Contributors

06

Oct

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LGBTQ+ Representation Matters

We think of Washington as a very progressive state when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. But when it comes to electing people to represent our community we are falling way behind. That is why this year’s state and congressional elections are so exciting to me. We have the opportunity for some significant firsts. Beth Doglio If elected, Beth Doglio would be the first openly LGBTQ+ Member of Congress from the State of Washington. Even if Beth Doglio were not a member of the community, she would still be a fantastic candidate to support. She is fighting climate change and…

Ballots drop on Friday – get your recycle bin ready!

06

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That, Uncategorized

Ballots drop on Friday – get your recycle bin ready!

Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election will go in the mail on Oct. 8, followed shortly by dozens and dozens of expensive, colorful, glossy mailers, made of dead trees, extolling candidates’ virtues. The deluge, in fact, already has begun. A fund-raising letter from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Chris Reykdal hit local mailboxes on September 28. A big postcard touting her record on education from 10th Congressional District candidate Marilyn Strickland was in the mailbox on Monday – lots of cute kids here, to be sure. Personal fave so far – a “photograph,” letter, and return postcard/envelope from Democratic…

03

Oct

By Rob Richards

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City of Olympia, Features, Rob Richards

Trump Troops Traipse Through Town

Editor's Note: The following reports were compiled from multiple eye-witness accounts submitted by community members. For the safety of the eyewitnesses, all reports are anonymous. https://youtu.be/fN1GFZjogSg Trump-supporter caravan traveling through Olympia. Contains foul language. "I am getting reports all around Downtown [Olympia] of a caravan of dozens of trucks decked out with Trump and Culp signs and flags driving up and down the streets as of 3:30 pm today. Earlier they were also driving up I-5 and harassing other drivers according to three separate reports. One report mentioned a car being boxed in and pelted with eggs. This event was…

The Olympia Tribune Winter Donation Drive

30

Sep

By Rob Richards

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Contributors, Features, Rob Richards

The Olympia Tribune Winter Donation Drive

Summer Is Over Yesterday on my early morning walk, there was an unmistakable crispness in the air. As I sit here at my kitchen window, I look out at the neighborhood and see trees already starting to glow orange. The forecast for the coming week shows low temperatures dipping into the 40s. The switch has officially flipped to the autumn setting. When temperatures dip, it creates dangerous conditions for our neighbors who are stuck outside—even temperatures in the 40s can be rough. If you don't believe me, I challenge you to get up at 6 AM, put on shorts and…

A Simple Donation Can Save A Life This Winter

29

Sep

By Mindy Chambers

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Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That

A Simple Donation Can Save A Life This Winter

Socks! Tarps! Tents! Sleeping bags! Hygiene and First Aid supplies! The rainy season is upon us, and those living outside will face our cold, windy winter weather with fewer than ever options to get out of the elements. Local officials say fewer than half of last year’s 400 overnight shelter beds will be regularly available this winter. With the closure of the Community Care Center, people have few options for places to dry off and get warm during the day. You can help. Do you have a tent, tarp, sleeping bags, blankets, or other camping and survival supplies that…

28

Sep

By Mindy Chambers

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Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That

DemoBurger Demolition Derby

Demise of the Demoburger? In a lengthy “discussion” on Facebook, now removed, debate raged among Thurston County Democrats earlier this month about the fate of the Demoburger Booth … you know, that purveyor of grease-laden, onion-covered gut bombs the Dems served at festivals and fairs … pre-pandemic. Turns out the old chuckwagon needs a massive and expensive overhaul in order to meet state safety regulations, including a new range hood (who could have guessed that?). The fight centered on why the information was posted on Facebook, what the Dems had voted to do (pull the plug on the booth or…

Be the Teacher Who Inspires the Next Generation

24

Sep

By Mel Wilde

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Contributors, Features, Mel Wilde

Be the Teacher Who Inspires the Next Generation

Social justice work asks us to rethink who we are, and the amount of space we take up. To hold ourselves accountable in ways that are deeply uncomfortable yet necessary. Part of why white supremacy is so successful is because it uses excellent teaching methods. It reaches out and comforts white people, tells them it’s ok to have hurt feelings, that they are good and right. The white supremacy leverages how social justice educates to radicalize people by telling them that anyone who is challenging them to be better is just a snowflake. Part of what we need to recognize…

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Candlelight Vigil in Olympia

20

Sep

By Tracey Carlos

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Contributors, Features, Tracey Carlos

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Candlelight Vigil in Olympia

Editor's note: The Tribune's Tracey Carlos went to the Capitol yesterday evening to attend a candlelight vigil in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on Friday, September 18th, 2020. Among the speakers were WA State Representative, and candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in the 10th Congressional District, Beth Doglio. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UgluqwW9I8E Thurston County Commissioner candidate Carolina Mejia... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5hQEXkOt4 ...and Olympia Superior Court candidate Sharonda Amamilo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO7rO8to4WY Other speakers included Keoki Kauanoe, Vanessa Malapote, Krys Brown, and Kyrian McMichael who read statements from WA Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu and Speaker of the…

19

Sep

By Mindy Chambers

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Columns, Contributors, Mindy Chambers, This and That

This And That

Not making friends wherever he goes. C Davis, or CDavis Plover as he calls himself on Facebook, is a candidate for Thurston County Commissioner – at least his name will be on the ballot. Many things have gone terribly wrong with this campaign, including late filings of a state Public Disclosure Commission financial report (not that there was much to report he’s raised just $2,250 and spent less than that); lost the endorsement of the Thurston County Republican party; had his voter registration successfully challenged, and faced serious allegations regarding his past behavior with under-age young women. His latest social media…

18

Sep

By Letters

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Contributors, Features, Mel Wilde

New Labels Same Bias

Our society is starting to commonly use a wider variety of labels for sexual and gender identities. It is wonderful. Yet, sometimes we hear a new label, and we want to show we are cool and inclusive, so we assume someone uses a label without asking. Unfortunately, this can lead to stereotyping based on sexist, racist, or classist bias. I will be speaking about my own life; my views don't represent anyone else's experience. A fair number of people assume that I use the labels gender non conforming (GNC) and masc (masculine) to describe myself. When I ask why they…