Here’s our weekly round-up of events from January 30 – February 5 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-minute programs designed especially for you and your young child.
Tuesday, January 31
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon
Thursday, February 2
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm
MISD Kindergarten Information Sessions
Tuesday, January 31, 6 – 7 pm
Island Park Elementary
5437 Island Crest Way, Multipurpose Room
Lakeridge Elementary
8215 SE 78th, Multipurpose Room
Northwood Elementary
4030 86th Ave SE, Commons
West Mercer Elementary
4141 81st Ave SE, Multipurpose Room
Do you have an incoming kindergartener for the 2017-2018 school year? Then don’t miss the Mercer Island School District’s upcoming kindergarten information sessions, which will take place at each elementary school on Tuesday, January 31st, from 6 to 7 pm. The district will begin accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2017-18 school year on Wednesday, February 1st, 2017.
Learn more >>
Introduction to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving
Tuesday, January 31, 7 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Canning is all about locking in great local, fresh, seasonal flavors, so that you can enjoy them throughout the year! During Tu B’Shevat (the Jewish holiday of trees) participants will learn canning science and safety, and leave with jars of food and the skills to continue pickling at home! Taught by instructor Josh Furman.
Learn more >>
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, February 1, 10:30 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, February 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.
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Speaker: Larry Snyder
Thursday, February 2, Noon
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
As they say in auction business, going once, going twice . . . sign up for the February Membership Luncheon now before it’s too late. Larry Snyder is an entrepreneur who has started businesses from scratch and sold them. He has been a Starbucks partner for 12 years, is an auctioneer, and a philanthropist. You might be curious how he got into the auctioneering business. After attending a charity event, he decided to go to school – Western College of Auctioneering, which specializes in cattle auctions. Do cattle auctions lead to charity auctions? Do charity auctions relate to running a business? Yes – it’s all about the customers. It’s the same in any business, you have to know your clients before they customers or bidders.
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce website >>
First Thursday: Art + Wine Event
Thursday, February 2, 5 – 8 pm
Clarke + Clarke Art & Artifacts
7605 SE 27th St Suite 105
Celebrating 50 / Clay of the Craftsmen – 50 Pots, Pottery & Porcelains
The collection includes ancient to modern works from Africa, Turkey, India, Thailand, China, Japan as well as the Southwest and Northwest. Simple to sublime works representing innovative ideas in crafting clay objects. The extensive assortment includes Native American pieces gathered while acquiring collections for our gallery in Santa Fe. Modern and dramatic pieces from eastern cultures and famous kilns in Japan. The exotic traditional wares from Turkey in deep earthy tones and classic shapes.
The Clarke’s are also celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary so please stop by for an evening of Bubbly, a blissful little pastry and an opportunity to add to your collection or acquire one wonderful work of Art.
Clarke + Clarke Art & Artifacts website >>
Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
At the end of each Art with Heart program, this non-profit organization celebrates the participants with an art showcase that puts the spotlight on the hard work they’ve done during their work together. Art with Heart will be continuing this tradition but for their Founder, Steffanie Lorig. Join us as we celebrate her immense accomplishments & wish her luck as she departs Art with Heart for new creative ventures.
The SZ Gallery is currently exhibiting Steffanie’s beautiful artwork through February. Join us this First Thursday: Art & Wine to raise a glass at 6:30PM, when you’ll have an opportunity to hear from both Steffanie and her successor, Heidi Durham, CEO.
Classics on Film Winter Series
Friday, February 3, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Aljoya – Theatre, 2430 76th Ave SE
This week’s film is L’homme Du Train (The Man on the Train) (2002). The Mercer Island Arts Council, with support from The Mercer Island Sister City Association, present the Classics on Film Series. Screenings begin with an introduction by film historian Lance Rhoades and end with a Q&A session. Free and open to the public, with refreshments provided courtesy of Aljoya. All films are presented with English subtitles unless otherwise indicated.
What’s the Buzz about Bees? – Give Bees a Chance!
Saturday, February 4, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Have you ever thought about becoming a bee farmer? Want to find out what it takes? Join Missy Anderson–Queen Bee and Master Gardener Trainer–to learn about hosting blue orchard bees (aka mason bees). Missy has been growing mason bees for 15 years and she says it’s fun and easy. Even if you’re not sure about bee-coming a farmer, come find out how you can bee part of the solution to our declining population of pollinators. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
“We are One” A Concert to Benefit the Islamic Center of the Eastside
Saturday, February 4, 7 pm
Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way
This concert will feature music for all ages from all genres, performed by over one dozen performers from the Seattle Arts Community: singers, instrumentalists, and dancers from Seattle Opera and the musical theatre community. It will be led by Internationally known baritone Erich Parce, Pianist and opera coach Glenda Williams, and Composer/Musical Director Scott Warrender. Join us to help rebuild the Bellevue Eastside Islamic Center (ICOE), which was burned down on January 14, and to show that the spirit and the resolve of our community will overpower evil. Invite your friends and neighbors!
Learn more >>
Youth Theatre Northwest presents Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.
January 27 – February 12: Saturdays, 2 pm & 7 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
Closing Performance: Sunday, February 12, 3 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 3801 East Mercer Way
Willy Wonka, the secretive candy maker, offers an exclusive tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of candy to the five lucky winners who each find a golden ticket hidden in his chocolate bars. With every contest there are rules as well as severe consequences when those rules are broken. Can you pick out who will make it to the end of the tour in one piece? Based on the classic book and featuring songs from the 1971 film adaptation, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdiddlyumptious musical audiences (and Oompa Loompas) of all ages can enjoy.
PJ Story Time with Norm Brecke and Nancy Stewart
Saturday, February 4, 6 – 6:30 pm
Mercer Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
This month’s storyteller is Norm Brecke. Geared especially for children three and up; refreshments will be served. And don’t miss our special guest opener, musician and singer Nancy Stewart!
Learn more >>
