West Seattle, Washington
03 Monday
(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.
(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!
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