It was with a feeling of pride and accomplishment that I paged through Lori Hinton's new guide book, "West Seattle 101."

I feel gratified that what we started three years ago is actually a great guide book and available to the public.

In 2002, I was the brand new editor of the West Seattle Herald when in walked Lori with a proposal that has now become the very first neighborhood guide book in Seattle. In 2002 I knew virtually nothing about West Seattle and was just figuring out that the West Seattle Herald had a lot for its older readers, but virtually nothing for the 40-and-under set. I knew we needed to add something for this important audience.

Lori wanted to write a column called "101 Things to do in West Seattle" and we agreed that it would be aimed at you newer, younger people moving into the area, as well as for the older readers.

Thoughts and doubts swirled through my mind. "Where there 101 things to do in West Seattle?" "Would she be like so many people who have approached me to write a column - do three or four and disappear?"

One thing I have discovered about Lori Hinton in the past three years is that when she sets a goal, she will meet it. Only a fool would get between Lori and her goal and anyone who tries is likely to have Lori prints across their body.

Weekly for nearly three years, the Herald printed her column.

Oh, we had some false starts. Once Lori wrote about an act that had appeared at a local establishment. When she and I discussed it, we both realized that if this was ever to be the basic material for a book, it had to deal with things that would endure and thrive over at least the near future.

So where did this idea come from?

Lori grew up here, then went off to college and then traveled and lived overseas for a couple of years.

"When I returned to my home- town, I realized that it had evolved in inspiring new ways. There were new restaurants, a brewery, a farmers' market, an outdoor cinema and even kayaking."

She says she always wanted to write a book and now she had a subject, but needed to amass content. That made her approach me and the Herald about the column.

West Seattle is "its own world," she says. "A friend of mine once referred to it as our own little Mayberry with a strong sense of community. It feels like a small town, yet it is right next door to a big city."

It is a place where almost everything that you could possible need is right here. You do not need to go downtown or somewhere else to find a place to eat, to learn to kayak or about yoga.

"West Seattle 101" is a book for everyone, she says.

I agree. It is just as good for newcomers, tourists as it is for those who have lived here forever.

Once Lori took a short hiatus to make a trip overseas and we suspended her column. The Herald got several phone calls wanting to know where the column was.

"I read her column every week and even though I grew up here, I found out about places to go and things to do that I never knew about," said a local resident who stopped me in a market.

It isn't just about restaurants, although there are several here. You can find out about building a beach bonfire on Alki, go bird watching, four wheeling, find local music, find a festival to attend, or art at the Bathhouse.

Lori says she was never at a loss for something to write about. Some, about 10 she guesses, have come and gone since the column began.

The hardest part of doing the column was keeping her eye on the goal, she says.

"It's having an idea and sticking to it - being persistent," she says.

Another big hurdle was getting a book from idea to reality. She found a slew of friends to help her organize, re-edit the copy and design the book.

"I am thinking now about printing more books," she says.

Over 100 people showed up at a recent book signing at West 5 in the Junction (see accompanying photo).

"Half of the people I invited, but half just came because they heard about the book from my column in the Herald or some other way."

Lori's book will be a success because she has content that people need. Besides that, she is going to continue her Herald column, now every other week.

We hope our mutual association will continue a long time. It has been a great ride.

Jack Mayne can be reached at jmayne@robinsonnews.com or 932.0300.