Happenings | Sept. 21 edition
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Weigh in on ferry woes
Find out more and participate in the Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to improve ferry service on Vashon by visiting the Chamber’s webpage on the issue, at vashonchamber.com/far.
The webpage links to the Chamber’s current petition to Gov. Inslee for improved ferry service, contacts for legislators and other decision-makers, and a fact sheet on Washington State Ferries’ plan to restore service. There is also a form where islanders can share stories that personalize the impacts of ferry service disruptions across Vashon’s broad population.
Islanders are also urged to share their personal experiences regarding ferry service with The Beachcomber. Send emails to editor@vashonbeachcomber.com.
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.
Horse show for Coulter Verharen
A horse show, hosted by the Vashon Maury Island Horse Association (VMIHA), will be held as a fundraising event to support Coulter Verharen, a 20-year-old islander who sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury this summer.
The event, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Paradise Ridge Park, will have a family-friendly focus on fun. The day’s lineup will include 18 games that include both mounted and unmounted events, and even a human steeplechase.
A pony will also be available for photos, petting, and dress-up, from 12-3 p.m.
Islanders are encouraged to bring their appetites: concessions including burgers, snacks and drinks will be provided by Vashon’s Guide Dog Association. A silent auction, taking place throughout the day, will end at 5 p.m.
The horse show, said organizers, will celebrate Coulter’s resiliency, demonstrate the island equestrian community’s love and support for him and his family, and raise much-needed financial support for his journey ahead.
Coulter, the son of islanders Jen and Mike Verharen, is now paralyzed from the waist down — the result of an accident that took place in Wyoming on July 4, while he was competing in the Jackson Hole Rodeo as a bronco rider.
Woodworking classes
Vashon MakerSpace is offering two remaining three-hour workshops in September.
On Sept. 23, a class will cover how to apply finishes to wood projects. On Sept. 24, islanders can try out a variety of techniques for using the woodworking router.
MakerSpace’s popular six-week, 15-hour woodworking classes begin again the first week of October. Learn introductory woodworking skills, build a traditional six-board chest, or a three-legged stool. For more information, visit vashonmakerspace.org and click on Events and Classes.
Affordable Housing Forum
Vashon HouseHold will host a community conversation about affordable housing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Join State Senator Joe Nguyen, State Representative Emily Alvarado, Seattle Times Reporter Heidi Groover, and the executive directors of Shelter America and Vashon HouseHold for a discussion about affordable housing solutions on Vashon Island.
The housing forum will be an opportunity to hear what is working on Vashon Island, what is working in other regional communities, how state leaders are trying to design pro-housing policies, as well as how islanders can help. This event will be facilitated by Vashon’s own Chris Ballew (Musician from The Presidents of the United States of America and Casper Babypants).
This is a free event, and all are welcome to participate. To reserve a seat, visit vashonhousehold.org.
Caring for sea creatures
Marine conservation nonprofit SR3 will hold a presentation about their work and research into rescuing and caring for sick and injured sea creatures. The presentation is from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’, at 10014 SW Bank Rd. For questions, contact Scott Fraser, SR3’s Senior Giving Officer, at scott@sr3.org, 206-413-5962.
Open house at Station 55
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue will hold an open house at Station 55, on Bank Road, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct 7, as a kickoff to Fire Prevention Week.
The open house will feature a pancake breakfast, a bouncy house, farm animals and other family fun. The morning will include demonstrations around the theme of kitchen safety and other information provided by VashonBePrepared.
