Hello Olympia! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: World Cup fan zone, capital city pride, and parrot ambassadors + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Downtown homes for buyers: Downtown’s Thirteen + Cherry Townhomes went on sale Monday, June 22, offering 12 units and an eight‑year property tax exemption that could save buyers nearly $5,000 a year -- read the full story.
Water recreation warnings: Thurston County says a toxic algae advisory remains in effect at Lake Lawrence after lab results, with swimmer’s itch reported at Ward Lake. Keep pets out of the water -- learn how to stay safe.
World Cup excitement builds: After 2,800 fans packed Port Plaza for opening day, the Olympia Lacey Fan Zone returns today from 10 a.m. with giant screens, local vendors, and interactive activities -- see what’s coming next.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start, Olympia: Whether you’re craving retro button-mashing or trying to outscore your coworker on pinball, Legends Arcade keeps downtown lively with 50+ classics and modern cabinets, plus a full bar and kitchen. Pop in for trivia, bingo, and those nights when tokens mysteriously multiply in your pocket.
Bayside reset, anyone?: When you need a quick Olympia recharge, Percival Landing delivers easy boardwalk strolls, people-watching, kid-approved playground time, and picnic spots, with restaurants a short wander away. Bring coffee, take a lap, pretend it's cross-training, feel smug about getting fresh air.
Add some green joy: Whether your pothos needs a bigger home or you’re hunting for a weirdo carnivore to show off, Underhill Plants has curated houseplants, local pottery, soil blends, and repotting help that makes plant chores easy. Pop in this week, say hi, and come home leafy.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎊 Woodlawn Olympia Grand Opening Celebration @ Forest Funeral Home Cremation & Cemetery | Thursday (6/25) at 3:00 PM – Swing by Woodlawn’s newly rebuilt Olympia spot for a grand opening that’s more neighborhood hangout than hush-hush. Competition BBQ from Smokin O's, classic cars, and a ribbon cutting, because nothing says new chapter like brisket, chrome, and a big pair of scissors.
👫 SSP2P Sibshops @ South Sound Parent to Parent | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Sibshops is rolling in with free, activity-based workshops for ages 7 to 18 who have a brother or sister with a disability or developmental delay. Part pep talk, part playdate, all relief for kids who get the sibling of the year job without the trophy.
🏳 Capital City Pride @ Port Plaza | Friday (6/26) – If you needed a sign to dust off the rainbow tee, this is it. Capital City Pride gathers friends, LGBTQ+ folks, and allies for color, music, and big-hearted community, the kind that reminds you why you stayed, and why glitter is a neutral.
✨ Starscapes @ The Olympia Center | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Whether you still stay up for the Perseid peak, or prefer stars before bedtime, this class lets you paint your night sky in ink and watercolor. Learn techniques for galaxies, nebulae, and starfields, then leave with a Milky Way, since light pollution is undefeated.
🦜 Parrot Ambassadors @ Hands On Children’s Museum | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Parrots take center stage with the Parrot Ambassadors, a lively, up-close show where they soar overhead, talk back, roller skate, and yes, offer beak kisses. It is adorable, surprisingly educational, and a useful reminder that these divas run the rainforest, not us.
🧒 OFS Kids Club: Shrek @ Capitol Theater | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – OFS Kids Club is bringing Shrek back for its 25th-anniversary, and kids 12 and under get in free. Revisit the ogre, donkey, and dragon, then catch jokes you missed before you had a mortgage, carpool duty, and an aisle seat. Big laughs, little fairy-tale fuss.
⛵ Keelboat Adventure @ Swantown Marina | Monday (6/29) at 8:30 AM – Keelboat week is cruising into Budd Inlet with J24s, salty instructors, and a crash course in not crashing. All skill levels hop aboard to learn the ropes, catch South Sound breezes, and earn bragging rights that beat mowing the lawn, again.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Olympia report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 3 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 64°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 61%
Rain likely after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 53. This house is wildThis beautifully updated Indian Summer golf course home pairs main-floor living with front-and-back fairway views. The light-filled living room shows off new flooring and a custom Ann Sacks tiled fireplace, while the refreshed kitchen brings granite, stainless steel appliances, double ovens, and a tile backsplash. The primary suite adds a gas fireplace, heated floors, and a luxe remodeled bath.
Take a peek inside → |
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