Blood Drive: from 8 to 11:15 a.m. today, at Mercer Island High School.
Cinco de Mayo festival is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Island House Retirement Community, 7810 S.E. 30th St.
“The Mouse that Roared” presented by Mercer Island High School Dinner Theatre. Performances will be Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 14, for the general public; Saturday, May 7, and Friday, May 13, for students; Thursday, May 5 and 12, for Mercer Island School District staff. Tickets are $30 for the public and $20 for students and staff. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Advanced reservations required. For details, please e-mail theater_tickets@misd.wednet.edu, or call 236-3421.
Mercer Island Martial Arts Community Celebration is from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at 2557 76th Ave. S.E. Meet “Squatch” the Sonics’ mascot and play games and enter a raffle for prizes.
Island Books Spring/Summer Storytelling: at 11 a.m. Saturdays. May 7, Avis Jobrack, “Stories All Around!” May 14, Tia, “Hurray it’s May! Sing, Dance and Play!”
Island Children’s Choir is holding auditions for the 2005-2006 season from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, 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.
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.
City of Mercer Island Spring Recycling Event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 S.E. 36th St.
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 be 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” at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8. Call 232-4145 or www.youththeatre.org.
Mercer Island High School Band Raffle. MIHS students are selling $5 raffle tickets through May 9 to help send the band to the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2006. The drawing will be held Wednesday, May 11. Prizes include a seven-day trip to the Caribbean, an iPod-Photo, gourmet basket, gift certificates and a homemade quilt. Call Norma Ho 236-2336 for more information.
Lakeridge Literature Night is Thursday, May 12, at Lakeridge Elementary School at 7 p.m. Book signings will be by local children’s author Alan Johnson, who will sign his books: “My Brother’s Story,” “The Butterpop Cafe” and “Picker McClikker.”
“A Trip to Paradise” gala evening for parents at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Mercer Island Beach Club. Hosted by the Mercer Island Preschool Association. The evening includes dinner, dancing, entertainment and a fund-raising auction. Contact Kimberly 232-8479 or adultsocial@mipreschoolassociation.org for reservations.
The Seattle Storm will make an appearance at Islander Middle School Monday, May 23, in the intermission between the middle school girls versus teachers and high school girls versus teachers games. Call Christa Lilly at 232-5688.
Islander Girls’ Soccer Summer Camp is Monday, July 25, to Friday, July 29, at MIHS stadium field. For incoming sixth- to eighth-graders from 10 a.m. to noon and for ninth- to 12th- graders from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $110 per player. Space is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Email coach Bryan Mazza at bryanm@mazzafamily.com.
Clubs
The ProBus Club of Mercer Island spring luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. today, at McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside restaurant on Lake Union, 1200 Westlake Ave. North.
The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its May membership luncheon from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The speaker will be Michael J. Murphy, Washington State treasurer. The cost is $12 for members, $15 for non-members. Please R.S.V.P. to the Chamber office, 232-3404 or mi-chamber@msn.com. The Chamber will bill for reservations made but not canceled 48 hours in advance.
Mercer Island Visual Arts League will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Mercer Island Library for its annual potluck luncheon. Members are asked to bring a painting to enter in a Peoples’ Choice contest. A ribbon, certificate and cash award will be given out. Please bring a dish for the potluck.
The Mercer Island Historical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, May 16, at the Mercer Island Library. The speaker will be Al Ziontz, an attorney who will talk on “Indian Tribes and the State of Washington: From Conflict to Cooperation.”
All Island Book Club & Classics on Film presents: “From the Streets of Shakespeare to the Court of Elizabeth” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, and “Shakespeare: An Authorship Debate” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the library.
Mercer Island Preschool Association presents Soundbridge Storytelling at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, May 19. Enjoy stories and songs with Bryan. Play cello, piano, drums and more. To R.S.V.P. call Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.
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.
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.
Rainbow Fish and other fish stories and activities for 2- to 5-year-olds is at 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 10. Registration is required.
Island Tales of Enchantment Writing Contest open to 10-12, 13-15 and 16-19 year-olds. Write a short story, under 501 words. Each first place winner from the age groups will have their story published in the Mercer Island Reporter and win an iPod shuffle! Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Friday, June 3. Send all entries to Mercer Island Public Library, c/o Daniel Masler, Enchanted Island Writing contest, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Winners will be announced Friday, July 15 at Potterfest, outdoor film event Friday, July 15, in Mercerdale Park. Categories will be first and second places each for all ages. Runners-up also will be honored.
“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, 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.
Summer Camps: Register online at www.mipositiveplace.org for: dance camps, Teen and Adventure travel camps, Summer Scene day camps, and Skyhawk sports camps.
Growing up Female: for fourth- through seventh-graders, is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 12. For daughters and their moms or dads. The fee is $15. You must pre-register by Friday, May 6.
Growing up Male: for fourth- through seventh-graders, is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 19. For sons and their dads or moms. The fee is $15. You must pre-register by Friday, May 13.
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 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.
League gymnastics is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, May 9 to Aug. 24, at the MIHS gymnastics room. The cost is $375.
Weight Loss With Hypnosis is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, May 19 to June 2, at the Boys & Girls Club. The instructor is Robert Felix. The cost is $81.
All Island Garage Sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the North Mercer gym.
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.
Family caregivers support group is from 3 to 4 p.m. today at Mercer Island Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th St. The group is open and free to anyone concerned about or caring for an older adult.
Trip to Seattle Museum of History and Industry and University Village is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5. Meet at Luther Burbank Park main parking lot. The cost is $6.
Eastside Stroke Group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Bellevue.
Defensive Driving is from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, and Thursday, May 12, at the north fire station. The cost is $11.
Solemates will meet from 8:30 to 11:30 Wednesday, May 11, for a 12-mile walk. Meet at Luther Burbank Park main parking lot.
“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.
Yom Hashoah 2005 Holocaust Remembrance Day is today from 7:15 to 9 p.m. at the JCC. For more information contact Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center at (206) 441-5747.
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.
Galleries
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. There are 30 MIVAL artists in the show.
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.
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. Vacation Bible School “Shouting in the Hush Arbor” is from 1 to 3:15 p.m., July 11 to July 15th. Young mothers are welcome to our Moms & Tots, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday mornings. This is a program with fellowship, Bible study and education. Childcare is provided. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: The Prayer Retreat is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, with supper. Pastor Sam’s presentation will be “Approaches to Prayer in Various Religious Traditions” beginning at 9 a.m. with refreshments, words from Pastor Sam, discussion and time for individual prayer and reflection, and ending after lunch at 2 p.m. The Luncheon and Vintage Fashion Show is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14. The cost is $12 per person. Call the church at 232-7800 for tickets. 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 dessert night is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6. The cost is $6 per person. Tickets are on sale now. Seniors luncheon is at noon Tuesday, May 10. Ann Baron will be speaking on container planting for patio and deck. Vacation Bible Camp is from Monday, July 25, to Friday, July 29. The theme is “Serengeti Trek.” Registration begins Sunday, May 29. Vacation Bible Camp is open to all children from kindergarten through sixth grades. The church is at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church: 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. All are welcome to join our “Layweeders’ in the Emmanuel gardens from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday. Come prepared to week, prune and chat! The old office building will be remodeled into the Phil Lorenzen Teen Center. Usable furniture and appliances are solicited. Call Patricia at the church office if you have a donation. 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 is temporarily located at 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 5:45 p.m., worship at 6:30 p.m. and education and projects for all ages at 7:15 p.m. Nursery care is provided. “Join Hands Day” is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7. Our job site is the Adelle Maxwell Child Care Center in Bellevue. The task is to spruce up the landscaping. Bring shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and gloves. Call the church for more details. The “House of Marriage” forum is at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 8, in the Fellowship Hall. 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 Reconciliation 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.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: Redeemer is at 6001 Island Crest Way. For information call Pastor Bill at 232-1711 or go to www.RedeemerLutheranChurch.
