Nisqually Valley Happenings: Community Calendar for April 20

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Thursday, April 20

Family Storytime

Join the Yelm Timberland Library from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Thursday for family storytime. The event includes music, movement, books and activities for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. The library is located at 210 Prairie Park St. NE in Yelm.

Food Bank

The Yelm Community Services food bank, at 624 Crystal Springs St. NW in Yelm, will hold a food giveaway from 1 to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. Clients cannot enter the building and must wait in their vehicles. Staff will have pre-packed carts of food to hand out. To prevent health issues, the usual food sign-in procedures will not take place. Staff will ask the number of people in the family. People who come can only pick up for their own family. Please park in front of the food bank building.

Rainier Elementary Registration

The registration period for kindergartners for the 2023-24 school year at Rainier Elementary School is open. Children must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2023. Parents and guardians can pre-register their future kindergartner online at www.rainier.wednet.edu/domain/60. Click on the registration link to fill in the form. Staff from the school’s office will contact parents to confirm interest in their elementary program and will review the registration process and paperwork. For any further questions, contact Rainier Elementary School at 360-446-4020.

Wednesday, April 26

Community Conversation

Yelm High School will host its third “community conversation” of the year at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. The event will highlight the resources that support the transition from school to work and school to higher education. There will be a resource fair and a panel discussion designed to help students and parents plan for life after public education. Yelm High School is located at 1315 W. Yelm Ave.

Thursday, April 27

Prairie Point Quilters Guild Meeting

The Prairie Point Quilters Guild hosts its meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The meeting takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rainier Senior Center, 108 Michigan St. S. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join the group for its meetings.

Friday, April 28

South Sound Mounted Shooters Competition

The South Sound Mounted Shooters will host a three-day competition at the T90 Ranch in Tenino at 4 p.m. on April 28, 10 a.m. on April 29, and 9:30 a.m. on April 30. Admission is free. The event will also feature over 30 local craft vendors as well as food trucks. T90 Ranch is located at 16641 Old Highway 99 SE in Tenino.

FFA Plant Sale

The Yelm High School FFA program will hold its annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 28 and from 8 a.m. until items have sold out on Saturday, April 29. The high school is located at 1315 Yelm Ave. W. For more information, search “2023 FFA Plant Sale” on Facebook.

Saturday, April 29

Nisqually Valley Home and Garden Show

The Yelm Chamber of Commerce will host the Nisqually Valley Home and Garden Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yelm High School on Saturday, April 29. For more information, visit nisquallyhomeshow.com. The high school is located at 1315 Yelm Ave. W.

Tuesday, May 2

Job Fair and Hiring Event

Yelm Community Schools will hold a job fair and hiring event from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2 at the Yelm Community Center at 301 Second St. SE. The Yelm Career and Technical Education program, in partnership with the Yelm Chamber of Commerce and the city, will bring together employers and training programs to provide job seekers with access to local employers with potential onsite interviews.

Wednesday, May 3

Countdown to Kindergarten

Yelm Middle School will host the district’s annual “Countdown to Kindergarten” event at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3. Kindergarten registration is already open at each elementary school. At the event, people will be able to meet school staff, take a tour of a school bus, talk with school nurses, and complete a scavenger hunt for books and prizes. The middle school is located at 401 Coates Ave. NW.

Thursday, May 4

Star Wars Passport Sticker Stop



On May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day, visit Yelm’s three parks to find hidden Star Wars favorites and learn facts about space. Take a picture with the tiny characters, post the photos to social media and tag the City of Yelm Parks and Recreation department. Yelm City Hall, at 106 Second St. SE, will be open until 5 p.m. for sticker pickup.

Saturday, May 6

Tenino Farmers Market

The Tenino Farmers Market is set to open for its 19th season from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The event is located in Tenino’s downtown historic district on Olympia Street South. Different items like flowers, baskets, vegetable starts, baked goods, farm-fresh produce, USDA meats and more will be available at the farmers market. The market takes place every Saturday through Sept. 30. The market has the following theme days scheduled: May 13 will be a Mother’s Day event, June 10 will be the kid’s day market, June 17 will be the Father’s Day market, July 8 will be the city’s 150th Jubilee celebration, July 22 will celebrate Oregon Trail Days, Aug. 5 will honor National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 19 will be garlic day, and Sept. 30 will conclude the season during pumpkin day.

Wednesday, May 10

5K Run and Walk

The Learners without Limits program of Yelm Community Schools will host a 5K run and walk at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10. The fundraiser helps support free school supplies, clothing, hygiene products, coats and blankets at Yelm Community Schools for families in need. The event will start at Yelm City Park.

Saturday, May 13

Rotary Club Anniversary

The Rotary Club of Yelm will celebrate its 13th anniversary at the Yelm Community Center at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. The event will begin with a social, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets need to be purchased in advance online at rotary-club-of-yelm.square.site and space is limited. The Yelm Community Center is located at 301 Second St. SE.

Monday, May 22

Paint Night

Join local artist and creativity coach Michelle Osborne as she guides guests who will create their own unique wildflower painting. The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 22. It will be held at the Yelm Community Center at 301 Second St. SE in Yelm. Tickets are $17 each. The event is for people who are 12 years old and up.

Thursday, May 25

Pollinator Palooza Honey Tasting

A honey tasting event will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, during the “Pollinator Palooza” event. It will be held at the Yelm Community Center at 301 Second St. SE in Yelm. Registration costs $10 per person. To register, go to the Yelm Park and Recreation’s Facebook event posting. 

Saturday, May 27

Yelm Farmers Market

The Yelm Farmers Market will open for the season on Saturday, May 27. The market will be held at a new location in front of the Yelm Police Station, which is on McKenzie Street. The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday until Sept. 30.

Tuesday, June 6

Community Scholarship Night

Yelm High School will host its Community Scholarship Night at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Local scholarship providers will present their awards to seniors and military recruiters will be present to recognize those heading into one of the branches of the armed services. Yelm High School is located at 1315 W. Yelm Ave.

Thursday, June 8

Awards Night

Yelm Community Schools will host its awards night at Yelm High School during a scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. Several organizations will be honored alongside the district’s retirees and staff who have reached milestones for years of service. Each school’s top achieving students will also be recognized.  Yelm High School is located at 1315 W. Yelm Ave.

Sunday, June 11

Yelm Graduation

The graduating class of 2023 of Yelm High School will receive their diplomas at the Tacoma Dome at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 11. The Tacoma Dome is located at 2727 E. D St. in Tacoma.