WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: 2 for your ears as well as your eyes
With a lot of light-viewing likely this weekend, we’re stepping up to two featured displays per night. Tonight – two set to music!
In Gatewood, Mark and Jo are again presenting Austin Street Christmas Lights – here’s a sample:
They explain, “We have a number of songs synced to music – just tune your car radio to 100.9 as you get close, and you’ll hear the music. This year, we added some new spotlights that make the house even more colorful, and a button to hear the music from the sidewalk. We’ll have the music on from 4 pm to 10 pm. You can find us on SW Austin Street between 37th and 39th.” [map]
Meantime, Brian tells us about a display in the 3800 block of 36th SW [map] and sent the link to this:
Brian says, “My neighbor has a great musical Christmas light show set up. Music is playing on FM 99.5.”
Got lights? Seen lights? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Every place we’ve showcased is listed in our Holiday Guide and archived here.)
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY SCENE: Santa photos at HomeStreet Bank in The Junction
(West Seattle branch manager Ginger Wasylik with Santa)
With Christmas Eve one week away, Santa will soon have to focus on preps back up at the North Pole, so today is one of your last chances for photo ops. Until 6 pm, he’s at HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), all welcome to stop by for DIY pics – and cookies.
Bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can! (See the rest of Santa’s pre-Christmas schedule in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: 12,000 of them!
The Davis Family Christmas Lights are back for another year! Just west of The Junction, this display is always an eye-catcher, especially the planting-strip trees:
This year, the Davises tell us, they put up “approximately 12,000 lights, with about 75% LEDs.” They’re at 4152 46th SW [map]. We’re adding this to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide (you can also see all the showcased displays, newest to oldest, in this WSB archive).
Got lights? Seen lights? Send the location, with or without photo(s), to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
HOLIDAY GIVING: Nucor’s gifts, from the mill to The Mount
The West Seattle Food Bank delivery we showed you last week was just part of the community giving for Nucor Steel and its employees this season. Those gifts under and around the “giving tree” at the plant were delivered to Providence Mount St. Vincent today:
A check for $10,000 was presented, too, along with hundreds of gifts. This is the 15th year of Nucor’s gift-giving to The Mount – but the ties between the two go back a lot further; Seattle Steel founder William Pigott helped establish The Mount almost a century ago. Meantime, The Mount had a gift for Nucor too – here’s The Mount’s Molly Swain presenting Nucor’s Walter Reese with a thank-you card and chocolates from The Mount’s staff.
Nucor’s Melody Sarkies also was part of today’s delivery.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Stars of the show
Gatewood gets brighter by the night! Tonight’s featured lights are by Krista, who sent photos of her display on the northwest corner of California and Portland [map], highlighted by the stars. Krista’s advice: “The view is better when heading northbound on California rather than southbound.”
You’ll find all this season’s spotlighted light displays archived here; if you have lights to suggest – yours or someone else’s, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com; thank you!
HOLIDAY GIVING: You donate, Lake Washington Physical Therapy crabwalks! (Or …)
That’s Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy (1309 Harbor Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) “crabwalking.” Mark explains that it’s part of their holiday-season fundraiser to help foster kids – and you can be part of it:
We have about 3 weeks left of our Holiday Fundraiser supporting Treehouse for Kids!
We are part of a group of small businesses called the Puget Sound Health and Fitness Coalition, joining forces to raise money for foster kids. So far we have raised over $5,000, but there is still time left to donate!
This link will allow visitors to donate securely online: engage.treehouseforkids.org/fundraiser/3573656
The community can donate online or in the clinic. If they donate over $20 in the clinic, they can ask any one of our team members to perform some FUN physical tasks from the list!
The clinic is right across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Trees, trees, trees
Tonight’s photos are from Wyatt, who tells us about 2021cadditions: “This year I have my front trees lit, and more to create a walkway of lights! I’m happy to be able to share my lights with you and everyone again this year! I’m at the corner of 40th and Charlestown.” [map]
Thanks again to everyone who’s sending in their lights, or some they’ve seen – westseattleblog@gmail.com with or without photos. See every place we’ve showcased here (newest-to-oldest), and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide!
FREE: Need a Christmas tree?
On Sunday we reported that Trees By The Sea on Alki was ending its season early, almost sold out. We have just received word that they have a few leftovers available free:
We are completely shut down for the season but we had a handful of Trees left over, less than a dozen. We have left them down on the lot with the gate open. Anyone who maybe couldn’t afford a tree this year or knows someone in need is welcome to go down and grab one for free. They are all in the 5′-6′ range.
Thanks again for a great year and we hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season!
-Tiffany, Daniel & Torsten
The trees are at 2530 Alki SW.
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: More Santa photo ops, including Menashe Family Lights encore
(WSB photo, last Saturday)
For the first time ever, Santa will make a second appearance at the Menashe Family Lights this season – that news arrived from the North Pole today. You’ll find him there (5605 Beach Drive SW) for photo opportunities 6-9 pm this Saturday (December 18th) – bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can! We’re adding that to the list of Santa appearances in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, which includes four other stops this week – such as HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) this Friday, 3-6 pm, Plus West Seattle Thriftway (California & Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) has holiday cheer next week including music and Santa (various times Monday through Thursday next week – they’ll be in our guide shortly).
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Festive fence, and more
Tonight’s photos are from Lacey, at 9643 18th SW {map}. who says, “We have lots of lights up this year! We are located just off Roxbury on 18th Ave SW, so it is an easy detour for those heading out of West Seattle. We have Santa waving from the chimney, and an elf who crashed his sled into our fence. It is very bright and full of lights, at my son’s request. I have lots of fun doing it, and hope others enjoy it as well!”
Thanks again to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – we’ll keep showing nights lightly through New Year’s Eve – thank you
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Happy (SW) Holly-days
As we continue featuring a West Seattle light display every night, tonight’s photos are from Lina in High Point, who tells us, “Our block is back in action this year! SW Holly between Sylvan and 31st Ave SW. Happy holidays!” (Here’s a map.)
Big thanks to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
VIDEO: West Seattle Runner’s Christmas Light Run returns
The return of the West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Christmas Light Run brought out dozens of runners defying the rain tonight. Not a competition – just a few-miles-long fun run to admire decorated homes. First, a group photo:
WSR’s Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell skipped it last year because of the pandemic but like many West Seattle holiday traditions, this one – which dates back to 2009! – returned for 2021.
If you missed it – here’s the route, courtesy of WSR.
P.S. If you’re already pondering the new year’s fitness goals, WSR is again presenting its free Get Fit West Seattle couch-to-half-marathon program starting in January. And you can find out more at an info night this Wednesday (December 15th), 7 pm at the shop (2743 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Last day for Trees By The Sea
2:37 PM: When we reported three weeks ago on opening day for Trees By The Sea (2530 Alki SW), they expected to be open through next weekend – but things have gone so well, they sent word they’re ending the season early:
Today is our last day. We had a fantastic season and are close to selling out. We will be there all today and then we are done. We are so thankful to the West Seattle community for coming down and supporting us all of these years and thank everyone for our best season yet! See you all next year!
-Daniel, Tiffany, and Torsten
Trees By The Sea
Shipwreck Apiaries
Scheduled closing time is 8 pm, while the trees last! Other local tree sellers are listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
4:24 PM: Tiffany tells us they’ll only be there “until 5:30 or 6,” so if you’re thinking of going, hurry!
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Gai Family display returns, too
Tonight’s photo is from Sung, one of the people who emailed to tell us that another well-known West Seattle family display has returned this year: “The Madonna is back for 2021! Ron Gai just finished the display at the old Gai family home after nearly a month of very hard work.” Two years ago, also after reader tips, we reported that this display returned after a 20+-year hiatus, 14 years after the death of family patriarch Phil Gai (Ron’s father), co-founder of the baking company and creator of the Christmas display – centered on the Madonna – that drew visitors from near and far every holiday season for more than two decades. You can see it in the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map].
Got – or seen – a special display? Email us, with or without photo(s) – westseattleblog@gmail.com; see past spotlights here, and listed in our Holiday Guide!
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY SCENE: Photos with Santa at Menashe Family Lights
The Menashe Family Lights display is a popular backdrop for holiday photos just about every night of the season, but tonight is the one night with an extra reason to visit – Santa‘s annual stop. Until 10 pm, you can take a pic with Santa outside the bright lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW. If you can, bring a non-perishable food donation to help the West Seattle Food Bank feed thousands of neighbors in need. There’s one more special connection to Santa:
All season long, that mailbox amid the lights collects letters to Santa. (P.S. If you miss him at the Menashes’ tonight, other Santa photo ops are listed in our Holiday Guide.)
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Just-cut Christmas trees @ Holy Rosary lot
Two weeks until Christmas, and just one week left to get a tree from West Seattle’s only nonprofit lot – here’s an update from the Holy Rosary Tree Lot north of The Junction:
If you haven’t gotten your tree yet, Holy Rosary School’s tree lot received a fresh load last night. Trees, wreaths, garland and Seattle Lutheran poinsettias are available. Our tree-lot elves will also assist in getting your tree ready for transport.
The tree lot benefits not only Holy Rosary School, but also West Seattle Food Bank/Clothesline, Salvation Army Hickman House, and Seattle Lutheran High School (poinsettias only).
Bring 5 cans of food and get $5 off your purchase!
Open 9 am-9 pm today and Sunday, located behind Holy Rosary School (corner of 41st & Dakota).
Tree/wreath sellers are part of what you’ll find in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: 5 things to do this weekend
As always, we will start each day this weekend with a list of what’s happening. But tonight we’re pulling out a few holiday highlights for an extra mention:
JOIN A HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT: Final weekend for this scavenger hunt. Organizer Alice Kuder says 23 teams are participating – almost double last year – and it’s not too late to jump in for the final weekend. Here’s another team selfie:
The Winter Wander website explains how to play.
SHOP THE FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY MARKET @ HERON’S NEST: If you haven’t been to The Heron’s Nest – just uphill, and yet a world away, from West Marginal Way – Saturday’s first-ever holiday market, 10 am-6 pm, is a perfect opportunity. Details are in our calendar listing. $1 entry fee. (4815 15th SW)
TAKE YOUR PIC WITH SANTA: Multiple chances this weekend – My Three Little Birds (4736 California SW) will host Santa 11 am-2 pm Saturday; he’s scheduled to visit the Menashe Family Lights (5605 Beach Drive SW) 6 pm-10 pm Saturday (bring a nonperishable-food donation); and you’ll find him at Tram’s Salon (4110 California SW) on Sunday, 11 am-2 pm
HIGHLAND PARK PTA’S COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY: All are welcome to celebrate the season at Drunky Two Shoes (9655 16th SW, White Center) with the Highland Park Elementary PTA on Sunday, noon-4 pm. Santa photos, free cocoa bar for kids, drink specials for grownups, HPEPTA gets part of the proceeds.
SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THE RUN: Finish the weekend with an invigorating and cheery tradition, the annual West Seattle Christmas Lights Run, 4:30 pm from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – info here.
Check out our Holiday Guide for much more, this weekend and beyond – and let us know if you have something special going on and we don’t have it listed yet – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: ‘Woodland Wonderland’
Tonight’s photo is from Valerie, who tells us about her display: “The inspiration this year was a ski lodge in the woods and the animals that live there. Please visit 3431 48th Ave SW [map] and enjoy a walk through a Woodland Wonderland.” We’re adding it to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide; you can also see all the featured displays archived here (newest to oldest). And if you have one to suggest – yours or someone else’s, with or without photo(s) – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: North Delridge delight
Lots of lights at Annette‘s house in North Delridge! She sent the photo with a note that, “My neighbors keep telling me to send my pics in” – thanks, neighbors! You can see Annette’s lights in person at 4837 Puget Blvd SW [map]. We’re showcasing lights every night through New Year’s Eve, so your suggestion – with or without photo(s) – is welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com; what we’ve shown so far is archived, newest to oldest, here.
Scenes from West Seattle Art Walk’s holiday edition
6:29 PM: Been out on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk yet? Artist receptions are happening all over the peninsula:
Jessie Summa Russo is tonight’s featured artist at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), where you can stop in until 9 pm. She explains:
My recent work is inspired by my life as a musician as well as the lives of my relatives. My grandfather was an Abstract Expressionist painter in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, and I feel like his paintings both defined him and I understood him through them. My mother went to art school when I was a toddler; some of my earliest memories are of the printmaking studio with giant black press wheels taller than people.
And as we mentioned in our Wednesday preview, some stops tonight are hosting art markets, including Jet City Labs (upstairs at 4546 California SW):
It’s a collaboration with Clay Cauldron. Above are Misty and Anna, and some of Misty’s beach-glass (and more) art; below, Chas, with “melted-crayon art”:
And roaming The Junction, you just might find Santa:
Find tonight’s venue list – for art and/or food/drink specials – on the Art Walk website. (The Art of Music performances are happening until 7:40 pm, too – that info’s here.)
7:14 PM: We stopped for a little video of Jim Page playing at Great American Diner (4752 California SW):
And thanks to Eddie for this artist photo – Lorrie Brogan at Wild Rose’s (4529 California SW):
Her new paintings, a series titled “Ladies…All,” will be on display at Wild Rose’s all month.
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Pajamarama shopping date change
Tonight’s the next big event in West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays – Shop Late Thursday, along with the West Seattle Art Walk (which stretches beyond The Junction too) – but Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay has word of a date change for an upcoming event: Pajamarama, originally scheduled for this Saturday, is moving to the following Saturday, December 18, instead: “Join us then for shopping in your PJ’s while sipping hot cocoa served up at Windermere.” It’ll still be happening 10 am-1 pm. Spend at least $35 and get a limited-edition diner mug for your cocoa! (We’re updating the date in our West Seattle Holiday Guide too.)
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Bright and retro
Sunrise Heights is rocking the holiday-display world this year! Tonight we have another display from that area – created by Jenny, whose spouse sent the photos:
I wanted to share with you some photos of my wife’s light display this year. We are at 7341 34th Ave SW [map]. There are retro cutouts of Peanuts, Rudolph, and a yeti.
The flag pole is wrapped like a candy cane. And there is Grinch staring ominously out the window by our Christmas tree.
(The yeti, we believe, is Rudolph’s pal Bumble.) Got a display to suggest – yours or someone else’s? We’re showing them nightly through New Year’s Eve. westseattleblog@gmail.com, with or without photos – thank you!
BIZNOTE: Shug’s Soda Fountain holiday pop-up + future plans
(Image courtesy Shug’s Soda Fountain)
Baked Alaska on California! That’s part of what Shug’s Soda Fountain is offering in an upcoming pop-up at its future West Seattle “Mini” location (California/Charlestown). December 18-21st, noon-4 pm each day, Colleen Wilkie of Shug’s says, “We will be offering Baked Alaskas, holiday ice cream & drink gift boxes, and pints of Candy Cane and Egg Nog ice cream. People can also pre-order (preferable) all these items at this link.” They’ve done various pop-ups at the corner, but after three years have yet to open full-time, so we asked Wilkie if that was still in their future plans. She says yes: “We are working more diligently now to open this Spring. Between having a baby, permitting, and the pandemic – we certainly have been in an uphill battle. We are remaining hopeful!”
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