West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
(WSB photo/video by Torin Record-Sand)
As also reported here, two concurrent menorah-lighting gatherings in West Seattle marked the start of Hanukkah’s eighth and final night tonight. At Junction Plaza Park, Kol HaNeshamah‘s “pop-up Hanukkah” was also attended, said Rabbi Allison Flash, by members of Alki UCC, whose building is shared by the congregations. Here’s what she told the gathering as she lit the menorah and Orin Reynolds led singing:
Hanukkah officially ends at nightfall Monday.
(Photos by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
Two concurrent menorah-lighting gatherings in West Seattle marked the start of Hanukkah’s eighth and final night tonight. At Alki Beach, the West Seattle Torah Learning Center‘s Rabbi Eli Duban lit the giant menorah, after leading those gathered in a moment of silence for victims of the Bondi Beach massacre:
After that somber start, there was also celebration, as donuts and dreidels were circulated among the crowd.
The gathering was somewhat briefer than in previous years, due to rain and wind.
Some of the greater Admiral area’s most brightly decorated homes might have noticed a large group of visitors on foot tonight: The annual West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Christmas Lights Run left the shop at 2743 California SW just after 5 pm. First, of course, the traditional group shot – here are the 30+ people who defied the rain (as runners tend to do) to take part:
Here’s the 5K-ish route that WSR proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell mapped out:
Tonight’s runners also were offered the chance to try out new Brooks shoes – one of many “demo runs” that WSR does during the course of its regular free multiple-times-a-week group runs. Also of note – you have two more days to shop WSR before Christmas, regular hours Monday and Tuesday, then they’ll be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
For tonight’s Christmas-lights spotlight, thanks to Stacy for sending the pic and description:
Walked by an amazingly well done Griswold-level house with a Disney theme last night. Highly recommended checking it out!
This is in the 3400 block of 48th SW, a short distance west of Madison Middle School. Now just three nights until Christmas; if you have lights to recommend, with or without a photo, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (To see what we’ve show already, scroll here.)
It’s a café, it’s a concert venue … and it’s even a backdrop for Santa photos. Tonight is the jolly occasion when the north side of Easy Street Records‘ space in The Junction hosts photo ops with Cocoa Cris Cringle.
You still have an hour to get down to Easy Street and get a pic during “foto fun” with Cocoa Cris – hats and props available, as seen with this group:
It’s an annual tradition, with a $25 fee that Cocoa Cris gives to nonprofits.
SIDE NOTE: We’ve kept a Santa-appearance list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide all season – but Santa has to get back to the North Pole, so just two more left, 1:30-4:30 pm Monday and 2:30-5:30 pm Tuesday at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor).
3:50 PM: Winter has arrived with true Seattle wintry weather – rain. Nevertheless, Alice Enevoldsen is at Solstice Park for her quarterly sunset watch, despite the sun being highly unlikely to make even a brief appearance this time. So if you want to commemorate the change of seasons and learn about the solar-system machinations behind it, come on over to the park’s plateau, uphill from the tennis courts at 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW. (The sun sets – out there beyond the clouds somewhere – behind the trees and mountains around 4:05, officially at 4:20 pm.)
4:10 PM: More than two dozen people showed up!
4:26 PM: Among the questions Alice has been asked, how much more light do we get today now that the days are getting longer? Less than a minute, Alice explained. Meantime – the rain has stopped!
P.S. Alice calculates this was her 67th sunset watch. Our archived coverage of them dates back to 2009!
(WSB photo of Rachel Porter at November light-rail forum)
Congratulations to West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter, honored by the national Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in its 2025 list of “Forty Under 40,” which is explained by the organization:
This annual recognition program showcases 40 of the industry’s top emerging leaders who have demonstrated success in their careers and made significant contributions to the communities they serve. The list includes CEOs and staff professionals from a wide variety of roles and chamber sizes. Honored for their creativity, dedication and commitment to identifying innovative solutions that will help shape the future of the chamber profession.
The announcement of Porter’s honor also notes:
ACCE has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations
as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry. Eligible chamber professionals must be nominated by their chamber’s president/CEO, direct supervisor or board chair. Candidates must demonstrate meaningful involvement in the advancement of their community and proven professional success within their chamber.
The full list of honorees is here. Porter has been executive director of the WS Chamber since summer 2023.
(Photo sent by Karl Sutter)
10:56 AM: Also happening today – the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back at their usual spot at the south end of the WS Farmers’ Market, today collecting nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank. You can drop off donations at their booth at California/Alaska (by Easy Street Records) until 2 pm. Here’s a list of what they need most.
(Photo sent by Denis Sapiro)
2:11 PM: We stopped by the booth while at the market and learned from Kiwanian Denis Sapiro that they’d received a ukulele serenade – above, he sent the pictorial proof. If you missed this chance to donate to the food bank, some local businesses – including nearby Fitness Together (upstairs at 4546 California SW; WSB sponsor) – are still collecting food donations (see the list in our Holiday Guide), and you can send a monetary contribution to the WSFB online.
(Soggy Steller’s Jay, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
We’re bringing you today’s highlights in two lists again -.. first part, the holiday-related highlights, from both our West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide, including Winter Solstice events:
SELFIES WITH SANTA: 8:30 am-11 am, your last chance for a DIY photo with Santa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), donation requested for the West Seattle Food Bank.
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.
SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: See Santa at the grocery store! 10 am-1 pm. (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor)
WINTER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Join Alice Enevoldsen for the quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch at Solstice Park. 3:45 pm-4:45 pm. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts)
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH CONCERT & FESTIVAL OF TREES: Christmas concert at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 4 pm with reception afterward to see the Festival of Trees (bring nonperishable food donations to “vote”), details here.
COCOA CRIS CRINGLE: Easy Street Records‘ annual photo visit from Cocoa Cris Cringle is set for 4:30-8 pm. Props! $25 charity fundraiser.
HANUKKAH’S FINAL NIGHT: Two public events for the final night, both at 5 pm:
POP-UP HANUKKAH IN THE JUNCTION: Kol HaNeshamah leads a public celebration at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW and SW Alaska).
GIANT MENORAH ON ALKI: The West Seattle Torah Learning Center will lead a public celebration at Alki, lighting a giant menorah, plus a fire show, donuts, and music. (2701 Alki SW)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS RUN: Meet at the shop (2743 California SW):
West Seattle Runner Annual Christmas Light Run, 5 pm: Join us for our Annual West Seattle Runner Christmas Light Run! Put on your holiday gear, lights, strands of light, reflective gear, and headlamp or flashlight. We are hitting the ‘hood in search of the best light displays. This is always a fun get-together, a very easy 2.5 to 3 mile group run. We take it very leisurely. There are always walkers. Bring your dog, your kids, your family, and your friends! We will gather at the shop afterward for cookies and cider, nog, and hot chocolate. Will this be the year that we have carolers in the mix? We hope! Feel free to bring donations for the Food Bank.
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, 4:45 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
WINTER SOLSTICE RENEWAL, DECEMBER 21: Art and more at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), 5:30 pm.
HOLIDAY SWEATER BINGO AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm. (4717 California SW)
COAT DRIVE AT JAK’S GRILL: Last night to bring coats to JaK’s Grill in The Junction (now on SW Alaska) to donate!
Now today’s other highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!) and inbox:
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly games have resumed 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 winter produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more. (Note that our state’s flooding may have affected some of the growers you usually see.) You might also find Christmas trees, and Pathfinder K-8 wreaths just south of the market.
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Sunday run – back to 9 am this week, leaving from Highland Park Corner Store. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
DONATION DRIVE AT ALKI UCC: 11 am-2 pm, monthly donation dropoffs outside the church:
This Month’s Priority Need: FOOD!! Feed the People!
The Alki UCC Donations Drive helps stock the food pantry at “The Welcome Table,” Westside Interfaith Network’s weekly hot meal program.
Also in great need: New Socks and Gently Used Cold Weather Outerwear
Pet Food in marked Ziploc bags is also welcome, as well as gift cards to local grocery stores.
Bring your donations anytime to Alki UCC’s front porch barrel but especially this Sunday for our monthly in-person drive.
(6115 SW Hinds)
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)
‘SUNDAY SOLIDARITY ACTION’: West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday 11:30 am-1:30 pm sign-holding event, also including a drop-off food drive through the end of the year. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
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)
‘PENELOPE’ MATINEE AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse is closing out the run of the folk-pop musical “Penelope“ with a 3 pm matinée today; get tickets here – a few remain as of early this morning. (4711 California SW)
EUROPEAN WINE CELEBRATION: First of three days of tastings, 4-6 pm at West Seattle Cellars (6026 California SW), starting with French wines.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, 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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