Here’s our weekly round-up of events from November 27 – December 3 on Mercer Island:

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 November 28
Young Toddlers (12 – 24 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Toddlers (2 – 3 years) – 11:30 am – Noon

Thursday November 30
Infants (0 – 12 months) – 10:30 – 11 am
Preschoolers (3 – 6 years) – 1 – 1:30 pm

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Antiques: A Collection or an Accumulation?
Tuesday, November 28, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Learn from Bette Belle (Guildmark Appraisal & Estate Management) about what’s hot and what’s not in the antique marketplace. If you have a collectible or antique you think is valuable, bring it with you. Limit one item.

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, November 29 & Friday, December 1, 9 – 10 am
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

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].

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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, November 29, 10:30 – 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 >>

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, November 29, 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.

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Wine Wednesdays @ Caruccio’s
Wednesday, November 29, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Caruccio’s, 2441 76th Avenue 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.
Learn more >>

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Kick-Off for Mercer Island’s 100% Clean Energy Future
Wednesday, November 29, 6:30 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Community & Events Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

Please join the 100% Clean Energy-MI subcommittee on November 29 to discuss the Mercer Island 100% Clean Energy Future proposal, how it would actually work (e.g., what kinds of things we can do to get residences and businesses onto renewable energy), and how we can build support for this important campaign.
Learn more >>

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Winter Mini Book Sale
Thursday – Sunday | November 30 – December 3
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

While it’s a mini-sale, there are so many great books that you’ll have no trouble finding lovely gift selections for family and friends, or a special book for yourself. The book sale is open during regular library hours of operation.

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, November 30, 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].

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Open Book Club: Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
Thursday, November 30, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

In November, Island Books will read and discuss Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue.

Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, has come to the United States to provide a better life for himself, his wife, Neni, and their six-year-old son. In the fall of 2007, Jende can hardly believe his luck when he lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. But when the financial world is rocked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Jongas are desperate to keep Jende’s job – even as their marriage threatens to fall apart. As all four lives are dramatically upended, Jende and Neni are forced to make an impossible choice.

Island Books’ Open Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase your book at the store, you’ll get a 10% discount.
Learn more >>

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Hadag Nahash in Concert
Thursday, November 30
7:30 pm happy hour (cash bar) / VIP pre-show reception | 8:30 pm show
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

One of the biggest bands in Israel, Hadag Nahash combines fresh hip hop, rock, reggae, and funk sounds in a melting pot of tight Middle Eastern grooves. They are known for songs (in Hebrew and English) promoting social equality. Seating for this show is club-style general admission; limited seating will be available. *VIP ticket includes private pre-show reception with the band and two drink tickets for the show, plus VIP front-of-house seating.
Learn more >>

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Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series
Three Fridays – December 1, 8, & 15
Soup served at 11:30 am; Performance begins at Noon
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE

The 4th season of Emmanuel’s Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series features music on the newly refurbished von Beckerath organ. The concert series moves from music for organ solo to organ duo (4 hands and feet!), and ends with a trio of organ, cello, and flute. The series features organists Susan Bloomfield, Sam Libra, Wyatt Smith, and Susanna Valleau; cellist Carson Farley; and flutist Ian McKnight. Free admission.

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Healthy Holidays Series: Travel Tips with an NSM Nutritionist
Friday, December 1,  2 – 2:30 pm
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE

During the month of December, New Seasons Market will be hosting 30-minute workshops on tips for a healthy holiday season. This week, it’s all about how to stay nourished during your holiday travels with ideas for nutrient-dense, packable snacks. These events are free, but registration is required.

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First Friday Art Walk
Friday, December 1

Come out for Mercer Island’s First Friday Art Walk. Art galleries on Mercer Island will be hosting their art walk events on the first Friday of the month (and some have free wine!).  Clarke + Clarke and SZ Gallery will be participating.

Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
7605 SE 27th St Suite 105
Learn more >>

Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery: Annual Holiday Party! 
Hours: 5 – 8 pm
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
Learn more >> 

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An Evening of Murder and Mayhem: Radio Drama
Friday – Sunday | December 1 – 3
Various Locations (visit website for details)

For the third year in a row, Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) brings a double bill of classic 1930s radio programming: The Shadow, one of the first crime solving superheroes, and Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel, created by the incomparable Marx Brothers. This situation comedy is set at an irreverent law firm where unusual clients cause complete chaos for incapable lawyers.

With live sound effects, this production will perform at the Mercer Island VFW Hall, YTN Parish Hall Theatre, and three local retirement homes. In addition, the show will be professionally recorded and will air over the holidays on the Mercer Island High School radio station, KMIH.

This event is for ages 8+. Please see the website for more details on the times and locations.

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St. Monica’s Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, December 1, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
St. Monica Catholic Church, 4301 88th Ave SE

Join in for Christmas caroling, hot cocoa, and the lighting of the Christmas trees at the St. Monica main school entrance. Walk down Snowflake Lane to the school gymnasium for dinner, Christmas cookie decorating, crafts, and pictures with Santa.

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Tree Lighting at Mercerdale Park & Firehouse Munch
December 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street

Gather with your family, friends and neighbors for an evening of holiday merriment at the community tree lighting ceremony and caroling at Mercerdale Park. Arts & crafts, Santa photos, treats, and musical entertainment will follow at the North Fire Station. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots drive to help a child in need have a better holiday season. Tree Lighting & Caroling at Mercerdale Park will be from 6:30pm – 7pm, and Firehouse Munch & Activities at North Fire Station will be from 7pm – 8:30pm.

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Restoration Event – Planting Event!
Saturday, December 2, 9 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Hillside Park, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd St
Meet at the corner of 76th Ave SE & SE 37th 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. *This event will be all about planting!*

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10th Annual Angels for the Animals Fundraiser
Saturday, December 2, 10 am – 4 pm
Studio 904, 3041 78th Ave SE

Angels for Animals is Studio 904’s annual celebration and compassionate fundraiser for animals in need. Shop for handmade gifts, enjoy refreshments and treats, or enter a raffle to win gorgeous home goods, holiday treats, or salon services. All proceeds benefit local animal welfare organizations.

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Children’s Christmas Workshop
Saturday, December 2, 1 – 4 pm
Evergreen Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave SE

This is a fun event for kids ages 3 to 13. Please plan for 20 minutes per craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parents can relax in the “Christmas Cafe.”

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PJ Story Time with Simon Okelo and Nancy Stewart
Saturday, December 2, 6 – 6:30 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

This month’s storyteller is Simon Okelo. Raised in the slums of Manyatta in Kisumu, Simon discovered his own potential in art and music. Simon is the Founder & Executive Director of One Vibe, a Seattle-based nonprofit that supports Kenyan youth through art and music programs.

Geared especially for children ages 3 and up; Nancy Stewart will be the musical guest! Refreshments will be served.
Learn more >>

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Island Choral Experience Annual Holiday Performances
Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd St
Island Girls & Prep Choir presents “Letters to Santa”
Saturday, December 2, 7 pm | Sunday, December 3, 2 pm and 7 pm

Island Sound presents “Christmas in the USA!”
Saturday, December 9, 7 pm | Sunday, December 10, 7 pm
Mercer Island girls’ choirs, Prep (2nd through 4th graders), Island Girls (4th through 6th graders), and Island Sound (7th through 12th graders) will delight audiences with these festive performances.
Learn more >>

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Festive Music of the Season Concert
Saturday, December 2, 7 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE

Don’t miss this free, festive musical celebration for the whole family! With classical music, carols, jazz, and more, this concert will feature a variety of instruments, like pianos, organs, bells, voices, wind instruments, and strings, in gorgeous and creative combinations. Join MIPC for dessert in the courtyard after the concert too. Donations accepted to support future concerts.

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Holiday Trunk Show – A Room Circus Festive FUNdraiser
Sunday, December 3, 11 am – 3 pm
3422 97th Avenue, SE. Mercer Island

Sip mimosas, connect with friends, and enjoy some holiday cheer at this holiday trunk show benefiting Room Circus Medical Clowning, a non-profit committed to alleviating the isolation and stress of hospitalized children and their families through the healing art of laughter and play. Trunk show artists and artisans include Lucente Studio (limited edition contemporary jewelry), COCO BEZA (artisanal soaps and skin care products), Geri Alhadeff (handmade holiday cards), and Mandy Chivers (handmade wine glass charms).  20% or more of all proceeds will be donated to Room Circus.

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Writers Read Out
Sunday, December 3, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Writers read 5 minutes of their unpublished work. We welcome funny, feisty, fantastic, historic, erotic, mysterious, poetic, genre-bending, device wielding, shape-shifting, mind-blowing, but no drama over the time limit. 5 means 5. Want to read? Reserve a spot online at our website. Questions? Contact [email protected]. Ages 18+. Listeners welcome!

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The Dickens Carolers
Sunday, December 3, 1:30 – 2:15 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

For almost 40 years, The Dickens Carolers has been a local holiday tradition. Your holiday favorites, both traditional and contemporary, are sung in beautiful four-part harmony. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.

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Comedy Show at SJCC: Samson Koletkar “Mahatma Moses”
Sunday, December 3 | 7 pm happy hour (cash bar), 8 pm show
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

As the world’s only Indian-Jewish stand-up comic, Samson Koletkar’s refreshing and thought-provoking perspective on the first-generation immigrant experience is driven by satire of his personal trials and tribulations, religious and political hypocrisies, and the day-to-day absurdities of human nature. The opening act is comedian Richard Sarvate, regular host at the San Francisco Punch Line Comedy Club
Learn more >>