Olympic Collectible Expo 2017

Hope to see everybody at the Olympic Collectible Expo on Saturday the 29th of April! Just think - with free admission, you can save your money to buy all the goodies at the show.

Here's all the information in a neat little postcard ('puters cut the edges off stuff - but you've got all the info, here).

Yes, those are horse ears!

It's a lot of fun. Good people run it, and it's the first multi-focus show in Kitsap. Yes, it's pretty superhero, but they were very welcoming to me last year. And they love goodies for their auction. Come see what goes up for bids! Including my very silly protest hat: 

So treat yourself to the scenic trip on the Bremerton ferry, and run five miles north to the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale. Bring friends - free admission!

Lots of parking, too.

See you there! 

Lookin' good with Ka-Blam

And now it's over, I can say I had a lot of fun, and met some old friends, and added new ones.

The horse hat ended up in the hands of Amy Bradley, and then promptly on her husband John's hat. They came out to help me out with my IdeaPad, that John got me in exchange for art - and because he can get good deals! To hold me until I budget for a new Mac and proper capability, someday.

More good stuff -
Another table in the same block.

Here's me wearing my Ka-Blam tshirt - which I wear to shows to to earn more printing credit from this great little print-on-demand company! 

It turns out it was a mall show, so I have my choice - and I think I'm going to have to stick to the September show, which has its own room, instead of being in a mall. As nice as this show was, another dealer said, "Mall shows are just sad." 

I wonder if they've considered the Bremerton spaces? How about the Elk's club? NICE big space and a stage! They could put on all kinds of presentations where everybody could watch them. Pretty good parking, too. Although the massive parking at the mall could be a deal-breaker.

There are some really nice ones - and PLENTY of places to stay. I can vouch for the Super 8 - not very fancy, but clean, quiet, great breakfast, nice staff and - SCALDING HOT WATER. Just right for a long hot soak after a long dealing day. Freeway noises blocked by a bank and trees. Oh, and nice discounts at the DQ and the Denny's, right next door.

I'm going to make up a nice sign that says, "Must leave by 3:00 due to driving daylight - make contact and purchases before then!" People are happy if they're kept in the loop. I liked staying at the nice hotel - but I'm within the State, and can drive home if I can.

More and more, shows aren't about sales, but about faces. Which this one was. And I may have helped a kid get into being a cartoonist. OOPS. I hope that goes well!

Transfolk Treated Right

A recent interchange of emails between myself and a Fred Meyer store in Bremerton. I also sent this message to the Bremerton police chief, who immediately said, since the store was in Kitsap county jurisdiction, he would send it to the Sheriff. Bremerton has a bad rep, but there is a steady undercurrent of decency, acceptance and multi-culturism in that town (as well as an vibrant and interesting arts community).

My first email to Fred Meyer: 

Hi - Have always loved your store & the folks in it. But on the 30th of April, 2016, I think I might have witnessed bad behavior connected to the trans bathroom controversy. While I was in one of your women's restroom stall, I heard someone come mumbling in to use the stalls; it was a man's voice. I wasn't upset; sometimes we wander into the wrong restrooms, if no one else can be seen. Perhaps it was a transwoman. I don't know; I didn't stay to verify. But when I left, I found a group of men and a boy standing against the wall opposite the restroom, as though waiting for something. They were probably waiting for a friend to use the men's restroom. BUT - lately, restrooms have been targeted in an attempt by certain groups to humiliate and harm transfolk. I'm hoping I was just being paranoid, but just in case, I thought I'd give you a head's up. Bremerton has always been an admirably politically-involved town, so anything can happen. And thanks again for being such a good store and giving me the opportunity to contact you (I know - arguing over who gets to use the bathroom; childish, but transfolk get beaten, raped and killed all the time. And need a place to pee in safety).

Their email to me:

From: CustomerService@kroger.com

To: donnabarr@hotmail.comDate: Thu, 5 May 2016 07:08:35 -0400Subject: RE: Your Comments (#23812679)Dear Donna,

Thank you for contacting Kroger Customer Connect. 

I am sincerely sorry for your negative experience at the rest room of our Fred Meyer store located at 5050 State Highway 303 Ne. Your concerns regarding the issues faced by transgender people are commendable and I really appreciate them. I have shared your experience in detail with the Store Management Team so they are aware and can review the situation and make your future visits to the store pleasurable..

Please know our Store Manager is always open to direct feedback. It is important to the Manager to speak personally to our customers about areas that need improvement as well as our successes.

Please feel free to reply to this email or call us at 1-800-576-4377 and reference case number 23812679 should you have further questions or concerns. We appreciate hearing from our valued customers and will assist in any way possible. 

Thank you for shopping with us and have a great day. Sincerely,HarpreetKroger Customer Connect The Kroger Family of Stores 

Dear Harprett:

Thank you so much for your quick answer, and your caring view of all your customers.

I've always been very happy with your store, and this is one more reason to appreciate you all.

I'm very involved in making our world a better place, and a steady user of social media. My internet friends will be happy to discover that the Bremerton Fred Meyer is even better than we could hope.

Donna Barr