What’s Happening events calendar for Jan. 29, 2020 in Olympia

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 Saturday

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/

Saturday

Rummage sale for Santo Tomas: Annual rummage sale to benefit projects in Thurston County’s sister community of Santo Tomás, Nicaragua will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School’s gym, 21st and Washington, Olympia. All kinds of treasures will be available for a donation. Donations of great stuff accepted between 4 and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, but please call ahead to check against list of acceptable items: Maureen at 360-464-5264 or email TSTSCA@gmail.com.

Nisqually Reach Nature Center visits WET Science Center: Join Nisqually Reach Nature Center to discover and touch Puget Sound creatures at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Explore the crazy defense mechanisms and wild feeding habits of sea creatures during a 2 p.m. interactive presentation. Create beautiful ocean-themed jewelry all day. Free. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/431476841067992/

Olympia Oshogatsu: Olympia-Kato Sister City Association and River Ridge High School Band will hold the Olympia Oshogatsu from noon to 4 p.m. at River Ridge, 350 River Ridge Drive SE. This Japanese New Year’s celebration is free and open to the community. The event includes the River Ridge Taiko Ensemble, Saint Martin’s University Soran Bushi dance ensemble, calligraphy painting by Chiyo Sanada, mochi pounding, Japanese puppet shows by River Ridge Japanese-language students, information booths, and kids’ activities and crafts. Calligraphy artwork created in performance by Chiyo Sanada will be raffled off at the end of the event. All proceeds will support Olympia-Kato Sister City Association and River Ridge Taiko Ensemble. Information: https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/Page/24204

Monday

Olympia Timberland Library reopens: The freshly remodeled Olympia library will open for business at 11 a.m. Free.

Free federal income tax return preparation and filing services: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will kick off their tax help workshops at McLane Black Lake Fire Department. Tax-Aide volunteers will be available from 4 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday by appointment at the fire department, 125 Delphi Road NW, Olympia, through April 13. Appointments can be made in advance either online, by stopping by the site, or by phone. Most of the seven other Tax-Aide sites in Thurston County operate on a first-come, first served or walk-in basis. Tax-Aide volunteers will help taxpayers of all ages and income levels; AARP membership is not required. To find the locations and hours of a site near you, to find out what returns they can prepare, what documents you must bring, and to schedule an appointment, visit https://taxaidewa20.org/.

Tuesday and Thursday

Lewis County Strategic Plan information sessions: The Lewis County Commissioners are inviting the community to attend one of two upcoming informational sessions to learn about the county’s strategic planning effort and to weigh in on Lewis County’s future needs. The meetings are planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday and 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Residents also can participate in the Vision 2025 survey at https://lewiscountywa.gov.

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.