Happenings | Sept. 7 edition
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Cultural celebrations
Two important cultural celebrations and events will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9: Comunidad Latino de Vashon’s outdoor Latino Market (see page 7) and Mukai Farm & Gardens’ annual Vashon Japan Festival (see page 5).
BARC grand opening
The long-awaited grand opening of the transformed Burton Adventure Recreation Center, complete with new pump track, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9, with time trial events for all riders (not just skateboarders) at 2 p.m. Live music from the bands The Secret Agents and It’s All Happening start at 6 p.m. The event will include food trucks and free parking.
For more information visit Rjs Kids online and the park district’s website here. BARC is located at 10500 SW 228th SW.
Calling all local artists
The Vashon Island Visual Artists’ (VIVA) members’ potluck picnic will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Open Space for Arts & Community.
Bring something to share, utensils to serve it, and your own beverage. VIVA will provide water, paper plates, napkins and disposable tableware. Questions? Contact chuckbonsteel@icloud.com or call 253-677-9093.
For more information on upcoming VIVA happenings, including this year’s Holiday Studio Tour, visit vivartists.com.
Apply for Granny’s grants
Those working to meet Vashon’s healthcare and wellness needs can apply for Granny’s Attic fall/winter cycle of grants. The deadline is 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.
Requests should include a cover letter or brief outline of the proposal. Those who have received grant funds from Granny’s in the past should also send a financial statement or description of how those funds were used. Email applications to brian@vashongrannysattic.org, and attach any supporting document in .pdf and Word files.
Water Taxi Survey
A user survey for Vashon users of King County Water Taxi is open until Sept. 8.
Weigh in with information about your current use of the ferry and give input on the current schedule and any need for expanded service.
Brown Briefly
Join The Brown Briefly’s Craig Beles, Bruce Haulman, Kevin Jones and Truman O’Brien, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 on Voice of Vashon, 101.9 FM and streaming live at voiceofvashon.org, when the hosts meet and greet Alex Bruell, the new incoming editor of The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber.
Water District 19 Board Meeting
The water district’s next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the district’s board room, located at 17630 100th Ave SW.
Museum Talk
William Woodward will speak at an upcoming talk at the Vashon Heritage Museum, examining the differences and similarities between the 1920s and the 2020s.
A pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.” Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own times? Register at vashonheritagemuseum.org to attend the talk, which will take place on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.
Residential recycling
King County’s residential recycling event for Vashon will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Vashon High School. A flyer with more information on what is accepted is being mailed to residents and will also be posted online at tinyurl.com/4c3s6wc5.
Meetings about ferries
Vashon’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Vashon Library. This meeting will address the administrative structure of the FAC and will be in person only.
A larger community meeting to gather information and plan collective action in response to ongoing disruptions to Washington State Ferry service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at the Vashon High School Theatre. This meeting is being organized by the Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce.
VIGA Pizza Party
Join island growers from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, September 17, for a pizza party and music by local band, Tim Couldn’t Make It, at La Biondo Farm, 20602 111th Ave SW.
The party is a benefit for Vashon Island Growers Association’s (VIGA) Food Access Partnership. Tickets, $50, can be purchased at tinyurl.com/yckpdvbt. The event will also include a raffle for items including a farm dinner for six at La Biondo Farm and a weekend stay in Ocean Park, Washington.
Care Network Seminar
The Vashon Care Network, an island nonprofit that provides resources to those who need care and those who give care, will present its Christine Jovanovich Memorial Seminar from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, 16100 115th Ave. SW.
The guest speaker is Robin VanHyning, MSN, RN, and CEO of Cornerstone Healthcare Training Company, which trains and certifies long-term care workers in Washington State.
VanHyning’s talk, “Speaking of Your Mind” … Understand the Many Manifestations of Dementia and Alzheimer’s,” will provide information and resources to help islanders understand the early signs of dementia, as well as tips on staying healthy and active while aging.
The seminar is free and open to all.
Candidate Forum
The Vashon-Maury Community Council will host a candidate forum from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 11708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom, via a link posted at v-mcc.org.
The forum will be facilitated by Amy Drayer, the director of the Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce.
Local candidates for the boards of the fire district, school district, cemetery district and park district, as well as candidates for King County Council’s District 8 seat, have been invited.
Tax Relief
Islanders who qualify as low-income households and live on their own property may be eligible for a 50 percent discount on the annual surface water management fee on their land parcel(s).
Residents approved for the King County Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Reduction in Property Taxes are already approved for this discount and do not need to apply.
The application period is Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Learn more about the fee discount here, or call 206-477-4800, or send an email to wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov. Information about the discount is available online in English and Spanish.
Land Trust seeks next director
The Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust is searching for its next executive director.
“We are seeking a leader who will embrace and steward the natural splendor of life on Puget Sound, while stepping up to build climate resilience and community connection to best prepare ourselves for a changing future,” the organization’s statement for the job reads.
Those interested should contact jobs@vashonlandtrust.org.
