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Hi Tacoma, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Uwajimaya returns, Tom Papa’s Grateful Bread Tour, a smelter dump turned slide-filled park, and more.
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— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A walkway with a past: At Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park, Chutes and Ladders turns a former smelter dump into play, with six slides down a 60-foot slope and a bridge linking to Dune Peninsula — see the history and details.
Setting a collaborative course: Earlier this month, Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen set out his vision after being sworn in, prioritizing public safety, affordable housing, a stronger economy, and a transparent, high-performing city government — read the full story.
More boats back on duty: After repairs to the ferry Tacoma, the Fauntleroy Vashon Southworth route has returned to three-boat weekday service, and Seattle Bremerton got a playoff weekend boost thanks to Seahawks crowds — learn which routes are restored.
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.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Larger footprint, new experience: Uwajimaya is coming back to Tacoma. The Asian grocery signed a lease at Tacoma Central in the former Hobby Lobby space and says construction will begin this year, with a first half of 2027 opening and a larger village concept similar to the Seattle store. See what’s planned and when.
Calm grooms, happy pups: Whether your floof needs a full tidy or a simple nail trim, Lesha’s Dog & Cat Grooming keeps visits calm with patient, seasoned handling and thoughtful touches. Expect fewer tangles, fewer zoomies after, and a couch that stands a better chance during shed season.
Burger fix, leveled up: Craving a midweek pick-me-up? Stacks Burgers hits the road with handcrafted burgers, crispy fries, and thick real ice-cream shakes. It’s simple, dialed-in comfort that just works. Monthly specials keep weekdays interesting.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
⚡ Sparks Workshop @ Children’s Museum of Tacoma | Friday (1/23) at 10:00 AM – Sparks is lighting up the Children’s Museum of Tacoma with hands-on explorations in art, math, science, movement, and more. Kids get messy, curious, and pleasantly tired, while you soak up smugly educational fun, a coffee, and the satisfaction of being a responsible Tacoma adult.
🍞 Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour @ Pantages Theater | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – Whether you’ve binged his specials or just need a break from discussing the potholes on 6th Ave, Tom Papa brings his Grateful Bread Tour to Tacoma for one night of sharp, familiar laughs. Expect takes on marriage, empty-nest life, and reclaiming the house from pets.
🎻 Chamber Ensemble Concert @ Annie Wright Schools | Saturday (1/24) at 7:00 PM – Annie Wright’s Raynor Chapel is serving up free chamber music, courtesy of the Tacoma Youth Symphony kids showing off quartets and quintets from all of TYSA’s orchestras. Think toe taps, not TikToks, and the smugness of finding real culture that costs exactly zero dollars.
🕊 11 Days in the Life of Dr. King @ Mount Tahoma High School | Saturday (1/24) at 7:00 PM – 11 Days in the Life of Dr. King brings his story to life through 11 vignettes with music, dance, shadow play, and images. It centers his work with communities, no lectures, just art that lingers. Free community performance, pre-registration required, claim your spot.
🎶 South Sound Flute Day @ Mary Baker Russell Building | Sunday (1/25) at 12:00 PM – South Sound Flute Day is taking over PLU with a group warm-up, flute choir sightreading, a masterclass, workshops, a teacher’s recital, and more. Expect serious chops, friendly vibes, and enough breath control to put your spin class to shame, all without a single kazoo.
🎩 Louie Foxx @ Tacoma Comedy Club – 6th and Proctor | Sunday (1/25) at 4:00 PM – Ready for a Sunday reset that isn’t laundry? Louie Foxx brings comedy, clever misdirection, and crowd work to 6th Ave, the rare show that keeps the kids wide-eyed and the adults happily skeptical. Easy laughs, early night, zero Monday regrets.
🎷 Blues Vespers Harmonica Showcase @ University of Puget Sound Kilworth Memorial Chapel | Sunday (1/25) at 5:00 PM – Trade your Sunday scaries for a Blues Vespers Harmonica Showcase, where the humble pocket harp does the testifying. Expect smoky grooves, soulful solos, and that sweet, slightly sanctified vibe. Early enough to be home by nine, satisfied, and still friends with Monday.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Tacoma report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 42°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 4%
Widespread fog before 7am, then widespread freezing fog between 7am and 9am, then widespread fog between 9am and 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 2 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 45. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
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Custom-built and multilevel in Old Town, just steps from Point Ruston and the Proctor District. Unobstructed Sound views pour into almost every room. Two expansive decks double down on sunrise coffee and golden sunsets. Soaring windows, vaulted ceilings, and skylights flood the interiors with light. A pellet stove adds cozy vibes when the weather turns.
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Take a peek inside →
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