What’s happening around Thurston County this week

Sunday, Oct. 30

Downtown Olympia’s Free Trick-or-Treat Treasure Hunt: Trick or treaters who come to downtown Olympia between 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 will find more than free treats. Businesses taking part in the “Unicorns and Narwhals” pre-Halloween event also will give out entries for a treasure chest full of prizes and gift certificates. A unicorn or narwhal figure will be hidden in each participating location. Once a trick or treater finds it, they will be issued an entry form for the treasure-chest drawings to be held at 5:30 p.m. at Archibald Sisters, 406 Capitol Way S., Olympia. For a list of “Unicorns and Narwhals” trick or treat locations, visit kxxo.com/halloween, which has contest rules and further details.

Day of Remembrance: You are invited to join Interfaith Works in a service of remembrance for those persons who have passed in Thurston County in the past year but whose remains have gone unclaimed at the Coroner’s office. This short, interfaith service at 2 p.m. Sunday will be held in person with an online option at Mills & Mills Funeral Home and will feature reflections from a regional faith leader, music, and reflective readings. The funeral home is at 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater. Go to Interfaith-Works.org/Events for more information.

The Olson Bros Band at Schilter Family Farms: The Olson Bros Band will play at the Fall Season Send off at Schilter Family Farms from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy the farm and some live music, and since it is Halloween Weekend, feel free to wear a costume. Get tickets online or buy at the gate. The farm is at 141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE, near Interstate 5’s Exit 114.

Monday, Oct. 31

Halloween at Harlequin: Harlequin Productions is hosting a one-night-only Halloween event that features local author Jim Lynch sharing a new scary short story, and actor Bradford Farwell bringing Edgar Allan Poe to life in local playwright Bryan Willis’ adapted “Edgar Allan Poe — The Poet’s Journey.” The show starts at 7 p.m. Monday at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. General admission tickets are $25.

“Phantom of the Opera” with organ accompaniment: St. John’s Episcopal Church is launching its 2022-2023 Organ Series with a Halloween screening of the 1925 classic silent film “Phantom of the Opera” starring Lon Chaney with improvised organ accompaniment provided by Nathan Jensen. The film will start at 8 p.m. Monday. Donations accepted at the performance will be used to support the St. John’s music program. The church is at 114 20th Ave. SE, Olympia.

Halloween festivities at St. Benedict: Halloween games and goodies will be offered from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at the fire pit at St. Benedict Episcopal Church, 910 Bowker St., Lacey. All are welcome.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Morning Mixxer at Anthony’s Homeport: Join the Thurston Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Anthony’s Homeport Olympia for the Chamber’s monthly Morning Mixxer. Morning Mixxer is free to attend, and the host provides hot coffee and delicious bites. This monthly event is a great way to meet and network with new business connections. All attendees are eligible to great door prizes.

Olympia Indie Music History Project Scan-A-Thon: Join the Olympia Indie Music History Project team, the city of Olympia Heritage Commission, and the Olympia Timberland Library in their quest to document, preserve, and present the history of Olympia’s late 20th-century independent music scene. From 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, bring any and all photos, flyers, zines, and other ephemera from Olympia’s indie music scene between 1980 and 2002. The collection will be shared with the Olympia community and beyond. For more information, contact the research team at elaine@windowseatmedia.org and leftycopywriting@gmail.com. This event will occur at the library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, after open hours, and no other library services will be available.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Public hearing on Critical Areas: The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday to accept public comment on proposed amendments to Chapter 17.15 TCC, Agricultural Activities Critical Areas, and Title 24 TCC, Critical Areas Ordinance, to create a conservation planning option for new agricultural uses. Existing and ongoing agricultural uses would not be affected by the proposed update. View more detailed information about the proposals, how to comment, and the full text of the proposed ordinance on the project webpage. The meeting will take place in Room 280, Building 1 of the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia or online. Those wishing to testify should appear in person or virtually at the Nov. 2 meeting; or submit written or email comments no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 to Ashley Arai at Ashley.Arai@co.thurston.wa.us or Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development, Attention: Ashley Arai, Agriculture Community Program Manager, Thurston County Courthouse, Building One, 2nd Floor, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Mapping Puget Sound: Tune into the Puget Sound Estuarium’s Facebook Live or join through Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, to learn more about Brian Footen’s goal of mapping the Puget Sound nearshore. Footen co-founded and is now executive director of EarthViews Conservation Society, which works to advance the preservation and protection of lakes, rivers and waterways by documenting them using imagery and data — the same immersive mapping that Google provides for streets. To date Footen has mapped over 700 miles of Puget Sound Nearshore and the project is still moving forward. Young ones are invited to join in the virtual talk by following along with coloring pages related to the Discovery Speaker Series topics that will be available for download prior to the event or can be picked up at the Estuarium during weekend hours.

Friday, Nov. 4

First meeting of Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee: The City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance and the Port of Olympia have formed the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative to implement the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan. The collaborative’s executive committee includes up to two elected officials from the Olympia, LOTT and the Port and is chaired by City Council member Dani Madrone. The collaborative will meet virtually at noon Friday, Nov. 4 to receive a briefing from staff. Register to attend the meeting and sign up to provide public comment. Written comments can also be provided by 11 a.m. Nov. 4 to searise@ci.olympia.wa.us

“Tripple D” Mario Kart Tourney: Gamers who enjoy beer can take part in a Mario Kart tournament on Friday, Nov. 4 at Wild Man Brewing Gastropub in downtown Olympia. The “Tripple D” in the event title means Don’t Drink and Drive. The main event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is limited to those 21 and over. It costs $15 to enter. The gastropub is at 414 Fourth Ave. E.

Saturday, Nov. 5

OLY’s Makers’ Market: Local artisans will sell items at a market on Saturday, Nov 5, hosted by Our Local Yarn Shop in Olympia. Products include hand-dyed scarves, yarns, glass items, and body products as well as hand knit or crocheted items. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 1912 State Ave. NE.

Discovering Plankton with Pacific Shellfish Institute: Did you know that 98% of life in the ocean is drifting plankton? Discover the microscopic world of plankton by viewing live plankton under microscopes and learning about the Pacific Shellfish Institute’s Discover Plankton Lendable Kits, available at the Olympia Timberland Library, at an event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center. There also will be plankton bingo and the chance to create upcycled plankton nets and plankton greeting cards. The WET Science Center is at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.

Books, Brownies & Beans: Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s annual Books, Brownies & Beans (BB&B) used book sale will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at OUUC, 2315 Division St. NW, Olympia. Thousands of gently used books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs will be for sale, as will brownies and coffee. Live music will play all day. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Pizza Klatch, Thurston County Food Bank’s “ForKids: Weekend Backpacks” program, and the Thurston Climate Action Team. Masks will be required to enter the building.

Salmon viewing at Bayshore Preserve: Witness the annual phenomenon of the fall chum salmon run at Bayshore Preserve in Mason County. Volunteer salmon docents will be at the preserve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5-6 and Nov. 11-13 to help answer questions. Record your own underwater salmon videos with Puget Sound Estuarium’s underwater camera technology. Or take a tour of Bayshore Preserve at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Accessibility and parking information is available on the Capitol Land Trust website. The Bayshore Preserve is at 3800 E St. WA-3 N, Shelton.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Giants Of The Salish Sea — Humpbacks and Gray Whales: John Calambokidis from Cascadia Research Collective will speak at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Puget Sound Estuarium, 309 State Ave. NE, Olympia. Calambokidis is a Senior Research Biologist and one of the founders of Cascadia Research Collective, a non-profit research organization based in Olympia. Some of his recent research has included examining the whales’ feeding behavior and vocalizations. His work has been covered on shows by National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC, and others. Standard admission costs apply: $8/family, $5/individuals, $3/youth (18 and under), free with EBT. Masks are required, and COVID-19 protocols will be in effect.