Story and photo by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Another change is in the works for what was the On Safari Foods storefront in Westwood, divided into three spaces after that business moved to SODO.
Stuffed Cakes owner Donna Lawson confirms that she will be setting up shop in the third and final vacant space at 9003 35th Ave SW (the northernmost space, where Hebert’s Den was briefly open). Donna, a former graphic designer, began her cake/cupcake business in 2010, working from a shared space in The Triangle.
She’s been looking for a solo space since March and finally landed here. “I’m also a West Seattle resident since 1997 and want to stay local with my business.”
One high-school-football game tonight: Playing at Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle High School lost to Franklin, 28-12. (We tweeted the game live at @wsblive.)
Gene sent word of a new group he’s forming in West Seattle, starting this Sunday:
This is a new group, which I hope will meet twice monthly. We play primarily “European” strategy board games, such as Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Dominion. These games are more complex than many typical board games, but new players who don’t mind some complexity and strategic thinking are welcome.
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2011
Location: Uptown Espresso, 4301 SW Edmunds St (California and Edmunds)
Start time: 1:00 PM. There is no set end time, but Uptown Espresso closes at 10 PM.
I will be bringing around 15 games myself, but the more options we have the better, so bring what you are interested in playing if you can. If possible, most of the group should purchase at least a coffee, as we are using their space. Contact Gene at egene1@yahoo.com with any questions.
There’s also a Yahoo! group he’s suggesting you join if you’re coming on Sunday or interested in future meetings – check it out here.
If you are attending or interested in future meetings please join this Yahoo group:
Classes start Monday at South Seattle Community College, and today was a day to celebrate the about-to-start school year. This afternoon, college leaders gathered to celebrate their community partnerships with the second annual “Salute to South” reception. SSCC president Gary Oertli is starting his second year on the job, and gave a short speech with shoutouts to some of the people and programs strengthening the West Seattle college known in short as “South”:
As Oertli explained, hundreds of college staffers and new students had gathered for an even-bigger look ahead to the new year, during the annual convocation. SSCC had more than 7,500 students last year, according to online stats.
Just so your radar’s up for sonic booms, traffic effects, Air Force One sightings … President Obama comes to Seattle this Sunday. This time around, according to seattlepi.com, he’s raising money for his re-election campaign, with two fundraisers on the schedule – breakfast/brunch on the Eastside, then a lunch event at the Paramount downtown (with a demonstration planned outside). No exact arrival time announced so far. (Photo by David DeSiga, from August 2010 presidential visit)
As promised, we followed up on our report early yesterday about the latest arrest of 33-year-old Ryan Cox, who gained regional notoriety two years ago after a wave of homophobic-graffiti vandalism (2009 SPD-distributed photo at right). First: The arrest at Thriftway on Tuesday night was sparked by a report from the person he pleaded guilty to stalking in August. Municipal Court documents from that case do not include details of what the “stalking” involved. But Cox was under court order to stay away from the victim – and, according to Seattle Police, on Tuesday night, she called 911 to say she had spotted him close to her Morgan Junction-area home. Police responding to the call searched the area and found him in the nearby grocery store. They also discovered he had a $7,500 warrant for “failure to appear” related to the stalking case, and their report says they found a knife on him. He is charged with harassment, for the alleged no-contact-order violation, and possession of a concealed weapon. Online court records say he has pleaded not guilty to both, and that his next court date is set for October 6th. He is still being held in King County Jail, where the register indicates his bail has been raised to $25,000 total, for the warrant and the new charges.
Side note: In the comment section following yesterday’s story, we mentioned having met Cox’s mother in the past, and hoping she would contact us again. She saw the comment, and e-mailed us. We have asked her several questions about his case; a few of them, she is still mulling, but one answer for starters: “Ryan has had court-ordered treatment in the past, just for a few weeks at a time. When he takes the medications, he is nearly normal and we can have a conversation. When he is released with prescriptions and a medical card to pay for the prescriptions, he chooses to not take them. Then it’s impossible to communicate with him.” According to court records for the new charges, he has been referred to Mental Health Court, which has handled some of his previous cases.
Today’s clouds belie the fact that it’s still technically summer … until very early tomorrow morning (just after 2 am our time). And since tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, that means it’s another sunset-watching event at Solstice Park in West Seattle, with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen (whose husband Jason Gift Enevoldsen took the photo at left, a silhouette at the park this past Monday). Sunset will be around 6:50 pm, so you’re invited to arrive around 6:30. Solstice Park is uphill behind the Lincoln Park Annex tennis courts, across from the gas station where Fauntleroy Way meets Lincoln Park Way (Alice’s website has an excellent map, if you need further instructions). In all the time she’s been leading solstice/equinox sunset watches at the park, this past summer-solstice event (WSB coverage here) was the first one during which the sun was actually visible – so if that’s a repeat tomorrow (hard to tell from the forecast), it will provide the chance to see if the equinox sunset lines up with the park marker placed at what should be the spot.
NEW CROSSING GUARDS: WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that Highland Park Elementary now has three crossing guards helping students, after years of just one. From left to right in the photos above, Lemike Taumoepeau is at 9th/Trenton; Ray Covello, at 11th/Henderson; Theresa Straga-Propst at 16th/Trenton. They’re out on school days from 8:15-9 am and 2:45-3:30 pm.
Second of four expected reports from last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting: The group heard from the acting executive director of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, who declared that rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.
It’s no secret that DNDA has had money struggles; the organization sent out a fundraising plea last December (here’s our story, including an explanation of what DNDA does). Since then, it’s cut staff and vacated its Brandon Court offices, consolidating into space at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Acting executive director Patty Grossman came to DNDC to provide a general update, starting with, “DNDA is not dead, and Youngstown is not closing its doors,” in response to rumors apparently in circulation. However, that’s not to say everything is rosy.
For everybody who commutes through/to SODO, take note of this alert from SDOT:
Annual Microsoft Employee Meeting at Safeco Field tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 or 4 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. 200 buses, 4,000 cars expected to arrive with 18,000-20,000 attendees between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Most will depart by 5 p.m.
Cars will park in the Safeco Field Garage and the CenturyLink Garage, with some using nearby lots and garages. Buses will unload and load riders at the following locations:
(1) 3rd Ave S between Royal Brougham and Holgate
(2) Occidental from Royal Brougham north to Railroad Ave in front of the CenturyLink Event Ctr
(3) Occidental between Edgar Martinez Dr and Massachusetts St at the Safeco Field Garage Plaza
(4) 1st Ave S west curb from Royal Brougham north to end of sidewalk where SR99 ramps block the sidewalk.
Buses will arrive via the I-90 HOV exit to 5th Ave S or I-90 mainline exit to 4th Ave S. Seattle Police will provide traffic controls similar to ball games.
BACK TO SCHOOL! If you go to West Seattle’s institution of higher learning, South Seattle Community College, you’re back in class on Monday – and today the community’s invited to celebrate the new year at the Salute to South community reception, 3-5 pm at the University Center.
COMMUNITY CENTER CHANGES: The next group to discuss the proposed changes unveiled in West Seattle last week is the city Parks Board, 7 pm, Parks HQ downtown.
FALL FASHION AFFAIR: Special shopping event at four Junction boutiques, 7-10 pm – full details here.
Last year, the Village Bicycle Project– which sends no-longer-needed bicycles to people who need them – collected bikes in West Seattle. This year, WSB’er Linda says, they’re collecting in Georgetown, but still hoping West Seattleites can help out. She shared this announcement:
Round up those unused bikes and support a good cause!!! The Village Bicycle Project, which ships bikes to Africa where for many it is their only mode of transportation, will be doing a bike loading on Saturday, September 24th in Georgetown and is looking for help. You can drop off bikes at Total Reclaim (also known now as Ecolight – 1915 South Corgiat Drive). Help is also needed with loading the bikes headed to Ghana, starting at 9 AM til we are done, hopefully by 5PM. This event is happening, rain or shine! As always, we offer good wholesome hard work and lots of fun. Packing bikes tight and closing the big double doors is always cause for celebration! Bike prepping will be inside. Munchies will be provided. Bring a water bottle, and a friend. Bring closed toe shoes and bike tools if you have them. RSVP’s and/or questions to meg@villagebicycleproject.org or phone 206-853-7813.
Finally got the bottom line on heavy police presence in the 51st/Waite (map) area. After a few calls/texts, we went over to check it out – more than half a dozen SPD cars along a couple of blocks, but no lights or sirens, no visible-from-street sense of urgency, no police tape, no one visible to approach with a question. The mystery was solved by Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams‘ reply to our inquiry: He says they arrested a misdemeanor domestic-violence suspect: “We needed some time to talk the adult male suspect out. He’s in custody.”
Just so your radar’s up for 
who gained regional notoriety two years ago after a wave of homophobic-graffiti vandalism (2009 SPD-distributed photo at right). First: The arrest at 
Today’s clouds belie the fact that it’s still technically summer … until very early tomorrow morning (
It’s no secret that DNDA has had money struggles; the organization sent out a fundraising plea last December (
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