What’s Happening events calendar for Feb. 24, 2020 in Olympia

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/

Rep. Jim Walsh to host a telephone town hall: The Aberdeen Republican invites 19th District constituents to the telephone town hall, which is similar to a call-in radio show, beginning at 6 p.m. Walsh will answer questions and provide an update of the legislative session. To participate, constituents can call anytime during the hour-long program. Dial 360-209-6593, press * (star key) to ask a question. Information: contact Walsh’s office at 360-786-7810.

Tuesday

Evergreen Talks with Carri LeRoy: Evergreen State College faculty member Carri LeRoy will offer a look into her National Science Foundation-funded ecology research on how Sitka willow is influencing stream evolution at Mount St. Helens. LeRoy will speak from 6:30–8 p.m.at Olympia’s historic Lord Mansion, 211 21st Ave. SW. Free and open to the public.

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.

South Puget Sound New Horizons Band: The South Puget Sound New Horizons Band is pleased to present its free winter concert, Bridging the Atlantic, at 10 a.m. at the Land Yacht Harbor Harmony Hall, 9101 Steilacoom Road SE. The program will include Ravel’s Pavane, the March of the Parachutists, and Mozart’s Allegro from Symphony No. 10. The concert also features pieces from Germany, Spain, and Italy.

Thursday

Community presentation on the Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan: Using information gathered from a previous community meeting and online survey, the design team developed three conceptual layouts for the future community park. Come see these preliminary designs and provide feedback to staff and the designers from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E. If you can’t make the meeting, the conceptual designs and survey also will be available online at Engage Olympia through March 22.

35th District lawmakers to hold town hall meeting in Shelton: Reps. Dan Griffey and Drew MacEwen will hold a town hall meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Oakland Bay Junior High School, 3301 N. Shelton Springs Road, Shelton. The lawmakers will provide an update on the ongoing legislative session and then invite constituents to voice their concerns, share ideas, and ask questions. Residents with questions are invited to contact Rep. Griffey’s office at 360-786-7966 or via email at dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov. To contact Rep. MacEwen’s office, call 360-786-7902 or email him at drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov.

Friday

Adult Swim – Mad Hatter’s Gin & Tea Party: Fall down the rabbit hole at this 21-and-older-only event from 7-10 p.m. at the Hands On Children’s Museum, 414 Jefferson St. NE. Play a few rounds of Crazy Croquet, share a curious cup of tea with friends, or “Drink Me” a Dillinger’s cocktail as you explore the Wonderland of the museum. DJ Mia Ohms will offer beats for dancing, you can go through the looking glass in the Optical Illusion Photo Booth, or join the Mad Hatter and make your own hat or fascinator. Tickets are $24 in advance at https://bit.ly/2QYaXCz or $28 at the door.

Elections and ballot security discussion: How election officials are protecting the integrity of Washington state elections will be the topic of a panel discussion co-sponsored by the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service and the Office of the Secretary of State from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the ABC conference room of the John A. Cherberg building on the Capitol Campus. The event is free and open to the public. A buffet lunch will be provided. Secretary of State Kim Wyman will provide opening remarks. Speakers will include Justin Burns, Chief Information Security Officer for the Security Operations Center of the Office of the Secretary of State; Paul Gronke, professor of political science at Reed College in Portland; and Julie Wise, King County Elections Director. The Cherberg building is at 304 15th Ave. SW, and the ABC conference room is on the first floor. A livestream of the event will be available on TVW.

Saturday

Leap Year Bingo: Oly Bingo Night becomes Leap Year Bingo this month at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. SW. Cost is $20 for game packs. The evening includes a full-service bar, Jello shots, 50/50 raffle and $5 themed dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner; games start at 7 p.m. Must be 21 or older. Information: 360-586-6181.

Volunteer work party at Priest Point Park’s Ellis Cove: From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the work party will focus on removing English ivy around an “island” area on the Ellis Cove trail. The Ellis Cove parking lot is located at 555 Flora Vista Road NE. Meet at the parking lot. Limited parking available. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ for more information and to register in advance for the work party.

League of Women Voters Community Conversation: The League of Women Voters of Thurston County presents The Vote: Past, Present, and Future at 1 p.m. at the Olympia Regional Learning Academy, 2400 15th Ave. SE. Keynoting the event will be Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Information: lwvtc.org/events.

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.