“The Music Man” will be performed by students at West Mercer Elementary. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, and Friday, April 1. Tickets are available at the door. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Bring the whole family and come join the fun.
Friends of the Mercer Island Library first book sale of the year is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2. From 4 to 5 p.m. there will be a close-out special of $1 per bag. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, members only may purchase books before the sale and new members may join at that time. Call 236-3537 for more information.
Island Books storytelling for 3-year-olds and older is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. April 2, Susie Irwin, “A Spring Potpourri;” April 9, Kathy Currie, “Flower Power.”
Ellis Pond restoration party and potluck will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 2, next to the south entrance of the park at 4630 90th Ave. S.E. Check in before you start work. Come for lunch even if you don’t want to join a work party. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert.
Clubs
Mercer Island Preschool Association March events:
? Thistle Theatre’s puppet show of “Baba Yaga and the Bag of Gold” is at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Factoria KidsQuest Children’s Museum. The cost is $7 per person. R.S.V.P. to Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.
? Scrapbook day for moms is from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9. R.S.V.P. to Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.
The Mercer Island Women’s Club luncheon is at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Columbia Tower Club. The speaker will be Michael Monroe, director of the Bellevue Arts Museum. Contact Margie at 232-6434 for more information.
Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Mercer Island Library. Barbara Nickerson, artist of the Pacific Northwest, will demonstrate Sumi painting. The board will meet at 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon is from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The speaker will be King County Sheriff Susan Rahr. The cost is $15 for non-members. Call 232-3404 for reservations.
The Mercer Island Guild of Children’s Hospital will meet at noon Friday, April 15, at the home of Char Savio, 7770 80th Place S.E. Those interested in attending may call Mary Ann at 232-5836.
Open book club is at 7:30 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Island Books. All are welcome to attend. Thursday, March 31, “The Girl Who Played Go” by Shan Sa.
All Island Book Club is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the library. Leader Sandy Eacker will review “Revolutionary Road” by Richard Yates.
The ProBus Club of Mercer Island will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be Eva Coblentz from the Consumer Outreach and Education Coordination Department for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. She will discuss consumer fraud, especially as it is directed at seniors. The public is welcome.
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.
Story time for very young toddlers 16 to 23 months and caregivers is at 11 a.m. through today. Stories, songs, finger plays and fun! Please register.
“Between Past and Future,” new photography and video from China is at 7 p.m. today, at the library. Presented by a staff member of the Seattle Art Museum.
Classes
Gentle Yoga for round bodies and people with aches and pains, is at 10 a.m. Fridays, April 1. For more information call Maureen at Island Yoga 275-4102.
PSAT, SAT and ACT practice tests for high school students will be held: Saturday, April 2, at the University of Washington Tacoma; Sunday, April 3, at Magnuson Park in Seattle; and Saturday, April 23, at Shoreline Library. Pre-registration is recommended. For more information or to register, go to www.kaptest.com/enroll or call 1-800-KAP-TEST.
Foods lecture: Gathering and preparing edible wild mushrooms, fruits, berries and vegetables is from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 4, including a field tour from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Mercer Slough trail. Instructors are Roger and Linda Urbaniak. Call 236-3545 for details. The cost is $20.
Life transitions and your personal finances class is at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the JCC. Seating is limited. Call Vicki Callaghan at 425-451-2322 for reservations.
Forest stewardship training is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Island House, 7810 S.E. 30th Street. There is no cost. Pre-registration is required. Lunch is provided. Call 236-3545 to register for class #4593. Contact Paul West at 236-3544 for more information.
Power Vinyasa Yoga classes are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Sunnybeam School. 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.
AARP free Income tax help for taxpayers with middle and low incomes is from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays through April 8, and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through April 9 at the Mercer Island Library. Call 236-3545 for reservations.
Pilates: Level l is from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., Level 2 is from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through today, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $62.
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.
Eastside stroke group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Bellevue.
Parkinson support group is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Mercer Island Library. Soleil Hepner will speak on “Body, Mind, Yoga Therapy” and Debbie Hanson on “Stretching.”
Family caregivers support group is from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Mercer Island Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th Street. Karin Miller is the support group facilitator. Call 425-688-5637 for more information.
Solemates will walk from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, from the Luther Burbank main parking lot.
Hood Canal getaway is from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. The cost is $60. Call 236-3545 for reservations.
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 Mercer Island Visual Arts league (MIVAL) spring arts show will be held Friday, April 1 through Monday, May 16, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th. The exhibit may be viewed from 8 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to on Sundays. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Light refreshments will be served.
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. A one-woman show with Genny Rees, “Master of Flowers” will run April 5th through June 30th. A grand opening will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14. The gallery is located at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St. Call 232-3404 for information.
Brenda Zager, Barry Riday and Esther Akrish are exhibiting their paintings through March at the Washington Mutual Plaza, 7900 S.E. 28th St.,
Colleen Mohn and Jean Davis will show their paintings through March at Ana’s Restaurant, 2420 76th Ave. S.E.
Wanda Hughes, Jean Jack and Franca Martin are exhibiting their paintings through April, at Island House, 7810 S.E. 30th St.,
JCC
Unless noted, all events take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. For more information, call 232-7115.
Slide show with Herbert Lipman: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31. There is no cost.
Shabbat dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April, at the Stroum JCC in Seattle. R.S.V.P. with payment to 8606 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. The cost is $25 per family.
Stress management for parents is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 6. The cost is $15 per person. Scholarships are available. To register call Marjorie Schnyder at 206-461-3240 ext. 3146 or jfle@jfseattle.org.
Beat the Blues (55+) is at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the JCC auditorium. Sharon Romm, M.D., psychiatrist and therapist will speak about medicines, therapies and exercise.
Baby and family event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. The keynote speaker is Dr. JoAnne Solchany who will speak on “The Social and Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers.” Admission is free.
Food talks will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. April 14, “Power eating: build muscle, boost energy, cut fat;” 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.
“Spring is for Seniors” luncheon is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum will discuss spiritual preparation for Passover. Musical accompaniment will be provided by flutists Linda Bailey and Danijela Djakovic. Please R.S.V.P. The cost is $7 until April 11, $10 after.
Sunday supper for single-parent families is at 5:30 p.m. April 17. A full catered Kosher meal will be provided. Bring Kosher vegetarian side dishes to share. Call 206-861-3146 if you have dietary questions and to R.S.V.P. by Monday, April 10. There is no cost.
A workshop including Jewish elements in your family’s daily life: From Boker Tov to Lilah Tov! From 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17. With Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg of Temple B’nai Torah Parents and all ages are welcome. A donation of $5 is suggested.
Religion
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: There will be no Christian education at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, April 10. Every Thursday there is contemplative prayer from noon to 12:20 p.m. in our library. “The Marriage course” is a seven-week class from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings (including dinner) April 27 (excluding April 11) to June 7. The cost is $90. James Watson’s Thursday Night Bible Study discussing Matthew Chapter 6 is at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Vacation Bible School is from 1 to 3:15 p.m. July 11 to July 15. Registration forms will be available after April 3rd. Bridge ministries is Sunday evenings, April 24. Volunteers are needed. Call Jean Carter at 232-2834 for information. The Civil Rights trip is from Friday, August 5, to Saturday, August 13, including sites such as Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. To register, by April 8, contact Suzzanne Lacey at 232-5596, extension 251. The church is located at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Logos field trip is at 3:45 p.m. today. First Friday dinner and discussion is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, led by Father Sam. Friday April 1 to Sunday April 3 is Women’s retreat at Pilgrim Firs. Logos ends with “Spring has Sprung” family potluck dinner Wednesday, April 6. 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. All are welcome to the community dinner at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $3 per person. Weekly women’s ministry meetings are from 9:15 to 11:30 p.m. Free pre-school and nursery care is available. There will be a youth missions trip fund-raiser beginning at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, April 2. Enjoy a Louisiana kitchen cuisine dinner and a performance by the Island Children’s Choir. The event is free. R.S.V.P. by today. 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. 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. The All-Parish retreat will be held the weekend of April 29 to May 1 at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island. The theme this year is “Creating Sabbath-Finding Rest in Recreation, Enrichment, and Worship.” For more information call Jannie Best at 232-5663. For information on church programs 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: “Men cooking for Shabbat” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings in the HNT kitchen. Materials fee is $65. “When Art Offends: Shylock as Stereotype in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice” is at 7:30 p.m. tonight., with dessert at 7 p.m. Young adult services and Shabbat dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. Open to all young adults in their 20’s and 30’s. Email rabbi.nussbaum@herzl-ner-tamid.org to R.S.V.P. Model Seder for grownups is at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, April 3. Men’s Club-U.S.Y. is at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Feinberg social hall to package and ready for mailing the Yom HaShoah candles. For more information, contact Herzl-Ner Tamid at 232-8555. The synagogue is located at 3700 East Mercer Way.
The Christian Scientist Church: 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. Saturdays have been discontinued. The new regular Wednesday evening schedule features a 6 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. worship, 7 to 8 p.m. education for all ages/outreach projects. 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. The church is located at 7070 S.E. 24th St. Call 232-3044 for more information.
Congregation Shevet Achim: For further information for 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 Catholic Church: The married couples retreat continues after the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday, April 2, in the family center. A-L please bring a main dish, M-Z bring a dessert or side dish. Call 232-9829 for reservations. Spring raffle to benefit the youth ministry programs. Winning tickets will be drawn on Sunday, May 15.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: Redeemer is located at 6001 Island Crest Way. For information call Pastor Bill at 232-1711 or go to the church Web site at RedeemerLutheranChurch.US.
