Calendar

January 12, 2010 1:16 pm
A floating work barge and crane for the shoreline reconstruction project underway near the westbound Interstate 90 bridge on the west side of Mercer Island.
A floating work barge and crane for the shoreline reconstruction project underway near the westbound Interstate 90 bridge on the west side of Mercer Island.

Events

“Adventure Playhouse”: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturdays; 2:30 p.m., Sundays, Jan. 16-Feb. 7, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. An improvised adventure story where the audience creates the show with the actors; features live music, games, art. Tickets: $10. 1-800-838-3006, www.wingitpresents.com/tickets.

Island Books Readings: 2 p.m., Jan. 23, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. Island author Gloria Rand is featured in “Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook.” 1:30 p.m., Jan. 24: author Margaret D. McGee, “Haiku — The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in Three Lines.” (206) 232-6920, www.mercerislandbooks.com.

Classics on Films: “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990), 7 p.m., Jan. 30, Aljoya Theater, 2430 S.E. 76th. French film with subtitles. Presented by MI Arts Council, with MI Sister City Association. Pick up a parking token at Aljoya front desk. (206) 275-7609, ejleithe@comcast.net. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

Giving From the Heart Breakfast: 7-8:30 a.m., Feb. 10, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. Reservations: (206) 275-7611.

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

Classes

“How to Get Paid to Buy Your First Home”: 6-7 p.m., Jan. 13, Feb. 3, March 3, Windermere Mercer Island, 2737 77th Ave. S.E. Presented by Diane Rae Jones, Windermere Real Estate. Free. (206) 232-0446, www.windermeremercerisland.com.

Group Health Medicare Advantage Seminars: 10 a.m., Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Informational seminars on Group Health’s five HMO Medicare Advantage plans in East King County. Register at www.ghc.org/medicare/hmoSeminars.jhtml. (800) 446-8882, www.ghc.org.

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Japanese Flower-Arranging Winter Classes: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, Jan. 15-March 5, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. Instructor: Mitsuko Hakomori. $80. Shirley Hill: (425) 558-0889, shirleyhill@live.com.

MIVAL Gallery classes: “Demonstration on the Fundamentals of Portrait Painting,” 9:30-11:30 a.m., Jan. 16; Dan Riley, instructor; $35. “Introduction to Photoshop Elements”: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 21; Ron Reed, instructor; $35. “Painting Yupo”: 9:30-11 a.m., Jan. 22; Cheryl Hoople, instructor. “Beginners Acrylic and Acrylic Open”: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 27; Wednesday series, six sessions ($250); Sally Grant, instructor. Charlette Haugen: chhaugen@aol.com, (206) 282-1813.

First Aid and Adult CPR with AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 16, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $30 by check or cash. Call 275-7607, Monday through Friday, to reserve a space.

Beginning Fly-Tying Classes: 6:30-7:30 p.m., through Feb. 5, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Eight-session beginner class teaches how to tie flies to get fish biting. $45. Includes a manual and DVD. Bob: (206) 542-4623.

Stroller Strides Class: 11:30 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays, Club Emerald, 3028 78th Ave. S.E. A nationally acclaimed program that allows moms to exercise with their babies. Dawn Minter: (425) 466-3737, www.strollerstrides.com.

Groups

Mercer Island Census Jobs Testing: 12 p.m., Jan. 15, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. The U.S. Census Bureau needs more Mercer Island residents to apply for census jobs. The pay is $17.50 an hour. Other dates are also available. Sign up for application and testing session: (425) 749-5111. http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs.

Cold Weather Blanket Donation Drive: Jan. 17, New Hope International Church, 9170 SE 64th St. All blankets will be donated to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators: meeting, 7 p.m., Jan. 21, 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.

Little Cheer Basketball Clinic: 3-4:30 p.m., Jan. 26-27, Island Park Elementary School Gym, 5437 Island Crest Way. Mercer Island varsity cheerleaders will teach basketball cheers and a special dance. The kids will cheer with the squad at the basketball game on Saturday night, Jan. 30. For elementary ages and pre-K. $50 includes both clinic days, T-shirt and game admission. Jan: (206) 232-8122, jan@jadedogs.com.

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 30, Pioneer Park, at Island Crest Way and S.E. 68th St. Remove non-native plants and plant native conifer trees. Sign up online in advance. Groups are welcome. www.earthcorps.org.

Mercer Island Arts Council: Indoor Art Gallery, through Feb. 12, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Features three local artists: Esther Akrish, Laurel Nelms and Lollie Hibbs. (206) 275-7609.

Mercer Island Ski Bus: Tuesdays, through Feb. 23. Leaves Mercer Island at 8 a.m., returns at 6 p.m. Adult ski bus has openings for men and women, all abilities. Six trips to Crystal, two trips to Stevens. $165. Discounted group lift tickets available. Monica Robbins: 232-5838, 4waterdawgs@msn.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Holiday closure: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18.

Adults

Talk Time: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 13, 20, 27. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group, and learn more about American culture.

Meet the Author: David Dykstra, 2 p.m., Jan. 17. Dykstra will highlight local homes in his new book, “Lake Washington: 130 Homes.”

Children

Baby Rhyming Time: 10 a.m., Jan. 19, 26. Introduce your baby to books and the library with rhymes, books, music and play. Ages 3-9 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Jan. 19, 26. Stories, alphabet activities, music. Ages 3-5.

Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Jan. 20, 27. Stories, rhymes, music, activities. Ages 12-24 months with caregiver.

Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Jan. 20, 27. Stories, music, Early Literacy activities. Ages 2-3 with caregiver.

Sing-Along with Caspar Babypants: 7 p.m., Jan. 25. Join Chris Ballew, lead singer of Seattle-based rock and roll band The United States of America. Ages 2-5 with adult.

Teens

Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Jan. 18, 25. Get help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the Boys & Girls Club for games, crafts and activities. Joan Calden, Ben Ramage: (206) 436-1947. www.mipositiveplace.org.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Jan. 19. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour. Refreshments served.

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Jan. 25. Hang out, do homework, play board games, chat. Ages 12 and up.

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

Registration for winter programs, January through March, is now open. See the Winter Recreation Guide for more information. To sign up, go to www.myparksandrecreation.com or call (206) 275-7609.

Beginning Salsa Dancing: 7:45-8:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 17. Introduction to the rhythm and timing of the music, and the technique in leading and following. No partner needed. $50/5 weeks.

Hot Spot Basketball Competition: 12-1:30 p.m., Jan. 24. The annual basketball skills competition involves shooting from five “Hot Spots” marked on a basketball court. The youth with the highest score is the winner within their age bracket and qualifies to participate at the state event. Ages 7-14, boys and girls. Free.

After-School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, through Jan. 25. Hands-on after-school programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Explore a nature topic, with stories and snacks provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park.

Digital Photography: 6-9 p.m., Jan. 26. Age 16 and up. $42.

Beginning Bridge: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays, through Feb. 9. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. $74.

Family Valentine’s Dance: Feb. 12. Dancing, refreshments, photos, games and more. Ages 2-12. $16 per child and one family member; $5 each additional family member.

MI Writing Club: Grades 2-3, 4:15-6:15 p.m., Tuesdays, through March 23. Grades 4-5: 4:15-6:15 p.m., Thursdays, Jan. 14-March 25. Each class includes group activities, individual writing and individual feedback. Instructor: Barbara Winkleman. $112.

Pre-Ballet: 3:10-4 p.m., Tuesdays, through March 23. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. Ages 3-4. $112.

Ballet: 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays, through March 23. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. Ages 5-6. $112.