Alexander Boldizar’s new book, “The Ugly,” is smart, funny and wildly adventurous. It is #1 on Amazon and GoodReads lists, and is considered one of the best new novels of 2016. Muzhduk the Ugli the Fourth is a 300-pound boulder-throwing mountain man from Siberia. When his tribal homeland is stolen by an American lawyer, he must learn how to throw words instead of boulders. Alexander Boldizar was the first post-independence Slovak citizen to graduate with a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. For several years, an online Korean dictionary had him listed as its entry for "ugly."

Harlequin Productions presents The Understudy

Directed by Scot Whitney

Harlequin Productions presents The Understudy, a quirky comedy written by Theresa Rebeck. This production runs from March 2 – March 25, 2017, at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. Tickets are available at www.harlequinproductions.org or 360-786-0151.

Franz Kafka’s undiscovered masterpiece is the hilarious and apropos setting for Theresa Rebeck’s exploration of the existential vagaries of show business and life. Charged with running the understudy rehearsal for a Broadway production, Roxanne finds her professional and personal life colliding when Harry, a journeyman actor and her ex-fiancé, is cast as the understudy to Jake, a mid-tier action star yearning for legitimacy. As Harry and Jake find their common ground, Roxanne tries to navigate the rehearsal with a stoned light board operator and her own careening feelings about both actors and her past. Will the show go on? The Understudy is a dazzling and humanistic look at people trying to do what they love in the face of mounting obstacles until all anyone can do is dance.

     WHO:         Harlequin Productions

     WHAT:       The Understudy

     WHEN:       March 2 – 25, 2017; Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sunday matinees at 2:00pm

     WHERE:     The Historic State Theater – 202 4^th Avenue East, Downtown Olympia 98501

     PRICE:        General: $34 Senior/Military: $31, Student/Youth: $20

$15 Rush Tickets available at Box Office 30 minutes prior to curtain

Harlequin Productions presents The Understudy

Directed by Scot Whitney

Harlequin Productions presents The Understudy, a quirky comedy written by Theresa Rebeck. This production runs from March 2 – March 25, 2017, at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. Tickets are available at www.harlequinproductions.org or 360-786-0151.

Franz Kafka’s undiscovered masterpiece is the hilarious and apropos setting for Theresa Rebeck’s exploration of the existential vagaries of show business and life. Charged with running the understudy rehearsal for a Broadway production, Roxanne finds her professional and personal life colliding when Harry, a journeyman actor and her ex-fiancé, is cast as the understudy to Jake, a mid-tier action star yearning for legitimacy. As Harry and Jake find their common ground, Roxanne tries to navigate the rehearsal with a stoned light board operator and her own careening feelings about both actors and her past. Will the show go on? The Understudy is a dazzling and humanistic look at people trying to do what they love in the face of mounting obstacles until all anyone can do is dance.

     WHO:         Harlequin Productions

     WHAT:       The Understudy

     WHEN:       March 2 – 25, 2017; Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sunday matinees at 2:00pm

     WHERE:     The Historic State Theater – 202 4^th Avenue East, Downtown Olympia 98501

     PRICE:        General: $34 Senior/Military: $31, Student/Youth: $20

$15 Rush Tickets available at Box Office 30 minutes prior to curtain

“We the People” is a visual essay about the destruction of the American land, now that our government has become a tool of the corporate few.  Destruction has come through fracking, drilling, strip mining, and toxic dumping from agriculture and mining, and we’ve been powerless to stop it.  But a movement is building for challenging our masters and laying claim to democracy, not just in this country but around the world.  This movie shows us how to get started. 

This original movie was produced by CELDF, the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.  Kai Huschke will be present to represent CELDF and answer questions. 

This showing is sponsored by the Green Party of South Puget Sound.  Free.  Small optional donation to cover the cost of the movie license. 

This is a link to a video interview I had with Senator Karen Fraser on the day after her retirement.  The 24 minute video was filmed at the Panorama television station (PCTV) on campus.

https://vimeo.com/202568083

This is Deb Ross' latest video that I helped with. Deb gives some background about 4th Avenue and Capitol Way in her "iconic intersections" series. She talks about some early Olympia history. Who knew that Alice B. Toklas had visited Olympia? Too bad she didn't live until pot was legal here.   https://youtu.be/W630VtJQIv0  You can subscribe on the YouTube Channel page for updates and new videos.  The show is in its second year.

Image of the Mottman building from the Washington State Library Collection. Gallewski Kaufman and Ferdinand Toklas had a mercantile store there.  For more on the buidling go to the Olympia Historical Society "Where are We?" page.

This story map (Click image or follow link below) will show locations of Thurston County Courthouses and share some history.

This project is a joint effort of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum and the Thurston County Courts History Committee and was produced through private donations. Text by Thurston County Courts History Committee; Story Map created by Brian Hovis and Deborah Ross.

http://arcg.is/2iFldhe

You’re invited to the Native Plant Salvage’s Annual Dinner and Volunteer Recognition Celebration, downtown Olympia at the Abigail Stuart House! Join us on Friday, February 24th at from 5 – 9 p.m. for an evening replete with live music, friendship, food and more.

Highlights include live music by a seven-piece Brazilian-Cuban-Swing-Blues-Jazz band called Bevy.  We’re also serving up all you can eat desserts from Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

Who doesn't love a night of camaraderie, groovin' live music, and delicious foods?  Space is limited; RSVP today to guarantee your seat at this festive event! Just email nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com

Suggested donation for the event is $10 - $50 / person. 

Visit our website for more information!

At a native plant Salvage event, volunteers rescue small native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants from local areas that are scheduled for clearing due to development.  These events are our organization’s namesake, and a great way to practice plant identification while volunteering and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow plant lovers.

We’ll keep you well fed all day with hot soup and snacks! Volunteers are invited to help for however long they feel capable; whether that’s all day or for a few hours, we appreciate your contribution. 

Please email nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com to register. Location and further details sent following registration.

Visit our website for more information and other Salvage dates!