Downtown Olympia was rocked Monday night by the senseless murder of one of its own, Casey Heath. Heath was an avid skateboarder sponsored by local company Northwest Snowboards, who was constantly wearing his trademark grin from ear to ear. He was a good guy with a heart of gold and the happy-go-lucky demeanor of a man that tried to put his best foot forward in every scenario, even if it meant riding goofy foot or switch once in a while. He was a fixture at many local rock and hip-hop shows over the last decade-plus, often seen with a tall can in one hand and his skateboard in the other.

Downtown Oly's a tight knit community of artists, musicians and tradespeople that are all trying to make sense of this horrific tragedy. This Saturday, at McCoy's Tavern, Heath's longtime friends are throwing a benefit to help with the funeral costs, but more importantly, bring together the Downtown Olympia Community to remember a dear friend. The previously scheduled Friday Show of Resident Kings, Little Red Car Wreck and The Have At Its has been moved to Saturday, with McCoy's staples AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods and DJ Slimrock added to the bill. There will be a suggested donation of $5 (but any amount, more or less, is welcome) and no one will be turned away at the door.

The fine people at Northwest Snowboards are also accepting donations for the Heath family at their stores. For more information & store locations in Olympia & Tacoma, please check out www.nwsnowboards.com.

This is a come-one, come-all invite to anyone who would like to celebrate the life of Heath with the people he knew and loved, at his favorite place to drink a tall can. 

McCoy's Tavern is at 420 Fourth Ave. in downtown Olympia.