If you like to poke around the neighborhood and see all kinds of interesting things, then you might want to participate in the fourth annual Gumshoe 5K Walk, from Aug. 7-16. It’s a fundraiser for the Greenwood Senior Center. (The Gumshoe is a PhinneyWood sponsor.)

Here’s how it works: buy a Gumshoe form for $20 (or two for $15) at the Phinney Center, Metropolis or Ken’s Market, beginning Aug. 7. Follow the clues as they take you on a walking adventure through Phinney/Greenwood. You may be looking for a whimsical piece of garden art in someone’s yard, the company name on a fire hydrant, or a particularly interesting traffic circle tree. Fun to do alone, but tons more fun with a group.

You can do the walk all at once, in parts, on your own or in a group, any time between August 7 – 16. Walk time is 2-3 hours and suitable for easy to moderate walkers. Be sure to check out the new, very fun Group Walks and all Gumshoe activities at www.DoTheGumshoe.org. Fill in your solutions to Gumshoe clues and return your form for a chance to WIN a $250, $150 or $100 Fred Meyer gift certificate.

One of the funnest events the Greenwood Senior Center puts on is its monthly Bingo/Karaoke, where lots of youngsters join the seniors for a raucous good time. Friday night they’re doing it again from 7-10 p.m.

Just $10 gains you entrance to the Bingo/Karaoke Hall and 8 game cards. Each game offers a $30 cash prize if you win. There are also a few “special” games for an extra $2 apiece that payout anywhere from $30-$130 depending on how many people play. Beer and wine are a mere $3 apiece. Hot dogs, chili, jalapeno poppers, popcorn, cookies, and other munchies are available for under $5 as well.

Bingo/Karaoke is held on the last Friday of every month from 7-10 p.m. at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St. Parties of eight or more are asked to call ahead to reserve a table, because the room is usually packed: 206-297-0875.

If you want to see the good times of past events, check out these YouTube videos of the whole room doing The Twist, Sweet Caroline and a spirited rendition of Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

If you’re looking for a truly non-traditional gift, the Alternative Gift Fair at the Greenwood Senior Center at 525 N. 85th St. on Wednesday might be the ticket. From 12:30-8 p.m. you can browse colorful display booths that support international humanitarian projects, while enjoying warm beverages, holiday treats and live music. Homemade lunch will be available for purchase from 12-1:30 p.m.

Gift examples: Cost to supply clean water daily for one person in Sudan for an entire year is just $3. Cost to provide one week of aftercare support for a victim of slavery in South Asia is $19. Cost to plant 10 trees in deforested areas of Haiti is $20. Featured organizations include International Justice Mission, Water For Sudan, Floresta, and Hands Along the Nile.

The Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored by SAGE, which stands for Seniors: Active, Giving, and Engaged. The Senior Center program encourages seniors to be involved in their local community through awareness of important social justice issues, and provides opportunities for civic engagement.

For more information, check out Alternative Gifts International.