Happenings | Oct. 26 edition

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 25, 2023

VHS exchange student program seeks host families

The Spanish Club at VHS is organizing a school to school exchange with Liceo Bilingual de Pococí, hoping to replicate the type of partnership enjoyed by VHS and their partner school in Japan, Himeji.

VHS aims to develop a program that will allow students to travel every other year, and let families host students from Costa Rica at the same time — building a strong relationship between the host communities and an environment where students are comfortable to immerse in the language and culture.

This year, VHS will receive students from Costa Rica from January 2 through 20, and the school is looking for host families. Contact Sarah Powell (spowell@vashonsd.org) or Lenka Becvar (lbecvar@vashonsd.org) for more information, or to volunteer to host.

If you would like to contribute to the program, visit online. Choose Vashon High School, and then Spanish club.

Be aware of deer hunting season

Deer mating and hunting season is upon us, which means it’s more important than ever to practice caution and awareness around the ever-present ruminants and those who hunt them.

There are three sets of black-tailed deer hunting dates corresponding to modern firearms, muzzleloading guns and archery on Vashon Island (game management unit #422.)

• The modern firearm hunting on the island is Oct. 14 through 31, with a late season from Nov. 16 through 19.
• The muzzleloading deer season was Sept. 30 through Oct. 8, with a late season from Nov. 22 through Dec. 15.
• The archery hunting season was Sept. 1 through 29, and there is a late season from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31.

Hikers and their dogs should wear bright clothing. Muzzleloading and archery hunters must wear hunter orange or pink, and all hunters should be well acquainted with hunting regulations and laws.

Meanwhile, the annual limited deer-hunting season at King County Parks’ Island Center Forest is still on. It runs from October 14 — 31, coinciding with the modern firearm hunting season. Trails in the Natural Area are open for public use, and the rest of the park is closed to all other users except for hunters.

For more details, visit online.

Preventing gender-based violence

A two-day weekend event held in Seattle with virtual attendance options will offer support and education to avoid and recover from domestic violence. Held at The Studio at 2+U, located at 1203 2nd Ave in Seattle, the event starts on Saturday, Oct. 28 with career opportunity connections for domestic violence survivors with trades, unions, apprenticeships, and more. Sunday features resources and opportunities to meet community advocates and organizations.

The events run from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, go online.

Autumn Animal Blessing

Gather outdoors to sing thanks to the divine for all creatures and take part in a blessing of animals, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Vashon’s Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal). Church members will gather under cover if it rains. Enjoy the church’s labyrinth, forest trail, and sanctuary during the event. Hot sweet cider, donuts, and other Halloween treats will be served.

Tax helpers needed

The three Vashon tax counselors who have been preparing returns at the Vashon Lutheran Church are getting on in years and could use some fresh talent to prepare tax returns starting in February 2024. AARP Tax-Aide can provide all the training and tools needed to fill the current volunteers’ shoes and help others get their taxes done right. The group is also looking for volunteers to set up appointments and facilitate the flow on tax days. To volunteer, head here.

Pumpkin Walk at Matsuda Farm

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, the Land Trust invites families to the Matsuda Farm at 19201 Vashon Highway SW for its annual Pumpkin Walk. Visitors, encouraged to come in costume and with a flashlight, will get to see the farm lit up by jack-o-lanterns. Two days earlier, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, families can visit the farm to help carve pumpkins for the walk.

NAMI meeting at Presbyterian Church

The local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) friends and family support group will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 in the library at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Highway SW. You may also attend by Zoom. Please use the Zoom link found on the following website: vashonpreschurch.org. Questions? Contact Pastor Leigh Weber at 425-221-1142.