Tacoma Community Corner

EarthTalk: Green-friendly holiday gift ideas and sources

Dear EarthTalk: Can you recommend some sources for toys and other holiday gifts that are both safe and not harmful to the environment?  -- T.G.
Given the massive...

Make a difference in Tacoma! Find the perfect local volunteer opportunity

10 ways to combat the red, white and post-election blues

EarthTalk: Eco-Psychology

Dear EarthTalk: I caught the tail end of a discussion about “ecopsychology” recently on the radio, something about the negative impacts of people not communing with nature...

The Power of a Single Vote - Tacoma Election Information and Polling Places

EarthTalk: Where do lead-tainted toys that have been recalled end up?

Dear EarthTalk: There has been a lot of news about lead-tainted children’s toys being recalled. Where are these toys ending up and are they creating pollution problems there? --...

Winning the Real Estate Game in Tacoma in a Tough Market

Veterans Job Fair in Tacoma, WA on Nov. 5

EarthTalk: Will the LED light bulb dethrone the compact fluorescent?

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the story with LED light bulbs that are reputed to be even more energy-efficient than compact fluorescents? -- T.E.
Perhaps the ultimate...

EarthTalk: Natural headache remedies

Dear EarthTalk: Are there natural headache remedies that can get me off of Tylenol, Advil and other medicines whose side effects can be as bad as or worse than the pain that led...

Coping with the U.S. Financial Crisis

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Donation Underwrites One-woman show "Thea Foss Saga"

Tacoma Historical Society has received a grant in support of their December program - So Many Things to Do Yet: the Saga of Thea Foss. The event will take place Monday, December...

EarthTalk: Does inflating car tires with nitrogen help the environment?

Dear EarthTalk: Is using nitrogen to inflate my car’s tires really better for the environment than using air? And if so, how? -- R.M.
Whether or not it...

Weekend Activities in and around Tacoma

EarthTalk: Non-dairy milks

Dear EarthTalk: There seems to be a large selection of soy and other non-dairy milks out there today, even right in the dairy sections of major supermarkets. Why should I opt for...

Don’t let dining out in the Tacoma area do you in!

EarthTalk: Lowering your carbon footprint

Dear EarthTalk: How can I measure—and then improve—my overall “carbon footprint?” What are the major areas of one’s daily life that one measures? -- A.F.
...

EarthTalk: Toxic household cleaners

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read that household cleaners contain cancer-causing toxic ingredients. What should I do, then, to keep my house clean but also safe for my kids?  --...

EarthTalk: Aerosol sprays

Dear EarthTalk: What’s the deal nowadays with aerosol spray cans? I thought that the ozone-depleting chemicals used in them were eliminated back in the 1970s. Is this true? If...

Browse This Week's Classified Ads For Tacoma

Don’t let fuel costs around Tacoma drive you crazy

Pumpkin Patch Farms in Tacoma, WA, Washington Area

Apple Picking Orchards and Apple Farms Guide for Tacoma, Washington

EarthTalk: The scoop on recycling container lids, tops and caps

Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps?  I see people recycling plastic...

EarthTalk: Do those energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs cause headaches?

Dear EarthTalk: Can those energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs that are popular now cause headaches because of the flickering they do? I converted my whole house over...

EarthTalk: How often do I really need to change my oil?

Dear EarthTalk: How often do I really need to change my car’s oil? Conventional wisdom has always put it at every 3,000 miles to prevent engine wear, but isn’t changing oil...

LeMay – AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM® presents the 31st Annual LeMay Museum Car Show & Auction Sponsore

(Tacoma, WA)
- LeMay – America’s Car Museum®
will hold the 31st Annual LeMay Museum Car Show & Auction
Sponsored by AAA Washington at the Marymount Academy and the...

EarthTalk: Concerns about plastic: Is Tupperware safe?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read that plastic bottles are not always safe to reuse over and over as harmful chemicals can leach out into the contents. I’m wondering if the same...

EarthTalk: Our next president's environmental agenda

Dear EarthTalk: What are the major environmental issues that our next president, be it Obama or McCain, will have to confront? -- M.B.
...

Back to School for Tacoma - Bus Schedules, Lunch Menus, School Supplies and more

EarthTalk: Pollution, sedentary lifestyles and early puberty

Dear EarthTalk: I heard that children are reaching puberty at earlier ages now and that it may have to do with environmental toxins and even their TV viewing habits. Can you...

EarthTalk: Energy-hogging TVs

Dear EarthTalk: I need to replace my old TV. Can you tell me which of the latest models is the greenest? I was told that the flat-screen/plasmas are real energy hogs. What do you...

The (Even Greater) Outdoors: Get Out There!

EarthTalk: Finding green friendly consumer products

Dear EarthTalk: What are the best sources out there for environmentally friendly consumer products? I don’t want to have to drive all over creation for green laundry and other...

Puget Sound Bead Festival

Now in its thirteenth year with over 120 vendors, 125 classes and
expected attendance this year at around 10,000, the PSBF is the largest
national bead show on the west...

Cross Cultural Connection

Take a trip without packing a suitcase. A teenager from China, Spain, Germany, Norway brings a different culture into your home. Your new "son" or "daughter"...

EarthTalk: Greener computer choices

Dear EarthTalk: My old computer finally bit the dust and I am in the market for a replacement. Are there any particularly “green” computers for sale these days? --Brian S.
...

EarthTalk: Nontoxic ways to deal with carpenter ants

Dear EarthTalk: In renovating a cabin, I discovered carpenter ants working their way through the walls. Is there any way to responsibly get rid of the pests without using noxious...

EarthTalk: Alternatives to toxic mosquito repellents

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the DEET used in most mosquito repellents is toxic? If so what problems does it cause? And what are some non-toxic alternatives for keeping...

4th Annual Point Defiance Flower And Garden Show

Whether your knees always wear grass stains or your garden gloves still sport tags, the Point Defiance Flower & Garden Show has all the garden information and inspiration you...

EarthTalk: Sunscreen cautions

Dear EarthTalk: Are sunscreens safe? Which ones do you recommend that will protect my skin from the sun and not cause other issues? -- B.E., New York, NY
...

Save On Medical Equipments !!

EarthTalk: Wetlands loss

Dear EarthTalk: What is the status of wetlands in North America? Years ago I remember that wetlands loss, due to development and sprawl, was accelerating fast, but I haven’t...

EarthTalk: Healthy fast food on the road

Dear EarthTalk: I really want to eat healthy and organic but am constantly traveling and on the go. How can I eat fast food without having to always end up at McDonalds and Burger...

EarthTalk: Green-friendly outdoor clothing

Dear EarthTalk: I’m planning a summer backpacking trip and was hoping to buy some of the latest green-friendly outdoor clothing. Where the best options out there today that wear...

Livable Communities Fair

Puget Sound Sea Kayak Sympsoium

Two wheels are better than four!

EarthTalk: Wind power's progress

Dear EarthTalk: How is wind power faring in the U.S. now? Is more of it coming on line and becoming a larger percent of the grid? And what about some of the highly publicized...

JuneFit Tip: Stretching is for Everyday!

My motto is, "Stretching is for Everyday", and I do practice what I preach. Research has indicated that regular stretching may be more effective in preventing injuries...

EarthTalk: Air travel's carbon footprint

Dear EarthTalk: Are there any efforts underway to green the air travel industry? It seems to me that it must be one dirty business from a pollution standpoint. -- E.C.
...

Read Books For Free !!

EarthTalk: Green Kids' Shoes

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve found environmentally friendly shoes for myself, but have had trouble finding similar shoes for my kids. Are they out there? -- Dawn M.
...

Y Run 4 Kids And Healthy Kid's Day

Get yourself and the family in shape for the YMCA /Y Run for Kids.
Join
the YMCA on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 as they team up with more than
1,700 YMCAs...

The Daffodil Festival 2008

The Daffodil Festival, a 501(c)(3) Organization, will celebrate its 75th year
during the 2008 festival season and takes pride in calling the great State of
Washington,...

EarthTalk: Energy drinks

Dear EarthTalk: There are so many energy drinks on the market, but they all seem very high in sugar, coloring and preservatives. Are there any natural versions that offer a...

An Invitation to our Tacoma Community: BLOG ON!

EarthTalk: Recycling old clothes

Dear EarthTalk: How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill?-- Tim
Just because that old shirt you used to love is too...

47th Annual Junior Daffodil Parade

Park District Seeking Citizens To Participate In Biennial Budget Teams

As part of the development of the District’s 2009/10 biennial budget, Metro Parks Tacoma is looking for residents who are system-thinkers to serve on key teams in the...

EarthTalk: Safety issues with gel hand sanitizers

Dear EarthTalk: My pediatrician swears by those gel hand sanitizers for lowering the risk of my family getting sick during cold and flu season. But I’ve also heard that these...

Gem Faire - Tacoma

Tacoma Dome Boat Show

EarthTalk: Chemicals in scented candles

Dear EarthTalk: I just read an article that said air fresheners contain chemicals that can cause health problems when inhaled. Are scented candles any better? -- Leanne C.
...

A New Look, More Info, New Ways to Share on our new Tacoma Community Site!

EarthTalk: Greener computers

Dear EarthTalk: As an online gamer, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer. What’s the environmental impact? And are “greener” PCs available? -- Bob G.
...

EarthTalk: Reducing food packaging waste

Dear EarthTalk: Everybody says stop using plastic bags, but what about all the plastic, cellophane, cardboard and other materials used for packaging the food itself? What can we...

Wintergrass

EarthTalk: Environmental festivals and events

Dear EarthTalk: I've been reading about various green festivals going on around the country and I want to attend some and get up to speed on environmental issues and products....

EarthTalk: Earth-friendly chocolate

Dear EarthTalk: I heard a reference to “Earth-friendly chocolate” and was wondering about what goes into chocolate that would raise environmental concerns. -- Ben M.
...

Asian New Year Celebration

Sun, Sand and Splash Spell Summer Fun in Washington!

EarthTalk: Online green information

Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the best online sources of environmental information? -- Hip2bGreen
One of the best places to start in venturing out into...

EarthTalk: Cell phone towers and cancer

Dear EarthTalk: My uncle worked for over a decade on the top floor of an office building with cell phone towers directly above him. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. Is there...

EarthTalk: Green mattresses and bedding

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that traditional mattresses and bedding can cause environmental and health problems, and if so, what alternatives are out there? -- Jay G.
...

EarthTalk: Recycling items other than paper, plastic and glass

Dear EarthTalk: Most of us know how to recycle paper, plastic and glass, but how do we find out about recycling the many other items we use that eventually break or die out, such...

"We're Losing Winter" Reports E - The Environmental Magazine

Janisse Ray, an outdoor recreation enthusiast in Danville, Vermont, got so frustrated when the West River hadn't frozen by last January that she donned a wet suit and floated...

EarthTalk: Soda cans and global warming

Dear EarthTalk: How much of an effect, if any, does the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages have on global warming? -- Michael H.
A typical 12-ounce can of...

EarthTalk: New Year's Resolutions for Fighting Global Warming

Dear EarthTalk: My New Year’s Resolution is to reduce my “carbon footprint” to help fight global warming. Do you have suggestions for ways I can make good on my promise? --...

EarthTalk: Asbestos in vinyl tile floors

Dear EarthTalk: My kitchen floor is vinyl, installed back in 1979. I am told the vinyl contains asbestos. Now it needs replacing. How do I safely remove the vinyl and what are...

One Child, One Laptop, Endless Possibilities!

EarthTalk: Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Dear EarthTalk: Why aren’t compact fluorescent light bulbs taking over more quickly from incandescents, given their substantial energy-saving advantage? And what about recycling...

EarthTalk: Upgrading to greener furniture

Dear EarthTalk: I’m in the market for new furniture. What should I look for in natural furniture and where do I find it? -- Debbie
Along with...

EarthTalk: Paving and road-building impacts

Dear EarthTalk: The impacts of all the paving that is done for new roads and parking lots must be considerable. Other than Joni Mitchell’s “They paved paradise and put up a...

NUSA Elects Martinson for 2nd Term

Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA), the nations’ largest and premier grassroots volunteer neighborhood organization re-elected Judy Martinson of Dayton, Ohio as president to lead the...

Boeing Donates $300K to LeMay – AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM®

(Tacoma, WA)
– The LeMay–America’s Car Museum®is pleased to announce the donation
of $300,000 from The Boeing Company. The check was presented to the Museum...

EarthTalk: Toxic chemicals in kids' toys

Dear EarthTalk: I have been alarmed at recent news about dangerous substances in kids’ toys shipped to the U.S. from China, though I doubt that such concerns are limited to...

EarthTalk: Greener cars on the horizon

Dear EarthTalk: We’ve all seen the current generation of hybrid cars, but what vehicles do the automakers have coming out that are even greener? -- Brian S.
...

Earth Talk: Glossy magazine covers

Dear EarthTalk: I would think that the glossy paper used by most magazines
is bad for the environment, yet most publishers still use it, even the outdoors
and environmental...

Honoring Our Hometown Heroes This Veterans Day in Tacoma WA

EarthTalk: Health questions surrounding the use of plastic bottles

Dear EarthTalk: Are the rumors true that refilling and reusing some types
of plastic bottles can cause health problems?--Regina
Most types of plastic bottles are
safe to...

EarthTalk: Consider greening your driving habits instead of buying a new hybrid

Dear EarthTalk: Short of buying a new hybrid or other "green" car, are there ways I can make my existing vehicle more eco-friendly? I bought my car recently and am not...

Earth Talk - Getting large local institutions to recycle

Dear EarthTalk: The hospital I work at doesn’t recycle at all, not even plastic bottles and cans or food service trays. I was wondering how to get the facility to start up some...

EarthTalk: Can air fresheners cause health problems?

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some ingredients in common air fresheners can cause health problems?-- Mike
Air fresheners are a $1.72 billion industry in the...

EarthTalk: Are Kitchen Garbage Disposals Earth-Friendly?

Dear EarthTalk: I was surprised to learn recently that some communities have outlawed kitchen-sink garbage disposals, at least in homes. I would have thought these machines were...

Halloween happenings in and around Tacoma and Pierce county

Seeking Host Families for Youth For Understanding Exchange Students Share Your Home, Change the Worl

What do teens like Luiza from Brazil, Hannes from Germany, Manami from Japan, Wasim from Pakistan, and Andrea from Mexico have in common? They are about to join a group of 2000...

Bridging The Narrows

Raging tides and high winds make the Tacoma Narrows a dangerous place for boats -- and bridges. As the third Narrows bridge nears completion, the History Museum's newest featured...

Collectors Seminar - Understanding Northwest Native Art

If you're a serious art collector - or you're thinking about becoming one - join us in our auditorium for a special seminar. Tina Kuckkahn, Native arts administrator, will...

The Artist And The Tycoon

This small exhibit examines the connection between renowned national artist, Howard Chandler Christy, and Tacoma shipping magnate, H.F. Alexander. Christy's career began as an...

New Sports Website for teams and leagues in Tacoma

Columbia At 20 - Northwest History for Everybody

In March 1987 the Washington State Historical Society published the inaugural issue of a new, popular history quarterly, Columbia: The Magazine of Northwest History. Now, 80...

"Quality service at affordable rates"

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

A musical satire of small town vice and statewide political side stepping recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better...

Annual Gala Celebration

On May 12 2007, Tacoma Little Theatre is hosting Ballyhooo 2007: Be A Star!, a fun-filled and exciting fund-raising auction dinner to benefit programming at Tacoma Little Theatre....

From the Spring issue of Grapevine, A Newsletter for Neighborhoods

Out Of The Mist - A Dragon

Our story unfolds in Japan, where a samurai overlord asks the goddess of good fortune for a suitable husband for his daughter. When the goddess sends a fisherman, the father is...

The Queen Of Bingo

When crazy gals, Sis and Babe, go down to their local Bingo hall for some excitement, laughter ensues in this zany comedy written by Jeanne Michels and Phyllis Murphy. As these...

EarthTalk: Avoiding polluted and endangered fish

Dear EarthTalk: How can I find out which seafood to avoid if I am concerned about lessening my impact on the environment and avoiding consuming unhealthy pollutants? -- Pat
...

Pirates Of Penzance

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirates life for me! Gilbert and Sullivan's classic, The Pirates of Penzance, premiered in New York in 1879, and has been a theatre staple ever since. Follow the...

Arlo Guthrie And The Guthrie Family Legacy Tour

It's Arlo Guthrie & The Guthrie Family Legacy Tour! As the essence of the “Folk Boom” era comes alive, the American icon revisits the music that defined a...

Wait Until Dark

In this masterful thriller, a sinister con man has traced the location of a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. The con...

Warren Langley, Breathe

The physics of light are important design elements for artists who work in glass. Australian artist Warren Langley takes these elements to a larger scale, creating sculptures of...

Cappy Thompson, Gathering the Light

Simply put, Seattle artist Cappy Thompson paints stories on glass. Gathering the Light celebrates the story of glass blowing on an epic scale. The piece, which measures 11...

Made at the Museum: The Visiting Artist Collection

The Museum of Glass opened its doors in July 2002 with a mission to provide a dynamic environment for visitors to experience and appreciate the medium of glass and the creative...

Contrasts: A Glass Primer

Contrasts: A Glass Primer is designed as a compelling introduction to the medium of glass for visitors who may be entering a museum for the first time. The exhibition is comprised...

Urban Cowboy : The Musical

Saunter on into Gilly's bar and jump on the mechanical bull when Urban Cowboy: The Musical rides into town! This Tony Award® nominated - Best Original Score, Best Choreography...

Berenstain Bears On Stage

Mama, Papa, Sister, and Brother Bear are making their theatrical debut! Scenes from the Berenstain Bears books “Messy Room,” “Get in a Fight,”...

Spectrum Dance Company

There is never a dull moment during the innovative and transformative performances that define Spectrum Dance Company. As the largest professional dance company in Washington,...

Little Bear And The Enchanted Wood

Talking trees? Singing flowers? A dancing stump? Everything is possible in the Little Bear & the Enchanted Wood. Come along with Little Bear and his friends, Emily, Owl, Duck...

Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre Of New Zealand

The historic Rialto Theater will be filled with a whole lot of energy, when the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand dances into Tacoma. The New Zealanders sing, chant,...

Musicals In Concert: Titanic

The sinking of the HMS TITANIC in the early hours of April 15, 1912, remains the quintessential disaster of the twentieth century. The fact that the finest, largest, strongest...

Turtle Island Quartet

The Grammy Award  winning Turtle Island Quartet promises to be the string quartet for the 21st century. Experience the repertoire of ingenious arrangements of a repertoire...

Your Tacoma Real Estate Roadmap

Looking for tickets to a hot local event?

Great resources for local school information in & around Tacoma

Local Careers and Jobs in the Tacoma area - Use the web to find, search or post local jobs

EarthTalk: Giving babies nutritious food helps establish positive eating habits

Dear EarthTalk: I want to give my baby fresh, organic food but I don't have the time to make her special meals. What options are out there? -- Marie
Babies deserve...

Eat Local! Great Resources in the Tacoma area

Looking to hit the slopes in Washington this winter?

52 Ways to Save the Planet: #9: “Reduce Gasoline Consumption 20% - Improve your mpg rating”

The perennial dilemma: Paper or Plastic?

Dear EarthTalk: OK, once and for all, which is more environmentally friendly: paper or plastic at the grocery checkout? And is it true some communities are starting to ban plastic...

EarthTalk: Improving the nutritional quality of school cafeteria food

Dear EarthTalk: How can we get schools to offer healthier and more eco-friendly cafeteria food to our kids? I don’t have time to bag a healthy lunch every day. -- Leslie...

In The Mood

Swing. Rhythm. Jazz. Brass. From a time when music moved the spirit, In The Mood takes a retro look at one of America's greatest generations. In The Mood has performed for over 11...

What Is This Thing Called Love

All shows 8pm,
Sundays at 2pm
Recommended for all ages.
Tickets: $15
No American composer has ever written more prolifically or with greater excellence about the...

Becoming Citizens - Family Life And The Politics Of Disability

Sunday, September 17, 2006 to Saturday, February 24, 2007
During the late 1940s, a generation of Seattle parents went against conventional medical wisdom and refused to...

Exhibit - 381 Days - The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story

Sunday, November 05, 2006 to Tuesday, January 16, 2007
This four-year traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian commemorates the 50th anniversary of the arrest of Rosa Parks...

Explore Washington: Experience Music Project

In the market for a mortgage?

Explore Washington: The Children's Museum

Explore Washington: Bellingham Railway Museum

Find Some Star-Spangled Fun!

A Day to Remember in Tacoma

It's Easy Being Green! 10 Tips to Make Every Day Earth Day

Can I get a "Bow Wow?"

HAPPY “PESACH”!

A Taxing Time of Year

Daylight Savings Time: Gain an hour of sleep in Tacoma

Turkey and trimmings and football, oh my! Thanksgiving Day info for Washington

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Veterans Day history for Washington

Find Polling Place Locations in Tacoma, WA

October is Adopt A Shelter Pet Month

America Recycles Day

Blades of glory! Find ice skating rinks in and around Tacoma, Washington

Make Your Spirits Bright This Christmas!

Back-to-School Tips

Hail to the Chiefs

Hey, Cupid! Over Here!

Get a Grip on Your Gigabytes! National Clean Out Your Computer Day is Feb 12

Make Your Heart Happy

Are You Ready for Some Football?