Here’s our weekly round-up of upcoming events for the week of October 5th – 11th on Mercer Island:
Family Sing-Along & Stories
Monday, October 5, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Drop in for a fun relaxing bedtime event. Wear your PJs if youd like! Bring your guitar or other instrument for a true community sing-along. Lyrics and chords will be projected on a screen so you can read, sing, and play along. If you attend all five sings-alongs, your guitar-playing skills will get a good workout! Nancy will be glad to tune your guitar and help you with chords before we start. And Mercer Islands Library’s Children’s Librarian, Linda Ernst, will share a special bedtime story before you leave. Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
The Money Maze and the Scholarship Market
Tuesday, October 6, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
This workshop will teach you the ins and outs of college finances and the tools to find and apply for need and merit-based financial aid and scholarships. Students and parents welcome! Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library. This program is part of the Life After High School series. Look for other programs in October and November.
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, October 7, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones in to charming children’s section of Island Books to enjoy popular picture books read by our staff.
Learn more >>
Town Center Visioning Joint Commission Meeting
Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 – 9 pm
City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th St
A month ago, the City released the Town Center Visioning and Development Code Update Interim Report to the community, reflecting work to date on the Town Center process. Read August 31 press release here. Looking forward, the Planning and Design Commissions will now convene together (known as the “Joint Commission”) for the next phase of work: recommendations for actual Town Center development code language and directly-related updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The first joint meeting will use the Interim Report as a guide to bring the Joint Commission members up to speed on the work conducted to date. The meeting will also include a public hearing in which members of the public will have the opportunity to share their perspectives directly with the Joint Commission members.
Story Times at the Library
Thursday, October 8
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Join the Mercer Island Children’s Librarian for stories, songs, rhymes and fun in these 30 to 45-minute programs designed especially for you and your young child.
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:15 – 10:45 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:15 – 11:45 AM
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:45 pm
Book Reading: Cynthia Shifrin, author of Navigating Your Soul’s Journey
Thursday, October 8, 7 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Within the pages of Navigating Your Soul’s Journey: A Guide To Discovering Deeper Truth, Meaning, and Purpose, you will find essential keys that will help you unlock a greater sense of well-being and enthusiasm for life. This simple, yet profound guidebook includes answers to many of the questions pertaining to your soul, yourself, and your relationship with others. Its three chapters contain intriguing and straightforward information to help enlighten and strengthen you on this journey of life. Join Island Books as they host a book reading by the author, Cynthia Shifrin.
Learn more >>
Habitat Restoration at Mercerdale Hillside
Saturday, October 10, Noon – 3 pm (volunteer spaces still available)
Mercerdale Hillside, 77th SE & SE 32nd
Mercer Island is graced with 35 parks, over 300 acres of natural areas, and more than 50 miles of trails. Popular among joggers, walkers, and families, Mercerdale Hillside provides an urban open space experience for residents of all ages. However, the natural area has become over-run with non-native blackberry, ivy, laurel and holly which threaten its ecological diversity. Volunteers will be crucial to the restoration of this local forest by returning over the next few years to remove invasive plants, plant native conifers, and support the growth of these young trees. Through these persistent and targeted efforts by volunteers, Mercerdale Hillside will be become, once more, an ecologically diverse forest.
Learn more >>
Lady of Cool: Kathy Kosins in Concert
Saturday, October 10, 8 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Cost: $20 | SJCC members $15
Award-winning vocalist Kathy Kosins (whose voice has been described as “cool with a touch of gravel”) has won the hearts of critics and fans around the globe with her eclectic musical palette that spans the rich history of jazz and R&B. Her recent CD, “To the Ladies of Cool,” honors great American female singers such as Anita O’Day, Chris Conner, Julie London, and June Christy. Her repertoire also includes Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Sarah Vaughan.
Learn more >>
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, October 11, 10 am – 3 pm
SE 32nd Street at Mercerdale Park (between 77th and 78th Avenue SE)
Visit the Mercer Island Farmers Market for fresh produce, sustainably caught fish, pasture-raised meats, artisan and ready-to-eat foods, flowers, and more. This week’s theme is “Oktoberfest” and will feature a pumpkin pie baking contest. Music will be provided by Patrick Dougherty, performing folk and rock music. At the children’s table, kids can let their inner creative juices flow and create a “squash person” to take home.
Meet the Author: Eric Elnes, author of Gifts of the Dark Wood
Sunday, October 11, 10:30 am – 2 pm
Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way
The medieval poet Dante portrayed the “Dark Wood” as a purgatory to be feared in his classic work The Divine Comedy 750 years ago. For today’s soulful skeptics and other wanderers, however, the Dark Wood can be a place of awakening and discovery, says Eric Elnes in his new book. Elnes will be preaching the Congregational Church at the 10:30 am service, then participating in an author’s lunch, followed with a “meet the author” session starting at 12:45pm.
Learn more >>
Create Your Own Graphic Novel Workshop
Sunday, October 11, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Create expressive faces and tricks while making less-than-perfect drawings look good! Learn about the narration, dialogue balloons, thought bubbles and sound effects used to create graphic novels.
Master Class: Jazz Improvisation on Canvas
Sunday, October 11, 2 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Cost: $30| SJCC members $25 | Optional supplies fee $20
Some singers paint pictures with their voices; jazz singer Kathy Kosins also uses a brush and canvas. In this painting workshop, Kosins will teach you how sounds can inspire strokes. Refreshments and light bites served. Bring your own canvas and brushes or the SJCC will supply them for an additional $20 fee.
Learn more >>
