(WSB photos)
It’s partly sunny and fully cheery in The Junction right now on Hometown Holidays Sunday – above, Santa’s in the house at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), BYO-camera photos until 2 pm, within view of the California/Alaska pickup spot for free carriage rides:

They’re also continuing until 2 pm, as is the nearby West Seattle Farmers’ Market, where you’re invited to enjoy a free cup of hot apple cider today. After today, next up on the Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) lineup: The holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk next Thursday (December 11), 6-9 pm, which happens to be Shop Late Thursday, too

The countdown and light-up came earlier than expected at tonight’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. The crisply planned program moved swiftly – one performance needed to be moved back, so another was moved up, and that led to some time-filling with a little unexpected comedy. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Again this year, the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton, kicked off the event:

Sealth’s band was the opening act; here’s our video of the entire event that followed:

On behalf of the sponsoring West Seattle Junction Association, for which she serves as vice president, Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman greeted the crowd gathered in Junction Park Plaza:

Words of cheer ensued from emcee Josh Sutton (below left) of the West Seattle YMCA and from Dave McCoy (below right) of Emerald Water Anglers, photographed with event manager Oliver Little:

(The Y and EWA are both WSB sponsors.) As they do each year, the Endolyne Children’s Choir provided cheery carols (see them at 2:16 into our full-event video):

Things moved along so quickly, the next scheduled performer wasn’t on hand yet – so a little time had to be filled while things changed up. Emcee Sutton solicited holiday jokes from the kids standing right up by the stage:

The humor was a little grim, if creative, as you can hear for yourself for about two minutes starting at 12:40 into the full-event video (right before Jay Cates and friends’ jazzy holiday music). The tree countdown starts at 17:50 (and ended a bit early, in keeping with the night’s theme). Cates and band continued the holiday serenade, with the finale from the new ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and then it was back to the Junction Holiday Party – after a moment of stopping to admire the tree.

More Hometown Holidays fun tomorrow – mule-drawn carriage rides 10 am-2 pm from California/Alaska, and a Santa meet-and-greet (BYO camera) at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska) those same hours. See you there!

The West Seattle Junction‘s Christmas tree is lit, as of about an hour ago. We’ll have full coverage of the celebration in a separate story, but first – The Junction’s first-ever Holiday Party late-shopping event, before/during/after the tree lighting, continues until 8 pm. The decorations in the heart of the business district have an extra-festive touch – look closely and you’ll even see little candles:

Many shops have special events – Sarah Loertscher and her jewelry are at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor):

Dasher the holiday-cheer ambassador was sighted at CAPERS (which shared the photo):

Here’s the list of who is doing what. If you miss the chance to shop late tonight, there are two more Shop Late Thursdays, the 11th (which is also Art Walk night) and 18th. And in The Junction tomorrow, along with the regular Farmers’ Market 10 am-2 pm, you’ll also find carriage rides and a Santa meet-and-greet – details are in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

That’s what you’ll see when you drive by Our Lady of Guadalupe at 35th/Myrtle this holiday season. This year, instead of lighting the big evergreen on the southwest side of the church, OLG decided to save some green and light up its grounds. But tonight’s lighting ceremony was just as festive, with emcee Brian Callanan (center) joining Father Jack Walmesley (right) and choir members under the tree as usual to lead caroling:

(We’ll be adding video.) The almost-full moon took the “Light Up the Night” theme seriously enough to shine over the crowd.

Battery-powered candle-style lights were distributed to add to the light – and warm hearts brought food to fill the donation sleigh inside the Parish Center:

Hot cocoa was served up too … welcome on any winter night, even with the knowledge that, as emcee Brian observed, tonight’s temperature was about twice what this night brought last year!

Instead of a red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus was joined tonight at Holy Rosary School by a green-suited Gator. The school’s mascot was there for the “Deck the Halls” celebration, featuring the ceremonial Christmas-tree blessing by Father John Madigan:

The school’s Christmas-tree lot (a seasonal WSB sponsor) is on the north side of the campus, raising money for the school and local charities through December 14th. Tonight’s celebration also filled the halls with holiday music:

That’s the 6th-grade choir. Instrumentalists included Brian on the dobro:

Christmas is also the season of sweets, and a tempting table of desserts was at the ready:

And a chance to mingle:

Or get that Santa photo (once the Gator moved on):

(Tonight’s photos, we’re told, will turn up here.) The spirit of the season was also celebrated with a collection of food donations.

(WSB photo)
Tomorrow’s the night that the humble official Junction Christmas Tree will start to glow from tip to … sidewalk. (And the weather will be about 30 degrees warmer than last year!) From the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents the all-season-long Hometown Holidays events, here’s the plan for Saturday’s 5 pm tree-lighting ceremony: Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA will emcee; you’ll also hear from Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman on behalf of WSJA and from Emerald Water Anglers proprietor Dave McCoy on behalf of the merchants’ Holiday Party event, which will start at 4 pm, before the lighting, and continue until 8 pm. (Details here!) You’ll get to carol and to enjoy live performances by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band (starting around 4:45 pm), the Endolyne Children’s Choir, by cast members from ArtsWest‘s “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and by Jay Cates. Come on down to Junction Plaza Park at the northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska.

P.S. Tons of Junction fun on Sunday, too, including carriage rides and Santa photos – see the Hometown Holidays section on The Junction’s website and the WSB Holiday Guide for all the who/what/when/where.

P.P.S. Per our customary disclosures – WSB is a Hometown Holidays co-sponsor, and three organizations/businesses mentioned above – West Seattle Y, Emerald Water Anglers, and ArtsWest – are current WSB sponsors.

Holiday decorations are officially up in The Junction. Wreaths were added to streetlight poles this morning, and their lights are aglow tonight; garlands are decking storefronts too.

Just in time for Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) to gear up starting later this week – that’s one of the holiday notes we’re sharing tonight:

SHOP LATE THURSDAY, HOLIDAY PARTY SATURDAY, SANTA & CARRIAGE RIDES SUNDAY: This is the first big holiday week in The Junction, with the first of three Shop Late Thursdays coming up two nights from now, 6-9 pm on December 4th. Then on Saturday, another chance to shop into the evening, with the Junction Holiday Party before and after the tree lighting – see the list of participants here (and in the West Seattle Holiday Guide), and what’ll be happening at this neighborhood-wide party 4-8 pm on Saturday. On Sunday, 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, bring your own camera for photo ops at the Santa Meet & Greet at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), and ride the mule-drawn carriage that will be making regular departures from California/Alaska.

FESTIVUS PARTY FRIDAY: The only official one we’ve heard of so far this season is this year’s Sustainable West Seattle/WS Tool Library gala, 5-9 pm Friday (December 5th) just a short ways across the bridge at SODO MakerSpace (1914 Occidental Ave. S.) Full details are on the SWS website.

ALSO FRIDAY, OLG ‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’: Something new at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s outdoor celebration of light this year, coming up 7 pm Friday at 35th/Myrtle: This year, OLG won’t be lighting up the big tree outside its church – the cost has jumped, we’re told, and the church needs to devote its resources elsewhere. But you’re still invited to a celebration of light and community, same place, near the highest spot in Seattle – there’ll be lights, just not on the big tree, and there’ll be carols and holiday cheer. Also a food drive – bring nonperishable food to fill the sleigh in the parish center across SW Myrtle from the church.

HOLIDAY EVENT PLANNED? We’re still updating the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide with new events/info at least once a day – if you have a bazaar, community party, decoration display, Santa visit, concert, performance, anything holiday-ish to which the community’s invited, please e-mail us the info ASAP! editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you – and keep checking the guide for updates (we already have a sleigh-full of new info to add later tonight).

One week left to build your gingerbread house for the competition at the first-ever Holly Jolly Holiday Fest, presented next Sunday afternoon (December 7th) at The Sanctuary at Admiral, by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Two divisions, with a prize for each! Build your creation ahead of time and bring it in for judging – here are the rules:

As previewed here earlier this week, the noon-4 pm holiday extravaganza also will include Santa photo ops, holiday music, a craft bazaar, treats … admission free! The Sanctuary, itself a beautiful (city-landmarked) sight to see, is at on the northeast corner of California/Lander.

This is also the first weekend for the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot, which just opened for the season on Friday and is sponsoring WSB again this season to get the word out. The lot is on the north side of the campus, between 41st and 42nd, just south of Dakota. Part of the proceeds benefit three local charities, and that includes the fresh wreaths they’re selling too:

Hours are 9 am-9 pm Fridays-Sundays, 2 pm-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays, through December 14th.

P.S. You’re invited to the newly expanded community celebration that includes this year’s “blessing of the trees” – now dubbed Deck the Halls, also featuring hot cocoa, games, crafts and wine for sale, and more, 6-8 pm. next Friday, December 5th.

Santa Claus has arrived at CAPERS in The Junction (4525 California SW) – where you’ll find him noon-3 pm every Saturday and Sunday until the weekend before Christmas. Kristen and Brian were posing with him when we stopped by – this is a DIY photo op, so bring your camera, your friends, your neighbors, and donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. He’d already listened to at least 40 Christmas wishes by the time we showed up barely an hour into Day 1.

P.S. The full list of this season’s local Santa Claus photo ops (as reported by helpful elves) can be found in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.

The rain really will lighten up. Eventually. So when you’re ready to go out … here are today’s highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular ongoing calendar:

(Added: WSB photo by Patrick Sand – Santa at Joe’s with Lucinda and June)
FIRST SANTA SIGHTING: Starting at 10 am today, Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) will be hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus! Joe’s says, “Everyone is invited! We’ll have plenty of candy canes.” (9261 45th SW)

DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR, 10 am-4:30 pm today (and tomorrow and Sunday) at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. Fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, t-shirts, smoked salmon, snacks including frybread; more details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor), north of the school, opens today (we’re checking on hours). Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)

3RD ANNUAL NELS ENQUIST ALUMNI GAME (AND MORE): Big basketball night at Chief Sealth International High School, and you’re invited! Doors open at 4 pm; schedule includes scrimmages for this year’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams before the women’s and men’s alumni games and a tribute to Coach Mike Siva. Full schedule is in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE, NIGHT ONE: This year, Olaf the Snowman joins the West Seattle Yuletide holiday light show, synchronized to music you can hear on your car radio at 101.9 FM. Starts shortly after dark, about 5 pm, and runs tonight until 11. More info at westseattleyuletide.blogspot.com (38th Ave SW midblock between Genesee and Dakota)

WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS CONTINUES: Second scheduled night for this year’s West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Spectacular, 5-10 pm. See the season’s full schedule here. Bring food to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank. (3908 SW Charlestown)

(Photo by Don Brubeck)

Good morning! We are thankful for you. Here’s info you might find useful:

WHICH GROCERY STORES ARE OPEN AND WHEN: Here’s the list.

WHO’S OPEN FOR COFFEE: See the first section of our Holiday Guide.

WHO’S LEADING A WORKOUT : Also in the first section of our Holiday Guide.

WHO’S SERVING A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm (9131 California SW; details here, including donations you can drop off before it starts) … Freedom Church, noon-3 pm per the marquee (35th/Roxbury) … West Seattle Eagles, 2-5 pm (4426 California SW; details here)

WHICH RESTAURANTS (AND BARS WITH FOOD) ARE OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: Here’s the list (please note, it is a list of who told us they planned to be open – if an establishment told us they would be closed, they are NOT listed).

TRANSIT CHANGES: Metro is on a Sunday schedule … The Water Taxi is NOT running … Sound Transit buses are on a Sunday schedule … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a normal schedule.

THINGS YOU CAN DO AFTER DINNER: West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular starts tonight, 7 pm, as previewed here Monday. Bring food for the West Seattle Food Bank! (3908 SW Charlestown) … The Admiral Theater is open this afternoon/evening – see the schedule here (2343 California SW)

DOES YOUR DOG NEED A BREAK FROM THE HOLIDAY BUSTLE? WSB sponsor Camp Crockett is open today.

See more – for today/tonight, plus dozens of events through the rest of the holiday season – here.

Some of what you’ll find in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide are traditional annual events – and some are brand new. Like this:

The Admiral Neighborhood Association – which brings you Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, as well as its year-round role as a community council – is presenting the first-ever Holly Jolly Holiday Fest, noon-4 pm Sunday, December 7th, at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd/Lander).

One big component: A gingerbread-house contest! NOT on-site building – build yours before the event and bring it to The Sanctuary that morning, as explained in the official rules, which also explain the prizes, and the youth/adult divisions (age 16 is the dividing line).

But that’s just part of the fun, which also includes, as announced, “live holiday music, a craft bazaar, and a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank” as well as … Santa Claus! “A photographer will be available to take portraits with Santa for a small donation, or you can bring your own camera.” See you there on Sunday, December 7th, noon-4 pm!

Just in case you are wondering:

*Where you can work out before stuffing (yourself)
*Where you can find a free holiday meal
*Which West Seattle grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving and when
*Which West Seattle restaurants/coffee shops are open on Thanksgiving and when

That’s all in the Thanksgiving section atop the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which also continues with dozens more events continuing on to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s) … so we thought we’d nudge you now.

P.S. If you have information to add to the guide, or see something that has changed – please let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!