Dance MS
West Seattle Senior Center
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
Sat., Oct. 1, 7–10 p.m. Three hours of live swing dance music from the West Seattle Big Band, plus live and silent auction, to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society! Come swing for a cure! $15 suggested donation; includes hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. No-host bar provided. For more information visit www.dancems.org, email brooke@dancems.org or call 206.659.9391.

Daystar Toastmasters
Daystar Retirement Village
2615 S.W. Barton
Sat., Oct. 1, 10–11 a.m. Come as a guest to experience the safe, supportive atmosphere in which you can grow your communication and leadership skills. Improve your ability to think-on- your-feet and become more comfortable speaking to groups. Meetings are the first and third Sat. morning each month. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for orientation. For more information visit daystarclub.toastmastersclubs.org. or call Bill at 206.932.6706.

White Center Bike Playground Grand Opening
Dick Thurnau Memorial Park
11050 10th Ave. S.W.
Sat., Oct. 1, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The free and family-friendly event will feature local food and music, helmet fitting and the chance to try out the new bicycle skills course, a small-scale streetscape located on the site of the former tennis courts.

Making Mosses and
Wildflowers Grow
Lincoln Park’s north parking lot by the kiosk
8265 Fauntleroy Way S.W.
Sun., Oct. 2, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Learn how mosses not only make a beautiful bottom layer of the plant community, but also help the other community members from the yellow Evergreen Violets to the Twinflowers, and the Phantom Orchids. You can both help the mosses that grow on the ground, and the wildflowers that grow in those mosses. If you have them, you might bring a Hori Hori weeding tool, gloves, hand snippers and binoculars for the birds.You have the option to join us at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries at Cafe Ladro (7011 California Ave. S.W.) beforehand! to register, e-mail Stewart Wechsler at ecostewart@gmail.com or call him at 206.932.7225.

Words, Writers
& West Seattle
Barnes & Noble
Westwood Village
Fri., Oct. 7, 5–7 p.m. “Mea Culpa – Lessons on Law and Regret from U.S. History” to be discussed by author and SU Professor Steven W. Bender. Words, Writers & West Seattle’s ‘First Friday’ book-talk sponsored by The Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Free.

Karaoke with Librarians
The Skylark Café
3803 Delridge Way S.W.
Sun., Oct. 9, 7–11 p.m. Come out and sing with Seattle Public Library librarians, no shushing allowed unless it’s in the lyrics. Feel free to bring along your favorite book, dedicate your song selections to favorite books or authors, or come dressed as your favorite literary character or figure. Prizes will be awarded while supplies last!

Providence Hospice Autumn Bonfire
Alki Beach Park (fire pit S. of the Bathhouse) 2701 Alki Ave. S.W.
Sat., Oct. 22, 3–5 p.m. Providence Hospice of Seattle invites families who have lost a loved one to gather for an Autumn Bonfire at Alki Beach Park to share stories and remember loved ones who have died. Seattle. Participants are asked to bring a piece of wood or kindling to add to the fire. A separate fire will be built just for teens. For more information or to RSVP, call 206.749.7699 or e-mail Bradley Justin at Bradley.justin@providence.org. For more information visit www.providencehospiceofseattle.org/programs-and-services/grief-support/….

Harvest Festival and Trick-or-Treat
West Seattle Junction
Sun., Oct. 30, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Join us for a day of community fun as we celebrate this season of change. There will be activities for kids sponsored by our local businesses and organizations, a chili cook-off, costumes and prizes, trick-or-treating, and of course great fall bounty brought to The Junction by our local West Seattle Farmers Market.

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206.937.7169
October is both Breast Cancer and Liver Cancer Awareness month and, in recognition, every Tues. in Oct. all pink clothing is 40% off and every Wed. all green clothing is reduced 40%. We are also getting ready for our Antique Silver Event starting Oct. 6 with many unusual and beautiful pieces all at ridiculously low prices. All items with blue tags are half price starting Oct. 1. The all volunteer run non-profit American Cancer Society shop is open every Sun. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., all other days 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Follow our blog at www.discoveryshopwestseattle.org and LIKE us on Facebook.

GriefShare
Grace Church
10323 28th Ave. S.W.
Every Sat. from Sept 10–Dec. 3, 10 a.m.–Noon. Grace Church, in West Seattle, will host a 13-week GriefShare recovery support group for those that have lost a loved one by death. You are free to start at any time. A one-time $15 charge will cover the cost of your workbook. For information please contact Grace Church, 206.937.8400 or Barb at 206.932.7459.

West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
S.W. Police Precinct
2300 S.W. Webster St.
Every fourth Tues. starting Sept. 27, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Our special guest will be Alex Voorhees from the King County Prosecutor’s office. Serial burglars and auto thefts will be our big topics of discussion. She’ll provide an overview of how their office deals with serial offenders—especially offenders involved in property offenses (burglary, auto theft and prowl and ID theft). Everyone is welcome, even if you aren’t a Block Watch Captain! RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary to attend. You can email us at wsblockwatchnet@gmail.com.

Early Days Parent
Support Group Meetings
Nurturing Expressions
4746 44th Ave. S.W., Suite 201
425.243.2355
Every Mon., 10:30 a.m.–Noon (except federal holidays). Early Days uses the MotherWoman format to facilitate an honest discussion of the realities of parenting. Trained facilitators work to create a comfortable environment for folks to share whatever is going on for them, free of judgement or advice. You are not alone! All moms (birth, adoptive, foster) who experience emotional challenges are welcome. Come join a circle of parents that are having similar feelings and challenges! Support people and partners welcome! Suggested donation $10; no one turned away. www.TheEarlyDays.org / Facebook: EarlyDaysWS / earlydaysws@gmail.com.

Kiwanis of West Seattle
Weekly Meeting
The Sisson Building/Senior Center
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
www.kiwaniswestseattle.org
Every Wed., 6:30–7:30 p.m. Guests Welcome. People dedicated to community service, and we have FUN, too! Sponsor Key Clubs at local High Schools plus many activities to support our community.Established in West Seattle in 1929. Years and years of service to the community. Come check us out! Information: Denis Sapiro, 206.601.4136.

District Council Meetings
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way S.W.
Third Wed., 7–9 p.m. Representatives from neighborhood councils and other community organizations provide reports on what issues and concerns they are working on and announcements about up-coming community meetings and events.

Stay-at-home dads
Hiawatha Playfield Playground
2700 California Ave. S.W.
Every Mon. and Thurs. at 9 a.m. A resource and community for stay-at-home dads, fathers who are primary caregiver in their family, and other involved dads are welcome. All fathers are invited.

Alzheimer Caregiver
Support Group
Providence Mt. St. Vincent,
4831 35th Ave S.W.
Third Thurs. of the month, 1–2:30 p.m. Caring for someone with memory loss? Do you need information and support? Alzheimer’s Association family caregiver support groups provide a consistent and caring place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with memory loss. For information call Kristine Kumangai at 206.937.3701 ext. 28345.

Volunteer with Food Lifeline to end hunger in Western Washington
Every Mon.–Fri., 8:45 a.m.–Noon and 12:45–5 p.m. 40% of food in America goes to waste. You can help change that by volunteering with Food Lifeline’s Fresh Rescue program. Local grocery stores donate perishable and shelf-stable products, including produce, dairy, meat and bakery items. Volunteers work alongside a trained staff to inspect and pack grocery donations for immediate distribution to 275 local food assistance programs. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please email our volunteer team at volunteer@foodlifeline.org or visit www.foodlifeline.volunteerhub.com.

—ONGOING PAID EVENTS—

West Seattle
TOPS Meeting
Providence Mount St. Vincent
4831 35th Ave. S.W.
Every Tues. evening, 5:30–7p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us at our “Take Off Pounds Sensibly” weekly meeting, an encouraging weight loss support group. Weigh-in 5:30–6 p.m., Meeting 6–7 p.m. Our group encourages healthy living and loss of pounds, with accountability via our weekly weigh-ins. Informative programs, challenges, awards, encouragement and lots of FUN! TOPS is an extremely affordable program. Convenient and free parking. For more information contact: Linda at 206.932.3021 or Jane at 206.938.4439.

West Seattle Lion’s Club Events
Senior Center of West Seattle
2nd floor
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
Thurs., Noon–1:30 p.m. for lunch and speaker unless otherwise noted. Call Harvey Rowe at 206.762.1221 for reservations by prior Tues. evening. Lunch $7.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly
Guadalupe Church
Pastoral Care Center
7000 35th Ave. S.W.
Every Tues., 9:30 a.m. TOPS is an encouraging weight loss support group with weigh-ins every Tuesday. For info: 206.932.2621.

Overeaters Anonymous Meetings
Peace Lutheran Church
8316 39th Ave. S.W.
Every Thurs. evening, 7–8:15 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of women and men who meet to help solve compulsive overeating (obesity, anorexia and bulimia). The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. OA is a non-profit international organization patterned after the Twelve-Step Alcoholics Anonymous program. All are welcome. For more info 206.979.6665 or www.seattleoa.org.

AARP Defensive Driving Workshop
Daystar Retirement Village
2615 S.W. Barton St.
First Sat. of every month, ongoing, 9–5:30 p.m. $15 for members, $20 non-members. Call 206.937.6122 for info or to RSVP.

Business Network with Westside Professionals
Alki Masonic Hall
4736 40th Ave. S.W.
Every Wed., 8–9:30 a.m. Build your business through referrals and networking. For info, contact sfelix@quidnunc.net.

Join the West Seattle Lion’s Club Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
206.762.1221
Meets every Thurs., Noon–1:30 p.m.

Irish Dance Lessons
West Seattle VFW Hall
3601 S.W. Alaska St.
Every Mon. and Tues. in the late afternoon and early evenings. Open to children and adults. Information at 206.851.2102.