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Community Spotlight — April 2021

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WA Poor Peoples’ Campaign Open House

Monday, April 5, 7 – 8 pm.

Attend this monthly gathering to receive statewide and national Poor People’s Campaign updates, as well as make your voice heard!  http://www.facebook.com/events/274070820532301/?event_time_id=274070830532300

Lacey South Sound Chamber Military Affairs Meeting

Tuesday, April 6, 8:00 am 

Hawks Prairie Restaurant                                       

We work to enhance communications and business opportunities between the Thurston County business community and local military installations and units. Representatives from various units on JBLM, the National Guard and Reserve Forces provide an update on their ongoing activities and current events. An opportunity to develop relationships with our local military individuals and be aware of their activities.

South Sound Food System Network (SSFSN)

Apr 7 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am                                    

SSFSN is an amalgam of three coalitions – Thurston Asset Building Coalition Food Hub, Thurston Thrive Food Action Team and Thurston Food System Council – that formed to promote slightly different causes within the food system, but that, when combined, can develop the most effective mutually beneficial collaborative yet. The SSFSN is a voluntary coalition of organizations and individuals. No formal application for membership is required. For more information Thurston Asset Building Coalition Food Hub     

Inter-Gay-lactic night of fun and frivolity

Saturday, April 10, 7 – 8 pm, Pre-show at 6:30 

Pizza Klatch Annual Gayla and fundraiser gone virtual

With Gayle Evans, local astronomer with their own comedy alien abduction tale. Also music with guests Be Steadwell, SassyBlack and the Queen of Bounce herself, Big Freedia. Pizza Klatch is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “foster resilience in LGBTQ+ youth and create a safe and positive school experience through support, education and empowerment.” Tickets to this year’s A Slice of the Good Life: The 7th Annual Pizza Klatch Gayla are available now. They have several ticket options, including ones that come with a party pack delivered to your door!  More details at Thurston Talk. Photo courtesy of Pizza Klatch

Purple Martin Monitoring Training

Wednesday, April 14, 5 pm

Might you be interested in tracking the nesting habits of the beautiful purple martin? Stream Team is looking for volunteers to monitor  the nest boxes at East Bay in downtown Olympia from April to September. Attend a short online training on monitoring basics and bird identification. Register  at .http://streamteam.info/ 

Healing destructive divisions; respecting differences; finding common ground

Western WA 23rd Annual Spring Assembly

Saturday, April 17, 9 am – 1:30 pm – via videoconference

Throughout our country, many experience sharp divisions and frequent disrespect from and toward people of differing perspectives and backgrounds, from political leaders to everyday folks. What can people steeped in the nonviolent tradition, and deeply concerned about this schism, do to help bridge the communication gap and find some common ground? Please join us as we focus on successful strategies and models of what we as individuals, and within our groups can learn. Things that might provide us additional competence and confidence to move toward this communal healing. Western Washington FOR – wwfor.org/calendar for more info and Zoom contact.

Solarize Thurston – warm your home with the sun (even in the PNW)

Workshop dates: April 3 at 11 am and 6 pm. April 14 at 6 pm. May 15 at 11 am and 6 pm.

Now through September 1, Thurston County residents and businesses can access solar at prices more than 25% below market rates, thanks to the solar group-purchasing program, Solarize Thurston.

This partnership of Olympia Community Solar and CapStone Solar will  support 50 Thurston County homes and businesses to install clean energy via a group purchasing model saves local installers time and energy, and allows them to purchase equipment in bulk. Limited time reduced financing rates are also available. By participating in the program, you also contribute to low-income solar access: for every 50 kilowatts installed we donate solar capacity to low-income families.

Call for a free site assessment; get a group purchasing discount; save money every month on your electric bill; reduce pollution; qualify for a 26% federal tax rebate. Contact  SolarizeThurston.org and sign up for a  free public workshop or site assessment. 

Working with Local Government

Wednesday,  April 28, 6:30 pm, League of Women Voters

How can you effectively voice your opinion about Thurston County’s handling of new drug possession rules, Lacey’s response to its drinking water shortage, Tumwater’s conversion of woodlands to warehouses, Olympia’s plans for giant shoreline developments or other hometown issues?  The League of Women Voters is offering the opportunity for you to hear directly from your representatives as they respond to questions about local planning, policies, and effective advocacy. Save-the-Date and watch for more information about this virtual event.

Weekly Peace Vigils – Olympia & Centralia

Fridays at Percival Landing, 4:30 – 6 pm – Olympia

Meet at NW Corner of 4th and Water Streets, downtown.   Please join Olympia FOR  for whatever length of time you can. We provide plenty of signs. Wear a facemask and stand at least 6 feet apart. glenanderson@integra.net 

Saturdays in Washington Park, 12 noon – 1pm – Centralia

Meet at Locust & Pearl in downtown Centralia. Lewis County “Fire Mountain” FOR chapter.  Info: Larry Kerschner: peacepoet@protonmail.com

The Olympia Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons 

Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. 5:00 pm through Zoom.  Contact  Glen Anderson (360) 491-9093 glenanderson@integra.net in advance for the zoom link and the agenda

The Olympia Free Clinic Trans and Nonbinary Gender Health Clinic

First Monday of every month, from 5 – 8 pm. 

At the Gender Health Clinic, you will find a comfortable environment where you can get connected with all kinds of trans- and non-binary-friendly health and social services. At your appointment you can connect with medical providers specialized in trans and non-binary health. Some services are available online and without an appointment!  During each month’s Gender Health Clinic you can connect virtually with various practitioners including for legal help. http://zoom.us/j/96837287143

http://www.facebook.com/events/1652566801572178/?event_time_id=1652566838238841.  Medical & Mental Health Services are by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 360-890-4074 x3 or email clinic@theolympiafreeclinic.org

Thurston Conservation District

One way Thurston CD serves the community is to offset the high costs of some equipment with a rental program. They strive to rent out specific equipment not available from another source in the community. For example, you can rent a shoulder-mounted  light weight seed spreader suitable for lawns. The Weed Wrench is an easy-to-use tool for removing unwanted woody plants on your property. There are more useful items for a reasonable fee usually rented on a one-week basis. Learn more about the program and see what’s for rent by contacting Leah Kellog, Admin Asst. tcdadmin@thurstoncd.com or call (360)754-3588 ext. 100                                                                            


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