When we say Olympia Meet-ups, we're not necessarily talking about groups organized around a topic or discipline like a booklovers' meet-up or skateboarders' meet-up. We're talking about places where people in Olympia get together to talk about stuff. And since it's Olympia, we're talking about hippies, artists and writers - revolutionaries. We're talking about people with brains and unconventional ideas. And the places they meet are Obsidian, Traditions Fair Trade, Orca Books, and Last Word Books.

Obsidian touts itself as a coffee shop by day, serving lunch and dinner and artisan waffles all day; and a bar by night, serving craft cocktails and local beer on tap with a performance venue in its large back room, the first place in Olympia where Bernie supporters met to discuss strategies.

Obsidian proudly posts its Anti-Harassment Policy: "We are all responsible for making this space safe. We will not tolerate sexist, racist or homophobic language or behavior. Be responsible for your own actions. Making lewd or aggressive comments, leering or unwanted physical contact will get you kicked out. If you feel you have been harassed, please let the staff know. You will be taken seriously."

Obsidian, 414 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.890.4425

The café at Traditions Fair Trade across the street from Heritage Park and Capital Lake is a center for concerts, workshops and public forums; a gathering place for a community of interesting and involved people. Folk music happens weekly, and such local activist groups as Fellowship of Reconciliation and Veterans for Peace hold their regular meetings there. The lunch menu features lots of organic, vegetarian and vegan options, plus fine wines and craft bottled beer.

Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

Bookstores have traditionally been the place intellectuals gather. In Olympia, it's Last Word Books across the street from Olympia Coffee Roasters (another fine meet-up place). Founded in 2002 by several students at The Evergreen State College, Last Word is a self-proclaimed radical bookstore offering an eclectic collection of books ranging from radical politics to classical literature, from D.I.Y. to drugs. And get this: there's a full-service printshop and publishing company in-house. Want to publish your manifesto? This is the place.

Last Word Books, 111 Cherry St. NE, Olympia, 360.786.9673

Olympia's other favorite independent bookstore, Orca, is Olympia's oldest and largest independent bookstore. It was founded in 1992, and before that was called Counterpoint Books. It's a great place to leisurely browse new and used books, and where you can bring your old books in for credit toward new purchases (note: they're very picky about what books they'll take). Orca is also the home of Henry the cat. They have regular readings and other book events, and pride themselves on promoting local and area authors. It's a place that's never hurried and where you never know who you might run into.

Orca Books' book group, Orcapod, meets the 2nd Sunday of every month. The book club selection for the April 10 meeting is Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest, by Gregg Olsen.

Orca Books, 509 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.352.0123