Calendar

Published 3:28 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Events; Clubs; Library; Classes ; Parks & Rec; Seniors; JCC; Religion; Galleries

Events

Island Books Storytelling is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. Feb. 26, Farida Dowler, “A World Full of Tales;” March 5, Debbie Deutsch, “Goodbye Winter!;” March 12, Pat Peterson, “Springing into Stories.”

Children’s concert: The Mercer Island High School Symphonic Orchestra’s children’s concert is at 2 p.m. and the District Orchestra Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Performing Arts Center at the high school. Pianists Seniore Kai Swenson and Karen Zemplenyi playing the Carnival of the Animals by St. Saens will be featured.

Sneak preview of the proposed K-5 reading adoption, Houghton-Mifflin’s Reading, is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Islander Middle School library. Selected teachers will be available to share the selection process and answer questions.

Mercer Island School District Fine Arts Showcase presents “We Dream” at the Mercer Island High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, for visual art displays and craft activities, with musical performances beginning at 6:20 p.m.; Wednesday, March 9, doors open at 5 p.m. for visual arts viewing, and at 6:30 p.m., musical performances begin. Food donations accepted at the door to benefit the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services food bank.

Islander Middle School’s drama club presents: “Grease” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Islander Middle School. A Sock Hop will be held after the Saturday night show. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Clubs

Open Book Club is at 7:30 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Island Books. All are welcome to attend. Feb. 24, “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder; March 31, “The Girl Who Played Go” by Shan Sa.

The Buddhist book talk is at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at the Mercer Island Library. Jody Monahan, a teacher from the Kadampa Buddhist Temple in Ballard, will speak on “How To Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths,” by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

The ProBus Club of Mercer Island will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at the Presbyterian Church. Eva Coblentz, from the Consumer Outreach and Education Coordination Department for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, will discuss consumer fraud, particularly against seniors. The public is welcome.

Mercer Island Radio Operators (MIRO) meets at 7 p.m. every third Thursday of the month at the north-end fire station. MIRO is a volunteer organization that provides back-up emergency communications for the Mercer Island Public Safety Department. For information, call Bill Ellis at 232-4881.

Formal dress drive fund raiser for Cinderella’s Trunk, a non-profit organization benefiting teens, women, and men of all ages, will be held during the month of February. Drop-offs can be made at the Four Seasons’ Dry Cleaners, Corry’s C02 Dry Cleaners, MIHS counselor’s office. For pick-up service, call Cynthia Schreiber at 236-1071.

Library

The following events take place at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E., unless otherwise noted. Please call 236-3537 for more information.

Read Three, Get One Free! for 12- to 18 year-olds. Read three books, write three short reviews and get a new paper book free. Books read for school count for this program. Check with the library or www.kcls.org/read3 for more information and to register.

Opera Preview: Florencia en el Amazonas is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. Presented by Norm Hollingshead. Sponsored by the Friends of Mercer Island Library.

Pajama story time is at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28. Come dressed ready for bed and enjoy stories, songs and puppets.

“Anansi the Spider” and other tales from Africa will be read in celebration of Black History Month at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25. Presented by Clay Martin’s Puppet Theater. Folktales from Africa with an emphasis on animal heroes. Puppet designs are based on African art from collections at the Seattle Art Museum.

“Between Past and Future” New photography and video from China is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the library. Presented by a staff member of the Seattle Art Museum.

Classes

CPR and first aid classes will be held at the north-end fire station. Instructors are Mercer Island firefighters. To register, call 236-3600. Class schedule is as follows:

* Infant/child CPR from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The fee is $15.

* Adult CPR from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The fee is $15.

A “Smart homebuyers Workshop” is from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at the office of Windermere Real Estate. The free class features speakers: Margaret Kyle, Senior Loan Consultant of Washington Mutual, and Jack Melill, Associate Broker at Windermere Real Estate. All participants will be given a “Mortgage Workbook” and a real estate “Survival Guide” booklet. Call 232-0446 for reservations. A wrapped donation for Northwest Harvest is requested at the door.

Power Vinyasa Yoga classes are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Lakeview Schoolhouse (Sunnybeam.) Eight 90-minute classes. The cost is $100. This introductory series is presented by Yoga Bliss. To register contact YogaBliss4u@hotmail.com.

Parks & Rec

The following are programs run by the Parks & Recreation Department. For locations, go to www.miparks.net or call 236-3545.

Income tax help for taxpayers with middle and low-incomes is at 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays through April 9 and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through April 9 at the Mercer Island Library. Call 236-3545 for reservations.

Pilates: Wednesdays, March 2 to March 30th, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $62; Level l is from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., Level 2 is from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Hatha Yoga is from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Thursdays, March 3 to March 31st, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $59.

Dementi, What is it? is from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 10, at the north fire station. the cost is $3.

Molbak’s & Chateau Ste. Michelle trip is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 9. The cost is $17. Transporation from Luther Burbank park.

Seniors

All support groups, with the exception of the Stroke Group, meet at the Mercer Island Library.

For locations or more information, check www.miparks.net or call 236-3545.

Grief and loss support group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

Low vision support group is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. Jane Elliott, Independent Living Specialist, Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted is the speaker.

Parkinson support group is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. Naturopathic Medicine & P.D., Dr. L. Mischley, N.D. University Health Clinic is the speaker.

Solemates will walk from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, from the Luther Burbank main parking lot.

Senior lunch is at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Covenant Shores in the lodge. The fee is $4.25. Call Lynda King at 236-3549 by 10 a.m. the day before to place your order. There is no parking at Covenant Shores, but a free shuttle service leaves at 11:45 a.m. from the south Luther Burbank parking lot and returns after lunch. Call 236-3456.

“Crafts on your own” for seniors is from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays, at Covenant Shores Lodge. Bring your favorite craft hobby and meet new friends. The cost is $3.50.

JCC

Unless noted, all events take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. For more information, call 232-7115.

Early Childhood services art show is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Artwork by kids using the theme of “light.”

Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) Men, Women & Kabbalah is at 8 p.m. Mondays, starting Feb. 28, at Congregation Shevat Achim, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. The eight-week class is taught by Rabbi Kornfeld. The cost is $50 including the textbook. All are welcome. Contact Judith at 230-5737.

“Simply Tsfat: Magical Music,” a folk-rock band from the Israeli city of Tsfat plays at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5. For advance tickets contact the Seattle Kollel at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org.

Brunch for singles 40 and older is at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 6. Guest speaker from AishSeattle will lecture on “The five levels of pleasure.” Registration is $9 per person. Contact Roni Antebi at ext. 269.

Taking care of our Children: drug awareness and prevention, is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 9. The speaker will be Steve Morris, Jewish Family Service Director of Counseling Services.

Raising boys: A discussion with parents about their son’s emotional development, is from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. The workshop is lead by Andrew Koerner, Jewish Family Service Clinical Therapist. The cost is $15 per person.

Free community-wide annual Purim carnival and summer camp registration: is from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the JCC. Dress in your wildest costume. Games, prizes, live music and entertainment, food and carnival booths. Also, register for summer day camps for 2 to 16 year-olds. Call Zach Duitch at ext. 243 for more information.

Winter camps at the JCC for kindergarten through eighth grade, field trips, sports, swimming, arts and more. The cost is $50 per day, JCC camp membership is required. Contact Nicci Burrell at ext. 242 for dates.

Food talks will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, March 24, “Mental gymnastics: Food and mood;” April 14, “Power eating: build muscle, boost energy, cut fat;” May 12, “Can 8-a-day keep cancer away? The latest science on water and health.” The cost is $15 per lecture or $55 for the entire series. To register, contact Karla Anderson at ext. 272 or e-mail karlaa@sjcc.org.

Religion

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Registration for MIPC preschool is in progress. General public deadline is March 1. Call Molly van der Burch at 232-5596, ext. 250. Winter Alpha course will be from 1 to 2:45 p.m. every Thursday, through May 5 (except for winter and spring break); Alpha will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1 through May 24 (skipping spring break week) and includes dinner. Contemplative Prayer is from noon to 12:20 p.m. every Thursday, in the library. “Super 60s and Beyond,” a program and lunch for seniors, is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, including a program, lunch and fellowship. James Watson’s Night Bible Study continues at 7 p.m. Thursdays, in the Fireside room, discussing Matthew Chapter 6. Joiners/Seekers Sunday morning series begins from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Feb. 27 through April 3 (except for Easter Sunday). There is also a four-hour class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5 covering the same materials. For more information, contact the church at 232-5595. The church is located at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: First Friday dinner and discussion “Why Do We Need to Understand Cultures Outside the United States?” is at 6:30 p.m. Ed Lambert will present an 80- minute documentary which tries to answer this question. Men’s breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, followed by an outside work party from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 232-7800. The church is located at 4545 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Women’s ministry meetings are from 9:15 am. to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, with free childcare available. The winter session will explore various topics via video and guest speaker. Community dinner, Kid’s Club, and Alpha will not take place tonight. All these activities will resume next week. There will be no Women Ministries bible study this week. Meetings will resume at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, March 3. Registration has begun for the women’s retreat, held March 11-13 at Camp Cascades in Yelm. Call the church for a registration form. For more information, call 232-1015. Covenant Church is located at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.

Emmanuel Episcopal: Registration is open to the public for Emmanuel Day School and for EDS and Emmanuel Church families. The new building will be dedicated by Bishop Warner on Sunday, March 6. Call 232-1572 or e-mail the church at mail@emmanuelmi.org. The church is located at S.E. 44th Street and 86th Avenue S.E.

Herzl-Ner Tamid conservative congregation: A special presentation, “Bringing the Bible Alive in the Modern Age,” featuring Dr. Robert Alter will be held to March 1, “Men cooking for Shabbat” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings in the HNT kitchen. Materials fee is $65. For more information, contact Herzl-Ner Tamid at 232-8555. The synagogue is located at 3700 East Mercer Way.

The Christian Scientist Church: A book discussion on “The Reforming Power of the Scriptures,” by Mary Metzger Trammel and William G. Dawley is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8. Everyone is welcome. The Christian Science Reading Room has been relocated to the Christian Science Church at Island Crest Way and S.E. 47th. The room is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mondays, at 11 a.m. Sundays and at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 232-0175 for more information, or e-mail fccsmi@attglobal.net.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Services at 5 p.m. Sundays will be replaced by regular 6:30 p.m. services on Wednesdays. Wednesdays in Lent through March 16, there will be 6 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. vesper service, 7 to 8 p.m. education for all ages. “Lunch bunch” meets at noon for a senior lunch on Feb. 10. Call 232-3270 for more information. The church is located at 8501 S.E. 40th St.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Adult Bible study happens at 7 p.m. Mondays through Feb. 28. Men’s fellowship and prayer meetings are at 9:30 a.m. and women’s fellowship and prayers are at 10 a.m., both every Tuesday; men’s prayer is also at 6:30 a.m. Thursdays. An administrative council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. The church is located at 7070 S.E. 24th St. Call 232-3044 for more information.

Congregation Shevet Achim: For further information or Shabbat dinner reservations, call 206-275-1539, or visit the Web site at www.shevetachim.com. Congregation Shevet Achim is located at 5017 90th Ave. S.E. in Northwest Yeshiva High School.

St. Monica’s Catholic Church: Friday night Lenten soup supper will be at 6 p.m. each Friday during Lent. The suppers will offer hot soup and bread and a Lenten program that ends in time for the stations of the cross. St. Monica youth night will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 for high schoolers; and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 28 for middle schoolers.

Galleries

The Chamber Art Gallery’s new show continues through March 31, featuring paintings by Kevin Curry and Robert Pare. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gallery is located at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St.

Brenda Zager, Barry Riday and Esther Akrish are exhibiting at the Washington Mutual Plaza through March.

Colleen Mohn and Jean Davis will show their paintings at Ana’s Restaurant in February and March.

Wanda Hughes, Jean Jack and Franca Martin are exhibiting their paintings at the Island House through April.

Seattle Art Museum (SAM) will be exhibiting artwork of Mercer Island High School’s Advanced Placement 2-D design class through March 7.