Neighborhood News
- Steilacoom One-Day Spring Clean Up
- A one-day Spring Cleanup event will take place Thursday, April 16, offering residents expanded curbside pickup at no additional cost. In addition to regular garbage and yard waste service, households can set out up to three extra containers of debris and yard waste, as well as one appliance, with items placed at the curb by 6 a.m. Restrictions apply, including no construction materials, hazardous waste or electronics. Residents are encouraged to explore recycling and donation options through Pierce County Recycling Menu before disposal.
- Black Wellness Week April 13-17
- Black Wellness Week returns April 13–17 with a statewide series of events focused on health, healing and community connection. Now in its third year, the initiative has again received a gubernatorial proclamation from Bob Ferguson, following its inaugural recognition under Jay Inslee in 2024. The week will feature free health screenings, wellness resources and community events across Washington, centered on the message that collective wellness is essential to thriving communities.
- Broadway Farmers Market is Back
- The Tacoma Farmers Market returned to Broadway last week, kicking off its spring season on April 2. The market will run every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September, featuring more than 40 local farmers, chefs, artisans and community vendors. Visitors can expect a weekly lineup of fresh produce, flowers and handmade goods in the heart of downtown Tacoma.
- Steilacoom Gears Up for America250 Events
- The Town of Steilacoom will host a series of events throughout 2026 to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, highlighting history, community and service. The lineup includes “Voices of Valor,” a program exploring lesser-known figures from early American history, as well as lectures, a community beach cleanup and cultural presentations focused on Indigenous resilience. Events will take place at locations including Town Hall, the Steilacoom Library and Sunnyside Beach, with details available on the town’s official website.
- Two Local Chefs Vie for James Beard Award, First in WA Since 2020
- Two Washington chefs have been named finalists for the James Beard Awards, widely considered the industry’s highest honor. Johnny Courtney of Atoma and Aaron Tekulve of Surrell are both finalists in the Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific category. Winners will be announced June 15 in Chicago, as Washington looks to secure its first James Beard win since 2020.
Local Governance
- Tacoma Power Rates Increase
- Tacoma Public Utilities has implemented a power rate increase effective April 1, affecting both residential and commercial customers. Smaller accounts will see an estimated $10 annual increase, while higher-usage customers may pay about $144 more per year. TPU also issued a warning about scam activity, reminding customers that the utility will never request payment through gift cards or payment apps or threaten immediate service shutoffs.
- Pierce County Shuts Off Automatic License Plate Readers
- The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has deactivated its automated license plate reader system following the passage of Washington’s new Driver Privacy Act. Signed by Bob Ferguson, the law restricts the use of such cameras near sensitive locations and limits their use to specific investigations, including felonies and missing persons cases. Sheriff Keith Swank said the department opted to shut down the system immediately to avoid potential violations, calling the loss of the technology a setback for public safety.
Arts & Entertainment
- Isaac Mizrahi Takes the Tacoma Armory Stage April 10
- Multihyphenate performer Isaac Mizrahi brings his signature blend of wit, storytelling and song to the stage in a cabaret-style performance that defies easy categorization. Backed by a six-piece jazz band, Mizrahi weaves together comedy and commentary with a musical range that spans Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, Comden & Green to Madonna. Praised by The New York Times for pushing cultural boundaries, the show is equal parts concert, comedy set and cultural commentary, delivered with charm, humor and a distinctly original point of view.
- Dine We Must for Fort Nisqually
- Dine We Must returns to Fort Nisqually Living History Museum on June 26, offering a whimsical farm-to-table evening set within the historic fort. Guests can explore the grounds while enjoying appetizers, a cash bar benefiting the Fort Nisqually Foundation and hands-on 19th-century crafts before sitting down to a buffet-style dinner accompanied by live music and a chef-led presentation. The night concludes with desserts prepared in the fort’s period kitchen, rounding out an immersive and elegant experience.
- Tacoma Author Prepares for Book Launch
- Tacoma author Jessica Payne will release her debut novel Somebody Worth Killing on June 16, a darkly comedic thriller about a suburban mom leading a secret double life as an assassin. To celebrate, Payne will host a launch event June 20 at Browsers Bookshop, featuring a conversation with Tara Goedjen and a book signing. Blending sharp humor with domestic suspense, the novel offers a bold, local entry into this summer’s thriller lineup.
Opportunities
- Tacoma Musical Playhouse Seeks Theater Artists
- Tacoma Musical Playhouse is seeking local theater artists to join its upcoming productions and creative teams, with opportunities for directors, designers, stage managers, musicians and more. The company is prioritizing artists committed to fostering inclusive and equitable creative spaces and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Interested individuals can submit materials to the theater’s interim artistic director by April 15, with roles available for both the current and upcoming seasons.
- P&L Show and Tell for Entrepreneurs
- Local entrepreneurs can get a behind-the-scenes look at real business finances during a P&L Show & Tell workshop April 29 at the Tacoma Public Library – Main Branch. Led by Katherine Raz of The Fernseed, the session will break down how profit and loss statements shape decisions around pricing, staffing and sustainability. Designed for current and aspiring business owners, the workshop focuses on practical, real-world insights, with registration required due to limited space.
- Tacoma Rising Challenge Gathers College Students to Solve Problems
- The second annual Tacoma Rising Challenge returns April 24 at William Phillip Hall on the University of Washington Tacoma campus, bringing college students together to tackle a real-world development project. This year’s focus centers on reimagining Pacific Avenue near campus, with teams from seven regional colleges presenting solutions across business, design and engineering disciplines. The public is invited to attend final presentations and engage with ideas shaping Tacoma’s future, with tickets and sponsorship opportunities available.
- Double Shot Festival Creates Plays in One Day
- Tacoma’s Double Shot Theater Festival returns to the Tacoma Armory April 18, challenging local playwrights, actors and directors to create and perform original 10-minute plays in just 24 hours. The long-running event pairs artists Friday night, gives writers a prompt, and culminates in fully staged performances Saturday evening, with a follow-up matinee Sunday. This year’s lineup includes a new work by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn, directed by Charlotte Tiencken. Unlike many overnight festivals, Double Shot is noncompetitive, focusing instead on collaboration, creativity and the thrill of live, once-only performances.
- Olympia Seeking Local Art for Traffic Boxes
- Olympia is looking for new art for their traffic boxes. If you live within 30 miles enter your original artwork by April 29 at the link in the comments. 10 winners will be chosen and will receive $500 and all the fame you can handle. Sign up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6LRVD2Z
Recreation
- Community Resource Fair Spring Open House
- Local families are invited to a free Spring Open House on April 17 at Cirque Park, featuring a Stroller Strides workout and community resource fair hosted by FIT4MOM. The morning begins with a complimentary stroller-based fitness class, followed by a resource fair connecting parents with local, women-owned businesses and family support services. Designed for expecting and postpartum moms as well as families with young children, the event emphasizes community, wellness and accessible support.
- Walk Tacoma Kicks Off April 15
- The 2026 Walk Tacoma Series kicks off April 15 with a one-mile community walk focused on green space and neighborhood connection. Starting at Irving Park, the event will highlight how parks, tree canopy and shared outdoor spaces contribute to community health and walkability. Sponsored by MultiCare, the free event runs from noon to 1 p.m., with registration encouraged.
- Ruston Way Beach Cleanup April 18
- Calling all beach lovers and nature stewards! Join us Saturday, April 18 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Dickman Mill Park on Ruston Way for an Earth Day beach cleanup, in partnership with Parks Tacoma. Every piece of trash removed from the beach is a step towards a cleaner, healthier ocean ecosystem. All ages welcome. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3OxEoxf
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