Happy Friday, Tacoma. Hope you get a chance to relax this weekend. 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 is converting a 1908 downtown landmark into apartments, Spanaway’s elementary school reopens with skylights, and McCormick Forest Park adds 39 acres of trails — catch up here.
State-level stories: Washington anglers and hunters poured billions into trips, officials safeguarded 77,000 acres of old-growth forest, and the State Fair rolls out drones and discounts — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Homeowners are delisting homes rather than cutting prices, the S&P 500 hit record on AI gains, and Ford recalled 500,000 SUVs for brake hose flaws — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
Bug problems? Western’s got you.
Nobody wants to deal with ants marching through their kitchen or mysterious scratching sounds in the walls. Western Exterminator has been handling exactly these situations since 1921.
You can call them in when you find a problem, or, the better way is to set up regular care for your home. Get on one of Western’s annual plans and know that your house has year-round protection from 39 common house pests. That’s peace of mind.
Call 888-532-0265 or schedule a FREE termite inspection online today.
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🫶 We got your back
Spa: Craving a pampering upgrade that goes beyond a cucumber slice? Tacoma’s top med spas deliver glow-getting treatments that feel like a mini staycation.
Brews: With 500+ breweries and 100+ distilleries, Washington is the kind of place where you can sip hop-fresh beer on a farm one minute and sample barrel-aged spirits in an old warehouse the next. These craft hot spots turn any road trip into a tasting adventure.
Books: Kickstarting a local book club is easier than you think. These simple steps will get you swapping stories and making friends in no time.
Wine: Whether you’re a casual sipper who still calls everything “red or white” or the friend who won’t shut up about tannins and terroir, The Buried Bottle pours the good stuff. Come for the glass (or bottle), stay for the vibe that makes weeknights feel like weekends.
Home: Labor Day means special deals on all sorts of things, and American Home Shield’s warranty coverage is no exception. For a limited time, they’re offering 50% off select plans than cover your big ticket appliances (yup, even the ones older than dirt).
📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →
Today
🥎 20th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament | Friday (8/29) at 5:00pm – Nothing says end-of-summer like island-style softball right in Tacoma. The CNMI crew touches down for round 20 of their Labor Day tourney, powered by Marianas spirit, cold brews, and enough sunburned hot dogs to make you swear you’re beachside, minus the sand in your shoes.
👯 Besties Night Out @ The Collective | Friday (8/29) at 5:00pm – Here’s your official excuse for a night of blooms, blends, and blissful bites. Build a bouquet wild enough to match your group chat, mix a signature scent that even your mother-in-law will approve, and remind yourself why you became besties in the first place.
This weekend
👕 Youth Clothing Swap @ South King Tool Library | Saturday (8/30) at 10:00am – Clearing out those outgrown junior jeans? Swing by the free back-to-school clothing swap with the city and South King Tool Library, donate clean school-age gear, then shop racks for free finds so your kid thinks you have your act together, and bring your own bags.
🎫 Stampin’ Bingo @ Pierce County Skills Center | Saturday (8/30) at 11:00am – Crafty bingo night at the Skills Center on River Road lets you swap your Netflix binge for six rounds of ink-splotched fun, surprise door prizes, and refreshments. Snag retired Stampin’ Up! treasures, claim equal fresh catalog goodies free, tax and shipping extra.
🕺 Best 80s Party Ever (So Far) @ Jazzbones | Saturday (8/30) at 8:00pm – Ready to relive your glory days without risking permanent neon damage? Jazzbones is throwing the Best 80s Party Ever (So Far), with Tacoma’s own Nite Wave blasting all the synthy New Wave bangers. BYO hairspray, questionable dance moves, and an unapologetic sense of nostalgia.
🚂 Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Steam Train Excursions | Sunday (8/31) at 9:00am – Think of it as your weekly spa escape, minus the cucumber water and yoga pants: a 12-mile, 75-minute steam train roll through emerald forests. Snap photos, wave at squirrels, then brag about how you mastered vintage travel without breaking a sweat.
🚢 Dock Walk @ Summer Sounds at Skansie | Sunday (8/31) at 2:00pm – Think you’ve seen every corner of the waterfront? Meet by the farmers market picnic tables for a weekly, rain or shine 30 to 60 minute guided Dock Walk on Jerisich Dock, spotting curious Puget Sound critters. Expect wit, plus a few bucks for the cause.
🎸 The Aqua-Nets + Happy Chems @ McMenamins Elks Temple | Sunday (8/31) at 6:00pm – Spanish Ballroom is hosting a double shot of beachy surf pop and fuzzy psych from The Aqua-Nets and Happy Chems. Expect big hair vibes, shimmering guitar hooks, and the kind of crowd that still complains about expensive coffee. Grab your dancing shoes.
Next week
🎇 End of Summer Blast @ Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Monday (9/1) at 9:00am – Ready to wring out your summer tan one last time? Dive into an End of Summer Blast where cannonballs, ice treats, and questionable swim moves are all covered by admission. It’s the splashiest way to bid summer adieu, without the sunburn regrets.
💃 Getting Active with Zumba @ Sprinker Recreation Center | Monday (9/1) at 1:00pm – Shake off that week’s tension with a sweaty excuse to shimmy alongside your pals at a guided Zumba class, perfect for both two-left feet and those who think they’ve still got moves. Just bring sneakers, a sense of humor, and maybe a towel.
🎪 Venardos Circus: Decade of Dreams @ Point Defiance Park | Monday (9/1) at 2:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap your couch for big-top magic, Venardos sets up its Italian-made red and white tent at Point Defiance Park for a 10th anniversary run. No elephants required, just Broadway-style aerialists, fresh popcorn, and nonstop feel-good fun.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/29 Toto and more @ Puyallup Fairgrounds – 7:30 pm
- 8/30 Moon Yard @ The Spar – 7 pm
- 8/30 Kim Congdon @ Tacoma Comedy Club – 7 pm
- 8/30 Best of Both Worlds @ McMenamins Elks Temple – 8 pm
- 8/30 Ashley Gutermuth @ Nate Jackson’s – 9:45 pm
- 8/31 Dylan Scott @ Emerald Queen – 7 pm
- 8/31 Meghan Trainor @ Washington State Fair – 7:30 pm
- 9/1 Rebelution and more @ Washington State Fair – 6 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).
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Listed by: Heidi Dyer (NW Elite Home Brokers)
Olympic mountain views, orca sightings, and sunsets that refuse to be ignored—this west-facing home turns every evening into a show. The open kitchen is loaded with storage, while two wood-burning fireplaces keep things toasty. Downstairs, a private-entry basement with a second kitchen brings MIL or Airbnb potential into play.
Outside, the shy half-acre yard is basically a botanical parade with azaleas, figs, plums, apples, and blueberries, plus two sheds for all the hobbies. Just a quick stroll to Titlow for saltwater adventures and easy highway access, in a neighborhood where neighbors still wave.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
