Dine with Eagles
Each year, Vashon Eagles members host an annual, free community Thanksgiving meal. This year, join the Eagles from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, at 18134 Vashon Hwy SW, for the celebration. The main course is provided — bring a side dish or dessert if you are able to share.
Taxing District budget hearings
The Vashon Park District will hold its final 2024 budget meetings at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28, at the Ober Park Administration Building, 17130 Vashon Hwy SW, or via Zoom. For more information, visit vashonparks.org.
Vashon Island Fire District (VIFR) will hold its final discussion and vote for its 2024 budget at a special board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at VIFR’s Training Center, 10019 SW Bank Rd, or via Zoom. To find out more, visit vifr.org.
Volunteer firefighter information
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue is currently recruiting island residents as volunteer firefighters. Learn more at a meeting for those who are interested, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at VIFR Training Center, 10019 SW Bank Rd. Find out more at vifr.org.
Vashon WinterFest
Visit the island’s uptown for a winter wonderland from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event will include the island’s annual holiday parade, a merchant open house and a chance for kids and families to visit Santa Claus at his cottage.
Vashon Highway will be closed from 171st to 178th Street from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. during the event. Parking along Vashon Highway will close at 4 p.m. to allow cars time to clear the streets.
For more information, visit online and look for The Beachcomber’s Holiday Gift Guide, in this issue.
Senior Center fundraiser
Vashon Senior Center will hold its “Rainbow BLINGO” fundraiser, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Camp Burton.
The event, hosted by celebrated Seattle drag queen and chanteuse Louvel, will include tasty treats from Camp Burton’s chef, teriyaki skewers from Pop Pop Bottle Shop, and a dessert auction with offerings from a host of island businesses and bakers. There will also be wine, beer and jello shots aplenty. A handmade quilt, from Andrea Avni, will be auctioned off. Visit vashoncenter.org to purchase tables and tickets, and call 206-463-5173 with questions. To volunteer, contact Pamela Wickard at coordinator@vashoncenter.org or call 206-463-5173.
Inclusion Island
Inclusion Island, a program supported by Hershey Housing, offers social and recreational opportunities on Vashon for adults and older teens with disabilities with their families and caregivers. The program’s next event will be a holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2-4 p.m., at Vashon Lutheran Church. There will be cookie decorating, snacks, gift-making and music. For questions, or to be added to the group’s mailing list please, contact hersheyhousing@gmail.com.
Youth cardiac health event
The Sam Yates Community Foundation will bring the Nick of Time Foundation to Vashon High School from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6 for a free heart screening event.
The event will feature EKG heart screenings for young people between the ages of 12 and 24. The process includes a survey about family health history and an EKG to analyze the person’s electrical heart signals. The screening is non-invasive and doesn’t involve needles or X-rays.
The screenings can identify serious heart conditions that a stethoscope can’t detect and can give families knowledge to prevent a future cardiac event. Sudden cardiac arrest can affect anyone, including young people who are exercising, playing, or competing in sports.
The event will bring a total of 80 volunteers to screen island youth, including some of the best cardiologists in the Seattle area, said organizers, who hope to register up to 300 youth between 12 and 24. Appointments are open to anyone in that age range who is a student, no matter where they attend school. Students must pre-register for the event here. Return completed forms to the VHS main office or email them to nickoftime@vashonsd.org. Questions? Call 206-463-9171.
Poetry Open Mic
Vashon’s next monthly poetry mic, hosted by Poet Laureate Margaret Rancone, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Coop at 15245 115th Ave SW. All are welcome; sign up to read at 5:45 p.m.
Woodworking Classes
Vashon MakerSpace presents Santa’s Workshop, offering two 3-hour holiday decoration classes in December. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, make a snowman using the wood-turning lathe. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, learn to use the bandsaw and scroll saw to make a centerpiece and a tree ornament. Also being offered again is the popular wooden spoon carving class, from 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. For more information visit vashonmakerspace.org, and click on Events and Classes.
Council seeks board members
Vashon-Maury Community Council is seeking applicants for its all-volunteer board of directors. The role brings a minimum weekly time commitment of three to five hours. The board has six openings, and positions run for two years. For more information, visit v-mcc.org or contact the council’s president, Diane Emerson at dianeemerson@yahoo.com, or any other current or past board members.
Check out The Beachcomber’s Holiday Gift Guide in this edition for more holiday events.
