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 Puts Relationships Above the Bottom Line
The last three years have been anything but predictable. With the onset of the pandemic and all that’s transpired, both our everyday life and economy have been deeply impacted. Now more than ever, it’s critical to have a trusted partner you can turn to for expert financial advice, insightful support, and helpful resources. A mutual…
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…
Lott Clean Water Alliance
Serving Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County Water is a priceless resource. Treating wastewater might not be on the top of your ‘Things to Know About List,’ though Puget Sound area residents are surrounded by its benefit of clean water. Fortunately, LOTT upholds its mission to preserve and protect public health and the environment by…
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…
Cabinets by Trivonna – Tailored to YOUR Budget
The owners of Cabinets by Trivonna, Amber and Rick Bevacqua, and their team enjoy getting to know their clients and how they use their space. Their goal is to design a space that’s not only beautiful but as functional as possible for their specific needs while keeping their budget in mind. They start by scheduling…
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…
Holy Lamb Organics: Natural Bedding Made Locally
Holy Lamb Organics has been making natural bedding products locally by hand in the small town of Oakville, Washington for 24 years. The South Sound community can access a “touch and feel” experience in Olympia. The company’s retail showrooms are the only all-natural bedding stores between Seattle and Portland, according to owners Jason and Mindy…
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…
Capitol City Honda: Community-Centered 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 General 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…
Brewery City Pizza: Locally Sourced & Lovingly Made
Brewery City Pizza (BCP) has been ‘doughing it right for 40 years!’ “Pizza is community,” says Bob Ramaker, Regional Manager. Pizza is a favorite for family gatherings, sporting events, celebrations, graduations and fun. Find BCP restaurants in Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey. “We feel connected to the community,” adds Ramaker. BCP’s new program supports local non-profits…
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…
South Sound Reading Foundation: The Lasting Power of Reading
The joy of reading and its immeasurable benefits drive the mission of the South Sound Reading Foundation. The seemingly simple act of reading to your children 20 minutes a day literally changes the trajectory of their lives. There’s improved brain health, family bonding, and school readiness. The South Sound Reading Foundation is a comprehensive resource…
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates’ Foot and Ankle Center Welcomes Dr. Amy Winter
Amy Winter, DPM, recently joined the team of Foot and Ankle Specialists at Olympia Orthopaedic Associates. She is a board certified foot surgeon by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ABFAS) who specializes in treating foot conditions with a conservative, non-operative approach.Exercise is Dr. Winter’s number one recommendation for proper foot care. By…
Find Your Place – Find Your Y
Is your family looking for a place to stay healthy and meet new people? Look no further than the South Sound YMCA. As the largest provider of youth programs in the South Sound, the YMCA believes ALL kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Whether it’s through childcare…
Warm-Weather Wellness Tips for Seniors
Warmer weather often awakens a desire to get outside and be active. But seniors who have a higher sensitivity to heat need to use caution when making plans in the sun. Put on Your Walking Shoes Walking is an excellent physical activity. And doing so in a park or forest is a great way to…