What’s Happening for Jan. 5

Tuesday

Tumwater City Council Inauguration Ceremony: The community is invited to the Inauguration Ceremony for the 2020 Tumwater City Council, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m., which kicks off the first council meeting of the year. Refreshments will be served. The event is at Tumwater City Hall Council Chambers, 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater.

Intro to Swing Dance: Sign up at the door for OlyDance’s beginner level East Coast swing dance class series from 6-7 p.m. at the Olympia Eagles ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave. E. All ages are welcome, and no partner is required. Fee is $15 drop-in or $50 for all four weeks, and includes swing dance party after the lesson. Information: Tuesdayswing.com

The public hearing on amendments to preliminary plat extensions that was scheduled for this day has been cancelled.

Wednesday

State of the Community at Thurston Chamber’s January Forum: Job growth, land management, and housing are some of the issues community leaders will address at Thurston Chamber’s annual State of the Community Address from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hotel RL, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive, Olympia. Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder, Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet, Yelm Mayor JW Foster, and Thurston County Commissioner John Hutchings will share the state of their jurisdiction, and address moderated topics. Cost is $35 general admission, $25 for online prepaid Chamber members and $30 for members at the door. Make your reservation by calling 360-357-3362 or registering at thurstonchamber.com.

Author talk with Sharon Wood: Browsers will host Sharon Wood, the author of “Rising: Becoming the First North American Woman on Everest,” a new book from Mountaineers Books and 2019 Banff Mountain Book Competition Category Finalist in Mountain Literature, at 7 p.m. The bookshop is at 107 Capitol Way N, Olympia.

Decatur Woods Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, staff and volunteers will remove invasive holly and ivy from this wooded neighborhood park. The park is located at 1015 Decatur St SW. Meet at the side entrance to the park, 1801 11th Ave SW. Street parking is available. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

Historical tours at Governor’s Mansion: The Governor’s Mansion Foundation will host a special “1909 Housewarming History” presentation during its Wednesday Mansion tours Jan. 8 and 15. Visitors will meet “Zephorena Cosgrove,” wife of Gov. Samuel Cosgrove and then will take a 30-minute guided tour of the mansion by foundation docents. Mansion tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tour is open to 25 guests and times are 1, 1:20 and 1:40 p.m. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. To make a reservation, go to https://apps.des.wa.gov/Mansion/Mansion.aspx. For questions or more information, call 360-902-8880. Adult tour guests must present photo identification and all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No umbrellas, strollers, or food/drink will be allowed on the tour.

Planning Commission hearing on Rochester Subarea Plan: The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. to accept public testimony on the proposed draft of the Rochester Subarea Plan update. The hearing will be at the Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 152, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia. To learn more about the plan, go to http://www.grandmoundplanning.org and select “Rochester Subarea Plan Update 2019.”

Capital City Newcomers monthly meeting and luncheon: The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pellegrino’s Event Center, 5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater. Bingo will be the entertainment. Cost for luncheon is $17. Reservations required. For information or reservations, call Anita Rose at 360-709-0707 or ukrose360@gmail.com.

Thursday

Free Introduction to Square Dancing: Olympia Area Square Dancers invite you to try square dancing for free at 6:30 p.m. at Lac-A-Do Hall, 1721 46th Ave. NE, Olympia. For couples, singles, and families, ages 10 and older. Information: OlympiaSquareDance.com or 360-438-1284.

First Schmidt House History Talk of 2020: The free noon-hour history talks at the historic Schmidt House begin with “Edward Jay Allen in Early Olympia.” Schmidt House archives Curator Karen Johnson and historian/author Dennis Larsen co-authored two books that tell the story of the early Northwest pioneer who crossed the Oregon Trail in 1852. He lived in Olympia until 1855 and Johnson and Larsen will talk about his adventures. Copies of their books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors. The presentation begins at noon at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place, Tumwater. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and close at capacity. Donations are gratefully accepted. Information: 360-786-8117 or history@olytumfoundation.org.

Joint Animal Services shelter volunteer orientation: Orientation will be held 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for volunteers able to work as dog room volunteers, laundry room helpers, and lobby greeters. Reservations are required at https://forms.gle/MAnWigMT3FK42V9k9 or contact the volunteer coordinator at 360-352-2510 ext. 1009 or volunteer@jointanimalservices.org to make a reservation -- leave your name, number, and which available volunteer position/time period you’re applying for. The volunteer coordinator will confirm reservations before the orientation. Information: http://jointanimalservices.org/volunteer.

Partners in Prevention Education Winter Formal Benefit: The event featuring DJ Carefree with comedians Chocolate the Entertainer and Khadija Hassan will be from 7 p.m. to midnight at Octapas Cafe, 414 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/590851311458466/

Saturday

Mission Creek Nature Park Volunteer Work Party: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will help restore habitat in this neighborhood park by pulling English ivy and Himalayan blackberry bushes. The park is located at 1500 Fir St NE, and the group will meet just inside the park. Street parking available. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

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.

This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 5:21 AM with the headline "What’s Happening for Jan. 5."