King County Planning
King County is sharing concepts for proposed updates to its 2024 Comprehensive Plan. This 20‑year plan guides how people will live, work, and play in unincorporated communities.
The planners want to hear from citizens — via email (compplan@kingcounty.gov) a short survey at tinyurl.com/yzm4h97j, or at a virtual town hall meeting. Share your thoughts by Friday, February 24 so they can be used to help refine the proposals.
View the policy proposals on the Comprehensive Plan website, at tinyurl.com/766bcxfe. The virtual town hall will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Zoom link, tinyurl.com/3j8vmf64.
VIFR outlines strategic plan
A public meeting about Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s (VIFR) new Community-Based Fire and Emergency Medical Service Strategic Plan plan will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at VIFR’s Penny Farcy Memorial Training Center, 10015 SW Bank Rd. An option to attend by Zoom is also available — find out more at vifr.org.
Water District 19 meets
Commissioners of Water District 19 are expected to vote at their next public meeting to formally end a moratorium on water shares first put in place in 1996. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at 17630 100th Ave SW.
Community Council
The next meeting of Vashon’s Community Council will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 16, via the Zoom link tinyurl.com/bdd6bth6 and in person at the Land Trust Building. Speakers will include John Taylor, of King County Department of Local Services. Meeting topics will also include proposed changes in Vashon Town zoning and voting on an Environment/Climate agenda. For more information, visit v-mcc.org.
Early-bird walk
Brendan McGarry, educator, birder, and naturalist, will lead a bird walk at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Island Center Forest. The two-hour walk will begin at the 188th Street entrance to the forest. To register for this and future walks, email sylvia@sylvansanctuary.com.
Learn about lichen
Vashon Nature Center will present an exploration of lichen at Island Center Forest, led by naturalist Hannah Morosoff, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the forest trailhead at 10612 S.W. 188th St. Sign up for the walk at tinyurl.com/bdfuxy79.
Recycling Event
Bring styrofoam and plastic waste to the next First (&Third) Sunday Styrofoam and Plastics Recycling Event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Sheffield Building, 18850 103rd Ave. SW. Find more information at zerowastevashon.org or email nadine@nadineedelstein.com. To volunteer, please contact jacquieperry@comcast.net.
Brown Briefly
Join Brown Briefly hosts Truman O’Brien, Bruce Haulman, Craig Beles and Kevin Jones at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, on Voice of Vashon, 101.9FM, to hear Jessica Anakar, a Vashon-Maury Community Council Board Member and James Rickard, an Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion Committee member talk about their work to propose a Land Acknowledgement for the Community Council.
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 Highway SW) and on Zoom at 7 p.m.Thursday, March 2, at 7 zoom.us/j/442169680.
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, contact 425/221-1142 or pastorleigh@comcast.net.
