Chances are good that if you’ve lived on the Island for a while you know who Ray Pfortner is. Ray is the Guy with the Eye, our photographer laureate, you might say, known not only for his own exhaustive chronicling of Island imagery, but also for his classes in photography,  most recently his Shoot to Show class at Vashon Center for the Arts. You may already know, then, that on Tuesday, June 17^th from 6 to 8 PM at the Vashon Theatre Ray and the eight students in his latest class will be showing the results of their Tramp Harbor Dock project. Along with a  panoply of captivating scenes, the Friends of Tramp Harbor Dock will talk about the dock’s history, and its status, both present and future. Hey, it’s a terrific show and it’s free. June 17^th, from 6 to 8 PM at the Vashon Theatre: Ray Pfortner’s Tramp Harbor Extravaganza. This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement , Dig the Dock Department.

This summer, help bring the magic to life for the kids at Vashon’s Strawberry Festival!

We’re raising $4,000 to bring back the beloved Festival Train—free and fun for every child. Your donation will make it possible and will assure an accessible joyful experience for every child.

From bouncy houses and bungee jumping, to face painting, puppet shows, and a Friday night kickoff with the Reptile Man—Ober Park will be the place for family fun! Kid oriented activities are still being accepted at Ober Park or individual businesses.  Let the Chamber know so that all kids activities are included on The Festival Map and Kids Zone section of the Chamber’s website.

Every dollar helps, and anything extra will go toward growing next year’s Kids Zone even bigger and better.

Donate today at: thisisvashon.com/strawberry-festival#sftrain

Once a month, the County sends a representative from the Health Department to, basically, make it convenient for Islanders to sign up for the many services they offer. That representative’s name is Miguel Urquiza and he will be on the Island next on Wednesday, June 18^th at the Library, inside, at the back. With Miguel, you can sign up for health insurance that would start the following month. You can sign up for food stamps or apply for Orca lift, the Metro reduced fare program. If you can’t make the Wednesday visit then you can call Miguel and work it out over the phone at 206 477-6965 or 206 491-3671.  This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement.

Every Spring something wonderful happens when the Master Gardeners come out and make themselves available to other Island gardeners for help and advice. They set up shop in the breezeway between Ace Hardware and Thriftway for their opening plant clinic at 10AM on Friday May 2 and will continue to do so every Saturday and First Friday, May through August, 10AM to 2PM. Bring your plant questions, photos, and samples and get free, science-based advice for the home gardener, from the Washington State Extension Master Gardeners program. For more information contact mgvashon@gmail.com. This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement,

Your donation will fill the gap left by state and federal funding gaps so that our support reaches more students. Together, let’s show our students that even in uncertain times their education is our priority. Visit our website at Vashonschoolsfoundation.com to learn more and please consider a generous donation for the next generation. And thank you!

The mission of the Vashon Maury Community Food Bank is to work in partnership with our community to increase our island’s food security and connect people to the supporting resources they need to thrive. What this means is that there is no need for anyone on Vashon or Maury Islands to ever go hungry no matter who you are or what your income level may be. The Food Bank serves over 300 households per week and distributes food at the Bank itself every Wednesday from 10AM till 2PM, and then again, later in the day, from 4 to 7PM. And this message addresses the supply side of our operation as well. Nonperishable food and clean grocery bags with handles are always welcome in our blue donations shed or in the drop-off receptacles inside Thriftway or IGA. If it’s your time or energy or, hey, even your money you want to donate visit www.Vashonfoodbank.org. If you eat, then this announcement was all about you. This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement, Basic Needs Department.

After some research, a group of folks who live in Burton have become roused to the fact that they live in a VERY INTERESTING PLACE. And so they have teamed up with the Heritage Museum to work on developing a Burton History Trail, a walking trail with signs that tell the history of the Burton Community from the first Swiftwater People villages to the development of Vashon College and the Children’s Missionary Home, to the bustling gateway to Tacoma and to the present village with Harbor Mercantile and the Burton Coffee Stand at its core. So a community meeting is planned for Sunday, June 4th at 3PM at Camp Burton to give feedback on possible routes and maps and help work on designs, funding and other vital issues. And if this project interests you, you don’t have to live in Burton to take part. After all, you can’t get to Burton without going through Vashon, and any Burton attraction is an attraction for the whole Island. 3PM on Sunday, June 4th at Camp Burton. The more, as they say, the merrier. This has been a Voice of Vashon Public Service Announcement, Keep Vashon Cool Department.