(Friday morning photo in The Junction, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
It’s the shortest day of the year – but the Winter Solstice is here at the moment we’re publishing this (9:11 am), so, from here, we start going back the other way (here’s the chart). Solstice events are on our highlights list for today/tonight, and more, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info List (which covers everything through New Year’s Day – and holiday recycling afterward!) and our regular year-round calendar:

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: More than a few local stores are open early and/or late! Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park sent word they’re open at 9 am today AND tomorrow, for example. Northwest Art and Frame in The Junction is “staying open until 9 pm (tonight) and opening at 9:30 (on Sunday).” Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction opens at 10 am now through Christmas Eve. (Anyone else with early/late hours?)

SANTA AT CITY MOUSE: Santa Meet and Greet in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm. As part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), DIY photos with Santa, who will be awaiting your child’s visit at City Mouse Store. “Drop in for a hug and a smile. Bring your camera and capture your own special moment.” (4218 SW Alaska)

COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING … at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 11 am-2 pm; details here. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

SANTA AT CAPERS: The Santa best known as “ex-Westwood Santa” (by next year we can probably just call him CAPERS Santa) will be at the Junction store for DIY Santa photos (you take the picture) “from 1 to 5. Suggested donation per sitting $10. All donations will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (4525 California SW)

LITTLE WOMEN, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Time’s running out to see the holiday-season production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Matinee AND evening performances today, 3 and 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

SOLSTICE SUNSET VIEWING: Arrive at 3:30 pm for 4:05-ish sunset viewing with Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info and “Skies Over West Seattle.” Solstice Park. (map)

WINTER FIRE-WHITE CENTER: A community solstice celebration at Greenbridge Plaza, 4 pm. Details on our partner site White Center Now. (8th and 99th)

WEST SEATTLE SANTA PUB CRAWL, 5-9:30 pm. From Shandon Graybeal:

Bring your best Santa gear and come join myself and others on a Christmastime pub crawl through the West Seattle Junction! We will be stopping at 6 great west Seattle bars and drinking some delicious winter beers from some amazing breweries, with prizes at every stop! The Pub Crawl schedule will be….
5:00-5:45 Shadowland
5:45-6:30 Beer Junction
6:30-7:15 Corner Pocket
7:15-8:00 Poggie Tavern
8:00-8:45 Talarico’s
8:45-9:30 A Terrible Beauty
All are welcome! So bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ family, and enjoy a great night out with friends and good beers.”

More info on this Facebook event page.

2ND ANNUAL NORTH DELRIDGE SOLSTICE PARADE: “Come join Captain Snowball and WinterFly as we welcome the start of Winter and the dawning of the days with increasing light! This celebration is a 30-minute illuminated walk along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trails. 6:30 pm, Greg Davis Park. For the Solstice Parade, you are invited to wear an outfit or costume illuminated by lights, or just bring a lantern or flashlight to carry along the path.” Musical instruments welcome too. (26th Ave. SW & Brandon Street SW)

‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICE: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, is “for folks for whom the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year – we will acknowledge grief and loss of all kinds and a just feeling-out-of-sortness and end on a note of hope. This is a service for people who find themselves out of step with the joy of the season. It acknowledges those feelings of grief and loss and finding yourself out of step with those around you through readings and music, lighting candles and words of hope. We hope that you will join us if this is a service that would be helpful for you and if you know someone for whom it would be helpful, don’t just tell them about it, but bring them along.” (3940 41st SW)

BENEFIT FOR BABES AGAINST BRAIN CANCER: Music, art, and fundraising, 8 pm tonight:

Into The Cold at Feedback Lounge, to benefit Babes Against Brain Cancer.

INTO THE COLD was Founded by William Stover and Katy Cornell as a concept project composing all the music about a series of paintings by Rebecca Miller. Check out her website. The style of music is a cross between Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. Featuring a constant presence of 3 to 4 part harmonies, heavy guitars, lots of piano and organ etc. The music is not light hearted. It is dramatic, lush, and serious. Into The Cold’s show features 8 musicians and backdrop illuminated visuals of the paintings that each song is about.

Donations will be taken at the door to support “Babes against Brain Cancer” at this show. An organization dedicated to the research of progress to treat brain cancer as our family as been directly effected, so it’s close to all our hearts. Visit their FB page …

ITC recently recorded an EP with Jack Endino at Sound house studio. with band Members:
Katy Cornell – Inflatable Soule, Going South, V. Contreras.
William Stover – of Going South, The Government, Currently with Basment Sessions and a busy session player with Mark Lanegan, V. Contreras, Cat Power etc.
Owen Wright – of My Sisters Machine and more.
Nikol Fiala – Halloqueen.
Taryn Webber – of Going South, Graig Markel and more.
Gene Devereaux – Buzzfactor and more.
Keith Jaeger – Buzzfactor and more.
Denny Markopoulos – Greek Aristocracy and more.

CDs of the newly recorded EP will given out to everyone who attends. Listen to “Pentahorse” by Into The Cold.

(The Feedback, a WSB sponsor, is at 6451 California SW)

UGLY SWEATERS & KARAOKE: West Seattle Ugly Sweater Fest and “No Talent Required” Christmas Karaoke Show at Angelina’s, 9 pm. (2311 California SW)