Monthly Archives: September 2014

5 Question Friday With Michael Fitzgerald from Destiny City Comics

Posted on September 26, 2014 | 1 comment

DestinyCityComics

I’ve been going to local comic book shops since I was 12 years old. Back then it was O’Leary’s Comics out in Lakewood. Later I’d go to Lady Jayne’s, then The Spider’s Web, then Comic Book Ink, then Spy Comics in Federal Way which is now Fantasium Comics. Detroit native Michael Fitzgerald is the latest entrepreneur to get into the comic book shop game. His new shop, Destiny City Comics is opening next week. He was nice enough to take some time from getting his shop ready to join me for 5 Question Friday and tell us a bit more about himself and his shop. Here’s Mike:

 1. What is Destiny City Comics?

Destiny City Comics is my new comic shop set to open October 1. I want the shop to be a destination for comic book lovers. I hope to make available a healthy variety of works by esteemed creators.

2. Why did you want to open a comic book shop?

It all just kind of came together. After seeing RR Anderson post about an upcoming informational session and deadline, I thought I’d pitch the idea to Spaceworks Tacoma and they were incredibly supportive. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to open a shop without their enterprise training. When I saw the spot next to King’s Books was open I really thought that would be a great fit for my comic shop idea that I’ve been working on for the past few months.

3. What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about comic books?

I think one of the bigger things might be the misconception that comics are just about bone-headed superheroes smashing their way through problems, but while there are plenty of those and they can be fun there’s a lot more out there. I hope to be able to connect people to comics they can really enjoy because there’s a lot of high quality stuff out there by passionate creators.

4. What is your favorite comic book story and why?

You know I’ve read a lot that I really enjoy but I think I have to go with Death: the High Cost of Living for this one. I wrote about this book for local arts and culture magazine Post Defiance when we read it for the Comics and Pizza Club at King’s Books (http://postdefiance.com/ten-things-i-learned-about-life-from-death-the-high-cost-of-living/).

5. What do you hope for the future of Destiny City Comics?

I want to ignite imaginations with some great literature and make the shop a fun place to visit. I want to encourage single issue or trade paperback subscribers for repeat business. I also hope that it will be a cultural hub for Tacoma and host unique art events.

 

I’d like to thank Mike for taking the time to join me and honestly, for opening up a comic book shop I can walk to. Destiny City Comics is located next door to King’s Books at 218 St. Helens, Tacoma, WA 98402.You can find out more information about Destiny City Comics at their website: http://destinycitycomics.com/ or at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyCityComics

If you or someone know is interested in joining me for 5 Question Friday, email me at jackcameronis@gmail.com

– Jack Cameron

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Eleventh Tacoma Homicide of 2014 John Scott Ware Jr.

Posted on September 26, 2014 | 3 comments

Two weeks ago a portable speaker was stolen from a 38-year-old man. For reasons unknown, he blamed 35-year-old John Scott Ware Jr. Last week he confronted John and the two of them got into an argument. This past Monday John Scott Ware Jr. was walking near South 12th and State Street. The same man started following him on a bicycle. At some point the man confronted John again. He knocked John to the ground and stabbed him repeatedly while asking him to beg for his life.

At some point John managed to get away from his attacker and went to a nearby house. He knocked on the door. A stranger answered the door. John said, “Help me.” before collapsing. Unfortunately his injuries were too severe and he died.

A few days later, police officers were able to arrest John’s killer using eyewitness testimony, surveillance footage from a camera at a house, and good police work.

This is Tacoma’s eleventh Tacoma homicide this year and the third homicide this year on Tacoma’s Hilltop. Unfortunately as the year winds down, our homicide rate seems to be increasing despite starting the year with almost three months with no homicides at all.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find much about John Scott Ware Jr. As always, the comments section is reserved for those who knew the victim. Please share your thoughts or memories of John. If any loved one has a photo they’d like to share, please email it to jackcameronis@gmail.com.  I am sorry for your loss.

– Jack Cameron

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5 Question Friday With Angela from Crescent Moon Gifts

Posted on September 19, 2014 | Leave a comment

cmgThere has been a lot of activity on 6th Ave lately. Primo Grill, Tacoma Games, and Crescent Moon Gifts have either changed locations or are in the process of changing but they’re still on 6th Ave. This Saturday (September 20th), Crescent Moon Gifts is having their 10th Anniversary Celebration that coincides with the Grand Opening of their new store. Crescent Moon Gifts’ owner, Angela was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to join me for 5 Question Friday. Here’s Angela:

1. What is Crescent Moon Gifts?

Crescent Moon Gifts is many things to different people. To some it is a great place to support a small business and pick up a unique gift, To others it is a place where they come to have their spirits lifted when they are having a bad day or feeling down (I have been told that when they come in and experience the music, the scent and the “vibe” they always immediately feel better), and to others it is a place where they can learn about different cultures and mythologies, or have their “woo-woo” questions answered without anyone looking at them funny.

 2. What can you tell us about the new location?

It’s HUGE! My tiny business started as a table at the Star-Lite Theater Swap & Shop 10 years ago, if someone had told me then that I’d be running a 5,400 sq. ft. “community center” in the future I would have laughed, but that is exactly what it has become. It is so much more than a gift shop now, and I love to see people come in and spend hours here. Between the Starlight (a nod to our origins) Tea Lounge, the cozy “library’ reading nook, the classes and workshops we offer, the intuitive readers and the complementary business tenants- reiki treatments and spiritual counseling on our upper level; I feel like we are offering many services and products to meet more of the communities needs. We even have an area for weddings, and ordained ministers on staff. Oh, and there is a 27 space parking lot free for our customers to use while shopping, that is definitely a perk with the limited street parking here on 6th Ave. Did I mention we have A/C…

3.  What’s the most misunderstood thing about your shop?

That it is sometimes labeled as a “New Age” store, and only appeals to that type of clientele. I don’t actually give my store a label, when people come in and ask me what “type” of store it is, I always ask them to tell me what they think. I have heard so many different answers: “the fairy store”, “the shop with great incense”, “my favorite place for tea”, etc. We have an expansive and diverse client base appealing to people of all ages, religions, and genders.

4. What’s your favorite thing about Crescent Moon Gifts?

Crescent Moon is where my imagination comes out to play. When setting up the themed areas in the store I get very in touch with my inner child. That sense of wonder, magic and playfulness that many don’t get to experience in their day to day adult life. I strive to create an atmosphere that immediately takes people off guard and transports them out of the “norm”. I want them to come in and not have to worry about the stress of everyday life, the bills they have to pay, the errands and chores they have to do, etc. I want them to relax and remember that life is here to be enjoyed, and their spirit needs to be nurtured. I just love it when people walk in and immediately their eyes get wide, they do a double take, smile and say “WOW”. Every time someone says “I just found my new favorite store!” I feel like all the hard work, and many hours put in to running a small business is all worthwhile.

5. What’s next for Crescent Moon Gifts?

Even though it’s been 10 years I feel like we are always growing and evolving, if not in size (hopefully we are now in our forever home), then in offerings to our community. We are just getting settled in now, but I do plan on hosting some of our larger events like the Spring Fairy Festival (www.springfairyfestival.com) right here on site making it a free outdoor event; partnering with the 6th Ave. business district to host more community events throughout the year to increase the foot traffic to neighboring businesses, and I plan on adding an e-commerce aspect to our business in the next year or so as it has been the #1 request from customers over the years.

You can visit Crescent Moon Gifts in their new location at the old Sunset Theater at 2502 6th Ave. Thanks to Angela for participating in 5 Question Friday. If you or someone you know is interested in joining me for 5 Question Friday, email me at jackcameronis@gmail.com.

– Jack Cameron

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Tenth Tacoma Homicide of 2014: Michael Ward Jr.

Posted on September 8, 2014 | 21 comments

Screenshot_2014-09-07-19-10-36-1It was hot last Saturday night in Tacoma. Long after the sun went down, it was still 80 degrees on one of the last days of summer. Sometime around 4am, police arrived at South 39th and Yakima Avenue responding to reports of gunfire and found the body of 32-year-old Michael Ward Jr. He’d been shot.

Police canvassed the area and roused an afterhours place run by a local motorcycle club. As of this writing, no suspects or witnesses have been located.

This is the third Tacoma homicide near an afterhours party since 2011. And the second homicide on the South Side of Tacoma in the last nine days. It’s also Tacoma’s tenth homicide this year.

Unfortunately there isn’t much information about Michael that I could find. And this is why I have the comments section for this site. It is reserved for those who knew Michael and want to share memories of him.

Police are asking for anyone who saw anything or knows anything about this shooting to contact them at 253-798-4721.

My thoughts go out to his friends and family. I’m sorry for your loss.

– Jack Cameron

UPDATE: Michael’s family is collecting funds for his funeral services. If you would like to donate, here’s the link http://www.gofundme.com/e82k6w

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Ninth Tacoma Homicide of 2014 Doug Medlock

Posted on September 3, 2014 | 1 comment

dougmedlockOn the evening of Friday, August 29th, 20-year-old Doug Medlock was hanging out with a group who decided to rob a local pot dealer. The robbery took place near South 24th and Yakima. Another 20-year-old beat the pot dealer in the head with the butt of his pistol. The last time he hit the dealer the pistol discharged. The bullet hit Doug Medlock in the leg.

About 20 minutes later police arrived at the Jack In The Box on South 23rd and Pacific. It was 9:30pm. They found a 16-year-old and the 20-year-old who shot Doug. Both were very upset. They directed the officers to a car where they found Doug bleeding profusely from his leg injury. Paramedics were called, but the bullet had hit an artery and Doug Medlock bled out becoming the ninth homicide in Tacoma this year. 

Initially the shooter told officers that someone else shot Doug and ran off, but eventually the 16-year-old gave a full account of what happened,

The shooting occurred only a few blocks from St. Joseph’s Hospital. Unfortunately the shooter was unfamiliar with the Tacoma area and had driven downtown to get help. The shooter has been charged with first-degree manslaughter and attempted robbery.The 16-year-old is not being charged.

Police are still looking to talk to anyone who was there when the shooting occurred.

As always, the comments section is moderated by me and is reserved for friends and family who want to share stories and memories of Doug.

– Jack Cameron

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