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

Events

Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Mercer Island VFW Hall. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Non-smoking and family-friendly. Free to children under 12 with accompanying adult. Zydeco dance lesson at 5 p.m.

Mercer Island Classics on Film is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Mercer Island library. Showing “The Irish R.M.” (Episodes I and II). A dramatic comedy about a retired English army officer who is appointed resident magistrate for the West of Ireland in 1897, the days before Irish independence. Sponsored by the Mercer Island Arts Council and the Mercer Island Library. No cost. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation’s second annual community business fund-raising breakfast is at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at MIHS. The host is Dave Ross; the keynote speaker is Bob Watt, vice president of Government and Community Relations for The Boeing Co.

Island Books Storytelling is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. March 5, Debbie Deutsch, “Goodbye Winter!;” March 12, Pat Peterson, “Springing into Stories;” March 19, Charlie Williams, “Noisy Tales!;” March 26, Naomi Battuck with Bea and Elly, “One Size Fits All.”

DIRE — Disaster Incident Response Event is from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the north-end fire station. The instructor is JoAnn Jordan. Call Dee Totten at 236-3576 to register. No cost.

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, 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

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Mercer Island Library. Tiz Hubert, a Puget Sound artist, will demonstrate her multimedia approach to painting, which she calls “Painting with an Attitude.” The board will meet at 11 a.m. All are welcome.

Mercer Island Preschool Association March events:

* Thistle Theatre’s Puppet Show of “The Magic Teakettle” is at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Factoria KidsQuest Children’s Museum. The cost is $7 per person. Limit 40. Call Erinann at 232-9662 for reservations or e-mail erinann.childress@verizon.net.

* Library event is at 7 p.m. Monday, March 21. Enjoy a special evening of entertainment by MIHS drama club. Age appropriate; pajamas encouraged.

* Soundbridge Storytelling is at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 22. Enjoy “My Little Piano” with Bryan. No cost with MIPA. Children get to play cello, piano, drums and more. R.S.V.P. to Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.

The ProBus Club of Mercer Island will meet at 10:30 a.m. today 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 Chamber of Commerce luncheon is from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Cyndy Simms, Mercer Island School District superintendent, will speak about how the district is doing with the No Child Left Behind Act. Call 232-3404 for reservations.

The Mercer Island Women’s Club will hold its March luncheon at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Seattle Yacht Club. Molbaks nursery will present a program on container garden design. Call Bobbie at 232-0603 by March 7, for information or reservations. New members are welcome.

Open book club is at 7:30 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Island Books. All are welcome to attend. March 31, “The Girl Who Played Go” by Shan Sa.

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.

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 paperback 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.

“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

Natural eating, non-dieting weight management skills is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Island House Retirement Center. Facilitated by Susan A. Casserd, CPC. R.S.V.P. to 230-4117 or 425-941-8588, susiearts@earthlink.net or just drop by.

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.

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: Wednesday through March 30, 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 31, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $59.

“Dementia, What is it?” is from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 10, at the north-end fire station. The cost is $3.

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

Retirement asset management is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the north-end fire station. The cost is $3.

“Investing tips you learned in kindergarten” is from 10 to noon Tuesday, March 22, at the north-end fire station. The cost is $3.

Lunch and Seattle Rep Theatre is from noon to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The cost is $43. Transportation from Luther Burbank park.

Egg hunts, Parks & Rec and Countrywide Mortgage, are Saturday, March 26, for 1- to 6 year-olds at 3 p.m., and flashlight hunt at 8:30 p.m. at Mercerdale Park for 7- to 12 year-olds.

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.

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

Family Caregivers support group is from 3 to 4 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month beginning today, at he Mercer Island Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th St. Call Karin Miller, MSW support group facilitator, at 425-688-5637 for more information.

Senior lunch is at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays in the lodge at Covenant Shores. 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.

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 Island House through April.

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

JCC

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

“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 Services director of counseling services.

Raising boys: A discussion with parents about their sons’ emotional development, is from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. The workshop is led by Andrew Koerner, Jewish Family Services clinical therapist. The cost is $15 per person.

Seattle Jewish Film Festival matinee and lunch for seniors (55+) is at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17, in the JCC auditorium. Reservations are required. Call Julie Mahdavi at 206-622-6315, ext. 4. Limit is 300 people.

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.

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.” Susan Kleiner is the lecturer. 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

Live jazz at lunchtime is at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Richard Dean plays piano. No cost, but a donation of $1 is suggested for refreshments. Bring a brown bag lunch. Underwritten by Sunrise Assisted Living of Mercer Island.

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.

Religion

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Alpha will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 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. James Watson’s night Bible study continues at 7 p.m. Thursdays, in the Fireside room, discussing Matthew 6. Joiners/Seekers Sunday morning series begins from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. 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. “The Marriage Course” a seven-week class is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday evening (including dinner) from March 7 to April 25 (excluding April 11). During Holy Week (March 20-27) MIPC will provide a labyrinth to walk in our Fellowship Hall, a time of prayer and contemplation. 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 that 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. All are welcome to the community dinner at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $3 per person. Kid’s Club, for kindergarten through fifth grade, is at 6:15 p.m., followed by Alpha class at 6:30 p.m. Childcare is available. 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 Church: 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. Sunday services are at 8 a.m. (Rite I) and 10 a.m. (Rite II.) Children’s music program and adult education are at 11:30 a.m. Holy Week schedule: Palm Sunday is at 8 a.m. Eucharist beginning in the Narthex, at 10 a.m. Palm Procession and Eucharist beginning in the Parish Hall; Monday, March 21, at 6 p.m. Eucharist n the Chapel; Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. Eucharist in the chapel. 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: Birthday Shabbat is at 6 p.m. Friday, March 4; “Incredible! A Purim tale” is at 7 p.m. Thursday. “Men cooking for Shabbat” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings in the HNT kitchen. Materials fee is $65. Adult Education is from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays, March 6 to 27: Food for the Body and Soul: Breakfast and torah study “God: A Biography.” 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 St. 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. Call 232-3270 for more information. The church is located at 8501 S.E. 40th St.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: 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 at 6:30 a.m. Thursdays. 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 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. Patrick’s Day dinner dance is from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Reserved seating only; tickets will not be available at the door.