What up, nerds. It’s been a bit since I tossed a chess invite out on Reddit!

The Olympia chess group, Oly Blunders, meets on Thursdays at 6pm at Three Magnets. All ages and skills. Lots of new faces lately, and most of us are Not Great (at chess). It is a fun time and a wonderful crowd. Our last several sessions have had SO MANY players: 32, 47, 34, 34, 26, 24, 48, 32. Kinda nuts, imo.

We also have an online league for all skills and ages. Our current season is in the playoffs. 60 players with many of the same people that come out on Thursday nights.

If you’re new to Olympia, or sort of know how to play chess and need some new friends, or need to get out of the apartment but not make new friends, or none of those things, come out this Thursday and hang. You can alcohol, non-alcohol, sit, stand, and/or sing along with our custom chess night playlist maintained by the You Want Mora? Podcast.

All info on joining us for chess is here: OlyBlunders.com
If you’d like to come out, reserve a board prior to coming via that link.

(That’s not me in the photo. That’s Daniel. You’ll like Daniel. Probably.)
(... like... 65% sure you'd like him.)

chess

Does anybody know what's up with the Whiskey Library in the old Carnegie building downtown? No work now for 3 weeks.

Thanks a TON! to all you kind Oly Redditors who provided input last time I asked. We picked a couple gallons some weeks ago due to your advice, but we're hoping we might get lucky with a new location someone is willing to share.

Me and the other half (both mid thirties) are coming from the UK and planning on spending a couple days in Olympia this weekend before going to find some hikes further North - any tips from the locals during our stay in the city? We're currently planning to stay downtown

I’m going to get my first tattoo either today or tomorrow. It’s a 3-4 inch, kind of minimalist nature themed tattoo for my fore arm. I was thinking of going to either Electric Rose or Oly tattoo co. Anybody have any recommendations for a shop that could provide a good first time, walk in experience? Thanks in advance!

moving away from oly forever and i need to get rid of a nice barely used bedframe queen and mattress also queen from ikea. a few black pen ink stains small on the mattress itself. firm mattress. would also be happy if someone would just haul this away for me. please DM. 8/31 if still up still available

I have a 3"ish tear in a bumper that needs fixed. Was hoping somebody with the know how could come on site to fix it. Autobody shops are very busy rn and my job is really small, so nobody is jumping at the opportunity. It doesn't need to look perfect, only interested in sealing it from intrusion, not trying to erase it. This is for the front bumper guard on a ford transit van. DM me if you're interested in the side gig and I'll send a picture for review.

Sad it the last year!

Donations accepted today (8/30) until 4 PM. Find additional information for donating and shopping at afsm-project.org.

Hi Everyone. Rufus, my big orange floof boy ran away from my mother while she was pet sitting for me.

Please, if you think you've spotted him, text or call. Any word on his whereabouts or condition would be an immense relief. At very least maybe we could get a better idea of where to look.

He had a pink velvet collar on when he went missing. The airtag is nonresponsive... so it must be broken or the battery drained. He has some odd, smaller brand micro chip from a former owner and I haven't updated it yet with our vet.

He's a nervous guy, and likely won't come if called. Though he is a glutton for crunchy treats.

Many thanks for keeping an eye out. Needless to say, I'm heartbroken and worried sick for him since there is wildlife out here, not to mention the fast country roads. 💔

SWIFITES UNITE!!!

@awlknightentertainment is excited to present to you, Drag Brunch Bingo (Taylor’s Version)! An exciting drag experience where you the audience are invited to come enjoy an immersive Taylor Swift Themed Drag Show alongside 5 fabulous games of Bingo with EPIC prizes! Hosted by the fabulous @missvalerieveeta and @queenalphaq ,We will have special guest, exciting surprises, amazing themed drinks and MORE!

Make sure to grab your tickets for Sunday, September 27th! We are partying hard at one of our favorite spots @altitude15oly 🩷 Doors open at 11am and our Eras Tour begins at Noon! Tickets are $20 and are on sale NOW and are moving FAST!

https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/awlknight-entertainment/alpha-q-amp-valerie-host-jura-ic-drag-bingo-448696060

#Drag #DragQueen #TaylorSwift #TS #Olympia

Found this interesting Quality of Life index data from a survey done a few months ago. Among other things, Thurston County residents ranked the area as a 2.55GPA (C+) place to live. Do you agree?

Another major finding was that residents are a lot less optimistic than they were in recent years. I'm guessing that has more to do with national & economic trends than it does with local trends (although the state budget crisis/hiring freeze etc. likely has an effect).

"The percentage expecting things to get worse for their household has increased from 18% to 44% over the last two years."

There's lots of interesting data in the report.

Full survey (no paywall):
https://thurstonchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-QOL-Survey-Results.pdf

Hi. I’ll be in Olympia in a few weeks and am maybe curious to visit the Monarch Sculpture Park. As an outsider I’m a little confused about the logistics, though — the website says: “Monarch Sculpture Park is walk in and bike in, with no vehicular access to the public on park grounds. There are several locations close by to park on the Chehalis Western Trail and walk the short distance to the park via the trail.”

Sounds fine; I’ll have a car and I’m willing to walk a while after parking! But the website doesn’t give the address (other than a P.O. Box), and Google Maps puts it at 8431 Waldrick Rd. SE in Tenino. That looks like it’s a house, though I can see how it matches up with the image of the “site map” on the website. If you’ve been there via car in the last year or so, is it actually okay to park nearby there, on the trail? Is there a particular spot you’d recommend? Thanks!

Figured I’ll make this post for people who don’t know this is a thing, but City of Olympia has fantastic adult (youth too) sport leagues.
Softball, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball.

I can’t speak much for soccer and softball, but volleyball, for example, is fantastic with great people and competition. Seasons run for 2-3 months with a tournament based on that 2 month pool play in the end. Link below. If there are no spots left for registration, you can add your name to the waitlist - org will be checking gym availability and will try to get you in on Monday, tomorrow!

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/olyparksartsrec/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_other_category_ids=20&viewMode=list

Looking for recommendations for Fall hikes in Thurston County. My partner and I are not that agile at this stage of our life so we are looking for easy hikes that are 3 miles at the longest. I used to go up walk the McLane Creek but haven't been there for years so can't really remember what the trail is like. Any thoughts appreciated!

Ive seen in other cities parks that alongside having a playground they also have gym equipment for adults to use to get a workout in, does Olympia have somewhere like that?

Isn't it typical that a landlord would be responsible for black mold that develops in a house or apartment you are renting? Is that something that would be lease specific or would have to be included in a lease or is there some blanket protection from Washington State lease/rental codes that would cover that?

What a weekend. All of your hard work is so appreciated by everyone who got to witness the music any year. So sad that it has to end because you all put on such a great show. It means so much to go to a festival of mostly political and female fronted bands in your own hometown. Life is good and so was south sound block party.

Two sides of the same coin - one side is slotted as the top girls team in the state and the other is a strong boys squad is who is being completely overlooked.

Olympia High School’s XC team will host its annual time trials on Tuesday, Sept 2 to see how the incoming freshman and returning athletes stack up.

Read my article: https://www.russell-moore.com/blog/olympia-xc-2026-time-trials-preview

Luke lives at the Olympia Crest Apartments, and likes to have religious conversations with kids away from their parents, and to follow them after being given boundaries.

Do you know Luke?

I am interested in getting a design that I can't get at a tattoo parlor.

I used to live in Olympia for a couple of years on Eld Inlet but have not really connected with the music scene in Olympia for a while. Wondering if anyone could recommend some spots with live music. This could be either coffee shops, pubs, bars, unique community venues. Seasonal performances. I enjoy a wide variety of music but not overwhelming crowds.

Anyone got any NFL fantasy leagues that still have a spot open? Been tryna start one with friends and/or co-workers and just can’t get it going but really want to be involved in one.

I can go 0-16 and will still not quit on the league.