What’s Happening for July 18

Monday

Paige Orwin book talk: Paige Orwin’s first novel, “The Interminables,” is set in 2020 after a magical cataclysm leaves in its wake a strange new Earth. The story follows two oddly paired heroes: an immortal from the 1940s and the ghost of a World War I surgeon. Together, they set out to stop arms smugglers from blowing up Massachusetts. Orwin will talk about her book from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Monday at the Olympia Timberland Library, at 313 Eighth Ave. SE. Admission is free. For more information, call the library at 360-352-0595 or go to TRL.org.

Wednesday

Refuge lecture on Antarctica: This week’s topic for the 29th annual Summer Lecture Series is “Antarctica: Past, Present, and Penguins.” The free lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Norm Dicks Visitor Center auditorium at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Lectures last about one hour, followed by questions. Attendance is limited to 100 and seating will be issued starting at 6 p.m. The entrance fee is waived for those attending the lectures. On lecture nights, the visitor center will be open until 7 p.m. and again after the lecture. For more information, call 360-753-9467. The refuge is off of Interstate 5 at exit 114.

Music in the Park: Olympia’s annual free concert series features classic rock band Pumphouse from 7-8 p.m. at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia.

Thursday

Olympia Landscapes Tour: The tour will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with stops on the Capitol Campus, at the State Capital Museum’s Coach House and the Bigelow House Museum. Cost is $25; a box lunch and Bigelow House admission is included. The tour is limited to 30 guests. Call Len Balli at 360-586-0170 or email at len.balli@wshs.wa.gov for reservations.

Olympia World Affairs Council: The council will host a showing of “America’s Diplomats” at 7:30 p.m. at the Thurston Economic Development Council, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE, Lacey. The film covers the history and role of the U.S. Foreign Service, focusing on recent decades. After the viewing, three retired career Foreign Service officers will participate in a half-hour panel discussion. Information: 360-866-1652.

Saturday

Special Olympics of Washington softball: The annual Southwest Region Softball Tournament will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LBA Park, 3333 Morse-Merryman Road SE, and Yauger Park, 3100 Capital Mall Drive SW, in Olympia. Admission is free.

Aug. 2

National Night Out: The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the local and national crime prevention event again this year. Residents, law enforcement, youth groups and businesses come together to improve awareness of crime and drug prevention. To host a National Night Out event with Sheriff’s Office participation, contact Lt. Paul Counts at countsp@ co.thurston.wa.us. For more information on National Night Out, go to natw.org.

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 4:49 AM with the headline "What’s Happening for July 18."