The blog stopped by The Shop (924 S. Perry) this morning to inspect the rumored pink garage doors. Justin White, one of the new owners, said they were going for more of a raspberry color but it turned out perhaps just a little pink.

There's much more seating than there used to be, including big armchairs and comfy couches, and also a small electrical fireplace.

The coffee roaster is gone and that has made room for a bigger counter which now features cupcakes, Brain Freeze Ice Cream and, drum roll please, crepes.

“I don't start the crepes until 9 o'clock,” said White, adding that current crepe fillings include banana and strawberry.

The coffee remains Anvil Brand. Devoted Shop goers can look forward to a soon to be announced live music line up.

Just in case you missed it in today's paper, here's a  link to a story about Casper Fry - the restaurant opening next to Title Nine at 928 S. Perry Street. It's the people behind Madeleine's downtown that are opening the eatery.

This just in: The Shop, located at 924 S. Perry St., will be open again Thursday morning. New owners Justin White and Phil Ward will continue to serve Anvil Coffee, and gradually add to the menu.
Ward said they will bring in Brain Freeze ice cream - another local favorite - as well as cupcakes and crepes.
Hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily.
“Come summer, we will be open longer,” said Ward. “And we will have live music.”
And yes, the summer movies will be back.

Hold the caffeine panic: the blog just got off the phone with new Shop owner, Justin White, who assures fans of the coffee house located at 924 S. Perry Street, that the place will reopen as soon as possible.

White is painting and taking care of some other maintenance issues, and plans to reopen with a larger menu and live music.

Check The Voices section on Thursday for an update on Casper Fry - the restaurant opening at 928 S. Perry St. right nextdoor to Title Nine.

Joel Williamson is missing a recent rescue dog named Stanley - the dog escaped from the backyard on Valentine's Day. Keep an eye out for Stanley.

This just in from Julie Postma, secretary of the South Perry Business and Neighborhood Association:

“Just a reminder that we have a SPBNA meeting tonight at 6pm at the Perry Street Café. We hope to see you there.

After reviewing the minutes Spencer Granger emailed to inform our group that our neighborhood does have a current webpage, www.southperry.org.  He created this site over a year ago as a static site (no updates). The site itself is free, but he does pay for the renewal of our domain each year, which is roughly $15/year. He would be more than happy to transfer this basic site into the hands of another member of the organization.

He writes that “the site is serving its purpose by providing basic information, contact resources, and links to various neighborhood resources.” We are to  let him know if there is any interest from the group in developing a more comprehensive online presence. ”

If you are on Facebook and curious about what's going on not just in the South Perry District but in nearby neighborhoods, here are a few Facebook sites for you to follow:

The Manito Neighborhood Site can be found here.

Spokane Southie, a blog written by a South Hill Woman, can be found here.

The Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood Council can be found here.

The South Perry Fair and Parade Facebook site can be found here. It's often used to announce neighborhood news during the off season.

And here is the link to the East Central Community Center's Facebook page.

I'm sure I missed some community organizations - let me know.

The blog got this email from Team Grant parent Heidi Hash:

“We are looking for artists who are interested in working with kids at Grant.  If interested, please contact the school at 355-2800. We have some upcoming art nights and we want some local adults to help with art interests.”

That sounds like fun even if you aren't Picasso.
Grant Elementary School is located at 1300 E. Ninth Avenue - give them a call.

Lots of neighbors big and small, young and old, gathered at the Perry Street Cafe last night for the annual Christmas tree lighting. The cafe genorously hosted the event, serving coffee, hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. And Santa was busy having his picture taken.

Once the indoor commotion had calmed down, people went outside to sing carols and put ornaments on the Christmas tree.

The South Perry Farmers market is still open every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. The market's winter location is in the Buddhist Temple gym, just across the street from The Shop (915 S. Perry Street).

On December 22 the market plans a special holiday market, complete with Santa, carolers and lots of local gift ideas.

The market will close for the season after the Dec. 22 event and reopen on March 1, 2012.

The South Perry Business and Neighborhood Association is having its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony outside the Perry Street Cafe (1002 S. Perry Street) on Tuesday Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy carols and treats and chat with your neighbors.

This is also the official kick off of the “Brighten the Night” campaign which will encourage residents to leave their porch lights on to illuminate streets, alleys and sidewalks so the area is more welcoming to visitors and shoppers. Hopefully this will cut down on burglary attempts, too.

This event replaces the monthly SPBNA meeting - to all of you who have asked how to connect with SPBNA and when the group meets, come to this event and meet everyone. The picture is from last year's Christmas tree lighting.

(The blog has been on hiatus for a bit and it's now back - please e-mail news bits and pictures to piah@spokesman.com or give me a call at 509-459-5427 - watch for expanded neighborhood blogging in the new year)

The Spokane Buddhist Temple (927 S. Perry Street) is celebrating its annual fall food festival on Sunday Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Here's a link to colleague Lorie Hutson's story.

The nice people at the Temple recommed you order ahead to make sure there are California rolls waiting for you. Call: (509) 534-7954 or visit www.spokanebuddhisttemple.org

Spokane Parks and Recreation's Urban Forestry Program is seaching for funding for new street trees - and for places to put them. If you've lost a street tree because it was sick or old, or if you simply have enough space in your planting strip (that area between the sidewalk and the street where it's so difficult to water the grass) you can sign up as a potential host for a replacement tree here.

The South Perry Business and Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting is on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at South Perry Pizza (1011 S. Perry Street). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for socializing.
You’ll get an overview of SPBNA’s projects such as the Grant Park Community Garden and the concert series in Grant Park.
There will also be a conversation about the Street Fair and of plans for next year.
A repeat of last year's sock and hat drive for Grant Elementary School is on hold, becuase It turns out that there are enough coats, hats and mittens at this point. However, there are requestes for boys and girls underwear and for sweatpants (underwear should be new and still wrapped). Please bring a donation for Team Grant.

The blog will be there tonight - see you there.
  

The Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood Council is hosting a city candidate forum today, Thursday Oct. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at The Woman's Club (9th Avenue and Walnut Street - enter from 9th Avenue). Organizers say all candidates for school board, mayor, city council president and city council have confirmed their attendance.

The blog got an email from the people behind Handmade Parade, a craft show and open house that's held on Dec. 3 at a private home (2518 S. Magnolia Court).
Handmade Parade is looking for vendors featuring handcrafted items, art work and crafts for this year's show.
For more information visit the group's website here.

This is the third year for the Handmade Parade. Jane Harper, one of the organizers, wrote in the email that it's a great venue for new crafters and hobbyists to test the waters and show their wares. Vendors don't have to remain on-site all day and there's a $25 registration fee to reserve a spot. Commission is collected based on sales. Vendors may apply until Nov. 1 - the application form is available on the website above.

(The photo is a couple of years old and from Ohio… perhaps an idea for Spokane this winter?)

The South Perry Business and Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting is on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at South Perry Pizza (1011 S. Perry Street). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for socializing.
You’ll get an overview of SPBNA’s projects such as the Grant Park Community Garden and the concert series in Grant Park.
There will also be a conversation about the Street Fair and of plans for next year.
It turns out that Grant Elementary School has enough coats, hats and mittens for at this point, but there are requestes for boys and girls underwear and for sweatpants. Please bring a donation for Team Grant.
Book donations are accepted, too.

Via email from Julie Postma, secretary, SPBNA

Odyssey Youth Center (1121 S. Perry Street) is holding a high school Gay Straight Alliance summit on Saturday Oct. 8 from 1-3 p.m. High school students from all over Spokane County are welcome to participate in the summit, which will feature presentations by exsisting GSA clubs and ideas as to how to start a new GSA.

Register online here.