What’s Happening events calendar for Feb. 28, 2020 in Olympia

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

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.

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.

Sunday

Documentary screening to benefit Madison-Avanti Giving Garden: “The Biggest Little Farm” will be screened at 1:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. E., Olympia. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. General admission is $9 and it’s $6 for Olympia Film Society members. The film is family friendly. Funds raised will be used to build a new greenhouse at the Giving Garden.

Randal Bays CD launch party: Olympia-based Irish fiddler Randal Bays will launch his latest CD, “Up The West,” with a concert and party at 7 p.m. at Octapas Cafe, 414 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia. Musical guests include Mikey Beglan, Susan Waters, Colm MacCarthaigh, and Clint Dye, plus Portland’s Nancy Jarrell will teach and leadi some Irish dancing. Tickets sold on a sliding scale of $10-$20; available at the door or online at https://bpt.me/4524236

Monday

Introduction to the 2020 Census: The Census will impact federal funding for local communities and representation in congress for the next 10 years, so it’s important that everyone gets counted once, and in the right place. The offical count begins March 12. Learn how you can be a part of the nationwide effort at this sesssion from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE.

Free Federal Individual Income Tax Return Preparation: Head to the McLane Black Lake Fire Department Station 91 Headquarters 125 Delphi Road NW to get tax filing help from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers. They offer free help with federal returns from 4 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday through April 13. To schedule an appointment, go to taxaidewa20.org or call 360-670-0286. There are seven other Tax-Aide sites in Thurston County open on different days and hours. Most sites operate on a first-come, first served or walk-in basis. The McLane Black Lake Fire Department, ROOF Community Services and Yelm Timberland Library sites, however, ask that taxpayers schedule appointments in advance. Taxpayers of all ages and income levels are welcome; an AARP membership is not required.

Tuesday

“Medicare 101” workshop: Whether you’re new to Medicare or want a refresher course, this class can help! No registration necessary, however space is limited for the workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave., Lacey. The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors provide free and confidential help with Medicare choices. SHIBA staff and volunteers are trained by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Information: call 360-586-6181, ext.134

Thursday

League of Women Voters’ “Where’s the Water II: Join the Thurston County LWV from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, a free public forum on water, “Where’s the Water – II: What are the Impacts of Sea Level Rising in Thurston County?” The forum will feature the Squaxin Island Tribe Sea Level Story Map. There also will be a presentation on the status of the Chehalis Basin Strategy. This will add to the body of knowledge gained at the 2019 Where’s the Water Forums. Free and open to the public.

Campaign finance law discussion: Dave Ammons, chair of the state Public Disclosure Commission, will discuss how the state agency monitors and enforces state political campaign finance laws. The program will take place at 2 p.m. in the Quinault Auditorium at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey: Information: doddsbpan@gmail.comRental Housing Community Meeting

Rental housing community meeting: Are you a renter or a landlord in Olympia? Join a conversation convened by the Olympia City Council’s Land Use and Environment Committee about reducing tenant-landlord conflicts and improving access to and stability of rental housing in Olympia. The committee wants to hear about residents’ experiences. The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. at Washington Middle School, 3100 Cain Road SE, Olympia.

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.