West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
We had set out to check an Admiral District tip “around 37th/Hanford” but might have been too early – didn’t see the lights in question. However, we found these two homes nearby, at Belvidere/Hanford, and though neither is completely awash in lights, each had a distinctive feature – the luminarias above, and the non-plastic, non-inflatable creche scene below:
We’ve added that corner to the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map – and will keep adding at least through Christmas Day; tips still welcome at editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks to everyone who’s helped so far (especially the display creators themselves!)
Long before night fell, we photographed the marquee for posterity (and reminders via Twitter and via Facebook) … Tonight’s the night the doors to the Admiral Theater swung wide open for a free holiday treat, a hot ticket indeed:
Those are some of the moviegoers now watching “A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” courtesy of The Admiral and its fellow Admiral District businesses. And look who was there to help Admiral boss Dinah Brein share the holiday cheer (and collect donations for the Humane Society):
We have it on good authority that Santa, in this case, likely arrived via two wheels, rather than eight tiny reindeer. P.S. If you feel like a movie Christmas Day, the Admiral will open at 4 pm Sunday (after closing following the matinees on Christmas Eve).
Many West Seattle businesses (and other places) make space for “giving trees” this time of year – usually decorated with cards listing gift wishes for people in challenging circumstances. Because of the time needed for distribution, some deadlines already have passed – but not this one. Natalie Dolci from the Salvation Army‘s Hickman House, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children, says opportunities remain on their “giving tree” at CAPERS in The Junction:
If you wanted to come by the store get a wish list item for a child in need, there are three more days to do it!
If you have already committed to getting a toy or gift, there are three more days to drop it off.
Thanks so much, West Seattle, for being such a supportive community!
Any other giving trees awaiting gifts?
It was just as good as – maybe better than! – Santa Claus driving his sleigh up to the West Seattle Food Bank. In this case, a bus borrowed from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), whose Josh Sutton was at the wheel, brought Nucor Steel Seattle‘s 2,100-pound food donation to the WS Food Bank this afternoon. From left are Beth Roush, Jim Peterson, Kate Johnson, WS Food Bank’s Fran Yeatts and Mike Tinker, Clifton Eskridge. Nucor employees also contributed more than $20,000 cash!
The boxes and barrels brought via bus included pet food as well as people food – both are welcome at your local food bank. This is the second big delivery by Nucor this week; we were also at Southwest Youth and Family Services last Thursday when Nucor employees distributed holiday food packages for more than 400 people!
SIDE NOTE: If you know of any last-minute holiday-help needs, please let us know so we can help get the word out – lots of folks are still looking for ways to help!
Procrastinating on that Christmas tree? West Seattle Nursery just cut its prices by a third, per this tweet. And according to a streetside sign, West Seattle Produce has discounted theirs by 25%. Any other discounts offers? Let us know and we’ll add ’em. The full list of local sellers, along with other Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/New Year’s info, is on our West Seattle Holidays page, where we also have noted that two lots are already closed (Holy Rosary and Son-In-Law).
(WSB photo from 11/26/11 ‘opening night,’ with all the lights turned on between shows)
If you’ll be out looking at lights this Christmas Eve/Day or New Year’s Eve, Helmstetler Family Spectacular mastermind Jim Winder says you’re invited to stop by the famous music-synched show for free hot cocoa 6-9 pm – and on Christmas Eve, they’ll also have free mini-cupcakes donated by Diva Espresso (while they last). The show itself is free, but they’ve been collecting donations for local causes – here’s a Facebook photo of their first delivery to the West Seattle Food Bank; bring nonperishable food when you stop by and look for the bin right in front of the house, which is at 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower. It’s of course also on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map, which we’re updating with new additions nightly. Find out more about the show on its official website, which includes videos from the past two years (we have a couple clips from this year’s opening night, November 26th, in our coverage).
That’s a scene from “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” which you can see on the big screen at West Seattle’s only moviehouse tomorrow (Tuesday) night – historic Admiral Theater‘s free Christmas movie. Dinah from The Admiral shares this reminder, with new details about the event:
The movie starts promptly at 7 PM and doors open at 6:15 PM. Guests are advised to come early as we will probably pack out. During the movie, adults can enjoy a liquid libation up in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.
Prior to the movie, Santa will be on hand for a photo op and will be serving up Xmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate.
This year the movie is co-presented by the newly formed Admiral Business District. The movie is graciously donated by the Admiral District Blockbuster.
Don’t forget to bring some much-needed animal provisions; high end pet food, crates, collars, toys, beds, etc., which will be donated to the Humane Society.
The Admiral is at 2343 California SW. If you are planning ahead for this weekend – Dinah adds that both matinees will be shown on Christmas Eve, then the theater will close for the night, reopening for the 4 pm show on Christmas Day, with both evening shows on the screen that night.
Thanks to Oleana for sharing this display, including a photo as well as the address (7900 block of 30th SW). Here, it’s not the lights as much as the carvings! We’ve added this to the ongoing WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map. Keep the tips coming, with or without photos – editor@westseattleblog.com. (You can also find the map on the West Seattle Holidays page any time, and the photos of lights we’ve already featured are archived here.)
One of the most fun fundraisers so far this holiday season in our area happened last Sunday night at West Seattle Christian Church‘s Activity Center in The Junction. Builders of all ages comprised more than three dozen teams for the Extreme Gingerbread Challenge – some as young as Elle, who was the “foreperson” for her parents’ entry:
The Shaughnessy family built a demonstration gingerbread house, not to enter, but to showcase what the night was all about – raising money to help bring safer water to villages in Central America, a project with which WSCC has been involved for several years:
The gingerbread structure built by Bella, Jen, Mike, and Lauren is actually a replica of the church visited by WSCC volunteers doing well-building work last year with WSCC’s Pastor Dan Jacobs, who oversaw the gingerbread-fest too:
As for the entries – here’s a team of Junctionites constructing a gingerbread replica of fashion-forward Clementine Shoes (including Clementine’s proprietor Linda Walsh):
One of the winners: Furry Faces Foundation, for Santa’s North Pole Pet Adoption Center – talk about a place to find your “forever home”!
You can see the F3 creation on display for the duration of the holiday season at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), by the way, as noted in the WSB Forums – and if you want to congratulate F3, their multiple-session “Wrap It Up” fundraising gift-wrap services continue tomorrow (and twice more next week, as listed here). Other winners: The Gustafson Family, Naomi Cox, and the WSCC middle-school youth group in the General class, and with F3 in the Open class were the Aird Family and Sophia Seago. Even if you weren’t there, you can still help the WSCC well-building program (which is headed to El Salvador next year) – find out how at wsccwaterwells.org.
Covering the basketball hoopla at Chief Sealth International High School last night, a WSB team member got a hot tip: Go check out what’s happening on the other side of the campus at Denny International Middle School. Turned out to be the 2nd annual Posada Navideña celebration (here’s our coverage of the first one last year) – first one in the new Denny, adjacent to Sealth. Principal Jeff Clark explained:
Our crew got him to pose with some of the folks he mentioned who made the big, busy event happen:
Members of Denny’s City Year team were on hand, too:
Admission fees were waived for anyone who brought a traditional Mexican dish to feed at least 10 people. After dinner, treats included cupcakes:
Our crew had to get back over to the Sealth gym – but we’re told last night’s celebration also included piñatas and live music.
This Santa knows you’ve been naughty AND nice. Till 7 pm, you can get down to Easy Street Records in The Junction for a photo with not only the Santa also known as “Cocoa Crisp Crinkle” but also his fetching elf “Pickle Whistle.” (Here’s the announcement tweeted by Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan.) Suggested donation for a photo $15, benefiting Northwest Harvest and Toys for Tots.
Handmade holiday gifts, anyone? Get over to Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) in the next couple hours while a dozen artists/crafters are selling and showing their stuff. It’s the first time proprietor Jessie SK has done this, and we found her having fun at a table for making/decorating cards:
Among those whose wares you can check out – Eric and Ryan from Skylark’s new neighbors to the north, the screen-printers at ThisThat:
The bazaar’s on till 7. Skylark has a few other special holiday offerings ahead – Christmas open mike at 8 pm next Friday (December 23rd), with Jessie herself promising her annual round of “Santa Baby”; and New Year’s Eve “Wings of Desire” burlesque, 9 pm (December 31st).
We were headed north to The Junction to check out a caroling group’s pre-announced appearance at California/Alaska … when suddenly, at the Fauntleroy/California stoplight, we caught sight of these unannounced carolers. They were in front of Zeeks Pizza while we waited for the light to change, then moved south, but we managed to catch them for a photo on the other side of the intersection. They’re from nearby Seaview United Methodist Church (which also had performers at last summer’s Morgan Junction Community Festival). After resuming our northbound journey, we found the Junction carolers:
That’s We3Carolers – and friends from South Seattle Community College‘s choir. They are collecting donations for West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline, so if you drop a dollar in the kitty, that’s where it goes to. They were planning to perform till 3 today, and again next Saturday (Christmas Eve). Meantime, Helen Fenigsohn shares a photo of the roaming carolers she encountered today:
Helen says, “I was enjoying a cup at the Westwood Village Starbucks at noon and in walked these carolers. It was a very pleasant surprise!”
Found a few more West Seattle light displays on this citywide list published by our partners at the Seattle Times – and that’s where we found the address for the home above, the Martin family residence at 44th and Holly in Morgan Junction. Some of the other homes on the Times list are already on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map, and we’ll be checking out the few others we hadn’t already heard about. Your tips are appreciated too – editor@westseattleblog.com – through Christmas! You can find the map on the West Seattle Holidays page any time. To see the photos of lights we’ve already featured, check out the archive page for this “category” of WSB stories – find it here.
On the last day before the biggest break of the school year, many schools have something special. We just learned today about this special annual tradition at Madison Middle School – luminarias! Award-winning counseling-team leader Lauren Divina explains that it’s a tradition dating back to the mid-’90s, “We lighted up luminarias along the pathway in front of the building to welcome our students on the last school day before the school break! … The entire staff greet the students at the front steps as they start coming in, we give candies, and there’s background music for the holidays.” Thanks for sharing the photos – we’re marking our calendar to go check this out in person next year!
Meantime, at Pathfinder K-8, the day before winter break was Crazy Hat Day, Akemi explained, sharing this photo:
According to Akemi, that’s Pathfinder 8th-grader Evaro: “Guess if we can’t use the viaduct, might as well wear it!” (Which reminds us, have you noticed lately how the south-end demolition is almost done? Here’s one of the newest WSDOT photos via Flickr.)
(Tuesday photo by Paul Swortz, taken from the West Seattle Bridge, shared via WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar and West Seattle Holiday Events/Info page:
EARLY DISMISSAL: School’s out early for winter break – one-hour early dismissal for Seattle Public Schools
FREE GUIDED ECO-HIKE: Join the Nature Consortium in the West Duwamish Greenbelt! Come out and see the changes that winter brings to Seattle’s largest remaining forest. We will explore the hidden treasures of this amazing natural wonder, and hear about the history and the future of the forest. Difficulty is mild. Inexperienced hikers, seniors, and babies in backpacks are welcome. Special note to parents of toddlers and preschoolers: please be warned that this hike is challenging for younger children, especially on the way back up the steep hill! Please bring your own water bottle. Granola bars provided. Long pants are strongly recommended due to overgrown vegetation in certain parts of the trail. Wear appropriate footwear – shoes or boots that can get dirty or muddy. Meet at the trailhead at 14th Ave SW and SW Holly streets by 1 pm – Call 206-923-0853 or e-mail nancy@naturec.org to reserve your spot.
AFTERNOON DANCE: Dance to the music of Lauren Petrie at Delridge Community Center, 1:30-3:30 pm.
SANTA PHOTOS: Options today/tonight include Santa at Westwood Village, 10 am-8 pm; the “former Westwood Santa” at CAPERS in The Junction from 3-7 pm; Santa at Northwest Art and Frame, 4-7 pm.
CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING: Storytelling event at White Center Cultural Center, 9421 18th Avenue SW, 6:30 pm: Christmas Posadas by Rosa Hernandez and Laura Villanueva.
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WINE TASTINGS: 1-4 PM at South Seattle Community College (Delridge Community Center, 1:30-3:30 pm”>details here) and 6-7:30 pm at Bin 41 wine in The Junction – Port for the holidays…and beyond! If you missed our port class, don’t worry…here’s your chance to sample a line-up of super tasty ports to cure those winter blues! And if you attended the port class…come anyway because we’re tasting a whole new line-up of wines! We’ll be showing you an LBV, vintage, colheita, 10 and 20 year tawnies and a unique rose port.
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,’ RADIO-STYLE: 7:30 pm performance of Twelfth Night Productions‘ “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show,” at Kenyon Hall. Based on the classic 1946 Frank Capra film, playwright Joe Landry’s take on “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast at historic Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th SW. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets, and at Kenyon Hall, $15/adults, $12 students & seniors.
‘EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY’: ArtsWest presents “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!).” 7:30 pm; ticket info here.
CHRISTMAS TREES: In addition to the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (41st and Dakota) and Son-In-Law Tree Farm lot (California and Charlestown) both now at half-price, the Stop ‘n’ Shop at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California and Oregon) is selling donated trees for $25.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS,
With Christmas just nine days away, donation drives are wrapping up – and many still need you! Like these two – right across 42nd SW from each other:
(Photo by Alice Kuder)
Noon today is the donation deadline for the Toys for Tots drive at Prudential Northwest Realty in Jefferson Square (42nd/Alaska). Get a new unwrapped toy there by noon, because Alice Kuder is delivering them later this afternoon. Alice shares the photo from the Toys for Tots warehouse in Normandy Park – where she says three Marines, including Staff. Sgt. Chris Apgar (left) and Cpl. Stephanie Coverdale, are sorting and prepping donated toys for regional distribution.
Meantime, AAA in West Seattle is collecting donations for the”Nickelsville” encampment, where this Christmas tree is now up:
(Photo by Kevin McClintic)
WSB Forums members made the Christmas tree happen. But the people at the camp need the basics, too, and AAA is collecting soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries. Alison explains that the office originally was collecting donations for Family Promise – but since that shelter program for families has shut down, they’re now collecting for Nickelsville and will make the delivery on Christmas Eve. Alison says toothbrushes and deodorant would be especially helpful. She adds, “The band 93 Octane (plays at The Bridge) is putting together some gifts for the teens that are currently living in the tent city and could still use New Socks, thermal underclothes, hats, scarves, gloves and anything else you can think of that could make their nights a little less miserable.” Bring donations to the AAA office at 4701 42nd SW, southwest corner of 42nd and Alaska.
We found out about tonight’s featured Christmas lights – 4152 46th SW – in the comment section following an earlier spotlight. DD said her husband, Duane Davis, started work on the display around Thanksgiving, and was expecting to finish last weekend. So we checked it out tonight and added it to the West Seattle Christmas lights map:
You can find the map on the West Seattle Holidays page any time. If you just want to scroll through photos of lights we’ve featured, use the archive page for this “category” of WSB stories – go here.
… to put up Christmas lights. The tipster for this one – TJ, who also shared the photo (thank you!) – says “Brother-in-law is still just a kid at heart. He is 72 and climbs up to the roof to put his lights up.” 7900 block of 32nd SW. Makes us feel guilty for feeling like we exerted ourselves to throw a few strands on the shrubbery! Thanks to everyone who’s been sending tips, with and without photos – editor@westseattleblog.com – meantime, we’ve added the address to our updated-daily clickable/printable Christmas lights map (find it here, or on the West Seattle Holidays page).
Five quick mid-afternoon notes:
HALF-PRICE TREES: Sandy Brown sends word that the Holy Rosary Tree Lot, which closes after this weekend, has now chopped prices:
Christmas trees 50% off now thru the 18th at Holy Rosary (41st and Dakota tree lot). Elves need to prepare for the Big Day and need to sell their stuff quickly. HRS wants to help out everyone this year by providing fresh trees at lower prices so all trees 50% off. Proceeds benefit the school and 15% of the proceeds go to 4 wonderful charities.
BUYING BOOKS? SCHOOL BENEFIT: Arbor Heights Elementary is the latest school to have a bookfair at Barnes and Noble – which usually also means that with a special code, they get a share of sales for a week or so afterward.
Their book fair (parent-provided photo above) was last Friday, so through this Friday, you should be able to use this code: 10612505 with a purchase at Barnes and Noble OR online, and Arbor Heights will benefit. If you’re having an event like this, by the way, please let us know in advance – the further in advance the better so we can get it on the calendar and let others know in advance – editor@westseattleblog.com, any time.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ORNAMENT SALE: From WSHS activities coordinator Craig Richardson:
At West Seattle High School, we have wonderful Christmas tree ornaments that are being sold for only $8 … there are only a limited supply of these left, and they would make a great stocking stuffer, or gift for someone during the holidays. If you are interested in purchasing one of these ornaments, e-mail cdrichardson1@seattleschools.org or call (206) 252-8816 – We also have on sale Wreaths with a candle setting for holiday decorations only $12; this is a fundraiser for the WSHS athletics program.
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GEAR: A new shipment of sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats has arrived at CSIHS, on sale at the ASB office on campus before school and after lunch (visiting adults need a pass from the office) and at the concession stands during this Friday night’s CSIHS-WSHS basketball games.
CHARLESTOWN CHOWDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS? Got a note out of the blue from Larry Mellum, formerly a co-owner of West Seattle’s shuttered-since-spring Charlestown Café. The same chowder the café used to sell has been offered all along at his current ventures, Pike Place Chowder shops at Pike Place and Pacific Place downtown – and now he says, it’s also available at Seattle Fish Company in The Junction (4435 California SW). “We have it available in quart-sized, frozen containers to take home or to ship anywhere in the country.” And he says the chowder recently added another feather to its proverbial cap (or maybe a fin is more appropriate), winning the West Coast Chowder Competition in Monterey, California.
Our nightly spotlights continue: Tonight’s photo is courtesy of the McKean Family, whose lights are shining at 3431 48th SW, near Schmitz Park. Thanks for including the photo! We appreciate photos if you have them to go with Christmas-lights reports – but it’s not mandatory, just let us know where you’ve seen lights others might want to know about! We’re continuing to add them to the clickable/printable Google Map you will find on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (along with lots of other holiday info and event listing).
Sorry for the subpar photo – some equipment challenges for a while on Monday night. But even if it had been taken by the most talented photographer with the most fabulous equipment, the point of this display would be the same – it’s not brilliantly light-laden, but we love the tree atop the beautiful old brick Alki Apartments building at 2348 Alki SW – you can see it from quite some way away. The entire beachfront drive is worthwhile for light-lovers, as many condo- and apartment-dwellers deck their balconies, and some of the remaining single-family homes do, too (one of the fabled Flower Houses has some cute lights). We happened onto this during a late-night scouting trip after discovering the home we had hoped to photograph elsewhere was already “off” for the night. Keep the tips coming – editor@westseattleblog.com – and check out our Google Map of all the spots we’ve featured, including this one, viewable on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
No LEDs in view; the lights of Christmas past still deck this little home in Highland Park. It is tonight’s featured display, thanks to a tip from Tiffany. This view is the “side show” – the side of the house, plus its back yard, seen from SW Barton, where the home faces 10th (its front is brightly lit too, but not as wide). There are multiple groupings of Nativity-scene figures, as well as Santa, Frosty, and the other secular Christmas classics:
We’re just shooting from the roadside; go see for yourself, to get a closer look and really appreciate the collection here. We’ve added this home to our new map of all the Christmas lights we’ve featured so far – the map’s on our West Seattle Holidays page, or directly reachable via Google Maps here. Got a bright-lights tip? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
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