Happenings

Zen Center dedication, Havurah bash, Childbirth class, Art of qigong, and more

Puget Sound Zen Center Temple Dedication

On Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Puget Sound Zen Center will host a Temple Dedication and Open House. In the tradition of Obon, honoring our ancestors, the public is invited to view the Zen Center’s new home. There will be a ceremony, food, music, Bon Odori dance, Sumi-e enso painting, paper cranes for the kids, a tea house, an art show and much more. All are welcome to this free event at 18005 Vashon Hwy. SW. Find out more at pszc.org.

Havurah hosts bash

Vashon Havurah invites the community to its second annual community bash and fundraiser, from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, on the Havurah grounds, at 15401 Westside Hwy. SW.

The event will feature the island band Croaker, playing a danceable mix of bluegrass and Klezmer music, as well as lawn games, a sprinkler for the kids, and a chance to purchase food from Iyad and Safa’s Syrian food truck and enjoy other nibbles and a no-host bar.

All islanders are welcome to join in the festivities. Tickets, on sale at tinyurl.com/ycy25ka7, are $12 per adult, in advance, and $15 at the event. Children 12 and younger are free. All attending are also asked to bring something to donate to a silent auction — a table will be set up at the entrance to accept and process donations.

Seeking fabulous photos

Vashon Audubon is looking for photos of island birds for its 2023 calendar. If you have a quality photo you’d like to share, or have questions, contact vashonbirds@comcast.net. Deadline for photo submissions is Sunday, Sept. 4.

Childbirth class

A childbirth preparation course, held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 13 to Oct. 18, will be offered at VYFS Family and taught by Angela Hodge, a certified doula and childbirth educator. The cost is $250 per pregnant person plus one support person, with a sliding scale and scholarships available. This class is suitable for pregnant people at any stage of gestation. Learn about the labor process, postpartum recovery, lactation, and newborn care, and make connections with other expecting parents. Contact angelahodgedoula@gmail.com to sign up.

Learn art of qigong

Arlette Moody, a teacher of movement and pilates for more than 25 years, is offering a six-week class on qigong, a form of energy cultivation using bamboo in short movements similar to those in Tai Chi. Classes will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 23 to Sept. 27. Moody will provide some bamboo sticks but participants are also encouraged to bring their own. Write to arlettekehenquet@gmail.com or text 206-712-0645 for more information or to sign up.