Valley Medical Center’s mIdwives deliver 500th baby

After opening 18 months ago, Midwives at Valley Medical Center celebrated a major milestone late last month: The delivery of its 500th baby.

“We’re thrilled” to have welcomed so many infants “into south King County,” said Laura Denman, a certified nurse-midwife. “This area is growing dramatically, and we’re excited to be part of that growth.”

Midwives at Valley Medical Center, which includes access to the hospital’s physicians and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit when necessary, is made up of six midwives, one registered nurse and one maternity support provider.

The program also offers counseling to patients for issues unrelated to pregnancy, such as domestic violence and efforts to stop smoking.

Memorial service today for firefighter

A memorial service is scheduled for today for Marty Hauer, a Kent Fire Department firefighter who died last week after a year-long battle with Thymic Carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

The service, open to the public, will be held at 1 p.m. at Christian Faith Center in Federal Way. A large, international turnout of firefighters is expected.

Hauer, 41, was a member for 15 years of the Kent Fire Department. The department administers Fire District 37, which serves Covington.

Hauer’s survivors include his wife and two children.

Summer Solstice potluck and walk hosted by Sierra Club

The Sierra Club’s South King County Group will host its annual Summer Solstice Picnic Potluck June 18 at Soos Creek’s Gary Grant Park.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Following the potluck, participants can take a walk along the Soos Creek Trail led by Mark Johnston, a bird naturalist, to see marsh wrens, barn swallows, red-tailed hawks and other species.

The park is at Southeast 208th Street. and 137th Avenue Southeast.

Additional information is available from Cathea Stanley, one of the event’s organizers, at cathea_s@yahoo.com and (206) 878-5805.