No rain, no snow – just lights, music, a bonfire, and an audience as the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship (WSB sponsor) made its first of three 2012 West Seattle stops tonight at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. The other two are tomorrow – 4:35 pm at Lowman Beach and 5:25 pm at Alki (with a music-fest on shore, as noted here earlier this week). More from tonight’s stop, coming up.

‘Tis the season for sampling – and for everybody still planning holiday gatherings, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) welcomes you to a holiday-appetizer tasting happening right now, till 7 pm. (For more holiday events, including tastings – see our Holiday Guide.)

Two nights till West Seattle’s next tree lighting, and the highest-elevation Christmas tree in the city (about 500′ above sea level) is being readied for the big moment. Passing 35th and Myrtle, we spotted the lights going up on the big tree outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School, and pulled over to get a quick pic. Everyone’s invited to the 7 pm festivities this Friday night (December 7th), with caroling outside, then more holiday fun inside. Bring canned food for the food drive! (And check out lots more holiday-giving opportunities, and celebrations, and more, on the frequently updated WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.)

Thanks to the texter (206-293-6302 around the clock) who sent two early looks at the first West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Sunday, under way now till 3 – above, the first mule-drawn carriage ride (free) from the southwest corner of California/Alaska; next, looking at the northeast corner, a Santa sighting!

Photos at City Mouse (east of Cupcake Royale, in the photo), also till 3 pm – today it’s bring your own camera; next two Sundays will include a professional photographer. And while you’re shopping Junction stores throughout the season, don’t miss your chance to enter the holiday raffle.

(Saturday’s sunrise from Harbor Avenue SW, by Carolyn Newman)
Good morning! Today brings the season’s first West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) Sunday – the day after the gala tree lighting (WSB coverage here, with more photos/video added overnight) – atop the list of highlights for today/tonight, from our West Seattle Holidays Guide and regular West Seattle Event Calendar:

ARTS & CRAFTS @ C & P: C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor)’s annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair is today, 9 am-3 pm, 5612 California SW. More info here. Among the exhibitors: Machel Spence, known best for her nature microphotos – but she also makes and sells shell boxes (see them on her postcard).

ARTS AND CRAFTS @ ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Holiday Arts & Crafts Co-op Sale, 9 am-1 pm, 3050 California SW. Proceeds go to outreach; also bring a food-drive donation if you can. Details in our calendar listing.

SEATTLE SAMPLING TOUR: Visit local artists’ studios 10 am-5 pm – details in the calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

PATHFINDER K-8’S FAMOUS HANDMADE WREATHS: On sale 9:30 am-2 pm today at the Farmers’ Market.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS SUNDAY IN THE JUNCTION – FEATURING SANTA PHOTOS & CARRIAGE RIDES: 11 am-3 pm, Santa will listen to children’s Christmas requests at City Mouse Studio and Store (4218 SW Alaska) – but today, you’re the photographer, so bring your camera. The Junction Association will donate 100% of your donation to West Seattle charities. Also 11 am-3 pm, mule-drawn carriage rides in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm, free, leaving from the KeyBank corner at California/Alaska, which is where you will find the Hometown Holidays Headquarters with fun for kids, plus information on shopping, the Holiday Raffle, and neighborhood events. The official Hometown Holidays page has more info on all of the above.

STOTTLE WINERY TASTING ROOM OPEN: New WSB sponsor Stottle Winery has a tasting room at 3400 Harbor Avenue SW, open noon-6 pm today.

CHRISTMAS TEA AT LA ROMANZA BISTRO: Special weekend teas during the holiday season at La Romanza (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Info and reservations, here.

HOLIDAYS AT THE HOSPITAL: Not in West Seattle, but organized by Swedish Medical Center workers including two West Seattleites who asked us to share their invitation with you to come to today’s holiday celebration at the hospital. 1-4 pm, more details here.

2ND ANNUAL WEST SEATTLE DREAM-HOME TOUR: Collection of open houses, 1-4 pm – addresses on this flyer.

HANDS-ON HERBALISM: Seminar at Village Green Perennial Nursery (10223 26th SW) 2-4 pm, details here.

ALL-AGES LIVE-MUSIC MATINEE: Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 3 pm, details here.

HANUKKAH CONCERT: 4 pm today, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Kol HaNeshamah co-sponsor a celebration of the upcoming festival (it starts next Saturday night) starring the Seattle Jewish Chorale. Details in our preview from last night.

ST. NICHOLAS FAIRE: Annual holiday event at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (4105 California SW), 4 pm-7 pm, to raise money for West Seattle Helpline and West Seattle Food Bank:

We will have appetizers, a bake sale of homemade holiday sweets and treats, a wine toss game where you can win bottles of wine or sparkling cider, wine tasting with Maryhill Winery, where you can purchase bottles of wine for yourself or even holiday gifts, and a silent auction of many types of gift baskets, including Italian, children’s art and activities, games, puzzles, gift certificates to restaurants, baking baskets, etc, etc, etc!

Admission $5/person with canned food item or $15 per family with food donation for each member; if no food donation, $10 person/$25 family.

ONGOING TREE SALES, GIVING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE … in the Holiday Guide!

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, added late Saturday night)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:50 PM: The holiday songs are pouring from the speaker, the crowd is starting to gather, and the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Christmas Tree Lighting is coming up at the top of the hour. If you’re not already here, get down to Junction Plaza Park at 42nd and Alaska – the actual lighting is expected around 5:40 or so, but it can always run ahead of schedule, so the sooner you’re here, the better. Here’s the lineup as announced earlier in the week by the Junction Association.

5:49 PM: The tree is lit! as of a few minutes ago. (Added video – two kids from the crowd joined the Hi-Yu Junior Court to officially push the button.) The Junction Association estimated the crowd at about 500 – and the rain held off!

LATE SATURDAY NIGHT: Adding photos by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams and video by WSB editor Tracy Record. The Junction Association’s welcome was delivered by Doug Baldwin:

Here’s video, as Doug introduced longtime emcee Marty Riemer:

From ArtsWest in The Junction, stars of the holiday-season production “The Winter Wonderettes” wowed the crowd with brassy renditions of Christmas classics:

Video, including their introduction by AW leader Line Sandsmark:

More entertaining holiday songs were presented by West Seattle’s own Endolyne Children’s Choir:

Here’s video of their performance, including a few words by director Amy Stagno Bokanev:

Check out their concert schedule online. In addition to holiday music, the spirit of the season was discussed briefly by West Seattle Christian Church Pastor Dan Jacobs and by WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland, who were followed in this clip by a few more words from emcee Marty:

Meantime, the crowd enjoyed refreshments:

Hi-Yu Junior Court royalty including Queen Madison Stanley-Jones assisted with program distribution as well as (as seen in our video above) the lighting:

But the star remained .. the tree.

See you at the first Hometown Holidays Sunday tomorrow … with DIY Santa photos at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska) and mule-drawn-carriage rides, both 11 am-3 pm.

That’s the Junction Plaza Park Christmas Tree – photographed Friday afternoon, just about ready for tonight’s gala Hometown Holidays lighting ceremony at 5 pm (see you there)! That’s one of many events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (and our regular calendar) in this morning’s list of highlights:

WEST SEATTLE KIWANIS COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: As mentioned earlier this morning, it’s happening right now! Pancakes, juice, Husky Deli ham, photos with Santa, and more, till 11 am at the Masonic Hall, 40th and Edmunds. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if you can (and note that West Seattle Hi-Yu is selling their blown-glass ornaments, too).

THE COVE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 9:30-11 am today, come check out this West Seattle preschool (WSB sponsor) – details here.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon today, you are invited to drop by Westside School (WSB sponsor), an independent elementary/middle school, at 7740 34th SW – last open house during this admission season. Official invitation with details here!

HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS: 3rd annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show. 10 am-4 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Hall, 7141 California SW. “You’ll find original and one-of-a-kind gifts: felted hats; knits; jewelry; watercolor paintings; designer bags and accessories; greeting cards and stocking stuffers; edible holiday goodies; glass art; Shibori fiber art; and more. Enjoy free refreshments. Cash and checks only.”

DRUM, DANCE, AND SING: 11 am at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), for kids and parents – details here.

AVALON GLASSWORKS OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House at Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm. Details on the Facebook event page. Buy a beautiful glass apple to benefit White Center Food Bank!

BENEFIT PET PORTRAITS: Noon-6 pm at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District, benefiting Art for Animals’ Sake. Details here.

‘SANTA PAWS’: Noon-3 pm, 4700 42nd Ave SW, Suite 600, Jefferson Square Shopping Center: Bring your dog, cat, friend, or family for a complimentary photo with Santa! Or, just drop by to say hello, and enjoy some coffee and holiday treats. Hosted again this year by Prudential Northwest Realty and West Seattle Food Bank. Accepting donations for the Food Bank & Toys for Tots, but no contribution is required. Appointments recommended but not necessary – 206-932-4500.

FREE HOME-RENOVATION WORKSHOP: 1 pm at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor; California and Findlay), but call to see if there’s room – get the number and more info, here.

SNAP NEIGHBORHOOD-PREPAREDNESS MEETING: 1 pm at Hiawatha Community Center.

(“Ex-Westwood Santa” – photo courtesy Lisa Myers of CAPERS)
‘EX-WESTWOOD SANTA’ AT CAPERS: That’s where the Santa some knew as “Ex-Westwood Santa” (from 2010 and previous years) can be found. From CAPERS‘ Lisa Myers – It’s a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank. Cash and canned food will be collected to share with our neighbors in need. 2-6 pm today (for other dates, and other Santas, see the Holiday Guide).

JUNCTION TRIVIA CRAWL: Starts at 3 pm today, but you have to sign up! Get the info here.

ART UNDER $100: South Park’s big annual event, 3:30 pm-9 pm, full details here

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT FLEURT: 4-7 pm at Fleurt (4536 California SW). Proprietor Sam says, “We will be offering light snacks, a raffle, and door prizes. We would like our guests to bring along a food item for donation to the West Seattle Food Bank.”

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS TREE LIGHTING IN THE JUNCTION: West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 pm. Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska). Here’s the lineup, as published on WSB earlier this week, including live entertainment.

‘ROCKY HORROR’ AT THE ADMIRAL: Midnight tonight (like the first Saturday of most months) at Admiral Theater, it’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with shadow cast and all.

As long as this list is, it’s just part of what’s happening – see the Holiday Guide for more Santa photos, for Christmas tree sales, etc., and see the regular calendar for non-holiday events.