Your guide to life on
Mercer Island, WA
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group
Here’s our weekly round-up of events from May 14 – 20 on Mercer Island:
Moms Demand Action – First Official Meeting
Monday, May 14, 7 pm
RSVP for location
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots volunteer group of moms, dads, survivors, and citizens that formed the day after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This organization is working for common sense gun policies that will protect our families and communities. During the first official meeting for Mercer Island’s chapter, they’ll talk about the legislative work and BeSMART campaign to educate people about gun safety and prevent child gun deaths. Please RSVP via the link below if you are able to attend. Once you RSVP, the location will be disclosed.
Mercer Island Orchestra Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 15, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Performing Arts Center,
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!
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, May 16 & Friday, May 18, 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, May 16, 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, May 16, 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.
Shavuot Cheesecake Making Class
Wednesday, May 16, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
In honor of Shavuot, SJCC is hosting a cheesecake making class with instructor Kayla Disfriend. Explore the meaning of this springtime holiday and the tradition behind eating dairy as you create (and sample!) delicious desserts.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, May 17, 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].
Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
Thursday, May 17, 7:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
This screening is part of the SJFF Encore: Jewish Stars of the Silver Screen at SJCC. A toe-tapping, star-studded homage to an immensely talented black, Puerto Rican, and Jewish Rat Pack entertainer.
Ehud Barak: My Country, My Life
Friday, May 18, 5:15 – 7:15 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Island Books is proud to partner with SJCC as they welcome former Israeli Prime Minister and Labor Party leader Ehud Barak in conversation about his memoir My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Fighting for Peace. Drawing on his experiences as a military and political leader, Barak offers candid assessments of his fellow Israeli politicians, of the American administrations with whom he worked, and of himself. VIP tickets (only 50 attendees) include reception and meet-and-greet with Ehud Barak, book signing, and photos. Bundled tickets (including discounted pre-signed book) are advance purchase only and general admission tickets are also available. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Family Night: Around the World!
Friday, May 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
The Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to host its second annual Family Night at the Community and Event Center. This event was created to encourage families and community members to come together and enjoy an evening of music, food, crafts, active games and fun. Join us this year for an unforgettable trip around the world! Taste international treats, play multicultural activities and games, and dance to music from all around the planet. This FREE family event is for all ages, and a great activity for the whole family. Please register online or by phone before May 15 (Course number 1368).
Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There
*Closing Weekend!*
May 4 – 20
Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm
Parish Theatre, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Youth Theatre Northwest presents an original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s story, “Through the Looking Glass.” This production is the culminating show of the Kamishibai project, YTN’s collaboration with Japanese artists. Join Alice as she embarks on a peculiar and thrilling adventure from one quirky world to the next in pursuit of her beloved but tempestuous cat. Along the way, there are outrageous characters to meet: Red Queen, White Queen, Tweedle Dee, and Humpty Dumpty. Everyone has a story to share while painting a dreamy and hilarious picture of Wonderland. *Please read special note on website regarding the performance.*
Annual Free Recycling & Secure Document Shredding Event
Saturday, May 19, 9 am – 2 pm
Windermere Mercer Island Parking Lot, 2737 77th Ave SE
Bring your recyclable items (working or not) to the event. All recycling services are free! We’re also sponsoring a Confidential Data Disposal truck for free and secure shredding of sensitive documents. Visit the link below to find out which items are acceptable for the recycling event.
World Travels: Spectacular Italy
Saturday, May 19, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Fashion! Film! Food! Italy has it all….and in Italy, nothing is worth doing unless it is done with gusto. Italy’s passion for the dramatic shows in all of its spectacular history, from the monumental works of Roman engineers, to its magnificent cathedrals, and its grandiose operas. Join scholar (and world traveler) Lance Rhoades, who has spent several years in this fascinating country, on a cultural sightseeing tour through Italy’s vineyards, canals, piazzas, and more.
Peter Donahue, Author of Three Sides Water
Saturday, May 19, 6 – 7:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Island Books is delighted to welcome Peter Donahue, who over the course of a long career has produced an inimitable fictional chronicle of our Northwest region. His books include the award-winning novels Madison House and Clara & Merritt, and (as editor) the acclaimed anthology Reading Seattle: The City in Prose. His latest work is Three Sides Water, portraying the lives of three young people who seek meaning in an often violent, insensible world. Donahue distills the raw and vivid world of the Olympic Peninsula into a stunning work that challenges what it means—in three distinct eras—to live life with purpose and integrity. His book will be available for purchase at Island Books.
Local Author Festival
Sunday, May 20, 2 – 4 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
At Island Books’ Local Author Festival, you will be able to meet and greet some of the top writing talents in the region, sample their work, ask questions, and even take home an autographed book. Be sure to visit all the author stations for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate good on your next visit. In addition to meeting the new authors, there will be drinks and snacks to share. Here’s the slate of esteemed guests:
Talk at SJCC on Gentleman’s Agreement: Hollywood’s Stand Against Anti-Semitism
Sunday, May 20, 4 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Cecilia Peck, daughter of the film’s star, Gregory Peck, shares her father’s personal story behind making Gentleman’s Agreement and his social justice calling throughout his career. Historian Claudine Stevens analyzes the impact of the groundbreaking book and movie through a riveting presentation of clips and research about novelist Laura Z. Hobson and all those involved with the film, and how it paved the way for more hard-hitting films to follow.
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group