Events

Spring Fiction Book Sale: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., April 25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., April 26; 1-5 p.m., April 27, Mercer Island Library. Paperbacks, hardbacks, children’s books for sale. 236-3537.

“The Monkey King”: opening night gala, 7 p.m., April 25; through May 10, Youth Theatre Northwest. Performances by Conservatory Troupe. Tickets: 232-4145, ext. 109, www.youththeatre.org.

Island Children’s Choir 2008-09 auditions: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., April 26-May 3, MI Covenant Church. Open to grades 3-4. No appointments necessary. Marsha Woerner, 232-8007, islandsound@comcast.net.

Crest Fest Annual Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 3, Crest Learning Center (next to MISD admin. building). Sponsor: MIHS Horticulture class. Organic veggies, beautiful flowers, fragrant herbs, hanging baskets. Rose Chaffee-Cohen, 236-3344.

Safe Crossings annual spring gathering: 10 a.m.-noon, May 3, Luther Burbank Park. Providence Hospice of Seattle’s program for grieving children, teens, families to support one another, share stories, create a special art project to honor loved ones who died. (206) 749-7691.

Emerald City Ringers handbell choir concert: 7:30 p.m., May 3, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Sacred music, show tunes, marches. 232-5595.

Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Community Commemoration, 3 p.m., May 4, Stroum Jewish Community Center. Free, open to the public. Marie, (206) 441-5747, info@wsherc.org.

7th annual “Soirée à Thonon”: 8-11 p.m., May 10, Chuck and Ruth Hansing residence. Desserts, wines, entertainment. Theme: “Une Ville Fleurie.” Annual fundraiser for the Mercer Island Sister City Association and its scholarship fund. Jane Meyer Brahm, 232-0701.

Teen Driver Clinic/Autocross Classroom: 7 p.m., May 15, CCMV. Exercises: May 17, Bremerton Motorsports Park. Build skills, be safe, have fun. Registration required. $35/teen, $99/teen with parent. (206) 954-1889, www.audiclubnw.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

Foundation Class: Overcoming Series Part II, 1-2 p.m., April 27, New Hope International Church. “Live a life of discipline.” 275-1042.

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. “Dealing with Generational Curses” Deliverance Session, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., April 25. Speaker: Dr. Peter Wyns. Free. www.peterwyns.org.

The Marriage Course: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, through 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.

Clubs

Mercer Island Women’s Club: potluck dinner, 6:30 p.m., April 24. Newcomers and women interested in joining the club are welcome. RSVP: Lenore Defliese, 232-7092.

Women Painters of Washington: Gallery receptions, 4-6 p.m., first Thursday. “Visions” exhibition, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through April 25, Women Painters Gallery, Columbia Center third level, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle. “Mischief” exhibition: April 29-Aug. 1. Free, open to the public. www.womenpainters.com.

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.

Brandeis Luncheon: 11:45 a.m., May 1, Bellevue Hilton, 300 112th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. Speaker: David Brumer. Elsa K. Levinson Award to Gail Levin. RSVP by April 25. Roberta, (425) 827-5318.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL): 12:30 p.m., May 1, MI Library. Members, please bring a “Show and Tell” piece of art for judging and a dish for the potluck lunch. Special guests: winners of MIVAL’s Art Grant Awards, Kinsey Gross, Chris Chappelle, Benjamin Glassy. Board members meet at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Mercer Island Food Allergy Group: Playdate for children with food allergies, 2-4 p.m., May 4, Lakeridge Elementary School playground. Games, activities for kids, parents. Dawn Jorgenson, 232-0650; Margie Willett, 706-4501.

Probus Club of Mercer Island: meeting, 10:30 a.m., May 7, MI Presbyterian Church. Speaker: Bob Wiley, on “The Beginning of the End for Napoleon: the Iberian Peninsula, 1808.” Open to the public. Bob Simonds, 236-2190.

Senior Foundation of Mercer Island fundraiser: 6:30-8:30 p.m., May 7, Island Books. Meet Island authors Harriet Weiss, “Intermezzo for Solo Viola”; Diane Kinman, award-winning “Franca’s Story” with Franca Mercati Martin; and children’s award-winning author Clare Meeker, “Hansa: the True Story

of an African Baby Elephant,” “Lootsa, the Wave Eater.” 232-6920.

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL): Artists displaying their work through April on the Island are Ken Claflin, Countrywide Savings and Loan; Cissy Gray, MI Physical Therapy; Claudia Zimmerman, library; Cassandra Chamberlain, New Vision Eyecare; Sharon Driscoll, Dr. Troy Thomas Dentistry; Judith Roan, Expressions Hair Salon; Jean Davis, Chamber of Commerce.

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: Microsoft Word Level II: 9 a.m., April 24.

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

Opera Preview lecture: “I Puritani,” 7 p.m., April 30.

Children

Pajama Story Time: 7 p.m., April 28. Ages 3 to 7. Wear pajamas; enjoy stories, songs.

Teens

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

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

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.

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.

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

Wellness Lecture Series: “One Thing: Taking Personal Action on Climate Change,” 6:30-7:30 p.m., April 24, JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Speaker: Dan Oshea, Sales Accountant Executive of the Mountain Radio 103.7. Free, open to the public. 232-7115, www.sjcc.org/fitness/wellness.

Collette Vacations Presentation: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., April 28. An informational meeting highlighting upcoming, affordable trips for the year. Katie Borden, 275-7862. Free.

Babysitting Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May 3. Ages 11-17. $48.

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

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

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

Children’s Technology Workshop: Junior Gamemaker, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Thursdays through June 5; Grades 3-5; $156. Senior Gamemaker: 5:45-6:45 p.m., Thursdays through June 5; Grades 5-8; $156. Fundamentals of computer programming, video game design.

Intermediate Italian: 7-9 p.m., Tuesdays through June 10. Ages 16 and up. $161.

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.

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

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

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 23. $2.

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

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., April 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.

Computer classes – Word: 10–11:15 a.m., April 23, 30, May 7. Join a trained instructor on the King County Library System’s Techlab to learn Microsoft Word. Students must attend all three meetings. Free.

The Active Seniors Club Presents: 10:30 a.m., April 23. Lessons learned from Holocaust survivors. Features photographs of Holocaust survivors and their children, with interviews describing what the children learned from their parents; audio visual presentation by Doris Bean and photographer Ron Hammond.

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. 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. 9th Annual Legacy Sunday/Rogation Sunday services: 8 and 10:30 a.m., April 27.

The Layweeders (volunteer gardeners): 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Mondays; new volunteers welcomed. 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, through 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., Paul and Devon Barrett’s home. New Women’s Bible Study, “A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23”: 9:30-11 a.m., Fridays through June 6, Fireside Room. 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 27, May 4, Fellowship Hall, Rich Stillman. Yakima River View Hike: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., May 3, meet at MIPC; 4-5 mile hike, 1,000-foot elevation gain. Seekers/Joiners Class: 6:30-8:30 p.m., May 8, 15, 22, learn more about MIPC. Adults’ Mariners Game Night Out: May 9, limited group seating; $11/each. Women’s Bible Study: 10-11:30 a.m., Mondays, Fireside Room. 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. 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 in 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.