(added later, 12/28/08 WS Farmers’ Market photo, courtesy JayDee)
Two things that were supposed to happen in West Seattle last Sunday but didn’t, because of the snow, ARE happening today:
ADMIRAL SINGS CHRISTMAS – Feel like you missed out on the usual dose of Christmas music because of being snowbound? This West Seattle holiday-singalong tradition was postponed a week – and you’re welcome to join in at 4 pm today at Admiral Congregational Church, California/Hill (here’s a map). Read more about it here.
(view from aboard the carousel at Westlake Park downtown, which is operating through Wednesday)
Just back from the outside world (as in, outside West Seattle) for the first time in who knows how many days. A few notes:
–Just saw a UPS truck in front of the apartment block on California in Morgan Junction south of McDonald’s et al, 8:41 pm. It was pointed north. There may be hope for others tonight.
–While downtown, we saw a trash truck emptying sidewalk containers at 5th/Denny. After missing two weeks of pickups, we are suddenly impressed by the sight of a trash truck. Impressed enough to pull out the camera:
–Also while downtown, we walked into Pacific Place just after 6 pm, when fake snow falls night from the atrium, accompanied by snow-idolizing holiday music, in what’s meant to be a show of “holiday magic” inspiring joy, but was met tonight mostly by weary glowers.
–Downtown, the streets are clear, with massive mountains of dirty snow on all sides. Colorado native co-publisher Patrick says this is what it looks like in Snow Country from January through March, and cautions that those piles will be self-sustaining for days if not weeks.
–Heading back into West Seattle, we did see a few signs of clogged drains – a couple puddles along Fauntleroy Way, for starters. Checking comments that have come in recently, we see someone has relayed a great idea for finding your storm drain IF you are on a major street — check Google Street View. To do that, start at maps.google.com and put your address in; if you were surveyed for Google Street View, you will see a “street view” button inside the little info balloon that points to the address, as well as a thumbnail photo; click the “street view” link and it will bring up a larger version of the image. Once that image is up, you can use your mouse or touchpad to drag it around and look at the scene from anywhere in the 360 view. (Wondering when they traveled through West Seattle? Click here to see a scene that reveals EXACTLY when they went through California/Edmunds in The Junction.)
If you need some entertainment tonight (or just need to get out and go SOMEWHERE) – the Admiral Theater does show movies. Christmas-specific schedule is on the Admiral’s website – click each movie for its showtimes. (Shows start with “Religulous” at 3:50 pm.)
This is not necessarily a comprehensive report but we’re just back from a trip to Hotwire, followed by an expedition up the rest of California to Admiral, then back down Admiral to Alki/Harbor, up Avalon, up Fauntleroy, back home. Here’s what we saw open, in case you are wondering about restaurants: Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant (California/Juneau; its menu is even online), Be’s Restaurant (Junction, California just south of Oregon), Pepperdock on Alki, Redline Music/Sports (35th just south of Avalon). Again, this is not necessarily comprehensive, but what we could tell from our driving tour. It’s been snowing/sleeting on and off for most of the hour and a half we’ve been out. Best moment: Hearing the Junction church bells at noon after leaving Hotwire. Roads: All the majors have at least one lane open each way, and those big medians of dirty snow. Only stretch we traveled that still had some slush in the main lane — Harbor Ave between the Duwamish Head turn and The Bridge. ADDED NOTES: We’re checking websites for any definitive sign of dinnertime open or closure, beyond what we observed. So far: Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy, closed all day/night. JaK’s Grill, closed all day/night. Spring Hill (per phone recording), closed tonight. We also got a note via Facebook that Abbondanza is definitely closed tonight.
The last holiday event we made it to before Snowpocalypse ’08, Snowmare ’08, whatever you prefer to call it, was the Christmas Ship at Seacrest on December 13th. We went to that one to get video, intending to bring it back to WSB HQ, publish it (which we did), and then go see the Lowman Beach/Alki stops later that night, just for fun (which we didn’t). The snow started (around 7 pm as chronicled here), and so did the WSB Collaborative Continuous Community Coverage (just made that one up). With most of us largely snowbound (except for essential runs like food or work), we’re not the only ones who missed out on some holiday traditions, including ones that happen outside West Seattle. So in the days ahead, we’ll make special note of anything you can catch up on. For starters, the WSB Holidays page has the new dates for a couple Christmas performances that were postponed because of the snow; also, we are noting that what we consider to be Puget Sound’s most wonderful Christmas lights display, Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo/Aquarium in Tacoma, has extended its run — it’s usually closed Christmas but is reopening tonight, and also adding an extra early-January weekend (see full details on the PDZA website). We have a favorite way of getting there – take the Fauntleroy ferry to Vashon, drive down Vashon to the Tahlequah/Point Defiance ferry. Not sure if the roads on Vashon are all clear yet, but in another few days, we might brave it. Our second-favorite lights display, Garden D’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, says online that it’s hoping to reopen tomorrow. Stay tuned for other notes about extended chances to catch up on holiday cheer, and if you know of New Year’s Eve/Day events, please let us know, as the WSB Holidays page is in action till then – editor@westseattleblog.com. (Junction Christmas tree photo by Marybeth Coghill)
**NOTE – AS OF 1 PM MOST OF THIS IS LIKELY A MOOT POINT, SINCE MOST THAT WERE OPEN JUST OPENED FOR THE MORNING**
The past two Christmases, we’ve compiled this list in advance, both by phone and by driving around to check what’s posted. This year – forgive our lameness; we’ve been a little busy, AND the weather has rendered advance plans subject to change, anyway. So here’s the next best thing: We’re listing the ones that just MIGHT be open, based on past holidays, and we looked up their numbers. We’ll make calls when we’re up and update with whatever we discover; if you call anyone to check before that, please post what you found out.
CONFIRMED AS OPEN (updated 10:44 am with WSB’er reports – thank you!) Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), 8 am to (approximately) 1 pm Morgan Junction Starbucks Morgan Junction Tully’s
CALL AND CHECK (10:51 am note – we have dropped some off the list after calling and getting no answer) Admiral Starbucks 206-937-5010 Aimonetto 206-937-0920 Alki Starbucks 206-933-6974 Alki Tully’s 206-938-0732 Bird on a Wire 206-932-1143 Cupcake Royale 206-932-2971 Diva 206-937-5225 Drive-Thru (Triangle) Starbucks 932-4230 Easy Street coffee bar 206-938-EASY Java Bean 206-938-5665 Westwood Village Starbucks 206-937-1732
Thriftway, QFC, and Metropolitan Market are closed for Christmas, but all 3 West Seattle Safeways are open 9 am-3 pm today, according to phone recordings. (If you don’t know which one’s close to you, here’s the Safeway store-finder.) Convenience stores, too, and Walgreens.
Back at the keyboard after keeping a looser eye on things the last several hours — so far as we know, all’s relatively well; some photos have come in and we’ll be adding them here shortly while catching up. First of all, from MargL in Arbor Heights:
She explains: “After our snowman fell over we took advantage of the (hopefully) last opportunities for fort building. Didn’t quite get to igloo stage but the snow was soggy and packable which made for quick additions, like the stairs so the 2-year-old could ‘storm her castle’ with ease.” Next – If you heard footsteps on the roof, the latest video posted by NORAD Tracks Santa will explain:
(Including Smith Tower is a nice touch; we have fond memories of our ABCNEWS.com days there at the turn of the millennium.) Next: there’s no love like snow love: Here are Veronica and Jeff, next to what he drew in the snow on Alki earlier this week, “just for me,” she e-mailed:
You may already have heard of those two, who caught a P-I photographer’s eye with the huge snowman they built in front of Veronica’s home on Fauntleroy Way between Lincoln Park and the ferry terminal; copyright keeps us from posting that photo here, but she sent us a different photo to use:
And we conclude this post with a sighting by Creighton, who prefaces: “Went up the Junction for a few last minute things, around 5pm today, and on my way a jogger bounded skillfully around the massive melt puddles at 45th and Oregon! As this walk to the Junction was my only workout in several weeks I was impressed at his dedication. West Seattle HS cross country runner? Santa’s helper late for work?”
Thanks SO much to everyone who has shared photos, stories, information during these challenging, snowy days. We hope to hear from you again even in less-momentous times – something you saw, heard, wondered about, want to know more about, since WSB is truly 24/7, we invite you to contact us any time – here are the many ways to do that.
This is the kind of event we would have covered in person if we hadn’t been Snowbound Atop Our Hill — we but thank heavens, Mike Dady of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council sent photos of the Labyrinth Walk at Cottage Grove Park last night (we originally told you about it here) — along with some notes on how it went:
All things considered, a good number of folks turned out for last evening’s North Delridge/Cottage Grove Park Labyrinth Winter Solstice Event. Michal-Ann McElhany was the person who made the event happen:-) She cleared the labyrinth of snow, spread some rock salt and provided candles and hot cider prepped on a campstove. Three young children arrived with a tin full of homemade cookies. Very thoughtful and sweet.
Michal-Ann herself (she’s also with NDNC – one of the many great West Seattle neighborhood groups we regularly report on for ongoing WSB news coverage) added:
Considering nearly every other activity in the city was canceled due to weather conditions, I am very pleased with the success of last night’s Solstice event at Cottage Grove Park. I was expecting literally a few North Delridge-ites to show up as a result of cabin fever. So, needless to say the event was scaled way back to simply a candlelit labyrinth walk with hot cider and no music. The snow extinguished the candle flames, but was so reflective it alone illuminated the event! Surprisingly, thirty people showed up, coming from as far as Bothell, and other areas of West Seattle such as Fauntleroy and Westwood Village. As it turns out, people participated for many different reasons– from romantic dates to having just moved into the neighborhood and wanting to meet some neighbors …
Michal-Ann’s looking forward to an even bigger one next year. One more photo from Mike:
When you hear the phrase “holiday magic,” it’s usually in conjunction with some warm and fuzzy representation of sugarplums, lights, faux snow, and so on. But this Saturday morning at 11 am at the Admiral Theater — which along with presenting sponsor Metropolitan Market is advertising on WSB to get the word out — it’s Holiday Magic and Wonder with professional magician Steffan Soule (photo above) – here’s more info from The Admiral:
The show will connect all ages to genuine astonishment and even Old St. Nick is rumored to magically appear on-stage! Steffan promises; fluttering white doves will appear and disappear, an audience member will be suspended in mid-air, and other magical and mystical feats that will leave families gasping in disbelief.
Specially priced at $6.00 a ticket, the show will also benefit the West Seattle Helpline, which is looking to replenish their school supplies for their Students in Need Program. Executive Director Anna Fern is asking for basic supplies for elementary, middle and high school students such as pencils, notebook paper, crayons, colored pencils for map drawings, scissors, glue and pens. Backpacks are also much needed. After the magic show, there will be a photo opportunity for kids where parents can bring their own cameras to take pictures of their children with Santa for a suggested $1.00 donation, which will also go to the Helpline.
What a fun and inexpensive way to share the magic of the holidays with your whole family. There will be a dollar discount on each ticket with groups over 20. Group tickets must be purchased at the theater.
Soule is a seasoned children’s performer as well as an excellent entertainer of adult and corporate audiences. He performed a program of magic and music for children with The Seattle Symphony and has created educational and environmental magic shows that tour the country. He is also a favorite in school educational assemblies and supplies special arts programs to colleges, high schools as well as elementary schools.
For additional information on the 11 am Saturday (12/20) show, go to: steffansoule.com/admiral, or call 206-938-0785.
After dealing with weather woes, need a drink? These lights in Westwood offer an illuminated cocktail break. It’s in the 8600 block of 32nd SW (map), and neighbor Dave sent it in, saying it’s just part of a display, and describing it as “a large martini glass (Happy New Year) replete with two olives (including pimentos) and a toothpick atop their flat roof garage.” Got great lights, or seen some? E-mail us! (photos welcome too)
That video’s from the windswept shore at Seacrest less than an hour ago, as the Christmas Ship and its entourage visited to serenade onlookers with holiday music by Northwest Girlchoir Vivace. A different choir — Canterbury Belles — will be on board when the Christmas Ship stops at Lowman Beach (8:50 tonight) and Alki (9:40 tonight); Soundwave will sing during its stop at Don Armeni at 7:10 pm tomorrow. Here’s the full schedule for the rest of its season. (If you’re new to the area – the Christmas Ship is a civic enterprise of sorts, in partnership with tour-boat operators Argosy Cruises; different choirs are on board the boat as it makes scheduled stops throughout much of December, and in addition to listening for free from the shore, you also can pay to be on the Christmas Ship itself — sold out for the rest of this season, but there’s room on some of the “follow boat” voyages — that same schedule page will lead you through the ticketing process.)
Just back from a whirlwind visit to two holiday bazaar/sale events under way in West Seattle till 3 pm. Above, sisters Danielle Aguilar and Bri’Anna Smith are selling not just warm handmade hats at the Delridge Community Center bazaar, but also the coolest recycled-material lunch bags we’ve seen in a while — quilted out of plastic grocery bags. Bri’Anna makes it all and you can find her online at myspace.com/knitagainstthemachine – meantime, we found another West Seattle sister team selling holiday-gift treats (including flavored nuts and creatively packaged candies) nearby:
Those are from Twisted Sisters Emporium, created by Connie O’Donnell and Diane Radischat (who you may know from Special Editions Studio). Also at Delridge Community Center till 3 pm, those gorgeous West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival handmade glass ornaments, with Hi-Yu Queen Margo Femiano and Junior Court Princess Anna Fuller on hand:
Next, it’s over to C & P Coffee, where a cozy but bustling arts/crafts sale also continues till 3 pm. We were captivated by these neighborhood-pride (little map segments of West Seattle and other Seattle neighborhoods) magnets that Cyn Moore (cyncity pendants) is selling:
She says you can find her neighborhood pendants and other items at Twilight in The Junction, too. One more craftsperson you’ll find at C & P today – Machel Spence of WavyShell:
More of today’s events (Christmas Ship tonight – three West Seattle stops!) are listed on the WSB West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
Cold? What cold? More than 100 people gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe for tonight’s tree lighting. That’s Father Jack Walmsley leading the countdown and the blessing – reminding the crowd this date was chosen for a reason special to OLG – and that’s parish member and Channel 13 reporter Brian Callanan emceeing with Father Walmsley. Of course, caroling ensued:
And thanks to WSB’er Celeste, here’s a photo of the tree, post-lighting:
If you want to see the OLG tree, it’s atop the city’s highest hill (500-plus feet), 35th and Myrtle, east of the reservoir/water tower/future park site (map). Tomorrow and Sunday night, two more great chances for outdoor holiday caroling and celebrating, as the Christmas Ship and its miniflotilla visit West Seattle shorelines – see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup for times and places.
Salty’s on Alki is done up to the Christmas nines inside as well as out, as you can tell from that photo taken during Wednesday night’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce holiday party (with WSCoC executive director Patti Mullen at center). That was the biggest party in West Seattle north; as for West Seattle south, 34th District Democrats gathered to celebrate both the holidays and recent victories — not just the presidential and governor elections:
Left to right, the three local state legislators who won their races – all unopposed – last month, 34th District Rep. Sharon Nelson, Sen. Joe McDermott, Rep. Eileen Cody. (By the way, Sen. McDermott is the new assistant floor leader; Rep. Cody leads the Health Care and Wellness committee). One more elected official on hand — long after we left the party, Pathfinder K-8 parent Leslie Harris sent this photo of Hizzoner buying a handmade wreath from PF parent Brent Morgan:
Thanks to Denise Davis, who sent that photo with word her husband Duane Davis “is finally done” with elaborate holiday lighting that’s been a couple weeks in the making, unmissable from 46th and Genesee (map). Next photo’s courtesy of Wendy Hughes-Jelen, who spotted biker Santa at Hans’ VW Repair, 35th and Graham (map):
Got a photo? Or a Christmas-lights address you think we should go photograph? Please let us know – thanks!
WSB sponsor note: Right now, till 9 pm, it’s a holiday savings event at Curious Kidstuff in The Junction — 25 percent off everything in the store. (You may have seen advance word on the Curious Kidstuff coupon that’s in the first-ever WSB Coupons, downloadable here.) Till 8 pm, you can bring along your child (5 and up) and give her/him a chance to play at The Little Artist upstairs, while you, um, help Santa.
That’s the Pet Angel Tree at Pet Elements in Morgan Junction – we got word of it from Teri Ensley at Furry Faces Foundation, who e-mailed WSB this writeup about three holiday-pet-help opportunities that are all “on site” at Pet Elements, in conjunction with F3 and Purrfect Pals:
Holiday Pet Food Drive: People of all income levels have pets that are near and dear to them and there is a spike in the surrender rate of pets to shelters because of tough economic times. Therefore, Melanie Wells, owner of Pet Elements, is sponsoring this pet food drive in conjunction with seven other small independent pet supply stores. She says that by helping people with pet food, we can help these animals stay with their humans instead of being surrendered to a shelter.
Pet Angel Tree: People can show off their beloved companion by putting a photo and/or name on Pet Angel Tree. Ribbons, cards, scissors and other ‘ornament’ accessories are provided. There is a suggested donation of $5, however, it is not mandatory. Any donations will support Furry Faces Foundation’s ‘Oliver’s Fund’, which assists animals, whose humans are financially restricted, with unexpected Veterinarian bills and healthy pet food…because everyone deserves unconditional love.
Cat Sponsorship Holiday Cards: Purrfect Pals has wonderful Holiday cards with photos & stories of their permanent resident cats that people can give as a gift to their animal loving family members and friends. The cards are a wonderful, green gift and only a $25 donation. Purrfect Pals is an excellent rescue group who teams with many other groups, including Furry Faces, because we all want the same thing–happy, loving, permanent homes for animals. (and of course, spay/neuter).
Pet Elements is at 6701 California (map). Any other pet-helping holiday opportunities? Let us know and we’ll add them to the WSB Holidays page! (P.S. Teri also sends word that the recent “Catsino” fundraiser for F3 [WSB coverage here] raised more than $1,200 on behalf of “It’s Hip to Be Snipped” spaying/neutering work.)
TONIGHT: The 34th District Democrats‘ annual holiday party. Among the highlights – two deep-fried smoked turkeys to be provided by outgoing chair Ivan Weiss, whose farewell message on the 34 Dems’ site is a must-read. (The organization elects new leadership next month.) Party’s at 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, bring a potluck item to share; more info here.
Heading home from the School Board work session in Sodo (one more report to come, including video from the concurrent Arbor Heights Elementary meeting), we spotted two nicely lit homes along 35th (two of many, actually), so since we’ve slacked a little on lights lately, here’s a double dose. The one above is on the west side of 35th just south of Findlay (map); the one below is on the west side of 35th just south of Edmunds (map):
Got memorable lights (and quality certainly counts as much as quantity)? Seen some? E-mail us the address, and pix if available: editor@westseattleblog.com … and remember, holiday fun with and without lights is listed on the WSB Holidays page!
Updates on Hometown Holidays in The Junction – First, looking to next Sunday, not only will you get another chance to get Santa photos at Cupcake Royale – the photos (provided by the West Seattle Junction Association [WSB sponsor] but with donation requested, proceeds to WestSide Baby, West Seattle Food Bank, and West Seattle Helpline – last Sunday brought in $500!) come in these two looks, full color and “classic aged,” taken by pro photographer Donna Ryan. And there’s a special feature at Hometown Holidays HQ (in front of Key Bank at California/Alaska) next Sunday – there’ll be an open holiday mike for musicians, coordinated by Patrick Small (of Patrick and Danny, who played at last Saturday night’s Tree Lighting) — Susan Melrose of WSJA says, “West Seattle musicians of all genres are invited to play holiday tunes, lead a sing-along, or come up with a holiday act that’s all their own. Musicians must coordinate with Patrick in advance at patrick@laststarrecordings.com.” One more Junction note – this Thursday is the Holiday Art Walk, 6-9 pm – of course, it stretches beyond Junction borders (for example, in the Admiral District, WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits is having a late-night shopping event in connection with the Art Walk) – but if you want to get in on the free child care in The Junction, you need to sign up now – call Dan atWest Seattle Christian Church, which is providing the service in connection with this month’s Art Walk only – 206-932-2098 x. 102. This Art Walk isn’t to be missed – how about tacky sweaters at Twilight? and more – read all about it here.
The last holiday event we made it to before Snowpocalypse ’08, Snowmare ’08, whatever you prefer to call it, was the Christmas Ship at Seacrest on December 13th. We went to that one to get video, intending to bring it back to WSB HQ, publish it (
The past two Christmases, we’ve compiled this list in advance, both by phone and by driving around to check what’s posted. This year – forgive our lameness; we’ve been a little busy, AND the weather has rendered advance plans subject to change, anyway. So here’s the next best thing: We’re listing the ones that just MIGHT be open, based on past holidays, and we looked up their numbers. We’ll make calls when we’re up and update with whatever we discover; if you call anyone to check before that, please post what you found out. 
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