Land Trust Reception

The Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust invites islanders to a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 1, to visit with others, have a snack, sip on something nice, and meet Theron Shaw, the Land Trust’s new executive director. There will be a short program at 6 p.m. highlighting 2023’s accomplishments and a sneak peek at the organization’s plans for 2024.

Senior Center

Here’s what’s coming up at Vashon Senior Center, located at 10004 SW Bank Rd.

A talk on the history of Vashon women, with Maria Glanz, will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, March 1, highlighting island women from the time of the sx̌ʷəbabš (Swiftwater) People, through today, including Lucy Gerand, Dr. Belle Baldwin, Agnes Smock, Marjorie Stanley, Mary Matsuda Gruenwald and others.

A presentation about end-of-life care options, with Donna Klemka and Kathryn Crawford taking questions, will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, March 4.

Registered nurse Lisa Janda will offer foot care to seniors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 5 and 19. Appointments are required, call 206-463-5173.

Mixed Media Art Journaling, with artist Suzanna Leigh, will be offered from 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays, March 7 and 21. Leigh will guide seniors in creating visual diaries to record and express their thoughts, feelings, and memories.

Four chats with the DOVE Project’s community engagement advocate, Nyn Grey, about healthy relationships, will take place on the first Wednesday of the next four months. The series starts from 11-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, and continues on April 3, May 1, and June 5. All seniors are welcome to attend, no registration is necessary. Topics will include communication skill building, boundary setting, honoring both self and others, and much more.

Belly Dancing

The DOVE Project will host free belly dancing classes for the community on the first Saturday of the next three months, from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, and continuing at the same time on April 6, May 4, at Vashon Dance Academy. Class sizes are limited to 16 participants. Register and find out more about the classes, taught by skilled belly dancer Maya Krah, at vashondoveproject.org/events.

Pray for Noto

A talk and demonstration detailing the history of the kimono will raise funds for those affected by the massive 7.6 earthquake that took place on January 1 in the Noto Peninsula of Japan.

Kimono instructor and consultant Masako Tsuoka will present the talk at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Mukai Farm & Garden, located at 18017 107th Ave SW. There is a suggested donation of $20 to attend.

This is the third “Pray for Noto” benefit event organized by islander Ayumi Luke, who experienced the earthquake first-hand while visiting her parents in Japan. Luke’s other events included a well-attended concert by violinist Yuuki Hashimori on February 11, and a talk and demonstration by a noted expert on Japanese tea ceremonies on February 24.

Girl Scout Cookies

Vashon’s Girl Scout Troop #41983 will be out selling cookies at the following places and times: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday March 3, at Thriftway; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Vashon Market IGA and Vashon Pharmacy; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Thriftway.

Brown Briefly

Join The Brown Briefly crew Craig Beles, Amy Drayer, Kevin Jones, Truman O’Brien, and Bruce Haulman at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, on the Voice of Vashon, 101.9 FM, or stream the show live at voiceofvashon.org or the Voice of Vashon mobile app. The show’s guests will be former four-term King County Council member and two-term Seattle City Mayor Greg Nickels. The hosts will talk to Nickels about issues that are of particular interest to the island residents: transportation, the environment, and equal justice, among others.

Guiding Good Choices

VARSA, a coalition working to raise youth mental health awareness and decrease youth substance use, will present Guiding Good Choices, a free training series to help parents and guardians connect and bond with youth aged 10-14 as they navigate adolescence.

The series will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, and April 4, at the VARSA office in the Thiftway complex, across the parking lot from ACE Hardware.

Register and receive more information, including options for training in multiple languages, by emailing info@varsanetwork.org. Virtual and hybrid options are available for commuter families.

Support Group

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Friends and Family Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in the library of Vashon Presbyterian Church, and also on Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting at the link found at vashonpreschurch@comcast.net. Questions? Contact Pastor Leigh Weber, at 425-221-1142.

Sign up for services

The state’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) van will come to Vashon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Vashon United Methodist Church. Islanders can apply for cash assistance, basic food assistance (EBT cards), medical assistance and the Medicare Savings program. Attendees can also drop off paperwork, complete an eligibility or mid-certification review, or make changes to an existing case.

Unitarian Universalists

Come hear a local inspiration — Bill Moyer will speak at the next Universal Unitarian service. Leader of the Backbone Campaign, Moyer specializes in “artful activism.” The service begins at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, March 10, in Lewis Hall, above the Burton Fire Station. Moyer’s topic is “Polarization, Conviviality, and the War against the Imagination.”

Community Scholarships

Our Community Credit Union has announced that ten $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating 2024 high school seniors who attend school in Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston Counties, and on Vashon Island. Eligible individuals must be members of the credit union. Applications and guidelines for the scholarship program are available at ourcu.com/scholarship-program. Applications will be accepted through April 30. Winners will be announced in May.

Buzz into spring

Vashon Island Beekeepers Association (VIBA) is here for islanders’ honeybee dreams. VIBA’s very own teaching apiary on Vashon is a resource for beekeepers of all levels. The group holds regular meetings there to raise bees and beekeepers. The first meeting of the 2024 season will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16 — yearly membership is $25.

To join the hive and find out more, including the location of meetings and classes, visit the Facebook group, VashonBeekeepers, or email vashonislandbeekeepers.info@gmail.com.

Expand your consciousness

Join fellow Vashonites at the Vashon OM Center (Oneness Meditation), who gather from 5-6 p.m. every Monday, at the Vashon United Methodist Church’s sanctuary, 17928 Vashon Hwy SW, to chant, meditate, practice Oneness Yoga, and share. The event is by optional donation.

Granny’s grants

Those working to meet Vashon’s healthcare and wellness needs can now apply for Granny’s Attic spring cycle of grants awards. The application deadline is Friday, March 15. Find out more about the application process by contacting brian@vashongrannysattic.org.

Home & Garden Show

After a multi-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Vashon Island Home and Garden Fair will make a grand return from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Vashon High School.

The fair, organized by the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, is a celebration of local craftsmanship, sustainability, and the charm of island living. This year, attendees can look forward to a diverse range of vendors, from the latest in eco-friendly home design and build, landscaping, financing, remodeling, home services, and everything islanders need to live their best.

Door prizes will be given away throughout the event, and Aeggy’s food truck will be dishing up its signature breakfast sandwiches. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at VashonChamber.com/homefair.

Book group

Vashon Senior Center’s multigenerational book group, in partnership with Vashon King County Library, meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at Vashon Library and is hosted by Sam Harris. Participants can read or listen to a book of their own choice that pertains to the Senior Center’s monthly topic. March’s topic is Women’s History Month. Join the group from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the Vashon King County Library. For more information, call 206-463.5173.

Speed limit change?

King County Road Services has an upcoming 14-day comment period for a speed limit reduction proposal for two stretches of Vashon Highway SW. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/2akmke2s. The comment period will run from Feb. 26 through March 11.