In case you're wondering what happened to the patio at Top of Tacoma...
The Suburban(?) was reportedly stolen and had been on a long chase, hitting speeds over 100 MPH.
The driver lost control right after Parky's and smashed into parked cars, tossing one onto the sidewalk and into the Top's patio.
The SUV rolled for an entire block, before stopping against the VFW.
Two employees had minor injuries but nothing serious. Apparently the driver had a dog in the vehicle (gray and tan pitbull) that hasn't been found.
Thank you to @lightwatcherphotography on Instagram for sharing the video and all the information.
And shout-out to whoever built that tough ass patio. Tag 'em if you know 'em.
#topoftacoma #keeptacomafeared #tacoma #tacomawa #tactown #cityofdestiny #gritcity #253
The 119 year old clocks on Old City Hall are getting cleaned up.
What do you think about the new clean look vs. the old weathered patina?
Fun fact: Old City Hall was built in 1893 but the tower was bare until 1905 when the clock and bells were donated by Hugh Wallace, future ambassador to France.
We heard some bad news about Jawless Jerry.
This video was taken on December 20th on the south end of Hilltop. Earlier today, the admin of the Lost and Found Pets of Pierce County, Washington Facebook group posted this message:
“Unfortunately that coyote that we have been trying to trap for months that was missing his/her upper jaw, was hit on the exit ramp of I-5 & 38th st. and killed. No matter what we tried, he/she just wouldn't go into the trap. My awesome friend, Vix Organa, went and picked him/her up and is going to bury him/her under her flower bed. Poor baby, I'm so sorry your life had to end this way. RIP sweet thing!”
We spoke to the person who made the original post and they are certain it was Jerry. They also clarified that Jerry was not hit while trying to trap her. The traps were a passive ongoing attempt.
Thanks to a group of compassionate citizens with the means to help, Jerry’s mange was clearing up and her fur was growing back. She defied all odds and, if left to her own wiley survival skills, she likely would have survived the winter.
It’s human nature to cheer for the underdog. We celebrate unlikely victories and invest in longshots. Projecting emotions is part of how we evolved alongside canids for 10s of thousands of years.
This is a sad thing to hear but the truth is, Jerry didn’t care what any of us thought. She didn’t care about the pity or the fear, the love or the hate, the authorities or the vigilantes.
The best thing we can do to honor Jawless Jerry is make conscientious choices to protect wild green spaces in the city and allow the rest of our local wildlife to live their best lives.
She was a wild animal and she lived on her own terms—just like all the other wild coyotes in Tacoma hunting, thriving, and howling at the moon this very night.
Here’s to you, Jerry.
🎥: Jack Saffle (@shotbysaffle on IG)
This is the kind of experience that makes you reevaluate your place on the food chain. We’ve seen orcas coming close to the beach at Point Defiance and they sometimes swim around and under boats but this is a whole new game. If anyone can ID these orcas, we’d love to hear more about them and what might have motivated this behavior. This all happened just before sunset on the 23rd in Tyee Marina where sea lions can often be found lounging on barges and buoys. 🎥: Erin Liane Wick #alexno #dontgeteaten #orca #orcas #pnwonderland #tyeemarina #pugetsound #salishsea #whalewatching #whalewatchingfromshore #netacoma #tacomalove #youllliketacoma #tacomathebeautiful #admitittacomayourebeautiful #tacoma #tacomawa #tactown #cityofdestiny #gritcity #253
The Lost Angle
If we told you we had never-before-seen footage from the Narrows Bridge collapse of 1940, would you believe us?
⚠️SOLD OUT⚠️
*Stay tuned for additional showings at a later date*
On July 13th at 7:00, we’ll be premiering a documentary about it at The Grand Cinema followed by a Q&A with the whole team.
A limited number of tickets are now available through Eventbrite [link below]
✴️Tickets are free but please only make a reservation if you plan on attending✴️
When we first started researching this in 2021, we had a hard time believing this 8mm film reel was as rare as it seemed.
After digging through every archive there is, though, we’re confident that this is something very very special.
We put this all together with The Meraki Agency and Pretty Gritty Tours and it could not have happened without the support of Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier so be sure to follow them and keep up on all the great things going on around here.
If you want to read up on the super nerdy details ahead of time, we also published a story about the found footage in Hard Copy #17.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lost-angle-premier-including-q-and-a-with-the-team-tickets-662637565797
When the tides are this high, the sea and everything in it comes a lot closer to shore.
Arsenio Lopez caught this pod of orcas last Sunday, evidently doing some hunting right off the shore near Jack Hyde Park.
If they had asked about Stadium HS those buzzers would've lit up real quick.
Just when you thought you had the hardest Halloween house on the block... If you need a little more inspiration before the 31st, be sure to check out this insane catacomb house in University Place at 4424 Merry Ln W. Everything but the giant skeletons was hand-built by Rion Smith, including the 200 skulls, coffin, and faux brick decor💀💀💀 🚨BE RESPECTFUL OF PRIVATE PROPERTY🚨 The creator was kind enough to share his address. Don’t make him regret it. As if that weren’t cool enough, they’re passing out FULL SIZE CANDY BARS on Halloween! Aaaaaand Rion happens to be an ER nurse who has dealt with all the worst parts of the pandemic. So send all the high-5s and admiration to this guy. Well done. 🎥: Rion Smith
Who else saw that crazy fireball meteor on Wednesday night?
Sean Leacy just happened to catch this on his dashcam going down 6th Ave.
The Call We Carry
Thank you to Tacoma Fire Department for doing this:
🔥 COMING SOON 🔥
The groundbreaking film, “The Call We Carry: Confronting PTSD in The Fire Service” challenges the status quo on the impacts of trauma exposure on the personnel at the Tacoma Fire Department. Follow the journey of four firefighters as they share their stories of pain, self care, and mental health resiliency.
Film by our talented brother C. Ray Shea Media. We are so proud of you for this one 👊🏻❤️🔥
The anatomy of this dude's arm at Lefty's Burger Shack in UP is baffling. Burgers are on point, though.
Bring on those clear Tahoma sunsets.
🎥: Over Tacoma
RV parked in the middle of South Tacoma Way
You guys... This RV situation is getting out of hand.
Since I Been Down screening
This film should be required viewing for everyone living in Tacoma.
There will be a FREE screening of Since I Been Down at The Grand Cinema tomorrow (Wed 6/29) at 7:00, followed by a discussion with Director Gilda Sheppard.
Since I Been Down dives deep into the gang violence of Tacoma in the 1990s and focuses on interviews with Kimonti Carter and other inmates to build a more complete picture of the issue than most people ever see.
It exposes flaws in the criminal justice system and shows how transformative justice, beyond simple punitive action, can create actual lasting change.
This documentary largely focuses on events that happened 30+ years ago but the lessons learned can and should be applied to what’s happening right now.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, we guarantee you will get something out of this film.
Having met Dr. Sheppard at a previous screening, we can also say that it’s absolutely worth going again, even if you’ve seen the film, for the opportunity to listen to her speak.
Do not miss this.
Since I Been Down screening
This film should be required viewing for everyone living in Tacoma.
There will be a FREE screening of Since I Been Down at The Grand Cinema tomorrow (Wed 6/29) at 7:00, followed by a discussion with Director Gilda Sheppard.
Since I Been Down dives deep into the gang violence of Tacoma in the 1990s and focuses on interviews with Kimonti Carter and other inmates to build a more complete picture of the issue than most people ever see.
It exposes flaws in the criminal justice system and shows how transformative justice can create actual lasting change.
This documentary largely focuses on events that happened 30+ years ago but the lessons learned can and should be applied to what’s happening right now.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, we guarantee you will get something out of this film.
Having met Dr. Sheppard at a previous screening, we can also say that it’s absolutely worth going again, even if you’ve seen the film, for the opportunity to listen to her speak.
Do not miss this.
Black Business Market
FIFTY Black-owned businesses coming to the Point Ruston Public Market tomorrow for Juneteenth!
Check it out, support local businesses, enjoy all the delicious food, brilliant music, and great vendors.
Tacoma Humpback breaching
Our visiting humpback, Kata (BCY1218), is apparently learning to fly.
It’s only a matter of time before our skies are overrun with bus-sized whales who will, in all likelihood, teach the resident orcas. They’ve clearly had enough of our sh*t and they’re coming to take matters into their own hands fins. The end is nigh…
Nah. But wouldn’t that be something?
Anyway, Ellis Retzloff shot this series of stills from Dune Peninsula looking toward Point Defiance.
In case you’re curious, this was shot on a Sony a7iii with a 200-600 mm lens on a1.4x teleconverter.
Kata was still here this morning, making a trip across Dune Peninsula down to Titlow and back again across the southern edge of Vashon.
Even though this one is just a juvenile, it can still be pretty easy to see from the shore, especially when it’s doing its Tinkerbell thing.
If you do feel compelled to watch the humpback from a boat, remember that the law is 100 yards away—minimum—to the sides or behind. And keep your speed below 7 knots if you're within half a mile.
Humpbacks often travel a long way underwater without notice and you don’t want to be made an example of when a flying whale makes an awkward landing on your fancy boat.
Keep an eye on Orca Network for updates.
Magazines at Hi-Voltage Books
Our magazines are at Hi-Voltage Books on 6th Ave!
Check it out, save on shipping, and support two local businesses in one shot.
Stickers, posters, magazines, plus the added bonus of genuine human interaction.
