Later summer, early fall miniature sunflowers shining by the oregano all gone to seed.
Oh, Tacoma. Tacoma friends and strangers and lovers and neighbors and visitors, those whose hearts belong here but whose lives are far flung, let’s all take a pause together. That’s it. Nothing fancy, just a pause, before digging-in to what is coming our way, the offerings, the experiences, gatherings, teachings, stories, and services from our community month, after month, after month. Recently I read an e-mail, a mass e-mail, one that wasn’t even “for” me, and there was an instruction to take a deep breath. And I did it. And I needed it. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be bossy about taking a pause. But it helped me for a moment, so I’m returning the favor.
Before we even get to our official list of 10 ways you can connect with Tacoma this October, I’m going to suggest 4 things that are worthy of your attention.
One: TAM reopens on October 9th. Woohoo! Tacoma Art Museum (in case you’re not on a nickname basis) will be open with all the safety considerations in place. Welcome back to TAM!
Two: October is a wonderful month to stock up on books! Thank goodness for Tacoma Public Library services. I’ve been ordering books through my library profile and standing in line outside while our dedicated librarians bring out my order. I miss going in and browsing the shelves, but I’m grateful for the services we do have. But maybe the book you want is on hold and you really, really can’t wait, or there are books you juts want to see on your shelf long term, or authors you want to support with your dollars. In that case, don't go straight to a certain online retailer that shall remain unnamed. Nope. Go to our very own, or very dear, our local King’s Books! You can search for your titles, order online or by phone, and choose shipping or curbside pick-up. It’s wonderful. Not sure what to read? Get some ideas from some of the books I’ve been reading this year, all borrowed, picked up from our library, or ordered at King’s. Happy reading!
Three: Word around town is, you should get thee to North 14th & Oakes Street for a wild, weird, and wonderful paper mache monster lineup. We hope it’s back this year. If not, we’re sorry, but we think it’s worth a try.
Image from Tacoma Arts
Four: It’s Tacoma Arts Month! Usually this means studio tours and I’m really going to miss it! I love visiting studios all over the city and doing the hands-on activities with stamp making, or printing presses. It’s so grand! It can’t be that way this year, but the arts live on with an Artists in Focus program for October. Visit Tacoma Arts Month and follow Tacoma Arts on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop about this month’s opportunities.
There you go. Four more ways than the ten ways we’re about to tell you about for connecting with community in Tacoma. We’re feeling generous. Proceed and you will find a truly Tacoma mix of events and gatherings from storytelling to free community meals, from workshops to develop your recording artist skills to domestic violence and racism education and advocacy, from classes in watercolor to classes on how to use tools, from women in business to women and the vote (by the way: vote!). Okay, it’s a lot. But we have good news, this isn’t homework; it’s an opportunity. Take care!
Connect to Tacoma with Events & Gatherings
Image from Creative Colloquy
1. Creative Colloquy Crawl
October 2nd - 4th
Friday - Sunday
From Home via Zoom
Free - rsvp here (rsvp for each session you’d like to attend)
This annual event is usually a delightful gathering hosted at various literary-loving locations around Tacoma - this year, it’s coming to your home, and it should still be a delight
Join in on as many of these readings as you like!
FRIDAY, 7 pm- C3 VIRTUAL KICKOFF HAPPY HOUR
SATURDAY, 11 A.M. - PERHAPS IT TAKES COURAGE TO RAISE CHILDREN
SATURDAY, 2 pm- VOLUME SEVEN SNEAKY PEEKS (sounds sketchy, but actually has to do with a preview of this year’s Creative Colloquy print edition)
SATURDAY, 7 pm- LISTEN UP! STORIES FROM TACOMA'S WOMEN OF COLOR COLLECTIVE AND BEYOND
SUNDAY, 11 am- YARNING A TALE FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
SUNDAY, 2 pm- WRITE253 PRESENTS (teen writers!)
SUNDAY, 7pm- FROM BIGFOOT TO HONEST POLITICIANS: MODERN URBAN LEGENDS:
Image from YWCA Pierce County
2. DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) 21 Day Challenge
Monday - Friday
October 5th - 30th
From Home
This challenge arrives in your inbox every Monday-Friday, October 5th - 30th
Expect an email with learning challenges that come as podcasts to listen to, videos to watch, articles to read - content will examine intersections of white supremacy, racism, and domestic and sexual violence.
What’s the idea? “By learning about these topics, we will develop a deeper understanding of the barriers that survivors of color face in seeking assistance. We will leave this challenge with tools and skills to better support survivors of color, through strategies that were developed and fostered by people of color (especially women of color).”
Why 21 Days? Many say it takes 21 days to form a habit, and with this challenge, you’re forming the habit of more effective social justice engagement!
Image from Tacoma Public Library
Tuesdays
October 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
6:30 - 7:45 pm
From Home via Zoom
Free - register here (register for each session you plan to attend)
Musicians, vocalist, and podcasters - this is for you!
Be Your Own Record Label has already begun with some sessions in September, but jump in even if you haven’t attended yet
Sessions covervsetting up a home studio space, acoustics, technical recording skills, do's and don'ts of networking online and presenting your electronic press kit, low-cost, free and open-source software options, and how to procure the equipment and software you'll need
Each week there will be a different topic of discussion posed by Digital Media Instructor John Hargis with a special visitor from the record industry
Presented by Tacoma Public Library!
Image from Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
4. Women Build: Intro to Tools
Wednesday, October 7th
4:30 pm
From Home via Zoom
Free - pre-registration is required
This interactive workshop starts with the basics
Lead by Women Build Crew Chief Caitie!
Get ready to learn about nails, screws, types of wood, saws, power tools, and feel free to ask questions
Although this is an Intro to Tools workshop, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity regularly offers Women Build classes, so keep an eye out for more like Electrical Basics coming up on October 21st
Image from Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
5. Fort From Home: 19th Century Watercolor Techniques
Saturday, October 10th
11 am - 12 pm
Webinar From Home
Tiered Pricing: Choose what works for you from $10 - $50 - register here
Interactive, educational virtual program lead by Fort Nisqually Volunteer, Chris
See a historical watercolor demonstration and learn about the role of arts here in the PNW in the 19th Century
Interested in more workshops like this? Visit the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Events Page
Image from Allison Bishins Consulting
6. Sustainability Summit for South Sound Women in Business
Saturday, October 24th
9 am - 12:30 pm
From Home Virtual Summit
Lots of price points - find what works for you! $0, $15, $25, $40, $75, register here
This annual event is virtual this year, and although participants will miss gathering together, the lower expenses allow all ticket sales to go to the speakers!
All women welcome - (cis and trans) and non-binary/genderqueer folx age 16+
Speakers, panel discussion, and small group networking - meet, connect with, and learn from other local women in business
Image from Washington State History Museum/Chandler O’Leary & Jessica Spring
7. Votes for Women: 100 Years & Counting
October 24th - January 17th
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Admission is $0 for ages 5 and under, $11 for ages 6 - 18 & seniors, $14 for adults
Head to the 5th floor for an exhibit exploring both the national story of votes for women, and Washington State’s story
The exhibit includes an interactive timeline and invites visitors to engage in an immersive game about women and voting rights
Curated by local Tacoma artists and authors Jessica Spring and Chandler O’Leary, co-authors of Dead Feminists: Historic Heroines in Living Color
Connect to Tacoma with Community Meals & Resources
Image from Tacoma Rainbow Center
8. Caring with Pride
Thursdays
October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
11 am - 1 pm
Tacoma Rainbow Center
2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Tacoma Rainbow Center is Caring With Pride with support from Alma Mater on Thursdays in Downtown Tacoma
Fresh meals, non-perishables, hygiene supplies, and masks offered for anyone who needs it
Image from Peace Lutheran Church
9. October Community Meals To-Go
Monday - Friday
October
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Peace Lutheran Church
2106 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma
Free
Stop by any weekday in October (Monday - Friday all month) for a meal to go
Usually community meals are sit-down affairs hosted indoors, but to keep the community safe, meals are offered to-go from the door
Along with meals Peace is sharing information about accessing community resources and services during the Covid-19 pandemic
Connect to Tacoma by Volunteering, Donating & Accessing Services
Image from YWCA Pierce County
10. YWCA Pierce County
Serving Tacoma since 1906, the YWCA opened the first emergency shelter in the state in 1976 for people experiencing domestic violence. Now they serve over 15,000 people annually (people means people: as the YWCA says "regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, or sexual orientation").
YWCA National Mission: “YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”
The YWCA offers a host of high impact, whole-person services like programs for teens and children, an emergency shelter, housing, legal services, support groups, and a resource center. As you'll see if you visit their site or get to know them better, they're about empowerment, not charity. They're about transformation and inclusion. If you like the sound of that, maybe you'd like to get involved.
You can support the YWCA's work with donations of funds or items, volunteering, and spreading the word.
Donate Funds to the YWCA
Donate Needed Items to the YWCA
Volunteer with the YWCA
And don’t forget to register for the DVAM 21 Day Challenge!
Keep in touch about Tacoma life, community, homes, and a bit about us.
