What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Monday, Aug. 12
Public meetings on state Department of Natural Resources Pro-Equity Anti-Racism plan: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to review and provide feedback on its Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan. To read the plan, visit the DNR website. Comments and feedback can be shared using DNR’s SmartComment tool. DNR is also hosting public meetings for the public to hear more about the plan and provide feedback on the PEAR Plan. The first is at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, in rooms 101-102; register to attend on Eventbrite. The public also can access the meeting via Zoom by registering in advance.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
Lacey in Tune free Children’s Entertainment series wraps up: Eric Ode, a national award-winning children’s singer/songwriter, author, poet, and entertainer will perform at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. His upbeat, high-participation programs include interactive music, stories, skits, poetry, props and puppets. Vendors at the site will be Sunshine Scoop Ice Cream and River Ridge High School Band Boosters selling kettle corn.
Christian Women’s Connection luncheon: The group is having their Tuesday, Aug 13, “Picnics and Fairs” luncheon at noon in The Gallery beside Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Lunch will be salmon fillet, roasted potatoes, vegetables and strawberry cream cake. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Nathan Allan from Olympia Beekeepers will talk about honeybees. Judy Matzen will provide instrumental music. Jeannie Bargen from Lyndon will speak on “The Joys and Jolts of Genuine Friendship.” Call Sylvia for reservations at 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627. All women are invited.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
South Sound BIPOC Business EXPO and Chamber Forum on Understanding the Increasing Impact of Tribal Enterprises: This event sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Norman Worthington Center inside the Marcus Pavillion on the Saint Martin’s University Campus in Lacey. At 11 a.m., Annual BIPOC Business EXPO begins featuring BIPOC entrepreneurs offering innovative products and services. At 11:30 a.m. is a buffet lunch, followed by the noon program featuring representatives of three key Tribal entities: Nisqually Tribe’s Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation, Squaxin Island Tribe’s Island Enterprises, and Chehalis Tribal Government’s Chehalis Tribal Enterprises. Tickets at the door are $35 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.
Lacey in Tune free concerts wrap up: The Gothard Sisters are three American sisters who play contemporary Celtic music that blends Celtic, folk, classical and new age musical influences using violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle and vocal harmonies. Their free outdoor concert begins at noon Wednesday at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. Vendors on site will be Sunshine Scoop Ice Cream and River Ridge High School Band Boosters selling kettle corn.
Welcome to Medicare In Person Presentation: This presentation at 11 a.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It will cover Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. For more information, email thurstonmasonshiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message and your email address at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134.
Thursday, Aug. 15
Summer Library Program presents Alex Zerbe Science Show: Head to the Olympia Timberland Library for this free 3 p.m. show featuring two-time Guinness World Record recipient Alex Zerbe. His shows are full of energy, comedy, and tricks. For all ages; adult supervision of children is required. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 10 a.m. Thursday is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. To get a link to register, email ThurstonMasonShiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message with your email address and phone number at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Welcome to Medicare in-person presentation at the Mason County Senior Activity Center: This 11 a.m. presentation at The Pavillion, 190 Sentry Drive, Shelton, is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited-income beneficiaries. For more information or to set up an individual appointment, email thurstonmasonshiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134.
Friday, Aug. 16
Sparrow Studios present Liter-Aerial at the library: Sparrow Studios, Olympia’s aerial, circus, and acrobatic arts studio, will share their storytelling skills in a variety of mediums from aerial arts to clowning in this free 11 a.m. show in the parking lot of the downtown Olympia library. For all ages; adult supervision of children is required.
Saturday, Aug. 17
Announcement of new NAACP chapter in Thurston County: An official chapter of the NAACP was established in Thurston County on Aug. 3 by a local group of individuals who are committed to equality, freedom, and justice for all. The NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States, founded in New York City in 1909 by both Black and White activists. Its mission is to advance civil rights, eliminate discrimination and ensure that all people, especially Black people and other people of color, have equality, political rights, and social inclusion. The official announcement to the community will occur at an event at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 at the ASHHO Cultural Community Center at 5757 Littlerock Road SW in Tumwater. All persons who share these ideals are invited to attend and be a part of this organizing activity. Attorney Larry Jefferson is the Interim President. For more information, contact Dr. Thelma Jackson at 360-259-7304 or thelmajackson@comcast.net.
Tumwater Artesian Brewfest: The annual brewfest will offer more than 100 beverage selections (beer with some cider and spirits too) plus food, games, live music and more from 1-8 p.m. at the Tumwater Valley Golf Club, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE. Pre-sale Taster Tickets are $35; Designated Driver tickets are $10. When you arrive, put your name in the drawing for Stein Holding Contests at the O Bee Credit Union booth. The women’s competition will begin at 6 p.m. and the men’s at 6:15 p.m. Voting for Best Beverage at the fest closes at 7:15 p.m.
2nd Festival of the st̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass): On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) are joining forces to celebrate the cultural and ecological importance of the decision to remove the 5th Avenue dam and restoring the estuary in downtown Olympia. Enjoy a packed day at Heritage Park of workshops, vendors, tabling, and performances. Highlights include an address by Squaxin Island Tribe Chairman Kris Peters and a morning of inter-tribal cultural exchange, followed by an afternoon of poetry by the 6th Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, storytelling by Squaxin Island Museum Director Charlene Krise, and musical performances by Suquamish hip-hop fusion artist Calina Lawrence and Ts’mysen rock artist Saltwater Hank. The afternoon will also feature hands-on environmental workshops. At 5:30 pm, the day culminates in a Healing of the Waters Ceremony by the 5th Avenue dam.
ECO Fair at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: From 11 am to 4 pm, the church at 1601 North St. SE (across from the Olympia High School stadium) will host this free event intended to educate and inform individuals about the part they play in terms of the environment. Organizers ask “What on Earth Can YOU Do?” It is an opportunity for folks to explore ways to take action that will help slow climate change, reduce household costs, and protect local ecosystems. The general public is invited to learn what they can do in their homes, garden, driving, travel, conservation and much more. The fair features speakers and booths from all around the South Sound; EV cars, solar panels, efficient appliances and heat pumps, tax incentives, trees, native plants and bees, water conservation, climate grief and hope, food, and kid’s activities. Artists in all media also have been invited to display nature- or climate-themed works. Performers who might have some earth-friendly songs to sing or an ecological poem to recite, or even short play or skit to put on can be part of our main stage. The fair takes place on several acres of land beneath a canopy of large fir trees.
Rutledge Family Farm Sunflower Festival: Rutledge Family Farm, a beloved local attraction near Tumwater previously known as Rutledge Corn Maze, will host their annual Sunflower Festival, starting Aug. 17 and running through Sept. 2 on select dates. The festival will highlight 43 different varieties of sunflowers on one acre. Each festival ticket includes a wagon ride to the sunflower field. Guests spend as much time as they wish taking pictures and exploring sunflowers fields. Each ticket includes one bloom. Each guest will receive a raffle ticket to be entered for a chance to win a gift basket full of goodies from the farm. The old wagon viewing platform provides the best pictures of the whole field. For more information and the schedule, go to the festival website.
Furniture Bank open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 am to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed.
Fountain Dance 2024: OlyDance will again host its annual public dance party at Heritage Park Fountain from 3-5 p.m. Saturday. The free event invites anyone to join in the swing, fusion, salsa, bachata, tango and more. The fountain is at 330 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia.
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. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
This story was originally published August 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM.