We’ve been so busy with arson coverage lately, that our inbox is full of reader tips on other topics. Here’s a roundup:

Now that holiday season is approaching and delivery drivers are leaving packages on door steps, keep an extra careful eye out. One reader reports that neighbors in the 300 block of NW 77th Street had a package stolen from their porch.

Michael reminds us that it’s the 20th anniversary of the John Cusack classic “Say Anything,” with two key scenes filmed right here on Phinney Ridge at the 7-11 and the adjacent Woodland Park by the zoo’s north entrance. Here’s an anniversary review of the movie.

Five neighborhood businesses are included in the new fourth edition of “eat.shop seattle,” which calls itself “a curated guide of inspired and unique locally owned eating and shopping establishments.” They have a whole series of guides around the country. Neptune Coffee, Tokara, Picnic (a PhinneyWood sponsor), The Shop Agora (a PhinneyWood sponsor) and Greenwood Space Travel Supply all get props for being “interesting, inspired and authentic.” The book is available at Picnic.

Karen is concerned that some bicyclists don’t have enough lights or reflective clothing on, especially now that it gets dark so early. Add another light or two to your bike and helmet, and leave plenty of room when turning or changing lanes. Don’t assume that a driver can see you.

The Frock Shop at 6500 Phinney Ave. N. has completed its expansion and renovation into the space next door. The store was also named one of Marie Claire’s 50 Best Fashion Stores in the country. And owner Suzy Fairchild is now offering her own line of organic baby clothing, called Hoot.

The website Kids Eat For has a weekly calendar that lists all the restaurants in a certain area where kids eat free or cheap.

Well over a thousand kids, with parents in tow, packed the sidewalks of the Greenwood and Phinney Ridge business districts for Safe Trick or Treat today. The annual event is sponsored by the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

The carnival games at the 5th annual Harvest Fest sponsored by Green Bean Coffee House, became a focal point for the kids.

The games used in previous years were stored in the basement of the Eleanor Roosevelt Building, which was deliberately set on fire Oct. 23. Organizers were relieved to find the games survived the blaze, probably in part because three feet of water from the fire hoses filled the storage area.

Community volunteers stepped up to clean up the games and staff the event.

Here’s one of the salvaged games:

And here’s one of several new ones people hurriedly built or donated after the fire, along with lots of candy for prizes.

All along the route, we kept seeing calls for donations for the businesses victimized by the fire, including this cauldron outside Terra Bella.

There was even a bake sale outside SPACE: A Design Build Collective. Neighbors donated the baked goods and 100 percent of the proceeds went to the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund.

Besides that serious note, the event had a carnival feel, with plenty of business owners and parents getting into the spirit, dressed up as every creature or person you could think of, including this guy outside of Cowboys & Angels Salon.

This guy had Michael Jackson and his moves down pat:

And we liked this juxtaposition of a fairy princess and a zombie:

While the decent fall weather held up, the candy didn’t for some businesses not prepared for the influx of kids. Several of these signs popped up later in the afternoon.

Trust us though, there was still plenty of candy to go around. And with many of those same kids heading out tonight for neighborhood trick or treating, we’re pretty sure they’ll have no problem getting their share of sugary treats. Happy Halloween!

Here are a few tidbits we’ve collected from around the neighborhood this last week:

Wayward Coffeehouse at 8570 Greenwood Ave. N. now offers gluten-free pastries, for those with allergies. “We will now have two gluten-free cookies from the WOW! Bakery: Chocolate Chip and Ginger Molasses. And as a reminder, all of our tasty vegetarian/vegan soups are gluten free and are available any time!”

Sandra Coan Photography is opening a new studio on the ground level of the housing/retail building at 310 NW 85th St. Sandra specializes in babies, children, families and weddings.

The demolition and new construction of Fire Station 21 is on track to happen early next year, as we’ve previously reported. The city just applied for permits to construct two modular structures and one equipment tent to serve as a temporary fire station five blocks south of the current station, on the corner of Greenwood and N. 68th St.

Our unofficial PhinneyWood photographer, Mike Veitenhans, got a tour of the new Ken’s Market space today and took a bunch of photos. The store’s soft opening is slated for Wednesday.

Here store co-owner Scott Giles lugging stuff into the new front door.

And here’s the other store co-owner, Bill Stamey, stocking shelves.

Here’s a small version pan of the new store. Click here to see a larger version.

Here’s what he had to say about it:

Ken’s Market was closed today (Tuesday) so employees could move stock from the old store to the new and workers could put the finishing touches on the new store in time for the grand opening tomorrow at 6 a.m. Building owner Ken Giles gave me a “cook’s tour” of the new store, including the new offices, employee break room and conference room at the back of the store above the retail space. According to Ken, a deck will be built on the roof next to the offices for employees to enjoy a peek-a-boo view of Green Lake during nice weather. I asked Ken when remodeling of the old remaining store would be complete. He said the contractor thinks by the end of the year. However, anticipating the surprises that always come with a remodel, Ken’s not counting on having the old space done before the middle of February 2010.

Photos include Ken’s son Scott Giles and son-in-law Bill Stamey, store owners, and a 180 degree view I stitched together from multiple photos.

Thanks, Mike!

Here’s some closer looks at the inside of the new store:

And here’s Ken inside the old store:

A substantial rent increase and the poor economy have prompted a creative business cohabitation arrangement between Rising Stars Children’s Store and Metropolis. Both businesses hope it will help them weather the recession.

Rising Stars is moving into the north third of Metropolis’ space at 7321 Greenwood Ave. N., and hopes to open at the end of the month, according to owner Elonna Lester. Lester started looking for a new space after the building her business is in at 7404 Greenwood Ave. N. was sold and the new owners asked for a 30 percent rent increase.

At the same time, Metropolis owner Terry Heiman was looking for someone to take over some of his space to help him weather the economic downturn.  

“We’re excited and think that customers will be too. They’ll have access to two great shops in one open, friendly space. We look forward to joining forces with Metropolis and staying in the neighborhood,” Lester said.

“We are joining forces to get through this economy,” Heiman echoed. Each store will have its own front door, but shoppers will be able to cross between the two stores inside the building.

Heiman said sales have been a struggle since last year. “Our overhead is greater than our sales. You’ve got to be creative during this environment. Hopefully when things improve, we can spread our wings a little more.”

“I think we’re in good company with Rising Stars, they’ve been here 17 years and we’ve been here 28 years,” Heiman said.

[Rising Stars photo credit: Elonna Lester]

While we weren’t able to make the Design Review Board meeting last night about the 6010 Phinney project, the Ballard News Tribune covered the board’s decision to give their go-ahead for the project, over ongoing concerns raised by neighbors. Here’s a link to their story.

The project would demolish the building currently housing Roosters, Chef Liao, Daily Planet Antiques and Phinney Ridge Cleaners, and build a new four-story building with retail on the bottom and apartments above.

Taproot Theatre’s Acting Studio is offering new classes for adults to help them improve their business and presentation skills.

“Improv(e) Your Business Skills” is taught by two of Taproot Theatre’s skilled improv actors. The class encourages students to think quickly and respond on the spot, and teaches them to take control of expressions, mannerisms and other forms of body language. Improv(e) Your Business Skills takes place at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., on Mondays from Sept. 21 through Oct. 26 from 7-9 p.m. The six-week class is $250. You can find out more and register online here.

Greenwood and Phinney are full of fantastic, independent businesses, and next Wednesday is the deadline for nominating one of them for the Mayor’s Small Business Awards. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Town Hall on Oct. 13.

The Mayor’s Small Business Awards honor the diversity and excellence of small businesses in Seattle, and their contribution to the city’s economic vitality and quality of life.

Read more about the award nomination process or download the nomination form here.

And as long as we’re talking about local, independent businesses, there’s a renewed push to shop local through the 3/50 Project.

3: Think about which three independently owned stores you’d miss if they were gone. Pick up a little something to show your support and to thank them for their business and how important they are to the neighborhood.

50: If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000 in revenue. Imagine the positive impact that would have.

68: For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 of it returns to the community in which you live, through taxes, payroll and dollars also going into the other businesses in the neighborhood. Spend it local and keep it local. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

1: The number of people it takes to start the trend….you.

Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your local economy.

If you’ve got a favorite small business in Greenwood or Phinney, now’s the time to help them get a little recognition. The 2009 Mayor’s Small Business Awards is accepting nominations until Sept. 2. The mayor will announce the winners at an awards ceremony at Town Hall on Oct. 13.

The 2009 Awards will honor the diversity and excellence of Seattle’s small businesses, and their contribution to the city’s economic vitality and quality of life. Ten winners will be selected on the basis of excellence in management, entrepreneurial spirit, customer service, and community involvement.

Over the last two decades, the awards program has recognized more than 240 small businesses, many of which have gone on to experience significant growth. Past recipients include such companies as: Starbucks Coffee Company (1984), Uwajimaya (1984), Ezell’s Fried Chicken (1989), the Dilettante (1990); and City People’s Mercantile (1993). Last year’s winners included Arab Film Distribution / Typecast Films; Compendium, Inc.; glassybaby LLC; and Macrina Bakery & Café.

You can download a nomination form here.

We got notes from both Tara and Katie alerting us to a nail salon opening on the first floor of the Roycroft Condominiums, 6015 Phinney Ave. N., just south of Fresh Flours.

And Babyface Skincare is hoping to be open in the next week or so above A Muse Art Stamps at 7104 Phinney Ave. N. Babyface will be offering facials, sugaring and lash tinting.

That brings us to the closing. Pitcher Bros. & Family Carpets, 6510 Phinney Ave. N., moved into the neighborhood a year or two ago to our recollection, but closed up shop recently. Their number is already disconnected. According to their Web site, the family business has been in operation since 1937.

Lotus Jewelry & Gift recently moved into the spot formerly occupied by Twig Children’s Boutique at 8317 Greenwood Ave. N.

The store features a range of jewelry including Egyptian and South American pieces, as well as some home decor items. Before opening in Greenwood, Lotus Jewelry & Gift was located at Northgate Mall, according to Ahmed, the owner.

The store also does jewelry and watch repair and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Twig, you may remember, is moving its business online-only.

The Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce, and 21 other neighborhood business associations, received city grants today to help small businesses thrive. The grants can be used for business district promotion and physical improvement projects.

Greenwood-Phinney received $5,000. According to the mayor’s office: “Greenwood Phinney Chamber of Commerce’s sustainability committee will work with businesses in Greenwood Phinney to help businesses reduce their operating costs by reducing their carbon footprint. They’ll be working with the City’s Office of Sustainability and Environment.”

“Our business districts are the economic engines that provide jobs and create the unique character in our neighborhoods across Seattle,” Mayor Nickels said, according to the press release. ”This is one more way the city continues to invest in our local business districts, joining neighborhood chambers and merchants associations to support Seattle’s small businesses.”

A total of $128,384 in grants were awarded this morning at Columbia City Theatre. Nearby, the Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce received a $6,000 grant, and the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce received $2,600.