It's the last full month of summer in Tacoma and we've found some ways to spend it! Jump back in time to the good ol' drive-in movies and maybe jumps even further back as you cruise Antique Row for some classic sidewalk finds. Then, explore Tacoma's Downtown via scavenger hunt and later hunker down to virtually hear about Washington's part in the Women's Suffrage Movement while celebrating it's centennial. Don't miss the array of businesses to explore in our beloved Hilltop where you can eat, drink, and shop your way to some cool prizes as you collect stamps in your Hilltop Business Crawl Passport. Finally, we invite you to give back and maybe even save a life in the process.
We'll see you around, Tacoma!
Drive-in movies are BACK!
Time to load up the family with some cozy blankets, a few snacks, and a couple masks (for whenever leaving your vehicle), and catch a classic flick on the REALLY big screen. Tacoma has TWO outdoor theaters operating at reduced capacity this August and we're here for it!
LeMay would like to bring some movie magic to the tailgate, front seat, or a couple chairs in front of (not alongside) your vehicle. Pre-register online for your “seat”, then it’s first come first serve for a spot. Don’t worry little sports car owners, vehicles will be lined up by height for optimal viewing. We’ve grabbed tickets for Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Find the complete list below:
August 1st: Frozen II
August 8th: Bumblebee
August 15th: Toy Story 4
August 22nd: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Metro Parks Star Center is also offering a movie series this August! While the event is technically free, they recommend a donation which will be matched by Safeway Nourishing Neighbors. All movie-goers must remain in their vehicles or tailgates for the duration of the film, unless getting snacks or using the restroom. Spots are available with pre-registration only and cars will be parked in every other stall for distancing. Audio for the film is transmitted by FM radio, so it's recommended to bring an FM radio (not a phone app) to avoid any dead car batteries by the end of the film.
Find the line-up below:
August 7th: Star Wars Episode IV
August 14th: Hidden Figures
August 21st: The Princess Bride
August 28th FernGully
August 5th – 12th
Downtown On The Go! has put together an adventurous scavenger hunt through Tacoma full of riddles and activities. Form a team or work alone as you compete with fellow Tacomans and explore some great Downtown locations. The hunt begins on August 5th and concludes on the 12th when you can submit your answers for excellent prizes. All ages are welcome to participate! Face coverings and social distancing is required as you visit local businesses. Registration deadline is August 3rd so sign up here.
August 3rd – 7th & August 10th – 14th
Tacoma Little Theater (TLT) is ready to serve your tiny thespians. Catch the final two weeks of Virtual Theater Camp where your kiddo can act, sing, and dance out all of their end of summer energy before the school year starts again. Week 7 features a performance of Alice in Wonderland, high school script writing, Disney Dance along to Lion King, and more. We’re sure it will be all “Hakuna Matata” for you! Weeks 8 includes a Robin Hood the Sequal performance, intro to set design, and A Murder Mystery. Don’t worry about good ol’ Shakespeare, he'll be at the Hamlet Club. All classes will be held over Zoom with TLT instructors and actors. Sign up now to guarantee a spot!
August 15th & 16th
Hop through time as you hop through sales in Tacoma’s historic Antique Row. On Broadway between 7th and 9th, downtown Tacoma’s best antique shops will be spilling into the sidewalks to offer their fares. Satisfy the kiddo in you with some classic toys and comics from Lily Pad Antiques, explore Sanford and Son’s three floors including 20 Middle Floor Merchants and The Library event space, cruise down to OCD candy for a sweet treat, then nicely round out your visit with a new-to-you slightly used stylish outfit from Anew Thyme. There’s something for everyone and even a few spots to grab a beverage (we’ll let you decide) on the way. Check out a full list of vendors here!
Cascade Regional Blood Services: Summer Blood Drives
Sometimes saving a life is as simple as giving an hour of your time and a little bit of yourself... a pint of yourself to be exact. Every year 14,000,000 red blood cell transfusions are performed in the United States. Roughly speaking, that's one person every 2 seconds.
Where does all of that blood come from? Volunteer donors!
Cascade Regional Blood Services is happy to announce that blood drives are open again! Especially during a time of crisis (hello pandemic!), not only are blood banks in short supply but they are are needed far more in the field. This can cause quite the dilemma! All types are needed at this time, especially you O+ folks! Worried you might not be eligible? Check out this FAQ for potential donors. If you are considering giving, you can locate a drive near you or make an appoint at one their local centers. All donations are by appointment only at this time to ensure social distancing. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat a hearty meal, and get plenty of rest the day before! Don’t forget, there are always free cookies afterwards 😉
Augst 19th - 26th
August 2020 marks the centennial of National Women's Suffrage. Washington State Historical Society is inviting you to "climb aboard" the Suffrage Special Whistle Stop Tour to celebrate. This eight day virtual tour starts on August 19th and will make a "stop" each day from Spokane all the way to Washington's capital, Olympia. This trip is similar to that of the "Suffrage Special" which took suffragist from around the nation to the 1909 National Suffragist Convention in Seattle. Hear from local historians at each "whistle stop" along the way and explore the suffrage history and legacy in each particular region. The tour ends on August 26th, Women's Equality Day, the day the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified 100 years ago! Come hear about the women who fought, dreamed, and paved the way for women's rights across the state and the nation.
All aboard!
August 22nd & 23rd
Come connect with the Hilltop businesses and show your support! The Hilltop Action Coalition along with Tacoma Housing Authority invite you to participate in the Hilltop Business Crawl. It’s no secret that Covid-19 and the Link Light Rail construction have taken their toll on one of our favorite neighborhoods. What better time to (safely) lift them up! Over the weekend of August 22nd – 23rd you can visit select businesses and collect stamps in your very own Hilltop Business Crawl Passport. At the end of your explorative crawl, take a moment to vote for a People’s Choice Award and be sure to submit your passport to be entered for raffle prizes. All winners will be announced at Hilltop Action Coalition’s Monthly Community Meeting on September 21st.
Participating Vendors Include:
Grit City Ciderworks
T-Shirt Men
Red Elm Cafe
Tacoma's #1 Fried Rice
Johnson's Candy
Mr. MAC Ltd.
Sam & Terry's Barbershop
Love by the Slice
Hill-Top Loans Pawn Shop
Peterson Brothers 1111
Goodfellas Barbers
Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit
Clarkcomm Wireless
The Fish House Cafe
Manifesto COffee
The House of Scott
Lavonne's Room
Trendy Treasures by TRE
Limitless Apparel LLC
Grit City Food Co Op
Ohana Health
Buddhist Moon
Queendome Thinking
Paparazzi Gyrl
Speaking of Hilltop!
We love dining and drinking in the Hilltop Area and are excited to see businesses re-opening and even a few opening their doors for the first time. Here's who we're excited to visit this month!
Peterson Bros 1111
Those Peterson Brother's sure know
how to run some pretty cool restaurants. We're pleased to see that one of our favorites has opened it's doors for take-out and brand new merch. 1111 is located on South 11th (duh) just off MLK and offers some of the best sandwiches in Tacoma including their famous Turkey Bacon Pesto, a classic French Dip, and their very own 1111 Philly Cheese Steak. They also have great vegan options too, like the Buffalo Melt, as well as daily specials like the famous Double Decker Taco Tuesday! All of these pair nicely with the rotating taps and well poured drinks. That is, when they are open for seated service. The vibe of this place is very PNW, so we hope you enjoy some Rainier paraphernalia. Find the full menu here and be sure to follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates.
There's a couple new faces in Hilltop and they're ready to wet your whistle with some tasty craft brewed cider. Grit City Cider recently renovated and moved into their space on MLK, which sits right next door to The Broken Spoke. Owner David Horne originally found ciders to be a bit too sweet for his taste. Being a home beer brewer, he decided to apply his knowledge to cider. This resulted in an excellent selection of much dryer crisp ciders, including flavors like lemon-raspberry, oaked cherry, and strawberry-rosemary. While they were able to open for a short couple weeks, currently Grit City Ciderworks can only offer growler fills and curbside pick-up. When indoor seating opens again, the family friendly booths and arcade games await you! Follow their Instagram for more updates!
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