West Seattle, Washington
10 Wednesday
RIGHT NOW: West Seattle Tiger Scouts collecting donations for families of the Lakewood Police 
officers killed two weeks ago, 9 am-5 pm at a table at Holy Rosary Tree Lot (more details here) – they also were scheduled to have a “thank you” card for people to sign.
RIGHT NOW: “Santa Paws” at Windermere Real Estate in The Junction (4526 California SW) – go get your dog’s photo taken with Santa! Till 2 pm. (Thanks to Windermere’s Doug Baldwin for sending the in-progress photo you see at right!)
THIS AFTERNOON: Holiday wine sale at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) Northwest Wine Academy, noon-4 pm, discounted prices on wine, gift baskets on sale too. (Here’s a campus map – WWB marks the spot where you’ll find the sale.)
(2008 photo from Lowman Beach, courtesy Linda Ann)
CHRISTMAS SHIPS TONIGHT! Can’t say it enough. They’re a must-see (and must-hear). Here’s the full schedule for tonight’s West Seattle stops, from our WS Holidays page:
FIRST SAILING
CHOIR: Northwest Girlchoir – Vivace
5:15-5:35 Seacrest (map)
SECOND SAILING
CHOIR: Canterbury Belles
8:50-9:10 Lowman Beach (map)
9:40-10:00 Alki Beach
There are a few special events in connection with their visit – the Log House Museum on Alki is open extended hours today, noon-9:30 pm, and offering cookies, cider, and free museum tours. 61st/Stevens (map) – walk a block south from the Alki Bakery corner. Also on Alki, Coastal Boutique is having a 20% evening sale, 7-10 pm. And at Lowman Beach, Sterling Images Gallery alongside the park’s south edge – whose proprietor is also creator of the renowned Ducky Reserve – is open late.
“PRINCESS ANGELINE” MOVIE AT DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE: Tonight at 7 pm at the almost-year-old longhouse in West Seattle, the new film that tells the story of Chief Sealth’s daughter, and explores the tribe’s ongoing fight for federal recognition. More here.
And this is STILL only part of what’s happening. Shop local – have fun, local – West Seattle Weekend Lineup list is here, West Seattle Holidays (grouped by type of activity/event) is here.
Thanks to Rick for sending photos of the bazaar/gift fair under way right now at C&P Coffee – continuing till 3 pm. He says, “C&P is full of locals and local vendors selling a wide variety of cool, artful holiday wares. Come on by and join the event!” C&P is at 5612 California SW (map). A bazaar’s also under way till 4 pm at Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle (map):
(Photo from SW Community Center bazaar added 12:35 – knit cactuses by BriAnna – who also has warm hats – some unique stuff there, we stopped by while making the rounds)
And in The Junction, shopping opportunities today include a trunk show at CAPERS, where Lisa sent the image at right, explaining: “Haute Goat Recycled Cashmere Trunkshow is today (till) 6. This collection of scarves and accessories fashioned from recycled cashmere is proof that looking good and doing good go hand in hand. Meet the artist today 11-1 …” And Lisa invites you to check out the Hickman House giving tree at the store. While you’re in The Junction, the Windermere Real Estate office is about to start its annual “Santa Paws” event — 11-2, get your dog’s photo taken with Santa! More of the day and night’s highlights coming up – but you can find the full list in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
That’s Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis with some of the items that have come in for the Pet Giving Tree at Hotwire. Teri Ensley from Furry Faces Foundation says two-thirds of the tree’s 24 tags have been taken, and the presents are now starting to come in – including more than 100 pounds of donated pet food. Teri says, “We took (the) first load of ‘pet gifts’ to White Center Food Bank. Both Rick Jump and Audrey Zemke were there so they helped unload with big smiles on their faces. Since some of the items came in Christmas gift bags, they are going to give them to their clients in the bags–so it truly is a pet gift. The next load of pet gifts will be taken to West Seattle Food Bank. Thanks again to Lora Lewis of Hotwire for coming up with this brilliant giving tree and thanks to everyone that is taking their time and money to help animal companions be able to stay with their people.” This is just one of MANY Giving Trees around West Seattle – and this weekend is PRIME TIME to go see which one still have unclaimed tags, so that you can help make this a merrier Christmas for somebody – go to the West Seattle Holidays page and look for the Giving Trees/Fundraisers list. (Also, re: Furry Faces, note their Wrap It Up wrapping fundraiser at Shadow Land 1-6 pm today!)
As Q13 FOX reporter (and West Seattleite) Brian Callanan noted toward the end of that clip, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s outdoor Christmas tree has a new look this year – LED lights in a cool pale blue (compare to last year). The tree now shines from the highest spot in the city – a bit more than 500 feet up – at 35th and Myrtle, after tonight’s lighting ceremony. From our informal count, looked like about 200 people gathered on Myrtle (blocked off for the evening) to watch the lighting and share in carols afterward. OLG is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Here’s Father Jack Walmsley (just back from traveling) delivering the pre-lighting blessing:
Here’s a sample of tonight’s caroling:
(That’s Brian in the light-colored sweater under the tree, saying “Great job” at clip’s end.) Caroling was followed by holiday celebrating in the Parish Hall – a good place to warm up, considering the temperature was back below freezing by the time the tree lights came on.
Sure, you can buy a light-encrusted “reindeer” at the store and plop it in your yard. But how about carving and assembling your own reindeer? That’s what Dave did in Westwood, and proud girlfriend Oleana shares these photos — in progress, above, and here’s the final result:
Oleana explains:
We live in West Seattle and this is our 2nd x-mas here. This year my boyfriend really got into the decorations as in chainsaw, log, actual size reindeer with a 6 ft wreath hung from the trees in our yard. I also just for fun decorated with pink flamingos and a golden egg. It is a holiday scene—in the middle of a quiet neighborhood. Throughout the day I see dog walkers pointing and even coming in the yard to check out the reindeer.
She says he’s made a couple more, too. You can see them at 7926 30th SW (here’s a map).
It’s another WSB holiday tradition, along with keeping a list of holiday events (the West Seattle Holidays page) – we’ve surveyed local tree lots for a sampling of prices, in case you’re going out tree-shopping soon and undecided about where to go. Go here to see the list of lots and sample prices; it’s also linked from the Holidays page so you can find it fast any time.
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WINE SALE: 4-8 pm today and noon-4 pm tomorrow, the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) offers another of its popular wine-tasting/sale events, with all their wine on sale at a 20 percent discount. More info here.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE TREE LIGHTING: 7 pm tonight at 35th/Myrtle, the highest point in Seattle, gather around the Our Lady of Guadalupe tree to see its 1,000 lights come on, and to join in Christmas carols. More here.
HANUKKAH: The eight-night Jewish Festival of Lights begins at sundown tonight. Here’s a guide to regional celebrations, from our partners at the Seattle Times.
Got something to sell that holiday bazaar shoppers might be interested in? The Southwest Community Center Holiday Bazaar tomorrow (Saturday) still has room for more vendors, Lisa tells us. $15 for one table, $20 for two, and the fees go to SWCC youth programs. Call 206-684-7638. Even if you’re not interested in selling, there’ll be entertainment and food along with craft activities for kids, 9 am-4 pm Saturday.
At Twilight Artist Collective, proprietors Mary, Erin and Allison celebrated “ugly sweater night” along with West Seattle Art Walk night. That’s one of 10 photos we’re sharing on a night that also saw the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce celebrate the season – read on for the quick tour:Read More
Thanks to Cheryl for the reminder that south West Seattle has its own version of Candy Cane Lane in the heart of Fauntlee Hills. Particularly SW Concord north of 41st SW (map), where we photographed this house (just one of many shining examples in the area). Just turn off SW Barton, left if you’re coming uphill from the ferry dock, right if you’re coming downhill from 35th/Westwood Village. (Our archives of previously featured light displays can be found here, newest to oldest.)
Seems like deja vu … There’s a chance of snow in the forecast late Friday, which also happens to be the night Our Lady of Guadalupe lights “Seattle’s highest Christmas tree” (2008 photo at left, shared by Celeste), a stone’s throw from the city’s highest point (520′). And last year, exact same night, exact same forecast – though the snow didn’t arrive in earnest till the following night (here’s your 12/13/08 flashback, video and all). But never mind all that! The tree lighting is on for 7 pm Friday, right outside the church at the southeast corner of 35th/Myrtle, around the big old evergreen that’s already got about a thousand lights ready to go, with caroling immediately afterward. A bit more info from the church’s official announcement:
This event also celebrates the effort from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and School to give back to the Seattle community. Everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, a non-profit organization that provides food and support services to those in need. The food items will be distributed to our local food banks, which are busier than ever in our tight economy. Guests will be invited to warm up in our Parish Hall after the tree lighting to enjoy complimentary refreshments and participate in Christmas activities for children.
Promises to be another beautiful night to light a tree (like last Saturday in The Junction); in case you’ve never been to OLG, here’s a map.
That’s one of the newest renderings of the revised Admiral Safeway project, as shown to the Seattle Design Commission downtown last week – we’ve added that and five other new renderings to our full report on that review. And tonight, the project (which returns to Design Review in West Seattle a week from Thursday) will be one of the items on the agenda as the Admiral Neighborhood Association meets for the last time this year, 7 pm, Admiral Church basement meeting room (California/Hill).
Also tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page: Westside Symphonette‘s holiday concert, which we previewed here (with video). It’s a two-fer – holiday classics (even a Hallelujah Chorus singalong) AND orchestra classics from the great composers. It all starts at 6:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater – and it’s the next best thing to free – $1 (though the nonprofit community orchestra would be thrilled if you cared to donate more).
Three more fun events to mention: Libraries often have kids’ storytime, but tonight, it’s “adult storytime” at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, with “Thrilling Tales” at 7 pm (more here) … and it’s regular trivia night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – rock ‘n’ roll team trivia at 8 pm – and Christo’s on Alki (7 pm).
Continuing our West Seattle Christmas lights showcase: If you drive the Fauntleroy side of the west end of The Bridge at night, you’ll notice several well-lit homes — including the one you see above in the 4000 block – this year, the row of houses looks brighter than ever. It’s a little tricky to reach – the turn is off 35th, north of where the main stretch of Fauntleroy becomes The Bridge – here’s a map. Got a brightly lit home or street to share with us and other West Seattle holiday-light lovers? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com. The archive of lights we’ve featured so far is here, including video of the Helmstetler Family’s set-to-music display by the Charlestown water tower and the Menashe Family home on Beach Drive, and homes from past years (this one, in fact, we showed two years ago – though you can tell there’ve been many additions!). Lots more holiday activities, sights and sounds on the West Seattle Holidays page (including the Christmas Ship schedule for this weekend!).
Thanks to Alison Jeffries for sharing the story of the West Seattle Yacht Club’s adventure Sunday in the Seafair Special People’s Holiday Cruise – it’s the area’s biggest parade of decorated boats, whose owners volunteer to take developmentally disabled people along for the cruise of Seattle’s inland waters. Alison says almost 400 boats were in it today, including:
Seven of us from the West Seattle Yacht Club participated today, joining together on one boat, Ohana, owned by Bob & Linda Schrader. Also on board were Joy & Guy Smith (of the Joy Smith Wildlife Raft fame), Kevin and Alison Jeffries and daughter Kirsten (who goes to Denny Middle School). All 7 of us live in West Seattle. We hosted 3 special people and two chaperones from Sunnyside, WA in eastern WA. The special people were delighted by things large and small – a deck of cards, lights on a boat, being on a boat! One of our guests danced and skipped down the dock to the boat as he was so excited! While the event was to create a wonderful experience for the special people, it was truly the 7 of us who had the best experience. Our three special people reminded us of the joy of being on the water in Seattle, and the excitement of small and special moments. I am so thankful to these three for sharing their lives with us today. What a wonderful way to start the holiday season
Here’s a bit of the excitement, followed by the Santa sighting:
We haven’t mentioned the WSYC here in a while, but Alison adds some info for those who haven’t heard of it before:
West Seattle Yacht Club is a low-key, fun group that meets monthly at the Masonic Hall in West Seattle. The club goes on 10-12 cruises a year all around the Sound and spends a lot of time playing and laughing! The club’s members have all kinds of boats – power and sail, large and small. Many members live in West Seattle but some do live outside of our fabulous part of the city. Anyone with a boat can join, dues are low and reciprocal benefits around Puget Sound are fantastic.
More at westseattleyachtclub.com.
That’s a short behind-the-scenes peek at the Westside Symphonette, as one of the West Seattle community orchestra’s newest co-conductors, Rob Duisberg, showed the musicians how he’d like them to handle a Beethoven piece that’s on the program for their holiday concert. We caught up with them at last week’s rehearsal, and now it’s almost concert time – this Tuesday night at West Seattle High School Theater – strings and junior orchestra at 6:30, senior orchestra at 7:30. In addition to classics by Beethoven, Bizet, Holst, Schubert and Ravel, there’ll also be a traditional holiday singalong, from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Hallelujah Chorus.” – Admission is just $1 (though they’ll be thrilled to accept donations above and beyond that). (Yet more West Seattle holiday highlights – music, plays, bazaars, trees, etc. – here.)
The lights are low, the holiday music is low-key, and – there’s wine! at the St. Nicholas Faire under way now at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (just north of The Junction at 4105 California SW), till 8 tonight. The state’s Winery of the Year (per WinePress NW), Maryhill Winery, is represented by Rich Marshall – brother of the church’s Pastor Ron Marshall. (Next to his wine-tasting table, there’s also a “wine toss” – think “ring toss.”) Also at the Faire – unique crafts, like these icons by Bert Apman, based on centuries-old images:
We also noted pottery, baked goods, and of course Christmas items – like these “Fidget Trees”:
There’s an admission charge for the St. Nicholas Faire (details here) – reduced if you bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank, which along with West Seattle Helpline benefits from the Faire’s proceeds.
If you couldn’t make it to last night’s Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB), our 2nd report begins with the high-definition five-and-a-half-minute video version – a little monologuing from emcee Marty Riemer, more music from the Endolyne Children’s Choir (featured briefly in our first report last night), a bit of West Seattle Christian Church Pastor Dan Jacobs‘ holiday message about light, and of course, The Tree (including the literally crowd-sourced switch-flipper).
We also wanted to make special note of the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition honorees – Cindi Barker and Erica Karlovits took the stage on behalf of Southwest District Council (which co-sponsors the recognition program along with Delridge Neighborhoods District Council and WSB). With photos of the recipients, the blocked-in-blue text below shows what was read about them at last night’s event:
As noted in our earlier announcement of the WSVR honorees, Providence Mount St. Vincent has more than 200 volunteers of all ages – this group represented them onstage last night to accept the first Group award.
… there are 200 active volunteers ranging in age from 14 to 92 – this represents five generations working together under one roof to help support The Mount. In 2008, those volunteers donated over 25,000 hours of time and talent, which equates to a half a million dollars of gifted time. Over 65 volunteers have been active there for more than 5 years and several dozen have been active for over 10 years.
The majority of Mount volunteers are involved with supporting the recreation programs at The Mount, those activities include leading group recreation programs; working on teams with staff to bring residents on field trips into the community; and providing one-on-one visits to residents. Other volunteers run their own departments such as the thrift boutique; the Sewing Shop, and the Auxiliary fundraising department. Volunteers of many faiths also serve in the Spiritual Care department and there are several teen and adult volunteers who work with the children in the Intergenerational Learning Center at The Mount. Volunteers also help staff the Gift Shop, escort residents to and from the Hair Salon, assist the art teacher and other valuable services.
These volunteers are absolutely essential to the vitality, diversity and compassion that makes The Mount such an special place and to share their time with our senior citizens represents a true gift to the community. Again, the Volunteers of Providence Mt Saint Vincent.
The other six awards were for individuals:
With Erica Karlovits, that’s Chas Redmond, one of two Community honorees:
Chas is on the board of Sustainable West Seattle, the Morgan Community Association, the Southwest District Council and is a key member of Feet First. As an advocate for walking and public transportation and all things sustainable, he impacts West Seattle from so many angles, from political to social. Chas is always present and willing to help out, drawing on his many skill sets to support in virtually every way imaginable. He is opinionated, and all his opinions are in behalf of the community. The best line from the nomination form reads “I really don’t know his length of service, but if you count the number of organizations and his impact in each – its a lifetime of any normal volunteer/activist/community member.”
The other Community honoree, Pete Spalding, couldn’t be there in person, but we’ve certainly photographed him a few times – at right, one from a Viaduct meeting in West Seattle:
Pete is a tireless advocate for his community. He has a long list of past activities, but most recently been involved in the Delridge Neighborhood District Council and Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council, served on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Stakeholders Advisory Committee, worked on the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy, and is now on the Levy Citizens Advisory Committee, is President of the board of the West Seattle Food Bank and chair of the Southwest Precinct Citizens Advisory Council. Is tireless not the right word? As a community leader and civic representative, Pete has done an outstanding job. He listens well, considers carefully, and advocates accordingly. If the world is run by the people that “show up”, then we’re lucky to have Pete on the team.
Next, the Environment awards, starting with Judy Pickens. We’ve shown you many of her amazing activities with Fauntleroy Creek – most recently, yet another educational visit by local kids, and the annual drumming event to call the salmon home (there’s a salmon watch wrapup on the Fauntleroy Community Association website). Here’s what was read about Judy last night:
Judy Pickens has been the driving force for over 20 years for the stewardship of the Fauntleroy Watershed. She and her husband Phil donate endless time to ensuring the health of the creek ecosystem, including the salmon ladder that she successfully advocated to have built adjacent to their property. She co-founded the Fauntleroy Watershed Council and organizes events such as salmon releases by schoolchildren and restoration of the reach the beach. She uses these different opportunities to educate our community, especially the youth, about the importance of our watershed systems and how to help improve the water quality. The nominations specifically mentions the “famous dog poop study” conducted by the kids, so anyone who can invent such a creative way to grab attention of children truly is amazing.
(Editor’s note: Errors in the description of Judy’s work have been corrected since this story was originally published.)
Also honored, Jay Mirro, though he wasn’t at the ceremony (the photo at left is from a North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting this fall):
Jay Mirro is a Longfellow Creek Steward and participant in the Longfellow Creek Watershed Council and is also a co-chair of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. The Longfellow Watershed Council organizes and facilitates creek trail, stream side habitat and water quality improvements. Jay’s commitment to the work of removing invasive plants and the planting of NW native plants at the Brandon Street Natural Area of Longfellow Creek have made this section of the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail a true pleasure to explore and wander. Jay has sought and obtained extensions to the trail network at Brandon Street and without his dedication this area would not be where it is today. West Seattle nature lovers, walkers, joggers, the creatures and even the plants themselves have all benefited from Jay’s hard work.
Next, the Youth volunteer category honorees, starting with Janet Hillier from the Chief Sealth High School PTSA:
Janet Hillier is a volunteer with the Chief Sealth PTSA, which could be a surprise to some since she doesn’t even have a child that attends Chief Sealth. But she’s a firm believer in what the PTSA does towards creating world class futures for Chief Sealth students. She created and runs the PTSA website, and this past November, she was the backbone of the their dinner and auction. She is behind many great ideas, shows up at almost every event and meeting and her planning and followup efforts are greatly appreciated by the Chief Sealth community.
And at right, the president of Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball, Paul Leonardo:
Paul Leonardo is described as the go-to guy for the Southwest Seattle PONY Baseball league. This is a youth baseball league for kids 11 to 18 years old that serves West Seattle and White Center. Paul has been president of the League for the past 4 years, and, similar to the story of Janet, Paul does this as a service to the community; he doesn’t even have a child involved in the league. Paul has a board of directors to work with, but he’s the guy doing the daily decisions, and attending to all the details that keep a league running. And while the nomination didn’t specifically say it, but we all should remember that Paul gets to deal with the parents, so our hats are off to him!
Again, this was the second group of West Seattle Volunteer Recognition honorees – the first group was honored at the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park last July – we’ll let you know as soon as nominations open for the third round! Thanks to everyone who took the time to contribute a nomination.
One other component of last night’s event – the first drawings in the Hometown Holidays $6,500 giveaway – more drawings to come; you can enter at participating Junction merchants – listed here – no purchase necessary. Marty Riemer and West Seattle Junction Association executive director Susan Melrose announced the first round of winners:
Lots more happening in The Junction throughout the holiday season – if you see this before 4, check out our Hometown Holidays Sunday story, still time to go jump into the special events – and Thursday night, the West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 pm) is also a Shop Late event in The Junction – official Art Walk site here, official (recently remodeled) Junction site here.
That’s one of two sites in the heart of The Junction where you can tap into Hometown Holidays activities till 4 pm today (and again noon-4 the next two Sundays) – HH HQ at California/Alaska in front of KeyBank. There you’ll find info and items on sale including Junction T-shirts and wreaths and candy on behalf of Pathfinder K-8 – sixth graders Stella and Shea are selling “Chocolate for China” to help pay for the class trip next summer:
Also from that spot, you can hop aboard the mule-drawn carriage – the mules are getting a lot of love:
From there, venture northeast across Walk-All-Ways to the storefront east of Cupcake Royale, where you’ll find Santa – posing here with West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court Princess Kaitlin:
There’s a suggested $10 donation for Santa pix taken by professional photographer Donna Ryan (goes to local nonprofits). They’d taken about 30 photos in the first hour today but there was no wait when we went by. If you need someplace to get out of the cold, there’s a corner with kids’ crafts:
And the business that used to inhabit the storefront, Swee Swee Paperie (alive and well online!), is hosting a gift-wrap stand there too – gorgeous gift wrap’s free with a $50+ purchase from participating Junction businesses:
Again, this is all happening in The Junction till 4 today, noon-4 pm the next two Sundays (except the mules are skipping next Sunday); many stores have special events too – at CAPERS till 3 pm today, for example, celeb chef Kathy Casey is signing her latest book “Sips and Apps.” Next Hometown Holidays event: Thursday night’s West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9 pm, is also a Shop Late event – we’ll have details as the week goes on. (The Art Walk, as always, stretches to venues all over West Seattle as well – full list here.)
Forecasters say we’ll see a sunny afternoon – albeit chilly; couldn’t be more perfect for the first Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction, where the day will start with the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market 10 am-2 pm (here’s the weekly Ripe ‘n’ Ready fresh sheet), 
then gets mega-spirited with Santa photos and gift wrapping at HH Headquarters (4218 SW Alaska, around the corner from Cupcake Royale), plus mule-drawn carriage rides (climb on board by KeyBank at California/Alaska). While you’re in The Junction, you’re just a few blocks away from the Alki Masonic Lodge Christmas Party, all welcome, including – busy guy! – Santa photos and other all-ages fun, 2-4 pm. Outside The Junction, Santa photos also continue noon-4 pm today at Westwood Village (Santa’s House is across the breezeway from 24 Hour Fitness), and at Cafe Revo (WSB sponsor), from 1-3, kids lunching at the restaurant can get their photo taken with “Nonno (Babbo) Natale” and hear Christmas stories from Italy. Then after all those events are over – the fundraising St. Nicholas Faire (read all about it here) begins at 4 pm at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. MUCH more – including holiday art sales continuing today – on the West Seattle Holidays page.
The Farmers’ Market parking lot was wall-to-wall with people tonight for the 2009 edition of The Junction’s Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (co-sponsored by WSB) — the switch was thrown a little more than an hour ago. This year, they just lit the “big tree” right at the southeast corner of 44th/Alaska – and everything happened right on cue – here’s our quick handheld clip with the final seconds of the countdown (that’s emcee Marty Riemer, West Seattle-residing radio personality, whose voice you hear; he was assisted by Jordan, chosen from the kids sitting in front of the stage):
Other young participants in the 50-minute event included West Seattle’s own Endolyne Children’s Choir (whose “Winter Fantasy” concert is coming up 12/12):
Full report coming up later with lots more highlights (including the Volunteer Recognition honorees previously announced here) – you’ll likely see a tree-lighting clip on KING5 tonight too; they had a photojournalist there, as did the Seattle Channel (and West Seattle’s Captive Eye Media was there to provide full pro video coverage for us beyond our quick clips – you’ll see it in report #2). This is just the start of the Hometown Holidays fun (co-sponsored by WSB) – tomorrow from noon-4 pm, it’s the first Sunday for Santa photos, carriage rides, gift wrapping and all-around holiday hoopla in “Downtown West Seattle.”
The volunteers of Scholastic Journey await you at C&P Coffee till 7 pm – ornaments on that tree are for sale, as are baked goods and other crafts, to raise money for their work, which helps educate Third World kids. (Some of the ornaments were made in a drop-in workshop just a few days ago!) Right now they’re helping kids in Bali. You can find out more about their work by stopping in, as well as taking the opportunity to support it. Meantime, about half a mile north of C&P … the bonfires are going and the stage is set …
The Junction Tree Lighting is coming up within the hour. That’s the tree at left, and the tent with the stage, which this year is on the north side of the Farmers’ Market lot, instead of the west side. If you don’t see this before 5:20 or so you can probably still get there in time for the actual lighting – if you can’t make it, check our Twitter feed at twitter.com/westseattleblog for photos as it happens.
Just a few hours till Hometown Holidays in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB) begins with a burst of light – the Tree Lighting at 44th/Alaska. The lineup includes: Marty Riemer (who just announced a new radio adventure) emcees, the Endolyne Children’s Choir sings, the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition honorees will be presented, the first of the $6,500 Junction Holiday Giveaway (entered yet?) prizes will be drawn – and a crowd singalong’s planned too. It all starts at 5 pm. (At left, a photo of the 2008 tree, contributed last year by Marybeth Coghill. But don’t worry about snow during tonight’s event – if those potential flurries do happen, forecasters insist, it would be later.) Holiday events continue afterward, as noted on the West Seattle Holidays page – including, also in The Junction, the West Seattle Eagles‘ fundraising dinner for holiday toys/warm clothing for the United Tribes of All Indians Head Start program, 5:30-7 pm at the Aerie (next to the post office), and in Morgan Junction, the release party for local artists’ “We Are The Junction” holiday CD, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor).
They’re smiling despite being incredibly busy – the kitchen crew at the Kiwanis of West Seattle‘s big pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds). Santa Claus has magically managed to make an appearance there too, as well as at the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Christmas Shopping Spree – he’s in the background, but look who’s in the foreground:
Clowning around for Christmas! The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast continues till 11 am.
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