Tuesday through Friday
Olympia Post Office Passport Fair: The Olympia Post Office, 900 Jefferson St. SE, is hosting a Passport Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications. Passport fees are $110 for persons 16 and older or $80 for minors under age 16, and must be paid by check or money order payable to the Department of State. There also is an execution fee of $25 per applicant payable to the U.S. Postal Service. Passport photos are available for an additional $15. Passport Card applications also will be accepted; the cards cost $30 for those over 16 and $15 for those under 16. Applicants must provide proof of citizenship, which can be a certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or a previously issued passport. Applicants also must provide copies of their driver’s license (front and back). Additional information: www.usps.com/passport, travel.state.gov or 877-487-2778.
Tuesday
Readers Theater presents Plays for Spring: 12:15 p.m. at the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave SE. Plays include “A Shakespearean Baseball Game,” “Easy Aces: Jane goes for Psychoanalysis,” and “The Plotters.” Information: 360-407-3967 or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org.
Tea for Travelers: 1 p.m. at the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave SE. Enjoy some tea and hear about Senior Services for South Sound’s Trips & Tours upcoming trips. Trips are designed with the senior traveler in mind, and range from concerts, hikes, and day trips to shopping areas, to overnight trips to Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland, England and beyond. Information: 360-586-6181, ext. 126, or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org.
Democratic Study Group at Panorama March Forum: The topic will be “Encouraging and Assisting Women and People of Color to Enter the Public Space,” and speakers will be Olympia City Council member Renata Rollins and Karen Besserman, executive director of Emerge Washington. The event runs 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Quinault Auditorium at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Information: 360-438-5454.
Scholarship Coaching informational meeting: Every year, the North Thurston Education Foundation awards more than $105,000 in scholarship dollars to students. However, many eligible students don’t apply for a scholarship because they are intimidated by the process, or they don’t think they would qualify. To help students navigate the scholarship process, the foundation needs mentors to help students apply for scholarships. Anyone interested should attend a meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the Panorama auditorium at 1670 Circle Loop SE, Lacey. Information: Michael Jones at 360-790-6548 or ntef@hotmail.com
Wednesday
Best of South Sound Awards presentation: The Thurston County Chamber and The Olympian will co-host the sixth annual awards ceremony for Best of South Sound winners at the Chamber’s monthly forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion, 5300 Pacific Ave., Lacey. Olympian readers have voted in the winners, recognizing Thurston County businesses in 80 categories. Forum includes lunch; the cost is $35 for general admission, $25 for prepaid Chamber members, and $30 for members at the door. Advance registration is encouraged. Preceding the awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m., the Chamber will host a new event: Best of South Sound EXPO, a tradeshow-style format featuring the top three nominees from each category. Information: 360-357-3362 or thurstonchamber.com
Sharing Teens and Elders Project: STEP is a multi-generational program where teens and elders gather to bridge age barriers and form friendships. Newcomers welcome; no pre-registration required. Program begins at 3 p.m. at Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. Information: 360-407-3967 or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org
Travelogue through Tanzania and Thailand: Program begins at 3 p.m. at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. Presentation will include a tour of an orphanage, school, and the small village Arusuha, Thailand, as well as an African safari. Information: 360-586-6181 or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org.
Cancer Wellness Workshop: Mason General Hospital Cancer Wellness Workshop series will address “Stress, Anxiety and Fear – Oh My!” from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the Washington meeting room at the hospital, 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton. The session will be facilitated by Harmony Hill faculty member Melissa Layer and will offer tools for relaxation, reframing thoughts and self-talk. Free and open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, those in survivorship, their companions and caregivers. Early registration is advised at 360-432-7706 or PatientNavigator@MasonGeneral.com.
Thursday
History talk on Olympia Brewing Company: When Megan Ockerman began researching the Olympia Brewing Company for her master’s thesis, she discovered the brewery archives located in the basement of the Schmidt House. At noon, Ockerman will provide an in-depth look at the family and beer that made Tumwater and Olympia famous. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and close at capacity at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. Free, but donations welcome. Information: www.olytumfoundation.org, or Don Trosper at history@olytumfoundation.org or 360-786-8117.
Meaningful Movies Olympia: The public is invited to watch “Fix It: Healthcare at the Tipping Point,” followed by a discussion, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2315 Division St NW. Admission is free.
Parenting Your Teen workshop: Parent educator Candyce Lund Bollinger kicks off the first of two evenings of education at 7 p.m. at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave SE. Free; for adults who parent, work with, or interact with teens. The topic will be how to cultivate positive, constructive, communication with a teen. The second session March 22 will be on healthy discipline. This program will occur after the library closes and no other library services will be available. Information: 360-352-0595 or TRL.org.
Olympia World Affairs Council lecture series: Steve Niva, associate professor of global politics at The Evergreen State College, will speak on "The Refugee Crisis and the Re-Bordering of Europe" starting at 7:30 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. Free. Information: www.olympiawac.org
Friday
‘80s Murder Mystery Library Party: Adults and teens are invited to gather at the Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College St. SE, to participate in an interactive murder mystery game. The fun, which runs 7 to 9:30 p.m., is hosted by “Polly Abdool,” who is hosting a totally tubular album release party fundraiser for her friend pop idol Debbie Gribson. But the party turns into an evening of horror when a guest is murdered. Guests must join forces to solve the mystery. To play an assigned character, visit the Lacey Timberland Library Information Desk; if you prefer a supporting actor role, just arrive in your 1980s finery. Admission is free. Information: 360-491-3860 or TRL.org
Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice anniversary event: Join the foundation in remembering Rachel Corrie, who was killed while trying to block an Israeli armored bulldozer in 2003, and celebrating 15 years of Palestinian solidarity and community organizing. A community potluck from 5 to 8 p.m. will feature guest speakers Huwaida Arraf, Palestinian American human rights activist, and Cindy and Craig Corrie, Rachel’s parents. Free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required at https://rachelcorriefoundation.networkforgood.com/events. Information: 360-754-3998.
Lucky Leprechaun Bingo: Bring the luck of the Irish with you to the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center, 6757 Pacific Ave. SE, for Irish dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Bingo at 7 p.m. Come dressed in an Irish-themed costume to compete for a prize; there’ll also be a raffle. Must be 21 and older. Reserve your table for six or eight players in advance. $15 for a Bingo game pack, $2 for special games, and $5 for dinner — plus a full, no-host bar. Proceeds benefit Senior Services for South Sound. Information: 360-407-3967 or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org.
Saturday
Sharing Teens and Elders Project (STEP): Gather at 11 a.m. at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, for this multi-generational program where teens and elders gather to share and form friendships. Newcomers welcome; no pre-registration required. Information: 360-586-6181 or www.SouthSoundSeniors.org.
Nisqually Land Trust annual conservation dinner and auction: The event runs 4:30-9 p.m. at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. Cost per person is $100. Register at https://nisquallylandtrust.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2018ConservationDinnerAuction/EventRegistration/tabid/911705/Default.aspx
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