State Community Services

The state Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) will bring its mobile office to Vashon on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be parked at the Vashon United Methodist Church, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. This will be an opportunity to get help on state assistance programs without taking the ferry to a mainland office.

Islanders can get help applying for various forms of assistance, including cash, food, and medical care. Those already signed up for services will be able to drop off paperwork, complete a case review, or make changes to an existing case. See a video about the services offered by the DSHS mobile office here.

Care Closet Open House in Spanish

The Care Closet will hold an open house, with refreshments served, for the Spanish-speaking community from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Everything will be in Spanish, including information on the types of equipment available to borrow for free and instructions on how to make requests. The Vashon Care Network operates the Care Closet, which loans crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and more. The Care Closet is on the grounds of the Vashon Lutheran Church, at 18623 Vashon Hwy SW. Information in English is available here.

Presbyterian Yard Sale

The Vashon Presbyterian Church will host its annual yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, on the front lawn of the church, at 17708 Vashon Hwy SW. The sale will feature kitchen items, household goods, gardening supplies, books, toys, puzzles, games, sports equipment, holiday items, collectibles, and furniture.

This year, items will not be priced, with attendees encouraged to “take what you want, donate what you are comfortable with.” A few larger items will be part of a silent auction, which will end at 2 pm.

Proceeds will be donated to several local non-profits.

The church office is open to receive donated items from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Please deliver large items to the church on the morning of the sale, before 9 am. No clothing or electronics, please.

Introduction to Zen

An informal and free one-hour Introduction to Zen takes place on the first Saturday of each month at the Puget Sound Zen Center. A couple of members will provide a brief introduction to Zen Buddhism as it is practiced on Vashon. Members will go over a few key points – what brings islanders to Zen, how to sit in meditation, and what to expect at a Zen Center service. There will be plenty of time for questions.

The next introduction will take place 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Puget Sound Zen Center, 18005 Vashon Highway SW. Visit pszc.org for more information.

Water District 19

Water District 19’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, in the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW.

New CPR Classes

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue has opened registration for three new dates — Sept. 18, Oct. 23 and Nov. 17 — for the department’s popular two-hour CPR and basic first aid class.

The non-certificate community classes include CPR training, practice using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Stop the Bleed training. The previous classes filled quickly — register soon before the slots are all taken. Sign up online.

All Aboard Virginia V

Climb aboard The Virginia V — a steamboat that serviced Vashon from 1922 to 1938 — when she returns from Lake Union to the island’s North End Passenger Ferry Dock at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, for a cruise around Vashon and Maury Islands to support the Vashon Heritage Museum.

The cruise will leave the dock at 11:30 a.m. and return at 4 p.m.

The cruise has been a late August mainstay fundraiser for the Museum for many years. This year, the cruise will be a bit longer, as the Virginia V will dip down into outer Quartermaster Harbor.

“We are always excited to bring the Virginia V back to the island — the boat is a living history of mosquito fleet ferry travel,” said Elsa Croonquist, Vashon Heritage Museum’s executive director. “To stand on the deck and feel the power of the ship underneath you and the wind in your hair will be a thrill for anyone who attends.”

The Virginia V, made from local old-growth fir, serviced Vashon Island and surrounding communities from 1922 to 1938. It is one of two remaining vessels of its kind and is a National Historic Landmark.

The 2023 tour will include a tour guide, with maps and an account of the steamship’s history by historian Bruce Haulman, a hearty snack, a commemorative bag, a cash bar, and talks by local geology and natural history experts.

For more information and tickets, visit vashonheritagemuseum.org.