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;” May 7, Avis Jobrack, “Stories All Around!”
Island Children’s Choir is holding auditions for the 2005-2006 season from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, April 30 and May 7, at Mercer Island Covenant Church. All boys and girls in third, fourth and fifth grades are eligible. No appointment is necessary. The Children’s Choir rehearses from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and follows the Mercer Island School District calendar. For more information visit www.islandchoralexperience.com or contact Marsha at 232-8007 or at islandsound@comcast.net.
Upcoming Blood Drive: from 8 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, at MIHS.
The Mercer Island Players presents “Sylvia” by A.R. Gurney at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, May 6 through May 14, on the Studio Stage of Mercer Island’s Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Call 339-7785 or email reservations@islandplayers.org.
Book signing by local author John King, writer of “Captive Notions: Concise Commentaries on the Commonplace” is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Island Books.
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. 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.
“Soirée a Thonon, `Au bord Du Lac,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Mercer Island home of Tom and Cynthia Captain. It will be an elegant evening of desserts, wines and entertainment sponsored by the Mercer Island Sister City Association. Steffan Soule will do magic. There will be a silent auction and raffle for two airline tickets. Proceeds benefit association activities, especially student exchanges. For tickets and information, call Jane Meyer Brahm, 232-0701.
Youth Theatre Northwest presents “Something BIG Has Been Here” from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 8. Call 232-4145 or www.youththeatre.org for information.
Clubs
The ProBus Club of Mercer Island spring luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, at McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside restaurant on Lake Union, 1200 Westlake Ave. N. Reservations must be received by Thursday, April 28.
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.
Sons of Norway meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Mercer Island United Methodist Church, 7070 S.E. 24th St.
Let’s Dance Club ballroom dance is at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the VFW hall. Lessons, live music and dinner. The cost is $35 per couple. Call Joanne at 232-8211 for more information.
Mercer Island Republican Women will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, May 2, at the Mercer Island Library. Brent T. Davis, director and headmaster of Complete Education and American Academy will speak on “Cooperation for Educational Excellence.”
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.
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
Information/support meetings for Mercer Island teens and parents experiencing the effects of teen suicide are from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, April 30 to June 4, at Bellefield Office Park. Space is limited. There is no charge. Call Vidya Vara @423-7909 or fax her at 232-0095 with questions.
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., Monday through Friday. Staff members accompany children to and from the school bus to the three public elementary schools, prepare snacks, plan arts and crafts, assist children with homework, play games, 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 useextra support in reading, math or study skills. Call Laurie Bowles, director of learning at 232-4548, ext. 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 is from 7 to 11 p.m. every Saturday. Come by for full-court basketball, movies, video games, music and pizza. The cost is $3.
Parks & Rec
The following are programs run by the Parks & Recreation Department. For locations, go to www.miparks.net or call 236-3545.
Grief and Loss support group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Mercer Island Library.
Low Vision support group is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Mercer Island Library.
Trip to the Glass Museum is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 29. It leaves from the Luther Burbank parking lot. The cost is $15.
The Art of Yoga part 1 is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, at the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is $20.
Eastside Stroke group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Bellevue.
Parkinson support group is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at Mercer Island Library.
Rise and Shine Fitness Boot Camp is from 6 to 7 a.m. Mondays and Fridays May 2 through May 27 at 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.
Solemates meets from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. today, at Luther Burbank main parking lot for a six-mile walk and lunch. The cost is $2.
Family caregivers support group is from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Mercer Island Senior Health Center. The group is open and free to anyone concerned about or caring for an older adult.
“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.
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.
Being a Jewish Mother: Myths, Traditions, and More! is from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 3.
Galleries
Ron Reeder, Judy Roan and Brenda Zager will be showing through May at Ana’s Restaurant, 2420 S.E. 76th Ave. S.E.
Seiko Konya, Cissy Bray and Colleen Mohn will be showing through June at the Washington Mutual Building, 7900 S.E. 28th St.
Wanda Hughes, Jean Jack and Franca Martin will be showing through June at Island House.
The Chamber Art Gallery’s one-woman show with Genny Rees, “Master of Flowers,” will run through June. The gallery is at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St. Call 232-3404 for information.
The Mercer Island Art Gallery’s current show will run to Thursday, May 26th, and features Barbi Leifert, Mercer Island artist. The gallery is at 2729 78th Ave. S.E.
The Mercer Island Visual Art League’s spring arts show will be held through Monday, May 16, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th St.
The Block Party Quilters Club will display 18 quilts through June in the lobby of the Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th St. The curator is volunteer Elana Kellogg. The public is welcome to view the quilts from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Religion
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Mother’s Day Brunch is at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, May 8, in the Fellowship Hall. Call for reservations. 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. “The Marriage Course” class is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to June 7. The cost is $90 and includes dinner. Vacation Bible School “Shouting in the Hush Arbor” is from 1 to 3:15 p.m. July 11 to July 15th. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: 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: All are welcome at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday for community dinner. The cost is $3 per person. Childcare is available. Ladies are invited to the Women’s Scrapbook at 6 p.m. Friday, April 29. Bring supplies, album, photos, adhesive. Ladies dessert night is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6. The cost is $6 per person. Tickets are on sale now. 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 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. Tuesdays 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.
Christian Science Church: 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: The Sunday schedule offers Divine Worship at 8 a.m. in the chapel and at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary, with holy communion at both services. Sunday school and the adult forum are at 9 a.m. 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. The seventh- and eighth-grade confirmation classes will meet at 7:15 p.m. tonight. The Choir is open to new members. Choir practice is at 6:45 p.m. every Wednesday. The Mercer Island Visual Arts League invites you to stop by and view their art exhibit at Holy Trinity. The second session of the adult forum “Making Marriage Work” is at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 8. The Bible study group meets at 9 a.m. today, in the Fireside room. The church is at 8501 S.E. 40th St. The church is open Monday through Friday until 5 p.m.
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 more information or 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 Recollections is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Monica’s school library. Lunch will be provided. Call 232-9829. St. Monica Youth All Island Dance is from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 20. 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. First annual Family Mexican Fiesta for Cinco de Mayo is after the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass Saturday, April 30. The cost is $8 per person or $45 for a family of six or more. St. Monica’s rummage sale is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Call Joan Byrne at 425-644-1745 or Jeannie Balinbin at 232-7848.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: Redeemer is at 6001 Island Crest Way. For information call Pastor Bill at 232-1711 or go to www.RedeemerLutheranChurch.US
