Events

2nd Annual Girls’ Night Out: 5:30-8 p.m., Dec. 3, MI Town Center. Businesses invite Mercer Island women and friends to an evening of shopping, browsing and dining in the Town Center. Chamber of Commerce: (206) 232-3404.

“Peter Pan Returns!”: 7 p.m., Dec. 3; 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5; 7 p.m., Dec. 6; 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 13. This musical fantasy takes off where “Peter Pan” ended, with drama, action and comedy for the entire family. Presented by Center Stage. Purchase tickets at www.sjcc.org.

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival: 7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Dec. 3, Luther Burbank Park Beach, 2040 84th Ave. S.W. Features Argosy’s Spirit of Seattle, the official Christmas Ship, and a local choir bringing holiday greetings. Ships arrive at 7:50 p.m. Bonfire, treats, music. Bring a flashlight. Free. Amber Britton: (206) 275-7864.

Holiday Tree Lighting & Firehouse Munch: 7-9 p.m., Dec. 4, Mercerdale Park & North Fire Station, 77th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 32nd Street. Tree lighting ceremony includes a community sing-along. Santa photos, treats and children’s entertainment will follow at the firehouse. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots drive. Free. Amber Britton: (206) 275-7864.

Classics on Film: “Much Ado About Nothing,” 7 p.m., Dec. 5, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Films featured in Fall 2009 Classics on Film series are comedies. Film history and Q&A with Lance Rhoades. Presented by MI Arts Council. Free. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

Seafair & 76 Special People’s Holiday Cruise: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 6, Lake Washington and Lake Union. The 37th annual cruise hosts 2,000 developmentally disabled adults. The largest lighted boat parade of its kind in the Northwest features holiday snacks; through the Montlake Cut and near the 520 bridge. Individuals or companies can volunteer their boat, time or donations by contacting Seafair: (206) 728-0123, ext. 117, seafair.com.

“Unconquered” Musical Program: 7 p.m., Dec. 6, Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way. Features music composed by prisoners in Nazi concentration camps. Goodwill offering is asked. Dessert provided. Presented by Music of Remembrance. Erich Parce, choir director: (425) 652-7601, erichparce@aol.com. www.musicofremembrance.org.

Seasonal Celebration: 7 p.m., Dec. 12, Mercer Island VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Join the festivities hosted by the Britannia Club. This party, dinner and dance includes hors d’oeuvres, salmon/steak, dessert, coffee and a live band at $45. Jon Parkinson: jonpark@comcast.net.

World Wide Candle Lighting Ceremony: 7 p.m., Dec. 13, Sunset Hills Memorial Park Chapel, 1215 145th Pl. S.E., Bellevue. Light candles for children who have died too soon of any age and any cause. Come between 6:30 and 6:45 to have your child’s name read aloud during the ceremony. Candles provided. Host: The Eastside Compassionate Friends. Laura Rankin: (425) 890-7644.

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 2 p.m., Dec. 13-14, 20; 7 p.m., Dec. 19; 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 21, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. This Mercer Island tradition, in its sixth season, is performed by students of the Children’s Dance Conservatory and Island Youth Ballet. Tickets: $20, available at www.iybnutcracker.com, (206) 275-4750 or at the door. Susan F. Valencia/Children’s Dance Conservatory: (206) 522-9399, susan@childrensdance.org.

Classes

Prenatal Yoga: 6 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. New session begins Jan. 14, 2010. Low-cost community class with experienced teacher. (206) 979-3008.

Literary Lecture Series: Renaissance Literature, 7 p.m., Dec. 3 and 10, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Jeffrey Woolley, Mercer Island native, Renaissance/Shakespearean scholar and director of the “Shakespeare and Friends on Mercer Island” program. Four-part series will feature Romantic literature in February 2010. Free.

“How to be a Coach Instead of a Nag to Your Child/Teen”: 7-8:30 p.m., Dec. 14, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Debi Bailey, professional coach and owner of Conscious Parenting. Sponsor: ADD Resources. Free. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.

Groups

Friends of the Mercer Island Library Holiday Book Sale: Dec. 3-6, Mercer Island library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. A large variety of high-quality books ranging from children’s to nonfiction. Sale is open during library hours. (206) 236-3537.

Earthcorps Park Restoration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pioneer Park: Dec. 5. Island Crest Park: Dec. 12. Plant native trees, remove non-native plants. Snacks, tools and gloves provided. Groups are welcome. Sign up online in advance: www.earthcorps.org.

Children’s Craft Workshop: 1-4 p.m., Dec. 5, Mercer Island Covenant Church. All children are welcome to come make their own gifts for friends, family and teachers. Advance sign-up is not required but is recommended. Registration forms available at www.micc.org or by calling 232-1015, ext. 105.

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

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL): Holiday Show 2009 runs through Dec. 19 at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St.

MI Chamber of Commerce Holiday Show: selected prints by Rie Munoz, Alaskan artist, will be displayed through Dec. 23, 7605 S.E. 27th St., Suite 109. Proceeds benefit Overlake Hospital Sonja Potter Senior Care Auxiliary.

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 2009. Karin Pangborn: (206) 232-7046, miphonebook@gmail.com.

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 from organizations for funding that benefits the Mercer Island community in six categories, through Jan. 31, 2010. Gail Steinitz: momda@mindspring.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Registration required.

Adults

Talk Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Dec. 2-16. Improve speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Mercer Island Library Saturday Matinee: 1 p.m. “A Space Odyssey” (1968): Dec. 5. “Barry Lyndon” (1975): Dec. 12. Stanley Kubrick films with commentary by film historian Lance Rhoades. Free refreshments provided.

Computer Classes: 9 a.m. Microsoft Word Level 1: Dec. 10. Microsoft Word Level 2: Dec. 17.

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

Baby Story Time: 10 a.m., Dec. 4. Ages 3-9 months with adult.

The Dickens Carolers: 3:30 p.m., Dec. 6. Traditional and contemporary holiday favorites are sung in four-part harmony.

Gingerbread Fun for Age Two: 10 a.m., Dec. 8. Stories. Frost gingerbread cookies. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Gingerbread Fun for Preschoolers: 11 a.m., Dec. 8. Stories. Frost gingerbread cookies. Ages 3-5 with adult.

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

Teens

TechTime with KidsQuest: 2 p.m., Dec. 14. Combine technology and artistic skills to create inventions.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Dec. 15. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs. Earn one volunteer credit hour.

Study Zone Online: Grades K-12. Use a library computer to connect with a Study Zone tutor online. Visit www.kcls.org/studyzone for tutoring schedules.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)

8236 S.E. 24th St.

275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

See the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide for more information. To sign up, go to www.myparksandrecreation.com or call (206) 275-7609.

Cooking Class: Christmas Confections, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Dec. 3. Learn how to make desserts ahead of time. Instructor: Lisa Odegard. $50.

Skagit Eagle Watch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 6, Skagit Preserve. Each winter, up to 300 bald eagles congregate in the Skagit Preserve, where sightings are frequent. Guides are experienced eagle watchers. A spaghetti lunch is included. Ages 6-80. $86.

Botanical Gardens Adult Trip: 5-9 p.m., Dec. 18. Depart from and return to the CCMV. $12.

Seniors

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