December Calendar

Don’t miss any of Vashon’s holiday events — check out our calendar for the entire month of December in our Holiday Gift Guide on page B3.

Turkey Trot

Vashon Running Club will present its annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot fun run and walk, starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, in the parking lot next to Recess Lab and Voice of Vashon, at 17641 Vashon Hwy SW.

The 2.5-mile fun run and walk — with music, hot cider, camaraderie and joie de vivre — is free and also open to furry friends and folks with kids in strollers. A map of the course will be available at the event. The Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for Vashon XC, the booster club for youth cross country on the island, with donations collected in a pickle jar at the event. Find out more by visiting the Facebook group for Vashon Running Club.

Thanksgiving at the Eagles

Each year, Vashon Eagles members host a free community Thanksgiving meal. This year, join the Eagles starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, at 18134 Vashon Hwy SW, for the celebration, which will continue as long as food lasts. The main course is provided — bring a side dish or dessert if you are able to share. Want to volunteer to help out at the meal? Call 206-463-5477 or email eagles3144@gmail.com.

Holiday Fridays at Granny’s Attic

Nov. 29 is Pajama Day at Granny’s — visit the nonprofit thrift store in your evening finest for a discount on your purchase. On Dec. 6, show up with an ugly or holiday sweater for a free gift. Arrive Dec. 13 in a fancy or sparkling outfit and Granny’s will cover your sales tax. Finally, show up on Dec. 20 with a hat to get a free gift.

DOVE Project Fundraiser

Television’s most colorful landlady, Helen Roper, will have her own night of celebration at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the first annual “Mrs. Roper Romp,” a fundraiser for The DOVE Project at the Vashon Eagles.

This tribute to the beloved “Three’s Company” character has been organized by islander Tami Brockway Joyce.

“We wanted to create an event as vibrant and unforgettable as Helen’s caftans,” Brockway Joyce said. “Where else can you perfect your eye-roll, compete in ‘Three’s Company’ trivia, and support a great cause all in one night?”

The evening will begin with an hour of trivia, followed by signature cocktails and dancing to 1970s tunes until 11 p.m. Tickets are $19.77 (a nod to the show’s debut year) and include three raffle tickets. In addition to door prizes, prizes will be awarded to trivia winners and the best Helen Roper costumes.

Get tickets at the door and givebutter.com/roperromp. Use promo code Chrissy! to save 10 percent.

Jingle Bash

Kick off the winter holiday season with Jingle Bash, an event held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Vashon High School. It will feature 60 art, craft and specialty food vendors from throughout the Puget Sound region, live music by local musicians and lunch served hot by Aeggy’s Food Truck and El Paisano Tamales. Island photographer Yui Holbrook will also be on hand to snap photos of kids and families with Santa Claus. Register for photos with Santa by visiting tinyurl.com/mrxcfsbk. Musicians include Colette Jones, an Americana acoustic duo, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Pine & Shake, a 1920s and 1930s blues, jazz, jug, and ragtime band, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Senior Center

The Center will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, with no lunch program.

Attend an “Armchair Travel” talk with Barbara Gustafson at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the Center. Gustafson will take listeners to medieval hill towns along the Dordogne River, a Cathar castle, the colorful town of Collioure on the Mediterranean Sea, and ancient Roman ruins in Provence.

“Word Play,” with Vashon Poet Laureate Margaret Rancone will take place at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. Join in the fun of sharing your stories and life experiences in writing. This activity will usually take place at the Senior Center every week at this time, but check the schedule at vashoncenter.org to make sure.

Doggy playdates

FIDO (Friends into Dogs) board members are hosting play dates — play for dogs, talk for owners — on the first Monday and third Saturday of each month, with exceptions for holidays. The next meetup is at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2 at Frog Holler Park. It will be the only meet-up in December. For more information, visit friendsintodogs.org.

Land Trust

Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust will hold an open house from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Land Trust Building, at 10014 SW Bank Rd. Attend to celebrate the Land Trust’s accomplishments in the past year. There will be a short program at 5 p.m.

Sign up for Health Insurance

Miguel Urquiza, representative of King County Public Health, will help islanders sign up for health insurance, food stamps and ORCA Lift discounted transportation from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Vashon Library. Open enrollment for insurance ends on Jan. 15, so now is the time to check if a different insurance could be a better fit.

If Saturday is not convenient, contact Urquiza at 206-477-6965, 206-491-3761, or miguel.urquiza@kingcounty.gov.

Island Center Homes

Vashon HouseHold will host two events for the upcoming 40-unit affordable housing community Island Center Homes.

The first is a community open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Island Center Homes, located at the intersection of SW 188th Street and Vashon Highway. Parking can be found at Sawbones and the event is free.

At 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, there will be a ribbon-cutting event for the community at the same location; the Vashon Lutheran Church will offer parking for the event at 18623 Vashon Highway SW.

Grief ritual

A monthly community grief ritual is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 1-2 p.m. at the Tree of Life Wellness Center at 17331 Vashon Highway, with donations accepted. December’s first Sunday of the month is December 8. Islanders are invited to share and witness our grief, either in silence or out loud. The power of public grieving is its ability to connect us and drive healing. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or Brad Davis at 206-799-7235

Inclusion Island Holiday Party

Join Inclusion Island, a group of adults with developmental disabilities and their friends and family, for a winter holiday party from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28 at the Vashon Lutheran Church, located at 18623 Vashon Highway SW.

The afternoon will include crafts, food and more.

Questions? Contact HersheyHousing@gmail.com.

Correction: Thanksgiving Day Dinner at the Vashon Eagles starts at 3 p.m., not 5 p.m., as reporter in an earlier edition. We regret the error.