TACOMAWEEKLY
TACOMAWEEKLY
BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY MATTERS
Oct 28th - Nov 3rd 2022 SERVING TACOMA FOR 38 YEARS
CITY COUNCIL TO RAISE BUSINESS LICENSE FEES
Doing business in the city of Tacoma is about to get
more expensive but by how much is still undecided. At
its Oct. 25 meeting, the city council held the first read-
ing of an ordinance to increase business license fees
then a proposed substitute ordinance was introduced
to raise the fees even higher.
Both proposed ordinances are based on a tiered
system. The first proposed ordinance leaves out
businesses that make less than $12,000 gross annual
income. It starts with businesses making between
$12,000 and $250,000 to increase the fee from $110 to
$130. The substitute ordinance brings all businesses
into a fee increase starting with businesses making a
gross annual income of less than $12,000 paying a fee
increase of $25-$50.
From there, the tiers move up. In the first ordi-
nance, for gross income thresholds between $250,001
and $1,000,000, the fee will increase from $250 to $300;
between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000 increase from $250
to $1,000; and over $5,000,000 increase from $250 to
$1,500.
In the substitute ordinance, fees are higher.
For gross income thresholds between $12,000 and
$250,000, the fee will increase from $110 to $250; be-
tween $250,001 and $1,000,000 increase from $250 to
$750; between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000 increase from
$250 to $12,000; and over $5,000,000 increasee from
$250 to $12,500.
The original ordinance would generate an estimat-
ed $3.3 million in ongoing annual revenues to the city’s
general fund while the substitute ordinance would
generate $10 million.
SPONSORSHIPS SOUGHT FOR PROMISING YOUNG BOXERS
Among the promising young boxers at the Tacoma
Boxing Club, six in particular have earned their way
to be top contenders in the sport. Now efforts are un-
derway to secure sponsors to help these fighters go the
distance and achieve their dreams.
The boxers that Tacoma Boxing Club head coach
Tom Mustin has his eye on are Dedrick Crocklem, Jer-
maine Carrillo, Romeo Johnson, Eugene Washington
III, Arturo Cuevas and Jerice Holland.
“Those are the guys I’m seriously trying to push
and get them to box the way I know they have to box
and get them in the shape they have to be in to make
a splash in the nationals that are coming up,” Mustin
said.
It takes funding for these boxers to travel to compe-
titions and tournaments. That Golden Gloves is a state
and federal non-profit 501c3 means that contributions
would be tax deductible for any company, organi-
zation or individual to sponsor a championship or
match.
A former USA Boxing Olympic coach, Mustin
works closely with each of these boxers to train them
in the knowledge and skills they need to be at the top
of their game. Some of them he has worked with since
they were children, so he knows their potential to do
great things in the ring. He has enlisted the help of a
grant writer to secure funding to back them in their
boxing journey, and he’s hoping that sponsors will
step forward as well for these deserving young men.
Carrillo, 125 pounds, has been under Mustin’s
wing for years. “He’s been boxing for me since he
was eight or nine years old,” Mustin said. Carrillo and
Crocklem both will be graduating from Lincoln High
School this spring, and turning 18 will open up oppor-
tunities for them as elite class boxers for competitions
including the Golden Gloves regionals in Las Vegas
next year.
Johnson’s latest win was earlier this month in
Portland at Rip City Boxing’s 5th Annual Red Shield
Fall Classic Tournament. Holland won a belt at the
tournament as well, and Crocklem fought in two days
of bouts to take home the top prize belt for the tourna-
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 1
Fashion
Show
Page 2
The downtown Amtrak station closed and vandals covered it in graffiti, just one property crime that businesses contend with.
The substitute ordinance came at the request of always-constrained general fund and allow the city ad-
council members Keith Blocker, Kiara Daniels and ditional flexibility in supporting the needs of businesses
Kristina Walker. and community especially as it relates to addressing
“The city is asked to do more with less every year,” property crime.”
Blocker said. “This will provide essential funding to the Continues on page 4
ment. Cuevas, 15 years old, is a past winner of the Silver
Gloves nationals in Missouri.
“He’s a good boxer. We call him Big Shot because he
hits so hard,” Mustin said about Cuevas.
At 26 years old, Washington has been in the sport
since the early 2000s. Mustin coached Washington’s dad
back in the day, and Olympic boxing legend and Golden
Gloves ring announcer Leo Randolph said Washington
III can be a champion in his own right.
“His dad was a good boxer so he grew up in that. He’s
got boxing in his blood, you could say,” Randolph said.
He praised Crocklem as well for his outstanding
dedication and determination.
“He has a personal drive that I know it takes to get
what he’s trying to achieve,” Randolph said. “It’s an
inner drive where you can get up and work out when
everybody else doesn’t want to work out; training those
extra hours and working out in the gym when you know
the coach is not watching you... He has all it takes to be
the champion of the world in amateur and professional.”
This week, the Tacoma Weekly caught up with
Crocklem as he was heading out of town to Team USA’s
Olympic youth training center in Colorado Springs. This
is his third time to train at the center at this level, then
he travels to Spain for the under-19 world champion-
ships.
As a national champion, 139-pound Crocklem is a
standout fighter. He was the chosen Golden Boy at the
2022 Golden Gloves event last June and his name was
announced at the Red Shield Classic a few weeks ago for
a wild card spot in the upcoming Olympic trials.
“Me and a whole bunch of people from USA Box-
ing will be fighting in the national league against other
countries for gold medals,” Crocklem said, looking
forward to his first time to travel overseas. He’s looking
forward to graduating from Lincoln too so that he can
pursue his boxing dreams “and to be a good role model
to the youth,” he said.
“As soon as I graduate, I’ll be competing to go to the
2024 Olympics and after that, I will be going pro within
the next year. My ultimate goal is to go to the 2024 Olym- Dedrick Crocklem (left) and Jermaine Carrillo are standouts in their
pics, win gold at 139, then turn pro within that next year sport. Continues on page 2

What’s On-line
tacomaweekly.com
Guaranteed
income
The initial spending and demo-
graphic results of Tacoma’s GRIT
demonstration have been rolled out
as part of a major, nationwide step
forward for the guaranteed income
movement. Here and around the coun-
try, families are using their need-based
cash payments to cover necessities in
an uncertain economy.
Cultural Festivals
Through a participatory budget-
ing process led by the Public Health
Centers for Excellence at Tacoma-
Pierce County Health Department
in partnership with Tacoma Creates,
5,166 community members of all ages
across the Eastside and South Tacoma
have selected the cultural projects they
most want to see in their communities
– a Multicultural Festival Series in the
Eastside and a South Tacoma Heritage
Festival.
50-year milestone
The Korean Women’s Association
(KWA) is celebrating its 50th year of
bringing critical services to historically
underserved and vulnerable individ-
uals with a 50th Anniversary Jubilee
celebration. This historic event will
highlight the organization’s legacy
while celebrating and preparing for
their future.
Modest growth
The Washington State Employment
Security Department reports that Wash-
ington’s economy gained an estimated
1,500 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in Sep-
tember. Private sector employment rose
by 5.3%, up an estimated 151,500 jobs,
while public sector employment rose by
0.4%, up an estimated 2,000 jobs.
Lakewood
robberies
Lakewood Police need the public’s
help in identifying a group of teens
suspected to be involved in multiple
robbery cases in Lakewood and neigh-
boring jurisdictions. Police are cau-
tioning the public to be aware of their
surroundings and to report any suspi-
cious activity to the Lakewood Police
Department.
$10M for athletics
The Tom and Meg Names Family
Foundation affirmed its longstanding
support of University of Puget Sound’s
athletics programs with a new com-
mitment of $10 million to bolster the
college’s endowment for athletics pro-
gramming, helping to elevate Logger
athletics to new heights.
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Serving Tacoma For 38 years
Published Every Friday Deadline Monday
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TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 2
PIERCE COUNTY RANKS 4TH IN FENTANYL OVERDOSES
By Stephanie Valenti
From 2019 to the end of 2021, Wash-
ington had the fourth highest fentanyl
positivity in the nation, with a 644 per-
cent increase, according to new findings
in Millennium Health’s “Signals Report.”
The analysis found that all five of the
most populated counties in Washington
have shown dramatic increases in illicit
fentanyl positivity for the first half of 2022
compared to 2019, with Pierce County up
397 percent, the fourth highest among
King County (717 percent), Snohomish
County (454 percent), Spokane County
(411 percent) and Clark County (249
percent).
Accessibility to drugs and alcohol,
lack of mental healthcare, anguish from
the pandemic are just some factors of
what is causing the uptick in positive
tests. When the pandemic was declared,
positivity rates continued to go up, still
not showing signs of declining or slowing
down.
Tacoma Weekly spoke with with Dr.
Kelly Olson from Millennium Health,
based in San Diego, and she explained
the effects of new data.
One of the biggest dangers of fentanyl
is that as small as a milligram dose can
be lethal for most people, according to
officials in the DEA.
Olson has met with clinicians
throughout Washington, with one stating
“he believes he’s seen more relapses in
the last six months than he has in years”
The risk of taking and overdosing on
fentanyl is anywhere when taking illicit
drugs, as there is always a possibility the
product has more than what advertised.
There are many counterfeit pills being
marketed.
One way people are consuming
fentanyl is through authentic looking opi-
oids with the drug being pressed onto it.
Another way is one consuming cocaine
for recreational purposes, unaware of
how it may be mixed with fentanyl as
well, and not waking up, according to
Olson. There have been many reports of
FASHION SHOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
Hilltop business owner and clothing
designer Nathalie Bejinya is preparing to
host a fashion show on Saturday, Oct. 29,
that she is inviting everyone to come and
attend. It will be held at the Steilacoom
Community Center, 2301 Worthington St.
in Steilacoom, 5-8 p.m., and will fea-
ture culturally inspired food and drink,
entertainment, a live auction and the
opportunity to see a fine collection of her
one-of-a-kind couture fashions with an
African flair.
“We’re going to be showing amaz-
ing outfits and we will have an auction
– beautiful couture coats and dresses,”
Bejinya said.
Bejinya, who works from her Hilltop
shop Undeniable Bejinya, will be donat-
ing 20 percent of proceeds from her show
to Sisters of the Good Shepherd in sup-
port of those displaced by the Democrat-
ic Republic of the Congo volcano tragedy
in May 2021.
“As a refugee myself, I appreciate
the need of these folks from my former
homeland and feel blessed to offer this
gift,” Bejinya said.
Bejinya is going through many strug-
gles to keep her Hilltop business open.
She said she is constantly harassed by
street people who defecate and urinate in
front of the door, threaten her and steal
from her. Last February, her store win-
dow was broken and her business was
robbed. Thousands of dollars in orders
for customers were stolen as was $12,000
worth of special fabrics. The damage to
the property was also substantial. Then
Kelly Olson, PhD has been traveling throughout
Washington to discuss the findings
people smoking marijuana laced with
the substance as well.
Methamphetamine use has impacted
the West Coast for a long time, but the
uptick in fentanyl use is relatively new.
King County is the only county in Wash-
ington to declare the fentanyl overdoses
as a public health crisis.
“It certainly increases the chance that
we’re going to see changes,” said Olson
about the declaration.
Officials are conducting a study to
determine if fentanyl use is more inten-
tional or unintentional.
“Scientists are going out with law
enforcement to crime scenes, and
they’re trying to determine based on the
paraphernalia that’s found at the crime
scene, and they compare it to the toxicol-
ogy report,” explains Olson.
Fentanyl overdoses are seen in
people of all demographics, without a
specific demographic standing out as of
now.
The drug cartels set the demand for
their buyers. When they see a channel,
they exploit it. Mixing substances with
fentanyl and other things benefits the
cartels. There is an increased likelihood
Nathalie Bejinya is raising money for her Hilltop business which has been targeted by thieves.
in June, thieves broke into her storage
unit and took everything including
expensive sewing equipment. A fundrais-
er for her has been set up at gofundme.
com/f/help-nathalie-fix-her-stores-win-
dow.
“I am graced with a community who
has supported me and my fashion design
business through hardships and growth,”
she said, but she is still trying to survive
the blows to her business.
of encountering counterfeit Washington
because of the interstates that go north
to south and west to east.
“Those are perfect highways for
drugs to find their way in and out of
certain states and counties and towns,”
said Olson.
Researchers tested one million
specimens from people in treatment
facilities. They found many combina-
tions of substance testing co-positive in
92 percent of results. It has been found
in heroine, methamphetamine, cocaine,
and even marijuana.
Despite the nationwide fentanyl
crisis, different parts of the country will
require different approaches to fight the
crisis. Some parts need to start develop-
ing treatment centers, others may have
them set and need to help people take
advantage of those resources.
Substance use disorder facilities
source Washington’s data. Other states
collect data from general facilities or
pain practice behavioral health centers.
All data is solely based on individuals
getting help.
At this point, illicit substances and
precursors are being brought in from
multiple places.
“I’ve been reading a fair bit as well
about the northern border and how
some of the precursors of fentanyl are
filtering its way from the north to the
south. At this point, we can’t count
anybody out.”
Olson also met with Washingtonian
clinicians who own a transportable
treatment facility, allowing them to
reach their clients where they are situat-
ed. Olson shares how tired and stressed
her and her colleagues are from the
deep research they are conducting to
help fight against drug overdoses.
Experts are saying now is the best
time to get treatment, and that treat-
ments will only continue to improve.
Millennium Health and other health
experts are planting a seed of awareness
everywhere they go.
“I cannot go to my shop by myself
because of the homeless. It’s happening
all the time and I don’t know what to do.
It is terrifying to see what is happening
in my doorway.”
To support Bejinya, RSVP for her
fashion show at undeniablebajinya.
com/fashion-gala. Visit undeniablebe-
jinya.com to learn more about Bejinya
and her custom fashion services.

SISTER CITIES FILM FEST MARKS 20 YEARS
It was 20 years ago that the Tacoma Sister Cities
International Film Festival made its debut, making this
year a milestone to celebrate. Combining in-person
film screenings at the Blue Mouse Theater and an on-
line viewing option, with different films offered on each
platform, the 2022 fest brings feature films from eight
of Tacoma’s sister cities, Nov. 11-13.
Each of the eight sister city committees chose their
film to show and they run the gamut, from comedy and
drama to historic subject matter and adventure. On the
playbill are films from Norway, Mexico, Croatia, Korea,
Cuba, Morocco, Japan, and Taiwan. Some are films of
the past and some are new, and all of them are critical
favorites spanning the past 20 years and showcasing
the filmmaking of these Tacoma sister city countries. At
each evening film showing, the respective committees
will present a short cultural program.
“This is a festival that’s truly representational of
our different committees and their approaches,” said
festival chair Elmira Utz. “We have some committees
that wanted to keep virtual option and other commit-
tees that were ready to go ahead and do something in
person. There is something for everyone.”
Kicking things off on opening night, Nov. 11, at the
Blue Mouse at 5 p.m. will be the Pacific Northwest Film
Making Forum featuring a special panel of notable
Pacific Northwest filmmakers to speak to film making
on the Tacoma side of our sister city relationships.
“This is something that we’ve never really done be-
fore but since it’s our 20th anniversary, it seemed really
appropriate to give opportunity to talk about filmmak-
ing in the Pacific Northwest,” Utz said. “Often our focus
is on showing filmmaking of our sister city countries, so
let’s take a moment of celebrate the filmmaking we do
right here.”
A prestigious panel will assemble to look at the state
of the art of local filmmaking: Amy Lillard, executive
director of Washington Film Works; Ben Andrews, ac-
tor, director, producer, and founder of the Seattle Film
Summit; Jorge Enrique González Pacheco, award-win-
AWARD HONORS POWERFUL PROGRAMS
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
(LCS) had the distinct honor on Oct. 19 of receiving
the 5th Annual Bound by Hope Community Partner
Award from Mountain View Community Center
in Edgewood. Two members of the LSCNW team
were there to accept the award honoring two of the
non-profit’s programs: Laurie Arndt, Art Facilitator for
Opening Minds through Art, and Amy Wigstrom, Music
Instructor for Music and Memories
Once a year, the Bound by Hope Community
Partner Award is given to show gratitude for a neighbor
whose work within the community makes a powerful
positive impact.
“This year we were happy to give the award to
Lutheran Community Services Northwest,” said
Mountain View Community Center Executive Director
Jesie Holden. “They provide that joyful and hopeful
programming on a weekly basis and it’s uplifting to
our weekly schedule of what they’re able to provide for
those with cognitive challenges and their caregivers.
We feel very honored to have them here.”
Wigstrom and Arndt have a lot in common when it
comes to working with seniors with dementia and peo-
ple with other cognitive challenges. Their own parents
struggled with dementia and they are both determined
to create joy for clients and caregivers alike. Both
women hold their classes at two locations – St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church by the Narrows in Tacoma’s north
end and at Mountain View Community Center – and
both instructors put the focus on fun and the magic
that happens because of it.
When asked for her thoughts on receiving the
award, Wigstrom immediately gave credit to the volun-
teers she works with and relies on.
“We have some amazing and compassionate volun-
teers,” she said. “Without their support, we could not
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We help those with special
need like diabetics, in home Please Donate Today
delivery for the elderly and
physically disabled. www.tacoma-acs.org
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 3
The Tacoma Sister Cities Boca Del Rio, Mexico, committee bring the
gripping “Cinco de Mayo: The Battle.”
ning poet, film industry professional and founder of the
Seattle Latino Film Festival; and Carlos Ortiz, writer,
director, producer and community leader in Tacoma.
Tickets for the film festival can be purchased through
the film festival page at tacomasistercities.org. General
admission is $10 a film and student tickets are $7. VIP
passes include all eight films, both in-person and virtual
showings, for $50. For admission to the Blue Mouse,
simply present your ticket confirmation email on a mo-
bile device or print out.
“Doing this for 20 years, I feel like we are ‘the little
film festival that could,’” Utz said. “We’ve been going
Laurie Arndt and Amy Wigstrom bring joy to people with cognitive
challenges.
do this work. When you have a roomful of people who
have a diverse set of needs, having volunteers with lived
experience or who have been caregivers before is really
critical.”
Participants in Wigstrom’s Music and Memories
classes make beautiful music together – and often break
out in a dance party or conga line in the process. Im-
promptu jam sessions are encouraged, as Wigstrom lays
out a smorgasbord of instruments like tambourines,
ukuleles and bells to play while the group hears their fa-
vorite songs. Wigstrom says that participating in playing
music or even dancing to music “lights up the brain like
fireworks. That’s how I structure the class.”
strong for a long time now and it’s considered one of our
most primary events as a sister city organization. We
care a lot about making sure it continues and is relevant
to our mission and our city.”
FILM FESTIVAL LINE-UP
“Cinco de Mayo: The Battle,” Boca Del Rio, Mexico:
In this gripping retelling of the Battle of Puebla, Mexi-
can general Ignacio Zaragoza takes a stand against the
French Army in 1862.
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” Taichung, Taiwan
(virtual showing): A married man begins to question his
sexual orientation as he and his wife consider having
another child.
“Key of Life,” Kitakyushu, Japan (virtual showing): A
failed actor switches identities with a stranger at a bath-
house thinking it’s his way out of misery but only to find
himself filling the shoes of an elite assassin.
“The King’s Choice,” Aalesund, Norway: The King’s
Choice is based on the true the story about three dra-
matic days in April 1940, where the King of Norway is
presented with an unimaginable ultimatum from the
German armed forces: surrender or die.
“The Extraordinary Journey of Celeste Garcia,”
Cienfuegos, Cuba: Celeste is a widow living a tranquil
and unadventurous existence in Havana, fulfilling her
daily shifts as a tour guide at the local planetarium when
intrigue of a cosmic and fantastical nature sends her on
an unexpected adventure.
“Poetry,” Gunsan, Korea (virtual showing): A
60-something woman, faced with the discovery of a hei-
nous family crime and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s
disease, finds strength and purpose when she enrolls in
a poetry class.
“Razzia,” El Jadida, Morocco: The streets of Casa-
blanca provide the center piece for five separate narra-
tives that all collide into one.
“Murina,” Split, Croatia: A teenage girl decides to
replace her controlling father with his wealthy foreign
friend during a weekend trip to the Adriatic Sea.
The music we tend to like as adults is the music we
heard as teenagers so if Wigstrom can tap into each of
those pockets of memories, the nostalgia around the
teenage years, she is more apt to get a response from
her participants.
“I’m always trying to hit all the different eras and
genres within my population. That’s when they start
participating at a higher level – when people who are
not as verbal suddenly start singing lyrics. Those are
miracle moments for us,” she said.
LCS is the first and only organization in Washing-
ton state providing Opening Minds through Art (OMA)
classes, and Arndt is the perfect person to lead them.
She started working in a nursing home when she was
16 years old. Arndt structures her classes to stimulate
brain activity and a feeling of accomplishment in her
OMA students.
“We’re not focusing on what they can’t do be-
cause that’s pretty much the focus of their lives. They
can’t drive the car anymore, turn on the stove – their
autonomy is taken away from them to do things on
their own,” she said. “But in the art class, we don’t tell
them what to do. They get to decide what colors they
use and what tools they use – they get to make all the
decisions, so each piece of art is uniquely theirs and
different from everybody else’s in the class.”
The purpose behind OMA goes further to show col-
lege aged volunteers that people with dementia need
compassion and understanding so that these young
people will raise up a new generation knowledgeable
in dementia. OMA also gives caregivers a break from
caring for their loved one. For caregivers and their
family members, there is really not a lot of help out
there.
Learn more about these programs and more at
lcsnw.org/program/dementia-services.

COVER STORY: BOXING
Tacoma Boxing Club head coach Tom Mustin.
and become a five-division champion in five different
weight classes.”
Crocklem has been boxing since was about nine
years old. Back then, he tended to get into fights at
school and it landed him in big trouble one day.
“My mom told my uncle about it and he told me if
I’m stupid enough to get put in jail for fighting, I could
do boxing. The next morning, he took me to the gym. I
went home and told my mom I really wanted to do this
sport and she said if I get my reading level up at school,
she’d put me in boxing and my whole attitude changed
at school. I started doing excellent and I’ve been in
boxing ever since then.”
Mark your calendars now for the 74th Annual Gold-
en Gloves 2023. Preliminaries are Jan. 27 at the Edison
Annex (3109 S. 60th St.) and finals are Jan. 28 at the
University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Stay up to date
at facebook.com/goldenglovestacoma.
JANUARY 28TH 2023
74th Annual
FINALS: January 28th, 7 p.m.
University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse
Tickets available through UPS Ticket Office 253-879-3100
or online at ups.universitytickets.com
PRELIMS: January 27th, 7 p.m.
Edison Annex 3109 South 60th Street
Tickets available at the door.
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 4
COVER STORY: CITY COUNCIL TO RAISE LICENSE FEES
Walker noted that the council hears particularly
from the business community about the need for secu-
rity and addressing homelessness. “I think this is a way
we can put more dollars into those issues,” she said. “In
looking at the dollar amounts, I don’t think that they are
exorbitant fees or huge increases.”
Daniels said she supports higher fees “because I
think the city is being asked to do more for businesses.
We want to do these really cool programs for businesses
and these really amazing things, but we are always stuck
with budget restraints.”
The fee increases received pushback during public
comment such that Blocker rescinded his introduction
of the substitute ordinance and postponed reintro-
ducing it for one week so that it can be re-thought with
more community engagement.
President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County
Chamber Andrea Reay said the Chamber opposes both
ordinances.
“Businesses continue to struggle with post-COVID
economic recovery and both proposals lack clarity for
how and where the funds will be utilized to support
economic development,” she said. “There was really
good engagement with the first proposal but no engage-
ment on the substitute ordinance.”
Chamber vice president David Schroedel echoed
Reay’s assessment and he criticized city government for
its lack of formal outreach about the substitute ordi-
nance. “This dropped on Friday with the city manager’s
report and the agenda for today’s meeting. That’s a
really short time and one of the reasons you don’t see
anyone in these council chambers,” he said.
Mayor Woodards said she intends to bring two other
amendments forward. One would be to specifically look
at how the increased fee revenue gets spent and what
kinds of investments can be made in Tacoma’s business
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community.
The second is that she wants to work with the
business community to develop a policy for the fees to
go up automatically so that everyone is aware of how
much the increases would be and when they would be
assessed.
The topic of increased business licensing fees is a
touchy one among some business owners in Tacoma,
especially in these times of high crime rates from prop-
erty theft to widespread graffiti. It’s not uncommon to
hear from local business owners that the city spends
more on the homeless than on protecting businesses,
so paying more in licensing fees leaves a bad taste.
Doug Neslund owns Doug’s Boat Tops & Uphol-
stery. “It’s crazy to be paying what we’re already pay-
ing,” he said. “I hear in some areas the fire department
won’t show up without an escort. The services that we
should be getting for the taxes we pay don’t seem to be
there.”
He’s been at his current location at 2822 A St. for
more than 30 years, making Doug’s Boat Tops & Uphol-
stery a bedrock business in Tacoma.
“I moved into an apartment in the building in 1998
and up until the last three years, it’s been great – no
commute! But with the vagrancy/homeless/criminal
activity in the area, it is no longer comfortable living
down here. It seems I’m in a confrontation three or four
nights a week with trespassers and building/car prowl-
ers. I’d move, but I’m afraid there wouldn’t be anything
left when I got back in the morning.
“I bought the building in 1990 and I’ve been living
down here so I really get a full experience,” he said.
“I’ve got a strong affection for Tacoma and now it’s a
combination of anger coupled with sadness. It’s like
watching a friend die.”
Blessed are the
sorrowful;
they shall
be comforted
Pre-arrangements Available
READY • FOR SALE
Our Lady of Guadalupe & St. Anthony the Great • Columbariums
CALVARY CEMETERY
ASSOCIATION & MAUSOLEUM
5212 70th St. W • Tacoma, WA 98467
253-472-8875 • www.calvarytacoma.com
 CALENDAR
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 5

Tacoma Weekly More Music From Home

Sun., Nov. 6, 3-5 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT
Events
On-line Lakewold Gardens
12317 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood
Drew Lynch Play to Learn Info: lakewoldgardens.org
Sat., Oct. 29 & Sun., Oct. 30 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 3, 10-11:30 a.m. Featuring Darryl Taylor, countertenor; Gwynne
Tacoma Comedy Club Tacoma Public Library Swasey Branch Brown, piano; and Joe Williams, piano. When you
933 Market St., Tacoma 7001 6th Ave., Tacoma attend a Music From Home concert, you are invited to
Info: tacomacomedyclub.com Info: tinyurl.com/2p825y7r experience storytelling through live music from moth-
Drew Lynch captured the hearts of America with his Play to Learn is a FREE program for children and erlands, music for healing, living and breathing music
Golden Buzzer performance adults to play TOGETHER! Play to Learn is for parents, from home.
on season 10 of “America’s grandparents, neighbors, family, and friends who nur- In the intimate setting of Wagner House parlor, au-
Got Talent,” where he finished ture children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum diences hold space for an artist’s story in an inspiring
in second place. Drew has invites individual play, fun group activities, songs, and a natural environment, growing in community around
appeared on IFC’s “Maron” whole group circle time for children and adults to enjoy music.
and “CONAN,” and amassed together.
over 2 million subscribers on Gem Faire
YouTube. Strangely Alright Nov. 11-13
Fri., Nov. 4 Doors 6 p.m.; Show 7 p.m. Washington State Fair Events Center
Halloween Bazaar McMenamin’s Spanish Ballroom 1301 5th Ave. SW, Puyallup
Sat., Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 565 Broadway, Tacoma Info: 10times.com/gem-faire-tacoma
State Farm Insurance Info: mcmenamins.com Gem Faire is one of the largest gem, jewelry, and
3025 S. Union Ave., Tacoma bead shows in the United States. Gem Faire features
Info: tinyurl.com/abuhtjxd quality gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings, and
Come celebrate Halloween and local women-owned earth treasures from vendors offering quality merchan-
small businesses with your family. Browse and buy dise at manufacturers’ prices. The vendors are direct
importers, wholesalers and manufacturers so you are
buying from the source.

among more than 20 vendors setting up from all over the
South Sound with goodies ranging from custom tumblers,
mugs, jewelry, soaps, baked goods, clothing, to local
professional services businesses.
Hell’s Belles
Sat., Nov. 12, 9 p.m.
Jazzbones
2803 6th Ave., Tacoma
Strangely Alright are sonic time-travelers. They paint Info: jazzbones.com
paisley patterned pictures that shimmer with the 60s Hell’s Belles is an all-woman band of AC/DC fa-
mercurial blend of darkness and innocence, they mesh natics that strives to deliver with mechanical precision
psychedelia and pop melodies together, and they run and passionate fury. Endorsed by Angus Young him-
rock muscle through the most danceable of tunes – the self, Hell’s Belles are the closest one can get without
perfect blend of past and present. Champagne Sunday actually moving to Australia and joining AC/DC’s road
and Stargazy Pie open the show. crew.

Women’s & Mom’s Support Group Botanicals in Watercolor Rockfish & Friends
Wed., Nov. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 5, 12-2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 12 Doors 6 p.m.; Show 7 p.m.
Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center Metro Parks Tacoma Greenhouses McMenamins Spanish Ballroom
2021 S. 19th St., Tacoma 3401 S. Orchard St., Tacoma 565 Broadway, Tacoma
Info: mcfhc.org Info: metroparkstacoma.org Info: mcmenamins.com
The Women’s and Join local artist Joelle Hanton as she leads you in Rockfish &
Mom’s group provides painting a beautiful botanical scene while teaching Friends focus
support to those currently some watercolor on an eclectic
experiencing or who have basics. Learn a mix of “Classic
previously experienced new skill and Rocks that Kicks
domestic violence, hous- take home a Brass” from the
ing instability, at-risk of completed 60s, 70s and 80s.
homelessness, currently painting of your The 11-piece
homeless, and/or in recov- own. Born and band features a
ery. The group focuses on raised in Taco- full horn sec-
parenting strategies, trauma informed parenting, resil- ma, Joelle cre- tion, auxiliary percussion, and whole host of talented
iency, executive functioning, women empowerment, ates watercolor vocalists.
and financial education. and pencil art for the beauty-seeking daydreamer.
RECLAMATION
Family Storytime Youth Movie Time Sat., Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Sat., Nov. 5, 11 a.m. Tacoma Armory
Online virtual event Tacoma Nazarene Church 1001 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma
Info: tinyurl.com/2p86r5ec 3640 S. M St., Tacoma FREE Community Event
Connect with Tacoma Info: (253) 475-5340 Info: tacomaartlive.org
Public Library’s youth 6th-12th Grade: Join us for RECLAMATION is a community gathering that kicks
services librarians for a some youth time. First movie off the new life of the historic Tacoma Armory. It honors
live interactive virtual with start at 11 a.m. We will be playing four different the legacy of the Hilltop and embraces its future with live
storytime for families. Say Marvel films for the kiddos to enjoy. We will also be pro- performances of music and dance (Step, R&B, Hip Hop,
“hello” to your storytime viding lunch and snacks! Come and hang out for some Jazz, Drumline), visual arts, fashion shows, a marketplace
friends and enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs! Suitable safe Saturday fun! featuring local makers, hands-on workshops, local eats,
for baby and preschool, grades K-5. Online registration and community resources.
required.

Volunteers Needed!
In

In-Person Art & Music Classes

Opening Minds through Art (OMA) and Music and Memories classes give
people living with dementia and other cognitive challenges the opportunity to
freely express themselves artistically and musically. We need your help!
• No art or music experience needed
• A one-hour training (for OMA only) is required
• Encourage participation by joining along to have fun with art and music
In-person classes are held at St. Mark’s Lutheran
Church by the Narrows in Tacoma and Mountain
View Community Center in Edgewood.

For more information, please contact us:

Phone: 253-272-8433
Email: dementiaservices@lcsnw.org
dementiafriendlypc.org
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 6
 TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 7

YOUTH MARINE VESSEL ARRIVES

Sunny skies and about 260 people
welcomed the MV Doolin-Rogers to
Tacoma last week. The Tacoma Youth
Marine Center will use the 100-foot
vessel for Sea Scouts and other marine
training programs and education. In
addition, all Tacoma Public Schools 7th-
grade classes will be scheduled to go out
on the vessel this school year.
The Youth Marine Foundation led
the fundraising effort to acquire the 100-
ton vessel for training and educational
programs through the Tacoma Youth
Marine Center.
“We have tremendous opportunities
for maritime careers in Pierce County,
so it’s important to invest in helping our
youth, our future mariners,” said Bruce
Dammeier, Pierce County executive,
at the MV Doolin-Rogers welcoming
ceremony.
The MV Doolin-Rogers is named for
the late Captain Doolin, whose dream it
was to provide hundreds of youths the
opportunity to learn maritime skills, and
Tom Rogers, Youth Marine Foundation
co-founder and board president.
Captain Doolin’s sons were at the
helm of the vessel as it entered the Foss
Waterway for the first time. Tom Rog-
ers was on board and spoke during the
ceremony.
Led by boats from the Tacoma Police
Department and the Pierce County Sher-
iff’s Department, saluted by the Tacoma
Fire Department’s boat and escorted by
the Henry Foss, she made her way to the
Tacoma Sea Scout base. There were also The MV Doolin-Rogers arrived with much fanfare.
more than a dozen boats from the Taco- campus located on the east side of the In addition to the use of the three
ma Yacht Club and others which lined Foss Waterway, across from Downtown larger vessels operated by the Tacoma
the waterway and sounded their horns. Tacoma. The 2-acre campus features two Sea Scouts, the Youth Marine Founda-
The Youth Marine Foundation oper- large buildings including a standalone tion owns and maintains a small fleet of
ates the Tacoma Youth Marine Center, modular classroom and access to the 45+ small watercraft including kayaks,
South Sound’s premier waterfront youth water through our docks. small sailboats and small motorboats.

Pet of the Week: CLIP N’ CLEAN

Rena African American Woman owned business since 1994
1210 South Proctor Street • Tacoma
(253)-752-8325
HOURS Open 24 / 7 365 days a year

PET SITTING
DROP-INS
Rena is a 2-year-old pit bull terrier who enjoys going on adventures and getting pets. Rena is sure to bring lots Everyday
of laughs and joy to your next outing! This adventurous pittie will be all smiles on a beach, road trip, or casual from 6:30am - 7:00pm.
stroll in the park. She even does well on car rides and has been on some beach trips with shelter volunteers!
The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s Adoption Center is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to GROOMING
DROP-INS
5:30 p.m. View all adoptable animals at TheHumaneSociety.org/adopt. With 116 adoptable animals waiting for
their forever homes, now is the perfect time to meet your new best friend. Join our Loyal Friends Club to donate
monthly and your first three gifts are doubled up to $10,000 thanks to VCA Animal Hospitals. Tuesday - Saturday
Not looking to adopt? The shelter is always in need of volunteers and fosters. There is a multitude of volunteer
opportunities including dog walking, cat socialization, bunny enrichment, and much more. For information and 9:00am to 1:00pm.
to apply, visit the shelter’s website at TheHumaneSociety.org.

Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce. In
the Guardianship of Eric Michael Haulet, No. 22-4-
02101-5. Summons Served by Publication (SMPB).
To: The parents, child, guardian, person with court-or-
dered custody, court clerk, and all people who must
get notice. I have started a court case by filing a peti-
tion. The name of the petition is: Non-Parent Custody
Petition. You must respond in writing if you want the
court to consider your side. Deadline! Your response
must be filed and served within 60 days of the date
this Summons is published: September 30, 2022. If
you do not file and serve your Response or a Notice
of Appearance by the deadline: No one has to notify
you about other hearings in this case, and the court
may approve the requests in the Petition without
hearing your side (called a default judgement). Follow
these steps: 1. Read the petition and any other doc-
uments that were filed at court with this Summons.
Those documents explain what the other party is ask-
ing for. 2. Fill out a Response on this form: to this
summons and petition by serving a copy of your writ-
ten response on the person signing this summons,
any other party, and by filing the original response
with the clerk of the court. You can get the Response
form and other forms you may need at: The Washing-
ton State Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms;
Washington LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org;
or The Superior Court Clerk’s office or county law
In re Estate of Robert L. Johnson, Jr., Deceased
NOTICE TO CREDITORS The personal representative
named below has been appointed as personal rep-
resentative of this estate. Any person having a claim
against the decedent must, before the time the claim
would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of
limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided
in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the per-
sonal representative or the personal representative’s
attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim
and filing the original of the claim with the court in which
the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim
must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days af-
ter the personal representative served or mailed the no-
tice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)
(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication
of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this
time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as oth-
erwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This
bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s
probate and nonprobate assets. April Beck, 11219
207th St. E., Graham, WA 98338
Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce, In
the Guardianship of Joslyn Marie Severson, No. 22-
4-01882-1. Summons Served by Publication. To: The
parents, child, guardian, person with court-ordered cus-
Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms, Washington
LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org, or The Superior
Court Clerk’s office or county law library (for a fee). 3.
Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who
filed this Summons at the address below, and to any
other parties. You may use certified mail with return re-
ceipt requested. For more information on how to serve,
read Superior Court Civil Rule 5. 4. File your original
Response with the court clerk at this address: Supe-
rior Court Clerk, Pierce County, 930 Tacoma Ave. S.,
Rm. 110, Tacoma, WA, 98402. 5. Lawyer not required:
It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file
and serve your Response without one. Person filing
this summons: Donna Person Smith, WSBA No. 23859.
Petitioner agrees to accept legal papers for this case
at her lawyer’s address: 3708 14th St. Pl. SW, Puyal-
lup, WA, 98373; email donna@donnapersonsmith.com.
This summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the
Superior Court Civil Rules of the state of Washington.
Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce In re:
Petitioner Simon Mendoza-Truong and Respondent
John Doe. No. 22-4-02198-8. To John Doe. I have start-
ed a court case by filing a petition. The name of the Peti-
tion is: Damani Jonah Truong. You must respond in writ-
ing if you want the court to consider your side. Deadline!
Your Response must be filed and served within 60 days
tion on how to serve, read Superior Court Civil Rule
5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerk
at this address: Superior Court Clerk, Pierce County,
930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA, 98402. 5. Lawyer
not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but
you may file and serve your Response without one.
Person filing this summons: Simon Mendoza-Truong,
Oct. 6, 2022. I agree to accept legal papers for this
case at the following address: 2147 83rd Avenue E.,
Edgewood, WA, 98371. Note: You and the other party/
ies may agree to accept legal paper by email under
Superior Court Civil Rule 5 and local court rules. This
Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Su-
perior Court Civil Rules of the state of Washington.
ABANDONED
VEHICLE SALE
Fife Towing, Fife Recovery Service
& NW Towing, at 1313 34th Ave E, Fife
on 11/0320/2022. In compliance with the
RCW46.55.130 at 11:00am. Viewing of cars from
10:00am-11:00am.
Registered Tow Numbers 5009, 5421, 5588.
Cash Auction Only. www.fifetowing.com

library (for a fee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Re-
sponse to the person who filed this Summons at the
address below, and to any other parties. You may use
certified mail with return receipt requested. For more
information on how to serve, read Superior Court Civil
Rule 5. 4. File your original Response with the court
clerk at this address: Superior Court Clerk, Pierce
County, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Rm. 110, Tacoma, WA,
98402. 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk
to a lawyer, but you may file and serve your Response
without one. Person filing this summons: Donna Per-
son Smith, WSBA No. 23859, 14718 Union Ave. SW,
Lakewood, WA, 98495, 9/21/2022. Email (if applica-
ble): donna@donnapersonsmith.com. This Summons
is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court
Civil Rules of the state of Washington.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON IN AND PIERCE COUNTY
tody, court clerk, and all people who must get notice. I
have started a court case by filing a petition. The name
of the Petition is: Minor Guardianship Petition. You
must respond in writing if you want the court to con-
sider your side. Deadline! Your Response must be filed
and served within 60 days of the date this Summons
is published: September 2, 2022. If you do not file and
serve your Response or a Notice of Appearance by the
deadline, no one has to notify you about other hearings
in this case, and the court may approve the requests
in the Petition without hearing your side (called a de-
fault judgement). Follow these steps: 1. Read the Pe-
tition and any other documents that were filed at court
with this Summons. Those documents explain what
the other party is asking for. 2. Fill out a Response on
this form: FL Non-parent 415, Response to Non-Parent
Custody Petition. You can get the Response form and
other forms you may need at The Washington State
AFFORDABLE LEGALS
of the date this Summons is published: October 14,
2022. If you do not file and serve your Response or a
Notice of Appearance by the deadline, no one has to no-
tify you about other hearings in this case, and the court
my approve the request in the Petition without hearing
Tacoma Weekly Newspaper
Published Every Thursday Deadline Monday prior to publication
your side (called a default judgement). Follow these
steps: 1. Read the Petition and any other documents
that were filed at court with this Summons. Those doc- Summons by Publication, $250
uments explain what the other party is asking for. 2. Fill
out a Response on this form. You can get the Response
Notice to Creditors: $250
form and any other forms you may need at: The Wash- Market Notice of Trustee’s Sale
ington State Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms;
Washington LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org; or and legal notices, $0.25 Per Word
The Superior Court Clerk’s office or county law library
(for a fee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response
to the person who filed this Summons at the address Email to legals@tacomaweekly
below, and to any other parties. You may use certified
mail with return receipt requested. For more informa-
jody Vinson: ppclegalads@nwlink.com>
 WEEKLY WEEDLY
B E C AU S E H A P PY N E S S M AT T E R S
9 YEARS SERVING TACOMA AND PIERCE COUNTY • LOCAL NEWS ALWAYS FREE / OCT. 28th Issue
NEW HOME FOR EMERALD LEAVES
Some changes are afoot for Tacoma’s Emerald
Leaves cannabis shop that promise to bring good
things for its owner and customers alike. As of Oct. 31,
Emerald Leaves will no longer be doing business at its
current location as the store makes the transition to
relocate to 2609 6th Ave., across the street and on the
opposite corner from where the shop is now.
During the move, the shop will be closed for a while
as some interior work is completed in the new space.
Dunn predicts that everything will be up and running
before Thanksgiving.
There are numerous reasons why Dunn is making
this move, and it starts with his rent being raised be-
yond what he feels is reasonable.
“It’s an old building and it just didn’t make sense
for me. I wanted a new vibe and new start anyway,” he
said.
Constant parking issues have plagued his business
for years. There are eight parking spaces on the side of
his building, but Dunn said they are always taken up
by people parking there while they run off for hours
to do their shopping or go to entertainment venues
nearby. Dunn said he has tried to get the city to help
him secure the eight spaces for his business only, but
he had no luck.
“I was just disappointed that I couldn’t get any re-
sources dedicated to helping me get consistent parking
where I currently was. I tried for six years or more but
was never able to move that needle in any direction.”
At the new location, he plans to share parking with
the Affordable Animal Hospital next door since this will
work out nicely with his customer base making a quick
in-and-out to make their purchases.
Dunn said crime on 6th Avenue in close vicinity to
his current location has been another ongoing prob-
lem.
“Every Friday and Saturday night I get calls from my
security guard saying there’s fighting or shooting going
on,” Dunn said. Being more of a distance away from the
center of this activity is just good for business in Dunn’s
eyes.
TACOMA WEEKLY NEWS • Page 8
.com
“Once you start doing 40 percent off, you’re not
making any money. The state is not going to give us
any relief on the taxes so it’s just going to be a few big
players in this industry in the state of Washington.”
The only downside to moving, Dunn said, is that he
can’t take his product with him.
“It’s unfortunate that when retail stores move, the
LCB does not have the resources to pick our products
up and store them properly so that when we open in
our new location, we could pick those products up.
For all the taxes that we pay – we’re talking millions,
basically – the LCB doesn’t allow retail stores to store
their product in a safe location during a transition and
that’s ridiculous. They come in and take your product
and that’s it.”
Nevertheless, Dunn is looking forward to what’s
ahead.
“I’m excited about this whole thing. It’s going to be
a new chapter.”
2702 6th Ave
Tacoma
Owner Duane Dunn said high rent and constant parking problems led
to the move.
The new location will not just be Emerald Leaves at
street level but will offer an additional two floors above
with about 4,000 square feet of space each that can be
rented for events. This will bring a new element to the
Moving
business and breathe life into the building that has been
sitting vacant.
Dunn is also looking for a buyer to take over the
business.
“I’m doing that for the simple fact that this market
Sale
is not what it used to be. It’s pretty saturated. If they
(Liquor and Cannabis Board) bring out any more li-
censes, those people are going to have a hard time being
successful.”
He said attracting customers with discounts eats
40% OFF
away at the already modest profits that cannabis retail-
ers make these days.
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