English classes at Vashon Library

Vashon Library will host English Language (ELL) classes in October. An information session will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 19. Classes start 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 3. Lessons include English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.

Please register online (https://kcls.org/adult-learners), in-person at the library, or by phone (206-463-2069).

Community Council

The Vashon-Maury Island Community Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Vashon Presbyterian Church, at 17708 Vashon SW, and also via Zoom, accessible at tinyurl.com/bdhkp395.

There will be a discussion of the Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon. The Council has developed a fact sheet about the center, accessible at tinyurl.com/yc296yet. Islanders can contribute on a public document at tinyurl.com/3cdknkzt; commenters are asked to share their names.

The meeting will include a vote by Council members on a motion made by Dune DeSmet at the Aug. 15 meeting on behalf of and with the support of an island community group, Friends of Thunderbird, that the Council “endorse the effort to bring Thunderbird Treatment Center to Vashon as soon as possible, given that the addiction crisis is a reality on Vashon-Maury Island as well as in King County.”

Another motion, forwarded by Victoria Barr, will also be voted upon: for the Council to write to the King County Council and Executive, asking for a public meeting to allow islanders to share their thoughts and concerns about the County Council’s striking amendments to the Executive’s proposed 10-year Comprehensive Plan.

Sign up to become a member at v-mcc.org.

Senior Center

John Decker, a professional photographer, will give a talk about his career — how it began and where it has led him — at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Senior Center. A board of directors meeting will take place from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23. Members who wish to attend should email board@vashoncenter.org.

A book group, held in partnership between the Senior Center and the Vashon Library, will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the library. The topic is “New Beginnings.” For book selections, contact librarian Sam Harris at skharris@kcls.org.

Food Bank tour

The Vashon Food Bank has plans to relocate to the Vashon United Methodist Church’s property, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW, resulting in a vastly improved food bank and the creation of a community resource hub to better collaborate with other island social service agencies.

Islanders are invited to tour the current and future sites. The next tour will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Meet at the current food bank, at 10030 SW 210th St, behind Sea Mar’s healthcare clinic. Emily Scott, the Food Bank’s executive director, will guide tour-goers. Bring water and wear weather-appropriate clothing. RSVP to minta@vashonfoodbank.org or 206-930-9098.

Vashon Bird Alliance

Vashon Bird Alliance will host a bird walk, led by Bob Keller, at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Everyone should meet at 8 a.m. at the Pacific Crest Farmstand entrance, at 23720 Dockton Rd SW. Bob will show people where to park, and then the group will walk through the farm, and possibly, the adjacent forest.

Pump the Bump at the BARC

Roll up to the BARC Skate Park this Saturday, Sept. 21 for the annual “Pump the Bump” event, with timed events, trick contest, prizes, DJ, and Lunetta pizza available for purchase. Helmets are required for all participants and minors must have their parent/guardian sign a waiver.

Registration opens at noon. Timed events begin at 1 p.m.; the best trick contest starts at 3 p.m. and awards are at 4:30 p.m.

The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 14 but was postponed due to weather.

Commemoration of Buffalo Soldier

The public is invited to a special commemoration event starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Vashon Island Cemetery to honor a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Buffalo Soldiers who, until now, was laid to rest at an unmarked grave at the cemetery.

Master Sergeant Benjamin Glover served in the 24th and 25th Infantry, United States Army, and from 1909 to 1913 was a member of the Fort Lawton Band. Alongside his mother Rebecca, who was buried in 1917, Glover’s final resting place remained unmarked until the Buffalo Soldier Museum of Tacoma took action to identify it.

Many decades after his death, Glover and his mother, who also resides at the cemetery, will receive a proper grave marker.

Hobbit Week

Vashon Library welcomes island hands-on Hobbit Week events at the library.

Wizard Staffs and Magic Wands (all ages) will take place from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Wizard Fireworks Salt Painting (ages 6-12) will take place from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Attend an Elven Charm Necklaces workshop (age 6 and older) from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Nature Magic with Vashon Nature Center (all ages) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and make Lord of the Rings Shrink Art (all ages) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.

A mini-Renaissance Faire will also take place from 1-4 on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Orbit youth space of Open Space for Arts & Community. Youths who are younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Orbit’s Faire is not affiliated with the library events.

Call for volunteers

The Vashon Heritage Museum will hold a volunteer information session from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the museum on Bank Road. Islanders are encouraged to attend to find out what opportunities are available and meet new friends.

Walk in the Woods

The sixth Walk in the Woods, led by Vashon Forest Stewards, will traverse a 27-acre private property, containing some of the most pristine forests on Vashon, including old growths and unique flora rarely found on Vashon. Much of these woods have been placed in permanent conservation. The walk will follow a network of nearly three miles of trails — some on very steep terrain — and will visit the Grandfather tree, a Douglas fir that is eight feet in diameter — one of the largest such trees remaining in King County.

The free walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.

Those who wish to attend must RSVP; the owner of the property has requested that the walking group be limited to 15 people. Contact David Warren to RSVP at 206-295-6670 or email vashonforests@gmail.com.

Inclusion Island Family Picnic

Join Inclusion Island, serving adults with developmental disabilities and their families and friends, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 for a family picnic and barbecue at Open Space for Arts & Community.

For more information, visit hersheyhousing.org or contact hersheyhousing@gmail.com

Brown Briefly

Bruce Morser, whose historical installation, “Honoring Center,” graces the lobby of Vashon Center for the Arts, and who created large digital historic maps of the island in the Vashon Heritage Museum’s new permanent exhibit, will join Brown Briefly radio hosts Truman O’Brien, Bruce Haulman, Craig Beles, Amy Drayer and Kevin Jones at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, on Voice of Vashon, 101.9FM. Morser will talk about his inspirations, his process, and how he has become one of the leading artists interpreting Vashon’s history.

Vashon MakerSpace

Make an item of your choice, or make and repair a garment, at an upcoming class on basic sewing skills. Attend the two-hour class at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Vashon MakerSpace, located next to Open Space. The cost of the class is $40. All skill levels are welcome.

For more information and to sign up, visit vashonmakerspace.org.

Overdose prevention clinic

A presentation on saving lives and preventing overdose deaths from fentanyl and other opioids will be hosted bythe Vashon-Maury Community Council’s Island Navigation Network at the Land Trust building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 28.

Two 20-minutes sessions start at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and you can drop in any time to talk to island organizations Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR), VARSA, the Vashon Health Care District (VHCD), and the Island Navigation Network. Attendees can sign up for youth mental health training, and learn about VIFR’s Mobile Integrated Health and VHCD’s urgent care program.

Vaccination clinic

Vashon Pharmacy will begin high-volume vaccination clinics on Wednesday, Oct. 2. COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines will be available.

With support from volunteers at Vashon Medical Reserve Corps and VashonBePrepared, the vaccination program will run for six weeks. Vaccinations will take place in the pharmacy’s new clinical services area, which will provide more space and privacy.

Stay tuned for more details by visiting vashonpharmacy.com/covid-vaccine.

VIFR Open House

The staff and volunteers of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue will host a family-friendly, fun-filled open house from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Station 55, 10020 SW Bank Road. The event will include pancakes and coffee, Sparky the Fire Dog, a fire station bounce house, fire prevention exhibits, and fire truck tours.