12th Annual LBT Rainbow Health Fair a great success

Ingrid Berkhout (left) and the LBT Rainbow Health Fair Team

This was the second year that the YWCA Women's Health Outreach (WHO) organized the LBT Rainbow Health Fair providing culturally competent health services to the LBT community.  We had 18 wonderful peer providers donate their services.  We were pleased that more people attended this year than last and heard about our event through word of mouth!  Friends bringing friends is a great reflection of trust for us as one such attendee mentioned through our anonymous survey.

    Thank you so much for providing such a valuable service to the community. This health fair is one of my favorite events at Pride. I came for the first time with a friend last year and, once I was here, I never wanted to leave! This year I told all my friends about it and encouraged them to attend as well. The quality and comprehensiveness of services provided is far above any other health fair that I have attended. Perhaps most surprising to me is that the women recognized me from attending last year. Thank you! Thank you for making me feel so wonderful and for creating a space where I can pursue health and healing in such a supportive and personal environment!

We intend to continue providing this outreach and education to the LBT community using this model as it has proven to be a winner.  Our morning started with coffee/tea and yummy cinnamon rolls graciously donated by Mae's Café.  We had a wonderful lunch including vegetarian options provided by Katie Zimmerman with Dykes with Knives.  During part of the day we enjoyed live music by Ronnda Cadle on her acoustic guitar.  We were well taken care of and enjoyed a wonderful day of education, visiting and feeling a part of a wonderful caring community.

We received a wonderfully supportive letter from a community member and I have included a small part which highlights many of the people that we see, the concerns they may have and what our purpose is.

    Thank you so much for doing this for our community.  For those of us that do not have insurance or do not believe in western medicine, this venue offers an easy way to get tested at a minimal of cost: your time. For me, considering I haven't had a physical, annual exam or even a blood test in 4 years, because I don't like the whole medical scene, I decided to take advantage of this fair and get checked out.

    I was determined to get the other stuff down as long as I was down here. I was feeling like I needed to take care of my body since everyone in the room was focused on healthy dykes!  Thank you so much, Ingrid and everyone that made this day a reality for me.

    Signed, just another lesbian out there that hates the medical system, cancer and not knowing what happens when – I trust I have helped someone by sharing my experience.

We thank all the peer providers that donated their time and energy!  We thank each of you that came to the 12th Annual LBT Rainbow Health Fair and hope to see you next year and encourage you (bring a friend).  We also thank Gilda's Club for providing such a warm and inviting location for us to hold this event.

To great health!

The Rainbow Health Fair Team

Rainbow Health Fair Brings Local Author and Yoga Instructor Autumn Needles

Rainbow Health Fair is delighted to have local author and yoga instructor Autumn Needles honor us for her very first reading of her hot off the presses just released book, Yogic Bliss and Sexual Healing!  She will read an excerpt and lead a FREE workshop from 2pm - 3pm on basic yoga breathing practices, or pranayama.  You can find her at the Health Fair after 1:30pm to visit with and answer your questions.

Rainbow Health Fair - Saturday, June 26, 2010     

10am - 3pm Gilda's Club, 1400 Broadway,  
2pm - 3pm Basic Yoga Breathing Practices  Pranayama

Autumn will offer a reading from her book as well as instruction in basic yoga breathing practices, or pranayama, which require no special props or clothing and can be done anywhere by anyone.  Pranayama is an easy to learn but profoundly effective practice which can help support and sustain the body during everyday life, as well as during periods of stress or ill health.

Autumn Needles, RYT, owner of HomeBodyYoga, began practicing yoga at age 12 for its physical healing properties and was hooked by its calming and centering effects as well as for its integrative life philosophy.  She received her yoga instructor certification from the Nosara Yoga Institute in 2006 and has been teaching ever since.  She offers private yoga sessions tailored to your needs and specializes in adapting traditional yoga practices to the requirements of each person.

Regular classes are currently only available at LAFitness, but she periodically offers specialized workshops focusing on particular aspects of yoga practice and philosophy.  She recently authored a book, Yogic Bliss and Sexual Healing, available now through Fanny Press and on Amazon.com, which draws on her background in yoga philosophy, her perspective on sex and sexuality and her own life experiences.

Professional contact info:

HomeBodyYoga

Autumn Needles
www.homebodyyoga.com

autumn@homebodyyoga.com

206.697.6943

I have had the privilege of being in Autumn's classes and my experience is that she is supportive, extremely knowledgeable and creates a space of comfort, safety and inclusion.

Ms T

Join the Rainbow Health Fair Team Saturday at Bat N' Rouge at Cal Anderson Park

This Saturday join members of the Rainbow Health Fair team at a much loved event!

We will be handing out informational cards, answering questions and

enjoying the festivities.  We invite you to join us!

Bat N' Rouge - The Drag Queens vs. The Dykes!
Seattle's Infamous Softball Extravaganza is Saturday, June 19th, 2010.

Don't miss the Gay Pride 2010 Kick Off Event!!!
Cal Anderson Park - Bobby Morris Playfield
(Just off Broadway on Capitol Hill between 11th & 12th off of Pine Street)

Gates open at 4:30pm with the official "Kick-Off" at 5pm.
Invite your Friends and Family!
Forward this message to all your Friends and Family and help spread the word!
Support the Capitol Hill Alano Club!
   
Saturday, June 19, 2010
4:30pm - 8:00pm

Cal Anderson Park / Bobby Morris Playfield between 11th & 12th on Pine Street

Thanks to the capitolhillalanoclub@hotmail.com for this announcement.

Benefit for WHO by Tamara the Trapeze Lady Thursday June 17th

FundRaiser for Women's Health Outreach Program with an emphasis on FUN!

We are so fortunate to have the support of incredible performers like Tamara the Trapeze Lady.  Tamara has put together The Broadway Follies for one last marvelous event on Thursday, June 17th and she is donating all profits to benefit the YWCA's Women's Health Outreach program!   Each of her fabulous hand picked performer's will donate a single spectacular act and as always she accommodates the various tastes of her audience members.  We hope you will join us and attend this incredible evening!

We will be attending events and posting them here over the next few weeks that members of the Rainbow Health Fair Committee will be attending.  We will be handing out informational cards, answering questions and reminding people about the upcoming Rainbow Health Fair on June 26th.  We will be easy to find as we share our enthusiasm for our great peer providers and services that are being offered for the LBT (lesbian, bisexual, trans) community.

TAMARA THE TRAPEZE LADY'S BROADWAY FOLLIES
Benefit for the YWCA's Women's Health Outreach Program

Thursday June 17 8pm Show

Age 18+
Julia’s Restaurant 300 Broadway E

Seattle WA 98122

*Dinner at 6:30pm recommended, but not required.
Tickets $20
$40 Deluxe
$25 cash only at the door

*Dinner guests get preferred seating at 6:30pm, so we highly recommend making reservations to enjoy dinner at the show. Ticketed guests will be admitted at 7pm and 'at the door' ticket buyers will be admitted at 7:30.

For dinner reservations please contact Julia’s @206-334-0513 or email juliasrestaurantseattle.com.

Please note: Dinner and the show are sold separately.  Julia’s Restaurant does NOT sell tickets to this event. 

Want to be treated like the super special person you are?  $40 Deluxe package includes front section seating reserved till 7:45pm, your photo with performers after the show, a signed Tamara the Trapeze Lady 'Blow Me' postcard and a marvy mystery gift.

The show:

Lovers of incredibly hot male burlesquers, THE LUMINOUS PARIAH fits the bill.  Hankering for a dancing earthbound Deity?  PERSEPHONE 'The Goddess In Glitter' is perfectly perfect.  Need more boylesque antics?  EMPEROAR FABULOUS satisfies quite nicely.  Verbally inclined, 'Pink Door muse' GANDHI JONES talks us into a cozy corner.  Seduction your quest?  Ride the waves with SAILOR ST. CLAIR and enjoy the view on MADISUN AVENUE.  Kinky for dark bad boys?  ARMITAGE SHANKS is your naughtiest singing nightmare come true.  Wishing for saucy dangling darlings?  TAMARA THE TRAPEZE LADY and MICHELE FRANCES will grant your fondest wishes.  Not enough?  Perhaps the possibility of winning a lovely raffle prize or the opportunity to help a really worthy cause is your thing.

FLEUR DU MAL pastie designs will hook you up with your very own areola adornments www.Fleurdumal.etsy.com, and hand-made mini top hats and Tamara The Trapeze Lady 'Blow Me' postcards are available for sale before the show and at intermission.

Our Goal:

The goal of Women's Health Outreach YWCA (WHO) in Seattle is to educate women about breast and cervical health, and to provide low-income and medically underserved women 40 and over with annual no-cost mammogram screenings and linkage to regular health care.

Thank you for your interest and participation in our program.  We thank Tamara for her continued support of WHO!

In health!

Ms T

Special thanks also to Tamara the Trapeze Lady for event copy information.

Livestrong at the YWCA - Exercise and Thrive

If you or a loved one is recovering from cancer you already know that you need different kinds of support in your life than possibly before cancer entered it.  The YWCA and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program have created a wonderful program for cancer survivors.  Some sessions have already started while others are starting soon.  The program is continuous and will be available on a rotating schedule.

Exercise and Thrive
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program and YMCA of Greater Seattle have partnered to offer a 10-week strength and fitness program, called LIVESTRONG at the YMCA: Exercise and Thrive, for people who have completed active cancer treatment.

For cancer survivors, studies suggest that exercise improves long-term survival and quality of life.  Through Exercise and Thrive, survivors build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve their capacity to perform activities of daily living, from work to play.  Exercise and Thrive may help reduce the severity of cancer side effects, prevent unwanted weight changes, and improve participants' energy levels and self-esteem.

CLASSES BEGIN SOON
Classes are held twice a week, for ten weeks, at multiple Greater Seattle YMCA locations.  Sessions begin in winter, spring and fall each year.

Beginning May 10, 2010:
Downtown
909 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Monday/Wednesday 5:00 - 6:30 PM

University
5003 12th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105-4399
Monday/Wednesday 12:00 – 1:30 PM


Beginning May 11, 2010:
Auburn Valley
1620 Perimeter Rd. SW, Auburn, WA 98001
Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 – 11:00 AM

Bellevue
14230 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98007
Tuesday 7:00 - 8:30 PM/Saturday 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Northshore
11811 NE 195th St., Bothell, WA 98011
Tuesday/Thursday 6:30 – 8:00 PM


Beginning May 25, 2010:
Dale Turner
19290 Aurora Avenue N., Shoreline, WA 98133
Tuesday 12:00 - 1:30 PM/Saturday 9:30 – 11:00 AM


Beginning June 14, 2010:
West Seattle/Fauntleroy
9140 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98136
Monday/Thursday 4:30 – 6:00 PM

COST
The Exercise and Thrive program is a benefit provided through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program and the YMCA of Greater Seattle.  Our goal is to serve all community income levels.  Fees range from $25 - $165 based on ability to pay.

Participants have access to the YMCA for the duration of the program.  Community participants who join the YMCA within one week of the program end date will have their joining fees waived.  Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is available to those in need.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Cancer survivors over the age of 21 who:
Are at least 90 days out of cancer treatment with no evidence of active disease
Have a strong personal desire to improve their strength and fitness
 Agree to obtain medical clearance for participation
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER
  Please contact:
 YMCA of Greater Seattle
Lindsey Gregerson
Chronic Disease Director
(206) 344-3181
Fax (206) 382-7283
Email: lgregerson@seattleymca.org 

www.fhcrc.org/exerciseandthrive

Eligibility Guidelines and Requirements

We are often asked how we are able to provide such wonderful services to our community members at low or no cost.  The other part of the question is what are the eligibility requirements to utilize the screenings?  We are fortunate to have our screenings provided for you through the Washington Breast Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP).  Remember the key is early detection!

Eligibility: Women ages 40 and over who have no health insurance, and whose household income is at, or below 250%, of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (FPLG), are eligible for free breast and cervical cancer screening, and diagnostic services. For mammogram screening only, the income is at, or below 300% FPLG.

Eligibility Third Party Coverage: Age- and income-eligible women having insurance that covers the procedures either in part, or having not met their deductible of over $500.00, may get their screening and diagnostic services through this program.

Ineligibility Third Party Coverage: Medicaid and Medicare Part B covers the same screening and diagnostic services as BCCHP. Women with Medicaid as their primary health coverage are not eligible. A woman's Medicaid coverage for her dependents has no bearing on her eligibility. Women without Medicare Part B may be eligible for the program.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/chronic/bchp.aspx

For more information visit the Washington State Health Department website at:

Search The Department of Health Web Site
Department of Health A-Z Topic List

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please give us a call and we will answer your concerns.  (206) 436-8671.

LBT Rainbow Health Fair - Free Peer Health Services & Mammograms

Saturday, June 26, 2010

10 am - 3 pm

Gilda's Club

1400 Broadway

Seattle, WA 98122

Join us for peer complimentary health services, like acupuncture, massage, energy healing, heart health, HIV info, naturopath, diabetes and community organizations sharing a range of healthy living information from early detection of breast cancer to overall health.
Free mammograms for un- and underinsured income eligible people over 40.

For an appointment for a mammogram call: 206-436-8666 or email lbthealth@ywcaworks.org (insurance accepted as well).