Happenings | June 27 edition
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Celebrate new aid cars
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) will celebrate the arrival of its new aid cars in two outdoor “push-in” ceremonies on Saturday, June 29. The first ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. at VIFR’s Station 55, at 10020 SW Bank Rd, with a second ceremony at 1 p.m. at Station 56, at 10330 SW Burton Dr.
The ceremonies will be held outside in front of the apparatus bays.
In announcing the ceremonies on Facebook, the district expressed gratitude to islanders for their support in restoring the fire levy in 2023, which made it possible for the district to purchase these units.
The “Push-In” ceremony, a firehouse tradition, dates back to the 1800s when firefighting equipment was pulled by horses. Upon returning to the station, firefighters had to unhitch the horses and “push in” the fire wagon. With the advent of motorized apparatus, the need to manually move the equipment disappeared, but the push-in ceremony tradition has evolved and retained its symbolic significance.
This will be a family-friendly event, with community members invited to help us “push in” the two new aid cars.
Joan Becker service
A celebration of the life of former Beachcomber owner-publisher Joan Becker, who died in April, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30, in the meeting hall behind the Burton Church.
Senior Center events
At 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 28, the Senior Center will offer a Pride-themed painting session hosted by Collin, from the DOVE Project. Enjoy tasty and festive mocktails while you paint. The event is free, but register in advance at tinyurl.com/2y7zhku7, or in person at the Senior Center.
The Center will present a series, “Self-Care for Seniors” at 1 p.m. on Mondays, July 1-22. Join Nyn Grey, from the Vashon Dove Project, for any or all classes. The conversation will be loosely guided by the facilitator and mostly informed by the group participants’ interests.
A new book group will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Center, to study Sanaya Roman’s book, “Personal Power Through Awareness” — a guide to how to find peace, joy, compassion and acceptance in any situation. Bring a notebook for taking notes.
Walk in the woods
Learn more about Island Center Forest at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29, in the third installment of the Walk in the Woods series, which will include a conversation with Paul Fischer, the King County forester responsible for Island Center Forest. Meet in the parking lot off of Cemetery Road at 10 a.m. For more information, contact David Warren at 206-295-6670 or VashonForests@gmail.com.
Health Services Van
Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mobile van will be on Vashon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, in front of Vashon United Methodist Church, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. Apply inside for cash, food and medical assistance, or drop off paperwork to make changes to an existing case.
Support group
The Vashon chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) friends and family support group will not meet at its usual time on the first Thursday of July but will reconvene at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug 1, in the library at Vashon Presbyterian Church and on Zoom. Find the Zoom link at vashonpreschurch.org. Questions? Call 425-221-1142.
Water District 19
Water District 19’s next regular board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave. SW.
King County Cemetery District
King County Cemetery District’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in the District’s office at 19631 Singer Rd SW.
Grief Ritual
A monthly community grief ritual is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 1-3 p.m. at the Tree of Life Wellness Center at 17331 Vashon Highway; with donations accepted. July’s first Sunday of the month is July 7. Islanders are invited to share and witness, either in silence or out loud, grief for loved ones, pets, relationships, the climate, and wars. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or Brad Davis at 206 799-7235 or Colleen Carrette at 206 351-7769.
