What’s Happening events calendar for Feb. 20, 2020 in Olympia

Thursday

Medicare 101 presentation: This free workshop will be 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, however space is limited. Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors will provide free and 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 state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

History talk on George Washington of Centralia: Schmidt House history talks will host “George Washington of Centralia,” presented by local authors Brian Mittge and Kerry MacGregor Serl, who wrote a book about the son of a slave who became the father of Centralia. The talk is at noon; doors open at 11:30 a.m. and close at capacity. The talk is free, but donations are welcome. The book will be on sale and authors signing after their talk. The Schmidt House is at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Information: Contact Don Trosper at 360-786-8117 or history@olytumfoundation.org.

Breadmaking the Pioneer Way: As part of its on-going program called Pioneer University, Tumwater Historical Association will offer a talk and demonstration on pioneer era breads and breadmaking processes. The program will take place at 5 p.m. at the Tumwater First Baptist Church, 405 X St. SE, and will be led by Beverly York, long-time living history presenter and member of THA.

Harry Truman’s Historic Holiday: State Capitol tour guide Steve Jones offers a lighthearted look at President Harry Truman’s June 1945 historic vacation in Olympia during at lecture series event hosted by the Olympia Country & Golf Club, 3636 Country Club Road, Olympia. The free, public event begins with a 5:30 p.m. social hour, followed by Jones’ 6 p.m. presentation complete with tales of Russian spies, late-night poker games and presidential shenanigans, illustrated with photos from the Truman Library archives. Please register in advance by contacting Heather Wilson at heather@olygolfclub.com.

Evergreen Longhouse Drum Circle and Story Telling: The monthly community event is held in the Fiber Arts Studio at The Evergreen State College. It begins at 5 p.m. with a potluck, followed by storytelling at 6 p.m. and drumming at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is $3. Special guest will be storyteller Roger Fernandes of the Lower Elwha band of the S’Kallam Indians.

Author event with Sharon Draper: Draper, a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Award, will speak at 7 p.m. at the James Koval Center for the Performing Arts at North Thurston High School, 600 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Lacey. Free; doors open at 6 p.m. The presentation will be followed by a book signing, and Scholastic Books will be on hand to sell some of her books. Information: http://sharondraper.com

Friday

Grand Opening & Dedication Ceremony for new Mason Clinic: The community is invited to this program at 1 p.m. that will include remarks and speeches, a dedication of the 60,000-square-foot facility, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments, a photo booth, guided tours, and the unveiling of a custom art piece. Mason Clinic is located at 1701 N. 13th St. in Shelton, and is connected to Mason General Hospital on the same campus. Parking for the event will be located at the hospital’s main and emergency entrances. Please RSVP to the Mason Health Development Office at 360-427-3623 or email foundation@masongeneral.com. Starting Feb. 24, Mason Clinic will be open for primary care, orthopedic, walk-in and laboratory services. Information: www.masongeneral.com.

Opening reception for Native American Art Exhibition at SPSCC: Guest curator Philip H. Red Eagle provided the vision for this show of contemporary Native artists in the Puget Sound area: Caroline Orr, Linley Logan, Robert Upham, Stephanie Riedl, Paige Pettibon and RYAN! Fedderson. The reception is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Leonor R. Fuller Gallery in the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Free, sponsored by the Nisqually Indian Tribe.

Saturday

Black History Month lecture: The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum are co-sponsoring a special program with the Olympia Heritage Commission, “Blacks in Thurston County: A Historical Perspective,” presented by Dr. Thelma Jackson and Ed Echtle at 1:30 p.m. in Rooms 101-102 of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Free to the public. Information at olympiahistory.org.

Coastal wolves program: Coastal wolves and their adaptability will be the program from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Wolf Haven International experts will speak at 2 p.m., and there will be wolf-related crafts all day. Free.

Kids Love Comics event: Join Danger Room Comics from 1-4 p.m. at the Olympia Timberland Library for this event celebrating comics for kids. Kids, teens, and families will have the opportunity to meet cartoonist and picture book creator Vera Brosgol (creator of “Be Prepared,” “Anya’s Ghost,” “Leave Me Alone!” and “The Little Guys”), hear her talk about her creative process, and get books signed. Frank Hussey of Danger Room Comics will present comics in Reader’s Theater format. Information: https://events.trl.org/events/kids-love-comics-featuring-vera-brosgol

Sunday

Harstine Island Community Club hosts salmon program: State climatologist Nick Bond will explore the past, present, and possible future conditions for salmon in our state and share lessons on how local communities have accomplished important work to support salmon runs, at 1:30 p.m. at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N., Shelton. Free.

Monday

Public meeting on EPA Brownfield Initiative: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided grant money to assess potentially contaminated properties, known as “Brownfield,” that are planned for reuse or redevelopment. Brownfield sites can include properties that are vacant or are underutilized sites that may be impacted by contamination. A $600,000 EPA Brownfield Grant was awarded to Port of Olympia, Olympia’s Metropolitan Parks District and the City of Olympia. At this public meeting, discussion will be encouraged on directing EPA grant funds to Brownfield sites in and around Olympia that could be viable for redevelopment. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in Room 100 of The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW. Information: 360-753-8591 or mreid@ci.olympia.wa.us

Zine workshop: Are you working on a zine for the Washington State Zine Contest? Head to the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, from 4 to 7 p.m. to start or maybe even finish your zine. The library will provide paper, books and magazines to cut up, typewriters, and other supplies. Library staff will demonstrate a one-page mini zine structure for those interested, but otherwise this is a self-guided workshop for all ages and skill levels. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1033044837078990/

Wednesday

Mission Creek Nature Park Volunteer Work Party: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers and staff will be restoring habitat at this neighborhood park by pulling English ivy and Himalayan blackberry. The park is at 1500 Fir St NE. The group will assemble just inside the park. Street parking available. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register for the work party.

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.