West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
This weekend’s second local tree-lighting ceremony (after Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday) is now history, and festive history at that! With a trilingual countdown, the lights went on at Veterans’ Triangle Park (16th/Roxbury), as the White Center community celebrated its 2nd annual tree lighting. Last year, a longrunning effort to get power to the mini-park finally succeeded in time for the first tree-lighting ceremony (as reported on our partner site White Center Now). This year’s tree arrived just two days ago, as we showed you on Friday. Detailed coverage with more photos is in the works on White Center Now; we’re also adding this tree to our updated-daily map of local holiday lights – find it here or on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Just look for the Airstream out front (it’s Caravan, featured in our West Seattle Art Walk coverage earlier this week) and the creative entrepreneurs inside the building, as the “Gifted” holiday arts/crafts fair/bazaar at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues till 6 pm. Unusual gift ideas abound, from the repurposed Frangos tin above, to star sketches, below:
And if you missed microphotographer Machel Spence at last weekend’s C & P bazaar, she’s at “Gifted” right now, and she can show you her photo spread in Natural History Magazine:
Other enterprises on hand include A Bit of Butter, seen in this photo tweeted by @bellwethr:
Almost three hours left to go check it all out in Morgan Junction.
Haven’t had a chance yet to get a Santa photo with your pet? Till 5 pm today, you can do exactly that and help the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic, which treats pets whose owners are in need, by going to The Puppy Perfectors, 9629 17th SW. West Seattle Girl Scout Rainbow Troop 52698 is presenting the event; photos are by donation ($25 or more – here’s the official flyer), but you can also help by stopping by for coffee, cocoa, or a holiday Stuffed Cakes treat ($3/$2/$1 donation respectively), and/or drop off a donation of canned pet food or other pet items (Puppy Perfectors has a collection ongoing through the holiday season). Thanks to April for sending the photo!
It’s the second Sunday of “Hometown Holidays” (co-sponsored by WSB) in The Junction – but the first with the Belgian-mule-drawn carriage back for free rides! Till 3 pm; get on board by the Hometown Holidays HQ canopy at the KeyBank corner (California/Alaska). That’s kitty-corner from Junction-sponsored Santa Photos at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), also till 3 pm (professionally photographed today, $15 donation goes to local charities). And of course the Farmers’ Market continues till 2 pm. Here’s the full Hometown Holidays schedule.
Classic Christmas songs are made for singalongs, which is exactly the plan for “Admiral Sings Christmas,” the annual tradition that’s happening twice today at Admiral Congregational Church. Music director Keith Terhune wanted to be sure you were officially invited to be part of it. He, jazz musician Overton Berry, and The Admiral Choir are featured, and Keith explains, “We’re doing two shows at 4 and 7 PM with a chocolate reception 1/2 hour before each show. It’s the most fun way to really get everyone in the holiday spirit, singing as many Christmas songs as we can pack into an hour.” No admission charge, though donations are accepted, and they’re collecting nonperishable food donations, too. Admiral Church is at California/Hill.
Tonight’s spotlighted Christmas lights are the ones that catch your eye just off the southwest (Fauntleroy Way) end of the West Seattle Bridge. In fact, they are on the east end of Fauntleroy Way itself, which runs a few blocks along the bridge in frontage-road style, in the 4000 block (map). Jodi lives there and also tipped us about her family’s twinkling display back in 2007. Since our photo is a wide look at the entire house, it doesn’t do justice to some of the close-up sights – you just have to go take a walk down the block; Jodi says, “We love it when families bring their kids and get out of their cars and walk around; we can always hear little voices talking about all the animals.” We’ve added her home to the list of featured lights on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page, and we renew our invitation to let us know about any must-see display, yours OR someone else’s!
ADDED 1:33 AM: Finally made a map with the lights we’ve featured so far (including the two ceremonially lit trees). We’ll keep adding at least through Christmas!
You’ll also find this map on the Holidays page.
Bigger fleet than usual accompanying the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship tonight for its first West Seattle stop this season. The Dickens Carolers are on board tonight, and they serenaded Seacrest Boathouse and vicinity with Christmas classics:
Two more stops for the Christmas ship tonight – and The Dickens Carolers are scheduled to be on board for those too – Lowman Beach Park at 8:50, Alki Beach at 9:40. Like Seacrest, those two stops also are scheduled to have a beach bonfire for spectators who want to warm up; the weather at Seacrest wasn’t too bad, chilly and a little drizzle (three years ago, on this night, The Big Snowstorm began right after the Seacrest stop – we never made it to the other two). If you can’t get out tonight at all, you do have one more chance – the Christmas Ship will come to Don Armeni on Monday, 8:40 pm, with Soundwave on board; the full regional schedule for the rest of the Christmas Ship season is here.
Tomorrow at Fauntleroy UCC Church, music director Bronwyn Edwards‘ new cantata “Wonder” debuts, and you are invited to come enjoy it, free. Here’s the story behind it, shared by Irene Stewart:
Wonder, a cantata celebrating the wonder of the season, is a new work by local performer, composer, and music director Bronwyn Edwards. Inspired by interviews with David Kratz, senior pastor at Fauntleroy Church, UCC where Edwards serves as music director, “Wonder” presents concepts and stories ranging from biblical times to modern day and includes personal reflections on the meaning and wonder of the season.
The work will be performed Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave SW). The program begins with a carol sing-along. A reception will follow in the church’s narthex. The concert is free and all are welcome to attend.
“The music is diverse in its mood and message,” says the composer.
Remember “We Are the Junction“? Two years later, West Seattle musicians have joined forces for another holiday collection: “Tinselitis: A West Seattle Christmas Album.” And this time .. it’s free, and “family-friendly”! You can download the songs on this page of the Feedback Lounge website. Each one is sponsored by a different local venue (besides The Feedback, sponsors include Beveridge Place Pub, Big Al Brewing, The Bridge, Company, Easy Street Records, Löcöl Barley and Vine, Mission, Shadowland, and West 5). Follow the link for the artist/song list – we just previewed them and already have faves, but you can discover them for yourself. Want to read the official news release? Click ahead:Read More
Thanks to Domenica at Windermere West Seattle for sending a photo – “Santa Paws,” free photos till 1 pm, isn’t just for pets! 4526 California SW.
Every night we’re featuring at least one West Seattle Christmas lights display – and here’s the one in tonight’s spotlight: You can’t miss this house if you are anywhere near PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) or the west side of West Seattle High School – it’s on SW Stevens at 45th, and it’s lit in the colors of candy canes, red and white. (We recall this home being decked out for Halloween, too.) Here’s a map; our lights list is on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page, and we’d love to hear from you if you have, or have seen, a great display.
That’s our first video clip from tonight’s Our Lady of Guadalupe tree lighting in Sunrise Heights – first the countdown by emcee Brian Callanan (an OLG parishioner and longtime local TV newsperson who’s now with Seattle Channel), then “O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum,” featuring not just the hundreds-strong crowd and OLG choir members caroling, but also Engine 37 roaring north on 35th to a call, and a brightly lit pickup truck turning up in the lower part of the frame.
Something new is largely unseen (given the time of night) off to the left of the frame – the new Parish Life Center that has almost fully taken shape north of the church. As Brian noted – sharing the impromptu under-the-tree stage with OLG’s Father Jack Walmesley – next year, the post-tree-lighting cocoa and chatting will happen inside the new center, instead of the school building. Here’s more from tonight’s event – two of the songs that preceded the actual lighting:
If you love Christmas caroling, make a note to be at this event next year – the crowd went through all the classics (with a program featuring lyrics, in case you’ve forgotten them), including the ever-popular “Jingle Bells” accompanied by car keys.
A stalwart group of Santa’s helpers, including White Center business-community leaders, just achieved a milestone in the WC/South Delridge holiday season – raising the official Christmas tree in the Delridge Triangle mini-park (16th/Roxbury) for the second year. As you can see in our video, bright sunshine and good cheer certainly helped. All are welcome to the tree lighting this Sunday night at 5 pm. Santa himself will be there, along with carolers, we hear. (More WC/West Seattle holiday-event info here.)
Three holiday updates this afternoon:
(December 2010 Alki photo by David Hutchinson)
When the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship and entourage visit Alki this Saturday – one of three stops that night, plus another one on Monday – it’ll be greeted by a roaming “cast of characters representing the Biblical event from the first Christmas,” from Hope Lutheran, according to Mary Welch, who says they also will perform for the crowd at the Alki Bathhouse art studio. As noted on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info page, the Christmas ship’s schedule this Saturday is 5:15-5:35 pm at Seacrest, 8:50-9:10 at Lowman Beach, 9:40-10 pm at Alki. On Monday, it comes to Don Armeni, 8:40-9 pm.
Coming up this Sunday night – it’s the gingerbreadiest event of this holiday season:
That’s one of our photos from last year’s gingerbread-building competition at West Seattle Christian Church. We recently put out their call for participants, and now WSCC pastor Dan Jacobs says they have 40 teams signed up – they’re inviting you to come be a spectator! 5 pm this Sunday (December 11th) in the WSCC Activity Center along 42nd SW between Genesee and Oregon. Raffle entries and other donations benefit WSCC’s wellbuilding program.
(December 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
Last but not least … a winter-solstice event confirmed: From West Seattle’s own NASA Solar System Ambassador, Alice Enevoldsen:
In light of the Lunar Eclipse this weekend time for the seasonal sunset watch!!
When: December 21, 2011 at 4:05 pm (so come at 3:30 pm)
Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20, 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. I added another 5 minutes for the tall trees of Lincoln Park blocking our view. In 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.
Holiday scenes to share tonight:
First, our nightly featured Christmas lights – these are on 50th north of Hudson/south of Edmunds (map); we were out scouting last night and spotted them. We’ve added them to the ongoing list on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page, where we’ll have a map soon with all the featured locations; let us know if you have a suggestion! Also tonight, seen in The Junction:
Tipster Joe says this scene on Puerto Vallarta‘s window is so fresh, the Sign Savant crew was still painting the one next to it:
(Last year, we showed you “Santa Extremoso” gracing the same windows.)
We’re featuring at least one light display a night – and tonight is thanks to suggestions on Twitter and Facebook. It’s at 41st/Concord in Fauntlee Hills (map), a neighborhood where you’ll find more than a few other lavishly lit homes. We’re adding it to the list on the WSB Holidays page; got someplace to suggest light-lovers look? Share the location – thanks!
Did you take advantage of the dry, clear day to put up lights? A LOT of lights? The Burns Family at 3216 SW 114th has 20,000 lights up and invites you to come have a look – they shared the photo along with that invitation. “We have been decorating our home for about 20 years starting with a few strings of lights in 1991,” they explain. Here’s a map to the area; the lights are on 5-10 pm nightly through New Year’s Eve. If *you* have a whole lot of lights – or know someone/someplace that does – we’d love to feature them again this year, and will add them to the “Christmas Lights” section on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page too; e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com (photo not mandatory, we can come take one if need be!).
Another holiday scene to share in addition to all the others we’ve photographed/reported on this weekend:
This weekend, CAPERS in The Junction not only had its annual Holiday Open House, the shop also played host, as promised, to the popular Santa Claus who used to have Westwood at the top of his list, so to speak. He was there for “DIY photos” – you bring your camera – the past two afternoons; above, he posed today with Frances and Teagan. He’ll be back at CAPERS 3-7 pm next Friday and 1-5 pm next Saturday and Sunday (next Sunday, December 11th, is a huge day for CAPERS because they’re also hosting Caspar Babypants at 11 am!). And he’s planning a Holy Rosary visit 9 am-noon next Saturday (December 10th). Of course, Santa is everywhere; the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays charity-fundraiser Santa photos were a hit today too, with quite the line when we visited for our first pic.
Till 7 pm, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle‘s basement is aglow in white Christmas lights and good cheer for a combination gift-basket silent auction and wine-tasting event, the 3rd annual St. Nicholas Faire. There’s an admission charge, with funds raised benefiting West Seattle Helpline and West Seattle Food Bank. (We found board members from the former – the church’s pastor Rev. Ron Marshall – and the latter – Pete Spalding – on hand.) The 110-plus gift baskets were put together by Larraine King, who organized the event, with a bit of help:
The baskets have themes from cookies to toys to cuisine and beyond, even this beach “basket”:
The wine is courtesy of Rev. Marshall’s winemaking brother Rich Marshall of award-winning Maryhill Winery:
If you missed this and this weekend’s other bazaars/fairs, and giving opportunities, no worries – more next weekend – keep an eye on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page!
The house that’s home to West Seattle history, the Log House Museum, is a lot more Christmasy tonight after a volunteer decorating party this afternoon. When we stopped by, volunteer Pete was helping with the lights outside:
Inside, the gift shop – which is now on the museum’s first floor, instead of in the annex out back – is having a holiday sale. And we talked with museum/Southwest Seattle Historical Society leaders about perhaps the biggest project ahead in the New Year, restoration and upright display of the totem pole that’s been stored at the museum:
That’s the one that used to be at the Admiral Way Viewpoint. Artech, which restored the Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole after its theft and return two years ago, will do the work on this one too. Funding will come in large part from a grant made by the National Society of Colonial Dames of the State of Washington. (added) WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli photographed it in 2004, while it was still in its old spot:
You can stop by the Log House Museum at 61st/Stevens any Thursday-Sunday, noon-4 pm, to see the exhibits and find out more about everything new they’re doing with everything old!
While Santa Claus got ready to see his next visitor, volunteer Lauren from WestSide Baby offered a bright-as-Christmas-tree-lights smile. WS Baby is one of the local charities benefiting from the $15 donation for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Santa photos happening till 3 pm (and again 11 am-3 pm next Sunday, December 11th) at photographer Donna Ryan‘s City Mouse Studio and Store (4218 SW Alaska). Also stop by the H-Holidays booth at California/Alaska for extra holiday cheer – and enter the Junction’s $3,500 Holiday Raffle while you’re going from shop to shop (here’s the list of participants – look for a wrapped entry box like the one in this story).
ADDED MONDAY: The Junction reports $1,500 was raised for local nonprofits with Sunday’s Santa photos!
Many storefronts are already festively lit and decorated in the Admiral District, and more will be by tonight – including wreaths going up on some of the business-district light fixtures, like this spot outside Alki Bike and Board (whose proprietor Stu Hennessey is in our photo, with Dave Weitzel from Weitzel Construction). The “work party” was already planned before today’s forecast took a turn for the sunny! Also helping decorate – Max and Quinn, as in the Atomic Boys‘ original namesakes (sons of store owners Parris and Kent Sadow):
Among the holiday fun coming up in the Admiral District, Dinah Brein at the historic Admiral Theater says she’s finalized the date for the free Christmas movie, 7 pm December 20th. She’s still finalizing the movie; once again this year, she asked us to ask you for ideas – see the suggestions here.
If you’re out in public with the art you put your heart and soul into, it helps to have a cheering section nearby. If our photo’s angle were a bit wider, you would see Rose Jarvey‘s mom off to the left. Rose is one of the artists showing and selling their wares at WSB sponsor C & P Coffee‘s Holiday Arts/Crafts Fair right now, till 2 pm (5612 California SW). It’s all about family over in the other corner of C & P’s front room:
That’s micro-photographer extraordinaire Machel Spence (who has shared work here on WSB many a time) and daughter India – while mom’s known for photographing tiny marvels, India created these:
Feet away, Barbara Noonan was using coffee and croissant as a still-life inspiration for another chalk creation:
She was C & P’s featured West Seattle Art Walk artist last month. Others we saw at today’s fair include Ebrima Jatta with Africa-inspired crafts, painter Sheila Lengle, and Jewelry by Brett Today’s other bazaars/fairs/events are listed on our ‘West Seattle Sunday‘ preview, here.
Fresh this morning – a micro-scene at Lincoln Park, courtesy of photographer Machel Spence, who’ll be at the C & P Coffee Company holiday arts/crafts fair today – part of another busy list of possibilities! From the WSB West Seattle Holidays and Events calendars:
C & P HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: Meet the artists and shop at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 9 am-2 pm (5612 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska. Today you’ll also find a booth with Waste Management promoting and answering questions about its recycling challenge – with its neighborhoods around the city (including West Seattle) competing over the next few months to win a $50,000 neighborhood-improvement grant, depending on which one has the biggest reduction in waste.
WEST SEATTLE ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR: Final day, wide variety of West Seattle artists featured at local artist studios during the Seattle Sampling Artists Studio Tour: Visit Penguina Designs Studio (penguinadesigns.com), Brace Point Pottery (bracepointpottery.com), Ken Turner Pottery Studio (kenturnerpottery.com) or Marilyn Moore Studio all without leaving West Seattle! Multiple artists are featured at each studio; full details at seattlesampling.com. 10 am-5 pm.
BRUNCH, ANYONE? While you’re out shopping … WSB sponsor Fresh Bistro serves brunch 10 am-3 pm; see the menu here.
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: SANTA PHOTOS! Santa Photos in The Junction! 11 am to 3 pm at City Mouse Studio and Store, with photographer Donna Ryan; suggested donation of $15 or more goes to help West Seattle charities.
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS HEADQUARTERS: 11 am-4 pm, in front of KeyBank at California/Alaska, it’s Hometown Holidays Headquarters for information on festivities, shopping, the Holiday Raffle and in-store events. Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) info here. (P.S. In case you are wondering, the mule-drawn carriage rides are the NEXT TWO Sundays, NOT today.)
DECK THE MUSEUM WITH BOUGHS … (etc.): You’re invited to join in decorating the Log House Museum and potluck lunch 12-2 pm. Help get the Log House Museum ready for the holidays! Join us to string lights and decorate the tree. Also bring a side dish or small dessert for a Potluck Lunch with staff, board and volunteers! And, if you have some, we need extra lights for outside and thumb tacks, small nails, or a staple gun to hang them. So come on over; it’s always fun to share work and food! 3003 61st SW.
HOLIDAY ART, ENERGY, AND HEALING: Greet old friends, make new ones, and shop for unique, uplifting gifts at Alki Arts, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Stone readings, crystals, Peruvian rattles, crystal/flower essences, animal totem pendulums, smudge kits, art, books, and more! Rose De Dan of Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, Robyn Fritz of Alchemy West, and Vicki Draper of Vi Miere will be there to answer your questions about energy healing for people and animals as well as assist you in finding the right energetic gift for yourself, family, or friends
CAPERS’ OPEN HOUSE AND “DIY SANTA”: CAPERS holiday open house continues 11-5; meet Mary Conzatti of M. Frances Jewelry (noon-4 pm), and take your own photos with Santa, 1-5 pm.
DREAM HOMES TOUR: Multi-agency Open House tour of 11 West Seattle “dream homes,” 1-4 pm. From the announcement: “Our intention has been to generate an energy within our community through agency solidarity, as well as to show what the housing market coupled with the current interest rates can buy. We love West Seattle and want to do whatever we can to help it thrive in this economically challenging time. There are some amazing opportunities available for first time home buyers all the way up to those ready to move up!” Here’s the list of homes.
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: Dreading the holidays because of the death of a loved one? Grace Church will host a “Surviving the Holidays” one time seminar, 2 pm, 10323 28th SW. Everyone is welcome. Contact Barb at 206-932-7459.
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,’ RADIO STYLE: 3 pm matinee for 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’: Also continuing today, ArtsWest presents the Seattle premiere of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez. 3 pm; ticket info here.
EVENING SHOPPING: 3rd annual St. Nicholas Faire, a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline, at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4105 California SW, 4 pm to 7 pm. Cost is $5 per person, $15 per family (with at least one can of food per person) or $10 per person, $25 per family (when there are no donations). Come and buy gift baskets and baked goods for people on your holiday shopping lists. Also enjoy wine tasting, a wine toss and tasty treats and drinks!
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