Geoffrey Castle, the Northwest’s favorite violin maestro and showman is bringing the 18th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration Tour to Tacoma for one show at the Blue Mouse Theatre on November 23rd at 7pm.
A family Holiday event, this dazzling and unique concert features the award winning Seattle Irish Dance Company, the Celtic Night All-Star Band, special vocal guest Emily McIntosh, and the legendary electric violinist Geoffrey Castle for an evening guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and the spirit of the Holiday to your heart.
Originally conceived as “the antidote to corny Christmas”, this concert has been enthralling audiences of all ages in concert venues across the Northwest for nearly two decades.
Tickets are available on the Blue Mouse Theatre Website: https://bluemousetheatre.com/production/castle-christmas-concert/
Find out more about Geoffrey Castle and listen to the music at www.GeoffreyCastle.com
For more information contact: Jeff Ross, jeffrossbiz@gmail.com, 206-325-3939

Tacoma Little Theatre brings the beloved classic, Fiddler on the Roof, to its stage for the holiday season. This production is directed by Melanie Gladstone, choreographed by Heather Adams Arneson, and musically directed by Shawna Avinger.
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy, and sadness. Winner of nine Tony® Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler is a classic not to be missed!
Tacoma Little Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof features the outstanding talents of: Jonathan Bill (Tevye), Rebecca Maiten (Golde), Jed Slaughter (Lazar Wolf), Libby Catalinich (Yente), Annelise Martin (Tzeitel), Juli Dowd (Hodel), Nora Sidhu (Chava), Oona Muller, Maggie Savage & Vivian Pemoulie (Shprintze & Bielke-rotating) Ellian Kelly (Motel), Aleks Aurelion (Perchik), Craig Rock (The Constable), Sam Barker (The Rabbi), Erik Davis (Mendel),
Nick Fitzgerald (Avram), Theron Danielson (Sasha), Nigel Kelley (Fyedka), Sean Vale (Nachum/Mordcha), Mara Aveline (Fruma-Sarah), Jennifer Torrence (Grandma Tzeitel), Fletcher Kelley, Otto Kelley & Gavin Weston (Young Suitors-rotating), Selayna Rudolph (The Fiddler), and Amanda Bronkema, Emily Castle, Aven Kilmer, Natasha Nelina & Tyler Weston (Ensemble).
Fiddler on the Roof will run Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 29, 2024, for a total of 18 performances.  Evening showings are at 7:30pm and matinees are at 2:00pm.
There will be a special “Pay What You Can” performance on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 7:30pm.  Tickets for that performance are available now online, in person, or over the phone.
The performance on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 2:00pm will be an ASL interpreted performance.
Tickets are $31.00 (Adults), $29.00 (Seniors 60+/Students/Military), and $24.00 (Children 12 and under).  Tickets may be purchased online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281.  Group rates are available for 10 or more, and special FLEX passes for 6 are only $155.00.

Free admission for veterans, active-duty military and their families!

Join Museum of Glass for a special Veterans Day Celebration, featuring free admission all day for veterans, active-duty military, and their families. The celebration program will include a color guard ceremony, a performance by Tacoma Banjo Club, and the awarding of certificates to honor Hot Shop Heroes program participants.

The Veterans Day Celebration program will take place from 1-4pm in the Grand Hall. Guest speaker Kristin Weber, Outpatient Creative Arts Therapist for VA Puget Sound, will speak at 3pm.

About the Speaker

Kristin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Art Therapist working for VA Puget Sound as the outpatient Mental Health Creative Arts Therapist. She attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University in 2012. She returned to Lesley University, graduating in 2019, to complete her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy. She interned at the Bedford VA in Massachusetts, working as an outpatient art therapist while also creating and facilitating groups for inpatient units. Following graduation, Kristin worked as a Recreation Therapist at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke on a late-stage dementia unit. She then transitioned into the role of Residential Clinician in an intensive care group living environment, working with dual diagnoses associated with trauma, focusing on community reintegration after long-term psychiatric hospitalization.

Kristin’s graduate work focused on the neurological impact of art therapy on PTSD and TBI, granting her access to a deeper connection to, and understanding of, the work that she does. As a therapist, Kristin seeks to support client recovery through a trauma informed, person-centered practice. She is extremely passionate about the positive impact that creative processing and engagement can have on the body, mind, spirit, and emotions.

Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center is excited to announce the start of renovations for its new healing center, located at 723 MLK Jr. Way in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. This development marks an important milestone, enabling the community-based provider to expand its services and offer a safe, accessible environment where victim-survivors of sexual assault and abuse can receive vital support.
The new healing headquarters is a multi-phase project to establish a community-centered space designed to promote healing and recovery, while working to end sexual violence. Phase One was accomplished in May 2024 when Rebuilding Hope successfully closed the purchase of 723 MLK Jr. Way. Phase Two renovations, which are now underway, will allow Rebuilding Hope’s team to relocate to the new center by January 2025, ensuring continuity of services as their current office lease in Tacoma’s Dome District expires at the end of this year. In Phase Three, the space will be further transformed to include a client drop-in center and a serene healing garden, providing a welcoming environment for victim-survivors to engage with resources and services on their terms.
As part of this community-driven effort, Korsmo Construction has generously contributed $5,000 of in-kind labor to support the renovations. With a total budget of $4.5 million needed over the next two years to complete the project, Korsmo’s support underscores the vital role local partnerships will play in achieving Rebuilding Hope’s vision.
"This project isn’t just about moving to a better building—it’s about building a better future for the communities we serve,” said Carlyn Sampson, Executive Director of Rebuilding Hope. "Every contribution brings us closer to creating a safe and inclusive space where healing can begin. The community's support is invaluable as we work to make this center a reality for everyone who needs it."
This project also represents the launch of Rebuilding Hope’s capital campaign, an initiative to secure funding that will allow them to complete renovations and bring the full vision of the healing center to life.
For more information about our new facility and how to support Rebuilding Hope’s Healing Headquarters campaign, visit their website at www.rebuildinghope.com.

The EnviroHouse offers free workshops on a variety of sustainable home and garden topics onsite at the EnviroHouse.  You can enjoy recordings of past workshops and see How-To videos and other local garden resources at their website.

The EnviroHouse is open for walk-in visitors, Thursday - Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM located at the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center (by the Recycle Center), 3510 So. Mullen St., 98409.

Upcoming workshops include:

Pruning Landscape Trees - November 9th 10 - 11:30am - Learn how to prune like the pros and prevent costly errors, defects, high maintenance and unsightly urban landscape trees.

Create Holiday Herb/Plant Table Decor - November 16th 10 - 11:30am - Join a fun DIY session to make a take-home holiday table centerpiece from herbs, berries and natural materials.

President Biden issued a formal apology recently for the United States’ boarding school system that separated Native American children from their families and placed them in schools where they were forced to assimilate. Recent reports from the U.S. Department of Interior indicate thousands of children were killed or abused at these schools. An earlier report in 2022 identified 15 such schools in Washington state.

“Among our nation’s darkest stains is the boarding school system that the U.S. government used to erase Tribal language and culture under the harmful pretext of assimilation,” Inslee said. “I applaud President Biden for taking this important step towards healing. We can’t change our past, but we can take accountability for the generational trauma and loss this system wrought. Much work remains and Washington state will do its part to uplift the efforts of those who are carrying forward Tribal languages, cultures and knowledge to current and future generations.”

The most recent operating budget signed by Inslee includes a legislative directive to the Office of the Attorney General to study the impacts of boarding schools in Washington state through a truth and reconciliation model. This includes creation of an advisory committee that will prepare a report with recommendations due in 2025. 

Similar to launching the nation’s first alert system and cold case unit for missing and murdered Indigenous people, Washington is one the first states to address and study the impacts of the federal Indian boarding schools. 

Ride Pierce Transit fixed routes, SHUTTLE and Runner for free on Friday, November 29! Hop on the bus to explore a park near you, or take transit to shop local. Plan a ride today.

Stay up-to-date on holiday service levels. On Thanksgiving, November 28, buses will be running on their Sunday schedules, and will be back to normal weekday schedules on Friday, November 29. 

Winter weather is on the horizon! Pierce Transit has snow information and route detours up on our site. Remember to sign up for text alerts for your route to get real-time information in the case of a winter storm. 

The Pierce Transit Reduced All Day Pass now has a promotional price of $2.00, in effect through February 2025. This includes the Pierce Transit All Day Pass Reduced - Senior/Disabled and the Pierce Transit All Day Pass Reduced - LIFT.

November is election month for the West End Neighborhood Council. At their Wednesday, November 13th meeting, the WENC membership will be voting for Board members who, if elected, will serve two-year terms.

They are looking for someone to fill the Treasurer position on the Board. The Treasurer is accountable for funds belonging to the Neighborhood Council; responsibilities include paying bills on time, ensuring financial records are current and complete, and providing monthly reports at general membership meetings.

In addition, they have an unfilled vice-chair position as well as open at-large Board positions. If you are interested in running for a Board position, please contact wenc@we-tacoma.org asap so that your eligibility can be confirmed, they can explain responsibilities, and learn about your skills.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have confirmed the season's next round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks throughout November.

WDOH requires two test samples taken seven to 10 days apart, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. As soon as all of the tests come back, the digging will be open.

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition. 

Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out.

In early fall the beaches still have a lot of sand built up, which can make beach driving hazardous. WDFW asks diggers to drive carefully on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand, avoid wet sand and not to create congestion leading on and off the beach by parking on the approaches.

For more information on these digs, go to WDFW's razor clam webpage.

Through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), WDVA (Washington Department of Veteran’s Affairs) was recently awarded $750,000 for the third consecutive year of funding, starting on Oct. 1.  The SSG Fox SPGP provides funding to community-based organizations serving Veterans and their families with both evidence-informed and innovative approaches to suicide prevention.  

“By focusing on suicide prevention, we can build a network of support that reaches out to those in need, providing them with hope, compassion, and a lifeline during their toughest times,” said David Puente, WDVA Director. “Together, we can foster a community where everyone has the opportunity to overcome their challenges and realize they are not alone on their path to healing and recovery.”

With the SSG Fox SPGP award, WDVA will support suicide prevention efforts in several counties, including Island, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Kitsap, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, and Grant. The program has facilitated 140 benefit claims resulting in over $817,000 received annually by Veterans and families in disability compensation or pension payments.  Through this grant, WDVA also submits Veterans Health Administration applications, screens Veterans for suicide, conducts Veteran Cultural Engagement trainings, and supports outreach events. 

“This initiative is dedicated to supporting Veterans and their Families through comprehensive outreach, peer support, and vital connections to both VA and community resources,” said SSG Fox SPGP Program Manager, Eric Burns. “Our program focuses on upstream suicide prevention interventions, extensive outreach and education on suicide prevention, peer support, and wrap-around services statewide. Additionally, we provide Peer Support Case Management, fund alternative behavioral health services, and ensure seamless referrals and warm handoffs to necessary resources.”

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs helps connect veterans and their family members to the benefits and services they earn through their military service. WDVA prides itself in its mission of Serving Those Who Served.   

Tacoma’s new street medicine program is meant to help the homeless population, courtesy of a $1 million grant from the Washington State Health Care Authority.

The pilot program includes medical and behavioral health professionals who reach out to homeless people living on Tacoma streets. According to the city, Spokane, Everett, King County and Kitsap County have also received similar funding.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said the pilot program will play a crucial role in the city’s comprehensive strategy to address homelessness. In a statement, Woodards mentioned that the program “goes beyond treating illness; it aims to build trust, uphold dignity, and provide a pathway to a better life for those experiencing homelessness.”

The city’s plan aims to address homelessness by creating more housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and increasing prevention services.

Pierce County’s 2024 Point-in-Time count revealed a 23% increase of people experiencing homelessness in Pierce County, with 2,661. Out of the 2,661 homeless people tallied, 1,445 , or 54%, were sheltered. Last year, there were 1,385 homeless people counted as being sheltered at the time of the PIT count.

However, the number of people living without shelter in Pierce County jumped 59.4% from 763 in 2023 to 1,216 in 2024.

The pilot program will be implemented through a partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Specially-trained medicine teams will be deployed to encampments, vehicles and other unsheltered locations.

The $1 million grant was approved by the Tacoma City Council recently as part of its consent agenda.

The Lauren McCluskey Foundation and BetterHelp, a leading online therapy platform, are proud to announce a new partnership to provide free therapy resources to those who have been impacted by relationship violence. Through this partnership, the organizations are committed to sharing free therapy resources to support survivors in their journey and empower their voice.

 Supporting Survivors

 Survivors of relationship violence often face significant barriers to accessing  professional counseling and care, including a lack of access to resources. Through this partnership, the Lauren McCluskey Foundation and BetterHelp are committed to providing survivors with access to quality care, offering a safe and convenient online therapy platform where individuals can connect with trained therapists and receive support.

Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Care

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality health care, regardless of their situation or location. Through this partnership, we are working to break down barriers to accessing care and provide survivors of relationship violence with the resources they need to heal and thrive.

Expanding our Impact

Together, we can accomplish more. Our partnership with BetterHelp is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organizations come together to support a common cause.

If you or someone you know would benefit from this service, we encourage you reach out to us or navigate to the link below to learn more. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of survivors and work towards a future where everyone has access to the support they need to heal and thrive https://www.betterhelp.com/laurenmccluskey/

About the Lauren McCluskey Foundation:

The Lauren McCluskey Foundation is a non-profit organization established in honor of Lauren Jennifer McCluskey, a University of Utah student-athlete who was tragically murdered by a man she briefly dated in 2018. The foundation’s mission is to empower students, athletes, and institutions to improve the response to victims of relationship violence on college campuses. They provide resources and education to students and Universities, advocate for campus-safety-related policy changes, and drive on-going research towards solutions to better manage the issue of relationship violence on college campuses.