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Neighborhood News
Sound Transit Seeks Public Input on Tacoma Dome Link Extension
Sound Transit is inviting South Sound residents to provide feedback on the Tacoma Dome Link Extension project through an online survey and a series of community open houses. The project would extend Link light rail service to the region with four new stations: South Federal Way, Fife, Portland Avenue and Tacoma Dome. In-person open houses are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. May 14 at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, May 18 at Fife Community Center and May 20 at Tacoma Art Museum. Community members can ask questions, learn more about the project and share priorities as the extension moves through planning. For more information, visit soundtransit.org/tdlink.
Fort Nisqually Hosts Queen Victoria’s Birthday Celebration This Saturday
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum will celebrate Queen Victoria’s Birthday on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event invites visitors to step back into the 1850s with historical reenactors, bagpipers and traditional mid-19th-century festivities. Activities are expected to include formal tributes to the queen, cannon firing, maypole dancing, Victorian tea, 19th-century crafts and historic cooking demonstrations. Admission is free for Fort Nisqually members, and tickets are available for the general public. For more information, visit fortnisqually.org.
Tacoma Arts Live Reverses Closure Plans and Enters Receivership
Tacoma Arts Live has reversed its previous plan to close in June and is now operating under voluntary receivership. The court-supervised process, led by receiver Shelly Crocker, allows the nonprofit to address debts and continue operating while partners explore long-term solutions for the Tacoma Armory. The Armory is expected to remain open and active through at least December 2026. Arts education programs, summer camps, community events and rentals are continuing during the transition. For more information, visit tacomaartslive.org.
Real Art Tacoma Launches “Be Cool Again” AC Fundraiser
Real Art Tacoma is asking the community for support after the failure of its air conditioning compressor. The all-ages, volunteer-run South Tacoma music venue says the repair is needed to keep the space comfortable and safe for performers and audiences during warmer weather. The venue has launched a fundraising appeal to help cover the cost of replacing the compressor. Donations will support the purchase and installation of the new cooling system, allowing the venue to continue hosting local and touring acts. For more information, visit realarttacoma.com.
Puyallup Tribe Announces 2026 Pride Celebration: “Indigiglam”
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians will host its 2026 Pride event, “Indigiglam: Fashionably Resilient,” on Saturday, July 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Tacoma. The free, all-ages, drug- and alcohol-free celebration honors the 2SLGBTQ+ community within the Tribe and across the region. The event will take place at 3001 Puyalupabsh St. and feature drag performances, poetry, drag bingo, a community photo booth, food, beverages and giveaways. Vendors are encouraged to apply by July 1. For more information, visit puyalluptribe-nsn.gov.
Local Governance
City Manager Outlines “Roadmap to Recovery” to Address Tacoma’s Budget Deficit
City Manager Hyun Kim has released a “Roadmap to Recovery” outlining how Tacoma plans to address its General Fund deficit while modernizing city operations. The plan identifies a projected $24 million gap for the 2025-26 biennium, driven by rising costs and slower growth in traditional revenue sources. The strategy includes immediate fiscal stabilization measures, including a temporary hiring freeze for nonessential positions and reductions in professional contract spending. The roadmap also calls for longer-term structural changes, including technology modernization and regional partnerships for service delivery. For more information, visit tacoma.gov.
Parks Tacoma Names Third Leader in Less Than a Month Amid Budget Shortfall
Parks Tacoma has named Tony Piasecki as interim executive director, making him the third person to lead the agency since late April. The Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously May 11 to select Piasecki, a longtime local government administrator and former Des Moines city manager, to lead the district while the board searches for a permanent executive director. Piasecki replaces Gwen Voelpel, who had served as interim executive director after longtime Executive Director Shon Sylvia stepped down April 29. Parks Tacoma said Voelpel will remain available part time to help with the transition. The leadership changes come as the district faces a budget shortfall requiring at least $9 million in spending cuts, with a public hearing on the budget amendment scheduled for May 18. For more information, visit parkstacoma.gov.
Pierce County Opens Comment Period on Homelessness Plan Update
Pierce County is accepting public comment on its Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness Update through June 9. The update will go before the Health and Human Services Committee for public hearings May 19 and June 2, with a County Council hearing and potential action scheduled for June 9. The plan update is intended to guide the county’s response to homelessness, including policy priorities, service coordination and funding decisions. Residents can review the update and submit feedback during the public comment period. For more information, visit piercecountywa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/7165.
Pierce County Seeks Public Input on Homeownership Barriers
Pierce County is asking residents to complete a survey about barriers to homeownership. The survey is open through May 22 and is designed to help county officials better understand the challenges people face when trying to buy a home. Community feedback will inform how the county supports first-time homebuyers throughout the homebuying process. Survey results are expected to be reported to the Pierce County Council on July 1, with a full analysis posted online later in July. To take the survey, visit bit.ly/4tptJTR.
Pierce County Encourages Wildfire Prevention During Awareness Month
May is Wildfire Awareness and Prevention Month in Pierce County, and county officials are encouraging residents to take steps to reduce wildfire risk before the high-risk season. The Pierce County Council and Executive are urging residents to use local resources, recreate responsibly, maintain equipment, harden homes and register for emergency alerts. Recommended steps include scheduling a free home ignition zone assessment or forest health consultation through Pierce Conservation District, keeping campfires fully extinguished, avoiding fireworks or pyrotechnics near dry vegetation, and creating a noncombustible zone within 5 feet of a home. Residents can sign up for PCALERT by texting “PCALERT” to 888-777.
Tacoma Council Prohibits Unauthorized Immigration Enforcement Use of City Property
The Tacoma City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 29105 on May 12, prohibiting the unauthorized use of municipal property for civil immigration enforcement. The ordinance is part of the city’s broader immigration resources and policies. The measure addresses how city-owned property may be used and sets limits related to civil immigration enforcement activity. More information is available through the city’s immigration resources page at tacoma.gov/immigrationresources.
Park Board to Hold Special Meeting and Public Hearing on Budget Amendment
The Board of Park Commissioners will hold a special meeting and public hearing Monday, May 18, 2026, to discuss a proposed amendment to the 2026 budget. The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. at Parks Tacoma headquarters, with a hybrid attendance option available. The hearing gives Tacoma residents an opportunity to review proposed financial adjustments and comment on how resources are allocated for parks and recreation services. Written comments may also be submitted in advance. For more information, visit metroparkstacoma.org/about/park-board.
Tacoma Seeks Applicants for LEAP Advisory Committee
The Tacoma City Council is seeking applicants for 17 positions on the Local Employment and Apprenticeship Training Program Advisory Committee. The 21-member committee includes representatives from Tacoma residents, construction companies doing business with Tacoma, organized labor, community-based organizations, city staff, educational institutions and the Puyallup Tribe. The committee reviews the city’s LEAP program and recommends policy changes related to local employment and apprenticeship requirements on city-funded public works and improvement projects. Applications are due by May 26 at leap@tacoma.gov. For more information, contact the LEAP Office at leap@tacoma.gov or 253-316-3057.
Parks Tacoma Seeks Feedback on Norpoint Park Improvements
Parks Tacoma is asking Northeast Tacoma residents to weigh in on future improvements at Norpoint Park through an online survey that closes May 17. The feedback will help guide the design team as it considers changes to the park. The sprayground and playground will remain unchanged. Parks Tacoma says the residential structure at 4015 Norpoint Way is slated for demolition, and the primary potential feature in that area is an off-leash dog area. To take the survey, visit engagepiercecounty.com/norpoint-park.
City Seeks Feedback on Call-2-Haul Access for Multifamily Residents
Tacoma Environmental Services is seeking feedback on how to improve access to Call-2-Haul for residents who live in apartments, condos and other multifamily properties. Call-2-Haul is the city service that allows residential customers to dispose of large unusable household items such as furniture, appliances and mattresses. City staff said they are collecting survey responses and may also hold focus groups to better understand barriers for multifamily residents. The city is also promoting related waste-reduction options, including “Beyond the Bin,” a donation event held Fridays at the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center. For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/call2haul.
Arts & Entertainment
Stadium District’s Newest Venue, The Poet, Hosts Grand Opening Pop-Up
Tacoma’s Stadium District is gaining a new creative hub with the opening of The Poet, a multipurpose event space and photography studio inside the Manuscript building. The venue will host a “Pop-Up Shindig” with Underground Sound and Tacoma Loyal on Sunday, May 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. The Poet, located at 202 St. Helens Ave., is a 1,200-square-foot space designed for live music, workshops, gatherings and photo sessions. The grand opening pop-up will feature live music, art, local vendors, refreshments and artist SP McGee. For more information, visit sageandsoulphotography.com/thepoet.
Washington State History Museum to Host 9th Annual South Sound Day of Remembrance
The Washington State History Museum will host the 9th Annual South Sound Day of Remembrance on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Tacoma. The free public gathering, held as part of the museum’s We the People Lecture Series, commemorates the 84th anniversary of the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans from South Puget Sound in May 1942. Curated by Tamiko Nimura, the event honors the lives disrupted by Executive Order 9066 and helps preserve the stories of Japanese American families in the region. The program centers on literature and storytelling, with a book fair and live readings from writers including Lori Matsukawa, Kiku Hughes and Lawrence Matsuda. The event will also include a commemorative procession from the history museum to Union Station to honor the journeys made by families during the 1942 removal. For more information, visit washingtonhistory.org.
Museum of Glass Welcomes Sam Drumgoole and Nick Mount as May Visiting Artists
Museum of Glass is hosting two visiting artists in May as part of its Hot Shop residency program. Sam Drumgoole is scheduled for May 13 to 17, and Nick Mount is scheduled for May 27 to 31. Visitors can watch visiting artists work in the Hot Shop as they transform molten glass into sculptural forms. While the museum’s galleries are closed for a modernization and expansion project, the Hot Shop remains open for live glassblowing demonstrations. For more information, visit museumofglass.org/visiting-artist-lineup.
Elks Temple to Open New Patio Seating in Goat Lot Garden
McMenamins Elks Temple has announced new outdoor patio seating in the Goat Lot Garden, timed for the summer season. The added seating will give guests another outdoor option for dining and drinks at the historic downtown Tacoma property. Guests can follow McMenamins Elks Temple for updates. For more information, visit mcmenamins.com/elks-temple.
Downtown Tacoma Partnership Launches Tuesday Food Truck Rally
Downtown Tacoma Partnership is launching a Tuesday lunch-hour food truck rally in June on the plaza between Ninth and 11th streets near Broadway. The event is expected to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature food trucks or carts, along with tables and seating. The new Tuesday event will test demand for a downtown lunch gathering during the workweek. Downtown Tacoma Partnership also continues to host the Broadway Farmers Market on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September. For more information, visit downtowntacomapartnership.com.
Bar Stories
Bar Stories returns to E9 Brewing Co. for an evening built around live storytelling in a casual neighborhood setting. The format centers on people sharing personal stories, community experiences and local voices. It is a good midweek pick for readers looking for something conversational, intimate and different from a standard stage show. E9 Brewing Co., Tacoma, Wednesday, May 20, 7-9 p.m.
Lyfelines with LAvinda Lyfe
Lyfelines with LAvinda Lyfe brings together a live community panel and drag performances at Edison Square. The event combines conversation, performance and nightlife energy in one evening. The format makes it part stage show and part community gathering, with drag performance used as both entertainment and expression. Edison Square, Tacoma, Wednesday, May 20, 7-11 p.m.
Click image above for a full list of this week’s events.
Opportunities
University of Puget Sound Launches Pacific Northwest’s First AI and Human Values Program
The University of Puget Sound is set to launch the Pacific Northwest’s first interdisciplinary emphasis in Artificial Intelligence and Human Values beginning in fall 2026. The Tacoma-based program offers a structured pathway for students to study AI as a force affecting law, creativity, social interaction and professional life. The five-course emphasis can be integrated into any existing major. Students must complete one computing course, one ethical theory course and three interdisciplinary AI electives. For more information, visit pugetsound.edu/news.
Tacoma Seeks New Members for Tacoma Creates Advisory Board
The Tacoma City Council is seeking five residents to fill vacancies on the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board, with positions open for representatives from Council Districts 1 and 4, professionals in the arts and sciences, and an emerging leader between the ages of 16 and 24. Board members serve three-year terms, except for the youth seat, which is a one-year term. Members help guide funding programs, review applications and support public accountability for cultural programming across Tacoma. Applications are due by noon June 22. For more information, visit tacoma.gov/cbcapplication.
SBA Announces $50 Million Grant Program to Support Small Manufacturers
The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched the Manufacturing in America E2G Grant Initiative, a $50 million funding opportunity to support domestic supply chains and workforce training. The program will award grants to up to 10 organizations that can provide hands-on technical assistance and training to small manufacturers. Eligible applicants include for-profit and nonprofit entities with at least three years of experience. Proposals are due June 15, 2026, through the federal grants portal. For more information, visit sba.gov.
City of Tacoma Seeks Providers for On-Call Business Support Program
The City of Tacoma has issued a Request for Qualifications for its On-Call Capacity and Readiness Support Program. The program will identify providers to deliver short-term, one-on-one technical assistance to small businesses, nonprofit organizations and contracting firms participating in city-supported economic development programs. An information session for potential respondents is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tacoma Municipal Building, Room 248. Interested providers should review the RFQ through the city’s procurement portal. For more information, visit tacoma.gov/government/departments/finance/procurement-and-payables-division/purchasing/contracting-opportunities/services-solicitations.
Washington State Historical Society Seeks Collections Registrar
The Washington State Historical Society is accepting applications for a full-time Registrar based at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. The position focuses on documentation and physical care of the state’s historical collections, including artifacts, photographs, manuscripts and maps. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. May 18, 2026. The position offers a monthly salary range of $3,925 to $5,271. For more information, visit governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4wcWiqa.
New Tacoma Neighborhood Council Launches Neighbors Fund
The New Tacoma Neighborhood Council has launched a “Neighbors Fund” to support community projects in the neighborhood. The fund is intended for projects such as murals, gardens and other local improvements that benefit the community. Applicants must submit requests in person at a regular neighborhood council meeting rather than through an online form. Council representatives said the in-person process is designed to ensure applicants are connected to the neighborhood and can explain their proposed project directly. For more information, visit newtacoma.org.
Veterans Resource Fair Planned in Tacoma
A veterans resource fair is planned for May 30 at Tacoma Rescue Mission. Organizers described the event as one of the larger veterans resource fairs in Tacoma, with services and community partners expected to attend. The event is connected to NineLine Veteran Services, which works with veterans and participates in the local homelessness response system. More information is expected through veteran service providers and Tacoma Rescue Mission. For more information, visit trm.org.
Recreation
Summer Youth Basketball Registration Now Open
Parks Tacoma is accepting registrations for its summer basketball season, with leagues available for recreational and competitive players. The season runs from June 20 through Aug. 15, 2026. The Tacoma School Recreation League organizes teams by grade level and school proximity, while the Community Competitive League groups players by age and allows teams from any school district. Player registration is due June 5. Volunteer coaches are also needed. For more information, visit metroparkstacoma.org/basketball.
Bike Everywhere Day Celebration
Tacoma Bike Month continues with a Bike Everywhere Day celebration at People’s Park on Sunday, May 17, from noon to 3 p.m. The event will take place on the MLK Jr. Way side of the park. The event includes cycling resources, safety gear and community outreach. Opalescent Cyclery will provide free basic bike tune-ups, Bespoke BikeWorks will offer low-cost helmets, and attendees can participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt for raffle prizes. For more information, visit tacoma.gov/government/departments/public-works/mobility-options/bicycling/bike-month.
Tacoma Rising Golf Tournament 2026 Opens Registration
Tacoma Rising has opened registration for its 2026 Golf Tournament, scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at Allenmore Golf Course. The event brings together South Sound business professionals for a day of networking and golf. Registration for a foursome is $700, and sponsorship opportunities begin at $1,500. To register or learn more about sponsorships, email stayconnected@tacomarising.com
Screenshots
FROM THIS WEEK’S PRINT EDITION:
FROM COVER: Andrew Feuk Explores Love and Litter
Queen of Hearts Band Releases Debut Single
The Neighborly Way to Handle Neighbor Complaints
Porchfest Launches Application Process for Hosts, Musicians and Volunteers
Movies of the Week for May 15-21, 2026
Wanna Beer With That? Old Dan’s Old Ale
Night Time Is the Right Time for Bite Time at Bocao
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