Events

Youth Theatre Northwest Festivals: “A Taste of Broadway,” 8 p.m., April 10-12. High school students perform the “Great White Way,” “Parade,” “Fantasticks,” “The Little Shop of Horrors.” “Youth on the Fringe,” student-produced short plays: 8 p.m., April 17-20. Tickets: $8. www.YouthTheatre.org, (206) 232-4145 ext. 100.

CCMV Artist Show Dates: through April 11, CCMV, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Eileen Hemmis Trifts, (206) 275-7609, www.miparks.net.

Summer Youth Volunteer Programs: online registration through April 11. MI Youth & Family Services Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE), Summer Volunteer Program (SVP). www.mercergov.org/voice (high school), www.mercergov.org/svp (middle school).

Spring Recycling Collection: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., April 12, Mercer Island Boat Launch, 3600 East Mercer Way. Safely dispose of old equipment/household items. MI recycling events are biannual. For a list of acceptable items to recycle, go to www.mercergov.org. (206) 275-7608.

Second Saturday Stories: “Spring Wiggles Sing Along” with Nancy Stewart, 11 a.m., April 12, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. For ages 3 and up. (206) 232-6920.

Salvation Army Charity Auction: 12:30-3 p.m., April 12, CCMV. Benefits Catherine Booth House playground, Salvation Army domestic violence emergency shelter. Silent auction, dessert social. Sponsor: Soroptimist International of Seattle North (SISN). Tickets: $35. Jane Reddie, (206) 909-7137; (206) 719-0913, siseattlenorth@msn.com.

Fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 457: All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.-noon, April 13, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. $5/single; $15/family; $3/senior. Sunnie Parkman, (206) 230-9634.

Seattle Jewish Film Festival: 13th Annual, “Bar Mitzvah Bash” theme, through April 13, Museum of History & Industry. Tickets: 1-800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com. www.seattlejewishfilmfestival.org.

King County animal shelter reform: Town Hall meeting, 6 p.m., April 14, Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 South 152nd St., Burien. Bring your comments/proposals for reshaping how the county cares for animals in its custody. There will be a pet adoption fair outside the Arts Center, 5:30-8:30 p.m. www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx.

“Beyond Angkor Wat — The Children of Cambodia” photo exhibition: now through April 15, Omega Photo, 1100 Bellevue Way N.E., #6, Bellevue. Photos by local photographer, Jeff Speigner, winner of 2005 Carol Duke People’s Choice Award at the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair. Benefits Ponheary Ly Foundation and children. Larry Meece, (425) 455-2126, omega@omegaphoto.biz, www.omegaphoto.biz.

Real Parenting Town Hall Meeting: “Keeping Our Kids on Track and Preparing for the High School Years,” 7-8:30 p.m., April 16, Islander Middle School. Discuss parenting strategies for preventing teen alcohol/drug abuse with a panel of Mercer Island parents. Suggest topics to Cynthia Goodwin, cindy.goodwin@mercergov.org.

Island Crest Way & Merrimount Drop-in Meeting: 7-9 p.m., April 16, Community Center at Mercer View. Review the project with Island residents, discuss the review’s results and project’s next steps with staff, consultant team. www.mercergov.org/ICWMerrimount; Anne Tonella-Howe, (206) 275-7813, anne.tonella-howe@mercergov.org.

Leap for Green Earth Day Celebration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 19, Community Center at Mercer View. Open to the community. Free admission. www.mercergov.org/leapforgreen, 275-7609.

Restore Pioneer Park: annual Mercer Island Earth Day event, 1-5 p.m., April 20. Join EarthCorps, local neighbors, Parks and Recreation. Remove invasive plants. Chris LaPointe, (206) 322-9296 ext. 217, chris@earthcorps.org; www.earthcorps.org.

JCC Passover Seder celebration: 6:30 p.m., April 20, Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Kosher dinner catered by Nosh Away. All are welcome. $35 member/$50 non-member adult, $25 member/$35 non-member senior, $22/kids ages 7-15, free/kids 6 and under. Payment due April 14. Reservations: Roni Antebi, 232-7115 ext. 269, ronia@sjcc.org; seder@sjcc.org.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Train to become a volunteer advocate in court for abused, neglected children. Help the legal system work toward safe, permanent homes for children. Must be at least 21, attend 28 hours of training. (206) 296-1120, casa.group@kingcounty.gov, www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

Volunteers needed: MI Youth & Family Services seeks front desk office volunteers at the Luther Burbank building to provide customer service, staff assistance: 9 a.m.-noon, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Fridays. Kim Richards, 275-7611; www.mercergov.org/yfs.

Classes

The Marriage Course: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, April 9-May 28, Mercer Island Covenant Church. $60/couple. Childcare available. Features dessert, video presentation, discussion; an opportunity to spend time together as a couple, looking at important issues in your marriage. www.micc.org.

Foundation Class – Overcoming Series Part II: 1-2 p.m., Sundays in April, New Hope International Church. “Change your critical attitude”: April 13. “Let go of fear and worry”: April 20. “Live a life of discipline”: April 27. Sign up: 275-1042.

ADHD: “Answers to ADHD for Children and Teens — Why do I have it? How does Medication Help Me? How do I explain ADHD to others,” 7-8:30 p.m., April 14, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Dr. Ted Mandelkorn, Puget Sound Behavioral Medicine. Sponsor: ADD Resources. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.

Successful Family Reunions: “The Important Role of You, the Family Genealogist,” 7-9:30 p.m., April 14, Stroum JCC Auditorium, 3801 East Mercer Way. Speaker: Brad Fanta. Sponsor: Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. $5/guests; free/JGSWS members. programs@jgsws.org, www.jgsws.org.

The Book of Revelation/Unexpected Fire Conference: 7:30 p.m., April 25; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., April 26; 10 a.m., April 27, New Hope International Church. Speaker: Dr. Peter Wyns. Free. www.peterwyns.org.

Clubs

Cascade Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution: 10:30 a.m., April 9, Red Lion Bellevue Inn, 11211 Main Street, Bellevue. Speaker: Col. Debra Lewis on her year in Iraq. Reservations: Janea Klein, (206) 230-0123.

Mercer Island Historical Society: 1 p.m., April 21, Community Center at Mercer View. Speaker: Robert Bostwick, who went to the Luther Burbank Boys School. (206) 236-3274, www.mihistory.org.

Women Painters of Washington: “Visions” exhibition, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through April 25, Women Painters Gallery, Columbia Center third level, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Free, open to the public.

Mercer Island Preschool Association: Circus, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 26, MI High School. Open to families, young children. Pony rides, carnival games, bounce houses, cupcake walks, face painting. Tickets: 50 cents. Kimberly Orndorff, (206) 722-3158, kimorndorff@hotmail.com; www.mipreschoolassociation.org.

Mercer Island Boys Youth Lacrosse: register at www.mercerislandlacrosse.com for grades 1-4. Games played on Sundays.

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. Registration is required.

Adults

Computer Class: Internet Searching for Beginners, 9 a.m., April 10.

Classics on Film: Alfred Hitchcock’s “Spellbound” (Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck), 1 p.m., April 12. Discussion with Lance Rhoades, film historian. Free admission, refreshments.

Computer Class: Microsoft Word Level I, 9 a.m., April 17. Learn how to create and save a document, insert images and more.

Shakespeare’s 444th Birthday Celebration: 11 a.m., April 19. Features “Westside Story” (Natalie Woods, George Chakiris), 1 p.m.

Friends of the Mercer Island Library Spring Book Sale: April 24-27. Sale proceeds benefit the library.

Children

Story Times for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., April 9. Ages 12 to 23 months with adult.

Celebrate Shakespeare Day: Cartoon Show, 11 a.m.; Magic Show, noon, April 19.

Teens

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., April 15. Voice your opinions on the library’s materials, services, programs. Earn one volunteer credit hour.

Afternoon Movie Group: 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays.

Teen Zone: 1 p.m., Mondays. Hang out, do homework, board games, DDR, Guitar Hero.

Game On: 7 p.m., April 22. Video games, Mario Kart, Guitar Hero on the Wii, PS2, GameCube.

Mercer Island Poets’ Cafe: 7 p.m., April 29. Celebrate the poetry of Mercer Island’s teen writers at the 2nd annual Mercer Island Poets’ Cafe. Winners of the Mercer Island Teen Poetry contest will be announced, and the top 10 selected poems will be read aloud by the authors.

Parks &

Recreation

Call (206) 275-7609 or register online at www.myparksandrecreation.com to receive a catalog of the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department events. Register for spring/summer activities online. All events are held at the Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV), 8236 S.E. 24th St., unless otherwise specified.

Solemates Walking Group: April 9. Departs CCMV at 8:30 a.m. $2.

Trailmates Hiking Group: April 10, Cougar Mountain. 4-7 mile hike for seniors. Limited space: 10 hikers.

Wing Tsjun Self-Defense: 7-8:30 p.m., through April 10 (8155), in Dance Room. For teens, adults. Instructor: Adrian Weaver. $66.

Grief and Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., April 10, CCMV Board Room. Betsy Zuber, MS.

Volunteer bus drivers: needed for Island senior transportation. No endorsements necessary. Jeanette, 230-6845.

Classic French Films: “La Grande Illusion” (1938), 6:30 p.m., April 24, Community Center at Mercer View. Join the Mercer Island Arts Council, Sister City Association for film presentation. Post-film commentary from Lance Rhoades, film historian. Free admission, popcorn.

Drop-in preschool: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday. $5/hour.

Classes

Must register: call 275-7609.

Belly Dancing: 7-8 p.m., April 8-May 27, Dance Room. $81, 8 weeks; $12/drop-in.

“Parenting Your 1–4-year-old”: 7:30–9 p.m., Wednesdays, April 9–23, Calkins Room. Instructor: Donna Ellis, M.C. Learn techniques for parenting this phase in your child’s development. $61/individual; $91/couple.

ABC & Reading: 2-3 p.m., Fridays, April 11-June 27, Slater Room. For ages 3-5. 12 weeks/$325; sibling/$292.

Spanish through Creative Arts & Games: 3:30–5 p.m., Fridays, April 11–June 27, Slater Room. For ages 3-5. 12 weeks/$325; sibling/$292.

Nature Vision: “Nosy about Nets,” 1-2 p.m., April 12. Wooded walk with a Nature Vision staff member around Luther Burbank to look for signs of spring nests. For families. $11/child, parent. $5/sibling.

Cooking Class: “Spring Salads and Side Dishes,” 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., April 17. Features Lisa Odegard of Odegard Epicurean. $56.

Dog Obedience Classes: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Sundays through May 18. No dogs the first night. $96/six weeks.

MI Writing Club: 4:15–6:15 p.m., through May 27. Grades 2-3. $115.

Hula Hoop Dance Class: 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., through June 12, Dance Room. Instructor: Marcie Spahi. For adults. 10 weeks/$121; drop-in/$12.

Golf Program: Mondays through Oct. 27. 9 and 18 Hole offered. Transportation available weekly to different courses. $20/membership. Kirk Willms, 275-7863.

Jazzercise: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Writing Club: 4–6 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays. For grades 2–5.

Bridge lessons: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Instructor: Aidee Pokroy. $63/six weeks.

Parks & Rec. Seniors

Solemates Walking Group: depart CCMV at 8:30 a.m., April 9, 23. $2.

Trailmates Hiking Group: Cougar Mt., April 10; Little Si, April 24. Moderate hike, 4-7 miles. Limited space: 10 hikers. $5. Fran Call, 232-4032.

Parkinson Disease Support Group: 2-3:30 p.m., April 15, Calkins Room.

Grocery shopping transportation: Wednesday mornings. Call 275-7895, ext. 1, leave a message by 4 p.m., day before shopping. $1.

Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Park at CCMV, ride shuttle to Covenant Shores; transportation available round-trip from home if you don’t drive. $4.25. Registration required: 275-7895, ext. 2, leave message.

Boys &

Girls Club

All events take place at the Boys & Girls Club, 2825 West Mercer Way, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register: 232-4548, www.mipositiveplace.org.

Guitar Classes: pre-teen guitar, 3 p.m., Mondays, April 14, 28. Instructor: Bosworth of MusicWorks. 11 and under.

Champions Gymnastics (K-3rd grade) class: registration is open. Session 1: 5-5:45 p.m., through April 30. $100. My Gym, Bellevue.

Rock Shop: 4 p.m., Mondays. Jam session for beginners on all instruments who have had six months of lessons. Rhythm, lead playing, classic rock songs, basic 12-bar blues structure. 9 classes/$189.

MI Judo Dojo: practices 6:15-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Instructor: Harold Yamada.

Preschool

Preschool Rainy Day Gym: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays through May 1. Indoor playground. $3/visit.

JCC

All events are located at the Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Please contact Roni Antebi at (206) 232-7115 ext. 269 or ronia@sjcc.org to RSVP and register for all events.

Health Talk: bone health, a five-point plan, 12:30 p.m., April 10. Speaker: Dr. Peter Meinhofer of Designed Clinical Nutrition. Learn how to maintain bone health.

Game Day: 10:30 a.m., April 13. Presented by Active Seniors Club. Play Mah Jongg, bridge, poker, Scrabble games; Pictionary, Dominoes. $1. RSVP by April 9: Helaine Goldstein, (425) 885-7323; Sylvia Hayden, (425) 746-7638; or Elayne Hayman, (425) 644-9730.

Current event discussion group: 12:30 p.m., April 14. Al Ziontz will lead a discussion titled, “Whose Jerusalem?”

“Opera Sings the Soul — Exploring Opera’s Cultural Connections”: 7 p.m., April 14. New lecture series presented by the SJCC, Seattle Opera. Free kick-off preview.

Free preview and dessert reception: 7-9 p.m., April 14 (dietary laws observed). RSVP required. Upcoming lectures will be from 4-6 p.m. on May 4, June 1. Featured guests will be announced. $10/lecture.

The Foundations of Good Health Workshop: 6:30-9:30 p.m., April 15, 16. Presented by Dr. Jeff Metzger (naturopathic doctor), graduate of Bastyr University. Learn how to fight illness, maintain health. To register: Jeff Metzger, ND, jmetzgernd@yahoo.com, (206) 802-8355. $100/two-part series.

Introduction to Mah Jongg: 2–4 p.m., Mondays, through April 28. Learn the tiles, game rules. $10/members, $15/non-members.

Mah Jongg: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fridays, Polack Lounge. Ancient Chinese game of skill, chance. Free/JCC members, $2/non-members.

Bridge Group: 12:30-3 p.m., Fridays, Room 200. Prior Bridge playing experience required. Coffee, tea. Bring brown bag lunch. Free/JCC members, $2/non-members.

Religion

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m., nursery care provided. Children’s Sunday School during worship. Adult Education: 9 a.m., Sundays. High School Youth Group/Sunday School: 6 p.m. Middle School Youth Group: 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays. Bible Studies: 7:45 p.m., Wednesdays; 6:15 p.m., Thursdays. 4545 Island Crest Way, (206) 232-7800, office@ucc-ccmi.net, www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Congregation Shevet Achim: Shabbat services, 9 a.m. between Sukkot, Pesach; 9:30 a.m. between Pesach, Sukkot. Pre-Pesach class — “Mah Nishtana, Hear the Answers”: 7:15-8:45 p.m., April 10; teacher is Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld; open to the community, free. 2nd Seder class: 9 p.m., April 20; remember Egypt exodus during the 2008/5768 Second Night Passover Seder; led by Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld, catered by Nosh Away Inc.; limited space, RSVP by April 14 to (206) 232-1060, president@shevetachim.com; $36/adults, $10/children ages 4-7, $18/children ages 8-15. Northwest Yeshiva High School sanctuary, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. Hospitality@shevetachim.com; President Rich Gilmore, (206) 232-1060.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sunday worship services/Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Eucharist: 5 p.m., chapel. Emmanuel Children’s Breakfast: 9 a.m. Children’s Choir rehearsal: 9:30 a.m. Annual Boy Scout Troop 457 Pancake Breakfast: April 13, $5/person, $15/family, $3/senior, Parish Hall. Emmanuel Book Club: April 14, discussion on “The Color of Water” by James McBride. Emmanuel Day School Dad’s Night: 7-8 p.m., April 16. Bridge Ministry Dinner: 4 p.m., April 20, Parish Hall. Tai Chi classes: 6:30 p.m., Mondays, chapel. Bible Study: 1 p.m., Tuesdays, Parish Library. Healing Service: 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays. Tea and Talk Knitting Group: 2 p.m., Thursdays. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. 232-1572, mail@emmanuelmi.org.

First Church of Christ, Scientist: services and Sunday School, 10 a.m. S.E. 47th & Island Crest Way. Wednesday meetings: 7:30 p.m. Childcare available. Reading Room: open weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7605 S.E. 27th St. 232-0175, fccsmi@hotmail.com.

First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church: Christian Education, 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:40 a.m., Sundays, Fireside Room. Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595.

Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation: services, 6 p.m., Fridays and 9:15 a.m., Saturdays. Daily Minyan: 7 a.m. Minyan at 9 a.m. on Sundays, secular holidays. Pre-Neg: 5:30 p.m., Fridays. 3700 E. Mercer Way. (206) 232-8555, www.h-nt.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Sunday worship schedule, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. (childcare available). Sunday School/education hour: 9 a.m. Midweek Compline service: a new ongoing worship offering, 7 p.m., Wednesdays. “Worship Workshop” with David Locke: 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, explore the whys and hows of liturgy, then let your voice ring out in the Atrium for evening prayers. Bible Study: 10 a.m., Thursdays. 8501 S.E. 40th St. (206) 232-3270. www.htlcmi.org.

Latter Day Saints Mormon Church: Sacrament meeting, 9 a.m. Sunday School: 10:10 a.m. Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women: 11:10 a.m. 4001 Island Crest Way. 236-2957.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: worship services, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., Sundays. Sunday School for all ages: 9:45 a.m. High School Youth Group: 6:30 p.m., Sundays. Marriage Course: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, April 9-May 28, $60/couple. Middle School Youth Group: 7 p.m., Tuesdays. Men’s Open Prayer Group: 6:15 a.m., Wednesdays. Community Dinner: 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, $3/adults, $1.50-$2/children. Women’s Oasis Bible Study: 9:15 a.m., Thursdays, childcare provided. Women’s Prayer Ministry: 8 a.m., Thursdays. MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers): 9:30 a.m., first/third Fridays. Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 a.m., Saturdays. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-1015, ext. 100, www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Sunday worship — Breakfast Service, 8:15 a.m.; Traditional Service, 10:35 a.m.; Evening Service, 5 p.m. Young Adult BBQ’s: Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., begins April 21, Paul and Devon Barrett’s home, paul@mipc.org. New Women’s Bible Study, “A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23”: 9:30-11 a.m., Fridays through June 6, Fireside Room; Stephanie Creswell, cresfamily@comcast.net, or Amy Johnson, Johnson_amy@netzero.net. Super 60’s & Beyond: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., April 23; lunch featuring Terry Moreman, MI Chamber of Commerce director. J-J-J Jitterbug! Dance Lessons: after 5 p.m. worship service, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, Fellowship Hall, taught by Rich Stillman; Ruth Ann, ruthannb@mipc.org. Women’s Bible Study: 10-11:30 a.m., Mondays, Fireside Room; Linda Fowler, 232-3307, Linda.fowler@comcast.net. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-5595, www.mipc.org.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Sunday School, 10 a.m. Sunday worship: 11 a.m. Childcare available. All are welcome. 7070 S.E. 24th St. (206) 232-3044, www.miumc.org.

New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 10 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). Book of Revelation/Unexpected Fire Conference: April 25-27. Foundation Class — Overcoming Series Part II: 1-2 p.m., Sundays in April, sign up in church lobby. A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. (206) 275-1042, www.newhic.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: worship and kids’ services, 10 a.m. Fellowship and Bible study: 11 a.m. All are welcome. Redeemer is handicap-accessible. Worship is uplifting, joyful. 6001 Island Crest Way. Pastor Bill Clements, (206) 232-1711, www.redeemerlutheranchurch.us.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Are you interested about the Catholic faith? You are invited to join St. Monica Catholic Church’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation Adults) program, an ancient church process to enable anyone to learn about and participate in the Roman Catholic faith. All are welcome. The class meets 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays, St. Monica School Library, 4320 87th Ave. S.E.; Dan Stevenson, 232-9829. Childcare provided. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. (206) 232-2900.