A BAND COMES HOME Trolls Cottage to make a rare Vashon visit. Page 13
NEWS | Schools to enforce new immunization policy. [4] ARTS | VAA unveils lineup for upcoming lecture series. [12] SPORTS | Cyclist will entertain [17] in advance of race .
FARMING FUN Market awards go to some of the best foods. Page 14
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 Vol. 57, No. 37
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
A classic sport takes hold on the Island By AMELIA HEAGERTY For The Beachcomber
Islander Maggi McClure stood watch as her young border collie herded a flock of sheep down a field, criss-crossing quickly behind the white creatures and pushing them hundreds of yards toward her. It was quiet on this Maury Island expanse, a wide-open field fringed by firs, except for the occasional sound of McClure’s high-toned whistle. As the sheep approached, McClure told Rob, her dog, to lie down. He instantly obeyed. “Come,” she commanded. He did. McClure, a longtime animal lover, smiled at Rob, one of her border collies. “There’s nothing he’d rather do,” she said, a shepherd’s crook in her hand, as her collie kept an intense eye on the flock. “He makes it look easy, but it’s not that easy. … He knows what to do; he’s making all these small adjustments.” This weekend, both Rob and McClure will join dozens of other dogs and handlers at the Vashon Sheepdog Classic, competing in what is becoming an increasingly high-profile event on the Island. McClure, however, will have a special role to play: She’s the organizer of the event, a three-day affair that will take place at Misty Isle Farms — 30 acres of rolling meadow in the center of the
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Signs of recovery
Housing market sees a slight uptick By LESLIE BROWN Staff Writer
place where we have a mortgage payment we carry for the next 40 years.” To refinance, however, VCC must raise money to cover fees associated with refinancing and pay down $285,000 in debt. In all, to achieve its goal, it must raise $350,000 by the end of 2012, in addition to the $150,000 it has raised this year so far. Typically, Davison said, VCC raises $250,000 each year and is aiming is to double its revenue generation this year. “We do not expect to have to do this again,” she noted. The VCC board and administrators began
A few months ago, when Chris Ballew and Kate Endle found the home of their dreams on the western edge of the Island, they had to do something relatively unheard of in this lingering recession: Act fast. Indeed, they faced a bidding war for the small, handcrafted home perched above Ober Beach, a place Ballew affectionately calls a “lumberjack’s music box.” Only later, after they’d bought the house, did they learn that there were several backup offers. “I freaked out when I saw the listing,” recalled Ballew, aka Casper Babypants, a popular recording artist for kids. “We looked at it the next day and made an offer immediately. … We just love the house.” Ballew and Endle’s experience was unusual; bidding wars are still rare. At the same time, their story is illustrative of something many agents say they’re seeing: The Vashon real estate market, after four years of sluggish sales and falling prices, is moving again. Last year, by the end of August, 65 houses had sold. This year, as of Aug. 31, agents on Vashon had closed 90 deals, according to statistics supplied by Denise Katz, a Windermere agent. Currently, Katz said, 33 homes are in contract — suggesting the number of sales for 2012 will easily top those of the last four years, when agents closed around 100 transactions. What’s more, the free fall in prices appears to be over, although agents are quick to note that it’s impossible to know for sure. Since the high of 2007, housing prices have tumbled a total of 42 percent on the Island. So far this year, there’s a tiny uptick: Prices are up, on average, 1 percent. Last August, the median sale price on Vashon logged in at $296,000; this August, the median price was $360,000. Jean Bosch, who with her sister Leslie Ferriel represented Ballew and Endle,
SEE VCC, 23
SEE REAL ESTATE, 8
Leslie Brown/Staff Photo
Maggi McClure, organizer of the Vashon Sheepdog Classic, with her border collie Rob. Island. McClure started this new incarnation of the event (it actually began in 2000 but fizzled after a few years) three years ago and has pushed hard to expand it. She dreams of a day when thousands converge on the Island for the entire weekend to watch these highly trained dogs perform. Already, though, it’s got some
serious traction. A fundraiser for Partners in Education (PIE), the event last year drew more than 2,000 spectators and pulled in $8,000 for the nonprofit, which provides grants and materials for teachers and administrators at Vashon’s public schools. She’s hoping for bigger numbers — in both spectators and fundraising — this year. The trial will feature food,
crafts and raffles — from an afghan blanket to various pies — all part of an effort to support the education organization. Spectators can watch the herding action from the natural amphitheater created by Misty Isle’s terrain. “We are very proud to be associated with (the Sheepdog SEE TRIALS, 9
Care center hopes community will help it refinance Millions could be saved if new loan is secured By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Vashon Community Care is launching its largest fundraising effort since it built its facility more than a decade ago, a drive that, if successful, will enable it to refinance its mortgage and secure much-needed financial stability. The center has never been flush with cash, but recent years have been particularly difficult for the small facility because of the
ailing economy, increased costs, decreased government reimbursement rates — and a considerable mortgage payment each month. This fall for the first time since it opened in August of 2002, VCC may be able to refinance, exchanging the 7.65 percent loan it has been locked into since it opened a decade ago for one at 3.5 percent or lower, according to Lynn Davison, president of VCC’s board. This move would bring down its $55,700, per month mortgage payment by some $20,000 and save $9.6 million over the course of the loan. “That’s a pretty good return on investment,” Davison said. “This will set us in a