Here’s my weekly round-up of events for the week of May 30 – June 5 on Mercer Island:
Kaleidoscope Play and Learn 
Wednesday, June 1, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 8501 SE 40th St (Temporary location)
Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English.
Storybook Corner 
Wednesday, June 1, 10:30-11am
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 June Membership Luncheon 
Speaker: Peter Rogoff, CEO Sound Transit
Wednesday, June 1, Noon
Mercer Island Community & Events Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
Light rail is coming to Mercer Island. The train has left the station. Mercer Island is part of the East Link Project, which will expand light rail from downtown Seattle to the Eastside. Peter Rogoff, the new Sound Transit CEO, is the speaker for this last luncheon before the summer break. Appointed to the position in January 2016, he has served as Under Secretary of
Transportation for Policy in the U.S. Department of Transportation. He also served five years as President Obama’s Federal Transit Administrator.
**Important note: Due to the holiday weekend, the speaker and the change of date, it’s important to make your reservation as early as possible. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, May 31st, 9 AM
Learn more >>
WA State Poet Laureate Tod Marshall 
Thursday, June 2, 1 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Tod Marshall is the author of Bugle, The Tangled Line, and Range of Voices. He also directs the writing concentration program and coordinates the visiting writers series at Gonzaga University where he is the Robert K. and Ann J. Powers Endowed Professor in the Humanities. He enjoys backpacking and fishing and spends about a month of every year in a tent. From 2016 – 2018, he will serve as the Washington State Poet Laureate.
Island Books, in conjunction with the Mercer Island Arts Council, is proud to host Mr. Marshall for a day of poetry on Mercer Island. On the morning of June 2nd, he’ll be speaking to students at local schools, and in the afternoon and evening appearing at multiple public events, including:
- Poetry workshop: 1:00 – 2:30 pm – Mercer Island Community Center
- Conversation with poetry groups: 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Island Books
- Reading: 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Mercer Island Community Center
Deli Man: Film and Dinner 
Thursday, June 2, 7pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
A mouthwatering salute to 160 years of gastronomic bliss, “Deli Man” travels the nation and beyond in pursuit of the great Jewish deli experience. Knishes, kasha varnishka, kreplach, knedlach, kugel, and kippered salmon – the list of delicacies goes on and on, and now, so will their story. Celebrate the universal history of an American culinary passion: Jewish deli food. This screening of the 2014 documentary “Deli Man” is catered by Seattle’s very own Goldberg’s Deli.
National Trails Day & Letterboxing
Saturday, June 4, 10 am – Noon
Pioneer Park, SE 68th and Island Crest Way
Celebrate the trails of Pioneer Park while hunting for hints and clues! Pick up your letterbox clue book, make a stamp and start hunting! Pioneer Park has 6.6 miles of trails for hiking, running, and walking. Come outside and play! Meet us in the NW quadrant along 68th (across from Starbucks). Sponsored by Bark Avenue. FREE for all ages. You can pick up a letterbox clue book after the event at the Community Center, Luther Burbank Park Admin Office, or the South End Starbucks.
PJ Story Time with Pat Peterson and Nancy Stewart 
Saturday, June 4, 6:30 – 7 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
This month’s storyteller is Pat Peterson. 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 >>
Northwood Family Potluck
Sunday, June 5, 4-6pm
Aubrey Davis Park (Lid Park) – picnic shelter near east play structure
Enjoy a casual picnic and meet new Northwood community members. Kids will enjoy games and activities with their classmates. Kids will have a chance to meet their classmates and enjoy field games and ice breaker games! Bring a blanket and a favorite dish to share! The dessert is on us! We will also provide water, plates, napkins and utensils.
Bring a dish that corresponds with your last name:
A-H: appetizer/side dish I-P: entree Q-Z: salad/fruit
Mercer Island Farmers Market Opening Day
Sunday, June 5, 10 am – 3 pm
SE 32nd Street at Mercerdale Park (between 77th and 78th Ave SE)
The Mercer Island Farmers Market will celebrate its Opening Day for the 2016 season this Sunday. This year marks MIFM’s ninth season connecting Island residents, friends and families with the very best Washington state producers of healthy, sustainable food. The market is located just north of Mercerdale Park on SE 32nd Street.
