West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle beaches: Water-testing season begins at Alki

Rain or shine, investigator Eyob Mazengia from Seattle-King County Public Health was scheduled to sample water off Alki for health testing at midday today, and that he did – three containers, three samples. Out on the beach with him, a team from the state Department of Ecology, getting out the word that this is the start of water-sampling season. The BEACH (Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication, & Health) program – which includes regular testing at Lincoln Park – isn’t new, but the idea of scheduling a multimedia photo op is, according to Sandy Howard, who was out at Alki wrangling camera crews with whom BEACH program manager Julie Lowe was doing interviews. We asked her about the value of testing at beaches where people don’t swim much (like Alki):

The state team says that if they find high levels of bacteria at a beach, they will not only post signs, but also:

*Send a note to an e-mail list you can sign up for (here)
*Tweet, via the Ecology Department account
*Post on Facebook, where the BEACH Program has its own page

… so you can check out any of those channels to make sure the water’s safe!

West Seattle weekend scene: Walk With Us to Cure Lupus

Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the bird’s-eye view of this morning’s Walk With Us to Cure Lupus fundraising walk along Alki. The money raised supports the Alliance for Lupus Research, trying to cure lupus, an autoimmune disorder affecting up to 1.5 million people in the U.S.

SIDE NOTE: Next fundraising walk/run on Alki is a biggie – one week from tomorrow, it’s the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday, May 20th, 9 am (preceding Seattle Summer Streets “car-free day” activities till 5). Registration and packet-pickup details are on the WS5K website; the event is a benefit for, and organized by, the West Seattle High School PTSA.

Bikram Yoga Seattle: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Bikram Yoga Seattle (BYS), located at 4747 California SW in the heart of The Junction. Here is what they would like you to know about them:

The Bikram Yoga Seattle studio in West Seattle is very excited to serve such a great neighborhood! The inviting studio has bright natural light, original timber ceilings and soft lighting. In the past year, the studio has had many updates including all new antifungal and antimicrobial flooring, bigger changing rooms and beautiful tiled showers! BYS also offers free filtered water. Owners and longtime practitioners/teachers Kevin Cooke and Kathy Allen, along with the rest of the staff invite you to visit the studio to see for yourself!

There are a lot of hot yoga studios. BYS stands out in that each of their 19 teachers have gone through a rigorous 9-week residential teacher training led by Bikram Choudhury himself. In addition to the training, they all have a dedicated personal practice and you’ll often find them taking class alongside you. They truly practice what they preach! The teachers have practiced for between 6 and 14 years, while owners Kevin and Kathy have been practicing for well over 25 years and teaching for more than 15 years! All of our teachers teach and empathize equally with beginning students as well as longtime practitioners. Each teacher has a personal style and brings something unique and valuable for their students. If you have never practiced Bikram yoga and we’ve piqued your interest, visit About Bikram Yoga, Preparing for Class and the FAQ’s and come try a class soon!

You can get started today with Bikram Yoga Seattle’s new student special: 10 classes for $20 in 14 days (get the coupon here), for students who have never been to their newly remodeled studio. Find them online at Bikram Yoga Seattle, check out the class schedule, find them on Facebook, visit them in person at 4747 California SW, or call them at 206-937-3900.

We thank Bikram Yoga Seattle for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle workouts: Stroller Strides’ anniversary on Alki

(Photo courtesy Stroller Strides)
Good thing the forecast says the sunshine is sticking around – tomorrow morning, a crowd is expected for Stroller Strides‘ 3-year anniversary class on Alki. It’s been a bigger-than-ever year for franchisee Athena Frederick, who received the company’s Franchise of the Year award last December. The program is a workout for moms that allows them to bring their little ones along (dads are welcome too); if you want to participate tomorrow, Athena says the first class is always free and they’re offering free classes all week as part of the celebration. They’re also offering “numerous raffle prizes for moms; free running shoes, baby items, and many more from our numerous sponsors” – goodie bags for all, too. The celebratory class is planned for 9:30 am tomorrow (Monday) by the Alki Bathhouse.

Happening now: Drug Take-Back Day at Southwest Precinct

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
That’s Officer Mike Hope, who’s at the front desk in the Southwest Precinct, where you can drop off unneeded/expired medication (liquid too, for those who have asked) till 2 pm, as part of Drug Take-Back Day. The lobby entrance is off the parking lot, which you enter from SW Webster, just west of Delridge, south side of the building, and the front-desk window where you’ll find him is right inside.

Omsho Crysalis: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Omsho Crysalis, whose co-owner Kate Reust says, “I’ve had the honor of treating clients from around the world. I’ve had them ask me to move closer to their homes – and always joke they should move to our corner of heaven instead. Welcome to our corner of heaven! It’s got to be about finding the right fit for your body’s needs and someone that you ‘mesh’ with. Finding the care providers that can truly listen to what your body is saying – and then provide you with the best course of care. Our team of care providers work to help you experience excellence. If we don’t provide something you need we’ll work to make a referral to a skilled practitioner that fits your needs. Being able to ‘listen’ is a learned, practiced and perfected skill – one that has to be experienced. My skills and years as a medical and body empath deepen my abilities to educate clients through every service that we provide.”

Also about her work at Omsho Crysalis, Kate (pictured at right with co-owner Al Reust) adds, “Often when working with a client – either with bodywork, the Biometric Surveys, or through homeopathic and nutritional intervention – I find that we’re able to ‘connect the dots’ that were being treated as separate issues by their other health-care practitioners. We believe that our job is to educate. When our clients have knowledge, they are able to make the best informed decision on their care and life changes that they need. … With 20 years as a massage practitioner in Washington, I’ve developed deep therapy techniques that allow me to facilitate deep therapeutic work, without the pain often experienced with deep tissue work. I’m also endorsed and experienced in Cranial IntraOral – working to identify and resolve such issues as TMJ, Migraine, concussion, complex whiplash and other traumas of the face, head and neck.” Omsho Crysalis is a member of the new Admiral District Business Association, located in West Seattle at 4222 SW Walker, #5 (also with a location in the Municipal Tower downtown), and online at OmshoCrysalis.com.

We thank Omsho Crysalis for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Drug Take-Back Day tomorrow: Southwest Precinct dropoffs

No need to have expired and/or unneeded prescription drugs around the house … they can be dangerous for a variety of reasons – theft, abuse, poisoning, even water pollution if someone mistakenly thinks it’s OK to flush them or throw them down the drain … Whatever you have on hand, there’s an easy way to get rid of it tomorrow via Drug Take-Back Day – drop them off at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), 10 am-2 pm. Seattle Police precincts around the city are participating, and this update from their SPD Blotter website explains.

Providence Mount St. Vincent triples ‘transitional-care’ capacity

Providence Mount St. Vincent administrators past and present were there this afternoon to celebrate the dedication of The Mount’s newly expanded Transitional Care Unit. At left is Sister Rita Ferschweiler, who gave the blessing at this afternoon’s ceremony, photographed with current administrator Tom Mitchell. Sister Rita has been a Sister of Providence since 1944, when she was in her mid-20s, and came to West Seattle in 1977 to become administrator of The Mount. This expansion means the facility now has 58 beds for “transitional care,” explained as what’s needed by some people who are out of the hospital after surgery or treatment but still need time to recover, rehabilitate, and go through therapy before they can transition back into their regular lives. The services are now headquartered on The Mount’s 5th floor, where today’s ceremony happened:

From left, Providence’s Laurie Corrington, Renee Fowler, and Ken Wolcott; Kees Cusveller from Graham Construction, and Steve Anderson from Providence. Previously, The Mount had 20 beds for this kind of care, so its capacity is tripled. A fact-sheet provided by Providence says it’s the only part of The Mount where they have “patients” rather than “residents.”

Northwest Hope and Healing’s ‘Style ’12′: Days away!

One week from Thursday, it’s the most fashionable fundraiser on the West Seattle calendar – “Style ’12,” the 10th annual “Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good!” fashion-show benefit for Northwest Hope and Healing. Though it’s not happening IN West Seattle – it’s not far, at Showbox SODO! – there is so much West Seattle involvement, both NWHH leadership – including executive director Shari Sewell – and local businesses (as well as participating breast-cancer survivor/models!), that you might say the peninsula honorarily stretches that far for the night. For example: West Seattleite and three-time breast-cancer survivor Tracy Dart, known even more widely as a fundraiser extraordinaire, is keynote speaker. Participating boutiques/businesses include, from West Seattle, Carmilia’s, Coastal, Ola Salon, Sweetie, and West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Proceeds go toward helping NWHH assist women fighting breast cancer – though diagnosis and treatment may have turned their lives upside down, everyday life must go on, and NWHH assistance is geared toward helping make that happen. Find out more – and buy tickets – online, by going here. (Photo credit: Sarah Halston)

Reader report: ‘Cautionary tale’ after child finds syringe at beach

West Seattle dad John e-mailed to share the story in hopes it might be “useful” to others – especially other families with children:

My two 8-year-old daughters and I went to Constellation Park this afternoon bringing our lunch and planned on staying for 2 or 3 hours.

Just shortly after we ate our lunch I turned around and saw my one daughter with a syringe in her hands. I told her to immediately put it down and she did. But I asked her if she had poked herself with it and she said yes – in her finger – and it did indeed appear that she had upon closer inspection.

So I grabbed the syringe (it still had its cap with it) and went back home and called the Swedish nurse hotline. They recommended that I take her to the emergency room immediately and bring the syringe with me.

Click to read the rest of Reader report: ‘Cautionary tale’ after child finds syringe at beach…

What’s that $100 fee? WSB Forum members ask; Highline explains

Three weeks ago, a WSB Forums member started a discussion there about a $100 fee charged by Highline Medical’s West Seattle Urgent-Care Clinic that was not covered by her insurance. Among discussion participants, much discussion and research followed. The thread was called to our attention, and we sought a response from Highline, as the questions continued to pile up. Today, we have that response from Highline Medical Group’s administrator, confirming that this is a fee charged “for the higher costs of operating an urgent care facility during weekends and evening hours, when there is irregular demand for services,” and saying they are working to get more insurance companies to cover it – with another group coming on board next month, Regence. (Highline is not the only health-care organization with an urgent-care charge, according to one post in the discussion.) Read on for the statement: Click to read the rest of What’s that $100 fee? WSB Forum members ask; Highline explains…

Another medical-marijuana outlet opens in West Seattle: Sure Can Access Point

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

West Seattle’s fourth publicly advertised medical-marijuana outlet has just opened. It’s the first one located in a mixed-use building – in this case, a senior-housing complex.

Sure Can Access Point opened this morning in Arrowhead Gardens‘ retail area at 9240 2nd SW, Suite 200. (“Access point” is a type of medical-marijuana facility – the “point” where patients can procure what’s produced by “collective gardens.”) After we interviewed owner Damon Grady by phone on Tuesday, he invited us to stop by for photos after they opened the doors this morning.

Click to read the rest of Another medical-marijuana outlet opens in West Seattle: Sure Can Access Point…

Toxic-Free Kids Fair: Free, fun health info Sunday in Fauntleroy

The Fauntleroy Church Green Committee – known far beyond Fauntleroy for popular events such as the twice-yearly Recycle Roundups (another one’s coming up in late April, by the way) – is inviting you to come learn tomorrow about how to live a more non-toxic life. Judy Pickens shares the photo and this preview:

Finding out what toxins may be in the care products used by children or in the toys they are given will be easy at Sunday’s Toxic-Free Kids Fair for the community hosted by Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW; map). Members of the church’s green committee, as well as staff from the Washington Toxics Coalition, Lullaby Organics, and Earth Ministry will be on hand 11 AM – 1 PM in Fellowship Hall to help you determine toxicity (even by smartphone while you’re in the store!) and provide practical advice about the harm that certain toxins can do to growing bodies.

It’s free and all are welcome. (That’s Green Committee chair Liann Sundquist in the photo, getting ready for tomorrow’s event.)

West Seattle Elementary’s lesson: ‘B(ee)’ is for breakfast

You can’t just call them “lunch ladies” (or gentlemen), since a big part of the job for workers like these two at West Seattle Elementary and other schools is to provide a nutritious breakfast, too. And breakfast was in the spotlight in a big way at WSES this morning, as Seattle Public Schools launched a monthlong campaign to convince students (and their families) of its importance. Helping get the message out: A district worker in a bumblebee suit:

Her name is Katie Busby (perfect!), and she told media crews that she’s been appearing as “Buzz, the Bee Healthy bee” for a few years now. She works with the district’s Nutrition Services Department, which says, “Children who eat breakfast daily do better on standardized tests, get better grades, are able to concentrate in school, can more easily complete complex tasks and are more able to maintain a healthy weight.” The monthlong “Go for Gold” campaign will offer prize drawings and other celebrity appearances to participating schools.

New in West Seattle: In Tandem Midwifery opens in The Junction

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Natural and alternative health-care options abound in West Seattle.

But if a family expecting a child wanted to explore the option of home birth with a certified midwife – there was no dedicated, midwifery-only West Seattle practice to turn to. Till now.

Taylor Hamil, LM, CPM (right), and Christine Tindal, LM, CPM, half the first graduating class from the new Department of Midwifery at Bastyr University, have opened In Tandem Midwifery in a warmly furnished Junction office, with a grand-opening event this Saturday.

Their first client is due in August. And they’re ready to welcome others.

Click to read the rest of New in West Seattle: In Tandem Midwifery opens in The Junction…

Family dental care by Dr. Kathleen Saturay: New WSB sponsor

Today we welcome West Seattle dental-care provider Dr. Kathleen Saturay as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s her message for you:

(Dr. Kathleen Saturay at center, with Reshvin at left and Angie at right)
“I am extremely excited to be part of your community. I’m Dr. Kathleen Saturay and I have just opened my practice in the West Seattle Dental Center at 3255 California SW. I have been providing dental care in the Seattle area for the last three years and received my DDS from Loma Linda University. I offer comprehensive dental care and treatment for the whole family, especially for children & young adults. Angie, Reshvin, Glenda and I are focused on our passion for dentistry and allow each patient the time necessary for a comfortable and productive visit. This ensures my young patients understand that having a healthy smile is a good thing, and pretty easy, too. I have been a West Seattle resident for many years and wanted to base my first practice in my ‘hometown,’ so when the opportunity presented itself, it was one I was not going to pass up. Because of my firm belief in children’s oral health, I am currently accepting DSHS, all insurance plans, and will customize financial arrangements for those families in need.

“Currently I am accepting new patients, and my office hours are Monday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. Let me show your children how easily a healthy smile can be part of their lives through brushing and flossing, and of course, regular visits to my office. Oral hygiene visits can be fun, full of great tips and an excellent way to establish positive homecare. We’ll be waiting for you! Find us online at drsaturaysmiles.com or call to make an appointment at 206-935-0100. Keep smiling!!”

We thank Dr. Kathleen Saturay for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

1st resident to move into The Kenney’s Memory Care Community

Though The Kenney (WSB sponsor) scaled back its redevelopment plans, one element that remained was a specific center for people with Alzheimer’s/dementia. That center, the Memory Care Community, is now about to welcome its first resident, according to an announcement today from The Kenney, which also invites you to an upcoming open house – read on: Click to read the rest of 1st resident to move into The Kenney’s Memory Care Community…

Relay for Life of West Seattle: You’re invited to Jan. 18 kickoff

(WSB photo from June 2011 Relay for Life coverage)
It’s not too soon to think about June. That’s when the annual Relay for Life of West Seattle raises money to fight cancer. It’s an all-night team event and generally not something you sign up for at the last minute, so the annual kickoff happens months ahead o time – and Jilyan Perry invites you to be part of it, one week from Wednesday, even if you’re not certain yet that you’ll join in:

We have our first event coming up on January 18th. This is our annual Kick-Off Party. The Kick-Off will be held from 6-8 pm at Sugar Rush Baking Company. In an open-house style, we will have complimentary food, wine and cupcakes. This is the community’s chance to learn everything they could want to know about Relay for Life – the American Cancer Society’s highest grossing fundraising event. The registration fee is waived until Kick-Off, and there will be plenty of computers on site and volunteers available to guide people through the process.

Sugar Rush is at 4531 California SW in The Junction.

ARCpoint Labs: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, ARCpoint Labs. As is customary with new sponsors, we offer the opportunity for them to tell you about their business, and here’s what ARCpoint wants you to know:

(From left, ARCpoint Labs’ Jay Smith, Larry Rosok, La’chelle Singleton)
“Why ARCpoint? Accurate, Reliable and Confidential – ARCpoint Labs is here in West Seattle, doesn’t make you wait to get service in our clinic, and provides results quickly.

Located just off Delridge Way and SW Andover Street, ARCpoint Labs offers a comprehensive array of high-quality drug, alcohol, DNA, and background screening services to businesses as well as families and individuals seeking screening.

Have you ever wondered if someone is really your child, your brother, your granddaughter? DNA testing can provide those answers. ARCpoint provides DNA testing that provides accurate and conclusive results. Legal DNA results can be used for court cases, immigration purposes or just for your own information.

ARCpoint also conducts drug testing using a variety of specimen types, such as urine, hair, nails and saliva. Often people think that a drug test is a drug test. Not true! For example many people do not realize that the standard drug test does not cover many prescription drugs. ARCpoint will match your needs with the screening that is best for you or your company.

Whether you are an employer looking to reduce risk, reduce absenteeism, or improve safety for your employees and customers or if you are an individual that needs drug testing services, we will work with you to determine the screening that will work best for you.

ARCpoint, for your workplace, your family – your life.” Find ARCpoint Labs online by going here, or call (206) 504-1681.

We thank ARCpoint Labs for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle scene: FEEST volunteers hit the street

Following up on Monday’s story about John’s Corner Deli joining the Healthy Foods Here program – we stopped by for a photo as the FEEST (Food Empowerment Education and Sustainability Team) volunteers got ready to visit the surrounding neighborhoods with info about, and coupons for, the store’s new offerings. From left in our photo are Leoma, Katt, Dureti, Matthew, Celina, and Megan. (They wanted to get John’s owner David Ji in the shot too – but he was too busy with customers, and for a store, that’s a GOOD thing!)

From West Seattle to the world: Omilero benefit at OutWest

(Photo courtesy Jim Loder)
Thursday night, OutWest Bar is hosting a benefit that will help save lives on the other side of the world. Starting at 6 pm Thursday, an auction and proceeds from drink specials, plus a share of the night’s bar proceeds, will go to Omilero, an organization whose director of development Jim Loder is a West Seattle resident. Omilero is working on a sustainable way to provide Nigerian families with safer drinking water through the use of clay water-filtration pots. Loder provided the photo, showing families using water filters provided in their first phase. Regarding Thursday, he explains, “This event is in support of our next phase, now that we’re confident the local populations want and will use the filters, where we will bring in filters to serve an additional 10,000 people. We expect that to be in place by February 2012. We hope our next phase will be to build a ceramic studio in country where local potters will learn the process and will then be able to build the filter locally. That investment will be about another $50,000 to complete the construction, siting, and training of local potters. Our end goal is to establish a sustainable, locally run enterprise that will support clean water and promote economic development.” Wondering about the name? According to Omilero’s website, it means “Water is the cure,” in the Yoruba language. And the problem it’s curing is a deadly one – Omilero says disease spread through contaminated water kills at least 10 Nigerian children each day.

West Seattle businesses: Stroller Strides owner wins national award

(Photo courtesy Athena Frederick)
Congratulations to Athena Frederick, whose Fit Family, LLC, is the Stroller Strides fitness program’s franchisee in West Seattle (and 7 other parts of the city) . She’s been chosen as Stroller Strides Franchisee of the Year, out of almost 300 nationwide. Judging criteria, according to the Stroller Strides news release: “Business acumen, her successful fitness program and enthusiasm, and involvement in the community.” Frederick’s franchise has supported nonprofits from the Salvation Army’s domestic-violence programs to WestSide Baby to Autism Speaks to well-building. We featured Stroller Strides when it first offered classes here in 2008; it’s a group-fitness program that new moms can do with their babies.

Volunteers to hit Sunrise Heights streets with John’s Corner Deli produce news (and coupons!)

If you live in Sunrise Heights, you may get a visit tomorrow from youth volunteers. Their mission: Getting the word out about what you see in the top photo – fruit and vegetables that are a brand-new addition to John’s Corner Deli at 35th/Webster. Yes, that’s the store known even by passersby as “the store with the cow on the roof.” Now it’s also the store with brand-new banners announcing what’s fresh inside:

Freshening up the John’s inventory, so to speak, is part of the city-and-county-sponsored Healthy Foods Here program, which currently also includes High Point Mini-Market, Delridge Deli Mart, and the High Point Walgreens. Tomorrow, members of FEEST – the Food Education/Empowerment/Sustainability Team – will be seeking out neighbors by canvassing the neighborhood, according to an announcement sent to WSB today. They’ll be equipped with coupons and information about John’s new produce offerings, meant as healthier options for those who live nearby and have no supermarket within walking distance. The volunteers from FEEST – who meet weekly at Chief Sealth International High School to cook with and learn about healthy food – are scheduled to gather at the store at 3:30 pm tomorrow before setting out.