Soul Snatcher, Productions ™ Democracy Wall

Splendor in the Grass

Olympia, WA (7-1-14) — Children, both young and in their 60’s frolicked in the geysers of Olympia’s Fountain park adjacent to the abandoned Capitol Center Building, the tallest non-government high-rise in the City. Boarded up busted lower story windows, graffiti and evidence of the homeless hiding in its shadows to evade municipal scrutiny were abundant in sharp contrast to the lush manicured grass and ebullient crowd enjoying a hot summer afternoon in the fountain’s pleasantly cool water.

92 in the Shade

Unfortunately, seemingly as suddenly as the abandoned high rise, the fountain unexpectedly shut down and the crowds  drifted away. While the geyser park is almost universally loved, there are equal numbers of those who love and hate what some call the “mistake on the lake”. It’s a quintessential example of what’s known as mid-century (20th) architecture–straight spare lines, soaring heights plus massive use of steel and concrete. For all that, it’s last tenant left in 2006. It remains empty and a bit of an eye sore, more for the lack of maintenance that design.

Blinded By The Light

The Longest Day

The Capitol Center Building stands empty in the face of an army of homeless residents the City has done its utmost to criminalize by definition–steamrolling the civil rights of an entire underclass. The structure is centrally located near many of the services sorely needed by the destitute, hungry, and homeless–which is precisely why Olympia’s City manager and downtown business owners would vehemently oppose such a proposal. They cannot even tolerate a faith based charity orchestrated by Ben Charles, a native American, feeding the hungry on Thursday evenings in an empty public parking lot downtown.

Darkness, Darkness–Be My Pillow

Many naysayers alleged the homeless are living on the street by preference or, like the soup lines to which Attorney General Ed Meese once referenced, because they are ‘free’. Yet 40% of the homeless have jobs! Never, in living memory within America have so many YOUNG homeless people been seen trying to survive on the streets. The City does it’s best to shutter its streets, lock its public toilets, close its public showers, gate-off its public wooden towers along Water Street’s boardwalk, and make the poor/homeless as unwelcome as possible in an effort to establish a virtual gated city.

Midnight Disposal Unit

Former Glory

Bike Commuter

The Capitol Center Building has become a testament to the municipal effort to create a hostile environment for the poor through its anti-poverty laws, its refusal to make unused resources available to the homeless, it’s hostility toward organizations who do aid the poor/hungry/homeless, and its insistence on locking every possible venue, including public toilets, in order to deny the homeless access. It’s a prescription for a public health/safety disaster.

Street of Dreams

Once They Built Railroads

The City’s police seemed resigned to what already appears to be a low grade insurrection in the streets. It can only get worse as the City is unable/unwilling to provide basic services to all its residents. Faith based outreach program volunteers try to bridge the gulf, but is it too little too late? The plethora of discarded needles, crimes, car prowls, wanton vandalism, and burglaries indicate a malaise difficult to treat once it takes root in the body politic. What’s worse, increasingly, government is being seen by many not only as irrelevant, but harmful. The darkest hour comes just before the dawn. Let us hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Urban Decay

Homeless: Stay Off the Concrete

The Young Invincibles

The Illustrated Man

Ava Arvest

http://www.midwestwomensherbal.com/myceliumpresenters?lightbox=dataItem-j3601wyc3

Olympia, WA (7-1-14) — With the 4th of July nearly upon us, the spirit of independence among Americans is alive and well, suggesting it’s time to re-examine how this plays out in our civic spaces and public places…e.g. Olympia’s City owned Artesian Well on 4th Ave near several taverns and an adjacent bike shop.

It’s the Water!

As always, a picture is worth a thousand words, but without a narrative, they don’t tell the whole story in this instance. A revisit to the Artesian was in order as the City was still altering it, installing an additional drain for runoff in the asphalt with nary a blade of grass in sight. Municipal fingerprints were everywhere. The City had blacked out thoughtful artistic graffiti honoring street heroes which requested the well be respected as a community resource.

Community Oriented Tasteful Graffiti Censored

Asphalt Jungle

The City has also installed a large steel strong box as if marking its territory. Some boxed flowers were hanging and in planters on the pavement. A couple of picnic tables had been added–and removed nightly so as to make it less inviting for the homeless.

The most miraculous sight was a public handicap accessible outhouse, though behind a wrought iron barricade. Bystanders said the City continues its policy of locking all of its public toilets at around 5  or 6 pm, and this one was no exception. But, a closer examination revealed the wrought iron gate had been WELDED open.

Anti-Homeless Barriers

Gate Latch Welded Open

How in the world did the City lock the public toilet when the wrought iron latch had been welded? They lock the fiberglass door on the outhouse itself it was said. This suggested a need for verification of facts and a closer inspection–camera in hand.

No complete hasp or holes for locking this particular door were apparent. Perhaps a closer inspection inside would solve the mystery?  A tug on the door left it unyielding. A stronger tug on it produced a violent kick of the door and a woman (Ava Arvest) exploding out spewing profanities and accusing the photographer of disturbing her, to put it mildly. “Please don’t kill me,” was his first thought. She was violently angry…announced to those present, including a motorcyclist named Brian, the evil photojournalist had attempted to violate her personal space.

Other observers, having entertained an earlier dialog about the City’s counterproductive hysteria in locking public toilets assured Ava this wasn’t the case, that the shutterbug didn’t know the outhouse was occupied. Ava could have announced as much with the first tug, but given her nature, chose confrontation, and would have none of it. “It has an ‘OPEN’/’OCCUPIED’ indicator on the door!” she fumed. “It doesn’t always work,” said they.

Ava

Ava Arvrest (right) Cooling Off

Sensing her weak argument for a witch hunt, Ava segued effortlessly to gloating about the photojournalist having been assaulted and robbed by a mob of @narchists during a TESC event (Anarchists Convergence in 2013). “That crime continues to be investigated by the campus police,” came the response.

Ava Arvrest & Brian

Ava ‘Charlotte Renninger’ Arvest

Brian and Ava obviously knew each other well, but while Ava was too shy to mention her name, Brian let it slip. Ava, in fact, had recently sought legal advice over the internet from the paralegal and photojournalist, though rudely, as always. Both Brian and Ava eagerly argued the violent consequences awaiting any photojournalist insisting on the right to photograph in public without permission…ignoring the signs announcing video surveillance while oozing self-righteous violent repercussions over uninvited street photography. Brian even detailed how he would smash the photographer’s camera/face.

(UPDATE: Ava’s house & contents burned down)

When it was pointed out photography was not a crime, but assault was, Ava demurred it was only what Brian would FEEL like doing, not what he would actually do.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you at Media Island?” Ava was asked. “That’s because there’s someone there who assaulted me,” she complained. “Really? Why don’t you file a complaint and/or take the person to court?” she was asked. Ava paused, then said, “No. They’d just want money.” Ava then sniffed disapprovingly at the reporter’s electric car as she panned, “Nice car you have there.”

Associates: Charles Waller, Alexander Raveane, Ava Arvest, Lisa Pangburn, Jacob David Fortuna, Donovan Michael, Chelsea Norris and Mike Norris.

The veiled threat was palpable. Ava, it turned out, had been in a romantic relationship with a Media Island regular–Bruce Wilkinson. The breakup had not gone smoothly. Ava wouldn’t disclose the details or who, but each had insisted other Media Island volunteers get involved to resolve their personal conflict.

Many hours were spent with little or no progress, but not before Ava attempted and was prevented from destroying Bruce’s bicycle locked to Media Island’s front steps. Clearly, Ava listened to a different drummer when it came to respecting other people’s property. The law, as with 1st Amendment rights, was an inconvenience, but no barrier to her.

After a few more contemptuous innuendos, the reporter and subject parted company. Olympia’s public spaces remain hazardous as various street elements try to virtually ‘privatize’ them as their own, substituting their own biases and violent impulses for the law.

The City’s police continue to treat this as a fait’ accompli’, throwing up their hands in a show of utter disgust and concession of defeat. Citizens will have to resort to their own strategies to reclaim public venues as the municipality cannot or will not protect them. Or, as Brian hinted, “Insisting on your right(s) [e.g. to photograph in public?] has consequences!” This cannot be denied, as Trayvon Martin found out too late.

“You didn’t ask permission!”

Video footage shows Nov. 4, 2016 fight at Olympia’s Artesian Commons Park. Pay close attention to the redhead.

Auburn, WA (6-29-14) — Who knew the same tribe that owns the two Emerald Queen Casinos and one hotel in Fife, also owned the horse race track called Emerald Downs in Auburn?  But in hindsight, it stands to reason that the track built in what was traditionally Muckleshoot Indian territory reflects an eagerness on the part of NW tribes to cooperate with one another. Muckleshoot (the landlord/owner of the property itself) business interests are advertised everywhere at the track.

General gate admission is $7/adult (children under 17/free) for a colorful fun day at the races. Parking will be another $7 unless you want to hike six blocks or more to the distant free lots or wait for the tram the track graciously provides at no charge for those who would rather walk (or ride the tram) than pay high parking fees.  The sign at the gate advises no glass, drinks, thermos containers or other comestibles likely to compete with the concessions inside are allowed. Smuggling a couple of sandwiches inside and a cold plastic bottle of water is recommended.

The track takes about a 17% cut of the para-mutual betting and distributes the rest to those who bet on the ponies. The concession snacks (chili fries, cheese-burgers, etc.) are pretty mediocre. The food at the buffet inside the Emerald Queen in Fife is considerably better.

Someone spent a lot of money designing and building the track. The money acquired from selling the old track not too far from the Sea-Tac mall may have helped a lot given how valuable the land had become. And while the design of the facilities is good, the maintenance has been neglected. The galvanizing on the rail around the track is beginning to  rust through. The grass on the infield appears to be poorly kept and dry in many spots.

Security was abundant, but people employed to pick up after the slobs strewing their trash from snacks/drinks everywhere were not. What should have been an idea photo op with beautiful animals, brightly colored silks worn by jockeys, decent landscaping, an excellent public address system, and people of every age from newborns to geezers was spoiled by the refuse dropped on the grandstands instead of in a trash can. Some areas were so slovenly abused they resembled the bottom of a trash dumpster or indoor movie theater.

The weather was mildly overcast with temperatures just cool enough to be inviting to spectators and race horses alike. The track is categorized as ‘fast’ using a sand base along with large grooming equipment to keep the surface uniformly smooth and level. Water is sprayed on it periodically to give it the right texture. Stable/Facility tours are offered Saturdays. An Irish band played from about 11:00 am to past post time beginning at around 2:00 pm.

A primer coat which would discourage oxidation and an epoxy/acrylic enamel should be applied to the track rail barrier to keep it from looking down at the heals. The rubbish heaped on the grounds by the inconsiderate slobs catered to combined with the rust visible where the rails are exposed to the elements is poor management for an operation which ought to be making a ton of money.

Irish wolfhounds were displaying between posting times. The Sweet Adelines sang the national anthem beautifully. A trumpeter bugled post times and occasionally took requests, dressed traditionally as though he were about to appear in the Queen’s court. Some young girls danced traditional Irish clog routines in fancy costumes between races.

The races consisted of sprints, 6.6 furlongs (about 3/4ths of a mile) and full mile contests. The oval track appears to be about a mile in circumference. A portable starting gate towed by a truck was used.

by Adam Mordecal

Not-so-fun fact: A waiter’s minimum wage in America is $2.13 per hour plus tips. Waiters are three times more likely to fall under the poverty line than average workers, and women are three times more likely to be a waiter. They average $18,590 annually in income. Which ain’t much to live on. Which is why this waitress has something blunt and kind of hilarious to say.

Thadra Sheridan (http://bit.ly/thadrasheridan) performing Waiting. Filmed by Jamie DeWolf (http://www.jamiedewolf.com/).

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Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.

We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry’s audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

Becky Penoyar shared Keristen LaBelle-Rowley‘s status

Just got out of the ER with Jax. He had a big, what I thought and looked like a mosquito bite yesterday, that I noticed but just assumed he was probably allergic. Well today I noticed this bulls-eye rash has formed from that bite. I immediately knew this was a tick bite and a rash that coincides with Lyme disease. I flew him into the ER and the docs said this was a picture perfect Lyme disease rash and gave us antibiotics to start treatment. The doctors were impressed that I had caught this so early before any real signs of the infection (flu like symptoms) so I wanted to share these pics of what to look for. Normally, Lyme disease is very rare from a tick bite but they are so bad this year you really need to be watching  If you would like to share this status so others know what to look for, please feel free!

Shelton, WA (6-26-14) — Mason County prosecutor Mike Dorcy had yet to complete presenting his case for the murder of 54-year-old George Alan Harmon about 7 PM, August 13, 2013 at a house in the 1900 block of South 1st Street in Shelton, attempted murder of another person shot in the hands and arms, robbery, a felon in possession of a handgun when Michael Justiniano and his attorney, red headed S. McNamara Jardine (Pierce Co.) conceded guilt on all counts before the jury had an opportunity to view the gory color photos of the victim at the crime scene following overwhelming evidence against the defendant having already been heard.  Sentencing  is currently scheduled for July 1, @ 9:00 pm.

Mr. Justiniano, the jury learned after being released, had served 21 years in prison for an earlier homicide. One witness for the prosecution testified the defendant had admitted firing the murder weapon and shooting the victim. One juror wondered how the defense would surmount the overwhelming evidence against Mr. Justiniano. In the end, there would be no defense presented as Ms. Jardine and her client conceded defeat to all counts.

Although, under the circumstances of the arrest and Justiniano’s attempt to flee the scene of the crime, no bail had been granted, he appeared at trial unshackled in street clothes. (Mandated by case precedent to avoid prejudice against the defendant)  Jurors were not aware of his history or events at the crime scene. Justiniano had a New York driver’s license at the time he was apprehended.

The defendant’s elderly mother as well as the victim’s mate (Ms. Rivera) were in the courtroom when the defense caved in. At least one juror found both attorneys and the judge behaved very professionally during the trial. It is anticipated the tragedy of a 2nd homicide by a man who had already proven his capacity for killing will not be repeated as Mr. Justiniano faces the possibility of spending his remaining life in prison. Amber Finlay was the trial judge and will likely also preside at sentencing.

This is Justiniano’s third strike under Washington’s Three Strike’s law, which requires a mandatory minimum life sentence. [Correction: As it turned out, because concurrent crimes are treated as only single strikes under Washington law, Mr. Justiniano was NOT eligible for the 3rd strike penalty, but was sentenced to a total of almost 800 months instead.]

Sentencing (7-1-14):

Michael Justiniano

The mood was somber as Justiniano was led into the courtroom in chains to await his sentencing after conceding guilt at his trial before the prosecution had completed its case. His (court appointed) attorney, Ms. Jardine, argued judge Amber Finlay should consider what the defense WOULD have presented had the defendant not cut short the trial by his admission of guilt as hypothetical circumstances. Jardine speculated at least one juror would have voted to acquit due to something less than reasonable doubt. In the end, she conceded we would never know as her client, over her reservations, openly admitted he was guilty as charged–to spare the victim’s mother further grief, his attorney said.

“What’s the gun for?” -George Harmon-

Watchful Bailiff guards twice convicted murderer

Justiniano listens impassively to the Victim’s mother

Ms. Jardine gets high marks for optimism. The jury felt the evidence against Justiniano was overwhelming–standard sentiments, Jardine said, when only the state’s case has been heard. Although Ms. Jardine has a practice in Tacoma, she was tapped to defend against the state’s case by the Mason County Court Administrator when it came to light all of the regular local attorneys on the public defender roster had a conflict of interest due to previous court involvements with either Justiniano or the victim or their family members. Jardine stated, after the sentencing hearing, she was beginning to make more appearances in Mason County due to the same circumstances arising in other cases.

Defense Counsel Jardine & Justiniano (client) at sentencing

Court Appointed Defense Attorney, Jardine

Prosecutor Mike Dorcy w/Victim’s Mother, family, & friends

Prosecutor Dorcy & Victim’s Mother

Victim’s Mother & Prosecutor Mike Dorcy

Bailiff guarding Justiniano & defense attorney

Defense Attorney Jardine & Justiniano w/bailiff

Prosecutor Mike Dorcy makes successful argument for maximum sentence

The convicted killer’s (twice over) defense counsel appeared inadequately prepared to present mitigating circumstances on behalf of her client. Thus, prosecutor Mike Dorcy sought the maximum penalty for the crimes Justiniano had admitted and judge Amber Finlay granted the same to the tune of almost 800 months in prison (without factoring any ‘good’ time reduction), plus 3 years probation, restitution and court costs if Justiniano was ever released–which, she said, she did not anticipate given the length of the sentence.

Judge Amber Finlay

Judge Finlay listening to Victim’s Mother

Judge Finlay listens to Prosecutor’s recommended sentence.

The victim’s mother a gave passionate tearful statement of the impact the crime had on her and the victim’s family–she welcomed a sentence which would keep Justiniano off the street and from harming the public yet again. Disturbingly, Ms. Jardine, while conceding her client was no angel during a post-hearing hallway conversation, also called the victim’s character into question.

Mother reads Victim Impact Statement, Confronts Son’s Killer

Mother describes her loss, grief

Courtroom spectators watch murder sentencing of Justiniano

This tactic (slandering the defendant/victim) is disgustingly common among both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Ms. Jardine never got a chance to make that argument to the jury and it may well have backfired in any event. She alluded to an unseemly relationship between the victim and Justiniano that had a variety of criminal implications. She never attempted to explain how this could have justified premeditated murder.

“What’s the gun for?” asked 54-year-old George Alan Harmon shortly after Justiniano returned to the victim’s residence to shoot him to death. “Tell George that was what the gun was for,” remarked Justiniano to the victim’s stunned mate as he fled the scene.

Juror Consoles Grieving Mother

Commiserating After the Sentencing

Judge Finlay asked Justiniano if he had anything to say before she passed sentence. The defendant appeared to have listened attentively to the statements made by the victim’s family as well as Dorcy’s successful argument the maximum penalty allowed by law be imposed. Justiniano took about 20 seconds to utter two sentences. He was ‘sorry’, he said.

Amber Finlay then took the opportunity to admonish the defendant before she passed the maximum sentence permitted her under Washington law. “Nobody put that gun in your hand or forced you to come back hours later to shoot Mr. Harmon or his friend,” she observed. “Mr. Justiniano, you’re a scary person,” she castigated. “You were released just a couple of years ago for killing another individual, and here you are back in court for murdering Mr. Harmon and shooting his friend,” Finlay emphasized.

Gunslinger

Mr. Justiniano appeared calm and unmoved before being led off in chains to serve his sentence. Though present during his trial, Justiniano’s mother wasn’t seen in the courtroom on this day.

Mason County ‘Perp’ Walk

Hi Mom!

People Get Ready (live version) from the Love, Peace and Happiness double album released in 1969:
People get ready, there’s a train a comin’ 
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board 
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’ 
Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

People get ready for the train to Jordan 
It’s picking up passengers from coast to coast 
Faith is the key, open the doors and board ’em 
There’s room for all among those loved the most.

There ain’t no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own 
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there’s no hiding place against the Kingdom’s throne

So people get ready, there’s a train a comin’ 
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board 
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’ 
Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

Portland, OR (6-18-14) — A Tent City for the Homeless has existed for 3-years in Portland despite the City’s animosity, shepherded by a good Samaritan who goes by ‘Ibrahim’ Muhammad Mubarak. This street interview is an illustration of how street people can come together to create a community in the face of oppressive municipal policies. One may note there are portable toilets and a policy of no weapons or drugs in this respite adjacent to the Fu Dogs entrance to Portland’s Chinatown.

Gateway to Chinatown & Portland’s Homeless

Right 2 Survive is a homeless advocacy group made up of houseless, formally houseless folks, and their supporters. It is also a 501(c) nonprofit corporation situated in Portland, OR.  Ibrahim B. Mubarak is its chairman. (503)839-9992 i_tpop@hotmail.com

Ibrahim B. Mubarak

Sheltering the Poor/Destitute

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www.facebook.com/pages/Right-2-Dream-Too/291307830880922?sk
Blog: www.right2survive.wordpress.com

Portable Toilets, 8-12 hours rest without Harassment

Word was the vacant lot was gifted to the poor as a public resource for the homeless after the previous owner had a dispute with City officials over his adult bookstore. Eventually, that store was hounded out of business by Portland’s guardians of public morality and, quite possibly, the proliferation of pornography on the internet. The owner then attempted to license a restaurant on the premises but was rebuffed in this effort and every other proposal he made to City officials. Finally, seeing no way to salvage his holdings profitably, he demolished the structure (eliminating tax liability and City revenue) and gifted it to Ibrahim’s organization which has operated it in its current configuration for the past 3 years in the face of great municipal animosity, but with the help of a successful local pro bono lawyer.

At any rate, the property is now well used, 24/7 for the stated purpose in a tough neighborhood with many windows to abandoned storefronts broken out. Food is not always available on the lot and neither tobacco, booze, drugs, or weapons are welcome. The homeless, however, are! The Union Gospel Mission is next door.