Arts
Weekly Volcano scribe Christian Carvajal - voted Best Writer in the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia poll - has published a new novel under the pseudonym Lynn Savage. It is called Mr. Klein's Wild Ride (Mud Flat Press, 2016), and it is the story of the building and cataclysmic opening
Features
Greek deli-style Gyro Spot boasts fresh, blue paint and stainless steel kitchen equipment. The business may look new, but the sticker on the front door tells curious passersby this place is the new home of longtime restaurant owner, Kenny Trobman. Trobman's signature image - a big-eyed chef with tons of frizzy
Features
There isn't a shortage of Thai restaurants in the South Sound, especially in Olympia. Choosing from quality options, you must factor in a key ingredient - ambiance. Every place has a different vibe, and The Lemon Grass Restaurant in downtown Olympia offers a lovely ambiance for a business lunch or family
Bars & Clubs
Obsidian sits in the space that the bars Jezebels and Bar Code once occupied, and before that a Gold's Gym. So in a lot of ways to many in Olympia, anything was an improvement, and why people still vote this as the best new thing though not quite so brand
Bars & Clubs
When the Olympia bar Cryptatropa opened in 2010, people were suspicious. The red lights, the black booths and the funky name had everyone running around like frightened cats. But just like the Goth kid who wore black makeup in junior high, Cryptatropa has captured a following. Black is alluring, people.
Features
There's something green at Olympia burger shack Big Tom - and it's not on the menu, which is bare of all vegetables save the humble potato and a few lonely burger toppings. Instead, it's just about everywhere else. Owner Michael Fritsch has taken the classic drive-in and made it green, with
Outdoors
I'm not a birder. In theory I should be. I mean, I love nature, animals, seeing animals in their world, any reason to get outside and any excuse to travel. Being a birder would facilitate all of these things, but nothing seems more boring to me. Looking through binoculars at
Military Life
The girl and guy in the shop browse together, murmuring to each other as they intently peruse the fixtures. They thank Sydney Hann, owner of Hot Toddy and exit the store. Customers pop in and out, oohing and aahing over items, occasionally buying socks or jewelry, occasionally putting dresses or
Stage
There's nothing quite like attending a standup comedy open mic. Part of the charm is that it's such a mixed bag: completely new comedians, some others with more experience, comics who've been in the game for a while just swinging through to test out new material. You never know what
Features
If baguettes and levain are The Bread Peddler's bread and butter, the bakery also subscribes at times to the motto, "Let them eat cake." Those hoping for a fresh loaf would be smart to call ahead if they plan to arrive much after noon. But there are plenty of other items
Features
Located on Olympia's 4th Avenue next to the downtown Olympia Transit Center, King Solomon's Reef has been serving traditional American pub fare to generations of Olympians. Its recently updated interior and innovative menu continue to attract both young and old. King Solomon's Reef boasts a menu rich in locally sourced ingredients.
Music
Years ago, I sat in People's Park to attend an intimate, outdoor show featuring Kimya Dawson. Earlier in the show, one of the opening bands played a cover of "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes. Later, when Kimya Dawson sat down to play, and confessed that she had to leave
Bars & Clubs
There's more than just highly drinkable craft beers brewing at the Three Magnets Brewing Co. Owners Nathan (Nate) and Sara Reilly have recently moved their other Olympia enterprise, Darby's, into part of the all-ages side of the huge space, which led to a menu shift on the pub side of
Stage
Scot and Linda Whitney have worked wonders with their professional theater company Harlequin Productions, producing top-flight theater consistently since 1991 with many of the best actors from Seattle to Olympia. Olympia and Tacoma-based actors have told me that Harlequin is the best company in the area to work for, which
Military Life
When you set out to buy a couch or kitchen table or other home furnishing, most likely you will look to a big-box store. But why go big box when you can go local? Olympia's Furniture Works, winners of the Best of Olympia 2016 Best Furniture store, is all local,
Stage
Oly readers, your choice for Best Synergy, Best Dance Company and Best Thing to Happen in 2015 is spot on this year, as the women of TUSH! Burlesque are all about synergy with you. From their first gig, the "Peekaboo Revue," held in September of 2009 at 4th Ave. Tavern,
Military Life
For the past 20 years (or 20 and a half, to be exact), Olympia has had one of the snazziest and most unique hair salons around - Jamie Lee & Company. "We have wonderful people who work here who are very talented at a variety of different styles, everything from classic
Bars & Clubs
At Dillingers Cocktails & Kitchen - winner of both Best Creative Cocktails and Best Manhattan - everything old is new again. "Sherilyn (Lightner), who did most of our menus, really stuck to the classics from the twenties and thirties," said Lela Cross, co-founder of Dillingers. "There's a history behind that, and
Travel
Nestled along the western shore of Budd Inlet is Olympia's Westside neighborhood. A short drive from the capitol and only a few blocks from Olympia's trendy downtown area, this historic community boasts an active real estate market with affordable, classic homes, mostly built between 1940 and 1960. The Westside neighborhood
South Sound Cinema
The Capitol Theater, home of Olympia Film Society (OFS) and your choice for Best Movie Theater, Best Sign and Best All-Ages Venue, is a place where miracles happen. In just the last two weeks, Dan Rather relived his downfall at CBS News, a second-generation clone met her genetic ancestor, and