Showing posts with label health and wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health and wellness. Show all posts

Shoreline Fire CPR/AED class Wednesday November 9, 2022

Friday, November 4, 2022

On Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 6pm - 8pm, Shoreline Fire will offer a class in CPR/AED at their headquarters station at 17525 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

American Heart Association - Heartsaver Class teaches Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

If you need a certification card, the cost is $50 cash. The class is free otherwise.



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Flu and COVID-19 vaccines recommended for all 6 months and older

Thursday, November 3, 2022

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) urges the public to get an influenza (flu) vaccine in addition to a COVID-19 booster. 

Flu activity has been reduced in recent years due to COVID-19 precautions, but the state experienced a late spring flu wave as those precautions relaxed.

“Flu can be unpredictable and sometimes severe,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, Chief Science Officer. 
“To protect your family’s health, getting vaccinated against influenza with a flu shot or nasal spray vaccine should be part of the fall routine for everyone 6 months and older. 
"It’s also the perfect time to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters too.”


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How to protect your children and pets from poisons meant for rats and mice

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Squirrel and rat eating birdseed dropped from a bird feeder. Photo by Tom Bewley

Written by Karley Johnson, Environmental Health
on Public Health Insider blog 

Wild rats and mice living too close to humans threaten our health. They can contaminate food, spread disease, damage property, and cause electrical fires. It makes good sense to keep rodents away from our homes. However, there are safe – and less safe ways – to get rid of them.

Many people’s first instinct is to use rodenticides – also known as rat or mouse bait – to poison the intruders. Unfortunately, misuse and overuse of these poisons are common and can harm children and pets.

Rodenticides are a major risk to children and pets

U.S. poison control centers receive over 10,000 calls every year about children eating rodent poison. Most of these calls are for children under three years old.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that “if a child under six goes to the hospital for pesticide poisoning, it’s likely it was related to rat poison. Rat poison is the leading cause of pesticide-related visits to health care facilities in children under the age of six years. They are the second leading cause of pesticide-related hospitalization.” Pets are also frequently poisoned by rodenticides.

Safer and more effective strategies

To reduce the need for rodent poison and keep rodents out of your home long term, use the Seal Up, Trap Up, Clean Up method:
  • Seal Up: stop rodents from entering your home – check inside and outside for gaps or holes and seal any holes you find. Check for small and large holes – mice can fit through a hole the width of a pencil (1/4 in or 6 mm in diameter).
  • Trap Up: trap rodents around the home to help reduce the rodent population.
  • Clean Up: If you have mice or rats in or around your home or vehicle, clean up all urine, droppings, dead rodents, and nesting materials safely. One of our past blogs (this webpage is in English only) has more information about how to stay safe while cleaning areas with rodents.



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The Seattle King County free vision clinic runs on volunteers

Monday, October 31, 2022

By Doug Cerretti

Seattle/King County Clinic (SKCC) brings together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, non-profits, private businesses and volunteers from across the State of Washington to produce a giant free health clinic at Seattle Center. 

The Clinic is a major function of the Seattle Center Foundation. 

The four-day volunteer-driven clinic provides free dental, vision and medical care to anyone in the region who struggles to access and/or afford healthcare. 

Patients waiting for their number to be called.
Photo by Doug Cerretti
After an absence of three years due to the pandemic, SKCC was held October 20 - 23, 2022. 

A complete SKCC was not held due to scheduling conflicts; however a vision clinic was held, offering eye exams and prescription eyeglasses at no cost to patients. 

The day started at 6am for patients to receive numbers (250+ waitlisted each day) at the Fischer Pavilion. 

Exam room. Photo by Doug Cerretti
They then migrated to Exhibition Hall to be seen by an optometrist or ophthalmologist for eye examination and eyeglass prescriptions. 

This was followed by selection and fitting of frames. 

Many eyeglass frames to choose from.
Photo by Doug Cerretti
I volunteered in “eyeglass processing” where we ensured that the eyeglass order forms were entered into the online order system and then verified their accuracy. 

The frames and order forms were packaged for shipping to be fabricated. 

Patients will return to Seattle Center December 3-4 to receive their new eyeglasses. 

This description barely touches the work of volunteers to make this event run smoothly. 

Eyeglass processing; order forms generated on the right and verified on the left.
Photo by Doug Cerretti
There were volunteers to check in the volunteers and patients, escorts and waiting area monitors, interpreters, IT support, patients records processing, supply sorting, health insurance navigators and social workers and last, but not least, the visual medical professionals. 

When all is said and done over a thousand people will receive new eyeglasses with the aid of 1100 volunteers.
2018 dental clinic. Photo by Doug Cerretti
As large as the vision clinic is, the complete SKCC with dental, vision and medical care is four times larger. Over four days approximately 4000 patients are treated with the aid of approximately 4000 volunteers. 

The enormity of the complete SKCC is illustrated by the 118 dental chairs on the floor of the Key Arena in 2018. 

Dental x-ray station. Note the hand-held
X-ray gun on the left. Photo by Doug Cerretti
I volunteered at the dental x-ray station in the last two complete SKCC in 2018 and 2019. 

There I entered the x-ray images into the computer, that the dental technicians had produced using hand held x-ray guns.

The next complete SKCC will be held April 2023. 

Volunteering at SKCC is very satisfying and rewarding and I highly recommend it.

Doug Cerretti with ray-gun. "Buck
Rogers doesn’t have anything
on me." Photo by Carrie Stewart.
The first step is to register as a volunteer at https://seattlecenter.org/volunteers/ where your experience is noted such as medical, language abilities or computer experience, for example. 

However, there are many volunteer opportunities that do not require specific skills as SKCC simply requires your time. 

As the next SKCC approaches you will be sent schedules and volunteer opportunities.



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Shoreline PTA Council forms mental health committee to support teens and their families

In response to the need to better support student and family mental health, in January the Shoreline PTA Council approved a new Mental Health committee

The committee has 85 members with representation from professionals in the mental health field, families with lived mental health experience and parents wanting to make a difference.

On November 9, 2022 from 6:30 - 8:00pm at Kellogg Middle School, David Lewis, Psy D., LMHC, clinical Psychologist and Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington will speak with parents/guardians about supporting teens with their anxiety. 

This event is open to any family in the Shoreline school district and will be recorded. The event is sponsored by the Shoreline PTA Council Mental Health Committee. 

Pre-event questions for Mr. Lewis can be sent to mentalhealth@shorelinepta.org and event information can be found at: https://www.shorelinepta.org/mental-health-committee.html



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Op-Ed: NUHSA strongly encourages a YES vote on Shoreline's Prop 1

OP-ED
From Heidi Shepherd, Board President NUHSA

Ballots have been mailed, and Shoreline voters now must vote on Prop. 1, the maintenance and operations levy for public safety and community services. The North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) strongly encourages a YES vote!

The pandemic has had severe consequences for many in our community, and families are still struggling. From mental and physical health challenges to food scarcity and a lack of stable housing, residents have relied on the critical support Shoreline has provided during the pandemic and the infrastructure that the City has carefully built in partnership with area providers and agencies.

State law limits an increase in tax revenue unless authorized by a vote of the people, and because funding for basic City services (including that of human services) has not kept pace with rising costs, approval of Prop. 1 is essential to simply maintain current services. 

This includes critical community services funding for seniors, youth, and families in need, along with homelessness response services and staffing for the successful RADAR program that provides mental health professionals with police to assist community members in behavioral health crises.

If the proposed levy replacement does not pass, the City will be forced to reduce or eliminate services to balance the City’s budget, as required by law - and first on the chopping block will be those programs the City is not legally required to provide. 

At risk is support for human services, such as the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, the Teen Center and programs for children and young families, in addition to neighborhood services, community events, homelessness outreach, communications, parks maintenance, recreation programs, and cultural programming.

Renewing the levy is absolutely critical for maintaining the health and human services residents expect and ensuring a strong and vibrant community for everyone. Vote YES on Prop. 1!



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Halloween eye safety

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Stylish Belles
By Dr. David Epley

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Halloween is a particularly perilous time for eye-health. Many costumes involve enhancements and alterations to the eye. 

One mishap can lead to frightening results. Glitter mishaps or costume contact lenses sold illegally are just a couple of the hazards that can lead to temporary and permanent blindness.

To avoid a real-life horror story, remember that eye tissue is among the most delicate in the human body. Damage to that tissue is especially difficult to reverse.

The Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons wants to make sure you have a safe Halloween this year. 

Below are a few safety tips to avoid a real-life horror story as you and your family navigate the hazards that come with some Halloween costume-related accessories.

False eyelashes 
  • Test for lash glue allergies
  • Don’t share false eyelashes with anyone else
  • Wash your hands before putting on and taking off
  • Visit an experienced aesthetician to see what shape and weight works best with your eyes
Eye makeup 
  • Avoid metallic, glittery or flakey eye makeup
  • Avoid applying products inside the eyelash line, which has been shown to increase irritation and dryness of the eye surface
  • Carefully select the makeup you use, and be aware that certain ingredients such as fragrances, preservatives, metallic pigments and color additives might cause irritation to your skin or eyes
  • Remove all eye makeup before bed
Halloween costume contacts

Wearing colored contacts that weren’t prescribed to you could cause: 
  • Painful infections
  • Sore and scars
  • Corneal abrasions
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Vision loss
Other contact safety tips: 
  • Don’t share contacts with anyone
  • Always remove contacts before sleeping
  • Be sure to use contact solution and not water
  • If you experience any redness, irritation or decreased vision while or after using contact lenses, discontinue wear immediately and reach out to your eye care provider for guidance
Sure, a simple accessory can complete a costume and bring it to the next level, but before you purchase anything, consider asking your eye doctor what would be best.

For more eye-related safety and information, visit Vision for Washington, CDC and the FDA.

Dr. David Epley is a pediatric ophthalmologist and adult strabismus specialist from Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS), affiliated with Swedish Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Evergreen Hospital and Skagit Valley Hospital.



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Free in-person mental health counseling for teens

Wednesday, October 26, 2022


The Shoreline Teen Center (located at 16554 Fremont Ave N Shoreline WA) has a free mental health therapist available for 6th – 12th graders after school Monday – Thursday. 

She can help with a variety of issues and is able to refer teens to outside resources if needed. 

Drop by anytime to meet her and chat! 

For more information contact Angela at aelliott@shorelinewa.gov



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Department of Health: New school immunization data shows childhood vaccination rates remain flat

Photo courtesy DOH
On-time immunization throughout childhood helps protect from diseases

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated their school immunization data dashboard to include data from the 2021-2022 school year. 

The newest data included show that the vaccination rates have remained flat.

“Vaccines remain the single most important public health strategy for keeping communities safe from many communicable diseases that can lead to disability and death,” says Jamilia Sherls-Jones, Director of the Office of Immunization. 

DOH recommends families and health care providers focus on getting children up to date on their vaccinations as soon as possible.

The new school immunization data from the 2021-2022 school year provide several key points, including:Washington state’s K-12 immunization completion rate for the 2021-2022 school year was 91.7%. This rate has remained steady for the last two years.

After the implementation of House Bill 1638 in 2019, kindergartener vaccination rates for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) rose from 90.8% in the 2019-2020 school year to 94.4% in the 2020-2021 school year.

The data show the number of students with at least one personal vaccine exemption is going down, while the number of students with at least one religious membership exemption is going up.

Read more about school and child care immunization requirements in Washington.



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Gov. Inslee: World’s largest melter of radioactive waste now heating up at Hanford

Monday, October 24, 2022

Hanford crews conduct routine maintenance of a waste tank containing radioactive waste.
Image courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The world’s largest melter of radioactive waste is now heating up near Richland after more than 20 years of construction. 

The melter will be used to glassify radioactive waste from Hanford tanks, preparing the waste for permanent disposal. The melter will first create practice glass before processing real Hanford tank waste by the end of 2023.

The Hanford Site is a decommissioned nuclear production site. Between 1942 and 1987, the facility produced plutonium for the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Radioactive waste was stored and remains today in tanks with a lifespan of only about 25 years. 

Leaking tanks and other problems pose enormous risks, threatening the local community and environment. Adequate, stable federal support is vital to clean up the site.

Earlier this year, the federal government took the unprecedented step to amend a funding proposal for the Hanford cleanup, adding $191 million to the effort over the next fiscal year. State leaders have petitioned the federal government for decades for more funding to support the cleanup. 

The federal adjustment to the funding proposal was an encouraging step, one that Gov. Jay Inslee hopes will be followed by continued support.

"Things are heating up in this Hanford cleanup," said Inslee. "This melter has been a long time coming - its activation is a big leap forward for the project. Likewise, we hope this recent federal support is a sign of greater commitment."



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UW Med: Over-the-counter hearing aids available now

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Dr. Cliff Hume, UW Medicine
As of Monday, October 17, 2022, hearing aids are available for purchase without a prescription for the first time in the United States. 

Dr. Cliff Hume, an otolaryngologist with UW Medicine, says these aids are designed for people who have untreated, mild challenges with hearing.

“If you look at the American population, there are probably 40 to 50 million people with hearing loss, and only about a fifth of those use hearing aids,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling in August to allow the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids.  This action finalized congressional legislation from 2017 that called for broader availability of the devices. 

Several major retailers have announced they will sell the devices, at a range of $199-$799 per pair. OTC hearing aids could provide a stepping stone to clinical care for people who find that store-bought aids don’t solve their untreated hearing difficulties, 

Hume said. “We know that hearing loss affects things like cognitive decline, ability to interact socially, performance at work, depression — things that impact your health on a daily basis. Not only yourself, but also your family.”

Dr. Hume explains more in this YouTube video



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Dinner at the Lake Forest Grill on October 24, 2022 will help End Polio

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Lake Forest Grill and Lake Forest Park Rotary are working together to End Polio.

Monday, October 24, 2020 at Lake Forest Grill, come eat and drink. From 5pm to 10pm 20% of proceeds will go to the eradication of polio. 
 
Take out orders made through their app during that time and call ins will be included, (but not orders on Grubhub or Doordash). 




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Free Eye Exams and Glasses at Seattle / King County Clinic October 20-23, 2022

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Eye exam at Seattle/King County Clinic.
Photo by Auston James
Seattle/King County Clinic returns to Seattle Center for a seventh year, October 20-23, 2022 with free eye exams and prescription eyeglasses for those who struggle to access or afford eye care. 

According to Washington Healthcare Access Alliance, vision care is one of the scarcest health services in the state. 

Led by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle/King County Clinic brings together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, nonprofits and private businesses to transform Seattle Center facilities into a vision care operation. We’re proud to be part of it!

Free vision care

Seattle/King County Clinic is open to everyone, and it is not restricted to residents of Seattle or King County — however, tickets are limited, and participants are admitted for service on a first come, first served basis. 

Organizers open the facility and begin to distribute free admission tickets in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (corner of 2nd Ave N and Thomas St / Lenny Wilkens Way) each day beginning at 6am, with the doors to the Clinic opening at 7:30am. 

Once the Clinic opens, patients are escorted to the service facility and admitted by ticket number to be registered and receive free eye care.

If prescription eyeglasses are ordered, they will be distributed in early December.

The Seattle/King County Clinic has been on hiatus during the pandemic. Returning this year, the Clinic will only be able to offer vision care. Other medical and dental care will not be available at the Clinic at this time.

What to know before you go
  • Face masks are required, though people should not attend if they are feeling sick
  • Identification or proof of immigration status are not required
  • Free interpretation services are available
  • Free parking is available at the Mercer Street Parking Garage at Seattle Center (650 3rd Ave N)
  • Additional information is available at seattlecenter.org/patients

From Public Health Insider, by Meredith Li-Vollmer


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DOH: Updated COVID-19 booster eligibility expanded to people ages 5 and older

OLYMPIA  – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and other healthcare providers will soon begin offering Omicron variant-targeted bivalent booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines to people ages 5 and older, following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

“This is another step forward to a healthier tomorrow for everyone in Washington state,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. 
“The more people who are eligible for COVID-19 boosters, the better protection we can provide to our communities.


This new demographic of booster eligibility expansion follows last month’s rollout of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine, which specifically targets the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that currently make up the majority of COVID-19 cases across the country. 

The Department of Health urges all individuals 5 and older to prioritize receiving the updated booster as we enter the beginning of cold and flu season. Additionally, flu vaccines are now available at many provider offices and pharmacies across the state and are safe to receive concurrently with the COVID-19 bivalent booster.

"It's also time to get your flu shot," Dr. Shah added. "We are entering respiratory illness seasons and it is a critical time to protect yourself and those around you from influenza."


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Training course: Mental Health First Aid

Saturday, October 8, 2022


Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. 

In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

The course is virtual. Link to the session will be sent to registrants. 

Thursday, October 27, 2022 - 9am to 4pm 

Training Covers:
  • Common signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance abuse
  • How to interact with a person in crisis
  • How to connect the person with help
Please note there is a 2 hour self paced pre-work section that must be completed before the training.

Limited space. Registration closes October 13, 2022.

Mental Health First Aid training is funded by the King County Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) Plan Initiative PRI-07 – Mental Health First Aid. These sessions are open to the public, though space may be limited. 
Course and course materials are included (a $170 value per participant). This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRPO152, awarded to King County by the US Department of the treasury.
 
For more information and to register: https://www.valleycities.org/mhfa for the ADULT October 27 class



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UW Med: Protect against COVID-19 and flu this fall by getting vaccinated and wearing masks

Thursday, October 6, 2022

UW Med infectious diseases physician John Lynch
As daily temperatures start to drop, Dr. John Lynch, an infectious-diseases physician at UW Medicine, says now is a key time to protect against COVID-19 and the flu virus.

“What we're likely to be seeing is both things, influenza and COVID-19, at the same time,” Lynch said, noting their similar symptoms. 
“Things like masking to prevent COVID – it can be really positive thing for all of us. We can prevent things like influenza and many other respiratory viruses.”

Lynch encourages everyone to be current on their COVID-19 vaccine booster and to receive this season's flu shot. It’s safe to get both at the same time.

To find your vaccines, check with your local pharmacy - appointments can be made online at the pharmacy's website or you can call them. COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone.

The Senior Center is hosting a pop-up clinic for COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday, October 14, 2022 (see previous article)



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25 Years of Aegis Living: Shoreline Team Celebrates with “Field of Dreams” Party

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Aegis staff members at the Field of Dreams party
at the Shoreline facility

For 25 years, Aegis Living has cared for area seniors, offering senior assisted living and memory care across the Puget Sound and beyond.

Fun at the staff party on a fortunately warm day
The local company, founded by Dwayne J. Clark, was created to redefine the senior living industry and set a new standard, fostering an employee-centric business model and ensuring residents live every day to the fullest. 

Clark was a long-time industry executive before founding Aegis and felt even more inspired to drive lasting change when his own mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Aegis Living opened its first community in 1997, and its first office in Redmond, WA, with a small but mighty team of just two employees. 

Aegis Living Shoreline opened in 2005, just 8 years later.

Playing baseball at the Field of Dreams staff party

The Shoreline team celebrated the company milestone and 25th anniversary with a baseball-themed party inspired by the movie “Field of Dreams.” The staff turned the community’s parking lot into a baseball field and served hot dogs and Cracker Jacks for a fun-filled afternoon with the team.

“From starting as a care manager to serving as a director of operations and now as an acting general manager at Aegis Living Shoreline, I could not feel more privileged to work for a company that gives me purpose every single day,” said Ashley Besmehn. “I am honored to work here, and I look forward to the next big milestone."

Aegis Living Shoreline staff celebrated with home runs, laughter, joy, full stomachs, and a true sense of community.

"When I first came to Aegis 14 years ago, I had just lost both my parents. Coming to Aegis was a blessing in that I gained a much bigger family,” said Char Linvog, lead concierge at Aegis Living Shoreline. “Over the past 14 years, I have felt a sense of purpose and belonging."

Celebrating 25 years
More than 200 team members have been with Aegis Living for more than 10 years, including seven employees at the Shoreline community: 

Norberta Bada (16 years), Charlene Linvog (14 years), Janaira Stokes (12 years), Clarissa-Ann Fitting (11 years), Mila Garcia Silang (10 years), Facundo Aranda (10 years), and Lourdes Bazan (10 years). 

Aegis has been voted a great workplace more than a dozen times – from the Top 50 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor to Great Place to Work® certification.

Equally important to its dedication to team and residents is Aegis Living Shoreline’s commitment to the community. 

From delivering meals to local seniors, offering continuing education classes to community and healthcare workers, holding support groups for families, sponsoring the farmer’s market, concerts in the park, and other community events, and so much more, Aegis Living always strives to make a lasting impact and keep the Shoreline community at the heart or all it does.

Shoreline Aegis is located at 14900 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

All photos courtesy Shoreline Aegis.



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Tipping the Pain Scale explores systemic failures of dealing with addiction and innovative and controversial solutions

Tuesday, September 27, 2022


Washington Recovery Alliance hosts a Community Screening and Panel Discussion with Feature Subjects of the new Award-Winning Feature Documentary Film, Tipping the Pain Scale, at The Egyptian Theatre, 805 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 on Sunday, October 9, 2022. Doors open 11am. Film at 12n followed by the panel discussion.


This community screening event will be hosted by the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA) and will feature a panel discussion with subjects from the film, including Lauren Davis, Washington State Representative (D-32nd District), as well as Ricky Garcia (of Ricky’s Law), and community representatives.

Tipping The Pain Scale follows individuals grappling with the current systemic failures of how we have dealt with addiction in communities and their journey to develop and employ new, innovative, and often controversial solutions to the problem. 

It is a quasi-anthology, weaving characters through their own stories as they connect to the issues plaguing all communities and the country in an urgent fight to save lives. It is a positive and uplifting, yet gritty and real, story of redemption and hope in cinema verité style.

“Solving the complex addiction crisis in communities requires diverse sectors of society to come together including public health and faith,” said Greg Williams. 
“The film team is so excited to collaborate with the Washington Recovery Alliance on this event and conversation that won’t spend a lot of time talking about the problem, but where do go from here and what can we all do to play a role in turning the tide on this often-forgotten pandemic impacting more than 40 million Americans and their families directly.”

Rep. Lauren Davis, D-32 is
featured in the film
The film features Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, NFL Pro Bowl Player Darren Waller, Spoken Word Artist and Educator Joseph Green, Washington State Representative Lauren Davis, Community Outreach Volunteer Roz Pichardo, Boston Police Officer Josh De La Rosa, and an original score from Grammy award-winner, Brendan Berry, as well as featuring music from Sia.

“When we provide people with rapid access to quality treatment within their window of willingness, recovery is not only possible but probable. Recovery is not the exception, it’s the rule,” said Rep. Lauren Davis (D-32nd District), and Strategy Director, WRA.

“This film demonstrates the power of story, outreach, compassion, and the true impacts of stigma. So, let's come together as a community to experience these outstanding stories that keep the recovery movement strong to ensure that recovery is a reality for all,” said Ely Hernandez, Executive Director of the WRA.

The screening will be held at Seattle’s historic Egyptian Theater in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, close to many restaurants, coffee shops, bus lines, and the light rail.

The event will include community resource tables, local dignitaries (Rep. Lauren Davis, Ricky Garcia and Ricky’s mother, from Ricky’s Law) who are featured in the film joining us for a Panel Discussion/Q/A directly following the screening, and the opportunity to connect with your recovery community.

Doors open: 11:00am
Film screens: 12:00pm
Panel Discussion directly following the film.

Masks must be worn while indoors except while in your seat. For more information see https://www.siff.net/covid and https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/current-guidance/verify.aspx

The Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA) is a recovery advocacy nonprofit that engages people across Washington state to build a community that celebrates and advocates for recovery.

"Together, we advance mental health and substance use recovery by changing public understanding and shaping pro-recovery public policy."



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Unhealthy air in Puget Sound

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Do it yourself air filter
YouTube video
By Diane Hettrick

Wildfire smoke came down to the ground in most areas on Wednesday. It was clearly visible between the dark evergreens and obvious to the nose.

We're had worse and I hope we don't equal that or even come close to it again.

If you do have to go outside, the N95 masks will keep a lot of the particulate out of your nasal passages and lungs.

But just in case, here is some helpful advice for coping.

Wildfire smoke is continuing to move into the Seattle area. Air quality is now Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in most areas and Unhealthy for everyone in some areas. 

While the forecast has smoke decreasing later this week, air quality may change frequently throughout the day, and may be different from location to location.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 

Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. The following sensitive groups should especially take precautions: infants, children, and people over 65, or those who are pregnant, have heart or lung diseases (such as asthma or COPD), respiratory infections, diabetes, stroke survivors, or are suffering from COVID-19.

Unhealthy 

Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Avoid health effects from smoke by reducing time spent outdoors. 
  • Limit your physical activity outdoors (including running, biking, physical labor, and sports) when:The smoke level is “moderate” or worse if you have a health condition (like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or a cold)
  • The smoke level is “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse if you are pregnant, over age 65, a child or an infant
  • The smoke level is “unhealthy for everyone.”
You can improve the air quality indoors with a simple DIY Box Fan Air Filter (WA Department of Ecology YouTube).

Check with your health care provider for more specific health questions and concerns about the effects of smoke. Seek medical attention if symptoms are serious.

Air quality monitors and information

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Seattle / King County free clinic offering vision care and glasses October 20-23 at Seattle Center

FREE vision care clinic (including prescription glasses!) October 20-23, 2022 at Seattle Center

In past years the Clinic has offered dental and medical services. They will not be providing dental or medical services this year, but will still offer social work and health insurance navigation. 

All are welcome; no documentation of any kind needed. 

Multi language flyers with details available at seattlecenter.org/patients 
ነጻ የዓይን ምርመራዎች እና የዓይን መነጽሮች ማዘዣ

For more information, see the website or email SKCClinic@seattlecenter.org  



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