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In this Tacoma Local Minute Issue…
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Capital Is Flooding Into The Physical AI Revolution
AI is stepping out of the digital screen and entering the physical world. Robotics VC deal activity hit all-time highs in early 2026, with investments climbing toward sixteen billion dollars across more than four hundred and fifty deals.
Driven by manufacturing labor shortages, aging workforces, and explosive tech breakthroughs from NVIDIA, Tesla, and a host of specialized component suppliers, automation is accelerating across factories and warehouses globally.
Whether you are looking at AI compute, machine vision sensors, motion control actuators, or humanoid robotics, the infrastructure buildout is happening right now. Download our comprehensive guide to discover the top investable robotics sectors and market drivers.
TODAY - Friday, October 9
Fall Artisan & Vendor Festival - 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM / Point Defiance Park
63rd Tacoma Greek Festival - 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM / St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Trivia Night - 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM / The Rusty Goat
Highly Suspect & Yelawolf - 7:00 PM / Temple Theatre
Mocedades - 8:00 PM / Rialto Theatre
Saturday, October 10
Defiance Relay - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM / Owen Beach
Proctor Farmers’ Market - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM / Proctor
Bear Grotto Work Party - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM / Point Defiance Park
Pumpkin Patch Festival - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM / Museum of Glass
Fall Artisan & Vendor Festival - 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM / Point Defiance Park
Ocean Conservation Conference - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM / Convention Center
63rd Tacoma Greek Festival - 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM / St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Paint the Mall Pink Women’s Show - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM / Tacoma Mall
Tomorrowland Junior Roller Derby - 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM / Armory
Kym Whitley - 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM / Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club
Sunday, October 11
Wapato Bird Walk - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM / Wapato Park
Fall Artisan & Vendor Festival - 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM / Point Defiance Park
63rd Tacoma Greek Festival - 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM / St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Family Fun Skate - 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM / Armory
Drunk & Stoned Comedy Tour - 7:00 PM / Tacoma Comedy Club
Adult Late Skate - 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM / Armory
Monday, October 12
PD Climbing - 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM / Edgeworks Climbing
Fun Run/Walk - 6:00 PM / Fleet Feet
Candi Carpenter - 7:30 PM / Spanish Ballroom
Tuesday, October 13
Port Free Bus Tour - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM / Port of Tacoma
About You - 7:00 PM / Spanish Ballroom
Mariachi Monarcas - 7:00 PM / Slavonian Hall
Wednesday, October 14
Aging Wellness Day - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / People’s Community Center
Up and Atom: Chocolate Recipe - 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM / Moore Library
Tanner Laws Band - 7:00 PM / Spanish Ballroom
Thursday, October 15
Third Thursday - Free Museums / Various Times and Locations
Yucky & Scary Plants - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM / W.W. Seymour Conservatory
Simple Machines - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM / Kobetich Library
Makers Market - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM / 7 Seas Brewery
Kacey Evans - 6:00 PM / El Gaucho
Rock with a Reason - 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM / Spanish Ballroom
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TODAY - Friday, October 9
📱 High School Sports Events - Football, Volleyball, Water Polo
PLU vs Whitworth (Women’s Volleyball) - 7:00 PM / Olson Gym
UPS vs Whitman (Women’s Volleyball) - 7:00 PM / Memorial Fieldhouse
Saturday, October 10
📱 High School Sports Events - Football, Soccer
PLU vs Whitman (Men’s Soccer) - 12:00 PM / East Field
UPS vs Whitworth (Men’s Soccer) - 12:00 PM / Baker Stadium
PLU vs UPS (Football) - 1:00 PM / Sparks Stadium
PLU vs Whitman (Women’s Soccer) - 2:45 PM / East Field
UPS vs Whitworth (Women’s Soccer) - 2:45 PM / Baker Stadium
UPS vs Whitworth (Women’s Volleyball) - 6:00 PM / Memorial Fieldhouse
PLU vs Whitman (Women’s Volleyball) - 6:30 PM / Olson Gym
Sunday, October 11
PLU vs Whitworth (Men’s Soccer) - 12:00 PM / East Field
UPS vs Whitman (Men’s Soccer) - 12:00 PM / Baker Stadium
PLU vs Whitworth (Women’s Soccer) - 2:45 PM / East Field
UPS vs Whitman (Women’s Soccer) - 2:45 PM / Baker Stadium
Monday, October 12
📱 High School Sports Events - Volleyball, Tennis, Water Polo
Tuesday, October 13
📱 High School Sports Events - Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming
Wednesday, October 14
📱 High School Sports Events - Volleyball, Tennis
TCC vs Green River College (Women’s Volleyball) - 6:30 PM / Titan Gym
Thursday, October 15
📱 High School Sports Events - Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Water Polo
The Artist Behind Some of Tacoma’s Most Colorful Landmarks
Artist Mauricio Robalino
You may know Mauricio Robalino’s work without knowing his name. His mosaics and sculptures are part of Tacoma’s everyday landscape, from a tribute to a Hilltop housing advocate to the towering bird outside Eastside Community Center.
Behind those colorful creations is an artist whose own story took some unexpected turns. With his studio opening to visitors this month, there’s a chance to meet the person—and the imagination—behind artwork you may have passed for years.
Read our full Tacoma Local Minute article here.
Holy Rosary’s Future Is Still in Limbo
Holy Rosary Church
Holy Rosary’s familiar steeple is still standing, but its future remains unsettled. Recent claims of a Vatican rescue have gotten ahead of the facts.
An unresolved appeal and the building’s condition leave important questions about what comes next for the Tacoma landmark.
Read our full Tacoma Local Minute article here.
North Pearl’s Empty Chicken Spot Is Getting a Different Menu
North Pearl’s former Big Chicken space is getting a new tenant—and a different approach to lunch. Oregon-based Café Yumm! plans to bring its rice-and-bean bowls and signature sauce to Tacoma in early 2027.
The move makes Tacoma the chain’s return point for Puget Sound. Here’s what’s planned for the Westgate North spot and what newcomers can expect on the menu.
Read our full Tacoma Local Minute article here.
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