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Good morning. It's Friday January 9th. As we settle into the new year, Olympia is already seeing exciting developments across various sectors. From local government initiatives to community events and culinary experiences, there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months.
Alright, here's today's edition of your local lowdown:
📰 LOCAL NEWS SNAPSHOTS
Ocean Shores to Host Seafood Festival weekend of March 20th
Ocean Shores will host the Razor Clam & Seafood Festival in March 2026. The festival is set to be a celebration of local seafood, offering a variety of dishes including razor clams, Dungeness crab, clam chowder, and other seafood delicacies.
Fine Art Postcard Exhibition Opens in Oly
This is big, but also small: The 15th annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition, themed “Out of Order,” opened January 5, 2026, at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. The exhibition showcases 198 postcard-sized artworks by 84 artists and is open weekdays until February 6. An online silent auction for each piece is live now!
🎯 BUSINESS HAPPENINGS
Yelm Cafe Gets a Fresh Brew!
Sarah Ann Hill and Neal Weatherhead are the new owners of Kravins Coffee Cove (formerly the Shiplap Shop & Coffee House) in Yelm, having taken over in November 2025. They aim to build on the cafe's existing strengths while introducing new ideas and events, promising a blend of tradition and creativity.
Tumwater Mayor Dahloff Sworn In
On January 6, 2026, the City of Tumwater held a swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, new councilmember Meghan Sullivan, and returning councilmembers, officiated by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud. This event marked the commencement of their new terms.
📷 READER PHOTO SPOTLIGHT
Gwen Starling @gwen__starling
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📆 EVENTS LOWDOWN
Friday, 1/9
Live Music
The Tony Green Orchestra and Jay Levy
Show up at 8, grab a drink, and let your weekend begin with guitars, grooves, and zero responsibilities.
Friday
Screening
To Die For
A fame-chasing plan goes spectacularly wrong. Bring your best gasp-laugh combo and enjoy a classic that still feels uncomfortably timely.Friday
Live Music
Rock
The Phantom Initiative + Aaron Gorton + Elevator Operator
Show up early, claim your spot, and let the amps do the talking - your Friday night plans just got a lot louder (in the best way).Friday
Jazz
Black Box Jazz: Randy Halberstadt
Bring your best jazz face: dramatic chords, smooth solos, and the kind of swing that makes your week feel instantly cooler.Friday
Contemporary
Live Music
Artist Showcase at The Carpenter's House
Come for the art, stay for the live set - and try not to look too surprised if you leave with bragging rights (or even some original artwork).Friday
Jazz
The Cave Jazz Night Kick-Off With Jackson Rice
Bring your best "I totally know jazz" nod and enjoy a smooth night of live tunes and good vibes.Friday
Nightlife & Parties
Dance
Capricorn Finale
Dress up, show up, and let your inner Capricorn strut - because the calendar says its your time to shine.Friday
Food & Drink
Medieval Food Pop-Up
Show up hungry, leave heroic: meat pies, turkey legs, and noble snack choices await your quest (including vegetarian and gluten-free options).Friday
Crafts & Workshops
Sewing
Make: Holland Zipper Pouch
Zippers: tiny teeth, big attitude. Come tame one with good company, helpful guidance, and the satisfaction of a finished pouch that actually zips like it means it.Friday
20% off tune ups with ad. Expires Feb 28th.
Saturday, 1/10
Live Music
Rock
Storm Boy's Album Release and Tour Send-Off w/ Mother Root, Downsize, & Human Vacuum
Bring your best tour-energy: loud songs, friendly chaos, and that "one more before we hit the road" feeling.Saturday
Line Dancing
Karaoke
Line Dance & Karaoke Night!
Boot-scoot, then belt it: dance first, karaoke second, confidence optional. Bring friends and pick your power anthem.Saturday
Live Music
Rock
Private Studio Show - Elevator Operator, Coven Dove & Rogue Planets
Free ticket, secret-ish address, and a studio packed with good vibes. Show up early, find your spot, and let the winter blues get politely evicted by live music.Saturday
Crafts & Workshops
Mixed Media
Use It Workshop With Jennifer
Finally befriend those mysterious inks, powders, and pastes living in your drawer. Book an hour, ask the "silly" questions, and walk out feeling like a wizard.Saturday
Knife Sharpening
Intro to Tool Sharpening - Morning Session
Bring a dull blade, leave with sharp swagger. Learn the angles, tame the grinder, and walk out ready to slice paper dramatically (responsibly).Saturday
Rock
Never Monday
Come for the riffs, stay for the "one more song" energy. Your weekend plans just got louder (in a good way).Saturday
Dog
Meet and Greet Puppies and Dogs - Olympia
Come for a quick hello, leave with a new shadow who follows you everywhere. Warning: puppy eyes have a near-perfect conversion rate.Saturday
DIY
Garden
Pinch? Prune? Lop? Saw? Au Natural? Pruning Basics
Bring your curiosity and your imaginary loppers- this pruning primer helps you decide what to cut, when to cut it, and why your plants will thank you.Saturday
Live Music
The B Cats Rockin' Cove Olympia!
Show up for the tunes, stay for the inevitable "one more song" moment. Bring your best dance moves or your best nod-along face.Saturday
Show this ad and your first class is free!
Sunday, 1/11
Yoga
Sunday Yoga With Kathleen
Bring your breath, borrow a mat, and let the heated-room glow do the rest - Sunday is for stretching like you mean it.Sunday
Educational
WSHFC Sponsored Homebuyer Education Class 1.11.26
Bring your questions and your "dream home" wishlist-here is your crash course in mortgages, the buying process, and getting ready to make an offer without panic-refreshing every.Sunday
Educational
Meditation
Buddhism 101
Bring your curious mind and your most comfortable sitting posture. Expect calm breathing, clear teachings, and a chance to leave with fewer mental tabs open than you arrived with.Sunday
Ecstatic
Rhythms Dance Drop-in
Come sweat the week out of your system: one part dance, one part moving meditation, and 100% better than doomscrolling in bed.Sunday
Board Game
Coffee and Board Game Meetup
Bring your best luck and your second-best strategy: the games are friendly, the coffee is comforting, and the only serious rule is to have fun.Sunday
Painting
Sip & Paint
Soaring Manta Paint-n-Sip
Bring your best "I totally meant that brushstroke" confidence. You will sip, paint, and somehow end up with a manta that looks better than expected.Sunday
Monday, 1/12
Outdoors & Adventure
Sports & Active
Monday Afternoon Group Walk Around Olympia
Bring your best walking shoes and your second-best jokes. Its 10K of good company, surprise hills, and the timeless thrill of wondering who remembered to sign the waiver.Monday
ESL (English as a Second Language)
Language
English Learning Class
Bring your curiosity (and maybe a notebook). Expect practical English, helpful humans, and the satisfying feeling of understanding a little more than last time.Monday
Documentary
The Librarians - Free Screening
Books, drama, and real-life plot twists: watch librarians take on censorship, then leave feeling smarter, fired up, and grateful for anyone who knows where the good stuff is shelved.Monday
Story Time
Family Storytime
Expect stories, wiggles, and tiny humans mastering big feelings - plus a little art and STEM play to keep curious minds busy.Monday
Live Music
Oly Improvisers Orchestra
Show up, make a sound, and suddenly you are in an orchestra. No sheet music, no pressure-just bold ears and delightful musical surprises.Monday
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🍸 SOUND BITES
happy hours | food & drink specials | late night deals
Gardner's Restaurant | Tapas Tuesday | 4–7pm. Book now: Northwest seafood downtown.
Anthony's HomePort | Happy Hour | Mon–Fri 3–6:00 pm. Sip, snack, waterfront.
Cynara Restaurant & Lounge | Happy Hour | Mon–Fri 3:30–5:30pm. $5 Craft Beers.
Cascadia Grill | New Winter Menu | Sun–Thu 12–8pm. Local brasserie vibes.
Octapas Cafe | Brunch Sat–Sun | 9am–2pm. Dec Theme: Benedicts Galore!
Chicory | Christmas brunch | Sat–Sun 10am–3pm. Seasonal plates, natural wine.
Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar | Oyster hour | Fri–Sat 4–6pm. Flights and cocktails.
Basilico Ristorante | Happy Hour | Tue–Sat 4–5pm. Italian sips, $4 off snacks.
Ninevah Restaurant | Buffet Brunch | Sat–Sun 9 am–2pm. Assyrian flavors await.
Well 80 Brewhouse | Late-night bites | Fri–Sat 9–11pm. $4 Craft beer, pizza.
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Thanks for Reading!
We hope you found these local updates informative and engaging. Stay tuned for more news and events from around Olympia on Tuesday. Please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and neighbors to keep them informed about our community.
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Written with ❤️ for Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey, WA.
Behind the name MyTownLowdown: A community only thrives when its people are connected to it. In a world where local papers are disappearing and algorithms dictate what we see, we believe finding community news & events shouldn't be a struggle. MyTownLowdown exists to bridge the gap between you and your community, ensuring you never miss a moment to celebrate local life.