West Seattle, Washington
11 Tuesday
Though a few local businesses have had trees since last weekend, today is the traditional start to Christmas tree season, and so it is Day 1 at the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot on the north side of campus. It was already bustling at midday. The HRS tree lot (a WSB sponsor again this season) has a few unique attributes: Besides being a fundraiser for the school, the tree lot gives 15 percent of its proceeds to local charities (West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline, the Salvation Army’s Hickman House domestic-violence shelter). Also – it has a comprehensive website with lots of info. And this might well be the only tree lot distributing doorhangers, like the example shown here by Henry:
Holy Rosary Tree Lot is open until 9 tonight, 9 am-9 pm weekends and 2 pm-9 pm weekdays, through December 15th. And next Friday (December 6th) at 6 pm, you’re invited to the annual Celebration of Trees holiday event.
OTHER PLACES TO BUY TREES: We are continuing to update a comprehensive list in the WSB Holiday Events and Info Guide, with tree sellers from Alki to White Center; if you know of someplace we’re missing, please let us know!
It’s National Native American Heritage Day, the Duwamish Longhouse points out, as its three-day Native Holiday Gift Fair begins. Some artisans are even at work as shoppers visit, including Jimmy Price, in our photo above. Below, some of the items created and offered for sale by Louie Gong – skateboards and smartphone cases:
(See a closeup of the cases in this photo we shared on Facebook.) Most of the artists are in the main longhouse gathering room, but don’t pass through the museum area too quickly – that’s where we spotted Paul D.G. Eubanks and friend, right next to the Christmas tree:
Clothing and jewelry are among the other items you’ll see – and drinks and snacks are available for purchase too. The Duwamish Longhouse is at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW (map) in West Seattle, and the gift fair continues until 4:30 pm today, then 10 am-4:30 pm again tomorrow and Sunday.
Volunteers from West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center kept their tradition of Thanksgiving giving for the encampment residents of “Nickelsville,” even though it moved on to three new locations three months ago. Center director Lee Bui shares the photos. He says the group led by Dr. Tran Hai Khanh, M.D., went to all three sites within a few hours at midday today, first Skyway, then the two encampments in central Seattle. The brought clothes and seafood gumbo and gave haircuts and vaccinations.
Bui says that while it was foggy, it was more beautiful than last year since it wasn’t raining!
The Vietnamese Cultural Center, if you haven’t been, is at 2236 SW Orchard, a block west of Delridge, and is open to the public on Saturday afternoons. This is the third year it’s brought a group of volunteers to Nickelsville – at the West Seattle site in 2011 and 2012, and now the three others – for Thanksgiving.
If you’re not having Thanksgiving with family and/or friends, you still don’t have to be alone. A room full of your neighbors is enjoying the 15th annual free community dinner presented by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering owners David and Meg Haggerty and David Meckstroth. The tables are beautifully set with centerpieces featuring donated flowers:
The kitchen crew is hard at work (last year we joined T&TS executive chef Michael Chase for an early look at everything that goes into this mega-meal):
While T&TS caters the dinner, donated desserts are welcomed every year:
And while you don’t have to be in need to come enjoy the meal – it’s truly offered as an all-community event – for anyone who is, these donations are available too:
The Haggertys’ son Andrew (below, with his dad, who is also president of the Fauntleroy Community Association) is among the volunteers helping out:
Still time to get there if you see this before 3 pm; The Hall is on the south side of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse at 9131 California SW.
(Common Mergansers, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
Thanksgiving Day 2013 is off to a foggy start in West Seattle (see traffic cams here, and the forecast here). We wish you a joyful holiday! Here’s the annual reminder that if you are looking for information on:
–Coffee shops that are open
–Restaurants/bars that are open
–Grocery-store hours
–Beverage-store hours
–Free community dinners (there are two!)
–Morning workout opportunities
–Church services
…as always, you can find ALL that information here on WSB, in the Thanksgiving section atop the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide.
If you’re taking transit – Metro is on a Sunday schedule; the Water Taxi is not running; Washington State Ferries is on a normal weekday schedule.
If you’re looking for a way to do a good deed today – starting at 10 am, you can donate desserts and/or warm clothing at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), where the annual free community dinner happens noon-3 pm.
More to come!
Way up on a steeply pitched roof across from the Charlestown water tower, Jim Winder was hard at work today with finishing touches on the 5th edition of West Seattle Lights / Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular, which debuts with a ceremony Saturday night.
We dropped by to catch him in action after he sent the official announcement about what’s new this year:
On Saturday, November 30th, West Seattle Lights will have their 5th Annual Lighting Ceremony at the home of Corey and Taylor Helmstetler at 3908 SW Charlestown. The public is invited free of charge, but attendees are asked to bring a food or cash donation for either West Seattle Food Bank or The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation.
This year the Helmstetler Christmas Spectacular will have a NEW Master Of Ceremonies … a talking and singing 8 Foot Tall Snowman!!! Along with his two talking/singing Christmas Trees, Jaeley and Jaxton!
Earlier in the year we had a Name The Snowman Contest and we will be announcing the winner and the Snowman’s new name!
If you’re planning on a Santa photo with your kid(s) this season – note that the plan for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) is different this year:
The West Seattle Junction Association is hosting ONE Santa Photo fundraiser for WestSide Baby this year.
On Sunday, December 1, from 11 am – 3 pm, Junction Plaza Park will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop. With professional photography by Donna Ryan of City Mouse Studio, a suggested donation of $15 will go directly to WestSide Baby and help local families. Digital photos will be available and perfect for your holiday cards or calendars. Additionally, neighborhood businesses will host arts and crafts booths. Thank you to Curious Kidstuff, Hotwire Coffee, and Young at Art for being Santa Helpers!
Santa will also be in The Junction on December 21 and 22 for a casual meet and greet at City Mouse Store from 11 am – 3 pm. There will NOT be a photographer on site, but a special Santa moment awaits your child. WestSide Baby elves will be hosting a diaper drive, so come prepared to receive holiday cheer and give holiday help.
See the complete Hometown Holidays calendar by going here; you’ll also find it in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide, along with other local Santa photo ops around West Seattle this season, and a sleighful of other holiday info to help you plan (and enjoy!).
1:04 PM TUESDAY: Three days until the My Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown – and we have word of at least three local participants to watch for: The Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School marching bands, plus the Salty’s nutcrackers (which are teamed with the WSHS band, according to an announcement from Salty’s [WSB sponsor]). We’re hoping to get the official parade lineup so we can check for other local participants – in the meantime, please let us know if you’re part of it, or know someone from West Seattle who is. The parade starts at 9 am Friday, and runs along the route shown above, from 7th and Pine down to 5th, south on 5th to University, then turning back north on 4th until it ends at, of course, Macy’s.
10:47 AM WEDNESDAY: Thanks to Trisha for this update: “Just wanted to add that Evergreen City Ballet will also be participating with Salty’s and the bands. The ballerinas will be wearing Nutcracker costumes and marching in the parade. My daughter is a sophomore at CSIHS and will be one of them!” (Added) Also from comments, at least one West Seattle girl, a WSHS student, will be marching with the La Señoritas Sabers drill team.
Donating to your local food banks is a cool thing to do. Just ask Michelle, who shared that photo when she and her son (holding a turkey) bumped into former Mayor Greg Nickels and wife Sharon Nickels at the West Seattle Food Bank as they dropped off turkey donations over the weekend. It’s not too late for you to donate turkeys, too:
*West Seattle Food Bank, southeast corner of 35th/Morgan, until 3 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow/Wednesday
*White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of WS), southwest corner of 8th SW/SW 108th, open at 8:30 am daily through Wednesday (update on closing times: 5:30 tonight, 6 Tuesday, 7 Wednesday)
*While turkeys are not needed, a few other things are when The Hall at Fauntleroy opens its doors Thanksgiving Day for the 15th annual free community meal catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, whose Carol Madaio says, “We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.” (They’re on the south end of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.)
These are the only Thanksgiving-week-specific donation drives we know about – but if you have anything to add, please let us know ASAP! Other holiday-giving opportunities, from collection drives to fundraising events, are listed in our Holiday Guide.
A one-of-a-kind holiday-gift sale is under way right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym – devoted entirely to fair-trade items (as explained in our West Seattle Sunday preview) – and there’s a benefit bake sale, too. Above, Daphney is there with scarves; below, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Andrew, with the 3rd-graders’ bake sale:
The bake-sale beneficiary is WestSide Baby. You can check this all out at the OLG gym – northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle – until 1:30 this afternoon.
Tom Henry is all smiles – and sporting seasonal style – as day 1 of the Holiday Open House at his Junction store JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) goes into mid-afternoon. As always, it’s two floors of fun and shopping:
Upstairs, you’ll find the treats, and special events such as author appearances today – West Seattle cookbook author Erin Coopey is there right now, until 3:30 – and then tomorrow, five demonstrations and clinics from knives to coffee and beyond, all listed here. If you come with a little one, don’t miss the model train running in the window; we grabbed a quick Instagram clip:
And you know it’s prime shopping if there’s a Santa sighting:
“Santa Al” was just making a cameo today, but will return for photos 10 am-1 pm on December 7th, two weeks from today. Meantime, the JF Henry open house is on until 6 today, 10 am-5 tomorrow with those aforementioned demonstrations, at 4445 California SW.
As listed in our West Seattle Saturday highlights, it’s a day full of great start-of-the-holiday-season events, many of which offer the chance to do good – help nonprofits and small businessfolk, for starters. Bazaars are often excellent places for that – like the one under way until 4 pm at Seattle Lutheran High School‘s gym (4100 SW Genesee). Above, scarves on sale with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the SLHS student council. And $10 holiday pies!
Also happening right now – an extra-special reason to stop in and see Lori and Tim McConnell at West Seattle Runner (NW corner of California/Charlestown, upstairs; WSB sponsor):
Mega-fundraiser Tracy Dart is the beneficiary – here’s why. Stop in and do some early holiday shopping at WS Runner, from apparel to gear like Garmin wristband GPS – snacks, silent auction, and a raffle too, open until 7 pm tonight.
(Trees now on sale at ‘The Seasonal Help‘ at Village Green Perennial Nursery)
Earlier this week, we launched this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide – Holiday Guide for short – and wanted to make note today of a few things in case you already have gone through it:
*Hoping to eat out on Thanksgiving? Some restaurants are open – here’s the direct link to the list we have so far
*Tomorrow’s turkey giveaway and two free community dinners Thursday are on the Thanksgiving list in the guide
*Today’s the last day to order a pie in the Pathfinder K-8 school benefit – scroll through the guide to the Holiday Fundraisers/Donation Drives section
*Christmas tree sales start today at two three locations; see the tree-lot list in the guide
The guide is also full of holiday bazaars and open houses – this weekend is big! – concerts and more. And we are continuing to update it at least once a day as we get word of more events to include – send yours to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Show of hands, now, who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? That’s Dave Montoure, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board chair, doing the asking during the Chamber’s “After Hours” event at Westwood Village on Thursday night. Call it the first holiday party of the year, convened at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor):
The heart of the party was a sampler of Westwood businesses – including Massage Envy (WSB sponsor), whose therapist Gunnar offered five-minute samples:
Westwood’s Holiday Wonderland opens for Santa photos the day after Thanksgiving, two doors down from Pier 1.
The West Seattle Food Bank team shared that photo from the Wednesday afternoon turkey-donation drive in The Junction (WSB coverage here) – that charitable West Seattle was their first of 51 turkey donors. More followup in this report from WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino:
Thanks all in our West Seattle community your help with our 1st Annual Turkey Drive last night at Easy Street Records; we so appreciate it! We were able to bring in 51 turkeys and over $1,200, which is equivalent to approx. 170 turkeys. If the community wasn’t able to stop by last night, they still have an opportunity to donate turkeys or funds by stopping by the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan St. (corner of 35th & Morgan) on Friday from 9 am – 3 pm or Sat. from 2 – 5 pm or going to www.westseattlefoodbank.org and donating.
They hope to have 500 turkeys (small-ish is best, around 10 pounds) for next week’s holiday food distribution, so the drive put them a third of the way there.
This year’s edition of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide is live! Besides following that link, you can find it any time by clicking the HOLIDAYS tab atop every page of WSB. We’ll be adding to it daily (sometimes multiple times a day) as more events, donation drives, and info snippets come in, from now through New Year’s Day; it’s your one-stop shop for all types of holiday-related information, grouped by types rather than dates (if you want to see what’s happening on any given day, our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar remains the place for that.) If your holiday event/etc. isn’t in the guide yet, please send information as soon as possible to editor@westseattleblog.com. Our guidelines, as with regular calendar items, are:
-Information in plain text in the body of your e-mail, NOT in a Word/PDF doc (etc.).
-Doesn’t have to be a big wordy “press release,” just a few basic facts is fine!
-Photos/posters not required but if you send one, please send as a .jpg.
-Please include a Web and/or Facebook link for your event if available; if you’re charging admission and are selling tickets online, a link for that would be great too, to save us the time of looking for it.
-Unless it’s something you’ve scheduled at the last minute, PLEASE send at least a week in advance.
Thank you and happy holidays!
Going grocery shopping in the next few days? You might not be ready to buy your Thanksgiving turkey yet, but it’s the perfect time to shop for one (or more) to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank – which has a special donation event coming up this Wednesday (November 20th) in The Junction. The announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank is looking for 500 donated 10 lb. turkeys to help all of our clients in need have a delicious turkey on their table for Thanksgiving. It’s even more difficult now, with the recent SNAP (Food Stamp) cuts, for our clients to provide healthy meals for their families. Help us by bringing a frozen 10-pound turkey to Easy Street Records in the Junction, Wednesday, 11/20, 4-7 pm! No need to park – we’ll be outside, ready to grab your turkey, or donate cash and we’ll buy the turkey for you! PLEASE HELP US provide all of our clients with a happy Thanksgiving meal!
If you would rather give money than a turkey, WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino tells WSB that $10 is their approximate cost for a 10-pound turkey. They’re asking for that size because “we have a lot of single people and small families, and it’s easier for us to store.” (You can also donate $ online – just go here.)
For the “Star Trek” fan on your holiday gift list … we spotted this pillow at the first-ever Fauntleroy Schoolhouse holiday bazaar, under way until 5 pm. “Star Wars” and “Charlie Brown Christmas” throw pillows right next to it! Also on hand, Fauntleroy entrepreneur Gail Ann, with some fun items:
Near the historic schoolhouse’s front door, you’ll find Amie and her young assistant Isabella:
And steps away, it’s the place to bring your donation – cash and/or food items – for the West Seattle Food Bank:
That’s Renée. The bazaar participants are lining the hallway of the renovated schoolhouse – worth a stop all by itself – and don’t miss the bake sale in the conference room, where you also will find free coffee, cider, and water. The schoolhouse is at 9131 California SW. (Right across from Fauntleroy Church, where there’s more shopping to be done at the Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show until 4 pm, another of the events in today’s lineup of calendar highlights.)
Just dropped by night one of the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show – 16 local artists, photographers, crafters, and other artisans (here’s the list) showing and selling their work, until 8 pm tonight, then again tomorrow and Sunday. Dee Miller‘s metal garden art, above, is marked $50, perfect for the 12th Man (or Woman, or Kid, or …) in your life. It’s a mellow, festive mood in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW), with live piano music (Bronwyn Edwards was playing while we were there), holiday decorations, and more.
ADDED 8:13 PM: A few more of the participants –
That’s Claire Jauregui, with creations including cards and “onesies” for babies with inscriptions including “Made in West Seattle.” If you’re looking for something to keep you warm, go see Ann Dawson‘s knit hats and accessories:
Up on the stage, we found Bill Reiswig with cut-paper and wood-block designs:
Tomorrow’s hours are 10 am-4 pm; Sunday, 11 am-2 pm.
Bazaar/gift sale season is intensifying (including Fauntleroy Church tonight through Sunday, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and Grace Church tomorrow), but at least one still has room for artists, artisans, craft creators to sign up – “Gifted,” the annual holiday sale at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, set for 11 am-6 pm December 8th. Contact info is on the mini-poster above – let Feedback GM Gia Griffitts know if you want in.
P.S. Yet another call for holiday info, as we’re close to publishing the first draft of the WSB Holiday Events Guide – if you have a sale, show, service, Santa, lights, tree lot, open-on-Thanksgiving-and/or-Christmas restaurant or coffee shop, or anything else special (and open to the public) for any or all of the upcoming holidays, PLEASE send us some info ASAP! editor@westseattleblog.com … thank you.
15 days until Thanksgiving Day, but you can do something now to help make it a more festive holiday for local families in need. The White Center Food Bank, whose service area includes part of West Seattle, would be thrilled if you can add at least one to-be-donated turkey to your shopping list:
The holidays are approaching quickly. To help us feed our clients we are asking for you to consider picking up a turkey while doing your shopping.
For us to purchase wholesale turkeys, it is over $1.00 a pound. Many local retailers are offering special deals on turkeys for much less. Look for deals while shopping and pick up a turkey or two and drop them off at the Food Bank Monday-Friday between 9 am-5 pm at 10829 8th Ave SW. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Here’s a map.
One of West Seattle’s longest-running Thanksgiving traditions is happening again this year – and the official announcement is just in from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes:
Just wanted to get the word out about our Free Community Thanksgiving Community Meal at The Hall at Fauntleroy this Thanksgiving Day on Thursday November 28th from 12 noon until 3 PM.
All are welcome for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Executive Chef Michael Chase. This is the 15th year that Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes owners Meg and David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have hosted this wonderful dinner. They are joined by a wonderful group of volunteers who help greet our welcome guests and serve dinner.
We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 AM.
We are located at 9131 California Ave SW in the Fauntleroy Community School House across the street from the Fauntleroy YMCA.
If your business, organization, group, school, etc., has an event – including any kind of donation drive – happening this holiday season, please make sure we know about it, for our calendar and the annual WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, the first draft of which is going “live” within the next few days – thanks!
Just before sunset, one final solemn ceremony on this Veterans Day: Scout Troop 375, based in Burien, came to Alki for a formal flag-retirement ceremony. More than two dozen people joined them.
With flames and Taps, as per tradition, the flag was taken out of service.
The troop and Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes had invited community members to bring flags for a future retirement event; some did. (No date set yet.)
| Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Tree time, at Holy Rosary and elsewhere