West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
Early tomorrow, Washington State Ferries‘ M/V Chelan “will go out of service for maintenance, repairs, and inspections,” WSF says. They don’t have a boat to replace it on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, so the Triangle Route will be down to two boats for a week or so. (The two-boat schedules are linked from the WSF Alerts page.)
Returning to our Christmas-light spotlights tonight after a weekend of tree lightings, the brightest balcony in West Seattle is aglow again! We’ve shown this North Admiral balcony on the west side of California near SW Atlantic before, but the decorators change things up, so it’s not a rerun (here’s another reader’s 2022 photo, for example, and a sparser-but-merry look in 2019 – [added] last year, too!). Thanks to Cindi for the photo; through Christmas, photos and/or tips are appreciated at westseattleblog@gmail.com, or texted to 206-293-6302 – thank you! (See past spotlights by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
(Constellation Park photo by Victoria Gnatoka)
Even before the mentioned-earlier Wind Advisory kicks in, it’s still blustery enough for wave action against Beach Drive seawalls. But the big news was what happened once the sun slipped behind the cloudbank to the west – tonight’s official sunset time, 4:17 pm, is the earliest it will get; that’ll remain the sunset time through next Saturday (December 13), and then next Sunday, it’ll be 4:18 pm. Even as the sunset starts getting later, the sunrise will too, hitting its latest point -7:57 am – on December 27, and staying there through January 5 (by which time the sunset will be at 4:33 pm).
(Friday evening photo sent by Greg Snyder – downed madrona limb on Charlestown Hill west of 46th)
Check your trees for loose limbs and charge your devices – another windstorm might be on the way, this time with advance notice. The National Weather Service has announced a Wind Advisory alert for our area for 7 am to 10 pm tomorrow (Monday, December 8). The NWS prediction is for sustained “south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.”
If you care about Puget Sound’s resident orcas, The Whale Trail‘s winter gathering is the place to be this Thursday night, Here are updated details:
(J pod in Puget Sound. Front to back: J40 [Suttles], her daughter J63 [as yet unnamed], her brother J45 [Se-Yi’-Chn’. J63 is the newest calf in the southern resident population, currently 74 individuals [Maya Sears, Permit 27052])
The Whale Trail Winter Gathering 2025
Celebrating 50 Years of Puget Sound Orca Research
with Mark Sears and Maya SearsPlease join us for our Winter Gathering as we celebrate orca researcher Mark Sears and his 50 years of contributions to our understanding of orcas and other whales in central Puget Sound.
Mark has been a participant in and witness to the history and evolution of orca research in this region. His career as an orca researcher began in 1976, when he participated in the first Orca Survey following the last capture of orcas in Puget Sound. Over the past five decades he’s documented the presence and behaviors of whales in central Puget Sound, often assisted by his daughter Maya. In 1998, Mark was the first researcher to spot Tahlequah (J35) shortly after she was born, and given the opportunity to name her.
In 2002, Mark confirmed the sighting of a young orca near Vashon Island. She was soon identified as Springer (A73), an orphaned orca who was 300 miles away from home. While NOAA considered her fate, Mark monitored her behaviors – and discovered she liked to play with sticks! Later that summer Springer was rescued, rehabilitated and returned to her pod on the north end of Vancouver Island. Today she is thriving, with three calves of her own.
Animal behaviorist Maya joined her father as a NOAA-permitted orca researcher in 2018. Their work has been critical to broadening our knowledge of the diets, behaviors and life histories of the endangered southern resident orcas. Mark and Maya will share photos and findings from recent encounters with southern residents, including two superpods.
What: The Whale Trail Winter Gathering
Celebrating 50 Years of Puget Sound Orca Research with Mark Sears and Maya Sears.
When: Thursday December 11, 7 PM to 8:30
Doors open at 6:15
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
Tickets: $10 suggested donation, kids under 12 free.
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.comJoin us to celebrate the season and the remarkable work of local orca heroes. Get tickets now, this will likely sell out!
Also, it’s not too late to help Welcome the Orcas! You have until December 15th to submit a poem or story for The Whale Trail’s Writing Contest, or participate in the community Pod Passport game. Learn more at The Whale Trail website.
Many West Seattle Farmers Market booths have holiday greenery today, but if you venture just a few steps south of the market, you can buy a handmade wreath that helps students. Pathfinder K-8’s famous wreaths and other “door decor” are available at a booth on the SW corner of California/Alaska, raising money for outdoor education. Above, Cienna and Kyra are there today; you’ll find volunteers there during market hours the next two Sundays too.
Thanks to Anne for the photos. If you’re heading to The Junction for the Farmers’ Market (or another destination!) today, you can browse and buy at a holiday bazaar too – the West Seattle Eagles’ bazaar. More than 18 vendors with items from preserves to art!
As featured on today’s event list and in our Holiday Guide, they’re planning to be open until 3 pm, at 4426 California SW (next to the. post office).
(Seen on Beach Drive – photo sent by Cindi)
Today again brings a two-part event list – first part, the holiday-related highlights, from both our West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am Saturday and Sunday mornings in December, DIY photos with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for West Seattle Food Bank.
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES BAZAAR: 18 local vendors, 9 am-3 pm. (4426 California SW)
206 MAKERS’ MARKET AT JET CITY LABS: Find multiple creators/vendors at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), vendors with ceramics, textiles, baked goods, more. 10 am-2 pm.
VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm again today, self-guided tour of Vashon Islaand artists’ studios, just a ferry ride away. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)
DIY PHOTOS WITH SANTA & ELVES: $25, benefit for animal rescue, at The Hydrant, 10 am-2 pm. (4541 California SW)
‘MESSIAH’ AT WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN: Handel’s classic, with choir, soloists, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, 10 am. (3601 California SW)
SWEET REEL HOLIDAY MAKERS’ MARKET: 11 am-4 pm, homemade goodies to eat and drink too. (5001 Delridge Way SW)
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale again today, featuring dozens of artists who work with clay.
(WSB photo from show’s opening reception)
Hours today are 11 am-5 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 12 pm-5 pm today, more info here.
(WSB photo from show’s opening reception – artist Elena Ruhieh)
(9042 31st SW)
MAKERS ART MARKET: Noon-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW), more than 20 artists/makers are participating.
BARRE 3 SIP AND SHOP: 1-4 pm, local vendors, plus wine! (3218 California SW)
CHAMPAGNE EVENT: West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW) hosts a champagne event at 2 pm – details and registration link here.
REVITALIZE SPA HOLIDAY PARTY WITH SHOPPING: 4-8 pm event. (8142 15th SW)
CHRISTMAS TREES: As noted here, every place that sells them in West Seattle is up and running! Scroll through the Holiday Guide any time for the list.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 5 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR: Northwest Boychoir‘s annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here. (42nd SW and SW Genesee)
Now today’s non-holiday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!) and inbox:
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Sunday run is back this week – 9 am, leaving from C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly games are back at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Small-group class at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well (4034-A California SW); preregistration info is in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual in its regular spot on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-winter produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more.
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FOOD DRIVE & SIGN-HOLDING: West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday 11:30 am-1:30 pm sign-holding events also include a drop-off food drive through the rest of the year. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
LEARN ABOUT EVERGREENS: Garden Hotline presentation at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond, 1:30 pm. Registration required.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
GUIDED BREATHWORK JOURNEY: 2-5 pm – RSVP for location.
WEST SEATTLE MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: 3 pm, Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – this month’s book is “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Monthly Circle of Songs, 3-5 pm. All ages, no cover. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
‘PENELOPE’ MATINEE AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse has just opened the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 3 pm matinée today; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
SCREAM CLUB SEATTLE: 3:30 pm gathering at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) to scream away your stress, grief, etc.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, Sundays feature live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Or maybe you have a listing for our West Seattle Holiday Guide? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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