West Seattle Blog…

Massage Envy: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Massage Envy, now open in Westwood Village, with a grand-opening celebration this Saturday. Here’s what Massage Envy‘s West Seattle owner Jennifer McCollum (in red in the photo below) wants you to know:

Our Massage Envy staff is amazing. We have 15 talented massage therapists, each trained in multiple modalities. In addition to being licensed health-care professionals in Washington, each passed a 3-part interview which included a practical massage with myself and my experienced Clinic Administrator, Amanda. They were evaluated on 6 criteria and had to score well in all six categories to come aboard. We had to turn away several applicants and get a lot of massage to select these wonderful, gifted people. It was tough. My neck and shoulder have never felt so relaxed.

I’ve worked in health care for the last 15 years, in a variety of settings. I’ve never seen therapy apply to such a variety of issues. It was a natural fit to open a business designed to make people feel good right away. The more you have massage, the better you feel. It’s as healthy as working out, but instead of sweating, you lie down. Our American lifestyle is pretty stressful. Americans don’t have any pause rituals like afternoon tea or siestas. Pausing is essential to a healthy balanced life.

Massage Envy invented the concept of a gym-type membership for massage. The response has been huge because people always leave feeling great and want to have more of that well-being feeling. Regular massage is addictive and we have a great program that makes it affordable and convenient. Parking and public transport are plentiful; we’re open 7 days a week, 8 am-10 pm Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-6 pm Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Sundays. It’s pretty easy to fit it into a busy schedule. As the local owner, I spent a year vetting the Massage Envy brand to gain a comfort level with the brand for professionalism, convenience, and value. I visited over 50 Massage Envys around the US in several states. I talked to a lot of therapists about what made their job rewarding (or not) and took note. The consistency and quality of massage is strikingly good. I found a manager talented in delivering on customer service and systems that work for our staff. She has several years’ experience in the wellness industry. Because of my history as a health-care provider, spending long hours in the operating room, it’s important to me that my employees have state of the art equipment that preserves their bodies. We take care of our clients, we take care of ourselves and we take care of each other. It’s hugely rewarding to all of us to make people feel so good, run a better race, wake up less stiff, move with ease and less pain, go to sleep soundly, recover from surgery — I could go on and on and usually do if you give me half a chance. I believe in massage. If you are the type of person who likes massage, please come and give us a try – 2513 SW Trenton, on the north side of Westwood Village, 206-456-3400.

And this Saturday (May 25th), it’s the grand opening, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 am, followed by complimentary chair massages, healthy treats, and a water bar until 1 pm.

We thank Massage Envy-West 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.

Center Studio: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor, with coupon!

This morning we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Center Studio, which wants you to know:

Center Studio, in the heart of White Center, is an inclusive space where our community can connect – a one stop shop for holistic fitness for our bodies craving strength, sweat & stretch and our minds seeking balance, focus & peace. We offer all levels of Yoga classes as well as Prenatal, Kids & Family Yoga, private Thai Yoga Therapy, special workshops, and more! Our Pilates classes will ground your body and strengthen your inner core. Our Above the Barre classes combine ballet, yoga, pilates and strength to work your mind and body. To bring your wellness full circle, we have two intuitive and nurturing Massage Therapists who bring 14 years of experience to combine a variety of bodywork specialties including Massage Cupping – an ancient detoxifying healing modality – Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal Massage, Aromatherapy and more.

Founded by West Seattle resident Lonjina Verdugo, a New Mexico transplant and Seattle resident of 15 years, Center Studio encompasses her vision of bringing together mindful movement, art and community. “After spending lots of quality time with my family in White Center I realized – *this* is the place. I launched Center Studio in Spring of 2012 and the response has been great. People always say to me ‘I’m so glad you opened the studio. We need this in White Center!’ It’s been an exciting journey so far and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” Through her own personal journey she has realized that mindful movement and its underlying lessons can change you from the inside-out as well as the outside-in.

Looking to rent a unique venue? When we are not using it for classes, Center Studio can be used for photography/video shoots, workshops, rehearsals, meetings, birthday parties you name it! The open, light-filled space is perfect for inspiration and celebration. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Center Studio is at 9611 16th Ave SW (in the heart of White Center). Please visit us at www.whitecenterstudio.com for more information on classes, massage, special workshops & events, and on Facebook for insights, updates and specials. (And here’s a WSB coupon!) Center Studio is a stop on the White Center Art Walk and welcomes artist inquiries.

We thank Center Studio 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.

More West Seattle giving: Walk With Us to Cure Lupus on Alki

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
If you were garage-saling along Alki late this morning – you probably saw the hundreds of walkers who hit the paths/sidewalks for Walk With Us to Cure Lupus. Many were part of groups formed for the fundraising walk, like Team PlasmaLab:

The 5K is one of many around the country raising money for the Alliance for Lupus Research, seeking a cure for the auto-immune disease that ALR says affects up to 1.5 million Americans.

Video: Northwest Hope and Healing’s ‘Style ’13′ success

From words of hope, to walks of celebration, the “Style ’13″ fashion fundraiser by and for West Seattleite-founded/led Northwest Hope and Healing was a success – so we hear from Captive Eye Media‘s Edgar Riebe, who shared the video highlights from last night’s event at Showbox SODO. Edgar says NWHH announced a fundraising total of $120,000, more than last year – we will check today for any additional details. Next big benefit for NWHH is the annual Alki Beach 5K Run/Walk, August 25th.

Fashion & fun(draising): Northwest Hope & Healing event tomorrow

West Seattleite-founded/led Northwest Hope and Healing has a unique mission for breast-cancer patients – It helps them handle everyday life even as they cope with the daunting challenge of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The video above produced by West Seattle-based Captive Eye Media introduces you to some of the people NWHH has helped – in other words, people like those you’ll be helping if you go to its Style ’13 benefit fashion show at 7 pm tomorrow. West Seattle businesses are involved as sponsors and supporters, including Carmilia’s, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and Coastal. Online ticket sales are over but you can get yours at the door at Showbox SODO – details here.

West Seattle Vision: About to ‘soft open’ in Morgan Junction

Meet Julia Tran, Michael Chow, and Lisa Hernandez, three of the people you’ll find at the new West Seattle Vision eye clinic that’s about to open at 6505 California SW in Morgan Junction. We stopped by Tuesday to meet them as they finish preparing the new space for a “soft open” later this week. Tran and Chow are optometrists; Hernandez is an optician. Another doctor is on the team but couldn’t join us for the Tuesday chat – Donna Matney, who, Chow points out, is also a published author with her own website.

West Seattle Vision is part of a locally owned mini-chain of clinics owned by Chow – this is the fourth one, and a fifth will open soon at South Lake Union. Each has its own name and identity, but they share doctors; Tran has been working at the company’s Auburn clinic and probably will still keep some hours there for a while.

Chow says she was the inspiration for the West Seattle clinic – they’ve been talking for more than a year about her having her own practice, ideally in this area, which Chow, who lives in Issaquah, has observed is a “cool little community, so tight-knit.”

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Vision: About to ‘soft open’ in Morgan Junction…

Next Drug Take-Back Day set for April 27th at Southwest Precinct

If you have unused and unneeded – or expired – prescription medication(s), another Drug Take-Back Day is coming up on April 27th. Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis says the precinct (on Webster just west of Delridge) will be the local drop-off site again this time, 10 am-2 pm. He also notes that they cannot accept syringes/needles – just medications; more info here. Last year, participants dropped off 238 pounds of unwanted medications at the SW Precinct – more than anywhere else in the city.

Sign goes up for West Seattle Vision in Morgan Junction

Thanks to longtime WSB’er “k” for photographing the sign installation at West Seattle Vision, taking over much of the former Windermere Fauntleroy space (closed after WF merged offices with Windermere in The Junction) in the 6500 block of California SW. We’d been working on a story but since the sign’s up – here’s what we know so far: It will be a group practice of optometrists, part of the Northwest Eye Care Network. Their opening date isn’t firmed up yet, but we’re told they’re getting close. Their Facebook page includes sneak peeks at the remodeling they have been doing inside the building. We first mentioned an eye clinic was on the way in this March 15 story about the new tenant for the rest of the space – Pet Elements, moving from its original location a block south.

Help Chief Sealth football players score donations for Walk MS

Though their playing season is still a ways off, Chief Sealth International High School‘s football team is keeping busy. They’re joining in Seattle’s Walk MS next weekend and asking you to support the cause on their behalf. Here’s the message Sealth head football coach Luther Carr asked us to share:

A few days left: Chief Sealth Football is participating in WALK MS this year April 14, 2013. Please donate to MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society on behalf of CSI FB Seahawks (Chief Sealth International Football).

This annual walk is a community service event organized throughout the country to increase awareness and fundraise for the research of Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). This condition affects millions worldwide. Some of the symptoms of those with this condition experience periods of numbness, loss of sensitivity, muscle spasms, loss of speech, fatigue, and blindness. Episodes can occur without warning and without any inciting factors lasting days, weeks or months. I personally decided to get involved because a friend lost his sight in one eye as a result of MS. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for many people with Multiple Sclerosis. To learn more about MS go to nationalmssociety.org. To learn more about WALK MS Seattle 2013, go (here).

Walk MS 2013 is a great opportunity for Chief Sealth High School football players. They are fundraising for a worldwide condition that affects millions, and has no cure. They are also learning the act of service! As an added benefit, each player will also earn community service credit hours needed to graduate from Seattle Public Schools.

No donation is too small or too large, says Coach Carr – you can donate through the CSI team page by going here.

West Seattle Fight & Fitness: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

We’re welcoming new sponsor West Seattle Fight & Fitness, which has a special offer for you and is planning an open house this Saturday. Here’s what they would like you to know:

At West Seattle Fight and Fitness, we not only teach martial arts, we teach movement. We strive to connect the sense of effort and enjoyment, providing an environment that is physically demanding yet playful in nature. We operate out of a 4900-square-foot warehouse converted into a martial-arts and fitness facility, conveniently located on Delridge, with more than 1700 square feet of mat space. Needless to say, there is plenty of room to climb, jump, lift, roll, kick, punch, and most importantly, MOVE.

West Seattle Fight and Fitness offers classes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ), also known as the “gentle art,” daily. It is a beautiful martial art that advocates self-defense and self-awareness. It uses leverage and efficiency of movement (minimal effort, maximum benefit) as the primary way of applying techniques, allowing every man, woman, and child the opportunity to excel. We also offer Tae Kwon Do (TKD), a relaxing martial art whose beauty is displayed through forms and powerful kicks. In our youth program, we immerse the children in 3 different skills: striking, takedowns, and the “ground” game. We believe that children need a variety of experiences that will lead to a solid development of fundamental motor skills and set the cornerstone for creating a future black belt. We create strong and hard-working kids who enjoy every second of our classes and also have the confidence to stand up for themselves and others.

All of our programs are great ways to stay in shape and push your body to new heights. We believe in community and teamwork, which is why we are proud members of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association. Not sure if the martial arts are for you? Let us show you! We offer a 30-day free trial to give you the time you need to see the various benefits of what we do. Come see how West Seattle Fight & Fitness can change your life today!

Find West Seattle Fight and Fitness at 5050 Delridge Way, online at westseattleff.com, and on Facebook here. They’re having an open house this Saturday (March 30th), 11 am-3 pm.

We thank West Seattle Fight & Fitness 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.

Vibrant Life Guided Wellness Programs: New WSB sponsor

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Vibrant Life Guided Wellness Programs:

West Seattle naturopath Dr. Katherine Oldfield and Bastyr-trained dietitian Michelle Babb have joined forces to create Vibrant Life Guided Wellness Programs – a whole-foods based, anti-inflammatory program for weight management and optimal cardiovascular health. Dr. Oldfield (right) and Michelle (below right) facilitate and guide each 12-week program, bringing people together with similar challenges to receive professional guidance with the goal of health transformation from the inside out. The groups are purposefully kept small to facilitate sharing and to personalize the program. Most programs involve a three-week hormone-balancing cleanse or an anti-inflammatory cleanse. Michelle and Dr. Oldfield guide the re-introduction of the foods so that each participant learns how to eat a delicious whole-foods diet that optimizes their health, increases energy, reduces joint pain, and promotes long-term weight management. Depending on the program, Katherine and Michelle share their knowledge on topics that range from inflammation to menopause, but most importantly they integrate their passion for food and give practical tips that set their program participants up for success. The programs always include cooking demos, guest speakers and hands-on activities.

We all know it’s important to eat more vegetables, cut down on the junk food and get some exercise, but knowing and doing are two different things. Vibrant Life helps people achieve those goals and make lifelong change. “The most rewarding part of this program is seeing people who have been chronic dieters change their relationship with food, lose weight and learn to be truly healthy without dieting,” said Michelle. “And I get to see the evidence of how these changes affect our class participants when labs come back showing better blood sugar control and decreased cholesterol” added Dr Oldfield. The Vibrant Life philosophy is that weight loss is not just a calories-in, calories-out equation. The type of food matters, and there are a multitude of other factors that influence weight including exercise, sleep, hormone imbalance and stress management. All of these factors are addressed in the 12-week programs. Vibrant Life’s co-founders both live and have their individual practices in West Seattle. Dr. Oldfield says “We may not be as intriguing as the story about catamarans with couches, or as riveting as the recent estate sale robbery, but anybody who takes one of our classes can expect to learn a whole new way of eating and approaching health and have fun doing it.”

For more info or to take the quiz and see what program is right for you, visit www.vibrantlifeseattle.com.

We thank Vibrant Life Guided Wellness Programs 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.

Routes revealed for first cancer-fighting Obliteride: One includes West Seattle, White Center

Back in January, we told you the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center‘s first-ever fundraising bicycle-ride series dubbed Obliteride was expected to run through our area. The routes have just been revealed, and West Seattle/White Center is indeed on the 180-mile, two-day route – see the map here, or in the short video above, and read the official update ahead: Click to read the rest of Routes revealed for first cancer-fighting Obliteride: One includes West Seattle, White Center…

Hey, Matt Damon! Chief Sealth International High School pledges to join your strike – and invites you here

Actor Matt Damon says he’s on strike – and with the video you can watch above, Chief Sealth International High School students say they’re ready to join him. Haven’t heard about his strike? Watch *his* video:

With that recent “news conference,” Damon and his water.org did his best to make sure you know that 2.5 billion people don’t have access to something you likely take for granted – toilets.

Since Damon is looking ahead to World Water Day on March 22nd, and Chief Sealth is too – with their third annual World Water Week full of lessons and events March 18-22 – they’re thinking their suggestion that he come here should be an irresistible invitation, says social-studies teacher and WWW ringleader Noah Zeichner. Especially given their specific focus – sanitation and wastewater. So they’ve submitted their video to his strikewithme.org website, and sent photos like this one and this one to the #strikewithme feed he launched via Instagram. They hope he will come to Sealth to share the stage with Jack Sim, the activist nicknamed “Mr. Toilet,” who is coming all the way from Singapore to be the keynoter for WWW at Sealth (you are invited too), 7 pm March 19th at the school auditorium, admission free.

As Sim points out in this short video profile of Sim, it’s a taboo topic – and that’s killing people, as taboos too often do. So he talks about toilets, and the Sealth students are doing the same, as is Matt Damon. Will he take them up on their invitation? Stay tuned!

(P.S. A fundraiser continues, to help foot the bill for World Water Week costs and the 9th-grade WEST Project – check it out here.)

State Rep. Eileen Cody of West Seattle wins national award

(AMA photo from last night: Rep. Cody with (at left) Terry Moran of ABC News and AMA Board Chair Steven J. Stack, M.D.)
Congratulations to longtime State Rep. Eileen Cody of West Seattle, who chairs the State House committee overseeing health-care issues and is a nurse by profession – she just received a major award. Here’s the announcement:

The American Medical Association (AMA) honored Washington state Rep. Eileen Cody with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service, its top award for government service in health care. Rep. Cody was honored with the award last night at the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Rep. Cody has led efforts toward improving health care access for low income individuals and transforming mental health services in Washington state,” said AMA Board Chair Steven J. Stack, M.D. “Her dedication to public health has also earned the state national recognition for its long term health care services and support system.”

Click to read the rest of State Rep. Eileen Cody of West Seattle wins national award…

Going against the grain: West Seattle HS students’ bread project

From left, meet Tin Vo, Annalisa Ursino, Renee McMinn, and Megan Duong. They are four West Seattle High School students with one goal: As Megan explains, “We want more families to choose WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT BREAD as their main bread choice,” as a small step toward eating healthier food: “After doing a lot of research, I learned that whole grain wheat bread has so many health benefits that you can’t get through eating other foods.”

They also want to get more restaurant owners to offer whole-grain bread in menu items for kids, instead of defaulting to “enriched white bread,” which doesn’t compare nutritionally. So far – not much luck, Megan explains: “It can be a bit frustrating because we feel as though they aren’t taking us seriously since we are just a small group of teenagers.”

She has hope that getting the information out can make a difference in people’s choices – even kids and teens:

I recently took a survey, asking 10 teens around my age (15-18 years old) and 10 younger kids (6-11 years old) if they would rather eat white bread or whole grain wheat bread. Most of them said white bread, except for four of the ten teens that were surveyed. The four that said they would rather eat wheat bread already knew the health benefits. However, the rest of them who said they would rather eat white bread, claimed that it either tastes better, they were raised to eat white bread, or they didn’t know the difference. After I told them just one fact that simply switching from white to whole wheat bread can lower heart disease risk by 20 percent, according to research from the University of Washington … most were shocked.

After giving them this statistic, I asked them again if they would rather eat white bread or whole grain wheat bread, five of the six teens that first said they would rather white bread chose to eat whole grain wheat bread after finding out it was healthier. Seven of the ten kids who originally said they would rather eat white bread agreed to eat or at least try whole grain wheat bread. After doing this survey, I noticed that many teens and kids don’t know the difference between whole grain wheat and white bread. I think if we spread the fact that it is healthier to eat whole grain wheat bread, many kids would make the switch. If we get enough kids to eat more wheat bread, it could really open the doorway to making healthier choices at the dinner table.

Their project is part of competition for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America “Star Events” and they’re making a presentation on Saturday, for the chance to move on to statewide competition.

They did get some support, from the Whole Grains Council: “They thought our idea was great and they agreed to send us 100 pins to give out at school and help promote choosing whole grains.”

And they have created this flyer for you to see – even, to share! (It includes contact info if you would like to reach the teens and offer support for their campaign.)

Concludes Megan: “Throughout this project, our ideas have been rejected by many restaurants; however, we are very determined and aren’t willing to give up! We are going to keep fighting to encourage families, children, and teens to live a healthier lifestyle. … we really want to make a difference, but we can’t do it alone.”

West Seattle weekend scene: Happy 15th, SoundYoga!

Chris Dormaier had reason to beam this afternoon – a big turnout to help her celebrate the 15th anniversary of SoundYoga (WSB sponsor). Sound Yoga offers a wide range of classes, from early morning “Get Up and Go!” to monthly Restorative Yoga sessions, and more, as detailed here. Chris is also a certified Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation Teacher Trainer.

Groceries on Delridge – beyond junk food? Monday meeting

They formed as the Delridge Produce Cooperative, but the co-op plan has moved beyond that, working toward taking the commercial space in the future DESC building to set up a neighborhood grocery store. The project needs lots of community help, so you’re invited to a meeting tomorrow, as announced:

The supermarkets may not want us but we can give our community something better that can be a benefit to all of West Seattle and its surrounding communities! Keep the money and the jobs where it belongs – local cooperative ownership can be good for all, especially in these economically difficult times.

Please join us and share your talents and ideas regarding a grocery store on the Delridge corridor! Our next meeting is Monday, January 28th at the Delridge Public Library from 6:30 to 7:30. We have come a long way but have much to do!

The library is on Delridge just south of Brandon (map).

Take 2 hours to learn lifesaving information: Youth-suicide prevention seminar/workshop next week

Suicide is an epidemic – five times as common as homicide in our county – but fears and taboos keep us from talking openly about it, which may actually be keeping us from preventing it. Here’s a chance to make a difference – by learning life-saving information about dealing with suicide and depression among children and teenagers. It’s a free seminar/workshop that the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA will present 6-8 pm next Tuesday, January 29, at the conference room of High Point Library (35th/Raymond), in partnership with the branch’s teen librarian Ken Gollersrud. Two guest speakers are planned – read about them and what they’ll focus on, by going to the Sealth PTSA website.

Bicyclists vs. cancer: Obliteride route likely to include West Seattle

If everything goes according to plan, a major new bicycling event in this area will include West Seattle on its route. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is planning its first-ever fundraising bicycle ride, called Obliteride, coming up in August. Obliteride organizers e-mailed WSB to let us know about some points of West Seattle interest, including the route possibility – too soon to say for certain because they are still working on permits. One of the main point people for the ride is a West Seattleite – Mark Grantor, senior events manager; his background and interest in the cause are detailed in a story on the Obliteride site. They’re planning four routes – 25, 50, 100 miles on August 10th, 180 miles with an overnight stop in Tacoma, August 10-11. There’s an entry fee plus a fundraising commitment. Details and registration links are here. If you’re not ready to ride but would like to help, they’re also enlisting an army of volunteers.

Social change regarding mental health: Talk about it @ Hope on Tuesday

Just out of the WSB inbox – you’re invited to come talk about a topic that many say isn’t discussed often (and openly) enough:

This Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary of Hope Lutheran Church of West Seattle, the Hope Stephen Ministry group is hosting a discussion on community problems and opportunities related to current mental health legislation and issues, including those related to recent shootings and violence in the U.S.

Ann Christian, CEO of the Washington Community Mental Health Council, will respond to questions and present ways in which each of us can identify and help individuals in need and advocate for social change around this vital and ever-changing topic. This is a community-type meeting with no charge and all interested persons are welcome to attend.

Hope Lutheran Church is at 4456 42nd SW, just north of SW Oregon.

West Seattle weather: Burn ban just announced

(Evidence of how cold it is: Mark‘s icy photo from Alki)
With cold, dry weather and stagnating air, a Stage 2 burn ban has just been announced for King County – and that means no woodburning unless you have no other source of heat – no beach fires, either. Details:

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 2 burn ban in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to protect residents from worsening air quality. The bans are effective at noon, Sunday, January 13, 2013 and remain in effect until further notice.

Overnight, many areas around the Puget Sound reached air pollution levels of “UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS”, especially in areas where wood burning is common. Agency forecasters expect the current cold, dry, and stagnant weather conditions to extend well into the week. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the air quality and weather situation.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.
No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

West Seattle fitness: Y turns ex-car lot into parking, class space

If you noticed the Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) sign in the window of the former West Seattle Motors/Bob Ochsner Cars site along Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle – here’s what’s up: The West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) is taking over the space. It’s already being used for extra parking – 18 more spaces, as announced to Y members a few months back, says Josh Sutton at the Y, adding, “We’re on track to start using the space for fitness classes (quantity/type still to be determined) in the next month or so. Right now we’re cleaning it up and getting it ready – so stay posted. Big thanks goes to Potter Construction for donating a chunk of the renovation costs.” (Proprietor Gary Potter is on the Y’s board.)

West Seattle businesses: New CrossFit gym in The Junction

(Photo courtesy CrossFit LOFT)
CrossFit West Seattle opened in Admiral in 2009 … Morgan Junction CrossFit opened last October … and now West Seattle has a third CrossFit gym. We got word that CrossFit LOFT has just opened on the north edge of The Junction, 4142 California SW (behind Cherry Consignment, across the alley from Holy Rosary). Owners Bethany Pappas and Brandon Wicks are both veterans of the West Seattle restaurant scene (at Ma’ono and Mashiko, respectively) as well as veteran fitness coaches; Bethany tells WSB that all their coaches “are WS locals.” CrossFit (explained here) was founded more than a decade ago and has more than 4,500 affiliated gyms.

Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

Today we welcome a new sponsor, Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness, where tonight they are having an open house from 7-8:30 pm. Dr. Justin Favreau, DC, and SWL&W’s co-director and weight-loss consultant Rachel Giordano invite you to drop by their office at 5001 California Ave. SW (map) for small, healthy snacks and refreshments. You’ll also be able to meet the staff, learn more about their services, and enter their raffle for a free one- hour massage.

Rachel (photo at left) says the new office is a community resource center for optimal healing and health. She adds, “We are a clinic specializing in a very effective and safe-proven physician-monitored weight-loss protocol, the Ideal Protein program. We also offer other services such as massage therapy – all non-invasive, risk-free additions to your weight-loss program.” Rachel says the clinic will be adding acupuncture, nutritional, and Power Plate fitness classes over the next few months.

Rachel received a doctorate degree in Naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University this past summer. Prior to that, she managed an Ideal Protein program at a chiropractic office in downtown Seattle for several years. She’s a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a local chapter of Business Network International. You’ll find Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness online at seattlewl.com and on Facebook here, or call 206-673-2269.

We thank Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness 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 Seattleites invite you to ‘Holidays at the Hospital’

Evi Feltus from Swedish Medical Center says she and another West Seattleite working on this event would love to see community members there, since the hospital serves kids from all over the area: “Holidays at the Hospital” is happening tomorrow (Sunday), 1-4 pm, fun and free. Here’s the online invite:

We hope you can join us for a winter wonderland celebration for Swedish Pediatric patients, families, & friends!
This is a fun, festive holiday celebration for the community that will feature:
Photos with Santa, Carolers, Teddy Bear Clinic, Cookie decorating, Face painting, Holiday activities and crafts tables Plus, we’ll have a super special guest from the Seattle Sounders, Roger Levesque!

We’ll also be collecting toys for children up to age 18 as well as donations for art supplies and games. Donated items will be given to children at the hospital receiving care and treatment.

This is at Swedish on First Hill downtown, 1101 Madison.

Life Care Centers of America closing its West Seattle facility

A spokesperson for Life Care Centers of America confirms to WSB that its West Seattle facility (4700 SW Admiral Way; WSB sponsor) is closing, after almost 17 years. After getting a tip about this overnight, we called corporate headquarters in Cleveland to check it out – and they provided this formal announcement:

Life Care Centers of America announced today its plans to close the Life Care Center of West Seattle location on Jan. 31, 2013.

“Life Care has been forced to face a difficult decision,” explained Todd Fletcher, a spokesperson for Life Care’s Northwest Division. “Due to the difficult economic environment and the age and maintenance requirements of the physical building, Life Care is unable to continue operating this facility.”

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has been notified, and Life Care associates are now focused on appropriately placing each of its approximately 70 residents.

Residents and family members received a list of local care facilities, and Life Care is providing clinical social workers to assist with every discharge to ensure residents are secure and comfortable with the changes.

All of the building’s eligible employees will be offered a severance package and the opportunity to possibly obtain work within other Life Care buildings.

“We are a close team, and this is a difficult situation for our tight-knit community,” said Fletcher. “Life Care Centers of America has more than 220 other locations, and if some of our associates have interest in staying with Life Care, we are happy to try and place them in other buildings.”

Life Care Center of West Seattle has been operating since May 5, 1996.

According to the corporate website, there are 17 other Life Care Centers in this state, and the company has home-care services listed too.

Volunteer work that saves lives: Crisis Clinic needs help

We mention them in every WSBeat report, and every time our reporting touches on the issue of suicide. Today, we’ve received an announcement that Crisis Clinic – a life-saving resource for people all over the region – is looking for volunteer help:

Crisis Clinic has been helping individuals and families in need since 1964. From the beginning, volunteers have been the heart of our organization, providing caring and confidential support to callers on the 24-Hour Crisis Line.

Our programs have expanded greatly over the years, increasing our need for community volunteers. We now offer a variety of opportunities for both youth and adults, suited to meet each person’s interests and availability.

New volunteers are currently needed to:

· Answer calls on the 24-Hour Crisis Line or WA Recovery Help Line
· Respond online via Crisis Chat
· Mentor youth volunteers with Teen Link
· Make quality assurance calls for King County 2-1-1

We provide volunteers with professional training and supervision, ensuring they have the knowledge and skill to make a difference in the lives of our callers.

Applications are now being accepted for the next training session starting in January.

To learn more, please call Crisis Clinic at (206) 461-3210 ext. 697 or visit our Volunteer page online at:

crisisclinic.org/get-involved/volunteer.