Here’s our weekly round-up of events from October 23 – 29 on Mercer Island:

FREE Taste ‘n’ Talk Event
Monday, October 23, 6 – 7 pm
Ideal Weight Loss and Wellness, 2558 76th Ave SE, Suite 140

Join Ideal Weight Loss and Wellness for a FREE Taste ‘n Talk hour dedicated to you and your health! During this educational seminar, you will learn how to shed body fat by understanding more about hormone issues that cause weight gain. You can also sample tasty Ideal Protein foods and meet the coaches. Please RSVP and bring a friend!
Learn more >>

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

Thursday October 26
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm

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Kick the Sugar: Part 2 with a NSM Nutritionist
Tuesday, October 24, 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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The Scoop on Financial Aid – Don’t Pay Full Price
Tuesday, October 24, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Presented by Peg Keough (Way to the Quad). Colleges and universities are offering significant discounts and scholarships. Did you know that an in-state public university could end up costing more than a private university? Come to this workshop to learn about the nuts and bolts of financing college, the financial aid application process, sources of aid, and how to find out if you are eligible for need or non-need based aid. No registration required.

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, October 25 & Friday, October 27, 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 25, 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 25, 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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MIPC Fall Festival
Wednesday, October 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church invites you to join in the fun at their annual Fall Festival. Activities include: trunk & treat, dinner, costume parade (Kids and Adults!), bouncy house, games, and more! The cost is free, but Thanksgiving donations suggested!

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Tweens, Teens & Tech: Straight Talk with Jo Langford
Wednesday, October 25, 7 pm
MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 SE 42nd Street

Mercer Island Parent Edge presents a straightforward conversation with Jo Langford, a Master’s-level therapist, sex educator for tweens, teens, and parents. She’ll address the most popular apps teens are using; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Three Big Bads: Sexting, Cyberbullying, and Porn; and what parents can do about them. Learn how to help your kids make healthy choices with tips and tools on navigating these difficult topics. Don’t miss what is sure to be a lively and enlightening evening! Only for parents of middle and high school students, no children. Free for PTA members in the Mercer Island School District. $10 at the door for non-Mercer Island PTA members.
Learn more >>

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Medicare Made Clear
Wednesday, October 25, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

This workshop will provide an overview of the different parts of Medicare (Parts A, B, C, D) and its supplements, what they cover, and how they work. There will be a discussion about the different ways you can receive your benefits, including the pros and cons of each, as well as the approximate costs. They will also cover enrollment and eligibility guidelines. The goal of the meeting is to provide useful information that will put you in a better position to make an informed decision on your Medicare coverage. The presenter is not connected to the Federal Medicare program.

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Film & Panel: Angst: Breaking the Stigma around Anxiety
Wednesday, October 25, 7 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Anxiety in children is on the rise. This documentary and post-film panel of experts explores its causes, effects, and what we can do about it. Parents, tweens, and teens welcome (ages 10 and up!).
Learn more >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, October 26, 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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Shabbat Project: Great Big Challah Bake
Thursday, October 26, 7 – 9 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Put on your apron and discover the art of making and braiding challah, and the mystique of this time-honored tradition, at the 4th annual Shabbat Project Great Big Challah Bake. Take home two delicious, ready-to-bake loaves just in time to join communities all over the world celebrating Shabbat.
Learn more >>

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Open Book Club: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Thursday, October 26, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

In October, Island Books will read and discuss Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Just Mercy is an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice. Island Books’ Open Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase your book at the store, you’ll get a 10% discount.
Learn more >>

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Mercer Island High School Food Truck Frenzy & All-Island Band Night
Friday, October 27
Food Truck Frenzy: 5 – 6:30 pm
All-Island Band Night / Football Game: 5:45 – 10 pm

Organized by the Mercer Island Schools Band Booster Club, the MIHS Food Truck frenzy will feed hungry Islanders before the evening’s All Island Band Night and MIHS football game. The food trucks will be open for business from 6 to 6:30 pm.  Seating will be available in the MIHS Commons.  After getting your food-truck fare fill, head over to MIHS stadium for a performance you won’t want to miss. All Island Band Night is Mercer Island’s largest outdoor concert of the year featuring bands from all MISD schools with students from grades 5-12.  Then cheer on the MIHS football team as the play the Juanita Rebels.
Mercer Island School District calendar >>

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Mediterranean Diet with a NSM Nutritionist 
Saturday, October 28, 10 – 11 am
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE

Known for their longevity, people living in the Mediterranean region must be doing something right. Many scientists attribute their vigor to what’s in their kitchens – an array of simple, wholesome ingredients, and of course, extra virgin olive oil. Come learn the benefits of this eating style and how to emulate it in your home. This event is free and registration is required.
Learn more >>

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The Halloween Detective and the Case of the (Not So) Haunted Mansion
Saturday, October 28, 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday, October 29, 1 – 3 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

In contrast to a traditional haunted house, Youth Theatre Northwest’s Halloween activity is a non-scary, 30 minute guided adventure specifically created for the most imaginative tots, preschoolers and early elementary age children (ages 3 – 8). This fun detective story, paired with your child’s problem solving skills, will make for an incredibly creative afternoon where your child gets to save the day. Halloween costumes are encouraged! Also, please note that The Halloween Detective is an outdoor, rain or shine event. All guests are encouraged to dress weather appropriate and wear suitable shoes. (This event will also be on October 2th & 29th!)

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Restoration Event – Planting Event!
Saturday, October 28, 10 am – 2 pm
Island Crest Park, 5800 Island Crest Way
Meet: parking lot.

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. *This event will be all about planting!*

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Drug “Take-Back” Day 
Saturday, October 28, 10 am – 2 pm
Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street

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 prescriptions (including narcotics) as well as over-the-counter medicines. If you have questions, please call MI Youth and Family Services at 206-275-7755. You can protect our kids, families and environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines.

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Radical Robots Workshop
Saturday, October 28, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

This event is presented by Pacific Science Center. For kids ages 8 and older, get ready to have a have a swarm of adorable robots take over the library! Learn to use Kibo®, the robot that develops and optimizes programs, and complete challenges while discovering the world of robotics and basic program design. Registration is not required, but space is limited.

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Halloween Open House and Canned Food Drive
Saturday, October 28, Noon – 4 pm
Mercer Island Martial Arts, 2630 77th Ave SE

This year, Mercer Island Martial Arts is celebrating 20 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! Stay for ten minutes or two hours. Parents/caregivers requested to attend the open house with their children.  Admission to the party is 5 items for the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Food Bank.
Learn more >>

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Yoga Fundraiser for Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project
Saturday, October 28, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Yogabliss, 7803 SE 27th Street

The public is invited to attend a fundraiser hosted by Yogabliss for Shanti Bhavan, a school based in Southern India and subject of the recent Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny. The fundraising event includes a 75-minute yoga workshop led by Rebecca Pitzer. Bellevue-resident Ajit George, Shanti Bhavan’s Director of Operations, will be present to share the story of the school and answer questions. The only educational program of its kind, Shanti Bhavan offers 17 years of rigorous academics, leadership development and professional guidance completely free of charge, and helps end the poverty that has trapped India’s poorest communities for generations. Donations raised at the event will help sponsor a student’s annual tuition and cover the child’s school, housing, clothing, and medical expenses.
Learn more >>

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5th Annual Band Together Celebration
Saturday, October 28, 6 – 10 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center,

Don’t miss this unique and popular fundraiser on the island to support Mercer Island School District band programs (5th grade instrument program, IMS and MIHS). This year’s theme is Jazz Masquerade, and the event is an adults only celebration. This event will feature the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, as well as silent and live auctions. Tickets are available in limited quantity for $75 per person.
Learn more >>

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MIPC Concert Series: What’s That Noise?
Saturday, October 28, 6:30 pm
MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE

Is it a scary sound, a spooky story, or just a silly song? When these three favorite Northwest family-friendly performers get together, anything can happen! This all-ages event is perfect for young ones and the young at heart — it will feature singer-songwriter Nancy Stewart, impressionist Charlie Williams, and William Bryant on the organ. Costumes welcome, too! Donations of $10 – $20 are encouraged; free for children under 10.
Learn more >>

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Trunk or Treat at St. Monica Catholic School
Sunday, October 29, 5 – 6 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. If you’d like to participate, or if you’d like to volunteer, please visit their website for more details on what to bring, costume rules, and how to set up your trunk for passing out candy.
Learn more >>