Happenings | July 6 edition
Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 6, 2023
Coffee with the Chief
Join Fire Chief Matt Vinci for “Coffee with Chief” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Caffe Vin Olio. 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.
‘Butt Walk’ on gallery walk
On July 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Penny Farcy Building, Peter Ray will have on display 360 photos of cigarette butts collected from his weekly walks along the same one-third mile stretch of Vashon Highway over the last year and a half.
Ray has collected nearly 1000 butts in that time.
What started out as a concern for potential wildfire branched into a general concern for the environment. It is estimated that 65% of smoking materials are disposed of improperly, allowing microplastics and toxins to dissipate into the environment.
Globally, tobacco companies produce 6 trillion cigarettes a year, with an estimated 4.5 trillion landing somewhere in the waste stream.
Mike Lasecki from King Conservation District, who recently spoke on Vashon about wildfire mitigation, will be present to answer questions about wildfires and the work he does with homeowners and fire prevention assessment.
The photo display will be up for one day only, during the First Friday Gallery Cruise.
Zen Jam
A night of music will benefit Puget Sound Zen Center, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at the Zen Center at 18005 Vashon Hwy SW. The music lineup will include local music icons Kat Eggleston, Daryl Redeker, Gus Reeves and Eva Cain. Cain just graduated from Vashon High School and wowed with her rendition of the National Anthem both at the graduation and at Vashon’s annual Memorial Day event at Vashon Cemetery. This summer, she’ll leave Vashon to attend a nine-month music program in Norway, and then attend St. Olaf College, in Minnesota, on a music scholarship. Both Eggleston and Redeker have been her music teachers on Vashon. Get advance tickets to the benefit at pszc.org.
Weigh in on Comprehensive Plan
Residents of Vashon-Maury can learn about King County’s proposed new zoning for the island by attending a Zoom meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 10 meeting, using the all-caps passcode VASHON. Islanders can also share their thoughts about the county’s recently released Comprehensive Plan draft via a short survey, or visit the Comprehensive Plan website to learn more. Questions can be emailed to CompPlan@kingcounty.gov.
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.
Brown Briefly
Upcoming episodes will feature guests who both oppose and support Vashon Island Fire & Rescue levy measure on the Aug. 1 ballot. Join The Brown Briefly’s Craig Beles, Bruce Haulman, Kevin Jones and Truman O’Brien at 11 a.m. Tuesday July 11, on the Voice of Vashon, 101.9 FM and streaming live on voiceofvashon.org, when opposition committee member Scott Harvey will talk to the hosts. On July 18, Dr. Jim Bristow will tell the hosts why he believes islanders should support the levy.
Rowing classes, camps
Vashon Island Rowing Club (VIRC) has announced its line-up of summer rowing activities for both adults (age 19+) and youth (ages 13-19, grades 9-12). All will take place in the waters of Quartermaster Harbor.
Adults can learn the basics of rowing in VIRC’s three-day Introduction to Rowing class, offered from 8-10 a.m. Saturdays, July 8, 15, and 22, at Jensen Point Boathouse. The fee is $150.
Those wanting to take a deeper dive can try one (or both) of VIRC’s 16-class Learn to Row sessions, held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, plus 9-11 a.m. Saturdays, at Jensen Point Boathouse. Session 1 is July 5-29 and Session 2 is August 2-26. The cost is $300 per session. Find outo more about adult classes at Fvashoncrew.com/learn-to-row.
Teen summer camps will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, at Jensen Point Boathouse and Indoor Training Center. Sessions are July 3–14 and July 17-28. The cost per session is $300. Register at hvashoncrew.com/youth-summer.
Questions? Contact Delany Steele, about youth programs, at director@vashoncrew.com, or Debby Jackson, about adult programs, at debjackson6973@gmail.com.
Front-row seats to the parade
Vashon Presbyterian Church is offering limited parking and front lawn chairs for the Strawberry Festival parade on July 15, by reservation only. There is no fee, but donations will be accepted. Reservations may be made by sending an e-mail to Bob Spangler at rwspang@centurytel.net, indicating how many parking spots and seats are requested.
VoV’s Summer Raffle
Tickets are now on sale to win a 3-minute Vashon Thriftway Shopping Spree to benefit Voice of Vashon (VoV), plus five chances to win second prizes of $50. Tickets, $20 each or get five for $80, are available now from KVSH show hosts and volunteers at Thiftway or during Strawberry Festival.
Whoever wins the raffle this year will put together a three-member team to do the shopping. The rules allow the winner to bring along two spotters to race ahead and point the shopper to the best merchandise in the store. The team of three will have three minutes to fill as many carts as they can. The team is encouraged to visit in advance to plan out their sprint through the store. Find out more at voiceofvashon.org.
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.
