Kirkland Briefs: Senior Council Produces Video on Falls, Fitness

An educational video to help older adults build strength and balance to prevent falls is now available on the ’s web site, thanks to the Kirkland Senior Council.

“Falling into Fitness,” produced by the council and the city’s multimedia services department, follows a fictional character who falls at home and then regains her strength through physical therapy and exercise, with the encouragement of her daughter.

In the 21-minute video, Dr. Paul Sandstrom of Kirkland’s Lakeshore Clinic encourages seniors to participate in fitness programs offered by the city’s parks department, as well as those at .

Home falls are common among the elderly, who often lose their balance due to loss of strength and agility. Falls are experienced by approximately one-third of people older than 65 and living on their own, with the result often a loss of mobility. According to the video, about a third of emergency room visits at Evergreen are fall-related.

You can find the video on Kirkland’s On-Demand web page, www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/ondemand. Select “Kirkland Senior Council.” Free copies are available to local retirement communities and assisted living centers by contacting Sharon Anderson, human services coordinator at 425-587-3323 or sanderson@ci.kirkland.wa.us.

----

Arts Award Nominations Sought

The Kirkland Cultural Council is seeking nominations by Jan. 24 for its first CACHET Award – Collaboration of Arts, Culture, Heritage, Education And Theater. The council is encouraging anyone who knows a person, business or organization in Kirkland that fosters the arts, culture or heritage to make a nomination.

The Kirkland CACHET committee will screen the nominees and the cultural council and Mayor Joan McBride will select the recipient. The council and the mayor will present the award on March 7 at , 5:30 p.m.

Nomination forms are available at city hall, the Kirkland Library and elsewhere, and the form can be downloaded at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us (search for Cultural Council).

----

Time Near to Sign Up Kindergartners

If your child will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 and you live in the Lake Washington School District, you can register them for kindergarten beginning Feb. 3 at your neighborhood elementary school.

You’ll need to bring the child’s birth certificate or passport, immunization and health history and emergency contact information. For more information, including the option of all-day kindergarten, see the district’s website at www.lwsd.org.