Here’s our weekly round-up of events from April 2 – 8 on Mercer Island:

Spring Story Times at the Library
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Join the Mercer Island Children’s Librarian for stories, songs, rhymes, and fun in these 30-minute programs designed especially for you and your young child.

Tuesday April 3
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

Thursday April 5
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Learn more >>

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Jennifer Haupt, Author of In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills
Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books is pleased to host a visit from Jennifer Haupt, author of In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills. She’ll be joined in conversation with fellow author Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott. Haupt’s novel is a riveting family saga that spans from the turmoil of Atlanta during the Civil Rights Movement through the struggle for reconciliation and forgiveness in post-genocide Rwanda. At the heart of this literary novel that crosses racial and cultural boundaries is the search for family on a personal and global level.
Learn more >>

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Successful Parenting on Mercer Island: Harmful Stress and its Impact on Teen Health
Tuesday, April 3, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St

This forum on Harmful Stress and its Impact on Teen Health is a “fireside chat” theme featuring a panel of youth and adult professionals. MI Youth and Family Services Director Cynthia Goodwin will moderate the discussion. The event includes coordinated discussion among participants focused on tangible approaches parents can take to help their child cope with anxiety. Discussion will also include information on deciding when to get professional help for your child. YFS and the CAB invite Island parents and teens (middle to high school) to attend this free event. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.
Learn more >>

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, April 4 & Friday, April 6, 9 – 10 am
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St

Join Mercer Island Parks & Recreation for Community Coffee Hour every Wednesday and Friday! This is a free program for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and families. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee in a fun and engaging atmosphere with people from the community.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, April 4, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by our staff or special guests.
Learn more >>

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, April 4, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art, and playing. Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is in English. Ages 5 years and younger with caregiver. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
Learn more >>

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Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, April 4, 5 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Purchase your wine by the glass from a rotating selection of wines. Each glass includes delicious appetizers served buffet-style. No need to purchase tickets for Wine Wednesday.
Learn more >>

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Spring Mini Book Sale 
Thursday, April 5, 10 am – 9 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Mercer Island Library’s Spring Mini Book Sale will take place all day. While it’s a mini-sale, there are so many great books available to purchase! You’ll have no trouble finding lovely books for your family and friends or a special book for yourself. Open during regular hours of operation.
Learn more >>

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Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon
Thursday, April 5, noon – 1 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

April’s Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon will be featuring guest speaker Kelsey Joyce, Vice-President and attorney at T-Mobile, who will be speaking about net neutrality. Everyone has heard the phrase “net neutrality” in the news, but unless you’re a geeky communication lawyer, it’s been really hard to figure out what’s changed in the law and what that means for consumers and the business community.  Kelsey Joyce will help make sense of it all.  Make sure to RSVP online or via email for the luncheon.
Learn more >>

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Mirror Cake Magic with Lisa Caruccio
Thursday, April 5, 1 – 3 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Have you ever wondered how the beautifully reflective mirror cakes are made? It’s easier than you think! Roll up your sleeves and learn the secret from Lisa Caruccio, the owner of Caruccio’s Culinary Event Center. This class is casual, fun, and hands on. Take home your mini mirror cake that you make in class.
Learn more >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, April 5, 4 – 7 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

Drop by for an afternoon of board games, video games, playing pool or ping-pong, and hanging out. There’s a huge selection of games, and the staff is always up to taking on a new competitor. Games include: Codenames, Mission Red Planet, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Connect 4, Monopoly, and more. Free for ages 7 – 14.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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8th Annual Treasures in Miniature Show: Opening Reception
Thursday, April 5, 5 – 8 pm
MIVAL Gallery, 2836 78th Avenue SE

The Mercer Island Visual Arts League presents its 8th Annual Treasures in Miniature show at the MIVAL Gallery.  This year, there are over 50 artists and 150 pieces of art that will be shown.  Artists from around the state will be represented along with many of the local MIVAL members. Join MIVAL for the opening reception and awards ceremony, along with food, wine, and friends. Amy Huddleston will jury the show, and awards will be presented at 6 pm during the opening reception. The show runs from April 5th to April 27th.
Learn more >>

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First Friday Art Walk
Friday, April 6

Come out for Mercer Island’s First Friday Art Walk. Art galleries on Mercer Island will be hosting their art walk events on the first Friday of the month (and some have free wine!).  Clarke + Clarke and SZ Gallery will be participating.

Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
7605 SE 27th Street Suite 105
Learn more >>

Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
Learn more >> 

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Cotton (two-year) Anniversary Party
Friday, April 6, 5 – 8 pm
SZ Gallery, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160

Suzanne Zahr Art & Architecture is excited to share that the upcoming First Friday at SZ Gallery is a special one. In addition to showcasing three new artists, they’ll also be celebrating their Cotton (two-year) Anniversary with special cotton-candy-cocktails and small bites. Come celebrate with the SZ Team and their April/May artists, Laura Castellanos, Juan Carlos Castellanos, and Robert Wood.
Learn more >>

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Homemade Cicatielli: Cooking Class with Michela Tartaglia
Friday, April 6, 6 – 8 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Caruccio’s is very excited to have Michela Tartaglia from Cucina Casalinga and Pasta Casalinga share some of her pasta secrets. Michela will guide you step by step during this hands-on class, teaching you how to shape cicatielli, a famous pasta from South of Italy, often served with Rapini and anchovies, along with a San Marzano option of fresh tomato sauce cooked in a terracotta pot. Get ready for Michela’s welcoming personality, great stories, and plenty of interesting Italian folktales to walk away with. After making the pasta and sauces, there will be a dinner where you’ll enjoy your homemade Southern Italian pasta and appetizers, along with some Southern Italian regional wines (wine charged separately) to round off our meal. Che bella notte!
Learn more >>

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Classics on Film: Winter/Spring Series
Friday, April 6, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya – Theater, 2430 76th Ave SE

This week’s film is Oliver! (1968), served with wine and cheese! The Mercer Island Arts Council, with support from The Mercer Island Sister City Association, presents the Classics on Film Series. Screenings begin with an introduction by film historian Lance Rhoades and end with a Q&A session. Free and open to the public, with refreshments provided courtesy of Aljoya. All films are presented with English subtitles unless otherwise indicated.
Learn more >>

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Restoration Event
Saturday, April 7, 9 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Hillside Park, 3009 77th Ave SE
Meet: corner of 76th Ave SE & SE 37th Pl

Each year, Mercer Island citizens donate hundreds of hours of their time to maintain the community’s parks and open spaces: picking up litter, planting trees, cutting down ivy, painting over graffiti, or repairing trails.
Learn more >>

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City of Mercer Island Spring Recycling Event
Saturday, April 7, 9 am – 3 pm
Mercer Island Boat Launch, 3600 East Mercer Way

The City of Mercer Island is hosting their annual Spring Recycling event in April. You can safely dispose of old equipment and household items from your basement or garage, but please make sure to follow the guidelines.
Learn more >>

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PJ Story Time with Terina Beckwith Black
Saturday, April 7, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

This month’s storyteller is Terina Beckwith Black. Terina loves books, children, and sharing information. She has a Masters in Library and Information Science and worked as a children’s librarian in the Seattle Public Libraries. Geared especially for children ages 3 and up. Refreshments will be served.
Learn more >>