Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Lakewood Playhouse reshapes leadership after a period of big growth

Make time for HUNKS The Show at Lakewood Elks Lodge 2388 (Lakewood, WA) 09/02/26 on the Lakewood Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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Hey hey Lakewood! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Lakewood Playhouse reshapes leadership after a period of big growth
  • What led Lakewood's police chief to be put on leave?
  • How did a Lakewood restaurant rack up 85 health red points?

Also on today's calendar: Free Family and Friends Community Free Live Music & Barbecue, Games and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 87 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 84, low: 57.
  • Saturday: Morning showers; not as warm, with a high of 73 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Lakewood Playhouse Names Darryin B. Cunningham Interim Artistic Director (broadwayworld.com) — Lakewood Playhouse is entering a major transition as Producing Artistic Director Joseph C. Walsh departs after boosting ticket sales, finances, and education programs. The board has named Darryin B. Cunningham Interim Producing Artistic Director and is shifting to a dual Artistic Director–General Manager model to guide the Lakewood-based theatre's next phase of community-focused growth.
   

2. Lakewood's top cop on leave during review of no-confidence vote, investigations (thenewstribune.com) — Lakewood has placed Police Chief Patrick Smith on administrative leave while city officials review union no-confidence votes and multiple investigative reports, with Assistant Chief David Claridge stepping in as acting chief. The move follows months of tension over alleged communication problems, leadership concerns, and prior controversy surrounding the removal of a former assistant chief. City leaders are declining further comment, citing personnel rules, while crime levels and recent serious incidents remain part of the broader context.
   

3. Indian eatery gets 85 red points. Here are Pierce Co. food scores for Aug. 10 (thenewstribune.com) — If you eat out in Lakewood, you'll want to know that Great Cuisine of India on Gravelly Lake Drive recently received 85 red points in a Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department inspection, triggering a required recheck. Inspectors cited issues with handwashing, produce washing, and cooling of cooked lamb, though some problems were corrected on site. The roundup also lists other Pierce County establishments with high violation scores that week.
   

4. Farmer, Linda (prsa.org subscription) — Lakewood residents are represented on multiple fronts by Linda Farmer, who serves both as Pierce County Auditor and as a Lakewood City Council member. With a background in communications and government roles across the region, she now oversees county elections and key licensing services while living in Lakewood with her family. Her long civic résumé underscores her influence on how local government communicates and runs elections.
   

5. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Names Joseph C. Walsh Producing Artistic Director (broadwayworld.com) — Lakewood residents may notice a leadership change at Lakewood Playhouse, as Producing Artistic Director Joseph C. Walsh is heading to lead Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Illinois. The article highlights Walsh's extensive directing career and notes that he currently serves as Producing Artistic Director in Lakewood, underscoring the Playhouse's growing regional reputation.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • School Board Meeting CHANGED: This event has been changed.
    Industrial Design Engineering and Art Professional Development Center Cafeteria, 6501 N 23rd St Tacoma, WA 98406
    6:00 pm
  • Fircrest Movie in the Park →
    Fircrest Park, 555 Contra Costa Ave, Fircrest
    6:00 pm
    • Monday August 24
  • Special Services Day
    University Place Primary School Tacoma, WA 98466
    8:00 am
  • Workforce Grants & Application Workshop
    Tacoma Community College 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466
    10:00 am
    • Tuesday August 25
  • Vaccine Event - MTHS MultiCare Clinic
    Industrial Design Engineering and Art Mount Tahoma High School
    3:15 pm
  • SHS Sentinel Day
    Anderson Island Elementary Steilacoom, WA 98388
    7:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 26
  • Pioneer Pirate Day
    Anderson Island Elementary Pioneer Middle School
    4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I have a bunch of cat litter and wet food cans that I no longer need.
    If anyone needs them let me know! I could do pick up or drop off :) absolutely no charge, I just no longer need them (Nextdoor Tillicum)
  • Hello Neighbor's, if anyone is in the need of dog food please let me know!
    We have a free dog food bag with no use to it. So if you're in need please let me know!! (Nextdoor Lakewood Towne Center)
  • YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties posted a job opening for Summer Day Camp Counselor in Lakewood. Apply here.
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Lakewood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.

Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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