What’s Happening calendar for Jan. 15

Wednesday

League of Women Voters forum on the Census and redistricting: The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. SW. Speakers will provide an overview of census efforts in Washington state, address local efforts to obtain a complete census count, and discuss redistricting in Washington. Free and open to the public. Information: Visit lwvthurston.org or contact R. Peggy Smith at 360-754-4305 or rpps4u@comcast.net.

Intercity Transit Authority public hearing: The IT Authority Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Intercity Transit administration building, 526 Pattison St. SE, Olympia. On the agenda is a public hearing on proposed Route 65 in Hawks Prairie, with associated routing and schedule alternatives.

Thursday

Shelton Diabetes Support Group: The Shelton Diabetes Support Group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Pershing meeting room at Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive.The topic is “What’s On Your Mind?” This open discussion about diabetes self-management is a chance to ask anything. The meeting will start with a brief overview of diabetes. Family and friends are welcome. Contact the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-7332 for more information.

Olympia World Affairs Council Lecture Series: Jonathan Warren, professor in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, will present a talk on Bolsonaro and the Resurgence of Brazilian Fascism at 7:30 p.m. at the Lacey campus of South Puget Sound Community College, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. Free and open to the public. Information: www.olympiawac.org

Distinguished Leaders Awards ceremony: Leadership Thurston County’s 19th annual Distinguished Leaders Awards celebration will take place at the Hotel RL in Olympia, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m. The 2020 honorees are John Doan of the city of Tumwater; retired Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander, and SCJ Alliance. Honorees will be recognized through live and multi-media presentations. Tickets are $85 for non-members of the Thurston Chamber. Information: Call Alisha Blain at 360-357-8515 or email LTC@ThurstonChamber.com.

Medicare 101 presentation: The free information session will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St NW. Whether you are new to Medicare or want a refresher course, this class can help. No registration necessary, but space is limited. Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) provide confidential help with Medicare choices. For questions about the program or Medicare, call 360-586-6181 ext. 134; SHIBA staff and volunteers are trained by the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Pop-Up at Percival Place -- an Olympia Creative Gathering: South Puget Sound Community College invites visual artists, musicians, theater folks and beyond to this event from 5-7 p.m. at Percival Place at Ben Moore’s, 112 Fourth Ave. W, Olympia. The goal is to connect people and gather ideas for regularly scheduled meetups to share experiences and expertise, participate in discussions, roundtables and breakouts. Free.

Friday

Gun Rights Coalition Lobby Day: From 8:30 a.m. to noon, gun rights advocates will be at the Capitol Campus lobbying to protect Second Amendment rights, including self defense. Information: Allen Acosta at islandal72@yahoo.com.

South Thurston Economic Development Initiative meeting: The Thurston County board of County Commissioners will conduct a special meeting from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Rainier Senior Center, 108 Michigan St. S., Rainier, to receive an update on economic development efforts in south Thurston County. Open to the public.

Friday and Saturday

Cascadia Grains Conference: This conference, in its eighth year, is aimed at rebuilding a regional grain economy in the Cascadia bioregion of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and British Columbia. The Friday program includes presentations around Seattle and South Puget Sound. Saturday’s program runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SE, Olympia. Mel Darbyshire, the head baker for Grand Central Bakery, will be the keynote speaker. Highlights include an all-local beer and spirits garden; the Best of Cascadia Tasting, produced by the state Beer Commission, that will cap the Saturday conference from 5-8 p.m. at SPSCC. Registration and more information are available at www.cascadiagrains.com. Regular Registration is $125 and $150 for those registering at the door. Scholarships are available.

Saturday

MLK Day of Service Volunteer Work Party: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the City of Olympia in honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a service project at LBA Park. Volunteers and staff will plant native plants and pull Scotch broom to restore habitat. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments provided. Dress for the weather and wear boots. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

Elma Winter Wine Festival: The 13th festival is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Grays Harbor Fair & Event Center, 32 Elma McCleary Road, Elma. The Elma Chamber of Commerce event includes wine tasting, a beer garden, food booths, gifts and merchandise booths, a silent auction, and live entertainment. 21 and older only; valid photo ID required. Tickets in advance are $10 for entry only or $20 with a glass and 5 tastings at https://elmachamber.org/event/winter-wine-festival/.

Sunday

12th Annual Martin Luther King Peace Walk: South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the Open Gate Sangha invite everyone to participate in this annual event. Arrive at Marathon Park (west side of Olympia’s Capitol Lake on Deschutes Parkway) shortly before noon for a brief welcome and instruction, then walk in single file, silently, meditatively (no chanting or conversation and no signs) around the lake.

Monday

SPSCC MLK Day Lecture by Dr. Rich Benjamin: South Puget Sound Community College continues its Artist & Lecture Series with the first event of 2020, a Martin Luther King Jr. Day lecture with Dr. Rich Benjamin. The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. in the Minnaert Center for the Arts at the Olympia campus, 2011 Mottman Road SW. Tickets for the lecture titled “King and ‘The More Perfect Union”’ are available through The Washington Center for the Performing Arts for $15 or less. The lecture is free for SPSCC students, staff, and faculty.

Olympia Indivisible meeting on 2020 election: The theme is “2020: It’s Up To Us” for the meeting from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with live music from Artesian Rumble Archestra. Free child care available. For more information and to register, visit https://www.olympiaindivisible.org/

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: The Commission on African American Affairs is hosting this event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Columbia Room, Rotunda, and Room 112 of the Legislative Building.

Timberland Regional Libraries closed today: The libraries are closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Tuesday

Diabetes Wellness Classes: The Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center is starting a new series in the Diabetes Prevention Program. These classes are in addition to the regular support group meetings held in Shelton and Allyn. Orientation for the program will be offered from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Washington meeting room, and again from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Pershing meeting room, both at Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. Classes will then continue for six months at those designated times.

JBLM Veterans Job Fair: The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and RecruitMilitary are joining forces to attract, hire and retain military veterans and military spouses in the JBLM area. This free hiring event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Lake Conference Center, 8085 NCO Beach Road on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, is for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members and military spouses. Register at http://bit.ly/JBLM012120

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