ADU webinar

Developer and new island resident Fred Jordan will host a free webinar on financing, feasibility studies and construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and other related projects at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 — learn more or sign up at tinyurl.com/VashonADUwebinar.

Services van

Washington’s DSHS Mobile Office will bring its services to the Vashon United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. Apply inside the van for food stamps, cash, and medical services. Islanders can also drop off paperwork, complete a case, make changes to an existing case, or request food stamps. Get more information at washingtonconnection.org.

Harvest Party

Celebrate 25 years of supporting local growers with the fun of Vashon Island Growers Association’s (VIGA) Harvest Party from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Flat Branch Farm, at 7118 SW 240th St.

Enjoy music, hay rides, yard games, farm animals, apple pressing, and dinner with locally sourced ingredients, all included with the admission price of $25 for adults, $15 for kids under 12, and free for kids younger than 3. Find out more and get tickets at vigavashon.org/events/harvest-party.

Animal blessing

The Blessing of the Animals, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 15420 Vashon Hwy SW.

The Rev. Meredith Harmon will officiate the ceremony, which has roots in early Christian practices when farmers would seek blessings for their livestock. In Judaism, some synagogues hold animal blessing ceremonies, often linked to the story of Noah’s Ark and the emancipation of Hebrews and their animals from Egypt.

All are welcome to attend with their animals. The ceremony will take place in the labyrinth to the north of the church.

Garden club

The Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at the Bethel Church gym. A business meeting will be followed by guest speaker, John Coghlan, speaking on the topic of evergreen oaks.

Oaks are magnets for wildlife and drought tolerant. Many of the evergreen specimens are smaller in size and fit well near structures and in smaller gardens. Coghlan will share specifics about a few standout trees and companion plants, and also answer questions from attendees.

Meetings are open to the public.

Water District 19

Water District 19’s next regular board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the district’s board room, at 17630 100th Ave SW.

Autumn Harvest Celebration

Islanders can discover Vashon’s heritage apples and immerse themselves in the legacy of Vashon’s orchards at Vashon Island Fruit Club’s (VIFC) Bountiful Autumn Harvest Celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, at the Vashon Island Land Trust Building on Bank Road.

The family-friendly event is free and open to all. Explore a captivating display of heritage Vashon fruit varieties, bring your mystery apples for expert identification and turn your harvest into refreshing apple juice to take home.

To have your apples identified, print out the form at bit.ly/AppleID24. Complete one form for each apple you bring to be identified. For more information or to volunteer at the event, email Laure@vashonislandfruitclub.org or visit VashonIslandFruitClub.org.

Community Council

Want to have a say in the future of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council? Come discuss bylaws changes, and meet candidates for the board election. Join in from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, on Zoom or at the Land Trust building. Find the council online at v-mcc.org.

Women Hold the Key

Vashon’s nonprofit organization, Women Hold the Key, will host “Communication Alchemy,” a one-day intensive training focusing on providing attendees with adaptive communication strategies for building relationships in their personal and professional communities.

The event, facilitated by Nicole Mercolino and Paulette Sun-Davis, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Women Hold the Key, at 9822 SW Gorsuch Rd.

This event is for all genders, and will cover the art of speaking with intention and confidence; building trust through skillful listening and speaking; solving problems and creating space for what’s possible; finding the words and tone that lead to wise leadership; opening a conversation with people who are challenging to speak with; deepening both personal and professional relationships; and discovering more about community patterns and their impact on relationships.

To find out more about Women Hold the Key and register for the event, visit tinyurl.com/23rp4jxt.

Mental health first aid

VARSA will host an in-person, instructor-led training on youth mental health first aid from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at their office in Thriftway Plaza, across the parking lot from Ace Hardware.

Learn how to talk to adolescents about their challenges, reach out when they’re struggling, and connect them to support services. The training will include common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Attendees will also learn about how to interact with an adolescent and common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges. Find out more and register by emailing info@varsanetwork.org or calling 206-567-2647.

Health Insurance

Miguel Urquiza, representative of King County Public Health, will help islanders sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance, food stamps, and ORCA Lift discounted transportation from 12:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Vashon Library. The open enrollment period is for health insurance that will start in 2025.

If Wednesday is not convenient, contact Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761, or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov.

Food bank tour

The Vashon Food Bank has embarked on a journey to relocate to the Vashon United Methodist Church’s property, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. The project will result in a vastly improved food bank, as well as the creation of a community resource hub to better collaborate with other island social service agencies.

Islanders are invited to find out more about this vision in a series of tours of the current and future sites. The next tour will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Meet at the current Food Bank: 10030 SW 210th St, behind Sea Mar’s healthcare clinic on Sunrise Ridge. Emily Scott, the Food Bank’s executive director, will guide tour-goers and give updates and more details about the project. Be sure to bring water and weather-appropriate clothing.

RSVP to minta@vashonfoodbank.org or 206-930-9098.