West Seattle, Washington
20 Monday
As we’ve written many times, EVERY day should be Shop Small Business Day, not just one designated date during the holiday season. That’s the idea behind this:
That’s a holiday passport for more than half a dozen small businesses from Admiral to The Junction, and Miranda from And Arlen explains, “Our goal is to focus on supporting small businesses and collecting donations for WestSide Baby throughout the next month or so.” The passport cards will be available starting on Small Business Saturday – November 30 – at the participating businesses:
1. Current Coffee
2. Hoste
3. soirée
4. PUBLIC
5. And Arlen
6. Spruce Apothocary
7. Walter’s / Upwell
For the WestSide Baby drive: “Drop a new or gently used toy, winter clothing item, or other basic needs (diapers etc) with any of us to get your 8th stamp!” Find out more here – including the prizes for which participants are eligible once they’ve collected all the stamps.
After commenter “Anonyme” – who has identified themselves previously as a former arborist – noted that the Junction Plaza Park tree that serves as The Junction’s official Christmas tree appeared “butchered,” we went over for a look. Our photo above is what we saw. Definitely trimmed – to put it mildly – in a major way, with the lighting event just a week and a half away. We checked in with the West Seattle Junction Association to see what happened – and executive director Chris Mackay says it’s news to them, though there’s been someone doing uninvited “butchering” on other trees in the area. She wanted us to ask if anyone saw it happening, or “has photos of the culprit.” (If you do have info and/or visuals, please contact WSJA – info@wsjunction.org.) Meantime, the tree lighting will proceed anyway (6 pm-ish on Saturday, December 7), because, as Chris puts it, “we have to” – the tree lighting is part of a 4-8 pm festival that night, featuring performances, a Night Market, beer garden, and more.
(WSB file photo, The Hall at Fauntleroy)
Two days until Thanksgiving! We wanted to take the chance to remind you of what you’ll find in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, related to the first big holiday of the season:
FREE FEASTS: The Hall at Fauntleroy, the West Seattle Eagles, and Admiral Pub all welcome you this year
RESTAURANTS/COFFEE SHOPS: We have two lists linked in the Holiday Guide, if you’re interested in someone else doing the cooking or coffeemaking
GROCERY STORE HOURS: See who’s open (and when) and who’s not
START YOUR HOLIDAY ON THE RUN: Want to move before you eat? See the organized events
Beyond Thanksgiving, our guide lists dozens of West Seattle holiday events and activities. (If we’re missing yours, send it! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302, any time!
That’s part of the colorful display – also including seawall luminarias – the Alki Community Council created as part of its first-ever Alki Holiday Lights celebration Saturday night, before and after the Christmas Ship’s visit to the beach (WSB coverage here). The event also included business participation, plus the Log House Museum, and a food drive. One of the ACC organizers, Zak, tells WSB, “I made a survey to gather feedback on this first annual event. Hoping to have 2025 be bigger and better. Would love to have more attendees fill it out and hear what we did well or could improve on.” If you were there and can offer some feedback, here’s how!
(2023 photo courtesy Thunder Road Guitars)
Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is bringing back the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck on Black Friday (this Friday, November 29)! Here’s the TRG announcement:
This Black Friday Weekend is going to be LEGENDARY! For the first time ever, Thunder Road Guitars Seattle & Portland are offering:
-20% OFF select new, used, and vintage guitars, amplifiers, and pedals!
-Shop online at www.thunderroadguitars.com with code BLACKFRIDAY20 to save big!
-Or visit us in-store in West Seattle or Portland to snag these epic deals.
BONUS: At our West Seattle location, the DICK’S DRIVE-IN Truck will be on-site Friday from 12-2 pm! Treat yourself to lunch with purchase of any item in store. Guitars + burgers = Black Friday done right!
Hurry! Sale runs Black Friday Weekend only. Some exclusions apply, so call or email for details.
In West Seattle, Thunder Road Guitars is at 6400 California SW in Morgan Junction.
Anyone else with Black Friday festivities? Email – westseattleblog@gmail.com – or text – 206-293-6302 – us so we can add to our West Seattle Holiday Guide – thanks!
Shortly after Thanksgiving, two-plus weeks of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays festivities (co-sponsored by WSB) begin. Here are the dates you’ll want to get on your calendar:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30: Small Business Saturday! We always say EVERY day should be Small Business (Whatever)day, but there’s a national movement attached to this one, so join the party and shop your local indies.
(Better As Brass, WSB video from 2023)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5: Shop Late in The Junction with special sights and sounds – The Silver Belles will carol, Better As Brass will play holiday favorites, Elves will be out and about, and the West Seattle Book Club will be reading at venues inside and outside The Junction.
(Tree lighting, WSB video from 2023)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 – The BIG night! 4-8 pm, this year’s Holiday Festival features the tree lighting in Junction Plaza Park, plus vendors at the Night Market, pet costume contest, Santa, singers, beer garden, and more on SW Alaska between 42nd and California. (See the full schedule here.)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10-MONDAY, DECEMBER 23: DIY photos in a holiday wonderland at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), noon-5 pm.
(Silver Belles, WSB video from 2023)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12: 5 pm “till late,” Holiday Art Walk and Shop Late in The Junction – Santa, The Silver Belles, and The Art of Music.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14: Santa Photos at Curious Kidstuff (noon-3 pm) and John L. Scott (11 am-2 pm)
(Donated coats, WSB photo from 2023)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15: Cocoa and Coat Drive with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle at the Farmers Market’s south end (California/Alaska), 10 am-1:30 pm.
Lots of individual businesses and organizations will have special events throughout the season too – if yours is among them, please send us info for our West Seattle Holiday Guide, if you haven’t already – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
While many are out shopping on “Black Friday,” one young West Seattleite will be bowling … for a cause.
(Photo from nathantavelbowling.com)
That’s Nathan Tavel, who plans to bowl 10 am-11 am Friday (November 29) to raise money for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. You can pledge now – with pledging categories including how many pins he’ll tally, how many strikes he’ll throw, how many turkeys he’ll throw, and what his total score will be. You can find out more – and pledge – at nathantavelbowling.com. Lots of prize possibilities for pledgers, too! (This isn’t his first bowling fundraiser – we told you about one of Nathan’s efforts back in early 2020, when he was just eight; his dad, community advocate Phil Tavel, says he’s been bowling since age four.)
(Photo by Nancy Woodland)
7:55 PM: Look for the lights east of Alki Bathhouse and you’ll find the epicenter of Alki Holiday Lights, the neighborhood celebration organized by the Alki Community Council while awaiting the Christmas Ship’s 8:35 pm appearance – with local businesses, and the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens), participating too. Updates later!
(Added: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” excerpt with Pacific Sound Chorus on board)
9:13 PM: The Christmas Ship has sailed on after its Alki stop, second of the night (after Seacrest). We’ll add visuals once we’re back at HQ!
10:15 PM: As promised, the Alki Community Council lined part of the seawall with luminarias – no rain, so they stayed lit! The ACC set up this festive display too:
Along with the businesses offering treats, the Log House Museum was open for the evening, with merchandise including a bake sale and the remaining stock of ornaments, each featuring something or someplace from West Seattle’s history:
The museum was thrilled with the turnout, even though they’re a block inland – they’d counted well past 100 visitors before we stopped by around midway through the evening event. Meantime, that’s it for the Christmas Ship’s 2024 West Seattle stops, but if you want to catch it elsewhere in the region, here’s the full-season schedule.
ADDED: Thanks to Rod for this photo of the Christmas Ship, with its traditional illuminated wish for “PEACE,” sailing away from Seacrest:
Our tour of some of today’s handcrafted shopping opportunities ended at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), where the Christmas Market continues until 4 pm. We found one creative stocking stuffer:
Stacey just started her business selling playing cards with recipes, “Make Meals, Play Cards” – simple ideas for meals, five ingredients for less, right on the cards. (If you miss the market but are interested, email her at mmpcdeck@gmail.com.) Chantel is a teacher who is selling clay creations, from dishes to ornaments:
There’s also an opportunity to give to the Westside Neighbors Shelter – a giving tree that gives you the chance to chip in for sturdy footwear:
And if you’re bringing the kid(s), there are craft tables just outside the sanctuary, where most of the market is happening:
Cider and pretzels are available too , outdoors by the entrance. This is part of a full complement of holiday events, that Admiral Church is offering – all in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, but here’s the list as sent by the church:
“Holy Night”; Christmas With The Chosen. November 26, 6:30-8:30 pm. Free movie screening and discussion of “Holy Night”, by the producers of “The Chosen” series. Christmas cookies and popcorn, too! All welcome!
Grinch and Grahams! December 8, 1:00-2:30 pm. Admiral Church, 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!
WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT! December 15, 1:00-3:00 pm. Holiday Jazz Concert, dancing as space allows! All Welcome! FREE! And there’s cookies!
On the southeastern edge of West Seattle is a holiday sale worth going out of your way for today – the craft fair at Arrowhead Gardens (9200 2nd SW). It’s also continuing until 3 pm today. You’ll find some tasty surprises – above, “Mama T” is selling lumpia; below, Linda is a devoted canner whose creations include saffron-nectarine jam, “monkey butter,” syrups, jellies, and simple pleasures like pickled carrots:
She gave up canning for a while after 40 years – and then hopped back into it a few years ago, making small batches. Bill, meantime, has channeled his beautiful photos into calendars and gift cards:
The tables throughout the “welcome center” on the complex’s east side also include warm knitted items for all ages:
Holiday decor too, plus jewelry and more. Support the senior artisans and delight your gift recipients!
(WSB photos)
Don’t feel like – or have time to – bake for the holiday(s)? Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle) has you covered. Their “Bake Sale Plus” – raising money for nonprofits/community work – is on until 3 pm. Even a gluten-free table, as shown above. Pies, cookies, brownies, breads, snack mix … if you’re looking for it, they probably have it. Plus – knitted creatios:
And even a “Toy Share” area if you have little ones on your list:
This is happening on the lower level of the church – enter off 39th. One more note: All the baked goods are packaged in compostable material!
(Photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB. Above, DJ Padilla, Carlos Lopez, and Teagan Gaither hand out turkeys)
Until noon – or until supplies run out – anybody who needs some help getting a turkey dinner on the table this Thanksgiving is welcome at the annual Eastridge Church turkey giveaway (outside the church at 39th and Oregon).
No questions asked – anyone can get a turkey and bag of groceries that contains fixings for a full traditional holiday meal. Volunteers were busy packing the bags inside:
(Carol Heisler places a bag of groceries in the pile to be distributed)
Between their West Seattle and Eastside campuses, Eastridge gives away about 1,500 turkeys on the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year – something they’ve been doing for more than two decades.
Our West Seattle Holiday Guide includes info on not only holiday events, but also holiday shopping – including where you can buy a tree!
(West Seattle Nursery photo, 2024 tree arrival)
West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon): got Alpine Nobles in early and expected to have Burton Blue, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Korean Fir, Noble Fir, and Nordmann Firs trees by today.
Trees By The Sea (2530 Alki SW) opens next Wednesday (November 25) with not only trees but also “wreaths, garland and products available from our honey company Shipwreck Apiaries.” Its hours are in our Holiday Guide.
The Holy Rosary Tree Lot, on the north side of the campus, is scheduled to open the day after Thanksgiving. Part of the proceeds go to local nonprofits.
Those are just three of the places you’ll find trees in West Seattle. Check the Holiday Guide for more, plus lots of other info – including the open-on-Thanksgiving restaurant/bar and coffee lists, both now linked! And if you find info missing, let us know, as we’re updating it daily.
(WSB file photo – seen at a Hall at Fauntleroy Thanksgiving dinner)
Just a reminder this morning that this year’s edition of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is live and stuffed with Thanksgiving information, from ordering deadlines to free community dinners (both The Hall at Fauntleroy and the West Seattle Eagles are offering theirs again this year). For those in need, the Eastridge Church turkey giveaway is coming up this Saturday morning; the West Seattle Food Bank is not having a drive-up turkey pickup this year, but we have their Thanksgiving-week hours in the guide. Also there, you’ll find a link to our list of West Seattle restaurants and bars planning to be open on the holiday, and our coffee-shop list will be linked later today. If you have additions or changes, please let us know at westseattleblog@gmail.com or (text/voice) 206-293-6302. The Holiday Guide includes lots of other info too, and we’re frequently updating it all season long!
(WSB photo, 2023 Christmas Ship stop)
As noted previously, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is making just two West Seattle stops this holiday season, and both are this Saturday night. The second, however, will be extra-festive, because the Alki Community Council is launching a “Nostalgic Neighborhood Tradition“ at the beach. The Christmas Ship is due at 8:35 pm; the community-gathering event is set for 7-9 pm. Seattle Parks promises a bonfire; participating Alki businesses promise treats. And you’re invited to dress up in “ugly holiday sweaters” and/or attire that glows. (Rudolph might be envious.) Plus, bring non-perishable donations for the West Seattle Food Bank! This is all set to happen around the Alki Beach Bathhouse (60th/Alki) and at Alki businesses on Saturday night.
(Photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
If you’re at the Turkey Bowl, you might as well dress like a bird. That’s one of the sights our photographer saw at last night’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl at West Seattle Bowl. For more than 20 years, this event has brought together brewers, brewpub operators, and other members of the beer community to raise money and collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank.
(Organizers- top row from left: Chris Burns, Kendall Jones, Kim Jones, Shayna Burns, Shannon Burns, Tom Burns. Bottom row from left: Wyatt Brinkman, Ellie Burns, Mary Burns, Thomas Burns)
The holiday tradition also included raffles and a silent auction:
And more bowling:
(Dylon Tubb bowling)
Organizers Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones are known for the Washington Beer Blog, for which Kendall is the main contributor.
The holiday giving tree in the front window at CAPERS (WSB sponsor) is one reason to check out the shop’s Holiday Open House this afternoon. You can help the families at Hickman House – a shelter for survivors of domestic violence – by choosing a star and fulfilling the gift request:
You can also shop for whoever’s already on your list – and holiday decor, as the shop has been transformed into a wonderland:
Some shelves and corners have themes – this one centers on miniature nostalgic TV sets!
CAPERS is offering prize drawings and refreshments, too. The holiday open house is on until 5 pm at 4525 California SW.
Another scene from this almost-holiday-season Saturday – pet photos during today’s West Seattle Nursery open house. Our videographer recorded many of the participating pups posing, or not! (The patient photographer was Tessa Gold.)
(WSB photos by Tracy Record)
As highlighted in today’s event list, the Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is on until 2 pm. And if you stop to talk with the artists, you’ll find everyone has a story. For painter Cleopatra Cutler, this is her first time at the fair:
For painter Jennifer Carrasco, it’s her last time. She is offering cards, as well as prints of fanciful scenes showing horses she had painted on a Spokane carousel come to life, from an unfinished children’s book she wrote – telling the story of their wild times after hours:
Angie Marcelynas from The Little Merle has jewelry that’s recycled art, transforming tidbits of items that once had another purpose:
Corie‘s Hello Image wood art is created with lasers:
And Molly Donovan‘s Cashmere Creatures are billed as “emotional support” – eminently huggable:
Other artists are there too – with holiday gift possibilities, or maybe just something to treat yourself to.
The first version of our 2024 WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is now live! It’s a work in progress all season long, with additions as we get them, and removals after events are over, so check it often. It starts with Thanksgiving-related info – ordering deadlines, etc. – and continues through lists including holiday bazaars and open houses, Santa photo ops, Christmas Ship stops, holiday concerts and plays, light shows, donation drives, church services, Small Business Saturday sales, more. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent information on what’s happening … if you have something planned but haven’t sent that info to us, hurry! Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round calendar too) – thank you! One more note – if you have a bookmark from years past, it’s a new link this year, so please change it – you’ll find the guide this year at westseattleblog.com/holiday.
(Photos by Sharonn Meeks)
The first day of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) holiday bazaar saw a good turnout – and not only holiday gift ideas, but also holiday decor. Plus history:
As mentioned here last night, the contents of the time capsule opened earlier this year – The Mount’s centennial year – are on display. And you can contribute ideas of what should go into the new one that’s going to be hidden away to await its opening in another hundred years. Or, you can go just to browse the many items from many eras:
The bazaar, and its bake sale, are happening just inside the east entrance at 4831 35th SW, continuing tomorrow (Saturday, November 16) 10 am-4 pm.
Want to make this a happier holiday season for kids? Donating new, unwrapped toys to Toys for Tots is a great way to do that – here are updates on two local drives, first from Denis Shapiro at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle:
Industrious has volunteered to be a Toys for Tots collection site, joining C & P Coffee (5612 California SW) and Northwest Art & Frame (4733 California SW, collection box shown above). Two carloads of toys have been sent to the Marines’ warehouse. Toy collection is slower than last year because there were no donations in October. Unwrapped toys can be taken to these businesses or to the Kiwanis booth on the south end of the Farmers Market on Sundays. Last day to donate is December 10th.
And here’s another Toys for Tots dropoff spot in West Seattle:
NORTHWEST INSURANCE GROUP: This longtime WSB sponsor at 5431 California SW is again collecting toys too. John Moore at Northwest Insurance Group says you can stop by before December 11 to drop off your toy donation(s) – their office hours are 8:30 am to 4 pm, Mondays through Fridays.
(added Friday night) We’ve heard from one more!
HARBOR INSURANCE: You can donate here until December 18th – 3922 California SW. Just look for the sign in the window!
Just about time to seriously get into the holiday previews. We’re working on this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, as noted the other day – thanks to everyone who’s sent info for that! Meantime, if you’d like to sing “The Messiah” without leaving the peninsula, West Side Presbyterian Church will be the place. Music director Anthony Spain asked us to publish this call for singers to join the choir:
The choir of West Side Presbyterian Church will be singing Christmas sections of the Messiah in December, and is welcoming singers of any age in our community to join us. The choir sings in the beautiful sanctuary space at WSPC, and will be joined by members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra for this Messiah. For more information, please reach out to Music Director Anthony Spain at anthonys@wspc.org
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