What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, Oct. 6

Oysterfest featuring the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship and Washington State Seafood Festival: Shelton Skookum Rotary sponsors OysterFest, which continues Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm at the Port of Shelton airport, 21 W Sanderson Way, Shelton. It features seafood menu items, live music, exhibits and activities for the whole family, as well as the shucking competition. All money raised is donated to non profit organizations in Mason County.

Monday, Oct. 7

The Friendly Flower Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, starting at 9:30 am at the Mountain Greens Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey. Following the meeting and brown bag lunch, Jeff Johnson will present a program on Chinese liniment for arthritis. It is typically made from herbs and other natural ingredients. The program will begin at noon. Coffee, tea and a dessert will be available. This free event is designed to help people meet others who enjoy gardening.

Tuesday, Oct. 8

Christian Women’s Connection is having their “Fall and Country Gift Basket Auction” luncheon at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8, in The Gallery next to Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Enjoy a lunch of meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetables, with chocolate cake for dessert. Cost is $20. A silent auction will offer a wide variety of gift baskets. Bidding begins at 11:30 a.m. There will be clarinet music by Ruth Springer. The inspirational speaker will be Shirley Mozena from Vancouver, Washington, who will share secrets of love lost and found, “Second Chance at Love.” Call Sylvia for reservations: 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627. All women are invited.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

Storytelling event : The theme is Boys with Tales, sponsored by the South Sound Story Guild. It takes place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 9, at the Harbor House, 217 Thurston Ave. NW, Olympia. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Featured tellers in first half, Story Swap in second half.

Welcome to Medicare In Person Presentation: This presentation is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NE. It is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. There is free two-hour parking in the city lot on Columbia Street across from the Center. Email with questions to thurstonmasonshiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message and your email address at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134.

Thursday, Oct. 10

Medicare Related Cost Savings Programs will be introduced in a Zoom presentation at 1 p.m. Thursday. The program will cover Medicare Basics, the Medicare Savings Program, the Extra Help Program and Wellness and Preventative benefits available through Medicare coverage. To receive a link, email thurstonmasonshiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134. A registration link will be sent to you.

Kiku Hughes at Saint Martin’s: Hughes, a Japanese American cartoonist based in Seattle, is the featured speaker at the 2024 Les Bailey Writers Series at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. The free public event, entitled “How Comics Keep our Histories,” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Norman Worthington Conference Center. Her first graphic novel, “Displacement,” was published in 2020 and was a APALA Literature Award honoree and a Eisner Award nominee.

Friday, Oct. 11

The Spirit of Ryokan , a seminar in two parts hosted by the Olympia Zen Center, will happen at 7 p.m. Friday with a lecture, followed by a seminar and retreat, with lunch provided, from 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Zen Center, 3248 39th Way NE, Olympia. The seminar is led by Zen teacher Rev. Gyokei Yokoyama, who will examine the remarkable life of poet and Zen master Ryokan (1758-1831), who was a hermit priest and teacher of Soto Zen. Rev. Gyokei is Ambassador to American Soto Zen temples, and is Abbot of Sozenji Temple in Montebello, California. Registration is free, but donations received with gratitude. Find details and registration on the Zen Center website .

Saturday, Oct. 12

South Sound Clam Chowder Challenge: The third annual competition is presented by Hawks Prairie Rotary from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. A $25 early order ticket (or $30 at the door) gets you 12 tastes of local chowder and the opportunity to vote for the best. There also will be bratwurst and grilled cheese sandwiches with dessert cookies. Kids 12 and younger with adult ticket get in free.

30th anniversary of the annual YWCA Women of Achievement: This event is from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the ASHHO Cultural Community Center, 5757 Littlerock Road SW #4, Tumwater. The YWCA will present not just the Women of Achievement award, but Business of Achievement and Youth of Achievement awards as well. Tickets are $60 .

Estate Planning 101: Head to the Olympia Timberland Library’s meeting room at 10:15 am Saturday when estate planning attorney Susan Kirkpatrick will present an overview of estate planning with essential information on wills, trusts, healthcare directives, estate taxes, and how to keep your family out of court and conflict. There will be time to have questions answered at the end. The talk is designed to inspire you to take action rather than postpone what may feel like a daunting task. Kirkpatrick graduated with honors from the University of Washington School of Law and has over 30 years of experience specializing in estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianships, and adoptions. She practices law in Olympia. Admission is free.

Prehistoric Discoveries at the WET Science Center: Travel back in time to discover prehistoric treasures, from mighty mammoths to marvelous murals from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Visitors can make cave art, create fossils, dig up dinosaur bones, and more. All ages are welcome. Admission is free.

Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.