Senior Center

Here are highlights of what’s happening at Vashon Senior Center this week and next, at 10004 SW Bank Rd. For a complete calendar of events, visit vashoncenter.org.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, join the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) team to learn more about this home healthcare option on Vashon. MIH is funded and operated by Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, in partnership with King County Emergency Medical Services. MIH’s mission is to create a healthier life, home and community for island residents, and it can assist seniors in navigating tough-to-find resources and developing a care plan.

Attend a birthday celebration for all Senior Center members who have November birthdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Center. Birthday members eat free that day. Call 206-463-5173 to make a reservation. The Center’s book group will also meet from 1:30-3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, to discuss “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year,” by Margaret Renkl. Donna Caulton will be our discussion leader. The group welcomes new members.

In observation of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Senior Center will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, with no lunch program on those days.

Thanksgiving at the Eagles

Each year, Vashon Eagles members host a free community Thanksgiving meal. This year, join the Eagles starting at 5 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.

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.

Runners are urged to bring along their visiting family and friends to join in the event. The short 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. This year’s 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.

Women Hold the Key

Vashon’s community center for women, Women Hold the Key (WHTK) will present a Women In Business Forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. To find out more, visit womenholdthekey.com/key-classes-programs-events/women-in-business-forum.

WHTK is also currently conducting its first survey to expand its awareness of individual and group needs on Vashon; gather demographic information and collect data required to qualify for grants, sponsorships, and other sources of funding; and develop future programming based on islanders’ feedback.

WHTK is a small nonprofit focused on building community for women, including non-binary and trans folks who are comfortable in women’s spaces. The group offers an array of classes, discussions, events and community days at its Synergy Center at 9822 SW Gorsuch Rd.

Take the survey and find out more at womenholdthekey.org.

Brown Briefly

Join Voice of Vashon’s (VoV) Brown Briefly crew, Craig Beles, Amy Drayer, Truman O’Brien, Kevin Jones, and Bruce Haulman at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, on 101.9 FM and streaming live at voiceofvashon.org and on the VoV mobile app.

The show’s guest will be Dr. J. David Hawkins, an endowed professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Social Work, and Vashon singer/songwriter. The hosts will ask Hawkins about his groundbreaking empirical work in the promotion of academic and life success, prevention of delinquent behavior and drug use, and reduction of aggravated assaults and robberies. On a lighter note, they will also ask Hawkins questions about his life as a musician.

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 for trivia winners and the best Helen Roper costumes.

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

Jingle Bash

Kick off the winter holiday season with Vashon’s premier holiday art event.

Jingle Bash will be 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.

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 events

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.

Stay tuned for information about a ribbon-cutting event later in December.