Hey.
This week we have a hospital, potholes, and one of downtown's most ambitious dinners.
A NEW $479 MILLION CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OPENS IN TACOMA
Mary Bridge Children's officially moves into a new six-story building on May 16. The $479 million facility expands access to pediatric care across the South Sound and consolidates services from multiple older buildings into one campus.
For families in Tacoma and Pierce County, this is the biggest single piece of healthcare infrastructure to open here in years. Mary Bridge has been operating in older spaces for decades. The new building gives them room to grow specialty programs, adds modern equipment, and positions Tacoma as a regional pediatric hub. KNKX has the full story.
POTHOLE PALOOZA IS BACK
Tacoma's Pothole Palooza kicked off May 4 and runs through May 15. Street Operations crews are doing lane replacements and road maintenance citywide, funded by the 2015 voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative.
The city's mascot for the program is named Phil the pothole. Phil is doing important work. Wave at Phil.
Worth knowing: a new street improvement levy heads to the August ballot. Same dollar amount as the 2015 measure, refocused on arterials. Mark your calendar. Current Pothole Palooza work locations live at tacoma.gov/potholes.
QUICK NOTE ON FOSS HIGH
Foss High School students returned to class this week following the April stabbing that injured six. The community is processing slowly. KNKX and the News Tribune have details for readers who want depth. Sending care to Foss families this week.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD (MAY 8 TO 10)
Friday, May 8 Tacoma Comedy Club downtown and Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club both have shows running all weekend. Pick your room.
Saturday, May 9 Symphony Tacoma: A Grand Finale at Pantages Theater, 7:30pm. The season closer features Edward Elgar's "In the South," William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1 "Afro-American" (Still was the first Black composer to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra), and Bloch's "America." Tickets $47 to $87.
Sunday, May 10 Mother's Day. Reservations should already be made. If they're not, hustle. Tacoma Sunday Market opens at 11am at 915 Broadway with vendors, food, and local makers. Walking the market with mom counts as a plan.
LOCAL REC OF THE WEEK
Wooden City, 1102 Broadway, downtown Tacoma. Wooden City moved into the Broadway space recently and the extra room shows.
This is the city's most ambitious dinner spot. Wood-fired pizzas, sharing plates, and a kitchen that takes weeknight dining seriously. The space is industrial-chic with brick walls and warm lighting.
Order the beet ravioli. Goat cheese sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, the kind of dish that converts skeptics. Add the wood-fired bone marrow and ask for the sherry pour to drink up the juices at the end. The Hungarian peppers bring real heat. Pizza is solid but the pasta and shared plates are where Wooden City flexes.
Cocktails and mocktails both serious. Reservations strongly recommended on weekends. Open daily 4pm to 9:30pm.
That's Issue 1.
If you have a tip, a complaint, or a place I should cover next week, hit reply. Every email here goes to my real Gmail.
See you next Friday.
Seri