Registration is now open for two community ceramics courses which begin in January 2025 at the University of Puget Sound. The classes are offered through the university's Community Music program in partnership with the Art and Art History department.

Explore ceramics for the very first time or hone your skills with the expert guidance of University of Puget Sound faculty instructor, Ronda Peck.

These six-week courses of "Intro to Ceramics" are open to members of the public as well to faculty, staff and students. The classes are not part of a degree program and are open to people 16 years old and above.

There is a Friday section that meets Friday evenings at 6 pm - 8:30 pm.
There is a Saturday section that meets Saturday mornings at 10 am - 12:30 pm.

For more details and to register, visit the registration webpage.

Friday classes > https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4706#CourseID=307356
Saturday classes >  https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4706#CourseID=307357

In the Pacific Northwest, artists and makers have been steeped in the Italian approach to glassmaking through the Studio Glass movement, and Venetian-style goblets are a fixture in our local glassmaking scene. These goblets are notable for their thinness and complexity. As our culture becomes increasingly dependent on technology, it also becomes detached from the handmade. Goblet Week began with the mission to highlight the magic of handmade functional glass pieces — specifically, Venetian-style goblets.

Goblet Week will feature four Visiting Artists who are some of the best in the game in this style: Jason Christian, Jen Elek, Jason McDonald, and Michael Schunke.

Each artist will spend their day in the Hot Shop showcasing their unique approach to making goblets (or “cups,” as they are affectionately called by the artists). On Sunday, the Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team will take center stage and conclude the week making their signature goblet designs. Sunday’s programming will also feature a lecture on Venetian goblets by Hot Shop Emcee Walter Lieberman at 1pm. Each day, audiences will learn about the different techniques and processes used by each artist in their goblet designs. See below for more about the artists.

Additionally, Museum of Glass will host an Artist Reception + Wine Tasting and Goblet Sale the evening of Saturday, January 18. More details and tickets below.

Admission to Goblet Week can be purchased ahead of time through the button below or day-of at the Admissions Desk per regular admission admission.

Additional opportunities include a raffle for a hand blown wine bottle signed by all of the artists plus two goblets made in the hot shop, a goblet week hot shop floor experience, and an artist reception with wine tasting.

Tacoma Creates is the first cultural access program of its kind in Washington State: it was passed by voters in 2018 with a 67% approval rating. The 0.1% sales tax that supports this program must be reauthorized every 7 years. The state law now allows for City Councils to authorize or reauthorize a cultural access program, and as Tacoma’s City Council considers reauthorization in early 2025, the City is seeking community input on the role and impact of Tacoma Creates funding.

Tacoma Creates currently funds over 70 local arts, culture, heritage, and science non-profits in our community, supporting programming in schools, libraries, parks, community centers, museums, and performing arts venues throughout the City.

How does this matter to our community Tacoma Creates invites you to please share your voice in this survey!

Do you want to learn more about Tacoma Creates funding? Read their 2023-24 Annual Report!

You can also check out the list of currently Funded Organizations to see how many you know.

The Fred Oldfield Western Heritage and Art Center's art and performance classes are open for registration for two more weeks! Registration closes on December 30th at noon! Art classes are a great holiday gift for students of any age!

These classes include painting, still life, theater and more! To see a full roster of classes you can click the link below!
Class Schedule | Art Classes, Art Camps | Fred's Creative Kids

The FOWHAC has been providing high-quality and low-cost art classes and workshops to students of all ages for over 20 years. If you have any questions you can email the education manager, at this email - sophiemarie540@gmail.com.

From the Town of Steilacoom Official Website:

Through 2024, the Town of Steilacoom subsidized the Farmers’ Market and the Summer Concert series, among other programs, utilizing revenues from the General Fund. 

Discretionary funding is made available to spend on programming not considered “necessary,” but that may be useful or enjoyable for the Town. Discretionary funds are for optional programs, in contrast to mandatory and/or social programs.

By necessity, programs using discretionary funds are being eliminated, the Farmers’ Market included. Individuals might ask, “what about the fees paid by the vendors?” The Town kept the fees as low as possible, so they covered some, but not all, costs. If the fees were increased to cover all expenses, including Town staff/electricians/set-up crew/equipment, etc., the space fee would not be affordable for vendors.

Finally, prediction of the years ahead are unknown. If the budget situation changes, Town leadership will review programs for reinstatement. Any change will be posted on the Town website, including the Farmers’ Market page.

On December 16th, the market cell phone and email address were retired.

Tacoma residents joined council member Sarah Rumbaugh of District 2, to discuss homelessness. Guests took the opportunity to talk with a dozen non-profit, community and government stakeholders who all play a role in responding to homelessness in downtown Tacoma.

Afterward, guests paired up and took turns answering discussion questions like “what does a better downtown look like?” and “what role can you play to make a difference on this issue?” Then the small groups reported to the entire room contributing to a shared vision.

Most of these dozens of answers fell into the following themes:

- developed business and retail community; - lively, activated spaces and amazing places; - clean and safe neighborhoods; - welcoming and inclusive environment; - homes for everyone; - walkability and transit

It will take the entire community working together. Some of the ways attendees committed to be a part of the solution included:

- frequent downtown businesses; - report incidents to 311 and 911; - attend events in downtown Tacoma; - clean up your neighborhood; - treat everyone in downtown like a person, with dignity and respect; - advocate at all levels of government for revenue to support homelessness services and housing; - donate and volunteer for organizations that directly support individuals experiencing homelessness; - be involved with community groups working to make the neighborhood better

More conversations on the topic will continue into 2025.

The annual Helping the Homeless event took place on December 7 at the former Puyallup Tribal Administration Building in Tacoma, providing essential items to individuals in need. Despite rainy weather, hundreds attended to receive items like sleeping bags, tents, clothing, hygiene products, and non-perishable food. Volunteers also offered hot meals and drinks, with fire pits and portable heaters providing warmth.

The event, held for the second consecutive year since the pandemic, was organized by Puyallup Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller, who has led the initiative for over 15 years. Miller emphasized the importance of compassion and the impact of seeing multiple generations of volunteers, including children, helping those in need.

Tribal leaders, including Vice Chair Miller, Council Member James Rideout, and Lead Secretary Angel Robertiello, expressed deep empathy for the unhoused, highlighting the significance of the Tribe's support and the emotional fulfillment of contributing to the community. Robertiello, in particular, noted how the daily sight of unhoused individuals motivates her to help.

The event was supported by the Tribe’s event management team, including Community Event Coordinator Chester Earl and Assistant Charlene Delacruz, who helped with the setup and execution. Earl spoke about the satisfaction of contributing to a cause that provides "a hand up" to those in need, while Delacruz noted the importance of showing the community that they care.

Overall, the event underscored the Puyallup Tribe's commitment to giving back, fostering a sense of unity and compassion in the face of hardship.

Tacoma faces a potential significant reduction in homeless shelter capacity next summer unless new state funding is secured. The city's temporary and emergency shelters, currently funded by federal pandemic relief and a $3 million state grant, will lose their funding by mid-2025.

Tacoma operates five emergency shelters with 367 beds, but without additional funding, most of these shelters may close by June 2025, leaving only the Stability Site, a 100-bed shelter, operational. Three temporary shelters, with 112 beds, could also close, including Bethlehem Baptist Church.

The city is planning to meet with state lawmakers next week to seek funding to keep shelters open. Tacoma’s overall strategy focuses on permanent housing solutions, with eight permanent shelters (620 beds) set to remain open. Despite the budget constraints, including a $24 million deficit, the city aims to provide long-term housing and support services for displaced individuals.

Holiday cheer isn't the only thing making a return to Pierce County this season—so is Clark, a mischievous Elf on the Shelf, who has been causing trouble at the local sheriff's office. The elf’s antics, reported with a mix of humor and caution, serve as a playful reminder of a more serious issue: during the holiday season, theft and unlawful entry often increase.

In a blog post, the sheriff’s office warns residents to stay vigilant and secure their homes and vehicles. While Clark’s playful behavior may make people smile, the message is clear: be mindful of security during the festive season to ensure the community remains safe and peaceful.

Check out more of Clark’s antics on the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Blog.

On December 8, 2024, Tacoma celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Landlord Fairness Code, a landmark tenant rights law that gives renters in Tacoma some of the strongest protections in Washington State. Yet, despite this significant victory, the City of Tacoma has failed to enforce these hard-won rights, leaving many tenants vulnerable to illegal practices by landlords who rarely face any consequences for violating the law.

In response, Tacoma For All is proud to announce the launch of Tacoma Tenant Legal Aid, a new initiative to empower renters to enforce their rights, recover damages, and hold landlords accountable. Tacoma Tenant Legal Aid is a partnership with Nexus Legal Counsel, a local law firm.

“It’s an honor to fight for tenants and defend the law enacted by Tacoma voters,” said Lauren Romero, who serves as contract attorney for the new program. Romero, who works for Nexus Legal Counsel has several years of experience practicing tenant law and previously worked for Tacomaprobono defending against evictions.

“While there are excellent legal aid services in Tacoma for eviction defense, there’s an absence of legal support for proactive litigation against landlords who illegally refuse to provide relocation assistance, overcharge tenants for move-in and late fees, delay needed repairs, and other violations of the Landlord Fairness Code,” Romero continued. “Tacoma Tenant Legal Aid is proud to offer representation at no upfront cost to tenants who are seeking to defend their rights.”

The program will officially launch on December 8, the one year anniversary of the Landlord Fairness Code becoming law, with a canvassing outreach day at the Aero Apartments – a well-known hotspot for tenant issues – at 11:00 AM.

Starting December 8th, Tacoma Tenant Legal Aid will invite tenants to reach out at 253-279-5244 and an online intake form will be available at www.Tacoma4All.org. A volunteer will contact tenants to collect more information before advancing cases to the attorney or referring the tenant to other resources.

Make a difference in the lives of Pierce County youth!

Pierce County Human Services is seeking a skilled social services professional to serve the community and have a lasting impact on our youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Pierce County.
We’ve recently received federal funding to end youth homelessness through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) grant, and this position will guide the work and support the team.
Learn more and apply before Dec. 29: https://bit.ly/49wZMJ2.

Pierce County is excited to announce the opening of the 2025 Art Grant program, which is now live on our website.  This grant initiative aims to expand access to the arts, foster educational opportunities, support underserved communities and celebrate the rich cultural diversity within Pierce County. 

Nonprofit organizations based in Pierce County are encouraged to apply if they offer arts education, programming or experiences tailored to lower-income youth or underserved populations living outside Tacoma city limits. Eligible projects must take place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. 

Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000. Applications must be submitted online by 2 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2025. 

To assist applicants, a virtual workshop is available to view on the Art Grant program website.

Since 1986, the Pierce County Arts Commission has proudly supported local arts through its Art Grant program. In 2023, the County awarded nearly $27,000 in grants, funding seven projects, serving over 9,100 youth and providing 17,000 hours of enriching art experiences.

The NEA is committed to supporting arts projects for the benefit of all Americans. Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides funding for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. They welcome applications from first-time and returning applicants; from organizations serving rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities of all sizes; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets.

They fund arts projects in the following disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts.

A full grant program description can be found under Grant Program Details below. For details visit: GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS | National Endowment for the Arts

Pierce County Human Services is recruiting volunteers and donations to support the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count.

The PIT Count helps us understand why people experience homelessness, capture the characteristics and situations of people living in our community without a home and plan for services and programs to support residents in unstable housing.

Volunteers can help by attending events during the PIT Count or through surveying people experiencing homelessness from Jan. 30-31, 2025. Volunteers must be over 18 years old, have access to a smart phone and commit to attend a training.

Learn more and sign up to volunteer by visiting www.PierceCountyWA.gov/PIT.

Currently, a federal court order has suspended the requirement for companies to file Business Ownership Information (BOI) with FinCEN, and businesses will not face penalties for failing to do so while the order is in effect. However, this could change depending on future court actions. In the meantime, businesses can choose to voluntarily submit their BOI reports.

Alert:  FinCEN has learned of fraudulent attempts to solicit information from individuals and entities who may be subject to reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. 

For questions and support about BOIR go to https://www.fincen.gov/boi

To file your BOI report go to  https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/

The Washington Workforce Board has launched a new Job Quality Survey to gather input from job seekers and workers across all industries. The survey focuses on what matters most to Washingtonians in their jobs -- pay, work-life balance, career growth, security and more.

This information will support a new statewide job quality strategy, designed to guide workforce development professionals, state agencies, policymakers, and employers in creating more quality jobs across the state.

By collecting data directly from workers, the Workforce Board aims to identify key areas for improvement, such as wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. Results will be shared with employers and other partners.

This collaborative effort aims to build a more resilient and inclusive labor market that benefits both workers and employers.

Responses are confidential, and the survey is open through Feb. 14, 2025.

Questions?  Email Paulette Beadling

Take the Survey

A recent study found that Washington is among the most introverted states in the U.S., ranking ninth due to residents’ tendency to engage in solitary activities. This tendency can make meeting new people and forming friendships more difficult, a challenge faced by adults in many places. The study categorized common activities into four groups—fitness, entertainment, home, and leisure—and Washington’s ranking reflects a greater inclination toward individual pursuits.

The difficulty of making new friends in the Pacific Northwest, especially in cities like Seattle, has been labeled the "Seattle Freeze." Koriann Cox, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington, explained that while people in Seattle are polite, they tend not to go out of their way to invite newcomers into social circles. Additionally, the region’s dreary, overcast weather, which contributes to seasonal affective disorder, can further discourage social interaction, leading to self-isolation during the fall and winter months.

Despite these challenges, Cox emphasizes the importance of making an effort to combat isolation, as strong social connections are linked to better health and longevity. To overcome the "Seattle Freeze," she suggests engaging in activities that align with personal interests, like joining a painting class, where you can meet like-minded individuals. Additionally, UW Medicine offers several tips for making new friends: embrace being a beginner, join groups that match your values, nurture weak ties, and be patient while putting in the effort to build new relationships.

Overall, while meeting people in Washington can be tough, it's not impossible, and actively seeking connections can improve both mental and physical well-being.

Don’t miss these wonderful Christmas Light displays around Tacoma!

See the list HERE!