July is Pride month in Tacoma! And it’s usually the month of Art on the Ave. We miss you! We miss these festive events and street parties and markets! Although Art on the Ave and many other street festivals are called off this year, Pride is NOT cancelled. It’s just looking a bit different. You’ll find ways to celebrate in our list below.
Our tradition of creating a monthly Tacoma Events post is 2 years old this summer! Events are a bit scarce these days - or relegated to remote gatherings (oxymoron?) - but our need to engage, connect, and be in community is stronger than ever.
Especially regarding racial justice, systems of oppression and inequity, it feels like we need to be in community and in conversation. And by conversation I don’t mean commenting as part of an audience, I mean conversation with the nuance of voice and body language, volume, and breath, and pause. Speaking to a remote audience, receiving information as that audience, has power and it has limits. It isn’t always ideal, but in order to take care of each other and keep our community safe, that’s just what we’re working with pretty often right now. This is all a preamble to why the list looks a bit different, why fewer events are featured, and why we still need to be reaching out.
This month, we’re sharing 9 events alongside 5 places/organizations/entities we recommend you connect to because we believe they’ll help connect you to Tacoma. And at the end you’ll discover 1 spot that’s “coming soon” to a neighborhood near you. All in all, this is 15 ways to connect to Tacoma this July!
Connect to Tacoma with Events & Gatherings
Image from Emergency Food Network
1. Volunteer at Mother Earth Farm
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Fridays & Saturdays, 9 am - 12 pm, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Mother Earth Farm
Puyallup Valley
Free volunteer opportunity - register here
Mother Earth Farm is an 8-acre farm operated by the Emergency Food Network to provide fresh produce for local food pantries and you can help!
Gardening or farming experience is wonderful, but not required
Tools and training provided - with training in mind, it’s really helpful if you can sign up for an ongoing shift
Questions? Reach out to Sam Cook at SamC@efoodnet.org or (253) 584-1040
Everyone needs access to healthy fresh food!
Image from Tacoma East Asian Medicine
2. Free Hilltop! Acupuncture Clinic
Mondays
1 - 6 pm
Fern + Foster Family Wellness
1402 S. 11th St, Tacoma
Free acupuncture care for people needing healing
Service is free - donations given to the family of Manuel Ellis
BIPOC & LGBTQ+ encouraged and welcome!
Care given by Amanda of Tacoma East Asian Medicine (Masters of Acupuncture through the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine) and hosted at Fern + Foster in Hilltop
25 slots available each week, so spread the word
Image from Molly’s Tamales - artwork by Kelly Shami
3. Kick Ass Cocktail Series
Thursdays July 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd
7 pm
From Home via Zoom
$100 - register here
Celebrate iconic women and learn how to mix some classic cocktails at home with Molly’s Tamales - ingredients and necessary supply lists provided in advance so you’ll be ready to mix, learn, connect, and imbibe each Thursday
This 4 weeks series celebrates Frida Kahlo, Missy Elliott, Selena Quintanilla, Lucille Ball, Naomi Klein, Ella Fitzgerald, Melissa McCarthy & Laverne Cox, so go ahead and research these women as part of the cocktail series - mixing a drink at home is fun, but this is about even more than that!
Image Anti-Racism Book Club
4. Anti-Racism Book Club: Ascent Fitness
2nd Wednesdays
July 8th
7 - 8:15 pm
From Home via Zoom
Free to participate
For gym members, neighbors, and friends (that means you!)
Read and discuss books on anti-racism, Black history, and fiction by Black authors
Learn about the group’s Expectations & Guidelines here
Join the Ascent Fitness Community Facebook Group to participate
Image from Tacoma Public Schools
5. Tacoma Public School Board Meeting
Thursday, July 9th
6 pm
From Home - Livestream
Free
Engage with the latest news and information regarding our Tacoma Public Schools
Visit the Tacoma Public Schools site for streaming video here
Learn more about interacting with the Tacoma School Board here
Image from 2nd Cycle Tacoma’s Community Cycle Center
6. SLOW & SOCIALLY DISTANCED BIKE RIDES WITH 2ND CYCLE
2nd & 4th Fridays
July 10th & 24th
Wherever you ride!
Free
An opportunity to create connection and lift spirits from a distance until riding together is part of life again
2nd Cycle recommends that you choose a comfortable route, decorate your bike, wear a costume, play some tunes, wave (or ring your bike bell) at people as you go by to create connection
Share a photo or video with the 2nd Cycle community on the FaceBook event or use the #SLOWANDSOCIALLYDISTANT hashtag where you post
Images from Tacoma Pride Festival
7. Stride with Pride (Virtual Fun Run/Walk) - 2020 Tacoma Pride Festival
Saturday, July 11th
Anytime
Choose your own route
Free - register here
Donations benefit Tacoma’s Rainbow Center
Choose your own time, route, and striding buddy
Stride with Pride will recommend some routes for you if you need a little help
Run, walk, roll, stroll - all striders receive a t-shirt, race kit, printable bibs, and cheer signs
More Tacoma Pride - Tacoma Pride events run from July 9 - 20th
8. MIP Conference (Male Involvement Program) from Tacoma Urban League
July 16 & 17
Thursday & Friday at 2 pm
Live Zoom Conference
Images from Tacoma Urban League
Free - register here
The MIP Conference is a 2 day Zoom conference hosting conversations “surrounding healthy male engagement and the role mentorship plays in preparing young KINGs for the world in front of them”
"Mentoring from men of color to help provide a safe and supportive community for boys of color, where they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity"
2 panel discussions, breakout sessions, live music, DJ, prizes, and most importantly, opportunities to connect to a network of support
Image from City of Tacoma Government
9. Free Workshop for Business Owners & Tax Preparers from the City of Tacoma
Wednesday, July 22nd
2 - 4 pm
Online
Free - register here
If you’re a Tacoma business owner, tax preparer, or an aspiring Tacoma business owner, this is for you!
This workshop will focus on Tacoma’s Tax & License requirements and the next workshop isn’t until the end of October, so if you’re interested, tune in
The workshop includes: tax classifications, minimum thresholds that apply before filing is required, completing your tax return, online filing and license renewals, Tacoma's paid sick leave and minimum wage laws, plus time for your specific questions regarding taxes and licensing
Connect to Tacoma with Ongoing Engagement
We recommend following these organizations, communities, business, entities, etc. There are so many more we’d like to suggest, but that’s for another month, another chance, another list. If you haven’t explored these or gotten connected, take a look. We’re pretty sure you’ll find welcome.
Image from The Tacoma Urban League
The Tacoma Urban League
Mission: “Our mission is to assist African Americans and other underserved urban residents in the achievement of social equality and economic independence.”
The Tacoma Urban League on Facebook
Tacoma Urban League on Instagram
Image from Hilltop Action Coaliton
Hilltop Action Coalition
Mission: “The Hilltop Action Coalition is the "Communications Anchor" for the Hilltop Area community. Our Volunteer network of Neighborhood Leaders, Community Block Programs, Informational Outreach, and Advocacy Work are at the heart of the community building work HAC is famous for.”
Hilltop Action Coalition on Facebook - Tip: Check out their Events page regularly as they maintain a good list of community events of all kinds!
Image from Tacoma Public Library
Tacoma Public Library
Mission: “Tacoma Public Library provides access to ideas and perspectives from around the world, and through innovative library services, stimulates the development of literacy, knowledge, wisdom, critical thought, and valuable interaction that yields positive experiences and a thriving community.”
It’s been a long time since my search bar started automatically guessing I’m looking for “Tacoma Public Library” as soon as I type “Ta.”
Tacoma Public Library on Facebook
Tacoma Public Library on Instagram
Image from Downtown Tacoma Partnership
Downtown Tacoma Partnership
What We Do: “In 1988, the Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (BIA) was created to keep downtown safe and clean. As the city has grown, we have grown as well into the Downtown Tacoma Partnership. Today, we continue to maintain expansive safe and clean services, while also providing community beautification, transportation services, and retail support and recruitment. Look for our team keeping our downtown streets safe, clean, and welcoming.”
Downtown Tacoma Partnership on Facebook
Downtown Tacoma Partnership on Instagram
Image & text from Tacoma Farmers Market: “We believe that everyone in our community should have access to fresh, healthy food, and so we are opening limited additional home delivery orders forlow-income, high-risk residents of the following zip codes: 98418, 98405, 98409, 98404, 98408, and 98444. We accept and match SNAP EBT so you can double your dollar to spend on fresh produce! Are you a low-income community member who identifies as a senior (60+), someone with a disability, or having a compromised immune system living in one of the above zip codes? Please email freshexpress@tacomafarmersmarket.com or call us at 253-272-7077 with your contact information if you're interested in home delivery of fresh produce and other market food products like salsa, honey, jam, and more..”
Tacoma Farmers Market
Mission: “Tacoma Farmers Market creates vibrant marketplaces where local farms, small businesses, and organizations connect directly with the community.”
Tacoma Farmers Market on Facebook
Tacoma Farmers Market on Instagram
Hey? What about the Saturday market in Proctor? Glad you mentioned it. (Do you think these markets are separate because they differ regarding the inclusion of the possessive apostrophe?)
Proctor Farmers’ Market
Mission:
To support and encourage local farmers by providing a venue in our urban community for direct marketing of fresh produce and farm grown products
To be an educational resource to the public highlighting the importance of local agriculture, sustainable business and our impact on the environment.
To encourage community building and collaboration within the business and neighborhood community that the market serves.
Proctor Farmers’ Market on Facebook
Proctor Farmers’ Market on Instagram
Coming Soon to Tacoma
Image from Cider & Cedar
Cider & Cedar - Cider Bar & Bottle Shop - 612 Tacoma Ave S
Have you heard? Cider & Cedar is set to open so soon! Tacoma locals Mia and Sterling have been working, and working, and planning, and now they are almost ready to open their door. That door is on Tacoma Avenue just up the hill from Corina Bakery and The Grand Cinema, and just a quick dash from Wright Park. They’re very nearly ready to serve you from a thoughtfully and enthusiastically selected library of ciders in a taproom full of handcrafted tables built by the business owners from wood salvaged from fallen cedars - that was a bit of a mouthful, but speaking of mouthfuls - follow Cider & Cedar on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.
Keep in touch about Tacoma life, Tacoma community, Tacoma homes, and a bit about us.
