Neighborhood News
- Rainbow Center Announces Gayla 2025: Joy as a Radical Act of Resistance
- Rainbow Center proudly announces Gayla 2025: Rooted & Radiant / Progress in Full Color, an evening that celebrates the power of visibility, community and joy as acts of resistance. Through education, advocacy, and celebration, Rainbow Center expands programs, services, resources, events and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Scheduled for November 15th at the Marriott Downtown Tacoma, Gayla 2025 is more than a fundraiser – it’s a declaration. For the community and allies, joy is not frivolous, it’s revolutionary. By gathering in love, solidarity and celebration, they affirm that identities, stories and futures are not valid but vital. Event highlights include: dazzling entertainment with Drag Queen Emcees Macy Marcs and Lavinda Lyfe, dinner, auctions and dancing, honorees including local celebrities Laura Michalek & Amanda Westbrooke and powerful performances including Kim Archer Band, Cheer Tacoma and DJ Noa A. https://rainbowcntr.org/
- Tacoma Chosen as National Launch City for Opportunity Knocks Live
- Tacoma is taking the national spotlight on Oct 4 as the first city to host Opportunity Knocks Live—a powerful day of action to helps families living paycheck to paycheck to get ahead of their money. The event is inspired by the award-winning life-transformation series Opportunity Knocks on PBS which was named America’s Best Feel-Good Show by the Academy of Reality Television in 2024 after beating Shark Tank and The Voice. Residents of Pierce County can ‘live the show’ with an experience that gives people resources from nonprofits, trusted community organizations, not-for-profit credit unions, and banks for a day of breaking down barriers, opening doors and getting fair access to a better life. Learn more at https://opportunityknockslive.net/
- Free Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic in University Place October 11
- LifeBridge Church is hosting a Free Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic in University Place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 4707 Elwood Drive W, University Place, WA 98466. This one-day event will bring together volunteer physical therapists, chiropractors, doctors, nurses, and wellness educators to provide no-cost care for the community, no insurance required, no strings attached. Services will include: physical therapy & chiropractic care, doctor consultations & wellness counseling, blood pressure screenings & posture checks, medication review for educational purposes only, preventative health education and other services as available. Learn more at lifebridgeway.com/health
Local Governance
- The City of Tacoma’s Pothole Palooza is Back Now through October 13
- The City of Tacoma’s crews are out and at it again for another round of Pothole Palooza. During this time they will be working on the maintenance and preservation of 10 arterial roadways, slated for each of the 5 City Council districts. Potholes can be frustrating and dangerous and with the weather in Tacoma, the streets are especially vulnerable. Some of the upcoming work is scheduled to take place at Norpoint Way NE/Point Woodworth Dr NE, 4500 block of South Pine, South 38th Street between Cushman & Alaska, E McKinley Way between D & G Streets, South 74th between Wapato & Oakes Streets, East 84th between D & G Streets, and Sprague Ave Exit from Hwy 16 to South 19th Street. You can check the full schedule at tacoma.gov/pothole-palooza
Arts & Entertainment
- Creative Colloquy Literary Crawl October 7, 6-9pm
- Tuesday, October 7, 6 – 9 p.m. Tacoma’s annual literary crawl returns! Wander through downtown venues and experience an evening of live readings, storytelling, and performances from local writers, poets, and creatives. Each stop offers a fresh lineup and new atmosphere, mixing literature with Tacoma’s nightlife for a one-of-a-kind community celebration of story. Venues include Kings Books, Doyles, Manuscript, The Grand, The Mix, Puget Sound Pizza, and The Rusty Goat. See full event details at CreativeColloquy.com
- Step into a Halloween World of Imagination
- Step into a Halloween world of wild imagination at Lakewold Gardens’ All Hallows: The Garden of Dr. Moreau! Explore a Victorian-inspired laboratory where Dr. Moreau’s experiments have spilled into the garden Strange puzzles, curious scavenger hunts and hands-on crafts invite guests of all ages to play along in this storybook world of science and mystery. Capture spooky-fun photos, enjoy treats along the way, and watch for the legendary Gravelly Lake Monster making special appearances. Costumes are encouraged, the atmosphere is playful and the adventure happens rain or shine. Join the fun on October 18-19 and 25-26 from 6-9pm for a Halloween night where nature and imagination intertwine.
- Concert in the Cone: Thursday October 16, 6-7pm
- Seattle-based cellist Gretchen Yanover joins Museum of Glass for a Concert in the Cone collaboration with Hilltop Artists. Yanover will perform layered, evocative compositions on electric cello with a looping pedal. Her loops build into string atmospheres upon which she overlays soulful melodies Yanover will perform from her body of repertoire, including works from her 2024 release, Holding / Movement. The album title embodies the feeling of the music Gretchen creates. It will be performed in the Hot Shop with live glassblowing by Hilltop Artists, creating a multi-sensory experience not to be missed. Fun for all ages and FREE with support from Tacoma Creates! Learn More Here.
- Tacoma Little Theater Season Opens with The DaVinci Code
- Tacoma Little Theatre opens its 107th season with Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code, brought to life on the stage as a regional premiere. The Da Vinci Code is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, with direction by Trina Williamson. In this thrilling play, based on Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, Professor Robert Langdon is summoned to the Louvre, where he becomes the center of a murder investigation. Cryptologist Sophie Neveu warns him that he is both suspect and investigator, setting them on a frantic race to clear his name and decode a labyrinthine puzzle before a shocking historical secret is lost forever. From Paris to London, they unravel mysteries hidden for centuries in this gripping adaptation. With danger at every turn, they must solve the clues before time runs out. This adaptation brings the novel’s twists and turns to life with thrilling intensity. The Da Vinci Code will run Friday, October 24, through Sunday, November 9, 2025, for a total of 11 performances. Evening showings are at 7:30pm and matinees are at 2:00pm, please check the website for exact dates. www.tacomalittletheater.com
Check your email for a special subscriber discount for October!
Opportunities
- Opportunities Open to Serve on Tacoma Arts Commission and Tacoma Creates Advisory Board
- The Tacoma City Council is currently seeking applicants to fill seven open positions on the Tacoma Arts Commission and one open position on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board. These are volunteer positions and applicants must live within Tacoma city limits. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on October 13, 2025, at tacoma.gov/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@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5178.
- Rise & Reinvent at This Year’s South Sound Entrepreneurship Week
- Spaceworks Tacoma is partnering with South Sound Entrepreneurship Week to host workshops designed to inspire action and rejuvenate community among small business and its surrounding ecosystem. Saturday October 4 11am – 6:30pm at the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber. You can look forward to free workshops like Bridge the Gap: How do we connect with others? – Plan Your Quarter Right: A goal setting & execution workshop, and From Chaos to Control: How to strengthen & prepare your business for a future you choose. https://www.southsoundentrepreneurshipweek.com/
Recreation
- Experience Meadow Park After Dark with Glow Golf
- On Fridays and Saturdays, you can experience Meadow Park after dark. The unique experience is fun for all ages. Your $42(+tax) ticket includes a round of golf on the Williams Nine Course, lighted LED golf ball to see your perfect night shots, one drink ticket for Foley’s Sports Bar & Grill and glow swag to light your night. Book your tee time https://www.parkstacoma.gov/glowgolf/
- Candlelight Tour Transports Visitors to 1857 for a Magical Evening
- More than 100 historical interpreters will bring Fort Nisqually to life during their magical evening walking tour. Illuminated by candlelight and campfires, visitors eavesdrop on the lives of people who lived at the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in 1857. Songs, dances and even a wedding celebration as they go about their everyday life. The Candlelight Tours take place Friday October 3 and Saturday October 4 6-9pm. Advance tickets are required and available at www.fortnisqually.org
- Get Ready to Drop Your Pots, Winter Crabbing Season is Here
- The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has given the go ahead to sport crab fishers announcing the winter crabbing season open on October 1 – December 31 in several marine areas. The data collected from summer crabbing helped the fishery managers to deem a healthy population to allow for crabbing in a majority of marine areas. Make sure to stay on top of all your legal requirements and carry your valid fishing license. More info at wdfw.wa.gov/
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