West Seattle Blog…

Got glasses? 2 more weeks to get them recycled

If you have an old pair of glasses you don’t need any more, here’s a way to make sure they don’t go to waste: Keller Williams Realty in The Junction is continuing to collect used prescription and non-prescription eyewear through the end of the month, to help Vista Missions. Hominee at KW explains, “They deliver them to people in need in foreign countries to provide free vision clinics and eye exams. Our goal is to collect enough eyeglasses by March 31st to supply an entire 5-day clinic for the team leaving for Mexico in April.” You can help by dropping off used eyewear at KW’s Junction office, 4452 California SW (map). They’re open weekdays 8:30 am-5:30 pm.

West Seattle business news: Bella Nouveau Day & Medi-Spa opens

A news release this morning brings word of a new business at 42nd/Oregon (map) in The Junction. Dr. Catherine Sparks has opened Bella Nouveau European Day and Medi-Spa in the stucco cottage where her clinic used to be (the Sparks Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center is now in a remodeled space next door. The announcement says Bella Nouveau “offers European and anti-aging facials, acne and rosacea therapies, brow and lash tinting, full-body waxing, acupuncture face toning, massage therapies, and specialized skin care therapies, along with a full complement of medi-spa services. ‘From Botox and Dysport injections, to Restylane, Radiesse, Juvaderm and more,’ (Sparks) said.” According to Dr. Sparks, the staff includes estheticians, medical doctors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. She’s also started a new line of anti-aging skin products, Novelle Health and Beauty, which won Best-in-Show at the recent Northwest Women’s Show; you can read about the products here.

Delicious Planet: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!

(From left, Delicious Planet’s Jose, Chase, Lianne, Randi, Miranda, and Lulu)
Today, we welcome Delicious Planet as a brand-new WSB sponsor – and as per WSB tradition, this is their chance to tell you about their business: Delicious Planet meals start with the highest-quality, seasonal organic foods and specialty ingredients, obtained from local sources whenever possible. We leverage the flavors and nutrients that nature provides, without the processed ingredients, additives and preservatives. Order online by 1 pm to receive food the next weekday! Our unique Delicious Detox program is a tasty and convenient way for people to retrain their taste buds, eliminate common allergens, lose weight, renew energy, improve mental clarity and learn healthy eating habits. The goal is to acquaint people with the building blocks of good nutrition while cleansing their systems – without depriving them of taste and variety. Our customers call it a lifechanging experience. We think it is a lifesaving experience Call today – 206-720-7017 – start on Monday!

We thank Delicious Planet for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

Your vote can help West Seattle contenders in Neuro Film Festival

That short film – 7 minutes – is by two West Seattleites, Max Larkin and Emily Boardway, and if you can spare the time to watch and rate it, you could help them keep advancing the film’s mission: Telling the story of Young Onset Dementia. The short film, “The Music in Hugh: A Look at Young Onset Dementia,” shows Max taking care of – and sharing music and laughter with – his father, a practicing physician until stricken by YOD a few years ago at age 56. The film is entered in the 2010 Neuro Film Festival, launched by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. If Max and Emily win, the prize will go toward their project Spoke Your Mind, not just raising awareness about Young Onset Dementia but also gathering support for the children of those with it. There are three prizes in the festival, including Fan Favorite, which is where your vote comes in – after you watch the video (or before), click through to its page on the YouTube site and rate it – you need a YouTube or Google log-in for that. The voting deadline is 3/17 (two weeks from today).

County advisory: Measles case, possible West Seattle exposure

This advisory is just in from King County Public Health – a confirmed case of measles in a child who visited some West Seattle businesses during a time last week when s/he might have been contagious – no reason to panic, the county says, but it needs you to know this just the same – read on: Click to read the rest of County advisory: Measles case, possible West Seattle exposure…

Happening now: Baby-bottle giveaway at High Point center

No, the big inflatable baby bottle outside the High Point Neighborhood Center is not some sort of birth announcement (though the center itself is still in its infancy). It’s to promote the baby-bottle giveaway/swap that’s happening till about 1 pm. As previewed here this morning, local environmental-health groups and Neighborhood House are hoping to encourage people to stop using certain plastic bottles and sippy cups – so they’re giving away glass bottles, accepting turned-in items, and also asking for support for legislation to ban the plastic component Bisphenol A.

Also on hand to help hand out the bottles – from left – Blair Anundson from WashPIRG, Ray Li and Mark Okazaki from Neighborhood House:

WashPIRG is trying to get the Safe Baby Bottle Act – banning Bisphenol A in products for children/babies – passed this year in the Legislature, where it stalled last year.

Race for the Cure moves off Alaskan Way Viaduct this year

(WSB photo from Race for the Cure, heading north onto The Viaduct, 6/7/2009)
Not West Seattle-specific, but it does affect many people here in many ways — Just got a note that registration is open for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a tradition for your WSB co-publishers and thousands of other Seattleites – and noticed in the fine print, it’s not going to be on The Viaduct this year – the location is instead listed as Seattle Center. Not surprising, since construction in the area is accelerating, but this doesn’t seem to have been reported elsewhere yet, so we thought we’d pass it along, for those who will miss walking with that great view, and for those who will be happy to have one less traffic-closure morning, among others. Here’s the race information; here’s how to register. The date this year: June 6, only four months away. ADDED 1:41 PM: We asked R4TC for the official reason behind the move, and it’s partly as expected – from Danie, “Due to scheduling issues with the Sounders at Qwest field and the viaduct coming down in 2011 a location change was necessary. The route is still TBD, but the venue has great potential and participants will be VERY pleased.” (That’s the SOUTH end of The Viaduct coming down next year, of course, not the central section.)

Bloodmobile’s in West Seattle Saturday and asking for help

Just in from Kimberly at Puget Sound Blood Center:

Our community’s blood supply still has not recovered from the holidays and we are having a last-minute drive tomorrow with the hopes of giving it a boost.

We are currently at an Emergency Level (less than 1 day supply) for B- and a Critical Level (less than 2 day supply) for O- … However, all blood types are needed.

Saturday January 30th
Safeway Admiral West Seattle
Bus parked at 2622 California Ave SW
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
(closed 11:30 am – 12:30 pm)

If you donated on or before Dec 5th, you are eligible to donate at this drive
While walk-ins will be accommodated as best as possible, you can make an appointment by calling 800-398-7888

2 West Seattle ways to fight cancer: Tomorrow and Sunday

RELAY FOR LIFE-WEST SEATTLE, THE KICKOFF PARTY: That’s a photo from the luminaria ceremony during last summer’s Relay for Life-West Seattle at WS Stadium. It’s an overnight relay/walk/celebration to raise money to fight cancer. This year’s event is months away but it’s never too soon to start planning – and that’s why the kickoff party is 6-8 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Bridge Park in High Point. Everyone welcome but RSVP if you can – send a note to patrick.jablonski@nucor.com

CHILI FEED FOR LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMA SOCIETY: Received this announcement from Elizabeth Kratz – the event is at 11 am Sunday:

Come meet some of your West Seattle neighbors and support a great cause. On Sunday, January 31st at Fauntleroy Church there will be a chili feed with proceeds to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the mission of the church. In the United States, there are over 900,000 people living with or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Every 4 minutes someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the largest voluntary health organization striving to find a cure for blood related cancers and providing resources and support to families. In Seattle alone, 13 researchers are funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies that provide cures.

More West Seattle help for Haiti: Yoga; Skylark joins dining benefit

Just in from 8 Limbs Yoga in The Junction, a Haiti relief benefit class this Friday, all levels, Flow with Amelia, 5:45-7 pm, all drop-in class payments go to Doctors Without Borders – checks made out to DWB, or cash. Other ongoing fundraisers are listed here (you can find that page any time from the top of the sidebar at right). ADDED 4:28 PM: And we have word that Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) has joined the Jan. 24 Dine Out for Haiti benefit, with a percentage of proceeds to relief efforts; La Rustica is also in on it.

High Point Neighborhood Association: KaBOOM! – yum! – & more

Today, the High Point Neighborhood Association moves into its new office in the two-month-old HP Neighborhood Center. It’s the perfect followup to all the community information shared in a meeting room at the center Thursday night, during HPNA’s quarterly meeting. Among the highlights – word of a new park/playground; a survey about healthy food; and words of wisdom from a West Seattle community builder. Full story ahead: Click to read the rest of High Point Neighborhood Association: KaBOOM! – yum! – & more…

Bartell Drugs’ Admiral location to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions

Bartell Drugs has announced it’s going to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions at 15 of its 57 drugstores as of February 1st, including the Admiral branch here in West Seattle, because, it says, the state is not compensating them adequately for those prescriptions. Here’s the Bartell announcement, in which it urges concerned customers to contact the state. So far, the other Bartell stores in West Seattle are NOT making a change. (Thanks to WSB contributing journalist Jack Mayne for the tip.) FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: We asked Bartell why this particular store (and the 14 others) but not the rest of the chain. Reply: “We chose stores based upon percentage loss on average script on the program, not geography.”

West Seattle Community Clinic: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Today we welcome one of the newest WSB sponsors, West Seattle Community Clinic. The all-nurse-practitioner clinic opened three years ago at a different location, but moved last fall to 9001 35th Avenue SW (map). The clinic is open seven days a week, takes patients of all age, and always welcomes walk-ins. Nurse-practitioner Grace Grymes Chapman, ARNP, operates the clinic and says appointments are available almost every day. She says West Seattle Community Clinic is intended to be a place where you can get medical advice from people who listen closely and respond carefully. Grace and her fellow practitioners are active in the community; they have participated in West Seattle Summer Fest and at Healthy Kids Day with the West Seattle YMCA (also a WSB sponsor). She also does pro-bono breast and cervical cancer screenings for women over 40 who do not have health insurance. West Seattle Community Clinic is open 9 am-6 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 9 am-5 pm Fridays, 9 am-1 pm Saturdays and Sundays. They’ll make appointments any time the clinic is open – call 206-937-9722; you’ll find West Seattle Community Clinic online at ggcnp.com.

We thank West Seattle Community Clinic for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

West Seattle couple takes on breast cancer – as a climb to conquer

By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“Congratulations! You have Breast Cancer…” is the headline of the first entry in Lisa Town’s online diary “The C Word,” which she started in September 2008.

Irreverence, combined with physical and mental strength and a strong network of support, has brought Lisa to where she is today — a place of well-being, health and optimism. And now her biggest supporter is taking a big step to help others get to the place she’s reached – a fundraising climb that can use your support.

But first, more of Lisa’s story: After a lifetime of health challenges, her diagnosis of breast cancer at the relatively young age of 43, followed by a double mastectomy in February of last year, seemed both “routine, yet surprising. I thought I was done with all that. I kept looking around for cameras, wondering if I was on a reality tv show.”

Click to read the rest of West Seattle couple takes on breast cancer – as a climb to conquer…

On the run: West Seattle man on the brink of a (many-)milestone

By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

You hear the words “running” and “streak” together and you think…well, you know what you think. However, the past twenty years have seen 33-year-old John Wallace III pursuing a rather different kind of running streak.

On December 30, 2009 – tomorrow – John will mark 20 years of running at least one mile every single day (including a four-month stretch in which he ran literally cross-country).

Tomorrow, he won’t be alone: his father, John Wallace, Jr.. of Michigan will celebrate the same 20-year anniversary.

Here’s how it started, how you can help him commemorate the occasion, and the big run he has planned for next fall: Click to read the rest of On the run: West Seattle man on the brink of a (many-)milestone…

New online: Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership website

Another community group finally has an online home: Renae Gaines shares the news that Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership has a website – see it here. (You’ll also see that page has a left-side column with information on upcoming parent-education events; elsewhere on the site, the calendar page shows that the next SWHYP coalition meeting is January 26, all welcome.)

Gift of life: West Seattle resident honors her journey to health

Another story of holiday giving: We received a news release announcing that West Seattle resident Elaine Cornell won a statewide drawing held by her employer, Umpqua Bank, for a $500 donation to be given to a charity of her choice. She chose Northwest Kidney Centers, where she received dialysis treatment more than 20 years ago, while awaiting a kidney transplant, which came from her sister, RoseAnne Tobelaine of Snohomish (at right with Elaine in the photo below). Along with the news release came Elaine’s first-person story.

The gift I Received and why I want to give to the Northwest Kidney Centers:

Winning the first prize in the Associate Giving Campaign has given me a great opportunity to, in part, give back to an organization and foundation that was there for me during my greatest time of need and express my gratitude for the “Gift of Life” I received from my sister.

In 1986 I was in my third year at the University of Washington, when I learned, thanks to a very pro-active and thorough Navy doctor, that blood tests showed my kidney function was in the abnormal range. In addition to the blood tests, I had high blood pressure readings (which were not normal for someone of my age who was not overweight, in good physical shape and not a smoker) and I was weak.

Elaine’s story continues ahead: Click to read the rest of Gift of life: West Seattle resident honors her journey to health…

Fighting the flu: More H1N1 vaccine in West Seattle, White Center

Two notes today if you want to get vaccinated against H1N1 flu but haven’t done it yet: First, new WSB sponsor West Seattle Community Clinic just sent word that it’s received more H1N1 vaccine. They have mist and shots, and will administer by appointment (they’re open M-F and occasional Saturdays/Sundays at 35th/Henderson): 206-937-9722. King County Public Health also has announced upcoming clinics to provide H1N1 vaccine to people who can’t afford it – including two in White Center, this coming Saturday and Wednesday. Read on: Click to read the rest of Fighting the flu: More H1N1 vaccine in West Seattle, White Center…

Pre-Christmas greenery: Hike with the Nature Consortium Friday

At the trailhead at 14th and Holly, you can meet up this Friday for a walk with the Nature Consortium, which is headquartered at West Seattle’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Here’s the invite:

West Duwamish Greenbelt Guided Eco-hike
Friday, December 18th
1-2:30pm

Join us for a free public guided hike in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest remaining forest. We will explore the hidden treasures of this amazing natural wonder, and hear about the history and the future of the forest from Nancy Whitlock, Executive Director for the Nature Consortium (and forest steward). Difficulty is mild. Inexperienced hikers, seniors, and babies in backpacks are welcome. Special note to Parents of toddlers and preschoolers: please be warned that this hike can be challenging for you if you are with a preschooler or two who walk down the hills but want to be carried up ☺

Please bring your own water bottle. Granola bars provided. Dress in layers for weather. Wear appropriate footwear (some parts of the trail are muddy.) Long pants recommended.

Extreme rain cancels. Be ready for inspiration!

Meet at the trailhead at 14th Ave SW and SW Holly [map]

Call 206-923-0853 or e-mail lisa@naturec.org reserve your spot. RSVP today! www.naturec.org

Update: Turning Super 24 into a Delridge Fresh Food Spot

That’s most of the group that turned out Saturday afternoon to continue helping Super 24 (Delridge/Findlay) transform into a Delridge Fresh Food Spot. (3rd from left is the store’s owner, Bhim Singh.) That included placing placards with that phrase alongside various healthy items on sale around the store:

Outside, during the morning-afternoon event, volunteers offered samples of healthier food:

This doesn’t mean everything is produce and granola inside the Super 24 – right next to the fruit basket shown above, fried chicken waited under warming lights. But adding the healthier foods as options is another major step in the store’s evolution, the first of many if the King County Food and Fitness Initiative organizers’ hopes (including reps of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, come through. They also worked today to remove old alcohol and cigarette advertising from the storefront, steps away from where volunteers painted the eye-catching mural in late summer. And they’ll be back, they said, to keep helping the Super 24 evolve.

Today: Come help Delridge Super 24 store’s healthy evolution

The Super 24 mini-market on Delridge has gotten extra attention lately for that three-month-old mural and for a citywide media spotlight – this story by our partners at the Seattle Times; both are for the same reason: The store is a trailblazer in the push to make more healthy food available in Delridge, despite the absence of a grocery store. Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association sent word of a work party/event today and is extending the participation invitation community-wide. Here’s some of what’ll be involved, 11 am-3 pm today:

* Healthy food sampling and “voting” for healthy snack offerings in the Super 24 corner store.
* Removal of excessive tobacco and alcohol ads at front entrance of store.
* Interior store transformation
* “Limited” TEAM Delridge T-shirts to volunteers who participate more than 5 hours.

Anyone and everyone who cares about the Delridge community is invited to join us.

Super 24 is at Delridge and Findlay; here’s a map.

H1N1 flu vaccine: King County expands eligibility

Another news release to share – just in from Seattle-King County Public Health – the shortage of H1N1 vaccine has eased and now they say anyone 6 months or older is eligible – read on for the full announcement: Click to read the rest of H1N1 flu vaccine: King County expands eligibility…

Fauntleroy YMCA drop-in child-care program closing TFN

Two West Seattle parents contacted us to share this news: Parents who use the Kids Corner drop-in child-care program at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), which is based at Fauntleroy Church, got word today that the program is closing after this Wednesday. A letter from West Seattle YMCA branch executive Josh Sutton explains, in part:

You may know the church will be going through a significant remodel beginning in December and lasting through May. During this time some YMCA program spaces and access will be limited, and we expect overall use of the facility will likely decrease.

To promote child and staff safety, the Seattle Y has a 2-staff requirement at all times for children’s programs. While our staff and volunteers have done much work to improve the draw of the Fauntleroy Y’s Kids Corner, it does not sustain the number of visits per day that would keep it viable through the remodel. … Programs will remain closed for the duration of the remodel, and we will assess long-term decisions in the spring.

The letter also notes that for the duration of this, the West Seattle Y location in The Triangle “will be open to all Fauntleroy Local members at no additional cost,” and that the Triangle location offers 50+ hours of drop-in family programs. Sutton was at the Fauntleroy location much of today and plans to be there again tomorrow morning to answer questions. He told us the Y “weighed a lot of options, and came to this.”

County budget: Local program endangered by 1 cut’s side effect?

Later today, the King County Council is scheduled to adopt the county’s 2010 budget. One component of the most recent budget revisions could endanger programs the county doesn’t even pay for, according to a rep for the King County Food and Fitness Initiative – they explain that the county budget calls for the complete severing of King County’s ties to the Extension program (which also involves Washington State University), because the small amount of remaining funding was cut completely. (Originally, the budget called for 84% less funding than the year before – leaving about $100,000 – but that was cut late last week.) They explain that if Extension is left with NO financial relationship with King County, they will lose a $1.2 million grant just offered to the Food and Fitness Initiative (which has been sponsoring programs in West Seattle and White Center), and they will be unable to offer even volunteer-run programs such as Master Gardener and 4-H. They say even a tiny amount of funding will keep the county’s Extension ties alive and allow them to continue pursuing outside grants. So they’re asking for support in hopes the budget will be amended before this afternoon’s scheduled final vote by the council, whose contact information is here.

H1N1 flu update from King County Public Health: Fewer cases

If you’ve been worried about H1N1 flu – a bit of good news from King County Public Health - the number of cases is on the decline. KCPH just sent a news release with the newest info – read on: Click to read the rest of H1N1 flu update from King County Public Health: Fewer cases…

H1N1 vaccine: Update from King County Public Health

Just in from James Apa at King County Public Health, at the end of a week in which people lined up to get H1N1 vaccine wherever it was available (above, one of West Seattleite Brandon Nicholson’s photos from the line Wednesday outside a Sand Point pharmacy that briefly was the only one in the county offering vaccine to babies and toddlers):

We wanted to give you a quick update on vaccine availability in King County. Due to the national delay in H1N1 vaccine production, the supplies we have in the community aren’t enough to meet the demand right now, and it’s been a challenge for many to find vaccine. With the latest deliveries this week, King County has received approximately 165,000 doses of vaccine total since shipments began, and approximately 90,000 more doses are in the process of being ordered and shipped to King County.

Given the shortage, our current focus is on getting most of the available supplies to health care providers, so that they can vaccinate patients who are most at risk. As more vaccine becomes available, we’ll continue to provide it to health care providers to vaccinate more of their patients, so we encourage people in the priority groups to continue to stay in touch with their health care providers about vaccine availability.

To provide another option for people prioritized to receive H1N1 vaccine, Public Health is also allocating a limited portion of new vaccine supplies for distribution more widely through public venues. The 15,000 doses of vaccine we made available to pharmacies this week is the beginning of our widening distribution strategy.

He also suggested keeping an eye on the pharmacy list on the King County website – linked from our FLU tab atop all pages. We just checked again, and there’s no new availability listed in the West Seattle/White Center area right now.

H1N1 vaccinations for babies/small children: Sand Point line

If you consulted the county’s list of pharmacies offering vaccine and were thinking of going to Katterman’s Sand Point Pharmacy in the north end today because they’re offering a “walk-in” clinic for 6 months and up – West Seattle architect Brandon Nicholson sends photos and a warning that the line is already blocks long. 10:27 AM UPDATE: Update from Brandon – they’re out for the day but (as per the county page) planning to do this again tomorrow. Brandon is dad to a 12-month-old and say his West Seattle pediatrician isn’t expecting vaccine till next month, which is why they went to check out the only King County pharmacy offering it now to babies and toddlers.

1:17 PM UPDATE: More info from Brandon for any local families thinking about doing this tomorrow. After five hours, he got an appointment to bring his son back later this afternoon. Katterman’s is not taking appointments for the rest of today but will start the cycle again tomorrow morning. He got there at 7 am today and the line was already longer than a block, but he says you do NOT need to bring your child to stand out in the cold with you to get the appointment – when you get to the head of the line, they’ll give you a one-hour window to come back later and get the vaccine. $20/vaccine and he says cash will move things faster – you can be processed outside rather than going inside to deal with insurance or credit card. Location and contact info for the pharmacy is here (they’re even on Twitter and mentioned they have 700 doses for tomorrow).

West Seattle Walgreens’ H1N1 vaccine clinics draw long lines

You probably won’t be surprised to hear long lines formed quickly at the two West Seattle Walgreens that offered H1N1 clinics with vaccine for high-risk people ages 9 and up starting at 11 this morning for one-day “clinics” – WSB’er Kerry, commenting on our preview from this morning, reported being told 35th (photo below shows the line inside during the first half-hour) is out, but 16th/Roxbury (photo above) reportedly did not run out as fast, and was planning to extend the clinic till 4 pm or till supplies ran out. We’ll stress again, check before you go. We were not allowed to talk with store employees while there.

We’ll continue to report on vaccine availability as we get word from the county and other sources – with stories here on the news page and also adding to the FLU tab below the header as info comes in. 2:38 PM UPDATE: Brooke just e-mailed to say 35th SW has extended its clinic till vaccine runs out and she just got vaccinated with little wait.

Fighting the flu: Update on county’s H1N1 vaccine announcement

New information from King County tonight, after the county’s announcement this afternoon — saying two local drugstores would be offering H1N1 vaccine to some high-risk people — conflicted with what WSBers were told when they called those stores. We inquired immediately with the King County Public Health staffers who sent out the media release – and just received this update from James Apa with King County:

Wanted to get you the latest on the H1N1 vaccination clinics. Our website is updated now, and the two Walgreens in the West Seattle vicinity are hosting flu clinics on Tuesday, November 10th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have a great relationship with our pharmacy partners and they’re doing a public service in hosting these clinics. In some cases, there was a timing issue with information being communicated to their individual sites, but it’s resolved now. Thanks to everyone for their patience.

Schedules for appointments are already starting to fill up, and we’ll be continuing to update our site over the weekend as availability changes:
www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu/locations.aspx

Fighting the flu: Some H1N1 vaccine expected in West Seattle

8:36 PM NOTE: Just received an update from the county – published here – superseding all the earlier stuff here.

3:10 PM NOTE: As pointed out in comments — also in an e-mail and also in a school mailing list we’re on — there appears to be a discrepancy between what the county has sent out – and what the pharmacies are telling callers. King County Public Health spokesperson Matias Valenzuela tells WSB, “We’re looking into it.” So stand by for an update. Meantime, as commenters suggest, DON’T CALL YET – until this is straightened out by the county. Another spokesperson tells us they are “reconnecting with participating pharmacies” to find out what the discrepancy is about.

ORIGINAL 2:27 PM REPORT: An update from King County Public Health today – certain pharmacies around the county are now getting more H1N1 vaccine to make available to “people prioritized to receive” it. The list includes the two Walgreens (6330 35th SW and 9456 16th SW) stores in West Seattle – both by appointment, for ages 9 and up. Read on for the full countywide announcement: Click to read the rest of Fighting the flu: Some H1N1 vaccine expected in West Seattle…

The Little Gym of West Seattle: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, The Little Gym of West Seattle, about to open at California/Myrtle (map). It’s WSB tradition for new sponsors to get the chance to share information about their business, so here’s what The Little Gym wants you to know: When new parents come to us and ask “why should I sign up for a class at The Little Gym?”, we ask them a very important question back- “What are you looking for in a program?” Some parents are looking for their children to learn fundamental motor and gymnastics skills, while other parents are looking for a class that emphasizes structured social interaction for their children. Others might want a place to take a class with friends in an environment that is fun and friendly, where they can connect and interact with other parents who have children of the same age. The reasons that people bring their children to The Little Gym are numerous, but the reasons that they stay with us have to do with both the dynamic teachers and the curriculum of our classes. We strive to create an environment of love, patience, respect, security and fun, while at the same time teaching real gymnastics skills from an early age that will get them started toward a healthy and active life. Our teachers are continually trained in both movement analysis and children¹s developmental milestones. Starting with babies at 4 months, and going through the age of 12 years old, The Little Gym gives children and parents a solid skill foundation that includes gross and fine motor skills, strength, coordination, balance, and a healthy dose of positive self image. We teach children to try their best, and that it is always ok to make a mistake – mistakes are how we learn and improve. We currently have 6 teachers from our other locations coming to teach at The Little Gym of West Seattle (3 are West Seattle residents!), and will continue to add more friendly faces as the program grows. Interested families are always welcome to join our program for a free introductory class, which they can either schedule over the phone at 206-937-0311 or online at www.tlgwestseattlewa.com. Our first week of classes will begin the week of November 9th, and our Open House is scheduled for Saturday, November 21st from 2-5 pm – bring a food donation for West Seattle Food Bank!

On a side note, our computer system had an email address glitch in it for a few weeks in September. We did not receive e-mail inquiries during this time, and were only able to recapture some of the lost e-mails. If you inquired and did not get a response back, we are sincerely sorry for the problem and would love to hear from you again!

We thank The Little Gym of West Seattle for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.