Happy weekend, Olympia! In today’s happening-today edition: Sidewalk overhaul, World Cup festivities, and radiant solstice faire + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
City sidewalk overhaul: Olympia is fixing 28,000 sidewalk defects, averaging 123 per mile. The city boosted annual repair funding from $500,000 to $1.2 million, while property owners remain responsible for adjacent sidewalks -- see the sidewalk repairs.
World Cup festivities continue: Port of Olympia’s Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone kicked off June 19 with World Cup screenings, vendors, and a Pride celebration. Next matches will screen June 24, June 25, and June 26 -- get the full event details.
New hub for job support: WorkSource Thurston County opened a new office at 670 Woodland Square Loop SE, Suite 100, in Lacey, offering employment and training services for job seekers and businesses, plus virtual options -- explore the new job hub.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor 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, GoldCo 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Trees, peace, repeat: When your brain needs a quick unplug without actually leaving town, American Heritage Campground delivers shady, roomy sites, quiet vibes, and just-enough amenities to keep everyone happy, including that friend who swears they’re not an “RV person” yet keeps asking about s’mores.
Quick swing fix: Feeling rusty after too many desk days, grab a bucket at Capitol City Golf Club, groove a few wedges, then let the driver eat. Friendly, local, and close enough to make a weekday tune-up actually happen... your short game will send a polite thank-you later.
Serious seafood boil vibes: Ocean 7 Boiling Seafood & Bar is serving Cajun-style boils with shrimp, crawfish, crab, and lobster, plus po’boys, fried baskets, gumbo, and a full bar. Bring a bib and an appetite, leave with spice-scented fingers and that happy silence locals know means everyone is busy eating.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏳 Queer Cheer @ Mantis House | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Whether you can still nail a high kick or your knees protest, this all-ages cheer bash offers performances, a quick lesson, and meat and vegan grillables. Free for youth, suggested $15 for adults, with proceeds to Stonewall Youth, bus friendly at Mantis House.
🔮 Radiant Solstice Faire @ South Puget Sound Community College | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Think your inner light could use a tune-up? The Radiant Solstice Faire takes over the SPSCC Student Union with intentional makers, a collective altar, ticketed rituals, and $30 tarot, plus a medieval-inspired tavern menu, a free-entry raffle, and a playlist built for basking.
🎻 Instrument Petting Zoo @ Hands On Children's Museum | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Skip yardwork and go poke, pluck, and toot through the Instrument Petting Zoo with SOGO, the Student Orchestra of Greater Olympia. "Zookeepers" show you how to coax sounds from violins, cellos, and brass, no judgment, just curiosity. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
🎗 Relay For Life @ North Thurston High School | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Up for a stroll that actually matters? Relay For Life of Thurston County brings neighbors together to walk, remember, and raise funds to fight cancer, complete with luminarias, shared stories, and that small-town magic. You get steps, heart, and a reunion with half the county.
📚 Bookish Party @ Browsers Bookshop | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – An evening at Browsers Bookshop means trading chores for chapters as Jessica Payne launches a fun, funny, feminist thriller about a multitasking mom, wife, and off-hours assassin hitting the glass ceiling, and just wanting a dependable babysitter. Expect bookish banter, a Q&A, wine.
🚗 Cars & Coins @ Insert Coin | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – Trade the cul-de-sac for a car show inside an arcade, where polished builds, vintage and modern games, and a robot bartender keep everyone entertained. Capped at 50 entries, trophies on the line, and spectating is free, just keep the revs civilized.
🎶 Million Dollar Quartet @ State Theater | Sunday (6/21) at 2:00 PM – Million Dollar Quartet is hitting the stage with a rock 'n' roll time capsule, directed by Emily A. Rollie and channeling Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Expect toe-tapping, piano-thumping, and just enough swagger to remind you when jukeboxes doubled as furniture. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Olympia report Weather forecastToday — High: 69°F — Low: 51°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 2 to 12 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 77. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. This house is wildThis 3,300-plus-square-foot Olympia home pairs vaulted ceilings and oversized windows with a bright, open layout that feels instantly inviting. The spacious kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space for easy entertaining, while generous bedrooms and a lower-level bonus area add flexibility for media, work, or guests. Peaceful lake views complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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