http://www.squidoo.com/Homeless-Experiences

http://www.squidoo.com/Homeless-Experiences


The lens link above, and several others are by Squidoo author Kylyssa. Worth a read to expand the discussion and understand common realities and perceptional errors about the homeless population in America. 

If you have not before logged onto Squidoo, you will be asked to set up a user name and give them and email to log in.  

Lots of information and perspectives from many sources can be found in Squidoo.  


I was impressed with the reminder on the lenses  that panhandler and homeless person are not the same thing. The author indicates that only about 1% of the homeless population are actively panhandling and that is held up by those who know this population well. This is a political issue and it affects our community socially and our public life and safety. 


Do you think it is important to separate homeless issues from panhandling ones? 


Below is an article from Tampa City Council that gives some more perspective to the topic. 


 http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/tampa-city-council-hears-grim-homelessness-stats-skirts-panhandling-discussion


Do you think communities are better to support or shun the homeless populations?   Does it help us and how?  Is it all bad or all good? Who is interested enough to attend and follow city council meetings on this topic? 

Tiny Houses

I got to read this rather long and fascinating article in the New Yorker Magazine while waiting 45 minutes at the doctor's office yesterday. The tiny house movement has it's coding and zoning challenges, and the groups that are taking to them most are older people who wish to downsize, those who have defaulted on mortgage, and the small footprint crowd.


My kid got to see one at his elementary school last year, the owner was able to bring her house over for a viewing. 


http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/07/25/110725fa_fact_wilkinson

http://www.squidoo.com/waste-naught-well-like-worm/151882535-slug-vs-worm?utm_source=mapshare&utm_medium=waste-naught-well-like-worm&utm_term=duel&utm_campaign=facebook


Ok Northwestern Experts, here is your chance to awe the web with your slug stories!  The link above will take you to the duel module in Squidoo.  If you want to further dig into worm behavior, there is more ....

Slug vs Worm

Who is the slimiest?

From the lens waste naught well like worm.

There are many slugs in my area and I have yet to find one practical use for them.

What has more appeal, the slug or the worm, and why?

Natahsa Kimbrel is home!

http://dazedamazed.blogspot.com/2011/06/helpfind-natashakimbrel-missing-from.html

Lakefair wrap up in the Rain will be a Blast

Here is the link to navigate for details about the kit car races Sat am, Parade Sat late afternoon, Fireworks and more.  (times, parade routes, etc.)

the Beer Garden was buzzing about half past 8 Friday night, but more fun to look at the lights from across the lake at dusk.

http://www.lakefair.org/activities.html

Maple Bar Cake and Zombie Nerf Wars in the Rainiest City on Earth

Two Teens have planned an afternoon to celebrate a 15th and 16th birthday.

All out Nerf War at Yauger Park and  a ginormous Maple Bar Cake from Twister Donuts.  First one ever baked there.   We stopped by tonight to let my son taste test the smaller ones.  He consumed it, and commented "These guys know their maple bars."

He is making the biggest maple bar that will fit in his oven for Mark's birthday  tomoprrow

the ginormous maple bar will be two thirds this tray 

Yep, the donuts are tasty

Lakefair in the Rain and the Air is soft and warm tonight

Chairs set up for tomorrow's parade

Freeway entrance after roundabout

Riding in the passenger seat with my 16 yr old!

Kit Car races tomorrow 8 am

One Piano going back to Mom's this weekend

  

What do you do with your Bacon Grease? How to make bacon, eggs and gravy (from scratch)

You start with the eggs (I am lucky to get these from a local home farmer) and bacon (or you could substitute sausage or make gravy with melted butter if no meat on hand, and if you want to make SOS gravy, use good old ground beef. Making a white sauce and adding sliced ham or dried roast beef is good over bread also). Rest of cooking directions at end of pictures...

the higher the heat, the closer you have to watch and the faster it cooks.  Medium  Range Heat

Keep things warm until all have eaten

Clean up, I run the water while I cook so dishes don't pile up so fast and can soak

Cook up the bacon and fry up any sunny side up eggs ordered at the same time. Drain the bacon grease into a pan and add an equal amount of flour and combine into a paste. Salt and Pepper to taste as you go, add milk ( I used 3 cups, but you will get a feel for how much you like to add and how thick or thin you like your gravy. You can always add more later, and I use at least 5 times milk what the paste proportion is) 


Whisk and heat, watch constantly to not let the gravy burn to the bottom of the pan.  Once it bubbles a bit, you have a white gravy to put over biscuits or bread.


You may want to cook up scrambled egg orders on the bacon oiled grill before clean up and serving.  Serve with salt and pepper available for seasoning.


Not a heart healthy meal, but a great full meal brunch for Saturdays. Don't forget the coffee and OJ! And  good ideas to serve with half grapefruits or orange slices to add some vitamins and cut the grease factor some. 

Tumwater 4th of July Parade Monday 11am & Valley Open for Fireworks 6 pm

http://tumwater.komonews.com/news/community-spirit/tumwater-fourth-july-parade-fireworks-show-coming/650006

Komo News link above with info about this years parade & fireworks.

Parade staging, free parking, and end is at Mountain View Nazarene Church by Tumwater High school on the corner of Lindersen and Capital. Parade will run along Capital and Israel Road. Classic cars, horses & drill teams, firetrucks, clowns and more.

The Tumwater Valley golf course opens at 6pm with skydiver displays, community booths and food vendors.  Parking is $5 if you need it and fireworks will be at 10:15 pm (wow that is late).  You can bring coolers and blankets and umbrellas, no alcohol or fireworks.

These parade photos are from last year's parade.  Wonder who is coming out this year?


Last minute entries? Check out the City of Tumwater Home Page:
http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/