Saturday (yesterday) we ventured to Seattle Center and opted to use the city streets as our passage after crossing the West Seattle Bridge. All was well until nearing the First Ave. South exit; then the backlog commenced. It was 12:10 p.m. Already, cars were using the bus lane to cut over to the offramp and my loathing for rude drivers churned. The short version: It took us an hour to get to Seattle Center.

Along the way, we witnessed the ceremonious “farewell” during the two-week closure and more loathing kicked in. In a sea of red tail lights, unrealized (full) green light intersections and a halted viaduct in view only one thought came to mind: WE ARE SCREWED, VASHON! Mid day traffic on a Saturday (no games in progress at SoDo)? What’s going to happen Monday when the real traffic arrives to swell on city streets? As much as I’ve read the “Don’t believe the doomsday” advice about the viaduct closure, I can tell you that the P.O. boat commute already is a crapshoot to make or not make the cut; it was nice having a plan B to come home via Fauntleroy – now is where things get REALLY interesting. I hope the City of Seattle and King County Metro are ready for the cluster that’s about to hit.

Commuters, you have my deepest sympathies. Right there with ya. -h

Where does it go from here?

Here’s a question for you, Beachcomber readers: Is Vashon Island a releasing ground for live raccoons that have been trapped in other parts of King County?

No less than 10 Islanders have told me over chicken-keeping conversations about how King County brings the critters here, but I find no evidence to support it when calling the County or looking online. Raccoons are here with or without the importation of more on Vashon; this I realize. If you’ve ever been to Blake Island, they run the joint over there!

What I did find on the WDFW (state) site was a wonderful resource page about raccoon management and “thwarting” tips. Also in the text the state notes:

It is unlawful to release wildlife anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so (RCW 77.15.250; WAC 232-12-271).

So IF (and that is only IF) the County is practicing this, they would need to have a permit. Public disclosure, however, probably not. Who knows the answer to this? Thank you for debunking or affirming this raccoon assumption. I’d love the straight story.

You have to love a Hero water camera. A flick of the wrist...

After a few weekly dips at Dilworth with the ladies who rock (“G-Pod,” represent!) and swim fervently on a regular basis out there, I have ventured with a friend to Burton where Whulging is a regular summer affair. We’ll go again this afternoon. Yesterday, I decided to dip in a little closer to home, by La Playa on the North End. Kayak escorts (son and hubbie), I went marker to marker on the east side of the dock. The tide was high, the kelp was all around, and halfway through a surprisingly tidal swim (my heading was challenged by current) I realized a harbor seal was in tow just a few yards behind me. BIGTIME!

Water, water everywhere: Vashon's north end

Suffice it to say, this sight of a head outta water staring at me - one bigger than a human head – and those big dark eyes, yeah, it expedited my swim. I triangulated straight back for the restaurant with close escorts, and am pretty sure that was probably my best swim time yet! At any moment I pictured an angry mama seal body-bumping me from beneath on the way back in…or worse yet, a male pursuing a potential mate in a black Xterra wetsuit! The imagination runs away, really. Yay, boat ramp! The only thing better would’ve been Miguel running out with a shot of some-some to warm me up. LOL.

I think I’ll stick to Dilworth and Burton…

View of Whulge Beach/Burton from the water.

Water Daze participants get a workout hoisting the boat for the first time.

VIJC couldn’t have asked for a better day when it hosted 2011 Water Daze. This gentle introduction to crew saw kids ages 8th grade and up erg-ing (distance clocked on the rowing machine), hauling the boats to shore and doing boatloads of Q&A in their consideration of the sport. This is not for everyone, but if you love water, teamwork and sweating then this could be the ticket.

Unless you’ve been delinquent in keeping up the Beachcomber reading you know this has been a banner year for crew: two of its VIJC teams placed during the USRowing Youth National Championships. The men’s lightweight doubles came home with a third placing, and the women’s varsity quad placed second. Not too shabby in the big picture: 1,500 rowers in 18 racing categories (in 93-degree heat in Tennessee!). Congratulations to Coach Steve Full and all the hardworking athletes!

Minis at Mingelment. Twin "Mins."

Every year, usually on a sunny weekend, a caravan of Mini Coopers new and old hit the island for a Mini meet up at Minglement. June 4 they showed up again, the cars neatly angled out in front in myriad colors. It’s quite a sight. I checked the Mini user groups online and the meet-up doesn’t appear to have popped up. There was a fun inquiry on one of them I’ll hyperlink here (where the user asks about Vashon as a potential meet-up space and tries to verify previous meet-ups), but still the backstory intrigues me. This has to be Vashon-specific, right? At least Vashon instigated….

Lucky for you there are still 10 weeks to train! Park to Park is a debut cycling event for Vashon Island coming July 31, with a choice of 24 and 33-mile routes for enthusiasts of all ages. Sustainable Tourism on Vashon is the “tour de force” and all proceeds ($12-25 fee, depending on age and timeliness in registration) go back to this 501(C)3.

This all-day affair lets you jump in at either the North End or Paradise Ridge Park, and is self-paced with two suggested routes. If you deviate, there’s no cycling police, folks! The main purpose of the event is to get people to recreate on Vashon in a sustainable way.

For all the spandex-clad, uber game-faced cyclists that hit Vashon’s windy roads each weekend, this event welcomes off-island groups as readily as banana seat-straddling pedalers. Learn all the details at http://www.parktopark.org. And have fun!

Wow. Vashon got a huge treat recently in Vicci Martinez’s performance at the last “Church.” At about the three-minute mark this video will put goosebumps on your goosebumps! Where do I buy the album? (maybe her site, www.VicciMartinez.com?)

This Tacoma resident is currently featured on “The Voice” with Cee Lo Green as her coach.

Thanks to Krista Black for catching this classic and oh so Vashon sign, posted in the Village Green bathroom above the sink. Where do we start with this one? Do we have that many weed smokers hovering round the Green that it necessitates a bong water dumping sign, really? Wouldn’t they just pour it into the bushes or onto the ground? And who in the world is going to tote around a BONG?

Really?  Wow. Who knew?

Your 2011 champs

The Tacoma Adult Soccer League has its 2011 champs and you’ll recognize several players from Vashon! Congrats to Mid-Sound Boomers players including  David Leonhardt, Mark Scheer, Sean Harrison, Sjardo Steneker, Skip Tavakkolian, Don Amick, Tom Hennessey,David O’Neill, Lorin Reinelt, and Greg Martin.

This update is shamelessly lifted from Skip’s Facebook profile. Thank you!

The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness has Islanders once again flinging open the doors to their chicken coops for a good cause on Mother’s Day. If you have ever thought about keeping chickens, or currently keep ‘em but want to get some shelter ideas, this is the day for you. It’s entertaining, makes a great excuse to get out and tour the island, and make a day of it.

Attached is a new coop from David Skrzypek (Birds & Bees) using the homeowner’s reclaimed materials. Most of them came from a remodel years ago of Pioneer Square’s beloved Merchants Cafe. The pieces find new life in Merchants Henhouse! (click) Merchants Henhouse – Vashon

Hope you can make the tour. More on tickets soon here.