Understanding All Kinds of Minds, Learning About Learning – The Challenge of Homework: is from 10 a.m. to noon. Session 1, Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St.; Session 2, Saturday, Dec. 9, at Lakeridge Library, 8215 S.E. 78th St. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information and reservations contact Jaymi Garvetat at jaymi@soulfullife.com or 236-0050.
Silent Film Screening with Orchestra Accompaniment performed by Pontiac Bay Symphony Orchestra is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Nathan Hale Performing Arts Center, 10750 30th Ave. S.E., Seattle. Mercer Island residents: Hummie Mann, Hollywood film and TV composer is guest conductor. Whitney Miller, Lesley Bain and Paul Iano are orchestra participants. Free parking. Advance tickets are $15 general and $12 students, seniors and children. Call 364-0907.
“Mostly Live Nativity” drive-through Nativity from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 in front of Redeemer Lutheran Church, 6001 Island Crest Way. Children and adults as shepherds, angels and the holy family and live animals: Llamas, sheep and a donkey. Drive through, pick up hot chocolate and make a donation to Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. All are welcome.
Island Sound Children’s Choir will perform their holiday performance of “A Dickens of a Christmas.” Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Performing Arts Center at Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Tickets are $12 at the door. Contact Marsha Woerner at 232-8007 or at islandsound@comcast.net.
Argosy Christmas Ship Festival is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Luther Burbank Beach. Bring a flashlight! Coffee, hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
Holiday Showing of Marsha Karr’s new giclee prints is from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at 6829 96th Ave. S.E. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation to honor Joan Fink.
Toys for Tots annual toy drive official collection center is at Coldwell Banker Bain Associates’ real estate office, at 7808 S.E. 28th St. #128 in Island Square. Hosted by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. For more information contact John Deely at 232-4600.
Clubs
The Mercer Island ProBus Club Holiday luncheon is at noon today at Covenant Shores, 9100 Fortuna Drive. Buses will shuttle from the Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. from10:30 until 11:45 a.m.
Mercer Island Preschool Association events:
Mercer Island Republican Women will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Community Center at Mercer View Luther Burbank room, 8236 S.E. 24th St. for installation of officers. There will be a $3 donation to cover the rental cost of the room. Following the meeting there is a no-host holiday lunch at a community restaurant. Friends are welcome.
Mercer Island Women’s Club Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon begins at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Glendale Country Club, 13440 Main St., Bellevue. Contact Lynn Kloppenburg at 230-9363 or Liz McClure at 232-4938 for reservations.
The League of Women Voters will meet at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Lissa Wells’ home, 7651 S.E. 40th St. Call Martha Jordan at 425-883-9143 for more information.
Mercer Island Thrift Shop needs volunteers of all ages for sorting, pricing and displaying donated items. Training is underway for evening and Saturday cashier and customer service positions. Call Suzanne Philen at 236-3454 for an interview.
Island Books Open Book Club is at 7:30 p.m. the last Thursday of each month, at Island Books, 3014 78th St.
Senior Foundation of Mercer Island:
Classes
Mary Wayte Pool:
Library
The following events take place at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E., unless otherwise noted. Please call 236-3537 for more information.
Game Day is 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 and 18. Fun board games and light refreshments.
Study Hall is 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 and 18; at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26’ at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 20 and 27.
Teen Academic Mentors for students in second to eighth grades at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Tutoring from high school students in a variety of subjects. Contact Jennifer Fleck at 236-3537.
Computer Class: Microsoft Word Level 1 is at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Learn how to create and save a document, insert images and more. Call 236-2527 to register.
Mercer Island Arts Council Classics on Film: Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Free admission. Dec. 10, “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance take us on a cattle drive like none other.
Holiday Music Fun! is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Join Tune Tales Music for singing, activities and fun!
Teen Advisory Board is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19. Review materials, services and programs the library offers teens and earn one volunteer credit hour. Light refreshments will be served.
Teen programs are offered from 7 to 8 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month. Contact miya@kcls.org for more information.
Talk Time is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group. Call with questions.
Teen Anime and Manga Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.
Words on Wheels needs volunteers to select, deliver and return library materials to at least one homebound patron per month. Training is provided and a one-year commitment required. Must be 18 or older. Contact Susan LaFantasie at 425-369-3235 at the Traveling Library Center.
SCORE Counseling for business owners is offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon the third Thursday of each month. Call to register.
Boys & Girls Club
Unless noted, all events take place at the Boys & Girls Club, 2825 West Mercer Way. Register online at www.mipositiveplace.org or call 232-4548.
Before and After School Childcare is from 6 to 8:45 a.m. (before school) and from 3 to 6 p.m. (after school) Tuition: Full time for both: $400 per month, part time for both $180 per month; a.m. $200 per month. Call Joan Caldon at 232-4548 for more information or to register at www.mipositiveplace.org.
Teen Scene After School for middle school students, is from 3 to 6 p.m. Register on line. The cost is $75 per month per person.
Teens: Need a place to hangout on Saturday? Visit the Boys & Girls Club. The cost is only $3. Open gym, movies, Xbox, Internet, Karaoke, and open mic nights. Play foosball, Ping-PO or pool Free pizza sponsored by Sahara and soda for you. Call Nate at 232-4548.
Preschool Rainy Day Gym-Indoor Playground for pre-schoolers accompanied by parents:
Preschool Messy Arts & Crafts-Stuff you won’t do at home! is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $5 per session. Call 232-4548 to reserve or drop-in. Limited to 10 parent/child.
Amazing Arts workshops: for 7- to 10-year-olds is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cool Clay Houses or Castles is Thursday Dec. 7. The cost is $30 per person including glazing and firing.
Upcoming Middle School dance: Cost is $5. School dress code applies. Parent chaperones needed. Call to volunteer for dates.
Parks & Rec
Call 236-3545, or register online at www.myparksandrecreation.com to receive a catalog of the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department events.
All events are held at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St. unless otherwise specified.
Bridge lessons are at 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $63 for 6 weeks. The instructor is Aidee Pokroy. Call for more information.
Seniors
Solemates Walking Group is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 13th and 20th, from the lobby. The cost is $2.
Parkinson Carers’ Support Group is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, in the health room.
Parkinson Support Group is from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19th in the Clarke room.
Caregivers Support Group is from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 in the Slater room.
Senior lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Take the bus from the CCMV to Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive. The cost is $4.45 per person. Call for reservations.
Senior Adult Newsletter mailing list. Contact 236-3545 if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
JCC
Unless noted, all events take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way. For more information, call 232-7115.
Community Wide Hanukkah Celebration is from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the JCC. Candle lighting ceremony, entertainment make menorahs and dreidles. Sponsored by KidsQuest Children’s Museum and My Gym in Bellevue. Free and open to everyone. Contact Roni Antibe at ext. 269.
Beginning Hebrew classes are from 6:30 to 7:30 Mondays to Dec. 18. The cost is $80 per member or $100 per non-member. To register contact Roni Antebi at ext. 269 or ronia@sjcc.org.
Not for Israel Only: Using Israeli Archives and Resources for Worldwide Jewish Records. Michael Goldstein, a Jerusalem-based genealogist will speak from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. Sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State.
Craft Central is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Create your own holiday cards; learn how to wrap a gift and more. Cost is $120 (includes all materials).
Sunday matinee movies: Every first Sunday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m.: Jan. 7, “Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi.”
Free TechLab computer classes:
Mah Jongg Fridays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., ongoing. Free for members, $2 for non-members. Meet in room 207.
Religion
Christian Science First Church of Christ, Scientist: The community is welcome to Sunday Service, Sunday School at 10 a.m. and Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Child care is available at all services and meetings. The Bible lesson for each weeks Sunday service can be previewed in the recently opened Reading Room, a bookstore, library, and study area open to everyone on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7605 S.E. 27th. Call 232-0175 for more information, or e-mail fccsmi@attglobal.net. The church is at Island Crest Way at S.E. 47th St.
Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Worship service is at 10:30 a.m. Youth group for sixth- to ninth-grade is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Bible study group is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and at 6:15 p.m. Thursdays. The church is at 4545 Island Crest Way.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Advent Contemplative Prayer is at 7 p.m. Wednesday nights, Dec. 6, 13 and Dec. 20. Lessons and Carols are at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Children’s Christmas Program is at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Christmas Eve services: 5 p.m. Family Service, 7:30 p.m. Baroque Christmas with the Emerald String Quartet, 10 p.m. Traditional Christmas Mass. Carol singing 30 minutes before each service. The church is at S.E. 44th Street and 86th Avenue S.E., 232.1572, or e-mail http://www.emmanuelmi.org.
Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: FirstFridays at HNT for young adults is at 7:30 p.m. Speaking of God: is from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 6th and 13th. Contact Melanie Berman at melanie@h-nt.org. Chanukah party is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, featuring Flying Latkes: Brothers from Different Mothers. Caring for Aging Parents: workshops Session 2: Building a Relationship with Your Difficult Parent, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. The synagogue is at 3700 East Mercer Way.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship is at 8 and 10:15 a.m. and the new Contemporary Service is at 5 p.m. Sunday School and Adult Education classes are at 9 a.m. Pastor’s Bible Study is every Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Note that on the three Wednesdays in Advent: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, Soup Suppers are at 6 p.m., followed by Vesper Services at 7 p.m. The annual Progressive Dinner is Saturday, Dec. 9. To participate register by calling 232-3270. Prepaid tickets are $25 per person. The church is at 8501 S.E. 40th St.
Mercer Island Covenant Church: Sunday services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday School for all ages is at 9:45 a.m. The High School Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Middle school youth group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Men’s open prayer meets every Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. Women’s prayer group meets at 8 a.m. every Thursday. Women’s Oasis Study at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday. For additional information call 232-1015, ext. 100. The church is at 3200 78th Ave. S.E.
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Worship services Sunday at: 8:15, 10:35 a.m. and 5 p.m. Children’s Christmas Concert is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Fellowship Hall featuring all children of MIPC. Christmas Concert and Wassail Fest is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 with sacred music featuring Chancel and Handbell choirs, Praise teams and more. Christmas tea for men and women is at noon Tuesday, Dec. 19. Christmas Eve: Worship is at 10 a.m., 6, 9 and 11 p.m. in the sanctuary. Contact Ruth Ann Biggers at 232-5596, ext. 203 or ruthannb@mipc.org. or Dale Sewall at dales@mipc.org for more information. The church is at 3605 84th Ave. S.E.
Mercer Island United Methodist Church: The church welcomes the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr. as pastor. Sunday school resumes at 9:45 a.m. Worship is at 11 a.m. Thanksgiving at Plymouth on Stewart. Join by preparing and serving a Thanksgiving feast. Many jobs for many people. Contact Elaine Bolger at 275-2654 or bolger8166@comcast.net. All are welcome. The church is at 7070 S.E. 24th St.
New Hope Church: Celebrate Christmas with the World! 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. The church is located at 9170 S.E. 64th St.
Redeemer Lutheran Church: The morning worship service and communion begins at 10 a.m. Kid’s Church serves our children during the service. “Mostly Live Nativity “ drive-through Nativity from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 in front of the church, 6001 Island Crest Way. Children and adults as shepherds, angels and the holy family and live animals: Llamas, sheep and a donkey. Drive through, pick up hot chocolate and make a donation to Mercer Island youth & Family Services. All are welcome. For information, call Pastor Bill at 232-1711. The church is at 6001 Island Crest Way.
St. Monica Catholic Church: Services: Preschool/Kindergarten, Sunday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Confirmation, Sunday, 4:30 to 6 p.m.; High School Youth Night, Sunday, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; Middle School Youth Night, Monday, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; Elementary Focus program is Wednesday, 4 to 5:30; RCIA/Adult Education, Wednesday, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Contact 232-9829 for more information. Rosary makers is every Thursday from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. in Rectory room A. Legion of Mary is every Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. in Rectory room A. Call the Parish Office whenever one is seriously ill. Church office phone number is 232-2900. Pastor is Father Dennis Kemp. The church is at 4301 88th Ave. S.E.
