Plan your week list of events for May 8

Learn about mosses

Lee Ellis will give a presentation on the ecology of natives mosses; Ellis will speak at the meeting of the South Sound chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society; 7 p.m. Monday; Washington State Capital Museum and Coach House, 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia; free; southsoundchapterwnps.org.

Marathon Park bike ride

The Capital Bicycle Club ride is a good way to meet other area cyclists and build group-riding skills; ride will cover 15-40 miles at a pace of 14-16 mph; 6 p.m. Tuesday; Marathon Park, 999 Deschutes Parkway SW, Olympia; capitalbicycleclub.org.

Check out the cruise in

Meet other car enthusiasts and check out cars at the Cruise-In, held the second Thursday of the month through October; 5-8 p.m. Thursday; on the plaza at LeMay-America’s Car Museum, 2702 E. D St., Tacoma; free; 253-779-8490, lemaymuseum.org.

Civil War Letters

Author Nick Adams will read from his grandfather’s Civil War letters, talking about battles, life in camp and his final campaign; 4-5:30 p.m. Friday; Lacey Timberland Regional Library, 500 College St. SW, Lacey; free; trl.org.

Totally Kids Only race

Metro Parks Tacoma launches first of two special events to get kids running in 2016; 1- and 2-mile timed races for children ages 3-14; parents or caregivers are free to accompany kids; registration opens 8 a.m. Saturday; Wapato Park, 6500 S. Sheridan Ave., Tacoma; $5 fee for advance registration; $10 on race day; register at 253-305-1022.

Johnston Ridge opens

The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument observatory at Johnston Ridge will open for the season; visitor center will be open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. beginning Saturday; it is at milepost 52 on state Route 504; tinyurl.com/z9wkhdg.

This story was originally published May 8, 2016 at 3:37 AM with the headline "Plan your week list of events for May 8."