The Cremains of 50 Pierce County Residents Remain Unclaimed in Tacoma
August 20, 2018When someone in Pierce County passes away and no one claims their body the Medical Examiner’s office arranges for them to be cremated. It is hoped a friend or family member will be found to pass the cremains on to, but it’s not always easy to track people down and in some cases family members…
89 Years Ago Tacomans Were Obsessed With Flying to Tokyo
July 30, 2018Look up Harold Bromley in the history books and you’ll find photos of a man ready to take off for Tokyo from Tacoma Field. There are shots of the crowd of thousands, which began gathering at 2 a.m. on July 28 of 1929 to see the pilot off on the historic 4,762 mile flight. There are…
There’s a Trick to Getting Your Hands on Gari of Sushi’s Edible Art
July 20, 2018There are three main things people have to say about dining at Gari of Sushi on S 38th St: don’t judge a restaurant by its exterior, reasonable prices, and the BEST sushi in town! Kazu Kamada, who owns and runs the establishment with his wife, began training as a sushi chef in Japan at just…
There’s a Really Bitchin’ Bakery Coming to Tacoma, but It Needs Your Help
July 5, 2018Tacomans will turn out in droves to save a local business. In 2012, for example, the Blue Mouse Theatre faced the challenge of going digital or closing their doors. A Kickstarter campaign was started, and in total 1,041 backers (including myself) pledged $84,194 to save the Mouse. But will the people of Tacoma show up…
Who’s Ready to Run the Toughest 3/4 Mile in Tacoma?
July 1, 2018There’s no other 3/4 mile in Tacoma quite like the deceptively short distance it takes to run the stairs at Stadium High School—all 1,628 of them. Take a gander at the epic location of one of Tacoma’s most unique races, which goes by the name Unleashed at Stadium Bowl. Started by Brian Nelson in 2011,…
Snapshots of Father’s Day in Tacoma History
June 17, 2018Judging by photos from decades past, all-out Father’s Day pampering is a time-honored Tacoma tradition. Here we take a look at snapshots of what Father’s Day has been like in Tacoma history, including a birthday note for a cat named Tricia. Father’s Day, 1950 as noted in the Tacoma Public Library’s Northwest room files: “Dr.…
Photo Proof Tacoma Looks Damn Good at Night
June 13, 2018After the sun sets, and long after most of us are resting at home, photographer Danny Crelling is out on the streets. In part, because that’s the time he can eke out away from his day job and three young children, and in part because Tacoma by night is really fucking beautiful. Take a look…
Tacoma As a Stage: Yogini Lauren Scolari
May 30, 2018Browse through Instagram pics of Tacoma and you might just find Lauren Scolari in an impossible pose on Owen Beach. Impressed by this local “yogini” and body artist, we asked Lauren to head downtown to collaborate on images using some of our city’s iconic landmarks as a backdrop. Lauren transplanted to Tacoma from Texas five…
A Rare Look at the Remnants of Tacoma’s Realart Theater
May 29, 2018Just inside 5415 So. Tacoma Way you’ll find wall art from a Chinese restaurant, graffiti from the building’s medicinal marijuana growing days, a modern apartment, and a small glimpse of what was once the Realart Theater. Built in 1919 by Radnor Pratsch (who, yes, went by “Rad”), the Realart opened its doors in 1920. Along…
Snapshots of Mother’s Day in Tacoma History
May 13, 2018Sorry to make your hanging basket and brunch date look bad, but the bar for great Mother’s Day gifts in Tacoma was set pretty damn high decades ago. Here we take a look at snapshots of what Mother’s Day has been like in Tacoma history, including one son who took a big plunge to impress…
Chalk Art, McKinley Hill, & a Little Known Genetic Disorder
May 2, 2018Head over to Top of Tacoma and just outside you’ll find a message of love. We recently passed by on a drizzly day to find a vibrant work-in-progress being chalked on the sidewalk. No artist was to be found. An hour and a few beers later we returned to find Henry Barbosa knelt over his…
Food, Fun, and a Salvage Art Competition: Your Saturday Plans are Sorted
April 29, 2018On any given day a visit to Earthwise Architectural Salvage means combing through vintage treasures, hunting for the perfect piece, and dreaming up DIY creations. Saturday, May 5, it’ll be all the regular fun plus food, live music, a sculpture competition, and more. There’s a Salvage Art Show going on and you’ve got a chance…