(©2014 – Eric Shalit, www.boxturtledesign.com – taken 5:30 pm Thursday)
Our spotlight photo today is from “the calm before the storm,” but as we look ahead, the weather’s calmed down and we’re headed into another big holiday weekend. Most of what’s below is from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – which lists what’s up through New Year’s – but we also have highlights from our regular ongoing calendar:

LITTLE PILGRIM SCHOOL TOY DRIVE: The Holiday Guide features a growing list of giving opportunities, but some are in their final days, like this one. Today is the final day of the Little Pilgrim preschoolers’ collection of toys to donate to the Salvation Army – you are invited to help by dropping off toys at Fauntleroy Church. (9140 California SW)

FREE PROFESSIONAL SANTA PHOTOS AND MORE @ HOMESTREET: HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) celebrates its one-year anniversary in West Seattle today, 3-6 pm, featuring free professional photos (courtesy of Gail Ann Photography) with Santa Al, a hot cocoa bar, warm apple cider, holiday treats and more! Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Alaska)

LAFAYETTE CRAFT FAIR: Tonight, a unique chance to shop for student-made gifts and decorations – it’s the Lafayette Elementary Craft Fair – and the community is invited!

(Some of the creations you’ll find available for purchase – photo courtesy Edgar Riebe)
The fair is on from 5-8 pm. (California/Lander)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL, WSHS VS. SEALTH: 6:30 pm at West Seattle High School, it’s the only scheduled matchup this season between the WSHS and Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity basketball teams. Fill the gym to cheer them on! (3000 California SW)

DENNY POSADA: Posada Navideña at 6:30 pm at Denny International Middle School, as tweeted:

(2601 SW Kenyon)

‘THE CHRISTMAS POST’: All are welcome at the annual dessert-theater show at Westwood Christian Community. 7 pm. Admission free, as are the desserts. (9252 16th SW)

BELLS OF THE SOUND: Come see and hear Puget Sound’s premier handbell ensemble, Bells of the Sound, at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. This year’s holiday concert is themed “A Winter’s Night.” Find show and ticket details here. (3940 41st SW)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: 7:30 pm, “Celebrate!” is West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ first of two seasonal concerts – WSCO Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium – program details in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”

(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
Showtime tonight is 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

P.S. If you’re shopping tonight/this weekend for your Christmas tree, locations are listed in the Holiday Guide, including this one with just a few days to go:

HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT’S FINAL WEEKEND: Until 9 pm tonight, the last Friday night for the Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor), north of the school. Part of this lot’s proceeds benefit West Seattle Helpline, Hickman House (domestic-violence shelter), and West Seattle Food Bank. (41st/Dakota)

MORE FOR TONIGHT AND BEYOND … on our calendar!