What’s Happening for Sept. 20

Thursday

Social Justice Lecture by Nate Boyer: Former Seattle Seahawk and Green Beret Nate Boyer will deliver a presentation entitled “The Real MVP” for the Robert A. Harvie Social Justice Lecture Series at Saint Martin’s University. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the college’s Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. Boyer served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Olympia World Affairs Council Lecture Series: The council is beginning its 2018-2019 lecture series, which will run monthly through April. The speaker will be Karl Fields, professor of politics and government at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He will talk about “Xi Jinping and the Mandate of Heaven: Power, Prosperity and Problems in 21st Century China.” Free and open to the public. Lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. Information: olympiawac.org.

The 1850 Jackson House and its 2017 renovation: Hear all about it at 6 p.m. at the Tumwater First Baptist Church, 405 X St. Alex McMurray, historian for Washington State Parks, will review improvements underway on the homestead cabin built by pioneer John R. Jackson. The cabin is getting new logs, new windows and new chinking, with workers using period techniques and new methods. The Jackson House Heritage Site, one of the first two state parks, is on the Jackson Highway in Chehalis. Free.

Third Thursday in downtown Olympia: The monthly downtown celebration is back with a block party, games, in-store promotions, food, drink and live music by Birdman at 5 p.m., Retro Jade Band at 6 p.m., and The Straw Hat Revival at 6:45 p.m. Find information on who is participating at OlyThirdThursday.com.

Riverwalk Tour: The Olympia Tumwater Foundation is offering a free, guided tour from 5-6 p.m. along the Deschutes River and Tumwater Falls. The 45-minute tours move along a half mile of gentle, shaded trails with waterfalls and river views, and cover Tumwater’s pioneer past, Olympia Brewing Company history and the annual salmon migration. Information: www.olytumfoundation.org/

Friday

Reception for Worlds Apart gallery exhibit: The Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College is kicking off the 2018-2019 school year with an exhibit from former SPSCC arts faculty Carol Hannum, titled “Worlds Apart.” The exhibit includes a retrospective of paintings, drawings, and handmade books depicting sketches and scenes from her travels around the world. The exhibit runs through Oct. 19. An opening reception is planned for 6-8 p.m. Friday. The Gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information: spscc.edu/gallery.

Saturday

Zonta Club hosts Club 90: Zonta Club of Olympia is hosting Club 90, a cabaret revue fundraiser, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Little Creek Casino/Resort, 91 W. state Route 108, Shelton. The evening will include vaudeville, with audience involvement; music and dance, including a dance-off at intermission; a magician; flappers; hors d’oeuvres, salad, dinner, dessert, a full no-host bar and items reminiscent of 1928 — including cops and “prohibition.” Costumes are optional but encouraged. Proceeds support South Sound nonprofit groups, including Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County, Family Education and Support Services Center, SafePlace, YWCA Olympia, and Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. Tickets are $90 at www.ZontaOly.events. Information: Paige Porter at 360-701-4456.

Oktoberfest: The Elks Lodge in Olympia is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration for the first time from 6-9 p.m. at 1818 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. The menu will include bratwurst, hamhocks and rouladen. Entertainment will include polka music by Tsunami Pinata and face painting for kids and adults. Wear traditional German attire and win a prize. Information: 360-753-0186.

Free day at state parks: Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of National Public Lands Day and Washington State Parks invites the public to visit a state park free on this day. No Discover Pass will be required for day visits. The 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass directed State Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on Department of Fish & Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources lands. Two more State Parks free days are coming this year: Sunday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Friday, Nov. 23. Information: neefusa.org/npld.

Community Peace Walk: Come and sing songs of peace and social justice with members of The Olympia Peace choir as participants stroll around Capitol Lake. The event is free and open to everyone, of all ages. It takes place rain or shine. The group will gather at 2:30 p.m. at Heritage Park (corner of Fifth Avenue and Water Street) in Olympia; the walk begins promptly at 3 p.m.

Open auditions for Ballet Northwest’s Nutcracker: Auditions will run from 3-7 p.m. at Johansen Olympia Dance Center, 412 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia. No previous dance experience is necessary although participants must be 8 years old by Aug. 31 to participate. Dancers from all studios are welcome. Performances are Dec. 7-16 at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Visit https://bit.ly/2pdb9AL for more information and to download the audition form.

Sunday

Ponies In The Park Car Show: The annual car show will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huntamer Park, 629 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. There will be raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle for charity, kids activities, music, food, vendors, trophies for 46 classes, kids’ choice and other specialty awards. Mustangs and Ford-powered vehicles are welcome. Awards ceremony will be at 2 p.m. For more information and to register, go to mustangswest.com.

Tuesday

Thurston County Prosecutor Candidate Forum: Justice not Jails will host a forum with candidates Jon Tunheim and Victor Minjares from 7-9 p.m. at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2315 Division St. NW, Olympia. The event will feature questions asked by the moderator, followed by an audience Q&A session.

Wednesday

Hospice volunteer training: The hospice program of Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice is offering hospice volunteer training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. over four days – Sept. 26, Sept. 28, Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 – at its office, 4200 Sixth Ave. SE, No. 201, Lacey. Volunteers work to enhance a terminally ill patient’s quality of life and are a part of a hospice team that helps patients at the end of their life to maintain their independence. Volunteers may provide respite for a caregiver, companionship and support for a patient who is alone, assist with errands, read to a patient, or sharing artistic skills. A year’s commitment to the program is asked. Registration is necessary. To receive an application and to register, call 360-493-4689 or 800-869-7062.