Apply for Granny’s grants

Those working to meet Vashon’s healthcare and wellness needs can apply for Granny’s Attic fall/winter cycle of grants awards by 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Requests should include a cover letter or brief outline of proposals. Those who have received grant funds from Granny’s in the past should also send a financial statement or description of how those funds were used. Email applications to brian@vashongrannysattic.org, and attach any supporting documents.

High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah services will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, at Vashon Havurah, 15401 Vashon Hwy Sw. For a full schedule, visit vashonhavurah.org.

Museum Talk

William Woodward will speak at an upcoming talk at the Vashon Heritage Museum, examining the differences and similarities between the 1920s and the 2020s.

A pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.” Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own times? Register at vashonheritagemuseum.org to attend the talk, which will take place on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.

Audubon fall bird walks

Migratory birds are on the move! Canadian geese are honking. Cotoneaster berries are turning orange already. Will Cedar Waxwings get that memo? Sign up for a bird walk this fall to identify birds with one of Vashon Audubon’s experts.

Bird walks are set for the third Saturday of the month as follows: Sept. 16 with Bob Keller; Oct. 21 with Brendan McGarry; Nov. 18 with Jim Evans; Dec. 16 with Adria Magrath.

For information on the time of day and location, and to register, email sylvia@sylvansactuary.com.

Residential recycling

King County’s residential recycling event for Vashon will 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 here.

Museum recognizes Mexican Heritage Day

The Vashon Heritage Museum is recognizing Mexican Independence Day and remembering the life of Dora Mendoza Lavariega de Sohl from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 with a pop-up exhibit celebrating Mendoza’s life with her husband, island historian and artist Marshall Sohl. September 16 also marks Mendoza’s birthday, and the day of her funeral (See obituary, page 15.) The Museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Meetings 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. (See article on page 1.)

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 at tinyurl.com/yckpdvbt. 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.

Care Network Seminar

The Vashon Care Network, an island nonprofit that provides resources to those who need care and those who give care, will present its Christine Jovanovich Memorial Seminar from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, 16100 115th Ave. SW.

The guest speaker is Robin VanHyning, MSN, RN, and CEO of Cornerstone Healthcare Training Company, which trains and certifies long-term care workers in Washington State.

VanHyning’s talk, “Speaking of Your Mind” … Understand the Many Manifestations of Dementia and Alzheimer’s,” will provide information and resources to help islanders understand the early signs of dementia, as well as tips on staying healthy and active while aging.

The seminar is free and open to all. See page 7 for more details.

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, via a link posted 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.

Affordable Housing Forum

Vashon HouseHold will host a free community conversation about affordable housing on at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.3, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Join State Senator Joe Nguyen, State Representative Emily Alvarado, Seattle Times Reporter Heidi Groover, and the executive directors of Shelter America and Vashon HouseHold for a discussion about affordable housing solutions on Vashon Island.

The Housing Forum will be an opportunity to hear what is working on Vashon Island, what is working in other regional communities, how state leaders are trying to design pro-housing policies, and how you can help. This event will be facilitated by Vashon’s own Chris Ballew (Musician from The Presidents of the United States of America and Casper Babypants).

This is a free event, and all are welcome to participate. To reserve a seat, visit vashonhousehold.org.

Tax Relief

Islanders who qualify as low-income households and live on their own property may be eligible for a 50 percent discount on the annual surface water management fee on their land parcel(s).

Residents approved for the King County Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Reduction in Property Taxes are already approved for this discount and do not need to apply.

The application period is Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Learn more about the fee discount here, or call 206-477-4800, or send an email to wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov. Information about the discount is available online in English and Spanish.