Upcoming Events
Local residents: Join Nextdoor to see GNA events, plus many more goings-on here in our neighborhood!
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U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland is facing four opponents: Republican Keith R. Swank of Puyallup, Republican Dan Earnest Gordon of Lakewood, Democrat Eric Mahaffy of Olympia, and Richard Boyce of Lakewood, who listed his party affiliation as Congress Sucks.Two people are running for the state 35th Legislative District seat being vacated by Tim Sheldon. Drew MacEwen, a Republican who is currently a representative for the district, wll be running against Democrat Julianne Gale of Shelton.
MacEwen’s vacant seat drew four candidates: Democrat Sandy Kaiser of Shelton, and Republicans Tiffany Sevruk of Olympia, Travis Couture of Allyn, and Patti Case of Union.
Challenger Derek Sanders filed to replace long-time incumbent John Snaza, who is seeking re-election as Sheriff. Both are running as independents.
District 3 County Commissioner Tye Menser of Olympia will face one challenger, Republican candidate Vivian Kay Eason of Tumwater.
In the race for county clerk, incumbent Linda Enlow, a Democrat, will face fellow Democrat Tonya Moore.
Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman, a Lacey Democrat, is running for re-election against Jeff Curry, an Olympia candidate with no party preference.
Assessor Steven Drew will face Kave Kolar, an independent.
Auditor Mary Hall, an Olympia Democrat, will face Sal Militello, a Lacey Republican.
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Challengers flock to Thurston County’s 2022 fall election ballot
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Only five races in the county are unopposed in the August primary.- Likes: 0
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Cinemark (the Capital Mall Cinemas) has announced their Summer Movie Clubhouse, for families. 8 weeks of family-friendly movies for $1.50 a ticket. June 15 - August 3. For more details and to buy tickets online, see their web page at www.cinemark.com/series-events-info-pages/summer-movie-clubhouse ... See MoreSee Less

Summer Movie Clubhouse is back at Cinemark!
www.cinemark.com
Summer Movie Clubhouse is back at Cinemark with 8 weeks of kid-approved movies!Everything Everywhere All At Once | Official Trailer HD | A24 ... See MoreSee Less

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and there's no better time to prepare for wildland fires than right now. Studies show that as many as 80% of homes lost to wildfire may have been saved if defensible space were created around the structures.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources' Firewise USA Program is here to provide you and your family, friends, and neighbors with information about how to prevent, plan, and prepare for wildfires on your property and in your community, including detailed guides on creating defensible space.
Stay tuned for more posts this month about outdoor burning rules and wildfire preparedness for farmers and ranchers with livestock. For further emergency preparedness resources, including fire and extreme heat, check out our website: www.thurstoncd.com/education/resources/emergency-preparedness-resources/
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The month of June has three “state parks free days,” more than any other month. On June 11 for National Get Outdoors Day, June 12 for Free Fishing Day and June 19 for Juneteenth, you can access all Washington State Parks without paying an entry fee.www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article261563717.html
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June has 3 free days at Washington State Parks. Where should you go?
www.theolympian.com
When it’s not a free day, visiting a state park costs $10 for a one-day pass.
Timeline photosSince its arrival in Washington state two weeks ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now hit nine flocks in seven counties – all in backyard flocks. Tests confirmed the latest case in Thurston County yesterday, May 17. There are currently no human cases of avian influenza in Washington State and the risk to public health is low. Read more👉http://ow.ly/5Ng050Jbs4a
Report sick/dead domestic birds to Washington State Department of Agriculture's Avian Health Program: 1-800-606-3056
Report sick/dead wild birds to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife: ow.ly/6OEV50Jbs4c
Bird hunters should follow standard safety steps to avoid potential exposure to avian influenza and other viruses or bacteria.
Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Avian Health Program website for information on how to best protect your flock: ow.ly/p4p050Jbs60
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PROJECT PROM is in full swing! This is a perfect time to clean closets and bring your formal wear to Capital High School. Accepting donations until June 3rd.Olympia School District
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Shop, Savor, Support: Mark Your Calendars for All Kids Win Fundraiser on May 25 - ThurstonTalk ... See MoreSee Less

Shop, Savor, Support: Mark Your Calendars for All Kids Win Fundraiser on May 25 - ThurstonTalk
www.thurstontalk.com
Local nonprofit All Kids Win, formerly known as Homeless Backpacks, is putting on their second-ever Shop, Savor, Support, All Kids Win fundraiser in collaboration with local businesses on May 25. On this day, a portion of profits from the 10 participating businesses will benefit All Kids Win, which....... See MoreSee Less
Photos from Feline Friends of Olympia WA's post ... See MoreSee Less
We still have seats available for this Friday! Bonus, it's karaoke night!! Come join us for some DIY and music fun. Registration closes Thursday afternoon.
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Who'd like to taste some local wines? Sovereign Cellars is announcing their Spring Wine Tasting Event, Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26. 1 PM to 5 PM on both days.Hors d'oeuvres and a chance to sample their award-winning 2019 red wines.
Every one of these 2019 varieties won an award at the 2022 Seattle Wine Awards!
7408 Manzanita Drive NW, Olympia WA 98502
(360) 866-7991
Dennis Gross, winemaker
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Now on Twitter
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.
Garage Sale on June 4 to Benefit Griffin Neighborhood Association
On Saturday, June 4 the Griffin Neighborhood Association will hold a garage sale at Companion Cove. All proceeds will go towards this year’s GNA events.
Saturday, June 4
10 AM to 3 PM
Companion Cove
6644 Sexton Dr NW, Olympia, WA 98502
Each year the GNA organizes or works with other organizations to organize a variety of events here on the Steamboat Peninsula. Among these are community meetings, holiday events, a summer picnic, and more. Come and see what treasures you might find at our garage sale and your purchase will help us to host upcoming events.
Griffin School Invites Parents and Children to the Kindergarten Round Up
The Griffin School invites parents and their soon-to-be-in-kindergarten children to a special event on May 11th and May 12th. Also, kindergarten registration is now open on the school’s website.
Wednesday, May 11
2:45 to 3:45 PM
Thursday, May 12
5:30 to 6:30 PM
Griffin School reminds parents to “register your child for kindergarten as soon as you can.” Registration is online at www.griffinschool.us.
If you have questions, email the school at kindergarten@griffinschool.us.
Upcoming Plant Sales to Benefit Feline Friends
In a welcome sign of the return to some semblance of normalcy, local resident Diane Jacob of Cameron Gardens has announced an upcoming series of plant sales for the benefit of Feline Friends.
These sales feature perennials, a few dahlias, herbs, some vegetables, and a large variety of unusual plants at great prices. Your support will be helping dedicated organizations in Thurston and Mason Counties in the never-ending quest to find homes for and spay and neuter all pets to save hundreds of lives every year. Please pass the word about these events.
Feline Friends Plant Sale
Saturday, April 30th
9 AM to 2 PM
Griffin School
6530 33rd Ave, Olympia, just off Hwy 101 at Steamboat Island Road exit
Adopt-A-Pet Plant Sale
Saturday, May 7th
9 AM to 3 PM
Our Community Credit Union parking lot, 2948 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton
These plants are supplied by Cameron Gardens and many other local gardeners. Many thanks to Diane Jacob and all the volunteers who make these plant sales so successful, year after year!
“Steamboat Neighborhood” Stickers Available Again
Thanks to generous contributions from three local businesses, the Griffin Neighborhood Association is once again able to distribute the iconic, oval “Steamboat Neighborhood” stickers free to area residents. Soon you will be able to pick up your sticker at businesses such as Companion Cove, the Island Market, Steamboat Island Coffee Shop, Urraco Coffee Company, Tipsy Whale, Our Community Credit Union (Steamboat Peninsula branch), the Griffin Fire Department Headquarters, and more.
These stickers are provided at no cost to the Association because of the support from these local businesses:
At OCCU you’ll find a variety of financial services including checking and savings accounts, personal loans, auto and RV loans, home improvement and land loans, financial education, online banking services, and more. Find out why OCCU says, “We’re community strong since 1941.”
Missy Watts, Realtor®, of Watts Property Group
When it comes to your real estate needs, the most important decision you will make is which broker to choose. Local resident Missy Watts has received the prestigious “Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)” designation, which only 5% of all Realtors have obtained. She has a deep familiarity with this region and she heads up an experienced and aggressive team of real estate experts.
“Having a broker in your corner who understands the area ensures that you will love where you live.”
Steamboat Tennis and Athletic Club
With the recent announcement that they’ll be opening a new fitness facility, STAC truly has become “your one-stop health and fitness solution.” They already offer a wide range of adult and junior tennis classes, private and group tennis lessons, and tennis events. Their new fitness facility will feature a training floor with strength and aerobic equipment, an indoor saltwater pool with 3 lanes for lap swimming, group fitness classes including yoga and spin, personal training, and much more.
Our Steamboat Neighborhood stickers have been seen on cars, trucks, boats, laptops. . . you name it. We’ve heard of area residents “finding” one another by spotting these stickers while traveling out of state.
Over the next week or so, GNA volunteers will be working to deliver supplies of these stickers to local businesses. Get your sticker while you support the businesses operating here in our neighborhood.
Read more about the history of the distinctive Steamboat Neighborhood sticker on our website.
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, it's members or Board.
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