West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
The Southwest Precinct promised more foot patrols during the holiday season, as reiterated when we published this year’s round of safety advice. This afternoon, the precinct’s top two were on foot in The Junction – Operations Lt. Pierre Davis and precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler. They stopped in businesses, greeted passersby, and talked with us for a few minutes too. We asked about the recent major investigations – no new information in either the High Point murder or Roxhill Park rape; Capt. Kessler mentioned that Seattle Parks had been out in the park clearing some overgrowth to improve visibility. Asked if today had been as relatively quiet as it has sounded to us so far, they did mention that if you saw a major response in Arbor Heights earlier, that was a search warrant being served. (No other details yet.)
P.S. Before we caught up with Lt. Davis and Capt. Kessler in The Junction, the precinct asked us to share this holiday message:
Southwest Precinct's Holiday Message
If you can’t see the message in the frame above – click here for a PDF version.
Thanks to the WSB’er who didn’t want credit but did want to share this photo of Shorewood Christian School‘s Ignition Youth Group out caroling at Westwood Village last night. If we had known in advance, we’d have added it to the WSB Holiday Guide – not too late to add anything your school, organization, or business has coming up for Christmas, New Year’s, etc. – editor@westseattleblog.com. (Tonight’s holiday-and-otherwise highlight list is coming up shortly.)
The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship and its accompanying fleet emerged from Elliott Bay fog – with sea lions barking and foghorns sounding – to make its first-ever visit to Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) this past hour. Pacific Sound Chorus was aboard for the holiday serenade, with audiences on the ships, on Salty’s decks, and on the shoreline nearby. While this was its last West Seattle stop this holiday season …
… it continues making the rounds elsewhere in the region through next Monday night (December 23rd); here’s the schedule.
With Christmas less than two weeks away, we are making the rounds again for the traditional WSB lists of coffee shop/restaurant holiday hours – specifically, who’s open Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Day, because those are the dates we’re more often asked about. If you have a West Seattle/White Center/South Park restaurant/coffee shop and know your plans, we appreciate a note – editor@westseattleblog.com – to save us/you the phone call. And while we’re not able to make a comprehensive list of other types of businesses, we would be happy to include them in the WSB Holiday Guide if we receive that info (for example, letting us know you’re open until X on Christmas Eve). Thanks, and watch for the links to those lists in the guide and our calendar soon!
P.S. We’re also still adding to the other areas of the guide, as the info comes in – from holiday events to religious services to giving opportunities – same e-mail address.
The southwest corner of California/Alaska is the West Seattle Junction holiday epicenter today. As West Seattle Farmers’ Market shoppers bustle past, the carolers raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank are back (above), and it’s the first of two Sundays with Belgian Draft Mule-drawn carriage rides (as part of WS Junction’s Hometown Holidays) that start and end at the same corner.
All of the above is under way until 3 pm; the Farmers’ Market continues until 2 – and we were reminded while there, mark your calendar for next Sunday, when an extra-festive winter-solstice edition of the market is planned, including lights and decorations on vendors’ booths. P.S. Pathfinder K-8‘s wreath-selling fundraiser is happening now at the same corner.
Three arts/crafts sales in our daily preview are all happening now. First, one that just started at 1 pm, presented by Nepenthe but one house north of the storefront at 6010-6016 California SW, continuing until 9 pm:
That’s Nepenthe proprietor Naomi Rivera at right, with Santa. Two other bazaars are on until 3 pm:
That’s the scene inside Diva Espresso (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW) in The Triangle. We noticed Lovey’s Gloveys:
Diva is at 4480 Fauntleroy Way SW. Meantime, among the vendors at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is Alexia Cortes-Johnson, with Mexican folk art as well as religious/primitive art:
C&P has such a big turnout, a few vendors have their tables out on the front patio. (Good thing today’s temperature is about double what it was this time LAST Saturday!) Other arts/crafts sales still to come are listed in the WSB Holiday Guide – if yours isn’t, be sure to send info (plain text, please, not a flyer; thanks!) – we’re continuing to list open houses and other special business events, too.
Most years, we’ve featured locally created Christmas music. Tonight – a song with a bit of a story. We heard from Ian Fetterer, who is lead vocalist/keyboardist and audio engineer for a band called Faintly. They are living in a West Seattle house while writing and recording an album they hope to finish by next year. He sent us the link to a Christmas song that he explains was written “a few years back, and somehow it has now become one of my traditions every year to remix the song to see if I can get it sounding better than the year before, and I’m really excited about this mix!” If you like the song – which you can preview above – Ian invites you to download it here – for free, or “pay what you’d like.”
(2012 photo – Santa at the Menashe Family Lights)
Santa Claus is truly magical. He can be in many places at once – that’s really the only way you can explain all that worldwide present-delivering on Christmas Eve. This weekend, you’ll find him making some special stops around West Seattle; they’re all in our all-season-long Holiday Events/Info Guide – here are highlights, including one-time-only visits:
SANTA PAWS … as in, pet photos! Saturday, 11 am-2 pm, at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor) offices at Jefferson Square, 11 am-2 pm. Please sign up ahead of time by going here. (4700 42nd SW, Suite 600)
SANTA AT CAPERS: DIY photos with “Ex-Westwood” Santa at CAPERS continue this Saturday/Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. Suggested donation per sitting $10; all donations benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.
‘COCOA CRIS CRINGLE’ SANTA AT EASY STREET: Saturday and Sunday evenings, come meet Easy Street Records‘ Santa for photos/donation drive benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.
(2012 photo)
Saturday 4-9 pm; Sunday 4-7 pm. $20, or $15 with donation of 1 nonperishable food item or toy, includes 3 photos sent to you and 1 printed on site. (California/Alaska)
SANTA AT THE MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: 6-10 pm Saturday, “Santa Al” is available for DIY photos at the legendary light show; bring a can of food to donate for Northwest Harvest. (5605 Beach Drive SW)
SANTA AT DAKOTA PLACE PARK: Sunday 1-4 pm at Dakota Place Park, with a food-bank fundraiser/foodraiser, sponsored by My Seattle Realty, which is donating one digital photo free – 2-can West Seattle Food Bank (or $) requested – others available for purchase from photographer Gail Ann. Reservations requested: Specify 1-2, 2-3 or 3-4 pm in e-mail to office@myseattlerealty.com. (California Ave SW and SW Dakota St)
CARTOONING SANTA AT LUNA PARK CAFE: 5-8 pm Sunday, come meet Cartooning Santa at Luna Park Café, 5 to 8 pm, drawing free cartoons for the kids, with drink specials for all ages. (2918 SW Avalon Way)
That’s just part of the Santa-visit lineup for this weekend – for more details and Santa appearances beyond this weekend, not to mention a long list of other West Seattle holiday events and info, go here!
Tonight’s featured house is on the southeast corner of 38th and Morgan, and it’s another case of lights that you just have to see for yourself – our photo barely does them justice, with both music and blinking going on. Dozens of shutter clicks netted us this one in the split-second when all the lights cycled to “on.” The flashing display will definitely catch your eye as you pass by on Morgan.
We’ll be building a map for the weekend, showcasing lights we’ve already featured (archived here) and others we’re getting to – suggestions and/or photos still welcome, editor@westseattleblog.com. We’re tracking lights in our Holiday Events and Info Guide and via this Pinterest board.
(The meerkat is a “Puny Picture” you’ll see at Wallflower – info below)
Tonight’s the night! West Seattle Art Walk AND Shop Late Thursday AND multiple chances to do a good deed, all overlapping in some cases. Here are some of the highlights:
ART WALK EVERYWHERE: It’s the “Holiday Bazaar” expanded edition of Art Walk, 6-9 pm. And that makes it a gift shopper’s creative dream come true – with venues participating that aren’t even on the regular map, since it’s an all-out shopping event. Check wsartwalk.com for a sampling of artists/venues. And here are some of the previews we’ve received directly (and have been in our Holiday Guide):
BRUNETTE MIX HOLIDAY PARTY: It’s a party AND a benefit to ensure clean water for kids, at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 6-9 pm. “It is specifically for LifeStraw, a very cool straw that cleans water before drinking, a very important thing to the kids in Kenya that will get them. Food, drinks and SWAG bags are part of the fun. We will also have chair massage and makeup applications.” (SW Oregon just west of California SW)
QUILT RAFFLE AT CAPERS: See the quilt at left? It’s a vintage Berl Baxter quilt, says Shari Sewell from Northwest Hope and Healing, which is raffling it tomorrow to raise money for NWHH’s breast-cancer-patient assistance fund. Tickets are $10, available on the NWHH website and 6-7 pm tonight at CAPERS, right before the winning ticket will be drawn at 7. CAPERS also has Cheryl Zahniser visiting for Art Walk. (4525 California SW)
PUNY PICTURE SHOW AND BENEFIT AT WALLFLOWER: 6-9 PM at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor):
It’s NOT the little things… It’s the Puny Things! Our 5th Annual Puny Picture Show & Benefit is Here! The pictures are small, sure, but each are made with huge hearts. Supporting local artists, arts, community while enjoying Holiday Cheer with friends.
Akiko Masker
D. Lisa West
Jack Crawford
Jessica Creager
kelly rae cunningham
Michelle Salazar
Jennifer Zwick
Taylor Reed
Jay Lonnee
Sean Jordan
Ali Serra
Christopher Balder
Michelle Smith-LewisPasado’s Safe Haven is our beneficiary this year.
(4735 42nd SW)
SALE AT WEST SEATTLE CYCLERY: 20 percent off everything at West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor), until 9 tonight – that’s “20 percent off MSRP on EVERYTHING IN THE STORE,” says proprietor Brad Loetel, with “an additional 10 percent off all clearance items.” (4508 California SW)
CLICK! TRUNK SHOW: At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), it’s trunk-show night “with Erica Gordon, a local blacksmith-turned-jeweler, and our own Frances Smersh, a jeweler-turned-painter” (work seen above) per co-proprietor John Smersh, 6-9 pm. (4540 California SW)
HABERDASHERY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Fashion Event at Twilight Gallery, 6-9 pm. “Celebrate the holiday season with this preview and trunk show of the innovative designs of Jonquil & Mr. Black and Lovewell Couture, created by local designers Jordan Christianson and Brenda Bryan. Come join our holiday party and fashion show to find your holiday gifts by these local designers and our special guest jeweler Amy Clem of Dirty Pretty!” (4306 SW Alaska)
DENNY BOOK FAIR AT B&N: If you’ll be shopping tonight at Westwood Village, don’t miss the Denny International Middle School Book Fair at Barnes & Noble, 6-8 pm, a chance to have part of your book-purchase proceeds go to the school, and more: “Events include a scavenger hunt for students, student art displayed in the café, Denny orchestra ensemble playing music from 6:30-7, and open mic poetry, story reading in the café from 7-8pm. If you tell the clerk at check out, a portion of sales will go to Denny. Great way to get some holiday shopping done and support our school.”
BENEFIT EVENT AT OLA SALON: Thanks to Teri for this photo (added 7:51 pm) from the Transitional Resources benefit under way right now at Ola Salon in Luna Park:
That’s Emily from TR and Rachel from Ola. The event continues until 9 pm at the salon, with potential gift items including jewelry and fashion.
WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY TASTING: Can’t have a holiday party or big dinner for company without appetizers. Stop by 4-7 pm for ideas.
(Photo added 5 pm)
WS Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is at California/Fauntleroy/Morgan.
That’s just a sampling – get out and wander!
Ken Iverson e-mailed to let us know about the lights we’re featuring tonight (in video instead of a still photo, because they’re about music and movement):
I am pleased to announce that our holiday light show is up and running. We are located at 4120 38th Ave SW between Genesee and Dakota. [map] We’re only about 3 or 4 blocks south of the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular and while not quite as ‘Spectacular,’ we do have over 5,000 lights controlled by computer through over 2,700 channels set to music.
We have scheduled two shows of about 25 minutes running on the hour and half hour from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday and will run until about midnight on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
The music is fairly quiet if you stand on the sidewalk to watch, but a sign on the gate says it’s simulcast at 101.9 FM, same frequency as West Seattle Lights.
‘Tis the season to give. That’s what two local Girl Scout troops have done in recent days; their leaders shared this report and photos:
Sunday evening, we held our 4th Annual West Seattle Girl Scout Christmas Cookie Exchange. It was a wonderful success! 23 Junior Scouts (5th Graders from Troop #40890 and #40699) hosted 60 Brownie Scouts (2nd/3rd Graders) at this event.
The Scouts celebrated Christmas by singing songs, enjoying Christmas treats, and exchanging Christmas Cookies. The Junior Scouts mentored the younger Scouts in practicing several Girl Scout traditions.
While having all this fun, they also thought about our homeless neighbors in downtown Seattle who go to the UNION GOSPEL MISSION for food, shelter and supplies.
On Monday, we delivered 83 dozen cookies and 60 handmade Christmas cards to the Union Gospel Mission.
The Girl Scouts also donated a trunk-load of much needed toiletries which will be delivered to the Union Gospel Mission this week.
These Girl Scouts had a wonderful time celebrating together and spreading some Christmas cheer to our neighbors at the UNION GOSPEL MISSION.
Happy Holidays!
Rosina Geary, Troop Leader #40890
Deyette Swegle, Troop Leader #40699
Even if you’re not involved with organized giving like this, there are plenty of opportunities on the list that is part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide – just scroll through (and keep checking back – we’re adding more daily)!
Though the Seahawks didn’t win today, a team-inspired creation took top honors at tonight’s annual gingerbread-house-building competition at West Seattle Christian Church‘s Activity Center in The Junction. It’s a fast-paced event with dozens of builders deploying stacks of building components:
Some of the results had Christmas themes – like this message for Santa:
Others were timeless. Here’s a treehouse:
A beach scene …
And a Biblical scene – Noah’s Ark, in gingerbread:
Disclosure note – WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand helped judge again this year.
Once again this year, the Rotary Club of West Seattle and a big supporting cast of volunteers got to play Santa for almost a hundred kids from local schools, during the annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree – the club’s biggest day, and signature community-service project, each year. It all started before dawn Saturday, with volunteers already in place as kids began arriving at the building that’s home to SODO Sears, SODO Kitchen, and Starbucks HQ. It’s always a big operation:
The kids patiently waited as a full morning of activities ramped up:
Frosty the Heron? Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing the photo from Constellation Park during Friday’s frosty sunset. Forecasters say it’s warming up after today – but first, another busy weekend day of highlights!
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: The weekend-long Seattle Jam wheelchair-basketball tournament is scheduled for games until 1:30 pm today at West Seattle High School. (3000 California SW)
HOLIDAY ART SALE: More than a dozen artists, 10 am-4 pm. (3245 60th SW)
‘GIFTED’: 11 am-6 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s “Gifted,” the 5th annual holiday arts/crafts show. (6451 California SW)
ECLECTIC HOLIDAY STUDIO SALE: 10-5. Ceramics, jewelry, prints, encaustics, wine toppers, small art quilts and more. All handmade. (5417 42nd SW)
ENCORE DAY FOR PEACE LUTHERAN BAZAAR: First-ever holiday bazaar at Peace Lutheran Church has been extended – stop by noon-3 pm today for holiday shopping! (39th/Thistle)
“EX-WESTWOOD SANTA”: CAPERS is hosting the Santa known for many years at Westwood Village for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) again today from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW) P.S. See his upcoming visits and the lineup of all West Seattle Santa visits in our Holiday Guide.
LITTLE WOMEN: Matinee today for the musical version that’s the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 3 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: The first matinee of the “Live Radio Play” version of the Christmas classic is presented by Twelfth Night Productions at 3:00 pm at Kenyon Hall. Tickets available online at brownpapertickets.com/event/509548 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: Free concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm. (2306 42nd SW)
ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE: The annual evening bazaar-and-more event at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4 pm-7 pm, raising money for West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline. Admission: $5 per person w/canned food item or $15 per family w/food donation for each family member; without a donation, $10 per person or $25/family. Appetizers and spiced cider; elegant bake sale items; silent auction with variety of gift baskets – puzzles, games, wine, art and educational activities, gift certificates to events and restaurants, food-themed baskets, etc – ring toss game to win wine prizes, and wine tasting. (4105 California SW)
GINGERBREAD HOUSE-BUILDING: Come watch the competition, which will be judged. The building begins at @ 5 pm in the WSCC Activity Center. (4400 42nd Ave SW)
SSCC COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT: South Seattle Community College presents a free choir concert at 7 pm. Go to Olympic Hall, Room 120, the tall building at the south end of campus. Works by Willan, Mager, Thomas and Shaw; audience singalong too! (6000 16th SW)
(Photos courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
Sweet-treat hospitality was a hit Saturday evening at the Log House Museum – Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals estimates around 50 people came by during while the LHM was offering “Cookies & Cider on the Porch.” Above, you see Marcy Johnsen, SWSHS board president and former LHM resident, telling visitors about its history. Below, a little clowning around with (from left) volunteers Amanda Gilbert and Debbie Neifert and visitor Karen Choyce, Newcastle resident and former West Seattleite:
The museum’s regular hours are noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays, so even if you didn’t make it to Saturday’s event – timed to coincide with the Christmas Ship‘s Alki visit – you can enjoy its exhibits and decorations (at 61st/Stevens) as soon as this afternoon! You might find a unique gift or two there, too – perhaps a “scenic” shopping bag.
If you’re planning on Christmas-tree shopping today (Sunday), the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor) invites you to make a morning out of it – with a pancake breakfast! It’s the second special event of the weekend for the tree lot, where HR’s pastor Father John Madigan celebrated the annual “blessing of the trees” on Friday night, which is when we took the photo you see above. Today’s breakfast, with pancakes, ham, and bacon, will be served whenever you stop by the school hall (42nd SW north of SW Genesee) between 9 am and noon, and Santa Claus will be there for photos (bring your own camera). Breakfast is $15/family, or $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/child. The tree lot will be open on the north side of the school for your post-breakfast (and beyond) shopping convenience; wreaths too.
Though the temperature was already back down into the 20s, hundreds of people came to the heart of The Junction to celebrate tonight’s Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. They heard warm words of West Seattle pride from Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan, who welcomed the crowd on behalf of the Junction Association, talking about the revitalization of The Junction and how the community has embraced it. He introduced first-time emcee Brent Amaker, known for his country band The Rodeo as well as for his West Seattle business hat (insurance agent) – below, Brent and Matt with Oliver Little, the logistics powerhouse behind big Junction events like this and Summer Fest:
Musical guests included the Endolyne Children’s Choir as well as Jay Cates and Mark Pickerel; the warmup performance was by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band:
(added) Here’s video of the event in its entirety, starting with Matt’s remarks:
(Still a couple video clips to add Sunday, including the Sealth band and the WSHS band, which performed nearby just before the lighting event.) Meanwhile, check out the Hometown Holidays schedule here – next big event, an Art Walk/Shop Late Thursday extravaganza this coming Thursday (December 12th).
The sun had just set when the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship and its accompanying vessels arrived at Lowman Beach tonight, first of two stops on its first of two nights visiting West Seattle this season. Seattle Parks set up a hospitality tent as always, as well as a bonfire, while, from onboard, The Dickens Carolers spent about 20 minutes serenading hundreds lining the shore. After Lowman, the Christmas Ship sailed on to Alki. If you missed tonight’s stops, you have another chance on Monday, December 16th, when the Christmas Ship will bring the Pacific Sound Chorus to Elliott Bay just off the shores of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) and vicinity (Seacrest Park) 9:15-9:35 pm. Its full schedule of stops around Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Lake Union is here.
Lots of student creativity at the Schmitz Park Elementary holiday bazaar/arts-crafts-etc. sale happening right now, until 3 pm. Above, third-graders are having a bake sale, and half the proceeds (as mentioned in our Holiday Guide) will go to West Seattle Elementary‘s outdoor-education crowdfunding campaign. Among the arts/crafts vendors, you’ll find Cali with handmade items including the ever-popular duct-tape wallets:
Ben and Fin have turned superhero figurines into Christmas-tree ornaments:
Closer look:
Schmitz Park is at 5000 SW Spokane, and the sale is on until 3 this afternoon.
A silent auction of Christmas Barbies is one of the most unusual things you’ll find at the first annual Peace Lutheran Church holiday bazaar, under way right now at the church in Gatewood. Handmade items too (including knit scarves to keep you warm!) – and if you are short on decorations for your tree, the ornaments on this one are all up for sale!
Lunch is being served, too, until 1 pm. Peace Lutheran is at 39th/Thistle.
(Reader photo: Frozen bubbles over ice-shrouded pebbles!)
Bundle up and get out! Hundreds of your neighbors in West Seattle (and a bit beyond) have been getting ready all year for this one huge day – the LONG list of highlights from the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide and our year-round calendar:
KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: On until 11 – details and photos in our previous story. (40th/Edmunds)
SCHMITZ PARK ELEMENTARY HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR: At the school, 10 am-3 pm. **SPECIAL FUNDRAISER:** The third-graders are having a bake sale and plan to donate half their proceeds to the West Seattle Elementary crowdfunding effort for outdoor education. (5000 SW Spokane)
PEACE LUTHERAN BAZAAR & LUNCH: First-ever holiday bazaar at Peace Lutheran Church – details in our calendar listing. 10 am-4 pm, with lunch available too, 11 am-1 pm. (39th/Thistle)
WSUU ARTS/CRAFTS SHOW/SALE: 4th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Hall, 10 am-4 pm, including jewelry, felted hats, knits, watercolor and acrylic paintings, designer bags and accessories, weaving, pottery, greeting cards, stocking stuffers, edible holiday goodies, glass art, and more. Free refreshments. (7141 California SW)
ARROWHEAD GARDENS HOLIDAY BAZAAR. 10 am to 3 pm in building “B,” with artists displaying their quality handcrafted gifts and collectables – jewelry, holiday cards, gift tags, ornaments, wreaths, crochet hats and scarves, more. Music and refreshments too. (9220 2nd SW)
BENEFIT RUMMAGE SALE: 10 am-7 pm, VFW Hall in The Triangle, proceeds benefiting student world travel. (36th/Alaska)
WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Prospective families are welcome to visit Westside School (WSB sponsor) 10 am-noon – details here. (34th/Holden)
SANTA PHOTOS: “Santa Al” is at JF Henry (WSB sponsor) from 10 am-1 pm. Later from 1:30-4:30 pm, he’ll be at Smallclothes. Bring your own camera to either location, where you can take your shot with “Jolly Old St. Nick” – or for a $5 fee, you can get a photo taken with a print made on-site. … Also, “Ex-Westwood Santa” is at CAPERS 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.
HOLIDAY ART SALE: More than a dozen artists in one Alki spot, 10 am-6 pm. (3245 60th SW)
(Added 10:11 am: “Santa Paws” photo shared by Doug Baldwin)
SANTA PAWS: Photos with Santa Claus and your pet(s)! West Seattle Windermere in The Junction, 10 am-1 pm. Cash or nonperishable food donations, to benefit charity (4526 California SW)
ECLECTIC HOLIDAY STUDIO SALE Eclectic Holiday Studio Sale, 12-5, with ceramics, jewelry, prints, encaustics, wine toppers, small art quilts, and more. All handmade from local artists. … “Bring your camera and take a photo with a stuffed but friendly Santa from the old dime store!” (5417 42nd SW)
KNOW A ‘ROSIE THE RIVETER’? Georgie Bright Kunkel and other local “Rosies” are meeting today, 1:30 pm – but you have to call in advance – details here.
BE IN A VIDEO! West Seattle Office Junction needs extras for a promotional video they’re shooting 2-3:30 pm today. “No pay, just fun – bring a laptop and sit at a desk pretending to work,” says co-proprietor Stefan. Just show up! (5230-B California SW)
SOUTH PARK ART UNDER $100: One of the biggest arts/crafts sales of the holiday season, and we know some West Seattle artists are among those participating. 2-9 pm at South Park Community Center; see details here. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
WINTERFEST: Big event at Concord International Elementary School in South Park – fun and fundraising! 2-6 pm, performances, folk dancing, raffles, carnival games, face-painting, food, kids’ crafts, holiday photos, more. Admission $1. (723 S. Concord St.)
ST. JOHN’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA, 2-5 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church: “Not to be missed, this fun and festive Christmas Tea includes a Silent Auction.” (California/Hanford)
BLITHE BAZAAR: This afternoon/evening in downtown White Center, you can shop the 4th annual Blithe Bazaar, “a cozy evening of sips, sweets, and shopping, supporting local artisans and crafters.” Hosted by Center Studio (WSB sponsor). (9611 16th SW)
12 BARS OF CHRISTMAS PUB CRAWL with 12 stops, starting at A Terrible Beauty at 4 pm. Full schedule, map, etc. on this Facebook event page.
CHRISTMAS SHIP VISITS: Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle! 4:20-4:40 pm at Lowman Beach, 5:10-5:30 pm at Alki Beach. Bonfires, caroling, music from the onboard chorus.
WHILE YOU ARE AT ALKI FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHIP, #1: Stop by the Log House Museum for cookies and cider on the cheerily decorated porch, as previewed here, 4-6:30 pm. (61st/Stevens)
WHILE YOU ARE AT ALKI FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHIP, #2: Christmas Ships and Sips at Coastal! “Join us for the annual Christmas Ship (visit) on Alki and shop an exclusive Brooklyn Grace Trunk show! The ship will be singing around 5:30 pm, giving plenty of time before and after to come in for some holiday cheer in a cup and great sales!” 4-7 pm. (2532 Alki SW)
TREE LIGHTING IN THE JUNCTION: 10th annual West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 pm. Brent Amaker emcees, Endolyne Children’s Choir, vocalists Mark Pickerel and Jay Cates, and Chief Sealth International HS Marching Band perform. Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska)
TREE LIGHTING IN SOUTH DELRIDGE: White Center Tree Lighting is at Delridge Triangle Park, 5 pm. (16th/Delridge/Roxbury)
ELLIS BROTHERS JAZZ TRIO WINTER CONCERT 7-8:30 pm at Hiawatha Community Center. West Seattle’s Ellis Brothers (Jack, 14, and twins, Luke and Ben, 12) will perform their interpretations of jazz standards and a some holiday favorites. Light refreshments will be served by Emeritus-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor). Tickets are $5 at the door. (2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: Tonight, WSMM presents two movies about coal – details in our calendar listing. 7 pm, at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)
Don’t throw the bread in the toaster or pour the cereal into the bowl – go have breakfast (if you haven’t already) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle!
It’s been a tradition for more than half a century. They – and Santa Claus (below, with Kiwanian Mike LaFranchi)! – are in action until 11 am at the Masonic Center (40th and Edmunds).
Just $10 at the door, and kids under 10 eat free; proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital cancer research and the Kiwanis’s community work.
(Linda Cox and Warren Lawless of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle)
And bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if you can! More details here. (Photos added 9:15 am)
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