Still making your plans for New Year’s Eve on Saturday night? From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, here’s a party with a purpose:

“Exceptional artists and hilarious comics” are promised at The Skylark‘s big New Year’s Eve event, presented by RocksAnn Promotions, raising money for local musician Rachelle DeBelle‘s medical bills as she fights cervical cancer. It’s all ages 3-10 pm, and then a 21+ dance party. $10 suggested donation. Skylark is at 3803 Delridge Way SW.

(Photo by Don Brubeck, from Alki early Christmas Eve morning)

Merry Christmas! Some info you might find helpful on this holiday:

RESTAURANTS THAT TOLD US THEY’LL BE OPEN TODAY/TONIGHT: Go here for the list (and please note the disclaimer!).

GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: Local Safeways are open 8 am-5 pm; Westwood QFC is open 7 am-4 pm. Other West Seattle supermarkets are closed today.

CHRISTMAS DAY CHURCH SERVICES: See the list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

WHERE TO GET COFFEE TODAY: At least three West Seattle coffee shops are open today, also noted in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. (You might find others – if you let us know, we can add.)

ALSO OPEN TODAY: Origins Cannabis (4800 40th SW; WSB sponsor), 11 am-6 pm.

FARMERS’ MARKET CLOSED: No West Seattle Farmers’ Market today OR next Sunday.

FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER: The Christmas People are making this available noon-4 pm today at Alki Masonic Center. Details here. (4736 40th SW)

(Menashe Family Lights at 5605 Beach Drive, photographed by Leda Costa)

WHERE TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TONIGHT: See the Holiday Guide.

Transit today:

METRO: Regular Sunday schedule

SOUND TRANSIT: Regular Sunday schedule

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES: Regular schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, but expect heavier usage because as of first thing this morning, the Tahlequah-Point Defiance route (South Vashon-Tacoma) is out of service

Want to go to the movies?

ADMIRAL THEATER: The newly renovated moviehouse is open this afternoon/evening (2343 California SW), showing “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Sing,” and “Passengers,” all with showings starting just after 3 pm – here’s the schedule.

Breaking-news tips? Lost/found pets? Traffic trouble?

YES, WSB TRULY IS 24/7/365: Best way to reach us today is 206-293-6302, text or voice.

However you’re spending it – we wish you a wonderful day!

So you’ve finished your last-minute shopping (or, if you haven’t, check here to see who’s still open) – and would love some help wrapping. That’s what the volunteer animal-advocate elves of Furry Faces Foundation are doing right now at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW). Bring your gift items in and they’ll “Wrap It Up” by donation (how much? you decide) until 6 pm.

Thanks to Karyn Sherburne for the photo from somewhere in Lincoln Park (where, by the way, Thomas e-mailed to report hearing a pack of coyotes early today, so if you’re walking your dog, keep it close). Here’s what you need to know about the festive day/night ahead …

WHERE YOU CAN SHOP TODAY: We’ve added more local indie businesses where you can do your last-minute gift shopping – see the list here. (Grocery-store closing times are in the Holiday Guide.)

WHERE YOU CAN DINE TODAY: Here’s our list of restaurants (and coffee shops with more than pastries) open Christmas Eve and/or Day.

CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY CHURCH SERVICES: The full list is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOWS: They too are in the Holiday Guide, including lights set to music!

And this isn’t just Christmas Eve:

HANUKKAH: Tonight is also the first of the eight nights of Hanukkah. No local services that we have heard of; Kol HaNeshamah has an event next Wednesday.

Also from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: “See you all at Walt Hundley Field at 9 am this morning. And bring elf/Santa/festive hats. Also bring red shirts and green shirts if you have them.” (34th SW/SW Myrtle)

(Added 10:40 am: WSB photo, Santa & spouse at Endolyne Joe’s)

SANTA AT ENDOLYNE JOE’S: Going to Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) for breakfast? We hear Santa’s taking a break from his last-minute preps to stop in, 9 am-11 am “ish.” (9261 45th SW)

FREE FOOD: “Taquitos Feliz taco truck will be giving out free food on December 24th from 11-4. Please stop by and get some tacos. We are located at 7427 Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle across from Lincoln Park. Happy Holidays from all of us at Taquitos Feliz.”

HELP PREP FOR FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER: The Christmas People say volunteers are welcome 9 am-4 pm – along with homemade-cookie dropoffs – at Alki Masonic Center in preparation for tomorrow’s free Christmas dinner. (4736 40th SW)

GIFT-WRAPPING FUNDRAISER: Need some help wrapping?

Wrap It Up! With Furry Faces Foundation!
Beveridge Place Pub, 12 pm – 6 pm

Have your Christmas gifts wrapped while watching the Seahawks game! The elves of Furry Faces Foundation are looking forward to wrapping your gifts in splendor and uniqueness! We have gift wrap, bows, tape, ribbon, garland, pine cones, pipe cleaners, name tags, and more! It’s up to you how much you would like to donate for the gift wrapping with 100% of the proceeds going directly to helping animals. Please note the Beveridge Place Pub is 21+ and over

(6413 California SW)

Have a great day/night! WSB really is 24/7/365 so if there’s breaking news today/tomorrow/beyond, we appreciate the tips as always, 206-293-6302, text or voice.

(Steller’s Jay photographed by Mark Wangerin)

On this Christmas Eve-Eve and Hanukkah Eve, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

ILLUSIONS OPEN HOUSE: All day, until 5 pm, Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) welcomes you: “We will be offering sweet & savory treats for our clients as a thank you & celebration of the Holiday season.” (5619 California SW)

WINE TASTING & BUYING: Tonight is your last pre-holiday chance to sip/shop at the Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room north of Morgan Junction, which will be closed tomorrow. Open 5 pm-9 pm; wines available include “Perseverance (Viognier), The Betrayal (Chardonnay), PORCH (Rose of Syrah), Heart Box Red (Merlot) and BLACK (Red Blend).” (5910 California SW)

HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW: 7 pm at Ounces. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

MORE LIGHTS: See the Holiday Guide for the big ones! And our coverage archive for the neighborhood bright spots we’ve featured this past week.

SANTA PHOTOS: If you still haven’t visited Mr. Claus, today’s only scheduled appearance is at Westwood Village (photos for a fee) – until 8 pm. (2600 SW Barton)

LIVE MUSIC: One venue on our list tonight – The Skylark, featuring Astrol Waters, 9 pm, $7, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY … another reminder that the info in the WSB Holiday Guide right now includes:
-Restaurants that told us they will be open one or both days (New Year’s previews too)
-Grocery-store hours for Christmas Eve/Day
-Church services for Christmas Eve/Day (New Year’s previews too)

We’re also working on a list of local retailers open tomorrow for last-minute shopping – as always, editor@westseattleblog.com is where to send your info – thanks!

Want to celebrate the arrival of the New Year without leaving the little ones at home? Admiral Bird is having a “kid party” again this year:

Last year was so popular that we decided to limit the number of attendees so you have to buy tickets to attend this year! FUN FUN FUN.

From 7 to 9 pm New Year’s Eve, we will have the countdown with the East Coast at 9pm on our big screen with noise makers and a balloon drop! We will have a champagne toast for adults and a sparkling apple juice toast for tots. Before the ball drop, there will be a Hot Cocoa bar for the kids and music. There will be waffles and pulled pork sliders for food.

Buy your tickets here – $15 for one adult/one kid, $5 for each additional kid. Admiral Bird (SE corner of California/Admiral) is a cozy venue so tickets will go fast. Adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!

Holiday updates as we get ever closer to the big days/nights:

RESTAURANTS OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE AND/OR DAY: We’ve continued to update the list – see the newest version here. If a restaurant is NOT listed at all, either it’s closed both days/nights OR we have not received a response to our request for information. (Not too late for updates – via editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!)

RELIGIOUS SERVICES: This list is in our Holiday Guide and has been updated with the newest lists we’ve received. Also not too late for additions – same e-mail address as above, ASAP, please!

SUPERMARKET HOURS: Also in the Holiday Guide‘s Christmas Eve/Day section.

Notes for the rest of today/tonight:

SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: He’s there now until 6 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION TONIGHT! Here’s what we’ve found out about who’s open until at least 7 pm this evening, both from calls we’ve made, e-mail we’ve received, and info via the West Seattle Junction Association:

Again and Again/Kid Friendly Footwear: Open until 7 pm. (4832 California SW)

Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor): Open until 7 pm. (4502 42nd SW)

Junction TrueValue (WSB sponsor): Open until 7 pm. (4747 44th SW)

Curious Kidstuff: Open until at least 7 pm.

Carmilia’s Boutique: Open until at least 7 pm. (4528 California SW)

VAIN (WSB sponsor): Open until 8 pm. (4513 California SW)

Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor): Open until 9 pm. (4540 California SW)

Funky Jane’s: Open until 9 pm. (California/Oregon)

Zamboanga: Open until 9 pm. (4531 California SW)

CAPERS: Open until 9 pm. (4525 California SW)

Twilight Gallery and Boutique: Open until 9 pm. (Alaska/California)

Next to Nature: Open until 9 pm. (4543 California SW)

Easy Street Records: Open until 9 pm. (California/Alaska)

Origins Cannabis (WSB sponsor): Open until 11:30 tonight. (4800 40th SW)

Anyone else in The Junction open until at least 7 tonight? E-mail us ASAP! And if you’re open Christmas Eve – any retailer in West Seattle – we’ll be making a list for that too.

By the way, there’s music in The Junction tonight too:

THE SLAGS: Local faves The Slags are at Poggie Tavern with special opening act Grover, 8 pm, free, 21+. (4717 California SW)

We’ve had multiple inquiries about the status of our annual list of which restaurants plan to be open Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. We’re still awaiting a few replies but for now, here’s what we have – the list is linked from both the Holiday Guide and Event Calendar. And our annual caveat – the list is the product of research involving dozens and dozens of phone calls, and sometimes an establishment’s plans change after we check. (If you know of something that’s already changed since we made the list, we appreciate an update – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

The Santa-and-dogs photos are courtesy of Camp Crockett dog-day-care-and-more (5611 Delridge Way SW; WSB sponsor), to go with a few Holiday Guide/Event Calendar highlights we wanted to share before we get any further into the afternoon:

SHOP LATE: Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) is open until 8 tonight. (4540 California SW) … Also open for late shopping (game-playing, etc.) is Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), open until 10 pm. (3727 California SW)

SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: He’s back! 4 pm-7 pm, and that’s also when you’ll find Keith Terhune playing holiday tunes in the store. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)

‘TYING TUESDAY’ CLASS: 7 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) – check ASAP to see if there’s a spot left! (42nd SW/SW Oregon)

SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: Holiday songs and more, live at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: By no means your standard karaoke. See for yourself, 9 pm at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)