West Seattle, Washington
07 Sunday
(Seen on Beach Drive – photo sent by Cindi)
Today again brings a two-part event list – first part, the holiday-related highlights, from both our West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES BAZAAR: 18 local vendors, 9 am-3 pm. (4426 California SW)
206 MAKERS’ MARKET AT JET CITY LABS: Find multiple creators/vendors at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), vendors with ceramics, textiles, baked goods, more. 10 am-2 pm.
VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm again today, self-guided tour of Vashon Islaand artists’ studios, just a ferry ride away. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)
DIY PHOTOS WITH SANTA & ELVES: $25, benefit for animal rescue, at The Hydrant, 10 am-2 pm. (4541 California SW)
‘MESSIAH’ AT WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN: Handel’s classic, with choir, soloists, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, 10 am. (3601 California SW)
SWEET REEL HOLIDAY MAKERS’ MARKET: 11 am-4 pm, homemade goodies to eat and drink too. (5001 Delridge Way SW)
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale again today, featuring dozens of artists who work with clay.
(WSB photo from show’s opening reception)
Hours today are 11 am-5 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 12 pm-5 pm today, more info here.
(WSB photo from show’s opening reception – artist Elena Ruhieh)
(9042 31st SW)
MAKERS ART MARKET: Noon-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW), more than 20 artists/makers are participating.
BARRE 3 SIP AND SHOP: 1-4 pm, local vendors, plus wine! (3218 California SW)
CHAMPAGNE EVENT: West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW) hosts a champagne event at 2 pm – details and registration link here.
REVITALIZE SPA HOLIDAY PARTY WITH SHOPPING: 4-8 pm event. (8142 15th SW)
CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 5 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR: Northwest Boychoir‘s annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here. (42nd SW and SW Genesee)
Now today’s non-holiday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!) and inbox:
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Sunday run is back this week – 9 am, leaving from C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly games are back at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Small-group class at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well (4034-A California SW); preregistration info is in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual in its regular spot on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-winter produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more.
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FOOD DRIVE & SIGN-HOLDING: West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday 11:30 am-1:30 pm sign-holding events also include a drop-off food drive through the rest of the year. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
LEARN ABOUT EVERGREENS: Garden Hotline presentation at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond, 1:30 pm. Registration required.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
GUIDED BREATHWORK JOURNEY: 2-5 pm – RSVP for location.
WEST SEATTLE MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: 3 pm, Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – this month’s book is “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Monthly Circle of Songs, 3-5 pm. All ages, no cover. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
‘PENELOPE’ MATINEE AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse has just opened the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 3 pm matinée today; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
SCREAM CLUB SEATTLE: 3:30 pm gathering at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) to scream away your stress, grief, etc.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sundays feature live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Or maybe you have a listing for our West Seattle Holiday Guide? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The tree in Junction Plaza Park is now aglow in its seasonal glory, after a West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays countdown led onstage by District 1 City Counilmember Rob Saka and his kids:
Councilmember Saka’s sweater featured Christmas cartoon villain The Grinch, but the night’s mood was not grinchy in the slightest:
After the lights went on, it was serious selfie time beneath the tree:
Though tonight’s festival was the biggest event of this year’s Hometown Holidays, there’s more to come – Thursday night (December 11) is big too, with the West Seattle Art Walk, Shop Late Thursday, wandering elves and carolers!
Before the lights, the music! Three groups performed mini-concerts on the stage in Junction Plaza Park before the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. We got there too late to catch the opening performance by the Endolyne Children’s Choir, but recorded video with the two others. The show-stopping moment was the last song in our first clip above from the West Seattle-based Met Singers – a lyrical twist on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to tell the tale of Mariners slugger Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh. Below is the second half of the Met Singers’ onstage caroling, starting with “Jingle Bells”:
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The choir, directed by Laurie de Leonne, was preceded by groups from the West Seattle School of Rock – they took short breaks between songs to re-form, so we recorded their songs one by one. Here are four – first, “Hazy Shade of Winter”:
“Santa’s Got a Brand-New Bag”:
“Merry Xmas Everybody”:
And “Super Rock Santa”:
One more report ahead from tonight’s event – the tree lighting!
Things were a little chaotic but when all was said and done, a cat competing against about half a dozen dogs won the pet-costume contest that’s become a tradition on West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting night!
Emcee Brian Callanan called the kitty by the names War Zone and War Games, but whichever was correct, so was Winner – with prizes donated by All the Best Pet Care, one of the night’s sponsors. The kitty stayed remarkably calm throughout:
The dogs were fairly mellow too:
Another of the top three was Chef Coy-R-Gi:
Next up: Two of the groups that performed mini-concerts before tree time!
While we assemble our coverage from tonight’s big celebration in The Junction, we’re taking a moment to look ahead a week to next Saturday, when the Admiral Neighborhood Association invites you to wander a mile of local businesses for the Winter Wonderland party! The map’s live now, so here’s the full announcement:
Enjoy a full mile of festive fun on Saturday, December 13th from 11 AM-2 PM with the Admiral Neighborhood Association at our third annual Winter Wonderland!
Businesses throughout Admiral are offering a variety of family-friendly activities, specials, and promotions as we encourage our neighbors to shop small this holiday season. From holly-jolly pet photos and coffee-filter snowflakes to hot cocoa stations and artful nibbles; there’s snow place like Admiral this winter.
And while you’re out, don’t forget to stop by West Seattle Realty for a daytime disco party with Santa, take a break at the Admiral Theater for their special showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, then sing along with carolers from the Admiral Church Choir. And be on the lookout for our roving Winter Wonderland penguin throughout the event.
Look for the penguins in the windows of participating Admiral businesses day-of and visit our website connecttoadmiral.org/winter-wonderland to see the full map and plan your route!
(Screengrab from 42nd/Alaska traffic cam)
4:28 PM: Happening right now in the West Seattle Junction – SW Alaska is closed to traffic between California and 42nd for the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting festival, featuring a Night Market that’s open now(here’s the list of vendors). The schedule:
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes
Updates to come!
6:20 PM: The tree was lit on schedule and we’re back at HQ processing video and photos. The weather stayed dry and if you haven’t been yet, you can still go shop the market!
7:42 PM: Adding a few scenes from the market, including Santa himself, wandering and posing:
Cookie decorating too!
Some of the vendors are from elsewhere in The Junction, like Falafel Salam and Bakery Nouveau:
Separate reports are coming up about what happened onstage – from the pet costume contest to the tree lighting!
Thanks to everyone who has sent photos!
Matt and Meagan were at Constellation Park as the “king tide” arrived around sunbreak, with gusty wind still lingering from last night’s windstorm. That led to some wave action:
The rain returned for a while today but broke off for afternoon sunbreaks, which is when Jerry Simmons photographed this rainbow:
The forecast says rain isn’t likely to return until late tonight, which is good news for the Hometown Holidays Night Market (4 pm) and Tree Lighting (6 pm) about to start in The Junction!
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have blocked off the area around the Southwest Precinct – including taping off SW Webster, as the photo shows – and are searching for someone in the area. They’ve also called in the Arson and Bomb Squad. This all started with the discovery of something that officers themselves described over the air only as something “suspicious”; they’re looking for someone related to it, seen on cameras around 12:44 pm. More information when we get it.
1:58 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz tells WSB that they’re investigating a “suspicious device” found near the flagpole outside the precinct.
2:45 PM: According to radio, the Arson Bomb Squad is “clearing out” and the precinct will reopen.
6:55 PM: Here’s the summary from SPD:
On 12/6/25, just after 1:00 p.m., an unknown suspect placed what appeared to be a military ordnance mine in front of the Southwest Precinct along with a camera. Arson/Bomb Squad (ABS) responded and determined the device to be an imitation device. ABS recovered the device and the camera. This is an open and active investigation assigned to ABS.
If you have any information, the case # is 2025-357373.
Among the places you can find unique creations for gifts – or yourself – are local art studios with special events, as featured in our Holiday Guide.
RAIN CITY CLAY: Deb Schwartzkopf is hosting a weekend show/sale at her Rain City Clay at 4208 SW 100th in Arbor Heights. We stopped by during last night’s opening reception.
More than 80 artists are participating, with more than 3,000 handmade ceramic pots, ornaments, sculptures and more.
Open until 7 tonight.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO: Not far away, Westwood Art Studio at 9042 31st SW is hosting a multi-artist show and sale this weekend and next. Studio owner is Damian Grava:
He also opened the studio for a reception last night.
They’re also open until 7 tonight.
VIVA TOUR: And you can studio-hop both days this weekend with a ferry ride to Vashon Island, The VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists) Holiday Art Studio Tour is happening until 5 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and both days next weekend, and sponsoring WSB right now to help amplify the invitation. You’ll find a map at vivartists.com. 40 studios and galleries, more than 140 artists!
Thanks to Lisa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the photo from the first of six mornings with Santa at the shop for selfies! Every weekend morning through December 21, 8:30-11 am – as featured in our West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s Santa photo-ops list – he’ll be there. DIY photos for donations benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank!
8:30 AM: That’s Al‘s plate at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s benefit pancake breakfast, happening right now at the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction), continuing until 11 am. Only $10 at the door (kids are free with paying adults) gets you pancakes, ham, juice, coffee, tea … free Santa photo, and if you have new unwrapped toys to donate, a Toys for Tots drive too. More photos to come!
10:12 AM: Tons of toys, and as seen above, more kept arriving – we were there about midway through the four-hour event. Lots of people enjoying pancakes, too!
Lots of smiles with the Kiwanis’s kitchen crew:
This runs on volunteer power, including Scouts from Troop/Pack 284 who are helping serve:
Marines including Cpl. E4 Devan Sanchez are there for the toy drive, and Santa is there for pics:
We’re told Santa’s stand-in (shhh) this morning is Peter Gelpi, featured in a recent WSB story about his volunteer work in Ukraine, where he’ll also be standing in for Santa on Christmas Eve! The crowd, meantime, is all ages:
Proceeds will help fund the Kiwanis Club’s work with youth – raffle items and the online auction too:
And the pancakes keep flying out of the kitchen – by 9 o’clock they’d sent out 10 takeout orders too!
Next big event for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive at their booth on the south end of the Farmers’ Market, one week from tomorrow, on Sunday, December 14, 10 am-2 pm – bring a new or gently used coat/jacket to donate, get cocoa!
(Latest image from Junction traffic cam – remember Alaska will be closed east of here this pm)
Happy Saturday! We have another two-part event list – first part is a long list of seasonal happenings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SANTA PHOTOS AND PANCAKES: Santa photos are part of what you’ll find at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, 7 am-11 am December 6th at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – details and tickets here. (If you miss your $8 online ticket, it’s only $10/door, youngest kids eat free;) Bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!
SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.
HOLIDAY SWAP SHOP: Bring, and get, toys at this swap, 9 am-noon at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW), presented by the Pearsall Team.
HOLIDAY GIFT POP-UP: 9 am-6 pm, handcrafted creations for sale. (4002 39th SW)
BAKE & CRAFT SALE AT THE KENNEY: Handmade and homemade items for sale, 10 am-4 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER, BENEFIT STUDENTS: Part of the proceeds at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 10 am-5 pm today will benefit WSHS Cross Country.
VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm each day, self-guided tour of Vashon artists’ studios. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)
PICS WITH SANTA AT HOLIDAY FOOD-DRIVE PARTY: 10 am-noon party at 5446 California SW – bring food and/or $ for West Seattle Food Bank.
FREE PET PICS WITH SANTA: 10 am-noon at Windermere in The Junction. (4526 California SW)
SANTA PHOTOS AND TOY SWAP: 10 am-1 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), Santa photos by donation, toy swap open to all (and accepting dropoffs in advance), more info here.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 10 am-6 pm today, more info here. (9042 31st SW)
ARTIST POP-UP AT CAPERS HOME: 11 am-4 pm, you’ll find artists including Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor) at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; also a WSB sponsor).
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale this weekend, featuring artists who work with clay. Hours today are 11 am-7 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
DIY SANTA PICS: 11 am-2 pm at John L. Scott in The Junction. Free; “well-behaved pets welcome.” (4445 California SW)
SANTA AT OUNCES: Free pics with the jolly ol’ fella 1-4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TOYS FOR TOTS AT SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29: Drop off new, unwrapped toy(s) at Station 29 (2139 Ferry Avenue SW) between 2 and 4 pm.
JUNCTION NIGHT MARKET: Hometown Holidays Night Market on tree-lighting night in The Junction. See vendor list here! 4 to 8 pm.
JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING AND PERFORMANCES: Here’s the schedule for what’s happening besides the Night Market – remember that SW Alaska is closed east of California SW:
4:00 PM Festival begins. Night Market is open
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes
HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT: Pearsall Properties presents live performances at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm.
CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, times vary. Tickets and info here.
(Friday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
And here are the non-holiday-season events for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
‘KING TIDE’: 7:29 am, 12.9 feet – highest (predicted) high tide of the month; weather conditions can push it higher.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Launch your weekend with a community run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families are invited to visit Explorer West. RSVP here if you can, (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for an elementary school, come find out about Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) during today’s open house, 10 am-noon.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is scheduled to continue today, 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Learn about the cooperative elementary school and join current families for play, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: In session again this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
GRIEFSHARE: Newest session continues, 10:30 am at Grace Church, no charge (10323 28th SW)
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
TALK WITH YOUR ANIMALS: Yes, you can! Find out how during this 11 am class at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly session, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: 1-10 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
WRECK THE HALLS ROLLER DERBY: 5 pm pre-show, 6 pm roller-derby exhibition bout with Rainier Roller Riot and Bellingham Roller Betties’ Grit Pit, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center) – tickets here.
‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse offers something different this holiday season – the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 7:30 pm curtain; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
COMMUNITY PAGEANT AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, drag pageant for Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mx. Community – tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NERDLESQUE: 7:30 pm “burlesque for nerds” show with sci-fi theme, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 18+, tickets here.
LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 8 pm, Leafminer and Noe Navarro at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Flip side of king tides is low-low tides, and tonight at 11:43 pm the tide will be out to 3.8 feet!
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Windy night for a Christmas tree lighting, but Our Lady of Guadalupe went on with the show tonight. Brian Callanan emceed the festive “Light Up the Night“ ceremony in which OLG lit the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree, as you can see and hear:
OLG student singers and The Starry Crowns led caroling before and after the tree went on, with classic carols including “Joy to the World,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”:
(photos added) Another favorite, “Jingle Bells” with participants invited to jingle their keys:
(This photo, next 2, and tree above – WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)
The tree lighting and caroling were just part of OLG’s annual community celebration:
Indoors, it was story time with Santa, and the fill-the-sleigh food drive for St. Vincent de Paul:
West Seattle’s other big tree lighting is at 6 pm tonight in The Junction.
5:48 PM: More than 4,900 homes and businesses are out of power right now, mostly in northwest West Seattle. Not sure yet about what’s to blame – multiple trees have just been reported down, including one at California/Alaska in The Junction blocking part of northbound California.
(Thanks to Amy for the photo – she says “It hit a row of Lime bikes but nothing else”)
(Added: WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin, showing the aforementioned Lime bikes)
Updates to come.
5:54 PM: Police radio indicates the outage is likely related to a tree down in the Admiral area. (Exactly where, we don’t know – nothing telltale on the SFD or SPD logs.) You’ve probably noticed the wind kicking up big time this evening – the National Weather Service did not have our area under an alert for that, though.
6:20 PM: The wind has calmed somewhat, at least up here.
6:42 PM: A commenter points out that the NWS has belatedly posted a Wind Advisory alert, timestamped 6:10 pm, in effect until midnight.
7:41 PM: Several notes/comments suggest this originated somewhere in this area uphill from south Alki.
7:57 PM: Our archives say this is the 15th West Seattle outage this year affecting 100 or more customers. Half were blamed on falling trees. We also had a few caused by drivers hitting poles, an unfortunate bird, an unexplained pole fire, and the most recent one before this, 3,000 customers on November 23, was blamed on “a broken cross-arm.”
8:43 PM: Still out. Remember, don’t open your refrigerator/freezer – the air temp will stay low for hours. How many hours? Here’s the federal advice.
9:51 PM: No updates; fifth hour now. The customers out in West Seattle are now more than two-thirds of those out SCL-wide.
10:03 PM: Yma points out in comments that the Wind Advisory has been extended to 3 am. It’s also now suggesting top gusts could reach 55 mph, 10 mph above the previous forecast.
10:50 PM: Saw a flicker, hoped it meant some were getting restored, and indeed, the SCL map says the power’s back on for most. Fewer than 100 are still shown as out.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“This is urgent.” That’s how Seattle City Light leaders summarized what they say the utility needs to deal with challenges both new and longrunning.
The briefing for the Sustainability, City Light, Arts and Culture Committee this morning (starting 45 minutes into the video above) was meant to answer questions such as “why so many power outages” – they acknowledged outages are more numerous, and longer, than their target numbers. But they only discussed the 40 percent of outages they say are caused by infrastructure problems such as equipment failure. “We need to focus on not being the cause of our own outages,” declared City Light CEO Dawn Lindell.
To get to that point, City Light reps said, it will cost almost three and a half billion dollars. They say SCL is still suffering from “historically underfunded and deferred maintenance,” staff cuts, and other problems dating back to money woes from the 2001 Enron scandal.
One of the biggest points of failure: Direct-buried underground cables. That’s the kind currently being replaced in Brace Point; SCl says it has 330 miles of it but they’ve been replacing it so slowly, some of it could be more than a century old before they ever get to it.
Above ground, problems include various components that tend to fail, including lots of small parts with a big impact on reliability. Replacement of such parts has to accelerate to three times the current rate, said Andrew Strong, the City Light executive who did most of the talking. He added that, as seen in other states, transmission-line trouble can spark fires, which are not only devastating to victims, but costly to those culpable – he mentioned one utility’s multi-billion-dollar settlement.
Then there’s the issue of capacity. The demand on the system keeps increasing – the Port of Seattle, alone, for example, needs a new substation because of electrification – ships, trucks, etc.
So City Light is facing building a new substation on Harbor Island that will cost around a half-billion dollars. And they might need a new substation for the south part of their service area (which stretches into Burien). The other potential factors that could increase future demand on the system were listed as including Sound Transit light rail, bus electrification, University of Washington expansion, and new data centers (they have seen proposals for at least five).
In addition to the natural increase of cost with time, City Light – like so many other organizations and companies – is dealing with the uncertainties of tariffs. And a shortage in personnel – Strong said they don’t have enough engineers, field crews, etc., to meet increasing demand. They need technology upgrades too, added Lindell: “Electricity moves at the speed of light,” so they need technology that does, too. (She said that would be the subject of a future presentation.)
So where will the $3.4 billion come from? Some, from rates, the City Light executives readily acknowledged. And that includes a careful analysis of the big customers, they said, ensuring “the right rate burden” falls on “the right customer.”
Back to the topic of outages, there was one brief mention of remedying the tree-vs-line conflicts that have been to blame for so many in areas like ours. Though the old-style direct-buried underground cables are a source of trouble now, modern undergrounding can solve some problems, and is being explored for some areas, they said. (We’ll be following up on that.)
Today’s discussion was just a briefing, nothing to be voted on, so after questions (Councilmember Dan Strauss was very interested in the technical points), it ended, Here’s the full slide deck from which we pulled a few individual graphics shown above.
Just heard from Kersti Muul, who says orcas are reported to be breaching off Alki. No further details yet, but there’s almost an hour of sunlight left if you decide to go look!
(WSB file photo)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Whisky is in the name, but pending state approval, Morgan Junction restaurant/bar Whisky West (6451 California SW) will soon be open to customers of all ages. Their management is hoping the change will keep them going through their 10th anniversary in June 2026 and beyond.
“We had struggled to turn a profit,” said General Manager Mike Sweet, who explained that special events like trivia and music didn’t bring in enough patrons long-term to make the business thrive. They had considered making the change to all-ages previously, but with the long, narrow layout of their space, they couldn’t comply with both the rules that require a railing around the bar area and ADA rules for accessibility. Sweet says the state Liquor and Cannabis Board rules were recently relaxed just enough to allow them to work out a solution that complies. It happened just in the nick of time too. “We are not able to pay the bills without doing something. It’s a last-ditch effort to keep the doors open and stay in the neighborhood.”
Now it’s a process of waiting for approval from the Board. “You have to build everything first, then they decide if it’s okay.” The building part is installing a railing barrier between the bar and the restaurant seating, which happened last month. Sweet is expecting preliminary approval today, followed by an in-person inspection. “They did tell us everything looks great. It’s just formalities at this point.”
Whisky West has no plans to change to how the space feels, or the kind of music played, so no surprises for regulars. “They’re not going to notice any difference. There’s not any change other than that [all ages will] be allowed in.” (Seating at the bar, though, will remain 21+.)
Happy hour will still be 3:30-5:30 pm every day, and their extensive menu of burgers, rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers — everything under $20 – will not change either. But they will be offering up a kids menu for those 12 and under. Those $12 plates are mostly smaller versions of items already on the menu, but there are two new dishes just for kids: spaghetti with meat sauce and a mac and cheese.
Sweet is hopeful the change to all ages will bring in customers who didn’t realize all that Whisky West has to offer. “We have a huge menu that I think is priced really well. We have burgers, salads. a little bit of something for everyone, and nearly all made in house. We’re a lot more than whisky.”
It’s difficult to say how soon the approval process will allow them to open the doors to under-21s, but they hope it won’t take much longer.
If you can donate a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots (or more than one), in addition to the ongoing drives we’ve mentioned in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, there are two special opportunities tomorrow (Saturday, December 6):
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Along with an incredible breakfast deal ($8/advance, $10/door for pancakes, ham, and beverage), U.S. Marines will be there to accept unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. 7 am-11 am, Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), and Santa will be there too.
(WSB photo at Station 29 during last year’s toy drive)
SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29 TOY DRIVE: On Saturday afternoon, 2-4 pm, the Seattle Fire Department hosts a Toys for Tots drive at a few of its stations around the city. In West Seattle, Station 29 is participating – 2139 Ferry Avenue SW in North Admiral. Bring a toy and meet firefighters!
OTHER TOY/FOOD/ETC. DRIVES: See the Giving Opportunities section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – still adding to it!
Three days after a death at the encampment near Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th/Alaska) and West Seattle Stadium, city crews swept the area – “resolution” is the official city term. But it wasn’t a reaction to the death; the city had told a reader – in November 7 communication on which we were CC’d – that the site was “elevated to be resolved soon, pending availability of the necessary shelter resources.” Then another reader told us late Wednesday that they had seen crews there earlier in the day. So we followed up with the city’s Unified Care Team spokesperson Kate Jacobs, who confirmed:
Rotary Viewpoint Park/West Seattle Stadium vicinity: The Unified Care Team completed resolutions at two unauthorized encampments in this area on December 3 after official notice was posted on November 29. UCT outreach counselors offered shelter and supportive services to all 30 people residing across the two locations. Four offers were accepted.
(WSB photo, 16th/Barton, Tuesday)
We also asked about the results of the city operation reported here Tuesday at 16th/Barton, long an RV encampment zone. Jacobs replied:
SW Barton: UCT outreach counselors offered shelter and supportive services to both individuals residing at this location. Neither offer was accepted.
Jacobs said that’s not the end of their work at those sites:
Outreach counselors will continue engaging with people who declined resources to learn more about each person’s needs and keep building trust. It often takes numerous interactions before someone is willing to accept services, shelter, or complete an assessment for permanent supportive housing.
The reader who tipped us about the stadium/Rotary Viewpoint Park sweep wondered if the people there had had much notice, so we asked Jacobs about the current policy:
UCT gives people as much notice as possible for a resolution. The amount of notice is determined by local regulations, the unique circumstances of each site, and available resources.
Sites that require 72-hour notice under the Multi-Department Administrative Rule (MDAR) receive at least that much notice and sometimes significantly more.
Immediate Hazards/Obstructions are situations in which UCT must act quickly due to health or safety risks, or because an encampment significantly obstructs access to public spaces. In these cases, UCT notifies individuals of the resolution when they arrive on site, typically providing 30 minutes of notice before work begins. Once immediate safety risks and hazards are addressed, UCT works to provide reasonable time for people to pack personal belongings and identify items they’d like UCT to store versus debris that can be thrown away.
Sites that do not qualify for a 72-hour notice under MDAR and are not an immediate hazard or obstruction typically receive between 24 and 72 hours of notice.
(Harbor seals, photographed by Carol Ann Joyce)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight as we head toward a holiday-season weekend! Listings are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
CITY COUNCIL TALKS WITH CITY LIGHT: Seattle’s electricity infrastructure is on the agenda late in this morning’s meeting of the City Council Sustainability, City Light, Arts and Culture Committee that’s under way right now – agenda here; watch here.
WINTER WANDER SCAVENGER HUNT: Alice Kuder is organizing this again and you can register to get going as soon as tonight!
The Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt is a free, 10-day community event designed to bring friends and families together for holiday fun. Wanderers download instructions, a Bingo-style clue sheet, and a map, then scour West Seattle to identify the locations that solve the clues, and upload selfies in front of those locations to qualify for prize drawings. Open to everyone of all ages! Winter Wander starts at 5 PM, Fri., Dec. 5th, and concludes at 7 PM, Sun., Dec. 14th, 2025. Sign up anytime between those dates by registering at wondersinaliceland.com.
FREE INDOOR PLAY: “Stay and Play” is open 10 am-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), with toys for the little ones and coffee for their chaperones.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is planned for 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: Natalia‘s Friday sessions are 12:30-1 pm at La Choza (10401 47th SW).
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale again this year, featuring artists who work with clay. Opening Night Party and Sale tonight, 4-8 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Group show and sale, opening reception 5-9 pm tonight, more info here. (9042 31st SW)
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy by the bottle.
‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’: The first of this weekend’s two big Christmas-tree lightings! 6-8 pm, both indoors at the Walmesley Center and outside by the tree, Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) not only lights its tree and grounds, but also invites you for caroling, crafts, cocoa, pizza for sale, more. Bring nonperishable food to fill the sleigh for St. Vincent de Paul.
COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: 6-8 pm, all-genres open mic at C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER SLEEVES AT THE SKYLARK: Holiday single release show, also featuring Small Yards and Reanimators! Doors at 6, music at 7. $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TEEN SWIM: 6-7 pm at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), free swim session for ages 13=18.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, Jay Cates, celebrating his album release, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
FULL MOON SOUND BATH WITH THE ANGELS: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub. 21+. Free to play. (2306 California SW)
‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for the musical tonight – info and ticket link in our calendar listing! (4711 California SW)
SPINNING: DJ Summersoft at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING:Tonight, skate to live music by Low Hums & Baby Grendel – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Earlier this week on Giving Tuesday, we mentioned half a dozen ways to support local school/youth groups. We have one more – the West Seattle High School music program launched a “direct drive” this week and asked us to tell you about it:
… You may not realize that our music program is nearly 100% funded by donations and fundraising. That means that any new instrument purchased for our school, any repairs, piano tuning, new music, coaching, financial aid, etc. are paid for with funds raised during our two annual fundraisers, the Direct Drive and our Big Band Dinner Dance. Our direct drive operates just like the public radio or PBS fundraisers, where we simply seek donations to help our program operate. We are not selling anything, students don’t need to carry order forms for wrapping paper or candy bars, we are just looking for donations. Here is how you can help:
-Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our music program. Our Friends of West Seattle Music and Drama boosters is a 501c3 organization. The donation link can be found on our FOWSMD website found here. There is no donation too small or too large!
-Do you work for a company that does matching donations? Double your impact!
-Help us spread the word about our campaign and fundraising goal!We happily take donations all year long, but we only do our fall fundraising campaign between the Thanksgiving holiday and our final Winter Concert on December 18th. See the attached document for more information. Thank you so much for your continued support and helping us towards our goal.
You can go here to donate.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, December 5, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Cloudy, more rain, breezy, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 7:41 am; sunset, at 4:18 pm (the earliest sunsets of the season are at 4:17 pm, for a week starting Sunday).
CLOSURES
-Tonight into Saturday morning, the Highway 99 tunnel will close completely, both ways, as explained here.
-SW Alaska will be closed in the heart of The Junction on Saturday afternoon and evening for the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has three boats until Monday (December 8), when it’ll be down to two boats for about a week. WSF’s alerts page has the details; Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Metro buses – They’re on the regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
The Chief Sealth International High School boys’ varsity basketball team plays its third game of the season tomorrow night (Friday, December 5) at Cleveland. Photojournalist Oliver Hamlin was at CSIHS for WSB last night as the Seahawks played their home opener, hosting Seattle Academy. Ja’Lyn Combs is back as head coach this year:
Seniors on the squad this year include #0, TajaRay Washington:
#30, Calvin Washington:
There’s a freshman on the varsity team too, #10, Blake Bellessa:
At halftime, Chief Sealth was down 30-14, but picked up their offense in the second half.
(#3, Jibril Cortez)
(#12, Adnaan Mohamed)
(#11, Koby Ioane)
Though the Seahawks outscored SAAS in the second half, it wasn’t enough for a win – final score was Seattle Academy 69, Chief Sealth 57, and they’re still looking for their first win, as is Friday’s opponent Cleveland (0-1).
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