Events

Christmas Tree Pick-Up: Dec. 27, Jan. 2-3, 9. Mercer Island boys lacrosse team is conducting their annual pick-up service and fundraiser. The trees are mulched by the city and recycled back into the parks system. To schedule a tree pick-up, call 232-8775 or e-mail laxpickup@hotmail.com.

Play Away the Winter Blues: 12-3 p.m., Jan. 10, Community Center Gym. A variety of fun play equipment and games will fill the gym for families of all ages to play together. Free.

Wine Tasting: 4-6 p.m., Friday evenings, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th St. Free. (206) 407-3016.

Christmas Eve Services

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Families with Exceptional Needs Eucharist: 1 p.m. Holy Eucharist: 5 p.m. Carols: 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Eucharist: 11 p.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist: 10 a.m. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1572, www.emmanuelmi.org.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Christmas Pageant, 4-5 p.m. Candlelight Services: 6-7 p.m., 9-10 p.m., 11 pm.-12 a.m., with prelude/gathering music starting 20 minutes prior to each service. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595, www.mipc.org.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Christmas Eve Mass, 4, 6, 9 p.m. Christmas Day Mass: 8, 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-2900, www.stmonica.cc.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Candlelight Services: 4 p.m., 11 p.m., 8501 S.E. 40th St. Special music will begin one half hour prior to each service. (206) 232-3270, www.htlcmi.org.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Family Service, 5-6 p.m. Candlelight Service: 11 p.m.-midnight. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1015, www.micc.org.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Family Service, 5-7 p.m. Candlelight Service: 11 p.m. 4545 Island Crest Way. (206) 232-7800, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: Candlelight Service, 7 p.m. 6001 Island Crest Way. (206) 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranmi.org.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: 7:30 p.m. 7070 S.E. 24th. Lessons, carols, candle lighting. Child care provided. (206) 232-3044, www.miumc.org.

New Hope International Church: 8:30 p.m. Features drama, message. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. Refreshments will follow. 9170 S.E. 64th. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.

Classes

Beginning Fly-Tying Classes: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 7-Feb. 5, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Eight-session beginner class will teach how to tie flies to get fish biting. $45. Includes a manual and DVD. Bob: (206) 542-4623.

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Japanese Flower-Arranging Winter Classes: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, Jan. 15-March 5, at Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. (206) 236-3545.

Instructor: Mitsuko Hakomori. $80. Shirley Hill: (425) 558-0889, (206) 954-3833, shirleyhill@live.com.

First Aid and Adult CPR w/ AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 16, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $30 by check or cash the day of the event. Call 275-7607, Monday through Friday, to reserve a space. Jolene Judd: (206) 275-7607.

Cheese 101 – Introduction to Artisan Cheeses: 6:30-9 p.m., Jan. 20, Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro, 7650 S.E. 27th St. #100. Presented by Bennett’s and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.

Infant/Child/Adult CPR with AED Class: 7-9 p.m., Jan. 28, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Not a health care provider class. $15 by check or cash. Call (206) 275-7607 to reserve a space.

Stroller Strides Class: 11:30 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays, Club Emerald, 3028 78th Ave. S.E. A nationally acclaimed program that allows moms to exercise with their babies. Dawn Minter: (425) 466-3737, www.strollerstrides.com.

Groups

Mercer Island Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital: seeking updates for the Mercer Island Directory. Contact the guild if new to the Island or if you have a different address, phone number or name change. The deadline for changes and updates is the end of December. Karin Pangborn: (206) 232-7046, miphonebook@gmail.com.

Functional Vision Screenings: through December, Hope Clinic, 12301 N.E. 10th Pl., Suite 302, Bellevue. Free screenings for children and adults with suspected reading difficulties, dyslexia, learning disabilities or attention deficit issues. Reservations: (425) 213-1016.

Mercer Island Ski Bus: Tuesdays, Jan. 5 through Feb. 23. Leaves Mercer Island at 8 a.m., returns at 6 p.m. Adult ski bus has openings for men and women, all abilities. Six trips to Crystal, two trips to Stevens. $165. Discounted group lift tickets available. Monica Robbins: 232-5838, 4waterdawgs@msn.com.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., Jan. 6, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Stephen Grate, from the Issaquah History Museum, will describe the little-known history of coal mining in the Northwest. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

Women Painters of Washington: “Connections” Gallery Exhibition, through Jan. 29, 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 310, Seattle. www.womenpainters.com.

Mercer Island Community Fund: currently accepting grant applications for funding from organizations that benefit the Mercer Island community in six categories, through Jan. 31, 2010. Gail Steinitz: momda@mindspring.com.

Court Appointed Special Advocates: Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Help the legal system work toward a safe, permanent home for these children. Must be 21. (206) 296-1120, casa.group@kingcounty.gov. www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Registration required.

All libraries are closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Christmas, Dec. 25.

Adults

Volunteer Opportunity: select, deliver and return library materials to a shut-in patron at least once a month, for one year. Must be age 18 or older and have reliable transportation. Brief training provided. Susan LaFantasie: (425) 369-3235, (877) 905-2008.

Children

“The Tale of Two Bad Mice” Puppet Show: 7 p.m., Dec. 28. A new production with puppets designed by Tony DeFilipps.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)

8236 S.E. 24th St.

275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

Registration for winter programs, January through March, is now open. See the Winter Recreation Guide for more information. To sign up, go to www.myparksandrecreation.com or call (206) 275-7609.

Beginning Bridge: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 5-Feb. 9. $74. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy.

MI Writing Club: Grades 2-3, 4:15-6:15 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 12-March 23. Grades 4-5: 4:15-6:15 p.m., Thursdays, Jan. 14-March 25. Each class includes group activities, individual writing and individual feedback. Instructor: Barbara Winkleman. $112.

Pre-Ballet: 3:10-4 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 12-March 23. Ages 3-4. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. $112.

Ballet: 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 12-March 23. Ages 5-6. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. $112.

Stroum JCC

3801 East Mercer Way

232-7115

www.sjcc.org

Winter class registration is open. Classes are online at www.sjcc.org.

Art Day: Dec. 24.

The Sweetest Thing: Dec. 28.

Sports Camp: Dec. 28-30.

Color Wars: Dec. 29.

Pump It Up: Dec. 30.

Dive In and Drive In: Dec. 31.

School’s Out Winter Break Camps: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., through Dec. 31. Grades: Pre K-K, K-5, 6-8. No camp on Dec. 25. Leslie Rubenstein: (206) 388-1988.

Conversational Ladino Class: 12-1 p.m., Wednesdays, through Jan. 13. Instructor: Al Maimon. Sessions are for those who have prior experience speaking Ladino. Bring lunch. Free.