Holidays 2842 results

BE A BUILDER! First-ever West Seattle Gingerbread House Contest

Got some spare time this weekend (maybe between cheering for the Sounders today and cheering for the Seahawks tomorrow)? Consider planning a gingerbread house to enter in this first-ever community contest announced by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

Come join with us in celebrating the warmth and sweetness of the season!

The Log House Museum, Husky Deli, and Northwest Art & Frame are so excited to bring you a holiday gingerbread house contest! Fill your senses with the smells of spice and gingerbread; spend quality time with family & friends and celebrate the spirit of creativity and imagination with the community.

Completed houses can be dropped off at Husky Deli between December 15th through December 29th. Judging will be held January 6th. There are three categories, each with lovely prizes! No kits please.

The 2017 Theme: “Our Wonderful West Seattle Community”

Go to loghousemuseum.info for online forms and information, or stop by Husky Deli at 4721 California Avenue SW.

P.S. Don’t worry, you’re not expected to build a gingerbread mansion! The rules, including size parameters, are all here.

SATURDAY MORNING: Start your weekend with Endolyne Children’s Choir holiday concert

If you click “play” on the video above, it’ll take you directly to the Endolyne Children’s Choir performance during last Saturday night’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. Tomorrow (Saturday, December 9th), you can start your holiday-season weekend by enjoying and supporting the young singers at their annual “Winter Fantasy” concert, 11 am at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). Full details are on the choir’s website, and of course this is one of many events you’ll find in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, for this weekend and beyond, through New Year’s!

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Christmas Ship’s Saturday visits, and special onshore events

December 5, 2017 2:06 pm
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 |   Holidays | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(WSB 2015 photo: Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship off West Seattle)

As you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, this Saturday brings the season’s first three West Seattle stops for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship, after a stop in South Park. At each shop, singers on board serenade not only their shipmates but also, via amplification, those gathered on the shore. Here’s the schedule:

-3:30-3:50 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S.) in South Park
-4:35 to 4:55 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor)
-8:10-8:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Dr. SW)
-8:55-9:15 pm at Alki Beach Park (60th SW/Alki SW)

Aboard the Christmas Ship, Emerald City Voices</strong> are scheduled for the first two stops, and The Dickens Carolers for the next two.

Two notes from the shore for Saturday night – as previewed last month, you are invited to “Seasonal Sounds on the Sound,” a privately hosted Christmas Ship-viewing party to raise money for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. 3-6:30 pm. Details are in our calendar listing.

And during the Alki stop, you’ll find this:

Calling West Seattle families, friends, and neighbors to gather at the Alki Bathhouse for the Argosy Christmas Ship’s annual visit. Enjoy special performances by the Seattle Lutheran High School band and Hope Kid Choir, and join in Christmas caroling accompanied by a live band. Alki Community Center and Seattle Parks Department staff will be on hand to offer hot drinks and cookies. The fun starts and ends with choirs and caroling, and the Christmas Ship will grace our shore from 8:55-9:10 pm. Dress warmly and join us in this special opportunity to share Christmas through song!

Again, all of the above is set for this Saturday night (December 9th – forecast looks pretty good). Then on the following Thursday, December 14th, one more visit – the Christmas Ship will stop off Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) 9:10-9:30 pm with the Dickens Carolers on board.

UPDATE: ‘Polar Express’ tickets all taken

ORIGINAL REPORT 2:29 PM MONDAY: Want to see “The Polar Express” for free this Saturday? Alice Kuder and some of her colleagues at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor) are sponsoring a free showing at 10 am Saturday (December 9th) at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater. This is the third year that they have organized this for their clients and the families of Sunshine Kids cancer patients, but they would love to have a full house, Alice tells us, and so about 40 tickets remain, so they’re offering those free tickets to YOU – “first-come, first served) – 4 maximum per family or group.”

To request tickets, contact Alice: alice@alicekuder.com or voice/text at 206-708-9800.

She and the other sponsors will provide free cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee at the screening (and the Admiral’s concession stand will be open too). If you go, consider also bringing a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Alice will let us know when the tickets are gone, and we’ll update this announcement then.

MONDAY LATE-NIGHT UPDATE: Tickets all taken!

HOLIDAY GENEROSITY: Give early and often to donation drives!

December 4, 2017 9:00 am
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 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Though we’re three weeks away from Christmas, it’s never too early to give to holiday-season donation drives, many of which involve a lot of coordination to get the gifts to recipients in time.

At the Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency office (WSB sponsor), we photographed Dave with Kristy Hoppenrath by the bins where they’re collecting coats, shoes, and other winter clothing for the West Seattle Helpline. The annual drive’s been going on for more than a month now and they’re taking deliveries over to the Helpline weekly. You’re invited to drop off donations 9 am-5 pm weekdays at 3435 California SW, or if you can’t get there, call 206-932-1878 about arranging a pickup.

OTHER DONATION DRIVES: We’re continuing to add them to the West Seattle Holiday Guide as we get them. Some have early deadlines – this Saturday, for example, is the deadline for the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) Giving Trees, and for the Bartell Drugs Toy ‘n’ Joy Drive. If you are collecting holiday gifts for local nonprofit(s), it’s not too late to let us know so we can add the info – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

VIDEO: Menashe Family Lights launched for 2017 Christmas season

West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights went on in style tonight – to cheers, as you can hear in our video, thanks to this crowd:

Tonight’s illumination celebration featured extra elements – including Santa and a horse-drawn carriage.

As passers-by noticed and asked us about, a film crew was there too, for the big debut of this year’s display. Details forthcoming. Meantime, the lights will be on nightly from hereon out – you can go see them at 5605 Beach Drive SW. (And Santa will be back for his annual photo night – bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank – two weeks from tonight, Saturday, December 16th, 6-10 pm.)

VIDEO: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting, Night Market brighten rainy Saturday

(WSB photos/video)

The official West Seattle Junction Christmas tree is shining bright in Junction Plaza Park tonight, after four festive hours of celebration, including the lighting ceremony and Night Market in the street. The ceremony started with music from the West Seattle High School Marching Band:

Then this year’s tree-lighting hosts Sundae + Mr. Goessl took to the stage, also performing seasonal songs, as did the Endolyne Children’s Choir, plus musical holiday humor from the The Silver Belles, before Santa led the countdown to light the tree. Here’s our video of the entire 30-minute event:

And the tree-facing view of the final countdown:


Despite the rain, the park was full.

Some were first-time tree-lighting viewers, for obvious reasons:

After the tree was aglow, Sundae + Mr. Goessl stayed onstage to provide a soundtrack while people enjoyed the final hour and a half of the Night Market:

SW Alaska, by the way, is open to traffic again, reopening around 8 pm, one hour after the market closed, as planned. Hometown Holidays festivities continue through Christmas and beyond – you can go here to see what’s happening next in The Junction, including caroling tomorrow and Santa Trolley rides on December 10th and 17th, plus Shop Late Thursdays and more.

West Seattle holiday scene: Kiwanis Club’s pancake popularity!

December 2, 2017 3:22 pm
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 |   Holidays | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

As we’ve been noting, lots going on this Saturday, and one of the earliest events was a big hit: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s 70th annual Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Center in The Junction! Above, that’s the crowd when we stopped by in the third hour.

Everyone who breakfasted with the Kiwanians this morning helped support local youth programs, including Key Clubs and Scout troops, as well as cancer research at Children’s Hospital. The Chief Sealth International High School Key Club, in fact, was helping out this morning (at left is WS Kiwanis president-elect Shari Sewell):

And the event also is a dropoff for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots donation drive:

Sgt. Fredrick Willard and Corporal Vallory Cunningham were there on behalf of the USMC. Also on hand, Santa! If you missed it this year, set your calendar reminder for the first Saturday in December in 2018.

HOLIDAY GIFTS: 2 unique ways to shop in Fauntleroy on Saturday – market @ schoolhouse; Alternative Giving Fair @ church

December 1, 2017 8:34 pm
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 |   Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news

Two unique ways to shop for holiday gifts in Fauntleroy tomorrow, right across the street from each other:

FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE HOLIDAY MARKET: This continues 9 am-3 pm Saturday in the halls of the historic schoolhouse at 9131 California SW; we stopped by tonight to see what the artists and crafters are offering. We found everything from knit caps to Sophisticated Slime:

That’s Jordyn, who makes the “slime,” which is something like Silly Putty – something to keep your hands busy, at the very least. $4 for 4 ounces, with color, glitter, and/or scent added at no extra charge. Then down at the end of the south hallway, we found Tab with Fun Times Too – a variety of found items converted into clocks:

Only place you’re going to find a bowling-bag clock, among other things, Tab assured us. Those are just two of the vendors – lots more at the schoolhouse, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow. Then across the street at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) on Saturday evening, 6-8:30 pm, and Sunday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, it’s the West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair – where you can give to local nonprofits on behalf of those on your gift-giving list. Here’s who you’ll find:

Thanks to Judy Pickens for providing the list. Those are just two of many holiday-season events around West Seattle this weekend – see many more in our frequently updated Holiday Guide!

Husky Deli celebrates 85 years in business @ Holiday Open House

December 1, 2017 6:40 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Jack Miller‘s legendary Husky Deli isn’t just having its annual Holiday Open House tonight – this is also the deli’s 85th anniversary.

And of course it’s the visitors who are getting the gifts, sampling the famous fare of the West Seattle Junction deli, founded by Miller’s grandfather in 1932. As the open house continues until 9 pm, you’ll also be serenaded:

If you are a brand-new arrival and don’t know the deli’s address yet … 4721 California SW.

GOT BOOKS? West Seattle Food Bank has people who need them

If you have books you don’t need any more – for kids or adults – here’s how to get them to people who will read them!

The West Seattle Food Bank Bookcase is running extremely low on a number of categories of books for this holiday season especially children’s picture books and easy readers, as well as teen books, and adult fiction and non-fiction. Donations are accepted Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm and Wednesday until 7pm at 3419 SW Morgan St. at the corner of 35th & Morgan. Have a wonderful holiday season.

WSFB is on the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan. We’re adding this to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s “how to help” section, too – if you have a donation drive, fundraiser, volunteer need, etc. this season, please let us know!

JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Garlands up; Night Market preview…

The second phase of West Seattle Junction decorations went up today – garlands of greenery across many storefronts, making it ever-more-festive for Hometown Holidays, as Saturday’s Night Market and Tree Lighting are only three days away.

From the Junction Association, here’s the list of who you’ll find at the Night Market, 3-7 pm Saturday:
-Holy Rosary School with wreaths and garlands
-Darigold with eggnog
-Erose Creations with handmade crafts
-Dream Dinners with gift cards and gift items
-Jon Boy Caramels
-Honest Biscuits
-Timber City Ginger Beer
-Basilic with hand-painted baby clothes, original art, and prints
-Sketches by the Sea with illustrated prints, cards, stickers, totes
-Heidi Fish Swimwear
-Bakery Nouveau
-Funky Jane’s with accessories
-Pinned & Penned with holiday cards, gift tags, and packaging
-Alki Beach Glass with wire-wrapped Alki Beach glass and stone jewelries
-Hope Lutheran with ornaments and cocoa
-It’s Cathy Wu with greeting cards, stickers, art prints
-Westside School with pine cones
-Seola Bee Company with honey
-Snooter-Doots with knitted items
-Alki Art Fair with T-shirts
-Dreke Designs with handmade wood-turned wine stoppers, bottle openers, coffee scoops, plates, bowls, etc.
-WestSide Baby – bring diapers!
-Whole Foods – cider and cookies
-Santa! Photos throughout the Night Market

This will all be in closed SW Alaska between California and 42nd, alongside Junction Plaza Park (42nd and Alaska), where the tree-lighting event will start at 5 pm, hosted by Sundae + Mr. Goessl, continuing until the tree is lit at 5:30 pm, with stage performances continuing until 6:15 pm. Find more Hometown Holidays info here! (WSB is media sponsor again this year.)

GIVING TUESDAY: Here’s how to help your neighbors today

(UPDATING THROUGH THE DAY/NIGHT as we hear of local additions)

9:09 AM: After Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, Cyber Monday … now it’s Giving Tuesday. If you can chip in to your favorite nonprofit, this is the day to do it. So far we’ve heard directly from one local campaign – the Lafayette Elementary School PTA:

We are hoping to raise $4,005 during this campaign to support instrumental music, the purchase of basic school supplies, and the procurement of eight tablets for low-income students so they are able to do their digital math and reading assignments (Note: Lafayette has moved completely away from homework packets and uses RazKids and DreamBox platforms for student-variable learning).

They’re receiving contributions via this GoFundMe page. Anyone else in West Seattle/White Center with a Giving Tuesday campaign? Please post a comment, or e-mail us, and we’ll add it to the story! Also remember that we have holiday-season-specific giving/volunteering opportunities listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

10 AM: We’ve also heard from WestSide Baby, which would love to get a boost today for its work helping thousands of babies and kids – here’s where to donate.

ALSO ADDED:

Concord International Elementary – Grocery Gift Cards: “Concord International Elementary School is an incredible school with bright, hard-working kids, loving families, and passionate staff. Concord serves a high-poverty community — 75% of our kids qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch and many of our kids benefit from our weekly Backpack program, which sends home meals over the weekend. We would love to raise enough for a $50 grocery gift card for each child in the Backpack program for the 16 days away from the food programs.” (Donate here) … Concord also has a greening/safety project (learn/help here), and its general PTA PayPal donation link is here.

Fairmount Park Elementary PTA: “We are raising money to help support the budget gap for critical programs such as program support for the school’s library, physical education, visual arts, and music, grants and scholarships for families experiencing hardship, classroom support, educational field trips and assemblies and our student council leadership program.” PayPal donation link is here.

YMCA HELP FOR HOMELESS YOUTH: Donate here to help with this:

The YMCA is the largest provider of housing for homeless young adults in King County, housing 280 young people on any given night. It provides support services such as education, employment and mental health counseling to help young people reach their full potential. Every dollar raised through #GivingTuesday will go toward these crucial, life-saving services.

Just for today, Delta Air Lines will match all gifts. With added support from individuals who donate on Giving Tuesday, we can make a bigger impact on ending youth homelessness. Please step up and help the Y help our youth today. No donation is too small.

WEST SEATTLEITES’ NONPROFIT SUPPORTING CONSERVATION ON A NICARAGUAN ISLAND: Just got this Giving Tuesday addition from a West Seattleite who is co-director of the new nonprofit Guias Unidos:

My co-director/husband and I have been National Park Service rangers for the last few years, and just started GU. We are working with ecotourism guides and businesses in Nicaragua on Ometepe Island to support conservation and sustainable development so the new and booming tourism industry there doesn’t destroy the environment or communities of the island. Our website is www.guiasunidos.org, and our donation site is (here) – that runs through Earth Island Institute, our umbrella agency.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: West Seattle Junction wreaths up today; Tree Lighting, Night Market on Saturday

(WSB photo)

Another sign of the season in the West Seattle Junction – the wreaths went up on the lampposts this morning, and evergreen garlands will follow shortly.

(Photo by Brian Presser)

This is another reason for us to remind you that the biggest night for this year’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays is this Saturday (December 2nd) – first, starting at 3 pm, SW Alaska will be closed between California and 42nd for a Night Market, not only a chance to shop local vendors but also for seasonal fun including Santa photos and for kids to decorate wooden snowflakes that they’ll be able to hang on the tree in Junction Plaza Park – the same tree that will be lit in a 5 pm program hosted this year by Sundae + Mr. Goessl. See the full Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) event lineup here.

THE CHRISTMAS PEOPLE: Holiday dinner in West Seattle again this year – cookies and helpers needed!

November 26, 2017 4:00 pm
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 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Now that Thanksgiving is over, let’s talk Christmas! For almost two decades, The Christmas People Foundation has been providing Christmas dinners to thousands of people around Seattle. Last year for the first time, the group also organized a festive free sit-down dinner in West Seattle, and promised they’d do it again this year, with an earlier announcement. So here’s the plan:

HELP NEEDED: If you can help, you can do it via something simple – bake homemade cookies (no store-bought) and drop them off at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) 9 am-1 pm December 22nd/23rd/24th/25th – or something a little more complex: If you are a professional sous chef, line cook, or food handler, your volunteer help would be welcome! Call 206-719-4979 and talk with one of The Christmas People’s co-founders (Dr. Ruth Bishop and Fred Hutchinson).

ATTEND THE EVENT: Noon-4 pm at Alki Masonic Center on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25th), you’ll find a full-course dinner, including coffee/tea and dessert. Entertainment, too – trombonist/vocalist Marc Smason.

Again, this is free, and all are welcome, particularly, per the announcement, “elders, homeless, and those who would otherwise be alone” on the holiday. You can find out more via TheChristmasPeople.org.

Seen at West Seattle Farmers’ Market: Wreaths, trees, tickets

November 26, 2017 12:15 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Haven’t made it to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market yet today? Here are three reasons to go despite the intermittently blustery weather: Above, as mentioned in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, the Pathfinder K-8 handmade wreaths are back for another year, technically just south of the market on the KeyBank corner at California/Alaska – they raise money for Pathfinder students’ outdoor education. (They’re scheduled to be back the next two Sundays, too.) Below – Christmas trees!

Three Tree Farms from Mossyrock is on the east side of the market with fresh trees. And on the south end of the market, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has tickets for next Saturday’s pancake breakfast:

The 7-11 am drop-in event (with community sponsors including WSB) at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction) on December 2nd is a festive way to start the biggest Saturday of the season – and it’s a great family deal because kids under 10 eat free with a paying adult, and Santa’s there for photos. If you don’t get your ticket from the Kiwanis today, you can also buy online – or, for a bit more, at the door next Saturday.

HAPPENING NOW: ‘Shopping small’ at West Seattle’s independent businesses

November 25, 2017 1:19 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

So many places to go on this “Small Business Saturday” (as noted in our daily preview) – we’ve made some stops so far:

ALAIR: Shandon Graybeal is about to celebrate the first anniversary of her “neighborhood gift shop” at 3280 California SW. Today she’s offering 20 percent off everything in the store.

In The Junction:

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: Speaking of anniversaries, it’s been six years since Frank Gross launched his business, so today’s sale is about that as well as about Small Business Saturday – 15 percent off select guitars, amps, and pedals, open until 6 pm at 4736 California SW.

KID-FRIENDLY FOOTWEAR @ AGAIN & AGAIN: In our photo above, Sarah is next to some of the shop’s selection of boots, part of this weekend’s deals – “many in-store new kids’ shoe and boot discounts 10 to 50 percent off,” plus 25 to 50 percent off new infant and toddler carriers, and 25 percent off some toddler winter coats and baby buntings. Open until 7 pm at 4832 California SW.

MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS: You get a cool “swag bag” at the south Morgan Junction shop with your purchase today! Jennifer Young‘s shop has all sorts of clothing, shoes, and gear for the younger member(s) of your family, ages newborn through 12. Open until 5 pm at 6959 California SW.

(Our standard disclosure: Three of the businesses mentioned above – Thunder Road Guitars, My Three Little Birds, and Kid-Friendly Footwear/Again & Again – are WSB sponsors. And we’ll say it again – please make EVERY day “Shop Small” day!)

HAPPENING NOW: Baskets, bowls, baked goods, more @ Masonic Center bazaar

November 25, 2017 12:21 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

While you’re out “shopping small” today (more on that soon), here’s one stop where you will find lots of micro-vendors in one big room – the Masonic Hall holiday bazaar, on until 4 pm. Quilts, towels, treats, jewelry, wooden bowls, figurines, baked goods, baskets, more, from local artists, crafters, even youth vendors from the Rainbow Girls and Girl Scouts organizations.

(With Danielle are, from Troop 43034, Abby, Miranda, Gina)

If you’re driving or riding, there’s parking right by the doors to the hall, which is at 40th/Edmunds.

P.S. At the back of the room is a small giving tree (above) encouraging donations to Mary’s Place, which shelters homeless families.

VIDEO: West Seattle Lights twinkling, blinking, pulsing along SW Charlestown for 9th year

November 24, 2017 8:35 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Every holiday season since 2009, a humble house across from the city water tank at SW Charlestown/39th SW is transformed into a platform for West Seattle Lights – the music-synched Christmas-light show created by Jim Winder, a friend of the homeowners. This year’s show launched on Thanksgiving night; we stopped by on Night 2 tonight for a bit of video – a short clip above, longer clip below:

Those two songs are WSL classics, but the show has added new ones this year too. The season-long schedule is here; you can watch while standing along the street, though the music is relatively quiet, so if you want to turn it up, you can tune your vehicle or personal radio to 101.9 FM for the soundtrack. The show has nonprofit beneficiaries, including the West Seattle Food Bank, with a bin out front for nonperishable-food donations, which totaled a third of a ton last year; you also can donate cash – all of which goes to the nonprofits, none to the show itself – via this page on the WSL website, which shares space with info about Maple Valley Lights, the show Winder added in his own neighborhood.

P.S. Wonder how many lights in all? The answer is here (with other “fun facts”).

West Seattle Lights is of course featured in the WSB WS Holiday Guide, along with other light shows, and if you have or see other notable decoration displays, please let us know – thank you!

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: West Seattle Junction shops’ Small Business Saturday plans

November 24, 2017 5:22 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

This year’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays events officially begin tomorrow, with Small Business Saturday (also known as Shop Small Saturday), which has become a big day for holiday shopping at local independent businesses coast to coast. The West Seattle Junction Association has assembled a list of more than 20 businesses with deals and/or something else special going on – see it here. And if you would like to print it out to use as a checklist while you’re out shopping, here’s the printable version.

P.S. After tomorrow, the next big date for Hometown Holidays (which WSB is co-sponsoring again this year) is the following Saturday, December 2nd, including an expanded Night Market in the street (3-7 pm) by Junction Plaza Park, where this year’s Tree Lighting celebration will start that night at 5.

P.P.S. If your business is outside The Junction and you have something special going on for Shop Small Saturday or any other time this season, we would love to promote that too – e-mail us the info at editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND: 2017 Native Holiday Gift Fair at Duwamish Longhouse

So many unique places in West Seattle to find unique gifts – such as the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center, where this year’s Native Holiday Gift Fair is happening until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

This is your chance to buy directly from Native artists and craftspeople. Below, a crow figure by Peter Boome:

And Nativity figures by Ixtli White Hawk:

Snacks are also available so you can take a break in the Longhouse’s beautiful surroundings – including soup and hot chocolate. It’s at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.

VIDEO: Chief Sealth IHS, West Seattle HS marching bands in 2017 Holiday Parade downtown

November 24, 2017 12:20 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It was a great morning for parade-watching downtown – no rain, not too cold – and we were there to see both local high school marching bands be part of this year’s My Macy’s Holiday Parade, which also spotlights inflatable floats, costumed characters, and even dog clubs. Above and below, the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band appeared toward the start of the hour-plus parade.

A bit later, parade-goers saw and heard the West Seattle High School Marching Band:

(You’ll see the WSHS Band closer to home one week from tomorrow, on Saturday night, December 2nd, during the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting, 5 pm at Junction Plaza Park.)

One more West Seattle sighting – the nutcrackers from Salty’s (WSB sponsor) rolled down the route right before the WSHS musicians:

This was the 27th annual downtown parade, which, along with the 5 pm Macy’s star-lighting, bookends the downtown festivities on the day after Thanksgiving every year.

1,124 WAYS TO GIVE: West Seattle/ Fauntleroy YMCA’s special trees

If you have some extra giving capacity this year, maybe you can help handle a few of the 1,124 requests received by the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) this season. Both locations have giving trees up, with two weeks and two days for you to help make the holidays happier for someone. From the Y’s executive director Shalimar Gonzales:

The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA invites local residents of all ages to participate in a variety of free activities and give a gift to support kids and families in the area. There is a giving tree on display in each of the lobbies of the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA locations with cards attached. If you are interested in sharing a gift, just take one or more cards, purchase the requested gift, and return it to the Y by December 9th. Last year, over 800 gifts were provided by the community for this effort. It’s been a tough year for many people in the community, and during this special season, the need for even more donations from our community members is even more critical.

As for those free community activities – to which you’re invited whether you’re a Y member or not – they include:

*Family Night, 6:30 pm-8 pm December 1st
*Healthy Holiday Stress-Reduction Workshop, 6:30 pm December 11th and 10 am December 14th
*Winter Holiday Bake-A-Rama with Chef Kim O’Donnel, 4:30-5:30 pm December 14th (Sufganiyot [Jelly Donuts] and Benne [Sesame] Biscuits)

All of those events – which have been added to the WSB WS Holiday Guide – are at the West Seattle branch (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie); the Fauntleroy branch is at 9131 California SW. Our Holiday Guide also has a “holiday giving” section where we have added these giving trees – if you have a giving tree, donation drive, fundraiser, volunteer need, etc., please let us know so we can add it too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!