Events

“Pongo Speaks”: 7 p.m., Jan. 8, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. YTN partners with youth arts agency Pongo Teen Writing to feature storytelling with live music performed by a local youth band, followed by a discussion on youth issues. For ages 12 and up. Free. (206) 232-4145. www.youththeatre.org.

“High School Musical”: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 8-10; 2 p.m., Jan. 9-10, Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue, 98004. Tickets: $15 (general), $13 (youth, seniors). Box office: (425) 392-2202.

Christmas Tree Pick-Up: Jan. 9. Mercer Island boys lacrosse team is conducting its annual pick-up service and fundraiser. The trees are mulched by the city and recycled back into the parks system. To schedule a tree pick-up, call 232-8775 or e-mail laxpickup@hotmail.com.

Holiday Tree Chipping: through Jan. 10, City of Mercer Island Maintenance Shop, 9601 S.E. 36th St. Bring your undecorated Christmas tree and it will be chopped into useful materials for the city’s parks, trails and open spaces. (206) 275-7608, www.mercergov.org.

Play Away the Winter Blues: 12-3 p.m., Jan. 10, Community Center Gym. A variety of fun play equipment and games will fill the gym for families of all ages to play together. Free.

Classics on Films: “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990), 7 p.m., Jan. 30, Aljoya Theater, 2430 S.E. 76th. French film with subtitles. Presented by MI Arts Council, with MI Sister City Association. Pick up a parking token at Aljoya front desk. (206) 275-7609, ejleithe@comcast.net. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

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

Classes

Beginning Fly-Tying Classes: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 7-Feb. 5, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Eight-session beginner class will teach how to tie flies to get fish biting. $45. Includes a manual and DVD. Bob: (206) 542-4623.

“The Neurodevelopmental Approach to ADHD in Children and Teens”: 7-8:30 p.m., Jan. 11, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. ADD Resources sponsors a free presentation at ADHD Eastside Parent Support Group with Deborah McGrew, board-certified pediatrician, developmental occupational therapist. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.

“How to Get Paid to Buy Your First Home”: 6-7 p.m., Jan. 13, Feb. 3, March 3, Windermere Mercer Island, 2737 77th Ave. S.E. Presented by Diane Rae Jones, Windermere Real Estate. Free. (206) 232-0446, www.windermeremercerisland.com.

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Japanese Flower-Arranging Winter Classes: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, Jan. 15-March 5, at Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. (206) 236-3545. Instructor: Mitsuko Hakomori. $80. Shirley Hill: (425) 558-0889, shirleyhill@live.com.

First Aid and Adult CPR with AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 16, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $30 by check or cash. Call 275-7607, Monday through Friday, to reserve a space.

MIVAL Gallery classes: “Demonstration on the Fundamentals of Portrait Painting,” 9:30-11:30 a.m., Jan. 16; Dan Riley, instructor; $35. “Introduction to Photoshop Elements”: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 21; Ron Reed, instructor; $35. “Painting Yupo”: 9:30-11 a.m., Jan. 22; Cheryl Hoople, instructor. “Beginners Acrylic and Acrylic Open”: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 27; Wednesday series, six sessions ($250); Sally Grant, instructor. Charlette Haugen: chhaugen@aol.com, (206) 282-1813.

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.

Groups

MIVAL (Mercer Island Visual Arts League): meeting, 12 p.m., Jan. 7, Aljoya Retirement Center, 2430 76th Ave. Members are asked to bring a sample of their art for the program. Refreshments provided. Open to the public. Judith Roan: (206) 236-0511.

Mercer Island Art Gallery: re-opens Jan. 7, Thursdays through Saturdays. Hours: 12-6 p.m. New display of artworks every month. nannetteb@comcast.net, www.mival.us.

Cold Weather Blanket Donation Drive: Jan. 10, 17, New Hope International Church, 9170 SE 64th St. All blankets will be donated to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.

Friends of the Recycling Center: meeting, 7-8:45 p.m., Jan. 11, Mercer Island library. E.R. Power: (206) 232-6751.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State: “Mapping Madness: Historical Maps and Genealogical Research,” 7:30 p.m., Jan. 11, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Speaker: Ron Arons. Doors open at 7 p.m. $5 for non-members. www.jgsws.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators: meeting, 7 p.m., Jan. 21, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. MIRO Chairman Dave Cook: (206) 230-0397. www.mirohams.org.

Mercer Island Arts Council: Indoor Art Gallery, through Feb. 12, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Features three local artists, Esther Akrish, Laurel Nelms and Lollie Hibbs. (206) 275-7609.

Mercer Island Ski Bus: Tuesdays, 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.

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.

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.

After-School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, through Jan. 25. Hands-on after-school programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Explore a nature topic, with stories and snacks provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park.

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

Stroum JCC

3801 East Mercer Way

232-7115

www.sjcc.org

Winter class registration is open. Classes are online at www.sjcc.org.

Center Stage Auditions: 3-6 p.m., Jan. 10; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 11. Audition for March drama, “Wizard,” and April drama, “Voices of Hope.” Parents and young people welcome. Anyone under age 8 can participate if their parent is also performing. Non-members registration fee: $60. Daniel Alpern: (206) 232-7115, ext. 221.

Conversational Ladino Class: 12-1 p.m., Wednesdays, through Jan. 13. Instructor: Al Maimon. Sessions are for those who have prior experience speaking Ladino. Bring lunch. Free.