We’ll have over 25 participants walking the parade route, and they’ll be handing out candies to all the kids (remember—NO throwing of candy!).

Saturday, October 19th, 2 PM - 9 PM (Parade starts at 6)

McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA

Candy Donations Needed!

We still need candy donations to ensure there’s enough for all the little ghouls and goblins. We will have a donation bin at the Tacoma Halloween Parade Merch Booth! Your support is crucial in making this a sweet celebration!

https://bit.ly/TacomaHalloweenParadeWishlist

Let’s make this the most spooktacular parade yet—see you there in your best Halloween costumes!

The Washington State History Museum is having a reception to celebrate its newest exhibits:

What is Native Art? Eugene Landry and the Creative Spirit

The Mountain Was Out: Rainier Remembered

Makers on the Tide: The Willits Brothers and Their Handcrafted Canoes

Collections Selections: A Parachute from the D.B. Cooper Investigation

During the reception, guests will have a chance to explore the exhibits and even hear a presentation from the curator Judith Altruda of the What is Native Art? exhibit.

Ride Together Pierce is proud to be a part of the statewide campaign “Switch Your Trips”, October 1-31. The campaign encourages commuters across Washington State to replace drive-alone trips with sustainable travel options such as taking the bus, train, light rail, riding in a carpool or vanpool, and walking or biking. 

Switch your trips 10 times during October, that’s five roundtrips, and log your trips on the Trip Calendar at RideTogetherPierce.com to be automatically entered for a chance to win one of these great prizes: 

$1,500, $500, $250, $100 and more cash prizes 

RAD Power e-bike 

Rick Steves’ Travel Bags 

Gift cards for sharing your Switched Trip photo 

Learn more about the campaign and find resources to get you started on RideTogetherPierce.com/SwitchYourTrips

Want more out of your trip? Post a photo of you and your “switched trip” to the Switch Your Trips Facebook or Instagram page for your chance to win a $25 weekly gift card!

Heyyyy TTOWN! @artbattletacoma is coming back in less than a month and looking for artists to compete in ART BATTLE Nov 9th!

There is no fee to compete and you could win $100 and a secured spot to compete in the NW Regional Championship. They also want to invite you back to be a guest artist at one of our upcoming events, and include you on exclusive opportunities through @youwenproductions

Art Battle is a live art experience. 12 local artists compete in 3 rounds of 20 minutes and the audience determines the winner

Apply online at Artbattle.com/artists be ready to complete your profile with 3 examples of your work, a short blurb about you as an artist, and your social media handles. Apply to event 2848!

Join Planning Tacoma for four upcoming Scenarios Workshops next week. These workshops allow residents to share their feedback on the draft Future Use Scenarios, which were created based on input gathered during the visioning sessions for the future of the Cushman and Adams Substations sites and buildings. They are looking forward to your participation!

Session Info:

Date: October 21, Times: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM & 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Location: University of Washington Tacoma Campus: Milgard 110 Room (1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402)

Date: October 26 Times: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM & 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Wheelock Branch of the Tacoma Public Library (3722 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407)

To learn more, check out the FB Event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/w9hQstPVUf1BgtjC/

Do you know a Washingtonian or Washington organization that embodies the ideals and values of our state? Since 1975, the WSLB Honors Program has recognized exceptional individuals and organizations that make a lasting impact on Washington on behalf of the state.

Our award categories have expanded to include the Washingtonian of the Year, Washington Organization of the year, Legacy of Service Award, Justice for All Award, and the Emerging Leader award. These honors celebrate lifelong dedication, commitment to social justice, and inspiring student leadership.

This year, for the first time, we are opening nominations to the public to ensure we truly reflect the people we serve. If you know someone who deserves one of these prestigious awards, visit our website at washingtonleaders.org or click the link in our profile to learn more and submit a nomination.

Jamika Scott is excited to invite you to join her for a Coffee Chat on Saturday, October 19, at the Red Elm Cafe from 1 - 2:30 PM. The discussion will focus on the “All Lives are Precious” monument, located just behind S. Grant Ave and S. 23rd Street. 

Some community members have asked the City to help repair the monument and potentially make some minor updates to it. She is considering a way forward, so she is hoping to hear from those who live near the monument and the broader community to get a better sense of your collective views and hopes for the future of this monument. She is open to your ideas and would love to hear what you think!  

The monument was created by a group of community members in 1993 who were concerned about violence in the Hilltop and wanted to recognize the value of each and every life. The inscription reads, "Dedicated to those who have passed from our midst regardless of their chosen path in life. We the Hilltop community say all lives are precious. May 28, 1993." 

If you cannot make it to the Coffee Chat or if you have another topic you'd like to discuss, please don't hesitate to email her at JScott8@cityoftacoma.org. You can also sign up for my virtual office hours here: https://calendly.com/cotcouncil/cm-scott-office-hours. She would love the opportunity to hear your concerns and questions. 

The results of Tacoma's June 2024 Business Climate Survey, conducted between May 30 and June 16, show a diverse range of perspectives from 221 businesses, of which 174 have a physical location in Tacoma. Key findings indicate that while the Business Health Index scores a moderate 6.3 out of 10, businesses are particularly concerned with hiring and retaining talent, with a net score of -29.

Businesses in Tacoma express optimism about community support and population growth, yet they remain focused on challenges such as safety, cleanliness, and the cost of doing business, especially taxes. Safety and cleanliness are seen as top priorities for the city to address.

Looking ahead, while 33% of businesses expect revenue to increase over the next year, only 20% expect to increase staff, and many are wary of the economic outlook. Additionally, improving communication with local businesses emerged as a critical area, with 87% of respondents marking it as important.

These findings will help guide future city programs and economic development initiatives.

See entire survey here:
https://www.tacomachamber.org/uploads/1/1/9/2/119293337/edc_biz_climate_survey__08.27.24__draft1__2_.pdf

YMCA collaborates across the region to provide BIPOC leaders the skills, access, and networks to lead organizations into the future

EMERGING LEADER CONFERENCE
November 6-7 | Greater Tacoma Convention Center

The South Sound YMCA, YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle are joining forces to host the second annual Northwest Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (EMLE – pronounced Emily)!

EMLE is an immersive learning opportunity tailored to elevate the experiences of employees of color, foster a sense of belonging, and develop the skills necessary for participants to succeed. Participants will gain critical 21st Century skills related to mastering change, visionary leadership, strategic networking, project management, cross-cultural communication, and more!

Who should attend?
Multicultural/BIPOC staff from organizations across our region who are ready to gain new skills and take on expanded leadership roles.

Staff from all organizational levels including front line teams who may often be overlooked for development opportunities.

All organizational leaders interested in supporting a community-wide effort to develop a pipeline of diverse leaders across our region.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT: www.NWREMLE.org

South Sound Entrepreneurship Week Oct. 21-25 in Tacoma comes full steam ahead with a week full of free panels, workshops and networking. Categories of these panels include business planning, financial education, human relations, marketing, technology and even wellness.

Registration for some of the panels is encouraged as some have limited space, but all are free and at different venues to enjoy around the city.

Last year, the organizers found that there were many meaningful collaborations between businesses and organizations and they are glad to help create that eco-system of engagement.

Get in on the action at Tacoma Arts Live at the Tacoma Armory, Spaceworks Tacoma, Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity Center, WorkSource Pierce and The Evergreen State College Tacoma. Learn about all of the offerings at https://lu.ma/southsoundentrepreneurshipweek

City of Tacoma and Pierce County artists are encouraged to submit qualifications to Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) for Arts Curation at our newest residential developments, Housing Hilltop North and South. THA currently has $30,000 dedicated to this project across both buildings. Artists and Art Professionals of color are encouraged to apply. Fee for curation services will be included within available funding.

THA has identified the theme “Honoring the Past, Leaving Space for the Future” for this work, and is asking for artist qualifications to manage curation of:

two original mural pieces (one in each building), only if funding allows;

the selection of art in varying sizes and mediums produced by multiple local artists for installation in both buildings.

DEADLINE: November 8, 2024

QUESTIONS?
Nicholas Carr, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, ncarr@tacomahousing.org
Tommy Pham, Office Assistant (AMRED), tpham@tacomahousing.org

Read More Here

Join Tacoma’s Mayor, City Council Members, executive leadership, and staff for Student Government Day on Tuesday, October 29. This event is open to students in Grades 9-12 who reside in Tacoma or attend Tacoma Public Schools. It presents a unique chance for students to learn how the City of Tacoma serves its community, gain firsthand insight into key issues, explore emerging challenges, and go on behind-the-scenes facility tours. Additionally, participants will engage in an interactive, simulated City Council meeting, stepping into the roles of Mayor, Council Members, and staff. Registration is open from September 23 through October 11. To learn more, visit cityoftacoma.org/StudentGovernmentDay.

Event Information
Event: Student Government Day 2024
Date: October 29, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street, 98402)

If you have any further questions, please reach out to Anna Le in the City Manager’s Office at ale@cityoftacoma.org.

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for Pierce County-based artists and teams! Metro Parks Tacoma is seeking talented digital artists to help curate and preserve the rich histories of Eastside Tacoma through the Eastside Community Center - Community Histories Project.

This project will highlight the stories of ethnic communities with strong local ties— Native American, Eastern European, Southeast Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Central American groups—through digital media such as video, audio, photography, or interactive formats. The final digital artwork will be displayed at the Eastside Community Center and on the Metro Parks Tacoma’s website.

Project Details:
🔹 Budget: $12,000 (plus a $500 stipend for finalists)
🔹 Deadline: November 4, 2024
🔹 Format: Digital media(video, audio, visual, or interactive)
🔹 Eligibility:
• Applicants must be 18+
• Open to artists, teams, or organizations based in Pierce County
• Priority is given to artists with roots in Eastside or projects that reflect marginalized histories
• Applicants must be able to work in digital formats

Timeline:
• October 14, 2024: Opportunity released
• November 4, 2024: Deadline for submissions
• By November 11, 2024: Finalists selected
• November 14 or 19,2024: Site visit for finalists
• By December 16, 2024: Proposals presented, and final artist(s) selected
• May 31, 2025: Project completed

If you’re an artist with a unique talent for storytelling and a passion for community history, we encourage you to apply! This project is a great opportunity to showcase your skills while helping preserve Eastside Tacoma’s diverse heritage.

How to Apply:
Submit your application through Submittable.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or for more information on this project. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Hey, #Tacoma!

Big Brothers Big Sisters is on the lookout for 45 amazing volunteers to become Lunch Buddies mentors for 1st graders at Stanley Elementary! Join in making a difference every other week at 11:30 am. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, sign up here: https://loom.ly/4wvq5F8

#gritcity #tacomawa #volunteertacoma #biggertogether