Events

Mother Daughter Belly Dance workshop: Fern Life Center Belly Dance workshop on Mother’s Day weekend. Saturday, May 9, workshop runs from 1 -3 p.m. Workshop fee is $15 per person. This is a fun opportunity for Moms and daughters to spend quality time while learning the basics from the ground up; it will get you movin’ and shakin’ those hips! To reserve space, or for more info: www.fernlifecenter.com or phone 425-391-3376

All-breed cat show: North Pacific Siamese Fanciers all-breed cat show will benefit the Issaquah Food Bank. Issaquah Community Center. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, May 9. Bring two items of non-perishable food per person to receive a $2 discount on admission. More info: 425-882-3061. $5/adults, $4/senior, $3/children under 12, $10/family.

International Migratory Bird Day: Marymoor Park – Saturday May 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. Bird walks, native plant walk, displays, kids’ activities, a family bird walk, and scopes for close-up viewing of the active Osprey nest. Marymoor Park, parking lot G. More info: 425-822-8580 or jgmcgruder@gmail.com

Huge Native Plant Sale: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., annual spring sale benefits King Co. chapter of Washington Native Plant Society. Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue. Thousands of plants native to Washington, including wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, shrubs, & trees, all with basic cultivation info. More info: www.wnps.org, 206-527-3210 or wnps@wnps.org. Bring your own boxes or trays please!

District-wide middle school dance: Grades: 6-8. Issaquah Community Center, 7 – 10 p.m. Friday, May 15. Parents – once youth are in the door, they are in until 10 p.m., unless a parent meets them in the lobby. We do not allow youth to leave the building unescorted. Please leave all backpacks and skateboards at home! All youth will pass through a metal detector upon entrance. Concessions available. Parent volunteers are always needed. More info: 425-837-3317. $5. Appropriate dress code strictly enforced.

Blooming Art: A Visual History of Botanical Illustration and Still Life Painting. Issaquah Library, 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. Contemplate the glorious beauty of flowers in a slide presentation on the history of floral painting. The lecture will include ancient herbal lore, folk flower remedies and symbolism, the 17th Century Dutch tulip trade, still life paintings, Impressionist garden paintings and contemporary approaches to floral painting.

Attention to Teen Talent in the Issaquah Community: Are you a teen interested in showing your artwork or performing on stage? Ages: 11-18. Issaquah Community Center, 1 – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 16. $15. This new event, which is planned by teens for teens, has the goal of showcasing local artistic and musical talent for all to enjoy. More info: Cathy at cathyj@ci.issaquah.wa.us or 425-837-3317.

Career Consultant Amanda Johnson: hosts “How to Find a Job in a Tough Economy; Practical Tips to Boost Your Job Search”, 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the Sammamish Library. An interactive evening filled with proven techniques for landing a job. Learn how to stand out in this crowded job market, expand your network and effectively market yourself.

Get Organized (GO) System Seminar: The GO System is a proven, step-by-step process to help people in business get organized and stay organized. 9 a.m., May 19., 25101 SE 24th Street, Sammamish. 206-579-5743, debbie@itssimplyplaced.com.

Issaquah Valley Senior Center: Annual Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, May 9, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12, plenty of pancakes, ham, eggs, coffee and juice for everyone. More info: contact Jan at 425-392-2381.

Super Sitter: Ages 11 – 16. This class focuses on babysitting skills and will cover caring for infants, age-related activities, basic first aid, accident prevention, emergencies and parents’ expectations. Bring a sack lunch and snack. Students are not permitted to leave the premises. Instructor from Overlake Hospital education staff. Memorial Park Center. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Fee: $40. More info: www.issaquahparks.net.

Let’s Get Real! With Drugs & Alcohol: Issaquah Library, 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 19. Presented by Brent Campbell, founder of Real World, and Scott Depuy, ESFR firefighter and Ryans Solutions Founder. Is there a problem in our community with drugs and alcohol? Are you educated on current drug trends and drug choices in a teen’s world? Learn what can you do to make a difference. More info: brent@bcshometeam.com

Plant sale: to benefit Audubon Society: Native plants, trees, perennials and shrubs. Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Jan’s Herbs, 13450 N.E. 100th Street, Kirkland.

Author Robert Fulghum: will be the keynote speaker at the Providence Marianwood 9th Annual Spring Celebration Luncheon on Thursday, May 14, at Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club. More info: 425-391-2895.

Issaquah Tourism Round Table Event: learn how to get your business involved in tourism in the city of Issaquah. Wednesday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Tibbett’s Creek Manor. To reserve your spot, contact Tricia Barry, 425-392-7024 or tbarry@isaquahchamber.com. This event is free.

Alternative Energies – The Multiple Choice: Issaquah Library, 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 26. This presentation examines and explains the current alternative, sustainable energy technologies in a straight-forward way that’s easy to understand. Presented by Alan Richrod.

Financial advisor Jana Williams: will host a free dinner seminar at 5.30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 19 at Lombardi’s Restaurant in Issaquah. The topic will be Long Term Care Insurance. RSVP by Friday, May 15 to 425-837-4686. Dinner will be provided. More info: www.edwardjones.com

Boys and Girls Club KidsBreakfast Fundraiser: May 20, at the Sahalee Country Club from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. More info: www.redmondbgc.countmein.com

Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: is holding a fundraising rummage sale Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The non-profit organization will accept donations at the hatchery’s Watershed Science Center on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and by appointment throughout the week of May 18-22. Donations made to FISH are tax-deductible. For more info: including a list of acceptable and unacceptable items, or to schedule a drop-off time, visit www.issaquahfish.org.

Benefits

The Issaquah Women’s Club: is holding a basket auction, Basket and Buddies, Thursday, May 7, 9 a.m., Tibbets Manor, Issaquah. Guests are welcome. Baskets made by members will be auctioned off and the funds donated to local charities. More info: 425-392-1890

Village Theatre Auction and Gala: The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University Street, Seattle, Saturday, May 16, 5:30 p.m. Featuring John Curley as Auctioneer. Tickets start at $200 per person, corporate tables of 10 start at $2,000. The event will feature a live musical theatre performance and elegant four-course gourmet dinner, complete with fine wines. More info: Jessica Wright, 425-392-1942

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. Client hours: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 5-7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Volunteers also needed. 425-392-4123 or 425-392-5836.

Eastside Baby Corner: needs donations of new or gently-used clothing for children (newborn to size 14), strollers, high chairs, cribs, toys, blankets, diapers and more. Donations can be dropped off at the distribution center at 1510 Maple Street NW in Issaquah, on Monday evenings from 7 – 8:30 p.m., or on Thursday mornings, 9 – 11 a.m. Volunteers, including families, groups or individuals, are all welcome to help sort and package the clothes. For more info: visit www.babycorner.org or call 425.865.0234.

Bike Drive: May 16 – ARAS African Bike Drive needs used adult and children’s bikes to send to Ghana. All bikes and parts are accepted except for those severely rusted. Volunteers are also sought, to prepare donated bikes for shipment to Africa. More info: 425 868 8448 or 425 836 4431.

The ISC Arsenal Blue 97 boys soccer team: will hold fundraising carwashes for the National Foundation for Transplants Washington Bone Marrow Fund for Dawn Appel on Saturday May 2, at the McDonald’s on the corner of East Lake Sammamish Parkway from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. On Wednesday, May 27, the team will co-host a spaghetti dinner and silent auction with students from Newport High School.

Theater

Show Boat at Village Theatre: Tickets are now available for Village Theatre’s production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s romantic masterwork, Show Boat. Opens in Issaquah on May 13 and will run until July 3. More info: call 425- 392-2202, or 866-688-8049, or go to www.villagetheatre.org.

Drama Fest: Alternating bills of original works by student playwrights, presented by Redmond High School Theatre Arts. Some PG-13 subject matter and language. 7 p.m., May 12 – 15. Redmond Performing Arts Center 17272 NE 104th Street, Redmond. mdoty@lwsd.org

Nightlife

Pogacha of Issaquah: Saturdays, Live music, no cover. May 9, Dark, from 8 to 11 p.m. May 16, Steve Albouq Quartet, from 8 to 11 p.m. 120 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. 425-455-5550 or www.pogacha.com.

Vino Bella Wine Bar: Performances 7:30-11:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Ongoing: 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays, comedy nights. 99 Front St. N., Issaquah. 425-391-1424 or www.vinobella.com.

Groups

Boy Scout Troop 751: meets Mondays, 6:50 p.m. at the Community Church of Joy, 723 233rd Ave NE, Sammamish. All boys age 11 and older that are interested in outdoor based activities are welcome. More info: www.troop751.com. The troop will host an Open House, May 11 at 7 p.m.

Music

Seeking new musicians: The Sammamish Symphony Orchestra is composed of adult volunteer musicians dedicated to performing concerts and maintaining outreach programs. Rehearsals are Thursdays 7:15 – 9:45 p.m. at Eastlake High School. The orchestra has openings in all string sections, principal bassoon, principal clarinet, and second oboe. More info: 206-517-7777, or go to www.SammamishSymphony.org

Galleries/Exhibits

Call for Artists: Sammamish Arts Commission is looking for artists for their annual Art Fair, October 10 and 11, at City Hall. Contact Jamie McKay at jamieandpaul@comcast.net to receive submission info for this juried show. Submission deadline is May 27.

ArtEAST third annual Student Art Show: May 1 – 28. ArtEAST Gallery in downtown Issaquah. More info: 425-503-8917 or www.arteast.org

Mother’s Day Portraits: Done in Flowers! – Celebrity Artist Robert Blehert will be at the Revolution Gallery, Gilman Village, May 8, 9 and 10. More info: Pennie Humphreys at the Revolution Gallery, 425-392-4982

Photography show: Robert Rose will show a new exhibit called “Photography for Good – Portraits of Nepal and India,” a collection of photographs taken on his many trips to the region. May 9 – 23. Pogacha of Issaquah. More info: 425-454-7676 or rrosephoto@comcast.net.

Family

Acrylic Painting: Issaquah Community Center, Saturdays, May 16 – June 13. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: $72 for 4 classes. Ages: 6-11. Practice mixing colors, under painting, using palette knives, proper brush care and techniques. Bring a smock or paint shirt. All materials are provided. More info: 1-877-299-2546 or www.ctworkshop.com.

Issaquah Library

Study Zone: Students in Grades K-12 may drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors. 4 p.m. May 11, 13 and 14.

Twilight Scavenger Hunt: Prove how well you know how to use the library to find all things Twilight-related. First one to accurately complete the hunt wins a copy of Twilight the movie! Open to teens in middle and high school only. 2 p.m. May 13.

Manga Club: Manga and Anime fans, join us for our final meeting of the 2008-2009 school year. Open to middle and high schoolers only. 2 p.m. May 20.