Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Lakewood pad thai deserves the Tacoma area’s top spot?
And on the Lakewood Patch calendar - The SisterFriend Gathering
Hello Lakewood! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Lakewood pad thai deserves the Tacoma area's top spot?
- What Macau Casino's planned closure could mean for Lakewood workers
- How Western State Hospital is turning felled trees into new structure
Also on today's calendar: The SisterFriend Gathering and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why was the scarecrow given an award? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 75 and low of 51 degrees.
- Monday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 70, low: 51.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 69 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Who makes the best pad thai in the Tacoma area? Cast your vote (thenewstribune.com) — Lakewood diners are invited to weigh in on who serves the best pad thai in the Tacoma area, with Bloom Thai and Chang Tai's Lakewood locations among the contenders. The article lists prices, protein choices, and spice levels at many nearby Thai spots so you can compare before you vote in the online poll. 
• Major casino operator Maverick Washington's closures puts over 1,200 jobs at risk (thenewstribune.com) — Macau Casino in Lakewood is slated for permanent closure on November 30 as part of Maverick Washington's bankruptcy-driven downsizing, putting about 106 local jobs at risk. The company has issued WARN notices covering 1,276 workers statewide, though some properties might be sold and kept open under new ownership, leaving final layoff numbers uncertain.
• Clark Construction Recycles 108,000 Tons of Project Waste (constructionowners.com) — Western State Hospital's redevelopment in Lakewood is reusing timber from trees felled on-site, turning them into structural columns instead of landfill waste. That project is part of Clark Construction's broader push to recycle over 108,000 tons of construction debris and track diversion with its Wastewise app as green-building standards tighten nationwide.
📸 Around Lakewood
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The SisterFriend Gathering →
STINK Cheese-Meat and El Tufo Wine Bar, 909 A St, Tacoma
Saturday October 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Play to Learn | Lakewood Library →
Lakewood Pierce County Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood
10:30 am - Operation Connection: Military Couples Workshop →
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities, 6103 Mount Tacoma Drive Southwest, Lakewood
8:30 am - CPR, First Aid & AED Class →
West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 20, 10928 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood
9:00 am - Serve the Children Auction →
McGavick Conference Center, Lakewood
5:00 pm - Erina McLaren at McGavick Conference Center →
McGavick Conference Center, Lakewood
5:00 pm - Truck and Tractor Day →
Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
12:00 pm - Lakewood Truck & Tractor Day 2026: Family Fall Fun & Pumpkin Slingshot →
Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Ln SW, Lakewood
12:00 pm - The Docent (World Premiere) - Lakewood Playhouse →
Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW, Lakewood
7:30 pm - Caramel Apple Sunday →
10402 Kline St SW, Lakewood
10:00 am
Wednesday October 7
Friday October 9
Saturday October 10
Saturday October 17
Sunday October 18
📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- 50th Annual Apple Squeeze →
Steilacoom WA
10:00 am - Kids Yoga →
The Pod Works, 7024 27th Street West, University Place
10:00 am - Play to Learn | Parkland/Spanaway Library →
Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave S., Parkland
10:30 am - Tasting Room Trivia →
Chambers Bay Distillery - Town Center Tasting Room, 3610 Bridgeport Way W, University Place
7:00 pm
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
Tuesday October 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi everyone, my name is Emil.
I came across a young German Shepard who was wondering around oakbrook neighborhood. The dog was missing a dog tag and is very friendly but I am… (Nextdoor Steilacoom Park)
- Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Merchandising Assistant Manager in Lakewood. Apply here.
- Spencer's posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager - Spirit in Lakewood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.
🗞 Nearby News
Steilacoom
- Largest used bookstore in Washington turns 40 in Tacoma. Look inside (thenewstribune.com)
University Place
- Dashcam Shows Street Racer Hitting 107 MPH In A 35-MPH Zone (carscoops.com)
- Yelm drops eighth straight to start season, swept by Sumner (thurstonchronicle.com)
Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why was the scarecrow given an award?" — Because he was outstanding in his field! (Thank you Teresa M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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