By R. Dyer Allied Residential

In our upstairs apartment, staying cool is all about promoting cross drafts and airflow in the cooler evenings or early mornings to clear out the hot air and draw in the cool air, closing the shades to keep that solar energy out, and using tricks to stay cooler like: drinking cold mint tea and fresh lemonade, running cold water or reusable ice packs on pulse points to cool off: ankles, wrists, around the neck, wearing cooling material like bamboo, cotton, and linen, putting a wet sheet in front of the open window drawing cool air in, or sleeping with a sheet still cool from the freezer, and turning our hot water bottles into ice packs. Like so many older apartments in the PNW, we do not have built in air conditioning and a bowl of ice in front of a fan was the closest to cool we were likely to get indoors.

I remember when it kept getting hotter and hotter during the heat wave of 2021. We saw our community wilt and spent every penny we had on ice and water and fans and spent the hours outside of work dipping handkerchiefs in the ice water to help folks stay cool, handing out water bottles from coolers with fast melting ice, giving frozen water bottles and fans and ice to others in the community to try to keep everyone safe. We shared tips and tricks for staying cool, where to go for cleaner air and cooler air, and ways to know what heat stroke was versus heat exhaustion. Still, it was days too late before we know that we had lost a neighbor to that heat. If you have extra, please share with those in our community that do not have enough. If you do not have extra, please share information.

Here is information that may be helpful information about places that are open to the public and have a/c and are great for cooling down in the heat like grocery stores, malls, community centers, parks, and public libraries. For me, nothing beats sitting in a chilly theater on a hot night watching a good movie.

There are tips online and one of the easiest for me to use and understands also includes water safety tips shared here courtesy of Tacoma Metro Parks: “Staying Cool When Temperatures Heat Up – Metro Parks Tacoma

When outside temperatures are very high, the danger for heat-related illness rises. Older adults, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at particularly high risk.

Tips to help you and your family stay safe

Keep cool:

·       Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.

·       Dress in lightweight clothing.

·       Check on your elderly neighbors and relatives and encourage them to keep cool and hydrated.

Drink liquids:

·       Drink plenty of water.

·       Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and lots of sugar—they actually dehydrate you.

·       Keep water with you whenever possible, and sip or drink frequently.

·       Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

If you go outside:

·       Limit the time you’re in direct sunlight.

·       Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car.

·       Limit activities that are tiring, or that take a lot of energy.

·       Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning and evening hours.

·       Avoid sunburn. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.

City of Tacoma Inclement Weather Resources – list of cooling centers
Hot weather tips from TPCHD
Hot weather tips from the WA Department of Health

Water Safety

Some people may choose to visit local lakes, rivers, and beaches to cool off, but drowning is a real concern. Kids can disappear under water in the blink of an eye and even adults with strong swimming skills can be surprised and disabled by extreme cold water.

·       Be a “water watcher” – provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising

·       Avoid distractions including cell phones

·       Teach children to always ask permission to go near water

·       Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets

·       Always swim with a buddy

·       Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving, or supervising swimmers

·       Avoid areas with moving water, waves, or rip currents

·       Always enter unknown or shallow water feet first

·       Choose to swim at local pools that are staffed with lifeguards instead of at public beaches.”

That article has such valuable information. Thank you, Tacoma Metro Parks!

When we set up near water, we set up a schedule with one adult in charge since one of my friends says that if everyone is watching, no one is watching. It helps us keep track of everyone while we are near water or other potential hazards.  

Community spaces for staying cool when it heats up outside: 

Metro Parks Community Centers are a wonderful place for staying cool and staying fit:

Center at Norpoint: 4818 Nassau Ave NE, Tacoma, WA 98422 (253) 404-3900

Eastside Community Center: 1721 E 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98404 (253) 404-3990

People’s Center: 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 404-3915

STAR Center: 3873 S 66th St, Tacoma, WA 98409 (253 404-3939

Splash and Play at the Spraygrounds:

Wright Sprayground: 501 South I St., Tacoma, WA 98405

Wapato Hills Sprayground: 6231 S. Wapato St., Tacoma, WA 98409

Verlo Sprayground: 4321 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404

Titlow Sprayground: 8425 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98465

South Park Sprayground: 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98422

Kandle Sprayground: 2323 N. Shirley St., Tacoma, WA 98406

Jefferson Sprayground: 801 N. Mason Ave., Tacoma, WA 98406

Franklin Sprayground: 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405

Tacoma and Pierce County Public Libraries featured in last month’s Library Joy and found online:

Tacoma Public Library - Find locations, hours of operation, and more information at tacomalibrary.org.

Pierce County Libraries - Find library locations and more information at mypcls.org/visit-the-library/locations-hours.

Look for Public Parks throughout the county and state online at: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks 

My favorite park is at Point Defiance where Kids 12 and under must wear life jackets in most of the boats launched at Point Defiance and the Marina has loaner life jackets available.  

Washington State Parks also has a Life Jacket Loaner Program where you can find over 180 stations on their interactive map: https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/life-jacket-loaner-program to stay safe while cooling off in water.

What do you do to stay cool? Share your ideas with us via email at: outreach@weekly-volcano.com

Library Locations: Pierce County Library System Locations: 

Anderson Island Pierce County Library

11319 Yoman Road

Anderson Island, WA 98303

253-548-3536

Bonney Lake Pierce County Library

18501 90th St. E.

Bonney Lake, WA 98391

253-548-3308

Buckley Pierce County Library

123 S. River Ave.

Buckley, WA 98321

253-548-3310 or 360-829-0300

Dupont Pierce County Library

1540 Wilmington Drive

Dupont, WA 98327

253-548-3326

Eatonville Pierce County Library

205 Center St. W.

Eatonville, WA 98328

253-548-3311 or 360-832-6011

Fife Pierce County Library

6622 20th St. E.

Fife, WA 98424

253-548-3323

Gig Harbor Pierce County Library

4424 Point Fosdick Drive

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

253-548-3305

Graham Pierce County Library

9202 224th St. E.

Graham, WA 98338

253-548-3322

Key Center Pierce County Library

8905 Key Peninsula Hwy NW

Lakebay, WA 98349

253-548-3309

Lakewood Pierce County Library

Until the interim Lakewood location opens,

the Library System encourages you to visit nearby:

DuPont Pierce County Library

at 1540 Wilmington Drive

Steilacoom Pierce County Library

at 2950 Steilacoom Blvd.

Tillicum Pierce County Library

at 14916 Washington Ave. S.W.

University Place Pierce County Library

at 3609 Market Place W., Suite 100

Enjoy pop-up libraries and other services with

community partners throughout Lakewood. People

can check out books, movies, and other materials as

well as enjoy classes and events at the pop-up libraries

and community places

Lakewood, WA · (253) 548-3302

Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library

900 Meridian E., Suite 29

Milton, WA 98354

253-548-3325

Orting Pierce County Library

202 Washington Ave. S.

Orting, WA 98360

253-548-3312

Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library

13718 Pacific Ave. S.

Tacoma, WA 98444

253-548-3304

Pierce County Library - Administrative Center

3005 112th St. E.

Tacoma, WA 98446

253-548-3300

Pierce County Law Library

930 Tacoma Avenue S

Tacoma, WA ·98402

(253) 798-2691

South Hill Pierce County Library

15420 Meridian E.

South Hill, WA 98375

253-548-3303

Steilacoom Pierce County Library

2950 Steilacoom Blvd.

Steilacoom, WA 98388

253-548-3313

Summit Pierce County Library

5107 112th St. E.

Tacoma, WA 98446

253-548-3321

Sumner Pierce County Library

1116 Fryar Ave.

Sumner, WA 98390

253-548-3306

Tillicum Pierce County Library

14916 Washington Ave. SW

Lakewood, WA 98498

253-548-3314

University Place Pierce County Library

3609 Market Place W., Suite 100

University Place, WA 98466

253-548-3307

Tacoma Public Library Locations:

Eastside Community Center (book drop service only)

1721 E 56th St

Tacoma, WA 98404

Fern Hill Branch

765 South 84th Street

Tacoma, WA 98444

253-280-2910

Kobetich Branch

212 Browns Point Blvd. NE

Tacoma, WA 98422

253-280-2920

Main Branch

1102 Tacoma Avenue South

Tacoma, WA 98402

253-280-2800

Moore Branch

215 South 56th Street

Tacoma, WA 98408

523-280-2930

Mottet Branch

3523 East G Street

Tacoma, WA 98404

253-280-2950

Northwest Room

1102 Tacoma Ave S

Tacoma, WA 98402

253-280-2814

South Tacoma Branch

3411 South 56th Street

Tacoma, WA 98409

253-280-2960

Swasey Branch

7001 Sixth Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98406

253-280-2970

Wheelock Branch

3722 North 26th Street

Tacoma, WA 98407

253-280-2980

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

EMERGENCY AND CRISIS LINES

Child Protective Services                                                866-363-4276

Crisis Clinic 24-Hour Crisis Line                                       866-427-4747

Crisis Connections:

            24-Hour Crisis Line                                            866-427-4747

            Teen Link                                                          866-833-6546

            WA Recovery Helpline                                       866-789-1511

            WA Warm Line                                                  877-500-9276

Domestic Violence Helpline                                           253-798-4166

Domestic Violence Hotline                                             800-799-7233

Family Renewal Center                                                  253-475-9010

Family Renewal Center 888                                           888-550-3915

MultiCare Behavioral Health                                          253-697-8400

National Suicide and Crisis Line                                      9-8-8

National Suicide Prevention Hotline                               800-273-8255

Planned Parenthood                                                      800-769-0045

Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County                          253-597-6424

Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County 800                    800-756-7273

Veterans Affairs Crisis Line (option1)                              800-273-8255

WAFHome (KWA)                                                          253-359-0470

Washington Poison Center Information Line                   800-222-1222

Washington Listens                                                       833-681-0211

Washington Recovery Helpline                                      866-789-1511

ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Adult Protective Services                                               877-734-6277

Aging & Disability Resources Center                               253-798-4600

Aging & Disability Resources Center 800                        800-562-0332

Disabled American Veterans                                          253-472-4680

Medicare Beneficiary Helpline                                       800-633-4227

DISABILITY RESOURCES

Northwest Access Fund                                                 206-328-5166

Northwest ADA Center                                                  800-949-4232

Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources                 253-798-4600

Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities   253-564-0707

Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals

With Disabilities (TACID)                        V/TDD               253-565-9000

                                                TTY                               253-565-3486

WA Talking Book and Braille Library                               800-542-0866

WA TBI Resource Coordination                                      253-572-0383

WA TDD Relay Services                                                  711                             

DISASTER RESOURCES

American Red Cross                                                      253-474-0400

BePreparedWA                                                             253-592-0321

FEMA                                                                           800-525-0321

Salvation Army                                                              253-572-8452

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES

Crystal Judson Family Justice Center Advocate Line         253-798-4166

Family Renewal Shelter                                                 253-475-9010

Family Renewal Shelter 888                                          888-550-9315              

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Safeline                                253-966-7233

KWA Domestic Violence Hotline                                     253-359-0470                                      

New Phoebe House Association                                     253-383-7710                          

Our Sister’s House Advocate                                          253-383-4275                                                  

Police                                                                           9-1-1

Rebuilding Hope, Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County 253-474-7273

Tacoma Community House Advocacy                             253-383-3951                                      

YWCA Pierce County Domestic Violence Hotline             253-383-2593

DV Shelters

YWCA: 253-383-2593
Korean Women’s Association: 253-359-0470
Family Renewal Shelter: 253-485-9010
CDVAP Puyallup Tribal Shelter: 253-680-5499

DV Legal/Advocacy

Crystal Judson Family Justice Center: 253-798-4310
YWCA: 253-365-6352
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association: 253-572-5134
Tacoma Community House: 253-383-3951
Northwest Immigrants Rights Project: 206-587-4009

General Information

Pierce County Resource Line: Dial 211

FOOD RESOURCES

All Saints Catholic Church, Puyallup (delivery)               253-848-2000

Allen Food Pantry                                                         253-627-6855

BASH                                                                            253-531-9600

Bread of Life at Lake City                                               253-582-2515

Buckley                                                                         253-266-7309

Catholic Community Service (frozen delivery)                 253-474-1300

Community Christian Assembly                                      253-537-4010

Department of Social & Health Services (benefit)            877-501-2233

Eatonville Family Agency                                               360-832-6805

Eatonville Living Word Assembly of God                         360-832-4220

Eloise Cooking Pot                                                         253-426-1994

Emmanuel Food Pantry                                                 253-863-3655

Holy Family of Jesus Cambodian Church (benefit)           253-471-9838

Korean Women’s Association (benefit)                           253-535-4202

Lutheran Community Services NW (frozen delivery)        253-272-8433

Nourish Pierce County Food Banks

Information                                                                  253-383-3164

Edgewood                                                                    253-826-4654

Graham                                                                        253-846-3805

Jackson Street                                                               253-383-3164

Lakes                                                                            253-581-1116

NW Tacoma                                                                  253-756-4974

SE Tacoma                                                                    253-531-4530

Food Connections                                                         253-383-5048

Gig Harbor Peninsula (Nourish)                                      253-858-6179

Lakewood/Prince of Peace                                             253-584-2565

Orting                                                                           360-893-0095

My Sister’s Pantry                                                         253-627-1186

Parkland 1st Baptist                                                      253-535-1293

Puyallup (Nourish)                                                         253-848-5458

Roy/McKenna                                                               253-843-3033

Salvation Army

Puyallup                                                            253-841-1491 ext. 201

Tacoma                                                             253-572-8452

South Sound Outreach Services (benefit)                       253-593-2111

Spanaway (Nourish)                                                      253-383-1817

Steilacoom                                                                    253-581-1076

SE Asian Diets                                                               253-472-7264

Sumner                                                                         253-863-3793

Tacoma/Bounty                                                            253-475-7098

Tacoma Adventist Community Services/special diets       253-272-8289

Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry                                         253-537-0201

United Lutheran Church                                                253-475-3175

University Place (Nourish)                                             253-460-3134

WLSA/Steilacoom                                                         253-581-1076

Yelm                                                                             360-458-7000

FOOD RESOURCES- MEALS

Beacon Activity Center                                                  253-591-5083

415 S 13th St., Tacoma

Bonney Lake Senior Center                                            253-863-7658

19304 Bonney Lake Blvd.

Buckley Senior Center                                                   360-829-0190

811 Main St.

Catholic Community Services and Center                       253-502-2723

1323 S. Yakima, Tacoma

Community Christian Assembly Food Bank                     253-537-4010

10401 19th Ave. Ct. E., Tacoma

Eastside Community Center                                           253-404-3990

1721 E. 56th St., Tacoma

Eatonville Community Center                                        360-832-6805

305 W. Center St.

Fife Community Center                                                 253-922-0900

2111 54th Ave. E.

Gig Harbor Senior                                                          253-514-6338

6509 38th Ave. NW.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church                                   253-473-4848

140 E. 56th St., Tacoma

Hospitality Kitchen                                                        253-502-2695

1323 S. Yakima, Tacoma

Key Peninsula Community Service                                  253-884-4440

10715 9th St Ct. KPN, Lakebay

Korean Women’s Association                                         253-535-4202

123 East 96th St., Tacoma

KWA Indochinese Cultural Services Center                     253-473-5666

1427 E. 40th St., Tacoma

Lighthouse Senior Center                                               253-591-5080

5016 E. A St., Tacoma

Mid-County Community Center                                     253-531-8412

10205 44th Ave. E., Tacoma

My Sister’s Pantry                                                         253-627-1186

621 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma

Nativity House                                                              253-272-5266

2304 S. Jefferson, Tacoma

Orting Valley Senior Center                                           360-893-5827

120 Washington St., Orting

Algona-Pacific Senior Center                                          253-929-1150

100 Third Ave. SE., Pacific

Point Defiance-Ruston Senior Center                             253-756-0601

4716 N. Baltimore

Puyallup Activity Center                                                253-841-5555

210 W. Pioneer

Puyallup Tribal Elders Intertribal Native American          253-680-5480

1650 E. 30th St., Tacoma

Salvation Army-Puyallup                                                253-841-1491

4009 9th St. SW.

Spana-Park Senior Center                                              253-537-4854

325 E. 152nd St., Spanaway

Steilacoom Community Center                                       253-983-2059

2301 Worthington, Steilacoom

Sumner Senior Center                                                   253-863-2910

15506 62nd St Ct. E, Sumner

Tacoma Rescue Mission                                                 253-383-4493

425 South Tacoma Way

Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Center       253-584-1280

14916 Washington Ave. SW., Tillicum

Trinity Lutheran Church                                                 253-537-0201

12115 Park Ave. S., Parkland

University Place Senior Community Center                     253-564-1992

2534 Grandview Dr. W

HOUSING ISSUE RESOURCES

City of Tacoma housing complaints                                253-591-5151

City of Tacoma downpayment assistance                       253-591-5230

Housing Justice Project                                                  253-572-5134

Rental Assistance                                                           2-1-1

LEGAL RESOURCES

Northwest Justice Project                                              206-464-1519

Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution                  253-572-3657

Rehmke Law Offices                                                      253-460-3190

Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, referrals            253-383-3432

Tacoma Pro Bono                                                           888-822-5134

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Asian Counseling Services                                              253-301-5250

Bi-Polar Support Group (TACID)                                     253-565-9000

Catholic Community Services                                         253-383-3697

Community Connections                                               253-798-4500

Crisis Line                                                                     800-576-7764

HopeSparks                                                                  253-565-4484

Comprehensive Mental Health Center                            253-396-5000

DSHS Mental Health Division                                         800-446-0259

MultiCare Behavioral Healthcare                                    253-697-8400

Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare                                   253-581-7020

Mental Health Ombudsman                                           800-531-0508

Mobile Outreach Crisis Team                                         800-576-7764

Sea Mar Behavioral Health Center

Tacoma                                                            253-396-1634

Puyallup                                                            253-864-4770

Suicide Prevention Lifeline                                             800-273-8255

TACID Mental Health Resource                                      253-565-9000 x20

Therapy Center (Pacific Lutheran University)                  253-535-8782

Washington Warm Line                                                 877-500-9276

Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital                            253-301-5494

SHELTERS AND HYGIENE RESOURCES   

United Way Helpline                                         2-1-1

TACID                                                               253-565-9000

Catholic Community Center

Family Day Center

Families (defined as pregnant women and parent(s) with minor children in custody)

5050 South Tacoma Way

Tacoma, WA 98409

General Information: 253-471-5340

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun: 9am-4pm

Wed: 12pm-6pm

No appointment necessary

Nativity House Day and Overnight Shelters

Adult men and women

702 S 14th Street

Tacoma, WA 98405

Contact: 253-502-8780

Hours

Day Shelter: 7:00 am-5:00 pm Every day, including weekends and holidays

Overnight Shelter: 5:00 pm-7:00 am Every night, including weekends and holidays

To Volunteer or donate: M-F 9-5 call: 253.365.4111 or email: meganed@ccsww.org

Jarvie Memorial Family Lodge
Emergency Family Shelter

1521 Sixth Ave

Tacoma, WA 98405

Office hours: Sunday-Monday 10:30 am-4:40 pm

Phone: 253-572-8452 Ext. 127

Tacoma Rescue Mission

Adam’s Street Family Campus

Contact for services and availability, not open to public

Phone: 253-383-4493

Email: info@trm.org

Men’s Shelter

single men experiencing homelessness

425 South Tacoma Way

Tacoma, WA

Phone: 253-383-4493 ext. 1106

Email: info@trm.org

Hours: 3:30 pm for sign up, 6:30 pm for roll call

Women’s Emergency Shelter

unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness

425 South Tacoma Way

Tacoma, WA

Phone: 253-383-4493 ext. 1106

Email: info@trm.org

Hours: 6:30 pm to sign up for bed, 8:00 pm roll call

SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES

Al-Anon                                                                                    888-425-2666

Alcoholics Anonymous                                                  253-474-8897

Good Samaritan Behavioral Health                                253-697-8400

Sea Mar (inpatient)                                                       253-280-9860

Tacoma Detox Unit                                                       253-593-2413