Take a dip

Start 2024 with a commitment to exercise under the inflatable bubble of Vashon’s community pool, where the water is 84 degrees. Morning lap swimming hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The pool is also open for lap and family time from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On the weekends, there is an open swim from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit vashonparks.org for more information.

Audubon

Join Vashon Audubon members to help restore healthy ecosystems at the Vashon Land Trust’s Paradise Valley Preserve, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 13. The group will remove invasive holly, ivy, and blackberries so that native plants good for wildlife can thrive (and store carbon).

Bring your own work gloves, shovels and loppers if possible. A few extra tools will be available. Sturdy shoes and long pants are recommended. Meet at the Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. SW in Paradise Valley, and park along the road. (This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th). Late arrivals can follow signs to the worksite. For more information, contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com or 206-678-8914, or Jody Pritchard at ttimeflatwear@centurytel.net.

Sign up for Health Insurance

Miguel Urquiza, representative of King County Public Health, will help islanders sign up for health insurance, food stamps and ORCA Lift discounted transportation from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Vashon Library. Open enrollment for insurance ends on Jan. 15, so now is the time to check if a different insurance could be a better fit.

If Saturday is not convenient, contact Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761, or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov.

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.

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.

Quilt Guild

When Vashon Quilt Guild meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, guest speaker and local artist Carrie Chambers will explain how she makes “barn quilts.”

A barn quilt takes the concept of a quilt square, just like one found on a cloth quilt, and recreates it on plywood. Chambers will explain how she makes these iconic art pieces and show photos of her process.

Guests are welcome to attend the meeting in the community room at the Vashon Lutheran Church, 18623 Vashon Hwy SW.

Brown Briefly

Join The Brown Briefly crew Craig Beles, Truman O’Brien, Kevin Jones and Bruce Haulman at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, on the Voice of Vashon, 101.9 FM, streaming live at voiceofvashon.org and on the VOV mobile app, when the show’s guest will be King County Executive Dow Constantine. The hosts will ask Dow about issues including ferries and transportation, low-income housing and homelessness, property taxes, open spaces, and water and air quality. Tune in for what is guaranteed to be a lively and informative conversation.

Ferry Action Committee

The next meeting of the Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee will occur as scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the Vashon-Maury Land Trust building located at 10014 SW Bank Rd.

There will also be an online/hybrid component to the meeting via Zoom, available here.

Weigh in with WSF

Washington State Ferries (WSF) will host virtual community meetings for riders of all routes on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 17-18. Meeting times are 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Register for the Jan. 17 meeting here; register for the Jan. 18 meeting here.

WSF staff will answer questions and give updates to attendees. Visit online to find out more and participate, as well as view recordings of the public meeting one day after they occur.

Community Council

At Vashon Maury Island Community Council’s next meeting, from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Land Trust Building and on Zoom, key topics will include island roads, the Vashon part of the proposed King County Comprehensive Plan, island water resources, and big plans for the Food Bank. Puget Sound Energy is also scheduled to attend to share its policies on tree cutting and property easements. More details, including the Zoom link for the meeting, can be found at v-mcc.org.

Active performance

An old-time string band, Frog Holler, will play toe-tapping live music for square dances at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Vashon Senior Center. Easy-to-follow instructions before each dance will get everyone moving. No partner is necessary.