What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Jan. 8
Author talk on The American Surveillance State: Orca Books Co-op will host Saint Martin’s University anthropology professor David H. Price at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, for a short talk and Q&A about his new book, “The American Surveillance State: How The U.S. Spies on Dissent.” His book is based on 15,000 pages of FBI files, which he uses to document surveillance of Edward Said, Andre Gunder Frank and Alexander Cockburn, as well as Native American communists and progressive factory owners. Copies of the books will be available for purchase at the store at 315 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Email Noraa@Orcabooks.com for more information.
Monday, Jan. 9
Rally to protest Port of Olympia’s plan to increase air traffic at Olympia Regional Airport: A group calling itself Stop Olympia Airport Growth (SOAG) is organizing a public rally to protest a possible increase in air traffic at the Olympia Regional Airport. The rally is planned for 5 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 outside the Olympics Room at Percival Plaza, 626 Columbia St. NW, where Port of Olympia Commissioners will meet. The port is considering changes to the airport layout that would allow for 315 additional takeoffs and landings each day.
Tuesday, Jan. 10
History Talks! “It’s the Water” -- A Brief History of the Olympia Brewing Company: During the 1970s, the Olympia Brewing Company was ranked the 6th largest brewer in the nation, and it was the largest private employer in Thurston County for decades. Olympia Tumwater Foundation Assistant Director Megan Ockerman will present an illustrated history of the brewery, the people who ran it, and its place as a pop culture icon at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10. Those interested can attend in person at Lacey City Hall Council Chambers, 420 College St. SE, Lacey, or join online. Registration required for online attendance only.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
South Sound Sierra Club community meeting: The local Sierra Club will meet in person as well as online via Zoom starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and the public is welcome. The group will meet in person at the Mekong Thai Restaurant, 125 Columbia St NW, Olympia. Those who wish to can arrive between 5 and 5:30 p.m. to order food and dine before the program begins. The speaker will be Melinda Hughes, executive director of the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT), who will talk about “Climate Action and Policy in Thurston County — Progress and Expectations.”
Thursday, Jan. 12
Free Introduction to Square Dancing: Olympia Area Square Dancers will have you dancing right away at this free introductory gathering at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Lac-A-Do Hall, 1721 46th Ave. NE. Couples, singles, and families are welcome, ages 10 and up. Find more information at OlympiaSquareDance.com or 360-438-1284.
Friday, Jan. 13
Mary Frances Berry to give SPSCC’s MLK Lecture: Dr. Mary Frances Berry will be the featured speaker at the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture at South Puget Sound Community College. One of the most visible and respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality, and social justice for more than four decades, Berry will share her lecture, “Making Diversity & Inclusion Effective,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnaert Center for the Arts on SPSCC’s Olympia campus. Admission is free for SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. General admission is $15. Tickets are available on SPSCC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture webpage or by calling the Washington Center for the Performing Arts box office at 360-753-8586.
Black Box Jazz Series with Jay Thomas Band: Saxophonist Jay Thomas is among the leading jazz soloists in the Northwest, appearing with his own group and as a member of groups far and wide. In 2020, Thomas was the winner of the Journalist Jazz Heroes award for being a mentor and inspiration for young jazz players. Thomas is a former Earshot Golden Ears winner (three times) and is also a member of the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. The band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, in the Black Box at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $39 for reserved seating, $32 for general admission.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Winter Wonderland: Have you ever seen a snowflake up close? Water freezes to create beautiful crystal shapes. Join the WET Science Center in making snow-themed crafts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, to create your own winter wonderland. The WET Science Center is at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event: Join the City of Olympia and partners in celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a volunteer service project at Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park), 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia. Volunteers will restore habitat and improve trail surfaces. Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided. Dress for the weather and wear boots that can get wet and muddy. The group will meet up at a small shelter in the park’s southeast area. Directional signs will be posted. Registration and more information found online at volunteer.olympiawa.gov. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. An adult must accompany youth under the age of 14 and all youth under 18 years of age must have an online waiver signed electronically by a parent/guardian. All ages are welcome to participate.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event.