Calendar

Events; Library; Organizations; Classes ; Parks & Rec; Seniors; JCC; Meetings; Galleries

Events; Library; Organizations; Classes ; Parks & Rec; Seniors; JCC; Meetings; Galleries

Events

MIHS Marching Band Benefit, An Evening of music at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the MIHS auditorium. With Allen Vizzutti in concert joined by the MIHS wind ensemble and jazz band. A fundraising event in support of the MIHS band’s 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade performance. Tickets are $50 for reserved patron seating and parking, $20 for adult festival seating and $10 for student festival seating. For reservations, call 275-1919.

Mercer Island Parent ADD support group is 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Islander Middle School library. Call Michelle King at 232-3152 for more information.

Community forum hosted by the Mercer Island School District Board of Directors is from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, in the Islander Middle School multi-purpose room. The purpose is to gather community input on the board’s draft of desirable, measurable student outcomes in academic achievement, personal development and citizenship. Baby-sitting is available. Contact Nanette Marrah at 236-3300, for more information.

Tsunami relief donations will be accepted by all QFC stores, on and off the Island, and forwarded directly to the Red Cross for international relief efforts in southern Asia and eastern Africa.

Storytelling at Island Books is at 11 a.m. Saturdays: Jan. 22, Phyllis Sylling, “Warm Stories for Cold Days;” Jan. 29, Eva Abram, “Stories Here and There;” Feb. 5, Karen Haas, “Flights of Fancy;” Feb. 19, Kathy Currie, “Let it Snow;” Feb. 26, Farida Dowler, “A World Full of Tales.”

MIHS cheerleaders cheer clinic for kindergartners to fifth-graders is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the MIHS gym. Little cheerleaders will perform at the Mercer Island vs Mount Si boys’ basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28. For registration, contact Arlene Naganawa at 725-1018, 230-6119 or arelene_naganawa@msn.com

Calling all artists. Lakeridge Elementary School is searching for an artist to design and build a public art installation with students for the school’s butterfly garden in conjunction with teaching an art class. The project is a collaboration between the Lakeridge PTA and the “Art’s Cool” organization. Interested artists may contact parent volunteer David Kelly-Hedrick at 275-4508 or hedsy@earthlink.net . Deadline for applying is Jan. 20.

Youth Theatre Northwest Cabaret fundraiser is at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Youth Theatre Northwest’s Second Stage. It’s an evening of musical theater songs entitled “Love Changes Everything,” directed by Mimi Katano and students Michael Holtzman, Casey York and Amy Berrryman. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults.

“Charlotte’s Web” will run at 7 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and 11 with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and 12 and Sundays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and 13, at Youth Theatre Northwest mainstage. The cast consists of 31 7- to 15-year-old actors. Tickets are $15 for opening night and $11 for regular reserved seats. For tickets, call 232-1145, ext. 109. Youth Theatre Northwest is located at 8805 S.E. 40th St.

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.

Very young toddler time for 16- to 23-month-olds, is at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, to Jan. 26. Call to register.

Toddler time for 2- to 3-year-olds and caregiver, is at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, to Feb. 22. Call to register.

Preschool story time for 3- to 5-year-olds is at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, to Feb. 22. Call to register.

Free math tutoring for teens is from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays. A tutor will be available for half-hour sessions. Registration is required.

Organizations

Mercer Island Preschool Association www.mipreschoolassociation.org

  • Monthly coffee social is from 10 a.m. to noon today. Open to moms and young children. R.S.V.P. to Mary at 232-3959.
  • Trip to Soundbridge for 30 minutes of music and storytelling at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Benaroya Hall. Call Erinann at 232-9662, for transportation information.
  • An evening with Eric Ode and his winter time program is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at the M.I. Library. PJ’s encouraged.
  • Preschool fair is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 29, at Island Park Elementary. Donations requested of one or more jars of baby food for the Eastside Baby Center. Call Jennell at 232-6059 or Jeanne at 275-4515 for more information.

Mercer Island PeaceMakers meet at 7 p.m. today, in the board room of the school district offices at 42nd Avenue and 86th Street. Enter the building through the back (east) doors.

The ProBus Club of Mercer Island will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. The speaker is from the Seattle Crime Lab and will present a review of some of the latest developments in the use of forensics. The public is welcome.

Classes

Country Village Day School open house and fall 2005 kindergarten registration is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at North Mercer Campus, 4030 40th Ave. Call Linda or Danielle at 232-7107 for information.

Parks & Rec

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

Beginning Sumie painting is from noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 20 to March 31, in the Boys & Girls Club board room. The cost is $129.

Basic Italian is from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Mondays Jan. 24 to March 28, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $74.

HotSpot competition for 7 to 14-year-olds is from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Boys & Girls Club gym.

Ballet is from 3 to 4 p.m. for 3- to 4-year-olds, 4 to 5 p.m. for 5- to 6-year-olds and 5 to 6 p.m. for 7- to 9-year-olds Tuesdays, to March 29, in the Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club dance room. The cost is $91.

Doggie academy is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 5 to March 12, at the North Mercer gym. The cost is $91.

Weight loss through hypnosis is from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 10 to 24, at the Boys & Girls Club gym. The cost is $81.

Family Valentine dance for 3 to 10-year-olds is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the VFW. The cost is $16 per child and one guest, $5 each additional guest. Call to register.

Beginning bridge is from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, to Feb. 15, at Covenant Shores. The cost is $53.

Pilates matwork level 1 is from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 16, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $72.

Beginning knitting is from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 24 to Feb. 28, in the Boys & Girls Club board room. The cost is $51.

Creative music and art explorations is from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Jan. 29 through March 12, at West Mercer Elementary school. The cost is $105.

Lil’ Kickers indoor soccer with Arena Sports, at the Boys & Girls Club gym. Days and times vary. Call (866) 885-4881 for registration and more information.

Seniors

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

Solemates is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 19, Feb. 2, 9 and 16. Meet at Luther Burbank Park in the main parking lot. Cost is $2 each walk.

Caregiver’s support group is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Mercer Island Library.

Uwajimaya shopping and lunch trip is Monday, Jan. 24. Transportation provided from Luther Burbank north parking lot. Call for reservations.

Upcoming trip: Legislature lunch is from 9:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26. The cost is $56. Lunch is included. Call for reservations.

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. Free shuttle service leaves at 11:45 a.m. from south Luther Burbank parking lot to Covenant Shores and returns. 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.

Winterfest for tiny tots is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. Let your little ones (ages 0-5) play while you visit with other parents. Cost is $15 per family.

Tu B’Shevat community-wide Seder is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the JCC auditorium. Celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the birth of the trees. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, Jan. 19, to Zach Duitch at the JCC. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.

JCC Early Childhood Services open house from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 1. Programs for 3-month-olds through kindergarten featuring Reggio-Emilia inspired curriculum, enrichment classes, gym, swim, music and movement and Judaics. Call Peter Blair at ext. 265.

Parent’s night out is from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Enjoy a night on the town while your 4- to 11-year-olds swim, do art projects and watch a movie under supervision of JCC staff. The cost is $20 for first child and $15 per sibling. Call Zach Duitch for pre-registration.

Parent and tot Shabbat happens from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. every Friday at the JCC, for children up to age three. Enjoy challah, live music, singing and dancing. Contact Carla Hershman at 232-7115, ext. 304, for more information.

Free cooking demonstration is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2. Learn to make favorite Jewish specialties. Peter Glick, owner of Roxy’s Deli, will demonstrate cheese-filled pierogi, latkes and blintzes. Bagels, cream cheese and lox available for snacks. R.S.V.P. to Roni Antebi at ext. 269.

“How to date like you are the best” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the JCC auditorium. Dr. Sharon Romm, psychiatrist and author, will be the speaker.

Baby sign language is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. Learn words your six-month-old can learn to sign. The cost is $15 per family. Contact Carla Hershman at ext. 304 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 ($40 annual fee). Contact Nicci Burrell at ext. 242 for dates. Before and after camp care is available.

Meetings

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 backup emergency communications for the Mercer Island Public Safety Department. For information, call Bill Ellis at 232-4881.

Galleries

Paintings by Ariela Blechner, are on exhibit through Thursday, March 17, at Cafe Kineret at the JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Portraiture, master-copy originals and commissioned works are displayed.

The Chamber Art Gallery’s new show continues through March 31, featuring a display of 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.

Religion

St. Monica Catholic Church: Don’t miss the all-parish luau after the 5 p.m. mass on Saturday, Jan. 22. Contact the church at 232-2900 for more information. The church is located at 4301 88th Ave. S.E.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: A new high school program, called “The Well,” meets at Paul and Devon Barrett’s home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday nights. Registration for MIPC preschool is still in progress. For more information, call Molly van der Burch at 232-5596, ext. 250. MIPC preschool’s open house is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 5. Winter Alpha course is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. beginning Jan. 25 and runs through April 19, Tuesdays, and includes dinner. For more information, call 232-5595. The church is located at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: LOGOs resumes from 3:45 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Ballroom dance class is from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23. For more information, call 232-7800. The church is located at 4545 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Women’s ministry meetings will continue to be Thursdays from 9:15 am. to 11:30 a.m., with free childcare available. The winter session explores various topics via video and guest speakers. A newcomers lunch takes place on Jan. 23; please call the church to R.S.V.P. Community dinners, Kid’s club and Alpha classes resume today. Childcare is available. Calling all men for the men’s retreat at Warm Beach Conference Center from Feb. 11 through 13. For more information or for a registration form, call 232-1015. Covenant Church is located at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.

Emmanuel Episcopal Registration for Emmanuel Day School begins Feb. 14, for EDS and Emmanuel Church families. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, registration opens to the public. The Rev. “Nedi” Rivera will be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. on Jan. 22, at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. The annual church meeting is rescheduled for Sunday, Feb. 13, following the 9 a.m. service. 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: Dinner and dancing fundraiser entitled “Cafe Buenos Aires” is from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Tango lessons are available throughout January. For more information, contact Herzl-Ner Tamid at 232-8555. The synagogue is located at 3700 East Mercer Way.

The Christian Science Reading Room has been relocated to the Christian Science Church at Island Crest Way and S.E. 47th Street. The room is open to the public on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sundays at 11 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. Call 232-0175 for more information or e-mail fccsmi@attglobal.net

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: The semi-annual congregational meeting takes place Sunday, Feb. 6. Church youth will have a dinner at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, and then assemble care packages for college students. Call 232-3270, for more information. The church is located at 8501 S.E. 40th St.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Teleios Mens’ group meets from 9 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday this month. Following worship on Jan. 19, is a pass-it-on meal, with all proceeds going to Peace with Justice efforts. The church is located at 7070 S.E. 24th St. Call 232-3044 for more information.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: Singer/songwriter Dave Irish performs at the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Jan. 23. Bible teacher and evangelist Don Lee is the guest teacher on Jan. 23, 30 and Feb. 6. For more information, contact the church at 232-1711, or e-mail Pastor Bill Clements at pastor@redeemerlutheranchurch.us The church is located at 6001 Island Crest Way.

Please send calendar items to joan.allen@mi-reporter.com by the Wednesday before the desired publication date. Items run on a space-available basis only.