Community Events
Local residents: Join Nextdoor to see GNA events, plus many more goings-on here in our neighborhood!
Now on Facebook
For more than 50 years the Steamboat Island Community Preschool has been one of the crown jewels of the Griffin/Steamboat Peninsula. Let's give them the support they need to continue to provide our children with the best start in their lifetime educational journeys. ... See MoreSee Less



- Likes: 1
- Shares: 0
- Comments: 0
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The Griffin School District has a new substitute interim superintendent, Chris Rust, who sent out this introductory letter. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.3 CommentsComment on Facebook
As a Griffin student for 8 years and teacher for 23, I like the sound of this. Let's get its back its reputation back.
Wow! What a stark difference. Now that is how you introduce yourself to a school.
Sounds like a good fit for now.
Rain won't dampen our holiday spirit. Join us for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listening to the Griffin School Band perform, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate from the Griffin National Junior Honor Society, and hanging out with our wonderful Griffin Fire Department first responders!!! Don't forget to bring your donation of stocking stuffers!!!Happy Holidays to our awesome Steamboat Community from the Griffin Neighborhood Association. 🎅🎁🎄🤶 ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The weather will be changing across the Pacific NW starting THU. One concern we have is heavy snow across the Cascades from THU afternoon - SUN morning which could affect major interstates & routes across the mountains. Stay up to date on forecasts & road conditions! #wawxWeather: weather.gov Road conditions: wsdot.com/map and wsdot.com/passes ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Griffin's Season of Sharing . . . docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeP915basxpyxFTbweAJsYIhq6yZMDJNYmGOLH8A6gFmUg0Yg/viewform ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our spring Native Plant Festival & Sale pre-orders are now open! Shop a variety of native plants to pick up in March 2024. Visit store.thurstoncd.com to see our stock of bareroot, live stakes, and plugs. Preorder now through January!Why choose native plants? * Low maintenance: less water, fertilizer, and tears required (it's like they've adapted to live here!) * Happy pollinators & wildlife (many species have coevolved with the plants in our region and will appreciate the new additions to your backyard) * They're beautiful and support the natural biodiversity of our area! ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This Saturday, there'll be a Christmas bazaar at the Prosperity Grange 9 AM to 4 PM. With respect to the food drive, check out the post we recently shared from the Summit Lake Community Association. I'll drop a link in the comments below. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Here's the link to the post shared from the Summit Lake Community Association, discussing good (and not-so-good) donations to the Food Bank: www.facebook.com/GriffinNeighbors/posts/pfbid0fABqv8KTJKC7LzTPFaXWkWraCQhYSES4TGYzFp3NJPwk5EEZZB2...
2023 Christmas Lights in Olympia and Throughout Thurston County - ThurstonTalk ... See MoreSee Less

2023 Christmas Lights in Olympia and Throughout Thurston County - ThurstonTalk
www.thurstontalk.com
Driving around to look at Christmas lights is one of my favorite holiday traditions and I hope you enjoy it too. Here is the guide to 2023 Christmas lights in Olympia and throughout Thurston County.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
It’s ice skating and roller skating season in Olympia. Here’s what to know before going ... See MoreSee Less

It’s ice skating and roller skating season in Olympia. Here’s what to know before going
www.theolympian.com
Looking for fun, active and indoor activities for winter? Ice skating or roller skating could be the ticket.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sheriff Sanders was recently interviewed on KIRO 7 News. The link to the video is www.kiro7.com/news/local/live-studio-state-thurston-county-sheriffs-office/162c9e62-00fe-41f4-a5a...Thank you to KIRO 7 News for having me live in the studio to talk about proposition 1 tonight. New found respect for news anchors, I’ve never seen so many cameras, cables, wires, tvs, and teleprompters in my life 😂 ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Robyn Berg posts “So, I spoke to people getting food at a food bank and here are some things I learned from those in need:1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.8. Sugar and flour are treats.9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.11. They rarely get fresh meat.12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.15. Butter or margarine is nice too.16. Eggs are a real commodity.17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.21. Diapers22. Wipes23. Buns24. Baked goods 25. Potatoes 26. Nuts27. Seeds for eating or cooking 28. Raisins 29. Dishwashing pods30. Rags and cleaning supplies31. Pet food32. Pet suppliesIn all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did. If you are helping a Family this Christmas, maybe this can help you tailor it more. It does for me!" ... See MoreSee Less

1 CommentComment on Facebook
The Olympia YWCA's Other Bank merged with the Food Bank. The Other Bank was established for menstrual sanitary products, diapers, and personal hygiene supplies. www.ywcaofolympia.org/blog/2019/03/14/big-changes-ahead-for-the-other-bank/
The Christmas Bird Count for Olympia will be December 17. If you are interested in participating, learn more at blackhills-audubon.org/event/christmas-bird-count-olympia-circle/. ... See MoreSee Less

0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Click here to see our Facebook Page.
Now on Twitter
Twitter has disabled the ability for websites to display the feed from Twitter. But we're still tweeting. If you have a Twitter account, follow us there.
Support Us While Shopping Online
Now you can support the GNA while shopping on Amazon.com. Simply start shopping at www.SteamboatIsland.org/amazon. Or click on the Amazon logo below. Any purchases you make during your session that begins here will generate a small commission paid to the GNA, at no additional cost to you.
Who is the Griffin Neighborhood Association?
The Griffin Neighborhood Association (GNA) is registered with the State of Washington as a non-profit organization. We are a nonpartisan group of neighbors living within the boundaries of the Griffin School District, Thurston County, Washington.
Any person owning property, a business, or residing in the Griffin area is eligible to become a member and participate fully in the Association. Membership is also open to community groups and students of the Griffin School District. If you live or work in the Griffin neighborhood or Steamboat Peninsula, the Griffin Neighborhood Association is you.
Originally organized as the Oyster Bay Neighborhood Association in 1990, we were registered with the State of Washington as the nonprofit Griffin Neighborhood Association in December, 1995.
Our Mission
The mission of the Griffin Neighborhood Association is to help build community consensus on major issues confronting the Griffin area, including growth, land issues, habitat, water quality, transportation and school planning. When appropriate, we research issues as honest brokers of information, provide forums for debate, attempt to arrive at community consensus and issue resolution, and present this consensus to appropriate decision makers.
The Griffin Neighborhood Association also undertakes and supports projects that benefit our community, help to build a sense of community, and educate the community on topics of interest.
Our Board and Officers
Our Board is comprised of current members of the Association, elected by members of the Association present at the Annual Meeting. Officers are elected from Board membership by members of the Board.
The Board typically sets an annual schedule of regular meetings. Tentative meeting dates, times and locations are posted on our Facebook Page and on Nextdoor.
This Year’s Holiday Tree Lighting Will Be Bigger and Better
The Fourth Annual Holiday Tree Lighting will feature more lights and a bigger display. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance, and music will be provided by the Griffin School Band. Come for the cocoa and cookies and stay to join in on a growing holiday tradition with neighbors, friends, and family.
Saturday, December 2
Event starts at 4 PM and the tree lighting is at 5:30 PM
Companion Cove
6644 Sexton Dr NW
The Griffin National Junior Honor Society will be accepting donations of new or gently used stocking-sized puzzles, arts and crafts supplies and kits, small toys and stuffed animals, and hats, mittens and gloves, and socks.
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s holiday tree lighting!
Local author Steve Lundin to present from his book, “The Friendly People,” a history of the Steamboat Peninsula and Griffin area, on November 15th
Over the years, we’ve been lucky to be able to publish numerous articles written by Steve Lundin. Ten or more years ago, Lundin wrote the book Griffin Area Schools, a history of the many schools that existed on our peninsula. Lundin donated much of the proceeds for the sale of that book to the Griffin Neighborhood Association. After 44 years on the Peninsula, Lundin and his wife Linda Bondurant moved away from our neighborhood, but with his latest book, The Friendly People, we can see he has not actually left this part of the world. Not really. In The Friendly People, Lundin writes a history “of the Griffin/Steamboat area, from early native peoples to modern times.”
On Wednesday, November 15, Steve Lundin will present from his book. This event will be held at the Griffin Fire Department Headquarters beginning at 6 PM. Copies of his book will be available for purchase at that time.
The Sawamish/T’Peeksin lived on Totten Inlet. The Squi’Aitl lived on Eld Inlet, which Peter Puget called “the Friendly Inlet.” This region saw the Hudson’s Bay Company and Puget Sound Agricultural Company. The book describes the Lushootseed Peoples, their culture, and traditions. In the book, you will also read about John Slocum and the Indian Shaker Movement. Recently, the Squaxin Island Tribe has flourished with a cultural Renaissance and economic rejuvenation.
The Griffin/Steamboat community has grown from a rural area to a vibrant suburban community. Read about the Mud Bay Logging Company, country inns, a local moonshine still, Effie LeRoy’s infamous establishment, and local dance halls. Griffin School has grown into one of the premier schools in the county. Prosperity Grange remains an important institution.
William McLane, William Puffer, Benjamin Franklin Cross, Kettle Labatum, Mud Bay Louie Yowaluck, James Tobin, Konrad Schneider, and Swan Solbeck are just a few of the individuals who contributed to the history of this area and whose stories are recounted here.
Copies of this book can be purchased from Browsers Bookshop, Orca Books, and at the Panorama Gift Shop, for $20. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be given to the Olympia Tumwater Foundation.
Don’t Miss This Year’s Community Picnic, June 24th
This Saturday, June 24th, the Griffin Neighborhood Association invites you to join us and your neighbors at our annual Community Picnic. There will be food, music, entertainment for the whole family, raffle prizes, local vendors, and representatives from community groups, local businesses, and first responders.
Community Picnic
Saturday, June 24
12 noon to 4 PM
Prosperity Grange and Tin Cup Golf Driving Range
This year’s picnic will be at the Prosperity Grange and Tin Cup Golf Driving range, from 12 noon to 4 PM. Come and join us for lunch with burgers, hot dogs, and Kona Ice. Larry and Sandy Corbin, of the Lighthouse Alpaca Ranch, will bring some of their herd (did you know alpacas are a member of the camel family?). Magician John London will entertain and musical guests are The Possible Solutions and Cliff Rice.
Admission is free for current and new members of the Griffin Neighborhood Association, and their children. Non-members are $5 per adult/$10 per family. Admission includes picnic lunch.
We will be raffling off more than 30 different gift baskets! Raffle tickets are only $1 or six tickets for $5. A silent auction will feature beautiful hand-turned wooden bowls and a vase, a karaoke party hosted by Twilight Karaoke, and a puppy starter kit.
Stroll the grounds and visit with representatives of local businesses such as Our Community Credit Union, The Nerdy Nana, Lux n’ Lather Soap Company, Endorian Guitarworks, and lots more. Learn more about public safety from the Griffin Fire Department, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington State Patrol.
Could you give us a hand at this year’s picnic? We could use help from 9 AM till the cleanup at the end – any amount of time you can offer is appreciated! Click here to send us an email with your contact information and someone will be back to you, very quickly. Thank you so much, to all who have already volunteered!
Many thanks to some special sponsors of this year’s event. Local residents Bill and Karen Hurley donated a banner to help promote our community picnic. The Steamboat Trading Post made a generous donation of hot dogs and all the fixings. Thank you, too, to Bay Shore Construction for underwriting the cost of the comfort and washing stations.
Annual Meeting January 25 to Focus on “Steamboat Safety”
This year’s Annual Meeting of the Griffin Neighborhood Association will feature two keynote speakers. Newly-elected Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders and Griffin Fire Department Chief Corey Rux will speak on the topic of safety in our community.
The Annual Meeting is also when members of the Griffin Neighborhood Association nominate and vote on Board members. If you are not yet a member or if your membership has lapsed, you may join us online by clicking this link. You may also join at the meeting.
Doors open at 6 PM and light refreshments will be available.
Board elections are at 6:30 PM.
The presentation by Sheriff Sanders and Chief Rux begins at 7 PM.
Annual Meeting
January 25, 6 PM
Griffin Fire Department Headquarters
3707 Steamboat Loop NW, Olympia, WA 98502
Everyone is welcome!
We have vacant positions on our Board. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the Board of the Griffin Neighborhood Association, this Board Member FAQ may answer some questions about what it means to serve on the Board. Any person owning property or residing within the Griffin area is eligible to become a member of the Griffin Neighborhood Association. During the Annual Meeting we will take nominations and elect members to our Board.
At the Annual Meeting, the GNA will be collecting the following items for the St. Christopher’s satellite food bank:
• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, napkins
• Laundry detergent
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss
• Soap, shampoo
• Diapers, baby wipes
• Feminine care products
• Deodorant, lip balm
Please consider a generous contribution to our local satellite of the Thurston County Food Bank.
Do you represent a non-profit organization operating in the Griffin area? If you would like to set up an informational table at our Annual Meeting, contact Becky Reavis at furacres@gmail.com.
For more information about the Griffin Fire Department, see their website at www.griffinfd.org
For more information about the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department, see their website at thurstoncountywa.gov/sheriff
Click here to read the entire blog of the Griffin Neighborhood Association or to post a comment on any individual story.
The opinions expressed on the GriffinNeighbors blog, on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook are in no way intended to represent the opinions of the Griffin Neighborhood Association, its members, or Board.
Looking for the RSS feed for our blog? Here's a link to our feed. Want to learn more about Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication? Here's a link to get you started.