That’s the almost-full moon last night, photographed by Jerry Simmons. The official full-moon moment is 7:28 pm tonight, three-plus hours after it rises, but if the forecast bears out, we might not get to see it. (Added 9:27 am – Jerry did catch a little sunrise color:)

Other notes for today/tonight:

FOOD FOR STUDENTS: 11:15 am-1:15 pm, food boxes with breakfast and lunch items to get Seattle Public Schools students through the rest of winter break will be available at two West Seattle locations: Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon) and Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).

DEMONSTRATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, Dec 31, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: 5-8 pm, last chance to borrow a tool before next year – the WSTL, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, will be closed New Year’s Eve. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

(Christmas Eve sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From our West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar, a fairly quiet between-holidays Sunday:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: Our updated-every-Sunday list of more than 20.local churches’ online services (with a few also offering in-person options) is here.

NO WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Just for today, no WSFM, but it’ll be back next weekend.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm, if you need a tool to fix or improve something. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

EMERALD WATER ANGLERS (WSB sponsor): Reopening post-holiday break, 11 am-5 pm today. (4502 42nd SW)

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church will serve free to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

(Christmas pony? Photo by Jerry Simmons)

A few notes for the rest of today/tonight:

SHOPPING: See our Holiday Guide for spotlighted shops, as well as a list of local independent businesses offering online shopping (many with curbside pickup and/or delivery).

DEMONSTRATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: The weekly announcement from Scott @ Puget Ridge Cohousing:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Tuesday Dec 22, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday Dec 24, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden [Xmas Eve–we may end early if traffic very light]

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

LAMENTATION LIBERATION: Happening outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):

Due to harsh weather conditions, the Winter 2020 Solstice Lamentation Liberation has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the church’s front courtyard.

Alki UCC invites our friends and neighbors to write down your 2020 Lamentations and General Complaints Against the Universe on paper and join us to watch them go up in smoke in our 2020 Lamentation Fire. Let’s release 2020 from its grip upon us, and look to longer, brighter days ahead. Burning of the lamentations will start at about 4:30 pm, continuing until the fire burns out. Self-serve cider mix packets will be offered for at home enjoyment. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the White Center Food Bank. The church is also sponsoring a family with a single dad with 10 kids that need winter jackets, so please bring a child’s jacket if you have one to donate.

ENDOLYNE JOE’S: As announced last Friday, the Fauntleroy restaurant is temporarily closing TFN after tonight. Open for takeout 11 am-8 pm. (9261 45th SW)

(Sunday photo of the Olympics, by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Winter has arrived, as of 2:02 am. Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, from our inbox, calendar, and Holiday Guide:

SCHOOL FOOD: Seattle Public Schools are offering one week’s worth of breakfast/lunch items in special food boxes available for pickup today, 11 am-1:15 pm. West Seattle distribution sites are Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon, where we’re told Borracchini’s French bread is being offered too) and Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).

SHOPPING: Just a few days for last-minute holiday shopping! Among the stores open today are WSB sponsors Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW), now until 6 pm; Wyatt’s Jewelers (Westwood Village), now until 6 pm; Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW), now until 7 pm. Also open today, Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm. (Anyone else? Please email us your hours this week so we can include them – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.)

SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Join Alice Enevoldsen for the winter-solstice sunset watch, 3:45-4:15 pm online, including a discussion of the conjunction (some call it the “Christmas star”) that will be visible if and when the clouds clear in the nights ahead. Free as always but you need to register to get the link – go here!

LONGEST NIGHT: Admiral UCC (4320 SW Hill) plans an outdoor service at 6 pm.

POSTPONED: Alki UCC has delayed its Winter 2020 Solstice Lamentation Liberation event to 4:30 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, December 22nd).

BENEFIT BOOK FAIR: Last day to buy from the Lafayette Elementary PTA online book fair.

Any other last-minute holiday notes, for the rest of the week? We’re making our lists and checking them twice. Send us info!

(Reader photo: Handmade gnomes on display at Seattle Yarn, made by employee Elsbeth)

Shopping and more are on the list for this last Sunday before Christmas, from our West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with the latest links, is here.

TREES BY THE SEA, LAST DAY: 9 am-6 pm at 2538 Alki SW, this local Christmas-tree lot is wrapping up the season.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, it’s the festive pre-Christmas market. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: Bonus shopping day at Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor), open 11 am-4 pm.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WYATT’S JEWELERS SPECIAL HOURS: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village also has expanded shopping hours – noon-5 pm today. Enter the drawing for a diamond pendant while you’re there.

CRAFT BEER. CRAFTS, & BARBECUE: Best of Hands Barrelhouse (WSB sponsor) is selling its newest release and hosting another Perch Paper Goods pop-up at 1 pm, plus a visit from NWTXBBQ. (35th/Webster)

SHUG’S POP-UP: 2-7 pm, another holiday shop at Shug’s Mini in West Seattle. (3800 California SW)

‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’: As featured in our Holiday Guide, 3 pm today is your second and final chance to see Twelfth Night Productions‘ online presentation of the radio-play version of the beloved holiday movie. Go here to donate what you can, and you’ll get the link to watch.

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Still shopping? Spend local – whether online (see the local list in our Holiday Guide) or in-person! Shopping is part of what’s happening today/tonight:

JET CITY BEIGNET: Get your beignets today at the JCB (WSB sponsor) Realfine Coffee pop-up, 8 am-1 pm. (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)

GET YOUR ‘SPIRIT OF WEST SEATTLE’ LUMINARIA: These West Seattle businesses have your free luminaria for lighting tonight, while supplies last:

City Mouse – 10 AM – 4 PM
CAPERS – 10 AM – 6 PM
Fleurt – 10 AM – 5 PM
Carmilia’s – 11 AM – 6 PM
Curious Kidstuff 10 AM – 6 PM

‘RESTORATION IN A CHANGING CLIMATE’: 10:30 am online, presented by Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. Register ASAP if you’re interested! The info’s in our calendar listing.

CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: Open 11 am-7 pm, and you can still get local delivery from Click! (WSB sponsor) before Christmas. (4540 California SW)

VISCON CELLARS: Last chance to get Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) wines before Christmas – drop by the tasting room 1-4 pm today. (5910 California SW)

CRAFT BEER & CRAFTS: Best of Hands Barrelhouse (WSB sponsor) is selling its newest release and hosting Perch Paper Goods‘ pop-up at 1 pm. (35th/Webster)

SHUG’S POP-UP: 2-7 pm, holiday shop at Shug’s Mini in West Seattle. (3800 California SW)

LIGHT YOUR ‘SPIRIT OF WEST SEATTLE’ LUMINARIA: Whether you got a free one (see above) or made your own, light it at 7 pm and share a photo hashtagged #spiritofwestseattle (send us one too!).

‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’: As featured in our Holiday Guide, 7:30 pm tonight is your first of two chances to see Twelfth Night Productions‘ online presentation of the radio-play version of the beloved holiday movie. Go here to donate what you can, and you’ll get the link to watch.

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

The morning earthquake shook up our routine a little and we didn’t publish a “happening today/tonight” roundup. So here are a few last-minute notes:

3;30 PM – ORCA-WATCHING RULES: Will the state make new rules for whale-watching vessels, to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales? The state Fish and Wildlife Commission gets briefed this afternoon, and the public can watch – here’s how.

4 PM – DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing is leading the twice-weekly sign-waving at 16th and Holden, 4-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

4:30 PM – SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TOWN HALL: Updates from Superintendent Denise Juneau, livestreamed on the district YouTube channel.

5 PM – WESTSIDE SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: This time, it’s information about the Westside School (WSB sponsor) lower school. Email tedh@westsideschool.org ASAP to get attendance info.

6 PM – ‘GET FIT’ INFO NIGHT: Online at 6 pm, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) hosts an informational event about its free fitness program kicking off at the start of 2021 – for beginners, getting you ready to run a half-marathon by summer! Info is in our calendar listing.

(Saturday photo by Chris Frankovich)

Here’s what’s ahead for your Sunday, from our West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with updated links, is here.

HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT, LAST DAY: 9 am-9 pm behind the school, at 42nd/Dakota. You can even tree-shop without getting out of your car. Details here.

ALKI ELEMENTARY HOLIDAY EMPORIUM, LAST DAY: Order online from the curated collection of local gifts, with the Alki PTA benefiting – info here.

‘WINTER WANDER’ SCAVENGER HUNT, LAST DAY: Not too late to join in and enter for prizes! Here’s just one of the fun selfies that “Winter Wander” organizer Alice Kuder shared from entrants so far:

Go here to find out how to join in.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)

FOOD & SOCKS DONATION DRIVE: 10 am-3 pm outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), a holiday donation drive.

OUTDOOR BOOK SIGNING: 11 am-12:30 pm outside C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), West Seattle author Pam Mandel will sign her new book “The Same River Twice.”

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

HANUKKAH, NIGHT 4: Sundown is at 4:18 pm.

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

(Early December Alki sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Welcome to Saturday! A few things to remind you about:

TRAFFIC ALERT: One lane of West Marginal Way SW just north of the low bridge is scheduled to be closed 7 am-4 pm today for work related to testing of the Terminal 5 flyover bridge, as explained/mapped here.

HOLIDAY PHOTO POP-UP: 9 am-3 pm today (and tomorrow) with Gail Ann Photography at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, some free with food/pet-food donation. Details here – appointments required; some appeared still available as of our check very early this morning. (9131 California SW)

WINTER WANDER, SECOND-TO-LAST DAY: The fun, free West Seattle scavenger hunt – with prizes! – continues through tomorrow. Go here to find out how to play.

DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE: 10 am-3 pm, bring food (and/or money) to Hope Lutheran School 8th-grader Atticus‘s drive-through food drive, in the church/school lot off SW Oregon east of 42nd SW.

DROPOFF FOOD & BOOK DRIVE: As also previewed here, noon-5 pm, today only, ArtsWest in The Junction is taking dropoff donations for the Heart of Washington food and book drive to help migrant-farmworker families. Out front at 4711 California SW, or in back, off the 44th/Alaska lot, just south of KeyBank.

HANUKKAH, NIGHT 3: West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah has a Hanukkah Havdalah and Story Slam tonight, 7 pm, online.

MORE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: Trees, lights, shopping … info’s in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s what’s up in the hours ahead, including highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

LAST DAY TO ORDER DELRIDGE GROCERY GIFT BASKET: Our original announcement explains what’s in the basket and how to order it.

DICK’S FOOD TRUCK VISITS: When Dick’s Drive-Ins launched a food truck (burgers and shakes, no fries), they invited votes on where its first stops should be, and West Seattle made the top five. So it’s visiting today, 11 am-2 pm, California/Alaska.

(updated) TOY DRIVE: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle says Toys for Tots is still running behind its quota, so new, unwrapped toys are needed. A bin is set up through December 17th in the lobby at (corrected location) US Bank (42nd/Edmunds) in The Junction.

NEED FOOD? Along with the regular food-bank distributions, Fridays are the day you can go to Food Lifeline HQ in nearby South Park and get an emergency box of food, 2-5 pm. (815 S. 96th)

SECOND NIGHT OF HANUKKAH: West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah has two Hanukkah events on the calendar for today/tonight – details on the KHN website.

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Watch the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Club production of the radio play based on the legendary movie, 7:30 pm online. Our preview explains how to get your ticket(s).

(2 busy backyard squirrels, photographed by Machel Spence)

Reminders before the day gets too much further along:

DEMONSTRATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing continues leading the twice-weekly sign-waving at 16th and Holden, 4-6 pm.

DECEMBER ART WALK: Support local businesses and artists – in-person and online – via tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk. See who’s participating, where, and when/how, by going here.

‘HOLIDAY GUIDE’ ONLINE SHOPPING: More ways to spend local! As previewed yesterday, tonight’s the night The Junction features local stores in a live online gift guide, starting at 5 pm.

CLICK, MINGLE, & JINGLE: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual holiday business-networking party is online this year. Our calendar listing explains how to attend.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm online. “Hidden Child of the Holocaust” is this month’s presentation, sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – here’s how to attend.

YOGA/ZUMBA BENEFIT FOR BLACK VOTERS MATTER: 8 pm online, the Pigeon Point Anti-Racism Project invites you to a yoga and Zumba benefit, supporting Black Voters Matter – our calendar listing explains how to be part of it.

Sometimes it takes a while to get information. Here’s one such case. In the 8 am hour Wednesday, we got some questions about a low-flying Alaska Airlines jet that some said “buzzed Admiral.” Flightradar24 showed Alaska flight 676 looping back to Sea-Tac shortly after takeoff (here’s a screenshot). We asked the airline what happened. This morning, we got the answer:

Alaska Airlines Flight 676 Seattle-Omaha returned to Sea-Tac Airport shortly after take-off due to what was ultimately a faulty indicator light. Our standard operating procedure is to return to the departing airport. The aircraft landed safely without issue. We swapped planes and got our guests back out about 3.5 hours later. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused our guests.

Dick’s Drive-In fans were excited to hear that the local burger chain chose West Seattle as one of the first five places it will bring its new food truck. Tonight, Dick’s revealed the date and time – this Friday, 11 am-2 pm, outside Easy Street Records in The Junction. This will be the fourth stop, after Bellevue (last Friday), Everett (last Saturday), and Renton (yesterday); the stops were the result of voting, as we reported in September. The truck will sell burgers and shakes – no fries.

(Monday sunrise, photographed by Troy Sterk)

Busy Tuesday!

WINTER WANDER: The West Seattle seasonal scavenger hunt continues. Prizes! Clues and details are here.

MISDEMEANOR DEFENSE CHANGE? West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s proposal to change city code to expand defenses for some misdemeanors will be discussed at 9:30 am today in the committee she chairs, Public Safety and Human Rights. It has not been drafted into legislation; they’re discussing a “concept.” The agenda has info on how to view, how to comment, plus the linked memo outlining the discussion.

GOVERNOR’S PANDEMIC UPDATE: At 10:30 am, Gov. Inslee holds his next media briefing on pandemic response. You can watch here.

DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, Dec. 10, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL MIDDLE-SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: 5 pm, online. Our calendar listing explains how to get the link.

WATER OUTAGE: As previewed here last week, 200+ customers in Pigeon Point and Puget Ridge are expected to be without water for about six hours starting at 6 pm.

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL PREVIEW: 6:30 pm online, find out more about EWMS. Our calendar listing explains how to get the link.

‘THE FUTURE OF ICE AND SNOW’: 7 pm online, a “Climate Science on Tap” presentation. Our calendar listing has info on how to attend.

LIGHTS! SHOPPING! TREES! … all in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

(Photo by Mike Burns)

Here’s what’s ahead for your Sunday:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with updated links, is here.

FROM CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS TO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS … plus local online shopping … it’s all in our Holiday Guide.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; no pickups for online orders this week – the What’s Good system took the week off)

COAT DONATION DRIVE: 10 am-2 pm near the market’s entrance/exit, look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle tent, collecting coats, hats, and gloves to keep neighbors warm. (California/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 pm online meeting for updates on West Seattle’s only city-funded tiny-house encampment and its surrounding neighborhood. Here’s the videoconferencing link; you can call in via 253-215-8782, meeting ID 858 5523 4269, password 9701.

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

(Eye-catching cloud formation photographed by Jan Pendergrass)

Welcome to the first weekend of December! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

KIWANIS LIVE EVENT & SILENT AUCTION FINALE: No community pancake breakfast this year, so the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is having a live event online 9 am-11 am – go here – and also continuing bidding until 11 am in its silent-auction fundraiser.

DRIVEWAY ROCK & GEM SHOW: 10 am-4 pm, the Saturday show invites you to stop by – outdoors, masked, distanced. (2009 SW Dakota)

WASHINGTON’S UNDISCOVERED FEMINISTS: 11 am online: Writer Mayumi Tsutakawa presents five “woman warriors” in the arts and journalism from the past century whose stories inspire. Details and registration info are in our calendar listing.

THE BRIDGE SCHOOL’S ONLINE OPEN HOUSE: 1 pm online, The Bridge School Cooperative Elementary has a live information event and Q&A opportunity online. Our calendar listing has the info you need to sign up.

DRIVE-BY SANTA: 5-7 pm outside Circa (2605 California SW), drive southbound to wave and – if you want – drop a wish list into his curbside box.

JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING + STORIES WITH SANTA: 7 pm online, enjoy the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting event safely – segueing into Santa reading stories for kids! Here’s where to watch. More info in our preview.

(Friday’s sunset, photographed by Dan Ciske)

SUNSET: 4:18 pm. Only one minute later than the earliest sunsets of the year.

LOOKING AT LIGHTS: We’re featuring displays nightly and listing them in the Holiday Guide!

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Marc Milrod)

Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

ONLINE AUCTION: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle continues its online fundraising auction through Saturday.

DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott leads the twice-weekly sign-waving for racial justice, 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden.

(Wednesday’s sunset, photographed by David Hutchinson)

TONIGHT’S SUNSET: 4:18 pm – just one minute short of the year’s earliest sunsets.

WSHS VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE: 8th grader in the house? Planning to attend, or considering, West Seattle High School? 6:30 pm virtual open house tonight – details in our calendar listing.

EMERGENCY SHELTER: Need a warm place to sleep, or know someone who does? The emergency shelter at the West Seattle Veteran Center, 3618 SW Alaska, will be open again tonight.

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

Here are highlights for today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Though the mayor’s decided to repair the bridge, this advisory group’s work isn’t over yet. Among today’s topics, low-bridge restrictions and enforcements. The meeting is online at noon; you can watch here.

MENTAL HEALTH 101: 6:30 pm online, first of two sessions presented, free, by Fauntleroy UCC. Details and participation information are here.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: This community coalition for West Seattle and South Park meets online at 7 pm. Topics include ongoing issues such as the pandemic response and the bridge closure. We’re still awaiting a final agenda and viewing information – we’ll add both here after we get them, so check back if you’re interested in attending. (Added: Sorry, we never did receive accurate connection info.)

EMERGENCY SHELTER: If you know, or are, someone who needs a warm place to sleep, the West Seattle Veteran Services Center has opened its emergency shelter at 3618 SW Alaska.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SHOPPING, MORE: See our ongoing, frequently updated West Seattle Holiday Guide!

(Monday sunset at Lincoln Park, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

We’ve made it to another month, last one of 2020. Here are highlights for the hours ahead:

POLAR BEAR CHALLENGE: The multi-faceted all-month-long community event officially starts today – with several ways you can be part of it. See our preview from Monday.

SW SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BIDDING BEGINS: Happening now – here’s the update:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is thrilled to announce that its online auction opens today, Tuesday, December 1. Register HERE to bid on a range of uniquely West Seattle experiences and items. Auction items include an autographed Pearl Jam poster, the opportunity to create and name your own flavor of ice cream at Husky Deli, a walk in the ancestral lands of the Duwamish people led by Ken Workman, 4th great grandson of Chief Seattle, paintings created by local artists, and so much more. There is something for everyone in the auction and featured items and experiences make for excellent holiday gifts. Every bid supports the mission of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which is to preserve and promote local history through education, preservation, and advocacy.

Bidding on auction items closes during the Historical Society’s Virtual Champagne Gala on Friday, December 4 at 7:00 PM. Registration is required for this digital event, but admission is free. Please register HERE today.

DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott continues to lead this:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Tuesday, December 1, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursdayk December 3, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

(Monday moonrise from Duwamish Head, photographed by David Hutchinson)

HOPE LUTHERAN KINDERGARTEN INFO NIGHT: Future kindergartener in the household? 6 pm online information night at Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) – if you’re interested, register here to get the participation link.

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Four things to know about this post-holiday-weekend Monday:

LOCAL CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING: With the pandemic-fueled boom in online shopping, the designation of today as “Cyber Monday” has been a bit eclipsed, but – if you’re going to shop online, please spend local. We have a list of more than 40 local retailers/makers offering online shopping, with direct links, is in the SHOPPING SPOTLIGHTS section atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide. Please explore! The list will be there all season. (We’re still adding, too! Email suggestions to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

LETTER CARRIER SENDOFF: If you’re in the west Alki area, Marc sent this note:

All right, Alki community, let’s celebrate a staple of your community, especially those who live west of 64th Ave SW. Today is your USPS letter carrier Dado Gabut‘s last day. He has been with the post office for more than 36 years and has worked many areas of the 98116 zip code. Bring your dogs and your smiles in congratulating such an amazing man, letter carrier, and staple of your community. His route is down by the Alki Lighthouse and ends at the end of the west part of Alki’s walkway (around 2 pm). Thank you Dado for being a glowing example of the services USPS provides to the community. Let’s celebrate!!!

NEW APP & OTHER PANDEMIC NEWS: Governor Inslee has a 2:30 pm media briefing at which he’ll talk more about a new app just announced today, the “anonymous exposure notification tool” WA Notify. You will be able to watch the briefing here. (We’re also two weeks from the initially announced end of increased restrictions, so he’ll undoubtedly be asked about that too.)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ REOPENING PLAN: Will in-person learning resume this school year? The SPS School Board has a work session on in-person learning, starting at 4 pm this afternoon. The agenda includes info on how to watch.

(Saturday photo by Dan Ciske)

Full moon tonight, rising just before sunset, at 4:10 pm. But first – here’s what’s happening today in West Seattle and vicinity, online and in-person:

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: The list of more than 20.churches’ Sunday online services (with a few also offering in-person options), with updated links, is here.

FROM CHRISTMAS TREES TO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS … plus some all-weekend shopping deals … see it all in our Holiday Guide.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; no pickups for online orders this week – the What’s Good system took the week off)

TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION: Last chance this season – 10 am-1:30 pm near the market’s entrance/exit, look for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. (California/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

(Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

On Thanksgiving Eve, here’s what’s happening:

TURKEY DONATIONS: The West Seattle Food Bank is still accepting turkeys, until 2 pm today. (35th/Morgan)

NEED FOOD? Three ways to get it today:
*WSFB is distributing food 10 am-3 pm (they should have at least a few turkeys left – among the latest donors, Safeway planned to take over ~50)
*Seattle Public Schools – last meal distribution until Monday, 11:15 am-1:15 pm
*Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) – distributing food boxes 2 pm-5 pm

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Informational presentation at the Senior Center, 11 am – details here. (4217 SW Oregon)\

PRE-HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Our recent update includes grocery-store hours for today and tomorrow at local standalone stores. Also, local, independent shop West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW) emailed to say they’re open 11 am-7 pm today.

(Sunny Saturday – photo by Gill Loring)

With two days until the holiday, here’s what’s happening (and not happening) in the hours ahead:

NO SCHOOL: As would also be the case if Seattle Public Schools had in-person classes right now, most elementary/K-8 classes are not meeting this week (and all students are off Thursday/Friday – no meal distribution those days, either, so stock up tomorrow).

NEED FOOD? West Seattle Food Bank‘s pre-holiday distribution continues today, until 2 pm. (35th & Morgan)

CAN YOU DONATE? If you’re not in need and can give, WSFB still needs turkeys. Small/medium frozen turkeys are preferred but they’ll accept whatever you can bring, until 3 pm today.

DEMONSTRATION: As announced by organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday (today) – 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden. Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available

Thursday – Holiday, no sign-waving. (You could read and acknowledge local tribal histories, or go farther and work on decolonization.)

FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: King County Elections certifies the final November results today, by 4 pm.