Happenings | Jan. 29 edition
Published 4:12 pm Wednesday, January 28, 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
Health care forum: The Vashon Health Care District will host a free 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 will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page at youtube.com/@vashonhealthcare, with subtitles available in multiple languages. Find out more at vashonhealthcare.org.
Group discussion: A private group discussion, hosted in the Vashon Senior Center’s side room, will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, led by Janice Palm, the executive director of Roanoke Park Counseling, a 40-year-old nonprofit agency in Seattle dedicated solely to treating adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Palm and participants will discuss the prevalence and impact of childhood sexual abuse, and ways to increase awareness and support for survivors.
Heritage Museum: Local author and journalist Doug Levy will give a talk, “Relentless: The Little-Known Stories of Four Olympic Heroes,” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Vashon Heritage Museum, 10105 SW Bank Rd. Learn about perseverance from marathoner Gabriele Andersen-Schiess, courage from skier Brian Stemmle, sportsmanship from biathlete Tracy Barnes, and championing human rights from sprinter Peter Norman. Levy will discuss what defines heroism — not just in sports, but also in life, as well as what traits help to define a hero. Sign up to attend (not required) and find out more at vashonheritagemuseum.org.
Granny’s Attic reopens: Granny’s Attic will reopen from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. The thrift store will then resume regular hours from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday beginning next week.
VIGA: Vashon Island Growers Association will hold its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Grange (soon to be Heights Grocery), at 10365 SW Cowan Rd. Soup and bread will be served; attendees may also bring other dishes they’d like to share. The meeting is open to all, with membership not required. Also save the date to attend VIGA’s annual Seed Share from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Ober Park administration building.
Tu B’Shvat Seder: The New Year of the Trees, with a special tree-themed performance by Mik Kuhlman, will be presented at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at Vashon Havurah, at 15401 Westside Highway SW. The seder will include fruits, nuts, stories and songs honoring the natural world. Kuhlman’s performance will be an excerpt from her evocative solo piece, “Standing Nation,” exploring humankind’s kinship with trees. The event is co-sponsored by Vashon Climate Action Group. Bring a favorite dish to share, a story or poem about a tree, a climate resolution for the new year, and your own dishes & utensils.
Brown Briefly: State Rep. Brianna Thomas, who serves on committees covering housing, rural economic development, artificial intelligence, data privacy, veterans, post-secondary education and workforce development, will be featured in a legislative session update at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, on Voice of Vashon (101.9 FM). Truman O’Brien, Bruce Haulman, Kevin Jones, Craig Beles and Amy Drayer will host the discussion.
Tax help: Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are offering free tax preparation again this year, on Thursdays at the Vashon Lutheran Church, beginning on Feb. 5 and ending April 9. The free service is available to anyone, regardless of age. However, AARP-prepared returns are limited to non-complex returns. Acceptable returns can include wages (W-2), Social Security and pensions (1099R), unemployment (1099G), dividends/interest (1099INT/DIV), capital gains (1099B), and self-employment (1099NEC) income — no inventory, depreciation or rental income. To make an appointment, email VashonAARP@gmail.com, noting your phone number and the best time to call.
VYBS winter clinics: Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball will offer free winter clinics to help island athletes prepare for the spring season; registration is required.
Throwing and pitching clinics for baseball will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sundays, Feb. 15 and 22, in the Vashon High School gym. Batting clinics for both baseball and softball will run Sundays, March 1, 8 and 15, at the Chautauqua covered play area. For details and to register, visit vybs.net.
Living with grief: A series of group sessions focused on living with grief, led by therapist Kenny Alton, continues Mondays 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. Sessions will be held from 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. To register or for more information, contact Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or email judith.neary@gmail.com.
Rainbow Blingo: The Senior Center’s annual Rainbow Blingo fundraiser will return at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Camp Burton. Hosted by drag queen Louvel, the event includes bingo games, drinks, hors d’oeuvres from Camp Burton chefs and an auction of desserts. Game winners can take home prizes including cash, tickets to the 5th Avenue Theatre and more. Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenter.org/rainbow-blingo.
Inclusion Island Valentine’s celebration: Inclusion Island will host a Valentine’s Day celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Bethel Church, 14736 Bethel Lane SW. The evening will include a movie, popcorn, Valentine-making and treats, and is open to participants’ friends and family.
Support group: Vashon’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Friends and Family Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Vashon Presbyterian Church library. This is an in-person meeting and no longer includes Zoom participation. Questions? Call 425-221-1142.
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.
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 are provided.
Ukulele jam: The Vashon Library will host a ukulele jam session from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. The program is open to ages 9 and older and welcomes all skill levels. Participants should bring their own instruments or may check one out through the Vashon Musical Instrument Library; a limited number will be available on site. Space is limited and registration is required. Additional sessions are scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 28. The program is sponsored by Vashon Friends of the Library.
Great Books discussion: The Great Books Discussion Group will meet from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Vashon Library or online via Zoom. February’s reading is “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Visitors are welcome; participants are asked to have read the material in advance. Registration is required for monthly readings and updates at 1.kcls.org/vashongreatbooks, and participants should register by 4:30 p.m. the day of the event to receive the Zoom link.
How to Library: The Vashon Library will host a “How to Library” program from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, focusing on how to use Libby. The program will include time for questions and support, with snacks and warm beverages provided. The series is presented in partnership with the Vashon-Maury Senior Center and is sponsored by Vashon Friends of the Library. 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.
Face-reading talk: Lou Wood will present an “In Center Talk” at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Vashon Senior Center, sharing her techniques on face reading.
Discussion on childhood sexual abuse: Janice Palm, a licensed mental health counselor and executive director of Roanoke Park Counseling, will lead a private group discussion from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Vashon Senior Center. The discussion will focus on the prevalence and impacts of childhood sexual abuse and ways to increase awareness and support for survivors.
Frog Holler dance: Frog Holler will host square dancing with live music at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2. No partner is needed; attendees may dance or listen.
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.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular in-person meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Visit 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.
