Today A fine romance Saturday–Sunday Shop for art Saturday This is rocket science saturday Wynonna Saturday Free jazz, good cause Sunday Let us give thanks Saturday A bushel of bazaars

THE OLYMPIAN • Published November 18, 2011 Modified November 17, 2011

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If beating hearts, gallant male heros and love-lost heroines are your cup of tea, you’ll want to attend the free Romance Writers Party and book signing from 5-7 tonight. Meet authors Sheila Roberts (“The Nine Lives of Christmas”), Gina Robinson (“The Spy Who Left Me” of the Agent Ex series) and Margaret Mallory (“The Sinner” of ‘The Return of the Highlander’ series) at Barnes & Noble, 1530 Black Lake Blvd. S.W., Olympia. Tea and sconeswill be served in a cozy, fun atmosphere. Go to store-locator.barnes andnoble.com/ event/3116029. Meet artists and shop for gifts while supporting worthy causes at the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts and Friends of Olympia Library Juried Art Show and Sale from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Olympia Armory, 515 Eastside St. N.E., Olympia. So you think you’re a rocket scientist? On Saturday, you can prove it at the Olympic Flight Museum’s Rocket Races. Participants have crafted propeller-driven balsa rockets, powered by rubber bands. They are shaped and decorated in advance, then raced along a monofilament line in competition. Grab your kids or your rocket buddy and join the fun. You can learn the principles of jet propulsion while encouraging craftsmanship, sportsmanship and friendly competition. Rocket kits are on sale for $5; the entry fee is $10. Divisions include youth and adult, with races divided by grade level. The fun begins at 1 p.m. at the museum at the Olympia Regional Airport, 7637-A Old Highway 99 S.E., Tumwater. Go to olympicflightmuseum.com to learn more. Known for her fiery red hair and powerhouse country voice, Wynonna Judd has released eight studio albums, a live album and a compilation album, in addition to charting more than 20 singles. See her perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the D&R Theatre, 205 S. I St., Aberdeen. Tickets are $45-$70 and are available at dandrtheatre.ticketsunplugged.com. The Capital City Cool Jazz/Clean Water Festival features high school jazz bands from around South Sound who perform and are rated by judges. Admission to the daytime festival is free. It’s a great way to hear some of the area’s finest young musicians perform. The free jazz runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Washington Center for Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia. In the evening, the sponsoring Rotary Club of Olympia will host a wine and beer tasting event from 7-10 p.m. to raise money for a clean water project in Africa; purchase new band instruments and refurbish used instruments for local low-income students; and support a youth leadership workshop. Tickets for the evening are $50 at the door; donations also are welcome. For more information, go to cooljazzcleanwater.org. Join your neighbors of all faiths at the annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration. There will be music and spoken word from many faith traditions followed by a reception with light refreshments. Children and people of all faiths are welcome at the event from 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way S.E. The day’s offering benefits The Crisis Clinic and the programs of Interfaith Works. We have entered the heart of the holiday bazaar season. Here are a few big ones this weekend: