Freelance multimedia reporter with a versatile skill set of writing and photographing for both digital and print-based publications.
The Powerlifting Athletes at Olympia High School Break State Records, Take Home Titles
The Olympia High School (OHS) powerlifting program recently wrapped the season with a successful showing at the state competition and with multiple athletes breaking state records. Powerlifting at OHS has experienced significant growth within the first few years of the program, with over 30 student athletes on the team this season.
In the Gutter at Olympia Little Theater
"In the Gutter" at Olympia Little Theatre is set to charm the audience with laughs, mayhem and elements of classic film noir.
Black Art and Black Artists Exhibition at The Gallery at Tacoma Community College
Black Art & Black Artists Exhibition - featuring 14 artists from our region, the exhibition showcases works across mediums, exploring themes like historical education, healing and representation. It explores themes of Black culture, identity and society. At Tacoma Community College's gallery through March 17, 2023.
by Molly Walsh
A Closer Look at Some of the Olympia Nonprofits Participating in Spring Arts Walk
Through participation in the spring Arts Walk, many Olympia nonprofits are opening their doors for attendees to explore unique exhibitions, displays and interactive activities.
A Weaver’s Voice at the SPSCC Leonor R. Fuller Gallery
“A Weaver’s Voice,” an exhibition of Native American art within the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College is a celebration of wool weaving within Coast Salish communities. Through the art of weaving, fibers are intertwined and unique patterns begin to form on the loom. A...
The Washington Center Celebrates a New Interior and Equipment After a Multi-Phase Renovation Project
The interior of the Washington Center for Performing Arts has a new look. With the help of community support, an extensive theater renovation project is now complete. In addition to cosmetic upgrades to the lobby, main staircase and other community spaces, the Washington Center was also able to increase seating capacity and replace decades-old stage equipment over the course of the renovation.
Jil...
Review: Jerome Bixby’s “The Man from Earth” Tackles Life, Love and Philosophy at Olympia Little Theatre
Science fiction writer Jerome Bixby’s "The Man from Earth" explores the nature of life, culture, faith, philosophy, and human history through the lens of John Oldman, who has lived countless lifetimes, ten years at a time. Olympia Little Theatre’s production of “The Man from Earth” was originally penned as a screenplay by Bixby.
Take a Day Trip and Explore Wildlife at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Home to many species of bird, mammal, reptile and other wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public for activities like nature walks, bird watching and educational opportunities. Because of its central location in the South Sound region, the refuge is an ideal day trip destination for out-of-town visitors and local residents.
A Proposition to Aid Olympia’s Art and Nonprofit Community
Olympia’s art and nonprofit communities are banding together in support of a new ballot measure that could have a profound effect on art, culture, science and heritage programming within the city. If voted into law, Proposition 1 would increase sales taxes within the City of Olympia by a tenth of a percent to fund a “Cultural Access Program.” Proceeds would directly benefit Olympia’s many art and nonprofit organizations. If it passes, the community could see millions of dollars in increased funding for theaters, museums, art installations, science centers and other community-oriented nonprofit
Olympia Artists Unite to Support Ukraine
At 5 a.m. Eastern European Time, Olympia resident Hanna Ilchenko turned on the news. She couldn’t believe the events unfolding onscreen: Russia had launched a full-scale invasion on her home country of Ukraine. Initially, Ilchenko said the reports emerging of explosions and invading forces were difficult to process. “I couldn’t believe in what’s going on,” she said. “Like, really, it’s happening in (the) 21st century?”
The First Ever Tumwater Falls Fest Gathered Local Artists and the Surrounding Community
On October 1, the inaugural Tumwater Falls Fest kicked off in the heart of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. Overlooking the Deschutes River, the festival highlighted Tumwater Falls as a local landmark, while also gathering the regional art and maker community. Under the shade of both evergreens and leaves turning to autumnal shades, a cloudless sky allowed for plenty of family fun, including musical performances, crafting projects, face painting, food trucks and a variety of art and craft vendors.
Brigid Shea: A career spent combating the climate crisis
In the summer of 1988, Brigid Shea unfolded a copy of The New York Times and read a front-page story that changed the trajectory of her life, about a NASA scientist who had testified to Congress about the life-threatening consequences of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The article helped fuel a three-decade career dedicated to combating the climate crisis and preparing communities for a changing world.
Over the decades, Shea has worn many hats as a reporter, consultant, Austin...
The 2022 Peacemaker Award Celebrates the Life of Jose Gutierrez Jr.
Because of his impact on the local community and his commitment toward conflict resolution, Jose Salvador Gutierrez Jr. was posthumously selected as a recipient for the 2022 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award, from the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County. Although Gutierrez passed away from COVID-19 complications in November 2021, his life and his work will continue to have a lasting impact across the South Puget Sound region.
Gutierrez had a slogan to live by: “Winners tr...
Family Fun and Games for Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre as Plans for Theater Building Unveiled at Community Event
In the heart of Tenino, community members and supporters of local art gathered on the second Saturday in September to celebrate the past, present and future of the Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre (TYT). At the New Theater Reveal Party and Fundraiser, current and former TYT cast members performed hit show tunes and scenes from past Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre shows, including excerpts from their recent production, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
County looks to expand its HUB program
Over the past four years, Stephen Blake, a partner at North Park Consulting, has served as a Travis County contractor, helping county agencies to function more efficiently. His work with the county began through the Travis County Historically Underutilized Business, or HUB, program.
As the co-owner of a certified women- and African-American-owned business, a particular selling point for Blake was the county’s efforts to meet the needs of women- and minority-owned businesses. He approved of th...