Events
Introductions to Shakespeare Plays: “Richard III,” 5 p.m., July 16-18. “Taming of the Shrew”: 5 p.m., July 23-25, 30-31, Aug. 1, Luther Burbank Park, uphill from the Amphitheater. Speaker: Amy Thone, Seattle Shakespeare lecturer. (206) 275-7609.
Wooden O Theater Shakespeare in the Park: “Richard III,” 7 p.m., July 16-18. “The Taming of the Shrew”: 7 p.m., July 23-25, 30-31, Aug. 1-2. Location: Luther Burbank Park Amphitheater. “Summer Outdoor Theater” sponsor: Mercer Island Arts Council. (206) 275-7609.
Island Books Summer Storyteller Series: “Musical Stories,” 7-7:30 p.m., July 16, Farida Dowler, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. For children ages 3 and up. (206) 232-6920. www.mercerislandbooks.com.
Mostly Music in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursdays, Sundays, Mercerdale Park. Local bands play a variety of music under the covered Veteran’s Recognition Pergola. The Nudie Suit Stardusters (Country Western of ’40s, 50s, 60s): July 19. Soul Provider (Soul/Funk): July 23. Mark DuFresne Blues Band (Blues): July 26. Stay Tuned (Bluegrass): July 30. (206) 275-7609.
Mercer Island Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sundays, through Oct. 11, Mercerdale Park, on 77th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 32nd Street. Closed July 12 for Summer Celebration and Aug. 2 for Seafair. Free parking at Farmers New World Insurance; handicapped parking at Rite Aid. www.mifarmersmarket.org.
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Centennial Special Gallery Show: Aug. 3-Sept. 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Features Native Alaskan arts and crafts, history of the AYP and Mercer Island. “Day of Celebration”: 12-4 p.m., Aug. 16, with Salmon Bake, Native American storyteller, Inuksuk building contest for kids, art and more. Tickets required for the Salmon Bake are now available for pre-sale. 275-7609. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.
Wine Tasting: 4-6 p.m., Fridays, Cellar 46, 7650 S.E. 27th St., Suite 120. Free. (206) 407-3016.
Classes
“The Safe Side – Stranger Safety for Kids Workshop”: 1-3 p.m., July 25, New Hope International Church, 9170 S.E. 64th St. A fun way to learn important safety information. Parents provided with simple and engaging ways to discuss this subject with their children. Emmy Award-winning show that teaches kids how to avoid dangerous situations with strangers. Speakers: Julie Clark and John Walsh. For elementary kids. Snack provided. Free. Sign up in the church lobby by July 19 or e-mail BSupasatit@msn.com. (206) 275-1042.
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.
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.
Mercer Island Yoga: Baby Strollercise, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Prenatal Yoga: 5:45 p.m., first/third Thursdays, Mercerwood Shoreclub. (206) 979-3008.
Groups
d’Elaine Johnson Gallery Show Artist Reception: 6-8 p.m., July 16, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. The gallery is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. through July 31. The art work is for sale with proceeds going to support arts and cultural programming by the Mercer Island Arts Council. Amber Britton: (206) 275-7864.
Mercer Island Radio Operators: 7 p.m., July 16, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. Members and the public are welcome. Dave Cook, MIRO Chairman: (206) 230-0397. www.mirohams.org.
Mountains to Sound Greenway: Mercerdale Hillside restoration project, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., July 18. Volunteer to remove invasive plants. Half-day option available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (206) 812-0122, www.mtsgreenway.org.
Mercer Island Preschool Association Community Work Day: 9 a.m., July 25, Luther Burbank Park playground. Volunteers are needed to install new toddler play equipment and swings. Specific building skills not required. Coffee and bagels provided. In cooperation with the City of Mercer Island. Debbie Bertlin: 232-8171, Debbie@bertlin.net.
Earthcorps: Pioneer Park environmental restoration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 25, Island Crest Way and S.E. 68th Street. Lina Anne Rose: (206) 322-9296, ext. 225. www.earthcorps.org.
Women Painters of Washington: “Summer Dreaming” gallery exhibition, through July 31. 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 310. (206) 624-0543, www.womenpainters.com.
Mercer Island Boys Basketball Booster Club: Retirement Celebration for Coach Ed Pepple, 6 p.m., Aug. 7, Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue. Cocktail Hour: 6-7 p.m. Dinner and Tribute: 7 p.m. Appetizers, three-course dinner. The community is invited. $55/person. Reply by July 20: Christine Poli, (206) 351-6735.
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Gallery: features MIVAL artist Wanda Hughes, through Aug. 14, 7605 S.E. 27th St., #109. 232-3404.
Mercer Island High School Class of 1979 Reunion: Sept. 12, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10455 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue. (425) 644-1044. www.reunionswithclass.com.
Senior Men’s Tennis Doubles: seeking players, 6:45-8:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Location: Homestead Field. Al Skinner: 232-3450.
Toddlers of Mercer Island (TOMI by MIPA): 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays, 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.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Help the legal system work toward a safe, permanent home for children. Must be 21. References and 28 hours of training required. (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.
KCLS Summer Reading Programs
Be Creative @ Your Library — the 2009 Summer Reading Program, through Aug. 31. Read 500 minutes and receive a halfway prize; read 1,000, receive the finisher prize and be eligible for the grand prize drawing of a laptop computer. Prizes are distributed beginning July 15. The grand prize winner is announced in September. Teens: Check out the Summer Edition of Read Three, Get One Free. Read three books, write a review for each, get a free book and earn prizes.
Adults
Computer classes: 9 a.m. E-mail Level II: July 16. E-mail Level III: July 23.
Children/Families
Harry Potter Hurrah: 3:30 p.m., July 17. Celebrate the release of the final film in the Harry Potter series.
Wiggle, Waddle, Stomp and Sing: 10:30 a.m., July 21. Join Eric Ode for puppets and concert. Ages 3-6.
Up, Up and Away: 2 p.m., July 23. Ages 4 and up. See spellbinding scientific experiments that explore the principles of air pressure.
Ham It Up with Piggie Pie: 10:30 a.m., July 28. Ages 4-5. Watch the Seattle Children’s Theatre perform this favorite picture book. Space is limited.
Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, through July 29. Ages 12-24 months with adult.
Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, through July 29. Ages 2-3 with adult.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite: 2 p.m., July 30. Build a kite from scratch and fly it in Rotary Park.
Reading Buddies: 2 p.m., Mondays, through Aug. 3. Read with a local teen who has literacy training. Ages 5-8.
Teens
Harry Potter Hurrah: 3:30 p.m., July 17. Celebrate the release of the final film in the Harry Potter series.
Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., July 21. Voice your opinions on teen programs and earn volunteer credit.
“Read Three, Get One Free Summer Edition; Read, Flip, Win”: Read three books, write three reviews and get a prize book for free. This summer will also feature a video book review contest: Read a book, make a movie and put it on YouTube.
Parks & Recreation
Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)
8236 S.E. 24th St.
275-7609
Registration for summer camps and beginner adult sailing is open. See the summer Recreation Guide for full descriptions or www.myparksandrecreation.com.
Let’s Go Fishing: 1-3 p.m., Aug. 15, Luther Burbank Park docks. Reporter garden columnist Linda Urbaniak and husband, Roger, will teach children how to catch trout, perch and bass from Lake Washington. Students will be provided with hooks, various dock fishing tackle and some bait. Participants should bring their own poles. Ages 6-15 (one adult must accompany each student). $22. Register online or call 275-7609.
KAMP ROCK! Summer Camp: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., through Aug. 14. Theme weeks, field trips, games/crafts. Ages 6-11. $190/week; extended care available.
Seniors
Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., July 16. For senior adult men and women who have lost a spouse or partner in death. Free. To reserve a spot: call Betsy Zuber, (206) 275-7752.
Parks & Recreation Senior Golf Program: Mondays, “Niners” and “Handicappers” take weekly trips to various golf courses in the area.
Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesday, Thursday. Reservations: call 275-7895, press 2, leave a message. $5.
Grocery Shopping Transportation: Wednesday morning. Call 236-3456, leave a message by 4 p.m., the day before. $1.
Stroum JCC
3801 East Mercer Way
232-7115
www.sjcc.org
Registration required.
Al Ziontz’s Memoir: 1 p.m., July 20. Al Ziontz will share the story titled “Muscatine Memories,” from his personal memoirs.
Active Seniors Club: 10:30 a.m., July 22. Bellevue Arts Museum lecture by Ann Kilcup, docent from the BAM Speaker’s Bureau, with a video review of BAM’s past 60 years and summer exhibitions. Free guest passes.
Tulalip Casino: 9 a.m., July 27. Leave the casino at 2 p.m. and return to the JCC at 3 p.m. $1/members, $2/nonmembers.
The Book Club: 1-3 p.m., July 27. Discussing themes, characters, plots and symbolism.
Poker Game: 12:30-3 p.m., July 28. Play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7 Card Hi/Lo, Dealer’s Choice.
Special Talk: “How’s the President Doing?”: 12 p.m., July 29. Speaker: Joel Connelly, seattlepi.com columnist, on “Obama at six months.”
Drop in Mah Jongg: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays in July, Polack Lounge. Free/SJCC members, $2/nonmembers.
Drop in Bridge: 12:30-3 p.m., Wednesdays in July. All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Free/SJCC members, $2/nonmembers.
