VHS Graduation
Vashon High School Class of 2024 graduation celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 15, starting with a car parade for grads in the center of town at about noon. The parade will pass by Voice of Vashon’s storefront studio at about 12:10 p.m., where grads will be named and celebrated.
The graduation ceremony will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., indoors, in the high school’s gym. Earlier plans were to hold the ceremony in the outdoor stadium, but the district announced on Thursday that due to predictions of rain, wind and scattered thunderstorms on June 15, they had decided to move the ceremony inside.
No tickets are needed. The stadium will open at 4:30 p.m. — seating is on a first-come/first-serve basis.To maintain compliance with the fire regulations, the district asks that graduates keep the number of family and friends to no more than 8 guests.
As of Thursday, Grad Parade will continue forward unless conditions dictate otherwise from 12 to 1 p.m. Students and families participating in the parade should meet at VES Fields (Harbor School) at 11:15 a.m.
Graduates should report with caps and gowns to the wrestling room by 4:15 p.m
There will be a reception in the courtyard and lunchroom immediately after the ceremony.
Healthcare town hall
Indivisible Vashon and the Vashon Rotary will host two healthcare town halls on Thursday, June 13, presented by Whole Washington, a charitable organization advocating for universal healthcare in Washington and beyond.
The first workshop, with Vashon Rotary, will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chautauqua Elementary. The second, with Indivisible Vashon, will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Land Trust Building.
County septic code
Are you a shoreline property owner? Someone who works or enjoys recreation on the water? Or are you just someone who cares about the estuarial health of Puget Sound?
King County wants to hear from the public about proposed revisions to its septic code. Sign up at kingcountyoss.info/community-engagement to attend a virtual public meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 13.
Senior Center events
The following events take place at the Senior Center, located at 10004 SW Bank Rd.
A watercolor class will take place from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, June 13.
A Flag Day lunch will take place at 11:45 p.m. Friday, June 14, hosted by the Center’s FUN committee and local Scouts. Lunch will be followed by a Q & A session, “What do you want to know about Vashon?” with Vashon Heritage Museum president Bruce Haulman. From 2-3 p.m., Vashon Threshold Choir will offer soothing “song baths” to anyone who would like to receive this experience.
A GenCare presentation by Lilia Anderson, “Taste and Travel,” will take listeners on a tour to explore Greece at 1 p.m. Monday, June 17. Anderson will also bring Greek food for attendees to share.
The Center will be closed, with no lunch program, on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.
Identify invasive crabs
Vashon Nature Center (VNC) invites islanders to assist in WSU Extension and Washington Sea Grant’s “Molt Search” program, a community science initiative to combat the growing concerns about the highly invasive European green crab.
VNC will present a “molt search” workshop at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at KVI beach. Community members are invited to learn how to conduct a timed survey for crab molts and to report their findings using a mobile app.
The European green crab, considered to be one of the world’s worst invasive species, threatens the overall health of Washington’s marine waters.
The Molt Search program enables the public to help protect local marine waters by monitoring shorelines throughout the Salish Sea
For more information, contact santiago@vashonnaturecenter.org. Sign up for the June 15 training at vashonnaturecenter.org/events.
Zero Waste bash
Zero Waste Vashon will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a party from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Dig Deep Gardens. Local band, Rumor Has It,” will play from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. (See page 6 for commentary.)
Talk at Havurah
Professor Nancy Koppleman will speak on “The Oldest Hatred: Coming to Terms with Antisemitism,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Vashon Havurah. The talk is part of the Phil Cushman Memorial Speaker series.
Topics will include the origins of Jewish stereotypes, how antisemitism intersects with white nationalism, and the difference between critiques of the Israeli government and discrimination against Jews. Attendees will gain new knowledge and understanding about antisemitism along with strategies to address it.
Koppelman, a professor of American studies and humanities at Evergreen State College for 28 years, leads the Evergreen Jewish Studies Project.
Juneteenth
Commemorate Juneteenth from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, in the atrium of Vashon Center for the Arts. The event, presented by the Vashon Juneteenth Committee and Mukai Farm & Garden, will include educational displays, speakers, live music, snacks, and a cash bar.
Juneteenth marks the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved citizens of Texas were finally declared free from bondage, a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In the summer of 2021, Congress passed legislation with bipartisan support to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Vashon’s celebration of Juneteenth, organized in partnership between the Vashon Juneteenth Committee and Mukai Farm & Garden, is now four years old.
Fix-It Cafe
Vashon’s Fix-It Cafe will take place from 10-2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Vashon Eagles Club. Bring lamps, small appliances, jewelry, mending, furniture, vacuums, fans, toys, and more, to get those items back in service. Advance registration is required — sign up at vashonfixit.com and you will receive a drop-off time for your item. Or sign up at the link above to join the team of volunteer fixers.
Woodworking classes
Vashon MakerSpace is offering a series of 3-hour workshops in June and July on the use of the woodworking router. Learn a variety of techniques and setups for using this most versatile tool. For more information, visit the “Events and Classes” page at vashonmakerspace.org.
Celebrate Pride
Upcoming Pride Month events include:
Orbit Planet Gala: Celebrate the last day of school, the start of summer, and Pride month, with dancing, DJs, activities, and more, from 12-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Open to middle and high school LGBTQ+ youth and allies.
Art session: Get artsy and enjoy festive mocktails at the Senior Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 28, at a Pride-themed painting session guided by Collin V.
Lavender Hill Farm
Lavender Hill Farm’s 19th season opens on Thursday, June 20, and will run until July 28. The farm offers “you-cut” lavender and precut organic lavender bunches and wreaths, and is stocked with lavender essential oil, soap, sachets, garden hats, and other lavender products. Activities abound: watch farm workers distill oil, play a game of corn hole, and sip a dry lavender soda. There is no admission charge and the whole family, as well as dogs on leashes, are welcome.
The farm is located at 10425 SW 238th St, in Burton, and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Find out more at lavenderhillvashon.com or call 206-463-2322.
Master Gardeners
Bring your gardening questions, plant samples, and/or plant photos to the Vashon Master Gardeners, stationed in front of Ace Hardware every Saturday, May through August, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and first Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Vashon Master Gardeners, WSU Extension, at mgvashon@gmail.com for more information.
Low Tide Celebration
Vashon’s 16th annual Low Tide Celebration, a free, family-friendly community event, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Point Robinson Beach, at 3705 SW Point Robinson Rd.
The annual event is presented by Vashon Nature Center and other partners. Explore life in the intertidal zone, learn about community science programs, and visit booths staffed by local and regional organizations and agencies to learn more about the Salish Sea and the life that teems in it.
Sign up to volunteer as a beach naturalist by emailing info@vashonnaturecenter.org. For other information, contact Erin Durrett at 206-259-0612 or email allmusicissacred@gmail.com.
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 forestry in Island Center Forest. Walkers should 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.
Upcoming meetings
Vashon-Maury Community Council meets every third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Land Trust Building and on Zoom. Visit v-mcc.org to find out more or get the link to attend remotely. Have an opinion on the proposed 14 historical signs in Ellisport, or questions or concerns about island health care? Join the community discussion on Thursday, June 20.
Vashon Island School District: Regular school board meetings typically take place at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month in the district office conference room #302, on the third floor of Chautauqua Elementary School. A special board meeting, featuring a presentation by staff members of Puget Sound Education School District about their work on VISD’s annual state audit and other financial matters, will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 13. Visit vashonsd.org/domain/43 for more information, and review board documents at tinyurl.com/ymhpjbuw. Board meetings are also streamed live at tinyurl.com/2fsetfz4.
King County Cemetery District #1’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, in the district’s office, at 19631 Singer Rd SW.
Vashon Health Care District’s board of commissioner meetings typically take place every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Vashon Presbyterian Church at 17708 Vashon Hwy SW and on Zoom. Visit hvashonhealthcare.org.
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s board of commissioners typically meets every fourth or last Wednesday of the month, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the main fire station at 10020 SW Bank Road. Visit vifr.org/events.
Water District 19’s Board of Commissioners typically meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the district board room at 17630 100th Ave SW. Visit water19.com.
Open Water Swim
Sign up for Swim Defiance, a historic 3-kilometer open water swim from Vashon’s south end to Owen Beach, in Tacoma, to be held on Sunday, Aug. 11. The competition is limited to the first 100 entrants. Find out more and sign up soon here.
Note: This article was updated online, after press time, to provide updated information about plans for Vashon High School Graduation ceremonies.