day : 25/11/2011 7 results

The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start to Christmas tree season – and this was opening day for West Seattle’s newest tree lot, Son-In-Law Tree Farm, which West Seattle resident Greg Potts is operating on the north side of the ex-Charlestown Café parking lot. The name refers to the fact the trees come from the Silverton, Oregon, farm where his wife’s father grew the trees. And it’s the first tree lot we’ve ever seen with an icon:

The VW van with a tree on top is also featured on a T-shirt (left background) that they’re selling at the lot, where hand-blown glass ornaments (by Welch’s Glass) will be on sale starting tomorrow (Saturday), and Greg says part of the tree proceeds will go to the White Center Food Bank.

Another family operation now open for the season: Tony’s at 35th/Barton:

We stopped by today to check in with Joey Genzale, who runs the business founded by his dad (who’s been gone almost a year now). The trees offered at Tony’s include some things hard to find elsewhere – like height (up to 20 feet) and flocking.

Other tree notes, which you’ll find collected and updated throughout the season with a full list of local sellers on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info page – Holy Rosary Tree Lot (by the school playground at 41st/Dakota again this year) opens tomorrow (Saturday) – here’s its official website – and West Seattle Produce has trees on the site it’s moving to right across Fauntleroy.

Share This

New play equipment almost ready at ex-Denny site

November 25, 2011 10:01 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Val for these photos of the new play area on the southeast side of the former site of Denny International Middle School (30th/Cloverdale).

We last showed it as a work-in-progress a month ago. As BNBuilders‘ River Steenson reiterated in a comment following our last update, it’s expected to be completed within a month, and Val says the crew at the scene thought it would be open within a few weeks (we’ll make a formal inquiry next week). This site, which also includes a softball field and tennis courts, remains under school district ownership/management, and as such will not be considered an official “park,” nor will it be named, the district has said.

Share This

West Seattle holidays: Santa Claus arrives for photo season

November 25, 2011 4:07 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Here’s the latest on where to see, and get photos with, Santa Claus in West Seattle …

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Santa arrived today at Westwood, in the decorated storefront on the breezeway east of Bed Bath and Beyond. Some changes this year, as noted here previously, following the shopping center’s ownership change: Santa is now at Westwood every day, instead of only on weekends – the schedule is here, and he’s there 10 am-8 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Sundays, up till Christmas Eve (when he has to leave at 5 pm). The photographers are now from Arthur and Associates, a Seattle company whose roots trace all the way back to the famous Frederick and Nelson Santa photos downtown. Though the photos are no longer provided in exchange for a food-bank donation, there are two Salvation Army Giving Trees at Santa’s spot in Westwood, brimming with cards:

There’s also a coloring contest for kids – right there by the giving trees, in keeping with the penguin motif accompanying Santa.

SANTA AT CAPERS: As also previously reported here, the new Santa photographers at Westwood asked the center’s longtime Santa to work with them, but he decided not to (as explained here). We’re still getting questions about where to find him in West Seattle this holiday season – and today there’s new news: Lisa Myers at CAPERS in The Junction confirms he’ll be spending some time in her shop. Unless a professional photographer would like to donate her/his time (contact Lisa!), it’ll be do-it-yourself photos – Santa will be there, they’ll collect food-bank donations (preferably cash/checks, since as Lisa points out, food banks can buy more with wholesale/discount rates), and you can take your own photo(s). He’ll be there starting next Saturday and Sunday (December 3-4) and Fridays-Sundays after that. We’ll add the hours here shortly. And as mentioned in this story, he’ll be at Holy Rosary 9 am-noon on December 10th.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS SANTA IN THE JUNCTION: December 4, 11, and 18, the Santa who’s been making memories courtesy of Hometown Holidays in The Junction will be back, at City Mouse Studio and Store – professional photographs those first two Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, with a suggested donation of at least $15 going to West Seattle charities, and bring-your-own-camera photos on Dec. 18th, same hours (donations also suggested).

Share This

West Seattle holidays: 3-day gift fair at Duwamish Longhouse

November 25, 2011 2:38 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Shop local, shop handmade! The three-day holiday gift fair with Native American arts/crafts vendors at the Duwamish Longhouse is under way – with even more to choose from than last year (when weather was a bit problematic)! Above, Margie Morris (Tlingit) and Ron Alphonse (Cowichan) are back – we remember the stockings and angels, in particular, from last year. You’ll also find several jewelry artists, including White Bear:

Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet)’s booth features his paintings:

And Feather Keepers by artist Dean Rowe offers beautiful wooden boxes:

If you haven’t been there, the Duwamish Longhouse is on the eastern edge of West Seattle, 4705 West Marginal Way SW (map). The gift fair runs till 5 today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and Sunday.

Share This

Video: Chief Sealth, Salty’s, RCRG in Macy’s Parade downtown

November 25, 2011 11:56 am

| Comments Off on Video: Chief Sealth, Salty’s, RCRG in Macy’s Parade downtown

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Perfect morning downtown for the annual Macy’s Holiday Parade; we checked it out to watch for West Seattle participants. Two were obvious – top video, it’s not a holiday parade without the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band, directed by the award-winning Marcus Pimpleton; below, Salty’s on Alki team members with a few of the restaurant’s famous nutcrackers:

(If you were in the parade too, let us know in the comment section!) Kudos to everybody out in the early-morning chill to celebrate the holidays (including marching bands from as far away as Centralia, Sequim, and Canada …).

ADDED 3:28 PM: One more group we have on video – with strong West Seattle/White Center ties – Rat City Rollergirls:

Their next season opens at KeyArena on January 21.

Share This

Help for the holidays: Toys for Kids dropoff at Husky Deli

November 25, 2011 11:48 am

| Comments Off on Help for the holidays: Toys for Kids dropoff at Husky Deli

| How to help | South Park | West Seattle news

Just added to the list of holiday helping/giving on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page: A toy drive starts today to collect presents for more than 500 kids in the South Park area, and there’s a collection site at Husky Deli in The Junction. It’s the Rick’s Toys for Kids drive, and they’re collecting through December 10th. Full details on this flyer!

Share This

West Seattle Friday: Today’s holiday highlights, and more

November 25, 2011 8:11 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(The Olympics, glowing in this morning’s light; thanks to Shannon for the photo!)
Today’s highlights are almost all holiday-related, with a few exceptions. From the WSB West Seattle Holidays page and Events calendar:

TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION CHANGES TODAY: No West Seattle Water Taxi service; Metro is on the “reduced weekday” schedule … P.S. Parking meters/pay stations in Seattle DO charge today, no holiday.

GOVERNMENT NOTES: Most government offices are closed. Seattle Public Library branches are open (if they’re usually open on Fridays); city-run community centers are closed.

HIGH TIDES: This is the so-called “king tide” time of year; next high tide is around 3:30 this afternoon, 12 feet. (Here’s the chart.)

PARADE DOWNTOWN: Chief Sealth International High School‘s marching band is part of the lineup for the Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown, which starts at 9 am (more info here)

LOCAL BLACK FRIDAY DEALS: See the West Seattle Holidays page for a sampling of what West Seattle brick-and-mortar businesses are offering.

GIFT FAIR AT THE LONGHOUSE: The Duwamish Tribe invites its West Seattle neighbors to its Longhouse Thanksgiving weekend for a Native Holiday Gift Fair today through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. It is a chance to buy directly from native artists and craft persons. There will be lots of holiday spirit and a big lighted tree. Unique gifts in every price range. Fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, t-shirts, coffee and more. Lots of snacks–frybread, baked goods, hot chocolate and more. Free admission and parking. 4705 W Marginal Way SW. More information at 206-431-1582 or duwamishtribe.org.

SANTA PHOTOS: Daily photos with Santa at Westwood Village (breezeway just east of Bed Bath Beyond). Carolers today, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, and each Saturday thereafter. Giving tree for the Salvation Army. Hours and Santas listed here.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALES: The new Charlestown/California lot opens today; more listed on the Holidays page.

BURLESQUE: Special Friday show tonight at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm (3308 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm (5612 California SW) … Black Bangs performs live with special guest Kathleen Wheeler at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm (6451 California SW)

Share This