Happenings | Aug. 10 edition

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Vashon 101 finale

Vashon 101, a series of eight Vashon “TEDTalks” presented by Vashon Heritage Museum since January, will conclude at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, on Zoom.

The final session is a discussion led by islander Patrick Christie, a University of Washington (UW) professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Christie is also the director of UW’s Canadian Studies Center. In his teaching, research, and activism, Christie works to support Indigenous leaders and communities who are at the forefront of fossil fuel protest movements, anti-racist policies, and inter-cultural understanding.

Christie’s talk will identify themes that linked the various topics and presentations presented in Vashon 101 together, encouraging islanders to work together to take transformative steps to make Vashon a more environmentally sustainable and just place.

Find out more about the Vashon 101 talks and register to attend at vashonheritagemuseum.com/vashon-101.

Weigh in on ferry fare increase

The Washington State Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 10, on its proposed ferry fare changes, detailed here. The new rates, if approved, will call for both passenger and vehicle tickets to rise by 4.25 percent first in October of 2023, and then again in October of 2024.

The Aug. 10 hearing will be held in person at 9 a.m. at the Puget Sound Regional Council Board Room, 1011 Western Ave., Suite 500, Seattle. The public can provide testimony before the commission votes on the proposal. Those interested in attending virtually can register here.

Invasive removal

Vashon Park District will host a free invasive-removal workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Burton Acres Park, 8900 SW Harbor Dr.

Audubon Work Party

Join a Vashon Audubon crew working to restore quality habitat for birds and wildlife at the Vashon Land Trust’s Paradise Valley Preserve, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12. Tasks include removing invasive species and prepping areas for planting this fall and winter. Bring your own shovels, clippers, work gloves and other favorite implements. Sturdy shoes and long pants are recommended.

Meet at the Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley, and park along the road. (This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th).

Late arrivals can follow signs to the worksite. For more information, contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com or at 206-678-8914.

Community Council

The next meeting of the Vashon-Maury Community Council will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Land Trust and on Zoom. All are welcome. Key speakers will be John Taylor, of King County’s Department of Local Services, plus the King County Sheriff’s Office will join the meeting to share info and answer questions. Mike Lasecki from the King Conservation District will present on fire safety in the forest. Visit v-mcc.org for the Zoom link and more information.

Raise the roof for affordable housing

Vashon HouseHold, the island’s nonprofit affordable housing provider, will host its second annual “Raise the Roof” benefit concert at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Dig Deep Garden, 19028 Vashon Hwy SW.

The concert will feature the five-piece, jazz/funk/blues band, “Los Riffers,” from Olympia, dancing, food, drinks, silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, games, prizes, and community – all to raise funds to combat housing insecurity on Vashon. This is a 21+ event.

Engels Car Show

A beloved annual car show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at Engels Repair & Towing, at 22725 Dockton Rd SW.

At the car show, islanders can ogle vintage hot rods, roadsters, hydroplanes, tractors, and even a few supercars, while enjoying hot dogs and hamburgers served up by members of the Vashon High School sports teams.

A reconstituted version of the Doily Brothers Band, a storied island rock band from the 1970s and 80s will also play several sets during the day to rev up the crowd.

Paul Engles, who has organized the show for more years than he remembers exactly, said that he is especially looking forward to seeing a 1969 Mustang Fastback in the show, owned by Scotty Johnson — who will also be playing in the band.

New CPR classes

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue has opened registration for three new dates — Sept. 18, Oct. 23 and Nov. 17 — for the department’s popular two-hour CPR and basic first aid class.

The non-certificate community classes include CPR training, practice using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Stop the Bleed training. The previous classes filled quickly — register soon before the slots are all taken. Sign up at vifr.org/cpr-classes.

Wildfire Risk Assessments

King Conservation District’s (KCD) Wildfire Preparedness Program — in collaboration with Washington State Department of Natural Resources, local King County fire districts, and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks — aims to make communities in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) less vulnerable to wildfire damage and more resilient to wildfire impacts.

KCD provides a range of technical assistance to individual homeowners and communities including providing home wildfire risk assessments, assisting communities with becoming Firewise USA® sites, and implementing wildfire mitigation projects.

To find out more and request assistance, head here.