With lights twinkling and bells jingling, dozens headed out on the ultimate holiday-season fun run tonight – the annual Christmas Lights Run organized by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), whose proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell led the decked-out way (with Myrtle the greyhound):

This was the first Christmas Lights Run since they moved WSR north to 2743 California SW, but the route included its traditional highlight, the West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Spectacular music-synched light show at 3908 SW Charlestown.

SIDE NOTE: For another on-your-feet holiday tradition, see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s New Year’s Eve/Day section for the walks organized by the Emerald City Wanderers.

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Inclusive play area for West Seattle? Former Explorer West Middle School classmates’ project synergizing with Lincoln Park plan

December 20, 2015 6:35 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A play-area renovation in West Seattle may ultimately be even more inclusive than envisioned, thanks to advocacy by four local teenagers, based on work they did in their final year at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor).

We told you about their “Change the World Project” work seven months ago. Their main goal was to raise awareness about West Seattle’s lack of an “inclusive” playground – one with features that can be enjoyed by children of all ability levels, including those with physical and/or developmental challenges. There’s only one such play area in the entire city (the Children’s PlayGarden).

With the four – Makenzie White, Cyrus Storlie, Tess Wassermann, and Ellen Applewhite – leaving Explorer West just after completing the project as part of their work with teacher Tim Owens, they weren’t sure about its fate, nor about what additional work they could do. When summer was over, the four former classmates were enrolled in four different high schools, further complicating any plans to collaborate.

Then the Lincoln Park North Play Area Renovation project came along, and now they are talking with Seattle Parks about ways to incorporate their proposals.

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West Seattle Christmas lights: One street to see

December 20, 2015 3:52 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

We’ve been looking, and asking, but haven’t come up with much of a list of must-see Christmas-lights displays this year. One theory: With so few breaks in the rain earlier this month, some people missed the usual windows for putting up lights. But we’re still looking – and last night we happened onto a stretch to add to the (short) list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide: 30th SW between Roxbury and Barton has a lot of spirit, including the home in our photo above. If you have any recommendations – either a spirited street, or a particular house – please comment here or e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com). Especially in the next few nights ahead before Christmas Eve, looking at lights is a long-held tradition, and we’re always happy to help, so we’ll add whatever turns up. Thanks!

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YOU CAN HELP! End the year with a few hours of volunteering

December 20, 2015 1:44 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

One way to start the New Year off fresh – end the old year by doing a good deed. The White Center Food Bank is asking for help on New Year’s Eve:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INVENTORY HELP DECEMBER 31!

Are you available to help weigh and count the inventory of the White Center Food Bank? We start at 9 am and go until it’s done (usually before 2 pm). We will need 5-10 people who can lift 40 pounds. Other tasks that morning include counting and recording. If you can help with this important yearly task, contact Audrey Zemke at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848.

The WCFB is headquartered at 10829 8th SW.

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HAPPENING NOW: Santa & diaper-donation drive in The Junction

December 20, 2015 11:56 am

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Junction Santa is in the house! It’s a festively decked tent – lots of holiday greenery – on the southwest corner of California and Alaska. Above, Elizabeth was visiting Santa when we stopped by. DIY photos are free but bring a diaper donation if you can for WestSide Baby – right outside the tent, helpful elves are waiting to collect what you bring.

This is all happening as part of Hometown Holidays, until 2 pm today.

P.S. If you miss Junction Santa and are looking for last-minute Santa photo ops in the next few days, keep an eye on the ongoing list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Tyvek & tide

December 20, 2015 11:29 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Two of the photos texted to our hotline (206-293-6302) this weekend are interesting sights you might have missed:

UNWRAPPED: Thanks to Charlie G. for the photo of wind-blown Tyvek peeled off the under-construction Rally project at Charlestown/California. (Lynda B. had texted us about it earlier but it was gone by the time we arrived.)

Meantime, today’s high-mark “king tide” is 20 minutes away, at 11:49 am. Today it’s 12.4 feet – just a bit down from Saturday morning, when Tim McMonigle shared this photo from the Alki seawall:

Certainly it’s more spectacular when north winds are blowing – but as Tim noted, even without them, seeing the Sound almost over the seawall is still impressive.

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Lights, music, Santa, scholarships: West Seattle Sunday events

December 20, 2015 8:23 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Townsend’s Warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s what’s up for this breezy Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

JUNCTION SANTA: As part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), come to Santa’s House, 10 am-2 pm. “Santa is coming to The Junction to listen to your children’s Christmas requests. At ‘Santa’s House,’ you’ll find a festive tent to drop in for a hug and a smile. Bring your camera and capture your own special moment. Live music too. Meet at Key Bank.” (California/Alaska)

FARMERS’ MARKET: Produce, beverages, cheese, meat, more – and food trucks – are all part of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm year-round on Sundays – see what’s available in advance of your Christmas dinner! (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

HOLIDAY SERVICES: Some local churches are having their holiday services today – see the listings (including Christmas Eve and beyond) in the Holiday Guide.

THRIFTWAY SANTA: Find Santa Claus at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – 11 am-3 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

‘STAR WARS’ GAMES AT MEEPLES: Noon-4 pm today, second of two days for the weekend-long “Star Wars” event at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) – see the full updated schedule on the Meeples website. (3727 California SW)

LAST CHANCE TO VISIT THE MUSEUM BEFORE CHRISTMAS: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum is open today, noon-4 pm, and you can see its new arrival – the life and times of West Seattleite Ivar Haglund, on loan from the Nordic Heritage Museum. While you’re there, shop for unique holiday gifts in the museum gift-shop corner – including books, apparel, West Seattle tote bags. (61st SW & SW Stevens)

MUSIC TO SHOP BY: Gary Benson plays guitar at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 2-5 pm. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)

OPERA PREVIEW LECTURE: Seattle Opera‘s preview lecture for “The Marriage of Figaro,” 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – details in our calendar listing. (2306 42nd SW)

FROYO FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, AND JACKETS FOR KIDS: 4-7 pm at Admiral Menchie’s, come meet Miss Seattle Taryn Smith, who is collecting jackets for kids at Mary’s Place and raising money for the Miss Seattle Scholarship Organization via part of the froyo proceeds – details here. (2620 California SW)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS RUN: Meet at 6 pm for the annual West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Christmas Lights Run. “Social, festive group run” – details and route in our preview. (2743 California SW)

SEATTLE GIRLS CHOIR: 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church, Carmina Angelorum: songs for harp & treble voices. An evening concert of elegant music celebrating winter and the holiday season, featuring harpist Juliet Stratton and the young women of Prime Voci and Cantamus. Works by Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, and Paul Carey to be performed. Check for ticket availability – $12 and $8 for seniors/students – or at the door. (4210 SW Genesee)

TRIO PARDALOTE: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – details here, including ticket info. (7904 35th SW)

MORE MUSIC … on our year-round calendar.

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