Good morning, Olympia.

Melanie Bakala from State Farm in Shelton and Lacey/Olympia gave safe driving tips to help teen drivers as spring draws more new drivers to the road.

She urged that teens follow rules—such as not driving at night and keeping fewer passengers—to lower the risk of crashes.

Olympia Federal Savings promoted seven officers, including Jennifer Arnold who was named to the bank’s board and executives Ryan Betz and James Vanderholm, while managers Lindsey Bamba, Amity Muntz Reed, Heidi Retzlaff and Rachel Rudenski received promotions based on long service — each move follows years of dedicated work at the bank — and the changes aim to strengthen leadership in operations.

Brewery City Pizza, a family-run restaurant since 1982, serves classic pizzas as well as new flavors like the Big Dill, which has a cheesy Asiago base topped with pickles, bacon and chips — the pizzeria in Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey also offers sandwiches, salads, and other items with pick-up and delivery options available.

The Olympia Downtown Alliance will bring the free LoveOly Summerfest to downtown Olympia from June 20 to 22.

The three-day festival will include live music, food trucks, a beer garden, family activities, a Super Smash Bros. competition, and a Queens of Diva Drag Brunch—with a makers market opening Friday and additional family events on Saturday—ensuring a festive start to summer.

Khanh Pham, a student at South Puget Sound Community College, was selected for the prestigious All-USA Academic Team Scholarship with a $5,000 award.

He was one of 20 students chosen from nearly 2,100 nominees + he earned the honor for his academic achievements, campus involvement and leadership.

City of Olympia has extended its Middle Housing Survey window to allow residents to review proposed housing code changes until May 15.

The survey covers updates driven by state requirements including changes for Accessory Dwelling Units and Co-Living Housing — a step in modernizing middle housing policies.

North Slope Trails near Olympia offer a challenging downhill route for mountain bikes and allowed e-bikes.

Friends of Capitol Forest built the one-way trails with jumps and steep rolling sections for safety—riders can self-shuttle up the BioChar Climbing Trail or join shuttle days for easier access—while clear signage helps guide visitors.

Izabelle Trefts of The Evergreen State College won the women’s 5,000-meter race walk on April 26 at the Nancy and Norm Berney Classic and qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships while posting the second-fastest college time. She will compete at the NAIA meet (May 21-23) in Marion and at the USA meet (August 2) at Hayward Field.

Super Sitters Certificate Course

9 AM – 2 PM — The Olympia Center — Registration required — Earn your Super Sitters Certificate while learning essential babysitting skills and leadership.

Prairie Appreciation Day

7 AM – 12 PM — Glacial Heritage Preserve — Free entry — Explore the prairie ecosystem through engaging activities and expert-led bird walks.

Solarize Thurston Workshop

6:30-8:00 p.m. — Olympia Timberland Library — Free entry — Discover solar energy options and get answers from local experts.

Caitlin Jemma Live

7-11 p.m. — Cryptatropa Bar — $10 cover — Experience heartfelt country music from a small-town girl with a big sound.

Ethan Tucker Live Performance

8 PM – 12 AM — Airport Tavern Music Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience soulful acoustic roots and bluesy vocals from Ethan Tucker.

Cameron Carpenter Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the artistry of the world's most visible organist, a trailblazer in the classical music scene.

Jen Howard Live Performance

7 PM - 1 AM — Rhythms Coffee — Check online for ticket prices — Experience the soulful sounds of multi-instrumentalist Jen Howard in a cozy coffee venue.

Green Spring Cleaning

10 AM - 4 PM — WET Science Center — Free event — Create eco-friendly cleaning products for a healthier home and planet.