Happenings | Jan. 4 edition
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Poetry Open Mic
The next open mic reading for Vashon poets, organized by Vashon Poet Laureate Margaret Rancone, will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at The Coop, at 15245 115th Ave. SW.
Support Group
NAMI (a support group for friends and family members of those experiencing mental illness) will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, in the library at Vashon Presbyterian Church, at 17708 Vashon Highway SW. The meeting can also be attended remotely via the Zoom link. Questions? Contact Pastor Leigh Weber, at 425-221-1142.
Criminal Justice Reform
The Church of the Holy Spirit on Vashon Island (Episcopal) is sponsoring a webinar on criminal justice reform from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4. Registration is free by emailing camille@wacdl.org with the subject line “Criminal Justice Webinar.”
Celebrate Heritage Museum
Join the Vashon Maury Island Heritage Museum during the First Friday Gallery Cruise, from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 to celebrate with food and drinks before the museum closes for six months for a major renovation / remodel project. Visitors will get a sneak peek of the new museum.
Affordable housing meeting
Jill Beytebiere has organized an Affordable Housing State of Emergency meeting, made up of an ad hoc group of islanders interested in taking action on housing affordability, to take place from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Vashon Library.
The meeting will propose asking local and state governments to declare a state of emergency around housing, and solutions such as utilities, locations, surpassing financial roadblocks and sanitation.
Monthly Grief Ritual
A grief ritual, to be held monthly on Vashon and led by islanders Susan Pitiger, Brad Davis and Colleen Carette will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Tree of Life Wellness Center. All who are suffering grief from any loss — of loved ones, pets, relationships, aging, or political and global causes — are invited and may speak or not during the ceremony. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232.
Vashon Climate Action meeting
The Vashon Climate Action Group will host a meeting of its membership from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Land Trust Building. Start the new year with concrete ways to get involved in combating climate change and work to make Vashon a model carbon-free community.
Garden Club
The Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, in the Bethel Church gym. The discussion of club business will be followed by a presentation by guest speaker, Christina Pfeiffer, on “Planning a Prune-less Garden.” Meetings are open to the public.
Water District 19
Water District 19’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, in the district’s board room.
Participatory workshop
Brian Palermo, a character actor, science communicator, improv instructor, and bird-lover, will share insights on how to improve your communication skills so you can better share with others your love of birds — or anything that you care about. His talk will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Land Trust Building.
Palermo, a board member for Vashon Audubon, has taught narrative and presentation skills to diverse audiences for more than a decade. This free participatory program, sponsored by Vashon Audubon, will be lively, engaging, and helpful to anyone who wants to improve how they talk about the things that matter most to them.
MLK Day Celebration
“Weaving Threads: Honoring the Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” a free film and community art experience, will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
The film, “Mighty Times: The Children’s March” is a 2004 American short documentary film about the Birmingham, Alabama civil rights marches in the 1960s, focusing on the bravery of young activists involved in the Children’s Crusade.
Headlining the event will be Carol Rashawnna Williams, a Seattle-based interdisciplinary artist who engages audiences in conversations about social, environmental, and racial justice. She has a BA in Advanced Studio Fine Arts and an MA in Organizational Systems Renewal/Development. Her art is in regional and international collections, and she is the recipient of numerous awards for her racial justice and environmental work.
Williams recently received a $1.75 million grant from the City of Seattle to launch her pilot project, BIPOC Sustainable Tiny Art House Community. The project’s goal is to reshape the way government, foundations, and communities view a healthy living environment, by providing an economic framework allowing BIPOC artists to build a sustainable business and home.
Chef Chantel Jackson, of Thyme Well Spent, will serve up some savory appetizers at the beginning of the event while supplies last.
The event is for ages 12 and older. Please RSVP to reserve a spot and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Silent Peace Walk
The Puget Sound Zen Center will host a meditative walk for peace from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. To join, meet at the Island Center Forest Pavilion, off of SW 188th St. There will be no banners or signs, no chanting or cheering. Simply people walking in silence, honoring the memory and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In the face of hate, violence, and war, join the walk and remember the wisdom of Martin Luther King, Jr and Thich Nhat Hanh. The walk will take place rain or shine; wear rain gear and boots.
Weigh in on ferries
Washington State Ferries will host virtual community meetings for riders of all routes on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 17-18. WSF staff will answer questions and give updates to attendees. Visit online to find out more and participate.
