Neighborhood News
- Join Visit Tacoma-Pierce County at Its Annual Meeting
- Tourism is about to hit high speed, and this year’s annual meeting of Visit Tacoma-Pierce County is going to be totally rad. It will be packed with storytelling, fresh tourism, and an industry update that proves the future is bright. It’s not all business though – there will be food, drinks and networking with fellow businesspeople, so it will be worth the time away from your desk. Look over the past year and see into the future with the FIFA soccer tournament coming to the region in 2026. The meeting will take place Thursday October 23, from 2 to 5pm at the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum. The event is free, and heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. Tickets are available here: bit.ly/3KInHNw.
- Tacoma Chamber 2025 Annual Meeting October 30
- Don’t miss out on celebrating impact and inspiring what’s next in Tacoma. Join the business community for an evening of inspiration, celebration and connection at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting! This signature event brings together business leaders, changemakers and community partners to reflect the collective accomplishments and look ahead to the opportunities that shape Tacoma’s future. The meeting is Thursday October 30, 4-7pm at Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront. The program will include a keynote from Jamie Strayer, Creator, CEO & Executive Producer of Opportunity Knocks, and the Founder and CIO of CU Strategic Planning. There will also be a presentation of the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards along with meaningful connection opportunities. Get tickets here.
Local Governance
- Do You Know How to Make Sure Your Ballot Counts?
- Are you registered to vote? You can register online at votewa.gov or visit the Pierce County Election Center to register in person. Your ballot will be automatically mailed to your registered address about 18 days prior to the election. Inside your ballot envelope, you’ll find your ballot, a security sleeve and a return envelope. Your ballot must be returned in the envelope and it must be signed, As long as your ballot signature matches your voter registration your vote will be counted. If it doesn’t, you will be contacted to remedy the problem. Be sure your voice is heard and your vote counts. If you haven’t received your pamphlet or want to read it online, visit piercountya.gov/elections.
- Tacoma’s Affordable Housing Action Update
- The City of Tacoma recently announced the Affordable Housing Action Strategy outlines a path to help people stay in their homes and communities through a variety of legal and financial resources for those experiencing housing crisis. Since 2019, the efforts have served over 84,022 households with programs like the Housing Assistance Program, Tacoma Public Utilities Bill Credit Assistance, Landlord-Tenant Program, Downpayment Assistance Program, Tenant Relocation Assistance and more. You can see all available programs at Tacoma.gov/ahas.
- Open Enrollment is Coming November 1
- The 2026 Open Enrollment period for 2026 health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder is coming November 1 through January 15, 2026. This is your chance to enroll, renew or change your coverage. This year there are a few changes you should know about. There will be a new lower cost Gold level plan called Vital Gold. All plans will include more hearing benefits and there will be $0 co-pays for Urgent Care telehealth visits. Cascade Care savings are also back. Make sure your Healthplanfinder account is up to date so they can estimate your costs effectively.
Arts & Entertainment
- Ciders and Sails at Foss Waterway Seaport – Nov. 15, 3-6pm
- Ciders and Sails is a new maritime celebration and museum fundraiser. This event will feature the best ciders from the Puget Sound area, all in support of the Foss Waterway Seaport. Enjoy pours from dozens of local cideries, small bites, games and live tunes, all while exploring the museum. Attendees must be 21+. There are general admission as well as designated driver tickets and additional taste tokens available. There will also be food from Braudhaus Bavarian Soft Pretzels from Carr’s Restaurant & Catering, Dawg Eats Dogs, and Lumberjack Popcorn Company. Tickets available at bit.ly/493T3rQ
- Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience at the Museum of Glass
- October 17-19, Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience will feature visiting artist Asa Sandlund working in the Hot Shop. A Sunday morning shuttle will take visitors from Seattle to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, featuring an artist talk from prolific Tlingit artist Preston Singletary. The shuttle leaves from the Space Needle valet circle at 9am, museum curator Katie Buckingham will begin free guided tours of the galleries at 11:15am. All museum visitors are welcome to join the free guided tours to get a closer look at Field Notes: Artists Observe Nature and Out of the Vault; Art History 101.
- MadronaFest: The Madrona Music and Community Photography Festival
- Saturday October 18th at the Key Peninsula Civic Center, an all-ages music celebration of the good life in the great outdoors with music, fun, food and drinks. The Madrona Festival reflects the eclectic nature of the Key Peninsula. It’s perfect for families, friends and anyone looking to have a great time. They are also thrilled to announce the first-ever Madrona Fest Community Photography Contest. This is your chance to capture the beauty, spirit, and stories of the Key Peninsula, whether nature, friendship, family or the quiet joys of everyday living. Events start at noon with Music Workshops and end at 9pm after the evening concert. Tickets are available at bit.ly/4n0Mxp7.
- Can I Kick It? Martial Arts Meets Hip Hop Experience
- Tacoma Arts Live invites audiences to experience Can I Kick It?, the acclaimed film and movie series where cult classics are projected alongside the live soundtrack artistry of DJ 2-Tone Jones. The event takes place at the Tacoma Armory on October 17th at 7:30pm featuring Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon. Tickets available at tacomaartslive.org.
- Creative Colloquy Presents TALISMANIA: a Word/Play in Four Acts
- One Saturday morning, three hours: Leave your real life at the door. Bring a character you’re working on or pick one from the hat. We’ll meditate, show ‘n tell, dance, have tea, and find a creative performative flow. It’s writing. It’s theater. It’s art that inspires more art. Wear comfortable shoes. October 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration is required. The suggested donation is $20, but pay what you can. No one will be turned away.
Opportunities
- Join Tacoma’s Board of Ethics
- The Tacoma City Council is seeking applicants to fill two positions on the Board of Ethics. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on October 27 at Tacoma.gov/cbcapplication.
- Artists Sought by Mary Boze Gallery
- The Mary Boze Gallery is accepting submissions for a small works exhibition at Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Tacoma. They are seeking works 12 by 12 inches or smaller and priced at $75 or less. This exhibit will run December 1 – January 31. For more information, reach out to Patty McPhee at haysmcphee.info.
- Artist Trust Offers Programs This Fall
- Artist Trust is offering several programs this fall to support and encourage individual artists. Understanding & Sustaining Your Creative Practice take place Mondays October 20 – November 24, from 6 – 7:30pm online via Zoom. Pricing Your Artwork with Negarra A. Kudumu will be held October 29 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, and Building Your Confidence as an Artist takes place Wednesday November 5th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, all online via Zoom. All classes have sliding scale prices. Visit artisttrust.org for details.
Recreation
- Tunnel of Terror at Glacier Car Wash
- For three nights only, Glacier Car Wash in Milton is transforming its wash tunnel into a Halloween-themed attraction with creepy lights, spooky decorations, and live scare actors. Oct 23, 6-9pm; Oct 24-25, 6-11pm. Admission is $25 per car. A family friendly hour from 6-7pm each night will offer a less intense experience.
- Hoot n’ Howl at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
- October 17-18 and October 24-25, 5-9pm at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Put on a costume and enjoy the park with lights, animals and spookiness-and candy too. Play games in the picnic pavilion, plus pumpkin checkers and tic-tac-toe. Nightly keeper chats include raccoons at 5:30pm, wolves at 6:30pm and barn owls at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at nwtrek.org.
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