Events

National Day of Prayer Community Observance: 6 a.m.-9 p.m., May 1, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. Evening prayer service: 7:30-9 p.m. Community members are invited to contribute a prayer, song, Scripture reading or insight from the Bible.

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, flowers, fragrant herbs, hanging baskets. Rose Chaffee-Cohen, 236-3344.

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

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.

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

A Voice for the Voiceless — Saving AIDS Orphans in Uganda: open house, 6 p.m., May 4, MI VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Local nonprofit of UW students, volunteers, on world’s food crisis, widows empowerment project, Ugandan orphans’/vulnerable children’s education. $5 suggested donation. Suzanne Philen, 275-7753.

“The Monkey King”: through May 10, Youth Theatre Northwest. Performances by Conservatory Troupe. Tickets: 232-4145, ext. 109, www.youththeatre.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 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.

Free Pet Adoptions: “Second Chance for Love Tour,” 12-3 p.m., May 17, Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061 15th Ave. W., Seattle. Adopt Seattle-area homeless cats, dogs. Hills partners with celebrity pet photographer Jim Dratfield, Seattle Shelter. (206) 386-7387; Lisa Giassa, (212) 798-9776.

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

“Understanding AD/HD in Girls and Women”: 7-8:30 p.m., May 12, MI Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Kim Kendall, Ph.D. Sponsor: ADD Resources. Free. jscarlin@juno.com, www.addresources.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 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; Clare Meeker, “Hansa: the True Story of an African Baby Elephant,” “Lootsa, the Wave Eater.” 232-6920.

Mercer Island Women’s Club: May luncheon, May 13, Overlake Country Club, Medina. Social hour: 11 a.m. Luncheon: noon. Speakers: Randy and Jan Holman, owners of Karate West, on their Women’s Fan Demonstration Team dance routine with ancient martial arts self defense principles. Official installation of 2008-2009 MIWC officers.

Mercer Island Senior Commission: “Connecting The Generations” display, through May, Mercer Island Library. Honors older Americans during “Celebrate Older Americans Month.” Senior needs/interests surveys for programs/services available at library, Community Center, JCC, Chamber of Commerce, Island Books.

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

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

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

Great Singers lecture series: Three Viennese Operatic “Greats,” 7 p.m., May 7, 14, 21. Speaker: Norm Hollingshead.

Computer Class: Using the Library Catalog, 9 a.m., May 8. Christine Anderson. All levels welcome.

Sonnet Writing Contest: 4 p.m., May 10. Join Jeffrey Woolley, Renaissance and Romantic literature expert, in the art of sonnet writing at this interactive workshop. Sponsor: MI Arts Council.

Children

French Language Story Time: 11 a.m., May 3, 10. Ages 3 to 8. Learn French through stories, songs, activities.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo: 2:30 p.m., May 5. Ages 4 to 8. Music, stories, activities, food. Nancy Vanderhorn, Margaret Martin.

Dewey & Sketch Road Show: 11 a.m., May 6. Luce Designs Puppets. Meet the Early Literary mascots in a puppet show.

Teens

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

Teen Zone: 1:30 p.m., May 12, 19. Hang out, do homework, board games, DDR, Guitar Hero.

Meet the Author: Jack Hamann, 7 p.m., May 12. “On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of World War II,” a true story about the largest Army court martial of 28 African-American U.S. soldiers at Seattle’s Fort Lawton.

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.

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

Classes

Must register: call 275-7609.

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. Nine 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

Caregivers Support Group: 3-4:30 p.m., May 1, Slater Room.

Parkinson Disease Support Group: 2-3:30 p.m., May 6, Calkins Room.

Solemates Walking Group: depart CCMV at 8:30 a.m., May 7. $2.

Tulalip Casino, Outlet Mall Trip: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 12. Departs CCMV, 10 a.m. $15.

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.

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 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.

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. The Layweeders (volunteer gardeners): 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Mondays; new volunteers welcomed. Tai Chi classes: 6:30 p.m., Mondays through July 7, 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. “Fresh Worship”: all are invited to experience a new format of Lutheran worship, 10:15 a.m., May 4; be inspired by the Praise Band; give your feedback at informal meetings, 9 and 11:45 a.m., May 4. Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting: 9 a.m., May 18; all voting members welcome. 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 before evening prayers in the Atrium. Bible Study: 10 a.m., Thursdays. 8501 S.E. 40th St. 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. 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. Women’s Bible Study: 10-11:30 a.m., Mondays, Fireside Room. New Women’s Bible Study, “A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23”: 9:30-11 a.m., Fridays through June 6, Fireside Room. 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. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. 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. 232-3044, www.miumc.org.

New Hope International Church: Sunday services, 10 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Thai). A prayer session is available for those who need healing. 9170 S.E. 64th St. 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, 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. 232-2900.