Ruthann Howell, who led Wellspring Family Services of Seattle/King County through a long period of growth and successful capital project fundraising, is the new executive director of The Zoo Society. She began her new duties at the nonprofit fundraising partner of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on April 1. The Zoo Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit […]

A new addition to Tacoma’s Eastside neighborhood has been stirring up a lot of excitement. On Oct. 20, Metro Parks Tacoma welcomed the community to the newly constructed Eastside Community Center. Within the first month, more than 2,200 people became pass holders to access the 55,000-square-foot facility. The center includes a multiuse gymnasium, sound recording […]

Situated on the picturesque Commencement Bay waterfront, Point Ruston is the perfect place for a day of pampering for your mom, your girlfriends or just yourself. Whether you have a special day to celebrate or just need a day to kick back and relax, you’ll find everything you could need nestled together in this growing […]

In today’s world, where the price of a bachelor’s degree can rival that of a single-family home, having a 529 college savings plan can offer young parents peace of mind. It’s easy to enroll, either on your own or through a financial adviser, and once you’re signed up you can set up automatic contributions to […]

If you listen carefully you can almost hear the flowers opening on the life-size glass trees by Debora Moore that recently debuted at the Tacoma Art Museum. Commissioned last January for the opening of the new Benaroya Wing, these majestic art pieces are a fitting representation of the museum’s new and bold expansion embracing the […]

The Christmas in the Forest Gala Dinner and Auction drew 300 attendees. Guests enjoyed the auctioneer John Curley, who is the co-host of the Tom and Curley Show on KIRO radio and former host of KING 5’s Evening Magazine. More than $280,000 was raised during the Funda-Need portion of the gala, benefiting Providence hospice services. […]

More than 600 alumni and friends attended the St. Martin’s Gala featuring chef Roy Yamaguchi, known throughout the world for his beautiful restaurants. Throughout the evening, chef Roy offered culinary demonstrations of the five-course gourmet dinner at the stage kitchen. The menu included hamachi crudo with yuzu kosho aioli and white balsamic prawn burrata crostini; […]

From a young age, Manfred Scharmach learned about work ethic and building a business from his father, Werner. “I started out playing around the repair shop on Saturdays,” recalled Scharmach. “As I got older, he put me to work with a broom and later washing cars.” The elder Scharmach, who was reported to be the […]

For almost 50 years, Desco Audio and Video has been a one-stop shop for high-performance audio and video. Based in Olympia and serving Tacoma, Gig Harbor and surrounding areas, DescoAV provides custom home entertainment and smart home solutions. DescoAV is a second-generation family-owned business. In 1969, two friends, Dick Scott and Gene DeRousie, discovered a […]

What began as bringing kids to matinee performances at Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center turned into a program dedicated to children engaging in art, called Arts 4 Youth. “School-day matinées for students are quite common in performing arts centers,” says Kate Dorr, arts education coordinator for PAEC. “So it was a natural fit. […]

Philanthropy isn’t as simple as monetary donations. At the core of philanthropic acts is a desire to improve the human condition—to make the world a better place. In Thurston and Mason counties, you need look no further than Olympia Federal Savings to find a local business with a philanthropic heart. Oly Fed, as the financial […]

Summer Splash guests mixed and mingled throughout the night at the Hands On Children’s Museum. They enjoyed signature cocktails and gourmet bites while bidding on exceptional silent auction packages. They played like a kid again inside the museum, silk-screening koozies and T-shirts, tasting liquid nitrogen ice cream, and capturing memories in the photo booth. And […]

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts had a record 232 guests for its third annual Center Stage Awards & Gala. Guests enjoyed a staged street-side cocktail hour with live music in anticipation of the big reveal inside the Main Stage. One of the many highlights of the evening were the awards for Excellence in […]

In today’s world, where the price of a bachelor’s degree can rival that of a single-family home, having a 529 college savings plan can offer young parents peace of mind. It’s easy to enroll, either on your own or through a financial advisor, and once you’re signed up you can set up automatic contributions to […]

A new way to celebrate the holidays is gliding into Thurston County this winter. Oly on Ice will open on Friday, November 16 in downtown Olympia at Isthmus Park. The entire family can come out to enjoy ice skating at Olympia’s first-ever seasonal ice rink. Skaters of all ages will enjoy the warm glow of […]

As the holiday season gets under way, families are often looking for fun experiences that can become annual traditions. Going to see The Tacoma City Ballet perform The Nutcracker & The Tale of The Hard Nut can be a great way to build enthusiasm for the holidays, while also introducing children to the joys of a live […]

Strolling along Fifth Avenue in downtown Olympia, you come upon a unique sight: a magnolia tree nestled within a beautiful, airy atrium inside a building. This 1875 building has a storied history. It was once home to a mercantile store, followed by numerous nightclubs. And it has a distinct claim to fame from the more […]

Arguably one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements, Michelangelo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome are timeless masterpieces. Whether you have seen them in person or not, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition will allow you to immerse yourself in the art from a new perspective in an innovative and unique way. The […]

The Olympia Brewery may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of banking, but O Bee Credit Union wants to change that. A leader in providing innovative financial solutions for more than 60 years, O Bee announced the opening of its newest branch, a unique blend of brewpub and financial […]

With an identity unrivaled by any other city in the region, Olympia is growing as a place of economic, social and development opportunity. Joining this vibrant community is Percival Condominiums, a seven-story development built with its residents—and Olympia’s character—in mind. Percival Condominiums will be downtown Olympia’s first upscale condominium community. Located in the heart of […]