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2 months till West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!
March 8, 2010 11:09 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Exactly two months from today, it’s the 6th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – the third year that the event, created by gone-but-not-forgotten Megawatt, has been coordinated/presented by us here at WSB. As in previous years, it’s the second Saturday in May, and will run from 9 am-3 pm – so that means May 8, 2010, is the big day this year. We’re not planning any big changes – as in years past, it’s a day for garage/yard/group sales all over the peninsula – it gets bigger every year, and we had almost 200 last year! We will open registration about a month ahead of time, so look for that in early April; you can “fan” the WSCGSD page on Facebook to track things there, and also we’ll once again be updating the separate site at westseattlegaragesale.com (you can go there to browse back through the archive of photos/info from the past two years). Between now and then, a few other garage sale notes:

*You can list a West Seattle or White Center sale FREE any time in the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales (etc.) section

*Two big two-day annual church rummage sales are coming up in West Seattle this Friday and Saturday – Tibbetts United Methodist Church (9-4 Friday, 9-3 Saturday) and West Side Presbyterian Church (9-5 Friday, 9-2 Saturday)

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Thinking about remodeling? Learn about new rules – and $ savings
March 8, 2010 10:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Thinking about remodeling? Learn about new rules – and $ savings
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just about every month, West Seattle’s Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) offers a free workshop for would-be remodelers. This month, there’s important information to share, in addition to the basics – and the workshop’s coming up this Wednesday. Ventana’s announcement:

Thinking about remodeling? New federal rules about lead paint go into effect next month and will have serious implications for most remodels done on homes built before 1978. Find out more about the rules and how to hire a registered company at Ventana Construction’s monthly Building a Better Home workshop on Wednesday, March 10 at 6 pm. The workshop covers all the basics of the remodeling and custom home-building process, and also talks about the $1500 federal tax credit for energy- efficient remodeling. Space is limited–call 206-932-3009 to register. www.ventanabuilds.com

Ventana’s workshops are at their HQ (5458 California SW).

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Safety pointers from Pigeon Pointers – with a smile
March 8, 2010 7:02 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two weeks into the North Delridge/Pigeon Point traffic re-routing/parking reduction required by a homebuilder putting in a sewer line along 23rd SW, new signs are up in PP, requesting detouring drivers’ consideration. Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council co-chair Jim Sander made the signs and sent the photos, taken by 6-year-old Tom Sander.

(Yes, Jim says, that second “Braveheart“-inspired sign is tongue-in-cheek.) The signposts are more often used to publicize upcoming neighborhood events such as PPNC meetings, but the slow-down reminders will be handy until the construction work is done, potentially another four weeks.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Suspect arrested in WS holdup attempt
March 8, 2010 5:14 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

According to our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times, the FBI has confirmed the arrest of a woman they believe to be a serial bank robber nicknamed “the F-Bomb Bandit” because of profanities in demand notes used in the stickups. The five robberies the woman is suspected of committing include the February 2nd attempted heist at the Chase branch inside West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction. (The neighborhood-news site Maple Leaf Life first reported the arrest last week – with the FBI poster seeking the bandit – but the FBI didn’t confirm it till today.)

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Construction starts at new Swedish Automotive site
March 8, 2010 4:52 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Almost three years have passed since first official word of Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor)’s plan for a new, larger location at 7901 35th SW (map) – we mentioned it briefly in May 2007, and then covered the second Design Review Board meeting months later, in December 2007. Now construction is finally under way, and owner Dave Winters tells us it wasn’t another case of a project going on hold till the market got better – it just took them that long to “jump through the hoops” to line up permits and everything else needed to begin.

But now ground is broken and he’s excited about the project, which has changed somewhat from the original plan – read on for details:Read More

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12-year-old charged, 9 months after West Seattle backpack case
March 8, 2010 2:32 pm
|    Comments Off on 12-year-old charged, 9 months after West Seattle backpack case
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

gavel.jpgWe’d been checking with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to see if they’d ever made a decision on whether charges would be filed in a widely reported case here in West Seattle – a 12-year-old girl accused of hitting a then-12-year-old boy with what some witnesses described as a backpack containing rocks at Southwest Community Center last June. (The incident was first reported here; the boy had to go to the hospital. We published details of the full police report the next day.) Today, the girl was charged with third-degree assault, according to paperwork just sent to us by KCPAO media liaison Dan Donohoe. The girl, who turns 13 till next month, is scheduled for arraignment two weeks from today in Juvenile Court. We are not identifying either her or the victim because of their ages; she is charged as a juvenile, not an adult (though some other media have identified them in the past, as they both gave TV interviews after the incident, so you may see their names elsewhere).

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West Seattle biznotes: Gluten-free @ Hotwire; Atomic anniversary
March 8, 2010 1:46 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

HOTWIRE ADDS WHEAT-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE TREATS: This Wednesday, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) adds something new – from the official announcement:

Beginning March 10th, 2010 West Seattle folks will be able to pre-order and pick up some of their favorite wheat- and gluten-free baked goods from 2 of Seattle’s premium bakeries: the Flying Apron and Wheatless in Seattle.

Lora Lewis, owner of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, remarks, “I’m finding more people coming into Hotwire asking for wheat and gluten-free items so it seemed natural to go out and seek some premium bakeries who were offering these types of goods.” After extensive research, 2 bakeries kept coming up, the Flying Apron, known for their organic and wheat-free goods, and Wheatless in Seattle, a bakery that specializes in gluten-free breads and desserts.

… You will be able to order your wheat and gluten-free baked goods through Hotwire and have them delivered each Wednesday. Hotwire will also have ready-to- purchase wheat- and gluten-free items too.

Hotwire already has a large following of people who can’t drink dairy from their decision when they opened 7 ½ years ago to not charge for soy or rice milk. For the dairy drinkers, all of Hotwire’s dairy is locally sourced and is rBST free.

They’ll kick off the new offering with special tastings on Wednesday – Lora tells us Flying Apron will be there around 8 am, Wheatless around 11 (Hotwire, 4410 California SW, is open till 7 pm that night).

ATOMIC BOYS’ ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Two years since Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama opened in the Admiral District — and proprietor Kent Sadow just sent word you’re invited to help them celebrate this Saturday:

We will celebrate our 2nd Anniversary this Sat. March 13 between 10 am-6 pm.

Atomic Boys will have drawings for cool gift certificates and chances to win candy, toys and store discounts. Free balloons will be given out to little ones under 5, as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day for everyone to enjoy.

Atomic Boys is at 4311 SW Admiral Way (map).

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Video: West Seattle snow showers, March 2010 edition
March 8, 2010 12:32 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video | West Seattle weather

Update: The snow that others had seen earlier didn’t reach WSB HQ till just now. No, it’s not heavy; no, it’s not sticking. But it’s something of a serious snow shower, at least here, so we’re capturing video for posterity. (As noted here over the weekend, we had this same type of light snow right about this time last year, too.) This is right in line with the midmorning forecast: “scattered rain and snow showers.” (Got pix or vid? We’ll be happy to add – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!) 1:11 PM UPDATE: Definitely not sticking, and intermittently mixed with rain, so no need to panic about getting home later, etc., at this point!

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2 notes for this Sunday – Daylight Saving Time; Democratic caucus
March 8, 2010 11:59 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

Over the weekend, we published news on partner site White Center Now that the Democratic caucus for the 34th Legislative District is coming up next Sunday, March 14, at Mount View Elementary School in WC. (See the announcement here.) In comments on that story, Highland Park’s Blair Johnson points out an important reminder – this Sunday is also the start of Daylight Saving Time – at 2 am Sunday (aka Saturday night), your clock goes ahead one hour (the “spring forward” half of “spring forward/fall back”).

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West Seattle Weather Watch: “Scattered rain and snow showers”
March 8, 2010 10:16 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That’s what the brand-new National Weather Service city forecast predicts for the “rest of today.” We’re hearing of snowflake sightings (not sticking) in some parts of West Seattle – though here at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy, it’s suddenly sunny. 12:21 PM UPDATE: OK, *now* we have snow – light, but definitely snow.

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Invitation to join in the confirmation process for new SDOT boss
March 8, 2010 10:11 am
|    Comments Off on Invitation to join in the confirmation process for new SDOT boss
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Many had a lot to say about the former head of the Seattle Department of Transportation, particularly during and after the December 2008 snow – so now the city is inviting you to have a say on the person Mayor McGinn wants to see in the job, Peter Hahn. The invitation comes from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the Transportation Committee – read on:Read More

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Today/tonight: Hendrix; Navos; school-enrollment help; more!
March 8, 2010 6:07 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

HENDRIX PARTY AT EASY STREET: Still a little double-take-inducing to see the phrase “new Jimi Hendrix album,” but that’s what’s going on sale tonight, and the title track “Valleys of Neptune” is what you’re hearing in the video clip above. Easy Street Records in West Seattle plans a listening party starting at 9 tonight (free pizza, per the Easy Street site) and the album goes on sale at midnight.

NAVOS OPENS ITS DOORS: It’s been West Seattle General Hospital, West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital, and Highline West Seattle Mental Health; now it’s Navos, and it will be hosting an open house tonight at its main campus (2600 SW Holden), 6-7 pm. Besides a drop-in-and-visit component, Navos CEO Dr. David Johnson will speak, as will a client who the facility says “has made remarkable progress in his recovery.”

GET HELP WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS “OPEN ENROLLMENT”: Need to get a child into the district, or want to request a school other than the one you’ve been assigned to? Get help tonight at Delridge Library, 5:30-7 pm (read more here).

YOUTH SUMMIT PLANNING MEETING: Another planning meeting for the next area Youth Summit is happening this afternoon, 3:30-5:30 pm, at Youngstown Arts Center – “food and service-learning hours provided” – all youth welcome.

B-I-N-G-O: Some of what’s in the WSB Events calendar happens this night every week – but you might not know it! For example, most Monday nights mean bingo at Alki UCC – doors open at 5:30 pm, games start at 6:30 pm (read more here)

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West Seattle restaurant notes: Heartland Cafe, Eness, Phoenecia
March 7, 2010 11:22 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Photo courtesy FL)
HEARTLAND CAFE: FL was stopping by nearby Zatz A Better Bagel and spotted this mural being painted on the side of the new Admiral restaurant – which as you probably know is at the site of the former Admiral Benbow Inn, therefore the name over its side entrance. We’ve reported on the Heartland before, here (with WSB’ers’ 100+ menu suggestions) and here; we have a message out to its proprietor to ask for an update on projected opening. Meantime, a bit further south:

ENESS RESTAURANT: The awning is now painted with the name of the new restaurant going in at 3247 California SW (map; former site of Beato). We have previewed Eness, too – here’s that story from a month and a half ago. (Also, looks like they’re hiring.)

NEW WEBSITE FOR PHOENECIA: Many rave reviews for the new Phoenecia, reborn on Alki. The Khazaal family has been writing up a storm on the restaurant’s Facebook page (for example, read about their sustainable-seafood decision) – but now they have a brand-new website too, including menu information and photos – see the site here. It’s produced by West Seattle’s own Sindelar Communications/Marketing.

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Heads up: Another fireworks show on Elliott Bay in 3 weeks
March 7, 2010 8:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle businesses

A few hours after last night’s “surprise” fireworks show on Elliott Bay, we added a link shared with us by a citywide-media friend – who finally found out about what was apparently the only website in the city that listed the show in advance – the City of Seattle Special Events Calendar. Then tonight, in a new comment on last night’s story, DSA pointed out that another Elliott Bay fireworks show is on that calendar for Saturday night, March 27 – as with the insurance company having a blast last night, it’s for a business celebrating a centennial: This time, General Construction Company (history here), which happens to have a branch here in West Seattle. Coincidentally, that night is also this year’s date for “Earth Hour” – 8:30 pm, an hour after the calendar says the fireworks will be happening. (Photo from last night, courtesy Emory E)

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West Seattle RapidRide: County “not inclined” to reopen route talk
March 7, 2010 4:13 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | Transportation | West Seattle news

Plenty of discussion when we reported last month that the Southwest District Council – reps from community councils and other groups/organizations around western West Seattle – agreed to send a letter to King County Executive Dow Constantine asking that part of the forthcoming RapidRide “C Line” route be revisited. The council has finally received a reply – delivered in person by Constantine staffer Chris Arkills toward the end of this past week’s SWDC meeting – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: The s-word drops out of the forecast
March 7, 2010 1:47 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

While there seems to be no dispute that colder air and some precipitation are on the way, the city forecast no longer includes the word “snow” – nor does the “forecast discussion.” Should be a new forecast within a few hours, so we’ll keep an eye out.

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Moo-ving mystery: “Cow” afloat off Alki Point
March 7, 2010 10:38 am
|      59 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 10:38 AM REPORT: Dean just shared that photo via Facebook – as we were about to run out to follow up on e-mail that Pat sent about the same thing: A “cow” afloat off Alki Point. As to who put it there and why – don’t know yet; do you? ADDED 12:24 PM: Just back from a reconnaissance mission for a closer look. You have to be near Alki Point Lighthouse to really see it – or near the “$1.3 million teardown,” where we zoomed in for some bobbing-bovine video:

It’s just west of the most famous Alki Point raft, the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft.

9:23 PM UPDATE: Just got word from former co-worker David Rose, anchor at Q13 FOX News, that they had a crew over here this afternoon who got to the bottom of it. He says this is the story they were told:

(A nearby resident) built the cow out of fiberglass and it was on his back deck for years. He and his neighbor, Jacqueline Garnett, decided the cow was lonely and needed a pasture to graze in. Since she had grass in her yard, she took it to her yard. After a while, she moved it up to her front fence, decided it didn’t belong there. Then, they decided it would be fun to have the cow drift over to West Point. But then, they decided the Coast Guard might not be happy so they decided to anchor the cow to a buoy. They put rainboots on the cow to keep its feet warm and dry and put a life-jacket on it to keep it compliant with boating regulations. She told our photog she’s never gotten any milk from the cow, but with the rough seas, all she would get is buttermilk :)

If you see this before 10 pm, we’re guessing you will catch some version of it on Q13’s newscast. We appreciate getting the info from David; they found out about the story by seeing it on WSB, so a nice return favor! (And thanks yet again to our morning tipsters, Pat and Dean!)

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A place to play: “Summer Concerts at Hiawatha” seeking musicians
March 7, 2010 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(8/6/09 photo from Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha: Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory)
Presented for the first time last year, the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha were an instant hit. Planning for this year’s Thursday night outdoor-concert series (7/29-9/2) is now under way, and ANA president Katy Walum has put out the call for musicians. If you’re interested, e-mail her at katy.walum@gmail.com; she adds, ” It helps if they include their fee for a 90-minute performance (with a short break in the middle, if desired), and any special setup or sound requirements.” (The series also is still seeking sponsors – WSB is already signed up for the second consecutive year – e-mail Dave Weitzel at dave@weitzelconstruction.com.)

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West Seattle Farmers’ Market: New veggies, & trivia contest
March 7, 2010 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Farmers’ Market: New veggies, & trivia contest
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Cauliflower is on the “what’s new” section of the Ripe ‘n’ Ready list for today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market – see the whole list here. 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska in The Junction. PLUS – market managers are asking a trivia question via Twitter; if you show up at the market with the answer, you’re eligible for “market dollars.” Here’s the tweet.

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Cluttered house? Local cable-TV-show producers want you
March 7, 2010 1:18 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Got a note from Kim Nyhous, who says she and others at Screaming Flea Productions are West Seattleites and interested in extending this “home makeover” TV invite to peninsula families – read on:Read More

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Fairmount Ravine cleanup: “Camp” cleared; unusual discoveries
March 6, 2010 10:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Those are most of the 20 volunteers who teamed up for the 18th annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup under this morning (a few had to leave before they wrapped around 11 am, when we dropped by). As usual, volunteers cut and pulled piles of ivy away from trees – the ivy is what you DON’T see on the trees in this photo:

And they picked up what amounted to a hill of trash:

The cart you see in that photo was apparently used by people who had been camping under the bridge, according to cleanup organizer John Lang. He spotted signs of the encampment earlier in the week – including a dog – and asked police to make sure the area was clear before the cleanup. He says they found dozens of cans of dog food while cleaning up today, and planned to take it to the West Seattle Food Bank (which offers pet food to clients with pets, when available). By the way, today’s volunteers included a group of high-school students – from West Seattle HS, Kennedy and O’Dea.

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Update: Fireworks over Elliott Bay – for Farmers Insurance event
March 6, 2010 8:44 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(photo added 9:33 pm – see explanation below)
ORIGINAL 8:44 PM NOTE: First we got various reports of noise in the Admiral District that sounded like fireworks. Apparently there are fireworks over Elliott Bay off the downtown waterfront. Trying to find out why!

8:58 PM: A brief report of a possible reason, turned out to be somebody’s joke. The Local Notice to Mariners issued by the Coast Guard mentions Farmers Insurance‘s 100th anniversary as an Elliott Bay event – but we can’t find any link to fireworks – so that might not be it – still checking!

9 PM: Via Twitter, KIRO confirms it’s the Farmers’ Insurance party. They are apparently celebrating at the Space Needle – which would have a great view of the bay!

9:15 PM: For our fellow info-geeks, here’s the aforementioned “Local Notice to Mariners.” Note that it mentions the Farmers Insurance party and a narrow evening time window, but doesn’t specify fireworks. Citywide media did not get advance alert, either, in case you were wondering.

9:33 PM UPDATE: Adding a photo e-mailed to us by Emory E.; accompanying note says Emory is 13 and took the photo from Hamilton Viewpoint. Meantime, THANKS AGAIN to everyone who sent word of this while it was happening – phone, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook. That’s why we had something up fast – when YOU share word of something like this happening, that helps inform others who are wondering too – we didn’t hear/see it ourselves because HQ is in south WS. Here are all the ways to reach us, 24/7.

10:12 PM: One note for absolute clarity: Per the news release we found, this is Farmers New World Life Insurance celebrating its centennial – not the entire Farmers Insurance Group, which acquired Mercer Island-headquartered New World Life in the ’50s.

1:10 PM: Found out from a citywide-media friend that one website has turned up with an advance mention of the fireworks: City of Seattle Special Events. We’re linking it to the list of calendars at the bottom of the WSB Events calendar so we will be able to check it regularly ourselves!

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Camp Long’s list of March programs
March 6, 2010 5:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Camp Long’s list of March programs
 |   Announcements

From Sheila Brown at Camp Long – the list of March program highlights:

Nature Programs – Animals

Explore the wonderful animal life all around us. Fascinating facts and features of animal life whether crawling, swimming, flying or walking.

Salamander Search
Ages 1 and older
Search in the pond and under logs in the woods for both our Long-toed and Northwestern Salamanders. Also Red-backed and Ensatina salamanders. Beetles, slugs and other critters will be found too! Please register by March 19
Instructor: Stewart Wechsler
Course #49145 March 20 Sat 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Adult Fee $8.00, Child Fee $6.00

Camp Long Owl Hoot
Ages 4 and older
Join us for a dusk-to-dark owl prowl through Camp Long’s woodland. Early winter is courtship time! Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Please pre-register by March 19/10
#49137 March 20 Sat 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Adult Fee $8.00, Child Fee $6.00

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Third Saturday Free Walks in SouthEast Seattle
Ages 1 and older

Why would anyone call a park a dead horse? When you learn the history of this incredible place you will understand. Wear shoes that can get muddy and bring your binoculars! Find out how you can help keep this place and advocate for our finned friends, the Coho.
Location: Lakeridge Park
Course #50816 March 20 Sat 2 – 4 p.m.
Activity Fee $0.00

================

Third Saturday Free Walks in SouthWest Seattle
Ages 1 and older

The Swamp Lanterns should be poking their heads out from their loooong winter’s rest. Don’t miss the first wildflower of spring! Enjoy the sight and SCENT of bright yellow “Swamp Lanterns” in one of the best kept secret hiking spaces in West Seattle.
Location: Fauntleroy Park
Course #50821 March 20 Sat 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Activity Fee $0.00

Nature Walks – Preschool/Tots
Immerse young ones in the great outdoors and let them explore the wonders of nature. Most classes require adult participation.

Spring is Here! (2-3yrs)
Ages 2 – 3
Adults, explore the wonders of nature with your Tots. Discover life in the pond, forest, field and meet new friends. Please arrive 10 minutes before class time and wear weatherproof clothing. Up to two children can be registered with one adult. No strollers please. $7.00 for one adult with one child. $3.50 for each additional person. Pre-registration required by March 11.
Location: Outdoor Space – North of Colman Pool
Course #49149 March 16 Tue 10 – 11 a.m.
Activity Fee $7.00

Volunteer Opportunity
Camp Long Third Saturday Work Parties FREE
All ages, families
Leave your family legacy at Camp Long by helping to restore a patch of native habitat in the park, building trails or maintaining amenities. Make some new friends while preserving a future for ourselves and native plants and animals. Register by calling 423-0762.
March 20 Sat 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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