Happy Friday Newsletter 8.1.25 -

Arts & Entertainment

Voting Still Open for Weekly Volcano’s Newspaper Box Challenge
- The community art fundraiser that turned newspaper boxes into bold public art pieces is still accepting votes! Head HERE to view the boxes and vote for your favorites. Proceeds help support local artists and keep Weekly Volcano locally owned and independent.

Woolworth’s Windows Light Up with Local Art from Spaceworks Tacoma
- Downtown Tacoma’s Woolworth’s Windows have a new display of Artscapes, curated by Spaceworks Tacoma. The program gives local artists a public platform and adds vibrancy to downtown. Features include Kristen “Kcie” Monk’s “Fundu-Fairy” series – mushroom-inspired faries from an Instagram art challenge; Mark Monlux’s vintage-style movie posters; Tiffany Hammond’s “Defeated and Divided” exploring bias; Jill Drllevich’s “Blades of Change,” created from salvaged fan blades from the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant; and Wayzgoose, organized by Write253, celebrating Tacoma’s music history with student printmaking.

Contemporary Native Artists Shine at “In the Spirit” Exhibit
- The 20th annual In the Spirit Contemporary Native Arts Exhibit runs through September at the Washington State History Museum. The show features work by 30 Native artists representing 27 tribes across the U.S. in media ranging from sculpture to digital art. Awards were given to Dan Friday (Best in Show), Linley B. Logan (Honoring the Ancestors), Ashley Frantz (Honoring Innovation), and Carol Emarthle Douglas (Spirit of the Northwest). The exhibit builds to the In the Spirit Arts Market & Northwest Native Festival, August 9 from 10am – 5pm, free to the public.

Painted Crow Studio Offers Mindful Art Classes in August
- Painted Crow Studio presents The Contemplative Brush, a series of painting classes focused on mindfulness and personal process. Classes are held Mondays from 5:30 to 8pm and Tuesdays from 10am to 12:30pm, running August 4 through 26. Participants of all experience levels are welcome. Supplies are included. Registration is $130 for the four-class series. Visit the Painted Crow website fir details: https://paintedcrowstudio.jimdoweb.com/classes

Elon Musk Statue Appears at Mount Rainier as Part of Guerrilla Art Series
- A 12-foot fiberglass head of Elon Musk recently appeared at Mount Rainier National Park as part of a traveling guerrilla art stunt called “Make America Wait Again.” The artist’s intent is to highlight staff and budget cuts in the National Park Service. The sculpture includes the subtext “Now with longer lines thanks to DOGE cuts,” referencing a fictional “Department of Government Efficiency.” The artist, who remains anonymous, has taken the statue to other parks, including Arches and Yosemite. More appearances are expected, though no dates have been shared.

Neighborhood News

Park Board Meeting Scheduled for August 11 at the People’s Center
- Parks Tacoma will hold its upcoming Park Board meeting on Monday, August 11 at the People’s Center. A meet-and-greet begins at 5pm followed by the board meeting at 6pm. If a study session is needed, it will take place at 5:30pm. The agenda will be posted prior to the meeting. www.parkstacoma.gov/event/park-board-meeting-2nd-5/

HUG Community Market Showcases BIPOC Vendors in Tacoma
- The HUG Community Market, hosted by Hilltop Urban Gardens, supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) vendors while promoting Black Food Sovereignty. The market takes place every other Sunday from 10am to 2pm at 1302 S. 23rd St. in Tacoma. Two vendors will receive free booth space for the remainder of 2025. BIPOC youth and LGBTQIA+ applicants are especially encouraged to participate. To sign up, email agromamagement@hilltopurbangardens.com.

Kingfisher Village Opens with 60 Tiny Houses for Homeless Adults
- Kingfisher Village, located at 1824 S 84th St in Tacoma, provides 60 insulated, staff-monitored tiny houses for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness. Operated by the Low Income Housing Institute in partnership with Pierce County and the state’s Encampment Resolution Program, the site also features restrooms, showers, laundry, and case management. One unit is dedicated to the late Jeff Robinson, a housing advocate. Future plans include building 50-70 units of affordable permanent housing.

Volunteers Tidy Thea Foss Park with New Tacoma Neighborhood Council
- The New Tacoma Neighborhood Council has completed the pressure washing and painting work at Thea Foss Park, including the globe sculpture and lampposts. A community litter cleanup event is planned for August 9, beginning at 10am with an hour of yoga and continuing until 1pm. The event is hosted in collaboration with South Sound Surfriders. Learn more about New Tacoma Neighborhood Council here: newtacoma.org

Fred Meyer at 72nd & Pacific Reportedly Closing in September
- Employees on Reddit report that the Fred Meyer at 72nd & Pacific in Tacoma is scheduled to close in September, part of a broader Kroger plan to shutter dozens of underperforming stores nationwide. No formal corporate announcement has been made. Workers cite concerns about crime and mismanagement. Kroger has indicated affected employees may be transferred to other stores.

Tacoma Creates Awards $6.4M in Grants to 80 Nonprofit Organizations
- Tacoma Creates has approved $6.4 million in funding for the 2025-2026 cycle, supporting 80 nonprofits across arts, culture, science, and heritage. The program, now in its sixth year, funds public schools and libraries, and artist initiatives across the city. The full recipient list is posted at the Tacoma Creates website: www.tacomacreates.org

Puyallup Tribe Receives Downtown Tacoma Building from Alma LLC
- On July 28, Alma LLC officially donated its former 22,000-square-foot community center building to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The venue previously served as a cultural hub for concerts, markets and rooftop events. The transfer was facilitated by Anpo, an Indigenous-led nonprofit working to return land to tribal stewardship. The Tribe is considering future uses including programming and parking expansion that reflect cultural values and community needs.

Local Governance

Primary Election Day is Coming… Have You Voted?
- Election Day for the primaries around the Sound is fast approaching – Tuesday, August 5. Your ballot must be returned to an official ballot drop box or postmarked by 8pm that day. Many key elections are taking place during this cycle in Tacoma and beyond. Make sure to take time to learn about the issues and vote.

Business & Opportunities

Dreaming of Starting Your Own Business?
- Did you know the Pierce County Library has free resources for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs? From market research tools to mentorship opportunities, there’s help for every stage of your business journey. Learn more at mypcls.org/small-business-support

Recreation & Wellness

Downtown On the Go is Putting South Tacoma in Focus
- Downtown On the Go (DOTG) wraps up its 2025 Walk Tacoma series with a free, community-focused walk on Wednesday August 13, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Starting at South Park (5019 S. Puget Sound Ave) and ending at the Tacoma Night Market (3612 S 54th St.), this one mile walk highlights the stories of South Tacoma through the voices of local leaders, business owners and residents. The event will explore the area’s culture, history, challenges, and future opportunities. After the walk, participants can enjoy refreshments and continue the conversation at Tacoma Night Market. The walk is free and open to all ages and abilities. Pre-registration is encouraged: https://downtownonthego.com/about/news-events/south-tacoma-in-focus-voices-from-the-neighborhood

Grand Opening of the Doc Tait Pavilion Set for August 7 in Buckley
- The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition will celebrate the grand opening of the Doc Tait Pavilion on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 5:30pm at the Foothills Trailhead in Buckley. Named after trail advocate Dr. Douglas “Doc” Tait, the pavilion honors decades of community effort to create a non-motorized trail from Mount Rainier to Puget Sound. The event also kicks off Tunes by the Trail, featuring Steve Sogura performing as Elvis at 6:30pm.

Film & TV Reviews

Film Review: Happy Gilmore 2, by Elizabeth Mulloy
- The original Happy Gilmore from 1996 was a staple in my household. It was one of those cult classics that we rewatched constantly, not just in my family but among golfers in general. It’s not exactly a great movie by any critical standard, but it is a fun one, and it gave us the cinematic gem of Bob Barker fighting Happy Gilmore. Now, nearly 30 years since the original took the golf world by storm, its much-anticipated sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, has finally landed on Netflix. And just like the original, it’s not a great movie, but it is a good time. If you’re a fan of the first one, like I am, then chances are you’ll love what the sequel has to offer.
- After winning his first Tour Championships in 1996, Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) went on to have a successful golfing career, winning five more championships. He also had five children with his wife Virginia (Julie Bowen). His family is living off a high until Happy accidentally kills Virginia in a golfing accident when one of his drives hits her in the head. Feeling devastated, he quits golf out of guilt and begins spiraling in depression and alcohol. Now 11 years later, Happy has lost everything. He lost his house, his money, and his dignity as he struggles to take care of his five children. However, when his talented daughter, Vienna (Sunny Sandler) is recommended to attend a dance school in Paris, which costs $75,000 a year, Happy picks up his golf clubs again to not only fulfill his daughters dreams, but to protect golf itself from Maxi Golf.
- Just like the original Happy Gilmore, its sequel is fully aware of how ridiculous it is, and it embraces that silliness from start to finish. This time, though, there’s a surprising sense of growth beneath all the chaos. Happy himself is more level-headed and mature, standing firm in a golfing world that has completely lost its mind. The film leans heavily on slapstick, situational comedy, and the natural charm of its cast, all of which come together to deliver something that’s genuinely funny. Not every joke hits, and yes, a few moments feel a little forced or flat-out dumb, but most of the humor landed for me. It’s the kind of comedy that doesn’t ask much from you other than to sit back and enjoy the ride. At its core, Happy Gilmore 2 is a loud, stupid, very fun movie. It may push the silliness a bit too far in the final act, but overall, it’s hard not to have a good time with it.
- As for the acting, the whole ensemble, made up of both professional and non-professional actors, was a total blast to watch. You can tell everyone involved was having the time of their lives making this movie, and that energy really comes through on screen. Adam Sandler is basically just playing a version of himself at this point, which totally works, since Happy was never meant to be a deeply complex character anyway. But the real comedic heart of the film belongs to Bad Bunny, Benny Safdie, Christopher McDonald, and the string of PGA golfers who make cameos.
- Bad Bunny doesn’t say much, but his awkward, offbeat presence ends up elevating every scene he’s in. Benny Safdie goes all in as the film’s cartoonishly evil villain, and Christopher McDonald slips effortlessly back into the role of Shooter McGavin like he never left. And honestly, I was genuinely surprised by how funny the PGA golfers were. Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler all show up and actually deliver solid comedic performances. It’s ridiculous, yes, but they clearly understood the assignment.Overall, Happy Gilmore 2 isn’t aiming to reinvent the comedy wheel and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a straightforward, crowd-pleasing movie that knows what it is and sticks to it. It doesn’t try to be clever or elevated, just funny and entertaining. And honestly, sometimes that’s all you really need.
- My Rating: B

Film Review: Oh Hi! by Elizabeth Mulloy
- Every single person behind Sophie Brooks, Oh, Hi!, should be ashamed of themselves. In the day and age of the Me Too Movement and raised awareness regarding consent and sexual assault, you would expect a film like Oh, Hi! to be a thing of a past. But sadly, Hollywood still treats sexual assault and the mistreatment of men at the hands of women as a joke. Which is especially surprising from self-proclaimed feminist Sophie Brooks and Molly Gordon who wrote this story. Not only are they hypocrites, but believe they are above the law because they are women.
- We follow Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) during their first romantic getaway as a couple. All seems to be going romantically splendid and kinky, until Isaac tells Iris that he is looking for something more casual, rather than a serious relationship. In her anger and frustration she keeps him chained to the bed, against his will, until he falls in love with her. During her attempts, she drugs him, gags him, makes him pee in a bowl, and who knows what else while he sleeps, all in a desperate attempt to make him fall in love with her. Based on this synopsis, you would expect this film to be a horror movie, similar to Rob Reiner’s Misery. Sadly, and horrifyingly, Oh, Hi! is a dark, romantic comedy about commitment issues and relationships.
- Before I get too angry, let me at least acknowledge what Oh, Hi! gets right. At just 94 minutes, the film moves at a brisk pace and never overstays its welcome. I also give it credit for tackling themes like the emotional fallout of divorce on children—how it can leave them afraid of commitment, terrified of repeating that same pain. And yes, Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman are both genuinely good here; their steamy, chaotic energy brings a spark that makes parts of this movie watchable. But that’s about where the praise ends, because Oh, Hi!’s real problem lies in its story.
- You don’t need to be a social worker to understand that if the roles were reversed, where a man chained a woman to a bed against her will until she “falls in love” with him, it would be a horror film. And rightfully so. Framing that scenario as a comedy would be immediately flagged as disturbing, and it wouldn’t get within a mile of studio funding. So why, exactly, is Oh, Hi! being presented as a quirky relationship comedy instead of the horror story it actually is? We know why. Because even now, Hollywood still treats sexual assault against men, especially when the perpetrator is a woman, as some kind of twisted punchline. And it’s disgusting.
- There’s a reason Misery works. It works because it understands exactly what it is, a horror film about a deranged fan holding her favorite author hostage. Simple. Terrifying. Effective. Brooks and Gordon, on the other hand, completely missed the point with Oh, Hi!. Instead of recognizing the horror at the core of their premise, they decided to repackage it as a quirky dark comedy about relationships and “situationships.” But let’s be clear: this story does not work as a comedy. The only way you find Oh, Hi! funny is if you think sexual assault against men is a joke. And if that’s your idea of humor, you should be ashamed of yourself. Seriously. Go read the stories of male survivors who have watched this film in horror as their trauma is played for laughs. Their pain is real. Their fear is real. And this film spits in their face.
- Everyone involved in Oh, Hi! should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. We already live in a society that struggles to acknowledge that women can be perpetrators of physical and sexual violence, and this film makes that even worse. It doesn’t just fail male victims; it outright mocks them. It belittles their trauma, reduces it to a punchline, and then has the audacity to wrap it all up with a neat little bow where he forgives her, because, apparently, his real issue is that he has commitment problems. Are you kidding me? Yes, he’s an asshole. Yes, he has baggage from his parents’ divorce. But that does not justify what happens to him. He didn’t deserve this. No one does. And she should be in jail, full stop. The fact that this is being played for laughs is not just tone-deaf, it’s morally bankrupt.
- My Rating: D