Here’s our weekly round-up of events from October 2 – 8 on Mercer Island:

Fall 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 October 3 
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

Thursday October 5
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm

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Islander Middle School Book Club
Tuesday, October 3, 4 – 5 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

This book club is for middle school students who want to read books together, share books, and talk about books. Bring your own books to share! There will also be cookie bar treats, too! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library and will also meet on November 7 and December 5.

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Town Hall Conversation at the J
Tuesday, October 3, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Together with their Board of Directors, the Stroum Jewish Community Center is taking part in a strategic planning process. Come discuss the future of the J and help shape the next chapter.

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Kick the Sugar: Part 1 with a NSM Nutritionist
Tuesday, October 3, 6 – 7 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Avenue Southeast

Get a handle on your sugar craving before the holidays! From agave nectar to xylitol, sugar can stealthily sneak into your diet behind a variety of aliases. We’ll meet twice, first to get you set up to ditch added sugar for the month of October, then we’ll get back together to check in and share tips for ongoing success. This event is free, but registration is required.
Learn more >>

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Clint Gresham, Author of Becoming
Tuesday, October 3, 6:30 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books is pleased to be hosting former Seahawk Clint Gresham. Winner of a Super Bowl ring, he is also the author of Becoming, his brand-new book. Becoming unfolds a gripping and inspirational reality check, reminding us all that the point of life is not the destination, but the journey. Since space is limited, priority for seating will be granted to those who place a credit card preorder for Becoming through Island Books’ website.
Learn more >>

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Finding the Right Colleges for You
Tuesday, October 3, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

There are over 2,000 colleges in the United States. How can you identify those schools where you will be happiest and most successful? This seminar will teach you how to be a savvy college shopper. We’ll share ways to recognize what types of colleges might be a good fit, discuss how to evaluate the factors that need to be considered, and share some insights from current college students No registration required. This FREE event is presented by Tom Barry of CollegeWise and part of the Life After High School series hosted by KCLS.

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, October 4 & Friday, October 6, 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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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, October 4, 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, October 4, 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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Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, October 4, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Avenue 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 >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, October 5, 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].

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Jumpstart Your Health in 4 Easy Steps with a NSM Nutritionist
Thursday, October 5, 6 – 7 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Avenue Southeast

We’ve come up with a simple, four-step plan to help you eat better and feel great. Join a New Seasons Market Nutritionist for a store tour focused on the foundational concepts and tools you need to develop new healthy eating habits. This event is free, but registration is required.
Learn more >>

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Opera Preview: The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini
Thursday, October 5, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

After a disastrous opening night in 1817, The Barber of Seville went on to become one of the most beloved and frequently performed operas of all time. This free lecture, provided to increase the enjoyment and appreciation of Seattle Opera productions, will feature Norm Hollingshead with recorded musical excerpts. Space is limited, so first come, first seated. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.

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First Friday Art Walk
Friday, October 6

Come out for Mercer Island’s First Friday Art Walk. Art galleries on Mercer Island will be hosting their art walk events on the first Friday of the month (and some have free wine!). Mercer SOURCES, Clarke + Clarke, and SZ Gallery will be participating.

Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
7605 SE 27th St Suite 105
Learn more >>

Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
Learn more >> 

Mercer SOURCES
Hours: 5 – 9 pm
7605 SE 27th Street, Suite 107
Learn more >>

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Celebrating New Discoveries, Honoring the Well Known
Friday, October 6, 5 – 8 pm
Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts, 2709 SE 27th Street

For the First Friday Art Walk, Clarke + Clarke will be exhibiting two installations in their gallery. “CELEBRATING NEW DISCOVERIES” is the premiere gallery exhibition of original metal artwork by Jason Rhinevault from Sammamish WA. The subjects are purely abstract. Steel is the common denominator in most of his work. Shapes are sometimes ribbon-like, often purely sculptural, and always strikingly contemporary, from rugged to softly precise.

“HONORING THE WELL KNOWN” is an installation consisting of 5 well known and collectible artists works: Russel Frost, Angie Dixon, Mark Molinas, Ian McLeod, and Jennifer Goldberger. Each of these artists works are unique and affordable, and include Oil Painting, Serigraph, Painting on Handmade Paper, Framed Metal art, and Sumi painting.
Learn more >>

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Ilona Bray, Author of Mossby’s Magic Carpet Handbook
Saturday, October 7, 4 – 5:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Don’t miss this rare appearance by a worker from the factory where magic carpets are made. Assistant Magicalist Ilona Bray will leave her remote cave to show future fliers how to deal with important scientific and practical questions, like: How will you find your way home? Why do you fart more at high altitude? And what happens if you fall off? Entertaining and educational, this event is FREE and most appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Learn more >>

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Sukkot Family Hoedown and Havdalah
Saturday, October 7, 6 – 8 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Grab your cowboy boots for a rootin’ tootin’ Sukkot celebration! Enjoy dinner, entertainment from the Boot Boogie Babes, line dancing, Havdalah, and fun for the whole family. Everyone will get a red bandana to decorate and wear.

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Cilantro Sisters present “Saffron & Sea Shells”
Saturday, October 7, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Avenue SE, Suite 100

Caruccio’s is hosting a pop-up Indian themed dinner with the Cilantro Sisters — Sutapa, Sumana and Aditi — who have bonded over their love of food and passion for bringing contemporary Indian food to the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased online.

Learn more >>

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Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, October 8, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street

Last Farmers Market of the Season! Celebrating their 10th season, the Mercer Island Farmers Market is open every Sunday from June – October! Enjoy the sunshine and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as locally made food and drinks, local artisan crafts, and fun activities for the whole family. Visit the website for weekly updates and special events.
Learn more >>

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Keiko’s Journey Book Drama
Sunday, October 8, 3 – 4:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Local author and business owner Keiko Kay Hirai, and 4 cast members, enact Kay’s experiences of overcoming violence, isolation and family secrets in post-war Japan based on her memoir, Keiko’s Journey. This program sheds light on turbulent times in Japan, a period when a defeated population had to deal with the aftermath of losing the war and recovering after the atomic bombs.

Keiko’s Journey takes us into the past, but it is really a contemporary story relevant to millions of immigrants, migrants and refugees… people who live in two worlds, yet feel as though they don’t belong anywhere. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and part of the “Know Your History” series through KCLS.

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Stella Parks, Author of BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts
Sunday, October 8, 4 – 5:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books welcomes James Beard Award nominee Stella Parks to talk about her debut cookbook, BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts. Stella is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a James Beard Award–nominated writer for Serious Eats. She was also named one of America’s Best New Pastry Chefs by Food & Wine.

In BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts, Stella shares foolproof recipes for classic American desserts in her debut cookbook. With a historian’s rigor and a scientist’s curiosity, Parks documents the intriguing stories of how our favorite desserts came to be, their inventors and innovators, and the best methods for recreating these tasty classics at home.
Learn more >>