Mercer Island D.A.R.E. spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Islander Middle School, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. Prizes and auction are scheduled. Featuring music by the Lakeridge Elementary Steel Drum Band. Admission is $7 for adults; $3 for children 5- to 12-years-old; free for those under 4 and over 80. Call 232-2836 for tickets, or purchase at the door.
Summer volunteering registration for MI Youth and Family Services two youth volunteer programs begins online Sunday, April 1 at noon. Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) is for high school youth, visit www.mercergov.org/voice for information and to register. Summer Volunteer Program is for youth currently in sixth and seventh grade, visit www.mercergov.org/svp for information and to register.
Community Preparedness Week: Mercer Island Emergency Services have partnered with Communities That Care to present Community Preparedness Week April 22-29. Communities that Care and Mercer Island Emergency Services want you, your family, and our community to be safe and healthy. Please mark your calendar and plan to be part of Community Preparedness Week. A full schedule of events is available on the City’s Web site: www.mercergov.org /News.asp?NewsID=964. For questions regarding this community event, please contact Joy Bueling, City of Mercer Island communications coordinator at (206) 236.7238, joy.bueling@mercergov.org.
Annual Egg Hunt will take place at Mercerdale Park, Saturday, April 7. Plenty of eggs, candy and prizes for everyone, bring a basket. Little Hoppers hunt at 3 p.m. for ages 2 through 6. Flashlight hunt at 8:30 p.m. for ages 7 through 10. Fee is $1 donation per child.
Boy Scout Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser will take place Sunday, April 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Have breakfast with the Boy Scout Troop #457 at Mercer Island Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. A menu of pancakes, sliced ham, fruit salad, juice, coffee and tea is prepared and served by the Boy Scouts themselves. Proceeds benefit Troop members for upcoming summer camp and provide funding to replace worn-out equipment. Tickets are available now from Troop members and they will be selling tickets soon at various locations around the Island. Prices are $15 for a family, $5 for an individual, and $3 for senior citizens.
ADD Resources sponsors a free presentation and discussion on April 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. “AD/HD and Co-existing Conditions (Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, etc.)” with Jack M. Reiter, M.D., child and adult psychiatrist. Presentation will be at the Mercer Island Fire Station located at 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Contact jscarlin@juno.com for additional information or to be added to the ADD Resource Parent Support Group meeting reminder e-mail list. Visit the Web site at www.addresources.org for a schedule.
Island Baseball Club: Colt baseball registration for boys ages 15 through 19 is now open until April 15. Players interested in competitive Pony Baseball after the high-school season should visit the IBC Web site for more information. Registration forms are be available on the IBC web page. If you have questions please e-mail islandbaseballclub@yahoo.com ,or contact Dave MacMillan at 232-7145. The IBC Web page can be found at http://eteamz.active.com/IslandBaseballClub/index.cfm?.
Spring catalogs are now available for the city Parks and Rec. Dept. and the Stroum Jewish Community Center for classes and activities for Islanders of all ages. Go to www.mercergov.org. and www.sjcc.org to find out more.
Mercer Island Thrift Shop needs volunteers of all ages for sorting, pricing and displaying donated items. Training is under way for evening and Saturday cashier and customer service positions. Call Suzanne Philen at 236-3454 for an interview.
Community Yogathon Benefit will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the Community Center at Mercer View. It will include a variety of class styles taught by local instructors. Fees will be donated to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. All levels of experience are welcome, but classes will be taught with the beginner in mind. Please wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat or beach towel, water and a light lunch. For questions, call 236-3525. There is a minimum donation of $20 at the door.
Kindergarten registration continues through April at all elementary schools.
Clubs
Mercer Island Preschool Association Circus is coming. The annual event will be from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Everyone is invited. Admission is free, and tickets for games are $.50 each. Most games cost one ticket. Kids can earn prizes by simply enjoying the games.
Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5. Board members will meet at 11 a.m. Pia Messina, a well-known Mercer Island artist, will show her way of salvaging old watercolor paintings and turning them into contemporary acrylics. Everyone is welcome to attend.
All Island Book Club meets at 7:30 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. March 29, “The World To Come” by Dara Horn; April 26, “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson; May 31, “The Highest Tide” by Jim Lynch.
Mercer Island Preschool Association general membership meetings Wednesday, April 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 7855 S.E. 62nd St. Call 2328479 for more information.
Grief and loss support group is a free support group for senior, adult widowed men and women. Meetings are on the second Thursday of every month, at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Call Betsy Zuber at 236-3525 to register.
Senior Foundation of Mercer Island: Entertainment 2007 books are on sell for $30 each. They are available at: The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7605 S.E. 27th St.; Mercer Island Thrift Shop, 7710 S.E. 34th St.; and Hair It Is!, 7420 S.E. 24th St. Proceeds go to Senior Foundation of Mercer Island. Contact Alanna Burdell at 236-7668 or 232-0997.
Mercer Island Republican Women will meet at 11:30 a.m., the first Monday of each month at: Market House Deli & Catering, 7525 SE 24th St. Island Corporate Center Suite #100. Come for an informative discussion on community affairs and enjoy lunch of your choice. Virginia Hale will provide additional information 930-1564.
Classes/
Schools
Youth Theatre Northwest registration is underway for spring classes for children and teens, ages 3 to 18. Call 232-4145 or go to www.youththeatrenorthwest.org to register online and for more information or to buy tickets for the theatre’s latest production, “Oliver!”
Computer classes are on-going at the Community Center at Mercer View. Learn Tech basics and computer maintenance and security. All donations will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. A $20 donation per class is suggested. Contact 512-825-7549 or crazycrystal@gmail.com to reserve a space.
Little Acorn Sprouts Toddlers program for 1- to 2-year-olds has part-time and full-time openings. Call 232-0940 or e-mail Denisepaquette@msn.com for more information.
Mary Wayte Pool: For schedules and information on upcoming classes and events at the pool see the new City Parks and Recreation Spring Catalog.
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.
Searching the Internet for beginners: Learn to search the library catalog like a pro from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5. Registration required.
Teen Writers Club Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. Share your writing with other teens in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere. Works of all stages are welcome. Meets in the Small Meeting Room. Teens only, please.
Classics on film program will be showing “Easter Parade” on Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
Teen Academic Mentors are available from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. for children in second through eighth grade. Stop by for some casual homework help. High school students are available in nearly every subject.
Teen Zone is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28; 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2; and 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. Ages 10 and up, hang out, do homework, play board games, or just chat.
Teen Advisory Board is at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Voice opinions on materials, services and programs the library should provide for teens. Earn one volunteer credit hour.
Story Time for very young toddlers takes place Wednesday, April 4 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Ages 14-23 months welcome for stories, music and rhymes.
Teen Anime and Manga Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.
SCORE Counseling for business owners is offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and noon the third Thursday of each month. Call to register.
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.
Lego Building for Juniors, Mondays. Fee is $55 for two sessions.
Smart Girls for 8- to 11-year-olds is from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Session 2: March 22, 29, April 5, 19, 26, May 3, 11 and 12, sleep-over. Fee is $35. Session 3: May 17, 24, 31 and June 7 and 14. Fee is $25.
Guitar basics for 11-year-olds and under, from 1 to 1:55 p.m. Saturdays, through May 19. Bring half or three-quarter size acoustic guitar. Books provided. Maximum five students. Fee is $210.
Teen guitar for 12-year-olds and up, from 2 to 2:55 p.m. Saturdays, through May 19. Bring an acoustic guitar and a small amplifier. Books provided. Fee is $230.
Teen Scene after school for middle school students, is from 3 to 6 p.m. Register on line. The cost is $75 per month per person.
Teens: Need a place to hang out on Saturdays? Visit the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is only $3. Open gym, movies, XBOX, Internet, karaoke, and open mic nights. Play foosball, Ping-Pong or pool. Free pizza and soda. Sponsored by Sahara. Call Nate at 232-4548.
Preschool Rainy Day Gym, indoor playground for pre-schoolers accompanied by parents, is from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.
Preschool Messy Arts & Crafts, stuff you won’t do at home is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $5 per session. Call 232-4548 to reserve or drop-in. Limited to 10 parent/child.
Parks & Rec.
Call 236-3545, or register online at www.myparksandrecreation.com to receive a catalog of the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department events.
All events are held at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St. unless otherwise specified.
Sogetsu school of Ikebana Japanese flower arrangement classes are at 10 a.m. every Friday beginning March 23. Contact Shirley at (425) 558-0889.
Bridge lessons are at 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $63 for 6 weeks. The instructor is Aidee Pokroy. Call 236-3545 for more information.
Seniors
Tulip Festival is Friday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Transportation provided from CCMV parking lot to the 24th Annual Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley. Experience tulips, daffodils and irises at the Roozengaarde Gardens and gift shop, then lunch and shopping in La Conner (lunch is not provided). Fee is $14. Call 236-3545 to register.
Niner’s 9-hole senior golf program, Mondays April 2 through Oct. 22. Call 236-3545 to register.
Solemates: Four miles of walk and talk followed by a stop at a coffee shop. From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays. Meet in the lobby at the CCMV. The fee is $2 per person, per walk.
Grocery shopping transportation: Pick up every Wednesday at your home, take you to one grocery store and a quick errand on the Island. Will carry your groceries into the house. Call 236-3456 and leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before shopping. The cost is $1 round trip.
Senior Adult Newsletter mailing list. Contact 236-3545 if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
Senior lunch program is Tuesdays and Thursdays. Served in the Covenant Shores dining room. Transportation provided from CCMV. Call us if you need a ride from home. Call 236-6845 to register. The cost is $4.25.
JCC
Unless noted, all events take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. For more information, call 232-7115.
Sunday matinee movies: are from 2 to 4 p.m. Call extension 269 for information. Preregistration is required.
Mah Jongg ongoing from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays. Please bring a Mah Jongg set if possible. Free for members. $2 for non-members.
Bridge games: will be from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month. Free for JCC members, $2 for non-members.
JCC Seniors:
All senior social programs will be held in the auditorium.
Ongoing programs, Mondays and Thursdays:
Religion
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Maundy Thursday Communion Service is at 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae Service on Good Friday is at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunrise Service at Luther Burbank Park, west parking lot, will be at 6:30 a.m. On April 11, Easter Worship Service is at 10:30 a.m., Nursery care is provided, and an Easter Egg Hunt will follow the worship. Adult Class, “A Hidden Wholeness, the Journey Toward an Undivided Life” by Parker Palmer takes place Sundays at 9 a.m. Tuesdays will feature Living the Questions Video Series at 7 p.m. LOGOS is on Wednesdays after school until 6:45 p.m. Youth group grades six through nine is on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Bible Study group is on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. Men’s Spirituality Group is Friday, April 6, at 7 a.m. Adopt a Highway Bellevue Way exit clean-up will be Saturday, April 7, at 8 a.m. The church is located at 4545 Island Crest Way. Call 232-7800 or visit www.ucc-ccmi.org.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday services: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I; 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church School and nursery care; 11:30 a.m. children’s choir. 5 p.m. A new Contemporary service with guitar and piano, storytelling, and Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing service. Wednesdays in Lent: “What can one person do?” Evening prayer at 6 p.m. includes all ages, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Lenten children’s program: “Welcome to the Lord’s Table” includes learning about the Eucharist, with weekly activities including music, bread baking, liturgical colors and playing dress up with church vestments. Call for more information and times. The church is located at Southeast 44th Street and 86th Avenue Southeast. Contact: 232-1572 or e-mail mail@emmanuelmi.org
First Church of Christ, Scientist: Church Services and Sunday school are held at 10 a.m., Wednesday evening meetings are at 7:30 p.m. Child care is available at all services and meetings. The community is welcome. The Reading Room, a place for individual worship and prayer, as well as study, and research is open to everyone on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7605 S.E. 27th St. Call 232-0175 for more information, or e-mail fccsmi@attglobal.net. The church is at Island Crest Way at S.E. 47th Street.
Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: FirstFridays at HNT for young adults is at 7:30 p.m. The synagogue is at 3700 E. Mercer Way.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Regular Sunday Services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. The new Contemporary Service is at 5 p.m. and offers a different music style and an informal atmosphere. Sunday School is at 9 a.m., except for holidays or MI School vacations. Midweek Bible Study is on Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Men’s Bible Study is on the first and third Saturdays of each month at 8 a.m. Holy Week: No Wednesday service; Maundy Thursday, April 5, and Good Friday, April 6, services are each at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 8, worship will be at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Easter egg hunts at 9:30 a.m. (walkers through kindergarten) and 9:45 a.m. (first through fifth grade); Easter breakfast served 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. free-will offering. NOTE: There will be no 5 p.m. service that day. The church is located at 8501 S.E. 40th St.
Mercer Island Covenant Church: Join us for Easter Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Middle School Youth Group will meet Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. Community Dinner is on Wednesday, April 4 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person. Community Dinner is canceled for April 11. All other activities are canceled for the week of Spring Break. For additional information, call 232-1015, ext. 100 or check the Website, www.micc.org. The church is located at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Sunday worship at 8:15, 10:35 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, April 5: Maundy Thursday Communion Service — soup and salad served in the courtyard at 6 p.m. with worship following at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Friday, April 6 from noon to 3 p.m. — prayer during the dark hours in sanctuary and 8 p.m. Tenebrae Service in the sanctuary. EASTER SUNDAY: 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service in the Remembrance Garden, 7 to 8 a.m. Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall, 8 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall, and 9:30 and 11 a.m. Easter Worship in the sanctuary with chancel choir and bells. Looking ahead: Friday, April 27, 7:30 choir concert. April 28 is the Habitat for Humanity work party. May 17 through 20 — Men’s Weekend in Malibu, BC. Contact Ruth Ann Biggers at 232-5596, ext. 203 or ruthannb@mipc.org. or Dale Sewall at dales@mipc.org for more information. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Worship is at 11 a.m. All are welcome. The church is at 7070 S.E. 24th St.
New Hope International Church: The speaker is Dr. Peter Wyns. A prayer session for those who need healing in their family is available. The church is located at 170 S.E. 64th St. Call 275-1042, ext. 3 or www.newhic.org.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: Worship and kid’s church services are at 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study is at 11 a.m. The church is located at 6001 Island Crest Way. Contact Pastor Bill Clements at 232-1711.
St. Monica Catholic Church: Daily Masses: Monday through Friday 6:05 and 8 a.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil at 5 p.m., Sunday, 8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary and Benediction at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Moms’ Group from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Juliana Stachurski at 275-9706 or Michelle Klecan at 425-373-1237. Rosary makers meet from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. in Rectory room. Church office phone number is 232-2900. Pastor is Father Dennis Kemp. The church is at 4301 88th Ave. S.E.
