Vashon Health Fair

More than 20 sponsors will help islanders get and stay healthy at a free health fair on April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, at Vashon United Methodist Church, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. The event is organized by the Vashon Health District.

There will be morning coffee on offer, and a free light lunch at noon. Health screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose tests. Attendees can also make contact with providers for mental health counseling, reproductive health, cancer screening, addiction prevention and treatment, caregiver support, fall prevention, and low-cost health insurance.

Looking for a caregiver or considering a caregiving career? Vashon Care Network (VCN) will be at the Vashon Health Fair, sharing a table with service coordinators from Consumer Direct Care Network Washington (CDWA) — the employer of home care aides who serve people who qualify for a Medicaid (Apple Health) waiver program designed to enable individuals who require nursing home-level care to receive that care in their home.

Vashon Care Network will also share its directory of local caregivers and their qualifications from their website for residents to find the support they need to remain in their homes. VCN also offers scholarships to individuals interested in completing online training to become a certified home care aide.

Find out more about the nonprofit’s work at vashoncarenetwork.org.

Bingo night

Vashon Island Rotary and Vashon Eagles will present NFL Draft Bingo night, at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Vashon Eagles.

This event is in support of Women Hold The Key, a women-founded, women-run, and women-led nonprofit focused on building community. Their commitment includes supporting non-binary and trans folks who are comfortable in women’s spaces.

The event includes bingo games played while watching the NFL draft, with participants marking off players on their cards who are called during the draft. Prizes for bingo winners include items donated by island businesses. There are also regular bingo games, played at the same time — also with fabulous prizes. All are invited to donate and join in the fun.

Vashon Senior Center

Vashon Senior Center, located at 10004 Bank Rd. SW, will offer numerous events in the coming week, including a talk on GenCare Senior Housing at 1 p.m. Friday, April 26. The talk will detail different options for seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat better, move better, think better, live better and thrive.

Wear your prettiest spring outfit to the Center’s Spring Tea, held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28. A selection of tea and finger foods will be served. There is a $5 suggested donation; RSVP by Friday, April 26.

The Senior Center’s annual meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, with doors opening at 10 a.m. for check-in. The meeting is for Senior Center members only. The opportunity to become a member for the first time or to renew a lapsed membership will be available at the door, so come early if you need to join or renew a membership.

Library book sale

The Vashon Friends of the Library will have a spring book sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Vashon Library. Come in and browse great books — fiction and nonfiction, children’s books and Young Adult novels, wellness and self improvement, cookbooks and gardening books, and lots of rare vintage books.

Donations of gently used books (two bag limit) in good condition can be dropped off during library business hours beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26. The sale is in the conference room located at the back of the library.

Day of Service

Get your hands dirty at a morning volunteer work party from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at one of Vashon HouseHold’s affordable housing properties. All ages are welcome to help with work including landscaping, gardening, and making dump runs during this annual day of service. Sign up here to volunteer here, or by emailing VHH@vashonhousehold.org.

Garden Club Plant Sale

Get a sneak peak at Vashon-Maury Island’s Garden Club annual plant sale from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 3, in Island Lumber’s parking lot. Preview the sale at leisure, sipping wine and nibbling cheese. A $20 cash donation gets you a $5-off coupon for the sale, which will take place from 9-12 p.m. Saturday May 4, in the same location.

The sale will feature a large variety of annuals and veggies, including tons of tomatoes, as well as an exciting selection of native plants and perennials, from grasses to trees.

Noto Earthquake Benefit

Islander Ayu Nakata, who has hosted several benefits for those affected by the Noto Earthquake in Japan, will present her latest “Pray for Noto” event — a hands-on Japanese home cooking demonstration from 11-1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Mukai Farm & Garden, at 18017 107th Ave SW.

Cooking instructor Yuka Honda will be on hand to help participants learn more about Konbu, Nori and other seaweeds, and make their own onigiri (rice balls). The cost is $25; make a reservation by emailing ayuayusnake@gmail.com. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Free dental care and cleanings

Dr. Marc Langland and his staff will volunteer their expertise to provide free dental care and cleanings, on Friday, May 31, to low-income people who do not have private dental insurance. For more information and to get on the list call Hilary Emmer at 206-463-7277, by Friday, May 3.

Auction for Ukraine

Local artist Nan Lieter will hold a silent auction of ten of her paintings, with 100% of proceeds going to Save Ukraine, a charitable organization that aids families and children affected by the war in Ukraine.

The auction will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Beall Greenhouses Studio Building, at 18531 Beall Rd SW.

Grief Ritual

A monthly community grief ritual is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 1-2 p.m. at the Tree of Life Wellness Center, at 17331 Vashon Highway, with donations accepted. May’s first Sunday of the month is May 5. Islanders are invited to share and witness, either in silence or out loud, grief for loved ones, pets, relationships, the climate, and wars. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232.

Water District 19

Water District 19’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW.