West Seattle, Washington
27 Thursday
One more reminder that a Resource Fair is planned at Westwood Village‘s ex-Bed Bath Beyond/Spirit Halloween space on Saturday, 11 am-3 pm. We asked the Seattle Police Community Resource Officers, who organized it, for a list of the 40+ participating agencies/organizations – here it is:
Community Service Officers/SPD
Villa Communitaria
Seattle Animal Shelter/Control
Promoteres Network
Hopelink Community transportation program
King County Public Health Community Navigators
Building Beyond Communities
King County Health Public Outreach
Resource Navigation Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House MHP
Community Access & Engagement King County L&I
Washingron Relay Outreach
Project Help
Impact Public Schools Outreach
King County Environmental Health Services
Cell Phone Provider
Disability Empowerment Center
Union Gospel Mission
King County e-911
DEA Outreach
Seattle Public Schools
Victim Support Team
We Heart Seattle
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Valley Cities Behavioral Health
Southwest PCT Crime Prevention Coordinator
Arms Around You
Communities of Belonging
Community for Youth
Delridge Community Center
Overdose Coordinator/KCME
Cultivate South Park
The More We Love
Care-a-Van WSDOH Vaccine Van
VA – suicide prevention coordinator
Transform Burien
Target
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
Haircut Team
West Seattle Food Bank
Park Rangers
Humana
Atlantic Street Center
Community Health Plan of WA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Seattle Public Library – High Point
Molina Healthcare
TJX/Marshalls
If you’re in need of vaccination – either child or adult – here’s what the Care-A-Van will be there to offer.
(WSB photo)
Michael, Vanessa, and Alfred are Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team. We caught up with them for a quick photo at Alki this afternoon as they wrapped up their first week of being available for calls in West Seattle and vicinity. As reported here previously, the CARE Team was able to expand to this area of the city once it grew in size, as budgeted, after its first year and a half. As explained here, CCRs – all behavioral-health professionals – respond (at least initially with police) to situations involving people in crisis or other behavioral-health emergencies. CARE – short for Community Assisted Response and Engagement – is led by Chief Amy Barden and is considered one of the city’s public-safety departments. Though they’ll eventually have workspace in this area, the responders told us they’re currently based downtown. (We might hear more about that when the mayor comes to West Seattle next week for a formal announcement that the CARE responders are now available here.)
Considering the incentive, spaces for this upcoming West Seattle blood drive might go fast, so we’re mentioning it early:
Join Electric Butter Marketing and Seattle Sorbets in West Seattle on Tuesday, April 15th, and give the gift of life—while treating yourself! Donate a pint of blood and receive a coupon for a pint of Seattle Sorbet as a thank-you.
📍 Location: 4001 44th Ave SW
🕘 Date & Time: Tuesday, April 15th, 9 am-4 pmHow It Works:
Schedule Your Appointment: Visit Bloodworks Northwest to reserve your spot.
https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/75982Donate Blood: Head to the West Seattle location on April 15th to make your life-saving donation.
Claim Your Treat: At check-in, use code “VT07” to receive your Seattle Sorbets coupon!
(WSB photos/video)
By Tracy Record and Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA is about connections – connecting with your community and neighbors as well as connecting with yourself via fitness, health, and fun.
That message was at the heart of Wednesday night’s community dinner to launch this year’s fund drive for the Y (a longtime WSB sponsor). Attendees enjoyed a free buffet catered by West Seattle’s own Peninsula Soul Food – one of the Y’s neighbors at Distinguished Foods in The Triangle, another connection.
Branch executive Cleveland King II offered heartfelt thoughts at the night’s conclusion, stressting that “The most important thing when you come into the YMCA is how the people interact.”
More people – especially youth – can be served thanks to donors’ generosity, mused longtime board member Calvin Saunders: “Let’s get our kids help.”
Board chair Linnea Westerlind, emceeing the event, spoke of another way the West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y is increasing connections with youth – a plan to expand its leadership to add two teenagers each year, a group too often “overlooked and underappreciated” in what they can offer:
The Y connects with thousands of kids and teens each year through Camp Colman and Camp Orkila. Jason Lane, senior executive director for camping and outdoor leadership, talked about how camp experiences promote community awareness, self-confidence and a wonder for the natural world, and lead to more than a million volunteer hours. He then introduced Camp Colman’s executive director Danielia Barron, who also speaks in this clip:
Even more frequent than camp trips, young Y members get to connect via sports programs. The Y is working on expanding access and adding a new competitive basketball league, as program director Liz Abbott and health/wellness director Madisson Cordova discussed:
Third through eighth graders are invited to tryouts next weekend (as previously mentioned here). And when they’re not on the court, perhaps they’re in the pool; the West Seattle Y is renowned for its aquatics programs, led by Jenna Gill, who said her mission is to promote universal safety and awareness around water, which involves much more than learning to swim:
The Y connects people across the age spectrum – elders as well as youth – and Cordova returned to the microphone to talk about plans for growing the Active Older Adults resources, with a cancer-survivorship program in the works as well as line dancing, and hopes for an AOA coordinator, if the support comes in:
Whatever the program, each participant has a story, often brimming with inspiration. Board member Chris O’Claire told the story of how a physically challenged teenager named Luca connected with support and increased confidence and independence via a scholarship membership at the Y:
The more the Y can raise during this year’s fund drive, the more they can offer access to people like Luca and others of all ages and abilities. So it’s up to community supporters to pick up the ball and run with it. If you can give, here’s where to start.
Before we get to what’s happening today/tonight, here’s a note about a chance to learn life-saving lessons this Thursday night at West Seattle High School:
WSHS will be hosting our 8th annual Forefront Suicide Prevention Parent Night, Thursday, March 6th, from 6-8 pm in the WSHS library. This parent night will focus on learning the stats and risk factors for teen suicide, as well as teaching parents active listening skills and how to listen to their teens with empathy. Preventing death by suicide is everyone’s job- from school staff to parents, friends and the community as a whole. WSHS has partnered with Forefront in the Schools to educate our entire West Seattle community on suicide and how we, as a team, play a role in prevention.
Please RSVP at the following link: Forefront Parent Night RSVP
RSVP is recommended, not required. Questions? Contact School Counselor Mallory Neuman at mlneuman@seattleschools.org
(City of Seattle file photo)
3:55 PM: The city’s been mentioning for a while that its CARE Community Crisis Responders would expand service to the Southwest Precinct area (West Seattle and South Park) as soon as they were staffed up; Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned it in his State of the City speech earlier this week, too. And now they’ve set the date: As announced today, March 10th will be the first day of CARE Responders’ service here (which is a few months past the “end of 2024” the mayor announced last year). As explained in the city announcement, the responders “will assist Seattle Police Department patrol officers on 9-1-1 crisis calls that are non-violent and non-life-threatening. CCRs will be dispatched via the Seattle CARE Department 9-1-1 Communications Center, for 9-1-1 call events with a nexus to behavioral health (mental illness/substance use) and/or homelessness.” The team has been in service for about a year and a half and reports to CARE Chief Amy Barden, who also is accountable for the 911 Center, through which the Community Crisis Responders are dispatched, as are police. The city has 27 CCRs, and three are supervisors who also are Mental Health Professionals. We have a question out to the city about whether they’ll be physically based on this side of the river, in addition to responding to incidents here.
5:28 PM: CARE Department spokesperson Sean Blackwell replied:
Seattle CARE Department (CARE) Community Crisis Responders are currently headquartered at Seattle Municipal Tower and have additional office spaces at the Seattle CARE Department 9-1-1 Communications Center (located at SPD West Precinct) and the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD).
CARE is in the process of procuring additional office spaces in South Seattle (South Precinct), West Seattle (Southwest Precinct), North Seattle (North Precinct) and in the Capitol Hill/Central District (East Precinct).
1:15 PM: If you’ve been tracking national news, you have likely heard about the many orders and policy directives issued by the new federal administration. One today also has the potential for many city-level effects, so we’re checking on those. It’s an order from the federal Office of Management and Budget director, “paus(ing)” grants/funding. (See the memo here; Eastside U.S. House Rep. Suzan DelBene is circulating this analysis of potentially affected programs.)
Given the possibility for effects on city programs such as public safety and transportation, we asked whether any statement is forthcoming from Mayor Harrell. Not so far, responded spokesperson Callie Craighead, but here’s what she told us:
The City is analyzing the memo to understand the potential impacts of this action given its broad and vague language. We are actively working with City departments to evaluate any potential immediate effects.
Strong constitutional protections exist that limit the federal government’s ability to coerce cities by conditioning funds. We will continue to assess actions that impact Seattle’s access to federal funding that supports all of our residents and respond appropriately.
Checking WSB archives, we have 79 references to federal-grant funding for projects on which we’ve reported – most recently including the Spokane Street Viaduct repaving and Hiawatha Community Center renovations (a project that’s not yet complete). There are also school (we’re checking with the district) and medical programs potentially affected, among others. We’ll continue following up.
4:27 PM: The spending-pause order was supposed to take effect at 2 pm our time but a federal judge has put it on hold until next Monday afternoon (February 3).
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: The AP reports the order has been rescinded.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: But NBC says the White House spokesperson contends the freeze hasn’t.
(WSB file photo)
One month after the announcement at the Fauntleroy YMCA “town hall” update (WSB coverage here), the expanded schedule has launched. Branch executive Cleveland King confirms that the Fauntleroy Y (co-housed with Fauntleroy UCC at 9140 California SW) now has this schedule:
Monday-Saturday 8 am – 12 noon
Monday -Thursday 4 pm-8 pm
Closed on Sunday
As also announced at last month’s town hall, the Fauntleroy branch is expanding programming too.
Most of our lost/found reports go in the WSB Community Forums, but this one is likely of great importance to someone’s quality of life:
About three weeks ago, I found this hearing aid on the corner of Northrop and Thistle. I did not know that you posted found objects until I saw a recent post about someone’s glasses. I’m happy to return the hearing aid to someone if they claim it’s theirs.
The note and photo are from Megan, and if we hear from the hearing aid’s owner – westseattleblog@gmail.com – we’ll connect you.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s been three and a half years since we broke the news that Virginia Mason Franciscan Health was going to take over the building at 3400 California SW, from which Swedish moved to The Junction. That’s a lot longer than the health-care organization originally expected the remodeling would take, and the building was hit by vandals at times – leading some neighbors to wonder, repeatedly, if the project had been abandoned.
The elongated timeframe was acknowledged in VMFH’s celebration of the new 20,000-square-foot space today – one with multiple ribboncuttings:
That ribboncutting featured the team from OB/GYN, one of several specialties that VMFH is bringing to its new West Seattle “pavilion.” It will also offer primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology – described as a “one-stop shop” for care. The building will open for patient care on December 9th, and one floor was open for tours during this morning’s event. But first, those gathered – including many of the providers who will work at the new location – heard from leaders including VMFH CEO Ketul Patel.
He and other leaders who spoke stressed that West Seattle patients had long been asking for more services to be provided here – “as much care as we can,” as Jane Root, president of physician enterprise for Northwest markets, explained. She told us in a one-on-one conversation that the delay in getting the building open was in no small part attributable to pandemic-related problems and supply-chain issues, but finally they buckled down into a “laser-like commitment that ‘we’re going to get this done’.” Asked about key features of the building, Root singled out “the design … for patient flow” and the inclusion of primary and specialty care in the same location.
Our quick tour highlighted the proximity of medical-team members for optimal communication – support staff members have work stations along hallways, across from providers’ offices. And for the patients, more-spacious exam rooms, some with windows looking out over California SW:
They also have room to expand, if and when needed, by adding providers. The new location itself already represents an expansion in staff as well as space – some of the staffers are moving, but others are being hired just for this location’s opening.
The second floor, which we toured, will hold primary care (both family and internal medicine), while the specialties will be on the third floor. Meantime, the current 4550 Fauntleroy Way SW location’s last day will be December 5, four days before the 3400 California building opens for patient care (with weekday appointments starting at 7 am), but VMFW will continue operating its urgent-care clinic at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW.
Again this year, on the same day as the Seattle Walk to End Alzheimer’s downtown, West Seattle caregivers are organizing an informal walk here on the peninsula. Here’s the invitation!
Saturday…September 28…10:00 am…Holden and 39th
For those who don’t want to go to the big walk (at Seattle Center), the Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group has a local walk and welcomes anyone affected by the disease. We will meet at 39th Ave SW and SW Holden and walk together…usually under an hour and at a very social pace.
It’s FREE and FRIENDLY…wear purple if you have it.
No need to RSVP – just show up! (Here’s a map to 39th/Holden.)
It’s budget season for government agencies, which is why you’re hearing more than usual about money matters. One of today’s announcements would bring a countywide property-tax increase to save King County’s endangered public-health clinics and to fund maintenance at Harborview Medical Center, our region’s trauma hospital. This proposal does not need voter approval; it’s made possible by what the announcement from King County Executive Dow Constantine calls “a modified county hospital property tax authority approved by the state Legislature earlier this year.” It would cost 8.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value – that’s $72 a year for a house at the median King County valuation of $850,000. Here’s what the announcement says that money would go for:
It will raise $25 million, about 3 cents, for Public Health — Seattle & King County to sustain clinic operations in 2025 and provide essential health services to the most vulnerable. It will also raise $25 million for operations supporting those most in need at HMC. Roughly 2 cents of the tax total will raise $19 million for major infrastructure improvement projects at HMC in 2025. The remaining amount covers administrative costs to implement operations and contributes to the fund’s rainy-day reserve.
Clinic funding had been coming from the general fund, which faces a nine-digit shortfall. The county’s clinics serve 80,000 people; the nearest one is in the Greenbridge area of White Center, focusing on services for mothers and babies.
No photo (yet), but Thomas emailed today to say the future Virginia Mason Franciscan Health clinic at 3400 California SW is getting painted, and to ask when it’s opening. It’s now been 3 1/2 years since the health-care organization announced it would take over the former Swedish building, plagued by vandalism and burglary over those many vacant months. So we sent the question to VMFH’s media team and received this response attributed to Franciscan Medical Group COO Jane Root:
We’re excited to open the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion – West Seattle (3400 California Ave.) in the coming months to bring services including primary care, cardiology, women’s health, gastroenterology, and more to the community. We are targeting opening before the end of year 2024 and will keep you apprised of the grand opening details.
The original announcement had targeted fall 2021 for the facility’s opening. Swedish was in the building previously and moved to The Junction.
If you have a baby on the way, Saturday morning, the Elliott Bay-facing rooftop terrace at Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is the place to be. This announcement explains why – and how to register:
If you are expecting or know someone who is, a FREE FIT4BABY prenatal preview class is planned this Saturday, September 7, at 9 am on the rooftop terrace of Lake Washington PT.
You can RSVP with this link and we will enroll you!
The 9 am class will be followed by a short presentation and Q&A on posture and pelvic-floor function pre- and postpartum given by April Johnson PT, DPT, PCES of LWPT, who is also a FIT4BABY alum!!
April is a physical therapist and a pregnancy and postpartum corrective-exercise specialist. Her goal is to help women decrease pain during pregnancy and safely return to activity postpartum. She has a deep understanding of the issues associated with pregnancy and strives to master the whole-body approach to women’s health. This process involves restoring posture, breathing mechanics, pelvic floor function (external), strength and much more! Some of the most common conditions treated are low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, neck/shoulder pain, diastasis recti and incontinence.
For the class, please enter Lake Washington PT through the main entrance at 1309 Harbor Ave SW, Suite A. Street parking will be available. Make sure to check in at the front desk and someone will be there to direct you to the rooftop terrace. We can’t wait to see you then!
Forecast for Saturday morning so far – more sunshine!
The Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) continues its comeback. West Seattle/Fauntleroy branch executive Cleveland King just sent word that it’s expanding hours starting Friday, September 6 – until then, the Fauntleroy hours are 9 am-noon and 4 pm-7 pm Mondays-Thursdays, and the new Fauntleroy hours will be 8 am-noon and 4 pm-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays. (The Fauntleroy Y is co-housed with Fauntleroy Church at 9140 California SW.)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Seattle Strength & Performance, now open in West Seattle at 2942 SW Avalon Way. Businesses joining our sponsor team get the opportunity to tell you about what they offer – here’s what Seattle Strength & Performance would like you to know:
We believe in the benefits of strength training AND community. In the first six months of training with us, we’ve shown our members increase their strength on average by 114%! Plus, when they’re in the gym, they meet and develop strong relationships in their neighborhood and community.
Seattle Strength & Performance members often seek us out to begin strength training, and our personal-training programming is personalized to the individual and is done in a progressive way, meaning our members see and feel the results of training with us relatively quickly. We often get feedback that the activities they are doing in day-to-day life become easier, and they feel stronger and more capable as a result of their training.
We also hear that people are seeking a gym environment with expert coaches that keep them accountable to their routines and progress. All of our sessions are appointment-based and many members develop relationships with others in the gym, and coming to SSP becomes something they look forward to!
Ready to improve your strength? Sign up for a FREE workout class at SSP!
We thank Seattle Strength & Performance for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here. You can email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
Public Health – Seattle & King County announced this morning that it shut down seven unlicensed food vendors at Alki Beach last night for “operating without a valid permit.” They list the vendors in question as:
Botanas Lokas
Tacos El Amigo
Cocos
Unpermitted chicharron vendor
Tacos Seattle & Hot Dogs
Botanas
El Corre Caminos
Besides health, other permits are required for food vendors, as listed here. Meantime, you can check Public Health’s list of current food-establishment closures any time by going here.
An alert this morning from Public Health – Seattle & King County – “a confirmed measles case in a child, with possible exposures at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle” (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) this past Monday afternoon/evening. Here’s the full news release, explaining what to do if you might have been exposed.
Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in a child. The individual was at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle while infectious. Anyone who was at the facility during the time span when the child was there on June 10th may have been exposed to measles. The child was not vaccinated, and the infection was likely associated with travel outside the United States.
“Measles is highly contagious and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We’ve seen an increase in measles cases around the world and in the U.S., so it’s an important time to check your vaccination status and get vaccinated if you aren’t protected. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations and other recommendations to prevent infection during your travel.”
Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles and that protection lasts a lifetime.
Transmission of measles can occur before people know they have the disease, before any rash appears.
The infected individual was at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle during a period when they were infectious but before being diagnosed with measles. The time includes the period when the individual was at the clinic and two hours after. Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infectious with measles leaves the area. Anyone who was at the following location during the time listed could have been exposed to measles:
Date: June 10, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Franciscan Urgent Care- West Seattle 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, Suite 110What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure
Most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was in the location of potential exposure to measles around the times listed should:
-Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up-to-date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations by talking to your doctor.
-Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be checked for measles after an exposure. And it is also important to limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.
-Vaccination or medication can be given after exposure in some cases to prevent illness – check with your healthcare provider. This is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications.
-If you were at the location at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick would be between June 17, 2024 – July 1, 2024. People who are immuno-compromised may take longer to experience symptoms.
Alerts like this are rare – last one in our archives was 10 years ago. You can find more measles info from Public Health by going here. There’s also an FAQ here.
Good deals for a good cause – that’s what you’ll find the next two days at the Discovery Shop in the West Seattle Junction. The shop is a nonprofit operation, raising money for the American Cancer Society. For the next two days – Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8 – everything in the store will be half-price. Manager Patricia Bolton says this is a very important sale for the shop, and it happens just twice a year. The shop will be open both days 10 am to 4:30 pm, at 4535 California SW.
Longtime WSB sponsor Fitness Together West Seattle in The Junction is now offering small-group training classes, and a deal:
Fitness Together is now offering Small Group Training Classes! Our groups will be capped at 6 people so you get a personalized experience while still enjoying the community support and camaraderie. To sign up for a free trial class, click HERE.
After the free class, FTWS is offering a 10 percent discount. They recently expanded its studio space (4546 California SW), as we reported earlier this year.
Health/wellbeing questions? Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor) is launching a series of three free online “lunch and learn” sessions starting this Thursday. Here’s their announcement:
Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care is launching a free Lunch and Learn series that is open to the general public. Generally, these will be offered on Thursdays from 12:30 pm-1:00 pm and will include a variety of topics with time to ask the provider questions. Interested participants will need to pre-register with a provided Zoom link. We look forward to having you join!
Thursday, May 23rd 12:30-1:00: Healthy Skin Care: Navigating a World of Options with Brie Woodruff, ARNP, DNP
Have you ever stood in a store staring at the hundreds of lotions, creams, toners, moisturizers, face washes, exfoliants, sunscreens, and serums and wondered what you should actually be using? Do you wonder which products are effective, what you should use for your skin type, or what brands are ‘good’, safe, and non-toxic? Join Brie Woodruff, ARNP, DNP, to get your questions answered and discuss tips & tricks for keeping skin healthy. Reserve your spot here!
Thursday, June 6th 12:30-1:00: Easy At-Home Steps to Support Recovery from Long-COVID with Grace Downs, ND
Did you know that 1 in 10 who get COVID will go on to develop “Long-COVID”? And recent CDC reports indicate that number of people who are suffering from “Long-COVID” has continued to increase compared to previous years. There are many different options to treat the symptoms of “Long-COVID”, and some of the treatments that can have the most profound benefit are simple changes you can start to make at home now. Join Dr. Grace Downs, ND, as she explores the signs & symptoms of “Long-COVID” and what foundational steps you can take to begin recovering. Reserve your spot here!
Thursday, June 20th 12:30-1:00: SIBO or IBS: Finding the True Cause of your Gut Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an incredibly common, but not often talked about, medical condition that affects 1 in 10 Americans. But did you know that IBS symptoms can actually be caused by an entirely separate condition called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? Based on some studies, up to 3/4 of IBS patients may actually have SIBO. Treating this bacterial overgrowth can lead to significant symptom improvement in many patients. Join Dr. Megan Taylor as she explores the signs and symptoms of SIBO, and how to know if you might have this condition! Registration link will be provided on the WSB calendar closer to the date.
Again, these are all online. Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care is based in West Seattle, with a clinic at 5410 California SW.
As reported here last month, Delridge Grocery Coop has ended retail operations – and its former space is becoming home to a new store aimed at making affordable fresh food available to everyone. That new store, Cascadia Fresh Market, opens this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12, in the space at 5444 Delridge Way SW. As noted in our previous story, the people behind it are the West Seattle entrepreneurs and community advocates behind Cascadia Produce, Jill Moore and Jeremy Vrablik. They’ve lived in North Delridge for a decade and have had the free-food stand Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand outside their house since mid-2020.
They established Cascadia Produce in 2017, and pivoted to food security in 2020 “with a food box contract from the USDA serving all of Washington State in a time of critical need.” Jill continues: “Since then, Cascadia has gone on to make custom food boxes featuring produce for many customers, most of them non-profits, food banks, or government institutions. Cascadia specializes in culturally relevant food boxes and medically tailored food boxes for people with specific health conditions – health organizations are increasingly investing in food as medicine. Our boxes always feature fresh produce, but include other items that allow meals and snacks to be made from the contents.”
Here’s how they make this go: “During the course of our food box work, as well as the fresh food sourcing we do for over 50 Washington food banks, Cascadia developed unique access to wholesale recovered food, as well as farm fresh food without a sales channel. Cascadia is able to receive these two categories of food and create a secondary market for food security partners in which the originating farms are paid, fresh food is affordable, and no food goes to waste for lack of a market. Fresh Food should be available to everyone at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable distance of where they live.”
That’s the philosophy that led them to propose the Cascadia Fresh Market pop-up as a successor to DGC – as a four-month pop-up for starters. “If successful in the community, Cascadia Fresh Market will negotiate with the landlord (DESC) to stay long-term,” Jill explains. Here’s how the store will work: “Cascadia Fresh Market is produce-focused, but will have other cooking staple items and some simple, sweet treats. Produce will be priced like a dollar store, for $1, $2 or $3 per item. All produce prices will be well below retail. Produce we can’t sell rapidly will go to an onsite ‘Foodbank Outpost’ sponsored by the West Seattle Food Bank. Anyone may take food from the free fridge during business hours. The market aims to be zero waste, making sure all edible food has a chance to be consumed by a human while still in good condition.” As for the space, even if you shopped there in the DGC years, Jill says, “We have been working hard in the space to reconfigure and add additional cold storage to showcase the fruits and vegetables. It looks very different!”
They’re soft-opening for a “neighbor preview night” this Friday. Then it’s opening weekend Saturday-Sunday; Jill says, “The market will be fully stocked and will carry some flower bouquets for Mother’s Day.” The store will be open daily – 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-6 pm Sundays and Mondays. That may change, Jill adds, “as we understand the preferred shopping hours of our community.”
There’s a benefit aspect too: “Cascadia Fresh Market is partnering with a different elementary school each day of the week in a symbiotic effort to make families aware of a market where they can save money by buying more fresh produce and also benefit school programs. Every day, once the Fresh Market hits a low daily overhead number, Cascadia will profit-share 20% of sales back to the PTA of the school assigned to the day of the week. Shop, save money, eat more fresh foods, and benefit local schools all in one fell swoop.” So far they’re partnered with Fairmount Park (Sundays). Highland Park (Mondays), Louisa Boren STEM (Wednesdays), Sanislo (Fridays).
For families, “This market will be very kid friendly, with a couple of games for them to play while parents browse, as well as snacks on site so parents can have a quiet moment to squeeze melons etc while they shop. The market will also be friendly for the DESC building residents, providing hot coffee and eventually grab and go foods we hope will please residents and give them a nice place to visit.”
For everyone: “Shopping at the fresh market will be a bit of an adventure. While we will have all the produce staples like apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, etc, we will also have exotic foods – less commonly-seen produce items like broccoflower, escarole, purple cauliflower, dragonfruit and more (rotating stock, always fresh). We hope people will enjoy the produce they love but also try new and exciting foods, because why NOT when it’s only $2?”
Not a bad Sunday morning for a swim in the Sound – 50-degree water, 50-degree air, and an infinite degree of generosity from those who took the plunge. This happened to be – as previewed here last weekend – the “Plunge for Patterson,” on behalf of a local boy living with EB, organized by his friends Jill and Eddie Vedder:
As explained in the event announcement, this is “part of a national campaign to raise money to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a family of painful and life-threatening rare genetic disorders that affect the body’s largest organ: the skin. The Vedders serve as global fundraisers and ambassadors sharing the mission of curing and treating EB with the world,” as co-founders of the EB Research Partnership, which Jill Vedder chairs. This morning she thanked the crowd, and Patterson had a few words too:
Then it was time to plunge:
EBRP’s goal is to cure EB by 2030. The Vedders co-founded the nonprofit in 2010.
Even if you weren’t at Alki to plunge this morning, you can support the cause by donating here.
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