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.,12 PM to 3 PM: Historic Holiday Celebration at the State Capital Museum, $7 per person, $25 per family of four. All activities and refreshments are free with paid admission, carriage rides available on a first come, first serve basis, Arts & Crafts for kids, Cookie decorating, Pictures with Santa Claus, Holiday music performed throughout the day by children of all ages, Handmade jewelry and unique items in our museum store, including book signings with local authors, and copies of the newly published Olympia, Washington; A People's History. Located at 211 21st Avenue SW, Olympia, six blocks south of the Capitol Building. For more information, call (360) 753 2580, or visit www.washingtonhistory.org

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. 15, Tues., 8 AM – 4PM: "Managing in a Public and Political Environment" with Senator Jim Kastama. Explore the political systems of the state with a seasoned veteran. Find out how to manage effectively in today's highly political environment and get an insider's perspective on the upcoming legislative session. Register online or call 360-596-5752. For other upcoming professional development opportunities, visit www.hawksprairie.org

Dec. 16, Wed., noon – 1 PM: "60 Minute Solutions – Restoring Vintage Photos". Enjoy a delicious lunch and pick up tips on how to preserve and restore those old family and travel photos with just a scanner and some basic software. Register online or call 360-596-5752. Join us every month for lunch and a new topic! Visit www.hawksprairie.org for more information.

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.

Dec. 26-Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 14th Annual Model Train Festival. Every floor of the History Museum will hold model trains during this festival. This event, included in the price of History Museum admission, celebrates the golden age of railroads with eight model train displays and fun for all ages. The History Museum has expanded its operating hours to be open every day of the week, and one additional hour per day, to accommodate the popularity of this seasonal festival. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for students and military with valid ID, children age 5 and below are free, and members are free. For more information, please visit our Web site, WashingtonHistory.org, or call 1-888-BE THERE

Dec. 30, Wed.: Deadline for ads, articles and insertions for the January 2010 FTE News Magazine at: FTEmag@comcast.net

Jan. 1, 2010, Thur.: New Years. A State Holiday. All state offices are closed.

Jan. 6, Wed.: Your January 2010 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

posted by FTEmag.com Staff at 12:01 AM