West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
Thank you to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for another view of what might not be the only pelican visiting West Seattle for Solstice/Christmas – David works with Seal Sitters and says first responder Robin Lindsey noticed two at Don Armeni earlier today! Meantime, winter has begun, and the last weekend before Christmas is under way. Lots to do tonight:
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE WINTER BREAK: Some independent schools are out already, but today is the last day of Seattle Public Schools classes, with one-hour-early dismissal districtwide.
LOTS OF SANTA! “Santa Al” is at Tram’s Salon till 1 pm, “Ex-Westwood Santa” is at CAPERS 3-7 pm, West Seattle Thriftway has Santa 4-7 pm, Westwood Village has Santa till x pm.
WINTER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: From NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen:
It’s time for the 15th seasonal sunset watch!! 4:05 pm (so come at 3:45 pm)
Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20 pm, but at the summer solstice we noticed that the Sun set about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says it does, so I’ve moved the time of our sunset watch up so we don’t miss it. Last autumn the timing seemed to line up correctly – what will it do this time?
Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.
SOLSTICE PARADE IN NORTH DELRIDGE: From the invite –
You are cordially invited to join Captain Snowflake and WinterFly in welcoming the start of Winter and the dawning of days with increasing light. This celebration is a 40-minute illuminated walk along the Longfellow Creek Legacy trails. 6:30 pm, Greg Davis Park, 26th Ave SW & Brandon Street SW. For the Solstice Parade, you are encouraged to wear an outfit or costume illuminated by lights or bring a lantern or flashlight to carry along the path.
WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: 6:30 pm December 21st at West Seattle’s Hummingbird Studio. From the Facebook invitation:
Honoring the Darkness, Celebrating the Light – Winter Solstice Fire Dancing, Ritual & Gong Meditation: Join Sound Therapist Sha’ari Garfinkel for this powerful Winter Solstice event featuring a special Sun-centered healing gong meditation, LIVE fire dancers including renowned performer DeAnna Riley, drumming, refreshments and more. For more information, please go to www.innerlistening.com or call 206.309.4667.
THE GRINCH AND RALPHIE, DOUBLE FEATURE! Highland Park Improvement Club‘s free-movie night includes “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story,” 6:30 pm (12th/Holden).
HOLIDAY CHURCH SERVICES TONIGHT: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has its “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” service tonight, and Arbor Heights Community Church has its candlelight Christmas service. Both are at 7 pm, and both are on our list of West Seattle Christmas church services – see the full list here.
SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE – THE MUSICAL: Locally created/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” continues its premiere run tonight, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – 7 ps. Tickets are available online here.
SEATTLE GIRLS’ CHOIR CONCERT: Seattle Girls’ Choir performs Lessons and Carols at 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church (4210 SW Genesee). Proceeds will go to Toys for Tots. Full details here.
CHRISTMAS VAUDEVILLE AND SINGALONG: Tonight at Kenyon Hall. Comedy juggling, live music by the Bottom Line Duo, Bob White at the Mighty Wurlitzer, and Lou Magor conducting the audience in a Christmas sing-along. 7:30 pm. Reservations and ticket info here.
NON-HOLIDAY NIGHTLIFE: Lots of it, on our regular calendar – see the listings here!
Always hate to start talking pre-Christmas about what to do with the tree post-Christmas, but in case you’re wondering, Seattle Public Utilities has just sent the information (which gives us another occasion to remind you that if you have Tuesday solid-waste pickup, it’ll be on Wednesday the next two weeks since Christmas/New Year’s are on Tuesdays):
City residents who subscribe to curbside food and yard waste collection can put their Christmas trees and holiday greens out on their regular collection day at no extra charge, from Dec. 26, 2012 to Jan. 13, 2013.
Multi-family buildings can put out one tree next to each food and yard waste cart per collection day at no extra charge during this time.
Trees should be cut into sections of six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet to fit into the collection trucks. Sections should be bundled with string or twine. Metal, plastic and ornaments in trees and wreaths must be removed.
Trees that are flocked and/or have tinsel or ornaments will be collected as extra garbage. Customers will need to cut the tree into three-foot pieces and each piece will be charged as extra garbage. Each unit of extra garbage costs $8.60. Plastic trees are not recyclable.
Seattle residents can also drop off their holiday trees and greens for free at Seattle Public Utilities’ North and South Recycling and Disposal stations between Dec. 26, 2012 and Jan. 13, 2013. The tree sections must be cut to eight feet or less in length and the trunk must be four inches or smaller in diameter. The limit is three trees per vehicle. Only trees and wreaths without flocking or decoration may be disposed free of charge.
The City of Seattle’s North Recycling and Disposal Station in the Fremont/Wallingford area and the South Recycling and Disposal Station in the South Park area will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1. The North Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 1350 North 34th Street. The South Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 8105 5th Ave South. The stations are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In case you need it again for reference, we’ll add this to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which will be up and running through New Year’s Day, too.
Walk into the bar at Yen Wor in The Admiral District tonight, and you’ll get a name tag like that – it’s the Christmas party that karaoke host Guy Olson organized for anyone who’s missing the classic company-party-type event because they’re work-at-home/unemployed/etc. Guy is presiding, with helper Katie:
And special guests – KING 5 reporter Zahid Arab and crew; back when Guy announced the party, we tweeted about it, and Zahid thought it sounded like a fun story, so they’re there (you might have noticed the live truck parked on the north side of the building):
You’re welcome to join in – sing, dance, wear a lampshade (you might have to bring your own), make up stories about imaginary officemates … If somehow you’ve never been to Yen Wor, it’s at California/College.
Just added to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide: The first draft of our “restaurants open on Christmas/New Year’s” list! You’ll find the links in the guide but for direct perusal now – here it is. This year, we’re including Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve information where applicable, too. Please let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com) about changes/additions – the information you see is the result of dozens and dozens of phone calls and even some in-person visits, and venues sometimes change the plan at the last minute. The coffee and supermarket lists are almost done, too, and will also be linked from the Holiday Guide (which, as previously announced, already has the Christmas Eve/Day church-services page linked too).
Thanks to John for the recent raccoon group photo from Sunrise Heights. Today brings multiple opportunities for you to hang out with others – from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and regular year-round Event Calendar:
STORY TIMES: Preschool Story Time at two local libraries this morning – Southwest (35th/Henderson) at 11 am, Delridge (Brandon/Delridge) at 11:15 am. P.S. – Note that all Seattle Public Library facilities will be closed MONDAY (Christmas Eve) as well as Tuesday (Christmas Day).
SPRUCE @ DESIGN COMMISSION: As first reported here on Monday, the project now in the works for the 39th/Alaska site long known as “The Hole” is going back to the Seattle Design Commission (1:30 pm, Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall) for a discussion of the “public benefit” component of the revised project. Open to the public, and there usually is a public-comment period. It’s part of an all-day meeting, so don’t wait for the doors to open – just go in when you get there.
FREE WINE TASTING: It’s all about “holiday wines” tonight at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-8 pm.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY!!! Last one before Christmas, 6-9 pm – participating merchants are listed here. At WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits: Discounts, and snacks/book signing with West Seattle-based, nationally renowned cookbook author Kim O’Donnel – details here.
ALSO OPEN LATE TONIGHT: Avalon Glassworks offers Hot Shop Late Thursday! “Shop late this Thursday until 8 pm. We’ll have live glass blowing to keep the house warm …”
‘WRAP IT UP’: Gift wrapping by donation with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals, 6–9 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 California SW (during their weekly Beer Tasting)
CELEBRATE MARTY RIEMER’S MOUNTAIN DEPARTURE: 7-10 tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – details in the Facebook invite.
HIGH SCHOOL CONCERTS: West Seattle High School Winter Concert tonight in the WSHS Theater, 7:00 pm; also at 7, at Chief Sealth International High School, concert by Denny International Jazz/Chief Sealth International Jazz 2/Chief Sealth International Jazz 1.
CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR WORK-AT-HOME/UNEMPLOYED/ETC.: And after you’ve shopped … Yen Wor karaoke host Guy Olson is organizing company-party-style festivities for those who won’t get them otherwise (he was last seen looking for a copy machine to borrow), starting at 9 pm.
WINTER SOLSTICE TOMORROW! And there are solstice events – including a North Delridge walk and Alice Enevoldsen‘s always-popular sunset watch – in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, along with other holiday events, all the way through New Year’s Day – we’re continuing to update it daily (it now includes the link to our full list of Christmas Eve/Day/etc. church services, and later today we’ll be adding the lists of restaurants/coffee open for the holidays.
With five days left until Christmas, time is running out for the giving trees and donation drives around town, and some have wrapped up already. Two updates:
First, there’s still time to help out the families who will benefit from the giving tree at CAPERS in The Junction. Proprietor Lisa Myers shared the photo, and says:
The Hickman House Giving Tree is still going strong and collecting donations for the moms and kids who are recovering from Domestic Violence. Gifts for women and children are being accepted through the 23rd of December at CAPERS, 4525 California SW in The Junction. The outpouring of support has been fabulous this year.
There are a few things needed to round out the gifts already acquired:
****All household items: kitchen utensils, pots & pans, silverware, dishes, glassware, twin sheets & blankets
****Gift cards to local establishmentsHickman House is transitional housing in West Seattle for moms/kids who are victims of domestic violence and is under the umbrella of the Salvation Army. All gifts and gift-card donations go directly to the residents living at the facility. CAPERS has sponsored the Hickman House Giving Tree since 1990.
Meantime, a successful holiday-giving drives that recently wrapped up shared a report, and this photo of some of the young helpers:
This drive covered not only West Seattle, but three other communities:
EuropaKids International Preschool, with locations in West Seattle, Burien, and Edmonds, teamed up with Annie’s Nannies of Ballard over the past few weeks and sponsored a diaper drive for WestSide Baby. We put a challenge out to our parents to bring in 5,000 diapers for donation.
We held an internal contest between the individual classrooms and not only did our families meet this challenge, we ended up collecting over 7,858 diapers! As you know, Westside Baby helps families with children by collecting and distributing car seats, clothing, toys, and diapers to local families in need. The holiday is season is upon us and these donations are extremely important to families who need a little extra help. Thank you to the families and staff who participated in this event!
In addition to the CAPERS Giving Tree above, other giving opportunities are listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
One week till Christmas – and two reminders from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (now adding more solstice and New Year’s events, plus last-minute Christmas happenings):
WORK AT HOME? COME TO THE PARTY! West Seattle Office Junction (forthcoming co-working space in West Seattle) is hosting a co-workers’/at-home workers’ Christmas party from noon to 1 at Beer Junction, 4511 California SW. Anyone and everyone is/are welcome to come. Bring your cookies, lunch and a dish to share, if you like, and show off your favorite Christmas sweater.
SING FOR YOUR SUPPER: From 5-10 pm at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor; 9261 45th SW), it’s Sing for Your Supper–Holiday Edition! Everyone is welcome to participate; you must sing a holiday carol for at least 1 minute and no more than 2 minutes, all a cappella. Singers will be awarded either a free beverage, appetizer, entrée, or dessert. Santa and his elves will be there too.
(1/1/12 West Seattle Polar Bear Swim on Alki, photo by Henrik via WSB Flickr group)
Half a dozen times in the past week or so, we’ve received inquiries about whether the annual Alki Polar Bear Swim is on for New Year’s Day as usual. So we e-mailed organizer Mark Ufkes to ask – and he has now formally announced the event for Tuesday, January 1, 2013:
The annual West Seattle Polar Bear swim starts at 10 am sharp on January 1 each year. It is a great way to wash away the complexities of the previous year, and celebrate the unlimited potential that awaits each of us in the new year. Year after year, Polar Bear swimmers declare that this ritual creates a sense of renewal, and helps make the new year stronger and more positive.
On January 1, 2013, West Seattle will attempt to reach 1,000 swimmers participating in a Seattle-area January 1 Polar Bear swim. We meet at Alki Beach across from Duke’s and Christos restaurant’s on Alki. Last January, we had about 325 swimmers on January 1, 2012. Swimmers gather at 9:45 am, fan out into a long line along our beautiful Alki beach, hold hands, and then, with a loud cheer, run together into Puget Sound sharply at 10:00 am. Swimmers should bring a towel, good water shoes and dry clothes to change into. Traditionally, Dukes restaurant generously provides free clam chowder and local families bring hot chocolate for the crowd. Afterwards, Alki beach is full of hundreds of smiling swimmers and their families and friends. Come join the fun. Do the West Seattle Polar Bear swim. You will have a great time!
We’re adding it now to the list of other New Year’s Day (and Eve, and Christmas Eve/Day) events/activities in the WSB Holiday Guide, which we’re continuing to update daily as the season continues.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Socks are among items often requested for the residents of the encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” – and this morning, its residents received more than 270 pairs, courtesy of the Arrowhead Gardens Residents Community. The group’s vice president, Diane Radischat, explains:
The Arrowhead Gardens Residents Community wanted to do something to help those in need. We needed to find a project that would work for anyone living here, something that was useful and most of all affordable to our residents. We decided on a ‘sock drive’ and chose the recipients to be the residents of Nickelsville.
Yesterday was our annual holiday event. We held a brunch and asked everyone to bring a pair of new socks. What a great success! We collected and delivered 271 pairs of socks along with 5 hats and 5 pairs of gloves.
And this morning, Diane and Darrell Orr, Alan Quigley, Lori Pelligrino, Sharon Schaffner, Joe Matthews, and Anne Rutherford, arrived with the special delivery. If you are interested in donations to Nickelsville – WSB Forums members have continued to organize deliveries large and small – most recently, a Christmas tree (read about it here).
Local animal advocates have launched the first of this year’s five installments of the “Wrap It Up” benefit – they do the wrapping, you decide how much to donate. In the top photo, texted from today’s wrapping site at Beveridge Place Pub, that’s David Walega of Art for Animals’ Sake and Teri Ensley from Furry Faces Foundation. Wrapping elves include Keri DeTore:
F3 is partnering with Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation in the gift-wrap sessions, which will continue:
*Thursday, Dec 20th, 6 – 9 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 California SW, West Seattle (during their weekly Beer Tasting)
*Saturday, Dec 22rd, 1 – 6 pm, at Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub; 255 SW 152nd, Burien
*Sunday, Dec 23rd, 1 – 6 pm, Beer Junction
*Christmas Eve (Monday, Dec 24th), 2 – 7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub
And today at BPP (6451 California SW and also in the midst of its specialty-bottle sale), Wrap It Up is scheduled to continue until 7 pm.
Till 3 pm, the covered mule-drawn carriage is continuing to make the rounds in The Junction, during the season’s final Hometown Holidays Sunday (with co-sponsors including WSB). You can catch a ride from the southwest corner of California/Alaska, where we also found Lashanna Williams and Cari Jones on duty at Hometown Holidays Headquarters:
They’re also there till 3, and you can enjoy a cup of cocoa and cheery holiday music while you wait for the carriage – or even if you just stop briefly while shopping. Kitty-corner from there, just past the northeast corner of Walk-All-Ways, City Mouse Studio is the location for the final round of Junction Santa photos with City Mouse proprietor/photographer Donna Ryan (your donation goes to charity), and 3 is also the closing time for that. But this isn’t the end of Junction festivities this season – there’s Shop Late Thursday four nights away, and some merchants will be keeping special later hours all week (Curious Kidstuff, for example, sent word the store will be open till 9 pm this Monday-Friday, till 7 pm Saturday the 22nd, and till 6 pm Sunday the 23rd – we’ll be adding that, and any other special late pre-Christmas West Seattle shopping hours we hear about, to the Holiday Guide).
(December 2 Junction Hometown Holidays mule-drawn carriage; photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Though it’s the second-to-last Sunday before Christmas, it’s the last one for many holiday events, since next weekend is a time for traveling and last-minute shopping. Among the highlights – the last Sunday for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), with the return of mule-drawn carriage rides! And the Admiral Theater’s free Christmas movie. The highlights, from the WSB Holiday Guide and regular year-round Event Calendar, right after weather/water/road alerts:
WEATHER ALERTS: Reminder, the National Weather Service has a High Wind Watch in effect for our area tonight through tomorrow morning, and a Coastal Flood Watch for the potential intersection of strong wind and the extra-high high tides. Speaking of which …
HIGHEST HIGH TIDE: 7:34 am is the second and last instance of the highest of the high tides in this “king tides” cycle – 13 feet. (Here’s the chart.)
TRAFFIC-ALERT REMINDER: The lane closure on southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct and Atlantic St. offramp closure are scheduled to continue till early Monday morning, so be forewarned of possible traffic backups till then – consider heading to West Seattle via alternate routes (1st Avenue South to Spokane St. Viaduct or 1st Avenue S. Bridge, 4th Avenue South to 1st Avenue S. Bridge, I-5).
**already closed**FINAL DAY FOR HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: 41st and Dakota, last scheduled day for the lot (a WSB sponsor) that’s benefiting not only Holy Rosary School, but also three local charities: West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline, and the Salvation Army’s Hickman House shelter for domestic-violence survivors.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: West Side Presbyterian Church presents “A Rockin’ Royal Christmas Pageant” at 9:40 am & 4:30 pm, 3601 California SW: “A Higher Calling to a Higher King – An action-packed musical that is complete with investigations, mystery, travel and oh yes – ‘royalty’. The songs are catchy and our orchestra will ‘rock’! Presented by our children and youth. All ages are welcome. A cookie reception will follow the 4:30 pm show. Admission is free.”
LAST CHANCE FOR PATHFINDER WREATHS: The handmade wreaths benefiting Pathfinder K-8 are scheduled to be available at their booth by the Farmers’ Market (next to KeyBank) one last time today, 9:30 am-2 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th and Alaska, as always.
SANTA PHOTOS IN THE JUNCTION: 11 am-3 pm, as part of Hometown Holidays, Santa will listen to your children’s Christmas requests at City Mouse Studio and Store (4218 SW Alaska). Professional Santa photos and printing – suggested donation of $15 or more goes to WestSide Baby.
MULE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES IN THE JUNCTION: 11 am-3 pm, FREE, courtesy of the West Seattle Junction Association. Take a traditional carriage ride down California SW, pulled by beautiful Belgian Draft Mules. Carriages depart on California SW in front of KeyBank at Hometown Holidays Headquarters.
STOTTLE WINERY TASTING ROOM: Noon-6 pm, 3400 Harbor Avenue; tasting info here (Stottle is a WSB sponsor).
BENEFIT GIFT WRAPPING: “Wrap It Up” with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals. The first session is today, 1-7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW (during the Specialty Bottle Sale and for a couple hours after).
SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE: Matinee performance of the locally written/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor), 2 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW); tickets available online. Bring your camera, because showgoers can take photos with Santa afterward!
‘EPIC OF THE NORTH WIND’: Native storyteller/artist Roger Fernandes invites you to “journey back to the time when the North Wind held this land under his power,” with song and dance, 2 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW). Cocoa and cookies (and see the Longhouse’s decorated tree). Details in the calendar listing.
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE RADIO PLAY’ FINALE: Twelfth Night Productions‘ holiday show will be performed one final time at 3 pm today at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW); tickets available online. Also: A Children’s Hospital toy drive is happening in connection with the show – bring a donation!
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: It’s meeting on a Sunday this time, for the holiday cookie exchange, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. Organizers suggest bringing 4 dozen to 6 dozen cookies. More info here.
‘THE WINTER WONDERETTES’: ArtsWest presents the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” 3 pm today. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.
FREE CHRISTMAS MOVIE! The Admiral Theater will show “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 4 pm as this year’s free Christmas movie, benefiting the Seattle Humane Society – bring donations to help them help animals – details in the original announcement.
FAUNTLEROY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: At Fauntleroy Church, 4 pm on the sanctuary performance stage. Bronwyn Edwards will direct choir, brass, and percussion in a medley of modern and traditional music of the season. The event will include carol singing and a reception. Free.
BELLS OF THE SOUND: “Home for the Holidays” concert by Bells of the Sound, 4 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 3940 41st SW – details here
When you have as many Christmas lights up as the Menashe family does, you’re probably entitled to more than one visit from Santa Claus. And so, with nine nights left before Christmas Eve, the jolly old soul is there tonight amid the bright lights in the 5600 block of Beach Drive SW, for photos with young Christmas-wishers, including some of the Menashe family’s youngest members:
If you see this before 10 pm, that’s how late Santa (in the persona of “Santa Al”) was scheduled to be on hand.
A unique way to help tell the Christmas story to children – twin a Living Nativity with a petting zoo! That’s what happened at ARK Park in Arbor Heights this afternoon – with animals including a donkey and llamas.
This was a presentation of Arbor Heights Community Church – one of the churches listed in our lineup of West Seattle Christmas Eve/Day church services. See the list here – and please let us know if you have an addition or change!
With the weather mixing snow/sleet/slush into the rain this afternoon, it’s extra-Christmasy as We Three Carolers and South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsors) sing in The Junction this afternoon – you are welcome to join them at California/Alaska till 3:30 pm. Less than a block away, West Seattle High School band members are performing:
They’re outside Windermere at 4526 California SW – where free gift wrap is available till 3:30 pm for Junction-bought items. Bring your receipt!
If you haven’t checked the Holiday Guide yet for what’s up today/tonight – here are the highlights! With a few from the year-round WSB Event Calendar too:
BAKE SALE FOR FAMILY REUNION: Till 3 pm today and 9-3 tomorrow, a new West Seattleite hoping to raise money for a holiday family reunion is having a bake sale. Read all about it here.
BLOOD DRIVE AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Till 3 pm. Drop-ins welcome but note that the Bloodmobile will be closed 11 am-noon. Details here.
FREE GIFT WRAP STATION! 11:30 am-3:30 pm: Let us wrap your Junction gifts! The West Seattle High School Music Program parents will staff our gift wrap station at Windermere (4526 California SW) while the students perform in The Junction. Please bring Junction retailer receipt. FREE wrap and ribbon, no boxes provided.
CAROLING IN THE JUNCTION: We 3 Carolers, and members of the South Seattle Community College Choir, will be caroling in The Junction, corner of Calif and Alaska, from 11:30-1:00, and 1:30-3:00. Come by and join us if you like to sing carols! We will also be collecting cash or check donations to the Food Bank. Thanks West Seattle and WC Neighbors! And special thanks to B Sharp Studio and Clowns Unlimited for sponsoring this 4th Annual Sing-Along for the Food Banks of West Seattle and White Center.
SANTA PHOTOS IN THE ADMIRAL DISTRICT: Free at Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) 12 pm to 4:00 pm, bring donations for West Seattle Food Bank (see wish list in the Holiday Guide).
SANTA PHOTOS AT THE MENASHE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY: “Santa Al” will be available for photos – free with your camera, or have a photo taken for $5 – at the Menashe Family lights display (5600 block of Beach Drive) from 5:30-10 pm.
(More Santa photo opportunities today are in the Holiday Guide)
SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE: Second weekend run for the premiere season of locally written/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor), 2 and 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW); tickets available online. Bring your camera, because showgoers can take photos with Santa afterward!
BLITHE BAZAAR: 4-8 pm at Center Studio in White Center, the next chance to buy holiday gifts from local artisans.
CHRISTMAS TREE SALES: Last big weekend. Son-In-Law Tree Farm just announced their trees are all half-price till gone (California/Charlestown). Holy Rosary School Tree Lot (WSB sponsor; 41st/Dakota) is in its final weekend, today and tomorrow.
LIVE NATIVITY SCENE WITH SMALL PETTING ZOO: Free! One donkey, two sheep, one lamb, five goats, two alpacas, 1-3 pm at the Arbor Heights A.R.K. Park behind Arbor Heights Community Church at 4113 SW 102nd.
CHAMPAGNE TASTING: West Seattle Cellars‘ special 1-5 pm tasting, annual grower Champagne tasting. (There will be a $10 fee for this tasting, which can be applied to a purchase.)
FONDUE PARTY: Junction QFC is having a Fondue Party – announcing that “dipping time is 2:00 till 6:00. Come join in the fun, we’ll be melting gooey, hot cheese and dipping bread, pickles, apples, and veggies! We are also having a raffle for a FREE Fondue Pot. Must be present to win.”
PARTY ON THE FINAL NIGHT OF HANUKKAH: It’s the eighth and final night of Hanukkah; celebrate at Kol HaNeshamah, 6115 SW Hinds, 4-8 pm. Details here.
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE RADIO PLAY’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ holiday show is in its final weekend at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm; tickets available online. Also: A Children’s Hospital toy drive is happening during the show’s run – bring a donation!
TIDAL EXTREMES CONTINUE: As the winter “king tides” continue, 12:15 am tonight (early Sunday) is the lowest, 7:34 am Sunday the highest (here’s the chart).
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
That pile of presents awaits kids at a South Park Community Center celebration today – thanks in no small part to the work of two Chief Sealth International High School seniors. We first told you last month about the toy drive Clint Hewitt and Conrad Hill organized as their senior project, Holidays 4 Hope. On Friday, like Santa Claus, they delivered what they had collected:
That’s SPCC’s Carmen Martinez hugging Conrad as Clint unloads more of the 425 toys they collected, donated by West Seattleites, schoolchildren to shop patrons:
At the center, volunteers were wrapping the presents soon to be received by excited kids:
Decorations were going up too – below right, Maja Hansen was working with volunteers from the Health Perspectives group:
Clint and Conrad had donation bins at 3 local businesses and 2 schools while collecting the toys they just delivered.
Though Holidays 4 Hope’s toy drive is over, lots of West Seattle giving opportunities remain – some listed in the WSB Holidays Guide
The occasional case of “mail theft” might just be the work of the treat-seeking squirrel photographed by Rich W‘s neighbors – thanks to Rich for sharing the photo! Here’s what’s up today/tonight as the second-to-last weekend before Christmas begins …
WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERT: A lane closure on the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is planned from late tonight till early Monday, as previewed here earlier this week, as part of the Atlantic Street overpass project.
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Monthly meeting 10 am-2 pm at Daystar Retirement Village (across Barton from Westwood Village) – you’re welcome for all or part of the meeting. Agenda and presentation details are in the calendar listing.
SANTA! Tonight “Ex-Westwood Santa” (maybe by next year we can just call him CAPERS Santa) is back at CAPERS, 3-7 pm, for DIY Santa photos – it’s a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, so bring cash and/or canned food to donate. Also tonight, the daily Westwood Village Santa photos continue – and you can check the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for this weekend’s other Santa appearances.
DINE WITH THE EAGLES: The West Seattle Eagles‘ Friday night dinners are open to the public – 4-7 pm – and listed in our regular Event Calendar.
HANUKKAH: Seventh of its eight nights.
DENNY BOOKFAIR: Tonight it’s Denny International Middle School‘s turn at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village – music, reading, and benefiting from the proceeds of sales with the special code this next week:
Come hear Denny IMS musicians play and students read, see student art, and help support literacy at Denny today, December 14 at 6:30 pm at Barnes & Noble (in Westwood Village, 2600 SW Barton Street, Suite E-1) A portion of all purchases (excluding electronics) will go to Denny! Tell all your friends and family too. If you cannot make the Barnes & Noble day in Westwood you may shop all week in any Barnes & Noble or barnesandnoble.com. To get credit for Denny, please use the code 10936813 when checking out. Thank you!
UPDATE: Not happening. ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Stage Struck presents “A Christmas Carol“ at 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church.
SANTA’S FIRST MAGICAL RIDE: Second weekend run for the premiere season of locally written/produced “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor), 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW); tickets available online. Bring your camera, because showgoers can take photos with Santa afterward!
‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE RADIO PLAY’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ holiday show continues at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm; tickets available online. Also: A Children’s Hospital toy drive is happening during the show’s run:
Please consider bringing a new unwrapped toy or gift card for these families. The following items are in greatest need: Crayola® crayons; Play Doh; fuzzy coloring posters; small Lego sets; Brio trains; nail polish; coloring books; arts and crafts kits; playing cards; tactile toys for all ages; rattles; links; Disney/Pixar DVDs; PG-13 DVDs; gift cards; videos, books, and music.
NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR AT HOLY ROSARY: We checked the website and it looks like tickets might be available for their always-popular “Festival of Lessons and Carols” – 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church, with four West Seattle singers among those performing.
LOTS OF LIVE NON-HOLIDAY MUSIC: Tonight’s slate stretches from Yesow at C & P Coffee to The Slags with Snowday at Poggie Tavern to Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki – with Skylark, Benbow, Feedback shows too – the detailed listings are on our regular Event Calendar (to open any listing, first mouse over the right side to get the “plus” sign, click that, then click “Read more” for full details).
TIDAL EXTREMES CONTINUE: As the winter “king tides” continue, 11:28 tonight is the lowest, 6:50 am Saturday the highest (here’s the chart).
Leading into the peak of holiday-party season – tonight’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce celebration at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. Above, chamber board chair Dave Montoure with Lisa from Washington Federal – and next, a politician sighting (not unusual at Chamber events):
That’s City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Tim Burgess. He also visited the peninsula a week and a half ago to help out at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast. No flapjacks in sight this time – just rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.
Continuing the annual WSB Christmas-lights spotlights – we photographed two of note along 36th SW south of the Admiral area last night. The house above is on the east side of 36th just north of Hinds (map); next, barely a block away, a unique “tree” outside a house that gets its annual dose of fame during an earlier holiday:
Our photo does not do justice to the tree of lights and plastic illuminated Christmas characters that rises outside the house on the southwest corner of 36th and Hanford (map), known for “Skeleton Theatre” every Halloween. This too is a must-see – we’ve never seen anything quite like it.
From a little ways directly west of there, Valerie shares this photo of the shining McKean House at 3431 48th Ave SW (map):
Working right now on a map in time for weekend Christmas-lights driving/riding/walking – stand by! And whether you have a photo or just an address to share – please let us know about your display, your neighbors’ display, something you drove by … editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (Meantime, our archived Christmas-lights spotlights, including past years, can be seen here, newest to oldest.)
You’ve bought the gifts – or, you’re about to (tonight at Shop Late Thursday or West Seattle Art Walk, perhaps?) – and now you need them wrapped. Here are two sets of opportunities over the final nine days before Christmas:
IF THEY’RE JUNCTION-BOUGHT GIFTS… free wrapping is offered the next two Saturdays (December 15 and 22), 11:30 am-3:30 pm, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB):
Let us wrap your Junction gifts! The West Seattle High School Music Program parents will staff our gift wrap station at Windermere (4526 California SW) while the students perform in The Junction. Please bring Junction retailer receipt. FREE wrap and ribbon, no boxes provided.
‘WRAP IT UP’ WITH FURRY FACES FOUNDATION AND AARF: These two animal-advocacy groups are wrapping gifts by donation (you decide how much), with 100 percent of the donations going to help animals. Here are the five sessions ahead:
1) Dec 16th, 2-7 pm, at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW. (During the Specialty Bottle Sale and for a couple hours after).
2) Dec 20th, 6–9 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 Calif. Ave SW, (During their weekly Beer Tasting)
3) Dec 22rd, 3-7pm, at Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub; 255 SW 152nd St., Burien
4) Dec 23rd, 1–6 pm, Beer Junction, 4511 Calif. Ave SW
5) Dec 24th, 2 – 7 pm at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW
Thanks to Don Brubeck for capturing the sun’s cameo appearance early today. Busy day/night ahead! Highlights:
THREE LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Two for preschoolers this morning – Southwest Branch (35th/Henderson) at 11 am, Delridge Branch (Brandon/Delridge) at 11:15 am – then there’s one for toddlers at the High Point Branch (35th/Raymond) at 11:30 am.
FINAL DAY TO DONATE A TOY TO HOLIDAYS 4 HOPE! We’ve been updating you on the local students collecting toys to take to this Saturday’s South Park WinterFest holiday party. Today’s the last day you can drop off a donation – locations include Zippy’s Giant Burgers, JC’s Deli, The Original Bakery. Check out the Holidays 4 Hope Facebook page here.
HANUKKAH CONTINUES: Sixth night. And here’s a virtual menorah you can light; thanks to Eric from the Kol HaNeshamah congregation for the link (P.S. – KHN has a Hanukkah party on Saturday, listed in the WSB Holiday Guide).
CHAMBER PARTY: Tonight’s the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce “Mix, Mingle, Jingle” party, 5-7 pm at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), register online ASAP if you haven’t already!
WINE-TASTING EVENTS: Three tonight – at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-9 pm, it’s the annual port tasting; at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), it’s Wine Club night, 6-8 pm (explained here); and at Bin 41 in The Junction, winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla from Forgeron Cellars is on hand for Art Walk night, 6-8:30 pm.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Dozens of places to get your art on tonight – meet the artists, buy their work as unique local holiday gifts – 6 to 9 pm, walking map/venue list here, previews on the official Art Walk website.
CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI @ ARTSWEST: The “Food as Art” three-artist show featuring some of the internationally renowned photos by longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli runs just a few more days at ArtsWest – where you can attend a talk with Christopher and the show’s other two artists TONIGHT, 6 pm.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: While you’re out – check out the participating stores – also open till 9 (or so).
AND WHILE YOU’RE OUT – DONATE! Twilight Artist Collective, for example, has a bin for Treehouse – details in the “Giving Opportunities” section of the WSB Holiday Guide. Lots of other businesses, too.
‘SANTA AL’ ROAMING: Taking a break from his North Pole work, “Santa Al” (who shared the photo above) reports he’ll be “making random drop-bys tonight during the Art Walk and (Shop Late Thursday) at the Junction.”
ASK THE EXPERT: Second Thursday also means this monthly event at the legendary West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) – 6 to 8 pm, with experts on hand to talk with you about a variety of potential projects (among those you’ll find, WSB sponsor LD Arch Design) – full list on the Facebook event page.
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY BOOKFAIR BEGINS: 7 pm tonight, come to Barnes and Noble at Westwood Village to hear special guest readers from Arbor Heights Elementary, which is B&N’s Bookfair beneficiary – special code for purchases over the next week is part of the info you’ll find in our calendar listing.
MADISON CONCERT: Madison Middle School Music Department winter concert happens tonight in the Madison gym (45th/Spokane), 7 pm.
KING TIDES CONTINUE: We went out for a low-tide walk late last night, and we weren’t alone; others were out with flashlights, peeking at what was revealed on the beach. Per the chart, tonight’s the lowest low tide, -3.6 at 10:41 pm. The afternoon high tides are on the wane but tomorrow at 6:06 am, you’ll find a 12.8-foot high tide, almost as high as it’s going to get this time around.
More on the calendar – and ongoing seasonal events in the WSB Holiday Guide.
Thanks to Nicole for sharing the photo of bright Christmas lights at 1315 SW Trenton (map) in Highland Park. We’re working tonight to build our traditional annual map of West Seattle’s dazzling decorations, as the peak time for light-viewing approaches. Also in the spotlight: A great collection of photos by High Point resident Wendy Hughes-Jelen, who is again photographing the light-decked porches in HP – you can see more than 50 photos in her album on Facebook; find it here.
If you have a Christmas-lights photo to share – here are all the ways to get it to us. Or, if you’ve seen or heard of cool lights in West Seattle, White Center or South Park, but don’t have a photo, please e-mail us the address (or even add it here as a comment) – editor@westseattleblog.com!
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