The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County
Learn powerful skills for practical peace-making in every day life! Improve relationships and learn to help people solve their conflicts in healthy ways. Consider becoming a mediator. In addition to serving the community by offering information and problem solving over the phone, and through our confidential mediation sessions and group facilitation services, the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County also offers a variety of experiential and highly interactive trainings in conflict resolution, mediation and group process skills.
Please join us for one of our upcoming trainings. For more information, or to register for a course, please call Oriana @ 360-956-1155 or e-mail her at onlewis@mediatethurston.org. You can also visit our website at www.mediatethurston.org for a full listing of our current programs and offerings.
A completely volunteer effort, we have three ways of raisiong money for parts, supplies and equipment. One is putting Build-a-Bike water bottles on the counters of various businesses around town. Look for the sign on the bottle that says, “SPARE CHANGE FOR SPARE PARTS”. Drop some coin to help us out.
Another way we raise funds is by holding a raffle in the fall, usually 3 or 4 Saturdays (10am to 4pm) in November at locations around Olympia (Bayview, Farmer’s Mkt., Ralph’s, and Oly Food Co-op). Stop by to take a $1 chance on whatever wonderful bike we have available, or just drop by to say hello or make a donation.
The third way we raise money is through the Stormans’ community rebate cards. Stormans gives 1% of what you spend (1 cent on the dollar) back to community groups. Lots of non-profits have these. You can get one of our cards at our raffle table when we are at Ralph’s or Bayview, or stop by the shop when it’s open.
The Build-a-Bike Project is now housed in a garage of a house behind the Pit Stop Grocery at the corner of 18th Ave. and Boulevard Rd. To find us, look for the signs when the shop is open – Sundays, noon to 4pm. You can also call the message number 539-0955 or check out the website at www.oly-wa/bikes .
Donations of time, money, labor and bikes or bike related items are always welcome. Thanks to all in the Olympia community who continue to make this project possible.
Other items of interest to the community
South Sound Clean Clothes Campaign
The South Sound Clean Clothes Campaign is a coalition of Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey students, union members, people of faith, and concerned citizens raising awareness about the sweatshop industry, and challenging individuals as well as public and private institutions to create positive change by altering their purchasing practices. Visit their website at www.southSoundCleanClothes.org. Meetings are held at Traditions the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.
Thurston County - Santo Tomás, Nicaragua Sister City
The Thurston Santo Tomás sister county association was founded in 1988. It has for ten years fostered personal relationships between the two with exchanges of peoples and programs that have supported self-determination and self-sufficiency for the Nicaraguan people. A quarterly newsletter is published and contact can be made through TSTSCA Newsletter, 2032 Aqua Ct. NW, Olympia, WA 98502 (360) 357-8323.
Sound Exchange
Olympia's Alternative Currency is Sound HOURS. Traditions is the bank for Sound Exchange. A volunteer sets up in the cafe every Monday from 2 pm to 6 PM to answer questions and sign-up people to be a part of this alternative currency. “South Sound Hour Town” listing goods and services available for Hours exchange is published 6 times a year. Pick it up at Traditions, the Co-op, the Library, and other locations around town. Sound Exchange can be contacted at PO Box 1381, Olympia, Wa. 98507 (360) 709-0704
Putting Sustainablility into Practice
Sponsored by the Sustainable Community Roundtable, holds twice monthly conversations at Traditions. The Roundtable publishes annual community indicator updates. Contact them at (360) 786-0237 or click here.
Green Pages
A monthly journal of environmental news and commentary. Published by SPEECH, which holds forums and their annual meetings at Traditions.
Community Sustaining Fund
The Community Sustaining Fund is a local organization formed in 1987 which provides grant support for progressive, community-oriented projects in Thurston County. Funds are raised through businesses, individuals, and a raffle and twice a year grants are awarded to those who fit criteria. Traditions provides business support and is usually the site of the raffle drawing at the spring ArtWalk. The organization’s address is 2103 Harrison NW, Suite 2715, Olympia, Wa. 98502. For more information, click here.
