Happenings | August 13 edition
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 11, 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
Chorale singers sought: Vashon Island Chorale will begin rehearsals for Mozart’s “Requiem” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Vashon Presbyterian Church. The chorale, in partnership with Vashon Center for the Arts, will present a free “Requiem” concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at VCA, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Interested singers should email info@vashonislandchorale.org for the full rehearsal schedule. No dues will be charged, but singers must acquire their own music score.
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.
Residential recycling event: King County will hold the 2026 Vashon residential recycling event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the K2 Building. A flyer with more information will be mailed to households and is available at your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/RCE-2026-vashon-fall.pdf
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. 13. 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.
Public health assistance: King County Public Health will offer assistance with health insurance, King County Metro reduced-fare programs and EBT cards from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. Spanish-language assistance is available. Drop in during available hours, or contact Miguel Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761 or miguel.urqiza@kingcounty.gov
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.
Camp Sealth talk: Lorrie Scott of the Camp Sealth Museum Committee will talk about the current Camp Sealth exhibit at the Vashon Heritage Museum at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, and host a trivia game about camp. Afterward, the group can head to the museum to see the exhibit.
Rural health care talk: Delany Steele, a UC Berkeley Master of Public Health student living on Vashon, will give an online presentation at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17. Steele is participating in a research project exploring the health care experiences of people living in rural communities, including access to care and decision-making around health services.
Photography Club: Photography Club will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome. Contact Pamela at the center for more information.
Word Play: Vashon poet Margaret Roncone will lead Word Play at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. Participants will share stories and life experiences through writing.
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.
