Active seniors find home here

November 20, 2020
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What do line dancing, an 88-degree pool, wine and cheese socials, pinochle, chapel services and concerts all have in common?

They are among dozens of regular activities at Evergreen Fountains intended to “promote and enhance our residents’ health and vitality,” as the mission statement reads.

For Spokane Valley’s Arger family, which opened Evergreen Fountains in 2008 and has seen it through several expansions since, the winning formula has always centered around living out the facility’s tagline, “Where living well is a way of life.”

They do this by encouraging residents to enjoy their own individual lifestyle centered around a holistic philosophy of personal wellness: physical, mental and spiritual health.
“There’s a reason so many active seniors choose Evergreen Fountains,” said Leasing Director Gene Arger. “Our residents believe in living well, and we provide the amenities to help them achieve their personal wellness and fitness goals. We have a great team to provide assessments and programs customized to each resident. And it’s such a fun atmosphere. Our goal is for residents to regain their independence.”

This philosophy has come with significant investment. While the facility employs an experienced nursing staff, much like many facilities that provide a range of independent to assisted living options, Evergreen Fountains also employs an in-house pastor as well as a nationally certified senior fitness specialist.

The fitness programs are coordinated in the facility’s state-of-the-art Wellness and Fitness Center, which includes a warm-water swimming pool, therapy spa, strength training equipment, ellipticals, exercise bikes, treadmills, balance balls and much more, with individualized programs that range from water aerobics to yoga to circuit training.

As they look to provide continuity of care for seniors, the staff at Evergreen Fountains emphasizes three components for evidence-based senior exercise, which they adapt to each individual’s specific health needs: aquatic exercise, balance and strength training.

Arger said the best way to learn more about how the Evergreen Fountains experience can benefit you or your loved one is to schedule a tour by calling 922-3100 or visiting evergreenfountains.com.

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2020 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

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CBD products provide organic relief for pets

October 30, 2019
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What is it?
CBD products from Pet Releaf provide organic treatments for pets suffering from a variety of symptoms, including arthritis, pain, cancer symptoms, anxiety, inflammation, GI tract issues, epilepsy and skin issues. The products come in many varieties, depending on the size of the animal and the symptoms, from treat-size bites and capsules to topical creams and oils. CBD is often referred to as the clear-headed, functional strain of hemp, and is distinct from the THC strain, which is the intoxicant and can have harsh side effects.

Why is it popular?
Pawpular Companions Owner Mara Crowell said the CBD products fit in well with her shop’s main focus on nutrition and pet health. As an alternative and natural treatment, she said many customers have reported favorable results. Like most good products, word of mouth has become its best marketing tool.

Mara shared the story of a Yorkshire Terrier that suffered from seizures, whose owner uses the oil when a seizure comes on. She said the results are fast acting and symptoms are greatly lessened.

The owner of a larger breed dog that suffers from arthritis and related hip and joint pain reported noticeable relief with no side effects, while another customer said the treatment calms aggression in her pet.

Wow factor
Mara and Carl Crowell are the familiar faces behind Pawpular Companions, but almost as familiar is their dog, Canvas. Mara said Canvas suffers from anxiety, which often shows itself when separated from the family or traveling by car. When necessary, the Crowells have introduced CBD products with Canvas, who now sits in a car seat relaxed instead of pacing around the vehicle in alarm.

And it’s not just Canvas. Mara said customers have talked about the benefits of CBD during situations that make dogs anxious, whether that’s when a crowd is over for a Super Bowl party or when the fireworks keep going late into the night on the Fourth of July.

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2019 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

Try in 2020: Southwest Breakfast Burrito

October 9, 2020
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Southwest Breakfast Burrito

Frannie’s Kitchen at Chevron
1109 N. Liberty Lake Road, Liberty Lake

Featuring sausage, eggs, peppers, onions, hashbrowns and cheese, this breakfast burrito is freshly made in Frannie’s Kitchen inside Liberty Lake Chevron. Full-pound burrito option also available.

Why you’ll love it

When you think of food prepared fresh by a trained chef with years of experience, you probably aren’t thinking about gas station fare. Yet that’s exactly what’s offered in the northwest corner of Liberty Lake Chevron through Frannie’s Kitchen.

People walking in for the first time often expect prepackaged items that have been sitting in a food warmer for who-knows-how-long.

“That’s not what this is,” said Fran Stevens, the 10-year Chevron employee and longtime Liberty Lake resident behind Frannie’s Kitchen. “It’s not been sitting there for hours. You always have people who are prejudiced against gas station food, and we just have to fight the stigma.”

For someone with culinary training and experience working in catering and for resorts, Fran might seem overqualified for the job, but she loves the community environment, repeat customers and ability to surprise people with what they can find inside their local convenience store.

“Once they come in, they come back, and they tell their friends,” she said. “I just have to get them in the door.”

After establishing a loyal lunch crowd with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Liberty Lake Chevron expanded this past year to provide breakfast offerings from 7 to 10 a.m. The combination of fresh-made food with grab-and-go convenience was already a hit, and a crowd of breakfast regulars formed quickly.

Owner Don Douglas said credit goes to Fran, who works behind the register for Chevron when she’s not behind the grill a few paces away. Fran makes the burritos and sandwiches to order, usually while visiting with the customer. She uses hearty meats, real cheese and fresh, store-bought ingredients she hand-selects. Customers also love her homemade cookies.

In addition to the Southwest Breakfast Burrito, Fran said morning commuters love grabbing the Three Little Pigs — a ham, bacon and sausage burrito — and the Southern Style, highlighted by sausage and gravy.

Lunch standouts include grilled-to-order specialty sandwiches from the Pulled Pork and Cheddar, to the Italian, to the ever-changing Specialty Sandwich of the Week.

“It’s not what you would expect from a gas station,” Don said of Frannie’s Kitchen. “We don’t know what’s next in her fresh kitchen, but we know it will taste great!”

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2020 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

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