Happenings | August 6 edition

Published 1:30 am Sunday, August 2, 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

Eat Vashon week: Vashon Island Growers Association will host its second annual Eat Vashon Week from Saturday, Aug. 8, through Saturday, Aug. 15, inviting islanders to eat as locally as possible. To participate, make a meal using food from Vashon farm stands, the Saturday Farmers Market or your own garden, then post a photo on social media and tag VIGA at @vashonislandgrowers and the farms where the food was grown to be entered in a prize raffle. More information at vigavashon.org/events/eat-vashon-week

Forest owners field day: Owners of wooded property on Vashon and nearby areas are invited to the 2026 Vashon Forest Owners Field Day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at 17012 90th Ave SW.

The hands-on outdoor program will cover forest health, wildfire risk, wildlife, soils, invasive plants and long-term stewardship. Participants may attend up to five classes from more than 12 options, and a resource area will feature agencies and organizations that assist landowners. Registration is $20 per person or $35 per couple, and preregistration is required. For questions, contact Sarah Stewart at sarah.stewart1@wsu.edu or 425-554-9858, or Kevin Zobrist at kevin.zobrist@wsu.edu or 425-231-4524.

Great Vashon Bake Off: The Great Vashon Bake Off will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Wine Shop Vashon. The summer dessert competition will feature five local bakers using seasonal August fruit, with entries judged by Tom Conway, Linda Nygaard and Kevin Strel. The event will also include live music by Loose Change — Troy Kindred Band, with food and drinks available for purchase. A $30 donation is suggested, with proceeds benefiting Be Aware & Care Kenya, a nonprofit supporting health education, mentorship and health supplies for adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. Learn more at beawareandcare.org/kenya.

Chess pod: The Merry Orcas Chess Pod will gather for open chess play from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Vashon Library. Players of all levels, including beginners, are welcome.

Judd Creek Bridge closure: King County now expects the six-week Judd Creek Bridge resurfacing project to begin Aug. 17.Vashon Highway Southwest will close around the clock at the bridge, just north of Burton, to vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency responders. A marked detour will direct traffic along Southwest 204th Street, 111th Avenue Southwest, Southwest 220th Street, Old Mill Road Southwest, Southwest 232nd Street and Southwest 228th Street.

Health insurance sign-up help: King County Public Health will offer health insurance enrollment and assistance from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, Saturday, Aug. 22, Wednesday, Sept. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Vashon Library. Help is also available for ORCA Lift reduced fares and EBT food benefits. Spanish-language assistance is available. For information, contact Miguel Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761 or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov

Wednesday run club: Flostate Running sponsors a free run club at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, generally meeting at the Village Green. Runners follow a roughly 3-mile loop into Island Center Forest, with an option to extend to 5 miles. All ages and paces are welcome, with different pace groups available. On the fourth Wednesday of each month, the group meets at the Vashon High School track for a speed workout. More information at flostaterunning.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 Crafternoon: “Teen Crafternoon! Open Art Studio” will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Students in grades 6-12 can make diamond art, pixel art, paintings, drawings and other projects, with supplies provided. Sponsored by Vashon Friends of the Library. Registration is not required.

Tech Tutors: KCLS will offer Tech Tutor drop-in sessions from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, to help with basic technology questions and digital skills. Registration is not required.

Fiber arts meetup: The Vashon Fiber Arts Meetup will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. Participants may bring knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, felting or other fiber arts projects to share ideas, problem-solve and celebrate completed work. No experience is required. Youth and adults are welcome; ages 12 and younger must 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.

Vashon Nature Center talk: Vashon Nature Center will give a talk on environmental DNA, or eDNA, at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The presentation will cover more than a decade of stream research and how the Nature Center is using advanced monitoring methods to better understand what lives in island creeks.

First Friday reception: Vashon Center Photo Club will hold a second reception for its group show from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Visitors can meet the photographers, view the exhibit and browse bargain-priced prints.

Mindful movement: Lynelle Sjoberg will lead “Mindful Meditation through Movement” on Mondays in August at the senior center. The program uses gentle movement to build resilience and connection among body, mind and spirit. For details, call 206-463-5173.

Smartphone help: Smartphone and tablet help will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday by reservation only. Call the senior center to schedule a 15-minute appointment with Rebecca Rumberg.

Wacky Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the senior center, in partnership with the Vashon Library. The August activity will be making suncatchers.

Pinochle: Pinochle is played from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the senior center. New players are welcome, and beginners can learn to play.

Strength training: A multi-level strength training class will be held from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Thursdays in the Ober Park exercise room. Participants may sit or stand, and all levels are welcome.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular in-person and zoom meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Visit v-mcc.org. The social mixer begins at 6:30 pm, followed by the council meeting from 7:00–9:00 pm.

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 at 6 p.m., 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom. Visit vashonhealthcare.org.

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.

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.