Free Tax Preparation

Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are offering free tax preparation again this year, on Thursdays at the Vashon Lutheran Church, beginning on Feb. 6.

The free tax preparation services are available to anyone, regardless of age. However, AARP-prepared returns are limited to non-complex returns. Acceptable returns can include wages (W-2), Social Security and pensions (1099R), unemployment (1099G), dividends/interest (1099INT/DIV), capital gains (1099B), and self-employment (1099NEC) income — no inventory, depreciation or rental income.

To make an appointment, email VashonAARP@gmail.com, noting your phone number and the best time to call.

NAMI Support Meeting

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) friends and family support will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the library of Vashon Presbyterian Church. The meeting can also be accessed online at zoom.us/j/442169680.

Library Programs

Vashon Library, located in Ober Park, is offering two new free programs. The first is English Language Learners (ELL) classes, which began on Thursday, Jan. 16, and will continue from 4:45-5:45 p.m. on Thursdays through April 10, except for March 20. Flyers about the classes, in Spanish and English, are available at the library and also online at kcls.org/adultlearner.

Saturday “Crafternoons,” a three-session class in crochet amigurumi, began on Jan. 25, and will continue from 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 22. All supplies are provided by the Vashon Friends of the Library. Space is limited, so registration is requested. To register, come into the library, call 206-463-2069, or visit kcls.org.

Senior Center

The Vashon Senior Center, at 10004 SW Bank Rd., serves a hot lunch at 12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and offers multiple activities throughout each week. Upcoming highlights include:

The Vashon band, Riverbend, will perform toe-tapping bluegrass and American-style music at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7.

Stylist Donnie Myers, of the Estuary and Senior Saints, will offer free haircuts to seniors with limited means at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. Schedule an appointment in advance with Kathleen, at 206-463-5173. Also at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, join librarian Sam Harris for Silver Legos — an activity presented in partnership with the King County Library.

A watercolor class will take place from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Senior Center. Stop by the Senior Center throughout February to see a group watercolor show.

A full calendar of events is posted at vashoncenter.org.

Pinball Museum

Den of Pin, Vashon’s interactive vintage pinball museum, has its grand opening from 2-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at 9919 SW Bank Road. Twenty games from the 1950s, 60s and 70s will be set to free play. Admission is $10.

Death Café

The Vashon Death Café will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Tree of Life Wellness Center, at 17331 Vashon Hwy SW.

The event, which includes cake and tea, is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. The Vashon Death Café meets at 6:30 p.m. every first and third Friday, at the Tree of Life. Donations are welcome.

Granny’s After Dark

Island thrift store Granny’s Attic hosts its spicy “After Dark” sale from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, open only to adults age 18 and older. The annual sale historically features “grown-up” merchandise and other curios.

Inclusion Island

Inclusion Island will host a Valentine’s Day party for adults with developmental disabilities, and their families and friends, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Vashon Lutheran Church, 18623 Vashon Highway SW. Enjoy crafts, food, fun and friends. Questions? Contact HersheyHousing@gmail.com.

Seed Share

Share and receive seeds from other islanders on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Dig Deep Gardens’ greenhouse during this year’s annual Vashon Seed Share. The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with discussion, questions and answers. The seed sharing begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Bring seeds, plant starts or gardening books you want to offer to others, or just bring yourself, your curiosity and your green thumb.

Garden Club

The Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the Bethel Church gym. A business meeting of the club will be followed by a guest speaker, Laura Matter, from Tilth Alliance, who will speak on the topic of “Your Vegetable Garden as Backyard Habitat.” The talk will cover proper management of rainwater runoff, an overview of the local watershed, stormwater and ways to make sure daily activities do not become a source of pollution.

The meeting is open to the public. Visit vmigc.org/activities to learn more about the Garden Club.

Brown Briefly

Join the hosts of the Voice of Vashon show, Brown Briefly, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 for a community-minded conversation with Patricia Banuelos, community resource navigator at Vashon Youth and Family Services. The Brown Briefly radio show and podcast is presented by hosts Truman O’Brien, Craig Beles, Bruce Haulman, Kevin Jones, and Amy Drayer each Tuesday at 11 a.m., on 101.9 Voice of Vashon, or can be accessed at any time online at voiceofvashon.org.

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 12:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Vashon Library. Islanders can also change their insurance or ask Urquiza for help in fixing problems with their current insurance.

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

Boating Classes

Quartermaster Yacht Club will offer two free boater education classes for adults in March.

The first will be a “Tech Talk” class, open to the public, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Meyer’s Hut, located down the hill from 23428 Vashon Hwy SW.

Jones will cover the basics of anchoring — including ground tackle hardware, location selection, procedures, and what to do in an emergency. To register, email mariebrowne2000@comcast.net by Feb. 28.

A second free, state-approved boater education class, taught by Yacht Club Captain John Burke, will cover the information needed to receive a Boater Education Card — required for most operators of vessels with a 15-horsepower (or greater) motor.

Take the course and pass the test to get the card in Burke’s fast-paced class, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Meyer’s Hut. Advanced reading materials will be sent to all those who register.

Attendance is limited to 20 adults over the age of 18. To register, email mariebrowne2000@comcast.net by Feb. 28, providing your full name and phone number. More than one adult can be registered in an email.