West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
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!
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.)
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