Here’s our weekly round-up of events from May 8 – 14 on Mercer Island:

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, May 9
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

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

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, May 10 & Friday, May 12, 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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Gluten-Free on a Budget with a NSM Nutritionist 
Wednesday, May 10, 10 – 11 am
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Avenue SE

Specialty gluten-free products have a reputation for being hard on the wallet. But thankfully, NSM carries a huge selection of foods that are naturally gluten-free and oh-so tasty. Come to this Nutrition Tour and you’ll leave with a great shopping list and many valuable resources to help you navigate the gluten-free world in a budget-friendly way. Free. Online registration required.
Learn more >>

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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, May 10, 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, May 10, 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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Intro to Home Canning
Wednesday, May 10, 6 – 8 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Avenue SE

Join Chris from Seattle Pickle Co. (a local vendor) at the Mercer Island New Seasons Market to learn more about home canning! He will introduce you to some tips and tricks, walk you through a recipe, and let you take home your very own jar of goodness. This event is $12 per person and includes food, supplies, and your own jar to take home. Please pay when you arrive.
Learn more >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, May 11, 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. The Community & Events Center has 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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Prospective Council Candidates Workshop
Thursday, May 11, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street

Are you thinking about running for the Mercer Island City Council? Do you have questions about the position and all it entails? Come join City staff on Thursday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at City Hall to learn more about the unique role of the Councilmember. Basic information about serving on the City Council is available.

To become a Council candidate, you must complete and file a Declaration of Candidacy with King County Elections, meet the qualifications for the office at the time of filing, and be registered to vote in the City of Mercer Island. Online and in-person candidate filing starts May 15, 2017, at 9:00am and ends on May 19, 2017, at 4:00pm. More information from King County Elections here.

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Kertzer Brothers: David and Jon in Conversation
Thursday, May 11, 7:30 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way

Author David Kertzer talks about his work in a conversation moderated by his Seattle-based brother, Jon Kertzer, a Seattle music luminary, scholar, and KEXP/KBCS radio host. The brothers will discuss David’s Pulitzer-winning biography, “The Pope and Mussolini,” as well as “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara,” a National Book Award finalist in 1997 currently being adapted into a film by Tony Kushner and Steven Spielberg.
Learn more >>

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MIPC Huge Rummage Sale 
Friday, May 12, 5 – 8 pm, and Saturday May 13, 9 am – 1 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
3605 84th Ave SE

MIPC is hosting a huge Rummage Sale on Friday, May 12th and Saturday, May 13th. All proceeds from this event will go toward Leschi families in need and building materials for Mexico homes.  There will be a wide variety of items for sale, such as electronics, books, clothing, toys, tools, housewares, holiday crafts, furniture, sports equipment, linens, and more! Shop pre-sale on Friday May 12th starting at 4:30 pm and get a first pick at all the items ($5 donation for admission).

For more information or questions regarding this event, contact Ruth Ann Biggers ([email protected]).

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Youth Theatre Northwest presents The Hundred Dresses
May 5 – 21
Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm; Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm
Parish Hall Theatre – Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

Based on the book by Eleanor Estes and adapted by Mary Hall Surface, The Hundred Dresses is about why it’s so important to stand up to bullies, even when they’re your friends. Maddie doesn’t agree with how her friend Peggy and their classmates bully Wanda, but Maddie doesn’t speak up, out of fear of getting teased herself. After Wanda’s family moves away, Maddie realizes her silence can be just as hurtful as bullying, and she takes a different stand when her classmates find a new target.

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Restoration Event
Saturday, May 13, 9 am – 3 pm
Gallagher Hill Open Space, Gallagher Hill Rd
Meet: City Hall Parking Lot, 9611 SE 36th Street

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.

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Open Window School Book Fair
Saturday, May 13, 9 am – 6 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Support Open Window School by shopping at Island Books any time on Saturday, May 13th. Mention “Open Window” at checkout and Island Books will donate 20% of your purchase to the school.
Learn more >>

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Community Baby Shower
Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am – noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Sponsored by the Mercer Island Library and Sing With Our Kids, this special event is for expectant and new moms. (Babies under one year welcome!) You’ll get great information on reading and singing to babies, hear a special mini concert by Nancy Stewart, and have time to visit and share. Moms will also receive gift bags, and refreshments will be available. Please RSVP to Nancy ([email protected]) to reserve your gift bag.

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Run Like a Girl: Hard, Fast, & Strong 5K 
Saturday, May 13, 10 am
Luther Burbank Park

Sponsored by Windermere Real Estate, Mercer Island Chiropractic, and Mercer Island FC, this all-female 5K is a fun run through Luther Burbank Park, celebrating female fitness for all ages! The registration fee supports MI Parks & Recreation activities, events, and programs. Visit the website below to learn more on how to register!

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Curtis Manley, Author of The Crane Girl & Shawn Loves Sharks
Saturday, May 13, 4 – 5:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books is pleased to welcome author Curtis Manley to the store in celebration of the launch of his new picture books, The Crane Girl and Shawn Loves Sharks. Join us for a festive afternoon of storytelling and fun!
Learn more >>

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Seattle Music Legends: Sue Ennis and Hummie Mann
Saturday, May 13, 7:30 pm (No-host happy hour at 6:30 pm)
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way

Join SJCC for a rare, live performance from two Seattle recording legends. Songwriter Sue Ennis has co-written over 70 songs for the legendary rock band, Heart, and Hummie Mann is an Emmy-award winning Hollywood film composer who has scored two Mel Brooks films (Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula, Dead and Loving It); co-produced hit scores for Sleepless in Seattle and A Few Good Men; and orchestrated and conducted countless others.
Learn more >>

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CCMI Choir 9th Annual Fundraiser
Saturday,  May 13, 6:30 pm
Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way

Join us for a fundraiser event for CCMI Choir’s ninth annual evening of food, song, spirited bidding, and surprises. This year’s theme is “If Music Be the Food of Love,” inspired by the Bard himself. You’ll be wrapped in music as you are wined and dined by our attentive staff of choir members, who will also be participating in musical numbers related to Romeo and Juliet and Westside Story. We will also be featuring guest artists, including an acrobatic dancer and our very own Choir Director and his wife.

There will also be a silent auction (including weekend getaways and fun gift baskets). For information on tickets for the dinner and concert, please contact [email protected]

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High School Yoga Class with Mom 
Sunday, May 14, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Yogabliss, 7803 SE 27th Street

Bring your Mom with you to High School Yoga Class on Mother’s Day, and Mom’s class is free! Heather Feldman will lead this special 60-minute practice which will include some fun partner work, traditional yoga poses, and a very relaxing savasana! Sign up through the link below.
Learn more >>