Events

Third Thursday Art Walk: “BBQ Blues and Brews,” 5-8 p.m., May 21, Mercer Island Town Center. Check out offerings at local businesses from merchants and the Mercer Island Arts Council. BBQ at QFC, music, snacks.

“Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”: through May 24, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Friday/Saturday: 7 p.m. Saturday/Sunday matinees: 2 p.m. Tickets: $8. (206) 232-4145, ext. 109. www.youththeatre.org.

Movie Nights at the Mercer Island Pool: May 29; Sundays, June 7-July 26, Mary Wayte Pool. Bring the whole family and enjoy watching a movie in the comfort of your own community pool. Diving board not available during movie nights. $5/person; $14/family. 275-7609.

Carnival for the Rain Forest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 31, Luther Burbank Park, near tennis courts. A fourth annual fundraising carnival to benefit the Rain Forest Alliance. For kids ages 1-5, planned by Island kids. Games, lemonade, cookies, puppet show. $5. Beverly Pressey: 236-2968.

National Trails Day “Trail Trek”: 1-3 p.m., June 6, Pioneer Park, southeast quadrant, S.E. 68th and Island Crest Way. A unique trail event in honor of National Trails Day with “CSI” mystery theme. Solve a mystery along the trail, forensics activities, demonstrations from local law enforcement. First 50 kids receive a Jr. Investigator Kit. Dannie Wit, Parks & Recreation: 275-7891.

Parks & Recreation All-Island Garage Sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 13, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Vendor space available for $28/space. 275-7862.

Wine Tasting: 4-6 p.m., Fridays, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th St., Suite 120. Free. (206) 407-3016.

Classes

“Balance, Posture and Fall Prevention Workshop”: 1-2:30 p.m., May 26, Covenant Shores Retirement Community, Fellowship Hall, 9150 Fortuna Drive. In celebration of second annual American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) Homecoming Week. Presenters: Director of Wellness Jim Brockmeyer, of Covenant Shores, and Dr. Stefan Black, WellnessOne of Eastgate chiropractor. RSVP by May 22. Nancy Woo: (206) 268-3011. www.covenantretirement.com.

CPR: Infant/Child and Adult CPR Class: 7-9 p.m., May 26, June 9, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $15. Reservations: Jolene Judd, 275-7607.

“How to Select & Work With an Architect” Seminar: 3 p.m., June 6, Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Overview of architect services and fees, how to find the right architect for your new home design or remodel project. Learn about the American Institute of Architects and its resources for homeowners. Presenter: Lane Williams, AIA, of COOP 15 Architecture for Living. Free. (206) 284-8355.

“Buy A Home? Yes, You Can!”: 6-7:30 p.m., Mondays, through June 29, Mercer Island Windermere, 2737 77th Ave. S.E. Discussion, Q&A with a volunteer panel of experts. Free. Diane Rae Jones: (206) 406-5232. www.windermeremercerisland.com, www.WeHelpYouBuyAHome.com.

Topics in Practical Halacha: 7-8 p.m., Mondays, Northwest Yeshiva High School, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. Teacher: Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld of Congregation Shevet Achim. Free.

Aquarobics fitness classes: 7:30-8:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Mercerwood Shoreclub Pool, 4150 E. Mercer Way. Time changes to 7 a.m. as of June 19. Carolyn Scott: (425) 894-0045, info@aquarobics.com.

Mercer Island Yoga: Baby Strollercise, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Prenatal Yoga: 5:45 p.m., first/third Thursdays, Mercerwood Shoreclub. (206) 979-3008.

PUSH Exercise Class: 11:15 a.m., Fridays, through June, Community Center at Mercer View Dance Room. A mix of strength, sports drills, intervals, balance, flexibility, play. Instructor: Elizabeth Andrews. $20/drop-in. (206) 922-3218.

Groups

Sip for SCCA: 4-9 p.m., May 21, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th St., Suite 120. Glassybaby and Cellar 46 are teaming up to support The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, donating money from every glass of featured wines to SCCA.

Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration: May 23, Embassy Suites Hotel, 3225 158th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. Japanese Flower Arrangement Exhibition: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Japanese Flower Arrangement Demonstration: 4 p.m., with Professor Noriko Obata, of Ikenobo School in Japan. Dinner banquet: 4 p.m.; $80. Reservations: Akemi Sagawa, (206) 283-5696, kamys@comcast.net.

Earthcorps Urban Forest Restoration: Clarke Beach, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 30. Island Crest Park: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 13. Restore parks, remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. Lina Anne Rose: (206) 322-9296, ext. 225. www.earthcorps.org.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) Art Exhibition: 12 p.m.-10 p.m., May 30, Mercerwood Shore Club, 4150 E. Mercer Way. Features MIVAL members’ new creations as part of the Wine & Chocolate Tasting event, with fine art, jewelry, pottery, photography and more for sale. 232-9185.

Mercer Island Arts Council: Artists’ reception: 3-5 p.m., May 31; open to the public. Expressions in Art: new Mercer View Gallery show runs through June 26; Seattle Co-Arts. Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., June 3, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Topic: the future of humanity. Speaker: Island resident Sesh Velamoor, Director of Programs at Foundation for the Future. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: 236-2190.

Mountains to Sound Greenway Restoration Project: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 20, Luther Burbank North Wetlands. Invasive plant removal. Half-day option available. www.mtsgreenway.org.

Senior Men’s Tennis Doubles: seeking players, 6:45-8:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Location: Homestead Field, during spring. Al Skinner: 232-3450.

Toddlers of Mercer Island (TOMI by MIPA): 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays, VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Ages 0-6. $3/child, MIPA members; $5/nonmembers. www.mipreschoolassociation.org.

Pacific Northwest Audio Society: 7:30 p.m., second Thursday of month, Mercer Island Congregational Church (basement), 4545 Island Crest Way. Dedicated to the exploration and enjoyment of fine audio and music since 1978. www.audiosociety.org.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): 9:30-11:30 a.m., first/third Friday, MI Covenant Church. For mothers with children ages birth-K. Childcare provided. www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Job Finder’s Club: workshop, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays, through June 16, Community Center at Mercer View. Facilitator: Terry Pile (Career Advisors). Sponsor: Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. Free. Registration required: 275-7869, cheryl.manriquez@mercergov.org.

Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Gallery: Elementary Art Display featured through June 17, 7613 S.E. 27th St. Includes 100 paintings from West Mercer second-graders. 232-3404.

Women Painters of Washington: “Summer Dreaming” gallery exhibition, through July 31. 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 310. (206) 624-0543, www.womenpainters.com.

Mercer Island High School Class of 1979 Reunion: Sept. 12, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10455 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue. (425) 644-1044. www.reunionswithclass.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Registration required.

Adults

Computer Classes: 9 a.m. E-mail Level II: May 21. E-mail Level III: May 28.

Talk Time: 7 p.m., Wednesdays, through June 17. Improve speaking and listening skills in English conversation group.

Children/Families

French Story Times: 10 a.m., Saturdays, through May 30. Join Patricia Blaise-Caves for stories, songs, activities in French.

Big Read: 7 p.m., June 3, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Meet Gary Paulsen, author of “Hatchet” and over 175 books for children and adults, who will share stories and experiences. Ages 8 and up.

Summer Reading Program Sign-Up Party: 1:30 p.m., June 15. Come for an ice cream party, learn about new library events and create your own bookmark. All ages welcome.

Preschool Story Time: 11 a.m., Tuesdays. Stories, music, puppets, Early Literacy alphabet activities. Ages 3-5.

Teens

Pizza & Pages: “Call of the Wild,” 3:30 p.m., May 27. Discuss the Big Read book selection. Participants do not need to have finished the book. Pizza, soda.

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., June 1 and 8. Hang out, do homework or play video games.

Summer Reading Program Ice Cream Kick-Off Party: 1:30 p.m., June 15. Build an ice cream sundae, pick up Read 3 forms and find out about library programs.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., June 16. Earn volunteer credit while making the library a more inviting place for teens.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)

8236 S.E. 24th St.

275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

Registration for summer camps and beginner adult sailing is open. See the spring/summer Recreation Guide for full descriptions or www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Digital Photography: 6-9 p.m., May 20. $42.

Thai Cooking Class: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., May 27. $72.

Babysitting Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May 30. Ages 11-15. $48.

Youth After-School Adventure Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., June 1 and 8, Craft Room. Slimy Slugs: June 1. Wiggly Worm: June 8. Hands-on after-school programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Explore a nature topic; story, snack. Limited to 10-20 participants. Ages 4-9. $77.

Beginner Adult Sailing: 5:30-8 p.m., June 2-4, 9-11, Luther Burbank Park marina. Learn the basics of sailing and how to safely handle a boat on your own. Two people per boat. $277.

Cooking Class: Picnic Treats, 6-7:15 p.m., June 4. $49.

Snoqualmie Casino: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., June 5. $15.

Counselor in Training Program: 6-7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, through June 10. Learn all aspects of working with children in a day camp setting. Each C.I.T. will become First Aid and CPR certified. Experience hands-on training by shadowing at a camp for one week this summer. Ages 13-16. $132.

Dance Team: 3:30-5 p.m., Wednesdays, through June 17, Dance Room. Learn dance or improve your technique. Basics of “spirit squad” style dance: Jazz, hip-hop, pom dance styles. Open to all levels from beginning to advanced. Ages 11-16. $152 (10 weeks).

Men’s Softball Teams: The city of Mercer Island is looking for a few teams to round out its yearly softball league. Games will be played between mid-May and the end of August. Teams will play weekly on Wednesdays at 6 or 7:30 p.m. $677/team. 275-7863.

Seniors

Parks & Recreation Senior Golf Program: Mondays, “Niners” and “Handicappers” take weekly trips to various golf courses in the area.

Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., June 11. A Youth & Family Services support group for senior adult men and women who have lost a spouse or partner in death. Free. Reservations: Betsy Zuber, 275-7752.

Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesday, Thursday. Reservations: call 275-7895, press 2, leave a message. $5.

Grocery Shopping Transportation: Wednesday morning. Call 236-3456, leave a message by 4 p.m., the day before. $1.

JCC

3801 E. Mercer Way

232-7115, ext. 269

www.sjcc.org

Registration required.

Music class: “From Russia with Love,” 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesdays, through June 3. Explore works by Glinka, Borodin, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and others. Instructor: Steven Lowe. $35/members, $45/nonmembers.

Drop-In Mah Jongg: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, Polack Lounge. Free/SJCC members, $2/nonmembers.

Drop-In Bridge: 12:30-3 p.m., Fridays. All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Bring a brown bag lunch. Free/SJCC members, $2/nonmembers.