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
Brown Briefly: From fixing ferries to unmasking ICE to tax fairness to addressing threats from the current administration — there are a lot of issues that will be debated during the 2026 Washington State legislative session which starts early next year. Join Truman O’Brien, Bruce Haulman, Kevin Jones, Craig Beles and Amy Drayer at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, on Voice of Vashon, 101.9FM, to hear Joe Fitzgibbon, Washington State House Majority Leader, talk about the upcoming Washington State legislative session.
Zen Center to host New Year’s Eve celebration: The Puget Sound Zen Center will host “Stillness at the Turning Point,” a New Year’s Eve gathering from 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 1 a.m on Thursday, Jan. 1.
The evening will include meditation, music, poetry, a luminary walk, a bonfire and the traditional ringing of 108 bells, followed by a social gathering with food and cider. The event is open to the public and will be held at 18005 Vashon Highway SW. Details are available at pszc.org.
Health care forum: The Vashon Health Care District will host a public forum, “Who Ya’ Gonna Call: A Community Forum on Island Health Care,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Vashon High School theater.
The forum is designed to help islanders better understand which local health care providers to contact for different medical and emergency needs, outlining services, hours and payment options. Providers participating include Vashon Fire & Rescue, Sea Mar Clinic, Vashon Natural Medicine, Vashon Mobile Integrated Health, DispatchHealth, Vashon Pharmacy and Neighborcare School Clinic.
The event is free and open to the public and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page at youtube.com/@vashonhealthcare, with subtitles available in multiple languages. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance by Friday, Jan. 16, at vashonhealthcare.org.
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 Hangout: Teens in grades 6–12 can drop in for crafts, games and Nintendo Switch play most Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the library. Snacks provided.
Ukulele Jam: A jam session for seasoned and newbie ukulele players ages 9 and older. Make music, learn new songs and connect with others from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. Bring your own instrument or check one out from the Vashon Events’ musical instrument library. Space is limited, please register in advance at the library.
New Year’s Eve: All ages (children should be accompanied by adults) can ring in the new year with cozy crafts and snacks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Special library hours that day are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
Holiday closure: The Senior Center will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, and will reopen Friday, Jan. 2.
Zumba returns: A Zumba class will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at the Senior Center. The class, led by Ture and Mary, features upbeat Latin-inspired dance moves.
Spinal mobility class: A spinal mobility and decompression chair class with Margaret will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Ober Park.
New Year intentions activity: At 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, the Senior Center will host a special “Word Play” activity led by Margaret Rocone, inviting participants to reflect on and share their New Year intentions.
