Before this season’s benefit beer Whale Tail Ale arrived, local venues raised money for nonprofits by selling its predecessor Löwman Bräu. At Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction, the shared portion of the proceeds went to Camp Long – whose Advisory Council invites you to come help them thank the BPP crew next Thursday. CLAC’s Mat McBride sent the invite:

It’s been a good year for volunteering in Seattle. Good people rolling up their sleeves and putting shoulders to the wheel. But all that volunteerin’ is hard work, and the Camp Long Advisory Council is taking a break in December.

The Beveridge Place Pub made a generous donation from the proceeds of Lowman Brau to the park, and we’d like to say “Thanks!”. On Thursday, December 15th, the Advisory Council will present a limited edition screen print by local artist Damon Brown [right], and then stick around a while to raise a few pints. You should come and join us, it’s a great opportunity to support your local. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about Camp Long, about Environmental Learning Centers in Seattle, and about why we care so much about getting kids into authentic encounters with nature. We’ll be there from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

Beveridge Place is at California SW and … of course … Beveridge Place. Camp Long sprawls across 68 acres of spectacular greenspace accessible at 5200 35th SW.

West Seattle Christmas lights: Twinkling by the bridge

December 10, 2011 10:40 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

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!

View West Seattle Christmas lights, 2011 in a larger map

You’ll also find this map on the Holidays page.

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Video: Christmas Ship serenades Seacrest; two more West Seattle stops tonight

December 10, 2011 6:36 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Holidays | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

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.

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More free West Seattle holiday music: ‘Wonder’ tomorrow

December 10, 2011 6:19 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news

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.

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‘Tinselitis: A West Seattle Christmas Album’: Free music!

December 10, 2011 3:08 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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

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‘We (heart) Alki Crab and Fish’: Supporters rally near Seacrest

December 10, 2011 1:24 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thule the dog was the hit of this afternoon’s rally to show support for Alki Crab and Fish in its challenge to the city’s decision to award the Seacrest Boathouse concession contract to a competing proposal. About 20 people were there for the low-key gathering. ACF’s owner Eric Galanti was among them; we photographed him with diver/photographer Laura James, who organized the rally and an ongoing petition drive to show support:

As Laura had been careful to say, the gathering wasn’t meant as a protest; the diving community wanted to show their appreciation for Alki Crab and Fish, saying its owners have gone above and beyond “business as usual” in serving them over the years at the popular dive spot/pier. The rally along the pathway east of Seacrest concluded with a group photo:

As reported here earlier this week, Galanti has sent a formal protest letter to the city, as provided for in the concession-contract process. He told WSB today that nothing else has happened in the meantime, except that he has submitted “another packet,” so “the wheels are turning” as he waits to hear what happens next. The city’s decision to give the contract to Marination – whose food truck was making its regular Saturday visit to West Seattle just a few miles away, in High Point, and whose supporters also have set up an online petition – ultimately needs City Council approval, and wouldn’t reach that stage till early next year.

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Happening now: ‘Santa Paws’ at Windermere West Seattle

December 10, 2011 11:57 am

| Comments Off on Happening now: ‘Santa Paws’ at Windermere West Seattle

| Holidays | West Seattle news

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.

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West Seattle Saturday: Christmas ship, Seacrest rally, Santa…

December 10, 2011 8:57 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo from one of the Christmas Ship’s 2010 stops)
Happy Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page and Events calendar:

WEST SEATTLE SHOPPING: Two more weekends to shop before Christmas Eve. Shop West Seattle! We have just added another coupon to the Holiday Shopping Guide page, and our year-round Coupons page has a few options that might be of holiday assistance. (Each coupon is individually viewable/printable.)

‘ART PAGEANT’:: Diva Espresso‘s annual Art Pageant: 9 am-4 pm, 4480 Fauntleroy.

SEE SANTA! Santa Claus at Holy Rosary Tree Lot, 9 am-noon, BYO camera, 41st/Dakota … why look, he’s also at CAPERS, 1-5 pm (also bring-your-own camera) … Westwood Village Santa photos, 10 am-8 pm.

SCHOOL BAZAAR: Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) is having its 4th annual holiday bazaar, 10 am-3 pm. In addition to the bazaar itself, they’re having a bake sale, and a raffle with donations from vendors and local businesses.

SANTA PAWS: Windermere West Seattle invites you and your four-legged friends to our office from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A professional photographer will be taking pictures of your pets with Santa. We will also have holiday treats for you and the little ones. You can also bring items to donate to the YMCA Kids Program. See Windermerewestseattle.com for a donation list. Donations are not required, but certainly appreciated.

ALKI CRAB AND FISH SUPPORTERS’ RALLY: Noon, supporters of Alki Crab and Fish, as it challenges city’s decision to award Seacrest Boathouse contract to another proposer, plan to rally just south/east of Seacrest. Our most recent story about the situation is here.

TIME TO TANGO: Argentine Tango Classes In West Seattle at Allstar Fitness, 2629 SW Andover. Saturdays from 1-3 PM, $7, more info here. Contact Layton Miller: 360.250.2066, info@gttango.com

THREE CHRISTMAS SHIP STOPS: Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle! 5:15-5:35 pm at Seacrest, 8:50-9:10 at Lowman Beach, 9:40-10 pm at Alki (where you will find strolling performers enacting Biblical scenes).

DINE AND DANCE: Holiday Potluck Dinner and Dance at Highland Park Improvement Club, starts 6 pm, details here.

BENEFIT AT THE BRIDGE: Rachel Halladay benefit at The Bridge, 7 pm till close, raising money for therapy that is helping Rachel learn to walk again after a car crash in her teens took away that ability. Live music, raffle prizes, drink specials. 21+. Here’s the official flyer.

‘BIG CHRISTMAS BROADCAST OF 1941’: Free show at Westwood Christian Assembly (with dessert afterward), 7 pm, 9252 16th SW.

‘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.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: Rock ‘n’ Roll Food Drive with The People Now at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), no cover but bring a nonperishable food-bank donation, 9 pm … Marco Benevento and Nefarious Jones at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm (cover).

GOOD LUCK! 2 West Seattle Soccer Club teams are in the state semifinals, with the first game today – details here.

TV ALERT: Local home on “Sell This House: Extreme” – details here

FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP: Food trucks today – Skillet (chicken/waffles lunch) and Bigfood (dinner) at Uptown Espresso Junction pod; Marination Mobile at 35th/Graham, 11 am-2 pm; Lumpia World, Curry Now and Charlie’s Buns at Highland Park Improvement Club at 11 am, Beloved Mexico along Fauntleroy south of Alaska (note, any of this subject to change, as food-truck operators tend to have sudden switches).

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Update: Lunar eclipse visible from West Seattle – for a while

December 10, 2011 5:40 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson, taken from Alki just before 6 am)
5:40 AM: Anybody else up watching? Took us a while to spot it through one of the trees across the street – we’re used to seeing moonsets over Vashon, but this is more a straight line over Blake Island. If you don’t have a view of it – here’s a webcast.

5:51 AM: Just a small lip of moon visible now. Saw a meteor while out on the corner watching.

6:22 AM: Clouds are obscuring it from here (north Upper Fauntleroy) – but they do appear to be fast-moving, with some holes, best as we can tell despite the street lights etc., so all hope may not be lost for reappearance, and your vantage point may be different! The timeline in the link above says totality will last another half-hour or so. (Here’s a direct link to the narrated webcast on slooh.com.)

6:40 AM: Still in the “total” phase till just before 7 am. Alki photographer David Hutchinson just shared a photo (thank you!) that we have added above, from “just a few minutes before 6:00 am, when the moon went behind a layer of clouds.” We’ve also received a reader note warning about frost-slippery roads this morning: “Coming home from watching the eclipse, I just almost got hit on Jacobsen as the car coming downhill slid across the center line into my lane. Please caution people to drive at safe speeds!”

7:11 AM: The sky’s getting light, and the clouds don’t appear likely to provide another peek at the moon (which is emerging from the shadow again), but it was cool while it lasted … Next total lunar eclipse visible from here, April 2014.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A few more photos – thanks! From Trileigh Tucker (click for a larger version – a few planetary/star pinpoints are part of the image):

From Craig, 5:16 am from the main Alki business district:

Emily Austin shared photos too:

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West Seattle wildlife: Mystery bird sighting; ID help requested

December 10, 2011 5:38 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Every so often, it’s time for a round of “Name That Bird,” and this one is requested by Kate, who shared the photo, saying she can’t deduce what this bird is: “I’d be grateful; my identification books are letting me down. I think this is a Cooper’s Hawk- maybe Sharp Shinned?” (We couldn’t tell by checking photos online.)

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