Calendar

[Calendar in .pdf formet and Word doc]

Events sponsored by FOR are preceded by the symbol FOR.

Phone numbers are in (360) unless otherwise noted.

TCTV programs use cable channel 22 in Thurston County.

Save this list and refer to it often!

COMING EVENTS: Early February 2012 in Olympia WA and beyond

• All phone numbers are in area code (360) unless specified otherwise.
• All addresses are in or near Olympia WA unless specified otherwise.
• The Olympia FOR’s website -- www.olympiafor.org – includes the last several years’ worth of newsletters, including descriptions of our TV programs. You can watch our TV programs through our website’s TV Programs page.
• If you are on the Olympia FOR’s mailing list, look for our February-March newsletter on about February 8 or 9.
• If you’d like to receive future issues of our newsletter on paper by postal mail – and/or electronic copies by e-mail – contact glen@olympiafor.org or (360) 491-9093.

Wed Feb 1: Noon-Hour Peace Vigil from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm in NW corner of Sylvester Park (Legion & Capitol Way). Please come for all or part of the hour to witness in a friendly way for peace and nonviolence. We provide plenty of signs. Info: glen@olympiafor.org 491-9093
Wed Feb 1: Deadline for passing legislation for the “State Bank” – Washington Investment Trust: See thorough information at the end of this e-mail.
Wed Feb 1: Occupy Olympia General Assembly: This is Occupy Olympia’s basic organizational gathering and decision-making body. It’s a potluck, so please bring a dish to share if you can. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St SE, downtown Olympia.
FOR Wed Feb 1: Death penalty abolition committee of Olympia FOR meets to educate ourselves and work on further activities to abolish that atrocity. We meet at 7:00 p.m. at a convenient location in Tumwater. Info: 491-9093 deathpenalty@olympiafor.org

Thurs Feb 2: Washington State Senate committee hearing on SenateJointMemorial 8014, which calls for a prompt end to the war in Afghanistan, a cut in military spending, and shifting federal spending to help people: See thorough information at the end of this e-mail.
FOR Thurs Feb 2: “Climate: Updates and Next Strategies” – Our February TV program debuts at 9:00 tonight on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County. Very soon after the debut TV airing, we’ll post it to our website, www.olympiafor.org, so anyone will be able to watch it at any time. Simply click on the website’s TV Programs link and scroll down. Or after Thursday night, click this easy link: http://blip.tv/olympia-fellowship-of-reconciliation/clomate-updates-and-next-strategies-5921383
Thurs Feb 2: Amend the Constitution to eliminate “corporate personhood” – The local Move to Amend group meets tonight from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the MIXX 96 Conference Room, 119 N Washington Street (just south of State Ave), in downtown Olympia. Catch up on local organizing efforts, including progress toward a City Council resolution for a constitutional amendment declaring that only humans have human rights. The Move to Amend group is organizing in various ways. Info: mta.oly@gmail.com and www.movetoamend.org and www.thealliancefordemocracy.org

Fri Feb 3: Hunger Action Day at the State Legislature: Info: Hunger Action Day
FOR Fri Feb 3 Peace Vigil from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the south end of Percival Landing at 4th & Water downtown. Please join us for whatever length of time you can. We provide plenty of signs. Also enjoy the Artesian Rumble Arkestra jazz band that joins us at 5:00 to support our vigil! Sponsor: Olympia FOR. Info: 491-9093 glen@olympiafor.org

Sat Feb 4: “The War Comes Home: Trauma and Its Aftermath: A Conference for Service Members, Veterans, Family Members, and Helping Professionals” – A number of high quality presenters with military experience and peace orientations will discuss their experiences and insights in the morning session, “Voices of Service Members, Veterans and Family Members.” The afternoon session, “Understanding What War Veterans and Their Families Face When They Come Home,” will feature presentations by a number of experienced and knowledgeable people, including some professionals in the helping professions. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Tacoma Community College’s Cafeteria in the Student Center, 6501 19th Street, Tacoma. Free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
Sat Feb 4: Nationwide actions for peace with Iran: Powerful interests within the U.S. government and beyond want to ramp up for war and other violence against Iran. Actions are scheduled today for 48 cities across the U.S., including one in Seattle. The them is NO War! NO Sanctions! NO Intervention! NO Assassinations on Iran. The closest one to Olympia will occur at 1:30 p.m. at Westlake Center, Seattle, and a march to a nearby military recruiting center. The International Action Center and other groups are stimulating these. Info: www.iacenter.org
Sat Feb 4: NW Regional March and Rally for Clemency for Leonard Peltier, Native American political prisoner: On this international day of action, Olympia’s nearest march and rally will occur in Tacoma. A carpool will leave at 10:15 a.m. from the parking lot at Harrison and Division on Olympia’s west side. Gather for the march at 12:00 noon at Tacoma’s Portland Ave. Park (on Portland Ave. between E. 35th & E. Fairbanks. Take Portland Ave. exit off I-5 and head east.) The march will arrive at 1:00 p.m. for the rally at U.S. Federal Court House, 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma. At the march and rally, hear several speakers and drummers. Leonard Peltier needs resolutions for clemency from Tribes, Unions, Human Rights Organizations and others. See a sample resolution at: http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/resolution.htm More info: bayou@blarg.net
Sat Feb 4: Walter Echo-Hawk speaks about his latest book, “In the Courts of the Conqueror: The 10 Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided” -- Walter Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) is a Native American speaker, author and attorney. Throughout his distinguished legal career he has worked to protect the legal, political, property, cultural and human rights of Indian tribes and Native peoples. Free presentation. Books will be available for purchase. $35.00 each. (Cash or check only.) 1:30 p.m. at The Evergreen State College Longhouse. Many Native-related sponsors.
Sat Feb 4: Community Conversation: “What can the Occupy movement mean to you?” Enjoy a panel of David Korten (Co-founder of YES! Magazine), Sarah van Gelder (Editor and co-founder of YES! Magazine), Michael Douglas, Tsukina Blessing (Occupy Chaplains from Seattle), and Kyle Enillikenge (Camper from Occupy Seattle). The panel and conversation run from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Come BEFORE the 6:00 dinner if you want a hot drink. Location: Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, 105 Winslow Way W, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110-2511. It’s at the corner of Winslow Way and Madison Ave. (Cars enter from Madison), Bainbridge Island. Register by Wednesday February 1 with Norm nkeegel@gmail.com or Judy Brown (206) 842 3772.
Sat Feb 4: 8th Annual Illuminated Ball to benefit the Procession of the Species Community Art Studio: Enjoy pageant theater with live music ensemble and original art design. Great choreography and performances. Enjoy a silent auction and appetizers with a no-host bar. Tickets for this fabulous event are $65 in advance at Traditions Fair Trade, 5th & Water, or $75 at the door. 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Eagles Grand Ballroom, 405 E. 4th Avenue (corner of Plum Street), downtown Olympia.
Mon Feb 6: Free Bradley Manning: Bradley Manning Support Network campaign organizer Jeff Paterson will provide a powerfully informative multi-media presentation. Bradley Manning, a 24-year-old Army intelligence analyst, faces life in prison for allegedly sharing with the WikiLeaks website the “Collateral Murder” video of a US helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq. Bradley has also been charged with blowing the whistle on the “Iraq War Logs,” the “Afghan Diaries,” the “Gitmo Files,” and embarrassing cables involving the US State Department. All of the documents released have added significantly to public knowledge of war crimes, civilian casualties, government corruption, and the over-classification of information. No one has been harmed and the information has helped fuel pro-democratic protests globally. 3:30 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College, Bldg 26, Room 102 Lecture Hall.

Mon Feb 6: Free Bradley Manning: See background info above. 7:00 p.m. at Coffee Strong Café, 15109 Union Avenue SW, Lakewood.

Tues Feb 7: Free Bradley Manning: See background info above. 12:00 noon in Lecture Hall 3 of The Evergreen State College.
Tues Feb 7: David Barsamian’s “Alternative Radio” program returns to KAOS, 89.3 FM: In response to heavy public pressure, KAOS is bringing back this politically progressive interview program. It will air every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on KAOS, 89.3 FM, beginning tonight. Info: John Ford, 867-6894 fordj@evergreen.edu, and www.kaosradio.org

Thurs Feb 9: “Have a Heart for Kids Day” is a powerful day of advocacy for children’s interests at the State Legislature: Participate in a rally on the Capitol steps and visit legislators. Fight budget cuts, and urge new policies to improve kids’ lives. Start at The United Churches, 11th Ave SE and Washington Street SE (kitty-corner NE from the corner of the Capitol campus) with advocacy workshops before the rally and visits with legislators. Info: Have a Heart for Kids Day and Register online now.
Thurs Feb 9 to Wed Feb 15: Interfaith March from Vancouver to Olympia for Marriage Equality: Vancouver First Congregational United Church of Christ is organizing teams for an Interfaith March for Marriage Equality from Vancouver to Olympia, February 9-15. The march begins with a prayer breakfast in Vancouver on Thursday the 9th and ends on the Capitol steps on Wednesday the 15th. The Equality Day Rally is the next day in Olympia, Thursday February 16. Info is in this flyer. Registration deadline passed on January 19, but people can still connect with MarriageMarch@gmail.com or (360) 693-1476.

Fri Feb 10: Heartsparkle Players – Playback Theatre with The Thunders, an ensemble of young adults who have taken Playback Theatre workshops with the Heartsparkle Players. Playback Theatre is a spontaneous collaboration between performers and audience. People tell moments from their lives, then watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue. 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 300-5th Ave SW (& Water Street), in downtown Olympia). A $5-$10 donation is requested, but Heartsparkle never turns anyone away for not donating. Info: www.heartsparkle.org and Debe 943-6772
Fri-Sun Feb 10-12: Marcus Borg Lecture Series: “Speaking Christian: Reclaiming Christian Language” -- If you are familiar with Marcus Borg’s insightful approach to Jesus’ teachings and biblical scholarship, you will find this fascinating. Marcus Borg, internationally known biblical and Jesus scholar, will give a series of lectures on "Speaking Christian: Reclaiming Christian Language.” Being Christian includes “speaking Christian” – knowing and understanding authentic Christian language, which is not well understood in our time. Without understanding the historical roots, many people focus on forms of Christianity that focus on belief, sin and forgiveness, individual moral behavior, and heaven and hell. Borg’s writings show that Jesus’ orientation, teachings, and ministry were vastly different than most people think. These lectures emphasize the much richer and often different biblical and ancient meanings of crucial Christian words, phrases, and stories. Location: University Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 16th Ave. NE, Seattle. Tickets and info: For tickets and more information, contact University Congregational United Church of Christ, (206) 524-6255, ext. 3447 or lectureseries@universityucc.org Registration forms are available at www.universityucc.org or at the church office. Group rates and “pay what you can” options are available through the church. Tickets and more specifics on the lectures and times are also available at Brown Paper Tickets.

Sat Feb 11: “Friendly Water for the World” invites you to a fundraising Send-Off Dinner as they leave for Africa: Del and Suzanne Livingston will soon return to Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and other African locations to continue helping communities improve sanitation and conquer the plague of waterborne diseases by making, distributing and using BioSand filters that are very easy to make and use. Enjoy excellent Ethiopian cuisine and a silent auction and live auction (especially featuring African art items). Learn about Friendly Water through displays and brief presentations. 6:00 p.m. at Olympic View Friends Church, 201 Brown’s Point Blvd, Tacoma 98422. Sponsor: Friendly Water for the World. Please reserve your $15 tickets by Monday February 6 so they’ll know how much food to order. Reserve tickets through (509) 452-0916 or justice4chaudhry@gmail.com
Sat Feb 11 & March 10: Basic Training in The Practice of Nonviolence The Washington Peace Team offers this training in Seattle from 1 to 5 pm. $99 to $199, scholarships are available. Registration & info Rosy 206-782-9305 or WashingtonPeaceTeam@gmail.com

Mon Feb 13: “Coal Hard Truth” Forum: Learn about protecting Thurston County from up to twenty 1.5 mile long coal trains per day! Find out about a proposed dirty coal export project in Whatcom County that would dramatically affect our community and how you can help prevent it from happening. What are our risks if Peabody Coal (the largest coal company in the world) and SSA Marine are allowed to transport up to 50 million of tons of coal through Thurston County on rail to send to Asia via Cherry Point just north of Bellingham? Find out during the “Coal Hard Truth” Forum from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, downtown. Sponsors: Climate Solutions www.climatesolutions.org and the Climate Action group within Transition Olympia. Info: Beth Doglio (360) 352-1763beth@climatesolutions.org

Tues Feb 14: Uniting Hearts and Minds: Raising Revenue for the Common Good: Interfaith Advocacy Day 2012: People of faith who care about social and economic justice will gather from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a day of legislative advocacy. Start at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE (between Capitol Way and Washington Street), and enjoy workshops on issues and advocacy (e.g., workshops on the state budget, environment, disability services, and housing/homelessness), legislative briefings, visits with your state legislators, and an interfaith worship. This year the faith community is uniting on Valentine's Day to call on our legislators to unite their hearts and minds and raise revenue instead of cutting funding for programs that support the common good. REGISTER NOW: It saves you money and helps us with scheduling meetings and other planning. Cost to attend is $20 if you register by 5:00 p.m. on Monday January 31, and $25 if you register beginning February 1. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and the cost of materials and organizing the event. Some scholarships may be available for those with limited funds--please call or e-mail with your request. We can also help you arrange carpools with others from your area. If you know of faith communities that have vans we can use to carpool, please let us know! Register online or download this mail-in registration form. And share this bulletin insert with your faith community!

February 16: Marriage Equality Day at the State Capitol: Info: Marriage Equality Day
Sat-Sun Feb 18-19: Occupy Solidarity Social Forum: Occupy Olympia (WA) and the Alliance for Global Justice are hosting a two-day Occupy Solidarity Social Forum to strengthen the movement inspired by the Occupy Movement. This self-organized, social forum-type gathering is open to all occupiers and allies. Plans are underway now, so look for emerging information. Info: Bruce Wilkinson bwildleaf@gmail.com and http://ossf2012.org.

FOR Mon Feb 20: Bring Our Billion$ Home Rally at Sylvester Park and March to the State Capitol: A die-in and sing-in will occur. Start with the 10:00 a.m. rally at Sylvester Park (Legion & Capitol Way), and, march to the State Capitol at 11:00. Focus on the casualties of war, including people in the military who have been killed or injured physically or mentally, and civilians and other people who have been killed abroad, and thousands of people in Washington State who are victims of war because militarism has diverted money away from the government providing health care, education, and environmental programs. Creative actions will occur in the afternoon. Info: Western Washington FOR wwfor@wwfor.org or (206) 789-5565

Sat Feb 25: Thurston – Santo Tomás (Nicaragua) Sister County Association ANNUAL GARAGE SALE: Great selection! Worthy cause! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Elementary School Gym, 21st & Washington Street SE, Olympia. You can help in three ways: #1: Donate items on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (not on Saturday). #2: Volunteer to collect items in advance or set up and sort items on Friday (from 3 p.m. to late), and/or help on Saturday (before 9 a.m. to clean-up after 3 p.m.). #3: Browse and buy. Info: tstsca@gmail.com or Emily Calhoun Petrie mlecalhoun@gmail.com and www.oly-wa.us/TSTSCA

Thorough Information for Two Urgent Legislative Bills

Wed Feb 1: Deadline for passing legislation for the “State Bank” – Washington Investment Trust: In order for this legislation – SB 6310 – to stay alive during this legislative session, the Senate Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance Committee must pass SB 6310 out through the committee by Wednesday February 1, and the House Business and Financial Institutions Committee must pass HB 2434 out of committee by Thursday February 2. Organizers are urging support from senators and representatives who have not yet committed their support. Committee members’ names and emails are below. Supporters urge you phone them and urge them to vote “YES” to save the state, counties, and cities millions of dollars in debt service costs, help students, keep money in Washington State and create jobs. The Legislative hotline, 1-800-562-6000, can receive calls from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please call on Mon-Tues Jan 30-31.

If you e-mail senate committee members, please have your subject line say: “YES on SB 6310, The Washington Investment Trust.” Please contact these members of the Senate committee:
Steve Hobbs D steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7686
Mary Margaret Haugen D marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7618
Don Benton R don.benton@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7632
Joe Fain R joe.fain@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7692
Steve Litzow R steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7641

If you e-mail house committee members, please have your subject line say: “YES on HB 2434, The Washington Investment Trust.” Please contact these members of the House committee:
Troy Kelley D troy.kelley@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7890
Christopher Hurst D Christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7866
Jamie Pedersen D jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7826
Barbara Bailey R barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7914
Vincent Buys R Vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7854
Cary Condotta R cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7954
Joel Kretz R joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7988
Ann Rivers R ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7850



THURS FEB 2: Thorough information about Senate Joint Memorial Bill 8014
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=8014&year=2012
Several peace groups, including the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR) and Seattle’s American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) ask for widespread support for Senate Joint Memorial Bill 8014. This bill sends an urgent message from the entire Legislature that:
“...Congress and the President change course by ending the war in Afghanistan: Dramatically shifting our national priorities to create stable jobs at living wages for all who seek employment; restoring vital social programs and public services; rebuilding our nation’s deteriorating infrastructure; and putting our nation on an environmentally sustainable, ecologically responsible path that addresses the challenge of climate change and environmental degradation while reinvigorating jobs and our economy."

The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections will hear comments and testimony on THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Hearing Room 2, Cherberg Bldg, Olympia (slightly SE of the Capitol Bldg). A companion bill, House Joint Memorial 4013, is now in the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. Whether or not you can attend the Senate committee hearing, please use e-mail and phone to express your support. Contact chairperson Senator Craig Pridemore and co-chair Senator Margarita Prentice, who can encourage the committee to pass this bill. More information is available from Nina Laboy (206) 355-4032 seattlerica@gmail.com and Ellen Finkelstein (206) 661-3241
Besides contacting Senator Craig Pridemore, (49th Legislative District), the chair, and Senator Margarita Prentice (11th), the co-chair, you can contact other members of the committee listed below. You can also send letters of support for the full committee to Sharon Swanson, Committee Coordinator at sharon.swanson@leg.wa.gov . Your e-mail subject line should say: “Support SJM 8014: End the Afghanistan War.” Please thank the Senate sponsor Sen. Maralyn Chase (32nd) and co-sponsor Sen. Rodney Tom (48th). The complete resolution is available at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Joint%20Memorials/8014-Federal%20military%20spending.pdf

Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations, & Elections:
Pridemore, Chair (D) 49th District; Vancouver - (360) 786-7696
Margarita Prentice, Vice Chair (D) 11th District; Renton - (360) 786-7616
Dan Swecker (R) ranking Minority Member; 20th District, Rochester - (360) 786-7638
Don Benton (R) 17th District Vancouver - (360) 786-7632
Maralyn Chase (D) Sponsor of SJM 8083; 32nd District; Shoreline - (360) 786-7662
Sharon Nelson (D; 34th District; West Seattle, Vashon, Burien) - (360) 786-7667
Pam Roach (R; 31st District; Auburn) - (360) 786-7660

The original House Joint Memorial 4013 (resolution) is now in the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. If passed in the Senate it will more than likely be passed in the House as well, where there are 15 legislative co-sponsors, led by Rep. Bob Hasegawa. Please thank Representative Bob Hasegawa (11th), who led the way and obtained as co-sponsors: Representatives Santos (37th), Kenney (46th), Goodman (45th), Ryu (32nd), Appleton (23rd) committee vice chair, Dunshee 44th), Pollet (46th), Ormsby (3rd), Pettigrew (37th), Stanford (1st), Takko (19th), Dickerson (36th), Reykdal (22nd), Hunt (22nd) committee chair, and Moscoso (1st). You can identify your legislators at: Find Your Legislators.
Some of the co-sponsors listed above serve on the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. Other committee members include: are underlined above. Others on the committee include:
Taylor (15th) (360) 786-7874. ranking member
Overstreet (42nd) (360) 786-7980, assistant ranking member
Alexander (20th) LEG 426B(360) 786-7990
Condotta (12th) LEG 122B(360) 786-7954
Darneille (27th) JLOB 314(360) 786-7974
Hurst (31st) JLOB 335(360) 786-7866
McCoy (38th) LEG 132A(360) 786-7864