By ELIZABETH SHEPHERDStaff Writer

Since Eileen Wolcott bought Vashon Theatre in 2003, she has upgraded almost everything about the landmark space, giving it a fresh lease on life with new seats, a new sound system, improvements to the concessions area and even a new 35mm projector and platter system.

But now, Wolcott is about to make the biggest alteration ever to the 64-year-old theater, due to what some are calling the most sweeping change in the movie business since talkies replaced silent pictures. She plans to install a state-of-the-art digital projec-tion system at the theater over the course of the next year or so — a changeover that will cost her an estimated $80,000 by the time she is done.

“It’s a race against time. You have to do it, or you can’t go on,” Wolcott said.

The average moviegoer may not realize it, but cinema presentation in the United States and through-out the world is in the midst of a digital revolution, with motion picture studios and distributors quickly escalating the phase-out

of 35mm print as a film format and requiring theaters to make costly conversions to large, spe-cialized digital film projectors.

The pace of the conversion is quickening. According to an April article in The Los Angeles Times, about 800 to 900 new digital pro-jection systems are being installed

in movie theaters nationwide each month.

For movie studios, the perks of the change are obvious. Each 35mm print — reels that must be shipped in heavy film cans and then unpacked and spooled through platter or reel-to-reel projectors — costs studios about

$1,000 each, while digital prints cost between $100 and $200 and can travel in a package the size of a cigar box.

For theater owners, the switch-over to digital will also have some rewards. Wolcott, for instance,

75¢WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011 Vol. 56, No. 44 www.vashonbeachcomber.com

BEACHCOMBERVASHON-MAURY ISLAND

TO AFRICA, WITH LOVEA Kenyan strives to help her

people, with Vashon’s support. Page 13.

Holiday Guide Look inside for our annual tribute to the season — a guide filled with holiday wishes, gift ideas and more. Open House Coupons inside!

Facing the future: Theater braces for a new era Incentives spur search for a public site for solarBy LESLIE BROWNStaff Writer

In what organizers see as a race against time, two Vashon groups are looking for publicly owned sites for their ambitious commu-nity solar projects — efforts trig-gered in part by generous state incentives slated to end in 2020.

Vashon Community Solar, a project spearheaded by The Backbone Campaign, announced its intention to launch a broad-based solar-investment project at an Earth Day celebration at Vashon High School earlier this year. The group initially thought it would place a solar array on one of the school district buildings, but engineering issues as well as the group’s need to move quickly made none of the school district’s sites ideal, said Bill Moyer, direc-tor of the Backbone Campaign.

Vashon Community Solar nowhopes to erect a $400,000 to $500,000 project on a sloping par-cel next to the King County trans-fer station on Vashon’s west side, a project that would be funded by investors kicking in $1,000 or more.

The group has contracted with Carol Eggen, a former airline exec-utive who has a solar array at her own home, to try to get the project off the ground. Discussions with the county are currently under way, Eggen said. There’s a chance, she added, that the group could have its project erected by next spring, in time to begin taking advantage of the solar energy that comes with longer days.

A new effort, meanwhile, is also gaining traction — this one spearheaded by Vashon architect Gib Dammann, who had initial-ly joined forces with Moyer on Vashon Community Solar. Called Vashon Solar LLC, Dammann’s

A sweeping change is hitting cinemas, including Vashon’s

Lawrence Huggins Photo

Eileen Wolcott, owner of Vashon Theater, and her family — husband Gordon, her three children, from left, Raechel Ehlers, Bailey Wolcott and Jacob Wolcott, and grandchild Aidan Ehlers — often preview movies together.

Susan Riemer/Staff Photo

A student holds Utah, while father Brian Lowry smiles and looks on.

Finding empathy through babiesA new program takes rootBy SUSAN RIEMERStaff Writer

It is Friday morning, and the stu-dents in Tara Brenno’s second-grade class at Chautauqua Elementary School are standing in a circle, sing-ing around a soft blanket spread on the floor. Their voices drift into the hallway, where a mother stands just outside the door with her 5-month- old infant.

“Hello, Baby Utah,” the children sing. “How are you? How are you?”

Visiting instructor Alix Clarke nestles the baby in her arms, and the duo makes their way around the circle, stopping in front of each sing-ing child to say hello.

Thus begins what has become a monthly visit by baby Utah, as part of a program called Roots of Empathy (ROE), with similar pro-grams in countless schools across Canada and roughly 100 schools in the United States.

SEE THEATER, 24

SEE SOLAR, 22SEE EMPATHY, 23

Page 2 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COMW

inderm

ere Re

al Es

tate/

Vash

on-M

aury

Islan

d, LL

C.

Heather Brynn 206/979-4192

Nancy Davidson 206/406-2952

Sophia Stendahl 206/992-4636

Beth de Groen 206/463-9148 x206

Sue Carette 206/351-7772Rose Edgecombe 206/930-3670 Gary Ragland 206/949-1464

Dick Bianchi 206/714-3544

Linda Bianchi 206/947-1763 Connie Cunningham 206/853-5517

Cheryl Dalton 206/714-7281 Paul Helsby 206/463-9148x215

Denise Katz 206/390-9149Kathleen Rindge 206/463-9148x211Mike Shigley 206/919-3498

www.WindermereVashon.com

Vacant Land

For Sale Great Opportunity for

multi-use development. 4.5

acre parcel. 5 water shares,

sewer hookup available

#285755 $600,000

96’ low-bank waterfront

on Burton Peninsula. Lovely 2830 sf, 4 bdrm,

3 bth home w/float, dock, waterside decks.

MLS#203055 $995,000

2 Bdrm Condo near town.1047 sqft w/gas frpl, laundry & deck overlook-

ing quiet backyard. Covered & guest parking.

MLS#191864 $189,500

Lovely Mt Rainier views from this beautiful home. 3+ bdrm, 4 bth,

chef’s kitchen, beach rights, move-in ready.

MLS#232174 $494,900

Pastoral . acres w/rolling

lawn, stream & pond. Grand living room, fam-

ily room, 2 kitchens. 6+ car garage/shop.

MLS#173686 $389,000

PARADISE COVE WATERFRONT

Cute 3 bdrm on 52’ of west facing water-

front with boat launch & panoramic views!

MLS#289568 $519,000

In Town convenience! 790 sqft, sewer connected, 1 bdrm on sunny,

level shy 1/4 acre. Close to shops & buses.

MLS#244779 $174,500

Stylish, crisp Peter Anderson

renovation. Private 4 bedrm on half acre

with 75’ waterfront on Inner Harbor.

MLS#229772 $949,000

100’ no-bank sandy beachat Paradise Cove. Idyllic privacy, cedar log cabin

w/custom cabinets, & large entertaing deck.

MLS#292022 $495,000

Paradise Valley 9.7 acreswith Judd Creek crossing entire property.

Well cared for 2 bdrm w/garden spaces.

MLS#290793 $335,000

Westside view estate Elegant

4400 sf home sited majestically on 9.4 acres w/

views of the Olympics. Guest quarters & studio.

MLS#209871 $850,000

Adorable waterfront cot-

tage close to Tahlequah ferry. 1930’s bungalow

on 100’ wft. Hardwoods, leaded glass built-ins.

MLS#113181 $355,000

Peninsula Waterfront.Substantial 5 bedroom brick & stone wft home.

greenhse, orchard, bulkhead, boat ramp.

MLS#193229 $635,000

9.65 acres of privateWestside land near town.

Completed CAO, KC approved

3 bdrm septic, drilled well.

#49059 $198,500

11+ acres on 2 tax lots on Old Vashon Hwy. Views of

Sound & Mtns, heavily for-

ested. Heights water available.

#263221 $225,000

405’ waterfront on

the Westside. Beauti-

ful 4.13 acres, approved

septic, building permits.

#33417 $475,000

Happy ThanksgivingMay the good things of life be yours in abundance not only at Thanksgivingbut throughout the coming year

Page 3

12431 Vashon Hwy SW 206.567.4994

Extended hours 11/25–12/24 Thursday–Sunday, 2pm–7pm

Sales EventFriday, November 25

Call or order online anytime during the 24 hours or come to the winery to shop 2:00–7:00pm.

*Discount on cases based on original bottle pricing.

~ 35% off EVERY bottle~ 50% off whole cases*Starting Friday morning at midnight

Join us at our

www.palousewinery.comWe offer shipping, personal delivery or pick-up at our winery.

McCullough ahead in fire board raceCandy McCullough, ini-

tially trailing in the tightly contested race for Vashon’s fire board, has gained a nota-ble lead, according to recent election results.

Though initial results in the race for Position 4 on Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s board showed Joe Ulatoski in the lead, later returns were weighted toward incumbent McCullough, and as of Friday she was 65 votes ahead. According to results released by King County Friday, McCullough had 50.6 percent of the vote, or 2,070 votes. Ulatoski had 49.05 percent with 2,005 votes.

Ulatoski was ahead by a little more than 70 votes when the first tallies were reported on Tuesday, Nov. 8. A week later McCullough gained a slight lead, which continued to grow.

Updated results will be announced daily, with final

results on Nov. 29 when the election is certified.

On Sunday McCullough said it was looking good for her, but she wasn’t declaring a win quite yet. “It’s really not over till it’s over,” she said.

Ulatoski agreed it was unlikely he would regain the lead, but he still wanted to see what the next few days of results show. About 75 new votes were added to Friday’s totals.

“We should know by Wednesday,” he said. “Until we start seeing the number of votes (coming in) way down, I’m not ready to concede.”

He added that he would call and congratulate Mc-Cullough when she had clearly won.

“Whichever one of us wins, Vashon comes out ahead,” he said.

About 4,600 ballots from Vashon have been counted, a 59 percent return.

Bank dissatisfaction reverberates on VashonBy NATALIE JOHNSONFor The Beachcomber

While some Islanders are showing their dissatisfac-tion with large banks by transferring their accounts to Vashon’s credit union, at least one Islander expressed his view by vandalizing three local banks.

On Monday, Nov. 7, the weekday following Friday, Nov. 5 — dubbed Bank Transfer Day by a national movement — a young man put super glue in the front door locks of Vashon’s three banks — Bank of America, Chase and U.S. Bank.

According to a police re-port, the 26-year-old ended the spree at U.S. Bank, where he then entered the building and asked bank employees to call 911. He told them he would not leave until he was arrested.

When sheriffs deputies arrived, the man, who later told police he was homeless, was waiting in a chair with a smile on his face, accord-ing to the report. He was booked into a King County Jail on three counts of mali-cious mischief.

Bill Moyer, a politi-cal activist who heads the Backbone Campaign, said the young man called him after the incident. The man told Moyer that he had van-dalized the banks to make a statement and wanted to know what he thought.

Moyer, who had heard of other recent bank vandal-ism as well, said he told the man his move was stupid and ill-advised.

“The most important thing when you’re trying to build a movement is to do things that increase audi-ence sympathy and under-standing of your point of view,” he said. “Vandalism, just like violence, does not tend to do that in this country.”

Meanwhile, Vashon’s branch of the Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union (PSCCU), which opened in March, continues to see a steady stream of new mem-bers, said branch manager Patte Wagner

Wagner said she had

all her staff work on Nov. 5 in anticipation of Bank Transfer Day.

She said they opened 14 new memberships that day, a record for a Saturday when the branch is only open four hours. Some members opened additional accounts that day, completing their transfers from banks.

“Our lobby was full,” she said. “We were not able to process everyone that day.”

On their next business day, Nov. 8, Wagner said they opened 19 new mem-berships, some of them for people who had come in on Saturday.

However, Wagner added, she didn’t think Bank Transfer day was huge on Vashon. Islanders continue to transfer their money, she said; it’s not uncommon for the branch to see 10 new members in a day.

Wagner said she saw a particular uptick in new accounts after Bank of America announced in late September that it was considering adding a $5 monthly debit fee.

“That was the last straw for a lot of people. ... Every time a bank announces a different fee, we get a wave of people,” she said.

Moyer, who helped bring the credit union to Vashon

and serves on PSCCU’s board, said he is pleased Islanders continue to em-brace the credit union.

“On Vashon, Bank Transfer Day is every day,” he said.

Though managers at all three local branches were unable to comment on the movement opposing big banks or the recent vandal-ism, at least one bank, Chase, had increased security for a time after the incident.

Islander Jenni Wilke, who has a business account at Chase, said she was shocked when earlier this month she saw a security guard at the bank. She said she though it was an overreaction.

Darcy Donahoe-Wilmot, a spokesperson for Chase, would neither confirm nor deny the increased security but said, “Security has been increased at various branch-es based on the Occupy pro-test going on.”

Wilke was also sympa-thetic to Vashon’s Chase branch, though, saying she understands the Island’s bank workers have to com-ply with corporate policies.

“I feel like the higher-ups need to adjust and adapt and recognize some of these banks are trying to make it in these little communi-ties,” she said.

206/ 463-9148 ◊ 17233 Vashon Hwy SWMailing address: PO Box 1867

Vashon Island is a wildly beautiful place with miles and miles of shoreline. The postcard views around each corner are breathtaking and lead many day-trippers to consider living here on a permanent or part-time basis, the first time they visit. As is the case in any unique environment, if you decide you might want to live here, you need a local guide!

Windermere Vashon is the most venerable office on Vashon. A primary player in the Vashon-Maury Island community, our team has decades of experience assisting you to find your passion in this diversely talented and active community. Whether it’s buying vacant land for your custom residence or simply answering questions about the award-winning school system, ferries/commuting, septic innovations, or the best fishing spots

–your Windermere Vashon broker knows the neighborhood!

The Uniqueness of Vashon Island....

DeniseKatz

Managing Broker

206/390-9149dkatz@windermere.com

Home on Acreage

Custom NW Contemporary sited on 10 lush acres with rolling

lawn, towering evergreens and dramatic woodland acreage

with Judd Creek running through the property. $439,0000

SOLDSOLD

Page 4 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

Visit our website for high quality prints and digital

downloads of local sports stars in action.

www.Riksimages.com U-Cut!

CASH OR CHECKS ONLY

Happy Holidays from TR’s Tree Farm

formerly Mitchell’sOpening Day:

Saturday, November 26, 2011Vashon Island

27427 Vashon Hwy. SWVashon, WA 98070(206) 660-7325Open 9am to 5pm

Saturdays & Sundays Only

(Liquor service is available to members and their guests) WAC 314-52-115(1)

VASHON EAGLES

206.463.5477

ThanksgivingDinner

Everyone is invited toVashon Eagles Aerie #3144!

3pm Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Anyone can attend at no chargePotluck side dishes or desserts gladly

accepted but not required.

WINTER FÊTE ~ DECEMBER 3 & 4 Saturday, 6:30pm | Sunday, 4:30pm | $95pp

RESTAURANT | BUTCHER SHOP | DAIRY | WINERY

Join Us for a Delectable Celebration A special 9-course winter menu with

wine pairings;Featuring the best

local harvest of the season.

Island nonprofit sets its sights on continued conservation effortsOrganization that helped win Glacier fight will look at local and regional issuesBy NATALIE JOHNSONStaff Writer

Before the county’s purchase of Glacier Northwest’s mining site on Maury Island was complete last January, ending the largest environmental battle in Vashon’s history, Amy Carey, director of Preserve Our Islands, was already questioned on the future of POI.

“We were hearing early on, ‘Please, you’re not going to close your doors,’” Carey said.

Indeed, Preserve Our Islands’ sole purpose for almost 15 years was to prevent Glacier from expanding its mining and barging operation on Maury. After part-nering with the county and other environmental organizations to achieve that goal, it seemed as if POI’s work was done.

Carey, who has headed the non-profit since 2007, said closing shop was an option the organization considered, but not for long.

“We want to move forward,” she said. “We’ve gained and learned so much here, and we have a lot of value to contribute.”

After spending months re-searching current conservation efforts in Puget Sound, interview-

ing local experts about gaps in environmental protection and surveying its membership, POI’s board has chosen to move forward with a new mission in the same spirit of improving Puget Sound.

In what Carey calls a dual path-way, the organization will contin-ue its presence on Vashon, staying involved in the development of the Maury site while working on other local conservation issues. It will also expand its reach to act as a regional watchdog for shoreline-related construction permitting.

“It feels really exciting to contin-ue the momentum of this commu-nity organization, to go forward and do more good,” Carey said. “It’s a different kind of excite-ment than fighting a giant mining company.”

Tom Dean, director of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, said he’s pleased POI will con-tinue to work with the county as it develops a management and cleanup plan for the former Glacier site, which has soil con-taminated by the historic Tacoma smelter plume.

“There’s a lot of work there for an advocacy group that the land trust just can’t do,” he said.

Carey said POI, which has done extensive research and testing at the Maury site, has a lot of infor-mation to provide the county and will help form a citizen advisory group for the site. She said the organization also hopes to get

involved with other important environmental efforts on Vashon, such as improving the poor health of Quartermaster Harbor.

Though the county seems to have a handle on overseeing Vashon’s Marine Recovery Area, Carey said, POI could perhaps act as a friendly local face for homeowners faced with replacing their septic systems. And it will provide oversight and advocacy as the state Department of Natural Resources soon updates its man-agement plan for the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve, which includes all of Quartermaster Harbor and the southeast shore of Maury.

“There’s a lot of focus, rightfully so, on the health of Quartermaster Harbor right now,” Carey said.

But, as Carey noted, Puget

Sound is all connected, and one of the greatest threats to its health is near-shore development. Though state and local regulations on construction are meant to pro-tect aquatic habitat, Carey said permits are often granted without adequate protections in place.

“Glacier was clearly not an exception to the rule,” Carey said. “Over and over again the same thing that was happening in the Glacier fight happens on a lot of projects.”

In its research, Carey said, POI discovered that environmental groups currently provide very little watchdogging for permit approval. As an example, Carey said that in 2010, the state Department of Fish & Wildlife approved about 500 permits for projects such as docks, bulkheads and storm-water dis-charge, denying only one because of a clerical error. Its own audits found that about 20 percent of the time its permits didn’t meet envi-ronmental standards, she said.

“That’s not just 2010; it’s pretty much every year,” she said. “It’s incredibly rare for a permit to be denied.”

State Sen. Sharon Nelson, who founded POI in 1997 and was its president for five years, said she is pleased to see the organization now taking on the issue of per-mitting.

Not only do agencies sometimes issue permits without proper envi-ronmental protections, she said, it

is difficult to assure applicants provide accurate information or ultimately follow restrictions given by the state.

“It’s a major concern,” Nelson said. “The difficulty in saving Puget Sound is that it looks so beautiful on the surface, and yet its troubles are so deep. Each and every action going on in Puget Sound has an effect, and that’s why organizations like POI are critical.”

As POI takes on a new mis-sion, it will also reexamine how it is structured, Carey said, likely adding to its three-member board, currently chaired by Islander Patrick Christie. Last year POI moved from an all-volunteer orga-nization to a paid staff model, with Carey as its sole employee.

POI has also begun fundrais-ing for the first time since 2009, excluding when it helped raise funds to purchase the Glacier site.

Just days after Carey sent hun-dreds of letters to POI supporters explaining the organization’s new direction and asking for contin-ued support, a large pod of orcas made its way down the eastern side of Vashon.

Carey, who was at Point Robinson to witness one of the most spectacular shows orcas have put on off Vashon in years, said the experience was a stark reminder of POI’s mission.

“Let’s keep those orcas jumping off our shoreline,” she said.

Amy Carey

Page 5

Constantinople!CLOTHING, SHOES, ACCESSORIES

17508 Vashon Hwy S.W.

Vashon Island, WA 98070

(206) 463-0994

AnniversarySALE

ONE WEEK ONLY!Starts Friday, November 25th

Store Hours:Mon.- Fri: 11:00 – 6:00

Sat: 10:00 – 6:00

Sun: 12:00 – 5:00

Did you know?Thanksgiving can actually improve your teeth? Although foods like sweet potatoes

and apple pie have high sugar content there are many other foods at a thanksgiving feast that are good for your teeth. Cheese contains calcium which can help to rebuild tooth structure and oils which coat the teeth and make it more difficult for bacteria and plaque to adhere. Cranberries have been shown to contain natural chemicals which interfere with plaque and bacteria adhesion. Cranberry sauce, however, often contains high levels of sugar which counteracts this benefit. By adding milk to mashed potatoes the teeth can benefit from more calcium. The mastication of turkey promotes saliva production which helps to wash away acid in the mouth. Protein cannot be digested by cavity causing bacteria which makes turkey a very tooth friendly food (I hope there aren’t any turkeys reading this). While I certainly don’t recommend giving up on grandma’s pie this thanksgiving, I would recommend spending some extra time with a tooth brush after the feast!

Tooth Talk Tips for maintaining a healthy smile

with Dr. Langland& Dr. Maki

Vashon Island Dental(206) 463-9282

www.VashonIslandDental.com

Dr. Langland Dr. Maki

Physical Address: 17425 Vashon Hwy SW

Mailing Address: PO Box 673, Vashon Island WA 98070

QUALITY PET PRODUCTS

Gobble Gobble!Happy Turkey Day

We Be Closed.See You Friday!

YAM LAMB Sheep Co.USDA and Locker lamb & beef

Supports Wolftown’s agricultural programAlso wool clothing!

You want the slow/local food and clothing movement to work?

Please put your dollars where your heart is.

206-463-9113 or huiha@centurytel.net

Sheepdog ‘herds’ hungry geese damaging grassBy NATALIE JOHNSONStaff Writer

A border collie named Ron recently helped the park district solve what could have become a costly problem.

When crews left the site of the Vashon Fields project last month — abandoning the fields for the winter to let the newly planted grass grow — a new group almost immediately moved in. A flock of Canada Geese came to feed on the over 5 acres of fresh fields, tearing up grass and leaving behind destruc-tive droppings.

Ron Krieger, the athletic fields groundskeeper, said that although geese are normally not a concern to the park district, the birds could kill this particular grass because it is young and fragile.

“The hungry geese can cause severe damage to the delicate new fields as they pull up the grass by those shallow roots,” he said.

After a couple of unsuc-cessful attempts at keep-ing the geese away, Krieger

remembered he had seen wooden cutouts of dogs used to advertise the Vashon Sheepdog Classic in September. He approached organizers of the sheepdog trials, hoping the cutouts might trick the birds into staying away.

Maggi McClure, a sheep-dog trainer who heads the Sheepdog Classic each year, told Krieger she would do him one better. Last week she brought one of her bor-der collies to the field.

Under whistle command, Rob, a 2-year-old sheep-dog in training, ran in a

large loop around the field, immediately scaring off the geese.

McClure said that Rob was actually looking for sheep, as he is trained to do, and probably didn’t even notice the birds.

“These geese pretty much took off, and he was still looking for sheep,” she said with a laugh. “He was a little deflated, but he got the job done.”

Though it was Rob’s first experience with geese, McClure said it’s very com-mon for sheepdogs to be used to keep the pesky

birds away from parks, golf courses and sports fields.

Park district employees also installed several black dog cutouts at the fields, hoping to remind the geese of the border collie and fool them into staying away.

Susan McCabe, program coordinator for the park district, said that so far it seems to be working. No one has reporting seeing geese at the field in a over week. She said the park district is thrilled to have found a free and humane way to save the new athletic fields from the hungry birds.

“It would have been a huge bill to replace the grass, and they were already tearing a lot of it up,” she said.

McClure, for her part, says she’ll bring her dog back again if the geese return. She’s glad to help in the effort, she said, as she has a 9-year-old son who plays sports and will one day use the new fields.

“I can’t wait to see my son running out there instead of my dog,” she said.

Park district calls in the dogs at fields project

Dog cutouts have been installed at the new fields site to remind geese of the border collie who scared them away.

Write to us: The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber welcomes community comment. Please submit letters — e-mail is preferred — by noon Friday for consideration in the following week’s paper. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Only one letter from a writer per month, please.

All letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and libel considerations. We try to print all letters but make no promises. Letters attacking individuals, as well as anonymous letters, will not be published.

Our e-mail address is editor@vashonbeachcomber.com.

Page 6 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

EDITORIAL

Islanders had a fantastic choice on Nov. 8, when we had to decide between Candy McCullough and Joe Ulatoski for fire commissioner. Little wonder, then, that a mere 60 or 70 votes out of some 4,075 cast separate them.

They’re both people of integrity. They’re both committed to the fire department. And they both wanted the position very much.

Few other races drew two candidates, least of all, two can-didates who actually campaigned for the seat. Three positions were open on the Vashon school board; only the incumbents opted to run. The same is true for the Vashon Park District board, where, again, three incumbents ran for three seats.

But when it came to Position 4 on the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s board, McCullough and Ulatoski gave it their all — campaigning vigorously and well.

It appears that McCullough has proved victorious. In the last five days, she has pulled steadily ahead. But in such a close elec-tion, the voters have also made something else clear: Both were fine candidates, worthy of support.

Our turnout was also impressive. Nearly 60 percent of the Island’s eligible voters cast ballots, compared to 51 percent countywide and 52 percent in Seattle.

The fire district race was a great example of civic-minded politics and community-based democracy. We commend both candidates for their thoughtful and spirited campaigns.

Fire board race: A fine exercise in democracy

ADMINISTRATIONPUBLISHER: Daralyn Anderson

publisher@vashonbeachcomber.com

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR:Patricia Seamanadmin@vashonbeachcomber.com

Circulation (253) 872-6713

circulation@soundpublishing.com

Administration (206) 463-9195Fax (206) 463-6122

E-mail: publisher@vashonbeachcomber.com

EDITORIALEDITOR: Leslie Brown

editor@vashonbeachcomber.comNews (206) 463-9195editor@vashonbeachcomber.com

ARTS: Elizabeth Shepherdarts@vashonbeachcomber.com

SPORTS: sports@vashonbeachcomber.com

BUSINESS, CALENDAR: Susan Riemersriemer@vashonbeachcomber.com

STAFF REPORTER: Natalie Johnsonnjohnson@vashonbeachcomber.com

ADVERTISINGMARKETING REPRESENTATIVE:Matthew Olds

Display Advertising (206) 463-9195ads@vashonbeachcomber.com

DESIGN/PRODUCTIONMARKETING DESIGNERS: Nance Scott and Linda Henleyproduction@vashonbeachcomber.com

CLASSIFIEDSClassified Ads (800) 388-2527classifieds@soundpublishing.com

OPINIONVashon-Maury

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 17141 Vashon Hwy SW, Suite B, Vashon, WA 98070; (USPS N0. 657-060) is published every Wednesday by Sound Publishing Inc.; Corporate Headquarters: 19351 8th Avenue NE, Suite 106, Poulsbo, WA 98370-8710. (Please do not send press releases to this address.)SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $30 on Island motor route delivery, one year; $57 two years; Off Island, continental U.S., $57 a year and $30 for 6 months. Periodical postage paid at Vashon, Washington. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Beachcomber P.O. Box 447, Vashon Island, WA 98070.

Copyright 2011 © Sound Publishing Inc.

Another tough set of cuts await us, even as lawmakers consider new taxes

On Monday a 30-day special session of the Washington State Legislature will commence, as the state faces a $2.2 billion shortfall in revenue for the 2011-2013 budget.

When we left Olympia in late May, our biennial budget included a $723 million surplus and we were optimistic that the economy was improving. However, revenue forecasts since May have been negative as sales tax revenues fail to stabilize. Thus, we now face another revenue shortfall — just six months later. Unfortunately the surplus upon which we relied has proven to be insufficient.

The operating budget for the state is $31.7 billion. Last ses-sion we made $5 billion in cuts to balance that budget, and over three years of the recession we’ve cut $10 billion in public services. Cuts to higher education and the state’s basic health plan were a part of that mix, and the safety net for families in need was severely impacted as well. Now we have to cut another $2.2 billion from that same budget, and there is no doubt that means impacts to families in our state.

The Associated Press noted in a Nov. 14 story, “the state will have about the same amount of revenue in 2013 as it did in 2007 — while the government will be servicing 3.3 percent more K-12 students and even higher caseloads in social ser-vices programs.”

As our population grows, more students are in our classrooms and the recession has placed more fam-ilies in need of state support. Yet our revenues, which rely heavily on sales tax, are not increasing in

order to pro-vide the ser-vices govern-ment should provide.

As I talk with constitu-ents on Vashon and elsewhere in the 34th

Legislative District, they raise questions about whether we will end corporate subsidies (tax loop-holes) and raise revenue instead of passing another draconian, all-cuts budget. I do support trying to pass a revenue package and recognize that what will be included will be heavily debated in Olympia.

It is important that citizens know that Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1153, which was recently passed, requires a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to approve a revenue package, includ-ing closing corporate subsidies. Closing corporate loopholes is a “tax increase” under I-1153.

I do not foresee either the House or the Senate being able to come up with that two-thirds vote. So our alternative will be to try to pass a revenue package with a simple majority and place it on the ballot as early as possible next year for a statewide vote. The budget we vote on would still be an “all-cuts budget” but the revenue package, if passed, would allow us to restore programs.

With the soda industry financ-ing an initiative two years ago to roll back the tax we placed on soda and candy, and with one retailer funding an initiative to privatize the liquor system in our state, I am very aware that as we try to close select corporate loopholes those corporations may spend tens of

millions of dollars to convince vot-ers to not support a revenue pack-age. So the legislature will have to carefully analyze the potential opposition to any package placed on the ballot, and that filter will be an important part of our discus-sion.

Two years ago progressive legis-lators, including myself, were clear that any increase in sales tax was off the table. At this point in time, I am willing to look at all options as we continue the debate on the budget and revenue package. The cuts we will have to make are too deep and will impact our children’s education, from pre-K through college, and the most fragile in our society.

As legislators, we have a respon-sibility to balance the budget, and we will. But we also have a responsibility to our neighbors to help our communities recover and thrive. Working together, we can meet both those respon-sibilities. We are open to all options and committed to finding a path forward that the people of Washington will support.

Since the Great Depression, every recession has lasted about 18 months and then job recovery commenced and the nation’s econ-omy picked up. The current reces-sion started 47 months ago, and although it is technically “over,” the job recovery and the economy limps along. Washington state, along with almost every other state, continues to pay for the ter-rible lending practices of the Wall Street banks and the impacts of two wars on our economy.

As I head back to Olympia, I will work to protect programs where possible and to ensure that we put a viable revenue package on the ballot as soon as possible.

— Sharon Nelson is a state senator and Maury Island resident.

STATE BUDGETBy SHARON NELSON

Lawmakers’ budget options are limited

A special session of the Legislature begins Nov. 28, when Gov. Chris Gregoire will propose $2 billion in cuts.

Going green: The Beachcomber online

Imagine you’re traveling and want to know what’s happen-ing on Vashon. Or perhaps you’d like to read the paper online, rather than have newsprint delivered to your home.

The Beachcomber now has a new service for its subscribers. Called “Green Editions,” each week’s print issue is now available to subscribers to view and read — page by page, anytime, any-where — on our website.

The Green Edition goes live every Wednesday morning, when the paper hits the streets. It includes all of our special sec-tions, ads and classifieds — a virtual issue, without the paper. The online pages will automatically provide a link to URLs found in news stories or advertisements. What’s more, back issues — starting with September 2011 — will be archived and available. So you can look for that story you forgot to clip, print a full or partial page or download the entire paper. You can also download the paper to a Kindle or other electronic reader.

To view these new electronic pages, visit www.vashonbeach-comber.com and click on “Green Editions” on the navigation bar. This is available only to subscribers; you’ll need your user name and password. Once you’re logged on, The Beachcomber will be at your fingertips, a community newspaper without the newsprint.

State Rep. Joe FitzgibbonPO Box 40600Olympia, WA 98504-0600(360) 786-7952joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov

State Sen. Sharon NelsonPO Box 40434Olympia, WA 98504-0434(360) 786-7667sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov

State Rep. Eileen CodyPO Box 40600Olympia, WA 98504-0600(360) 786-7978eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov

Page 7

Amiad & Associates Exclusively Representing Buyers of Vashon Island Homes

206-463-4060 or 1-800-209-4168

want to wish you alla wonderful Thanksgiving!

We have lost a very special person in our Amiad & Associates family, our extraordinary secretary and offi ce manager, Brem,

but we are so very thankful that we knew her. Her good cheer and deep empathy made our lives so much richer

and we felt blessed. Hold your friends and family close to your heart. Be grateful everyday for all that you have.

Reach out to others who need your love.

Sammy and I and our family wish you

a happy holiday.

I

Letters accepted must be no more than 150 words and include a daytime phone number. Deadline for this section is noon on Friday. Letters in this section will run as submitted except in the cases of libel or profanity.

UNICEF trick-or-treatMany thanks to the Vashon merchants who displayed UNICEF trick-or-treat boxes. Annu-ally merchants assist the Vashon Methodist Church in raising money for UNICEF. This year the money gathered through Halloween trick-or-treat helps children around the world with mosquito borne disease prevention and other disease prevention, clean water pumps, protein biscuits, school emergency first aid kits and school in a box so children can learn any where.

Thank you Vashon community for your gen-erous reaching out to communities around the world.

Nancy Vanderpool

VFW helps prepare our future leaders of tomorrowVeterans of Foreign Wars Post 2826 thanks the following Vashon citizens for judging 115 essays from the Chautauqua, McMurray, The Harbor School and Boy Scout Troop 294: Norm Mathews, Karen Fuller, Henry Porter, Tim Marsh and Clay Gleb from the Vashon Thriftway Store; Dave and Con-nie Parker, Jim Scott and Ed Williams from the Kiwanis Club; and Burdell Hollis, John Moore, Brig. Gen. Joe Ulatoski, Bart Queary and Roy Bumgarner from the VFW Post 2826 and the Vashon community.

The VFW Post 2826 thanks the Presbyterian Church for permitting the judging to be con-ducted at their church on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and schools’ administrators and teachers and Scout Master Peter Milovsoroff for en-couraging students and scouts to participate in the VFW-sponsored National Patriot’s Pen Program (6th, 7th and 8th grades) and the Washington State VFW-sponsored Youth

Essay Contest (3rd, 4th and 5th grades).

First place winners in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades will be forwarded to VFW District 2 for their evaluation by Nov. 19th and VFW Post 2826 will conduct their Essay Banquet at McMurray during the week before District 2 conducts their Essay Award on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at a post in Seattle. VFW District 2 receives essays from schools in Seattle and Vashon. The VFW Post 2826 will award a certificate to each student who participated, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards in the five classes noted above will receive a framed certificate and a cash award.

The VFW is attempting to contribute, in a small way, to prepare our leaders of tomor-row for their awesome tasks.

Olde John CroanYouth Essay ChairmanVashon VFW Post 2826

Happy Thanksgivingfrom the staff of

The Beachcomber

“What’s new?” Cossetted comfortably beneath the slow

mood, slow food drape that descends over Vashon in the fall, I find I have a stock answer to that question. “Not much.”

However, meandering up the road on a morning walk accompanied by the dog, I considered the question with more awareness. After all, our son, who has been away for school, would be coming down this same road in 24 hours, see-ing it with fresh eyes for the first time in two-and-a-half months. I had answered him several times with the “not much” response, but I thought in anticipation of his Thanksgiving homecoming I would survey all with fresh eyes of my own to validate my mantra.

Of course, the verdant green of trees that stand and whisper about things as we walk has changed to a sky full of gold. The roadway, potholes recently filled, is littered with leaves. But that is expected.

Off to the left, two little alpacas have joined the menagerie of our huge-hearted neighbors, who hoped the pair would cheer up their lonesome llama. They stare back with a startled, Suessical expres-sion that makes me laugh. I stop to con-sider the dog that had four legs just two months ago and now runs confidently with three. His new coat is more striking than the fact he’s a canine tripod.

A big tree has fallen in front of the cabin of the sometimes summer people.

They’ve been noti-fied. It barely missed a fence, but did no harm.

Newish residents behind us have added a second horse and changed the fence line, two largish changes that are hard to miss.

And events have transpired with the lovely blondes who live on either side of us. One lost her first two baby teeth, the other a favorite beau. But those things aren’t immediately apparent until you don’t get the expected smile.

I wonder if my son will notice we fin-ished spreading that truckload of garden bark. That his bathroom is sparkling clean. That his bed is made. That there are tears in my eyes when he jumps out of the truck. I conclude that changes con-tinuously tiptoe in and drift down even when you don’t notice.

So to embrace “what’s new,” I will back him up to the door frame and most likely reach up higher than ever to mark-off another half-inch of what’s new with him.

— Margaret Heffelfinger is a freelance writer, artist and mother who lives on Vashon.

FAMILYBy MARGARET HEFFELFINGER

VASHONOLOGY BY BILL JARCHO

Happy Thanksgiving, from the staff at The Beachcomber

•

Blessed to be a Blessing: This commmunity Thanksgiving eve service will be in the Episcopal tradition. All people are welcome. 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit.

Community Thanksgiving: The event is a potluck, but contribu-tions are not required. There will be something for every dietary preference; all people are welcome to attend this annual tradition at the church. RSVPs are appreciated but not required; call 463-2010. 4 to 6 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church.

Vashon Island Pet Protectors Holiday Wreath and Swag Sale: Each year VIPP’s all-volunteer crew crafts these holiday decorations out of fresh fi r, cedar, holly and lots of extras. To pre-order a wreath or swag, call 947-7163. VIPP will also hold a holiday pet food/care drive. The Island nonprofi t is in need of clumping litter as well as wet and dry cat and dog food. Drop off any donations during the wreath sale. Noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Land Trust Building.

Clay Salon: Aruba Pottery & Tile Works off ers “The Dream Salon a la Clay” the last Friday of each month. Participants can engage in lively conversations and step into the realm of creativity. The evenings are by donation and are for adults only. Call Steve Roache for more information at 463-0048. 7 to 9 p.m. at 11930 Cemetery Rd.

Weekend Book Club: The book will be “The Widows’ Adventures” by Charles Dickinson. January’s selection is “On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford. New members are welcome. Call Nancy Paul at 567-5606 for more information.

Ceili Dance: Sam Keator from Portland, Ore., will call all the dances, and the Vashon Ceili Band (Steve Austin, Marilyn Kleyn and Martin Nyberg) will provide live music. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Lessons will start at 7 p.m., and the dance will last until 10 p.m. at the Grange next to the north end parking lot. For directions, call Nancy Pendergast at 567-5442.

Unitarian Fellowship: This Thanksgiving celebration will include music and a communal sharing of apple cider, cornbread and fall foods. 9:30 a.m. at Lewis Hall behind the Burton Community Church.

Sound of Music Sing-Along:Sing along to the classic on the silver screen. The doors open at 11:30 a.m., vocal warm-ups start at 11:45 a.m., and the movie starts promptly at noon. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 4 to 17 and free for tots birth to 3. The movie will play at the Vashon Theatre.

eReader and Digital Down-loads Demonstration: Learn how to download KCLS eBooks to eReaders or computers during this demonstration. Drop in to look at popular eReaders, learn how to use OverDrive and Adobe Digital Editions software, and ask questions. 6:30 p.m. at the Vashon Library.

Library Story Times: Toddler story time, for ages 21 months to 3 years, will meet at 10:40 a.m. Preschool Story Times, for ages 3 to 5 with an adult, will meet at

11:30 a.m. at the Vashon Library.

UPCOMING

Tea for Hestia Retreat: Organiz-ers of the proposed Hestia Retreat, a retreat for women, invite Island women to tea and to lend their creativity by sharing what they’d like Hestia to look like and what programs they’d like to see off ered there. In addition to solitude for personal retreats, Hestia will off er workshops and other gatherings for community and education. At the planning meeting, childcare will be provided on-site. To learn more about Hestia, see hestiaretreat.com or email info@hestiaretreat.com. 2 to 3:30 p.m. or 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Cohousing Common House.

Holiday Open House and Welcoming Santa: Participating merchants will be open for drop-ping off coupons and shopping throughout the day on Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade to welcome Santa will line up at 5:30 p.m. at the Vashon Market parking lot and will begin at 5:45 p.m. and end at the Village Green, where the tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will return to their sleigh in town so children can have their pictures taken with them. Festivities will last until 8 p.m. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 463-6217.

Vashon Cribbage Tournament: The Vashon Cribbage Club is host-ing the Jim Ranstrom Memorial Regional Grass Roots Cribbage Tournament next month. This 18-game round-robin tournament will be a fundraiser in support of the Vashon Senior Center. To learn more about the Vashon Cribbage Club or to sign up for the December tournament, visit www.VashonCribbage.com or email VashonCribbage@gmail.com. It is open to American Cribbage Con-gress members. To join, visit www.cribbage.org. Registration starts at 8 a.m., the tournament starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Vashon Senior Center.

Holiday Market: More than 25

artisans will off er jewelry, soaps, wooden spoons, lavender wands, organic skincare products, garden art, wooden cutting boards, rock wind chimes, organic dog treats, knit hats and scarves, caramels, wooden boxes, stained glass “feathers” and kaleidascopes, original paintings and prints, etched glass and more. Island farmers will still be there with late fall produce and eggs; plus the market off ers fresh seafood. Listen to folk singer/songwriter Kat Egg-leston, plus holiday carolers, while enjoying goodies from the VIGA bake sale. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vashon High School commons.

Art Studio Tour: The annual tour of artists studios opens for two weekends. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11. (For more information, see page 10). Support Camp Waskowitz and Exploratory Week: Parents and fi fth-graders will wrap holiday presents for a donation. They will also put on a bake sale, with all proceeds going to the Waskowitz trip this year. Wrapping days will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the old Robinson Furniture, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17, at Movie Magic. McMurray students will raise money for Exploratory Week scholarships by off ering childcare at the PlaySpace from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10. Families are asked to pay by a donation of what they would have paid to have child care in their home. Eighth-graders who would like to volunteer to do child care and families interested in signing up can contact Melana Taitch at melanaa@yahoo.com or 463-3775.

CLASSES

Line Dancing: KB Jones, a line-dancing teacher, will show basic steps for dancing to country music; beginners, men, women and children are all welcome. Wear leather-soled shoes. Free. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Senior Center on Bank Road.

Bridge Lessons: Ellen Trout teaches the basics from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Daphne Purpus teaches the advanced bidding and conventions class from 1 to 3 p.m. Free. Wednesdays at the Senior Center on Bank Road.

Aerial Workshop: Build strength, fl exibility and confi dence while having fun. Esther Edelman is off ering a one-day sampler class that will introduce the aerial ap-paratus. Invert in a sling, swing on a trapeze or learn how to climb up fabric. Edelman off ers a safe, supportive environment in which students are invited to try new skills at their own level. The cost is $18. Contact Edelman at esther @silkaerial.com 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Open Space for Arts & Community.

Waking Fully to Living and Dying: Spend an evening explor-ing the “sacred art of living and

dying.” Learn about the wisdom of our ancestors that teaches life is enhanced when we don’t live in fear around our own mortality. Consider the universal question: How shall we live knowing we are going to die? Dean Sharpe and Marlis Beier, both physicians and experienced facilitators from the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend, Ore., are guest speakers. The focus of the day will be on rela-tionships, forgiveness, meaning and hope. Call Sissel Johannessen at 463-9326 or Carol Spangler at 567-5302 for further informa-tion. Donations will be gratefully received. The Puget Sound Zen Center is sponsoring this nonde-nominational program, which will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Vashon Community Care.

Zumba Fitness: Dari Haff e teaches

from 9 a.m to 10 a.m. Wedesdays and Saturdays, and Sara Van Fleet teaches from 10 to 11 a.m. Thurs-days at the Vashon Dance Academy. The fi rst class is free. For more details, prices and additional classes around the Island, go to www.vashonzumba.com.

Tree and Shrub Seminar: This free seminar presented by the Vashon Master Gardeners and native plant stewards Helen Meeker and Sherene Zolno will explore how to best use native plants and provide information on their desired habitat, benefi ts for wildlife, advantages and disad-vantages, plus recommendations for companion plants. Order forms will also be available to purchase native plants through the land trust sale in February. 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Vashon Land Trust Building.

Ray Pfortner Photo

Don your boots and coats, grab your flashlight, and treat your visiting family and friends to a memorable and uniquely Vashon event this Friday night. Those who go will likely see colorful nudibranchs pursue their prey, orange sea pens anchored in the sand, sea cucumbers hugging rocks, a forest of tube-worms, sea snails and a wide selection of crab and sea stars. And if luck would have it, an octopus may join in the fun.The free event offered by Vashon Beach Naturalists will be a guided exploration from 9 to 11 p.m. at the north end ferry dock. The tide will get as low as –3.2, providing exciting opportunities for discovery in a large area of intertidal zone.Above, a group explores the wonders of the nighttime beach.

CALENDARVashon-Maury

SUBMISSIONS

Send items to Susan@vashonbeachcomber.com.Deadline is noon Thursday for Wednesday publication. The calendar is intended for commu-nity activities, cultural events and nonprofi t groups; notices are free and printed as space permits.

SEE THE SEA STARS BY STARLIGHT

VASHON THEATRE

Seattle International Standup Comedy Competition: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Twilight Breaking Dawn: Plays through Dec. 8 .

Turan: 7 p.m. Nov. 26

The Sound of Music (Sing-Along): Noon Nov. 27

See www.vashontheatre.com for show times or call

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: The public is welcome to attend and com-ment on the 2012 budget, which is the subject of the meeting. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Station 55.

Vashon Island School District School Board: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at McMurray Middle School.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at McMurray Middle School.

WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

VOICE OF VASHON TV

All VoV TV shows are produced by Islanders. If you’ve created a video program of any kind, contact Susan McCabe at 463-0301 or info@voiceofvashon.org. Comcast 21 is happy to broadcast your show.

Thursday and Tuesday, 8 p.m. New to VoV TV is a book review talk show out of Denver. “Inside the Cover” interviews authors and digs deep into their novelistic motivations. And, best of all, these books are probably available in the Vashon Library.

Sunday, 7:30 p.m. All new episodes of the Church of Great Rain re-turn to Channel 21. The show is written, produced and performed by talented Islanders just about every six weeks.

The complete VoV TV schedule is available at www.voiceofvashon.org.

Page 9

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time once again to start getting our financial documents in order and begin the tax reporting process. If you are like the average person, this process can be tedious, stressful, and

confusing. Individuals and businesses alike, struggle to understand the bottom line and what that means when it comes to tax liabilities. With this in mind, Williams+Callan, PLLC has some of the top local tax preparers available to provide you with the most comprehensive tax knowledge to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Williams+Callan, an accounting firm located on Vashon, has been servicing a variety of local clients for more than 10 years. The firm’s clients range from single tax filers to large corporations. Partners, Digby Williams CPA, and Michael Callan CPA, are known for their high level expertise in a large spectrum of tax issues. They have worked hard to create an accounting practice that provides value to its clients with services ranging from tax planning, preparation and consulting, to online accounting and everyday bookkeeping.

In November of 2002 Mike Callan and his family came to the Island and moved into their home in Gold Beach. Mike grew up in West Seattle, graduated from O’Dea high school, and went on to complete two under-graduate degrees in Business and Economics from the University of Washington. He completed his education at the University of Washington with his Master of Professional Accounting. After graduation, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and BDO Seidman before purchasing the firm on Vashon from Ray Wetzstein and forming Williams+Callan.

To add to our expertise, Williams+Callan is pleased to announce the addition of Raven HJ Pyle- McCrackyn and Michael J Deignan, CPA, two long time Vashon Island tax preparers and residents. Williams+Callan is thrilled to have these two skilled individuals with strong ties to the community join our team.

Michael Deignan has been a CPA for over 30 years and is proficient in all aspects of tax planning and preparation. He has extensive tax preparation experience as well as a background in auditing and financial ac-counting. Raven HJ Pyle McCrackyn worked in financial management where she discovered a need and love for understanding tax. She currently has over 12 years of experience as a tax preparer and is working on becoming a Certified Financial Planner.

All of the Williams+Callan Vashon team members are local residents of the Vashon and the West Seattle area. We are devoted to customer service and developing custom tailored approaches to evaluate and meet our client’s needs. Not only do we prepare your returns, but we add a personal touch, such as sending reminder letters for estimated tax payments and offering incentives for client referrals. We focus on making our firm one that revolves around the tax needs of the community. We remain current on all of the new tax laws, both Fed-eral and State, to ensure that our clients can maximize any tax benefits or new deductions. We also offer a free monthly newsletter which features some of the latest tax news and updates so our clients can stay informed.

Williams+Callan, also has a location in West Seattle with eight professionals on staff. This includes our new Tax Director Scott Krzyzanowski, CPA. Scott brings with him over a decade of experience from McGlad-ery. His background consists of helping business and individuals with business planning, tax compliance, and organizational needs. Due to the trust of our clients and our exceptional staff, Williams+Callan has outgrown its current space in West Seattle. To better serve our clients, we are in the process of building a new commercial space that is triple the size of our existing location.

If you are a current client or have been considering using an accounting service, now is the time to start thinking of the upcoming tax year. To take advantage of Raven, Michael, or one of the other tax professionals at Williams+Callan, give us a call today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Williams+Callan, PLLC continues growth with the addition of two local tax professionals.

Back row: Cerissa Parfait; Michael Callan, CPA (owner); Elaine Lester; Michael J. Deignan, CPA. Front row, from left to right, Raven HJ Pyle-McCrackyn; Linda Van Stone.

19503 VASHON HWY SW, VASHON WA 98070

Thurs/Fri/Sat - Dec 1,2, & 3

Thank you for partnering with us in the fight against breast cancer.

17637 100th Ave SW, Vashon, Washington 98070

Vashon Market (IGA) Gift Certificates will be

given to patients

East Side of Vashon Plaza - Parallel to 100th Ave. SW - Mobile Coach - Assured Imaging Women’s Wellness of WA

206.388.8953www.corecentrictraining.com

Gift Certifi catesavailableorder now for the holidays!TRXSuspension Training

Michelle Reed Sandi Silagi

Pilates Functional Training Sports Conditioning

Voice of Vashon, a community-based radio and emergency informa-tion organization launched more than a decade ago, is seeking residents’ input as it plans for its next phase of growth and development.

The volunteer-staffed organization has crafted an online survey in an effort to determine what kinds of programming Islanders would like and how they would like to receive it.

The survey explores Is- landers’ desires and needs for broadcast and webcast music, informational television, entertainment shows and emergency alert information and how Voice of Vashon can improve its service as it moves into the future.

VoV will also submit respondents’ names into a free drawing for prizes “to make this more fun and in a total effort to bribe people to participate,” VoV presi-dent Jeanne Dougherty said in a news release.

Those who want to be entered into the free draw-ing can leave their email at the end of the survey so the station can reach them if they win. Dozens of prizes include gift certificates for Island dining and services,

tickets to local shows, CDs, VOV memorabilia, and even emergency-prepared-ness supplies.

The organization pro-vides a cable public access television station, VoV-TV on Comcast cable chan-nel 21; an Internet-based radio station at www. voiceofvashon.org and a community bulletin board and emergency alert radio station, VoV Standing By at 1650 AM.

Dougherty said VoV is taking a fresh look at its future because so much has changed since its inception more than 10 years ago. The organization, she said, has “become a fundamental part of the Island community.”

“At the same time, tech-nology has really changed. TVs, radios, phones, the way people use the Web — these things have all moved on,” she said. “The survey will help us do a better job of continuing our long tradition of community service.”

Voice of Vashon’s brief survey takes about five minutes. Visit www.VoiceOfVashon.org/sur-vey to take it.

Page 10 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

ARTS&LEISUREVashon-Maury SPICE UP THE WINTER WITH BURLESQUE: Bur lesco Notturno returns to

the Open Space for Ar ts & Community at 8 p.m . Saturday, Dec. 3., for a 21-and- older show that includes bathtub bur lesque, a mermaid dance and the prem iere of a brand-new edible costume. Tickets, $20, are on sale at Vashon Bookshop and brownpaper tickets.com .

By CHRIS BECKFor The Beachcomber

I’m sure you have experienced it — that feeling of arriving somewhere, either a physical or emotional place, when you

know you finally fit. My first experience with this was arriving in the early 1970s at the then-Cornish Institute. But the most profound experience was shortly thereafter, when I moved to Vashon, a decision based almost exclusively on the artistic popula-tion of the Island. I knew I was home.

This was the 1970s, when all artists were thought to be hippies living and working in remodeled chicken coops and running the gamut of street fairs. No matter — this was Vashon then and now, and it was my home. In those early days in the ‘70s, the Studio Tour was just a glimmer in some artists’ eyes. Born as the Potter’s Tour, it grew slowly into its clothes as the Studio Tour, now a twice-yearly event important to both artists and guests.

As I looked over the brochure for this winter’s tour, I was struck by the variety and richness of the offerings. Each year tour artists evolve. I was recently asked, “What’s new this year,” as if each tour was a constant repetition of the one previous. And I had to reply, “It’s always new!” Like any passion and vocation, artists are striv-ing constantly to evolve and grow. The result is that the work pouring from the studios is dif-ferent each and every tour.

To me, that drive for growth is a little like the tech industry, where the bytes are being con-

stantly rearranged and redesigned and products made ever smaller and cuter. However, unlike many professions, during each Studio Tour art-ists welcome guests into their homes, studios and hearts, sharing with them new designs and ideas. The tour is the one time when an artist is not just a piece on a wall or pedestal with a name tag, but a person eager to share the how and why of what he or she does.

This year’s tour contains friends, old and new, whose work reflects that element of change and aspiration for artistic excellence. Janice Mallman, my friend since the ’70s, was a killer potter when we first met, moved into creating stunning jewelry and has recently focused her keen eye on lamps and note cards with paper imagery as she moves also into printmaking. Penny Grist hits the top of my artistic evolution list. When I first knew Penny (yes, also in the ’70s), she was a master jeweler and remains so today, but over the course of her career, she has done wood sculptures, altar boxes and now mosaics. Brian Fisher simply can’t stop experimenting and moving forward with his monoprints and steel garden art, while veteran potters Liz Lewis, Mary Hosick and Irene Otis are constantly on the lookout for new shapes, techniques, colors and clays.

Finally, Sharon Munger, one of the “moth-ers” of the Studio Tour, was elbow deep in hot batik wax when I first met her (yup, the ’70s again). Now she works both as a painter and in clay while shepherding Barnworks through its 29th tour year. I’ve always thought of Sharon as the Gertrude Stein of Vashon, with Barnworks being the first “salon” to invite artistic appreciation and conversation.

These are just a few of the Studio Tour hosts who will invite guests into their homes or studios this year. With 41 studios on the tour, some artists are new to the tour, while others, like me, are in and out, depending on time, whim and inspiration. Each year we create new works, some of which we love, a few of which we hate and that you’ll never see, in that con-stant pursuit of artistic change and growth. And like kids, we want to show you what we have done and how we have changed.

The studio tour reminds me why I came here in the first place. It is home in both an artistic and community sense for me, and each year I get to share both with my greater Island community. It doesn’t get any better.

—Chris Beck is a photographer and potter whose work will be displayed at the Waterworks

studio during the tour.

Vashon Theatre will once again host an evening of comedy — a round of semi-finals in the hotly contested 32nd annual Seattle International Comedy Competition. Some of the best comedi-ans from around the region will perform in this judged, stand-up contest. The top five from several rounds that have already occurred will square off at the theater, trying to draw the most laughs in eight to 12 minute sets.

The show is 7:30 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $15 to $17.

Island band TV Dinner will bring the best jazz, blues and rock from televi-sion and movies to Café Luna from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. TV Dinner features Pat Reardon on guitars, Steve Meyer on stand-up bass and Andre Sapp on mandolin. Over several courses, they mix sweet melodies and salty solos so everyone goes home satisfied

The one-man folk band Scott McDougall will sing songs of travel, discovery and perseverance at Café Luna from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. His punk-infused, old-time songs bring fury to the dance floor.

Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer will play a free, all-ages show at 8 p.m. Friday at the Red Bike. The songwriters, who recently released their first official collaboration, blend their lush folk and Americana-influenced melodies and intricately weave their vocal har-monies. Fer’s potent and electric lead guitar playing propels the duo through their uniquely heartfelt and spirited performances.

The 80-voice-strong Vashon Island Chorale will present “Dona Nobis Pacem — Grant Us Peace,” a concert featur-ing a holiday repertoire and the world premiere of two selections of composer Abraham Kaplan’s “Eight Days of Chanu-kah,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Bethel Church.

As always, Gary D. Cannon, the chorale’s artistic director, will wield the baton, and the concert will include perfor-mances by several notable soloists and musicians, including Vashon Opera stars Jennifer and Andrew Krikawa, Shannon Flora, Kim Farrell and Joe Farmer.

The high, clear voices of the Vashon Island Youth Chorus will also be heard singing “Peace, Peace, Peace,” during the Sunday evening concert.

Tickets, $12.50 and$10, will be sold at Vashon Bookshop, the Blue Heron and www.brownpapertickets.com.

COMING UP

Studio tour shows off our artistic growth

Young talent will shine in a fun play with classic musicStories by Maurice Sendak paired with

the music of pop icon Carole King will come alive in “Really Rosie,” a youth theater production performed by students enrolled in Vashon Allied Arts’ after-school musical theater classes.

The show, directed by Marita Ericksen and Sue Wiley, boasts the talents of 22 kids in grades one through eight.

The star of the show is 10-year-old Sarah Hotchkiss, a pint-sized player who will tackle the role of Rosie, a girl who inspires a group of bored kids to reach deep inside to find stories that inspire and excite them.

Rosie and her new friends demonstrate how one person, even a child, can effect change and bring the community together through positive energy and creativity. A delight for all ages, the show will wrap up with a selec-

tion of holiday songs and a singalong. Ericksen said this year’s winter show is

unique because the students themselves have written stories and scripted them to fit into the musical.

She called Hotchkiss, who was also in “Guys and Dolls Jr.” last spring, a talented, bright and fun actress who is perfect for the role of Rosie.

Paul Colwell will also lend his talent to the production, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin in the musical numbers.

Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Blue Heron. Tickets, $7 and $10, will be sold at the Blue Heron and Vashon Bookshop.

—Natalie Johnson Sarah Hotchkiss, 10, stars as Rosie in “Really Rosie.”

Sharon Munger, like many Vashon artists, has evolved as an artist. She will take part the Studio Tour.

AN ARTIST’S VIEW

See page 11 of the Holiday Guide in this issue to learn more about the Art Studio Tour, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11. Some studios will also be open Friday, Dec. 3, for the Gallery Cruise.

Page 11

As teachers, educators, and staff in your Vashon Island public schools, we are continually awed at the amazing support we receive from our community. Your support allows us to deliver the high quality education your students receive, including nurturing the whole child with high academic standards, visual and performing arts, and athletics. It is only through your support that we were able to sustain the arts, math and science courses, debate, foreign language, theater, counseling, and smaller class sizes for this current year.

Sadly, in these difficult and uncertain economic times, our state lawmakers are not able to see how important it is to invest in the future of our students, which is why you are asked again and again to fill the gaps.

A special legislative session begins Nov. 28. Lawmakers will propose further dramatic cuts to education. Some of the proposed cuts will impact your students and your family directly while others will have a large indirect impact on all of us. You will see educators from around our state in Olympia and in our own community wearing red to make people aware of the critical impact the proposed cuts have on our students.

Here are just a few of the cuts the state is proposing for the next school year:

(no school buses);

in learning.

(360) 786-7667

(360) 786-7978

We appreciate all of the support this community continues to provide and we look forward to working together to make sure our students continue to receive the well rounded education they deserve.

Vashon Education AssociationVashon School Administrators

Vashon Education Support Personnel Service Employees International Union, Local 925

Paid for by the Vashon Education Association

Let’s stand tall and together!Let’s make our voices heard for fully

funding public education!If you’re not afraid of color

come see

Lynn Wilhoit’sONE WOMAN

SHOW

at Vashon Village

Suite C-2

for the

month of

November

Red BicycleBistro & Sushiin Downtown Vashon

WEEKLY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

206.463.595917618 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon

Friday, November 25th,

8:30pmDave McGraw& Mandy Fer

All-ages ‘til 11pm, 21+ after that.

Free cover!

Latest updates on Art, Sports & Community!

Gift Certifi cates available! Only $30 a year on-Island 463-9195

SUBSCRIBE to THE BEACHCOMBER

VASHON news and views!

Please recycleyour beachcomber

By LESLIE BROWNStaff Writer

Sekeyian Yiaile was one of the fortunate ones in her tribal village in Kenya — though to hear her story, she hardly sounds lucky.

Determined to refuse an arranged mar-riage to a man five times her senior, she endured beatings from her uncle and her stepbrother. A medicine man was brought in to find out what was wrong with her. When her uncle told her he planned to beat her again, she fled to a Catholic mission “a long distance away,” she said.

She was around 14 at the time (she doesn’t know her exact age). Partly educated and determined to chart her own course, Yiaile didn’t want to be the third wife to a man she barely knew. She wanted to continue her education.

Now in her 30s, Yiaile has an undergradu-ate degree as well as a master’s degree within reach. She’s also the director of the Maasai Children’s Initiative (MCI), a Kenya-based organization that runs two schools for girls who, like Yiaile, come from Kenya’s large Maasai tribe — one of East Africa’s poorest and most marginalized people.

Yiaile was on Vashon last week to dis-cuss her organization with Islanders. Her visit was funded by Vashon lawyer Matt Bergman, who, with Rebecca, his wife at the time, helped her found MCI in 2007.

Bergman has financed the effort, donat-ing around $250,000 a year — funds that have enabled Yiaile to oversee the develop-ment of the two schools and the education

of some 300 girls. Now, with the help of Islander Anne Atwell, MCI’s new develop-ment director, the organization wants to broaden its base of support.

“The health of the program will be stronger if more people are involved,” Atwell said in an interview at her home on Maury Island.

During her two weeks on the Island, Yiaile told her story to around 100 Islanders. She said it’s been a gratifying experience. “There are so many people willing to help,” she said.

The Maasai, a large, semi-nomadic tribe in Kenya and northern Tanzania, are highly patriarchal. All marriages are arranged. Girls, expected to marry at a young age, are rarely sent to school.

Yiaile, however, got a taste of school at a young age after her mother began tak-ing her along when she delivered milk to a nearby mission. A nun who had befriended her mother said her daughter should come to school there; her father, not fully under-standing what education was, agreed.

Her experience at the mission school was transformational, she said. “I saw it was possible for a woman to have another life.”

Thus, after her father died and her uncle arranged for her marriage to a wealthy man, a move that would force her to leave school, she decided to defy him. “I was beaten. I still said no. I said, ‘Kill me. I won’t get married.’ ... My family thought I was crazy,” she said.

After she fled and with support from the nuns at the mission, she found her way to college in Nairobi, and, while working as an ecotourist guide, she met the Bergmans.

They were moved by her story and ulti-mately stepped in, arranging for her to con-tinue her education in the United States.

Matt Bergman said he decided to help Yiaile found MCI because he was struck by her passion and commitment and the impact a small entrepreneurial organiza-tion rooted in the culture could have.

“The opportunity to do good in sub-Saharan African is so manifold. The need is great, and the solutions are relatively simple,” he said.

Indeed, according to both Yiaile and Bergman, their program has grown rapidly. It started out as a lunch program, necessary because neither boys nor girls could attend schools far from their village without lunch.

Now, Yiaile runs two schools — attended by 272 girls and 37 boys in grades one to five. She hopes to open a sixth-grade class next year. And Yiaile now envisions a different life for her daughter, who climbed on a chair and snuggled with her as she spoke.

“I believe education is the most power-ful tool you can give anybody,” she said. In Maasai culture, she added, women don’t own property. “To give them an education is the best inheritance.”

Page 13

Sekeyian Yiaile — with her daughter Nina and Islander Anne Atwell — said she’s been moved by the support she’s received during her visit to Vashon.

MCI is developing scholarship circles on Vashon in the hope of educating an additional 100 girls. Contact Anne Atwell at anne@maasaichildrensinitiative.org or visit maasaichildrensinitiative.org.

Page 16 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

$0 monthly plan premium

Doctor’s offi ce visits and hospital coverage

Prescription drug coverage

Convenient mail-order delivery of prescriptions

Fitness program — gym membership at no additional cost

Preventive coverage

24-hour nurse hotline

Wellness program

Emergency coverage at home and when you travel

And more we haven’t listed!

A Health plan with a Medicare contract. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. If you are a member of a qualifi ed State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program, please contact the Program to verify that the mail-order pharmacy will coordinate with that Program. The benefi t information provided herein is a brief summary, but not a comprehensive description of available benefi ts. For more information contact the plan. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-800-336-6714 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus H0108-004, 005, 011, 013, H1036-065, 140, 143, 153, 157, 171, H1406-013, 027, H1951-001, 005, 025, H2012-001, 002, 003, 006, 007, 009, 011, 012, 013, 016, 021, 027, 028, 031, 033, 035, 037, 039, H2649-020, 022, 023, H3028-001, H4141-001, 004, H4461-025, H4510-012, 015, 022, 027, H5426-001, H8953-001, 002, 003, 005, 006, and H5291-002 (HMO). *Some exceptions may apply.

Y0040_GHHH4CWHH CMS Approved 07262011

VASHONVashon Courthouse Square

19021 Vashon Hwy. SWNov. 28 at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

GIG HARBORMerrill Gardens at Gig Harbor

3213 45th Street Ct. NWNov. 23 at 1 p.m.Nov. 30 at 1 p.m.Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.

BURIENHighline Medical Center16251 Sylvester Rd. SWThird Floor, Cedar Wing

Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. Rms. 1 & 2Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Rms. 1 & 2

Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. Rms. 3 & 4Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. Rms. 1 & 2

DON’T FORGET!

Enrollment ends

December 7th.

Page 18 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

TIME&AGAINVashon-Maury HERITAGE ASSOCIATION MEETING: The Vashon-Maur y Island Her itage Association

will hold its annual membership meeting at 7 p.m . Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Land Trust Building. Election of officers and board members will take place, as well as the annual repor t by presi-dent Bob Fetter ley and a talk by Bruce Haulman and Jean Findlay on their new book.

By BRUCE HAULMAN and TERRY DONNELLYFor The Beachcomber

Vashon has a rich history of newspapers, beginning with Oliver Van Olinda’s first news-paper, Island Home, a monthly publication that began in 1892 and only published for a little over a year.

The first weekly newspaper, The Vashon Island Press, was published from 1895 to 1897 by owner-editor Van Olinda. When Van Olinda moved to Stanwood in 1897, he took the paper with him and renamed it the Stanwood Press. In 1900 he moved to Coupeville and edited The Island County Times until he returned to Vashon in 1910. Upon his return to Vashon he never again worked in the newspaper business, but he did publish the first history of Vashon-Maury Island in 1935.

Between 1897 and 1907, the record of newspapers on the Island is unclear, but there are copies of the Vashon Island News, which offered its first issue in May 1907, published by John and Phillip Harmeling and edited by S.J. Harmeling. Thomas and A.J. Reed were editors in 1908, and John H. Reid was editor in 1910.

The Vashon Island News con-tinued publishing until 1914, when Ira Case, owner of the Marjesira Inn at Magnolia Beach, purchased it because he felt the south end of the Island was not receiving the coverage it deserved. He moved the publication to the Hatch Building in Burton, where the 1915 photo of printing presses was likely taken.

With what many on the north

end of the Island felt was the loss of the News to Burton, Robert M. Jones began publishing The Vashon Island Record in Vashon town in 1916, and for a time two papers served the Island.

In 1919, Jones purchased the News from Case and combined the two papers into The Vashon Island News-Record, hiring P. Monroe Smock as editor. Smock served as editor until his death, and then his wife Agnes edited the News-Record until she retired in 1942.

For the next 10 years, Phillip and Florence Garber edited the newspaper. When they retired in 1953, there were three temporary editors, until W.H. “Hap” Salyer became editor from 1954 to 1958.

In 1957, two young budding newsmen, Carl Nelson and John VanDevanter, founded a new newspaper, The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. Vashon again had two newspapers after nearly 38 years of being a single-newspaper Island.

The Beachcomber and the News-Record competed for a year, until Nelson and VanDeventer purchased the News-Record, which published its last issue in 1958, ending nearly 40 years of publication.

The Beachcomber has been the primary newspaper on the Island since then. Editors have included Nelson Phillips, Jay Becker, Allison Arthur and the current editor Leslie Brown. A second newspaper, The Ticket, now The Vashon Loop, began publication in 2004. The current editor is Steve Allen.

The newspaper business has changed dramatically over the 120 years since the first news-paper started on Vashon. The Beachcomber is no longer printed

on-Island, but at a press facil-ity in Everett, along with other area papers owned by Sound Publishing, its corporate parent.

Both the Beachcomber and The Loop now have websites, and read-ers can follow The Beachcomber on Facebook and Twitter as well.

The changes are well represented by these two photographs. The photograph of The Vashon Island News, taken in about 1915, shows the presses in the Hatch Building at Burton. The current photograph shows some of The Beachcomber’s editorial staff in 2010, surrounded by their computers.

— Bruce Haulman is an Island historian and Terry Donnelly is a

landscape photographer.

Newspapers have served Vashon for more than a century

Employees of the Vashon Island News, above, gather at the printing press in Burton in 1915. Below, employees of The Beachcomber work in their office.

Serving Vashon Island Since 1929 463-9134

WILLIAMS HEATING Proudly Sponsors…

Christina GlebWhat the coach says: “Christina has been a leader for our team all season long, she has the ability to make the big play when it’s needed most. Christina is such a hard worker, and will be very missed next year.”Christina is also involved with ASB, and plays club volleyball. Christina plans on attending a 4-year university next fall, and is looking at playing volleyball at NAIA schools.

PIRATEFARM IMPLEMENT

PARADE

Featured in

Country Woman

Magazine!

Lighted

Sat., Dec. 3 6:30 p.m.

SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON

Voted Top 10 Best Lighted Parades in the U.S. by A&E TV!23 Years

and Running!

Seeing Is Believing! COME JOIN US!

Call 509-837-5939www.sunnysidechamber.comLicense# PASCAPC972CE

SERVICE & QUALITYREMODELS – ADDITIONS – REPAIRS

WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS

Personal Injury and Insurance Disputes

Caring and Dedicated Advocacy for Injured People206-686-5075

Offices on Vashon and in West Seattle

www.shawverlawfirm.com

To place an ad in the Service Directory, contact Daralyn or Matthew at 463-9195. Deadline for ad placement is Friday at 1pm.

Page 20 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

AT YOUR SERVICEAT YOUR SERVICEAT YOUR SERVICE

INDEPENDENTCONSULTANT

Tammy Thomas206-463-9938

DecorativeWax

Warmers80 Fragrant Scents

http://tammythomas.scentsy.us

FRESH Cleaning Service

Home or OfficeHonest, experienced and fast!

Vashon References ~ Available 7 days a week

Call Janet (206) 696-9922

RAY MATTHEWS CONSTRUCTION

Serving Vashon 35 years Additions, Decks, Siding, New

Windows & Doors, Garages, Sheds, or Remodel any room in your home463-2237 or 303-7705

#raymamc913k1

H E A T I N G & C O O L I N G...an energy management team

We service

gas & electric

heating systems

463-1777 www.VashonHeating.comWA Lic #VASHOHC8917F and #VASHOHC891PF

Little InvestmentBig ReturnsAdvertise in the Service Directory for as little as $15. Call 463-9195

CAREFUL & EFFICIENT

PAINTINGServing Vashon

30 Years

206-463-4646

206-935-1575Michael KennicottIsland Resident

WA 98108

CONT.LIC# BETTERC052DT

K’sHOUSECLEANING ORGANIZING & MORE

Gift Certifi cates Available

This space

is only

$55.00 Call for more Info463-9195

ADVERTISE HERE!

This spaceonly $20

Call463-9195

To place an ad in the Service Directory, contact Daralyn or Matthew at 463-9195. Deadline for ad placement is Friday at 1pm.

Page 21

AT YOUR SERVICEAT YOUR SERVICEAT YOUR SERVICE

Advertise Your Business or Service

HERE!This space only $30

(such a deal!)Call 463-9195

PHOEN I XUPHOLSTERYV i r g i n i a N i c h o l s

2 0 6 - 4 6 3 - 2 2 0 7Since 1980

H E A T I N G & C O O L I N G...an energy management team

Ready for Winter?

Heating units need

regular service!

463-1777 www.VashonHeating.comWA Lic #VASHOHC8917F and #VASHOHC891PF

RO Enterprises, Inc.

PO Box 1973Vashon, WA 98070

jim@roentinc.comLicense # ROENTEI924RS

Quality You Can MeasureRemodeling &

Construction ServicesIsland Resident

206-818-8371Jim Schmidt

www.ro-enterprises.com

OUR COVERAGE FITS THE BILL.www.vashonbeachcomber.com

Get More of Your Local

News

Bob Websterhandyman service

(206) 455-4245

bobwebsterhms@gmail.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured LIC# BOBWEWH9290E

ACCEPTED

AlterationsTailoringHemmingResizing

Kate567-5485

15 years of experience

group is based on a simpler financial model and will likely have fewer investors, each of whom will be asked to invest $5,000 or more.

Dammann, who is work-ing with Islanders Evan Leonard and Holly Goddard on the project, has begun talks with Vashon Island Fire & Rescue about placing an array on its maintenance building behind the Penny Farcy Training Center on Bank Road. He, too, hopes to have a project up and running by spring.

Both Moyer and Dammann said there’s room for two community solar projects on Vashon. Indeed, both men said they hope to see several such projects on the Island over time. Moyer, however, expressed some frustration about the two similarly named efforts tak-

ing place simultaneously.“It seems a little confus-

ing. It’s not what I prefer,” Moyer said.

Dammann, for his part, said he has high regard for what Moyer’s attempting to do but felt that the project was going too slowly and that the financial model — involving possibly hun-dreds of investors — was too complex.

“I have contended all along that we should start with a simple model and move up,” he said.

But, he added, “I don’t want any of my comments to be construed as criticism. There are two communi-ty projects that are going to happen on the Island, and there are differences between the two. … I think there’s a need on this Island to have multiple choices.”

Community solar projects are taking place in commu-nities across the state and around the country, most of them driven by tax and

financial incentives offered by the government in an attempt to jump start the fledgling solar panel man-ufacturing industry and bring more green power into the grid.

A federal tax credit gives each investor a 30 percent construction refund for var-ious green energy projects, meaning that an investor who provides $1,000 toward the project can reduce his or her tax bill by $300, Eggen said.

The state Legislature, meanwhile, sweetened the pot with a bill it passed two years ago in an attempt to stimulate a solar panel manufacturing industry in Washington: For every kilo-watt hour produced by a system manufactured in the state and placed at a pub-lic building, the entity that created the project receives $1.08 — or 10 times the market value of the elec-tricity — to be divvied up among its investors.

The project Vashon Community Solar hopes to place at the transfer sta-tion could garner close to $60,000 annually in such payments, Eggen said. The subsidy, however, is slated to end in 2020 — part of the reason both Vashon proj-ects are moving quickly to get systems installed.

Finally, the public agency hosting the array also has an incentive: A decent-sized array could save the agency $5,000 or more a year in energy costs, Eggen said.

The federal incentives have gotten some criticism recently. A New York Times story published earlier this month found that many of the federal subsidies are going to large companies with considerable resources.

But the community solar projects are a different ket-tle of fish, supporters note. The maximum return any one investor can receive in incentive checks under the state program is $5,000 per year. As for the fed-eral tax credit, individual investments are capped at $35,000 — meaning the largest tax liability reduc-tion an individual could receive is $9,000.

As Dammann noted, few investors on Vashon have the kind of wealth

that would enable them to take advantage of such a write-off. “At this point,” he added, “there’s a limited number of investors.”

A survey the Backbone Campaign conducted, Eggen added, found that most of those interested in the community project were motivated only partially by financial considerations. “Far and away, the major reason for people to do this is for environmental rea-sons,” she said.

But community solar projects cannot start gar-nering investors until they first find a site, and on Vashon, that’s been a stumbling block, Eggen and Moyer said. “It’s surprising-ly frustrating and difficult,” Eggen said.

The site has to have good sun exposure and be ori-ented a certain way. What’s more, Eggen said, the array should be in a high-profile location, acting as a kind of advertisement for the power of the sun.

Moyer had hoped to put an array on a roof at a school district building, but engineering issues made it impossible at Chautauqua, McMurray and the high school gym, he said. The new high school, meanwhile, will likely be designed with

solar panels in mind, but the project won’t be com-pleted until 2014 — a delay neither group can afford in light of the 2020 end to state subsidies.

Moyer and Eggen, how-ever, say the transfer station looks promising. Eggen met with a top county official and Artisan Electric at the site earlier this week and was encouraged by their comments — particularly the amount of sun exposure the site receives. The county has yet to partner with a community group to install solar, Eggen said, and there are many layers of review that such a project would need to go through, but early indications are good.

“The county says they’re really keen on this,” she said.

Dammann, too, is opti-mistic about the fire depart-ment’s maintenance build-ing. He made a presentation to the fire commissioners two weeks ago about a potential partnership and was well-received. “We’re really anticipating that this is going to work,” he said.

Rex Stratton, who chairs the fire commissioner board, concurred. “It’s a great idea. I’d love to see us use one of our buildings in this manner.”

Page 22 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

Effective, December 22, 2011, Comcast will make the following changes to its Channel Lineup:

Channel additions:

Channel From Channel # Service Level

Leased Access 81 Digital Limited

The father-son business you can trust with your computer

Why wait? Call today!Roger Fulton Ben Fulton463-0079 293-1324www.PersonalTechAid.com

SHOP SMALL

BUSINESS DAY

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26TH

Sound Publishing encourages you

to get out and shop your local businesses!

Live TreesDouglas Fir

Colorado SpruceCedar

SequoiaKorean Fir

Nordman Fir

Live and Fresh Cut

Best Trees on Vashon!Same great selection. Come visit us at our new

location18109 Vashon Hwy SW

Christmas Trees

Fresh Cut TreesNoble FirGrand Fir

Douglas FirFraziers

Kevin BerginConstruction

463-6232

SOLARCONTINUED FROM 1

Please recycle this newspaper

Page 23

Our loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, artist, volunteer and caregiver passed away November 13, 2011. The daugh-ter of Frank Anthony and Alice Catherine Audino of Colleg-

eville, Pennsylvania.

Brem was born July 26, 1957 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and lived the life of a “military brat,” moving between Pennsylvania,

Texas, Germany and Japan over her childhood. She graduated with a BA in Art Educa-tion from Edinboro University. Brem taught elementary art in McClure, Pennsylvania. She loved children and the joy that art can bring them. She also loved animals, the outdoors, horseback riding, cooking, reading, entertaining and art in every form. She married Thomas Kendall Scherer in 1981 and, together, they had two wonderful chil-dren: Elliott and Hanna.

Brem worked as a recruiter for many years with The Jennings Group, Moss & Company and later, as office manager with Amiad and Associates.

She was the quintessential volunteer working for all things children and education ori-ented. She donated her time to the Vashon Cooperative Preschool, PTSA, Boy Scouts, The Owl Program - helping seniors with college applications, The Class of 2011 Gradu-ation Party coordinator and Vashon Island Prevention and Intervention Team.

She is Survived by husband Thomas Scherer along with son Elliott and daughter Hanna, all of Vashon Island; parents Frank and Alice Audino of Collegeville, PA; sib-lings Charles M. Audino of Collegeville, PA, F. Anthony Audino of Austin, TX and Susan Audino Fedoris of Pottstown, PA, along with more dear friends than we can possibly count.

A memorial service will be held on December 18th at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 9330 SW 204th St, Vashon, WA 98070.

A Vashon Island scholarship fund has been created in her honor. Make tax-deductible donations to:

Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation (VCSF) VCSF In Memory of Brem Scherer, P.O. Box 1413, Vashon, WA 98070

Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.

Bremner Ann Audino-Scherer “Brem”

In Loving Memory

The program is designed to reduce nega-tive social behaviors among children, such as aggression and bullying, and increase those behaviors called “pro-social”: shar-ing, caring, cooperation and the ability to include others.

As part of this program, Clarke, a trained ROE instructor, visits Brenno’s classroom each week, and Baby Utah — as he is known in the program — comes once a month with one of his parents, Sarah and Brian Lowry.

The week before Utah visits, Clarke works with the students on a theme in preparation for his arrival, and encourages students to pay attention to the relationship his parents have with him, how he has changed since his last visit and his temperament. She also teaches them about caring for an infant and just how challenging it can be to meet a baby’s needs.

“They learn that a crying baby is never a bad baby. It is a baby with a problem, and you have to learn what the problem is,” Clarke said.

When Utah visits, he lies on the blan-ket — his own space that the children are allowed on only if invited — and the kids watch him and ask questions of his parents. And, as long as Utah is happy, the children get to hold him, a popular part of the day.

The week after Utah visits, Clarke steers the conversation to what the children learned, and then, in a vital part of the program, the students connect their new knowledge to their own lives and feelings, as well as those of their classmates.

It is all a lesson in what Roots of Empathy founder Mary Gordon calls “emotional lit-eracy.”

Clarke, an Islander with more than 20

years of teaching experience, calls it some-thing else. “It’s magic,” she said. “It’s just magic.”

Brenno, a teacher for 12 years, said she feels honored to pilot the program at Chautauqua.

“I thought it sounded really fascinating,” she said. “And anything that helps children build empathy is valuable.”

Over the course of her years as a teacher, Brenno said, students seem to have become more challenging — less empathic — and she would like to stem that tide.

The program on Vashon has been under way less than two months, and when Brenno talked about the program, Utah had been to the class only twice, but she was positive about the experience so far.

“I am really pleased,” she said. “I love see-ing how the kids interact with the baby.”

The boys, she noted, seem particularly interested in Utah.

Indeed, on Utah’s second visit, one boy asked three times if he could hold him, and early on in Utah’s third visit, the boy said wistfully, “I would love to hold him again.”

Brenno is also happy to see seeds of the program carry over into the students’ coursework. One recent day they had been talking about feelings with Clarke and then for their writer’s workshop, Brenno had them write about “a big feeling.” She had not seen the students so engaged with a topic before, she said, and she feels certain their enthusiasm was related to the work

they had done so recently with Clarke.School counselor Yvette Butler visits

Brenno’s classroom for most of the Roots of Empathy sessions. She, too, is pleased with piloting the program.

“We are always looking for things we can do to support the social and emotional development of students,” she said. “This was an avenue we hadn’t explored before. It really seemed to fit with work we were already doing.”

While she notes it is fun to watch the students connect with Utah, she is looking at the program and its effects with a criti-cal eye. She is watching how the students engage in conversations and lessons and how they take any new skills from Roots of Empathy and transfer them to other areas.

Shortly before Utah’s most recent visit to the classroom, Butler said she expected they would have a better feel for the program in a couple of months. But during that visit, Butler said, she observed a few students who often have a challenging time socially, noticing they were singing the songs, mak-ing eye contact with Utah and completely engaged.

“It is interesting to see how a baby can bring that out,” Butler said.

More study of the program and its results are in the works at Chautauqua, but she made clear this type of approach, which aims to support students’ emotional and social development in a whole group at once, is optimal.

The Lowrys share that sentiment, Sarah said recently, adding that she and Brian both enjoy the classroom experience and take turns bringing Utah.

“It’s neat to see the kids so excited about tracking a baby’s development,” she said.

Utah, too, she said, seems to enjoy being with all the kids.

“Even the first time he was smiling and making eye contact,” she said. “He seems

more happy in social situations.”Sarah Lowry works at the University of

Washington School of Social Work, which is involved in poverty research. Findings often point to the importance of early child-hood education, and Roots of Empathy ties in to that area well, she noted.

“I’d love to see a program like this con-tinue,” she said. “Hopefully it is something Vashon will embrace.”

Roots of Empathy began in 1996 in Canada, when Mary Gordon was working as a kindergarten teacher there. She had hoped to change the lives of her students, but instead was confronted by the harsh realities of many of their lives. At the root of their problems, she said, was a lack of empa-thy. Babies, she notes, make the perfect teachers because their emotions are on full display, and they respond to love, no matter who gives it. With those insights, Gordon created the program, which is now in every province in Canada, and is starting to move across Europe and the United States after starting in the Seattle area.

“We want to be in every single corner, nook and cranny of the United States of America,” Gordon said. “We plan to change the world child by child. … North America has an opportunity to help world learn to get along better.”

Considerable research has gone into ROE and its curriculum, Gordon noted, and results have shown consistently that with this program in place, bullying and other forms of aggression decrease and positive social behaviors increase.

Gordon also stressed Roots of Empathy is not an “anti-” program, but a “pro-” pro-gram. It is not just about quelling bullying, Gordon said, but about creating kinder, more empathic children.

“If we give them the time and space and model of love, they change from the inside out,” she said.

CONTINUED FROM 1

says she hopes to pay less to obtain films and find them easier to schedule. The switch will also mean she’ll be able to offer 3D movies for the first time and take advantage of live-beamed events such as the Metropolitan Opera’s “Live in HD Season,” a series that might well be a revenue-grabber on Vashon.

But of course, these ben-efits for Wolcott and other theater operators come with no small amount of worry.

Adam Sekuler, the pro-gram director of Northwest Film Forum, an art house in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, said even cinematheques that

show classic films are being forced to convert to the new system.

“In the next three to five years, it’s looking like every-one will have no choice,” Sekuler said. “This is the way film studios have decid-ed to start distributing their work. Almost nobody is making new 35mm prints.”

Sekuler said he’s con-cerned about how the new systems will or won’t work.

Gone will be the day, he noted, when an intrepid projectionist will be able to splice together a broken reel of film or swap out a part in a balky projector.

“With 35mm, you’re less likely to run into the kind of technical problems you have with these digital for-mats,” he said. “As anyone who has a home Blu-ray sys-

tem knows, there is nothing tangible running through the machine that you can identify when something goes wrong. It’s informa-tion passing through a wire. I’ve heard of problems (with digital projection systems) at such large and well-fund-ed places as the Toronto Film Festival.”

Wolcott is also worried about technical snafus.

“The new projector is a huge, big square thing, and it plays Blu-rays inside of it,” she said. “My biggest fear is that we’re on Vashon Island, and it takes time and it is expensive to get techs over here. I’m worried about day-to-day maintenance and making sure the show goes on.”

And then, of course, there is the $80,000 price tag for

the new system.For Wolcott, who can

get by operating the the-ater on a break-even status only because her husband Gordon has kept his day job as a fire chief in West Seattle, the huge cost comes on the heels of her efforts to recover from a faltering economy that has adversely affected attendance and a devastating burglary at the theater in 2009.

Insurance covered only a fraction of the $16,000 cost to replace everything that was stolen, but luck-ily, some of that money was raised when a group of Islanders stepped up to present Vashon FilmAid, a festival of movies that all had a Vashon connection.

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan, who

frequently vacations on Vashon, also came to town last October to present a benefit screening of “The Godfather” at the theater. Now, in an effort to support Vashon’s small movie house again, Turan is returning to the Island this Saturday for a benefit screening of “The Godfather: Part II.”

Funds raised at the event, hosted by the nonprofit Vashon Film Society, will be earmarked for purchas-ing a $5,000 new screen for the theater — an important step in the conversion pro-cess.

Wolcott said she is excit-ed to welcome Turan back to the Vashon Theatre.

“It is so fun to listen to a person like Kenneth, who is

so passionate about movies, talk about what he loves so much,” she said.

Wolcott also hopes Islanders will turn out to show their own passion for Vashon’s old movie house. “If I filled 400 seats, we could just go out the next day and buy our new screen,” she said.

Wolcott, meanwhile, said she won’t junk her old-fash-ioned platter projector at the theater.

“We’ll always have our other projectors,” she said. “We like to play film, and film will still exist out there. I worked really hard for two years without pay to buy the current projector and plat-ter system, and I’m attached to it.”

Page 24 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

All-Merciful SaviourOrthodox Monastery

9933 SW 268th St. (south of Dockton)SUNDAYS: DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 am

Followed by PotluckCelebrating 2000 years of Orthodox Christianity Call for a schedule weekday and Holy Day services.

463-5918www.vashonmonks.com

Burton Community ChurchALL ARE WELCOME

INSPIRATION not Indoctrination!Worship 11 am

Maggie LairdPianist/Choir Director

463-9977

Bethel Church14736 Bethel Lane SW(Corner of SW 148th St.

and 119th Ave. SW)9am Sunday Bible School

10am WorshipFollowed by coffee fellowship

AWANA Thurs 6:00pm Sept-May

Offi ce phone 567-4255

Vashon Island Community Church

Worship Service 10:00 am (Children’s Church for preschool–5th graders)

Offi ce Phone 463-3940Pastors:

Frank Davis and Mike Ivaska9318 SW Cemetery Road

www.VICC4Life.com

Catholic ChurchSt. John Vianney

Mass–Saturdays at 5:00 pmSundays 8:00am and 10:30am

Pastor: Rev. Marc Powell16100 115th Avenue SW,

Vashon WA 98070

office 567-4149 rectory 567-5736www.stjohnvianneyvashon.com

Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship

Community, Diversity, Freedom of Belief,Enrichment of Spirit

Sunday Services at 9:45 am (Sept–June)Religious Exploration for toddlers–8th Grade

Lewis Hall (Behind Burton Community Church)

23905 Vashon Hwy SW

Info: www.vashonuu.org 463-4775

Puget Sound Zen CenterAbove KVI Beach

in the Mann Studio.

Sitting Meditation: Mon. – Fri. 6:30 – 7:30am,

Wed. 7:00 – 8:30pm.

All Welcome!

463-4332www.pszen.org

Vashon Friends Worship Group

(Quakers)

10 am Meeting for Silent Worshipin members’ homes.

Call for Location567-5279 463-9552

Havurat Ee ShalomServing the spiritual, social and

intellectual needs of Vashon’s Jewish Community

9:30 am Saturday Services

15401 Westside Hwy SWPO Box 89, Vashon, WA 98070

567-1608www.vashonhavurah.org

Episcopal Churchof the Holy Spirit

The Rev Canon Carla Valentine PryneSundays – 7:45 am & 10:15 am

Church School & Religious Exploration9:00am

Child CareMid-week Eucharist, Wednesday–12:30pm

15420 Vashon Hwy SW 567-4488www.holyspiritvashon.org

Vashon Lutheran Church18623 Vashon Hwy. SW (1/2 mile south of Vashon)

Children’s Hour 10:30 am (Sept.- June)childcare available

Holy Communion Worship 10:30 amPastors: Rev. Bjoern E. Meinhardt

Rev. Jeff Larson, Ph.D., vm: 206-463-6359 www.vashonluthernchurch.org/JeffLarson/JeffLarson.htm

463-2655e-mail: vlc98070@centurytel.net

Vashon United Methodist Church17928 Vashon Hwy SW

(one block south of downtown)

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kathryn MorseSunday Service & Sunday School

10:00 a.m.Youth Class 11:30 a.m.

Offi ce open Mon.–Thurs. 9 a.m. – 12 noon 463-9804

www.vashonmethodist.orgoffi ce@vashonmethodist.org

Calvary Full Gospel Church at Lisabeula

Worship 10:30 am & 7:00 pmThursday Bible Study 7:00 pm

Call for locationSaturday Prayer 7:30 pm

Pastor Stephen R. Sears463-2567

Vashon Presbyterian Church

Worship 10am17708 Vashon Hwy (center of town)

Pastor Dan HoustonChurch Offi ce Hours

Monday– Thursday 10 am - 2 pm

463-2010

Our Vashon Island Community warmly invites

you and your family toworship with them.

Wors hip on our Island

Centro Familiar CristianoPastor: Edwin Alvarado

Ubicados En Bethel Church14726 Bethel Lane SW

206-371-0213Hora De Services: Sabados 7:30pm

Todos Son Bienvidos, El Lugar Ideal Para Toda La Familia

Dios Les Bendiga

Floyd Urschel, a long time resident of

Vashon Island and recently of Ruston, WA.,

died of cancer on November 1. Floyd was

born on December 1, 1920 in Great Falls,

Montana. He enjoyed a childhood hunting

and fishing in the Missouri River and the

surrounding mountains.

He met and married his wife of 70 years,

Ilene Jackson, in l940 while attending

the University of Montana. He served in

the Navy during World War II and joined

the Boeing Company as an engineer

shortly afterwards. He was a Boy Scout

leader and pursued his passion for “rock

hounding” which in later years turned into

an enthusiasm for jewelry making. He and

Ilene also found time to travel extensively in

North America and Europe.

Floyd was preceded in death by his sister

Gladys Jordan and nephew David. He is

survived by his wife, Ilene; his two children,

Mel Urschel and his wife Judy, and Mary

Ann Bunnell and her husband Steve; three

grandchildren Beth, Heather, and Aaron; and

three very sweet great grandchildren.

Our thanks go out to the wonderful

staff at Tacoma General Hospital and the

Franciscan Hospice who took care of dad.

A memorial service will be held on

December 1 at 1:00 pm at Fircrest Methodist

Church, 1018 Columbia (S. 19th).

Safe journey, Dad.

•

In Loving Memory

Floyd Urschel

THEATERCONTINUED FROM 1 Islanders can support the first phase

of the digital changeover of Vashon Theatre by attending a benefit screen-ing of “The Godfather: Part II,” hosted by Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan, at 7 p.m. Saturday. The theater will open for beer and wine sales a half hour prior to the screening. Turan will introduce the film and lead a question-and-answer session afterward. Tickets cost $12 general, $11 for kids and seniors, and $10 for Vashon Film Society members.

Kenneth Turan

www.nw-ads.com Page 25

Real Estate ResourcesTitle CompaniesFirst American TitleAmber Wharton (206) 387-9402Insurance AgenciesTrigg Insurance AgencyTom Trigg (206) 463-7411Escrow CompaniesIsland EscrowPat Cunningham (206) 463-3137

Connie Sorensen Managing Broker

206-819-7669Windermere Real Estate/Fauntleroy, Inc.

Find your Home atwww.ConnieSorensen.com

$389,000

$329,000

$429,000

$230,000

Forever Views!

MLS #261764

MLS # 279736

MLS #269652

MLS # 147916

real estatefor sale

Real Estate for Sale

Lots/Acreage

Real Estate for Sale

Services

real estatefor rent - WA

Real Estate for Rent

King County

Sell it free in the Flea1-866-825-90 1

Real Estate for Rent

King County

PNWHomeFinder.comis an online real estate community thatexposes your profile and listings to two million readers from our many publications in the Pacific Northwest.Log on to join our network today.

Apartments for Rent

King County

WA Misc. Rentals

Rooms for Rent

1.25 million readers make us a member of the largest suburban newspapers in Western Washington. Call us today to advertise.800-388-2527

real estaterentals

Commercial Rentals

Office/Commercial

Sell it for FREE in the Super Flea! Call866-825-90 1 or email the Super Flea at theflea@soundpublishing.com.

announcements

Announcements

Announcements Announcements Announcements

click! www.nw-ads.com email! classifi ed@soundpublishing.com call toll free! 1.888.399.3999 or 1.800.388.2527

Local readers.Local sellers.Local buyers.

We make it easy to sell...right in your communityReal Estate

For Sale jobshome

services stuff wheelsReal Estate

For Rent - WA

PNW MarketPlace!

Page 26 www.nw-ads.com

Call: (800) 388-2527 Go online: www.nw-ads.comor e-mail: classified@soundpublishing.com

Give someone the opportunity to stop and smell the roses…Reach thousands of subscribers by advertising your landscaping business in the Classifieds.

Get 4 weeks of advertising in your local community

newspaper and on the WEB for one low price!

Announcements Announcements

Lost

legals

Legal Notices

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices

jobsEmployment

General

PNWHomeFinder.comis an online real estate community thatexposes your profile and listings to two million readers from our many publications in the Pacific Northwest.Log on to join our network today.

Employment

General

Every moment is an opportunity for an extraordinary

experience

206-567-4421www.vashoncommunitycare.org

for more information callNew Hire BONUS

Openings for:

$13.53 - $15.20 per hourstarting CNA base rate

Diet Aide

Housekeepers

CNA’s

P/T, day & evening shifts

P/T, evening shifts

Employment

Transportation/Drivers

Business

Opportunities

stuffBuilding Materials

& Supplies

Farm Fencing

& Equipment

Firewood, Fuel

& Stoves

Green or Seasoned 16” or 24” Split.Visa/MC accepted

Rick Middling 206-463-3889

Advertise your service800-388-2527 or nw-ads.com

Firewood, Fuel

& Stoves

206-817-2149Free Items

Recycler

Home Furnishings

Mail Order

Home Services

Backhoe/Dozing/Tractor

Home Services

Building Services

Home Services

Handyperson

Home Services

Handyperson

MAYSHSP939BE

Need extra cash? Place your classified ad today! Call 1-800-388-2527 or Go online 24 hours a day www.nw-ads.com.

Home Services

Hauling & Cleanup

253-886-7724MERRY CHRISTMAS!

JUNK REMOVALYard,

Home & Garage too!

LICENSED/INSURED/BONDED

Build up your business with our Service Guide Special: Four full weeks of advertising starting at $40. Call 800-388-2527 to place your ad today.

Home Services

Property Maintenance

Build up your business with our Service Guide Special: Four full weeks of advertising starting at $40. Call 800-388-2527 to place your ad today.

Home Services

Landscape Services

Organic Compost

Tom Carlson

VASHONBARK &

SOILS, LLC.

Home Services

Painting

Home Services

Remodeling

Fine Home Remodeling By

PETE ANDERSON

Wa Lic # Andercs935om

Home Services

Septic Service

PNWHomeFinder.comis an online real estate community thatexposes your profile and listings to two million readers from our many publications in the Pacific Northwest.Log on to join our network today.

www.nw-ads.com Page 27

More animals and info at www.vipp.org Give a Pet a Home!

You don’t have to wonder, “Where’s Waldo?” with this boy. With his

beautiful bright eyes and his fun loving

nature, this Waldo is easy to spot.

Waldo is a real sweetie who loves to be

petted and purrs as soon as he sees

you. He is playful and fun-loving and

never aggressive. And, those eyes!!!

Born 2010.

Willow is the most beautiful cat

in the world! What a face! Willow was

very shy when she fi rst came to VIPP

but she is becoming a very friendly girl

who loves to be petted around her face

and head. She is very quiet, but loves to

play with yarn and can get quite frisky!

Born 2009.

Rosie is a precious 11 month old Brittany

Spaniel mix who is just coming out of her shell

and is on her way to being a happy, playful

and wonderful puppy. Just a few weeks out

of a hoarding situation, she needs a family to

continue building her self-confi dence and keep

her safe. She is going to make a wonderful

buddy and family member. If you would like to

meet Rosie, please contact Vashon Island Pet

Protectors at 206-567-5222.

There is a $125 adoption fee.

Celebrating27 Years

of Service!

Follow VIPP on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/

Vashon-Island-Pet-Protectors

OPEN HOUSESAT, DEC. 26TH, 11AM-3PM & SUN, DEC. 27TH, 1-4PM

Beautiful remodeled farmhouse on 5 acres with old barn & detached garage. Complete privacy just one mile to Vashon town.

Bill Chunn, BrokerVASHON ISLAND REALTY

(206) 5 6 7 8 9 10

16319 93rd Avenue SW, Vashon Island $419,000

wheelsMotorcycles

Mail Order

Miscellaneous

Sporting Goods

Wanted/Trade

pets/animals

Cats

Dogs

Dogs

Services

Animals

Advertise your garage sale! For just $37 you can advertise in print and on the web for one week with no limits on howmuch you want tosay in the ad.Call 800-388-2527 today

Marine

Sail

Automobiles

Isuzu

Automobiles

Jaguar

Need extra cash? Place your classified ad today! Call 1-800-388-2527 or Go online 24 hours a day www.nw-ads.com.

Pickup Trucks

Chevrolet

Pickup Trucks

Ford

Vans & Minivans

Volkswagen

Still waiting for your ship to come in...Thousands of subscribers could be reading your ad in the

Classified Service Directory. Call 800-388-2527 orGo online to www.nw-ads.com to place your ad today.

Page 28 WWW.VASHONBEACHCOMBER.COM

A PRIVATE OASIS!Hard to believe the Seattle ferry’s so close!Magical gardens surround this charming 3 bdrm homethat’s just a few blocks from the Northend dock! Maplefloors, new kitchen, new bath w/deep soaking tub, fresh

paint and more. MLS #238835 $299,000

OPEN HOUSE Sunday!

Picture-perfect, sunny country livingEasy care, sunny ranch home has large living spaces,

3 bdrms, 2 baths, pine floors & wood stove. A hot tub onthe deck overlooks the 5+ pastoral acres! Barn, garage,

abundant garden space. MLS #270372 $399,000

WESTSIDE ACREAGE!Custom crafted home in the forest

More than 5 acres of forest-stewardship land with lovelygardens. Hydronic heat, many built-ins, 3 bdrms, 2.75baths, fabulous master, media room, & much more!Garage, spacious shop. MLS #246490 $575,000

HAND-BUILT HIDEAWAY

NEW

PRICE!NEW

PRICE!

VIEW! SUN! BEACH RIGHTS!You’ll love this light-filled, spacious home!Views sweep over the Sound to Mt. Rainier! Two bonusrooms, 3 bdrms, 1.75 baths, sun room, lanai & hugedeck. Explore the marine park across the street, or enjoythe community beach & pool! MLS #139862 $352,000

NEW

PRICE!

ValSeathMB,GRI

206/790-8779

A TERRIFIC BUY!Roomy farmhouse on a shy ten acres

Sunny pasture, woods & fruit trees near Dockton Park!More than 3500 square feet with 4 bdrms, 2 baths, new

hardwood floors, new appliances. Just needs a bit offinishing. A rare find! MLS # 276872 $374,500

NEW

PRICE!

PhilMcClureCRS, GRI

206/696-1800

Fabulous views of Sound & Mt. RainierA rare find! Custom-built home set in award-winning

gardens is superbly finished inside & out. 4 bdrms, 2.5baths, fine hardwoods, gourmet kitchen, 2 fireplaces.Delightful garden studio, too! MLS #199811 $595,000

SIMPLY GRAND! EVERYTHING YOU WANT!Great beach, great view, great location!

The quintessential Island home, just five minutes from theSeattle ferries! Open & airy, lots of wood & glass, terrifictwo-level design with a bdrm & 3/4 bath on each floor.

Stairs to 48’ of gorgeous beach! MLS #166435 $549,000

OPEN HOUSE Sunday!

Serene & lovely Northwest forestBeautiful 7.3 acres of pristine woods is alive with the

melodies of brook & birdsong! Centrally located on theIsland, within easy reach of town, schools and ferries.A private well is already in place. #291871 $119,000

WELCOMING WOODSTowering firs and sweeping lawn!

Northwest contemporary has spacious living room,open kitchen, two level design with fireplace & wood

stove. Expansive decks & 1.25 pastoral acres in a quietlocation near town & ferry. MLS #286623 $299,000

PARK-LIKE SETTING ENDLESS VERSATILITYLike buying two homes for the price of one!Imagine the possibilities! Delightful main home has 2bdrms, 1-1/2 baths PLUS a carriage house with loft

bdrm & its own water share. Sunny Northend propertynear the ferries! MLS #174418 $399,000

We are thankful to be a part of our wonderful Vashon community.Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday!

OPEN HOUSE Sunday!

Delightful views of Sound/City/Cascades!Terrific hilltop home is perfectly situated near

schools, shops, parks & everything! Covered porch,hdwd floors, newer appliances, new roof, fresh paint,3 bdrms, 2.25 baths & more. MLS #296366 $365,000

TRAMP HARBOR BEAUTY

JUST

LISTED!

CristGranum

CRS206/419-3661

13401 Vashon Hwy SW 567-1600 www.VashonHomes.com

OPEN HOUSE Sunday!

The beach is just across the street!Beautiful home combines a wealth of classic details

with thoughtful updates! Huge front porch, 3 bdrms, highceilings, wood floors, bay window & more. New garage w/unfinished studio, shy 1/2 acre. MLS #278518 $443,700

RESTORED VICTORIAN

KenZaglinD.Broker

206/940-4244

SusanLoflandASP, GRI

206/999-6470

JeanBoschBroker

206/919-5223

LenWolff

GRI206/300-7594

DebCain

CNE, GRI206/930-5650

J.R.Crawford

Realtor®206/954-9959

LeslieFerrielBroker

206/235-3731

NancySipple

GRI206/465-2361

DianeStoffer

Mg Broker206/650-6210

This office independently owned and operated JOHN L SCOTT VSH