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
Halloween: See Halloween Preview for events throughout town on Oct. 31.
Vaccination clinics: Vashon Pharmacy staff and Vashon Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are administering COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations at Vashon Pharmancy with the assistance of VashonBePrepared and Vashon Community Emergency Response Team volunteers. 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 final lecture in his “Finding Courage in Dark Times: Public Sector Heroes Remembered” series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Vashon High School theater. The talk will focus on Eugene Debs, an American labor leader and five-time presidential candidate who advocated for workers’ rights and social justice in the early 20th century. There is no admission charge, but donations at the door are encouraged. Read more about the speaker series at tinyurl.com/4bsnadee.
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.
Zero Waste Vashon: Join Zero Waste Vashon board members Andrea Walker and Greg Simmons for a beverage and a bagel or dessert — the organization is treating islanders who join their roundtable from 12-1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Little Cup, 17607 Vashon Hwy SW. They’ll ask: what does sustainability on Vashon look like to you? What is greenwashing, and how does it impact islanders on Vashon? The group’s Re-Use Committee will also host a meeting from 2–4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Land Trust Building to discuss solutions for reducing building material waste and plans for 2026. All are welcome.
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.
Family support: National Alliance for Mental Illness friends and family support group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Vashon Presbyterian Church, located 17708 Vashon Highway SW. For more information, call 425-221-1142.
Speaker series: Attend a free talk on the future of Vashon’s creeks by Mike “Rocky” Hrachovec from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 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.
Heart screenings at Vashon High School: The Sam Yates Community Foundation will offer free heart screenings for Vashon High School students on Tuesday, Nov. 4. While focused on athletes, all students are welcome as space allows. Three island cardiologists trained in youth ECGs will lead the effort, with plans to hold annual screenings and expand to McMurray students next spring. To register, visit tinyurl.com/yc5zbt2x.
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. Find out more in “News Briefs” on page 2 about a possible interruption to SNAP benefits after Nov. 1. 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.
Poetry reading at the Roasterie: Vashon poets Ann Spiers and Katy E. Ellis will join off-islander Susan Landgraf for a free poetry reading from 1:30–2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, 19529 Vashon Hwy SW. All three poets recently published new collections and will read from their latest work. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Coffee, beer and snacks will be available for order during the event.
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:
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.
VASHON LIBRARY
The Magic of Gratitude: Join author, poet, and magician Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma for an interactive program blending poetry, magic, and music from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Vashon Library. The show celebrates the wonders of daily life and the power of gratitude. All ages welcome with an adult. Sponsored by the Vashon Friends of the Library.
Teen crafternoon: Teens in grades 6–12 can learn to hand sew scrunchies from 2–4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Vashon Library. All supplies and snacks are provided. Sponsored by the Vashon Friends of the Library. Registration required.
Great Books: Discuss “The Darling by Anton Chekhov” with the Vashon Great Books Discussion Group from 6:15–7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Vashon Library or on Zoom. The group celebrates its 75th year in 2025. Open to adults who’ve read the material. Register by 4:30 p.m. the day of the event to receive the Zoom link.
Pacific Northwest foraging: Learn about local foraging and seasonal foods with the Vashon Nature Center from 6–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Vashon Library. The program covers the region’s edible plants and habitats and includes time for questions. For adults. Sponsored by the Vashon Friends of the Library.
How to Library series: At 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, learn how to navigate Vashon Library’s catalog at Vashon Library with Sam Harris.
Ukulele Jam: Chase away the dark days at upcoming ukulele jams for ages 9 and older. Jams are scheduled for 2 p.m. on 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.
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.
