Here’s our weekly round-up of events from June 25 – July 1 on Mercer Island:
College Essay Writing – Making the Most of Summer
Tuesday, June 26, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
There is no right or wrong way to spend the summer. Whether it’s backpacking with your friends, job shadowing at a local business, or catching up on the books you’ve always wanted to read, what is most important is that you enjoy what you are doing. Why? Because if you like what you’re doing, you can show demonstrated interest when you write about it, aka, college essay gold! Join Cara Camire from Collegewise as she talks about exploring your interests this summer and learning to express them in a way that gets you noticed. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library and Mercer Island School District. An interpreter will be available during the June programs for Mandarin and Cantonese speaking families.
This is the first program in the series. Attend one or more program; all are FREE!
Solarize Mercer Island Educational Workshop
Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Building on the success of the 2014 residential solar campaign, which led to almost 50 new installations, the City of Mercer Island is partnering with the citizens’ group Sustainable Mercer Island and the local non-profit Spark Northwest to work with a pre-selected, qualified solar installer. Attend a free workshop to learn more and qualify for a FREE site assessment of your roof’s potential. Please register in advance at this partner website. Workshop dates are listed on the website. You can also look for our outreach booths this summer at the Farmers Market and Summer Celebration.
Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation w/Orietta Gianjorio
Tuesday, June 26, 7 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Caruccio’s is very excited to announce a visit from Orietta Gianjorio, a 3rd level sommelier from Associazione Italiana Sommeliers, an Olive Oil Taster and Expert (IOC/EU), and part of the Italian Registry of Olive Oil Tasters and Experts. Orietta is one of only two people in America to hold a certificate as an expert in Honey Sensory Analysis, as well as being a 2nd level qualified chocolate taster from the Istituto Internazionale Chocolier. She is the owner of Orietta LLC, a consulting company on sensory evaluation and descriptive analysis for wine, olive oil, chocolate, and honey.
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, June 27 & Friday, June 29, 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, June 27, 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.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, June 27, 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.
College Essay Writing – Tips and Tactics
Wednesday, June 27, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
A lot of great high school students write not-so-great college essays—like how soccer taught them about teamwork or how they learned about different cultures during a trip to Canada. Most students have no idea what college admissions officers actually care about, or that college essays are written very differently than an essay for English class. Join Tom Barry from Collegewise and learn what admissions officers want (and don’t want) to read, which topics are overused, and discover writing techniques that are engaging and effective. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library and the Mercer Island School District. An interpreter will be available during the June programs for Mandarin and Cantonese speaking families.
This is the second program in the series. Attend one or more program; all are FREE!
Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, June 27, 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.
Lunchtime Lesson with Lisa Caruccio & Orietta Gianjorio
Thursday, June 28, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Today’s lunch demo is a special treat! Learn a simple, fresh farmer’s market salad with homemade ricotta by Lisa Caruccio. Joining Lisa is Orietta Gianjorio, stopping by from beautiful Napa for a dessert of honey and chocolate tastings!
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, June 28, 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]
Junk Jam Band Makers Workshop
Thursday, June 28, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
This event is presented by Seattle ReCreative and is for ages 5 to 11. Who needs to buy an instrument when you can make your own? Turn on your creativity and discover ways to recycle stuff usually thrown away—otherwise referred to as junk! Using unconventional materials, create your very own upcycled musical instruments. All supplies provided. Registration is not required, but space is limited.
Open Book Club: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Thursday, June 28, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
In June, Island Books’ Open Book Club will read and discuss Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You, this riveting novel traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.
Island Book’s open book club meets the last Thursday of every month. Their staff facilitator chooses both fiction and nonfiction titles. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase your book in the store you’ll always get a 10% discount.
Adopting a Mediterranean Diet with an NSM Nutritionist
Friday, June 29, 10 – 11 am
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE
Known for their longevity, people living in the Mediterranean region must be doing something right. Many scientists attribute their vigor to what’s in their kitchens: An array of simple, wholesome ingredients, and of course, extra virgin olive oil. Come to learn the benefits of this eating style and how to emulate it in your home. This event is free, but registration is required.
Bright Horizons’ Walk-on 1K & Truck Day
Saturday, June 30, 9 am – Noon
Mercerdale Park, 3009 77th Ave SE
MI Farmers Insurance parking lot, 3003 77th Ave SE
Join Bright Horizons Foundation for Children for a fun-filled morning of vehicle exploration, all while making a difference in the lives of children in need. Event highlights include:
- 9 am – 1K walk around Mercerdale Park
- 10 am – Noon – Up close and personal exploration of various vehicles and trucks, car-themed children’s activities, face painting, truck washing station, and so much more!
Entrance to this event is free but a donation is suggested. There will also be free parking available at the Farmers Insurance parking lot on the 1st level. All proceeds from the event will go to the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children®, a non-profit organization focused on brightening the lives of children and families in crisis. Their goal is to make the world a better place by creating comforting spaces for children in crisis to grow and play, strengthening families, supporting our communities, sharing knowledge, and encouraging others to help make a difference.
Restoration Event
Saturday, June 30, 10 am – 2 pm
Ellis Pond, SE 47th Street and 90th Avenue SE
Meet: South entrance of park on 90th 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.
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, July 1, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street
The Mercer Island Farmers Market is open every Sunday from June – October. Say hello to your favorite vendors and kick the season off with us. Enjoy the sunshine and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as locally made food and drinks, artisan crafts, and fun activities for the whole family. Visit the website for weekly updates and special events.
