Events

2010 City of Mercer Island Spring Recycling Event: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., March 27, Mercer Island Boat Launch, 3600 East Mercer Way. Safely dispose of old equipment and household items. Acceptable items are listed at www.mercergov.org.

SJCC Communitywide Passover Seder: 6:30 p.m., March 30. Join the SJCC for a traditional second night Passover Seder with a kosher meal. Seating is limited. Reservations and payment due by March 25. Open to the community. Roni Antebi: (206) 232-7115, ronia@sjcc.org.

Spring Eggstravaganza: 3 p.m., April 3, Mercerdale Park. Lil’ Ones Egg Hunt: Egg hunt just for the little ones. Eggs, candy and prizes for everyone. Bring a basket. Find a golden egg for an “eggstra” special surprise. A separate section will be reserved for ages 1-3. Ages 1-6. www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Flashlight Egg Hunt: 8:30 p.m., April 3, Mercerdale Park. Bring a flashlight and basket. Eggs, candy and prizes for everyone. Find the golden egg a special surprise. Ages 7-10. www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Solar4MIHS: A ribbon cutting under the sun, 1:30-2:30 p.m., April 9. An unveiling of the high school’s solar panel system. Contact Harry Bolson with questions: (206) 518-2066.

Mercer Island Youth Employment & Volunteer Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 10, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. For ages 14 and 22. Bring resume to share with local employers; receive feedback on resume content and design; connect with volunteer organizations. Co-sponsors: MIYFS, Boys & Girls Club and MI Chamber of Commerce. Employers who would like to host a booth may contact Cheryl Manriquez at 275-7869 or cheryl.manriquez@mercergov.org.

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

Classes

“How to Save Company Owners $500-1,000 Per Employee Per Year Whilst Expanding Employee Benefits”: 4 p.m., March 25, Island Square, Meeting Room, 2758 78th Ave. S.E. The first five callers will get a surprise upon arrival. Drinks and snacks will be served. Please register with Siegi: (206) 227-6897, Sieglinda_Julius@us.aflac.com.

Rain Garden Workshop: 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 1, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Learn how to build a rain garden. Participants will receive site-assessment instructions in advance and a rain garden handbook. Free; $10 suggested donation. To register (required in advance): contact Stacey Gianas at Stewardship Partners, (206) 292-9875, sg@stewardshippartners.org. www.stewardshippartners.org.

“Intro to Painting En Plein Air”: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., April 6, Aljoya Artist Studio Room, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Jim Adkins, longtime plein air artist, to speak on painting outside with a focus on equipment, scouting and traveling issues. $50. To sign up: contact Charlette Haugen, (206) 282-1813, chhaugen@aol.com.

Katan Art Workshop Series: Tea Party, 10-11 a.m., April 11, 18, Katan, 2856 80th Ave. S.E. Children’s first session includes a snack, tea party story and an introduction to basic clay techniques; create two ceramic tea cups. Second session: glaze both now-fired ceramic tea cups, create a blend of tea with herbs and loose tea leaves. After firing, cups will be ready for pick-up on or after April 24. $38 per child, includes materials. For ages 4 and up. To register: (206) 399-2199, info@katanchildren.com. www.katanchildren.com.

Volunteer Emergency Well Operation Training: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., April 17, Mercer Island Emergency Well, 4320 88th Ave. S.E. Second disaster preparedness class in the Emergency Volunteer Series; designed to instruct volunteers on emergency well operation. With a (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team Base. Classes are held monthly. RSVP to Officer Franklin: (206) 275-7905.

CPR Classes: First Aid and Adult CPR with AED, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., April 17; $30 check or cash at event. Infant/Child/Adult CPR with AED: 7-9 p.m., April 22; $15 check/cash at event. Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Reserve a space: (206) 275-7607.

Stroller Strides Class: 11:30 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4 p.m., Tuesdays, 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 Fine Arts Advisory Committee Showcase: March 24, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Admission: free for children under age 18, MISD students, staff and their partners. Ticketed admission by donation is asked of all others. Minimum donation: $7 per single ticket, in advance; $10 at the door. For a schedule of events, go to www.mifineartsed.org/FineArtsShowcase2008.asp.

Mom’s Night Out Holiday Shop Event: 4-9 p.m., March 25, Katan, 2856 80th Ave. S.E. Come by the shop during extended hours Thursday evening to pick up your Afikomen prizes and Easter basket gifts; packaging is provided. www.katanchildren.com.

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Clarke Beach: March 27, April 18, remove blackberry patch, English ivy. Ellis Pond: April 10, general site maintenance, remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. Sign up online: www.earthcorps.org.

Luther Burbank Off-Leash Area Spring Spruce-Up: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., March 27, Luther Burbank Park. Help plant grass in the small dog area, prune trees and other work. Bring your dog and a pair of work gloves. Sponsor: People For Off-Leash Recreation. (425) 649-5648.

20th Annual Ikebana Exhibit 2010: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 27; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., March 28, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Sogetsu of Mercer Island extends an invitation to attend its free annual exhibit of Japanese flower arranging. Demonstrations of arrangements on both days at 2 p.m. Presented by Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Mercer Island branch. Free admission. www.misogetsu.org.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL): meeting, 6 p.m., April 1, Aljoya Retirement Community, 7524 S.E. 24th St. Open to the public. Demonstrator: Susanne Werner, who specializes in mixed media and collage techniques. www.mival.us.

Mercer Island Women’s Club: luncheon, 11:30 a.m., April 5, Seattle Tennis Club, 922 McGilvra Blvd. E., Seattle. Speaker: Lisa Howe Verhoveck, community relations manager, on how the foundation brings experts and advocates from around the world together to tackle economic and health inequities and help people lead healthy, productive lives in developing countries. Make reservations at www.mercerislandwomensclub.com or call Betty Harper at (206) 236-9932 by April 1.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., April 7, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Robert Felix, to discuss “Evolutionary Leaps: The Creeps Versus the Jerks.” The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

Noah Alper at SJCC: 7:30 p.m., April 15, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Speaker: Noah Alper, founder of Noah’s New York Bagels and author of “Business Mensch,” talks on entrepreneurism and incorporating Jewish values into your life and career. $15 general admission. www.sjcc.org.

Women Painters of Washington Gallery: “2010 Annual Members’ Show,” through April 27, Kaewyn Gallery, 10101 Main St., Bothell. Free. Open to the public. www.womenpainters.com.

Emergency Volunteer Lead Quarterly Meeting: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., April 29, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. Emergency preparedness meeting held quarterly and consists of team leads from committees such as Disaster Medical, Search & Rescue, Shelter. Officer Jennifer Franklin: (206) 275-7905.

Mercer Island High School Class of 1960 50th Class Reunion: Sept. 9-12. Alumni are invited to pass the word on to other alumni. For reservations and information, contact: Linnet (Dunden) Botkin at jandlbotkin@live.com, or Ga Neille (Crocker) Hostvedt: ginnie55@aol.com.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 and have references. (206) 296-1120, casa.group@kingcounty.gov.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale: April 8-11, library lobby. During library open hours. This mini-sale will feature adult and children’s fiction, non-fiction and multimedia. New items will be added daily.

Adults

Saturday Matinee Film Series: 1 p.m. “Some Like It Hot”: March 27. Screenings of Billy Wilder’s most notable films with refreshments and commentary by film historian, Lance Rhoades.

Saturday Matinee Film Series: “The Apartment,” 1 p.m., April 3. “One, Two, Three”: 1 p.m., April 17. Screenings of Billy Wilder’s most notable films, including refreshments and commentary by film historian, Lance Rhoades.

STARS Workshop: “Making Science Fun,” 1 p.m., April 22. Discover ideas for designing creative science activities with low-cost materials and ways to teach basic science concepts. Speaker: Dr. Sobey, author of “Wacky Water Fun With Science” and “Fantastic Flying Fun With Science.”

Provides 2 hours of STARS credit in Curriculum Development.

Talk Time: 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Children

“The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon”: 7 p.m., March 29. Ages 3 and up with adult. Join the Thistle Theatre for this Korean folktale about a young tiger.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, March 30-April 27. Ages 3-5. Please register.

Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, March 24-April 21. Ages 12 to 24 months with adult.

Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, March 24-April 21. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Baby Rhyming Times: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, April 6-27. Books, music, nursery rhymes, tickles, bounces and fun for pre-walkers. Ages 3-12 months with caregiver.

Chinese Story Times: 10:30 a.m., Saturdays, April 10-24. Ages 3-7 with caregiver.

Italian Story Time: 1 p.m., April 11. Ages 3-7 with caregiver.

Caspar Babypants Music Concert: 10:30 a.m., April 28. With Chris Ballew, lead singer of the Seattle-based rock and roll band, The Presidents of the United States of America. Features simple songs families can sing together to reinforce Early Literacy concepts. Limited space. Ages 2-5 with adult.

Teens

SAT Prep with Sandweiss: 2-5 p.m., Sundays, March 28, April 4-25. The series includes three prep sessions, a practice test and a review of test results. Participants must register for and attend all five sessions.

Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, March 29-April 26. Start with Homework Time at the library and get help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the Boys & Girls Club for games, crafts, activities. Contact (206) 436-1947. Register at www.mipositiveplace.org.

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Mondays, April 5-26. Hang out, do homework, play board games. Ages 12 and up.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., April 20. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour with light refreshments served.

Parks & Recreation

Events take place at the Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV) unless otherwise noted.

8236 S.E. 24th St.

(206) 275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

Spring/Summer 2010 Registration: Sign up online for spring classes and secure a spot in summer camps. Phone/walk-in: March 24, 275-7609.

After School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, through March 29. Hands-on after-school program with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Nature topics, stories, snacks, provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park. Ages 4-9. $77.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers: 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Mondays, April 19-May 24. Educational series is designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative with a chronic illness. Clarke Room. Facilitators: Carin Mack, Terry Schuler. Fee: donation. Registration required.

Walla Walla Wine Weekend: May 7-9. The weekend will highlight the region’s best wineries, along with the legendary Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, juried arts and crafts show, farmers market, Saturday Nite Glow, classic car show. Depart/return from CCMV. $297 per person/double occupancy; fee includes transportation, accommodations (double occupancy) and some meals. Register by April 5.

Senior Golf: Mondays, through Oct. 25. Both 9 or 18 hole golf in local courses. Registration is required for any golf outings: $22/season.

Seniors

Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., April 8. A support group for senior adult men and women who have lost a spouse or partner in death. Free. To reserve a spot, call Betsy Zuber: (206) 275-7752.

Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: 12 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Park at CCMV and ride the shuttle; transportation is also available round-trip from your home. Registration required: call 275-7895 and press 2 to leave a message to reserve a spot.

Grocery Shopping Transportation: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Get transportation to a North-end grocery store and one errand. Call 275-7895, press 1 and leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before shopping. $2.