What’s Happening for Jan. 9
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.
Sunday
Schmidt House Tour: The “Heritage Builders” history program of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation is changing the times and dates for public guided tours of the historic Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. The monthly free public tours will be held the second Sunday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m., with the first one happening Jan. 12. The tours led by Bob Crim take visitors to each of the three upper floors and the basement archives level of the 1904 home. Reservations are needed because the tours are limited to no more than 15 people. Free, but donations welcome. Call 360-786-8117 or email history@olytumfoundation.org early to reserve a spot or to get more information.
Monday
Lacey/Olympia Near Death Experience forum: Louisa Peck will discuss an inspiring near death story at the forum from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College St. SE. Free and open to the public. Information: Contact facilitator Jackie Huetter at thurstoncountyiands@gmail.com
Tuesday
Christian Women’s Connection luncheon: The event begins at noon at Panorama’s Seventeen51 Restaurant and Bistro’s Gallery Room, 1751 Circle Lane, Lacey. Cost is $16 and includes lunch, inspirational speaker Linda Wozniak, and music by Bev York on bagpipes. Brenda McAferty also will share information about the North Thurston School District’s homeless assistance program. Please bring a small non-perishable food item or toiletry item for a homeless student’s backpack. Call in your reservations to Sylvia at 360-943-0627 or Kathy at 360-522-2221.
Summit Pacific free meal-planning class: Summit Pacific is hosting a free education event at 5:30 p.m. in its Wellness Center’s Ortquist Conference Room 1 at 610 E Main St, Elma. The topic is “Meal Planning Essentials.” The event is free and open to the public, no RSVP required. Registered dietitian Sarah Carossino will discuss the benefits of planning meals ahead of time, how to build nutritious meals, and share resources for finding coupons, new meals and new recipe ideas. Visit Summit Pacific on Facebook, or online at https://summitpacificmedicalcenter.org/ for information on upcoming events.
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.