Transportation officials to visit

Paula Hammond, head of the state Department of Trans-portation, and David Moseley, the newly hired director of Washington State Ferries, will speak at a special Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20.

The meeting will be at the Chautauqua Elementary School Multipurpose Room.

The regularly scheduled VMICC meeting, meanwhile, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Courthouse Square. On the agenda is a presentation from Puget Sound Energy about its recent acquisition and the benefits to Vashon. In addition, David Spohr, Senior King County Deputy Ombudsman for Rural and Unincorporated Area Affairs, will talk about the King County Ombudsman.

VMICC looking to fill vacancy

The Vashon Maury Island Community Council (VMICC) is soliciting candidates for the board because of the resignation of Susan White, VMICC board member and chair of the VMICC land use committee.

The board meets on the first Monday evening of each month to set the agenda for the VMICC general meeting. Candidates should contact Jim English, board chair, to express interest. English’s number is 571-7792.

Chamber seeks Grand Marshal

Nominations for the 2008 Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal are now being accepted. Islanders are invited to nominate an individual or couple who have given their time and talents to the community.

Deadline to submit nominations is May 15, and the winner will be announced in the beginning of June.

The Grand Marshal leads the Grand Parade on Saturday and the Car Parade on Sunday. The marshal also attends the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast and makes stops at the Beer Garden, the Wine and Jazz Fusion and Ober Park.

To nominate, send a letter to the Grand Marshal Sponsor, Joyce A. Olson, CPA, at P.O. Box 2955, Vashon WA, 98070.

Give blood

The Puget Sound Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Vashon Lutheran Church.

For more information, call the blood center at 1-800-398-7888.