West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
A grass-roots West Seattle holiday event was a winning activity again this year both for the winning teams and for the businesses and redidences that volunteered to be part of it. “Winter Wander” scavenger-hunt creator Alice Kuder organized it for a second year and calls it a “huge success.” She sent a wrapup report:
Last year, 12 teams played and sent in 198 selfies. This year, 24 teams took part and sent in 460 selfies and 6 social-media posts. 7 of the 24 teams solved all 25 clues.
The team of Rick & Morty (aka Steve and Charlie Bierman, above) won the $100 Grand Prize Gift Card, good at local businesses. I fully intend to make Winter Wander an annual event, and hopefully a West Seattle holiday tradition. Next year it will take place from December 2-11.
The 15 participating businesses were (in alphabetical order):
Ampersand Cafe on Alki
The Bridge
C & P Coffee
Cactus Alki Beach
Daystar Retirement Village
Fire Station #32
Fresh Flours Bakery
HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Cafe
(Small family, team Frosty Jingle Head)
Husky Deli
Mountain to Sound Outfitters
(Lars Gesing and Katelyn Moga Gesing, team ‘Go Gesings’)
Pegasus Book Exchange
Row House
Salvadorean Bakery and Restaurant
Sea Pines Physical Therapy
Seattle Auto LicensingThere were also 5 private homeowners who agreed to let us feature their holiday yard decorations as solutions to clues. (Much harder to find than businesses.)
Two more West Seattle displays to see …
That’s from a texter who says. “Magical ‘tunnel’ of Xmas lights to walk through at Hanford & Belvidere SW! What a way to lift one’s spirits!” (Here’s a map.)
And from Nicole in the 9200 block of 30th SW:
Nicole says her block has “lots of lights” this year, and sent the pics. (Here’s a map.)
We welcome tips without pics too – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – and to see what we’ve already spotlighted, see the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide and/or our archive – thanks to everyone who’s contributed!
Lots of questions this weekend about who’s open for Christmas Eve/Day dining. As we’ve replied, we used to make that list early, and then found out on the holiday that establishments had changed their plans since we checked. So we’re working on the list now. If you run a restaurant or coffee shop, please take a moment and let us know your plans – westseattleblog@gmail.com. What we have so far is in the CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY section of our West Seattle Holiday Guide. Also, we’re featuring last-minute shopping hours for local businesses in the SHOPPING SPOTLIGHTS section – thanks to those who’ve already sent their info – we’ll add whoever else we hear from, same email address! Christmas Eve hours in particular, but we’ll also note special days/times in the next four days, too.
Doubling up again tonight in case you’re going out to look at lights on this non-rainy night:
Lots of brightly lit apartment/condo balconies in West Seattle, particularly along Alki and Harbor Avenues. Josh sent photos/video of this one: “Awesome!! On Alki Ave & 56th.” [map] Note the video in the display:
In Gatewood, Yma‘s photo comes with a story:
Santa rides again! My favorite blow-up, Santa riding a polar bear, went kaput at the end of last December. I thought he was a goner – but family urged me to try & fix him. I ordered a new motor/blower, carefully did a replacement & voila! Come see him & his buddy Mariachi Santa at 4116 SW Portland [map].
Thanks again to everyone who’s contributed locations/photos (westseattleblog@gmail.com) – still time to get more in, as we hope to keep it going through New Year’s Eve – every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our Holiday Guide.
As noted on Saturday, the Holy Rosary School tree lot at 42nd/Dakota is now closed for the season. This morning, an update: “Free trees and garland behind Holy Rosary School, while supplies last.”
Continuing our double features – we have two TV-inspired displays tonight:
In Admiral, Don Rice is again presenting West Seattle’s own “Charlie Brown Christmas.” He sent the photo and message: “Charlie Brown and the gang are happy to be back for the 46th year at this location: 2128 47th SW.” (Here’s a map.) P.S. If you’re a fan of the annual special, tomorrow night’s the only time this season that it’s on over-the-air TV – 7:30 pm Sunday, PBS channel 9.
Also in North Admiral, a display for “Doctor Who“ fans:
The photos are from Alex – “Tardis and Daleks for Christmas. SW College St & 41st.” (Here’s a map.)
We’ll keep showcasing lights through New Year’s Eve – let us know what you have or what you see, location (with or without photo) – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! Past spotlights are archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
With a lot of light-viewing likely this weekend, we’re stepping up to two featured displays per night. Tonight – two set to music!
In Gatewood, Mark and Jo are again presenting Austin Street Christmas Lights – here’s a sample:
They explain, “We have a number of songs synced to music – just tune your car radio to 100.9 as you get close, and you’ll hear the music. This year, we added some new spotlights that make the house even more colorful, and a button to hear the music from the sidewalk. We’ll have the music on from 4 pm to 10 pm. You can find us on SW Austin Street between 37th and 39th.” [map]
Meantime, Brian tells us about a display in the 3800 block of 36th SW [map] and sent the link to this:
Brian says, “My neighbor has a great musical Christmas light show set up. Music is playing on FM 99.5.”
Got lights? Seen lights? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Every place we’ve showcased is listed in our Holiday Guide and archived here.)
(West Seattle branch manager Ginger Wasylik with Santa)
With Christmas Eve one week away, Santa will soon have to focus on preps back up at the North Pole, so today is one of your last chances for photo ops. Until 6 pm, he’s at HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), all welcome to stop by for DIY pics – and cookies.
Bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can! (See the rest of Santa’s pre-Christmas schedule in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
The Davis Family Christmas Lights are back for another year! Just west of The Junction, this display is always an eye-catcher, especially the planting-strip trees:
This year, the Davises tell us, they put up “approximately 12,000 lights, with about 75% LEDs.” They’re at 4152 46th SW [map]. We’re adding this to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide (you can also see all the showcased displays, newest to oldest, in this WSB archive).
Got lights? Seen lights? Send the location, with or without photo(s), to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The West Seattle Food Bank delivery we showed you last week was just part of the community giving for Nucor Steel and its employees this season. Those gifts under and around the “giving tree” at the plant were delivered to Providence Mount St. Vincent today:
A check for $10,000 was presented, too, along with hundreds of gifts. This is the 15th year of Nucor’s gift-giving to The Mount – but the ties between the two go back a lot further; Seattle Steel founder William Pigott helped establish The Mount almost a century ago. Meantime, The Mount had a gift for Nucor too – here’s The Mount’s Molly Swain presenting Nucor’s Walter Reese with a thank-you card and chocolates from The Mount’s staff.
Nucor’s Melody Sarkies also was part of today’s delivery.
Gatewood gets brighter by the night! Tonight’s featured lights are by Krista, who sent photos of her display on the northwest corner of California and Portland [map], highlighted by the stars. Krista’s advice: “The view is better when heading northbound on California rather than southbound.”
You’ll find all this season’s spotlighted light displays archived here; if you have lights to suggest – yours or someone else’s, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com; thank you!
That’s Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy (1309 Harbor Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) “crabwalking.” Mark explains that it’s part of their holiday-season fundraiser to help foster kids – and you can be part of it:
We have about 3 weeks left of our Holiday Fundraiser supporting Treehouse for Kids!
We are part of a group of small businesses called the Puget Sound Health and Fitness Coalition, joining forces to raise money for foster kids. So far we have raised over $5,000, but there is still time left to donate!
This link will allow visitors to donate securely online: engage.treehouseforkids.org/fundraiser/3573656
The community can donate online or in the clinic. If they donate over $20 in the clinic, they can ask any one of our team members to perform some FUN physical tasks from the list!
The clinic is right across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
Tonight’s photos are from Wyatt, who tells us about 2021cadditions: “This year I have my front trees lit, and more to create a walkway of lights! I’m happy to be able to share my lights with you and everyone again this year! I’m at the corner of 40th and Charlestown.” [map]
Thanks again to everyone who’s sending in their lights, or some they’ve seen – westseattleblog@gmail.com with or without photos. See every place we’ve showcased here (newest-to-oldest), and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide!
On Sunday we reported that Trees By The Sea on Alki was ending its season early, almost sold out. We have just received word that they have a few leftovers available free:
We are completely shut down for the season but we had a handful of Trees left over, less than a dozen. We have left them down on the lot with the gate open. Anyone who maybe couldn’t afford a tree this year or knows someone in need is welcome to go down and grab one for free. They are all in the 5′-6′ range.
Thanks again for a great year and we hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season!
-Tiffany, Daniel & Torsten
The trees are at 2530 Alki SW.
(WSB photo, last Saturday)
For the first time ever, Santa will make a second appearance at the Menashe Family Lights this season – that news arrived from the North Pole today. You’ll find him there (5605 Beach Drive SW) for photo opportunities 6-9 pm this Saturday (December 18th) – bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can! We’re adding that to the list of Santa appearances in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, which includes four other stops this week – such as HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) this Friday, 3-6 pm, Plus West Seattle Thriftway (California & Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) has holiday cheer next week including music and Santa (various times Monday through Thursday next week – they’ll be in our guide shortly).
Tonight’s photos are from Lacey, at 9643 18th SW {map}. who says, “We have lots of lights up this year! We are located just off Roxbury on 18th Ave SW, so it is an easy detour for those heading out of West Seattle. We have Santa waving from the chimney, and an elf who crashed his sled into our fence. It is very bright and full of lights, at my son’s request. I have lots of fun doing it, and hope others enjoy it as well!”
Thanks again to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – we’ll keep showing nights lightly through New Year’s Eve – thank you
As we continue featuring a West Seattle light display every night, tonight’s photos are from Lina in High Point, who tells us, “Our block is back in action this year! SW Holly between Sylvan and 31st Ave SW. Happy holidays!” (Here’s a map.)
Big thanks to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The return of the West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Christmas Light Run brought out dozens of runners defying the rain tonight. Not a competition – just a few-miles-long fun run to admire decorated homes. First, a group photo:
WSR’s Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell skipped it last year because of the pandemic but like many West Seattle holiday traditions, this one – which dates back to 2009! – returned for 2021.
If you missed it – here’s the route, courtesy of WSR.
P.S. If you’re already pondering the new year’s fitness goals, WSR is again presenting its free Get Fit West Seattle couch-to-half-marathon program starting in January. And you can find out more at an info night this Wednesday (December 15th), 7 pm at the shop (2743 California SW).
2:37 PM: When we reported three weeks ago on opening day for Trees By The Sea (2530 Alki SW), they expected to be open through next weekend – but things have gone so well, they sent word they’re ending the season early:
Today is our last day. We had a fantastic season and are close to selling out. We will be there all today and then we are done. We are so thankful to the West Seattle community for coming down and supporting us all of these years and thank everyone for our best season yet! See you all next year!
-Daniel, Tiffany, and Torsten
Trees By The Sea
Shipwreck Apiaries
Scheduled closing time is 8 pm, while the trees last! Other local tree sellers are listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
4:24 PM: Tiffany tells us they’ll only be there “until 5:30 or 6,” so if you’re thinking of going, hurry!
Tonight’s photo is from Sung, one of the people who emailed to tell us that another well-known West Seattle family display has returned this year: “The Madonna is back for 2021! Ron Gai just finished the display at the old Gai family home after nearly a month of very hard work.” Two years ago, also after reader tips, we reported that this display returned after a 20+-year hiatus, 14 years after the death of family patriarch Phil Gai (Ron’s father), co-founder of the baking company and creator of the Christmas display – centered on the Madonna – that drew visitors from near and far every holiday season for more than two decades. You can see it in the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map].
Got – or seen – a special display? Email us, with or without photo(s) – westseattleblog@gmail.com; see past spotlights here, and listed in our Holiday Guide!
The Menashe Family Lights display is a popular backdrop for holiday photos just about every night of the season, but tonight is the one night with an extra reason to visit – Santa‘s annual stop. Until 10 pm, you can take a pic with Santa outside the bright lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW. If you can, bring a non-perishable food donation to help the West Seattle Food Bank feed thousands of neighbors in need. There’s one more special connection to Santa:
All season long, that mailbox amid the lights collects letters to Santa. (P.S. If you miss him at the Menashes’ tonight, other Santa photo ops are listed in our Holiday Guide.)
Two weeks until Christmas, and just one week left to get a tree from West Seattle’s only nonprofit lot – here’s an update from the Holy Rosary Tree Lot north of The Junction:
If you haven’t gotten your tree yet, Holy Rosary School’s tree lot received a fresh load last night. Trees, wreaths, garland and Seattle Lutheran poinsettias are available. Our tree-lot elves will also assist in getting your tree ready for transport.
The tree lot benefits not only Holy Rosary School, but also West Seattle Food Bank/Clothesline, Salvation Army Hickman House, and Seattle Lutheran High School (poinsettias only).
Bring 5 cans of food and get $5 off your purchase!
Open 9 am-9 pm today and Sunday, located behind Holy Rosary School (corner of 41st & Dakota).
Tree/wreath sellers are part of what you’ll find in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
As always, we will start each day this weekend with a list of what’s happening. But tonight we’re pulling out a few holiday highlights for an extra mention:
JOIN A HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT: Final weekend for this scavenger hunt. Organizer Alice Kuder says 23 teams are participating – almost double last year – and it’s not too late to jump in for the final weekend. Here’s another team selfie:
The Winter Wander website explains how to play.
SHOP THE FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY MARKET @ HERON’S NEST: If you haven’t been to The Heron’s Nest – just uphill, and yet a world away, from West Marginal Way – Saturday’s first-ever holiday market, 10 am-6 pm, is a perfect opportunity. Details are in our calendar listing. $1 entry fee. (4815 15th SW)
TAKE YOUR PIC WITH SANTA: Multiple chances this weekend – My Three Little Birds (4736 California SW) will host Santa 11 am-2 pm Saturday; he’s scheduled to visit the Menashe Family Lights (5605 Beach Drive SW) 6 pm-10 pm Saturday (bring a nonperishable-food donation); and you’ll find him at Tram’s Salon (4110 California SW) on Sunday, 11 am-2 pm
HIGHLAND PARK PTA’S COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY: All are welcome to celebrate the season at Drunky Two Shoes (9655 16th SW, White Center) with the Highland Park Elementary PTA on Sunday, noon-4 pm. Santa photos, free cocoa bar for kids, drink specials for grownups, HPEPTA gets part of the proceeds.
SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THE RUN: Finish the weekend with an invigorating and cheery tradition, the annual West Seattle Christmas Lights Run, 4:30 pm from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – info here.
Check out our Holiday Guide for much more, this weekend and beyond – and let us know if you have something special going on and we don’t have it listed yet – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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