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Ladies of the Brannan Park retirement community recently organized a car wash to raise money for the Auburn Food Bank.
Brannan Park residents dressed in T-shirts stylized with bikinis washed cars while collecting nonperishable food for the food bank, which provides relief to families and individuals living within the boundaries of the Auburn School District.
The car wash is one of many programs designed to push a more dynamic approach to elder care at Brannan Park, one of 20 retirement communities that are part of the Village Concepts family. "
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Village Concepts, a third generation family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, has announced a garden partnership at Brannan Park Retirement in Auburn.
The Eldergrow™ garden will introduce the first therapeutic horticulture program specifically designed for Village Concepts residents.
“Enrichment programs at Village Concepts are constantly expanding, and we are excited to further that commitment with Eldergrow as we provide our residents with fun opportunities for lifelong learning,” said Stuart Brown, Village Concepts chief operating officer. “Residents will be able to experience the satisfaction of creating and nurturing their own garden, just like at home, while attending classes and enjoying the fruits of their labor complete with arts and cooking activities.”
Brannan Park launches the pioneering program with a garden design kickoff at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Residents can enjoy the benefits of sensory stimulation and connecting with nature while they choose plants and herbs to transplant into the therapy garden. The indoor therapy garden and wellness program is coordinated through Eldergrow, an award-winning Seattle-based startup dedicated to bringing the joys and benefits of nature indoors.
“We are thrilled to partner with Village Concepts,” said Orla Concannon, founder of Eldergrow. “Along with the therapeutic benefits, gardening gives residents something to look forward to, like waiting for that bud to blossom. The residents at Brannan Park will enjoy a myriad of classes as they watch life grow.”
Eldergrow’s educators will teach and build relationships with residents through ongoing enrichment classes on horticulture, culinary and garden art; with applications ranging from a Margherita pizza topped with homegrown basil and tomatoes, or freshly snipped lavender for closet sachets. Educators also help in maintaining garden health and delivering seasonal plants. Studies show that horticulture therapy increases self-esteem, improves motor skills, reduces the risk factors for dementia and decreases medication. It also provides residents with a renewed sense of purpose as they care for their garden.
For more information, call 888-548-6609 or visit villageconcepts.com. "
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[caption id="attachment_8656" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo courtesy of April Balsley, The Fife Free Press[/caption]
The one-week extension on the annual Food Fight to benefit the Edgewood Fish Food Bank made all the difference in the world.
This year’s battle royale pitted Mill Ridge Village Executive Director Jennifer Reich against Fife-Milton-Edgewood Chamber of Commerce's Director of Membership Development April Balsley for a bout to the finish.
The two “fought” over who could gather the most food to benefit those in need in our community. The friendly challenge started in early June and was set to last only two weeks, but the deadline was extended to allow for more donations between Reich's "Team Red" (Reich) and Balseley's "Team Blue."
With a week to go in this second-annual event, both teams had gathered a combined 600 pounds of food and $450 in donations, but the final tally dwarfed that volume. The final tally is 1,331 pounds of donated food and $2,143 in donation. April’s Team Blue won with 488 pounds of food and $1,450 in donations against Reich’s Team Red with 843 pounds and $693 in donations.
Each team had their donation barrels placed around Fife, Milton and Edgewood, where people could drop off non-perishable food into the bin of their choice. The final push yielded members of the local referral group Ignite U to donate more than 1,200 cases of water.
“Last year, we distributed over a million pounds of food, so the drive total seems like a drop in the bucket. But, it isn’t to us. Oftentimes the food we receive during food drives gives our clients a variety we can’t afford to offer. I love this drive because it reminds our community members and local businesses about the continued need of some of our less fortunate neighbors, especially during the summer months,” said Food Bank Manager Kate Wright. “I am forever grateful to April and Jennifer for their energy and willingness to take on the FME Food Fight.”
People can still donate nonperishable food or money to Fish Food Bank, which serves 518,000 individuals facing significant hardships around Pierce County. Since 2008, the community's need for food distribution through FISH has increased 132 percent. FISH Food Banks is the oldest and largest food bank network in Pierce County, with locations in Edgewood, Graham/South Hill, Lakewood, Northeast Tacoma, Northwest Tacoma, Southeast Tacoma and West Tacoma. FISH's Mobile Food Bank visits a different location daily, including schools in the Bethel, Clover Park and Tacoma School Districts.
Because so many food bank clients need more than food, FISH opened Connection Centers and clothing banks to provide free clothing to families in need. At Fish, 97 cents of every dollar donated goes to food distribution. In 2015, more than $10 million of in-kind food was donated, and FISH spent an additional $380,000 procuring nutritious food to ensure a sufficient and balanced selection. For every $1 donated, FISH can distribute more than $9 worth of food. The average cost per meal is only 18 cents thanks to the 700 volunteers who make daily food bank operations possible. More information can be found at fishfoodbanks.org. "
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string(941) "[caption id="attachment_8592" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Village Concepts Corporate Director of Quality Assurance Vicki McNealley and WHCA Board Chair Dale Patterson[/caption]
Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) awarded Vicki McNealley, corporate director of quality assurance for Village Concepts, the WHCA Chair Award at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo. The plaque, presented by Dale Patterson, was inscribed: “In appreciation of your dedication and commitment to Washington Health Care Association education, public policy, and strategic vision. In recognition of the outstanding contribution of time, energy, knowledge, expertise, and support to programs, committees, special projects, and focused work to enrich the assisted living community and profession in Washington.”"
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Village Concepts, a third-generation family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has awarded Michelle Strazis, executive director of Village Concepts of Issaquah, Spiritwood at Pine Lake, the Quality Award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year.
The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.
“Michelle is an outstanding Village Concepts staff members and we could not be more proud of her for earning such a notable award from the Washington Health Care Association,” said Stuart Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Village Concepts. “Michelle truly demonstrates our commitment to diligent care and creating invaluable relationships with our residents and we are thrilled about the recognition of her passionate care.”
As an administrator who prefers visiting with residents or talking to staff rather than staying behind a desk, Strazis is known for her availability, approachability and hands-on leadership. Her innovative ideas have created unique services within the assisted living community that keep residents engaged. On a given day, she might be chatting with residents while pouring drinks at “Winey Wednesdays,” organizing regular volunteering trips for Spiritwood or hosting political forums, including a resident women-only debate party during the latest election and an afternoon with U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert.
Strazis has been executive director of Spiritwood within Village Concepts since 2011, where she has led a team of more than 60 employees to maintain outstanding service standards in day-to-day operations, including resident care, dining, resident activities, marketing administration, housekeeping and maintenance. The Washington Health Care Association honored Strazis for her hard work and dedication to The Cottages at Spiritwood and her approachability to support residents.
Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day. "
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Village Concepts, a family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington State, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has selected Lori Harvison of Village Concepts of Gig Harbor, Sound Vista Village to be the winner of the WHCA Quality Award for Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year.
The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.
“Lori is incredibly deserving of this outstanding honor and we’re extremely proud to have her as a part of our team” said Susan Pfundt-O'Neill, Executive Director of Sound Vista Village and winner of the 2016 WHCA Assisted Living Executive Director of the Year award. “Lori has an unstoppable and creative approach to caregiving that authentically shows her passion and true devotion to the families and residents that we serve.”
This award is the culmination of over a decade of dedicated caregiving that Harvison has provided since her start at Village Concepts in 2005. She is being recognized for earning high measures in innovation, achievement and capabilities in her role as a caregiver.
Harivson is the sixth Village Concepts team member to be recognized for a WHCA Quality Award. In 2016, Heather Hash was recognized as the Outstanding Health and Wellness Director of the Year and Susan Pfundt received the award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year. Previously, a caregiver from High Point Village in Enumclaw and a volunteer won volunteer of the year from Harbor Tower Village in Enumclaw.
Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day.
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[caption id="attachment_8565" align="alignleft" width="395"] The upcoming Food Fight will benefit the Fish Food Bank and run June 1 to June 16. Photo courtesy of Fish Food Bank / The Fife Free Press[/caption]
There's nothing like a little friendly competition to capture a community's attention.
Two community organizers do just that with another round of the Fife Milton Edgewood Food Fight. Rather than the typical lunchroom action of slinging mashed potatoes and hamburger buns through the air, this food fight more constructive, a food drive with all proceeds benefitting the Edgewood FISH Food Bank and the families in need the nonprofit serves.
Mill Ridge Village Executive Director Jennifer Reich and April Balsley, Director of Membership Development at the Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, make up "Team Red" (Reich) and "Team Blue" (Balsley).
The idea is simple. Each team has their barrels placed around Fife, Milton and Edgewood. Folks can choose who walks away champion by placing non-perishable food into the bin of their choice. The campaign runs from June 1 to June 17, with bins located at Mill Ridge Village, Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, Edgewood Community FISH Food Bank and other local businesses to be determined.
At the end of the competition donations of nonperishable food will be weighed to determine the winner. But really, everyone wins when they join forces for a good cause.
You can find out more about FISH Food Bank, what items are needed most and other ways to give at fishfoodbanks.org.
The upcoming Food Fight will benefit the Fish Food Bank and run June 1 to June 17. "
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[caption id="attachment_8292" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Seniors on a field trip to the Vela pot store in Sodo get a seminar in terpenes, aromatic oils that provide cannabis with various aromas and flavors. The group made it a day trip from Sound Vista Village in Gig Harbor. Barbara Krause, 84, center, enjoys the presentation. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)[/caption]
A van full of seniors visited a marijuana store in Seattle for a Pot 101 tour. They came away with tinctures, ointments and a new understanding of a substance few had tried.
Bingo was never that interesting.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Barbara Krause, 84, of the field trip she and other residents of an assisted-living community took Thursday to a Seattle pot store. “I was raised at time when you didn’t do marijuana.”
After a tour of the Vela store in Sodo, and getting a look at Suncliff, an adjacent growing and processing business, Krause came away impressed. “It was very professional. I’m hopeful. I think a lot of people should open their minds to the health thing.”
With the help of a walker, Krause left the store with a small container of an ointment infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical in marijuana believed to relieve pain without getting you high, or very high. She said she bought it for her daughter’s arthritis. (“I don’t have arthritis yet,” she explained.) But Krause said there was a good chance she would try it.
The visit to Vela was part of a Pot 101 trip eight seniors from Sound Vista Village in Gig Harbor took to learn more about the cannabis plant, its products in the legal market, differences between them and their therapeutic properties.
Research shows that pot use by older Americans is on the rise. For Washingtonians 65 and older, the proportion consuming pot in the previous month increased almost threefold from 2011 to 2014, from 0.9 percent to 2.4 percent.
“We’ve had a lot of questions about cannabis,” said Tracy Willis, director of corporate development for Village Concepts, which owns the Gig Harbor facility and 16 others in Washington state. “The idea is to demystify it.”
To that end, Krause and others got an earful during the lunch-hour visit. They heard about sativa (more uplifting) and indica (more sedating) plants. They learned about terpenes, or aromatic oils that give strains their signature smells. They were briefed on differences between smoking, vaporizing and eating marijuana.
And, they got a warning about Maureen Dowd, The New York Times columnist who ate an entire pot-laced candy bar in a Denver hotel room and lay panting and paranoid for hours. Go slow on edibles, they were advised, and have a little bit at a time because it can be an hour before you feel any effects, and you don’t want to overdo it like Dowd.
Verna Gregg, 88, could have used that advice a few years ago when she was staying with her grandson, his wife and two children. “My nerves were shot,” she said. A bit of a marijuana-infused cookie helped calm them, she said. The next day she ate a good bit more of the cookie. “It took me out of my head,” she said.
Maria Scott, who cleared the store’s ID check by 70 years, said she had never tried marijuana. But as a gardener, she said she wanted to grow a pot plant because they’re good-looking. She bought a container of a CBD tincture. “I’m going to try this tonight,” she said, for her sciatica pain.
And she said she might just grow that plant, though it would be illegal unless she got a medical authorization. “I’m 91,” she said. “What are they going to do about it?” "
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[caption id="attachment_8717" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Ann Berg watches the solar eclipse through eclipse glasses Monday at a viewing party at Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Wolley. In Skagit County, the sun was about 90 percent blocked by the moon during peak coverage.[/caption]
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — In Minnesota in the 1930s, Verna McClure and her siblings used broken pieces of glass clouded with smoke from a candle to protect their eyes while viewing an eclipse.
Ann Berg watches the solar eclipse through eclipse glasses Monday at a viewing party at Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Wolley. In Skagit County, the sun was about 90 percent blocked by the moon during peak coverage.[/caption]
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — In Minnesota in the 1930s, Verna McClure and her siblings used broken pieces of glass clouded with smoke from a candle to protect their eyes while viewing an eclipse.
“It was exciting,” McClure recalled. “It doesn’t happen too often.”
The hardware that McClure and about 50 other residents of Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley used to watch Monday’s solar eclipse was more advanced, but the excitement remained the same.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” said Lau’Rel Perrigo, 90. “This is the first one I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of things in my lifetime.”
On the complex’s yard — with an unobstructed view of the sky — residents ate Sunchips and homemade moon pies while they waited for the event.
The last time a solar eclipse crossed the U.S. from coast to coast was 99 years ago, according to NASA.
“Now I kind of understand why people are flocking to Oregon,” said Bertha Schiefelbein, 80.
Shiefelbein remembers when the last total solar eclipse passed through the Pacific Northwest in 1979. She was working at United General Hospital in oncology, she said, and used X-ray films to look view the eclipse.
“It was just a fun thing to do,” she said.
Country Meadow Village Program Director David Bricka said he organized the viewing party for the residents so they could have fun, but also as part of the community’s ongoing “Village Concepts University.”
“It’s a way to promote lifelong learning,” Bricka said. “Anytime there is an opportunity to learn, we’re all over it.”
The residents, some sharing the eclipse-viewing glasses, watched as the moon nearly covered the sun completely.
For not being in the “path of totality” — where the moon completely blocks the sun — it was a pretty good view, Bricka said.
Perrigo said she hopes her grandchildren also got to witness the event.
“That made my day,” she said.
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Ladies of the Brannan Park retirement community recently organized a car wash to raise money for the Auburn Food Bank.
Brannan Park residents dressed in T-shirts stylized with bikinis washed cars while collecting nonperishable food for the food bank, which provides relief to families and individuals living within the boundaries of the Auburn School District.
The car wash is one of many programs designed to push a more dynamic approach to elder care at Brannan Park, one of 20 retirement communities that are part of the Village Concepts family. "
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Village Concepts, a third generation family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, has announced a garden partnership at Brannan Park Retirement in Auburn.
The Eldergrow™ garden will introduce the first therapeutic horticulture program specifically designed for Village Concepts residents.
“Enrichment programs at Village Concepts are constantly expanding, and we are excited to further that commitment with Eldergrow as we provide our residents with fun opportunities for lifelong learning,” said Stuart Brown, Village Concepts chief operating officer. “Residents will be able to experience the satisfaction of creating and nurturing their own garden, just like at home, while attending classes and enjoying the fruits of their labor complete with arts and cooking activities.”
Brannan Park launches the pioneering program with a garden design kickoff at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Residents can enjoy the benefits of sensory stimulation and connecting with nature while they choose plants and herbs to transplant into the therapy garden. The indoor therapy garden and wellness program is coordinated through Eldergrow, an award-winning Seattle-based startup dedicated to bringing the joys and benefits of nature indoors.
“We are thrilled to partner with Village Concepts,” said Orla Concannon, founder of Eldergrow. “Along with the therapeutic benefits, gardening gives residents something to look forward to, like waiting for that bud to blossom. The residents at Brannan Park will enjoy a myriad of classes as they watch life grow.”
Eldergrow’s educators will teach and build relationships with residents through ongoing enrichment classes on horticulture, culinary and garden art; with applications ranging from a Margherita pizza topped with homegrown basil and tomatoes, or freshly snipped lavender for closet sachets. Educators also help in maintaining garden health and delivering seasonal plants. Studies show that horticulture therapy increases self-esteem, improves motor skills, reduces the risk factors for dementia and decreases medication. It also provides residents with a renewed sense of purpose as they care for their garden.
For more information, call 888-548-6609 or visit villageconcepts.com. "
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[caption id="attachment_8656" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
Photo courtesy of April Balsley, The Fife Free Press[/caption]
The one-week extension on the annual Food Fight to benefit the Edgewood Fish Food Bank made all the difference in the world.
This year’s battle royale pitted Mill Ridge Village Executive Director Jennifer Reich against Fife-Milton-Edgewood Chamber of Commerce's Director of Membership Development April Balsley for a bout to the finish.
The two “fought” over who could gather the most food to benefit those in need in our community. The friendly challenge started in early June and was set to last only two weeks, but the deadline was extended to allow for more donations between Reich's "Team Red" (Reich) and Balseley's "Team Blue."
With a week to go in this second-annual event, both teams had gathered a combined 600 pounds of food and $450 in donations, but the final tally dwarfed that volume. The final tally is 1,331 pounds of donated food and $2,143 in donation. April’s Team Blue won with 488 pounds of food and $1,450 in donations against Reich’s Team Red with 843 pounds and $693 in donations.
Each team had their donation barrels placed around Fife, Milton and Edgewood, where people could drop off non-perishable food into the bin of their choice. The final push yielded members of the local referral group Ignite U to donate more than 1,200 cases of water.
“Last year, we distributed over a million pounds of food, so the drive total seems like a drop in the bucket. But, it isn’t to us. Oftentimes the food we receive during food drives gives our clients a variety we can’t afford to offer. I love this drive because it reminds our community members and local businesses about the continued need of some of our less fortunate neighbors, especially during the summer months,” said Food Bank Manager Kate Wright. “I am forever grateful to April and Jennifer for their energy and willingness to take on the FME Food Fight.”
People can still donate nonperishable food or money to Fish Food Bank, which serves 518,000 individuals facing significant hardships around Pierce County. Since 2008, the community's need for food distribution through FISH has increased 132 percent. FISH Food Banks is the oldest and largest food bank network in Pierce County, with locations in Edgewood, Graham/South Hill, Lakewood, Northeast Tacoma, Northwest Tacoma, Southeast Tacoma and West Tacoma. FISH's Mobile Food Bank visits a different location daily, including schools in the Bethel, Clover Park and Tacoma School Districts.
Because so many food bank clients need more than food, FISH opened Connection Centers and clothing banks to provide free clothing to families in need. At Fish, 97 cents of every dollar donated goes to food distribution. In 2015, more than $10 million of in-kind food was donated, and FISH spent an additional $380,000 procuring nutritious food to ensure a sufficient and balanced selection. For every $1 donated, FISH can distribute more than $9 worth of food. The average cost per meal is only 18 cents thanks to the 700 volunteers who make daily food bank operations possible. More information can be found at fishfoodbanks.org. "
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Village Concepts Corporate Director of Quality Assurance Vicki McNealley and WHCA Board Chair Dale Patterson[/caption]
Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) awarded Vicki McNealley, corporate director of quality assurance for Village Concepts, the WHCA Chair Award at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo. The plaque, presented by Dale Patterson, was inscribed: “In appreciation of your dedication and commitment to Washington Health Care Association education, public policy, and strategic vision. In recognition of the outstanding contribution of time, energy, knowledge, expertise, and support to programs, committees, special projects, and focused work to enrich the assisted living community and profession in Washington.”"
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Village Concepts, a third-generation family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has awarded Michelle Strazis, executive director of Village Concepts of Issaquah, Spiritwood at Pine Lake, the Quality Award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year.
The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.
“Michelle is an outstanding Village Concepts staff members and we could not be more proud of her for earning such a notable award from the Washington Health Care Association,” said Stuart Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Village Concepts. “Michelle truly demonstrates our commitment to diligent care and creating invaluable relationships with our residents and we are thrilled about the recognition of her passionate care.”
As an administrator who prefers visiting with residents or talking to staff rather than staying behind a desk, Strazis is known for her availability, approachability and hands-on leadership. Her innovative ideas have created unique services within the assisted living community that keep residents engaged. On a given day, she might be chatting with residents while pouring drinks at “Winey Wednesdays,” organizing regular volunteering trips for Spiritwood or hosting political forums, including a resident women-only debate party during the latest election and an afternoon with U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert.
Strazis has been executive director of Spiritwood within Village Concepts since 2011, where she has led a team of more than 60 employees to maintain outstanding service standards in day-to-day operations, including resident care, dining, resident activities, marketing administration, housekeeping and maintenance. The Washington Health Care Association honored Strazis for her hard work and dedication to The Cottages at Spiritwood and her approachability to support residents.
Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day. "
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Village Concepts, a family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington State, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has selected Lori Harvison of Village Concepts of Gig Harbor, Sound Vista Village to be the winner of the WHCA Quality Award for Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year.
The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.
“Lori is incredibly deserving of this outstanding honor and we’re extremely proud to have her as a part of our team” said Susan Pfundt-O'Neill, Executive Director of Sound Vista Village and winner of the 2016 WHCA Assisted Living Executive Director of the Year award. “Lori has an unstoppable and creative approach to caregiving that authentically shows her passion and true devotion to the families and residents that we serve.”
This award is the culmination of over a decade of dedicated caregiving that Harvison has provided since her start at Village Concepts in 2005. She is being recognized for earning high measures in innovation, achievement and capabilities in her role as a caregiver.
Harivson is the sixth Village Concepts team member to be recognized for a WHCA Quality Award. In 2016, Heather Hash was recognized as the Outstanding Health and Wellness Director of the Year and Susan Pfundt received the award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year. Previously, a caregiver from High Point Village in Enumclaw and a volunteer won volunteer of the year from Harbor Tower Village in Enumclaw.
Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day.
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[caption id="attachment_8565" align="alignleft" width="395"]
The upcoming Food Fight will benefit the Fish Food Bank and run June 1 to June 16. Photo courtesy of Fish Food Bank / The Fife Free Press[/caption]
There's nothing like a little friendly competition to capture a community's attention.
Two community organizers do just that with another round of the Fife Milton Edgewood Food Fight. Rather than the typical lunchroom action of slinging mashed potatoes and hamburger buns through the air, this food fight more constructive, a food drive with all proceeds benefitting the Edgewood FISH Food Bank and the families in need the nonprofit serves.
Mill Ridge Village Executive Director Jennifer Reich and April Balsley, Director of Membership Development at the Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, make up "Team Red" (Reich) and "Team Blue" (Balsley).
The idea is simple. Each team has their barrels placed around Fife, Milton and Edgewood. Folks can choose who walks away champion by placing non-perishable food into the bin of their choice. The campaign runs from June 1 to June 17, with bins located at Mill Ridge Village, Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, Edgewood Community FISH Food Bank and other local businesses to be determined.
At the end of the competition donations of nonperishable food will be weighed to determine the winner. But really, everyone wins when they join forces for a good cause.
You can find out more about FISH Food Bank, what items are needed most and other ways to give at fishfoodbanks.org.
The upcoming Food Fight will benefit the Fish Food Bank and run June 1 to June 17. "
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Seniors on a field trip to the Vela pot store in Sodo get a seminar in terpenes, aromatic oils that provide cannabis with various aromas and flavors. The group made it a day trip from Sound Vista Village in Gig Harbor. Barbara Krause, 84, center, enjoys the presentation. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)[/caption]
A van full of seniors visited a marijuana store in Seattle for a Pot 101 tour. They came away with tinctures, ointments and a new understanding of a substance few had tried.
Bingo was never that interesting.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Barbara Krause, 84, of the field trip she and other residents of an assisted-living community took Thursday to a Seattle pot store. “I was raised at time when you didn’t do marijuana.”
After a tour of the Vela store in Sodo, and getting a look at Suncliff, an adjacent growing and processing business, Krause came away impressed. “It was very professional. I’m hopeful. I think a lot of people should open their minds to the health thing.”
With the help of a walker, Krause left the store with a small container of an ointment infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical in marijuana believed to relieve pain without getting you high, or very high. She said she bought it for her daughter’s arthritis. (“I don’t have arthritis yet,” she explained.) But Krause said there was a good chance she would try it.
The visit to Vela was part of a Pot 101 trip eight seniors from Sound Vista Village in Gig Harbor took to learn more about the cannabis plant, its products in the legal market, differences between them and their therapeutic properties.
Research shows that pot use by older Americans is on the rise. For Washingtonians 65 and older, the proportion consuming pot in the previous month increased almost threefold from 2011 to 2014, from 0.9 percent to 2.4 percent.
“We’ve had a lot of questions about cannabis,” said Tracy Willis, director of corporate development for Village Concepts, which owns the Gig Harbor facility and 16 others in Washington state. “The idea is to demystify it.”
To that end, Krause and others got an earful during the lunch-hour visit. They heard about sativa (more uplifting) and indica (more sedating) plants. They learned about terpenes, or aromatic oils that give strains their signature smells. They were briefed on differences between smoking, vaporizing and eating marijuana.
And, they got a warning about Maureen Dowd, The New York Times columnist who ate an entire pot-laced candy bar in a Denver hotel room and lay panting and paranoid for hours. Go slow on edibles, they were advised, and have a little bit at a time because it can be an hour before you feel any effects, and you don’t want to overdo it like Dowd.
Verna Gregg, 88, could have used that advice a few years ago when she was staying with her grandson, his wife and two children. “My nerves were shot,” she said. A bit of a marijuana-infused cookie helped calm them, she said. The next day she ate a good bit more of the cookie. “It took me out of my head,” she said.
Maria Scott, who cleared the store’s ID check by 70 years, said she had never tried marijuana. But as a gardener, she said she wanted to grow a pot plant because they’re good-looking. She bought a container of a CBD tincture. “I’m going to try this tonight,” she said, for her sciatica pain.
And she said she might just grow that plant, though it would be illegal unless she got a medical authorization. “I’m 91,” she said. “What are they going to do about it?” "
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[caption id="attachment_8717" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Ann Berg watches the solar eclipse through eclipse glasses Monday at a viewing party at Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Wolley. In Skagit County, the sun was about 90 percent blocked by the moon during peak coverage.[/caption]
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — In Minnesota in the 1930s, Verna McClure and her siblings used broken pieces of glass clouded with smoke from a candle to protect their eyes while viewing an eclipse.
Ann Berg watches the solar eclipse through eclipse glasses Monday at a viewing party at Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Wolley. In Skagit County, the sun was about 90 percent blocked by the moon during peak coverage.[/caption]
SEDRO-WOOLLEY — In Minnesota in the 1930s, Verna McClure and her siblings used broken pieces of glass clouded with smoke from a candle to protect their eyes while viewing an eclipse.
“It was exciting,” McClure recalled. “It doesn’t happen too often.”
The hardware that McClure and about 50 other residents of Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley used to watch Monday’s solar eclipse was more advanced, but the excitement remained the same.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” said Lau’Rel Perrigo, 90. “This is the first one I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of things in my lifetime.”
On the complex’s yard — with an unobstructed view of the sky — residents ate Sunchips and homemade moon pies while they waited for the event.
The last time a solar eclipse crossed the U.S. from coast to coast was 99 years ago, according to NASA.
“Now I kind of understand why people are flocking to Oregon,” said Bertha Schiefelbein, 80.
Shiefelbein remembers when the last total solar eclipse passed through the Pacific Northwest in 1979. She was working at United General Hospital in oncology, she said, and used X-ray films to look view the eclipse.
“It was just a fun thing to do,” she said.
Country Meadow Village Program Director David Bricka said he organized the viewing party for the residents so they could have fun, but also as part of the community’s ongoing “Village Concepts University.”
“It’s a way to promote lifelong learning,” Bricka said. “Anytime there is an opportunity to learn, we’re all over it.”
The residents, some sharing the eclipse-viewing glasses, watched as the moon nearly covered the sun completely.
For not being in the “path of totality” — where the moon completely blocks the sun — it was a pretty good view, Bricka said.
Perrigo said she hopes her grandchildren also got to witness the event.
“That made my day,” she said.
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