February 28th, 2025 Newsletter

Arts & Entertainment

• Become a Citizen Sponsor of the Weekly Volcano
  • At Weekly Volcano, we believe in connecting our community, making advertising work smarter, not harder. With Growth Engine, you’re not just keeping the free press alive in our community, you’re also engaging a fully integrated marketing machine that connects local business with a loyal, engaged, and fast-growing audience across print, digital, email, and social media which will make shopping local much more convenient for us all. Shopping local keeps money circulating within our community, creating more jobs, funding programs that support our most vulnerable, and preserving the unique character that makes our community special.
  • As a Citizen Sponsor – $25/month you get Home Delivery of Weekly Volcano: Get every issue delivered via US Mail—no more hunting for a copy, you will Support Local Journalism: Your contribution keeps the paper free for the community while giving you the satisfaction of being part of the team. Annual Cost: $300 or Monthly Cost: $25 This is the ideal option for readers who believe in our mission and want to help us grow. You can pay monthly or receive a 10% discount for paying for 12 months in advance.

• Tacoma Connect: Professional Networking, Community Spotlights & Local Talent Showcase
  • Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or changemaker striving to make an impact, Tacoma Connect is where people unite to support, collaborate, and turn connections into powerful partnerships. This free community networking meetup happens every other week at Edison Square. Here’s what you can expect:  Table Networking Segment – Every person gets 3 minutes to present at their table about their business, project, art, and how we can support them. Community Spotlight Presentation – Learn about inspiring leaders and organizations driving change in Tacoma.  Local Artist Performance – Support & discover the city’s vibrant culture with a live performance from local creatives. At Tacoma Connect, it’s about more than exchanging business cards. It’s about walking away with new collaborators, fresh ideas, and a stronger presence in Tacoma’s thriving professional community. Why You Should Attend?  Meet Tacoma-based professionals who share your drive and vision Build connections that could lead to your next business breakthrough  Stay inspired with a blend of professional insights and creative energy  Amplify your network, your voice, and your impact  FREE professional headshots  Food and drinks available at @radnorstacoma RSVP now and join the movement  Things to Know: No childcare is provided, but youth are welcome with parental guidance. Bring your business cards and any promotional materials to share! Parking: Free parking is available throughout the area, including a convenient lot behind Edison Square

• 🌸 Mother’s Day Paint & Sip Brunch 🌸
  • Date: Sunday, May 11th, 2025 | Time: 11 AM – 3 PM | Location: Cr8tyffs, 5104 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA ✨ Celebrate Mom with a Day of Fun & Creativity! ✨ 💐 Brunch Catered by Lizzie Lou’s – Enjoy a delicious meal! 🥂 Carafe of Mimosas – Cheers to all the amazing moms! 📸 Photo Booth – Capture the memories with fun photos! 🎨 Paint & Sip – Unleash your creativity with guided painting! 🎉 Games & Party Favors – Because every celebration needs a little extra fun!💖 Treat yourself or a special mom in your life to a day filled with love, laughter, and creativity!🎟 Tickets: $85 per person 🔗 Get your tickets now:https://square.link/u/9BweLjzj

• Nancy Callan: Forces at Play Celebration & Artist Reception
  • Saturday, March 8 | 4:30–6:30pm Please join a celebration of Nancy Callan: Forces at Play at Museum of Glass. This celebration and artist reception will feature a cash bar and light bites during a Q&A with Callan and Museum of Glass Curator Katie Buckingham. Callan will reflect on the exhibition, her career, and where her artistic practice will take her in the future. Following the Q&A, please join Nancy and our team on a tour of the exhibition. This event is included with Museum admission and free for Museum Members. → Learn more and purchase tickets.

• ORBIT & ORACLE: A reimagining of ancient astronomical legends Concert 3/8
  • In the first concert of its 32nd season, “The Esoterics” is excited to remount this project of astronomical proportion by German composer Michael Ostrzyga! Over the last decade and a half, Michael has composed and published a cappella choral works for each of the planets in our solar system – Mercurius, Venus, Mars, Iuppiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptunus – and arranged them into a cycle called Planets and gods. These pieces not only explore the astronomical and mythological aspects of each planet and the god or goddess for which they are named, they also examine where science and belief intersect. In this cycle, Ostrzyga’s music allows and invites the listener to create their own association with each planet or god(dess), drawing on whatever imagery they might remember, or knowledge they might have. Planets and gods will be intertwined with a new series of miniatures, entitled Strange solar system bodies, a world premiere commissioned by The Esoterics. Each aphoristic piece of this new cycle focuses on a singular body in our solar system (dwarfs, moon, and asteroids), each of which sets itself apart in strikingly different ways. Some boast an obscure outer appearance, such as: the quickly-rotating and therefore oval-shaped dwarf-planet Haumea in the outer reaches; the potato-shaped asteroid Bennu, which passes dangerously close to Earth every six years; and Saturn’s moon Mimas, which, due to a gigantic crater in just the right spot, resembles a white version of the Star War’s “death star.” Other bodies amaze in different ways, like the former dwarf-planet Pluto and its moon Charon, which form an eerie double-system with the center of gravity located outside of the former planet. Ostrzyga captures these features and mechanics of these “heavenly bodies” in a highly condensed manner, offering fascinating music almost entirely devoid of words. Presented in the Paul Thiry – designed modernist chapel of Christ Episcopal Church – spectacular acoustics. Always with full texts of the libretto projected – stanza by stanza – on the wall adjacent the singers (translated when required) for easy following. Tickets online ($20; discounted to $15 for qualified attendees) at TheEsoterics.org/next, or at the door. – 310 North K Street, Tacoma.

Neighborhood News

• VAREP March Mixer: Building Community One Connection At A Time
  •  Join Us for a Networking Event You Won’t Want to Miss!  |  Date: March 6th |  Location: Berliner Beerhall 2401 Pacific Ave Tacoma |  Time: 5PM-7PM
  • Come connect with the VAREP Tacoma board and learn how you can be part of supporting our veterans and service members in our community. This is a great opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, build relationships, and explore ways to make a meaningful impact. Don’t forget to bring your business cards! Not only will you have the chance to connect with other business owners, but you can also enter our special drawing! 

• Nate Jackson’s Comedy Club Gets New Life in New Location
  • Nate Jackson, Tacoma-based comedian and actor, is reopening his Super Funny Comedy Club in a new, larger location at the Courtyard Tacoma Downtown Marriott in March or April. The original club, which Jackson opened in 2020, closed on December 31, but he was inspired to relaunch it due to strong fan support. The new venue, located at 1515 Commerce Street, offers a remodeled space with seating for 275, a larger kitchen, and upgraded amenities like advanced audiovisual technology and more LED screens than any other venue in Tacoma. Jackson has invested over six figures into the space and plans to expand the menu, working with local culinary schools. The club will continue to host diverse talent, including headliners like D.L. Hughley and D.C. Young Fly. Jackson emphasized the club’s commitment to diversity in both performers and audiences. The exact opening date is still uncertain due to permits and inspections.

• SCAM ALERT from the Tacoma Humane Society
  • Scammers are targeting pet owners searching for their lost pets—stay alert! One common scam involves a caller claiming your pet was critically injured and needed emergency surgery. They’ll pressure you to pay the cost of the surgery to reclaim your pet, often spoofing phone numbers to appear as animal control or a shelter. We will never: Ask you for large sums of money over the phone Threaten euthanasia if payment is not made. If you are ever unsure, hang up and call us directly at (253) 383-2733. If it is outside of our business hours, it is not us. Please help spread the word to protect our community members!

Local Governance

• City of Tacoma Recognized with Healthy Communities Awards
  • The City of Tacoma has been recognized with Healthy Communities awards by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department for its efforts in improving community health outcomes. The awards highlight exceptional leadership in addressing factors such as physical activity, safety, access to healthy food, clean air, and strong community resilience. Two Tacoma departments were honored: Planning & Development Services Department: The McKinley Overlook project, part of the McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan, transformed a neglected area into a vibrant greenspace, enhancing safety, promoting active transportation, and fostering community pride. Environmental Services Department: The “If It Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound” street murals project raised awareness about stormwater management, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, and included multilingual translations to ensure broader community engagement. Mayor Victoria Woodards emphasized that these initiatives contribute to a healthier, more vibrant, and equitable Tacoma for the future.

Business & Opportunities

• Call for a Muralist
  • The Pierce County Mural Project is seeking artists to create murals on county-owned properties, turning common spaces into inspiring works of art. This pilot program not only beautifies our community but also helps prevent vandalism. There are three projects available for individual artists or artists working as a team. The mural projects vary in square footage – from 785 to 13,110 sq. ft. This could be your chance to add creativity and energy to a space soon to be loved by the community! Portfolio submissions are due by 10 a.m. on March 31, 2025. For details, visit PierceCountyWA.gov/PCMuralProject.

Recreation & Wellness

• Fort Nisqually Has Upcoming Classes
  • Bread and Butter Workshop | March 22nd, 2025 | 10 am – 12 pm | Ages 16+ | $40 ticket price Taste the past at our small group workshop, focusing on the basics of bread and butter. You’ll make bread dough from a 19th century sourdough starter, learn how to use the outdoor bake oven, churn fresh butter, simmer jam on the wood-burning stove, and even try your hand at flipping crumpets! Learn about cooking and baking at Fort Nisqually in the 1850s and enjoy eating the fruits of your labors.
  • Wool Workshop | March 29th, 2025 |1 pm – 2 pm | Ages 8-12 | $25 ticket price – Discover the role that sheep played at Fort Nisqually in the 1850s while experiencing the process of turning fiber into fabric. You will get to learn how to clean, card, spin, and more! This workshop is designed for children ages 8-12. Each child must be pre-registered and accompanied by a pre-registered adult. While adults are not required to participate, they must be enrolled and remain on-site for the duration of the workshop. RSVP HERE

Film & TV Reviews

• Film Review: The Gorge by Elizabeth Mulloy
• Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge begins with a tantalizing premise: two elite snipers are tasked with guarding a mysterious gorge, only to discover they are the prey of nightmarish creatures attempting to escape. It’s the kind of high-concept setup that promises a taut, suspenseful horror-thriller. However, rather than committing to its strengths, the film becomes an unwieldy genre hybrid, attempting to juggle romance, horror, action, and espionage with little cohesion. The result is a film that feels more like a forgettable straight-to-streaming misfire than the sum of its considerable talents—particularly disappointing given Derrickson’s pedigree and the presence of Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy.
• Before delving into its shortcomings, it’s only fair to acknowledge what The Gorge gets right. For the first act, Derrickson crafts an immersive and haunting atmosphere, balancing beauty and dread within the vast isolation of the Norwegian mountains. The gorge itself feels both eerily desolate and dangerously alive, its nightmarish inhabitants—relentlessly seeking escape—adding an ever-present tension. The film’s first major set piece, the assault of the Hollow Men, is a masterclass in blending visceral action with genuine horror, showcasing Derrickson’s ability to orchestrate both with precision.
• However, rather than building on this strong foundation, The Gorge veers into a mishmash of romance, espionage, and action-thriller tropes, abandoning the very elements that made it compelling. The shift feels jarring, and as Levi (Miles Teller, seemingly phoning it in) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy, easily the film’s strongest asset) navigate a series of increasingly absurd developments, the film’s momentum unravels. By the time the story fully commits to its tonal inconsistency, The Gorge collapses under the weight of its own ambitions.
• The moment The Gorge takes its characters into the abyss, all tension, narrative cohesion, and internal logic unravel. While it’s understandable that the film needed to reveal what lies within, the execution is anything but satisfying. When a character ominously refers to it as “The Gates to Hell, “one might expect a descent into something truly nightmarish. Instead, what follows is an underwhelming revelation that not only fails to live up to its ominous setup but also exposes the film’s many plot holes.
• Rather than deepening the mystery, this section becomes an extended exposition dump, draining the intrigue from the premise. There are fleeting moments of genuine tension—most notably a harrowing encounter with giant spiders—but the sense of dread dissipates as the film insists on explaining rather than evoking fear. Adding to the missteps is a shoehorned romance subplot that contributes little to the story, further diluting the film’s potential. What could have been a gripping exploration of the unknown instead becomes a muddled, over-explained detour that saps The Gorge of its initial promise.
• Ultimately, The Gorge is a film that squanders its own potential. While the setting and premise are undeniably compelling, the film’s insistence on over-explaining its mysteries drains it of tension and intrigue. Not every horror film benefits from full disclosure—sometimes, the unknown is far more effective. Despite Scott Derrickson’s atmospheric direction and Anya Taylor-Joy’s committed performance, neither can elevate a script that feels lifeless and uninspired. Their efforts, though commendable, are ultimately in vain.
• My Rating: C
• Film Review: Becoming Led Zepplin by Elizabeth Mulloy
• As a lifelong Led Zeppelin fan, I was eager to see Becoming Led Zeppelin, the first officially sanctioned documentary about one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Given the band’s reluctance to approve any previous documentaries, I hoped this film would offer fresh insight into their meteoric rise and artistic legacy. Unfortunately, what I got instead felt more like a Wikipedia summary brought to life.
• That’s not to say Becoming Led Zeppelin is without merit. The film shines in its use of restored concert footage, behind-the-scenes clips, and personal archival material, all of which look stunning on the big screen. The vibrant colors and natural film grain of the 1960s-era footage give the documentary an authentic, nostalgic feel, while the remastered sound plunges the audience into the heart of a Led Zeppelin concert. Equally engaging are the interviews with the band members, whose enthusiasm and charisma make them compelling subjects.
• However, beyond its visual and auditory appeal, Becoming Led Zeppelin offers little depth. For a documentary with the band’s official blessing, I expected more than just a surface-level retelling of their history. Instead, it adheres to the most conventional tropes of a music documentary, focusing on the band’s influences and career milestones rather than delving into their creative process, struggles, or evolution as artists. It rarely attempts to explore who these musicians were beyond their public personas, making it feel disappointingly generic.
• If you’re simply looking for a nostalgic celebration of Led Zeppelin’s music, Becoming Led Zeppelin will likely satisfy. But for those hoping for a deeper, more revealing portrait of the band and their legacy, it ultimately falls short.
• My Rating: C+
• TV Series Review: Zero Day by Elizabeth Mulloy
• In an era of political uncertainty, a series like Zero Day should be perfectly timed. It is a conspiracy thriller, about a cyber-terrorist attack on the United States and the fallout of said attack. Former president, George Mullen (Robert De Niro), is called back into service to head a commission investigating the hackers behind a nationwide computer outage that claimed thousands of lives. With the media, government, and the people breathing down his neck for answers, as another attack is imminent, Mullen and his team are pushed to their physical and ethical limits to catch the terrorist.
• On paper, Zero Day has all the makings of a hit. It tells a compelling and timely story about an aging politician pushed to his breaking point while grappling with a national crisis. The series explores pressing questions: How does the government respond to such an attack? What rights is it willing to sacrifice in the name of justice? How do the people react? Who stands to gain from the chaos? As the tension mounts and the walls close in on Mullen and the nation, the show crafts an intense, high-stakes atmosphere. Add to that an all-star cast packed with Emmy and Oscar winners, and it seems like a surefire success. So why does it fall short?
• The best word to describe Zero Day is undercooked. It has all the right ingredients for a gripping modern political thriller, yet none of them fully come together. The show clearly has a story it wants to tell, but it doesn’t know how to tell it. Instead, it scrambles in multiple directions, hoping to keep the audience engaged as it stumbles toward an anti-climactic resolution.
• The narrative is bogged down by tangents that either lead nowhere or are woefully underutilized. Take, for example, the protagonist—an aging politician showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Rather than exploring the compelling idea of a man fighting to keep his mind intact during a national crisis, the show throws in a bizarre subplot about his brain being controlled by a cybernetic weapon—an angle that adds nothing to the story. Then there’s a Jeffrey Epstein-like character who appears in only two scenes, never to be relevant again. Or Mullen’s daughter, inexplicably heading an oversight committee, despite doing no actual oversight. These and many other plot threads clutter the narrative, leaving it directionless and ultimately wasting the audience’s time. When the show finally does find a direction, it rushes through it, failing to build any real tension. And to make matters worse, the ending is painfully predictable by the halfway mark. Zero Day had all the right ingredients, but it never figured out the recipe.
• Despite the ensemble cast’s best efforts to carry the show, there’s an uncanny artificiality to their performances. To be fair, politicians often embody an almost robotic quality, and the actors nail that detached, rehearsed persona. However, when their characters step outside the political sphere and are meant to feel more human, they still come across as hollow, as if they’re merely politicians pretending to be real people.
• This stiffness isn’t necessarily the fault of the cast but rather the writing, which burdens them with heavy exposition dumps that strip their performances of nuance. The result is a collection of characters who feel more like mouthpieces for the script than actual people, making it difficult to connect with any of them—despite the actors’ clear dedication to the material.Perhaps the greatest failure of Zero Day is that it ultimately has nothing to say about today’s political climate. That alone would be disappointing, but what makes it frustrating is its centrist, fence-sitting approach. Yes, modern politics is a toxic cesspool—but instead of taking a sharp, pointed stance, the series settles for a lukewarm both sides are bad message that feels timid, especially given Robert De Niro’s well-known political outspokenness. One would expect his involvement to steer the show toward something more biting, yet Zero Day plays it remarkably safe, pushing an almost naïve call for unity rather than offering any meaningful critique.
• It’s even more perplexing given how transparently the characters draw from real-world figures. George Mullen is clearly modeled after Joe Biden, Evan Green (Dan Stevens) echoes Ben Shapiro, Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg) has shades of Jeffrey Epstein, and Monica Kidder (Gaby Hoffmann) is a tech mogul in the vein of Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. Yet, despite pulling from such recognizable inspirations, the series does shockingly little with them. If Zero Day wasn’t willing to engage with the very figures it’s riffing on, why use them as a foundation at all? The result is a show that hints at relevance but ultimately shies away from making any real impact.
• Overall, Zero Day is a massive misfire—an ambitious concept that never fully materializes. The show had all the right ingredients: a timely and thought-provoking premise, capable direction, and a powerhouse cast. Yet, instead of delivering a sharp and gripping political thriller, it plays things frustratingly safe. Rather than leaning into its themes with boldness or conviction, Zero Day seems paralyzed by the fear of offending. It avoids taking a firm stance, watering down its social and political commentary to the point of irrelevance. As a result, what could have been a searing reflection of modern political tensions instead feels toothless and unsure of itself. In trying to appeal to everyone, it ends up saying nothing at all.
• My Rating: C+

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