Author Archives: abailey

Free Community Life Skills Workshops!

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CommunityLifeSkillsWorkshopPoster2Taking care of yourself in the world isn’t always easy. Parents, do you wish your kids could get a chance to practice basic manual life skills like how to change a tire or use a ladder? Maybe you are an adult who would like to brush up on First Aid/CPR or safe ways to work out in the yard? Cappy’s Boxing Gym is hosting a series of four Community Life Skills Workshops covering:

– First Aid/CPR (March 8th, 2:00PM-4:00 PM)
– Basic Hand Tool Use (March 15th, 2:00 PM-4:00PM)
– Basic Car Maintenance/Care (March 22nd, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM)
– Basic House and Yard Care (March 29th, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM)

With sponsorship from Swedish Hospital, Cappy’s is able to offer these workshops for FREE. Workshops will be held at the Gym, 1408 22nd Ave, and are open to the Public but you must pre-register. For more information OR to sign up your family, contact [email protected] or call 206-322-6410

Cappy’s Boxing Club finishes strong in last two rounds!

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SONY DSCThe Youth Boxers at Cappy’s Boxing Club finished up the final two rounds of the group’s Community Health and Well-Being Project with trips to the Central Cinema and Leschi’s BlueWater Bistro. The Project, sponsored by Swedish Hospital, has actively brought together Youth, local Community Experts and Businesses to promote a wide-ranging dialogue about Community Health.

Kevin Spitzer sat down with the Youth in his restaurant  just outside the screening room at the Central Cinema.  While the Youth Boxers were more likely to know of the Central Cinema from their popular Cartoon Happy Hour, the 30-something adults on the Route were inspired by Spitzer’s knowledge of 80s Cult Classic films.

Later in the week, Robert Harvey, Veteran and bartender at BlueWater Bistro, spoke to the Youth just days before two of the Boxers were preparing for their first competitive match. When asked what he had learned from his experience in the war, Harvey spoke of the way that adversity can challenge a person to go beyond what they think is possible. Advice for Boxers entering the Ring and for Communities as a whole.

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Cappy’s Boxers learn it’s good to have a Doctor in your corner

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SONY DSCCappy’s Boxing Club knocked out two interviews as part of their Community Health and Well-Being Project this week.

The first interview was with Dr. Rayburn Lewis, MD, Senior VP  COO at Swedish Cherry Hill Campus. The Boxers were inspired by his commitment to the community including his 23 years of volunteering as the Franklin High School team physician. Dr. Lewis summed up his philosophy of civic responsibility with the quote “to whom much is given, much is required.” The kids discovered that Swedish Hospital, an integral part of Seattle’s success since 1885, is a great organization to have in your corner.

Later in the week, Club members got to know their neighbor, interviewing Melinda Johnson, owner of Seattle Kajukenbo and Kung Fu Studio. The studio shares Cappy’s commitment to developing Youth in mind and body. Local experts Soyna Wyrobek and Ziko Tzolos led the hour long route to and from the studio with conversation covering nurse midwife training, guitar repair, memorization techniques, heavy metal and boxing. It’s all part of the diversity of the Central District!SONY DSC

Cappy’s Boxing Club goes Old School

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This week, it was back to the “Old School” for the Boxers participating in Cappy’s Boxing Club’s Community Health and Well-Being Project. Now in it’s fifth week, the Project which is sponsored by Swedish Hospital, seeks to establish connections between Youth, local community experts and Central District businesses in order to promote Community Health and Well-Being.

Lifetime Central District Resident and Cappy’s Boxing Gym Maintenance Supervisor Davon Evans was first up to be interviewed. Speaking to a group of Youth Boxers from Cappy’s competitive team, Davon spun stories of the way things used to be in the CD. The kids came back to the gym full of the tales of Bruce Lee’s father, Odessa Brown and the infamous Devil’s Ditch.

The legendary proprietor of Earl’s Cuts and Styles was up next. Born and raised in the Central District, he’s a man who is famous enough to not need a last name. Earl let it be known, nothing says “Old School style” like taking the time to look good. He shared his pride in the neighborhood, the Central District history, and his delight in providing a place for CD neighbors to come in and look their best.

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In the Gym, in the Workplace, at Home and in the Neighborhood, it’s all about Teamwork.

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Cappy’s Boxing Club’s Community Health and Well-Being project sailed through the half-way mark last week as Youth Boxers gathered stories at The Madrona Alehouse and the Red Apple Market. The Project, sponsored by Swedish Hospital, seeks to increase awareness of Health and Well-Being in the Central District and neighboring communities by connecting Youth, Community Experts, and local businesses.

First up was local bartender Casey Broesamie at the Madrona Alehouse. The Youth focused their interview questions on the balance that workers must have between their job and their family life. Casey linked the effort, patience, and Teamwork it takes to create happy customers with the qualities needed to create a happy family. Evidence of the Alehouse’s success in fostering a space for neighborhood people to gather was everywhere from the local art on the walls to the menu featuring local wines and beers.
Two days later, the Youth Boxers were off to Red Apple Market, known for its friendly environment (and, the Youth learned, customers dancing in the aisles.) On their route, Youth Boxers Sam Shethar and Owen Brower practiced some Teamwork of their own as they performed an impromptu shadowbox demonstration for a neighborhood boxing enthusiast on the street. Long-time Red Apple employee Robert Amaral wrapped it all up emphasizing “you can’t do it alone” whether you are working, playing in a band, or training for boxing.

Cappy’s Boxing Club puts first two rounds in the bank

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Cappy's Youth Boxers with Volunteer Cle Franklin

Cappy’s Youth Boxers with Volunteer Cle Franklin

Youth Boxers from Cappy’s Boxing Club finished up the first two rounds of their 12 round Community Health and Well-Being Project last week. Their first stop was the Central District Chamber of Commerce where they interviewed formidable neighborhood legend De Charlene Williams. The Youth were inspired by De Charlene’s vivid stories of the CD Community including the historic Fashion Shows at Washington Plaza.

 

The next round brought the kids toe-to-toe with Michael McGloin, owner of the Judkins

Judkins Street Cafe owner Michael McGloin

Judkins Street Cafe owner Michael McGloin

Street Cafe. With the kids seated around the table at his popular restaurant, McGloin explained his philosophy that business exists to serve the Community. His Community pride was infectious as he described hosting musical events, special dinners and fundraisers for his Central District neighbors.

Cappy’s Boxing Gym jumps in the ring with Swedish Hospital

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Cappy’s Boxing Gym is partnered up with Swedish Hospital to promote Community Health and Well-Being in the Central District. The Project, launched by Cappy’s Gym in February, is engaging community experts, local businesses, and area Youth Boxers to highlight different aspects of Community Health.

The Gym is looking for assistance in documenting and broadcasting the incredible community stories that they are collecting. Volunteers with experience in film, audio and media distribution are sought. Contact [email protected] if you are interested!

 

Vian Hunter shows Cappy’s Boxers the ropes

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Boxer Amauri Boss puts his training to the test while interviewing Vian Hunter

Boxer Amauri Boss puts his training to the test with Vian Hunter

 

Vian Hunter knows how to handle a punch. In her world of high fashion design, demands come at you faster than a flurry from Muhammad Ali. Her recent project was a pair of unique boxing uniforms for two boxers who compete at Cappy’s Boxing Gym where Ms. Hunter trains. The acrobatic jump rope routine that showcased the flashy uniforms was a fitting finale to the first phase of the gym’s Live a Boxer’s Lifestyle Program which connects young boxers and successful entrepreneur role models like Ms. Hunter.

In his 20 years as head coach, gym owner Cap Kotz has seen many young boxers come and go. After their competitive careers ended, they often had difficulty finding their way in life. The long hours of training in the gym were not translating to success.  In response to this need, Kotz created the Live a Boxer’s Lifestyle Program, a broad initiative whose four guiding Principles are Dedication, Courage, Stamina and Emotional Fortitude.

The two boxers who participated in the fashion project, 17-year-old Brennan Phelan and 15-year-old Amauri Boss, were put to the test during the initial design interview with Ms. Hunter. Thrust into the Ring with the unfamiliar world of High Fashion, they put the Program Principles into practice.  Phelan noted “it was kind of uncomfortable so I used the Principle of Courage to make myself more open than I usually would be.”

Round Two took place at Ms. Hunter’s retail store in the Madison Valley.  The Boxers interviewed Ms. Hunter and Pattern Maker, Ms. Laird seeking to understand how the Live a Boxer’s Lifestyle Principles are used by business owners. Vian proved the perfect candidate for translating the world of business into the world of boxing. Phelan said of the interview process, “it helped me understand how widespread the Live a Boxer’s Lifestyle Principles really are … Vian was telling me about how it took all of the Live a Boxer’s Lifestyle Principles to keep her going.

As Ms. Hunter set to work to create the uniforms, Boxers Phelan and Boss had a Project of their own. The pair created a jump rope routine to be performed at Cappy’s Saturday Night Sizzler, one of the Club’s many Community Events.

After the event, attended local residents and gym members including Ms. Hunter and her husband, the Boxers were clearly pleased with the results. Boss noted, “They did great work on the material and stitching … but what I admire most is just how fast it all came together.”  Phelan noted how comfortable the uniform was and that he could imagine sleeping in it.

Just one other quality that unites busy entrepreneurs and boxers: the need for sleep.