If you have some extra giving capacity this year, maybe you can help handle a few of the 1,124 requests received by the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) this season. Both locations have giving trees up, with two weeks and two days for you to help make the holidays happier for someone. From the Y’s executive director Shalimar Gonzales:

The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA invites local residents of all ages to participate in a variety of free activities and give a gift to support kids and families in the area. There is a giving tree on display in each of the lobbies of the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA locations with cards attached. If you are interested in sharing a gift, just take one or more cards, purchase the requested gift, and return it to the Y by December 9th. Last year, over 800 gifts were provided by the community for this effort. It’s been a tough year for many people in the community, and during this special season, the need for even more donations from our community members is even more critical.

As for those free community activities – to which you’re invited whether you’re a Y member or not – they include:

*Family Night, 6:30 pm-8 pm December 1st
*Healthy Holiday Stress-Reduction Workshop, 6:30 pm December 11th and 10 am December 14th
*Winter Holiday Bake-A-Rama with Chef Kim O’Donnel, 4:30-5:30 pm December 14th (Sufganiyot [Jelly Donuts] and Benne [Sesame] Biscuits)

All of those events – which have been added to the WSB WS Holiday Guide – are at the West Seattle branch (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie); the Fauntleroy branch is at 9131 California SW. Our Holiday Guide also has a “holiday giving” section where we have added these giving trees – if you have a giving tree, donation drive, fundraiser, volunteer need, etc., please let us know so we can add it too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

It’s free community Thanksgiving dinner time in West Seattle, if you don’t already have plans. Above and below, The Hall at Fauntleroy is serving dinner until 3 pm, 19th year, and David Haggerty of D Squared – parent company of The Hall and Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes Catering – tells WSB that this might be the biggest one yet: 70 people were waiting when they opened the doors at noon, and they had served more than 220 by the time we visited in the second hour.

Community contributions to The Hall at Fauntleroy’s dinner include donated desserts, as well as warm clothes for anyone who needs them:

But you don’t have to be in need to join in the community dinner – all are welcome; The Hall is at 9131 California SW.

Meanwhile, now that it’s 2 pm, the doors also are open at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ at 4426 California SW, where they’re offering a free community dinner – turkey and all the trimmings – until 5 pm.

(Thanksgiving Eve rainbow, photographed by Carolyn Newman)

Happy Thanksgiving! As usual, we’ve compiled info you might be looking for:

GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: The list is in the Thanksgiving section atop our Holiday Guide.

COFFEE SHOPS OPEN TODAY: 16 coffee shops open for at least part of today are also listed in the Thanksgiving section of our guide.

RESTAURANTS (AND BARS WITH FOOD) OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: Here’s the list; please be aware that it is a list of who told us, when we called, that they planned to be open – always subject to last-minute change without notice to us, so please let us know if you find discrepancies – thanks!

PRE-TURKEY EXERCISE : Three options this morning, which you also will find in the Thanksgiving section atop the Holiday Guide .

WHERE TO FIND A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: Three options this year, everyone welcome:
*The Hall at Fauntleroy, noon-3 pm (9131 California SW)
*West Seattle Church of the Nazarene, noon (4201 SW Juneau, church basement)
*West Seattle Eagles, 2 pm-5 pm (4426 California SW, banquet-room entrance off parking lot on south side of building)

AND IF YOU WANT TO HELP: You can donate a dessert to The Hall at Fauntleroy’s dinner – such as a pie and/or cookies – dropoffs are welcome between 10 am and 1 pm, same address as above (south end of the historic schoolhouse).

THANKSGIVING POTLUCK: 11 am-2 pm on the patio outside Tully’s on Alki. “Bring and share a hot dish, or salad, or dessert, bring family/friends, all are welcome.” (2676 Alki SW)

WHAT TO DO AFTER DINNER:
The Admiral Theater is open this afternoon/evening – see the movies/showtimes here (2343 California SW) … The West Seattle Lights music-synched light show starts tonight, 7-9 pm – bring food for the West Seattle Food Bank! (3908 SW Charlestown)

(Surf scoter, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

THANKSGIVING TRANSPORTATION NOTES:
*Metro is on the Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi service
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on the Sunday schedule
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on its regular schedule
*Parking is free on city streets in neighborhoods with pay stations

OTHER INFO:
*No trash/recycling pickup today – Thursday pickups will happen Friday; Friday pickups, on Saturday
*Seattle Parks closures for today, tomorrow
*Seattle Public Libraries closed today

Detailed info for today and beyond is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving! (And if you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!)