Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the New Neighbors Guide!
On behalf of the local community, we welcome you to Thurston County. Whether you’re here temporarily or plan to make this a permanent home, we know you’re going to love our region. With our natural beauty, lakes, streams and forested trails, this is the perfect location for outdoor fun. With some of the best coffee in the world and a vibrant food and entertainment scene, Thurston County has something for everyone.
Let’s face it, moving to a new city can be costly and time-consuming—but it’s also exciting! This guide is written by a mix of perspectives from native Thurston Countians to people who moved here from out of the area. Our group reminisced about what we wish people had told us when we first moved here.
This resource guide offers tips and reminders to get you settled and to get the nuts and bolts of your new home well underway. This resource will also help you get connected to your local community, schools and health care, and help you put down “roots” in your daily life here. From great ideas for your home and events to engage in the community, we have you covered.
As we put together this issue, we look forward to providing you with information and education about all the “best things” in Thurston County and we hope to give you a sense of place where you belong and can engage and feel connected. We welcome you, our “new neighbor,” to Thurston County.
Kindest regards,
Robin Lucas, Publisher
This Issue’s Content
New to Thurston County?
Here’s What You Need to Know There is always so much to do when you move. This checklist will help you to quickly navigate a few important, but often dreaded, tasks related to relocating. Update your Drivers License If you have a valid Washington driver license, you have ten days after you move to change…
Living in Thurston County
Thurston County is centrally located to some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Any day of the week, you can embark on a new adventure. Visit spectacular mountains, like Mount Rainier, one of the most glaciated mountain peaks in the continental US, or Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the…
OlyFed School Debit Card Program is A Huge hit!
Around our region, students, staff, families and alumni will have a new way to wear their school pride with OlyFed’s new Affinity Card Program. These custom designed cards feature the local high schools in Thurston and Mason counties and also include Saint Martin’s University and South Puget Sound Community College. Every time the cards are…
Enrolling in School in Thurston County
Parents have more options than ever before in choosing an academic environment that best fits the needs of their student. In Thurston County, there are 60 public primary schools, 17 public high schools, and 19 private schools that are approved by the Board of Education. Eight school districts provide primary and secondary education to the…
Giving Back in Thurston County
A great way to quickly learn about your new community and meet new friends is to get involved with a nonprofit organization. Every community offers numerous opportunities to support these worthwhile causes. Finding organizations that are meaningful to you will make the experience most rewarding. These four questions can help you find your perfect nonprofit…
Cabinets by Trivonna Evolves into Maple + Marble
It’s the same team with an expanded vision. With careful strategic planning, Cabinets by Trivonna owners Amber and Rick Bevacqua have expanded their business to offer their current and future customers more comprehensive services. To reflect this evolution, the new name is Maple + Marble. “We have a contracting license to be more helpful with…
Getting Settled into a New Home
After the last box is moved into your new home, you might think the hardest part of moving is over. And you’re right, but there are still things to take care of before you can relax completely. Get Your Utilities Set Up You don’t want to arrive at your new place late at night and…
Making Your House a Home
Tips to transform a house into a home with decor and furniture from the heart Design tips provided by Sage Interiors in Tacoma Your entry is the initial introduction to your home and sets the stage for you and your guests. Place a cozy rug or floor mat inside the door to define the entry…
Capital Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric: Proudly Delivering Comfort to Its Customers
Since 1937, Capital Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has been caring for customers in the South Sound. For three generations, the family-owned business has remained customer-focused and community driven. Today the business is owned and operated by the Schmidtke brothers, Bill, Chuck and Dean. The company was formed by their grandfather, Bill Schmidtke, who started…
Panowicz Jewelers: Three Generations of Serving the Local Community
Panowicz Jewelers has passed to its third generation of ownership in the family: Leslie Panowicz, granddaughter of late founder Anton Panowicz, Sr., is now the owner. After seven decades, Panowicz Jewelers still holds true to its founding of a legacy of quality, integrity and value. “As a store we genuinely care about our customers,” shared…
Sound and Vision Living: Elevate Your Home Environment
When you are exploring the delights of historic downtown Olympia, be sure to step through the door at Sound and Vision Living. In a relatively small space, you will find an abundant choice of interesting and thoughtful home décor pieces. It’s fun to look at everything. Owners Dan and Nicole Durden are typically on hand…
Capitol City Honda: Community Centered in Its Second Generation of Service
“We focus on customer service. We always have,” says Kelly Levesque, owner of Olympia’s Capitol City Honda. She and her husband Chris, who is the Dealer Manager, work hand-in-hand in the business that has been in the family for 50 years. “It’s a small town,” notes Kelly. Repeat business is essential. To better serve new…
Local Dining Favorites
Thurston County is home to some of the best places to dine and enjoy a meal with loved ones. Below is a list of some of our favorite establishments that you should try, now that you call Thurston County home. Brewery City Pizza West Olympia, Lacey & TumwaterIn West Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater offering hand-crafted…
1889 PRIME Steakhouse – A Local Favorite
A fine dining experience awaits you at 1889 Prime Steakhouse in the heart of downtown Olympia. The modern yet intimate atmosphere utilizes large picture windows for views onto Capitol Lake and the Capitol dome. The ambiance pairs well with a thoughtfully-created menu. “We always keep an eye toward customer service,” says Drew MacEwen, Managing Partner.…
A Taste of Gig Harbor
Explore Gig Harbor’s creative culinary scene with a sampler of stops around the harbor, Uptown and historic Millville. Millville Pizza Co. Croatian settlers plotted Millville, just west of the Gig Harbor sawmill, in 1888. Tradition lives on at cozy Millville Pizza where the pies are named after fishing boats, and the wood-fired oven glows all…
Health & Wellness Close to Home
Moving to a new community means finding new healthcare providers for you and your family. Thurston County offers a wide variety of independent health practitioners and large healthcare systems to meet the needs of every member of your household. You’ll find high quality services, which rival larger communities, conveniently close to your new home. Thurston…
Service and Convenience at the Heart of Light Dental Studios
We can all agree on the qualities for the ideal dental provider: round-the-clock service, free consultations, same-day appointments, entire-family bookings, empathetic service and affordable care. It’s nearly impossible to find a full combination of such attributes. But then there’s Light Dental Studios. Based in Puyallup, the dentist-owned company—with 30 locations in the Puget Sound—has customer…
Find Your Community. Find Your Y.
Looking for a place where you can feel your best, connect with others, and make a real impact in your community? Welcome to the South Sound YMCA – where wellness meets purpose, and everyone belongs. At the Y, we’re all about strengthening communities by helping people discover their potential, build meaningful connections, and live healthier,…
Complete Hearing & Balance: A Personalized Approach
According to Dr. Alison Vega, owner of Complete Hearing & Balance in the Olympia, “Hearing loss can’t be seen, so many healthcare people glance over it and say ‘Oh, you seem just fine’.” But Dr. Vega and her team of audiologists and specialized care providers at their three locations understand this is when they really…
Northwest Winter Safety Tips for Seniors
During the winter months, slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses, especially for seniors. The following tips will help prevent common cold-weather dangers faced by the elderly population. Avoid slipping on ice. Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall. These falls often cause…