Events

2008-09 Crystal Mountain Multi-Week Program: Registration is open for ages 11 to 17 at Crystal Mountain Ski and Snowboard School. Six-week Saturday packages include discounted lift tickets, transportation, lessons. Limited space. Register: Doug Stevens, miskiprog@live.com.

ParentMap Preschool Preview Night: features 30 preschools, 5:30-8 p.m., Jan. 14, Meydenbauer Center 4th Floor, Bellevue. Free. www.parentmap.com.

Mercer Island High School Class of 1998 Reunion: March 14, 2009, Seattle. Seeking Class of 1998 alumni: http://mihsclassof1998.blogspot.com.

Holiday Events

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 7 p.m., Dec. 19; 2 p.m., Dec. 20; 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 21, Youth Theatre Northwest. Mercer Island Youth Ballet, Children’s Dance Conservatory. $20-$30. 275-4750, www.iybnutcracker.com.

“Off to See the Wizard in Winter” Handbell Concert: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19, MI Presbyterian Church. Emerald City Ringers, community handbell choir, to perform. Family holiday concert. $10/adults; $8/seniors, students; $5/children. www.emeraldcityringers.org.

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 21, Luther Burbank Park Beach. Beach bonfire, hot chocolate, coffee, treats. Bring flashlight. Free.

MI Lions Club Christmas Trees for sale: 2:30-8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 1:30-8 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday. 232-8736. www.lionwap.org/mercerislandlions.

Arts

MIVAL Arts and Crafts Juried Holiday Show: through Dec. 19, CCMV, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Paintings, ceramics, photography, sculpture, fiber arts. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday. info@mival.us.

Classes

“Finding Your Volunteer Niche”: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 18, Stroum Jewish Community Center Polack Room. Speaker: Derek Wentorf, United Way of King County Volunteer Program Coordinator. Free. 232-7115, lisak@sjcc.org.

Washington Fly Fishing Club: Beginner Fly-Tying Class, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Thursdays, Jan. 8-Feb. 26, 2009, Mercer Island Covenant Church. $45. Register: (206) 542-4623, www.wffc.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.

Fitness Boot Camp: 6-7 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, North Mercer Gym, 8817 S.E. 40th. $99/12 sessions. Parks & Recreation: 275-7609, www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Prenatal Yoga: 5:45 p.m., Thursdays, Mercerwood Shoreclub. Strollercise/Mom and Baby Boot Camp: 10:30 a.m., Thursdays, Community Center at Mercerview. Rachel Dawn Lowe, E-RYT, ACE: (206) 979-3008. www.MercerIslandYoga.org.

Clubs

MI Business Women’s Group: luncheon/meeting, 12-1:30 p.m., third Tuesday. #120. Patty Volk: (206) 769-8824, patty.volk@sterlingsavings.com.

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

MI Covenant Church Knitting Group: last Monday. Knitting/crocheting garments for Russian orphans. Accepting contributions of leftover wool yarn, acrylic, needles, unfinished projects. Sallie: (425) 881-7210.

Toddlers of Mercer Island (TOMI by MIPA): 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Ages 0-6. $3/child, MIPA members; $5, nonmembers. www.mipreschoolassociation.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 Children’s Hospital Guild: for the annual Mercer Island Directory, if you have moved, changed your address or phone number, or are new to the Island, contact the Guild at 232-7046, miguild@comcast.net.

Mercer Island Community Fund: accepting applications for grants. Deadline: Feb. 6, 2009. Organizations that apply must benefit the MI community in: arts and culture, environment and conservation, development, recreation, social service and health. Gail Steinitz: momda@mindspring.com.

Volunteers

AARP Tax-Aide Program: seeks volunteer tax counselors to provide free personal income tax preparation/counseling. Training: December-January. Tax service: Feb. 1-April 15. Also seeking front desk Client Facilitators. 1-888-687-2277, volunteer.wa1@comcast.net. www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

Registration required:

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Write Your Memoir: 7 p.m., Dec. 17. Learn key concepts to write/market your personal story.

Talk Time: 7 p.m., Wednesday, through Dec. 17. English conversation classes. Improve speaking/listening skills.

Computer Classes: 9 a.m. Search the Internet for Beginners: Dec. 18.

Teens

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays in December.

Study Zone: Grades K-12. Free homework help from volunteer tutors.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV), 8236 S.E. 24th St.

Registration required:

275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

After-school Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Monday. Ages 4-9. $47.

Parks & Rec. Seniors

Caregivers: 3-4:30 p.m., Dec. 18, Slater Room.

Senior lunch at Covenant Shores: no lunch, Dec. 22-Jan. 1. Resumes Jan. 6.

Volunteer senior bus driver needed: special endorsements not required. Jeannette: 275-7841.

Boys & Girls Club

2825 West Mercer Way

232-4548

www.mipositiveplace.org

Rainy Day Gym: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, through May 27. Active indoor play space for preschoolers, toddlers. $3/child.

JCC

Jewish Community Center 3801 E. Mercer Way

232-7115

www.sjcc.org

JCC closed: Dec. 25

Casino Field Trip: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 18, Emerald Queen Casino.

Cards and Socializing: 12:30-1:30 p.m., Dec. 22; 11-12:30 p.m., Dec. 29.

Poker Game: 12:30-3 p.m., Dec. 23.

Free Beginning Ladino: 12-1 p.m., Wednesday, through Dec. 31.

Religion

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m., nursery care provided. 4545 Island Crest Way. 232-7800. office@ucc-ccmi.org, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Congregation Shevet Achim: Northwest Yeshiva High School sanctuary, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. President Rich Gilmore, 232-1060. www.shevetachim.com.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday worship services/Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Contemporary: 5 p.m. Adult Education/Sunday School: 9:15-10:15 a.m. Christmas Eve Services: 4:30, 10:30 p.m., carols; 5, 11 p.m., Holy Eucharist; 7:30 p.m., Baroque Service. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. 232-1572. www.emmanuelmi.org.

First Church of Christ, Scientist: services and Sunday School, 10 a.m. S.E. 47th & Island Crest Way. Wednesday meetings: 7:30 p.m. Childcare available. Reading Room: open weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7605 S.E. 27th St. 232-0175. fccsmi@hotmail.com.

First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church: Christian Education, 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:40 a.m., Sunday, Fireside Room. MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. 232-5595.

Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: services, 6 p.m., Friday; 9:15 a.m., Saturday. Daily Minyan: 7 a.m. Minyan at 9 a.m. on Sundays, secular holidays. 3700 E. Mercer Way. 232-8555. www.h-nt.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship services, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. Education hour: 9 a.m. Soup suppers: 6 p.m. Vesper service: 7 p.m., Dec. 27. Pastor’s Bible Study: 10 a.m., Thursday. 8501 S.E. 40th St. 232-3270. www.htlcmi.org.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Sunday worship services; 8:30 a.m., Traditional Service; 9:45 a.m., Sunday School; 11 a.m., Contemporary Service. Community Dinner: Wednesday. Middle school youth group: 7 p.m., Tuesday. High school youth group: 6:30 p.m., Sunday. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. 232-1015, ext. 100. www.micc.org.

Mercer Island LDS Church: First meeting: 9 a.m. Sacrament: 9 a.m. 4001 Island Crest Way. 236-2957.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Sunday worship — Breakfast Service, 8:15 a.m.; Traditional Service, 10:35 a.m.; Evening Service, 5 p.m. T@I “Theology at the Islander”: 8:30 p.m., second/fourth Monday. Longest Night Worship: 7 p.m., Dec. 18. MIPC Orchestra: 10:35 a.m., Dec. 21. Acoustic Christmas: 5 p.m., Dec. 21. Christmas Eve Pageant: 4 p.m., Dec. 24. Candlelight Service: 6, 9, 11 p.m., Dec. 24. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. 232-5595. www.mipc.org.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Sunday worship schedule: 11 a.m. Childcare available. Sunday School: 10 a.m. 7070 S.E. 24th St. 232-3044. www.miumc.org.

New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 10 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). Prayer service is available for healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. 275-1042. www.newhic.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: worship and kids’ services, 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study: 11 a.m. 6001 Island Crest Way. Pastor Bill Clements, 232-1711. www.redeemerlutheranchurch.us.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Faith Formation Programs ongoing; register at www.stmonica.cc/ff/FaithFormation.html. Preschool: 9:30 a.m., Sunday. Elementary: 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesday. Middle school: 7-8:30 p.m., Monday. High school: 7-8:30 p.m., Sunday. Confirmation Class: 4:30-6 p.m., Sunday. RCIA: 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesday; Dan Stevenson, 232-9829. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. 232-2900. www.stmonica.cc.