Neighborhood News
- WA State Patriotic Day March 21
- Preparations are underway for Washington State Patriotic Day 2026, which will include a celebration of America250, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The program will be held at Pioneer Middle School, 1750 Bob’s Hollow Lane in DuPont, from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees can see the American flag displayed with enthusiasm and respect, hear an address on the meaning of patriotism, watch a reenactment of the British evacuation of Boston and enjoy music meant to stir the heart. Admission is free. The event is presented by the Military Order of the World Wars.
- Neighborhood Favorite Event: Fieldhouse Flea
- Tacoma’s original vintage flea market returns Saturday, March 21, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tickets are $5. All proceeds benefit Puget Sound student scholarships. The Fieldhouse Flea has been a tradition since 1968, bringing together some of the best vendors in the Pacific Northwest, along with food and treats, for a day of shopping that supports a good cause. Popular Women’s League sections will return, including Logger Booty and the Jewelry and Boutique section. Visitors can grab coffee, enjoy a bite to eat and shop while supporting scholarships.
- Lakewood’s Free Spring Cleanup March 28-29
- On March 28 and 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lakewood residents can bring trash, junk and recyclables to the Lakewood Transfer Station for the city’s Spring Community Cleanup. The event is free for residents, who must show a utility bill or ID as proof of residence. Participants should wear proper footwear, be able to back up a steep ramp, unload all items themselves and bag loose materials. Box vans, vehicles taller than 7 feet and trailers larger than 4 feet by 8 feet will not be permitted. A list of accepted and prohibited items can be found at cityoflakewood.us/refuse.
- Pierce County School Districts Receive Superintendent’s Award
- Seven Pierce County school districts were identified as top performing in Washington and received the 2026 State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence. Dieringer, Carbonado, White River, University Place, Steilacoom Historical, Peninsula and Sumner-Bonney Lake were among only 25 districts statewide to receive the award. Districts recognized with the honor demonstrated strong outcomes across multiple measures of learning and opportunity, including attendance, kindergarten readiness, dual-credit participation, reading and math achievement, graduation rates and more. Additional information about the awards and recipients is available at ospi.k12.wa.us.
- Roadwork in Unincorporated Pierce County Starts This Week
- Vegetation management work will begin along road shoulders in unincorporated Pierce County and continue through May. Crews may apply herbicides as they target noxious weeds and brush control, although only federally and state-approved herbicides will be used, and work depends on weather conditions. Properly maintained roads are important for motorist safety, and this annual work reduces fire danger, improves storm drainage and helps control nonnative plants. Property owners who do not want roadside vegetation adjacent to their property sprayed must complete an “Owner Will Maintain” agreement with Pierce County. The form is available at PierceCountyWa.gov/OwnerMaintain.
Local Governance
- Energy Bills Shot Up 12 Percent and Some Want Further Increases
- Puget Sound Energy customers could see additional increases in their utility bills under a proposed long-term rate plan currently under review by state regulators. Energy bills for PSE customers already rose about 12 percent this year, driven in part by costs tied to Washington’s Climate Commitment Act and investments in renewable energy and grid reliability. The utility is asking the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to approve a three-year rate proposal that would raise residential electric rates by nearly 30 percent and natural gas rates by 20 percent by 2029. PSE says the request reflects new clean-energy projects, additional natural-gas capacity to meet demand and rising power costs as coal-generated electricity is phased out under the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
- The proposal has sparked debate as lawmakers consider how rapidly expanding data centers, driven by artificial intelligence demand, are adding pressure to the electrical grid. House Bill 2515, which requires data centers to help secure their own energy sources, recently passed the House and now awaits action in the Senate. Critics argue that clean-energy policies are contributing to rising costs, while PSE maintains the investments are necessary to maintain reliability while transitioning power sources.
- Tacoma City Council Moves Process Forward With Hyun Kim for City Manager Role
- The City of Tacoma has entered negotiations with Hyun Kim for the role of city manager. Kim currently serves as interim city manager, where he leads enterprisewide initiatives and works closely with the City Council on policy and operational matters. He has extensive executive leadership experience in local government, including serving as Tacoma’s deputy city manager. The city manager is appointed by and reports directly to the City Council and serves as the chief executive officer of the city.
- Pierce County Council Approves 0.1 Percent Sales Tax Increase
- The Pierce County Council voted to establish the Justice Fund, creating a dedicated and sustainable funding source for public safety and criminal justice services. The measure establishes a 0.1 percent sales tax, equal to one penny for every $10 spent. It is expected to generate more than $27 million annually and will help address costs associated with staffing and state mandates that are growing faster than county revenues. The Justice Fund will support law enforcement staffing, courts and legal services, equipment and technology, as well as prevention and reentry programs. A public performance dashboard and Justice Fund advisory body will provide transparency and accountability for how funds are spent and the outcomes achieved. More information is available at piercecountywa.gov/justicefund.
Arts & Entertainment
- Say Farewell to Winter With Tacoma Youth Chorus
- The Tacoma Youth Chorus Chorale, composed of students in grades 9 through 12, will perform alongside musicians from the Symphony Tacoma Voices. The program will feature choral works performed by each ensemble as well as selections by the combined choirs. The performance will take place March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Schneebeck Hall. Tickets are available at tacomayouthchorus.org.
- Check Out the Finale Season of Tacoma Arts Live
- Tickets purchased for Tacoma Arts Live events support the staff who make programming possible at the Tacoma Armory, in schools and throughout the community. Upcoming events in the organization’s finale season include several performances and workshops at venues around Tacoma. More information and tickets are available at tacomaartslive.org.
Opportunities
- Grit City Connect Networking Event for Subcontractors
- Subcontractors can now register for the Grit City Connect networking event, co-hosted by Tacoma Public Schools, the City of Tacoma, Parks Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma. The event is designed to connect subcontractors with prime contractors working on public projects. It will be held May 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the STAR Center. Participants will have opportunities to learn about upcoming projects, procurement needs and partnership opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to bring capability statements. Space is limited, and registration is available at makeittacoma.com/events.
- Help Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Shape Work-Based Learning
- The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is partnering with the AWB Institute on a new initiative to strengthen and expand work-based learning opportunities across Washington. The chamber is one of five invited to help design the program. Businesses are invited to complete a short survey to help organizers better understand how companies offer internships, apprenticeships and other hands-on learning opportunities. The survey also asks about challenges and what would make expanding these programs easier. The survey is available at survey.alchemer.com.
- Calling All Artists for 3rd Annual Art Market at TCC May 30
- Tacoma Community College’s annual Art Market aims to create a platform where student and community artists can learn, collaborate and grow. Applications are open to student and community artists interested in showcasing and selling their work. Booth fees are $25 for students and $50 for community artists. Applications are available online through the TCC form portal.
- Tacoma City Theaters Looking for Box Office Manager
- Tacoma City Theaters is hiring a box office manager to oversee ticketing operations for the Pantages Theater, Rialto Theater and Theatre on the Square. Applications are available at bit.ly/TCTjobs.
- Become an Air Quality Monitor Steward
- The Asia Pacific Cultural Center is inviting residents to become air quality monitor stewards who help track air pollution trends in overburdened communities. Participants must live within designated areas, have an accessible outdoor electrical outlet and maintain a reliable Wi-Fi connection. PurpleAir sensors will provide continuous real-time data that will be used to raise awareness about local air quality issues and support environmental justice initiatives. Qualified participants who complete the program requirements will receive compensation. Interested residents can complete a short eligibility survey online.
- Art Opportunity for Graffiti Writers and Muralists
- Sound Transit is seeking a lead artist to coordinate the next phase of its graffiti art program at Capitol Hill Station. The selected artist will recruit eight additional artists from the graffiti and mural art community to help create rotating artwork on 6-by-4-foot panels that will be displayed at the station over the next two years. The projected budget is $20,000, and the application deadline is March 27, 2026. Organizers are seeking someone familiar with the graffiti community who has experience organizing artists or curating projects. Applications are available through the Sound Transit website.
- Tacoma Film Fest Submissions Open
- The Grand Cinema is preparing for the 20th Tacoma Film Festival, scheduled for Oct. 22–25. The festival celebrates contemporary independent filmmaking and connects filmmakers with enthusiastic audiences. Since launching in 2006, the Tacoma Film Festival has grown into a welcoming event for regional and international filmmakers, industry professionals, students and film fans. Last year’s festival featured more than 125 works and presented 21 awards. Films must be submitted by June 20, 2026, through FilmFreeway.
Recreation
- Specialized Hangouts at STAR Center
- The STAR Center hosts Specialized Hangouts for youth ages 6 to 16 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These events provide structured opportunities for participants to socialize and engage in activities with peers. Registration is required, and the cost is $35 per participant. Upcoming sessions include events for ages 6 to 10 on March 14 and April 18 at the STAR Center and an event for ages 13 to 18 on March 28 at the Eastside Community Center. Information about adaptive and specialized recreation programs is available through Parks Tacoma.
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With a Run in Tacoma
- The 2026 St. Paddy’s Day Half Marathon features an out-and-back course starting in downtown Tacoma and traveling along the waterfront toward the Ruston Way Path, the Point Ruston Waterwalk and Dune Peninsula Park. Runners will cross the Wilson Way Bridge before returning to the downtown finish line. The event also includes 5K and 10K races along portions of the course. All finishers receive a St. Paddy’s Day medal. Registration is available through the Tacoma City Marathon Association website.
- Parks Tacoma Spring Break Camps
- Parks Tacoma will host a variety of Spring Break Camps for youth during the Tacoma Public Schools spring recess, scheduled for April 6–10 in 2026. Camps will be offered at locations including the STAR Center, Tacoma Nature Center and Point Defiance Park, with programs at Fort Nisqually and specialized adaptive camps also planned. Activities typically include outdoor exploration, arts and crafts, sports and group games. Programs are designed for elementary and middle school students and provide structured activities during the school break. Registration details and a full list of camps are available at metroparkstacoma.org.
- Pickleball at Community Centers
- Parks Tacoma offers open play sessions and beginner-friendly opportunities at several community centers. Facilities including the STAR Center, Eastside Community Center, Center at Norpoint and People’s Community Center host scheduled drop-in play where participants can practice skills, meet other players and learn the game. Metro Parks Tacoma also promotes its local pickleball membership program, the “Grit City Gherkins,” though non-members can still participate during drop-in sessions for a daily fee. Equipment is typically available for new players during open play hours. Schedules and details are listed at metroparkstacoma.org.
- Point Defiance Trails for Spring Walks
- Point Defiance Park offers miles of walking and cycling routes through forest, gardens and waterfront viewpoints. The park’s Five Mile Drive Outer Loop is now closed but the Inner Loop remains open for vehicle access to destinations such as Fort Nisqually, the off-leash dog park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Visitors planning to explore trails near the Japanese Garden should note a temporary pedestrian and bicycle detour in effect through approximately March 16 due to construction. The renovated Owen Beach area also serves as a popular starting point for shoreline walks. Current park updates are available at metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance.
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