The new Performing Arts and Piquette Center | Q&A with Mr. Federal Way

Published 3:31 pm Friday, June 5, 2015

Q: Mr. Federal Way, what do you think about the name of the Performing Arts and Conference Center being changed to the Performing Arts and Events Center?

A: Mr. Federal Way is somewhat disappointed only because “PACC” was so easy to say. “PAEC” may still be as easy to spell, but how is it pronounced? Can it still be said just like PACC? Mr. Federal Way is willing to write PAEC, but will still be pronouncing it PACC because everyone will know what he’s talking about. Plus, it involves much less thought and Mr. Federal Way is feeling a bit lazy currently.

Beyond the pronunciation, Mr. Federal Way has no problem with the name change. When was the last time anyone wanted to go to anything involving the word “conference” without the word finals or championship following it? Parent-teacher conference? Yawn. Conference call? Snore. Press conference where whomever is being interviewed won’t answer the tough questions? Pass.

Events are a different story. “We’re going to an event” sounds so much better than “we’re going to a conference,” even if the event is a conference. You at least get to experience some joy before it’s ripped away from you by the word “conference.”

It just sounds like the door is opening for even more exciting things to happen there, even if there aren’t. It’s a step in the right direction while they’re in the planning stages for the Performing Arts and Events Center.

There are also economic reasons for the change, which Mr. Federal Way can understand. The name change is part of an effort to secure federal funding for the center via New Markets Tax Credits. If it can take a little bit of the burden off the citizens of Federal Way, it can be worth it.

In the end, none of these name changes may matter in the grand scheme of things. Naming rights have not yet been finalized and the Performing Arts and Events Center is likely not going to be the final name, though Mr. Federal Way would not be too upset if it were. If there is money to be made through the name, it’s pretty much guaranteed we will all be calling it something else by the time it’s finally finished. Mr. Federal Way’s guess? The Performing Arts and Piquette Center.

Maybe the city should let the people vote on the name once it’s finished so they at least had some type of vote on it.

So what Mr. Federal Way is really trying to say about the current name change is, big whoop.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, what are your thoughts on the local Albertsons becoming a Haggen?

A: First off, let Mr. Federal Way say that hopefully no one is losing their job in the switch. Mr. Federal Way has heard that some longtime employees are worried about their job security as the store changes. They are basically being treated as new employees despite being established at their positions for some time. Hopefully the company doesn’t treat those employees who have been hard working as expendable.

Now as far as Mr. Federal Way’s opinion on Haggen itself? Well, it’s not been pretty. Mr. Federal Way has been to Albertsons and Safeways out of town (yes, Mr. Federal Way does leave this city and Mr. Federal Way knows that’s a scary thought) that have made the switch and things were just not the same.

Haggen is usually portrayed as fancier than its counterparts and with that comes higher prices and less deals. Gone were the buy one, get one free deals on meat you find at Albertsons. Gone were the club member deals at Safeway.

Instead, Mr. Federal Way had to spend more than double the price on meat.

All this being said, there are some positives to Haggen. They do tend to get their stock from local farmers, which is always a positive. They also will be partnering with local nonprofits and making a donation of $1,000 to one organization the first day it opens.

If they really want to be a big part of the community, even with their sometimes outrageous prices, this is a good start.

Maybe this Haggen in Federal Way will be different. Maybe it will finally sweeten the bad taste other Haggen’s have left in Mr. Federal Way’s mouth. Then again, maybe it just means Mr. Federal Way will spend more time in other grocery stores from now on.

Until we find out for sure, Mr. Federal way will lament the end of Cheap Chicken Mondays.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, did you work on your tan with the sunshine we got over the weekend?

A: None of your business.

Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com