If you’re thinking about being part of this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe – our area’s only obstacle-course 5K – this is the week to sign up. Prices go up Friday for three of the five levels at which you can participate this year – the Family Wave Obstacle Course 5K, the new Elite Wave Obstacle Course 5K, or Fun Run 5K. You can get in on the early prices by going here to sign up. Loop the ‘Lupe happens June 3rd at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), next to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose community social work is supported by the event. (Loop the ‘Lupe also includes Senior Saunter and Youth 1K options, but those prices don’t change until just a couple days before LTL.) Set your calendar for June 3rd even if you don’t want to run/walk/dodge – music, food, and a beer garden will be set up on the sidelines for everyone to celebrate a day in the park. (WSB is a Loop the ‘Lupe community sponsor.)

12:13 PM: Jumping into Elliott Bay – where the mid-40s water temperature is 10 degrees warmer than the mid-30s air temperature – is the main event at the Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Washington, but it’s just part of the fun. Fundraising plunges start at about 1 pm but food trucks and a beer garden are already here and open until late afternoon.

More photos to come!

ADDED 3 PM: More than 300 people registered for today’s Polar Plunge. Many came in costume – above, the Funny Farm won the group award in the pre-plunge costume contest, by onlooker acclaim. Other contenders included The Avocados:

Produce was a popular theme. “The Strawberry” got honorable mention in the individual costume competition.

Shortly afterward, the crowd moved to the beach for the main event – Polar Plunging. First in, Special Olympics athletes, who are the people the event is about – raising money to ensure costs are covered for all SO athletes:

Next in, the top team fundraiser, the Nearly Nekkid Norwegians:

The participants continued plunging in waves throughout the afternoon.

The event, including the food trucks and beer garden, is expected to wrap up by 4:30 pm. Preliminary fundraising total: More than $115,000; you can donate to Special Olympics any time by going here. The next competition is the Winter Games in Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Mission Ridge next weekend.

(WSB photo, 2020 Polar Plunge)

Just two days until this winter’s next big West Seattle event – the Polar Plunge “winter beach party” benefiting Special Olympics Washington at Alki Beach on Saturday (February 25th). Today, we have two updates – first, a last-minute call for volunteer help:

Special Olympics Washington is hosting its annual Polar Plunge fundraiser this Saturday at Alki Beach and Bathhouse and they are still looking for a few more volunteers. Roles include Set-up, Registration, Guest Control, Beer Garden Support (must be 21+), and Clean-up. Teens at least 14 years old can volunteer with set-up and clean-up but adults are needed for all other roles. Pre-registration is requested at 2023polarplungevols.my-trs.com. You can also visit that link for more information on specific shift times and role descriptions.

Second, if you’re not planning on “plunging” but interested in dropping by to cheer the plungers and/or enjoy the rest of the party, including food trucks, beer garden, and music, we asked for specifics on what people will find – here’s the information we got in reply:

FOOD: There will be seven food trucks: The Cheese Pit, Alaska Scallops, Whateke, Seoul Bowl, Theo’s Gyros, Off the Rez, and Kathmandu MoMoCha.

BEER: The breweries in the beer garden will include Big Time Brewing Company, Georgetown Brewing Co., Old Stove Brewing Co., Ravenna Brewing Co., Seattle Cider, Two Beers Brewing, White Claw, and Matchless Brewing.

MUSIC: DJ Shane, who is a former Special Olympics Athlete, will be the main DJ. DJ Harmony Soleiol, the DJ and Music Director/Assistant Program Director/on-air host with C89.5, will also be doing a set.

And it’s not time to register to plunge – you can go here for that. The event starts at 8 am and the plunging is set to start around 1 pm, after a 12:10 pm costume contest (if you’re there in the crowd, you get to help “judge”).

Next Saturday (February 25th) is the day – you’re invited to the Polar Plunge “winter beach party” at Alki, benefiting Special Olympics Washington. Even if you don’t plan to participate in the plunging, you can stop by to watch, play beach games, contribute, and/or enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, and liv music. As explained by Special Olympics, the event is to raise money “that directly goes to providing athletes with year-round opportunities to train and compete, as well as receive free health screenings and leadership training … (ensuring) that over 7,500 Washington children and adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to participate at no cost to them.” Events start near Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) at 8 am next Saturday, with a costume contest at 12:10 pm (the crowd gets to judge), and “polar plunging” beginning at 1 pm. Individual and team registration starts here.

(File photo)

Skunk Works Robotics is a scrappy regional program, founded in 2006, that draws 8th through 10th graders from West Seattle to Burien and beyond. This spring, they’ll compete in the international FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics events. The program’s mission is “to inspire students to excel as robotics and engineering professionals, and to help them prepare for college and the future.” They’re looking for your support and offering a fun way to provide it: On Saturday, February 25th, head south to The Cove at Normandy Park (1500 SW Shorebrook Drive) for a spaghetti dinner and auction to support the team. They’re selling $25/person tickets through February 12th, and here’s what you’ll get:

The evening will include a silent and live auction with awesome items such as a signed Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, two roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines anywhere Alaska flies, a two-night stay at Lakedale Resort on San Juan Island, a signed Julio Rodriguez Mariners jersey, cooking classes, a salon haircut & blowout, restaurant gift certificates – including some local favorites such as Circa, Srivilai Thai, Salty’s on Alki, and so much more! The night will also include a fun Dessert Dash, a tasty Wine Pull, specialty cocktails, beer and wine, a first-time reveal of our 2023 robot, and beyond.

Skunk Works is a 501(c)(3), so your contribution is tax-deductible. And it’ll help this program continue recovering from not only pandemic-era challenges but also a burglary last year that left them without thousands of dollars in equipment. But they’re building back, and you can help – get dinner/auction tickets here.

(WSB photo from February 2020 Polar Plunge at Alki)

Outdoor events are few and far between in the heart of winter – but here’s an exception: We’re now four weeks away from the return of the Polar Plunge “winter beach party” to Alki, benefiting Special Olympics Washington. Here’s how organizers explain it:

The Special Olympics Washington Polar Plunge, on Saturday, February 25, is a Seattle tradition. The annual event brings together supporters throughout the area to Get Cold for a Cause. The 2023 installment of this Winter Beach Party is expanding to offer something for everyone. Partygoers can show up to plunge or participate in the festivities and cheer others on.

Attendees can expect a full-on beach party with live music, beach games, a beer garden, food trucks, costume contests, and great prizes along the way! Individual and team registrants are encouraged to raise donations in support of Special Olympics Washington athletes. As they raise funds, they can also earn prizes including airline vouchers and Papa John’s gift cards for the top individual and team fundraisers.

The Polar Plunge campaign kicks off the year strong by raising funds that directly go to providing athletes with year-round opportunities to train and compete, as well as receive free health screenings and leadership training. Proceeds from the event ensure that over 7,500 Washington children and adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to participate at no cost to them.

On Saturday, February 25, festivities kick off at 8:00 a.m. at Alki Beach & Bathhouse [60th SW & Alki Avenue SW]. The costume contest will begin at 12:10 p.m., with winners awarded based on crowd response. Polar plunging starts at 1:00 p.m.!

Unlike the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim, this isn’t an en-masse jump-in-run-out event – but immersing yourself in Puget Sound is part of it. Individual and team registration starts here.

(File photo, donated food at a past Turkey Bowl)

The Beer Church Turkey Bowl is a beer-release party and early-holiday-season benefit all in one, and it’s back, tomorrow (Saturday) at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon). Here’s the announcement from Kim at the Beer Church (philanthropic arm of the West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog):

Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 12, Beer Church Turkey Bowl returns to the West Seattle Bowl after a two-year absence. The event is happening from 4 to 7 p.m. 100% of proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

While the bowling event is sold out, everyone is welcome to stop by. Guests can purchase a $5 raffle ticket for prizes (drawing around 5:30, must be present to win). We will also be enjoying the release of Beer Church Hoppy Pale Ale (also benefiting the food bank), brewed by the West Side Beer Trail brewers at Future Primitive Brewing.

The West Seattle Food Bank will be present to accept donations of money or non-perishable food.

Find out more about the event and the new beer by going here.

The Senior Center of West Seattle isn’t just for seniors. You’re invited, regardless of your age, to an event this Thursday (November 3) that’s at, and raising money for, the center. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement!

Wine Tasting This Thursday at the Senior Center
Thursday, Nov. 3, 6-8 pm; live music from 7-10 pm

Community members of all ages are invited to a wine tasting and live music this Thursday at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Bring your friends and join us for a fun and festive evening featuring red and white varietals from local wineries Darby, Pine Lake Cellars, and Welcome Road. Tickets are $50 each and include snacks from Brown Girl Charcuterie, live music by Larry Knapp, and wine tasting. Proceeds benefit the Senior Center. The Senior Center is located at 4217 SW Oregon St. with its main entrance off SW Oregon St. Purchase tickets (here).