In both the early 1990s and early 2000s, Washington State lagged the country in economic recovery. At least in terms of unemployment. But, you can see the curve of dipping unemployment this time around, Washington State matched or beat the jobless rate dip, especially in the past two years. So, what was different this time…
Month: May 2014
On Memorial Day, memorialize the Puget Sound War
February 1861 After the treaties were signed around here, settling outstanding tribal land claims, and legally opening settlement in our region, we went to war. The terms of the treaties didn’t match up with the expectations of the tribes. The small non-native communities contracted into bunkhouses. Hundreds formed units to both defend their farms and…
The Thurston County PUD, local internet, net neutrality and the next fight
A little while back a group of citizens took on Puget Sound Energy to bring power to the people. Literally, they wanted to have our local public utility district, which up to now is limited to providing water to a small portion of the county, into the electricity business. They lost. Big. Despite a horrific…
What was going on in Olympia 30 years ago?
Local arts activists lobbied for and built the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Local athletic boosters brought arguably the largest sporting event ever to Olympia. Local political activists changed the government at city hall. The first part of the 1980s was a big time in Olympia. Things were happening, people were getting things done….
This is your history
To struggle to protect treaty rights has been heavy on my mind this week. It is worth pointing out how long this struggle actually is. This letter to the Puget Sound Courier (Steilacoom’s paper) is a pointed attack at Governor Stevens during the Puget Sound War. The anonymous writer points out that the execution of…
All the Arts Walk and Process you can take (olyblogosphere for May 5, 2014)
1. Recycled Art at Arts Walk? You want to know more? Ruby Reusable has the scoop! Big Surprise? Not really. 2. Despite the rain and short procession, everyone hit the procession. Its like a post-modern Olympia homecoming. Mojourner was kind enough to post up some shots here. 3. Over at Calavara, the man gives…
How I was wrong about the history of Capitol Lake
One little detail. But, I can admit when I’m wrong. Here’s one passage in a history I wrote of the formation of Capitol Lake: Depending on the source, one of two things then happened. Either the state capitol committee rejected a lake altogether or they accepted the Olmsted’s earlier limited version. In the late…