Local author honored
Islander Seth Zuckerman, along with co-author Kirk Hanson, are among 42 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Washington State Book Awards for outstanding books published in 2024. Zuckerman and Hanson’s book, “A Forest of Your Own: The Pacific Northwest Handbook of Ecological Forestry,” is one of five finalists in the General Nonfiction/Biography category of the contest. The book was published by Skipstone, an imprint of Mountaineers Books.
The awards are presented by the Washington Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the book administered by Washington State Library. Winners in multiples categories of the contest will be announced on Sept. 16.
Read The Beachcomber’s previous coverage of the book at tinyurl.com/4jxnrkdt, and find out more about it at tinyurl.com/28dmrvd9.
Passport2Pain
The annual bike ride traversing Vashon-Maury Island — a benefit for Vashon Island Rowing Club and other island nonprofits — will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, drawing hundreds of riders to island roads. Exercise caution that day while driving on Vashon. To find out more about the event, see “Happenings” and visit passport2pain.org.
Wildfire Protection Survey
King County is working with partners to develop its first countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan, designed to help the whole community become more resilient to wildfire, and asking residents to take a short survey to support that process. Find the survey at publicinput.com/kingcocwpp and learn more about the Community Wildfire Protection Plan at kingcounty.gov/wildfire.
County seeks feedback
King County Local Services wants to know what roads and intersections make you feel unsafe. Take an anonymous survey at publicinput.com/e00375 to help inform planners about traffic safety needs on the island. The survey is open through Sept. 22.
Historic barns grants
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a new round of funding available for owners of historic barns in Washington State.
The funding marks the tenth round of Heritage Barn Initiative grants, which assist owners barn stabilization and rehabilitation projects. Approximately $900,000 is available in this grant cycle. The deadline for applications is Sunday, October 19, at 11:59 p.m.
Free information sessions will be held on Zoom from 4-5 p.m.Friday, Sept. 5, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, with recordings of portions of the talks later posted online. For more information, visit preservewa.org/barn-grants or contact Moira Nadal at 206-462-2999 or grants@preservewa.org.
Home and Garden Fair
Registration for vendors and event sponsors is open for the Vashon Chamber of Commerce Home & Garden Fair on October 18. The free event connects residents with professional experts and vendors. Visit thisisvashon.com/home-garden-fair.
Pets on ferries
Washington State Ferries has begun a six-month trial of an updated pet policy for riders in an effort to align with other transportation carriers. During this trial, dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas, except galleys. Find out more at tinyurl.com/49awz4zp.
Shellfishing closures
Recreational shellfishing remains closed on some beaches of Vashon-Maury Island due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poison — a neurotoxin that can sicken or even kill those who eat contaminated shellfish. Throughout much of August, the closure extended to all island beaches and includes all species of shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters and snails. But as of press time, some beaches have reopened, including the North End Boat Ramp, Wingehaven Park, Piner Point, Tramp Harbor, Point Robinson and Maury island Marine Park. For an interactive map showing detailing which beaches are closed and which are open, visit fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html, or call the DOH biotoxin hotline at 1-800-562-5632. The closures refers only to recreational shellfishing; commercial shellfish sites are monitored separately.
