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 •

Witches Paddle: Witches and warlocks will hit the water at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Jensen Point for the annual Witches Paddle. The family-friendly event welcomes all ages to join by paddleboard, kayak or rowboat. Proceeds will benefit the Vashon Teen Council and the Vashon Nature Center.

Ukulele Jam: Chase away the dark days at upcoming ukulele jams for ages 9 and older. Jams are scheduled for 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month: Oct. 25, Nov. 23 and Dec. 28, at Vashon Library. Both seasoned players and beginners are welcome to connect with others and learn new songs. Bring an instrument or check one out from the Vashon Music Intrument Library. A limited amount of instruments will be available for checkout at the jams. Space is limited, so register at 1.kcls.org/VashonLibraryEvents.  

Vaccination Clinics: Vashon Pharmacy staff and Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers are administering COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations, with the assistance of VashonBePrepared and Vashon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers, at Vashon Pharmacy. Make appointments online now at vashonpharmacy.com. VashonBePrepared can assist those who are un- or under-insured, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for the shots. (See related article here.)

DOVE/Domestic Violence Awareness: Vashon’s DOVE Project reminds islanders that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — show your support for survivors by getting a sticker or button at over 30 local businesses.

Public Sector Heroes Lectures: Dr. Larry Hubbell, in conjunction with Vashon Indivisible, will present the third of a series of lectures, “Finding Courage in Dark Times: Public Sector Heroes Remembered,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Vashon High School theater. This lecture’s subject is Fred Korematsu, who refused to comply with the Japanese Internment Order during World War II. Islander Joe Okimoto will introduce the talk. The case against Korematsu reached the Supreme Court, which sided with the government — a decision labeled by many legal experts as one of the most racist and poorly reasoned decisions the court ever made. The person who was largely responsible for supporting the Internment Order was California’s Attorney General Earl Warren. Dr. Hubbell will relate the challenges faced by these historic figures to the challenges we face today. Read more about the speaker series at tinyurl.com/4bsnadee. The final talk of the series, about Eugene Debs, will take place on Nov. 11. There is no admission charge, but donations at the door are encouraged.

Cemetery Walk: The Vashon Heritage Museum and Vashon Cemetery District invite islanders to a “Heroes Walk” at the Vashon Cemetery from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Vashon Cemetery. During this season of spirits, join the Vashon Heritage Museum’s education team to visit the resting places of Vashonites admired for their noble achievements. Visit Lucy Gerand, who’s testimony to the U.S. Court of Claims remains the most comprehensive written record of sx̌wəbabš life ways; Buffalo Soldier Master Sergeant Benjamin Louis Glover; nurse and author, Mary Matsuda Gruenewald and many more.

Women Hold the Key: Women and girls age 16 and older can learn more about America’s ongoing quest for gender equality in a “Herstory” talk offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Women Hold the Key, at 9822 SW Gorsuch Rd. Islanders Lynn Carrigan and Tina Shattuck will lead the series. Find out more and register for the free sessions at womenholdthekey.com.

Author Talk: Dr. Joe-Joe McManus, award-winning author of “A Brother’s Insight: Guidance on Defeating Racism and Advancing Freedom,” will speak from 4-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Vashon Center for the Arts. The talk, presented in partnership with Indivisible Vashon, Backbone Campaign, Mukai Farm & Garden and Vashon SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice), will provide practical insights on how all individuals can contribute to ending racism and challenging oppression in their own powerful ways. Find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Speaker Series: Attend a free talk on the future of Vashon’s creeks by environmental engineer Mike “Rocky” Hrachovec from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at the Land Trust Building, at 10014 Bank Rd. This talk is the latest in the Land Trust’s ongoing First Friday speaker series. Hrachovec is a veteran environmental engineer who has restored streams and rivers all across the Northwest. At the talk, he’ll discuss restoration work that could bring back Vashon’s creeks to their historic abundance.

Services Van: Washington’s Department of Social and Health Service’s mobile office currently plans to bring its services to the United Methodist Church’s parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at 17928 Vashon Highway SW. Islanders can apply inside the van for food, cash, and medical services, and also drop off paperwork, complete a case, make changes to an existing case, or request an EBT card. Note: As of Monday, Oct. 20, the U.S. Congress has failed to pass a budget resolution. SNAP funding has continued to be available for October 2025 benefits and staffing. At this time, DSHS does not have authority to issue November benefits for SNAP/FAP for November and beyond. If the U.S. is still in a federal shutdown as of Nov. 1, the DSHS Van may be forced to cancel their Nov. 6 event on Vashon. For more information, visit washingtonconnection.org.

Free community dinners: Held Mondays through Fridays from 5-5:30 p.m. at the Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Highway SW) by the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness.

• 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:

Square dance: At 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, listen or dance to the Frog Holler band as they play traditional Appalachian music, and see or take part in a dance demonstration.

Halloween: Kick off Halloween at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, with a movie (1948 comedy “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”) and return for a party from 5-7:30 p.m. that evening. There will be food, drinks, games, music and possible prizes for the best costume.

Meet the Chief: At 1 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 5, the Center will welcome Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s new chief, Bill McLaughlin, who will update members on what is happening with VIFR.

How to Library: At 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, learn how to navigate Vashon Library’s catalog at Vashon Library with Sam Harris.

• PUBLIC MEETINGS •

Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Visit v-mcc.org for more information and agendas.

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. However, the next regular meeting has been changed to the second Wednesday of the month, Nov. 12. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the district’s board room. 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.

Vashon Island School District: The board typically meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. All meetings are recorded and posted online at youtube.com/@visdpublicmeetings6034/videos. Visit vashonsd.org.

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

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.

Dr. Joe-Joe McManus, award-winning author of “A Brother’s Insight: Guidance on Defeating Racism and Advancing Freedom,” will speak on Nov. 3 at Vashon Center for the Arts. (Courtesy Photo)