Birds

The Enjoyment of Birds, a series of evening classes for beginning and more experienced birders, starts at 7 p.m. tonight, Sept. 10, at the Land Trust Building.

Each class is designed to build on the previous session as participants learn the birds by their appearance, seasonal occurrence, habitat and song.

The beginner session includes the Sept. 10 class as well as a special “Gardening for Birds” workshop and garden tour on Sunday, Sept. 14. The advanced beginner series includes the above and continues on Wednesday, Oct. 10, followed by monthly sessions on the second Wednesday of the month through March (except December).

Field trips to Vashon’s birding hot spots follow on the Saturday after each class.

The beginner class costs $20 for Vashon Audubon members and $35 for nonmembers; the fee is transferrable to the advanced beginner series. The advanced beginner series costs $70 for members and $85 for nonmembers.

For more information, contact Alan Huggins at alanhugs@comcast.net or 567-5166 or visit vashonaudubon.org.

English

The Vashon Library will offer an English language learners class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 11, 18 and 25.

Celina Yarkin will teach the free weekly lessons with practice activities. Weekly attendance is important. Contact Yarkin with questions at 463-2007.

Oral history

Vashon College will again offer its “Introduction to Oral and Video History” course led by Bruce Haulman and his guest lecturers beginning Monday, Sept. 15. Whether people plan to interview a family member, a leader in their church or organization, or an Islander with striking tales about Vashon history, this class will help prepare them.

The course runs for five evenings from Sept. 15 to Oct. 13 in the upstairs classroom at Vashon College’s Sheffield Building. Tuition is $150.

Participants may enroll in a follow-up set of four workshops during the month of November. Tuition for the workshop series is $100.

Applications and course descriptions for both the introductory course (Oral History Part I) and the workshops (Oral History Part II) are available by e-mailing info@vashoncollege.org, calling Pamn Aspiri at 408-8022 or 313-5895 or by downloading one from the Vashon College Web site at www.vashoncollege.org.

Music for kids

Swing Set Music and Movement will start for the fall Thursday, Sept. 18, and run through Nov. 6. The theme will be “tutor the heart with music.”

Class 1, for children 9 months to 2 years old, will meet from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Class 2, for children 2 1/2 to 4 years old, will meet from 11:15 a.m. to noon.

All classes are held at the Pres-byterian Church. Tuition is $110 if registered before Sept. 15 or $115 after that date.

For more information, call Kim Thal at 463-0062 or Gabriele Burgess at 463-9916.

Yoga

“Intro to Yoga” at Island Yoga Center begins a six-week session from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

Students will learn the basics step by step in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. This class is for the absolute beginner or those who desire a refresher course.

To register, drop off a check at the studio or mail one to P.O. Box 2062, Vashon, WA. For more information, e-mail info@islandyogacenter.com or call 463-2058.

Planting a drainfield

Dig Floral & Garden will offer the popular, free “Planting Your Drainfield” workshop at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.

Drainfields are the workhorse of septic systems. The soils are responsible for cleaning up what goes down sinks and toilets. Homeowners can help protect their investment and the environment by knowing what to plant and what not to plant on or near their drainfields. There are creative alternatives to lawns.

Participants have a chance to win coupons for a free septic tank inspection and $150 off a tank pump-out, if needed. Please pre-register by contacting Susie Kalhorn at 463-4006 or burnhorn@earthlink.net.

Computer

A day of computer training will meet at the Vashon Library Saturday, Sept. 27. Registration is required for all classes and begins Saturday, Sept. 6.

“Basic Skills” will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. “Introduction to Windows” will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. “Internet, Level 1” will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to use the Internet by clicking links, typing addresses and printing useful information.

To register and for more information, call the library at 463-2069.