West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
Just in from Public Health-Seattle & King County:
A rabid bat was found by the sidewalk adjacent to the Duwamish Head Condominiums (1140 Alki Ave SW [map]) on September 18 – 19, 2022, near Alki Beach Pier [Luna/Anchor Park] in West Seattle.
Anyone who might have had contact with this bat (even if not bitten) could be at risk and should seek medical evaluation immediately or call Public Health at 206-296-4774 to determine if rabies-preventative treatment is necessary.
Rabies is life-threatening but is treatable if caught early and treated before any symptoms develop.
The bat was first identified the evening of September 18. Seattle Animal Shelter was notified of the bat on September 19, 2022. A Seattle Animal Shelter officer picked up the bat, which was still living, on the same day. The bat was taken to PAWS Animal Shelter in Lynnwood, where it died on September 30. Public Health was notified of the bat on October 5. Public Health tested the bat for rabies and received a positive test on October 6.
To date, Public Health has identified at least four people who may have been exposed to the bat and all are being evaluated by Public Health. Public Health is also working to notify residents of the Duwamish Head Condominiums of the potential risk.
Who is at risk
Any person or animal that touched or had contact with the bat or its saliva could be at risk of getting rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Fortunately, rabies can be prevented if treatment is given before symptoms appear.
“Rabies is treatable if caught before symptoms appear, so identifying anyone who has had contact with the bat as soon as possible is important,” said Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist at Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Contact includes touching a bat, being bitten, scratched, or any other bare skin contact with a bat or its saliva.”
Rabies and pets
If your pet might have been exposed to this bat, contact your veterinarian immediately. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses should be current on their rabies vaccine but will need to be revaccinated if they had contact with a bat.
More about rabies
Rabies is dangerous, but treatable if caught early before any symptoms develop:
If someone has had contact with a bat, treatment can prevent infection. This treatment should be given as soon as possible.
Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.
The virus is found in the saliva of an animal with rabies and is usually transmitted by a bite or scratch. Because rabies is a life threatening disease, medical advice must be sought promptly if a bat comes into contact with humans or animals.If you find a bat:
=If you find a bat inside your house, call Public Health at 206-296-4774 to discuss the situation and to determine whether the bat needs to be tested for rabies. Public Health tests bats for rabies at no charge under certain circumstances.
-Live bats should be captured and might need to be tested for rabies if:
-If the bat had direct contact with a person’s bare skin or with a pet OR
-If a person wakes up to a bat in the room in which they were sleeping
-Use a shovel or gloves to put a dead bat in a box for testing. Do not throw it away!
-Open windows and allow bats to leave your home if they have not come into contact with a person or pets. Close doors to other parts of your home and secure pets away from the location of the bat.
For more information about how to safely capture a bat in your home and how to safely avoid bats, visit: kingcounty.gov/bats
You can also learn more about bats here; that one-sheet says fewer than one in 20,000 bats has rabies.
If you can donate blood, now’s one of those times when Bloodworks Northwest could really use your help. This announcement explains the reason for the latest shortage:
Bloodworks Northwest has sent 130 units of blood to SunCoast Blood Center in Florida to help the region as many of their blood collections sites are not operational during their recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian. Sending these shipments has depleted local supplies. It will take a steady stream of donors over the next several weeks to help replenish blood inventory for the PNW area. All blood types are needed. You do not need to know your blood type to give blood.
Bloodworks will be at LDS West Seattle (4001 44th Ave SW) on Oct 5, 10, 11 and 12. We have LOTS of open appointment slots. Please consider reserving your spot to give blood at this location by using this direct link: schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/GroupLanding.aspx?s=437B
Donors (18 yrs +) can enter to win a new Apple MacBook Air M2, when they give blood in October. Learn more here.
For other info, please visit www.BloodworksNW.org or call 800-398-7888. THANK YOU!
Reminder as the weekend approaches, three schools are hosting vaccination clinics in West Seattle this weekend, with vaccine for flu as well as COVID. We’re told all clinics are open to everyone, not just people affiliated with the respective schools.
*On Saturday, Louisa Boren K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW) – 9 am-3 pm for flu (info here), 10 am-2 pm for COVID (registration info here)
*On Sunday, Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle), 10 am-2 pm for both (flu info here;
*On Sunday, Explorer West Middle School (10015 28th SW; WSB sponsor), noon-3 pm for both, details here
P.S. While registration is encouraged, clinic organizers say it is NOT reauired.
The behavioral-health system in our area is desperately short on capacity for crisis care, says King County Executive Dow Constantine. Example: The entire county has one 46-bed behavioral health crisis facility. To start fixing the problem, Constantine is proposing a property-tax levy. He announced the nine-year proposal today, saying that between 2024 and 2032 it would generate $1.25 billion “to stabilize and strengthen King County’s behavioral health crisis care system.” Here’s the announcement; here are the four things the levy would be aimed at accomplishing:
1. Create five new regional crisis care centers: Distributed geographically across the county, the centers will provide walk-in access and the potential for short-term stays to help people stabilize, depending on needs, with one center specifically serving youth.
2. Preserve and restore the dramatic loss of residential treatment beds: In 2018, 355 beds providing community-based residential care for people with mental health residential needs existed in King County. Today, only 244 of these beds are available.
3. Grow the behavioral health workforce pipeline: The proposal will create career pathways through apprenticeship programming and access to higher education, credentialing, training, and wrap-around supports. It will also invest in equitable wages for the workforce at crisis care centers.
4. Provide immediate services while centers are being constructed: The proposal will also use initial proceeds to quickly create mobile or site-based crisis behavioral health services that can operate until the first crisis care centers open. This bridge strategy will complement recent state and federally-funded-mobile crisis teams.
This would cost the current “median-price” homeowner $121 a year in the levy’s first year. If the County Council approves sending this to voters, it’s likely to be on a special-election ballot in April of 2023.
Spaces remain for a free rooftop workshop overlooking Elliott Bay at Lake Washington Physical Therapy (WSB sponsor)’s West Seattle building – but you need to sign up now! From LWPT’s Mark Bouma:
We are hosting our final FREE rooftop class of the summer this Sunday, Sept 18th at 9 am. We are collaborating with HIIT Lab and West Seattle Runner to provide a running workshop for novice and advanced runners. We’ll be covering key performance tests for runners, training considerations, and guidelines on how to return to running following an injury. West Seattle Runner will discuss how to find the best running shoe for your foot type and will have the latest shoe models for attendees to try on.
This flyer has a QR code for registering, or you can use this link – when they’re maxed out, it’ll close.
Planning on getting a flu shot? Weekend vaccination clinics are planned at three West Seattle schools in the next month-plus. Here’s the announcement:
Seattle Visiting Nurse Association will offer 28 weekend flu shot clinics at 14 school sites for staff, students, families, and the community from September 16-October 23, 2022 (including 3 sites in West Seattle, as shown below). Sign up for an appointment at: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-services/flu-clinics
Madison Middle School – 3429 45th Ave SW
Sunday, September 18, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 8, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 23, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 5950 Delridge Way SW
Saturday, October 1, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Chief Sealth International High School – 2600 SW Thistle
Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 15, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.ALSO: Flu shots for Seattle Public Schools students (regardless of insurance) are available through School-Based Health Centers. We also have COVID-19 vaccine clinics for any person aged 3 and older. COVID vaccines are free, and insurance is not required. For more information and to pre-register, visit the COVID Vaccine Page – the southwest regional clinic is Sunday at Madison MS, 10 am-2 pm. The updated COVID booster will be available at all clinics.
(Thanks to those who forwarded the announcement to us!)
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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