Vashon Senior Center

Learn more about clinic trials at 1 p.m. Friday, May 3, at a talk presented by Mary Lynn Hafner, an outreach ambassador for Northwest Clinical Research Center, at Vashon Senior Center, located at 10005 Bank Rd SW. Learn typical reasons why people choose to participate in clinical trials and understand the research process.

Lou Woods will speak on the topic of “The Art of Face Reading” at 1 p.m. Monday Monday, May 6, at the Senior Center.

Support Group

Vashon’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) friends and family support group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, in the library at Vashon Presbyterian Church, at 17708 Vashon Highway SW. Islanders may also attend by Zoom by following the link found on vashonpreschurch.org or emailing vashonpreschurch@comcast.net. Questions? Contact Pastor Leigh Weber at 425-221-1142.

Garden Club Plant Sale

Get a sneak peek at the Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club’s annual plant sale from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 3, in Island Lumber’s parking lot. Preview the sale at leisure, sipping wine and nibbling cheese. A $20 cash donation gets you a $5-off coupon for the sale, which will take place from 9-12 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in the same location.

The sale will feature a large variety of annuals and veggies, including tons of tomatoes, as well as a selection of native plants and perennials, from grasses to trees.

Free dental care and cleanings

Dr. Marc Langland and his staff will volunteer their expertise to provide free dental care and cleanings, on Friday, May 31, to low-income people who do not have private dental insurance. For more information and to get on the list call Hilary Emmer at 206-463-7277, by Friday, May 3.

Auction for Ukraine

Local artist Nan Lieter will hold a silent auction of ten of her paintings, with 100% of proceeds going to Save Ukraine, a charitable organization that aids families and children affected by the war in Ukraine.

The auction will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Beall Greenhouses Studio Building, at 18531 Beall Rd 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. May’s first Sunday of the month is May 5. Islanders are invited to share and witness, either in silence or out loud, grief for loved ones, pets, relationships, the climate, and wars. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232.

Woodworking Classes

Vashon MakerSpace is offering two six-week, 15-hour woodworking classes beginning on May 7 and 9. Learn introductory woodworking skills, or build a classic six-board chest. Classes are on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. For more information, visit VashonMakerspace.org and click on “events and classes.”

PSE Wildfire Open house

Join Puget Sound Energy (PSE) at a wildfire open house event, held between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Learn about wildfire prevention, how energy customers can prepare for wildfire season, and power outages in general at the event.

Drought conditions are already forecasted across the state and there is a likelihood of a warmer-than-usual summer.

Water District 19

Water District 19’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW.

Democracy Fair

The Vashon-Maury chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and Indivisible Vashon will host “Beyond Our Bubble,” a mobilizing-for-democracy fair, from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Land Trust Building. The free drop-in event will include refreshments, kid-friendly activities and free copies of the book, “On Tyranny,” by Timothy Snyder.

There will be opportunities for islanders to sign up to make phone calls, send texts, write postcards, and more to get out the vote to elect progressives across Washington State and in must-win swing states.

There will also be a voter registration table at the event. Youth in Washington ages 16 and older can pre-register now, and be all set to vote when they reach age 18.

Furball Auction

Vashon Island Pet Protectors will party like it’s 1984 at its “Big Hairiest Furball Ever” fundraiser from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Open Space for Arts & Community. It’s the organization’s 40th anniversary, so organizers are urging islanders to break out their shoulder pads, big hair, running suits and bright colors, to remember the high times and wild styles of the era when VIPP was founded.

The FurBall Auction provides 40% of VIPP’s operating budget for the year, which funds necessary services including caring for homeless cats and dogs while finding them new forever homes, reuniting lost pets with owners, providing free pet food through its No Hungry Pets Program, emergency financial assistance for vet bills, and low-cost spay/neuter and microchips.

The FurBall will feature live and silent auctions and heavy appetizers in a self-serve spread catered by Gravy. Wine, beer, and nonalcoholic cider will be provided by Palouse Winery, Camp Colvos, and Nashi Orchards.

The master of ceremonies, Geoff Fletcher, will welcome attendees and a new fundraising auctioneer, David Bestock. Attendees can purchase a table of eight or come solo (or duo) and sit with other like-minded animal lovers.

Some of the experiences in this year’s auction include wine tasting in Italy, a week in a luxury Paris apartment, one-week stays in two different Mexico locations, Hood River, and Lincoln City, and private dinners, art, and tickets to concerts.

Get tickets and find out more at vipp2024furball.maxgiving.bid, or visit vipp.org, and click on “events.”