Tacoma’s Loch Ness is an Electrified Sea Monster
October 18, 2018Every 60 years or so the tale of Tacoma’s electrified version of the Loch Ness Monster manages to find a way to be told once more. Here, we present the 1960 retelling of the event that terrified local fisherman in 1893, as found filed away in the Tacoma Public Library’s Northwest Room archives… Sunday, August…
“Local Magazine Outed as Total S**tshow”
October 15, 2018One year ago this week, our website went live and our first batch of stories were sent off into the City of Destiny. Since that day, dozens of people have enjoyed our photos and stories. We’ve had a lot of amazing experiences. We’ve met the coolest people in Tacoma who make this city what it…
‘Tis the Season for Giant Spiders in Your Bathtub
October 9, 2018Every year in late Summer or early Fall an old and wise spider crawls to the top of a large oak tree in Wright Park and proclaims, Rafiki style, “It is time.” Then all the biggest hairiest spiders Tacoma has to offer find the nearest bathtub, crawl inside, and wait patiently for you to come…
May We Have Tacoma’s Attention, Please?
October 2, 2018Well before the online era, promoters and performers went to great lengths to capture the attention of Tacomans. A look back at some of the creative lengths businesses, and the city itself, have gone to as catalogued and in the Tacoma Public Library‘s online archives… On April 27, 1915, the Tacoma Publicity Committee sponsored a race…
Here’s the Plan for Old City Hall
September 26, 2018If you’ve been following the saga of Old City Hall, you’ll know that just last week the City of Tacoma announced its favorite from the five most recent proposals for revitalization of the historic structure. The winner was Surge Tacoma. Their proposal hit all the right points and negotiations will likely be going through this…
It’s Time to Put South Tacoma Way On Your To-Do List
September 26, 2018After Surge South Tacoma generously supported the printing of our first hard copy magazine, we met up with them to talk about their new digs on the corner of 54th and South Tacoma Way. After renovating this 100-year-old building, Surge South opened its doors to those looking for co-working space in August. At any given…
Paying Last Respects for the Unclaimed Dead of Pierce County
September 15, 2018On a remarkably clear day at the end of August I watched the cremated remains of 40 people drift into the waters of Puget Sound. The cremains belonged to people who had died in Pierce County over the previous two years and whose bodies were left unclaimed. The ceremony was organized by the Pierce County…
Lawns Aren’t Just for Day Drinking Anymore
September 11, 2018Ever wonder what’s up with that square of manicured lawn at Wright Park with the fancy wrought iron fence around it? I’ll give you a clue; it requires a fair amount of hand-eye coordination, a desire for good old-fashioned outside fun, and a set of big, heavy balls. This is the home of the Tacoma…
Here’s What It Took to Be Named the Perfect Mrs. Tacoma Housewife in 1955
September 6, 2018From the ‘you can’t make this stuff up files’ comes a look back at the 1955 Tacoma Home Show, where there was plenty for guests to see at the College of Puget Sound’s field house (now the University of Puget Sound).
We’ve Got Your Tacoma Labor Day Staycation Plans Sorted
August 31, 2018Labor Day traffic sucks. Avoid the RVs, regular congestion, and I-5 chaos (screw I-90 too, while we’re at it) by taking the side streets and staying local. Here’s our guide to skirting the inevitable traffic nightmare and doing your long Tacoma weekend good and proper. Friday: GTFO of work, middle fingers blazing. Screw those…
This Is What It Looks Like When Nature Reclaims a Piece of Tacoma
August 28, 2018Have you ever wondered how long it would take nature to reclaim a neighborhood if everyone just got up and left? It’s hard to say how long an average house would last, but if you wiped the neighborhood off the map and left the ground bare, 67 years is, evidently, more than enough time to…
Business Geeks: Write a Business Proposal, Win a Self-service Dog Wash
August 22, 2018If you’ve ever wanted to run a small business but didn’t know exactly where to start, this could be a great opportunity. William Manzanares, local business owner and co-founder of Grit City Magazine, is giving away a K9000 Dog Wash to the person with the best business proposal. If professional dog washing isn’t your…