CONCERTS IN THE PARK The popular music series returns for the summer. Page 11
NEWS | GED course to be offered on Vashon. [5] COMMENTARY | Be smart in the water this summer. [6] ARTS | See authentic Flamenco [11] dancing at the grange.
EARTHLY DELIGHTS Explore five fabulous gardens this weekend. Page 10
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014
Vol. 59, No. 25
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
Rowers put Vashon on the map for crew Island sends more boats to Nationals than most teams in the country
County works to address unpermitted work on the shore 70 homeowners asked to contact the permitting department
By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
As teenage brothers Baxter and Fletcher Call rowed a slim shell through a 2,000-meter course last weekend, they began to realize that despite their best efforts, their boat was too far behind to make it to the medal round they were aiming for. With water spraying and a desert wind whipping around them on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, the boys made a tough decision. Fletcher, a sophomore at Vashon High School, and Baxter, a senior, would take it easy to the finish line so that Baxter could save his energy for another, more promising race immediately after that in the national competition. The Call boys, as it turned out, finished so slowly that they were disqualified from their
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By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy USRowing
Vashon’s men’s quad, with (from left) Patrick Hanson, Jacob Plihal, Tate Gill and Baxter Call, was one of two Vashon boats to bring home medals from Nationals this year. race. But less than an hour later, Baxter joined three others — Patrick Hanson, Jacob Plihal and Tate Gill — to barely qualify in a semifinal race on their way to place third in the
nation in their men’s quad. “(Fletcher) sacrificed his boat so his brother could save himself for what would turn out to be a very hard semifinal,” said coach Richard Parr.
“If he hadn’t done it, we probably wouldn’t have gotten the medal.” Parr later passed the bronze SEE CREW, 20
Dozens of Vashon homeowners flagged in a recent King County survey may be required to seek construction permits for shoreline work they completed or to remove shoreline structures. Earlier this month 70 shoreline homeowners received letters from the county’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) explaining that their properties were identified as having had shoreline changes in the last decade that could require a permit, such as the installation of new bulkheads, bulkhead repairs or the construction of docks, stairs or other structures. The letter asks the homeowners to contact the county’s Department of Permitting and Environmental Review SEE COUNTY, 19
MOVING ON: A BIG DAY FOR THE CLASS OF 2014 The weekend rain held off on Saturday when the first group of students to attend the new Vashon High School graduated in the school’s stadium. Friends and family gathered for the ceremony, which opened with the high school band playing the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates processed in. Senior Maya Krah sang the national anthem, and then the ceremony gave way to a host of speakers, including teacher Anders Blomgren, who said he first heard of that group of students from the McMurray librarian, who told him, “Anders, you will love these guys. They check out books.” He ended his speech by singing a rap and inviting several students up to perform the chorus. Among the more poignant moments that followed were several during student Philip VanDevanter’s speech, when he recalled classmate Ryan Krug, who died in a car accident last year. VanDevanter also recalled the classic children’s tale, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” which says beings can be made real only when they have been loved a long time. “We have become real men and women,” he said. “Who else will we make real? That is the most exciting question of all.” Valedictorian Harper Howard, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, reminded her classmates to disconnect from technology but connect with others. “We must remember and remind everyone around us that they are talented and special,” she said. As is Vashon tradition, students received their diplomas in pairs then flipped each other’s tassels. At left, friends Yarden Blausapp and Kaia Boonzaier leave the stage together and celebrate being VHS graduates. See page 15 for more photos of graduation. Susan Riemer/Staff Photo