Events

Chamber Gallery Open House: 6-8 p.m., Feb. 19, 7605 S.E. 27th St., Suite 109. Featured artist: Seiko Konya. Art display: through March 28. 232-3404.

“CRESCENDO” Concert: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Features gospel music in honor of Black History Month, along with classical and pop. 232-5595, www.mipc.org.

Mercerdale Park Invasive Plant Removal: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 21, Mercerdale Hillside Park. Half-day options available. Sign up: www.mtsgreenway.org, (206) 812-0122.

Pioneer Park Environmental Restoration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 21. Sign up: www.earthcorps.org. Lina Anne Rose: 206-322-9296, ext. 225.

MIPC Hoe Down: 6-9 p.m., Feb. 21, VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Barbecue and Western dancing. www.mipc.org.

Classics on Film: “Out of the Past,” 6:30 p.m., Feb. 26 (1947), Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. Film introduction: 6:15 p.m., with Lance Rhoades, film historian. Free. 275-7609.

Island Crest Way and Merrimount Drop-In Meeting: 6-8 p.m., March 3, Community Center at Mercer View. Comment at community meeting with the city and the Island Crest Way Citizen Panel, which will forward a recommendation to the City Council. Project Manager Anne Tonella-Howe: anne.tonella-howe@mercergov.org, 275-7813, www.mercergov.org/IslandCrestWay.

SJCC Purim Carnival: 12-3 p.m., March 8. Carnival games, hot-air inflatables. All families are invited. Free. Zach Duitch: 232-7115, zachd@sjcc.org. www.sjcc.org.

Mercer Island Firefighters Fundraiser: 5-8 p.m., Feb. 19, 26, March 5, North-end QFC. Benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 275-7607.

Mercer Island High School Class of 1998 Reunion: March 14, Seattle. Seeking Class of 1998 alumni: http://mihsclassof1998.blogspot.com, mihsclassof1998@gmail.com.

37th Annual Mercer Island Rotary Run: March 22, Community Center at Mercer View. Online registration open through March 20. Walkers: 7:30 a.m. Half Mile Kid’s Dash: 8:30 a.m. Half Marathon Run: 9 a.m. 5k Run and Walk: 9:30 a.m. 236-5323, ext. 1920, www.mercerislandhalf.com.

Classes

Prayer of the Lamb Introductory Seminar: 7-9 p.m., Feb. 20, Emmanuel Episcopal Church. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 21, lunch served. Spiritual practice grounded on Scripture. Open to all. 232-1572, www.emmanuelmi.org.

“Discover 5 Essential Elements that Guarantee Successful Homeownership”: 6 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 23-March 30, 2737 77th Ave. S.E., Suite 100. Free parking. Registration: (206) 406-5232, www.WeHelpYouBuyAHome.com.

Into the Ring with Perry Lorenzo: “Into Revolutionary Philosophy: The Thoughts of Wagner’s Questioning Mind,” 6:30 p.m., Feb. 26, Community Center at Mercer View. Explore Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” Free. Mercer Island Arts Council: 232-5413.

Washington Fly Fishing Club: Beginner Fly-Tying Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursdays, through Feb. 26, Mercer Island Covenant Church. $45. Register: (206) 542-4623, www.wffc.com.

PUSH Exercise Class: 11:15 a.m., Fridays, through Feb. 27, Community Center at Mercer View dance room. A mix of strength, sport drills, intervals, balance, flexibility, play. Instructor: Elizabeth Andrews. $20/drop-in. (206) 922-3218.

Women’s Wellness Seminar: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 28, Community Center at Mercer View Calkins Room. Speaker: Dr. Geri Marr Burdman, author of “Search for Significance: Finding Meaning in Times of Change, Challenge, and Chaos.” For women of all ages. 232-7029, gerimar@mindspring.com. www.gerowise.com.

“The Homework Myth — Questioning Achievement Pressures In (and After) School”: 7-9 p.m., March 3, Mercer Island High School. Speaker: Alfie Kohn, author of education, parenting and human behavior books. Co-sponsors: Parent Education Committees of six Island schools. $18/advance, $25/at door. 1-800-838-3006, www.parentmap.com, www.alfiekohn.org.

College Sorority Information Forum: 7 p.m., March 4, Bellevue Regional Library Conference Room 1, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. Presenter: Overlake Alumnae Panhellenic. Open to high school girls, parents. Free. Debbie O’Brien: (425) 503-4472. www.overlakealumnaepanhellenic.org.

Topics in Practical Halacha: 7-8 p.m., Mondays, Northwest Yeshiva High School, 5017 90th Ave. S.E. Teacher: Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld of Congregation Shevet Achim. Free.

Clubs

Probus Club of Mercer Island: meeting, 10:30 a.m., March 4, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Ben Grosof, Project Halo at Vulcan Inc. project manager. Topic: emerging concepts of infrastructure underlying Internet search. Bob Simonds: 236-2190.

The Lively Saints: luncheon, 12 p.m., March 17, Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200-78th Ave. S.E. Speaker: Dan Brannen from International Students, Inc. Topic: “How Christian Love and Hospitality Can Change the World.” Ages 50 and up. $7. 232-1015.

MI Covenant Church Knitting Group: last Monday of month. Knitting/crocheting garments for Russian orphans. Accepting contributions of leftover wool yarn, acrylic, needles, unfinished projects. Sallie: (425) 881-7210.

Toddlers of Mercer Island (TOMI by MIPA): 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays, VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E. Ages 0-6. $3/child, MIPA members; $5, nonmembers. www.mipreschoolassociation.org.

Pacific Northwest Audio Society: meeting, 7:30 p.m., second Thursday, Mercer Island Congregational Church, 4545 Island Crest Way. www.audiosociety.org.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): 9:30-11:30 a.m., first/third Friday, MI Covenant Church. For mothers with children ages birth-K. Childcare provided. www.micc.org.

Lake Washington Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW): seeking applications for annual Community Grants Program. Deadline: Feb. 28. Open to nonprofit agencies, schools and youth organizations in Bellevue, Lake Washington, Mercer Island and Issaquah school districts. Awarded to programs promoting the advancement of women, girls, gender equity, education, lifelong learning, positive community change. Penny Genise: (425) 869-8556, rgenise@aol.com.

Women Painters of Washington: “Sojourns” Gallery exhibition, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through May 1, 701 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Free. 624-0543, www.womenpainters.com.

Library

4400 88th Ave. S.E.

Registration required:

236-3537

www.kcls.org/mercerisland

Adults

Opera Preview: “Bluebeard’s Castle & Erwartung,” 7 p.m., Feb. 18. Speaker: Norm Hollinghead, opera lecturer. Sponsor: Friends of the Mercer Island Library.

Computer Classes: 9 a.m., Yahoo e-mail. E-mail Level II: Feb. 19. E-mail Level III: Feb. 26.

Library Databases: “An Introduction,” 9 a.m., Feb. 21. Learn to find magazine, newspaper, encyclopedia articles in databases.

Mercer Island Library Saturday Matinee: “Hud” (1963): 1 p.m., Feb. 21. “Cool Hand Luke” (1967): 1 p.m., March 7. “The Sting” (1973): 1 p.m., March 14. Discussion with film historian, Lance Rhoades. Free refreshments. Sponsor: Friends of the Mercer Island Library.

Talk Time: 7 p.m., Wednesdays in March. Improve speaking and listening skills in English conversation group.

Children/Families

Infant Blanket Story Time: 10:15 a.m., Feb. 20. Ages 1-8 months.

Meet Maisy: 7 p.m., Feb. 23. Come dressed ready for bed. Maisy the mouse movies, stories. Ages 2-3.

Baby Rhyme Time: 10:15 a.m., Feb. 27. Ages 9-14 months.

Celebrate Hina Matsuri: Japanese Doll Day Festival, 3 p.m., March 2. Bring a doll and learn how the Japanese festival is celebrated. Ages 8 and up.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!: 7 p.m., March 2. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with books, activities, birthday cake.

Process Painting: “Movement, Music and Paint,” 4-6 p.m., Wednesdays, through March 4. Instructor: Gail Baker. Ages 13-18. $98.

Terrific Two’s Story Time: 10 a.m., Tuesdays. Stories, music, rhymes. Ages 2-3 with caregiver.

Preschool Story Time: 11 a.m., Tuesdays. Stories, music, puppets, Early Literacy alphabet activities. Ages 3-5.

Toddler Times for Terrific Twos: 10 a.m., Tuesdays in March. Ages 2-3 with caregiver.

Story Times for Wonderful Ones: 10 a.m., Wednesdays, March 11-25. Ages 12-24 months with caregiver.

Teens

Interviewing and Jobs for Teens: 3:30 p.m., March 10.

Teen Zone: 1:45 p.m., Mondays. Hang out, do homework, play video games.

Boys & Girls Club

2825 West Mercer Way

232-4548

www.mipositiveplace.org

Registration: now open for girls spring soccer (ages 6-14), baseball (ages 8-18), softball & T-ball (ages 5-12). Registration for track (ages 6-12): opens March 2.

Middle School Dance: 7-10 p.m., Feb. 20. $5/ASB card, $8/without card.

Make A Difference with Movie Making: 5-6:30 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 23-April 20. Class members will focus on documentaries and Public Service Announcements. Learn editing, film techniques, interviewing processes. Ages 8-11. $100.

Movie Making Advanced – Media in Sports: 5-6:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 24-April 21. Trick photography, editing, storytelling techniques. Create short films, commercials, PSA. For students with previous multimedia experience. Ages 11-14. $100.

Super Sitters: Feb. 24, March 3, 12, 26. Babysitting instruction, discussion, role play, video presentation, games, final quiz. $25/session.

High School Vegas Night: 6-11 p.m., Feb. 28. $10.

Preschool Prince and Princess Party: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., March 4, Rainy Day Gym. For preschoolers. $5.

Red Cross Basic Aid Training: 6-7 p.m., March 5. Interactive presentation on first aid, emergency response, preparedness. Free. Registration: Joan Caldon, jcaldon@positiveplace.

Parks & Recreation

Community Center at Mercer View (CCMV), 8236 S.E. 24th St.

275-7609, www.myparksandrecreation.com

Keeping Kids Safe in Today’s World: 7-8:30 p.m., Feb. 24, Clarke Room. Learn the truth about predatory behavior and how parents can teach their children to make safe choices. Instructor: Kim Estes, P.E.A.C.E. of Mind. $25.

Cooking Class – Comfort Foods: 6-8 p.m., March 5. Detailed instructions, demonstration, recipes, meal. $52. lisa@odegardepicurean.com.

Children/Teens

Babysitting Class: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 21. Training in basic babysitting skills, safety, infant child care. Bring lunch. Ages 11-15. $49.

Brain Camp: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, March 7 and 14. Helps students identify/apply learning strengths. For middle/high school students. $225. (206) 533-2080, www.braincamps.com.

Jeff Johnson’s Cartooniversity: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 28. Learn cartoon drawing from local editorial cartoonist Jeff Johnson. Ages 9-14. $57. www.cartooniversity.com.

Children’s Gamemaker Workshops: Apprentice Gamemaker: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Thursdays, through March 12. Ages 6-8. $175. Gamemaker: 5:45-6:45 p.m., Thursday, through March 12. Ages 8-13. $155. Computer programming, video game design. Register: www.ctworkshop.com, 1-877-299-2546.

MIPR Dance Team: 3:30-5 p.m., Wednesday, through March 18. Learn to dance/improve technique. Instructor: Hayley Quinn. Ages 11-18. $152.

Seniors

Support Groups: Caregivers, 3-4:30 p.m., Feb. 19, Slater Room. Adult Children of Loved Ones with Parkinson’s Disease: 7-8:30 p.m., Feb. 23, Board Room.

Senior Lunch at Covenant Shores: noon, Tuesday, Thursday. Reservations: call 275-7895, press 2, leave a message. $5.

Grocery Shopping Transportation: Wednesday morning. Call 236-3456, leave a message by 4 p.m. the day before. $1.