Events

National Day of Prayer: Evening Prayer Service, 7 p.m., May 6, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. Silent prayer in sanctuary starts at 6 a.m. and continues through the day. People are available to pray with you or for you behind enclosed glass doors. www.micc.org.

41st District Town Hall Meeting: 10-11:15 a.m., May 8, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. The public is invited to a discussion forum with state senator Randy Gordon. www.sdc.wa.gov/senators/gordon/town-hall.

“Whatchamadoozie” Musical: through May 8, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Friday, Saturday: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday matinees: 2 p.m. For ages 5 and up. Tickets: $15/adults, $13/youth, seniors. (206) 232-4145, ext. 109. www.youththeatre.org.

Ladies Night of Indulgence: 5-9 p.m., May 13, Mercer Wellness Chiropractic, 2630 77th Ave. S.E. Features complimentary age-slowing and hormone balancing nutrition consultations, posture evaluations, and advice on exercise, jewelry and best hairstyle, including free hand and neck massages. Suggested donation: $5 for the YFS Food Pantry or a donation of nonperishable foods or toiletry products benefiting the food pantry. RSVP: (206) 275-4870.

Groups

Probus Club of Mercer Island Annual Spring Luncheon: 12 p.m., May 5, Aljoya, 2340 76th Ave. Members are encouraged to carpool from the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church as parking is limited at Aljoya. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) meeting: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., May 6, Aljoya Retirement Community. MIVAL will announce the recipients of the MIVAL High School Seniors scholarships of 2010. The students, their parents and art teachers are invited to the awards luncheon, featuring students’ and MIVAL members’ art presentations. The public is welcome. www.mival.us.

Island Children’s Choir Auditions: 5-6:30 p.m., May 6, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Open to girls currently in third through fifth grades. For 2010-11 season. No preparation or appointment necessary. (206) 232-8007, islandsound@comcast.net.

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Island Crest Park: May 8, remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. Sign up online: www.earthcorps.org.

Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa: “Kaffeeklatsch: In the Footsteps of Remarkable Women,” 2 p.m., May 8, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Julie Hungar will read excerpts from her recent book, co-written with Janet Lieberman: “The Wisdom Trail: In the Footsteps of Remarkable Women.” The public is invited. Suggested donation: $5. president@psa-pbk.org; www.psa-pbk.org.

“Their Future Is In Our Hands”: Bellevue Rotary Foundation Auction, 5:30 p.m., May 8, Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue. Benefits Eastside Baby Corner and Bellevue Rotary Foundation. www.bellevuerotary.net/auction.

Mercer Island Women’s Club Luncheon: 11:30 a.m., May 11, Seattle Yacht Club, 1807 E. Hamlin St., Seattle. Speaker: Dr. Bonnie J Dunbar, president and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, and former astronaut. Reservations: Nanette Bassett, (206) 232-8148; www.mercerislandwomensclub.com.

Mercer Island Historical Society meeting: 1 p.m., May 17, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Harry Rutstein, author of “In the Footsteps of Marco Polo: A Twentieth Century Odyssey.” www.mihistory.org.

Lively Saints of Mercer Island Covenant Church luncheon: 12 p.m., May 18, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Luncheon program for the community: “From China to Japan (A 25-year Journey)”. Mel Metcalf, a Covenant missionary, will speak on having prepared to go to China in 1948 and then suddenly being rerouted to minister in Japan. $7. Registrations accepted. Ages 50+ years. www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators meeting: 7 p.m., May 20, Mercer Island Fire Station 91, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. MIRO Chairman Dave Cook: (206) 230-0397. www.mirohams.org.

MIVAL Gallery Art Show: “Spring Inspirations” can be seen in the gallery through this month. Features local Mercer Island artists’ paintings, photographic artwork, fiber art, jewelry, ceramics, glass, multi-mediums, recycled art. Gallery hours: 12-6 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday. www.mival.us.

Mercer Island Chamber: elementary art from Island schools is on display through June 11 at 7605 S.E. 27th St., Suite 109. (206) 232-3404.

Classes

“Fun Family Mother’s Day” class: 4 p.m., May 9, Mercerdale Park. Stroller Strides of Mercer Island is hosting a free communitywide class featuring games, songs and contests, followed by music, movement, bubbles, balls and parachute play out of the stroller. There will be goodie bags for mom and a raffle for a chance to win a custom-made growth chart by Lulabelle Children’s Art. www.strollerstrides.com.

“Drawing for Botanical Illustration”: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., May 10-11, Aljoya Artist Studio Room, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Louise Smith, instructor at the UW and the Center for Urban Horticulture, will teach how to draw natural flora. Workshops open to the public. $95. To sign up, contact Charlette Haugen: (206) 282-1813, chhaugen@aol.com.

“Helping Our Child and Teen With ADHD Handle Educational Transitions”: 7-8:30 p.m., May 10, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. Speaker: Rochelle Coffey, Ph.D., clinical psychology, on transitions to elementary, middle school, high school and college. ADHD Eastside Parent Support Group. Sponsor: ADD Resources. Free presentation. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.

“The Y Chromosome and Beyond: Tracing Your Genealogy with the ‘Other’ DNA”: 7:30 p.m., May 10, Stroum Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Speaker: Bennett Greenspan, founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA. Presented by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. Doors open at 7 p.m. JGSWS library and WiFi are available. Free/JGSWS members, $5/nonmembers. www.jgsws.org.

“The Way to Pray” Series: 7:30-9 p.m., Congregation Shevet Achim, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. May 10: Part A “Shavuot Style.” May 17: Part B “Shavuot Style.” Speaker: Rabbi Kornfeld, on the structure of the Shabbos davening.

Volunteer Emergency Communications: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., May 15, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. Third disaster preparedness class of nine in the Emergency Volunteer Series, to focus on emergency communications. With a (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team Base. RSVP to Officer Franklin: (206) 275-7905.

CPR Classes: First Aid and Adult CPR with AED: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May 15, June 5; $30 check/cash at event. Infant/Child/Adult CPR with AED: 7-9 p.m., May 17, June 28; $15 check/cash at event. Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Reserve a space: (206) 275-7607.

“Inroads: A Spiritual Path to Inner Freedom, Wisdom and Creativity”: 1 p.m., May 15, Congregation Shevet Achim, 5017 90th Avenue S.E. Speaker: Rabbi Mark Spiro, “LivingJudaism” executive director. Child care available.

Pioneers of Cinema Multimedia Series with Lance Rhoades: “The Inventors Behind the Camera,” 7:30 p.m., May 15; developer of cinematic sound to the first “Talkie,” and other innovators. “The Talent”: 7:30 p.m., May 22; featuring Mary Pickford, America’s ‘sweetheart’ and businesswoman. Aljoya Theater, 2430 76th Ave. S.E.

“Mindset: Positive Skills for Powerful Kids”: 7-9 p.m., May 20, Mercer Island High School Performing Arts Center, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Speaker: Carol Dweck, Ph.D. Learn how to encourage the “growth” mindset and create a love of learning and resilience. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at door. www.parentmap.com.

Master Gardener Plant/Information Clinics: 1-5 p.m., Fridays, through Aug. 27, Rite Aid, 3023 78th Ave. S.E. Bring your gardening questions to the clinic.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Opera Preview: “Amelia,” 7 p.m., May 5. Presented by lecturer Norm Hollingshead, with musical excerpts. “Amelia” is Seattle Opera’s first world-premiere opera in more than three decades; based on an original story by Stephen Wadsworth.

Great Singers — Three Post-War Italian Tenor Greats: Giuseppe Di Stefano, 7 p.m., May 10; 7 p.m., May 20, Carlo Bergonzi; 7 p.m., May 24, Luciano Pavarotti. Lectures presented by lecturer Norm Hollingshead, with musical excerpts.

Urban Chickens 101: 2 p.m., May 15. Get a brief, general overview on what to consider when raising chickens. Registration required.

Book Group: “Digging to America,” by Anne Tyler, 7:30 p.m., May 17.

Children

“I am NOT Sillye”: 10:30 a.m., May 12. An interactive show with original songs, crowd-pleasing favorites and silliness. Dan Cohen is an award-winning singer/songwriter who has performed on Disney’s JoJo’s Circus and Nickelodeon television. Ages 3 and older with adult.

Chinese Story Times: 10:30 a.m., Saturdays, through May 22. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Teens

SAT Prep Series with Kaplan: 12 p.m., May 8 and 15. Join Kaplan for a practice SAT, as well as a score and strategy session. Registration required.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., May 18. Earn one volunteer credit hour and voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs.

Meet the Author: Laurie Halse Anderson, 1 p.m., May 22. Laurie Halse Anderson will discuss her works, “Speak,” “Chains” and “Wintergirls,” and take questions from the audience via video conference. http://blogs.kcls.org/onlineteenreaders.

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Mondays, through May 24. Hang out, do homework, play board games. Ages 12 and up.

Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, through May 31. Start with Homework Time at the library and get help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the club for games, crafts, activities. Contact (206) 436-1947. Register at www.mipositiveplace.org.

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: The new catalog is available online, at the library and the Parks and Recreation office. Sign up online or call 275-7609 for spring classes and summer camps.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers: 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Mondays, through May 24, Clarke Room. Educational series to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative with a chronic illness.

Men’s & Coed Softball Leagues: 6-9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, May through August. Each league has two divisions: intermediate and advanced. Games are played once a week. Ryan Daly: (206) 275-7863. $677/team. Location: Homestead Park.

Senior Golf: Mondays, through Oct. 25. Registration is required for any golf outings: $22/season.

Seniors

Senior Spring Brunch and Pancake Toss: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., May 13, Mercer Room. $5. Reservations required: call 275-7609.

Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., May 13. Free. To reserve a spot, call Betsy Zuber at (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. $5. Registration required: call 275-7895 and press 2 to leave a message.

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, leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before shopping. $2.

Parks & Rec. Senior Transportation Program: seeking a sub driver for Mercer Island driving only. No special endorsements required. Contact Jeannette: (206) 275-7841.