Events

Issaquah Rotary’s Third Annual Grape Escape: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 28. Wine-tasting event funds scholarships for local students. Registration required. Hilton Garden Inn, 1800 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. www.issaquahrotary.org.

Benefits

Issaquah Food Bank: Accepts online cash donations, non-perishable food and usable clothing items (especially children’s and infants clothing). Food and clothing donations can be dropped off at 179 First Ave. S.E. Online donations can be made at www.issaquahfoodbank.org. Client hours: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 5-7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Volunteers are also needed. 425-392-4123 or 425-392-5836.

Classes

Chinese culture class: 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays; 12:30-2 p.m. Thursdays. Come taste Chinese tea, learn about Chinese culture and history, and learn to speak and write Chinese. Cost: By donation. Registration required for limited space. Location: Trassachs, Sammamish. 425-427-2742 or pguo56@yahoo.com.

Faith

Hope for U.S.A. Interfaith Prayer Meeting: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3. Includes prayer, seminars by religious and business leaders, and Indian vegetarian meal. Vedic Cultural Center, 1420 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. www.vedicculturalcenter.org.

Prayer Gathering: 5-6 p.m. Jan. 4. Bring your requests and join others to pray together as a community of faith. All ages welcome. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish. 425-868-5186 or mainoffice@spconline.org.

“A Deeper Well” Discussion Group: 8 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month, September-June. Presented by Our Savior Lutheran Church. Issaquah Brew House, 35 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah. 425-392-4169, ext. 105, or rdfletcher@oslcissaquah.org.

Celebrate Recovery: 7 p.m. Thursdays. Christ-centered 12 step recovery program features worship, testimonies and small share groups. Crossroads Bible Church, 15815 S.E. 37th St., Bellevue. 425-392-8084 or Hauser.kip@gmail.com.

Meditation music evening: 7:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month. Features spiritually inspiring music a la Taize’ for meditation. Bellevue First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave. N.E. 425-454-2059.

Libraries/Books

Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way. 425-392-5430 or www.kcls.org. Library activities include:

• Opera Preview—“The Pearl Fishers” by Georges Bizet: 7 p.m. Dec. 29.

• Dungeons & Dragons Gaming Group: 2:30 p.m. Jan. 5 and 26. D&D 4 group for teens. Bring own dice.

• “This Land is Our Land—Artists Paint America”: 7 p.m. Jan. 13. Take a visual journey from the East to West Coast.

• Manga Group: 2:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28. For teens.

• Strategy Games Group: 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21. For teens. Play Guitar Hero, “Dance Dance Revolution” and Smash Bros Brawl, and share gaming strategies.

• Issaquah Library Book Discussion Group: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Topic: “Loving Frank” by Nancy Horan.

• “Starting a New Business—Options to Consider”: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 31. Class led by Ed Molzan, Seattle SCORE business counselor.

• Read Three, Get One Free: Children ages 12-18 can read three books, write three short reviews and get a new paperback book for free. Entry forms available at the library or online at www.kcls.org/read3.

• Story times: Library offers various child, family and foreign language story times. Call for details.

• Talk Time: 1 p.m. Mondays; 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Adults can improve their English speaking and listening skills in this conversation group.

Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. N.E. 425-836-8793 or www.kcls.org. Library activities include:

• Sammamish Book Discussion Group: 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month.

• Teen Book Lovers Club: 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month.

• Mother/Daughter Book Club: 7 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month. Open to girls ages 9-12 and their mothers.

• Read Three, Get One Free: Children ages 12-18 can read three books, write three short reviews and get a new paperback book for free. Entry forms available at the library or online at www.kcls.org/read3.

• Story times: Library offers various story times for children and families. Call for details.

• Study Zone: 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. Free homework help for students.

Groups

Eastgate Expounders Toastmasters Club: Noon Tuesdays. The President’s Distinguished Club. Exponent Conference Room, 15375 S.E. 30th Place, Suite 250, Bellevue. www.eastgateexpounders.org.

Eastside Genealogical Society: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. All are welcome to attend and learn how to search for family. Also: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays and 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, genealogy help offered. Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. 425-747-6926 or www.rootsweb.com/~wakcegs/.

Eastside Quilters: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 2650 148th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. 425-643-9742 or www.eastsidequilters.com.

Haiku Northwest: 7-9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Haiku sharing and discussion group. All are welcome. Contact coordinator via Web site to confirm location. Often (not always) at Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. 206-240-0871 or www.hometown.aol.com/WelchM/Haiku-Northwest.

Issaquah Amateur Radio Club: 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Open to anyone, licensed or not, who is interested in Ham Radio. Issaquah Valley Senior Citizens Center, 75 N.E. Creek Way, Issaquah.

Issaquah Guild of the Children’s Hospital: 11 a.m. the third Thursday of the month. New members welcome. 765 Rainier Blvd. N., Issaquah.

Issaquah Kiwanis: Meets at noon Wednesdays. Gibson Hall, 105 Newport Way S.W. 425-392-4016 or www.issaquah.kiwanis.org.

Issaquah Rotary: 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Ave. N.W., Issaquah. www.issaquahrotary.org.

La Leche League of the Sammamish Plateau: 10 a.m. the third Thursday of the month. Topics: Jan. 15, “Nutrition and Weaning.” Mothers with nursing babies and mothers-to-be welcome. Meeting room at Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73, 1280 N.E. Park Drive, Issaquah. 425-605-0837, 425-827-6843, lll.tsf@gmail.com or sherylbatt@verizon.net.

MOMS Club of Sammamish Plateau: Activities include weekly age-specific playgroups and monthly meetings, coffee mornings, moms’ nights out, craft club and local area outings. 425-836-5015 or www.momsclubsammamish.org.

Mothers and More Sammamish/Redmond chapter: 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Members participate in scrap-booking, book club, movies out, Clutter Club, kids play groups and more. See Web site for details, locations. www.redmondmothersandmore.org.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Moms enjoy brunch, fellowship, speakers and crafts. Childcare provided. Registration requested. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. www.spconline.org/pages/Ministry/Childrens/MOPS

Rotary Club of Sammamish: 7:30 a.m. Thursdays. Bellewood Retirement Apartments, 3710 Providence Point Drive S.E. 206-940-9098 or www.sammamishrotary.org.

Sammamish Area Woman’s Club: 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Club is a General Federation of Women’s Club Cascade Woman’s Club. Members participate in volunteer projects in the local area. New members welcome. Meetings in members’ homes; call for location. 425-898-8603.

Sammamish Kiwanis Club: 7 a.m. Wednesdays. Breakfast is provided and all are welcome. Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, 22818 S.E. Eighth St. 425-922-3861.

Soroptimist International of Bellevue Metropolitan: 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at 16701 N.E. 79th St., Redmond. Also: Noon the forth Wednesday of the month at Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. 425 830-6538.

Toastmasters of Sammamish: 7:15-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, in room 121 at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 1121 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-894-3424, tmofsamm@yahoo.com or www.tmofsamm.org.

Writing Group: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Meet with other writers. Tiger Mountain Tea Company, Gilman Village, 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 47, Issaquah. 425-941-2559.

Public Meetings

Sammamish City Council: Meets at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-295-0511.

Parks and Recreation Commission: 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-295-0580.

Support

Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group: 6-7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. We provide free information and support group for care partners, family and friends of individuals with dementia. Aegis of Issaquah, 780 N. Juniper St. 425-313-7364 or www.alzwa.org.

Breast cancer patient support: Trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly-diagnosed. Will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments. 206-417-3484, www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Eastside Compassionate Friends: 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Group welcomes families who have experienced the death of a child of any age. No religious affiliation. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 10021 N.E. 124th St., Kirkland. 425-325-0357.

Food Addicts Anonymous: 7 p.m. Thursdays. Group offers help and support to those struggling with food cravings and overeating. Confidential North Bend location. 425-888-0314 or heartlight050@yahoo.com.

GriefShare Grief Support Group: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through Jan. 29. Community members can reflect on their grief experiences. No meetings on holidays. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. mainoffice@spconline.org.

Hearing Loss Association: Meets at 1 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church, 14434 N.E. Eighth Street, Bellevue. 425-746-1074 or greymare25@aol.com.

Volunteers

Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research: Volunteers needed to help with planning and donation procurement for annual Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction on Oct. 2, 2009. Funds raised benefit brain cancer research, and education and advocacy programs for cancer patients. kmheffley@verizon.net.

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast cancer survivors needed to provide support for others battling cancer. Must be one year past the end of treatments and have good interpersonal skills. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Evergreen Hospice: Volunteers age 18 or older needed to help terminally ill patients and their families throughout King and Snohomish counties. Training provided. 425-899-1040 or www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

Family Law CASA of King County: Children’s needs can get lost in the dispute between separating parents. Do you want to advocate for such a child? Volunteer for Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of King County. 206-748-9700 or www.familylawcasa.com.

Friend to Friend: Volunteers needed to visit adults in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement homes throughout King and Snohomish counties. Volunteers commit to visit about twice a month for one year. 206-246-5150.

Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Chamber is seeking friendly volunteers to assist in providing a warm welcome and information to visitors at our Issaquah Visitor Information Center. Help is needed 1-5 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. 425-392-7024 or tbarry@issaquahchamber.com.

Issaquah History Museums: Volunteers needed to welcome visitors four hours per month at the Train Depot and Gilman Town Hall. Training provided. 425-392-3500 or volunteer@issaquahhistory.org.

Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools (LINKS): Volunteer opportunities include mentors, math and reading assistance, tutoring, and homework help. 425-702-3410, links@lwsd.org or www.linksvolunteer.org.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Cancer Resource Center: Volunteers needed to greet resource center visitors, assist clients in using the center’s self-serve functions, answer phones and provide clerical support. Training provided. Application, interview and orientation required prior to training. 425-688-5369.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team: American Red Cross is seeking King County volunteers to respond to local disasters. Volunteers must be on-call one week out of six, and will receive free training. 206-726-3566 or www.seattleredcross.org.

Sammamish Arts Commission: Arts commission is looking for a handyperson to help with the tiled bus shelter. Some tiles need to be replaced and all tiles must be resealed. For questions or to volunteer, call 425-295-0556 or e-mail dsanders@ci.sammamish.wa.us.

Stitches from the Heart: Volunteers needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters, hats and booties for babies in need. Items go to hospitals across the country. Patterns available. Donations of yarn or money also appreciated. Call for details. 866-472-6903, stitchfromheart@aol.com or www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

Youth Center Advisory Board: The 2008-2009 Issaquah Youth Advisory Board is seeking representatives from Issaquah, Beaver Lake and Maywood middle schools. Applications available online at www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. More info: 425-837-3317.

Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research: Volunteers needed to help with planning and donation procurement for annual fundraising Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction. kmheffley@verizon.net.

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast cancer survivors needed to provide support for others battling cancer. Must be one year past the end of treatments and have good interpersonal skills. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Evergreen Hospice: Volunteers age 18 or older needed to help terminally ill patients and their families throughout King and Snohomish counties. Training provided. 425-899-1040 or www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

Friend to Friend: Volunteers needed to visit adults in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement homes throughout King and Snohomish counties. Volunteers commit to visit about twice a month for one year. 206-246-5150.

Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Chamber is seeking volunteers for the Issaquah Information Center. Help is needed 1-5 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. 425-392-7024 or tbarry@issaquahchamber.com.

Issaquah History Museums: Volunteers needed to welcome visitors four hours per month at the Train Depot and Gilman Town Hall. Training provided. 425-392-3500 or volunteer@issaquahhistory.org.

Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools (LINKS): Volunteer opportunities include mentors, math and reading assistance, tutoring, and homework help. 425-702-3410, links@lwsd.org or www.linksvolunteer.org.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Cancer Resource Center: Volunteers needed to greet resource center visitors and provide clerical support. Training provided. Application, interview and orientation required prior to training. 425-688-5369.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team: American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to respond to local disasters. Volunteers will receive training. 206-726-3566 or www.seattleredcross.org.

Sammamish Arts Commission: looking for a handyperson to help with the tiled bus shelter. For questions or to volunteer, call 425-295-0556 or e-mail dsanders@ci.sammamish.wa.us.

Youth Center Advisory Board: The 2008-2009 Issaquah Youth Advisory Board is seeking representatives from Issaquah, Beaver Lake and Maywood middle schools. Applications available online at www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. More info: 425-837-3317.