Easter egg hunts: for 1- to 6- year-olds is at 3 p.m.; a flashlight hunt for 7- to 12-year-olds is at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Mercerdale Park. Sponsored by Parks & Recreation and Countrywide Mortgage. A $1 donation is requested.
MIHS student registration for those new to the school district will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today at the Mercer Island High School Library. Students must bring proof of Mercer Island residency. Call Sheryl Ehrlichman for details at 236-3354.
International Night 2005 is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Island Park Elementary School. Dinner is $5, and multicultural crafts for children are $5. Entertainment is free.
Mercer Island boys basketball Booster Club team benefit game is Saturday, March 26, at the MIHS gym. The eighth-grade team plays at 5 p.m.; the sixth-grade team at 6:30 p.m.
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.” Pajama party storytime is at 7 p.m. Thursdays: May 26, Debbie Deutsch, “Sleepy Time Stories.”
Island Boy Scouts are collecting food over the next several weeks for the Eastside food bank of Hopelink. The annual collection helps offset the dip in food bank inventories after the holidays. Watch for doorknob hangers at your home.
Clubs
Mercer Island Preschool Association March events:
? Mom’s night out wine tasting event is from 7 to 9 p.m. today. The cost is $10 in advance. R.S.V.P. to Leslie 275-2811.
? 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. RSVP to Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.
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 to seniors. The public is welcome.
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.
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.
Storytime for very young toddlers 16 to 23 months and caregivers is at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, through March 30. 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.
“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.
SCORE counseling for businesses is every third Thursday, Call for an appointment for March 17.
Classes
CPR and first aid classes will be held at the north-end fire station. Instructors are Mercer Island firefighters. To register, call 236-3600. Class schedule is as follows:
? Infant/child CPR from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight. The fee is $15.
? Adult CPR from 7 to 9 p.m. today. The fee is $15.
Healthy eating support group and learning lab starts Wednesday, March 16, at Island House with Susan A. Casserd. All are welcome. Call 425-941-8588 for details.
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.
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.
Parks & Rec
The following are programs run by the Parks & Recreation Department. For locations, go to www.miparks.net or call 236-3545.
A guest presentation is from 1:15 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in the MIHS auditorium. Irvin Ungar, from the Arthur Szyk Society in San Francisco, will be giving a presentation about artist Arthur Szyk.
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 3545 for reservations.
Lunch and Seattle Rep Theatre is from noon to 5:30 p.m. today. The cost is $43. Transportation from Luther Burbank Park.
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 March 30, 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.
Solemates will meet from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. today, at Luther Burbank main parking lot.
Grief and loss support group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Mercer Island Library.
Lost vision support group will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Mercer Island library.
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 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 grand opening one-woman show with artist, Genny Rees, is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The gallery is located at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St.
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 at Island House, 7810 S.E. 30th St., through April.
JCC
Unless noted, all events take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. For more information, call 232-7115.
Food talks will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays: March 24, “Mental gymnastics: Food and mood;” April 14, “Power eating: build muscle, boost energy, cut fat;” May 12, “Can eight-a-day keep cancer away? The latest science on water and health.” 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.
Live jazz at lunchtime is at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Richard Dean plays piano. No cost, but a donation of $1 is suggested for refreshments. Bring a brown bag lunch. Underwritten by Sunrise Assisted Living of Mercer Island.
Spiritual and surrealistic paintings by David Levinson are from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 27, through May 12, in Kafe Kineret.
Shabbat dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 1 at the Stroum JCC in Seattle. RSVP with payment to 8606 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. The cost is $25/family.
Slide show with Herbert Lipman: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31. No cost.
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, exercise.
Baby and family event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Keynote speaker is Dr. JoAnne Solchany who will speak on “The Social and Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers.” Admission is free.
“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. RSVP. with payment by Monday, April 11. The cost is $7 by April 11, $10 after.
Religion
Baha’i Faith is hosting a devotional gathering at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Mercer Island Library to share sacred writings on grief and loss from the world religions. Call 230-8658 for more information.
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: 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. Monday evenings (including dinner) to April 25 (excluding April 11.) The cost is $90. James Watson’s Thursday Night Bible Study discussing Matthew Chapter 6 is at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room. During Holy Week (to March 27) MIPC will provide a labyrinth to walk in our Fellowship Hall, a time of prayer and contemplation. Maundy Thursday Worship is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in the sanctuary; Good Friday worship is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, in the sanctuary; Easter Sunday, March 27, there are four worship services: 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. A special breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 7 to 8 a.m. The church is located at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Maundy Thursday communion service is at 7:30 p.m. March 24. Nursery care is provided. Good Friday Tenebrae service is at 7:30 p.m. March 25. Nursery care is provided. Easter Sunrise service is at 6 a.m. March 27, at Luther Burbank Park. Park in the west parking lot. Easter service is at 10:30 a.m. March 27, followed by an Easter egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. Logos field trip is at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. First Friday dinner and discussion is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 1. 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. This week marks the start of our new spring session study, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart.” All are welcome to the community dinner at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $3 per person. The last Kid’s Club, for kindergarten through fifth grade, is at 6:15 p.m. tonight, followed by Alpha class at 6:30 p.m. Childcare is available. Good Friday Passion service will be at 7 p.m. March 25. The Easter Sunday musical drama “Believe!” will be from 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. March 27. 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. Holy Week schedule: 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. Adult Education is from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays, to March 27: Food for the Body and Soul: Breakfast and Torah study “God: A Biography.” 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. There will be no Wednesday dinner/service/education tonight. Holy Week continues to March 27: Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m., special evening services are: at 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 24, Good Friday, March 25 and Easter Vigil March 26. Easter breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27, by the confirmation youth. Easter egg hunts for various ages begin at 9:15 a.m. Call 232-3270 for more information. 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. Thursdays. Maundy (Holy) Thursday, is at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in the Fellowship Hall; Good Friday worship is at 7 p.m. March 25. Easter breakfast celebration is at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 27, in honor of Dr. Joe Iwano; the Children’s Easter egg hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Be sure to bring a basket or bag. Followed by Festival Worship at 11 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: Friday night Lenten soup supper will be at 6 p.m. each Friday during Lent. The suppers will include hot soup and bread and a Lenten program that ends in time for the stations of the cross. Apologetics with Tim Hope: “Relics and the Shroud of Turin” is at 7:30 p.m. tonight, in the Family Center. “The Passion”, by Mel Gibson: big screen and big sound is at 7 p.m. Palm Sunday, in the parish gym.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: Celebrates Holy Week with special services at 7 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, March 24, and at 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 25. Easter begins with a potluck breakfast at 9 a.m. and Easter service at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 27, children are welcome for an Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. and Kid’s Church at 10 a.m. New visitors are welcome. Redeemer is located at 6001 Island Crest Way. For information call Pastor Bill 232-1711 or go to the website RedeemerLutheranChurch.US.
