Swiftwater Gallery will be hosting a first Friday demonstration September 4th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm by Research Biologist Lee Hendrickson. Lee’s background is in Bio-chemistry, Bio-tech, Bio-medical and photography! He grows his own crystals on glass slides then uses a high end visible light microscope to see the forms, shapes and colors. Once he has found a unique pattern, Lee mounts his Cannon 5D camera to the microscope and photographs the image. The image is then printed on metal. We hope you can come and learn more about this unique and beautiful way to capture a micro world. Swiftwater Gallery,  17600 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA

Follow: @swiftwatergallery

Swiftwatergallery.com

The Vashon Film Institute presents the fifth annual Vashon Island Film Festival, August 13 through 16, at the historic Vashon Theatre. This year’s festival showcases eight feature films and seventeen shorts pulled from Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and more, plus a special screening of A24’s Tony, starring Dominic Sessa and Antonio Banderas, and three Local Spotlight features made right here on Vashon. Don’t miss shortCUTZ, the festival’s local shorts competition celebrating island filmmakers. VIFF also debuts the S. Gordon Tribble “Superstar” Award, honoring a beloved island filmmaker with a $1,000 prize for LGBTQIA+ filmmaking. Catch the Opening Night Reception, Saturday Night Soiree, and Red Bicycle Awards along the way. Single tickets and festival passes are on sale now at vashonislandfilmfestival.com. and VFI members receive a free pass. Come celebrate four days of film and community! Vashon Island Film Festival, August 13 through 16 — get your tickets today.

Summer is the perfect time to get out on the water, and Vashon Island Rowing Club is offering classes and camps for youth and adults all season long. Islanders ages 12 and up are invited to National Learn to Row Day on Saturday, June 6, from 10:30 to 1:30 at the Jensen Point Boathouse on the Burton Peninsula. Drop in for a tour, learn rowing basics, try the rowing stroke on an erg, and get out on the water with experienced rowers. And it’s FREE to all! Youth ages 13 to 19 can join one of four two‑week rowing camps held June through August. Adults 20 and older can choose Intro to Rowing or Learn to Row classes, with options in June, July, and August. Wear stretchy clothing, bring water, and be ready for fun and fitness on the water. For details, go to vashoncrew.com.

Swiftwater Gallery is excited to announce three innovative printmakers Jean Echevarria, Brian Fisher and Deborah Taylor all members of Swiftwater Gallery. They will be discussing and showcasing certain aspects of their individual print making process from 6-7pm , June 5th first Friday.

Jean will be discussing the reduction woodblock process, Brian will be discussing and showing the rust printmaking process, and Deborah will be talking about the etching process. It is a chance to learn more about the complex world of fine art print making

 Here on Vashon, keeping water clean is one of our major interests. Septic systems on the island take up a major responsibility to filter the used water, which then joins the groundwater or feeds into Puget Sound, creating the living address where clams, fish, and orcas put their feet in.

Join a community meeting with Public Health—Seattle & King County for important updates about septic systems on Vashon Island, including the Marine Recovery Area and a new septic self-check program. Meetings will be in-person at Vashon Library on June 18 at 4PM and virtually on June 26 at 5.30PM. Learn more and register at www.kingcounty.gov/MRA.

Weatherization is the foundation of a home’s energy efficiency. It prevents the loss of warm or cool air through unseen leaks and seams. It’s an easy, cost-effective way to increase the comfort of your home while saving money and energy. Reducing energy use also helps the environment.

Puget Sound Energy has programs that support you in weatherizing your home by offering savings on insulation, air sealing and duct sealing. This support will help you keep the heat inside where you want it and stay warm all winter long.

Learn more at pse.com

This message was made possible by your electricity and natural gas provider, Puget Sound Energy.

Be honest now. I know, I’m just a voice on the radio, but I have a really important question for you. Are you afraid? Afraid of someone or something out there and it’s kind of messing up your life right now? And getting help is so painful and awkward that it’s like so hard that it’s easier just to put it off. But what if help were to meet you half way? Because we’ve got that for you, just a phone call away. Two days ago King County announced the launch of the Stop Hate Hotline. And here it is: 833-766-7481, or 833-STOP-H81. The launch of the Stop Hate Hotline represents King County’s unwavering commitment to creating a community where every resident feels safe, valued and protected from hate and bias. This hotline provides crime victims and survivors support, resources and assistance in reporting the crime to law enforcement if they choose. Now people can speak up anonymously against hate and know their privacy will be safeguarded. That number once again: 833-766-7481 or 833-STOP-H81. This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement.

You want to take a day trip but there are 11 people in your family. So, take two cars? Well, maybe, but why? When you can borrow a Community van from the county that will carry that many folks? You can do that. Pick it up at the Vashon Chamber of Commerce. Cost you $2.75 per adult; $1.00 for seniors; the driver and youth under 19 pay nothing. Gas, insurance and bridge tolls are included with fare. Pay with your ORCA card, Transit GO ticket app or Human Services bus ticket. (Cash not accepted) Reserve the van at least two days in advance via web at kingcounty.gov/communityvan, or email communityvan@vashonchamber.com. All trips require an approved driver and at least two riders, boarding the van in Vashon. Drivers must be 21 years old, meet driver requirements and complete free training. Now aren’t you glad you live here? This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement, Easy Living Department.