West Seattle, Washington
01 Wednesday
Tomorrow night at 7, the gala lighting ceremony is still on for the Christmas-lights display dubbed the Helmstetler Family Spectacular (if that doesn’t jog a memory, check this story from last year) – but family friend and display mastermind Jim Winder says what you see in the photo above is the reason why it won’t be as spectacular as they’d planned:
Last night we did our first show for family and neighbors…
but then, sometime last night/early this morning my Big Tree broke. There is no way I can have it fixed for the scheduled Lighting Ceremony on Saturday (or probably even this year), but as of right now we are still planning on doing the lighting ceremony … there will just be a LOT fewer lights than originally planned.
After receiving that note, we asked Jim if there’s anything anyone can do to help (since we knew someone would ask):
Right now I am trying to figure out what to do, but it more than likely won’t include putting that tree back up…even though it was going to be the “highlight” of the display.
Don’t think there is much anyone can do, as that tree pretty much took me all summer to build…just don’t have the time or resources to rebuild it. And even if I did, nothing is assured it would not happen again. So…back to the drawing board!!
Given the splendor of last year’s synchronized-to-music display, you’re still likely to be delighted by whatever results – Jim’s been working on it all year. Here are the details of Saturday night’s ceremony; here’s where to find it (3908 SW Charlestown); and here’s the season’s schedule.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Taking a post-Thanksgiving look around the West Seattle Christmas-tree-sales landscape – we start with the Holy Rosary School Christmas Tree Sale‘s big move.
Its most recent home behind Admiral Safeway is now a busy construction zone (seen the webcam lately?), so they’re selling trees on their own campus this year – and since it’s a tiny bit off the beaten track, they’re going all out to get the word out, with the lot opening tomorrow.
One recent windblown, pre-snow afternoon, we stopped by the campus for a tree-site-to-be tour with Holy Rosary’s Sarah Dahleen and principal Dr. Randal Peters.
The parking lot shown above is the intended site for the trees – between the north side of the school building and the south side of the school playground. Might be a bit of a distraction for the students, they acknowledge, but “it’ll smell great.” Also, the lot won’t be open during school hours – it’ll be open 3:30-9 pm weekdays, 9 am-9 pm weekends (with candy canes and cocoa for tree-shoppers on Sundays), through December 22nd.
The entrance will be from the alley off SW Dakota, between 42nd and 41st SW (map), and there’s parking in a lot west of where you’ll find the trees.
One thing hasn’t changed: 15% of the Holy Rosary lot’s proceeds will benefit three local charities: The Salvation Army’s Hickman House, which provides shelter to women and children getting away from domestic abuse; West Seattle Helpline; and the West Seattle Food Bank.
Not only has this long been the only tree lot with its own website, it’ll also have extra marketing this year to spread the word – signs are out around West Seattle (we saw them by Walking on Logs this morning), billboard space was donated in The Triangle, and someone in a Christmas tree costume is likely to be found waving at you nearby when the lot’s open.
If you can’t wait till tomorrow, you can buy a tree at several other spots around the peninsula, including West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), Tony’s Produce (35th/Barton; the photo above is from Thanksgiving afternoon), Junction TrueValue (44th/Edmunds), West Seattle Produce (4721 Fauntleroy Way), The Home Depot (Delridge/Webster), both Rite-Aid stores, and Westwood Village QFC. And tree info will be available throughout the season on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Toward that goal, we just launched Version 1.0 of the West Seattle Holiday Shopping/Business Guide – an extra advertising showcase for local businesses to invite you to stop in and explore gift possibilities this holiday season. It’ll be updated frequently, both with additions and with updates/new deals from participating businesses. Today, you’ll find some Black Friday deals (ones you didn’t have to wait in line pre-dawn to get!), among other things. Check it out here. Happy shopping! (Don’t forget to keep an eye on the Coupons page, too.)
Just received that photo from David Rosen of SlickPix Photography, who says he’s been in line at Westwood Village Target since 11 pm. David says the line’s still growing – despite the rain – and the first person in line has been there since 6 pm. According to the ads we’ve seen, Target’s opening at 4 am. (photo added – by the time Target opened, the line stretched all the way around the corner past Barnes and Noble and alongside Chico’s!)
As for other WV bigboxes – Bed, Bath & Beyond is also opening at 4 am, Staples opens at 6 am. And if you’re shopping at the Westwood Barnes and Noble today, there’s a Bookfair benefiting Roxhill Elementary School – use the coupon that’s linked here (which is good at the store through December 3rd) and tip the gift-wrappers (tips benefit Roxhill, today only).
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIGBOXES: Many West Seattle independent stores are rolling the welcome mat out further than ever; we’re rolling out Version 1.0 of a special local holiday-shopping guide in the next few hours – stand by for details!
SEALTH BAND IN MACY’S PARADE: The big downtown parade later this morning is scheduled to feature the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band again this year, according to the lineup in a news release from parade sponsor Macy’s (which also describes the parade route). The parade starts at 9 am; doesn’t appear anyone’s televising it.
At left, the A-board sign announces the free Thanksgiving dinner that’s just started inside The Hall at Fauntleroy (the old schoolhouse is mostly out of view on the left). But the even bigger news is the view up that section of California SW to SW Barton – the big meltoff is under way, and the roads are getting better all the time. No more weather advisories; it’s raining lightly. Now, back inside The Hall at Fauntleroy, where Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor) and a team of volunteers invite you to the free feast continuing till 3 pm – a few scenes:
The Hall at Fauntleroy’s at 9131 California SW; here’s a map. As noted on the West Seattle Holidays page, the West Seattle Eagles also invite all, nonmembers included, to a free meal 2-5 pm today, 4426 California SW. And if you haven’t checked our “who’s open” list – coffee, restaurants, grocery stores, to the best of our research abilities – find it here. Hope you’re having a great holiday!
ADDED 12:56 PM: Before the snow’s all gone … Heidi writes, “… since the weather has warmed up in Sunrise Heights, the snow is perfect for making snowmen and my husband couldn¹t pass up the chance.” The result:
(10:47 AM TOPLINE: No major road problems reported; SDOT salting snow routes)
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
Happy Thanksgiving Day! Starting a morning report with info and updates.
*Here’s our list of who was planning to be open in West Seattle today, coffee/groceries/restaurants; a few other Thanksgiving Day activities are on our West Seattle Holidays page. (10:30 AM note: Tweaked the list thanks to e-mail from Luke – Freshy’s is closed; Java Bean’s open.)
*Metro is on a Sunday schedule and snow routing; the Water Taxi is NOT running (nor are its shuttle buses).
*The cars out front have a new, light layer of snow, but currently, only the occasional flake is falling. Warmer than 24 hours earlier – 30 degrees at Boeing Field at 6 am; here’s the current Winter Weather Advisory. If you do have to drive today, please share info if you can, for others who have to hit the road for relatives’ homes, last-minute grocery shopping, etc. No major problems reported so far.
*Free community Thanksgiving dinners: Noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, courtesy of Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor), 9131 California SW; 2 pm-5 pm at West Seattle Eagles, 4426 California SW.
Now that the weather’s easing a bit – not to trivialize the low temperature, but at least it’s not snowing/blowing, and the main roads have been trouble-free – a few Thanksgiving notes:
LIST OF ‘WHO’S OPEN IN WEST SEATTLE‘: Ace researcher Katie has been making the calls and we now have Version 1.0 of the list of which food stores, coffee shops, and restaurants are open tomorrow. A few places didn’t answer and are being checked today, but so far, here’s who reported they’re open, and when. (We expect to have this in map format later, and will add addresses but for your advance planning, we present the first-draft text list.) This also is linked from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page. (1:37 pm note: We’ve added several more establishments to the list, so it’s now version 1.1.)
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNERS: In addition to the traditional Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor)-presented community meal tomorrow, noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) in the old schoolhouse, there’s one more: The West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW) invite one and all to their free Thanksgiving Dinner, even if you’re not a member, 2-5 pm tomorrow. These, too, are listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page, if you lose track later. P.S. The Hall at Fauntleroy will accept pie/cookie donations till 4 pm today, after 9 am tomorrow.
WHAT LOCAL FOOD BANKS NEED TODAY: We have checked with both. The West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan) says they need BAKED GOODS – bread, rolls, pastries, that type of thing. They are open for donations right now and will be distributing food noon-3 pm; after that, they’re closed for the holiday weekends. The White Center Food Bank tells us they do NOT have any immediate needs, but if you or someone you know needs food, they will be open till 7 pm. (Both food banks, of course, can always use money – they have maximum bulk purchasing power with your donations – donate online to WS Food Bank here, WC Food Bank here.)
TWO BLOOD DRIVES IN WEST SEATTLE TODAY: Puget Sound Blood Center says two drives are happening right now, partly to make up for 20 canceled elsewhere because of the weather. Here’s the latest information – Jefferson Square till 3 pm, Westwood Village till 3 pm. Full details here.
For more holiday info – check the frequently updated WSB Holidays page – and if you have an event/activity/request for holiday help (we have a section on that too), please let us know.
(Patrick Dunn and Christina Hahs with the cider press)
Got apples? Pears? The cider press demonstrated at today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market by Sustainable West Seattle is available to borrow from the WS Tool Library – as is a smaller one, SWS tells us. The library’s open Saturdays and Sundays (hours and location here). And Sustainable WS is looking ahead to a big annual event next Saturday – it’s the Money-Free Shopping Spree, and you don’t have to be a member to be part of it. 4-8 pm on Saturday, November 27 – which has been dubbed “Green Saturday” as a counterpoint to “Black Friday” – at Camp Long Lodge, bring handmade crafts, food, or certificates of services you can provide. This is an exchange event, not a sale. Full details, and ideas of what qualifies, can be found in this update on the SWS website – they’re also requesting that would-be participants add comments there with information on what they will bring. (And this comment from SWS’s Stu Hennessey also addresses the potluck that’ll kick off the Money-Free Shopping Spree.)
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HAITI: The 80-member regional choir in that video, Breath of Aire, is dedicated to benefit concerts – and you can hear the singers at one in West Seattle tonight, to raise money for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Hope Lutheran Church is the site (free but donations accepted), 6-8 pm (42nd/Oregon)
FITNESS FOR VITALITY RUN/WALK: As previewed here on Saturday – this morning’s FItness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) 5K is the third and final one in Annette Herrick‘s series this autumn; registration at 8 at Alki Bathhouse, run/walk at 9.
FAUNTLEROY ART SHOW/GIFT FAIRE FINALE: The third and final day brings a two-hour window to admire and shop more than a dozen artists’ creations at Fauntleroy Church, 11 am-1 pm (9140 California SW).
ADMIRAL CHURCH’S COUNTRY STORE: Open for shopping noon-1 pm, “gifts made with loving hands,” Admiral UCC Church, (California/Hill).
JF HENRY OPEN HOUSE: Second day in The Junction, 10 am-6 pm (4445 California SW)
PRO PET PHOTOS: Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare in Morgan Junction has Kathryn Sauber on hand all day. Call 932-7833 to make an appointment for a half-hour, $45 photo shoot (7003 California SW)
CIDERPRESS DEMONSTRATION AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Sustainable West Seattle will show off the ciderpress from the West Seattle Tool Library during today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska)
Holiday events? WSB West Seattle Holidays page; general events, WSB West Seattle Events page.
Holiday bazaar/arts-crafts sale/open house season continues, as noted in our quick preview – and Schmitz Park Elementary is a big one to visit today, benefiting the Schmitz Park PTA. More warm hats for the cold weather ahead are part of what sale co-chair Anne Weglin, is selling (with her daughters assisting nearby, close to treats including $3 chocolate pretzels). She pointed out that the fourth-graders are raising money for an environmental campout – here’s Emma Kasameyer with mom Karen Kasameyer:
Their fundraising wares include Re-Usies, the increasingly famous reusable snack/sandwich bags invented by West Seattle moms (from nearby Lafayette Elementary). And don’t miss the raffle bags in the hallway – vendors donated items for those; raffle proceeds also benefit the PTA. The bazaar’s on till 3 today in the Schmitz Park cafetorium, 5000 SW Spokane. (P.S. Late addition to the list of all bazaars/open houses/etc. – JF Henry in The Junction is having one today/tomorrow too – we’ve added that to the list on the West Seattle Holidays page.)
From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – big day for bazaars, open houses, craft sales! 10 am-3 pm at Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane), 10 am-5 pm at Northwest Art and Frame (4525 California SW), 10 am-2 pm at Junction TrueValue (4747 44th SW), 11 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), noon-4 pm at CAPERS (4525 California SW), and the Blithe Bazaar in Arbor Heights (3817 SW 105th), 4-8 pm. Details on all of them can be found in the very first section of the Holidays page.
Need a nice warm hat for the cold snap ahead? That’s part of what you’ll find at Fauntleroy Church till 8 pm tonight, 11 am-4 pm tomorrow, and 11 am-1 pm on Sunday, during this year’s expanded Fine Art Show and Holiday Gift Faire. The arts/crafts show sale includes 15 artists “displaying and selling work in a variety of media and prices, including fused glass, photo collage, felt, watercolor, and cast stone,” according to the church, which is at 9140 California SW (map).
These just might be the first 2010 Christmas trees in West Seattle (let us know if you have information to the contrary) – driving by Rite Aid south of The Junction this morning, we spotted them being set up outside the store. Moments earlier, we had been on another holiday errand – checking out the new Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) customer-co-created calendars:
That’s Hotwire barista Kyle holding up one of the calendars – they’re available for $5, with proceeds going to WestSide Baby and Furry Faces Foundation. Customers wrote the photo captions. P.S. Hotwire will be open 8 am-2 pm on Thanksgiving Day next Thursday; we are continuing to compile holiday hours/closures information for our West Seattle Holidays page, so please let us know if you have info to share!
2:32 PM CHRISTMAS TREE UPDATE: Update in comments – Christmas trees have been sighted at Home Depot too.
Westwood Village manager Stuart Crandall (right) and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board president Jerome Cohen cut the ribbon tonight to officially open Santa’s House at WV. It’s not formally open to the public for Santa photos till a week from Saturday, but this is the traditional sneak peek and ribboncutting that happens during an early holiday-season Chamber get-together. The hours are set for noon-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, November 27-December 19, and remember to bring donations – food for food banks will get you a free photo – White Center Food Bank‘s Audrey Zemke talked about how important that is:
They’re also again collecting diapers (sizes 3-6 preferred!) for WestSide Baby, whose executive director Nancy Woodland talked about how you can help:
WV manager Crandall says they had 5,800 Santa visits last year. Santa’s House is in the breezeway east of Bed Bath Beyond (across from 24-Hour Fitness). The schedule will be added momentarily to our West Seattle Holidays page!
We know there will be MUCH more to add to it – but for starters, here’s the first draft of our compiled list of holiday events and activities in West Seattle, grouped by type, on the newly launched Holidays page (you can also find it from the row of tabs atop all WSB pages). If there’s anything you’d like to add to the page, please share the information (and photos/logos/flyers if available) – we’ll be updating it at least once a day.
This year’s holiday bazaar at the Southwest Community Center is in the lobby shared by the community center and adjacent Southwest Pool. And there we found Tiffany Tomcal and Ryan Daley from the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir, selling “Carnegie Cakes” – cupcakes as part of their fundraiser for the choir to travel back east to sing at Carnegie Hall next Easter (you can see/hear the choir in a video clip from our coverage of the Sealth Veterans Day assembly). The SWCC bazaar continues till 4 pm at 2801 SW Thistle. Marion Lisko is there too, with Cookie Lee Jewelry:
The biggest bazaar we’ve visited today is the craft fair at Bridge Park Retirement Community (WSB sponsor) in High Point (3204 SW Morgan) – where the vendors include Bella and her dad, with their Funsies baby clothes:
At Bridge Park, you can also get a chair massage from Betty Lewis of Unwind Today:
And of course, Christmasy offerings abound – be sure to poke around all the corners of the lobby/dining level at Bridge Park to find them:
Like the SWCC bazaar, the Bridge Park event is also continuing till 4 pm, as is one we haven’t made to yet, at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).
The treats and decorated trees are inside at West Seattle Nursery, where the annual holiday open house continues till 3 pm, but you’ll want to venture outside too – wreath-making is under way, with a seminar coming up at the top of the hour …
Also outside: Free espresso! And the barista’s been busy …
West Seattle Nursery is at California/Brandon; the official open-house info is here; and note that West Seattle Nursery will be selling Christmas trees again this year too. (Not there yet – unless you take note of the beautiful potted Norfolk pine indoors!)
(Photo by Danny McMillin, taken last Wednesday)
Why wait for “Black Friday” when you have Shopping Saturday? Multiple major events today, starting with CoolMom’s Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Remember that if you donated pre-sale, and put your name in the bag, you should have a $5 credit waiting … Go Natives! Nursery has a plant sale today benefiting the West Seattle Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, 10 am-4 pm at 3225 47th SW (near PCC Natural Markets [WSB sponsor]) – follow the signs from California/Admiral … West Seattle Nursery‘s holiday open house is 11 am-3 pm today, with three seminars on chickens, wreaths, and cooking (details on the official flyer) … Bridge Park (WSB sponsor) offers a craft fair today, 9:30 am-4 pm (3204 SW Morgan) … Southwest Community Center‘s Holiday Bazaar is today, with entertainment, craft activities for kids, and more, 10 am-4 pm (2801 SW Thistle) … Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s holiday bazaar continues today (4831 35th SW) …The Shorewood Elementary Bazaar is also 10 am-4 pm, lots of handmade goods (2725 SW 116th) … In The Junction, knows perfume celebrates its six-month “anniversary” 11 am-6 pm with a sale/celebration … And after all that shopping, how about dancing? 7 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, it’s the 2nd Saturday Dance Series (with lessons too) … You might even leave the kids (6-12) at Hootenanny Creative Kids Classes’ Parents’ Night Out Workshop, 5:30-8:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center … Lots of other events on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!
Near the line between West Seattle and White Center in the Delridge Triangle, that plaque marks a tribute to veterans. This Veterans Day 2010 afternoon, a new flag flies over it:
It only happened with the help of a Seattle Fire Department crew, from Ladder 13.
“Mac” McElroy from nearby Mac’s Triangle Pub, who shared the photos, says someone who used to tend the flag isn’t able to do it any more, so he sought help in replacing it with a new one for Veterans Day – and SFD responded. Mac is a veteran too, by the way. And he’s trying to find out who can help get the flagpole area re-lit: “The city has been unable to help, as has the VFW. But it should be lit at night or taken down each evening.”
COOLMOM’S TOY SWAP AND SALE – DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: Just got word from CoolMom‘s Terri Glaberson that she’s making the rounds of the donation bins one last time by 5 pm today for this Saturday’s Toy Swap and Sale – if you have been meaning to donate items (just put your name in the bag and you get $5 off your purchases on Saturday), hurry! The PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) and smallclothes bins will be the last picked up. Full details, including the dropoff locations and the info on Saturday’s event, are here.
TWILIGHT STARTING TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER KIDS: Just got word from Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction that tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk also marks the start of their donation drive for Treehouse, which provides new toys and warm clothes for foster kids all around the area. If you don’t get to bring something tonight, no worries, they’ll be collecting all the way up till 5 pm December 19th, and each time you make a donation, your name will go into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate and goodie bag. Twilight is next to Easy Street along SW Alaska west of California SW. Here’s this year’s “wish list” from Treehouse.
(WSB photo from December 2009 by Christopher Boffoli)
Remember that scene from last December? As we and others reported, community generosity saved the day – and the holidays – for local kids in need, when Bishop Deborah Dinkins of Restoration Worship Center – which meets at High Point Community Center – reached out for help. She is hoping you can help again this year:
Greeting from Restoration Worship Center Bishop Dinkins
We are having our annual Toy Drive starting the first Sunday in November and continuing every Sunday in November. We have more than 1,000 names already of children needing toys. We have not gotten any donations yet. We are in desperate need of Toys, Gift Cards, Clothes and Monetary Donations. Donations can be dropped off at the High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave SW, West Seattle every Sunday in November between the hours of 12 noon to 2:00 pm outside to collect all donations.
The toys will be given away on Sunday in December 5th from 12 to 2:00 pm @ the High Point Housing Office in West Seattle.
For more information please contact Bishop Deborah Dinkins at 360-440-4428 or Tina Taylor at 206-261-4225
Thank you!
(WSB photo from November 2009)
Eastridge Christian Assembly, in The Triangle, has sent word it’s doubling its turkey giveaway this year – instead of giving free turkeys to 500 people at each of its two campuses, including West Seattle, this year each campus will give out 1,000. Here’s the news release, just out of the WSB inbox:
Eastridge Church will be providing 2,000 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need on Saturday, November 20, beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at their two locations: Issaquah and Seattle. This is double the 1,000 turkeys and groceries provided in past years.
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our lives and the good things that we’re experiencing, but it can also be an especially challenging time for families with limited resources,” said Eastridge Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “We want to show that Eastridge cares by providing a blessing this Thanksgiving to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is our eighth year providing a turkey and bag of groceries to families and in response to the increased need in our community, we are doubling the amount we provided last year.”
When: Saturday, November 20, starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last
Where: The Issaquah campus of Eastridge Church
24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, IssaquahThe West Seattle Campus of Eastridge Church
4500 39th Avenue SW, SeattleThe 2,000 dinner packages will be given out first-come, first-served, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.
Two more West Seattle Veterans Day notes: No breeze to lift Old Glory yet, but the flags are up in the heart of The Junction. Meantime, we just received word of one special event to which you are invited:
Today at 1:30 pm, Providence Mount St. Vincent will be honoring Veterans Day with a special ceremony in the dining room. The program will feature:
Welcome
Flag parade – residents and staff
Pledge of Allegiance
Singing of National Anthem
Prayer
Slide show featuring our residents who are veterans (We’re showing photos of them then and now.)
Recognizing and thanks to our Vets
Singing of “God Bless America”
RefreshmentsWe have a number of vets who have served in World War II; Korean War; and were career military service men and women. One of our female residents was a WAVE for 35 years. She retired in 1979. WAVES stands for “Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.”
The public is welcome to attend.
The Mount is at 4831 35th SW (map).
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