Features
Cupcakes, a treat once reserved for elementary-school birthday parties, have undergone a bit of a renaissance as of late. All of a sudden, the small pastries are on nearly equal footing with ice cream in the dessert field, and in Tacoma, one reason for this surge might be Hello Cupcake. Hello
Bars & Clubs
Tacoma Boys has been a South Sound staple since 1985, known for their fresh produce, wide organic selection and quirky atmosphere. Essentially, they were Trader Joe's before Trader Joe's came, and the fact that they're still thriving despite TJ and Whole Foods' arrival is a testament to their quality and
Bars & Clubs
Microbreweries are really having a moment, aren't they? Twenty-five years ago, the average American was likely not even aware that there was beer outside of Budweiser, Coors, Miller, and maybe one or two local favorites, perhaps Rainier and/or Red Hook in the Puget Sound's case. But today? Seemingly everyone and
Arts
The "Colored Pencil Society of America's 24 International Exhibition" at American Art Company is surprising on many levels. For starters, the 119 works of art that crowd the gallery walls are really paintings, not drawings, by almost any criteria, despite being done with pencils. Second, the detailed technical expertise and
Arts
Tacoma has become increasingly artsy over the past 15 or 20 years, but long before T-Town was known for its museums and galleries galore, it was an industrial city that also happened to be the hometown to world-class glass artist, Dale Chihuly. Chihuly lived his young years in Tacoma and
Music
My dad sat me down and showed me The Rocky Horror Picture Show on an old VHS tape when I was 12 years old. This is a fact that I love to throw in his face every time he questions any odd behavior. Still, as much as I lovingly tease
South Sound Cinema
For as large an Asian-American population as the South Sound has, it's notable that there aren't more festivals that celebrate that heritage. Fortunately, the Lakewood Asian Film Festival, now entering its fourth year, is working to remedy that. This year, the festival will be screening five movies over the course
Reviews
Announcer: Arcoiris Mexican Restaurant looks like someone took a yellow highlighter to the building. Frankly, the boys were skeptical to give this place a try because from the outside, there isn't much appealing about the joint. The parking lot has weeds; there are too many makeshift signs in the window,
Bars & Clubs
Tacoma Beer Week takes place Aug. 1-6, highlighting Tacoma breweries and their many world-class beers. Meet local brewers, learn about the making of craft beer, and help support local businesses that are dedicated to our community. The week will feature events at a variety of venues around Tacoma with tickets available
Attractions
There is nothing that starts the heart beating quite like the sound of a vintage motorcycle when the throttle is opened up. For those who love pre-1991 motorcycles and scooters, LeMay - America's Car Museum (ACM) is hosting its fifth annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m.
Outdoors
This won't be your typical mud and adventure race; there will be military-style obstacles, and if the Northwest weather proves unseasonably rainy, there might even be mud. But the Operation Tall Timber Benefit Obstacle course that South Sound CrossFit is putting together is more about raising funds for Operation Ward
Music
On Jan. 30, 1969, the Beatles got together to perform publicly for the last time. At the time of the concert, it had already been several years since the band had performed in public, having long since devoted themselves to studio recording after the pressures for performing for an increasingly
Reviews
Announcer: You have to love a place that tries hard to do it differently. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's fun to be somewhere that is not like anywhere else. The Zodiac Supper Club on St. Helens in downtown Tacoma near the Pantages is all kitsch
Arts
Upon entering the "2016 Southwest Washington Juried Exhibition" at South Puget Sound Community College, my eyes were immediately drawn to Bernie Bleha's sculpture, "Minaret," acrylic on wood, a colorful tower topped by a playful spire that looks like a tinker toy construction. From there, my gaze went to Carla Louise
Stage
Created by Jackie Fender a little more than two years ago, Creative Colloquy has become the South Sound's preeminent literary event. Creative Colloquy is an online magazine featuring short stories, novel excerpts, poetry and other literary work by mostly Tacoma and Olympia writers. Starting in March 2014, CC started holding
Travel
Washington state is a stunningly beautiful state, filled with natural beauty ranging from the lush evergreens of Western Washington to stark deserts and booming agriculture in Eastern Washington. Driving from Tacoma to Sun Mountain Lodge, you'll get to see a bit of everything - and you receive an amazing vacation
Features
In this era of innovative chefs and exotic ingredients, it's nice to find a place where culinary time has stood still. Where you can still find the kind of home-cooked meals and generous portions families went out for back in the day. Where everybody knew you - and you knew
Outdoors
With the rainy weeks behind us for another year, now is the perfect time to get out and explore with your favorite four-legged friends. Here are 10 places in the South Sound to walk your dog. Explore new trails while enjoying the cool temperatures of a dense forest canopy or
Travel
There's something wonderfully freeing about "can't." North Cascades Lodge is a place where you can't make or receive a phone call. You can't watch TV in your room. You can't read the newspaper. You can't check email or catch up on Facebook. It's off the grid. It's hard to believe
Outdoors
The Northwest is known for many things, among them the fabulous hiking opportunities lurking around every corner - in forests, in parks or in the nearby mountains. And while Northwest nature is tough to top, Tacoma has more to offer walkers and trekkers than beautiful forest hikes (it has those,