West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
As mentioned earlier – in case you weren’t well aware – the New Year arrived wrapped in a thick blanket of fog. If you had hoped to watch the Space Needle fireworks from West Seattle, as many do each year, it was all but impossible. This morning, we did get this lone photo from Ryan O’Keven (thank you!), who took it in the early seconds, before the fog thickened even more.
(Pigeon Guillemots, photographed in West Seattle by Mark Wangerin)
A brand-new year has taken wing! Welcome to 2014; here’s our roundup of what’s up:
LOOKING FOR COFFEE? Here’s our list featuring some coffee shops that told us they would be open today. (Businesses do sometimes change their mind about holidays after we check – so please let us know if you find a discrepancy.)
LOOKING FOR RESTAURANTS? Here’s that list. Same caveat as above.
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION: Metro buses are on a Sunday schedule … King County Water Taxis are NOT running today … The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth state-ferry route is on a regular weekday schedule … Sound Transit buses are on a Sunday schedule … In the areas of the city with pay-station on-street parking, it’s free today.
New Year’s Day events:
TAKE A WALK: Any time between 9 am and noon, you can head out on a mapped 5K or 10K walk planned by Emerald City Wanderers, departing from St. John the Baptist Church. Details here. (California/Hanford)
TAKE THE PLUNGE: 10 am sharp (you’re advised to get there early), on Alki Beach across from Duke’s, join the annual Polar Bear Plunge/Swim/run-in-and-run-out event – details here. (58th/Alki)
P.S. So foggy at midnight, we hear the customary Space Needle fireworks views from West Seattle weren’t so great. Here’s the KING 5 video – foggy *AT* the Needle too, but the colorful official-broadcast view was the best available.
(New Year’s Day 2013 photo by Nick Adams)
Four people have asked about it in the past half-hour, so we’re thinking more than a few missed our first word on December 22nd that the Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim is definitely ON again tomorrow. So – here’s the reminder! 10 am New Year’s Day, gather on the beach across from Duke’s (map); better to be early than late, says organizer Mark Ufkes. As he observes, “This is a great way to wash away the complexities of 2013 and welcome the unlimited possibilities of 2014.”
(January 1, 2013, Space Needle fireworks, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Happy final day of 2013! Today’s highlights list focuses on some of your options for tonight, besides watching the fabled Space Needle fireworks, whether in person or on screen. You can get started before dark:
NEW YEAR’S EVE WALK: Any time between 4 and 7 pm, you can start a 5- or 10-kilometer West Seattle walk mapped out by the Emerald City Wanderers, starting at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Details in our preview, which notes the New Year’s Day walking plan, too. (California/Hanford)
Once it’s dark, you can start your night with one last look at some of West Seattle’s brightest Christmas-lights shows:
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS FINALE: Tonight is closing night for the music-and-movement West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Spectacular show.
Creator Jim Winder says you can help them hit a charity milestone:
Last Show Of The 2013 Season Is New Year’s Eve – Also your last chance to be involved in a momentous last four years of giving by the West Seattle Community!!!
West Seattleites (and those visiting from out of town) have been in a giving spirit since Christmas Eve as YOU have donated over $900 and 300 lbs of foodstuffs for our two charities…the West Seattle Food Bank and The Northwest Parkinson Foundation. Soooo…we are that much closer to collecting $10,000 for our two charities since 2010!!
Only $89 to go!! Thank you, West Seattle!!!!
Jim says this year’s giving has already passed last year’s total – $2,777 so far. Tonight’s schedule is 4 pm-midnight; if you’re not going tonight but you want to donate (everything goes to the nonprofits – nothing for show operations), you can do that online. What? Haven’t been? Find WS Lights at 39th and Charlestown.
WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: This new music-and-movement display now has a name, and a website! Ken Iverson says they’ve dubbed the show at 4120 38th SW “West Seattle Yuletide”:
You’ll find WSY online at westseattleyuletide.blogspot.com, and Ken says the show IS on tonight.
MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: The biggest and brightest display in West Seattle is still on too! (5605 Beach Drive SW)
Then:
HIGHLAND PARK’S NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE, FIRE PERFORMANCE, CORNER BAR: Highland Park Improvement Club is a one-stop shop for a multifaceted New Year’s Eve. The night starts with the parade, all ages, everyone welcome, leaving from the HPIC parking lot around 6:30 pm. Bring lights and noisemakers to parade through nearby neighborhoods:
Then it’s back to the lot for the Sage Comet Fire Performance, and then inside for HPIC’s special New Year’s Eve edition of the Corner Bar. Details on all of the above are here, as well as on the HPIC website. (12th/Holden)
Last but not least – bar parties! No matter where you prefer to drink, we bet they have a party. Here are the venues we have heard from:
SKYLARK: New Year’s Eve Prom Party with Baby Ketten Karaoke, starting at 8 pm – Facebook invite here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
BAMBOO BENEFIT: Bamboo Grill on Alki is having a dance party starting at 8:30 pm and collecting donations for the American Cancer Society. Here’s the Facebook invite. (2806 Alki SW)
FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Fifth annual New Year’s Eve Party at The Feedback (WSB sponsor) with the Disco Cowboys, starting at 9 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT OUTWEST BAR: The lineup from OutWest: “A ‘White Party’! We’ll have a Video DJ, White Winter Jello Shots, a hosted Champagne Toast at midnight and a special guest vocalist to sing Auld Lang Syne.” (5401 California SW)
THE BENBOW ROOM: Live music starts at 9:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
And if you’d rather just take a walk on the beach:
LOW-LOW TIDE: -2.9 feet just before 10 pm, according to our favorite tide chart.
As for the Space Needle fireworks – just one word of advice: If you’re heading down to the north/northeast-facing shore to watch them from here – or one of the official viewpoints – do NOT wait until the last minute; in our experience, things start getting crazy by 10 pm.
You didn’t think Santa Claus went right back to the North Pole as soon as Christmas deliveries were done, did you? Al shares these scenes from the West Seattle Golf Course on Thursday – the day after Christmas.
Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny next.
Continuing our previews of ways you can celebrate New Year’s Eve without leaving West Seattle:
(December 31, 2012, WSB photo by Nick Adams)
Highland Park Improvement Club has finalized the schedule for its New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Once again this year, the Not-So-Silent-Night parade through the nearby neighborhood will kick it off – all ages welcome. Gather with noisemakers, flashlights, etc., in the HPIC parking lot at 12th and Holden starting at 6 pm. The parade – fifth annual, by our count – heads out at 6:30 or “when everyone’s ready.” After half an hour or so, it’s back to the HPIC parking lot for the don’t-miss Sage Comet fire performance around 7; then inside for the special New Year’s Eve edition of HPIC’s popular pop-up Corner Bar, otherwise a “first Friday” fixture. 8-10 pm, Choroloco plays Brazilian jazz; DJs Rich and Evan take over from 10 pm “until 2014.” You don’t have to be a Highland Park’er to join the party – they welcome one and all.
Free at noon? In West Seattle or able to get back here? Liz Latham invites you to be part of this gesture of gratitude at the Junction post office:
Attention, West Seattleites!!!!
I have just organized a flash mob and you are all invited to the West Seattle Post office where at noon today we will thank our postal workers and give them pizza for all their hard work and efforts this holiday season. We are going to sing the song FOR YOU ARE JOLLY GOOD POSTAL WORKERS to the Tune of for He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. Here’s the lyrics:
NOTE: WE ARE GOING TO SING THIS TWO TIMES IN A ROW AT LEAST…
For You are jolly good postal workers,
for you are jolly good postal workers,
for you are jolly good postal workers
we thank you for all you have done,
we thank you for all you have done,
we thank you for all you have done,
for you are jolly good postal workers,
we thank you for all you have done!Then we end it by shouting the words, “Thank you West Seattle Postal workers for all you have done!
LYRICS COURTESY OF LIZ LATHAM, SEATTLE CLEANING SERVICE and LizardProductions.com
PIZZA FROM LIZ LATHAM, FORMER SEATTLE MAYOR GREG NICKELS AND THE CITIZENS OF WEST SEATTLE
With less than a week remaining in 2013, our holiday-info focus turns to New Year’s Eve and Day. We’ll be adding more info to that final section of the WSB Holiday Guide, but tonight, from a listing already there, we’re spotlighting the one activity that covers both days!From Emerald City Wanderers:
Walk with us to celebrate the end of 2013 and the start of 2014! It’s a fun and healthy way to enjoy New Year’s Eve and Day, walking with family, friends and other kindred spirits. We’ll have 5- and 10-kilometer walks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, different routes each day. And there’ll be hot soup to chase away any chills. Walks start on New Year’s Eve anytime between 4 and 7 PM, and on New Year’s Day between 9 AM and 12 noon, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle. No fee for the walks, which are noncompetitive.
The New Year’s Eve 5-kilometer route winds through the holiday lights in the Admiral neighborhood, and features beautiful views of the City. The 10-kilometer route heads down to Alki and features the lights on and around Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle. Flashlights will be helpful.
On New Year’s Day, the 5- and 10-kilometer routes take walkers through the Alaska Junction. 5K walkers wander back to the start through quiet neighborhoods. 10K walkers walk along the Puget Sound shoreline, through a number of parks and shoreline features. This event is hosted by the Emerald City Wanderers and St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Information about volkssports will be available.
St. John’s is just south of West Seattle High School, at California/Hanford.
P.S. New Year’s events to add to the guide? Please e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
TREE-CYCLING: We are the last people to suggest you should rush that tree right out the door now that Christmas is over (unless it’s so dry that it’s a fire hazard). But this IS the first official day of the city’s free post-holiday tree recycling, which continues through January 12th. Here’s the city rundown of info on how to put out your tree for curbside recycling OR how to take it to the nearby South Transfer Station, which is OK with trees/sections up to 8 feet long, while the curbside limit is 6 feet per tree/section.
P.S. You can also support a local youth group via tree-cycling; the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ sixth annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser is set for Saturday, January 4th, at the Alki Masonic Center, with tree dropoff 10 am-2 pm and a suggested donation of $5 per tree.
OTHER HOLIDAY RECYCLING INFO … from “packing peanuts” to batteries to old Christmas lights, recycling info is here, again courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities.
A surprise before we close the books on Christmas 2013 – a communique late tonight from West Seattle Art Attack, the local glass artist who, with accomplices, has “attacked” unsuspecting locals with creations over the past six years or so (we first heard from WSAA in 2007, and most recently in 2012). These photos were included with this note:
The West Seattle Art Attack team pulled off another Christmas assault hitting well-decorated houses from Alki to Fauntleroy. The team picked about a dozen houses at random that just felt like they deserved a little gift. Many more were selected, but there were too many people out and about, and the “attackers” were spooked. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas, West Seattle!
Maybe you were a recipient – take a close look when you go outside tomorrow!
(Photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Merry Christmas! We start the day with our traditional attempt at holiday helpfulness:
WHO’S OPEN FOR COFFEE: Here’s our list. If a West Seattle coffee shop told us during our recent round of calls that they would be open today, that’s noted here. Not necessarily an all-inclusive list, though we try our best, so if you find that someone is open but not on the list, please let us know! Same goes for any other change.
WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN? Here’s the list. Similar caveats.
WHICH GROCERY STORES ARE OPEN? Here’s the list. Since it’s a short list, it also mentions who’s definitely closed.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MAP: Going out to look at lights tonight? See the map on the WSB Holiday Guide page.
TRANSPORTATION: Metro is on a Sunday schedule today. … The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis do NOT run today. … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on a regular weekday schedule. … Sound Transit is on a Sunday schedule. … In Seattle neighborhoods with city pay stations/meters, parking is free today.
DINNER AND TOY GIVEAWAY FOR FAMILIES WITHOUT HOMES: The Skate Church is offering dinner and toys to homeless families 2-7 pm in their basement HQ at West Seattle Baptist Church. (4157 California SW)
Gatewood photographer/pilot Long B. Nguyen sent that view of West Seattle (and beyond) – photographed on Monday – for us to share with you as a “holiday card from the air.” In turn, we thank him for sharing so many images – most, but not all, from the sky – in recent years! (Click the photo for a larger view.)
That’s the McKean home between Schmitz Park and Madison – just added to our map (see below), one of the lists we put together each year in hopes of being helpful during the holidays. For this Christmas Eve, our daily preview is all about the lists:
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MAP: You can go directly to its page on Google Maps, or see it in the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide. Click any icon for the address, and links to get directions and other information. (Note that the music-synched West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Spectacular is on until midnight tonight, with free hot chocolate 6-8 pm – remember to bring your West Seattle Food Bank donation or donate online.) Thanks to everyone who has sent suggestions and/or photos this season – and thanks to everyone who has taken the time to decorate, brightening the season for passers-by!
RESTAURANTS OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE AND/OR DAY: Here’s the list – please note the caveats!
(added) TACO TRUCK FREEBIES: 11 am-3 pm today, Taqueria El Antojo, the truck in the Short Stop lot north of Morgan Junction Park, is giving away food for Customer Appreciation Day.
GROCERY STORE HOURS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY: Here’s the list, including when they’re closing tonight and who’s closed tomorrow.
CHRISTMAS EVE CHURCH SERVICES: See the WSB Holiday Guide for the churches that sent us their service times/info for tonight (thank you!).
(added) NEED SOMETHING WRAPPED? From the Holiday Guide – Furry Faces Foundation and AARF have one last “Wrap It Up” (by donation for their animal-advocacy work) event, 2-7 pm today at Beveridge Place Pub. (6413 California SW)
CHRISTMAS DAY COFFEE: This info is mostly helpful tomorrow, but in case you want to plan ahead, here’s the list. Caveats here too, and as with restaurants, if you as a customer discover last-minute changes, or if you as a proprietor make last-minute changes, please let us know, since we’re here 24/7/365 as always.
Local shopping hours today? We just didn’t have the bandwidth to canvass local stores too BUT you are welcome to comment on this story if you’re open for last-minute shoppers!
If you’re planning ahead for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we’ve added more lists. In addition to the restaurant list, we also now have published of where you’ll find coffee, and what hours grocery stores will be open. For Christmas Eve church services, see the WSB Holiday Guide, where New Year’s Eve/Day information can be found too.
Here’s one place you can shop late tonight: Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) is open until 8:30. And you don’t have to have a hair appointment to stop by – Illusions has purses, jewelry, and scarves, and they’re on sale. Treats too; Illusions is at 5619 California SW. This is, so far as we know, the last West Seattle business holiday open house of the season – we featured many others in the Holiday Guide and here on the news page over the past month or so.
(2013 Polar Bear Swim photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Three people have asked about this in the past two days, so we sought out confirmation: Organizer Mark Ufkes says yes, the annual Polar Bear Swim at Alki is on again for 2014. Be at the beach across from Duke’s by 10 am – better yet, he says, “get there a little early” – on Wednesday, January 1st, 2014: “We go in the water at 10 sharp after a count down. Bring water shoes, towel, change of clothes. Hot chocolate and Duke’s clam chowder will be served. This is a great way to wash away the complexities of 2013 and welcome the unlimited possibilities of 2014.”
P.S. We’re adding this to the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide, which always runs through New Year’s Eve/Day, so if you haven’t sent us your “welcome, 2014!” event yet, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
The holidays are peak season for people-watching, with more people hosting and mingling than any other time of the year. Above, Dinah Brein and Santa Claus in the lobby of the historic Admiral Theater, which Dinah manages, as people arrived for this afternoon’s free Christmas movie. Yes, as usual, The Admiral *WILL* be open on Christmas Day – movies and showtimes are listed on its website.
Next: From the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce holiday party at newly relocated The Bridge:
In our photo from last Thursday’s party – a full house! – West Seattle Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts and Charles Morgan from Jackson, Morgan & Hunt PLLC (WSB sponsor). Chamber members can keep an eye on their e-mail for details of next month’s annual meeting, at which a new officer slate is up for election; Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby is in the running for chair, succeeding Dave Montoure of West 5, who becomes past president.
And people we met during this month’s West Seattle Art Walk and peninsula-wide Holiday Bazaar:
The holiday party at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) was more than a celebration – it was a fun(draiser) too. Cleveland High School junior Diana Greenaway is working to get more life-saving LifeStraw portable filters to kids in Kenya. Diana’s project continues – read about it here (you can donate via that page, too).
At West 5 on Art Walk/Holiday Bazaar night, we found the HH Goods team:
If you didn’t catch them that night, you might have seen them at other bazaars this holiday season – their website lists other appearances including Highland Park and South Park.
And at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor), we photographed Jessica Creager, one of the featured artists in this month’s Puny Picture Show:
Since many of the Art Walk displays are kept up throughout the month, that means lots of handmade local art is available as last-minute gifts – browse the official Art Walk website for some names, venues, and ideas. (Next Art Walk is January 9th, second Thursday as usual.)
“Rudolf the Recycling Reindeer,” cousin to red-nosed Rudolph, has officially debuted on YouTube (watch above, or on YT here). The Junction Neighborhood Organization enlisted helpers to create the video on behalf of its holiday Recycle/Reuse/Reduce (Waste) campaign, and debuted it today at their West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth, where we found Michael and René from JuNO:
In keeping with the spirit of the campaign, the presents under the tree were wrapped in reused materials, and even the big handmade sign behind them is reused cardboard. Even beyond the holidays, JuNO will be evangelizing waste reduction as part of its participation in a regional challenge, and René tells WSB that the Junction area is in second place so far!
JuNO, by the way, just relaunched this past July, and has already been very busy, with activities like this as well as community cleanups and educational presentations regarding development (here’s our video-included coverage of the September 18th meeting explaining the alley/street vacation process involved in many major developments).
Today you can get more than fruit, vegetables, cheese, cider, baked goods, nuts, meat, fish, etc., at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – you can get a balloon creation! As mentioned in our morning preview, it’s a special solstice/holiday edition of the WSFM today. Some booths are decorated, like Whistling Train Farm:
On the east side of the market, you’ll find a booth where you can vote for the “best decorated booth.” As always, the market’s open until 2, at 44th/Alaska in The Junction. And just down the street, at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), you’ll find Santa Claus:
Photos today are DIY – donations go (as you might have guessed by the sign) to WestSide Baby, which helps local kids year-round. Santa’s scheduled to be there until 3 pm, and that’s also closing time for the Belgian Draft Mule-drawn carriage making round-trips from the southwest corner of California/Alaska, courtesy of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). And of course, up and down California, as well as along Alaska and Oregon and 42nd and 41st, local independent retailers are there to help you with your last-Sunday-before-Christmas gift shopping – have fun!
Thanks to Debbi Crane for sharing the photo of a barred owl who spent hours overnight hanging out in a tree at her home near Lowman Beach – “I believe he was investigating our parakeets, who live in a cage near a window facing the backyard.” Where will YOU be hanging out today? The WSB Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar have some suggestions:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET, SOLSTICE EDITION: One day after the solstice ushered in winter, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market kicks it up a notch today for a special Winter Solstice edition of the market. Decorations and more. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
JuNO AT THE MARKET: As noted here last Tuesday, the Junction Neighborhood Organization is having a reuse/recycle/reduce-waste contest and will be at the WSFM today to accept entries until choosing a winner at 1:30.
CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE: From the church-services section of the Holiday Guide, a special service today at All Souls Church of Seattle (WSB sponsor), the Christmas Lessons + Carols Service, 10 am: “All are welcome to join us for readings through the birth narrative of Jesus, and the rich Christmas hymns sung for ages. Come as you are; invite a neighbor!” All Souls meets at Madison Middle School. (45th/Spokane)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS – CARRIAGE RIDES: 11 am-3 pm, the simple carriage drawn by Belgian Draft Mules will make its rounds in The Junction, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). Free; board by KeyBank at California/Alaska.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS – SANTA MEET ‘N’ GREET: Also 11 am-3 pm, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, DIY photos with Santa, who will be awaiting your child(ren)’s visit at City Mouse Store. (4218 SW Alaska)
GIFT-WRAPPING FUNDRAISER: “Wrap It Up” gift-wrapping fundraiser for Furry Faces and AARF Foundations‘ animal advocacy. ***Special note – F3 and AARF will be there by 11:30 am for gift dropoff: “We know a lot of people will be watching the Seahawk game. While they are screaming with excitement, we will wrap all of their gifts between 1 pm and 6 pm. Then they pick them up after the game!” The Beer Junction. (4511 California SW)
ADOPT A CAT! Noon-3 pm, go meet cats in search of forever homes, at Friends of the Animals Foundation‘s adoption event at Next to Nature in The Junction. More info here. (4543 California SW)
TRANSPORTATION COALITION WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOU: The West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s “listening tour,” explained here, continues today with reps at Zatz Bagels in The Admiral District, noon-2 pm. (2348 California SW)
SANTA AT CAPERS: The Santa previously known as “ex-Westwood Santa” and now as “CAPERS Santa” is back at the Junction store for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) “from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4525 California SW)
LITTLE WOMEN, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Another chance to enjoy the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Matinee today, 3 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
FREE CHRISTMAS MOVIE & HUMANE SOCIETY DONATION DRIVE: 4 pm (get there early!) is screening time for “Arthur Christmas,” this year’s free Christmas movie at the historic Admiral Theater – here’s the trailer:
It’s also a benefit for the Humane Society, if you can give; $1 will be donated for every large popcorn sold, and you’re asked to bring pet toys, beds, food, collars, leashes, etc. P.S. Santa will be there too! (2343 California SW)
MARK PICKEREL: Special acoustic show by the popular local musician, with special guest Shannon Donahue, at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm. (6451 California SW)
(Friday morning photo in The Junction, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
It’s the shortest day of the year – but the Winter Solstice is here at the moment we’re publishing this (9:11 am), so, from here, we start going back the other way (here’s the chart). Solstice events are on our highlights list for today/tonight, and more, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info List (which covers everything through New Year’s Day – and holiday recycling afterward!) and our regular year-round calendar:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: More than a few local stores are open early and/or late! Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park sent word they’re open at 9 am today AND tomorrow, for example. Northwest Art and Frame in The Junction is “staying open until 9 pm (tonight) and opening at 9:30 (on Sunday).” Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction opens at 10 am now through Christmas Eve. (Anyone else with early/late hours?)
SANTA AT CITY MOUSE: Santa Meet and Greet in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm. As part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), DIY photos with Santa, who will be awaiting your child’s visit at City Mouse Store. “Drop in for a hug and a smile. Bring your camera and capture your own special moment.” (4218 SW Alaska)
COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING … at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 11 am-2 pm; details here. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
SANTA AT CAPERS: The Santa best known as “ex-Westwood Santa” (by next year we can probably just call him CAPERS Santa) will be at the Junction store for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) “from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4525 California SW)
LITTLE WOMEN, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Time’s running out to see the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Matinee AND evening performances today, 3 and 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
SOLSTICE SUNSET VIEWING: Arrive at 3:30 pm for 4:05-ish sunset viewing with Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info and “Skies Over West Seattle.” Solstice Park. (map)
WINTER FIRE-WHITE CENTER: A community solstice celebration at Greenbridge Plaza, 4 pm. Details on our partner site White Center Now. (8th and 99th)
WEST SEATTLE SANTA PUB CRAWL, 5-9:30 pm. From Shandon Graybeal:
Bring your best Santa gear and come join myself and others on a Christmastime pub crawl through the West Seattle Junction! We will be stopping at 6 great west Seattle bars and drinking some delicious winter beers from some amazing breweries, with prizes at every stop! The Pub Crawl schedule will be….
5:00-5:45 Shadowland
5:45-6:30 Beer Junction
6:30-7:15 Corner Pocket
7:15-8:00 Poggie Tavern
8:00-8:45 Talarico’s
8:45-9:30 A Terrible Beauty
All are welcome! So bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ family, and enjoy a great night out with friends and good beers.”
More info on this Facebook event page.
2ND ANNUAL NORTH DELRIDGE SOLSTICE PARADE: “Come join Captain Snowball and WinterFly as we welcome the start of Winter and the dawning of the days with increasing light! This celebration is a 30-minute illuminated walk along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trails. 6:30 pm, Greg Davis Park. For the Solstice Parade, you are invited to wear an outfit or costume illuminated by lights, or just bring a lantern or flashlight to carry along the path.” Musical instruments welcome too. (26th Ave. SW & Brandon Street SW)
‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICE: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, is “for folks for whom the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year – we will acknowledge grief and loss of all kinds and a just feeling-out-of-sortness and end on a note of hope. This is a service for people who find themselves out of step with the joy of the season. It acknowledges those feelings of grief and loss and finding yourself out of step with those around you through readings and music, lighting candles and words of hope. We hope that you will join us if this is a service that would be helpful for you and if you know someone for whom it would be helpful, don’t just tell them about it, but bring them along.” (3940 41st SW)
BENEFIT FOR BABES AGAINST BRAIN CANCER: Music, art, and fundraising, 8 pm tonight:
Into The Cold at Feedback Lounge, to benefit Babes Against Brain Cancer.
INTO THE COLD was Founded by William Stover and Katy Cornell as a concept project composing all the music about a series of paintings by Rebecca Miller. Check out her website. The style of music is a cross between Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. Featuring a constant presence of 3 to 4 part harmonies, heavy guitars, lots of piano and organ etc. The music is not light hearted. It is dramatic, lush, and serious. Into The Cold’s show features 8 musicians and backdrop illuminated visuals of the paintings that each song is about.
Donations will be taken at the door to support “Babes against Brain Cancer” at this show. An organization dedicated to the research of progress to treat brain cancer as our family as been directly effected, so it’s close to all our hearts. Visit their FB page …
ITC recently recorded an EP with Jack Endino at Sound house studio. with band Members:
Katy Cornell – Inflatable Soule, Going South, V. Contreras.
William Stover – of Going South, The Government, Currently with Basment Sessions and a busy session player with Mark Lanegan, V. Contreras, Cat Power etc.
Owen Wright – of My Sisters Machine and more.
Nikol Fiala – Halloqueen.
Taryn Webber – of Going South, Graig Markel and more.
Gene Devereaux – Buzzfactor and more.
Keith Jaeger – Buzzfactor and more.
Denny Markopoulos – Greek Aristocracy and more.CDs of the newly recorded EP will given out to everyone who attends. Listen to “Pentahorse” by Into The Cold.
(The Feedback, a WSB sponsor, is at 6451 California SW)
UGLY SWEATERS & KARAOKE: West Seattle Ugly Sweater Fest and “No Talent Required” Christmas Karaoke Show at Angelina’s, 9 pm. (2311 California SW)
It’s a holiday tradition – Nucor Steel in North Delridge and its employees give big to the West Seattle Food Bank, and like Santa arriving in his sleigh, the gifts arrive in time for Christmas. Today was the day, and the morning snow didn’t get in the way of the delivery. Above, a truck from Benchmark Industrial Services pulled up – then, unloading began:
Call them Santa’s helpers; Benchmark not only donated the transportation again this year, but also donated 450 pounds of food.
Add that to the 2,750 pounds donated by Nucor, and it’s a grand total of more than a ton and a half of food – as well as $21,000 in monetary donations. You can give to the Food Bank if you haven’t already – do it online here!
Instead of eight tiny reindeer, it’s two wheels for Santa Claus! Thanks to the person who texted that Admiral Way sighting late this afternoon. Gave us an excuse to leap into holiday notes:
HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Don’t worry about being snowed in – every weather expert we can find insists any snow will be gone by nightfall. So you can pencil in seeing “Home Alone” at the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden) on Friday night, free (bring $ for concessions), doors at 6:30 pm, movie at 7 – more info on the HPIC website.
ADMIRAL CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Then on Sunday at 4 pm, it’s the annual free Christmas movie at the historic Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – “Arthur Christmas” this year:
As always, donations will be collected for the Humane Society, including $1 for every large popcorn sold, and you’re asked to bring pet toys, beds, food, collars, leashes, etc. Get there early to ensure your seat!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MAP REMINDER: Another highlight from our mapped list of lights:
That’s the always-amazing home at 4043 Fauntleroy – and if you forget how much time is left until Christmas, there’s a countdown clock:
We photographed it LAST night, so take a day off that. The whole block there along the east end of the bridge is bold and bright. The map has new locations too, including a few we haven’t photographed yet (but will!), like the decades-famous “Charlie Brown” house, at 2128 47th SW, and 5106 SW Stevens.
The holiday happenings that remain between now and New Year’s Day – including solstice events this weekend – are in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide.
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