Posts filed under ‘• Community’
Vashon Movies: “For My Wife”
The Vashon Theater will present “For My Wife” at 2 pm Sunday, November 23. The film tells the story of one woman’s fight for marriage equality and how she became an activist. The film received three awards at the Vashon Lesbian and Gay Fil Festival and has been accepted into the Palm Springs International Film Festival. A Q&A period with Charlene Strong, who is featured in the film, and film makers David Rothmiller and LD Thompson will follow.
Tickets are $6.
Letter from Vashon: Raising Children on Vashon
The rural Pennsylvania of my childhood slowly developed into a mega-suburb of Philadelphia, replete with ubiquitous strip malls, congested traffic, and decay in the quality of life. However, before all that, my early years were filled with outdoor activity, long walks through woods and fields, and a sense of security that gave parents confidence to let their kids play outdoors without supervision. Neighbors actually knew each other and the children of the neighborhood.
Of course, this led to my brother and me returning home at suppertime with such treasures as snakes, dessicated fish we had caught miles from home, and incapacitating doses of poison ivy. We developed a sense of self-sufficiency with our freedom to explore the world which grew through our childhoods. Eventually I developed the self-confidence as a young man to go wilderness backpacking for weeks on end.
Recently, a close family friend, a neighbor and a comrade of my Father’s, passed away. I realized that his personality and friendship was completely integrated into my sense of “home” . . . not a place, but a feeling of belonging to a supportive community.
I always wanted to provide my older daughter with a similar experience. But she was born in northern Virginia while my ex-wife and I worked for the government in Washington, D.C., and her world was defined by urban sprawl. We barely knew our neighbors because of everyone’s hectic suburban lifestyle. We made sure she had plenty of outdoor experiences but ultimately she grew up a child of the suburbs. Her world view is colored by that perspective.
After moving to Vashon, I began a new family and we now have a six year old in Chatauqua Elementary School (Go Pirates!) and a six-month old daughter. I cannot be happier to raise children in this wonderful community. The social values of this Island, environmentally, spiritually, and intellectually, will ensure that the kids have every opportunity to develop their interests in a supportive community. Perhaps more important, there is a widely held sense of support for people to pursue their interests as far as they can. What more could I ask for my kids?
Chip Lamason, November 5, 2008
Vashon In My Words: “I want to move to Vashon Island…”
British-born Seattle resident Matt Wright recently extolled the virtues of unspoiled Vashon beaches and the delights of simple, natural cuisine on his food-lovers blog. Wright’s site is described as ‘Recipes, Food & Culinary Adventures from a Brit living in the Northwest’.
Chocked full of gorgeous photos of Vashon, the writer and epicurean provides mouth-watering details of his foray into the offerings of Sea Breeze farms. He tells of his family adventures, the well-known warmth of Vashon Islanders and his dream of one day leaving behind the rushed pace of Seattle for a more tranquil island life.
No doubt you’ll love reading his detailed account of his family’s weekend on Vashon as it reveals the many simple pleasures of our Island’s natural resources and abundant offerings. Click here for his entire article.
Vashon Saturday Math and Muffins: Tutors Needed
Vashon’s Math and Muffins Project seeks tutors to provide at least two hours a month math assistance to Vashon kids. Vashon students are also being solicited for the program. Sessions take place at the Vashon Cohousing Common House, located at 10421 SW Bank Road, between 10 am and noon on Saturdays. Parents, other adults and advanced students may help with tutoring.
Muffin makers are welcome also!
For more information or to register call Martin Koenig or Margaret Hoeffel at 463-1224.
Flu Shots Available on Vashon
Flu shots will be available at Vashon Fire and Rescue, 10020 S.W. Bank Road, from 1-6 pm, Thursday October 30.
BackBone Campaign: Election Night Party
Election Night Party at “O” Performance Warehouse 7-11pm
Beer Garden, Kids Activities, Fun Fun Fun!
Put it on your calendar and plan to join the Backbone Campaign and UMO Ensemble on Election Night, Tuesday, November 4th at the “O” Performance Space on Vashon, 7-11 pm. NON-STOP cable news updates on election results projected in multiple locations for compulsive tracking.
LIVE music by 5:01, Kat Eggleston, Watermark, and Great Rain. Enjoy the amazing Steffon Moody as the evening’s Emcee, UMO humor,beer and wine, popcorn, kids activities and fun for the whole family.
Spend this historic evening with your progressive friends. And rest assured – in the case that a stolen election is suspected, we will convert the party into an organizing opportunity and be on the streets in the AM!
Don’t miss it! (Map and directions here.) Tickets $10, kids are FREE! Buy yours today at Books by the Way and Vashon
* Rest assured – in the case that a stolen election is suspected, we will convert the party into an organizing opportunity and be on the streets in the AM!
Voice of Vashon: Vashon’s Internet Radio and Public Access Television
Voice of Vashon is an independent Community Internet Radio station and Public Access Television station located on Vashon Island in Puget Sound, in the State of Washington. Radio content is intended primarily for its Island audience of 11,000 souls or so, but everyone everywhere is invited – even encouraged – to listen in on the Internet and see what Voice of Vashon, is putting down. Television content is currently limited to cable subscribers on Vashon and Maury Island.
It’s on the air right now at 1650 AM. To the FCC, we’re known as WQHK904. Here on the Island, you’ll know us as Voice of Vashon Standing By.
The name serves as a kind of statement of purpose. Should disaster strike, such as an earthquake or even another serious windstorm, there will be information you need: What roads are closed? When will the ferries run again? Where can I find emergency shelter? How do I get potable water?
In such a scenario, Voice of Vashon Standing By has generator power and radio links to the Emergency Operations Center, which would allow our trained volunteers to go on the air live to pass you the information you need over 1650 AM the moment it comes to us.
For more information, including VOV’s programming schedule, click on Voice of Vashon.
Vashon’s Granny’s Attic: A Treasure Trove
“You never know what you’ll find at Granny’s!”
An extraordinary thrift store that supports our Vashon Health Center. Health Center Volunteers recycle donations of clothing, housewares, furniture, electronics and much more, to make them available to the community at bargain prices. Profits directly support the Health Center and other medical-related needs. For information on donations, volunteering, events, donating a car, click here Granny’s Attic.
Granny’s Attic is located at Sunrise Ridge off of the Vashon Highway, across from the Blue Heron. Call (206) 463-3161.
Vashon Exercise Class: Blue Heron
Vashon’s Blue Heron is sponsoring a fusion exercise class on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 – 10:45 am. For more information call 463-5131.
Vashon’s Free Range Folk Choir
New Choir to Celebrate World Music
The Vashon Folk Choir welcomes new singers to join its energetic and eclectic ensemble. Rehearsals begin at 7pm on Monday, October 27 at the Episcopal Church. Under the direction of Shane Jewell, the choir celebrates the ways that music from around the world can lift the spirit and cultivate community. The fall season’s set-list will include styles from Gospel to Slavic, African to Americana. Individuals, couples and families with children (ages 10 and up) are all encouraged to join. No auditions are required, just enthusiasm for singing music that enlivens the soul.
Jewell brings to the new choir over 17 years of experience performing, arranging, and teaching classical, folk, and acappella music. Trained at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, he has learned from and performed
with traditional musicians throughout the US, Ireland, India, the Philippines, Canada, England and Mexico. For more information contact Shane at 463-0778 or shanefiddle@gmail.com.
Vashon Island Pet Protectors Hold Garage Sale
The Vashon Island Pet Protectors will hold its fall garage sale from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, October 18 and from 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday, October 19, at the Firefighter’s Association Building on Bank Road. Donations accepted on Friday, October 17. For more information call 463-5381.
Tell Vashon About Your Event!
Advertise your Vashon Event for FREE:
Specifications for sending your event to GoVashon.com:
*NOTE: In order to submit information to our site, we require that you be a subscriber. Subscription is free, to subscribe click here
- Please submit your upcoming events at least 10 days prior to event date!
- Send your event information to us via email to govashon@gmail.com
- Attach information as a word document (.doc file, not .docx) see below
- Attach any photos you’d like us to include as a .jpeg format at least 72dpi
Please provide it in a bullet list format as follows:
- What (description of event)
- Who (the individual or organization hosting the event) include contact phone/email/web address
- Why (what benefit is there to a potential attendee?)
- When (date and time of event)
- Where (specific location – if this is a private residence, it’s okay to say “call for more information”)
- How Much (what cost is there to attend and what forms of payment are accepted)
Share music, videos, photography, art, writing for FREE:
Specifications for sending your music, photography, art or writing to GoVashon.com:
*NOTE: In order to submit information to our site, we require that you be a subscriber. Subscription is free, to subscribe click here
- Send your material to us via email to govashon@gmail.com
- Text must be in word (.doc) formate, NOT (.docx)
- Attach photographs as a .jpeg in at least 72 dpi resolution
- Music videos and videos must be downloaded to YouTube, then you provide the link to us.
GoVashon.com uses blog technology to allow you to add your comments and suggestions to this site. Is there something that you would like to add? See something missing that belongs here? Simply submit your ideas anywhere you see a “Comments” box or send us a private email to govashon@gmail.com
GoVashon.com is an evolving web resource that expands as WE use it and build upon it together. That’s community! So be sure to subscribe today for weekly updates by email.
Note: We reserve the right to edit all submissions and feedback. The site is updated weekly therefore time and space limitations may preclude your submission from inclusion. We will make our best effort to use your suggestions. Thank you for your valuable participation!
90% of Locks Susceptible To Lock Bumping!
So you haven’t heard about Lock Bumping yet? Here’s a quick video that will help you learn how to safeguard your home and family. Just click the PLAY arrow below to learn more!
