Circus! Circus! Circus! is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Mercer Island High School. Free entry to all. Games and other tickets are 50 cents. Sponsored by the Mercer Island Preschool Association.

Car and dog wash fifth-grade fundraiser is from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Island Park Elementary parking lot.

Work party to remove ivy and invasive plants from trees will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, by Friends of Luther Burbank Park. Meet on 84th Avenue and 32nd Street. You can park on 84th Avenue. Wear sturdy shoes. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please register and sign in. Consider joining Friends of Luther Burbank Park. The annual membership is $10. Checks should be made out to Friends of Luther Burbank and mailed to P.O. Box 552, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

Island Books storytelling for 3-year-olds and older is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays: April 30, Ria Potter, “April Showers, May Flowers and Lots of Songs.”

Ivy Olympics 2005! is from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7. Meet at Island Park Elementary School, 5437 Island Crest Way, for registration. There will a shuttle service to the work party at S.E. 53rd Open Space. Wear appropriate clothing. Work gloves will be provided for participants. To compete, organize a team of five or more and register by calling Paul West at 236-3544 or paul.west@ci.mercer-island.wa.us. Sponsored by City of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department and EarthCorps.

Clubs

Mercer Island Preschool Association April events:

? Storybook Theater will show “Beauty and the Beast” at 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Thursday, April 21. The cost is $6 per person. R.S.V.P. to Erinann 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.

Psychotherapist Cherie Valeithian, Ph.D., will discuss “Parenting Adolescents with AD/HD: Joys and Challenges.” The group meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month at the north fire station.

The Mercer Island Women’s Club new members potluck luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 22. Any women new to the island or interested in joining the club are welcome. Call Mikie at 275-2377 for information and directions.

Sons of Norway will meet Tuesday, April 26, at the Mercer Island United Methodist Church, 7070 S.E. 24th St.. A potluck is at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. Dr. Gene Nystrom will discuss a famous rune stone found in a Minnesota field in 1890. Please R.S.V.P. to Sue Ogilvie at 232-6804. Sons of Norway meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Island Books open book club meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Island Books store. “Waxwings,” by Jonathan Raban will be reviewed. All are welcome to attend.

Mercer Island Radio Operators meets at 7 p.m. every third Thursday of the month at the north-end fire station. It is a volunteer organization that provides backup 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.

Film presentation is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday: April 24, “Macbeth,” starring Judith Dench and Ian McKellan. Complimentary popcorn and sodas.

Scene study with Wooden O Theatre Productions is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays April 26. Step into the play in roles of witches, clowns, ghosts, lovers and kings. Artistic staff from Wooden O will lead discussions and present artistic concepts for this summer season of plays at Luther Burbank Park amphitheater in July. Acting experience not required.

Very young toddler story time for ages 12- to 24-months is at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, today.

Special preschool program for 2- to 5 year-olds is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, puppet show, “Monkey and the Crocodile” and other Trickster Tales.”

SCORE counseling from business owners. Call to make an appointment for Thursday, April 21.

Rhyme Time! is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3. Presented by Nancy Stewart, a musical celebration of poetry, song, dance and play with words that rhyme.

“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.

Talk Time English conversation class is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For adults of all languages. Improve your English conversation skills and meet new friends.

Classes

“Coping with adolescent stress and depression” seminar for parents is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday April 20, at the Mercer Island Library. Presented by Sue Eastgard, executive director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State.

Boys & Girls Club

Register early for all of the summer camps. Register online at www.mipositiveplace.org for AM/PM Pals, Dance camps, Teen and Adventure travel camps, Summer Scene day camps, and Skyhawk Sports camps.

AM/PM Pals for children in full-day kindergarten through fifth grade is from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Staff members accompany your child to and from the school bus to the three public elementary schools, prepare nutritious snacks, plan arts and craft activities, assist children with homework, play large-group games in the gym or outside, and supervise free play with Legos, board games, computer time and more. Register online or call Sue at 232-4548.

Knowledge Points Tutoring Center: for children who could use extra support in reading, math or study skills. Call Laurie Bowles, director of learning at 232-4548, extension 107. Free diagnostic testing through April.

Dance classes: register now for preschoolers: 5- and 6-year-olds and 7- to 9 year-olds. Classes will run Thursdays to June 9. The fee is $81.

? Pre-ballet for 3- and 4-year-olds is from 3 to 4 p.m.

? Ballet/Jazz for 5- and 6-year-olds is from 4 to 5 p.m.

? Ballet/Jazz for 7- to 9-year-olds is from 5 to 6 p.m.

Judo program for all ages is from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Taught by Harold Yamada. The cost is $30 per month. Call 232-4548 to register.

Late Night for grades six through 12 from 7 to 11 p.m. every Saturday beginning Thursday, Sept. 15. Come by for full-court basketball, movies, video games, music and pizza. The cost is $3. Open to everyone. Membership required.

Parks & Rec

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

Rise and shine fitness boot camp is from 6 to 7 a.m. Mondays and Fridays May 2 through May 27, at the North Mercer gym/high school track. Instructed by Joseph Raineri. The cost is $150.

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.

“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

Gertrude Hollis and Brenda Zager will be showing through May at Ana’s Restaurant, 2420 S.E. 76th Ave. S.E. At the Washington Mutual Building, 7900 S.E. 28th St., Seiko Konya, Cissy Gray and Colleen Mohn will be showing through June.

The Chamber Art Gallery’s one-woman show with Genny Rees, “Master of Flowers,” will run through June 30. The gallery is located at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St. Call 232-3404 for information.

JCC

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

Photography art shows: “Natural Light Portraiture” photographs by John Barlas will be on display during April; “Traveling man” photography art show by Leonard DeFranchesco runs through May 12. Contact Shlomit Weil-Piechenick, curator, at 425-417-7609 for more information.

JCC community-wide Passover Seder is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Led by Barry J. Sohn, JCC executive director. A Glatt kosher meal will be provided by Nosh Away catering. Prepayment must be received by Friday, April 15. Call Roni Antebi at ext. 269 or email seder@sjcc.org.

Religion

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Midweek adult ministries classes continue: Monday Mornings Bible Study for Women is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room, studying the lectionary passage to be preached on the following Sunday. Call Marilyn Handeland, 232-4129, for more information. Every Thursday there is contemplative prayer from noon to 12:20 p.m. in our library. Bridge Ministries celebration is returning to MIPC from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday evening April 24. “The Marriage Course” class is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays April 27 to June 7 (excluding April 11). The cost is $90 and includes dinner. 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 15th. Volunteers are needed. To register call the church. Call Jean Carter for more information. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: CCMI College of Liberal Arts presents Feng Shui 101 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Taught by Colleen McGough. First Friday dinner and discussion is at 6:30 p.m., May 6. For more information, call 232-7800. The church is at 4545 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Chuck and Barb Snyder will host a marriage seminar from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the church. The cost is $15 per couple. Ladies are invited to the Women’s Scrapbook at 6 p.m. Friday, April 29. Bring your own basic supplies, album, photos, adhesive. The church is 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 the weekend of April 29 to May 1 at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island. 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 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. For more information, contact Herzl-Ner Tamid at 232-8555. The synagogue is at 3700 East Mercer Way.

First Church of Christ, Scientist 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 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: Wednesday night is Family Night with dinner at 6 p.m., worship at 6:30 p.m. and education and projects for all ages at 7:15 p.m. Nursery care is available from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Space is limited for our next El Milagro Mission trip. Sign up now to be part of the July 9-17 work party by calling Pastor Constance at 232-3270. Holy Trinity is hosting an exhibit by artists of the Mercer Island Visual Arts League through May 16. At 9 a.m. Sundays, April 17, 24 and May 8. Paul A. Anderson from Lutheran Counseling Network will address the key elements necessary for creating viable and long-term relationships in a three-part class as identified in the extensive research in the book “Building a Strong House of Marriage” by John Gottman, Ph.D. The church is 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. The church is 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 at 5017 90th Ave. S.E. in Northwest Yeshiva High School.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Day of Recollection is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Monica’s school library. Lunch will be provided. Call 232-9829. Spring women’s retreat at Mt. Angel in Oregon is April 22-24. The theme is “The Eucharist.” Call Donna at 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 at 6001 Island Crest Way. For information call Pastor Bill at 232-1711 or go to the website RedeemerLutheranChurch.US