Bouquets & lattes, Proctor Arts Fest, Washington seniors leap into top three for healthy aging, 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: Concert raising funds for inclusive kids programs, charcuterie hotspot lands on Pacific Avenue, new weekly market blends fresh eats, crafts, and escape room fun — catch up here.
State-level stories: New rules boost pay transparency, work zone cameras ticket thousands of speeders, and Washington seniors leap into the top three for healthy aging — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Study finds adults inhale thousands of plastic fragments daily, many hearts age faster than their owners, and Ford recalls F-150 hybrids without seatbelt chime — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Connect Tacoma seniors with community resources
- Commission advises on refugee and immigrant affairs
- Explore summer jobs serving children and community
- Register your block for community safety night
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Health: Stiff neck or back holding you back? Tune up with expert care from Tacoma chiropractors who won’t leave your wallet aching.
Cuisine: Ancient fishing traditions meet hipster vibes on the menu… think geoduck sashimi, cedar-plank salmon and coffee-infused Vietnamese tacos. These must-try dishes prove the flavor game is next level.
Reads: The smell of paper, the thrill of cracking open a new story, and the chance to accidentally spend two hours debating which cover looks cooler, Grit City Books is basically a playground for bookworms (minus the monkey bars, plus way more coffee).
Health: Forget outdated weight loss fads and gimmicks. Modern science has changed the game. GLP-1 medications (like the ones behind today’s most talked-about treatments) are helping people manage weight in a safer, more sustainable way. Check out your options today.
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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
🔬 Hooked on Science Day Camp & Science Show | Friday (8/1) at 12:00pm – Think you’ve outgrown erupting volcanoes and glowing slime? This South Hill Mall weekend transforms the food court into a mini science carnival where you (or your mini-me) don a lab coat, concoct artificial lava flows, and watch Mr. Science drop jaw-dropping demos.
🎬 August 1st Outdoor Cinema: Moana 2 | Friday (8/1) at 7:00pm – Grab your blanket, head to Bradley Lake for a free outdoor screening of Moana 2 under the stars. With shave ice, popcorn on the house, and a hula lesson, it’s basically Aloha, minus the ocean, plus a few mosquito bites. Leave the flask at home.
This weekend
🚢 2025 Cruise the Narrows @ Uptown Gig Harbor | Saturday (8/2) at 8:00am – Shake off the sofa slump and head to the Narrows for a laid-back parade of vintage wheels, oddball hot rods, and everything in between. No pre-registration, just roll in, tip the parking crew, pony up $20, and soak in the waterfront vibes.
☕ Bouquets & Lattes @ Curran Coffee | Saturday (8/2) at 9:00am – Morning plans: swap your inbox for an espresso and a vase full of blooms at the little spot on Main. You’ll arrange flowers like you actually have your life together, then reward yourself with coffee strong enough to power through the rest of adulthood.
🎨 2025 Proctor Arts Fest | Saturday (8/2) at 10:00am – Whether you’re into spotting handmade ceramics or plotting your snack strategy, Proctor Arts Fest on 26th and Proctor has your back. More than 160 artisan booths, local food trucks, and three live-music stages make for a family-friendly afternoon you didn’t know you needed.
🐾 Unleashed @ Stadium High School | Sunday (8/3) at 9:00am – If you’ve ever thought your daily groceries don’t count as cardio, try racing Tacoma’s Stadium Bowl stairs to fund rescue pets at Kindred Souls. Pick one loop for endorphins, go double for bragging rights, then sign up online before July 27, no race-day registration.
🪁 Kite Festival @ Chambers Creek Regional Park | Sunday (8/3) at 10:00am – Imagine gravity-defying kites, beginner demos, and giant inflatables converging at Chambers Creek Regional Park. Chase your own kite one minute, snag tacos from a food truck the next, and nosh on treats from local vendors before the sun goes down. All without losing weekend dignity.
Next week
🎨 What’s the Use of Stenciling | Monday (8/4) at 5:30pm – Kick back this weekend and get your Cricut buzzing with a stencil workshop for printmaking, fabric dye, or glass etching. It’s hands-on, slightly addictive, and infinitely more photogenic than your neighbor’s fourth zucchini batch, plus you’ll meet fellow craft conspirators.
⚾ Tacoma Rainiers vs. Reno Aces @ Cheney Stadium | Tuesday (8/5) at 12:05pm – Cheer on the Rainiers vs. the Aces at our cozy Cheney Stadium, where kids under three lap it up for free and only sealed water and your credit card get past the gates. It’s cashless, rainchecks not refunds, plus local banter guaranteed.
🏖️ The Sweet Beach Summertime Show @ Real Art Tacoma | Tuesday (8/5) at 7:30pm – Imagine drag queens doing shark ballet on a wrecked riverboat, juggling, swing dancing, and melodrama worthy of a campy ’60s beach flick. It’s a delightfully absurd mash-up of Jaws, Showboat, and summer musicals, perfect for those who appreciate a little salty, sweet chaos.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/1 Caamp @ Dune Peninsula – 6 pm
- 8/1 Jim Valley Project @ Kimball Coffeehouse – 7 pm
- 8/2 All White Rooftop Day Party @ Marriott Tacoma Downtown – 4 pm
- 8/2 Amelia Day & The Cloves and more @ McMenamins Elks Temple – 7 pm
- 8/2 Sub-Serioius @ The Float – 8:30 pm
- 8/2 Cars and Cigars @ LeMay – link
- 8/3 George Thorogood & The Destroyers @ Emerald Queen Casino – 7 pm
- 8/5 City of Lakewood’s Summer Nights @ Fort Steilacoom Park – 6:30 pm
- 8/5 Clint Black @ Muckleshoot Casino – 8 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).
Tuscan vibes meet Pacific Northwest charm in this custom stunner, just a block from the Browns Point beach, lighthouse, and neighborhood club. Brazilian walnut floors, 8-foot custom doors, and a kitchen that takes “gourmet” seriously—think Wolf double ovens, Italian-inspired fridge, and a pantry that moonlights as a wine room. The main-level suite spoils with dual walk-ins and its own laundry.
Upstairs, three bedrooms (two with en-suites), a media room, and dual view decks keep things lively. The backyard is all about alfresco feasts with a built-in BBQ island, smoker, and outdoor heaters. Bonus: a private au pair suite for extra flexibility.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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