May 2024

Japanese variety store Daiso is set to open June 1 in Westwood Village.

Daiiso is a 50 year old, family owned company, with over 100,000 products – for all kinds of household needs. They operate over 6,000 stores around the world, with over 100 of those within the US.

They offer an extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more. You'll find batteries (one of of their biggest sellers), false eyelashes, sweet roasted chestnuts, neckties, gyoza presses. Daiso has 15 categories for its products:
Plastic goods, small electric goods, interior, living, gardening, hand-made DIY, stationery, cosmetics, hair goods, kitchen goods, Japanese and Western tableware, bento (boxed lunch) boxes, Japanese miscellaneous goods, cleaning and laundry goods, apparel, and part goods.

Information from Seattle Police

Seattle Police arrested two suspects after they were caught red-handed with a stolen cash register when exiting a business in West Seattle, two weeks ago.

On April 28th at approximately 7:15 p.m., Officers were stopped at a pharmacy near 16th Avenue South & South Roxbury Street and arrested an adult female carrying a stolen cash register.

The associated male suspect standing next to her ran away from the area.

While conducting their investigation, the female attempted to conceal a handgun, but it was located by Officers and seized as evidence. It was not used in the crime. Officers also developed probable cause to arrest the male for assault.

The 40-year-old male suspect was located shortly after and fled from officers when being detained. He was quickly apprehended and arrested by multiple patrol officers.

Westside Seattle has been reporting on the former Sealth High School exchange student Karam Saidam. As we reported he made it out of Rafah and into Egypt but his family has remained behind and are facing danger and uncertainty every day.

Karam could not leave Egypt since he could not get a work visa or offer of employment without a college degree. It did not matter that he was a straight A student both here and in Palestine.

He has reached out to Senator Patty Murray's office whose people have been sympathetic but have thus far not been able to expedite Karam's travel. He very much wants to come back to West Seattle.

The Senior Center of West Seattle held a "Big Reveal" breakfast/fundraiser on May 14 to share their new name and brand. Henceforth they will be known as Center for Active living.

Director Amy Lee Deranthal said that this is a move that has been taking place across the nation as facilities that serve the needs of older people have come to recognize that people 55+ "do not think of themselves as seniors" and that it became apparent to the board and leadership of the center that they needed to change. The goal is to be more inclusive and offer services, and programming to a wider range of people. 

The event, held at the Alki Masonic Hall had more than 200 people in attendance to hear about the name change and to donate in support of what the Center does.

The Seattle Department of Transportation Healthy Streets plan for the part of Alki Ave SW that passes by Alki Point has faced opposition from people in West Seattle for some time. SDOT states that  It's a "program that aims to open up more public space for people to use—improving community and individual health. 

Since 2021, we have been evaluating and updating Healthy Streets across the city based on the trends we have seen in terms of community use and public feedback. Healthy Streets are a commitment to the Mayor's Transportation & Climate Justice Executive Order and SDOT's work to prioritize and expand actions that equitably reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) within the transportation sector.

The Northern Lights truly came to town on May 10 and overnight into May 11 as thousands took advantage of warm evening temperatures to wait outside for what turned into an astounding display of green, purple and red curtains appeared in the sky.

Perhaps not to the naked eye however as the ambient light from the city keep the true dark sky from providing adequate background contrast. But for cameras, especially modern camera phones with longer exposures the color became spectacular.

The phenomena otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis  appears as bright shifting curtains of colored lights in the night sky  A Coronal Mass Ejection or CME which is a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona a few days ago caused charged particles to head toward Earth at 500 miles a second. Once near earth they interacted with the magnetic field of our planet resulting in a visual display.

Being a mom means many things but most of all means keeping up with little ones. Because children require so much attention, it can lead to loss of social connections. 

Fit 4 Mom was created in 2001 in San Diego to help mothers stay fit, share their experences with other moms, gain a sense of community and even helpful insight into the challenges mothers face.

It's a franchise but the West Seattle location held its annual Celebration of Mama's event May 10-11, getting moms out with strollers and babies on Alki.

New owner Lauren Campbell, donned a microphone and rallied the mothers in attendance into three groups, doing light calesthenics, and some yoga moves on a beautiful Friday morning.

They have 150 members. They offer an all access class pass or a full membership available.