Here’s our weekly round-up of events from October 22- 28 on Mercer Island:
Talk Time
Monday, October 22, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Improve your speaking and listening skills in this conversation group for English language learners. Learn more about American culture and meet people from around the world. Walk-ins welcome.
Commuter Parking & Mixed-Use Development Project Community Presentation
Monday, October 22, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
In August, the City announced it was seeking interested, experienced, and capable property developers to design and build a commuter parking and mixed-use development at the old Tully’s Coffee shop location. From a pool of nine submittals, five semi-finalists were selected based on how strongly they demonstrated their qualifications, a clear understanding of the City’s goals, and an ability to work with local communities. These five firms have been invited to participate in an interview and community presentation/Q&A meeting.
Resilience: Do You Have It? Can You Get It?
Monday, October 22, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Do people describe you as resilient? Do you think of yourself as resilient? We invite you to share and learn with Dori Gillam, a storyteller and facilitator, who recovered from a spinal cord injury and shattered arm in 2017.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, October 23, 2- 7 pm
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4001 Island Crest Way
The congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is partnering with The American Red Cross to host a community blood drive. All are welcome and invite your friends!
Parent Edge presents “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World”
Tuesday, October 23, 7 pm
Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd St
Mercer Island Parent Edge will be hosting internationally recognized educator, speaker, and author Dr. Michelle Borba, who will be presenting on her book, “Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World.”
Intro to Israeli Dancing
Tuesday, October 23, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Get on your feet and try something more than the Hora! All levels welcome at this introductory class.
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 programs designed especially for you and your young child.
Tuesday, October 23
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Wednesday, October 24
Play & Learn (ages 5 and younger) – 10:30 am – Noon
Thursday, October 25
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, October 24, & Friday, October 26, 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 or tea while catching up with old acquaintances or meeting new friends.
For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, October 24, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones to enjoy popular picture books read by Island Books’ staff or special guests.
Trunk or Treat at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Wednesday, October 24, 6 – 8 pm
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8501 SE 40th Street
Parade in your costume, then head to the parking lot for “‘Trunk or Treat”! There will be crafts, games, and snacks. Bring a pumpkin to carve – we have all the tools. Please bring a jar of peanut butter to donate to MIYFS and invite your friends and neighbors!
Wine Wednesdays at Caruccio’s
Wednesday, October 24, 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.
Meet the Artists Behind the Mural
Thursday, October 25, 4 pm
Aubrey Davis Park, 72nd SE & SE 22nd
Join us as we celebrate Darwin’s Dream, the new mural at West Mercer Way. Meet us at Aubrey Davis Park near the mural site for light refreshments, and learn more about the artistic process from local artists Rachel Holloway, Eliza Brown, and Sophie Stilon. Then head up to the mural to see the details for yourself! In case of rain, this event will move to the Mercer Island Community & Event Center.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, October 25, 4 – 7 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
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]
Thursday Food & Film Night at Caruccio’s
Thursday, October 25, 5 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
This week’s film is Big Night. Watch featured movies projected on Caruccio’s big screen with subtitles and soft audio. Enjoy your wine by the glass along with complimentary appetizers inspired by the classic or foreign film of the evening.
Film & Panel : Crime After Crime
Thursday, October 25, 7 – 9 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Deborah Peagler experienced years of abuse by a violent boyfriend before being sentenced to life in prison for his murder. Crime After Crime, a Sundance Film Festival documentary, amplifies the stories of women, like Deborah, who survived domestic abuse only to be re-victimized by the U.S. judicial system.
Join Jewish Family Service of Seattle, the Coalition Ending Gender Based Violence, and organizations from across the community for an important and timely screening of Crime After Crime. A post-film panel will discuss how we can better understand and reform our systems to provide increased protection for survivors and reduce the compounding trauma that results from relationship-based violence.
Get Ready Mercer Island! Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness
Thursday, October 25, 7 – 8:15 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
We live in the Pacific Northwest where disasters can happen anywhere and any time, particularly catastrophic earthquakes. Ensure you and your family know what to do when disaster strikes. Presented by Mercer Island’s Emergency Manager, Jennifer Franklin.
Open Book Club: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Thursday, October 25, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
In October, our Open Book Club will read and discuss The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. In this historical novel, two women–a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947–are brought together in a story of courage and redemption. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase the book in the store you’ll get a 10% discount.
Meesha – Royal Kitchen of Jodhpur
Friday, October 26, 7 – 10 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Please welcome back the local culinary geniuses, Meesha! For this evening, they will be creating Jodhpuri dishes from the vibrant region of Rajasthan, famous for its culture and delectable cuisine. Meesha continually captures the essence of the varied landscape of India in full vibrance by recreating the traditional recipes that have been carried through generations and loved by all.
Youth Theatre Northwest presents: The Night of a Thousand Scares
Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27, 7 pm
Parrish Hall Theatre at YTN, 4400 86th Ave SE
Get into the Halloween spirit with two tales of terror. Join Old Nancy, the Witch of Salem and her faithful feline sidekick, Satan, for a spooky story presented in vintage radio style—complete with live sound effects! Then be among the first to see the world premiere of YTN’s original horror film, Midsummer Madness. It promises to be a fright-tastic evening of fun.
Classics on Film : Searching for Bobby Fischer
Friday, October 19, 7:30 pm
Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave SE
The Classics on Film series, sponsored by the Arts Council, celebrates the amazing variety of chess-themed cinema with the film, Searching for Bobby Fischer. Film historian Lance Rhoades will introduce and lead a Q&A following the film. All screenings are free and open to the public.
Fall Recycling Event
Saturday, October 27, 9 am – 3 pm
Luther Burbank Park South Parking Lot, 2040 84th Ave SE
Safely dispose of old equipment, appliances, and household items that are cluttering your basement or garage at the annual Mercer Island Fall Recycling Event. Document shredding will also be offered onsite. Please bring a non-perishable food (or cash) donation for the City’s Food Pantry.
National Prescription Take – Back Day
Saturday, October 27, 10 am – 2 pm
Mercer Island City Hall Loading Dock, 9611 SE 36th Street
It is a great time to clean out your medicine cabinet! Protect kids, families and the environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Mercer Island are coordinating a nationwide drug “take-back” day. This one-day event provides residents with a no-cost, anonymous collection of unwanted and expired medicines.
Halloween Open House and Canned Food Drive
Saturday, October 27, Noon – 4 pm
Mercer Island Martial Arts, 2630 77th Ave SE
Mercer Island Martial Arts is celebrating 21 years of hosting their annual Halloween Open House and Canned Food Drive! The festivities include a bouncy house, costume contests, a martial arts demo from our demo team, candy, and prizes. Drop-in anytime! Admission to the party is 10 items for the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Food Bank.
Pick a Pic: The Great Photo Giveaway
Saturday, October 27, 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday, October 28, 1 – 4 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
The Mercer Island Historical Society, in cooperation with the Mercer Island Library and the Mercer Island Reporter is making available hundreds of black-and-white photos that were used in the production of the Mercer Island Reporter newspaper from the 1970s to about 2000. There will also be 11 years of past issues of the Reporter to take home; 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, and 2005. These papers have been digitized and are now available online. If you or someone you know had your picture in the newspaper then, come and get it.
Fall Chocolate Class
Saturday, October 27, 7 – 9 pm
Oh! Chocolate, 2703 76th Ave SE
Oh! Chocolate hosts “Chocolate” classes at the Mercer Island chocolate shop for those who want to know more about their favorite indulgence and for those who just want to “play in the chocolate!” The classes usually last from 1.5 to 2 hours and includes the art of tempering chocolate and dipping special treats to take home.
Fall Festival at Emmanuel Church
Sunday, October 28, 10:30 am
Emmanuel Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Following the 9:30 service there will be plenty of treats to celebrate the season! Join us for trunk or treating, a chili cook-off, and entertainment for all! All ages are invited to wear a costume to church too!
Mercer Island Saddle Club Fall Festival
Sunday, October 28, noon – 3 pm
Mercer Island Saddle Club, 8635 SE 68th Street
The Mercer Island Saddle Club would like to invite you to their Fall Festival fundraiser. They will have bouncy houses, food, games, hayrides, horse halloween pageant, crafts, and, most importantly, a silent auction. All proceeds from the event will go to the historical school cottage that recently had a fire and needs rebuilt. It will be fun for the whole family!
Easy Asian Appetizers with Chef Kay Kim
Sunday, October 28, 1 – 3:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Make easy Asian appetizers for your next party! Chef Kay Kim will show you how to dazzle your guests with these authentic, beautiful (and delicious!) appetizers. Chef Kay has been teaching cooking techniques for many years, as well as using them in her thriving catering business. You will enjoy these lovely few hours with her in this interactive demo.
Film & Panel: Monkey Business
Sunday, October 28, 2 – 4 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Monkey Business recounts the extraordinary lives and harrowing journey of Hans and Margret Rey, the husband-and-wife duo who penned the beloved “Curious George” children’s books. It has been 75 years since Curious George first touched the hearts and minds of children around the world, but little is known about his creators. They were German Jews living in Paris who narrowly escaped Nazi occupation by fleeing on makeshift bicycles across Europe, carrying their yet-to-be-published “Curious George” “manuscript with them. A great introduction to the Holocaust for middle schoolers and up. Includes post-film panel and Q&A.
MIPC Fall Festival
Sunday, October 28, 3 – 5 pm
MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
The fun begins at 3:00 with Trunk n’ Treat, when the entire east parking lot will be lined with cars, trunks open, decorated, and ready to welcome our youngest ghosts and goblins (and pirates and witches and everyone!). From there, kids are invited to create delightful autumn crafts, jump in the bouncy house, wrap a mummy, and finally join in the costume parade. All in the gym, rain or shine! We will also be collecting items for the Mercer Island Food Pantry.
Trunk or Treat at St. Monica Catholic School
Sunday, October 28, 5 – 7 pm
St. Monica Catholic School, Upper Parking Lot, 4320 87th Ave SE
Trunk or Treat is a FREE, fun, safe way to celebrate Halloween! Participants of the event decorate their cars/trunks in the upper parking lot and children walk from trunk to trunk to look at the decorations and receive candy and treats. This event provides a controlled and safe family environment for trick-or-treaters of all ages.
