Here’s our weekly round-up of events from December 11 – 17 on Mercer Island:

First Annual Latke Cook-Off
Monday, December 11, 7 – 9 pm
Chabad Mercer Island, 9011 W Shorewood Dr
Join Chabad Mercer Island and get ready for Chanukah at our first annual Latke Cook-Off. Do you make the best latkes in town? Are you a fan of fried potatoes drenched in applesauce and/or sour cream? Put your latke skills to the test. Join us for an interactive evening! Enjoy a variety of delicious cheeses and fine wines. Have the opportunity to either participate as a “chef” in a latke cook-off, or join us a “judge”, and decide which recipe is the tastiest! Lastly, you can join us as an “eater” and simply enjoy the delicious foods! Ingredients and equipment will be provided.
Learn more >>

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Spider’s Snow Day Science Show
Tuesday, December 12, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Presented by Urban Farmer Lisa Taylor, this event is for ages 3 and older. Be entertained as an unexpected snow storm sends a spider, a redworm, a bumble bee, and a butterfly on an extraordinary adventure. Discover how garden critters adapt to winter. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library. No registration required, but space is limited.

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

Thursday December 14
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm

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Mercer Island Youth & Family Services presents “The Importance of Play”
Tuesday, December 12, 7:00 pm
MIYFS Foundation Facebook Page

The Social and Emotional Learning Task Force, part of Youth and Family Services’ Healthy Youth Initiative, will be conducting a Facebook Live event for parents and educators of young children ages 0 – 6 years old on the importance of play. To watch this event, simply friend and follow the Facebook page Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation.

Local pediatrician, Danette Glassey, will moderate panel questions to Judy Whitmer, Instructor at the Bellevue College Learning Lab, and Linda Ernst, Children’s Librarian at the Mercer Island. These Child Development professionals will address the the importance of play to a developing child’s brain and the appropriate role parents and adults can play in facilitating (or staying out of the way of) this process. Questions asked will focus on: What is play? Why play? What is the adult’s role in play? What are the barriers that prevent children from playing? What are some tips for how parents can get started? Questions and Answers will be taken from audience members at the end of the panel discussion.
Learn more >>

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, December 13 & Friday, December 15, 9 – 10 am
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

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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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, December 13, 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.

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Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, December 13, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Avenue 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.

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, December 14, 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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Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series
Friday, December 15, 11:30 am
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

The 4th season of Emmanuel’s Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series features music on the newly refurbished von Beckerath organ. The concert series moves from music for organ solo to organ duo (4 hands and feet!), and ends with a trio of organ, cello, and flute. The series features organists Susan Bloomfield, Sam Libra, Wyatt Smith, and Susanna Valleau; cellist Carson Farley; and flutist Ian McKnight. Soup served at 11:30 am; performance begins at noon. Free admission.

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The Adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
December 8 – 16 | Thursday, 10 am, Saturday 10 am & 2 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Avenue SE

Adapted from The Jungle Stories of Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book), charm, comedy, and enchantment combine to create children’s theatre at its best! Our storyteller from India sparks the audience’s imagination to see a lush and enchanting jungle filled with many amazing creatures – cobras, monkeys, wolves, crocodiles, camels, elephants, and the wily mongoose, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. When a British family in old India is in jeopardy from marauding cobras in league with Shere Khan, the arrogant tiger, only Rikki can save them. Best for ages 3+

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Hanukkah Pajama Jam
Saturday, December 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Join SJCC for their coziest community Hanukkah celebration yet!  Put on your pjs and enjoy great music from folk duo Josh & Chava; a Hanukkah story from PJ Library; food trucks (Napkin Friends and Delfino’s Pizza); Krispy Kreme doughnuts; make-your-own nightlight and other festive arts and crafts; olive oil press with Chabad; a menorah lighting and Havdalah; and more!

Admission is free with donation of pajamas. SJCC is collecting donations of new and gently used pajamas (size 2T – 12) for Amara, an organization that works to ensure every child in foster care has the love and support of a committed family as quickly as possible and for as long as the child needs.
Learn more >>

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Island Youth Ballet presents “Excerpts from The Nutcracker” 
Friday, December 15, 7 pm
Sunday, December 17, 1 pm & 5 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Island Youth’s Ballet “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” has become a cherished Mercer Island tradition and must see for all who wish to experience the holiday magic of one of ballet’s most cherished classics. Whether this is a family tradition or you are experiencing it for the first time, this holiday offering will delight your spirit and imagination like no other. Luscious costumes, theatrical lighting and sets, and beautiful dancing transport you to magical places where Mice and soldiers battle, Snowflakes dance, and in the Land of the Sweets, a beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy reigns.
Learn more >>

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The Dickens Carolers
Sunday, December 17, 1:30 – 2:15 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

For almost 40 years, The Dickens Carolers has been a local holiday tradition. Your holiday favorites, both traditional and contemporary, are sung in beautiful four-part harmony. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.