Events

Island Books Readings: 7-8:30 p.m., Sept. 24, Gordon Hempton, “One Square Inch of Silence.” 2-4 p.m., Oct. 4: Greg Asimakoupoulos, “Sunday Rhymes and Reasons.” 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 7: Alvin Ziontz, “A Lawyer in Indian Country.” Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-6920. www.mercerislandbooks.com.

’Round the Rock Stand-up Paddle Race: 11 a.m., Sept. 27, Luther Burbank Park Swim Beach. Check-in for racers is 8 a.m. The public is invited starting at 11 a.m. Check out equipment and merchandise on display by manufacturers and retailers; get a free lesson and demo a board. Jeff Underwood: (206) 250-0855, www.roundtherock.com.

Mercer Island Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sundays, Mercerdale Park, on 77th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 32nd Street. Free parking at Farmers New World Insurance; handicapped parking at Rite Aid. Ends Oct. 11. www.mifarmersmarket.org.

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

Classes

Pre-Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Classes to Supercharge your High Holidays: “What Does Atonement Mean?” 7-8:30 p.m., Sept. 24. Northwest Yeshiva High School, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld of Congregation Shevet Achim. Free.

Mercer Island Yoga: Baby Stroller class, 9:45 a.m., Wednesdays. Prenatal Yoga: 6 p.m., first/third Thursdays, begins Sept. 24. Location: Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Register at CCMV. Rai: mercerislandyoga@yahoo.com.

20th Anniversary Edition of Financial Workshops for Seniors: 10-11:30 a.m., Sept. 28, Community Center at Mercer View, Clarke Room, 8236 S.E. 24th St. “Conservative Investing in a Changing Environment.” Speaker: Terry Cole, president of Senior Financial Advisors, Inc. $3. Advance registration required: (206) 275-7609.

Real-Time Stock Market Investing with Gatis Roze: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Sept. 30-Nov. 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. (425) 564-2263.

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

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Mercer Island Branch Japanese Flower Arranging Class: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, through Dec. 4, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. $80 for eight classes. Shirley: (425) 558-0889, (206) 954-3833, shirleyhill@live.com.

Groups

MIHS 2009 Fall Cheerleading Clinic: 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 23, Island Park Elementary Gym. Learn football cheers to join MIHS cheerleaders at Sept. 25 football game (optional). All elementary ages welcome. $30. Register through Jan Zager: jan@jadedogs.com, 232-8122.

The Strivers: meeting, 1:30 p.m., Sept. 24, Community Center at Mercer View, Room A-4. 8236 S.E. 24th St. Topic: inflammatory and non-inflammatory foods. Speaker: Dr. Susan Kleiner. Free. Lolly Hibbs: 232-9161.

Boy Scout Troop 624 Popcorn Sale: 4-8 p.m., Sept. 25; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sept. 26-27; North-end QFC, 7823 S.E. 28th St. The annual fundraiser will also take place at the Mercer Island Albertsons on Sept. 26. Door-to-door sales continue through Oct. 25. 70 percent of the proceeds go to the Boy Scout Council and Troop 624 for programs and equipment to support local Boy Scouts’ activities.

“One Night Brazil”: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 26, Mercer Island VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Community Empowerment Network’s third annual fundraiser for the impoverished Brazilian Amazon communities. Traditional Brazilian music, dance, dinner, auction. Tickets: $40/adults, $20/ages 12-20. www.endruralpoverty.org.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., Oct. 7, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Dr. David Dail, retired Virginia Mason pathologist will describe his avocation, geology and the complex geological history of the Northwest. Bob Simonds: 236-2190.

MI Chamber of Commerce Gallery Artists Reception: 5:30-8 p.m., Oct. 15, 7605 S.E. 27th St., #109. Current gallery display through Oct. 30: “Backyard Birds,” by photographers Judith Roan and Ron Reeder.

Mercer Island Historical Society: meeting, 1 p.m., Oct. 19, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Greg Asimakoupoulos, pastor of Mercer Island Covenant Church. (206) 236-3274, www.mihistory.org.

Mercer Island Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital: The Guild is currently seeking new members and meets every third Friday of each month. The all-volunteer fundraising organization supports uncompensated health care for children and will kick off the 2010 Mercer Island Directory project. MaryAnn Lusby, membership director: (206) 232-5836.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Registration required.

Adults

Computer Class: “Search the Internet for Beginners,” 9 a.m., Sept. 24.

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

Teens

SAT Practice Test & Strategy Session: 12:30 p.m., Sept. 26. Comprehensive analysis of practice test and strategy session from Kaplan. Registration required.

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Sept. 28. Hang out, do homework, play board games. Ages 12 and older. Held on Mondays after school with some exceptions.

Children

E-I-E-I OINK! A Farm Song-Sing-Along: 11 a.m., Sept. 29. Join Nancy Stewart for your favorite songs about animals. Ages 2 to 5.

Shake, Rattle and Roll! Early Literacy through Music: 10 a.m., Sept. 30. Ages 12 to 23 months with adult. Join singer, songwriter Nancy Stewart for a three-week music workshop. Registration required.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)

8236 S.E. 24th St.

275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

The Fall 2009/Winter 2010 Recreation Guide is available. Registration is open.

Computer Basics: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursdays, Sept. 24-Oct. 22. For adults. $62.

Worldwide Day of Play: 1-4 p.m., Sept. 26, Mercerdale Park. Family event. Free.

After School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, Oct. 5-26. Hands-on programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. “Wetland Filters”: Oct. 5. “Wetland Connections”: Oct. 19. “Wetland Field”: Oct. 26. Explore a nature topic, share a story; snacks provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park. Notify of any food allergies at time of sign-up. Ages 4-9. $47.

Writing Club: Grades 2-3, 4:15-6:15 p.m., Tuesdays, through Dec. 8. $122. Grades 4-6: 4-6 p.m., Thursdays, through Dec. 10. $122.

Hula Hoop Dance Class: Level One, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Sundays, through Dec. 17; $108. Level Two: 12:30-1:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Dec. 17; $222. Half sessions available. Drop-in fee: $15. Instructors: Marcie Spahi, Merissa Sweetland. Age 16 and up.

Ballet: 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays/Thursdays, through Dec. 17. Ages 5-6. $132.

Pre-Ballet: 3:10-4 p.m., Tuesdays/Thursdays, through Dec. 17. Ages 3-4. $132.

Seniors

Flu Shot Clinic: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 14, Congregational Church of MI, 4545 Island Crest Way. 65+ or someone with chronic illness or health care providers. No fee if Medicare Part B; must bring Medicare card. $30 if an HMO member. Co-sponsor: Swedish Visiting Nurse Services. Transportation available. Appointment required: call (206) 275-7609 to schedule.

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