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

VYBS winter clinics: Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball will offer free winter clinics to help island athletes prepare for the spring season; registration is required.

New “Friends in Fastpitch” clinics for girls in grades 3-5 begin Friday, Jan. 23, followed by clinics for girls in grades 6-8 beginning Saturday, Jan. 24. Participants can be new to the sport or experienced. The sessions will be mentored by Vashon High School softball players as part of the group’s “Save Our Softball” effort.

Throwing and pitching clinics for baseball will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sundays, Feb. 15 and 22, in the Vashon High School gym. Batting clinics for both baseball and softball will run Sundays, March 1, 8 and 15, at the Chautauqua covered play area. For details and to register, visit vybs.net.

Bayou Boogie: Join for a night of authentic Louisiana gumbo, live music, drinks and dancing to support Vashon Baseball Academy at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Vashon Eagles Club.

The Baseball Academy provides youth with a competitive level of baseball training at an affordable cost. The fundraising event — for ages 21 and older — will include a raffle for two Diamond Club seats to a Mariners game and a 50/50 raffle. Purchase event tickets at tinyurl.com/sb2ad6fj and raffle tickets at tinyurl.com/2yv337e6. You do not need to be present to win. Questions? Contact Robin at magonegil@gmail.com.

Food Bank: Construction on the new Vashon Food Bank is nearing completion, with the project expected to finish in early spring. Organizers said the project still needs just under $500,000 to reach its fundraising goal and complete remaining construction work.

The Food Bank will host a guided tour at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27. The tour will cover the current and future sites behind the Sea Mar Clinic and the Vashon United Methodist Church property and will be led by the organization’s executive director. Space is limited to about 10 people; RSVP is required by emailing minta@vashonfoodbank.org. Participants should meet at the current Food Bank, 10030 SW 210th St., behind the Sea Mar Clinic.

Living with grief: A series of group sessions focused on living with grief, led by therapist Kenny Alton, continues Mondays at Women Hold the Key, 9822 SW Gorsuch Road. The series is presented in collaboration with RJs Kids, Women Hold the Key and End of Life Conversations Vashon. Sessions will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26; 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9; 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23; 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 9; and 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 23. To register or for more information, contact Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or email judith.neary@gmail.com.

Health care forum: The Vashon Health Care District will host a free 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 will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page at youtube.com/@vashonhealthcare, with subtitles available in multiple languages. Find out more at vashonhealthcare.org.

Group discussion: A private group discussion, hosted in the Vashon Senior Center’s side room, will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, led by Janice Palm, the executive director of Roanoke Park Counseling, a 40-year-old nonprofit agency in Seattle dedicated solely to treating adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Palm and participants will discuss the prevalence and impact of childhood sexual abuse, and ways to increase awareness and support for survivors.

VIGA: Vashon Island Growers Association will hold its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Grange (soon to be Heights Grocery), at 10365 SW Cowan Rd. Soup and bread will be served; attendees may also bring other dishes they’d like to share. The meeting is open to all, with membership not required. Also save the date to attend VIGA’s annual Seed Share from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Ober Park administration building.

Rainbow Blingo: The Senior Center’s annual Rainbow Blingo fundraiser will return at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Camp Burton. Hosted by drag queen Louvel, the event includes bingo games, drinks, hors d’oeuvres from Camp Burton chefs and an auction of desserts. Game winners can take home prizes including cash, tickets to the 5th Avenue Theatre and more. Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenter.org/rainbow-blingo.

Support group: Vashon’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Friends and Family Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Vashon Presbyterian Church library. This is an in-person meeting and no longer includes Zoom participation. Questions? Call 425-221-1142.

Ultimate Frisbee: Islanders of all ages and skill levels are invited to a free, weekly drop-in ultimate Frisbee game sponsored by the Vashon Park District. Games are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays under the lights at Vashon High School Stadium. For more information, email nic.warmenhoven@gmail.com.

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 are provided.

Friends of the Vashon Library meeting: The Friends of the Vashon Library will meet from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Vashon Library. The member-driven nonprofit raises funds for library programs that support the Vashon community. New members are welcome. Registration is not required. Learn more at kcls.org/friends.

LEGO brick builders: The Vashon Library will host LEGO Brick Builders from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26. The drop-in session offers unstructured, creative building; participants may stay for the full hour or stop by briefly. Bricks are provided. The program is sponsored by Vashon Friends of the Library. Registration is not required.

Roundtable: Nonprofit organizations are invited to a monthly roundtable discussion from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Vashon Library. Topics are set by attendees and include opportunities to share upcoming events, resources and networking. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month from January through October. Participants may attend in person or via Zoom. Registration is required to receive updates and Zoom information at 1.kcls.org/vashonroundtable.

Multigenerational book group: The Vashon Library will host a multigenerational book group from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28. Participants should read or listen to a book of their choice that fits the monthly theme and come ready to discuss. The group meets in partnership with the Vashon-Maury Senior Center and is open to ages 13 and older. January’s theme is “a favorite hobby,” and February’s is “survival.” Supplies are provided by Vashon Friends of the Library. Registration is not required.

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.

Strength training: A new weekly session of strength training will take place from 8:45-9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Center. Sit or stand; all levels welcome. The program is also offered Wednesdays.

End-of-life planning talk: Jane Neubauer will present a talk on end-of-life planning at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Vashon Senior Center. Neubauer will discuss choosing a health care power of attorney and options available through an advance care directive. Friends and family are welcome. Registration is not required.

Birthday lunch: The Vashon Senior Center will host a January birthday lunch at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Members with January birthdays eat free. A local Scouts group will serve lunch and perform a short skit at 1 p.m.

Book group: The Vashon Heritage Museum will host a group discussion of “The Last of the Mohicans,” by James Fenimore Cooper at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. New members are welcome.

Board meeting: The Vashon Senior Center Board of Directors will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Center members are welcome to attend. Comments may be submitted to board@vashoncenter.org.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular in-person meetings on the third Thursday of the month.

Water District 19: Usually holds regular board meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW. Visit water19.com.

Vashon Health Care District: Holds regular meetings the fourth Thursday of the month at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom. Visit vashonhealthcare.org for more information.

Vashon Island School District: The board holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. Visit vashonsd.org.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: VIFR’s board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month. Visit vifr.org for more information.

King County Cemetery District #1: Meetings are typically held at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, at the cemetery office at 19631 Singer Rd SW. Visit vashoncemetery.org.