Happy Friday Newsletter 6.27.25

Arts & Entertainment

• Poet Laureate Applications Due This Week
  • The Tacoma Arts Commission is currently accepting applications for the 2025–2027 Tacoma Poet Laureate. This prestigious two-year role (Sept 2025 – Apr 2027) includes a $6,000 stipend and a $1,000 project budget to support literary programming in Tacoma. The selected Poet Laureate will lead public workshops, readings, and events designed to foster community through poetry. Writers of all experience levels and backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly those committed to inclusive, accessible programming that reflects Tacoma’s diversity. Application Deadline: June 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM – Celebration Event: August 2025 – Apply here: https://tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit

• New Exhibit: “Dressing the Gilded Age” at Washington State History Museum
  • The Washington State History Museum debuts “Dressing the Gilded Age: Fashion from the 1870s to the 1910s”, on view from June 28, 2025, to February 15, 2026. The exhibit explores the intersection of fashion, politics, identity, and industry during a transformative era in American history. Featuring restored garments, workwear, advertisements, and tools of the trade, the exhibit showcases the rise of ready-to-wear fashion, consumer culture, and the labor struggles of women and immigrants. Highlights include the emergence of the Gibson Girl and the fashion statements of the suffrage movement. More info: washingtonhistory.org

• Nancy Callan Returns to the Museum of Glass
  • Renowned glass artist Nancy Callan will be working live in the Hot Shop on July 3, 5, and 6 at the Museum of Glass. Visitors can watch her create new pieces before viewing her finished work in the exhibition “Nancy Callan: Forces at Play”, her first major museum retrospective. Callan, based in Seattle, trained at the Massachusetts College of Art and worked alongside glass maestro Lino Tagliapietra. Her vibrant, whimsical sculptures are featured in museum collections around the world. Learn more: Museum of Glass – Nancy Callan: Forces at Play

• Ruston Art Walk & “Paint the Point”
  • Point Ruston is buzzing with creativity this summer! Paint the Point: Live outdoor painting sessions every Friday. “Just Brushed” Art Competition: August 22. Artists compete in a timed, plein-air challenge. Winning entries will be displayed and judged during the Ruston Art Walk, August 23–24. Categories: Best in Show, Most Inspirational, and People’s Choice. The first Art Walk in May was a hit, and this next edition promises to be even bigger. Artists can apply online: www.rustonartwalk.org. Entry fee: $50 for the full weekend.

• Living History Cemetery Tours – July 12 & 13
  • The Tacoma Historical Society, in partnership with Pretty Gritty Tours and Tacoma Cemetery, presents the Living History Cemetery Tours, celebrating the cemetery’s 150th anniversary. Costumed re-enactors will bring the stories of Tacoma’s historic residents to life during 90-minute guided walks. Tours run every 30 minutes from 5 PM to 8 PM. Location: Tacoma Cemetery, 4801 S Tacoma Way. Note: 8 PM Twilight Tour has limited visibility; earlier slots are recommended for those with mobility concerns. Tickets & info: https://tacomahistory.ludus.com/20048648. Contact: info@tacomahistory.org | (253) 472-3738

Neighborhood News

• Free Summer Lunches at 12 Parks Across Tacoma
  • Parks Tacoma’s Summer Meal Program is back, offering free sack lunches for children 18 and under, available Monday through Friday at 12 parks and community sites citywide. The program begins Monday, June 23 and runs through August 29, excluding July 4. With nearly 60% of Tacoma Public Schools students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the program helps bridge the summer food gap for local families. In 2024, Parks Tacoma served over 15,000 meals—nearly double the previous year’s total.
  • Meal Details: Served from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on a first-come, first-served basis. Must be eaten on-site. Typical lunch includes: Sandwich (wheat bread or hoagie roll with meat and cheese) mustard, mayonnaise packets, fresh fruit or fruit cup and low fat milk. Choice of carrots, snap peas or celery sticks.
  • Morning Programming: From 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, youth can participate in free games and activities led by Parks Tacoma staff. Many sites include spraygrounds and play equipment. No registration is required. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and meets or exceeds all USDA nutrition standards. More info: ParksTacoma.gov/summer-meals.
  • Participating Locations: Edna Travis Park, 2301 South J St, Franklin Park, 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave, Lincoln Park, 801 S. 37th St, Manitou Park, 4408 American Lake Blvd, Mary Bridge Children’s WIC – Tacoma East, 3569 E. Roosevelt Ave, Northeast Tacoma Playground, 5520 29th St. NE, SERA Campus Playground/Sprayground, 6002 S. Adams St, Stewart Heights Park, 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Titlow Park, 8425 6th Ave, Verlo Playfield, 4321 McKinley Ave, Wapato Park, 6500 S. Sheridan Ave, Wright Park, 501 South I St,

• Sound Transit Selects New Route for Tacoma Dome Link Extension
  • Sound Transit has finalized a new preferred route for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, a decision that will result in the demolition of Freighthouse Square, a historic structure over a century old. Key elements of the new plan include: Realignment along SR99 to avoid Puyallup Tribal Land – New station at 352nd Street in Federal Way – An additional stop in downtown Fife – Connections to Portland Avenue and the Dome District – Integrating Sounder trains, Amtrak and the T line streetcar.

Local Governance

• Can Your Cellphone Data Get You a Speeding Ticket?
  • No. Despite recent social media rumors, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) does not use cellphone data to issue speeding tickets. WSP does access anonymous, aggregated location data – such as data from apps like Google Maps and Waze – to identify areas where speeding is common. This data helps determine where troopers should increase patrols, but it does not track individual drivers.

• Major Leadership Turnover Ahead in Tacoma Elections
  • Tacoma is facing a potential leadership overhaul, with seven top city positions possibly changing within the next year amid a budget deficit and an evolving political landscape. Key departures include: Mayor Victoria Woodards, who is not seeking re-election, City Manager Elizabeth Pauli, retiring July 1 and Police Chief Avery Moore, who resigned in February. Hyun Kim is serving as interim City Manager and Patti Jackson has served as interim police chief since March.
  • Mayoral Race: Six candidates are vying to replace Woodards: John Hines, current city council member, Anders Ibsen, former city council member, Steve Haverly, Jesus “Jesse” Carlos, Whitney Stevens, Anthony “Tony” Ginn.
  • In addition, there are four City Council Seats Up for Election: District 2: Incumbent Sarah Rumbaugh is seeking re-election; District 4: Appointed councilmember Sandesh Sadalge will face challengers; District 5: Incumbent Joe Bushnell is also running for re-election; At-Large Position 6: Currently held by Kiara Daniels, who is not running again.
  • Ballots will be mailed to voters on July 18, with the primary election set for August 5. Permanent selections for city manager and police chief will occur after the November general election, once the new council is seated.

Business & Opportunities

• City Seeks Applicants for Human Rights Commission
  • The Tacoma City Council is accepting applications to fill eight open seats on the Human Rights Commission, a 15-member advisory body that addresses issues related to discrimination and equity in the community. Commissioners serve three-year terms and represent a wide range of constituencies, including youth, seniors, labor, religious, racial, ethnic, disability, and women’s organizations. In alignment with the City’s ongoing commitment to equity and anti-racism, individuals from BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, youth and seniors are especially encouraged to apply. Newly appointed members must complete Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act training within 90 days of appointment. Learn more and apply: tacoma.gov/government/committees-boards-and-commissions/human-rights-commission

Recreation & Wellness

• Many Happenings to Celebrate the 4^th Around Pierce County & South Sound
  • 6/27 – Muckleshoot Fireworks Show – Auburn
  • 6/28 & 29 – Bremerton Bridge Blast – Bremerton
  • 7/3 – Cheney Stadium Fireworks Show – Tacoma
  • 7/3 – Red, White & Kaboom – Puyallup
  • 7/4 – Four on the 4^th Fun Run – Steilacoom
  • 7/4 – 4^th of July Hometown Celebration – Dupont
  • 7/4 – 4^th of July Festival – Orting
  • 7/4 – Summer Blast – Tacoma
  • 7/4 – Red, White & Blues Festival – Federal Way
  • 7/4 – Independence Day 5K – Tacoma
  • 7/4 – 4^th of July Splash – Lake Meridian Park, Kent
  • 7/5 – Fireworks over Sinclair Inlet – Port Orchard

• Downtown On the Go and Tacoma Youth Symphony Association Present TYSA Walk: A Celebration of Music and Movement
  • Downtown On the Go (DOTG) continues its 2025 Walk Tacoma series with the TYSA Walk on Wednesday, July 9, from 6:00–7:00 PM, starting at Theater on the Square Outdoor Plaza (917 Broadway). In partnership with the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association (TYSA), this free, family-friendly 0.5-mile walk through downtown Tacoma will feature stories and surprise performances highlighting the role of youth performing arts in the city’s culture. Open to all ages and abilities. Pre-registration encouraged. Learn more and register: https://downtownonthego.com/

• Summer Late Nights Offers Free Evening Programming and Meals for Middle & High School Students
  • Summer Late Nights returns starting June 23, offering free evening programming and meals for middle and high school students at 10 locations across Tacoma, including schools, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Open Monday–Friday, 5–10 PM, activities include sports, arts, STEM, music, mentorship, and leadership clinics—with separate programming for middle and high schoolers. A special Tacoma Rainiers game night on July 18 includes free tickets, food, and fireworks for registered participants via the Tacoma Public Schools Compass/Family App. One student will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Now in its third year, Summer Late Nights began as a response to rising youth gun violence and continues through collaboration with community partners. In 2024, the program saw over 15,000 visits from 2,000+ students, with locations selected based on equity and accessibility. This is a drop-in program and students can attend as often as they like. Parents/guardians are encouraged to pre-register their child on the Compass/Family App.

Film & TV Reviews

• Film Review: 28 Years Later by Elizabeth Mulloy
  • One of the most terrifying zombie films ever made remains Danny Boyle’s 2002 masterpiece, 28 Days Later. Set against the eerie emptiness of a desolate London, it introduced the Rage Virus. A brutal infection that takes hold in seconds, turning victims into relentless, feral beings driven by pure rage and hunger. The film breathed new life into the zombie genre, offering one of the most horrifying viral outbreaks ever depicted on screen. Unfortunately, its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, left audiences and critics divided, with its head-scratching character choices and narrative swings that felt jarring, especially with the absence of Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland. But now, more than two decades after the original shocked the world, the franchise returns with 28 Years Later, bringing Boyle back to the directors chair and Garland at the helm of the script. The trailer was bone-chilling, the creative team promising. My expectations were sky high. So it’s a bit of a shock to say that 28 Years Later wasn’t quite what I expected.
  • It’s been 28 years since the second outbreak of the Rage Virus. While the virus has been eradicated from mainland Europe, Great Britain remains sealed off under indefinite quarantine. No one goes in, no one comes out, leaving the remaining survivors to fend for themselves. Over time, small pockets of civilization have formed, safe havens built from the ruins. One such community lives on the island of Lindisfarne, a remote outpost just off the coast, connected to the mainland by a heavily fortified tidal causeway. Among them is 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams), who lives with his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and his ailing mother, Isla (Jodie Comer). But when Isla’s condition begins to rapidly decline, the family is forced to risk everything and venture back to the mainland in search of a doctor who might be able to save her. The only problem? The infection has had 28 long years to evolve and the mainland is crawling with infected.
  • For roughly the first half of 28 Years Later, it was everything I hoped it would be. A heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled survival thriller set deep in the nightmare of the zombie apocalypse. The second our characters step foot on the mainland, tension floods the screen. Death is in the air. The safety of home becomes a distant, fading memory. From that point on, it’s pure survival mode as they’re hunted, chased, and stalked by the infected. Ranging from lumbering brutes who crawl after their prey to the terrifyingly agile Alpha, a more intelligent and brutal variant that never lets them breathe. The action sequences are nerve-shredding, and the kill shots, complete with visceral “kill cam” moments, inject a raw, thrilling energy into the film’s visual language. The iPhone cinematography is gritty, the editing chaotic, and the all-location shooting drops you right into the heart of this apocalyptic hellscape. But then, just past the one-hour mark, the film makes a sharp and unexpected shift in tone, in pacing, in everything.
  • It’s worth noting that the original 28 Days Later also featured a major tonal shift. What started as a post-apocalyptic survival horror eventually evolved into a psychological thriller about power, control, and the brutal truth that humanity can be far more terrifying than the infected. 28 Years Later follows a similar path, at first. It kicks off as a gritty, pulse-pounding survival horror, but instead of pivoting into another psychological or action-heavy narrative, it shifts into something far more sentimental: a dramatic meditation on death in the apocalypse. Zombies have always been a metaphor for death, but so often in the genre, they’re treated as just monsters, something that kills you, not something that is death. 28 Years Later brings that metaphor to the forefront, reminding us that death is inevitable, whether it comes violently or quietly. I actually appreciated that. It felt fresh, reflective, and surprisingly moving. But at the same time, some of the narrative choices that come with this shift are… questionable, to say the least. The film starts sliding into the kind of storytelling nonsense we saw in 28 Weeks Later, and the tonal shift? It’s jarring, bordering on whiplash.
  • Overall, 28 Years Later isn’t exactly the film I was expecting. When it hits its highs and delivers on what the marketing promised, it’s a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride. But once it veers into new narrative territory, it becomes a bit more polarizing. It’ll either click with you or it won’t. Personally, I landed somewhere in the middle. I appreciated what it was going for, but the execution felt a little uneven. That said, with strong performances across the board and immersive, in-your-face filmmaking, it still makes for a fun, gripping horror experience. I’m definitely curious to see where this franchise heads next with The Bone Temple and here’s hoping Cillian Murphy finally makes his return.
  • My Rating: B

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