From Our Corner
Jeepers! No Capitol visitors' center?
The budget knives at the Capitol not only mean pink slips, furloughs and less frequent garbage service, but now they're padlocking the visitor information center on the Capitol Campus, effective July 1.
Media Clips: Libraries – June 26, 2009
These media mentions are compiled by Brian Zylstra, Deputy Communications Director for the Office of the Secretary of State, and passed along to us. The following links cover Media Clips provided June 01, 2009 - June 26, 2009. Rediscovering the library (Yakima… Read moreBring your sons & daughters to work day
Image Image Today was bring your sons and daughters to work day for Secretary of State Sam Reed's staff. The kids had a great time making seals, getting their picture taken with Sam and enjoying cookies and chocolate milk!The story behind the symbol: the marmot
Image How in the world did the fuzzy, furry Olympic marmot become a symbol of… Read more
WSL Updates for June 25, 2009
Volume 5, June 25, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) REMINDER – APPLY FOR ARSL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP 2) WORKSHOP – MANAGING OTHERS IN TIGHT TIMES 3) 2009 WASHINGTON RURAL HERITAGE GRANTS AWARDED 4) PICTURING AMERICA SCHOOL COLLABORATION GRANTS 5) FINRA UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCE AVAILABLE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) REMINDER – APPLY FOR ARSL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP Applications… Read more
Jeepers! Capitol trash cans runneth over?
Image Budget cuts are coming in tangible ways to the Capitol Campus next week as the new budget taxes effect -- and we aren't just talking about pink slips and travel cutbacks. Let's talk trash. According to the Department of General Administration, desk-side trash… Read more
From Your Corner of Washington
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-Orcas Island
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Clippings, June 24, 2009
Clippings, June 24, 2009 Library News With Sno-Isle Libraries more than two million dollars in the hole, officials have a new piece of information that might fuel a vote for a tax increase. A group called “Yes for Libraries” conducted a random survey of voters in Island and Snohomish counties and found a majority would support a levy increase to either maintain or expand library services. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 6.3.09)… Read moreOregon joins the online parade ...
Image Oregon is joining Washington and a handful of other states in pioneering the use of online voter registration. In Salem, Oregon lawmakers have just sent their online bill to Governor Kulongoski for his signature.… Read more
We Topped the Rock!
From the desk of Rand Simmons This past Saturday, June 20th, seven of us from the Office of the Secretary of State (the Washington State Library's parent office) participated in the 5K Walk/Run, “I Topped the Rock” – a benefit for the Castle Rock Public Library. The event raised awareness of the… Read moreClippings, June 23, 2009 – Special Issue
Special Issue Clippings 6.23.09 – State court to hear NCRL Internet filter lawsuit State court to hear NCRL Internet filter lawsuit The Washington State Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday over whether an Internet filter at the North Central Regional Library System violates freedom of speech rights. "Several libraries are really looking at it closely and holding their breath," NCRL Director Dean Marney said. "The state librarian is going to be there. How many times does a library get… Read moreTracing the family tree was never easier
Image Attention those just interested in filling holes in the old family tree: For the fifth straight year, the Washington State Digital Archives has earned Family Tree Magazine’s designation as one of the “101 Best Web Sites for Tracing Your Roots.” This year, it was also ranked in the “Top 10 Best Sites for Searching Locally” (… Read moreUnder the microscope: lawmakers' expenses
Image The Capitol City hometown newspaper, The Olympian, has the rundown on legislators' expense reimbursements for last year, before the full clamp-down hit during budget cuts this spring. Secretary Reed says the list makes for interesting reading, but that folks should remember that many lawmakers, particularly those in Eastern Washington where he grew up, have to… Read moreFiling for office ... from Iraq
[caption id="attachment_2592" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Marsh."] Image [/caption] If you ever need proof that filing for office in Washington State is more convenient than ever, just look at one example in Grays Harbor County. Jeremiah Marsh is completing his two-year term as a Fire District 11 commissioner there. But he also is serving in Iraq as a National Guard member. So filing for office wasn’t doable… Read more
Walking to keep the Castle Rock Library open
Image Several staffers from the Washington State Library and Office of Secretary of State were among the 400 people who took part in Saturday's "I Topped the Rock To Save the Library" 5K fun run/walk event in Castle Rock Saturday morning to help raise money for that town's library. Organizers were very pleased with turnout for the event, which raised about $5,000 for the library. Last November, a levy measure for the library failed by four votes.… Read moreEyman's latest: I-1033 turn-in scheduled for July 2
Image 'Direct Democracy' usually gives us one or more initiatives and referenda on Washington's statewide ballot each year. Tim Eyman, a conservative populist who has sponsored repeal of affirmative action in government, rolled back car-tab taxes, capped property tax growth, created a system of performance audits, and made it harder to pass tax and fee hikes in Olympia, is back again this year. Fans are delighted, critics aghast. The Mukilteo… Read moreLight rail long before Sound Transit
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As many Puget Sound residents await the unveiling of Sound Transit's light rail system, this photo of the Seattle Municipal Street Railway gives you an idea of how Seattle light rail looked in 1888. The photo features Seattle's first electric street car. (Photo courtesy of the State Archives, Puget Sound regional branch)From Your Corner of Washington
Image Deschutes River at Tumwater Falls Park -Submitted by Ken.
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Teaching history with technology
Image Berlin Wall on Flickr - some rights reserved This year marks twenty years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today in Berlin visitors often ask "where is the wall?" so the city commissioned a company to come up with a way help… Read moreSecretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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