Mary Ellen Psaltis

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.

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.

Where you were on January 18, 1991? History was in the making in the library at The Evergreen State College when the local, and not-yet-famous band Nirvana performed for an anti-Gulf War benefit concert. Founder and lead singer Kurt Cobain ended the concert with the live debut of “Endless Nameless” and violently took a hammer to the left-handed Memphis Stratocaster replica guitar, doing it serious damage. The remains of that guitar from that auspicious evening are on auction at Hake’s, a source to find all manner of Americana and collectables at auction.

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Amy Rowley was 42 when she heard her diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma or more clearly, breast cancer. It was unexpected and unwelcome. Amy had optimal resources, including health care, a loving husband, nearby parents and two daughters. She had flexible employment and friends. That made the situation more tenable, but still complicated and challenging.

Do you have extra stress through the holidays? You’re not alone. Cary Hamilton is a licensed mental health counselor, child mental health specialist, and the owner of Olympia Therapy. She confirms this season is a trying time for children and their parents. Additionally, this year has brought extra challenges around the recent election cycle.

Time flies when you are savoring pizza from La Gitana. It was 14 years ago when the first location opened in Yelm. The Olympia pizzeria opened a year later. You are invited to join the anniversary celebrations with pizza parties at both locations on December 2-4, 2024. When dining inside at either location you can enjoy a large pizza for 50% off! La Gitana was voted best pizza, the Gold Medal Winner, in the Best of South Sound for 2024. It is a testament to the quality and consistency that keeps regulars coming back for more.

Club House, TOGETHER!’s long-valued, 20-year-old program for North Thurston grade schoolers and middle schoolers and their families is facing funding challenges. This year Club House received devastating news that the $400,000 funding from OSPI, Olympia Superintendent of Public Instruction, was not forthcoming. Major support has come from TwinStar Community Foundation. TOGETHER! is seeking additional community support and wants people to understand the importance of maintaining Club House at its usual capacity.

If any one person knows what it takes to pull off Olympia’s Harbor Days, it’s Carol Riley. For the past nine years, she has managed the Labor Day weekend extravaganza. Carol is stepping out of the Harbor Days hot seat and into retirement. She was recently honored by being inducted into the Washington Festivals and Events Association

Children have issues growing up. That’s normal. Parents don’t get manuals, which is also normal. That doesn’t mean it is easy. In fact, though we are living in a post-COVID world, we (parents, teachers and anyone who interacts with youth) are continuing to deal with the impacts the isolation has rendered along with every other concern.

A strategic plan is a forward-looking document that sets a framework for an organization’s goals and actions, and how they will achieve them. The Tumwater School District is in its early stages to create and clarify its vision, mission and values. Such an undertaking requires a comprehensive approach to consider the district’s strengths, challenges and community values.