Happy Friday Newsletter 8.29.25

Arts & Entertainment

• Comedian Jeffrey Baldinger Coming to Film Comedy Special
  • Check your calendar and plan to be at the filming of Jeffrey Baldinger’s 1^st 1-hour comedy special on September 20^th. He will have 2 shows, 7pm and 9pm at the Seattle Drum School Georgetown. Tickets to be a part of this special night are $15 or $20 at the door and there is free parking. Get tickets now
• Tacoma’s Next Poet Laureate Has Been Named
  • The Tacoma Arts Commission has named Mari Griffin as the 2025–2027 Tacoma Poet Laureate. Over the next two years, she will host poetry readings, workshops, and community events centered on connection, inclusion, and belonging. Griffin will be officially awarded the title at The Hot Seat, a free public event on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. at Real Art Tacoma, which will also honor outgoing Poet Laureate Christian Paige. Known as a vocalist, affirmation poet, and cultural organizer, Griffin has spent years creating inclusive spaces like the Black Night Market and Poetry After Dark.
• South Tacoma Outdoor Summer Concert August 30^th
  • The Airport Tavern is shutting down 54^th Street for a MASSIVE, all-ages reggae block party with Tribal Seeds & The Movement. There will also be special guests KBong and Johnny Cosmic. You can get your tickets for this first of its kind outdoor music series at airporttavern.com.
• Asia Pacific Cultural Center Grand Opening Event August 29^th
  • The Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) will celebrate the grand opening of its new 18,500-square-foot permanent home in Tacoma on Friday, Aug. 29. After nearly three decades of growth and over a decade of planning and fundraising, the new two-story facility includes classrooms, a library, an art gallery, dance studio, commercial kitchen, and a large-capacity auditorium. The celebration begins at 3 p.m. with a parade of cultures, ribbon-cutting, building tours, food tastings, live performances, and a fire knife finale. The event is free and open to the public.

Neighborhood News

• Parks Tacoma Approves Next Phase of Peck Community Sports Park Expansion
  • The Parks Tacoma Board has approved a $703,232 contract with Fora Landscape Architects to launch Phase 2 of Peck Community Sports Park’s expansion. The project will add a second multi-use sports field, storage and equipment space, and a restroom building, with construction expected to begin in summer 2026. Fora will also design Phase 3, which envisions a walking trail, playground, sports court, garden, and more, though funding for that phase is still in development. The upgrades build on Phase 1, which opened Aaron Pointer Field in January  2025 as the new home for Stadium High School baseball.
• Brown Bear Car Wash Offering Fundraising for Local Non-Profits
  • Brown Bear Car Wash is offering a fundraising opportunity to non-profit organizations and the Tahoma Bird Alliance has taken them up. They are offering discounted car wash tickets for non-profit organizations to sell and raise funds as well as help the environment.  You can get the “Beary Clean” car wash tickets for $12.99 at all Brown Bear tunnel locations around the Puget Sound. The benefits of using Brown Bear to wash your car are the biodegradable detergent that is non-caustic and phosphate free, the water is filtered to remove any sludge and pollutants instead of sending it to the storm drains and directly to the Puget Sound and other water ways, and the filtered and cleaned water is recycled to be used again. Easier and healthier (for the environment) than an at home car wash.
• Fire Departments in Washington Receive $10,000 Grant from State Farm^® and the National Volunteer Fire Council
  • State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have awarded $10,000 grants to 150 volunteer fire departments nationwide through the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, including four in Washington. Departments in Curlew, Granger, Mount Vernon, and Hunters will use the funds to purchase essential equipment like protective gear, rescue tools, and communication devices. Announced on Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, the program highlights the critical role volunteers play in communities, making up 65% of the U.S. fire service. Since its launch in 2024, the program has distributed $2.5 million to 250 departments across the country.
• Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Awarded $300,000 Grant
  • The KeyBank Foundation awarded a $300,000 grant to Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity to support its Housing Counseling Program and Building Hope project. The counseling program provides financial education and homeownership skills, with 32 clients becoming homeowners since its launch 4 years ago. The Building Hope initiative is acquiring and renovating 80 single-family homes from the Pierce County Housing Authority to resell to buyers earning up to 80% of the area’s median income. KeyBank leaders say the grant reflects their commitment to helping local families build long-term stability through affordable housing.
• Tacoma City Council Backs Documentary Funding to Promote Creativity and Intercultural Unity of the City
  • Tacoma City Council has unanimously approved Resolution 41740, allocating $15,000 to support the documentary Grit of Destiny: City of Tacoma. The film will highlight the city’s diverse cultures, histories, and aspirations, featuring voices from artists, elders, small business owners, and community leaders. It will also spotlight the Festival of Light at the Eastside Community Center as a symbol of intercultural unity. Officials say the project not only preserves local stories but also positions Tacoma as a destination for national and international film production.

Local Governance

• Zoning Codes Have Changed Allowing Tiny Home Community for Homeless to Push Forward
  • Pierce County recently amended the zoning code allowing temporary housing projects to exist for longer than 90 days. The ordinance passed and took effect at the beginning of July. This means that the tiny-home village in Spanaway at 415 208^th St E will have 40-50 homes 8’x12’ with heat, A/C and furnishings as well as access to a hygiene trailer, community space, laundry room and case-management offices and a security check-in with 24/7 staffing. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) already operates several tiny home villages in the Puget Sound region including two in Tacoma.
• Get Informed and Inspired at Chamber’s Candidates Forum
  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber will host a Candidates Forum featuring the finalists for Mayor, Tacoma City Council positions 2, 4, 5 and 6. This will be an opportunity to speak directly to candidates in response to pointed questions about Tacoma’s business environment and their strategies for economic development. Following the forum, you can enjoy networking with fellow business leaders from the area. The forum will be held September 8^th, 5:30 – 8:00pm at University of Puget Sound Wheelock Student Center, Upper Marshall Hall.
• Juvenile Justice Task Force Established with First Focus – Remann Hall
  • Remann Hall is outdated, costly to maintain and no longer equipped to meet the needs of a modern justice system. With portions of the facility unusable and a design that doesn’t support safety or programming standards, Pierce County is taking steps to reimagine juvenile justice. The Task Force will bring together leaders, educators, justice partners, youth and community voices to help design a new facility. This will create fair and effective justice systems for all as a part of the Forward Together agenda. The 15-member Task Force is united in the commitment to build a system that prioritizes rehabilitation, healing and a brighter future for young people. Learn more at piercecountywa.gov/juvenilejusticeproject.

Business & Opportunity

• Community Needs Grant for Non-Profits and Public Entities Addressing Public Needs
  • Pierce County Council has adopted the Community Needs Grant Program (O2025-507), aimed at improving quality of life across the county. The program will support projects addressing housing, homelessness, public safety, behavioral health, youth, workforce, infrastructure, sustainability, and aging and disability services. With federal ARPA dollars expiring and budget uncertainties ahead, funding levels won’t be finalized until December, but councilmembers anticipate the program will move forward. District 4 leaders say the goal is to be ready to bolster local organizations already doing important work. Learn more and apply here by October 13th: https://bit.ly/3JxjxaB
• Be a Part of Your Neighborhood Council
  • Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. Join your District Neighborhood Council and help create the changes you want to see in your area. Leadership isn’t about being the best, it’s about making others better. It starts with a neighbor, then a community, then a city. Join your council today and get involved with projects or volunteer with events and even bring new ideas that you want to see or do. Membership is free! Learn more: https://Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. Join your District Neighborhood Council and help create the changes you want to see in your area. Leadership isn’t about being the best, it’s about making others better. It starts with a neighbor, then a community, then a city. Join your council today and get involved with projects or volunteer with events and even bring new ideas that you want to see or do. Membership is free! Learn more: https://bit.ly/45QSMp7
• Tacoma Youth Marine Center Enrolling Now for Seamanship Readiness Program
  • The Tacoma Youth Marine Center is enrolling for its free Seamanship Readiness Program, a four-week training designed to prepare young adults for careers in Washington’s maritime industry. Open to individuals 18 and older from underrepresented backgrounds, the program blends classroom learning with hands-on training aboard the 110-foot vessel Doolin-Rogers. Graduates receive help securing their Merchant Mariner Credential and job connections with employers like Washington State Ferries, plus free meals, transportation, and gear. Space is limited—apply now at tacomaymf.org/wave-seamanship.

Recreation & Wellness

• Join Adult Fall Dodgeball League
  • Tuesdays starting September 23^rd – December 16^th at People’s Center you can join the Tacoma Dodgeball League for a 7” foam co-ed adult recreation league. Teams will play at least two (20) minute games each week. Games are 6v6 with a minimum of 2 women per team. Although competitive, the league is meant to be fun and social. Adults from all athletic backgrounds are welcome. Each game will be officiated by a member of other teams. You can sign up as an individual or a team here: https://bit.ly/47LSUsm
• Northwest Trek Celebrating 50 Years
  • Northwest Trek Wildlife Park celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of dedicated wildlife conservation since its opening on July 17th, 1975. Located in Eatonville, Washington, the park was established through a visionary donation of over 700 acres by David “Doc” and Connie Hellyer, who aimed to create a natural habitat for Northwest native animals. Over the past five decades, Northwest Trek became a beloved destination, known for its commitment to rescuing wild animals and showcasing them in expansive, natural environments. The anniversary celebration, which was held from July 19-20, featured a variety of family-friendly activities and special keeper chats, inviting guests to experience the wildlife park’s rich history and ongoing mission of connecting people to wildlife.
• Be a Part of the Sprinker Recreation Center Skate Park Transformation
  • Starting in September, Sprinker Recreation Center Skate Park will transform into a vibrant, large-scale work of art. Three incredible artists will be turning the 13,000+ square feet of skate surface into a colorful, community-inspired mural and you can be a part of it. Saturday September 6^th from 1-3pm, meet the muralists, paint on pop-up graffiti walls, celebrate with creative vibes and no pressure. Everyone is invited, whether art love, skater or just curious. Come celebrate community, creativity and color! The painting activity is designed for teens and adults that want to see art in motion and be a part of it.

TV & Film Reviews

• Film Review: Caught Stealing, by Elizabeth Mulloy
  • Out of all the directors working today, Darren Aronofsky is probably the last person I’d expect to take on a film like Caught Stealing. His style is usually dark, weighty, and drenched in characters engulfed in melancholy. He’s not exactly known for being light or easy to digest. Yet every so often, even a filmmaker like Aronofsky feels the urge to loosen up and to have a bit fun. Teaming up with writer Charlie Huston, who also penned the novel, he delivers Caught Stealing, a high-octane crime thriller set in 1990s New York that manages to be just as fun as it is unflinchingly dark.
  • We follow Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a former baseball protégé who has been relegated to bartender at a dive bar at the Lower East Side of NYC. Haunted by a drunk driving accident that not only ended his baseball career, but killed his best friend, he spends his days drinking till he’s passed out drunk. One day his neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), has to leave town due to a family tragedy and leaves Hank with his cat, Bud. However, Russ impromptu departure, riles up local gangs, and Hank is thrown, whether he likes it or not, into the criminal underbelly of NYC as he searches for the money that Russ allegedly stole before everyone he knows is killed.
  • Aronofsky’s direction jolts with a surprising surge of bombastic energy as he drags us straight into the heart of the criminal underbelly of New York City. It’s not flashy in the traditional sense, but it pulses with the same manic energy as Scorsese’s After Hours. You feel the stress, the paranoia, the sheer unraveling of our protagonist in real time. Hank is grasping at every possible way to shake Russ’s enemies, yet nothing sticks. He darts through a suffocating chase in Chinatown, failure. He hides out with his girlfriend and is caught in a manner of hours. And every time they find him, the punishment escalates until he’s barely clinging to life. It’s a relentless panic attack, and against all odds, it’s exhilarating.
  • Even with all the chaos and high energy, Aronofsky knows exactly when to bring the film back down to Earth. What caught me the most off guard in Caught Stealing was just how brutally violent it was. I expected violence, but every punch, every kick, and every town stitch reverberated through my bones across the tight 110-minute runtime. It’s graphic, unflinching, and at times it made me squirm in my seat. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an Aronofsky film without a tortured artist at its center. Austin Butler embodies this endearingly messy character with equal parts sincerity and movie-star magnetism. He’s captivating, pulling you into as someone just trying to get by, yet still shackled by the ghosts of his past and the ongoing battle of staying sober.
  • Overall, it’s refreshing to see a director like Aronofsky loosen up and have a bit of fun with his craft. While not perfect, because the cat does experience some implied animal cruelty, Caught Stealing shows that even directors known for intensity and self-seriousness can thrive when they lean into chaos and play. More filmmakers could benefit from occasionally stepping out of their comfort zones by having a bit of fun.
  • My Rating: B
• Film Review: Honey, Don’t, by Elizabeth Mulloy
  • “Oh Honey, nooooo.” That was the only thought I had while watching the latest misfire from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s, Honey, Don’t!‘ . I wasn’t wild about Drive Away Dolls, but I wanted to see this duo succeed, especially given this is supposed to be a “lesbian B-movie trilogy”. But now I want them to have a cinematic divorce ASAP. At least Drive Away Dolls at least had a vision and a coherent story, while Honey, Don’t! has neither. It’s just a tangle of half-baked plot threads that wander off into nothingness, leaving only dead air and boredom in its wake.
  • We follow Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), a small-town private investigator in rural California, who begins to investigate a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church, led by the charismatic Reverend Drew Devlin (Chris Evans).
  • If Honey, Don’t! has any saving grace, it’s Ethan Coen’s slick eye behind the camera and the ensemble cast doing their absolute best with what they’ve been given. Coen’s visual language is still razor-sharp, leaning back into his crime noir roots, and while the film itself falters, the images at least keep you watching. The cast, meanwhile, is working overtime to wring life out of a script that gives them little more than broad archetypes to play. For the most part, it lands, with Chris Evans being the stand out with his charismatic, charming, yet walking sex offender priest.
  • But for all their efforts, Honey, Don’t! is still a miserable time at the movies. It doesn’t feel like one cohesive film so much as several half-baked ideas fighting for screen time, scattered across storylines that lead absolutely nowhere. By the time the baffling, out-of-left-field ending arrived, I was left wondering what on Earth Coen and Cooke thought they were doing. It first starts off with an interesting premise, a suspected traffic murder tied to a shady church, with a criminal underworld lurking beneath it all and a magnetic reverend at its center. That is a great hook as it is filled with intrigue and potential. But sadly, this narrative is subsequently dropped and stretches itself thin over a mess of competing arcs that can’t possibly fit into 90 minutes. We get a lesbian romance that feels like padding. Honey’s niece goes missing and her abusive father comes back into her life. Oh, and just because, serial killers are wandering through the mix. All of these arcs and many more just feel like stranded plot threads that ultimately add up to nothing. Even the comedy, which might have salvaged some of the chaos, falls flat on its face with not a single laugh from my audience.
  • At the end of the day, Ethan needs a cinematic divorce from his current partner (and wife) Tricia and reunites with his brother to start making actual good movies again. To be clear, I’m not telling you to divorce your wife, Ethan, but it’s painfully obvious she doesn’t have the chops to be a solid screenwriter when this script can’t even nail the fundamentals of storytelling. Ethan you are too talented a filmmaker to be dragged down by material as flimsy as Honey, Don’t. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
  • My Rating: D+

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