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.

Join the Chorale

Vashon Island Chorale will begin rehearsals on Sept. 5 for “A Northwest Christmas,” to be performed in concert at Vashon Center for the Arts on Dec. 9 and 10.

Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, in the conference room at Windermere Real Estate. Singers can also register at the Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, before rehearsal begins that night at 7 p.m. There is no audition required and new singers are welcome. Masks are optional.

Dues and music cost $100. Checks should be made out to VIC. For inquiries about a scholarship, please direct your message to Karen Baer, at vashonbaer@gmail.com.

Concert repertoire will include music from Northwest composers, with three “premieres” and many favorite tunes. Audience singalongs will be part of the fun. For more information, email info@vashonislandchorale.org.

NAMI Support Group

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Friends and Family Support Group will meet in person, at the Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7. Click here for the Zoom link for the meeting.

This support group meets monthly and is intended to be of help to our friends and neighbors who have a loved one in their life with a mental health condition. For further information, call 425-221-1142 or email pastorleigh@comcast.net.

Japan Festival

Mukai Farm & Garden’s 6th annual Vashon Japan Festival will return from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Come celebrate Vashon’s rich Japanese-American history and enjoy cultural programming including Seattle Kokon Taiko drummers, Kendo Kai martial arts demonstration, and our always popular nominoichi Japanese flea market.

Bring the family and enjoy delicious Japanese food and drink, drop by the Children’s Village and decorate koinobori “carp streamers,” dance the Soran Bushi and Bon Odori, and sing karaoke.

Workshops will be offered on bonsai, haiku, calligraphy, taiko and kitsuke — the art of wearing the kimono. Join Vashon printmaker Annette Messitt of Old Dockton Press and create your own signature block print commemorating the Japan Festival.

Attendees can cap the day off with Mukai’s final Ghiblifest screening of the summer at Vashon Theatre. Miyazaki’s beautiful 2008 adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” in his animation masterpiece, “Ponyo.”

To find out more, visit mukaifarmandgarden.org and vashontheatre.com.

Water Taxi Survey

A user survey for Vashon users of King County Water Taxi is open is open until Sept. 8.

Weigh in with information about your current use of the foot ferry and add your thoughts on the current schedule and any requests for expanded service.

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.

Woodworking Classes

Vashon MakerSpace is offering a series of three-hour workshops in September. Learn about sharpening chisels and edge tools, applying finishes to wood projects, or a variety of techniques for using the router. These one-session classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings throughout the month. For more information, visit online.

Residential recycling

Mark your calendar for King County’s residential recycling event for Vashon, to 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.

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 here.

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.

Find out more about the VIGA at vigavashon.org.

Community meeting about ferries

A 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 initial meeting is being organized by the Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce.

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, by following the link 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.

Public presentation on sea life

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.

Correction: A previous version of “Happenings” listed the wrong email for applicants to inquire about applying for the executive director position at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. The address is jobs@vashonlandtrust.org, not job@vashonlandtrust.org. We regret the error.