Olympia Public Art Along Percival Landing

 

Above: People walking along Percival Landing tonight look at a sculpture titled "Throes," by Willow Wicklund. Cynthia Mitchell, left, and Haneen Aibak, red shirt, both of Olympia, stopped by the exhibits.

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The City of Olympia and members of the city Arts Commission tonight hosted a grand opening for a new round of public art currently featured on Percival Landing. Twelve loaned sculptures along Percival Landing, from Bayview Thriftway to Budd Bay Café, are on display.

The public is invited to vote for the 2013 People's Choice Sculpture Award from today through August 31, using ballots located along Percival Landing. The sculpture with the most votes will be purchased by the City of Olympia and installed in another location following the exhibition. Olympia residency is not required to vote, however, it is required that all sculptures be viewed in person before your ballot is turned in.

Tonight, Cynthia Mitchell and Haneen Aibak indicated that they were both impressed with "Throes," a steel and bronze sculpture by Willow Wicklund. The artwork evoked emotion in Aibak.

"I wish I was taller so I could see his face," she said. "The fact that he's looking up means hope, or maybe he's looking for his friend, an alien," Aibak laughed.

"No, hope," she decided after further interpretation. "Hope that the clouds will clear, the sun will shine, and the rays will embrace my face."

Above: Artist Lin Rebolini McJunkin cleans her artwork, "Kelp Totem III: Orca" on Percival Landing tonight.

 

Artist Lin Rebolini McJunkin was seen cleaning her steel and glass sculpture, "Kelp Totem III: Orca" tonight. Rebolini McJunkin, of Conway, says her piece was inspired by her appreciation of  Coastal Salish Native American art.

 

"This is my interpretation of an orca," she said. The piece uses green and purple powder mixed together with recycled chunks of broken glass, which Rebolini McJunkin then mixed up, put into a mold, and into a kiln. The process is called pate de verre, meaning paste of glass.

 

The bladder of the kelp shown a brilliant green and purple against the setting sun. She said she is very pleased with where her piece was located by the city, near the bridge.

 

"I couldn't have picked a better place," she said. Rebolini McJunkin's work is also featured in several other cities in Washington and Idaho. One of her pieces just won the People's Choice award in Auburn, she said. Her smaller, more intimate pieces are featured at Childhood's End Gallery in Olympia.

 

The People's Choice winner will be announced at the Olympia City Council meeting on October 1, 2013. Sculptures not awarded the award may be purchased after July 2014.

For more information, contact Stephanie Johnson, City of Olympia Arts & Events Program Manager, Park, Arts and Recreation Department, at (360) 709-2678 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/plinth.

Yoos Case: Motion To Dismiss Denied

Yoos Case: Motion To Dismiss Denied

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The motion to dismiss a felony case against Scott Yoos, an Olympia man who is mute, was denied yesterday by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Pomeroy.  

A date of August 12 has been set for the case to now go to trial with a twelve person jury.  This date could be changed if Yoos' attorney, Larry Hildes, asks for a delay to prepare for the case.

Yoos, 47, can hear, but cannot speak due to a head injury from a beating he suffered in 1984. (For more information and several articles about Yoos' case, use the search button and use key words on this blog at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com).

Immediately following the court's decision, Yoos motioned this reporter to come over and read what he was writing.
 
"The city of Olympia needs video cameras - I would have been entirely vindicated with a recorded witness, either on the patrol cars or attached to officer's uniforms. I've seen some very sophisticated cameras under $1,000 each."
 
Asking him what he does now, Yoos wrote, “I’ll scheme with the attorney, hopefully rest a bit.”

Case History

 Accused of a felony assault against a police officer, Yoos was initially cited for criminal trespass and obstructing justice on June 1, 2011. On that date, Yoos was riding on his bicycle through downtown Olympia at 11:30 p.m. toward his home on Martin Way, when he stopped to throw some dirty napkins in a Dumpster located at 2302 Fourth Avenue, near Twister Donuts, in Olympia.

Within minutes, several officers converged on Yoos. Yoos’ method of communication, pen and paper, were taken away, and his attempts to communicate using sign language were interpreted by officers as violent behavior.  Yoos is 5'9 and weighs about 155 pounds.

The case was bumped up to a felony after Olympia Police Department Sergeant Paul Johnson filed a report weeks after the situation, alleging that Yoos had kicked him during the scuffle. The alleged kick did not require medical treatment. Yoos denies kicking Sergeant Johnson.

Yoos’ case has dragged on for 26 months. There have been repeated delays in the case, many of them because a court-appointed sign language interpreter was not provided or available.  Larry Hildes, his attorney, has repeatedly asked the court for a motion to dismiss the case, based on discriminatory actions by the arresting law enforcement officers.

In what has amounted to several days of actual testimony in which Yoos and three law enforcement officers involved in the case testified, Olympia Police Department officers Officer Randy Wilson, Officer S. Costello, and Officer Jason Watkins, Judge Pomeroy ruled that the officers’ actions were justified, and that they had a reasonable right to stop and detain Mr. Yoos.  She further explained that their actions were not discriminatory, citing, in the court’s opinion, that it was Mr. Yoos’ repeated attempts to leave the scene that made the situation escalate.

Hildes repeatedly argued that Yoos was unjustly arrested and silenced because the officers did not have the proper training to deal with Yoos’ disability, and, after the officers made a series of assumptions, allowed the situation to escalate.

In his closing arguments, Hildes was assertive, saying in part, "Officers are supposed to deescalate situations...It became a power struggle, respect for the officers, forcing him to do what they wanted him to do and he just wanted to communicate, that's the discrimination. But for the lack of training, experience, and policy, there would not have been an incident. Dismiss this case. But for the discriminatory result, there would be no case...."

Thurston County prosecuting attorney J. Andrew Toynbee, appearing cool and calm in his demeanor, said in his closing argument, in part, "...over three days, the officers have testified and are able to give you a reason for everything...I'm telling the court they did nothing wrong. The defendant did not wish to communicate. In fact, he kept trying to leave...when asked, he did not write his name and birthdate...they had business to conduct with him. They had a reason to talk with him...there was not a lack of training or desire to communicate...he kept trying to leave....this was a dynamic situation, things happened quickly."

Citing case law, Toynbee said that the officers had justification to take action and it had nothing to do with discrimination against Mr. Yoos.

Hildes argued that it was not a dynamic situation, that they were standing there having a written exchange until Officer Wilson intentionally took his pad of paper away, preventing Yoos from further communication.

"This was like putting a gag in his mouth, intentionally using his disability against him."

Sample Testimony

Today, two sign language interpreters were available to accommodate Yoos’ method of sign language, which is signs and finger spelling. The process is time-consuming. When changes in words occurs, it is not clear if it is Yoos changing what he is saying or if the sign language interpreter misinterpreted his finger spelling. Yoos quickly corrected the interpreter if she misinterpreted his words.

The following is a portion of an unofficial transcription as heard and written by this reporter of yesterday's testimony by Yoos, when questioned by his attorney.

Hildes: Were you trying to be uncooperative?

Yoos: No, I just wanted to go home to bed and it was a little frightening to have this armed man immediately arrest me and accuse me of something that I had not done.

Hildes: Did you attempt to communicate that to him?

Yoos: I had my communication tools all taken away from me and I was just trying to sign to them.

Hildes: Did they stop trying to communicate to you at that point?

Yoos: They were interested in arresting me and attacking me.

Moments later:

Hildes: Did you attempt to leave?

Yoos: I didn’t try to “leave” three times like Costello claims that I – no, no.

Later:

Hildes: At the time, if they had communicated with you, would you have communicated with them?

Yoos: I am not a criminal. I am a former Eagle Scout, so, and preacher’s kid. I never threatened any of the police officers.

Hildes: Was it your intention to resist them?

Yoos: No, I didn’t think it was right for them to steal my bicycle and my Walkman, my wallet, my bag and all of the papers I had in my backpack and in my pocket.

Hildes: What made you think they were stealing?

Yoos: When someone violently takes something from you, that’s stealing.

Hildes: Why did you feel like it was stealing?

Yoos: I did nothing wrong and I couldn’t communicate and it was very frustrating to me.

Hildes: Were you frightened?

Yoos: Of course – there were four armed men.

Hildes: What were you wearing – what did you have on your feet?

Yoos: I was riding my bicycle with lightweight sandals like TEVA’s but cheaper.

Hildes: And you were wearing a reflective vest, correct?

Yoos: Yes.

Hildes: So you weren’t trying to sneak into the parking lot?

Yoos: No, of course not.

Hildes: So you weren’t trying to break into the donut shop?

Yoos: Please, no.

Later:

Hildes: Did you ever attempt to resist the officers?

Yoos: I only tried to communicate with Watkins by pulling in my arms so they could not cuff me again.

Hildes: Why did you do that?

Yoos: Because I needed to tell them – I needed my voice.

Hildes: So you were just trying to communicate?

Yoos: Yes.

Later:

Hildes: What frightened you about this incident?

Yoos: I had been – I was being – unjustly arrested and accused of things which I was not guilty of and physically, and I was having armed men approaching me at night.

Hildes: Was it also because they took away your ability to communicate?

Yoos: That was very frightening and frustrating to me…it was Wilson who took the pad and my communication away.

Hildes: So the officer already did that?

Yoos: Yes.

Hildes: And you were already communicating with him about the incident when he took the pad away from you?

Yoos: Yea, briefly. There are only, like, two or three back and forth conversations.

Later:

Hildes: He could have kept on writing and you would have kept responding, right?

Yoos:  Yes.

Hildes: Did you give him any reason that you didn’t want to communicate with him?

Yoos: I just wanted to go back home….I felt threatened and harassed but I was entirely willing to write back and forth with him.

With his attorney and friends, and while seated with his interpreter during the hearing, Yoos was using a new gizmo to communicate, a little black  LCD writing tablet called a Boogie Board. One button touch erases his words between thoughts. Asked about it during a break, Yoos wrote, “It was a surprise gift from a friend’s friend who won it in a raffle and sent it to me in the mail from Texas.”

Asked how he likes it, Yoos wrote, “It’s low battery use, it’s “supposed” to go about six years. It is the bottom of the line cheapest model  - he points to the back that says it’s from www.improveelectronics.com - but it’s just what I need. A lot better from markers, cuz those are very messy and are always drying out on me. Plus, no fumes.”  Many of his friends had difficulty reading the dark blue lettering against the black board but took the time to read his writings.

Yoos looked pale and drawn. During another break, he was asked how he feels. He wrote that his red nose and sniffles was the result of allergies.

Asked how he is holding up in general, Yoos wrote, “It’s been hanging over me for 26 months with over 20 court appearances counting the city ones – s’been hellacious – I’m not able to consider adopting a pup….”
 
Interview with Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney J. Andrew Toynbee

In a telephone interview this morning with Thurston County Chief Prosecuting Attorney J. Andrew Toynbee, who has pursued and argued the case against Yoos, Toynbee was asked what happens next. 


Toynbee said the case is scheduled to go to trial and Yoos could be convicted of assault of the third degree with a sentence of one to three months in jail, acquitted, or, he could accept a plea offer to a lesser charge.

“I’m not interested in sending Mr. Yoos to jail,” said Toynbee.  “I have made several attempts for plea offers in the past but Mr. Yoos’ attorney, Larry Hildes, has not entertained them.”

Asked why Thurston County is pursuing this case, Toynbee said, “We take assaults on officers very, very seriously, that’s the reason."

Asked what he wants from Yoos, Toynbee responded, “My goal is to have Mr. Yoos take some accountability for his actions.”

Asked why Sergeant Paul Johnson, the officer who was allegedly kicked by Yoos, did not testify, Toynbee said, “The motion only focused on one issue – whether law enforcement was discriminatory in their actions. Sergeant Johnson didn’t take action, he oversaw the situation after he arrived, but he would be called to trial. He could have testified, but it (the hearing) was going on and on….”

Asked if he thinks it’s a problem that Sergeant Johnson’s report is dated weeks after the incident, (it is dated June 27), and unsigned, Toynbee said, “No, I don’t think it’s a problem. Two officers, Costello and Wilson saw it (the kick).”

Asked how much Thurston County has spent thus far on Yoos’ case, Toynbee said he is a salaried employee and doesn’t know how much has been spent.

 

Here Comes The Sun, and Olympia's New West Central Park

 

Above: Alicia Elliott greeted folks all day, and answered questions about her vision for the new park as musician Mike Burdorff looks on. 

 

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

New Yorkers may scoff at the ambitious sounding name for a new grassroots-driven park on Olympia's Westside, but many people today certainly felt like it could be that other Central Park, minus the mature trees. 

Although hundreds of cars passed by the busy intersection of Harrison and Division, they were hardly noticed as people hung out for hours, visiting artisans, seeing old friends, making new friends and meeting neighbors. More than one person was heard to say that the just over half acre piece of land feels much bigger when you're standing in the middle of it.

Alicia Elliott, the visionary woman who recently bought the previously vacant lot for $450,000, is moving fast. With a team of dedicated volunteers, the space that almost became a 7-11 mini mart was today transformed into a bustling community scene of musicians, artisans, food vendors, picnic tables, flower planters, and yes, two conveniently placed portable toilets equipped with sinks at the far end of the lot.

And it's just the beginning. Park project volunteers anticipate and encourage future local events, including craft fairs, music, art and dance shows at the location, and just offering a place to visit with friends and meet neighbors.

On June 12, the Park received its non-profit status from the State of Washington, making fundraising easier. The goal is to raise $152,500 for grading, utilities, buildings, landscaping, a water feature, benches, fencing and more. This low estimate is based on the fact that 50% of the supplies and labor are being donated by several area businesses and artisans.

 

Elliott and volunteers have also established a Friends of West Central Park membership plan. It is open to all, however, satisfying one or two board membership requirements, such as living within 10 blocks of the park, or attending three work parties, for example, enables members to achieve a position on the board of trustees or the board of overseers. Membership will meet once a year and are essentially the shareholders of the Park.

 

The Park also received some good news in the financial department just three days ago: When Elliott first bought the property, she was required to either pay a fee to start a water account or prove the existence of a previous account at the property. She paid the fee. Although there hasn’t been a building on the site for 16 years, there had been an account there at one time, so the City of Olympia agreed to refund her deposit of $3,200. The money will go toward the Park's fundraising goals.

Above: Woodworking artisan Brian Anderson planes a piece of spalted maple today in West Central Park.

 

Today, Brian Anderson of Anderson Woodworks demonstrated his craft, as he planed a piece of spalted maple. "Spalted basically means when a tree is starting to rot," he said. Anderson said he gets his maple from a source in Rochester. "I try to get wood locally, although I do get some exotic wood. Most of my products, like my cabinets, are Forest Stewardship Council certified products. Self-taught since 1996, he said his learning curve was quick. "I learned from my mistakes...I try not to make things out of alder, for example, because it's so unstable."

 

Above: Kelly Rigg demonstrates the art of blacksmithing.

 

Kelly Rigg said he did blacksmithing as a hobby for about 14 years, but started his business, Big Hammer Technology, about four years ago when the economy tanked. He makes small crafts, such as coat hooks as well as large, commissioned works. He recently completed and installed a forged gate to the Lincoln Elementary school garden. Asked by an observer if it was hard for him to pound the steel, he said, "It doesn't take muscle so much as technique. Every hammer blow has a purpose," and produced a little seahorse.

 

Above: Tucker Petertil and Sue Hastings demonstrate the art of mosiacs.

 



Above: With a lot of vision and hard work, West Central Park takes shape.

 

For more information, go to www.aparkforus.org. A history of the Park development is in the Winter 2013 edition of the South Sound Green Pages at www.oly-wa.us/greenpages.



South Sound GLBT Activists Celebrate Supreme Court Rulings

Above: Local GLBT activist Anna Schlect, dressed as a Supreme Court justice, celebrated today's United States Supreme Court rulings at the Urban Onion in downtown Olympia tonight.

 

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

South Sound gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community members and their allies gathered tonight at the Urban Onion in downtown Olympia to celebrate the United States Supreme Court’s historic day of decision on two marriage equality cases.

 

The court's striking down of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies benefits to same sex couples, now means federal benefits, over 1,000 statutes and regulations involving tax, survivors and veterans benefits, bankruptcy, housing, visitation rights at hospitals and more, will be extended to all married couples, including gays and lesbians. 

 

The court also sent Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriages after it had been legalized by the California Supreme Court, back to California. It was rejected by the Supreme Court today on a technicality, with the court saying it lacked jurisdiction in the case. Activists expect same sex marriages to resume in California in about a month. Both decisions are seen as a victory for the GLBT community and their supporters, making it just a matter of time that marriage equality may be extended to all 50 states.

 

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia currently have marriage equality legislation in place. Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation legalizing same sex marriages in Washington on February 13, 2013.

 

South Sound Activists Celebrate....And Remember

 

Moderated by local GLBT activist Anna Schlect, who was humorously dressed as a black robed Supreme Court justice with numerous strands of colorful Pride beads, tonight's celebration welcomed GLBT activists and allies to speak, including several members of the local faith community. It was standing room only as some recalled past campaigns and those who are not here today to witness the victory.

Schlect said she received an early morning telephone call from the Governor's office asking her to bring a Rainbow flag to hoist at the Capitol Building. She did so, although the flag has yet to be flown, given the urgent budget battle, the outcome of which is still to be determined.

"For those of you who haven't lived through a historic occasion, this day is for the books! This is a sea-change, a watershed moment that will make a difference in the United States...but there's lots more work to do...and more conversations with friends and neighbors about this....There has been, and will be, more backlashes by fearful, ignorant people, so we all have to keep the fight going!" said Schlect.

The Reverend Amy Walters of First Christian Church said, "Faith communities know that each person is created in the image of God - the death of DOMA is a tremendous step toward justice and equality....but the fight is not over...." The Reverend Carol McKinley of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church and Rabbi Seth Goldstein of Temple Beth Hatfiloh also spoke.

 

Gib and Beth Rossing are parents of two gay sons and two straight daughters. Active with PFLAG, a support group for parents and families with GLBT children, they said they are very excited about the decisions, and said that one of their sons, who lives in Indiana, a state that does not yet allow same sex marriages, was married to his partner this past weekend at Priest Point Park.

Above: Flirticia Fondue performs at the Red Ribbon Gayla event at the Olympia Ballroom on Saturday night.

 

Hearing this morning's Supreme Court news, drag queen Flirticia Fondue, 50, of Olympia, who was not dressed in drag tonight, said, "For me, I was elated, but I also felt a loneliness for all the heroes who could not be here tonight. We know Harvey Milk and Matthew Shepard, but there are many other nameless heroes who are not with us today....We have them to thank for where we are today." After asking the crowd for a moment of silence to remember those heroes, Fondue added, quietly, "I'm glad I got to experience this while I'm still alive."

 

In an interview later, Fondue said that he was one of five young gay children adopted by a gay man. "I'm the only one of the five who is left...the others died of AIDS. Now I'm an only child...."

 

Above: Partners Lisa Brodoff, left, and Lynn Grotsky spoke tonight at the Urban Onion. Brodoff and Grotsky were litigants in the first "out" second-parent adoption case in Washington State in the 1980's. Brodoff said, "This is a day to show our children that the arc of justice does bend toward justice...."

 

Asked before the party what this day means to her and her partner Lisa Brodoff, Lacey resident Lynn Grotsky gushed with emotion, “We were already excited for our wedding at our Temple on July 28, but the joy to know that we are granted the same 1,000 or so rights that heterosexual couples have….that we are truly full-fledged equal citizens of the United States of America and that we, nor our children, will ever again have to feel as "other" simply because of love, is astounding! I have been floating above the ground all day! And our wedding will truly be a full acceptance of our 32 year relationship, both under the eyes of God and the laws of our country. And now we'll work towards equal rights for all the other states in our nation and the world.”

 

For more articles about marriage equality in Washington State, GLBTQ issues, Capital City Pride, and other related issues, go to www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type in key words, using the search button.

 

Above: The Urban Onion on Legion Way is a great place to have a party....

 

Capital City Pride Day 2013 - People Working Together

Above: Daniel Bumbarger, 25, and Noel Coley, 20, staff the Mpowerment Olympia booth at Capital City Pride in downtown Olympia today. 

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The official theme of Capital City Pride 2013 was "Advancing Our Pride - Moving Forward Together." As it turns out, it really was about people working together to make it happen, from beginning to end. The 23 year old celebration in Olympia lost a couple key volunteers this year, but gained dozens more after organizers put out a community-wide request for help.

Sunny weather with rainbows galore graced the parade, youth talent show, drag queen entertainment and dozens of supportive GLBTQ non-profit organization booths in Sylvester Park today.

Above: Romeo Jay Jacinto of Olympia, right, was the winner of Pride Idol 2013, singing Macklemore's "Same Love" with Christina Brewer. Later, he said it was his first time on a big stage, and that he sang the song for GLBTQ allies.

 

Above: Drag queen "Miss Mirage A Trois" of Olympia sings Demi Lavato's "Heart Attack"

 

 

At the Mpowerment Olympia group table, Daniel Bumbarger, 25, handed out safe sex kits and materials. He is upset about the cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention funding in Thurston County. Mpowerment Olympia volunteers organize and participate in many positive social activities and hand out about 1,000 safe sex kits per month at community events, colleges, clubs, bars, and clinics.

"No funding outside of the funding bubbles (of King, Pierce and Snohomish County) is ridiculous...I mean, I understand why they are doing it, but people to people connections are far more useful than any advertising campaign, particularly with youth. We've been so oversaturated with that - it doesn't affect us anymore."

Bumbarger has been involved with Mpowerment Olympia since November of 2011 and appreciates the group. "I think I get as much out of it as I put into it. It's the social stuff, yeah, but it also gives us the skills to do our own programs, and trains us to be leaders in our own lives...I came here from central Pennsylvania. This is my first group of friends - people aren't afraid of being themselves here."

Noel Coley, 20, agreed. Coley has been involved with Mpowerment Olympia for a year.

"I like helping educate men. I feel like a leader. I honestly don't know how it's all going to go - it's going to be pretty crazy until we find some (funding) stabilization. I feel a real sense of community with Mpowerment, a sense of belonging, and I'm helping the community too." 

Both young men were present later in the evening, volunteering at the Red Ribbon Prevention Gayla held at the Urban Onion Ballroom. The event was held to raise funds for HIV prevention services in Thurston County. A silent auction, a raffle, and a dessert dash all raised a significant amount of money. Organizers were thrilled.

"The support has been breathtaking...All of you have changed the future of prevention. After July 1st, there will be HIV testing!" said Justin Taylor, Mpowerment Olympia coordinator and HIV/AIDS prevention coordinator for the Pierce County AIDS Foundation. Taylor received a leadership award at the event for his four years of dedication to the Mpowerment Olympia group.

"He built this program from the ground up," said Matthew Shrader, chair of the Mpowerment Advisory Committee.

Above: Matthew Schrader, left, and Justin Taylor at tonight's Red Ribbon Gayla.

Above: In honor of the late Tumwater City Councilmember Ed Stanley, Capital City Pride Parade Marshal Roger Cummings, left, presents Matthew Shrader, Chair of the Mpowerment Advisory Committee, a check for $1000 to the Pierce County AIDS Foundation to go toward local HIV/AIDS prevention activities. 

 

Community donations will be needed on an ongoing basis to continue free HIV/AIDS testing and other HIV/AIDS prevention activities. For more information, go to www.Mpoweroly.org or www.piercecountyaids.org/prevention. Mpowerment Olympia is located at 317 4th Avenue East, 4th floor, Olympia, (360) 352-2375. No-cost, rapid and confidential HIV testing is on Fridays 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m. and by appointment.

 

To help with next year's Capital City Pride, go to www.capitalcitypride.net.