Official Home for Puyallup Washington

Puyallup Events (Jan 16-22)

Updated January 16, 2017January 16, 2017

Washington State Fair

Choo choo! Are you a fan of trains? The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour showcases the hobby of model railroading at the Washington State Fair. Sponsored by the Hobby Manufacturer’s Association – Model Railroad Division and by the World’s Greatest Hobby Program. The show is intended to introduce the general public to model railroading in an entertaining, lively and family-friendly atmosphere.

Hours: Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Location: Sleep Train ShowPlex – Enter at Blue Gate
Admission: $6.95 – $11.95

Pinot’s Palette

Painting and wine in one relaxing evening. Spend an evening at Pinot’s Palette in the Sunrise Village located on South Hill. Pick your evening here!

South Hill Mall

Ladies Shop and Shake

Saturday, January 21st 11am-4pm

Grab your girlfriends and enjoy local vendors, pampering, food, and so much more! Sponsored by Showcase Magazine and KMPS! DeAnna with KMPS will be on site with her Boot Boogie Babes teaching line dancing!

Puyallup Library Events

Check out the calendar of Puyallup library events. This week the library is hosting:

Friends of the Library board meeting

Great Decisions Discussion Group

Preschool Stories

Toddler Treasures

LEGO my Library

Reading to a Doggie Friend

AAUW/Humanities Washington Presentation: Feminism and Popular Culture

The League of Teen Advisors

Puyallup Community Event

The Karshner Museum and Center for Culture and Arts in Puyallup presents a free community event, “Stories of Our Lives.” The event will feature acclaimed storytellers Roger Fernandes and Eva Abrams. Book-It Theatre will perform a children’s theater piece based on the award winning book – “Going Somewhere Special.” Humanities Washington speaker Anu Taranath will present a program on how kids and adults both can use children’s books from around the globe to navigate our complicated world. The event will also include crafts of fun books, masks, and pop-ups. Special guests will be on hand to read their favorite children’s books aloud. For a fun weekend event with your kids, this event is not to be missed and sure to get you thinking.

Date: January 21, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Karshner Museum and Center for Culture and Arts

Address:309 4th ST NE, Puyallup, WA 98372
Puyallup, WA 98371

Contact:253-841-8748

Cost: Free

Daffodil Valley Volkssport Walk

Looking for a way to get active and make friends along the way? This week join the Puyallup area walking club for a stroll in downtown Tacoma.

Schedule
• Wed 1/11/17 at 9:15 am
• Wed 1/18/17 at 9:15 am

An excerpt from the club website below:

“Walks are designed to appeal to everyone in safe, stress-free environments. Walks are non-competitive, and participants walk at their pace. Many walks can be done with strollers. Everyone is Welcome! You do not need to be a member of DVVA or any volkssport club to enjoy our walks. We will meet at the Spar Coffee Bar, 2123 N 30th, Tacoma at 9:15 a.m. Register inside, then meet outside the store. We start at the Spar but head down to walk along Ruston Way. This walk is entirely along the Tacoma waterfront going to the newly developed Japanese Park and Pagoda then to the Point Ruston area passing parks and restaurants.”

High School Winter Sports

With the cold winter months in full swing, indoor winter sports are a great way for students to stay active and busy. Check out the different schools and teams and go out and support a student you know in the community. You can find the different sports, teams, and times here on the SPSL (South Puget Sound League) website.

Weather update

It’s been cold and clear for the past week! The weather is expected to warm-up this week. We will be welcoming back the rain and clouds, back to our familiar and temperant weather. With the temperature rise, it’s time to get back outside again! Check out local parks and trails to stay active in the winter!

That’s all for Puyallup this week! Follow us on Twitter or Follow us on Instagram @puyallupwashington. Check in next week for new

Getting Those New Year’s Resolutions Back on Track

Updated January 16, 2017

We are almost half way through January and chances are, most of you have already given up on the New Year’s resolutions that were made on January 1^st. Getting back to the grind after the holidays can be stressful so it is understandable that some resolutions have dropped off in the shuffle of life. Studies have found that by mid-month, at least 71% of people have already given up on their resolutions and only 8% end up actually achieving the goals they began in the New Year. Sometimes getting back on track can be difficult but with the right tips, it doesn’t have to be. Getting healthy and happy is always a great way to start the year and it’s never too late to try again. Here are some helpful tips to get you jumpstarted again on your resolutions.

The first thing that usually goes wrong for most people is when they first decide on what their resolution will be. Most people chose a resolution that doesn’t actually address the underlying issue. A good example is most people decide to lose weight for their New Year’s resolution. Losing weight can be a great goal but sometimes losing weight becomes the sole focus. For most people, weight gain can be due to an underlying issue like food addiction or depression. In order to actually achieve that goal, the underlying issue must be addressed. Taking time to address that issue will help you to obtain success.

One of the main reasons why people fail at achieving their resolutions is not what most people actually think. People believe that they fail because they tried to set the bar too high and shoot for the stars. They believe that their resolutions are too hard. This is actually incorrect. The biggest reason why most people do not achieve their goals is the plain fact that they fail to plan ahead. Every goal needs a well thought out plan to help achieve success. People think that they can rely on their willpower alone to help them achieve their goals. Willpower should not be relied on alone. Willpower combined with a plan of action will ensure success. One would not build a house without a blueprint so why try to achieve your goals with a plan?

The first step is to then create a plan. Setting the goal itself is step one. The next step is trying to plan out when and the time of day that you can work on that goal. For example, if you have come up with the New Year’s resolution to learn a new language, then plan a specific day and time that fits in with your schedule. Use a daily planner to create that schedule. Use an alarm on your phone to set a reminder of that day and time. Schedule that learning activity for a time that won’t be stressful or put a strain on your already busy schedule. Plot out what you plan on learning each day. Sticking with the same example, schedule lesson plans every day. When you complete those lesson plans, you will achieve a sense of satisfaction. This feeling will help you motivate you to stick with your goal.

Motivation is key in achieving your goal. Getting motivated can be difficult and can throw you off your plan to complete your resolution. Staying motivated is actually easier than most people think it is. The trick is to change your mindset. People become to focused on the end goal instead of celebrating each small success along the way. Each time you complete a step in your journey, you should celebrate that success. Focusing on daily or weekly successes will help propel you towards your goal and to stay motivated along the way. Breaking your goal down into daily or weekly tasks (depending on the goal) will help make the goal more obtainable.

Lastly, sometimes people have a tendency to make a lot of resolutions. People feel like they need to go all out for the New Year. They feel like they need a lot of improvement and will end up making a variety of goals. At first, it seems like a good idea to make a lot of goals. Self-improvement is always good but making too many goals is can actually set you up for failure. Instead, try making one goal for the year. When you feel like you are on the way to completing that goal, make another goal. January 1^st doesn’t always have to be the only day of the year to make goals. Be easy on yourself, make goals that are achievable. When you start seeing success, it will motivate you to complete the goal and then maybe you can try to achieve another goal.

There is no better time than now to start the goals that you want to complete this year. Even if you feel like you have completely failed, it is never too late to change that mindset. Any day of the year is a perfect time to start a resolution. Don’t take yourself too seriously, try to have fun along the way. Enjoy the process of self-improvement. It is important to not beat yourself up if you feel like you are slipping. We would love to know your New Year’s resolutions so please tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup Events (Jan 9-15)

Updated January 9, 2017

Happy Monday, welcome to a new week in Puyallup! This week is bustling with different events, and we hope that you take the time to check out activities going on in the community.

Daffodil Valley Volkssport Walk

Looking for a way to get active and make friends along the way? This week join the Puyallup area walking club for a stroll in downtown Tacoma.

Schedule
• Wed 1/11/17 at 9:15 am
• Wed 1/18/17 at 9:15 am

An excerpt from the club website below:

Meeker Mansion Psychic Far

Happy New Year 2017, discover your future or uncover your past at the Meeker Mansion Psychic Fair in Puyallup, Saturday, January 14th, 10 am to 4 pm. A $5.00 Meeker Mansion restoration fee will be charged, plus Psychics’ fees. Call 253-848-1770 for information.

Puyallup Public Library

With the cold winter weather, warming up with hot chocolate of coffee with a book sounds pretty relaxing and cozy. The Puyallup Public Library is always hosting events for the community; there is a great selection of books, magazines, music, and movies! The library is a great resource, if you haven’t been in the library in a while, you won’t regret stopping in.

High School Winter Sports

Dog Show

Dates: January 14 – 16, 2017

Are you a lover of furry friends? This weekend at the Washington State Fair, the Western Washington Dog Show is taking place. This event will feature three AKC all-breed dog shows, obedience and rally trials, plus group and specialty shows. For an event full of friendly and cute dogs, come check it out! Dogs are a man’s best friend, after all.

Hours: 8am – 6pm
Location: Sleep Train ShowPlex, Pavilion
Enter at Blue Gate

It was cold last week, and we hope that you stayed warm and safe through the wind, ice, and snow! Check out the upcoming weather report here! It’s warming up just a little bit this week and will continue to warm up into next week as we welcome back the rain. That’s all for Puyallup events this week. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on local happenings. You can also find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington. Make it a great week!

The Tacoma Wedding Expo can Help you Start Planning your Wedding

Updated January 6, 2017

The holidays have come and gone so it means that it is that time of year again. It’s time to start planning for your upcoming spring/summer wedding. It feels like there is a lot of time to plan, but in reality, it takes months to plan a major event like a wedding. Even a small, intimate affair can take a long time to plan. Being prepared is the best way to make sure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. The best way to kick off your planning is by attending the Tacoma Wedding Expo at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, January 7^th and Sunday, January 8^th. Tickets are only $16 to get into the show. This expo is the best way to start getting organized and to meet with local vendors that can help guide you on your wedding journey.

The Tacoma Wedding Expo is one of the many expos hosted by the company Brides Club and this company has perfected the art of the wedding expo. They feature vendors that offer every and any service related to weddings. Planning a wedding can be very stressful and this expo can help you find everything from the perfect wedding venue to a gorgeous bridesmaid dress. The expo also has a gown sale to help brides find an amazing bridal gown. They also have vendors that can help with catering, colors, centerpieces, favors, alterations, bachelorette parties, beauty, boudoir photography, ceremony, dance lessons and much more. It is the one stop shop to help brides gather ideas and to be able to speak with wedding professionals to get advice to plan the perfect wedding.

Getting married is a wonderful event but planning a wedding can be difficult. The spring and summer wedding rush is the busiest time of the year when it comes to weddings so planning ahead to the best way to ensure that you will get the venue you want and get your wedding dress ordered in time. Prime venues can book out at least 6 months in advance and by attending the Tacoma Wedding Expo, you can get a jumpstart on having the wedding of your dreams. Florists also need time to make sure that they can get the flowers of your choice. Certain flowers are only in season during certain parts of the year. If you want a specific flower like peonies, those flowers are only available during the months of May and June. If you are getting married in August, then a florist will have to track down those flowers somewhere in the world. The bridal expo has professionals on hand that can help give you tips like these to ensure that you get everything you want for your wedding.

Tickets are still available for this weekend. The expo runs on Saturday from 9:30 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from 10:30 am to 4 pm. The regular ticket price is $16 and make sure to buy in advance on the Brides Club website. Their website also has a free downloadable wedding planner that you should look at before heading to the expo. This planner will help you get organized and know where you should start first when heading to the expo. The Tacoma Wedding expo has a lot of vendors so knowing where you want to begin will help make sure that you can make the most out of your time there. If you attend the show this weekend, we would love for you to tweet us and let us know your favorite part of the expo!

Puyallup Events (Jan 3-8)

Updated January 3, 2017January 3, 2017

Welcome to January 2017! We hope you had a memorable Christmas and New Year holiday. With a new year in full swing, it is a time for resolutions, a fresh start, and new opportunities. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season ending, the Puyallup community has events to keep you busy and entertained.

Are you looking to update your home this year? Whether you are looking to sell your home or just want to improve the ambiance, remodeling can seem tedious and overwhelming. If you are curious how to get started, the Washington State Fair is hosting a remodeling fair this weekend. Check out the Puyallup Home and Remodeling show this Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm, and Sunday from 10am-5pm.

If you are looking for a new place to workout and fitness is one of you New Year goals, you should check out Vie Athletics in downtown Puyallup. A gym focused on women and run by women; this has become a popular place to break a sweat. Check out their website to see what workouts look like and how to get involved.

The Puyallup Public Library is hosting events this week for younger ages. Check out their calendar to see if any events interest you! This week events are best suited for those eight years old and younger.

Many after Christmas sales are taking place right now. Want to spend your gift cards or holiday cash? Check out the discounts at the South Hill Mall, Watson’s Greenhouse, and Sunrise Village. You’re sure to find some great deals!

If you are feeling like painting and drinking wine during the weeknights, Pinot’s Palette is hosting a few different events this week. Sip some yummy wine and create a piece of art– sounds like a fun and relaxing evening to me!

The Wedding Expo is at the Tacoma Dome this weekend. If you or someone you know got engaged over the romantic holiday season, this is a perfect event to check out different vendors and get inspired for your big day! There will also be a gown sale; you might be saying yes to the dress. This event is taking place Saturday: 9:30 am to 4 pm and Sunday: 10:30 am to 4 pm.

With the cold weather, ice, and bits of snow you might want to check out some indoor fun this week. For family or friend fun, why not go rollerblading at Tiffany’s Skating Rink, or test your bowling skills at the Daffodil Bowl. These are two great ways to get active while staying warm! If you are looking for something more low-key, the movies are always a great option! Have you seen the new Star Wars yet?

It’s going to be a chilly week! Bundle up and stay warm out there. With Puyallup students and staff back in school, we hope you have a terrific New Year! That’s all for events in Puyallup this week, check in next week to see what’s on. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on community happenings.

Ways to Spend your New Years 2016 in Puyallup

Updated December 29, 2016December 29, 2016

2016 has been quite the year. Now that we have finished the Christmas season, it is time to start making plans to help ring in the New Year. It is time to start planning our resolutions for the New Year and setting the stage for 2017. There are many ways to celebrate the end of 2016. Whether it be at home with your family or out on the town celebrating in style, New Years is a great time to let go of the old and let in the new. Here are a few tips to help you have a great time on New Years in Puyallup.

New Years celebrations do not always need to involve going out and partying. For people with children, getting someone to babysit on one of the busiest nights of the year is almost impossible. Instead, focus on family oriented activities that include both the children and the adults. This will bring the family closer together and start off the New Year with great memories for the kids. Start the day off with talking with your children about resolutions. It is never too early to start teaching your kids about making goals and learning how to accomplish them during the year. Talk with them about the purpose of making a resolution. The resolution can be easy as your children spending less time on their electronics and more time reading or maybe outside. Also, create resolutions for yourself and follow through on them. It will teach your children how to complete their goals.

Crafting with your kids is always a great way to spend the evening. Make a Count Down Activity Bag with your kids. Buy small paper bags from any craft store and print out clock faces. Glue the clock faces on the bags and mark clock hands on every hour. Have your kids pick an activity that they want to do that night and write it on a slip of paper. For example, an activity can include making ice cream sundaes or watching a movie. Put it in a bag and seal the bag. Open that bag when the clock strikes a specific hour and reveal the activity planned for that hour. This is a fun and engaging way to spend the night with your whole family. Also, a fun family activity is making your own DIY party hats with your children. Buy some colorful card stock, glue, string, some decorative glitter, some colorful pom-poms and any other craft items to help decorate the party hats. Draw a half circle with the construction paper and cut it out. Bring the two ends of the half circle together to form a cone. Staple the two ends together and that will be your hat. Poke two holes at the base and attach the strings. Glue a pom-pom to the top and let the children decorate the hats anyway they want. Once the glue has dried, let the kids put them on and party away!

For adult fun on New Years, there better way to celebrate than heading out to the city of Puyallup. For a romantic night out, look no further than one of Puyallup’s most popular restaurants, Toscanos. The restaurant and the Hampton Inn and Suites have come together to create the perfect romantic evening out together. Couples can spend a romantic evening dining at Toscanos and then spend the evening dancing the night away at a party at the hotel. The total for the hotel and the dinner is only $159.00 for a night of excitement and romance. The party Includes Appetizer, Party Favors, Dancing & Midnight Sparkling Toast. Hotel accommodations include free parking, use of pool & hot tub, complimentary breakfast and late checkout.

Finish off the weekend by doing something daring. The city of Tacoma hosts the Polar Bear Plunge in Point Defiance. This fun and chilly event is for all people of all ages. The Cub Plunge is for youth under 10 and starts at 11:30am and the adult/family plunge is at noon. The cost is free and will take place regardless of weather. The plunge will take place at Point Defiance boat launch, 5912 N. Waterfront Drive in Point Defiance Park and lifeguards will be on duty for safety purposes. There will also be heating tents and hot drinks to help warm up participants after the plunge.

New Years is a wonderful time of year. It is the time to create goals and see them through. It is time to make plans for the year and to make resolutions for improving yourself. Time with family, friends and loved ones is important during this time. We hope that you have a safe and happy New Year. We would love to hear how you will be spending the New Year, so please tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup Events (Dec 26-Jan 1)

Updated December 14, 2016December 26, 2016

We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas! Did you spend time with family and friends, eat some yummy food, and open presents? The holiday season is not quite over! We still have to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It’s time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolution and what you want this fresh start to look like! A New Year is the chance to be a new you! Is this the year that you start learning a new language? Take a trip to a new place? Work on your health and fitness regime? Whatever your goals are for the new year, we hope that you can put those plans into motion!

New Year’s Eve is this Saturday. Do you have plans? Check out larger events happening in the Seattle-Tacoma area on New Year’s Eve. With New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday night, we hope that you get to stay up and countdown to the New Year. For an alternative New Year’s Eve, you might want to check out First Night in Tacoma.

If you are someone who likes to stay in on New Year’s Eve or you have kids at home, it’s always fun to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Sometimes it’s fun to decorate your home, grab some horn blowers, New Year’s decorations, and sip on some Martinelli’s sparkling cider. Turn on the tunes and get a dance party going. New Year’s doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to make it memorable and fun! Check out these creative ideas for a New Year’s Eve at home!

As always, the South Hill Library is hosting some events this week along with the Puyallup Public Library.

After the busy holiday season, Puyallup is feeling a little sleepy this week. Rightfully so, as many people are back to work after the rush of a busy previous week. We hope you take the week to recoup and get back into the swing of things after a very busy time of year. We are very excited for 2017! Cheers to the New Year! That’s all for Puyallup Events this week. Tweet us to share you New Year’s Eve moments.

Last Minute Shopping Guide for Procrastinators in Puyallup

Updated December 21, 2016

Shopping for the holidays can be so stressful. The long lines and crowds at the mall or stores can make it difficult to get motivated to get out there and get all your shopping finished. You have to fight to find parking, you don’t always find what you want in store and sometimes you just leave frustrated. Now there is less than a week until Christmas and time is running out! For all those procrastinators out there, here is a list of all the gifts that you can get shipped in time with Amazon Prime. If you do not have Amazon Prime, now is the time to sign up! Items ordered with Prime will either get there in two days or sometimes one day and shipping is free. Here is a list of great gifts you can get delivered in time so you don’t have to stress.

For people looking to buy a gift for a parent of a small child, the best gift is something that will soothe and help the baby to fall asleep. Sometimes getting a baby to fall asleep can the hardest part of being a parent. The Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies Nightlight Soother is a nightlight that plays soothing lullabies and has a stars and moon projection that provides ambient lighting. The lighting is very subtle and will help to lull the baby back to sleep. This gift can be a godsend for all those parents who are trying to put their little ones to bed.

Sometimes having a dog can wreak your car especially when you take them to the park on a rainy day. Amazon offers the perfect solution for people who want to take their pets with them in the car but also want to keep their car clean. The Sharkk Waterproof Dog Seat Cover is a waterproof hammock that covers the backseat of a car to help protect it from mud, water, dirt and pet hair. The hammock design fits securely in the backseat and it is easy to clean and store when you don’t need to use it. It is the perfect gift for all pet owners.

People with a lot of makeup always struggle with digging it out of their makeup bags. You have to pull everything out just to sometimes find one item and it can be a real pain. The 2-1 Travel Cosmetic Makeup Bag is a travel bag that allows super easy access to the makeup. The bag is in the shape of a hexagon with a drawstring that opens up to create a workspace that allows for easy access to the makeup. It is also is stain resistant material and any makeup that gets on the bag wipes right off. Makeup lovers will rejoice when they open this gift on Christmas.

Good headphones are a must for music lovers. Sound quality is important and cheap headphones can alter the music. Although they come with a hefty price tag, Beats are the best headphones are on the market. The Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones have a sleek design that also comes with an adjustable fit with comfort cushioned ear cups. You can connect to Class 1 Bluetooth for wireless listening. You can also take calls, control your music, and use Siri with multifunction on-ear controls. These headphones are rated very highly with music lovers.

Know someone who loves to multi-task? Or who maybe is always running behind in the morning? The Elite Cuisine EBK-200BL Maxi-Matic 3-in-1 Multifunction Breakfast Center not only makes coffee but also has a toaster oven to make bagels or toast and an oven-top nonstick griddle for frying or warming food. This multi-tasking, all in one breakfast unit is the best way to cut some time off a morning routine. There is a coffeemaker with a 4 cup capacity with a 15-minute timer. It is a very compact unit that fits perfectly on any kitchen counter. It is also a convenient gift for someone who has an RV. You can quickly make coffee, toast and eggs in the morning to get the day started right.

The most useful gift that anyone in the state of Washington can receive during the holidays is an umbrella. But not just any umbrella will do in all the gray weather that we get to enjoy most of the year. Something with bright, gorgeous colors will cheer anyone up during these long, dark months. The Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella is a complete carousel of colors that includes a rainbow spectrum. This wide- sized umbrella offers decent protection with a 40-inch diameter. Any Washingtonian will appreciate getting this gift, especially during the rainy winter months.

For people who love to cook, using the freshest of ingredients is key to properly preparing any meal. Sometimes, keeping herbs fresh can be difficult because they go bad quickly. The Click & Grow Smart Herb Garden will grow fresh herbs indoors with very little effort. All you have to do is insert the plant capsules, fill the water tank and plug it in. The technology behind this herb garden helps the plants to grow quickly with the optimal configuration of water, oxygen, and nutrients. No pesticides, plant hormones or any other chemical substances are needed to grow the herbs. This efficient herb garden will delightful the chef in your life.

For the traveler in your life, the immensely popular Fjallraven Kanken Daypack, is not only a charming backpack but it is also highly functional as well. This Swedish company debuted this bag in 1978 and since then it has become an international favorite amongst fans of both design and function. The Kanken is made of Vinylon F, a highly durable, abrasion and water resistant fabric that softens with age and washes. These durable backpacks come in a variety of colors and is for both men and women.

Shopping for Christmas presents at the last minute doesn’t have to be stressful. This helpful gift guide will help you find the perfect last minute gift that are will be sure fire hits with family and friends during this holiday season. Skip the frantic search for gifts at the mall and just follow our guide for stress-free shopping. We would love to hear from you about any gift ideas that you think will be perfect for the holidays. Tweet us and let us know your thoughts!

Puyallup Events (Dec 19-25)

Updated December 14, 2016December 19, 2016

Hello Puyallup Community, Christmas is only several days away! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and also a very hectic week for many. Are you feeling the anticipation that creeps in as Christmas day approaches? Last minute shopping trips, late nights wrapping presents, baking yummy treats, meeting up with family and friends, and getting ready for whatever this holiday season holds for you! Check out what is happening in the Puyallup community this week. Some of these events might help ease the load you carry during the holiday season.

If you have not made it to The North Pole at the Fair, this is your last week to do so. Check out Santa’s office, library, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, Santa’s workshop, and Santa’s media den. These events will get your kids excited to leave a treat for Santa on Christmas even. You can also explore the Elf Village with a variety of interactive activities. If they are enjoying the activities at the fair, take it to the next level and check out the live reindeer at Watson’s Greenhouse in Puyallup. Your kids will not forget these Christmas experiences. Will your kiddos be able to hear Santa on the rooftop this year? Will you be tracking Santa as he makes his way around the world?

Feeling stressed about wrapping gifts? The South Hill Mall has gift wrapping stations where you can get this done. If you feel like making good use of your time and giving to a good cause, stop by and get your gifts wrapped. This service runs through Christmas Eve.

If you need last minute gifts, check out this gift guide. Check out the deals and promotions at the South Hill Mall. Another great place to find gifts or to spend a family day out is at Sunrise-Village on South Hill. They have many restaurants and shops to explore.

Check out the Job Club at the South Hill Public Library Friday, December 23, 20161:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Learn from other job seekers in this casual yet informative group. Get employment tips and support in your job search. This event is sponsored by WorkSource.

As you are rushing around finishing last minute errands, keep an eye out for food collections at local grocery stores. They are always looking for donations around this time of year. Those who are less fortunate and don’t have the extra money to spend will be thankful for your donation. With so much abundance around this time of year, it is always important to keep a healthy perspective and help others where you can.The South Hill Mall has a whole section devoted to giving back on their website. Click here to see where and when these are. The Fish Foodbank is also accepting donations.

With the rush of the holiday season, we hope that you enjoy time with loved ones. The smell of fireplaces, apple cider, hot chocolate, Christmas trees, the sound of soft and cherry classic holiday tunes in as background music, driving past lights that are hanging from houses, impressive tree decorations, the race from the car to the door to escape the chilly weather. All of these things remind me of Christmas. Whether you are staying local or traveling afar, we hope you have a very Merry Chrismas and joyous holiday season. For more about events happening in Puyallup check in with us next week!

What You Can Do to Help the Homeless in Puyallup

Updated December 16, 2016

The holiday spirit is everywhere right now. People are gearing up to celebrate the upcoming holidays by shopping, decorating and attending celebratory holiday events. We usually focus on giving to those closest to us and sometimes forget those who need it the most. Sometimes the less fortunate can range from a homeless individual to someone who is currently facing difficulties during the holidays. Random acts of kindness are in high demand this year. Currently, the state of Washington is facing a crisis when it comes to their homeless. 2016 has seen a rise in the amount of homeless people in the state and has been steadily rising since 2013. According to the Seattle Times, “The 2016 estimate of people without shelter showed a 19 percent increase over last year, and the 2015 tally of 3,772 was a significant increase over the count in 2014.” Many people are suffering in the community and reaching out even in a small way can make a huge difference. Helping those in need, whether it be a homeless person or someone who needs support, doesn’t always have to be a monetary donation. There are many ways to give to those who need it during this holiday season.

The best way to start is to educate yourself about the homeless as individuals. Learn about who they are as people. Find out why they are homeless. Is it because they lost their job, or maybe due to a mental illness? Learn about the different reasons for homelessness and understand that each situation is unique. Talk with them to find out what their story is and what they need. This connection will help you to see them as individuals. Treat them as you would treat a family or a friend who has fallen on rough times. Learning and educating yourself will help you to understand the best way to help the less fortunate in the area. Developing respect for the homeless will help you to empathize with their situation. Also, educate your children about the plight of the people living on the street.

Volunteering your time to help the homeless doesn’t always have to be in a soup kitchen. Helping them to get back on their feet is another way to help those in need. The homeless do not always know where to start when it comes to trying to transition off the streets. There are government aid programs out there that most homeless people aren’t even aware that they exist. Be an advocate or an intermediary for these people by helping them find these programs and help them to apply. Also if you have a business or know of places that are looking to hire, help to employ the homeless. Volunteer your professional services. If you are an attorney, you can help with legal work, or a therapist can help them work through the stress of being homeless. If they are transitioning off the streets, volunteer to help them learn how basic life skills like writing a resume, or paying bills. These steps will help to get them off the streets and back on their feet.

Homeless children are the most disenfranchised group in a community’s population. They are stuck in a pretty hopeless situation and can do little to get themselves out of it. They very rarely have the opportunity to interact with other children their own age. They sometimes can’t attend school or they do not have the opportunity to have friends over to their house or vice versa. Speak with your local shelter about bringing your children by to play with the other kids in the shelter. Bring along some toys and some books for the children to play with. This will also teach your children to emphasize with others and will help them grow into adults that will also give back to their community. Tutoring the children in the shelter is also another way to help them. Certain shelters have programs that you can volunteer for to help tutor children and help them with their homework. Sometimes children will rarely leave the shelter so volunteering to take them out for a fun activity like going to the aquarium or to a park. Spending time with homeless children in any capacity will be very much appreciated.

Getting involved politically can help raise awareness for the homeless and their plight can help to make their situation better. Write to your local political representative about what is happening in your community. If the community is lacking certain programs to help the homeless write your representative letting them know what they can do to help. Also, it takes many letters and even an in-person visit to get the attention of your representative. Personal visits are the most effective so make time to visit your local government representative. Standing up for the civil rights of the homeless is so important because a majority of the time they are incapable of voting. Also, pushing for state homeless prevention programs in your community will help to stop the problem before it begins. When contacting your local public official, speak with them about prevention programs for families who are about to be evicted from their homes or have suffered from a job loss.

The true spirit of the holidays is in giving to others. When you give back to your community, you are helping to build a better community. Spend time this holiday season helping those in need. Helping the homeless doesn’t always have to entail a monetary donation, giving your time, your concern, and your energy will make a huge difference. The city of Puyallup has a few shelters that could use your time this holiday season. If you have a favorite charity or have ideas for helping the homeless, tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup Events (Dec 12-18)

Updated December 12, 2016December 12, 2016

Welcome to a new week in Puyallup! With the temperature drop last week, we hope that you enjoyed the sprinkle of snow. Did you make a snowman, snow angel, or snuggle up in a blanket with a hot drink? If you have students, were they excited by the two-hour delay? Snow in December rings in the Christmas spirit.

Check out what is happening in the Puyallup community this week! If you want to catch a Christmas show, do some holiday shopping, get out of the cold and rain with a movie, or listen to some festive music, you can. For more details, read below.

The Liberty Theatre in downtown Puyallup is a historic venue that is hosting “Another Night Before Christmas” produced by the ManeStage Theatre. Click on the link above for ticket pricing and show times. The show is about the following:

“Karol, a disillusioned social worker, is trudging home one cold December night when she encounters an old man sitting on a park bench. Mistaking him for homeless, Karol offers the stranger some food — a seemingly innocent gesture, until he turns up in her apartment claiming to be Santa Claus. Thanks to a malfunctioning security system, Karol finds herself trapped with “Mr. Claus” and forced to confront her feelings about Christmas once and for all in this touching musical battle between cynicism and belief.”

ManeStage Theatre company is also putting on a production of Irving Berlin’s a White Christmas. This classic holiday story is a festive and joyful way to celebrate the Christmas season. Click on the link above for show dates, times, and prices. This show takes place in Sumner.

The Puyallup Public Library is a terrific place to spend chilly and damp days. Grab a book and fill your brain with new knowledge. Along with an impressive selection of books and resources, the library also aims to interact with the community. This holiday season the library is hosting a music event from 1-2pm on Saturday the 17th. The Tapestry Singers, under the direction of Suna Chung, will visit the library to share the gift of winter music with us. The Tapestry Singers are an adult community choir and are proud members of Valley Arts United. Music is a big part of the holiday season, and if you a haven’t heard any beautiful tunes yet, you can listen here!

Last week, we talked about the different events going on at the South Hill Mall. Most of these activities run through Christmas, so you can still check them out. The mall has extended its hours for holiday shopping, so if you’re like me, go late at night after the crowds have gone home. The movie theater at the mall is playing some funny holiday movies right now. To check out what is playing and watch some previews click here. After you have done some Christmas shopping, why not catch a movie? Click here to learn more about what the South Hill Mall is offering this season.

Shopping for Christmas can turn into a mad hunt to find meaningful gifts for your loved ones. There are many places in the Puyallup area to find unique gifts. If your family is tough to shop for, you might want to check out shops outside of the mall where you can find unique gifts. The antique shops in downtown Puyallup are bound to have non-traditional gifts that will be more exciting than socks or a gift card. It is fun to explore the different shops and it is typically less crowded than the mall. If you work your way down Main Street downtown, you can find a gift in the boutique shops. The Exhibitors Boutique and Trellis Cafe is another place to find cute gifts (click on the link for hours, phone number, and reviews). Full of different booths with gifts that are decorative for the home, it feels a bit like a real life Etsy. There is a lovely cafe attached to the shopping area, so if you are in the mood for a sandwich, cup of tea or a slice of cake, you can wrap up your shopping by stopping to refuel there.

Pinot’s Palette- Painting and sipping wine, does it get any better than that? Check out this activity in Sunrise Village located on South Hill. Get a group of friends together to let your creativity flow. Sign up for an evening of fun at Pinot’s Palette.

The North Pole at the Fair is on this week at the Washington State Fair. Take a sneak peak into how Santa lives and prepares for Christmas. To learn about different activities to check out, click here. The North Pole runs through the end of December. You won’t want to miss it!

That’s all for events in Puyallup this week. Tweet us to share a moment from an event, we would love to hear from you! Check in with us next week to see what is happening in the community. We hope all Puyallup School District students, staff, and teachers have a fantastic last week before winter break. Have a great week!

Updated Tips for Decorating During the Holidays in Puyallup

Updated December 8, 2016December 8, 2016

After enjoying the delicious food and family time during Thanksgiving, we are now moving into the Christmas season and it is time to shop for gifts and to get out those holiday decorations. Decorating for the holidays is one of the best ways to kick off the Christmas season. With the forecast predicting snow in the Northwest this week and next, get out there as soon as possible to get your decorations up. The neighborhoods in Puyallup usually get into the spirit of the holidays and go all out when it comes to their Christmas decorations. It is the time to get inspired and try out these updated decorating tips around your home to put a fresh spin on your holiday adornments.

The tried and true wreath is one of the best ways to greet your guests as they enter your home for festive holiday parties. Most people opt for the tradition evergreen wreath with sprigs of holly, mistletoe or cranberries. Instead, create a wreath out of citrus fruits and leaves for an updated twist on the wreath. It is easy to create your own citrus wreath using florist’s foam, wooden florist’s picks, assorted citrus fruits and some green leaves. Use the wooden picks to secure fruits like oranges, clementines, and limes to the foam. Another interesting take on a Christmas wreath is the Cookie Cutter Wreath. For this wreath, you will need a variety of metal cookie cutters, some red ribbon, some holiday themed scrapbook paper, and a hot glue gun. Use the cookie cutters to trace out the shape of the cookie cutter on the scrapbook paper and then glue it on the back of the cookie cutter. Arrange the cookie cutters in the shape of a wreath and then glue them together in the shape of a circle. Once the glue has dried, tie a ribbon to the top to be able to hang the wreath. A quirky wreath is a great way to break free of the traditional wreath. The festive Felt Ball Wreath is a unique DIY wreath that is a colorful and festive way to show your holiday spirit. This wreath is a little more time consuming than the other wreaths and requires some craft know how on your end. Learn how to make felt balls here. You will need a variety of colors of felting wool, florist foam wreath and a hot glue gun. Once you have made all your felt wool balls, glue them around the wreath in a tightly packed fashion. Add a velvet ribbon to the top in order to be able to hang the wreath.

Christmas trees are the most tradition symbol of the season. A Christmas tree doesn’t always have to be the live version. There are creative ways to create your very own Christmas tree using unusual materials. You can make a delightful decorative tree out of a wood pallet. You can find them for cheap on Ebay. Using a smaller shipping wood pallet, paint a tree on the slats using green paint and embellish the tree with pom-poms. The Mason Jar Christmas Tree is also an easy and quick decoration for your home. Buy some blue mason jars, some smaller ball Christmas ornaments and a star as a tree topper. Put the ornaments into the mason jars and then stack them in a triangle shape. Add the start to the top and viola you have your mason jar Christmas tree!

Advent Calendars are another traditional Christmas decoration that is a favorite amongst both adults and children. Making your own is a great way to add your own personal touch to the calendar. Find a large frame and fit a piece of neutral colored fabric in the frame. Get number stamps and stamp the number of days in December on small brown envelopes. Attach those envelopes to the frame and put a small toy, a piece of candy or any small surprise that can fit into the envelopes. Using a smaller version of the advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas is just as impactful as a large one. Using ordinary matchboxes, use number stamps to mark the days on the front of the boxes vertically. Wrap each box in some festive, holiday themed paper with the numbers showing. Glue the boxes in the shape of a pyramid starting with nine boxes at the base and decrease by two boxes until there is one box at the top. Put small little surprises into each box, like candy or toys. Advent Calendars do not always have to be about materialistic items. Create your own Advent Calendar that includes random acts of kindness. You can write to-do items like “donate to a charity”, “donate used clothing” or “Serve at a local soup kitchen”. You can come up with 24 acts of kindness to teach your children the importance of giving during the holidays. Slip those pieces of paper into the days of the calendar and your children will have to complete that act of kindness.

Decorating your home for the holidays is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. These ideas are some fresh updates on the some of the more traditional ways to decorate for Christmas. Make sure to stock up on all your craft supplies so you can keep busy for when the snow falls this week. These ideas are also fun activities to do with your children. Decorating with your family is always a fun to celebrate the holidays. We would love to know what your unique and quirky decorating ideas are for this holiday season. Tweet us for City of Puyallup updates and let us know your original ideas!

Puyallup Events (Dec 5-11)

Updated December 6, 2016

Puyallup is buzzing with events this week. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, don’t forget to make time to participate in traditions that make this time of year so memorable. From Santa pictures to wrapping gifts to giving back to those less fortunate, this time of year brings families and the community together. Were you able to make the Christmas parade downtown last Saturday? We hope you enjoyed it! Did you get into the Christmas spirit at the Victorian Country Christmas at the fair? If not, there are still plenty of opportunities in the community to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Washington State Fair Events

South Hill Mall Events

November 12th-December 24th

Santa is back from the North Pole to see you and the family! Dress up in your holiday pajamas, Christmas sweaters, dresses, or suits. Come to the South Hill Mall to get your picture taken with Santa! Santa pictures are fun to look back on and a great way to ask Santa what you want for Christmas. Have you been naughty or nice? Check out the hours and dates below.

11/12/16-12/8/16

Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

12/9/16-12/23/16

Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

12/24/16 (Christmas Eve)

8am-5pm

Giving Back

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? With long lists for Santa and Black Friday deals, it’s also a time to think about those who are less fortunate in our community. Check out ways you can give back! Even the spare change in your pocket can be donated to the Salvation Army; every small action adds up to make a difference.

Salvation Army Giving Tree

11/25-12/18, Operating Hours, Target Court

Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Ulta and Old Country Buffet entrances

Puyallup Food Bank Candy Buffet

12/3, 12/10-12/11, 12/17-12/24, Starts at 12 pm, Center Court

Gift Makers Toy Donation Box

Operating Hours, JCP Court

Gift Wrapping

11/25-12/24, Operating Hours, Center Court

Gift Wrapping

The holidays can be stressful and busy. Why not unload one of your duties and let someone else wrap some of your gifts. Several local non-profits on site to help you take care of that task for the cost of a donation! You can find gift-wrapping during mall hours in Center Court every day, starting on November 25th running through December 24th.

Freeze Modeling

Saturday, December 10th, 2016

Check out the 2016 Freeze Modeling Show with the South Hill Mall Fashion Club and NFI Productions!

Watson’s Greenhouse

Do you want to see Santa’s reindeer? Donder and Blitzen are here for their annual stay at Watson’s. Donder and Blitzen can be viewed during regular business hours free of charge!

Watson’s is also hosting a Girls Night Out on December 13th. This is sure to be a fun-filled night to relax, drink some wine, nibble on some appetizers, and enjoy a night out with the girls.

A Simple Wish

If your little ones are Disney fans, then they will love the events that A Simple Wish host. They are putting two events including a holiday photo mini session with a Princess and Belle’s Holiday party. For pricing and dates, click here.

The weather forecast is pretty chilly this week, so we hope you bundle up and stay warm! There is even a chance of snow on Thursday. That’s all for events in Puyallup this week. Tweet us to share a moment from an event, we would love to hear from you! Check in with us next week to see what is happening in the community. Have a great week!

Holiday Shopping in Puyallup

Updated December 2, 2016December 2, 2016

The holidays are upon us and Black Friday kicked off one of the most successful shopping seasons since the economic downturn. Most people rushed to the major chain retailers for deals and sales. These retailers spend millions of dollars to get your attention and your hard earned money. Local businesses have a hard time competing with the advertising dollars of these large companies but they still deserve your money. There are many reasons for shopping locally. According to the Andersonville Study of Retail Economics, local businesses generate 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than the big retailers. It has been determined that if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy. If you spend the same are a large business, only $43 stays in the local economy.

Now that Black Friday has come and gone, it’s time to focus on shopping locally within your community. Supporting local businesses is the best way to help support your economy, your neighbors and your local community. We have compiled a gift guide based on local businesses in the Puyallup area to help you when it comes to shopping for your friends and family. Here are some of our favorite picks for both gifts and stores in the area!

Puyallup is a preferred destination for antique lovers. The Antique District in the historical downtown area boasts seven antique shops with hundreds and hundreds of dealers. For all those antique lovers in your life, there is no better place to find that unique vintage collectible than the Antique District. The aptly named 3^rd Street Antiques on 3^rd Street in the city has 15,000 square feet with 80 vendors. Victoria Sells Antiques has 10,000 square feet with a total of 80 vendors. Pioneer Antiques & Accrete Lighting on South Meridian not only sells a variety of antiques but Accrete Lighting has been offering quality replacement lamp and fixture hardware and parts to the antique community since 1986. Just a Memory, Kings Row Antiques and Collectibles, Her Shabby Chateau, and Junk and Disorderly Antiques and Gifts are more antique stores that carry a wide variety of collectibles, treasures, and antiques.

Friends and family members hunting for a gift for loved ones with a green thumb are lucky to have such an amazing nursery and gift shop like Watson’s. Not only does Watson’s carries a wide variety of trees, shrubs, Watson’s grown annuals, seasonal annuals, perennials, houseplants, veggies, herbs, seeds, and roses but they also have a wide selection of gifts and home décor. There are also practical gifts for the gardener in your life like tools, gloves, sloggers, soil, compost, fertilizers, pots and containers. Watson’s is an amazing place to find a gift for all those gardeners and if you are truly stumped, a Watson’s gift card is sure to be appreciated.

The holidays are the time to give not only gifts but to help those in need. The Nook is a charity boutique, operated by St. Francis House. So when out looking for a gift, the St. Francis House is a great place to find something and to donate to your community at the same time. St Francis House receives many “high-end” items beautiful, one-of-a-kind item like unique home décor, lovely jewelry, amazing china, silverware, vintage items, gently used and new clothing, books, artwork, furniture and more. The Nook is the best place to go on a treasure hunt for the perfect gift for a loved one for the holidays. Proceeds from The Nook go directly back to supporting the programs of St. Francis House. Come support the needy in your community by shopping for your holiday gifts at the Nook!

Jewelry is one of the best gifts to receive for the holidays. Johnson Jewelers in Puyallup has kept its doors open for over 100 years and has a reputation for being one of the best jewelers on the west coast. The jewelry store is located at 103 South Meridian and has been operated by the Johnson family for four generations. This long-time family business has been delighting the hearts of fine jewelry lovers in the city for generations. In addition to watches and bridal jewelry, the shop owners also have their own line of custom creations that are exceptional and very high quality.

Foodies in the area love My Cheese Shoppe in the downtown district. The store which opened last June carries so much more than specialty, imported, domestic & artisan cheeses, they also have a wide variety of delicious artisanal treats including natural salami, raw honey, Spanish date & walnut bread, handmade artisan local caramels, handmade local artisan toffees, organic dark chocolates, fig spreads, peppadews, and more. They have more than 75 types of cheese in stock, which happens to be one of the largest selections of cheeses in the Pacific Northwest. Their main focus is on selling what they consider “clean cheeses” and those are cheeses that have not been processed. They only offer cheese that does not have artificial dyes, and the smoked cheeses smoked with wood chips or walnut shells, not liquid smoke. They are committed to educating their customers about good cheese and have generous tastings for customers that are looking to expand their taste buds. Pick up some delicious tasty treats for those picky foodies in your life.

Pet Lovers and their pets can be difficult to shop for but have no fear, The Dog Daze Natural Pet Market is dedicated to providing natural pet supplies like foods, treats, and supplements for dogs, cats, and small animals. Come by and pick up some amazing natural products for all those animals in either your life or a loved one’s life. Your dog or cat also deserve presents for the holidays. The Dog Daze Natural Pet Market firmly believe that natural products along with providing exercise and positive affirmations will help your pets live longer, happier and much healthier lives. Give the gift of a love and life to your pet or to some who considers their pet a part of the family.

Wine Décor and More is located on North Meridian in Puyallup is the best place in the city to find exclusive hard-to-find wines that make for the best gift for the wine lover in your life. They currently focus on curating exclusive small production, hand crafted, and family-owned wineries from Washington and Oregon and they stock over 60 different wines from over 20 wineries. They have amazing wine gift baskets that include both bottles of win and food items. Baskets include crinkle filler, shrink wrapped, a beautiful bow, a small card, wine and food items. Wine chosen for baskets must be purchased from Wine, Décor, and More. Currently they have wines from the following wineries: Airfield Estates, Angel Vine, Benson Vineyards, Christopher Michael, Covington Cellars, Ginkgo Forest Cellars, Guardian Cellars, J Scott, Kerloo Cellars, Kontos Cellars, Lone Birch, Lupine Vineyards, Naches Heights Vineyard, Nathan Gray, Paul Rin, Robert Ramsay, Smasne Cellars, Sonoris, Spindrift Cellars, Trust Cellars, William Church and Woodinville Wine Cellars. Wine, Décor and More carries some amazing gift options for those looking for the gift of wine and more.

Gift shopping for the holidays can be hard but make sure that you use this guide to find gifts locally for your loved ones. Shopping locally is a great way to support your community and your local economy. Help spread the joy by visiting these stores in Puyallup. Tweet us and let us know your favorite places to buy gifts in the area!

This Week in Puyallup (Nov 28-Dec 4)

Updated November 29, 2016November 29, 2016

December in Puyallup

We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of food, family, and fun! With Thanksgiving over, we are now full speed ahead into the Christmas season. This week we transition into December! Christmas songs are playing on the radio station, cars are driving with trees strapped to the top, houses are glowing with lights at night, and Christmas feels like it’s arrived. This is a great time when the Puyallup community comes together. There are many opportunities to give back, get involved, and celebrate the Christmas spirit.

christmas

Christmas Events at the Fair

The North Pole at the Fair

A great event for the whole family! Get your kids in the Christmas spirit and let them experience what the North Pole is like for Santa. The North Pole at the Fair is sure to get your kids excited to leave some cookies and milk for the man in the red suit.

Victorian Country Christmas

Step back in time into a Victorian village where holiday music fills the air! Shop in over 500 stores and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Enjoy a day out drinking wine, eating treats, and delicious food. Christmas starts at A Victorian Country Christmas. This is a Puyallup community favorite and not to be missed!

Extreme Christmas Tree Lighting

Join the Washington State Fair Events Center to kick off the holiday season at the annual Extreme Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy complimentary hot cider, cookies, and holiday music as Santa arrives to light up the 185-foot Extreme Christmas Tree with 4,494 twinkling lights before your very eyes. You might even get to visit with Santa’s reindeer.

give-back

Giving Back

This week through December 11th check out the giving tree at the Puyallup Activity Center. Take a tag off the tree and make someone’s Christmas extra special this year. The Giving Tree runs through December 11, 2016. Bring the gift (unwrapped) and tag back to the Recreation Center to have it wrapped and delivered.

Also keep an eye out for food collections at local grocery stores. They are always looking for donations around this time of year. Those who are less fortunate and don’t have the extra money to spend will be thankful for your donation. With so much abundance around this time of year, it is always important to keep a healthy perspective and help others where you can.The South Hill Mall has a whole section devoted to giving back on their website. Click here to see where and when these are.

Puyallup Public Libray

hamilton

Hamilton the Musical

The library is always hosting events. Have you heard of the musical Hamilton? This award winning musical is taking the country by storm. Join fellow musical theater fans at the Library to answer trivia questions, play games, and enjoy the fantastic music. If you already know the musical, you can share your knowledge. If you don’t, this is a perfect opportunity to learn. This will be an event full of musical and historical knowledge. This event is for teens and adults. (Warning: tracks from the musical will be played which do include explicit content).

Play to Learn

Play to learn is this week at the library on Tuesday. Click here for more details. This event happens weekly, so if you missed it this week, check it out next week.

2016 Lighted Santa Parade

santa-parade

Saturday, December 3rd, at 5:00 pm

Downtown Puyallup

Bring the family down to welcome Santa and usher in the Christmas season! Check out the fire engines, elves, and support the local students participating in the parade. Included in the festivities is the Holiday Market (12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) in the Pioneer Park Pavilion and the lighting of the Community Tree in the Park!

That’s all for Puyallup this week. We hope you have a terrific week and have the opportunity to get in the Christmas holiday spirit. If you want to share an event or experience with us, tweet us! We would love to hear from you. Check in with us next week to see what is happening in Puyallup.

Thanksgiving Activities and Crafts for the Whole Family

Updated November 23, 2016November 23, 2016

Thanksgiving is a special time of year when the whole family gets together to enjoy some delicious food and some quality time with each other. When the whole family gets together, it is important to keep the kids entertained during the festivities. Activities and crafts for kids on Thanksgiving is a great way for family members to bond with the kids and for the kids to enjoy Thanksgiving Day. There are certain crafts that the kids can do that will allow them to participate in decorating, cooking the food and to help them understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. There are also certain activities that remind children what they have to be thankful for during this holiday season. Getting your children involved will make for a memorable Thanksgiving for the whole family and help to make long lasting memories.

Most families create a kid’s table and an adult’s table for the Thanksgiving dinner. Keep the kids entertained before dinner by placing some butcher paper on the table and create some pilgrim hats crayon cups to set out. The Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups are easy to make and the kids will enjoy pulling Crayons from this cute decorative addition to the kid’s table décor. For the cups you will need black paper cups, black cardstock, rick rack, scrapbook paper, buttons, hot glue gun, and an X-acto knife. Use the knife to carve out the bottom of the cup and then glue the rick rack around the rim of the cup. Glue a small square of scrapbook paper on top of the rick rack and then glue the button on the piece of scrapbook paper. Glue a circular piece of scrapbook paper on the rim of the cup. Once everything has dried, put the crayons into the cup. Place on the table and watch the children enjoy being able to be creative during the Thanksgiving dinner. Ask the kids to draw things that they are thankful for this holiday.

The Thanksgiving turkey is the best part of the whole meal so why not let the kids pay homage to the main course? Play Dough turkeys is a great way for the kids to express their creative spirit by creating their own version of a turkey. Create some small balls of brown Play Dough for the turkey heads and larger balls of brown Play Dough for the body of the turkey. Buy some colorful long and short feathers, googly eyes, chenille stems, smaller orange triangles, and some small twigs. Lay the materials out so the kids can pick and choose what they want to use to create the turkey. Let the kids have free reign to create their own version of the Thanksgiving turkey. The kids can then use their turkeys as place cards for their seat at the table.

Gratitude is an integral part of this holiday. It is important to remind the children what they should be thankful for during Thanksgiving. We wrote about the Thankful tree last week, this can also be turned into a children’s activity. Create a large brown tree trunk out of brown butcher paper with a lot of branches and tape it to the wall. Cut out different shapes of leaves from orange, yellow, red and green cardstock. Hand out the leaves to the children. They can use markers to write all the different things they are thankful for in their life and draw pictures on the leaves. Speak with them about why it is important to give thanks during this time of year. Help the children to tape the leaves to the different branches. Parents can also join in this activity by adding their own leaves with their items they are grateful for this year. If your children see you being grateful then it will teach them the importance of acknowledging and appreciating all that they have. This is an activity that kids of all ages will love.

Need help in the kitchen? Kids can help with this fun Thanksgiving appetizer that also doubles as a decoration. The Cheese Tray Turkey is a delightful way to arrange a cheese tray for a delicious appetizer. Buy your favorite cheese crackers, different types of cheese, and different types of salami. The best pairing for the salami is usually Colby jack or a medium cheddar cheese. Let your child help you arrange the turkey. Start with a large semi-circle of crackers on a cheese board. Then layer a smaller semi-circle of cheese and then follow with another semi-circle of salami. Add another semi-circle of cheese and then another of salami. Finish off the turkey by making a turkey body out of a slice of cheese for both the body and the head. Add two peppercorns for the eyes and a folded piece of salami for the waddle. Not only is a cheese tray delicious but it also will be a fun activity for your children to help keep them busy during the day.

Letting the kids help to decorate the table with their own crafts is a fun way to get your kids involved in Thanksgiving Day festivities. Turkey Napkins Rings are an adorable addition to any table décor. Head to the craft store and pick up some brown felt, ribbons that are different colors and sizes, red rick rack, googly eyes, and a hot glue gun. Cut your napkin rings pieces from the brown felt. One piece will be about 5 inches by 2 inches and another piece is 1 inch by 2 inches. Draw a line of glue along the short ends of the shorter piece and wrap that around the bigger piece. Then draw a line of glue along the short ends of the long piece and attach the ends together to form a ring. The smaller piece on the outside will be used for the turkey. Cut out the turkey body from the felt. Cut out one piece that is a larger circle and a smaller circle together. The smaller circle is the head and the larger circle will be the body. Cut different lengths of the ribbon and fold them in half. Glue the ends together to create the feathers. Glue those feathers to the back of the body of the turkey. Glue a few layers of ribbons to the back of turkey. Glue the googly eyes to the head of the turkey and glue a small piece of the rick rack for the turkey waddle. Once the turkey is complete, glue it to felt ring. Viola your napkin ring is done! Let the kids help to decorate the table with their new napkin rings.

These activities are a great way to spend Thanksgiving Day with your children. Now more than ever, we should give thanks for our family and friends. Take the time to give thanks for those around you and those who support you. It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of the holiday so try to set aside some time to truly enjoy the day with loved ones. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and if you are traveling make sure to check our Twitter for travel updates!

Thanksgiving Week in Puyallup (Nov 21-27)

Updated November 22, 2016November 22, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving week! Preparations are underway for Turkey Day. From baking and cooking, to travel plans, to last minute grocery stores runs, it is a busy week across the country. We hope you get to enjoy this holiday with friends and family and take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for. Read below to see what is happening in the community this week and some last-minute Thanksgiving tips and advice.

Apple Cup

2009_Apple_Cup_Logos_TM

The stakes are high this year for the Apple Cup. The WSU football team has been doing better than years past, and it is going to be a battle between WSU and the esteemed UW football team. The Apple Cup is a great game not only for alumni of the school but Washingtonians across the board. There is something about this in-state rivalry that brings out our competitive spirits. So whatever team you are rooting for, you better be wearing your lucky jersey, bring out the facepaint, pom poms, and get ready to support your team. Who do you think will be the Apple Cup champion this year, Cougs or Dawgs?

Black Friday

If you’re always looking for the best deal and ways to save money, then you’ll look forward to this bargain shopping event. Even with long lines and maneuvering through a sea of people, sometimes the savings are too good to pass up. The South Hill Mall has some great Black Friday deals. Check out their countdown and store savings that you won’t want to miss!

Washington State Fair

If you are already playing Christmas music and decorating in anticipation of December 25th, then you might be interested in checking out the The North Pole at the WA State Fair. Click on the link for times and prices. The North Pole is a family-friendly event and a great way to usher in the Christmas season after Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving Family Fun

happy-thanksgiving puyallup

–5k Fun Runs are a great Thanksgiving tradition. Participate in a local Tacoma run with your family!

-Go on a family walk before the dinner and finds leaves and pinecones to decorate the table (if they weather is cooperating).

-Put on some music when it is time to do the dishes and clean-up. Many hands make light work!

-Play a friendly football game outside. If it is raining, grab a board game, get a deck of cards and some spoons, or put on a holiday movie!

-Go around the table at dinner and talk about what you are thankful for.

-Take pictures! Family gathers are worth documenting, and you will enjoy the pictures when looking back throughout the years.

-Looking for cooking tips? Look no further! Click here to get some insight into Thanksgiving basics and more complicated recipes.

-If you manage to have turkey leftovers, you can look forward to a turkey sandwich for lunch the following days.

-Be sure to catch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is always fun to see the different floats, dancers, and performers!

Do you have any other traditions that you include in your Thanksgiving holiday? Tweet us @cityofpuyallup to share with us!

That’s all for this week in Puyallup! We hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Easy Fall Decorating Tips for Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Updated November 17, 2016November 17, 2016

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and as we are getting our fridges ready for the all the food that we have to prepare for the day, we must also get our homes ready to host all the family and friends for that special day. As the people of Puyallup are shopping for their turkeys, cranberries and potatoes, they should remember that the presentation is just as important as the food that graces the table. There are so many amazingly simple ways to decorate your home with fun, festive and beautiful fall items that will create the perfect ambiance for your guests. Decorating for Thanksgiving does not have to be overly complicated. Rolling up your sleeves for a little DIY can not only save you money but can also be a fun family activity to do with your children. Here are some stress-free DIY projects and a few easy decorating tips for home during this joyful and warm holiday.

Incorporating the red, golds, and yellows of fall leaves into your Thanksgiving décor is not only inexpensive but is the perfect way to capture the essence of the fall season. This DIY décor project requires about 50 fall leaves, a small stick, a large piece of wood in a square shape, some hot glue, and some Mod Podge. Before starting the project, make sure to dry the leaves out for at least a few days using wax paper. They will stick better to the board when dry. Using a black sharpie, draw the outline of a large leaf on the board. This outline will provide a guide for where to place the leaves. Using a little bit of hot glue, glue each leaf to the board. Once you have completed the giant leaf, glue the stick to the bottom. For some extra pizzazz, use the Mod Podge on the leaves and sprinkle different colors of glitter on the leaves. Use glitter colors like gold, red and orange to really make the giant leaf really eye-catching.

Pumpkins are n’t just for Halloween, there are many creative ways to decorate with pumpkins for Thanksgiving. However, instead of using regular orange pumpkins, opt for the white pumpkins for a modern version of a classic. Using Mod Podge, decoupage a white pumpkin with pressed leaves. Turn this project into a fun family activity by getting out for a fall hike on any one of the wonderful Puyallup trails to gather leaves. Get creative with the types of leaves that you use, grab different shapes and colors of leaves. Another easy way to decorate a white pumpkin is with vinyl decals. Wilson Graphics sells some inexpensive vinyl decals that are perfect for the pumpkins. Using the Woodland Creatures decals like the Fawn with Flowers or the Owl with Flowers are perfect for decorating a fal l pumpkin. Use a foam brush to cover each pumpkin with two coats of acrylic paint. Let the pumpkins dry for at least 30 minutes before applying the decals. You can also create a more elegant pumpkin by using black lace. Purchase different patterns of lace from any fabric store. Pick a contrasting color like a sage green or silver to paint the pumpkin. Cut the lace in a way that follows the existing pattern. Once the paint on the pumpkin dries, brush Mod Podge on the pumpkin and adhere the lace pieces to the pumpkin. Finish off the project with coating the lace with another layer of Mod Podge.

Thanksgiving is a lovely time of year where we gather with our family and friends and give thanks to all the wonderful things in our life. A reminder of those things can be incorporated into a creative holiday decoration. A Thankful Tree is a Thanksgiving decoration that gives your guests reasons why they should be thankful all year long. Assembly for the tree requires sticks with multiple branches, wooden chalkboard tags, chalk, scissors, a glass jar, assorted nuts or decorative rocks, and burlap and a ribbon. On each of the wooden chalkboard tags, write the specific thing that you are thankful for like family, friends, health and food. Use a hot glue on the strip of burlap to glue the ribbon to it. Once that dries, glue it to the glass jar. Fill the jar with the assorted nuts or decorative rocks. Arrange the sticks in the glass jar so they are spaced evenly apart. The nuts or rocks should keep the sticks upright and in place. Hang the wooden tags from individual branches. Your guests will appreciate the reminders of what to be thankful in their lives.

Wreaths just aren’t for Christmas. There are many ways to use decorative wreaths to add a special touch to your home during this holiday. There are a few budget friendly ways to create the perfect wreath that will a nice addition to your Thanksgiving décor. A wreath of silk fall-hued flowers on your door is a great way to invite guests into your home. Starting with a foam wreath and a black ribbon, tie the ribbon around the wreath so you will be able to hang it up. Cut the heads of the silk flowers and glue them to the wreath. Choose fall-hued flowers like deep reds, magentas and oranges. Make sure to push the stem of the flower into the foam as well. Tightly pack the flowers together on the foam so there is no foam that shows through. Once the glue has dried you can hang the wreath on your door.

Decorating for Thanksgiving is the best way to kick off the holiday season. Turn decorating into a family activity and focus on DIY projects that your children can help with and participate in. Creating crafts is the perfect family activity and Thanksgiving is the time to bond with family. Give thanks this year for all your family and close friends. We would love to hear what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Make sure to tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup Happenings(Nov 14-20)

Updated November 15, 2016

Puyallup Events

We hope you had a meaningful and memorable Veterans Day Weekend. Read below to learn about what is happening in Puyallup this week.

Washington State Fair Events this Weekend

Northwest Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival

Get ready for an event that is full of colors and fun! It is the perfect time of year for a quilt, craft, and sewing festival. With the colder weather coming, it’s time to cozy up with a warm quilt next to the fireplace. Quilts make an amazing holiday gift because of the thoughtfulness and personal touch that goes into creating them. The festival features a wide variety of supplies, notions, patterns and techniques in the areas of sewing, quilting, needle-arts, stenciling, embossing, crystals, fabric crafts and more!If you are a veteran quilter or just starting out, you will have the opportunity to swap ideas, tricks, and techniques, and share in the company of those who see the value in this great craft.

Hours: Thu – Fri, 10am – 5pm; Sat, 10am – 4pm
Location: Pavilion – Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $10; ($9 with coupon)

The Great Junk Hunt Holiday Market

See what you can find in the treasure hunt of vintage goods! I don’t think you’ll be taking home any junk, but rather some festive and fun things to add a personalized touch to your home. You don’t want to miss this event! This event was formerly known as junk salvation. Come check out the Great Junk Hunt Holiday Market, it is sure to take your Christmas decorating to the next level.

Hours: Friday 6pm – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm
Location: AgriPlex – Enter at 5th Street Gate (See Interactive Map)
Admission: Friday Night Early Buying – $20 (good for both days) Tickets purchased online in advance will get you in at 5:30 pm! Tickets will be available for purchase at the door ($20) at 6 pm. Saturday – $8

Reality Sports Foundation 10th Annual Fundraising Dinner

Do you enjoy a nice meal and supporting a good cause? Come check out Reality Sports dinner! Reality Sports is a non-profit organization that aims to “turn the world upside down” through sport by competing according to the words and life of Jesus Christ. Their Annual Dinner is the primary fundraiser to support this mission. Click here to register for the event.

Hours: 7pm – 9pm, Doors open at 6:30pm
Location: Expo Hall – Enter at Gold Gate

Washington Arms Collector Show

Come check out the Washington Arms Collector Show at the fair this weekend!

Hours: Sat, 9am – 5pm; Sun, 9am – 3pm
Location: Sleep Train ShowPlex – Enter at Blue Gate
Admission: Adult Non-Members – $12, Military – $8.00, Members – Free
Website: https://washingtonarmscollectors.org/

The North Pole at the Fair

Experience the North Pole at the Fair this weekend! Take a peek into Santa’s world and experience the magic of Christmas. Your kids will be entertained for hours with all the different activities! Click here to learn more about this event.

Around the Community

The Puyallup Public Library in downtown is always hosting activities for all ages and interests. Click here to learn what is happening at the library this week.

The weather this week calls for a mix of rain, showers, and overcast. In between those rain showers, you might like to get out of the house and check out local parks.

Fall Clean-Up

The city is offering a convenient opportunity for clean up! Click here for full details. During the fall clean-up, utility customers may leave up to three extra bags of garbage for curbside pickup.Utility customers may also recycle one major appliance at no charge this week.

We would love to see your highlights from these events. Find us on Twitter https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and tag us @puyallupcom or find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington and tag us! Did you have a memorable time at one of the events at the fair? We would love if you shared with us! That’s all for this week! Check in next week to see what is happening in the Puyallup community.

Puyallup Events (Nov 7-14)

Updated November 8, 2016

Events in Puyallup

The city of Puyallup is bustling with events this week. The Washington State Fair is holding multiple expos, the beginning of the Christmas season is creeping in, pancakes are waiting to be devoured, and if you’re interested in learning about Real Estate, now is the time. Read below to find out more about these events.

Senior Pancake Breakfast

November 12, 2016, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Are you a senior and a pancake lover? You’re in luck because this weekend the Puyallup Activity Center is hosting a senior pancake breakfast. Bring your appetite for a morning filled with delicious food and conversation.

The North Pole at the Washington State Fair

We know that Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet, but the end of October throws many people into the holiday spirit. Christmas is already beginning at the Washington State Fair this weekend. The North Pole at the Fair is running at the fair from November 12th – December 23rd. Your kids will love having a sneak peak into what life is like for Santa in the North Pole. Read below to learn about the different ways your kids can engage with the spirit of Christmas…

At the North Pole they can take a visit to Santa’s House which includes:

Santa’s Office
Santa’s Library
Mrs. Claus Candy Store and Kitchen
Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Media Den
Elf Village
Santa Portraits

This event is running through the end of December, so we thought that it should be on your radar, even though it is November. The Holiday’s are such a busy time of the year, and knowing what your options are in advance can help you plan around this hectic season.

Free Real Estate Career Night

Wednesday, November 9th at 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm

1002 39th Ave SW #200 Puyallup, WA 98373

Real Estate is a career that many consider and enjoy because of the connections you make with clients, flexible schedule, and the hard work that reaps many rewards. Are you considering a career in real estate? Want to know how to begin?

Register for this FREE Career Night to learn how to become a licensed real estate broker; what RE/MAX Honors offers for marketing, technology, and training; what the start-up and on-going costs are; and how you get paid! You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Breakfast With Santa

The South Hill Mall is hosting the annual Breakfast with Santa event at 9 am- 10 am in the Food Court on Saturday, November 12th! Join us as we kick off Santa’s holiday stay at South Hill Mall with breakfast, crafts, activities, and special reading with the jolly man himself!

This event is for Club McFinn Members only. Join Club McFinn for FREE by downloading the South Hill Mall Club McFinn App and registering! The app is currently available in the App Store and Google Play!

The Great Train Expo at the Washington State Fair

The Great Train Expo is a national, traveling show that caters to the model railroad enthusiast. The show features 200-500 tables of train dealers. You will find everything from hobby tools, die-cast vehicles, train whistles, scenery items, t-shirts, videos, railroad gift items, books, photos and more! You could come away with some special items from this expo, don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your train set or learn something new.

Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Location: Sleep Train ShowPlex
Enter at Blue Gate
Admission: Adults – $9, Kids 12 & under – free

Puyallup Public Library

The Puyallup Public Library is always hosting great events that community members can enjoy. Click here to see what is going on at the library this week.

Gem Fair at the Washington State Fair

You will not want to miss this event full of glitz and glam. This weekend is the Gem Fair at the Washington State Fair. Gem Fair is one of the largest gem, jewelry & bead shows in the United States. Gem Fair vendors offer quality merchandise at manufacturers’ prices. You’ll discover fine jewelry, costume jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, sparkling crystals, gold and silver, tools, jewelry supplies, and boxes all under one roof! With so much to offer, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Hours: Fri, Noon-6pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
Location: April Event – Expo Hall – Enter at Gold Gate
November Event – Pavilion – Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: Weekend Pass – $7, Kids Ages 12 and under – FREE

We would love to see your highlights from these events. Find us at Twitter https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and tag us @puyallupcom or find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington and tag us! Did you have a memorable time at one of the expos? Did you stack your pancakes a mile high? We would love if you shared with us! That’s all for this week! Check in next week to see what is happening in the Puyallup community.

America’s Largest Antique and Collectible Show

Updated November 30, 2017November 3, 2016

antique-show

America’s Largest Antique and Collectible Show is taking place at the Washington State Fair Event Center in Puyallup this weekend. Are there antiques or collectibles around your house that you think might be worth something? Do you own a family heirloom that has been passed down generation to generation that you would like to get appraised? You can get answers to these questions at this show. This event is taking place on Saturday, 9am-6pm and Sunday, 10am-5pm in the ShowPlex at the Washington State Fair Events Center. Enter at the Blue Gate. Admission is $6 for adults (good for both days), kids ages 12-17 $3, and kids under 12 are free. Items on display will be from the 1880s to the 1970s. Bring your family treasures and garage sale finds for a verbal market evaluation by experts. Five ISA appraisers will provide information and value for $7 per (available during both days of the show). The show will host 400 booths.

If you spend your time watching American Pickers on the History Channel, this is the event for you. Do you like to see the progression of society and how we get from point A to B in our culture? This weekend will give you a peek into how we progressed from the post industrial revolution era to where we are today. You might even hear yourself saying, “back when I was your age…’.

For an inexpensive weekend of fun and learning, this event is sure to fit the bill if you’re curious about life in the past. Who knows, someday when your grandchildren are at an antique show, they might be teaching their kids about the iPhone. Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the antiques and collectibles that reveal how life used to be.

View our calendar for new events coming up – just like this one!

We would love to see your highlights from this event. Find us at Twitter https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and tag us @puyallupcom or find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington and tag us!

Volunteering and Donating in the City of Puyallup

Updated November 3, 2016November 3, 2016

It is the beginning of November and the city of Puyallup is starting to gear up for Thanksgiving and for the beginning of the holiday season. As we start shopping for our turkey’s and fixings for the delicious Thanksgiving dinner and getting ready to spend time with our families, it is important to remember to take the time to reflect and be thankful for your family, friends and surroundings. It is also an important time to remember that some people are not as fortunate. Tis the season for giving but remember giving can extend beyond your family and friends and can include strangers as well. There are any options in Puyallup for those looking to donate money, necessities or time. This is the time to get out there and help those in your community who are in need.

There are many reasons to either give to charity or to donate your time to those who are struggling. There are positive consequences to giving that can affect your family, friends and the community of Puyallup at large. It can even have a positive effect on your own mental well-being. In research conducted by the journal BMC Public Health, it was proven that volunteering improves your sense of inner peace, decreases depression, and has been linked to a lower risk of dying early in life. Generosity has been noted as a key factor in a happy and successful marriage. People that are giving in nature, have a tendency to carry that mentality over to their relationship. Giving also helps keep your stress at bay. People who are stingy with their money have been shown to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Kindness not only provides positive results for you and your inner circle but also helps to create a positive change in the community. Giving is contagious and creates a ripple effect in your community. Being generous helps to create strong social connections and encourages those around you to also give back. The more people that give back to their community, the more the community benefits and flourishes. There are so many positive consequences to giving and it is a great way to help build a better community.

The city of Puyallup has many opportunities for those looking to donate or volunteer their time. Here are a few organizations in the city that are in need of your time or money especially during the holidays.

The Puyallup Public library is always looking for volunteers to work at the library. The Friends of the Library is a separate 501(c)3 that helps to raise funds for the library. The funds they raise help to sponsor special events for children and teens in the Library, including the Summer Reading Program. The Friends of the Library also hosts educational and cultural programs for all ages throughout the year.

Metro Animal Services is always in need of volunteers and donations. Donations help make sure that the animals in the shelter are getting food and shelter. Volunteers to the shelter provide assistance to the officers in many daily duties such as escorting customers back to view the animals, helping potential adopters meet with an animal, answer phone inquiries & research information as needed, take dogs out for their breaks, feed and water the animals, scoop cat litter boxes, socialize with the animals and help with general housekeeping.

The St. Francis House in Puyallup helps those in need in the community with clothing, furniture, food, and emergency food and assistance. You can donate money, clothing, household items, and food. Volunteering also helps the St. Francis House to provide all these services to the community and is a 4-6 hour commitment once or twice a week. Volunteering opportunities include helping out with the clothing bank, working the office, assisting with the evening meal program, and helping to fundraise.

The Puyallup Food Bank has been helping to feed the community since 1972. Many people go hungry over the holidays and the food bank is sometimes the only way that families in need get food for Thanksgiving. The food bank accepts monetary donations along with gift cards to Albertsons, Fred Meyers, Top Foods, Costco and Safeway. When donating food they accept non-perishable unopened packages of food, food in undented metal cans, dried food, and pet food.

No donation is too small and it might be cliché but every little bit does help. If you are unable to donate money, then volunteering your time is equally as important and helpful towards these causes and organizations. Donating and volunteering helps to create a better community for both you and others. Make volunteering a family affair in order to teach your child the importance of giving back to their city. Thanksgiving kicks off one of the most wonderful time of the year and volunteering and donating is a great way to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Tweet us and let us know your favorite charity or cause in Puyallup!

Events in Puyallup (Nov 1-6)

Updated November 1, 2016November 1, 2016

this week in Puyallup

Welcome to November! We hope that you had a safe, fun, and memorable Halloween. November’s arrival means Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for posts about how to maximize your holiday planning and activities. But for now, let’s focus on what is happening in the Puyallup community this week! The Washington State Fair is hosting multiple events this weekend, Puyallup is working towards sustainability, and we have recommended a few indoor activities for the rainy week ahead.

November 5th

Green Day Puyallup

Are you looking for a way to help the environment in the Puyallup community? This Saturday you can join in with other volunteers to participate in “Green Puyallup Day.” All are welcome, and no prior experience is required. The Green Puyallup Partnership, launched in 2015, is ‘working to build a sustainable network of undeveloped natural areas for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.’ The goal is to restore and maintain open space to help achieve a greener, healthier environment for all. Please dress for the weather and bring gloves.

America’s Largest Antique and Collectible Show

Do you find yourself watching American Pickers on the History Channel? Do you enjoy finding value in old and vintage items? Come check out the antique and collectible show at the Washington State Fair this weekend. There are over 400 booths of years of history and collectibles. Bring your collectibles for a verbal market evaluation by experts. Appraisers will be present and provide information and value for $7 per object. Available during both days of the show (Saturday and Sunday).

Floriani Embroidery and Crafting Weekend

Continue to improve your embroidery by learning trades of the craft that professionals have been using for years. It is bound to be a fun and friendly environment of swapping tips and tricks, and good conversation. All will have a turn stitching one or more of the amazing Hands-On Floriani Projects using a brand new, state-of-the-art embroidery machine provided for them.

Mickey Fay’s Northwest Extreme Flat Track Racing

Bring your competitive spirit to the track this weekend and join in the races. Click on the link above for more information!

November 6th

Veteran’s Day Celebration

Events in Puyallup

Come to Pioneer Park Pavilion this Sunday at 1:00 pm to celebrate Veteran’s Day with the community. This event is free and open to the public. The guest speaker will be Congressman Denny Heck, who works to promote initiatives and legislation in support of our military service members, veterans, and their families. The program will include a special tribute to Lt. Victor Leonard Kandle, who graduated from Puyallup High School in 1939 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II for outstanding heroism and gallantry. The Puyallup Valley Community Band will play a repertoire of patriotic and popular music of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Military memorabilia collections will be on display from World Wars I and II and from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Indoor Activites for Rainy Days

puyallup-library

The Puyallup Public Library is an ideal place to spend a rainy day. This week’s forecast calls for rain and overcast, so indoor activities are on the agenda. The library offers activities for all age ranges and interests.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 6:30 pm

Free Author Event: Meet the Author who wrote about women serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Author Donna Lowery writes about the American military women who were present during this time in history.

Friday, November 4, 2016 (times below)

Did you miss storytime last Friday? Well, you’re in luck because you can go this Friday! Reading is a great activity, and you can never start reading with your kids too early. Preschool Stories are available for children 3 to 5 years old on Fridays from 10-11 AM. Toddler Treasures are available for children 1 to 3 years old on Fridays from 11:15-11:45 am

Do you still need to vote?! The downtown Puyallup Public Library is a Pierce County Voting Center. Click here to learn when and how you can vote.

After you spend some time in the library, why not grab a drink and meet with a friend at Anthem Coffee? Grab a coffee or a beer and spend a few hours downtown. Coffee shops are a relaxing and calm environment to be in during the dreary rain. Cozy up to a warm cup of joe and enjoy the fireplace where you are sure to leave feeling reenergized by some caffeine and good conversation.

anthem coffee

Stay connected

That’s all for this week. Check in next week to see what is happening in the community. Until then, have a terrific week! We would love to see what you are up to in the Puyallup community. If you want to share with us find us on Twitter https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and tag us @puyallupcom or find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington

The History of Halloween

Updated October 27, 2016

Halloween is a much loved holiday in America. People around the country love getting dressed up in a costume and going out for a fun evening filled with treats and scares. There are so many fun aspects to this simultaneously entertaining and frighteningly holiday. A majority of people love to be scared silly on October 31^st but most aren’t even aware of the history behind the holiday. As you are out and about, dressed up as your favorite character and celebrating this scary time of year, remember that this holiday has a very long history. Halloween is a celebration of the living and the dead and is filled with plenty of superstitions and a lot of historical traditions.

The ancient origins of Halloween date as far back as 2,000 years ago to the Celts. The Celts lived in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1^st instead of January 1^st like we do today. November 1^st was a very important day to the Celts. This day signified the end of summer and the harvest and marked the beginning of the long, dark and cold winter. This time of year was also associated with the death of humans due to the harsh weather conditions. The time between October 31^st and November 1^st opened up the boundary between the dead and living for the Celts. They celebrated Samhain on October 31^st which they believed was the night that the dead returned to walk amongst the living. The Celts believed that these spirits wreaked havoc on their crops and also allowed for the Druids to make predictions about the future. The Celts lived in an unsure and harsh enviroment and these prophecies were very important to their overall sense of comfort and gave them some control in an unpredictable world.

The Druids would build huge bonfires that they considered sacred and the people would gather around the bonfire and burn crops and animal sacrifices to Celtic gods. The Celts would wear costumes made up of animal heads and skins. They would celebrate by telling each other’s fortunes and then they would re-light their hearth fires with the fire from the sacred bonfire. The lighting of the hearth from with the fire from the sacred bonfire was believed to help protect the people from the long harsh winters. This celebration was looked forward to all year long as a way to help the Celts face the upcoming challenges of the winter months.

By 43 A.D. The Celts were mostly conquered by the Romans and for four hundred years the Romans ruled over the Celts and they incorporated the festival of Samhain into their own two festivals of Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was celebrated in late October for a day and this festival commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona was a festival that celebrated the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol is that of an apple and it is believed that when the Romans incorporated the festival of Pomona with Samhain the tradition of bobbing for apples was born.

By the 9^th century Christianity spread quickly and deeply in the Celtic lands and the rites and traditions of the religion blended with the older Celtic rites and superstitions. In 1000 A.D. the church decided to make November 2^nd All Soul’s Day which like Samhain was a day to honor the dead. It was rumored that the church was looking to supplant all the Celtic Festivals with church sanctioned and approved holidays. The two holidays were very similar in nature. All Saint’s Day also featured large bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes. The All Saints Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas from the Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day. The traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion began to be called All-hallows Eve by the people and eventually it turned into Halloween.

Halloween in America was slow to pick up. There was limited celebrating of Halloween in Colonial New England due to the very rigid Protestant belief system. Celebrating Halloween was more common in the southern colonies as opposed to the Northern Colonies. Soon, as the beliefs of the different European ethnic groups merged with the beliefs and traditions of the Native Americans and a very distinct Americanized version of Halloween began to take shape. This form of Halloween featured aspects that are akin to how we celebrate Halloween today. “Play parties” emerged and were popular with the public. These “play parties” featured the telling of ghost stories and each other’s fortunes, dancing, signing, and to celebrate the harvest.

During the second half of the 19^th century, America saw a huge influx in the amount of immigrants coming to the United States. There was a large population of Irish people immigrating to the states and they brought with them their Halloween rituals, superstitions and traditions. Since the Celtic people lived in Ireland many of the traditions that the Irish brought with them to the United States were based on the original traditions of Sanhaim. This included dressing up in costumes, asking their neighbors for food and money, and pulling pranks in the evening on Halloween. Soon Americans started doing the same thing, which eventually morphed into the current tradition of “trick-or-treating.”

In the beginning, the tricks were more prominent than the treats. Halloween was a night filled with pranks and mayhem until there was a move to turn Halloween into a more family friendly affair. Halloween parties became a family event and they focused on food, games, and costumes. Parents were encouraged by the media and community leaders to remove anything frightening or grotesque out of Halloween celebrations and to create a more fun and light environment. Halloween then lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century as it began to morph into a more family oriented event. Cities began to organize community events and celebrations and once candy companies began releasing special Halloween candies, our modern version of “trick-or-treating” emerged.

Today Halloween is the country’s second largest commercial holiday because American’s spend about $6 million a year on Halloween. This fun night of costumes and candy is a favorite amongst Americans and people in Puyallup have a lot of fun options in the city when it comes to celebrating Halloween. Check out our blog for tips on the best haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and trick or treating events in Puyallup. Make sure to tweet us and let us know your favorite way to celebrate Halloween!

Buying Ugly Houses in Puyallup – by Cash Me Out

Updated September 25, 2018October 26, 2016

Cash Me Out Northwest in Puyallup buys your ugly house

Cash Me Out Northwest is a local real estate buying company in Puyallup that works with clients on no-hassle, stress-free property liquidation. If you need to sell a property, we want to talk with you. Our team of professional home-buyers have worked with clients for over ten years to make the process of selling their unsellable or ugly houses quick and easy. We understand the trends of the real estate market in the Puget Sound and buy houses in Pierce, King, Thurston, Kitsap, and Mason County.

People who are looking to sell their ugly homes are looking to maximize their home value. However, sometimes it is hard to put the extra cash into minor or major renovations to get your home market ready. At Cash Me Out NW, we take the property as-is and pay you top dollar for what it is worth. We don’t use Puyallup real estate agents, so you don’t have to worry about paying commission for their services. We focus on maximizing your profit by cutting out the middleman.

An article from the Tacoma News Tribune said, “It should come as no surprise that home prices are rising far faster than incomes in the Puget Sound area, meaning homes are becoming less affordable. In Pierce County, that trend is especially marked.” According to Zillow, “The median home value in Puyallup is $290,700. Puyallup home values have gone up 11.5% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 5.2% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Puyallup is $158, which is lower than the Seattle Metro average of $214. The median price of homes currently listed in Puyallup is $279,000.” The high value of homes right now is beneficial to the seller. Cash Me Out NW wants to be your buyer. With the current market conditions, now is an ideal time to sell a property so you can maximize your value.

There are many reasons that you might need to sell a house quickly. We want to have a conversation with you, understand your situation, and give you a cash offer on your house. Here a just a few reasons to use our services:

• Unfair mortgage terms have you headed towards foreclosure
• Inherited a house you can’t afford to keep
• A military transfer has forced your family to move quickly
• Job loss causing you to fall behind on payments
• Tenants causing trouble and you don’t want to be a landlord anymore
• Property has liens or judgments
• Your ugly house needs extensive renovation and you can’t afford the repairs
• Divorce has you in need of quick cash to pay attorney’s fees
• Job loss causing you fall behind on payments
• Your listing has expired and the house has sat on the market for too long

If you think your property is unsellable, Cash Me Out Northwest wants to assure you that it is not. We have the real estate knowledge, legal resources, and funds available to solve most real estate problems to buy your house for cash from you in one easy transaction. The bottom line is; we are interested in having a conversation with you regardless of the conditions or circumstances surrounding your property. We have a three step process to get you keys for cash. First, we have a 20-minute phone interview. This is an opportunity for you to ask us any questions and for us to get a better understanding of your situation. Second, we visit the home and do a walkthrough of both the inside and outside to get a better idea of the value of the property. Don’t be concerned about the condition of the home. Cash Me Out Northwest will buy the house regardless of condition. We will also leave you with a professional Market Analysis so you can know how we come up with a sales price. This will also be a useful tool if you decide not to sell with us and use a traditional real estate agent. Third, based on the evaluation, we make a cash offer within 24 hours. No hassles and no haggling.

*Our first offer is our best and final offer. There are no hidden fees or costs. Our offer is the amount you will net from the sale. Based on the offer, you can decide if it works for you.

If you like the offer, they can pay cash for your house as quickly as 3 business days later. Keys for cash, no hassle. Call them at 206.202.9682 or fill out the “start the conversation” form on their home page www.cashmeout.com.

Cash Me Out Northwest in Puyallup buys your ugly house

DeCoursey Park In Puyallup

Updated November 28, 2017October 26, 2016

DeCoursey Park is located in downtown Puyallup across the street from Clarks Creek. DeCoursey is situated on over seven acres and includes a pond, two piers, a picnic shelter, restrooms, and a new playground. Keep reading to learn all the different ways to enjoy this park!

Want to have a Sunday family day? Spend the afternoon barbecuing some hot dogs and hamburgers and using the picnic shelters to enjoy a time of food, fun, and conversation. For information on picnic shelter and ball field reservations, call the Puyallup Recreation Center at 253-841-5457.

Enjoying the greenery of the park is one of the many perks of all the rainfall. On rainy days, bring your rain jacket and rain boots in the fall/winter to splash through the puddles. We are out and about year-round in the Puyallup community, and a little drizzle doesn’t stop us from exploring these great parks!

The park also offers a pond that you can enjoy. Stop at the pier to experience the calmness and serenity that still water brings. You might even come across some fishers. Take a walk in nature through the walking trails, bring your dog or meet up with a friend!

decoursey-pond puyallup

Let your kids burn off extra energy on the new play structure, run through the fields, and have an outdoor adventure! DeCoursey is known for its birdlife so you might have a flying friend following you around or something for your little ones to chase.

decoursey puyallup play

Ducks waddling around is a common scene at Decoursey! The park will be full of red, yellow, and orange leaves on a crisp fall day.

decoursey-park puyallup

Puyallup is full of great parks, so grab the kids, make some lunches, get in the car, and head out to make some family memories. Enjoy all the amenities this park has to offer!

Halloween in Puyallup 2016

Updated May 11, 2017October 25, 2016

Puyallup Halloween 2016

Halloween in Puyallup is just around the corner! Have you carved your pumpkins yet? Picked out the perfect Halloween costume? Tested your courage at a haunted house? Don’t worry; you still have a bit of time to make this the most memorable Halloween ever! This holiday is a festive and community-oriented time of year. From trick-or-treating to scary movies, Halloween is a fun time for all ages! Check out what is happening below in the Puyallup community to put you in the Halloween spirit.

Boo-Allup in Puyallup

Downtown businesses will be handing out candies and treats from 3–6 pm on October 31st. In addition to the Halloween festivities, the Rotary Stage in Pioneer Park will host some Halloween fun at the Cobweb Carnival.

Trick-Or-Treating

Is it Halloween without candy? Grab your pillowcase and fill it to the brim with delicious chocolate treats like m&ms, snickers, and all the other classics. Maybe you can swap candies to maximize your sweet-tooth satisfaction! Make sure to bring some flashlights on your evening out going door to door. End a fun night on a sugar high and then crash! If you and your family aren’t in a neighborhood where it’s easy going door-to-door for treats, you might want to visit Sunrise Village, Manorwood, or Novella neighborhoods.

Halloween Street of Treats in Downtown Sumner

Right down the road in Summer is the Halloween Street of Treats. Come trick-or-treating in downtown Sumner from 5-7pm on October 31st. The Main Street will be partially closed so your little ones can have a fun and safe experience!

Scary Movies

If you are past the trick-or-treating stage, scary movies are always a classic option for Halloween. Check out this article to get some ideas about what movie you want to keep you on the edge of your seat. And what is a movie viewing without some great Halloween treats?

We hope this helps you with your Halloween planning, happy Halloween Puyallup!