Democrats organize for fall

We have a candidate! Although some of us were wondering if Island Democrats would have a presidential candidate to promote by Strawberry Festival, I am happy to say that we are now able to rally around and promote the candidacy of Barack Obama. Towards that end, we have two related items for this month’s Democratic Club program.

Here on Vashon, most people are registered to vote, but in many other areas this is not the case. Artemis OakGrove, the Neighborhood Challenge Coordinator for the 34th District, and Kimber McCreery, 34th District field organizer, will join us to discuss how we can help with voter registration and other outreach in an area close to us: Burien. Let’s help our neighbors achieve the high levels of political awareness and participation that we enjoy here on Vashon.

We will also hear reports from Islanders who attended the Democratic State Convention last weekend. We have invited our teenage delegates from Vashon to share their experiences with us. Come and be inspired by these young activists.

If you or your group would like to make a presentation at one of our meetings, or for general information, please contact me at 463-0079.

Our meeting is this Saturday, June 21, in the Land Trust building: potluck social at 6 p.m, meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please help us accomplish our goal of a no-trash potluck by bringing your own, non-disposable dinnerware.

— Roger Fulton

Radio club has ‘Field Day’

The Vashon Maury Island Radio Club will be participating in the national annual “Field Day” exercise June 28 and 29. It will be held on the field behind the Vashon Health Center and Granny’s. The public is invited to attend and speak to our members about ham radio. You will be able to see many forms of ham radio communication and even try your hand at transmitting a message.

Field Day was designed to test operators’ abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions such as the loss of electricity. Not only is this event a serious test of skill, for many clubs and groups, it’s a social occasion, too. During the weekend, participants try to contact as many other participating Field Day stations as possible.

Amateur radio (or ham radio) operators throughout the United States will put their emergency communication and technical expertise to the test during Field Day this weekend.

The annual exercise is one facet of activities amateur radio operators undergo to ensure they will be ready to volunteer their assistance with communications during disasters and emergencies. Field Day is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League.

— S. Danielson

VIPP wants cute pets

Be part of Vashon Island Pet Protector’s 2009 calendar, and make your pet a star. E-mail your pet’s photo to kchappy@msn.com. All are welcome — cats, dogs, pigs, goats. Don’t delay. Photos must be received by Aug. 1.

For more information, please call Kathy Chappell at 463-9203.

— Victoria Rohlfs

Seniors play bocce at Ober

Senior Center bocce season started up recently at Ober Park and will roll along, facilitated by Jerry Henley, from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays until Aug. 5. It’s free, but the Senior Center needs a minimum of eight players; please call 463-5173 to sign up.

No experience or previous skill is needed — bowlers of all ages are welcome for this gentle sport. Bring sunscreen, and wear your hat and sunglasses. Play will be cancelled on rainy days. The games are co-sponsored by Vashon Park District, which provides the equipment and lush green lawn. Join us for fun, friendship and feeling fit.

— Deirdre Petree

Play sports at VIGCC

The Vashon Island Golf and Country Club will host the Member-Guest Tournament on June 20 and 21 and the Women’s Pro-Am on June 23. There are still some spaces available. Call the Pro Shop for information.

Dayna Rogers is coordinating our swimming lessons, which start the week of June 23 and are open to non-members. We are also offering golf and tennis camps this summer for children. Spaces are still available. Call the office for information at 463-9410.

The Terrace will be opening for weekday food service on Tuesday, June 24.

Be sure to mark you calendar for 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 28. It’s Western Night at the Club. We’ll have great western cuisine followed by an evening of western music and line dancing. Western attire is encouraged.

If you need to make reservations or get more information about these June events, please call 463-2005.

— Victoria Miner

Foster parents get support

A Vashon foster parent support hub is being established for all interested existing or potential foster parents, relative caregivers and adoptive parents. Join us from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Vashon Youth & Family Services Play Space for a meeting to connect and share ideas and information as we help meet children’s needs. For more information or to RSVP, contact Rebecca Rumburg at 567-4924 or me at 463-5783 or vashon.fostering@gmail.com.

— Michele Eastly

Fruit club set for summer

Vashon Fruit Club’s next event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, June 22, and will feature the bees of Bob Dixon and the berries and orchard of Bob Norton.

At the Dixon home we’ll see how to maintain a hive of bees from startup until harvest of honey. The location is at Portage at 22113 Dockton Road S.W.

Next we’ll visit Bob Norton’s orchard and learn about his experiments with apples, cherries and berries. We’ll conclude with a sampling of Norton strawberry shortcake. The location is on north Maury at 6122 S.W. 244th St. Please contact Mary Ornstead at 463-0565 with any questions regarding this event.

Looking ahead to July, the club will hold two events. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, there will be a quarterly business meeting followed by a preview of upcoming workshops, plus Bob Norton’s regular summary of seasonal tasks in the orchard. At 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, we’ll hold a workshop on summer pruning.

— Tracy Barrett

Moms gather at PRAHM

Mother’s Kitchen will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and Thursday, July 31, at Paradise Ridge Acupuncture, Herbs and Massage (PRAHM), 11520 S.W. 220th St. This is an opportunity for mothers, women who are pregnant, women who are hoping to become pregnant or women who would like to hang out with babies, children and new moms to provide support for one another.

Each night we will choose something to cook and enjoy some loosely structured time together. For more information, please call Jessica Bolding at 463-9066.

— Marina Smith

Comcast 21 programming

Voice of Vashon’s television programming on Comcast Channel 21 next week will feature a rebroadcast of the June 16 meeting of the Vashon Maury Island Community Council. This show will play Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m for the next three weeks.

For the full broadcast schedule including both audio and video schedules, see www. voiceofvashon.org. If you have been creating your own video that you would like to share with your Vashon/Maury neighbors, please e-mail dans@islandimage.net.

— Dan Schueler

Class of 1988 to gather

The class of 1988 will hold a class reunion on July 19. Organizers are looking for the following classmates:

Richard Arthur, Allen Bale, Andrew Bremmer, Brian Coppernoll, Kevin Fifield, Justin Hunt, Devin Jarvis, Lisa Jenkins, Bill Jones, Debra Ludwigsen, Toby Minks, Steve Miller, Fawn Morgan, Christie Monroe, Millie Nagel, Aaron Nixon, Suzanne Nottingham, Colin Pierce, Chris Ramsell, Debbie Schindler, Julie Schubert, Rob Taylor, Denise Thomas, Jon Wald, Jim Woodman and Doug Young.

Please contact me at Movie Magic at 463-2181 with any information.

— Jackie Merrill (Kimmel)