West Seattle, Washington
03 Tuesday
Tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight shines on the roof of homes about a block east of Chief Sealth International High School, on the south side of Thistle [map]. The roof’s configuration is a perfect platform to line with inflatable Christmas characters.
Got a display to suggest? With or without photos? We’re planning a spotlight every night so we appreciate your tips as in years past, westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302.
Two West Seattle Festivals of Trees to tell you about tonight – one event tomorrow, and one with many chances to see the trees, plus both with ways for you to do more than look:
WEST SEATTLE ROTARY’S FESTIVAL OF MINI-TREES: Wednesday night (December 4) from 5 to 7 pm, be at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) to view and bid on more than 20 mini-trees! It’s the fourth year, says Rotary past president Kjersti Stroup:
Local businesses and community members donated 21 artificial trees and wreaths to this event, pre-lit and decorated in fun themes … On Wednesday, December 4, all are welcome to come by Brookdale from 5-7 to enjoy music and hors d’oeuvres, celebrate the holidays, and place silent bids on wreaths and tabletop trees! Bidding ends at 6:45 and winners can take home their items that night. There is no cost to attend, and all proceeds go directly to Rotary’s service foundation projects. These projects include providing new clothing and school supplies to local students, building clean stoves in Guatemala, awarding local scholarships, and much more!
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH’S FESTIVAL OF TREES: All month long, you can visit the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) 9 am-noon Mondays-Thursdays, plus the hour before each of the church’s Christmas concerts, and admire the dozen-plus trees decorated mostly by church groups and families. Yere’s a few we photographed today:
That’s the penguin tree … below, the “trash tree”:
The “peace tree”:
And the Hazelwood Preschool (which rents space beneath the church) “gingerbread-man tree”:
Bring nonperishable food donations and use the cans/bags/boxes to “vote” for your favorite(s)! We’ll showcase more of the trees through the month. But go visit when you can!
(2023 reader photo, from 600+ cookies baked by Tibbetts United Methodist Church ‘and friends’)
For the 26th year, the nonprofit organization known as The Christmas People will be accepting homemade cookies during Christmas week, with a dropoff spot in West Seattle. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share with you:
The Christmas People will once again be collecting homemade Christmas Cookies at West Seattle Co-Working, 9030 35th Avenue SW, on Saturday, December 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, December 22nd, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Monday, December 23rd, and Tuesday, December 24th, from 10-4. Cookies may also be dropped off at our main kitchen location, Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Saturday, December 21, through Tuesday, December 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are hoping for 9,000 cookies, which will be assorted and distributed to 12 shelters and centers.
Also food preparers and drivers are needed. Please call us for information – co-founders Fred Hutchinson and Ruth Bishop, 206-719-4979.
One of West Seattle’s most creative cake shops is also offering you the chance to get creative again this holiday season. BAKED in The Admiral District has offered gingerbread kits every year since 2021; the gingerbread house kit is $65 (photo above, courtesy BAKED), a gingerbread-cookie kit $45, with part of the proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank. The shop is open by appointment so the best way to order one is online – they have curbside pickup on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Christmas-light season is officially on. The Menashe Family’s home at 5605 Beach Drive SW is ablaze in lights – our video above is a minute-long look at most of it. One aspect that’ll catch your eye, the transportation features – train, plane, helicopter, among others.
Lots of Christmasy characters inhabit almost every square inch of the yard. And by the sidewalk, the traditional mailbox for letters to Santa Claus:
Santa himself will visit in two weeks, the night of December 14 (as noted in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide), with reindeer accompanying him. (He’s already represented on the north side of the display.)
We’ll be showcasing lights from around the community again this season, starting tomorrow (Monday) – if yours are extra-festive, or you see some that are, please let us know! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
If you’re going to sing “O Tannenbaum” under a Christmas tree, no better place to do it in West Seattle than Prost! That’s one of the songs local musician (and renowned announcer) Tom Hutyler sang there tonight in honor of the official first night of the bar’s Christmas tree.
P.S. Other tree lightings ahead this week include the Our Lady of Guadalupe tree during “Light Up the Night“ on Friday and The Junction’s (somewhat diminished, but illuminated anyway) tree during the Holiday Festival on Saturday.
(WSB photo, 2023 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast)
One week from today – Saturday, December 7th – brings some of the biggest events of the holiday season. It all starts at 7 am in the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual pancake breakfast. $8 in advance or $10 at the door – and kids under 10 eat free! – gets you pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, coffee, and tea. Free Santa photos! Raffles! Benefit wreath, ornament, and nut sales! And you’re welcome to bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots (with active-duty Marines there to gratefully accept them). Show up whatever time works for you between 7 am and 11 am next Saturday morning. The entrance is right off the (free) parking lot on the south side of the Masonic Center (and again, you can buy your discounted advance ticket right now by going here).
P.S. The Kiwanis Club also is raising money for its community work right now via an online auction, with items including gift certificates/cards for local businesses, from coffee to clothing (and beyond!). Go here to browse and bid!
Small Business Saturday continues at independent businesses all over West Seattle (and the rest of the nation). We have photos and a travelogue – shop-a-logue? – from Dan Jacobs of the Admiral Neighborhood Association:
Small Business Saturday in the Admiral District celebrates the best of our local small businesses while enjoying the charm and creativity of the neighborhood on a beautiful day. We started our day by grabbing brunch at Admiral Neighborhood Association partner Arthur’s, known for its fresh and locally inspired dishes as well as giving back to neighbors in need. Next up is a stop in at ANA partner Bebop Waffle Shop, who will be serving up creative and comforting sweet or savory waffles for just one more month. Get them while you still can!
Heading up California Ave, we enjoyed some of the unique Admiral shopping experiences at some of our local favorites. First up, things are busy at Hoste, which features a curated selection of stylish home goods.
Then down California, stopping in at Alair to browse through some unique gifts and local favorites.
Next up is Wend Jewelry to admire Wendy’s beautifully handcrafted pieces, and then stopping in at Soirée for some tasty culinary delights.
Other indie Admiral businesses include longtime WSB sponsor West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW), where, among other things, folks have been picking up their Seattle Marathon bibs today (the big race is tomorrow).
WSB contributors are out roaming the Small Business Saturday sights and deals – here’s what we’re finding in The Junction:
STOP ‘N’ SHOP: You might remember Angela from Funky Jane’s – we photographed her today at the Center for Active Living‘s Stop ‘n’ Shop, where the SBS deal is 20 percent off everything, till 4 pm today and again 10 am-4 pm Sunday (California/Oregon).
FLEURT: Tax-free all day, with mini-Christmas tree if you spend $75 or more. (4536 California SW)
CARMILIA’S: We had early word of their plans in today’s “what’s happening” list but here’s what our contributor was told: “Giftables 25% off – jewelry, gloves, hats. Sale rack additional 25% off. Open until 6 pm. Last-chance rack $99, according to proprietor Linda Walsh.”
MYSTERY MADE: That’s proprietor Cory, who says his shop is not having a sale but they do have Rainier Beer on hand for thirsty holiday shoppers (of age, of course) … they’re at 4537 California SW.
GIFT WRAP AT COMPASS: Purchases at Mystery Made or Carmilia’s, or for the Compass Giving Tree (noted in our Holiday Guide), get you free wrap – that’s Mara Haveson at left and Compass Real Estate team members. (4531 California SW)
POP-UP MARKET AT JET CITY LABS: All weekend, Jet City Labs is hosting multiple artists and vendors in pop-up markets (4547 California SW), as noted in our list. Until 4 today and 10-2 tomorrow: “Shop jewelry from The ADHD Witch, knits from JKrochets, photos from Jon Dun, and more!”
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS: Remember they’re now at 4707 California SW: “20% off select waders and rods. 30% off discontinued Patagonia gear. 30% on sunglasses, select styles. Open till 6 pm.”
WUGPRINTS AT VAIN: Another pop-up – owner Joshua illustrates all the work, just started in June 2024. He’s holding his most popular postcard. He’s at VAIN (4513 California SW) till 3 pm.
We’ll say it again – shop small biz EVERY day to keep the community strong!
Another holiday-season tradition in West Seattle! The Duwamish Tribe Longhouse has opened its doors to Native arts and crafts creators for this year’s holiday-season Native Art Market. It’s always a mix of new and returning vendors – among the new, Wilma Gloria, of the Tulalip Tribes, with creations including hats and belts woven from cedar:
In her arms is Lovey. They’re near the great-room door, as is Ixtlixochitl Salinas (White Hawk):
Some fair participants are creating on site, including Britt Rynearson from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation:
She’s creating “kinship circles”:
There are many other vendors to browse, with creations including drums, combs, ornaments, paintings, and body care. While you’re there, also visit the exhibits for the Cultural Center and learn about Duwamish Tribe history; fry bread is for sale toward the back of the great room. The fair continues until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday at 4705 West Marginal Way SW; if you’re driving, note there’s parking on both sides of Marginal (and crossing flaggers if you end up parking on the east side of the street).
Just texted:
Awesome homemade Christmas tree sales and goodies (cookies and warm drinks) being sold on our neighbors’ front lawn right now … 48th Ave SW just north of Hudson. Very pretty trees salvaged from a woodland thinning project. Hoping you could spread the word.
PS – Open until 5 pm today and tomorrow, we’re told.
Now that Thanksgiving is down to its final hours, it’s on to the next phase of the holiday season, and more fun, with dozens of events featured in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. Among them: Are you registered yet for this year’s Winter Wander scavenger hunt? It’s just a week away – starting Friday night, December 6. Organizer Alice Kuder has this reminder:
Join your friends and neighbors for the West Seattle Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt! Now in its fifth year, Winter Wander has grown every year, from 12 teams in the first year to 128 teams last year! 95 local businesses have participated over the course of the five years, and an estimated 50,000 smiles have been generated!
This guaranteed-fun event is free to everyone of all ages and runs from 5 PM Friday, Dec. 6th to 7 PM Sunday, Dec. 15th. Instructions for this year’s hunt are available for download at wondersinaliceland.com/winter-wander. Gather a team (or go solo) and put your heads together to solve the clues to the locations of fifteen West Seattle businesses and ten private locations. The Bingo-style clue sheet will be posted at 5 PM on Dec. 6th at wondersinaliceland.com/winter-wander. Wanderers who submit selfies in front of the correct solutions will be entered into a drawing for duffle bags filled with gift cards and swag from local businesses. Register your team at wondersinaliceland.com/winter-wander anytime before 7 PM, Dec. 15th.
Questions? You can ask Alice, at alice@justincaseplans.com.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo! In case you missed it while in the kitchen or at the table, that’s how our sunnier-than-forecast Thanksgiving Day ended a little more than an hour ago. Temps are expected to drop into the 30s again tonight, with patchy fog returning tomorrow (same way today started, before the sunshine took over).
(WSB photos)
If you haven’t had dinner yet, you still have time to get to the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ (4426 California SW), where they’re serving a free feast to anyone who shows up – membership not required – until 5 pm.
Volunteers are serving up a traditional turkey dinner, all the way to the cranberry sauce, and of course dessert:
While dinner is free, donations are welcome too, to support the Eagles’ “People Helping People” mission.
(WSB photos by Tracy Record)
That’s a new menu item at The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s free Thanksgiving community dinner, happening until 3 pm – smoked turkey sliders. Kind of like something you might do with leftovers, grinned Reed Haggerty of D Squared, which operates The Hall and has presented this free feast for more than 20 years.
Reed also tells WSB that they were off to a “quick start” today – 125 people seated within minutes. So he advises not waiting if you’re planning to go – not that they’ll run out (“We never run out,” Reed promises), but, well, just go join the party. Here’s the menu:
(There’s a vegetarian option, too.) The chef who came up with it is Zach Mosely of D Squared’s Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering:
He’s presiding over a kitchen full of volunteers, many of them D Squared employees who give up some of their holiday time to come serve the community:
The dinner also features a table laden with desserts including donated pies, cookies, brownies, tarts, and more:
And anyone in need of warm clothing can choose from items on a table in the lobby, also the result of donations:
Again, this is happening until 3 pm; The Hall at Fauntleroy is on the south end of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse at 9131 California SW. All welcome!
(WSB photos)
A foggy mid-30s morning was no deterrent to those intrepid runners who turned out this morning for a pre-turkey Thanksgiving tradition – the 14th annual West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Gobble Gobble Run on Alki. WSR proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell added some extra spice to the mix this year, with drawings for running shoes:
Then it was time to get going for the “3-ish”-mile out and back run, low key, no pressure, no timing, even some walking:
This is the second of three special seasonal runs this fall – which started with the Halloween run, and continues with the Christmas Light Run on December 22. WSR also offers free weekly runs on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings and special events such as a Women’s Workshop on December 10.
(A sight to be thankful for – photo by Mike Burns)
Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful that you are here with us, whether you’re a new or longtime reader. As is the WSB holiday tradition, we’ve gathered information we hope you’ll find helpful:
GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: This list is in the Thanksgiving section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
COFFEE SHOPS OPEN TODAY: That list – including more than a dozen local indies (as of our research calls – let us know if you discover a discrepancy) – is here.
RESTAURANTS/BARS OPEN TODAY AND/OR TONIGHT: 20+ on the list – see it here.
PRE-TURKEY RUNNING : Multiple options in the guide, and the biggest is the West Seattle Runner Gobble Gobble Group Run, 8 am from Alki – bring food donations – enter a raffle for running shoes! Look for the sign pointing you to the WSR gathering place, and get full details here.
PRE-TURKEY WALKING: Walking for Well-Being decided to change to a morning walk today. Meet by 10 am at 47th/Fauntleroy.
WHERE TO FIND A FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: Three options this year:
*As previewed here, The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s celebrated sit-down community dinner is happening again, all welcome, noon-3 pm. (9131 California SW)
*West Seattle Eagles are also again serving a sitdown community dinner for all, 2 pm-5 pm (4426 California SW)
*Admiral Pub, free dinner starting around 6 pm. 21+. (2306 California SW)
WANT TO HELP? You can drop off donations of desserts and/or warm clothing, blankets, and socks at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 10 am-1 pm, same address as above (south end of the historic schoolhouse).
WHAT TO DO AFTER (OR BEFORE) DINNER: The Admiral Theater is open all day – see the (big!) movies and showtimes here (2343 California SW).
THANKSGIVING TRANSPORTATION NOTES:
*Metro buses are on Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi boat or shuttle service
*Sound Transit light rail and buses, Sunday schedules
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on weekend schedule
*No charge for parking today on city streets in neighborhoods with pay stations
*Traffic cameras: West Seattle-relevant ones here; citywide views are available via this SDOT map
OTHER INFO:
*No trash/recycling/etc. pickup today – Thursday pickups will happen Friday; Friday pickups on Saturday (transfer station is closed today too)
*Seattle Parks‘ holiday closed-and-open list (including the West Seattle Golf Course, which is open until 2 pm)
*No Seattle Public Library or King County Library System services today
*USPS holiday
*Banking holiday
LOST/FOUND PETS? Sometimes it happens with all the holiday traveling, visiting family/friends, etc. – email or text us the info so we can post on our West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page!
Seasonal info for today and beyond is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We wish you a joyful holiday! (And if you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we are very thankful for your tips, reader reports, photos, questions, etc., every day/night of the year!)
As we’ve written many times, EVERY day should be Shop Small Business Day, not just one designated date during the holiday season. That’s the idea behind this:
That’s a holiday passport for more than half a dozen small businesses from Admiral to The Junction, and Miranda from And Arlen explains, “Our goal is to focus on supporting small businesses and collecting donations for WestSide Baby throughout the next month or so.” The passport cards will be available starting on Small Business Saturday – November 30 – at the participating businesses:
1. Current Coffee
2. Hoste
3. soirée
4. PUBLIC
5. And Arlen
6. Spruce Apothocary
7. Walter’s / Upwell
For the WestSide Baby drive: “Drop a new or gently used toy, winter clothing item, or other basic needs (diapers etc) with any of us to get your 8th stamp!” Find out more here – including the prizes for which participants are eligible once they’ve collected all the stamps.
After commenter “Anonyme” – who has identified themselves previously as a former arborist – noted that the Junction Plaza Park tree that serves as The Junction’s official Christmas tree appeared “butchered,” we went over for a look. Our photo above is what we saw. Definitely trimmed – to put it mildly – in a major way, with the lighting event just a week and a half away. We checked in with the West Seattle Junction Association to see what happened – and executive director Chris Mackay says it’s news to them, though there’s been someone doing uninvited “butchering” on other trees in the area. She wanted us to ask if anyone saw it happening, or “has photos of the culprit.” (If you do have info and/or visuals, please contact WSJA – info@wsjunction.org.) Meantime, the tree lighting will proceed anyway (6 pm-ish on Saturday, December 7), because, as Chris puts it, “we have to” – the tree lighting is part of a 4-8 pm festival that night, featuring performances, a Night Market, beer garden, and more.
(WSB file photo, The Hall at Fauntleroy)
Two days until Thanksgiving! We wanted to take the chance to remind you of what you’ll find in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, related to the first big holiday of the season:
FREE FEASTS: The Hall at Fauntleroy, the West Seattle Eagles, and Admiral Pub all welcome you this year
RESTAURANTS/COFFEE SHOPS: We have two lists linked in the Holiday Guide, if you’re interested in someone else doing the cooking or coffeemaking
GROCERY STORE HOURS: See who’s open (and when) and who’s not
START YOUR HOLIDAY ON THE RUN: Want to move before you eat? See the organized events
Beyond Thanksgiving, our guide lists dozens of West Seattle holiday events and activities. (If we’re missing yours, send it! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302, any time!
That’s part of the colorful display – also including seawall luminarias – the Alki Community Council created as part of its first-ever Alki Holiday Lights celebration Saturday night, before and after the Christmas Ship’s visit to the beach (WSB coverage here). The event also included business participation, plus the Log House Museum, and a food drive. One of the ACC organizers, Zak, tells WSB, “I made a survey to gather feedback on this first annual event. Hoping to have 2025 be bigger and better. Would love to have more attendees fill it out and hear what we did well or could improve on.” If you were there and can offer some feedback, here’s how!
(2023 photo courtesy Thunder Road Guitars)
Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is bringing back the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck on Black Friday (this Friday, November 29)! Here’s the TRG announcement:
This Black Friday Weekend is going to be LEGENDARY! For the first time ever, Thunder Road Guitars Seattle & Portland are offering:
-20% OFF select new, used, and vintage guitars, amplifiers, and pedals!
-Shop online at www.thunderroadguitars.com with code BLACKFRIDAY20 to save big!
-Or visit us in-store in West Seattle or Portland to snag these epic deals.
BONUS: At our West Seattle location, the DICK’S DRIVE-IN Truck will be on-site Friday from 12-2 pm! Treat yourself to lunch with purchase of any item in store. Guitars + burgers = Black Friday done right!
Hurry! Sale runs Black Friday Weekend only. Some exclusions apply, so call or email for details.
In West Seattle, Thunder Road Guitars is at 6400 California SW in Morgan Junction.
Anyone else with Black Friday festivities? Email – westseattleblog@gmail.com – or text – 206-293-6302 – us so we can add to our West Seattle Holiday Guide – thanks!
Shortly after Thanksgiving, two-plus weeks of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays festivities (co-sponsored by WSB) begin. Here are the dates you’ll want to get on your calendar:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30: Small Business Saturday! We always say EVERY day should be Small Business (Whatever)day, but there’s a national movement attached to this one, so join the party and shop your local indies.
(Better As Brass, WSB video from 2023)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5: Shop Late in The Junction with special sights and sounds – The Silver Belles will carol, Better As Brass will play holiday favorites, Elves will be out and about, and the West Seattle Book Club will be reading at venues inside and outside The Junction.
(Tree lighting, WSB video from 2023)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 – The BIG night! 4-8 pm, this year’s Holiday Festival features the tree lighting in Junction Plaza Park, plus vendors at the Night Market, pet costume contest, Santa, singers, beer garden, and more on SW Alaska between 42nd and California. (See the full schedule here.)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10-MONDAY, DECEMBER 23: DIY photos in a holiday wonderland at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), noon-5 pm.
(Silver Belles, WSB video from 2023)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12: 5 pm “till late,” Holiday Art Walk and Shop Late in The Junction – Santa, The Silver Belles, and The Art of Music.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14: Santa Photos at Curious Kidstuff (noon-3 pm) and John L. Scott (11 am-2 pm)
(Donated coats, WSB photo from 2023)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15: Cocoa and Coat Drive with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle at the Farmers Market’s south end (California/Alaska), 10 am-1:30 pm.
Lots of individual businesses and organizations will have special events throughout the season too – if yours is among them, please send us info for our West Seattle Holiday Guide, if you haven’t already – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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