Indivisible Vashon
Attend Indivisible Vashon’s next in-person member meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the Vashon Presbyterian Church’s social hall, at 17708 Vashon Hwy SW. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a small donation for the use of the church, and “finger food” to share.
Indivisible Vashon takes actions to defend democracy by advocating for progressive political candidates and legislation, and working for social and environmental justice.
To find out more about work of the group, visit indivisiblevashon.org.
Senior Center
The Vashon Senior Center, at 10004 SW Bank Rd., offers a hot lunch at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and activities throughout the week. Upcoming highlights include the following:
Friday, March 14: At 1 p.m., attend a talk about Women’s History Month, hosted by Bruce Haulman and Maria Glanz, and meet Marjorie Stanley, Vashon Memorial Library’s first librarian. From 2-3 p.m., the Vashon Threshold Choir will provide “song baths” for members upon request.
Monday, March 17: a special St. Patrick’s Day lunch will be held at 11:45 a.m. At 12:45 p.m., meet islander Robyn Stover, a licensed independent clinical social worker. Thanks to funding provided by Vashon Health Care District, the Senior Center has contracted with Stover, a local geriatric social worker who has offered support for older adults, their families and caregivers for 30 years.
Additionally, the Vashon Oneness Center offers a free chance for islanders to meditate together every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the Senior Center.
Visit vashoncenter.org for a full event calendar.
Celebrate Pi Day
Get a free slice of Pie from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, March 14, at a Pi Day event at Vashon Presbyterian Church.
Pi, the irrational mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, begins with the significant figures 3.14, and is thus celebrated annually on 3/14.
There will be a contest for reciting the most digits of Pi at the church, according to organizers, with a prize for the winner and second place.
Moving Mountains
John Osborn will read from his new book, “Moving Mountains: Creating the Nurse Practitioner and Rural EMS,” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Land Trust Building.
Vashon Wilderness Program
The Vashon Wilderness Program will hold its annual fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Camp Sealth. Visit vashonwilderness.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
Home & Garden Fair
The Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce will host its Home & Garden Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 at Vashon High School.
Family Day
Bring the kids to Family Day at the Vashon Heritage Museum, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15. There will be free activities and programming for toddlers and kids, including crafts and a scavenger hunt.
Women Hold the Key
Islanders can witness the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and creativity at “AI, Robot and You: A Journey into the Future,” an upcoming fundraising event for Women Hold the Key, a nonprofit on Vashon Island that fosters strong, supportive communities where women can thrive. The family-friendly event will take place from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Visit womenholdthekey.com for more information and tickets.
Telephone Town Hall
Join Vashon’s 34th Legislative District Senator Emily Alvarado and Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon and Brianna Thomas for a telephone town hall, starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 17, to learn more and ask questions about their work in the state legislature.
To join, call toll-free at 855-756-7520 and enter 120781# when prompted for the extension number.
Housing Forum
Vashon HouseHold will host a free housing forum on Tuesday, March 18 at Vashon Center for the Arts, reprising the event last year that included a discussion of affordability challenges, securing water shares and jumping through legal hoops to build more homes on Vashon.
The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m., with panelists including King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Sawbones Human Resources Manager Kit Gruver, Shelter America Group President Chris Bric, social impact and philanthropic strategist Kris Hermanns and members of Vashon HouseHold.
Mary Bruno, who has written extensively for The Beachcomber about water issues and the challenges of building housing on Vashon, will moderate the event.
The atrium will be open an hour before and after the panel event for concessions and conversations. Visitors are encouraged to register at vashonhousehold.org, but walk-ins will be accepted.
Email kari@vashonhousehold.org with questions.
Septic Workshops
Want to learn more about your septic system, how to maintain it or address other problems? Join one of Vashon Team Septic’s upcoming free workshops, either in person from 12-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at Vashon Library, or from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, on Zoom.
Register at vashonteamseptic.org.
Get services and help
Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services mobile van will return to Vashon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Vashon Food Bank, 10030 SW 210th St.
Apply inside for food, cash and medical benefits. Islanders can also drop off paperwork, complete a review, make changes to an existing case, or request an EBT card. That day not convenient? Contact Miguel Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761, or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov.
Also on March 19, income-qualifying islanders can apply for a discount on their Puget Sound Energy bill, from 12:30-3 p.m., at Vashon Library. Bring your PSE account number and utility bill. You will be asked the amount of your gross monthly income (proof not required).
Contact Zachery.Kaija@pse.com if you have questions.
Death Café
Gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death at a twice-monthly Death Café on Vashon. A Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, rather than a grief support or counselling session.
The event take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m., every first and third Friday of the month, at the Tree of Life Wellness Center, at 17331 Vashon Highway SW. The third Friday of March is March 21. Questions? Call Joe, at 206-919-1275. Donations are welcome.
Marine property class
The King Conservation District will host two free classes for property owners along the marine shorelines of King County, discussing the ecological, geological and other issues associated with owning property “where the water begins.” The class will address concerns including erosion, maintaining vegetation and stabilizing slopes without sacrificing a nice view.
The first class is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at the Land Trust building. The second class will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Camp Sealth, at 14500 SW Camp Sealth Road.
Register at tinyurl.com/VashonWhereTheWaterBegins.
Mammogram screenings
Assured Imaging will offer mammogram screening from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at the J.G. Commons Community Room, located at 17300 96th Place SW.
Call 888-204-9214 to schedule an appointment.
Major insurers are accepted and no referral is needed, though patients should bring a picture ID and an insurance card. Patients must be 40 years old or older, with no current breast problems or complaints, who have not had a mammogram in the past year.
The Breathable Body
Join author Robert Litman for a five-week club exploring his book, “The Breathable Body: Transforming Your Life One Breath at a Time,” from 11-12:15 on Tuesdays, April 1-29, at the Tree of Life Wellness Center.
This series will detail breathing practices for better health, addressing issues like asthma, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and more. Through discussion and guided practice, participants will discover how breath can cultivate greater health, embodiment, ease, and vitality. The class has a sliding scale of $15-$25 per session.
Books are available at Vashon Bookshop or from the author. For more information or to let Litman know you will attend, contact robert@thebreathablebody.com, though reservations are not required. Reading the book is not required to attend, but will help in understanding the concepts.
Flea Market
Vashon Eagles will host the Finders Keepers Fea Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. The market will be held indoors, with live music and food available. Some table space is still available, with tables provided for wares. The cost of a 6-foot table is $25. Email Susan, at pitiger@comcast.net, with questions or to reserve a table.
