Your guide to life on
Mercer Island, WA
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group
Here’s our weekly round-up of events from March 12 – 18 on Mercer Island:
Passover Chai Mitzvah
Monday, March 12, 7 – 9 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
An orange on a Seder plate? A symbolic cup of wine and cup of water? At this special Passover Chai Mitzvah class, we’ll explore the meaning of the Seder and offer new insights into this important Jewish holiday. Even if you haven’t been part of our Chai Mitzvah class, you’re welcome to attend! This class is open to everyone curious about going beyond the Four Questions and delving into the holiday of Passover.
Mercer Island Women’s Club Annual Community Luncheon
Tuesday, March 13, 10:30 am – 2 pm
Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive
This year’s guest speaker is Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott. Elise’s discussion will talk about why the Alcott sisters are relevant to us, even 150 years after the publication of Little Women, and how they’ve inspired her to take risks and embark on her own journey of creativity. This event is open to the general public and luncheon will include entree, salad, and dessert. A percentage of the ticket price for the Luncheon as well as a percentage of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to local charities. Please Note: There is no parking at Covenant Shores. There will be a carpool park and meet at Luther Burbank Park; please see information when purchasing tickets.
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 March 13
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Thursday March 15
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, March 14 & Friday, March 16, 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, March 14, 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 >>
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, March 14, 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.
Grand Re-opening of Island Crest Park’s Varsity Field
Wednesday, March 14, 3:30 – 4:15 pm
Island Crest Park, 5500 Island Crest Way
You are invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of the varsity field at Island Crest Park. This will precede the first varsity baseball game on the new field. This 2.4 acre field is now 100% synthetic turf and has new LED efficient lighting and a deluxe scoreboard donated by the Mercer Island Baseball Booster Club. The field contains natural cork infill and a new drainage system, guaranteeing year-around play. This project would not have been possible without the community’s help — it received over $700,000 in grants and community donations. There will be welcoming remarks from project leaders at 4pm.
Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, March 14, 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 >>
Arts Council Meeting
Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Events Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
The City of Mercer Island invites you to participate in the public engagement process of creating an art and culture policy addendum to the City’s comprehensive plan. City staff and the Arts Council have created a draft version of the statement and will be soliciting input from the Mercer Island community.
“Lunchtime Lessons” – Authentic Irish Cuisine
Thursday, March 15, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Tired of all the Irish clichés that pop up around St. Patrick’s Day? Join Carol and dive into dishes that will give you a delicious and more authentic sampling of Irish cuisine. They’ll celebrate St. Patty’s with a demonstration class and lunch of Irish stew of beef & stout, along with beloved colcannon and champ — and you’ll learn the secret behind baking a good loaf of Irish soda bread!
Learn more >>
Mercer Island Community Blood Drive
Thursday, March 15, 10 am – 4 pm
King Insurance Parking Lot, 2807 78th Ave SE
The need for blood never goes away. Become a blood donor in 2018 & see how you can have a positive impact in your community. Don’t forget to eat, drink fluids, and bring your photo ID. You can also schedule an appointment by following the link below!
Learn more >>
St. Patrick’s Day Senior Lunch
Thursday, March 15, Noon – 1 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Join us for a “bit of the blarney” as we celebrate this Irish holiday. Be sure to wear green! Corned beef and cabbage lunch will be served. For ages 65+. Luncheon costs $5.50. Registration required and transportation will be available. Call (206) 275-7609 to reserve your spot and a ride on the bus. Course ID #: 17363.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, March 15, 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].
District Orchestra/Concerto Concert
Thursday, March 15, 7 pm
MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 SE 42nd St
The Mercer Island Orchestra Program, under Mrs. Vicki White Miltun, serves over 230 students from grades 5th through 12th. Admission is free and the entire community is welcome. See you there!
Mercer Island Directory Mailing Day
Friday, March 16, 9 am – Noon
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
Refreshments and gratitude! Join members of the Mercer Island Guild in getting the Directory ready for delivery by the USPS. Come help add inserts and stuff over 6,000 envelopes. This is the 75th-anniversary issue of the phonebook. Published yearly, it is a unique community resource that generates funds to support the Uncompensated Care and Research programs at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Learn more >>
Seattle Jewish Film Festival: Film Screenings at SJCC
Friday, March 16 – March 18
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
The Seattle Jewish Film Festival is an annual and year-round international cinematic exploration and celebration of Jewish and Israeli life, culture, identity, complexity, diversity, and history for everyone.
During the Seattle Jewish Film Festival, there will be several films screened at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Below are the films that will be shown at SJCC, along with their dates/times and additional event details:
YTN presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
March 9 – April 1
Fridays, 7 pm, Saturdays, 7pm, & Sundays, 2 pm
Parish Hall Theatre, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Youth Theatre Northwest presents their latest production, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a soul crushing loss.
Learn more >>
Classics on Film: Winter Series
Friday, March 16, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya – Theater, 2430 76th Ave SE
This week’s film is My Fair Lady (1964). 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.
Cycling in Europe: From Passau to Vienna
Saturday, March 17, 10 – 11 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Each year, a Mercer Island couple joins hundreds of cycling enthusiasts criss-crossing Europe on protected cycle routes. You can too! Learn how to organize your trip and cycle at your own pace along the river Danube through the picturesque countryside. You will receive first-hand information and practical tips on bike rentals, accommodation, food, and transportation without breaking the bank.
Restoration Event
Saturday, March 17, 10 am – 2 pm
Secret Park, SE 27th Street and West Mercer Way
Meet: playground at corner of SE 27th & 64th 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.
MIPC Concert: Lyrics Art Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, March 18, 7 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church is excited to feature the 17-voice and Chamber Orchestra “Lyric Arts Ensemble” in a FREE concert presentation of “In Perfect Harmony – Music and Poetry.” Their beautiful Sanctuary will provide a wonderful setting for this event!
Learn more >>
Mercer Island Half Marathon
Sunday, March 18, 7:30 am
Various locations around the Island
Every year, thousands of runners and walkers cross the finish line at the annual springtime running of Mercer Island Rotary’s Half Marathon which includes 10K and 5K races along with a Kids’ Dash, all designed to help raise funds and awareness to fight colon cancer and to benefit an array of other charitable causes supported by the Mercer Island Rotary Club Foundation. (Traffic around the Island may be affected by this event.)
Learn more >>
Making Mensches: Building Character in the Digital Age
Sunday, March 18, 10 am
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
An interactive, educational workshop for parents, teens, educators, and future do-gooders with filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author, public speaker, and internet pioneer, who creates films that spawn global social initiatives (Character Day, 50/50 Day). Explore the intersection of technology and (Jewish) identity that build connection while also building strong relationships, global awareness, and character. Bagels, coffee, and beverages served.
Learn more >>
Play Chess at the Library!
Sunday, March 18, 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! There will be upcoming chess events each month.
Tiffany Parks, Author of Midnight in the Piazza
Sunday, March 18, 4 – 6 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Island Books is excited to welcome author Tiffany Parks (who also happened to grow up shopping at the store) to discuss her new middle grade mystery novel, Midnight in the Piazza, an exciting race through Rome. Her novel will be available for purchase at the store.
Learn more >>
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group