The Milgard Center for Financial Wellness is partnering with Optimist, an award-winning social impact film studio with past documentaries on Netflix, HBO, PBS, National Geographic, and The Atlantic for an exciting film screening and director Q & A event this fall. On Nov. 13th at 4:30 in Carwein Auditorium (KEY 102) we will be showing the financial education documentary, This is Not Financial Advice
The film premiered at Tribeca in June, where they had three sold-out shows and received a handful of positive reviews. My personal favorites:

"Serves up an imperative warning about the urgent need for financial education."

- Next Gen Personal Finance

"A thought-provoking masterpiece."

- Taylor Lorenz, The Washington Post

"Everyone needs to see this film to better understand their relationship to money."

- Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money

The film is on a national tour around the country at colleges and universities. UW Tacoma will host the film following a Q & A with the director, panel members and a representative from FINRA. The event is FREE and open to the public. Free food as well.
REGISTER HERE: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/home/events-calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D177463299
**Watch the Trailer www.tinfafilm.com/

$97,500 directly invested in 65 Washington State Artists

Artist Trust is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Grants for Artist Projects (GAP). A total of $97,500 will be directly invested in 65 Washington State artists through unrestricted project-based grants of $1,500 each.

"This year's GAP program received more applications than any of our grants in the last 7 years, with the exception of our COVID-19 Relief Fund," said Artist Trust Program Co-Director, Lydia Boss. "With applicants hailing from 28 counties, we are excited to have increased our reach across the state. We could not be more proud to support these 65 talented artists, and we can't wait to see their impact in communities statewide."

This year's recipients, selected by a panel of five working artists from a record-breaking pool of applicants, represent the most competitive GAP cohort in the award’s 35-year history. Funding will reach artists living and working across all of Washington State to support project related needs including, but not limited to, materials, space rental, travel for research, and professional development opportunities.

Okanagon County recipient Christopher Solomon shared that "Unless one is a Joyce or a Dickens, it's very hard to be creative and focus when the wolf is at the door. Simply put, this Artist Trust grant buys me time, so I can concentrate on art, and tackling something large and ambitious—a book—while not constantly worrying about how I'm going to pay the next bill."

"This award is a validation of both the art form I’m deeply passionate about and the community I aim to serve," shared King County recipient Ebo Barton. "The GAP Award allows me to fuel my revival of poetry slam in Seattle through my monthly Pop-Up Poetry Slam, bringing poetry to different neighborhoods and connecting with diverse audiences. It provides the resources I need to bring artists and audiences together in spaces that celebrate local pride, creativity, and spoken word. For me, this is not just financial support but a powerful affirmation of my vision to rebuild and revitalize a community tradition that has deeply influenced my life."

The full list of 2024 GAP recipients and panelists is below. Recipients’ biographies and work can be viewed on the Artist Trust website.   

Hey Makers and Creatives:

The Rusty Goat is excited to invite you to our Maker’s Weekly event happening every Thursday at 6 PM!

Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just getting started, this is the perfect opportunity to share ideas, work on projects, and connect with a creative community.

Bring your latest project, meet like-minded creators, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

When: Every Thursday

Time: 6 PM

Where: The Rusty Goat

We hope to see you there!

The new BOX OFFICE at the Airport Tavern is NOW OPEN Monday-Friday 10am-5pm for ticket sales! See Alex during the week to snag your tickets to all of the upcoming shows and skip the online fees! Now accepting CASH or CARD at the window!

Check out their upcoming shows at https://airporttavern.com/calendar/

Halloween events at our community centers are a safe and fun way to celebrate the holiday with your family! Put on your costumes and come enjoy treats, games, music, arts & crafts and more. FREE!

Oct 26 - STAR Center - https://bit.ly/STARHarvestFest

Oct 26 - Center at Norpoint - https://bit.ly/NorpointHarvestFest

Oct 31 - People's Center - https://bit.ly/PeoplesHarvestFest

Oct 31 - Eastside Community Center - https://bit.ly/EastsideHaunted

Supported by Coordinated Care

The City’s 2025-2026 Proposed Budget describes how the City uses its resources to serve the community and reflects a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility. Public trust is essential to every aspect of the City of Tacoma. It is the City’s charge to ensure it is effectively and efficiently managing the resources entrusted to it by the community. 

Even with a difficult fiscal environment, building and strengthening public trust remains as essential as the services the City provides to the community. Accomplishing this requires: 

Listening to community. City officials and staff effectively demonstrate understanding & concern for the community’s broad range of needs. 

Being Responsive, Reliable, and Efficient. Commit – and follow through – on services that can be achieved within current operational capacity. 

Demonstrating Accountability and Transparency. Communicate openly on the City’s actions to address community needs.

The City Manager’s proposed 2025-2026 Budget is the result of careful consideration and thoughtful feedback from the community. Review more details of the proposed budget HERE.

Each Tuesday in October the City Council has done a deep dive on sections of the budget in order to fully digest the recommendation. This fall we will consider the proposal at two Council meetings:

November 19, 2024: First City Council Reading of the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget

December 3, 2024: Final City Council Reading and Adoption of the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget

I encourage you to attend and share your priorities with the entire Council. City Council Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 5 PM. They can be viewed live in person at the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street, 1st Floor, Council Chambers) or on TV Tacoma or tvtacoma.com, on the City of Tacoma’s Facebook page and on Zoom.

The Tacoma Urban League (TUL) is excited to announce the appointment of Desireè Wilkins Finch as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 30, 2024. With over 15 years of experience in community organizing, organizational development, and strategic planning, Wilkins Finch is well-positioned to lead the organization in advancing its mission to empower African Americans and underserved communities. Coming off the heels of founding the Tacoma Black Fund and raising $50,000 for Black entrepreneurs and visionaries, her work directly impacts Black people in Tacoma.

Wilkins Finch is well-positioned to lead the organization in advancing its mission to empower African Americans and underserved communities. “Desireè is a natural leader with deep ties to the Tacoma community,” said LaTasha Wortham, Chair of the Tacoma Urban League’s Board of Directors. “Her strategic vision, passion for equity, and dedication to social justice make her the perfect choice to carry forward the mission of the Tacoma Urban League. We are thrilled to welcome her to this role.”

This transition comes as part of the Board’s continued commitment to the stability and growth of the Tacoma Urban League. All programs and services will continue without disruption, and the organization remains focused on its key priorities: economic opportunity, educational excellence, family empowerment, and civil rights advocacy.

“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, and to carry forward the leadership legacy of Thomas Dixon, and the visionary work he began in this community. It is a privilege to stand among the remarkable leaders who have come before me, and I am eager to continue building on that foundation.” said Desireè. “I have long supported the League’s mission and look forward to advancing the critical work of ensuring social equality and economic independence for Black people and underserved communities in Tacoma.

This city is deeply engaged in race and social justice action, and I am excited to lead the organization in making scalable sustainable change.” ABOUT TACOMA URBAN LEAGUE The Tacoma Urban League was born out of the civil rights movement in 1968 as a racial justice advocacy organization for African Americans and other people whom society has marginalized in the South Puget Sound.

A home for Black empowerment, the Tacoma Urban League provides services, training and advocacy to build social and economic equality. It offers programs focused on the foundations of a thriving community: education, economic empowerment, health, housing and justice. Thousands of people have passed through its doors and their lives have been positively shaped by the Tacoma Urban League. Online: thetacomaurbanleague.org Facebook: @TheTacomaUrbanLeague Instagram: @TacUrbanLeague Twitter: @TacUrbanLeague

Planting season is here! We’ll be offering tree shares throughout the next six months! The best way to make sure you’re taking home the right tree species for you and your neighbors is to come prepared following the steps we outline above.

Once you’ve identified a tree share you’d like to attend, learn about your underground and overhead utilities and measure your planting area.

Have a conversation about the kind of trees that you would most like to adopt and why:

• Do you want food? A fruit tree might be appropriate!

• Do you want shade? In that case a medium to large tree would be best, but you need to have enough space for it, and make sure your utilities would do fine with a bigger tree.

• Do you have space only for a small tree but could use a mood boost? A flowering tree will make you happy! Flowering trees are good for your wellbeing and for wildlife.

These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself. We encourage you to take a look at:

• Our planting video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WLDs9V6vIbk?feature=shared

• Our tree care website: tacomatreefoundation.org/tree-care

These resources will help you prepare to choose and receive your fir-ever tree!

Tacoma Power announced in a press release last week that the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center is receiving a $50,000 grant.

The funding will support the installation of a solar array at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center facility, the release said.

The Tacoma Power-awarded grant selects its recipients for the Evergreen Options Solar Grant through a vote by Tacoma Power customers. 

The Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, an organization that provides essential services to underserved Pierce County residents, offers resources such as child care, family support programs, and more to aid families facing adversity. 

With the $50,000, grant, the center is setting its sights on becoming a resiliency hub for the Pierce County community during extreme weather events like heat waves or cold snaps. The center aims to continue its mission and dedication to initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and hopes to promote access to renewable energy for everybody, the release said. 

October 25th - 27th

📍Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County

2608 Center St., Tacoma, 98409

In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Day, we're throwing a Block(head) Party at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County! Join us for a special 'name your price' adoption event October 25th - 27th in celebration of the loveable dogs affectionately referred to as "blockheads"—our pit bull-type dogs!

But the fun doesn't stop there! We're extending the promotion to all dogs 6 months and older!

Whether you're looking for a loyal companion, a goofy playmate, or a cuddle buddy, we’ve got the perfect dog just waiting to meet you!

There are two positions available on the Library Board of Trustees. The Library Board of Trustees is comprised of five members who are nominated by the Mayor and appointed by a majority vote of the City Council. The membership term is five years. All Library Trustees must live within Tacoma city limits.

The Library’s governing board has policy and budget authority, and appoints the Library Director. Tacoma Public Library’s mission is to “empower our community by bringing people together to discover, connect, create, learn, and thrive.” More information about Tacoma Public Library is available at tacomalibrary.org.

Additional information on the Library Board of Trustees is available here.

Applications can be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by October 28 at cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication. Questions about the application process, requests for the application in an alternate format, or requests to submit additional documents may be directed to Elizabeth Wing in the City Clerk’s Office at servetacoma@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5178.