Tacoma cinephiles revive century-old theaters, a giant agave blooms at the zoo, Blink 182 tribute band, and more. 
Happy Friday, Tacoma. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Tacoma Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Tacoma cinephiles revive century old theaters, a giant agave blooms at the zoo after decades, and hundreds of new backyard homes spark gentle density — catch up here.
State-level stories: Rural hospitals brace for service cuts as Medicaid support wanes, ferry electrification falls years behind plan, and a Hood Canal oyster saloon lures visitors — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Infrastructure to study post-viral syndromes, full retirement age to increase by two months, major food recalls, and a new study on asteroid deflection — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Donate blood at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
- Help plan aging and disability programs
- Meet with Pierce County’s Veterans Advisory Board
- Car Toys hosts triple SPL competition
- Register now for this Shakespeare experience
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Home: Life’s messy enough without spending your weekend scrubbing baseboards and moving the fridge (it’s gross back there). These professional cleaning services handle the deep stuff so you can focus on literally anything else you’d rather be doing.
Food: Yeah… you could grab a salad, but sometimes you need food that’s good for the soul at these burger joints. AKA a burger that actually lives up to the hype. They serve up the kind of indulgent perfection that makes you forget you ever cared about counting anything.
Auto: If your car’s making that sound again… pretending it’s fine isn’t going to fix it (sorry to break it to you). Skip the runaround and head to one of these trusted auto shops. Good news! They speak human, not just mechanic.
Community: There’s something magical about Sunday farmer’s markets, pop-up concerts, annual gatherings, and block parties that turn strangers into neighbors. Local events don’t just entertain, they spark conversations and create a sense of belonging. Here’s a deeper look at why local events matter more than we realize.
Pets: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🔥 Summer Sparks Workshop @ Children’s Museum of Tacoma | Friday (7/11) at 10:00am – If you’re tired of hearing “I’m bored” one more time, swing by Summer Sparks at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. They’ve got a new theme every month and a daily dose of art, math, or science projects to keep tiny hands busy and big-kid souls intact. Finally, an hour of peace (and minimal glitter cleanup).
🎸 A Blink 182 Tribute Band @ Jazzbones | Friday (7/11) at 8:00pm – If you still think slamming “What’s My Age Again” is the pinnacle of adulting, Jazzbones is calling your name. DJ Forest Gump spins 90s alt anthems, Feeling This? revives Blink-182 earworms, and Souls Worn Thin obliterates any hope of civility.
This weekend
🏃 Tacoma Runners Free Saturday 5k @ Point Defiance Park | Saturday (7/12) at 8:00am – It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s got just enough hills to make your legs question your life choices. Join a cheerful crew of runners (and dogs!) for a car-free 5K through Tacoma’s crown jewel of a park. All paces are welcome, and smiles are basically mandatory.
🦎 Pacific Northwest Reptile Show @ Washington State Fairgrounds | Saturday (7/12) at 10:00am – Pacific NW’s reptile show is slithering into Puyallup with nearly 100 vendors under one roof, showcasing everything from neon geckos to demos. It’s a family-friendly maze of scales, snakes, and educational pit stops. Bring your curiosity, and maybe a snack to charm the python.
🌟 All-Star Classic @ Cheney Stadium | Saturday (7/12) at 2:00pm – Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium turns into a summer carnival of pro athletes, hometown heroes, and local legends slugging homers and cracking jokes. Part softball game, part home run derby, with live tunes, delicious bites, and giveaways galore. It’s the well-deserved day out you’ve earned.
✨ Lorcana League | Sunday (7/13) at 11:00am – Ready to channel your inner Illumineer? This weekly Disney TCG meetup is your chance to jump into organized Lorcana League play—newbies and veterans welcome. Borrow a deck, meet friendly folks, and dive into the magic. Family-friendly vibes guaranteed.
🎵 Porchfest 2025 – Day 2 @ North Tacoma | Sunday (7/13) at 12:00pm – Ready to lose yourself in porch concert hopping? Day 2 of the free, walkable music crawl is north of Sixth Avenue, which means less traffic, more banjos, and the neighbors get to out-sing each other. Bring comfy shoes, curiosity, and community spirit.
🏆 In the Spirit Contemporary Native Arts Artist Awards | Sunday (7/13) at 2:00pm – Idle Sunday afternoons can be overrated, unless you’re wandering into a two-decade-strong celebration of contemporary Native art, complete with coveted awards and first dibs on jaw-dropping pieces. Registration only costs an email, and bragging rights are included free of charge.
Next week
💃 Getting Active with Zumba @ Sprinker Recreation Center | Monday (7/14) at 1:00pm – Get your heart racing with a guided Zumba session at BZP PS, where total newbies and salsa savants mingle freely. Expect infectious beats, arm-flailing and genuine community vibes that make spin-class FOMO a thing of the past. It’s the perfect excuse to laugh at your own two left feet while torching calories, Lycra regret strictly optional.
👵 Aging and Disability Resources Advisory Board Retreat @ Chambers Creek Regional Park | Tuesday (7/15) at 9:30am – This annual retreat at the county’s Environmental Services Building gathers the board shaping aging and disability services for some strategizing and coffee-snob debates. Expect thoughtful planning, dry wit, and enough eye rolls to keep you entertained until someone proposes color-coding the supply bins.
🍸 Crafts & Cocktails | Tuesday (7/15) at 7:00pm – Whether you’re still holding onto your glue gun from 1998 or just want an excuse for a cocktail, gather at Crafts & Cocktails to twist wire, add beads, and pretend you’re a bespoke jeweler. Drinks by KemperSports, good vibes, zero artistic shame required.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 7/11 Mark Riley Trio @ Kimball Coffeehouse – 7 pm
- 7/11 Dj Forest Gump @ Jazzbones – 8 pm
- 7/11 Karaoke @ Puget Sound Pizza – 9 pm
- 7/12 Tacoma Porchfest 2025 – Day 1 @ Central Tacoma – 12 pm
- 7/12 Stevenson Brooks @ Hidden Harbor Wine Library – 4 pm
- 7/12 Jim Meck @ Wicked Pie Pizza – 6 pm
- 7/12 Hirie and more @ Airport Tavern Music Hall – 1 pm
- 7/12 Martin Valverde Esperanza Viva @ Pantages Theater – 7:30 pm
- 7/13 Tacoma Porchfest 2025 – Day 2 @ North Tacoma – 12 pm
- 7/15 Louis C.K. @ Pantages Theater – 7:30 pm
Price is right – Tacoma edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Mark Hulen (Better Properties Real Estate)
Nine-foot ceilings and custom cabinets set a playful tone in this North Tacoma split-entry, where the kitchen’s granite counters and stainless appliances are ready for culinary experiments or late-night snacks. The primary suite claims the main floor, while a full bath on every level means no one ever has to wait their turn.
Partial mountain views peek in from upstairs, and the fenced backyard patio is primed for impromptu gatherings. Just a half block from Silas High, with parks, UPS, and the Proctor District all within striking distance.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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