ROAD WARRIOR Boston bombing survivor is on a mission. Page 4
WORLD CHAMPION Former Vashon rower earns gold medals. Page 14
BUSINESS | Liquor store sold, moves to new space. [5] NEWS | Quartermaster closed to shellfishing. [13] ARTS | Youth theater group [10] takes on Stephen King.
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015
Vol. 60, No. 30
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
Warm summer contributes to pool’s success Vashon Pool has come far from when officials considered closing it By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Natalie Martin/Staff Photo
Head librarian Jan Riley will retire this week.
Longtime librarian turns a new page By SUSAN McCABE For The Beachcomber
Though some may think of librarians as stern, bookish and bespectacled, this is not the case with Jan Riley, head of the Vashon Library. Even as she is set to retire this Friday, Riley has exemplified the new model librarian, devoted to public service, adept with the latest technology for information gathering and flexible. “If you’re going to work in the library world, you have to be open to change,” Riley said. And, in her 32 years at the library, Riley has seen more than her share of change. In 1983, the King County Library System opened the Vashon branch and Jan Riley joined the staff. She still remembers the early computer SEE LIBRARIAN, 12
At the public pool one morning last week, water polo players repeatedly sprung up from the deep end and threw balls to their coach, who drilled them in the sport’s basics from the sidelines. As their practice ended, other islanders — mostly seniors — arrived to walk in the shallow end or take part in a deep water aerobics class. Later, the lifeguards would string the lanes for lap swimmers and then open the pool for the heart of the day — open swim, frequented by families and children looking to cool off in what has been a remarkably hot summer. The combination of a variety of pool programs and the long string of sunny days has spelled success for the pool so far this season, with attendance at an all-time high and revenues strong, according to pool manager Scott Bonney, who has served in his position for the last five years. “We’ve already reached last year’s revenue,” he said last week, “and we have 50 days to go in the regular season.” Bonney, a former telecommunications executive — and avid swimmer — says he manages the pool as a labor
Susan Riemer/Staff Photo
Water polo players practice at the Vashon Pool last week. of love, but his executive past is evident as he explains the importance of tracking all aspects of daily operations. “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” he said. “Being financially responsible allows us to do the fun part: provide a wonderful experience for the community.” Sitting poolside last week, Bonney pointed out several features meant to enhance the pool experience, particularly for children. Ping pong and foosball tables sit ready on the deck;
a basketball hoop is located in the shallow end; snacks are available for purchase, and free Wi-Fi is available. Should swimmers want to head off for another sport, they can borrow tennis gear and play on the court next door. “There is nowhere else on the island you can do anything like this as a kid,” he said. “We are aiming for a community center feel.” Along with youth-oriented SEE POOL, 19
SOME DITCH THE POOL FOR A CHILLY SWIM IN THE SOUND Cool water, jellyfish and the threat of lightning storms later that day were not enough to keep a halfdozen swimmers from taking to Quartermaster Harbor last weekend. The athletes, whose brightly colored swim caps could be seen bobbing across the harbor Sunday morning, swam from Dockton Park to Burton, making the one-and-a-quarter-mile trip in about 45 minutes. “It’s a good run to test yourself on,” said Simon North, an islander who, with Scott Bonney, was alongside the swimmers in a sailboat. The two head up the Whulgers, an informal open-water swimming group that holds two swims a year. Many of the group’s approximately 50 members also participate in organized swims such as the Fat Salmon Swim on Lake Washington. Bonney, a former competitive swimmer who also manages the Vashon Pool, noted that open-water swimming is safer in a group, and there seems to be camaraderie among those who brave the water. “Everyone is very supportive,” he said. On Sunday, the water was about 66 degrees, which Bonney called warm for this time of year. After the swim, most of the participants noted the abundance of jellyfish, which surrounded them as they swam. “Even though the jellyfish look scary, the ones around here are not,” said simmer Michelle Gared. Nineteen-year-old Tyler Watson, pictured at left, joined the group for his first open-water swim. He is currently preparing to join the Navy. “The best part was when I climbed up the ladder in the end,” he joked, later adding, “It was a lot of fun.” Photo and story by Natalie Martin