Timeline

2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014

2010

January -

• Vashon Health Center remodel and expands
• Meth lab explosion on 129th Ave SW
• Dow Constantine becomes King County Executive, Jan Drago replaces him as Vashon representative on King County Council
• Backbone Campaign to reduce use of coal
• Letters and articles on both sides of “grinding” dance decision at VHS
• Vashon Island Day Spa opens
• Dockton Park Polar Bear Plunge Jan 1
• Yvonne Kuperberg profiled as “gentle force of nature”
• VHS policy attempts to end “grinding” dancing
• Fisher Pond issue about eutrification
• Vashon teachers Doug Swan and Colleen Carlson become National Board Certified
• K2 puts 180,000 sq. ft. plant on the market
• Quartermaster Harbor research by UW-Tacoma Dr. Cheryl Greengrove
• Vandalism at Dockton Park and Island Center Forest
• Teenage girl sexually assaulted in home
• Jan Drago, King County Council representative for Vashon becomes Chair of King County Ferry District which runs passenger only ferry at Northend
• Island fund raiser for Haiti earthquake relief
• Roseballen road paving controversy delays planting of trees
• King County approves Water District 19 Comprehensive Plan - need to find way to end shortage and 14 year moratorium on new water shares
• A Child’s Garden Montessori School opens

February -

• Vashon Island Grower’s Association sees 7% drop in sales, seeks changes at Saturday Market
• Divers seek to research mussels as cure for over rich nutrients in QM Harbor
• Vashon-Maury Community Council loses 2 members
• Trees planted at Transfer Station lower pit
• Vashon Opera presents Little Red Riding Hood
• Vashon Quilt Guild “Quilt-a-thon” for American Hero Quilt Project
• King County Judge John Erlick rules State of Washington has failed to meet it’s Constitutional responsibility to support education
• Carl Knox - VHS class of 1979 - father of Amanda Knox imprisoned in Italy falsly accused of murder
• Vashon Tech Support opened by island teens
• Dr, Steneker faces charges of unprofessional conduct
• Drama Dock benefit “A Grand Night for Singing”
• Church of the Great Rain - Valentine’s Day special performance at Open Space
• Beachcomber prints Vashon Health and Wellness Guide
• Former islander Tom Stewart and family die in Helicopter crash
• Controversy over new Dockton park shelter
• Chautauqua Principal Kate Baehr resigns
• Vashon Valentine for Haiti - benefit at Open Space
• Spice Route Restaurant offers monthly support for island non-profits
• Vashon Operation school levy passes 71%
• Vashon Food Summit - local food movement
• 14% jump in Vashon property tax bills
• VHS Men’s Basketball Team co-champions of Nisqually League
• Sheep put down after dog attacks

March -

• Vashon Island Chorale performs at Benaroya Hall in Seattle
• Vashon Highway south of Burton closes for culvert repair
  
• New staff at Vashon Health Clinic - Dr. Hans-Petersen and Shyla Jackson
  
• Shady lady closes
  
• Katz Communication opens in Vashon Town
  
• Beachcomber special supplement - Home and Garden 2012
  
• 2010 Census begins
  
• VHS presents “A Chorus Line”
  
• VHS Pirates basketball 3rd at State Tournament
  
• Islander Jon Kunkel found guilty of murder of Ron Childers in Dec 2007 - sentenced to 15 years
  
• 40 Island riders honor Tom Stewart
  
• Conoco Phillips agrees to clean 3 island sites in settlement for 2004 oil spill
  
• VIGA opens Saturday market for summer
  
• Controversy over illegal activities at Village Green
  
• The Dirt Yard cited by King County for 6 code violations
  
• Vashon-Maury Heritage Museum offers genealogy class with Ed Swan, Sr.
  
• Armin Yousoufarian awarded $371,340 settlement by King County for failure to release records

April -

• Credit Union to be attempted on Vashon - opposition ton major banks
  
• More than 100 students commute to Vashon schools form off-island
  
• Grey whales and transit pod of orcas visit Vashon waters
  
• Editorial concerning open discussions at King County Council - Executive Board holds closed hearings
  
• Westside barn wins restoration award - Steve Rubica and Duane Dietz
  
• Washington State legislature allocated $15 million to purchase Glacier site on Maury Island
  
• Vashon Buzz - noise - what is it?
  
• Vashon Park District takes over Vashon Pool - opens 2 weeks earlier
  
• Vashon School District $750,000 shortfall
  
• Low vaccination rates an issue on Vashon

May -

• Mukai Farm and Gardens on market again
  
• Vashon Schools seek to raise $200,000 in donations to offset cuts
  
• Island man arrested for assaulting police officer (officer later fired for mis-conduct and multiple complaints, arrestee exonerated)
  
• Sewer District expansion considered and debated - issue is growth
  
• Vashon High School Prom cancelled - issue of “grinding” dance - issue of non-school parties raises concerns
  
• Dr. William Foege, former Director of Center for Disease Control - vaccination is a social contract and essential for a community
  
• Vashon School District seeks pay cuts from employees to balance budget
  
• 9 Vashon junior rowers head to Nationals
  
• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue buys Burton house for firefighters
  
• Odin Lonning and Anne Stattler and Vashon Hydrophone Project featured in Beachcomber
  
• Ken Maaz selected to head Vashon Youth and Family Services
  
• Beachcomber special insert - “Vashon’s Island Child”

June -

• Maryann Steffen awarded 1st Marian Fitch Volunteer of the Year Award by Vashon Youth and Family Services and Vashon Health Community Network
  
• Island man arrested for 2003 and 2007 rapes on island (later convicted)
  
• Spirit Gallery opens in Old Center Store
  
• Student CD issued by Chautauqua Elementary music program - Andy Jones music teacher
  
• Dorothy Johnson and Opal Montague honored for health care issues work
  
• Ray Aspiri named Grand Marshall of Strawberry Festival
  
• Beachcomber special inset - High School Seniors Graduate
  
• Piner Point bulkhead removed, $240,000 - part of Piner Point Natural Area
  
• Karlista Rickerson named Diver of the Year in NW Dive News
  
• Vote on-line for Vashon Flag
  
• Vashon Island Rowing Club celebrates 20 years as club
  
• Oliver Van Olinda photo exhibit at Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum
  
• Hydroplane race continues 4th of July tradition
  
• Vashon Ultramarathon and Trail Run

July -

• School Fund Drive raises $4446,000
  
• Vashon-Maury island Heritage Association and McMurray Middle School receive $6,500 grant from 4Culture for Vashon history education
  
• 30th Annual Bill Burby run on July 17th at Strawberry Festival
  
• 2010 Strawberry Festival
  
• Victoria Adams, Vashon artist, exhibit at Tacoma Art Museum
  
• Drama Dock - “Oklahoma”
  
• 100 islanders attend Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Impact Statement workshop
  
• 50th Annual St. John Vianny salmon bake
  
• Backbone Campaign “Localize This! Actful Actions Camp” for activists
  
• Robert Bennedsen, Vashon resident, killed in action in Afghanistan
  
• Archeological dig at Manzanita on Maury Island
  
• Thirftway installs digital electronic street sign

August -

• Water District 19 - Beal well opened - increases water supply
  
• Deer population island problem
  
• Glaicer drops appeal of Judge Martinez’s ruling on mine site
  
• Mukai Farm goes into foreclosure process
  
• Island property values drop by 12%
  
• Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain tall ships visit Vashon
  
• Engles Garage Car Show
  
• Beachcomber special insert “Island Child: Back to School”
  
• Vashon-Maury island Community Council Board resigns - must comply with state public records act - resign so they do not have to disclose emails
• Credit Union to be formed
  
• King County 4Culture asks Attorney General to intervene to protect Mukai farm
  
• Kathy Bonner - Island paramedic retires from VIFR
  
• VAA Arts and Humanities lecture series set for year

September -

• Vashon Opera 2nd Season - opens with Barber of Seville
  
• Island robbed in home
  
• Black Bear spotted on island near Wax Orchards
  
• John Arum, island resident, dies climbing in North Cascades
  
• Vashon Island Schools Foundation formed to support schools
  
• Tom Bangasser at center of Community Council resignation - pushing for records under state public disclosure laws
  
• Mukai Farm and Garden Association formed to save Mukai Farm
  
• Rev Carla Pryne new pastor at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
  
• Luke McQuillin to head Vashon Heath Community Network drug-free grant
  
• Mary Matsuda Gruenwald speaks on book “Looking Like the Enemy” about Vashon Japanese Internment
  
• Hunting in Vashon Center Forest a safety issue
  
• Vashon Sheepdog Classic in October
  
• Vashon-Maury island Community Council agrees to temporary 1 member council - others resign
  
• Dockton Historical Trail opens Sept 25
  
• Islander charged with arson in burning of his sailboat at Dockton Park
  
• Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union opens branch on Vashon
  
• Study finds streams are source of nitrogen levels in Quartermaster Harbor
  
• Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum exhibit “The Appeal of Apple Peelers”
  
• Christopherson’s home heated with thermal heat - article in Beachcomber

October -

• King County prohibits hunting in Island Center Forest
  
• Tammy Dankins “Rent-a-Ruminant” opened in 2004, on Colbert Report
  
• Paradise Valley Fire - 17 firefighters and EMTs respond
  
• Beachcomber wins 19 awards at Washington Newspaper Publisher’s Association
  
• 3rd Annual Cider Fest
  
• Amy Bogard’s Sustainable Design and Renewable Energy class at VHS wins Puget Sound Energy grant
  
• VIFR participates in region-wide emergency earthquake response exercise
  
• Island meeting concerning crime wave of break ins spurred by meth use
  
• Mudslide loses Vashon Highway between Burton and Magnolia
  
• 3 orca pods visit Vashon waters Oct 1
  
• Books By the Way moves to location with Caf- Luna
  
• Vashon Sheepdog Classic, sheepdog trails draws 1,500 observers
  
• 100 islanders meet with King County Sheriffs to discus crime wave
  
• Vashon Parks loses $10,000 in first year of operating Vashon Pool
  
• Deborah Richards new Vashon Chamber of Commerce Director
  
• Vashon HS loses to Life Christian Academy - do not make state playoffs
  
• Beachcomber - Women in Business special issue - National Business Women’s Week
  
• Concerns over geoduc harvesting - eelgrass threatened
  
• School lunch Experience Food Project - fresh foods
  
• Marcus Daly Vashon Island Coffin Co. featured
  
• Couple arrested in rash of recent burglaries
  
• Artist Sooze Bloom deLom Grossman sews for first women’s scared Torah
  
• Jay and Rayna Holts complete 30 year project to solarize their home
  
• Drama Docks 1st Youth production “Into the Woods”
  
• Roots, Gourds, and Lights Display at Center for Halloween

November -

• Mukai Farm taken off the market - no longer for sale
  
• Victoria Adams, island artist opening at Blue Heron VAA
  
• Chuck Rosenberry inducted into Washington State Lawyers Hall of Fame
  
• Vashon Men’s master Rowers win gold in BC
  
• Peter Scott opens Vashon Design lab for development of sustainable stoves
  
• Ferry service cut to balance state budget
  
• 9 candidates elected to new Community Council
  
• State elections - Sharon Nelson (D) Senate, Joe McDermott (D) House, and Joe Fitzgibbon (D) House
  
• VWF building sold to Vashon Island Books
  
• Vashon HS girls soccer number 4 seed at state tournament
  
• Vashon HS football lose chance at state tournament
  
• Glacier to sell 250 acre site on Maury Island to become a state park - Vashon Sand and Gravel will continue to operate - “Opportunity of a Lifetime” editorial in Beachcomber - funding effort ot raise $2 million by Dec 31
  
• Nov 15 wind storm - 55 mph gusts, 1,200 homes lose power
  
• Robert Bennedsen, islander killed in Afghanistan honored at Seattle University
  
• Mark Sheer donates $20,000 to Vashon Fields
  
• School Bond campaign begins -$47.7 million operating and $3.5 million for athletic fields
  
• Amy Carey and Tom dean editorial about Glacier fund raising
  
• Monkey Tree restaurant to close
  
• Backbone Campaign “Chocolatada” performance find raiser
  
• VHS girls soccer finishes 4th in state
  
• Vashon island Rowing Club wins at Greenlake Regatta

December -

• Snow ice and wind - entire island loses power - temperature in teens - icy roads
  
• Liz Lewis, Island potter featured in “The Artful Life”
  
• Beachcomber offers on-line edition for paid subscription
  
• Quartermaster Harbor closed due to PSP (red tide)
  
• Westside waterfront home destroyed by fire
  
• John Brown injured in chainsaw accident during ice storm
  
• King County to combine all 6 Unincorporated Area Councils into one including Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
  
• Holiday Open House Dec 3 Vashon Town
  
• Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum exhibit “A String of Aprons”
  
• Nutcracker and Charlie Brown Christmas to open
  
• Island fundraiser for Amanda Knox - father from Vashon
  
• “Waiting for Superman” Documentary at Vashon Theatre sponsored by Vashon PTSA
  
• American Hero Quilt Project featured in Beachcomber article
  
• King County agrees to fund Glacier deal - $19.1 million for 250 acres
  
• Vashon Community Council elects new officers - Jake Jacobvitz president
  
• Vandals strike three island businesses
  
• “Liquid Assets” report by King County and Vashon Groundwater Committee
  
• Washington State Ferries hold community meeting on island
  
• The Raven Nest (Israel Shotridge) and Draw the Line- new galleries open
  
• Task Force looks for underage drinking hot spots
  
• Hester Krezmer Vashon Branch Librarian leaves for Burien Branch
  
• Ferry community meeting draws 200 to discuss ferry service
  
• Sawbones sold to 135 employees
  
• Mary Shackelford steps down from new Community Council
  
• Mary Liz Austin, island photographer, displays photos at Washington State Convention and Trade Center featuring Washington National Parks
  
• One Day Record of 2.2 inches of rain Sunday Dec 12
  
• Windstorm Dec 13 - 55 mph gusts
  
• Bettie Edward’s Little House featured in beachcomber
  
• Social services brace for drastic budget cuts
  
• Hillary Emmert steps don from Community Council
  
• Vandals attempt break in at Episcopal Church
  
• Seattle Storm Women’s Basketball coach visits Chautauqua school
  
• Westside Highway closed due to storm damage
  
• Drama Dock - Nutcracker
  
• Marisca Mozeleski 1st in Washington State air rifle competition
  
• Dec 28 - Glacier sells site to King County - new park - 250 acres - $36 million cost - $19.1 million from County
  
• “Timeline to Victory: How We Beat Goliath” by Bill Moyer, article in The Loop about victory over Glacier mine and creation of park at site
  
• Ferry ridership up 31% - @14,599 passengers/month - state hikes ferry fares by 2.5% - approved by State Attorney General
  
• Sea Breeze Farm features in Beachcomber
  
• Vashon Park District cuts budget increases sports fees
  
• Interfaith Council raises $7,800 in raffle
  
• Susan Tuller leaves as Administrator of Vashon Community Care - 15 years ago “Christmas Miracle” led by Ted Kutscher created VCCC and saved nursing home on Vashon
  
• Flash Photo to close after 25 years

back to top

2011

January -

• Audubon Christmas Bird Count
  
• Marynell Mill from Vashon and 2 other hikers lost overnight near Snoqualmie Pass
  
• King County Executive Dow Constantine takes possession of Glacier site January 8 - Community celebration at O-Space
  
• 2 missing dogs found drowned in abandoned 28 foot well
  
• 2 more Community Council Board members resign - Jacobovitz and Woodruff
  
• Student mural at Ober Park
  
• Alliance for Tampotika Conservation (ALTO) receives 201 Conservation Award
  
• Pr8s (Pirates) Robot Club - VHS - attend state championship
  
• Vashon School campaign for new bond issue - $47.7 million new classrooms, $3.5 million athletics
  
• Governor Gregoire proposes 3 leg ferry plan - regional board elected by ferry dependent communities, local taxes and fares, state subsidies
  
• Vashon Town Plan Committee (VMICC) considering sign regulations following Vashon Lumber LED display sign
  
• Janell Ansell new Vashon Community care administrator
  
• 600 islander turn out for Preserve Our islands celebration for Glacier deal - “Glacier totally misjudged our community” State Senator Nelson, “Glacier decision a ‘tipping point’ for the health of Puget Sound” - Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands, State of Washington
  
• Andrew “Ted” Bird - drowning victim near his live-aboard boat in QM Harbor
  
• VAA plans “state of the art” performance center at McFeeds location
  
• Vashon-Maury island Community Council votes to recognize protection of historic structures - Vashon Town Plan to protect 4 sites - The Harware Store, Mukai Packing Plant, Beal Greenhouses, Blue Heron Arts Center (former Odd Fellows Building)
  
• Joe Meeker talks about capturing stories at Vashon Community Care
  
• Kurt Timmermeister, owner of Kurtwood Farm, new book “Growing a Farmer: How I Learned to Live Off the Land” published
  
• King County workers laid off, budget crisis, maternity Support Services closed
  
• Issue of abandoned boats and buoys in QM Harbor and island waters
  
• Vashon Welcome Project - attempts to create an inclusive community
  
• King County Library looking for a temporary site while library is remodeled
  
• The Loop Newspaper has new editor/owner - Steve Allen
  
• Letters to the editor in Beachcomber supporting and opposing school levy
  
• Real estate sales data released:

  Year--------------- Sales------------- Median Price---------------------- % Change
  2004-------------- 209---------------- $365,000------------------------------ -
  2005-------------- 203---------------- $423,000------------------------------ +16%
  2006-------------- 176---------------- $492,000------------------------------ +16%
  2007-------------- 139---------------- $535,000------------------------------ - 09%
  2008-------------- - 83----------------- $535,000------------------------------ 0%
  2009-------------- - 97----------------- $407,000------------------------------ - 24%
  2010-------------- - 98----------------- $371,000------------------------------ - 09%

February -

• Vashon Schools and Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) develop program to bring locally grown food to school cafaterias
  
• Ferry system funding crisis - Gov. Gregoire’s proposal unacceptable to Legislature
  
• Vashon School District wins Federal Qualified School Construction Bond for $17.5 million - provides Federal income tax credits for lenders - saves $8 million in interest payments
  
• Vashon Community Council torn by debate over making past records available
  
• Vashon Wrestlers 2nd in Nisqually League
  
• Vashon Youth and Family Services purchases former YMCA site at Vashon Hwy & Gorsuch Road
  
• State Senator Sharon Nelson proposes bill to exempt Vashon Community Council from public disclosure law - hide actions for the public
  
• Tim Johnson elected Chair of Vashon Community Council
  
• Vashon Health Center changes billing arrangements for seniors - concerns about hurting access to health care for seniors
  
• Drama Dock celebrates 35 years on Vashon
  
• School Bonds - buildings pass by small super-majority, athletics fail
  
• Vashon Health Community Network wins Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America Award
  
• Oscar Night at Vashon Theatre - Sunday Feb 27
  
• Vashon High School Men’s basketball wins 2nd place in Nisqually League
  
• King County measures septic systems on island for failures and seepage into QM Harbor
  
• Two Wall Gallery controversy - owner takes down art on display - conflict with curator -
  
• Hillary Emmert refuses to turn over 980 emails as requested by Tom Bangasser under State Public Disclosure law - 40 islanders attend Community Council meeting
  
• 4 Vashon HS wrestlers win awards at State Tournament
  
• Vashon Men’s Basketball wins 4th at Tri-District Tournament
  
• Patte Wagner from Chase Bank Vashon Branch becomes new manager of Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union

March -

• Floating Field Station to test impact of mussels on improving water quality in QM Harbor
  
• Vashon HS Men’s Basketball in Final 8 at State Tournament
  
• 2010 Census - Vashon population 10,624 5% growth from 2000 population of 10,123 - Latino population grows from 259 to 434 - 67% growth rate,- Northend population grows from 204 to 220, southend decreases 0.3%
  
• Windermere Realty changes hands - Beth and John DeGroen purchase business from Bick Bianchi
  
• K2 property falls to $2 million asking price - no takers
  
• Dispute between Vashon Parks/School District and Rosser family over development of Vashon Fields and right-of-way access
  
• 150 attend King County meeting to discuss plan for new Maury Park at Galcier site
  
• Community Council attempts to remove Tom Bangasser as board member
  
• Mukai Farm and Garden Association meets with Vashon Park District - District agrees to assume responsibility for the site if it is offered
  
• Community Council move to oust Bangasser fails
  
• Vashon School District faces $850,000 shortfall
  
• Town Plan nears complete -
  
• Island low vaccination rate among children prompts concerns
  
• Vashon High School Challenge Day
  
• Dirt bikes a concern at new aury park (Glacier site)
  
• Japanese tsunami creates small waves in QM Harbor for 3 days

April -

• King County Camp Frie (Camp Sealth) agrees to protect 10 acres
  
• King County stops Vashon Park District work at Vashon Fields
  
• Rotary Club Guatemalan Festival to celebrate connection with Santiago Atltlan
  
• DoVE Project against Domestic Violence announced
  
• Multiage classes at Chautauqua Elementary honors Native Americans
  
• Drama Dock presents Endless April
  
• Burglary rate drops after 2010 surge
  
• Vashon High School students talk with Anuy San Suu Kyl, Burmese leader
  
• Vashon Island Realty office sliding down slope at northend - former caf-/coffee house
  
• Urban Cottage opens - reclaimed furniture, art, etc.
  
• Rayna Holtz retires from Vashon Library after 22 years as reference librarian
  
• Ferry Rhododendron to be retired in winter 2012
  
• Concerns about King County ending Community Council status as UAC
  
• Robinson Furniture closes after 58 years
  
• King County Executive crafts legislation to eliminate Unincorporated Area Councils and thus the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
  
• Electric vehicle charging stations installed at Vashon schools, solar arrays and new electric truck - $42,00 funded by grants and gifts
  
• Vashon Parks and King County attempt to resolve permit issues over Vashon Fields
  
• Wendy Braiks, Vashon Parks Director to retire after 20 years service
  
• King County and Federal Emergency Management propose new flood zone map for Vashon
  
• NW Sports expands into space vacated by Flash Photo
  
• Pro/Con - Vashon Community Council legislation - Tim Johnson & Frank Jackson
  
• Editorial - “Time to Put K2 Rezone Issue to Rest”
  
• PIO wins Green Globe Award for Glacier efforts
  
• Energy Audit =featured - Bruce and Julie Morser
  
• Vashon High School Soccer takes first in Nisqually League

May -

• Coldest April on record
  
• Vashon School Foundation launches $550,000 campaign for schools
  
• School District selects contractor and issue bond for construction of ne high school
  
• Vashon Opera - Madam Butterfly
  
• Teen substance abuse on Vashon above state average
  
• 2 dogs drown in abandoned well raises concerns about abandoned wells
  
• DeWire assault case at Sporty’s resolved with guilty plea
  
• Brandon Stinocher VHS senior named best teen chef in Wa state
  
• Open Letter to the Community - time to create a new representative form for Vashon-Maury Island
  
• PTSA Auction
  
• Vashon Island Rowing Club wins gold medal at Opening Day at Montlake Cut
  
• Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten featured, based on “waldkindergarten” concept in Germany, only one in PNW and USA
  
• Issue about dogs running free in island Center Forest
  
• Vashon Pharmacy to remove mini-park and re-imagine the space to limit drinking and trash
  
• Ellisport house fire -
  
• Island Art Studio Tour
  
• “Sharing the Stage” concert series brining professional muscians and Island teens together - rapper Macklemore feature
  
• “Passport to Poetry” - Island poetry festival
  
• Vashon HouseHold to sell 14 plots at Sunflower - nearly a decade in process
  
• State Ferry budge to be reduced - no cuts in service or fare increases for Vashon
  
• Movie Magic closes after 22 years - espresso stand will remain
  
• Vashon Rotary to focus on increasing immunization rate - Dr. William Foege
  
• Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin - performs with VHS and MMS students

June -

• Teacher’s salaries to drop 2% from state budge cuts
  
• 100 attend Memorial Day services at Vashon Cemetery
  
• The Artful Life series - Jean Emmons botanical artist
  
• John Sellers parody on Coke ad by Vashon Church of the Great rain on YouTube, 75,000 hits
  
• Island Quilter Shop and owner featured in Quilt Sampler Magazine
  
• State legislature allocates $400,000 to Vashon Land Trust to purchase 2 parcels that total 10 forested acres to prevent development and protect Whispering Firs Bog
  
• Barn themed exhibit opens at Blue Heron
  
• Vashon-Maury Heritage Museum opens exhibit “Vashon Athletics: Sports on the Island”
  
• Pam Ingalls and Daryl Redeker - “Brush Strokes” performance art
  
• VHS senior Colin Andrus 5th place in state 800 meter run
  
• New covered horse arena opens at VPD Paradise Ridge Park
  
• Ground Breaking for Vashon Fields
  
• Candy McCollough elected to fill Fire Comm. Term
  
• Beachcomber special supplement - VHS Class of 2011
  
• Keeper of the Place series - Olde John Crone
  
• Merchants seek to limit credit card use - prefer cash or checks - reacting to $.20-.50 fee per swipe
  
• Latino Voices - Chautauqua Elementary pupils
  
• The RipTide - VHS student newspaper wins award from American Scholastic Press Association as best paper at a high school with 500-1000 students
  
• State of Washington Department of Natural Resources seeks to remove abandoned boats and buoys from QM Harbor
  
• 100 Islander sign letter calling for new representative body on Vashon to replace the Community Council
  
• Algae bloom in QM Harbor turn water red - not PSP red tide - but non-toxic bloom
  
• Chautauqua Elementary students release CD “Nana Mirium” music to an African folk tale
  
• 1st Lt. Robert Brennedsen inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
  
• Vashon Island Jr. Crew sends 13 to US Rowing Youth National Championships
  
• Vashon Health Care Council organized in April - will do survey of Island seniors
  
• L.J. Commons and Charter House plant their own garden to enjoy fresh produce
  
• Vashon Wilderness Program hires executive director - Stacy Hinden
  
• 3 Vashon wines win awards - Palose Winery win 5 awards including 3 double golds, Maury Island Winery double gold, Vashon Winery bronze award
  
• Families support “riffed” teacher Jolene McCauley
  
• Businesses commit $110,00 to Vashon Schools fund drive to raise $338,000
  
• Vashon Community Council changes Board from 9 to 5 members - ousts Bangasser, LaFyette, and Woodruff
  
• Vashon Chamber of Commerce moves office
  
• Youth Council closes after 12 years
  
• VIPP closes cat shelter to fight ringworm infestation
  
• 21st Annual VAA Vashon Island Garden Tour
  
• VHS 80th Graduating class - 127 seniors Class of 2011
  
• Kelsey Kozak Vashon Cheese maker featured in Beachcomber
  
• Wa. State Ferry worker put on leave due to road rage incident
  
• Vashon Schools to demolish VSH Building A rather than remodel
  
• King County approves Water District 19 use of Morgan Hill well - 35 gallons/minute - 15-year process to get well certified and working
  
• Vashon Parks unveils musical bench in Ober Park “ Sonic Bender”
  
• Olde John Croan awarded Marina Fitch Lifetime Community Service Award for years of volunteering in the community
  
• Caulk the Rock Energy Fair - Wise Energy Vashon
  
• 6 Vashon rowers win medals at US Rowing Youth- National Championships

July -

• Bruce Haulman, Vashon’s unofficial historian featured in Beachcomber
  
• Classic yachts at QYC, boats launched before Dec 31, 1942
  
• “Walks, Trails, and Parks on Vashon” = book updated and reissued - Ann Spiers co-author
  
• Point Robinson annual Low Tide Celebration - minus 2.6 tide - Vashon beach naturalists and Blue Heron Puyallup Tribal Canoe featured
  
• Dr. Sjardo Steneker medical license suspended for 5 years for unprofessional conduct relationships with 5 female patients
  
• Kay White - Grand Marshall Strawberry Festival parade - $3.5 million gift and $7 million trust for VAA new performance center
  
• Vashon parks asks Vashon Schools to delay demolition of Building A to consider community options
  
• “Vashon-Maury Island: Images of America” new history of Vashon published by Arcadia Press - Bruce Haulman and Jean Cammon Findlay aurhors
  
• Mikie Hoffman wins 2011 Wa, State Sporting Clays Junior Championship
  
• 4th of July Hydroplane Race - 4 boats begin 1 finishes - Ty Christopherson
  
• VAA open House to show proposed $16.6 million new performing arts center - 20,000 sq.ft. building, 300 seat theater
  
• King County ends Vashon-Maury island Community Council - 6 Unincorporated Area Councils disbanded - developed in 1994 - County ends funding -
  
• School Board votes to demolish VHS Building A
  
• Visiting Angels -new home care service for seniors opens on Vashon
  
• Strawberry Festival July 15-17
  
• Vashon Social Service Network - 6 Vashon social service agencies joint together to support services during times of reductions and budget cuts
  
• Ferry worker gets job back after road rage incident apology

August -

• New King County regulations allows households to capture rain water
  
• VAA hires Seattle consultant firm for new performing arts center
  
• Jo Ann Bardeen wins VMIHA Heritage Jam contest
  
• Relay for Life - $32,000 raised for caner research
  
• Vashon slowpitch softball team invited to World Championships in Texas
  
• 11th Annual Heart of the Sound Tri-athelon
  
• Vashon has more same sex couples per-capita than any other community in Wa. State
  
• Beach closures - toxic shellfish poisoning
  
• Oil leak at PSE electrical station at Point Robinson
  
• American Legion 10th anniversary
  
• Spanish pre-school teaches language skills
  
• Vashon United Methodist Church inducts new pastor Rev. Darryn Hewson
  
• Mia Croonquist wins gold medal at World Rowing Junior Championships in Great Britain
  
• King County road maintenance on Island will decrease because of budget cuts
  
• Banner year for pink salmon in Puget Sound - 6 million predicted to return
  
• 461 islanders respond to community survey asking health care needs - sponsored by Health Care Council
  
• PTSA raises $2000 for back-to-school supplies
  
• Wes and Lea Cleary start commercial cidery on Vashon
  
• Steve Hayworth open letter about arts center and VHS performance space - appeals for VAA and VSD to work together
  
• Engles Annual Classic Car Show - classic Thunderbirds and Corvette Club attends
  
• Burton Mock Hotel opened 1908, featured in Beachcomber
  
• King County $20 car tab fee to fund bus service
  
• King County pays $125,000 fine to Bill and Susan Tobin to settle dispute over hand-built beach structure
  
• Home fire on Maury Island caused by illegal burning
  
• Saturday Farmers Market - new Director Rebecca Wittman - replaces Allison Bockus
  
• Peterson family recovering from fire that destroyed home
  
• Tom Bangasser purchases The Loop newspaper
  
• Welcome Vashon formed - to crated diverse community
  
• Bethel Church celebrates 85th anniversary - Sept 18
  
• Spice Route Indian restaurant closes
  
• 3 Vashon retailers caught selling tobacco to teens in sting
  
• 8 Islanders climb Mount Rainier - raise $25,000 for Rotary Clean Water Campaign
  
• Vashon Opera - Carmen (sold out performances)
  
• Islander Richard Seagrist recognized for work to recover purple martin population on Vashon History

September -

• Cliff Goodman starts first Vashon commercial brewery - Vashon Brewing Company
  
• Vashon Social Services Network - 6 social service agencies will offer free meals 7 days per week
  
• Ballet program founders - dispute between parent groups
  
• Water Taxi to increase capacity in 2012
  
• Island Labyrinth Tour
  
• “Lights, Camera, Action” VAA annual fundraiser
  
• Wagons of Steel - Chris Barnes and Mike Brenno featured in Beachcomber
  
• Vashon Schools hire substance abuse professional
  
• Vashon Family Practice closes doors - Dr. Steneker loses license
  
• Purchase of The Loop newspaper by Bagnasser fall through
  
• Shape Up Vashon (SUV) - movement to take charge of own health
  
• Beall well producing fro Water District 19 - 80 gallons/minute
  
• 9/11 Requim - memorial by Vashon island Chorale
  
• Church of the Great Rain begins 4th season
  
• 29th Isle of Vashon - 1,000 motorcycles - Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts
  
• Lyman Houghton convicted of arson for burning his sailboat
  
• DoVE domestic violence program wins award from King County Coallition Against Domestic Violence
  
• Fauntleroy Mess - removal of police at dock to regulate traffic causes backups
  
• Vashon Schools schedules events on High Jewish Holiday - lack of sensitivity to diversity on the island
  
• Curt Noah killed by falling tree
  
• Donna Klemka - letter “Rethink Arts Center” - out of scale for site
  
• Land Trust sponsors tours of Whispering Firs Bog
  
• Stephen Tobolowsky - actor gives talk at Vashon Theatre

October -

• Serial rapist convicted of 2 counts of 1st degree rape
  
• Vashon Chamber Music Series spearheaded by Douglas Davis and Rowena Hamill
  
• King County purchases 2 pieces of land north of Point Heyer (KVI) to help preserve the spit and salt-water marsh
  
• Ciderfest Oct 8
  
• New garbage cans placed in Vashon Town
  
• New ferry fares - 2.5% increase - $.25 surcharge to fund new ferries - increase 3% in May 2012 and 2.5% in October 2012 - 14 foot cars pay 10% less
  
• 2nd Annual Sheep Dog Classic - 3,000 people attend trials
  
• Vashon BePreparded wins King Co. Executive Dow Constantine Community Preparedness Award
  
• Tanner means helps Vashon veteran Chris Gaynor preserve his history of involvement in the Vietnam War - helps digitize photo collection
  
• Fire Board race - 4 candidates 2 seats
  
• Vashon Youth and Family Services - PlaySpace opens
  
• State Department of Ecology plans to clean up lead and arsenic from Ruston smelter plume - Maury Island, Burton, and south Vashon
  
• School Board approves footprint of new high school
  
• Bianca Perla - “Family Walks on Vashon Island” 55 forest trails - 250pp
  
• Dr. William Foege “Things That Took Me By Surprise: 50 Years of Global Health Work” - talk
  
• Vashon HouseHold sets up matching service for those seeking housing and rooms available
  
• Home of Record: Vashon and the Vietnam War Exhibit opens at Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum
  
• Vashon Pharmacy removes trees and driveway - installs mini-park that does not encourage loitering - controversial
  
• King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu, Vashon resident, named 2011 Outstanding Judge of the Year
  
• Viaduct closure in Seattle to affect island commuters
  
• Purple Light Campaign to highlight domestic violence
  
• Island Center Forest closed for hunting
  
• Land Trust receives grant to continue work improving Shinglemill Creek
  
• Vashon Parks sues property owner over disputed access and boundaries at Vashon Fields
  
• Camp Waskowitz 5th grade outdoor camp to be cancelled because of budget cuts
  
• Eyvind Kang wins Art Innovator Award from Seattle Artists Trust
  
• Changing demography of island means fewer pre-school students
  
• Fire Board candidate debate
  
• Granny’s Attic awards Vashon Community Care $38,000
  
• VHS Women’s Volleyball wins Nisqually League Championship - 1st team to win league championship since volleyball began as VHS sport in 1979

November -

• Superpod of 80 orcas visit Point Robinson
  
• Lisabeula School receives Landmark status by King Co. Landmarks Commission
  
• “Atticus”- Drama Dock - adapted by Marc Powell
  
• Vashon Parks calls for new ballet board to resolve dance debacle
  
• Time and Again article in Beachcomber - “A Wartime Tradition”
  
• Books By the Way - closes - 1973-2011 -
  
• King County to thin Island Center Forest
  
• Fundraiser for American Hero Quilt Project - Vashon based organization
  
• State of Washington Ecology Department cleanup plan for ASARCO
  
• “A Lot Like You” documentary by Vashon filmmaker Eric Firth
  
• VHS student production “Laramie Project”
  
• Land Trust begins Judd Creek estoration project at Singer Farm -
  
• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue commission race too close to call on election night - Candy McCullough defeats Joe Ulatoski in recount
  
• Vashon farmers find it difficult to get produce into Vashon Schools program
  
• Water District 19 approves water hook-ups for mother-in-law apartments
  
• King County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Savage fired for abuse of position - numerous Vashon complaints and incidents
  
• Islander Darren Lay receives National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for his Young Shakespeare Workshop in West Seattle
  
• Vashon’s Free Range Folk Choir presents concert
  
• Neighbor to Neighbor Program to help Vashon seniors “age in place”
  
• Vashon Theater to install new digital projection system -
  
• Vashon Community Solar seeks to launch solar investment project on Vashon
  
• Preserve Our Islands seeks new role and focus after Glacier victory
  
• Beachcomber launches “Green Editions” on-line
  
• Island Holiday Guide published by Beachcomber newspaper as insert
  
• Time and Again article in Beachcomber “Vashon Newspapers”
  
• Island Elves - collecting at Main Intersection for island causes, banned by King
  
• County Sheriff’s Dept. as a road hazard
  
• Chautauqua Elementary’s bird program spotlighted on Cornell University’s “Celebrate Urban Birds” website

December -

• Vashon Elves (fundraisers) forced to stop collecting a 4-way stop in Vashon Town
  
• King County forcibly removes 20-25 homeless squatters on 40 acres of land to be purchased by King County to expand Island Center Forest
  
• Jan Milligan appointed New Vashon Park District Director
  
• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue Board approves $4.5 million spending plan
  
• Vashon businesses develop preparedness plans for emergencies
  
• King County to issue fines for failing septic systems
  
• Keepers of Point Robinson host photographic exhibit at Light House
  
• Vashon’s American Legion and American Hero’s Quilt Project present quilts to 12 veterans at Vashon Community Care
  
• Blue Heron Dance presents annual “Nutcracker” ballet
  
• Alexander Atkins and Andrew Franks present 12 minuet film “Men Who Don’t Work” at Vashon Theater
  
• Vashon serial rapists Brian Dublin sentenced to 45 years in prison
  
• Number of students qualifying for free lunches doubles in three years in Vashon schools
  
• New ferry Chetzemoka to replace Rhododendron on south end run
  
• Elves return to fundraising after negotiations with King County
  
• Dog maul. Kill two goats on Maury Island
  
• Power outage leaves 1,700 in dark - car hit utility pole on Maury Island
  
• Zamorana, Mexican food truck opens on Vashon
  
• Preserve Our Islands begins “Pod Blasts” to notify residents of orca pods in local waters - $15 fee
  
• Drama Dock - “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley”
  
• Vashon Theater and Vashon Parks present “The Grinch Sets the Record Straight” along with film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
  
• Island singers present Celtic-style cantata
  
• King County Conservation District grants helps clean out blackberries and open stream beds on west side
  
• Volunteers create indoor gym for Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball
  
• Deer Pond on Cemetery Road continues 16 year tradition - 1,200 ft of lights
  
• Vashon Park District exhausts funds for Vashon Fields - controversial lawsuit
  
• Burton Church welcomes new pastor Rev, Bruce Chittick
  
• Water District 19 ends 15 year moratorium - issues new water shares
  
• Roger Hammett wins asbestos lawsuit
  
• Drama Dock “A Christmas Carol”
  
• Vashon Community Care Christmas choir debuts
  
• Vashon vaccination rates lower than recommended - 33% of Vashon students not vaccinated against whooping cough
  
• Bill Thomas collects cans to keep Vashon’s streets clean
  
• Voice of Vashon to expand in 2012

back to top

2012

January-

• January 18-19-20 - Snow closes schools and much of island, ice storm on the 19th closes SeaTac Airport and much of island - schools closed for 3 days.
  
• Ferry Rhododendron retired, replaced by Chezmoka January 23

March -

• Vashon Electric Vehicle Association (VEVA) sponsors film “Revenge of the
  Electric Car”
  
• Abby Williams Hill : Wanderlust, Works on Paper, 1895-1927. Exhibit at Vashon-
  
• Maury Island Heritage Museum. March to May.
  
• “Run for Schools” March 31 - 1k and 5k fund raiser
  
• “Pam Ingalls: Wanderlust: How Travel Influences Art” talk for Vashon-Maury
  Island Heritage Museum
  
• Girl Scouts celebrate 100 years -
  
• “Legally Blonde: The Musical”- VHS drama production

April -

• April 4 issue missing -
• Vashon Farmers Market opens for year
  
• King County Ferry District names Christine Nelson administrator
  
• Earhquake and tsunami discussed at VashonBePrepared annual meeting
  
• UW consultants help Vashon schools adopt new math curriculum
  
• Westside house fire - upstairs bedroom destroyed
  
• Vashon legislators visit Community Council - 30 attend
  
• Vashon Island Chorale “Songs in the Key of V: Celebrating Vashon Composers”
  
• King County will pilot Community Service Area program on Vashon - replacement for five discontinued Unincorporated Area Councils
  
• Perussis outbreak in Western Washington, slow on Vashon
  
• King County shortens stakes along Dockton Road along Tramp Harbor after protests by islanders
  
• Vashon schools receive $550,000 State grant to make energy upgrades to existing buildings
  
• Farmstead Meatsmith Vashon-based mobile slaughter and butchery gains attention on the web, and opens butchery shop near Tahlequah
  
• Day of Silence at VHS to protest anti-gay bullying
  
• Drama Dock - “Sherlock’s Veiled Secret”
  
• “Going Green” Beachcomber insert - Vashon_maury Island Basin Steward - Greg Rabourn
  
• Vashon Nature Center plans first Vashon Bioblitz - 24 hour event to identify as many plant and animal species at Neill Point Natural Area - Sat. June 2 -- Bianca Perla Director
  
• Portage “exercise bikes” disappear -
  
• King County suspends rumble strip project after bike rider protest
  
• Burglaries at Catholic Church - steal cross, surveillance equipment
  
• May ferry fare increases - 3% increase, 25% peak-season surcharge
  
• Sportsman’s Club 2nd Annual Pinewood Derby
  
• Drama Dock - “Side-by-Side by Sondheim” - 2 perfomances
  
• Michelle Shocked “Reoccup’ Tour at O-Space
  
• Chautauqua Elementary will start Spanish-immersion kindergarten
  
• Waterworks Studio presents works of 12 Vashon artists “Essential Nature”

May -

• Barnworks. Collaborative gallery, to close after 30 years
  
• Storefront Studio, UW College of Built Environments, develop 14 proposals for strengthen the island’s economic vitality and protect its historic integrity
  
• Teachers concerned about cuts to social science program
  
• Park District budget to be cut $124,282
  
• Bob’ bakery, opened in 1986, facing tough times
  
• Dr. William Foege receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
  
• Crime spree - burglaries at Catholic Church, farms, garden center
  
• Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum and Chris Gaynor wins Exhibit Award from Association of King County Historical organization for exhibit Home of Record: Vashon and the Vietnam War.
  
• Debi Richards, Director of Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce announces retirement
  
• Vashon Allied Arts Performing Arts Center design sparks opposition - questions of scale and impact on historic Center intersection
  
• Vashon park District’s Burton Adventure Recreation Center (BARC) has new stewards to develop skate park
  
• VMIHA receives grant to research census data
  
• 40 cyclists meet with King County to oppose rumble strips
  
• Ava Apple new Director of Vashon Senior Center
  
• Annual Studio Tour with 20 studios open
  
• 5th Annual AVV Father/Daughter Dance
  
• Issue of homeless using Village Green as gathering place - condition of toilets
  
• Vashon Community Food Bank Farm - Jen Coe
  
• Vashon College offers courses - ethical decision-making and effective communications
  
• VashonALL Yahoo site featured
  
• Vashon Opera “Eugene Onegin”
  
• Seniors take balloon ride at Sportsman’s Club
  
• Vashon credit union suspends business accounts - too much deposits
  
• Vashon Chamber of Commerce sponsors classes on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
  
• Islanders meet with King County Transportation Director Harold Taniguci about rumble strips - most bike riders oppose them
  
• US Postal Service to investigate mail hefts on island
  
• Vashon Youth and family Services receives $130,000/year for 5 years to tackle teen substance abuse
  
• Vashon HouseHold reinvents Sunflower Community Land Trust project to involve less construction involvement by purchasers
  
• Zombiez restaurant opens in former Zoomies/Dairy Queen building
  
• Vashon Brach Library to move to Vashon Plaza during remodel of Ober Park Library
  
• VAA Performing Arts Center comment period open until June 7
  
• Eagle Scout Ky Burton installs direction signs at Vashon Park District’s Burton Woods for his project
  
• “Through the Garden Gate”- VAA New Works Series - translates Terry Hershey’s book “Soul Gardening” to the stage
  
• Island Dance Theater presents spring recital “My Favorite Things”
  
• Time & Again article “Vashon’s Episcopal Church”
  
• Vashon BioBlitz - 24 hour inventory of biology at Neill Point Natural Area - sponsored by Vashon Nature Center, Bianca Perla, director
  
• Comprehensive survey of adult attitudes toward substance use on Vashon finds a majority of adults are concerned but believe broader community does not share concerns
  
• Small plane flips on takeoff at Vashon Airport
  
• Sate presents plan to control moorage bouys in Quartermaster Harbor
  
• Brian Brenno commentary on Island History
  
• Vashon Main Street: The Ever Changing- Face of Vashon Highway” opens at The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum
  
• Charlie Rosenberry steps down as head of Vashon lacrosse
  
• Veterans honored at Memorial Day ceremony at Vashon Cemetery
  
• Vashon Beach Naturalists host “We Bring the Beach to You” at Jensen Point

June -

• State liquor stores close - Vashon Liquor affected by price changes and new regulations
  
• Island GreenTech spearheads community effort to aid Vashon Theatre - switch to digital projection and keep Theatre open
  
• Open Space eight years of providing performance space on Vashon History
  
• Comment period on VAA Performance Centre extended
  
• Local contractors not hired fro new high school project
  
• UW Storefront Studio makes final presentation of ideas for Vashon’s main street
  
• VHS Graduation - Vashon High School graduation insert - list of scholarships
  
• Mukai house and garden taken over by newly elected Island Landmarks board
  
• K2 Commons scheme reborn as non-profit
  
• King Couty to built saltwater marsh at Dockton park
  
• Community meeting on Level 3 sex offender moving to island
  
• Regional 2-day emergency drill - Vashon’s water taxi could help in emergency
  
• Letters to Editor in Beachcomber oppose new VAA Performing Arts Center design
  
• King County raises questions about VAA Performing Arts Center design
  
• Vashon rowers win 2 silver medals at USRowing Youth National Championships
  
• Groundbreaking for new Vashon High School, June 15
  
• Mukai Open House locked out by cyclone fence interning the Japanese presence of Vashon-Maury for the second time - 1942 redux in 2012,
• 70 years later.- Mary Matsuda Gruenewald and Miyko Matsuda locked out.
  
• Jim Marsh named new Executive Director of Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce
  
• Septic systems in marine recovery area - 196 (75%) in full compliance, 31 (12%) in process of getting in compliance, 36 (14%) have not responded.
  
• Episcopal church celebrates century of service
  
• Letters to the editor of Beachcomber oppose and support VAA Performing Arts Center
  
• Vashon Dance Academy performs “The Wizard of Oz”
  
• Lily Voynick and Corinne Blair part of Vashon team that wins NRA National Indoor 4 Position Smallbore Championship.

back to top

July-

• Gabriel Felix love affair with fireworks –
  
• Islanders face fines for failing septic systems – 28 systems in question
  
• Vashon Community Solar and King County facing financial issues in project to develop a solar array
  
• Lou Engles named Strawberry festival Grand Marshall
  
• Vashon Vacations new business Susan McCabe and Charlotte Tienchen
  
• Summer school program falters – teachers raise concerns
  
• Ultra runners hit Vashon trails – 140 in 3rd annual Vashon Ultramarathon
  
• Young soccer player Jane Oswald in US Soccer Regional Tournament
  
• Dockton fun run
  
• Sheriff’s office threatens to cancel annual 4th of July hydroplane race
  
• Jeanie Davis Okimoto children’s author heads own publishing company Endicott and Hugh Books
  
• Thai restaurant to open in Vashon Town
  
• New board seeks to restore Mukai farmhouse
  
• School board votes on $16 million no-cuts budget
  
• Dead dolphin found at Sandy Shores
  
• Two motorcycles collide riders injured
  
• Dave Chapman to head King County Office of Pubic Defense
  
• Three boats finish 4th of July hydroplane race – Evan Mattingly, Ty Christopherson, Chris Van Buskirk
  
• Vashon water taxi becoming overcrowded
  
• Vashon Fields project stalled as funds run out – concerns of Vashon Park District lack of oversight
  
• Vashon stores asked to help curb teen drinking
  
• Rumble strip opponents get support of Vashon Island Community Council
  
• Vashon High School construction project gets additional state funds – demolition of old high school begins
  
• Patty Gregorich McMurray Middle School teacher receives Washington Schools Foundation grant
  
• Op Ed pieces pro and con about VAA Performing Arts Center
  
• Island composer Jason Staczk invited to Sundance Film Music Composers Forum
  
• Drama Dock’s Pirates of Penzance reviewed
  
• VAA quilt to celebrate the Vashon Market
  
• Time&Again – Mukai property tells story of two cultures
  
• Mikie Hoffman wins Washington State Sporting Clays Championship
  
• Strawberry Festival
  
• Paddleboarding as a sport takes hold on Vashon
  
• VYFS Director Ken Maaz steps down – goes to Enumclaw
  
• Former Vashon passenger only ferry sink off Tanzania – ex MV Skagit
  
• Ky Burton becomes Troop 294’s 76th Eagle Scout
  
• Master rowers score wins in Canadian regatta
  
• “Vashon Island Child:2012 guide to education on Vashon” supplement to Beachcomber

August-

• Michael Spakowski featured as Vashon artists
  
• Neighbors east of Vashon Town take action to close drug house working with King County Sheriffs
  
• Vashon Community Care starts new physical rehabilitation program
  
• Island GreenTech raises $52,000 to install digital cameras at Vashon Theatre
  
• Mud boggers no longer can use Island Center Forest
  
• Beachcomber Editorial “Drug house in our midst: Neighbors take a stand.”
  
• Annual Frank Matsumoto Salomon Derby
  
• Ober Park – summer music concerts – Shakespeare in the Park
  
• Abigail Kim 14-year old competes in Junior Olympics in Houston, TX
  
• Dragonshead Cider – Vashon commercial cidery – Wes and Laura Cherry
  
• Jennifer Olsen President of Resourceful HR named to Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 under 40”
  
• Palouse Winery wins Double Gold at Seattle Wine Festival for 2009 Black Pearl Petite Sirah
  
• Center nominated as historic district – Landmarks Commission to hold hearing
  
• Maury Island Marine Park (Glacier site) receives $2 million grant to have Washington Conservation Corps to hire 24 for restoration effort
  
• King County to move service center to Vashon Town
  
• King County awards $800,000 to repair failing septic systems
  
• Rockin’ in the Park – Vashon legends at Ober Park
  
• Time&Again – Colvos Y – by Bruce Haulman
  
• Mia Croonquist returns to world junior rowing championships
  
• Loose dog kills 35 chickens in Paradise Valley
  
• King County forms advisory committee for Maury Marine Park (Glacier)
  
• Burn Design Lab develops efficient stove for use in East Africa – Peter Scott and Paul Means
  
• Island GreenTech helps raise $76,000 to replace digital cameras at Vashon Theatre
  
• Community Solar Project receives OK to start soliciting investors
  
• Greg Gildea takes second at Washington Junior Golf Association tournament
  
• County decides to continue rumble strip project at reduced level after negotiations with bike riders
  
• Vashon Park District party for Vashon Fields – project in serious trouble and debt – critics point out inappropriateness of party
  
• Church of Great Rain considers future – conflict with co-founder Greg Parrot whi seeks to control groups efforts – Jeff Hoyt, Richard Rogers
• Jeanne Dougherty, others take hiatus
  
• Developer Scott Sapiro seeks permits to build 16-room hotel behind Vashon Village
  
• Community Emergency Response Team to use horses in an emergency
  
• Hunting in Island Center Forest planned for 19 days in October
  
• Vashon Park District Director Jan Milligan fired by Board over Vashon Fields issue – board refuses to tell why – Susan McCabe to be interim director
  
• Vashon Park District withholds  maintenance funds from Point Robinson
  
• Keepers of Point Robinson protest inappropriate redirection of funds to Vashon Fields project
  
• Two brass foghorns stolen from Point Robinson Lighthouse
  
• Women’s Alliance to Enhance the Rock (WATER) adopt DOVE Project for funding
  
• Vashon Eagles raise funds for Taylor Bridge Fire victims (near Enumclaw)
  
• Mia Croonquist wins medal at World Rowing Junior Championships
  
• Matt Swope completes Eagle Scout project
  
• State of Washington takes soil samples to redefine ARASCO plume map – arsenic pollution in the soil
  
• Vashon water taxi increases capacity by 20 passengers per trip
  
• County road division lays off 54 employees
  
• Black Bear sighted in Glen Acres area
  
• Antiques Road Show type event at Heritage Museum fundraiser
  
• Movie Magic to close after 14 years
  
• Alan DeSteiguer injured in rollover of his Land Rover in Eastern Washington
  
• John Moore speaks at Telling Stories series sponsored by Vashon Community Care
  
• VAA Auction Commissioned artists –
  
• Ultralight airplane crashes near Vashon airport
  
• Two arrested for burglaries at Beachcomber office – 3 of 4 computers recovered
  
• Jimmy Matsumoto dies – VHS sports champion, interned at Minidoka, farmer and sportsman –

September -

• Seattle Distillery on Vashon producing vodka – Ishan Dillon, David Watermark, and Paco Joyce
  
• Theft of foghorn hits Point Robinson Lighthouse hard
  
• King County to reduce rumble strip project after spirited Vashon objections – pros and cons argued in letters to the editor
  
• Vashon Park District filed to get proper water permits for its Vashon Fields project – another example of VPD Board incompetence
  
• Plum Forest Farm gets organic certification – owners Rob Peterson and Joanne Jewell
  
• Episcopal Church starts vesper services
  
• School board reconsiders green measures in new high school because of costs but decides to keep the features
  
• Sunset Magazine features Vashon as one of the West’s 20 top fantasy towns – second article highlights Farmers market and local cafes
  
• Vashon Opera “Cosi fan tutte” – alternative endings
  
• Vashon Film Society begins First Friday Art Films series
  
• Passport to Pain bicycle event on Vashon History
  
• Sheep Dog Classic – trials on Vashon Maggie McClure
  
• Housing market see uptick
  
• Vashon Care Center seeks to refinance
  
• 30th Annual Isle of Vashon sponsored by VME Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts
  
• Vashon schools immunization policy may exclude student without immunizations
  
• VAA Artist and Lecture Series
  
• Trolls Cottage returns to Vashon for show – original Vashon band
  
• VHS loses to Bellevue Christian 28-20 in football
  
• Beall Greenhouse owners seeking to restore the Island only Historic District – Nancy and Chuck Hooper –
  
• Vashon Park District continues downward spiral – seeks to cut $88,864
  
• Same-Sex Marriage Referendum 74 seeks support on Vashon
  
• Island Landmarks case heads to Superior Court – dispute over board vote – Mukai House and Garden at center of dispute
  
• Ingenuity Tour highlights innovative approaches
  
• Community Cinema begins 2nd year
  
• Island birders concerned about fate of swallows at King County Transfer Station
  
• Vashon Forest Stewards help community and land
  
• Vashon Park District woes continue as concerns are raised by king County about district’s borrowing and financial record keeping
  
• King County seeks to name Center an Historic District – much controversy on the issue from proponents and opposition
  
• State proposes further ferry cuts
  
• King County presents van to 5 Vashon service agencies
  
• King County Executive Dow Constantine seeks funds for 2 new water taxis
  
• Drama Dock presents “ I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change.”
  
• VHS loses to Eatonville 47-7 in football
  
• VHS Cross Country Team hosts dock-to-dock fun run

October -

• King County Landmarks Commission postpones decision on Center Historic District after public meeting on Vashon
  
• District 19 Water proposes new wells for schools
  
• Vashon Park District forced to seek help for financial mismanagement
  
• Nirvana Restaurant changes from Indian to world cuisine
  
• New owners at Vashon IGA Market – Kathy and Shawn Hoffman
  
• PIE Partners in Education celebrate 25 years – has funded over $1 million in grants
  
• Vashonistas fashion show features local designers
  
• New Burton shop opens in Masonic Hall – Bergamont Studios
  
• Vashon Beachcomber wins 21 awards at state publishers ceremony
  
• Vashon garden Club history on exhibit at Heritage Museum – “Passion in the Dirt”
  
• State audits Vashon park District
  
• New ferry Chetzmoka at Tahlequah has numerous issues
  
• Vashon-Maury Island Community Council undergoes major changes as King County redefines its unincorporated representations
  
• State removes arsenic laced soil from Dockton Park
  
• Vashon youth Palmer Burke commits suicide – issue of teen suicide raised
  
• King County suspends rumble strip project and repaves rumble strips between 204th and Cemetery Road
  
• Joe Yarkin wins “Biggest Weed” contest – 13 feet 2 inch weed – Vashon garden Club and Heritage Museum
  
• Vashon’ 4th Chamber Music Series features 4 concerts
  
• VHS loses to Charles Wright 44-20 in football
  
• VHS Volleyball beats Eatonville
  
• Vashon wine harvest – Jim Stewart and Ron Irvine pick 55 bucket of chasselas grapes – enough for 200 bottles –
  
• 30 Puget Sound Corps workers help in restoration of Maury Island Marine Park site – largest restoration project on Islands
  
• VIFR debates allocation of medics on Island for best coverage -
  
• VHS construction manager voices concern over contingency budget
  
• King County purchases 20-acres on Maury in attempt to build a corridor between Maury Island Marine Park and the Glacier site
  
• Mukai hearing delayed until November
  
• Merger of Highline Medical Group and Franciscan Health Care will not affect health care on Vashon
  
• Vashon faith community gathers to support same-sex marriage
  
• 5th Annual CiderFest held on Vashon
  
• Vashon Youth Theater Initiative presents Grease
  
• Burlesque show at Open Space
  
• VHS beats Pemberton, B.C. 48-0 n football
  
• VHS Girls Soccer Team wins – 8 wins 4 losses
  
• Entire Island power outage Oct 15 – out about 1 hour
  
• Ferret Shelter Northwest on Vashon Miriam and Michael FitzPatrick
  
• Chautauqua enrollment p by 15 students while rest of district enrollments down
  
• Vashon sports fields are in disrepair – over used
  
• K.D. Laing raises funds for Vashon Community Care
  
• Sheriffs confiscate 30 marijuana plants from Maury Island home – owners claims permit to grow medical marijuana
  
• Past Park Commissioners Carol Ireland and Truman O’Brien offer to help advise budget process – rejected by board
  
• Vashon Pirate football team hollows out 200 pumpkins for community carving at Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie
  
• Paul Colwell featured – life as a musician, Up With People, word travels
  
• VHS Homecoming Tanner Montesque King Lena DeGuzman Queen
  
• Vashon Island Rowing Club sends 5 boats to prestigious Head of the Charles regatta
  
• VHS loses to Chimacum 47-0 in Homecoming Game
  
• Finding Faith Series – Mormons on Vashon
  
• Ferry System studies using LNG for fuel
  
• Whale exerts predict more orcas in Vashon waters this winter
  
• School District addresses issue of youth suicide
  
• Vashon High School Girls soccer heads to state championship

November -

• Banner year for salmon
  
• King County Landmarks suspends effort of declare Center a Historic District
  
• Judge rules against new Mukai board – rules that board election not properly held – appeal and counter appeal filed
  
• Williams Heating opens pumps to the public
  
• Interim Vashon Parks Director steps down
  
• Kathy Wheaton owner of Kathy’s Corner nursery – letter about nurseries published on front page of Green Profit magazine
  
• VHS loses to South Whidbey 48-14 in football
  
• King County begins fining property owners for not having septic systems tested
  
• Iraq Veterans cross Vashon on walk from Bremerton to Joint Base Lewis-McCord to raise awareness of PTSD  and TBI issues for veterans
  
• Ferry system addresses large numbers of cancelled sailing because of crew issues
  
• Islanders celebrate Referendum 74 same-sex marriage victory
  
• Community Council to restructure itself
  
• Sate and County reach agreement to cleanup Glacier site
  
• “Voices from the Verge” collection of stories and poems of struggle – Julie Goetz Morser and Janine Starr editors
  
• Ground Water Protection Committee issues report “Assessing Our Liquid Assets”
  
• Finding Faith Series – Bethel Church
  
• Body of missing Vashon woman found – India Castel 27 –
  
• Bettie Edwards to close Little House –
  
• King County awards $16,000 in grants to Vashon service groups
  
• 250 Islanders sign letter calling for meeting with Vashon Park District Board over financial irregularities – board refuses to attend
  
• Vashon Community Care reaches goal by raising $356,000
  
• Time&Again – Burton Harbor Mercantile
  
• State Department of natural Resources to organize boats and bouys in Quartermaster Harbor
  
• Michael DeBlasi steps down from Vashon Park Board
  
• Mukai Board to appeal court decision
  
• Shape Up Vashon celebrates first year
  
• New sports shop opens – Lane and Christine Cruver
  
• Op Ed piece on environmental amnesia by Bianca Perla
  
• Mormon Church gets go ahead to develop south end camp
  
• Vashon Island Chorale 80-members hold holiday concert
  
• Artist Studio Tour and Vashon Town Open House take place
  
• Abigail Kim freshman girls soccer player named league MVP
  
• Nine Vashon firefighters complete Firefighter II certification
  
• Dana Schuerholt and Sarah Wright named King County conservation landowners of the year
  
• Trish Milines Dziko honored as cofounder of Technology Access Foundation by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
  
• Obama wins Vashon 77.8% to Romney’s 18.6% -Referendum 74 same-sex marriage wins Vashon by 78.6% Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana wins by 71.8% -

December -

• Kathleen Berry Johnson new head of Vashon Youth and Family Services
  
• Alleged drug house near airport concerns neighbors –stolen goods, death of India Castle, drug activity
  
• Susan Hanson to retire as VHS principal
  
• Vashon Park District near shut down - $57,000 deficit – lack of oversight of Vashon Fields
  
• Vashon Island Fire and Rescue Board passes $5.4 million spending plan
  
• Richard Grant charged with drug trafficking – associated with drug house
  
• Holiday Guide Supplement – activities for holiday season highlighted
  
• Same-sex marriage legal in Washington State
  
• King County reprimands Vashon Park District over cash management practices
  
• Neighbors raise concerns about development od “rustic” camp at former Morningside Farm at south end of Vashon – Mormon Church plans camp – concerns about impact on water quality and contaminated soils
  
• Two-boat schedule at north end creates long ferry lines
  
• New shelter in Island Center Forest
  
• 38 hunters use Island Center Forest during hunting season
  
• Meeting concerning DNR’s plan to manage boats in Quartermaster Harbor
  
• Vashon Duplicate Bridge Club team takes 2nd at west coats tournament – Beth de Groen and Jude Boardman
  
• King tides, storm and high winds create flooding in low lying areas of Island
  
• Homeless camp in Vashon Town raises concerns
  
• Vashon Land Trust and King County purchase 10 acres and 400 feet of Judd Creek – part of restoration project on creek
  
• Vashon HouseHold offers support services to seniors
  
• Solstice celebration at O-Space
  
• Drama Dock presents ”It’s a Wonderful Life”
  
• Are You Ready for Winter insert – preparedness message – Vashon Be Prepared, VIFR, PSE, and Voice of Vashon History
  
• Wings Birdseed Company to close after 2 years
  
• Rainier Haughen awarded Eagle Scout
  
• Terry Donnelly and Mary Liz Austin island photographers featured on front page
  
• State working to cleanup hazardous junk in Quartermaster Harbor – removing old fish pens, floating docks, etc.
  
• Community Council approves new model for operation – 39-0 vote will streamline procedures –
  
• Dr. Kim Farrell to leave practice at Vashon Clinic
  
• John Hopkins selected as Vashon Park Board replacement for Michael DeBlasi

back to top

2013

January -

• Vashon Park District consider user fees to raise $45,00 to cover shortfall in budget because of failed Vashon Fields project
  
• Solar project lags
  
• Finding Faith Series – Methodists
  
• Vashon Library and Vashon Youth and Family Services propose parents read one book – “Getting to Calm”
  
• Sea Star Wasting disease indicator of Sound’s health
  
• Vashon Island String Quartet debuts –
  
• “Amahl and the Night Visitor” performed by Island Chorale
  
• Library plans move to IGA Plaza during remodel
  
• Quartermaster Yacht Club to replace docks
  
• State auditor questions cost of Chezmoka, Tahlequah ferry
  
• Park District considers privatizing kayak center
  
• Last 4.5 acre parcel of open land in Vashon Town sold to owners of Thriftway – parcel behind Vashon IGA Plaza
  
• Katie Hinde 1997 VHS graduate now Harvard professor talks about her career in science
  
• Hart Heffelfinger debuts new line of sports clothing
  
• Dr Maki’s dentistry practice sold to Dr. Marc Langland
  
• Annual KVI Beach polar bear swim
  
• Time&Again Series – Vashon Boats by Bruce Haulman
  
• State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation questions Island Landmarks personal use of Mukai House and Garden
  
• New Vashon High School construction begins
  
• VAA gets County approval to build into wet lands area
  
• Vashon Park District passes much leaner agency budget
  
• Sally Fox presents one-woman show on dementia – “Please Help Me Remember”
  
• Vashon to hold Inaugural Ball at The Open Space
  
• Islanders voice concerns over drug house when Sheriff Urquhart visits
  
• Raising sea levels could change life on Vashon
  
• Tollbooth closure at Fauntleroy will cause long ferry lines – up to 4-moth project
  
• Voice of Vashon broadcasts Vashon High Schools sports
  
• Vashon Park District selects new director – Elaine Ott
  
• Island Landmarks board member Mary Matthews files suit claiming she has been defamed in controversy of Mukai House and Garden
  
• Vashon wrestlers take first in Nisqually League
  
• McMurray Middle School soccer takes first place in league
  
• Lacrosse team starts season with new coach Daniel Macca

February -

• Ryan Krug killed in one-car accident – avoiding deer
  
• Burn Manufacturing stove company get $4 million in loans to finance building stoves for developing countries
  
• Hate attack on Vashon woman at Point Defiance ferry dock
  
• Park District faces loss of funds if financial irregularities continue
  
• Sheffield Building changes hands from Vashon College to Tom and Melissa Bangasser
  
• Cynthia Golfus develops playing music for terminally ill patients
  
• Vashon group joins “Break the Chain” world dance movement on Valentines Day
  
• Vashon Home Care Network – resource to borrow items for illness or convalescence
  
• Sixth annual Spell It spelling be to raise funds for Vashon Community Scholarship Fund
  
• Painter Pam Ingalls and musician Daryl Redeker perform Brush Notes II at Open Space
  
• VHS Basketball team misses league tournament by one loss
  
• Vashon library opens in temporary location in IGA Plaza
  
• School officials explain new summer school program
  
• Medic One under threat by Kirkland City pulling support
  
• Jake Jacobovitch replaced as Cemetery Board member because of schedule conflicts – Jay Hanson replacement
  
• Dr. Laurel Kuehl leaves Health Center – second female doctor to leave
  
• Lutheran Church receives $5,000 grant to upgrade to commercial kitchen
  
• Island man Gregorie Garcia convicted of possessing child porn
  
• Washington State Auditors Office report Vashon Park District failed to curb expenses when revenue fell, borrowed money, and did not comply with state laws governing construction projects
  
• Finding Faith Series – Lutherans
  
• 150 Islanders dance to ”Break the Chain”
  
• Vashon girls support MCI Maasai Children’s Initiative
  
• New pizza restaurant to open in ex-Movie Magic building
  
• Vashon Film Society’s annual Oscar Bash
  
• Two Vashon wrestlers Preston Morris and Shane Armstrong take medals at state meet
  
• Body of elderly woman found to Reddings Beach – Martha Scharpf 90-years old walked into water at Tacoma left suicide note
  
• Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) honored by AM for work supporting health care
  
• King County revels plans for developing former Glacier site –
  
• Posthumous exhibit honors Mia McEldowney’s work
  
• Vashon Fields project will need user fees to complete project
  
• Monte Stiles, drug prosecutor talks at McMurray Middle School conference
  
• McMurray sixth-graders finish fourth at Math is Cool competition
  
• Johanna Guevin hired as new farmers market manager
  
• Island Lumber applies for license to sell alcohol

March -

• Maury Island Marine Park cleared of Scotch Broom, native trees being planted by Puget Sound Corps
  
• Fuller Store nominated for Landmarks status by owners Roy McMakin and Mike Jacobs
  
• Scallop farming firm buys ferry Rhododendron
  
• Deelen Rodenberg coordinates county Wraparound Services on Vashon History
  
• Washington State Ferries seek to repair list on ferry Chezmoka
  
• Vashon American Legion Post 159 recognizes Sandi Mattara for community service
  
• Island author Kathy Flynn reads from new book “Letters From the Pacific”
  
• Coaching brothers Anders and Per-Lars Blomgren energize Pirate wrestlers
  
• Oil globs from Tacoma oil spill land on Maury Island
  
• State analysis of arsenic contaminated soil not a widespread as thought on Maury Island – new plume map developed and printed
  
• Kathy’s Corner nursery hit by huge theft of plants
  
• La Boucherie to close to walk in diners
  
• Beachcomber editor Leslie Brown leaves to take communications position with King County Office of Public Defense
  
• Veterinarians Don Wolczko and Nell Coffman sell Faire Isle Clinic to Dana Ness who has worked at the clinic since 2003
  
• Chamber Director Jim Marsh developing plans for Strawberry Festival
  
• VHS musical “In the Heights” offered
  
• Vashon rowers prepare for season – junior vs. master rower races
  
• IGA first grocery store to sell liquor on Island
  
• Real estate analysis sees Vashon Park District rental properties are under-occupied
  
• Man arrested for meth possession assaults medics
  
• Walk-in life style on Island covered in article
  
• DoVE Project to be headed by Elizabeth Archambault
  
• New class schedules proposed for VHS
  
• Vashon Park District forms citizens committee to review Vashon Fields Project
  
• School District tries to implement new state mandate to evaluate teachers
  
• Schools Foundation seeks to raise $500,000 to support schools
  
• Will McDonald’s Eagle Scout project materials disappear
  
• Woman airlifted to Harborview Hospital after single-car accident at north end
  
• Home and Garden Supplement to Beachcomber
  
• Dance program “True Reverse” at Hanna Barn
  
• VHS Pirate kick off track season
  
• Vashon rowers compete on Green Lake
  
• Governor Booth Gardner, island resident dies
  
• Shellfish affected by chemical changes in water as waters warm
  
• Island Landmarks Board member drops suit against Islanders who formed Friends of Mukai to contest ownership and lack of care at the site
  
• Recycling event to raise funds for kids dental van
  
• Greg Plancich and Dan Hardwick honored by U.S. Coast Guard with Good Samaritan Award for sea rescue off the coast of Alaska
  
• Susan McCabe tapped to help Voice of Vashon develop community ties
  
• Michael Soltzman School Superintendent joins board of K2 Commons
  
• Harbor School auction to raise funds
  
• Geoff John, island percussionist dies at age 54
  
• VHS track third in league
• Junior rowers win at Eagle Harbor Tri-Island Regatta

April -

• State Department of Natural Resources finalizes plan to bring order to Quartermaster Harbor buoys
  
• Danny Rock selected to be new Vashon High School principal
  
• Latino group comes together to support youngsters
  
• VHS to end trimester system and adopt new schedule
  
• Farmers Market opens this week
  
• Local gallery SAW closes
  
• Sportsman’s Club donates to Island Grapples in honor of Lt. Robert Bennedsen
  
• Island soprano Holly Boaz sings with Chamber Orchestra
  
• Island musicians gather to honor Bob Woodman of The Garage Boys
  
• VHS coach Clay Eastly to step down
  
• Shortfall in Metro budget puts island bus routes at risk
  
• Natalie Johnson to be new Beachcomber editor
  
• Zuzu’s Ice Cream Parlor begins third year behind Roasterie
  
• VIPP struggles to find homes for dogs
  
• Little House to go on market, Bettie Edwards to retire
  
• VHS Debate team takes third at state tournament
  
• Vashon Island Chorale to sing music of kings
  
• “The Egg and I” classic film at Island Theatre
  
• Island musician Jacob Bain of Trolls Cottage featured
  
• Islanders question sale of Health Center to Franciscan Health Care – concerns about Roman Catholic ownership of Franciscan affecting health care options
  
• Preserve Our Islands seeks new path to help Puget Sound after Glacier victory
  
• State legislature proposes ferry service cuts
  
• Welcome Vashon Interview Series – Paul Colwell musician featured
  
• Low interest loans available to islanders in the marine Recovery Zone to bring septic systems to standards
  
• Drama Dock offers “Black Comedy”
  
• Islands kids offer “Romeo ad Juliet”
  
• Island rowers take medals at Eugene rowing competition
  
• Wendell Tangborn, island climate scientist working on monitoring earths glaciers as indicators of climate change
  
• Agreement within county allows VIFR to ensure EMS service
  
• Carol Ahlfors owner of Blooms & Things to expand store and offer florist classes
  
• VAA Center for Dance presents Romeo and Juliet
  
• Comedy collective Plan V to fill void by demise of Church of the Great Rain

May -

• Paco Rollins and Sea Change Tattoo Parlour featured
  
• Islander express concerns over Franciscan taking over Vashon Health Center – concerns about Roman Catholic religion affecting health care choices
  
• Vashon Library custodian charged with sexual assault
  
• Mukai House to be open by Island Landmarks – one of the groups involved in a law suite over ownership
  
• Vashon Fields Project faces tight deadline to get funding – continued trouble with the project
  
• VAA Youth Musical Theater presents “The Music Man”
  
• The Loafers, a Vashon knitting group, holds sale to aid Senior Center kitchen fund
  
• Track team accumulates wins
  
• VHS baseball have even record
  
• Junior crew wins at Canadian regatta – Gus Magnuson wins men’s open singles
  
• Spurt of thefts at Vashon business raise concerns – 4 businesses plus VAA broken into
  
• Mukai House and Garden open – dispute continues
  
• Vashon Youth and Family Services and Vashon School District hold gathering “Gathering as a Community to Heal from Tragedy” in response to recent deaths and suicides
  
• Recent incidents of possible child abductions concern parents
  
• Burton Watersports Center set to open (former kayak rentals)
  
• Linda Mapes speaks on her new book “Elwha: A River Reborn”
  
• The New Old Time Chautauqua to perform
  
• VHS Baseball team advances to state tournament
  
• VHS Track team to go to Tri-District tournament
  
• Vashon Park District files for water permit to irrigate Vashon Fields
  
• Schools Foundation extends deadline to raise funds to offset budget cuts
  
• Vashon Parks changes policies about employment and compensation, will force two caretakers to lose jobs
  
• An Artful Life Series – feature Janice Randall
  
• Craft3 responsible for cleanup of Vashon Marine Area to handle loans for septic system upgrades
  
• Second Annual BioBlitz by Vashon Nature Center to study Fern Cove
  
• Vashon Pool to open
  
• Chicken Plunge swim in QM Harbor raises funds for Senior Center
  
• VHS Baseball at state tournament
  
• VHS track team dominates Tri-District tournament
  
• Junior rowers send record number to national competition
  
• Memorial Day remembrance at Vashon Cemetery
  
• Film focuses on Vashon vaccination debate
  
• This Place Matters: Stand Up for Mukai event to highlight “Most Endangered” naming by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
  
• Vashon HealthWatch to hold more meetings about Franciscan purchase of Vashon Health Center
  
• Pam Haulman, Chautauqua kindergarten teacher to retire –
  
• DoVE Project see increased demand for services
  
• Vashon Community Care Telling Stories series features four “grandmothers”
  
• “Crimes of the Heart” final VHS play in current VHS theater before it is demolished for construction of the new high school
  
• VHS track team wins at state tournament
  
• Kelvin Goliday new VHS football coach

June -

• No ferry cuts in schedules, but fare increases expected
  
• VAA moves ahead with Performing Arts Center plan despite protests
  
• Burton substation hours cut by Post Office
  
• Three young Islanders visit Thai orphanage where one was adopted from
  
• Vashon-Maury Health Collaborative seeks to identify needs and issues on the Island – Tag Gornal chair
  
• Karen Dale published book “Garden On Vashon!”
  
• “Yet Another Night on Broadway” musical collage presented
  
• Gerals LaSalle publishes historical novel “Widow Walk”
  
• Youth rowers place three boats in top 10 at nationals
  
• Kenneth Richard files racial discrimination grievance with King County Sheriff’s office – works on Island for Seattle deliver company
  
• Grand Marshals for Strawberry Festival – Bettie Edwards and Susan Hanson
  
• 2013 VHS Graduates featured in Beachcomber supplement
  
• VHS Graduation – Marie Osborne Valedictorian
  
• Man behind suspected drug house goes free –
  
• VIPP handles record number of cats – suspends intakes until adoptions take place
  
• Bob’s Bakery goes up for sale
  
• 23rd Annual VAA Garden Tour
  
• Summer concerts at Ober Park begin
  
• Annual Low Tide Celebration at Point Robinson Lighthouse
  
• New Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Marsh
  
• VHS Athletic Awards
  
• McMurray Middle School sweeps Holocaust and Human Rights Center state wide contest
  
• Islander  coalition considers buying Misty Isle
  
• Sheriff’s Office investigates string of residential burglaries on Vashon
  
• Joy’s Village Cleaners to close after 25 years
  
• Old Vashon Pictures and Stories Facebook site celebrates Vashon’s past
  
• 23rd annual Junior Sailing Program offered by QYC and VPD
  
• Vashon Bridge Club supports Longest Day Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association
  
• Island women songwriters/singers perform
  
• Vashon Quilt Guild hold quilt show
  
• Vashon Seals Swim Team recognized as a Level One team
  
• Vashon Wrestlers compete at USA Wrestling regional meet – Adrian St. Germain and Hunter Burger win matches

July -

• Vashon Fields Project makes progress, still over costs, still criticized for mismanagement
  
• Sheriff will not stop annual hydroplane race despite noise complaints
  
• King County Landmarks Commission grants 6 months for Mukai fence to remain
  
• Land Trust secures additional 3 acres in Paradise Valley along Judd Creek
  
• Vashon Woodworking Cooperative receives gift of cabinetry tools – hopes to open a Woodworking Center
  
• Annual 4th of July Fireworks held at QM Harbor
  
• State removes floating docks and pens from QM Harbor near Dockton
  
• Two VHS debaters go to Nationals – Callen Foster and Lili Stenn
  
• VAA receives $2 million in state funds for Performing Arts Center – State Senator Sharon Nelson aided effort
  
• Film on UFO Maury island Incident shooting off Maury Island
  
• Ferry fares to increase 5%
  
• 4th of July fire damages garage and home – caused by floating paper lantern
  
• Classic Yachts visit QM Harbor and QYC
  
• Documentary on Vashon coffin maker Marcus Daly in Smithsonian documentary contest
  
• Drama Dock offers “Into the Woods”
  
• Evan Mattingly wins annual 4th of July hydroplane race
  
• Strawberry Festival Supplement in Beachcomber
  
• QM Harbor boat owners on unregistered buoys cited by state and face fines
  
• Cornerstone Dairy certified – owners Natalie Sheard and Bethany Dilworth
  
• Vashon Events start web site to advertise Vashon events – Alison Shirk and Pete Welch – produce weekly list of events
  
• Dry Cleaning Express opens to fill vacuum left by Joy’s Cleaners closing
  
• Granny’s grants DoVE $20,000 and $35,000 to Vashon Community Care
  
• Time&Again – Island Festivals by Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly
  
• Adrian St. Germain among top junior wrestlers in the nation
  
• Feature film “Clutch” filmed on Vashon many locals involved including Todd Gateman and Paul Engles – shown at Vashon Theatre
  
• VARSA and VYFS squabble continues – head of VARSA steps down
  
• Toxic algae bloom in QM harbor kills fish
  
• Dr. Sara Low joins Eyeland Care Center
  
• Second Island Credit Union to open – Our Community Credit Union based in Shelton
  
• WSFS Captain David Wilson makes final sailing aboard Issaquah – end 40-year career on the water
  
• Hastings Cone Gallery opens in Snapdragon Restaurant – Ignition gallery closes after dispute
  
• Squatters in former Family Practice office on Main Street
  
• Former Islander Katiana Taylor drowns near Shelton
  
• Some beaches closed to shellfish harvesting because of DPS
  
• Backbone Campaign sponsors 5th annual “ Localize This, Action Camp”
  
• Seattle Shakespeare Company presents “The tempest” in Ober Park
  
• Rent-a Ruminant goat landscaping signs Wolftown as affiliate
  
• Rebecca Wittman opens “The President of Me” clothing line out of Fuller Store at Center

August -

• Fire Union votes no confidence in assistant chief George Brown
  
• Public meeting with King County officials about marijuana law implementation and permitting
  
• Tramp Harbor Fishing Pier will need rebuilding to meet codes
  
• Voice of Vashon seeks islands first FM radio station
  
• Frank Jackson and Groundwater Committee gets King County to change use of herbicides at Maury Marine Park
  
• Nine Boy Scouts and five parents complete 50 mile West Coast Trail hike on Vancouver Island
  
• HUB070 shared office space opens in Vashon Town
  
• Ian Crozier shares Peace Corps experience in Paraguay
  
• VHS Chase Wickman and Shane Armstrong compete at Junior and Cadet National Wrestling Championship
  
• Junior and Senior rowers compete on Green Lake
  
• Finding Faith Series features Zen Center
  
• Largest run of Pink salmon in years – 6 million project to enter Puget Sound
  
• Vashon Community Care waterless garden developed by Julia Lakey
  
• Vashon Saturday Market manager leaves mid-season – replaced by Jordan Beck
  
• Franciscan Health Care forms Patient Family Advisory Committee
  
• Vashon Chamber Music Festival begins first season
  
• Vashon Island Child supplement in Beachcomber
  
• King County permitting agencies prepare rules for marijuana growing, processing and sales
  
• County, schools and VYFS respond to spike in youth suicides
  
• K2 plant sale possible – no details known
  
• School District passes no-cuts budget
  
• Wolftown shrinks animal rescue program
  
• King County updates Vashon flood map
  
• Episcopal Church celebrates 100 years with outdoor performance of “Waves Across Vashon” written by Islander Tom Amarose, music by Paul
• Swenson, and danced by Elizabeth Shaw
  
• Vashon Film Society Outdoor Cinema presents Mary Poppins
  
• Masters rowers Steve Hayworth and Jim O’Brien win gold at World Masters Games in Italy
  
• School bus driver labor dispute threatens strike and disrupt student transportation
  
• VYFS revamps metal health and addiction care services
  
• Benjamin Munday arrested for proposition young girls
  
• Farmers Market and Senior Center win king County Community Service Areas Grants
  
• Marshall Strawberry important part of Vashon’s past – by Cindy Stockett
  
• Sheepdog Classic
  
• Barbara Gustafson publishes “ Vashon ABCs: An Exploration of Shore Life.”
  
• Vashon Representative Sharon Nelson named female elected official of the year by Washington State Democrats

September -

• Flash Opera at Vashon Saturday Market by Vashon Opera
  
• Vashon Park District owes thousands n back taxes after state audit
  
• Bicycle in the Tree House, B&B opens at Center –
  
• School Bus company negotiates with drivers
  
• Sheriff returns stolen property
  
• Vashon Island Youth Chorus forms
  
• Vashon “Road Show” fundraiser at Heritage Museum
  
• Chilly Hilly bicycle race comes to Vashon
  
• Contract raises teacher’s salaries
  
• Vashon Timebank begins where Islanders can swap services
  
• Isle of Vashon sponsored by Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts
  
• Vashon Opera offers Die Fledermaus
  
• New Vashon foot ferries delayed as County seeks new bids
  
• Vashon Nature Center publishes “Vashon-Maury Island Field Guide”
  
• Fire Department building 9-11 memorial
  
• VHS new principal Danny Rock interviewed by Welcome Vashon
  
• VHS wins opening football game under new head coach
  
• Island burglary suspect arrested in Seattle
  
• Sculptor David Erue featured in article
  
• King County and Vashon Land Trust work to restore salmon in Judd Creek
  
• School bus drivers vote to strike
  
• Bank of America closes on Vashon History
  
• Island Center Forest celebrates at new “Forest Cathedral Shelter”
  
• VAA annual auction has Camelot theme
  
• Don Wolczko develops solar array to produce energy for home
  
• Ingenuity and Solar Tour
  
• VHS Cross Country season begins
  
• Vashon gets new ferry – schedules changes – some concerned about loss of service
  
• Island group to help with Health care Reform Law
  
• School Bus drivers reach settlement – no strike
  
• Court rules for Vashon Parks in dispute with the Rosser family
  
• Investigation clears assistant fire chief in dispute
  
• Harbor School strengthens art program with donations
  
• New management revamps Country Store

October -

• Vashon Island Marijuana Entrepreneurs Alliance formed – Shango Los
  
• Granny’s Attic awards $40,000 in grants to 7 health-related programs
  
• Two recent suicides on Island raises concerns – ne young one older
  
• VIFR chief addresses concerns raised by o confidence vote in assistant chief
  
• Vashon Island Rotary provides illustrated dictionaries to all 3rd graders
  
• Erin Kenny published book “Forest Kindergarten: The Cedarsong Way.”
  
• “Sunday Social Hour with the Rev” attempts to fill gap by demise of Church of the Great Rain
  
• Girls place first at league cross-country meet
  
• Eatonville defeats Pirates 41-20 in football
  
• VHS honors Jason Chorak 1993 graduate who was inducted into the UW Huskie Ring of Honor
  
• State begins arsenic cleanup – offers to test hundreds of Vashon-Maury properties
  
• VAA launches $2.5 million fundraiser for new performing arts center
  
• Program to help seniors stay in their homes to begin
  
• Bomb scare halts south end ferry service
  
• King County Agriculture Commission to meet on Vashon to hear from Vashon farmers
  
• Vashon Community Care Telling Stories Series – Gene Sherman, Bill Garvin and Tom Lorentzen
  
• Sixth annual Ciderfest
  
• Voice of Vashon workshop for anyone wanting to start their own radio program
  
• Island Musicians Eyvind Kang and Jessika Kenney awarded Stranger Magazine Genius Award
  
• Zoomba craze hits Island Dance Academy
  
• VHS Pirates lose to Port Townsend in football – former VHS and UW Huskie Jason Chorak honored
  
• Pirate girls soccer in 3rd place in league
  
• Time&Again – Vashon College by Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly
  
• VHS Homecoming – Maddie Groen queen and Lance Warneke king
  
• Vashon plowing during winter storms have not backup now
  
• WSFS adding 40 crew to prevent cancellations for crew shortages – Sept 7 31 one-way trips were cancelled on the three Vashon routes
  
• Initiative 522 seeks to limit genetically modified foods – Island group supports initiative
  
• Zoombie’s owners hope donations will help them say open
  
• Drama Dock resents “Cats”
  
• Vashon Hysterical Society seeks to fill gap left by collapse of Church of the Great Rain
  
• VHS loses Homecoming game to Charles Wright 42-21
  
• Men rowers take gold at American Lake regatta
  
• Medic One levy vote will affect island service
  
• Island filmmaker Jessica Satori featured
  
• Various agencies file in support of Friends of Mukai suit
  
• WSFS holds open house to take comments on service changes
  
• Bookman West rare book dealers open at Center
  
• Burton Adventure Recreation Center (BARC) to end supervised skating because of VPD cuts –opens free skating
  
• Islander Arlyn Nelson Teed celebrates 100 years
  
• Friends of Mukai program – Storytelling – Remembering Mukais – Marie Blichfeldt, Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, and Bernice Foltz
  
• Bettie Edwards delays retirement to keep Little House open for Christmas
  
• Vashon Women in Business – supplement to Beachcomber features women business owners and employees
  
• VHS loses to Darrington 35-15 in football
  
• Friends of Mukai stop surprise sale of property
  
• State raises sunken hull of 60 abandoned boat from Dockton waters –
  
• Vashon Fields see first soccer players using field –many still critical of management of the project
  
• Burton Community Church and Vashon Lutheran Church both lose pastors
  
• Susan Hanson named Nisqually league Principal of the Year
  
• Leo Kottke returns for Vashon concert
  
• Karen Dale published “Garden On Vashon!” collection of her Vashon garden blogs
  
• Rowers do well at Canadian regatta
  
• Chimacum defeats Vashon 33-21 in football

November -

• Wind storm hits Island – 1,000 lose power – Vashon Highway blocked by downed tree – Report on Vashon Fields Project finds fault with VPD’s management – did not follow state law, did not do contracts appropriately, allowed $1.1 million project to balloon to over $2 million  - Janet Quimby complied report
  
• State of Washington joins effort to stop Mukai sale
  
• Vashon Social Service Network holds Empty Bowls fundraiser
  
• Island Nature Center sponsors Welcome Salmon Back to Vashon Creeks
  
• VHS Soccer ends winning season
  
• Helen Meeker nominated as Washington State Master Gardener
  
• Sun Island farm goes off the grid with solar array – Joe Yarkin owner
  
• King County to move Service Center to Vashon Town
  
• American Hero Quilt Project honors veterans on Veteran’s Day
  
• Time&Again Vashon Veterans By Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly
  
• Four Islander run at state track meet – Graham Peet wins 1A title
  
• VHS loses to Friday Harbor 54-14 in football last game
  
• McMurray students participate in Shingle Mill Creek study with Vashon Nature Center and Groundwater Protection Committee
  
• Incident of childhood trauma high on Vashon History
  
• Island Hiku Cub – Highway Hiku – Kaj Winn Berry and Hita von Mende
  
• Election Results – Branch, Ostrom and Harvey elected to park Board –
  
• Julie Goetz Morser new arts editor for Beachcomber
  
• Sandy Mattara Burton Store owner featured in interview
  
• Vashon Ferry Advocates full page adv “Fix Fauntleroy First”
  
• Four Vashon Rowing Club Juniors receive rowing scholarships
  
• Olde John Croan honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Washington State VFW
  
• Puget Sound Orcas declining
  
• Sudanese refugee on island Peter Dut
  
• Franciscan Health care moving ahead operating Vashon Health Clinic
  
• Appeals Court hearing halts sale of Mukai property until ruling is made
  
• Sharon Nelson elected leader of State Legislature Democratic caucus
  
• McMurray Middle School food drive exceeds goal
  
• Israel Shotridge awarded prestigious Native Arts and Culture Foundation fellowship
  
• Chautauqua Elementary Turkey Trot honors Ryan Krug who was killed in a car crash
  
• Time&Again – Studio Tour history by Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly

December -

• Company applies to grow pot at K2 – Def Clown West
  
• Singer Barn burns – Singer Farm – George Singer –
  
• Ed Swan publishes 2nd edition of “Birds of Vashon”
  
• QYC docks begin replacement
  
• VYFS loses county funding for VIVA housing program
  
• Vashon Park to vote on new budget
  
• Documentary “The Anonymous People” focuses on people in drug and alcohol recovery – Pauline Richardson organizes program at Vashon Theatre
  
• Winterfest to include tree lighting
  
• 14th annual Nutcracker led by Christine Juarez for VAA Center for Dance
  
• Winter freeze – Fisher Pond frozen for skaters
  
• VARSA and VYFS in conflict over teen drug abuse strategies
  
• King County Housing Authority purchases Vashon Terrace for low income housing
  
• New owner tries to clean up illegal activities at Mom’s convenience store
  
• Ferry system to review practices at Fauntleroy Dock
  
• Ferry stops for pod of about 20 orcas
  
• Jim and Elain Scott sell 20 acres at mouth of Judd Creek to Vashon Land Trust – part of Judd Creek restoration project
  
• VashonBePrepared and Chamber of Commerce work to prepare for large scale earthquake or natural disaster
  
• Seattle man charged with Island thefts
  
• Rotary gives $5,000 to Interfaith Council on Homeless
  
• Vashon students take honors at state math contest
  
• Winterfest Gingerbread contest won by Island Lumber
  
• Vashon Winter Ready Handbook supplement in Beachcomber
  
• Second company interested in K2 site for marijuana growing and production – Bakkos Holding
  
• Bob’s baker sells to new owners
  
• King County Ferry District has new head A.J. McClure
  
• Joe Fitzgibbon – Vashon rep in state house to head House Environmental Committee
  
• Joe McDermott to be vice-chair of King County Council
  
• Stephen Silha directs film “Big Joy” on poet James Broughton
  
• “50 Sense Circus” veteran women performers fund raiser for island non-profits
  
• Snow delays school – covers island
  
• Sea Star Wasting Syndrome affection Island starfish

back to top

2014

January -

• Vashon Nature Center Salmon Watchers Program keeps track of Island streams
  
• Friday Dec 20 last day at old VHS – new building to open in January
  
• Water District 13 changes policy on water shares – allows new hotel to begin construction in the spring
  
• Self defense classes
  
• King County Ferry District selects builder for two new passenger ferries to replace two 25-year old leased ferries
  
• New Vashon High School unveiled
  
• Mukai case sent back to district court by appeals court
  
• Camp Goodtimes seeks support o keep running after Cancer Society withdraws funding
  
• Court ruling closes Vashon Park District – Rosser family case
  
• Icy roads cause rollover auto accident
  
• Nirvana Restaurant closes
  
• Bob’s Bakery has new owners
  
• Our Community Credit Union (OCCU) opens in closed Bank of American building
  
• King County orders VARSA and VYFS to communicate and collaborate
  
• Friends of Mukai sponsors talk on Japanese Gardens
  
• Judd Creek Bridge “Time and Again” by Bruce Haulman
  
• Northwest School of Animal Massage relocated to Vashon in 2011 – runs successful classes –
  
• DOVE Project begins group for male survivors of domestic violence
  
• Vashon robotics teams head to state competition
  
• Flu cases on the rise – recommend flu shots
  
• State audit recommends changes to Vashon Park District debt
  
• Michael Spakowski, Island artists dies
  
• Water District 19 changes share policy
  
• Kurt Timmermeister publishes new book Growing a Feast
  
• More than a dozen pot permits submitted for Vashon

February -

• State proposed minor changes to ferry schedule after more drastic proposal – improvements at docks
  
• 200 Islanders attend meeting about K2 marijuana plant proposal – community mixed responses to Bakkhos Holding Co. proposal for marijuana foods
  
• Affordable Care Act being implemented on Vashon – citizens group helps sign ups –
  
• Seattle Distilling Company needs permit to comply with Vashon Town Plan
  
• Voice of Vashon gets low power FM radio station for Vashon
  
• Kevin Bergin opens medical marijuana shop Island Cure Collective in Vashon Town
  
• Many letters to the editor about marijuana plant at K2 – some oppose – drug issues, appropriateness, rushed permit process are issues - some approve – more jobs, island appropriate, agriculture
  
• EdiPure ad to community- Bakkhos Holding Co. explaining marijuana plant
  
• Arts and Humanities lecture on Isamu Nouchi
  
• Ed Swan published new edition of Birds of Vashon
  
• Charles Johnson talk on “The Power of Story”
  
• Oscar night at Vashon Theatre
  
• Vashon wrestlers a\take 7th in state –Chase Wickman, Shane Armstrong, Preston Morris, and Louis Jovanovich take medals
  
• VHS Basketball team to regional finals
  
• Bakkhos moves ahead with K2 purchase plans and marijuana plant –
  
• Will North releases new novel “”Season’s End” set in Burton
  
• Voters approve school levy by 72% margin –renews current levies
  
• School district receives sexual health education grant from Center for Disease Control
  
• Tim Wolbreccht interim pastor at Lutheran Church
  
• Remembrance Day article about Japanese Internment by Bruce Haulman
  
• Many letters to editor about K2 plant marijuana plant
  
• Open Letter to Community – slow down town plan changes to rezone K2 plant for marijuana plant
  
• VHS basketball team ties for league championship
  
• Vashon wrestles a\take 2nd at regionals
  
• Weddings on Vashon Supplement to Beachcomber
  
• King County proposes change to Vashon Town Plan to allow marijuana plant at K2 facility
  
• King County purchases 67-acres at Shinglemill Creek
  
• 3-car accident on Vashon Highway sends 4 to hospitals
  
• Island Food Bank to move gardens to Vashon Town
  
• Andy Sears notches 210th win in 13 seasons at VHS
  
• Vashon Island Soccer Club Girls U13 win District One Select championship
  
• Sea Star Wasting Syndrome baffles experts – affects PNW sea stars
  
• Median sales price of homes on Vashon jumps 18% in 2013
  
• Vashon cheers Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win
  
• Ferry System cancels Monday runs because of “crew issues”
  
• Islanders join protest over Keystone Pipeline project
  
• Spelling Bee for scholarship funds
  
• VALISE Gallery celebrates 5 years
  
• VHS drama inaugurates new theater with Ovid’s “Metamorphosis”
  
• Lacrosse club expands girls schedule

March -

• Burn Manufacturing Co. opens new stove plant in Kenya – Peter Scott – efficient cook stove
  
• Marijuana company may back out of using K2 plant to manufacture marijuana based candy
  
• King County opens new Vashon Rural Services Center on Bank Road – will house sheriff’s office, district court, administrative offices
  
• State sampling of arsenic in yards – invites 400 to be tested
  
• Vashon Youth and Family Services closed addiction treatment program
  
• Harbor School auction –
  
• Vashon Island Choral to perform Mozart ay Seattle’s Benaroya Hall Finisterra Trio performs at Blue Heron
  
• Vashon Guide Dogs for the Blind leave for WSU training after 14 months
  
• VHS baseball and fast pitch softball teams begin seasons
  
• Vashon Rowing Club hosts junior rowing Saltwater Scrimmage
  
• Camp Sealth hosts Washington Association of Future Firefighters drills
  
• Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) reassesses efforts in on-going dispute with Vashon Youth and Family Services
  
• Larry Niece reflects on 40 years in septic pumping business on Vashon
  
• Heavy rains cause mud slide on Dockton Road at Ellisport
  
• Vashon Community Care Foundation formed to support VCC
  
• K2 Sports and Jarden Co, (owns facility) will address pollution issues at abandoned plant – Department of Ecology and No Further Action (NFA) process not started
  
• Editorial – about debate over pot on Vashon
  
• Opinion – Stephen Bogan – confusion over pot creates increased risk
  
• Letters – pro and con about Edipure using K2 plant to manufacture marijuana foods
  
• Drama Dock – “Born Yesterday”
  
• Salish Sea Early Music Festival features premier
  
• Islander Ann Rindge semi-finalist at America Quilters Society
  
• Adrian St. Germain, McMurray Middle School student takes first place at state wrestling tournament
  
• Quartermaster yacht Club christens new docks
  
• U.S. Mail missing on Vashon
  
• 2,000 Vashon homes eligible for low interest loans to improve septic systems
  
• Heritage Association hopes to buy historic Parsonage next to Museum
  
• King County Community Service Area grants got to Voice of Vashon, Vashon Allied Arts and Sustainable Vashon
  
• Washington State Patrol cadet will direct traffic at Fauntleroy ferry dock during summer
  
• Water taxi dock to get cover
  
• Paul Colwell to join Vashon Island Youth Chorus for concert
  
• Vashon rowers perform well at Green Lake regatta
  
• VHS Lacrosse tem wins opener
  
• King County study confirms low oxygen levels in Quartermaster Harbor
  
• 27 application for pot licenses on Vashon – not all are being pursued
  
• Vashon Youth and Family Services sees jump in numbers seeking services
  
• King County to vote on transportation initiative
  
• Water taxi fares to increase
  
• Rezoning proposal for K2 sent to King County Council
  
• Editorial – County pot regulation look bad for small business
  
• Bill Wood- Vashon Care Center Telling Stories Series
  
• Vashon loses basketball regional championship to Okanogan HS – ends Pirates 20-5 winning record

April -

• Remodeled Library opens Saturday March 29 - $6 million expansion from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet –
  
• Granny’s Attic to move to Vashon Market IGA shopping center from Sunrise Ridge
  
• Farmer’s Market to open April 5 – new Director Caleb Johns
  
• Island business collaborate to bring weddings and events to Vashon – new web site vashonweddingsandevents.com
  
• Lt. Robert Bennedsen honored as ashes are interred at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in North Kona – also ceremony on Vashon
  
• Editorial praises new Library
  
• State senator Sharon Nelson opinion piece – Progress Blocked by a divided Legislature
  
• ¾ page ad opposing K2 as site for marijuana production facility – opposed to Bakkhos Holding Co. proposal to use site to manufacture candy
  
• All Island Forum begins series Telling Stories: Making Visible the Invisible
  
• Maury Island Incident fill to be previewed at Vashon Theatre Tuesday April 8 – filmmakers Scott Schafer and Steve Edmiston to talk
  
• Vashon Allied Arts Center for Dance presents Original Works with 30 young dancers
  
• Vashon Valkyries begin 3 game home series
  
• Track season opens for VHS
  
• Time&Again – 1950s plane crash off Point Robinson was fatal – by Bruce Haulman
  
• VHS Debate team takes top honors at state meet
  
• Affordable housing hard to find on Vashon
  
• Bakkhos out of K2 purchase – business decision
  
• Grannies Attic to move to Vashon Town – IGA shopping center
  
• Richard Grant – Vashon top meth dealer convicted of possession – 2 years in prison]
  
• Quartermaster Marina gets boat pump out
  
• Franciscans get new x-ray machine
  
• Cal Kinnear new book of poetry “The House of My Father”
  
• Vashon Saturday Farmers Market opens for the season
  
• Seattle Distilling wins silver at American Distilling Institute for their ne Rocket Vodka
  
• Vashon Emergency Operations Center prepare for landslides on the Island with simulated slide at Luana Beach
  
• Islanders join rescue efforts at Oso landslide – Vashon Island Pet Protectors celebrate 30 years of rescuing Island animals
  
• 12 measles cases in state – issue of vaccination raised
  
• Vashon Pool opening may be delayed – drain into high school septic system blocked during HS construction and VPD only discovered this blockage as they prepared the pool for opening Memorial Day
  
• Vashon Schools Foundation seeks to raise $500,000 to support schools
  
• Vashon Cub Scout Pack 275 hold “Scouting for Food” drive
  
• Heritage Museum drive to purchase historic parsonage next to Museum raised $110.000 in first three weeks
  
• VHS soccer team wins 4 straight
  
• Rowers compete in Oregon regatta
  
• Island Child Supplement to Beachcomber
  
• The Country Store featured
  
• Zero Waste Vashon – new non-profit to compost Vashon compostable waste stream to create compost and energy – Shannon Brundle
  
• VHS recognized as one of the top 5% of schools in Washington state
  
• Land Trust secures 2 more properties along Judd Creek – trail planned
  
• Vashon Pool opening delayed until mid-June –
  
• Welcome Vashon Interview – Betsey Archambault new Director of the DoVE Project
  
• Green Living Supplement to The Beachcomber
  
• Peter Serko new play “My Brother Kissed Mark Zukerberg”
  
• Jean Davies Okimoto new children’s book “Five Famous Mice Meet Winston of Churchill” her 21st book
  
• Vashon-Maury Chamber Orchestra spring concert
  
• VAA yout theater presents “Bye, Bye Birdie”
  
• VSH sports in full swing – track, baseball, soccer, wrestling
  
• VES Fields dedicated to lt. Robert Bennedsen – grand opening of Youth baseball season
  
• Time&Again – Mukai House and Garden

May 2014

May 1, 2014

• Bus service cuts coming to Vashon after failure of King County Prop 1 defeat
• Two companies to open pot stores on Vashon
• Motorcyclist killed in accident on Vashon Highway
• Voice of Vashon secures call letter KVAS – low power FM station and begin fund raiser to develop studio and tower
• Vashon Island Bicycle closing – drop in business
• Macrina Bakery owned by Islander Leslie Mackie named in top 10 in US by Fordor’s Travel Guide
• Vashon celebrates Earth Day
• Vashon rowers win in Canadian regatta
• Shape Up Vashon to take up President’s 8-week health challenge
• 7 Artist show at Grange
• Annual Artist’s Studio Tour
• Dr. Tom DeVries to retire from VHS

May 7, 2014

• Vashon Kiwanis Club disbands – began in 1946
• Emerald Botanicals wins state lottery as pot shop on Vashon
• Nishi Orchards on Wax Orchard Road now making perry an alcohol pear drink
• Island Bicycles closes shop after 18 years
• Dryer lint fire at North End home
• Senior Center closed for three weeks to install new kitchen
• Vashon Census Project announced – Alice Larson and Bruce Haulman
• “Werther” concludes Vashon Opera’s fifth season
• VAA Ceter for the Dance stages Firebird
• Vashon author John van Amerongen reads from new book “Catching a Deckload of Dreams
• Chicken Coop Tour to support Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness
• VHS baseball on 6-game win streak
• Vashon Pin City Wrestling Club wins big at State Championships
• Vashon Rowing Club invited to three races at Windermere Cup

May 14, 2014

• Vashon authors Shauna James Ahern and Damiel Ahern win prestigious James Beard award for gluten-free cookbook “Gluten-Free Girl Every Day”
• Unpermitted shoreline work to be cited by King County – concern for natural shorelines
• Islander Terry Roth, retired chemistry professor, turns cooking grease into bio-diesel –
• Heritage Museum seeks to purchase historic parsonage next to Museum
• Make-a-Wish Foundation takes Vashon family on first vacation – Hartness family
• Give Big Day a success for Island no-profits
• VHS wins award as Level One Green School
• Drama Dock sponsors “Evening of Improv”
• Free Range Folk Choir celebrate life of Nelson Mandela
• Island painter Hita von Mende featured at Western Art Show
• Bretta Flora wins gold medal at regional Special Olympics
• Boys Lacross in first place as season draws to a close
• Joyce Olsen honored as Rotarian of the Year
• Hillary Emmert received Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary
• Charlie Kitica 1998 VHS graduate recives PhD from University of Alabama

May 21, 2014

• Heritage Museum awards winners of 4th grade Vashon History essay contest
• Park District ad School District disagree over fix for Vashon Pool caused byPark District inattention
• UW Urban Planning grad students present proposals for strengthening Vashon agriculture
• Metro bus cuts coming for Vashon routes
• Blooms and Things for sale
• Neighbor to Neighbor and Volunteer Choir Service help seniors and disabled with household chores
• New columbariums at cemetery double space for urns
• Memorial Day services and remembrances scheduled
• VHS drama stages “Xanadu”
• VHS awarded $125,000 from State Arts Commission for public art at new school
• Hundreds visit Point Robinson for Annual Kite Day
• Vashon Junior Crew sends 18 rowers and 10 boats to Nationals
• VHS track and tennis ends season
• VHS fast-pitch finishes fourth in district
• Boys Lacrosse wins division title enter playoffs

May 28, 2014

• Phil Volker prepares to walk El Camino de Santiago – suffering from colon cancer
• Heritage Museum’s plan to buy parsonage fall through
• Rachael’s at Sound Food opens at Center
• Wendy Lustbader to speak on aging at VCC Telling Stories Series
• Kathy Flynn de Gaxiola speaks on history of Vashon Roads
• VHS buries time capsule at new school
• Lacrosse team to compete in State semi-finals
• Track team heads to State meet
• Fast-pitch softball makes first ever playoffs
• Three rowers win college scholarships – Jacon Plihal, Tate Gill, Baxter Call

June 2014

June 4, 2014

• Vashon pool to open with temporary fix
• Heritage Museum opens new exhibit on Vashon’s Native People
• Eric Frith’s film work as editor in demand in Seattle – film shone on First Friday
• Richard Grant, suspected drug dealer, sentenced to two years in prison
• The Barbie School pre-school to close after 39 years – Zoe Cheroke
• Spiceberry Home web retail shop opens storefront in Burton
• Vashon Tech Support closes shop
• First Friday Art Walk June 6
• Corrine Blair competes in National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships
• Boys Lacrosse lose at state semi-finals
• Vashon Track athlects compete at State WIAA 1A championships
• Island muscian Cami Lundeen and family take off in camper for national tour

June 11, 2014

• Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS) to lose $100,000 of grant money to PlaySpace programs as Vashon Alliance to reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) redirects funds
• WSFS ticket policy changes because of fraud – no longer can use just ticket number – must have ticket
• King County requiring vets to keep records of pet vaccinations so County can keep track of licensed and unlicensed pets
• Recycling at Vashon Transfer station can now be mixed together
• Vashon School District expands summer school offerings
• Annual Low Tide Celebration at Point Robinson
• Three Vashon authors, Catherine Johnson, John Runyan, and Elizabeth Van Deventer share stories at Vashon Bookshop
• Jean Ameluxen reads from “How It Was for Billie Nelson” a novel of Vashon during WW II
• Vashon Food Bank offers summer Edra’s Picnics in the Park
• Special insert in Beachcomber – The 2014 Vashon-Maury Island Graduating Class
• Fifth annual Vashon Ultramarathon and Trail Run
• VHS Golf Team ends season with awards
• Vashon Youth Rowers send 10 boats and 18 rowers to USRowing Youth nationa Championships

June 18, 2014

• 70 homeowners asked to contact King County to address unpermitted shoreline work
• VHS Class of 2014 graduates
• Park District receives funds from insurance to fix drainage problem and possibl more to cover ½ the cost of infiltration trench
• Park District revives effort to construct skate bowl at Burton Adventure Recreation Center
• Bilingual GED course available on Vashon through Vashon Social Services Network and Vashon Household
• Sportsman’s Club sponsors NRS Women on Target class
• P-51 flyover at Point Robinson to commemorate D-Day Invasion
• 24th  Annual VAA Garden Tour
• Vashon Park’s summer Concerts in the Park begin
• Vashon Fireballs water polo team begins summer program

June 25, 2014

• Some Water District 19 customers experience low water pressure problems
• School District works to increase student safety
• Quartermaster Master Marina ordered to remove debris from beach from dock replacement project
• Skunk Works gallery and bike shop opens
• Dr. Magnusin to close medical practice
• Food Bank moves ahead with town garden plan
• Six new VIF&R firefighters complete 2014 Firefighter Recruit Academy
• Island Chorale celebrates 25 years with concert of commissioned work “Vashon Suite No Bridges”
• Vashon Dance Academy presents “Aladdin”
• Vashon Island Rowing Club (VIRC) wins 10 medals at Northwest Masters Regional Championships
• Andrew Peet to run Western States Endurance Run 100 mile run
• Chilli Peppers Vashon girls 14u fast pitch finish second in tournament
• Vashon-Maury island Cooperative Pre-school finds new home at Courthouse Square

July 2014

July 2, 2014

• Camp Goodtimes continues for cancer patients
• Unofficial Mayor contest fund raiser begins
• VIF&R considers joining South King County paramedic program to increase medical response
• King County Council passes Vashon Town Plan amendment to allow marijuana business and distillery in Town Plan area
• Vashon Park District develops two-year financial plan
• King County holds contest to name water taxis
• Quartermaster Harbor waterfront cabin burns in nighttime fire
• Larry Flynn, Island Metro driver participates in AIDS/Lifecycle ride from San Francisco to LA – raises $7,000 for 3rd year
• US World Cup game attracts more than 100 to Sporty’s
• Honeybee decline on Vashon causes concern – Colony Collapse Disorder
• First responders called to numerous incidents over 4th of July weekend

July 9, 2014

• Third annual Bioblitz focuses on Lisabuela – Vashon Nature Center
• Group Health members on Vashon develop petition to Group Health to ensure that Franciscan Health Care does not compromise care because of religious directives
• Vashon Land trust and King County announce series of land purchases to expand nature preserves on the Island – Whispering Firs Bog and Shinglemill Creek
• Vashon Thriftway becomes “no drugs, no weapons zone” 
• Drama Dock stages “Gypsy”
• Ann Spiers Tahlequah walk article
• Island wrestlers compete at national level –Adrian St. Germain
• Karl Olsen wins 4th of July hydro race – Evan Mattingly 2nd, Ty Christopherson 3rd, Mitch Van Buskirk 4th – Paul Hoffmann flips both at North End Ferry Dock – police cite him for infractions

July 16, 2014 

• Nancy Bachant to be honored in Rennes, France for father death during WW II in battle to liberate the city
• Strawberry Festival carnival cancelled – dispute over guarantees
• North End ferry worker dies in detention after arrest for violating parole for child pornography conviction
• Construction begins on 9-11 Memorial at VIF&R station in Vashon Town
• Vashon man arrested for rape –
• Islander charged with assault
• Schools pass budget with $1 million in additional revenue from state funding and tax revenues –
• Vashon Opera announces 2014-15 season
• Burn ban in effect throughout King County
• Mike Kirk named Strawberry Festival Grand Marshall
• Island teens Virginia Miller and Kat Andrus go to Junior Olympics
• Strawberry Festival Special Insert in Beachcomber
• Islanders disagree on use of pesticide neonics impact on bee colonies

 July 23, 2014

• VAA plans ground breaking for Vashon Center for the Arts in October – murals appearing on old Zarth/McFeeds building to anticipate construction
• Islanders disagree on best approach to pesticides affecting bees
• K2 site owners voluntarily enter State of Washington Department of Ecology voluntary cleanup program – will answer questions about levels of contamination at the site
• Former Country Store bookkeeper charged with embezzling $30,000 from the business
• King County thins trees in Island Center Forest
• Constantinople women’s clothing store to close this summer
• Granny’s Attic awards $100,000 ingrants to wide range of Island health services including  VY&FS $60,000, $32,000 to VCC, and the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness, the DoVE Project, and the Franciscan Medical Group
• Colleen Borst wins VAA annual quilt raffle
• Barnworks group reunites for exhibit at The Hardware Store Gallery Aug 1
• Shakespeare in the Park – Othello
• Allison Shirk starts Kickstart effort to fund new cd of her music
• Caleb Johns “elected” Unofficial Mayor as supporter of VCC
• Archaeology Day at Heritage Museum and program in evening
• Transient charged with rape on July 12
• Nearly 400 runner an walkers participate in annual Bill Burby Run/Walk
• Voice of Vashon raises new LP-FM radio tower
• 24th Annual Junior Sailing Program saved from cuts by cooperation of Vashon Parks and Quartermaster Yacht Club
• The Japanese Presence on Vashon – a Friends of Mukai presentation by Alice Larson and Bruce Haulman

July 30, 2014

• Sea Star die-off affecting Island sea stars
• Patty Freeborn’s tamale business takes off – at Sat Market
• Island firefighters help fight largest wild fires in state history – Methow Valley
• On-line contest to name water taxis
• Pt Robinson lighthouse gets 4Culture grant torepair overdue mainteance
• Vashon Intuitive Arts expands into former tech shop space
• Park District votes twice to comply with law
• Humor on Vashon – article by group of Vashon humorists
• Edra’s Picnic in the Park sponsored by Food Bank
• Island team wins Strawberry festival softball tournament
• Chase Wickham and Logan Nelson participate in wrestling championship in N Dakota
• Rock Riders perform well at county meet

August 2014

August 6, 2014

• Jim Stewart founder of Vashon Best Coffee featured
• Shoreline permitting effort sees mixed results – some complying, some not responding
• Farmers market to open on Wednesdays
• Wendy’s Weathered Wear closes Luna Bella expands into space
• Vashon Community Care struggles with nurse shortage – seeks RNs
• May Kitchen + Bar named to Travel and Leisure’s best Thai restaurants
• Jen Verharen to compete in national dressage chmpionships
• Joe McDermott guest editorial on transit issues
• Annual Jimmy Matsumoto Fishing Derby sponsored by Sportsman’s Club
• Maury Island Incident comes to Vashon Theatre – Heritage Museum fund raiser
• Relay for Life Cancer Walk
• Historical Judd cabin torn down – dilapidated and un-saveable
• Ann Spires – Diversity in school woods

August 13, 1014

• Frequent ferry delays expected to continue – 500 late sailing last month – will continue until new boat arrives and construction at Fauntleroy dock is completed
• Program to rent tools started
• Sheep dog trials scheduled
• QM Harbor closed to shellfish harvesting
• Engle’s Car Show scheduled
• Teens in the Field program gets teens engaged in farming
• Arnon Burns CD “Crazy World” ½ proceeds to IFCH (Homeless)
• Laurel Kuhl – guest editorial on problems of Island health care
• VYFS sponsors Raft-Up in QM Harbor
• Ron Frombach and grandkids win Sportsman’s Club Fishing Derby 17-lp king salmon
• Documentary “In Country” explores Vietnam War – Islander Chris Gaynor
• Mai Croonquist wins third world medal at junior world championships
• Welcome Vashon- interview with Kathleen Johnson new VYFS Director

August 20, 2014

• QM Harbor Raft Up – 250 boats – short of 2,099 record – VYFS fund raiser
• Vandalism leaves Bike in the Tree in poor condition
• Proposal to meld Vashon paramedics into South King County paramedic system
• County proposes reduced fare bus fares for low income individuals
• District 19 water pressure issues resolved
• Blooms & Things sold
• Ferry worker not police cadet at Fauntleroy to direct traffic in state budget mis-up
• Op-Ed by Margaret Heffelfinger about Vashon FreeCycle
• Vashon Sheepdog Classic this week and next
• Heritge Museum sponsors Native basket weaving talk
• Vashon Golf Business League completes 12-week season
• Time&Again – Wingehaven – Post Office to Park
• Vashon Theatre – “Planes” Fire and Rescue” followed by “Guardians of the Galaxy”

August 27, 2014

• Vashon paramedics will become part of larger King County system
• 32nd Annual Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiast’s Isle of Vashon TT – more than 1,000 motorcycles
• Island preschools see increase
• Vashon Community care Director resigns – Janelle Ansell
• Express Cuisine Restaurant for sale – will close
• Homeshare program to link homeowners and renters
• Chautauqua Elementary families receive No Child Left Behind required letter – failing school because of test scores
• Vashon Classic Sheepdog Trials draw about 5,000 to Island
• Vashon Theatre – “Boyhood” – Seahawks Opening Game Sept 4

September 2014

September 3, 2014

• Rondi Lightmark artist inspired by dogs
• Kirsten Proffit suicide mourned –
• Sound Food Restaurant closes doors
• Two people arrested on theft charges – series of Island thefts investigated
• Kathy Robinson – new assistant principal at Chautauqua Elementary
• Country Store adds U-Haul service and community meeting room
• Forum on dementia to be held
• Vashon Film Society presents “SEE: An Art Road trip” by Vashon artists Bo Bartlett and Betsy Eby
• Vashon Theatre –“Walking With the Enemy”  followed by “Boyhood”

September 10, 2014

• Two coyotes killed after attacking sheep at sheepdog trials – raises issues of coyotes on Island
• Vashon Opera – atricles features Royce Wall set designer
• Passport to Pain (P2P) bike ride draws 300 riders
• New water taxi ferry named for Island ferry activist Sally Fox
• Islanders gather for Suicide Prevention Day
• Char Phillips wins award for volunteer efforts
• Farmer’s Market closes successful summer
• Chase Bank employyes join company fitness and fight hunger effort
• Ann Spires Menaderings – Raab’s Lagoon
• Vashon Theatre – “Walking With the Enemy” followed by “A Most Wanted Man”
• Jennifer Verharen finishes 10th in nation at dressage competition
• Vashon Allied Arts – “Big bang” auction
• Shaun Peterson Native artists speaks at Heritage Museum program
• Vashon HS fooball losses to rainier beach 47-8 – only 17 players
• Ellen Chappelka wins Leadership Award at Camp Blaze summer training camp for cadet firefighters

September 17, 2014

• Five Island farms ceritifed Salmon Safe
• Group of Islanders exploring creating a public development authority on the Island to stimulate economic growth and develop K2 site
• Schools debate findings on teen sleep patterns and needs
• Man arrested for firing gun in suspected drug house
• Man lying in road near Ellisport hit during night
• Woman injured when hose spooked by car coming too close and revved engine
• New Director of State Ferry System – Lynne Griffith
• Sage Levin VHS student National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist
• Vashon Theatre – “ “A Most Wanted Man” – “Two Gentlemen from Verona” live broadcast from Royal Shakespeare Company
• Shape Up Vashon begins one month walk- run – bike
• Pirates fall hard to Port Townshend 42-8
• Time&Again – Tacoma to Vashon Swim
• Hamish Todd launches new newspaper “The Good Times”

September 24, 2014

• Katie Chale killed in car-bus collision on Vashon Hwy
• Golf Club celebrates 50 years –
• Take-a-Book in Burton – Collin Hennessey and Lin Holley
• Revised ferry schedule takes effect – larger ferry due in November
• Trish McDonald the “Foot Fairy” provides foot care for seniors
• Driver in spring fatal accident with motorcycle not charged
• Dock to Dock run fund raiser for cross-country team
• Candy Jennings wins Heritage MuseumJam Contest
• Vashon Theatre – “Medea” (National Theater Live) “The Hundred Foot Journey” “Halloween 1” (Halloween Special)
• Mark Giles publishes new noir thriller “The Wolf Hunter”
• Pirate football looses to Charles Wright 30-8 but improving
• Crew kicks off season in Seattle
• Cross Country gets off to quick start

October 2014

October 1, 2014

• Neighbors in Eernisse Apartments concerned about drug activity
• Andrew Will winery named in top 100 in the world
• Crush the Fog – Michael Meade, Vashon Schools, suicide prevention
• KVSH low power FM station to launch this month
• Barbara Drinkwater recognized for research by President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
• Investigation into fatal car crash to take 3 months
• PIE Phone-a-thon next week
• Welcome Vashon – vashonevents.com featured Allison Shirkand Pete Welch
• Vashon Theatre – “Lucky Them” (Vashon Film Society) “The Lost Boys” (Si-Fi Sunday)  “Box Trolls”
• Raven’s Nest gallery moves to Constantinople’s location
• Pirates lose to Goldendale – 17 Vashon players vs 50 Goldendale players
• Frisbee sports growing in popularity at McMurray Middle School

October 8, 2014

• Apple cider pressing growing on Vashon – Drangon’s Head Cidery and Vashon Winery
• VARSA to increase work on reducing youth drug and alcohol use
• Friends of the Vashon Pool formed
• VYFS clinical director resigns – state investigates conduct –Jeffery Zheutlin
• Solar Tour features five homes
• Property values increase average 8.7%
• Island Center Forest to close for hunting
• Bob Norton Vashon Fruit Club provided trip to Washington DC by Honor Flight to allow WW II veterans to see war memorials
• Vashon Pool ends strong season
• Lynn Cox open-water swimmer featured at Swim Club benefit
• 10 Vashon Boy Scouts earn Eagle Scout rank this year
• Vashon Theatre – “A Streetcar Named Desire” (National Theater) “The Invisible War” (GreenTech Night)
• Tom Benner reads from second children’s book -
•  Vashon Artists on the Schools 26th year – new manager Holly Houston
•  CiderFest Saturday
• Pirates win first football game of the year – Beat Earl Marriott 22-12
• Vashon crew has strong showing at Tail of the Lake Regatta on Lake Union

October 15, 2014

• Vashon’s first FM radio station goes live – KVSH
• Community Council seeks to update Vashon Town Plan
• Man camping near Lutheran Church arrested for burglarizing the building
• Laura Wishik to head Shape Up Vashon
•  Vashon Theatre – “Magic in the Moonlight”  - “Fed Up” (GreenTech Night)
• Kealoha at Poetry Slam – 1st Hawaiian Poet Laureate
• Pirate football loses to Charles Wright 58-22
• VHS soccer team has 6-2 season
• Vashon Crew wins blue ribbons at American Lake Reggata
• VHS cross country beat Charles Wright

October 22, 2014

• State begins replacing contaminated yards – ASARCO settlement
• Little House store closes – Bettie Edwards after 39 years
• Skate Bowl to be built at Burton sk8Park
• King County dropped 2012 amendments to Vashon Town Plan but never notified Town Plan Committee – “dropped ball”
• Program on landslides – Vashon-Be-Prepared
• Retired avalanche dog rescued and treated
• Vashon Theatre – “Makers” (Community Cinema) – “Frankenstein” (National Theatre Live) – “Love is Strange”
• Norm Matthews awarded Washington Food Industry Association’s 2014 Excellence in Operations
• DoVE project begins teen outreach workshops
• Women in Business special insert in Beachcomber
• HistoryLink and veteran Chris Gaynor developing Vietnam War curriculum for Vashon schools
• Vashon Rowers make strong showing at Head of the Charles regatta in Boston
• Pirates lose to Bellevue Christian 37-12

October 29, 2014

• VAA breaks ground for Performing Arts Center – Kay White, Sharon Nelson, Dow Constantine and other supporters and donors break ground
• Island hunters find success in Island Center Forest – about 40 hunters registered – 2 deer reported taken at this point
• Vashon Children’s Center opens accepts 6-weeks to 5-year olds – Amanda Lawson owner
• Wind storm knocks out power to 1,000 residences, 30 trees down over Island roads
• President of Me moves from Center to Vashon Town – Rebecca Wittman owner
• Captain Joe Wubbold birthday party raises funds for non-profits
• Katy Konrad joins women’s health center
• VIGA Saturday Market moves indoors
• Rev Heather Christensen leads Unitarian Fellowship
• Op-Ed Michael Stolzman, Superintendent VSD – lock up guns support mental health services
• Bill Tobin article about Boldt Decision 30-year ago – still makes sense
• Time&Again Island Post Offices by Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly
• Vashon Theatre – Love is Strange; Frankenstein National Theater; Halloween (1978); The Skeleton Twins
• Ciderfest – Farmer’s Market Pie Eating Contest
• String Orchestra concert
• Casper Baybypants two performances
• Singer-songwriter Bill Carter at Red Bike
• Trolls Cottage performs on Halloween
• Pirates lose Homecoming game to Cascade Christian
• VHS girls cross-country wins league championship
• VHS soccer teams to playoffs
• Six VHS tennis players advance to state championships
• Vashon crew successful at Portland regatta

November 2014

November 5, 2014

• Park District considers user fee increases to close debt gap created by mismanagement of Field project
• VHS football struggles with low turnout – only 16 players
• Former Newsweek editor Brian Brown give VCC talk
• Man rescued after jumping from ferry at North End route
• Sylvia Sussman celebrates 100th birthday at VCC
• Mary Berry visits Vashon for VIGA fund raiser –daughter of Wendell Berry
• Chris Gaynor op-ed – remember veterans and families
•  Vashon Theatre – “Skeleton Twins” followed by “Big Hero”
• Rare Northern Wheateater bird sighted at Pt. Robinson – only 3rd time in Washington State
• Vashon Film Society and Vashonistas sponsor documentary “Advanced Style”
• Caspar Babypants performs at CedarSong
• Halloween photo feature in Beachcomber
• VHS cross country runners go to state championships
• VHS soccer advances in playoffs
• VHS Pirates football beats Chimacum 54-20 in final game
• Fall rowing ends on high note at Head of the Lake Regatta
• VHS tennis team plays at district finals

November 12, 2014

• Mukai house and garden dispute goes to trial – court date in May
• Sunken tug raised and disposed of – Murph sunk in 2007 abandoned and scuttled – cost $622,000 to remove
• Julie Speidel sculptor featured in Beachcomber – draws on geology for inspiration – artworks around the country
• American Hero Quits continues to send quits to military overseas
• Affordability and fairness top list of public concerns over park fee increases – public hearing at Ober Park
• Former restaurant Express Cusine to open kitchen to public
• Larger ferry at North End – 124-car ferry Chelan  - now two 124-car ferries and on 87-car ferry – increases capacity by 37 cars
• Editorial – Mukai owner should take county over to purchase
• RJ’s Kids non-profit formed to address needs of teens and 20s on Island
• Vouchers available for teens seeking confidential health care
•  Mi Escuelita Spanish/English pre-school opens at Chautauqua Elementary School - $150,000 grant
• Vashon Theatre – “Big Hero” – “Hunger Games” marathon Thursday and opening of Mockingjay Part 1 at midnight
• VHS theater class performs original works
• VHS Cross country ends season at state competition
• Work on Dockton Road at Tramp harbor will close road

November 19, 2014

• Vashon-Maury Health Cooperative formed – seeks innovative solution to local health care challenges
• Proposed increase in County permit fess at Saturday market causes concern among Vashon farmers
• Winter preparedness focus of VashonBePrepared
• 70 hunters register to hunt in Island Center Forest – 21-day hunting season – 4 deer taken – 2013 there were 58 hunters registered taking 2 deer – 2012 38 hunters registered taking 4 deer – 2011 60 hunters registered 8 deer taken
• King County see property tax increase in 2016 to sustain water taxi service
• Granny’s Attic signs lease – will move to Vashon Town at the Vashon Market IGA building
• Vashon Theatre – “Hunger Games: Maockingjay Part 1”
• Annual Fur Ball brings in $100,000 to support VIPP
• Vashon Theatre State to Screen Series bring Bolshoi Ballet
• Ensemble Zwie plays concert “Into the 20th Century”
•  Free assistance for health care enrollments
• Holly Daze Bazzar at McMurray Middle School
• Puget Sound Energey gives customers one-time credit fro sale of power grid
• Time&Again – Matsuda farm featured
• Seattle Distillery wins Best of Western Washington award and wins gold medal for Coffee Liqueur at Portland

November 26, 2014

• Herban Bloom opens – new flower shop replacing Blooms –B.J. Duff owner also owns Herban Feast a Seattle catering company – Melody Williams will manage
• Arts Center costruction delayed until spring – building costs escalated –
• State DNR removing old creosoted pilings from around Vashon – particularly in Maury Aquatic Reserve –
• New County budget removes need for Metro bus service cuts
• Dr. Scott Chaffin join Franciscan Medical Clinic and Marnie Devlin ARNP joins Fulton Family Medicine
• RJ’s Kids – open letter to community – need for youth services – proposes to build RJ House as a community center
• Seattle International Comedy Competition at Vashon Theatre
• Vashon Theatre – “Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1”, “Of Mice and Men” National Theater, “The Legend of Love” Bolshoi Ballet
• Publish the Quest plays at Red Bicycle
• Holiday Toy drive to continue under John L. Scott Realty – Kawanis Club ends 
• Free Thanksgiving Dinners – at Eagles, Episcopal Church and Presbyterian Church
• Pirate Football ends season with awards ceremony
• Annual Turkey Trot at Chautauqua
• Open Letter from Tim Roden – VAA Board – delay in constructing Arts Center

December 3, 2014

• Hedy Anderson purchases Little House to turn it into a commercial kitchen for her King Carmel candy business
• True Value Hardware to become an Ace Hardware – switching co-ops
• History Museum purchases house next to Museum for education center – house was original manse for the church
• King County purchases 30-acres to expand Island Center Forest
• VIFR will have budget shortfall because of new paramedic program - $200,000 reserve created – new budget submitted
• Park board will vote on new fee changes next week
• Vashon Tool Library to open – over 200 tools for rental
• Seahawk Malcolm Smith appears at Thriftway in Procter & Gamble promotion
• Food Stamp cuts make it more difficult for some - Yvonne Pritof op-ed
• Dead six gill shark found on beach north of Cove
• Annual Studio Art Tour – 32 studios and shops
• Vashon Theatre – “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” “Bolshoi Ballet”
• VAA Dancers to perform Nutcracker
• Vashon Island Chorale’s Christmas concert
• Islanders ring in holidays with Santa Parade and Christmas Tree lighting at Vashon Commons
• VHS wrestling and Basketball begin
• Soccer in the snow fund raiser for scholarships
• Patty’s Tamales opens pop-up restaurant for First Fridays

December 10, 2014

• Land Trust to preserve Matsuda strawberry farm – purchase 12 acres behind K2 –
• Vashon Velvet – legal marijuana growing farm on Vashon – Susan Reid runs operation in old horse barn near south end
• December Studio Tour – over 100 artists in 32 studios
• DoVE offers free legal clinic
• Park Board considers opening Vashon Pool for an additional month next summer
• Episcopal Church dedicates rebuilt bell tower – bell donated by Ernst family in memory of Frank “Chip” Ernst who died in 1960 at age 2
• Op-Ed about discussing race as an issue by Jessica Lisovsky
• Op-Ed about immigration reform by Ward Carson
• Vashon Theatre – “Hunger Games”  Holiday Sing Along
• Audubon talk about woodpeckers by Paul Bannick
• Windermere Realty wins gingerbread house contest
• Piad ful page add by group about Park District budget and Vashon Fields cost overruns and poor fiscal and contract management
• Drama Dock present “inspecting Carol”
• VHS students prepare to share the stage with Seattle hip-hop group Brother From Another in a Sharing the Stage performance
• Reimnitz family featured – art work of Isle, Hartmut, and Gunter
• VHS Pirate wrestlers begin season against Elma
• VHS Girls Basketnball begins season
• VHS Boys basket ball undefeated after three games

December 17, 2014

• Schools begin efforts to prevent suicides - $50,000 budgeted
• Mi Escuelita bi-lingual kindergarten at Chautauqua
• Seahawk Malcolm Smith visits Vashon Thriftway – hundreds show p to see him
• Two programs help low-income households pay heating bills through federal government and Puget Sound Energy
• Fire Department passes “lean” budget to cover costs of new paramedic arrangement with South King County
• Garrny’s sponsored medical vouchers now cover emergency contraception services
• Park District will lengthen pool season and votes down proposal to increase park fees
• Op-Ed Senator Sharon Nelson about funding schools with State Supreme Court ruling
• Vashon Theatre – “Gone Girl” “Birdman” 3rd “Hobbit” to open
• County Executive Dow Constantine visit VHS
• Jazz concert at VAA plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
• Will Sing for Food local musicians raise funds for Vashon Food Bank
• Winter Ready Handbook – special supplement by VashonBePrepared
• VHS wrestlers post 4 wins this week
• VHS girls Basketball still looking for a win

December 24, 2014

•  Vashon Park District finalizes 2015 budget - $1.1 million – complete Vashon Fields project, extend pool season by one month, and build financial reserves
• Vashon Presbyterian Church focuses on Ebola outbreak in Liberia – led by Pastor Dan Houston
• Pam Ingalls, local artist featured
• Hinge Gallery to open in space vacated by The Raven’s Nest – Brent and Holly Houston
• Senior Center’s new commercial kitchen feeding more than ever – using VIGA Market Bucks Program for fresh produce
• Seirra Pedrin- Linden killed in one-car crash at North End
• Vashon Theatre – The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
• Drama Dock- “Inspecting Carol”
• Many places hold New Year’s Eve parties and dances
• Pirates basketball undefeated after 5 games
• Pirate girls basketball notch first win
• Wrestlers compete in Idaho tournament
• McMurray Middle School Math is Cool place in state meet
•  Mays Kitchen + Bar in Open Table’s Top 100

December 31, 2014

• Local merchants have mixed reports of holiday sales – increased competition from on-line sales
• Karen Eliasen and Glenda Pearson featured for BaaHaus work – sanctuary for neglected and abandoned farm animals
• Winter King Tides – ask for photos for Washington State King Tide Initiative to help project impacts of rising sea levels
• Welcome Vashon Interview – Paula Cummings, director of VSD student services program,
• Vashon Schools receive $40,000 in supplies from Chevron’s Fuel Our Schools Program
• Free lights for youth to make them more visible at night – started by nurse Wendy Wharton
• Vashon Theatre – The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, Si-Fi Sunday The Thing From Another Planet; John, national Theater Live
• Will Sing for Food – fund raiser for Food Bank
• 2 First Friday’s in January – Jan 2 and Jan 9
• Girls basketball earn second win
• Boys basketball remain undefeated
• Vashon wrestlers qualify a record number for Idaho tournament and finish 19th out of 72 competitors
• Mark Schlosser promoted to Command Master Chief, US Navy

 

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