What’s Happening calendar for Feb. 29
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.