Happenings | Jan. 8 edition
Published 2:30 pm Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Happenings features community, cultural and nonprofit events; notices are free and printed as space permits. Due to the volume of entries received, we edit submissions and cannot always confirm if a submission will run. Send submissions to editor@vashonbeachcomber.com; include the who, what, where and when. The deadline is noon Thursday for subsequent Thursday publication; The Beachcomber cannot guarantee late submissions will be included.
EVENTS
Support group: Vashon’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Friends and Family Support Group meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in person at the Vashon Presbyterian Church library, 17708 Vashon Highway SW. The meeting will also be held via Zoom at zoom.us/j/442169680. For information, call 425-221-1142.
Weekly ultimate frisbee: Islanders of all ages and skill levels are invited to a free, weekly drop-in ultimate frisbee game sponsored by the Vashon Park District. Games are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays under the lights at Vashon High School Stadium. For more information, email nic.warmenhoven@gmail.com.
Garden Club: The Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the Bethel Church gym. The meeting will include club business followed by a presentation from landscape designer John Coghlan of HomeGrown Organics.
Coghlan will discuss the use of sedges, or Carex, in gardens, focusing on their design value, resilience and ecological benefits, including support for pollinators and soil stabilization. The meeting is open to the public.
Living with grief: A series of six group sessions focused on living with grief will be led by therapist Kenny Alton on Mondays, beginning Jan. 12, at Women Hold the Key, 9822 SW Gorsuch Road.
The series is presented in collaboration with RJS Kids, Women Hold the Key and End of Life Conversations Vashon. The first session, focused on “the story of your grief,” will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Additional sessions will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26; 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9; 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23; 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 9; and 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 23.
All genders are welcome, though space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or email judith.neary@gmail.com.
Indivisible Vashon: Indivisible Vashon will hold its first monthly meeting of 2026 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Vashon Methodist Church, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers said the meeting will focus on actions islanders can take to support progressive efforts at the state and national levels, including upcoming elections, Washington legislative issues and planned protests. The event is open to the public.
Healthcare forum: The Vashon Health Care District will host a public forum, “Who Ya’ Gonna Call: A Community Forum on Island Health Care,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Vashon High School theater.
The forum is designed to help islanders better understand which local health care providers to contact for different medical and emergency needs, outlining services, hours and payment options. Providers participating include Vashon Fire & Rescue, Sea Mar Clinic, Vashon Natural Medicine, Vashon Mobile Integrated Health, DispatchHealth, Vashon Pharmacy and Neighborcare School Clinic.
The event is free and open to the public and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page at youtube.com/@vashonhealthcare, with subtitles available in multiple languages. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance by Friday, Jan. 16, at vashonhealthcare.org.
Free community dinners: Free community dinners are served Mondays through Fridays from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, hosted by the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness.
VASHON LIBRARY
Teen hangout: Teens in grades 6–12 can drop in for crafts, games and Nintendo Switch play most Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the library. Snacks provided.
King County resource assistance: The King County Department of Community and Human Services Resource Access Team will be available from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 9, at the Vashon Library. Islanders can get help with employment support, emergency financial assistance, transportation, shelter, housing, food assistance and disability services. Registration is not required.
Public health program assistance: King County Public Health staff will provide assistance with health insurance, Metro reduced-fare programs and EBT cards from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Vashon Library. Help is available in Spanish. For more information, contact Miguel Urquiza at 206-477-6965 or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov.
Felt flower making: Islanders are invited to help create a community artwork from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Vashon Library. Vashon artist Miya Sukune will lead a felt flower-making workshop for a floral wall display that will appear in an upcoming MOHAI exhibit honoring Japanese Americans affected by World War II incarceration. Children, teens and adults are welcome; children 10 and younger should attend with an adult. Registration is not required.
SENIOR CENTER
Enjoy a hot lunch at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the following activities throughout the week at the Vashon Senior Center, 10004 SW Bank Road, unless noted otherwise.
Art show: An opening reception for an art exhibit by Jeff Good will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.
Strength training: A new weekly session of strength training will take place from 8:45-9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Center. Sit or stand; all levels welcome. The program is also offered Wednesdays.
Death café: Join others from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, for tea, cookies and conversations to increase awareness of death, with the aim of helping people make the most of their lives.
Trip: Visit the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park, starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. Exotic tropical plants and orchids should be blooming at the historic glass conservatory. After exploring the conservatory, lunch will follow at McMenamins Pub at Elks Temple, which serves classic Northwest fare in a room with a view. The former Elks Temple has been converted into a hotel and restaurant. Call 206-463-5173 for a reservation.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular in-person meetings on the third Thursday of the month. This month’s meeting will take place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Vashon Land Trust Building, 10014 SW Bank Rd. Find out more, including the Zoom link to the meeting, at v-mcc.org.
Water District 19: Usually holds regular board meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW. Visit water19.com.
Vashon Health Care District: Holds regular meetings the fourth Thursday of the month at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom. Visit vashonhealthcare.org for more information.
Vashon Island School District: The board holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. Visit vashonsd.org.
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: VIFR’s board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month. Visit vifr.org for more information.
King County Cemetery District #1: Meetings are typically held at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, at the cemetery office at 19631 Singer Rd SW. Visit vashoncemetery.org.
