Through Jan. 6
Oly on Ice: The ice rink on the new Isthmus Park at 529 Fourth Ave. W. in downtown Olympia is open through Jan. 6, including 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. New Year’s Day. General admission, including skates, is $12, or $10 for youths (4-10), $10 for seniors (55 and older), $3 for toddlers; discounts are offered from military, foster and first responder families. For more information about special events and discounts, call 360-440-7573 or go to bit.ly/2LybAQq.
Monday
Noon Year’s Eve party: The Hands On Children’s Museum is hosting its “Noon” Year’s Eve Party from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can count down to 2019 without staying up until midnight — the museum has ball drops on the hour starting at 10 a.m. In the spirit of a Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration, there will be costumed guests, music, dancing and parades throughout the museum. Young visitors are encouraged to come dressed as a character from one of their favorite storybooks. The event will feature whimsical art and science activities, including the opportunity to make a Harry Potter wand, create a “Good Night Moon” bubble print, explore engineering and pneumatics with the Three Little Pigs, see live chemistry demonstrations and make Oobleck with “Dr. Seuss.” The event is free for museum members and is included in the price of admission for nonmembers. Registration is not required. Information: bit.ly/2PKXnnH.
Tuesday
Lacey Polar Bear Plunge: Join fellow enthusiasts in this chilling New Year’s ritual of plunging into the lake, rain or shine, (or stay on shore and watch) at 1 p.m. at Long Lake Park, 2790 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. The fun starts at noon with live music; the plunge is at 1 p.m. Free; all ages welcome.
Squaxin Community Salish Sea Plunge: The plunge will take place at 11:05 a.m. near the Arcadia Boat Ramp in Mason County. Free, but donations will be accepted for the Squaxin Island Tribal Food Bank.
First Day Hikes: Washington State Parks invites the public to start the new year off with a hike at nearly 40 state parks across the state. Tuesday also is the first of 12 Washington State Parks free days in 2019. Park visitors will not need to display the Discover Pass on vehicles to enter state parks for the New Year’s Day activities. Most participating parks will offer refreshments. Get more information at parks.state.wa.us/calendar.aspx. Here are South Sound hikes:
- Lake Sylvia State Park, Grays Harbor County: Join a park ranger on a 2-mile hike along the lakeside trail and through lowland forest, or take a shorter stroll with a Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia Parks. Cap off the walk with hot cocoa and cookies provided by FOSLS. Meet at 1 p.m.
- Twin Harbors State Park, Grays Harbor County: Hike through a wooded area to a dune trail and the vast Pacific Ocean beyond. Learn about the history of the area on this mile-long walk. Meet at 10 a.m.
- Lewis and Clark State Park, Lewis County: Spend a couple of hours under towering cedar and fir trees strung with lichen and moss, strolling through a lush understory of ferns. Begin this activity in the CCC kitchen shelter with a warm fire, drinks, snacks and a short presentation on the park’s wildlife. Meet at 10 a.m.
- Twanoh State Park, Mason County: Walk the Twanoh Creek Trail for 3 miles from the beach, up the creek and among old and mature second-growth trees. Bring binoculars to spot birds and wildlife. Meet at 10 a.m.
- Dash Point State Park, Pierce County: Take a 3-mile hike on the beach and through forests with Washington State Parks Foundation staff to learn about the park’s trees, plants and birds. Dash Point staff specifically encourage military veterans and their families to come and enjoy nature in a supportive setting. Meet at 10:30 a.m.
- Millersylvania State Park, Thurston County: Enjoy old-growth forest, orchards, wetlands and lakeside views on this 2.5-mile ranger-led amble. Coffee and snacks will be provided before and after the hike. Meet at 9 a.m.
Thursday
Panorama Republicans: Debra Clemens, superintendent of the North Thurston Public Schools, will talk about the school district’s graduation rate when the Panorama Republicans meet at 2 p.m. in the Quinault Auditorium on the Panorama campus in Lacey. Clemens will talk about programs that helphomeless youths, promote career-connected learning, improve kindergarten readiness, raise attendance rates, increase student participation in activities and athletics, and provide services to students needing extra support. She will give an update on the effect of funding the McCleary decision, current capital projects and future investments. Free. Information: dodds4b@comcast.net.
Saturday
LBA Woods cleanup: Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. when city of Olympia staff and park stewards will be working to restore native habitat by removing Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, and other invasive plants. LBA Park is at 3333 Morse-Merryman Road SE. Once there, follow the signs to the LBA Woods trail head, south of the parking lot. Meet at the trail head. Plenty of parking available.
Sunday
Free playwriting workshop for middle schoolers: Olympia Family Theater hosting this year’s Young Playwrights for Change, a national 10-minute playwriting competition for middle schoolers. OFT will select one play to compete with other finalists in the national competition. The theme must be “Discovering Truth About Ourselves and Others.” To help students with their plays, OFT is offering a free playwriting workshop aided by Claribel Gross, OFT’s education director, from 1-4 p.m. Participants should bring a snack and a laptop or pen and paper. RSVP to claribel@oft.org. For more information, go to bit.ly/2RlKtxo. Submit plays to jenryle@olyft.org no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 11.
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