This week's events – April 18 – 24

April 18, 2016 | by Erin Sirianni

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Here’s my weekly round-up of events for the week of April 18 – 24 on Mercer Island:

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 to 45-minute programs designed especially for you and your young child.

Tuesday, April 19
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11:15 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Thursday, April 21
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 2 pm


Storybook Corner at Island Books
Wednesday, April 13, 10:30 to 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 >>


JeffLevyCareer Presentation at Island Books: Jeff Levy, Author of Making the Jump (First Session)
Tuesday, April 19, 7 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Entrepreneur, coach, and mentor Jeff Levy will leads two-part seminar at Island Books on the topic of “How to Create a Portfolio Career,” including why we should all consider ourselves contract workers and the many phases of self-employment. Part one on 4/19 generally addresses the portfolio life, and part two on 5/10 will help you ask yourself the question, “Should I be in my own business?”
Learn more >>


Mercer Island LibraryPlay and Learn at the Library
Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English. Sponsored by the Mercer Island Friends of the Library.


rags-to-richesEnding Racism Ceremony: A Traveling Art Exhibit
Wednesday, April 20, Noon – 1 pm
City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street

The City Council, Police Chief Ed Homes, and many other community leaders invite all Mercer Island residents to take personal steps to eliminate racism during this special ceremony.  The goal of the event is to unite Eastside communities in an expression of solidarity following a racist incident that recently occurred at the minority-owned Rags to Riches consignment shop in Redmond. The event is sponsored by the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition, which empowers leaders to eliminate racism and increase equity in the community through positive action and unity.


Matzoh Factory
Wednesday, April 20, 4 – 7 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Cost: $4 per person

Wonder how matzoh is made? Confused about the 18-minute time limit? Learn about and make your own matzoh. With Chabad of Mercer Island.

Learn more >>


lifewireAll you need is love – Teen workshop
Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

No, seriously……Let’s talk about healthy sexuality, the role of consent in relationships, and respect for young men and women in our community. Join Ward Urion of LifeWire and Cathy Gentino of Mercer Island Youth & Family Services for a community forum discussing healthy relationships and how each of us can take the lead in building them.


streitFilm: “Streit’s: Matzo and the American Dream”
Wednesday, April 20, 7 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
Cost: Free

Streit’s is the last family-owned matzoh business in the U.S. This pillar of Jewish history and food culture faces a dilemma: change with the times or go under?
Learn more >>


a-long-way-from-ParisApril in Paris at Island Books
Thursday, April 21, 7:00 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Meet Elizabeth Corcoran Murray, author of the memoir A Long Way from Paris, a delightful account of one city-bred American and her transformation into a Francophone goatherd. Learn about Mercer Island’s sister-city relationship with Thonon-les-Bains, France. Complimentary wine and cheese tasting. 20% of all sales to benefit the Mercer Island Sister City Association scholarship fund.
Learn more >>


trilliumRestoration Event – Gallagher Hill Open Space
Saturday, April 23, 9 am – 3 pm
Meet at City Hall parking lot, 9611 SE 36th St

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. Join us for this Saturday’s events to help contribute to this incredible community effort.


2016 Circus Square PromoMIPA’s 50th Annual Circus!
Saturday, April 23, 10 am – 2 pm
Mercer Island High School

MIPA’s Circus began in 1966 as a Dr. Seuss-inspired carnival called “Circus McGurkus” for the children of Mercer Island. Since then, it has grown into a festival that attracts hundreds of families from all over Seattle and the Eastside. A treasured Island tradition, MIPA’s Circus offers live music, entertainment, games, pony rides, food trucks, and more.


Community-ConversationsIslam: What do you want to know?
Saturday, April 23, 2 – 4 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Avenue SE

Recent events have revealed that many people do not understand Islam, contributing to distortions of Islamic values and causing unease and tension. Join us for a panel discussion on Islam, where you can ask questions that will be answered by Muslims of diverse backgrounds. This is the first event in the series called “Conversations for Strong Communities.” Snacks will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
Learn more >>