Here’s our weekly round-up of events from October 8 – 14 on Mercer Island:
Talk Time
Monday, October 8, 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.
MICA Community Visioning Report Session
Monday, October 8, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club, 4120 86th Ave SE
The Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) has released a Findings Report, sharing the full story of their community outreach efforts. They are hosting a Community Visioning Report Session, where they will talk through, in detail, the findings from the Community Visioning Dialouge. The Event is open to the public.
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 9
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Wednesday, October 10
Play & Learn (ages 5 and younger) – 10:30 am – Noon
Thursday, October 11
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Solarize Mercer Island Workshop
Tuesday, October 9, 6 – 7:30 pm
Congregational Church, 4545 Island Crest Way
Learn how solar works, which sites are most suitable, and what financial incentives are available to help bring costs down. After you attend a free workshop, you can get your free site assessment and participate in Solarize Mercer Island!
Public Forum – Proposition 1 Levy Lid Lift
Tuesday, October 9, 7 – 9 pm
Mercer Island Beach Club, 8326 Avalon Drive
In November, Mercer Islanders will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed City of Mercer Island tax levy, Proposition 1. In order to help the community become better informed in preparation for voting on ‘Prop 1,’ the Mercer Island Beach Club is hosting a moderated event with views from both sides, intended to generate dialogue and a better understanding of the issues. This is a free community event, open to all.
For more information, please call Orna Samuelly at 415-359-5093.
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, October 10, 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.
The Scoop on Financial Aid – Don’t Pay Full Price
Wednesday, October 10, 7 – 9 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
For most families, financing college is one of the largest investments they make. Did you know that colleges and universities are offering significant discounts and scholarships? Come to this workshop, led by Peg Keough, to learn about the nuts and bolts of financial aid and financing college, including types of aid, what you qualify for, and how you can get the discounts that colleges offer.
Wine Wednesdays at Caruccio’s
Wednesday, October 10, 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.
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, October 10 & Friday, October 12, 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].
Osher at the J: Is Democracy Possible?
Thursday, October 11, Lunch at 12 | Speaker at 12:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
SJCC is partnering with UW Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to host a lunch-and-learn series geared toward adults age 50+. Please join speaker Paul Burstein as he discusses how democracy relies on citizens to educate themselves and engage to define the society in which they live and their future.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, October 11, 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 11, 5 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
This week’s film is The Hundred Foot Journey. 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.
Community Conversation: Community Facilities Rezone
Thursday, October 11, 6 – 7:30 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
The City of Mercer Island invites you to join a conversation on the Community Facilities rezone proposed for the Stroum Jewish Community Center, French American School of Puget Sound and Herzl Ner-Tamid properties. City staff will begin the meeting with a brief overview of the proposed comprehensive plan and code updates that could rezone these properties. This will be followed by a listening session to hear from community members about questions and concerns related to the proposal.
Unwrapping a Mercer Island Murder Mystery : A New Look at an Old Case
Thursday, October 11, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
On Feb. 8, 1886, two men were ambushed on the south end of Mercer Island. George Miller, who was in a land dispute with one of them, was tried four times for murder. Was Miller an innocent man? Tom Hitzroth, Chair of the City of Redmond Landmarks Commission, will share the results of his personal detective work.
Classics on Film : The Luzhin Defence
Friday, October 12, 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, The Luzhin Defence. Film historian Lance Rhoades will introduce and lead a Q&A following the film. All screenings are free and open to the public.
Southern Thai Village with Chef Pranee Halvorson
Friday, October 12, 6 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Please welcome the “master” of Thai cuisine to Caruccio’s for an event to remember! Chef Pranee has prepared a very special, first time menu especially for this evening, taking you on a culinary and cultural trip through the different regions of her Southern Thai Village where she grew up. Your dinner will be prepared while you watch in our elegant, state-of-the-art open kitchen.
Restoration Event
Saturday, October 13, 10 am – 2 pm
Ellis Pond, SE 47th St & 90th Ave SE
Meet: South Entrance of the Park on 90th Ave SE
Join EarthCorps and the City of Mercer Island as they work together with the community in this one-of-a-kind park on Mercer Island. Ellis Pond is the only year-round pond habitat on Mercer Island and many bird and animal species call this pond home. Volunteers will be planting trees and shrubs, so please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. All tools and supplies are provided.
IdeaX: Get Creative with 3D Pens
Saturday, October 13, 1 – 3 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave
Drop-in and learn how to bring your doodles to life with 3-D pens! This hands-on program will allow you to create your very own 3-D art, which you can then take home.
Fall Chocolate Class
Saturday, October 13, 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.
7th Annual Walk With Friendship
Sunday, October 14, Registration at 9:30 am | Walk at 10:30 am
Luther Burbank Park, 2040 80th Ave SE
The 7th Annual Walk With Friendship is a fun-filled family event that brings the entire community together to support children and families with special needs. The morning starts with a family 1K Walk/5K Run, followed by a celebration of friendship with family activities, entertainment, music, food and prizes!
Easy Weeknight Dinners – Soups
Sunday, October 14, 1 – 3:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Fall is here and soup is on the stove! Learn three very different soup ideas, all that your family and friends will rave about (and will not know how easy they are to prepare!).
Family Yoga at Yogabliss
Sunday, October 14, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Yogabliss, 7803 SE 27th Street, #174
Spend time with your family exploring yoga together! Have fun learning about yoga poses while relaxing and finding calmness. This class is intended for kids, ages 5-12, and their adult.
Chaim Bezalel and Yonnah Ben Levy, Authors of American Scrolls and Touching on Place
Sunday, October 14, 3 – 4:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Please join us as we welcome the husband-and-wife team Chaim Bezalel and Yonnah Ben Levy (a Mercer Island native) to Island Books. In 1989, they decided to create a collaboration, temporarily putting aside their own individual pursuits. Together they experimented on techniques of combining photography and painting, which they soon began to market in the form of greeting cards and posters, which sold around the world. Twenty-eight years later, they are still together – as three artists, her, him, and the collaboration, with the combined signature of Bezalel-Levy.
