West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
It’s on the marquee for the Luna Park business districtlet, but it really goes for all of West Seattle. Sure, we know some West Seattleites are going to do the early-morning Black Friday thing – we overheard chatter about it everywhere we went the past few days, from coffeehouses to our dentist’s office. Some chain stores in West Seattle (Target, Staples, Radio Shack, Kits among them) open at 6 am; at the malls, some stores will throw open the doors at 4, and you’ll probably see doorbuster-dreaming shoppers on stakeout, interviewed on tonight’s 11 pm news. (This BF site says many of the deals are already “live” online, by the way.)
Once all that is said and done — show your West Seattle shopkeepers some love; they’re trying to show some right back. The West Seattle Junction Association (WSB sponsor), for example – inviting you to not just “shop local,” but to go all-out and “Live Local” – has dozens of stores participating in a $5,000 giveaway – enter the raffle for free at any participating store (see the list here), and you’re in the running for all sorts of gift certificates, with winners to be drawn at three Junction events, starting with the Tree Lighting at 5 pm 12/6. Many shops have special events in the works too — like some late-night shopping on Art Walk night 12/11 (with free child care — more here) plus offerings from open houses to trunk shows (many are listed on this page of the Junction website), some in conjunction with special “Hometown Holidays Sundays” 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, when you can also get Santa photos and take mule-wagon rides.
Speaking of Santa, he’ll be in the house at Westwood Village (the Santa House by Bed Bath Beyond, Eats Market Cafe, and Wyatt’s Jewelers) on Saturdays and Sundays starting this weekend. Merchants elsewhere in West Seattle are geared up too – like those in the Admiral District:
That’s some of the decor inside Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), which has some seasonal scoop on its blog — like decorating ideas and the “Gifts Under $10 List.” Click! is one of many West Seattle stores adding extra days and hours for the holiday season. They’ll be open 7 days a week starting next week; we noticed on a recent stroll through The Junction that the Discovery Shop (American Cancer Society thrift store) is adding Sunday hours till Christmas; West Seattle-based online toy sellers Nico and Zoe will open their ActivSpace storefront 11 am-2 pm on Fridays through the holiday-shopping season. We’ll keep scouting for West Seattle shopping news as the season progresses – and let us know what you’re hearing and seeing! (P.S. This reminds us we haven’t yet mentioned one West Seattle gift idea – local photographer Christy Johnson, who has contributed photos to WSB in the past (like this one), is selling a calendar of her photos, Scenic Seattle 2009; read about it — and preview it — here; buy it here.)
You’ve heard a lot about how business – sadly – is booming for local food banks. One of the two that serve our area just announced new help at the top – this news release announces 4 new board members for the West Seattle Food Bank:
The West Seattle Food Bank is pleased to announce it has added four new members to its Board of Directors: Shannon Braddock, Keri DeTore, Heather Hsu and Kim Robison.
Board members contribute to the continued fiscal and operational strength of the West Seattle Food Bank through fundraising, oversight, and general support.
Board President Pete Spalding: “These are both scary and exciting times at the West Seattle Food Bank; scary due to the ever-increasing demands placed upon our available resources, but exciting when we have community members that are willing to step up to the challenges we face by joining our Board of Directors. West Seattle Food Bank is blessed with a number of very caring people who help us with our mission.”
You can donate online to the West Seattle Food Bank any time by following this link.
After the afternoon showers, a sunbreak just before sunset led to that view from Seacrest (and a nice splash of sunset color to the west). Wondering about tomorrow, for shopping, parade-watching, decorating, relaxing? Looks like more of the same.
The volunteers serving free Thanksgiving dinner at Freedom Church (in the old Safeway building at 35th/Roxbury) were crazy-busy when we dropped in a few minutes before their 3-6 pm free dinner began – but we did get to see that, like the Fauntleroy volunteers, they’re sharing more than a meal:
Groceries for those who need them, and nice clothing:
They also had shampoo and soap available. Which reminds us that many West Seattle businesses, churches, and other organizations are colleecting those types of items as well as food and clothing (and diapers for WestSide Baby!) donations this holiday season – keep an eye on the WSB Holiday Happenings page for those opportunities, and also please let us know if you and your business/school/etc. are offering people the chance to reach out. If you have something to offer, you can also consider posting it in the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section (where an offer of “free bikes” has just been posted, to add to what’s already there).
Fauntleroy’s Ron Richardson sent that Thanksgiving Eve photo, along with the next one and the story that follows:
Jason, a Fauntleroy resident, brings his paddle board to Fauntleroy Cove two or three times a week.
Wednesday is a perfect day for Jason to share the cove with the Washington State Ferries. Jason works for REI and is obviously very proficient with one of their new product lines. The board can be navigated and propelled by a single long paddle or it can be rigged with a sail to use as a wind surf outfit. Folks in Fauntleroy are used to seeing Jason aboard his rig in fair weather and foul. Look for him around Alki as well.
-submitted by Ron Richardson (who is continually rewarded by his walks through the Fauntleroy neighborhood)
We love to share photos, with or without stories, from all over West Seattle – send ’em to editor@westseattleblog.com any time! Ron also recently shared a story with our partner site White Center Now, a belated Veterans Day tribute to Al Skaret – you can read it here.
You probably don’t have to cook for a crowd the size of the one that Don is preparing for. We caught him with huge pots of gravy (etc.) in the kitchen at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering is again serving up the annual free Thanksgiving dinner, noon-3 pm (map). The tables are waiting, as sun dapples through the huge south-facing windows:
Those who come also will be able to take something home – donated clothing and other items are laid out:
Also offering a free Thanksgiving dinner in West Seattle today: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury), 3-6 pm. Many people are spending part of their holiday volunteering to make these events possible – we are thankful to live in a community with so many who give so much.
(2007 photo of Java Bean marquee courtesy of Jerry from JetCityOrange)
We are thankful that we’re here, and that you are too. Hope you have a great holiday. Again this year, we’re offering information you might find useful – it’s been on the Holiday Happenings page for a while, but now that The Big Day is here, it’s front and center – coffeehouse hours, supermarket hours, free dinners, transit etc.:
WHERE TO GET CAFFEINATED
Here are the coffeehouses (standalone sites only, in-store stands not included) we know are open — there may be others, but a few didn’t have anything posted on the door AND didn’t pick up the phone.
Aimonetto, 6 am-noon
Bohemian, 8 am-2 pm (espresso and pastries only)
C and P Coffee, 7 am-1 pm
Cafe Rozella, “in the morning”
Caffe Ladro, 5:30 am-2 pm
Cupcake Royale, 8 am-2 pm
Diva, 8 am-1 pm
Easy Street, 7 am-noon (coffee only)
Freshy’s, 8:30 am-1:30 pm (time approximate, when we checked)
Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), 8 am-2 pm
Java Bean, open 6 am-2 pm
Red Cup, 7:30 am-1 pm
Salvadorean Bakery, 8 am-5 pm
Shoofly Pie Company, 10 am-noon
Starbucks, all WS locations open normal start time (Triangle drive-thru and Morgan Junction are earliest @ 5 am) thru 4 pm
Tully’s Alki, 7 am-4 pm
Tully’s Morgan Junction, 7 am-3 pm
Uptown Espresso in The Junction and on Delridge, both open 6 am-3 pm
OTHER INFO THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU
THANKSGIVING DAY SUPERMARKET HOURS: Thriftway open 5 am-4 pm; Metropolitan Market open till 2 pm (then closing till 6 am Friday); QFC open till 6 pm (then closing until 5 am Friday); Safeways open 24 hours; PCC closed
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IN FAUNTLEROY: Free Thanksgiving dinner catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes at The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm (read all about it here)
FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury; here’s a map), 3-6 pm
FREE THANKSGIVING MORNING EXERCISE CLASSES: Gobble Stomp! Free Thanksgiving Day workout class presented by West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), open to the community: (Donations to West Seattle Food Bank or WestSide Baby appreciated, especially newborn-size diapers.)
@ West Seattle wellness facility: doors open 8:20-8:30 am, workout 8:30-10 am.
@ Fauntleroy wellness facility: doors open 7:20-7:30 am, workout 7:30-9 am
More info here
THANKSGIVING BENEFIT CLASS: Thursday, 9:30–11 am at 8 Limbs Yoga (WSB sponsor): Join your 8 Limbs Community for an all-levels yoga class to give thanks and raise needed funds. A great way to start your Thanksgiving. Suggested donation: $20 benefiting Union Gospel Mission
FREE THANKSGIVING MORNING MARTIAL ARTS: (Found on Holy Rosary’s website) Lee’s Martial Arts says, “Come join us as Instructor Lisa & special guest instructors get you prepared to face the rest of the day’s festivities and meals by having an incredibly energizing holiday workout!!! This is our 3rd annual and each year it keeps getting better and better. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and to burn lots of calories! This event is FREE with a donated food item. Or you can give a monetary donation at the door. (donations go to West Seattle Food Bank) 8:30-10 am
HOLIDAY CHANGES: No trash/recycling, no regular-mail delivery, no city pay-station/meter parking charges, government offices/facilities closed, banks closed; Metro schedule info here; Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route on regular schedule
Yet more on the Holiday Happenings page, along with a long list of other events happening for the rest of the holiday season in West Seattle – Santa sightings, Christmas Ship, much more.
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