Here’s our weekly round-up of events from April 30 – May 6 on Mercer Island:

Medicare Made Clear
Monday, April 30, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

This workshop will provide an overview of the different parts of Medicare (Parts A, B, C, D) and its supplements, what they cover, and how they work. There will be a discussion about the different ways you can receive your benefits, including the pros and cons of each, as well as the approximate costs. They will also cover enrollment and eligibility guidelines. The goal of the meeting is to provide useful information that will put you in a better position to make an informed decision on your Medicare coverage. The presenter is not connected to the Federal Medicare program.
Learn more >>

---

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 May 1
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

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

---

Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, May 2 & Friday, May 4, 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].

---

Storybook Corner
Wednesday, May 2, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

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

---

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, May 2, 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 >>

---

Play Chess at the Library!
Wednesday, May 2, 2 – 4 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Open to all ages and families, come to the library for a morning of chess! Challenge yourself and others. Chess boards and other games will be provided. You’ll be able to play 10 minutes per game on the Big Board. Play games and have fun!
Learn more >>

---

Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, May 2, 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 >>

---

Cook the Book: Ottolenghi’s Plenty
Wednesday, May 2, 7 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Join instructor Leah Jaffee for a class about the cookbook that put Chef Yotam Ottolenghi on the map as one of the most exciting new talents in the cooking world. Plenty is a collection of vegetarian recipes that will delight cooks and eaters looking for a sparkling new take on vegetables. We’ll explore a few innovative recipes, unique ingredients, and extraordinary flavor combinations inspired by the cookbook.
Learn more >>

---

Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon
Thursday, May 3, noon – 1 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

May’s Chamber of Commerce Luncheon featured speaker is Steve Marshall, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Transportation & Energy Solutions, a Seattle-based think tank. Steve Marshall is a former utility executive and utility chief legal counsel with extensive experience in both the public and private utility sectors. He has been a leading advocate in moving from oil to electricity in transportation and other advanced transportation technologies, known as ACES (Automated, Connected, Electric and Shared). Hear his talk at the luncheon and make sure to sign up online or by email.
Learn more >>

---

Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, May 3, 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].

---

Veils of Light: MIVAL Gallery Exhibit
Thursday, May 3, 5 – 8 pm
MIVAL Gallery, Avellino Building, 2836 78th Ave SE

MIVAL’s 5th Gallery Exhibit of the year, Veils of Light, will be in the gallery from May 3 – June 3. The opening reception includes catered refreshments. Joining the regular gallery members will be the High School Scholarship Winners for 2018 and their art.
Learn more >>

---

Jonathan Evison, Author of Lawn Boy
Thursday, May 3, 6:30 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books is very excited to report than Jonathan Evison, the author of soon-to-be classic Northwest novels such as The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving and West of Here, will be in-store to talk about Lawn Boy, his latest book. Lawn Boy is an important, entertaining, and completely winning novel about social class distinctions, about overcoming cultural discrimination, and about standing up for oneself. This event is not to be missed!
Learn more >>

---

MIHS Drama Production – The Servant of Two Masters
April 26 – May 5 | Thursday – Saturday, 7 pm & Saturday, 2pm
MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 SE 42nd St

Please join MIHS Drama Department as they present their spring play, The Servant of Two Masters, by Carlo Goldoni and adapted by Christopher Bayes and Steven Epp. A timeless comedy about love, passion and mistaken identity, The Servant of Two Masters tells the story of Truffaldino, who takes on two masters in order to get a good meal. Chaos, confusion, and hilarity ensue. Pulling from the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte, this show uses improvisation and mask work to tell its colorful and fun tale. Come join the laughter. Tickets are $10 presale, $15 at the door, and $5 for seniors 65+. You can purchase tickets at school during both lunches, from members of the cast, or online.
Learn more >>

---

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Thursday, May 3, 7:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

This is a SJFF Encore event featuring Jewish Stars of the Silver Screen. This movie is a long overdue biopic about the legendary Hollywood screen beauty and Austrian Jewish refugee who was also a trailblazing inventor. Event features special guest Pam Valdez, VP of Air Force Services at Boeing Global Services and lecturer on Hedy Lamarr’s inventions.
Learn more >>

---

First Friday Art Walk
Friday, May 4

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 St, Suite 105
Learn more >>

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

---

A Feminine Touch: Innovative Visions
Friday, May 4, 5 – 8 pm
Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts, 7605 SE 27th St, Suite 105

Clarke & Clarke Art  + Artifacts will be having an encore presentation of their April artists for the May First Friday Art Walk. Stop by during the art walk to see Valaree Cox new Encaustic series “The Way of Tea,” Karen Dedrickson’s Sumi-E pieces “Soul of Soil,” and Sharon Carr’s “Crazy in Love with Color.” Refreshments will be available.
Learn more >>

---

Robert Wood & Castellanos Collaboration 
Friday, May 4, 5 – 8 pm
SZ Gallery, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160

SZ Gallery will be exhibiting three artists for their May First Friday Art & Wine Reception: Robert Wood, Laura Castellanos, and Juan Carlos Castellanos. Their pieces will be available for purchase. The musical accompaniment for the evening will include a performance by father-daughter duo Benoît and Carla Mory. They will be performing Bach Aria on the flute and harp, respectively, and Carla will play a harp solo of Bernard Andrès’ “Amarante.”
Learn more >>

---

Inaugural Burao Academy Circle of Giving Dinner
Friday, May 4, 6 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Join Caruccio’s for a very special Inaugural Burao Academy Circle of Giving Fundraising Dinner. Enjoy a delicious East African meal, learn, and share. Local restaurateur and chef Deka Farah (Dini Kitchen) will serve her Somali specialties while you hear from inspiring speakers, learn about Somali culture, and discover how to help Burao Academy build two dormitories. Your $25 ticket helps covers event costs; a suggested minimum $200 donation to help this cause is appreciated. Dinner is sans alcohol to respect local Somali customs.
Learn more >>

---

Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There
May 4 – 20
Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm
Parish Theatre, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

Youth Theatre Northwest presents an original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s story, “Through the Looking Glass.” This production is the culminating show of the Kamishibai project, YTN’s collaboration with Japanese artists.
Learn more >>

---

Mercer Island Little League Opening Day
Saturday, May 5, 9:15 am
South Mercer Playfields, SE 78th St & 84th Ave SE

Mercer Island Little League Opening Day will kick off with a Parade of Teams, beginning at 9:15 am, followed by a short ceremony outlining the day’s events, happenings in Little League, the ceremonial first pitch, a few prize giveaways, and more. After the ceremony, families are encouraged to stay at South Mercer for a few additional events for young players. South Mercer 1 will host a baseball homerun derby for 11 to 14 year olds. South Mercer 2 will host a “race around the bases” for players 7 and under, and South Mercer 3 will host a homerun derby for 8 to 10 year olds. All events are free, and participants can purchase hot dogs and concession snacks, as well as Mercer Island apparel. The Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club was unable to secure a guest speaker for this year’s ceremony, but promises lots of fun (hopefully in the sun!).
Mercer Island Little League website >>

---

Restoration Event
Saturday, May 5, 10 am – 2 pm
Wildwood Park, 7265 87th Ave SE
Meet: west entrance on 86th Ave SE

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 >>

---

Felt Board Fun Workshop
Saturday, May 5, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Drop in anytime during this two-hour Felt Board Fun Workshop with Nancy Stewart/Sing With Our Kids, and make a felt kit for your child! Make felt pieces for five popular songs and a pizza box felt board for playing and singing on the go. Adults only, please.
Learn more >>

---

Mother’s Day Charity Heart Craft Fair
Saturday, May 5, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
2440 63rd Avenue SE

This Room Circus FUNdraiser gives you the chance to shop at a marketplace featuring gifts handmade with love by talented local indie crafters. Vendors will include handmade jewelry by several local studios, housewares (such as Glassbaby), and specialty vendors including wine tasting and a mimosa bar. Catch up with friends, enjoy some community spirit, shop for Mother’s Day, hostess gifts, or simply pamper yourself. Refreshments provided by New Seasons Market. 10 to 20% of vendor proceeds donated to Room Circus.
Learn more >>

---

PJ Story Time with Nancy Stewart
Saturday, May 5, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

This month’s storyteller is Mercer Island’s own superstar children’s performer, Nancy Stewart. Come and read some books, sing some songs, and do a little dancing. Geared especially for children ages 3 and up; refreshments will be served.
Learn more >>

---

YidLife Crisis: YidLive! Comedy Show & Dance Party
Saturday, May 5
7 pm happy hour (cash bar) & DJ mixer, 8 pm show
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

You’ve seen their hysterical short films on the web and the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. Now see them live! YidLife Crisis is a remarkably funny viral web series sitcom that follows the shenanigans (or rather, mishegas) of two bilingual, 30-something, Yiddish-speaking liberal Jews. The show’s creators, Eli Batalion (Leizer) and Jamie Elman (Chaimie), best friends and debating adversaries, discuss the show and tackle life, love, and lactose intolerance in this live version of their web show. Come early for DJ mixer with drinks and dancing.
Learn more >>