What’s Happening for Dec. 6, 2019 in Olympia

Friday

School Climate Strike: Students from across Washington will leave school and gather from noon to 2 p.m. at the Capitol Campus. There will be a handful of youth keynote speakers to share their perspectives on climate change and its effects. The goal is for Gov. Inslee to declare a climate emergency.

Holiday Kids’ Tree Lighting in the Capitol Rotunda: The Association of Washington Business will welcome the arrival of the 2019 holiday season with the lighting of the 34-foot Noble fir tree at 6 p.m. Gov. Jay Inslee will take part in the event along with Jayden Nelson, a 10-year-old “change maker” from Lewis County who has spent the last two years fundraising for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. The tree was donated by Weyerhaeuser, and was harvested from the Vail Tree Farm. The theme for this year’s decorations is “Timeless Toys.” This marks the 31st anniversary of the AWB Holiday Kids’ Tree Project, a fundraiser to benefit children and families in rural communities throughout Washington. Information: http://www.awb.org/awb-holiday-kids-tree/.

Jazz Vocalist LaVon Hardison performs a free concert: Joined by David Deacon-Joyner on piano, Hardison presents the second “Fridays at the First” series of free noontime concerts at First Christian Church of Olympia, 701 Franklin St. SE. The church library opens at 11:30 for complimentary coffee and cookies. The concert begins at noon and lasts about an hour. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed by the musicians. Information: www.firstchristian.org 360-943-8025.

Saturday

Parade of Lighted Ships: The Olympia Yacht Club’s annual Parade of Lighted Ships is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. Spectators are urged to arrive by 5:30 p.m. to hear local carolers from the Capital High School Chamber Choir, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, see the Jingle Bus and the Grinch, and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa. The yacht recommends viewing from the Port Plaza Park/Tower in front of Anthony’s Homeport restaurant, 701 NW Columbia St, Olympia. Information: www.olympiayachtclub.org

Yelm Christmas in the Park: The daylong Christmas in the Park will take place at Yelm Community Center, also known as Yelm City Park. The event includes performances by Yelm High School’s band and choir.

Capitol Volkssport Club Holiday Walk: This walk through Olympia goes through downtown, the Farmer’s Market, and the State Capitol building. With the exception of a gravel, uphill section not suitable for strollers, the walk is on sidewalks. The walk starts between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia. Walkers must finish by 4 p.m.

City of Shelton aims for Guinness Book of World Records: Historically known as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World,” Shelton and Mason County are celebrating the distinction with an attempt at the Guinness World Record for “Most Lit Christmas Trees” in one location. The current record is 559 trees, set in New York in 2015. Shelton’s attempt will be logged during the 5 p.m. Christmas parade. The 600+ trees will be arranged in a lighted maze that families can explore from 6-9 p.m. along with Santa visits, refreshments, caroling, gingerbread house contests, live music, gift workshops, and a new Christmastown Market at 414 Franklin St., Shelton. The market that will be open through Dec. 21. Trees will be replanted, donated to families in need or can be purchased with a $10 donation for Toys for Tots, Seattle Children’s Hospital or the local food bank.

Medicare Open Enrollment deadline: Washington’s 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries have until today to fill out their paperwork. Information: www.medicare.gov/

Olympia Toy Run: The yearly event draws thousands of motorcycles to Olympia. Motorcyclists donate toys and money to The Salvation Army’s Toy N’ Joy Shop, which distributes the gifts to needy children. The motorcyclists meet at South Sound Center in Lacey around 10 a.m., then ride to Marathon Park on Capitol Lake around 1 p.m., traveling via Pacific Avenue, State Avenue, Capitol Way, Fifth Avenue and Deschutes Parkway. The Toy Run typically lasts two hours. Drivers can expect heavy traffic and long delays in downtown Olympia during the event.

Capital Mall holiday storytime: Timberland Regional Library will put on a free storytime featuring holiday books for young and old at 11 a.m. at Macy’s Court.

Springwood Parcel Volunteer Work Party: The work party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is at the former Zabel’s Rhody Garden, 1500 Springwood Ave NE, Olympia. Volunteers will be removing invasive plant species, including yellow archangel, which must be bagged for disposal to stop its spread. Volunteers should park only on Devon Drive Northeast. After parking, follow the signs to the entrance to the parcel. Meet just inside the gate. Register for the work party at http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/

Olympia Waldorf School Winter Faire: The festival that runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school at 8126 Normandy St. SE, Olympia, will include candle making, snow queens, treasure hunts, crafts, baked goods, vendors, puppet plays, jump rope making, and more. Free admission and all events cost between $1 and $5. Puppet show tickets are on sale at 360-493-0906.

Rube Goldberg Machines: Explore the world of physics and engineering by creating a Rube Goldberg Machine, a complex chain reaction to complete a simple task, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Free.

Tenino Winterfest: The festivities run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tenino High School, 224 Sussex Ave. E, Tenino. Activities include pictures with Santa, lunch w/donation, live music, 75 vendors, gift wrapping by the Girl Scouts, raffles and a food drive. Admission is free.

Boy Scout Troop 48’s annual Santa Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee, and juice from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. A collection bin for Toys for Tots will be set up, so bring your donations to drop off. And bring a camera for photos with Santa. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family. Kids younger than 5 get in free. Buy tickets from a Troop 48 Scout or at the door. All proceeds support the troop’s scouting program.

Sunday

Holiday Tour of Historic Homes: The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum are sponsoring the 2019 tour from noon to 4 p.m., featuring nine historic properties, including the Bigelow House at 918 Glass Ave. NE. Tour tickets are $25 and available in advance at Artistry in Flowers at 300 Cleveland Ave. SE, Drees at 524 Washington St. SE and Thompson’s Furniture at 5407 Capitol Blvd. as well as online at www.olympiahistory.org. Net proceeds benefit the preservation and interpretation of Olympia’s historic Bigelow House and programming throughout the year by the Olympia Historical Society. Information: www.olympiahistory.org.

Tuesday

“Star Wars” model builder appears at Olympic Cards and Comics: Shake the hands that built the Death Star and see behind-the-scenes photos when Colin Cantwell visits the Lacey store from 1-3 p.m. Cantwell is the original concept artist and model builder for the Star Wars spaceships.The free event includes videos describing Cantwell’s work on Star Wars. Also featured will be an audience choice of videos showing his other iconic projects including “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “War Games.” Autographs will be on sale for $25 and include a free print of either his original 1974 Star Wars concept art or his 1975 photos of the first Star Wars models. Olympic Cards and Comics is at 4230 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. Information: http://colincantwell.com/

Christian Women’s Connection: The Christmas luncheon with the theme “Joy to the World” starts at noon at Panorama’s Seventeen51 Restaurant and Bistro’s Gallery Room at 1751 Circle Lane, Lacey. Enjoy lunch, coffee or tea and desert for $16. North Thurston High School’s Jazz Singers will perform, and the inspirational speaker is Joanne Sheehan from Mill Creek. Call in your reservations by the Thursday before the luncheon if possible to Sylvia at 360-943-0627.

Wednesday

Tax workshop for business owners: Business owners in Washington are responsible for knowing which taxes to report. To help them, the state Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Revenue, Room 114A, Bldg. 6400 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater. Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection and record-keeping requirements. Attendees receive a workbook and reference guide to Revenue’s rules and regulations. Information: Call 360-705-6705 or go to Revenue’s education page.

Madison Scenic Park Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers will remove English ivy, which continues to choke out the native vegetation, as well as Himalayan blackberry and other non-native plants. Prepare to get muddy! Sturdy work boots/shoes are a must. The park is located at 1600 10th Ave SE. Limited parking available. Meet inside the park by the large walnut tree. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

Mason Health Type 1 Diabetes Support Group: The Type 1 Diabetes Support Group will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Ellinor Room of Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. This class is open to the public, but will focus on specific issues of people living with Type 1 diabetes every second Wednesday of the month. Call the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-7332 for more information.

Cancer Wellness workshop: Mason Health, the Karen Hillburn Cancer Fund and Harmony Hill Retreat are partnering to offer this workshop for patients and caregivers impacted by cancer. This support group will meet from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Pershing Room of Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. This workshop typically meets every second Wednesday of the month. Call 360-432-7706 to sign up.

Thursday

Shelton Diabetes Support Group: The topic for the monthly meeting is “Strategies to Prevent and Manage Hyperglycemia.” Learn strategies to avoid blood sugar hikes during the holidays season while you enjoy foods you love. The guest speaker will be Debbie McGinnis. Family and friends are welcome. The group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Pershing meeting room at Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. Information: Contact the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-7332.

Olympia Genealogical Society meeting: The topic will be “DNA Redux.” Using DNA for genealogy is no longer the “new thing” and this meeting will provide a crash refresher course about DNA — what it is, how to test it and what it can, and can’t, tell us about our ancestors. The presenter is longtime member Carol Ballard, who also leads the genealogy and DNA efforts at Panorama. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152. Information: 360-349-2493 or www.OlyGenSoc.org.

Olympia World Affairs Council Lecture Series: Tom Rainey, Faculty Emeritus at The Evergreen State College, will address “What Is Volodya Up to Now? A Putin Update,” focusing on Putin’s expansive foreign policy, and on his problems at home. Lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave SE. Free and open to the public. Information: www.olympiawac.org

History Talks at Schmidt House: “Harry’s Historic Holiday: President Truman’s 1945 Visit to Olympia” will be the topic for Steve Jones, retired attorney for the Washington State Senate, who will offer a lighthearted look at Truman’s historic vacation here, a story complete with Russian spies, late-night poker games, and presidential shenanigans illustrated with photos from the Truman archives. The talk is at noon at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the talk and close at capacity. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Information: Contact Don Trosper at 360-786-8117 or history@olytumfoundation.org.

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