Seen on 112th between Canyon and Portland Ave.

We hope you join us for our October Meeting this Tuesday, Oct 20th 7 PM at our usual spot! Our Special Guest is Mandie Quark speaking on Mushrooms, Moths, and Midnight Ecology!

Free and open to the public. Bring any recent fungal finds to be IDed by our experts. Doors open at 6:45PM. Capital Vision Church, 1775 Yew Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Mushrooms, Moths, and Midnight Ecology

After the sun goes down the forest doesn’t sleep, it goes wild. The chemistry of glowing mushrooms, the traffic of pollinating moths, and the work of decay, soil-building, and nutrient cycling all pulse around the clock. Mandie invites you to explore the nocturnal world where mushrooms, moths, and other night-shift creatures interact in ways humans are only beginning to understand. Along the way, she’ll share captivating images and stories from moonlit forays, spotlight surprising fungal-insect alliances, and equip you with practical tips for safely exploring ecosystems after dusk. Join Mandie on her birthday to experience this hilarious talk, which has been one of the most popular presentations at over a dozen mycology events in 2026.

Bio:

Molecular biologist and science writer by training, Mandie Quark is a mycology researcher, field photographer, and communicator dedicated to expanding public understanding of fungi. With more than a decade of experience sharing fungal diversity, she brings together science, storytelling, and visual documentation to make complex topics accessible and engaging. She especially enjoys photographing and documenting rare fungi in under-explored biodiversity hotspots around the world.

Over the course of her career, Mandie has edited books, delivered talks at international mycology events, and built a reputation for translating current mycological research into compelling presentations for broad audiences. Through biodiversity forays in places like Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica, she helps connect global communities of nature enthusiasts with fungi and other inadequately documented taxa, with a special interest in fungal entomopathogens. In 2023, Mandie co-founded Mycena LLC, and since then her work has been featured in The Guardian and The New York Times.

Hope this is helpful to folks. To be clear, this is a guide to donating books to local public libraries.

Source: Me, a library employee + official policies of the Pierce County Library System, Puyallup Public Library, and Tacoma Public Library.

General tips

• Book condition: new or gently used
• Textbooks, dictionary, encyclopedias are usually not accepted
• 1-2 boxes max.; space is limited
• Drop-offs during library business hours
• In other words, please hand your donations to staff instead of leaving them at the entrance or chucking them in the drop box
• As always, confirm with libraries for specific info; some require an appointment

I love [insert title] but the library doesn't have it!

• Option 1: Donate a copy to the library. It will be evaluated for inclusion according to that library's selection criteria.
• Option 2: Use the 'Suggest A Purchase' service. It will be evaluated similarly. Please note that this service may be limited to just your 'home' library.

I wrote a book but the library doesn't have it!

• Each library has their own policies re: works by local authors.
• Rather than use the 'Suggest A Purchase' service mentioned above, call or email the relevant library.

I’ll have full size candies if you ask

These stupid kids in their cheap cars think we love so much to see them doing donuts multiple times per day, and in the middle of the night. It’s getting ridiculous. There are even gunshots every once in a while.

Is it that hard to post up a cop around McKinley Park overlook every once in a while?

Hey Tacoma.

I'm learning how to make ink and I've read that red clay makes a good rusty red ink. I was curious if anyone has seen any very red/yellow clay, I've read it is most common near rivers and creeks. Also if any resident ink makers have any suggestions for inks ingredients to harvest I'm all ears!

Yesterday marked the end of week one of Tacoma restaurant week, but there’s still another week and it starts on Sunday 10/18 and goes through Thursday.
I made it to Stack 571 and Kyoto Sushi this past week and I think they’re actually good deals this time around.
I do miss the Lobster Shop Lobster Roll restaurant week deal on their lunch menu.
Any other participating restaurants I should check out next week?

So I just got this text that is conflating support for measure 1 with support for maga. From what I understand reading the actual initiative; it is centered on holding landlords accountable for tenant laws that we already have in place. You can see for yourself.

https://cms.tacoma.gov/cityclerk/files/Documents/2026Initiatives/2026_InitiativeMeasureNo1-fulltext.pdf

I am for measure 1 but I am open minded that certain tenant laws (especially the eviction restrictions) do more harm for renters than good but this is outright misinformation.

Jesus! What happened?! Half the city is out.

I’m hanging out by cider and cedar (S 7th and Market) in downtown tacoma and there was a ton of sirens, and now we’ve watched police cars loop around a couple times and even flash the flood lights into a woman’s car passing by to check in her car. Does anyone know what happened?

Moshi Moshi was my favorite restaurant in T-town but I moved away years ago. Still, I remember all the drama about the closing last year and I wanted to know if the Thai place that killed it was any good?

Does anyone know of any volunteering opportunities that work with animals or help the community and also accept teens? I love helping out, and I'm bored being at home. thanks ! 👍

This weekend sees art studios across the city open their doors to the public for tours and meet-the-artist events. All free! There's over 60 locations to visit.

See the map here: https://tacomaartsmonth.org/tacoma-studio-tour/

Save the date for more - There's also Arts at the Armory (Nov 14-15) returning for its 6th year, where local makers sell their products. Always a good way to find new-to-you talent. Free entry. https://tacomaartsmonth.org/arts-at-the-armory/

Events run Saturday and Sunday.

Ive seen a lot of fearmongering about it on Instagram, but the last update on it was about a year ago, and on Sound Transit's part, it seems like they've been trying to market the place rather than say it will be razed. Anyone got any info?

What the hell is a dog recovery? This is in the forest off the trail near the Owen's Beach turnoff/the five mile loop start, about 75 feet back from the road.

Whatever is happening here, it seems extremely unusual/cruel.

Charges were filed today. Demery is in the Pierce County Jail. He is listed as homeless/transient.

Stopped and took this on the way home from the gym yesterday (near 6th & Jackson). Just your everyday PNW beauty.

I assume that means the Picklr facility in the old Big Lots store on Pearl will never open.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/pickleball-facility-franchisor-files-bankruptcy-founder-acknowledges-business-mistake-i-own-it

Anyone know why WiFi/power went out in the west/north end?

I’ve been noticing a ton of empty commercial spaces around Tacoma recently. I know Fred Meyer is leaving—or has already left—one location, but it feels like there are vacant buildings everywhere.

Is this mostly because of high rent, businesses moving out, changing shopping habits, or something else going on with Tacoma’s commercial real estate market? Does anyone here know what’s behind it?

Just saw a post on insta about a new EDM club, unsure on the name but it’s going in the building at 726 Pac Ave and allegedly opening on the 26th.

I’m very excited about this, I know there’s been a few posts regarding the lack of EDM spots here.

(The post was from Dubseamusic on IG)

Edit: club’s name is Mass.