What’s Happening for Dec. 8

Tuesday (Dec. 8)

Schmidt tour: The Olympia Tumwater Foundation and the city of Tumwater present a free guided tour of Tumwater’s historic Schmidt House. Doors open at 10:45 a.m., tour begins at 11 a.m., at 330 Schmidt Place, Tumwater. Call 360-786-8117 to confirm your attendance. The tour includes three levels of stairways.

Thursday

Conversation Cafe on Race: The Olympia Police Department and the Black Alliance of Thurston County will conduct its first Conversation Cafe from 6-9 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater. Attendees are invited to share their stories. The goal is to promote fair and impartial policing in Olympia. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served.

Volunteer orientation: AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to prepare federal income tax returns. Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax return preparation and electronic filing for low- and middle-income members of our community. Volunteers of all ages and background are welcome at a volunteer orientation from 1-3 p.m., at the Olympian Community Room, 111 Bethel St. NE, Olympia. Contact Kirsten Klein at 360-269-5771 or kklein.aarp@gmail.com.

Olympia World Affairs Council: Small groups discuss four topics: migration crisis in Europe, international terrorism, china and the global economy at 7:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. Information: 360-753-2428 or olympiawac.org.

Friday

‘Worst Christmas Ever:’ The 7:30 p.m. concert takes a humorous look at holidays gone wrong, presented by Rainier Ringers handbell ensemble. With stories, video, vocals, costumes and an audience singalong, the concert is at Lacey Presbyterian Church, 3045 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. Admission is by free-will offering. For more information, go to rainierringers.org or email rainierringers@gmail.com.

Friday and Saturday

Native arts fair: The Longhouse at Evergreen will host its annual Longhouse Holiday Native Arts Fair from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Meet Native American artists selling original art work in a variety of mediums. Find affordable original work and high-end fine arts in carving, weaving, prints, paintings, music, jewelry and clothing and more. Native foods will be available for purchase both days. Friday parking is $2 at the parking booth. Saturday parking is free. Information: Laura Grabhorn 360-867-6413.

Saturday

Duck the Malls: The 13th annual arts and crafts fair will feature more than 50 vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Admission is free. The event is a fundraiser for local and independent artisans and artists in the South Sound and visual art programming at the Olympia Film Society. Proceeds from the bake sale and vendor table fees benefit OFS. Information: olympiafilmsociety.org.

Santa on the train: Santa is coming to the Centennial Train Station. The train, which has to come from the North Pole, is expected some time between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and some entertainment. All ages are welcome. Bring your camera for a selfie with the jolly old elf. Sponsored by the volunteers of Centennial station, at 6600 Yelm Highway SE.

Whiskey Nights at the Sandstone Distillery: Whiskey tasting also features gift bags, a tour of the facility and Christmas music by Andrew Landers, an Americana folk singer-songwriter from Olympia. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the distillery at 842 Wright Road SE, Tenino. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Information: sandstonedistillery.com.

Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival: This 13th annual event offers free holiday fun for families from 2-5 p.m. at the Tumwater Fire Station and City Hall. Enjoy community and school choir performances, decorate cookies and create ornaments, enter raffles to win prizes, and watch the ceremonial tree lighting. After the tree has been lit, Santa Claus will arrive on an antique fire truck. Information: 360-754-4160 or ci.tumwater.wa.us/treelighting.

Sunday

Bringing in the Yule Log: Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia will host their annual Christmas singalong and Yule Log hunt at 1 p.m. at Schafer State Park, 1365 W. Schafer Park Road, Elma. Children can hunt for the log, followed by hot beverages, cookies, a warm fire and Christmas music at the lodge. A Discover Pass will be required and will be available at the park. Information: fosls.org, or call Stet Palmer at 360-789-9953.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 5:56 PM with the headline "What’s Happening for Dec. 8."