What’s Happening events calendar for Dec. 18, 2019 in Olympia

Wednesday

Lacey Timberland Library Remodel 2020 Community Open House: The community is invited to the library at 500 College St. SE for an open house featuring plans for a remodel scheduled for fall 2020. Library staff will present the planning process, fundraising efforts, answer questions, and showcase concept drawings and floor plans. Refreshments provided by Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library. Free.

South Puget Sound New Horizons Band Christmas Concert: The band made up of musicians age 50 and older will perform a free concert at 10 a.m. at the Land Yacht Harbor Harmony Hall, 9101 Steilacoom Road SE. Selections will include arrangements of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Bugler’s Holiday and a medley of traditional themes with Chanukah Collage. The band will perform Gustav Holst’s Winter Suite in three movements and share the music making with the audience with a Christmas Pop Sing Along. All are welcome.

Poetry Reading: Join Olympia Poet Laureate Sady Sparks for an evening of poetry with the theme “shimmer” from 5-7 p.m. at the LGM Studio, 114 Capitol Way N., Olympia. Snacks and pretty lights provided. Reading begins at 5:30 p.m. Free.

Priest Point Park Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers will pull English ivy and plant rhododendrons at the park at 2600 East Bay Drive NE. Directional signs will be posted inside the park. The group will meet just south of the playground. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for work parties.

Wednesday to Friday

Frozen Wonderland Jr. Cougarettes Dance Clinic: Dancers from kindergarten to fifth grade can learn the basics of dance team skills while having fun with the Capital High School Cougarettes Dance Team. Classes will run 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Marshall Middle School gym, 3939 20th Ave NW, Olympia, where dancers will learn technique and a short routine, then they will perform at the Capital varsity boys basketball game at 6:45 p.m. Friday. Cost is $50, and all participants will receive a T-shirt and admission to the Varsity Basketball Game.

Thursday

Medicare 101 presentation: This free workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. N. No registration necessary, however space is limited. The SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) provide free and confidential help with Medicare choices. SHIBA staff and volunteers are trained by the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Information: 360-586-6181 ext. 134.

SPSCC Presents Dames in the Dirt Pop Up Exhibition at Oly Third Thursday: South Puget Sound Community College is inviting the public to meet and mingle with SPSCC art professor Liza Brenner and view her pop up exhibition called “Dames in the Dirt.” The exhibition will happen from 5-8 p.m. at Percival Place at Ben Moore’s, located at 112 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Brenner says the images are painted narratives of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Last pre-orientation session for WSU Master Gardener volunteer training course: To be considered for a spot in the 22-week 2020 course, you must complete an application and attend a 1-1/2 hour pre-orientation session. The final session is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the WSU Thurston County Extension Office, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Olympia. No pre-registration needed for the pre-orientation. The last day to apply for the course is Dec. 20. Applications can be downloaded at https://extension.wsu.edu/thurston/gardening/

Olympia Knitting Mills Evening Market: The Olympia Knitting Mills Artist Collective will host its second annual Evening Market from 5-9 p.m. at the Knitting Mills above the Fishtale Brewery, with the entrance on Legion Way. Makers will peddle their wares in the gallery and artist’s studios. There will be snacks and drinks. Pope Press will have a print set up for guests to print for a suggested donation - money benefits the YWCA.

Friday

Mixx 96.1 Wrapping up the Holidays Toy & Fund Drive: The staff of KXXO Mixx 96.1 radio and a crew of volunteers will be out on the street collecting toys and cash for families in need from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside the studios at the corner of State and Washington streets in downtown Olympia. The station is stressing cash donations this year as O Bee Credit Union will match the first $2,500 received, with The Roof Doctor, Van Dorm Realty, the Law Offices of Althauser Rayan Abbarno, G&G Heating and Air Conditioning, and True Alignment Chiropractic matching further cash donations. However, new, unwrapped gifts are always welcome. Donations also will be accepted at www.kxxo.com.

The Maria Joyner-Wulf Sextet performs a free concert: Maria Joyner-Wulff, adjunct professor of instrumental jazz at South Puget Sound Community College and director of the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, performs with local jazz musicians in this week’s “Fridays at the First” free noontime concert 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: 360-943-8025 or churchoffice@firstchristianolympia.org

Winter Solstice Spiral Walk: Unity of Olympia will host this sacred winter ritual of honoring the darkness and welcoming the coming light. Music provided by Janene Cummings and Terri Charles. There is no charge for this event, though donations are appreciated. Open to all ages. This is a drop-in event from 5-8 p.m. – stay as long or as short as you like. Youth and family activities provided; no child care. Unity of Olympia is at 1335 Fern St. SW, Olympia.

Friday through Jan. 1

24th Annual Model Train Festival: The Washington State History Museum at 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma will again showcase model railroad scenes for the holidays. Train clubs from throughout Western Washington will set up their layouts throughout the museum. The South Sound Activity Room gives kids a chance to get hands-on with toy trains, Lincoln Logs and Legos. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Dec. 20 through Jan.1. The museum is closed Dec. 24 and 25. Santa will be on hand for free digital photos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21-23. Tickets are $11-$14. Kids 5 and younger get in free. Visit www.modeltrainfestival.org to learn more.

Saturday

Capital Mall Instant Poetry Pop-Up: Join Olympia’s Poet Laureate Sady Sparks and other local writers for word games, poems written on typewriters, and creative opportunities from noon to 5 p.m. in the Macy’s Court at Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd. SE. Free.

Priest Point Park Volunteer Work Party: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will pull English ivy and plant rhododendrons at the park at 2600 East Bay Drive NE. Directional signs will be posted inside the park. The group will meet just south of the playground. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for work parties.

Gingerbread House Workshop: Tenino Timberland Library will host this event where participants can construct their own gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and decorations to take home. The event, for all ages, runs 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the library, 172 Central Ave. W., Tenino.

Saturday and Sunday

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation Choir holiday concert: The choir directed by Troy Arnold Fisher will perform a concert titled “For A Breath of Ecstasy,” featuring the poetry of Sara Teasdale set to the music of Michael John Trotta, at 2 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Traditional Christmas music will be part of the free concert as well, and light refreshments will be served. OUUC is located at 2315 Division St. NW. Free, but donations greatly appreciated.

Sunday

Olympia Giant Chanukah Celebration & Gelt Drop: The Chabad of Olympia Jewish Discovery Center will host the 11th annual community Chanukah celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Chanukah is the Jewish festival of lights, and the Menorah serves as symbol of the strength of light over darkness. The event will include the lighting of a 9-foot Menorah, a chocolate gelt drop with Olympia Fire Department, hot latkes and donuts.

Monday

Olympia Symphony’s “Home for the Holidays” concert: This new concert will feature traditional favorites, seasonal classics, and audience carols from 7-8 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE. Free admission, but donations will be matched by concert sponsors, up to $6,000.

Want to submit a community event for inclusion in What’s Happening? Send it 10 days or more in advance, written in the format you see above, to news@theolympian.com. Pictures are appreciated.