What’s Happening for Jan. 17

Thursday

Plum Street Tiny House Village information session: In early February, a new tiny house village for 40 homeless individuals will open in Olympia. The public is invited to learn more about the village at an information meeting at 6 p.m. in Room A of The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Following a presentation by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Free.

Learn about wild abalones: The Discovery Speaker Series will host Henry Carson, research scientist at the state Department of Fish & Wildlife, who will talk about “The Pintos of Puget Sound: A Look at Wild Abalones,” from 7-8:30 p.m. at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, Olympia. Learn about the struggles the abalones face, and the work being done to protect them. Free; sponsored by LOTT and the South Sound Estuary Association. Information: SSEAcenter.org/DS

Williamette University singers to perform in Olympia: The Willamette University Chamber Choir and Willamette Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia. Choirs from Tumwater and Timberline high schools also will perform in the classical portion of the concert. The concert will open with a vocal jazz performance by the Willamette Singers, followed by the high school groups and the Willamette Chamber Choir. The concert is free and open to the public, although a goodwill donation is encouraged.

Lecture on Libertarianism: Olympia Democratic Socialists of America and Economics for Everyone will host a lecture by Rob Larson called “Why Libertarianism is Wrong” from 7-9 p.m. at Traditions Cafe. Information: economicsforeveryoneolympia.weebly.com/ or olydsa.org/

Olympia World Affairs Council Lecture Series: “Mexican Politics and Economics: Past, Present and Future” will be the lecture by Evergreen State College Professor Peter Bohmer at 7:30 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE, Lacey. Free and open to the public. Information: www.olympiawac.org

Meaningful Movies Olympia: “Homes & Hands,” a film about doing more with less and how communities have adopted models that create permanent affordable housing, will be screened at 6:30 p.m. at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2315 Division NW. Speakers and discussion follow the screening. Free admission. Donations are welcome.

Third Thursday in downtown Olympia: The Olympia Downtown Alliance’s Third Thursdays are a community celebration of local culture, art, food, music, and shopping. Participating businesses give special Third discounts, extend happy hours and hold artist receptions. Buskers play music on the street. The ODA will host an info booth in the US Bank parking lot from 4-7 p.m. Information: http://downtownolympia.org/Events/Third-Thursday

Thursday and Friday

Revisiting the Founding Era – What our teachers never told us about the American Revolution: Author Don Glickstein will explore rarely heard perspectives on the war in his illustrated talk, and link aspects of the war to Washington state, in two programs this week: from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at Shelton Timberland Library, 710 W. Alder St. For all ages. Information: foundingera.org, 360-491-3860, 360-426-1362

Saturday

Women’s March on Olympia: The Women’s March on Olympia will begin at 11 a.m. with a rally at the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus. The March itself will proceed down Capital Way ending at Heritage Park where there will be a community fair featuring local public service organizations. Information: visit the Facebook page “Women+s March on Olympia Official Event” or email jenne@womensmarchwastate.org

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet: Walter M. Kimbrough, president of Dillard University in New Orleans, will be the keynote speaker for the event that begins at 6 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus Event Center. Tickets are available for $40 online at spscc.edu/MLKtix or by calling 360-596-5430.

MLK Day of Service event at Priest Point Park: Join the City of Olympia and Stream Team with a service project planting native plants and restoring habitat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dress for the weather and wear boots. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided. All ages welcome. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. The park is at 2600 East Bay Drive NE; meet at Shelter #4 (directional signs will be posted). Information and to register: streamteam.info

Tumwater Historical Association Annual Meeting: The meeting begins at 1 p.m. at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. The meeting features a review of 2018 activities and plans for 2019. There will be a special recognition of longtime member Helen Spain. At 2 p.m., Bob Moorhead, a lifelong train buff and Amtrak volunteer will present the history of the Amtrak Centennial Station, one of only three stations staffed totally by volunteers, and the only station built with volunteer labor, using donations. Free; refreshments provided. Information: 360-352-1835.

Recess Monkey free family concert: Recess Monkey, a trio of teachers who make indie rock music for kids and families, will perform a free concert from 10-11 a.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. Activities will follow until noon.

Elma Winter Wine Festival: “Get Uncorked” and enjoy wine tasting, a beer garden, food booths and live entertainment from noon to 9 p.m. at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds, 32 Elma McCleary Road, Elma. 21 and older with ID only. Presale tickets are $15. Information and tickets: 360-482-3055, elmachamber@gmail.com or elmachamber.org

Sunday

Annual Meditative Walk for Peace in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Olympia’s Open Gate Sangha and the South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship will lead a silent peace walk in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh from noon to 1:30 p.m. starting at Marathon Park on Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia. Anyone wishing to walk in silent meditation in support of peace and non-violence is invited to attend. There will be no banners or signs, no chanting and no cheering. The walk will happen rain or shine. Please arrive 15 minutes early to receive instructions. Information: www.ssbpf.net or email opengatezendo@msn.com

Monday Jan. 21

MLK Day of Service projects:

• Lacey: Volunteer with the Stream Team from 10 a.m. to noon to remove invasive plants and plant native vegetataion to help restore Woodland Creek Community Park’s riparian buffer and natural areas. You will have the option to sign up for tree planting, weeding/mulching, ivy removal or blackberry removal. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Tools and snacks provided. Woodland Creek is at 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. Stream Team needs 55 volunteers. Information: Emily Watts at ewatts@ci.lacey.wa.us or 360-486-8707
• Littlerock: The Center for Natural Lands Management will be leading a work party at the Glacial Heritage Preserve, four miles south of Littlerock, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tasks include building bonfires of downed fir trees and pulling invasive scotch broom. Carpool offered from downtown Olympia. Information: ssvolunteers@cnlm.org
• Capitol Land Trust: Capitol Land Trust will be restoring an area at Harmony Farm Preserve so that it can one day be an outdoor classroom called Inspiring Kids Preserve. Monday’s work party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be removing invasive species, staging logs for seating, and creating a habitat pile. There are limited spots available for this event. Tools, gloves, and light snacks will be provided. Dress for the weather; the work will be done rain or shine. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Minors must be accompanied by an adult or have a Waiver Release form filled out ahead of time. Information: jill@capitollandtrust.org
• Nisqually Land Trust: The land trust will host a work party from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to begin to restore a newly acquired parcel in the Powell Creek Protected Area. Volunteers will be planting native tree and shrub species to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened Chinook salmon. Come for the whole day, or drop in for the morning or afternoon. Coffee and light snacks provided. Register for directions to the site at americorps@nisquallylandtrust.org

Tuesday

March for Life rally: Thousands will gather from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the west side of the Capitol Campus to oppose abortion. Rally organizers estimate that roughly 5,000 people will attend the event this year, which will impact traffic and parking on the west Capitol Campus. The north and south diagonals, which have a 100 visitor parking stalls, will be reserved for buses dropping off and picking up event attendees. March for Life participants will begin gathering at about 11 a.m. near the Winged Victory Monument then march to the north steps of the Legislative building about noon to hear speakers.