Mary Ellen Psaltis

Dr. Greg Psaltis and his wife, Mary Ellen, have provided free dental care for children in Mexico for over 15 years. Read stories in his book, 'Into and Out of the Mouths of Babes.'Photo courtesy: Dr. Greg Psaltis

Plus, thoughts on sleep and phone use for children (and adults!)

South Sound Parent to Parent ( SSP2P ) is a valuable connection in our community for families caring for people with disabilities. The agency provides comprehensive services that begin at birth and continue through a lifetime. The agency’s bi-annual food drive for families it serves is a highly anticipated activity by the team members. “It is a great opportunity to give back to our community. It is so much fun,” says Amy Lepien, South Sound Parent to Parent human resources coordinator.

The vibrant, welcoming core of downtown Olympia awaits your visit. It’s time to get better acquainted. These business owners in the historic core offer services and products that make Olympia a unique place to live and visit. A perfect example is the old hardware building located at 109 Capitol Way N, between State Street and 4th Avenue. Within this building, which includes 111 Capitol Way N, are five small businesses, all women-owned. Anchored by Ossa Skinworks, the talented group includes Stardust Salon, Knuckle Sandwich Nail Bar, Velvet and Shag and Lucy Gentry, Artist.

Fall is in the air at the Olympia Farmers Market. The apples are crisp, and hearty vegetables are abundant. The arts and crafts are lovely and often useful. The Famers Market evolves with the seasons, and adventure will find you as you walk the aisles. Grab a sweater and see what awaits you.

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and many other seasonal celebrations are upon us. Rather than get frazzled, consider getting help from Olympia’s Board & Brush. The creative art studio has an incredible number of gift ideas for home décor, and activities for having a sensational time with family and friends. If you need a place to hold a personal or professional event, Board & Brush has the space and ability to make your time memorable and stress-free.

The Child Care Action Council (CCAC) may not sound familiar to you, but you have probably heard about several of its many activities. CCAC is the agency that manages Block Fest,

Have you ever thought about being a foster parent? It’s a significant decision. Kid Sense LLC understands your concerns. The Kid Sense staff is committed to caring and supporting the children while providing the best possible support and guidance to its foster parents in Thurston County along the way.

The Child Care Action Council (CCAC) may not sound familiar to you, but you have probably heard about several of its many activities. CCAC is the agency that manages Block Fest, ECEAP (Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program) Preschool, Kaleidoscope Play and Learn groups, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to name a few. Its services focus on accessible child care, professional development for child care providers, and supporting parents and communities engaging with early learning.

After eight years of service, Peter retired from his volunteer position as the Community Involvement Coordinator at The Community Kitchen in Olympia. Operating through Catholic Community Services (CCS), The Community Kitchen serves nutritious lunch and dinner meals on Monday through Saturday throughout the year.