(UPDATED post-show with award-ceremony video, list, more photos)

Sunbreaks at the West Seattle Car Show – and “bright overcast” in general! Come on down to The Junction for what looks to be a few hours of good weather, now that even the fog has passed. Next door at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, it’s the Zucchini 500:

That continues until 1 pm; the car show will continue for a few hours past that – c’mon down! Though admission is free, consider bringing a few dollars for raffles benefiting Pencil Me In For Kids, which provides school supplies to kids in need. You can get your tickets at California/Alaska, which is where we (in our sixth year as a co-sponsor) are hanging out too – a few yards from the SDOT camera providing this view looking north:

This is the sixth year of the car show – produced by Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design. More car photos shortly!

11:47 AM: This might be the most unlikely sight at the show, at the northeast corner of California/Alaska:

It’s here on behalf of the Seattle Lutheran High School auto shop – and here’s what it’s from:

The photo explains that “this year’s project (is a) frame-up rebuild of a 1963 Bel-Air wagon.” If you pass that corner, stop by our nearby table for a free WSB-labeled ice scraper – we brought along a few leftovers from our giveaways at last year’s fall-festival season.

Not much ice-scraper weather last year, but you never know, might come in handy.

Speaking of weather, another sunbreak is moving through, and things have definitely dried out since the brief thunderstorm a few hours earlier – which even at its height didn’t deter spectators. We spotted a couple Junction entrepreneurs snapping pix:

That’s Dean from West 5 at left, Matt Vaughan from Easy Street Records at right. Dean’s co-proprietor Dave Montoure is here too – we photographed him with mom Paula, whose ’58 Nash Metropolitan is in the show:

12:31 PM: The sun’s even brighter. The forecast suggests this is the big break before stormy weather this evening, so now is PRIME TIME to get outside if you haven’t come on down yet. Turnout’s been excellent:

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to say hi! Couple more hours to see the cars before the winners are announced. Speaking of which, more photos, starting with this 1970 Ford Gran Torino:

And a 1956 Alfa Romeo:

Voting wraps up around 1 pm. Lot of folks here are looking ahead to tonight’s football game – we’re seeing Seahawks jerseys everywhere.

1:55 PM: About an hour until the awards are announced, so if you’re still thinking of coming to the show – it’ll likely be clearing out around 3:30 pm, so don’t wait too long. We’ve seen one politician so far today – Mayor McGinn circulated in the late morning:

He and challenger State Sen. Ed Murray will both be in West Seattle this Tuesday (September 17th), 1 pm, for a forum/debate at the Senior Center of West Seattle (as previously reported here) – all welcome. Back to the cars:

That’s a 1956 Porsche. For some reason, it’s the mid-’50s cars that have caught our eye today – this is a ’56 Ford:

The rain’s continued to stay away except for a brief sprinkle that blew through about an hour ago.

3:40 PM: The show’s a wrap – awards have been handed out and the cars are leaving. We rolled video on the awards ceremony and will add that here after we upload it back at HQ.

5 PM: Thanks to whomever texted us that the streets in The Junction are open again – as you can see via the “live” camera in this story.

6:51 PM: Jim Clark has a wonderful gallery of car-show photos – browse them here. And he shared these two with us for publication:

Meantime, here’s our video of the awards ceremony that concluded the show:

(added) We asked show producer Michael about a written list – here’s what we received:

Favorite West Seattle Car – Bob Harvey / 1937 Buick 10
Favorite Foreign Car – Dennis Saxon / 1965 Austin Healy MKIII BJ8
Favorite Ford – David and Alissa Riker (father & daughter) / 1970 Ford Torino
Favorite Mopar – Gini Bailey / 1933 Plymouth Coupe
Favorite Chevy – Mike Wilson / 1962 Chevrolet Belair
Favorite 20s – Greg Holmes / 1929 Ford “A”
Favorite 30s – Terry Skiple / 1932 Ford Coupe
Favorite 40s – Steve Neilsen / 1947 GMC COE
Favorite 50s – Ken Thompson / 1950 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight DLX 4 door
Favorite 70s – 1970 Dodge Challenger SE

Participants’ Choice:
Winner: Chris Alther / 1966 Chevy Nova supersport
Rudy Alviar / 1951 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop convertible
Ron Rolfsness / 1957 Chevy Cameo Pickup
Michael Daily (Mission Moto) / 1975 Honda CB125
Bill Dwyer / 1954 MG MG

NSRA Safety Award – Fred E. Yeates / 1938 Olds 2 door

Sponsor Awards:
Liberty Bell Print & Design – Scotty Almoslino / 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
Don Swanson Insurance – Jack Gentry / 1968 Chevy Impala
West Seattle Thriftway Award – 1968 Chevy Camaro
Gary Parker Memorial – Steve Olson / 1967 AMC Rebel SST

P.S. – Next street-closing celebration in The Junction will be this year’s Harvest Festival on October 27th (as announced earlier this month).

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Morning thunderstorm, then sun!

September 15, 2013 9:41 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(ADDED: Trio with umbrellas at West Seattle Car Show; WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
9:41 AM: And just after we published the calendar highlights for the day, lightning/thunder/rain arrived. Here’s the “lightning radar” from our friends at KING 5; the rain radar shows it’s moving through from southeast to northwest. We’ll keep you updated on how this affects the events for today/tonight; so far, we have one change, in High Point, where HP’s own “Night Out” will move indoors at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center instead of being outside in local parks.

9:55 AM: The thunder has moved on and the downpour has stopped.

10:44 AM: And now the sun is trying to break through. To commemorate the occasion, the car show DJ is playing “Here Comes the Sun.”

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West Seattle Sunday: WS Car Show; Zucchini 500; Chinese Garden party; Duwamish Longhouse children’s potlatch; more

September 15, 2013 9:13 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s another photo from the West Seattle Car Show, which is on right now – fog or shine! Here are the toplines on that and other highlights for today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (follow that link for even more listings):

WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW: Sixth annual edition (co-sponsored by local businesses including WSB), with participating classic vehicles lining California SW in the heart of The Junction – closed to traffic – until mid-afternoon. The official end time is 4 pm but awards start around 3 and given that the weather might worsen later, we suggest you come see the pre-1980 cars/trucks/motorcycles early! If you’re coming by bus, note the reroutes here.

ZUCCHINI 500: As has been a tradition for years, WS Car Show day is also Zucchini 500 day at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, which you will find in its usual spot at 44th/Alaska. Kids can make zucchini-mobiles and run them on the track, 10 am-1 pm (the market continues until 2).

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN WORK PARTY: From the SCG at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), a photo and invitation:

Enjoy a few hours outdoors in a beautiful setting at the Garden’s monthly work party. Many hands help banish the weeds. Meet new garden manager Bob Seely, who recently moved to Seattle from the East Coast, where he managed large private gardens. Bob also has lived in Japan and has deep appreciation for both Japanese and Chinese garden style.
Drop in any time during the morning; some volunteers might stay beyond noon. Bring garden gloves and your favorite weeding hoe or tool.

An intrepid photographer, Bob’s son, risked life and limb to take the photo of the Garden site and sweeping skyline view. September/October Public Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 5 pm • Admission is FREE

Get to the garden from the north entrance of SSCC. (6000 16th SW)

SECOND-TIME SALE: Fauntleroy Church‘s big sale has an encore period for shoppers today, 11 am-1 pm. Might even be some holiday decor left (our photo is from sale prep on Friday):

Details on the church website. (9140 California SW)’

CHILDREN’S POTLATCH: The Duwamish Longhouse hosts this free event with storytelling, kids’ crafts, and Duwamish singing/dancing, noon-3 pm; details in our calendar listing. (4705 West Marginal Way SW)

WANTED – LOVING HOMES: Got room in your heart and home for a cat/kitten? While you’re in The Junction for the WS Car Show and Farmers’ Market, stop by Next to Nature for the Friends of the Animals Foundation‘s adoption event, noon-3 pm. (4543 California SW)

JET CITY METRO AT SKYLARK: Did you catch this middle-schooler band’s story (and music video) here in the other day? (If not, go here, now!) They’re on the all-ages bill at Skylark Café and Club today, 4 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH POINT NIGHT OUT: The High Point neighborhood decided to have its own “Night Out” instead of joining in the nationwide event last month – and tonight’s the night. ~~Six picnics in six parks, among other plans~~ UPDATE: With the weather, events have been moved indoors, to Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 SW Sylvan Way). It all starts at 6 pm.

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Sunday traffic/transit: West Seattle Car Show road closure, bus changes; Water Taxi extension for Seahawks game

September 15, 2013 5:31 am

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| King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Two alerts to share today:

WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW: Above, that’s a “live” (refresh this page for the newest image) view of the heart of The Junction, where California SW is scheduled to be closed between Genesee and Edmunds 6 am-~6 pm today for the West Seattle Car Show (show hours are 8 am-4 pm). This also means some Metro Transit reroutes – click each route listed below to see the Metro PDF with route-specific information:

*RapidRide C Line
*Water Taxi Shuttle
*Route 22
*Route 50
*Route 128

WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Yes, it WILL run an extended schedule for tonight’s Seahawks-49ers game. See that schedule here.

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‘Footin’ for Frankie’: West Seattleites walk to fight Alzheimer’s

September 15, 2013 4:11 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jeralee for sharing the photo. She reports:

33 family members walked in the (Walk to End Alzheimer’s) in Tacoma (Saturday). Walking for my Uncle Frank, who has had Alzheimer for several years, and also in memory of my mother Henrietta Henke and grandparents Ed and Hattie Little. All from West Seattle – we were all FOOTIN’ FOR FRANKIE.

Their team fundraising made the top 5, according to the walk’s official webpage. If you’d like to Walk to End Alzheimer’s, next Saturday (September 21st) there’s a walk in Seattle, at South Lake Union – info here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police investigating gunfire incident

September 14, 2013 11:59 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

11:59 PM: From Seattle Police via Twitter a few minutes ago:

@11:39 pm, teenage male shot at but not hit @ 30 Ave SW & SW Juneau St. [map] Nobody injured in incident. Suspect vehicle, white SUV, fled scene … Officers & Gang Unit detectives actively investigating. No more information available at this time.

12:22 AM: Scanner traffic indicates the SUV was believed to be a Dodge Durango.

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West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Alki Classic’ juggling, pedaling

September 14, 2013 10:18 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Some fun summer events are intricately planned and formally booked … some are just “let’s see who shows up and what happens.” The generally annual “Alki Classic” bike/trike/unicycle ride, barbecue, jugglefest, etc., is more along the latter lines. One of our favorite anonymous community contributors shared photos from this year’s edition, which included fun at Lincoln Park under the clouds (below) as well as the late-in-the-day sunshine (above).

The route from Lincoln Park was scheduled to proceed toward the event’s namesake beach – so if you saw a group with human-powered wheeled transportation of all configurations, as well as some juggling, now you know who it was. As noted in our morning preview, it’s always open to the public, so if you missed the advance word, watch for it next year!

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High-school football: Seattle Lutheran vs. Lake Roosevelt

September 14, 2013 10:12 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

After a first-week win, Seattle Lutheran High School‘s football team is now 1-1 following their second game of the season, a 40-0 loss to Lake Roosevelt on Saturday afternoon at West Seattle Stadium. The Saints have another non-conference game next Saturday, hosting Oroville, from Central Washington, at 2:30 pm September 21st.

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Sunday reminder: West Seattle Car Show along closed California SW

September 14, 2013 9:03 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

One more reminder before Sunday arrives – California SW will be closed in The Junction, between SW Genesee and SW Edmunds, 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow, for the sixth annual West Seattle Car Show. The show itself runs 8 am-4 pm; spectators are free, while pre-1980 cars/trucks/motorcycles are $20 if you haven’t pre-registered (yes, there are trophies!). Looks like the weather will be best in the morning, so come down early, have breakfast or lunch, and we’ll see what happens. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on as usual, too, 10 am-2 pm, featuring this year’s Zucchini 500 (10 am-1 pm). We’ll be in The Junction reporting live; hope to see you there.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Sundodger meet @ Lincoln Park

September 14, 2013 5:23 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

Thanks to Karen for sharing photos from today’s Sundodger Invitational cross-country meet, which brought hundreds of runners from more than two dozen high schools and colleges (none from West Seattle) to Lincoln Park. These photos are from the high-school-varsity girls’ 5,000-meter race, in which Karen was cheering for niece Rachelle Kline of Auburn-Mountainview HS (in blue):

Team and individual results are here.

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West Seattle schools: Denny joins in Fiestas Patrias parade

September 14, 2013 4:25 pm

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| South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing the photo from South Park’s big event today. He reports: “The Denny International Middle School scholars did an outstanding job today marching in the Fiestas Patrias parade! I am so proud of our scholars, staff, and families for representing our school in such a dynamic way in this important community event. Go, Dolphins!”

The parade and accompanying community fiestas that followed comprise a combined celebration of independence for multiple Latin American countries; the South Park fiesta is on until 6 pm, the one at Seattle Center until 11 pm and again tomorrow – details here.

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Meet neighbors, fight crime: WSCPC, Fauntleroy meetings ahead

September 14, 2013 12:56 pm

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| Crime | Denny-Sealth | Fauntleroy | Safety | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

Two crime-prevention meetings ahead that you might want to check out:

DENNY, SEALTH PRINCIPALS @ CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: The special guests have been announced for Tuesday’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting:

We will have Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer and Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark; they will discuss safety and security in their schools and the surrounding area. We will also discuss if having a combined campus has presented any unique safety problems.

Fears of such problems were amply voiced six years ago, before the new Denny was built adjacent to a renovated Sealth; the new school year is the third one of full co-location. The WSCPC meeting is at 7 pm Tuesday (September 17th), Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY SAFETY: The Fauntleroy Community Association found out via its recent community survey that crime prevention/safety is a topic of intense interest in their area, so FCA is hosting a special forum on Thursday, September 26th. It’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy in the historic schoolhouse, and will start with an ice-cream social at 6:30, meeting at 7, including presentations by Southwest Precinct police, and community Q/A.

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What goes up, must draw a crowd: 4730 California crane rises

September 14, 2013 10:34 am

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| Development | West Seattle news

After three months of demolition and excavation at the 4730 California project site, the crane is going up today, as first reported here a week ago. Spectators included mom Lisa and daughter Annika, talking with construction superintendent Peter Davidson of Compass, the general contractor:

While much of the equipment for the project has been brought in from the alley, this had to come in from California SW, which is why it’s happening on a weekend morning:

The project’s high-profile spot – long home to the Petco store that has since moved to Capco Plaza at 41st/Alaska – has drawn spectators for weeks, often kids fascinated by the process, too young to be caught up in the debate over development and density:

Our photographer had to go through a safety briefing earlier in the week to get close enough to see the detail work required to make sure a high-flying project like this goes off safely:

This is the second crane in the area, after the one installed in June for “The Blake” about two blocks south at 5020 California SW. This project, meantime, is planned for seven stories and 93 residential units, including 15 ground-level live-work units, plus retail; it passed its final design review in November.

The crew expected this to take only a matter of hours – so the road should be clear this afternoon, long before it closes 6 am-6 pm tomorrow for this year’s West Seattle Car Show.

4:05 PM NOTE: We went back to The Junction to check on the crane’s progress and wound up staying through the lifting and placement of the horizontal section – an even-bigger spectacle – will add those photos when we can (check back!). But first, here’s video of the hoist, shared by Larry Murante (thank you!):

Even after that went up, two parts remained – including the cap, which required crew members to walk all the way out to the tip of the piece you see lifted in that clip.

ADDED: More photos, from the final stage of Saturday’s installation – perhaps the most dramatic:

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West Seattle Saturday: Bicycles; fashion; sales; football; ways to help; Yom Kippur; more

September 14, 2013 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

With shopping opportunities including the Second-Time Sale in Fauntleroy (our photo above is from the Friday prep), work parties, sports, Yom Kippur observances, a free fashion show, and much more – what a day/night this will be, in and around West Seattle! Lots going on … starting early:

TRAFFIC ALERT: If you are heading northbound on 99 this morning, please note that it’s down to one lane across the Aurora Bridge until 11 am today (and again 5 am-11 am on Sunday).

RIDE AROUND THE SOUND: Starting as early as 6:30 am, bicycle riders taking part in this American Lung Association benefit will get going from the starting line (which is also the finish line) at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). See the schedule here. (6000 16th SW)

CONSTRUCTION CRANE ARRIVAL: It’s not always a pre-announced event when a construction-project crane arrives, but this one is in the heart of The Junction, so here’s a reminder (details in our story from a week ago): The crane for 4730 California, the ex-Petco project, is scheduled to arrive around 7 am and will be put into place over the ensuing few hours.

VASHON SHEEPDOG CLASSIC: 7 am-5 am, explained in our calendar listing. Just a ferry ride away! And here’s a dog to root for:

West Seattle’s Lien Animal Clinic shared the photo of Mojo Hickman, a nationally ranked herding dog they treated with stem-cell therapy for arthritis. Lien vets will be at the sheepdog event noon-3 pm – stop by and say hi.

SECOND-TIME SALE: Fauntleroy Church‘s big sale has its first of two days today, 9 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)

(added) CROSS-COUNTRY AT LINCOLN PARK: The Sundodger Invitational is happening at Lincoln Park all day – perhaps the biggest meet of the year in the park. Here’s its website; no West Seattle schools are listed as participating, but the 29 schools who are, come from all over the state.

YOM KIPPUR WITH KOL HANESHAMAH: You don’t have to be a member to join in today’s events with Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor) – here’s the schedule:

8:45 am-9:15 am Children’s Service
9:30 am-1:30 pm Morning Service
** Please bring your own Chumash (Book of Torah) if you would like to follow the Torah readings. **
2:00 pm-4:00 pm Afternoon Workshops
4:00 pm-6:45 pm Afternoon Service (Yizkor, Ne’ila)

It’s all happening at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, California/Hanford.

YOM KIPPUR WITH WEST SEATTLE TLC: Today’s Yom Kippur schedule for the West Seattle Torah Learning Center:

Morning Prayer Service 8:45 am
Torah Reading, Yizkor 10:30 am
Neilah final service) 6:45 pm
Light break-fast (snack) served at the conclusion of the fast at 8:09 pm

ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: This morning, join the Admiral Neighborhood Association for a cleanup along nearby streets/sidewalks. All ages welcome; treats provided at the start and finish – tools and bags provided too. Meet outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am. (41st/Admiral)

PAINTING PARTY AT K-5 STEM: Time to repaint the playground and add some playcourts, as well as some other work, now that the portables are gone and a new school year is under way. Join the K-5 STEM at Boren community and lend a hand, starting at 9:30 am today. Details in our original preview. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

BICYCLE SALE: West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor) invites you in to check out deals this weekend. From proprietor Brad: “”West Seattle Cyclery is having a sale on all 2013 bikes. Save 20-45% off all 2013 bikes in stock. We have Road, Mountain, Commuter and Recreational bikes in stock. Every bike purchased comes with a FREE Basic Fit and 1 year of FREE adjustments.” (4508 California SW; hours here)

FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE: Who doesn’t love a parade? This one is unique in our area, spotlighting Latin American cultural pride and traditions in a parade winding through nearby South Park, followed by a fiesta. Parade starts at 11 am; see the route and fiesta locations here. (P.S. West Seattle Bike Connections is participating with helmets/fittings/bike info.)

STORY TIME AT BARNES & NOBLE: Melissa says, “Fall is in the air (93 degree days notwithstanding…), so we’ll be reading ‘Fall Ball,’ a story for our football fans, and ‘Leaf Man.’ We’ll also be making our own leaf people! 11 am. (Westwood Village, south side)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 1:30 pm at West Seattle Stadium, the Seattle Lutheran High School Saints host Lake Roosevelt. (4432 35th SW)

BARBECUE POTLUCK AND BIKE RIDE: Unicycle, bicycle, tricycle ride around Alki Point after a barbecue potluck at Lincoln Park – it all starts 1:30 pm, informal and fun, annual tradition among friends old and new, and you can join in – details here. (Shelters 53-56)

FIELDHOUSE CELEBRATION: In nearby White Center, King County Parks is celebrating the ~75th anniversary of the historic fieldhouse at Steve Cox Memorial Park with a 2-5 pm event today, including a 3:30 pm program – details on our partner site White Center Now. (1321 SW 102nd)

MAC FASHION HOUSE RUNWAY EXTRAVAGANZA: As part of the city’s Work Readiness in the Arts Program (WRAP), the West Seattle-based Unified Outreach arts nonprofit presents a Fashion Show Extravaganza, produced and modeled by youth, starting with a 5 pm meet and greet before the 6 pm fashion show. We stopped by during rehearsals on Friday:

Admission is free; 50 custom outfits shown on the runway will also be offered at silent auction. Comedian Nate Jackson emcees, with musical performances by Tyrone. (WSC Activity Center, 4400 42nd SW)

And even more in our calendar …

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