Get email notification of unexpected Washington State Ferry system
service disruptions right after they occur.

This is actually pretty cool!
If you've got email at work, sign up for it!

Then you'll be able to stew about not being able to get home on time for even longer than you would, otherwise ;-)

This is very cool:

The Voice of Vashon!

"Voice of Vashon serves our Island community in three ways. We are:

• A cable public access television station, VoV-TV on Comcast cable channel 21
• A community Internet radio station, webcasting right here at www.voiceofvashon.org.
• A community bulletin board and emergency alert radio station, VoV Standing By at 1650AM."

Check it out!

• Vashon Photo dot Com

  "Vashon Photo.com is a free resource dedicated to those who admire Vashon Island, WA."

  "Images of scenery, animals and events around and about Vashon. Free registration for you to upload your Vashon-esque photos."

   

• Island West Alpacas!

  "Hear the hmmmm of a gentle animal. Feel the softness of an elegant alpaca sweater. Enjoy the gentle warmth of natural alpaca clothing. Come to know Alpacas."

  "Island West Alpacas is available for visitors on most days, by appointment only. Please call to arrange your tour of the farm or to see our Naturally Unique line of top quality alpaca clothing and gifts."

  "Island West Alpacas is located in Western Washington, just a few relaxing minutes from Seattle on Vashon Island."

   

• Welcome to PurelyAlpaca!!

  "Purely Alpaca Clothing, Sweaters, Socks...Stylish alpaca sweaters, beautiful scarves, funky hats, gloves, cozy alpaca socks and more...!

  "We first learned of alpacas in 1998 while looking through a magazine. We just loved the LOOK of the animals. After a couple of years of research we began an alpaca farm on Vashon Island, near Seattle. Soon after we launched a farm store selling alpaca products."

   

• This is very cool! Check out Jim Sherman's "The Antique Engine Shop"

  "This site is dedicated to my antique engine collection. Several of my engines were found here on Vashon and others came from around the Puget Sound area"

  Jim is a 6th generation Vashon Island native. There's not a lot of people who can say that!

   

• Looking for that perfect alpaca to complete your menagerie? Visit Bill and Lee Green and Vashon Island Alpacas!

  "Welcome to VIA! We are a family owned and operated alpaca farm on Vashon Island in Washington's Puget Sound. Click on links below to see what we offer."

  "Sires Available For Breeding"
  "Sires Available For Sale"
  "Fleece Available For Sale"

  (Actually, ya gotta go to their web page to click the links... ;-)

   

• Whoa, Nelly! Who *is* that sharp-dressed man?

   

• The Vashon-Maury Co-operative Preschool

  "We are a non-profit Co-operative preschool. The Co-op belongs to us, the parent members. As members of the Co-op community, we all contribute to and share in our children's preschool experience. Working together, we strive to create a nurturing environment and an enriching experience for our children."

  Rosalie went here for a couple of years, a long, long time ago, when she was just a wee bunny...

   

• The Vashon Cohousing Group

  "This is a statement of values of Vashon Cohousing. That is, a statement of what we all have in common that is sufficient for us to risk our time, effort and money in developing and constructing this project. Actually we are building two things here. One is a set of buildings, our homes, a neighborhood. The other is a set of relationships with each other. Both are based on these values of community living that we share..."

   

• Joan M. McCabe: "For over 20 years Joan has facilitated individuals and groups in personal growth and spiritual awareness. Her experience as an ordained minister, spiritual teacher, and Transformation Game® Facilitator enhance her intuitive skills. It is her joy to help people live in alignment with their vision, purpose, and values, and witness the miracle they create as they fulfill their hearts desire. The time has come for you to live the life that makes your heart sing!"

   

• The Vashon Island Golf and Country Club

  "The approach to the par 5 4th hole. The green is small, and the penalty for missing it can be severe."

   

  ---

  The following are all my pages:

• The 2000 Vashon Island Strawberry Festival!

  "Ober Park is really the core of the Festival, for most people!"

• The 1999 Vashon Island Strawberry Festival!

  The weather was pretty lousy on Saturday this year, but a whole bunch of people (true Islanders, and true Northwesterners..) turned out any way!

• Check out: July Fourth 1999 -- Vashon Island Style! Another one of our best-kept secrets! Vashon Island's fireworks display is one of only two on the West Coast to have a 24 inch shell! It's "The Silver Camuro Shell of Shells with Rising Effects"!
• The 1997 Vashon Island Strawberry Festival! "This was the 80th Annual Strawberry Festival - so named from the days when Vashon Island was a major producer of strawberries for the growing cities of Seattle and Tacoma."
• Goodby Kingdome! -- and -- Hello Safeco! We went to the next-to-last Mariners game at the Kingdome, and went to see the Yankees at the new Safeco Field in early August! (OK, OK: It's not Vashon, but it is kinda Puget Sound-y!)
• Water Spouts over Puget Sound? The March 3, 1999 storm in Western Washington caused all sorts of problems: 250,000 people without electricity (I had no power for 15 hours..), the Evergreen Point floating bridge damaged and closed to traffic for 72 hours, and the Fauntleroy ferry dock (in the last of these pictures) damaged and closed for 24 hours after it was hit by the ferry Quinault during an abortive landing early Wednesday morning. One person died in a car crushed by a fallen tree. Five counties were declared disaster areas...
• 1998-1999 McMurray Mustangs Girls' Basketball! The McMurray Mustangs play a ten-game season against middle schools from the Tukwila, Orting, Eatonville, Steilacoom and North Mason school districts. These middle schools feed into the high schools that the Vashon Pirates boys' and girls' high school basketball teams play against, so the Mustangs will be seeing a lot of their opponents all the way up through high school...

  Go Mustangs!

• "The Two Gentlemen of Verona!"  

  This production of Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" was performed by the Blue Heron Teen Thespians, at the Blue Heron Center for the Arts, January 8 and 9, 1999, under the direction of Mark Sheppard.

  This group has been acting together, for the most part, since back in elemetary school. There are one or two new players in this production; the actors range from the seventh to the ninth grades; some are in the Vashon school system, some from private schools on the Island, and some are home-schooled..

  ---

  Back to pages out on the wild, wild Web...

• Brian Brenno Blown Glass

  "Don't you just marvel at those perfect hands and feet? Our children grow up too quickly and special memories fade with each year. forever in glass handprint kits allow families to preserve those precious fingers and tiny toes in a unique personalized glass keepsake."

   

• Drama Dock!

  "Drama Dock is Vashon Island's non-profit community theater organization that produces three major productions each year - spring, summer, and fall. Drama Dock has been producing plays continuously for the past 25 years, and we are proud to say that this has been accomplished solely through the efforts of volunteers and financed by ticket sales only."

  "Tickets for individual performances are available several weeks before each production at Books by the Way on Vashon Island."

  April 9-24, 2004
  Working
  A Musical
  Written by Studs Terkel
  Directed by Mark Sheppard

  Held at Vashon High School Theater

  "Working", based on the book by Studs Terkel, is filled with contemporary music by such artists as James Taylor (Millworker and Brother Trucker), Craig Carnelia, Mary Rodgers, Stephen Schwartz and Micki Grant. The songs are created for the "real-life" unsung heroes of today and are filled with hope, promise, regret and longing. The script is taken directly from the book which is based on interviews with dozens of hard working people -- some of them love their jobs, some do not -- and we get a glimpse inside into what makes people do the things they do.

   

• Hills and Mountains

  "Family Trees Gardens and Ponds" was "Peter's Pumpkin Patch" - Pete Svinth had a really cool web site devoted to his farm down on Maury Island which was open to the public and had great pumpkins and other cool stuff!

  Now Pete has sold the farm and has moved onto the Nisqually Indian reservation, where he is a tribal elder.

  "Hills and Mountains" is Pete's current website!

   

• Digging for Clues on Vashon Island

  The archeological dig on Burton Peninsula. "The two-week excavation was co-sponsored by the Burke Museum, the King County Landmarks and Heritage Commission, Vashon Island's McMurray Middle School, and the Puyallup Tribe."

   

• The Monastery of the All-Merciful Saviour

  "In 1988 two monks came to the Pacific Northwest to establish a monastery on Vashon Island  ...  at their annual Patronal Feast Day in July 1992  ...  an attendee of the Pilgrimage stepped forward and asked if they would remain on the Island if he donated five acres of land for the construction of the monastery."
  The rest is history..

   

• The Clam Cove Report

  "The Clam Cove Report originated in February 1994 as 200 copies of a one-page sheet cranked out on a Mac LC ... Not a week goes by that someone doesn't ask about CCR, encouraging its resurrection, so the editor has decided to try again, this time on-line."

   

• Wagons of Steel

  "NEW! Wagons of Steel 2004 Calendar
  With the race season out of the way we finally had a chance to finish the 2004 Wagons of Steel Calendar. Our Sharpie and photcopier have been working overtime to bring you our new calendar just in time for Christmas. Reward yourself by ordering one online today!"

  "Just-In-Time Publishing
  That's right, Issue 17 of the Wagons of Steel Magazine is finally in the mail, just in time for Winter Road Tips and other 'seasonal' goodies. If you've already ordered yours, look for it within the next few weeks. Those of you who haven't put in your request... what are ya waitin' for?!"

  "Britney in for the winter
  Time for some upgrades, new floorpan, roll-bars, you know the routine..."

   

The Vashon Island School District has a lot going for it, in my opinion. One thing I particularily like is the fact that all three schools, elementary, middle, and high school, are located on one large wooded campus. This makes cooperation and communication between the three schools very easy since each school is within a short, safe walk from any other. This demystifies middle school for the elementary kids, and lets middle school kids use the sports facilities at the high school, for example. Most of the teachers are Island residents, and many of the kids have gone to school with one another since daycare...

Years past, I was on the Walkie-Talkie Patrol at the High School, over lunch time, one Monday every other week.

Two parents (usually) strolled the campus over lunch while another parent opened the gym so the kids can play basketball.

The kids were pretty positive about us being on campus, for the most part, although *some* Class of 2000 graduating seniors did vote the Walkie-Talkie Patrol as the number one thing they wouldn't miss about high school!

Oh, well. You can't please all the people, all the time...

The Vashon School District is getting a lot of new, cool stuff up on the web:

The Vashon Island School District homepage

and the District/Superintendent homepage

Vashon High School

McMurray Middle School

Chautauqua Elementary School

Check it out! The official VHS Class of 1990 "Port of the Pirates from the Rock" website!

Vashon High School Homecoming, 2004

These are my VHS Sports pages:

• My current Vashon High School photos page

• 2003-2004 Vashon High School Sports!

• 2002-2003 Vashon High School Sports!

• 2001-2002 Vashon High School Sports!

• 1999-2000 Vashon High School Sports!
  • Fall 1999 Vashon High School Pirates Girls' Volleyball!

  • Fall 1999 Vashon High School Boys Tennis!

  • Spring 2000 Vashon High School Pirates Girls' Tennis!

  • 2000 Pirate Tennis at the West Central 2000 AA Tournament!

  • Spring 2000 Vashon High School Pirates Fastpitch Softball!

• Spring 1999 Vashon High School Pirates Baseball!  

  Vashon Pirates 4th place in 1999 State 2A baseball!

• Winter 1998 Vashon High School Pirates Baseketball!  

  Vashon Pirates 2nd place in 1999 State 2A baseketball!

   

  ---

• Evan Justin's homepage

  Mr Justin was Rosalie's eighth-grade Science teacher at McMurray Middle School!

   

  ---

• What the Seattle Times has to say about Vashon High School

• and McMurray Middle School

• and Chautauqua Elementary

• and about the Vashon School District

   

  ---

• The Harbor School

  "The Harbor School is dedicated to the education of the whole child in a challenging and supportive community. We provide our students with a strong academic foundation and require them to actively apply their knowledge and skills. The ultimate goal is to instill a life-long passion for learning that will enable our students to contribute their wisdom, compassion, and leadership in a rapidly changing world."

  "We believe in an educational philosophy that is child-centered, one that challenges and celebrates each child's innate desire for learning. Our teachers create an atmosphere which fosters students' intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and moral development. As part of the commitment to a strong academic foundation, we encourage students to share their achievements, demonstrate self-responsibility, and respect their fellow students, community, and the world around them."

• What the Seattle Times has to say about the Harbor School

   

  ---

• This is very interesting: I just stumbled upon it while doing yet another google search for "Vashon Island" -- the Vashon Academics Homepage

  There is a listserve (an email-based discussion server) set up by these folks that seems to be fairly lively, judging by the archives.

  Many of the participants in the listserve are familiar names to me, not that that means much, my having lived on Vashon for over 20 years, and having run for School Board once myself..

   

And check this out - another Vashon High School!

And the history of that Vashon High School!

"Vashon High School, a comprehensive secondary educational institution, located in Saint Louis, MO, carries the name of two 19th century black educators, John and George B. Vashon."

Our  Vashon was named for Captain James Vashon, who was sailing with Captain George Vancouver when Vashon was "discovered" in 1792.

• This is very cool! Check out Jim Sherman's "The Antique Engine Shop"

  "This site is dedicated to my antique engine collection. Several of my engines were found here on Vashon and others came from around the Puget Sound area"

  Jim is a 6th generation Vashon Island native. There's not a lot of people who can say that!

   

• Whoa, Nelly! Who's that sharp-dressed man?

   

• Matthew and Julie Shorack

   

• Cumming's Pottery

  I've known Pat since 1979. We were both founding members of the Vashon Island Potters, along with Janice Mallman, Greg McElroy, Irene Otis, and Larry Watson...

  

  the Vashon Island Potters, maybe around 1980! From left to right: Larry Watson, Greg McElroy, Irene Otis, John Sage, Janice Mallman, and Pat Cummings.

   

• Joshua Putnam

  Joshua is a native Vashon-Islander - Vashon High class of '85 - and has some great photography of Vashon.

   

• Visit Amanda's dad, Tom, at Windermere Real Estate

   

• And, Don Berry

  One of the most mind-altering books I have ever read is "Trask" - a novel of the white man's first settling of the Oregon coast south of the Columbia River. I started reading it without knowing what I was getting into and was just blown away..

• Vashon Island Fire and Rescue!

  "HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
  
  The heart and soul of Vashon Island Fire and Rescue is the volunteer firefighting force that has provided life-saving service to the community of Vashon since 1942. It would be impossible to quantify the life and property that have been saved due to their effort in their more than 60 years of responding. To that end, VIFR works diligently to support the recruitment, training, safety and retention of the Volunteer firefighting force. We hope that if you are reading this handbook; you are already a volunteer, interested in becoming a volunteer or wondering how you can be involved as a non-responder. Hopefully this website and these icons will provide information for everyone."

   

• IDVOS: discussing a very important and too-easily ignored societal problem: domestic violence on Vashon Island

  "We are an agency where a victim of domestic violence can feel understood and supported on their journey toward a life free of violence. We seek to empower them to step out of the isolation that so often paralyzes victims who live in rural areas. We are working to eliminate the barriers of denial and misunderstanding in our community, which discourage victims from accessing and utilizing dv services. Our mission at IDVOS is to lead our island community in acknowledging, understanding and responding to domestic violence. Because every person on Vashon has the right to a safe and healthy home-life."

   

• The Vashon-Maury Island Community Council

  "What is the Council?
  
  The Vashon-Maury Island Community Council is a town hall style forum for discussion of issues relevant to the residents of Vashon and Maury Islands. The Council is recognized by King County as an Unincorporated Area Community Council.
  
  As a town-hall forum, decisions are made by a public vote at our General Meetings. Much of the work of the Council takes place in our Committees, which then forward their recommendations to the whole Council for action."

   

• Vashon Allied Arts

  "Vashon Allied Arts (VAA) is the oldest community arts center in the state of Washington. Founded in 1966, we continue to provide opportunities for Islanders of all ages to create and experience art at many levels."

  "We are the designated Local Arts Agency for Vashon-Maury Island and serve as an umbrella organization for other arts groups on the Island. Our home, The Blue Heron Art Center, is the historic Odd Fellows Building located on Vashon Highway just south of Cemetery Road on beautiful Vashon Island."

  "Vashon Island is the home to hundreds of performing, literary, and visual artists and has a long and rich cultural history. Come on in and visit us!"

   

• Dance! Vashon

  "...whose mission and goals relate to the support of Vashon Island dance students and teachers and the promotion of dance through performance and education."

   

• UMO

  "A Brief UMO Biography:
  
  UMO began their creative collaboration in 1987. The company is committed to an Ensemble of performers who create and compose their own productions. The Ensemble's creative process is rooted in physical theatre. Improvisations in movement, character, vocalizing, and writing are the basis for the creation and development of new works. For each piece there is a member of the Ensemble who serves as artistic director, holding the larger picture in mind. Since their arrival on Vashon Island in 1989, UMO Ensemble has created over twenty original works for the theatre. The Ensemble's material reflects their diverse range of styles and skills: the copper sculpture "dance animation" of Instinction (1987); the fifteen foot tall puppetry of Who Nose (1990), the mask and Red Nose clown work of Midnight Comix (1990) and Naughty Bits (1991), the lovably irreverent Buffoons of El Dorado (1992) and Insatiable Cabaret (1993); the acrobatic Djool of Caravan of Dreams (1994); the haunting, stripped-down beauty of Digging (1996) and Body Inheritance (1997); the archetypal fables of Expressions of the Spirit (1999); the breathtaking aerial virtuosity of Millennium Circus (1999), and the musical and architectural richness of Cities (2001)."

  • I say: Simply the most stunning theatrical troupe I've ever seen! Their performance at the 1998 Vashon Island Strawberry Festival was stupendous! Since 1992 UMO has produced Islewilde every summer - a month of free public workshops that culminate in a weekend-long performance celebration.

   

• Islewilde!

  "The 14th Annual Islewilde Community Arts Celebration is a free, three-day arts festival in August featuring a parade, a night-time lantern walk, stilt walking creatures, live music, a children's circus, a late-night cabaret, and a community pageant. These performances are largely generated in workshops in the three weeks preceding the festival taught by professional artist from around the Pacific Northwest."

   

• Vashon Island Parks District

  "The District seeks to provide recreational opportunities and facilities to its residents. This includes developing and preserving passive and active recreational resources for the betterment of all the residents of the District as well as protecting the rural and natural qualities of Vashon Maury Island. The District will insure facilities and services shall remain within adopted standards and service levels."

  "Each year at this time, the Park District Board of Commissioners invites Island groups and individuals to submit their ideas for 2005 large improvement or acquisition projects for Island parks. In the past, such projects have included grant matches for projects at Pt. Robinson, Jensen Point and Ober Park. Funding to improve park features has also been provided for the Paradise Ridge Assembly Building, Agren field, Burton Skate Park, Fern Cove's Belle Baldwin house, Wingehaven drainage improvements and more. The process begins now for funding in 2005. Interested groups or individuals need to call or visit the Park District office and request a "Capital Improvement Project Evaluation" form. Once completed, the forms will be reviewed by the Board to determine if the project should continue through the process for possible inclusion in the 2005 budget. All forms must be returned to the Park District office by April 30 so drop by and get yours now! For more information, call the District office at 463-9602."

   

• Camp Sealth!

  "Located on 1.5 miles of beach on Vashon Island, Washington, Camp Sealth's pristine location provides areas for swimming, boating and beach activities. The 400 acres of woods filled with trails, wildlife and remote campsites provides the setting for daily adventures. Fun, friends and new adventures away from home create a valuable and memorable experience. Each child brings home a new sense of self-confidence, independence, teamwork and social skills that last a lifetime. The entire Camp Sealth staff is dedicated to enriching children's lives."

  "It all begins on a boat! We charter the "Goodtime II," which departs from Shilshole Marina in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle for an exciting and memorable two-hour cruise to Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. On board, anticipation builds as children meet a few staff members and new friends, sing and get into the spirit of camp! Transportation is available from Pt. Defiance ferry dock in Tacoma, but we highly recommend the Goodtime II, affectionately called "Da Boata!""

   

• Camp Burton!

  "Camp Burton Conference Center is located on Vashon Island, a 15 minute ferry ride from West Seattle, Tacoma, or the Kitsap Peninsula. A ministry of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Northwest, Camp Burton offers a multipurpose site for your non-profit organization. Camp Burton offers your group a lovely and peaceful setting, where you can reach the goals you set for your retreat. Amenities include waterfront property on Quartermaster Harbor and wooded areas. We will have meeting rooms and sleeping cabins ready for your event and serve you delicious and satisfying meals. A peaceful island retreat site is waiting for you!
  
  "Each time I visit it's like coming home.""

   

• The Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce

  "The Vashon-Maury Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor several community events throughout the year including Spring Fling, Strawberry Festival, Chalk Walk, Halloween Trick-or-Treat night and Holiday Open House.
  
  Don't see what you're looking for on our site? Contact us via email or phone our Chamber office for more details."

  • And a really complete business listing there...

  The Vashon-Maury Chamber of Commerce runs the Vashon Island Strawberry Festival

   

• Rogers Graphics

  "Rogers Graphics is an advertising design firm specializing in effective print media and dynamic web-based advertising solutions.
  
  We primarily serve the fresh produce and floral industries with projects for other interesting companies as well.
  
  Located on Vashon Island near Seattle, we work with companies in Florida, California, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
  
  Please contact us to review your particular needs."

   

• Vashon Print and Design

   

• The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

   

• Goodjam.com  also know as the Maury Island Farming Company, and Vashon Island's General Store!

  "Welcome to GOODJAM.COM, the online store for Country Store & Gardens Gift & Gourmet Shop, serving individuals and business gift buyers.
  
  This is your place to obtain the ORIGINAL Maury Island Farm brand fruit preserves and toppings, bringing you the berry best of the Pacific Northwest.
  
  We also offer wonderful chocolates from Frederick & Nelson and Paradise Farms, Buckeye Bean soups and chili mixes, gift boxes and other specialty food treats."

   

• Books by the Way has a long history on Vashon Island! It's now located in "downtown" Vashon on Bank Road, west of the Island Highway.

  "Books by the Way is a general interest new title bookstore nestled in the center of town on Vashon Island, in the Pacific Northwest's Puget Sound. In October of 1998 the store proudly celebrated it's twenty-fifth anniversary as Vashon Island's independant bookstore, originally opened by Vivian Conant."

  "We hope you have a chance to visit our island, and drop in and introduce yourself. We will do our best to help you feel at home and to find you a good book to read."

   

• the Back Bay Inn!

  "Back Bay Inn is a cornerstone landmark in the picturesque harbor village of Burton, on Vashon Island, Washington. It is convenient to Seattle and Tacoma, yet far enough from the hustle-bustle, making it a favored destination for a weekend breakfast or an overnight romantic getaway."

  "The inn, established in 1992, is reminiscent of the late Victorian inn in architecture, decor and attention to detail. Cupolas, multi-lighted windows and bright trim add to its distinctiveness. It is run much like a European auberge where accommodation and food service are provided in an intimate setting and on a personal basis. The innkeepers and staff have created an attractive, richly comfortable environment reflecting the authenticity and warmth of the turn-of-the century home originally on the property."

   

• BumbleBar!

  "A note from co-owner Glenn Ward...
  
  BumbleBar's essence lies with my wife, Liz. As a food artist and a mother, Liz created BumbleBars as hiking food. When starting the company in 1995, she had a vision of making an all-organic snackbar. She passionately believed that her efforts would help in her quest to leave a living planet, benefiting kids for generations to come. You see, she was confused with people enjoying nature's bounty on the trail, while unwittingly carrying foods in their backpacks that were directly contributing to the environment's decline.
  
  Now, we sell BumbleBars all across the Unitied States to folks like YOU. In 2002 we used over 70,000 lbs. of certified organic ingredients and thousands of pounds of recycled paper products. People love BumbleBars because they taste so good and we love BumbleBars because of the legacy we are leaving...."

   

• Check out the Dunsford Snakelight!

  "Snakelights are a quick, affordable and elegant solution for both residential and contract installations, and come in a variety of mountings, sizes and colors with custom options available."

   

• Ellisport Engineering!

  Ellisport Engineering is what I would call a distributed-network engineering firm: all the employees work out of their own home offices and communicate with Steve Kicinski via phone, fax, email and the internet. A very enlightened approach to conducting serious professional work without a central "office"!

  "Ellisport Engineering, Inc. is a consulting engineering firm providing both civil and structural engineering services for residences and small commercial buildings."

  "While much of our work is in the Greater Puget Sound region and Yakima areas, we are licensed in Washington, Oregon and California and have completed projects as far afield as Siberia, Russia."

   

• The Vashon Dance Academy

   

• The AYH Ranch Hostel

  "This unique lodging is located 25 minutes from Seattle and Tacoma. It is located on an island in Puget Sound in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, and offers a unique Western setting with Indian teepees, covered wagons, log lodge with comfortable private rooms. Camping is also available and includes a "u-fix" pancake breakfast."

   

• The Trillium Retreat Center

  "Relax and rejuvenate in the peace and tranquility of Trillium Retreat Center, an enchanted getaway on 15 acres of forest and meadows. Trillium is situated on rural Vashon Island, fifteen minutes by ferry from West Seattle, Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula."

  "Trillium was created to provide a safe and private haven for groups whose focus is healing and growth. We host only one group at a time."

  "The facilities include: A yurt, bathhouse with a hot tub, steambath and cold plunge. A kitchen/dining room, forest cabin, bunk cabins, garden cottage, fire pit, meadows and woodland trails."

   

• If you haven't already done so, visit Amanda's dad, Tom, at Windermere Real Estate

   

• The K2 Corporation

  K2 was once "Vashon's #1 export" - although Larry Niece might have a different opinion - until K2 exported most of the jobs to China :-(

  • K2 snowboards
  • and bikes
  • and skates
  • and, (duh!) skis!

  POP QUIZ: Was K2 named after the mountain, or two brothers?

   

• Stewart Brother's (er - well, that's what it was)Seattle's Best Coffee
  

  I dunno the whole story: SBC had a roasterie on the Island, and had a retail shop at the stop sign at Vashon Highway and Cemetery Road, but they sure don't mention Vashon at their web site...

  And now you have this:

  "Starbucks Corporation Completes Acquisition of Seattle Coffee Company
  
  July 14, 2003 (SEATTLE, WA) Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Seattle Coffee Company from AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFCE) announced on April 16, 2003. Seattle Coffee Company includes the Seattle's Best Coffee® (SBC) and Torrefazione Italia® Coffee (TI) brands."

  I only drink Shade Grown French Roast from The Holy Brotherhood of the Monastery of the All-Merciful Saviour anyway...

   

• and Torrefazione Italia

  "Torrefazione Italia is roasted to order daily at our roasterie on Vashon Island, just outside of Seattle. We guarantee that all our coffees will be freshly roasted, packaged and rushed to you in order to preserve its freshness and flavor."

  So maybe what I think of as being Seattle's Best's roasterie is Torrefazione Italia's -- they're a division of SBC, or they were, or, it's really Starbucks, I dunno...

   

• Anyway, while we're talkin' coffee: Shade Grown French Roast!

  "The monks view their coffee company as a means to sustain their life of spiritual contemplation. "Our main purpose of existence is prayer" says Father Tryphon. "Volunteers of all faiths have helped design and build the monastery and proceeds from the growing coffee company will help meet the monastery's financial needs.""

  Monastery Blend "Shade-grown French Roast" is my personal favorite, and is the only coffee I ever drink at home.

  They also have teas, too.

   

• Vashon Island Air!

  "SEE IT ALL in just a few hours!
  
  Thrill to the beauty and wonder of the Puget Sound area. Our scenic air tours will let you discover the beauty of Washington. See everything from the magnificent splendor of the high Alpine of the Olympics and Cascades, the calm and peace of the Orca Whales of the San Juan Islands, the awesome destruction at Mt. St. Helens, & Downtown Seattle tours. View it with an eagle's eye. Our air tours range from the snow capped Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympics Mountain Ranges, to the sheer wonder of the Columbia River Gorge."

   

• theplumber.com

  "theplumber.com web site, under "plumbing" has been called one of the "best web sites" by the #1 on-line multimedia encyclopedia - Encarta.
  
  Even Encyclopedia Britannica has linked to us in the past as one of "The Web's Best Sites".
  
  World Book On-Line Encyclopedia specially selected theplumber.com by their Editors as well.
  
  theplumber.com was rated a Hot Site by USA Today"

• ..and Hill's Plumbing
  • New Construction
  • Remodels
  • Service and Repairs
  • Power Drain Cleaning
  • Bonded & Insured
• da Bone Shop.. or Sawbones.. or Pacific Research Labs..

  (One of the most unique jobs I've ever had was working for Denzel and Foss back in about 1980 or '81. I was making spiral fractures in a batch of femurs by clamping one end in a vise, and twisting the other end with a pair of Vise-Grips until CRACK!...)

  "For over two decades, Sawbones, the originators of "hands-on" workshop models, continues to be the leader in medical models for orthopedic and medical education. Sawbones models have been specifically developed for use in motor skills exercises where a realistic artificial anatomical model is required for the "hands-on" teaching of surgical procedures.
  
  In addition to a product line of over 2000 models for hands-on training, Sawbones offer a complete range of services to enhance the world of medical education, product demonstration, and patient awareness. Customized products developed to your company's specifications are available through Sawbones broad range of manufacturing capabilities."

   

• SunGard Bi-Tech

  "Software solutions for Government, School Districts, Colleges and Universities: we offer financial, personnel, and administrative software for government, K-12, higher education and non-profit organizations. We also provide a full suite of student records management software for higher education.
  
  Public Sector: Since our inception, our resources have been focused on designing systems specifically for school districts, cities, counties, foundations, colleges, and universities.
  
  e-Commerce: from e-commerce to web support to workflow reporting to imaging, we have the solution."

• Vashon Thriftway

  "Founded in 1965, Vashon Thriftway is locally owned and operated by the Mathews family. The goal of the business over the years has been to deliver the highest quality goods and services to the community of Vashon Island at competitive market prices."

• And Island Market Foods, their online grocery operation!

  "Island Market Foods and its counterpart, Vashon Thriftway, are committed to offering our customers a positive online shopping experience. We're not just a virtual store operating out of some obscure warehouse. We're a real supermarket that has been serving the Vashon Island community in Washington state for several decades. Now, we're expanding to offer the same unique product selection and superior service to customers throughout the U.S."

Before

and after

U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Digital Orthophotos of Vashon Island

And check this out: downtown Vashon, Washington, United States on 20 Jun 2002

• King County's Vashon-Maury Island Community Service Center

  (This is where I used to work every other Tuesday, until I quit working at DDES after 14 years because I couldn't handle it any more..)

• King County Councilman Dow Constantine's official web page

   

• The King County Library at Ober Park

   

• The King County Road Services Division Map Counter

  "The King County Road Services Division Map Counter maintains mapping and historical survey data concerning roadway establishments, drainage plans, plats, road construction plan and profiles and various other maps. In addition, the Map Counter makes available copies of Topographic Maps from the U.S.G.S., Engineer's Maps from individual Plat Maps and Section Corner locations."

   

• Metro Bus routes on Vashon

   

• And Park-and-Ride lots

   

• October 26, 1999 -- "King County to assume operation of Vashon Island wastewater treatment plant"

   

• "Get email notification of unexpected Washington State Ferry system service disruptions right after they occur."

  The Washington State Ferry System's current schedules for

  • Vashon/Fauntleroy
  • Vashon-Seattle passenger-only boat
  • Tahlequah/Point Defiance
  • And the Vashon Island route map

   

• Check this out! Live Ferry-cams!

   

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