Happy Friday News Briefs – 10/9

Neighborhood News

• South Tacoma Way Has a Busy Fall Calendar Planned
  • The South Tacoma Way District Association’s September meeting doubled as a fall preview. A Murder Mystery on the Way runs Saturday (Oct. 17), 4 to 7 p.m., with tickets expected around $25 to $30, real businesses written into the script and costumes encouraged. Trick or Treat on STW returns Friday (Oct. 30), 4 to 7 p.m. A Gilmore Girls-themed crawl lands Saturday (Nov. 14), and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center hosts a tree lighting Monday (Nov. 30). The district also re-elected Jenn as president and is forming an events committee, so if you’ve got opinions and free evenings, now’s your moment. The next district meeting is Oct. 28.

• Grit City Studio Is Officially a Nonprofit, and the Festival of Light Is Coming
  • The IRS has recognized Grit City Studio as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Founder Syed K. Jamal is dedicating this year’s Tacoma Festival of Light, Saturday (Nov. 21), to moms after his own mother died Sept. 1. Vendors, performers, workshop leaders and sponsors are all being recruited, and Jamal is collecting stories about moms, or anyone who brought light into your life, at hi@gritcitystudio.org. Also on deck: Tacoma LitFest returns in May 2027 with a city events grant, and Tacoma now has an official Creative Economy Day every Sept. 19. More info: gritcitystudio.org

• Know a Vet? Two Resources Worth Passing Along
  • A UW Tacoma reader who coordinates veterans’ counseling wrote in with two tips. First, the Tacoma Vet Center provides free, confidential counseling and support for eligible veterans, service members and their families, and veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to qualify for Vet Center services. Call 253-565-7038. Second, the VA Public Contact Team, based in Seattle but available by phone and video, helps veterans and military families figure out which benefits they qualify for, track down documents and untangle VA paperwork. It’s a good first call when you don’t know where to start. Book at va.my.site.com/VAVERA/s.

• Free Dental Day for Veterans at AMVETS Post 1 | Saturday (Nov. 7), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • AMVETS Post 1, Compassion Washington and Harkness Furniture & Mattress are teaming up for a free dental event for veterans at 5717 Tyler St. in Tacoma. No appointments are needed; it’s first come, first served, so get there early and bring a book.

• Library and School Closures on Monday (Oct. 12)
  • Pierce County Library System branches close Monday (Oct. 12) for a staff in-service day, and Tacoma Public Schools students have the day off. Parks Tacoma’s All-Day Sports and Play Camp (see Recreation) is the backup plan for parents.
  • More info: pcls.us

• Lakewood Roadwork: Custer Road Back Open, Overnight Closures Ahead
  • Custer Road between Bridgeport and 75th reopened Sept. 26 with one lane each way while crews finish lighting, sidewalks and signage. Weather permitting, it will fully close overnight Oct. 14-16 starting at 8 p.m. for final striping. Final paving on the Wadsworth, Silcox, Boat and 88th Street sewer project was slated for the week of Oct. 5 or just after. And with leaves dropping, Lakewood is ramping up street sweeping through November on its High Organic Debris Area routes. Keep cars and trash cans off the curb on non-pickup days.

• Lakewood Fall Community Cleanup at Lakewood Transfer Station | Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 24-25), 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
  • Lakewood residents can dump furniture, appliances, bikes, grills, de-rimmed tires, recyclables and bagged garbage for free at 3869 94th St. SW. Bring a utility bill or ID, bag everything loose, wear real shoes and be ready to back up a steep ramp and unload yourself in five minutes or less. No mattresses, electronics, paint, yard waste or construction debris. Trucks taller than 7 feet and trailers over 4 feet by 8 feet are turned away.

Local Governance

• Pierce County Ballots Mail Oct. 13 for the Nov. 3 General Election
  • Pierce County ballots are mailed Oct. 13, and drop boxes open the same day, running 24/7 until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Register or update your registration online or by mail through Oct. 26, or in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day at the Pierce County Election Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C.
  • More info: piercecountyelections.org

• Seven Pierce County Charter Amendments Are on Your Ballot
  • Once a decade, a Charter Review Commission proposes changes to how Pierce County runs. This year’s commission reviewed 57 proposals and sent seven to voters: fewer required annual council meetings, 50 down to 45 (Amendment 52); making the sheriff appointed instead of elected (53); creating a Public Safety Ombuds to oversee the Sheriff’s Office (54); extending the initiative signature-gathering window from 120 to 180 days (55); requiring a four-year balanced budget outlook (56); updating the county’s anti-discrimination language and protected classes (57); and creating a Juvenile Detention Advocate Office (58). A newly formed Pierce County Socialist PAC is campaigning yes on all but 56 and is door-knocking Sunday (Oct. 11) at 11 a.m. from Pioneer Park in Puyallup. Read the full text and arguments for and against in your voters’ pamphlet.
  • More info: piercecountyelections.org

• Pierce Transit Prop 1 Asks Voters to Expand Bus Service
  • Pierce Transit’s Proposition 1, a sales tax measure to maintain and expand local transit service, is on the Nov. 3 ballot. Supporters, including advocacy group Tacoma On the Go and its Keep Pierce Moving campaign, say it would bring about 47% more transit service to Pierce County. Lakewood City Council considered a resolution backing the measure on Oct. 5. Check your voters’ pamphlet for the opposing statement and full details. More info: tacomaonthego.org/keep-pierce-moving-pierce-transit-funding-measure

• Park Board Meeting at STAR Center | Monday (Oct. 12), 5:30 p.m.
  • Meet the Parks Tacoma commissioners at a 5:30 p.m. meet-and-greet before the 6 p.m. regular board meeting at 3873 S. 66th St. The five-member elected board sets policy for the whole park district. The agenda will be posted ahead of the meeting. More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Picture Pac Ave: Code Update Open House | Tuesday (Oct. 20), 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Tacoma wants your input on zoning and design rules that will shape the future of Pacific Avenue. Drop by the open house to see the proposed code updates and tell planners what you want the corridor to become.

• Tacoma Launches I-5 Crossings Study
  • Ever tried to walk, bike or roll across I-5 in Tacoma? The city wants to hear how it went. The new Tacoma I-5 Crossings Study looks at how people get over and under the freeway, and residents are invited to share their experiences. More info: tacoma.gov

• County Funds 220 Affordable Homes, Passing 1,500-Unit Milestone
  • Pierce County Human Services is putting $11.4 million into five affordable housing projects that will add or preserve 220 homes, pushing the county past 1,500 units funded. Separately, Tacoma landed a $70,000 state Commerce grant for an independent audit of its residential development rules and permit processing times. Translation: someone’s finally timing how long it takes to get a permit.

• Ferguson Proposes Statewide School Phone Ban
  • Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Oct. 2 a plan for a statewide ban on phones in schools, with exceptions for IEPs and medical needs. He plans to prefile the bill Dec. 7 ahead of the legislative session.
  • More info: governor.wa.gov

• Apple Health Changes and a Voter Roll Ruling: Rep. Randall’s Update
  • Rep. Emily Randall’s (WA-06) latest newsletter flagged federal changes projected to end Medicaid, or Apple Health, coverage for about 11,000 Washington residents, largely refugees, asylum seekers and some survivors of domestic violence and trafficking. The changes took effect Oct. 1, but a Sept. 30 federal court order protected coverage for more than 800 Washington residents receiving Supplemental Security Income who otherwise would have lost coverage. If you or someone you know is affected, check eligibility and options at wahealthplanfinder.org and hca.wa.gov. Randall also noted that a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking access to Washington’s voter rolls. Her Tacoma office, 1102 A St., Suite 326, 253-272-3515, handles federal casework such as passports, VA benefits and Social Security. Source: Rep. Emily Randall newsletter, Oct. 3. More info: randall.house.gov and kuow.org/health/2026-09-30/14-000-wa-residents-expected-to-lose-medicaid-oct-1.

Arts & Entertainment

• Tacoma Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | Friday to Sunday (Oct. 9-11)
  • It starts today. Sixty-three years in and still the best excuse to eat your weight in baklava. The festival runs Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with gyros, calamari, souvlaki, loukoumades, baklava ice cream, an expanded deli, a full pastry shop, Greek wine and beer, and dancing by the parish’s young folk. Admission is free. Parking is tight, so use the lower St. Joseph lot on 16th Street or park free at the Tacoma Dome and take the light rail two blocks. Cards are accepted everywhere. Opa.

• The Docent World Premiere at Lakewood Playhouse | Friday (Oct. 9), 7 p.m.
  • Tonight, Lakewood Playhouse opens its first-ever world premiere, The Docent by Donna Kaz, with an earlier-than-usual 7 p.m. curtain. Stick around after: The opening-night party also says goodbye to producing artistic director Joseph C. Walsh, who’s leaving after years of building the theater up. See the show, stay for the party, raise a glass. Tickets at 253-588-0042. More info: lakewoodplayhouse.org

• Filipino American History Month at Washington State History Museum | Thursday (Oct. 15), 3 to 7 p.m.
  • The museum marks Filipino American History Month with performances, vendors and a panel on Filipino American labor activism, all free during Third Thursday. More info: washingtonhistory.org

• Disney Descendants, ZOMBIES & Camp Rock: Worlds Collide Concert Tour at Tacoma Dome | Saturday (Oct. 10), 7 p.m.
  • Three Disney franchises, one arena, an unknowable amount of glitter. Bring the kids, the earplugs and your patience.
  • More info: tacomadome.org

• Tacoma Sticker Fest at FabLab Education | Saturday (Oct. 10), 11 a.m.
  • Local artists selling stickers and the gear to show them off. Your water bottle has been waiting for this. More info: fablabtacoma.com

• 45th Annual Artistry in Wood Show at Waller Road Grange | Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 10-11)
  • The Northwest Carvers Association packs the Grange with a judged competition across more than 100 categories at every skill level, plus a sale. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Come for the sawdust smell, stay for the humblebragging about hand tools.

• Autumn Flower Show at W.W. Seymour Conservatory | Through Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • The historic glass conservatory in Wright Park swaps in its fall display, all deep color and texture, through Nov. 29. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on winter hours. More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Pierce College Employee Art Show at Lakewood City Hall | Reception Monday (Oct. 19), 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Pierce College staff show off what they make when they’re not at work. The free reception is Oct. 19; the show stays up at City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW, through Dec. 30.

• Victorian Christmas Festival at Washington State Fair Events Center | Thursday to Sunday (Dec. 3-6)
  • Way early, but the PR team asked twice. The 38th annual festival adds a new two-floor Merry Makers Pavilion of handcrafters, early-bird shopping at 9 a.m. Thursday and Friday, a Winter Wine Lounge, Dickens carolers, the Singing Nativity and Santa. Admission is $14 online, $16 at the door and $12 for seniors; kids 12 and under and military members with ID are free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. More info: victorianchristmasfestival.com

Opportunities

• Join the Tacoma Arts Commission or Tacoma Creates Board by Oct. 12
  • The Tacoma City Council is filling four Arts Commission seats, three at-large and one Emerging Leader for ages 16 to 24, and one Tacoma Creates Advisory Board seat for a District 3 resident. These are volunteer gigs with monthly meetings and real influence over arts funding, public art and Tacoma Arts Month. You must live in Tacoma. Applications are due to the City Clerk by noon Monday (Oct. 12) at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. Questions: servetacoma@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5178. More info: tacomacreates.org

• $4,000 to $6,000 for Tacoma Community Arts Projects, Due Oct. 26
  • The city is accepting 2027 Community Arts Projects applications from Tacoma nonprofits, organized groups and businesses doing nonprofit-style public arts programming. Funded projects must happen in Tacoma during 2027, and art must be made by humans (yes, that’s in the rules now). New this year: priority for applicants not already funded by Tacoma Creates. The Oct. 7 application workshop recording will be posted at tacoma.gov/artsopps, and first-timers are strongly encouraged to watch it. The deadline is Oct. 26 at 11:59 p.m. Apply at tacomaarts.submittable.com.

• Green Tacoma Day at Parks Citywide | Saturday (Oct. 10), 9 a.m. to noon
  • The Green Tacoma Partnership and the City of Tacoma need hands to plant trees, pull invasive weeds and generally love on local parks and natural areas. Tools, gloves and instruction are provided. All ages are welcome. Show up, work outside, do good. More info: greentacomapartnership.org

• Orca Recovery Day at Titlow Park & McKinley Park | Saturday (Oct. 17), 9 a.m. to noon
  • Plant native shrubs and trees that help clean the water our Southern Resident orcas depend on. Registration is required to participate. Tools and training are provided. Good karma, muddy gloves.
  • More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Blood Drive at STAR Center | Friday (Oct. 9), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Today, Parks Tacoma and Bloodworks Northwest bring the donation chair to South Tacoma. Book an appointment, give a pint, get a cookie. More info: bloodworksnw.org

• Jobs 253 Connects Tacoma Students with Paid Internships
  • Tacoma Public Schools’ youth employment program placed 188 students in paid internships and career-connected learning between January and June. Students and local employers can both get involved. Apply or learn more at tacomaschools.org/departments/cte/internships/253.

• Trees for $10 to $30: Pierce Conservation District Urban Tree Sale
  • Through Nov. 7, pick up 6-foot-plus trees in 5- to 7-gallon pots for $10 to $30, plus a free planting workshop and a deep-watering bucket. More shade, cooler house, cleaner water. Order at pcdwaterquality.com/tree-sale.

• Learn How to Bid on Government Contracts with Make it Tacoma | Monday (Oct. 19), 10 a.m. to noon
  • Small businesses curious about government contracts can get a crash course from the City of Tacoma and Washington APEX Accelerator. The virtual Preparing the Bid workshop covers how to read solicitation documents, decide whether an opportunity is worth bidding on, use a pre-bid checklist and put together a complete, competitive submission. If government contracting has always looked like a wall of paperwork, this is designed to make it less mysterious. More info: makeittacoma.com/events

Recreation

• Pickleboo Pickleball Tournament at People’s Center | Saturday (Oct. 24), 9:30 a.m.
  • Halloween pickleball. Twelve teams play pooled round-robin, two pools of six, with the top three from each pool moving on to single-elimination playoffs. The tournament is gender-neutral; teams don’t need to be mixed, and costumes are strongly encouraged. Not ready to compete? Drop-in play runs at five Tacoma locations, free for Grit City Gherkins members or $10 otherwise. More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Truck & Tractor Day at Fort Steilacoom Park | Saturday (Oct. 17), noon to 3 p.m.
  • Kids get to climb into big rigs and honk the horn, which is exactly as loud as you’re imagining. Plus pumpkin decorating, a giant slingshot for pumpkin chucking, hayrides, free pumpkins for every family, hard hats while they last, food trucks and free parking at 8714 87th Ave. SW, Lakewood. More info: cityoflakewood.us

• All-Day Sports and Play Camp at Wainwright Intermediate | Monday (Oct. 12), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • No school on Oct. 12? Parks Tacoma has you. Kids in kindergarten through sixth grade get multisport games, sports crafts and active group play, with flexible drop-off and pickup any time during camp hours. More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Guided Dog Walk at Wright Park | Saturday (Oct. 17), 2 to 3 p.m.
  • Park Guide Jess leads a casual hourlong loop for leashed, well-mannered pups of all sizes and their humans. Rain or shine. Meet at the basketball court. More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Aging Wellness Day at People’s Center | Wednesday (Oct. 14), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • A free drop-in fair for seniors, families and caregivers to connect with local experts and resources on staying healthy and independent. Presented by Humana.
  • More info: parkstacoma.gov

• Short-Game Scoring Clinic at Meadow Park Golf Course | Saturday (Oct. 10), 10 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Two out of three shots happen inside 125 yards, so that’s where this clinic lives: 90 minutes of PGA instruction on chips, pitches, bunkers and flops, a Cleveland wedge fitting with a new wedge, a $25 range card and a dozen Srixon balls. More dates Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Kids ages 7 to 17 can sign up for the Toptracer PGA Jr. League, five matches starting Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. 7108 Lakewood Drive W.
  • More info: meadowparkgolf.com

• Fall Classes: Karate, STEM, Specialized Rec and Yoga
  • Parks Tacoma’s Tiger Tao Karate, ages 6 to 17, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at People’s Center and Mondays and Wednesdays at Eastside. Snapology runs LEGO-powered Science Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon at Stewart Heights, and Incredible Inventions on Tuesdays for ages 6 to 10. STAR Center’s specialized programs for adults with disabilities are back, including a Tuesday day group, The Independent Chef on Thursdays and a Wednesday afternoon club for ages 18 to 35. Over in Lakewood, gentle, fusion and yin yoga, qigong and tai chi meet at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park. More info: cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs