What’s Happening events calendar for Jan. 25, 2020 in Olympia

Saturday

Tumwater City Council retreat: The retreat will start at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Solomon Schechter, 1627A 73rd Ave. SE, Tumwater. The public is welcome. Information: contact John Doan, City Administrator, at 360-754-4120.

Ballet Northwest’s 50th anniversary gala: Ballet Northwest celebrates its 50th anniversary with a gala featuring professional dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and National Ballet of Cuba. The performance will be at 8 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $45. The event will feature memorabilia displays and video interview clips from throughout BNW’s 50 years, and raise funds for BNW’s costume and scholarship funds. The evening will culminate with desserts and dancing in the black box. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $95, which include a 6:30 p.m. pre-show reception in the black box with dinner appetizers and drinks.

Priest Point Park Volunteer Work Party: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers and staff will continue restoration work focused on mulching around still-developing, young native plants and pulling invasive English ivy. The park is 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 the work party.

Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum annual meeting: The meeting will be from 1-3 p.m. at the Olympia Odd Fellows Lodge No. 1, 405 Columbia St. SW, in downtown Olympia. There will be a program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which empowered women to vote nationally. The public program is entitled “Olympia’s Role in the Women’s Suffrage Movement.” The Olympia Lodge of Odd Fellows No. 1, The United Churches of Olympia, and the Ira L. Cater Post 318 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will be recognized for 100 or more years of service to the Olympia community. Those gathered also will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Bigelow House designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Information: https://olympiahistory.org

International Day of Action/No War With Iran: The Olympia Anti-Intervention Coalition, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Economics for Everyone, and other groups are calling for an Olympia rally from noon to 2 p.m. at the Heritage Park fountain, between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Participants are encouraged to bring signs to wave on the Fourth Avenue Bridge until 2 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/557104108352031

Sunday

Winter Twig Identification with Native Plant Salvage Foundation: Join local plant experts to discover the subtle beauty and learn the secrets to identifying 25 local shrubs and trees without their leaves. Two sessions of this 2-1/2-hour field class will be conducted, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m., at a west Olympia nature trail. Cost is $20, but scholarships also available. Advanced registration is required by visiting www.nativeplantsalvage.org/winter-twig-id Information: info@nativeplantsalvage.org.

A presentation on DispatchHealth: First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, will host this information session on DispatchHealth, which is bringing back the house call and reducing unnecessary trips to the emergency room. The free session will run from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Great Hall in the lower level of the church. DispatchHealth accepts most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, an affordable flat fee is available for uninsured patients.

Slow Food Greater Olympia annual meeting: The meeting will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodard Lane Co-Housing Community Center, 1620 Woodard Ave NW, Olympia, and will include a potluck meal and the presentation of the organization’s manifesto. For the potluck, bring a dish that highlights at least one ingredient from the South Sound region, and label it with an ingredients list so people can monitor for allergies and preferences. Free, but please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/447690935927205/

Monday

The Thurston County Veterans Advisory Board: The advisory board is hosting a listening session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, to hear about the unmet needs of Thurston County’s veterans and their families, and what services they need or are missing. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be available.

Wednesday

History Talks! on Lacey’s Role in Radio History: Longtime broadcaster Dick Pust will discuss how one of the first radio stations in the nation got its start in Lacey at 5:30 p.m. at the Lacey City Hall Council Chambers, 420 College St. SE. Illustrated with historical images, Pust will share how radio helped shape the lives of local residents. Pust, who spent more than 50 years in local broadcasting, will share his recollections, including Hollywood icon Bob Hope’s visit to Lacey in the 1970s. Free.

Caring for Kids Kiwanis Breakfast: The Olympia Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual Caring for Kids Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the Worthington Conference Center at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. Attendees will learn about the programs that Olympia Kiwanis sponsors and the impact that they have on local children and families. The event is free, but email your RSVP to attend@OlympiaKiwanis.org.

Yashiro Japanese Garden Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, join staff and stewards to weed and rake the fallen leaves in the park at 1010 Plum St. SE, Olympia. Meet at the side entrance to the park. Parking is available at the Lee Creighton Justice Center, 900 Plum St. SE. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register in advance for the work party.

Friday

2020 Thurston County Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year celebration: The Youth of the Year will be announced at celebration and reception at 7 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave SE. The event also will honor some of the most inspiring Club teens in Thurston County, who will share personal stories. The event is open to the community; however, registration is suggested. Visit tinyurl.com/BGCTCYOY2020 to reserve a spot.

Friday and Feb. 1

Under the Sea Family Dance: The annual Family Dance (formerly known as Father-Daughter Dance) will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Capital High School, 2707 Conger Ave. NW, Olympia. The events are the major fundraiser for the Capital High School Class of 2021 senior trip. The theme is Under the Sea, featuring face painting, games, ice cream and a DJ. The cost is $40 for a couple plus $15 for each additional guest. Professional photos are an additional $20. For more information or to pre-order tickets, visit http://www.chspo.org/

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.