Here’s my weekly round-up of events for September 5 – 11 on Mercer Island:
Voter Registration
Tuesday, September 6 – All day
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Are you registered to vote? Paper applications are available at the Mercer Island Library. The deadline to mail-in register for the general election is October 10. You can also register online at kingcounty.gov/elections
Storybook Corner 
Wednesday, September 7, 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: Stephanie Bowman, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
Thursday, September 8, Noon
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
The seaport of the Port of Seattle is now called the North Harbor. The Port of Tacoma is the South Harbor, and the two ports make up the Northwest Seaport Alliance – cooperating not competing with each other. The Alliance markets itself as the “fourth-largest container gateway in North America.” Those trucks going across I-90? They are heading to the Port, aka North Harbor. The Port is about more than containers and cargo ships. It manages Sea-Tac airport (those lines at TSA are one of their problems), the comings and going of cruise ships, and also Marinas and Parks – think Fisherman’s Wharf.
Speaker Stephanie Bowman is a past co-president of the Port Commission and is currently secretary of the Commission. Her current term runs to 2017. Stephanie Bowman serves as the Executive Director of Washington ABC, a statewide non-profit organization promoting policies and programs to help economically disadvantaged communities.
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce website >>
Mercer Island Guild – September Meeting
Friday, September 9, 10 am
Member’s home on Mercer Island
This meeting is the start of work on the 2017 Mercer Island Directory. Ad renewal packets are distributed and deadlines set. An updated meeting calendar will be presented. Luncheon served. Newcomers are always welcome! Join this active volunteer organization and support Seattle Children’s Hospital. Contact [email protected] for membership information and directions to the meeting.
Mercer Island Art Uncorked
Friday, September 9, 6 – 9 pm
Downtown Mercer Island at the plaza on 78th Avenue SE and Sunset Highway
Art, wine, music and fun will once again fill the streets of Mercer Island. Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce and the Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) , “Art Uncorked” will bring together wine tasting, art, music, and food to downtown Mercer Island for this third annual event. (Volunteers still needed! Sign up here.)
Learn more >>
Swim Across America
Saturday, September 10, 7 am
Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave SE
The Swim Across America – Seattle Open Water Swim has been a thriving event since its inception in 2009. This family friendly event will raise thousands every year for their local beneficiary Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. We hope to make 2016 the biggest and best year yet and invite you to join us as we “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” in September.
Learn more >>
Mercer Island Farmers Market 
Sunday, September 11, 10 am – 3 pm
SE 32nd Street at Mercerdale Park (between 77th and 78th Ave SE)
Visit the Mercer Island Farmers Market for the widest array of top quality Washington foods fresh from the farm, the field or sea, artisan produced and/or ready to eat – plus music, children’s activities, artisan gifts, and more!
Here are the highlights this week:
- Featured Vendor: Stomani Cellars
- Music by Joe Blue Blues Band
- Kids: Dinosaur Gardens
Free Lacrosse Clinic & Great Stick Giveaway
Sunday, September 11, 10 – 11:30 am
Aubrey Davis Park – Area C
Calling all Mercer Island Kindergarten through 4th grade boys and girls! It’s the Great Stick Giveaway and Free Lacrosse Clinic! Come join the fun and learn why lacrosse is the fastest growing sport. Youth will be given a stick and can participate in this free lacrosse clinic. Island residents and new club participants only. Sponsored by the Boys MI Lacrosse Club.
Mercer Island Lacrosse website >>
Boys MIHS Water Polo Car Wash
Sunday, September 11, Noon – 3 pm
South End Storage Court, 8501 SE 68th Street.
Though the Mercer Island School District treats the Boys MIHS Water Polo as a “varsity sport”, water polo is considered a “club sport” according to WIIA rules. Being a WIAA club sport means the team is not eligible for monetary support, and the team must raise money to fund their Water Polo season. The Boys MIHS Water Polo team car wash is a long-running Islander tradition and the primary team fundraiser for the season. Money raised benefits the entire team by offsetting pool rental fees, supplementing tournament travel costs, buying team equipment and providing scholarship support which reduces team fees for all athletes’ families. Tickets are $10 and are a tax-deductible donation.
Mercer Island Water Polo website >>
Mercer Island Girls Scouts Troop Formation Event
Sunday, Sep 11, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Learn more about Girl Scouts at this Mercer Island Girl Scouts Troop Formation event. Find out the background and history of Girl Scouting, get your questions answered, and join with other parents to form a troop for your daughter. Girl Scouts on Mercer Island is big – we have over 30 troops of girls in grades K to 12! It is one of the only groups in our area to offer an all-girl collaborative environment for girls to develop their leadership skills. Interested in starting your own troop? All you need is 5 girls and 2 adults. You’ll be joining an amazing circle of over 60 troop leaders and co-leaders here on Mercer Island.
