Wednesday | 10

National Charity League Information Evening: 7 p.m., Nov. 10, Holy Trinity Church, 8501 S.E. 40th. Learn about the NCL, an organization for mothers and daughters (entering grades 7-10). Contact: betsyrobertson@hotmail.com.

Thursday | 11

League of Women Voters Mercer Island unit meeting: 9:15 a.m., Nov. 11, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Topic: “Action and Advocacy” — learn how to advocate effectively for the issues you care about. Coffee and snacks provided. The public is welcome. Lucy Copass: (206) 232-7687.

Schools Out for Veterans Day: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Nov. 11-12, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Features swimming, field trips, sports and arts and crafts projects. Before- and after-care is available. Contact: Youth and Family Program Manager Matthew Korch, (206) 388-0830, mattk@sjcc.org.

Veterans Day Celebration: Nov. 11, the Roanoke Inn and VFW Hall 5760. Open House at VFW: 3-5 p.m., with light snacks and root beer floats. Community Toast to Veterans at the Roanoke: 5:30 p.m. 1940s Buffet at VFW: 6 p.m.; RSVP to 232-5413 or ejleithe@comcast.net; space is limited. Live music and dancing: 6:30 p.m., with the Mercer Island Raretones and Eastside Swing Dance. $1 pints of Budweiser and Bud Light all day to honor veterans.

Widow and Widowers Grief & Loss Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m., Nov. 11, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. A support group for senior adult men and women who have lost a spouse or partner in death. Sponsor: Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. Free. Call Betsy Zuber, (206) 275-7752, to reserve a spot.

Saturday | 13

Emergency Preparedness Class: “Disaster Mental Health Training for Volunteers,” 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 13, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. Eighth class in the Emergency Volunteer Series. The series is nine classes total with a (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team Base. RSVP: Officer Jennifer Franklin, (206) 275-7905.

MIPA Toy Swap: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 13, Islander Middle School, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. MIPA’s Annual Toy Swap offers gently used baby and kids’ gear including toys, clothing, bikes and children’s furniture. Free. (206) 236-3033, mipa@mipreschoolassociation.org.

MTS Island Crest Park Trail Work: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 13, Island Crest Park. Restoration work with Mountains to Sound Greenway. www.mtsgreenway.org.

Eagle Service Project Donation Drive: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov. 13-14, North end Mercer Island Rite Aid. Taylan Yuasa, an IMS 8th grader and Life Scout with the Seattle Buddhist Temple Boy Scout Troop 252, is conducting a donation drive of toothbrushes and small travel-sized toothpaste from shoppers as part of his Boy Scout Eagle Service Project for Operation Nightwatch, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless.

Diwali (Festival of Lights) Celebration 2010: 5-10 p.m., Nov. 13, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. The MI Indian community will be collecting nonperishable, canned food for MI Youth and Family Services. Aninda: (206) 236-9917, amattoo1@aol.com.

Sunday | 14

“Two Inspiring Women, One Cause”: meet Aida Kouyoumjian and Adity Karande, 3-5 p.m., Nov. 14, Studio 904 Salon, 3041 78th Ave. S.E. Features a book reading of Kouyoumjian’s new book, “Between the Two Rivers,” and a trunk show of Karande’s jewelry. (206) 232-3393.

Monday | 15

Mercer Island Historical Society meeting: 1 p.m., Nov. 15, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Topic: Geology, evolution. Speaker: David Dail, M.D. www.mihistory.org.

The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund Evening: 7-9 p.m., Nov. 15, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. The community is invited to an evening of dessert, beverages and conversation about the vision of Stanley Ann Dunham, President Obama’s mother. Speaker: Fran Korten, publisher of YES! Magazine. Discussion will focus on ideas that community members may have about the scholarship and ways to get involved.

Thanksgiving Cooking Class: 7-9 p.m., Nov. 15-16, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Classes include instruction, demonstration, recipes and food. Nov. 15: Holiday Desserts and Confections. Learn how to make treats for the upcoming holidays. Nov. 16: Learn how to make healthy side dishes for Thanksgiving. Contact: Adult Program Manager Roni Antebi, (206) 388-0832, ronia@sjcc.org.

Tuesday | 16

Lively Saints of Mercer Island Covenant Church Luncheon: 12 p.m., Nov. 16, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: photographer Will Landon will present “Transitions,” a DVD devotional using panoramic photography, and will display photos made with his “frozen motion” technique. Cost: $7. (206) 232-1015. www.micc.org.

Wednesday | 17

SJCC Senior Program: “Warship Under Sail,” 12 p.m., Nov. 17, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Join award-winning lecturer Dr. Lorraine McConaghy, public historian at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry, for a lecture and discussion about her recent book, “Warship Under Sail: USS Decatur and the Pacific West.” Contact: Adult Program Manager Roni Antebi, (206) 388-0832, ronia@sjcc.org.

Thursday | 18

“Downsize to the Right Size” Workshop: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 18, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Whether a move is in your future or you want to organize and refine your home, planning ahead is crucial. Free. (206) 230-0150, aljoya@eraliving.com.

MIVAL Gallery Anniversary Celebration: 12-8 p.m., Nov. 18, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Items will be 10 percent off. A sales portion goes to art scholarships. www.mival.us.

ETC Preparatory Academy Annual Open House: 6:30-8 p.m., Nov. 18, ETC Preparatory Academy, 9655 S.E. 36th St., #101. Parents, students and professionals are invited to meet teachers and administrators, learn about ETC’s educational program, talk to ETC parents and tour the facilities. Refreshments provided. Free. RSVP: (206) 236-1095. tinak@etcinc.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators meeting: 7 p.m., Nov. 18, Mercer Island Fire Station 91, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Friday | 19

Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) Monthly Roundtable Meeting: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 19, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Topic: Giving things away to increase business: presentations, initial consultations, guarantees or something else? Share what you give away and the results you see from it. The Roundtable meets on the third Friday of each month. Bring a lunch. Cost: $10 (member), $15 (non-member).

Annual Thanksgiving Senior Lunch: 12-1 p.m., Nov. 19, Community Center at Mercer View, Mercer Room. Features traditional favorites including roast turkey with all the trimmings. Registration is required; transportation is available. Call 275-7609 to reserve a spot and a ride on the bus. For age 55 and up. $5.

Classics on Film Series: “MacBeth” (Orson Welles, Roddy McDowall), 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19, Aljoya Theater, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Free, including parking and popcorn.

Saturday | 20

Earthcorps Volunteer Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Clarke Beach, 7700 East Mercer Way. Remove invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry and English ivy, which threaten the park’s forested area. Sign up in advance at www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php.

Sunday | 21

Mercer Island Farmers Market: Thanksgiving Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 21, S.E. 32nd Street at Mercerdale Park. Special Harvest Market. Music provided by Mercer Island High School Jazz Band: The Color of Controversy. www.mifarmersmarket.org.

Upcoming

Mercer Island Girls Basketball Jr. Hoopsters Winter Camp: Dec. 3. Run by MIHS varsity coaches and players. Grades K-5. K-Grade 2: 9-10 a.m. Grades 3-5: 10-11 a.m. Cost for seven sessions: $90. Register at www.migb.org.

Yoga Classes: Vinyasa yoga, 8-9:30 a.m. and 10-11:15 a.m., Nov. 25, Yogabliss, 7650 S.E. 27th St. Cost: $20 per class. Benefits Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. www.yogabliss.org.

Events | Ongoing

Torahthon 2010: “The Gems of Jewish Learning,” 7-9:30 p.m., Nov. 10, 17, Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 East Mercer Way. $15 per evening; $36 for series. Register in advance to reserve a space: www.h-nt.org.

Ten Thousand Villages Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 11-13, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Thursday through Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., International Gift Sale. Shop for fairly traded, handmade items from over 30 different countries. All proceeds go to Ten Thousand Villages to benefit the artisans. www.mipc.org.

“Pippi Longstocking”: now through Nov. 21, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Based on the book by Astrid Lindgren. Tickets: (206) 232-4145, ext. 109. www.youththeatre.org.

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 2 p.m., Dec. 11-12, 18-19; 7 p.m., Dec. 17, 19, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. General admission: $20. VIP Platinum: $30. (206) 275-4750. Tickets: www.iybnutcracker.com.

Groups | Ongoing

“How to Study the Bible”: 11:30 a.m., Nov. 14, 21. New Hope International Church, Sky Room, 9170 S.E. 64th St. A class on basic Bible study methods taught by Neal Johnson. New Hope College. www.newhic.org.

MIVAL Indoor Art Gallery: now through Dec. 17, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. This is a multimedia holiday show featuring Mercer Island artists. The exhibits are updated every two months. Open to the public. Art work is for sale with a percentage of the sales going to support Mercer Island Arts Council arts and cultural programming.

Parks and Recreation Wilderness Adventure Program: Tuesdays, Thursdays. After-school program that will harness children’s creativity and encourage outdoor learning. Preschool: 2-3 p.m. Island Park Elementary Students: 3:30-5 p.m. Call for details. Must preregister. (206) 275-7862.

Mercer Island Community Fund: Grant applications from organizations that benefit the Mercer Island community are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2011. Contact grants chair Gail Steinitz for information and guidelines: gailsteinitz@micommunityfund.net.

Library

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Saturday Matinee Film: “Children of Heaven,” 1 p.m., Nov. 13. “Men with Guns,” 1 p.m., Nov. 20. Join film historian, Lance Rhoades, for a viewing of the film, discussion and free popcorn.

Sid the Science Kid: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 17, KidsQuest Museum, 4091 Factoria Square Mall. Discover how preschoolers can learn to think like scientists when you provide science tools and develop activities in the early childhood classroom. Presenter: KCTS9 Educational Service Staff.

Register online beginning two weeks prior.

“Northwest Noir – Mysteries, Legends and Landscapes”: 7 p.m., Nov. 17. Indulge in the Northwest’s mysteries with Art Historian Susan Olds.

Computer Class: If you need extra help on the computer, a KCLS volunteer instructor can provide one-on-one assistance. Call to make an appointment: (206) 236-3537.

Children/Families

Baby Rhyming Time: 10 a.m., Nov. 16, 23. Ages 3 to 12 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Nov. 16, 30. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.

Story Time for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Nov. 10, 17, 24. Ages 12 to 24 months with adult.

Story Time for Terrific Twos: 11 a.m., Nov. 10, 17, 24. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.

Casper Babypants Concert: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Nov. 17. Presented by Chris Ballew. Show for preschoolers and their parents including traditional folk songs, nursery rhymes and original songs. Free tickets will be given out beginning Nov. 10 while supplies last. You must have a ticket to attend the performance.

Homework Help with KCLS: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 19, Coal Creek Family YMCA. Survive your child’s homework and explore KCLS online! Learn how to use the KCLS web site and resources to help your child succeed in school.

Little Red Riding Hood: 11 a.m., Nov. 23, Thistle Theatre. This very funny version of the classic tale includes interactive songs and children are invited to sing and operate puppets. Free tickets will be given out beginning November 16 while supplies last.

Pajamarama Story Time: 7 p.m., Nov. 29. Ages 3 to 7 with adult.

Teens

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Nov. 16. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour.

Write to Win – Strategies for College Entrance Success: 7 p.m., Nov. 18. Topic: what colleges are looking for in an application, focusing especially on the college essay. Speaker: college administrator Jonathan Brown. Registration required.

Online Teen Readers: Join OTRs (ott-ers), teens who are reading and talking about books on their own schedule online. http://blogs.kcls.org/onlineteenreaders.