Good morning, Olympia.

The Olympia City Council approved over $33,000 in matching grants on April 29 to support 10 neighborhood projects—including community events, park cleanups and food resilience efforts—and generate nearly $105,000 in community value.

Neighborhood associations must provide a 50% match, and 11 applications were submitted in a competitive grant cycle.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County will host its annual 'Foundation for the Future' breakfast fundraiser at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on May 22 — community members are invited to support local youth programs.

Organizers aim to fill 60 tables and raise funds for after-school care and academic assistance — table sponsors and captains can register for free tickets.

The expanded INSPIRE Women’s Business Conference will be held on May 22 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound.

The event—hosted by the Washington Center for Women in Business at the Thurston EDC’s Lacey Center for Business and Innovation—will feature more speakers, breakouts and a new healthcare panel to help women build their businesses.

Candidates planning to run in Thurston County can file online, in person, or by mail starting Monday, May 5 at 8 a.m.—the filing window closes at 5 p.m. Friday, May 9, and the Auditor’s Office will draw the ballot order by random lot after all filings are in.

Washington lawmakers passed House Bill 1293 that will raise littering fines from $50 to $125 for spills up to one cubic foot — an extra $93 fine applies on state highways — if Governor Bob Ferguson signs the bill, with the new penalties set to take effect July 27.

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.