Events

Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the North Fire Station and Mercerdale Park, 3030 78th Ave. S.E.

Mercer Island Artists Studio Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4620 88th S.E. Work by artists: Chris Cocklin-Ray, Crysta Marie Colebourn, Susanne Foster, Savannah Ray and Ronna Weltman. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. No cost to attend.

Redeemer Lutheran’s “Mostly Live” drive-through Nativity is from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at, 6001 Island Crest Way. Children dressed as wise men, shepherds, angels, animals and the Holy Family will populate the scene. All proceeds from donations will benefit Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. Call Pastor Clements at 232-1711 if you would like your children to participate.

Community-wide Hanukkah Celebration is from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Activities for the entire family. Free and open to everyone. Call Roni Antebi at ext. 269 for more information.

Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale schedule is: from 1 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, to Dec. 20, or until supply lasts, at Farmers Life Insurance Company, 3003 S.E. 77th Ave. To volunteer, call Celia Meredith at 236-3075 or Dave Hatch at 232-2715.

Book Night at Island Books is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight at 3014 78th St. S.E. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Senior Foundation of Mercer Island. Call Martha at 232-1844 for more information.

The Mercer Island Players will hold auditions for “The Subject Was Roses,” by Frank D. Gilroy from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2, with callbacks Monday, Dec. 5, at Islander Middle School, 8225 S.E. 72nd St.

The Island Children’s Choir will be performing its annual holiday concert “Yule Be Swingin”’ at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Mercer Island High School theater. The show includes classical pieces, choral highlights from “The Polar Express,” performed with the Prep choir and a medley of familiar Christmas tunes with 85 Santa-clad boys and girls singing and dancing. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. For further information contact Marsha Woerner at 232-8007.

Community Center Grand Opening Celebration is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Thonon Les Bains (Mercer Island’s sister city) art exhibit, entertainment, refreshments, recreation class demos, Hot Spot basketball and more. The center is located at 8236 S.E. 24th St.

The Mercer Island Directory is updating the directory for the year 2006. Call Karin at 232-7046 or LaVerne at 232-0762 before Friday, Dec. 23, with changes or additions. Proceeds from book sales go to Children’s Hospital in Seattle.

Pilates Holiday Open House is from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7434 S.E. 27th St. (next to The Islander.) Guests are encouraged to bring food donations for Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. No cost.

Mercer Island Republican Women will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 12 at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St., for leadership training. RSVP to Virginia Hale by Dec. 5 at (206) 930-1564.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed at Mercer Island Youth & Family Services, 2040 84th Ave. S.E. For more information, you can e-mail Janis Honkawa at Janis.Honkawa@ci.mercer-island.wa.us or call 236-3515.

Clubs

Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon is from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th St. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will be the speaker. Call 232-3404 for reservations.

Mercer Island Preschool Association events:

? “Holidoors” is from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Covenant Shores, and from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8, at Ellsworth House, 2720 76th Ave. S.E. Bring the holidays to the doors of senior citizens. Contact Erinann at 232-9662 or Leslie at 275-2811 for transportation information.

? General membership meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at 7855 S.E. 62nd St.

? Musical storytelling is at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Soundbridge at Benaroya Hall, 800 University Street, Seattle. No cost. Register with Kristine at 709-8343.

The ProBus Club will hold its holiday luncheon at noon Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Covenant Shores. Shuttle buses will leave from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. from the Presbyterian Church, at 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Members’ reservations must be made by today.

Mercer Island Women’s Club events:

? Women’s Night Out is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at The Islander, 7440 S.E. 27th St. Newcomers and women interested in joining the club are invited. R.S.V.P. to Lynn Beaufrere at 236-6301 or e-mail lynnbeaufrere@comcast.net.

? Holiday bazaar and luncheon is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Glendale Country Club, 13440 Main Street, Bellevue. Holiday gifts, goodie baskets, special activities, cooking classes and more. Proceeds provide support to local charitable organizations. Call JoAnne Jones at 232-3903 by Monday, Dec. 5, for reservations.

Family Caregivers Support Group will meet from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Mercer Island Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th St. For all individuals who care for and about an aging family member. No cost. No registration required. Call 425-688-5637 for more information.

Boy Scout Troop 624 is accepting new members. Boys 11 to 18 can join by attending a meeting at 7 p.m. Mondays at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Call Jon at 230-5640 for information.

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.

All Island Book Discussion: “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.

All Island Classics on Film: will show “”One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

SCORE Counseling for business owners is at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. every third Thursday.

Boys & Girls Club

Unless noted, all events take place at the Boys & Girls Club, 2825 West Mercer Way. Register online at www.mipositiveplace.org or call 232-4548.

Judo Program for 6- to 15-year-olds is from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $35 per month. Call to register.

Parks & Rec

The following programs are run by the Parks & Recreation Department. Call 236-3545, or register online at www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Bridge is at Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive. Intermediate is from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, to Dec. 5; beginning is from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, to Dec. 6. The cost is $61 for the series.

Yoga Hatha Style is from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Thursdays, to Dec. 8, at the Boys & Girls Club dance room. The cost is $80 for a full series of classes.

Seniors

Caregivers Support Group is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E.

Eastside Stroke Group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 2650 148th S.E., Bellevue.

Parkinson Support Group is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Terry Schuyler, director of Club 24 will speak on “Home Care 101.”

Solemates will walk from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Meet at Luther Burbank main parking lot. The cost is $2.

Trip to Leavenworth As You Like It, from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. The cost is $50. Registration required. Call 236-3545 to register. Meet at Luther Burbank main parking lot.

HotSpot Basketball Competition for 7- to 14-year-olds is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Community Center at Mercer View Gym, 8236 S.E. 24th St.

Senior Lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Take the bus from the Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St. to Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive. The cost is $4.45 per person. Call for reservations.

Senior Men’s Tennis players needed. From 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Seattle Tennis Center. Call Al Skinner at 232-3450 for more information and to join.

JCC

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

Israeli Dancing is from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays, to Dec. 6. All ages are welcome. Dance instructor is Cindy Droker. The cost is $7 per class.

Parent’s Night Out is from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Children 4 to 11 years old will enjoy games, swimming, movies and plenty of food. The cost is $20 for the first child and $15 per sibling. Call ext. 242 to register.

Art Show: The Painted Lady opening reception is from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, in the fitness wing. Sandra Glazer Lake and Ellen Borison are the artists. Show ends Thursday, Jan. 12. No cost.

“Life From The Inside Out: The Jewish Guide to Wisdom, Power, Fame and Honor,” a lecture series presented by Techiya Levine of AishSeattle, is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The fourth in the series, “Communication Concoction: How to Have a Meeting of the Minds” is Tuesday, Dec. 13. No cost. Contact Roni Antebi at ext. 269.

Live Jazz at Lunchtime for seniors is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, in the auditorium. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy jazz pianist Richard Dean. The cost is $1 for refreshments. Underwritten by Sunrise Assisted Living of Mercer Island.

Galleries

Cynthia Nuzzi, Brenda Zager and Colleen Mohn will exhibit their artwork through January at The French Market Cafe, 7525 S.E. 24th St.

The Mercer Island Visual Arts League Holiday Show is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, through Dec. 29, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th St. Paintings, sculpture, cards and jewelry created by local artists will be sold.

The Chamber Art Gallery’s mixed-media holiday art show runs through Jan. 6 at 7613 S.E. 27th St.

Religion

Redeemer Lutheran Church: For information call Pastor Bill at 232-1711 or e-mail Redeemerlutheranchurch.us. The church is at 6001 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: MIPC Children’s Choir Chime Magic class for first to third grades is from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays. Call Cheryl Storey at 232-5596, ext. 211, for more information. Annual Advent luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Worship service and Sunday school are at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Communion service is the first Sunday of the month. Middle school youth meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Bible study classes are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and at 10 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. Thursdays. Decorate for Christmas after worship Sunday, Dec. 4. The church is at 4545 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Sunday services are at 9 and 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Adult and children’s Sunday schools are at 9 a.m. Pastor Greg will begin his Advent sermon series, “From Humbug to Hallelujah,” at morning services. The high school youth group meets at 4:45 p.m. Sundays. Middle school youth meet at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Community dinners are at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Women’s Oasis is at 9:15 a.m. Thursdays. All children are invited to the children’s Christmas craft workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. For more information, call 232-1015, ext. 100. The church is at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.

Christian Science Church: The Christian Science Reading Room is at the Christian Science Church at Island Crest Way and S.E. 47th Street. The room is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mondays. Call 232-0175 for more information, or e-mail fccsmi@attglobal.net.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday service, Rite I, is at 8 a.m. Rite II, with choir and church school, is at 10 a.m. Children’s Choir is at 11:30 a.m. The church is at S.E. 44th Street and 86th Avenue S.E.

Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: “Coming of Age in the 60s: A Critical Turning Point in our History,” a conversation with Dr. Michael Spektor as moderator, is at 7:30 p.m. today. Help us help the victims of Hurricane Katrina by sending a check made out to Herzl-Ner Tamid and earmarked “Hurricane Relief.” For more information, call 232-8555. The synagogue is at 3700 East Mercer Way.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship services are at 8 a.m. in the chapel and at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. Education hour is at 9 a.m. Dinner service is at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, followed by Bible studies and outreach projects. The church is at 8501 S.E. 40th St.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Christian education is at 9:45 a.m. Sunday and worship is at 11 a.m. First Sundays are “Shine Sundays” until February. Bring shoes and the Costa Rica Travelers will polish them for $2 per pair. They will be ready for pickup after worship. The church is at 7070 S.E. 24th St.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Friends of the Needy will help serve and deliver food to downtown shelters from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Meet in the church kitchen. Join the St. Monica youth choir for the 6 p.m. Mass. Vocals, piano, flute, violin, and bass needed. For information, contact the youth minister at 232-9829 or at sage@stmonica.cc. The church is at 4301 88th Ave. S.E.