West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
With just one week till Christmas Eve, we checked out four West Seattle holiday events tonight. First: Bakery Nouveau‘s open house in The Junction – packed house, of course, but then again, that happens most regular days too. The renowned bakery’s two-hour event offered holiday-treat samples and the chance to place pre-orders (which they’re taking till next Tuesday, according to the BN Facebook page). Over in the Admiral District, the party’s still under way at Admiral Pub, where they’re playing poker, celebrating “ugly sweaters,” and most important of all, collecting diapers – Adele explained it for us on video:
As Adele mentioned, Admiral Pub is collecting diapers through the end of the month – about three-fourths of the way to the 6,000-diaper goal as the night began, but you can bet they’d love nothing more than to far exceed the goal, so drop off diapers there even if you can’t make it to tonight’s festivities.
Beautiful day so far – clear sky, Olympics, Cascades, and Mount Rainier out in all their splendor. Reminder that school’s out early, one hour for Seattle Public Schools, independent schools vary. Also today/tonight: The Admiral Pub‘s diaper drive (featured on KING 5 – see clip above) goes big with an “ugly sweater” holiday party/poker tournament tonight, 7 pm – bring diapers for WestSide Baby; they’re more than halfway to their goal of 6,000 … Also in the Admiral District, West Seattle-based (and nationally acclaimed) food writer Kim O’Donnel signs her “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm … In The Junction, it’s Bakery Nouveau‘s holiday open house, 4-6 pm, and wine tasting with Walla Walla’s Corliss Cellars at Bin 41 (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7 pm, plus Howden-Kennedy‘s annual memorial service/community open house, 5:30-8 pm … At the beach, it’s the last Friday night skating session of the year at Alki Community Center, 6:45-8:45 pm (they’re taking Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve off) … Vaudeville with Matt Baker tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm (reservations by e-mail at kenyonhall@earthlink.net ) … Go make your own music, caroling in Delridge! Meet at 7 pm at Greg Davis Park (26th/Brandon) … If you’re shopping for a Christmas tree this weekend, check out our 5th annual West Seattle tree-lot price survey. Have a great day!
Thanks to Westside School (WSB sponsor) for sharing photos of a big event today – for the fourth consecutive year, Westside kindergarteners hosted the holiday toy drive for Toys for Tots, and their toys/books/bikes/pillows collection was bigger than ever! Above, the proud kindergarteners; the picture below was taken a few hours later as firefighters from the new, nearby Station 37 received the donated toys:
If you can give toys – a number of drives continue – at Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction, they’re collecting for foster kids via Treehouse; at every West Seattle community center (“like” them all together on Facebook!) they’ve got a drive under way; and of course, there are your local firehouses. More giving opportunities on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
You made suggestions – and now the decision’s in. Just received from the Admiral Theater, word that the free Christmas movie at 7 pm next Thursday (December 23) will be Jim Carrey‘s 2009 animated version of “A Christmas Carol.” Carrey is the voice of Scrooge as well as the three ghosts who visit him. The “free” admission is qualified, as Dinah from The Admiral reminds us:
Remember, we are doing this as a benefit for the Humane Society. Statistics prove that animals are a good Xmas gift only to be brought back after the holidays. That’s when animal shelters see a large jump in attendance. So before you get your Jingle Bells on, you MUST bring something from the list below to the theater:
Animal crates (all sizes)
Premium dog & cat food
toys
bedding
collars
leashes
brushes
shampoo’s
warm blankets
and a new Prius (okay, that’s for me)Can’t wait to see you there!
Mrs. Claus (Dinah)
Never been to The Admiral? No! Well, maybe you’re new. California SW just north of Admiral Way.
Three quick notes previewing tonight: Shop local and shop late! It’s the second-to-last Shop Late Thursday in The Junction, with some stores open till 9 pm – see the list of participants here; four (Clementine, Click! Design That Fits, knows perfume, Twilight Artist Collective) also have deals/info featured in our Holiday Shopping Guide. … West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School face off in basketball tonight – junior-varsity boys at 4:45 pm, varsity girls at 6:15 pm, varsity boys at 8, at WSHS … At CSIHS tonight, it’s the music program’s Winter Concert, 7 pm in the auditorium … Reminder: For most if not all local schools, private as well as public, tomorrow’s the last day before winter break; for Seattle Public Schools, classes get out an hour early on Friday.
Just a week after the White Center Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a community Christmas tree in the small park area at the end of the Delridge Triangle (on the city side, so West Seattle can claim it too), the tree was lighted in a ceremony tonight. Video/photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux was there for WSB and partner site White Center Now. If you haven’t followed the backstory on WCN, the “power” to which nearby pub owner “Mac” McElroy refers in the clip is electric power – with the help of Seattle City Light, the area got connected earlier this week, which also makes lighting possible for the flag that flies over the triangle as part of a veterans’ memorial.
Three more holiday notes this afternoon:
FESTIVUS AT HOTWIRE: This is as official as Festivus (TV-show-inspired anti-holiday explained here) is going to get in West Seattle. If you haven’t been to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) lately, a Festivus Pole is up with notes all over (we took our photo some days back, so it’s likely even more “well-decorated” now) it. The official Airing of the Grievances is Thursday, December 23rd, 10 am. And before then, you can donate to the new Hotwire Pet Giving Tree, with the theme “Festivus: For the Pets of Us“:
Besides having sponsored WSB continuously for more than three years, Hotwire is also one of the participants in our West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide.
Meantime, more renown for the Helmstetler Family Spectacular Christmas lights by the Charlestown water tower:
EVENING MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHTS ‘THE LIGHTS’: After sending crews over multiple times while the lights were going up and then on the official first night just after Thanksgiving, KING 5‘s Evening Magazine aired the full story last night – you can see it in its entirety above. The ongoing show at 3908 SW Charlestown has its own website, with schedules, special events, and other info, at westseattlelights.com.
YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN COMMUNITY CAROLING THIS FRIDAY! We mentioned this as a side note the other day, and it’s on the still-frequently-updated West Seattle Holidays page now, but in case you missed it: You are invited to go caroling with an informal group planning to gather this Friday night – here’s the invite, shared by Karrie:
Hey neighbor!
Come Christmas Caroling with us this Friday night!
What: Spread holiday spirit, sing & socialize
Meet at: Greg Davis Park at corner of Brandon and 26th Ave SW [map]
When: Friday 12/17 at 7 pm (we’ll head north on 26th at 715 pm)
Bring: Flashlight for reading songs, umbrella, a warm drink, jingle bellsWe’ll have copies of many traditional Christmas songs but all faiths and songs are welcome. If you have a favorite, make lots of copies to share and be ready to lead us in the tune. Neighbors in Delridge and High Point joined forces to plan this and we hope to make it an annual event.
Hope to see you there, rain or snow!
(Santa photo by Donna Ryan Photography)
Two more Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) events ahead in The Junction this week – another Shop Late Thursday tomorrow, then the third and final round of professional Santa photos and mule-drawn carriage rides 11 am-3 pm on Sunday. The Santa photos by Donna Ryan Photography raise money for local nonprofits, and West Seattle Junction Association‘s Susan Melrose just sent an update:
The Junction’s Santa Photo/Fundraising is going great. This is the Junction Association’s 6th year hosting Santa photos and a greater success is being achieved every year. In our 3rd year working with Donna Ryan Photography, we are not only delivering beautiful photos to West Seattle families, but also raising funds for community members in need. The first weekend raised more than $800 for WestSide Baby, last weekend raised more than $1,000 for the West Seattle Helpline, and this Sunday we’ll be raising funds for the West Seattle Food Bank. Thank you, West Seattle families, for participating in this holiday tradition.
And while you’re in The Junction for Shop Late Thursday, shopping any time (our 21 Holiday Shopping Guide sponsors include 11 Junction stores), or Hometown Holidays Sunday, get in on the $4,600 raffle, too.
Holiday favorites resounded through the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium last night as the Westside Symphony and West Seattle Big Band teamed up for a holiday concert. Our top clip features the symphony performing four selections from “The Nutcracker” – conducted by Rob Duisberg (who you may also know as the Lincoln Park bee rescuer). This is the first year for the group to perform as part of the West Seattle Community Orchestras, the new umbrella name for what was Westside Symphonette – this is the older group (the younger groups performed their holiday concert last week). One more selection from last night: WSBB and symphony musicians played several crowd-singalong songs together, including “Winter Wonderland” under the direction of the orchestra group’s founder Toni Reineke:
You can find out more about the WS Big Band here; the WS Community Orchestras are always welcoming new musicians and usually practice Tuesdays at CSIHS – find out more about them here.
(November 2010 photo by Long B. Nguyen, looking north on California SW from Gatewood to Morgan Junction)
With all the weather wildness we’ve had these past few days, why are we showing a photo from last month’s snow/ice trouble, you ask? At 9:30 this morning, the Seattle City Council‘s Transportation Committee – chaired by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen – hears from the people who run Metro and SDOT, among others, regarding what didn’t go so well during the big “Snowvember” days. Here’s the agenda; you can watch live via Seattle Channel, online or on cable channel 21. … Tonight, a couple of holiday entertainment highlights: The Westside Symphony/West Seattle Big Band concert at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), 7 pm, as previewed here last night; also, “A Tuna Christmas” starts its second-to-last week at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) with a performance at 7:30 tonight (tickets available online here) … One more event from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – the 1954 classic “White Christmas” screens this afternoon at Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW (map), free admission/snacks, (206) 932-5480 if you have questions. … One community meeting tonight: Admiral Neighborhood Association, 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).
Quick preview of a highlight tomorrow night from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – Christmas classics from The Westside Symphony AND West Seattle Big Band, all on one bill, 7 pm Tuesday in the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle). According to Toni Reineke of the West Seattle Community Orchestras (which include the symphony), the program will include “Nutcracker” selections, “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and the song everybody knows as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” $5 adults, $1 kids, and there will be singalongs!
If you didn’t go see the Christmas Ship on Saturday night, perhaps out of an understandable desire not to stand out in the drenching rain (here’s our report with video, and a larger version of the wonderful David Hutchinson photo at right) – we wanted to remind you that it’s making a West Seattle encore tonight, 8:40 pm, Don Armeni Boat Ramp (here’s a map). Also tonight, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is one of the few community councils/associations having a regular meeting this month – they’re in session at 6:30 pm at Delridge Library. P.S. North Delridge and High Point neighbors just announced a caroling expedition this Friday night – if you want to join, meet them at 7 pm Friday at Greg Davis Park (Brandon/26th). (More holiday happenings on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page!)
(UPDATED 11:29 PM – adding photos from Alki)
In the second :30 of that clip showing the Christmas Ship and its accompanying boats sailing away from Seacrest Pier less than an hour ago, after their first West Seattle serenade this season, you’ll see all the umbrellas – lots of hardy folks weren’t going to let the rain keep them away from this holiday tradition. Yes, there was even a bonfire, plus reps from your West Seattle Community Centers serving refreshments. The Christmas Ship will be back in our waters two more times tonight, but with a different choir. In case you missed Seacrest, here’s the first number performed there by Northwest Girlchoir Vivace:
The Dickens Carolers will be on board when the Christmas Ship arrives at Lowman Beach at 8:50, and Alki Beach at 9:40 for its next two 20-minute musical stops.
ADDED 11:29 PM: We made it to the Lowman stop, not to take photos/video, just to watch/listen. On that side of the Sound, the water was topped with fog, from which the Christmas Ship seemed to emerge, a bit eerily. The rain intensified during the performance there, and it was slippery going to cross back over the grassy, muddy park to get to the sidewalk/street. From there, the ship (known the rest of the year as Argosy’s Spirit of Seattle) moved on to Alki as planned – we called it a night at that point, but David Hutchinson shares these two photos from the Alki stop:
Here’s the schedule for the rest of its season (remember, Argosy Cruises sells tickets to ride on board the Christmas Ship and its official “parade boats,” too), including a final West Seattle stop on Monday (Don Armeni, 8:40 pm with Soundwave performing).
(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now)
Even after the West Seattle Junction tree lighting a week ago, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe lighting last night, still yearning for more turn-the-tree-on holiday spirit? You’re in luck. The brand-new White Center community Christmas tree is up (technically on the West Seattle side of the line) and the WC Chamber has just announced a lighting ceremony for this Wednesday night. Full story and more photos on our partner site White Center Now.
(WSB photo, December 2009)
The worst of the impending storm may not hit till late – if you’re creekside and worried about floods, sandbags are available at Delridge Community Center – so don’t let yourself be spooked away from a chance to celebrate the Christmas Ship visits with your West Seattle Community Centers team. Three West Seattle stops tonight: Seacrest Pier, 5:15-5:35 pm, then Lowman Beach from 8:50-9:10 pm, Alki Beach 9:40-10 pm (full season schedule here, including one West Seattle encore Monday)
BAZAARS/ARTS AND CRAFT SALES: C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) hosts a Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair with jewelry, toys, clothing, prints, paintings, furniture, holiday items and more. … 9 am-3 pm (5612 California SW) … There’s an art fair at Diva Espresso, 9 am-4 pm (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW) … Freshy’s Coffee is hosting a holiday Homemade Brigade from 10 am-4 pm … And two that are NOT at coffee shops: “Winter Wonder” Holiday Bazaar in the movement studio at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, noon-3 pm (4408 Delridge Way SW) and the Holigaze Art Sale at Ginomai Studios, noon-7 pm …
HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT: Endolyne Children’s Choir presents its Winter Fantasy Concert in the sanctuary at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 11 am, adults $7, children 12/under $5
SANTA PHOTOS – KIDS AND PETS! For the kids – Westwood Village has Santa in the house noon-4 pm (across from 24 Hour Fitness), bring food bank and diaper donations … For the pets: Both Windermere offices in West Seattle have Santa Paws coming to town today – both 11 am-2 pm – Morgan Junction (6505 California SW). also collecting food donations and new socks for those in need, and The Junction (4526 California SW), bring any pet-related item or pet food for donation.
HIGHLAND PARK HOLIDAY PARTY: Highland Park Improvement Club holiday party, starts with potluck dinner at 6 pm – full details here
FREE COMMUNITY HOLIDAY MEAL: Everyone is welcome! Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1-3 pm (35th/Myrtle)
CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPPING? We published the annual WSB West Seattle Christmas Tree Price Survey yesterday afternoon.
OTHER SHOPPING? More than 20 West Seattle businesses’ deals and holiday hours are now part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide!
WEST SEATTLE FABRIC COMPANY’S GRAND OPENING: We suspect everyone who’s been eagerly awaiting this store already knows, but in case you lost track – 11 am today, the store at 2210 California SW opens its doors (and has just debuted its logo on Facebook).
‘ASK AN EXPERT’ AT TOOL LIBRARY: Noon-2 pm: As part of The West Seattle Tool Library’s monthly conversation series, Eric Thomas of Solar Epiphany (Solar Power) will join the regular cast of experts who will be hanging out at the Tool Library, along with sustainable-building, urban/winter-gardening, and water-harvesting/cistern experts. North end of South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW). Free drop-in event.
On the night of the Feast Day in honor of their church and school’s namesake, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Christmas tree shines bright near the city’s highest point. The tree lights went on during a festive, well-attended community celebration tonight. But before the lights, and the caroling, OLG’s Father Jack Walmesley had two things to share with the crowd – news about OLG’s principal Kristin Dixon, following a tribute in memory of parishioner Mitch Forrey, who along with wife Mary inspired the annual tree-lighting celebration:
Shortly afterward, the main event, the tree countdown, led by the event’s emcee Brian Callanan, a local TV journalist, West Seattleite, and OLG parishioner:
This is the tree’s second year with energy-saving LED lights, by the way. After the lighting – with the weather still blessedly dry – it was time for lots of crowd caroling, led by OLG choir director Ann Sager. “Jingle Bells” – with car keys used as impromptu bells if need be – is a tradition at this event:
Other caroling included “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”:
Also noted during tonight’s event, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s ongoing fundraising campaign to add a new Parish Life Center and gym; according to the campaign’s website, the campaign has brought in more than half the $4.2 million they’re working to raise.
SIDE NOTE: OLG is one of the local churches whose Christmas services are listed/linked on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – if yours aren’t there yet, we invite you to send the information so we can add it there too!
Not only was it the perfect holiday field trip – it was the first field trip ever, we’re told, for the Holy Rosary preschool class taught by Tauna Evans and Sara Velling. As you’ll notice in the background, the kids were headed for Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) for hot chocolate after caroling; Hotwire is just one short block from HR. Thanks to Shannon for sharing the photo.
HOLIDAY REMINDER: Don’t miss this weekend’s highlights on the West Seattle Holidays page – including Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s tree-lighting coming up at 7 tonight (35th/Myrtle) – and the Christmas Ship comes to West Seattle for three stops tomorrow (Saturday) night plus a fourth on Monday night.
WSB didn’t debut till Christmas Eve 2005, so it was too late for a Christmas tree price check that year, but we’ve done one every year since, dating back to 2006. So once again, by request, here’s the fifth annual edition – bigger and better than ever, thanks to the help of a Super Secret Tree Shopper who braved the downpours these past few days and sampled prices not only for trees but also for some of the other holiday trimmings. Disclaimer: You may find something different when you shop – we have no guarantee that prices and/or hours didn’t change the second our Super Secret Tree Shopper walked off the lot, or that they won’t change next week, or in the final days – this is just meant to be a guide, if you’re looking for help before figuring out where you’re going and how much you want to spend. North to South, here they are, after the jump:
Along with the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays festivities we covered earlier (more next Sunday – and during WS Art Walk/Shop Late Thursday in four nights!), we checked in on some of today’s other holiday happenings. Above, the Keller Williams Realty team from The Junction had their annual holiday party at West Seattle Bowl – including an ugly sweater contest! The “winner” hadn’t been chosen yet when we stopped by, so everyone gathered for a group shot. Keller Williams has a Salvation Army Giving Tree in their office at 4452 California SW this season, and you are invited to participate by stopping by, choosing a tag, and bringing back the new, unwrapped gift before 12/20 pickup.
A few blocks north, West Seattle Christian Church is hosting a gingerbread-house-building competition tonight:
That action shot just in via cameraphone; we expect to be able to show the winner later! Two other events this afternoon, both by WSB sponsors, featured elegant spreads – the hallmark of the holiday open house – this one was for the dessert reception after the annual remembrance celebration at Forest Lawn:
And there were treats among the treasures at Wyatt’s Jewelers at Westwood Village:
Wyatt’s is now along the central WV driveway, while its former location on the breezeway by Bed Bath Beyond is home to Santa’s House again this year – Santa’s back at Westwood next Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 pm, one of the ongoing (as well as one-time-only) events listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
In some places, it’s not Christmas till Santa and his reindeer show up. In the West Seattle Junction, the Belgian draft mules and their carriage are almost as much of a holiday icon. They’re here now (video) and giving rides till 3 pm – just wait by Hometown Holidays HQ alongside KeyBank, which is where you’ll find Pathfinder K-8 with holiday facepainting:
Your holiday helpers in that photo are Lashanna and Jen (whose face is already painted). Pathfinder is also selling wreaths, raising money for outdoor-education programs, just a few steps west along SW Alaska by the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. And of course, Santa has arrived in The Junction today too – with photos raising money for WestSide Baby, which is near and dear to the heart of the young lady with whom we photographed St. Nick a short time ago:
That’s McInnis Woodland, daughter of WestSide Baby’s executive director Nancy Woodland. Donna Ryan Photography is taking professional Santa photos again this year (we took the pic above – hers will be much lovelier!) – your $15 donation today goes to WS Baby. By the way, Donna is having a contest to name the retail shop – including kids’ clothes – that she opened alongside the studio space earlier this year; winner gets a $500 shopping spree – entry details here.
Next up for Hometown Holidays Sunday – West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards at HH HQ, California/Alaska southwest corner, at 1 pm!
Monday P.S. – As discussed in comments, Santa photos continue the next two Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, at Donna Ryan’s studio, on SW Alaska south of California, next to Cupcake Royale, as do other Junction festivities, though the mules aren’t back till December 19th.
(2009 photo of mule carriage in The Junction)
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Today and the next two Sundays are full of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) excitement in The Junction. Starting at 11 am, you can get a photo with Santa Claus at Donna Ryan Photography ($15 donation goes to WestSide Baby) and ride a mule-drawn carriage (free – catch it by Hometown Holidays HQ outside KeyBank), plus face-painting courtesy of Pathfinder K-8 (purveyors of the famous handmade wreaths). The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is open for business 10 am-2 pm as always. And at 1 pm, join us at Hometown Holidays HQ to honor the latest recipients of the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards (as announced here). While you’re in The Junction, you can enter the $4,600 Hometown Holidays Raffle – with more than two dozen participating merchants (listed here).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS TODAY: 3 WSB sponsors are having open-house events: Savor “The Flavor of the Season” with special food tastings/demonstrations at Metropolitan Market, noon-5 pm … Wyatt’s Jewelers in Westwood Village has an open house 1-4 pm … And Forest Lawn invites you to a holiday celebration starting at 4 pm, with a string quartet and catered goodies … Also: The community is invited to the annual Christmas Party at Alki Masonic Hall (4736 40th Av. SW), 3-5 pm – free Santa pictures, magic show, food, games, gifts for the kids … Watch a gingerbread-house-building competition at West Seattle Christian Church, 5 pm … Gingerbread houses are also part of the plan this morning at Fauntleroy Church, where the annual Advent Pageant is part of the 10 am service; Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has a special holiday service too, 10 am, with the “Hanging of the Greens” … Westwood Village‘s Santa House is open again today, noon-4 pm (bring food-bank donations for photos, and diaper donations for WS Baby, too) … Details, and even MORE holiday happenings, on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (updated at least once daily, with more events and services as we get word of them)!
That’s the official lighting of the newest West Seattle Junction Christmas Tree about half an hour ago at brand-new Junction Plaza Park, with a countdown from local online/on-air personality Marty Riemer (see his event-opening mini-monologue here) and his tree-lighting assistant Ruby, chosen from a clamoring crowd of kids by the stage:
The lights went on after a 40-minute program including the Endolyne Children’s Choir:
Speakers included Todd Carden of Elliott Bay Brewery (West Seattle Junction Association board president):
The crowd also heard from Erica Karlovits, president of the Junction Neighborhood Organization, who helped shepherd the park to completion:
Also speaking: West Seattle Christian Church pastor Dan Jacobs, with reflections on the warmth of community, and newly elected King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (introduced humorously by Riemer):
(His appearance reminded us that the last West Seattleite to hold that council seat – now-County Executive Dow Constantine – was the emcee the last time the tree-lighting ceremony was held at the site of the now-park, back in 2006 [WSB coverage here].) There were many goodnatured jokes about the tree’s newness – it was planted in the park just a few months ago – but you have to admit, it looks lovely with lights.
More video to come. Whether you were there tonight or not – hundreds of people filled the park! – come back to The Junction tomorrow for the first Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) Sunday, 11 am-3 pm, with mule-carriage rides, Santa photos at Donna Ryan Photography next to Cupcake Royale ($15 donation for WestSide Baby), and great shopping at Junction stores (check our guide!).
P.S. Our Lady of Guadalupe lights its tree – highest spot in Seattle! 35th/Myrtle – 7 pm Friday.
Many years, a December Saturday spent sampling holiday bazaars might have meant soggy – or even snowy – walks between your car and the front door of the school or church. Not today. The bright smiles inside reflected the bright sunshine outside as we stopped at two of the many West Seattle venues with holiday bazaars/sales today. Above, the Highland Park Elementary PTA presented a bake sale and bazaar to raise money for all the things PTA fundraising covers these days – right now, a big concern at HPE is the playground. Among the participants, a Girl Scout troop that came from outside West Seattle:
They’re raising money for a trip to Japan – in 2013. Their leader says she found an online listing for the bazaar, seeking vendors, so they decided it was the place to be. And in the hallway, a rummage sale to raise money for Highland Park students to go to camp:
HP dad Ryan said they’d already sold an entire table of merchandise earlier in the day and they’ve raised enough for three kids to go to camp – though they have more in need (here’s how to help). Also selling their wares today, artists and craftspeople we found in the social hall at the newly dedicated Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation church in Gatewood:
That’s Rose Sheppard, selling some of the pottery she’s made. And Laura Matson told us sales were going great for her handmade shibori cloth works:
Since WSUU just moved into the onetime Gatewood Baptist Church this fall, this is their first holiday bazaar (if you see this shortly after we publish it, they’re there till 4; enter from the church’s north parking lot along California north of Othello). As listed in the morning preview, today had many events like these – but there are still more to come, so keep your eyes on the bazaars/sales/tastings list toward the top of the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
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