Thursday | 8

Community Marching Band Dress Rehearsal: 7 p.m., July 8, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Rehearse prior to parade at staging area: 9:30 a.m., July 10; parade starts at 10 a.m. Bert Pound: (206) 232-0762, bertpound@yahoo.com.

Shakespeare in the Park performances: 7 p.m., “Much Ado About Nothing,” Luther Burbank Amphitheater. Admission: free. Contact: (206) 275-7609.

Saturday | 10

Corporate Prayer: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., July 10, New Hope International Church, 9170 S.E. 64th St. Join for the last day of New Hope’s corporate 40-day prayer and fasting time. www.newhic.org.

MercyVet Veterinary Clinic 10th Anniversary Celebration: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., July 10, 2707 76th Ave. S.E. A full-service integrative veterinary practice offering acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy and traditional treatments is also celebrating its recent expansion. www.mercyvet.com.

Earthcorps Volunteer Restoration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pioneer Park: July 10. Island Crest Park: July 22. Work with Earthcorps and the city to plant native trees; remove non-native plants such as ivy; and other site maintenance activities. www.earthcorps.org.

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: 9 a.m., July 10, Farmer’s New World Parking Lot. Categories for boys and girls grades 3-8. Cost: $80 per team. Contact: (206) 275-7609.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL): Junior Arts Show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 10, Wells Fargo Bank. Continues on Sunday, July 11. MIVAL artists will participate in Summer Celebration, July 10-11. In addition to its street booth, MIVAL has opened a month-long Summer Celebration! show at MIVAL Gallery, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during Summer Celebration! and 12-6 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturdays. Contact: Judith Roan, (206) 236-0511.

Mercer Island Summer Celebration!: July 10-11, downtown Mercer Island, 77th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 32nd Street. Community festival. Summer Celebration! Parade: 10 a.m., 78th Avenue S.E., in the town center. www.misummercelebration.com.

Bicycles for Humanity at Summer Celebration!: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 10-11, Mercerdale Park. Bicycles for Humanity will be accepting bicycle donations at its booth. All used or new bikes are accepted; sturdy mountain bikes are especially needed. Bikes will be shipped to the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. Volunteers are also welcome to help with the booth or administrative tasks, or repair bikes. www.b4hs.org.

Wednesday | 14

East Link Light Rail Open House: 6:30-8:30 p.m., July 14, Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E. Topic: 112th Avenue, South Bellevue Park and Ride, and Bellevue Way. The public is invited to meet with Sound Transit and City of Bellevue staff. www.soundtransit.org.

Thursday | 15

Mountains to Sound Greenway Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 15, Mercerdale Hillside. Contact: (206) 812-0122, mtsgreenway.org.

3rd Thursday Community Art Walk: 5:30-8 p.m., July 15, Mercer Island Town Center. Family event with local artists in the Town Center. Meet your local business owners. Features tastings, entertainment, raffle prize. Watch for the orange balloons. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

Chamber of Commerce Gallery Artist Reception: 5-7 p.m., July 15, during the Third Thursday Art Walk. Artist Marcella Diamond will be present at official opening with artworks to be displayed through Aug. 5.

Mercer Island Radio Operators: 7 p.m., July 15, Mercer Island Fire Station 91, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. MIRO Chairman Dave Cook: (206) 230-0397. www.mirohams.org.

Shakespeare in the Park: “Much Ado About Nothing,” 7 p.m., July 15-18, Luther Burbank Park Amphitheater. Two performances on July 18: 2 and 7 p.m.

Friday | 16

“The Big Bad Wolf”: premieres at 7 p.m., July 16, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Performances of Greg Palmer’s musical comedy run through July 25. Friday, Saturday: 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday matinees: 2 p.m. For age 5 and up. www.youththeatre.org.

Sunday | 18

Mercer Island Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., July 18, Mercerdale Park, S.E. 32nd Street. Celebrate Mercer Island’s 50th birthday at the market. Features a special flower display by Mercer Island Florist, sampling at the events booth, and a special promotion with Mercer Island Farmers Market tote bags. There will also be food, live music and a kids activity table. www.mifarmersmarket.org.

Mercerversary: 6-8:30 p.m., July 18, Mercerdale Park. Celebrate the city of Mercer Island’s 50th anniversary of incorporation and its history, community and people. Free. www.MI50.org.

Shakespeare in the Park: “Othello,” 2 and 7 p.m., July 18. Additional performances: 7 p.m., 22-24, 29-31.

Mostly Music in the Park: opening night, 7-8:30 p.m., July 18, Mercerdale Park. Nowhere Men will play Beatles music for Mercer Island’s 50th anniversary. Bring a picnic dinner to a free evening of entertainment, every Sunday and Thursday through Aug. 15.

Monday | 19

“Loosen Up!” Watercolor Painting: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., July 19, Aljoya, 22430 76th Ave. S.E. Intermediate/advanced. Use large sheets of watercolor paper and create big shapes by utilizing negative painting. Explore landscapes and/or still-life. Instructor will send a supply list to those who sign up. Limited to eight individuals. Fee: $65 plus materials. Instructor: Joan Frey. Contact Pat Taylor: (206) 236-0207, pat.taylor@mindspring.com. www.joanlfrey.com.

Tuesday | 20

Fill the Boot Fundraiser: 7 a.m., July 20. Mercer Island firefighters with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1762 union will be at the intersection of Island Crest Way and 40th Street during the day to collect funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“Ask the Pediatrician”: 6:30-7:30 p.m., July 20, Mercer Island Pediatrics, 2553 76th Ave. S.E. All parents are welcome to a free “Ask the Pediatrician” event with Julie Ellner, M.D., who takes care of children from birth through age 25. RSVP: (206) 275-2122.

Wednesday | 21

Free Oral Health Classes: 10-11 a.m., July 21, every third Friday, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. With Dental Hygienics.

Thursday | 22

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 22, Island Crest Park. Join EarthCorps and the City of Mercer Island to restore the health of park forests. Remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. www.earthcorps.org.

Friday | 23

Introduction to Sumi Painting: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., July 23, Aljoya, 22430 76th Ave. S.E. Explore creative forms of self-expression using sumi (black ink) to interpret images, and changes in color through tonal value. Traditional tools, materials, brush methods and approach to content along with the mounting process will be covered. Complete the class with works ready for framing. Limited to eight individuals. Fee: $95. Some materials provided. Instructor: Lois Yoshida. Contact Pat Taylor: (206) 236-0207, pat.taylor@mindspring.com.

“Shaarei Tikvah: Gates of Hope”: 5:30 p.m., July 23, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, 3700 E. Mercer Way. Summer Shabbat experience for people of all abilities. Catered kosher dinner: 6:30 p.m. Advance registration required by July 16. Contact Marjorie Schnyder: (206) 861-3146, familylife@jfsseattle.org. Shabbat rituals and a brief service. Cantor David Serkin-Poole will lead the service with special guests. www.jfsseattle.org.

Events | Ongoing

Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery: Marcella Diamond presents two color stories at the Chamber Gallery during July, through Aug. 5. Works include acrylics, watercolors, pastels and encaustic. Official opening with the artist present: 5-7 p.m., July 15, during the Third Thursday Art Walk.

Men’s & Coed Softball Leagues: 6-9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, through August. Location: Homestead Park. Each league has two divisions: intermediate and advanced. Games are played once a week. Ryan Daly: (206) 275-7863. $677/team.

Group Mat Pilates with Nanci: 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays; 10 a.m., Saturdays, Mercer Island Martial Arts, 2630 77th Ave. S.E. Class features: strengthen and tone abs, increase flexibility, relieve back pain. Drop in: $10. Monthly: $75. (425) 736-7820.

Master Gardener Plant/Information Clinics: 1-5 p.m., Fridays, through Aug. 27, Rite Aid, 3023 78th Ave. S.E. Bring your gardening questions to the clinic or to the MI Farmers Market clinic, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sundays, through Oct. 17.

Library | Ongoing

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

One-on-One Computer Assistance: A KCLS volunteer instructor can provide computer assistance. For more information or to make an appointment, call the Mercer Island library: (206) 236-3537. All assistance is provided using a library laptop.

Children & Families

Magical Adventures of Aquifer Man: 2 p.m., July 15. Presented by Jeff Evans. Ages 5 and up with adult.

Water, Water, Water!: 10 a.m., July 20. Presented by Dan Crow, family entertainer, recording artist and songwriter; composer of “The Adventures of Milo and Otis” title songs. Ages 3 and up with adult.

Fire and Ice: 2 p.m., July 22. Science demonstrations presented by Mad Science. Ages 5 and up with adult.

Reading Buddies: 2-4 p.m., Mondays, through July 26. Ages 5 to 8. Read with a local teen with literacy training.

20,000 Volts Under the Sea: 10 a.m., July 27. Deep-sea rock musical includes interactive games. Presented by Brian Waite Band. Ages 3 and up with adult.

Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, through July 28. Ages 12-24 months and caregiver.

Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, through July 28. Ages 24-36 months and caregiver.

Water Wildlife: 2 p.m., July 29. Learn about local freshwater and marine ecosystems. Presented by Nature Vision. Ages 6 and up with adult. Please register.

Teens

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., July 20. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour.

Read Three, Get One Free Summer Edition & Read•Flip•Win: Read three books, write three thoughtful 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 your movie on YouTube. Enter to win a Flip video camera.

Parks & Recreation | Ongoing

www.myparksandrecreation.com

Community CampOut: 12 p.m., July 17, to 12 p.m., July 18 (overnight), Luther Burbank Park. Camp Burbank’s community campout is a great way to get away from it all and still be close to home. Features activities and cooking plus campfire songs, skits and s’mores. Bring your tent, personal items and sleeping bags. $35/adults, teens; $25/kids.

Special Effects Workshop: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 19-23, Community Center at Mercer View Art Room, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Five-day workshop working with seven water-based media, focusing on introduction to special effects. For beginner, intermediate and advanced adult artists. Instructor: Keith Sluder. $450.

Itsy Bitsy Islanders Camp: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Friday, through July 30, West Mercer Elementary. Creative and educational themes include activities, games, arts and crafts: Pirates for Peace, Happy Campers, Princess Camp, Teddy Bear Picnic, Start Your Engines and Under the Sea. Ages 3-5. $127/week.

Grocery Shopping Transportation for Seniors: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Get transportation to a North-end grocery store and one errand. Call 275-7895, press 1, leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before shopping. $2.