Author Archives: johnosaunders

Searching for Potential Legislative Page Host Families

Submitted by Brittany Gillia, Associate Planner, City of Olympia Myra Hernandez, the Director of Civic Education for the Washington State Senate, is trying to connect with folk that might be interested in becoming a Page Host Family. This program invites 14-16-year-old students from all over the state to serve in Olympia for one week duringContinue reading “Searching for Potential Legislative Page Host Families”

Capitol Way Corridor Improvements Open House

Submitted by: Kristin Gilkerson, Senior Program Specialist, Public Works and Transportation, City of Olympia The City of Olympia is planning a transportation project on Capitol Way/Boulevard between Union Avenue and Carlyon Avenue. These changes will slow down speeding drivers and make it easier for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders to use the street.  We areContinue reading “Capitol Way Corridor Improvements Open House”

Lincoln Student Makers Market

Submitted by Audrey Jones: Big News, Lincoln Families and Friends!We’re reimagining the beloved Winter Market as the Lincoln Student Makers Market — a celebration of student creativity and community! 🗓 Saturday, November 22, 2025 • 1–4 PM📍 Lincoln Options Elementary Join us for student-run maker booths, an art gallery, performances (including The Community Band!), hands-on crafts, and treats fromContinue reading “Lincoln Student Makers Market”

Help Harvest Produce for the Food Bank at the Capitol Campus

You may recall a post earlier this year about the Olympia Kiwanis Club and the Thurston County Food Bank working with volunteers to plant and harvest produce at the east Capitol Campus. That work is now yielding a lot of fresh food for the food bank – 46,000 pounds of so far. In the pictureContinue reading “Help Harvest Produce for the Food Bank at the Capitol Campus”

City Council To Discuss Vacant South Capitol Homes Used For Business Purposes

The Olympia City Council will conduct a work session on Tues, Sept 16 at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers that will discuss, among other topics, the situation in the South Capitol Neighborhood with vacant homes being owned and operated as businesses.  Work sessions are open to the public and I think it would be worthwhile for asContinue reading “City Council To Discuss Vacant South Capitol Homes Used For Business Purposes”

Learn About Electric Vehicles and Tax Credits

Submitted by Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Restoring Earth Connections Restoring Earth Connections kicks off its year-long Climate Challenge series on Thursday, August 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Good Shepard Church, 1601 North Street SE, Olympia.  This first session will focus on how to reduce your transportation footprint.  The Federal Tax Credit for buying used and new electric vehicles willContinue reading “Learn About Electric Vehicles and Tax Credits”

SCNA Comment on Olympia Comprehensive Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

Submitted by Gordon White: The City’s been pretty busy in its update to the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). The Comp Plan update will direct many changes to the land use and zoning densities of our neighborhoods. Increasing the supply of housing is an important goal of this update. In order to fully evaluate and assessContinue reading “SCNA Comment on Olympia Comprehensive Plan and Environmental Impact Statement”

Update on a Proposal to Allow Businesses In Neighborhoods

Gordon White (a member of the South Capitol Neighborhood Association board) attended the May 22 meeting of the City of Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee on our behalf. He wanted to hear how the committee proposes to move forward with allowing small-scale retail businesses to be established in residential neighborhoods. Following is his reportContinue reading “Update on a Proposal to Allow Businesses In Neighborhoods”

SCNA on Proposal to Allow Businesses in Residential Neighborhoods

The following is submitted by Gordon White, board member of the South Capitol Neighborhood Association (SCNA). Attached to this post is a letter drafted by a group of South Capitol neighbors  commenting on a city proposal to allow small-scale retail businesses anywhere in residential neighborhoods. The proposal would also eliminate all residential zoning districts inContinue reading “SCNA on Proposal to Allow Businesses in Residential Neighborhoods”