What’s Happening for Jan. 16

Saturday

SPSCC 2016 Artist and Lecture Series: Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet featuring keynote speaker Nancy Giles, who is a “CBS This Morning” contributor and comedian. Banquet is at 6 p.m. at the Student Union Building of South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Tickets are $40 and available at spscc.edu/mlktix or by calling 360-596-5334.

Quit smoking: Cindy Levy, a licensed mental health counselor and clinical hypnotherapist, offers help Saturdays in January, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Lacey Timberland Regional Library, 500 College St. SE. All Timberland Regional Library programs are free. Information: 360-491-3860, trl.org.

Little League coaching clinic: A coaching clinic is offered 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Sandberg Indoor Facility, instructed by Steve Vogt, Lyle Overbay and Jared Sandberg. Free to Capitol Little League managers and coaches. Registration is open online for all events. Get more information and register at capitollittleleague.org.

Jan. 17

Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace Walk: The ninth annual walk around Olympia’s Capitol Lake starts at noon at Marathon Park. It will be led by Koro Kaisan Miles, resident teacher at Open Gate Zendo.

Jan. 18

MLK Day project at McLane Creek Nature Trail: Two local non-profit organizations, affiliated with WSU Extension, are coordinating an ecological restoration project 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Help remove invasive species such as reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry in preparation for future native plantings. Tasks will be available for people of all abilities. Register via Native Plant Salvage Foundation, at 360-867-2167 or by email at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com. Workshop details and directions will be sent in advance.

Restoration work party at Allison Spring Reserve: Capitol Land Trust and City of Olympia seeks volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs and remove invasive plants from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., at Allison Springs, 200 Delphi Road, Olympia. Wear protective clothing (long pants and shirt), sturdy close-toed shoes, a snack and water. Work tools and gloves provided. RSVP to Andrew Wilkens, andrew@capitollandtrust.org or 360.943.3012

Jan. 19

March for Life: The rally is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the north steps of the Legislative Building. Rally organizers estimate that roughly 5,000 people will attend the event this year, affecting traffic and parking on the west Capitol Campus. Participants will begin gathering at about 11 a.m. near the Winged Victory Monument, the statue located in the traffic circle near the Legislative Building, and then march to the north steps.

Jan. 20

Town Hall meeting about homeless veterans in Mason County: State Representative Denny Heck; Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake; Mason County Commissioner Terri Jeffreys, and City of Shelton Commissioner Tracy Moore will present information. The meeting runs 5:30-7 p.m. in the Mason County Public Works Building located at 100 W. Public Works Drive, Shelton. Information: 360-915-8176.

Jan. 21

Olympia Tumwater Foundation Noon History Talk: Free monthly talk will feature author Dennis Larson speaking about the 1852-54 building of Naches Pass at noon at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Seating is first-come, first-served; doors open at 11:30 a.m. Information: olytumfoundation.org, 360-786-8117.

Jan. 23

Oshogatsu in Olympia: Japanese New Year celebration, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. SE, Olympia. Live entertainment will showcase traditional Japanese dance, music, taiko drumming and vocal performances. The event includes cultural activities, make-and-take crafts, demonstrations and an art exhibition. Free with a suggested donation of $2 per person or $5 per family. Proceeds benefit the Olympia-Kato Sister City Association.

Jan. 27

Eye on Nature: A field trip fundraiser for a program that connects kids and nature will provide free field trips to Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. 5-9 p.m., at Fish Tale Brew Pub, 515 Jefferson St SE, Olympia. Suggested $10 door donation. Proceeds donated from the night's sales.

Jan. 30

Lunafest film festival: Soroptimist International of Olympia’s film festival is at 6:30 p.m.at South Puget Sound Community College, Building 26, Room 105 Lecture Hall, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Films by female filmmakers highlight women as leaders. Tickets can be purchased at siolympialunafest.bpt.me or at the door. Space is limited. Information: soroptimistolympia.org and facebook.com/SoroptimistOlympia.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "What’s Happening for Jan. 16."