternoon appearance on the Capitol steps will likely be after school lets out," says Peter Rex, Olympia School District communications director. 'This eliminates the logistics of permission slips, cost of hiring school buses, getting back to school on time, etc. However, we hope that through our outreach to the schools and planning efforts (I'm imagining preferred seating/standing areas for students) to encourage as much participation as possible for our students at this event.'"

"...it also provides an opportunity for members of the public to see Mr. Mortenson for free, which is something that I have not noticed in his previous appearances in other communities," added Rex.

Donations are being accepted by The Community Foundation for Mortenson's honorarium. To make a donation, checks can be made out to: "The Community Foundation," and mailed to: The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, 111 Market St. NE, Suite 375, Olympia, WA 89501. Be sure to write "Greg Mortenson Project" in the memo section of your check. Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about the event, contact The Community Foundation at(360) 705-3340.

For more information about Pennies for Peace, go to www.penniesforpeace.org.

For more information about Mortenson's visit to Olympia, please see past articles in this blog at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com.


Above: Mortenson signs books for children in Seattle on December 15, 2009. At this event, Mortenson allowed all the children who wanted to meet and chat with him and get their books signed to go to the head of the line. He took his time and met with every single one before meeting adults.

Sylvester Park Gazebo Gets a Makeover

Above: General Administration (GA) workers were reluctant to identify themselves until I assured them I wasn't with Labor & Industries (L&I). GA employees Tim Brown, left, Wes Cline, in hardhat, and TJ Snoderly, on ladder, were properly roped up and made quick work of ripping off the roof of Sylvester Park's gazebo. Thanks guys!

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The gazebo at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia is finally getting the makeover it sorely needs - a new roof. Workers began ripping off the old cedar shakes at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The roof was last replaced about 20 years ago, says Jim Erskine, communications representative for the state General Administration (GA). The cost for the project is about $8,000, which includes labor and materials. Erskine says GA is doing the work instead of hiring a private contractor. Workers will install a new cedar shake roof that is expected to last for about 50 years.

Sylvester Park, established in 1850, is an Olympia Heritage Site. It was originally Olympia's town square, dedicated by the city's founder, Edmund Sylvester.


Above: Sylvester Park gazebo - if this roof could talk....

Where is the Whale?

Above: Kujira's post, seen here on Percival Landing in downtown Olympia. Kujira was spotted missing on Tuesday morning.

Have You Seen This Whale?

Above: Kujira enjoying a sunny summer day on Percival Landing.

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Kujira the whale is missing from Percival Landing!

The beloved cedar whale carved by local artist Joe Tougas, is indeed missing, however, it was not stolen. Kujira was taken down a couple weeks ago from atop its perch on Percival Landing by city parks and recreation staff, says Stephanie Johnson, city of Olympia arts and events manager.

"A fin came off in the windstorm last month - we had planned to take it down for the Percival Landing restoration, but Mother Nature beat us to it. Johnson said that Kujira gets maintained every other year but this time, water must have gotten in through the blowhole or fin, and it has become soft in the middle.

Kujira probably doesn't mind getting out the cold wind and rain. It's currently hanging out on the second floor of The Olympia Center downtown, drying out for the first time in 29 years. It's seen better days.


Above: Kujira, whose name means "whale" in Japanese, is okay with hanging out at The Olympia Center downtown for now.

The cedar carving was donated to the city in 1981, acquired as a gift from the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Activities (POSSCA).

Kujira will soon go to Tougas' shop for repair and be placed back on Percival Landing after the landing's Phase I restoration, planned to be complete a year from this summer.


Above: Kujira, damaged and looking kind of sad, can't wait to look and feel a whole lot better.

Isthmus Public Hearing: Most Support Interim Zoning Ordinance

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

"When city council is going well, no one comes to council meetings," said Thad Curtz looking out at the relatively sparse crowd of about 65 people gathered for tonight's public hearing at the Washington Center. The hearing addressed the city's interim ordinance to rezone building heights on downtown's "isthmus" area back to 35 feet.

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, which holds 1000 people, was booked in anticipation of a large crowd. "This is the best seat I've ever had at the Washington Center!" joked a city staffer who sat up in the second row near the stage. A public meeting held regarding the isthmus issue in September 2008 packed the Center to capacity.

Tonight, 27 individuals signed up to testify at the public hearing, most of whom thanked the council for their leadership in repealing the previous council's decision to increase building heights on the isthmus to a maximum of 90 feet. Four of the 27 spoke against the interim ordinance, including former city councilmember Joan Machlis.

Peter Stroble, a member of Oly2012 who opposes the interim ordinance, asked the council to "...surround the (nine story) Capitol Center Building with buildings of like scale and it makes more sense...." The city's Design Review board recently denied Triway Enterprises' design plan for large mixed used buildings on the site in part because it was out of scale with its surroundings.

Kris Goddard thanked the council for its decision to change the isthmus zoning back to 35 feet. "(The rezone to 90 feet and) giving up the views is akin to giving up your virginity - you can never get it back," she said to laughter from the crowd.

Several community members testified that they support the interim ordinance, but that it doesn't go far enough in acknowledging the issue of sea-level rise. Jim Lazar suggested a moratorium on development throughout the projected sea-level rise inundation zone until a solution, such as a dike, is implemented.

Rob Ahlschwede said one of the unintended consequences of the rezone issue is that it actually brought the community together. "It increased public participation around the comprehensive plan and the shoreline management plan," he said.

Indeed, there were a record 69 applicants for openings on several city advisory boards. The application process, which just closed yesterday, also attracted fifteen people who have applied for four vacancies on the Planning Commission, according to Cathie Butler, city communications manager.

Mayor Doug Mah said the council will make final comments on the interim ordinance at its meeting on March 9th.

The current council is operating with six members due to the absence of Councilmember Joe Hyer. Hyer was charged today with three felonies related to alleged drug offenses, according to The Olympian newspaper.

Later asked by this reporter what would happen if council votes were to tie three to three, Tom Morrill, city attorney, said that in this case, the interim ordinance will stay in place. "All the council has to do at this point is adopt findings to support the ordinance. If you have a stalemate (on future issues), then you just don't move forward," Morrill said.

The deadline to submit written comments for the record on the isthmus rezone interim ordinance will be accepted until Friday, February 26, at noon. Comments may be submitted to the Olympia City Council, P.O. Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507 or email, citycouncil@ci.olympia.wa.us, or hand delivered to Olympia City Hall, 900 Plum Street, SE, Olympia.

The hearing was televised on Thurston Community Television (TCTV), on Olympia's cable channel 3.

Garden at Madison School Takes Shape With Community, Local Business Support

Above: The Madison-Avanti Community Garden quickly takes shape as volunteers lay crushed gravel on February 6.

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

"This is going to be an amazing garden," gushes parent volunteer and garden coordinator Katie Stoll.

Stoll has taken a leadership role in coordinating the creation of a new community garden on Olympia's eastside, on the grounds of Madison Elementary School, in partnership with Avanti High School. Both schools are on Legion Way.

The project has garnered the involvement of many parent, student and community volunteers, and local businesses and organizations, including First United Methodist Church, Garden Raised Bounty, A-1 Rentals, Lew Rents and many more.

The project has been on a fast track since a November planning meeting with Madison principal Gayle Mar-Chun and Avanti High School principal Michael Velasquez, who worked together with active parents such as Stoll. With $600 from First United Methodist Church for garden start up supplies and fencing materials, a lumber donation by Gray Lumber in Tacoma and other support, the garden broke ground in late January.

A major work party last week involved about 45 adult volunteers and 25 children, who laid landscape cloth and moved an impressive 40 yards of crushed gravel. Garden Raised Bounty (GRuB) donated six raised beds and parents purchased four more beds. Volunteers intend to plant a wide variety of annual vegetables as well as fruit and herbs. Teachers will also be involved in creating curriculum around garden activities. Long-range plans include a greenhouse.

Kurtis Roberts of Puget Sound Landscaping is donating his expertise in landscape design to the garden project. "This will be the first opportunity for many children to garden. And look at the garden art! It's a manifestation of the kids already being excited about the garden. It's important for kids to know where their food comes from," says Roberts.

According to Olympia School District community relations director Peter Dex, 49% of Madison's 130 students qualify for free or reduced lunches. Roberts says that unlike Lincoln Elementary School's garden, which grows enough produce to donate food to the Thurston County Food Bank, Madison's garden will help feed its own students. Also according to Rex, 28 students at Madison are considered homeless.


Above: Michael Brown and Andy Suhrbier lend a hand with building the Madison-Avanti Community garden today.

Asked how he became involved in the project, Michael Brown says he lives across the street from Madison. His children are not yet school-aged. "It's hard to get away with not helping out when I live so close. I couldn't exactly just come over and say, 'Hey, where's the muffins,'" Brown joked.

Just then, Katie Stoll arrived with her children, bringing juice and snacks for the guys. Although it was raining, Michael Miltimore said they would probably be there for a few more hours. Miltimore has been lending his expertise in construction to the project. His connections allowed the project to get the garden's fence panels, with grant funding from Avanti, at cost.


Above: Michael Miltimore, right, is donating his construction expertise to the creation of the Madison-Avanti Community Garden and gives fencing instructions to Brian Stoll, middle, and Andy Suhrbier.

"I'm hoping this project will inspire the community to take ownership and pride in our school," said Katie Stoll.

The next garden work party will be March 13, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For more information on how you can contribute your time, donation or expertise, contact Katie Stoll at 464-4507.

Janine Gates is an Eastside neighborhood resident and former Madison School parent.

Be the Change...and Tarragon Changes the Agenda

Above: The view of the Capitol Building is currently in sight of Marine Drive, along East Bay's portion of Budd Inlet. This is the location, near Jefferson and State Streets, considered by Tarragon to build a five story hotel.

by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

"I was surprised that they were as far along in the conceptual design as they were," said Mike Reid, property development manager for the Port of Olympia.

Reid was commenting yesterday on Tarragon's pre-submission application to the City of Olympia to build a five story, 232,775 square feet hotel with underground parking for 179 vehicles on port property near State and Jefferson.

Earlier in the week on Tuesday morning, this reporter paid Reid a personal, unannounced visit at port offices to get a comment on Tarragon's pre-submission permit application to the city. Surprisingly, Reid did not know about the application, submitted to the city on January 29. Tarragon representatives had not told him.

"Thanks for the heads-up," said Reid.

So, I contacted Tarragon's development manager, Ryan Hitt, who confirmed the proposal and the meeting scheduled for February 10 at the city's community development and planning offices.

Tarragon representatives have since cancelled the meeting and have not returned phone call requests for information on Thursday or Friday. It is unclear why the meeting was cancelled or if it will be rescheduled.

Also on Tuesday, city permit inspection services manager, Tom Hill explained the application process and said that the public was welcome to come observe the meeting.

Hill said that such a meeting is the applicant's opportunity to ask staff questions about the feasibility of their application. "Then they go away. A lot of applicants don't come back after hearing about the requirements from city staff. But if they do come back, then, based on the information they submit, there's a formal intake meeting for their application. We log it in, create a file, and then the public can comment on it."

Commenting on the permit meeting agenda change, Reid said, "I don't think Tarragon realized how quickly the city could turn around its pre-application. Some jurisdictions aren't that quick...and it appeared on the city website....(But) the idea of a hotel at East Bay is not new. We've known about this since their open house. A hospitality component was clearly articulated."

Tarragon held a public open house in May 2009. "They are doing due diligence with the property. The port wouldn't want someone to tie up the land and not do anything with it. They had to start somewhere and they decided to start with a hotel," Reid said.

"It takes time for anyone to get permits, and that's a good thing," says Reid. "There's no rush other than we want to keep moving forward." The port entered into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Tarragon in June 2009 to develop two parcels equaling 6.83 acres on East Bay.

"We are still working out a master development agreement with Tarragon, and that should come first. We're still on target - March is our target date to finish the agreement for the six parcels," explained Reid.

Unclear, however, is the overall vision of the port and the waterfront along East Bay. The port is also entertaining MJR Development, the developer also interested in putting a hotel and restaurant the size of a football field and 40 feet high on port property at nearby Northpoint.

A group of citizens recently petitioned the port commissioners to reverse the November 23, 2009 decision to give exclusive redevelopment rights at Northpoint to MJR Development. The group also hopes the port will agree to reopen the public process and work directly with the citizens of Thurston County to develop a comprehensive vision for the shoreline.

"There's no doubt East Bay is further along in its plans for development than Northpoint," said Reid.



Above: The port's marketing sign "Energizing East Bay and beyond..." is not looking too helpful at the moment on port property at Jefferson and State Streets in downtown Olympia. The LOTT Alliance Education Center and Alpine Experience can be seen beyond the sign. For comparison, the nearby LOTT Alliance Education Center and business offices, still under construction, is four stories, and 54 feet tall.

The next meeting of the Port of Olympia commissioners is February 8th, 5:30 p.m., LOTT Boardroom, 111 Market Street NE, 2nd floor of the Market Centre building, across from the Olympia Farmer's Market. Contact the Port at (360) 528-8000 for more information.