What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Saturday, Feb. 3
New Life Baptist Church Black History Month Pop-Up Museum: The Lacey church is again celebrating and commemorating the month of February as Black History Month. The church is located at 7838 Pacific Ave. SE. A series of activities is planned with the centerpiece being the Pop-Up Black History Museum, which is a continuation from previous years, but much expanded and now available for public touring. The Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening for the Museum will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and the museum will remain open until 4 p.m. The museum will be available to the public on subsequent Saturday afternoons: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 10 and 17, and noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 24. It will be available to the congregation following services each Sunday until 2 p.m. There also will be a local Black authors corner each Saturday. The community is invited to visit this unique collection of exhibits, artifacts, and archival information to learn about the tremendous history of Black people in America. For more information, contact Dr. Thelma Jackson at 360-259-7304 or thelmajackson@comcast.net.
Monday, Feb. 5
Friendly Flower Garden Club’s DIY Valentine’s Day corsages: How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you send flowers, give chocolates or mail a card to a special friend? How about a new tradition and give that special person a corsage made by you? Sandra Zacher will do a demonstration to show how it’s done. The Friendly Flower Garden Club will present this program following their social time and meeting. Please bring your own brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be served. Meet other local people interested in gardening, environment, plants and just having fun. Admission is free. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is at 10 a.m., followed by lunch and the program, all at Mountain Greens Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey (off of Yelm Highway).
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Thurston County Commissioners Public Hearing on Forest Lands Conversion Update: The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, to hear public comment on proposed changes to the Thurston County Code to update regulations for forest land conversion and standards for tree protection. The Board may take action on the code amendments immediately following the public hearing. View more detailed information about the proposal at www.thurstonforests.org. The hearing will take place in Room 110, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia or online. People can submit written or emailed comments no later than noon Tuesday, Feb. 6, to Dana Bowers, Associate Planner at dana.bowers@co.thurston.wa.us or by mail to Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development, Attn: Dana Bowers, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Suite 100, Olympia, WA 98501.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This virtual presentation at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited-income beneficiaries. To get a link, email jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Thurston County Board of Health special meeting: The purpose of this meeting is to provide Board of Health members with an in-depth orientation to the county’s Public Health & Social Services department. It will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 8 at 412 Lilly Rd NE, Olympia, in Conference Room 107b/c. The agenda includes Public Health & Social Services Division presentations and a facility tour. The public is welcome to attend. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Feb. 6 via email to PHSS_boards@co.thurston.wa.us. Additional information is also available through that email address.
Medicare-Related Cost Savings Programs presentation: This virtual program will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday on Zoom. It will cover Medicare Basics, the Medicare Savings Program, the Extra Help Program, and Wellness and Preventative benefits available through Medicare coverage. To get a link, email jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Community Roots Oral History Project Exhibit Opening: Join Window Seat Media for the opening of its Community Roots Exhibit at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE. Community Roots is an oral history project that shares stories about how people come together to make change and create new possibilities for themselves and their neighbors. Since January 2023, a team has been gathering oral histories about three important local spaces: the Liberation Cafe, Camp Quixote, and Driftwood Daycare. View the exhibit and listen to audio stories from 5-6 p.m. Thursday; stay for a discussion with project participants beginning at 6:15 p.m. Light refreshments provided. The exhibit will be on display through March 11.
Friday, Feb. 9
Tim Meadows live at the Capitol Theater: Actor, comedian, and writer Tim Meadows, known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” “Mean Girls” and “The Goldbergs,” brings his signature wit to the stage, riffing on dating, family, raising boys as a single father, being black in America, and beyond. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. E., Olympia, for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for Olympia Film Society members and $40 for seats in the first three rows.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Chocolate-ology at the WET Science Center: What was invented 4,000 years ago, gives you energy, and tastes delicious? Chocolate! Discover the secrets of this sweet treat through experiments, crafts, and even a chocolate tasting. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Procession of the Species fundraising dance party: The Rise of Reflection Fundraiser will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Eagles Aerie #21, 805 Fourth Ave E. Admission is $20 at the door; $21 if using a credit card. This is a chance to meet the Procession community, get some time with folks coordinating the event, and dance. The music is by Pumphouse; the band’s keyboard player is also coordinating Procession music/dance workshops. The fundraiser will help stock the Procession’s Art Studio. The day is also a membership drive for the Olympia Eagles, which will open at 4 p.m. to allow guests to check out its facilities and meet members.
Sunday, Feb. 11
Film screening of “Since I Been Down” with conversation: Sponsored by the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation Anti Racism Team, the screening of the documentary film “Since I Been Down” will followed by a community conversation with guest speakers. All are welcome, both on Zoom and in person at the church, 2306 East End St. NW, Olympia. The Zoom Meeting ID: 873 210 124, Password: 995142. The film, based in Tacoma, discusses the harsh sentencing laws in the 1990s that incarcerated poor youths, and how they, as adults, are seeking restorative justice.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
