Events

“James and the Giant Peach”: Feb. 25-March 7, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Thursday, Friday: 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances: Saturday, Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $8. “Bye Bye Birdie”: March 5-21, YTN. Friday, Saturday: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: 2 p.m. For ages 6 and up. Tickets: $15/adults, $13/youth, seniors. Opening Night Gala: March 5; $17/adults, 15/youth, seniors. (206) 232-4145, ext. 109, www.youththeatre.org.

Classics on Film Series: “Bringing Up Baby” (1938), 7 p.m., Feb. 27, Aljoya Theater, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. “Smiles of a Summer Night” (1955): 7 p.m., March 13. Presented by MI Arts Council and MI Sister City Association. Complimentary parking in Mercer Building lot behind Starbucks. (206) 275-7609, ejleithe@comcast.net, www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

SJCC Community Purim Carnival: 12-3 p.m., Feb. 28, SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Buy tickets for carnival games, inflatable slide, cotton candy, DJ with dancing, music, prizes, lunch with Island Crust Pizza. New this year: Purim Land, with activities for kids up to age 5. Storytelling: 12:30-2 p.m. Hamentashen, a traditional pastry treat, will be sold to benefit the Chabad House of the Dominican Republic for the Haitian relief effort. The community is invited. www.sjcc.org.

Wilbur Fix Book Reading: “Go to the Edge of Disaster,” 2 p.m., Feb. 28, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. The book is part autobiography and a retail how-to manual for business people in sales. www.mercerislandbooks.com/readings.html.

The Leipzig Succession Concert: 7:30 p.m., March 5, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Baroque trumpet, violin, cello, harpsichord and voice. Supporting Team Randy and the Cancer Walk. A partnership with MIPC Outreach. www.mipc.org.

“Condo Divas” Book Reading: 3 p.m., March 7, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. Island author Diane Kinman will read from her based-on-true-stories tales. Book signing to follow. Free. (206) 232-6920, www.mercerislandbooks.com/readings.html.

3rd Annual Paw Promenade: 1-3 p.m., March 13, meet at City Hall and follow the paved trail to the Luther Burbank Park off-leash dog park, rain or shine. Bring your dog. Prizes will be awarded for the “most spirited” dog. Free. (206) 275-7609, www.myparksandrecreation.com.

Rotary Run Day: March 21. Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Pre-Race Expo: 1-5 p.m., March 20. Day-of-event registration begins at 6:30 a.m., March 21. Half Marathon Walk, Half Mile Kids’ Dash, 10k Run, Half Marathon Run, 5k Run & Walk. Traffic delays are expected: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsors: Swedish Cancer Institute, Mercer Island Rotary Club. (206) 275-7765, www.mercerislandhalf.com.

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

Classes

“Sing, Sing, Sing”: 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 24-March 31, First United Methodist Church in Bellevue, 1934 108th Ave. N.E. Sponsor: Northwest Sound Men’s Chorus. Free singing lessons for male singers of all ages in a cappella harmony. To register, contact: Don Ferguson, don.ferguson1@comcast.net, (206) 229-7464. www.nwsound.org.

Literary Lecture Series: Romantic Literature, 7 p.m., Feb. 25, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Presented by Jeff Woolley, director, “Shakespeare and Friends on Mercer Island”; MI Arts Council and MI Sister City Association. Complimentary parking in Mercer Building lot behind Starbucks. (206) 275-7609, ejleithe@comcast.net, www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

“How to Get Paid to Buy Your First Home”: 6-7 p.m., 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, through March 5, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. 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., March 6, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. $30 by check or cash at event. Reservations: (206) 275-7607.

“Helping Kids and Teens with AH/HD Get Organized for Success at School”: 7-8:30 p.m., March 8, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. ADD Resources sponsors a free presentation at ADHD Eastside Parent Support Group with Susan Small, ETC Preparatory Academy director of student services. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.org.

Infant/Child/Adult CPR with AED Class: 7-9 p.m., March 11, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. This is not a health care provider class. $15 by check or cash at event. Reserve a space: (206) 275-7607.

“Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living”: 7:15 p.m., Tuesdays, through March 16, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI). Speaker: Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, of the Chai Center of Greater Seattle. (206) 290-6301. www.myJLI.com.

Stroller Strides Class: 11:30 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4 p.m., Tuesdays, 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

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: Island Crest Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 27. Pioneer Park: March 13. Plant native trees, remove invasive plants. Snacks, tools, gloves provided. Sign up online: www.earthcorps.org.

Mexico 2010 Silent Auction: 6:30 p.m., Feb. 27, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Tickets: $10 ($25, family). Help send teens to Mexico to build seven houses for needy families. Features live entertainment, dessert, recording artist Brian Fennell of Barcelona. www.mipc.org/auction.

West Mercer Elementary School 2010 Science Fair: 5-8 p.m., March 1, 4141 81st Ave. S.E. All-inclusive event for grades K-5. Pacific Science Center’s “Volts and Jolts” show starts at 6:15 p.m. Food will be sold throughout the evening.

Mercer Island Republican Women: luncheon, 11:30 a.m., March 2, Aljoya House, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Features an informative discussion on community affairs. Mercer Island Councilman Mike Cero will give an update on current local Council activities. Lunch reservations due by Feb. 25: call 232-2347.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: meeting, 10:30 a.m., March 3, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Ciscoe Morris, well-known radio and television gardening expert. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.

MIVAL: meeting, 12 p.m., March 4, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E.; with an art demonstration of Tom Hoffman’s portraits, paintings and drawings; the public is welcome. Gallery Art Show: 12-6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, during February, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Features new artwork each month from local artists. Judith Roan: jroan@fhcrc.org. www.mival.us.

Lake Washington Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers: meeting, 7 p.m., March 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Fishing Hall of Fame member and Island resident Dick Streater will give a fishing humor talk, based on the gadgets and inventions of the past 50 years. The public is invited. (206) 232-9060.

Lively Saints of Mercer Island Covenant Church: “The B-52 and Me Too” luncheon program, 12 p.m., March 16, MICC, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Capt. Dave Wellman, who served in the Air Force as a B-52 pilot in Vietnam. $7. Register at MICC or call (206) 232-1015.

“Turn the Page, Tips and Text for These Times”: 6-8:45 p.m., March 18, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, 3700 East Mercer Way. Women of Seattle’s Jewish community are invited to gather together, connect and learn. $25: kosher dinner and registration. $72: Turn the Page supporter. Register online: www.jewishinseattle.org.

Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Committee Showcase: March 23-24, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. Admission: free for children under age 18, MISD students, staff and their partners. Ticketed admission by donation is asked of all others. Minimum donation: $7 per single ticket, in advance; $10 at the door. For a schedule of events, go to www.mifineartsed.org/FineArtsShowcase2008.asp.

Women Painters of Washington Gallery: “Light in the Air,” open through April 30, 701 Fifth Ave., Columbia Center Building, Suite 310, Seattle, 98104. Free and open to the public. www.womenpainters.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Opera Preview: “Falstaff,” 7 p.m., Feb. 24. Based upon Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor.” Presenter Norm Hollingshead will share musical excerpts from his own recordings.

Talk Time: 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 24-March 31. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Saturday Matinee Film Series: 1 p.m., Feb. 27. “Witness for the Prosecution”: March 13. “Some Like It Hot”: March 27. Screenings of Billy Wilder’s most notable films with refreshments and commentary by film historian, Lance Rhoades.

Children

Puppets Please Marionettes: 7 p.m., March 4. 40-minute interactive musical variety show. Ages 2 and up.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, March 9, 16-30. Ages 3-5. Please register.

Teens

Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, March 1-29. Start with Homework Time at the library and get help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the Boys & Girls Club for games, crafts, activities. Contact Joan Calden, Ben Ramage for more on Teen Scene: (206) 436-1947. Register at www.mipositiveplace.org.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Party: 3 p.m., March 15. Fans of the Percy Jackson book series are invited to a party in celebration of the recent movie release “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief.” Scavenger hunt, Greek mythology trivia and other activities. Registration required.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., March 16. Voice opinions on teen materials, services and programs.

Parks & Recreation

Events take place at the Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV) unless otherwise noted.

8236 S.E. 24th St.

(206) 275-7609

www.myparksandrecreation.com

After School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, March 1-29. Hands-on after-school program with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Nature topics, stories, snacks, provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park. Ages 4-9. $77.

Ballroom Dancing: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, March 3-31. $50.

Salsa Dancing: 7:45-8:45 p.m., Wednesdays, March 3-31. $50.

Seniors

Defensive Driving for Seniors: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., March 3. Sponsored by the Washington Traffic Safety Education Association. Participants receive a 10 percent discount on their insurance rates. Age 55 and up. $14.

Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., March 11. A support group for senior adult men and women who have lost a spouse or partner in death. Sponsor: Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. Free. Call Betsy Zuber to reserve a spot: (206) 275-7752.

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

Stroum JCC

3801 East Mercer Way

(206) 232-7115

www.sjcc.org

Musical Celebration with Steven Lowe: “Vive La Différence! A Survey of the Great French Composers,” 12:30-2 p.m., Feb. 24, March 3, March 10. $35/SJCC members, $45/non-members. Explore music ranging from Jean-Baptiste Lully through Jean-Philippe Rameau, Hector Berlioz, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and other Gallic composers. Please register.