RAFT UP VYFS hosts second annual event. Page 3
COMMUNITY | Music program aims to unite youth, seniors [4] COMMENTARY | Racism hits home. [8] ARTS | Island author pens biography of archbishop. [12]
PIRATES PREVAIL Football team wins in home opener. Page 14
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, September 9, 2015 Vol. 60, No. 36
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
VHS looks to horses to help students County: Input
needed to improve transportation
By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
As part of its goal to increase mental health support to students, Vashon High School is turning to unexpected teachers — horses — and is asking for community support to enable as many students as possible to participate in the new program this year. In June, the high school sent nine senior girls to take part in a day-long program offered on Vashon by Axiom Equine, a program that founders Melissa Rampe and Kate Shook call “equine-assisted education.” Rampe and Shook say that the activities with their horses are designed to increase participants’ resiliency as they navigate the challenges of their own lives. The VHS girls participated thanks to a private donation, but high school leaders say they would like to send 40 more students this year, one group as early as this fall, though the school
By SUSAN RIEMER
next summer. The larger Vashon community will also Looking to expand tran- have opportunities to be sit options on Vashon, King involved in the process County Metro is calling through online surveys, on island residents to help conversations with Metro identify transportation staff members on island deficiencies and propose buses and at an open house alternatives that would bet- yet to be scheduled. ter meet local needs. “We are really interested Vashon is one of several in coming up with innocommunities throughvative solutions for the out King residents of County Vashon,” Lori “We are really that may a beninterested in coming Burchett, Metro transefit from portation up with innovative Metro’s planner, said solutions for the expanded in an interAlternative residents of Vashon.” view last week. Services Metro offiLori Burchett, King County Metro Program, transportation planner cials stress according that ideas to Rochelle about what Ogerschok, the needs are on the island a spokeswoman for the will come from the comcounty’s Department of munity and that staff will Transportation. As part of not push ideas, but respond the program, Metro staff with possible options. members work with com“Once we understand munities to identify alterwhat the priority needs are, native transit services that then we have a lot of ideas would offer more choices, about how to craft potensuch as customizable shuttial solutions,” said Carol tles or vans, private vehicle Cooper, a Metro market on-demand ridesharing, development supervisor. emergency rides home or Metro is beginning its community vans. efforts on the island this Up to five Vashon resi- week, but Emma Amiad, a dents are needed to serve leader with the Interfaith on a working group that Council to Prevent will form this month to Homelessness, said many assess island transportation service providers have needs and suggest alterna- already learned about the tives through this program. initiative and are more The suggestions will be than ready to share their considered as part of a two- thoughts. year demonstration proj“We are winding up for ect. Metro staff say they that, and we have some will also recruit individu- things to say,” she said last als from island businesses, week. schools and social servicIn addition to the cuses, and will look to those tomary bus service, she said groups to serve as transit that she would like to see partners when new services small shuttle buses for the are implemented as early as
Staff Writer
Susan Riemer / Staff Photo
Kate Shook of Axiom Equine stands with her horse PJ at her stables off 236th Street. Shook and co-founder Melissa Rampe use their horses for “equine-assisted education” to help people increase their resiliency as they face life’s challenges. VHS recently sent nine girls to participate in the program and is looking for the funds to send more. needs the funds to do so. Axiom Equine provides structured activities with the horses, all without lead ropes, halters or touch.
The activities often result in participants learning a variety of lessons about themselves, Shook and Rampe say. Participants in
the sessions do not ride, but rather through their body language and intention, SEE HORSES, 20
THOUSANDS EXPECTED AT P2P, SHEEPDOG TRIALS THIS WEEKEND
David Weller Photo
Lisa Charaba Photo
The population of Vashon Island will swell this weekend as thousands of bicyclists, sheepdog trainers and spectators come to be a part of the annual Passport to Pain bike ride and Vashon Sheepdog Classic. The bike ride will take place on Saturday, with roughly 300 bicyclists expected to take on the hills of Vashon and get their Passport to Pain stamped. The four-day sheepdog trials at Misty Isle Farms will begin Thursday morning and continue through Sunday as dogs and trainers from throughout the nation and Canada compete and raise money for the community.
SEE METRO, 19