The annual Argosy Christmas Ship will visit Mercer Island on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 8:40 to 9 p.m. at Luther Burbank Park. The Dickens Carolers will sing for the community from on board the ship. To learn more, visit www.argosycruises.com/themecruises.

Wednesday | 19

Au Courant Holiday Happenings: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 19, 7900 S.E. 28th Street. Espresso by Esther’s Espresso while shopping. Join Au Courant and The Den for an exclusive shopping event featuring wine and cheese. Shop holiday gift selection, enter drawing. www.aucourantsalon.com.

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 7 p.m., Dec. 19; 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th Street. Performers are trained in the Royal Academy of Dance classical ballet curriculum. They are students of Island Youth Ballet and the Children’s Dance Conservatory.

Thursday | 20

Mercer Island Radio Operators Meeting: 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications, emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Christmas Ship Festival: The Argosy Christmas ship visits Luther Burbank Park, at 2040 84th Ave. S.E., from 8:40 to 9 p.m., Dec. 20, with the Dickens Carolers after departing the Kirkland City Dock and stopping at Covenant Shores for a private party.

Events | Upcoming

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group: 3-4:30 p.m., Jan. 3, 2013, Mercer Island Senior Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. A consistent, caring place for group members to discuss Alzheimer’s challenges and problems.

SJCC Jewish Touch Lecture Series: “Jewish Comedians in 1950s Hollywood,” 2 p.m., Jan. 6, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Speaker: Foster Hirsch, professor of film at Brooklyn College, will explore comedians including Danny Kaye, Judy Holliday, Jerry Lewis etc. Tickets: $8 (members), $12 (nonmembers). www.sjcc.org.

MIHS Basketball Little Cheer Clinic 2013: 4-5 p.m., Jan. 8 and 10, West Mercer Elementary, 4141 81st Ave. S.E. All preschool and elementary ages welcome. Cost: $55 (full clinic), $40 (one day). Registration required. Contact: Charlene Steinhauer, charlene@steinhauerfamily.com.

Mercer Island Kiwanis Meeting: 12 p.m., Jan. 10, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. This regular meeting will include a special presentation by Robert Munger about U-2 piloting during the Cold War. The public is invited. Please RSVP to hdingwall@msn.com or calling Dr. Harry Dingwall: (206) 232-0672. RSVP deadline: Jan. 9.

First Aid and Adult CPR Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 12, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Cost: $35 (check or cash). To reserve a space, call (206) 275-7607. www.mercergov.org.

Events | Ongoing

MIVAL December Gallery: “Family Gatherings” is showing through Dec. 27, Avellino Building, 2836 78th Ave. S.E. A unique cooperative gallery with 30 local artists representing artwork in various mediums. Features festivities and food. A percentage of all sales is contributed to annual high school visual arts scholarships. www.mival.org.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

(206) 236-3537

www.kcls.org/MercerIsland

Adults

Computer Classes: Email Level 2, 9:30 a.m., Dec. 21. Microsoft Excel Level 1: 7 p.m., Jan. 3, 2013. Registration required.

Drop-In to Learn About eBooks: 1 p.m., Jan. 7; 7 p.m., Jan. 16; 1 p.m., Jan. 27. Get started with KCLS eBooks. Bring your eReader, tablet or phone for an introduction to downloading from the library’s growing catalog of titles.

Opera Preview: “La Cenerentola,” 7 p.m., Jan. 9. Presented by Norm Hollingshead. Gioachino Rossini’s retelling of “Cinderella” includes no magic; only hilarious and irresistible tunes.

Sing With Our Kids: 7 p.m., Jan. 10. Remember your favorite songs and learn fun, creative ways to share them with your children, grandkids or children you work with.

One-on-One Computer Assistance: 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Jan. 11. A KCLS volunteer instructor can provide one-on-one assistance. Please register.

Understanding the Health Care Crisis: 7 p.m., Jan. 15. Join Fredric Tobis, a Mercer Island resident and Center for Physician Leadership Training principal, for an informative discussion.

Saturday Film Series Feast For Your Eyes – Movies About Food: “Tampopo,” 1 p.m., Jan. 26. Includes an introduction and Q&A led by film historian Lance Rhoades.

Children & Families

Baby And Me Story Times: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 8-29. Ages 3-12 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 8-29. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Wonderful Ones Story Times: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 9-30. Ages 12-24 months with adult.

Terrific Twos Story Times: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 9-30. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Pajama Story Time: 7 p.m., Jan. 28. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Teens

Study Zone: 4 p.m., Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 8. Drop in for free homework help from volunteer tutors.

SAT Strategy Session: 1 p.m., Jan. 19. Learn how the test is structured, strategies for taking it and have a chance to ask questions. Practice answering real SAT questions and get help with them.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Jan. 22. Voice your opinions on the library’s programs and services.

Teen Zone: Study and Games, 2 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. No Teen Zone on Jan. 21 and 30. Hang out, do homework, play board games or chat.