Good morning, Tacoma
Wild Waves’ final season, Holiday Magic, Fantasy Lights, and more.
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📰 In the news
Reviving a scenic overlook: King County 4Culture awarded $14,900 to support Inspiration Point, funding interpretive signs as Vashon Parks Foundation and Vashon Park District continue view corridor restoration, with signage planned within six months — see what’s planned for signage.
Beloved park’s final chapter: Wild Waves Theme Park has announced its 2026 season will be its last after entertaining families since 1977. The park plans to open May 23 and close Nov. 1 — get all the details.
Festivities mark transit milestone: New 1 Line light rail stations in Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake, Federal Way opened Dec. 6, adding almost 8 miles and parking garages, with trains every 8 to 15 minutes — see fares and service details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.
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🫶 We got your back
Seasonal fun all week: Holiday cheer takes over Gig Harbor. The Lighted Boat Parade glows at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, looping the harbor twice with prime views from Skansie Park and Jerisich Dock. On Sunday, Dec. 14, Chabad hosts a community menorah lighting with music, latkes, and jelly donuts. Expect markets, concerts, and Santa mailboxes, too. Check out the full lineup.
Heritage brewed with heart: Puyallup’s Dulce Café, opened this summer by Yonilda Morales of the nearby Chicanos food truck, pairs a dreamy pink setting with Mexican-inspired treats. Think horchata and mazapán lattes, colorful matcha, and signature conchas rellenas. They’re experimenting with new recipes and even roll out Saturday chilaquiles and coffee-fueled, reggaeton mornings. Read the full story.
Fresh cut energy: When your ends feel like split confetti, FoxFire Salon + Spa brings Aveda-trained stylists for thoughtful cuts, color, balayage, and spa extras in cozy Proctor and Fircrest. A Tacoma fixture since 1984, it pairs warm vibes with polished technique… leaving hair smooth, shiny, and unmistakably you.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.
Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.
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📆 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.
Today
✨ Holiday Magic @ Washington State Fair Event Center | Friday (12/12) at 4:30pm – Holiday Magic is lighting up the fairgrounds with tunnels of lights, cocoa on repeat, and Santa greeting families in full festive mode. Expect cheerful rides, an enchanting skating rink, live tunes, and a market for last-minute gifts you’ll pretend were planned.
👻 Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol @ Dukesbay Theater | Friday (12/12) at 7:30pm – Think you know A Christmas Carol? In Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, the other ghost gets his say, serving wit, chills, and a tidy bit of redemption. All sales are final, and if you saunter in late, the spirits, and the ushers, will not admit you.
This weekend
⛄ The Snowman @ Puyallup United Methodist Church | Saturday (12/13) at 2:00pm – The Sinfonietta is bringing The Snowman to Puyallup with the film on screen, live orchestra, and narration, all free and very wholesome. Seats are limited, so pounce when registration opens, then settle in for seasonal favorites, quiet kids, and a rare win for family night.
⛵ Gig Harbor Yacht Club’s Annual Lighted Boat Parade @ Gig Harbor Waterfront | Saturday (12/13) at 5:00pm – Nothing says Gig Harbor holidays like boats bedazzled in LEDs doing two victory laps around the harbor. Post up at Skansie, the lighthouse, or Tides Tavern for prime views, then pretend you’re judging. Boaters, it’s free to join, register at gigharboryc.com.
🌟 Winter Glow at Lakewold @ Lakewold Gardens | Saturday (12/13) at 5:00pm – Trade those inflatable yard Santas for Lakewold’s Winter Glow, a calm, light-soaked stroll through the gardens that actually feels like winter exhaling. Warm up in the Wagner House with cocoa or cider, admire the seasonal displays, then remember why you live here.
🎅 Santa Pancake Breakfast @ Norden Lodge #2 | Sunday (12/14) at 9:00am – Bring your appetite and a soft spot for Julenisse, because this Santa pancake breakfast serves stacks with lingonberries, eggs, ham, coffee, and juice. Seats go fast, so reserve by email, and wait for the confirmation, or you are just dreaming.
🎨 Holiday Paint and Sip Art Class by Artvana December @ The Redd Dog | Sunday (12/14) at 1:00pm – Swap the Sunday to-do list for a canvas at The Redd Dog, and let Artvana handle the creative pep talk. You sip, you paint, everyone claims it’s abstract, and you go home with self-care, wall art, and a better mood.
☠️ Sunday Family-Friendly Pirates and Medieval Trivia @ Puget Sound Pizza | Sunday (12/14) at 6:00pm – Sunday calls for brainy swashbuckling at Puget Sound Pizza in Lakewood. Family-friendly Pirates and Medieval trivia, four rounds, with something cool and nerdy for first, and in-house baked cookies for second and third. Bring the crew, claim bragging rights, and maybe even learn a fun fact or two along the way.
Next week
🎄 Fantasy Lights @ Spanaway Park | Monday (12/15) at 5:30pm – Pile into the car for the Northwest’s favorite drive-through light show, a glowing gauntlet of 300 animated displays and more twinkle than your neighbor’s HOA allows. Windows up, cocoa in hand, kids in pajamas, playlist on. Minimal walking, maximum sparkle, zero small talk.
🍪 Cookies with Mrs. Claus @ Puyallup Activity Center | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – Bring the kiddos to Puyallup Activity Center to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus. They supply the goodies, you supply the supervision, photos, and polite chaos, then head home with lovely sugar art and a few crumbs in the car. Register early, it fills fast.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ 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).
Listed by: Lawrence Huffines (Better Properties N. Proctor)
In the gated Nahane enclave of Northeast Tacoma, this quiet 3-bed, 3-bath plus dedicated office sits on an expansive lot wrapped in natural greenery. Sunlit rooms, a functional flow, and a 2-car garage keep daily life easy. The large deck stretches the party outside.
Room for raised beds, lawn games, and low key evenings under the trees. Privacy without the isolation, with local parks, schools, and commuter routes close by. Well kept and versatile, it is equal parts practical and playful.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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