Santa Claus‘s day started well before dawn – and the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual Community Pancake Breakfast is one place you’ll find him. The breakfast continues until 11 am and diners get a free Santa photo – that includes the West Seattle High School Key Club (a Kiwanis youth project), who were with him when we got to that side of the room at the Alki Masonic Hall. A bustling room, too:

All around the room, helpers including local Boy Scouts are making sure things run smoothly. In the kitchen, Kiwanians are busy cooking pancakes and sides:

West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty is on hand, not just because it’s one of their community appearances, but also in this case, Junior Court Queen Bianca Carufel is celebrating her birthday:

Next Monday, by the way, the new Junior Court will be coronated, 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, and you’re invited. But first, if you haven’t had breakfast yet, get over to the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds – the parking lot’s being renovated so you’ll park either across Edmunds or across Fauntleroy) by 11 – proceeds help with the club’s many charity projects. (WSB is among this year’s table sponsors, along with other local businesses.) And if you miss the Kiwanians today, you’re invited to check out one of their regular weekly meetings, 6:30 pm Wednesdays at the Senior Center of West Seattle.