Nearly 70 West Seattle area organizations arranged their banners, booths and brochures to network with each other and the public at Sealth High School (at Boren) Saturday April 4th, at 5950 Delridge Way S.W.

The event, the 5th Annual Gathering of Neighbors, was organized by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association and Youngstown Cultural Arts Center as well as the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Exhibitors included the Highland Park Action Committee, Senior Center of West Seattle, West Seattle Food Bank, and South Seattle Community College. The Inner City Ensemble and Youngstown Entertainment Showcase performed in the cafeteria.

"We offer retraining for business people who are now unemployed," said Laura Matson with the continuing education department, South Seattle Community College. She said people with employment problems including those who recently lost their job approached her booth.

"We also offer a 'start your own business' class," she said. "For those continuing to work, some are expected by their company to do more, so we offer computer training classes to be more efficient with equipment that their office may already have. A lot of people today also asked about our popular cooking classes through our culinary arts program on campus. We have full-service kitchens and continuing education offers wine tasting as well as cooking."

"Things are looking up for a great spring," said Desiree Loughlin at her booth. Loughlin is with Windermere Real Estate in the Junction.

"Home closings were way down in the forth quarter of 2008 but have been climbing fast since February," she said. "Prices are down. Affordability is up. First time buyers can qualify for an $8,000 credit, and the (Federal Housing Administration) offers loans with just 3.5 down."

Randy Engstrom and Sara McChristian of the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, did a lot of organizing to make the event happen.

"I think this is great," enthused Engstrom, who was mater of ceremonies for the entertainment in the cafeteria. "West Seattle has such an amazing active neighborhood culture. I admire the spirit of our community. Considering this event was organized in a pretty tight timeline, and at a modest venue- I mean not like the Convention Center or something, it is inspiring that people wanted to come out and meet their neighbors."

Engstrom was also inspired by networking among exhibitors.

"Sheila Brown from Camp Long and I work together all the time," he said. "But while sitting with her and having a cup of coffee at her table we came up with four new programs involving Youngstown and Camp Long. When you are able to step out of your day-to-day silo and into more of an open environment you can come up with some really cool ideas."