West Seattle, Washington
21 Friday
With two months left to go in 2010, West Seattle Runner‘s Tim McConnell is looking ahead to 2011 – with an invitation for you.
Ever wanted to run or walk a 5K? A 10K? A half marathon? Or all 26.2 miles of the Seattle Marathon? Ever wondered how you would get in shape for one of these and didn’t know where to start? Maybe you have never run before or just want to get in better shape? Well, then this is the program for you! A fully supported, free training program that takes you from never running or from low mileage running to running/walking a full marathon in 48 weeks. This program will allow you to miss some weeks and still be on track to run/walk the Seattle Marathon in November of 2011. It starts very slow and builds gradually, ensuring you don’t get discouraged with your progress and trying to keep injuries down to a minimum. There will be races added along the way to keep it interesting, including a 5K (or 2, or 3), a 10K, the Rock and Roll Half Marathon (based on availability) and ending with the Seattle Marathon. (All race entry fees will be paid for by the participant).
It will also introduce you to others from the area, as there will be weekly group runs. There will also be information nights were you will learn about nutrition, injury prevention, stretching, cross training ideas, proper footwear and apparel, and others we will add along the way. So come out, enjoy yourself, get healthy and meet your neighbors! Let’s all Get Fit in 2011!
And did I mention that all of this (except race fees) is free?
Come out and see if this is something you would be interested in. Our first info night will be November 5th at 7:00 p.m. at West Seattle Runner. 3727 California Ave SW, Suite 2A. That’s on the corner of California and Charlestown, upstairs next to Anytime Fitness. Check it out on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/39zexyo. Any questions call Tim at West Seattle Runner, 938-0545. See you then!
If you missed the food/alcohol permit training at Alki Masonic Hall on Sunday – we got one call from someone who said the place appeared locked up – Rick Dusatko has an apology for you – it was downstairs in the dining hall but they didn’t put a sign on the (locked) front door. So they’re bringing in trainers for a makeup class this Saturday:
A makeup Food Handlers Permit class will be held this Saturday, October 30, at
9:30 am, with the alcohol class at 10:30 am, at Alki Masonic Temple, 4736 40th Av. SW, IN THE DOWNSTAIRS DINING HALL ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING DOWN THE RAMP AND STAIRS. The first set of blue doors, just to your left at the bottom of the stairs A sign will be posted on the front doors to direct you downstairs. FOOD AT 9:30 AM, ALCOHOL AT 10:30 AM. My apologies to everyone who missed the food handlers permit class last Sunday at Alki Temple. I am an IDIOT! I forgot to put a sign directing you downstairs, I thought it was in the announcement. You were six steps away, Sorry.Our next regularly scheduled Food Handlers permit class will be on Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 10:00 am, with the alcohol class at 11:00 am, same place – Alki Temple 4736 40th Ave SW, downstairs in the dining hall SE corner of the building, down the ramp and stairs, first set of blue doors left at the bottom of the stairs.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s been a busy week of environmentally-related meetings for West Seattle and its neighbors. The night after Sustainable West Seattle‘s forum on the Duwamish River (WSB coverage here), a “Community Forum on the Public Health Issues of Neighborhood Trucking” was convened, primarily for the Georgetown and South Park communities, but potentially of interest to other local areas with notable truck traffic.
Held at the Georgetown campus of West Seattle-headquartered South Seattle Community College, the forum consisted of three separate panels offering information regarding diesel pollution in the Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods. Listening to the panels were Seattle City Councilmembers Mike O’Brien, Tom Rasmussen and Nick Licata as well as Port Commissioner Rob Holland, as well as an audience of approximately 40 people.
36-year-old Nikki Mackey hopes you will watch that video of her recent haircut at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor). Five weeks ago, Nikki was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She explains why watching the video can make a difference:
Knowing that I will lose my hair to chemo, I decided to donate it to Locks of Love (my hair was very long and very pretty….)
I went last Wednesday to Illusions Salon in West Seattle and had them cut the hair for the donation – one of the stylists videotaped it for me since I have been trying to fully document this new and painful journey. I put the video up on YouTube to share with my friends and family (I’m from the East Coast so many of them are not here physically but want to share this experience with me in any way they can…)
The video generated a great many views very quickly and I received a notice from YouTube regarding ad-revenue sharing. Illusions gave their permission for me to
apply for the ad-revenue sharing and I contacted Locks of Love to let them know that I want all proceeds earned from the video to go to them. I just really want to get the video out there so we can perhaps earn some money to help this fantastic organization. Immediately following my surgery, one of the surgical attendants came to see me to make sure I was doing OK. She told me she had worked at St. Jude’s and was present when one of the Locks of Love wigs was presented to a 15 year old girl. She told me she never forgot how happy the girl was and how emotional it was to see this child get a wig which would allow her to feel like a normal 15 year old – at least as normal as she could possibly feel under the circumstances.… I want to raise awareness for this awesome organization, as well as for breast cancer awareness. As I said, I’m 36 years old – I have no family history of this disease – I exercise regularly and eat organically, yet here I am. I just want to get the word out that body awareness is the key to survival. It certainly was for me.
Locks of Love participation is one of the ways Illusions gives back to the community – as explained toward the bottom of the “Giving Back” page on their website. You can also find out more about Locks of Love, including other ways to help the organization, by going here.
If you haven’t already heard about this via Facebook or Twitter, we’re mentioning here too: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is offering free mammograms tomorrow at Roxbury Safeway, 8:30 am-7:30 pm – criteria: “Uninsured women between 40 and 64.” But you need to call for an appointment: 206.288.7800.
(P.S. If you miss out on this, West Seattle Community Clinic has its next day of free breast/cervical screening for uninsured/underinsured 40-65-year-olds on Nov. 6; call 206.937.9722.)
Richard Dusatko from Alki Lodge 152 says, “We’re trying something new” – and if this turns out to be popular, they’ll do more of it:
Training and testing for food and alcohol permits will be available in West Seattle Junction on Sunday, October 24, 2010 and Sunday, November 28, 2010, at Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave. SW. Food permits at 10 am with the alcohol permits at 11 am. Cost $15 each. No reservation needed. Tell your friends.
Questions? Call Rick at 206-935-6818 or e-mail vinajane@hotmail.com. (He also points out the lodge will serve breakfast on those days at 9 am, $5.)
**note, e-mail address updated 10/25/2010**
After gathering at a picnic shelter along the Alki promenade, the participants in this morning’s Walk ‘n’ Roll for Ataxia (about 50 by our informal count) headed out eastbound along the beach, with these young banner-carriers leading the way:
Ataxia is a nervous-system disorder (explained here) that in some cases can turn deadly. Researchers are working on some studies that show promise, but as with all research, it takes money, so events like this one are geared toward raising some. You can donate to the cause any time by going here.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Geri Dube, who offers a Walk and Talk counseling practice along Alki. Geri is a licensed psychotherapist 
who specializes in helping people tackling relationship issues, weight management, depression, and/or general stress. She believes that walking helps people tap into their own creative ways to deal with these matters, while at the same time getting exercise and connecting with nature and community. Geri says many clients have told her they have fond memories of insightful and even life-changing conversations they’ve had while walking with a friend. That’s why she believes that incorporating a walk into a session helps people get unstuck and move toward finding answers to questions and problems. Realizing the difficulties of finding babysitters and the usual need to multi-task, Geri invites new parents to walk with their baby strollers, and encourages pet lovers to bring “Fido” along, for outdoor sessions. She sees clients at her West Seattle home office as well, and would like to assure prospective clients that she is open as to how they would like to meet, whether indoors or out. She is covered by most insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee scale if necessary. Walk and Talk counseling, however, is not covered, so Geri provides 30-minute sessions when requested. Walk and Talk Therapy is an out-of-the-box approach that helps people find their own way through the difficult times, get unstuck and move forward. Geri has been written up in Fitness Magazine, Health Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, amongst other publications. She has been in practice almost 20 years on the Eastside prior to moving to West Seattle. For an appointment, call Geri at 425-358-0083; visit her website at gericounsels.org.
We thank Geri Dube for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Sustainable local food is what Eat Local Now! is all about – and what you’ll enjoy during next Thursday’s 7th annual Eat Local Now! dinner – as long as you hurry up and get your tickets. WSB is proud to again be among the co-sponsors for this event that’s both delectable and educational, presented by Sustainable West Seattle, CoolMom, Herban Feast and The Seattle Good Business Network next Thursday (September 30th) at Herban Feast’s Sodo Park. Organizers have gone public with the final chef lineup, and the roster of local-food producers/providers – note West Seattle favorites new and old:
Ariel Bangs – Healthy Creations
Dalis Chea – Herban Feast (Fresh Bistro)
Marisa Lown – The Radical Cupcake
Traci Knight – Personal Chef
Hajime Sato – Mashiko
Jack Spiess – Seatown
Jacob Wiesberg – Blackboard BistroLocal food producers and providers include: Field Roast, Full Circle Farm, Bird on a Wire, Radical Cupcake, Mashiko, Spud, Elliott Bay Brewing, Thundering Hooves Farm, PCC, Platypus Breads, Seatown Snack Bar, Blackboard Bistro, The Grange Café, Blackboard Bistro, Alvarez Organic Farm, Big Al Brewing, Chef Tracy Knight, Chef Ariel Bangs, Salumi, Brian Allen, Charlie’s Produce, Willie’s Organic Greens, Hope Burundi Cooperative and the Somali-Bantu Farmers of Washington
Not only do you get dinner, you get entertainment, the chance to bid in a silent auction, and the opportunity to meet exhibitors providing information about growing and/or buying fresh local food. It’s at 6 pm Thursday, September 30th, at Herban Feast’s Sodo Park, with tickets available online now.
As the Seattle-area Susan Komen 3 Day for the Cure walk starts this morning, thanks to Glen Syvertsen for sharing that new video featuring Tracy Dart, the breast-cancer survivor who is namesake for West Seattle’s best-known 3 Day team, Team Tracy, with narration by Tom Hutyler, best known as the Safeco Field “Voice of the Mariners.” (Tom and Glen are both West Seattleites too.) Team Tracy did make the $40,000 fundraising goal mentioned in the video, by the way, and as Tracy mentions on her website, she’s carrying the “Courage” banner in the Survivors’ Circle. Team Tracy members and hundreds of others will leave Redmond this morning on an east/north route, concluding at Memorial Stadium downtown on Sunday. If you’d like to cheer the walkers along the way, “cheering stations” are listed on the 3 Day website. Good luck to all the walkers!
In case you missed the mention in WSB coverage of this week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – this Saturday, local police are helping with the coast-to-coast National Take Back Initiative event, inviting people to clean out their medicine cabinets to reduce the risk that old/unused prescriptions will be abused or otherwise misused/inappropriately disposed of. Sandra points out that there are two collection points listed for West Seattle between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday – not just the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster) but also the High Point Walgreens parking lot (6330 35th SW). There’s more information on SPD Blotter.
Two years ago, we caught the start of “Walk ‘n’ Roll for Ataxia” on Alki; this morning, we have the announcement that it’s happening again in a few weeks, to benefit the National Ataxia Foundation in its fight against the not-so-well-known nervous-system disease (explained here). It’s at 10 am Saturday, October 2nd, starting from Alki Beach shelter #1 (across from Pegasus Pizza). Registration form here – or e-mail ataxiaseattle@comcast.net or call 425-823-6239. The very next day, there’s another awareness-and-money-raising walk in the Alki area:
(WSB photo from 2008 CROP Walk)
Sunday, October 3rd, is the day for this year’s CROP Walk, leaving from Alki UCC at 1:30 pm, raising money to fight hunger. More info here about how to participate and/or pledge.
Before those two walks in West Seattle, there is another walk happening outside our area but with West Seattle participants. Lisa from Arbor Heights e-mailed to let us know about Light the Night Walk, a cancer-fighting event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, coming up next Saturday. Lisa is planning to walk with her friend April Fennell Robinson (photo left), whom Lisa says is fighting non-Hodgkins Follicular Lymphoma (and has already survived breast cancer). The walk is at Green Lake Park, starting at 7 pm September 25th, more info here.
And the day before that – it’s the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure, with a big West Seattle contingent, led by local survivor Tracy Dart‘s Team Tracy. She’s been continuing to chronicle their hard-fought fundraising successes online, and her excitement over being chosen to carry the “Courage” banner in the Survivors’ Circle during the 3-Day. This year’s walk starts next Friday night; Tracy has posted information on her site about how you can cheer on the walkers.
(Photo by Sofia Zadra Goff)
Two celebrations of note: First – Parent Trust for Washington Children has given its 2010 Leadership Award to the five authors of the million-plus-copies-selling manual “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” – including West Seattle’s April Bolding (second from right, with, from left, Penny Simkin, Ann Keppler, Janet Whalley, and Janelle Durham). Thursday also was proclaimed “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” Day by King County Executive Dow Constantine, in honor of the book that’s guided countless expectant parents over the past 20 years. It’s been revised multiple times, with the fourth edition now out; Bolding joined the co-author team in 2007. (Read more about her on her website, here.)
More awards: At left, a photo from Tuesday night’s awards ceremony at the Duwamish Longhouse for the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored this year by WSB) and its 2010 beneficiaries – who received a total of $23,190 from the nonprofit tour’s proceeds. The 2010 beneficiaries were Highland Park Elementary School, Seattle Tilth, Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center Rain Garden, South Seattle Community College Arboretum and ArtsWest (WSB sponsor). WSGT provided the photo, identifying those left to right as: Jim Reid (WSGT 2010 VP and current President) and Kam Boulle (WSGT 2010 President) with representatives from HP Elementary, Duwamish Longhouse, Seattle Tilth and ArtsWest. Meantime, the West Seattle Garden Tour membership committee is seeking new volunteers – they meet for monthly potlucks “to review the steady, building progress of the tour.” Interested in helping? westseattlegt@gmail.com – next meeting is October 13th.
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Futura Health Screening, located in Jefferson Square. Here’s what they’d like you to know: Did you know that 80% of strokes could have been prevented? Screening for stroke in at-risk people can identify early signs of carotid artery disease, the major cause of stroke. Recommendations can then be made for lifestyle changes or care that can significantly manage this risk. 
Futura Health Screening now has a West Seattle facility at Jefferson Square – SW Alaska and 42nd SW. Please visit our website or give us a call to make an appointment. Futura recently launched a comprehensive online resource for Vascular Disease concerns. Here you can use the Risk Calculator to assess potential concerns, learn more about vascular disease, lifestyle adjustments, options for treatment if necessary and to schedule a screening. Futura Health Screening utilizes non-invasive ultrasound scanning technology to see the inside your arteries, which assesses your current state of risk for stroke. Screenings are inexpensive, do not require a physician’s referral and are quick & comfortable. Unlike other screening services, Futura takes great care to make sure that only those at risk for vascular disease (blood circulation diseases) are screened. Inappropriate screening for people who are not at risk may result in false-positive results (tests indicating disease, when it is not present). These incorrect results can lead to additional testing or care that is unnecessary, costly and potentially dangerous. In addition to screening for the risk of stroke, Futura can also screen for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), conditions that can lead to death or disability. You can contact Futura Health Screening at www.futurahealthscreening.com or at (425) 398-7797 or toll-free at (866) 486-4882.
We thank Futura Health Screening for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Thanks to Suzanna at Providence Mount St. Vincent for sharing that photo and this report about local participants in today’s Memory Walk at Seattle Center:
Today more than 30 people from Providence Mount Saint Vincent participated in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. Our team was composed of staff, residents, families, volunteers and even children from our Intergenerational learning center! The team was captained by Marie Hoover (ILC Director) and Eileen McCloskey (Recreational Therapy Coordinator) We had a great time and we have raised almost $3000 so far!
We know they weren’t the only West Seattleites in Memory Walk – if you were there and have a photo to share of yourself (and/or other West Seattleite/s), here’s how!
Just announced by Michael Mandell of M3 Bodyworks, a longtime WSB sponsor – a new location a short distance north of M3’s old one!
As of September 6th, 2010, M3 Bodyworks Massage Clinic is pleased to officially announce its relocation from the old clinic at 5410 California SW to our new space at 5236 California SW (map)!
Our new clinic is only a block away from the old one, but it offers many exciting improvements. We will be more visible and accessible, with a front entrance right off the street. We will have more treatment rooms, which will make it much easier for us to accommodate your scheduling needs, especially those last-minute appointment requests (you know who you are)! We will also have a small courtyard where you may sit and relax before or after your massage.
We at M3 Bodyworks believe that this move will help us fulfill our mission to provide the community of West Seattle with outstanding massage therapy at a great price. To help welcome you to our new home, we would like to offer you $10 off your next 60- or 90-minute cash visit*. Just mention “West Seattle Blog $10 off“ when booking your appointment. We are looking forward to seeing you for many years to come in our new clinic!
M3 Bodyworks Massage Clinic, 5236 California Ave SW, Suite D, Seattle WA 98136
(206) 331-3999
M3bodyworks.com(*Only one per customer, valid for new or existing customers. Not applicable toward package discounts or copays, not valid when combined with other coupons or discounts)
This morning, we welcome a new WSB sponsor: Melanie Carey, CH, hypnotherapist and Reiki practitioner at West Seattle Wellness. As per the WSB new-sponsor tradition, here’s what she’d like you to know about what she does: 
“Actually, I feel like I UN-hypnotize people”, Melanie says. “We are all walking around in a trance most of the time, moving through our routine, serving our addictions and habits. My sessions offer a place away from everyday life, to clear your mind, hear yourself think, and connect with what you really want from your life.” Whether it’s time to change, or time to get ready to make that change, hypnotherapy is the most effective method out there. Hypnotherapy is for freedom from smoking and other addictions, letting go of weight, birthing without fear, or discovering blocks to fertility, hypnotherapy can help with any issue that exists. It empowers you. “I have never felt so relaxed” is what Melanie says she hears most often from her clients at West Seattle Wellness. Deep relaxation and freedom from issues – a new way of handling problems. It doesn’t have to be a fight; it is inspiring and empowering. If you’re wondering: What is Reiki? Reiki is a hands-on therapy that clears energy blocks in the body. It is similar to acupuncture, except without the needles. Reiki can offer relief from: stress, allergies, depression, anxiety, emotional and mental confusion, insomnia, or any other dis-ease. It is worth experiencing the peace and beauty of Reiki. You can find Melanie Carey, CH, at West Seattle Wellness LLC, online at westseattlewellness.com – where you’ll find an online appointment scheduler! – or call 206-453-5397.
We thank Melanie Carey, CH, at West Seattle Wellness for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Back in December, we introduced you to Kenny Wolfe, who was taking over the former Westside Pharmacy immediately south of West Seattle Nursery. He thought he’d have the renamed West Seattle Pharmacy – closed when its former owner moved to the then-new QFC in The Junction last fall – open before long. Eight months have passed, and he and wife Scarlett Wolfe are finally almost there, as the brand-new sign in the window (top photo) says. We pulled over to check in last night when we saw saw that sign and another one on the shop’s north side, just painted by West Seattle’s popular “Sign Savant“ Japhy Witte, so fresh that he was still there talking with them when we walked up.
The espresso bar in the drugstore space has been open for a week-plus – using Pioneer beans, and please note, per the sign, they’re making smoothies too – and they intend for West Seattle Pharmacy to be a coffeehouse/Internet café as well as a drugstore, with Wi-Fi and probably even a desktop computer to be used by customers who don’t bring their own. Getting the pharmacy open took a lot longer than expected because of various delays, Kenny explains, including a long wait time for the state Pharmacy Board to get to their application. But now everything’s falling in place. What the Wolfes would love is if you come in – even now, before the drugstore opens – and let them know what you’re interested in buying. They plan to offer a wide range of merchandise including medical, health and fitness equipment as well as over-the-counter sundries, and they promise that since they’re your small, independent drugstore, if you ask for something, they’ll do their best to get it – no corporate approval needed – “we ARE corporate,” they grinned. (They’re at California/Brandon; here’s a map.)
Seattle Parks is presenting “Big Day of Play” a week from tomorrow at Magnuson Park. Before you say “North end? Too far!” check this out – Parks points out today that they’re offering free shuttles from community centers including Southwest CC and Delridge CC in West Seattle. The schedule for the “Big Day of Play” events 9:30 am-5 pm Aug. 28 (including stage performances starting with the popular band Recess Monkey) is here; the schedule of free shuttle buses is here. There’s also a 3-on-3 basketball tournament (info here) and a fun run too.
These aren’t happening IN West Seattle, but the recruiting notice for volunteers to help with two drills is shared by WSB’er LyndaB, and given our peninsula’s leadership role as a hotbed of disaster preparedness, somebody out there just might want to help. And the volunteers for the first one can be as young as 14 – high-school students, that means community-service credit! Read on:Read More
Just noticed something you’ve probably noticed already if you’ve looked to the west or south – despite the bright sunshine, you can’t see the Olympics or Mount Rainier. If you suspected smoke from wildfires including the one that’s been visible at sunset the past two nights – you’re right. This just in from the state Ecology Department:
Smoke from several wildfires burning in Washington and British Columbia is spreading throughout the state.
That trend is expected to continue for a few days. Some clearing of hazy skies is expected later this week, possibly by Wednesday.
“Smoke from a wildfire can travel rapidly, affecting air quality hundreds of miles downwind from the fire’s location,” said Stu Clark, Air Quality Program manager for the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). “Smoke pollutes the air you breathe and harms your health, especially if you have existing health conditions.”
The announcement, including advice for people sensitive to pollution, continues after the jump:Read More
(Photo added 12:55 pm)
TODAY: Till 4 pm, West Seattle’s most renowned 3-Day for the Cure team, Team Tracy, is outside West 5 selling bracelets and T-shirts and accepting donations – the big walk is a little over a month away (9/24-9/26, Redmond to Seattle). West 5 also is donating a portion of today’s proceeds during the fundraiser, if you head in (air conditioning!) for food and/or drinks.
TWO WEEKS AWAY: Just 2 weeks left till Northwest Hope and Healing‘s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run! 9 am Sunday, August 29th, leaving Alki Bathhouse for a 5K round-trip course along the water. This year for the first time they’re closing Alki Avenue for the event – the projected time frame is 8 am-11 am – with more than 1,000 people taking part, that’s just too many to funnel onto the sidewalks/bike path. Signed up yet? You can do it online here.
As was observed during this morning’s groundbreaking for Transitional Resources‘ new Avalon Place facility (2988 SW Avalon Way, just north of the old Tillicum Village building) – here’s the before/after:
TR is one of those places you drive by all the time without realizing it’s there. Its business is to help those with “serious, persistent” mental-health challenges, dozens of whom either live in its current buildings along Avalon, or get services there. Now it’s adding a brand-new building that’ll provide 16 “permanent, affordable housing” units, as well as space for other services, and that’s what brought TR staff, board members, and dignitaries out for today’s brief ceremony. In our video, the woman toward the right is TR CEO Darcell Slovek-Walker; the others include King County Executive Dow Constantine and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (project funding includes county and city dollars). Slovek-Walker tells us the house now on the site (you can see it in our video) will be demolished within a week or two; construction of Avalon Place should take about seven months.
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