Breast health experts to speak
Islanders and leading breast cancer physicians Benjamin Anderson and Constance Lehman will be speaking and taking your questions about breast health from 6:30 until 8:30 tonight at the Community Center at Mercer View.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is set to draft its annual work plan for the coming year tonight at 7:30 in the Council Chambers in the City Hall.
Chamber lunch
The monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon is set for Thursday at noon at the CCMV. Reps. Judy Clibborn and Fred Jarrett will be the speakers. The cost is $18 at the door, or $15 for members.
Jewish film festival and concert
The American Jewish Committee’s annual Seattle Jewish Film Festival will open on Thursday night, April 3. Michele Tesler, Mercer Island resident and owner of Tatters, is the festival’s co-chair. One of the films, “Someone to Run With,” is being sponsored by Mercer Island resident Shlomo Freiman. To find out more, go to www. seattlejewishfilmfestival.org.
Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and David Propis will perform at the Cantoral Concert tonight at 7:30 at Herzl-Ner Tamid on Mercer Island. For tickets ($15) or information, call (206) 232-8555.
Citizens needed to serve on boards
The Mercer Island City Council is seeking a diverse range of citizens to serve as volunteers on several advisory boards, including the Arts Council (3); Design Commission (2); Open Space Conservancy Trust (2); Planning Commission (2) and Youth & Family Services Advisory Board (four adults, three 10th-graders and three eighth-graders).
For more information, go to www.mercergov.org/boards, or contact Ali Spietz, at 275-7793 or ali.spietz@mercergov.org. The application deadline is Friday, May 2.
Events
Cantoral Concert: 7:30 p.m., April 2, Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 East Mercer Way. Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, Cantor David Propis to perform. Tickets: $15, (206) 232-8555. www.alisapomerantzboro.com, www.davidpropis.com. (206) 232-1984.
Brandeis Annual Book Sale: April 3-6, Crossroads Shopping Center, Bellevue. 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Thursday/Friday; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday. Proceeds to Brandeis University libraries.
Community Volunteer Environmental Restoration: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., April 5, Ellis Pond. Work with EarthCorps, local neighbors, Parks and Recreation to restore the park. Remove invasive plants, spread woodchips. Sign up: www.earthcorps.org. Chris LaPointe, (206) 322-9296 ext. 217, chris@earthcorps.org.
“A Taste of Broadway” festivals: 8 p.m., April 10-12, Youth Theatre Northwest. High school students performing selections from the “Great White Way’s” past and present, “Parade,” “Fantasticks,” “The Little Shop of Horrors.” Tickets: $8. www.YouthTheatre.org, (206) 232-4145, ext. 100.
CCMV Artist Show Dates: Charlotte Segal, Paintings and Gwen Jones, Quilts, through April 11, CCMV, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Eileen Hemmis Trifts, (206) 275-7609, www.miparks.net.
Summer Youth Volunteer Programs: online registration through April 11, www.mercergov.org/voice (high schoolers), www.mercergov.org/svp (middle schoolers). MI Youth & Family Services presents eight-week Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) for high schoolers and Summer Volunteer Program (SVP) for middle schoolers. Work with children, immigrants, refugees, homeless. Participate in environmental projects, community events.
Salvation Army Charity Auction: 12:30-3 p.m., April 12, CCMV. Benefits a playground at the new Catherine Booth House, a confidential Salvation Army emergency shelter for women/children escaping domestic violence. Silent auction, dessert social, presentation. Sponsor: Soroptimist International of Seattle North (SISN). Tickets: $35. Please respond by April 5. Jane Reddie, (206) 909-7137; (206) 719-0913, siseattlenorth@msn.com.
Classics on Film: “Spellbound,” (Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck), 1 p.m., April 12, MI Library. 236-3537.
Shakespeare’s 444th Birthday Celebration: 11 a.m., April 19, MI Library. Features “Westside Story” (Natalie Woods, George Chakiris), 1 p.m. 236-3537.
Fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 457: All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.-noon, April 13, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. $5/single; $15/family; $3/senior. Sunnie Parkman, (206) 230-9634.
Adaptive Activities: recreational respite programs, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays starting April 14, Highland Community Center. Nonprofit charity provides programs for people with developmental disabilities: exercise, karaoke, cooking, arts and crafts, life skills. Tobie Parnell, (425) 457-6913, www.adaptiveactivities.org. Qualifies for Washington State Respite Hours payment.
“Beyond Angkor Wat — The Children of Cambodia” photo exhibition: now through April 15, Omega Photo, 1100 Bellevue Way N.E., #6, Bellevue. Photos by Kirkland photographer, Jeff Speigner, winner of 2005 Carol Duke People’s Choice Award at the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair. Benefits Ponheary Ly Foundation and children. Larry Meece, (425) 455-2126, omega@omegaphoto.biz, www.omegaphoto.biz.
Real Parenting Town Hall Meeting: “Keeping Our Kids on Track and Preparing for the High School Years,” 7-8:30 p.m., April 16, Islander Middle School. Hear from a panel of Mercer Island parents of college-aged youth/young adult MIHS grads, to discuss successful parenting strategies for preventing teen alcohol/drug abuse. Suggest a discussion topic to Cynthia Goodwin, cindy.goodwin@mercergov.org.
JCC Passover Seder celebration: 6:30 p.m., April 20, Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Sample sweet haroset, bitter herbs, crunchy matzah: Delicious kosher dinner catered by Nosh Away. All are welcome. $35 member/$50 non-member adult, $25 member/$35 non-member senior, $22/kids ages 7-15, kids 6 and under are free. Prepayment due by April 14. Reservations: Roni Antebi, 232-7115 ext. 269, ronia@sjcc.org; seder@sjcc.org.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused, neglected children in court. Help the legal system work toward safe, permanent homes for children. Must be 21, have excellent references, attend 28 hours of training. (206) 296-1120, casa.group@kingcounty.gov, www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.
Volunteers needed: MI Youth & Family Services seeks front desk office volunteers at the Luther Burbank building to provide customer service, assist staff with projects/mailings, among other tasks: 9 a.m.-noon, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Fridays. Kim Richards, 275-7611; www.mercergov.org/yfs.
Classes
“Creation Workshop”: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., April 5, New Hope International Church, 9170 S.E. 64th St. A scientific hands-on workshop for kids (grades K-6) and parents to do science experiments together. Instructors: Bruce Barton, vice president of Creation Association of Puget Sound, and Sandra Barton, science department head at Academy Northwest. Snacks served. Register by March 30. $5/child. 275-1042.
Foundation Class – Overcoming Series Part II: 1-2 p.m., Sundays in April, New Hope International Church. “Raise your self-esteem”: April 6. “Change your critical attitude”: April 13. “Let go of fear and worry”: April 20. “Live a life of discipline”: April 27. Sign up in church lobby. 275-1042.
ADHD: “Answers to ADHD for Children and Teens — Why do I have it? How does Medication Help Me? How do I explain ADHD to others,” 7-8:30 p.m., April 14, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Dr. Ted Mandelkorn, Puget Sound Behavioral Medicine. Sponsor: ADD Resources. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.
Successful Family Reunions: “The Important Role of You, the Family Genealogist,” 7-9:30 p.m., April 14, Stroum JCC Auditorium, 3801 East Mercer Way. Speaker: Brad Fanta. Sponsor: Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. $5/guests; free/JGSWS members. programs@jgsws.org, www.jgsws.org.
Clubs
Mercer Island Probus Club: meeting, 10:30 a.m., April 2, MIPC, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Jean Floten, president of Bellevue Community College since 1989. Open to the public. Bob Simonds, 236-2190, probobus@comcast.net.
Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) meeting: noon, April 3, MI Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Board meeting: 10:30 a.m. Joe MacKechnie, award-winning artist, will demonstrate portraits, landscapes. All are welcome.
Mercer Island Sogetsu School of Ikebana “Color Splash”: 18th annual exhibition, demonstration of the Japanese art of flower arranging: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., April 5; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., April 6, Community Center at Mercer View. Demonstrations: 2 p.m., both days. Free. www.misogetsu.org.
Mercer Island Women’s Club: monthly luncheon, April 7, Seattle Tennis Club. Social hour: 11 a.m. Lunch: 12 p.m. Fashion show by Blue Willi’s. Barbara Stevens, (206) 234-1992; Colleen Gaeto, (425) 793-9757.
Cascade Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution: 10:30 a.m., April 9, Red Lion Bellevue Inn, 11211 Main Street, Bellevue. Speaker: Col. Debra Lewis on her year in Iraq. Reservations: Janea Klein, (206) 230-0123.
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.
Mercer Island Boys Youth Lacrosse: register at www.mercerislandlacrosse.com for grades 1-4. Games played on Sundays.
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. Register for spring/summer activities online. All events are held at the Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV), 8236 S.E. 24th St., unless otherwise specified.
MI Writing Club: 4:15-6:15 p.m., April 8-May 27. Grades 2-3. Group activities, individual writing and feedback. Idea rounds, plot-action ball, autobiography poems, movie-scene characterizations, zany mood stories and description guessing games. Snacks provided. $115.
Solemates Walking Group: April 9. Departs CCMV at 8:30 a.m. $2.
Trailmates Hiking Group: April 10, Cougar Mountain. 4-7 mile hike for seniors. Limited space: 10 hikers.
Wing Tsjun Self-Defense: 7-8:30 p.m., through April 10 (8155), in Dance Room. For teens, adults. Instructor: Adrian Weaver. $66.
Grief and Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., April 10, CCMV Board Room. Betsy Zuber, MS.
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.
Classes
Must register: call 275-7609.
Hula Hoop Dance Class: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., April 8-June 12, Dance Room. Instructor: Marcie Spahi. For adults. Use adult-size hula hoops, move with music. 10 weeks/$121; drop-in/$12.
“Parenting Your 1-4-year-old”: 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays, April 9-23, Calkins Room. Active Parenting is a skills-based program for parents of young children. Instructor: Donna Ellis, M.C. Learn helpful techniques for parenting this phase in your child’s development and gain confidence and greater ease. $61/individual; $91/couple.
ABC & Reading: 2-3 p.m., Fridays, April 11-June 27, Slater Room. For ages 3-5. Class focuses on words in the environment; explores letters, sounds, site works through routines, activities, games that train children’s eyes, ears, minds for reading in a fun way. 12 weeks/$325; sibling/$292.
Spanish through Creative Arts & Games: 3:30-5 p.m., Fridays, April 11-June 27, Slater Room. For ages 3-5. 12 weeks/$325; sibling/$292.
Dog Obedience Classes: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Sundays through May 18. No dogs the first night. $96/six weeks.
Jazzercise: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Writing Club: 4-6 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays. For grades 2-5.
Bridge lessons: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. $63/six weeks.
Parks & Rec. Seniors
Grocery shopping transportation: Wednesday mornings. Call 275-7895, ext. 1, leave a message by 4 p.m., 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: 232-4548, www.mipositiveplace.org.
6th Annual Evergreen State Open Judo Tournament: April 5. Free. Harold Yamada, (206) 618-5790.
Guitar Classes: pre-teen guitar, 3 p.m., Mondays, April 7, 14, 28. Instructor: Brendan Bosworth of MusicWorks. Ages 11 and under.
Champions Gymnastics (K-3rd grade) class: registration is open. Session 1: 5-5:45 p.m., through April 30. $100. My Gym, Bellevue.
Rock Shop: 4 p.m., Mondays. For students on all instruments, Rock Shop is a jam session for beginners who have had six months of lessons. Rhythm, lead playing, classic rock songs, basic 12-bar blues structure. 9 classes/$189.
MI Judo Dojo: practices 6:15-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Instructor: Harold Yamada.
Preschool
Preschool Rainy Day Gym: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays through May 1. Indoor playground. $3/visit.
Spring Break Camps
Register online at www.mipositiveplace.org for summer camps, including Voyager and Explorer Day Camps (grades K-3), Adventure Camps (4-5), Teen Travel Camps (6-8), Skyhawk Sports Camps, Spanish Language Camps, Art Camps, Science Adventure Camps.
“Dinosaur Days”: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., March 31-April 4. For MISD students, grades K-5. Dinosaur-related activities, field trips, fossil digs, Burke Museum, swimming. $180, 5 days.
“Spring Into Action”: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., April 7-11. Swimming, Whirligig at Seattle Center, Kelsey Creek Farm. For grades K-5.
“Bounce Into Spring”: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., April 17-28. Swimming, 3-2-1-Bounce, Pioneer Farms. $280, 8 days.
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 Mah Jongg: 2-4 p.m., Mondays, April 7-28. Learn the tiles, game rules. $10/members, $15/non-members.
Senior Adult Lunch and Film: “Keeping up with the Steins,” noon-2 p.m., April 8. For seniors over 55. Presenters: The American Jewish Committee, Seattle Jewish Film Festival, Stroum JCC. $6/lunch, movie. Advance reservations required, limited seating.
“Opera Sings the Soul: Exploring Opera’s Cultural Connections”: 7 p.m., April 14. New lecture series presented by the SJCC, Seattle Opera. Free kick-off preview.
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. High School Youth Group/Sunday School: 6 p.m. Middle School Youth Group: 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays. 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: Shabbat services, 9 a.m. between Sukkot, Pesach; 9:30 a.m. between Pesach, Sukkot. Northwest Yeshiva High School sanctuary. Hospitality@shevetachim.com; President Rich Gilmore, (206) 232-1060.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday worship services/Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Eucharist: 5 p.m., chapel. Emmanuel Children’s Breakfast: 9 a.m. Children’s Choir rehearsal: 9:30 a.m. Emmanuel Book Club: April 14, discussion on “The Color of Water” by James McBride. Tai Chi classes: 6:30 p.m., Mondays. Bible Study: 1 p.m., Tuesdays, Parish Library. Healing Service: 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays. Tea and Talk Knitting Group: 2 p.m., Thursdays. 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. Midweek Compline service: a new ongoing worship offering, 7 p.m., Wednesdays. “Worship Workshop” with David Locke: 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, explore the whys and hows of liturgy, then let your voice ring out in the Atrium for evening prayers. Bible Study: 10 a.m., Thursdays. 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. High School Youth Group: 6:30 p.m., Sundays. 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. Women’s Prayer Ministry: 8 a.m., Thursdays. MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers): 9:30 a.m., first/third Fridays. Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 a.m., Saturdays. 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. Young Adult BBQ’s: Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., April 21, Paul and Devon Barrett’s home, paul@mipc.org. New Women’s Bible Study, “A Shephard’s Look at Psalm 23”: 9:30-11 a.m., Fridays through June 6 except April 4, Fireside Room; Stephanie Creswell, cresfamily@comcast.net, or Amy Johnson, Johnson_amy@netzero.net. J-J-J Jitterbug! Dance Lessons: after 5 p.m. worship service, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, Fellowship Hall, taught by Rich Stillman; Ruth Ann, ruthannb@mipc.org. Women’s Bible Study: 10-11:30 a.m., Mondays, Fireside Room; Linda Fowler, 232-3307, Linda.fowler@comcast.net. 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, www.miumc.org.
New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 9 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). “Creation Workshop”: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., April 5. Foundation Class – Overcoming Series Part II: 1-2 p.m., Sundays in April, sign up in church lobby. A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: worship and kids’ services, 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study: 11 a.m. All are welcome. Redeemer is handicap-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.
