What’s Happening events calendar for Feb. 12, 2020 in Olympia

Wednesday

Thurston Chamber’s Education Summit & Expo: Angela Jones, Chief Executive Officer at the Seattle-based nonprofit Washington STEM, will keynote the summit, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Saint Martin’s Norman Worthington Center in Lacey. The forum includes lunch and is $35 for general admission, $25 for prepaid Chamber members, and $30 for members. Visit thurstonchamber.com for tickets and additional information. The Chamber encourages advance registration for this event.

Olympia’s Climate Conversations Lecture Series: Paul Pickett will discuss “Climate Science 101,” exploring the causes of global warming, impacts to our region, and ideas for solutions and adaptation from 6-8 p.m. at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E. Free. For more information, contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us.

The Type 1 Diabetes Support Group: This group specifically for people facing Type 1 Diabetes will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center. Information: 360-427-7332.

Cancer Wellness Workshop: Mason General Hospital with the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund and Harmony Hill Retreat Center offer a Cancer Wellness workshop for patients and caregivers. This support group will meet from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Pershing Room of Mason General Hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. This workshop typically meets every second Wednesday of the month. Information: Call 360-432-7706.

Madison Scenic Park Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers and city staff will remove English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and other non-native plants. Sturdy work boots/shoes a must. The park is at 1600 10th Ave SE. Limited parking available. Meet inside the park by the large walnut tree. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

DNR Carbon Sequestration Advisory Group: The first meeting of this non-voting group will explore opportunities to sequester carbon in natural and working lands and wood products. The meeting is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center, Conference Room B, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia. The in-person meeting will open with remarks from Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and will be followed by discussions of a possible charter for the group and conducting carbon sequestration inventories. Information: contact Dan Stonington at Dan.Stonington@dnr.wa.gov.

Thursday

Thurston County courthouse discussion: Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser and Patrick O’Connor, director of Public Defense for the county, will discuss expansion of the Thurston County jail and proposed construction of a new courthouse at 7 p.m. at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2300 East End St. NW, Olympia. Sponsored by Justice not Jails.

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group: Caring for someone with memory loss? Do you need information and support? Alzheimer’s Association family caregiver support groups provide a place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also in the same situation. Meetings are 3 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey. Information: Cheri Knighton at 360-480-5887 or 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

Friday

My Family My Choice rally: This rally will take place on the north steps of the Legislative Building from noon to 2 p.m. Event organizer MY Family MY Choice Coalition estimate attendance of 1,000.

Saturday

Suffrage anniversary celebration: Join the League of Women Voters of Thurston County and the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum at a special event from 1-3 p.m. at the Bigelow House Museum, 918 Glass Ave. NE, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of suffragist Susan B. Anthony’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters. The program begins at 1:30 pm and visitors will enjoy displays, music and refreshments. Historic costumes encouraged! Admission by donation. Information: olympiahistory.org and lwvthurston.org

20th Annual Paper Airplane Flight School & Contest: The Olympic Flight Museum will host the annual family friendly event from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the museum, 7637A Old Highway 99 SE, Olympia. The event focuses on a variety of paper airplane folding techniques while professional guides educate guests on flight. Distance and Spot Landing contests will begin at 2:30 p.m. with prizes awarded in various categories. Admission for Flight School participants is $8 and includes instruction, construction materials and a snack. Spectator and general admission is $5. Children 6 and younger get in free. All ages and skill levels welcome. Reservations are not required. Information: olympicflightmuseum.com or 360-705-3925.

Grass Lake Nature Park Volunteer Work Party: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will be digging out invasive Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom, then planting native vegetation. Full-length pants and a layered long-sleeved shirt are strongly encouraged. Group will meet near the kiosk sign inside the park. Limited parking available at 814 Kaiser Road NW. Look for the Park Stewardship sign right off of Kaiser Road. The entrance is north of Sixth Ave. NW and south of 11th Ave. NW.

Wetland Day & Treatment Plant Tour: What do wastewater treatment plants and wetlands have in common? They both improve water quality. Celebrate wetlands and tour LOTT’s wastewater treatment plant at 1 p.m. Tour participants must be 10 years or older and wear sturdy closed shoes. The event is free at LOTT’s WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Information: 360-664-2333 or www.wetsciencecenter.org.

Sunday

Native Plant Excursion -- Winter Alpine Snowshoeing: Journey through the Cascade sub-alpine ecosystem with eco-educators. Plant Excursions are group hikes with botany and ecology experts, plus outdoor enthusiasts. Bring your snowshoes and field journals at 10 a.m. on the trailhead. You will learn how to identify native plants, animal tracks, birds and fungi. Advanced registration is required at www.nativeplantsalvage.org/plant-excursions. Workshop details and directions will be sent to all participants ahead of the event. Snowshoes are required. This event is for ages 10 and older. Guardians should consider length and difficulty of hike and child’s ability to honor group learning for all participants. Contact NPSF at info@nativeplantsalvage.org with questions. Workshops cost is $35 per participant.

Monday

Timberland Libraries closed: All branches are closed for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

Free federal individual income tax return preparation: The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will be at McLane Black Lake Fire Department Station 91 headquarters, 125 Delphi Road NW, Olympia, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday by appointment through April 13. They will prepare and e-file individual federal income tax returns. To schedule an appointment, visit their website at taxaidewa20.org or call 360-670-0286.

Tuesday

Founders Day Reception and Silent Auction: The Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee will host this annual event to benefit the historic furnishings in the State Capitol. This year’s program will include a review of the latest restoration project and highlight the ratification of the federal 19th Amendment which extended voting rights to women. The event runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion on the Capitol Campus. To register, visit http://www.washingtonhistory.org/support/heritage/CapitolFurnishings/

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.