Senior Center

The Vashon Senior Center, at 10004 Bank Rd. SW, has more than 20 weekly programs — everything from exercise to meditation, card-playing and other games, music and art, and more. The Center also serves hot meals and salads at 12 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

To find out more, visit vashoncenter.org.

All are invited to enjoy the Center’s annual talent show, from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Sign up in advance, at the front desk, to participate in the show. Performances should last about 5-10 minutes.

At 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Center, Sam Harris, librarian for King County Library’s Vashon branch, will lead an activity, “Silver Legos.” Harris will supply Legos — participants should bring their imaginations and a sense of fun.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue will conduct free blood pressure checks at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. A meeting of the board of the Senior Center will also take place on Dec. 18, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Members who wish to contact the board should send an email to board@vashoncenter.org.

Island Center Homes

Vashon HouseHold will have a ribbon-cutting event for its new 40-unit affordable housing project, Island Center Homes, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The housing facility is located at the intersection of SW 118th Street and Vashon Hwy. Parking is available at the nearby Lutheran Church for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Santa’s Cottage

Santa will greet visitors and pose for photographs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, in Santa’s Cottage, located behind U.S. Bank in the Village Green. Bring your camera and any letters written to Santa. Letters to Santa can also be dropped off at a special mailbox located at Vashon Bookshop through Dec. 21. Remember to add a return address on letters, so Santa can respond.

Living in a Time of Overwhelm

Author, musician, and mythologist Michael Meade will present a free evening that weaves story, song and mythic perspective, “Living in a Time of Overwhelm: Finding Meaning and Purpose,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Vashon United Methodist Church, at 17928 Vashon Hwy SW. Find out more and register to attend the event at mosaicvoices.org; donations are welcome.

Hanukkah Party

Vashon Havurah’s annual Hanukkah party will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Vashon Cohousing’s Common House. Latkes and fixings will be provided; bring a menorah and candles. This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.

New Year’s Eve

Open Space for Arts & Community will host a New Year’s Eve bash and dance party, with hourly confetti drops celebrating midnight all over the world, starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army will headline the evening, with Cheap Scenery as the opening band. Find out more and get tickets soon to the family-friendly party at openspacevashon.com — last year, the event sold out weeks in advance.