West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
Thanks for the tip. The proprietors of Allyum, the “plant-focused” restaurant at 2940 SW Avalon Way, announced this evening that they’ll close by the end of the year. From their announcement:
Covid has definitely made it very difficult for us to grow the way we need to in order to self sustain and stay out of debt. After many heart felt talks and consideration of all possibilities to make our lovely space work, we have realized it’s just too big to keep costs down and run efficiently as a small restaurant. We have decided it’s time for Allyum to take the necessary next step of closing the doors of our business. Allyum will close by the end of 2021. We will have a set date soon.
We gave it our best shot, had a great time, and met some wonderful folks along the way, feeding them healthy, delicious food, so we feel pretty good about things despite the unavoidable outcome.
So, going forward, we have some really fun events we are planning, to go out with a bang and give you all one last taste of Allyum. Chef Ally will continue to cook of course and we ask that you look out on instagram for popups and private dinner opportunities for you and your loved ones. We are planning a lot of fun holiday promotions and plan to stay running in the space until the end of the year.
Come in and say goodbye and eat as much Allyum as you can while we are still open. Your business is still very much appreciated.
We thank you all so much for welcoming us and showing us so much love and support.
Until we meet again,
Chef Ally & Dahli Strayer of Allyum
Allyum opened this past New Year’s Day. The space previously held Duos, Avalon Restaurant, and Café Revo (before the restaurants, it held Murphy’s Furniture Studio until 2008).
Thanks to Eric Odegard for sending this report on a West Seattle student/athlete’s accomplishment:
Brigit O’Rourke of West Seattle realized a long-held ambition when she made the rowing team at the University of Washington this past week.
As one of approximately 40 “walk-ons” trying to make the crew, O’Rourke was evaluated through a series of tests that involved the rowing machine, long runs, and on-water rows, and was over the moon when she was told that she had made the prestigious squad, which is consistently at or near the top of US college rowing.
“Since the first time I walked into a boathouse when I was 13 years old, I realized rowing is my passion. I’m overjoyed and grateful to have earned this opportunity to continue living my dreams,” said O’Rourke, who is studying pre-med.
O’Rourke rowed as an 8th grader and then took a few years away from the sport. But she found she really missed rowing, and was drawn back to it in 12th grade when she joined the Burton Beach Rowing Club (BBRC) on Vashon Island. Unfortunately, Covid prevented any official racing in her senior year, but Brigit dedicated herself to training, taking a very early ferry to Vashon from her West Seattle home six mornings per week to be on the water under the guidance of BBRC coach Richard Parr.
“Brigit’s work ethic has always been amazing, and throughout Covid she actually dug deeper every day, even though there was no racing for her. She is incredibly driven, and a great teammate. Brigit may well be the smallest Husky rower, but she’s just so easy to coach and there is always 100% commitment from her, which is why her selection at UW doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Parr.
O’Rourke said, “Through rowing at Burton Beach, I learned the importance of dedication, integrity, and teamwork. These ideals and Richard’s unconditional support are what inspire me to grow as a rower. At UW I will continue to push myself to become faster and stronger every day, and I know I can always count on the support of my teammates and coaches, both at UW and at Burton Beach.”
The only downside to O’Rourke’s selection is that her planned race as a Burton Beach crew this weekend at UW’s Head of the Lake regatta in the Parent/Child double sculls with her dad Shawn now has to be withdrawn.
But both father and daughter wouldn’t have it any other way.
At center in the photo is former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, visiting her namesake U.S. Navy ship today at the Vigor shipyard on Harbor Island. We showed you a reader photo of the littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) as it arrived in June:
Vigor sent the top photo with a news release about Gifford visiting today along with her husband, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, our state’s U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, and U.S. House Armed Services Committee chair Rep. Adam Smith. As noted in our June report, another LCS, USS Omaha (LCS 12), is coming to Vigor for the same work; today’s news release says that arrival is now expected in December. Vigor explains the work:
Both vessels are undergoing structural repairs throughout, replacing flight deck stanchions and underwater hull painting. Jet drives are being overhauled; the main propulsion engines are receiving a checkup and overhaul; and several ancillary systems are being repaired. Regular Planned Maintenance will also be conducted during the availability. Approximately 165 employees are expected to work on the ships during their stays.
Vigor says two other U.S. Navy ships are at its Harbor Island shipyard for maintenance right now – USS Chosin (CG 65), and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Its news release also notes that USS Gabrielle Giffords is the 16th U.S. naval ship to be named for a woman by the U.S. Navy and the 13th since 1850 to be named after a living person. It’s been 10 years since Giffords survived an assassination attempt in a Tucson suburb.
As that traffic-camera image from mid-afternoon shows, it’s already snowing in the mountain, and skiers are looking ahead – including organizers of the West Seattle High School ski bus, which is open for registration:
WSHS parents & students, ski/snowboard enthusiasts: The WSHS ski bus will be back this winter. This is primarily for WSHS students, but if we don’t fill the bus, others can join! We have a few changes coming this year, as SPS’s risk management team will not allow the buses to pick up from HS parking lots, due to social distancing, nor will they allow equipment to be stored in the school. The bus will stop on Walnut or California, in front of WSHS, & gear will have to be stored in cars or dropped off after school. Ski bus will run on Fridays, Jan 28th-March 11th 3:45-11 PM.
Bus only is $350. More info & registration can be found at>
skimohan.com/school-program/seattle-public-schools/west-seattle-snowsportsCovid protocols in place. Bus has new ventilation system & masks must be worn at all times. Temp & health questionnaire done daily.
Scholarships available at 25-100% off registration fee.Reach out to fridaynightskibus@gmail.com w/ any questions.
Thanssgiving is less than three weeks away. If you can give a little to help families in need have a happier holiday, here’s one way:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Immigrant Ministry has been hard at work trying to procure turkeys for Thanksgiving for the new Latino Civic Alliance Center in Burien. Thanks to a very generous donation from Leschi Market, we can provide 100 free turkeys to these families in need in our area! We still need 50 turkeys to meet the need. If you would like to contribute to the cause, we will be collecting donations through Sunday, November 21. Please consider giving $25 to help purchase a turkey and some additional fixings. Amazingly, we have a generous donor who will match donations dollar for dollar! To donate, drop off cash or a check (made out to OLG with “turkeys” in the memo) at the Pastoral Center (7000 35th Ave SW, Seattle 98126). You can also give online at www.olgseattle.org (use the “turkey donation” section on the Donate page).
While routine lost/found items can be posted in the WSB Community Forums, some “found” items seem likely to have been stolen and dumped, so we mention those here. The latest examples:
JEWELRY: Gretchen emailed to say that she found, near Genesse Hill this morning, “a collection of personal jewelry items. Watch, bracelets, 2 necklaces, earrings. Fashionable but not high value.” If you’re missing jewelry, let us know and we’ll connect you.
And two bicycles:
48TH/CHARLESTOWN: Steve 37TH/spotted this one:
37TH/98TH: Lorraine spotted this one:
She adds that as of yesterday, it had been there “for at least 3 days now.”
SATURDAY MORNING: Last night we published Amy‘s report about someone stealing her car from outside an Alki business. Hours later, this happened:
Last night, I reported that my Audi A7 was stolen near Alki around 5-6 pm. It contained my registration with my address. At 4:30 am today, a white SUV (don’t know what kind this is yet) pulled up directly in front of my house, idling as this guy looked around my house. He then attempted to get in the front. No luck.
He went to the back door, threw a rock through a window, and entered the house.
He grabbed my purse with wallet from the kitchen, and then went into my teenage daughter’s bedroom. (Thankfully she was sleeping upstairs with me.)
He stole her computer and phone. He then left out the front door. I discovered this when I got up at 6 am. He is using my credit cards.
He has very distinctive tattoos on his face and neck. Thin, 5’10 to 6’ 1. He wore a Patriot jersey with 12 on the front, necklace, long offwhite coat, light pants.
It’s all on my nest cams. If you know who this is, please let me and/or the police know.
We’ll add the report number when available.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: An update from Amy:
Update: 11/7: The police received an anonymous tip from the community and located him this am. Thank you whoever you are! They found a credit card tying him to the home invasion among other things in his GMC vehicle. They now know his identity. They impounded it.
Your continued help is vital to ensure this does not happen to other families.
If you see him, please let the Southwest Precinct police know ASAP or respond to the editor to pass along messages.
The case # to reference is 21-294795.
10:36 AM: Southern Resident Killer Whales are in the area, reports Kersti Muul – south of (update: Faye) Bainbridge, southbound, but closer to the west side of the Sound, so take your binoculars if you go looking. Let us know if you see them!
12:36 PM: Kersti says below that they’ve headed back northbound, north of here.
Thanks to everyone who sent photos! The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) headed out of Bremerton this morning for the first time since March; it’s been undergoing maintenance since then. This isn’t a departure for deployment, according to Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun – just preparation.
(Salmon at Longfellow Creek earlier this week – photo by Alex Erzen)
First weekend of November! Highlights for the hours ahead:
HIGH TIDES: These are potentially of note since today’s forecast is windy – 12.1 feet at 7:06 am, 11.8 feet at 5:48 pm.
GREEN SEATTLE DAY: Lots of volunteering! Friends of Lincoln Park has an event 9 am-noon with room for one more volunteer as of early this morning – info here. … Westcrest Park has room for 4, same times, info here … And 1 spot left at Herrings House Park (Tulaltx), info here.
METRO LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: Games are at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) and Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon) today, starting at 8 am. The schedule is here, including WSHS and Sealth’s matches at 12:30 pm.
FAUNTLEROY FINE ART & HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW: Day 2 with more than a dozen artists selling their work in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) – open 10 am to 4 pm today.
WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am at a West Seattle home – registration info in our calendar listing.
WINE! Viscon Cellars‘ tasting room is open 1-6 pm at 5910 California SW for tasting, sipping, and/or bottle purchases.
THE ROLL POD OPENS: 6 pm at 9602 16th SW, White Center’s newest restaurant opens.
TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS CABARET FUNDRAISER: 6:30 pm online – our calendar listing has details, including how to be part of it.
SKYLARK GOES COUNTRY: Bryan Daisley Band with The Wayside, 7 pm at The Skylark (3203 Delridge Way SW), $8 cover.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE BEACH: 8 pm at J&J Public House (2808 Alki SW), live music led by Grammy winner Andrew Gouché. $10 cover.
DRAG SHOW: West Seattle Drag Show with Dolly Madison, 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
FALL BACK: 2 am Sunday, clocks go back an hour and it becomes 1 am.
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