VOICE Articles
The Business of Childcare: Two Years of Daily Struggle
Mother and Daughter Business Owners Share Why It’s Worth It by Jerica Pender • Photography by Heather Harris, Elements Photography Childcare. Perhaps the single most important cog in the wheel that makes our world turn. Without it, parents become unmoored, unable to perform their duties in meaningful ways, and sometimes even at all. In…
Vote YES on School Replacement Levies
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director The Thurston County Chamber supports and endorses four Thurston County public school replacement technology and capital facilities levies on the February 8, 2022 ballot. This February, the voters in the Olympia, Tumwater, Tenino, and Griffin school districts will be asked to approve “replacement…
Thurston County Small Business Incubator Welcomes Enlightenment Home Care, LLC
by Doria Maselli Enlightenment Home Care’s owner, Songaya Gay, grew up in California’s Bay Area and later relocated to Washington State to raise her two sons. She started nursing school in 1999, along with her older sister, supporting each other during the process. “It was a long journey as I was a single mother and…
Tony Taylor Inspires 24/7
by Kathryn Millhorn Inspiration is a powerful, vital, creative force. But it means something unique to everyone and inspiring youth or your work team can be difficult. Locally, Tony Taylor provides leadership seminars, workshops, training, coaching and team-focused events through individual or group settings. A former Marine, Taylor has worked as a fire captain, corporate…
Short Legislative Session – Long Challenges
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director In January 2022, the Washington State Legislature will convene for a 60-day session. This “short” or mid-biennium session is intended to address emerging needs that can’t wait for the next full session in 2023. The Thurston Chamber is confident that Interstate-5 and chronic…
HZ Law: Breaking Barriers and Making Legal Services Accessible to All
by Heidi Smith In theory, the law is impartial, with equal access to justice regardless of background or income level. But in practice, as attorney Veasna Hoy knows all too well, many cannot afford legal representation or are unaware of the resources available to them. That’s one reason Hoy and her partner Robin Zaragoza decided…
Dirty Dave’s Makes Family Memories and Pizza From Scratch
by Doria Maselli The Family Recipe for Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches and Salads in Thurston County for Almost 50 Years “I remember when I was a kid, and I used to tell people Dave of Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor was my grandfather, I felt kind of like I was related to a celebrity,” jokes Stephanie Hemphill.…
Seldens: Making Your House A Home for 80 Years
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos courtesy of Seldens They say home is where the heart is. But chairs, tables, beds, and a really comfy sofa help too. At Seldens Furniture, they’ve turned houses into homes for the past 80 years and are still going strong today. Though times, tastes, and budgets may fluctuate, their team…