Health 852 results

RATS! Got them? Seen them? Concerned about them? This survey’s for you

As much as many love classic cartoon characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse, their real-life rodent counterparts tend to evoke different sentiments – and for good reason. Public Health-Seattle & King County‘s Environmental Health Services team wants to know what you know about rodents in Seattle, so they are hoping you can spare a few minutes to answer this online survey. You can also access it via this QR code:

In the note asking that we share this with you, Public Health explains, “The information will be used to help us improve our programming and technical assistance offerings.” (Did you even know Public Health has a rodent program? Read about it here.)

King County Public Health says doses remain at monkeypox-vaccination event in White Center

August 14, 2022 4:49 pm
|    Comments Off on King County Public Health says doses remain at monkeypox-vaccination event in White Center
 |   Health | West Seattle news

King County Public Health says a community monkeypox-vaccination event still has doses available for eligible walk-ups – until 6 pm or until they run out – at the Lumber Yard Bar, 9630 16th SW in downtown White Center. Here’s who’s eligible.

GET FIT! West Seattle Runner’s next info session Wednesday

August 2, 2022 9:00 am
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 |   Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

It’s a big goal – running a half-marathon – if you’re a beginning runner. But West Seattle Runner‘s periodic free training program Get Fit West Seattle can get you there. And if you’re interested, you’re invited to the shop at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, August 3rd) for info and Q&A about the Get Fit program. Get ready to get inspired and supported! West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is at 2743 California SW – just show up.

At a crossroads in your life? Intensive therapy program with Laura Bruco, MSW, LSWAIC: New WSB sponsor

Laura Bruco, MSW, LSWAIC, is offering a 12-week intensive therapy program and sponsoring WSB to ensure you know about it. Here’s who it’s for:

You are an adult at a crossroads in your life and are looking for more intensive therapy than is available seeing a therapist once a week or less. You have experienced mis-attunements and/or trauma in your early life and have struggled to untangle the coping mechanisms that no longer work for you. Perhaps you don’t know yourself or even know how to know yourself. Perhaps you just keep ending up in relationships that repeat past patterns no matter how hard you try not to. The idea of spending years in weekly therapy to get anywhere feels like too little. You need a therapist who gets it and has been through it themselves.

I offer a unique intensive 12-week online program for a small group delivered via telehealth for anyone in Washington. Each week will include a Discovery Group focused on exploration of the self and developing skills; an Experience Group focused on practicing and playing with new ways of relating to others; and individual psychotherapy to support you with your individual needs as you move through the program (partial package available if you already have a therapist).

Program Dates: The first group session will be held on 8/16/2022 and the final group session will be on 11/3/2022.

Schedule: Groups will be held via Telehealth on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 pm.

Details: Visit the Program Details page for more information about the program.

First Step: The first step to register is to schedule a 20-minute consultation with me at thecenterofyou.net/booking.

I specialize in working with adult clients who have experienced complex trauma and mis-attunements in the childhood environment. This could be anyone and specifically includes folks previously diagnosed with PTSD, personality disorders, dissociative disorders and substance use disorders. I welcome neurodivergent and gender diverse clients.

I understand what it’s like to experience complex trauma in the childhood environment, and I am both neurodivergent and gender non-conforming / queer. If you’re looking for a therapist who gets the nuances and experiences of recovery, I may be your person. I welcome you to reach out for a free consultation to see if we’d be a good fit for each other.

I chose to become a clinical social worker because of the values of the profession, the emphasis on deep exploration of the human experience, and the emphasis on the person in their environment. In other words, I see you as an individual who has developed in the context of your family of origin, social, cultural, biological, and environmental factors. Traditional medical model diagnoses are focused on observed behavior of an individual at a particular moment in time, and can devalue your perspective and experience. Therefore, my approach is to empower you to know yourself and support you in tailoring the processes for untangling, reorganizing, and living fulfilling lives that bring you peace.

Reach Laura Bruco, MSW, LSWAIC, via TheCenterOfYou.net and 206-705-3101.

We thank Laura Bruco, MSW, LSWAIC 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.

SPORTS: Local physical therapist offers advice for pickleball players in national publication

July 24, 2022 8:10 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: Local physical therapist offers advice for pickleball players in national publication
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Pickleball is a surging sport – and with all ages playing, some players are in search of strategies to keep up with the challenges.

Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy‘s West Seattle clinic (WSB sponsor) tells us, “I recently had the opportunity to contribute to a national physical therapy magazine article (APTA Magazine) on how physical therapy is helping pickleball players stay healthy! Since pickleball is such a popular and fast-growing sport, particularly in the PNW, I thought this may be of interest to members of the West Seattle community.” Here’s the article in PDF. Mark also sent this link to an article on pickleball and shoulder injuries that he published last year on the LWPT website. Pickleball is so hot in Seattle, the city Parks Department is working to expand facilities; next step in its ongoing study is an August 11th briefing.

UPDATE: Public Health authorities shut down unlicensed food vendors at Alki Beach

ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: For the second time this month, Public Health – Seattle & King County has announced that it’s shut down three unlicensed food vendors at Alki Beach for “operating without a valid food business permit.” The announcement says the closures happened Sunday afternoon. The agency also announced previously that it had closed three unlicensed food vendors at Alki on July 1st for the same reason, but doesn’t say whether any or all of the new closures involve the same operators, nor does it name them. We’re following up to see if any of that information is available. (Here’s how to get a permit.)

ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s how PHSKC answered our followup questions: “Generally speaking, it is difficult to determine a business name when there has been no formal permit application in the first place. Not all food vendors would have a prominent business name displayed on a stand/cart/whatever structure they are vending food from. Of the three unlicensed food carts most recently closed by Public Health, one appears to be the same as a cart previously closed by Public Health on July 1.”

FOLLOWUP: Contamination closure continues south of Alki Point

The signs are still up on the shoreline south of Alki Point, as the closure continues because of contamination from sewage pipes leaking at a nearby condo complex since last week. Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register tells WSB today that “As a precaution, signs are still in place. Water samples will be taken as soon as the property owner makes repairs to its side sewer. SPU has been notified that the repair work is scheduled for tomorrow.” So you’ll want to continue staying off those shores – from Constellation Park to the SW Andover access point – at least one more day. The Seattle Aquarium beach-naturalist program also has canceled its planned Constellation Park visit tomorrow (but will still have a presence at Lincoln Park, 9:30 am-1 pm Wednesday).

BIZNOTE: Happy 1st anniversary, Lake Washington Physical Therapy!

Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy (1309 Harbor Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) sent photos from a big week at the clinic: “It was our 1-year anniversary in West Seattle and we had many giveaways in the clinic, including mugs, t-shirts, roses, and water bottles to show appreciation for our patients.”

He also wants to get the word out that the clinic has added some new offerings – this flyer has details. And even if you don’t need physical-therapy services right now, remember that the clinic has also been showcasing local art – Mark says some new artwork is on the way in the next few months.

SATURDAY: Drug Take-Back Day dropoffs at Southwest Precinct

Tomorrow you can take a simple but potentially life-saving action – check for expired/no-longer-needed prescription drugs, and take them to the parking lot outside the Southwest Precinct. It’s not just a police campaign – a community coalition is involved. Here’s the announcement from one of the partners, the Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance:

SW Seattle Youth Alliance, Westside HEY [Healthy Empowered Youth], SPD, and DEA will be hosting a prescription drug take-back event on April 30th, from 10 am to 2 pm, at 2300 SW Webster St. This event is for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication in a safe and easy way. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Medications can remain in their original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in their original containers will be accepted too.

This take-back event supports a campaign from the Washington State Health Care Authority, called Starts with One. This campaign informs and educates young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription-drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, and disposal of prescription opioids.

According to the campaign website, “75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them — usually taken from a friend or family member.” Simple steps, like safely disposing of medications, can stop them from being misused.
Participating in these take-back events is one thing that individuals can do to help address the opioid epidemic and protect their loved ones.

If you miss the event, some local pharmacies are permanent drop-off locations – you can look up the nearest ones here.

RUNNING: Still some space in Lake Washington Physical Therapy’s Saturday workshop with Chris Johnson

April 19, 2022 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on RUNNING: Still some space in Lake Washington Physical Therapy’s Saturday workshop with Chris Johnson
 |   Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just four days until Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) presents a community-running workshop, first noted here a month ago, and a few spots remain:

On Saturday, April 23rd from 3-5 pm, we will be hosting a Running Workshop for beginning, intermediate, and competitive runners.

Chris Johnson, PT is a nationally recognized clinician, speaker, and educator. We are very fortunate to have him spend a few hours with us and the running community to share his expertise and answer questions.

The registration fee is only $10, which will be fully donated to our charity of the month, WestSide Baby. Register and pay here: lakewpt.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay

During registration, be sure to include RUNWORKSHOP as the Invoice number. Attendees will need to bring their emailed registration receipt for entry. Questions? Email: frontofficewestseattle@lakewashingtonpt.com

LWPT co-proprietor Mark Bouma says that if weather permits, they’ll hold the class on the rooftop, which has a great view of Elliott Bay. (If not, there’s lots of room in their light-filled clinic.) LWPT’s West Seattle clinic is at 1309 Harbor Avenue SW.

Neighborhood Naturopathic: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!

Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Neighborhood Naturopathic. New sponsors get the chance to tell you what they’re all about – here’s the message from Neighborhood Naturopathic (5410 California SW):

(Neighborhood Naturopathic’s Dr. Megan Taylor, Dr. Allison Middleman, Dr. Emily Lesnak, Dr. Arika Dortero)

Local to West Seattle, Neighborhood Naturopathic is a small, woman-owned, physician-owned clinic that provides both primary care and specialized services to patients of all ages. Whether you are due for a general screening exam or seeking help with specific health concerns, we will take the time to truly understand and address the roots of any symptoms or imbalances you may be experiencing — and to thoroughly explore preventative strategies for the benefit of your present and future health.

In what is often an inaccessible, hurry-up-and-wait health-care system, we offer longer appointment times, attentive follow-ups, and quick responses to urgent needs. Through direct messaging with doctors, friendly and responsive staff communication, telemedicine options, opportunities for same-day appointments, and Saturday openings, we make ourselves available for your care and for the care of your family.

Beyond wellness visits, Neighborhood Naturopathic services also include: recommendations for comprehensive lab work and imaging; functional testing, such as stool analysis, hormone evaluation, and vitamin/mineral-level assessment; in-house adult and pediatric blood draws; allergy testing and allergy shots; pediatric vaccinations; evidence-based natural treatments and supplements; B-12 shots; and specialized guidance around digestive health, fertility, postpartum care, and pediatrics, among other areas. We look forward to fully exploring your health concerns – from insomnia to digestive distress to menstrual-cycle dysregulation – and to collaborating with you on a holistic approach to your wellness as a whole.

We’re called Neighborhood Naturopathic for a reason. We live here. And we are committed to investing in the community where we live and practice.

**Please note that we are in network with many major insurance companies and offer time-of-service discounts for patients paying out of pocket.**

We thank Neighborhood Naturopathic 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.

RETURNING: West Seattle YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day

April 6, 2022 4:29 pm
|    Comments Off on RETURNING: West Seattle YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day
 |   Fun stuff to do | Health | Triangle | West Seattle news

Another annual event coming back for 2022 after a pandemic hiatus: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). The Y has announced that it’s set for 10 am-1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at its main local branch, 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle. It’s a free event with activities for all ages, and membership is NOT required – it’s open to everyone. Here’s more info on what activities they’re planning – we expect more details as the event gets closer.

HEALTH CARE: Providence, Swedish announce ‘unified brand’

Two of our region’s major health-care organizations, Providence and Swedish, have been affiliated for a decade now. But apparently that’s not obvious to all, so they’ve announced a “unified brand” … all the organizations’ eight hospitals and 214 clinics will now be under the brand Providence Swedish. The announcement suggests the only real difference patients will notice will be signage; that’ll roll out in the months ahead, we were told on follow-up. The announcement also includes this note:

As they have since 2012, Providence and Swedish will continue to honor one another’s distinct identities. Swedish will remain a secular organization, and Providence will remain a faith-based organization. That means Swedish locations will continue to provide certain services that may not be available at Providence locations according to the original affiliation agreement. Providence and Swedish will also remain separate employers, and its foundations will continue to operate as separate 501(c)3s.

RUNNING: Registration open for Lake Washington Physical Therapy workshop with Chris Johnson

March 18, 2022 7:24 pm
|    Comments Off on RUNNING: Registration open for Lake Washington Physical Therapy workshop with Chris Johnson
 |   Health | West Seattle news

If you’re a runner – at any level – you might be interested in this limited-space workshop, announced by Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Mark Bouma:

I’d like to share a learning opportunity for the West Seattle Community on Saturday, April 23rd from 3-5 pm. We will be hosting a Running Workshop for beginning, intermediate, and competitive runners.

Chris Johnson, PT is a nationally recognized clinician, speaker, and educator. We are very fortunate to have him spend a few hours with us and the running community to share his expertise and answer questions.

The registration fee is only $10, which will be fully donated to our charity of the month, WestSide Baby.

Register and pay here: lakewpt.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay

During registration, be sure to include RUNWORKSHOP as the Invoice number. Attendees will need to bring their emailed registration receipt for entry. Due to space limitations, this event will be limited to the first 30 registrations.

If there are any questions, please email: frontofficewestseattle@lakewashingtonpt.com

OPEN HOUSE: Transformational Psychiatry NW invites you to visit February 2nd

Transformational Psychiatry NW (WSB sponsor) at Jefferson Square invites you to an open house Wednesday, February 2nd. From the announcement:

Many who suffer have tried medications, therapy, but few have heard of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), a gentle, non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for mood challenges like depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar depression. TMS can also be beneficial for addiction, ADHD, PTSD, chronic pain, smoking cessation, migraines, tinnitus, and more.

(From left at Transformational Psychiatry NW – Tim, Debbie Sweetland, Jacqueline Marcell-Koledin)

It’s available right here in West Seattle and covered by insurance; self-pay plans also available.

Information sessions, Q&A, and live demonstrations of TMS – a non-invasive, drug-free treatment – are planned during the open house, 4:30-7:30 pm on February 2nd. TPNW is in Suites 550-551 of the Jefferson Square office building, 4700 42nd SW. If you can’t make it to the open house, you can also schedule a free consultation, 206-673-2408.

SATURDAY: All welcome at Highland Park Elementary health event featuring vaccinations and more

This Saturday (January 15th), everyone is welcome at a socially distanced health event at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton). HPES says it’s open to all ages. They’re offering COVID-19 vaccinations – 1st, 2nd, or booster shots – plus health screenings (glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI) and mammograms (call 800-756-5437 for an appointment). The health event also offers resources such as ORCA Lift cards and health-insurance signup help. A free food truck will be on site too. The event is scheduled for 11 am-3 pm Saturday; here’s the flyer.

Eligible for Medicare? Explore your options with a local expert

With the Medicare open-enrollment period under way, Patrice Lewis of We Speak Medicare has returned as a WSB sponsor. She says Medicare open enrollment continues until March 31st “so if you have an MA plan and are thinking of making a change, give me a call. I can help you figure out whether to stay with your current plan or switch to one that will better suit your needs. If you are newly eligible for Medicare, let me help you more fully understand how it works, what your options are, and what to consider when deciding on the plan that will work best for you.” She also does presentations and individual sessions at the Senior Center of West Seattle (next one at 1 pm this Thursday – call 206-932-4044 to register) as well as presentations via Zoom. See her website at wespeakmedicare.org/patrice-lewis for contact info or call 206-430-3782.

From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: New policy/code for some SFD responses

(WSB file photo, SFD battalion-chief vehicle)

If you watch the Seattle Fire Department‘s real-time 911 log – which logs the addresses and call classifications for all SFD responses – you might have noticed a new call designation on Sunday’s log: A few medical calls were designated BC Medic Response or BC Aid Response. We noticed it and also received a few inquiries – one of the calls was on Alki Avenue – so we asked SFD about it today. Spokesperson Kristin Tinsley says BC is short for “battalion chief” (regional supervisor) and this is indeed a new type of code: “With this policy change, a battalion chief is now added to most responses where the patient is experiencing a mental-health crisis, to help our firefighters with decision-making for an appropriate treatment plan.”

WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Urgent call for blood donors

If you can donate blood, our regional blood bank needs you now. The holidays are already a challenging time, and the snow has compounded that, according to this announcement Bloodworks Northwest asked us to publish:

Due to our recent snow/weather, the need for blood for our community is now urgent. Bloodworks Northwest Talking points:

· In the past three days, 55% of our appointments (966) weren’t able to come in due to the winter weather. We are seeing additional cancellations today.

· We have over 1,200 open appointments in the next 10 days.

· With the holidays and winter weather, donations have dropped by 1,400 units in the past 7 days. This is the smallest amount of donations we have seen since the pandemic began.

· Almost all blood types are at Emergency Levels, less than a day supply

If you can get to a Bloodworks Northwest donor center or pop-up safely, please give blood. We have many openings at upcoming West Seattle pop-ups. Please book your appointment at www.bloodworksnw.org

Here’s the list of West Seattle pop-ups – including three days next week at the Masonic Center in The Junction. (Or, if you can get downtown, they have appointments available up through 6:30 tonight.)

Get ready to register for Lifelong Recreation classes at local community centers

Just a few days until registration opens for classes and programs at city-run community centers in West Seattle (and citywide). Here’s one set of classes Seattle Parks wants you to know about:

Get into shape and meet new friends! Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering in-person fitness classes at local community centers this winter, including its Lifelong Recreation for Adults 50+.

Here are several winter offerings; each class title is linked to a page with online registration and more information. Classes begin Jan- Registration opens December 14 at Noon. Register here or call 206-684-5177.

Aerobics
Fitness
Line Dance
Pickleball Skills 101
Yoga
=Zumba

AND MORE! See full winter brochure.

Scholarships are available if you need help with the fees.

VACCINATIONS: West Seattle pop-up clinic Saturday

December 6, 2021 1:19 pm
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 |   Coronavirus | Health | West Seattle news

Another pop-up clinic has been announced for West Seattle this Saturday (December 11th). Here’s the info:

The Community School of West Seattle is hosting a COVID vaccine clinic!

Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 3-6 PM!
9450 22nd Ave SW (corner of Roxbury and 22nd)

What’s available:

-All adult vaccine types
-All adult vaccine doses
-Pediatric (5-11 years) 1st and 2nd doses.

Appointment links:

Adult (12 years +) – all vaccine types, all doses:
prepmod.doh.wa.gov/appointment/en/reg/6069129814

Pediatric (5-11 years):
prepmod.doh.wa.gov/appointment/en/reg/4962198650

We asked about walk-ups. For adult boosters, yes; for pediatric vaccinations, no – those will be by appointment only.

SURVEY: New Westside HEY Coalition has questions for you

November 12, 2021 3:47 pm
|    Comments Off on SURVEY: New Westside HEY Coalition has questions for you
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Got a few minutes? The newly launched Westside HEY Coalition has a survey for you:

The Westside HEY (Healthy Empowered Youth) Coalition, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in West Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. This anonymous survey asks about one’s perceptions of drug and alcohol use among youth in the community. Adults ages 18 and over, who live, work or frequent the West Seattle area are eligible to take this survey. We will use this information to help us understand your thoughts and feelings, in order to better serve youth in our community. The survey typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Survey Link: research.net/r/KIWESEEN2021

The data from these surveys will be used to implement evidence-based prevention programs in middle and high schools in the community, including Madison Middle School and West Seattle High School.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey!

Sincerely,
Westside HEY Coalition

FOLLOWUP: After 6 years, Beach Drive complex no longer devoted to ‘sober living’

October 25, 2021 8:50 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: After 6 years, Beach Drive complex no longer devoted to ‘sober living’
 |   Health | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Six years ago, the Beachwood Apartments at 4027 Beach Drive SW were momentarily in the spotlight because of community questions regarding their takeover by Seattle Sober Living. The organization stressed that it wasn’t a halfway house or treatment facility – just a building renting apartments to men committing to drug- and alcohol-free living. The years passed and it didn’t return to our radar until this past weekend, when a reader emailed to say the building looked empty. Checking the Seattle Sober Living website, we found the Beach Drive location was no longer listed; though in 2015 it was the organization’s only location, now SSL lists buildings in Capitol Hill and Kirkland. Unable to find anything else about the West Seattle building’s status, we emailed David Gould, director of SSL then and now (and a West Seattle resident). He replied:

We have found another property in the Seattle area which we believe is even better suited for our tenants. SSL is no longer renting the property at 4027 Beach Dr SW.

Speaking for myself and representing feedback I’ve received from tenants and their families, the West Seattle community is owed a debt of gratitude for welcoming us. This is a beautiful area and hundreds of recovering addicts who have come through the Beach Drive home hold a special place in their heart for this community. Lives have been changed. Thank you, West Seattle.

Alliance Multifamily is managing the building now. While stressing that he wasn’t speaking for the ownership, Gould said he had “heard it was going to be rented as standard housing.” And indeed, when we subsequently went over for a photo of the building, we noticed sandwich boards advertising “Now Leasing.”