What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Monday, Nov. 3
Leonor R. Fuller Gallery hosts Native American Art Exhibition: The 17th annual Native American Art Exhibition, “Windows: A Retrospective of Philip H. Red Eagle,” is coming to the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at SPSCC’s Olympia campus from Nov. 3 to Dec. 12. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Red Eagle is considered one of the Salish community’s most impactful indigenous voices. He is a Vietnam Veteran, visual artist, author, activist, and canoe carver whose work and dedication to service in the military, indigenous community, and the arts span over 50 years. This retrospective brings together writings, photographs, carvings, and archival materials.
Tuesday, Nov. 4
General Election: Today is the deadline for ballots to be submitted in Thurston County’s Nov 4 general election for local city councils, school boards, port commissioners, and a number of ballot measures and levy requests. Ballots must be postmarked by today or deposited in ballot dropboxes before 8 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners to Host Public Hearing on Thurston 2045: The Thurston Board of County Commissioners will host a public hearing to accept comment on Thurston 2045, the county’s Comprehensive Plan update. More detailed information about the proposal at http://www.thurston2045.org/. The public hearing will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at The Atrium, Room 110, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, or register in advance to attend online. You can also submit written comment until noon Nov. 4. Submit comments online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RLB63K9 or email Thurston2045@co.thurston.wa.us. The county’s Comprehensive Plan update is written to meet changes in state law and reflect trends in the county including updates to land use, natural resources, housing, transportation, capital facilities, utilities, environment, historic resources, and informational chapters, maps, and appendices. A new climate chapter is added. There are several countywide land use, zoning, UGA boundary corrections, and amendments to the Thurston County Code Titles 18 and 20. The county is also considering density increases in the Grand Mound Urban Growth Area.
Wednesday, Nov. 5
Fair housing guidance for tenant screening webinar: This webinar is for landlords, property managers and nonprofit housing providers in Thurston County and runs from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Learn about the most recent 2024 HUD guidance about screening companies and eligibility requirements. Review the guidance on policies with potential fair housing liability, such as “credit scores over 650” and “no money owed to a prior landlord”. The workshop is a chance to build skills on working with requirements and balancing business-related needs to decrease discriminatory impact. Register in advance.
Thurston County Fix-It Fair: Join this community repair event at the Lacey MakerSpace in Zaverl Hall at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. Volunteers will help repair clothing, lamps, housewares, jewelry, small appliances and bicycles — for free! Hours are 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Register online to volunteer or have an item fixed at thurstonsolidwaste.org/fixit
Thursday, Nov. 6
History Talk at the Schmidt House: Tumwater’s Historic Trails and Roads is the topic of this month’s free, noontime History Talk at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Former state historical society director Dave Nicandri will describe the location of the original Cowlitz Trail that took Tumwater’s founding Simmons-Bush emigrant party to the Deschutes River falls and environs. This story will be followed by a recapitulation of the several 20th century automobile-centric roadways that enabled travel to and through Tumwater. The presentation concludes with the city-approved plan for marking these historic routes and other geographic features of note. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. First come, first seated until room capacity is reached.
Discovery Speaker Series on “Scatter Creek – Where Did the Water Go?: The Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave SE, will host this free discussion from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday. The Puget Sound Estuarium will discuss how this once-thriving creek — home to salmon, beaver, and mussels — has been drying over the past century. The Chehalis Basin Partnership and community scientists are developing restoration strategies to understand the creek’s changes and identify ways to bring back its flow. Learn about ongoing restoration efforts and how you can get involved.
Saturday, Nov. 8
Historical Society veteran’s program on Legion Way street trees: On Saturday, Nov. 8, join the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum in honoring veterans with a special program at Madison Elementary School. The program will focus on the legacy of the Legion Way street trees as a living memorial to the soldiers who sacrificed all in World War I. Arrive at the school at 1225 Legion Way by 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the music of the American Legion Band. The program will feature historians who will share the story of the memorial and preservation advocates for the ongoing care of this landscape. Also planned is a replanting of saplings to replace historic trees recently lost, plus an update on rehabilitation work of the historic Olympia Armory and the installation of a new interpretive marker about the building’s history. Refreshments will be served.
Lacey seeks Historical Commission members: The City of Lacey is recruiting for two vacancies on the Historical Commission: an unexpired term, expiring Sept. 13, 2027, which must be filled by a person who lives in the city or its urban growth area; and an unexpired term, expiring Sept. 13, 2028, that must be filled by a person who is a professional with experience in evaluating historic resources and have a background in disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, planning, cultural anthropology, archaeology, cultural geography, or American studies. The Commission guides the creation of public education and interpretive programs, encourages preservation of items and properties of historical significance, and reviews nominations to the Lacey Register of Historic Places. Board members are eligible for a $50 stipend per meeting, up to $500 per year, to offset expenses for participating. To apply, submit an application online. The first review of applications will take place Nov. 9. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 360-491-3214 or CityClerk@cityoflacey.org.
Searching for Sasquatch at the WET Science Center: Believers and skeptics alike use the scientific method to prove or disprove the existence of Sasquatch. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Join us as we explore this captivating cryptid and decades of unverified proof through fun games and activities that will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Sunday, Nov. 9
Mushrooms for Planetary Consciousness -- An Evening with Paul Stamets & Dr. Michael Beug: Join renowned mycologists Paul Stamets and Dr. Michael Beug for a rare live, in-person event exploring the profound intersections between mushrooms and human consciousness. Together, they will examine how these “organisms from the underground” contribute to human, planetary, and community wellness. The discussion will trace the psilocybin mushroom movement from its historical roots to today’s scientific frontier, including data and emerging research. A short Q&A session and book signing will follow. Doors open at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; the presentation begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $23.25 general admission and $18.25 for Olympia Film Society members.
Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club invites local youth to free ‘Try Lacrosse’ clinics: Families in Thurston County will have the chance to see why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club (OTLC) is hosting two free “try lacrosse” clinics for new players on Sunday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Olympia High School Auxiliary Field. The clinics are designed for boys in grades 2–12 and girls in grades 2–6 who are new to the game. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of lacrosse through fun activities. All equipment will be provided. OTLC fields teams for boys and girls ranging from kindergarten through high school. The club schedules its season in the spring, allowing young athletes to stay involved in other sports like fall football or winter basketball. It offers a gear loan program that provides season-long access to sticks, pads, and helmets for $50. A scholarship fund is available as well. For more information, visit www.ThurstonLacrosse.org.
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This story was originally published November 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM.