Here’s our weekly round-up of events from January 2 – 8 on Mercer Island:
New City Manager Reception
Tuesday, January 3, 6:15 – 7 pm
City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th Street
The public is invited to a brief reception to meet the City’s new permanent City Manager, Ms. Julie Underwood. Light refreshments will be served in Council Chambers from 6:15-7:00pm, prior to the regular City Council meeting. Ms. Underwood has nearly 20 years of local government management experience, and since March 2014, has served as the Assistant City Manager for Daly City, California, a first-tier suburb of San Francisco with a resident population of over 100,000.
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, January 4, 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 >>
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Speaker: King County Sheriff John Urquhart
Thursday, January 5, Noon
John Urquhart is the 33rd Sheriff of King County, Washington. As Sheriff, he serves as the chief county-level law enforcement official for 1.9 million people and oversees the 1000+ employees of the King County Sheriff’s Office. Please call the Chamber office at 232-3404 by Tuesday, January 3rd, 9 am.
First Thursday: Art + Wine Event
Thursday, January 5, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
Join us for our monthly Art & Wine Tasting event, hosted at the SZ Gallery on Mercer Island. The Islander will be pouring wine tastings paired with seasonal bites. This month’s featured artist is Steffanie Lorig, also founder of Art with Heart, a nonprofit social enterprise organization dedicated to helping kids through creativity. 10% of art sales at the event will be donated to Art with Heart: Kids healing through creativity.
Learn more >>
Opera Preview: La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
Thursday, January 5, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi’s 19th opera, has proven to be one of the most popular operas ever written, even though it was a failure at its premiere in 1853. A second production a year later was a smash, and this opera has been a hit ever since. Why? Beautiful music and a touching story – a famous courtesan, dying of tuberculosis, accepts the sincere love of a young middle class fellow. But when the courtesan learns, from the father of the young fellow, that the courtesan’s wicked past has ruined the life of the young fellow’s sister, she agrees to give up her love for him, even though she knows it will cost her her life. When she dies, in the last act, we have come to realize, courtesy of Verdi’s superb music, that the truly noble person in this story was the courtesan who sacrificed her love and her life for a young woman she never met. What a story. This free lecture, provided to increase the enjoyment and appreciation of Seattle Opera productions, will feature Norm Hollingshead, with recorded musical excerpts. Space is limited. First come, first seated.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
MIPA Preschool Fair
Saturday, January 7, 10 am – Noon
Island Park Elementary School (in the Gym), 5437 Island Crest Way
Looking for a preschool, enrichment program, or childcare on Mercer Island? Don’t miss the Mercer Island Preschool Association’s 18th Annual Preschool Fair.
Representatives from various programs on the island will be on-hand to answer your questions about their curriculum, enrollment, tuition, and program options. The fair is FREE and open to all interested parents and caregivers.
PJ Story Time with Simon Okelo and Nancy Stewart
Saturday, January 7, 2017 – 6:00pm to 6:30pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
This month’s storyteller is Simon Okelo. 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 >>
Daniel Dawes: The History & Future of the Affordable Care Act
Sunday, January 8, 4 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
This year marks a critical juncture for our country. Join us to hear from a leader in the national health equity movement who will discuss the opportunities for ObamaCare post-election. To shed light on the creation and implementation of the most sweeping equalizer in the history of American health care, Healthcare Attorney Daniel Dawes wrote “150 Years of ObamaCare” to share his insider’s backstory as a key player in a large coalition of organizations that helped shape the Affordable Care Act (or ObamaCare). Daniel Dawes is a nationally recognized health care lawyer and administrator and is the executive director of government affairs and health policy at Morehouse School of Medicine. Stick around after the event for book sales and signing. Coffee and tea served. Co-sponsored by Northwest Health Law Advocates, State of Reform, and Island Books.
Learn more >>
