The Mercer Island Parks and Recreation department is offering two ways to get outside this month. Coed softball will begin Feb. 25 for a minimum of three games at the South Mercer Playfields. Teams will use a 16-inch ball. Registration is $100, with $75 due at the first game. Proceeds benefit MIHS girls fast pitch softball. Contact Ryan.Daly@mercergov.org.
For those inspired by Super Bowl Sunday, there is also an adult flag football tournament with both men’s and COED divisions set for Feb. 25-26 at the South Mercer Playfields. The fee is $309 per team. To register, visit www.tenacitysports.com.
Sunday | 12
“The World’s Oldest Known Lenses”: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Feb. 12, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Guest speaker: Dr. Jay Enoch. Learn about lenses found in Egypt, and other research in optical and vision science from Dr. Jay Enoch, dean emeritus of the School of Optometry at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Enoch has received numerous honors for his accomplishments and contributions to optical and vision science. Members: $1. Nonmembers: $2.
Wednesday | 15
Snoqualmie Casino: 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Feb. 15. Bus picks up at Factoria Mall. Bus departs at 9:30; meet at 12727 S.E. 38th Street in Bank of America parking lot, just east of Safeway. Cost for transportation is $10 cash, payable on day of trip. Includes free buffet. To reserve your spot: contact the Reservation Call Center directly at (800) 254-3423 or book online at info@snocasinoexpress.com.
Upcoming
Mercer Island Radio Operators Meeting: 7 p.m., Feb. 16, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.
French Film Night: “The Mystery of Picasso,” 6:30 p.m., Feb. 17, Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Wine & Cheese: 6:30 p.m. Film: 7:30 p.m. The Mercer Island Sister City Association and the Mercer Island Arts Council will co-host this French film night with Lance Rhoades, an instructor of cinema studies at the University of Washington, providing introduction and post-commentary. Film has English subtitles. Free.
Super Safe Sitters: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 18, Mercer Island Community and Event Center, Clarke Room, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Basic babysitting skills and safety. Course includes: basic infant care, how to choose age-appropriate toys and activities for children, first aid guidelines and more. Bring a lunch to class. For ages 11-15. Instructor: Dianne Luecken. Resident/nonresident fee: $40/$47. Register: (206) 275-7609 ext. 1, www.myparksandrecreation.com.
“Combating the Financial Abuse of Seniors” Lecture: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Feb. 22, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Guest speaker: Karen Treiger, J.D., an associate with Thompson and Howle. When are seniors vulnerable and why? What are the warning signs of impairment, and how can you protect yourself from financial exploitation and abuse? Learn legal planning tools and remedies. Refreshments served. Members: $1. Nonmembers: $2.
First Aid and Adult CPR with AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 25, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Cost: $35 (check or cash at event). To reserve a space, call (206) 275-7607. This is not a health care provider class.
French Conversation Evening: 7-9 p.m., Feb. 28. All levels of French are welcome. Contact Beth at 232-7650 or Monica at 232-2983 to learn location and host details.
Events | Ongoing
“Hairspray: A Musical”: ongoing through Feb. 12, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th Street. Performances: Fridays through Sundays, through Feb. 12. Directed by Seattle artist Isiah Anderson, Jr. Tickets: $13-$15. www.youththeatre.org.
Performing Arts Weekend Workshops for Teens: 3-5 p.m., Sundays, ongoing through March 18, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. For grades 7-12. Register for one or more. Intensive workshop series for gaining a wide scope of performing arts skills. Workshops include Hip Hop, Sketch Comedy, Acting for the Camera, Stage Makeup, and more. Contact: SJCC Performing Arts Coordinator Natasha Ransom, (206) 232-7115, ext. 247, NatashaR@sjcc.org.
MIVAL Gallery: “Passion from the Heart” is being shown through February at 2836 78th Ave. S.E. Artwork is refreshed each month. The nonprofit gallery is managed by the artists in support of visual arts to the Mercer Island community. Hours: 12-6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. 12-4 p.m., Sunday. www.MIVAL.org.
Library
Adults
Saturday Matinee Film Series: “Network,” 1 p.m., Feb. 11. “Absence of Malice,” 1 p.m., Feb. 18.
Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War: “Part Two, Choosing Sides,” 2 p.m., Feb. 12. The five-part reading and discussion series in commemoration of the Civil War continues. Each discussion is led by project scholar, Dr. Lorraine McConaghy, Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) public historian. (206) 236-3537.
Opera Preview Lecture: “Orpheus and Eurydice,” 7 p.m., Feb. 22. Presented by Norm Hollingshead, who supplements his commentary with recorded musical excerpts.
eReader and Digital Downloads Demonstration: 10 a.m., Feb. 25. Learn how to download KCLS eBooks to your eReader or computer.
Children & Families
Baby and Me Story Times: 10 a.m., Tuesdays, through Feb. 21. Ages 3 to 12 months with adult.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, through Feb. 21. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.
Wonderful Ones Story Times: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, through Feb. 22. Ages 12 to 24 months with adult.
Terrific Twos and Threes Story Times: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, through Feb. 22. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.
Dr. Seuss on the Loose: 7 p.m., Feb. 27. Ages 4 to 8 with caregiver. Join award-winning singer/songwriter Eric Ode for music, rhymes, stories, puppets and fun, celebrating the magic of Dr. Seuss.
Teens
Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 13, 27. Hang out, do homework, play board games or just chat.
The Secret World of Arrietty Anime Adventure: 7 p.m., Feb. 17. Teens only. Meet up with fellow teen anime fans for the U.S. movie premiere of writer Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Secret World of Arietty,” based on the novel “The Borrowers by Mary Norton.” Signed permission form and registration required (available beginning Feb. 1).
Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Feb. 21. Voice your opinions on the books, magazines, programs and services that the library offers teens, while earning one volunteer credit hour. Light refreshments served.
Media Literacy Workshop for Tweens, Teens and Parents: 2 p.m., Feb. 25. For boys and girls ages 10 to 15 and parents. Goal: build self-esteem in teens by deconstructing unrealistic expectations of teenagers as demonstrated on television and in magazines. Presenter: Laura Heck, marriage and family therapist in private practice.
Online Teen Readers: Wonder what other teens in the area are reading? Online Teen Readers are teens reading and talking about books on their own schedule online. Facebook: KCLS Online Teen Readers; blogs.kcls.org/onlineteenreaders.
