On Thursday night, Jan. 10, 2019, an Open House was held by Noble Healthcare for their proposed new long-term care facility for individuals with mental health needs in Seahurst.

This event – which was to be held in an office at 2108 SW 152nd Street – was moved across the street to St. Francis Unity Place after the turnout exceeded organizer’s expectations (there were at least 250-300 people there).

Noble Healthcare owners (and brothers) Cale, Josh and Zach Wester explained their proposed “long-term care home for individuals whose mental health needs,” along with representatives from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and others, who helped clarify laws and regulations.

The facility – pending sale/approval/permitting – is projected to open in late 2019/early 2020 – and would be located at 2108 SW 152nd Street in the CRI office building next to the Seahurst Post Office, kitty-corner from St. Francis of Assisi School and near two Montessori schools.

The room was packed with concerned – and sometimes very emotional – residents.

Also in attendance were Burien City Councilmembers Austin Bell, Bob Edgar, Krystal Marx and Nancy Tosta, along with City Manager Brian Wilson (none of whom spoke).

At times some attendees acted hostile to the owners, sometimes shouting “shame!” as well as interrupting them or each other.

“I attended the meeting concerning Noble Healthcare’s proposed ESF in the Seahurst area,” attendee Pam Nomura told The B-Town Blog afterwards. “My main goal was to get information on the proposal. Because of the tenor of the meeting and the disrespectful manner in which questions were being asked, I chose to leave before having my concerns addressed. I regret that an occasion that should have been constructive devolved into a shouting match.”

Here’s full raw video of the event – with an approximate running time of 2 hours and 9+ minutes, as shot by Scott Schaefer (NOTE: questions from the audience begin at around the 40:00 mark):

Read our previous coverage of this issue here.

This year’s event splashed down in a new location due to high tides – at the intersection of Maplewild Ave SW & SW 172nd.

The winner of the coveted Polar Bear Plunge spirit trophy was Jeanninne Bassinger, a B-Town resident since 2015, who was dared to plunge by her roommate Rick (who did NOT participate himself, but was there cheering her on):

Here’s raw video from our Facebook live stream (be sure to “Like” our page here to see future live videos):

Jana works at a San Francisco based startup, Chairman Mom, as a User Experience Designer. Chairman Mom is a subscription-based community platform for working mothers. For $5 a month, women can ask and answer the tough questions about life, work and motherhood without judgment, guilt or fear of being called a “bad mom” (a phrase that is banned from the site). The community is designed to create an environment free of bullying and negativity, encouraging real connection and honest discussions, with the goal of ultimately setting more working moms up for success.

This free, open event will be held at the future site of the “long-term care home for individuals whose mental health needs make it difficult for them to thrive in a traditional nursing home/assisted living,” organizers said. “During the meet and greet we hope to meet neighbors and future partners, gather input, and answer any questions.”

The home – which (pending sale/approval/permitting) is projected to open in late 2019/early 2020 – apparently will be located in a former office building next to the Seahurst Post Office, kitty-corner from St. Francis of Assisi School and near two Montessori schools. The “CRI” building, which was built in 1987, was recently listed for sale at $1,495,000. The property features an 11,993 square foot lot, and 6,313 square feet of living space.

Owners say that this new facility will provide 24/7 licensed nursing care to 16 residents to age in place, with a staffing ratio of at least 1 staff to 4 residents.

“These are high ratios for a nursing home, and are designed to ensure that residents have ample opportunity to go out and be a part of the community while having the accompaniment support they need to have meaningful experiences and interactions,” they said.

“We are in the process of finalizing the purchase of the building, permitting, etc. There will be some significant renovations to the inside of the building, while the outside will remain largely unchanged. We anticipate completing the renovations late 2019,” they added.

We first heard about this new facility on a Facebook post, which has garnered a somewhat passionate response from concerned residents, including comments assuming that this will be some kind of drug treatment center or low-income housing, and that it might endanger the nearby school children (St. Francis of Assisi School is very close):

“Why is Burien on the receiving end of all low-income, no-income housing?

“Lets be honest about it…”i don’t want that kinda business in my neighborhood”

“I think it will be great contribution for the community, but not across the street from a school.

“The company that I work for has a couple of buildings similar to this. Properly run, they are a very minimal danger to the community and a real benefit to the residents. They are overseen 24/7. Residents are monitored to make sure meds are taken and the staff is well trained to spot problems before they happen. I feel perfectly safe having them across the street from me.

“And now this “Behavior Health Support” facility located in a residential neighborhood?

“Why is this happening to Burien? Why is this not being talked about?”

“This isn’t a drug treatment facility or half way house,” co-owner Zachary Wester told The B-Town Blog on Wednesday, Dec. 26. “It is a nursing home for individuals whose mental health needs make it difficult to be placed in a traditional nursing home.”

Here’s more info directly from Noble Healthcare:

Noble Healthcare is hosting a meet and greet from 5:30-6:30pm on January 10th at 2108 SW 152nd Street in Burien – the future site of a long-term care home for individuals whose mental health needs make it difficult for them to thrive in a traditional nursing home/assisted living. During the meet and greet we hope to meet neighbors and future partners, gather input, and answer any questions.

Noble Healthcare is a family-owned nursing home operator. We currently operate two care centers – one in Tekoa, Washington and the other in Cashmere. Both homes specialize in providing long-term care to individuals whose increased physical needs require 24-hour care, but who also face mental health diagnoses that make it difficult for them to receive that care in a regular nursing home. Well trained caregivers, licensed nurses, mental health workers, and doctors work together with the resident and their families/representatives to develop care plans that help these individuals thrive in an environment that is as homelike as possible, and where their special needs can be met throughout their aging process.

Mental Healthcare is a work in progress. The vast majority of residents we care for have long histories of failed placement in other care settings. Often they have bounced between nursing homes, acute care hospitals, and Western/Eastern State hospitals. The mandate of care facilities like ours is to break that cycle. We work with the State hospital to ensure patients that have been stabilized are discharged into a setting where they continue to receive the specialized support they need to function at the highest physical and mental level possible. The home in Burien will take on that same mandate.

The home in Burien (we’re still trying to think of a name and would love some input!) will provide 24/7 licensed nursing care to 16 residents to age in place, with a staffing ratio of at least 1 staff to 4 residents. These are high ratios for a nursing home, and are designed to ensure that residents have ample opportunity to go out and be a part of the community while having the accompaniment support they need to have meaningful experiences and interactions.

We are in the process of finalizing the purchase of the building, permitting, etc. There will be some significant renovations to the inside of the building, while the outside will remain largely unchanged. We anticipate completing the renovations late 2019.

We have seen some community discussion surrounding the home in Seahurst. Mental health definitely faces a serious stigma. In most of those discussions it has been really heartening to see so many community members working to dispel the stigma and educate others in an empathetic way. There are definitely some concerns being shared as well, I wanted to take this opportunity to address those:

Is this a drug treatment, opioid treatment, half-way house, or chemical dependency clinic? (From Facebook – Take Back Burien Page)
No, this is a long-term care home where individuals with the need for around the clock physical/medical assistance, and who cannot otherwise be served in other residential care settings due to high mental health needs, can age-in-place and receive nursing care.

Will the chemically-dependent be treated at the facility? (From Facebook – Take Back Burien)
The mandate of care facilities like ours is to provide a “placement option for individuals whose complicated personal care and behavioral challenges do not rise to a level that requires an institutional setting. Individuals are referred to an ESF if they are coming out of state and community psychiatric hospitals or have no other placement option due to their complex behavior, medical, chemical dependency and/or mental health needs.” 70.97 RCW

Individuals discharging from a prolonged hospitalization to a care center like ours will not be active illicit drug users. They will not have had access to illegal substances as an inpatient and would not be deemed ready to discharge if they were actively using illicit drugs. They may, however, have chemical dependency in the form of medication regimens addressing their mental health needs, that a traditional nursing home may not be equipped to handle.

In our experience it is very common to have patients referred to us who, while not actively abusing drugs, have a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse. We unabashadley care for these individuals. Continued counseling and treatment related to historical substance abuse is offered where needed or wanted, and supervision in the facility negates the likelihood of a resident gaining access to illicit drugs.

What type of people will be cared for at the home?
Again, our mandate is to work with the State hospital to ensure patients that have been stabilized are discharged into a setting where they continue to receive the specialized support they need to function at the highest physical and mental level possible.

Our residents struggle with issues like advanced dementia, developmental disabilities, brain injuries, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Is it a good idea to have this home located near schools? (From several community members)
Any care facility has to ensure that it can adequately meet the needs of any resident admitted, and that that resident is not a threat to the community. Being so close to schools will most definitely be a major consideration in evaluating potential residents. For example individuals with a history of sexual offense would not be appropriate to the community and location and would not be admitted.

Noble Healthcare operates two other locations (one in Tekoa, WA and one in Cashmere) that serve the same demographic of residents needing highly specialized mental health care. At these locations we have strong relationships with neighboring schools and host regular visits from classes. These interactions are very uplifting and benefit the residents and the children. We would hope to continue that tradition in Burien.

I myself will have a 2nd grader, kindergartener, and preschooler attending school in the community. I would never do anything that would put them at risk.

You can check out some of the activities we’ve had with schools at https://www.facebook.com/tekoacare/

What type of insurance will be accepted? (From Facebook)
This is a special medicaid/medicare program. Residents will be covered by one of those programs.

How will this impact parking?
As part of the permitting process an independent parking and traffic study was completed by an independent engineering firm. To summarize the results, there will be a net decrease in traffic and parking as compared to the sites current use.

We look forward to meeting all of you and being a part of the community. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions we look forward to meeting you on the 10th or you can contact us any time.

– Zachary Wester
zackw@noble-hc.com

Here’s a great, fun way to brrrrrring in the New Year – at Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, dive into Puget Sound at the fun-filled annual Polar Bear Plunge in the 3500 block of 172nd SW Street (map below) in Burien’s Three Tree Point neighborhood!

This annual New Year’s Day tradition will continue with crisp and refreshing saltwater, along with all the usual craziness (costumes!) that make this the perfect way to start the New Year (and perhaps cure a hangover).
One of the more festive parts of this community event is the awarding of the Polar Bear Plunge champion trophy – which consists of a Polar Bear figure on a piece of driftwood – chosen during the event by regulars and previous award-winners.

TIP: usually, the “most exuberant” plunger wins, but recently some very creative, fully costumed plungers have taken home the prize.

Last year’s winner was Katarzyna Patora, who wore an amazing mermaid costume that she made herself:

Here are some video highlights from our live Facebook feed:

Here’s GoPro POV cam footage shot by Shawn Anderson:

Here’s a great video of the 2017 plunge, shot and edited by Cameron Johnson, a proud grad of Highline High School and freelance videographer from Burien:

The 2017 Three Tree Point Polar Bear Plunge from Cameron Johnson Video on Vimeo.
Here are some Hints and Safety Tips:

• Dress Up in costume to add whimsy (and perhaps win the big prize!)
• Come early, as parking is limited. Carpool or come by boat!
• Anyone with heart problems should consult your health care provider before participating. If you don’t participate, you’re still welcome to join and watch.
• Do Not Drink. Alcohol – it does not warm you up; it accelerates hypothermia.
• Do Not Stay In The Water Longer Than 15 Minutes. Body heat is lost 30 times faster in the water than in air.
• Keep Your Outer Clothing On until swim time and remove any wet clothing before getting back into dry clothes. Bring big dry towels to warm up after you plunge!
• Have Fun!

Check out our extensive prior Polar Bear Plunge coverage hre.

THE BRIEFING PROJECT EPISODE 13

The Lost Cause – November 13, 2018

Thank you. I’m Steve Edmiston for The Briefing Project. Today’s comment is inspired by the “lost cause” speech from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, for two reasons. First, no surprise, I’m often told this project is a lost cause because of the Port’s economic growth ambitions and the disparity in our respective level of influence. Second, in film-speak, today reveals the list of actual project quests, meaning, here, the specific actions that will, “lost cause” or not, quantify success.
I’ve titled these actions the “Port of Seattle Airport Neighbor Community Accords.” The Accords are designed to provide cities and citizens a simple, ongoing, public measurement – a gradebook, or scorecard, if you will, of how each of you act, or fail to act, respond or fail to respond, to the information provided and the actions requested. Any one of you can introduce these actions as policy, to be advocated for and implemented to the extent permitted by law, just as you did on immigration, and on climate change. They are legal. They are within your authority. They reflect choices. I have the full text for the Clerk; I’ll read the Accord headings now.

First: The Health of Humans and the Environment is a Paramount Duty and Pre-Condition to Increased Frequency of Aircraft Operations (requiring reversal of the Port’s 2018 bylaw amendment deleting the commitment to community quality of life).

Second: Transparency Is a Core Value Requiring Independent Audit of Historical Mitigation Expenditures. 

Third: Trust is a Core Value Requiring Non-Interference with Independent Health and Environmental Studies. 

Fourth: Tax Levy Funds Shall Be Prioritized for Airport Neighbor Community Mitigation.

Fifth: Establishing a Nighttime Curfew to Protect Human Health Shall Be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources. 

Sixth: Fully Remediating the Failed Commitments for 3^rd Runway Usage Shall be a Policy Priority. 

Seventh: Establishing Increased Glide Slopes for All Runways to Reduce Noise and Protect Human Health Shall Be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources. 

Eighth: Establishing a Regional Airport to Preserve Statewide Economic Growth and Simultaneously Reduce the Unfair Burden on Airport Neighbor Communities Shall be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources.

Ninth: Citizen Complaint Processes Shall be Reformed to Provide Meaningful Engagement and Solutions. 

Tenth: A Moratorium Shall be Placed on Capital Projects That Expand Aircraft Operation Capacity Until a Comprehensive Plan Developed in Collaboration with Airport Neighbor Communities to Protect Health and the Environment is Achieved.

It’s a big list. Perhaps certainly, a “lost cause” list. But as Jimmy Stewart’s Mr. Smith said, “they’re the only causes worth fighting for.”

Much later in the meeting, as part of the 2019 Budget Resolution discussion, Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck introduced:

“…a proposal that I believe has been vetted by staff and law department and Commissioners to create an airport communities fund with an initial endowment of $10 million for five years. And the purpose is to “strategically address airport growth and the environmental impacts or effects associated with that including noise, pollution and health, potentially, and the concerns that have been raise publicly from various voices in the communities.” Commissioner Steinbrueck acknowledged that use of federal aviation funds within the 65 dB boundary is restricted, and “the intent here is to address some of the unfunded abatement measures.”
The Commissioner added “it would not be difficult to identify high priority uses over five years for this amount of money.”

In response to Steinbrueck’s proposal, Edmiston responded:

“I greatly appreciate this proposal for potential action – and leadership – offered by Commissioner Steinbrueck. This is moving the needle in the right direction. I hope that this type of action reflects the beginning of a long-term commitment that will require a much more significant investment. I agree with Commissioner Felleman’s comment that ‘my really my only concern is that the needs are so much greater than the fund and that we create an unreasonable expectation about all that could be accomplished with this sort of resource. But I’m ultimately tremendously sympathetic I’m bearing a disproportional brunt of this regional asset.’”

About The Briefing Project
The Briefing Project is a social media and documentary film project that merges journalism, editorial commentary, citizen activism, and the ‘it’s happening before our eyes’ elements of a reality-show, all serving an anticipated documentary about five elected officials with a choice to make to continue, stop, or mitigate, the harms caused to humans and the environment by noise and emissions from overflight operations. He has committed to spend no more time than the Commissioners provided to the FAA and to the Port’s own staff for a briefing in 2017: forty-three minutes. The project’s twist? As a citizen, Edmiston must provide his briefing during two-minute public-comment segments, as provided by Port bylaws. He estimates it will take a year to complete.
About Steve Edmiston
Steve is a business, intellectual property, and entertainment lawyer. He is also a screenwriter and independent film producer. He has written and produced award-winning feature-length and short films (including “Crimes of the Past,” “A Relative Thing,” “Farewell to Harry,” “The Day My Parents Became Cool,” “The Periphery Project,” and “The Maury Island Incident”). He serves on the Port Townsend Film Festival Board of Directors, and has taught screenwriting and producing at Seattle University, University of Washington, and Seattle Film Institute. 
Like The Briefing Project on Facebook: 

• https://www.facebook.com/thebriefingproject/

See all The Briefing Project episodes: 

• www.quadrant45.com/#/thebriefingproject/

• Proposed new Gang Unit funding along with a proviso requiring the Sheriff to conduct community engagement efforts to prevent and reduce gang violence.
• Adds a Background Check Detective to help the Sheriff fill vacancies more quickly.
• Also provides resources to comply with HB 1022, as well as requiring responses to Office of Law Enforcement Oversight reports from 2018, and requires safety gear for traffic enforcement officers.
• Establishes a South King County Pretrial Services program with $1.3M in funding, including support from King County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency fund for behavioral health services.
• Requires the Executive to provide a plan for how the Zero Youth Detention Initiative will address the school-to-prison pipeline and incorporate successful anti-gang youth programs, principles and strategies.

A budget summary can be downloaded here
(PDF file).

• https://www.quadrant45.com/#/thebriefingproject/
• https://www.facebook.com/thebriefingproject/

Our prior coverage is available here.

• https://www.quadrant45.com/#/thebriefingproject/
• https://www.facebook.com/thebriefingproject/

Our prior coverage is available here.

The Fox Cove Apartments are located at 149 SW 160th Street in Burien.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help those in need – donate online here:

https://www.gofundme.com/6735880?member=852032 

Here’s a video courtesy KING5:

Also, some info about tenant’s rights is available here:

https://tenantsunion.org/en/rights/low-income-housing-eviction

Public safety
City Manager Brian Wilson told the Council he has carried out a Council directive made at the Sept. 24 meeting to enhance a plan to “enhance public safety” and the “effort is underway and we gave a multiple prong approach” that includes community feedback, have increased policing and “talking about increased social services for our youth and our community.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following Sports story is sponsored by the Kenner Dental Group:

Story, Photos & Videos by Scott Schaefer
Under partly cloudy skies with an occasional shower, 750 exuberant runners crossed the finish line of the 2018 Burien Brat Trot 5K on Sunday, Sept. 30.
This grass roots, local fundraiser benefits the Highline Schools Foundation. In addition to a 5K and kids run, it included a Bavarian Fest complete with beer gardens, live bands, sausage, bouncy toys, food, and more.
Here’s video of the Top 3 finishers as they crossed the finish line – Cameron Colpitts, Nicholas Ankuta and James Roach:

Cameron Colpitts, 36, was the top finisher with a time of 17:06.
Abigail Bever was the top female finisher with a time of 19:18.
TOP 10 FINISHERS:

1. 1. CAMERON COLPITTS: 36 | M | 17:06
   2. NICHOLAS ANKUTA: 16 | M | 17:24
   3. JAMES ROACH: 33 | M | 17:33
   4. ELLIOT COREY: 33 | M | 18:10
   5. STEVEN COLMUS: 45 | M | 18:16
   6. TROY HAESELER: 37 | M | 18:48
   7. HODGES MAXIM: 15 | M | 18:49
   8. JEREMY TOPPING: 40 | M | 18:51
   9. ANAWAT BRAD: 56 | M | 19:09
   10. ABIGAIL BEVER: 28 | F | 19:18
   11. BENJAMIN FADER: 28 | M | 19:27
   12. JOSHUA CHO: 16 | M |19:38
   13. LAURA BREYMANN: 37 | F | 19:56
   14. JACOB KLIKA: 39 | M | 20:08
   15. ERIN CHINCHAR: 25 | F | 20:25
   16. CARMEN STORER: 33 | F | 20:32
   17. MARK DOOLEY: 43 | M | 20:54
   18. HOUSE MAX: 14 | M | 20:54
   19. BRIAN HANSEN: 42 | M | 20:58
   20. HODGERS DARO: 53 | M | 21:01

OLDEST FEMALE:

• CAROLINE ERICKSON: 76 | F | 53:48

OLDEST MALE:

• ROBB SHIRLEY: 78 | M | 25:34

SLOW-MO OF THE START
Here’s a slow-motion video of the start of the race – can you find yourself (or anyone you know) here?

PHOTOS
Here are some photos from the event, shot by Scott Schaefer (click images to view larger versions/slideshow):

Runners were all smiles at the starting line.

This view of a sea of runners heading south on 10th Ave SW never gets old!

A dancer struts to the music of Los Flacos.

Tin Room staff got into the spirit while cooking sausages.

Tin Room owner and race co-founder Danny House congratulates Carmen Storer as she crosses the finish line.

Danny hung out at the finish line to congratulate runners.

A running Dad pushes a stroller while a kid enjoys the ride.

After running a race, this is the best way to watch the finish line.

Burien Police Chief Ted Boe ran with his family, and came in 406th with a time of 37:25.

The family that runs in Lederhosen together, stays together…

When you live in a great community like @Burien there are some great events and people that mark the years…13+ and counting @tinroombar #DannyHouse @HighlineSchlsFd @BurienBratTrot pic.twitter.com/ydjJ9y30GM

— Maya Mendoza-Exstrom (@Maya3rme) September 30, 2018

ABOUT OUR SPORTS SPONSOR:
Dr. William C. Kenner, V

“Having the opportunity to utilize my expertise and help patients achieve optimum, functional oral health is what drives my passion for dentistry.”

About our office:
Our patients have a great appreciation for the care that we provide, and many of them have been with the practice since it was opened by my father in 1978. It is extremely rewarding to see those patients entrust our office with their own care, the care of their children, and their friends and family. We strive to provide quality, patient-centered dental care. Our goal is to create a unique dental experience for our patients, where their needs and comfort come first. Each Team member brings their individual element to the office, making everyday entertaining and enjoyable.
For the past four years the Kenner Dental Group has been an event sponsor for the Burien Brat Trot, benefiting Highline Schools Foundation. We have also worked to raise awareness of children’s oral health and provided pediatric dental care in the community.
I am a Burien native born and raised. My wife Dr. Leigh Kenner, who I met in dental school, and I have been married since October 2009. We have two beautiful children, daughter Brynn and son Liam, along with two dogs, Lilly and Cali. Our house is always a bit busy, but when there is time to relax and get away, our family loves outdoor activities together, watching the Seahawks, traveling to see family in San Diego and Palm Springs, and enjoying the beach along Alki. My individual outdoor passion is fresh-water fly fishing, although I’ve been known to throw saltwater flies off Alki Point and Fauntleroy occasionally.
For more info, visit https://www.kennerdentalgroup.com, or call 206-248-1339.