Gardner
supports death with dignity
Gov. Booth Gardner will speak in support of the Death with Dignity initiative at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 13, at Lewis Hall in Burton. His co-speaker will be Kay Longhi, President of Compassion & Choices for Washington State. Gardner’s presentation is part of the Sunday Morning Conversations, open forums the Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship hosts each month.
Gov. Gardner has Parkinson’s Disease, but has chosen to campaign for this end-of-life legislation even though its enactment will not personally benefit him. The presentation and discussion will provide an opportunity to more clearly understand the law, its intent and its results based on the Oregon law that has been in effect for 10 years.
The Death with Dignity initiative is being proposed for the November 2008 ballot by a broad coalition of affiliates — physicians, nurses, hospice patients, organizations and concerned residents. Based on the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, the initiative requires more than 100,000 signatures by June 30. The proposed legislation seeks to protect the privacy rights, personal autonomy and freedom of conscience to die in accordance with one’s beliefs. It also supports better pain care, treatment of depression and palliative/hospice services during end-of-life care.
For additional information, call Mona Anderson at 463-4104 or e-mail ramonalanderson@gmail.com.
Vashon Island Unitarians meet at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the Burton Community Church, 23905 Vashon Highway S.W.
Religious exploration is offered for children 3 and up.
— Wendy Wharton
Caregivers get support
Vashon Community Care Center regularly hosts a monthly Caregivers Support Group meeting. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month. Call me for details or with questions at 567-6142.
— Julea Gardener
Fishers gather at pond
Vashon Island Fly Fishers (VFF) will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, April 9, at the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club pond. All Islanders and visitors are welcome to drop in. VFF meets the second Wednesday of each month to socialize, tie flies and exchange ideas and information around all things fly fishing. Please bring fly rod and reel (if you have them).
All experience levels are welcome. Vashon Island Fly Fishers was founded in 2004 as a way to encourage fly-fishing, conservation, education and storytelling. Please e-mail Vashonflyfishers@hotmail.com for information.
— Matthew Grunwald
Foreign policy group meets
“Blacklisting the Enemy” continues the “Great Decisions” current events group at 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Vashon Library.
Agreement on how precisely to define “terrorism” remains elusive, leaving room for debate over who belongs — or doesn’t — on the U.S. State Department’s roster of rogues. Who are you calling a terrorist: Libya? North Korea? Cuba? Syria? Iran? Sudan? Iraq? And there’s a list of 42 designated “foreign terrorist organizations” so far. What do you think? Bring us your experiences and opinions.
A background video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA)starts the program, followed by a discussion led by Bill Massey, facilitator. The program is free and co-sponsored by the Senior Center and Friends of the Library. Everyone is welcome.
A book of background articles prepared by the FPA is available at the library reference desk for reading ahead of time. Call the Vashon Library at 463-2069 for more information.
— Deirdre Petree
Vogt talks butterflies,
At its regular meeting on Monday, April 14, at the Vashon Lutheran Church, the Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club will hear entomologist Elizabeth Vogt on bees and butterflies.
Visitors are welcome at any garden club meeting. We meet on the second Monday of most months from September through June at the Lutheran Church social hall. Come at 1 p.m. just to hear the speaker, or bring a bag lunch and attend our business meeting at 10:45 a.m. Dessert and beverages are served at the lunch break. For more information contact Pat Nesland, president, at 463-9575.
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Bogan speaks to Southenders
The Southend Community Club will meet on Saturday, April 19. Following the socializing time at 6:30 p.m. and the potluck dinner at about 7 p.m., the guest speaker will be Stephen Bogan with information about teenage drug and alcohol issues on Vashon Island.
After this program and discussion, Carol Slaughter will present information about services and activities for Island folks over 50.
To learn more call Slaughter at 463-2274.
All Islanders are invited to this friendly gathering and informational program; just bring a dish for the potluck and your questions for the speakers.
The semi-annual road cleanup for the Southend will be at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 27; Southend Club members are urged to assist if possible. Meet at the clubhouse; gloves and tools are available. Carol Slaughter is clean-up chair and will assign chores.
— Almita Ranstrom
Life after quilt-making
Vashon Island Quilt Guild will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Presbyterian Church. Quilt book author Janet Kime, a Vashon Island resident, will speak to the Guild about “Life After Quilt-making.” Guests are welcome; refreshments will be served.
For additional information, call Nancy Zellerhoff at 463-2074.
— Jo Ann Bardeen
