West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Cellars wine shop: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

Every Thursday is “free wine tasting” night at West Seattle Cellars, and since it’s almost that time of the week, we’re welcoming them today as one of our newest WSB sponsors. Here’s their message to you:

This April marks West Seattle Cellars’ 17th year of doing business in West Seattle! Over the years we have seen lots of change, but our goal has always remained the same: To help our customers discover their own unique palates, and find wines they love at prices they can afford.

What We’d Like You to Know About Us

•We carry a huge selection of wines — with extensive offerings from the Northwest, France, Italy, and Germany, as well as from lesser-known regions around the world. If we don’t have a wine, we’re always happy to try to track it down and order it!

•We offer wines in all price ranges, from rare and limited wines for serious collectors to our well-stocked bins of wines from around the world — all under $10. We taste nearly every wine we bring in, and each one must earn a place on our shelves, whether it is $8 or $380.

•We hold a free wine tasting every Thursday evening with a different theme each week, plus a monthly Saturday tasting featuring a Washington winemaker. Our tastings are relaxed and informal, and we encourage people to try new wines, ask questions, and discover new favorites.

•We have six monthly wine clubs tailored to different interests, from every-day drinkers to highly collectable wines. Our club members are always telling us how much they love being introduced to great new wines that they would have never tried on their own.

Over the years we’ve enjoyed being part of the West Seattle community. We are highly involved with the West Seattle Helpline’s Taste of West Seattle every year, and Westside School’s annual fundraising auction, as well as other local fundraising efforts. We’ve been a member of the Morgan Junction Community Association for the past 12 years, and we’ve been supporting local artists via the West Seattle Art Walk since 2009. We also work closely with the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College as an active member of their Technical Advisory Committee.

In celebration of our 17th anniversary, we’d like to extend an invitation to new customers by offering a 10% discount on your first visit (6026 California SW), during the month of April. Just click our ad in the right-hand column to learn more.

We thank West Seattle Cellars for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Benefit beverage news: Hi-Yu Brü preview; WestSide Baby cocktail-party addition

Two notes about thirst-quenching events that are also charity benefits:

EVENT #1: Check out the all-star crew we photographed Tuesday night at Company Bar in White Center, previewing Hi-Yu Brü before it goes out to the masses this Friday night! Proprietors of establishments participating in the release of the next West Seattle/White Center benefit beer gathered tonight with friends at Company for a tasting of sorts. As of 6 pm this Friday, Company is one of the places – along with Shadowland, Feedback Lounge, West 5, The Feedback Lounge, Mission, Big Al Brewing (which makes Hi-Yu Brü), The Bridge, Locöl, and Beveridge Place Pub. Also in the photo, by the way – front and center, in the gray-green shirt, that’s Tian Richardson, who came up with the winning name.

EVENT #2: At Tian’s left in the dark shirt is The Feedback’s Matt Johnson, who figures prominently in this next announcement about a separate benefit event coming up next month: Feedback Lounge has signed on as cocktail sponsor for WestSide Baby‘s upcoming “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” cocktail party benefit at The Hall at Fauntleroy on May 18th. (We’re told Matt himself will be there as guest master mixologist.) Tickets are available now; read on for the announcement of what’s new with the party plan: Click to read the rest of Benefit beverage news: Hi-Yu Brü preview; WestSide Baby cocktail-party addition…

Tracking the apps: 2 more would-be liquor sellers in West Seattle

Another update on something we’ve been tracking for about 2 months – the list of stores in West Seattle planning to sell hard liquor, once privatized sales start on June 1st. Two more applications have just appeared on the state Liquor Control Board‘s website, bringing the total so far to 14 prospective liquor-selling stores in West Seattle, which currently has two state-run stores.

Newest West Seattle applications: Both Rite Aid stores – Westwood Village and California SW south of The Junction.

Previously reported West Seattle applications: Metropolitan Market in Admiral (WSB sponsor), Bartell Drugs (Admiral and Jefferson Square stores), Walgreens (16th/Roxbury and High Point stores), Target (Westwood Village), West Seattle Thriftway, QFC (Junction and Westwood Village stores), Safeway (Admiral, Jefferson Square, Roxbury stores)

Remember, this is NOT the final list of who’ll be selling liquor in West Seattle – sales can’t start before June 1st, and qualifying businesses can apply at any time. (Before last week’s update, we checked with PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), which hadn’t decided.)

Also checking in on the auction for the current state-store locations’ licenses: Bidding started at $1,000 each, as reported here March 8th – the Westwood-location license is up to $4,050, while the Junction-location license bidding is up to $7,100. Bidding is also open for all locations’ licenses together, and that’s now at $551,100, more than double what it was last week. Bidding continues into April.

Not just a new location: The Beer Junction’s new features

Sometime in the next few days, wander past The Beer Junction‘s new location at 4511 California SW (first reported here last July), and you just might find the store in “soft open” mode. Proprietor Morgan Herzog will reopen with new features, not just a new storefront. Some are small – like the shopping carts on the left side of our top photo – some are large, like the added bar:

And then there are the familiar features, like Pliny the Oscar:

What about the beer, you ask? (And the other beverages?) 1,250 types of beer fill the refrigerated cases along the store’s walls – here’s the north side:

1,250 is not only double what Morgan opened his former location (across from Jefferson Square, on the site of <strong>Equity Residential‘s future mixed-use project), that’s also about 200 more than he had in stock when he closed that store earlier this month to finish the move. He’s also stocking 100 hard ciders, 50 meads, and 90 wines, plus assorted merchandise including T-shirts and mugs. Hours will be the same as the old location for starters, including Monday closures.

The winning name: Hi-Yu Brü, next West Seattle/White Center benefit beer

Just in from Jeff Gilbert at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), on behalf of all the West Seattle/White Center establishments participating in the name-the-charity-beer campaign: After judges reviewed hundreds of entries, they chose … Hi-Yu Brü! The announcement:

HI-YU BRÜ, the third of three Big Al Brewing charity beers, benefiting the West Seattle and White Center communities, arrives just days from now. In a three-week contest to name the beer, HI-YU BRÜ, the entry by TIAN RICHARDSON of West Seattle, was chosen from more than 300 submitted titles. (The contest was only open to West Seattle and White Center residents).

“I am thrilled to have my beer name HI-YU BRÜ chosen to represent our West Seattle/White Center communities,” says Tian. “Hi-Yu, which means ‘much, plenty, abundance’ in native Chinook jargon, will undoubtedly bring just that to all of us in the form of…well…beer, and will also bring help to those in need in our communities.”

For the beneficiary of the sales percentage of HI-YU BRÜ, Tian has chosen the Holy Rosary Parish Ministries, which has a number of different local benefits in the West Seattle community, from meals for the elderly/low-income, to a weekend women’s shelter.

On Friday, April 6, 2012, 6 PM, nine West Seattle/White Center bars and restaurants will introduce HI-YU BRÜ to the neighborhood, with each establishment pledging a portion of the sales to the chosen charity. The beer, crafted by Big Al Brewing, is hoppier styled IPA and will be exclusively available at The Feedback Lounge, West 5, Shadowland, Mission, Big Al Brewing, The Bridge, Locöl, Beveridge Place Pub, and Company Bar until April 26, 2012. After April 26, any venue with a liquor license will be able to buy and offer HI-YU BRÜ to their customers.

“It was extremely challenging to pick a winning name for the beer,” says Feedback Lounge co-owner and charity beer organizer, Jeff Gilbert. “There were so many amazing suggestions, the judges had a hard time deciding. Some of the more fun ones were Alki “Pasty Leg” Ale, Pirate’s Landing Pale Ale, Gatewood Grog, Lincoln Lager, Innocent Amanda Ale, Viaduct Fail Ale, Rolling Roxbury, and Wes C. Addle Pale Ale. Makes me wish we were releasing 10 more beers.”

This is the third in a series of Big Al Brewing-brewed beers with proceeds benefiting local charities. The previous two were Löwman Bräu and Whale Tail Ale.

Privatized liquor: More West Seattle stores apply for licenses

For almost 2 months now, we’ve been tracking license applications, to see who in West Seattle plans to sell hard liquor once privatization takes full effect on June 1st. Another wave of applications has just appeared on the state Liquor Control Board‘s website.

Newest West Seattle applications: Metropolitan Market in Admiral (WSB sponsor), Bartell Drugs (Admiral and Jefferson Square stores), Walgreens (16th/Roxbury and High Point stores), Target (Westwood Village)

Previously reported West Seattle applications: West Seattle Thriftway, QFC (Junction and Westwood Village stores), Safeway (Admiral, Jefferson Square, Roxbury stores)

This is not likely the final list of who’ll be selling liquor in West Seattle – sales can’t start before June 1st, and qualifying businesses can apply at any time. Meanwhile, the fate of the current state liquor stores remains unsettled. The auction for the locations’ licenses continues; bidding started at $1,000, as reported here March 8th – the Westwood-location license is up to $3,050 (as of right before publication of this story, anyway), while the Junction-location license bidding is up to $5,100. Bidding is also open for all locations’ licenses together, and that’s now at $266,700. (And one final note – the legal fight over the liquor-privatization initiative isn’t over yet.)

ADDED 2:48 PM: Since PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) is the only currently-in-business West Seattle grocery store that hasn’t applied for a license, we checked with the company to see if they’re planning to. Spokesperson Diana Crane’s reply: “The straight answer is that we’re still considering this opportunity and haven’t reached any decisions yet.”

West Seattle business: Beer Junction’s last weekend in old store

The big move is finally almost here for Morgan Herzog‘s beverage shop The Beer Junction – moving from its original location at 4707 42nd SW in The Junction (which is on the site of the future Equity Residential development) to a big new space less than 2 blocks away (4511 California SW). We first told you about the plan last July; now, the move is at hand, and Morgan is having a sale this weekend to try to clear out inventory before closing the old store. Tomorrow (Sunday) is the LAST DAY at the old store – everything is 10 percent off today and tomorrow. Morgan added in his announcement, “If you have boxes or cloth bags you can bring to package up your purchases, it will be a great help (with the moving process we’re currently running low on extra boxes).” After close of business tomorrow, TBJ will be closed for up to two weeks, Morgan says, to get everything switched over – no hard-and-fast reopening date just yet.

Want to sell liquor where it’s sold in West Seattle now? Bid!

As of today, you can bid on the right to sell liquor, when privatization kicks in June 1st, at (or near) the sites of existing state stores, including the two in West Seattle. The auction listings also include some interesting facts about those stores. Example: Here’s the bidding page for the Westwood Village store, less than two years old. It mentions that the store’s gross sales totaled $3.5 million last year. And here’s the bidding page for the new “premier” store in The Junction, not open long enough for a full year of sales stats. Exactly what does the winning bidder get? Kind of complicated, but explained here.

More booze news: West Seattle stores seeking suggestions

With three months to go till the hard-liquor business is fully privatized in our state, two local stores are asking your opinion regarding what they should stock. Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) has just announced an online survey asking which brands you’d like to see, including locally produced “craft” spirits – take the survey here. Meanwhile, West Seattle Thriftway is inviting you, via their home page, to e-mail your thoughts, particularly regarding “local craft liquor.” (While they’re not conducting surveys so far as we know, we also have reported that local QFC and Safeway stores have already applied for their licenses to sell liquor.)

Name that beer! Next West Seattle/White Center benefit brew

First came Löwman Bräu – then Whale Tail Ale … The next charity-benefiting brew to be debuted by the West Seattle/White Center beverage community is almost ready, and this time, YOU get a chance to name it! Jeff Gilbert from Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – one of nine participating establishments – shares the announcement:

NAME THE NEXT WEST SEATTLE/WHITE CENTER CHARITY BEER A COMMUNITY-WIDE CONTEST MARCH 1, 2012 – MARCH 18, 2012

~ brought to you by ~ Big Al Brewing, The Feedback Lounge, West 5, Shadowland, Mission, The Bridge, Locöl, Beveridge Place Pub and Company Bar

It’s that time again and we’re about to premiere the third of three West Seattle/White Center charity beers crafted by BIG AL BREWING – and we’re inviting YOU to give it a name!

Last year we debuted LÖWMAN BRÄU (named after West Seattle’s Lowman Beach) and WHALE TAIL ALE (in homage to the famous whale tale sculpture on the Alki Elementary playground). This year the naming rights are given over to the West Seattle/White Center communities and all the prestige that comes with it!

Come up with a name that is West Seattle/White Center-centric and e-mail it to us. The author/authorette of the winning name will receive a $25 gift certificate from THE FEEDBACK LOUNGE, WEST 5, MISSION, SHADOWLAND, LOCÖL, BIG AL BREWING, THE BRIDGE, BEVERIDGE PUB PLACE and COMPANY BAR ($225 value), along with a T-shirt from each of these fine establishments ($150 value).

That’s not all:

Click to read the rest of Name that beer! Next West Seattle/White Center benefit brew…

New in West Seattle: Alki Juice and Java in ex-Bubbles spot

That’s Tammy, who, with husband Pete, has just opened Alki Juice and Java across from Seacrest. (The space they have taken over was longtime home to Bubbles.) Tammy e-mailed us to share the news about their new business (she shared the photo too), and says:

The menu consists of fresh organic juice options, as well as smoothies made with frozen fruit and juice, and espresso. We already have an amazing mix of customers, residents nearby, scuba divers, Coast Guard employees, water taxi commuters, and people out for a stroll along the water.

No website yet, but Tammy says it’ll be up soon. Alki Juice and Java is open 7 am-4 pm weekdays, 8 am-4 pm weekends.

ADDED 2:09 PM: For commenter “Coffee” and anyone else who wondered – Tammy says they’re using coffee from Zoka.

Update: More West Seattle stores seeking hard-liquor licenses

Two weeks ago, we reported that QFC was the first to seek licenses to sell hard liquor in West Seattle, once Initiative 1183 takes effect, privatizing liquor retailing in our state. We’re continuing to watch the liquor-license applications, and there are a few more stores seeking spirits (hard liquor) retail-sales permits: All three Safeway stores in West Seattle have now applied (Jefferson Square, Admiral, Roxbury); so has West Seattle Thriftway. June 1st is the day that the state is supposed to be out of the booze-selling business.

‘Sexpresso’ shows up at West Seattle/White Center coffee stand

Five years after the “sexpresso” trend was the talk of the town, people don’t seem to get steamed up any more over the concept of espresso stands with baristas in lingerie. Nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that one of these stands has turned up here, first one we recall hearing about: At 9435 Delridge Way SW in the South Delridge Triangle, the former Java Joint drive-up stand has just been repainted pink and given the new name Brewlesque Espresso. Noticing this while in the area today, we stopped for a photo; the barista told us the stand has new ownership as of just a few days ago, and that’s who made the change. (As was noted in coverage five years ago, as long as the baristas keep their naughty bits covered up, it’s all perfectly legal.)

West Seattle businesses: QFCs apply for liquor permits

Been wondering if your favorite grocery store will sell liquor when privatization takes full effect? Since the initiative passed last November, we’ve been watching the liquor-license applications online to see when private retailers will start seeking licenses. This week, the first two in West Seattle have turned up: QFC is applying for “spirits retailer” licenses for the Junction and Westwood stores, part of a raft of permit applications for many QFC stores around the county (we only monitor King County applications, so we don’t know about the rest of the region). Fred Meyer stores, owned by Kroger like QFC, also are seeking “spirits retailer” licenses, including the closest one to West Seattle (1st Avenue South in Burien). Private retail sales of liquor will be legal in our state starting June 1st.

Liquor licenses for senior centers? West Seattle-backed bill

First bit of news from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual membership meeting, just wrapped up in High Point (full meeting report later): Senior Center of WS director Karen Sisson (at left, with Chamber board chair Dave Montoure) stood up and requested support for a bill that 34th District State Senator Sharon Nelson is co-sponsoring on behalf of the center and others like it. SB 6076 would create a new type of liquor license for senior centers. Sisson says her center started the year $86,000 in the red and could make more money at its fundraisers if it had a liquor license – particularly evening events such as dances and the popular Rainbow Bingo. They’re not looking to open a bar, she stressed, though she said that if this goes through, the board might consider selling beer/wine at their upstairs café. Alcohol sales at fundraisers, however, would be the main goal. The full text of the bill is here; it just had its “first reading” today and goes next to the Senate’s Labor, Commerce, and Consumer Protection Committee (If you would like to contact that committee’s members with an opinion on this bill, they’re listed here.)

Help celebrate their 1st anniversaries: Löcöl and Avalon

Two West Seattle eating/drinking spots are marking their 1st anniversaries, and both have special events this week:

(Photo courtesy Löcöl)
LOCOL: 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, January 10), the cozy neighborhood spot at 7902 35th SW is throwing a party exactly one year after opening night. Proprietor Kyle Duce‘s announcement says, “Wow, it’s been an amazing year of fantastic people, friends, neighbors, wine, beer, food and support! Thank You All!! Hope to see you tomorrow night. We will be handing out Free Cupcakes from our friends @ Stuffed Cakes and will also have Happy Hour Drink Specials all night long!”

AVALON: 6:30 pm Wednesday, Pourquoi Pas will play live at the 2940 Avalon Way SW restaurant/bar, co-owner Mary Palmer tells WSB. Last Tuesday marked one year since Avalon’s official opening. (If you can’t wait till then, tomorrow is another edition of Avalon’s “Tapas Tuesday.”)

The Atlantic profiles Super Deli Mart: ‘Postmodern Elks Club’

Thanks to Forest for the tip on this: Readers across America (and likely beyond) who check out The Atlantic‘s website today have the opportunity to read about West Seattle’s Super Deli Mart. The article by Christopher Solomon is headlined “A Postmodern Elks Club Serving Some of the World’s Best Beer” but talks about the 35th/Barton store as a community gathering place as well as a beverage retailer. Read the story here. (Added 1:13 pm – The Atlantic’s story didn’t include a photo of proprietor Min Chung, so we dropped by to get one to add here!)

West Seattle Thursday: Stories, drinks, tunes, and revolution

(Seen from Luna/Anchor Park this past Tuesday)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ALASKAN WAY S. DETOUR: 1st of 2 traffic alerts for today. If you use Alaskan Way, read this – it starts this morning.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 11:15 am at Delridge Library – more story-time info on the full list, here.

CURIOUS ABOUT ‘OCCUPY’?: 6 pm meeting at West Seattle (Admiral) Library with info for those curious about Occupy Seattle – details here.

FEEDBACK LOUNGE’S NEW COCKTAIL MENU: When you’ve won “Best of Western Washington” two years in a row, runner-up another year, and that’s every year you’ve been around – your cocktails are hot stuff. And so tonight, it’s An Event as Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) debuts Matt Johnson’s latest drink creations, 6 pm.

READ THE KORAN IN FOUR WEEKS: At the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 935-6530, the first of four sessions is scheduled for the course Pastor Ron Marshall has led four times a year since 2003. The official announcement asks: “Have you wanted to know for yourself what the Koran says in a world where Islam is mentioned nearly every day in the news?” and adds, “The $50 registration fee includes an authorized translation of the Koran for your keeping. Worksheets and other background handouts from Islamic scholars will be provided for each class session the week before.” Call ASAP to see if there’s room.

LIVE MUSIC: At Skylark Café and Club featuring: Arkansas and the River Bandits, Relentless Rhythm Machine, Lights From Space. $5 cover, 9 pm, Facebook event page here.

ANOTHER SCHEDULED FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE: The seismic work continues, and another overnight closure of the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled.

ADDED - MEMORIAL FOR MARCELYN SHADOW: Thanks to those who e-mailed with mention of this: A memorial for West Seattle resident Marcelyn Shadow, who taught students in Seattle Public Schools‘ APP program for more than 30 years (mostly at Washington Middle School), is planned for 3:30 pm today at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle). There’s more information on the Hamilton website.

Who’s open, West Seattle Christmas 2011: Restaurants/bars

If you’re thinking about going out for dinner and/or drinks, here’s who either told us they’d be open or posted it somewhere visible online…

FEEDBACK LOUNGE (WSB sponsor), 4 pm-2 am (both food and drink)
THE THAITAN, open with full menu and delivery till 9 pm
A TERRIBLE BEAUTY, special dinner menu, till 11 pm (menu here)
BEVERIDGE PLACE PUB: Open 6 pm-2 am
THE BRIDGE: Opens at 4 pm – lounge only
SHADOWLAND: Open
TUG INN: 8 pm-2 am, “Karaoke Christmas and Ugly Sweater Contest”
YEN WOR, 9 pm-2 am. Lounge only. Karaoke at 9.
(added) OUTWEST BAR (open per Facebook comment)

We’re sure there are at least a few more, so if you know of any, please add a comment. Thanks! (If you’re looking for grocery-store info, here’s the short version – the QFCs just closed, the Safeways are open till 5, then no supermarkets are open in this area till 5 tomorrow morning.)

West Seattle Christmas Day 2011: Where to find coffee

Not an all-inclusive list, but another combination of what we found online plus what we received after publishing an open invitation to share info:

HOTWIRE ONLINE COFFEEHOUSE (WSB sponsor) open 8 am-2 pm
RED CUP ESPRESSO 8 am-noon
DIVA ESPRESSO 8 am-1 pm.
TULLY’S ON ALKI open till 3 pm
CHACO CANYON CAFE open till 10:30 am for coffee and tea (no food or juices)
FRESHY’S COFFEE opening at 8:30 am, open till 2-ish
CAFFE DELIA (in the Proletariat Pizza storefront in White Center) open 9 am-1 pm
CAFFE LADRO open till noon
(added) UPTOWN ESPRESSO/JUNCTION is open (noticed while driving by)
(added) STARBUCKS/ADMIRAL is open, per comment below

Anybody else you’ve found that’s open today? Post a comment and we’ll add to the list.

LOOKING FOR AN OPEN GROCERY STORE? There are five, all in this list we published previously.

LOOKING FOR RESTAURANTS? See the Holidays page.

Election 2011: How West Seattle voted on liquor initiative

Our partners at the Seattle Times have just made maps breaking out the vote around the region on the two most-discussed statewide initiatives in last month’s elections, liquor privatization (I-1183) and tolling (I-1125). The graphic above is taken from one of the maps published by the Times – green areas supported I-1183 (the darker the green, the stronger the support), red/pink areas did not. See both initiative breakouts here. P.S. The transition to privatized liquor sales gets into high gear this Thursday, when 1183 becomes law and would-be sellers can start applying.

West Seattle beverages: Whale Tail Ale for The Whale Trail (& others)

It was Whale Tail meets Whale Trail tonight at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – hub of launch-party night for charity-benefiting Whale Tail Ale. Each establishment that sells Whale Tail chooses which nonprofit will benefit, and The Feedback chose The Whale Trail, founded by West Seattleite Donna Sandstrom (second from right), posing with Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert (left), Tony, and Gia. The Whale Trail educates people about orcas, and encourages land-based viewing. They had info on hand for Feedback visitors tonight – Lynne and Evangeline showed off the setup:

We went to White Center to check out a few other Whale Tail Ale-serving participants – like Full Tilt Ice Cream, where we found proprietor Justin Cline with Shannon:

Justin is, you may have heard, celebrating the opening of Full Tilt’s fourth store, in Ballard (more here). Across 16th SW, Company is pouring Whale Tail Ale too:

That’s Aaron and Micah, who is a brewer for Big Al Brewing, which brewed Whale Tail Ale as well as its predecessor, Löwman Brau. What’s next? You’ll have to wait and see. But check out Whale Tail first. Here’s where to get it (and who they’re donating to).

Beverages with benefits: Hotwire ‘Gobbler’ challenge, Java Bean food drive, Whale Tail Ale beneficiaries

HOTWIRE’S “GOBBLER” CHALLENGE: Starting tomorrow, if you brave “The Gobbler” at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), $1 will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank. “The Gobbler” is a unique drink flavoring, involving what Hotwire proprietor Lora Swift insists is turkey gravy, cranberry syrup, and fresh orange peel, which can be added to a latté, Americano, or just plain steamed milk. Try it, then “like” Hotwire on Facebook, write “I Gobbled” on their FB wall, and they’ll post the Gobbler badge (left) on yours.

JAVA BEAN FOOD DRIVE: Tomorrow is also the start of the annual food drive at Java Bean Coffee. From owner Tony Hoyt: “Java Bean Organic Coffee House, located at 2920 SW Avalon Way, will be hosting the 21st annual Food Drive for Northwest Harvest. They will be collecting food on site from Thursday, November 10th – Tuesday, November 22nd. Thanksgiving type foods such as stuffing mix, canned yams, cranberries, peanut butter and baby food are most appreciated.”

WHALE TAIL ALE BENEFICIARIES: Before you go out tonight to party-hop the Whale Tail Ale launch events, if you’re trying to decide where to go, consider the list of which nonprofits are benefiting from sales of the new brew at which locations:

FEEDBACK LOUNGE: The Whale Trail
WEST 5: Log House Museum
SHADOWLAND: Seal Sitters
THE MISSION: Alki Elementary School
BEVERIDGE PLACE: Nature Consortium
THE BRIDGE: Hickman House
LOCOL: Roxhill Elementary
AVALON: West Seattle Food Bank
COMPANY: White Center Food Bank
BIG AL BREWING: White Center Food Bank
FULL-TILT ICE CREAM: White Center Food Bank

Tonight’s party starts at 6. But the charity cut continues throughout the span of the weeks/months Whale Tail is available.

Got an unused bike (or parts)? Donate at ‘Wine and Bikes’

No, it’s not about pedaling under the influence. Bicycles for Humanity Seattle and the Northwest Wine Academy are teaming up on November 19th to collect donated bikes/parts at an event also featuring the fall release of four new student-created wines: 2009 Cabernet Franc, 2009 Merlot, 2010 Chardonnay and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. Set your reminder for noon-5 pm on the 19th, South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW. The bikes go to South Africa, for villagers to use for work-related transportation in an area where 1 in 2 are unemployed; all types of bikes are welcome – mountain and road bikes, adult bikes, kids’ bikes.

Caffe Fiore: West Seattle’s newest coffeehouse opens Tuesday

That’s part of the loft at Caffe Fiore – opening tomorrow in a new North Admiral live/work building at 2206 California SW. Right next to West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Monica Skov was among those who dropped in for a peek at the shop tonight. They weren’t selling coffee, just opening the doors to anyone who wanted to drop by and have a look around. With the loft, it’s West Seattle’s only two-story coffeehouse. Caffe Fiore is what you might call a “micro-chain,” to take the phrase from a businessperson with whom we were talking at another event tonight; this is its fourth all-organic coffeehouse, with the other three in North Seattle Though the building is brand-new, the interior is designed to look historic upstairs – brick walls, recycled wood flooring, ironwork – and the lighting is so warm, our photos of people had to be converted to black/white, like proprietor Deming Maclise and general manager Katrine Callahan at right. You have to see it in person to appreciate it – and you can do that starting at 6 tomorrow morning (hours are listed here).

From Belgium to West Seattle: Visiting musicians @ Locöl tonight

Tonight at Locöl (35th/Kenyon) – Belgian musicians, and Belgian ale. West Seattle trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough is in the clip above (from a jazz festival last January) with Belgian musicians including the two who will join him tonight at Locöl – Bram Weijters (piano) and Piet Verbist (bass), both from Antwerp. Chad explains, “Both are really fine players, and are top-call jazz musicians in Belgium. Bram and I met in Canada at the 2009 Creative Music workshop at the Banff Centre. We’ve been playing together as much as possible for the last 3 years.” They released an album last year, “Imaginary Sketches,” on Seattle’s Origin Records, available via iTunes. Joining Chad, Bram, and Piet tonight will be Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen. The event starts at 7:30 pm. Oh, and then there’s the beer – they’re pitting Westmalle Trappist Ale vs. Odin Belgian Strong Ale, and the publicity poster says “You can decide the winner!”

West Seattle coffee notes: Caffé Fiore, Café Osita, Sugar Rush

3 notes from the West Seattle coffee world:

CAFFE´FIORE OPENING DATE CHANGES: Last week we reported that Caffé Fiore had announced tomorrow as its opening date in a new live/work building at 2206 California SW (next to West Seattle Fabric Company [WSB sponsor]). This morning we got a note from general manager Katrine Callahan saying they’ve had to reschedule to November 8th (one week from today). The night before that (Monday 11/7), she says, “We are inviting friends, family, and all our new neighbors and community members to come on over on the evening of Nov. 7th from 6 pm-9 pm for a ‘house warming’ or rather Fiore warming party!”

CAFE´ OSITA ANNIVERSARY: Proprietor Andrea Ramirez notes on Facebook that today is the second anniversary of the shop’s opening at 35th/Webster. (Last week, you’ll recall, a thief took the tip jar; she posted an update following the story thanking everyone for their support.)

SUGAR RUSH BAKING COMPANY: As this Junction enterprise celebrates its 7th anniversary, it’s focusing on the Sugar Rush name and phasing out “Coffee to a Tea with Sugar,” says SRBC boss Jilyan Perry. So just call them Sugar Rush from now on.

Early note to everyone in the West Seattle coffee business – you’re invited to send us your planned Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s hours soon as you know them, for our annual “where to get coffee on the holiday” lists! editor@westseattleblog.com