Neighborhood News
- Tacoma Rescue Mission’s Good Neighbor Village: 285 Single-Unit Cottages
- Tacoma Rescue Mission has unveiled plans for the Good Neighbor Village, a 285-cottage community designed to give chronically homeless neighbors a permanent place of their own. Each single-unit cottage is built so residents can personalize it to their style, interests, and needs, framing the village as a first step toward restoring dignity, purpose, and stability inside a supportive, loving community. Follow The Good Neighbor Village on Facebook for project updates.
- Three Magellanic Penguin Chicks Hatch at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
- Three Magellanic penguin chicks are healthy and thriving at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium after hatching in mid-May, marking the zoo’s tenth consecutive year welcoming chicks as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for the threatened species. Penguin pair Pink and Red welcomed two chicks; a third hatched to Purple and White after the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams used artificial incubation, a technique they pioneered with this pair in 2024. The egg sat in an incubator at a steady 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 56 percent humidity, candled daily by veterinary staff to track embryo development, then was moved back beneath Purple and White once the chick began to pip. In the wild, Magellanic penguins face significant threats from oil spills, plastic pollution, and overfishing. Guests visiting Penguin Point may catch a glimpse of a fluffy, down-covered chick peeking out from a burrow over the coming weeks. pdza.org/three-magellanic-penguin-chicks-hatch.
- Reality Sports Foundation Buys Former Sound Christian Academy Campus for $6M
- Reality Sports Foundation, a nonprofit athletic organization, has acquired 7.34 acres of the former 9.9-acre Sound Christian Academy campus at 2052 S. 64th St., just west of I-5, for $6.375 million. The campus brings the foundation a regulation gymnasium with retractable bleachers, a weightlifting center, classrooms, a sports field, a fully covered outdoor basketball court, and plenty of parking, making it a rare fit for nonprofit athletic programming. Finding the right property was its own challenge: the foundation needed high ceilings, wide clear-span interiors, enough parking, and occupancy classifications that allow athletic and community use, and many otherwise workable buildings ran into industrial zoning roadblocks. There will be updates on timelines and what is being offered from the foundation as information becomes available.
- Puyallup Tribe Welcomes First Salmon at dxʷłalilali Ceremony
- The Puyallup Tribe gathered tribal members, local leaders, and community along the shoreline at dxʷłalilali (a place to come ashore) on May 23 for the First Fish Ceremony, honoring the first salmon run of the season as it was brought ashore by canoe. The tribe celebrates the ceremony as not only giving recognition to the fish, but to the traditions they have been taught. Once the fish arrived ashore, tribal fisherman walked up a cedar pathway and were honored for their time on the water and their safe harvest. The salmon was then filleted and head and bones were returned to the water with the words k’ʷədiid čəɫ ti liɫdᶻixʷ sčədadxʷ (“we thank the first salmon”), so the salmon can return to its relatives. The whole ceremony reminds us all to take care of each other.
- The Other Side of the Street: 8-Week Storytelling Program for People Experiencing Homelessness
- The Other Side of the Street, or TOSS, is running an 8-week storytelling and media training program designed to empower people experiencing homelessness in Tacoma to share their stories, build creative skills, and earn income through public showcases and media work. TOSS leads with a human-first educational approach and the conviction that kindness, applied at the city scale, can transform a community.
Local Governance
- Sound Transit Board Adopts Updated ST3 System Plan
- The Sound Transit Board of Directors has adopted an updated ST3 System Plan to guide the agency’s next phase of voter-approved transit expansion across the region. The update is part of the Enterprise Initiative, the agency’s year-long effort to tackle rapidly rising capital and operating costs and affordably deliver the objectives of the ST3 program. Sound Transit’s engagement team will be sharing more details in coming weeks about how the System Plan update may affect projects in specific neighborhoods and ways to get involved in planning. Takeaways and the full breakdown live at soundtransit.org/blog/platform.
- Tacoma On the Go Endorses Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy
- Tacoma On the Go has endorsed Connect Tacoma, the proposed Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy that would replace the recently expired transportation levy and fund street, sidewalk, bike infrastructure, and intersection improvements citywide. Pierce County Elections will mail out August ballots on July 17, with the Connect Tacoma levy on the ballot.
- WSDOT Night Road Work on DuPont Ramps | June 5 to 22
- Washington State Department of Transportation crews will be doing nighttime work on ramps in DuPont from June 5 through June 22. Crews will work on the northbound I-5 ramps at Steilacoom-Dupont Road from 10pm Friday June 5 to 6:30am Monday June 8. They will work on the southbound I-5 ramps at Steilacoom-Dupont Road to Center Drive off-ramp from 10pm Friday June 19 to 6:30am Monday June 22. Plan around overnight closures, expect delays on affected ramps.
- Tacoma Public Schools Board Authorizes Joining Federal Suit Against Social Media Platforms
- The board of Tacoma Public Schools, the largest district in Pierce County, has authorized the district to join federal litigation targeting social media companies behind platforms like TikTok and Instagram, alleging the platforms cause harm to students’ mental health and contribute to a deteriorating learning environment in schools. They specifically cite the addictive design features and reckless strategies it uses to get people to “grow-at-all-costs.” They also cite the rise in anxiety and depression straining resources of personnel and staff. There are many similar actions from school districts nationwide seeking to hold the tech giants accountable.
- Tacoma City Council Approves 12-Year MFTE for 98-Unit Proctor Housing Project
- Tacoma City Council approved a resolution June 2 authorizing a new 12-Year Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption agreement, clearing the way for 98 new rental units in the Proctor Mixed-Use Center. Under the 12-year MFTE, 20 percent of the units, roughly 20 apartments, are reserved as affordable housing for households making 70 percent or less of Pierce County’s annual median income. The vote is something of a course correction: District 1 Council Member John Hines pushed to remove the 8-year MFTE program from Proctor back in 2022 because it lacked affordability requirements, and this 12-year version replaces it with built-in affordable units. The MFTE program offers qualifying projects a property tax exemption on the assessed improvement value for 8, 12, or 20 years depending on how much affordability the developer commits to. Full program details at tacoma.gov/MFTE.
Arts & Entertainment
- India in Grit City: Cinematically Yours @ The POET at Manuscript | Friday, June 12
- Grit City Studio’s Cinematically Yours series lands at The POET inside Manuscript, 202 St Helens Ave, for an evening of curated Bollywood film songs, handcrafted Madhubani art, and the intercultural conversation that holds it all together. Come for the music, stay for the conversation, leave with new neighbors. Register through the link at gritcitystudio.org. Questions to support@gritcitystudio.org or (385) 204-3512.
- Juneteenth Commemoration @ Washington State History Museum | Thursday 6/18
- Washington State History Museum hosts a free, family-friendly Juneteenth commemoration on June 18 featuring remarks and a performance by Eva Abram of Rainwater Storytelling, the 2022 J.J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award winner from the National Storytelling Network. Also on the bill: singer-musician Jason Turner, Guinean musician Naby Camara, African dancer and drummer Baba Kauna Mujamal, and instrumentalist Kamau Ron Taplin. The event is part of the museum’s We the People Lecture Series, held on Third Thursday evenings when admission is free, and counts toward Washington State’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more at washingtonhistory.org.
- Juneteenth WA @ Haub Family Field, LeMay America’s Car Museum | Friday, June 19
- The largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington State returns to Tacoma at a new home: Haub Family Field at LeMay America’s Car Museum. Last year’s event drew more than 20,000 people, and this year’s theme, “A Road to Economic Freedom,” puts Black economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community investment front and center. Headliners include Grammy-winning gospel powerhouse Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, R&B singer-songwriter Lyfe Jennings, and gospel artist Crystal Aikin, alongside a Washington community choir. The day also includes a car and bike show, the annual Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast, local vendors and food trucks, community resource booths, and youth and family programming with WayOut Kids. Free and family-friendly all day; VIP Community Champion Lounge passes available for a premium experience.
- NCN Collective After-Hours Residency @ Museum of Glass Hot Shop | June 20
- Museum of Glass is hosting NCN Collective for a two-week collaborative residency in June with after-hours programming layered onto the daytime Hot Shop sessions. The roster brings Raven Skyriver, Kelly O’Dell, and Martin Janecký into the Hot Shop in front of audiences. Join the party on June 20 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm to get a chance to see a one-of-a-kind statement piece created by this collective. Check out further details at museumofglass.org.
- Tacoma Sunday Market | Sunday (6/7), 11 AM to 4 PM
- The Tacoma Sunday Market sets up for another lively flea this weekend, with vendors hawking vintage clothing, collectibles, textiles, vintage furniture, jewelry, sneakers, handmade goods, and flowers. Food court for fuel, DJs on the soundtrack, selfie stations scattered across the grounds for the obligatory shots. Free admission, family-friendly, friendly pets welcome, plenty of parking.
Opportunities
- Volunteer with Tacoma On the Go
- Tacoma On the Go is recruiting volunteers across its walk leadership, advocacy, and BikeTacoma programs. If you signed up through their website and haven’t heard back, or you’ve been curious about getting involved, now is the moment. There is a page set up for you to provide your areas of interest and learn more. https://downtownonthego.com/engage/volunteer
- Happy Hour Business Expo: Interactive Inlet @ Foss Waterway Seaport | Thursday (6/18), 5:30 PM
- The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Happy Hour Business Expo is back at Foss Waterway Seaport this year with a new twist: the Interactive Inlet, a dedicated space packed with hands-on experiences, creative activities, and chances to treat yourself while making new connections. Expect 65-plus local businesses on the floor, around 350 attendees, waterfront views, and a roster of interactive experiences you won’t find at the usual networking night. tacomachamber.org.
- Tacoma’s Pet Mayor Race Is On | Voting Through Friday (6/12)
- The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County’s Pet Mayor competition is underway, with voting running through end of day Friday, June 12. Dogs, cats, and other critters are already in the running, and there’s still time to nominate your own. Every vote is a donation, and all proceeds go to the Humane Society’s low-cost spay and neuter programs to help manage animal overpopulation. Last year’s contest raised more than $14,000. HSTPC is doubling points at various times throughout the race, so timing your push matters. The winning pet gets official photos at City Hall, a tour of the Mayor’s office, and a special Paw-clamation read during a City Council meeting. Vote, donate, or enter at gogophotocontest.com/tacomahumane. Follow @TacomaHumane on social for double-point announcements.
- Tacoma Little Theatre Auditions: The Outsider | June 7-9, Callbacks June 11
- Tacoma Little Theatre is auditioning for its 108th season opener, Paul Slade Smith’s The Outsider, directed by Jed Slaughter. Auditions run Sunday, June 7, and Monday, June 8, at Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I Street, and Tuesday, June 9, at STAR Center, 3873 S 66th St. Appointment slots start at 6 PM Sunday and 7 PM Monday and Tuesday. Callbacks are 7 PM Thursday, June 11, at Tacoma Little Theatre. Bring one comedic monologue under two minutes. Open to anyone and everyone regardless of physical attribute, gender, race, age, ability, body type, ethnicity, or experience. Cast members receive a travel stipend up to $200. The play, a political satire about a reluctant accidental governor, rehearses in early July and runs August 28 through September 13. Schedule an audition slot at castingmanager.com/audition/info/axIob803S0E8n8y or call the TLT box office at (253) 272-2281.
Recreation
- Prairie Line Trail Ribbon Cutting | Saturday (6/13), 11 AM to 2 PM
- Tacoma On the Go is cutting the ribbon on a new section of the Prairie Line Trail between S 21st St and S 25th St. The guided walk steps off at 11 AM from S 17th and Pacific; the ribbon cutting follows at noon on the trail near S 21st St and Hood St. Crafts, snacks, and resource tables wrap things up. Free. Event page at tockify.com/tacomaonthego.
- Hello Kitty Cafe Truck West @ Tacoma Mall | Saturday (6/6), 10 AM to 7 PM
- The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck rolls into Tacoma Mall this Saturday for a one-day stop, parked near the Cheesecake Factory. Expect a playful run of Hello Kitty themed treats and merchandise available for purchase while supplies last.
- Sawasdee Thailand 2026 @ Asia Pacific Cultural Center | (6/6), 11 AM to 4 PM
- The Asia Pacific Cultural Center marks its 7th annual Sawasdee Thailand celebration at 4851 South Tacoma Way with a full day of Thai culture. Highlights include a welcoming drums parade, live cultural performances and music, a Thai costume fashion show, Muay Thai demonstrations, traditional Thai massage, art and craft booths, retail vendors, and a Thai food market. A live cooking demo at 12:30 PM walks you through how to make Thai Larb Gai as part of Taste of Asia Pacific (the seated meal portion is sold out, but the cooking demo and the rest of the festival are free). Free admission, family-friendly.
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