What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Monday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day events at the Capitol: Two events will be held on West Capitol Campus on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. The state Department of Veterans Affairs will host a ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon in the Rotunda of the Legislative Building with speeches, a military band, and a color guard presentation. That will be followed by the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Tuesday, Nov. 12

Forum on Future Use & Conservation of Freshwater in Thurston County: The League of Women Voters of Thurston County is hosting this workshop and panel discussion from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE. The panel includes representatives from Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater. All are welcome to this free event.

Christian Women’s Connection November Luncheon: Christian Women’s Connection is having their “Thanksgiving Blessings” luncheon at noon Tuesday in The Gallery next to Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Enjoy a lunch of roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables, with pumpkin chiffon pie. Cost is $20 inclusive. Leon and Michelle from Weiks Wild Bird Shop will share information about winter flyers. Steve Woolsey will sing and play guitar. Jennifer Weber from Tigard, Oregon, will speak on “Who Are You Going to Trust?” Call Sylvia for reservations: 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627. All women are invited.

Wednesday, Nov. 13

An evening with the Olympia Music History Project: The Olympia Music History Project, in collaboration with Olympia Timberland Library, will explore how Olympia emerged as a vibrant hub for independent music and DIY culture at this two-hour program that starts at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia. Hear John Foster, Toni Holm, Danny Kelly, Dave Rauh and Dana Squires share personal stories from the early days of The Evergreen State College and the Olympia independent music scene. T he evening will begin and conclude with a curated selection of Olympia’s musical recordings, DJed by James Maeda. If you can’t join us in person, register for a Zoom link to join virtually.

Thursday, Nov. 16

History Talks with Drew Crooks: Historian Drew Crooks will explore the history of Thurston County from far in the past to modern times. Topics will include Ice Age geology, Native American heritage, American settlement in the mid-19th century, development of towns and farms, labor unrest, Great Depression, World War II, post-war expansion, and more recent developments. For over 35 years, Crooks has worked with various museums in South Puget Sound, written numerous articles and five books on the region’s heritage, and presented history talks to school classes and community groups. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Lacey City Hall, 420 College St. SE. Or you can register to attend online via Zoom.

Friday, Nov. 15

The Heartsparkle Players present Stories of Making a Home: The Heartsparkle Players, in collaboration with the Black Walnut Association Land Trust, present this program at 6:30 pm Friday at The Cafe at Traditions, 300 Fifth Ave. SW in downtown Olympia. The group’s Playback Theatre is an interactive form of improvisational theatre in which audience members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot. Admission by suggested donation of $10-20 (no one turned away). Drinks and small plates available for purchase.

Saturday, Nov. 16

Kennedy Creek Salmon Celebration: The Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends in November, with peak viewing in the middle of the month. There are viewing stations with interpretive signs and volunteers stationed along the half-mile trail, giving visitors a look at some of the 24,000 chum salmon that spawn in this natural environment. The annual Salmon Celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Find more information at: spsseg.org/kennedy-creek-salmon-trail. The trail is located on West Old Olympic Highway, halfway between Shelton and Olympia between mileposts 356 and 357.

Deep Sea Explorers at WET Science Center: From snorkels to submarines, there are a lot of ways scientists learn about the ocean. Dive deep underwater with hands-on activities and crafts for all ages at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

Furniture Bank is open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m. 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.

St. John’s Concert Series presents Seattle Pro-Musica Choral Concert: Seattle Pro Musica returns to Olympia for its annual appearance in the St. John’s Concert Series. Ring in the holiday season with choral music from the British Isles. Seattle Pro Musica will perform traditional favorites by Herbert Howells and William Walton, future classics from some of Britain’s rising female composers, and Roderick Williams’ gentle jazz-inspired setting of Now winter nights. They will also feature works by Kerensa Briggs, Rebecca Dale, Joanna Marsh, Lucy Walker, Gabriel Jackson, Philip Stopford, and more. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave. S.E., Olympia. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20.

Cool Jazz Clean Water: This program sponsored by the Rotary Club contains two parts. The free daytime event, from 8:30am to 4:30pm features school bands from across the county performing jazz. Then, the evening event from 6-10 p.m. for those 21 and older only offers a concert by Anjali Silva as well as heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine, spirits, ciders and beer tastings from local artisans. Tickets for the evening portion are $50 on the Rotary website.

Sunday, Nov. 17

Olympia Symphony Orchestra presents Orchestra Games: The symphony’s family-friendly concert introduces the instruments of the orchestra in a fun, Olympic-style format. This educational performance will showcase the capabilities and personalities of the various strings, woodwinds, and brass, with the percussion section as judges and a narrator as the official. The concert concludes with a delightful performance of classic video game music from Super Mario! The concert’s run time is approximately 50 minutes with no intermission. Sunny Xia will be the guest conductor. The concert begins at 3 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, but come at 2 p.m. when the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) will host an instrument petting zoo where you can try out different instruments before the show. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth, and kids 5 and younger get in free. Ticket prices do not include the Washington Center service fee of $6/adult $4/youth & kids.

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 November 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM.