Holiday parade and tree lighting

Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce’s retailer open house will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Islanders can drop off Beachcomber coupons at different stores to be entered in raffles for prizes.

The annual holiday parade will line up at 5:45 p.m. at Vashon Auto Parts and walk to the traditional tree lighting at Ober Park.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking “wish” letters and passing out candy canes. Islanders can enjoy roasted chestnuts, the Handbell Choir and the Vashon High School band.

The beloved shires that led the parade every year will no longer prance through town. Their owner Doc Eastly passed away earlier this year, and the family has decided to retire the horses.

Captain John Burke and his longboat will lead the parade instead.

Parks to meet

Vashon Park District will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, in Ober Park. On the agenda will be next year’s district budget and a presentation from the Keepers of Point Robinson on their proposal to build a new caretaker’s residence at the upper parking lot of the park.

Potluck for Chief Yamane

A going-away potluck for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s Chief Keith Yamane will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, at the Penny Farcy Training Center at 10019 S.W. Bank Road. Everyone is welcome.

Call the fire department for more information at 463-2405.

Auction seeking donations

It’s that time of year: Vashon Community Care Center’s (VCCC) annual Labor of Love auction is seeking donations of items, services or handmade goods. The online auction, which benefits residents of Vashon’s nonprofit nursing home, starts Jan. 30 and ends Feb. 13. A list of donated items will appear in The Beachcomber’s Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 issues, as well as online.

“Not everyone can give money, but many can give of themselves by offering their services or goods they make for sale through the Labor of Love Auction,” said Linda Milovsoroff, VCCC’s director of development. Milovsoroff is coordinating the auction again this year.

While many nursing homes in the state accept only private-pay guests, VCCC accepts people on Medicaid and those who have exhausted their resources for long-term care, Milovsoroff noted. However, Medicaid only covers 72 percent of the cost of the care residents receive.