West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Today we welcome West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic as a new WSB sponsor, with urgent-care appointments available now!
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic is West Seattle’s independently and locally owned podiatric care clinic. Our board-certified doctors provide the highest level of foot and ankle care possible, while treating patients as a whole. We strive to take time, listen carefully, and educate each patient. Currently owned and operated by West Seattle resident Dr. Matthew LaBella, our clinic has been dedicated to serving patients in West Seattle since 1979.
We have urgent care appointments available most days. Call us at 206-937-4700 to schedule an appointment with a trained, board-certified specialist to address your foot and ankle care needs.
Services
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic sees patients for foot and ankle pain related to use, injury, deformity, and/or acute infection. We see patients of all ages for:
Foot/Ankle Pain
Foot/Ankle Injuries
Heel Pain
Bunions
Hammertoes
Warts
Ingrown Toenails
Diabetic Foot Evaluations
Custom Orthotics
Foot/Ankle Fractures
Achilles Tendon Issues
Overuse Injuries of Foot/Ankle
Arthritis of Foot/Ankle
Flat Feet/Over Pronation
Corns/Calluses
Infections
Gait Issues Related to Foot/Ankle
Fungal Toenails/Skin
Staff
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic is staffed by Dr. Matthew LaBella and Dr. Ryan Schwanke. Both are board-certified in foot and ankle surgery and have outpatient surgical privileges at St. Anne hospital in Burien and in the Providence Swedish health system. Dr. LaBella and Dr. Schwanke are highly regarded practitioners in Seattle and throughout the region.
Our medical and administrative support staff is comprised of mostly West Seattle residents who are passionate about caring for our patients. We see our patients as neighbors and friends in the West Seattle community. To learn more about our staff, visit wsfac.com/staff.html
Insurance
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic is contracted with most major insurance and has an experienced billing manager dedicated to helping our patients maximize their insurance benefits. For more details, visit more at wsfac.com/insurance.html
Contact & Hours
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic is located at 4520 42nd Ave. SW, Suite 34. Our phone number is 206-937-4700. Our hours of operation are Mondays-Thursdays 8 am-5 pm, Fridays 7 am-noon.
We thank West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
Both Highland Park Elementary and Public Health – Seattle & King County have sent announcements about a big health/wellness fair at the school this Saturday (January 13), 10 am-2 pm, open to the entire community, not just people who are connected to HPES. Among the services available are childhood vaccines; flu, COVID, and mpox vaccines; blood-pressure and blood-sugar checks; mammograms; and health-insurance enrollment if you don’t already have it. A free lunch will be available and other giveaways, including winter jackets. This flyer has more details (including the phone number for a mammogram appointment – other services are walkup) on the overall event; this flyer has more details on the available vaccinations. HPES is at 1012 SW Trenton.
(Photo courtesy Beth Dayo)
The new year is bringing changes large and small for the local fitness-business scene. Here’s the first announcement we’ve received for 2024:
Bend N Move owner Tamara Gillest has sold her Yoga studio to Beth Dayo, former owner of Be Pilates. Beth has combined Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation into the business and moved the location (from its previous spot at 2735 California SW in Admiral) down to 3850-A Delridge Way SW. Pilates, Yoga and Meditation are now at the bottom of Pigeon Point, a short drive down Admiral for previous Admiral Neighborhood clients.
For now, the newly relocated studio will be known as Bend N Move powered by Life in the Body (the name of Dayo’s previous business).
You might have resolved to move more in the new year – and if you did, this might help you get going. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) periodically offers a free “Get Fit” training program, to get you from “couch to half marathon,” and the next one begins with an informational night at the shop (2743 California SW) at 6:30 pm this Wednesday (January 3). Then the first group training run – 1 mile – is set for Saturday. They’ll be training for a half-marathon in May. To sign up and/or ask questions, email lori@westseattlerunner.com.
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest hopes you will sign up for a spot in their West Seattle “pop-up” starting next week. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
The month of January is usually a period of critical blood shortages. People stop donating blood during the holidays and when they get sick during cold and flu season. Blood drives can also get snowed out during the winter months.
More than 50 years ago — on December 31, 1969 — the president of the United States signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month. The new monthly observance was meant to honor voluntary blood donors and to encourage more people to give blood at a time when more blood is needed.
This January, the need has never been greater. 1 in 7 people entering a hospital will need blood and local hospitals are at capacity. In fact, blood is being transfused in local hospitals faster than it is being donated. Your donation this month is critical to health of our community.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Seattle (4001 44th Ave SW) is hosting West Seattle pop-up blood-donation days on Tuesday, January 2, Wednesday, January 3, Thursday, January 4, Monday, January 8, Tuesday, January 9, and Wednesday, January 10, in the gym. Please sign up to give blood! Appointments required. Bloodworks recently switched to a new appointment portal. If you need help booking your appointment, please e-mail schedule@bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.
All donors in January can enter to win a $2,000 spa and wellness gift card. For information about eligibility, recent FDA updates, and more, please visit Bloodworks website BloodworksNW.org
Going through city permit files this week, we happened onto an early-stage plan for commercial space at 4508 California SW, the new seven-story building that’s been under construction for a year and a half. You might recall this location was home to Lee’s Asian Restaurant and Kamei Japanese Restaurant, as well as a vacant storefront, before demolition. Commercial space in the new building is planned to hold an urgent-care clinic run by Tacoma-based nonprofit health-care organization MultiCare. The site-plan document we saw on the city website was devoid of details – as is often the case with early-stage site plans – so we inquired with MultiCare. Here’s the response we received late today from MultiCare spokesperson Melanie Collett:
The clinic is 4,600 square feet and will have 5 exam rooms and an xray suite. Our projected opening date is Spring 2024. It’s a tentative date, as we have not yet started the permitting process. It’s worth mentioning that we will have dedicated customer parking. You can learn more about Indigo and our services, here: indigohealth.com
The parking and square-footage mentions are notable, as the building was described during the Design Review process as “58 residential units, 12 lodging units, 3,500+ square feet of commercial space, 17 offstreet-parking spaces.” Indigo’s website shows its nearest clinics are currently in Burien and South Seattle; hours appear to generally be 8 am to 8 pm. This will be The Junction’s third urgent-care clinic, after ZoomCare and Franciscan.
The Westside HEY Coalition has a few questions for you, if you haven’t already answered the survey they launched in late summer:
Please take the time to fill out our 2023 Community Survey. This survey provides our Coalition with important information to help us prevent youth substance use. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes. If you would like more information on our coalition, please contact Donna Kelly at dmkelly@seattleschools.org
ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
surveymonkey.com/r/KIWEEN2023ONLINE SURVEY SPANISH
es.surveymonkey.com/r/KIWESP2023
Still looking for COVID and/or flu vaccinations? Neighborhood Naturopathic West Seattle (WSB sponsor) asked us to share this announcement with you:
Neighborhood Naturopathic currently has a limited stock of pediatric COVID vaccines (Moderna) and both adult and pediatric flu vaccines available for patients and non-patients. Anyone interested is encouraged to give us a call to schedule: 206-486-8383. We are located at 5410 California Ave SW, Suite #203.
This Saturday at Southwest Library, free flu and COVID shots will be available – here’s the announcement:
Coming up on Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 – 5:30 pm, Seattle/King County Public Health and the Othello Station Pharmacy will provide free COVID and flu vaccines at the Southwest Library. No appointments needed, just walk on in! All vaccines are free for all; those without insurance are most welcome. Due to changes to vaccine funding, those with insurance are asked to bring their insurance information to the clinic (the shots will be free!).
The clinic includes boosters, according to the official flyer. The library is at 35th/Henderson.
The Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance circulates a survey each year to help shape programs aimed at preventing substance abuse. They’re hoping to get replies from a wide variety of community members, including people without youths in their households. Here’s the announcement:
The SW Seattle Youth Alliance, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in Southwest Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. The coalition will use these surveys to guide their work in selecting effective prevention programs and services for youth and the community. Please take a few minutes to complete.
You can answer the survey in English, or en Español. The survey’s open until November but if you have a few minutes to spare, earlier is always better.
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest would love to see you at their West Seattle pop-up tomorrow – or another upcoming event. This month, they’re offering an extra incentive: They’re giving away a trip for 2 to Las Vegas to see Katy Perry. Whether it’s for the Friday pop-up (10 am-4 pm at the West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor]) or elsewhere, you must make an appointment to donate – start here. If you have any trouble with booking online, email schedule@bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.
This Saturday, on a rooftop deck overlooking Elliott Bay, Lake Washington Physical Therapy in West Seattle (1309 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is offering one last free summer outdoor workout with a view! =LWPT’s Mark Bouma says signups are open now, while they last:
It’s our FINAL rooftop class this summer — Sunset Mobility. The class will be on Saturday, Sept 9th, at 6 pm. We are once again collaborating with HIIT Lab, and they will be supplying some Happy Hour refreshments following the class for participants to enjoy on the rooftop.
It will be about a 30-minute full-body mobility class for people of all fitness levels. I’ll be leading the class and sharing some of my favorite movements to improve mobility and balance. It looks like the weather forecast is cooperating and it will be a beautiful evening! Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or towel.
Reader Tracie asked about the status of Admiral Vision, which is going into the second commercial space at Admiral Station (2715 California SW), next to West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor). We reached Dr. Peter Wu via email; he tells WSB, “I don’t have a firm date set but I plan on opening Admiral Vision in a month.” He says it’s a “brand-new practice,” not an expansion from elsewhere, though he “grew up in Seattle originally.” Dr. Wu says Admiral Vision will be a full-service optometry clinic including eye exams, contact-lens fittings, and “a great selection of independent glasses-frame lines.”
Almost two months after the City Council rejected a proposal to match city law with the new state law about public drug use, Mayor Bruce Harrell is out with his plan. It’s the result of the committee he formed after that vote (the members are listed here). At the heart of it is city legislation that the mayor’s announcement says would:
-Codify state law and make public consumption of illegal drugs a gross misdemeanor in the city of Seattle.
-For the first time in the City’s history, designate diversion and treatment as the preferred approach to addressing substance use issues – connecting people with care and responding to a public health crisis with evidence-based health solutions.
-Define a new threat of harm standard – differentiating between drug use that threatens others versus the individual alone, recognizing the real and perceived danger of consumption of illegal drugs in public places, and aiming to support safe and welcoming neighborhoods by reducing public use.
The aim is not to jail drug users, according to Harrell, who is quoted in the announcement as saying, “Success will not – and cannot – be measured on how many people cycle through jail; instead, our focus is on improving connections to lifesaving treatment and expanding program options to better meet the needs of those with substance use issues.” So what would the mayor’s proposal mean for law enforcement? The announcement says he’ll issue an Executive Order next week “providing guidance to Seattle Police Department officers on how the law should be applied, further detailing threat of harm standards, and defining tools to collect and analyze data to measure success.”
Want to work out with a view? Free? Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (1309 Harbor Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) has announced two more free classes on the rooftop of the building that houses its clinic. If you’re interested, sign up fast before the spaces are all spoken for:
We want to share two FREE rooftop classes for the community happening in August at Lake Washington Physical Therapy. These are great opportunities for people to learn more about what these local fitness businesses have to offer.
Bodyweight Core Workout with HIIT Lab
Sunday, August 6th at 9:00 am
Register at the QR code in the flyer attached
Bring a yoga mat/towel and water bottle
Limit of 30 participants
Drinks and snacks provided following the class
Fit4Mom Free Preview Class
Saturday, August 26th, 9:00 am
Register here
Limit of 30 participants
Bring a yoga mat/towel and water bottle
Drinks and snacks provided following the class
If you’re looking for a COVID vaccination/booster, the Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is partnering with Othello Station for three free clinics in the next week. All are 2 pm-5:30 pm; the dates are Tuesday, July 18th; Saturday, July 22nd; and Tuesday, July 25th. No health insurance or appointment required. If you have questions, you can call the branch at 206-684-7455 or go to the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.
Next Friday, during the first day of West Seattle Summer Fest, Verity Credit Union in The Junction (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) is offering opportunities to give a life-saving gift via a blood drive with Bloodworks Northwest. The drive is scheduled for 10 am-4 pm Friday; checking the appointment link, it looks like some afternoon spots remain. If you can donate blood, go here to sign up!
After the icon showing a swimming advisory for Lincoln Park beach vanished from the state’s beach-status map, it wasn’t clear whether the advisory was still in effect. So we asked Public Health today and they confirmed the advisory was lifted Thursday – just in time for the long holiday weekend.
3:58 PM: A reader suggested a reminder is in order that a swimming advisory is still in effect for the beach at Lincoln Park. We first reported last Friday that health authorities were warning of elevated bacteria levels and advising people to avoid contact with the water there. You can check its status via this map.
7:10 PM: As a commenter notes, Lincoln Park’s status has vanished from the state’s infomap in the hours since we published this. It has not been replaced by an “all clear” type of symbol, so we can’t assume that this means it’s OK now. We will check with state and county health/environmental authorities in the morning.
While the pools at Lincoln Park are about to open, you’re going to want to stay out of the water at the beach until further notice. Seattle Parks notes that county and state agencies advise avoiding contact with the water at Lincoln Park because of elevated bacteria levels. This isn’t a beach closure but rather an advisory.
That’s the team at Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which just celebrated its second anniversary at 1309 Harbor Avenue SW. Co-proprietor Mark Bouma tells WSB, “Last week was our patient appreciation week, which marked 2 years of being in business. We celebrated our wonderful community, patients, and business partners that have allowed us to thrive. There were plenty of raffles, balloons, roses for patients, and LWPT spirit all week!” Here are two big reasons to visit LWPT in the weeks ahead:
This week – West Seattle Art Walk:
We are once again participating in the West Seattle Art Walk this Summer. Barbara Fugate is our curator and has just transformed our clinic with new art from many local West Seattle artists. Here is a video produced by one of the artists which highlights the process of selecting and hanging the paintings while showcasing some of the new artists in our exhibit. We hope to see everyone at the Art Walk on Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 pm.
After that, you have four opportunities to enjoy a workout with a view during Summer Rooftop Classes:
We are bringing back our summer rooftop classes this summer!
(The view from LWPT building’s rooftop deck)We love to support and spread the good word about other local health and wellness businesses so more of the community can experience them. All of these classes raise money to benefit local West Seattle charities, such as WestSide Baby. After each class, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and have some time to meet the instructors, learn about our businesses, and chat with neighbors in the community!
Here is the summer rooftop class lineup:
Saturday June 17th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
Saturday, July 8th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
(Purchase a StarCycle credit here; reserve a StarCycle bike here)
Sunday, August 6th: HIIT Lab Rooftop Bodyweight Bootcamp
Saturday, August 26th: Fit4Mom Rooftop Class
Mental illness affects more than the people struggling with it – their families, friends, co-workers are affected too. One of your West Seattle neighbors found support and wants both to let you know about it, and to invite your support. Here’s the message from Jesse:
I have experienced incredible support and care from an organization called NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This organization offers support groups, education, and listening ears to families who have a loved one with mental illness. Their goal is to help the caregiver, so the caregiver can better help their loved one in crisis and learns ways to help themselves. Often persons in crisis have little resources for help. This means often it’s a family member or friend who steps up and dedicates part of their life and resources to help this loved one. This takes financial and mental tolls on the caregiver. The support from NAMI and the many other caregivers is an indispensable resource. NAMI helped myself when I had a loved one enter a mental health crisis. My life changed completely after I never saw my husband, home, or puppy again due to his actions. At my lowest NAMI gave me the tools and support I needed to get me to a place where I am stronger than I have ever been. I am grateful beyond words. This is why I created my fundraising team The Cortex Vortex!
Saturday, June 3rd, NAMIWalks is hosting a fundraising walk at Marina Park in Kirkland. We hope to get people out to support the cause to aid mental illness in our community. We are asking for donations to continue providing the resources to help more families in need. Please Join, Donate & Walk with your Families, Friends and Pups!
If you decide to join the walk event, it’s happening 8-11 am Saturday. If you need support, here’s how to contact NAMI’s Helpline – that page also has information about emergency resources.
Three weeks ago, the State Legislature adjourned without finalizing a new drug-possession law. Today, in a brief special session, both houses approved a revised version of the same bill that failed in April, SB 5536. Here’s the final version, quickly signed by Gov. Inslee. His website explains it:
Washington state’s new drug possession statute prioritizes treatment, establishes a gross misdemeanor penalty for drug possession and public use of drugs, and offers some local control to municipalities. …
A hallmark of the new bill is the degree of flexibility afforded to courts, prosecutors, municipalities, and community service providers.
The original bill that failed in the final hour of the regular session pre-empted local control. A difference in the latest version, one critical to its bipartisan support, was the continued ability for municipalities to approve or prohibit local “harm reduction” providers. Harm reduction services include needle exchanges, safe injection sites, and other programs designed to prevent disease or overdose. The ultimate bill signed by the governor lets local governments maintain some influence over these activities.
Prosecutors and courts were also granted some discretion in the final bill. Rather than have the Legislature set a rigid course for the new pretrial diversion program, courts and prosecutors may consider other alternatives to traditional prosecution. A defendant with behavioral health issues who is also addicted to drugs may benefit most from inpatient behavioral health treatment. A veteran fighting chemical dependency may be diverted to a veteran’s court program. Conversely, a defendant that has serially rejected treatment may be sent to jail. This flexibility may help courts find the right course for each defendant.
The three West Seattle-residing legislators who represent our area and the rest of the 34th District voted the same way they did in the regular-session vote – Sen. Joe Nguyen voted yes, as did Reo, Joe Fitzgibbon (who is also House Majority Leader), while Rep. Emily Alvarado voted no. The final House roll call was 83-13; in the Senate, 43-6.
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