Works In Progress - September 2003 - OlyNow! Congratulatory Street Celebration

OlyNow will strive to explore and integrate our collective visions for a sustainable community. OlyNow is created by your community – not a top down movement. OlyNow’s inspiration comes from the conviction that change happens by focusing on what we do want to see, rather than demonstrating against negative things. Focusing on what is negative only gives it more power. At a recent potluck, an OlyNow organizer recalled seeing so many friends together at recent protests. It reminded her of a funeral; glad to see them yet oddly uncomfortable with the urge to celebrate due to the somber nature of the gathering.

We are currently getting the job done of creating an economically vibrant and responsible community. We believe that if we persist in our work, we can continue making our world, and little ol’ Olympia, a more healthful and progressive place. Congratulatory statements interspersed throughout the day will make OlyNow unique. Come and pat the backs of all those unsung local heroes. Street theater involving the astrological significance of this very day will be performed. There will be vendors of delight, insightful workshops, delicious food, interactive information booths, live music, theater and dance at this celebratory street party.

So, let’s celebrate!

Join us as we honor and celebrate our community successes. OlyNow will attach a face to an effort/organization thereby making one another’s networking more effective and pleasurable. For instance, while filling water from the artesian well one could recognize Krag Unsoeld approaching and be eager to question him about SPEECH or reminisce about his mother and prior Congresswoman, Jolene Unsoeld. Granted Olympia’s lack of anonymity has a downside, however I am grateful to have an interwoven town to call my own.

I imagine those present will care about our community and be people who want to make informed choices. OlyNow is a tool to bring together knowledge of sustainable choices and showcase ways to create a livable, prosperous community. For instance, a new restaurant on Black Lake Boulevard, the American Grill, will have a presence at OlyNow. This restaurant is dedicated to serving organic vegetables and meat from local farmers. Meet them at OlyNow and see their delightful menu for yourself.

Children’s participation is crucial. Some say that children are our most valuable, natural resource. OlyNow will create a space that celebrates their path and shows children that they matter. The Peace Scouts will be leading in a scavenger hunt. A clothesline will gradually be filled with visionary drawings of what we want to maintain and create in our community. We need to create a world that’s worth passing on to them. Furthermore, much of what we get in the media is targeting our fears and segregation. We can counteract the media bias by coming together in public spaces to take back our safety and security.

We have invited dozens of agencies and organizations to organize a creative, interactive display regarding their work. For example, as our polluted inlands were pondered we invited Thurston County Environmental Health. They want to partner more with community in spreading the word of toxic waste reductions and common sense gardening methods. There are a plethora of local organizations diligently working to approach the task of replenishing and preserving our environment.

Workshops include:

Dr. Suska Davis presenting a workshop in creating and transforming our relationship with self and others with Non-violent Communication.

UCAN will present AIDS education.

NorthWest Earth Institute will showcase their reading/discussion group style.

Other possible workshops include health, art, creativity and sex.

Our community has a lot to share and strive for. Now is the time to do it in the road. Kathleen Byrd, inspired by the Portland City Repair Project, joined OlyNow with a fierce determination to share with others in transforming neighborhood intersections into artful places that encourage neighbors and strangers to come together. With some guidance from Portland’s City Repair originator, Mark Lakeman, Kathleen is running with caution and speed to eventually bring this vision to Olympia. Now is the time for re-visioning and collaborating.

The Portland City Repair Project started eight years ago when a Portland neighborhood attained street permits to halt car traffic and hold a block party within an intersection. During the party, neighbors created a painted mosaic on the street and installed a fixed tea caddy. When the festivities were completed the City Repair Project was told to clean up the remaining art. An eighty-year old elder living at that corner wanted the Mayor of Portland to view the street’s repair prior to succumbing to cleaning up.

The Mayor visited and was inspired, deeming this project a vital neighborhood renovation. He assisted in laying the groundwork for street parties to continue with neighbors coming together and creating artful installations. Hence, over 200 block parties have humanized intersections in Portland, Oregon.

The intersection of 9th and Adams is an ideal site with its nearby post office, library, and residential area. A Village Improvement Project (VIP) will be one of the many fantastic offerings hopefully by you and definitely for you. Come on down September 21, Autumn Equinox.

This event will enable you to connect with the resources you are looking for.

Bring your Sound Hours or Presidential-face dollars to spend at the Silent Auction, or with the food vendors or local artisans. This is a free event with no hidden costs but we hope you’ll bring what you can to support it.

Sleeping bags, blankets and camping gear will be collected for our homeless neighbors. Used books and CDs can be donated to Climate

Solutions through a group called EcoEncore, which sells recycled items and donates the proceeds to non-profits. Oh, and also bring play-toys including chalk, bubbles and laughter.

Your early participation would be appreciated. We are holding a community brunch where you can pay for breakfast or simply bring your own on September 7th from 10am to 1pm at Fertile Ground Guesthouse located behind Timberland Library on 9th Avenue (311 9th Ave SE). Here we will

conspire and toy with all the possibilities of this upcoming OlyNow event.

The next two beautification/VIP meetings will occur at Fertile Ground on Wednesday, September 3rd and September 17th from 6:00-8:00pm.

For more information or to get involved please call:

352~2428 about booth space

Mechelle Peterson 753~4240 about workshops or

Marie Poland 456~3829 ext3 about music and volunteering

Website: http://www.fertileground.org/olynow

WIP~thanks and thanks

Mechelle Peterson