Play Date! Plant a Tree at Luther Burbank Park

Sign up with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust this weekend to plant trees in on Saturday, Nov. 19 and do your part to protect valuable parkland and wetland habitat.

According to the Mountains to Sound Greenway webiste, volunteers have been improving the park for many years, planting native trees and shrubs and removing invasive blackberry and other plants. Luther Burbank Park is an important rest stop for many species of migratory birds and is home to at least one family of beavers.

To volunteer, visit the Mountains to Sound website and sign-up for the morning, afternoon or all-day team. The morning shift runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon shift works from noon until 3 p.m.

Not in the mood for breaking a sweat with the kids? Well, try these fun and/or informative activites instead:

Nov. 16: Mercer Island Parent Edge Workshop — Staying Close While Standing Back: Parenting Adolescents

• 7 to 8 p.m.
• Registered Nurse and Julie Metzger and Dr. Robert Lehman of Great Conversations bring their wealth of experience working with pre-teens and teens to parent groups in schools and communities. The parents workshop will take place at the library.
• Cost: Free for Mercer Island & PTA Members, $5 at the door for non-members.

Nov. 17: Preschool Story Time at the

• 10:30 am to 11:10 am
• For ages three to five with an adult caregiver.
• Celebrate the world of languages with stories, rhymes, activities and lots of fun.

November 18: Indoor Playground at the

• 2 pm to 4:30 pm
• Kids six and under accompanied by an adult caregiver will enjoy zipping around on scooters and playing with balls, giant blocks and other fun toys. A great place for you and your child to get out of the rain and run, play, socialize and have fun.
• Questions? Call 206 275-7609
• Cost: Mercer Island residents, $3.25 per child, non residents, $4.50 per child. Program sponsored by the Mercer Island Preschool Association.

Nov. 18: Parents Night Out at

• 6 pm to 9:30 pm
• For ages three and up.  Must be potty trained. Open to non-members and members of My Gym Bellevue.
• Enjoy a date night in Bellevue or get an early jump on holiday shopping. Your child will have a great time at My Gym meeting new friends and enjoying activities including games and play time in the gym, supervised by My Gym staff.  Pizza dinner included!
• Cost: $35 first child, $20 each addition sibling
• Pre-registration required by calling 425 451-1393 or emailing info@mygymbellevue.com

Nov. 20: Kaplan SAT Practice Test at the  

• 12:30 pm to 5 pm
• Check your SAT test-taking skills with this four-hour practice test simulating the real thing. Come back on November 27th to the library to find out your scores and learn some strategies for improvement.
• Cost: Free but you must register online before November 18th.
• Questions? Contact Jennifer Fleck at jafleck@kcls.org

November 20: Drop In Gym for Special Needs Kids and Teens at the

• 2 pm to 4 pm
• Enjoy a new program for special needs kids and teens ages five to fifteen.  Meet up with friends and family to enjoy playing in facility with your child or teen. The facility is not staffed so supervision by a parent or caregiver is required at all times. Program is offered every other Sunday this fall so next drop in gym will be Dec. 4.
• Questions? Call 206 275-7609.
• Cost: $3.25 per resident, $4.50 for non-residents of Mercer Island.

Nov 21: SAT Prep Practice Test at

• 2:45 pm to 7:15 pm
• SAT Prep offers a test prep course and practice SAT test. The practice test is a great way to reinforce strengths and identify weaknesses for the SAT. Students leave with a marked essay, a better understanding of the scoring of the SAT, and their SAT score from this practice test. All testing materials are sent home with the students for further review.
• SAT Prep test prep course starts November 28th, Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:45 pm to 6:30 pm at Mercer Island High School. More information online.
• Cost: $45 for practice test, SAT Prep Course including textbook and materials $319.
• Pre-registration is required online or by calling 425 838-1370 or via email to office@SATPrep.org.

Sweet Deals

Half Price Book Coupons

• Deal: Get on Half Price Books email list for to receive great coupon savings, including one recently one for 50% off the highest priced item. You can sign up for your’s online here and start getting them in time for holiday shopping at the or stores. 
• Good Through: Ongoing

Gene Juarez Advanced Training Salon

• Deal: Get your hair ready for holiday parties. You get the same free coffee, great service and beautiful hair – with a big discount on the prices.  Haircuts start at $30, custom color from $40 and partial highlights from $55. 
• For extra savings, ask for a “punch card” to earn a free haircut or color and go online here to get added to the email list for monthly discount specials.
• The salon is located in downtown Seattle at 1901 4th Avenue, across from Macy’s.
• Call for an appointment 206 622-6611
• Good Through: Ongoing