Events
Disney’s “101 Dalmatians”: Oct. 30-Nov. 22, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Friday: 7 p.m. Saturday/Sunday: 2 p.m. Opening Night Gala: Oct. 30, includes intermission dessert; $17 (adults), $15 (seniors, youth). School Show: 10 a.m., Nov. 12. “101 Dalmatians” is the first production in YTN’s 2009-2010 school season lineup. Tickets: $15 (adults); $13 (seniors, youth under 18). (206) 232-4145, ext. 109. www.youththeatre.org.
Family-Friendly Halloween Storytelling Event: 7 p.m., Oct. 30, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Presented by Mercer Island Arts Council and Eastside Storytellers Club, featuring Maggie Bennett. Free admission and treats.
Lakes Halloween Food Drive: Oct. 31. The Lakes neighborhood opens up to the community on Halloween night to all children for trick or treat. Those who trick or treat are asked to contribute to the food drive. All donations go to the Mercer Island Food Bank.
Dugans’ Haunted Hotel of Horror: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 31, 9228 S.E. 59th St. Entry to haunted house is free, and donations of nonperishable food items for the Mercer Island Food Pantry will be collected. Marian Dugan: 275-3813.
“Alone in the Dark – Mercer Island’s Haunted Forest”: through Nov. 1, Island Crest Park. Thursday: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Saturday: 6-10 p.m. Sunday: 2-4 p.m. 45-minute guided tour and performance with Youth Theatre Northwest actors through trails. Outdoor, rain or shine event. www.mercerislandshauntedforest.com.
Halloween Candy Buy-Back: 2-5 p.m., Nov. 2, Mercer Island Family Dental, 3003 Island Crest Way, Suite 2. Donate leftover Halloween wrapped candy and receive $1 for every pound of candy. All candy will be shipped to troops overseas. (206) 232-6200.
I-405 Public Open House: 4-7 p.m., Nov. 5, Kirkland City Hall, Peter Kirk Room, 123 5th Ave. As part of the Eastside Corridor Tolling Study, WSDOT is gathering feedback on adding an additional lane to I-405 that, with the existing HOV lane, could operate as an express toll lane from Puyallup to Lynnwood. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/EastsideCorridor.
Ten Thousand Villages Sale: Nov. 5-7, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. International gift sale. Shop for fairly traded, handmade items from around the world. All proceeds go to Ten Thousand Villages to benefit the artisans. To volunteer at the sale, contact Judy Ginn: (206) 232-7527.
Mercer Island Preschool Association Toy Swap: Nov. 7, Islander Middle School, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. Regular Sale: 9-11 a.m. Half Price Sale: 12-1 p.m. Consignment sale of gently used kids’ toys, clothes, furniture and more. Items up to age 12. www.mipreschoolassociation.org.
Mercer Island Ski Swap: Nov. 14, Islander Middle School Gym, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. New and gently used clothing and equipment for winter sports. Ski Swap Sale: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 50% Off Sale: 3-4 p.m. Consignment check-in: 3-7:30 p.m. (Nov. 13). IMS PTSA partners with Sturtevant’s Winter Sports. www.miskiswap.net.
Wellness Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 14, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. The event features local health and wellness providers, classes, demonstrations. Presented by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, Parks and Recreation. Admission is by donation to YFS Foundation. Roger Kjos: (206) 275-7751, roger.kjos@mercergov.org.
Classes
Sogetsu School of Ikebana Mercer Island Branch Japanese Flower Arranging Class: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fridays, through Dec. 4, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. $80. Shirley: (425) 558-0889, (206) 954-3833, shirleyhill@live.com.
Groups
Mountains to Sound Greenway/Friends of Luther Burbank Park Volunteer Tree Planting: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 31, Luther Burbank Park. Half-day option available: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Halloween costume event, though costumes are not required. Sign up: (206) 812-0122, www.mtsgreenway.org.
Probus Club of Mercer Island: 10:30 a.m., Nov. 4, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Jay Vasconcelos, Retired Capt. U.S. Public Health Service, will describe the infectious hazards of travel and leisure. The public is welcome. Bob Simonds: (206) 236-2190.
Mona Foundation 10th Anniversary Luncheon: 12-2 p.m., Nov. 7. Speaker: Rainn Wilson, Emmy-nominated actor from “The Office.” The Mona Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports grassroots educational initiatives and raising the status of women and girls in the United States and abroad. Reservations required: Sarah Rohm, (425) 743-4550. www.monafoundation.org.
MI Women’s Club: luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Nov. 9, Pyramid Alehouse, Seattle. Speaker: Anna Cummins, Gold Medal Winner 2008 in rowing. Topic: How Cummins’ determination and drive pushed her from the silver to the gold. Reservations due Nov. 2: Bobette Schied, (206) 232-9854. www.mercerislandwomensclub.com.
Lively Saints (50+ Years Young): luncheon, noon, Nov. 10, MI Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Honoring MICC WWII veterans whose stories were recorded on video. The presentation touches on the highlights of their experiences. $7. To register: (206) 232-1015.
Islander Middle School New Family Coffee: 9-10:30 a.m., Nov. 12, IMS Library, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. Come for coffee, treats and conversation with other new families, IMS staff and PTA members. All grade level parents are welcome. Connie Sotelo, IMS New Family chair: (206) 275-0230, info@blimusic.com.
Women Painters of Washington: First Thursday Gallery Reception, 4-6 p.m., Nov. 5. “Connections” Gallery Exhibition, Nov. 3-Jan. 29, 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 310. www.womenpainters.com.
Sound Portrait of Mercer Island: 4-8 p.m., Nov. 12-13, 16-19, 23-24, Mercer Island High School and Islander Middle School. Similar to the NPR program StoryCorps, 25-minute interviews with students, staff and community members will be recorded with audio equipment and a list of starter questions. Come with a loved one. Call for an appointment: Sarah Olson, (206) 793-2200.
Mercer Island Radio Operators: meeting, 7 p.m., Nov. 19, 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 Visual Arts League (MIVAL): Holiday Show 2009 runs through Dec. 19 at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St.
Library
4400 88th Ave. S.E.
236-3537
www.kcls.org/mercerisland
Registration required.
Adults
Mercer Island Library Saturday Matinee: 1 p.m. “The Shining”: Oct. 31. “Lolita”: Nov. 7. “Dr. Strangelove”: Nov. 21. Stanley Kubrick films with commentary by film historian Lance Rhoades.
Talk Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Nov. 4, 18, 25. Improve speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.
Michelangelo On A Moped – Art In Italy: 3 p.m., Nov. 8. In this hour-long slideshow, Gene Openshaw traces the life, work and travels of “Earth’s Greatest Artist,” visiting the Italian cities where he created his masterpieces.
STARS Workshop: “Listen, Sign, Sing & Create,” 7 p.m., Nov. 9. Through American Sign Language, reduce frustration and aid early communication for hearing babies and toddlers.
Computer Class: Using the Library Catalog, 9 a.m., Nov. 19.
Teens
Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., Mondays, Nov. 2-30. Ages 12 and up. Hang out, do homework, play board games.
Homework Time with Boys & Girls Club: 1:45 p.m., Nov. 2, 9. Join Mercer Island’s Teen Scene. Start with Homework Time at the library with help from Boys & Girls Club tutors. Then, catch a van to the Boys & Girls Club for games, crafts, activities. Joan Calden, Ben Ramage: (206) 436-1947. Register online: www.mipositiveplace.org.
Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Nov. 17. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour.
New Moon Party: 4:30 p.m., Nov. 20. Party with the Twilighters from Newport Way. Snacks, a scavenger hunt and photo opp, watch scenes from the movie.
Clay Animation Workshop for Home Schoolers: 10 a.m., Nov. 27. Ages 9-13. Create a clay character, change its shape and learn how to operate a digital camera to create a clay animation movie. Receive a DVD of your work.
Study Zone Online: Grades K-12. Use a library computer to connect with a Study Zone tutor online. Visit www.kcls.org/studyzone for tutoring schedules.
Children
Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Nov. 4, Nov. 18. Age 1 with adult.
Baby Story Time: 10 a.m., Nov. 6. Ages 3 to 9 months with adult.
Story Time for Terrific Twos: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, through Nov. 24. Age 2 with adult.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, through Nov. 24. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Story Time with Biscuit the Dog and Friends: 7 p.m., Nov. 30. Ages 2-6 with adult.
Parks & Recreation
Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV)
8236 S.E. 24th St.
275-7609
www.myparksandrecreation.com
See the Fall/Winter Recreation Guide for more information. To sign up, go to www.myparksandrecreation.com or call (206) 275-7609.
After School Nature Program: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, Nov. 2-23. Hands-on programs with a Nature Vision Naturalist. Explore a nature topic, share a story; snacks provided by Friends of Luther Burbank Park. Notify of any food allergies at time of sign-up. Ages 4-9. $62.
Dog Obedience: Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., through Nov. 22, North Mercer Gym. Ages 14+. $96.
Beginning Guitar: Mondays, through Nov. 23. Youth: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Teens: 4-5:30 p.m. Adults: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Writing Club: Grades 2-3, 4:15-6:15 p.m., Tuesdays, through Dec. 8. $122. Grades 4-6: 4-6 p.m., Thursdays, through Dec. 10. $122.
Children’s Technology Workshops: Robotics Club, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Thursdays, through Dec. 10. This workshop introduces kids to construction techniques and programming through LEGO-based control systems and robotics projects. Video Game Design: 5:45-6:45 p.m., Thursdays, through Dec. 10. Get your own laptop during class to create a variety of non-violent computer games using CTW’s Gamemaker tutorials. Ages 8-13. $155. 1-877-299-2546, www.ctworkshop.com.
Pilates: through Dec. 16. Beginning: 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Friday; $77. Advanced: 9:45 a.m.-10:40 a.m., Wednesday, Friday; $152. Instructor: Janis Levine. Ages 18 and up.
Hula Hoop Dance Class: Level One, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Sundays, through Dec. 17; $108. Level Two: 12:30-1:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Dec. 17; $222. Half-sessions available. Drop-in fee: $15. Instructors: Marcie Spahi, Merissa Sweetland. Age 16 and up.
Ballet: 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays/Thursdays, through Dec. 17. Ages 5-6. $132.
Pre-Ballet: 3:10-4 p.m., Tuesdays/Thursdays, through Dec. 17. Ages 3-4. $132.
Seniors
Flu Shot Clinic: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 2, Congregational Church of Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way. By appointment only. For age 65 and up, those with chronic illness or health care providers. Transportation available. No fee with Medicare Part B; Medicare card required. $30/HMO members. (206) 275-7609.
Annual Senior Thanksgiving Lunch: 12-1 p.m., Nov. 19, Community Center at Mercer View. Transportation available. $5. Reservations required.
Boys & Girls Club
2825 West Mercer Way
232-4548
www.mipositiveplace.org
Lango Foreign Language Classes for Kids: Mandarin Classes, 1-1:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Dec. 10. Ages 4-5. $285 plus $25 materials fee. Spanish Classes: 1-1:45 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, through Dec. 9. Ages 4-5. $266 plus $35 materials fee.