West Seattle Herald / White Center News - Fitness

Burien Group Health announces a walk-n-talk for Friday afternoon

ericm — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:35:44 +0000

Patients and community members walk with Group Health care providers

Press release:

Who: Group Health Cooperative

What: Walk and Talk with Group Health Care providers. FREE monitored exercise and health tips program open to the community, Group Health members, and employees.

When: Friday, May 3 from11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., (ongoing Fridays each week at 12:15 p.m.)

Where: Group Health Burien Medical Center, North Annex, 140 S.W. 146th St., Burien, WA.

Why:
Here's how it works:
You meet with other walkers at a predetermined location (often indoors) for introductions, and a quick health tip from a member of the health team. If you’re new to the program, you’ll receive a pedometer to log your progress, a drawstring bag, and water bottle.
Everyone heads outside, rain or shine, to walk for 30 to 45 minutes. You walk at your own pace, for the distance you choose.
You are joined by Group Health doctors, nurses, medical assistants and Group Health staff.
Whether you’re just beginning to log steps on your pedometer, or are training to participate in your first walking event, Walk & Talk is an invigorating way to get health tips along with exercise.

The Walk & Talk program, organized by Rosemary Agostini, MD, medical chief of Group Health’s Activity, Sports, and Exercise Medicine department, is funded with support from the Group Health Foundation.

Display Byline (default)

ericm

05/01/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Student Paralympic event set in SeaTac on May 11

ericm — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:49:32 +0000

Press release:

The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) has announced that it will be hosting a 2013 Paralympic Experience in SeaTac in conjunction with U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 11th at the Tyee Educational Complex, 4424 S. 188th St. It is open to all K-12 students with visual impairments across the state of Washington.

"We are very excited to announce our Paralympic experience for students who are blind and visually impaired. This event will introduce students to several different sports, and give them the opportunity to learn more about the Paralympic games," said Executive Director Billy Henry

"The Paralympic Experience program encourages physical fitness and overall well-being for individuals with physical and visual disabilities, and we are thrilled to be working with Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) on this initiative," said Charlie Huebner, USOC Chief of Paralympics.

"Research shows that individuals with physical and visual disabilities who participate in physical activity are healthier, more successful in school, have great access to employment opportunities and have an enhanced quality of life."

The event will give K-12 students with visual impairments an opportunity to participate in Goalball (a sport specifically designed for individuals who are blind and visually impaired), judo, and tandem cycling. For more information on the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, please contact Billy Henry at 1-360-448-7254, or visit www.nwaba.org

About NWABA:
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides programming to over 1,000 individuals of all ages and ability levels with visual impairments. The mission of NWABA is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. The Association was formed by a group of visually impaired students in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity.

About U.S. Paralympics:
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.

Do not display Byline

ericm

04/10/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

New bike ride to obliterate cancer is coming to Des Moines

ericm — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:55:55 +0000

Fred Hutch releases routes for the inaugural Obliteride

Press release:

The first-ever Obliteride will soon spin through Des Moines. Routes for the 25-, 50-, 100- and 180-mile rides have just been released. They offer various distances and terrains so all levels of riders can participate and make their marks against cancer.

Obliteride is a fundraising bike ride to benefit lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutch. It features an entire weekend of cycling, celebration and concerts Aug. 9-11.

“Obliteride is a community-wide event that everyone can participate in by riding, volunteering or cheering on participants as they roll though your community,” said Amy Lavin, Obliteride’s executive director. “We would love to see people get involved by volunteering or lining the streets with signs honoring loved ones or friends who have battled cancer or are in the fight today. Simply come to the end of your driveway and cheer on the riders. We’d love to see everyone out there!”

Thanks to Obliteride sponsors, 100 percent of every dollar raised will directly benefit lifesaving cancer research. We are fortunate to have one of the top cancer research centers in the world right here in our community.

Obliteride is an opportunity to come together to activate the entire Pacific Northwest to fight something that is bigger than any one of us. Together we can make a real difference here in our community and with far-reaching impacts around the world.

There’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved. Volunteering or fundraising provides great alternatives to riding while clearly contributing to and participating in this new community effort.

Sign up to ride, volunteer, or fundraise at obliteride.org. Route maps are now available at obliteride.org/ride and short highlight videos of each route are at obliteride.org.

Do not display Byline

ericm

03/07/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Mount Rainier High School student senior project promotes swimming skills

ericm — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:43:14 +0000

Challenges other teens to teach swimming in underserved communities

Highline Public Schools press release:

Jackie Beal, a senior at Mount Rainier High School, created “Teach2Swim” for her Senior Culminating Project. Jackie’s goal was to teach swimming to teens in underserved communities so they in turn could teach others to swim.

During the summer of 2012, Jackie worked with five teenagers from the New Futures program at the Woodridge Apartments in Burien. She then supervised the teens as they each taught basic strokes and water safety to two other children.

Jackie also presented her project to the Drowning Prevention Network at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“It was fun for me to be able to pass on some of the skills I’ve learned, but teaching a few kids to swim isn’t enough,” said Jackie. “There are 1,200 club swimmers in Puget Sound between the ages of 15 to 17. I hope to challenge these youth to consider a culminating project focused on teaching others to swim.

“I would like to support other teens to develop a Teach2Swim program in their community,” said Jackie. “I hope that others will share their knowledge and abilities with kids who are not able to take formal lessons due to financial or cultural reasons. I will provide Teach2Swim program leaders with the course materials that I developed, as well as ideas of how to implement Teach2Swim in their area.”

Jackie developed Teach2Swim based on her nine years of experience as a competitive swimmer, and her lifeguard training. The teens were taught water safety, basic strokes, and water rescue. Parents were instructed on how to be a Water Watcher, how to recognize potential drowning victims, and the Reach, Throw, Row – Don’t Go approach to water rescue.

Prospective Teach2Swim instructors may contact Jackie via email at Jackie.beal@rocketmail.com.

Do not display Byline

ericm

12/10/2012

5 - Front Page - TOP

Normandy Park to be 75-mile Start for “Ride Around the Sound”

ericm — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:43:43 +0000

Press release:

Over 500 cyclists will take part in the inaugural “Ride Around the Sound” bike ride on September 15th. A benefit for the American Lung Association in Washington, the ride features five distance options around Puget Sound, ranging from 100 miles to a family-friendly ride of under 15 miles in West Seattle.

Normandy Park’s Marvista Elementary will serve as the 75-mile starting location.

The event offers full support including breakfast at all starts, lunch on the course, five rest stops, detailed ride guides, and more. A delicious feast, beer and music await riders at the finish line party at South Seattle Community College. Relaxing coastal lodging is also available for participants who want to make the event a weekend getaway.

“We are thrilled to offer this amazing route with spectacular views of the Sound,” said Renée Klein, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific. “What better way to celebrate clean air and healthy lungs than with a fun event in the beautiful outdoors?”

The American Lung Association in Washington invites the Burien/Normandy Park cycling community to come out and join us on Saturday, September 15th, to help raise funds to for healthy lungs and clean air. Register before event day to reserve your spot and save money on your registration fee.

For more information and to register online, visit: RideAroundtheSound.org. “Ride Around the Sound” is proudly supported by local sponsors, including Highline Medical Center, Burien Toyota and Bicycles West.

About the American Lung Association in Washington The American Lung Association in Washington is a non-profit, voluntary public health organization, working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease in Washington. Our programs focus on the areas of asthma, clean air, tobacco prevention and lung disease.

For more information about the American Lung Association in Washington or to support the work it does, call (206) 441-5100 or visit www.alaw.org.

Do not display Byline

ericm

07/26/2012

5 - Front Page - TOP

Burien Walk 'n Talkers celebrating first anniversary with walk around Lake Burien on Aug.5

ericm — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:52:23 +0000

Press release:

We’ve been walkin’ and talkin’ together for a year now. Wow… How very cool. Think back on the people you’ve met and the conversations you’ve had… the things you’ve seen because you were on foot instead of behind the wheel… Think of how much you look forward to the monthly stroll with neighbors you haven’t even met yet.
Join us on Sunday, August 5th for our First Anniversary Walk-n-Talk! We’re starting year two… Let’s wander along the same route we did on the first Walk-n-Talk a year ago: circumnavigating Lake Burien.
Location: Start at Burien Town Square. Meet at the grassy knoll 

Who: Walkers of every level and ability 

Date: August 5, 2012 Time: Meet at 2:00 p.m. Start walking at 2:15 p.m.

Route: A 2.25 mile loop going west from Burien Town Square, around Lake Burien, and back to Town Square. (Fairly flat, with some sloping areas. Only partial sidewalks provided.)

Do not display Byline

ericm

07/25/2012

5 - Front Page - TOP

Free Health and Wellness Fair June 23

patr — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 22:05:11 +0000

Allstar Fitness and Roxbury Spine & Wellness Clinic are planning a free public health and wellness fair on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 10:00 – 3:00p.m. at the Allstar Fitness location in West Seattle, located at 2629 SW Andover Street, Seattle, WA 98126.

Along with great membership deals, there will also be representatives for physical therapy, organic produce, natural medicine, massage therapists, nutritionists, skin care, makeup, medical spa’s, insurance, non-profits, chiropractors, orthotics and much more. Additionally, personal trainers will be available to speak to and have short training sessions where you can also do a body analysis to see where you are at physically. The personal trainers will also have special deals on training packages.

On the second floor you’ll find different classes offered for a short amount of time for you to try out and see which classes you might like to take in the future. Catering will be provided by the Husky Deli.

There will be a large amount of raffle prizes from different business’ to include: West Seattle Runner, and Dave’s Killer Bread as well as massages, and skin care and much more.

More information is available at http://allstarhealthfair.eventbrite.com or by calling 206-937-2000.

Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 3:00am - 8:00am

Go for a family bike ride through Burien for Father's Day

ericm — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:37:17 +0000

Take the family on a Father’s Day bike ride on the second Burien Bike SaFaRi of 2012, Sunday, June 17.

The ride will follow a quiet, flat, 3.5 mile loop that connects Burien’s Town Square with several parks, community spaces, and schools to the north.
A lot of locals enjoy strolling along the nice, wide sidewalks along 4th Avenue SW, but fewer folks have discovered some of the quiet streets – such as 6th Avenue SW – that serve as safe, pleasant north-south connectors for people walking or bicycling to school, parks, the community center or downtown Burien.

SaFaRi bike riders will meet up at 2:00 pm and begin the ride at the grassy knoll in the middle of Burien Town Square. With playground stops for kids, plan to be back at Town Square by 3:30pm, just in time to get the charcoal started for that Father’s Day BBQ!

Burien’s Wild Strawberry Festival will be going on at the same time. Ride your bikes up to the Festival, take a break for a Bike SaFaRi, then finish off back at the Festival.

Do not display Byline

ericm

06/13/2012

5 - Front Page - TOP