Tacoma, it’s been a long couple months. We feel it too. Which is why we’ve created this special May edition of our blog. While there are a few events listed, we wanted to focus on showing love to our local businesses, artists, historians, hungry neighbors, and each other. So we’re also sharing about some of the businesses and organizations we’ve been supporting recently and hope you’ll share a few with us as well.
You’ll like Tacoma?
Nah, You'll love it.
May 2nd
(Now extended through the 31st!)
Emergency Food Network (EFN) is an essential resource to several families living in Pierce County, where one in seven individuals are food insecure. To kick-off Hunger Awareness Month, EFN is hosting a Hunger Walk & 5K! This year’s walk will be a little different, as all participants will be putting in their miles from the comfort of their own homes and neighborhoods. While the official race date is May 2nd, the event has been extended through the entire month of May, giving people a chance to walk for hunger all month long! So, for those who are looking for ways to give to local organizations during this time, it’s as simple as moving your feet! For every $1 given to EFN, 5 meals are provided to families in need. Last year alone EFN distributed over 13.9 milllion pounds of food to 76 different meal sites, shelters, and pantries. This then went directly to our neighbors all across Pierce County. Let's help EFN ensure that no person goes hungry!
T-Town Tacoma: Tacoma Strong
Local businesses are the heartbeat of Tacoma. They are what sets us aside from other cities, what has formed our unique culture, and often where we find our pride. Unfortunately, for several restaurants, shops, businesses, and art studios, their work has been either minimized or shut down entirely with no re-open date in sight.
This is where T-Town Apparel has stepped in. Through their Tacoma Strong project, T-Town Apparel has partnered with over 75 local businesses to print customized T-shirts with $10 of every shirt sale going directly to the local business. When we found out about this project , we jumped right in to support our beloved Red Hot (We miss you guys!)! But that’s not where it ends! Several business including Pomodoro, Climb Tacoma, Old Milwaukee, Tacoma Glass Blowing, and The Swiss are all being supported through this effort. With an incredible goal of $50,000 to support local businesses, there’s still a ways to go!
Check out the Tacoma Strong shop here.
Speaking of local swag! Check out...
Catie’s Stay Home Stay Healthy Look!
T-Shirt by: TTown Apparel
As mentioned before, we love The Red Hot. Which is why we got matching T's to show some hometown love! $10 from this purchase went directly to the Red Hot, supporting them until their doors open again! Thanks T-Town Apparel!
Earrings by: Splendor & Stone
Gretchen is an incredible artist who puts her whole heart into her craft. These earrings are beautiful, unique, durable, and make a great gift (Hint Hint... Mother's Day is this month)! Check out her Etsy Shop for more products and sales items. I can attest that my latest pair shipped in record time!
Headband by: Pieces to Peaces
In this era of, "When did I last wash my hair?", these headbands have been a wonderful investment. While this business is actually out of Olympia, her work is so good that I wanted to share. Currently, Pieces to Peaces has added Hero Headbands to their collection. Hero Headbands include buttons on either side to hold up medical masks. This saves healthcare workers ears from the constant pulling. How neat is that! While the bands themselves are currently sold out, you can make a donation to provide one for a local health care worker.
After Shower Body Balm: KV Apothecary
You may recognize the friendly face of KV Apothecary from the Tacoma Night Markets (and maybe even behind the bar at The Parkway back in the day!). Sweet Kendra has been working away on her hand crafted herbal products, and shipping them all over to her adoring regulars. Anything from dry shampoo and sunscreen, to teething elixers and stress tinctures. Catie's favorite product however, has been this after shower body balm made of calendula infused oil, coco butter, bees wax, and lavender essential oils. It's a real treat for your skin (Another Mother's Day hint). Kendra has even produced a few batches of hand sanitizer when it seemed the world went dry. Follow her instagram @kvapothecary253 for products and releases!
May 7th
A fresh glimmer of normality is coming, as the first farmers market of the season is set to open on May 7th! Down on Broadway, you’ll smell some familiar smells and see some familiar faces, albeit behind some masks. Guidelines have been developed for vendors, staff, and shoppers to keep the market a safe and healthy place. All vendors and staff are required to wear masks and will be pre-packaging whatever products they can. The market itself will be set up in a “one way shopping” format, with entrance only on south 11th. So, what can we the shoppers do? Well, quite a bit actually! Of course, you can maintain 6ft distancing, bring hand sanitizer, and wear a mask if you have one. But you can also make a list, bring exact change, avoid touching products until they are purchased, and prepay whichever vendors offer prepayment services. Finally, be sure to enjoy the market. Allow the sunshine to hit your face and feed you some vitamin D as you pick out a fresh bouquet. After all, endorphins are great for the immune system.
Dinner Time!
Here’s what we’ve been eating!
Man, we really treated ourselves this past date night. No seriously. Like three entrees, an appetizer, and a side of sweet potato fries treated ourselves. The skewer salad combos were incredibly satisfying. While we can go on about how smoky the steak was and how tender and juicy the prawns were, it was the ensalada de heirbas that set it off. This bright ensalada is an arugula and mixed green salad with shaved manchego cheese, mango, mint, jicama, and spiced walnuts, topped with passion fruit vinaigrette. I’m salivating just thinking about it. Oh, and the crab cakes? Just get em. Trust me on this one. Check out their easy online ordering for pick-up and delivery.