Holidays 2828 results

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Miracle on 34th’

December 10, 2024 8:45 pm
|    Comments Off on TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Miracle on 34th’
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Time for tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight! Thanks to Eric for the photo:

Miracle on 34th street (okay, 34th Ave SW). On 34th a block and a half south of Camp Long.

If you see, or have, lights we should spotlight on WSB, please email the location (with or without photo) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. Go here to scroll through our archive of past spotlights!

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: See ‘Wylights,’ twinkling by the tower

Tonight’s photo of standout West Seattle Christmas lights is from Wyatt near the Charlestown water tower (aka standpipe):

Here is my house for this year! I am one of the organizers of Alki Holiday Lights, and the community may recognize my handmade trees from the event! This year I am debuting the name I came up with for my display: “Wylights”! I would also like to share a message with the community and younger people trying to find themselves: “Where I am today is a result of trusting the process and listening to my heart. You will build something beautiful when you follow what truly speaks to you. In that you will find self-fulfillment.”

Wyatt’s house is at 3729 40th Ave SW (we publish full addresses if we hear directly from the resident; otherwise we publish vicinities) – and Wyatt plans to add more lights this season! If you have, or see, lights we should spotlight on WSB, please email the location (with or without photo) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. Go here to scroll through our archive of past spotlights!

GRATITUDE: Kiwanis Club of West Seattle’s pancake-breakfast thank you, and last day for benefit bidding

December 9, 2024 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on GRATITUDE: Kiwanis Club of West Seattle’s pancake-breakfast thank you, and last day for benefit bidding
 |   Holidays | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos, Saturday)

One of the events we covered and co-sponsored this weekend was the well-attended Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast on Saturday morning. This morning, the club’s president Denis Sapiro sends words of thanks, with a reminder that this is the final day for their online auction of donated local items:

The Kiwanis Club thanks all the attendees and donors for making the Community Breakfast a grand success. Scout Troop 284 & 8284 did a great job getting the Hall arranged, serving the meal, and cleaning up! Seattle University Circle K members cooked the meal.

Key Club members from West Seattle High and Chief Sealth International assisted with the raffle, Santa photos, and technical support. Gunnery Sergeant Samuel Hernandez and Sergeant Angalina Roseberry represented Toys for Tots standing with Santa in the photos, too.

Today, Monday the 9th, is the last full day to contribute to the Kiwanis online Silent Auction at: app.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/kiwanis-club-of-west-seattle-2024-auction-43120

Donations to the Kiwanis 21st Century Scholarship Fund can be tax deductible, https://kiwaniswestseattle.org

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Aglow in Admiral

Our holiday-lights spotlights continue with this photo sent by Dayna:

Our neighbor has a really great light display on 45th Ave SW between Admiral and Lander!

(That’s just west of Lafayette Elementary.) If you have lights – or have seen lights – to suggest for a WSB spotlight, please email us (with or without photo), westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (Scroll through this WSB archive to see what we’ve shown already – plus past year’s features.)

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 22 events!

(Saturday photo by Christopher Boffoli)

Again today, we have two lists for you – first, the holiday happenings, from our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

FINAL DAY FOR ALKI CO-OP PRESCHOOL BOOK FAIR: Last day to make purchases at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and have part of the proceeds benefit Alki Co-op Preschool!

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: Winter-clothing flash sale, 10 am-6 pm at the shop! (3602 SW Alaska)

HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR AT OLG, LAST DAY: The popular fair-trade-gift fair concludes at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 9:30 am-1:30 pm. (35th/Myrtle)

PATHFINDER WREATH SALES: As featured in the Holiday Guide, the school’s beloved handmade wreaths are on sale just south of the Farmers’ Market today and the next two Sundays, plus available online. (California/Alaska)

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: 1-5 pm today. (4208 SW 100th)

VASHON ISLAND HOLIDAY STUDIO TOUR: Take a ferry to explore this event! “Vashon Island artists offer art lovers and gift shoppers a fun and inspirational event, the Vashon Island Holiday Studio Tour, continuing today, 10 am to 4 pm. The tour, which is organized by Vashon Island Visual Artists, features 44 studios and galleries representing more than 140 artists and craftspeople. The organization’s website also offers an interactive online map with details about each studio or gallery.”

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: Open 7 days a week until Christmas – that includes 11 am-5 pm today. (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor)

SHOP SMALL SOUTH PARK: Go explore our neighboring community during their 11 am-4 pm art market, plus “retail crawl” at many SP small businesses. Details in our calendar listing. (14th Ave. S./S. Cloverdale)

GRINCH AND GRAHAMS: 1:00-2:30 pm. Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill)
Family Holiday Event! FREE! “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” the beloved 30-minute holiday classic movie, followed by making and decorating graham-cracker houses! All welcome!

‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: ArtsWest‘s holiday musical has a 3 pm matinée today; get your ticket(s) here. (4711 California SW)

THE KENNEY CHIMES CHOIR: “The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, 2 pm, Chime In for The Holidays! Join The Kenney Chimes Choir featuring The WestSide Ringers and The Kenney Singers for Carols At The Kenney! (Event is free, donations welcome) Email: tickets@thekenney,org to reserve your seat.”

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.

NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR: Northwest Boychoir‘s annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

And here’s the non-holiday list with everything else – mostly from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Ampersand (2536 Alki SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open 10 am-2 pm, with almost-winter produce (root vegetables! greens!), plus beverages, holiday greenery, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Fall is project time. Need a tool to make yours happen? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

THE DOWNTOWN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: This WSB sponsor welcomes families to its independent high school campus downtown today, 12:45-3 pm. (160 John Street)

‘THE RAKE’S PROGRESS,’ FINAL PERFORMANCE: Last chance to catch the Chief Sealth IHS student performance! 2 pm in the campus Performing Arts Center – ticketing and other details are in our preview. (2600 SW Thistle)

BABY MOTOR-SKILLS PLAY GROUP: 3:30 pm at Viva Arts, geared toward 3 months to pre-crawling. Preregister here. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIGHLINE PREMIER FC INFO NIGHT: 6 pm online, for families interested in this soccer league – details in our calendar listing.

JET CITY IMPROV AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, “a night of laughter and musical magic.” (4711 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring – and/or in our Holiday Guide? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Gai Family’s Madonna illuminated again

Again this year, Theresa Arbow-O’Connor brings us first word of the return of the Gai Family‘s legendary illuminated Madonna. Last year she told us about the new setting that Ron Gai, son of the display’s creator Phil Gai, had crafted. This is in northeast West Seattle, in the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map]. Theresa happened to find Ron finishing securing the display last night, so she took these photos.

Thanks to everyone who’s sent locations, with or without photos, for our spotlights – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!

VIDEO: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays’ big night

5 PM: It’s on! The West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Festival is happening – the Night Market is open, performances have begun on the stage in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), and the tree lighting is barely an hour away. Get down here if you’re not here already. See the schedule here (tree lighting’s scheduled around 6, festival continues until 8); this is just meant as a reminder – we’ll have lots more coverage later! And wait – is that Santa we see?

6:30 PM: We caught up with Santa shortly thereafter … as he spoke to a young fan whose mom pronounced her child “starstruck”:

(If you haven’t caught up with Santa yet this season, see the list in our Holiday Guide for many upcoming opportunities!)

The stage show continued with the West Seattle School of Rock, well, rocking:

The Seattle Metropolitan Singers caroled:

You can hear more from them at 7 pm December 15th at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds). … And the “butchered” Christmas tree lit up quite nicely, thanks to some Charlie Brown Christmas-style love from the West Seattle Junction Association:

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

Here’s how Santa, emcee Brian Callanan, and guest tree lighter City Councilmember Rob Saka lit it up:

Yet more images of tonight’s festivities to upload (including the pet-costume-contest winner!) when we’re back at HQ! Still time to get down here and wander … you might even see this:

(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)

ADDED POST-FESTIVAL: Here’s a bit of the night’s first musical performance, by the Endolyne Children’s Choir:

The pet-costume contest winner was a Corgi, “Chef Coy-Ar-Gee“:


WSB sponsor All The Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW) donated prizes.

Finally, a video montage with a few more sights and one more look at the tree-lighting countdown:

WEEKEND SCENE: Toy drive at Seattle Fire Station 29 in North Admiral

(WSB photos)

Yet another chance to give today! Those were among the first toys donated at Fire Station 29 in North Admiral this afternoon, when the SFD two-hour Toys For Tots drive got going. Here’s the crew at Station 29 ready to accept your donations of new, unwrapped toys until 3 pm:

This is the only station in West Seattle among the six citywide that are participating in today’s drive, which continues until 3 pm. Just show up and drop off, on the east side of the station, which is at 2139 Ferry Avenue SW.

WEEKEND SCENE: Pancakes and holiday warmth with Kiwanis Club of West Seattle and friends

(WSB photos)

8:14 AM: Happening right now at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), it’s the biggest breakfast event of the holiday season – the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual pancake breakfast. Their kitchen crew has been busy stirring batter and flipping pancakes:

For $10 at the door – kids free! – you get pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, and coffee/tea. Volunteers powering the event include not only Kiwanians but also Scouts from Troop 284. You can bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and meet an active-duty Marine, plus enter raffles and more. This is on until 11 am, and if you’re driving on this rainy morning, parking is right by the door to the lower-level event room on the south side of the Masonic Center.

8:41 AM: Santa is in the house, as are Marine Corps Sgt. Angalina Roseberry and Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Hernandez, both based at JBLM (while Santa is of course based at the North Pole). They’re here to help with the Toys for Tots donations, which the Kiwanis Club says are going very well this morning:

They’ve already loaded out some of the donations. This morning’s volunteers also include the Key Clubs from Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS, the Circle K Club from Seattle U, and Kiwanians from the White Center and South Seattle clubs. Some are here for fundraising sales of holiday items from handpainted ornaments to candy.

P.S. A week from tomorrow – on December 15 – look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle on the south end of the Farmers’ Market as they collect coat donations and serve cocoa as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays.

VIDEO: Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘Lights Up the Night,’ with celebration additions

December 6, 2024 10:02 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘Lights Up the Night,’ with celebration additions
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

That’s the highest-elevation outdoor Christmas tree in Seattle, shining brightly outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church after tonight’s “Light Up the Night” celebration. Big turnout filled SW Myrtle between the church and its Walmesley Center gym/event venue.

The lighting was preceded by Christmas classics sung by two groups, the Starry Crowns:

And OLG fourth- and fifth-graders:

That’s the voice of emcee Brian Callanan at the end. Now, here’s what was new: It was the first “Light Up the Night” for OLG’s newest pastor Father Phuong; it’s the first also since OLG and Holy Rosary were joined as part of the Archdiocese of Seattle‘s initiative to stretch pastoral resources. And it was the first year for expanded indoor festivities, including story time with Santa:

Plus it was the first of three sessions for the church’s Fair Trade Gift Fair, usually a once-a-year event and generally not in combination with “Light Up the Night”:

The Fair Trade Gift Fair also will be open for shopping in Walmesley Center (north side of SW Myrtle east of 35th) 4-8 pm Saturday and 9 am-1 pm Sunday. Lots of handmade items, including body-care products.

And tonight, generous eventgoers brought food donations to fill up the sleigh:

Before we wrap up this report, one more song from the Starry Crowns – “Carol of the Bells”:

You can see their free Christmas concert at OLG (35th/Myrtle) at 7 pm Friday (December 13) – adding that to our Holiday Guide right now!

WEEKEND PREVIEW: 3 big reasons to be in The Junction on Saturday

Three quick reminders about don’t-miss events in the West Seattle Junction tomorrow (Saturday, December 7):

(WSB file photo)

KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Start your Saturday at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds, lots of free parking if you’re driving) for a tasty breakfast cooked by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, coffee/tea … Santa’s there for photos and Marines are there to collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Drop in any time between 7 am and 11 am. $10 at the door, $8 in advance, kids under 10 eat free with a paid adult.

P.S. The Kiwanis Club also is raising money for youth and other community work right now via this online silent auction – bid for cool items donated by local businesses!

(WSB photo – Caudle Family on donation-drive day in 2023)

DRIVE-UP/RIDE-UP/WALK-UP COAT AND FOOD DRIVE: Bring your donations to the lot behind Hope Lutheran (off Oregon just east of 42nd) for the Caudle Family‘s annual drop-off drive collecting new/gently used coats and nonperishable food, 10 am-3 pm.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS FESTIVAL AND TREE LIGHTING: 4-8 pm Saturday, gather in the heart of The Junction! The event is centered on SW Alaska between California and 42nd, which will be closed to through traffic – here’s the schedule:

4:00 PM – Festival begins. Night Market is open. Carolers, Metropolitan Singers, and Santa will be roaming the area.
4:30 PM – Endolyne Children’s Choir Performance
5:00 PM – The School of Rock Performance
5:30 PM – Pet Costume Contest on Stage
6:00 PM – Tree Lighting with carolers (Seattle Metropolitan Singers)
6:30 PM – Christmas DJ spinning holiday tunes
8:00 PM – Night Market closes

The list of Night Market vendors is here (and glow wands will be available for kids for $3). Check out the new more-walkable layout this year! For added festive touches, you’ll also see stilt-walkers, LED hula hoops, fire pits, lots of lights in Junction Plaza Park … that’s where the stage will be this year, and Brian Callanan will be this year’s emcee. In addition to adult beverages in the Beer Garden, you’ll also find cocoa being served up by Hope Lutheran.

These 3 events are just part of a BIG holiday lineup for this weekend – see it all in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

VIDEO: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays ‘Shop Late Thursday,’ with music!

It’s a night full of shopping and music – and more – in the West Seattle Junction. Above and below, the first of two musical groups entertaining Junction visitors tonight on the first of two Shop Late Thursdays, carolers The Silver Belles, whose parodies often stop passersby in their tracks.

We caught them at their first stop, outside Curious Kidstuff, before they moved on to the block north of SW Alaska. They’re singing until 7, at which time Better As Brass is set to start playing at the KeyBank plaza corner of California/Alaska (busking for a cause!). All the while, the Junction Elves are roaming with candy canes – we found them pausing to appreciate The Silver Belles.

Multiple Junction businesses (and others around the peninsula) will be hosting readers at 7 pm, for this month’s West Seattle Book Club event (see the venue list here). Then plan to be in The Junction one week from tonight – December 12 is the holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk, with Santa on the street, plus the return of The Silver Belles. And of course the biggest night of Hometown Holidays is inbetween, this Saturday (December 7) with the Night Market, tree lighting, beer garden, and more – see the schedule here. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of Hometown Holidays again this year.)

ADDED FRIDAY: Another look at The Silver Belles:

Catch them again next Thursday (December 12)!

COUNTDOWN: Two nights until you can help Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘Light Up the Night’ – and its tree – as ‘Good Tidings Festival’ begins

December 4, 2024 6:30 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Two nights until you can help Our Lady of Guadalupe ‘Light Up the Night’ – and its tree – as ‘Good Tidings Festival’ begins
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

A big holiday-season weekend is ahead in West Seattle – including the lighting of the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree on Friday night, outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 35th/Myrtle. The lighting – with caroling, a food drive, Santa, and more – starts OLG’s three-day “Good Tidings Festival” – here’s the announcement we received:

Friday-LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, 6 pm-8 pm – Pizza for sale, kids craft tables, holiday gift and bake sale, singing of carols, lighting the tree, story time with Santa & hot chocolate & cookies!

Fri. 6-8 pm, Sat. 4-8 pm & Sunday 9 am-1 pm- HOLIDAY GIFT SALE. The sale will feature ethically sourced gifts and food, including chocolates, garden décor, nativities, jewelry, holiday décor, scarves and more. By buying Ethical Trade, you support the efforts of skilled farmers and artisans, empower communities, and affirm the dignity of the workers. The proceeds from the sale will benefit Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Outreach efforts in our community.

Sunday, 11 am – 1:30 pm – Feast Day Mass and Fiesta. Join us for Mass as we celebrate our Feast Day. The OLG Student Body will portray the Guadalupe story at the Mass and followed by our annual “Fiesta” – a delicious lunch hosted by the Multicultural Ministry and the Knights of Columbus. We will also have a “bouncy house” to keep our little ones occupied as we share conversation and community with our friends and parishioners.

HOLIDAY SCENE: West Seattle Rotary’s Festival of Mini-Trees in Admiral

December 4, 2024 5:17 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY SCENE: West Seattle Rotary’s Festival of Mini-Trees in Admiral
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

You have until 6:45 to bid, until 7 pm to view, at the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Festival of Mini-Trees, happening right now at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW). More than 20 trees are being auctioned to raise money for the Rotary’s community work. The trees have themes – like this one for Huskies fans:

You can enjoy beverages, treats, live acoustic holiday music, and just enjoy browsing the trees:

Other tree themes include everything from movies to coffee! Wreaths are being auctioned off. Everything was donated to support the Rotarians’ work with students and other community projects.

BIZNOTE: West Seattle Thriftway’s second holiday-season tasting event

December 4, 2024 12:59 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: West Seattle Thriftway’s second holiday-season tasting event
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, November ‘Taste’)

In addition to last month’s pre-Thanksgiving holiday “Taste,” West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) is inviting you to a second “Taste” event! It’s set for 4-7 pm tomorrow night (Thursday, December 5) with more than two dozen vendors around the store, offering samples of food – from snacks to main dishes to desserts – and beverages for you to consider as the holiday season continues. Free, all welcome! (Here’s our coverage of the pre-Thanksgiving “Taste” at Thriftway.)

Books on your gift list? Alki Co-op Preschool book fair this week at Paper Boat Booksellers

December 4, 2024 8:56 am
|    Comments Off on Books on your gift list? Alki Co-op Preschool book fair this week at Paper Boat Booksellers
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

If you have books on your gift list – or games, art supplies, and other items carried by West Seattle independent bookstore Paper Boat Booksellers – shop there through Sunday and your dollars can do double duty, benefiting nonprofit Alki Cooperative Preschool. Through Sunday (December 8th), tell Paper Boat when you’re checking out an in-store purchase that you’re there for the Alki Co-op Preschool Bookfair, and they’ll donate a percentage of proceeds. Gift cards are not included but if you order something that’s not in stock and pay for it in full this week, that purchase can be counted. Paper Boat Booksellers is at 6040 California Ave SW, in north Morgan Junction.

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Up on the roof

Tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight shines on the roof of homes about a block east of Chief Sealth International High School, on the south side of Thistle [map]. The roof’s configuration is a perfect platform to line with inflatable Christmas characters.

Got a display to suggest? With or without photos? We’re planning a spotlight every night so we appreciate your tips as in years past, westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302.

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Two Festivals of Trees to see!

Two West Seattle Festivals of Trees to tell you about tonight – one event tomorrow, and one with many chances to see the trees, plus both with ways for you to do more than look:

WEST SEATTLE ROTARY’S FESTIVAL OF MINI-TREES: Wednesday night (December 4) from 5 to 7 pm, be at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) to view and bid on more than 20 mini-trees! It’s the fourth year, says Rotary past president Kjersti Stroup:

Local businesses and community members donated 21 artificial trees and wreaths to this event, pre-lit and decorated in fun themes … On Wednesday, December 4, all are welcome to come by Brookdale from 5-7 to enjoy music and hors d’oeuvres, celebrate the holidays, and place silent bids on wreaths and tabletop trees! Bidding ends at 6:45 and winners can take home their items that night. There is no cost to attend, and all proceeds go directly to Rotary’s service foundation projects. These projects include providing new clothing and school supplies to local students, building clean stoves in Guatemala, awarding local scholarships, and much more!

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH’S FESTIVAL OF TREES: All month long, you can visit the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) 9 am-noon Mondays-Thursdays, plus the hour before each of the church’s Christmas concerts, and admire the dozen-plus trees decorated mostly by church groups and families. Yere’s a few we photographed today:

That’s the penguin tree … below, the “trash tree”:

The “peace tree”:

And the Hazelwood Preschool (which rents space beneath the church) “gingerbread-man tree”:

Bring nonperishable food donations and use the cans/bags/boxes to “vote” for your favorite(s)! We’ll showcase more of the trees through the month. But go visit when you can!

BAKERS! The Christmas People are looking for thousands of homemade cookies again this year

(2023 reader photo, from 600+ cookies baked by Tibbetts United Methodist Church ‘and friends’)

For the 26th year, the nonprofit organization known as The Christmas People will be accepting homemade cookies during Christmas week, with a dropoff spot in West Seattle. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share with you:

The Christmas People will once again be collecting homemade Christmas Cookies at West Seattle Co-Working, 9030 35th Avenue SW, on Saturday, December 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, December 22nd, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Monday, December 23rd, and Tuesday, December 24th, from 10-4. Cookies may also be dropped off at our main kitchen location, Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Saturday, December 21, through Tuesday, December 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are hoping for 9,000 cookies, which will be assorted and distributed to 12 shelters and centers. Also food preparers and drivers are needed. Please call us for information – co-founders Fred Hutchinson and Ruth Bishop, 206-719-4979.

BIZNOTE: Want to build your own sweet gingerbread house? West Seattle cake shop offering kits

December 2, 2024 4:42 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Want to build your own sweet gingerbread house? West Seattle cake shop offering kits
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

One of West Seattle’s most creative cake shops is also offering you the chance to get creative again this holiday season. BAKED in The Admiral District has offered gingerbread kits every year since 2021; the gingerbread house kit is $65 (photo above, courtesy BAKED), a gingerbread-cookie kit $45, with part of the proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank. The shop is open by appointment so the best way to order one is online – they have curbside pickup on Fridays and Saturdays.

/

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe Family’s 2024 display

Christmas-light season is officially on. The Menashe Family’s home at 5605 Beach Drive SW is ablaze in lights – our video above is a minute-long look at most of it. One aspect that’ll catch your eye, the transportation features – train, plane, helicopter, among others.

Lots of Christmasy characters inhabit almost every square inch of the yard. And by the sidewalk, the traditional mailbox for letters to Santa Claus:

Santa himself will visit in two weeks, the night of December 14 (as noted in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide), with reindeer accompanying him. (He’s already represented on the north side of the display.)

We’ll be showcasing lights from around the community again this season, starting tomorrow (Monday) – if yours are extra-festive, or you see some that are, please let us know! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

HOLIDAY SCENE: Serenading Prost West Seattle’s Tannenbaum, as a week of tree lightings begins

December 1, 2024 8:01 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY SCENE: Serenading Prost West Seattle’s Tannenbaum, as a week of tree lightings begins
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

If you’re going to sing “O Tannenbaum” under a Christmas tree, no better place to do it in West Seattle than Prost! That’s one of the songs local musician (and renowned announcer) Tom Hutyler sang there tonight in honor of the official first night of the bar’s Christmas tree.

P.S. Other tree lightings ahead this week include the Our Lady of Guadalupe tree during Light Up the Night on Friday and The Junction’s (somewhat diminished, but illuminated anyway) tree during the Holiday Festival on Saturday.

COUNTDOWN: One week until pancakes and Santa with Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – plus an online auction open now!

November 30, 2024 4:19 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: One week until pancakes and Santa with Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – plus an online auction open now!
 |   Holidays | How to help | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2023 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast)

One week from today – Saturday, December 7th – brings some of the biggest events of the holiday season. It all starts at 7 am in the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual pancake breakfast. $8 in advance or $10 at the door – and kids under 10 eat free! – gets you pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, coffee, and tea. Free Santa photos! Raffles! Benefit wreath, ornament, and nut sales! And you’re welcome to bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots (with active-duty Marines there to gratefully accept them). Show up whatever time works for you between 7 am and 11 am next Saturday morning. The entrance is right off the (free) parking lot on the south side of the Masonic Center (and again, you can buy your discounted advance ticket right now by going here).

P.S. The Kiwanis Club also is raising money for its community work right now via an online auction, with items including gift certificates/cards for local businesses, from coffee to clothing (and beyond!). Go here to browse and bid!