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…

Tristate Roofing: We Got You Covered!

Tristate Roofing is more than just a roofing company. With four locations in the Puget Sound, Tristate Roofing also offers windows, siding, gutters, doors and — just recently added — patio covers to their inclusive array of exterior home specialties. Started more than two decades ago by owner John Holum, Tristate Roofing believes strongly in…

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 22 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…

Olympia Film Society

A Year of Celebration for a Happy 100th Anniversary “Lots of exciting things are happening in2024,” announces Anna White, Marketing Director for OFS, Olympia Film Society.It’s a year of celebration in recognition of the Capitol Theater building’s 100th year. The landmark in downtown Olympia was designed by architect Joseph Wohleb and built in 1924. If…

A Weekend in Gig Harbor

First settled in 1867, Gig Harbor began as a small fishing village that blossomed into one of the most beautiful small towns in America. Gig Harbor is both the name of the gorgeous bay and the city of just under 12,000 people that sits on that bay. It’s so gorgeous, Sunset Magazine recently named it…

Downtown Olympia’s Press Building: The Owl’s Nest & Olympia Hair Company. . .and More!

The revitalization of downtown Olympia is evident in the Press Building (the orange one). The Owl’s Nest and Olympia Hair Company face along Capitol Way North. These women-owned businesses are pleased to invite you to stop in their renovated spaces. They are enthusiastic about creating satisfying experiences for their customers. The Owl’s Nest The Owl’s…

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 29 locations in the Puget Sound—has customer…

Salt Hair Lounge Offers Beauty Services in a Sustainable Way

When you meet Katie, owner of Salt Hair Lounge, you know why this salon has quickly become a local favorite. Katie is a military wife and a mother of two and she exudes a sweet, savvy character and a love for her guests. She wants to make each guest’s experience at Salt Hair Lounge in…

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…