Island Books storytelling for 3-year-olds and older is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays: April 9, Kathy Currie, “Flower Power;” April 16, Cindy Easterson, “Hopping into Spring;” April 30, Ria Potter, “April Showers, May Flowers and Lots of Songs.”

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 Visual Arts League will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Mercer Island Library. Barbara Nickerson, artist of the Pacific Northwest, will demonstrate Sumi painting. The board will meet at 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon is from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The speaker will be King County Sheriff Susan Rahr. The cost is $15 for non-members. Call 232-3404 for reservations.

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.

Mercer Island Preschool Association April events:

? Scrapbook day for moms is from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9. R.S.V.P. to Erinann at 232-9662 or erinann.childress@verizon.net.

? Monthly coffee social is from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 19. Open to all moms and their young children. R.S.V.P., and for directions call Bridget at 275-3070.

? 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.

The Mercer Island Republican Women will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, April 11, at the Mercer Island Library conference room. Diane Tebelius will address the Dino Rossi revote. Bring a friend.

ADD Resources parent support group monthly meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 11, at the north fire station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. 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 Guild of Children’s Hospital will meet at noon Friday, April 15, at the home of Char Savio, 7770 80th Place S.E. Those interested in attending may call Mary Ann at 232-5836.

The Mercer Island Historical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Mercer Island Library. The speaker will be Susan Blake, a Mercer Island resident since 1956 and active community member.

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.

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.

“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

Girls 101 workshop for girls 11 to 14 and their parents is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Islander Middle School. The middle school, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, and Passages Northwest are sponsoring this workshop. Facilitators will provide an opportunity for parents and daughters to explore issues facing girls today. Parents and girls will attend separate workshops and will come together to share experiences at the end of the evening. Passages Northwest is a local non profit organization providing training and programming to girls and women. Contact Kristi Simons, MIYFS, at 230-6155 or Tina Meade, IMS, at 230-6152 for more information.

“Coping with adolescent stress and depression” seminar for parents is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays: today, April 13th and 20th, at the library. Presented by Sue Eastgard, executive director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State.

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.

Mercer Island 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. 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; 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.; and Ballet/Jazz for 7- to 9-year-olds is from 5 to 6 p.m., taught by Debbie Nittrouer. Classes will run Thursdays, April 7 to June 9. The fee is $81.

Judo program for all ages. 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.

AARP free 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 236-3545 for reservations.

Pilates: Level l is from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. and Level 2 is from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through today, 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.

Family caregivers support group is from 3 to 4 p.m. today, at the Mercer Island Senior Health Center, 7707 S.E. 27th Street. Karin Miller is the support group facilitator. Call 425-688-5637 for more information.

Solemates will walk from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. today, from the Luther Burbank main parking lot.

Caregivers support group is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Mercer Island Library.

Eastside stroke group is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Bellevue.

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.

Trip to the Tulip festival is from 9 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Call for more information.

Sucia Island cruise is from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. The cost is $90. Call 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 Mercer Island Visual Arts league Spring Arts Show will be held through Monday, May 16, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th. The exhibit may be viewed from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Light refreshments will be served.

Gertrude Hollis and Brenda Zager will be showing at Ana’s Restaurant through May, 2420 S.E. 76th Ave. S.E.

Seiko Konya, Cissy Gray and Colleen Mohn will be showing at the Washington Mutual Building, 7900 S.E. 28th St. through June.

The Chamber Art Gallery’s one-woman show with Genny Rees, “Master of Flowers” will run through June 30th. A grand opening will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14. The gallery is located at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7612 S.E. 27th St. Call 232-3404 for information.

Brenda Zager, Barry Riday and Esther Akrish are exhibiting their paintings through May at the Washington Mutual Plaza, 7900 S.E. 28th St.

Colleen Mohn and Jean Davis will show their paintings through May at Ana’s Restaurant, 2420 76th Ave. S.E.

Wanda Hughes, Jean Jack and Franca Martin are exhibiting their paintings through April, at Island House, 7810 S.E. 30th St.

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

Stress management for parents is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today. The cost is $15 per person. Scholarships are available. To register call Marjorie Schnyder at 461-3240 extension 3146 or jfle@jfseattle.org.

Beat the Blues (55+) is at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the JCC auditorium. Sharon Romm, psychiatrist and therapist, will speak about medicines, therapies and exercise.

Spring registration is 8 a.m. Sunday, April 10, for health and fitness, aquatics and art classes, youth programs and more. Call Beth Rosen at extension 223 or register online at www.sjcc.org.

Baby and family event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. The keynote speaker is Dr. JoAnne Solchany who will lecture on “The Social and Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers.” Admission is free.

Spring break at JCC is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, to Friday, April 15. Field trips include: ice skating, bowling, Family Fun Center, Science Center, IMAX, roller skating and movies. Call Sarah at extension 242 or SarahJ@sjcc.org.

History of Seattle Theater is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 11. Joe Adock, theater critic for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, will be the speaker. Open to the community. No cost.

Food talks will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. April 14, “Power eating: build muscle, boost energy, cut fat;” Susan Kleiner is the lecturer. The cost is $15 per lecture or $55 for the series. To register, contact Karla Anderson at ext. 272 or e-mail karlaa@sjcc.org.

“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. Please R.S.V.P. The cost is $7 until April 11, $10 after.

Sunday supper for single-parent families is at 5:30 p.m. April 17. A full catered Kosher meal will be provided. Bring Kosher vegetarian side dishes to share. Call 861-3146 if you have dietary questions and to R.S.V.P. by Monday, April 10. There is no cost.

A workshop about including Jewish elements in your family’s daily life: From Boker Tov to Lilah Tov! From 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17. With Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg of Temple B’nai Torah. Parents and all ages are welcome. A donation of $5 is suggested.

Live jazz at lunchtime is at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21 and May 19. Featuring jazz pianist Richard Dean. Bring a brown bag lunch. Underwritten by Sunrise Assisted Living of Mercer Island. No cost.

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 extension 269 or email seder@sjcc.org.

Religion

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: There will be no Christian education at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, April 10. 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. 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. Registration forms will be available after April 3. Bridge ministries is Sunday evenings, April 24. Volunteers are needed. Call Jean Carter at 232-2834 for information. The Civil Rights trip is from Friday, August 5, to Saturday, August 13, including sites such as Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., and the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. To register, by April 8, contact Suzzanne Lacey at 232-5596, extension 251. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: LOGOS ends with “Spring Has Sprung” family potluck. Men’s breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. followed by a work party from 9 to noon. Weavers Women’s Group is at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 16, in the library. Senior Sunday brunch is at noon Sunday, April 17, cooked and served by the youth. 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. Friday, May 6. For more information, call 232-7800. The church is at 4545 Island Crest Way.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Women’s ministry meetings are from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, with free childcare available. All are welcome to the community dinner at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $3 per person. Alpha is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Childcare is available. Men of all ages are invited to the men’s breakfast at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, April 9. The cost is $5. Chuck and Barb Snyder will be hosting a marriage seminar from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the church. The cost is $15 per couple. Free childcare will be available if registration is received by April 17. For more information, call 232-1015. Covenant 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. The theme this year is “Creating Sabbath-Finding Rest in Recreation, Enrichment, and Worship.” 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. “When Art Offends: Shylock as Stereotype in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice” is at 7:30 p.m. tonight., with dessert at 7 p.m. Men’s Club-U.S.Y. is at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Feinberg social hall to package and ready for mailing the Yom HaShoah candles. 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: 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. 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; men’s prayer is at 6:30 a.m. 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