Here’s our weekly round-up of events from January 29 – February 4 on Mercer Island:

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

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

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Coffee with a Cop
Tuesday, January 30, 5 – 7 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE

Join us at our community table to have coffee with a cop! Mercer Island police officers will be on hand answering questions and listening to your feedback.
Learn more >>

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, January 31 & Friday, February 2, 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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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, January 31, 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, January 31, 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, January 31, 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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Singing Circle with Panim Hadashot
Wednesday, January 31, 7 – 8:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 E Mercer Way

Find your voice and joy at our weekly song sessions. SJCC is partnering with Panim Hadashot:New Faces and Rabbi Dov Gartenberg to bring their singing circle to the J. Every week will feature singing, teaching, and storytelling, culminating in a Shabbat dinner and music session on Friday, February 23.
Learn more >>

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2018 MIBGC Business Breakfast
Thursday, February 1, 7 – 8:15 am
Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club, 4120 86th Ave SE

Please join us on February 1st as we dream big to equip kids and teens for great futures filled with promise. Our guest speaker is University of Washington Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen, with Master of Ceremonies, Tony Castricone, Voice of the Huskies.

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“Lunchtime Lessons” with Archana
Thursday, February 1, 11:30 am –1 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100

Come to the counter and learn from Archana! She will lead us through an interactive demo, making a deeply comforting and grounding winter lunch, flavored with Indian aromas and spices. She will start with making a comforting, curried Daal (lentil) soup. The soup will be paired with a vegetarian Kathi Roll (an Indian burrito or wrap) with cauliflower, peas, and potatoes filled with the 3 C’s – cumin , coriander, cayenne; served with cilantro chutney. A perfect end to this Indian meal will be an aromatic, cardamom chai and naan khatai – Indian shortbread cookies. Your “Lunchtime Lesson” includes the demo and a delicious lunch!
Learn more >>

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Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon 
Thursday, February 1, Noon – 1:15 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

This month’s speaker is Arden Clise from Clise Etiquette and author of Spinach in Your Boss’s Teeth. To succeed in this very competitive environment, it’s crucial that professionals have not only strong technical skills but polished soft skills as well. In fact, according to a Harvard University study, statistics show that 85% of your workplace success is due to your personal skills. Luncheon cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members and members without reservations. Register online, call 206-232-3404 or email your reservation.
Learn more >> 

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, February 1, 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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MIVAL Gallery Opening, Shades of Gray
Thursday, February 1, 5 – 8 pm
MIVAL Gallery, 2836 78th Ave SE

The February show at MIVAL Gallery, “Shades of Gray”, runs from February 1st through February 25th. MIVAL Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 – 6 PM, and Sunday from 12 – 4 PM. Come see fine art by local artists and handmade gifts.
Learn more >> 

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First Friday Art Walk
Friday, February 2

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: 4 – 7 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 >> 

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Clarke + Clarke Opening: “An Exploration of Abstract Art”
Friday, February 2, 4 – 7 pm
Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts,

This is a unique opportunity to explore the diverse styles and mediums in contemporary works from the gallery’s collection of artworks. The selection will include pieces by Hodaka Yoshida, Ron Strong, Ian McLeod, Rikio Takahashi, Russell Frost, Valaree Cox, Jong-Taek Woo, Anne Gardner, Brent Rogers, and introducing Matt Timo. The show encompasses a variety of mediums including Sumi (ink on paper), oil on canvas, mixed media on paper, mixed media on canvas, encaustics, acrylic on paper, and engravings. Come learn about the artwork and discover what inspires you.
Learn more >>

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MIHS Drama presents “Good Kids”
Thursday – Saturday, February 1 – 3, 7 pm
Matinee show on Saturday at 2 pm
MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 SE 42nd St

Please join MIHS’ Drama Department as they present their winter play, Good Kids, by Naomi Iizuka: Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember and everyone is talking about. Set at a midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook, Twitter & smartphones, Good Kids explores a traumatic sexual encounter and its very public aftermath.

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Classics on Film: Winter Series
Friday, February 2, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya – Theater, 2430 76th Ave SE

This week’s film is West Side Story (1961). 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.

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Valentine’s Giving from the Heart Craft Fair: A Room Circus FUNdraiser
Saturday, February 3, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
2440 63rd Avenue SE

Shop the marketplace featuring gifts handmade with love by talented local indie crafters. Catch up with friends, enjoy some community spirit, shop for Valentine’s, Superbowl hostess gifts, plan ahead for Mother’s Day or simply pamper yourself. Refreshments provided. 10 – 20 % of vendor proceeds donated to Room Circus.

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PJ Story Time with Katherine Gee Perrone and Nancy Stewart
Saturday, February 3, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

This month’s storyteller is Katherine Gee Perrone, an award-winning storyteller for children and adults, a theatre teacher, a singer/songwriter, a published author, and an award-winning playwright.

Geared especially for children ages 3 and up; Nancy Stewart will be the musical guest! Refreshments will be served.
Learn more >>

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Thunder and Wonder, a Pipe Organ Concert
Saturday, February 3, 7pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church is excited to delight the Community with “Thunder and Wonder” – a celebration of the majesty of our Pipe Organ presented by Dr. William Bryant.  A wide spectrum of music will be featured, from Bach and the Classics,  to Rock and Fantasy…..and more!
Learn more >>