West Seattle business: 5th anniversary for Click! Design That Fits
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Frances and John Smersh are the owners of contemporary gift and home goods store Click! Design That Fits (2210 California SW; WSB sponsor). But you could say they have a silent partner: their neighborhood.
“A necessary part of our store concept is West Seattle,” Frances says. “We would not have opened a store had we not been able to do it here.”
Obviously, it was a smart decision: Click! will mark five years in business with an anniversary party this Friday, October 2, 6-9 p.m., featuring catering by West Seattle-based Splendid Cupcake, a free etched glass from Roost for each guest — with purchase — while supplies last, and weekend sales including 25% off Smersh Design, the gold vermeil and silver jewelry that Frances designs, through October 4.
Both the retail store and the jewelry business have proven staying power, despite the fact that neither John nor Frances had a background in retail or even art.
Read More
From West Seattle waters: A crabby mystery
That photo is from “Kona” Greg, who works at Alki Kayak Tours (different Greg from the boss), and wants to know what a king crab was doing in 3-foot deep water off Duwamish Head – or, if that’s not a king crab (which usually roam Alaskan waters), what was it? he wonders:
I was out on a tour Friday Sept 18th and spotted this critter near the Duwamish Head channel marker. I had a guest from Penn. with me. We were in about 3 feet of water and she spotted a crab and asked me what kind it was? I could not believe my eyes when I looked down. It sure looks like a King crab to me. I am wondering if anyone has ever seen a King in Elliott Bay, or has information on what this is if it in fact is not a King. I am in, on, or under water here ALL the time and have been for the last 5 years. I have never seen anything like this. Plus as a PADI divemaster I have over 200 dives right here in West Seattle.
Here’s the other photo he sent:
The only kind of “king crab” that’s supposed to be in Puget Sound is this one – pretty but doesn’t resemble Greg’s photos at all.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Musician/entrepreneur’s car broken into
(Saturday photo by Kevin McClintic)
On our way into the “Nickelsville” homeless encampment at T-107 Park yesterday afternoon to cover its “1st anniversary” open house, we met Jason Douros, co-owner of Revolution Coffee, which also had a big event yesterday – its re-grand-opening as a nonprofit. While talking with Jason, we admired the small battery-powered amp he was carrying, and he told us he’d been bringing it to the encampment weekly for music/church events. Then today, this note:
Just wanted to let you know, ironically, that my car was broken into this morning at my home here in West Seattle in the alley of 48th ST. [Admiral District] They broke my rear window out and stole the Bass and Amp I use to play down there (red Yamaha Electric Bass with a missing D string and a Roland Microcube RX amp).
No insurance to cover the window or the guitar. Dumb luck I guess, but at least I don’t have to replace the string.
Kevin McClintic happened to have sent us a photo of the musicians playing at yesterday’s event — that’s Jason, with the amp, second from left.
Update: Search ends in Highland Park
(Photo added 12:07 pm)
On our way to the 9000 block of 11th SW (map), where police and fire have responded to an “assault with weapons” call. More details as soon as we get them. 12:03 PM UPDATE: We’ve arrived in the area and police are looking for a suspect so we’re being kept back. Still working to get details on what happened. Huge police presence, at least half a dozen cars. 12:07 PM: Just heard via scanner that it’s a “GSW” (gunshot wound) – they have just let paramedics past the police line. No official word on the circumstances, so far, and we will add the caveat that information does evolve and change. 12:19 PM UPDATE: And in fact, the information has evolved: We’re told at the scene that they’re no longer looking for anyone – they have found a victim of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Still working to make sure no one else was involved and will add whatever else we find out.
Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run 2009, report #1: The first finishers
Those are the top male and female finishers from this morning’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run, benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients. (The official results aren’t online yet but via loudspeaker, he was identified as Brett Kapels, who finished 3rd last year, and she’s Regina Joyce.) This is the second year for the 5K, which previously had been a half-marathon; the West Seattleite who is NWHH’s executive director, Shari Sewell, told us they’d counted 1,298 signups by race time – up 30% from last year’s 1,000 participants. Brisk but beautiful morning. We’re processing our traditional video clip of EVERYONE at the start of the race and will publish that separately later. But first, a few more photos – first, right after the starting horn sounded:
A big group rounds the first bend onto the Alki bike path:
HUGE amount of volunteer help makes this happen – from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle volunteers with the stop signs:
… to the volunteers in the water booth, bundling up against the chilly breeze:
More later! (P.S. Thanks to Facebook friends – find us at facebook.com/westseattleblog – for pointing out that first finisher Brett Kapels is Hope Lutheran School‘s athletic director.) PPS – Here’s our video of everybody taking off – will feature it as an embed in the followup report when results are available.
Happening today: Alki Beach 5K; Farmers’ Market; Tibbetts
ALKI BEACH 5K WALK/RUN: More than 1,200 people are signed up, we hear – and you can still do same-day registration if you get to Alki Bathhouse at 8 am. The run (from the Bathhouse to Anchor Park, and back) benefits Northwest Hope and Healing, which supports newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients as they struggle to continue the practicalities of life while dealing with their new fight for survival. (We’ll be tweeting pre- and during-race photos at @westseattleblog – you don’t have to be on Twitter to see a Twitter feed, just click that link.)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska, and watch @NFMASeattle on Twitter for tidbits once the market opens. (No Ripe and Ready list online today, sorry!)
TIBBETTS CENTENNIAL SERVICE: It’s been a big year for West Seattle churches celebrating 100th anniversaries, and the big party for Tibbetts United Methodist Church is today: Regional Bishop Grant Hagiya will preside at the 10 am service, during which former pastors will be recognized, and a gala banquet will follow the service. More here (including the latest on plans for the church’s next big rummage sale, in early October).
Site note: Testing Bing “site search”
The Google site-search feature we’ve been using for a while is far from perfect – though we’re still Google fans in general, it seems that Microsoft‘s Bing is on the ascendancy, so we’re testing its site search instead. What you’ll notice if you try the new (unlabeled – that’s how MSFT coded it) search box (top of sidebar) is that your search will open a popup that stretches across the center of the WSB page you’re on, with two tabs – the default is the WSB search for your term, and if you click the WEB tab, it’ll show you web-wide results for your search. Let us know what you think; it’s an easy switch back if you think the Google box worked better. (And if you’re looking for something you’ve seen in our forum, including the keyword forum in your search will help find it.)
| Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: More car break-ins