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Hi Olympia, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Cash to replace toxic school lights, a Beatles tribute you help shape, and a barred owl deep dive + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Cutting classroom PCB exposure: Washington’s Department of Ecology is offering up to $20,000 to help replace toxic fluorescent lights in schools, covering inspection and safe disposal. Olympia-area districts could tap the funds — get all the details.

Resilience grants face uncertainty: Washington Attorney General Nick Brown filed a motion urging FEMA to resume funding for the BRIC disaster preparedness program, leaving about two dozen projects in limbo, potentially affecting Olympia area — see what’s at stake.

New members on advisory boards: Lacey City Council approved five appointments on February 24, including Allen Acosta and Aaron Dumas, filling vacancies on the Planning Commission, Human Services Commission, and Library Board for multi-year terms — see who’s serving and when.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Craft your own pine needle broom
• SPSCC choirs celebrate dance in song
• Groove to funky blues while shopping
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

That craveable Goop fix: Olympia’s Eastside Big Tom keeps the burger beat alive with griddle-seared patties, that legendary Goop, and milkshakes you might “share” with the kids. When the urge hits this week, bypass the chains and order a Big Tom or jalapeño-kissed Holy Cow… simple, satisfying, very Olympia.

Keep rolling this week: Big Stump Bikes keeps you moving between rink nights with quick tune-ups, sensible gear, and advice from real humans, so your laps around Capitol Lake or the Chehalis Western Trail feel extra smooth all week.

Rainy-day sanity saver: Hands On Children’s Museum makes weekday afternoons easy, with loads of hands-on exhibits in bright, themed spaces and an outdoor discovery area by the waterfront. Expect a creativity boost as the kids lead and you savor five quiet minutes with your coffee.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Olympia for grown ups

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.

🦉 Discovery Speaker Series: “Barred Owls” @ Olympia Timberland Library | Thursday (3/5) at 6:30 PM – First-Thursday brain food at Olympia Timberland Library, where Puget Sound Estuarium hosts WDFW biologist Emilie Kohler on barred owls, spotted owls, and the mess humans make of territories. Learn how one pushy bird reshapes food webs, then pick her brain during a live Q&A.

🚌 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! @ Olympia Family Theater | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Think you can keep a stubborn pigeon from stealing the show? Mo Willems’ picture-book troublemaker gets a cheeky, feather-flying musical with catchy tunes and winks for the grownups. Bring the kids, the grandkids, and your best no, then enjoy a happy curtain call.

🐦 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.

🎸 Yesterday and Today @ Washington Center for the Performing Arts | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – Come pick your Beatles favorites, jot why they matter, and watch the McGuigan brothers spin your stories into the night’s setlist. It’s a tribute that listens, not lectures, where every show changes, and the sing-alongs hit exactly where you left your youth.

🎨 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:

• 3/5 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
• 3/6 The Foreigner @ The State Theater – 7:30 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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• 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
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Olympia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 50°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 73%

Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. West southwest wind 12 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 44. South southwest wind 8 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 88%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. South southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth 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

This updated 3-bed, 1.5-bath Boston Harbor retreat spans 1,228 sqft on 1.43 secluded acres with 100 feet of Puget Sound waterfront and a private dock. Newer hardwoods and a sleek kitchen with stainless appliances set the tone. A detached 576 sqft studio adds a full bath and ductless heat and air. Deck, patio, firepit, and landscaped trail shine.

Take a peek inside →