Here’s our weekly round-up of events from January 9 – 15 on Mercer Island:
Workshop for Parents, Teachers, and Community Members:
“In Conversation with Children about Race” – Led by Robin Boehler
Tuesday, January 10, 7 – 8:30 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
This workshop will provide participants with practical applications to enable parents, guardians, and educators to address the uncomfortable feelings that often accompany conversations around race and diversity. Robin Boehler is an award winning organization development, team building, management, and leadership consultant with over 25 years of experience.
Learn more >>
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, January 11, 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.
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, January 11, 10:30 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 >>
Residential Development Standards Community Meeting
Wednesday, January 11, 6 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
In a continuation of the updating process for the City’s Residential Development Standards, the Planning Commission will host a community meeting to present preliminary concepts for discussion and to gather community input. Participants will engage in small group discussions about the concepts, providing feedback and additional ideas to the Commission.
Workshop for Parents, Teachers, and Community Members: “Taking Action to Move Beyond Diversity; Social Justice Education at Home and In the Classroom” – Led by Talcott Broadhead
Wednesday, January 11, 7 – 8:30 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
We each move through the world with many identities; some are socially, culturally, politically and economically over-valued, while others are actively devalued. How do we educate and guide from the sum total of our identity experiences? How do we work in solidarity with those whose identities are different from our own? Join Social Worker and Professor Talcott Broadhead MSW, for an interactive dialogue that centers on the importance of educating and parenting from an anti-oppressive lens. Participants will engage in meaningful, facilitated, small group conversations about how bias, oppression, and privilege function. Together, with Talcott’s guidance, we will determine action steps with which we can cultivate learning spaces and daily actions that move beyond diversity and seek to eradicate the root causes of injustice.
Learn more >>
Diversity Book Fair
Thursday January 12, 9 am – 1 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
An event for parents and educators to expand their libraries with books on diversity to continue the conversation at home and in the classroom. Sponsored by Island Books.
Learn more >>
KidsQuest: Balls & Ramps
Thursday, January 12, 1 – 1:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
We will put our engineering hats on as we begin to discover how gravity has an effect on how things move. Students will build and test their own designs on our marble walls using various materials. No registration required but only 25 slots for children available, so first come, first served. Ages 3-5 years with adult.
Short Film and Facilitated Discussion for Parents, Teachers, and Community Members: “What Kindergartners Taught Me” and “Tom Girl”
Thursday, January 12, 7 – 8:30 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
TED Talk: “What Kindergartens Taught Me About Gender” by Batya Greenwald
Children begin to form a sense of gender identity between the ages of two and three. Cultural indoctrination or self-expression? With surprising and touching stories about children and the continuum of gender, kindergarten teacher Batya Greenwald straightens you out about all the ways you never knew you were bent. Her stories from 15 years of observing children might help you be a better guide to all children – even the one inside yourself – allowing you to be fuller in expression and more uniquely who you are meant to be.
Short Film: “Tom Girl” – Directed by Jeremy Asher Lynch
Girls play with dolls and boys love sports, right? This film takes a look at what happens when those stereotypes are called into question. Jake, a lovable gender non-conforming seven-year-old, invites us into his world to explore the transforming power that love and support can have when young children are accepted for who they really are.
Learn more >>
Classics on Film Winter Series
Friday, January 13, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya – Theatre, 2430 76th Ave SE
This week’s film is I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932). The Mercer Island Arts Council, with support from The Mercer Island Sister City Association, present 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.
Dive-In Movie: Finding Dory
Saturday, January 14, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Come watch “Finding Dory” while you swim and relax in the J pool. Bring a floatie or hang out on ours. Plus: we’ll have popcorn! Free and open to the public.
Learn more >>
Youth Theatre Northwest presents Chaos Theory
Saturday, January 13 & Sunday, January 14, 7 pm
Parish Hall Theatre at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Improvisational comedy is not as easy as it looks. Have you ever tried creating theater on-the-fly, in real-time, in front of a live audience, with a bunch of people all trying to do the same thing, and still be hilarious? Youth Theatre Northwest’s improv group Chaos Theory jumps into its 5th season under the direction of Yolanda Suarez. In this program, students will break out of shells and think outside of boxes as they learn the fundamentals of improv and perform unscripted scenes and stories throughout the school year. Looking to grow as an actor or a comedian or take the stage with confidence? Chaos Theory is where you need to be. Best for ages 9+.
Planting Event
Sunday, January 15, 10 am – 2 pm
Wildwood Park, Meet: West entrance of park, 86th Ave SE
Want to make a difference in 2017? Great news! We are kicking off the 2017 season with more planting and invasive plant removal work parties scheduled in January and February! As always, bring your enthusiasm, a water bottle, and dress for the weather! We’ll supply the tools, supplies, and plants.
