Events

MIVAL Art Gallery Grand Opening: 5-7 p.m., Dec. 17, Avellino Building, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Meet the artists. Music and refreshments. Holiday Show runs through Dec. 19 at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. www.mival.us.

Handbell Concert: 7:30-9 p.m., Dec. 18, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. A partnership with MIPC Children’s ministries Bells of the Sound, a nationally acclaimed handbell ensemble. www.BellsOfTheSound.org.

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 7 p.m., Dec. 18; 2 p.m., Dec. 19; 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. This Mercer Island tradition is performed by students of the Children’s Dance Conservatory and Island Youth Ballet. Tickets: $20, www.iybnutcracker.com, (206) 275-4750 or at the door. Susan Valencia: (206) 522-9399, susan@childrensdance.org.

Lux Spiritu: 8 p.m., Dec. 19, Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Inaugural performance of Illumni Men’s Chorale. Free. Goodwill donations will be accepted to support the chorale. (253) 693-8380, http://illumnimenschorale.com/holiday.html.

The Longest Night Service: “A Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness,” 7-8 p.m., Dec. 21, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. For many people, Christmas does not bring joy and happiness. The service offers a sacred space for those living through dark times. (206) 232-5595, www.mipc.org.

Christmas Eve Services

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Family Service, 5-6 p.m. Candlelight Service: 11 p.m.-midnight. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1015, www.micc.org.

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Family Service, 5-7 p.m. Candlelight Service: 11 p.m. 4545 Island Crest Way. (206) 232-7800, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Families with Exceptional Needs Eucharist: 1 p.m. Holy Eucharist: 5 p.m. Carols: 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Eucharist: 11 p.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist: 10 a.m. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1572, www.emmanuelmi.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Candlelight Services: 4 p.m., 11 p.m., 8501 S.E. 40th St. Special music will begin one half hour prior to each service. (206) 232-3270, www.htlcmi.org.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Christmas Eve Mass, 4, 6, 9 p.m. Christmas Day Mass: 8, 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-2900, www.stmonica.cc.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Christmas Pageant, 4-5 p.m. Candlelight Services: 6-7 p.m., 9-10 p.m., 11 pm.-12 a.m., with prelude/gathering music starting 20 minutes prior to each service. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595, www.mipc.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: Candlelight Service, 7 p.m. 6001 Island Crest Way. (206) 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranmi.org.

New Hope International Church: 8:30 p.m. Features drama, message. 9170 S.E. 64th. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: 7:30 p.m. 7070 S.E. 24th. Lessons, carols, candle lighting. Child care provided. (206) 232-3044, www.miumc.org.

Classes

Prenatal Yoga: 6 p.m., Thursdays, Dec. 17, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. New session begins Jan. 14, 2010. (206) 979-3008.

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.

First Aid and Adult CPR w/ AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 16, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $30 by check or cash the day of the event. Call 275-7607, Monday through Friday, to reserve a space. Jolene Judd: (206) 275-7607.

Groups

The Strivers: meeting, 1:45 p.m., Dec. 17, Community Center at Mercer View, Room 104, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Dr. K. Warner Schaie, founder of the Seattle Longitudinal Study. Free to the public. Non-members, call (206) 232-9161 to verify seating availability, due to limited space.

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

Functional Vision Screenings: through December, Hope Clinic, 12301 N.E. 10th Pl., Suite 302, Bellevue. Free screenings for children and adults with suspected reading difficulties, dyslexia, learning disabilities or attention deficit issues. Reservations: (425) 213-1016.

Mercer Island Ski Bus: Tuesdays, Jan. 5 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.

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

Court Appointed Special Advocates: Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Help the legal system work toward a safe, permanent home for these children. Must be 21. (206) 296-1120, casa.group@kingcounty.gov. www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Registration required.

All libraries are closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Christmas, Dec. 25.

Adults

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

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

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

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)

8236 S.E. 24th St.

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.

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

Beginning Bridge: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 5-Feb. 9. $74. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy.

MI Writing Club: Grades 2-3, 4:15-6:15 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 12-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, Jan. 12-March 23. Ages 3-4. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. $112.

Ballet: 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 12-March 23. Ages 5-6. Instructor: Debbie Nittrouer. $112.