COMMUNITY | New FM radio station to launch this month. [3] NEWS | Islander wins prestigious award. [4] COMMENTARY | Remembering [6] summer around the fire.
ART ABOUNDS Bring in the month on the gallery cruise. Page 11
“NOT ONE MORE” Concert & Community Event
BEACHCOMBER SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION ON PAGE 13-16
VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014
Vol. 59, No. 40
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
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Neighbors concerned about drug activity look for solutions By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Fed up with what they say is a marked increase in drug activity, residents of the Eernisse Apartments have reached out to a variety of officials and are working to eradicate the narcotics problem they say is plaguing their neighborhood. Last week, at least 10 members of Eernisse’s 26 households attended a meeting with two King County sheriff’s deputies to establish a neighborhood watch and discuss potential solutions to an increase in drug traffic in and near the complex, which provides affordable housing and is located just behind the Methodist church. The increase in drug activity was first noticeable this summer, according to Vanessa Burgess, a mother of five who lives at Eernisse and organized the meeting. Teens would come by, going in and out of an apartment and spending time in the wetlands, an area where no one is allowed. Needles were reportedly found there, she said, and activity
seemed to increase as men came in and out of the complex to two apartments at all hours, with many residents saying it was evident they were there to purchase or use drugs. Tensions increased, Burgess said, and a few weeks ago, she contacted Deputy Jeff Hancock about forming a neighborhood watch. “The answer is not to sit here scared or sit here freaking out,” she said. “Our goal is to increase political and social involvement and make this a safe place.” Now, adding to the neighborhood watch and an increased police presence promised by local deputies, some residents say they have brought their concerns to elected representatives at both the county and federal levels and to the King County Housing Authority — steps they say were needed because they believe that officials at Vashon Household, which manages the complex, are not Susan Riemer/Staff Photo
Eernisse residents play in an open space at the apartment complex last week.
SEE NEIGHBORS, A21
Local winery quietly draws accolades Islanders work to respond to recent deaths
Andrew Will named one of the top 100 wineries in the world
Schools hope to follow weekend event with more suicide prevention work
By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
Last week Andrew Will Winery was bustling. Grapes had recently begun arriving from the east side of the state, meaning it was go time for the small winery. After some morning rain on Friday, a sweet, pungent smell filled the air as grapes were pressed in an open-sided building and deep purple juice was already fermenting in stainless steel vats. For two decades Andrew Will Winery, just miles from Vashon town, has produced 5,000 cases of wine a year, shipping bottles to 40 states and several countries. While the operation has f lown largely under the radar on Vashon, wine enthusiasts know Andrew Will Winery, founded by Chris Camarda, as a pioneer in the Washington wine industry and one of the
By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
ers know and love,” said Chris Youman, wine steward at Thriftway. “They’re worldclass wines that are made here on Vashon.”
Michael Meade travels throughout the country to work with people struggling with death and violence. But recently, the author and mythologist said, he’s seen this struggle more than ever in his own community. After a string of tragic deaths and suicides on Vashon, Meade and a small group of islanders are organizing an event they hope will be a catalyst for healing and suicide prevention. Officials at the Vashon School District and Vashon Youth & Family Services say they also hope the weekend event, titled Crush the Fog, will be the first in a series of new offerings addressing grief, mental health and suicide on Vashon. “I think the community needs to be talking to itself and each other about tragedy and loss and healing, and about prevention,” Meade said. By piecing together news reports, funeral home records and information from
SEE WINERY, 17
SEE DEATHS, 22
Natalie Martin/Staff Writer
Will and Chris Camarda run Andrew Will Winery, located on Bank Road. country’s leading winemakers. Just last week, Andrew Will was named as one of the best 100 wineries in the world by Wine & Spirits Magazine, adding to a long list of accolades it has garnered since moving to
Vashon in 1994. The winery has also been named the top wine producer in Washington and one of the 25 top producers of Cabernet worldwide. “They’re wines that the wine world and wine drink-