Here’s our weekly round-up of events from September 17 – 23 on Mercer Island:
A High School Parent’s Guide to Student Success in College & Beyond
Monday, September 17, 7 – 9 pm
Islander Middle School, 7447 84th Avenue SE, Mercer Island
“How a student goes to college is much more important than where he or she goes.” Does this phrase apply to your student? And what does it really mean? One thing is increasingly clear: It’s no longer enough to choose the “best” ranked school and then assume that everything will work out fine.
Join Denny Meadows for an informative presentation – followed by Q&A – to learn about key skills and attitudes for teens in a rapidly changing world. They will address several questions, like “How can we choose a college to improve post-college outcomes?” and “What are the important action-steps now, during high school?”
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 September 18
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Thursday September 20
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, September 19 & Friday, September 21, 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 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, September 19, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by Island Books’ staff or special guests.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, September 19, 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.
Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, September 19, 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.
Medicare Made Clear
Wednesday, September 19, 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.
Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, September 20, 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]
Mercer Island Community Blood Drive
Friday, September 21, 10 am – 4 pm
King Insurance Parking Lot, 2807 78th Ave SE
The need for blood never goes away. Become a blood donor in 2018 & see how you can have a positive impact in your community. Don’t forget to eat, drink fluids, and bring your photo ID. You can also schedule an appointment by following the link below!
KnitLit: A Crafter Book Group
Friday, September 21, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Discuss books and share your knitting, crocheting or crafting techniques with others. All experience levels welcome. This month’s book is Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck.
Wine Paired Korean Fusion Dinner with Chef Kay Kim
Friday, September 21, 6 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
With cooler weather and fall approaching, enjoy a cozy wine paired 6 course Korean fusion dinner by Chef Kay Kim prepared. You’ll start your special evening with Caruccio’s signature Italian bubbly rosé and hors d’oeuvres before the dinner begins. The special winemaker for the evening will create a perfect pairing with each course and guide you through a brief tasting.
Classics on Film: Fall Series
Friday, September 21, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya Theater, 2430 76th Ave SE
This week’s film is Ridicule (Patrice Leconte, 1996). Enjoy wine and cheese at 6:30 pm provided by Aljoya. The Mercer Island Arts Council, with support from The Mercer Island Sister City Association, presents the Classics on Film Series. Screenings begin with an introduction by film historian Lance Rhoades and end with a Q&A session. This season’s film series is “chess-themed cinema.” All film screenings are free and open to the public, with refreshments provided courtesy of Aljoya. All films are presented with English subtitles unless otherwise indicated.
Restoration Event
Saturday, September 22, 10 am – 2 pm
Mercerdale Hillside Park, 3009 77th Ave SE
Meet: corner of 76th Ave SE & SE 37nd Pl
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.
Unlocking the Mysteries of 2001: A Space Odyssey (A Fiftieth Anniversary Appreciation)
Saturday, September 22, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Not long after the moon landing, Stanley Kubrick’s ambitious science-fiction masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey dazzled and baffled audiences with a far-reaching exploration of life’s possibilities and precariousness. Even a half-century since its release, the film remains enormously influential and it continues to be widely interpreted. Join film scholar Lance Rhoades for this multimedia presentation and lecture.
Karachi Kitchen with Chef Kausar Ahmed & Wine Pairing
Saturday, September 22, 6 – 9 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100
Chef and cookbook author Kausar Ahmed is returning from Pakistan to visit Caruccio’s for the third time! She will take you on a journey through her recently released cookbook, “The Karachi Kitchen.” Chef Kausar is excited to share her passion for her beautiful cuisine. She celebrates traditional flavors of her hometown Karachi in this family style dinner. She will share some of her favorite dishes from her 20+ years as a chef and culinary educator.
Lyrical Darkness Concert
Saturday, September 22, 7 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
The Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle, in collaboration with the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church Concert Series, presents “Lyrical Darkness,” a recital of cello and piano music. The program will include sonatas by Beethoven and Prokofiev, and more. Tickets – suggested donations of $20. Kids up to 18 years of age – free.
Community Dance Lessons and Social Dance
Saturday, September 22, 7 – 11 pm
VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave SE
Lace up your dancing shoes and show off your skills! The Arts Council teamed up with Northwest Dance Network, a local nonprofit committed to inspiring the art, joy, and excellence of non-competitive social dance, to present two community dances on the Island. Tickets cost $15 and includes lesson and social dance. (Buy online!)
The first event will feature Stickshift Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives. This popular quintet thrills audiences with their swing sound and sprinkles of blues, cha-cha, Foxtrot, rumba, and more. Are your moves a little rusty? Don’t fret; Sean “Gator Boy” Donovan and Nancy Fry will teach a pre-dance workshop on swing-dance variations from 7 – 8 pm. (Dance lesson included in ticket)
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, September 23, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street
The Mercer Island Farmers Market is open every Sunday from June – October. Say hello to your favorite vendors and kick the season off with us. Enjoy the sunshine and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as locally made food and drinks, artisan crafts, and fun activities for the whole family. Visit the website for weekly updates and special events.
Local Author Festival
Sunday, September 23, 2 – 4 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Island Books is hosting another Local Author Festival! You’ll be able to meet and greet some of the top writing talents in the region, sample their work, ask questions, and even take home an autographed book. Be sure to visit all the author stations for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate good on your next visit to Island Books. Here’s the slate of esteemed guests:
- Matthew & Wendy Woerner
- Kristin Jarvis Adams
- Mary Dispenza
- Craig Holt
- Lawney Reyes
- Ashton Macaulay
- Peter Adum
In addition to this great lineup, Island Books will have some drinks and snacks to share.
