Communities That Care needs you

Join citizens working to reduce underage drinking and drug use and to promote positive youth development. Please call Cindy Goodwin at Mercer Island Youth and Family Services for more information or a board application, 275-7749.

Valentine Tea

Mercer Island seniors are invited to a Sweet Cakes Valentine tea between 2 and 4 p.m., Feb. 14, at the CCMV. Call to register at 275-7609.

SafeRides needs volunteers

Mercer Island SafeRides, a program that offers teens free and confidential rides home on weekend nights, is looking for student volunteers and adult supervisors. If interested, please contact Reel at: leannereel@aol.com.

Find your way

The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is now offering brand new Island maps. The maps are free at various locations on the Island, including the Chamber of Commerce, 7605 S.E. 27th St., #109, 232-3404.

Improve your balance

Learn exercises to improve your strength and balance to avoid falls. Attend this session at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 19, at the CCMV in room 104 to learn about the importance of balance, set realistic goals and reduce the possibility of falling. The speaker is Dr. Anne Shumway-Cook, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington Division of Rehabilitation Medicine. All are welcome. Free. 232-9161, 232-0863.

Every vote counts

Watch for ballots to arrive in the mail soon for the March 11 special election. The presidential primary is also fast approaching on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Events

“Giving From the Heart” Benefit Breakfast: 7:30-9 a.m., Feb. 13. Seattle Foundation will match gifts of $150 or more on one-to-one basis. Event registration: 7 a.m. Sponsor: MI Youth and Family Services. Proceeds support MI social services. Volunteers, sponsors needed. Roger Kjos, Development Officer, 275-7751, roger.kjos@mercergov.org.

Glass Hearts for Valentine’s: for sale through Feb. 13 at Youth and Family Services offices, Community Center at Mercer View, MI Thrift Shop. Glass hearts made by local glass blowers Joni Johnson, Sean Star. Benefits YFS. Roger Kjos, 275-7751, roger.kjos@mercergov.org.

Farmers Market Community Forum #3: 7 p.m., Feb. 21, MI Library. All citizens are invited to participate in creating the Island market. Edee Phillips, 230-8470.

Art Gallery Show: through Feb. 22, MI Community Center, Islander Laurel Nelms’ paintings.

MIHS Concert: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23, MIHS Auditorium. World-renowned Allen Vizzutti, Vince DiMartino to perform with MIHS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band. Dessert reception after concert. Proceeds go to MIHS band’s China Tour. Tickets: Cathy Ramsay, 236-1958, cathy-ramsay@comcast.net.

Volunteers wanted at Mercer Island Thrift Shop: Join a creative team. Schedules are flexible, volunteers who work 12 hours a month can purchase items before public sale. S.E. 34th and 78th Ave. S.E. 275-7760.

Classes

Strategic Marketing for Small Business Owners: 6:30-8 p.m., Feb. 13, CCMV, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Dominic Canterbury, strategic marketing consultant. Free. Christine Kenyon, 275-3779. Register: MI Parks and Recreation, 275-7609.

Italian Cooking Class: 5 p.m., through Feb. 15, Volk residence at 3021 70th Ave. S.E. Chef Biago Longo of Sorrento, Italy. $100/person. Reservations required. Patty Volk, (206) 769-8824, patty_volk@countrywide.com.

“Improving Balance”: part of a monthly lecture series by health care experts, 1:30 p.m., Feb. 19, CCMV Room 104. “The Strivers” will address balance, realistic goals to reduce fear of falling. Learn exercises to improve strength, balance. Speaker: Dr. Anne Shumway-Cook, Professor Emeritus, UW Division of Rehabilitation Medicine. All are welcome. Free. 232-9161, 232-0863.

“To Have and To Hold” series: 1-2 p.m., begins Feb. 24, MI Library. Message titles include: “God’s Dream for Your Marriage”; “Communication: How to Share Hearts Instead of Exchange Words”; “Four Keys to Intimacy”; “Conflict Resolution: How to Fight Fair in Marriage.” Limited childcare. Refreshments. Ps. Caesar Prelow, 275-1042 ext. 4, Caesar@newhic.org.

The Passion Test Workshop: 6-9:30 p.m., Feb. 27, MI Shorewood Heights Pavilion. $65. Register: Elise Kloter, (206) 794-5211, www.ivegottobeme.com.

Introductory Opera lecture series: 6:30 p.m., Feb. 28, CCMV. Introduction to Wagner’s Ring Subscription Series. Speaker: Perry Lorenzo. Free admission. Helen Martin, (206) 686-5808.

“Heart Disease - What Every Woman Should Know”: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Feb. 28, JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Speaker: Rachael Wyman, M.D., Eastside Cardiology Associates. Open to the public, free. Kathy Hutchinson, 232-7115 ext. 273, www.sjcc.org.

Beyond Belief course: Tuesdays through March 18, CCMV. Explores Jewish faith. $60. Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, (206) 290-6301, bogomilsky@msn.com, www.myJLI.com.

Clubs

MIDOL (MI Dolls on the Loose): Red Hat Group will attend Valentine’s Day Tea, Feb. 14, CCMV. Elizabeth N. Eknes, (206) 236-3029, eneknes@gmail.com.

Pacific Northwest Audio Society meeting: 7:30 p.m., Feb.14, MI Congregational Church basement, 4545 Island Crest Way. Dedicated to fine audio/music since 1978. www.audiosociety.org.

French Conversation Evening: 7-9 p.m., Feb. 26, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th. Sponsor: MI Sister City Association. All levels of French are welcome. Jane Meyer Brahm, 232-0701.

Climb for Clean Air talk: 6:30 p.m., Feb. 20, Seattle REI, 222 Yale Ave. N., 2nd Floor. Speaker: legendary mountaineer Lou Whittaker, on climbing Mt. Rainier for American Lung Association. Paul Payton, (206) 441-5100 ext. 36.

Mercer Island Women’s Club: newcomers’ outing to the Seattle Art Museum, Feb. 27. Meet at 10 a.m., MI Presbyterian Church. Return after lunch. RSVP: Kathy Gusdorf, 275-1836, kvg78@comcast.net.

MI Preschool Association, MI Youth and Family Services: “Give from the Heart” this February until Feb. 28 to support local families, children in need. MIPA hopes to raise $15,000 for preschool scholarship goal to help fund children’s education. Linda Romary, 232-2416, lromary@hotmail.com.

Women Painters of Washington: “Visions” exhibition, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through April 25, Women Painters Gallery, Columbia Center third level, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Free, open to the public.

Volunteers needed: Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Cancer Resource Center. Application, interview, orientation required before training. (425) 688-5369.

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.

Adults

Opera Preview: “Tosca,” 7 p.m., Feb. 13. Lecture with Norm Hollingshead.

Computer Classes: Microsoft Word Level I, 9 a.m., Feb. 14, basics. Microsoft Word Level II, 9 a.m., Feb. 21, images, tables, formatting.

Classics on Film: Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief,” 1 p.m., Feb. 16. “The Trouble with Harry,” 1 p.m., Feb. 23. Refreshments.

Children, Families

Must register for all.

Music Concert with Dino O’Dell: 7 p.m., Feb. 25. Ages 3 and up.

Toddler Story Times for Twos: 10 a.m., Tuesdays in February. Ages 2-3.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays in February. Ages 3-5.

Story Times for Wonderful Ones: 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays in February. Ages 12-23 months.

Teens

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Feb. 19. Voice your opinions on library’s teen materials, services, programs. Earn one volunteer credit hour.

Teen Zone: 1 p.m., Feb. 25. Games, homework, hang out.

Game On: 7 p.m., Feb. 26. Wii, PS2, GameCube.

Afternoon Movie Club: “Hoot,” 3:30 p.m., Feb. 27. Movie based on Carl Hiaasen’s book.

Parks & Recreation

Call (206) 275-7609 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 Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV), 8236 S.E. 24th St., unless otherwise specified.

Wing Tsjun Self-Defense: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 14-March 13 (8154); March 20-April 10 (8155), in Dance Room. For teens, adults. Instructor: Adrian Weaver. $66.

Bridge lessons: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. $63/six weeks.

Volunteer bus drivers: needed for Island senior transportation. No endorsements necessary. Jeanette, 230-6845.

Drop-in preschool: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. $5/hour.

Winter Classes

Must register: call (206) 275-7609.

Belly Dancing: 7-8 p.m., Tuesdays through March 4. $81/12 weeks, $12/drop-in.

MIPR Dance Team: 3:30-5 p.m., through March 26, ages 11-14. $151.

Hoop, Breathe & Dance: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays until March 27.

Ikebana: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays through March 28. $121.

BK Play: Fridays through March 28. Ages 3-5. Spanish through Arts & Games: 9:30-11 a.m. ABC & Reading: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $325.

Jazzercise: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Writing Club: 4-6 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays. For grades 2-5.

Parks & Rec. Seniors

Grief and Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., Feb. 14, CCMV Board Room.

“Sweet Cakes” Valentine’s Day Tea: 2-4 p.m., Feb. 14, CCMV. Make old-fashioned valentine, bring favorite tea cup. $4.25. Reserve a spot.

Parkinson Disease Support Group: 2-3:30 p.m., Feb. 19, CCMV Calkins Room.

Solemates Walking Group: departs CCMV 8:30 a.m., Feb. 20. $2.

Senior Ski Day trips: March 10, Stevens. $14/transportation. Reserve a spot.

Grocery shopping transportation: Wednesday mornings. Call 275-7895, ext. 1, leave a message by 4 p.m., the day before shopping. $1.

Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Park at CCMV, ride shuttle to Covenant Shores; transportation available round trip from home if you don’t drive. $4.25. Registration required: 275-7895, ext. 2, leave message.

Boys & Girls Club

All events take place at the Boys & Girls Club, 2825 West Mercer Way, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register: (206) 232-4548, www.mipositiveplace.org.

Champions Gymnastics (K-3rd grade) class: registration is open. Session 1: 5-5:45 p.m., March 5-April 30. $100. My Gym, Bellevue.

Lego Building: 4-5 p.m., Mondays through March 10, ages 6-9. LEGO System, Technic, Znap, Bionicle. Miniatures, mosaics, beginning sculpture. $60.

Motorized Mechanics: 5-6 p.m., Mondays through March 10, for ages 9-12. Make motorized Lego sculptures, vehicles. Led by Lego professional, Dan Parker. $70.

Guitar Classes: on Mondays, learn guitar or improve your skills with Brendan Bosworth of Musicworks. 3-3:55 p.m., ages 11 and under; 4-4:55 p.m., ages 12 and up; 5-5:55 p.m., Teen Rock Shop, for players with six months or more experience. $210/10 weeks, prorated.

Movie Making (grades 3-6): 4-6 p.m., Wednesdays through March 19. Create short commercials, movie posters, short films of members’ interest. $100 with snack provided.

Movie Making (grades 7-11): 4-6 p.m., Thursdays through March 20. Create commercials, movie posters, films. $100, snack provided.

MI Judo Dojo: practices 6:15-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Instructor: Harold Yamada. Evergreen State Open Judo Tournament at Boys & Girls Club: April 5, 2008, free.

Preschool Rainy Day Gym: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays through May 1, 2008. Indoor playground. $3/visit.

Youth

Fine Arts Showcase: 5:30-9 p.m., March 4-5, Mercer Island High School. Free admission/children, MI School District students. Ticketed admission by donation/adults and artists’ parents. Proceeds go to School District arts programs. faac@mifineartsed.org, www.misd.k12.wa.us, www.mifineartsed.org.

JCC

All events are located at the Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Please contact Roni Antebi at (206) 232-7115 ext. 269 or ronia@sjcc.org to RSVP and register for all events.

Introduction to Computers class: 10-11:15 a.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 13, 20, 27. Taught by King County Library System. Students must attend all 3 meetings.

Love Stories in the Bible: 12:30 p.m., Feb. 14. Speaker: Rochie Farkash, Eastside Torah Center program director.

The Honest Mailman: 12:30-1:30 p.m., Feb. 18. New program on 3rd Monday of each month. Speaker: retired lawyer Al Ziontz.

The Active Seniors Club Monthly Meeting: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Feb. 20. Speaker: Walter Williams, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. Topic: “The Politics of Bad Ideas.”

Introduction to Mah Jongg: 2-4 p.m., Mondays through Feb. 25. Learn tiles, game rules. $10/members, $15/non-members.

Music History class: the Great Violin Concertos, 1-2:30 p.m., begins Feb. 27. Speaker: Steven Lowe, program annotator, lecturer for Seattle Symphony, Seattle Chamber Music Society, Northwest Sinfonietta. $35/members; $45/non-members.

Bridge Group: 12:30-3 p.m., Fridays, Room 200. Prior Bridge playing experience required. Coffee, tea. Bring brown bag lunch. Free/JCC members, $2/non-members.

Mah Jongg: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fridays, Polack Lounge. Ancient Chinese game of skill, chance. Free/JCC members, $2/non-members.

Religion

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m., nursery care provided. Children’s Sunday School during worship. Adult Education: 9 a.m., Sundays. Senior Lunch after worship: Feb. 17. High School Youth Group/Sunday School: 6 p.m. Middle School Youth Group: Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. Bible Studies: 7:45 p.m., Wednesdays; 6:15 p.m., Thursdays. 4545 Island Crest Way, (206) 232-7800, office@ucc-ccmi.net, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Congregation Shevet Achim: morning minyan, 6:45 a.m., Monday, Thursday; 6:55 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Shabbat services: 9 a.m. between Sukkot, Pesach; 9:30 a.m. between Pesach, Sukkot. Northwest Yeshiva High School sanctuary. President Rich Gilmore, (206) 232-1060.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday services and Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.; church school, nursery care; children’s choir, 11:30 a.m. Contemporary service: 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist in the chapel. Holy Eucharist, healing service: 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. 232-1572, mail@emmanuelmi.org.

First Church of Christ, Scientist: services and Sunday School, 10 a.m. S.E. 47th & Island Crest Way. Wednesday meetings: 7:30 p.m. Childcare available. Reading Room: open weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7605 S.E. 27th St. 232-0175, fccsmi@hotmail.com.

First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church: Christian Education, 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:40 a.m., Sundays, Fireside Room. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595.

Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: services, 6 p.m., Fridays and 9:15 a.m., Saturdays. Daily Minyan: 7 a.m. Minyan at 9 a.m. on Sundays, secular holidays. Pre-Neg: 5:30 p.m., Fridays. 3700 E. Mercer Way. (206) 232-8555, www.h-nt.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship schedule, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. (childcare available). Sunday School/education hour: 9 a.m. 8501 S.E. 40th St. (206) 232-3270. www.htlcmi.org.

Latter Day Saints Mormon Church: Sacrament meeting, 9 a.m. Sunday School: 10:10 a.m. Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women: 11:10 a.m. 4001 Island Crest Way. 236-2957.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: worship services, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., Sundays. Sunday School for all ages: 9:45 a.m. Middle School Youth Group: 7 p.m., Tuesdays. Men’s Open Prayer Group: 6:15 a.m., Wednesdays. Community Dinner: 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, $3. Women’s Oasis Bible Study: 9:15 a.m., Thursdays, childcare provided. High School Youth Group: 7 p.m., Thursdays. Women’s Prayer Ministry: 8 a.m., Thursdays. MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers): 9:30 a.m., Fridays. Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 a.m., Saturdays. Parenting Seminar, “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent”: 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays through March 12. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1015, ext. 100, www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Sunday worship — Breakfast Service, 8:15 a.m.; Traditional Service, 10:35 a.m.; Evening Service, 5 p.m. YAG (Young Adult Group): ages 20-early 30s, fun gatherings, book discussion; paul@mipc.org. Seekers/Joiners Class: 12:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 24, childcare (on request) and lunch provided, Ruth Ann Biggers, RuthAnnB@mipc.org, 232-5596 ext. 203. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Sunday School, 10 a.m. Sunday worship: 11 a.m. Childcare available. All are welcome. 7070 S.E. 24th St. (206) 232-3044.

New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 9 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). Revival Service: 4 p.m., Feb. 23. “To Have and To Hold” series: 1-2 p.m., begins Feb. 24, MI Library. A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. (206) 275-1042 ext. 3, www.newhic.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: worship and kids’ services, 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study: 11 a.m. All are welcome. The church is handicapped accessible. Worship is uplifting, joyful. 6001 Island Crest Way. Pastor Bill Clements, (206) 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranchurch.us.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Are you interested about the Catholic faith? You are invited to join St. Monica Catholic Church’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation Adults) program, an ancient church process to enable anyone to learn about and participate in the Roman Catholic faith. All are welcome. The class meets 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays, St. Monica School Library, 4320 87th Ave. S.E.; Dan Stevenson, 232-9829. Childcare provided. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-2900.