I frequently see people in the neighborhood that are clearly in need of assistance, but calling the police feels like a disproportionate response. There is no crime occurring and no immediate threat is present. For example, a few mornings ago there was a man moving erratically and moaning  in the crosswalk by QFC on Wallingford Ave.  He was clearly in need of aid, and standing in the middle of Wallingford Ave in the dark wearing black clothes.   Very little good was going to come from this situation without external intervention.  I tried to talk with him and get him out …

A Friend of Wallyhood emailed us photos of a van fire that happened near the Wallingford Playfield earlier today. If you heard the Fire Department responding around that time, now you know what was up.

The fire took place around 11 am. No one appeared to be in or even around the van at the time of the fire, so there were no injuries. It may, of course, be a stolen and abandoned vehicle, but it appeared to be in pretty good shape (pre-fire, anyway). So maybe someone will be returning to it to get a nasty surprise. SFD left …

The equipment at B.F. Day Playground will be getting a much-needed upgrade in 2020. After soliciting feedback from the community, preliminary designs were released to the public at a meeting in December.

The park renovations will replace all the playground equipment, upgrade the picnic area, and replace the water fountain. They will also include some accessibility upgrades mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The design phase of this project will continue throughout the winter, and construction is scheduled to start in the fall of 2020. Head to the parks department website for further details and to give feedback …

Ten years to the day after they first unlocked their doors, the Grizzled Wizard (aka “The Most Extreme Dive in the Multiverse™”) will close for good on December 31. In posts to Facebook and Instagram on December 5, Grizzled Wizard GM Ed O’Brien thanked his community of customers and encouraged everyone to stop on by one more time for a drink “whether it’s been five days or five years since you’ve visited the Grizz.”

And no matter when you last visited the Grizz, you can attest to its cozy atmosphere where both regulars and newbies felt welcome. The bar’s closing …

Alphabet Soup Children’s Books announced it is closing after 15 years at 1406 N 45th Street.

The last day to shop there will be Saturday, December 28th, 2019, and everything in the store will be 30% off.

I’ve been to this small, independent bookstore many times, and always found the store well curated, well stocked, and very friendly.

So stop by tomorrow and wish them all the best in their next endeavors. You can also check out their online eBay store, alphabetsoupbooks.

 …

Tonight, December 23rd, Gas Works Park will be hosting the Grand Finale of this year’s Christmas Ships Festival. Seattle Parks and Recreation is organizing a bonfire, and Choir of the Sound will be singing Christmas carols starting at 8:45 p.m.

I have cherished neighborhood traditions for many different holidays, but one of my absolute favorites is the Christmas Ships.

When I have taken the family in years past the weather has been… less than desirable, to put it nicely. Last year it coincided with a 40 mph wind storm that knocked out power to a good bit of the neighborhood …