Happenings | June 29 edition
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Coffee with the Fire Chief
Join Fire Chief Matt Vinci for “Coffee with Chief” from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Burton Fire Station. At the event, Vinci will discuss fire district funding, staffing, apparatus and stations. In addition, Chief Vinci will also be available to answer questions regarding the district’s August 2023 ballot measure and Washington Survey and Ratings Board insurance rating improvements.
Fruit Club open house
The Vashon Island Fruit Club will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, July 1 at the Dr. Bob Norton Memorial Orchard — the Fruit Club’s research and demonstration orchard located at the top of Sunrise Ridge near the Food Bank.
The purpose of the open house is to celebrate the completion of a three-year signage project. The purpose of the project is to educate islanders and other visitors to the orchard about the best ways to grow fruit. The project included the construction of a kiosk at the entrance to the orchard and posting signs about growing fruit. The project also involved the creation of handouts about composting, improving orchard soil and pruning.
Fruit Club president Lotta Gavel-Adams and Orchard Manager Emily MacRae will provide brief opening comments at 10:15 a.m., followed by demonstrations on several topics. Glenn Gray and Fruit Club member Ken Miller will provide tips for composting and amending soils for orchards. Ken Miller will provide a demonstration of how to make biochar — a valuable amendment to improving the growth of fruit trees. Fruit Club member Laure Jansen will then provide a demonstration of how to prune stone-fruit trees, such as cherries, plums, and peaches.
Fruit Club members will also be available to provide tours of the orchard.
The Western Cascade Fruit Society provided most of the funding for the project, with additional funds from the Vashon Island Fruit Club and Fruit Club member Tracy Barrett. Local graphic artists Sandra Noel and Annie Brulé designed several of the signs, and Fruit Club member Russ Carey designed the remainder of the signs.
Fruit Club members will also be available to provide tours of the orchard.
Microchip before July Fourth
Haven, a new nonprofit island animal rescue, will provide free microchipping and ID tags for community members and their dogs during their Stars, Stripes and Microchip event from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at the IGA parking lot. To pre-register, go to www.havenrescue.org/microchipping – though walk-ups are also welcome. The organization is also currently in the process of installing public microchip reading stations around the island for community members to use. Haven can be reached via phone or text at 206-876-9652 or via email at info@havenrescue.org.
Hydro Exhibit
In 1955, Roger Stanley went for a run around Vashon in his home-built hydroplane, leading to the annual Fourth of July Hydro Run — a Vashon tradition that has endured for over 60 years and will continue this year. (See page 4.)
The Vashon Heritage Museum will have a “soft opening” for a months-long exhibition about the hydro races, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 30, with Roger Stone and the exhibit’s curator, Brian Brenno, in attendance. The exhibit’s official opening will take place during the First Friday gallery cruise on July 7. The museum’s regular hours are 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Styro and Plastics Recycling on hold
Vashon’s First Sunday Styro and Plastics recycling events are canceled for the month of July, while organizers move and reconfigure their program. The program will collect fewer items when it begins again in August. Updates will be found here and at zerowastevashon.org. Contact nadine@itwouldbeawonder.com with questions.
NAMI Support Group
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Friends and Family Support Group will meet in person, at the Vashon Presbyterian Church 17708 Vashon Highway SW) and on Zoom, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6. To attend by Zoom, use the following link.
Water District meeting
Water District 19’s next regular board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, in the district’s board room. For more information, visit water19.com.
Festival is almost here
This year’s Strawberry Festival will be held July 14–16. There are a variety of opportunities to jump in, pitch in, make a difference, and make new friends. Sign up for a volunteer shift today.
Want to be in Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday, July 15? Complete the free application and get more details here no later than July 1.
Big Sky Benefit
Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s annual benefit, Party Under the Big Sky, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Matsuda Farm. A farm tour, at 4 p.m., will precede the event. Find out more and get on the waitlist for the sold out event, here.
Community Van
The King County Community Van program provides islanders — as drivers or passengers — with a van for pre-scheduled trips. Heading to Sea-Tac? What about a trip to hike Snoqualmie? A Mariners game? The van can be used for these purposes — and you’ll have priority loading on your way back to the island. The cost of this great program? $2.75 per rider.
Schedule your ride in advance, or volunteer to drive your neighbors or your own family. Use the Community Van to run errands, get to appointments, or attend activities and outings. Learn more about the county program at tinyurl.com/yr8df8bn, and about Vashon’s van specifically, here.
Weigh in on ferry fares
The Washington State Transportation Commission is looking for public input on its proposed ferry fare changes over the next two years. You can submit your comments via their online feedback form or email through Sunday, July 30, or during the commission’s final hearing on its fare proposal at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, when it is expected to make a decision on new ferry fares.
Correction: A previous version of “Happenings,” in the June 29 issue of The Beachcomber and online, said that Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s “Big Sky” benefit would take place on Thursday, July 29. That date is a Saturday, not a Thursday. We strive for accuracy and regret the error.
