Community calendar | Cut the carbon and Leap for Green

The city's Leap For Green Family Fair, an Earth Day Celebration, is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 16, at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. The event features music, food, sustainable vendors, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Mercer Island Food Pantry. Walk, run or bike to the fair and get a prize. The event is free and open to all ages.

April 12, 2011 12:06 pm

It is all happening at the CCMV this week. The Mercer Island Green Ribbon Commission will announce the results of its first Carbon Challenge with a celebration and demonstrations beginning at 6 p.m., April 14. For Earth Day, the city will hold its annual Leap for Green celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 16. Both events are at the CCMV. Leap for Green is for children and adults of all ages. There will be music, dancers, a reptile man, hula hooping, art projects to do, face painting, and goats and chickens to visit. The Farmers Market will be on hand to serve delicious food. For more information, go to www.mercergov.org.

Thursday | 14

League of Women Voters Mercer Island unit meeting: 9:15 a.m., April 14, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Topic: “Revenue Shortfalls and Local Impacts.” Coffee and treats provided. The public is welcome. Lucy Copass: (206) 232-7687.

“April in Paris” fundraiser for Mercer Island Sister City Association: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 14, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. 20 percent of all sales will benefit the MISCA, especially its scholarship program. There will be a selection of France-related books: travel, fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, children’s and more.

Reading with Maggie Bennett: 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 14, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. “Windy Stories: Storytelling Traditions From The Salmon River Idaho.”

Islander Middle School Communities That Care Café Conversation: 7-8:30 p.m., April 14, Islander Middle School Library, 8225 S.E. 72nd St. Featuring Marla Mitchell, IMS prevention counselor, and Derek Franklin, Communities That Care project director.

Saturday | 16

Volunteer Emergency Well Operation Training: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., April 16, Emergency Well, 4320 88th Ave. S.E. The second disaster preparedness class in the Emergency Volunteer Series. This class is designed to instruct volunteers on the use of Emergency Well Operation. The series is 10 classes in total with a (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team Base. Classes are held monthly with breaks in September for the citywide disaster drill. Contact: Officer Jennifer Franklin, (206) 275-7905.

Mountains to Sound Greenway Luther Burbank Park Restoration: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., April 16, invasive removal at Luther Burbank Park. Volunteers can sign up at http://mtsgreenway.org.

Sunday | 17

Mercer Island Earth Day Celebration Event: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 17, Clarke Beach, 7700 East Mercer Way. Join EarthCorps, MI Parks and Recreation and community members to celebrate Earth Day. This project is part of a larger effort to restore Mercer Island Parks. The work involves installing survival rings around native trees that are covered in English ivy, removing other invasive plants and continuing stewardship on previously restored areas. Snacks, tools and gloves are provided. www.earthcorps.org.

Monday | 18

Infant/Child and Adult CPR with AED Class: 7-9 p.m., April 18, Main Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Call 206-275-7607 to reserve a space. This is not a health care provider class. Cost: $15 (check or cash) at event. Contact: Jolene Judd by phone at (206) 275-7607.

Tuesday | April 19

Second Night Seder: 6:30-9 p.m., April 19, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. SJCC members: $35. Non-members: $50. Senior discount. Children: $22. Kids 6 and under: free. Second Night Seder is geared toward adults and families with children over the age of 10. Author and interfaith Rabbi Anson Laytner will lead this traditional Passover Seder. A kosher meal will be served by Nosh Away Catering. Please register no later than Friday, April 15. Contact: Adult Program Manager Roni Antebi, RoniA@sjcc.org, (206) 388-0832.

Wednesday | 20

Mercer Madness Wheelchair Basketball Game: 7 p.m., April 20, Mercer Island High School, main gym. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission: $5 pre-order. $7 at door. Proceeds go toward scholarships for Seattle Adaptive Sports.

Upcoming

Mercer Island Historical Society Meeting: 1 p.m., April 18, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Speaker: Fred Jarrett, deputy county executive. www.mihistory.org.

Mercer Island Radio Operators meeting: 7 p.m., April 21, MI Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Hospice Seminar: 12:30-2:30 p.m., April 28, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Guest speaker: Dr. Hope Wechkin, M.D., medical director at Evergreen Hospice. Free seminar open to the community. An introduction to hospice and palliative care. Seating is limited; please call to RSVP: Scott Ernst, (206) 799-6964.

Probus Club of Mercer Island Annual Spring Luncheon: 12 p.m., May 4, Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive. Buses will shuttle members and guests between 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. from the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Bob Simonds: (206) 232-2190.

Library

Shake, Rattle and Roll Early Literacy through Music for Very Young Toddlers: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, April 13-27. Join Nancy Stewart for a three-week music workshop for you and your youngster. Nancy will share music, movement and activities that will enhance early learning for very young toddlers 12 to 24 months.

Terrific Twos Story Times: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, April 13-27. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale: April 14-17. Sale in lobby during library open hours. Come find great bargains.

Homemade Beer: The Basics of Homebrewing, 7 p.m., April 20. Nate Muller will provide an introduction to the world of homebrewing.

One-on-One Computer Assistance: A KCLS volunteer instructor can give you one-on-one instruction. Please make an appointment: (206) 236-3537.

Children & Families

Baby and Me Story Times: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, April 19-26. Ages 3 to 12 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, April 19-26. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.

Saturday Matinee: “Treeless Mountain,” 1 p.m., April 23.

Teens

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, April 18-25. Ages 12 and older. Hang out, do homework, play board games or just chat.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., April 19. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour and munching on light refreshments.

Online Teen Readers: Read and comment on book reviews from local teens. Submit your own book reviews; if your review is chosen as a featured review, receive a coupon for free ice cream. http://blogs.kcls.org/onlineteenreaders.

Events | Ongoing

Mercer Island Farmers Market Poster Contest: MIFM is seeking artwork for its 2011 poster. Entry deadline: April 15, Mercer Island library front desk. Entries must be submitted by original artist, ages 10-18, and must include the slogan: Farms, Families & Friends – Experience our Market! Accepted sizes: 8.5×11 or 9×12. Entries will be juried by MIVAL. The winner will be announced at the MIFM fundraiser, May 15. Prize: $50 market gift certificate.

“Treasures in Miniature” Art Show: ongoing through April 28, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, 7605 S.E. 27th Street, #109. The small format art show is presented by MIVAL. Features 100 pieces of art and 35 artists. Gallery hours: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact: Sandra Parson, (425) 445-3771, MiniatureShow@gmail.com.

Mercer Island Film and Social Group for Teens: 7-11 p.m., Saturdays, Johnson residence home theater on Mercer Island. The Johnsons are forming a social film group for teens and seeks up to seven members (ages 16–19). Local, professional filmmakers come once a month. Refreshments included. Contact: Allen Johnson, allen3@allenjohnsonjr.com.

MIVAL Art Gallery: “The Artful Eye” show at the Gallery ends April 17. “Artful Eye” features 28 local artists. A portion of the sales proceeds creates an art scholarship for a local MIHS student. The community is invited to view, shop and visit. New artwork will be installed for the April 21 Gallery Opening. Gallery hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday: 12-4 p.m. www.MIVAL.us.

Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant: The Mercer Island PTA Council is currently accepting applications for the Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant (formerly Scholarship). A grant award up to $500 will be given to an elementary, middle or high school student facing the terminal illness or recent loss of a parent. Applications and information are available from the Mercer Island PTA Council by contacting Paula Orehek at (206) 236-2537 or orehekp@comcast.net, or any MIYFS counselor in MI schools.