One of the most joyful annual fundraisers in West Seattle is happening right now on the playfield at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point. Today marks the 10th time Pathfinder PE teacher Lou Cutler has, in honor of his upcoming birthday, run one lap for each year of his age.

Today, that means 62 laps with Lou, who does not run alone – Pathfinder students and staff join him on the field too, and track the laps (above); students track their own laps too:

This is a fundraiser for the regional branch of Make-A-Wish, for which Lou has volunteered more than a decade (we talked to him about it in-depth before his birthday run in 2011), helping make dreams come true for children living with life-threatening medical conditions. Lou started around 8:45 this morning and hit the halfway point while we were there an hour ago, so he likely has less than an hour to go. You can cheer him on, wherever you are, with an online pledge via his Make-A-Wish page.

At the time of last year’s Furry Faces Foundation plant sale, F3 leader and plant-raiser Teri Ensley‘s house still had damage to fix from a fire a few months earlier. Now – as the 2013 plant sale begins – Teri is back in her house after rehab and repairs by Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), work she is so proud of that she’s even incorporated Ventana’s name into the plant sale:

The shelving holding plants on the south side of Teri’s house is dubbed “Ventana Terrace” now, signage and all. Today is the first of four days of the sale – till 4 pm, then again tomorrow 10 am-4 pm, and the weekend of June 1-2, 3809 46th SW. It all started with more than 1,000 plants on “Ventana Terrace” and in the front yard, including herbs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, more – and the F3 “Tag Your Pet” campaign is happening there; read about it all in this WSB Forums post.

We found Ann Martin at 16th and Barton – one of the graffiti/tagging-beset spots that local volunteers are tackling right now with the graffiti-paintout project that set out after gathering at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center this morning:

This is just the first in a series of events – so if you weren’t able to help today, there’ll be other chances – e-mail Youngstown’s David Bestock to get in the loop – david@youngstownarts.org.

PAINT IT OUT: A new graffiti-fighting effort gets going today and volunteer power is vital. Meet at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 10 am. Here’s our preview with more details. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘PRESTO GARDEN’: Also previewed here earlier in the week, this Sustainable West Seattle-led project will create a garden growing fresh food for people served by the White Center Food Bank. Today from 1 pm to 5 pm, they would love your help at the planting party for the garden, which is at Westcrest Park. (From the park entrance at 8th and Henderson, head up the road to the right to the parking area; you’ll find the garden in the P-Patch next to the play area at the top of the hill.)

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Last few hours to buy tickets online to enjoy your favorite West Seattle/White Center food/drink places – current favorites and future favorites – all in ONE place, tomorrow (Thursday) night. The Taste of West Seattle brings them all together at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, which helps people who find themselves in need of emergency assistance. Get your ticket(s) here.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BENEFIT: Tuesday night, as previewed here, Abbondanza Pizzeria and volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle teamed up for a dining-out benefit on behalf of the West Seattle High School music program. Tonight, Rotary member Sue Lindblom from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us it was a busy, busy night, raising $900 for WSHS music!

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK GALA: The final tally is in for this year’s recent Instruments of Change – almost $100,000, the Food Bank reports, with 200 guests there for auction bidding, dining, and inspirational speeches.

(WSB video from the end of Lou’s run last year)
This year, Pathfinder K-8 teacher Lou Cutler turns 62 – and for Lou, that number carries extra meaning: It means he’ll travel 62 laps around the school playfield to raise money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s been volunteering since way back in his forties. He doesn’t do it alone – hundreds of Pathfinder students and staffers join him along the way. And they’re all gearing up for next Monday (May 20th), when Lou is scheduled to start his 62 laps around 8:45 am. You can pledge/donate now by going here – and read on to see the official announcement from Make-A-Wish:

The average birthday celebration for Lou Cutler consists of more than just a piece of cake and a few gifts. Before his big day approaches, he chooses to lace up his running shoes and work up a sweat to raise money for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, the nonprofit organization that grants wishes to local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

A wish granting volunteer for 17 years, Cutler is a physical education teacher at Pathfinder K-8 School in West Seattle and has found an ingenious way to marry his day job with his volunteer job.

Each year, in celebration of his birthday, Lou invites students, parents, colleagues and community members to join him in running laps around their school to raise money for the local chapter. Each year, Lou finds the strength to add one more lap in celebration of one more year of life. A cast of more than 500 children, parents, teachers and school personnel are set to join Lou this year.

Over the past nine years, Pathfinder has raised more than $35,000. Last year, Lou and his runners set a record by raising $10,589. This year, the run will be held on May 20 at 8:45 a.m. at Pathfinder K-8 School, located at 1901 SW Genesee.

“It’s hard to say that I look forward to the run, but I do,” said Cutler. This year, he will be running 62 laps which equates to about 10.3 miles.

“I will have the time of my life, as I will experience the true joy that comes from watching the entire Pathfinder community come together to raise money to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

We interviewed Lou two years ago for a closer look at his motivation for the annual run and his other Make-A-Wish volunteering – you can see the story here.

ART FOR ANIMALS’ SAKE – go here

ARTS CORPS – go here

ARTSWEST – go here

COOLMOM – go here

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here

DENNY-SEALTH PERFORMING ARTS – go here

DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP COALITION/TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP- go here

ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF SOUTH SEATTLE – go here

FRIENDS OF SEALTH – IB SCHOLARSHIP FUND- go here

HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION – go here

HIGHLINE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE – go here

INVEST IN YOUTH – go here

KILLER WHALE TALES – go here

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION – go here

KOL HANESHAMAH – go here

LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION – go here (offering a cupcake incentive for donations over $40)

MARRA FARM COALITION – go here

MULTI-COMMUNITIES - go here.

NATURE CONSORTIUM – go here

NAVOS – go here

NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKETS – go here

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE – go here

NONFICTION MEDIA- go here

NORTHWEST CENTER – go here

NORTHWEST HOPE AND HEALING – go here

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL – go here

PLUMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS – go here

PONGO PUBLISHING – go here

PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT FOUNDATION – go here

PUGET SOUNDKEEPER ALLIANCE – go here

SAFE FUTURES YOUTH CENTER – go here

SEAL SITTERS - This is an unusual path; you need to go to the Associated Recreational Council GiveBIG page, click donate, and then in COMMENTS, write Seal Sitters – ARC is its fiscal sponsor

SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS – go here

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN SOCIETY – go here

SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE POLICE FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION – go here

SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS – go here

SENIOR SERVICES – go here

SOUTH PARK AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – go here

SOUTH PARK INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER – go here

SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION – go here

SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – go here

SOUTHWEST YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES – go here

SPORTS IN SCHOOLS – go here

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOUNDATION – go here

THE ANUNNAKI PROJECT – go here

THE SALVATION ARMY – KING COUNTY – go here

THE SERVICE BOARD – go here

THE VILLAGE OF HOPE – go here

THE WHALE TRAIL – go here

TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES – go here

TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS – go here

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK – go here

WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE – go here

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION ASSOCIATION – go here

WESTSIDE BABY – go here

WESTSIDE SCHOOL – go here

WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK – go here – and note, again this year, WCFB has added events on GiveBIG day, including a portion of proceeds donated this morning if you have breakfast at Meander’s Kitchen, and tonight if you dine at Proletariat Pizza, Zippy’s Giant Burgers, or Company in WC. Caffé Delia (WSB sponsor) and Dubsea Coffee also will have “donation stations” set up in the morning.

WHIT PRESS – go here

YES FOUNDATION OF WHITE CENTER – go here

YMCA OF GREATER SEATTLE – go here

YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE – go here

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORK – go here

YWCA OF SEATTLE-KING COUNTY – go here

Graffiti/tagging vandals strike anywhere and everywhere – the photo above is a blurred version of a defaced wall back in 2009 at a local school that was getting hit over and over again. Parents fought back there. Wherever you are, you can challenge this kind of vandalism – as long as there’s help. That’s where you come in. You can join a community cleanup this Saturday to paint out graffiti/tagging vandalism in the Delridge area (and if you don’t feel like painting, trash-pickup help is needed in the area too). Meet at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, at 10 am Saturday (May 18th). This is the start of a graffiti-fighting campaign that organizers expect will also eventually include mural-painting to protect and beautify targeted areas. Questions? Contact David Bestock at Youngstown, david@youngstownarts.org or 206-935-2999.

The Walking on Logs sculpture by the pullout near the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge is decked out in advance of the fifth annual West Seattle 5K, coming up this Sunday (May 19th). Thanks to race director Jeff Mensing for the photo! Three timeline points ahead for WS5K, which is organized by and benefits the West Seattle High School PTSA in its work to help the school and its students:

ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS TOMORROW: You can sign up until Wednesday at westseattle5k.com.

PACKET PICKUP/IN-PERSON REGISTRATION SATURDAY: Noon-6 pm (May 18th) at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown.

RACE DAY SUNDAY: The race starts just after 9 am. Alki and Harbor Avenues will be closed along the usual WS5K footprint, to Don Armeni; then most of the waterfront roadway will reopen around 11, except for the stretch that will be closed until 5 pm for the Alki edition of Seattle Summer Streets (aka “car-free day”), 56th to 63rd. Here’s the map:

WSB is co-sponsoring West Seattle 5K again this year as we have since the start, and will be an on-site participant in Summer Streets, which features some big fun this year highlighted by the Alki Beach Creeps’ Costumed Bike Parade at 1 pm – see you there!

Looking for an amazing summer adventure? Host a 5th/6th grade student from China. West Seattle will have a visit from 25 students from Chengdu, China and as the date is approaching fast, we are still in great need of host families. Students will arrive July 3rd and departure is set for July 14th. During the weekdays students will attend summer-camp classes at Pathfinder K-8 School, and on the weekends they are ready to play. All you need to be a host family is a desire to enrich your lives – and an extra bed.

To find out more, e-mail Clayton at lclayton@seattleschools.org.

It’s been a big year for West Seattle High School‘s music program, especially the marching band, with two downtown parade appearances including St. Patrick’s Day, as shown in our video above. This Tuesday, you can help the program keep growing by having dinner at Abbondanza in Morgan Junction. WSHS’s first-year music teacher Ethan Thomas explains:

The West Seattle Rotary Club is hosting a dinner fundraiser at Abbondanza Pizzeria (6503 California Ave SW) to support the music program at WSHS.

Abbondanza will be donating 10% of their proceeds and Rotary Club volunteers will be waiting tables and donating their tips.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 14th, and come out and support our young musicians. The restaurant will be open from 5-9 pm.

(Saturday photo courtesy West Seattle Bee Garden)
One year in the making, and one week remaining until the celebration of the new West Seattle Bee Garden, at next Sunday’s WS Bee Festival (May 19th). This weekend, writes Lauren Englund - whose dream, reported here in May 2012, started it all – the beehive enclosure is being finished, and you are welcome at a Sunday work party (starting at 10 am). And after that, it’s festival preparations. From Lauren:

For those who may not know, the High Point Neighborhood Association is hosting the West Seattle Bee Festival next Sunday, May 19th, to celebrate the opening of this space. It will include a picnic and parade! Here are some of the details:

Picnic Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Picnic Location: Commons Park at 31st Ave SW and SW Graham St
Parade Start: 11:30 am
Parade Start Location: West Seattle Elementary – 6760 34th Ave SW
Parade Route: North on 31st Ave SW from the WSE parking lot, across Morgan St, past the Bee Garden and into Commons Park. The total route is 0.5 miles.

Want to join the parade? Fantastic! Everyone is welcome. Set-up will ‘open’ at the West Seattle Elementary parking lot at 10:30 am. There will be face painting and an opportunity to make a flower for the parade. Look for a friendly face carrying a helium ballon for answers to questions. The Sound Wave marching band will be leading the way. Fun!

The picnic! Holy smokes some amazing people want to come hang out!

From kite makers, to bee art, to seeds from Vincent van Gogh’s grave … it will be there. The Tallboys will be serenading the festivities, and I’m stoked about sampling food from the awesome vendors who have agreed to come join. Loads of people are excited about celebrating community and education – amazing!

Want to help out? We would love to have you!
Set-up will begin at 9 am, and clean-up will begin at 3 pm. It’s a community effort :-)

We also have some special volunteer slots for anyone who would like to help us communicate the morning of the event – by wearing a sandwich board sign! Our neighbor Deb is spearheading this project. Here are the details; please feel free to contact Deb if interested:

Volunteer opportunity to support the Bee Garden on the day of the parade:
*Wear a “sandwich board”
*Stand on a street corner near the parade
*Wear a simple bee costume (optional)
*Wave and look happy
*Be prepared to answer simple questions like, “where is the parking?”
*Arrive at 9:30 am at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way) to get your sign and costume.
*Return costume to parade ground (West Seattle Elementary) at 11:00 so you can watch the parade
*Send an email to dvandermar@gmail.com if you have questions or if you want to be a bee with a sign!!

Title of the e-mail: “sandwich board volunteer.”

Find out more about the project at westseattlebeegarden.com – and see more photos on the Bee Garden’s Facebook page.

West Seattle High School is looking for adult volunteers next Sunday (May 19th) to help with the 5K race. If you are able to help Sunday morning between 7:30 am to 12:00, or anytime inbetween, it would be much appreciated. Please send an email with your name and time you are available to ‘wshs5kvolunteers@gmail.com’ Any and all help will be much appreciated.

Registration is still open for WS5K (which WSB is co-sponsoring again this year), too – go here.

Remember the call for plant pots at Arbor Heights Elementary, for teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her farming first-graders – and the great response? The tomato plants – and some radishes too, we’re told – have been on sale after school this week and you’re welcome today as they sell plants one last time before Ms. Ingerslev has to haul the remainders off to be donated! The parent volunteer who shared the photo says it’s your chance to “be a proud new home to a grown-from-seed tomato plant (or radish) for a donation that goes fully to the farm program.” It’s a short sale window – about 3 pm to 3:30 pm, we’re told – but if you can make it over to Arbor Heights (37th and 104th), the plants await you, at a $2 donation each.