Summer Celebration! is July 12-13
Summer Celebration! begins with the Grand Parade at 10 a.m. this Saturday on 78th Avenue S.E. in the Town Center. See floats, Scouts, dogs, vintage cars, horses and more in this year’s Wild West kick-off event.
After the parade, it is on to food and shopping at the Street Fair in the Town Center, games, rides and more at Mercerdale Park, three-on-three basketball, music and more.
On Saturday evening, there is fun and Fireworks at Luther Burbank Park. Jump on a shuttle to the park and dance, eat and spend time with neighbors and friends.
For more information about Saturday night at Luther Burbank and all of the many activities and events, go to pages A4 and A8, see our latest issue of 98040 or visit www.misummercelebration.com for a full schedule and details or call the Summer Celebration hotline: (206) 275-7857.
Opening night
Friday, July 11, is the opening night of the reprise of the popular Youth Theatre Northwest production of “Pigs! The Rock Musical,” as YTN celebrates its 25th year. For tickets and information, call (206) 232-4145, ext. 109, or check online at www.youththeatre.org.
Park work
A wetlands restoration party at Luther Burbank Park is this Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Meet at the north parking lot of Luther Burbank Park. Sponsors remind volunteers to wear weather-appropriate clothes and waterproof boots. Tools and brownies supplied. Questions, call 232-7402
Summer music
Mostly Music in the Park opens its concert season with the Portage Bay Big Band at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, at Mercerdale Park. Free.
Events
Tent City meeting: 7-9 p.m., July 9, United Methodist Church, 7070 S.E. 24th St. Neighborhood public-information meeting on church’s decision to host Tent City 4. Neighbors invited to attend, meet some Tent City residents, learn more about the camp. www.miumc.org.
Puget Sound Blood Drive: 1-7 p.m., July 18, Mercer Island Covenant Church Fellowship Hall, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. 1-800-398-7888, www.psbc.org.
MIHS Class of 1968 40-Year Reunion: 6:30 p.m., Sept. 20, MI Beach Club. Graduates’ night: 7 p.m., Sept. 19, Roanoke Inn. Call (425) 644-1044 with your contact information or that of hard-to-find friends. www.ReunionsWithClass.com.
Arts
Shakespeare in the Parks: July 10-Aug. 3. “Romeo and Juliet”: 7 p.m., July 10-11, 17-19; 3 p.m., July 20, Luther Burbank Park; and 5 p.m., July 12, Mercerdale Park. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 7 p.m., July 24-25, 27, 31, Aug. 1-3, Luther Burbank Park. Seattle Shakespeare Co. Wooden O Productions. Free. Jeff Fickes (206) 733-8228 ext. 214, JeffF@seattleshakespeare.org.
“PIGS! The Rock Musical”: July 11-20, Youth Theatre Northwest. 7 p.m., Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; 2 p.m., July 17. Alumni reunion on Opening Night. Tickets: $13 ($15 opening night). 232-4145, www.youththeatre.org.
MIVAL Junior Art Show: July 12-13, Wells Fargo Bank. Colleen Mohn, 232-2136; Genny Rees, 232-6354.
3rd Thursday Art Walk: 5:30-8 p.m., July 17. Wine tasting, snacks, raffle, follow the orange balloons. www.OurMercerIsland.com.
Mostly Music in the Park kick-off: Portage Bay Big Band, 7-8:30 p.m., July 20, Mercerdale Park. Free. Beth Brennen, 232-7650.
MI Summer Celebration
July 12-13, Mercerdale and Luther Burbank parks. Annual community festival featuring parade, fireworks, arts and crafts, food, car show. Theme: Wild, Wild West. www.misummercelebration.com.
Veterans Recognition: after parade, 10:30 a.m., July 12, Mercerdale Park Veterans Pergola. Refreshments served.
Community Hoedown: 7-10 p.m., July 12, Luther Burbank Park ampitheater. Music by the Tall Boys; square dance caller to teach simple dance steps.
YFS Benefit Barbecue: 6:30-8:30 p.m., July 12, Luther Burbank Park. Benefits Youth & Family Services Food Bank. $12/adults, $8/children.
Skate Jam: 12-4 p.m., July 13, Mercerdale Park. Sponsor: Orthodontic Associates of Mercer Island. Kirk Willms, 275-7863.
Music Celebration: music by teen bands, 1:30-3:30 p.m., July 13, Mercerdale Park. Sign up your band: Katie, 275-7862.
Volunteer opportunities
Wetlands Restoration Party: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., July 12, Luther Burbank Park North Wetland. Join Friends of Luther Burbank Park, Mountains to Sound. Tools, brownies supplied. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, waterproof boots. Sue Stewart, 232-7402.
Ellis Pond Park Restoration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 14-18. Service opportunity for youth ages 13-18; remove invasive plants, spread woodchips, trail maintenance. Lina Rose, (206) 322.9296 ext. 225. Sign up: Grace McKinney, (206) 826-8929, gracemcampfire-usa.org.
Island Crest Park Restoration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 21. Join EarthCorps, MI Parks and Rec. Tools, gloves, training provided. Please sign up in advance online: www.earthcorps.org.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Train to become a volunteer advocate in court for abused, neglected children. Must be at least 21, attend 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, staff assistance: 9 a.m.-noon, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Fridays. Kim Richards, 275-7611; www.mercergov.org/yfs.
Classes
Estate Planning for Artists: noon-2 p.m., July 10, 911 Media Arts Center, 402 9th Ave. N., Seattle. Speaker: Attorney Jeffrey Grieff. Tickets available in advance or at door for attorneys, paralegals, artists, students. Registration: 800-838-3006, http://brownpapertickets.com/producer/3042. RSVP: Washington Lawyers for the Arts, (206) 328-7053. www.thewla.org.
Tea Classes: 3 p.m., Sundays, July 13, 20, 27, Avellino Building at 2836 78th Ave. S.E. With Elizabeth Borges. Free tea tastings, recipes. (206) 347-0581, www.teatreasures.org.
Clubs
Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., July 9, MI Presbyterian Church. Speaker: MI Deputy Mayor and Councilman El Jahncke on rescuing astronauts during the Apollo program. Bob Simonds, 236-2190.
Pacific Northwest Audio Society meeting: 7:30 p.m., July 10, second Thursdays, Mercer Island Congregational Church basement, 4545 Island Crest Way. Dedicated to exploration and enjoyment of fine audio and music since 1978. www.audiosociety.org.
Island Wieners: calling all dachshunds to join the Island Wieners as they march in the Mercer Island Summer Celebration grand parade, July 12. Mary, 232-1215, gradient.m@comcast.net.
Mercer Island West Highland Club: Westie dog owners are welcome to march with the MI West Highland Club in MI Summer Celebration parade, July 12. Miriam Beck, 232-4217, billmiriam@hotmail.com.
Women Painters of Washington: “Mischief” exhibition, through Aug. 1, Women Painters Gallery, Columbia Center third level, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Free, open to the public. Reception: 4-6 p.m., July 3. www.womenpainters.com.
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. Registration is required.
Adults
Computer Classes: “Searching the Internet for Beginners,” 9 a.m., July 10. “Microsoft Word Level I”: 9 a.m., July 17. “Microsoft Word Level II”: 9 a.m., July 24.
Children
Rita Hug and the Juggle Bugs: 11:30 a.m., July 9. Presenter: Linda Severt’s Juggletunes.
Bugs Don’t Bug Me: 2 p.m., July 15. Ages 3 and up. Presenter: Cyndi Soup. Stories, songs, imaginative camping adventure.
Buggy Folktales from Around the World: 11:30 a.m., July 16. Ages 3 and up. Presenter: Whitman Story Sampler. Storytelling, music. Bring lunch.
Story Times for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, through July 22. Ages 12 to 23 months with adult.
Story Times for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, through July 22. Ages 2-3.
Book Buddies: 2-4 p.m., Mondays, through Aug. 11. Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to read with a local literacy-trained teen for one 20-minute session. Drop-in.
Teens
Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., July 15. Voice your opinions on library’s teen materials, services, programs.
Book Buddies: 2-4 p.m., Mondays, through Aug. 11. Help a child love reading while making a new friend.
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: 9:30-11 a.m., through July 11, grades 2-3; 1-3 p.m., July 21-26, grades 4-6; 1-3 p.m., July 2- Aug. 1, grades 6-9. Group activities, individual writing and feedback. $151.
Dog Obedience: July 13, 20, 27. Joyce’s Dog Obedience Services, Inc. $96.
Fun Mobile: through July on Mercer Island. Tie Dye T-shirts: noon-1:30 p.m., July 17, Deane’s Park. Scavenger Hunt: July 28, Pioneer Park S.E. quadrant. Water Wednesdays, Friday prizes. Jess, 275-7882.
Ping Pong: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mondays; 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays, through August. $1/ball; free if you bring your own ping pong ball.
Boating
Youth Sailing Camps: Jr. Opti Camp, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-4 p.m., through July 11, ages 6-8, $226. Opti Camp: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 4-8 and 11-15, ages 8-13, $351. In partnership with Sail Sand Point, at Luther Burbank Park.
Adult Kayak Tours: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., July 19; 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 23. $71.
Specialized Recreation Day Sails: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., July 25 and Aug. 22. Dannie, 275-7891. $21.
Youth Kayak Camps: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5:30 p.m., July 21-25 and Aug. 25-29. Ages 11-15. $301.
Parks & Rec. Seniors
Parkinson Disease Caregivers Support Group: 1:30-3 p.m., July 10, Health Room.
Parkinson Disease Support Group: 2-3:30 p.m., July 15, Luther Room.
Senior Commission: 7-8:30 p.m., July 17.
Grocery Shopping Transportation: Wednesday mornings. Call 275-7895, press 1, leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before shopping. $1.
Senior lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesday, Thursday. Reservations: 275-7895, ext. 2. $4.25.
Volunteers needed: Parks & Rec. needs help with the Senior Transportation Program. Jeannette, 275-7841.
Summer Camps
Nate Robinson Basketball Camp: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 29-Aug. 1, CCMV. For ages 6-16. $275. Registration deadline: July 25. 275-7609.
Youth Theatre Northwest Camps: through Aug. 29, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Week-long summer camps with half-day or full-day options for ages 3-18. Creative drama, acting foundation. 232-4145, www.youththeatre.org.
Kamp Rock: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday to Friday through August, CCMV. Ages 6-11. Arts and crafts, games, swimming, field trips. $185. 275-7609.
Little Champs Sports Camp: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday to Friday through August, Island Crest Park. Ages 4-7. $82. 275-7609.
Itsy Bitsy Islanders: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday to Friday through August, W. Mercer Elementary. Ages 3-5. $125. 275-7609.
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.
Rock Shop: 4 p.m., Mondays. Jam session for beginners. 9 classes/$189.
MI Judo Dojo: practices 6:15-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Instructor: Harold Yamada.
Registration for Summer Camps: now open, www.mipositiveplace.org. Summer day camps for ages 5-14 include games, arts and crafts, cooking, field trips, special events. Activities: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Voyager and Explorer Day Camps: Grades K-3. Adventure Camps: Grades 4-5. Teen Travel Camps: Grades 6-8. Skyhawk Sports, Spanish Language, Art, Science Adventure camps.
Religion
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m., nursery care provided. Children’s Sunday School during worship. 4545 Island Crest Way, (206) 232-7800, office@ucc-ccmi.org, 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, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. 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: 9:30 a.m. Adult Education: 9:15-10:15 a.m. Choir rehearsal: 10 a.m., loft. Layweeders Volunteer Gardeners: 10-12 a.m., Monday. Family Summer Program: “Praying as a Family,” 5:30-8 p.m., Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30; dinner; $40/family, scholarships available. Accepting NW Harvest food donations. 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. Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 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 service, 9 a.m. No Sunday School. 8501 S.E. 40th St. 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: summer worship services, 9:30 a.m., Sundays. Sunday children’s program and one adult class: 9:30 a.m. Calling All Unfinished Knitting Projects: MICC is knitting and crocheting garments for Russian orphans, and can use your contribution of leftover (85%-100%) wool yarn or acrylic and other partial wool yarns, needles, unfinished projects; please drop off at church; Sallie, (425) 881-7210. Call for details about summer activities for youth. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. 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. Ice Cream Social: 7-8:15 p.m., July 16; all ages, Clint Gawthrop to lead patriotic piano sing-along. Cutthroat Lakes Hike: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., July 19, meet at MIPC. Young Adults BBQ: 7-8:30 p.m., July 14, Paul and Devon Barrett’s home, bring side dish. Men’s Open Gym Pick-Up Basketball: 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, all are welcome. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. 232-5595, www.mipc.org.
Mercer Island United Methodist Church: summer Sunday worship schedule: 10 a.m. Childcare available. No Sunday School. 7070 S.E. 24th St. 232-3044, www.miumc.org.
New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 10 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). Church Camp: “Dive in, Go Deep, Have Fun,” July 13-17, Warm Beach Christian Camp; grow in a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. 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, 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranchurch.us.
St. Monica Catholic Church: RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation Adults), 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays, St. Monica School Library, 4320 87th Ave. S.E. Childcare provided. Dan Stevenson, 232-9829. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. 232-2900.
