Nov. 30, Mon., 6:30 pm: Saint Martin’s University will host information sessions on the Secondary Teacher Alternate Route (STAR) Program at the University’s Norman Worthington Conference Center in Lacey. Saint Martin’s STAR Program provides working professionals with an intensive alternative route to becoming a secondary school teacher in Washington state. The STAR program is designed for individuals who already have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and have one year of professionally oriented work experience. Further information regarding the STAR Program is available from the College of Education at (360) 438-4333 or from Ann Gentle, Ph.D. at (360) 438-4566 or agentle@stmartin.edu

Dec. 2, Wed.: Your December 2009 issue of the FTE News Magazine will be available online today, with delivery beginning in Lacey, West Olympia, and Tumwater on Wednesday; Thursday in Olympia. Due to changes in Postal Regulations and increased postal costs plus saving the environment, the FTE News Magazine will no longer be mailed to all state offices. Please inform your co-workers to view current issues online 24/7 at www.ftemag.com

Dec. 3, Thur., 1:00 to 5:00 PM: Clarus Optical Holiday Trunk Show featuring frames by Fendi, Coach, Michael Kors, Nike, Jil Sander at 345 College Street in Lacey; (360) 923-4333. Gift certificates are available.

Dec. 4, Fri., 5:30 to 8:00 pm: The Holiday Tree will be in the Capitol Rotunda for the annual lighting ceremony. Those taking part in the traditional lighting include: Kids in Koncert from the Capital Playhouse, The Association of Washington Business, Toy Industry Foundation, the Governor’s Office and bearded visitor from the North Pole

Dec. 5, Sat., 9am-5pm: Homeowners assistance and foreclosure intervention workshops, at Cleveland High School (5511 15th Ave. S.). In spite of the many programs and workshops, foreclosures continue to be a huge problem for homeowners throughout our state. Many may be facing foreclosure and not know where to turn for help. A dedicated group of volunteers, lenders, lawyers and counselors have been working to provide assistance and foreclosure intervention workshops

Dec. 5, Sat., 12-4: Annual Olympia Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. Join us for our annual peek inside several of Olympia's historic homes. Tickets available the week of November 23: $15 each, includes dessert from Chica's Cafe. Bigelow House open 11-4. Homes to be toured include:

1825 S. Water St. - The Eugley House, 1628 S. Water St. - The Dufault House, 401 SW 17th Ave. - The Janet Moore House, 215 NW 19th Ave. - The Baude House, 211 W. 21st Ave - The Lord Mansion, and 918 E. Glass - Bigelow House. A portion of this year's ticket sales will be donated to the Save Outdoor School – Olympia Kids, which is raising money to keep the Cispus Learning Center open for students.

Dec. 5, Sat.: Noon - 4:00 pm: Every Saturday before Christmas, the Olympia Downtown Parking Business Improvement Area -PBIA, has expanded their Holiday schedule yo include:

- Visits & photo with Santa at Studio Four 18 with Cortney Kelley, 418 Washington Street

- Free Electric Trolley rides throughout downtown

- Carolers and performances in the downtown core

Dec. 5, Sat., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Explore hassle-free merry making at "Taste the Holiday Spirit" hosted by Bayview Thriftway. This is a free, storewide food and beverage event with big giveaways including a 26" Schwinn bicycle and a 3 foot Dilettante Chocolate Santa valued at over $400. Only Taste of Holiday attendees will be eligible for drawing. Winner will be announced at 4 p.m. and need not be present to win. Spice up your holidays with "party pantry" recipes requiring little time and effort to entertain with nutcracker sweets, cheese "boughs" or holiday dips with gourmet seasonings. Bayview School of Cooking assistants and staff will be offering plenty of ideas to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. Bayview Thriftway is located at 516 West 4th Ave. in downtown Olympia. For more information on other activities and classes offered by Bayview School of Cooking, call the school at 360.754.1448, go to www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph's Thriftway to pick up the newly released winter brochure.

Dec. 6, Sun., 1p.m. to 4 p.m. : Olympia Flight Museum Welcomes Santa - Santa will make his grand arrival to the Olympic Flight Museum by way of helicopter at This 10th annual celebration will feature the festive music of the Tumwater High School Band along with dance performances by Debbi’s Dance Troup. Pictures with Santa are available for $10.00. Admission is $5.00 per person, children 6 and under are free. Admission is half price with photo purchase. The Olympic Flight Museum is located at the Olympia Regional Airport, 7637-A Old Hwy 99 SE. For more information, call (360) 705-3925 or check our website at www.olympicflightmuseum.com

Dec. 6, Sun., 5:30 pm: The Saint Martin's University Chorale, in collaboration with the Office of Campus Ministry and the Office of International Programs and Development, will usher in the Christmas season with the annual Procession of Carols and Candlelight Mass. This family event, which is free and open to the public, begins in Saint Martin's Old Main building in Lacey. For more information, contact Susan Leyster, Director of Campus Ministry at 360-438-4381 or leysters@stmartin.edu

Dec. 7, Mon.: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (1941)

Dec. 8, Tue., 7:30 am -1:30 pm: The Thurston Economic Development Council Hosts Annual Economic Forecast Conference at the Red Lion Hotel Olympia features William B. Conerly, PhD., a well-known economic consultant in the Pacific Northwest and has become a local favorite over the past several years. He is a frequently-quoted authority in the national media and his research in business and economic issues ranges from e-commerce to strategic planning and public policy. Dr. Conerly will offer informed insights into the findings of the Economic Vitality Index and provide a forecast on national, regional and local economic trends. To register please visit www.thurstonedc.com or contact the EDC office @ 360-754-6320.

Dec. 8, Tue., 9 AM - 4 PM: "Secrets to Great Grammar" Workshop. Master grammar like never before by learning special memory tricks and formulas! Labor and Industries Seattle. Get course information and register at www.icsew.wa.gov/calender/default.htm

Dec. 10, Tue., Two sessions: 8:30 - Noon and 1-4:30: "Get Organized: How to Manage Paper, People, Space and Time...A Crash Course" Get more done with less clutter! (Includes tips for organizing and prioritizing useful in coping with flood preparation and recovery) Labor and Industries, Tukwila. Get course information and register at www.icsew.wa.gov/calender/default.htm

Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 (Wed & Thur) Holiday tours of the Governor’s Mansion are being offered on Morning and afternoon times are available. Reservations are required. There are 12 tours given each day and each tour lasts 60 minutes. To make a reservation, please call General Administration’s Capitol Tour Office at (360) 902-8880.

Tour guidelines:

All individuals 18 and over must have photo ID.

25 is the maximum number of spaces available per time slot.

Reservations are made on a first-come basis.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cameras, backpacks, umbrellas, strollers, food and beverages are not permitted.

The mansion is accessible to wheelchairs and walkers. Visitors must walk a 200-yard incline up to the entrance. For more information about the mansion: www.wagovmansion.org/

Dec. 11,Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12, Sat., at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 13, Sun., at 6 p.m.: Washington Contemporary Ballet, now in its 22nd season in Tacoma, will present four performances of The Nutcracker at Mt. Tahoma High School, featuring members of the Washington Contemporary Ballet Company and dancers from the Washington Contemporary Ballet School. General admission tickets are $15 prior to November 26, and $18 up until the day of performance and at the door. Group tickets are also available. For more information, please call 253-474-4312. Tickets are available at the door and online at www.wcbdance.org

Dec. 12, Sat., 10am to 3pm : Alternative Gift Fair at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia. Tired of the commercialized gift giving during the holidays? There are alternatives to the usual holiday gifts, You can purchase a gift in someone's name from non-profit organizations which help train the homeless, build homes for families, help protect our environment, and feed the hungry. This year make your gift to someone a donation to our Crisis Clinic; purchase a pig through Heifer International; help conserve wild spaces in Thurston and Mason Counties through a gift to Audubon or People for Puget Sound; support a kitchen garden project at GRuB; buy tools for homebuilding with Habitat for Humanity and learn about the many organizations doing good works around our community and country. Twenty organizations, to which you can donate any amount, will be participating. Gift cards will be given to donors which, in turn, are presented to the recipient.

Dec. 12, Sat., 7:30 PM: Award-Winning NY Jazz Pianist to perform. Travis Shook, an Olympia High School graduate now based in New York, will perform with his trio at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. SW., Olympia Tickets are $15, available at the door. Joining Shook for his first Olympia concert in seven years will be New York bassist Essiet Essiet and Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen.

Dec. 19, Sat., SAVE THE DATE: Meet Seattle Sounders FC Keeper Kasey Keller and Support your local Food Bank! Olympia Nissan and Olympia Chrysler Jeep (A division of the Bruce Titus Automotive Group ) is bringing local hero, Kasey Keller to Olympia to assist with a Food Drive for the needy in Thurston County. With your Food donation, which will in turn be donated to the Thurston County Food Bank, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Kasey and have your Photo taken with him. Details and time coming.

Dec. 19, Sat., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia Brass Choir will be presenting an Italian Christmas concert of traditional and not so traditional music at the First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St SE, Olympia. From 17th century Monteverdi brass fanfares to Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey, there will be something for everyone. The 16-member brass ensemble will feature the Two Tenors, story telling, audience sing-along, and local arranger, Mark Thome’s rendition of Gesu Bambino and Song of the Bagpipers. Call to purchase tickets at (360) 561-2056. $5.00 std/sr (65+), $10 adult, $25 family.Visit www.studentorchestras.org for more information.

Dec. 21, Mon., 7:30 pm: Messiah Sing-Along at the Washington Center, 512 Washington St SE, Olympia. Come to sing or come to listen to Handel's glorious masterpiece! A true community event with guest conductors and soloists and members of Evergreen Christian Community Choir, Masterworks Choral Ensemble, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Olympia Symphony, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, Opera Pacifica, and featuring the audience as the chorus! Selections of the work will be performed. Admission is FREE and vocal scores will be available for purchase. For more information visit www.studentorchestras.org or call (360) 561-2080

Dec. 25, Fri.: Christmas Day. A State Holiday. - All State Offices are Closed.

posted by FTEmag.com Staff at 12:01 AM