Events

Glory Days Preschool Open House: 10 a.m. Jan. 13. Open house for parents of children interested in enrolling for the 2009/2010 school year. Registration for next year will take place 9:15 a.m. Feb. 10. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. www.spconline.org.

Locust Trail Wetlands Clean Up Service Project: 9 a.m. Jan. 24. Volunteers welcome to help remove invasive plants and stake native plants. Wear rubber boots and dress warm. Sponsored by REI, City of Issaquah and Mountains-to-Sound Greenway. Behind REI store, 735 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. 425-313-1660 or tasars@rei.com.

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

“Overcoming Learning Challenges with Brain-based Movement”: 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Free discussion sponsored by Labyrinth Home Education Co-op. Sammamish Library Meeting Room, 825 228th Ave. N.E. 360-535-9991 or www.moveplaythrive.com.

REI clinics: 7 p.m. Jan. 14, “Avalanche Awareness”; 7 p.m. Jan. 27, “Snowshoe Routes Washington” with author Dan Nelson. Cost: Free. REI, 735 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. 425-313-1660.

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. Location: Trassachs, Sammamish. 425-427-2742 or pguo56@yahoo.com.

Faith

“A Deeper Well” Discussion Group: 8 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month, September-June. Presented by Our Savior Lutheran Church. All are welcome. 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:

• “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.

• Dungeons & Dragons Gaming Group: 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26. D&D4 group for teens. Bring own dice.

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

• 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:

• Musik Nest: 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Share songs, dance and music with your toddler.

• Teen Creative Writers’ Group: 3:30 p.m. Jan. 20.

• Sammamish Book Group: 7 p.m. Jan. 21. Topic: “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.

• “Let’s Get Real! with Drugs and Alcohol”: 7 p.m. Jan. 28. Learn from local experts how to address community problems with drugs and alcohol.

• Mother/Daughter Book Group: 7 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month. Open to girls ages 9-12 and their mothers. Topic: Jan. 29, “Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech.

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

• 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.

• Talk Time: 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Improve your English speaking and listening skills in this conversation group.

Groups

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: Noon Wednesdays. Gibson Hall, 105 Newport Way S.W. 425-392-4016 or www.issaquah.kiwanis.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 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

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.

Writing Group: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Meet with other writers to discuss your work and sip tea. 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.

Planning Commission: Meets at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-295-0525.

Support

Breast cancer patient support: Trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly-diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments. Will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments and have volunteers in your community. 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. Group has 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. Cost: Free. Meets at a 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 own grief experiences and share one another’s burdens with leaders trained to listen and facilitate conversation. No meetings on holidays. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. mainoffice@spconline.org.

Hearing Loss Association: 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.

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 info 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.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 online at www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. More info: 425-837-3317.

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.