June 6, 2025 Happy Friday Newsletter

Posted on by Ande Dunn

Arts & Entertainment

  • Urban Work Market Every Thursday at the Rhodes Center
    • You’re invited to the UrbanWork Market, a fresh and creative marketplace held every Thursday from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Rhodes Center (950 Broadway, Tacoma). This is more than a market – it’s a celebration of Tacoma’s artists, small businesses, and local talent. Come browse, connect, and be inspired. You can expect:
      • An art gallery featuring local artists and Tacoma Public Schools students
      • Unique vendors and handmade goods
      • Live music to liven up your lunch break
    • Whether you’re stopping by during the workday or spending time downtown, the UrbanWork Market is your new Thursday tradition. Bring a friend, support local, and experience something great in the heart of Tacoma.
  • Tacoma by Twilight Brings Together Leaders, Innovators & Change-Makers
    • Tacoma by Twilight is an exclusive evening hosted by Tacoma Rising and J Squared Investments that brings together leaders, innovators and change-makers from across the South Sound. Friday, June 6, 2025 5:15 – 8:00pm 705 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402.
  • Step Aboard the Historic 1943 WWII Chippewa Tugboat and Experience
    • Step aboard on Friday June 6th, 2025 from 5:15 – 8:00pm and experience Tacoma’s iconic waterfront like never before – surrounded by incredible views, inspiring company and the electric energy of SEVENTY48 Race kickoff. This one of a kind evening includes a curated selection of appetizers and craft beverages from Odd Otter Brewing and Chambers Bay Distillery, front-row views of the SEVENTY48 human-powered boat race launch, intentional networking with Tacoma’s commercial real estate, business, and civic leaders, and an atmosphere of community, celebration and opportunity. Tickets available at https://eventbrite.com/e/tacoma-by-twilight-a-seventy48-send-off-tickets-1357425810139
  • Puget Sound Book Artists 2025 Members’ Exhibition Opening Reception June 5th
    • The Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA) proudly announce the 14th Annual Members’ Exhibition, Field Work, featuring 57 original artists’ books. The exhibition will be on view at the Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, from June 5th to August 3rd, 2025. This year’s theme, Field Work, invites artists to interpret the idea of “field” broadly – whether natural, historic, literary, scientific and more. The result is a rich and imaginative display of books exploring landscapes, passions, disciplines and discoveries. Awards will be announced at the opening reception on Thursday June 5, 2025 from 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound.
  • Port of Tacoma Annual Boat Tours Return September 7
    • The Port of Tacoma’s annual boat tours are set to return on Sunday, September 7. Last year’s tours sold out in four hours, prompting organizers to secure a larger vessel for this year’s event. To receive notifications when registration opens in August, sign up for the Port of Tacoma newsletter at public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAPT/subscriber/new

Neighborhood News

  • Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank Issues Emotional Plea to Thieves
    • The team at Elosie’s Cooking Pot Food Bank is reeling after their mobile food bank trailer was stolen, cutting off access to vital resources for hundreds of families who rely on service each day. In an open letter addressed to the thieves, the organization shared the emotional toll the theft has taken – not just of staff but on the community members who now face empty shelves and unanswered needs.
    • “This loss is devastating to our community,” the letter reads, noting that the theft comes at a time when food assistance programs are already strained due to cuts in funding and government support. Despite the setback, the food bank extended a remarkable act of compassion. “We understand that no one takes such an action without being under serious stress,” the letter states. The organization’s President and CEO has even offered to write a personal check to the perpetrators if they return the stolen property, expressing forgiveness and a belief in second chances. The food bank is asking for the trailer’s return – no questions asked. For more information or to support the food bank’s ongoing efforts, visit www.themadf.org.
  • City of Destiny Awards June 26th
    • Tacoma’s City Council and the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC) will recognize Tacoma’s top volunteers and service providers during the 39th Annual City of Destiny Awards. The ceremony is planned for Thursday June 26th, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, 2727 East D Street. Guests are invited to arrive early for the Community Showcase and reception beginning at 5:00pm. This year’s recipients show us what’s possible when passion, perserverance, and community come together. We cannot be a City of Destiny without diversity, equality, and social acceptance for all. RSVP here: https://www.tacomavenues.org/coda-rsvp
  • Spanaway Loop Road South Closure Extended
    • Spanaway Loop Road South is undergoing a full closure between 116th Street South and Garfield Street South for sewer construction work. The closure, which began in mid-October 2024, is expected to last approximately two months. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes and adhere to posted detours.
  • Hosmer Business District Organizes Flash Mobs to Support Local Businesses
    • The Hosmer Business District id hosting a series of flash mobs to promote local establishments. The next event will spotlight Latitude 84, a restaurant located at 8401 S Hosmer St, Tacoma, WA 98444. These events aim to boost community engagement and support for neighborhood businesses. The date will be announced at the June 11th Hosmer Business District Meeting from 6:00 – 8:00pm at 8203 South Hosmer Street.
  • Cedar Wellness Center Opens Near Tacoma Dome
    • The Puyallup Tribe has opened the Cedar Wellness Center, a 12,000-square foot opoid treatment clinic near the Tacoma Dome. The facility offers outpatient services, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone treatments, and is available to both Native, and non-Native individuals seeking assistance with substance use disorders.

Local Governance

  • Tacoma Police Department Open House June 12
    • The Tacoma Police Department is celebrating 20 years of serving the community from the Tacoma Police Headquarters on Pine Street. Come meet your agency members, enjoy refreshments, and get a look at the police department. Learn about how they serve Tacoma – working every day to earn trust, strengthen relationships, and safeguard the citizens. Doors open at 5:00pm, but space is limited. Admission is free so please RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/tacoma-police-department-open-house-tickets-1378046968579
  • Tacoma Temporarily Suspends Search for Police Chief Thanks to Successful Leadership Transition and Stability Under Interim Chief Jackson
    • The temporary pause on the search for a new police chief was officially passed on by Tacoma’s city manager, who cited the need to realign the recruitment process amid the recent leadership changes. Elizabeth Pauli, the current city manager whose tenure will soon conclude, noted that the city will benefit from Patti Jackson’s leadership in the current interim role while her own role will shift to Hyun Kim, who will step in provisionally. The strategic pause will ensure long-term success for the city leadership framework and will allow the incoming organizational transitions to have a significant stake in appointing a permanent police chief. This will ensure that the appointed matches the evolving priorities in a city at a crossroads in terms of vision and prudence.
  • Waitlists Now Open for Low-Income Housing
    • Tacoma’s waiting lists for housing assistance are now open continuously. You can apply through their online applicant portal. There are two main waitlists for housing help. You can apply for a unit in an affordable property or for a voucher to help pay the rent in Tacoma. You can choose the list that best fits your needs or apply for both. www.tacomahousing.org/housing/waitlist/
  • Tacoma Fire and Police Departments Brace for July 4th Holiday
    • The Tacoma Fire and Police Departments both report that July 3-5 is one of their busiest and most stressful periods due to widespread noncompliance with the city’s fireworks ban. Residents are reminded that personal use of fireworks is illegal in Tacoma, with violators subject to a $513 fine. To report fireworks violations, call South Sound 911’n non-emergency line at (253) 287-4455 or use the online reporting tool at fireworksreport.com between June 28 at 6am and July 7 at 6am.

Business & Opportunities

  • CPIN is Looking for Art to Display
    • Calling all Tacoma artists! CPIN has a new office space in the Tacoma Armory and is looking to feature local artwork for the next two months on its Artful Purpose Wall. Selected artists will be paid and promoted in exchange for helping spread the word about CPIN to their local audience. The organization hopes to install the art before their Reimagine the Runway event on June 12th. Interested artists can apply here: forms.gle/iQHutWYJQuBujA748
  • ArtsWA Public Arts Roster – Call to Artists Open Now
    • ArtsWA is seeking a diverse range of artists for public art commissions at state agencies, colleges, universities and public schools throughout Washington. The Public Artist Roster is a list of prequalified artists used for approximately 40 projects annually. Applications are now open through June 17, 2025. Accepted artists will remain on the roster through August 2029. Learn more and apply www.arts.wa.gov/hot-to-get-on-the-public-artist-roster/
  • LGBTQ+ Pride Award Nominations Open Through June 10th
  • Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity
    • WorkSource services remain available at the Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity Center in Tacoma and the South Hill Mall location in Puyallup, near the Golden Corral entrance. Both sites are open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Customers can also access support remotely at www.worksource-pierce.org or by calling (253) 593-7300.
  • The Equity in Contracting Advisory Committee is Seeking Applicants
    • The Equity in Contracting Advisory Committee is seeking applicants to fill eight volunteer positions. This advisory panel monitors compliance with the Tacoma Municipal Code, promotes awareness for equitable contracting, and provides feedback on performance. You can learn more and apply by June 10th at tacoma.gov/cbc

Recreation & Wellness

  • Stretch Your Legs with Walk Tacoma
    • Downtown On the Go’s next Walk Tacoma event invites the public to explore Tacoma’s vibrant public art scene, guided by artists affiliated with Spaceworks Tacoma. Participants will learn how murals, installations, and creative design have transformed empty storefronts and underused spaces on June 18, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:00pm, beginning at 917 Broadway. Registration is encouraged and can be completed online at ow.ly/jNKK50W1WUm

Film & TV Reviews

  • Film Review: Tina, by Elizabeth Mulloy
    • Each year at SIFF, there’s always one film that sends a cinematic tremor through the festival, sparking anticipation, conversation, and celebration. Last year, it was Ghostlight and Sing Sing. The year before, Past Lives and Dancing Queen. For SIFF’s 51st edition, the first film to step into that spotlight is Miki Magasiva’s Tina. We follow Mareta (Anapela Polataivao), a grieving mother still reeling from the loss of her daughter during the devastating Christchurch earthquake. Three years on, her sorrow remains heavy, until a chance opportunity places her as a substitute teacher at an elite school. There, through her warmth and compassion, she forms an unexpected bond with her students as they gear up for the Big Sing Choir competition. And in guiding them, she begins to find her own way back to life.
    • Based on the synopsis, Tina follows a familiar path. The high school inspirational drama where a teacher takes a group of students under their wing and creates an atmosphere filled with creativity and intellectualism where their students can be the best version of themselves. This path was forged by films such as School of Rock and Dead Poet Society. This formula is an oldie, but a goodie crowd-pleasing formula. But Tina doesn’t just follow that formula, it builds on it. With layers of heartfelt drama and the rich, resonating pulse of the Samoan culture at its core, the film steps off the beaten path to deliver something deeper. The result is a stirring cinematic tapestry that honors teachers, mothers, and the healing, unifying power of music.
    • Tina weaves together a rich tapestry of themes such as, classism, racism, grief, healing, and self-discovery into its narrative. It’s a lot to carry, and while some of the film’s commentary can feel a bit one-note or overly spelled out, it’s handled with a sincerity and care that it still resonates. At its core, Tina holds firm to one unshakable truth: music has the power to unite, no matter the barriers of background or belief. And the music, especially the Samoan music, is absolutely breathtaking. At my screening, the theater was filled with members of the Pacific Islander community, and you could feel the emotional current ripple through the room. Tears, silence, connection. The music wasn’t just part of the film, it was its soul. The glue that held everything together.
    • The other force holding Tina together is the powerhouse performance from Anapela Polataivao. If the film secures U.S. distribution, her name deserves to be in the Best Lead Actress conversation. She commands every frame with a no-nonsense, straight-shooting presence, driven by a fierce desire to give her students the education and guidance they deserve, even if it means challenging the institution she now works for. But what makes her performance so remarkable is what lies beneath that strength. Polataivao threads in moments of softness, quiet sorrow, and genuine care, revealing a woman still deeply mourning her daughter’s death, yet determined to show up for her students in the best way she knows how. It’s a layered, deeply human performance. A true tour de force, and easily one of the standout performances of the year.
    • Overall, Tina stands tall as one of the year’s most moving films as it is a bittersweet, soul-stirring tribute to mothers, teachers, and the transformative power of music. It’s the kind of film that leaves you teary-eyed but leaves you with a feeling of healing and hope. If you’re a U.S. distributor, please take note: this film has already struck a chord in New Zealand, and it’s more than ready to do the same here. Tina deserves to be seen, heard, and felt by audiences everywhere.
    • My Rating: A

Screenshots: We Scrolled So You Don’t Have To…

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