West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
Many holiday happenings are scheduled for nights and weekends. Here’s one you can visit on a weekend morning, if you’re free at this time of day … the Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for drop-in visits, 9 am to noon Mondays through Thursdays, all month long, plus two weekend windows we’ll mention at the end of this story.16 trees are placed around the Fellowship Hall, and no two are alike.
The Peanut Butter Tree, by the church’s Caring Ministry, is in the spirit of the event, which is also a food drive – bring a can or jar or package and place it under your favorite to “vote”! Then there’s the tree that fuses two holidays:
“Boos and Sparkles” was created by the Fulford Family. Another tree offers a quiz of sorts:
Students of Low Tide Arts (in the same building as the church and Y) ask whether you recognize any of these famous artworks! On the other side of the room, the theme is Seattle sports:
“A Fellowship Group” created the sports tree. At another tree, you can learn “The Legend of the Christmas Spider“:
That was entered by the Tucker/Dwyer Family. Sixteen trees in all (thanks to Judy Pickens for this list) are set up, so we’ve barely shown you a third – go stop by the Fellowship Hall at the church (9140 California SW) and bring a food donation if you can. If you can’t get there on a weekday morning, you can also visit the trees during a 6 pm reception before the church’s 7 pm Christmas concert on Saturday, December 20, and during the reception after the 4 pm concert on Sunday, December 21.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, December 8, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Wind Advisory in effect most of today/tonight, more rain, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 7:45 am; sunset, at 4:17 pm (as early as it gets, and it starts getting later this weekend).
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is expected to be down to two boats for about a week starting today. WSF’s alerts page has the details; Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Metro buses – They’re on the regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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). 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!
The tree in Junction Plaza Park is now aglow in its seasonal glory, after a West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays countdown led onstage by District 1 City Counilmember Rob Saka and his kids:
Councilmember Saka’s sweater featured Christmas cartoon villain The Grinch, but the night’s mood was not grinchy in the slightest:
After the lights went on, it was serious selfie time beneath the tree:
Though tonight’s festival was the biggest event of this year’s Hometown Holidays, there’s more to come – Thursday night (December 11) is big too, with the West Seattle Art Walk, Shop Late Thursday, wandering elves and carolers!
Before the lights, the music! Three groups performed mini-concerts on the stage in Junction Plaza Park before the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. We got there too late to catch the opening performance by the Endolyne Children’s Choir, but recorded video with the two others. The show-stopping moment was the last song in our first clip above from the West Seattle-based Met Singers – a lyrical twist on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to tell the tale of Mariners slugger Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh. (Added – read the lyrics here!) Below is the second half of the Met Singers’ onstage caroling, starting with “Jingle Bells”:
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The choir, directed by Laurie de Leonne, was preceded by groups from the West Seattle School of Rock – they took short breaks between songs to re-form, so we recorded their songs one by one. Here are four – first, “Hazy Shade of Winter”:
“Santa’s Got a Brand-New Bag”:
“Merry Xmas Everybody”:
And “Super Rock Santa”:
One more report ahead from tonight’s event – the tree lighting!
Things were a little chaotic but when all was said and done, a cat competing against about half a dozen dogs won the pet-costume contest that’s become a tradition on West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting night!
Emcee Brian Callanan called the kitty by the names War Zone and War Games, but whichever was correct, so was Winner – with prizes donated by All the Best Pet Care, one of the night’s sponsors. The kitty stayed remarkably calm throughout:
The dogs were fairly mellow too:
Another of the top three was Chef Coy-R-Gi:
Next up: Two of the groups that performed mini-concerts before tree time!
While we assemble our coverage from tonight’s big celebration in The Junction, we’re taking a moment to look ahead a week to next Saturday, when the Admiral Neighborhood Association invites you to wander a mile of local businesses for the Winter Wonderland party! The map’s live now, so here’s the full announcement:
Enjoy a full mile of festive fun on Saturday, December 13th from 11 AM-2 PM with the Admiral Neighborhood Association at our third annual Winter Wonderland!
Businesses throughout Admiral are offering a variety of family-friendly activities, specials, and promotions as we encourage our neighbors to shop small this holiday season. From holly-jolly pet photos and coffee-filter snowflakes to hot cocoa stations and artful nibbles; there’s snow place like Admiral this winter.
And while you’re out, don’t forget to stop by West Seattle Realty for a daytime disco party with Santa, take a break at the Admiral Theater for their special showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, then sing along with carolers from the Admiral Church Choir. And be on the lookout for our roving Winter Wonderland penguin throughout the event.
Look for the penguins in the windows of participating Admiral businesses day-of and visit our website connecttoadmiral.org/winter-wonderland to see the full map and plan your route!
(Screengrab from 42nd/Alaska traffic cam)
4:28 PM: Happening right now in the West Seattle Junction – SW Alaska is closed to traffic between California and 42nd for the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting festival, featuring a Night Market that’s open now(here’s the list of vendors). The schedule:
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes
Updates to come!
6:20 PM: The tree was lit on schedule and we’re back at HQ processing video and photos. The weather stayed dry and if you haven’t been yet, you can still go shop the market!
7:42 PM: Adding a few scenes from the market, including Santa himself, wandering and posing:
Cookie decorating too!
Some of the vendors are from elsewhere in The Junction, like Falafel Salam and Bakery Nouveau:
Separate reports are coming up about what happened onstage – from the pet costume contest to the tree lighting!
Thanks to everyone who has sent photos!
Matt and Meagan were at Constellation Park as the “king tide” arrived around sunbreak, with gusty wind still lingering from last night’s windstorm. That led to some wave action:
The rain returned for a while today but broke off for afternoon sunbreaks, which is when Jerry Simmons photographed this rainbow:
The forecast says rain isn’t likely to return until late tonight, which is good news for the Hometown Holidays Night Market (4 pm) and Tree Lighting (6 pm) about to start in The Junction!
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have blocked off the area around the Southwest Precinct – including taping off SW Webster, as the photo shows – and are searching for someone in the area. They’ve also called in the Arson and Bomb Squad. This all started with the discovery of something that officers themselves described over the air only as something “suspicious”; they’re looking for someone related to it, seen on cameras around 12:44 pm. More information when we get it.
1:58 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz tells WSB that they’re investigating a “suspicious device” found near the flagpole outside the precinct.
2:45 PM: According to radio, the Arson Bomb Squad is “clearing out” and the precinct will reopen.
6:55 PM: Here’s the summary from SPD:
On 12/6/25, just after 1:00 p.m., an unknown suspect placed what appeared to be a military ordnance mine in front of the Southwest Precinct along with a camera. Arson/Bomb Squad (ABS) responded and determined the device to be an imitation device. ABS recovered the device and the camera. This is an open and active investigation assigned to ABS.
If you have any information, the case # is 2025-357373.
Among the places you can find unique creations for gifts – or yourself – are local art studios with special events, as featured in our Holiday Guide.
RAIN CITY CLAY: Deb Schwartzkopf is hosting a weekend show/sale at her Rain City Clay at 4208 SW 100th in Arbor Heights. We stopped by during last night’s opening reception.
More than 80 artists are participating, with more than 3,000 handmade ceramic pots, ornaments, sculptures and more.
Open until 7 tonight.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO: Not far away, Westwood Art Studio at 9042 31st SW is hosting a multi-artist show and sale this weekend and next. Studio owner is Damian Grava:
He also opened the studio for a reception last night.
They’re also open until 7 tonight.
VIVA TOUR: And you can studio-hop both days this weekend with a ferry ride to Vashon Island, The VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists) Holiday Art Studio Tour is happening until 5 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and both days next weekend, and sponsoring WSB right now to help amplify the invitation. You’ll find a map at vivartists.com. 40 studios and galleries, more than 140 artists!
Thanks to Lisa at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the photo from the first of six mornings with Santa at the shop for selfies! Every weekend morning through December 21, 8:30-11 am – as featured in our West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s Santa photo-ops list – he’ll be there. DIY photos for donations benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank!
8:30 AM: That’s Al‘s plate at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s benefit pancake breakfast, happening right now at the Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction), continuing until 11 am. Only $10 at the door (kids are free with paying adults) gets you pancakes, ham, juice, coffee, tea … free Santa photo, and if you have new unwrapped toys to donate, a Toys for Tots drive too. More photos to come!
10:12 AM: Tons of toys, and as seen above, more kept arriving – we were there about midway through the four-hour event. Lots of people enjoying pancakes, too!
Lots of smiles with the Kiwanis’s kitchen crew:
This runs on volunteer power, including Scouts from Troop/Pack 284 who are helping serve:
Marines including Cpl. E4 Devan Sanchez are there for the toy drive, and Santa is there for pics:
We’re told Santa’s stand-in (shhh) this morning is Peter Gelpi, featured in a recent WSB story about his volunteer work in Ukraine, where he’ll also be standing in for Santa on Christmas Eve! The crowd, meantime, is all ages:
Proceeds will help fund the Kiwanis Club’s work with youth – raffle items and the online auction too:
And the pancakes keep flying out of the kitchen – by 9 o’clock they’d sent out 10 takeout orders too!
Next big event for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive at their booth on the south end of the Farmers’ Market, one week from tomorrow, on Sunday, December 14, 10 am-2 pm – bring a new or gently used coat/jacket to donate, get cocoa!
(Latest image from Junction traffic cam – remember Alaska will be closed east of here this pm)
Happy Saturday! We have another two-part event list – first part is a long list of seasonal happenings from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SANTA PHOTOS AND PANCAKES: Santa photos are part of what you’ll find at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake breakfast, 7 am-11 am December 6th at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – details and tickets here. (If you miss your $8 online ticket, it’s only $10/door, youngest kids eat free;) Bring new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!
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.
HOLIDAY SWAP SHOP: Bring, and get, toys at this swap, 9 am-noon at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW), presented by the Pearsall Team.
HOLIDAY GIFT POP-UP: 9 am-6 pm, handcrafted creations for sale. (4002 39th SW)
BAKE & CRAFT SALE AT THE KENNEY: Handmade and homemade items for sale, 10 am-4 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SHOP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER, BENEFIT STUDENTS: Part of the proceeds at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 10 am-5 pm today will benefit WSHS Cross Country.
VIVA STUDIO TOUR ON VASHON: 10 am-5 pm each day, self-guided tour of Vashon artists’ studios. Info and locations at vivartists.com. (WSB sponsor)
PICS WITH SANTA AT HOLIDAY FOOD-DRIVE PARTY: 10 am-noon party at 5446 California SW – bring food and/or $ for West Seattle Food Bank.
FREE PET PICS WITH SANTA: 10 am-noon at Windermere in The Junction. (4526 California SW)
SANTA PHOTOS AND TOY SWAP: 10 am-1 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau), Santa photos by donation, toy swap open to all (and accepting dropoffs in advance), more info here.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Two-weekend group show and sale, 10 am-6 pm today, more info here. (9042 31st SW)
ARTIST POP-UP AT CAPERS HOME: 11 am-4 pm, you’ll find artists including Diane Kappa (WSB sponsor) at CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; also a WSB sponsor).
RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights is hosting a holiday show & sale this weekend, featuring artists who work with clay. Hours today are 11 am-7 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
DIY SANTA PICS: 11 am-2 pm at John L. Scott in The Junction. Free; “well-behaved pets welcome.” (4445 California SW)
SANTA AT OUNCES: Free pics with the jolly ol’ fella 1-4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TOYS FOR TOTS AT SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29: Drop off new, unwrapped toy(s) at Station 29 (2139 Ferry Avenue SW) between 2 and 4 pm.
JUNCTION NIGHT MARKET: Hometown Holidays Night Market on tree-lighting night in The Junction. See vendor list here! 4 to 8 pm.
JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING AND PERFORMANCES: Here’s the schedule for what’s happening besides the Night Market – remember that SW Alaska is closed east of California SW:
4:00 PM Festival begins. Night Market is open
4:30 PM Endolyne Choir
5:00 PM School of Rock
5:30 PM Pet Costume Contest
5:45 PM Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM Night Market closes
HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT: Pearsall Properties presents live performances at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm.
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, times vary. Tickets and info here.
(Friday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
And here are the non-holiday-season events for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
‘KING TIDE’: 7:29 am, 12.9 feet – highest (predicted) high tide of the month; weather conditions can push it higher.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Launch your weekend with a community run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families are invited to visit Explorer West. RSVP here if you can, (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for an elementary school, come find out about Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) during today’s open house, 10 am-noon.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
WHILE YOU’RE AT SSC … the Otter Pup truck’s soft open with coffee and sweet treats is scheduled to continue today, 11 am-2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Learn about the cooperative elementary school and join current families for play, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: In session again this week, 10:30 am, info in our calendar listing.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
GRIEFSHARE: Newest session continues, 10:30 am at Grace Church, no charge (10323 28th SW)
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
TALK WITH YOUR ANIMALS: Yes, you can! Find out how during this 11 am class at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW and SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus monthly session, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
SUPER SMASH SATURDAYS: 1-10 pm at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs).
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
WRECK THE HALLS ROLLER DERBY: 5 pm pre-show, 6 pm roller-derby exhibition bout with Rainier Roller Riot and Bellingham Roller Betties’ Grit Pit, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center) – tickets here.
‘PENELOPE’ AT ARTSWEST: West Seattle’s playhouse offers something different this holiday season – the folk-pop musical “Penelope,” with a 7:30 pm curtain; get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
COMMUNITY PAGEANT AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, drag pageant for Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mx. Community – tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NERDLESQUE: 7:30 pm “burlesque for nerds” show with sci-fi theme, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 18+, tickets here.
LIVE MUSIC AT MR. B’S: 8 pm, Leafminer and Noe Navarro at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), no cover.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Flip side of king tides is low-low tides, and tonight at 11:43 pm the tide will be out to 3.8 feet!
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Windy night for a Christmas tree lighting, but Our Lady of Guadalupe went on with the show tonight. Brian Callanan emceed the festive “Light Up the Night“ ceremony in which OLG lit the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree, as you can see and hear:
OLG student singers and The Starry Crowns led caroling before and after the tree went on, with classic carols including “Joy to the World,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”:
(photos added) Another favorite, “Jingle Bells” with participants invited to jingle their keys:
(This photo, next 2, and tree above – WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)
The tree lighting and caroling were just part of OLG’s annual community celebration:
Indoors, it was story time with Santa, and the fill-the-sleigh food drive for St. Vincent de Paul:
West Seattle’s other big tree lighting is at 6 pm tonight in The Junction.
5:48 PM: More than 4,900 homes and businesses are out of power right now, mostly in northwest West Seattle. Not sure yet about what’s to blame – multiple trees have just been reported down, including one at California/Alaska in The Junction blocking part of northbound California.
(Thanks to Amy for the photo – she says “It hit a row of Lime bikes but nothing else”)
(Added: WSB photo by Oliver Hamlin, showing the aforementioned Lime bikes)
Updates to come.
5:54 PM: Police radio indicates the outage is likely related to a tree down in the Admiral area. (Exactly where, we don’t know – nothing telltale on the SFD or SPD logs.) You’ve probably noticed the wind kicking up big time this evening – the National Weather Service did not have our area under an alert for that, though.
6:20 PM: The wind has calmed somewhat, at least up here.
6:42 PM: A commenter points out that the NWS has belatedly posted a Wind Advisory alert, timestamped 6:10 pm, in effect until midnight.
7:41 PM: Several notes/comments suggest this originated somewhere in this area uphill from south Alki.
7:57 PM: Our archives say this is the 15th West Seattle outage this year affecting 100 or more customers. Half were blamed on falling trees. We also had a few caused by drivers hitting poles, an unfortunate bird, an unexplained pole fire, and the most recent one before this, 3,000 customers on November 23, was blamed on “a broken cross-arm.”
8:43 PM: Still out. Remember, don’t open your refrigerator/freezer – the air temp will stay low for hours. How many hours? Here’s the federal advice.
9:51 PM: No updates; fifth hour now. The customers out in West Seattle are now more than two-thirds of those out SCL-wide.
10:03 PM: Yma points out in comments that the Wind Advisory has been extended to 3 am. It’s also now suggesting top gusts could reach 55 mph, 10 mph above the previous forecast.
10:50 PM: Saw a flicker, hoped it meant some were getting restored, and indeed, the SCL map says the power’s back on for most. Fewer than 100 are still shown as out.
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