The filing deadline for elections is Friday, and with five members of the Seattle City Council up for re-election, there are several candidate forums coming up.

Here are the ones I know about. Let me know if you know of others, and I will post them.

Thursday The Washington Bus and The Stranger are hosting a candidate happy hour from 5:30-8 p.m. at Havana, 1010 E. Pike St., on Capitol Hill.

City Council candidates will be there to mingle and answer questions, and the event, aimed at youth, advertises that any attire is appropriate, even "jorts and a cowboy hat."
Noted.

On Friday, former City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck will moderate a forum from noon to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., in the Bertha Knight Landes Room. It's sponsored by the Metropolitan Democratic Club and the office of City Attorney Pete Holmes.

Next Wednesday, a coalition of North Seattle chambers of commerce is hosting a lunchtime picnic with the candidates from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way. It's $20, and you're supposed to register, because there's food.

Also next Wednesday, the Downtown Seattle Association is hosting candidate "speed dating" at the Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave. Candidates will rotate around the room and answer questions. It starts at 5:15 p.m. and costs $20. More information here.