The 41st District Legislators, Judy Clibborn, Marcie Maxwell and Steve Litzow, will hold a town hall meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on March 12 at Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd Street, to discuss the Legislative session with voters. The community is invited to be part of the discussion as the Legislature works through a $4 billion shortfall to balance the budget for 2011-2013 and plan for the state’s future.

Wednesday | 9

SJCC Monthly Discussion: “Race to Nowhere,” 11 a.m.-12 p.m., March 9, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Monthly discussion based on Christine Carter’s book and class, “Raising Happiness.” For adults. Child care available upon request. Contact: Kim Lawson, (206) 388-0829, klawson@sjcc.org.

Thursday | 10

League of Women Voters: Mercer Island unit meeting, 9:15 a.m., March 10, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. “Women and the Media”: in honor of Women’s History Month in March, a discussion of the media’s portrayal of women and their roles in media, historically and in the age of digital communication. Coffee and snack provided. Public welcome. Lucy Copass: (206) 232-7687.

Grief & Loss Support Group for Senior Adults: 1-2:30 p.m., Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. The group is open to any senior adult who has experienced the loss of a spouse, partner, friend or family member. The group is strictly confidential. Registration required. Sponsor: Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. Contact: Betsy Zuber, (206) 275-7752, betsy.zuber@mercergov.org.

Friday | 11

Classics on Film Series: French film, “Le Diner de Cons” (“The Dinner Game”), 7:30 p.m., March 11, Aljoya Theater, 2430 76th Ave. S.E. In conjunction with the Mercer Island Sister City Association. Starring Thierry Lhermitte. Screenings are free. www.mercergov.org/artscouncil.

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin at Congregation Shevet Achim: March 11-12, Northwest Yeshiva High School, 5017 90th Avenue S.E. Friday: “Toward Meaningful Prayer: Understanding the Different Modalities of Tefillah.” Saturday: “Is the Concept of Olam Habah (Jewish belief in the soul living eternally) Mentioned in the Tanach?” Sponsor: Morrie Buttnick Fund for Child and Adult Torah Education. www.shevetachim.com.

Saturday | 12

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Mercer Island Branch 21st Annual Exhibition: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 12; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., March 13, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E. Demonstrations, both days: 2 p.m. Free admission. Contact: Fanny Yau, (206) 349-1137. www.misogetsu.org.

Monday | 14

“Using Ancestry.com to Locate Your Jewish Ancestors”: 7 p.m., March 14, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Crista Cowan. Presented by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State. WiFi and the JGSWS library will be available. JGSWS members: free admission. Non-members: $5. www.jgsws.org.

Classic Rock Lyrics: 7-8 p.m., March 14, Island Crust Cafe, 7525 S.E. 24th St. In the Spirit of Adar and Purim, Congregation Shevet Achim welcomes the community to a lighthearted look at classic rock lyrics from a Jewish perspective, presented by Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld. “All We Are Is Dust In The Wind,” by Kansas. www.shevetachim.com.

Infant/Child and Adult CPR with AED Class: 7-9 p.m., March 14, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. This is not a health care provider class. $15 (check or cash). Call (206) 275-7607 to reserve a space.

Wednesday | 16

Seattle Jewish Film Festival at the J: 12-2:30 p.m., March 16, Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Doors open: 11:45 a.m. Annual movie screening and lunch presented by the AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival and the SJCC, with music by Louie Richmond and Judith Gordon. Reservations required. Cost: $7 for bagel lunch. No tickets sold at the door. No SJFF passes. Limited seating. Ages 55 and up. RSVP: Roni Antebi, (206) 388-0832, ronia@sjcc.org.

‘Raising Healthy Boys’ Parent Map Lecture Series: 7-9 p.m., March 16, Stroum JCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Veteran Waldorf teachers talk. Lecture from Melissa Borden and Tim Bennet: “You’re Not the Boss of Me! The Charms and Challenges of Raising Healthy Boys.” Pre-registration required: klawson@sjcc.org. parentmap.com/lectures.

Thursday | 17

St. Patrick’s Day Brunch and Pancake Toss: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., March 17, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street, Mercer Room. Presented by Mercer Island Parks and Recreation. Cost: $7. Call (206) 275-7609 to reserve a spot. Transportation is available.

Mercer Island Radio Operators meeting: 7 p.m., March 17, MI Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn

about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Saturday | 19

Scouting for Food: Mercer Island Boy Scouts will be gathering food donations from Island residents on March 19 in the morning. Please place donations on your porch by 9 a.m. The donations will be given to the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Food Bank.

Basic Disaster Preparedness: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., March 19, City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th Street. First class in the 2011 Emergency Volunteer CERT Training Series. Classes are held monthly with breaks in September for the citywide disaster drill. RSVP to Officer Jennifer Franklin: (206) 275-7905.

Sunday | 20

First Aid and Adult CPR w/ AED Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., March 20, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. This is not a health care provider class. $30 (check or cash). Call (206) 275-7607 to reserve a space.

Stroum JCC Annual Purim Carnival: 12-3 p.m., March 20, 3801 E. Mercer Way. Purim Land returns this year with activities for children ages 5 and younger. Grogger making, edible necklaces, bouncy ball room, face painting. Storytelling with PJ Library®, carnival games, music, costume contest. Contact: Youth and Family Program Manager Matthew Korch, (206) 388-0830, mattk@sjcc.org.

Monday | 21

VOICE & SVP Registration: 9 a.m., March 21 – 3 p.m., April 11. This summer, the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services will offer two youth volunteer programs: Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) and Summer Volunteer Program (SVP). Contact: Tambi Cork, tambi.cork@mercergov.org, (206) 275-7755.

Mercer Island Historical Society Meeting: 1 p.m., March 21, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Speaker: Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecuting Attorney. (206) 232-6187. www.mihistory.org.

Thursday | 24

MI Senior Golf Program Kick-off & Information Meeting: 9 a.m., March 24, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Co-ed program for 9 and 18 hole golfers ages 55 and up. April 3 through October. Sponsor: MI Parks and Recreation. Sign up at the CCMV on or after March 23. (206) 275-7609.

Arts Council Northwest Watercolor Society: 6-8 p.m., March 24, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. Show: March 21-May 13.

Saturday | 26

Mercer Island Spring Recycling Collection Event: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., March 26, Mercer Island Boat Launch, 3600 East Mercer Way. Only certain recyclables are accepted, and a fee will be charged to recycle televisions and computer monitors. Suggested donations: nonperishable food items for the city’s Department of Youth and Family Services Food Pantry, or a cash contribution. For a complete list of accepted and restricted items and applicable fees, see the event flyer at www.mercergov.org.

Parents Night Out Fundraiser: 6:30-9:30 p.m., March 26, Mercer Island Martial Arts, 2630 77th Avenue S.E., Suite 106-108. Drop your children off for pizza and a movie. All proceeds will be donated to The Mockingbird Society, which trains foster youth in leadership skills and helps give them voice. (206) 230-9050, info@mercerislandmartialarts.com.

Sunday | 27

2011 Mercer Island Youth Employment and Volunteer Fair: 12-4 p.m., March 27, MI Boys & Girls Club PEAK, 4120 86th Ave. The fair is coordinated by Cheryl Manriquez, City of Mercer Island Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS) employment coordinator, with the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club and Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce. Multiple employment and volunteer opportunities will be available for youth. Prospective employers can sign up for a table at the fair to share job openings or volunteer opportunities. Contact Manriquez: (206) 275-7869.

Upcoming

Breakfast of Champions: 7-8:30 a.m., April 26, Mercer Island High School, 9100 S.E. 42nd Street. Parking available in student lots and on the street. www.mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com.

Events | Ongoing

“The Crucible”: through March 20, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St. Evening performances: 7 p.m. Matinees: 2 p.m. Based on play by Arthur Miller. For ages 11 and up. www.youththeatre.org.

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

Classes | Ongoing

Sogetsu School of Ikebana Japanese Flower Arranging Winter Classes 2nd Session: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., through March 18, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24 St. Instructor: Mitsuko Hakomori. Cost: $50, for 5 classes. (206) 236-3545.

Stroller Strides Class: 9:45-10:45 a.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Stroum JCC, 3801 East Mercer Way. Stroller Strides is a nationally acclaimed program that allows moms to exercise with their babies. (425) 306-2275, melonycable@strollerstrides.net.

Library

Adults

Saturday Matinee Film: “Smoke Signals,” 1 p.m., March 12. “Central Station,” 1 p.m., March 26.

STARS Workshop: Sing into Reading, 7 p.m., March 21. Learn what Early Literacy is and how music helps build the six Early Literacy skills. Also hear about 25 simple songs and props and free resources for building your music library. 2 STARS credit offered. Presenter: Nancy Stewart.

Great Singers: Maria Callas Three-Part Series, 7 p.m., March 28, April 4 and 11.

Lecture series on three great opera singers of the 20th century: Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas. Presented by Norm Hollingshead, who will illustrate his commentary with recorded musical excerpts from his own collection of recordings, many quite rare.

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, March 15, 22, 29. Ages 3-12 months with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Tuesdays, March 15, 22, 29. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Wonderful Ones Story Times: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, March 16, 23, 30. Ages 12-24 months with adult.

Terrific Twos Story Times: 11 a.m., Wednesdays, March 16, 23, 30. Ages 2-3 with adult.

Chinese Story Times: 10:30 a.m., Saturdays, through March 26. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Pajamarama Story Time: 7 p.m., March 28. Ages 3-7 with adult.

Teens

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., March 15. Voice your opinions on teen materials, services and programs while earning one volunteer credit hour and munching on light refreshments.

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays, through March 28. Hang out, do homework, play board games or just chat. Ages 12 and older.

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.