Editor's Note. Lori Hinton has written this column for over three years and once in a while it is a good idea to take a breath and look back at the long view. Here is a checklist of 101 Things to Do from her now famous West Seattle Herald column titled "101 Things to Do in West Seattle." Don't miss Seattle's first ever neighborhood guidebook: West Seattle 101.

By Lori Hinton

You don't have to be Magellan to consider yourself an explorer and there's no limitation on how close to home your exploration can begin.

How about in your own backyard?

Want to go sea kayaking? There's no need to spend hours in ferry lines traveling to far off islands. Want to try your hand at fly-fishing? Creeks abound and run into the Puget Sound that surrounds our diverse peninsula. How about a night out on the town-in town-with free parking and a lower price tag? Or a live music experience that's free altogether!

We've got it all in West Seattle. With well over 101 things to do, West Seattleites of all ages and interests can stay thoroughly entertained all while supporting the local economy, reducing the use of gas, and discovering (or rediscovering) new adventures in the neighborhood.

Use this list to inspire and excite newcomers to West Seattle. Use it to entertain your out of town visitors. And use it to open doors to opportunities in your own community-even if you're a third generation 70-year Westside veteran.

Your "101 Things to Do" checklist*:

Recreation

1. Sea Kayak with Alki Kayak Tours

2. Greet the Coho at Fauntleroy Creek

3. Build a Beach Bonfire on Alki

4. Fly Fish Westside Waters

5. Greet the Argosy Christmas Ship

6. Play Disc Golf at Lake Wood Park

7. Go on the Garden Tour

8. Dive into Colman Pool

9. SCUBA Dive in Elliott Bay

10. Picnic in our Parks

11. Storm Watch

12. Go Geocaching

13. Salmon Fish off Seacrest

14. Birdwatch in Schmitz Park

15. Stargaze at Constellation Park

16. Discover the Dog Park at Westcrest

17. Play in the Snow

18. Rockclimb Indoors at Allstar

19. Kite Surf on Alki

20. Scoot via Segway

21. Go on a Walkabout

22. Skim Board at Anchor Park

23. Go Beach Cruising from Coastal

24. Visit the South Seattle Community College Chinese Garden

25. Trail Run at Area Parks

26. Roller Skate at Alki Community Center

27. Go Four Wheelin' on Harbor Ave.

Dining & Drinks

28. Alki Homestead

29. Salty's Brunch

30. West 5 Lounge

31. Bamboo Bar

32. Buddha Ruksa Thai

33. Hotwire Coffeehouse

34. Endolyne Joe's

35. Dine Out for Life

36. Matador

37. Ovio Bistro

38. Salvadorian Bakery

39. Celtic Swell

40. Maharaja of India

41. Elliott Bay Brewery

42. Luna Park Caf/

43. Pegasus Pizza

44. Mashiko Sushi

45. Husky Deli

46. La Rustica

47. JaK's Grill

48. Manila Caf/

49. Coffee to a Tea with Sugar

50. Jardin Wines

51. Dream Dinners...and much, much more!

Arts & Entertainment

52. Tune in at Easy Street Records

53. Hear Live Music at C&P Coffee

54. Late Nite Improv at ArtsWest

55. Go Glow Bowling

56. Blues Night at Alki Tavern

57. Stay & Play at Westside B&Bs

58. DJ Night at Rocksport

59. Experience Vaudeville at Kenyon Hall

60. Alki Bathhouse Art Studio

61. Water Taxi to Mariners Games

62. Dinner and a Movie in Admiral

63. Check Out Christmas Lights

64. Visit the Farmers Market

65. Go Antiquing

66. Learn Crafts at Friends & Co.

67. See "Underground" Music at Flying Lion

68. Cooking Parties at Culinary Communion

69. Go Thrift Shopping

70. Try Swing Dancing

71. Go Trick or Treating with the Kids

72. Go on Megawatt Field Trips

73. See Movies on the Wall at Outdoor Cinema

74. Get Crafty at Basic Green Box

75. Attend West Seattle Summer Fest

76. Cover-free Bands at Skylark Club & Caf/

Enrichment

77. Group Cycle at the Y

78. History at Log House Museum

79. Cook with NuCulinary

80. Learn to Frame Art

81. Tour Historical Murals

82. Camp Long Night Hikes

83. Head-to-Toe Day Spa

84. Yoga in the Garden

85. Walker Rock Garden

86. Massage with a View

87. Try Glass Blowing

88. Tai Chi on the Beach

89. Train for a Triathlon

90. Homes with History Tour

91. Get Intense at X Gym

92. Tae Kwon Do with Kids

93. School of Fish at Seattle Fish

94. West Seattle Acupuncture

95. Bee Waxed Spa

96. Bikrim Hot Yoga

97. Lincoln Park Pea Patch

98. Talk It Up at Toastmasters

99. Wild Reiki for Pets

100. Adventure at Capers

101. Urban Gardening at In Bloom

Coming soon... Folk Music at Youngstown, the Fauntleroy Festival, and more!

And here are a few new additions too:

* Wine Taste at West Seattle Cellars

* Discover SOMA at Temple Bodywork

* Try Silver Table Cooking for Kids

* Cupcake Royale & Cafe/ V/rit/e

* Mission Restaurant

* Blackbird Bistro

* Coyotes on Alki

* Pho Tan Bros

* Talaricos Pizzeria & Lounge

* The Art of Nia

* Dodgeball at the Y

* Trapeze at Youngstown

* Tuesday Night Bike Rides with Cascade

*For in-depth info on all 101 activities above, pick up a copy of West Seattle 101 (available at local retailers such as Capers, C&P Coffee, Coastal Surf Boutique, Easy Street Records, Head to Toe Day Spa, Northwest Art & Frame, Square One Books, and Barnes & Noble, or visit: http://www.westseattle101.com). Questions or comments? E-mail author Lori Hinton at: westseattle101@yahoo.com