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Rise and shine, Olympia!

In today’s planning-your-week edition: Bald eagle rescued on I-5, free Little Amélie for kids, and birding with breakfast + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Olympia protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Upgrades bolster local housing: Thurston County commissioners approved $750,000 to repair 16 affordable rentals in Olympia and Lacey, including new siding, roofs, windows, and furnaces. Most funding came from the 2022 Home Fund — see planned repairs and funding.

Unusual highway wildlife incident: A bald eagle was rescued after being hit by a semi-truck on I-5 in Tumwater. WSDOT and Fish and Wildlife helped. It was taken to Olympia’s Raindogan Wild Bird Rescue — see who helped and how.

Major intersection upgrade planned: Lacey is seeking an engineering firm to design a multi-lane roundabout at College Street SE and 7th Avenue SE, with a two-year contract including pavement, water main, sidewalks, and landscaping — review scope and qualifications.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Birding with breakfast at Woodard Bay
• See Little Amélie free for kids
• SPSCC choirs celebrate dance in song
• You’re probably overpaying for car insurance

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Saucy wing night, sorted: Craving crispy, no-nonsense wings this week? O’Blarney’s Irish Pub serves saucy, shareable baskets in an easygoing, bring-your-friends vibe that turns midweek into a small victory. Locally owned, with sports on and spirits high, it’s the spot you’ll return to for next-round flavor.

Custom-scented pick-me-up: Archibald Sisters helps you craft a signature scent, then pairs it with handmade lotions, bath treats, and playful gifts…the small luxuries that make weekday routines feel a little brighter. Even your shower caddy might crack a smile.

Budd Inlet fairways: Perched above the water with evergreen-lined holes and quick greens, Olympia Country & Golf Club turns a weekday round into a small escape. Searching for South Sound golf vibes, plus a layout you’ll actually mention in the group chat? This spot quietly delivers.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Our favorite events this week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎭 Purim on the Farm @ Chabad Jewish Center of Olympia | Tuesday (3/3) at 5:00 PM – Purim on the farm means bleating backup singers, a proper feast, and traditions that make the kids giddy and the adults nostalgic. Bring the whole crew for a warm, no-judgment bash, and RSVP before spots disappear at www.jewisholympia.com/purim26.

🥁 Tumwater Youth Showcase Percussion Night @ The Washington Center for the Performing Arts | Thursday (3/5) at 6:30 PM – Percussion Night at the Washington Center features Tumwater Hill Elementary marimba bands, Tumwater High percussion, and Black Hills High percussion, all in a joyful racket. Kids with better timing than your group chat, and you can clap on purpose. Tickets on the Washington Center site.

🐦 Birding with Breakfast @ Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 AM – Grab your thermos, a DIY breakfast, and binoculars for a Woodard Bay wander, from quiet woods to Henderson Inlet overlooks where the locals have feathers. Beginner and intermediate birders welcome, no registration. Park with a Discover Pass or use the county lot up the hill.

🌱 Seed Swap! @ Olympia Timberland Library | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats trading seeds with neighbors to kick off growing season. Bring your extra packets, starts, and cuttings, grab new varieties, swap tips, and use the provided envelopes and labels, fancy like that. No seeds? GRuB’s got extras, and leftovers feed the Seed Library.

🍿 OFS Kids Club: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain @ Capitol Theater | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Take a parenting win and duck into OFS Kids Club for Little Amélie, an Oscar-nominated, English-language French animated gem set in post-war Japan. It’s tender, curious, and actually kid-friendly, and it buys you 78 blissful minutes. Free for children 12 and under.

🎨 Paint Your Pet @ Insert Coin Olympia | Sunday (3/8) at 4:00 PM – Paint night at Insert Coin, but make it your pet. You send a photo, they pre-sketch the canvas, and you sip a decent drink while an instructor talks you into whiskers that actually look like whiskers. All ages, all supplies, zero judgment, maximum bragging rights.

🎭 Matzah Mystery @ Temple Beth Hatfiloh | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Craving a little whodunit with your wine? At Temple Beth Hatfiloh, you get a three-course dinner, mystery theater, live auction, and a dessert-fueled paddle raise, all benefiting the congregation. Adults chip in $72 suggested donation, kids 10+ free, childcare and separate dinner for under 10.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/4 Karaoke Wednesdays @ Insert Coin Olympia – 6:30 PM
• 3/5 Tumwater Youth Showcase Percussion Night @ The Washington Center for the Performing Arts – 6:30 PM
• 3/5 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! @ Olympia Family Theater – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Remainders and more @ Wild Child – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Coffee & Cars @ Forza Coffee Company – 9:00 AM
• 3/8 Matzah Mystery @ Temple Beth Hatfiloh – 5:00 PM
• 3/9 Smoocho Gusto Quartet @ Eagles Olympia – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• Treat yourself: Save $ on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Olympia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 14%

Sunny, with a high near 58. South southwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Rain likely after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 52°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 100%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

Set in Briarwood, this 4-bed, 3,982 SF home claims a quarter-acre corner lot. Inlaid hardwoods, crown moldings, and high ceilings frame a Wolf kitchen with island and walk-in pantry opening to a built-in family room. A primary retreat with fireplace, a dual-access bonus room, an all-season patio with water feature, and a 3-car garage with 360-degree storage stand out.

Take a peek inside →