Learn about soil health

The Tilth Alliance and Seattle & King County Public Health will host two free soil health events this month for Vashon Island. With the legacy of the Asarco Smelter plume affecting island soil, it is very important to test for heavy metals which were deposited from the plume over the islands for almost 100 years.

The first online Zoom class will discuss healthy soil, pollution and how to mitigate it. It runs from 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Zoom. To join the meeting, visit tinyurl.com/VashonSoilHealth. (Meeting ID: 815 0686 6565; Passcode: 882296)

The following week will feature a soil testing event from 3-6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Kathy’s Corner, 18025 Vashon Highway SW.

The Tilth Alliance works in community with Washington farmers, gardeners and eaters to build a sustainable, healthy and equitable food future. Learn more at www.tilthalliance.org.

Community Council

Want to have a say in the future of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council? Come discuss bylaw 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.

Senior Center

Two healthcare-related events are coming up at the Vashon Senior Center, located at 10004 SW Bank Rd.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, learn about Parkinson’s Disease research in a free talk with seasoned physical therapist, Mary Lynn Hafner, PT, DPT and Outreach Ambassador from NW Research. The conversation will go over symptoms of a Parkinson’s diagnosis, the latest medication developments and a new study investigating a medication to improve dopamine response. You’ll also learn how study participants can shape the future of care.

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, join Aaron Ross from ICA UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions. This is the first part of his intro to upcoming changes with Medicare and UHC. Aaron will bring examples and answer your questions. Part 2 of the talk takes place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.

Bird walk

Get some exercise, see friends and learn about birds at the Vashon Bird Alliance’s next Bird Walk, scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Ober Park’s lower parking area (North of the Rec Dept. building, next to SW 171 St). From there, the group will carpool to Fern Cove to view overwintering waterfowl.

The walk will be led by Sherry Bottoms, a skilled birder and expert photographer.

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.

Women Hold the Key

Vashon nonprofit 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.

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

Food bank drive

The Vashon Food Bank hosts a food and fund drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, outside Thriftway and IGA, accepting donations of non-perishable food and clean, structurally sound grocery bags with handles. Donations of broth, stock, cooking oil, canned soups, and stews are especially encouraged. Donations are also accepted in the blue shed at the food bank parking lot at 10030 SW 210th St.

To volunteer, email volmanager@vashonfoodbank.org.

Not On Our Island events

Island anti-hate group Not On Our Island has several events planned for the fall, most of which you can register for by contacting the group via email (hello@notonourisland.org). You can also sign up for more info by visiting notonourisland.org.

2-5 p.m. on Oct. 20, the group hosts a course with Women Hold the Key on building connections through language.

1-3 p.m. on Oct. 26, a course on recognizing traumatic invalidation.

1-3 p.m. on Nov. 16: “Did You Just Really Say That?:” Responding to statements that sting.

1-3 p.m. on Dec. 7: a course diving into issues on the island and exploring effective activism.

Not On Our Island seeks to foster inclusive community on Vashon Island by opposing hate, bigotry, and bullying.

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.

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.

Inclusion Island Harvest Party

Join Inclusion Island, a group of adults with developmental disabilities and their friends and family, for a fall Harvest Party from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Vashon Lutheran Church, located at 18623 Vashon Highway SW.

The afternoon will including pumpkin decorating, snacks and more.

Questions: Contact HersheyHousing@gmail.com

Halloween

Vashon Highway will close between SW 178th St and Ober Park from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween (Oct. 31) for the island’s annual spooky bash.

Expect ghastly fun at local businesses, live music and contests, and a menagerie of costumes strolling up-and-down Vashon Town.

Fix-It Cafe

Registration is open for the Fall Fix-It Cafe, which will take place from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Vashon Eagles. This event helps restore items and keep them out of the landfill.

You can register to be a fixer or to have a small household item (such as appliances, lamps and jewelry) fixed by visiting vashonfixit.com.

Service is free, unless the fixing requires purchasing any parts. Items must be portable and not contain gasoline or other flammable liquids.

Home care scholarships

Vashon Care Network offers scholarships to cover the cost of training to become a Home Care Aide (HCA), certified by the State of Washington. The training provides an education for caregivers and a base for further careers in the health care field, and Vashon has a shortage of qualified HCAs.

Applications and guidelines are available at vashoncarenetwork.org. Applications will be accepted through October 25 and selection will be completed by November 25. For additional information, email Tory Hayes at victoriansmith@comcast.net.