Arts & Entertainment
- Prepare for October Arts Month throughout Tacoma
- The month will kick off Saturday October 4, 1-4pm at the Tacoma Public Library, Main Branch with Kaleidoscope, a free, all-ages festival bringing live music, dance, art displays, hands-on workshops and Tacoma Creates partners.
- Saturday & Sunday October 11-12 in studios across Tacoma, you can get artist Studio Tours to step inside working spaces of artists, watch demonstrations, see works in progress and shop directly from the source.
- Saturday & Sunday November 15-16 will wrap up the events with Arts at the Armory, a free weekend market featuring 100+ artists and makers under one roof where you can explore booths, shops for original artwork and enjoy special activities in the Eleanor room.
- Explore the full events calendar at: TacomaArtsMonth.org/events
- Curator High; Summer Program for Students Brings “Suspended in Air” to the Museum
- This summer, in partnership with Jobs 253 (Tacoma Public Schools), Museum of Glass held its third year of Curator High, a program for students interested in learning more about the curatorial and administrative processes at museums. Working closely with the Museum’s Education and Curatorial departments, the students designed a display for the Grand Hall with works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection. The high school curators determined the display’s topic and content, wrote interpretive content for the case, and worked with all departments in the Museum to not only realize their vision, but to learn and understand the division of labor in a Museum. Come see the display at the Museum of Glass now.
- Community Ceramics Courses Available at UPS this Fall
- The University of Puget Sound is announcing its upcoming Fall 2025 Community Ceramics Courses. Registration is now live. Bennett Shoemaker will teach Thursday evenings September 4 – October 9. Ronda Peck will teach Friday evenings September 5 – October 10. There will also be a second set of Fall 2025 Community Ceramics courses beginning in mid-October. Those dates are Thursdays October 16 – November 20 and Fridays October 17 – November 21. To register, go here.
- Tacoma Film Festival Returns for 19th Year
- The Tacoma Film Festival is coming back for a 19th year to The Grand Cinema from Oct. 9-12 to highlight the best and brightest of the Northwest. (That means not just Washington and Oregon, but also Idaho, British Columbia, and Alaska.) Although the lineup isn’t yet revealed, the TFF is sure to stay true to its time-tested mission: creating “a haven for filmmakers and film fans,” with a particular emphasis on (but not complete exclusivity to) independent films with a strong connection to the Northwest. Their all-access entry pass will give you unlimited access to all in-person films and events during the festival. Find out more on their website at https://grandcinema.com/tacomafilmfestival/.
- Tacoma Has A Few Less Secrets as Local Writes About Them
- Secret Tacoma is a celebration of the best parts of Tacoma. It is a champion for a city with an underdog reputation, even though it wasn’t always the underdog. Tacoma was once the most important city in western Washington, serving as the terminus for the transcontinental railroad’s northern route. You can learn about outlandish mansions, the largest private collection of cast iron in the world and a Liberty Bell hidden in a bush and more in Chris Staudinger’s new book, Secret Tacoma. He’s got some upcoming book presentation and signings, but don’t wait. You can get your copy now.
- Thursday, September 25, from 3 – 4 p.m. at Franke Tobey Jones Center
- Saturday, October 11, from 5-9:30 pm at Tacoma Public Library
- Wednesday, October 22, from 10am – 12pm at Kent Senior Center
Neighborhood News
- Grand Opening of Urban League’s Remodeled Historic Building
- The Tacoma Urban League invites the community to join in their celebration of the rich history and exciting new chapter at the grand opening of their newly remodeled headquarters. September 19 11:30am – 1:30pm, doors will be open for the community to explore the new space with the official ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at noon led by President & CEO Desiree’ Wilkins Finch. Connect, celebrate and build relationships with leaders, partners and neighbors driving progress, possibility and community impact. You will also be able to explore opportunities and how to get involved with the TUL Guild for volunteers and the reinvigorated Young Professionals Network for ages 20-40. The headquarters is located at 2550 S Yakima Ave being a long standing symbol of resilience and progress. RSVP HERE.
- Maintenance on I-705 to Change Direction this Week
- If you’ve driven on 705 since the middle of August, you’ve noticed the closures of the northbound off-ramps from 705 to Stadium Way and Schuster Parkway. Assuming the weather has kept the project on track, these should be opening with the closure of the southbound ramps from Stadium Way and Schuster Parkway to I-705 are expected to close from mid-September to mid-October. During the construction, one ramp will be closed at a time and will have detours provided. The closures have included work such as installing a new cement overlay on the decks as well as replacement of the expansion joints and other necessary repairs for safety.
- Hosmer Business District Finds Its Footing
- The recently formed Hosmer Business Association is quickly making its presence felt with a mix of community events and business support initiatives. Since forming, the Hosmer Business Association has organized restaurant flash mobs, helped bring the Tacoma Children’s Business Fair to the neighborhood, and is now preparing for its first-ever community cookout on Saturday, September 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1740 S. 84th St., with free food, bounce houses, music, games and prizes. The district has also taken steps to improve safety by hiring private security to patrol the area, a move welcomed by local shop owners. To learn more or join the distract as a business owner in the area, visit hbatacoma253.org. Meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at 8203 South Hosmer Street.
- Most Kids are Back to School, Think Safety
- Now that most kids are back to school, there are more people out walking, biking and waiting for the bus. Remember to slow down, stay alert and give kids space to cross safely. In school zones, the speed limit is 20mph. Not just the law, it can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy. The Pierce County Council encourages everyone to do their part to ensure every student gets to class and back home safely this year.
- September is Suicide Prevention Month
- September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn the warning signs, normalize help-seeking and let people know there are proven treatments that work. Check out SAMHSA’s suicide prevention month toolkit at https://t.co/D2igrVV7xH. You can text or call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org for help with mental health, suicide and substance use problems. Call 911 for emergencies involving immediate danger.
Local Governance
- New “Washington State Protection Orders” Website Launched
- The Alliance for Gun Responsibility has announced the launch of waprotectionorders.org, a statewide online portal to help understand, navigate and access civil protection orders across Washington. It is tailored to meet the needs of survivors, respondents, advocates, law enforcement and legal professionals to consolidate information on all six types of civil protection orders: domestic violence, stalking, anti-harassment, vulnerable adult, sexual assault and extreme risk protection orders. These protection orders are a vital tool for preventing harm but can be hard to navigate. This site brings necessary clarity, justice and safety measures to those who need it most. It fills a gap for the first time offering a single, trusted destination for all protection order information in Washington, making legal protections understandable, accessible and actionable for people across the state.
- The General Election is Coming, November 4
- The General Election is November 4, 2025. The county has already made its voter’s pamphlet available online for you to start your review. Be sure to vote and make a difference in your community and your voice heard. View the pamphlet online here.
Business & Opportunities
- Save the Date: October 30 Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Annual Meeting
- Save the date for the Chamber’s Annual Meeting to celebrate the South Sound business community and reflect on the memories, accomplishments and the growth experienced in the past year. You’ll be the first to find out the winners of the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards and view the 2025 Annual Impact Report. The meeting will be at the Silver Cloud Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront.
- Employer Forum at UPS – Thursday, September 18, 2:30–4:30pm
- This is a brand-new event at Puget Sound, and they’re excited to kick it off! Think of it as a roundtable-meets-networking-meets-brainstorming session. Employers, faculty, and Career & Employment Services staff in one space, swapping insights on career readiness, trends, and how we can better prepare our students for the “real world” you know so well. Your voice in this conversation matters, and honestly—we can’t do this right without you. Please register on Handshake here.
- WayOut Kids Seeks STEAM Instructors for Afterschool Program
- WayOut Kids, the nonprofit known for engaging STEAM-focused programming and youth empowerment, is hiring part-time Afterschool Program Instructors to lead hands-on STEAM activities for K–8 students. The role begins with training and runs up to 15 hours per week, offering $18–$20 per hour based on experience. The program launches on September 15, and candidates must pass a background check. Interested applicants can submit via an online form—https://www.wayoutkids.com/careers.
- University of Puget Sound Sets the Stage with Fall Open House
- The University of Puget Sound is inviting prospective students and families to its Discover Puget Sound Fall Open House, offering an immersive look at campus life through tours, admission and financial aid sessions, and a behind-the-scenes peek into being a Logger. Events are scheduled for Saturday, September 27, and Tuesday, November 11, giving visitors a warm welcome to explore academics, student life, and the vibrant community at Puget Sound. For more information, visit https://explore.pugetsound.edu/visit-campus/
Recreation & Wellness
- There’s Still Time to Book a Rail-Cycle for 2025
- Rail-Cycle Mt Rainier is a pedal bike excursion traveling over a historic railroad. Rail-cycles have 4 seats but are sold by the seat so bring your friends or meet some new ones. Rail-cycle trips are led by a guide in the lead rail-cycle. Once you depart New Reliance, you will meander through woodlands and open fields. If the weather is good and the mountain is out, riders have views of Mt. Rainier traveling through the beautiful hills, fields and valleys. Riders arrive at a turnaround where guides turn the cycle around for the return trip that gives cyclers a quick stretch and rest of their legs. The railroad foes up and down with twists and turns, but it is built with slight grades where the pedaling is very enjoyable. Book your trip here!
- Join the Integration Circle at Source Yoga (2nd Sundays) September 14
- The integration circle is a supportive group setting where individuals who have had psychedelic experiences can come together to share, process and make sense of their journeys. These circles aim to help participants integrate the insights and emotions from their experiences into their daily lives. The Community Integration Circles occur monthly on the second Sunday of each month. They are hoping to start hosting Shared Experience Circles this year including but not limited to circles for BIPOC, Veterans, Women, Creatives and more. For more information click here.
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