Saturday, February 9, 2013, marks Seattle's 19th annual celebration of Neighbor Appreciation Day. In West Seattle you have several activities to choose from.

Starting at 10am Forest Restoration with the Nature Consortium in the West Duwamish Greenbelt
4408 Delridge Way SW Seattle, WA 98106

Feb 9 is also Stairway Walks Day, not just in West Seattle but in various neighborhoods across the city

Fire Stations in our area are conducting Open Houses for Neighbor Appreciation Day including Highpoint Fire Station 11 1514 SW Holden Street, West Seattle Junction Fire Station 32 3715 SW Alaska Street, and West Seattle Fire Station 37 7700 35th Avenue SW

Also open for their Neighbor Appreciation Day Swim is the Southwest Pool at 2801 SW Thistle St Seattle, WA 98126

If you want to travel outside West Seattle you can choose an event to be part of from the Department of Neighborhood's Events Calendar.

The celebration began in 1995 when Phinney Ridge activist Judith Wood suggested that the City designate "a special day to celebrate the goodness in those around us and to reach out and strengthen our bonds to each other." Mayor Norm Rice proclaimed the Saturday before Valentine's Day as Neighbor Appreciation Day. The observance has grown every year since.

Here's how you can participate:

Plan an activity for your neighborhood such as a block party, potluck, or work party. This website provides ideas, tools, resources, and templates to help community members organize an activity.

Attend one of the many community activities listed on the events calendar.

Send Neighbor Appreciation Day e-cards to your neighbors. The selection features artwork from past winners of the Neighbor Appreciation Day Student Art Contest.

Share a story or two about your favorite neighbors. Community members can post stories about great neighbors or their neighborhood.

Share the photos of your activity with the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods on flickr.