Real Change asked us to publish an open letter of sorts, thanking you for your support – and asking that you be sure to support only authorized vendors of their award-winning publication. It’s a West Seattle-specific message, including descriptions of people they say are selling without authorization – which is only verified via a badge like this:

Thank You for Your Support, West Seattle
From Real Change:

Every day, Real Change offers opportunity, dignity, and a sense of community to 350 homeless or low-income vendors that sell Real Change News. For over 18 years, we have worked hard to support our vendors and respond to community concerns.

Vendors must follow a Code of Conduct if they wish to sell our newspaper. Vendors who are authorized to sell the newspaper wear a color-coded identification badge. If someone is selling the newspaper without a current badge, they may not be an authorized vendor and did not receive papers from our organization.

We know that there are a few people in West Seattle who are not authorized to sell our newspaper but have sometimes illegitimately acquired papers outside our office. They aggressively panhandle and actively disrespect community members, business owners, and Real Change vendors.

Read More

West Seattle’s own NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen is not only preparing for her quarterly event at Solstice Park – this time, it’s the Winter Solstice Sunset Watch on December 21st, her 15th seasonal sunset watch – but she’s also doing a lot of myth-debunking regarding that same day. (2010 winter-solstice photo of Alice, at right, by Jason Gift Enevoldsen)

Alice notes that she is ready to answer, and has been answering, “any and all questions about the world-ending/planets aligning 12/2012 nonsense.” She’s written about it already on her Alice’s Astro Info website: About 2012 (with debunking of the world-ending myth), here; about planetary ailgnment, here. In fact, she notes with some surprise that the four-year-old post on planetary alignment is her most-read post of all time.

Alice summarizes: “No, the world isn’t ending, the planets aren’t aligning, gravity isn’t shifting. Go donate to your favorite science education or critical thinking organization in solidarity with scientific thinking.” And come join her at 3:45 pm on Friday, December 21st, for solstice-sunset watch – though the official sunset time is 4:20 pm, she notes that sunsets at Solstice Park are consistently at least 10 minutes earlier than official time. If you’re keeping track, the actual solstice moment is 3:12 am that day, but her events are always for the first SUNSET after the solstice/equinox. Here’s how to find Solstice Park.

Thanks to the Posey Family for that photo of a snowy owl they saw in Pigeon Point about two weeks ago, sharing it after they saw our Sunday night wildlife report mentioning another (albeit photoless) West Seattle sighting. Can’t schedule wildlife encounters, but here are some highlights that ARE scheduled for today/tonight:

LAST DAY FOR MATCHING DONATIONS AT HPIC’s FOOD DRIVE: Through today at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), Nucor Steel is giving $2 for every pound donated at events and $2 for every dollar donated for the West Seattle Food Bank. (Put $ donations in the mail slot on Holden with “for Food Bank” on the envelope.)

(For more holiday-season giving opportunities, see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!)

TIDAL EXTREMES: As noted here Monday morning, it’ll be a week of very high (“king”) and very low tides. Today, the tide chart says 1:55 pm will bring a 12.2-foot high tide, and 9:08 pm will bring a -2.7 low tide.

WESTSIDE BABY BENEFIT/JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW: 5-8 pm at Umpqua Bank in The Admiral District, Stella & Dot Jewelry trunk show, proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby: “Sip a glass of bubbly while you socialize, have fun holiday shopping, and enjoy the generous hospitality of our local Umpqua Bank. (Donations are welcome toward Umpqua Bank’s Diaper Drive, too.)”

WEST SEATTLE ORCHESTRAS, ENDOLYNE CHOIR PERFORM: Tonight is the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ second holiday concert, 6:30 pm at the Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) – as previewed here. No set admission fee – donation suggested/encouraged.

CASPAR BABYPANTS AT EASY STREET RECORDS: And the night’s other musical highlight – Caspar Babypants performing in-store, free, at Easy Street Records in The Junction, 6:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.

DESIGN GROUP MEETING FOR SEWER-OVERFLOW PROJECT: Days after the city’s land-use decision for the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project storage tank across from Lowman Beach, the project’s community Design Advisory Group is meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).

KINDERGARTENERS AT BOREN? 5TH GRADERS AT MADISON? MORE PORTABLES? … and other options to relieve Seattle Public Schools crowding, up for discussion at the district’s ONLY community meeting on the topic before a board vote next month – 7 pm tonight at SPS HQ in SODO.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING: Topics for the FCA board include planning the Lincoln Park celebration for early next year, and the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse’s ongoing improvements. 7 pm at the schoolhouse (9131 California SW). Public welcome.

GET FIT, WEST SEATTLE! Information night tonight, at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; upstairs at 3727 California SW):

West Seattle Runner is doing another couch to half marathon training group. This is for beginners, runners or walkers, of all ages. In the previous 4 groups, we have had over 50 people cross the finish line – it’s easier than you think! We want people who have always wanted to start running or walking but didn’t know where to begin. Meet other local people, get in shape for the new year, and get your first finisher’s medal at the Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon, June 22nd, 2013.

This meeting is just to discuss the training plan and answer questions; you don’t have to start running until 2013! The first actual run/walk is on January 6th – we will be going a whole mile. But don’t worry, you don’t have to run the whole way, or at all. It’s all about covering the distance, not about how fast you are. If you are currently running more then 3 miles at a time, this group may not be for you; it is a real beginners’ group. For those looking to get in shape for 2013, you couldn’t ask for a better way!

FREE SKI-TUNING CLINIC: Tonight at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska in The Triangle), 7 pm – details in our calendar listing.

OPEN-MICROPHONE NIGHT AT THE CASK: Starting at 8 pm at The Cask in The Admiral District (east side of California just north of Admiral Way).

FIVE MONTHS TILL GARAGE SALE DAY! If you are looking for reasons to look forward to spring – we are exactly five months away from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Saturday, May 11, 2013 (it’s always the second Saturday in May), 9 am-3 pm. No action requested now but just a friendly reminder … when it’s closer, you’ll find information at westseattlegaragesale.com and on Facebook here. Next year will mark the sixth year of WSCGSD being presented by WSB.

What a weekend it’s been: History and holidays! Tonight is the third night of Hanukkah and exactly two weeks till Christmas Eve … already. A few highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular calendar:

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB TAKES ON HANUKKAH: The weekly meeting – 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) – will feature participants’ Hanukkah recipes. More info on the club website.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: NDNC provides tonight’s lone community meeting, which will be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – NOT the group’s usual location. The agenda includes not only Youngstown’s new management but also the City Council’s proposed medical-marijuana zoning (still a proposal in circulation despite I-502’s passage – we videotaped Council President Sally Clark‘s presentation on this topic at last month’s Southwest District Council meeting).

BOOK GROUP: “Half Broke Horses” is this month’s book, and you’re welcome to discuss it at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library, 6:45 tonight.

TREE SHOPPING? Find the list of lot locations and hours in the Holiday Guide.

DISCOUNT TICKETS – CALL FAST! Wednesday is Fauntleroy Night at ArtsWest for “The Winter Wonderettes,” and if you mention the Fauntleroy Community Association when you call the box office at 206-938-0339, discount tickets for that night are available.

Marriage Equality Day continues at county HQ downtown – here’s our late-night/early-morning coverage; watch the King County Twitter feed for ongoing updates on how many licenses they’ve issued and whether there’s a wait (none right now) – they’re open till 6:30 tonight. Meantime: With the weekend in view, holiday events start ramping up. You’ll find several included in today’s highlights list, excerpted from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (where you’ll find all the holiday events – they’re NOT on the regular calendar):

FIRST THURSDAY DEMOCRATS: Lunch meeting at 11:30 am, Daystar Retirement Village (across from Westwood Village) – more details here.

FREE WINE TASTING: Italian wines from Small Vineyards, 5:30-8 pm at West Seattle Wine Cellars (WSB sponsor).

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Another chance to get out and do shopping at your local, independent businesses! 6-9 pm – participating merchants are listed here. Among them …

SHOP LATE THURSDAY AT CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: “…features a trunk show with local blacksmith Erica Gordon, who welds, forges, and otherwise creates belt buckles made of steel, brass, and copper. Erica will be on hand to talk about her processes which include vegetable-dying the leather straps for her belts. 5-9 pm. During the trunk show, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Animals Foundation, whose cats and kittens are regularly available for adoption right across the street at Next to Nature!” (Click! is a longtime WSB sponsor. Here’s the Facebook page for tonight’s event.)

HOLIDAY SERVICE AND OPEN HOUSE: Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery (WSB sponsor) invites you to a Holiday Service & Open House with music and light refreshments, 6 pm, 6701 30th SW, RSVP requested:

During this holiday season, we know memories and time well spent with family and friends is what makes this season special. This will be a time to remember your loved ones and to share a message of hope. Please plan to attend our Holiday Service and Open House. Feel free to bring friends and family. To RSVP, please call 206.932.0050 or e-mail nancy.hoult@dignitymemorial.com

ADMIRAL PARTY: Admiral District Business Association members are invited to their holiday party, 6-9 pm at The Benbow Room.

BAKED POTATO BENEFIT DINNER: Help the White Center Kiwanis support New Start High School Key Club members at this second-annual event, 6:30 pm at the school, with music by The Delridge Boys – map and details here.

SEATTLE WEIGHT LOSS AND WELLNESS OPEN HOUSE: As mentioned earlier, this new WSB sponsor invites you to an open house 7-8:30 tonight, 5001 California SW.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’ AT ARTSWEST: The “Wonderettes” rocked the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (WSB is a WSJHH co-sponsor) last Saturday night (see video in our coverage) – tonight’s another chance to see the whole show, 7:30 pm – details and tickets via the ArtsWest website.

MORE NIGHTLIFE: Busy night around West Seattle! Check our regular calendar for five listings tonight.

Events to add to the calendar – holiday guide or regular ongoing calendar? WSB listings are free, always have been, always will be. Please send the info at least one week in advance, in plain text in the body of your e-mail, and include weblink and/or Facebook link if you have one – editor@westseattleblog.com! Thank you very much!

(Monday tide-meets-turbulent-weather photo by Don Brubeck)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and regular calendar:

HIGH TIDE AND ‘COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY’: High water again this morning, with a tide almost to 12 feet (same as the past few days) right around 9 am.

ROTARY LUNCH GUEST: Author Dean Adams of “4,000 Hooks,” a memoir of North Pacific fishing, is the featured speaker at today’s Rotary Club of West Seattle lunch meeting, noon, Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), public welcome.

WSHS INFO NIGHT FOR CURRENT 8TH GRADERS: If you have an 8th grader in the house who’s planning to, or thinking of, attending West Seattle High School – tonight’s event is for you. 6 pm – details here.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT NIGHT: 6-7:30 pm at Roxhill Elementary (30th and Roxbury), a special event sponsored by the city and school district with “a chance to hear from kindergarten teachers and Seattle Public Schools enrollment specialists who will help families enroll in kindergarten and answer questions about what to expect in kindergarten. Child care, dinner, interpreters, resources, technical assistance, and translation of materials, will be provided.” Participating families need to bring:

· Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS)
· Photo ID of the parent/guardian registering the student
· Address verification documents
· Birth certificate (or similar document such as a passport)

FAMILY STORY TIME: Delridge Library, 7 pm, bring the family for story time with children’s librarian Miss Bea.

(updated time) HOLIDAY CONCERT West Seattle Community Orchestras presents the West Seattle Symphony Orchestra‘s holiday concert, “Russian Holiday,” at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), 7 pm:

Join us for a lovely evening of music from great Russian composers, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Mikhail Glinka. Selections include the Overture to Russlan and Lyudmila, and Suite Number 4, “Mozartiana”, and of course Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite. In addition to all that, enjoy the beautiful “Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’ “, featuring flute and harp!

More details here.

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia and karaoke! See the listings in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
That’s Sweet Pea the seal pup, who Seal Sitters kept watch over at Lincoln Park last week – amid recurring problems with off-leash dogs (read the story on Seal Sitters’ site here). The all-volunteer group formally got some good news today – when the city Department of Neighborhoods officially announced the latest round of city grants to community groups, they included a $15,000 “Small and Simple” city grant for an educational program designating 2013 the “Year of the Seal,” culminating in a Harbor Seal Day event with the unveiling of a sculpture at Alki depicting a mom and pup (briefly mentioned at October’s Southwest District Council meeting).

The city’s announcement also included, from the Small and Simple Fund, $20,000 for the Nature Consortium to bring back the Arts in Nature Festival next year (with a $60,000 community match), $20,000 for the High Point Commons Park P-Patch to add “an educational beehive enclosure (apiary) and pollination garden” (with a $28,000 community match), and $5,600 for restoration in Schmitz Park Preserve where help is needed beyond what volunteers can do.

From the Large Projects Fund, $52,200 is being awarded to the North Delridge Neighborhood Council for the Dakota Street End project to enhance Longfellow Creek access, with a $62,000 community match.

(Photo added 9:28 am: Admiral District decorations are up!)
Welcome to the first work/school week of December. Fairly quiet on the calendar for today/tonight, as we all recover from the first major weekend of holiday events, but here are a few highlights:

MONDAY ARTISTS: Watercolorists welcome – from beginners to experts – to this group that meets weekly, 9:30-noon, at Island View Apartments (across from West Seattle High School). Details in the calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: Today’s ingredient – bring a dish made with it – is broccoli. 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); club info here.

TALK TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD: West Seattle/South Park school-board director Marty McLaren‘s next community-conversation meeting is tonight, 6 pm, at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way).

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Big weekend for the Junior Court and Hi-Yu volunteers, at the West Seattle Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Junction Tree Lighting, and Hometown Holidays Sunday – and tonight all are welcome to the Hi-Yu Holiday Open House meeting, 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Church Hall (California/Hanford), with float designs on the agenda.

COMMUNITY MEETING FOR FAUNTLEROY-VASHON-SOUTHWORTH FERRY ROUTE: It’s on the other side of the Sound, but if you have concerns/issues/questions, it’s the place to be, 6 pm in Port Orchard. Topics include King County’s Barton Pump Station expansion project and its effects on the neighboring ferry dock. Details, map, agenda, here.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
That’s Vera the red-nosed person, fresh from the facepainting corner in the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Headquarters tent at California/Alaska today during the first of three special Sundays in The Junction. Though sunbreaks and rain waves traded places for much of the early afternoon, the Timberland WagonEars mule-drawn carriage did brisk (free) business, with people waiting patiently even when it got showery:

The carriage jingled through The Junction for four hours:

Here’s the driver’s-eye view:

The carriage rides skip next Sunday, but will be back in two weeks (on Sunday, December 16th). Someone you will find again next Sunday – Santa Claus!

6-year-old Harrison French came to City Mouse Studio (4218 SW Alaska) to show Santa his drawing of reindeer and Mr. Claus, as well as his Christmas wish:

(Click image for larger view)
And yes, inevitably there was the occasional little one who didn’t quite get the Santa concept:

That’s 22-month-old Elliott Secan. (P.S. While it was DIY photo time with Santa today, pro photographer Donna Ryan will be on hand the next two Sundays. Santa-photo proceeds benefit WestSide Baby!) Back outside and kitty-corner at Hometown Holidays Headquarters, hot cocoa awaited 9-year-old Amelia and 8-year-old Bailey Hermann

If you didn’t make it out today – or even if you did – don’t miss Hometown Holidays Sunday number 2 next weekend, 11 am to 3 pm in The Junction – and before then, you’re warmly welcomed at multiple Junction stores during Shop Late Thursday.

Thanks to Lise Thivierge for the photo from Seacrest showing this morning’s high tide at the West Seattle Water Taxi dock. You could say the holiday tide is rising – with lots happening this weekend, starting tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which we’re continuing to update daily!) and WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (updated daily year-round):

SANTA PHOTOS: Today “Santa Al” will be available for photos – free with your camera, or have a photo taken for $5 – at Small Clothes today (and tomorrow), 10:30 am-1:30 pm, first of several appearances in West Seattle. Westwood Village’s Santa photos continue daily too. And check the Holiday Guide for lots MORE Santa this weekend – “Ex-Westwood Santa” starts his rounds tomorrow, and the Junction Santa will be at City Mouse on Sunday – this first time is BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA, though. All the details here (scroll to the Santa Photos section).

FIREFLY CAFE AND CREPERIE’S OPENING DAY: The new eatery at California and Genesee has a sign on its door saying it’s opening no later than 11 am.

SAMPLER TOUR OF ARTISTS’ GALLERIES “Sampler” tour of local artists’ galleries, 4-9 pm tonight (and continuing this weekend) – full details here.

HOLY ROSARY LOT ‘FESTIVAL OF TREES’: As previewed here yesterday, the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot (WSB sponsor) will celebrate the first big weekend of the season with the first “Festival of Trees” 6-9 pm tonight at the lot, north of the school at 41st and Dakota. You don’t have to wait till then to get your tree, though – it’s open 3-9 pm on Fridays (and 9 am-9 pm Saturdays/Sundays, 4-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays).

HUSKY DELI OPEN HOUSE: The famous, tasty holiday open house at Husky Deli in The Junction is scheduled for 6-9 pm tonight.

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s venues featured in the regular calendar – follow that link to see the individual listings – include Sid Law @ C & P, Barbie Anaka @ Salty’s (those first two venues are WSB sponsors), BOWI @ A Terrible Beauty, three acts at Skylark, The Slags and more @ Benbow Room.

‘THE WINTER WONDERETTES’: At ArtsWest, it’s the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” continuing at 7:30 tonight. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.

Preview this weekend’s HUGE holiday happenings (including the West Seattle Junction Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday night at 5) by going here!

(Crow photographed along Harbor Avenue by Bill Bacon)
Made it to midweek! Some highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library – details on the SPL site (other library events are on the system’s ongoing calendar).

DESC CONSTRUCTION-INFO MEETING: As noted here last night, residents in the vicinity of the DESC Delridge Supportive Housing program are invited to a Q/A meeting with the contractor at 3 pm today at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge, across the street from the project).

SUPERSTORM SANDY SOUP-AND-SANDWICH FUNDRAISER: Visit the West Seattle Eagles‘ hall in The Junction to enjoy this week’s soup-and-sandwich offering starting at 4:30 pm, with proceeds benefiting storm survivors on the East Coast. Details here.

**Note – Salty’s has announced that this event is postponed until January 31st.** ‘BOOMERS AND BEYONDERS’ AT SALTY’S: 6-9 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), Pat Cashman and researcher Mike Hearl lead boomers through a look at how to “finish strong” in the final third of their lives. More info here.

DNDC-HPAC JOINT MEETING: Bottom line, if you live in eastern West Seattle, this community meeting’s for you. 7 pm tonight at the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th and Holden), the HP Action Committee and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meet together. The agenda includes an update on the Delridge Paving project (for which a contractor has been chosen, as we reported last week).

POETRY AND STORYTELLING: The monthly event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. Eugenia Toledo and Carolyne Wright are the featured readers, according to the Poetrybridge website, which also has details on the open-mike portion of the program.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: ArtsWest begins the second week of its holiday production – 7:30 pm; tickets available at the playhouse’s website.

OTHER ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS – What you need to know about Santa photos, Christmas tree sales, giving opportunities, and more, continuing today/tonight – all in the WSB West Seattle Holidays Guide … and since the season is still semi-early, we’re continuing to add events, benefits, etc., as we get word of them – editor@westseattleblog.com if you haven’t sent yours yet!

We spotted the garland-hanging crew in The Junction earlier this morning – getting ready for Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB again this year) starting this weekend (schedule here!) This IS another good day for decorating if you can, since the rain might be back by tomorrow. Here are a few highlights for today from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

AUTUMN POTPOURRI FESTIVAL: “A little of this ’n that” at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) now till 1 pm. Gift items, jewelry imports, collectibles, decorations, crafts, desert plants, Santa Claus, bake sale, jazz with the Ellis Brothers, lunch at 11:45 am.

PEPS ORIENTATION: 1:30 pm for new/expectant parents at Bright Horizons (38th/Alaska, lower floor of Link). Details here.

OPEN ARMS ‘SHORT AND SWEET AUCTION’: West Seattleite Sabrina Urquhart is on the board of Open Arms Perinatal Services, which helps low-income women and their families, with results including increased breastfeeding-initiation rates, decreased C-section rates, and fewer cases of low-birthweight babies, and shared the news that they are raising money through an auction and entertainment event at 6:30 tonight at SANCA in nearby Georgetown – details here.

WEST SEATTLE STEM ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: 7 pm tonight at the school (aka K5 STEM at Boren), 5940 Delridge Way SW. More info on the PTA website.

4TH ANNUAL JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) welcomes you tonight to celebrate the rock legend. Special guest: Another local legend, Pat O’Day, with his personal collection of rare Hendrix photos. 7 pm, 6451 California SW – more info here.

Will we see orcas again today? Thanks to 10-year-old Audrey for sharing that photo she took on Saturday; you can see other photos from yesterday’s West Seattle sightings by going here; you can see what it looked like from the Vashon side of the sound via this video by Ed Brooks. Wildlife keeps no schedule, but here’s what IS scheduled today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC NOTE: If you’re heading out this morning, remember that the Seattle Marathon is under way, starting from Seattle Center (other info here).

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR, FINAL DAY: The Duwamish Tribe welcomes you to its Native Holiday Gift Fair – third and final day today, 10 am to 5 pm. Buy directly from native artists and craftpersons; enjoy holiday spirit and a big lighted tree. Unique gifts in every price range – fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, T-shirts, smoked salmon, more, with snacks and beverages available, plus free parking for shoppers. The Duwamish Longhouse is at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW in West Seattle.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round! 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska.

BUY YOUR TICKET FOR NEXT SATURDAY’S KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Find the West Seattle Kiwanis at the WS Farmers’ Market and get an advance discount ticket for next Saturday’s annual Community Pancake Breakfast.

SANTA AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: First weekend of Santa photos in the new “Santa’s Village” location (ex-Dress Barn); hours and Santas listed here.

ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 1-4 pm, Arts & Crafts Show at Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW). From the announcement: “Just in time for finding a special smaller gift for your friends and co-workers: We are inviting several of our favorite ‘crafters’ to come show their wares for the day. Small items will be available at very affordable prices. You will want to join us for a mimosa and a fun shopping afternoon!”

‘GREY MATTER’ SCREENING: As part of the Global Lens series, this film will be shown at 2 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, free. The description: “Set in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, this radiantly self-referential film-within-a-film describes the vision and trials of a determined filmmaker named Balthazar, as he tries to produce his first feature, The Cycle of the Cockroach.” It’s one hour and 40 minutes long.

CALLIGRAPHY AND CARDMAKING FOR TEENS: Youth 12-18 are invited to the Southwest Library (35th and Henderson) for this Teen Space program starting at 2 pm – more info here.

MUSIC WITH YOUR COFFEE: Cynthia Alexander performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 3-5 pm today.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: 3 pm matinee today for the holiday production at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) in The Junction.

LIVE AT KENYON HALL … it’s flute and guitar chamber ensemble Duo Rubicund, 5 pm (7904 35th SW). Details and ticket info here.

Day before Thanksgiving; here are two groups of notes:

From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info page:

DESSERT DONATION: The traditional free community dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy isn’t till tomorrow, but organizers welcome dessert donations, which you can drop off as early as 10 am-3 pm TODAY (or after 9 am tomorrow). South side of the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.

FOOD BANKS’ LAST-MINUTE HOURS/NEEDS: West Seattle Food Bank is open 9 am-3 pm for donations (and told us yesterday that canned hams are their biggest need), southeast corner of 35th/Morgan; the White Center Food Bank (10829 8th Ave SW) is open 8:30 am-5 pm, and says turkeys are what they need most.

From the regular year-round WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (plus a last-minute sighting or two):

HELP FOR NICKELSVILLE: Via Facebook, The Forsythe Studio in The Junction (4456 California SW) announced it’s collecting donations today, 10 am-7 pm, for Nickelsville – “ANY warm clothes, blankets, socks, etc. for the displaced families suffering from flooding … ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated! Things will be picked up (today) and distributed on Thanksgiving morning! We thank you in advance!”

MORE HELP FOR NICKELSVILLE: Just found out that Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor; 4410 California SW) is collecting donations too, through the end of the holiday weekend. Proprietor Lora Swift says – “waterproof outerwear; gently worn boots, coats, pants, hats, and socks. Pet supplies too.”

LIVE GLASS-BLOWING: “Because we know you have family in town looking for entertainment, we will have live glass-blowing 11 am-5 pm,” says Avalon Glassworks” (2914 SW Avalon Way).

LUNCH TO HELP SUPERSTORM SANDY VICTIMS: The West Seattle Eagles are raising money to help fellow Eagles back east – every Wednesday lunch in November goes to that cause; more info here.

NEW BABY? Early Days drop-in support group at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction welcomes you, noon-2 pm, more info here.

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s listings on the calendar include Jonny Smokes’ Thanksgiving Eve show at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.

(Monday photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Two days till Thanksgiving, and the full holiday lineup (open restaurants/coffee shops, grocery-store hours, free dinners, other events) is on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page. But for Thanksgiving Eve-Eve, here are some of the regular calendar’s highlights for today/tonight:

BENEFIT DANCE CLASS: Gildenfire‘s class is at 10:45 am at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th and Holden) for 2-4-year-olds, free with 2 cans of food, to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. More info in our calendar listing.

CO-WORK MEETUP: The WS Office Junction team is continuing to organize “co-work meetups” as it works on a permanent location. You’re welcome to join them noon-1:30 pm today at Uptown Espresso in The Junction: “This week we would hope to steer the conversation to what everyone is working on in their businesses to see if we can get some collaborative networking started.”

DESSERT WITH TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES: TR is having Thanksgiving dinner today – and inviting the community to drop in for potluck dessert – bring one and come share, 1-4:30 pm. Details and map in calendar listing.

TALKING TRANSIT AT CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Safety and other issues raised by West Seattle transit changes, including the expansion of the Westwood transit hub, are at the heart of the agenda – with guests from Metro, Sound Transit, and SDOT – tonight at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster). Also bring your neighborhood crime concerns.

BELLY DANCING: It’s the monthly Alauda showcase at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.

More nightlife and other listings on the year-round WSB West Seattle Events Calendar here; full holiday listings, Thanksgiving through New Year’s, in the WSB West Seattle Holidays guide here!

8:55 PM: Over the past week or so, we’ve received scattered reports of unexplained booms in the Lincoln Park vicinity. No fire/crime/injury reports resulted, so they’ve remained a mystery. We’re uphill from south Lincoln Park and just finally heard one for ourselves. We’re monitoring the scanner/911 log and if anything results, we’ll update. Nothing so far, and it’s been five-plus minutes. We also launched a discussion on the WSB Facebook page and there are several reports of people seeing a flash in the ferry-dock area at the time.

9:54 PM: An hour’s gone by, with no report of injury/fire/damage/power outage etc. (not even a 911 dispatch) So, a mystery, for now.