(Pre-winter solstice sunrise at Seacrest, tweeted by @scruffydiver)
Winter officially arrives this afternoon … and, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular calendar, here are some ways to spend part of this short but festive day:

EXTRA SHOPPING HOURS: Many of your favorite local businesses will be open extra hours today and in the next few days as Christmas approaches. Three we know of today: Thunder Road Guitars (3916 California SW; WSB sponsor), noon-5 pm; Wyatt’s Jewelers (Westwood Village; WSB sponsor), noon-4 pm; Atomic Boys, 11 am-5 pm.

NONPROFIT GIFT-SHOP SHOPPING: Two places you can shop while supporting a local nonprofit directly – the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center gift shop (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 10 am-5 pm, and the Log House Museum gift shop (61st/Stevens), noon-4 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Not just fresh produce – packaged/preserved items you might consider for gifts, too. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

‘SANTA’S HOUSE’ IN THE JUNCTION: DIY Santa photos (bring your camera!) at “Santa’s House” in The Junction as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, 10 am-2 pm. (SW corner California/Alaska)

ALL SOULS CHRISTMAS SERVICE: From the holiday-season-services list in the WSB Holiday Guide – 10 am at Madison Middle School, All Souls (WSB sponsor) invites you to its Christmas Lessons + Carols Service. (45th/Spokane)

SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: Santa at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – 11 am-3 pm. P.S. In-store holiday music with guitarist Gary Benson today too, 1:30-4:30 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

KITTY HARBOR’S LAST ADOPTION DAY UNTIL SPRING: Last scheduled adoption day until May at Kitty Harbor, noon-5 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)

SANTA AT CAPERS: Last chance for DIY Santa Photos at CAPERS in The Junction, with “ex-Westwood Santa.” Bring cameras/phones, kids/friends, and a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. Noon-3 pm. (4525 California SW)

SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH WITH ALICE: 3:03 pm, winter arrives. Less than an hour later, gather at Solstice Park (uphill behind the tennis courts) with Alice Enevoldsen to celebrate and learn about the solstice – as explained on her Alice’s Astro Info website. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TAILGATE AT HPIC: Second-to-last tailgate party of the regular season at Highland Park Improvement Club, doors open at 4:30 pm (one hour before gametime) – details in our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)

CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: 5:30 pm, join West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) for the 5th annual Christmas Light Run, as announced: “Get decked out in your antlers and Santa hats, bring your elves and do a leisurely 2-3 mile run/walk to view the Christmas lights of West Seattle. As always we will end at the Helmstetler Hacienda for the big extravaganza! Feel free to bring a canned-food item for donation. We will serve Christmas cookies (probably not homemade) and hot chocolate and cider afterward. Remember to wear lights to see the sidewalks and reflective gear so that cars can see you. We think battery-operated Christmas light strands do quite nicely for this purpose.” (California/Charlestown)

TIBBETTS ‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICE: From the holiday-season-services list in the WSB Holiday Guide – 7 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), for those for whom the holidays are hard for whatever reason. (3940 41st SW)

AND MORE … including Sunday-night nightlife … on our calendar!