VOICE Articles
Facing Up To Chronic Homelessness
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director for the Thurston County Chamber Homelessness is one of the greatest challenges facing our community. For this reason, the Thurston Chamber, Public Policy Division believes that focusing on chronic homelessness may be the best plan for our community. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…
Find Fresh Flavors at Cynara in the Market District
by Alison Bailey • Photos by Heather Harris, Elements Photography Where can you find lamb stew, baklava crumble and a hibiscus-infused take on an Old Fashioned at a bar featuring over 80 unique bottles of whiskey? Christian Skilling’s second restaurant in Olympia, Cynara. Fans of the westside’s Iron Rabbit will love the refined yet casual…
On the Mend: Providence SW Chief Executive Darin Goss on Navigating a Pandemic and the Future of Health Care
by Heidi Smith • Photos by Tracy Jameson Since moving from Southern California to Olympia to take on his new role as Chief Executive of Providence Southwest Service Area, Darin Goss has met with multiple leaders from the business and health care communities. He collaborates with some of them so often that it was a…
Local Political Campaigns Heat Up
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director for the Thurston County Chamber Summer weather brings out visits to area parks, sunny BBQ picnics, and political candidates. Those interested in running and serving in local elected office had to register by May 21. With the races set, summer becomes prime political campaign window…
Get Out and Golf!
by Doria Maselli It’s time to get out and play and what better way than by playing 18 holes with stunning views of summer in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve put together a guide of some local golf courses and clubs where you can go down swinging! Grab your clubs and we’ll see you on…
Reimagining Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
by Alison Bailey Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls has been a site of significance in the southern Puget Sound region for thousands of years. The Olympia Tumwater Foundation has owned and maintained this land for nearly sixty years and has exciting plans for its preservation and celebration well under way. Citizens of native nations such…
Get Out and Spread the KombuchaLuv!
by Kathryn Millhorn After the year we’ve had, a little pick-me-up is definitely in order. Kombucha is a growing trend that comes in many delicious flavors and contains beneficial probiotics and antioxidants to help maintain gut health and fight bacteria. Alcohol-free and delightfully fizzy, minority- and female-owned KombuchaLuv is brewed, bottled and distributed with love—or…
Construction Bootcamp Offers Training & Job Placement for Displaced Workers
by Heidi Smith Joshua Newbill has been doing carpentry since he was ten years old, first with his dad and later for contractors. He knows construction. But in 2020, Newbill was the first to be laid off from his job at a remodeling company as one of the most recent hires. When he heard about…
Rally for Recovery
by Natasha Ashenhurst Experts at the Mayo Clinic say we need 70% to 80% of the population – more than 200 million Americans – to have immunity to the novel coronavirus for us to benefit from herd immunity. While the intent to vaccinate has gone up slightly in 2021, research by Civis Analytics shows that…