by Wally Cuddeford

In the early morning hours of July 27, known anti-war organizer Jeff Berryhill was downtown, minding his own business, when he was encircled by Olympia police. The cops, who demonstrated knowledge of who Berryhill was, detained him for several minutes, claiming he “fit the profile” of a suspect in a burglary incident elsewhere in town. (Indeed, it has not been established that this “burglary” even happened.) Upon being dismissed, Berryhill went straight home to tell his friend Mitch. Reportedly, officers later converged on the two at their home, escalating with the victims . . .

The following was written and signed by over 20 projectionists and other OFS volunteers.

The OFS Board of Directors fired operations manager Jeffrey Bartone on August 21, 2007 after 21 years of service to the organization. His termination was based on complaints of “rude, abrasive, and uncooperative behavior.”

On July 26, 2006, the owners of local grocery store/pharmacy Ralph’s Thriftway filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington’s Board of Pharmacy and Human Rights Commission in federal court. The complaint, filed on behalf of Stormans, Inc. and two pharmacists who are not employees of Ralph’s, contends that newly adopted state administrative codes that require pharmacies to fill prescriptions without discrimination violate the “Plaintiffs’ unalienable right of conscience on matters of religious and moral conviction free of government coercion.”

by Joshua Frank

Something bizarre is going on in Willapa Bay, Washington and it is all related to a noxious weed known as Spartina. This tall, dense grass grows rapidly along coastal salt-water marshes and has been rising from the mud of the Northwest since the late nineteenth century. In Washington State and elsewhere Spartina is viewed as an invasive species that can hybridize with other grasses and take over wetlands, destroying biodiversity along the way.  Some think that’s what is going on in Willapa.

by Carolyn LaFond

Confrontation between anti-choice and pro-choice activists has been heating up recently, as the two groups face off near the Planned Parenthood clinic, at the corner of Legion and Adams in downtown Olympia.

Planned Parenthood is the country’s and state’s largest contraception educator/provider, preventing thousands of unwanted pregnancies. Planned Parenthood does not perform late term abortions, which are only done at hospital facilities for medical reasons.

Illogically, the people behind the bloody fetus campaign “Show The Truth” even oppose the use of contraception!

by Daisy Ouye

Frank’s Landing smoke shop in the Nisqually Valley has been temporarily closed since June. Federal Agents raided the smoke shop on May 15 and confiscated all of their tobacco stock and computers.

According to the Department of Revenue, their Deputy Director is supposed to act as Tribal Liaison to resolve issues with tribes and taxpayers. Instead, a business and the private home of its operators were invaded, accused of selling untaxed cigarettes to non-tribal members.

by Daisy Ouye

Once each year, on the first weekend in August, a World Peace flag waves a full 24 hours in front of the Capital building. The  Community Meditation for Global Peace, sponsored by Interfaith Works draws a diverse crowd around Tivoli Fountain. In part, because it is a nonsecular/nonpolitical event.

 ”It’s a wonderful way to connect with everyone who wants peace,” a fellow member of Olympia Women In Black told me. The guest book tallied about 75 visitors this year, and just as many wishes of gratitude.