(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!

(Photo by alextutu1821 via Flickr, Menashe Family Lights, where ‘Santa Al’ visits tonight – see below)
Happy Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide, some of the highlights ahead for today/tonight, featuring more than a few Santa sightings (last weekend for photo ops!):

SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS: Thanks to Jason for the tip that four West Seattle teams play championship games in the Seattle Youth Soccer Association today – all listed here; the games are at 10, noon, and 2 pm, at Ingraham and Shoreline. Good luck to the Strikers, Donuts, Crush, and Inferno!

SANTA AT TRAM’S: Santa Al will be at Tram’s Salon, 10 am-1 pm. (4110 California SW)

WRAP IT UP: Furry Faces Foundation‘s next gift-wrapping-for-donations event is today, 2-6 pm at Beer Junction. Details are in this post in the WSB Forum. (4511 California SW)

SANTA AT EMERALD WATER ANGLERS: DIY photos with Santa Claus at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction from 11 am-2 pm; donations are going to Wild Steelhead Coalition. (42nd/Oregon)

SANTA AT CAPERS: 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. Saturdays and Sundays, noon-3 pm. (4525 California SW)

MEDICINE SONGS FROM THE TIME OF CHIEF SEATTLE: 2-3 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. “All are invited to share in a deeper understanding of the language and culture of the First People of Seattle, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe through traditional local songs and stories,” with awardwinning Northwest Native Storyteller Johnny Moses. Longhouse/Cultural Center opens at 10 am – come early to view exhibits and shop! (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

COCOA CRIS CRINGLE AT EASY STREET: Easy Street Records in The Junction hosts the annual visit of Cocoa Cris Cringle for photos, 4-8 pm, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, $20 or $15 with one nonperishable food item. (California/Alaska)

SANTA PUB CRAWL: Put on your Santa suit and join in – starts 5 pm at Coastline (4444 California SW), on to Shadowland (California/Oregon) at 6, and more stops beyond. Full details on this Facebook event page.

OFFICER INSTALLATION AT MASONIC LODGE: 5 pm, and you are invited:

Alki Masonic Lodge #152 announces its 109th installation of officers to be held at 5:00 pm (tonight) at the Alki Masonic Center near Alaska/Fauntleroy Junction at 4736 40th Ave SW. Elected officers to be installed are Martin Monk, Worshipful Master; Bill Van Cleave, Senior Warden; Michael Sawyer, Junior Warden; Richard Syson, Secretary; and Gary Langenbach, Treasurer. This installation is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Alki Masonic Lodge is a West Seattle landmark, serving the community for over a century. West Seattleites may recognize Alki Lodge for its many philanthropic and community-based activities. Each year Alki Lodge gives several monetary awards for local high school scholars, and supports other local organizations like the Hi-Yu. Additionally, the Masonic Center is rented for many public and private events.

The full list of officers includes: Senior Deacon, Jeffrey Tosh; Junior Deacon, Steven Slaughter; Senior Steward, Brian Winchester; Junior Steward, Larry West; Chaplain, Alan Sawyer; Marshal, Dan Winchester; Musician, Richard Moulden; and Tyler, Kent Evans.

SANTA AT THE MENASHE LIGHTS: Santa Al is at the Menashe Family Lights 6-10 pm, bring a can for the West Seattle Food Bank. (5605 Beach Drive SW)

NIGHTTIME TOUR OF LINCOLN PARK: 6:30 pm with naturalist Stewart Wechsler. RSVP and suggested-donation info on his website, along with tour details. (8265 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SOUTHWEST TEEN LIFE CENTER WINTER FESTIVAL: 7-10 pm, starting with dinner, continuing with skating, crafts, more. Details in our calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)

NIGHTLIFE! Live music, karaoke, more … on the calendar.

You probably recognize that as the opening sequence from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which happens to be our favorite holiday-related show of all time. Yes, we know, it was on TV earlier this month, and you can find it online any time – but tonight, you can watch it in the company of friends in West Seattle. That’s just part of what’s on the highlights list, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

JEWELRY SHOW: 11 am-6 pm today, the designs of Mary Powers are featured at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), and part of the proceeds benefit charity. Details in our calendar listing. (41st/Alaska)

HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT: Doors open 6 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club: “Children’s short at 6:15 and the main movie at 7. Free admission. Volunteers will be selling popcorn, candy, and other movie fare. Bring blankets and pillows or sit in our chairs. This is an all-ages event. Bring your friends, family and neighbors. Double feature!” “Charlie Brown Christmas” opens, and the second feature hint is as follows: “In this 2011 PG (97 minutes) feature, Santa’s clumsy son Arthur gets put on a mission with St. Nick’s father to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than 2 hours.” (12th/Holden)

WEST SEATTLE TLC’S HANUKKAH PARTY: 6 pm; e-mail the WS Torah Learning Center for party location and details – westseattletlc@gmail.com

KOL HANESHAMAH’S HANUKKAH DINNER/PARTY: Local progressive synagogue Kol HaNeshamah plans a Hanukkah party and dinner, 6:30 pm: Community dinner, blessings, and sing-along. (6115 SW Hinds)

BOBCAT BOB: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice will entertain you, live. (5612 California SW)

‘FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS’: Northwest Boychoir‘s traditional holiday favorite at Holy Rosary Church, 7:30 pm, “showcasing the 90-member combined chorus of the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle.” Reserved seating; call 206-524-3234 to see what’s available for the performance. (42nd/Genesee)

BLUE HOLIDAY: “A service of comfort and remembrance” at 7:30 pm, for those finding the holiday season “a painful time,” Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation. (7141 California SW)

MORE HOLIDAY SERVICES FOR THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK … are listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. (Still time to add more if yours is missing -please e-mail info ASAP to editor@westseattleblog.com)

‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: This retro holiday production continues tonight at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

FRED TALKS, ROUND 2: Tonight it’s the second edition of FRED Talks at Kol HaNeshamah, 8-10 pm: “Join us for ‘Gelty Pleasures,’ an evening of specialty chocolate, cocktails/mocktails, and stories of miracles profound and humorous. While last month’s talk was more formal, this month’s evening event promises to be more intimate. Mixologist and 1996 Bartender of the Year Mike Hecklinger will mix up sumptuous samples of cocktails and mocktails; Amateur chocolatier Jerry Hoffmeister will share his trials and tribulations in creating truffles; Rabbi Anson Laytner will warm up the crowd with a Hanukkah story; then FRED attendees will have an opportunity to share their own ‘miracle’ stories. Suggested donation is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and students.” (6115 SW Hinds)

FRIDAY NIGHTLIFE … more listings on our calendar!