Vashon's Blackberry Bush Editorial-The Islands Silent News Uncovered

20/09/2023

Have you visited all the new Trolls by Thomas Dambo?

28/07/2023

The Vashon Film Festival is coming back Aug 10th-13th

VIFF is a program of the Vashon Film Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and supporting independent filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest.

21/07/2023

Why does WSF prioritize Southworth, a driveable destination?

Even when the ferry system collapses and Vashon residents struggle to get home the unscheduled runs both too and from Southworth are a priority.

The Point defiance line is reported as far back a middle of Ruston causing driver chaos on Pearl. These are all examples of poor planning by WSF on a busy Friday.
First the alert that Fauntleroy is down is followed up with no option to catch ferry from downtntown Seattle and to goto Pt Defiance. Then the dock is back up and the ferries immediately put an emphasis on Southworth to Seattle loading and load partial Vashon.

All of these decisions are being made with little regard to island residents who cannot just drive back and must take a ferry to get home.

Please share your thoughts on todays ferry and dock cancellations.

15/07/2023

Strawberry Festival Walk On Ferry Service to Vashon today

King County Water Taxi is making hourly trips to Vashon from Downtown Seattle Saturday 7/15 9am -6pm

  Update: Sat., July 15, ride the Water Taxi to the Vashon Isl. Strawberry Festival King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/14/2023 12:22 PM PDT King County Water Taxi Added Service to Vashon Island Tomorrow Saturday (Service clarification: Metro social media posts included the July 14 dat...

15/07/2023

No Today Satan!

2 Boat Schedule is active today 7/15

https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx #90084

14/07/2023

Did you see the Northern Lights last night?

The Northern Lights came out to play over the San Juan Islands late Thursday night into Friday Morning! I wanted to try something new, so I put my drone (a DJI Mavic 3) up to get a totally different perspective. It worked! During a short burst of light with pillars, I was able to get an 8 second exposure (at 3200iso and ƒ3. 2) looking across Friday Harbor & San Juan Island and over Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island. I'll sure be trying more shots like this during future Auroras!

** Update - this photo WAS taken last night, July 13/14, but due to my tired brain I put the wrong watermark on it.

Check out more of my Aurora photography at my website: https://terenphotography.com/northernlights
© Christopher S. Teren 2023 - All Rights Reserved

14/07/2023

Updated Strawberry Festival Music Schedule by Margie Schilling Butcher

13/07/2023

13/07/2023

13/07/2023

next weekend for strawberry festival the market is ON in addition we’ll have a li’l booze garden happening at the green. Margaritas, strawberry vodka lemonades, beer, wine, mocktails, and other refreshments. All profits go to support VIGA and it’s programs.

13/07/2023

Want to know who is playing when during Strawberry Festival?

Download or print this weekends live music guide by Margie Schilling Butcher who put this together for islanders making a much easier way to plan you weekend fun.

Thanks Margie

08/07/2023

We have a sweet pre-Strawberry Festival treat for you next week Vashon Island!

Vashon Live & Vashon Theatre present Alex Amen at 7:30PM on Thursday, July 13th. Live painting with Steffon Moody during the show.
Sarah Howard is emcee for the evening.
Free Admission for all!

We will be selling cold beer, wine, water, and more as well as Island shaved ice!
We will also be open inside in the lobby of the theatre to serve you all of our normal fantastic concessions that you are welcome to take into The Backlot with you!

See you there!

08/07/2023

Kids and cars don't mix! We need your help, Vashon, to close the streets for Festival. We currently have all positions open for Friday and Sunday to help deploy and staff the street closures.

Shifts are only a couple hours, but we can't have Festival without you! We are also still looking for folks to help with traffic control to keep the parade safe. Now's your time to shine in a brightly-colored safety vest. See you there!

www.tinyurl.com/vol4Sfest

08/07/2023

Another amazing First Friday on Vashon full of art, music and community interactions.

This is what happens when you close a street for a few hours to allow the people to express their talents, pure amazingness.

06/07/2023

Snapdragon Strawberry Festival
Friday-Sunday
July 14th-16th

Snapdragon's pulling out all the stops this year with a stellar lineup of live music. Stop on by and have a cold one while you enjoy some of the best music around.

Friday:
5pm: Michelle Lassaline Projector Drawings
6pm: The Vashinas
7pm: Harmolade
9pm: Trolls Cottage

Saturday:
2pm: The Fabulous Mrs. Bill Larsens
3:15pm: Alex Amen
4:15pm: Tim Couldn't Make It
5:30pm: 6 Pack of Doom
6:45pm: Patrons of Husbandry
8:45pm: Scott Yoder
9pm: Bonesdeepbellydance
9:30pm: DJ Rocky Point

Sunday:
1:30pm: Michael Whitmore
2:30pm: Martin Feveyear
3:15pm: Chantal Jackson
4:15pm: Weird Music Hour
5:15pm: Ron Hook
6:30pm: Chris Anderson & King's Highway

04/07/2023

Vashon 4th July Hydro Races 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th finishers.

Images shared on FB by St John Aloysius Maloney

03/07/2023

Why is Dockton Marine Park on Vashon in a state of dysfunctional repair?

Over the busy July 1st weekend the lack of available restrooms both on the dock and the shore seemed to have consequential effects on where park visitors could use a working bathroom.

Dockton Marine Park is owned and maintained by King County Parks Division, not Vashon Parks District. This is one of King County's only marina parks.

A few issues raised about the park were the closure of the on dock restrooms, the lack of hot water in the mens shower and the overnight moorage fees not being paid by many local users.

Starting with the first issue, a conversation on the dock this morning with the Vashon King Count Parks crew explained that the lack of working restrooms on the dock was actually due to kids climbing and tying swings to the sewer pipes below the dock which resulted in the main discharge pipe made of PVC plastic to break and fall off the dock. In the photo you can see over 30-40 ft of missing pipe below the dock. Since the discharge pipe is missing then there is no way to send toilet or sink discharge to the shore. It was also explained the person in charge of repairing these pipes was on a maternity leave with his wife who recently had a baby and that the King County Plumbers Union workers would be the only available group to complete this repair. The maintenance crew explained they did not have the skills nor the training to replace such a long run of pipe that was on a marine dock over water and the restrooms are closed indefinitely until a proper repair could be completed.

The second issue was the lack of hot water in the mens showers at the shore restroom facility. This again was a plumbing issue and would have to be sorted by the Parks plumber who is on a leave of absence. No time estimate was shared when this also would be resolved.

The third issue was moorage fees and why so many are not paying. The enforcement of moorage fees must be done by the King County Sheriff and the King County Parks dept does not have the authority to enforce moorage fees. The sign boast a citation of 66.00 dollars can be issued under King County Ordinance 7.12.480. But so far no citations are being issued. The King County Parks woman who walked from boat to boat this morning shared that 75% of the boats on the dock paid or agreed to run up and pay. She also explained that she sees Vashon locals abusing this lack of enforcement but the overnight tourists seem to always pay.
Several boats were noted along the pump out station side as regular no pays. When asked why they do not ask the Sheriff to enforce this ordinance, the crew responded that the King County Sheriffs Dept was not a marine division and therefore cannot enforce a marine ordinance.

Overall, Dockton park was clean, restrooms washed out and portos pumped ready for the busy 4th celebrations but as we learned this park is also in serious disrepair and the maintenance crew who manages all the King County Parks on Vashon is at capacity to deal with the complex issues that the Dockton Marine Park is riddled with from unfinished dock repairs or broken plumbing. The manager of the crew shared that they are parks and trails maintenance crew without marine training or any type of marine resources to tackle the marine related issues but encouraged islanders to make noise and send emails to King County requesting these repairs to be fast tracked.
Here is the link to make a request
https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/iw9VCz4AhqzeUrivcmiPCmgo/issues/map?lat=47.36873251679118&lng=-122.45001971160661&max_lat=47.38043012342556&max_lng=-122.41740404998555&min_lat=47.35703231527208&min_lng=-122.48263537322767&zoom=14

30/06/2023

This year is the QUIET VASHON 4th please respect the Ban and your neighbors.

Have a safe 4th

Hot, dry weather means fire danger is high. Fireworks can land on a wood deck, roof or in a tree, starting a fire, putting lives and property at risk. Please respect fireworks bans to prevent fires.

30/05/2022

Welcome a new Baby Orca

The Center for Whale Research says new video of the J pod's youngest member J59 shows that the calf is a female. The video was taken on May 26 in the Haro Strait between San Juan Island and Victoria. CWR says this is great news for the southern residents because the population's growth is limited by...

27/05/2022

When the assault weapons ban ended so began the beginning of Americas mass shootings.
Maybe these weapons designed for the theater of war should no longer be sold to the general public as a clear indication they caused harm to the innocent.
Alt right has pushed these weapons for no purpose other than supporting the companies that manufacture and sell them.
GOP Politics is why these killings are happening and will continue to happen as long as assault weapons can be purchased.
The GOP does not care about children's lives only gun lobbyist money that is pushed into supporting their agenda.
This is not about Your Rights, no where in the constitution does it state that owning an assault weapon is a right.
Time to ban them is now!
https://www.npr.org/2022/05/26/1101274322/uvalde-ar-15-style-rifle-history-shooter-mass-shooting

25/05/2022

Orcas Off Southworth

23/05/2022

Newly installed Parking Bumpers at the King County Transfer Station.

How do islanders feel about this?

19/05/2022

Bad news for the hungry raccoons at Pt Defiance.

19/05/2022

Russian Spies in Seattle Area?

https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/seattle-russian-spy-operations-ukraine/281-5504e5a2-5e78-4111-9b67-0c5739512038

19/05/2022

Update about selling poultry at markets

Dr. Itle is requesting the birds not be sold at markets, including poultry swaps, in Washington. https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=35135

19/05/2022

With island Covid counts up the question is How Often Can You Be Infected With the Coronavirus?

The spread of the Omicron variant has given scientists an unsettling answer: repeatedly, sometimes within months.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/health/covid-reinfection.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

15/05/2022

18th Century law is the new precedent.

Whats next witch burnings?

David Horsey Seattle Times

14/05/2022

Pro- Choice Protest Events schedules for Washington

May 14 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bans Off Our Bodies Rally
Cal Anderson 1635 11th Ave, Seattle, WA
Mon 16
May 16 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
Thu 19
May 19 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cougs for Reproductive Freedom – Bi-Weekly Meetings
Smith Undergraduate Center (CUE), Room 119 Pullman

Cougs for reproductive freedoms meets to provide education and a safe space to discuss reproductive rights on a local, state, national and international level. The Cougs work alongside Pro-Choice Washington to ensure students at Washington State University (WSU) have access to the care they are seeking by getting involved with local efforts to protect and […]
Sat 21
May 21 @ 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Roe . Wade: Impact, Solution & Empowerment
Zoom WA

This event is a student-led initiative, open to all community members who are passionate about reproductive justice. This event is an opportunity for activists, organizations, and the greater community to come together and discuss what is at stake for Roe v Wade, and its place within the Reproductive justice movement. This event is sponsored by […]
Mon 23
May 23 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
June 2022
Thu 2
June 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cougs for Reproductive Freedom – Bi-Weekly Meetings
Smith Undergraduate Center (CUE), Room 119 Pullman

Cougs for reproductive freedoms meets to provide education and a safe space to discuss reproductive rights on a local, state, national and international level. The Cougs work alongside Pro-Choice Washington to ensure students at Washington State University (WSU) have access to the care they are seeking by getting involved with local efforts to protect and […]
Mon 6
June 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
Mon 13
June 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
Thu 16
June 16 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cougs for Reproductive Freedom – Bi-Weekly Meetings
Smith Undergraduate Center (CUE), Room 119 Pullman

Cougs for reproductive freedoms meets to provide education and a safe space to discuss reproductive rights on a local, state, national and international level. The Cougs work alongside Pro-Choice Washington to ensure students at Washington State University (WSU) have access to the care they are seeking by getting involved with local efforts to protect and […]
Mon 20
June 20 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
Mon 27
June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Huskies for Reproductive Freedom – Weekly Meeting
Savery Hall Chelan Ln, Seattle, WA 98195, Seattle, WA

Huskies for Reproductive Freedom meetings serve as a space to discuss abortion access and reproductive rights. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom plan events and take action to make Washington state a safer and more equitable place for all people seeking reproductive care. The Huskies for Reproductive Freedom will meet in person at Savery Hall in […]
Thu 30
June 30 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cougs for Reproductive Freedom – Bi-Weekly Meetings
Smith Undergraduate Center (CUE), Room 119 Pullman

Cougs for reproductive freedoms meets to provide education and a safe space to discuss reproductive rights on a local, state, national and international level. The Cougs work alongside Pro-Choice Washington to ensure students at Washington State University (WSU) have access to the care they are seeking by getting involved with local efforts to protect and […]

https://prochoicewashington.org/events/

May 3 - May 4 GiveBIG 2022 GiveBIG is an annual Washington state fundraising campaign where individuals and organizations come together across the state to discover and donate to nonprofits headquartered or serving Washington. This is a defining moment for reproductive freedom. While we have worked....

13/05/2022

Dr Amber Itle WSDA Veterinarian You Tube update on Avian Flu epidemic.
This is spreading quickly
Avian influenza update - May 11, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Vhead6Rjc

Two flocks in Pierce County have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Learn more in our latest press release: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda...

12/05/2022

5/11/22 IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM WSDA AVIAN INFLUENZA PIERCE COUNTY

More backyard flocks test positive for bird flu in Washington

Pierce County third affected in state
OLYMPIA – With cases of avian influenza piling up in Washington, state veterinarians are asking bird owners to double down on biosecurity measures.
The two most recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 were discovered in non-commercial backyard flocks in Pierce County and confirmed yesterday, May 10, after the flock owners contacted the Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) sick bird hotline to report an unusual number of sudden deaths in their flocks.

Between the two affected flocks, there are a mixture of turkeys, chickens, peacocks, ducks, and waterfowl. The state veterinarian quarantined the premises and the birds that have not already succumbed to the virus will be euthanized.

Washington wildlife officials confirmed two cases of HPAI in wild birds- a bald eagle at Loon Lake in Stevens County and a Canada goose in Whatcom County. In addition to the confirmed cases, there are eight more wild bird cases being investigated across the state.

“With so many suspicious cases in wild birds pending investigation, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to avoid exposing your flock to wild waterfowl and shorebirds,” Dr. Amber Itle, state veterinarian, said. “Call us if you suspect your own birds are sick and report sick wild birds to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.”

Itle says one step flock owners should continue to take is preventing contact between their birds and wild birds by eliminating access to ponds or standing water on your property and keeping different domestic species like ducks and geese penned separately from chickens and turkeys. Flock owners should also limit access to their farms, not lend or share farm tools or equipment, and not share or sell eggs from backyard flocks. While eating cooked eggs does not pose a health risk, transferring eggs off-farm could also transfer the virus.
There is no immediate public health concern due to the avian influenza virus detected. always, the meat from both wild game birds and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.

Unusual deaths or illness among domestic birds should be reported to the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. Report dead or sick wild birds using the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online reporting tool.
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=35083

Washington State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Building P.O. Box 42560 1111 Washington ST SE Olympia, WA 98504-2560