How Medicaid Cuts Impact Washington

Dani Cook compiled statistics on medicaid cuts for each state, available at https://substack.com/@thedanicook.

Community Spotlight

Clark Gilman Gathering: Standing Up for Olympia’s Values of Peace & Justice – south end of Percival Landing, 4th Ave & Water St – October 17, Vigil @4:30-6PM, 1 hour meeting to follow to review what has been done and what the City might do in the future to be a city of Compassion, Justice and Promoter of Peace.

Film Screening by Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice – Severed – Capitol Theater, 205 5th Ave SE Olympia – October 17, Doors @6:30PM, Film @ 7PM – Severed tells the story of Mohamad Saleh, a teenager from Gaza who lost his home, family members, best friends, and—at the age of 12—his leg, in a series of Israeli assaults.

NO KINGS 2.0 RALLY – Capitol Campus – Saturday October 18, 12-3PM, organized by Olympia Indivisible and Evergreen Resistance, the Washington State 50501 movement. This is a permitted civil liberties event, not a civil disobedience event. Let’s show up to say: America has no kings! The power belongs to the people, and the people are united to protect our freedoms and rights. Bring signs and American flags. More information at https://www.olympiaindivisible.org

Workers Bill of Rights Community Canvassing – WPEA Building, 140 Percival St NW, Olympia – Saturday October 18 and 25, 11:30AM – Help door knock to advocate for the WBR and connect with neighbors. Reply to lchristensen@ufcw367.org

Salmon Stewards Field Training @McLane Creek – online – October 18

Register here Share your love of salmon by becoming a volunteer docent in 3 easy steps – For more information, contact CynthiaTaylor@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-754-4013

Orca Recovery Day – Squaxin Park – October 18, 10AM-2PM – Join Thurston Conservation District and the City of Olympia for their annual Orca Recovery Day. Help restore forested habitats by planting native trees and shrubs. Includes a guided shore walk, refreshments and a chance to learn about other organizations helping the orcas.

Community Connections – 1139 5th Ave SE, Olympia – October 19, 12-4PM – Join us to learn more about homeless services, connect with providers and decision makers, and engage with the needs of our community. Event sponsored by CHOICE, Community Health Organization Improving Care and Equity. Visit the website to learn more.

Meet Candidates on Local Ballots for the November General Election – at the South Sound Sierra Club monthly meeting – Olympia Community Center, 222 Columbia St NW, Room 101 – October 21 @6PM Learn more and RSVP

Department of Ecology Open House on the Shoreline Management Act – on Zoom – October 21, November 18 & December 16 – Here’s your opportunity to influence state requirements regarding the management of Washington’s more than 28,000 miles of shoreline. Register for the WA Dept. of Ecology open houses here.

The Trees Around You Author Event – Orca Books Cooperative, 315 5th Ave SE, Olympia – October 22, 6PM – Ask the expert, arborist and environmental educator Casey Clapp with nearly two decades of experience in arboriculture and urban forestry.

October Shabbat Salon – A History of Klezmer – Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 8th Ave SE, Olympia – October 24 @ 7PM – Salon includes dinner @ 7 catered by Ninevah (Cost $20), or come at 8 PM for the featured speaker, Mae Kessler, who will explore the history and play klezmer music. Register for the dinner only here

Classes at Olyphant Art Supply – 601 Capitol Way S, Olympia – Clothed figure Drawing –October 24, 6:30-8:30PM; Watercolor Painting 101, October 25, 1-3PM; From Blank page to Comic, October 26, 1-3PM Tickets & info here

Work Party for Bob Barnes Legacy Grove – Down the hill from the Hays Avenue Trailhead – Park on Rogers St NW, Olympia – October 25, 10AM-2PM – We will be removing invasive weeds and prepping the ground for planting a grove of Coastal Redwood trees in November in partnership with Propagation Nation in honor of Bob Barnes. Bring gloves, shovels, water and cheer! Coffee, snacks, limited tools and gloves provided.

Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team, DERT’s Annual Fundraiser & Auction – Octapas Heritage Room, 610 Water St SW, Olympia – October 25, Doors 5:30/6-9PM –

Join us for a night of celebration – including dinner & drinks, music, live & silent auction, $75/seat. More info here

TC Media Fun Run to support Thurston Community Media – Capital High School – November 1 @ 8AM – TCMedia is hosting a 5K Fun Run at Capital High School Track to fundraise for Education and Workforce Development programs to launch in Spring 2026. This isn’t just a run — it’s a chance to invest in the future of our community. Proceeds will directly support paid internships & Workforce Development, Youth media & Education Programs & Technology Upgrades. Register, donate or sponsor here:

PropagationNation’s Coast Redwood & Giant Sequoia Potted Tree Sale – Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church, 2306 E End St NW, Olympia – November 1, 10AM-3PM – These trees of perfect for folks who are interested in starting with small resilient trees that already have 2-4 feet of growth. They can be pre-ordered on the PropagationNation website https://propagationnation.us

ELECTION DAY – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH – GET OUT & VOTE! Last day to drop your ballots in drop boxes. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by the 4th, so be sure to mail it before the 4th as the Post Office may not have the capacity to mark it on Election Day.

Thurston County Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, Thurston 2045 – The Atrium, 3000 Pacific Ave, Olympia – November 4 @3:30PM – Your opportunity to comment to the Board of County Commissioners on the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Thurston 2045, that will guide development for the next 20 years. Areas include planning for housing, climate change, transportation, natural resources, land use and more. You can also make comments before the 4th at this survey link. All public hearing drafts are available on www.Thurston2045.org.

The Climate Challenge: Divesting from Fossil Fuels – Good Shepard Church, 1601 North St SE, Olympia or register for zoom – November 6, 6:30-8:30PM – Tired of multinational companies making choices that wreck the planet? Ditch them. Take back your power! Michael Richardson from Rivers and Mountains will explain.

Schmidt House History Talk – Tumwater’s Historic Trails & Roads – 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater – November 6, 12-1PM – Former state Hstorical Society director Dave Nicandri will share the story of the original Cowlitz Trail and trace its history into the 20th century. Sponsored by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation

First Annual Deschutes Estuary Symposium – Save the Date! The Longhouse at The Evergreen State College, 2800 Dogtooth Ln NW – November 22, 9AM-4PM – Sponsored by Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team and the Washington Departments of Ecology and Enterprise Services – The morning session will present an update on the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, and the afternoon session will feature watershed projects and updates from local organizations. Time to network & Q&A at the end of the day. Parking in B lot is free. RSVP here