Boy Scout Troop 624 is hosting their annual Popcorn Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. over the weekend, Sept. 28-29, at the north and south Mercer Island QFCs. The popcorn sales help to fund local Boy Scout programs.

Wednesday | 25

Puget Sound Blood Drive: 1-7 p.m., Sept. 25, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Closed 3-4 p.m. Blood drive is located in Fellowship Hall.

Thursday | 26

Community Emergency Response Team Class: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 26, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. This course is held weekly on Thursday evenings. Unit 3: Disaster Medical – Part 1. www.mercergov.org/emergencyprep.

Friday | 27

Liquidation & Bake Sale Benefiting City of Hope: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 27, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th St. Liquidation of new items (clothing, slippers, blankets, throws, kitchen towels, gift items; all quantities limited). Bake sale features fresh, homemade items. Cash and checks (with photo ID). No debit or credit cards accepted. All proceeds benefit City of Hope, www.cityofhope.org.

Saturday | 28

Boy Scout Troop 624 Popcorn Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 28-29, north and south Mercer Island QFCs. Buy popcorn and support Scouting. 70 percent goes to fund local programs.

Stroum Jewish Community Center Parents Night Out: Sept. 28. Wacky Tacky: A night of games and neon colors, including glowstick gaga and crazy costumes. For age 5 through 5th grade. Kids 6 months through age 4 can participate through the JCC drop-in babysitting program. Contact: Daliah Silver, DaliahS@sjcc.org or (206) 388-0839.

Sunday | 29

Mercer Island Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 29, Mercerdale Park, 7700 S.E. 32nd Street. Music: Yaamba Marimba dance music with melody driven by a rhythmic beat. They’ve been playing together since the 1980s. Washington grown produce, fresh eggs, farmstead cheese and dairy. Kids’ hands-on activities and Master Gardeners. www.mifarmersmarket.org.

Wednesday | Oct. 2

Probus Club of Mercer Island Meeting: 10:30 a.m., Oct. 2, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Alena Morris, co-founder of the UW Women’s Center, will discuss “The Male-Female Equation.” The public is welcome.

MIHS Little Cheer Football Clinic 2013: 4-5 p.m., Oct. 2, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Preschool and elementary ages welcome. Two-day clinic taught by MIHS varsity cheerleaders and performance at the Oct. 11 home game. T-shirts included. Cost: $55 (full day), $40 (one day). Contact: Jackie Roer, jackie.roer@gmail.com.

Thursday | 3

MIVAL General Meeting: 11:30 a.m., Oct. 3, MICEC, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Social hour: 11:30 a.m. General meeting and nomination of 2014 board members: 12 p.m. Presentation by Kevin Au, metal sculptor, on “Metal Sculpture, A Short Introduction.” All are welcome. www.mival.org.

Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon: 12-1:15 p.m., Oct. 3, MICEC, 8236 S.E. 24th St. WSDOT representatives will be speaking. Business people may speak to WSDOT about the impact that tolling would have on their businesses, employees, and the viability of doing business on the Island. These concerns will become part of the EIS. Cost: $15 (members), $20 (nonmembers). RSVP deadline: Oct. 1. Contact 232-3404 or info@mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org.

MIVAL “Reflections” Opening Reception: 5-8 p.m., Oct. 3, MIVAL Gallery, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. MIVAL Gallery will feature watercolor artist Gamze Seckin: Reflections of love, hope, loss and patience are captured in the watercolor collection “Reflections-I” along with other Gallery members. Light refreshments served. Show: Oct. 3-Nov. 3.

Friday | 4

“I’m/Migration”: Oct. 4-6, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Presented by World Writers Alliance and YTN. Performance features native storytelling, drama, poetry and hip-hop. For ages 11+. www.youththeatre.org.

Saturday | 5

SJCC Blue Light Family Night: 5-7 p.m., Oct. 5, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. An activities night geared toward families with autistic children. Join us for an evening of swimming, activities in the gym, and arts and crafts in Kidstown. www.sjcc.org.

MIPC Concert Series: Grace Notes, 7 p.m., Oct. 5, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. A thrilling performance by two pianists on two pianos.

SAT and ACT Practice Tests: 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Oct. 5 & Nov. 9, College Tutors Mercer Island Learning Center, 7605 S.E. 27th St. #101. For college-bound 10th and 11th-graders. Free. To register, call (206) 659-4156. Registration closes 24 hours in advance of each test.

Events | Ongoing

MIVAL’S “Return to the Island”: open through Sept. 29, MIVAL Gallery, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Gallery members showcase their talents in many mediums.

“Autumn Sonata” Artists’ Reception: open through Oct. 25, Mercer Gallery, MICEC, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by Mercer Island Arts Council. Features Christine Neal Hogue, Grace Mahoney, Susan Melrath, Patrice Tullai.

Events | Upcoming

Meet the Author: Diana E. Ruiz, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 10, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Ruiz is the author of “Healing Your Life With Water.” Event also features Patrick Snow, bestselling author, and Enrique Hanao, international entertainer.

SJCC Full Day School’s Out Camp: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Oct. 11, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. When school’s out, the J is in! Features activities centered on theme: “Rockstar Showdown.” Swim, play in the gym, do arts and crafts.

Walk With Friendship: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Oct. 13, Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave. S.E. The Friendship Circle’s walk to create awareness, solidarity and support for children with special needs and their families. Family 1K Walk or the 5K loop. After the walk, celebrate in the park with a free event open to the public. www.walkwithfriendship.com.

Oktoberfest – Mercer Island Farmers Market Benefit: 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 13, Mercer Island Beach Club, 8326 Avalon Drive. Celebrate a successful sixth year and kick off the new fall campaign. Local beer, food and wine from selected farmers and vendors. RSVP to info@mifarmersmarket.org. www.mifarmersmarket.org.

Mercer Island Parent Edge: Annie Murphy Paul, 7 p.m., Oct. 15, MIHS Performing Arts Center. “Brilliant – The New Science of Smart,” new research on learning. For parents with kids of all ages. www.anniemurphypaul.com.

Daytimers Fall Film Series: “Watermarks,” 11:30 a.m., Oct. 16, Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 East Mercer Way. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Film screening: 12:30 p.m. Cost: $7. The story of the Hakoah Vienna Jewish women’s swim team. Hebrew with English subtitles. For reservations contact (206) 232-8555 or www.h-nt.org.

Puget Sound Blood Center Drive: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 17, Farmers New World Life, 3003 77th Ave. S.E. Blood drive is located in Room 1. Closed 10-11 a.m.

“Night of the Living Dead” Opening Night: 7 p.m., Oct. 18, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th Street. Performs Oct. 18-Nov. 2. Based on film by George Romero and John Russo. For ages 9+. Tickets: (206) 232-4145, ext. 109. www.youththeatre.org.

Walk With Friendship: 12:30-4:30 p.m., Oct. 21, Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue and 32nd Street. The Friendship Circle will host its first annual Walk With Friendship event, a walk-a-thon to show support and raise awareness for children and teens with special needs. Complete either the 1K Family Walk or the 5K Loop around downtown Mercer Island. Afterward there will be food and entertainment. Free and open to the public.

French Conversation Evening: 7-9 p.m., Oct. 22, Monica Howell residence. The Mercer Island Sister City Association will sponsor an informal French Conversation Evening for anybody who wants to improve his/her French at the home of Monica Howell on Mercer Island. The only “rule” is to speak French. All levels are welcome. For driving directions, contact Beth Brennen, 232-7650; or Monica Howell, 232-2983.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/MercerIsland

Friends of the Mercer Island Library Fall Book Sale: Sept. 25-29, during library open hours. Friends’ Members Only Pre-Sale: Sept. 25. Browse thousands of fabulous books and media.

A Place At The Table Series: Toss around fresh ideas about food, cooking, nutrition and growing and using locally produced food. In addition to offering new food ideas, preparation and planning skills, and handy online classes, videos and resources, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting nonperishable food donations, to be distributed to local King County food banks.

Children

Young Toddler Story Time: 10:15 a.m., Sept. 25. Ages 12 to 24 months with adult.

Toddler Story Time: 11 a.m., Sept. 25. Ages 24 to 36 months with adult.

Teens

Study Zone: 4 p.m., Tuesdays. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.