THIS WEEK

Published 3:15 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Tree chipping

From today through Jan. 6, the City of Mercer Island will be offering its annual holiday tree chipping service. Bring your undecorated Christmas tree during daylight hours to the City’s Maintenance Shop at 9601 S.E. 36th St. (enter on the west side of City Hall), and it will be chipped into mulch for the city’s parks, trails and open spaces. For more information, contact the City Maintenance Department at 236-3613.

Boat safety classes

New legislation requiring boat operators to take a boater safety education course in order to operate a boat in Washington state goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.

An approved boating safety course is offered by the Mercer Island Marine Patrol’s certified instructors. Classes take place over two days for a total of 6 to 8 hours. Location: Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Upcoming dates include: Jan. 9 and 10, between 5 and 9 p.m. Register by contacting Mercer Island Marine Patrol at 236-5309 or by e-mail at keith.mcdonough@mercergov.org. Cost is $15. For more information, go to www.mercergov.org/boatersafety.

Get in the book

The Mercer Island Children’s Hospital Guild directory is still gathering information for the 2008 edition. To add your phone number to the book or to change or correct any information, please call Karin Pangborn at (206) 232-7046.

City meetings this week

Important upcoming meetings include a Planning Commission Meeting at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 2. On Jan. 3, there will be a parks levy stakeholder meeting at 7 p.m. Both meetings are at City Hall. The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on the upcoming levy between 9 a.m. and noon in the board room at the MISD Administration building.

Events

“Riley Girls” dedication ceremony: 11 a.m., Dec. 27, Mercerdale Park. Dedication of Mercerdale bench in honor of the gift shop and the late Gloria Riley, with former employees of the 1980s-era Riley’s Gifts. Rotarians, Chamber members, Gloria’s April Birthday Club, St. Monica’s friends, Parks officials, Bill Riley and others will join in the brief ceremony.

Holiday Tree Chipping: Dec. 26-Jan. 6, offered by the City of Mercer Island. Bring your undecorated, live Christmas tree to the City’s Maintenance Shop, 9601 S.E. 36th St. (enter on City Hall’s west side), and it will be chipped into mulch for the city’s parks, trails, open spaces. City’s Maintenance Dept., (206) 236-3613.

Christmas tree pick-up service: offered by MI Lacrosse Club, Dec. 30, Jan. 5-6. Tree must be at curbside by 9 a.m. Donations accepted; make checks payable to MILC. A portion of proceeds go to MI Youth & Family Services. To make your reservation: milax@comcast.net, 232-0167.

Farmers Market Community Forum: 7 p.m., Jan. 10, MI library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. All citizens are invited to participate in creating the Island market. Callie, 232-8402.

Classes

Grief and the Holidays workshops: Jan. 3, Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Seattle 98109. Free. Ailey Armstrong, (206) 749-7702.

“Secrets of the Successful Landlord”: 6:30-8 p.m., Jan. 9, CCMV, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Christine Kenyon, (206) 275-3779. Register: MI Parks and Recreation, (206) 236-3545.

Boating Safety: 5-9 p.m., Jan. 8-9, Medina City Hall; Jan. 22-23, MI Fire Station 91. MI Marine Patrol’s parks certified instructors. $15. Pre-register: Marine Patrol, (206) 236-5309, keith.mcdonough@mercergov.org. www.mercergov.org/boatersafety.

CPR classes: First Aid and Adult CPR, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Jan. 12; $30, check or cash. CPR (adult, infant, child): 7-9 p.m., Jan. 16; $15, check or cash. Through MI Fire Dept. To sign up: (206) 236-3600.

Clubs

Probus Club meeting: 10:30 a.m., Jan. 2, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: WA Attorney General Rob McKenna. Open to the public. Bob Simonds, probobus@comcast.net.

Second Saturday Stories: 11-11:30 a.m., Jan. 12, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. Margaret Read MacDonald: “Little Rooster Pecks up a Tale.” Ages 3 and up. (206) 232-6920.

Island Baseball Club: Open registration for MI spring boys baseball, now through Jan. 31. MI Pony Baseball sign-ups, ages 13-17. Chris Mead, (206) 963-2572; islandbaseballclub@yahoo.com, http://eteamz.active.com/IslandBaseballClub/index.cfm.

Cellar 46 wine tasting: 2-6 p.m., Saturdays, Mercer Building, 7650 S.E. 27th St., Suite 120. Free. Ryan Allison, (206) 407-3016, www.cellar46.com/events.

MI Directory: If you are new to MI, have moved or changed address/telephone numbers on MI, please let the Mercer Island Telephone Book know for the updated 2008 Book. Non-profit, benefits Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Karin Pangborn, (206) 232-7046; Lynn0308@aol.com.

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.

Adults

Classics on Film: “Notorious,” 1 p.m., Jan. 5. “Shadow of a Doubt”: 1 p.m., Jan. 19. Alfred Hitchcock films; discussion with film historian, Lance Rhoades. Refreshments provided.

Opera Preview: “Pagliacci,” 7 p.m., Jan. 9. Lecture by Norm Hollingshead. Study Zone tutors: share your skills with kids. KCLS is recruiting volunteers.

Children, Families

Toddler Times for Twos: 10 a.m., Tuesdays in January. Ages 2, 3. Registration required.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays in January. Ages 3, 5. Registration required.

Story Times for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 9-30. Ages 12-23 months. Registration required.

Baby Story Time: 10:30 a.m., Jan. 11. Ages 6 to 12 months. Registration required.

Recess Monkeys: Musical Concert for young children, 7 p.m., Jan. 17. Ages 2 and up. Music, dancing.

Parks & Recreation

Call (206) 275-7609 or register online at www.myparksandrecreation.com to receive a catalog of the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department events. All events are held at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St., unless otherwise specified.

Winter Classes

Must register. Call (206) 275-7609.

Hoop, Breathe & Dance: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., begins Jan. 8.

Writing Club: 4-6 p.m., begins Jan. 8, 9. For grades 2-5.

Cooking Class: Winter Hors d’oeuvres, 5-8 p.m., Jan. 8.

FEMME Training, Mothers & Daughters: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 12.

Drop-in preschool: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. $5/hour. 236-3545.

Jazzercise: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Bridge lessons: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. $63/six weeks. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. 236-3545.

Volunteer bus drivers: needed for Island senior transportation. No endorsements necessary. Jeanette, 230-6845.

Parks & Rec. Seniors

Grief and Loss support group: 1 p.m., Jan. 10.

Grocery shopping transportation: Wednesday mornings. Call 236-3456; leave a message by 4 p.m., the day before shopping. $1.

Boys & Girls Club

All events take place at the Boys & Girls Club, 2825 West Mercer Way, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register: (206) 232-4548, www.mipositiveplace.org.

Winter Break Camps: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., through Jan. 2. Ages 5-11. Early supervision available. K-2nd graders: Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo, Winter Fest ice skating, Creation Station crafts, 321 Bounce. 3-5th graders: Museum of Flight, inner-tubing, ice skating. Sign up for one or all days.

Winter Break Teen Camp: for middle-schoolers. Trips to fun places for teens.

“Winter Wonderland”: 10-11:30 a.m., Jan. 7. Stories, crafts by MI Librarian, Margaret Martin. Flannel board, finger plays, songs. Share the wonders of snow. Make a snowman with paper, paint, glitter. $2.

Champions (K-3rd grade) Gymnastics class: registration opens Jan. 15. Session 1: 5-5:45 p.m., March 5-April 30. $100. My Gym, Bellevue. Introduces physical skill, cooperative group activities. Effort, diligence, spirit of camaraderie, fair play and teamwork emphasized.

Baseball/softball: registration open now through Jan. 18. Late registration opens Jan. 19. $25 late fee. Limited space. Boys and girls, ages 5-12. Season: March to mid-June, not including All-Stars. T-Ball, $90; Sluggers, Minors, $90; Rookies, $115; Softball, Player Pitch, $135; plus current annual membership, $30.

MI Judo Dojo: practices 6:15-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Instructor: Harold Yamada. Sign up: ongoing. Evergreen State Open Judo Tournament at Boys & Girls Club: April 5, 2008, free.

Preschool Rainy Day Gym: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays through May 1, 2008. Indoor playground for toddlers, preschoolers. $3 per visit.

Special preschool events: January through March.

Religion

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Sunday worship, 10:30 a.m., nursery care provided. Children’s Sunday School during worship. Adult Education: 9 a.m., Sundays. Bible Studies: 7:45 p.m., Wednesdays; 6:15 p.m., Thursdays. 4545 Island Crest Way, (206) 232-7800, office@ucc-ccmi.net, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Congregation Shevet Achim: morning minyan, 6:45 a.m., Monday, Thursday; 6:55 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Shabbat services: 9 a.m. between Sukkot, Pesach; 9:30 a.m. between Pesach, Sukkot. Northwest Yeshiva High School sanctuary. President Rich Gilmore, (206) 232-1060.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday services and Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., 10 a.m.; church school, nursery care; children’s choir, 11:30 a.m. Contemporary service: 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist in the chapel. Holy Eucharist, healing service: 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. 232-1572, mail@emmanuelmi.org.

First Church of Christ, Scientist: services and Sunday School, 10 a.m. S.E. 47th & Island Crest Way. Wednesday meetings: 7:30 p.m. Childcare available. Reading Room: open weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7605 S.E. 27th St. 232-0175, fccsmi@hotmail.com.

First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church: Christian Education, 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:40 a.m., Sundays, Fireside Room. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595.

Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: services, 6 p.m., Fridays and 9:15 a.m., Saturdays. Daily Minyan: 7 a.m. Minyan at 9 a.m. on Sundays, secular holidays. Pre-Neg: 5:30 p.m., Fridays. 3700 E. Mercer Way. (206) 232-8555, www.h-nt.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship schedule, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. (childcare available). Sunday School/education hour: 9 a.m. 8501 S.E. 40th St. (206) 232-3270. www.htlcmi.org.

Latter Day Saints Mormon Church: Sacrament meeting, 9 a.m. Sunday School: 10:10 a.m. Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women: 11:10 a.m. 4001 Island Crest Way. 236-2957.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: worship services, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., Sundays. Sunday School for all ages: 9:45 a.m. Regularly scheduled meetings are breaking for the holiday season. Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 a.m., Saturdays. One service at 10 a.m.: Dec. 30. Friday Fun Night for kids: New Year’s Party, 7-9 p.m., Jan. 4, for first-fifth graders. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1015, ext. 100, www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: one worship service at 10 a.m., Dec. 30, in the sanctuary. Kindermusik registration: Haley Montoya, (206) 325-1233, adovesong@gmail.com. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Sunday School, 10 a.m. Sunday worship: 11 a.m. Childcare available. All are welcome. 7070 S.E. 24th St. (206) 232-3044.

New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 9 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). Prayer & Revival Service: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 4. Winter Apparel Drive: through Jan. 26, accepting donations of socks, scarves, pants, sweats, gloves, blankets; items must be new or used in good condition. Register for Truth Project class: Jan. 11-12, PJ Hancock, (206) 275-1042. A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. (206) 275-1042 ext. 3, www.newhic.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: worship and kids’ services, 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study: 11 a.m. All are welcome. The church is handicapped accessible. Worship is uplifting, joyful. 6001 Island Crest Way. Pastor Bill Clements, (206) 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranchurch.us.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Are you interested about the Catholic faith? You are invited to join St. Monica Catholic Church’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation Adults) program, an ancient church process to enable anyone to learn about and participate in the Roman Catholic faith. All are welcome. The class meets 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays, St. Monica School Library, 4320 87th Ave. S.E.; Dan Stevenson, 232-9829. Childcare provided. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-2900.