West Seattle, Washington
15 Saturday
Tomorrow at 10:30 am, Providence Mount St. Vincent hosts the first of three “Blessing of the Animals” events scheduled for West Seattle this weekend. In honor of that, our occasional series of stories about West Seattle “shop cats” returns with the tale of the cats at The Mount:
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Fifteen years ago, when the assisted-living (and more) center known to West Seattleites as “The Mount” underwent a major philosophical shift from a “medical model” to a “social model,” it instilled some major changes: Nurses stopped wearing starched uniforms and switched to regular clothes; strict waking and sleeping schedules were abolished; cheerful dayrooms were built — and a cat moved in.
Nurse Manager Brenda Jennings, who has seen many changes at The Mount over the past 30 years, says that the new watermark for staff and clients was to see The Mount as home. Residents are not seen as “sick people” — they are essentially well, but with chronic conditions; they are allowed to direct their own care and be more independent. Cats have become an important part of that home culture.
The Mount has five different units which are known as “neighborhoods” and each neighborhood has its own cat.
First, following up on Sunday’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing‘s work helping breast-cancer patients (our same-day coverage is here and here), NWHH executive director Shari Sewell has an update:
Nearly 1,400 walkers, runners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters came out on a beautiful morning for the Alki Beach 5k Walk & Run. We are so thrilled at the cooperation we received from the West Seattle community as well as the support of our participants. Our supporters have embraced our mission to help women get through breast cancer, and the event has grossed over $75,000, with donations still coming in. Donations can be made online at www.alkibeachrun.com. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Dr Glenn Krieger, who has generously supported our annual event over the past few years.
And from NWHH supporter and Alki Beach 5K participant Amy Daly-Donovan, a photo and info from an “afterparty” of sorts:
From left, that’s NWHH founder Christine Smith, Amy and husband Jim, and Shari Sewell. Amy reports $1,800 more was raised at the party, for which she provides the backstory:
I signed up for NWHH’s inaugural run event in 2003 – it was a half marathon and the longest distance I’d ever run. My young & vibrant sister had recently passed away from an aggressive form of breast cancer and I wanted to do something to honor her, and liked the idea of supporting a LOCAL organization that supported LOCAL breast cancer patients. In that first year, NWHH encouraged each participant to raise $500 and I decided to try something different rather than asking for pledges. Jim and I hosted a cocktail party and asked people to come and make a donation to NWHH. That first year we raised nearly $1,400.
We decided to make an annual event of it and have been running & partying every year since. Last year, the total we have raised through the generosity of our friends and family surpassed the $10,000 mark! We are thrilled to be able to support this wonderful and much-needed organization in such a significant way. Two of my sisters and my niece and I also participated in NWHH’s Spring Fashion Show last May and had a blast.
You can find out more about Northwest Hope and Healing at nwhopeandhealing.org. ADDED TUESDAY: We’ve received a followup also from the presenting sponsor, Krieger Dentistry, regarding their ongoing efforts to help fight breast cancer – read on:Read More
A new service from Dr. Terrill Harrington of My Family Doctor (WSB sponsor) – he’s trying the concept of an evening “care clinic” to see if there’s a demand for it. After regular office hours end at 4:30 pm, he’s reopening 6-9 pm for the care clinic. 
As Dr. Harrington explains it, it’s for people who don’t feel well and want to see a doctor but are having a hard time getting an appointment with their regular doctor or can’t take time off work in the middle of the day. His clinic is a bridge between you and your regular provider – after you see him, he can get in touch with your regular doctor for a full report on what happened, and he’ll check to make sure you connected with your regular provider. For now, he’s staffing the clinic himself, till it’s clear how much need there is; he was inspired to try it after looking at stats regarding why people visit the ER – many, he said, do so not because it’s truly an emergency but because they’re not feeling well and couldn’t get a timely appointment to see their provider, or because they have a sick child who seems to need immediate attention. He stresses this isn’t meant to replace an ER for major problems, and he’ll send you there if it seems more appropriate. His clinic’s at 3623 SW Alaska (map); phone (206) 362-8671 (that’s 206-DOCTOR-1).
Catching up on more stuff to share: West Seattle Thriftway has announced two flu-shot sessions, October 4 and 17, 11 am-4 pm both days, ages 12+. Other info here.
We’ve covered more than a few fundraisers in the past few months – and now, the big event is here: Tonight, the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers have concluded Day 1. Among the West Seattleites on the 60-mile route this time, Tracy Dart – breast-cancer survivor and namesake of Team Tracy – who has posted updates online (with photos!). You can follow along in other ways – we’re seeing some updates from 3-Day walkers on Twitter (here’s the search for updates marked #3day). If you’d like to go cheer the walkers, there are two “cheering stations” in Everett tomorrow – listed here along with one on Capitol Hill, and the closing ceremony downtown, on Sunday. (Photo from twitpic.com via @snelson)
There’s advice for everybody in King County, in the announcement by county Public Health that a dead crow in Laurelhurst tested positive for West Nile Virus – “the first West Nile positive finding in King County in 2009,” they say. The advice: Protect yourself against mosquito bites. And report any dead birds to 206-205-4394, or by sending an online report (scroll down this page). Only one human case of WNV has been reported in our state this year, in Klickitat County; this state report about that case includes symptom info. (Side note – the aforementioned county website section has a handy-for-multiple-purposes bird-ID gallery.)
(WSB photo from August 17)
The second-to-last day of the Delridge Produce Cooperative‘s four-week “Mobile Market” pilot project ended early today because of the stormy weather – but you can check out the (free!) produce stand’s grand finale tomorrow (Monday), south lawn of Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way, where we took the photo you see above; here’s a map), 3:30-7:30 pm. After that, DPC founder Galena White hopes you will help plan an event to celebrate the progress so far and talk about what happens next:
The ‘Mobile Market’ team would like to plan a party at which we will give out the results of the survey, share stories of our experiences at the booth and celebrate the connections we made, and talk about the next step in building our community’s food infrastructure. Everyone and anyone is invited to the party, including the volunteers, produce contributors, people who visited the booth, and anyone who wanted to visit but didn’t get the chance. We need help planning the party and we need volunteers to help make it happen.
We’d like for anyone who wants to help to join us in planning the party this Tuesday, September 8th at Pearls, from 6-8 pm. We’ll make plans for where the party should be held, what kind of refreshments we should have, and what the program will be like; and then we’ll all choose which tasks we want to accomplish. Planning the party should be almost as much fun as the party itself, so we hope that a lot of people come!
Pearls is at 4800 Delridge Way; here’s a map.
Dawn Jump at Prudential NW Realty in Jefferson Square sent a reminder of tomorrow’s mobile blood drive, just in time to help with potential extra need during a long holiday weekend – 9 am-2 pm tomorrow, in the Safeway parking lot on 42nd Ave SW (map). She adds, “PLEASE DONATE!!!!!!! Please call 206 932-4500 if you’d like to schedule a specific appointment or e-mail DJ at DawnJump@PNWRealty.com with your desired time.”
(PCC’s West Seattle store staff, photographed by PCC’s Scott Parshall)
Our newest sponsor is celebrating a milestone — PCC Natural Markets opened its West Seattle location (2749 California SW) 20 years ago, and invites you to a big party September 13th with free food, fun, samples, even cooking demonstrations. The full celebration plan is on the PCC website. Here’s what else PCC wants you to know: When you crave all that’s fresh, local and organic, we hope you’ll visit all of us at PCC Natural Markets. We’ve served West Seattle since 1989 and are proud supporters of the West Seattle Food Bank, the Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha and numerous schools and community groups.
We began as a food-buying club of 15 families back in 1953. Today we’re the largest consumer-owned, natural food co-operative in the United States. Co-operative means our nine locations around the Sound are owned by our roughly 45,000 members. Not a member? You’re still plenty welcome to shop with us! But we hope you’ll consider joining the co-op to support sustainable agriculture and our long-running, environmentally friendly, community-based business.
You won’t find high-fructose corn syrup or plastic bags in our stores. Here’s just a sampling of what you will find in West Seattle: Produce, meats, dairy and more that meet our standards for quality, flavor and ethics; award-winning cooking classes through our PCC Cooks program; wine tastings; hundreds of kid-tested-and-approved foods labeled throughout the store via our Kid Picks program and a team that’s glad to answer your questions or give you a sample. Here’s to a lifetime of good eating!
Thanks to PCC Natural Markets – open 7 am-11 pm daily in West Seattle – for supporting neighborhood-based, community-collaborative news/information/discussion by sponsoring WSB. Our current sponsors are all here, with info on how to join them.
Saturday afternoon, we showed you the young artists preparing the south wall of Super 24 (Delridge/Findlay) for a mural – now, here’s the finished artwork. Here’s what Philippia Goldsmith from DNDA added tonight in a comment on our Saturday afternoon update:
This project is part of a larger initiative to transform the local corner stores into destinations where local residents have an ‘option’ to purchase affordable, delicious, and healthy food for their families. We will be having more projects like this in the coming months. If you’d like to volunteer or contribute to this effort. Send me an e-mail: phillippiag@dnda.org
Now to Alki:
Abby Suplizio tipped us to the “Save the Tata’s” Breast Cancer 3Day fundraising car wash at Alki Auto Repair this morning/afternoon. The 3Day route skips West Seattle again this year (it went through here in 2007 – WSB pix here) but more than a few West Seattleites are participating; breast-cancer survivor Diana McCasey organized this fundraiser. (If you missed it, you can donate through her page at the 3Day site.) East from Alki, to Schmitz Park:
That’s about the closest Shauna Causey got to the crew filming the online series “Star Trek: Phoenix” again this weekend in Schmitz Park, which had limited public access as a result (Friday night preview here). Shauna reports:
Entering the park from Admiral (Way), there is a sign that says “no admittance” and explains the filming. We came from the Alki Elementary entrance so we did not see this, or any signs that the film crew was still there until we got to the stream and could clearly hear a generator running not too far away in the park. Walking down the trails, we came upon the filming and saw some alien costumes laying on the trail (black helmets covering the head) and looked over to see a man with moss, sticks and brush covering his entire body. The only thing showing was his face, otherwise he looked like a giant pile of moss. I snapped a photo from fairly far away and they wouldn’t let me take any photos closer up.
More about “Star Trek: Phoenix” – which bills itself as “a not-for-profit Internet series and the largest, all volunteer, consistent film production in the Pacific Northwest” – at stphoenix.com. Posted notices said the crew’s work was to be done by 10 pm tonight, so tomorrow Schmitz should be back to normal.
The notorious “Fauntleroy stench” is back today – blamed on sea lettuce in Fauntleroy Cove generating hydrogen sulfide, according to Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Community Association, who offers this advice:
While we were able to secure funding from the 2009 legislative session for research and emergency response, the process of determining how to spend it has barely begun. Consequently, affected residents of Fauntleroy and other shoreline areas on the west side of the peninsula should exercise standard “stench protocol”:
– Note when low tide is, which is when sea lettuce on the beach decomposes and sends off the gas.
– Close all windows and skylights when you first notice the acrid smell.
– Stay indoors until the air seems fresh.
– Use a fan to blow out your bedroom before sleeping; the gas is heavy and needs a push.
– Leave home for awhile if the smell is especially strong.Remember: It’s not just the smell of saltwater. It’s a noxious gas that can make you sick. Symptoms include eye irritation, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
The West Seattle Weekend Lineup will be out later this morning, but first a couple quick reminders about three events:
****Pharmaca (WSB sponsor) in The Junction has declared today Natural Mom and Baby Day — with freebies including consultations, samples, and child-health seminars (10-11 am, on immunity-boosting; noon-1 pm, allergy remedies; 3-4 pm, DHA’s and brain health), and special offers; full details on Pharmaca’s West Seattle store page (which also lists other upcoming events, like flu shots).
****The third 4-day run of Delridge Produce Cooperative’s “Mobile Market” free-produce pilot project begins this afternoon – 3:30 to 7:30 at 9050 Delridge (where we visited them on Day 1). Go get free fruit/vegetables and fill out a (fast) survey.
****Tonight at Providence Mount St. Vincent, jazz by Cheryl Serio wraps up this year’s Summer Concerts at The Mount series (WSB sponsor) — you can watch or listen to her music here for a preview. Food and drink are on sale at 5; free concert starts at 6; bring your own chair and/or blanket.
The server-management company for partner site White Center Now is doing emergency maintenance so that site’s offline – there are two significant stories mostly of White Center import that we want to note here in the meantime: First, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine says Evergreen Pool in White Center (map) will close on September 1st – its temporary reprieve is ending and a deal with a private operator to take it over (WhiteWater Aquatics, which made a presentation at the last meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council) is not done yet, though talks continue, and, he says, “I am confident that a long-term agreement can be negotiated between King County Parks and White Water Aquatics and I will be working to facilitate the reopening of the Evergreen Pool as soon as possible.. Second: Hicks Lake, which is at Lakewood Park in White Center (map), has a toxic algae bloom, according to county spokesperson Doug Williams, who says:
We just got results back from the state Department of Ecology that confirms a blue-green algae bloom at Hicks has surpassed the safety threshold. While there aren’t likely too many people swimming there right now, it’s possible that people could let their dogs swim and/or drink from the lake. Not a good idea!
Williams says they have posted warning signs, and those signs will stay up until two consecutive weekly samples show the water’s safe again.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor – The X Gym, on Alki. As is our tradition, we offer new sponsors the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what The X Gym wants you to know: “The X Gym distances itself from the competition in every way. We have taken exercise and health out of the Dark Ages and have brought it 
into today’s world of busy parents, professionals, and weekend warriors. Everything we do, from strength training to nutrition, is based on the latest scientific research. Gone are the days where a person has to spend hours at a gym just to achieve mediocre results. We have invented our own specific exercise methods based on the latest scientific research to achieve the outstanding results we have demonstrated since 1998. These methods allow us to train clients safely and effectively, achieving a functional, well rounded fitness in much less time than traditional training for more than double the results. The X Gym is a place where the Average Joe and Jane can become real urban athletes. Our client base runs the age spectrum from 15 to 90, from all types of backgrounds, and every fitness level. For our clients there is no more diet yo-yo, guessing, fitness plateaus, or frustrations. The X Gym covers all four components of health: Physical, cardiovascular, mental, and nutritional. Finally, one of the biggest factors that separates us from the rest is that our services do not start and stop at the door. Clients are held accountable for everything relating to their health, whether it be food tracking or showing up for appointments. At The X Gym, you are not just another number, you’re family, and we always take care of family. Clients are constantly amazed at the stark contrast in the results they achieve and in the short amount of time they actually spend working out. Some clients have spent years trying to get into shape, but traditional training has failed them.” The X Gym on Alki is at 3213 Harbor SW (map); online at xgym.com; by phone, 206-938-XGYM.
Thanks to The X Gym for supporting West Seattle’s only independent, neighborhood-based, community-collaborative 24/7 news, information and discussion service; our current sponsor team can be seen here, along with info on how to join.
Till 7:30 tonight, you’ll find the Delridge Produce Cooperative “Mobile Market” – free produce as part of a four-week test – on the lawn south of Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map) – that’s where we took the photo a bit earlier. The project’s been getting lots of buzz and an increasing number of visits – even a line when they opened this afternoon! Here’s an update DPC sent before starting up for the day:
Today we have peaches from an organic farm in California, courtesy of Madison Market, and multi-colors of carrots from Full Circle Farm. We expect to get at least fifty visitors today, which is what we’re aiming for. We still need volunteers to fill up the schedules for the next three weeks, and we’re on the lookout for local organic farmers who would like to donate.
We have gotten a lot of calls and personal referrals from people who want the produce from the ‘Mobile Market’ to supplement thier limited food budgets, so we are definitely confirming our suspicions that there is a real need for inexpensive fresh food on Delridge. If things keep going the way they are, we can prove that not only is there a need for produce on Delridge, but also that people can show up at certain locations and times to get it – and that they want it that badly. This demonstrates that a *real* mobile market (in particular) is likely to succeed in Delridge. We’ve also gotten calls from other places than Delridge, asking if you have to show identification that says you’re a Delridge resident to get free produce. I think that this illustrates that if we had the kind of produce co-op that we want, it would bring business into Delridge from other parts of Seattle and therefore be more likely to succeed. There is not a lot of inexpensive organic produce in Seattle in general, so we may become a magnet for those who desire it.
Next week, the tote bags will be ready, and we will have the mulit-language information pamphlets about free and low-cost healthy programs. The tote bags are beautiful, sturdy, washable green polyester that packs down into a key fob the size, shape and color of a big strawberry. They are being silk-screened by local company Heart On My Sleeve with an inspirational logo that was created by a local artist for our ‘Tote Bag Art Contest’ a few months ago. I believe that she found out about the contest by reading about it on the West Seattle Blog.
You’ll remember Heart On My Sleeve – they’re the fashion/art/music team based in Pigeon Point, profiled here earlier this year. Meantime, if you don’t make it to the “Mobile Market” at Youngstown by 7:30 tonight, they’ll repeat the same sequence of four locations next Friday through Monday – all listed here.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Thanks to Dina Johnson for this photo of the multiple colors of carrots available at the stand today:
The former Alki Mortgage building at California/Myrtle (map), a few steps south of Caffe Ladro, will soon house The Little Gym of West Seattle. Owner Birgit Obrietan tells WSB, “We can’t wait to become part of the West Seattle community!” She and her husband own The Little Gym operations in Bellevue and Issaquah, and Birgit says that “having a gym in West Seattle has been a dream of ours for many years.” They are hoping to open in early November for regular classes and birthday parties; ultimately, she says, “We will have parent/child classes, preschool gymnastics, grade school gymnastics, birthday parties and summer camps.” Their classes are for ages 4 months to 12 years, and you can find more about what they offer at thelittlegym.com. (They’re also reachable at 206-937-0311.) We asked if they’ll be occupying the entirety of the building; Birgit says no, “there is some back office space that will be rented to another tenant.” Side note — The Bellevue branch that Birgit and her husband own was the very first The Little Gym, opened in 1973; they’ve run it for nine years. (By the way – and thanks to Robert for spotting this – they’re advertising for a director.)
On Friday, we reported on the debut of the “Mobile Market” pilot project that the Delridge Produce Cooperative is trying out over the next four weeks — setting up a mobile produce stand at one of four Delridge locations each Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday in that time frame, to give out free fruit and vegetables and get answers to a survey about the potential market for selling fresh produce in the area. Today, DPC is at the Delridge P-Patch, next to Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW; map) till 3 pm, and asked us to:
… let people know that we’ll have peaches, plums, tomatoes, squash, cherries and apples today – lots of them, that we need to get rid of before the end of Monday’s stall. We also have fresh organic carrots from Full Circle Farms today. It’s a smorgasbord!
That’s the team you’ll find at the Delridge Produce Cooperative “Mobile Market” set up outside Watts Electric, east side of Delridge south of Henderson (map), till 7:30 tonight (with different locations along Delridge the next three days, repeating the series of four stops this week and the next three). They’re actually not selling, but rather giving away fresh fruits and vegetables:
Tiny’s donated most of what you see in that photo – except for some vegetables, including chiles, dropped off by someone that DPC president Galena White (right side of the top photo) said read here this morning that they accept produce dropoffs too. This is a pilot project to show how people might respond to a co-op selling fresh produce in Delridge, which has no grocery store of its own, let alone some place to regularly buy fresh, healthy food. So when you pick up your free produce, you’ll be asked to fill out a super-fast four-question survey.
(from left, Seattle Vein Clinic doctors Dr. Dave Omdal, Dr. R. Torrance Andrews, Dr. Manrita Sidhu)
This afternoon we welcome one of our newest sponsors, Seattle Vein Clinic. Here’s what they would like you to know about their practice: Seattle Vein Clinic specializes in the treatment of painful or heavy varicose veins. Varicose vein sufferers are often not aware that varicose veins are a serious medical condition and tend to get worse over time. They also don’t realize that treating this problem is covered by most major medical insurance. Those who suffer from varicose veins are often less apt to exercise and stay active because of the associated pain and discomfort. Once patients have undergone this procedure, they are often able to remain much more active, which contributes positively to their overall health. We’re a division of Seattle Radiologists and are located just a few minutes from West Seattle on 
First Hill (Broadway and Cherry; map). We’re offering free consultations for anyone who would like to discuss their varicose vein issues. We also have a free information CD available to help potential patients learn about how we treat this problem. Just visit our Web site or call (206) 292-7734 for more information. Thanks to Seattle Vein Clinic for joining the WSB sponsor team, listed here along with info on how to join the team!
Today we welcome a new sponsor, The Subtle Body, a West Seattle Ayurvedic center located on the second floor of 3620 California SW (map). As always, we offer new sponsors the chance to tell you about their businesses, and here’s what The Subtle Body wants you to know: Ayurvedic comes from Ayurveda, which means the “Science of Life,” a 5000-year-old system of health care originating in India. Ayurveda addresses each individual, and seeks to bring you back to your own state of balance. 
Your consultation will include recommendations on diet, daily routine, herbs, yoga and 
seasonal cleanses. We also offer a rejuvenation program consisting of Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic steams and Shirodhara. The center is run by Nickole Thornton (left) and Bethanie Sand (right). Nickole has practiced Ayurveda since 2000, traveling across the U.S. providing Ayurvedic lectures, Consultations, and Panchakarma Detox Therapy. In addition to her Ayurvedic expertise, she specializes in Deep Tissue Massage and NeuroMuscular Therapy with Therapeutic Stretching. Bethanie has been studying, teaching and working with Ayurveda since 2003. She’s involved in the Washington chapter of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, bringing practitioners of Ayurveda together in community and for the advancement of Ayurveda in Washington. In addition to offering Ayurvedic consultations and treatments, Bethanie specializes in CranioSacral Therapy — a gentle, yet effective way of releasing pain, tension and old holding patterns in the body and nervous system. For an appointment or consultation, you can reach Nickole at 206-799-0718 or Bethanie at 206-949-8442. Thanks to The Subtle Body for choosing to grow their business by sponsoring 24/7 local news, information and discussion on WSB; the entire sponsor team is listed here, with info on how to join!
Today we’re welcoming a new sponsor, Michelle Babb, MS, RD, 
a Bastyr graduate and adjunct professor who consults on finding optimum health by improving nutrition. New sponsors are always offered the chance to share information with you regarding what they do; Michelle says, “Clients seek me out because they’re looking to change their lifestyle to address their health issues and restore vitality. They’re often very frustrated and worn out with traditional methods for weight loss and disease prevention, and they don’t know where to turn. Most people need a little information and a lot of motivation. I encourage them to make small, but meaningful changes and build up to an optimal diet and I provide support every step of the way. I also use therapeutic diets when warranted, and my patients commonly report feeling better than they have in years. Once they start seeing and feeling the results of restoring balance to the body through good nutrition, exercise and relaxation, that becomes its own motivation.” Michelle says that if you’ve been trying to lose weight or have been diagnosed with a digestive problem, she can work with you to find the right foods. She’s also in touch with naturopaths, medical doctors, acupuncturists and chiropractors to create a whole plan for better nutrition and health. Find Michelle Babb, MS, RD, online at eatplaybe.com. We welcome her to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed in full here along with information on how to become part of it.
We weren’t able to take pix inside the Puget Sound Blood Center bus that’s currently parked outside West Seattle PCC — somebody was there and donating when we stopped by about half an hour ago — but the bus itself is fairly photogenic (go see the skateboarding blood cell on the back). They’re supposed to be on break 3:30-4 pm, but if you can donate, go visit between 4 and 7, to help make sure our regional blood supply can handle whatever the holiday weekend throws at it. It’s in the southeastern section of the parking lot at Stevens/California (map). If you’re on Twitter, follow PSBC at @bloodcenter.
Before the West Seattle Weekend Lineup is published later this morning, two events of note on the WSB West Seattle-wide Events calendar: The Duwamish Tribe‘s legal-fund-moneyraising salmon bake (preview here), noon-4 pm (here’s a map to the longhouse in eastern West Seattle); plus, a mobile blood drive at West Seattle’s PCC store (map) – 1-7 pm.
| 4 COMMENTS