Your guide to life on
Mercer Island, WA
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group
Here’s our weekly round-up of events from October 30 – November 5 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 31
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Thursday November 2
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
9th Annual Halloween Trick or Treat at Local Businesses
Tuesday, October 31, 3 – 5:30 pm
Mercer Island Town Center, various locations
For the 9th year, Mercer Island businesses in the Town Center and South Mercer Shopping Center are inviting ghosts, goblins, firefighters, princesses, devils, zombies and other characters to trick or treat at their businesses. They’ll be handing out treats from 3 – 5:30 PM.
There will be over 60 businesses passing out candy! Participating business will have a poster of a Jack O’ Lantern in their window and there will be a list of candy stops available on the Chamber of Commerce website and at the businesses. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the MI Youth & Family Services Food Pantry. Items can be dropped off at Banner Bank, the Chamber office, C Michele, Au Courant and MI Martial Arts.
Learn more >>
Haunted Library at Aljoya
Tuesday, October 31, 3 – 5:30 pm
Aljoya, 2430 76th Ave SE
While you’re Trick or Treating at local businesses, make sure to stop by Aljoya. Take a walk through the Haunted Library for some spooktacular fun (and candy, too)! Open to all ages, and don’t forget to wear your costume!
Learn more >>
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, November 1 & Friday, November 3, 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].
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, November 1, 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 >>
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, November 1, 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.
Meet the Artist: Melissa Koch
Wednesday, November 1, 4:30 – 6 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE
Join us in the New Seasons Market seating area for a chance to meet a local artist who will be displaying art in our store: Melissa Koch Fine Art.
Learn more >>
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, November 2, 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].
MIVAL Holiday Show
Thursday, November 2, 6:30 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
The MIVAL Holiday Show, sponsored by the Mercer Island Arts Council, is from November 2 – December 15. This year, over 40 artists will be displaying their work which includes jewelry, home decor, sculpture, photography, painting, and more. The Reception and Awards will be during the opening reception. Food, refreshments, live music, and artist awards will round out this special evening.
Learn more >>
Waterway: The Story of Seattle’s Locks and Ship Canal
Thursday, November 2, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Getting Newcastle coal to Elliott Bay inspired the vision of a canal connecting Lake Washington to Puget Sound, but it took 63 years to become reality. Jennifer Ott and co-author David B. Williams of Waterway: The Story of Seattle’s Locks and Ship Canal will share stories uncovered about the false starts, political shenanigans, and far-reaching impacts of the canal’s construction and operation. This free event is presented in partnership with 4Culture and the Mercer Island Historical Society.
First Friday Art Walk
Friday, November 3
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!). 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 >>
Opening Reception: Monir & Mehdi Ghanbeigy – PERSIAN GARDEN
Friday, November 3, 5 – 8 pm
SZ Gallery, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
‘Persian Garden’ is an exhibit that tells culturally rich stories of Persian culture through contemporary and classically-influenced pieces. Monir and Mehdi Ghanbeigy from Iran have created multimedia artwork together since 1970, combining Mehdi’s detailed work with Persian miniatures and painting, Monir’s background in ceramics and pottery, and their mutual love and appreciation for the history of Persian art.
‘Persian Garden’ showcases a variety of Mehdi and Monir’s collaborative pieces: plates inspired by historical Iranian ceramics, large ceramic panels with modernized miniatures in gold and platinum foil, sculptures of oxen and horses inspired by ancient cave drawings, and unique vases fired in temperatures up to 2500°F heat. Handcrafting their own clay, glaze, and even their kilns all from scratch, their ceramic pieces have a distinct quality that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Learn more >>
A Rare Glimpse into Russian Life – The Tsar to USSR
Plus Sneak Preview of Valaree Cox’s New Exhibit
Friday, November 3, 4 – 7 pm
Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts,
During the First Friday Art Walk, Clarke + Clarke will be hosting a new exhibit! A small but important collection of cabinet photos, period photographs, rare books, silver cigarette cases, badges, and an imperial period officer’s frock coat will be on view. These objects are from the period of transition from rule under the Tsar Nicholas II. A Gallery Talk by Jim Clarke will be given during the evening. These historic objects will be offered as a collection or individually. Private appointments will be taken on Nov. 2 for preview in advance of the opening to the public.
There will also be a sneak preview of current paintings by Valaree Cox, a NW artist whose exciting new Encaustic collection will premiere at Clarke + Clarke on December 1st during the next First Friday Art Walk. Her exceptional skills and talent in this exciting medium honors the historic Greek art of encaustic painting, an ever-evolving contemporary art form.
Learn more >>
Young Sherlock
November 3 – 19
Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm; Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
Youth Theatre Northwest presents their latest show, Young Sherlock. Take a trip back in time to jolly old England and the prestigious Butterworth Academy. When two girls are kidnapped from the school, John Watson hopes his friend and classmate Sherlock Holmes will be able to solve his first crime. The events take a turn towards the bizarre when a psychic, Madame Lulu, appears on the scene, guaranteeing to find the students. Bumbling Constable Bing begins his own investigation, but clearly justice will be served by Sherlock Holmes when he sets a trap to snare the criminal and free the innocent. This show is best for ages 6 and olde; tickets are $13 for kids and $15 for adults.
MIPA’s Toy Swap
Saturday, November 4, 9 am – 1 pm
Islander Middle School, 8225 SE 72nd St
Every year, the Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA) organizes a giant consignment sale of gently used toys, children’s clothing, and equipment. This year’s event is coming up this Saturday! MIPA is seeking consignments and donations. Many Islanders plan for this annual event as an opportunity to clear out their closets and play rooms as well as a great shopping event to find deals before the holiday gift-giving season. The proceeds (35% of consignment sales and 100% of donations sales) go toward funding MIPA charities and operations. Shoppers will find gently used children’s toys, clothing, books, bikes, scooters, maternity clothing, pack n’ plays, strollers, and furniture.
Restoration Event – Planting Event!
Saturday, November 4, 10 am – 2 pm
Clarke Beach Park, 7700 E Mercer 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!*
Healthy Holidays Series with an NSM Nutritionist
Saturday, November 4 | 10 – 10:30 am, 11 – 11:30 am
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE
During the month of November, New Seasons Market will be hosting 30-minute workshops on tips for a healthy holiday season. These events are free, but registration is required.
PJ Story Time with Norm Brecke and Nancy Stewart
Saturday, November 4, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
This month’s storyteller is Norm Brecke. Norm is a spirited storyteller who revels in telling a good story. His music, zeal, and humor add to any occasion. Norm specializes in folktales that he spices up to make them unique. He often brings music to his stories, accompanying himself on guitar, ukulele, banjo, or jaw harp. Geared especially for children ages 3 and up; refreshments will be served. And don’t miss special guest opener, musician, and singer Nancy Stewart!
Learn more >>
Writers Read Out
Sunday, November 5, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Writers read 5 minutes of their unpublished work. We welcome funny, feisty, fantastic, historic, erotic, mysterious, poetic, genre-bending, device wielding, shape-shifting, mind-blowing, but no drama over the time limit. 5 means 5. Want to read? Reserve a spot online at our website. Questions? Contact [email protected]. Ages 18+. Listeners welcome!
Rachel Calof – A Memoir with Music
Sunday, November 5, 2 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Adapted from Rachel Calof’s 1995 memoir, Actress Kate Fuglei portrays Rachel Calof, a Jewish immigrant bride and North Dakota homesteader who emigrated from Russia in 1894, enduring brutally cold winters raising a family on the windswept prairie and triumphing over adversity. Q&A and light refreshments follow the show. Co-presented by David Calof and Ahna Machan. For ages 14 and older.
Learn more >>
Opening Reception: Owen Hall – Our America
Sunday, November 5, 2 – 4 pm
MIVAL Gallery, Avellino Building, 2836 78th Ave SE
MIVAL Gallery will be hosting a reception for Owen Hall, their newest featured artist. Please join Owen and the other gallery members on this fall afternoon. Owen, a watercolor painter, will be displaying works of art depicting “Our America”, the November theme. Join for refreshments and to meet the artist!
Learn more >>
5th Annual Music of Laughter FUNdraising Event
Sunday, November 5, 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Private Home on Mercer Island (address provided at ticket purchase)
Room Circus Medical Clowning presents the Canote Brothers for a special non-profit fundraising event. Greg and Jere Canote aren’t just great multi-instrumental musicians — they are fantastic entertainers. They are sure to bring a smile to your face and maybe even a chuckle! The Canotes produce wonderful harmonies and hilarious banter. You may have heard the Canote’s during their thirteen year stint as the affable radio side-kicks on NPR’s Sandy Bradley’s Potluck. Tickets are $35 and includes entertainment, light snacks, wine & beverages; there will also be an “ask.” Please Note: The venue holds 50 people, so please purchase tickets early.
Brought to you by The Sirianni Group