What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Monday, April 7
The Juror’s Invitational Art Exhibition Returns to the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery: The Juror’s Invitational Exhibition returns to the South Puget Sound Community College Gallery for the eighth year from April 7 to May 2. Award winning artists from the 2024 Southwest Washington Juried Exhibition, selected by juror Susan Christian, are invited back to show new work in this group exhibition. Participating artists include Michele Burton, Lucy Gentry-Meltzer, Joan Hitchcock, John Holmgren, Hall Jameson, Charles Pitz, and Rene Westbrook. The opening reception will be held on Friday, April 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Friendly Flower Garden Club meeting: The group meets at 9:30 am Monday for social time, at 10 am for its meeting, followed by bring your own lunch. Beverages and dessert are provided. Program begins at approximately 11:30 am. Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging is the topic this month. A brief history of the origin of Ikebana and the various schools of ikebana will be presented as well as a demonstration and hands-on workshop in the Sogetsu school. Contact joan32543@aol.com for the list of needed supplies. The event takes place at Mountain Greens Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey, off of Yelm Highway. Guests are welcome.
Tuesday, April 8
Olympia Timberland Library “Celebration of the Species”: This series of after-hours events for adults was created to celebrate and support the community’s beloved Procession of the Species. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, the topic will be beavers. Joe Mouser with Beavers Northwest will speak about our ecosystems’ natural engineers. Other topics, also at 6:30 p.m.: Oregon Spotted Frogs on April 15, with Ryan Munes, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Pigeon Guillemots on April 22, with Shannon Boldt with the Salish Sea Guillemot Network, who will talk about the seabird superstar of the South Sound. Admission is free.
Wednesday, April 9
Thurston County Chamber Hosts Green Business Forum & Awards: This annual event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Martin’s University’s Norman Worthington Center. The Thurston Green Business Awards will recognize Top Rung Brewing (Small Business), ECOS (Medium Business), Ameresco (Large Business), and the City of Lacey (Green Municipality of the Year) for their leadership in environmental stewardship. Additionally, nearly 100 businesses and nonprofits will be honored as 2025 Thurston Green Business Designees for their commitment to sustainable practices. Keynote speaker Tessa Bradley of Artisans Group Architecture + Planning will explore the intersection of affordability and sustainability in both residential and commercial building trends. The Thurston Climate Action Team will also host an Electric Car Show, showcasing the latest advancements in clean transportation. For more information, go to the Chamber website.
Free canning basics class: Reserve a spot at this class that will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at McLane Grange, 931 Delphi Road SW, Olympia. This class teaches the skills needed to preserve your garden’s bounty. Learn about canning equipment, food safety, special diets and saving money through preservation. Bring a notebook and pen. Presented by a certified Master Food Preserver. Space is limited so reserve your spot by contacting Dianne Johnson at redhobbit53@gmail.com.
South Sound Story Guild performance about the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots of World War II: “Into the Wind,” a performance about the WASP by master storyteller Rebecca Hom, will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at The Harbor House, 217 Thurston Ave NE, Olympia. Admission is free. WASP were the first females to fly US military planes. Hom shares stories of their risks, their humor and stamina while facing the winds of a world at war and a country skeptical of the appropriateness of their assignment.
Friday, April 11
Lewis County’s 59th Home Show: This two-day show runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Pavilion of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1909 S. Gold St., Centralia. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors (60+) and children under 12. Produced by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, the event primarily features local businesses and services. For more information, email director@chamberway.com, call 360-748-8885, or visit www.chamberway.com.
Olympia Garden Club’s National Garden Club Flower Show: Admission is free to this show that runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Sokolik Building at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey.
Saturday, April 12
Emerald City Music Season 09’s “Humor and Harmony: An Evening of Music, Film, and Comedy”: On Saturday, April 12, Emerald City Music (ECM) and founding Artistic Director Kristin Lee continue ECM’s Season 09, welcoming cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist Michael Stephen Brown back to the Pacific Northwest for an evening of music, film, and comedy as the Canellakis-Brown Duo. The program will blend chamber music, comedy, and film. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Tickets are $14 to $55.
Lions Stride for Sight run: From beginning runners to marathoners, there will be a place for all runners and walkers Saturday, April 12, at the Lions Stride for Sight along the Chehalis Western Trail. Step off time is 9 a.m. at Horizons Elementary School, 4601 67th Ave. SE. The run features certified 5k and 10k courses, plus a family friendly one-mile option. Blind runners are welcome and sighted guides/partners will run for free. To register, visit https://runsignup.com/race/wa/lacey/strideforsight. Sponsored by Olympia Host Lions Club and community businesses, Stride for Sight will raise funds for the Lions Low Vision Resource Center in Olympia. The LVRC offers free loaned magnifying equipment and other assistance to any individual with failing vision. The Center serves individuals from Poulsbo to the Oregon border.
WET Science Center Jellyfish Jamboree: Some jellyfish are considered immortal – they can essentially have fun forever! Join us and the Nisqually Reach Nature Center for a day of science and crafts that will teach you all about these marvelous floating sea creatures. Note: No jellyfish will be attending. The fun takes place at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.